President Buhari receives a "Get Well Soon" card from state governors

State governors under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors Forum, today presented President Buhari a " Get Well Soon" card at the state house Abuja.

 President Buhari returned to Nigeria last Friday following a long medical vacation in the UK. Upon his return, Buhari disclosed that he has never been this sick in his entire life. The governors gave him the card at the National Economic Council meeting. See more photos after the cut.

If Magu is rejected because of DSS allegations, then Saraki should not be senate president- Sen Ali Ndume says

Senator Ali Ndume says if acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, can be rejected because of allegations made by DSS against him, then Bukola Saraki should not be the Senate President because he is currently in court answering to allegations of false declaration of Assets leveled against him by the Federal government.


Speaking on Channels TV today, Ndume said there is no justification for Magu's rejection by his colleagues. According to Ndume, himself, his colleagues and the senate president have been alleged to have committed different types of crime but yet they still remain in office. He argued that until such allegations are proven beyond doubts, Magu's rejection by the senate is faulty.

“We have all been accused, I have been accused of sponsoring Boko Haram, the senate president is still going court, same as other members who have cases in court, yet they occupy seats in the senate. So, if you say because of the allegations he (Magu) should not be confirmed, then I should not be a sitting senator and Saraki should not be there as senate president” he said

Saraki signs the Senate's notice to the Executive on the confirmation of Chief Justice Onnoghen

is Senate President, Bukola Saraki signing the Senate's notice to the Executive on the confirmation of Walter Onnoghen as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria. Onnoghen was confirmed yesterday, shortly after answering questions from Senators at the plenary session.

Nigerian Air Force airlifting 41 human trafficking victims from Mali

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airlifted some stranded Nigerians, who are victims of human trafficking in Mali back home on February 27th.

The Nigerian Embassy in Bamako leveraged on the NAF Charlie-130 Hercules aircraft to airlift these Nigerians that were victims of human trafficking. 

The deportees range between 16 - 28 years of age were received on arrival in Nigeria by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, Mrs Abike Dabiri Erewa and officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

The successful repatriation of these Nigerians was as a result of collaboration between the Nigerian Embassy and the Malian authorities anchored on mutual agreement. The Nigeria Consular Officer in Mali, Mr Abubakar Audu accompanied the deportees to Nigeria.

Notorious kidnap kingpin, Vampire who was rescued by his gang members at the Owerri High Court has been killed

The Police Special Force led by the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) has killed notorious kidnap kingpin and armed robbery suspect, Henry Chibueze alias Vampire who escaped from police custody after unknown gunmen stormed the Owerri High Court in a commando style and rescued him and two others on January 27th.

The wanted criminal was killed this morning at about 1am during a gun battle with the IGP Intelligence Response Team in Omu Awa Forest,Ikwerre L.G.A. Rivers State. According to the police, five other members of his gang were arrested alive and cache of arms and ammunition were recovered.

Fuel Now Selling For N170 In Zamfara – See Details

According to The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), due to an acute yet substantial scarcity of petrol in Zamfara, a Northern state in Nigeria, gas stations that are till operating have been forced to sell their product at N170 against the govt approved the rate of N145 per liter.

This had forced the regulatory task force; Kaduna Zonal Operations Office of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to seal off at least 13 filling stations that were observed selling above the approved rate in the past couple of weeks.

The Leader of the said task force, Mr. Aliyu Usman, told newsmen that selling the commodity above price was one of the malpractices observed by the department in the state.

He said;

“we also observed various malpractices such as hoarding and diversion of the petroleum products, under dispensation and neglecting guidelines on safety of operational facilities in most of the stations.
Based on our findings, a majority of the filling stations are involved in one of two malpractices, we are going to continue with these inspections in Zamfara to ensure effective compliance by the marketers of the commodity.
“We will make sure that we put marketers in check because the consuming public are suffering and DPR will not continue to allow some unlawful marketers to make things difficult for the people”.

With this, he, therefore, urged marketers in the state to run their business legally and avoid such practices.

Reacting to the allegations, the Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Gusau Depot Branch, Alhaji Sirajo Kamba had this to say;

“that the major cause of the increase in pump price of petrol as against the official price of N145 per liter was the increase in price from the supplying private depot.”
“Most of the filling stations selling the commodity beyond government official price are getting it from private depots and they don’t sell the commodity as directed by the Federal Government.”
“Even the DPR is aware of the price changes from them, as mandated by law, DPR should monitor our business activities, it is also mandated to check the excesses of the private depot.
“We got the product between N139 and N140 per liter from the private depots against N133 as directed by the government and this is the major reason for the hike. And you know we cannot run at a loss. We have been calling on the Federal Government to investigate and address these issues,’’

Kamba concluded that this has resulted in the delay of supplying the commodity from government depot which in turn has lead the independent marketers to patronize private depots whose prices are higher than the governments. He, therefore, urged the government to review the current system of supplying the commodity, to reduce its cost to the end users.

