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Showing posts from June, 2014

Police uncover human parts market in llorin

(Nigeria) The Police in Kwara State on Monday said it had discovered   human parts market in an uncompleted building in the outskirts of Ilorin, the state capital. Mr Ambrose Aisabor, the state Commissioner of Police announced this when he briefed journalists in llorin. Aisabor said there were decomposed headless body of a male, human feet, snail shells and clothes suspected to be used in strangulating victims.    

Soldiers arrest mastermind of Chibok girls’ abduction

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(Nigeria) The Defence Headquarters said in Abuja on Monday that it had smashed a terrorists’ intelligence cell headed by a businessman, who participated actively in the abduction of Chibok school girls in Borno State in April. Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade in a statement named the man as Babuji Ya’ari, who is also a member of the Youth Vigilance Group popularly known as Civilian Joint Task Force, JTF.

Suarez ban: Uruguay’s President calls FIFA 'a bunch of old sons of bitches'

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Uruguay's President Jose Mujica on Monday described football's world governing body FIFA ``a bunch of old sons of bitches’’ over Luis Suarez’s four-month ban. The 79-year-old described the punishment, which also included a suspension for nine international matches, as a ``fascist ban’’. Suarez received what has been described as the ``harshest decision’’ in World Cup history for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Babalakin, others ask court to quash N4.7bn fraud charge

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(Nigeria) The Chairman, Bi-Courtney Ltd., Mr Wale Babalakin, SAN, and his co-defendants on Monday asked a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, to quash the N4.7 billion fraud charge preferred against them. They argued that the charge was incompetent, unconstitutional and an abuse of the process of the court. The defendants made these known in separate preliminary notices of objection filed by their counsel before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo.

Man, 65, sentenced 15 years for possessing hard drugs

(Nigeria) A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Monday sentenced a cocoa farmer, Dominic Fabunmi, 65, to 15 years in prison for possessing Indian Hemp. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, dragged Fabunmi to court for being in possession of 273.8 kg of the substance in February 19, 2008.

Death toll rises to 17 in South India building collapse

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The death toll rose to 17 on Monday in the 11- storey building collapse in Chennai of Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, as the number of people trapped, remained unknown. National Disaster Response Force, NDRF, on Monday said that 21 people have so far been rescued as rescue operations were still underway, reports Xinhua.

Cynthia: Court admits video as evidence

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(Nigeria) A Lagos High Court in   Igbosere, on Monday admitted in evidence, a video containing confessional statements of the alleged killers of Facebook lover, Cynthia Osokogu. Trial judge in the matter is Justice Olabisi Akinlade. The defendants, Okwumo Nwabufo 34; Olisaeloka Ezike, 24; Orji Osita, 33; and Ezike Nonso, 25, are charged with conspiracy and murder of Cynthia by the Lagos State Government.

Two US tourists to face trial in North Korea

North Korean government officials said on Monday in Seoul that two citizens of the United States on tour of North Korea have been charged with perpetrating hostile acts after entering the country. The officials said Miller Todd and Jeffrey Edward-Fowle would be brought before court without providing further details of the offences of the trial schedule. Todd was arrested in April, and Fowle in May or early June for leaving a Bible in a hotel before trying to leave the country. ``Suspicions about their hostile acts have been confirmed by evidence and their testimonies.

Jonathan condemns Boko Haram attack on Churches in Borno

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(Nigeria) President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned Sunday’s attacks by Boko Haram on churches in  villages near Chibok, Borno State. Dr Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, on Monday, said “the President deplored the renewed targeting by Boko Haram of adherents of a particular religion and urged all lovers of peace and unity to wholly condemn the resurgence of efforts by agents of global terrorism to disunite and destabilise Nigeria by callously instigating violence among religious groups in the country.

Fani-Kayode lied on alleged comments by party on Boko Haram---APC

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(Nigeria) The All Progressives Congress, APC, has asked former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode to retract his comment, alleging that the APC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, condemned the Federal Government for proscribing the terror group Boko Haram or face a legal action. APC in a statement in Lagos on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji  Mohammed, said at no time did it issue a statement condemning the proscription of Boko Haram, and challenged Mr. Fani-Kayode to produce such a statement if he was so sure the APC issue it.

Court adjourns suit against PENGASSAN till July 16

Counsel to some members of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, on Monday, told the National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos, that PENGASSAN deliberately evaded service of a court order restraining it from holding its delegates conference, by employing the services of fierce looking dogs and the police to ward off the court bailiff and claimant from its premises. Counsel to claimants, Mr Uche Muoneke made the disclosure at the resumed hearing of a suit by Mr John Nwanosike and Jonathan Omare, against PENGASSAN, over alleged breach of their rights.

