Alleged N44m scam: Dosunmu urges Ikuforiji to step down

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has been urged to step down over the money laundering charges against him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Nigeria new car imports rise marginally in Jan, Feb

New vehicle imports into Nigeria in January and February rose marginally compared to the same period last year, as dealers stuck with old inventory held back from placing new orders, auto dealers said yesterday.

Air Fair Disparity: FG Urged To Strengthen Nigerian Airlines

As the nation is faced with disparity in air fares in the region, industry stakeholders have attributed the problem to the issue of demand and supply, even as they said the federal government should strengthen Nigerian airlines to make them competitive.

Oyo PDP crisis deepens

THE crisis in the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has taken a new twist with Oyo State former deputy governor, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja moving against his former boss, Adebayo Alao-Akala alongside other chieftains of the party to inaugurate a new state executive.

Fertiliser: FEC approves N27bn electronic wallet for rural farmers

THE Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved an Electronic Wallet containing N27 billion under an initiative which would enable rural farmers enjoy their 50 per cent subsidy on seed and fertiliser purchased, using their mobile telephone handsets.

Boko Haram: Army Arrests 33 Suspects In Kaduna

Armed soldiers believed to be men of the 1 Mechanized Division, Nigerian Army, have stormed the popular Barnawa Shopping Complex area of Kaduna metropolis and whisked away 33 persons suspected to be Boko Haram members. Thirteen of those seized were Nigeriens, including a newspaper vendor and a suya seller.

N14.5b pension cash: EFCC files charges against Perm Sec, others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday filed 16-count charge against a Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, and five others for allegedly mismanaging N14.5billion Police Pension funds.

I’ll fight against sharp practices - Wada

THE Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, has said his administration would encourage the fight against sharp corrupt practices in the system and warned that any public officer caught in the act would not be spared.

14 die in Kaduna-Abuja highway crash

FOURTEEEN passengers involved yesterday in an early hour accident along the Kaduna-Abuja highway have died, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) confirmed in Kaduna.

Police ‘shoot’ rioting Benue varsity student

The police yesterday evening allegedly shot a student of the Benue State University in the chest. The students were protesting the alleged killing of a 400-level female student of the Department of Economics who was killed earlier by a truck driver.

Ogun moves to resolve Yoruba, Fulani clashes

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has begun moves to resolve the lingering crises between the Yoruba Communities and Hausa/Fulani/Bororo herdsmen in Yewa North and other parts of the state which had resulted in the destruction of lives and property.

NSE, CBN, UBA showcase Nigeria to UK investment community

LAGOS — The abundant investment opportunities in Nigeria as well as the statistics to back the fact that the country remains an investors haven and gateway to Africa was the fulcrum of presentations and discussions by the leadership of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN; Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE and United Bank for Africa, UBA, at the investment gathering in London during the Nigerian Economic and Financial Markets Conference organised by Bloomberg, the multinational financial news corporation, weekend.

Light rail: Fashola woos British, other investors

As work progresses on the first phase of the 61-kilometre Lagos-Badagry Light Rail Project christened the Blue Line, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has wooed British and other investors for the concession of the second part of the rail project christened the Red Line.

US opens application for Nigeria’s special self-help programme

applications are now open for Nigerians interested in benefitting from the 2012 Special Self-Help Programme of the United States, according to a statement by the US Embassy.

Conference raises concern over fate of Tobacco Control Bill

Two days ago, the global community ended a conference where it was agreed that health should take precedence over financial gains from the tobacco industry. The World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCOTH), which ended in Singapore at the weekend, showed that the tobacco epidemic must be curtailed before it increases the number of people it kills above its current benchmark of 6 million annually.

Terrorism: Multi-billion naira satellite project fails Nigeria

Despite spending 40.12m pounds (about N9.94bn) to build two earth observations satellites in 2011, Nigeria has turned to Britain to get images from the satellites, launched into the orbit on August 17, 2011.

At least six killed in Islamist-linked violence in Nigeria

Nigeria - A former police officer and two of his friends were killed Sunday in a shootout in Nigeria that also killed three suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamist group.

