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(Nigeria) The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, said on Wednesday that the Federal Government had disbursed N294.51 billion to disengaged Power Holding Company of Nigeria. PHCN workers. Igali made the disclosure to State House correspondents after a special preparatory meeting to strategise on the Nov. 1 physical handover of PHCN successor companies to private investors. The meeting was chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa. Specifically, Igali said that N214.22 billion was paid as severance directly to the beneficiaries’ personal accounts, while N80.29 billion was paid as gratuity to beneficiaries’ pension fund administrators. He said that out of the 47,913 PHCN members of staff who  went through the severance process, 40.093 had been fully paid, leaving out 7,820. From the 7,820 staff, Igali said that 605 were validated on Tuesday and would be paid before the end of the week. Igali said that the remaining beneficiaries

(Nigeria) The Enugu State Police Command has arrested one Emmanuel Chukwu from Obeagu Amuri in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state for allegedly being in possession of a human skull. A statement from the police spokesperson, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, in Enugu on Wednesday said the suspect was arrested on October 20 following a tip off. Amaraizu said the human skull was discovered as the suspect was digging the spot where it was buried in his building site. The statement said the suspect was helping the police in its investigation. 

(Nigeria) The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, on Wednesday appealed to commercial banks handling police salaries not to delay the payment. This information is contained in a statement issued by Mr Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer in Abuja. The statement said Abubakar made the appeal at a meeting with representatives of First Bank, Skye Bank, UBA and Zenith Bank. Abubakar described as unacceptable, a situation where government released money meant for police salary as early as middle of the month, only for the banks to “deliberately” delay payment to the following month. He said that the delay exposed ``the officers and men of the force to undue pressures and extreme difficulties’’, saying that it was ``worst conspiracy against the force’’. The inspector-general informed the banks of the ``dire consequences; including but not limited to a reconsideration of the existing relationship between the police and the banks, if the trend is not corre

(Nigeria) The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation on Wednesday re-issued its summon on the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah to appear at its investigative hearing on October 31. Oduah is expected to clarify issues relating to the controversial purchase of two BMW bullet proof cars by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. The committee also stressed that failure to honour ``this last invitation’’ would be viewed as deliberate. It added that she would therefore be made to face the consequences of her action according to the provisions of the law. Oduah was to appear before the panel on October 24, but wrote to the committee that she was out of the country for the signing of Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Nigeria and Israel. 

(Nigeria) The police on Wednesday disrupted a peaceful rally by members of  Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU, University of Abuja Chapter, in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory. Dr Clement Chuks, ASUU Chairman, Uniabuja chapter, said the rally was organised to sensitise the public to the level of decay of infrastructure in Nigerian universities. The heavily armed policemen, fired teargas on the demonstrating lecturers, barricaded all entrances leading to the university and prevented other members from joining the rally. One of the lecturers was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital for treatment after he inhaled the teargas. Some of the lecturers carried placards with inscriptions; `` ASUU is fighting for the good future of Nigerian children and the nation,’’ ``Support ASUU to save university education in Nigeria’’. ``Implement 2009 agreement, we do not want to teach under trees again,’’ ``2009 agreement is the key for producing quality graduates’’ among o

Sixty per cent of Americans favour capital punishment for convicted murderers, the lowest percentage since 1972, according to a Gallup poll released on Tuesday. At its peak in the mid-1990s, capital punishment support was at 80 per cent, the polling group said. ``The current era of lower support may be tied to death penalty moratoriums in several states beginning around 2000 after several death-row inmates were later proven innocent of the crimes of which they were convicted,’’ Gallup said. Since 2006, six states have repealed death penalty laws outright, including Maryland this year, Gallup said. Eighty-one per cent of Republicans, 47 per cent of Democrats and 60 per cent of independents support the death penalty, according to the poll. The largest decrease was found among Democrats, 75 per cent of whom supported the death penalty in 1994. Gallup has been measuring Americans' attitudes about capital punishment since 1936. Fifty-seven per cent were in favour of the d