Breaking News Flash! DSS Arrests Former Governor Suswam, Recovers Guns, Many Exotic Cars

The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has arrested Gabriel Suswam, former Benue state governor, after it allegedly discovered firearms in his exotic cars.
The service said this in a statement issued by Tony Opuiyo, its agent, on Sunday.
The secret police said the incriminating items were discovered in cars parked at Dunes Investment and Global Properties Ltd in Abuja.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the public that on 24th February, 2017, between 2100 hours and 0242 hours, the service executed a search warrant, at the property of Dunes Investment and Global Properties Ltd, located at No 44 Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama-Abuja,” it said.
“The operation was informed by intelligence that some incriminating items were stashed in the boots of cars parked at the property, particularly a Mercedes Benz S550 (BWR 135AH), and Masarati 4.7 (BWR 207 AJ), which were subsequently confiscated.
“Consequently, on 25th February, 2017, about 1000hours, in the presence of two (2) private security officers employed by Dunes Investment, the cars were searched and the following items were recovered:
“Weapons:

Glock pistol with two magazines and a total of 29 rounds of ammunition; mini-Uzi with two magazines containing 10 rounds and four rounds respectively; 42 extra rounds of ammunition contained in a pack; and one AK-47.

“Other items recovered include: 21 certificates of occupancy (C of O) and one offer of statutory right of occupancy; 23 luxury designer watches; and 45 keys to various exotic cars.
“Following this discovery, the service launched further investigation which revealed that the cars and the recovered items belong to the former governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswan who has already been invited by the service and presently helping in the investigations.”

Sokoto state residents gather to pray for President Buhari

Residents of Sokoto state gathered at the Eid ground Sokoto state to pray for President Buhari for quick recovery. More photos after the cut.

Victims of suspected murder-suicide in Hertfordshire, UK named as Nigerian man Olumide Orimoloye and wife

A couple who died from stab wounds in a suspected murder-suicide in the UK, on Sunday, February 19th, have been named by the police. Hazel Wilson-Bryant, 27, was found dead and Olumide Orimoloye, in critical condition from knife injuries on Sunday, after riot police stormed their home in Chestnut, Hertfordshire. Olumide died shortly afterwards.

Neighbours reported hearing a woman screaming for someone to call 999 and their children, a boy, 10, and a girl, 6, crying and begging their parents to stop, then a woman screaming for someone to call 999.
Piotr Ziemkiewicz, 32, a fork lift truck driver who called the police, said:

“The couple were always arguing, but this time it was on a different level. There were screams, banging and shouting and dogs barking. It was so intense that I feared someone was going to be killed. It went on for several minutes. The kids were shouting ‘stop daddy and stop mummy’ It sounded as though they were trying to break them apart.”

Armed cops carrying riot shields charged the door of the maisonette and found the pair with fatal stab wounds. Minutes earlier Ms Wilson-Bryant had been seen running terrified on to the balcony.
Neighbour James Coyne, 30, told the Hertfordshire Mercury he heard cries for help at around 1.15pm, just after showing a prospective lodger around his flat in nearby Leighton Court.

"It was shocking. I had heard arguments. The man had been aggressive and I have been worried about it before. I opened up the window to hear what was going on and then there she was in a bath robe on the balcony. She was screaming out ‘call 999’ in my direction. I realised it was pretty serious and I called 999 and they said they had already had a call,"

Paramedics were seen carrying the man after an air ambulance landed in the street outside the Hertfordshire home. A horrified onlooker said: “They spent about ten minutes trying to revive him.

"Eventually they put a sheet over him and I knew he was dead."

Speaking to the Hertfordshire Mercury, local bar manager Peter Prejna said:

"I just heard sirens and then the air ambulance landing in the road. I feel sorry for the kids. I heard there were two children in there as well. One was about six, same age as my child."

Hertfordshire Police spokesperson said on Sunday: "Police were called to Turners Hill in Cheshunt at 1.15pm today following reports of a disturbance within a property. When police arrived at the address they found a woman had been stabbed and had tragically passed away. A man was also found to be at the property with knife wounds. He also tragically passed away shortly after at the scene.

"At this early stage of the investigation, police do not currently believe they are looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. Investigations are on-going."