Fabio Capello is ready to manage again, with Chelsea a possible destination - report

Former England manager Fabio Capello is ready to return to management, and Chelsea could be his desired destination, according to The Mail on Sunday.Capello resigned from the Three Lions job just under seven weeks ago and his enthusiasm to get back into the game could put Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich on alert.

S/Court affirms death sentence on security guard

The Supreme Court has affirmed the death sentence passed on a security guard who killed his employer, Miss. E. N. Igwe, an Assistant General Manager, Legal, working with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

Number plate: Senate summons FRSC, FIRS, minister

Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs has invited the Minister of Transport, Mr. Idris Umar, and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mrs Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, to its public hearing on Tuesday.

Imo poly warns lecturers against extortion

OWERRI - Management of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, has warned that it will not hesitate to administer appropriate and commensurate punishment on any lecturer found to be extorting money from students.

SSS steps up search for abducted German

SECURITY agents are battling to locate the whereabouts of a German, Edgar Fritz Raupach, who is believed to have been taken hostage by Boko Haram, the dreaded Islamic sect in whose custody two foreigners died three weeks ago.

Heat wave: Lagos warns against over exposure to sun

LAGOS — Following the prevalence of heat wave in Lagos State and other parts of the country in the past two weeks, the Lagos State Government has urged residents to reduce the time they stay in the sun by staying indoors more.

A socio-cultural group - the Ibadan Progressive Association (IPA) has appealed to Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi to implement the judgment of the National Industrial Court (NIC) on the state’s Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) without delay.

Boko Haram: JTF rescues housewives, 13 children

Two suspected members of the Islamist group, Boko Haram, died, yesterday, when a primed vehicle exploded during an encounter with security forces from the Joint Task Force (JTF) at their hideout in Sabo Gandu, Kano metropolis.

2015: We don’t trust Jonathan —Northern leaders

Northern leaders have again expressed doubts about the willingness of President Goodluck Jonathan to fulfil his promise not to contest a second term in 2015.

Man kills two to avenge son’s murder in Bayelsa

Calamity befell the Gbarain community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Friday after a man identified as Levi Ibibi allegedly ordered the killing of two persons to avenge the murder of his son, Ebibofa.

How Messi, Barca team-mates sent ‘secret’ signals to Syrian rebels

Barcelona’s footballing superstars sent secret signals to Syria’s gun-smuggling rebels during a match, the beleaguered nation’s state TV has astonishingly claimed.

Okorocha signs MoU with Kosovo

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the government of Kosovo to build an independent power plant and establish an agro processing plant in the state.

Police arrest two suspected stolen cars receivers

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Lagos State Police Command have arrested two men who allegedly specialise in receiving stolen cars from robbers.

Lawyers kick over N70bn rice deal

A group, Lawyers Unite Against Corruption in Nigeria, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its sister agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to look into an alleged plan by the Kwara State Government to seal a N70 billion rice production and processing investment deal with Vasolar Consortium Company of Spain.

Insecurity: OOU lecturers to stay - off campuses

Labour crisis at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago – Iwoye, Ogun State took a worrisome dimension yesterday as its branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) resolved to stay away from the campuses of the institution from tomorrow.

Kidnapped senator’s wife: JTF takes over manhunt

The whereabouts of Asime, wife of Senator George Sekibo representing Rivers East and two others kidnapped with her remained unknown yesterday. 

UTME holds amid tight security in states

The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted across different states on Saturday was peaceful and hitch-free.

Indian grandmother, 78, is believed to be the world’s oldest professional sharpshooter

At 78, most pensioners are reliant on the glasses to even read a newspaper.But not Indian grandmother Chandro Tomar.

2015: Arewa youths restate opposition to Atiku, others

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum has again blamed the high level of poverty and insecurity in the North on leaders from the region who have ruled the country before and vowed to oppose any one of them who wants to contest the presidency in the 2015 election.