(Nigeria) The All Progressives Congress, APC, will welcome into its fold  the seven governors who are having problem with their party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, if they decide to join the party. The Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made this known on Wednesday during an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, in Abuja. “They are welcome if that is their final decision. The development will strengthen our party towards 2015 election,” he said. Mohammed affirmed the readiness of the party to effect a positive change in democratic system to uplift the country. According to him, APC is built on the principles of democracy and popular participation. The national publicity secretary maintained that the party would begin the registration of its members nationwide in November. Mohammed told NAN that the party was intensifying efforts through robust logistics to ensure successful membership registration. He added that the nationwide membership

(Nigeria) The Adamawa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on Wednesday said the lingering strike by university teachers in the country could destroy the nation’s tertiary education. The Chairman of the association, Rev. Moses Taparki, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria in Yola,  expressed displeasure over the inability of the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to resolve the issues. Describing the situation as “unfortunate”, he said it had lingered in spite of appeals and interventions by groups and individuals, and blamed the government and the union for their seeming “insensitivity” to the issue. The cleric said the damage the strike had done to the university system in the country in the past four months would take several years to redress. “The government and ASUU should take responsibility for the sad development. Many groups and individuals, including religious leaders and traditional rulers, have appe

(Nigeria) Stop Impunity Nigeria, SIN, campaign, a multi-stakeholder project to check impunity in Nigeria, Wednesday,  called on all Nigerians to observe a national “Day of Outrage Against Impunity” on November 23. In a statement in Lagos, the campaign coordinator, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, of Human Development Initiatives, HDI, said that SIN Campaign proposes to “use the day to bring together all pockets of civil society organizations and campaigns working separately in a nationally coordinated strategy and synergy for a series of coordinated critical mass of anti impunity activities in a way that government and other perpetrators of impunity cannot ignore. “The activities will be used not only to raise public awareness about what creates and sustains a culture of impunity, but it is expected to prompt concerned citizens nation-wide to take action, make their voices heard and to demand rule of law, accountability, improved governance, promote justice and democratic ideals.” H

(Nigeria) The Niger government on Wednesday suspended five principals of public secondary schools in the state for allegedly collecting illegal fees from newly-admitted students into their schools. Notice of the suspension is contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Danladi  Abdulhameed, in Minna. The statement quoted the commissioner as saying the action contravened the free education policy of the state government. He said such illegal fees were collected from students of Day Secondary School, Tunga; Army Day Secondary School, Madalla; Hallidu Adamu Junior Secondary School and Ibrahim Dodo Musa Secondary School, Suleja. The commissioner, who said the suspension took immediate effect, added that the affected principals have been directed to hand over the administration of their respective schools to their vice principals in charge of administration. He advised principals of other public schools in the state not to engage in such act and urge

(Nigeria) The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has directed its state branches to inaugurate disciplinary committees to ensure discipline among members. This directive is contained in a statement issued by the party`s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh, in Abuja on Wednesday. According to the statement, the directive is in accordance with the provisions of Section 57(1) (2) of the party’s Constitution as amended. The statement said the directive was part of efforts by the party to ensure discipline and loyalty at all levels of the party. ``The committees are to strictly comply with the provisions of the PDP constitution and the principles of equity and fair hearing in dealing with all disciplinary cases at their various levels.’’ The party had on October 24 inaugurated a seven-man National Disciplinary Committee to ensure discipline among party members across the federation. The committee is headed by Dr Umaru Dikko. National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamang

