Army cries out against sabotage

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 through the use of the social media circle to ridicule the Nigerian Army and the person of the Chief of Army Staff for reasons best known to them.

“They intend to execute this plan as from next month, December 2015, using all means possible; lies, fabricating baseless stories, falsehood, publishing and broadcasting them through some designated print and electronic media, most especially the Social Media.

“The Nigerian Army has identified some of the officers involved and their collaborators; the officers are being investigated to unravel their motive and motivation.

“It is imperative to note that the fight against Boko Haram terrorists is at critical stage, any attack on the Nigerian Army will be counter-productive and serious distraction on the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

“The public and the media are please requested to be careful and wary of these disgruntled persons; they should please disregard any such material from them.

“The Nigerian Army holds the media in high esteem; the Nigerian media is one of the best in the world and have consistently been partners in progress and very supportive, understanding and cooperative with the Nigerian Army especially in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

“This at times comes at the risk of their personal safety and corporate existence; the role of the media in nation building and conflict resolution, peace building and social responsibility is never in doubt.

“With this and so many other things, the media, especially the online publications, should not be involved or lured into such dubious campaign. As always, our doors are open for clarification, enquiries and reactions on any issue concerning the Nigerian Army before filing or publicizing such stories.

“Consequent upon this,  we are calling on all Nigerians not to fall prey to their campaign of calumny. This is because their evil intents would be distractive and capable of reversing the gains on the fight against Boko Haram terrorists.”

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Looters are voluntarily returning stolen funds - Buhari

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 to know those who abused trust when they were entrusted with public funds.

“So, the day of reckoning is gradually approaching.”

President Buhari is in Iran for the third summit of Gas Exporting Countries Forum holding in the capital city, Tehran.

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How lawyers are frustrating anti-corruption fight - Buhari

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 of judges.

“These tactics are often not directed at reaching any conclusion or affirming innocence or guilt, but at stalling trials indefinitely, thus denying the state and the accused person the opportunity of a judicial verdict.

“I wish to echo the sentiments of the vast majority of Nigerians in saying that we cannot afford to continue like this," he said.

The conference was organized by the National Judicial Institute.

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Kano Police Seize N11.1m Fake Dettol, Arrest 9

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 adulterated Dettol disinfectants and 4 cartons of fake Dettol soap valued at N11.1m were recovered from the suspects.

He added that they will be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigation.

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See Nigeria's AFCON U-23 full squad list

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), Tiongoli Tobara (Bayelsa United), Bature Yaro (Nasarawa United), Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves), Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Matalatyaspor/Turkey), Godspower Aniefiok (Kano Pillars), Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves)

Forwards: 
Kufre Ebong (Warri Wolves), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien/Tunisia), Taiwo Awoniyi (FSV Frankfurt/Germany), Isaac Success (Granada CF/Spain)

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Bring back displaced persons' funds, Sultan tells Northern governors

“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.”
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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 we are doing here and we will continue to advise them as long as it is necessary. We will continue to advise them for the good of our people especially in the Northern part of the country.

“We believe that once problems of the North are taken up from the troubled spots or the map of troubled areas in the world, we believe Nigeria will be a better place. So we intend to discuss on issues affecting the North and also the country in general,” he said.

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FG Seeks Revocation Of Dasuki's Bail

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 requesting the revocation of the bail granted Dasuki in the unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering charges earlier filed against him.

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