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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike performing the Swearing in of the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Christy Gabriel-Nwankwo on Monday at  the Government House, Port Harcourt. (Nigeria) Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike  on Monday   swore-in Justice  Christy Gabriel-Nwankwo as the substantive President  of  the  State Court Customary Court of Appeal.

(Nigeria) A coalition of some civil society organisations has advised the 13 Vice Chancellors of federal universities in the country who were wrongly appointed by the Federal Government last February to take the path of honour by resigning their offices.

(Nigeria) All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of alleged complicity in the fuel supply crisis in the state.

(Nigeria) The Permanent Secretary, Osun State Ministry of Finance, Mrs Adebimpe Ogunlumade, who was kidnapped on Friday along other two officials, have been released on Sunday.

(Nigeria) No few than six people died, seven injured while 15 vehicles were burnt in a fire that gutted a filling station at Unguwar Ma'azu, Kaduna State.

(Nigeria) Igbo Improvement Union, (Oganiru  Ndigbo,) an Igbo social cultural group, has rejected the proposed National Grazing Route/Ranch by the Federal Government, saying that Igboland should be left out of the proposal.

(Nigeria) Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Relations, on Sunday, commended the National Assembly for endorsing the $300 million- Diaspora Bond.

(Nigeria) Papa Wemba, a 67-year-old Congolese rumba music legend, died after collapsing on stage in Abidjan in the early hours of Sunday.

(Nigeria) Troops of 81 Battalion and some elements of 251 Task Force Battalion, 25 Brigade, ambushed suspected Boko Haram terrorists escaping from Sambisa forest to Fulawani village in  the early hours of Sunday.

(Nigeria) The family of Mr Azibaola Robert, a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to charge Robert to court or release him unconditionally.

(Nigeria) Osun State Government has denied allegations of diversion of N34.99 billion bailout fund it received from the Federal Government to pay workers' salaries.

(Nigeria) The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, in Bayelsa State has sanctioned 16 filling stations in the state for engaging in various sharp practices.

(Nigeria) Niger Delta oil-rich coastal communities of Ojobo,Ogbotobo  and Tarakiri Cluster Development Board, TCDB, comprising Egbemo Angalabiri Ojobo, Ogbotobo, Agbayama, Agbidiama and other satellite communities both in Burutu and Ekeremo Local Government Areas of Delta and Bayelsa States, said there was no time they issued Saipem and other oil firms operating in their localities quit notice.

(Nigeria) The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, has said that the navy can reduce sea piracy and robbery with support from stakeholders.

(Nigeria) Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has swept the chairmanship position in all the 18 local government areas of Ondo State.

Niger Delta activist and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Ayirimi Emami has admonished the Federal Government to seriously consider full deregulation of the oil and gas sector, insisting it was one sure way to end the recurrent fuel crisis in Nigeria.

(Nigeria) By Temisan Jackson In recent times, the news space has been awash with news and opinion articles about the immediate past finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Most of the features have stemmed from people with questionable character and, unfortunately, the local media have been complicit in aiding their spread.

(Nigeria) Chief Solomon Edebiri, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship aspirant in the September 10, governorship election in Edo, said he was in the race to boost development rather than `massage the ego of self-styled ``political leaders.’’

(Nigeria) A total of  1, 934, 765 displaced persons   are currently living in formal camps, host communities and satellite   camps in liberated communities as a result of insurgency in North Eastern States of Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi and Adamawa.

(Nigeria) Niger Delta Indigenous Movement For Radical Change, NDIMRC, has alleged that a  former Group Executive Director  of  the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was desperately working to become the Group Managing Director of NNPC, dismissing rumour that Dr Ibe Kachikwu has been sacked as the GMD of the  corporation.

(Nigeria) The Nigerian Army on Saturday prevented another suicide bomb attack on Ummarari in Borno State after intercepting a suspected bomber on his way to the community. A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, in Maiduguri, said "Troops of 7 Division Garrison, Forward Operation Base (FOB), on Saturday averted yet another suicide bombing catastrophe on Ummarari community by suspected Boko Haram terrorist at about 7 a.m. ``The suicide bomber was intercepted by the vigilant troops and the Civilian JTF while attempting to enter the village to detonate his dangerous cargo on innocent persons in the community,'' the statement said. It said that the suspect was forced to detonate his explosives after he was halted by security agents and members of the Civilian JTF. ``The suicide bomber detonated the strapped Improvised Explosive Device, IED, vest on his body, thus killing himself instantly when he was forced to halt, based on suspicion th