(Nigeria) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters, NAPTIP, on Wednesday called for collaboration of stakeholders to fight human trafficking. Mr Josiah Emerole, the Chief Intelligence Officer of the agency, made the call in Lagos at the 3rd International Law Conference on Women and Children, organised by the Foundation for African Cultural Heritage. The conference had the theme: "Women and Children as New Tools of Trade in the 21st Century: Exploring Policy, Research, Community and Legal Frameworks for Addressing Human Trafficking". Emerole described human trafficking as ``a major offence’’ that needed wider collaborative efforts to deal with. He said that 80 per cent of prostitutes in Italy were from Nigeria, adding that about 750, 000 children were being trafficked yearly. According to him, this trend is high in all the states of the federation, but very endemic in 22 states. Emerole said that the trend had become

German officials will meet with United States intelligence representatives Wednesday in the White House, an official said, amid allegations of spying by the U.S. The meeting follows accusations that the U.S. National Security Agency, NSA, monitored the mobile phone of Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel. Germany's delegation was to include Christoph Heusgen, Merkel's foreign policy adviser, and Guenter Heiss, the secret service coordinator, NSA spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said. For the Americans, National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president for homeland security and counter terrorism, were to take part. President Barack Obama and Chancellor Merkel agreed in a brief phone call last week to deepen U.S.-German cooperation on intelligence matters, Hayden said. The meeting on Wednesday was part of this dialogue, she said.  

(Nigeria) Chief Effiong Archianga, the paramount ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday called on youths of the area to embrace peace. Archianga, who represented the four paramount rulers of the core oil community made the call in his Palace in Ibeno. He urged the youths to call off the eight-day protest embarked upon by the community over the non-payment of the 2012 oil spill compensation. ``The affected local government areas, youths and other stakeholders should continue to maintain peace in our respective domains by giving the Akwa Ibom Government a chance to resolve the matter once and for all.'' He warned youths in the area to desist from further blocking the operations of Mobil Producing Nigeria and their subsidiaries.  Akwa Ibom Government, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has intervened in the protest. The protesting youths are no more in the streets of Eket and Ibeno Local Government A

(Nigeria) A housewife, Mrs Bose Ilori, on Wednesday prayed an Ikole Customary Court to dissolve her 15-year-old marriage on the grounds that her husband was brutal and wicked. In a suit filed before the court, Bose alleged that her husband, Mr Dayo Ilori, always beat her at the slightest provocation and had turned her into a punching bag. She said the marriage, which had produced four children, was bedeviled with hatred, disharmony and crisis, instead of love and peace which the husband promised her 15 years ago. The plaintiff accused the husband of abandoning his fatherly care and responsibility for the family, saying that she was the one catering for the feeding and other expenses of the family. The defendant, however, refuted all the allegations brought against him by his wife, describing her as a trouble maker. Ilori said that the poor economic situation in the country was responsible for his inability to cater for his family. The president of the court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, adjou

(Nigeria) Some customers of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN under the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company said that the constant power outage in the area was affecting their socio-economic activities. The aggrieved consumers, who spoke in separate interviews with  News Agency of Nigeria, in Lagos on Wednesday, said that the power outage could be deliberate. Mr Ademola Salisu, a community leader in Alimosho, said that some communities within the local government had not gotten regular supply in the last two months. Salisu said that some residents in the area could not key into the new pre-paid metering scheme due to the total blackout. He said that the development had paved way for some filling stations and diesel sellers in the area to be extorting money from them. ``In the last few months, this community has not seen electricity supply in spite of the Federal Government’s effort in ensuring effective rural electrification in the country, `` he said. Salisu,

Russia has denied reports that its intelligence services spied on hundreds of foreign delegates at a Group of 20 summit in St Petersburg in September using gifts such as teddy bears, diaries and free USB keys. Quoting a report from the European Council's security office to Italian intelligence services, Italy's Corriere della Sera daily, has reported this week that at least 300 such devices were issued at the September 5-6 summit and were revealed to be spy gear during security debriefing sessions last month. The report fuels controversy over international espionage after reports that U.S. intelligence services had conducted telephone surveillance of allied countries and leaders. Kremlin Spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said he did not know what the source of the latest allegations was. ``This is undoubtedly nothing but an attempt to shift the focus from issues that truly exist in relations between European capitals and Washington to unsubstantiated, non-existent issue

