OSOPADEC N61.63billion: Ilaje Youths protest Ajimuda’s release by EFCC, accuses govt of mismanaging funds

Hundreds of aggrieved youths from Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State today protested in Akure,the state capital over the released of the embattled Chairman of the State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission [OSOPADEC], Prince Debo Ajimuda by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC]. The protesters also accused the state government of appointing Ajimuda as the chairman of the commission in order to loot the treasury of the oil region, despite earlier protest over Ajimuda’s appointment. The youth under the aegis of the Ilaje Democratic Network for Development (DND) marched on Akure, particularly around Alagbaka area and other parts of the state capital, with placards of various inscriptions. The inscriptions read: “Commissioner...

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JTF searches houses for Boko Haram, kill four

It was another raid has men of the Joint Task Force embarked on a thorough search for members of the Boko Haram today in Maiduguri, the state capital of Borno as four suspected Boko Haram after a gun battle. The attack by JTF came up as a result of incessant killings by men of the dreaded Islamic militants in Maiduguri, including the killing of a prison official and a retired police inspector. “Daily Post” gathered that several military patrols stop in Maiduguri neighbourhoods and carry out house to house searches. Boko Haram has been unrelenting in its low level violent campaign against President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, which has continued since a brief flirtation with peace talks collapsed at the beginning of last week. Months...

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EFCC Witness Testifies Against el-Rufai

Mr. Sunday Idowu, a prosecution witness in the trial of former Minister of the FCT, Nasir el-Rufai, told an Abuja High Court that el-Rufai did not declare all his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau. el-Rufai Idowu, an EFCC officer who led the investigations for the arraignment of el-Rufai and two others, said that the accused only declared one instead of the nine plots of land after he left office in 2007. Arraigned with el-Rufai are Altine Jibrin, former Director-General of the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) and former General Manager, Ismail Iro. The EFCC is charging the trio for abuse of public office and illegal conversion of a land meant for the construction of transmitting/injection sub-stations of the PHCN at...

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Renegade Mali soldiers announce takeover

Rebel troops have appeared on Malian state TV to announce they have seized control of the country, hours after attacking the presidential palace. The rebels said that a nationwide curfew was in force and that the constitution had been suspended. The renegade troops had staged a mutiny on Wednesday, trading gunfire with soldiers loyal to the government. The mutineers say the government is not giving them enough arms to tackle a rebellion by ethnic Tuaregs. On Wednesday the mutineers had taken over the state radio and TV broadcaster in Bamako and took it off air. After several hours of footage of traditional Malian music and dancing, a group of soldiers appeared on screen early on Thursday morning, with a caption identifying them...

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N44m bribery scandal: House constitutes ad hoc committee

The House of Representatives yesterday disbanded its Committee on Capital Markets over allegation of N44 million bribery scandal leveled against its Chairman, Hon. Herman Hembe by the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Aruma Oteh.The Speaker, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, therefore constituted an eight-member committee to continue with the public hearing which is focusing on the near collapse of the capital market.The new probe panel led by Ibrahim El-Sadu (Taraba) include Ini Udoka, Toby Okechukwu,Buba Jibril,Usman Adamu Mohammed, Dogara Daramola and Rose Okoh.Aside the disbanding of Hembe committee, Tambuwal also directed the Ethics and Privileges Committee led by Samson Osagie to investigate Oteh’s allegations and report back to the House. Osagie is also...

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Boko Haram rules out talks with FG

  MAIDUGURI, - A purported spokesman for Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram said on Tuesday the group had "closed all possible doors of negotiation" with a government of "unbelievers" that it cannot trust, and called on Muslims to join the fight against it. The statement to local journalists in the sect's heartland of Maiduguri came two days after a Muslim cleric brokering initial peace talks pulled out, dimming hopes of a negotiated end to the insurgency."Almighty God has told us repeatedly that the unbelievers will never respect the promises they made. As such, henceforth, we will never respect any proposal for dialogue," Abu Qaqa, a shadowy figure who frequently communicates with journalists on the sect's behalf, said by phone in the...

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Mass massacre:JTF kill 9 Boko Haram members, arrest 2 in Kano

Hell was recently let lose in the camp of Boko Haram at Tudun Wada Local Government Area, Kano, Wednesday when the JTF and the Islamist sect engaged in a gun battle leaving nine of its members and killed and two others arrested. It was exclusively gathered that the group invaded the armoury of Tudun Wada Police station with three vehicles at about 2 a.m., bombed the station and made away with some arms and ammunition. According to the Brigade Commander of 3 Brigade (Bukavu Barracks), Brigadier-General Illyasu Abbah who briefed newsmen on the incident, no life was lost on their side, except nine Boko Haram that were wasted by the security operatives in a gun battle that lasted for hours. His words: “They did not succeed in breaking...

