Former President, Goodluck Jonathan had sufficient evidence to fire the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, although he decided to exercise restraint.
This disclosure was made by the former Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, on Sunday, at the annual Zik Dinner Lecture/Award in Abuja where he delivered a paper on the 2015 power transition in Nigeria.
He said that contrary to popular belief, there were instances of compromise by INEC.
“Few months to the general...
Sunday, 29 November 2015
A high ranking officer of Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS who was allegedly detained for 21 days for supporting Boko Haram has dragged the NIS, the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF before an Abuja Federal High Court .
Daniel Makolo, a Chief Superintendent of Immigration (CSI), formerly attached to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, was reportedly arrested and detained with some of his colleagues by the DSS in late 2012 over allegation by his employer, that they aided a Boko Haram...
The World Bank has delivered documents totalling over 700 pages on information on the spending of recovered assets stolen by the late General Sani Abacha to the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) .
The Executive Director of SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni disclosed this in a statement issued on November 29, 2015.
According to the statement, the World Bank documents suggest that the Abacha loot was spent on infrastructure like roads, water, electricity, education and health facilities.
“SERAP can confirm that last week we received...
Terrorist group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the suicide bomb attack on a Shiite Muslims procession which killed 22 persons in Kano on Friday and left 38 others injured.
In a statement posted on social media yesterday, the insurgents said that the bomb which some of the people taking part in the procession was detonated by their member.
They declared that such attacks would continue.
“And by the permission of Allah, these attacks of ours against Shiite polytheists will continue until we cleanse the earth of their filth,” they said....
The claim by Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai that former President, Goodluck Jonathan spent N64b on Independence Day celebrations from 2011 to 2014 has been contradicted by the Federal Government.
On October 1st 2015, El-Rufai had in a Facebook post, praised Buhari's frugal N70m budget for this year's Independence Day celebrations while attacking Jonathan's lavish expenditures for the same purpose.
“This is the APC/PMB change we voted for. Independence anniversary expenditure for the past five years: 2011 – N13bn; 2012 -N15bn; 2013...
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has announced plans to cut the travel expenses of the ministry and its associated agencies.
A directive limiting civil servants’ duty travels to a maximum of two days has already been issued.
Ngige said that the measure would help the ministry to save cost.
A statement issued by the Deputy Director, Press, Mr. Samuel Olowookere, said that the minister directed top officials of the ministry to seek the Permanent Secretary’s approval for travels exceeding one day and that of the minister...
Saturday, 28 November 2015
Plans by terrorist group, Boko Haram to bomb markets and places of worship in Abuja during the Christmas season have been exposed by the Federal Capital Territory administration.
The FCT administration which has already embarked on a massive enlightenment campaign in churches and mosques said that the measure is intended to frustrate the plans of the insurgents.
According to Director, Security Services, FCTA, Mohammed Mohammed, leaders of the relevant organizations have been advised on the appropriate security measures to thwart terror attacks....
The Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi yesterday, voided the election of former Senate President and Nigeria's longest serving Senator, Mr David Mark as the Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District.
The appellate court ordered a fresh election within 90 days.
Here's David Mark's first reaction to the development.
“Whatever the situation may be, one thing I know is that my people are solidly behind me. They also appreciate the fact that I have done more than enough to lift up Idoma nation to a position of eminence in the contemporary...
Thursday, 26 November 2015
The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA has concluded plans to take relief materials to newly liberated towns in Borno State.
The North-East Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Alhaji Mohammed Kanar, disclosed this on Wednesday while overseeing the distribution of relief materials to internally displaced persons in Dikwa Local Government Area of the state.
“We are moving to Bama, Gwoza, Askira-Uba, Marte and Baga local government areas to distribute relief materials to liberated people in the areas,” he said....
Terrorist group, Boko Haram now conceals Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs in attractive objects, says the Defence Headquarters.
The Director of Defence Information, Col. Rabi Abubakar disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday during a media briefing in his office.
He urged members of the public to be wary of picking up nice looking objects around them.
“All these things we are doing is to make sure that the populace remains safe from the hands of these Boko Haram terrorists who are now devising different means of fighting through this...
