Zlatan confirms Man Utd move

The striker and French league player of the year Zlatan Ibrahimović has confirmed he is joining Manchester United. He revealed that he'll be joining his former boss Jose Mourinho on Twitter and Instagram.

Alleged forgery: AGF fails to appear before the senate committee

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, today failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Legal Matters, Judiciary & Human Rights where an inquiry into the case of alleged forgery of senate order against the Senate President Bukola Saraki, his deputy Ike Ekweremadu and two others was to be held.

The Special Adviser to President Buhari on prosecution at the Ministry of Justice, represented Malami and informed the committee members that the Attorney General was out of the country.

This development was disclosed on the senate official twitter account;

Abia governorship: Ikpeazu insist he is still the governor

Earlier today, INEC issued a certificate of return to Uche Ogah, following an order by the Abuja Federal High Court on Monday mandating the electoral body to issue Certificate of Return to Ogah who came second at the PDP primaries in the state in 2014.

The state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has released a statement reacting to it. According to him, he remains the Governor of the state since he has filed an appeal against the ruling.

The statement reads;

Olisa Metuh offers to refund N400m traced to him

Former Publicity Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh, has offered to refund the N400 million from the arms deal procurement fund that was traced to him. Metuh is currently undergoing trial for money laundering at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

In a statement released by his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpazu, Metuh said he was returning the money to signify his support for President Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption war.

The statement reads;

FG declares Tuesday July 5th and Wednesday 6th next week public holiday

The Federal government has declared Tuesday July 5th and Wednesday July 6th public holidays to commemorate the Eid-el Fitri Celebration.

Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, in a statement he released today, enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to extend the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, which is love, peace and justice to their daily living and through this contribute to the development of the nation.

INEC issues certificate of return to Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah as Governor of Abia State

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued the Certificate of Return to Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah as the Governor of Abia state.

INEC’s Director of Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzi, says this follows an order by the Abuja Federal High Court mandating INEC to immediately issue Certificate of Return to Mr. Ogah who came second at the last Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries in Abia State.

Dasuki's detention: ECOWAS court adjourns judgment indefinitely

The Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice has adjourned indefinitely judgment in the case of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) against the Federal Government in which he challenged his unlawful detention by government since December 2015 in the custody of the Department of the State Security Service (DSS).
The court, presided over by Justice Friday Nwoke had on May 16 reserved judgment till yesterday after taking final argument from Dasuki’s lawyer Mr. Robert Emukperuo and government lawyer Mr. Tijani Gazali.

Alleged fake certificate: Court strikes out suit challenging authenticity of President Buhari's WAEC certificate

Justice Adeniyi Ademola has struck out a suit filed by Abuja based legal practitioner, Nnamdi Nwokocha- Ahaaiwe, challenging the authenticity of President Buhari's WAEC certificate.The case was struck out following a notice of withdrawal filed by the institutor, Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe.

In striking out the case this morning, the presiding judge, Justice Ademola held that by “section 50(2) of the federal high court civil procedure rules the matter is hereby struck out”.

Officer in Charge of Kuje prison removed

Following the jail break at the Kuje prison last Friday in which two inmates escaped, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Prison Service, Ahmed Jafa’aru, has ordered the removal of the officer in-charge of Kuje prison, Musa Tanko, and also instituted a probe panel over the matter.

The two inmates Maxwell Ajukwu and Solomon Amodu, were standing trial for murder and escaped from the facility by scaling the fence. They are currently at large.

Yinka Ayefele debunks rumour of converting to Islam

Gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele has debunk rumour that he has changed his faith. He said he remains a Christian, and nothing can make him change his faith.

There was news yesterday that the Ibadan based gospel act has converted into a Muslim but the singer has stated otherwise.

His publicist, David Ajiboye yesterday released a press statement which reads;

Alleged fake certificate: Lawyer discontinues suit against President Buhari

Abuja lawyer, Nnamdi Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe, who filed a suit against President Buhari seeking his disqualification from office for alleged fake certificate has filed a notice at the Federal High Court in Abuja to discontinue the suit he instituted.Ahaaiwe sought the disqualification of Buhari saying the President did not sit for the Cambridge West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1961 as he claimed.

