SABINEWS EVENING NEWS UPDATE, DECEMBER 14, 2017
Govs okay $1bn from Excess Crude Account for anti-terrorism war (Punch)
The National Economic Council on Thursday asked the Federal Government to withdraw $1bn from the $2.3bn currently in the Excess Crude Account and use it to fight insurgency in the North East. The decision was taken at a meeting of the council presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The council chaired by the Vice-President has all state governors as members. Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, disclosed the decision to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting. Read more
It’s cheaper to prevent corruption than fight it – Magu (Nation)
Mr Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is cheaper to prevent corruption than to fight it. Magu said this on Thursday during the Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Programme organised for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Aviation Sector Workers Abuja. He said that section six of the EFCC Act required the commission to, in addition to its enforcement responsibilities, take measures to prevent economic and financial crimes. Read more
Troops, Boko Haram battle in Borno community (DailyTrust)
Troops of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday repelled a violet attack by the Boko Haram insurgents at Mainok community in Kaga Local Government area of Borno. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the troops engaged the insurgents in gun battle at Mainok, about 73 kilometres drive from Maiduguri. Mainok is one of the liberated communities rehabilitated by the government. The town recorded high number of returnees due the relative peace in the area. The troops, according to witnesses, killed about 10 insurgents and wounded others when they tried to infiltrate a military unit in the town. Read more
Kanu’s lawyer writes FG, seeks pardon for detained IPOB members (Vanguard)
Counsel to the ‘missing’ leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, has asked the Federal Government to grant state pardon to youths of Igbo extraction he said were arrested and locked up in various prisons for exercising their constitutional guaranteed rights to self determination. Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, decried that “hundreds of innocent and defenseless IPOB members who are mostly youths”, are languishing in different prisons in the South East states and Kuje Prison in Abuja, based on “phantom, frivolous and cooked-up allegations”. Read more
I tore her cloth, used it to strangle her —Suspected rapist, killer of corps member (Punch)
A driving instructor, Festus Udoh, has narrated how he allegedly lured a 23-year-old National Youth Service Corps member, Miss Modupe Kawose, into a bush at Mawuko, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, raped and strangled her. Miss Kawose had registered in a driving school, Lizzy Driving School, where the suspect was an instructor. The suspect was paraded at the scene of the incident on Thursday by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Iliyasu Ahmed. Read more
Yuletide: You won’t sleep on Niger bridge, FRSC tells commuters (DailyTrust)
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) assured commuters travelling through the Niger bridge in Onitsha, Anambra state of free flow of traffic during the festive periods. The brigde which links the state to other states has always been characterised by heavy traffic gridlock during the yuletide due to heavy vehicular movement. He said the commission would ensure that nobody slept on the Niger Bridge during the period as a result of traffic congestion. Read more
Senate grills NSIA boss over $27.9bn interest-free loan (Vanguard)
The Senate has begun a probe into alleged diversion of $350 million from the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, spent on Afam Fast Power project initiated by the Ministry of Power without any appropriation or feasibility studies. It also grilled the Executive Director of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, Mrs Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli, over a $27.9 billion interest-free loan on AFAM Fast Power Project. Speaking yesterday when the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Engr. Loius Edozien, the Executive Director, NSIA, Mrs Ojekwe Onyejeli and the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company, NBET, appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Read more
Army to remain apolitical – Buratai (Nation)
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Thursday assured Nigerians that the army would remain responsive and apolitical in the discharge of its constitutional duty. Buratai gave the assurance in Ibadan at the closing ceremony of the 2017 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference. He appealed for the understanding of Nigerians as the army continues to perform its responsibilities as enshrined in the constitution. The army chief also promised that the resolutions reached at the end of the conference would be judiciously implemented. Read more
Stop treating teachers like ‘Libyan Slaves’, says Okebukola (Punch)
Prof. Peter Okebukola, the Pro-Chancellor, Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, on Thursday chided stakeholders in the education industry to stop treating teachers like ‘Libyan Slaves’. Okebukola, also a former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, gave the advice at the 9th Convocation ceremony of Crawford University. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the faith-based university is owned by the Apostolic Faith Church, West and Central Africa. Read more
