Sabinews Evening News Update for June 2, 2015

Rivers government urges Banks not give loan to Councils

Port Harcourt, June 2, 2015 (NAN) Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Tuesday ordered banks and other financial institutions not to grant loans to Local Governments, ministries or parastatal in Rivers without his consent.

A spokesman for the governor, Mr Opunabo Inko-Tariah, said in a statement in Port Harcourt that the governor warned that any bank or financial institution that went ahead to grant loans, would be doing so at their own risk. Read more

Buhari to attend G7 summit

President Muhammadu Buhari is to attend this weekend’s G7 summit in Germany in his first major international meeting as Nigerian president. “The President has accepted the invitation to attend the G7 summit. He’s expected to depart Nigeria on Sunday for the summit. It’s going to be a two-day trip,” his spokesman, Shehu Garba said. Buhari, 72, became president of Africa’s most populous nation, top economy and leading oil producer last Friday, taking over from Goodluck Jonathan whom he beat in elections in March.

His office said on Saturday that Britain’s foreign minister Philip Hammond told Buhari at a meeting in Abuja on Friday that Prime Minister David Cameron urged him to come to the summit with a “wish list”. Read more

Bauchi gov freezes govt accounts, slashes own salary

The Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, has directed that all the state government accounts be frozen.

Abubakar has also reduced his salary and that of his deputy by 50 per cent.%.

The governor, who stated this on Monday in his maiden statewide broadcast to the people of Bauchi, pronounced the dissolution of boards of government parastatals, except those of statutory organs. Read more

CJN, Babalola seek reform of legal profession

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Muhammad, and renowned lawyer, Afe Babalola (SAN), have advocated reforms in the country’s legal profession.

While Muhammad called on stakeholders to rid the legal profession of bad eggs in order to restore dignity to the profession, Babalola recommended that the appointment of Senior Advocate of Nigeria should follow the practice in England where the title is awarded to all that are qualified for the rank yearly rather than choosing only 15 out of the backlog of qualified lawyers, as stipulated in the regulation. Read more

Ikpeazu dissolves Orji’s cabinet

The new Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, on Tuesday directed all members of the State Executive Council to hand over to their respective Permanent Secretaries ” latest by close of business , Wednesday, June 3, 2015.”

Ikpeazu, who gave the directive in a state-wide broadcast, thanked the former “EXCO members for a job well done over the years,” and promised to “call you up as the need arises because the reward for hard work is more work.” Read more

EFCC arraigns CBN officials, others for N8bn currency scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday arraigned officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other banks in the Federal High Court, Ibadan, for their roles in the recycling of mutilated currencies worth N8bn.

The trial, which took place before Justice Ayo Emmanuel, had Patience Okoro, Afolabi Johnson, Ilori Sunday, Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola and Fatai Yusuf being arraigned on five counts of conspiracy, diversion and stealing of mutilated currencies meant for briquetting.

They were accused of replacing the mutilated currencies with cut-to-size newspapers and diverting the money for personal use. Read more

98 Edo crashes killed 88 in five months – FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps on Tuesday said that no fewer than 88 persons died in 98 road crashes recorded by the corps in Edo State, between January and May, 2015.

The Edo Sector Commander, Oluwasusi Familoni, disclosed this in an interview in Benin, the state capital.Familoni said the auto crashes, most of which occurred within the Benin and Auchi axis of the state, also left 404 persons injured.‎

Nigeria’s federalism lopsided – Diete-Spiff, Alamieyeseigha

The people of Ijaw ethnic stock in Nigeria, under the auspices of Ijaw National Congress, say the current structure of the Nigerian state is lopsided in favour of the major ethnic nationalities.

They contend that the development is such that there is no adequate socio-political and economic space for the minor ethnic nationalities, particularly the Ijaw, to thrive. Read more

We won’t interfere with N’Assembly leaders’ election – Odigie-Oyegun

The All Progressives Congress has given assurances that it would provide a level playing field f or legislators to choose their leaders.

National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said this in an interview with reporters, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Odigie-Oyegun spoke shortly after he led members of the National Working Committee of the APC to a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at Defence House. Read more

30 dead in Maiduguri bombing

o fewer than 30 persons have been killed and several others injured in a bomb explosion that occurred in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Tuesday.

Channels TV reports that the bomb was said to been concealed under a butchers table in a meat market. Read more

N’Delta activist faults Buhari on termination of amnesty

Niger Delta activist and spokesperson for the Ijaw Republican Assembly, Ms. Annkio Briggs, has criticised the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to discontinue the ongoing Niger Delta Amnesty Programme.

The amnesty programme was instituted on August 6, 2009 by the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua to tackle the growing militancy in the region, including destruction of oil pipelines, illegal bunkering, kidnapping and illegal refineries. Read more

Aisha Buhari visits Jos, condoles with Al-Makura

Wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, on Monday paid a surprise visit to Jos to condole with the Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Almakura, and his wife over the death of the governor’s mother-in-law, Hajia Aisha Musa.

Hajia Musa passed on in the early hours of Monday at the age of 85 in her residence in Jos.

She has since been buried according to the Islamic rites. Read more

Ime Obi Onitsha sympathizes with victims of Onitsha Tanker Fire –

victims of the unfortunate fire incident which occurred at the Upper Iweka Roundabout, Onitsha, on Sunday, when a tanker loaded with premium motor spirit (PMS) rammed into a building

In a statement by the Palace Secretary, Mr. Nwolisa Agusiobo, the Traditional Council expressed shock at the unfortunate incident that resulted in loss of many lives, injuries and destruction of properties and sends its profound condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident. Read more

$15bn money laundering allegation: EFCC grills Nyako, may get bail

Former Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, returned to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today for further interrogation over the alleged laundering of N15 billion when he held sway in the state.