(Nigeria)  The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said on Saturday that the Federal Government needed 700 million dollars to upgrade its refineries to produce at maximum capacities. Kachikwu, who is also the Group Managing Director of NNPC, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen during the re-inauguration of the Port Harcourt/Bonny Crude Supply Line at the Port Harcourt Refining Company, PHRC, Eleme, Rivers State . He said that due to the fact that the nation did not have such amount, advertisements had been signed for investors to come in. According to him, we are not inviting foreign partners to take over the refineries; the total investment for that is up to $700 million and we don’t have that. Let us be honest about it. ''So, the best thing to do is to find a very creative way to bring in investors, who will come in, work with our team here; ‘'Investors, who have the skills to reactivate and upgrade facilities in this place and help us provide te

(Nigeria) Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has assured that  all projects started by his administration  will  be  completed  in line with  approved specifications.  The governor  said  that  in the course of  the  four years  of his first term, no project will be abandoned as he has mapped out strategies to apply funds for their completion.  Governor  Wike  spoke on Saturday  after he inspected ongoing road projects in Port Harcourt,  Obio/Akpor,  Ikwere and Etche  Local Government Areas of the state. He added that all key relevant  projects abandoned  by the immediate  past administration  will also be completed by his administration.  He said : "Today's project inspection  has been fruitful.  We are happy  at the pace of work at the different sites visited and the people are also happy.  The reception  we get is an encouragement to do more for the people.  "Our first year anniversary  will be a celebration  of  wonderful  projects executed by this administrat

(Nigeria) Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, in Osun State on Saturday, said it had been vindicated by Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, recent report which indicted Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the state of allegedly squandering the N34.9 billion Federal Government Bailout Fund. A statement by the Party's state Director of Media and Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi, in Osogbo said, "ICPC had confirmed that Osun State governor got bail out cash from the Federal Government for the settlement of arrears of workers’ salaries and emoluments but diverted the funds for other purposes, thereby defeating the purpose of the government’s effort to provide succour for the workers. "When we cried out that our governor had fixed the bailout, they called us liars, when we alerted that part of the fund was later used to pay a powerful contractor now in the Muhammadu Buhari's government, they denied it, what will the government say now that an independent government agency (I

(Nigeria) Rivers State overnor, Mr Nyesom Wike has directed the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Chief Azubuike Mmerukini  to coordinate the handing  over formalities by the Local  Government  Caretaker Committee Chairmen to  Heads of  Local Governments. A statement by Simeon Nwakaudu,  Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media on Saturday in Port Harcourt, said  "It should be  noted that the outgoing Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen are now expected to Hand Over to  the  Heads of  Local Government. "This directive  supercedes the earlier directive by the governor.  "The directive  indicated  that the Chairman  of  the  Local  Government  Service  Commission  Service should in conjunction  with  the  Heads of  Local  Government  Areas coordinate  the  preparation  of  lists of  staff being  owed by the Local Government Councils  and the  number  of  months  the respective  councils  owe their  workers," the s

(Nigeria) A Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere on Friday said it has the required jurisdiction to entertain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, case against the embattled Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Rickey Tarfa. Trial judge, Justice A. A. Akintoye stated this at the resumed hearing while ruling on the preliminary objection brought before it by Tarfa, urging the court to quash the charge and decline jurisdiction. The SAN had through his counsel, Mr Anthony Idigbe, SAN, filed an application seeking to quash the charge against him. Idigbe had argued in his preliminary objection that it was against the rule of law for the EFCC to be the complainant, the investigator and prosecutor in a case. Tarfa was on March 9 charged before the court by the EFCC on a 27-count charge bordering on ‎refusal to declare assets and making false statement. Others were offering gratification to public officer and failure to declare his assets in the Assets Declaration Form. H

(Nigeria) Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday opened its case against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Dr Joseph Nwobike, before an Igbosere High Court in Lagos. Nwobike is standing trial before Justice Raliat Adebiyi, on a five-count charge bordering on an attempt to pervert the course of justice and offering gratification to a public official. He was arraigned on March 9 by the anti-graft agency on allegations that he gave the sums of N750,000 and N300,000 to Justice Yunusa of the Federal High Court. The commission said the money was to influence the judge to pervert the course of justice. He denied the charges and was granted bail on self recognition. At the resumed hearing on Friday, EFCC called two witnesses, one Joseph Oyekunle and Oliver Enwerem. The witnesses were Compliance Officers with United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and Access Bank Nigeria Plc respectively. During examination-in-chief by the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, Oyekunle said that o