Fayose, community allege police covering for killer customs officer (DailyTrust)
Some aggrieved membets of Ayeitoro community in Ekiti state on Wednesday protested to government house over alleged cover up of an accident that claimed the lives of two members of the community and injuring a few others. The incident, which has created tension in the area, has also pitched the Governor, Ayodele Fayose, against the Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Chafe. It was alleged that the police boss is shielding the driver of the vehicle, a customs officer, from prosecution. Read more
Six killed in Cross River tanker explosion (Vanguard)
Three Soldiers were allegedly among six persons burnt to death in Iwuru in Biase Local Government Area in central district of Cross River State on Wednesday night when a tanker laden with petroleum products crashed and exploded along the Calabar – Ikom highway. The incident which occurred seventy kilometres away from Calabar according to an eye witness who gave her name as Agnes happened when the taker developed break problem and the driver tried to maneuver it to a ditch to avoid collision with oncoming vehicles causing the tanker to upturn. Read more
Edo LGAs’ IGR rises by 500 percent (Nation)
Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) reforms being implemented by his administration have yielded positive result, as annual collection in local council areas has climbed from N30 million in November 2016 to 150 million in November this year. The governor said this when he inaugurated the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, at the Government House, in Benin City. Read more
NDLEA arrests six with 1000kg drugs in Jigawa (Punch)
The Jigawa Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday said it arrested six suspected drug dealers and recovered 1000.64 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs. The Jigawa State Commander of the NDLEA, Josephine Obi, told newsmen in Dutse that the suspects were arrested between Dec. 9 and Dec. 11 at various locations in the state. Obi said that two suspects were arrested with cannabis along Kano-Gumel road while four others were nabbed with over 900 grams of Tramadol tablets in Guri, Dutse and Hadejia Local Government Areas of the state. Read more
Maryam Sanda, mother, brother docked, await court ruling on bail (DailyTrust)
The FCT Police Command has arraigned Maryam Sanda, her mother, Maimuna Aliyu and brother, Aliyu over their involvement in the alleged murder of Bilyamin Bello. Also arraigned alongside was one Sadiya Aminu who informed the court she does not understand English language which prompted the court to provide an Hausa interpreter. Upon their arraignment, they all pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge brought against them by the Police before an FCT High Court in Jabi. Read more
Improve living standards to check illegal migration, don urges FG (Vanguard)
A university lecturer, Dr Olawale Lawal, has urged the Nigerian government to take urgent steps to address living conditions in the country, to stem illegal migration by citizens. Lawal, a lecturer in diplomacy and foreign policy at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo made the appeal in an interview on Thursday in Lagos. He said that if conditions at home were conducive for survival, people may not want to take the risks involved in illegal migration. “The desperation of these classes of migrants, mostly youths, is traceable to the deplorable standards of living at home. Read more
El-Rufai slams N1b suit on Baba-Ahmed for defamation (DailyTrust)
Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai of Kaduna State, has instituted a law suit against Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed. The governor was at the State High Court to sign the suit alleging defamation of character.and is claiming 1 billion Naira as damages. Spokesman to the governor, Samuel Aruwan explained that on On 24th July, 2017, Datti Baba-Ahmed in his article ‘El-Rufai’s Vituperations Against Sardauna, Awolowo, Zik’ alleged, that Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai is ‘looting’ Kaduna State dry. He said the Governor as a law-abiding citizen only went to court to seek redress. Read more
Estate agent on trial for alleged N1m accommodation fraud (Punch)
For allegedly defrauding three accommodation seekers of N1m, a 26-year-old estate agent, Wasiu Mufutau, was on Thursday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Mufutau, a resident of Ikotun area of Lagos, is being tried for obtaining money under false pretences and stealing. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, told the court that the accused committed the offences in October at Egbeda, Lagos. Read more
NAC accuses INEC of bias over recognition (DailyTrust)
The National Chairman of the National Action Council (NAC) Rabia Rakad Cengiz has accused the Chairman of the Independent Electoral National Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu of gender bias over his refusal to recognise her leadership of the party. She told reporters today in Abuja that it is inexplicable that INEC would refuse to recognise a duly convened national convention of the party and elections of its national officers despite the presence of INEC officials at the convention. Read more
IPOB blasts Nwodo for hosting crucial meeting in Lagos (Vanguard)
Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has condemned the decision of Igbo leader, Chief John Nnia Nwodo to host a debate on restructuring at the practice pitch of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. In a statement signed and issued to pressmen in Enugu by the Media and Publicity secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, the group asked, “why must Ohanaeze Ndigbo move their activities outside Igboland to Lagos? It shows they are not proud of their land or people. Read more
