EFCC Releases CEOs Of Access Bank, Sterling Bank After They Refund Billions Of Naira

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the chief executive officers of two Nigerian banks after the men returned billions of naira they had illicitly acquired from political slush funds during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Two EFCC sources told SaharaReporters that Sterling Bank’s CEO, Yemi Adeola, who was arrested on Wednesday in a raid on his bank by EFCC operatives, was released last night after he deposited a payment of N5 billion. According to one of our sources, the money returned by Mr. Adeola was in partial restitution for a transaction of $88 million he received from Nigeria's former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Mr. Adeola is expected to pay back a total of N17 billion to the recovery accounts of the Nigerian treasury within two weeks.
Also released last night was Herbert Wigwe, the Managing Director of Access Bank Plc., who was arrested yesterday after EFCC agents raided the bank headquarters in Lagos.
A source at the EFCC told SaharaReporters that some notable personalities, including Oba Akiolu of Lagos and the bank's former CEO, Aig-Imokhuede, had pressured the anti-corruption agency to grant Mr. Wigwe bail. “We refused all such entreaties until Mr. Wigwe returned $5 million.” EFCC investigators said Zenith Bank had illicitly transferred the $5 million to Access Bank from a slush fund arranged by Ms. Alison-Madueke.
The EFCC source said the agency was conducting discreet investigations and recoveries of plundered funds from rogue bank CEOs who assisted Ms. Alison-Madueke and other officials of President Jonathan’s administration to launder funds. He added that most of the funds were laundered through opaque accounts that were kept “off records” by bank MDS.
The case of Access Bank was also linked to oil businessmen Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko, now a fugitive. Between them, both men are suspected to have stolen more than $6 billion from oil proceeds that should have accrued to the Nigerian government treasury.
According to an EFCC source, the two oil businessmen’s link at Access Bank is an executive director, Angela Ebagua, who is Omokore's wife. EFCC investigators who recently searched Ms. Ebagua Lagos home found her in possession of a $600k wristwatch.
One of our EFCC sources disclosed that the agency was now looking at First Bank. He said the EFCC’s investigation of the bank was focusing on the bank’s role in laundering more than $1 billion for the National Security Adviser’s office during the tenure of Colonel Sambo Dasuki, who is on trial for funneling billions of dollars of security funds into private hands. The source added that First Bank may have helped launder funds for Ms. Alison-Madueke, Mr. Omokore, and Mr. Aluko. EFCC officials recently invited a former CEO of the bank, Bisi Onasanya, for a chat.

Troops clear Boko Haram terrorists from 7 more villages, rescue 15 hostages

As the ongoing clearance and rescue operations gain momentum, troops of 28 Task Force Brigade have successfully cleared enclaves of Boko Haram terrorists along Galtha Baba, Galtha Musa, Bulakurma, Shatimari, Chukruk, Bulangaje, and Disa villages. During the operation, one Boko Haram terrorist was captured alive and 3 motorcycles, bags of grains, their flags and uniforms were recovered.
Other items include suicide bomber’s hijab, mobile phone and 1 Dane gun, as well as foodstuffs and cooking utensils.


The troops also rescued 15 persons that were held hostages by the Boko Haram terrorists in the area. Unfortunately, two armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) entered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). However, the formation did not sustain any human casualty and the damage to the AFVs was minimal.

The captured terrorist is being interrogated and would soon be taken to the relevant agencies for prosecution.

Insecurity: Abia govt to revive 'Bakassi Boys' to police communities

Begins recruitment of 8, 980 youth to beef up vigilante outfit
· Orders security agents to search trucks carrying cows, onions
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, says he has directed the revival of the state’s vigilante services popular­ly known as Bakassi Boys to help improve security in the commu­nities in the state.

Ikpeazu disclosed this while reacting to the Thursday’s clash between the Army and butchers in Aba which left no fewer than two butchers dead while scores of others reportedlty sustained bul­let wounds.

The governor who expressed sadness over the Aba incident said he had also directed that new per­sons be recruited into the securi­ty outfit of the state, and that they should commence intensive train­ing to improve on their efficiency.

According to Ikpeazu, 10 youths are to be recruited from each of the 898 autonomous com­munities in the state, while the re­cruits will be trained by the police.

His words: “I have direct­ed that the men of the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS), popular­ly known as Bakassi, commence, with immediate effect, a two week intensive training, for onward de­ployment to our communities to assist in community policing un­der the supervision of the Com­missioner of Police.

“All traditional rulers in the state are required to submit names of 10 youths from their commu­nity to the Commissioner for Lo­cal Government and Chieftain­cy Affairs from Tuesday 10th to Wednesday 11th May 2016. These youths will be enlisted into the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS)”.

Ikpeazu also said security agencies had been directed to thoroughly screen every truck car­rying cows and foodstuff to the state to ensure weapons are not concealed in them.

“I have mandated the law en­forcement agencies to search and screen all trucks and vehicles conveying livestocks, food items and persons into the state from any part of the country. The law enforcement agencies will also search and screen markets and settlements where livestocks and dealers are, to ensure security.

“The Government of Abia State has constituted a Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committee. The Commissioner of Police will head the committee. Other members of the committee are: The Brigade Commander, State Director of DSS, State Com­mandant of the NSCDC, the Na­val Commander, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Spe­cial Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, State Chairman of Christian Association of Nige­ria (CAN), Miyetti Allah and Sa­raki Hausa.

The governor therefore, urged the people “to report any suspi­cious movement of strange per­sons within our communities to the Traditional Rulers or call any of the following Police Emer­gency Control phone numbers: 08079210003, 08079210004, 08079210005, 08035425405 for prompt deployment of a Rap­id Response Unit formed for the purpose of security alert.”

Okorocha Cautions Against Ethnic Labelling Of Criminals

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has advised Nigerians against tribalizing criminals and criminal acts, but should rather treat criminals and criminal activities, not minding where they come from.
Governor Okorocha spoke yesterday at the official launch of the Imo Peace Advocate Corps, remarking that Boko Haram elements, herdsmen who kill or members of other groups who engage in heinous crimes should be treated as criminals and their activities should not be viewed from the angle of where they come from, since a criminal is a criminal.
According to the governor, “A lot of criminal activities are going on in our nation and time has come for us to treat criminals as criminals despite where they come from.  An armed robber is an armed robber first and foremost.  Where he comes from is secondary.”
While stressing that, “Our nation is going through a very turbulent period and it takes only lovers of peace to ensure peaceful co-existence in our nation.
Our mission as responsible indigenes of Nigeria is to ensure peace and pursue peace.  I therefore charge the Peace Advocates to be diligent and work with sincerity of purpose”.
In his speech, the executive secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Prof Ben Angwe commended Governor Okorocha for championing peace across the nation, especially with free education through Rochas Foundation and said, such action calls for emulation.

NFF Crisis: Police Arrests Chris Giwa

Ambassador Chris Giwa who through a Jos, Plateau State court order assumed the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), was yesterday arrested by Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Wuse Zone 7, Abuja for trespassing on the premises of the federation.