(Nigeria) The joint military force deployed to protect oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta on Friday reiterated its resolve to crackdown on vandals and economic saboteurs. A statement from its spokesman, Col. Isa Ado, said that the military was poised to deal with a reported threat by vandals to resume attacks on oil facilities. The statement assured that the force, christened Operation Pulo Shield, would ensure the arrest of perpetrators of such vandalism and their accomplices for prosecution “Anybody or group masquerading as militants are criminals and will be resisted and crushed in line with the mandate of the joint force in the Niger Delta. “The Federal Government granted amnesty to repentant agitators and the grant automatically ends militancy and agitation in the region. Any group or persons by whatever guise will be treated like common criminals. “The force had carried out aggressive patrols and surveillances within the waterways and the creeks which led to the arrest of

(Nigeria) The United States on Friday pledged to mobilise more aid and support for Nigeria and other countries affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power made the pledge at a Town Hall Meeting with the students and staff of American University of Nigeria, AUN, in Yola. Power noted that the current assistance to Nigeria and other affected countries was inadequate in meeting the food and medical needs of the Internally Displace Persons, IDPs, among others. ``When I return to United Nations in New York, I plan to deliver an urgent message to other member states that we together need to do much more to support Nigeria and other affected countries in responding to this immense problem,’’ she said. Power noted that so far, the U.S. support to Nigeria covered only 13 per cent of the UN requirements in meeting the needs of the IDPs in the country. She commended the efforts of the Nigerian military to contain the Boko Haram insurgents, citin

(Nigeria) Nigerian troops have arrested of four Boko Haram terrorists Ameers (leaders) at Rann, headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State. Colonel Sani Usman, acting Director Army Public Relations in a statement on Friday, said "Troops of 3 Battalion, of 22 Task Force Brigade  have made an unprecedented catch with the arrest of 4 Boko Haram terrorists Ameers (kingpins) at Rann, headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area on Friday. "The arrested kingpins  specialized on various aspects of criminality to sustain the Boko Haram terrorists group in their areas. The four terrorists were arrested following a tip off by well meaning members of the public. "Subsequently, the troops conducted a cordon and search operation in the general area that led to the apprehension of the terrorist leaders, who contribute to the sustenance of the insurgency through their illegal trade specialization. "The arrested kingpins include  Umara Mai Gyaran Rediyo

(Nigeria) Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has dissolved all the  23 Local Government Caretaker Committees with immediate effect.  A statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media,  directed the Caretaker Committee Chairmen  to hand over to their respective Heads of Personnel Management, HPM. The governor  also directed  the  HPMs   to immediately  compile list of staff being owed  salaries. He directed that the  list,  including  the number of  months owed to  the  workers  by the  respective councils   be  submitted  to  the  office  of  the  Governor  with immediate  effect. 

(Nigeria) Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has called on Magistrates  across the country  to be fearless and firm in their dispensation  of justice.  Speaking  at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday when he granted audience to the Members of the National Executive Committee of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Governor  Wike  said  that  the  functions of Magistrates remain  vital to  the  dispensation  of justice in the country.  He urged Magistrates to stop the practice  of  returning  case files on the basis that they are afraid of the antics of  certain  interests and those who  will malign them after delivering  judgment.  He said : "Judicial  Officers should not abdicate their responsibilities  because  they are afraid  of  petitions. If everyone  throws in the towel, who will dispense justice ?". Noting that every profession has its inherent risks, Governor  Wike  advised the magisteates to always  remain  focused as they deliver judgements  wi

(Nigeria) The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State,  set politics aside on Friday, as top gladiators of both parties stormed the St Paul’s Catholic Church, Benin City, to honour Most Rev. Dr Augustine Akubeze, Archbishop of Benin Catholic Archdiocese on his 10th Episcopal ordination anniversary celebration. The APC was led by the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and had Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, Edo State APC Chairman, among others in the church while the PDP was led by the party’s former BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih and had Mr Dan Orbih, Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Tom Ikimi among others in the church. The sitting arrangement was mixed as politics was completely set aside. The governor sat next to Chief Anenih who sat next to Mr Orbih who sat next to Chief Odigie-Oyegun. The political rivals exchanged pleasantries and complimentaries. Edo S