FG issues January deadline to complete FADAMA projects in Anambra (DailyTrust)
The federal government has warned all contractors handling Fadama lll Additional Financing projects and facilities in Anambra state to expedite action on the projects to ensure their completion before January 2018. The government, through the World Bank and supervision team, handed down the order at the end of a two-day supervision mission in the state. The Task Team Leader, Tunji Oredipe, said the supervision was targeted at ensuring that there was no uncompleted or abandoned projects at the expiration of the programme. Read more
Prisons Service probes death of awaiting trial inmate at Ikoyi Prison (DailyTrust)
The Lagos State Controller of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Mr Tunde Ladipo, has ordered investigation into the death of an awaiting trial inmate at Ikoyi Prison. The suspect, Chizoba Okoye, who was facing charges of kidnapping before an Ebute Metta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, was shot when he attempted to escape within the court premises on Wednesday. The command’s spokesman, Rotimi Oladokun, said in a statement that the incident happened after the case was adjourned and the escort team was leading the suspect to the holding cell in the court premises. Read more
11 wrestlers, 5 officials for Commonwealth Championship in S/Africa (Nation)
Eleven wrestlers and five officials departed Nigeria on Wednesday for South Africa for Commonwealth Championship ahead of 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, Secretary-General, Wresting Federation, Ahmed Abdullahi, has said. Abdullahi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that the championship was part of preparation for the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia Commonwealth Games. He said that the championship was slated for Dec. 14 to Dec. 17 in Carnival City, Big Top Arena in South Africa. Read more
Obiang tees off Africa’s biggest golf open (ThisDay)
President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mbasogo, at an elaborate ceremony, yesterday, teed off Africa’s biggest golf championship – the 3e Actuaries Equatorial Guinea Open in Mongomo. The opening round of the spectacle to be played over 72 holes will begin today with players from 34 countries competing for the prize $250,000. Obiang expressed gladness that more players were attending the tournament this year than the previous edition. Read more
2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Dubai Marathon winner eyes gold (Nation)
The number of gold labeled athletes eager to compete at the 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, slated for February 10, keeps growing by the day. The latest runners to join the ranks include a past winner of the Dubai Marathon, Kenyan David Barnasai Tumo, and his compatriot Levy Matebo Omari who has a personal best of 2:07:18 hours. It’s not just the bookmakers that didn’t give Barmasai a chance to win the Dubai Marathon. When he did, he didn’t give himself just a chance, his aim was a top 10 finish. Read more
SuperSport secures UEFA Champions League for DStv viewers in Africa (ThisDay)
As the destination of choice for Africa’s soccer lovers, SuperSport is thrilled to confirm that it has renewed broadcast rights to the prestigious UEFA Champions League for DStv customers. SuperSport was recently involved in a public tender iOS and confirmed a three-year partnership with the rights holders. The renewal starts from the 2018/19 season. “This is a momentous day for SuperSport and our DStv customers,” said chief executive Gideon Khobane. “The UEFA Champions League features many of the world’s top players and enthralls soccer fans like little else. We are privileged to be able to tell this great story year after year via high-quality broadcasts.” Read more
Mexico: murders of women rise sharply as drug war intensifies (Guardian)
The number of women being murdered in Mexico has risen sharply over the last decade amid the country’s drug war, more than wiping out two decades of gains when the rate fell by half, a new study shows. The report from Mexico’s interior department, the country’s National Women’s Institute and the UN Women agency said the annual femicide rate was 3.8 per 100,000 women in 1985 before it began a steady decline to 1.9 in 2007. Read more
Austrian leader hopes Brexit can be reversed after Commons setback (Guardian)
The Austrian chancellor, Christian Kern, has spoken of his hopes that Brexit can be reversed after Theresa May’s defeat over the UK parliament’s right to have a meaningful vote on the European Union withdrawal bill. News of the prime minister’s setback provoked a mixed response among the leaders of 27 member states arriving for an EU summit on Thursday, with concerns that it could complicate Brexit negotiations. Read more
Despite parliament defeat, Britain’s May on course to deliver Brexit (Reuters)
Theresa May said on Thursday she was on course to deliver Brexit and a new partnership with the European Union, shrugging off a parliamentary defeat that could weaken her hand as the decisive phase of talks begins. The British prime minister spoke on arrival at an EU summit in Brussels where, over dinner, she will repeat her case for unlocking negotiations to unravel more than 40 years of union to allow for a discussion of trade relations. May sees that as crucial to offering certainty for businesses. Read more