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Tevez makes heroic return as City down Chelsea: Full review

MANCHESTER, - Carlos Tevez made a heroic return to action by setting up Samir Nasri’s late winner as Premier League title hopefuls Manchester City came from behind to complete a rousing 2-1 win over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. Sergio Aguero netted a penalty on 78 minutes after Michael Essien was deemed to have handled in the box before Tevez – on for Nigel De Jong after 66 minutes – slipped the ball into the path of Nasri to chip Petr Cech for the winning goal on 85 minutes as scenes of euphoria engulfed the stadium.It was Tevez's first appearance for City six month after he infamously refused to appear as a substitute during a Champions League match at Bayern Munich.City are now only a point behind leaders United after a 20th straight...

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Genevieve Nnaji,Stella Damasus,Omotola Jalade Nominated For Cameroon Entertainment Awards

   Nollywood stars,Omotola jalade, Genny Nnaji, Stella Damasus, Jim Iyke have been nominated for Cameroon Entertainment Awards .      They were nominated in PAN African Actor/Actress Category alongside Ghana's john dumelo and Majid Michel.     P square has also been nominated for PAN African artist of the year alongside Akon, Awilo longomba, fally ipupa, Viviane Ndour  and patience dabany.    CEA was created to comprehensively recognize cameroonian entertainers from all over the world, both English-speaking and French-speaking.and  encouraging talent, nurturing it to an internationally-rated standard.    The Maiden Edition of the  CEA Awards will be taking...

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“I’m guilty!” Student who tweeted vile comments about Muamba

Liam Stacey today admitted to tweeting sick comments about Bolton Wanderers midfielder, Fabrice Muamba, who is in intensive care after collapsing during an FA Cup clash at White Hart Lane. The 21-year-old wrote: “LOL [Laugh out loud] **** Muamba. He’s dead!!! #haha.” and pleaded guilty to psoting racial comments on the social network. Stacey has been told he faces jail term when he gets sentenced next week. He was also told he must stay off social networking websites as a condition of being released on bail. “Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch and was believed to have died. “Shortly after Stacey posted on Twitter: ‘LOL, F*** Muamba. He’s dead.” Prosecutor Lisa Jones told Swansea Magistrates’ Court. Stacey also went on to fire back at...

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Perm sec caught with N2bn cash

A serving federal permanent secretary (names withheld) has been arrested over a N18 billion scam uncovered in the police pension scheme with N2 billion cash found in his residence.The matter has been handed over for prosecution to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).The permanent secretary was a director in a federal ministry from where he was seconded to one of the newly-created ministries.Two other accomplices, who are also a serving director (names withheld) in two federal ministries but who had earlier worked with the Police Pension Fund office, have also been arrested and handed over to the EFCC and ICPC for more investigation. EFCCs spokesman,...

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Muamba now breathing without medication and also moving arms and legs

Emerging reports claim that Fabrice Muamba is showing signs of improvement. The Bolton midfielder has been under intensive care since he suffered a heart attack and collapsed in an FA Cup game against Spurs. But encouraging news has been received this evening, which say the Congo-born player is speaking minimally and moving his arms and legs. “Fabrice Muamba remains in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital, where today he is showing small signs of improvement,” a statement released by Barts, the London NHS Trust and Bolton Wanderers read. “His heart is now beating without the help of medication and he is also moving his arms and his legs. However, his long-term prognosis will remain unclear for some time. He is still critically ill...

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Policeman shoots tanker driver over N20k bribe, kills painter with stray bullet

An unidentified police sergeant attached to Area ‘C’ Police Command, Iponri, Surulere, Lagos, allegedly went beserk and shot a truck driver on his left hand and a stray bullet he fired killed another person while he was making efforts to escape from the scene of the incident to avoid being lynched by an angry mob.An eyewitness said that trouble started when the cop with about five others who were operating in a (danfo) commuter bus blocked the truck with a Lagos registration number RV538 EKY driven by Saheed Mufutau (pictured above). The incident occurred at Jimoh Odutola Street, by PHCN office, Surulere, Lagos on Friday.According to the source, the policeman, after checking the truck’s particulars and they were up to date, demanded...

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Nigeria in 'indirect talks' with Boko Haram - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Nigeria's government and Islamist group Boko Haram have been in indirect talks to end deadly violence blamed on the anti-state group, sources familiar with the discussions have revealed. "There have been preliminary talks between a Boko Haram-appointed intermediary," a senior security official told the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity, adding that Boko Haram has set out terms for a temporary ceasefire. The diplomatic source said contact had been made between Nigeria's government and Boko Haram through intermediaries. The security official said Boko Haram has proposed a three-month truce if all of its detained members are released and if the government halts any further arrests. He said the government was looking at the proposal. The...

