Author: Wale Adebayo

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, says President Muhammadu Buhari’s denial that he benefitted from funds relating to the arms deal scandal, and the consequent controversy trailing it, underscores the need for a more neutral and transparent body like an Independent National Truth Commission to examine all issues relating to handling of security votes and campaign funding without interferences from the government. In a statement by Metuh on Wednesday said the leak that President Buhari benefited from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, against the convention of dealing with the…

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The management at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set out the guidelines for the operations of Bureau de Change (BDCs) operators in Nigeria. The guidelines, which are contained in the CBN’s latest circular, has prohibited the age-long practice of hawking foreign exchange on the streets, common in Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and some major northern cities. Though the circular did not disclose how it intends to deal with hawkers, it stated that from January 1, 2016, street trading of the dollar is “non-permissible” and will be severely punished by the bank. “Similarly, it shall be a ground for the revocation…

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Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Wednesday, arraigned a 31-year-old driver, Blessing Japhet, for allegedly stealing his employer’s items worth N1.2 million. Japhet, who resides at No. 32, Ajah-Ilaye St., Lagos, is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing. The Prosecutor, Inspector Ingobo Emby, told the court that the accused committed the offences between Nov. 29 and Dec. 8, at No. 13A, Abisogun Road, off Oniru Palace on Victoria Island, Lagos. Emby said that the accused and another at large, stole assorted gold jewellery and a handset, all valued at N1.2 million, property of Mrs Modebola Olotu. Emby…

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Women in purdah will be barred from voting in the local government elections slated for this Saturday, Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) disclosed. The decision to bar these category of women is due to the need to ensure facial identification during voters’ accreditation. The chairman of the commission, Kayode Bamisile, said on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital that since card readers would not be used for the elections, the only means of identification would be through the Permanent Voter Cards and facial outlook. “You cannot vote when we are not seeing your face. We have said we are…

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Nigerian army, on Wednesday, killed four would-be suicide bombers near a checkpoint on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The Nigerian Army said one of the four female bombers died when she detonated her explosive vest, while the three others were gunned down by the troops. “Today at about 7.30am 4 female suicide bombers were intercepted by troops and Borno youth, otherwise known as Civilian JTF, ahead of a checkpoint, which is about 25km away from the city of Maiduguri. “Preliminary investigation revealed that suicide bombers were earlier observed trying to bypass a military checkpoint through a nearby village…

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The Minister of Youth and Sport, Solomon Dalong, has inaugurated the third session of the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP). He urged members to resist any attempt by the political class to manipulate them. At the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Dalung described as sad the involvement of youths in the ongoing ‘drama of embarrassment’ in the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). “The Nigerian youth must desist from offering themselves from cheap manipulation. If those manipulating us believe in us, then, they should invest in us, not using us for their selfish interest,” the minister said. “After the inauguration today you…

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for peace following the face-off between the Nigerian Army and Muslim faithful of the Shi’ite Islamic movement, which led to death of some members of the sect. “CAN has observed with much sadness the altercation between the Nigerian Army and Muslim faithful of the Shia Islamic movement, which led to loss of lives of an as yet unknown number of Shiites,” a statement signed by The General Secretary of CAN, Dr. Musa Asake, read. “Our faith is bedrocked on love. We do not only love ourselves, but we also love our neighbors and…

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The President of United States, Barack Obama, has asked Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately investigate the deadly clash between soldiers attached to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria in Zaria, Kaduna State on Saturday. In a statement through its Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday, the United States Government expressed dismay at the clash, which resulted in the loss of several civilian lives and property. The statement reads: “The United States is deeply concerned by reports of violent clashes between members of the Nigerian Army and the Shiite group Islamic…

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British High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Arkwright, has condemned the violence in Zaria, Kaduna State caused by the alleged murder of some faithful of the Shi’ite Muslim sect by men of the Nigerian Army. “Like many across Nigeria, I am following with concern the reports of violence in Zaria over the weekend between the Nigerian security forces and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. I am further concerned at reports that protests in Kaduna have turned violent,” the High Commissioner said. He adds: “Nigeria’s religious and ethnic diversity adds a great deal to this country’s rich culture. It is important, therefore, that…

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Igbo Mandate Congress, IMC has condemned the murder of over 90 Shiite Muslims by officers and men of the Nigerian Army, over a traffic incidence in Zaria. In the unfortunate incidence sons of Sheikh Ibrahim Al Zakzaky were also murdered in a manner that seems unprovoked, bringing probably to six, the number of biological children of the Shiite leader murdered in related incidences within one year. Igbo Mandate Congress noted that on the 2nd of December, nine protesters belonging to Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were killed while protesting the detention of their factional leader and Director of Radio Biafra,…

