N2.5b fraud: ex-Minister surrenders N23m, two Abuja mansions to EFCC.

Following her arrest last week by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ex-Finance Minister and Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organization, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman has surrendered two houses she purchased in Abuja and a cash of N23m to the anti-graft agency.

Usman was taken into custody last week after the EFCC traced a payment of N2.5b into her company, Joint Trust Dimensions Ltd's account and N140m into her Zenith Bank Account  number, 1000158311.

The payments allegedly originated from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN in January 2015 during preparations for the last presidential elections.

A source at the EFCC hinted that the ex-Minister would soon be granted administrative bail.

“She has been cooperating with us as she has returned N23m and we have also seized two houses belonging to her in Abuja.

“Since she has been cooperating with us and has also returned some money, she will be granted an administrative bail. She seems to have some health challenges. Also, releasing her will give her the ability to return more funds.”

Usman is believed to have disbursed some of the money to certain individuals and interest groups in the run up to the last general elections on the instructions of PDP chieftain and former Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih.

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La Liga signs five-year deal with Nigerian football league

The League Management Company of Nigeria, LMC signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Spanish League Board, LFP on Tuesday, April 26, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The MoU which was witnessed by representatives of both the Nigerian and Spanish governments covers technical and commercial development of Nigerian football.

Chairman of the LMC, Shehu Dikko singed for the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, while the President of La Liga, Javier Tebas signed for the Spanish League.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung appended his signature as witness for the Nigerian side while the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfonso Barnuevo Sebastian de Erice did same for the Spanish League.

Some former Nigerian internationals who plied their trade in Spain were also on hand to add color to the event. They included Victor Ikpeba who played for Real Betis, Mutiu Adepoju who played for Racing Santander and Real Sociedad.

Speaking on the importance of the MoU, Dikko said ; "There is a fight for the heart and pocket of Nigerians to love and buy into our domestic football league and La Liga is ready to work with us on that. Stakeholders are already getting interested as they have seen one of the best leagues in the world associating with us. This will help us move forward and many more good things will follow. We shall move from this point to a point where we will in turn begin to support other leagues in Africa."

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OCCUPYNASS protesters demand Saraki's resignation (Photo)

Citizens United for Peace and Stability, a coalition of civil society organizations began a two day protest on Tuesday at the premises of the National Assembly to demand the resignation of Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki over the corruption charges he is facing at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The protesters who brought along their mats, mattresses and cooking utensils are also demanded the return of the exotic SUVs shared among the Senators in the midst of immense suffering of Nigerians

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Budget impasse: Buhari, Osinbajo meet Saraki, Dogara in Aso Rock (Photos)

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday met with Senate President, Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara at the State House, Abuja.

It is believed that the meeting was intended to resolve knotty issues of the 2016 budget.

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Photos from the LMC/La Liga dinner in Abuja

The League Management Company (LMC) on Monday night hosted the visiting La Liga Delegation to a dinner at the Mediterranean Club in Maitama District, Abuja.

Nigeria's rich delicacies and cultural dance were generously featured at the event.

Photos by LMC Media.

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Saraki seeks end to attacks by Fulani herdsmen

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has called for an urgent end to the spate of violence being meted to host communities across the country by Fulani herdsmen.

He made the call during Tuesday's plenary and on social media after the day's proceedings.

Bukola Saraki
@bukolasaraki
It is important that the violence attributed to herdsmen is addressed and curbed to ensure the safety, well-being and unity of the country.

Today, I asked the Committee on Agriculture to fast-track the implementation of @NGRSenate 's Public Hearing on Killings by Cattle Herdsmen.

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IGP performs groundbreaking ceremony at 1004 Police Housing Estate Abuja

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, on Monday performed the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of 1004 housing units for police personnel at Gosa town in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the police boss said the landmark project marked the commitment of Police leadership to address one of the most fundamental challenges facing officers and men of the service which is access to decent accommodation.

“Today's event represents another historic step towards advancing the welfare oriented policing component of my Strategic Police Plans as Inspector General of Police.

“The uniqueness of today’s event, however, rests on the fact that this is the first time that international bodies will be collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force for the purpose of addressing the housing needs of the personnel of the force,” he said.

Arase disclosed that the project is the brainchild of the Nigeria Police Force Property Development Company which is partnering Shelter Afrique and UN Habitat.

The partnership is expected to yield twenty five thousand (25,000) units of low cost houses for members of the Nigeria Police Force across the country.

“The construction of one thousand and four (1,004) units of this initiative is being launched in the FCT.

“Prior to this time, similar projects have been completed and handed over to members of the Rank and File cadre in Katsina, Adamawa, Edo and Enugu States. This was made possible through the incorporation of the Nigeria Police Force Property Development Company which engages direct labour using our assets in the Logistics and Supply Department to construct such houses,” he said.

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