(Nigeria) Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, has condemned in the strongest terms the assassination of Dr. Vincent Eebe, a lecturer with the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori. President of MOSOP, LegborsiSaro Pyagbara made the condemnation on Friday in Port Harcourt by Fegalo Nsuke, its Publicity Secretary, in reaction to the killings. MOSOP President expressed shock at the death of Dr. Eebe and called for immediate investigations into the killing. Pyagbara called on the Police to ensure that the perpetrators of the act were brought to justice. "MOSOP considers this sustained tendency of killings as most unnecessary and unfortunate as it in no way help to resolve our peculiar disadvantaged circumstance but had painted Ogoni in bad light and destroyed the gains of our collective struggle for justice. "On several occasions, MOSOP has advised our people against allowing Ogoni to be a theatre of killings and violence as the implications and effects are borne

(Nigeria) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, presented its fifth witness in the ongoing trial of a former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, his son, Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako, Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba. Nyako and the others are standing trial before Justice E. Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja in a 37-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N29 billion preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. They are alleged to have at various times between 2011 and 2013, used five companies – Blue Opal Nigeria limited, Serore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Towers Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited to commit the fraud. The prosecution through its counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi and Leke Atolagbe, sought to present more exhibits against the defendants through the witness, Celestine Idiaye, Cluster Control Manager,

(Nigeria) A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, adjourned till May 16 to hear a suit by a 92-years- old widow, Mrs Roseline Ololo, seeking return of her schools, Metropolitan College and Isolo Secondary school, back to her as founder. The suit which was mentioned for the first time on Friday, was adjourned to May 16 to enable service of hearing notices on the respondents. When the case was called, counsel to the applicant, Chief Malcoim Omirhobo informed the court that the respondents had been served with their processes, adding that there was proof of service. He added that the respondents were yet to file their responses. The trial Judge, Justice Hadiza Shagari, therefore, fixed May 16 for hearing. She, however, ordered service of hearing notices on the respondents. Ololo had filed the action for Enforcement of her Fundamental Human Rights as enshrined in Chapter 4 of the 1999 constitution as amended. She sued for herself and her company, Akaix West Africa Ltd, through her

(Nigeria) Arik Air on Thursday claimed that it had paid a total sum of N18.9 billion to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, from January 2007 till date.

(Nigeria) The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, on Thursday in Abuja said that N299.7 billion was shared among the federal, states and local governments as revenue for March 2016.

(Nigeria) Detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has spoken out from prison custody, saying "I wish to commend and congratulate millions of IPOBians the world over, whose tenacity and exemplary steadfastness to the course is and will always remain a great source of joy and inspiration for me.

(Nigeria) The Federal Government, on Thursday, amended the charge it filed against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja.

(Nigeria) Minister for Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung said on Thursday he was yet to give his consent for the recruitment of a foreign coach for the Super Eagles.

(Nigeria) The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has threatened to arrest and prosecute its contractor handling a multi-million naira 522-bed space hostel project abandoned since 2004.

(Nigeria) The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, has given two weeks to managements of all the aviation agencies and Arik Air to resolve all issues relating to indebtedness between them.

(Nigeria) The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday in Port Harcourt swore in nine lawmakers into the 8th Assembly.

(Nigeria) By Fegalo Nsuke During the build-up to the 2015 presidential elections, the All Progressives Congress, APC, had hinged its campaign on one major advantage: President Buhari’s credibility. Buhari became exceptionally unique, standing out as an open, honest and most believable among the candidates for the presidential election. 

(Nigeria) A 32-year-old trader, Olajuwon Badmus, who allegedly inserted his finger into the vagina of an eight-year-old girl, was on Thursday arraigned in a Yaba Chief Magistrates' Court in Lagos.

(Nigeria) Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, complaining  about defaults by oil and gas companies operating in the state to pay taxes and levies over years.

(Nigeria) A coalition of civil society groups in the South East under the aegis of Southeast Based Coalition of Human Rights Organizations, SBCHROs, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conclude outstanding parliamentary re-run elections in Imo, Anambra and Rivers States.

(Nigeria) By Chuka Nnabuife Ignorance kills, but ignorance with bliss is worse  Some people can be found so happy that you wish you were them. You may even find them thanking their gods for being what they think they are. But, only an inch-deep peep could reveal a people in bad state, an awkward joy or a delusion.

(Nigeria) A 25-year-old woman, Gift Okoro, and three other accused persons have been arraigned before the Gudu Upper Area Court in Abuja on Thursday for abduction and pouring chemical substance on one Comfort Ayo.