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Certificate forgery: 37 police recruits arraigned in Ilorin

Thirty-seven newly recruited policemen, who were undergoing training at the Police College, Ilorin, Kwara State, have been arraigned for allegedly presenting fake certificates. Our correspondent learnt on Friday that the suspects had spent five months at the college before they were discovered to have allegedly presented fake certificates and other documents which had aided their recruitment into the force. It was learnt that the suspects were discovered on March 12, 2012 when a screening team of detectives from the Monitoring Unit of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, led by Deputy Superintendent U.C. Chika, arrested them for presenting fake documents for recruitment. Chika alleged that the accused were recruited into the police with various certificates. The certificates...

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30,000 Nigerians to study in UK by 2015 – British MP

A Member of the British Parliament, Mr Iain Stewart, has said that about 30,000 Nigerian students would be studying in various universities across the United Kingdom by 2015.He said this at a two-day seminar entitled: “Nigeria/UK Best Practice in Education.”The seminar was organised by Focus Learning Support in collaboration with Global Development Partnerships, Sodji Sports Foundation and the University of East London at the Westminster, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.“There will be nearly 30,000 Nigerian students in the UK BY 2015,” the Europe correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Stewart as saying on Thursday.“These numbers account for seven per cent of the total UK university population; this is a very significant number,” he added.The MP who explained further that...

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Putin wins Russia's presidential poll

MOSCOW - Vladimir Putin claimed victory in Russia's presidential election before tens of thousands of cheering supporters Sunday, even as the opposition and independent observers insisted the vote had been marred by widespread fraud. At a massive rally just outside the Kremlin, Putin thanked his supporters for helping foil plots aimed at destroying Russia, sounding a nationalistic theme that has resonated with the prime minister's core supporters amid a wave of unprecedented protests."I have promised that we would win and we have won!" he shouted to the flag-waving crowd, which responded with shouts of support. "We have won in an open and honest struggle."He said the vote showed the majority of Russians has rejected "political provocations"...

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UNHCR gives Liberian refugees in Nigeria ultimatum to leave

LAGOS - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it has given Liberian refugees in Nigeria till July, 2012 to leave the country and return back to Liberia or be declared migrants thereby denying them of the legal status protecting them. The refugees are few survivors of one of the world's bloodiest conflicts in which over 180, 000 people were killed and millions displaced across the African continent“If you wish to return back to Liberia, you can repatriate immediately after registering for the voluntary repatriation programme. On July 1, 2012, you won’t be refugees in this country anymore” a UNHCR spokesperson said.“You'll lose the legal status which protected you during your years of exile here” she added.Nigeria is among the countries in the world known for inaccurate...

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Chelsea sack manager Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas has been sacked by Chelsea after less than a year in charge at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's decision comes on the back of Saturday's 1-0 defeat by West Bromwich Albion and a run of just three Premier League wins in their last 12 games. The 34-year-old Portuguese only took over as manager in June 2011. Former Chelsea midfielder Roberto di Matteo has been put in charge as first-team coach on an interim basis until the end of the season. A statement on the club's website read: "Unfortunately the results and performances of the team have not been good enough and were showing no signs of improving at a key time in the season." Chelsea are facing two tough games in the FA Cup and Champions League over the next 10 days. They...

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Pictures of Nanka N1.1Billion Gully Erosion Project

The New entrance into Isiakpuenu Gully Site in Amako The Nanka Gully Erosion landslide of August 2008 which saw the loss of properties and livelihood appears to have finally received the approipriate attention. Work has finally begun at the site – Isiakpuenu Gully Erosion Site in Amako village. The Engineer on site [Hybron based in Port Hacourt] has begun to slowly mobilize to site. The Consultant – Isa Abdulahi – has yet to report to site. But the pictures below show the ongoing progress at the site as indicative of activity involvement by the contractor and the community. The Gully Site according to an [NGO] Rural Community Development Outreach measures 64,000 linear feet in lenght by 9,000feet in width by 4.500ft in depft....

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N25M COMPENSATION: COURT GIVES NDLEA 21 DAYS TO PAY BABA SUWE

An Ikeja High Court says the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has only 21 days to pay N25M as compensation in ‘damages’ to comedic Yoruba actor Baba Suwe. The agency had appealed the court’s decision to compensate the actor, after it was determined that it wrongfully detained him for 24 days on suspicion of him carrying illegal drug substances. The judgement was made by presiding judge Justice Yetunde Idowu on Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Ikeja High Court. Justice Idowu said the agency had no right not to grant the request made by the Plaintiff (Baba Suwe). She has ordered the NDLEA to give the Chief Registrar of the court the N25M before the 21 day deadline expires. The registrar will then pay the money into an agreed upon bank, into an interest-yielding...

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