Following the sudden death of Prince Abubakar Audu, APC's candidate in last Saturday's governorship election in Kogi State, his running mate, Mr James Faleke has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC asking to be declared the governor-elect of the state.
See the letter written to INEC by Faleke's counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN.
Although an unfortunate and saddening incident had occurred after the announcement of results of the election and subsequent pronouncement of INEC that the election was inconclusive, the point...
The appointment of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta as the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC was approved by the Senate on Thursday.
Dambatta had occupied the position in acting capacity since his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari on August4 following the expiration of the tenure of Dr. Eugene Juwah as NCC Chief Executive Officer.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo disclosed that the Senate confirmed Dambatta's appointment...
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday granted permission to former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who has since November 4, 2015 been under house arrest , permission to be absent from court pending the determination of interlocutory applications filed by his lawyers and the Government of the Federation.
Dasuki had filed an interlocutory application asking the court for an order directing operatives of the Department of State Service to end their siege on his home in Abuja.
On its part, the Federal Government on November 20...
Following the sudden death of Prince Abubakar Audu, APC's candidate in last Saturday's governorship election in Kogi State, his running mate, Mr James Faleke has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC asking to be declared the governor-elect of the state.
See the letter written to INEC by Faleke's counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN.
Although an unfortunate and saddening incident had occurred after the announcement of results of the election and subsequent pronouncement of INEC that the election was inconclusive, the point...
The appointment of Ahmed Lawan Kuru as the Managing Director of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON was on Thursday confirmed by the Senate.
Confirmed alongside Kuru were Kola Adeye, Eberechukwu Fortunate Uneze and Aminu Ismail as Executive Directors of the Corporation.
This followed the submission and the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions as presented by its Chairman, Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim....
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and all the agencies under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources have two weeks within which they must end petroleum products’ scarcity across the country.
According to an order issued by the Senate on Thursday, major sharp practices including discrepancies in prices of petroleum products, especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and hoarding of products should be stopped immediately.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Senator Lilian Ekwunife, who issued the order on Thursday...
Wednesday, 25 November 2015
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to cooperate with his administration in fixing the country's roads and rail ways.
He also urged them to ensure that the country does not default in payment of counterpart funds for projects.
President Buhari who hosted Senators to a dinner at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja urged them to help sustain the tremendous goodwill which the country presently enjoys across the globe by supporting his administration.
“We are enjoying tremendous goodwill outside this country. Whatever...
The University of Benin on Tuesday installed the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness,
Muhammad Sanusi II as its Chancellor.
President Muhammadu Buhari was represented at the event by the Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu.
Read the President's stern warning to university administrators across the country as delivered by Adamu.
“This administration is committed to providing funding for the university system and indeed for the entire education sector. But I must warn that the Federal Government will not fold its hands and watch unscrupulous...
The Federal Government has declared that it will commence the payment of N5000 monthly stipends to the unemployed next year.
It said that the project could not begin this year because it was not captured in the 2015 budget.
Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalong, said this in Abuja on Tuesday during a condolence visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at the party's national secretariat over the death of Prince Abubakar Audu who flew the party's flag in last Saturday's Kogi...
Mr. Miebi Bribena, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Bayelsa State, is by now in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC explaining his role in a contract scam at the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Bribena who is said to have benefited immensely from the Amnesty Programme was reportedly picked up by EFCC operatives on Wednesday.
He is presently being detained at the agency’s headquarters in Wuse, Abuja, where he was earlier quizzed for several hours.
Abujacitynews learnt that Bribena is...
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
The Senate on Tuesday resolved to quickly process the N465b Appropriation Bill to complement the efforts of the executive arm of government in resolving the ongoing fuel crisis in the country.
To this end, the Senate has directed its Committee on Appropriation to submit its report for deliberation and passage on Tuesday next week.
The upper chamber explained that the decision to quickly pass the supplementary budget was to facilitate speedy payment of outstanding subsidy claims of N413.3bn to oil marketers....