The drama briefly caused a disruption of the operations of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) as customers and other visitors were locked out after the compound was barricaded. Giwa was whisked away in his own car about 4.20 pm to the police station on the order of the DPO, who sought to know his mission at the Glasshouse.

Temper also boiled over as policemen in the team of the DPO and journalists clashed after the security men prevented reporters from covering the event.

Giwa arrived football secretariat after the management of NFF was duly served a copy of the court order nullifying the NFF board election in Warri on September 30, 2014, that brought in Amaju Pinnick as the president.

The order granted by Justice Musa Kurya presiding at Jos High Court was served on both the NFF and Sports Minister Solomon Dalung by a court bailiff who was accompanied by a senior police officer, acting on the instruction of the Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase. It was after he was about leaving that he found the gates barricaded and the DPO notified of his presence by one of the policemen securing the NFF office.

A very confident Giwa, accompanied by some members of his group, told reporters that he was at the NFF office to restore all the orders which he said were granted to him by the court since 2014.

He said those orders gave him the permit and rights to be at the NFF secretariat which had been secured by police in the past three weeks.

Giwa who insisted he was duly elected on August 26, 2014, in Abuja, said though he had resumed duty as NFF President, he would take full charge of business on Monday.

“It has been in the news for over a month that we got a ruling from the Federal High Court, Jos restoring all the orders granted us since 2014 to date

TeeBillz set to go into rehab despite testing negative

Following Tiwa Savage’s interview call-out for a help for her husband, Tunji Balogun well known as TeeBillz, the lab result showed that he tested negative for cocaine. This is coming after the Kelekele Love singer claimed he is into hard drugs.
This disclosure was made by Cool FM On-Air Personality (OAP), Freeze, who took to Instagram to share the news. “This comes from an unconfirmed source, who saw them at a lab in VI. Furthermore, an insider who chose to remain anonymous said he tested negative to cocaine and every other hard drug. We should continue to keep them in our prayers as we await a proper confirmation from his camp!” Freeze posted on Wednesday through his Instagram account, @daddyfreeze.
Weekend Beat gathered that close friends of Tee Billz are working to help him recuperate and get rehabilitation. It was gathered that TJ’s (as he is also called) friends have moved him to an apartment in 1004 estate in Victoria Island, Lagos with the support of some friends, Peter and Paul Okoye (P-Square), Banky W, Cecil Hammond and Omawumi’s hubby, Tosin Yusuf.
A source in the know said, “Everyone says he is in a good place now, getting all the love and support he needs. They want him to have his life back. He is definitely going into rehab. His family in US is really praying for him and his close friends in Lagos are making efforts to get him to rehab.”
TeeBillz had last week Thursday, literally set the social media on fire after he called out his wife on Instagram, accusing her of infidelity. Tiwa, however, responded with shocking revelations about her husband. TeeBillz had attempted suicide before he was rescued by Lagos Party singer, Banky W.
Tiwa On Set Of Jenifa’s Diary With Funke Akindele
Meanwhile, days after her public outburst of tears, the Mavin first lady is back to work. The singer was spotted at a location filming Jenifa’s diary series with Funke Akindele. Tiwa is yet to sort out her marriage issues with her estrange husband.
Pepsi Affirms Ambassadorial Deal Is Still On
Following rumour that singer, Tiwa Savage has been dropped as Pepsi Ambassador over her marital issue, Managing Director and CEO of Seven Up Bottling Company Plc, Sunil Sawhney has debunked the rumour in a tweet. “I will like to clarify that our relationship @Tiwa Savage remains as strong as ever. # Pepsi+Tiwa”, he tweeted.