Benue gov. sacks all local govt. council chairpersons

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has sacked the chairpersons of the state’s 23 local government caretaker councils.
Odey Ageh, the State Commissioner of Information, announced this to the caretaker chairmen yesterday after the weekly state executive council meeting. Local government elections in the state are expected to hold in September.

Do the right thing, resign, SGF Tells Saraki, Ekweremadu

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation David Babachir Lawal , has asked the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu to resign as that is the right thing for them to do.

Lawal  citing an example of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari, who was accused of certificate forgery and honourably resigned, urged the Senate leaders to tender their resignation letters.

Lagos shuts down, churches, mosques over noise pollution

The Lagos State Government has shut down 70 churches, 20 mosques and about 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours in a move aimed at reducing noise in the state.
Mr Bola Shabi, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), made this known in an interview in Lagos on Wednesday.

Court did not sack Sheriff, says former scribe of PDP Oladipo

The former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Adewale Oladipo, has stated the Abuja High Court did not sack Ali Modu Sheriff, saying that the ruling of the court has nothing to do with the election of Sheriff as the National Chairman.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oladipo who is also battling to retain his seat said: “Our attention has been drawn to reports circulating in the media that a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ousted the National Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Ali-Modu Sheriff.

Over 300,000 candidates apply for EFCC jobs

No fewer than 300,000 applications were received for the 750 positions advertised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC's Director of Public Affairs, Mr Osita Nwaja, announced the figures in Enugu when he visited the Enugu zonal office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Nwaja said that the recruitment was segmented, adding that the first phase of the exercise ended on June 26.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe is dead

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and one time Minister of Transportation, Ojo Maduekwe, is dead. He died yesterday aged 71.

He was appointed Foreign Minister of Nigeria on July 26, 2007 by President Umaru Yar’Adua and was made Minister of Transport by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2001.

Literary Icon, Elechi Amadi is dead

Educationist, novelist, and dramatist, and author Elechi Amadi has died. He passed yesterday afternoon at a hospital in Port Harcourt. He was aged 82.He was born on 12 May, 1934 in Aluu community, Ikwerre local government area of River state.

The River state government have released a statement mourning his passing.

Abuja High court sacks Ali Modu Sheriff as PDP Chairman

An Abuja High Court today sacked factional leader of PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff, from office.

The court which was presided by Justice Valentine Ashi sacked Ali Modu Sheriff from office nullifying the 2014 PDP Constitution Amendment upon which Sheriff was appointed PDP Chairman.

The court described the amendment as a violation of Electoral Act and declared all actions carried out by Sheriff alongside his officers as illegal.

EFCC broke no law by detaining Fani-Kayode, says Court

A Federal High Court today said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not break any law in keeping embattled former minister of aviation, Fem Fani-Kayode in its custody for over 50 days.

Fani-Kayode was arrested by the EFCC after he honoured an invitation to visit the anti-graft Abuja office to explain his role in the alleged diversion of N4.9 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria. He was held indention for at least 50 days before he was eventually charged to court.

Sheriff’s PDP appoints new Deputy National Chairman

Embattled ousted National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff has announced the appointment of Cairo Ojougboh as the party’s Deputy National Chairman.

The appointment is deemed controversial as the leadership of the PDP on May 21 sacked Sheriff as the National Chairman of the party.

Ojougboh was one of the national working committee members removed by the consensus of the May 21 convention of the party in Port Harcourt.

Nicknames Nigerians call state governors

Nigerians are a great people and they have a funny way of naming things and people. They have a name for everything under the sun. For example, they call motorcycles, Okada.

They are very good at giving nicknames to things and even humans. The nicknames they give to people are usually as a result of something, maybe an event. Most of the time, these nicknames eventually replace the real names.

Most Nigerian governors have already been given nicknames and below are some of the funny names they are being addressed as.

$1.5m Dubai assets: DHQ to decide Buratai's fate

The Presidency has left the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to determine Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai’s fate, following the outcry over his $1.5 million Dubai property.