Senators on Tuesday shot down a motion seeking to make the upper chamber invite President Buhari to explain the persistent hardship being suffered by Nigerians over the lingering fuel crisis in the country.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe supported by other PDP Senators had proposed that the President should be invited in his capacity as the Petroleum Minister to explain what he is doing to address the key issues in the sector.
However, the motion was overruled by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki with a warning to the senators against playing...
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier-General, Johnson Olawumi, said on Tuesday that the ban on hijab-wearing in its orientation camps would remain in place as it was meant “for security reasons.”
Olawumi said this while addressing a group of Muslim youths under the aegis of Muslim Youths in Da’wah who had come to the national headquarters of the NYSC in Abuja to protest against the prohibition of Muslim women from wearing long hijab in orientation camps.
The National Coordinator of the group , Luqman Hassan;...
“We are not there yet but we are gradually getting there. We are making steady progress."
Those were the words of Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai when he visited troops of the 72 Special Force Battalion in Makurdi, Benue State on Tuesday.
He stressed that the task of subduing the Boko Haram Islamist terrorist group must be accomplished in good time.
President Muhammadu Buhari had given the military up till the end of December to defeat the terrorist group which has killed over ten thousand persons and displaced many more in its 6 years...
Today, the 8th Senate marks another watershed moment in our vision to take lawmaking back to the people with the symbolic launching of the Senate President’s Suggestion Box. Many may ask what we seek to achieve with this launch and wonder the correlation between the suggestion box and making laws. For the 8th Assembly, this event ticks all the boxes in terms of our vision which is to ensure that laws we make impact on our peoples’ lives.
Again, we promised the Nigerian people that this 8thSenate will be different. That we will do things differently....
The Controller-General of Nigerian Prisons Service, Dr. Peter Ekpendu, has disclosed that there are 45,659 inmates awaiting trial in Nigerian prisons out of a total prison population of 55,033.
Dr Ekpendu made the disclosure in Abuja on Tuesday while receiving the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) at the service headquarters.
He lamented that the Service lacked adequate logistics to transport inmates to courts for trial.
“The prisons formations are presently holding 55,033 out of which 1,639 are condemned convicts awaiting...
The paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Alfred Torkula has died. The Tiv king known as Tor Tiv IV died at the age of 71 after 24 years on the throne.
Close sources said the Tor Tiv died on Monday morning at a hospital in Abuja.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has confirmed the death of the paramount ruler and is billed to meet the Tiv Traditional Council later in the day.
Alfred Akawe Torkula was coronated Tor Tiv IV in April 1991, following the death of King Akperan Orshi.
He was until his death,...
The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm over suspected plans by certain persons to sabotage its ongoing war against insurgency.
In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesman, Col Sani Usman and titled “Alert On Impending Smear Campaign By Some Disgruntled Elements,” the Army said investigations showed that the Nigerian Army and Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai are the prime targets of the smear campaign.
See the statement here.
“The Nigerian Army has received report of some elements both within the Nigerian Army and outside, especially...
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday told the Nigerian community in Iran that some of the public servants who looted Nigeria's treasury have started returning some of what they stole.
The president however said that he was not satisfied with fractions being returned but would stop at nothing to ensure that the entire loot was recovered.
“. . . we are collecting documents and some of them have started voluntarily returning something. But we want all.
“When we get those documents, we will formally charge them to court and then we will tell Nigerians...
Monday, 23 November 2015
President Muhammadu Buhari has called for urgent reforms in the judiciary.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday at the year’s All Nigeria Judges’ Conference in Abuja, Buhari said that lawyers aided by some judges employ delay tactics to stall corruption trials and hinder the recovery of proceeds of crime in high profile corruption cases.
“Government’s attempt to recover such assets in accordance with the law, are often faced with dilatory tactics by lawyers, sometimes with the apparent collusion...
The Kano State Police Command has impounded adulterated Dettol soap and disinfectants valued at N11.1m.
This was disclosed to newsmen on Monday by the state's Police Public Relations Officer, Magaji Majia.
According to the police spokesman, 9 suspects were arrested in Sabon Gari market in Kano metropolis following a petition letter from some concerned citizens.