Doctors begin indefinite strike July 1 ---NMA President

(Nigeria) The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA on Monday announced plan to embark on an indefinite strike, starting from Tuesday, July 1. The NMA President, Dr Kayode Obembe, who made the announcement at a news conference in Abuja, said that the decision followed the expiration of a two-week ultimatum it gave the Federal Government to meet its 24-point demand.

Absence of defence counsel stalls Ajudua's $5.9m fraud trial

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(Nigeria) The trial of Fred Ajudua was on Monday stalled due to the absence of his counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo. Ajudua is standing trial for allegedly defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, of $5.9 million (about N1 billion). He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja.

258 Nigerians killed in June alone---- Intersociety

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  (Nigeria) A civil rights organisation, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, Intersociety, has said that 258 Nigerians have been killed so far in the month of June alone by Boko Haram insurgents and Fulani herdsmen. It also warned that Christians were in grave danger in Northern Nigeria.

Pistorius not mentally ill -- Psychiatric test

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   The murder trial of Oscar Pistorius resumes on Monday in a Pretoria, South Africa with a psychiatric assessment that he was not mentally incapacitated when he shot his girlfriend to death. This was coming after a 30-day break in which the Olympic sprinter underwent psychiatric evaluation. Gerrie Nel, the Prosecutor said the results of the assessment were revealed in court on Monday when the Olympic sprinter's trial resumed after a month-long break for the evaluation.

30 bodies found in rescued migrant boat in Italy

About 30 bodies have been found on a migrant boat intercepted in the Mediterranean by maritime search and rescue patrols, the Italian navy said on Monday, reports dpa. The La Repubblica newspaper said there were 566 other passengers on the vessel, which is being towed to the port of Pozzallo, in south-eastern Sicily.

Ebola kills in Guinea----Health Minister

Guinean Health Minister, Remy Lamah has said the number of confirmed Ebola cases in Guinea has reached 286 out of which 182 people have died, reports Xinhua. The number of Ebola cases has been increasing in spite of efforts by the government and its health partners such as the World Health Organisation and Doctors Without Borders, MSF.

Gaza militants fire 15 missiles at Israel

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Militants from the Gaza Strip have launched 15 missiles at Israel. Israel’s The Jerusalem Post newspaper reports that the missiles exploded in the Eshkol neighborhood in the country’s south. It adds that there were no victims or casualties, reports Itar-Tass.

Egyptian police officer killed in Cairo explosion

An Egyptian police officer was killed and three other security personnel injured in a blast near the presidential palace in eastern Cairo on Monday, State-run Ahram newspaper reported on its website. Colonel Ahmed al-Ashmawi, a bomb disposal expert at Cairo security directorate, was killed while defusing one of two bombs planted near the Ittihadiya palace in Heliopolis district, the report said.

Russian journalist killed in east Ukraine

Russia's Channel One Television confirmed Monday that one of its journalists died in eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, reports Xinhua. "Last night our cameraman Anatoly Klyan was killed in the city of Donetsk," the TV channel said.

Iraq asks Russia for Su-25 attack aircraft supplies — source

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Iraq has requested Russia to urgently supply Su-25 (Frogfoot) ground attack aircraft over Washington’s delay in delivering F-16 fighters. A source from the military and diplomatic circles reported this to ARMS-TASS on Monday. The Iraqi Defense Ministry has had to request Russian aircraft deliveries over the need to urgently raise the Iraqi army’s combat readiness in its fight against terrorists, the source said.

Helicopter crashes in Russia

A Mi-8 helicopter has crashed in the Khabarovsk Territory in Russia’s Far East, spokesperson for the regional branch of the Russian Investigative Committee, IC, Oxana Polshakova told ITAR-TASS. “At 1pm (local time), a Mi-8 helicopter, belonging to the Avir aviation company, flew on a firefighting mission to the Verkhnebureinsky area. At 6:57pm (local time) it was spotted from the air to the north-west of the settlement of Chekunda of the Verkhnebureinsky area. The causes of the crash are being investigated, and the number of those injured is being specified,” Polshakova said.

Ebola Virus: How Prepared Is Nigeria?

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Disease claims 110 lives in Africa.  About 178 infected in Guinea and Liberia By Odimegwu Onwumere After a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja in April, the Nigeria's Minister of Information, Labaran Maku declared that there had not been any testified case of Ebola Virus outbreak in Nigeria. This was a follow-up to the information the honourable minister said that the Federal Ministry of Health briefed the FEC on the believed outburst of Ebola Virus in Nigeria.