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Justice Buba of the Federal High Court delivered an oral judgment dismissing the proceedings issued by Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc (Stanbic IBTC) against the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) and National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP). In his oral judgment, Mr Justice Buba held that the questions raised by Stanbic IBTC regarding FRC were hypothetical and academic and he did not deal with them. Mr Justice Buba held that section 7 of the NOTAP Act 1979 expresses important national public policy of Nigeria, namely to avoid the dumping of obsolete and inappropriate technology in Nigeria and to raise…

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The Federal Government has dropped the charges it filed against the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at the Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja. The Magistrate, Shuaibu Usman, Wednesday, discharged Kanu and struck out the case filed against him after the Department of State Services (DSS), approached the court to withdraw the case so that a higher court, which has jurisdiction to entertain charges bordering on terrorism, can take over. DSS arrested Kanu on October 14, 2015 in Lagos while addressing the World Igbo Congress in Los Angeles California, over claims that he demanded for guns and…

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A group of concerned Nigerians under the aegis of Citizens Access to Electricity Initiatives (CATEIN), on Tuesday kicked against planned increase in electricity tariff by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Mr Abdul-Salam Fashola, the Chairman of CATEIN told newsmen in Lagos that there were lots of issues to be addressed before tariff adjustment. He said that Distribution Companies (DISCOs) did not have complete data of their consumers. “Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) should shelve the idea of increment first and address fundamental issues in power sector. “The investors in power sector should find a way to ensure they have proper…

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Senator Shehu Sani, who is representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has said the Nigerian military’s use of lethal force on members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria at the weekend in Zaria, was unjustifiable. The senator, who gave the Islamic movement’s members knocks for blocking the highway, thereby denying the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was in Zaria as the reviewing officer for the 73rd Regular Recruits passing out parade, right of passage, however, condemned the attack as an “indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by the military”. Following the rejection of pleas…

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Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has instructed his lawyers to proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the Appeal Court judgment, which ordered fresh governorship election in the State. The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday upheld the decision of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which on October 14, nullified Wike’s election as governor of Rivers State. Reacting to the appellate court’s judgment, Wike stated that he disagrees with it, hence his decision to exhaust his constitutional right by approaching the apex court. The governor also called on all his supporters and the people of Rivers State to remain…

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Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the inconclusive governorship election, Chief Timipre Sylva, has distanced himself from statements falsely credited to him in a strange report purporting differences between him and President Muhammadu Buhari. The report was widely circulated by a certain new media platform on Monday. In a statement released Monday night by his Media Adviser, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, the governorship candidate of the APC denied granting any such interview to any news medium and never made the comments attributed to him by the strange “news” outlet. The statement said, “Sylva distances himself from the falsehood being…

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Dr Ebirien Fubara, who is a senior lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rivers State, has been killed along with his son at their residence in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Fubara was the Returning Officer in the March 28, House of Representatives election for Obio Akpor federal constituency in Rivers State. Vanguard reports that the assassins, who stormed his Odili Road residence in Port Harcourt, first killed his son with a rod and then went for the father, clubbing him till he fell unconscious, although they apparently thought he was dead. According to reports, Dr Fubara died…

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The presidency, on Tuesday, disclosed that President Mohammadu Buhari never collected any monetary compensation from the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration in the aftermath of the Boko Haram attack on him in Kaduna last year. This came following reports that President Buhari was settled with $300,000 and 5 Sports Utility Vehicles, SUVs after the attacks. Col. Dasuki had threatened to reveal the involvement of former Nigerian Leaders who shared in the “loot”. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina on Tuesday, in a statement refuted the claims. However, he admitted that two jeeps were given…

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The Senate will no longer go on vacation on Thursday as earlier planned as President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to formally present the 2016 budget to the National Assembly for subsequent scrutiny and approval next Tuesday, it has been reported. “We will not go on vacation on Thursday because President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded that he will present the 2016 Budget to the National Assembly next Tuesday and we have agreed and after receiving the budget, we will proceed for the holiday,” Vanguard quoted a source to have said. According to the source, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki had to…

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The current government of Bauchi State has revealed that the previous administration of Isa Yuguda squandered N91billion security vote in eight years. In a statement by the Special Assistant to Governor Mohammed Abubakar on Media and Communications, Yakubu Mohammed, the state said that more facts had emerged on security related expenditures by the former governor. The statement said that between 2007 and 2015, the sum of N91 billion was released as security vote requirements with the highest spending of over N17 billion in 2013. “For 2007, over N1 billion, over N6 billion in 2008, 2009 gulped over N8 billion. N10 billion was…

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