“After receiving the letter, the ambush squad swung into action and raided the market where six retailers and three dealers were arrested," he said.
He explained that 1,301 cartons of...
Flying Eagles coach, Samson Siasia has named his 21 man squad for the AFCON 2015 U-23 soccer tournament which kicks off in Dakar, Senegal on Saturday.
See the full squad here.
Goalkeepers: Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers), Yusuf Mohammed (Kano Pillars), Emmanuel Iwu (Heartland)
Defenders:
Sincere Seth (Supreme Court FC), Seun Oduduwa (Nath Boys), Zaharadeen Bello (Kano Pillars), Seun Olubayo (Sunshine Stars), Chizoba Amaefule(Dolphins), Ebuka Iroha (Diamond Football Academy)
Midfielders:
Ndifreke Effiong(Abia Warriors), Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba),...
“People are suffering, billions of naira had been collected for their welfare but what we hear every day and what we see on the pages of newspapers is very bad. It is important that this money be disbursed immediately through the state governors.”
.
Those were the words of Sultan Sa'ad Abubakar III of Sokoto to Northern states governors at the 2nd General Assembly of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Kaduna on Monday.
“Whenever we meet with our political leaders, we always tell them that we are only here to advise them and that is what...
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Matami (SAN) failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday to explain the siege laid on the Abuja residence of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS despite the bail granted him by the court.
Contrary to the expected appearance of the AGF, the Director of Public Prosecution in the Ministry of Justice Mr. Mohammed Saidu Diri appeared in court with a fresh motion on notice...
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday asked the Senior Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja to discontinue the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Kanu has been slammed with a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to an unlawful society, and has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, prosecution counsel, Moses Idakwo, told the Magistrate, Mr Usman Shuaibu that the prosecution has new facts...
The remains of the APC candidate in Saturday's Kogi State governorship election, the late Prince Abubakar Audu were on Monday afternoon, laid to rest at his Ogbonicha country home in Ofu local government area of the state.
Earlier on, the youths of the community had defied Audu's family to allow a prophet who claimed to have the power to resurrect the dead politician access to his body.
However, when he failed to resurrect the dead man, the youths went berserk and almost lynched the prophet.
It was after the prophet had failed in his mission...
Following last Wednesday's court order, the Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, was finally arraigned by the DSS on Monday, at the Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court, Abuja.
See photos of Mr Kanu's supporters on a solidarity protest.
Photo credits : Vanguard
...
Sunday, 22 November 2015
Eight persons lost their lives on Sunday when a female suicide bomber disguised as an internally displaced person got into the midst of women and children who had just arrived Maiduguri and detonated her explosive devices.
Mohammed Kanar, Northeast Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, confirmed to AFP that the suicide bomber sneaked in amongst them disguised as an IDP (internally displaced person)before setting off her explosives.
The victims were said to have arrived from Mafa district near the border with Cameroun, an...
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah has been asking questions about the state of mind of people who kill people in their places of worship.
See what the bishop said after observing Sunday's Christ The King Procession in Sokoto metropolis.
“A good number of Nigerians have decided to make themselves agents of darkness. But because we are all God’s children, I don’t believe that anybody in his right frame of mind will decide to kill people in their places of worship. That is awkward.
“Can anybody claiming to be a Muslim...
The death has been confirmed of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the Saturday, November 21 , 2015 governorship election in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu.
Audu was reportedly advised to take a rest on Saturday, having complained of stomach ache shortly after casting his vote.
He is rumored to have died around 10 am on Sunday, but some people said that he slumped and passed away when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declared the election inconclusive.
The late APC governorship candidate was leading Peoples...
Following the failure of a clear winner to emerge in the Kogi State governorship election held on Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has declared the contest inconclusive.
After the collation of results on Sunday, the two leading contenders, Prince Abubakar Audu of the All Progressives Congress, APC and incumbent governor Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP polled 240,867 and 199,514 votes respectively.
Owing to violence and other factors, voting was canceled in several polling units with registered...
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe recently spoke on the state of affairs of the country.