ASUP resolves to continue strike

(Nigeria ) The National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP , has resolved to continue its  nine months old strike pending the outcome its meeting with the Senate Committee on Education on July 1. Mr Chibuzor Asumogha , the President of the union, made the statement in an interview with NAN at the end of ASUPs 77th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos. He said that a meeting of the committee and some education stakeholders scheduled for June 24 did not hold because no government official came. ``That meeting was supposed to be held, resolution reached and agreement signed. ``It was against the backdrop that we fixed the NEC meeting so that, if we have the resolutions, we will come here and suspend the strike. "Incidentally, none of the government official came for the meeting and because of that the meeting did not hold,’’ he said. T he official said that the committee deferred the meeting to July 1. Asumogha said that union

Over 6000 Ukrainian refugees receive medical assistance in Russia

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Presently Russia’s 25 regions welcome refugees from Ukraine, where 6,385 people have addressed for medical assistance, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Healthcare Igor Kagramanyan said on Saturday, reports Itar-tass. “In those regions are about 17,000 refugees, including over 7,000 children,” he said. “Medical assistance is provided fully regardless of the people’s legal statuses.” Medical assistance has been offered to 6,385 refugees, including 2,669 children and 396 pregnant women. At Russian hospitals remain 843 people, including 14 wounded, 448 children and 85 pregnant women. Lately, 33 children were born, the deputy minister said. “Russian healthcare and consumer right authorities have estimated the current demand for immune and biological medicines for immunisation according to the national calendar of preventive vaccinations and preventive vaccination calendar due to epidemic indications,” the official said. “Vaccination has begun. We have vaccinated 2,146 people against measles.

3 Ukrainian rounds of ammunition land on Russian territory

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Three Ukrainian rounds of ammunition landed on the territory of the Russian Federation in the southern Rostov Region, the head of the Russian Federal Security Service’s (FSB) regional border department, Vasily Malayev, said Saturday, reports Itar-tass. The multi-way automobile border crossing point Gukovo (Chervonopartizansk on the side of Ukraine) was damaged as a result. “Facts of ammunition rounds striking Russian territory are still registered. Today one round hit the Gukovo point, one exploded in the inhabited locality of Vasetsky and another one in the Shakhta-24 locality,” Malayev said. He added that no civilians or border-crossing point officials were injured. Hundreds of people, including civilians, have been killed, buildings have been destroyed and damaged and tens of thousands have been forced to cross the border from Ukraine to Russia as a result of Kiev’s military operation against federalization supporters in Ukraine’s Southeast involving armored vehicles, heavy art

ASUU-LASU chief debunks rift within lecturers 

(Nigeria) Some lecturers at the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo have defied the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU by commencing lectures, reports NAN. The Newsuniversity's faculties showed that lectures were held by some lecturers in the Faculties of Social Sciences, Management Sciences and Arts. Prof. Olatunji Abanikanda of the Department of Zoology, saidthat he had began lecturing since June 26, in compliance with the newly-approved 2013/2014 academic calendar of the university. ``The lecture I just took is Bio-statistics with code Bio 303 and there are about 80 students in attendance, which I notified through the social media. ``Though ASUU is on strike but we must recognise that I am first of all, an academic before becoming an ASUU member. ``I hate strike because it disrupts even my personal advancement and I cannot watch myself waste away.’’ Abanikanda said there was no need to continue the strike since the fee hike, which

13 killed, 34 injured as gunmen attack hotel in Bauchi

(Nigeria)  Thirteen people were killed and 34 injured when gunmen attacked a hotel in Bauchi, Bauchi State on  Friday night. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Haruna Mohammed, told NAN on Saturday that the attack occurred at Peoples Hotel, Bayan Gari area of Bauchi metropolis. He said corpses of the deceased had been deposited at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, while the injured were receiving treatment at the same hospital. Military, police and Nigeria Red Cross personnel were already at the scene when NAN correspondent visited on Saturday morning. An eye-witness, Malam Ahmed Maidoki said that five persons in military uniform carried out the attack by detonating explosives and shooting at random. ``We were just sitting down, watching highlights of the ongoing FIFA world cup at the viewing centre located in between the two story building of the hotel when five men dressed in military uniform strolled in. ``We thought they were secu

JTF warns vessel owners over activities of oil thieves

(Nigetia) The Joint Task Force, JTF in the Niger Delta on Saturday warned owners of vessels and tankers against allowing the use of their facilities in oil bunkering activities. Commander of the Task Force, Maj-Gen Emmanuel, who issued the warning, said that henceforth, vessels involved in oil bunkering related activities, would be destroyed. Atewe frowned at the activities of some of the vessel and truck owners, whom he said encouraged criminal conducts by renting their facilities to oil thieves for use in stealing crude oil. According to him, it has become necessary to take stiffer measures because vessel owners often claim that they do not know that their facilities are being used to commit crime. “The command is committed to the protection of oil platforms against oil thieves which is in line with its mandate. “Therefore we are advising that vessel owners should always verify the intentions of person or persons before hiring out their vessels to them,” Atewe said. The Command