Edo 2016: Oshiomhole, Odubu must not set Edo on fire- Onaiwu

They call him the ‘Solution’ but his real name is Earl Osaro Onaiwu. He is the Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governors’ Forum as well as governorship aspirant of the PDP in the forthcoming September 10 election. In this interview with Saturday Vanguard, Onaiwu declares his preparedness to take over the mantle of leadership in Osadebey Avenue after Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure. He also condemned the recent violence that occurred at Auchi when the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu visited the area to meet with delegates of the party. Excerpts: We learnt that PDP governorship aspirants were screened last Sunday, how was it? • Earl Osaro Onaiwu We went for interactive session, it was a family affair. I believe that the four of us are qualified to govern this state but we cannot be candidates at the same time. As for me, I believe I am well equipped to govern the state because I have been involved in practicals in leadership, accountability, transparency and good governance. What I mean by that is I have had working relationships with serving governors. I can tell you that I know how governor Emmanuel Uduaghan built the Airport in Asaba, I know how he built the roads in Delta state. I can also tell you, I know how Governor Mimiko performed in Ondo state, how he built mega hospitals, beautiful roads, street lights. In Jigawa state, I was there when Governor Yuguda built the state stadium, the airport, new schools and many other projects. I can also tell you about Gombe. I have been involved in those things in the past nine years. I am therefore coming to bring that experience back home. I am not coming home to learn. I already have the experience. There are things we do which we call minimal impact and maximum output. I have learnt from my practical how to spend little money and achieve maximum output. I believe that the party will not make the mistake, but will look at the four of us and choose the right person to do the job. And because of the experience I have in working with governors, taking the youths off the street and empowering the women, the elderly, if I have been able to serve PDP governors for eight years, coming to serve our people is not to make money. It is about service, it is about loyalty, I want to come and give to our people what they gave to me. I am going to improve on what the present administration in Edo has done. Do you think you have the structure to pick the ticket of the PDP? Party is the structure, a party that is strong, that is not weak is the structure. PDP is the only party that formed a government without any coalition, without agreement and it is in every local Government and every unit in this country. The party has been a strong structure since 1999. The only governor that was able to win election outside PDP was Mimiko because we had these new parties now. If there is anybody who believes that he has the structures as they claim, he should go and try in another party and see if he will win. After Mimiko did it and he won, any body who says he is a super star should try his popularity. I have been a faithful party man, I have been serving the party since 1999. PDP is the structure and anybody who has another structure should test it by running for the governorship under the umbrella of another party and test his popularity. For instance, we have over eight governorship aspirants in the APC and it is because the APC has formed government here, but if those aspirants feel they are popular let them try another political party and test their popularity. So PDP is the structure not the individual. In what areas do you think that Oshiomhole has not done well which you will want to do? People criticize governors, not just Oshiomhole. Governance is a thankless job, people will always criticize you no matter what you have done. I can tell you for example that Jigawa state governor, while he was in office, lived in a three bedroom bungalow. In Abuja he stayed in Garki, he did not live in Asokoro or Maitama but people still criticized him. He transformed Jigawa state, but people still wrote petitions against him and he was dragged before the EFCC. Look at Bauchi state governor, when he took over in Bauchi, the civil servants were using Keke Napep, but by the time he left Bauchi every civil servant was riding a car and they built houses. He turned Bauchi around but people still say negative things about him. When you are a governor, no matter how hard you try, people will criticize you. Do you know that some people criticized Ogbemudia, despite all he did for the old Bende state? Are you trying to tell me that there is nothing Lucky Igbinedion administration did in Edo state, but you saw how they treated him. People have started criticizing Oshiomhole already and they will criticize him more when he leaves office. Odubu-Oshiomhole For me, the APC government in the state has done their best, we have seen their eight years, the PDP government which I will form by the special grace of God, will improve on what Oshiomhole has done and we will bring the PDP manifesto into play. The only area I frowned at by this government in Edo state is increasing the minimum wage at the tail end of the administration when we know that things are really bad with the economy. Though we know they have done well in boosting the IGR of the state but I believe the timing was not proper. I don’t believe in condemning a government out rightly or cancelling projects a previous government initiated unless they are not in the best interest of the people. I cannot say this man has failed or this one has failed because even at home, our wives complain about us, our children complain about us, no body is perfect. But when we form government, we will look at their policies and see what they have done wrong or right. The things they did wrong we will correct them while the good ones will be perfected. If they are building roads or schools they could not compete we will complete them because those things do not belong to Oshiomhole, they belong to the state. Edo people cried for change after PDP ruled here for ten years and that brought Oshiomhole, do you think the people will vote for PDP this time around seeing what Oshiomhole has done? I will not agree with you that the years of PDP were completely wasted. Don’t forget that that was the beginning of our democracy, we were testing democracy then so you should expect many mistakes. Governors who came at that time had that problem. Like I said earlier, government job is a thankless job, so people must talk. But for me, governance is about continuity and we must look at what is on ground so we can make progress. If I am sworn in as governor, if I don’t continue with Oshiomhole’s project people will say he failed but that may not be the case. But if you continue with those projects no body will say that governor failed. If Oshiomhole had continued with the projects inherited from the PDP people will not say PDP failed woefully. Whatever a previous government has done a new government should complete it as long as it is a project that will improve the lives of our people. For me, there is no benchmark to qualify the PDP’s ten years and APC’s eight years because it is about continuity. And whether the PDP will get the state back, yes we can. Because I am talking to market women, our youths, students, everybody. We are very optimistic that we will win in this state particularly when the APC at the center has not done well. The APC here does not have anything thing to campaign with that they have done at the Federal level so when we get into the elections we will have a lot to say about them. Buhari said he is fighting corruption but you know there are countries who give amnesty to corruption. If you say I have stolen money, charge me to court, not crucifying me in the papers. We hear every day that they have recovered money from people, let them publicly name the people they recovered money from and where the money is kept. The APC government as at today is anti people, look at it today everything has gone up, the price of food has gone up, so I don’t know what they will campaign with in the coming election in Edo state. Will there be free and fair PDP primary We have insisted on transparent primaries, we have all agreed that we want to go to primaries. I have said that if we go for free and fair primaries and I am defeated, although I know I will not be defeated, I will embrace whoever is the winner. I know I am going to win so I will expect other aspirants to embrace me when I win the nomination. I am very optimistic because of my stability in the party, my sincerity of purpose, my dedication and service to the party. I know I will win the primaries and win for the party. People are already talking that I have no baggage so if I win the APC will find it difficult to campaign against me. Because we really do not need candidates that will create more problem for the party, that will be suicidal. How do you see the burning ing issues between Oshiomhole and his deputy? I condemn that incident. Edo state is not known to be a violent state. Both of them must not set Edo on fire. I have asked the Commissioner of Police to please call a meeting of political parties and all the aspirants so that we can talk because some of the aspirants are moving around with thugs and it is not good. Edo is not a state of hooliganism but the level of hooliganism that we are witnessing already when the election has not come is scaring. We cannot go into a general election with this kind of tension, we must reduce the tension because if you want to be governor, you will be governor of the people so when you kill everybody how will you govern. Development cannot come when there is no peace in a state. I believe in peace, I am an apostle of peace. Even though we heard conflicting reports as to what really happened in Auchi but it is totally unacceptable to see that level of violence. We heard that the deputy wanted to go and intimidate Oshiomhole in his domain but Oshiomhole’s people chased him away. But the Deputy’s people said the attack was masterminded against the Deputy, so we don’t really know the truth but that is their own in-house problem. Whoever caused that violence, I condemned it totally. we don’t need violence in the state. What creates such tension is when politicians are desperate, giving money to thugs to go and cause mayhem. If you look at my campaign, each time I travel to a place you will never see thugs around me, I am a peaceful person and that is why everybody around me wears white, meaning purity. You cannot see my people shooting gun to scare any body and that I believe created the problem in Auchi. But both the governor and his deputy must not drag Edo people into their problem.

Court jails man five years for manufacturing fake drugs

A 35 year-old, Osita Paul Ely, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment without option of fine by a Federal High Court sitting in Asaba Delta State.
Eli had been standing trail since October 2015 for manufacturing, distribution and sale of fake drugs and other related act in Asaba.
He was arrested at his residence in Asaba few months ago by operatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) following a tip-off where cartons of already produced and packaged fake drugs, machines and other equipment used for the production also recovered before he was handed over to the Police for prosecution.
According to a statement released by NAFDAC public relations officer (Enforcement),Mr Anslem Okonkwor, during Ely’s arraignment in court last year,he had initially pleaded not guilty to a 7-count charge preferred against him, but later admitted guilt during further court proceedings that he indulged in the fake drugs manufacturing business to earn a living and meet his financial demands.
Eli, who is a graduate of economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), had also claimed to be first offender through his
counsel, Mr Emeka Nathaniel Orji and pleaded for his leniency.
But the lead prosecuting counsel,Umar Shamaki, vehemently opposed the submission and urged the court to sentence the accused in accordance with the law arguing that offence committed by him were grave enough to send him to jail.Shamaki relying on the result of the laboratory analysis of the sampled against the accused which showed that no active ingredient expected in the drugs were presented, insisted that it was clear that the suspect knew what he was doing and at the detriment of public health and so should be sentenced accordingly to serve as deterrent to others as the case has become of public interest.
According to the statement, the presiding Judge, Justice Anthony Faji, while delivering his ruling, found the accused guilty in all the counts especially as he admitted guilty during cross examination, adding that in view of the evidence, circumstance and the accused’s admission to the charges, it was clear that rather than helping to use his knowledge to grow the economy of the country as graduate of economics, he was determined to increase the population of the people in the hospital and the dead at the mortuary.

I’ve lost count of those I killed – Suspected cultist, kidnapper

Tamuno

A suspected cultist and kidnapper shocked newsmen on Friday when he confessed that he had lost count of the number of persons he had killed before his arrest by men of the Rivers State Police Command.

The suspect identified as Mitchel Tamuno, the leader of a cult group, was apprehended by the police in connection with the alleged kidnap on April 14 of a 14-old-old girl.

The girl (name withheld) was said to have been raped by her captors, including Mitchel before she eventually escaped from them.