In his speech during his investiture as the 7th Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the royal father lamented the profligacy of the present generation which he said would be borne by future generations.
See the speech below.
”We may have lost our bearing as a nation with the discovery of petroleum in the 50s. A false sense of national wealth has turned us into a nation of frolickers and hustlers, who are fighting one another for a greater...
A former minister in the government of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that the administration did not receive the one billion US dollars for which it sought and received the approval of the 7th Senate for the procurement of arms to fight Boko Haram.
“Initially , the vote was about $900m but the leadership of the 7th Senate advised the Executive to ask for $1billion to accommodate unexpected financial challenges in fighting Boko Haram.
“The Ministry of Finance ought to write letters to those advancing the loan and those companies supplying...
Saturday, 21 November 2015
The Nigerian Air Force, NAF has assured that it is conducting its airstrikes in Sambisa forest with due consideration for the safety of civilian targets.
This assurance was given on Saturday by Air Commodore Isiaka Amao, Air Component Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.
He said that the air force always carries out surveillance missions before embarking on bombing raids.
‘’We are also aware that the terrorists usually keep abducted women and children among them; so we carry out series of intelligence-gathering...
Friday, 20 November 2015
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has debunked claims by the current administration that he awarded contracts of two billion US dollars for the procurement of arms for the military.
Speaking on Friday in Washington DC where he attended an event, Jonathan queried;
“Where did that kind of money come from? I did not award any $2 billion contract for procurement of weapons."
He complained that some people were out to rubbish his achievements in office, pointing out that there was no way Nigerian budget could accommodate such a loss.
“In Nigeria,...
No less than 20,000 security personnel comprising, 11,000 regular police, 5,000 Mobile Policemen and 6,000 Civil Defence Corps personnel have been deployed to monitor today's governorship election in Kogi State.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase disclosed this at a stakeholders' meeting in Lokoja earlier in the week.
He assured Kogi people that the police will ensure the security of lives and property in the state during and after the elections.
He also assured the political parties and candidates of a level playing ground in...
In accordance with the enabling Act of Parliament, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC may seize the assets of former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, and some ex-military chiefs allegedly fingered in the misappropriation of N644 billion meant for arms procurement.
Sources said the anti-graft agency plans to invoke the temporary assets forfeiture clause as part of the ongoing probe of the arms procurement deals.
“The EFCC may invoke Assets Forfeiture clause to seize the properties of Dasuki and other Service Chiefs...
Some of the former military chiefs and officers being investigated by the Committee On Arms Procurement for multi-billion naira arms deals have volunteered to refund some money for unexecuted contracts.
A source close to the investigations said that ; “About four of such former officers have offered to make refunds. I think Dasuki does not know the extent to which the panel has gone in probing the arms deals.
“When the case gets to court, Nigerians will appreciate the depth of the investigation by the panel...
It has been learnt that three suspects in the multi-billion naira arms deals currently under investigation have sneaked out of the country to escape arrest.
The suspects include a high profile Nigerian and two Israelis.
According to a reliable source, Government's seeming hard stance on Dasuki may be a direct consequence of the escape of the three suspects who are alleged to be his close allies.
“The government may appear to have been hard on Dasuki because three suspects implicated in the arms deal have sneaked out of the country. The...
President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Sunday for the Iranian capital, Tehran to participate in the 3rd Gas Exporting Countries’ Forum (GECF) opening on Monday.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina in Abuja on Friday, President Buhari and other GECF leaders will be reviewing the current market outlook on gas and discuss strategies for boosting gas production.
GECF members currently account for 42 per cent of global gas production, 70 per cent of global gas reserves,...
The Presidential Victims Support Fund has donated N40 million to victims of Wednesday's bomb attacks in Kano.
The money was on Friday given to victims of the blast currently receiving treatment at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano.
Announcing the donation to the hospitals, the Executive Director of the Fund, Prof. Sunday Ochoche said his team was in Kano to sympathize with the victims of the terrorist attacks.
“The Fund gave N20 million to each of the two hospitals we visited, making it a total...