Impeachment: Court restrains assembly from further action against Gov. Nyako

(Nigeria) An Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola in Thursday granted two interim injunctions restraining the Adamawa State House of Assembly from taking action on allegations of gross misconduct against Governor  Murtala Nyako. The court presided over by the acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, granted the injunctions brought by Nyako and the Adamawa chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Nyako filed the suit against the Assembly while the state chapter of the APC filed another against three lawmakers who defected from the APC to Peoples Democratic Party,  PDP over their eligibility to take part in the activities of the House. In his motions, counsel to the governor and APC, Mr Jerry Owe, requested for an order of interim injunction restraining the House or its agents from taking any further action towards impeaching or removing the governor from office pending the determination of the motion on notice. Granting the respective motions, Mammadi sai

Emab plaza explosion: casualty figure increases

( Nigeria ) Dr Tayo Hasstrup, spokesman of the National Hospital, Abuja, on Thursday confirmed the death of one of the victims of Wednesday’s Emab Plaza bombing in Abuja, reports NAN. Hasstrup said that the victim, a male, died on Wednesday night as a result of severe burns he sustained in the explosion. ``We had eight who were receiving treatment, and two of them were in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This brings the number of deaths from the bombing to 22. Meanwhile, family members of some of the victims were seen in the hospital on Thursday enquiring after their loved ones. Some of the victims who were taken to Garki Hospital, Abuja, are said to be receiving treatment and are in stable conditions. Dr Joel Danjuma, Consultant, Accident and Emergency Unit, said that the hospital was able to treat and discharge some of the victims at the emergency ward on Wednesday. ``Five of the victims were attended to as soon they arrived. ``Four victims with different

4 policemen die in Kwara auto crash

( Nigeria ) Four policemen attached to the Ilesha-Baruba Divisional Police Headquarters in Kwara were on Wednesday killed in an accident involving a truck and a police patrol vehicle. An eye-witness told NAN Ilesha-Baruba that the truck was coming from Chikanda, a Nigeria-Benin Republic border community in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara. The truck was carrying cattle that were to be sold at Ilesha Market on Thursday before it collided with the oncoming patrol van in the night. It was learnt that the truck, while trying to dodge a pothole in Ilesha collided with the van less than 10 minutes after it left the police station. A source, who pleaded not to be named said that the incident which happened around 9.15 p.m. resulted to three of the four policemen dying on the spot. The source said it took up to three hours before the fourth officer, who later died on the way to hospital in Saki, Oyo State could be rescued because of the level of damage done to the police van.  

Rape: 4 dismissed soldiers re-arraigned on amended charges

(Nigeria) Four dismissed soldiers, Nse Eywdip, 33; Ugwu Mathew, 23; Emezien Uzonna, 24, and Efosa Ikhomoregbe, 23,were re-arraigned on Thursday at Abuja High Court charged with raping four sex workers. The four accused were re-arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on  conspiracy, rape, assault and armed robbery. The prosecution counsel, Mr Adama Musa, told the court that the former soldiers committed the offences between Dec. 21 ,2012 and December 23, 2012 at 9 p.m., at River Plate Garden in Wuse 2, Abuja. Musa said the accused, armed with military rifles and horsewhips, robbed one Tina Obassy of N40,000, Jennifer Joseph of N30,000, Precious Okorie, N18,000 and Ruth Madu, N30,000. The offences contravene and are punishable under sections 97(1) and 298 of the Penal Code, the prosecution said. However, the accused each pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them. Their counsel, Mr Ugboma Nebechi, filed an application for bail for the accused but Justice Bukola Banj

Israel accuses 2 Hamas members' of teen kidnapping 

Israel accused Thursday two men it said belong to the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas of kidnapping three Israeli teenagers in the occupied West Bank. Internal security agency Shin Bet said the men, from the West Bank city of Hebron, had served time in Israeli jails for "terrorist activity." "The two principal terrorist suspects in the kidnapping are Marwan Kawasmeh and Amer Abu Eisheh, members of Hamas in Hebron, who are wanted" by Shin Bet and the army, a statement said. Shin Bet said they had been jailed in the past for taking part in "terrorist activity on behalf of Hamas." After the teens disappeared June 12 while hitchhiking in the West Bank, the army launched a vast hunt for them focusing on the Hebron area, detaining hundreds of Palestinians. There has been no claim of responsibility for their suspected abduction, which Israel has insisted was carried out by Hamas.