(Nigeria) An Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court, Ekiti State on Wednesday ordered the remand  of  a 20-year-old,  Oluyi Oba,  for allegedly  raping a five-year-old girl. The police prosecutor, Mr Emmanuel David, told the court that the accused committed the offence on October 22  about 1p.m.  at Iyin-Ekiti. David alleged that the accused on the said date forcefully had carnal knowledge of the girl (name withheld) which led to her being hospitalised. He said the offence contravened section 218 of the Criminal Code Cap C 16, Laws of  Ekiti State, 2012. The plea of the accused was, however, not taken. Chief Magistrate Simeon Ojo ordered the remand of the  accused in prison custody pending the receipt of legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution. He adjourned the case till November 21  for further hearing. 

No fewer than 12 people have been confirmed dead after a mini-bus collided with a moving train at Mutindwa in Nairobi, reports said on Wednesday. The reports said police and Red Cross officials, who gave the confirmation of casualties, said 21 other victims had been admitted to hospitals following injuries they sustained in the accident. They Kenyan Kapital FM said the accident occurred shortly before 7 a.m. on Wednesday. A Kenya Traffic Commandant, Samuel Kimaru, said those injured were taken to Mama Lucy, Metropolitan and the Kenyatta National Hospitals. Meanwhile, witnesses said the accident occurred when the driver of the loaded ``matatu’’, as the mini-bus is popularly called, attempted to cross the railway line. They said the driver had ignored an oncoming train, even as it was hooting. The Dandora-bound commuter train dragged the 33-seater ``matatu’’ almost 25 metres from the intersection before it stopped, the reports said.

(Nigeria) An oil marketer, Abdullahi Alao, has asked a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, to set aside its ruling which dismissed his application to quash the fuel subsidy fraud charge against him and four others. Justice Lateefat Okunnu had on October 21 dismissed the application for lacking merit. Abdullahi, son of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arisekola-Alao, was charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. He was charged alongside two other oil marketers, Olarenwaju Olalusi and Opeyemi Ajuyah, and their companies --Majope Investment Ltd. and Axenergy Ltd. The defendants landed in court for allegedly obtaining N1.1 billion from the Federal Government for the purported importation of 15,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit. During Wednesday's proceedings, Alao's counsel, Mr Oluwaseun Awonuga, told the court they had filed an application asking the court to set aside the ruling. Awonuga said that the applica

(Nigeria) Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commended the Nigerian Army for its assistance to other security agencies in the fight against kidnapping and armed robbery in the state. The Governor who stated this yesterday, when he received the General Officer Commanding the 2 Division of the Nigeria Army, Major General Ahmed Jubril in Government House said the Army had extended enormous support to the government in its fight against crime. According to him, “this is an opportunity for me to, on behalf of the good people of Edo State, place on record our gratitude as a people and government for the enormous support which the Nigerian Army under your command has extended to us outside the normal call of military duties. If the DSS Director were here, he would narrate to you the amount of help that the 4 Brigade has rendered to them. “Going by the role of the Army it is not your lot to be buffeted with internal policing, but because of the seriousness of the situation, w

(Nigeria) The Nigerian Army on Wednesday confirmed the loss of several lives and property in a communal clash in Ukhuorumi, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo. Capt. Roslyn Managbe, the Public Relations Officer, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, confirmed the incident to News Agency of Nigeria  in Benin. `We have yet to make any arrest; we arrived at the location after the damage had been done. We are on ground to forestall any further crisis and to bring peace back to the community,’’ she said Witnesses, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the clash was between members of Ukhorumi Community Development Association, CDA, loyal to two rival leaders of the association. ``As we speak, the community is deserted by the people for fear of possible reprisal attacks, as many cars and buildings were burnt by the combatants yesterday,’’ one of the witnesses said. They said that trouble started when some CDA members, who were loyal to the association’s vice chairman, allege