There was pandemonium in Kano on Friday at the at the Ahalul Sunna mosque, opposite Rijiyar Zaki mosque, near Bayero University when a lunatic edged his way towards the Imam as he delivered his sermon at the Jumaat service.
As the lunatic forced his way through, panicked worshippers began to scamper to safety, causing a stampede in the process.
An eyewitness who sustained injuries in the stampede said ;
“I sustained injuries on my legs and shoulders because I jumped over the wall of the mosque for my life.
“The suspect, who looked like...
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday invited former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki for questioning.
The former NSA is expected to answer questions on arms contracts during his period of stewardship.
The invitation suggests that the EFCC may have taken over the arms procurement probe and the likely prosecution of Dasuki and others indicted by the panel which investigated the contracts.
Among those indicted by the panel are former defence chiefs and service chiefs. Thirty arms dealers were also summoned by the panel....
Peugeot Automobiles has announced its intention to return to Nigeria next year for full commercial operations.
Peugeot’s Executive Vice President for Africa and the Middle-East, Mr. Jean-Christophe Quemard said this in Abuja on Thursday during a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
Buhari assured the company of the commitment of his administration to the privatization and commercialization policy.
He however said that special consideration would be given to companies with the requisite technical and...
Thursday, 19 November 2015
President Muhammadu Buhari has authorized a thorough audit of all pending high profile corruption cases.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday while briefing newsmen.
He said that the audit will try to expose the reasons for the failure of past administrations to effectively prosecute corruption cases involving "some politically exposed persons."
He added that cases found to have been compromised in the past would be revisited.
“Similarly, those who...
The immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mrs Nkechi Ejele was on Thursday quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over her role in the alleged misappropriation of N500 million Sure-P funds released to the ministry in 2013 and 2014.
Ejele is said to be among five former Permanent Secretaries under investigation for corruption. Some directors in her ministry are also expected to be questioned by the anti graft agency next week.
“We invited her in connection...
Boko Haram has upstaged the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS as the deadliest terrorist group in the world.
According to the Global Terrorism Index 2015 from the
Sydney based Institute for Economics and Peace, ISIS is now the world's second deadliest terrorist group, behind Boko Haram.
The report showed that Boko Haram killed 6,644 persons in 2014, while ISIS killed 6,073 people within the same period.
“Also notable over the past year is the major intensification of the terrorist threat in Nigeria. The country witnessed the...
Former NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki has described the report of the Presidential Arms Procurement Committee as a desperate attempt by the presidency to hang him.
The committee had indicted Dasuki for awarding fictitious contracts for the supply of military equipment.
See the statement Dasuki issued on Wednesday on the committee's report.
“To set the records straight, Nigerians should appreciate that the AVM Jon Ode-led panel did not invite the ex-NSA under any guise before arriving at its ambiguous findings. At least, fairness demands that the panel...
Following the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, NJC, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate and compulsory retirement of Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Portharcourt.
The Acting Director, Information, for NJC, Soji Oye, while confirming Justice Akanbi's retirement in a statement on Wednesday , said he was sacked for various allegations of misconduct levelled against him by Shell Petroleum Development Corporation Nigeria Limited in a petition to the NJC.
In the petition, Shell accused Justice Akanbi...
Two more of the 100 Boko Haram terrorists declared wanted by the Army have been arrested.
Army spokesman Col Sani Usman said that a Boko Haram leader disguised as a watchman was captured by the troops while another one was arrested by police in Maiduguri metropolis after painstaking investigations.
“Yesterday, troops of 101 Task Force Battalion, 7 Division Garrison, along Lagos Street Maiduguri, Borno State, arrested yet another declared wanted Boko Haram terrorists leader.
“The suspect who gave his name as Abubakar Sadiq, works as night watchman...
The Army on Wednesday announced the destruction of a
Boko Haram terrorists’ rocket factory at Jamrari, Borno State.
Army spokesman Col Sani Usman confirmed this in a statement. According to the statement ;
“The troops of 111 Special Forces Battalion, 7 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, during a special raid carried out on Tuesday at Delwa general area, discovered and knocked out Boko Haram terrorists’ rocket factory at Jamrari, Borno State.