Central Africa death toll rises to 70 in four days 

The death toll in the Central African Republic has risen to nearly 70 in just four days, a peacekeeping officer said Thursday, following a surge of sectarian violence in the crisis-hit country. The deaths have all happened since Monday near the central town of Bambari, which has seen a series of bloody clashes between mainly Muslim ex-Seleka rebels and Christian militias. "Nearly 70 people have been killed since Monday in violence in Bambari and the nearby villages, at least a hundred people have been injured and around 150 houses have been burnt down," a member of the African peacekeeping force MISCA told AFP, requesting anonymity. "The death toll is still provisional because we have not been able to access all of the area," he added. Earlier in the week the same officer said that many of those who had been killed had been shot or stabbed to death, and that clashes "appear to be coordinated attacks by armed groups," both from Christian and Muslim mili

EU, Russia and Ukraine hold expert consultations on association deal

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The European Union, Russia and Ukraine held in Brussels on Thursday expert consultations on the association agreement between Brussels and Kiev, the press service of the European Commission told ITAR-TASS. It was an expert meeting at the level of heads of departments, and its results won’t be commented officially, it said. The talks came one day ahead of the signing the deal's economic element on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels. A European source told ITAR-TASS that the parties at the consultations had confirmed the date of a ministerial meeting with the participation of EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Guht, Russian Minister for Economic Development Alexei Ulyukayev and Ukrainian Economy Minister Pavel Sheremet. It will be held in Brussels on July 11.

Fayose gets certificate of returns

(Nigeria) Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr Ayo Fayose, on Thursday, collected Certificate of Returns from Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to further authenticate his emergence as new governor of the state. Fayose came into the state INEC Headquarters, Ado-Ekiti, along with hundreds of admirers and party faithful. He pledged to make a difference in the act of governance. He promised not to deviate from the pact he made with the Ekiti people to make life comfortable and worth living for them. Fayose said he would run an all-inclusive government where people of good ideas and intentions would be accommodated to offer advices capable of moving the state forward. The governor-elect promised to deliver the goodies of democracy to the people of the state in a manner that those who said he could not make any difference would be shocked. He added that every Ekiti state-based contractor would be given jobs so as to eliminate matters relating to capital flight among the people

Teacher charged with defiling 7-year old girl

(Nigeria) The Police on Thursday arraigned a 38-year old teacher, Onuoha Kenneth, an Abuja Chief Magistrates' Court for allegedly defiling a seven-year old girl in the school. Kenneth, of Lugbe, Abuja, was arraigned by the police before Chief Magistrate Hadiza Shagari on a one-count charge of gross indecency. The prosecutor, Cpl. Lawole Ade, told the court that the matter was reported at the Lugbe Police Station by the mother of the victim. Ade said the accused lured the girl into the school’s toilet and ordered her to remove her under wear. ``He inserted his finger into her vagina, bruising her in the process.’’ The prosecutor added that when the case was reported to the school authorities, they said the law should take its course on the accused. ``After investigation, we decided to prosecute him”, Ade said. The offence, according to Ade, does not ordinarily attract bail, adding that it contravened Section 285 of the Penal Code. Ade did not object to the bail application.

Telecom subscribers appeal to FG to abolish arbitrary charges by network providers

(Nigeria) The National Association of Telecom Subscribers, NATCOMS, on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government to abolish arbitrary charges by the network providers. Chief Dele Ogunbanjo, President of NATCOMS, told NAN in Lagos that the abolition of the charges would enhance the development of broadband and quality services by the operators. Ogunbanjo lamented that the intervention of the Federal Government was necessitated by the multiple taxation by some state governments. He said that some state governments were charging between N500,000 and N800,000 monthly, on each mast. ``The telecoms operators are also charged N5,000 per metre as they laid their fibres cables across the country,” he said. Ogunbanjo said the high charges and others like Right of Way restrictions and costs, as well as the security challenges ``make things particularly difficult for the network providers”. ``The Ministry of Communications and Technology has been able to partner with the Lagos State Govern

Suárez suspended for 9 matches, banned for 4 months from any football

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee on Thursday suspended Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez for nine matches following an incident in a 2014 FIFA World Cup match in Brazil on Tuesday. Suarez was suspended from all football-related activity for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. The incident occurred during the first round Group D match between Italy and Uruguay played on Tuesday in Natal. Uruguay had beaten Italy 1-0  to finish second in Group D and qualify for the last 16. In addition, the 27-year-old Liverpool player has been banned for nine international matches, ruling him out of the rest of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He will also miss the first nine games of the Premier League season. Already, Uruguay say they will appeal, calling it an ``excessive decision’’ for which ``there was not enough evidence’’. Uruguay Football Association’s President, Wilmar Valdez, added: ``I have seen more aggressive incidents recently. ``It is a severe punishment. I don't know