Security agencies monitor influx of aliens into Lagos •Army, air force ban use of military stickers

Security agencies in Lagos State are monitoring illegal aliens in the state and may soon clamp down on them. The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Umar Manko, disclosed this after the State Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Babatunde Fashola at the Lagos House, Marina.

Bamanga Tukur wins

A candidate backed by President Goodluck Jonathan won the vote to head Nigeria's ruling party on Saturday after the other candidates withdrew, strengthening Jonathan's chances of re-election should he decide to run in 2015. Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was declared winner at the People's Democratic Party (PDP) convention in the capital Abuja, winning 3185 votes, against just 12 no votes and 51 invalid votes.

Tension as robbers unleash terror on Onitsha

Armed robbers, operating on motorcycles yesterday in the commercial city of Onitsha, laid siege around banks and major business centres, dispossessing residents of their money and other valuables, while five suspected armed robbers were arrested along Atani R oad also in Onitsha.

Senator's wife kidnapped in Port Harcourt

The wife of Senator George Thompson Sekibo of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who represents Rivers East Senatorial District, has been kidnapped in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

JTF, Boko Haram in gun battle

A group suspected to members of Boko Haram launched an attack on Joint Task Force (JTF) troops in Sabon Gari in Maiduguri metropolis in the early hours of yesterday.

Luxury brands target Nigeria’s wealthy elite

Nigeria is the largest market in Africa and the Middle East for Moet Hennessy,” said the company’s Nigeria marketing manager, Tokini Peterside. “For Hennessy cognac, Nigeria ranks among the top 10 consuming countries in the world

Court dismisses Oni’s suit against Salami

The ousted Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni has lost in his bid to seek prosecution of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

LASU denies arrest of 11 students

The Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo has denied the rumours making the rounds that 11 of her students were arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over cult-related activities.

N44m scam: EFCC grills Hembe, three House committee staff for seven hours

For about seven hours yesterday, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Other Institutions, Mr. Herman Hembe and three staff of the committee faced a barrage of questions from operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the alleged N44 million bribe demanded from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Student dies inside well

Management of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in Edo State have closed down the institution following violent protests by students of the institution over the death of a female student inside a well.

Two Homosexuals Earn Two Years Imprisonment

An Upper Area Court sitting in Mararba, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday, has sentenced two men, Ifeanyi Benedict Ahah and Rabiu , both found guilty of unnatural tendencies or having intercourse with each other to two years in jail each, without bail.

The pair were sentenced yesterday by Judge Mariga Abdullahi, and ordered to pay a fine of N5,000 each at the beginning of their sentence. Just before the sentence was passed, Mr. Rabiu pleaded for leniency, saying that he is married with six children.

Ifeanyi, on his own part, pleaded the court to forgive him. He claimed to be repentant and promised not to go into the act anymore if pardoned.

The Judge , however, insisted that the law must take its course, saying that the sentence was passed in hope that it will serve as a deterrent to others involved in such unnatural acts.

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87 fake NYSC members arrested

Eighty-seven fake youth corps members were yesterday paraded in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
They were arrested by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at an illegal orientation camp in Lafia following intelligence surveillance.

Fresh N18bn Fraud Rocks Police Pension Office

Indications emerged yesterday that a fresh massive fraud of an alleged N18billion illegal transactions had been unearthed by the Pension Reform Task Force at the Police Pension Office (PPO).

2 In Police Net For Killing V.I.O Staff

The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of one Mustapha Adamu and one other for alleged involvement in the death of an officer of Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) Jos-Akwanga road in Jema’a Local Government Area of the State.

The Command Spokesman, Aminu Lawan, told LEADERSHIP that the suspects were in custody and had since confessed to have committed the crime.

Eyewitness Bitrus Kazak told our correspondent that the suspected killers carried out the crime at Mararaban Gimi, popularly called Forest, a T-Junction on Jos–Akwanga road, though a boundary in Jema’a Local Government.

The eyewitness further said that the killers who were on a journey “were stopped by a team of vehicle inspection officers (VIO) and could not produce valid papers of the vehicle they weretraveling in, one of the V.I.O. (the victim) was instructed to hand them over to the police at a nearby post. On their way, they stabbed the VIO man”.

