Forgery: Appeal Court Dismisses Case Against Gov Suswam

The Court of Appeal in Makurdi yesterday dismissed an appeal by a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Terver Kakih, challenging the integrity of the academic qualifications of Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, as he claimed that the governor forged his SSCE certificate.

Boxing: Klitschko To Defend Title Against Pianeta

Klitschko, who holds the IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA crown had used the 28-year-old Pianeta as a sparring partner last year. The 36-year-old Ukrainian’s record stands as 59 wins and three defeats after his three successful title defences in 2012, including a November victory over Poland’s Mariusz Wach.

Jonathan Felicitates With Obasanjo At 76

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday congratulated former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on his 76th birthday. This was even as he said that the country was indebted to him for his contributions in ensuring peace, stability, growth and development of Nigeria.

Jonathan Promises To Cleanse NDDC Of Corruption

President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Tuesday said that the administration would end corruption, ensure probity and accountability in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Jonathan made the promise when he received the report of the Presidential Monitoring Committee on the NDDC submitted at the State House by the Chairman, Chief Isaac Jemide.

Oprah Sex Scene Was a Dream Come True, Says Terrence Howard

Making love to Oprah Winfrey is a life-changing experience ... so says Terrence Howard, who claims the best part about doing a sex scene with the Big O in their upcoming movie was her "tig ol' bitties."

Ahead Of Jonathan’s Visit To Borno: Sultan, Northern Govs Seek Amnesty For Boko Haram

Ahead of President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Borno and Yobe states, the Sultan of Sokoto and president-general of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has informed the president of the need to declare total amnesty for Boko Haram and all manner of combatant groups “without thinking twice”.

Gunmen kill Gwoza DPO, 9 others

Meanwhile, suspected members of Boko Haram,yesterday attacked the township of Gwoza, killing the divisional police officer there and at least seven civilians. The attack also targeted banks in the town.
Eyewitnesses said the militants rode confidently in two pick-up vans into the quiet township, 135 kilometres from Maiduguri, around 9pm.

First Bank Introduces N100 Monthly ATM Charge

In what may be described as a defiance of an earlier agreement reached by the Bankers’ Committee on the removal of charges on ATM transactions, First Bank of Nigeria has introduced a monthly charge of N100 for cash withdrawals by its customers. The monthly fee, which becomes effective from this month, the bank explained would be for what it termed “card maintenance fee.”

CPC Wants Obasanjo Arraigned for Odi Genocide

Following the ruling of the Federal High Court on the 1999 invasion of Odi community in Bayelsa State, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Monday called for the arraignment of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide.

FCC Fingers FRSC, FCDA, Interior Ministry in Bribe-for-Job Scam

There were startling revelations yesterday at the commencement of a public hearing held by the Senate Joint Committees on Federal Character and Labour and Productivity on the bribe-for-job scandal that has rocked several public sector parastatals. In his presentation, Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Professor Oba Abdulrahman, disclosed how the Ministry of Interior had facilitated job scams by opening a website for recruitment without stating the offices to be applied for.

Lagos Considers Relocation of Ladipo Market

There were indications yesterday that Lagos State Government might relocate West Africa’s largest spare parts market, Ladipo, from Mushin as a permanent solution to the recurrent crises of environmental nuisance and abuse of use of public installations often caused by its traders.

EFCC Arraigns Former Senatorial Candidate

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, arraigned a former Kogi Central senatorial candidate, Alhaji Abdulazeez Bello Azeez, before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence and forgery.The alleged offence is contrary to section 363 of the Criminal Laws No 34 Vol. 44 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Jonathan Visits Borno, Yobe Thursday

Barring any last minute change of plans by the Presidency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is set to visit Borno and Yobe States on Thursday. Borno and Yobe States have been devastated by the Jama’atu ahlus Sunnah lid Da’awati wal Jihad (Boko Haram) insurgency for three years running.

Rough Weather In Aviation Sector: 5 DGs May Be Sent On Compulsory Leave

A crisis seems to be brewing in the aviation industry following the sending of some aviation chiefs on compulsory annual leave. The letter asking them to proceed on leave, industry sources said, emanated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Son Beheads 60-year -old Father

A middle aged man, Mr Okechukwu Ogbonna, has beheaded his 60-old father in Isundiede village in Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State. Ogbonna, a farmer was arrested by police at the weekend after severing the head of his father with a machete. 

Up 33 Steps, Dangote Now 43rd Richest In The World

Nigeria’s business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is the 43rd richest man on earth today, according to the 2013 list of world’s billionaires, compiled by Forbes Magazine. He is worth $16.1 billion, with assets from his cement, sugar, flour and other businesses. He is number one in Nigeria and Africa. LEADERSHIP recalls that Dangote was number 76 on the list last year.

2-Year-Old Baby ‘Cured’ Of HIV In US

The remarkable case of a baby being cured of HIV infection in the United States using readily available drugs has raised new hope for eradicating the infection in infants worldwide, but scientists has said that it will take a lot more research and much more sensitive diagnostics before this hope becomes a reality, Reuters reports. 

Nigeria debt now N7.5trn - DMO

NIGERIA’S domestic and external debts stood at a N7.5 trillion as of December 31, 2012. Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr Abraham Nwankwo, disclosed this on Monday at the sideline of a two-week seminar on Sub national Debt Sustainability Analysis/ Portfolio Review Training Programme for officers of Debt Management Departments (DMD) in states.

Drug suspect conceals cocaine in sandals, bag

OFFICIALS of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have discovered cocaine inside sandals and luggage at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos. A press statement by the spokesman of the agency, Mr Mitchel Ofoyeju, stated that 26-year-old suspect, Igwe Williams Ogbonna, concealed 630 grammes of powdery substance which tested positive to cocaine inside his luggage and two pairs of sandals while attempting to board a Kenyan Airways plane to India at the departure hall.

Pension scam thief slumps during trial

THE trial of a former Deputy Director at the Police Pension Office, John Yusufu, took a different twist on Monday, as the accused, who is standing trial before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, slumped during court proceedings. The trial judge, Justice Adamu Bello, however, adjourned till April 22 to enhance the accused to get medical attention.