I will run an all-inclusive government -- Fayose

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(Nigeria) Ekiti State’s governor-elect, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has pledged to run an all-inclusive government in order to move the state forward. Fayose told NAN Forum in Abuja on Thursday that good governance would be better done when the state administration was broad-based. The governor-elect said his administration would make use of technocrats within the party and not from outside. ``When you say ‘all-inclusive’ it doesn’t mean that you will go and give these jobs to people who did not work. ``There are enough technocrats inside our party. ``It will be suicidal for any governor to abandon people that have worked for this support. There are learned, responsible people in our party in Ekiti. ``Okada (commercial motorcycle rider) will be special assistant, Egbira (tribe) must have special assistant, Igbo (tribe) must have special assistants, Iyaloja (market women leader) must have special assistants and non-educated people must have special assistants. ``So all-inclusive that I’m

Telegraph's Managing Editor among those killed in Abuja mall blast

(Nigeria) The Managing Editor of The Telegraph Newspapers, Mr. Suleiman Bisala was among those killed in the EMAB Plaza bomb blast in Abuja on Wednesday. It was gathered that the late Bisala was at the Plaza to fix his telephone, when the blast occurred.  

4 killed in Lagos car bomb blast

(Nigeria) Four people were killed in a car bomb explosion on Wednesday evening on Creek Road at Folawiyo fuel depot in Apapa, Lagos. Meanwhile, security sources said it was not an car bomb, but an explosion caused by a patrol tanker, though the a security source admitted that four lives were lost.

Amaechi implementing genocidal programme against Ogoni---MOSOP Forum

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(Nigeria) The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni Peoples, MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators Forum, on Wednesday, accused Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State of implementing a genocidal programme against the Ogoni people with the denial of land used for subsistence farming by over 30,000 Ogoni community dwellers.

Israel army arrests 17 in West Bank

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Troops searching for three teenagers Israeli says were kidnapped a fortnight ago by Hamas militants, arrested 17 Palestinians in the West Bank overnight, an army spokeswoman said on Wednesday. The arrests took place across the West Bank and included two Hamas members of the Palestinian parliament, Palestinian sources said.

Returning LASU students have not paid new tuition ---Union leader

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(Nigeria) The Lagos State University Students Union on Wednesday said that returning students of the institution had yet to accept the new tuition fee as directed by the university’s Governing Council. The union's President, Mr Nurudeen Yusuf, told NAN in Lagos that only 900 newly admitted students for the 2013/2014 academic session had paid the fee.

NDLEA arrests 73 drug suspects in Niger

(Nigeria) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA in Niger State said on Wednesday that it arrested 73 drug suspects in the state between January and June 24. The state Commander of the agency, Mr Abdullahi Abdul, disclosed this at a news conference in Minna to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

Ebola kills 46 in Sierra Leone

Dr Brima Kargbo, Chief Medical Officer, Sierra Leone Ministry of Health said on Wednesday in Freetown that 46 people had died of the Ebola virus in the country, reports Xinhua. He said as at Wednesday there were 163 confirmed cases of Ebola, while 15 patients had been discharged from the Government Hospital in Kenema.

Gunmen kill 2 policemen, injure 3 others

(Nigeria) The Edo State Police Command said on Wednesday that unknown gunmen had killed two policemen and injured three others on Ikiran-Oke road in Akoko/Edo Local Government Area of the state. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Foluso Adebanjo, confirmed in Benin.

21 killed in Abuja shopping mall explosion

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     (Nigeria) A major shopping complex, EMAB plaza in Abuja, was Wednesday hit by a bomb, detonated on the complex. It was gathered that 17 others sustained severe wounds in the blast. Meanwhile, the Coordinator, National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, said that soldiers killed one of the suspected bombers of the plaza and arrested another.

Putin, Hollande, Merkel, Poroshenko hold telephone talks over Ukraine ‘peace plan’

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 Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Francois Hollande of France and Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine, as well as Germany’s Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel have held telephone talks, in the course of which they discussed promotion of Poroshenko’s peace plan for peace settlement in the east of the country, the Ukrainian presidential press service said Wednesday, reports Itar-Tass.

Military release 144 Abia travellers

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(Nigeria) One of the suspected sponsors the 486 people travelling in 35 busses to Port Harcourt, but arrested in Abia State have been identified by security agents. Coordinator of the National Information Centre, NIC, Mr. Mike Omeri who made this disclosure at a press briefing on efforts being made to secure the release of abducted Chibok secondary school girls and generally fight the menace of Boko Haram insurgents on Wednesday however, refused to name the sponsor.

I am not a thief ---- Atuche tells court

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(Nigeria) A former Managing Director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche, on Wednesday denied the N25.7 billion theft charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Atuche, who was testifying before a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, told the court that it was absurd to label him a thief.