The force said the case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission which has launched an independent investigation.,

CBN reintroduces cashless charges on bank deposits and withdrawals

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Thursday, reintroduced charges on cash deposits in banks after its' 493rd meeting with the Banker's committee, This would take effect at different dates in different parts of the country. Director, Banking and Payments Systems Department, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, announced this in a circular entitled: “Circular on nationwide implementation of the cashless policy.”

The circular stated: “Charges for cash deposit by individuals are as follows: Less than N500,000, zero charge; from N500,000 to N1 million, 1.5 per cent; from N1 million to N5 million, two per cent charge; above N5 million, 3 per cent charge.

Charges for cash withdrawal by individuals are as follows: Less than N500,000, zero charge; From N500,000 to N1 million, two per cent; from N1 million to N5 million, 3 per cent charge; above N5 million, 7.5 per cent charge. 

Charges for corporate cash deposit are as follow: Less than N3 million, zero charge; from N3 million to N10 million, two per cent; from N10 million to N40 million, three per cent; above N40 million, five per cent. “Charges for corporate cash withdrawal are as follows: Less than N3 million, zero charge; from N3 million to N10 million, five per cent; from N10 million to N40 million,  7.5 per cent; above N40 million, 10 per cent. 

The new charges is scheduled to take effect from April 1 2017, in the existing cashless states (Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra, Rivers and the FCT). The policy shall be implemented with the charges taking effect on May 1, 2017 in the following states: Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Ondo, Osun and Plateau.

Court dismisses Olisa Metuh's application to invite Dasuki as a witness

The Federal Hight Court, Abuja Division, this morning turned down an application from former PDP spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, asking for the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to be presented as a witness in the N400 million fraud case against him.

Metuh is accused to have been part of the arms deal scandal after he collected money from Dasuki.


Metuh in his submission to the court said that he had no idea that the money handed over to him by his party to execute their 2015 campaign was from the arms procurement funds.

He had filed an application before the court asking that Dasuki be brought in as his witness to tell the court that he was not aware that the funds handed over to him were for arms purchase.

The Presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang, also turned down his application to travel abroad for eight weeks for medical checkup.

Federal Government withheld the January allocation meant for Ekiti state - Fayose

At a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, governor of Ekiti State Ayo Fayose claimed that the Federal Government withheld the January allocation meant for the state.

This, he believes is a result of his constant critism of the Buhari led administration. Read what He said below.

“After the Federal Allocation Committee meeting, it is sad that Ekiti Federal Allocation for January has not been released. Secondly, the budget support, for which we signed an ISPO for all states in Nigeria, Ekiti remains the only state not paid for the month of January, no excuse or explanation has been given. I have written to the Federal Ministry of Finance, my Commissioner has been there, as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria, nobody is ready to talk to us. We contacted the Honourable Minister, all the Directors at the Ministry of Finance, everybody is shying away from talking to us for the last 10 days now. I want to appeal to the Federal Government, I want to appeal to the Ministry of Finance not to allow the civil servants in Ekiti to suffer”.

The government is yet to respond to the accusation.

Despite our efforts, nothing to show that South East is part of Nigeria – Okorocha

By Anthony Ogbonna The Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha has lamented that the South-East has nothing to show that it is part of the Nigerian project despite the efforts the region has made towards the growth of Nigeria and especially to the emergence of the Buhari-led administration.

 Okorocha made the comment when the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo visited the state yesterday on strategic consultations. Detailing the account of marginalization of the South-East region, Governor Okorocha said South East has been marginalized and denied federal appointments, adding the Imo state people in particular only has a Minister of state to show for all the supports the state gave to the All Progressives Congress, APC, party in ensuring that Mr. Buhari emerged the President of Nigeria. Chief Rochas Okorocha “No other group in Nigeria that had invested as much into our nationhood can sing the song of marginalisation as much as Ndigbo has been made to sing it. 

We have nothing to show that we are part of the Nigerian project; neither do we have any sense of belonging in the present government at the national level.”

 “We have been marginalised both in terms of projects and appointments. In Imo State, for instance, all we have is a Minister of State to show for all the efforts and extreme sacrifices we made to ensure that the All Progressive Congress (APC) had a good outing in the last general elections.” “I know you are the Acting President and has the ears of the President. So, there is no better person to tell our painful story than you. You need to take a second look at what is happening in the South-East. No serious political appointment, no visible federal infrastructure so far, to show the presence of Federal Government in the South- East in general.” 