Narrating why he was arrested by the police, Mitchel explained that he was only involved in killing of members of rival cult groups and did not shed “innocent blood”.

Mitchel, who insisted that he could no longer remember the number of persons he had killed, stated that he purchased the four AK 47 rifles used for operation by members of his cult group (Icelander) from one Ifeanyi in Aba, Abia State.

He added that the guns were used to kill some members of rival cult group (Greenlanders) so as to avenge the killing of  members of his own group.

Mitche, who promised to go back to his fish farming business if freed, said, “I have never shed innocent blood. We only kill people that come to kill us because we know the people we are fighting. The AK 47 rifles that were recovered belong to us as a group. I bought them from one Mr. Ifeanyi in Aba, Abia State. He sold the first two to us at N250,000 each and the second batch of two for N280,000 each.

“We only have four guns in our possession. We use the guns to fight our opponents. Our opponents are the Greenlanders and we fight for supremacy. I have never killed anybody and cut the head. Those who behead do so because they want the other group to feel the pain.

“When you come, you see your friend dead and without a head, you feel the pain. The fight is not on a daily basis. When we get information about them, we go after them and when they (rival cult group) get information about us, they come after us too. I have lost count of how many people I have killed because they all happened on different occasions.”

A member of the gang, who gets information for the kidnap gang, Godwin Pina, denied being a member of any cult group, but only gave information on how to kidnap the 14-year-old girl.

Pina, a 23-year-old labourer, disclosed that the girl that was kidnapped was her neighbour, adding that he became worried when he learnt from the gang members that their victim had escaped.

“They (gang members) called me that the girl had run away. One of my friends, who is at large (Bobo mi) informed me that the girl ran away. I regret my action. Francis, Bobomi and Collins also kidnapped Madam Lizzy.

“I am only involved in the kidnap of the girl, but I did not take part in raping her. Mitchel is our number one man in our group,” Pina added while appealing to the police for forgiveness.

Speaking on the arrested men, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, said Pina was arrested while he went to the bank to withdraw the N50,000 their victim’s father paid into their (kidnappers) account.

Muhammad explained that Pina was able to give the police information that led to the arrest of Mitchel and other gang members, adding that four AK 47 rifles were recovered in the course of investigation.

He pointed out that the command would not relent in its determination to arrest criminals in the state and bring them to book, adding that the command in the month of April arrested 70 suspected kidnappers, cultists and armed robbers.

Muhammad added that 25 suspects were killed during a shootout with policemen while 11 AK 47 rifles and 17 assorted illicit firearms, 480 different calibres of ammunition were recovered from the suspected criminals.

On how Mitchel’s gang’s victim was able to escape, he said the girl escaped with a ladder she sighted within an uncompleted building where she was held hostage, recalling that four of the kidnappers, who raped her, were fast asleep when the victim escaped.

He said, “She (victim) then followed the sound of vehicles she was hearing from the road and got to the main road, saw a man driving a car, waved the car down and told the driver that she escaped from kidnappers’ den.

“She appealed to the driver of the car to help her call her father, who is a pastor in Bayelsa State. The Good Samaritan called the father of the victim and told him the development and the father directed the man to take her daughter to any nearby police station.

“Before then, the kidnappers had already put a call across to the father of their victim, demanding for ransom of N10m. They equally forwarded an account number detail to the victim’s father.

“One of the kidnapers (Godwin Pina) went to the bank immediately he noticed that the sum of N50,000 had been paid into the account for the upkeep of their victim, pending when the ransom demanded would be raised.

When the suspected was arrested, he then opened up that their boss, Mitchel, was staying in Okrika. Then the Anti-kidnapping unit moved to Abam in Okrika and arrested Mitchel and 10 other boys in his house.

“Two AK 47 rifles were recovered from him. On interrogation, he (Mitchel) said he had other two AK 47 rifles with one Iyalla Appolos somewhere in Azubokwe. We moved in there and Iyalla was arrested and the two AK 47 rifles were recovered from him,” Muhammad added

Kidnappers kill businessman after collecting N15m

A businessman identified as Mr. Chijioke Anyanwuor resident in Ikot Abasi local government area of Akwa Ibom state has been reported killed by suspected kidnappers. Saturday Vanguard learnt that Anyanwuor a native of Agulu in Anambra state was earlier abducted on February, 25, 2016 in front of his Ikot Abasi residence about 2:00hours in the morning after returning from a Church programme. IGP-Solomon-Arase A reliable family source who spoke to newsmen in confidence in Uyo said the kidnappers numbering over five succeeded in blocking their victim and whisked him away in his vehicle to unknown destination. It was further learnt that he was later killed and buried in a shallow grave in the forest even after his family paid over N15 million naira ransom to his abductors. “Our source said, “But two days after the kidnappers contacted the family and demanded huge sum of money. The money was paid it paid at different tines and locations as the kidnappers directed. “We had expected that they would immediate release Mr. Chijioke after the abductors collected seven million but he was not released. Instead after a very short time interval they demanded for more money and even after N15 million was paid they did not free their captive”. Our source said when family requested to hear Chijioke’s voice to ensure he was alive after being held in the kidnappers’ custody for weeks little did they (family) know that he had been murdered and buried. He further disclosed that two months after, the kidnappers were tracked down and apprehended by Department of the Security Service (DSS) in collaboration with Security and Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in the area. Effort to get the Commissioner of Police Mr. Murtala Mani to confirm the incident failed as at the time of filing this report.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/kidnappers-kill-businessman-collecting-n15m/

Four sentenced to death by hanging in Ebonyi over kidnapping, murder

TWO persons, Onyemachi Oge and Okechukwu Oma were friday sentenced to death by hanging by a High court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state for kidnapping a medical doctor, Dr. Chuka Manyike in the state. The duo alongside Chukwuemeka Levi, Idris Oken, Edeke Desmond and Ijeoma oge were accused of kidnapping Manyinke, a Doctor of Pediatrics at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki on 5th May, 2013 at his private hospital, No 15 Owerri street Abakaliki. Manyinke’s security guard identified simply as Peter was shot dead during the kidnap for attempting to prevent the hoodlums from kidnapping his boss, Manyinke. The sum of N3million ransom was paid before the release of the medical doctor after six days in captivity. Oge and Oma got N200, 000 from the total ransom paid. Oma, a tailor opposite Manyinke’s hospital provided information to the kidnappers and gave them directive on how to perfect their plan while Oge supplied beer, biscuits and water to the doctor during his days in captivity. All the accused persons have been in prison custody since the incident. Delivering judgment on the matter yesterday at High court 3, the trial judge, Justice Eze Udu said the prosecution counsel; I.I Anikwe proved his case against Onyemachi Oge the 4th accused person and Chukwu Oma 6th accused person in the case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced them to death by hanging. He discharged and acquitted the 1st accused person(Levi), 2nd accused person(Oken), 3rd accused person(Desmond) and 5th accused person(0ge) and however recommended that Ijeoma Oge the 5th accused and the husband who is at large be charged for conspiracy and kidnapping for allowing their house to be used in keeping the victim during the incident. In his reaction, counsel to the 3rd, 4th and 5th accused persons, Barrister D.I Njoku said he is already preparing to appeal the judgment against the 4th accused person who was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. Meanwhile, a high court also sitting in the state yesterday sentenced a woman, Mrs Josephine Onwuzuruike and her boy friend, Ekene Onyeka to death by hanging. The woman and Onyeka had in 2008 at Azuiyiokwu, Abakaliki butchered Josephine’s husband and kept his parts inside cupboard. The Josephine had accused the husband of attempting to marry another wife by building a separate house other than the one they were living and contacted the boyfriend who came joined her in murdering the husband. Delivering judgment on the case, the trial judge Justice Benson Ogbuh found the accused persons guilty of the offence and convicted them. He sentenced them to death by hanging. Josephine, after the incident wept uncontrollable and pleaded with the judge to be lenient on her because of her children.