22 killed in air strikes on two Iraqi cities

inhua) -- A total of 22 people were killed and some 36 others wounded in air strikes carried out by Iraqi aircraft on two cities in Iraq's northern and western provinces, security source said on Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

Protesters in Chisinau denounce US interference in Moldovan affairs

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The Moldovan opposition Party of Socialists picketed on Wednesday the United States Embassy in Chisinau, accusing Washington of putting pressure on Chisinau pushing it towards an association agreement with the European Union and towards breaking traditional ties in the east, reports Itar-Tass.

Approval for Russian military intervention in Ukraine revoked

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The upper house of Russia's parliament voted Wednesday to revoke a resolution approving military intervention in Ukraine at the request of President Vladimir Putin, reports Xinhua. The issue was discussed in a Federation Council plenary meeting, with Putin's request being carried 153 votes to one.

7 die in gastroenteritis outbreak in Jigawa

(Nigeria) Commissioner for Health in Jigawa State, Dr Tafida Abubakar, on Wednesday said an outbreak of gastroenteritis in Hadejia community in Hadejia Local Government Area had claimed seven lives. Abubakar said in Hadejia that the deaths were recorded on Monday and Tuesday.

Man remanded in prison for killing neighbour's daughter

(Nigeria) An Ogun State High Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta on Wednesday remanded in prison a 33-year-old man, Jimoh Owolabi, for allegedly killing his neighbour's daughter. The state counsel, Funke Fakolade, told the court that the killing was allegedly carried out on May 2, 2013 at Sagbesona Compound, Idofoi, Ayetoro Road in Abeokuta.

N30m Fraud: Absence of prosecutor stalls trial of ex FCMB Manager

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(Nigeria) The absence of  the prosecutor on Wednesday stalled  the trial in a Federal High Court, Lagos, of a former branch Manager, of First City Monument Bank, FCMB Plc, Rosemary Usifo, for alleged  fraud. Usifo is charged by the Special Fraud Unit, SFU of the police with the bank on a one-count charge of obtaining N30 million from a customer's fixed deposit account.

Appeal Court reinstates deposed Emir of Akko

(Nigeria) The Court of Appeal sitting in Jos, Plateau State on Tuesday ordered the immediate reinstatement of the banished Emir of Akko in Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammad Ahmad. Presiding Justice Ridwan Abdullah, in the judgment, said government had no cogent reason for deposing the Emir and banishing him to Bauchi State in 2004.

Kano passes rape prohibition bill prescribing life sentence for convicts

(Nigeria) The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed into law the state Rape Prohibition Bill 2014. The law, which provides a maximum of life sentence for convicted rapists, was passed unanimously by members. The new law also stipulated an additional fine of N200, 000.

UPU treasurer abductors demand N50m ransom

(Nigeria) Abductors of the National Treasurer of the Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, Mr Mike Ederiwhevwe, have demanded N50 million as ransom to set him free.  The Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, Celestina Kalu, made the announcement while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Warri, Delta State.

JTF repels attack, kills 3 suspected pirates in crossfire

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(Nigeria) The Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta, code named Operation Pulo Shield, on Tuesday said three suspected pirates died during a cross-fire with the group at Robot creeks in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Lt. Col. Mustapha Anka, the JTF Media Coordinator, told NAN in Yenagoa that some 30 pirates, armed with AK-47 riffles in two speedboats, attacked the JTF patrol troop.

14 killed, 26 missing in Madagascar's shipwreck

Fourteen people have dead and another 26 missing in a shipwreck in western Madagascar, a statement from the National Bureau of risks and disasters management said on Tuesday, reports Xinhua. Ten out of about 50 to 60 passengers were rescued, the bureau said in the statement.

11 killed in fresh attacks in east Kenya's coastal region

No fewer than  11 people were killed and several others injured in fresh attacks at east Kenya's coastal town of Witu on Monday night, local media reported on Tuesday. Security officials received a distress call at 2 a.m., on Tuesday when the attackers were spotted at Kaketo area, a senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

Plane flying from Nigeria to Gabon ''missing'' in Cameroon

A four-seater plane flying from Nigeria to Gabon via Cameroon has disappeared, according to Cameroon aviation sources on Tuesday. The plane, owned by the United States company Global Aviation, took off from Kano in northern Nigeria at 1800 hours on Monday en route Libreville in Gabon, where it was scheduled to arrive at 2300 hours, after a stopover in Douala, Cameroon.

Pakistani arraigned for drug trafficking

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(Nigeria) A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday remanded a Pakistani, Iftikhar Arslan, 18, in prison custody for allegedly trafficking 25.4 kilogrammes of heroin. Arslan, who was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, is standing trial on a count charge of unlawful possession of narcotic drug.