“I beg that as the government gives subsequent appointments, let the qualified sons and daughters of the state and region be considered.” “Imo State played major role in bringing APC to power because if what had taken place in other states was allowed to happen in Imo State and other states in the South-East, probably we wouldn’t have had the APC government today. “Given the roles that I personally played as a sacrificial lamb in the South- East during the elections, my state deserves a better deal.”

 “There is no Federal Government presence in the oil-producing areas, and none of our youths benefited from the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme. I also use this opportunity to ask for the quick refund of the money spent by the state on Imo International Cargo Airport and on some federal roads in the state.” 

Responding, Osinbajo said that it was not exactly correct that President Buhari had been unfair to Imo people. He said that the Presidency couldn’t deliberately set out to marginalise Ndigbo in view of their contributions to the development of the country. “You said that the highest appointment given to Imo under Buhari was Minister of State for Education. I will like to equally inform you that Katsina, the home state of Mr. President, and Kaduna State where Buhari resides all have ministers of state.”

 “If there is any governor in this country that has the ear of Mr. President, I will say that it is Governor Okorocha. As such, it cannot be said that the state is marginalised by the APC-led Federal Government,” On the reason for his visit, Osinbajo said, “My visit here is in continuation of consultations with all the states of the Niger Delta as directed by Mr. President, and I can say that the oil producing communities in Imo State have been largely ignored and this will be appropriately redressed.”

 “The oil-producing communities in Imo have a lot of vibrant young men and women who must be carried along in the scheme of things. My interaction today with those concerned has given the government the opportunity to discuss with the people directly involved with a view to making sure that there is justice and even development across the Niger Delta communities.”

Vanguard.

Photo: I didn't intend to kill her - Suspected murderer of UNIOSUN student, Rofiat Damilola Adebisi

The Osun State Police Command on Monday, paraded the driver who killed a female student of Osun State University(UNIOSUN) Rofiat Damilola Adebisi.

Briefing newsmen at the headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye said the suspect, Elijah Oyebode killed Rofiat on Dec. 2, 2016 and would be arraigned in court without delay.

In a chat with Daily Trust, Oyebode claims that he didn't intend to kill the student, adding that he was shocked she died. He said when the deceased boarded his vehicle at Ipetu-Ijesa, he started chatting with her then later took took her to his house in Iragbiji. LIB recalls that the corpse of the 400L Science Education student was found in Iragbiji, five days after she was declared missing. She had left the campus to attend a programme organized by a Muslim group, NASFAT society at Ikoyi town, off Ife-Ibadan Expressway in Osun State when she disappeared.

Three boys nabbed while attempting to rob a house in Delta State

 

A group of boys who broke into a house located at Mission Road, Sapele in Delta State, were nabbed by members of the vigilante group in the area. The incident reportedly happened few days ago. The suspected thieves identified as Kalu Denedo, Isaac Ijawku and William John, are currently cooling off

in police custody.

Nigerian comedian slumps and dies days after sharing news of his new car on Facebook

MC Worthy Comedian, an entertainer resident in Imo State died in the early hours of this morning, only days after he bought a new car.

The Comedian was reportedly healthy and showed no signs of an illness until he started complaining of a severe headache early this morning. He reportedly slumped soon after shouting that his head ached terribly and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Federal Medical Centre Owerri.

The comedian recently acquired a brand new Toyota Avalon car which he showed off on Facebook earlier this month. A few friends on Facebook speculated that he died of brain hemorrhage, but this is yet to be confirmed.

MC Worthy was just beginning to rise in his career and was becoming a household name in the entertainment scene in Imo state when the cold hand of death struck.

Tributes have been pouring in on Facebook with friends wishing it would turn out to be a prank. A friend, Kriss Ray, wrote;

"RIP Man! The young, talented and promising die too quick these days. You were indeed a worthy talent but well, safe journey brother. #sad Flowrymz Ibekwe."
So sad!

BREAKING NEWS: “I WON’T RETURN TO NIGERIA UNTIL DOCTORS ARE SATISFIED” – PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he would only return to Nigeria when his London doctors certify him well enough to do so.

“… I am extending my leave until the doctors are satisfied that certain factors are ruled out,” Mr. Buhari said in a February 5 letter to the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, informing the National Assembly of the extension of his vacation.

The letter was exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday.

Although snippets of the letter were publicised by the presidency and the Senate on February 5 and 6 respectively, this is the first time the entire text and copy of the correspondence would be made available.

The President wrote, “Further to my letter dated 18th January 2017 in which I notified the Distinguished Senate of taking part of my annual leave.

“During my leave, I took the opportunity to have routine check-ups and consult my long standing doctors in London.

“In the course of the routine examinations, certain test result indicated the need for a course of medications and further appointments have been scheduled for next week.