We can’t implement 2016 budget fully –FG

The Federal Government has ruled out the possibility of full implementation of the 2016 Appropriation Act signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, stated this while briefing journalists shortly after Buhari signed the budget at the President Villa, Abuja.

Udoma was joined at the briefing by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.

The minister admitted that having been signed late into the year, it would be impossible to achieve full implementation of the budget.

He said, “Our own will always be 100 per cent implementation. We know that because we started late, we may not achieve it but that is our aim.

“We will start off with that aim because the budget is a law so we will try and implement it as faithfully as we can. However, the reality is that we may not (achieve it) because we started late.

“In subsequent years, we will start earlier to give us a better chance of implementing the budget in full. But we will do our best.”

The minister also said the government would work hard to ensure that the National Assembly gets the 2017 budget proposal by October so that it could be passed before the end of the year.

This, he said, would afford the government the opportunity of implementing from January to December.

The minister said, “Two weeks ago, the ministry presented a memo to the Federal Executive Council and got approval for a timetable for the budget. So, as we are finishing with this budget, we are starting on 2017.

“Our intention is that the budget should reach the National Assembly early in October to give them enough time to pass it before the end of the year.

“The most important time for road construction is the dry season. So, if you can get the budget in December, you can now start early to implement. Our intention is to get us back to a situation where we can have a full January to December implementation for the budget.

“We are working hard on the timetable to achieve this. It is also going to be much more extensive consultation with the National Assembly prior to the budget being presented, extensive consultations with non-governmental organisations NGOs that will help us to speed up the process of getting the budget approved.”

Giving more details on the signed budget, Udoma said the budget size that the legislature came out with was just slightly lower figure than the one submitted by the executive.

He said the revenue assumption from the budget as passed by the National Assembly was the same, having adopted the same $38 crude oil price.

The minister also said the size of the budget and size of the deficit were about the same.

According to him, the budget puts the production figure at 2.2million barrels per day.

Ahmed on her part recalled that two weeks ago, the Federal Executive Council approved a monitoring and evaluation framework which was meant to guide the implementation of the budget.

She said, “We have developed a specific implementation guideline for the 2016 budget which will be submitted to all the ministries departments and agencies.

“This will be vigorously monitored and reported upon on quarterly basis to the FEC. There are some checks in that implementation plan and we intend to follow through with the plan as fast as possible.

Tinubu’s son, Seyi, set to tie the knot

THESE are defi­nitely happy times for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Leader. As you read this piece, one of his sons, Seyi, is set to tie the knot. And the news has set the Lagos social scene abuzz as close pals, friends and associates of Jagaban are determined to outdo themselves in other to make sure that the wedding is a resounding success.
A source who squealed to Loud Whispers said: “Tinubu is definitely a proud father right now. I can assure you that Seyi and his heart throb, Layal, are both head over heels in love. It was love at first sight when they met and now they just can’t get enough of each other.’’
He stated that the groom had to take her all the way to Ghana for a vacation and that was where he popped the question in a most outlandish way and Layal gladly accepted. Reveling in their mutual love for each other, the pair has posted their pre wedding pictures online.

Young mother of two allegedly beaten to death by her husband this morning at their home in Egbeda

Ronke Bewaji Shonde (pictured above) was allegedly beaten to death by her husband this morning May 6th at their home at Tiemo Crescent off Awori street in Egbeda Lagos. According to family friend who reached out to LIB, Ronke and her husband had a fight in the early hours of this morning at their home while their kids were sleeping. One neighbour later said he heard the noise coming from their flat early this morning but didn't think it was something horrific going on in the home.


Around 7am, the couple's nanny came to the house to resume work only to find the house locked and no one was opening the door. She tried to call her madam but her phone was switched off. She peeped through the window only to find the couple's 6 and 4 year old kids crying and saying they couldn't wake their mum up. By this time, neighbours had also gathered and they forcefully opened the door to find Ronke's lifeless body on the floor, blood gushing from her head.

The husband, Lekan Shonde, was nowhere to be found. Ronke's phone was also missing. He'd locked the kids with their dead mum in the house and took off with her phones.

Her body has since been deposited at the mortuary. She was in her mid-30s.

According to family friends, Ronke suffered domestic violence in her husband's hands for many years but refused to leave the marriage. Sad it took her losing her life for this to end. Quite sad!

Ladies, please say no to domestic violence. Please. No marriage is worth your life!

N23.29b Poll Bribery Scandal: EFCC arrest Cross River State PDP chairman for collecting N500 million bribe

The Cross River State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been arrested by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with the alleged N23.29n poll bribery scandal.
Cross River Watch confirms that Mr Ntufam John Okon is currently being held at EFCC South South Zonal office in Port Harcourt.
Okon was arrested on Wednesday May 4, by operatives of the anti graft commission who stormed the State PDP secretariat along Murtala Mohammed Highway. The agency also quizzed two of Okon’s co accused, Senator Chris Anyanwu and Buhari’s former counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ahamba, on the matter.

"The trio were allegedly paid N1.2billion out of the N23.29billlion bribe allegedly given by former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison Maduekwe to compromise INEC officials in the last general election. Anyanwu and Ahamba were allegedly paid N700m while Okon was paid N500million".

CrossRiverWatch learnt that the Commission is preparing charges against the PDP Chair and he may be charged to court soon. Other suspects named in the bribery scandal include some oil industry chiefs who were believed to have been used by the former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke to raise the bribe.

"The oil barons contributed $88.35million of the $115million (N23.29b) sent to Fidelity Bank by the ex-minister. The money was for some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to alter the results of last year’s presidential election."