2 men remanded for alleged rape

(Nigeria) A Gusau Chief Magistrate Court in Zamfara State on Tuesday remanded two men, Hamza Musa, 25, and Lawali Sarki, 18, in prison custody over an alleged case of conspiracy and rape. The accused, both of Manau village, Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara, are facing a two-count charge of raping a 12-year-old girl.

Al Jazeera journalists: Egypt's Sisi says not to interfere in judicial rulings

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Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al- Sisi said Tuesday that he won't interfere in the judicial verdicts, state Nile TV reported. His words came one day after three Al Jazeera journalists were sentenced from seven to ten years in jail, which stirred international outcry over the freedom of press in Egypt.

1 killed as Fighter jet collides with private jet in Germany

German police authority confirmed a collision of a military jet and a Lear jet on Monday over western Germany, leading to the death of one occupant of the civilian plane, reports dpa. Col. Andreas Hoppe, Army Spokesman said the mid-air collision occurred while the Euro-fighter jet was participating in a joint exercise with another fighter jet.

Child defilement: Security guard has case to answer—DPP

(Nigeria) Four months after his arraignment over allegations of defiling three minors, Godspower Eva, 52, is to be tried over alleged sexual assault and defilement of minors before a Yaba Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos State. At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the Magistrate, Mrs Yewande Aje-Afunwa, said that the court had received legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP on the matter.

Woman killed in shootout in Luhansk region

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Ukrainian military forces shot at the settlement of Privolye near the city of Lisichansk in east Ukraine’s Luhansk region overnight to Tuesday. A woman was killed in the shootout.

Court remanded 3 in prison for armed robbery

(Nigeria) An Ota Magistrate Court in Ogun State has remanded three men in prison custody at the Abeokuta Prisons, Ibara, over alleged armed robbery. The accused, Abdulraheem Olorunbayo, 28; Wahab Azeez, 21, and Ahmed Ganiyu, 24, whose addresses are unknown, are being tried for conspiracy and armed robbery.

Terrorists masquerading as herdsmen ---Jonathan

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(Nigeria) President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government to address the challenge of terrorists masquerading as pastoralists to cause mayhem in the country. Jonathan made the call in Kaduna on Monday while declaring open an international conference on: Security and Development Challenges of Pastoralism in West and Central Africa."

Over 900 LASU students now pay reduced tuition fee ---PRO

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(Nigeria) Authorities of the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, on Monday said that over 900 students had complied with the payment of the new tuition fee as directed by the management. Lagos State Government had on June 11 approved between 34 per cent and 60 per cent reduction in the LASU tuition fee following protests from students and civil society group.

N191bn assets: Ibru seeks reversal of Oceanic Bank sale

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(Nigeria) Mrs Cecilia Ibru, former Managing Director of the defunct Oceanic Bank International, on Monday prayed an Abuja Federal High Court to reverse the sale of the bank to Eco Bank Plc. Ibru also urged the court to reverse the takeover of Aero Contractors Ltd. by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON.

NDLEA arrests 218 persons in Akwa Ibom

(Nigeria) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA in  Akwa Ibom State says  it has arrested 218 persons for  trafficking in hard drugs and psychotropic substances since January. The state’s Commander of the agency, Mrs Josephine Obi, disclosed this in Uyo on Monday while briefing newsmen on activities to mark this year’s  World Drug-Free Day scheduled for Thursday.

BMW recalls over 100,000 cars worldwide

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German car giant BMW intends to recall over 100,000 cars worldwide due to failure in the system of airbags produced by Japanese company Takata, Reuters news agency reports. The issue has been found in all vehicles produced from 2002.

Court remands woman for allegedly killing lover

(Nigeria) An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos on Monday remanded a woman, Ese Itacomi, at Ikoyi Prisons, Lagos for allegedly killing her lover, Tunde Bello. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs E.B. Daodu, said the accused should remain in prison custody pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

Police in Lagos parades 64-year-old herbalist for burying victims alive

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(Nigeria) Mr Umar Manko, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos on Monday, paraded a 64-year-old herbalist who allegedly killed a retired customs officer and her 10-year-old daughter by burying them alive. One Alhaji Olatunji Azeez was arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Lagos on Thursday in Ajuwon-Akute area of Ogun State.

Ukraine rebels agree to temporary ceasefire

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A top Ukrainian separatist leader said on Monday that the pro-Russian rebels would agree to a temporary ceasefire and seek talks with the new Western-backed president on ending 10 weeks of fighting in the industrial east. "In response to the ceasefire declared by Kiev, we pledge to also halt fire on our part," Oleksandr Borodai of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic was quoted as saying by the Itar-Tass news agency in Donetsk.  "This ceasefire will last until June 27."