The embattled politician was grilled for over ten hours on Monday and released late in the night but ordered by the anti-graft agency to report back on Tuesday morning. Read more

Cross River Governor scraps Executive Council meetings

SENATOR Ben Ayade, the Cross River State governor has scrapped the weekly Executive Council meetings where the governor and his deputy meet with commissioners special advisers and permanent secretaries to review the activities of government in the state.

Senator Ayade during a closed door meeting with permanent secretaries in the state public and civil service Tuesday directed that in place of the weekly meeting, there will be a monthly interactive session in the executive Council Chambers. Read more

Buildings, vehicles, shops destroyed in Lagos tanker fire –

Property worth Millions ‎of Naira were destroyed when a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit fell of the Iyana/Ipaja bridge, spilling its contents and exploded.

According to reports, the incident which affected five streets in the area, happened at 1am Tuesday. Read more

Buhari, Service Chiefs in crucial meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Service Chiefs this afternoon went into a crucial meeting in what is seen a prelude to the eventual disengagement of the service chiefs who all served under President Goodluck Jonathan.

The service Chiefs who arrived at the defence House a few minutes to 12 noon immediately went into the meeting with the President. Read more

Buhari asks Senate to clear 15 advisers

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday requested the approval of the Senate to appoint 15 Special Advisers, who will assist him to carry out his functions as President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

The President, in a letter addressed to Senate President, David Mark, said his request was in accordance with the Section 151 (1), (2), (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Read more

Drivers’ indiscipline responsible for frequent tanker fire – Ambode

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has blamed frequent tanker explosions in the state, that usually lead to fire and loss of lives and property, on carelessness and indiscipline of drivers.

The governor said this on Tuesday when he visited the scene of a petrol tanker explosion in the Iyana-Ipaja area of the state, which destroyed property worth millions of naira.

He said, “Around 1am, a tanker loaded with 33,000 litres of petrol fell from the Ipaja bridge and spilled all its contents covering almost five streets here. Read more

Bureau de Change Operator Docked For Defaulting To Convert 30,000 Dollars To Naira

A Bureau de Change operator, Abdulahi Mubarak, on Tuesday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defaulting to convert 30,000 dollars belonging to one Miss Bukola Olaoye to naira .

The 47-year-old accused is facing a three-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and stealing. Read more

Applicant, 31, Arraigned Over Alleged Phone Theft

A Karu Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday in Abuja slammed a N200, 000 bail on a jobless man, Abdullahi Sani, for allegedly stealing a mobile phone.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Bashiru Alkali, who gave the ruling, also granted the accused two sureties in like sum. Read more

I Inherited An Empty Treasury – Ortom

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has disclosed that he inherited an empty treasury from the administration of Gabriel Suswam.

Ortom made this disclosure on Tuesday in Makurdi while swearing-in the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Head of Service (HOS), Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Media and Information Communication and Technology. Read more

Electricity Companies Oppose Stopping Of Estimated Billing

Electricity Distribution Companies in Abuja on Tuesday opposed the proposed stopping of estimated billing for unmetered consumers in the country by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The proposal was to ensure that unmetered consumers within same area received bills similar to their metered counterparts with minimal difference. Read more

Businessman Re-arraigned For Allegedly Importing Fake Drugs

A businessman, Emeka Obi, who allegedly concealed fake drugs in an imported 40-ft container, was on Tuesday re-arraigned at a Federal High Court, Lagos.

Obi is standing trial on a four-count amended charge bordering on importation of fake drugs. Read more

21 Burkina Faso UN Peacekeepers Killed Since 1990

Burkina Faso government said on Tuesday that 21 Burkinabe UN peacekeepers have been killed in action since 1990 when the West African nation started contributing troops to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.

This is contained in a statement by the government to commemorate this year’s edition of International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
Burkina Faso, which joined the UN in 1960, has sent 1,125 personnel, made up of 1,074 men and 51 women to UN peacekeeping missions.
The figure makes it the 21st troops contributing nation out of 116 countries. Read more

A relief helicopter crashed in Nepal’s Sindupalchowk district on Tuesday killing four people, police said.

A Dutch citizen and three Nepalis, including the pilot, were the dead.

Police said the chopper operated by private company, Mountain Air, crashed in Yamuna Dada’s Silapatra forest while on the way back to Kathmandu. Read more

US teens change behavior after searching health info online

One in three American teenagers have changed their behavior after looking up health information online, according to a major study on adolescents and technology released on Tuesday.

Of 1,156 US teens aged 13 to 18 years old surveyed, 84 percent said they have used the Internet to seek out health information.

When asked where they got “a lot” of their health information from, the leading answer was their parents, followed by health classes at school and doctors or nurses, said the findings by Northwestern University researchers, contained in the report “Teen, Health and Technology: A National Survey.” Read more

HURIWA calls for mechanisms to check corruption in security votes

Abuja, June 2, 2015 (NAN) The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to put in place effective mechanisms to check corruption in the utilisation of security votes in the country.

The National Coordinator of Association, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday. Read more

Court remands student for causing grievous hurt

Kano, June 2, 2015 (NAN) A Shari’a Court sitting at Sabon Gari, Kano, on Tuesday remanded a 21-year-old student, Shahidullahi Sale, for allegedly stabbing one Shuaibu Labaran.

The accused was charged for causing grievous hurt, an offence that contravenes section 163 of the Kano Shari’a Law. Read more