(Nigeria) The Court of Appeal in Abuja reserved November 8  for hearing in a suit seeking the removal of Sullivan Chime as governor of Enugu State.  Justice M.D Dongban-Mensem, who presided over the sitting, gave the date after the court directed the appellant to serve the governor with all documents associated with the appeal. Chief Alexander Obiechina, approached the court challenging the refusal of a Federal High Court, Abuja, to annul the nomination process that produced Chime on April 26, 2011 as the PDP candidate in the gubernatorial election. In an enrolled order, Dongban-Mensem held that the record of proceedings in Notice of Appeal No. CA/A/358/2012 and all the legal processes should be served on the governor through the state’s liaison office in Abuja. ``Upon reading the motion ex-parte filed on Oct. 21, 2013, and the affidavit of Bello Ibrahim sworn to on the same date before the court.  And after hearing counsel to the appellants, Oba Maduabuchi, it is hereby or

(Nigeria) The Ohaneze Ndigbo has advocated for equal representation of 60 delegates from each of the six geo-political zones at the proposed national dialogue. Presenting the organisation’s position at the stakeholders’ interactive session in Enugu on Wednesday, its President, Chief Garry Igariwe, said the submission was done after consultations with other Igbo organisations. Igariwe said the Igbo had been waiting for such a dialogue because they believe in the unity of the country. ``On the structure and composition of the conference, we advocate equal representation of each of the zones covering all the ethnic nationalities -- women, labour unions, religious groups, youths and the persons with disability. The political parties should not play any role in the selection of the delegates because we have more than 50 ethnic nationalities in Igboland. ``On the selection, it will be in line with the ethnic groups in each zone with the total number of delegates being 360 in all. T

The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday urged Cameroon and other nations not to expel Nigerians who have fled their homes amid fighting between Boko Haram Islamist rebels and government troops. "With the recent escalation of violence in northeast Nigeria, United Nations High Commission for refugees, UNHCR is today advising all states against forced returns of people to the region," spokesman Dan McNorton told reporters. "We are also urging that borders be kept open for Nigerians fleeing the country and who may be in need of international protection," he added. UNHCR's concerns focus on Cameroon, the choice of refuge for most of the 10,000 Nigerians who have fled during a sweeping government offensive against the rebels that started in May. McNorton said UNHCR was alarmed by reports earlier this month that 111 people had been forced by Cameroon's security forces to return to Nigeria from a border village in Cameroon. Fifteen people were kille

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday sacked his vice premier who had been absent without leave and held unauthorised meetings abroad, the official SANA news agency said. The move follows media reports that Qadri Jamil, a vice premier for economic affairs, had met with the US pointman for Syria, Ambassador Robert Ford, on Saturday in Geneva to discuss proposed peace talks. SANA said Jamil was sacked after an "absence without authorisation from his post" as well as "activities and meetings outside the country without authorisation from the government." According to a political source in Syria, Jamil had proposed joining the opposition delegation to peace talks and that Ford had said he could not represent both sides at once. Jamil himself told the Lebanon- based Arab satellite channel Al-Mayadeen that he planned to return to Damascus and defended his meetings abroad. "Our meetings with international parties to halt the bloodbath in Syria are

South African Olympics and Paralympics track star, Oscar Pistorius will face two additional gun-related charges at his trial for the murder of his girlfriend. The trial is due to start in March next year, prosecutors said on Tuesday. Pistorius, who is on bail, says he acted in self defence mistaking his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder when he shot and killed her on Valentine's Day at his up market home in February. Steenkamp was shot in the head, arm and hip by her boy friend. The additional charges related to incidents prior to the February shooting in which Pistorius was alleged to have fired a gun in a public space. This will form part of the prosecution's overall murder case against Pistorius. Prosecutors have portrayed Pistorius as a cold-blooded killer and said they were confident that their case, which will have to rely heavily on forensics and witnesses who said they heard shouting before the shots, would stand up to scrutiny. ``The ne