“This unprecedented development has put paid to the much-touted ability of the terrorists to fabricate rockets...
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Security agencies are set to arrest and question some former service chiefs and security chiefs over dubious arms deals running into billions of naira.
Former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki who has been fingered in the deals has already declared his readiness to stand trial following President Buhari’s order for his arrest.
The panel which probed arms purchases from 2007 to 2015 also indicted former Chiefs of Defense Staff and some former service chiefs, all of whom are expected to stand trial.
A source close to the panel...
Despite the devastating effects of the Yola and Kano bombings in which a combined total of 47 persons were killed and over one hundred others injured, President Muhammadu Buhari has a message of hope for Nigerians.
In a message released by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari who sympathized with the victims of the blasts expressed “confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s reinvigorated, well-equipped and well-motivated Armed Forces and security agencies to overcome Boko Haram very soon”.
In...
Multiple award-winning musicians and twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye (Psquare) are 34. Here is how their wives Lola and Anita celebrated them on their birthday.
Peter's wife Lola on Instagram ;
“To my boo of life, the king of my dreams, my hot chocolate, my love, my delight, the father of my beautiful children I celebrate your life today. Happy birthday my darling husband. May you always fly high in life and touch all your dreams. May God bless you with happiness, joy, continued success, wisdom and peace. Gold, platinum or diamonds are not...
Following a heated quarrel with his wife, a man attempted suicide in Kaduna on Wednesday after slaughtering four of his own children.
According to neighbors, the wife was forced to flee their Ahmadu Bello Street home following a night of bitter quarreling.
Later on, the middle aged man locked in the children aged between 6 years and 1 year and slit their throats before turning the knife on himself.
By the time the police forced the door open after being alerted by neighbors, the children were already dead while the man was still alive...
In the aftermath of Tuesday night's bombings at a fruits and vegetables market in Yola, the government of Adamawa State has banned night markets in the state capital.
Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla announced the ban on Wednesday after an emergency security meeting at the Government House, Yola.
According to the governor, all businesses that attract crowds including relaxation spots are expected to close at 6pm.
He urged those whose businesses are affected by the new law to show understanding as the ban was necessary for the security of lives and...
Two young hijab-wearing female suicide bombers on Wednesday killed 15 persons at the busy GSM mobile phone market in the Nasarawa area of Kano City. One of the attackers is said to be about 11 years old.
Kano State Police Command spokesman, Musa Magaji Majia spoke to AFP after the attacks.
“A minibus carrying some women came to the Farm Centre GSM market and dropped off one girl aged about 11 and another aged about 18, both wore the hijab.
“One went inside the market, the other stayed outside then they exploded, killing themselves and...
A bomb blast occurred at a fruits and vegetables market on Tuesday night , killing 32 persons and injuring over 80 others.
The Red Cross and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA have confirmed the blast which is suspected to be the handiwork of Boko Haram.
An eyewitness, Alhaji Ahmed who spoke to Reuters said ;
“The ground near my shop was covered with dead bodies. I helped to load 32 dead bodies into five vehicles.”
Another eyewitness said that eight ambulances were used to convey casualties to hospitals....
249 truck loads of petrol were supplied to Abuja and environs between Monday and Tuesday, says the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR.
According to Mr. Mohammed Saidu, Head, Public Relations of DPR in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, Abuja received 145 trucks of petrol on Monday, while Tuesday saw the delivery of 149 trucks into the city and environs.
NAN reports the DPR spokesman as saying that the measure was intended to clear the long queues at fuel stations in the city.
Of the 149 trucks supplied on Tuesday, 99 were delivered into...
Abujacitynews has learnt that the Federal Government plans to capture the funding of the N5000 monthly allowance for 25 million vulnerable Nigerians and feeding program for school children in the 2016 budget.
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, details of the financial arrangements for the programs will be contained in the 2016 budget.
“Let us just wait for the 2016 budget. I am sure that all the details will be available in that budget,” he said.
In a statement issued by...
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