“I am therefore notifying the Distinguished Senate that I am extending my leave until the doctors are satisfied that certain factors are ruled out. In the circumstances, the vice president will continue to act on my behalf.

“Please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

Mr. Buhari had on January 18 written the National Assembly, notifying the legislature that he was proceeding on a 10-day leave and temporarily transferring presidential power to Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo.

The leave was supposed to last 10 work days, between January 23 and February 6, according to the letter transmitted to both chambers of the National Assembly.

The President, whose real medical condition remained unknown, was expected to arrive the country on February 5 for resumption of work on February 6.

But the extension of his vacation means Mr. Osinbajo will continue to exercise presidential powers for days or weeks to come.

This is the third time Mr. Buhari has transferred power to Mr. Osinbajo since the two leaders were inaugurated in May 2015.

The first time was on February 5, 2016 when the President embarked on a five-day vacation; and the second was in June 2016 when Mr. Buhari travelled to the United Kingdom for treatment of what the Presidency described as ear infection.

A formal notice to both chambers of the National Assembly on the president’s intention to proceed on leave and hand over power temporarily to the vice-president is in compliance with Section 145 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution.

“REGULATE SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE BY YOUTHS” – SULTAN OF SOKOTO

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Saad Abubakar III, has called for the regulation of social media usage by the youths, saying the medium was being used to fuel conflicts around the world.

The sultan made this call while laying the foundation of the N508 million University of Ilorin Centre for Qur’an Memorisation, in Ilorin, Kwara State at the weekend.

This is just as the Chief Imam of the university, Professor Abdulganiyu Oladosu, told the Muslim ummah that only those who contributed generously to the cause of Allah can attain “piety, righteousness and Allah’s consciousness.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the Sultan, who was represented by the Emir of Shonga, Dr. Haliru Yahayah, reiterated that Islam was religion of peace and urged the ummah to continue to live in harmony with their neighbours.

He, however, admonished Nigerians, particularly parents, to be careful and to regulate the usage of social media by the youths, blaming social media for most of the crises confronting the world.

“Let us be careful about the social media; we must regulate it and sanction at home,” the sultan said.

While noting that the social media should not be totally discarded, the royal father said, “We must develop strategies on how to manipulate that space to our advantage. Their reality is different from our reality.”

In a Juma’a sermon that preceded the launch, the chief imam of the university spoke on the rewards of donating to the cause of Allah.

“The cost of the project is to be funded solely by the Muslim community and not by the university,” he added.

On his part, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, said though the university was established for academic purposes, the addition of the centre would facilitate the learning and memorisation of the holy Qur’an.

The Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the commissioner for water Resources, Barrister AbdulRasaq Akorede, described the memorisation of the Qur’an as a noble cause in the sight of Allah and urged Muslims to always reflect on its meaning.

‪He promised that his government would support and encourage the teaching of Islamic education to correct the misconceptions about the religion

BREAKING NEWS: THE 2 SOLDIERS WHO BEAT UP A CRIPPLE MAN IN ONITSHA HAVE BEEN DEMOTED IMPRISONED WITH HARD LABOUR AND WILL FORFEIT SALARY

This is According to the below Press release by the Nigerian Army Headquarters;

Sequel to the video clip of two soldiers maltreating a physically challenged man on the streets of Onitsha, Anambra State, last Tuesday, in line with our zero tolerance of infringement of human rights by troops, those involved; Corporal Bature Samuel and Corporal Abdulazeez Usman of 82 Provost Company, have been arrested, summarily tried based on 2 count charges and found guilty.
Consequently, both have been sentenced to reduction in rank; from Corporal to Private Soldiers and 21 days Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) respectively, which includes forfeiture of 21 days pay to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Nigerian Army has also reached out to the victim of their unjustifiable assault, Mr. Chijoke Uraku (alias CJ), as widely reported by the media.
We wish to reiterate our avowed determination to ensure that troops conduct themselves in the most orderly and professional manner at all times. Any act of indiscipline would not be tolerated.
You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium.
Thank you for your kind cooperation.
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Relations

Crippled man who was assaulted by soldiers pictured with Army Commanders at a press conference in Onitsha

The physically challenged man, Chijioke Raphael Uraku, who was brutalized by soldiers a few days ago was present at the press conference held at 302 Artillery Regiment/14 Field Engineer Regiment in Onitsha, Anambra State today.

Also present is the new 302 Commander, Col. Idongesit Uko Akpan and the Deputy Director Public Relations (82 DIV) Col. Sagi Musa. Mr. Uraku, from Ebonyi State wore military camouflage to the press conference. More photos after the cut...