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JTF Kills 9 Boko Haram Members, Arrests 2 In Kano

Nine gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect were yesterday killed by soldiers in a gun duel at Tudun Wada Dakadai town in Tudun Wada local government area of Kano State.

Court fixes April 27 for judgment in Okigbo Report suit

THE Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed April 27 for judgment in a suit seeking to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Attorney-General of the Federation to disclose how the $12.4 billion oil windfall that accrued to the Federal Government between 1988 and 1994 was spent.

I was never expelled from PDP —Tukur

THE chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the national convention slated for Saturday, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, in Abuja, on Wednesday, debunked the allegations that he was suspended from the party.

Ecobank donates N75m to Ogun security trust fund

AS a way of reducing the rate of crime in Ogun State, the management of Ecobank Plc has donated N75million to the state’s Security Trust Fund.

Gunmen Kill Bank Manager, Five Others In Delta

Few weeks after cult related activities claimed the lives of three persons in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, another blood bath on Sunday enveloped the entire Sapele community as six persons including a bank manager were reportedly killed by gun men.

Blasts heard as French gunman siege enters second day

French police tried to flush out a 24-year-old gunman suspected of killing seven people in the name of al Qaeda, with explosions and gunfire heard outside his apartment on the second day of a siege in the southern French city of Toulouse.

4 suspected vandals arrested in Ibadan •Trucks with 132,000 litres of petrol impounded

FOUR suspected pipeline vandals have been arrested in Ibadan, Oyo State, by men of the state police command. The state Commissioner of Police, Mallam Tambari Yabo Muhammed, made the disclosure in his maiden press briefing in Ibadan on Tuesday, adding that four trucks with 132,000 litres of fuel were impounded.

Serve petroleum minister with court papers, judge orders •Over constitution of petroleum committees

JUSTICE Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola of a Federal High Court in Lagos has directed that court papers in respect of a suit challenging the powers of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, to transfer her duties and responsibilities to committees, be served on the minister and other defendants in the case.

UN finally agrees peace plan for Syria

As smoke drifted above the eastern suburbs of Damascus after a renewed attempt to crush resurgent rebel fighters yesterday, the diplomatic gridlock at the United Nations appeared to have eased when Security Council members agreed to pass a statement calling for an end to the violence in Syria.

Strike: Oyo labour leaders arrested, 7 injured• The struggle continues - Labour

THE caretaker committee chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State, Bayo Akande and four other officials have been arrested for their alleged roles in the ongoing face-off between the workers and the state government, over the non-implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.

N30m bribery scandal: EFCC to quiz SEC DG, Hembe, others •Gathers other documents

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, disclosed that investigation was deepening in the alleged corruption accusation and counter-accusation rocking the public hearing on the activities of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by the House Committee on Capital Market and Other Institutions.

JAMB - We Didn't Cancel Exams Centres in Crisis States

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has denied reports indicating that it will cancel some centres in crisis-prone states for the forthcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Police checkpoint gone forever, it’s colonial heritage – IG

Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, declared, yesterday, that the era of mounting of road blocks across the country by the police was gone and would not be reviewed.

Edo market women buy N4.7m guber form for Oshiomhole

IT was like a triumphant entry yesterday, when Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State arrived the Benin Airport from Abuja, where he had gone to pick his N4.7million governorship form of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, which reportedly purchased for him by market women in the state.

Senate Caucus Insists On Representation In PDP NEC

The PDP caucus in the Senate says its insistence on having National Assembly members in the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is not aimed at reducing the powers of state governors.

Gunmen kill 4 officers in north Nigeria

GOMBE, Nigeria - (AP) -- Police say gunmen have attacked three banks and a police station in Nigeria's northeast, killing four policemen.

S.Africa apologises for turning away Nigerians

PRETORIA — South Africa on Thursday apologised for blocking 125 Nigerians from the country and unveiled new immigration procedures aimed at ending a diplomatic row between the continent's two powerhouses.