Behold Ehenenden, the next Oba of Benin

FOLLOWING the official announcement of the passage of the Oba of Benin last week, the man who will step into his shoes has emerged and his name is Ehenenden Erediauwa, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Italy.
According to an insider who spoke to Loud whispers: “The Oba designate has served Nigeria in various capacities including working as Nige­ria’s Ambassador to Italy. He is the late Oba’s first son and the Edaiken of Uselu.
“Ehenenden is a man who has paid his dues. His credentials also speak for him. After a rigor­ous and keen process, he has been selected as the man who will step into the shoes of the late Oba of Benin.”
Meanwhile, reasons are beginning to emerged on why the death of the late Oba was such a top secret. According to the same source: “The real reason his death was kept a secret was because they want to avoid fights over the throne from contenders to the throne.’’
The source added that a long time ago in Benin history, such announcements had resulted in bloody and violent fights that culminated in destabilizing the kingdom, hence, it became a tradition that when the Oba dies, his death is not announced until a worthy successor is chosen.
“The new law was enacted to allow for a peaceful and seamless transition. In fact, in those days, the first son never got to meet his father the Oba until the Oba is dead but due to western civilization, these practices have been watered down,” the source revealed.
Another reason for the secrecy trailing the Oba’s exit according to the source is that ascend­ing the throne is not a tea party. The Oba elect has to perform cleansing rituals to prepare and fortify him for the challenges of his new office.

 

I was never arrested by EFCC –Udenwa

Chief Achike Udenwa has clarified his invitation by the Economic and Fi­nancial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Reacting to the news making the rounds about the arrest of the former gov­ernor, his media aide, Peter Agba Kalu, said Chief Ud­enwa was never arrested, but invited by the anti-graft agency, which treated him with utmost courtesy.
“The attention of the governor has been drawn to the news making the circle about the arrest of Achike Udenwa and it is important to clarify some basic facts. His excellency was never arrested as he honoured an invitation by EFCC, which is normal. He was never de­tained rather, the EFCC of­ficials treated him with cour­tesy and respect and simply requested information on the campaign funding which he obliged.
“The campaign fund for Imo State was received like all presidential campaign funds in the 36 states of the federation. It was lodged in a joint account opened sole­ly for that purpose.”

Buhari not President of North –Edwin Clark, Ekwueme

LEADERS of thought in the three geo-political zones of the southern part of the country have decried the proposed grazing bill, de­scribing it as a permanent source of conflict across the country.
The position of the leaders under the aegis of Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly (SNPA) was contained in a communique issued yes­terday at the end of a three-day meeting in Asaba, Delta State capital.
Former Vice President Alex Ekwueme (represented by former Anambra State Governor Chukuwuemeka Ezeife); Ijaw National lead­er, Chief Edwin Clark (rep­resented by Senator Roland Owie); and Senator Femi Okorounmu who stood in for Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, among others were present at the meeting.
They deplored the ram­paging attack, raping and killing of innocent Nigerians in parts of the country by the notorious Fulani herds­men, and called on the Fed­eral Government to set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate the criminal ac­tivities of herdsmen.
Ekwueme, Clark and Gbonigi explained that the bill portends danger to the nation as it will institute a source of permanent con­flict especially the federal structure of the country and the 1999 Constitution which vests power to hold land on the 36 states of the country and the minister of the Fed­eral Capital Territory.
The leaders said: “The President should deal de­cisively with the issue of Fulani herdsmen in the man­ner government is dealing with the insurgency that if unchecked has the capacity to snowball to another Boko Haram.
“Consequently, he should set up a Judicial Panel of In­quiry to investigate all Fulani herdsmen attack between May 2015 till date and all those found to be directly or remotely involved in those attacks should be arrested and brought to book.”
The Southern leaders ob­served that the inability of President Muhammadu Bu­hari to begin the implementa­tion of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference was objectionable as the resolutions if implemented may help in resolving many political, socio-economic and security challenges of the country.
While calling on Nigeri­ans to support Buhari in his anti-corruption drive, war on insurgency and his ef­fort at reviving ailing indus­tries, they however urged him to respect the rule of law, the protection of citizens’ fundamental human rights and the pronouncements of the courts.
They advised that the war on corruption should neither be vindictive nor selective as selective justice amounts to injustice and the immedi­ate release of all Nigerians which various courts have given bail and have subse­quently met their bail condi­tions.
Also, they advised North­ern Elders Forum to desist from infusing in the present administration, the “we and they” mentality which usu­ally create division and con­fusion in the polity.
“The Northern Elders Fo­rum should realize that Presi­dent Muhammadu Buhari is the President of Nigeria and not the President of North­ern Nigeria. the government is therefore for the entire Nigeria and programmes and projects should be for the overall development and growth of the country and not a section of it,” they said.

Ndlea Arrests 5 Suspects With 8.6kg Of Cocaine

Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Muhammad Abdallah, has revealed that the agency has arrested five suspects with 8.6 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday and signed by NDLEA Spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who quoted Abdallah as saying that 137 wraps of cocaine swallowed by two of the suspects were removed from their bodies at the hospital.
“Two passengers from Sao Paulo, Brazil en route Dubai have been saved from premature death by the prompt intervention of narcotic officers,” the statement read.
“The suspects were in a critical health condition on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport due to drug ingestion.
“They were immediately rushed to the hospital for intensive medical care.
“All 137 wraps of cocaine ingested by the suspects have been successfully evacuated from their system and they are now in a stable health condition.
“Three other suspects were arrested with duty-free bag stocked with 3.3kg of cocaine hidden in chocolates and another 3.8 kg of cocaine hidden inside socks.
“Drug ingestion is a very risky act that exposes drug traffickers to early graves.
“People must desist from such injurious acts, protect their precious lives as well as promote public well-being and safety.
“The agency will continue to protect lives and enhance public security by ensuring that narcotic drugs are only made available for medical and scientific purposes.”
Abdallah warned against dangerous and criminal acts that were inimical to well-being, public health and safety as he revealed that all the five suspects would soon be charged to court.

We Will Monitor Implementation Of Budget – Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has revealed that the members of the National Assembly in both chambers will closely monitor the implementation of the 2016 budget through diligent oversight.
Saraki spoke on Friday as he joined Speaker Yakubu Dogara and other top government officials in witnessing the signing of the budget into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He commended Nigerians for their patience while awaiting presidential assent to the 2016 Appropriation Act adding that the responsibility of ensuring that the objectives and goals of the budget are duly realized is now that of both the executive and the legislature
He tasked Ministers, Heads of Departments and Agencies to hit the ground running with the implementation of the various provisions made in the budget so that the expectations of the people can be fulfilled.
“On our own part as members of the National Assembly, we will closely monitor the implementation of the budget by providing effective oversight. We will also ensure that all necessary laws that will aid the transformation of the contents of the budget into practical policies, projects and programmes that will directly have positive impact on Nigerians will be put in place,” he said.
“That is why we have started the amendment of the Public Procurement Act to ensure that a substantial percentage of the money to be spent in the budget are made available to Nigerians through government patronage of Made-in-Nigeria goods and services.”
Saraki restated the National Assembly’s commitment to early passage of subsequent budgets since the President had promised earlier presentation.