(Nigeria) The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to name a national monument after the late former Chief of General Staff, retired Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe.  It also observed a minute silence in honour of Akhigbe during its plenary in Abuja. The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Rep. Abubakar Momoh (APC- Edo), which was unanimously adopted without debate when put to vote by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Emeka Ihedioha.  Momoh said that Akhigbe deserved  to be honoured and mentioned in the parliament due to his  contributions to national development. He said that  Akhigbe, who died on October 28 had contributed immensely to the nation building. He therefore urged the House to support the motion and immortalise late Akhibe. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has expressed his shock and sadness over the death of Akhigbe. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser

Spain's public prosecutor launched a preliminary inquiry on Tuesday into reports that United Nations intelligence had spied on million of its citizens. Attorney General Eduardo Torres-Dulce authorised an information gathering process after El Mundo newspaper reported on Monday that the U.S. had tracked more than 60 million Spanish phone calls, his office said in a statement. Spain summoned the U.S. ambassador on Monday to discuss the allegations, which are similar to reports of U.S. spying in France and Germany that have caused a rare diplomatic upset between Washington and its European allies. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said if the reports were true it would break the ``climate of trust’’ between the two countries. El Mundo published a graphic it said was a National Security Agency, NSA, document showing the U.S. agency had spied on 60.5 million phone calls in Spain between December 10, 2012 and January 8 this year. It said the document was part o

(Nigeria) Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says it will not condone corruption in any part of the  nation's life. Mr Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of the party, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja while reacting to the N225 million car scandal in the Aviation Ministry. The party spokesman declared that the PDP had never and would never condone any form of corruption. "The position of our great party on corruption is unambiguous and our zero tolerance for corrupt practices abounds in practical examples.’’ Mutuh. This, he said was so because the party`s founding fathers placed utmost premium on transparent and accountable government as a platform for achieving a better Nigeria. ``Our successive leaders since 1999 have resolutely stuck to this." Metuh ,however, said that the accusation of corruption in the aviation ministry was “a big worry” to the party. He added that this was why the Presidency and the party leadership set up a panel to

(Nigeria) A Kuje Magistrates’ Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of a 45-year-old driver, Ebimi James, for alleged mischief. The accused, who resides at Dafara Village, Kuje, Abuja is facing charges of criminal force, assault and mischief. The Magistrate, Okeagwu Azubike, ordered that the accused be remanded in Kuje Prison with no option of fine. Azubike ordered the remand after the accused had pleaded guilty to the offence of assaulting and causing injury on his neighbour’s wife. He said ``the accused should be remanded in prison till November 20 for judgment.’’ Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Ocheche Samuel, had told the court that Bigwan Gabriel of the same address with the accused reported the matter at the Kuje Police Station on October 23. He said the accused, on October 22, went to Gabriel’s house and beat up his wife and as a result she sustained serious injury. ``After committing the crime, he escaped to an unknown destination until on Oct. 23 when he was

(Nigeria) Four persons were burnt to death in a ghastly motor accident on Tuesday in Malammadori Local Government Area of Jigawa. Eight other persons sustained injuries in the accident which occurred along Hadejia-Gumel road. Mr Muhammad Gidado, the state Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, confirmed the accident to NAN on telephone. Gidado said the accident occurred when a bus with registration number XB 846 AGB collided with a lorry. He said that the lorry was conveying goats from Gashua in Yobe while the passenger bus was travelling from Gumel to Hadejia. Gidado explained that the two vehicles burst into flames as a result of which the four persons were burnt to death. “We could not ascertain the cause of the accident and the lorry driver was burnt to ashes. “Our men and a team of fire fighters have conducted rescue operation, three corpses have been deposited at the General Hospital, Gumel,” he said. Gidado further stated that eight other wo

(Nigeria) The Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil chapter of ASUU has directed its members to sensitise their respective communities to the reasons why the union embarked on strike. The acting Chairman of the chapter, Dr Abdu Yaro, gave the directive on Tuesday at a public enlightenment rally organised by the union in Wudil town. He said the directive was necessary in order to properly inform parents and other members of the public who were being misinformed by those he described as ``agents of blackmail’’. The ASUU official said the purpose of the struggle was not about salaries but ``to clear the rot and decay in the university system’’. He stressed the need for members of the union to enlighten parents, students and other stakeholders on the issue in view of the negative impression created over the strike. ``The strike is not in respect of salaries, but because we want the Federal Government to implement the agreement it had signed with the union

(Nigeria) The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, on Tuesday formally installed Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo as the new Iyaloja-General of Lagos State. Oba Akiolu advised the new Iyaloja to be diligent and committed to the service of humanity. He said that the position was important to the development of market activities in Lagos State and Nigeria at large. Senator Oluremi Tinubu told News Agency of Nigeria in a seperate interview that the new Iyaloja was capable of coordinating market activities in Lagos State. She said that Tinubu-Ojo was under the tutelage of the late Iyaloja General, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji. "The position of Iyaloja comes with lots of duties and responsibilities. "It is expected that she will succeed with her sense of maturity, respect for elders and diligence," she said. Tinubu also advised the Iyaloja to use her office to ensure prosperity of traders in Lagos State. Mrs Hawawu Asindemade, the Iyaloja General and Chairperson, Osun Market Board,

(Nigeria) The Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue has apologized to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State over the unruly behavior of one its members, Col Tony Nyiam (rtd) who led some participants at the conference held in Benin City, Monday, to shout down the Governor when he was making his presentation. In a letter by Chairman of the Committee, Senator  Femi Okurounmu, he said “the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue wants to put it on record that we noted the sad incident at Monday’s Interactive Session with Nigerians from the South South held in Benin City, Edo State. “The Committee wishes to state its unequivocal commitment and that of its members to the principles of democratic discourse. Although we take special exception to the unruly conduct of one of our members who joined the crowd in shouting down the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, while he was giving his remarks, the session continued and ended peacefully.

(Nigeria) A 35-year old man, Lukman  Akinola, on Tuesday appeared before an Ibadan Chief Magistrate  Court, Oyo State for alleged romancing and kissing a 13-year-old girl. Akinola was arraigned on a one-count charge of indecent assault. Prosecutor James Oriola told the court that the accused indecently assaulted the minor by romancing and kissing her without her consent on October 15 at Oke-Seni Area, Mokola, Ibadan. Oriola said the offence contravened Section 222 of the Criminal Code. The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Counsel to the accused person, Mr Sunday Adediran, urged applied for the bail of his client  on a liberal term. The Magistrate, Mrs Risikat Ebeloku-Mustapha, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum. Ebeloku-Mustapha said one of the sureties must be a Civil Servant and adjourned the case to November 19.

(Nigeria) After spending four years in prison custody for allegedly battering his wife to death, a commercial bus driver, Babatunde Gbolahan, was on Tuesday charged before a Lagos High Court at Igbosere. Gbolahan, 37, who allegedly killed his wife, Yemisi, in 2009 during a brawl, is facing a charge of manslaughter. The accused was brought before Justice Aishat Opesanwo on Tuesday following a legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions which established a prima facie case against him. Gbolahan allegedly committed the offence on October 13, 2009 at No. 9, Olatunji St., Mushin at 7.40 p.m. The prosecution said the accused had an argument with his wife which degenerated to a fight and was beaten to death with a belt. The offence contravened Section 325 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003. Gbolahan, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The judge adjourned the case to December 2 to enable the prosecution to produce witnesses. 