Nigerian Troops Avert Another Bandits Attack On DanSadau

The Nigerian Army says that troops of 223 Battalion, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army have averted another attack on Dansadau town by suspected cattle rustlers and armed bandits yesterday Wednesday 4th May 2016.
The troops who were on patrol were alerted by well meaning individuals on seeing the bandits.
Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman stated this in a press release.
He said the patrol team laid an ambush for the suspected cattle rustlers  and armed bandits who came in large numbers on motorcycles fully armed. It was gathered that they were enroute Ruwan Tofa and Babban Doka Villages in Dansadau District of Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State to wreck havoc on the hapless  innocents of those communities.

Obama seeks to approve attack aircraft for Nigeria to fight Boko Haram

Washington(Reuters) – The U.S. administration of President Barack Obama is seeking to approve a sale of as many as 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to Nigeria to aid its battle against the extremist group Boko Haram, U.S. officials say, in a vote of confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari’s drive to reform the country’s corruption-tainted military.

The widening U.S. military cooperation is a political victory for Buhari, who took office last year pledging to crack down on the rampant corruption that has undermined the armed forces in Africa’s most populous country.

Washington also is dedicating more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets to the campaign against the Islamist militants in the region and plans to provide additional training to Nigerian infantry forces, the officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration’s plans.
The possible sale — which the officials said was favored within the U.S. administration but is subject to review by Congress — underscores the deepening U.S. involvement in helping governments in north and west Africa fight extremist groups.

Super Tucano, the type can handles more than 130 weapon configurations, including 70mm rocket launchers, air-to-air missiles and laser-guided bombs. PHOTO: GETTY

U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Michael Franken, a deputy commander of the Pentagon’s Africa Command, told a Washington forum last week that there now are 6,200 U.S. troops – most of them Special Operations Forces – operating from 26 locations on the continent.
The widening U.S. military cooperation is a political victory for Buhari, who took office last year pledging to crack down on the rampant corruption that has undermined the armed forces in Africa’s most populous country.
“The Buhari administration I think has really reenergized the bilateral relationship in a fundamental way,” one U.S. official said.
The previous Nigerian government of Goodluck Jonathan had scorned the United States for blocking arms sales partly because of human rights concerns. It also criticized Washington for failing to speed the sharing of intelligence.
The souring relations hit a low at the end of 2014 when U.S. military training of Nigerian forces was abruptly halted.

the A-29 is a turboprop assault aircraft capable of launching air-to-air attack

That is changing under Buhari, whose crackdown on corruption has led to a raft of charges against top national security officials in the previous government.
“Buhari made clear from the get-go that his number one priority was reforming the military to defeat Boko Haram … And he sees us as part of that solution,” a second U.S. official said.

“The Buhari administration I think has really re-energized the bilateral relationship in a fundamental way,” one U.S. official said.

Still, serious human rights abuses committed by security forces, which include police, increased in 2015, according to the U.S. State Department’s annual human rights report.
Many of the funds alleged to have been misused and siphoned off by corrupt Nigerian officials under Jonathan’s government were earmarked for the fight against Boko Haram, which has killed thousands in northeast Nigeria and neighboring countries in the last seven years. Last year, the group pledged loyalty to Islamic State.
“No wonder they weren’t doing well with respect to Boko Haram. (They) didn’t have the ammunition,” the first official said.
The accused officials include Nigeria’s former chief of defense staff, who last month pleaded not guilty to using money allocated for Nigeria’s air force to buy a mansion and a commercial plot of land and build a shopping mall.

The plane can carry a wide array of armaments, including precision-guided munitions, is equipped with advanced avionics, communications and sensors and can operate from remote, unpaved airstrips.

Congress has not yet been formally notified of the possible U.S. approval of the sale of Embraer’s A29 Super Tucano turboprop aircraft to Nigeria.
The Tucanos can be used for training, surveillance or attack. They can be armed with two wing-mounted machine guns and can carry up to 1,550 Kg (3,417 pounds) of weapons.

The U.S. military expects to train a second Nigerian infantry battalion once the current group completes its training later this year, the first official said.

One production line for the Super Tucano is in Florida, where it is built with U.S. firm Sierra Nevada Corp. The aircraft that would be sold to Nigeria come with a “very basic armed configuration,” one of the U.S. officials said.
The sale could offer Nigeria a more maneuverable aircraft that can stay aloft for extended periods to target Boko Haram formations. Officials did not disclose the cost of the planes to be sold to Nigeria.
The plane can carry a wide array of armaments, including precision-guided munitions, is equipped with advanced avionics, communications and sensors and can operate from remote, unpaved airstrips. This can make it possible to locate an airbase in Sambisa Forest, and destroy whatever Boko Haram formation left in that remote area and the border mountains with Cameroon. It will also make it no-longer necessary to fly sorties from Yola, Adamawa to the enclave of the insurgents.
It has a maximum speed of 590 km per hour (367 mph) and a flight ceiling of 35,000 feet (6.6 miles).

However, a contract for 20 similar aircraft sold to Afghanistan was valued at about $428 million at the time it was announced in 2013.
J. Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council think tank, said any sale of Super Tucano aircraft would demonstrate improving ties, but cautioned that their ability to counter Boko Haram could be limited.
“When you’re fighting a group that’s no longer holding towns and villages, that’s no longer massing forces in a conventional way, the aircraft – attack aircraft – have a much more limited role in that kind of fight,” Pham said.
Nigerian army routed the militant group from much of its self-proclaimed caliphate in northeastern Nigeria last year.
Its fighters have since regrouped and intensified their attacks in the Lake Chad Basin, threatening regional security, despite the creation of a 9,000-strong African multinational force to counter it.
The U.S. military expects to train a second Nigerian infantry battalion once the current group completes its training later this year, the first official said.
The officials did not specify what type of additional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets would be provided to bolster the regional fight against Boko Haram.
They acknowledge that they have a tough task combating the group, which is sending women and children strapped with explosives to blow up civilian targets such as marketplaces.
“Boko Haram has morphed back in to what it had earlier been, not a holder of large amounts of territory, but rather a generator of asymmetric attacks,” the second official said.

Militants Attack Chevron Facility In Niger Delta, Nigeria

Militants attacked a Chevron (CVX.N) platform in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region late on Wednesday, the U.S. energy company said on Thursday, amid growing fears of a revived militant campaign in the region.
It is the latest in a series of attacks on oil facilities in Africa’s top oil exporter. President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to crack down on “vandals and saboteurs” in the Delta region, which produces most of the country’s oil.
In a statement, the energy company said Chevron Nigeria Limited, operator of a joint venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said an attack took place at about 11.15 pm (1715 ET) on Wednesday.
“Its Okan offshore facility in the Western Niger Delta region was breached by unknown persons,” said Chevron in the statement. “The facility is currently shut-in and we are assessing the situation, and have deployed resources to respond to a resulting spill.”