(Nigeria) The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, on Tuesday, said that Islam abhors the killing of any innocent souls. ``The Sokoto Sultanate Council, all traditional rulers and the generality of the Muslims, have dissociated themselves from such dastardly acts. Islam abhors the killing of any innocent souls without following the due legal processes,’’   Abubakar said. Abubakar spoke when the former Head of state, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, paid him a courtesy call. ``We are always committed to the growth and development of Islamic religion, but in line with its teachings and law. Muslims should even persuade non-Muslims to join the religion by their good conduct and strict adherence to the Islamic law. We should, therefore, live peacefully with our Christian brothers and not attempt to kill them,’’ the Sultan said. The Sultan commended Abubakar for his dexterity and commitment to peace and unity in Nigeria, and globally. Earlier, Abubakar extolled the ste

(Nigeria) A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, remanded a 28-year-old female banker, Tejumola Okemakinde, and two others in prison custody, over an alleged N135 million theft. Justice Olutoyin Ipaye ordered the remand of Okemakinde and her alleged accomplices, Ige Egbeyemi, 50 and Olukayode Adeoye, 32, in prison, after their arraignment. They are to remain in prison pending the hearing of the bail applications fixed for November 11. Okemakinde lives at No. 26, Animasaun St., Ijeshatedo, Lagos; Egbeyemi is of Plot 3, Block 4, Flat 2, Iba Housing Estate, Lagos, while Adeoye, lives at No. 30, Felicia Kokosho St., Opebi, Lagos. The defendants and their companies--- Povyte Ventures Ltd., Whales and Chase Ltd. and Tenumola Onike Enterprise Ltd.; were charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. They are facing a 34-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, forgery, uttering and use of false documents. The EFCC counsel, Mrs Fadeke Giwa, all

(Nigeria) The All Progressives Congress, APC, has condemned the disruption of Governor Adams Oshiomhole's of Edo State presentation during a meeting of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue in Benin on Monday, saying that the despicable action has vindicated the party's decision not to be part of the proposed conference. In a statement  in Lagos on Tuesday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the Committee must thoroughly be ashamed of itself that one of its members led the show of shame that was put up in Benin on Monday . It therefore demanded an unreserved apology from the Committee to Gov. Oshiomhole, while the member who acted so unruly and irresponsibly must be publicly cautioned at the least or be excused from the Committee. ''The truth is that in proposing the conference, the government has no sincerity of purpose, does not believe in engaging in any dialogue with anyone but itse

(Nigeria) The head of the Akhigbe family, Chief Joseph Akhigbe, on Tuesday confirmed the death of the former Chief of General Staff,  Vice Admiral Mike Akigbe. Joseph confirmed the death to News Agency of Nigeria, in their Fugar country home in Estako Central Local Government Area of Edo State. He said the eldest son of the deceased called him on the telephone at about midnight from the United States and announced the death of his father. ``At 1 a.m, Mike’s first son called me from the U.S. and said that his father, my brother, is dead,’’ he said. He said that his brother’s son told him that Akhigbe’s remains were still in the U.S and that no arrangement had been made to bring it home. The family head said that a condolence register had already been opened in the family’s compound in Fugar. Sympathisers, including Mr Emmanuel Momoh, the Chairman of Etsako Central Local Government Area visited to condole with the family. Momoh described Akhigbe’s death as ``a big blow to

Egypt's deposed president Mohamed Morsi has rejected the authority of the court to try him for inciting killings of protesters, the Muslim Brotherhood said. The movement said on its website that neither Egyptian nor foreign lawyers would be defending Morsi, who ``does not recognise the trial or any of the actions and processes that resulted from the coup, such as the politicisation of the judiciary’’. The statement charged that the Egyptian judiciary had become ``a means of repression and terror used by the coup regime against opponents’’ Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood member and Egypt's first elected president after the ouster of former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, was ousted by the military on July 3 amid massive protests against his one-year rule. Morsi is to face court on November 4 along with 14 other senior Muslim Brotherhood figures.