There were no immediate details of any casualties. The company could not be reached for further comment.
A group known as the Niger Delta Avengers claimed responsibility for the attack, and in a statement it said it blew up the platform.
“This is what we promised the Nigeria government since they refuse to listen to us,” the group said.
The same group has said it carried out an attack on a Shell (RDSa.L) oil pipeline in February which shut down the 250,000 barrel-a-day Forcados export terminal.
The militants say they want a greater share of oil revenues. Crude sales account for around 70 percent of national income in Africa’s biggest economy.
Pipeline attacks and violence have risen in Nigeria’s southern swampland since authorities issued an arrest warrant in January for a former militant leader on corruption charges.
Buhari has extended a multi-million dollar amnesty signed with militants in 2009 but upset them by ending generous pipeline protection contracts.
The militancy is a further challenge for a government faced with an insurgency by the Islamist militant Boko Haram group in the northeast and violent clashes between armed nomadic herdsmen and locals over land use in various parts of the country.

APC Hails Signing Of 2016 ‎Budget Urges MDAs To ensure Effective And Speedy Implementation

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday ‎hailed the signing of Nigeria’s 2016 Appropriation Bill into law by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari.

The party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun in a statement issued on Friday on behalf of the APC also commended both arms of the 8^th National Assembly – Senate and House of Representatives – for its successful consideration and passage of the 2016 National Budget.

“The APC calls on Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure effective and speedy implementation of the 2016 Appropriation Act so that the objectives of the unprecedented N6.06 trillion 2016 National ‘Budget of Change’ will be realised. Commendably, 30 per cent of the 2016 budgetary provision has been committed to capital projects.” The APC National Chairman stated.

The party also commended Nigerians for their patience and understanding during the consideration, passage and eventual presidential assent to the 2016 Appropriation Act, stating that the 2016 National Budget caters for many of the promises made to the Nigerian electorate by the party.

“The APC assures Nigerians that the 2016 National Budget caters for many of the promises made to the Nigerian electorate by the party in the course of the 2015 presidential campaign. This includes the safety net created to cater for the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians amongst other pro-people developmental policies.

“Already, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has announced that the implementation of the 2016 budget will focus on 34 key programmes grouped under four thematic areas – security/policy governance, diversification of economy, succor for vulnerable Nigerians, and reflating the economy through investments.

“The APC hereby calls on all stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to support and ensure the success of the laudable programmes contained in the 2016 National budget as they will positively affect every facet of Nigeria’s socio-economic life”. The statement read.

EDEGBE ODEMWINGIEAssistant Director of PublicityAll Progressives Congress

Bode George Wants PDP Chairmanship, I Won’t Support Him – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, says members of the PDP are tired of old men running the party as they are responsible for its fall from power in 2015.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, Fayose said that the controversies surrounding the party’s zoning arrangement is not an indication that they were in crisis but that the party is in a period when critical decisions are being made and interests must be protected.

According to him, the most important thing is for the party to get things right and this they are already doing.
A member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Bode George, had in an earlier interview described the PDP zoning as one capable of doing more harm than good and which would be resisted.
He was of the opinion that if the party zones its presidential candidacy in 2019 to the north, it is the right of the southwest region to have the party’s national chairmanship position.
The decision of the zoning committee to zone the the party’s national chairmanship position to the northeast did not go down well with him.

Chief George warned that the PDP lost in 2015 because of its disregard for the opinions of some elders of the party who are custodians of the culture of the party and its logic in making major decisions.

Reacting to this, Fayose said, “I have a lot of respected for Chief Bode George, he is our leader, we will continue to respect him but when it comes to the nitty gritty, where is the interest? You must find out the underlining factors.
“Chief Bode George told me personally that he wants to be national chairman of the party, I told him no I won’t support him.
“With all due respect to the elderly people in this party, they must take the backstage. People are tired of seeing the same old faces again.
“I have been hearing Ahmadu Alli since 1976 when we sang ‘Alli must go’ in secondary school. Chief Bode George has been governor of Ondo State almost 40 years ago. They are our leaders and we love them but they should take the backstage.
Fayose also disagreed with the notion that the southwest had been divided over the zoning, dismissing the meeting reportedly held to discuss the zone’s seeming disapproval. He argued that the absence of PDP’s southwest governors at the meeting showed that it did not represent the opinion of the southwest.
“Chief Bode George was the convener of that meeting. Most people that came to that meeting did not know what they were coming for. We are in very peculiar times when we need to address issues differently,” he warned.
He blamed the PDP founding fathers for the party’s loss in 2015. “The grandfathers of PDP lost it in 2015, it’s (now) a new beginning, and they should pocket those stories.”
The Governor insisted that the old members do not have the capacity to rebuild the party. He mentioned Dr. Doyin Okupe as one of those who have approached him on the position and whom he would not support.
Fayose threw his weight behind the PDP zoning arrangement and the possible emergence of incumbent National Chairman Alli-Modu Sheriff as the party’s chairman at the national convention.
He revealed that every member of the party’s zoning committee voted for the northeast to retain the position of national chairman.
On allegations that he betrayed the southwest region where he belongs, Fayose said, “I was the very first person to look out for Senator Bode Olajumoke (as national chairman) mentioning that it must come to the southwest.
“But how many of them came or publicly said ‘I want to contest’? You don’t give positions to unwilling horses.
He went head to declare his support for Alli-Modu Sheriff, “He is the incumbent and he is still going to win this election.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain Ruled Out Of Euro 2016

Arsenal winger, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out for up to two months with a fresh knee injury.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has not played for the Gunners since injuring his knee against Barcelona in the Champions League in February, will now miss out on Euro 2016.

His manager Arsene Wenger confirmed that the 22 year-old England midfielder will not recover in time to make Roy Hodgson’s squad for this summer’s tournament in France.
England’s first Group B game is against Russia in Marseille on Saturday, June 11.
Meanwhile, in spite of the setback for club and country, Arsene Wenger insists that his club’s target is guaranteed Champions League qualification for next season which means finishing either second or third in the English Premier League.
Wenger believes the future of Arsenal Football Club could depend on the result of the Manchester City match
Arsenal are currently third with 67 points, three behind Tottenham in second; the Gunners will play Manchester City who are fourth with 64 points in Manchester on Sunday and Aston Villa a week later.
A fourth place finish would mean having to play a qualifying round to reach the group stages.

Police Parade Suspected Cultists In Akwa Ibom

The Police have paraded 11 persons for alleged involvement in criminal activities in Akwa Ibom State.

This comes in line with the Akwa Ibom State Police Command’s zero tolerance for cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and related crimes.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, disclosed this to reporters on Friday in Uyo, the state’s capital.
The six suspects, aged between 18 and 21, are students of Maurid Polytechnic, a private institution located in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects who confessed to the crime, were arrested for alleged membership of a cult group while the others were arrested for armed robbery.
ASP Nwawe warned criminally minded individuals in the state to turn a new leaf or face the consequences of their actions.
She promised that the Police would leave no stone unturned in its effort to keep crime rate at the barest minimum.
The Police spokesperson urged members of the public to provide the Police with useful information to ensure effective policing.