PRNigeria, the military under-cover media machinery, yesterday said the government investigated and cleared Lt.-Gen. Buratai over his assets.
Although the platform was silent on whether it was the Ministry of Defence or the DHQ that cleared Gen. Buratai, it said the nature of his offshore investments was based on capital market principles of shareholding.

Gen. Buratai has been under attack for allegedly buying two property in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The property are allegedly owned by the top soldier and his two wives.

NFF to name Super Eagles coach July

Chris Green, the NFF Technical and Development Committee chairman, has given firm assurances that the issues around naming a new manager for the Super Eagles were sorted by next month.The Super Eagles have been without a substantive coach since Sunday Oliseh resigned and according to Green a lot of applications have been received for the vacant post.

At the moment, Salisu Yusuf has been in charge of the Eagles in interim capacity with the duo of Rangers coach, Imama Amapakabo, and Abia Warriors manager, Kennedy Boboye, assisting.

Ikorodu United appoint Ike Shorunmu as goalkeeper coach

Ex-Super Eagles international Ike Shorunmu has been appointed by Lagos based club Ikorodu United as it's new goalkeeper coach as the club aims to escape relegation this season.

 The management of the Lagos based outfit also announced Shakiru Giwa as assistant to new coach Theodorus Jacob de Jong’s as they continue their fight against relegation.

New militant group emerges, threatens to attack Imo state

A new militant group has emerged under the aegis of Niger Delta Red Squad, NDRS. The group is threatening to attack government and oil facilities in Imo State.
This is coming few days after it hit a facility operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company in Awarra, Ohaji/Egbema local council area of Imo State.

Alleged forgery: AGF to appear before senate today

Minister of Justice and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, will today appear before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters over the recent case of alleged forgery of senate order filed by Malami's office on behalf of the Federal government, against Senate President Bukola Saraki, his deputy Ike Ekweremadu and two others.Malami is expected to meet the committee members at the Senate Meeting Room by 12 noon.

Alleged forgery: Deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu writes Int’l Community

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has written to leaders of the United Nations, European Union, United States’ Congress, European Union (EU) Parliament, governments of United States, United Kingdom and other foreign missions, alleging attempts by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to truncate Nigeria’s democracy.

He wants the international community to decide whether or not the trial he and Saraki are facing was justified or if it's one purely borne out of political vendetta.

Part of Ekweremadu's letter titled “Re: Trumped up charges against the presiding officers of the eighth Senate: Nigerian democracy is in grave danger,” reads; 

At least 36 killed, many wounded in suicide attack at Istanbul airport, ISIS claims responsibility

Two suicide bombers opened fire before blowing themselves up at the entrance to the main international airport in Istanbul yesterday, killing at least 36 people and wounding many more.Police fired shots to stop the attackers just before they reached a security checkpoint at the arrivals hall of the Ataturk airport but they blew themselves up. 

Fayose suffers setback in bid to lift restriction on Zenith bank accounts

Governor Ayodele Fayose's  efforts to lift the restriction order placed on his accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Zenith Bank Plc suffered a setback yesterday as the Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, deferred ruling on the mandatory order.Governor Fayose's two accounts: 1003126654 and 9013074033 in Zenith bank was frozen by the EFCC for alleged money laundering running into N1.2 billion being part of the $2.1 billion arms fund from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Bello Dasuki.

Election Largess: Court remands Femi Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Esther Usman in prison

Former Minister of Aviation and spokesperson of PDP presidential campaign in the 2015 Election, Femi Fani-Kayode, along with Nenadi Esther Usman, a former Minister of Finance and Director of Finance PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Danjuma Yusuf and Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited were today arraigned by the EFCC before Justice M. Suleiman Hassan of the Federal High Court Lagos, on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, corruption and making cash payments exceeding the amount authorized by law.

The accused were alleged to have illegally disbursed about N4.9 billion naira belonging to the Federal Government.They pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them.

Gov Ikpeazu files notice of appeal against sack by court

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, this morning filed a notice of appeal and application for stay of execution at the Court of Appeal in Abuja against the ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

EFCC arraigns Fani Kayode in court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), today arraigned former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode in court alongside a former minister of state for finance, Senator Nenadi Usman over an alleged N1.5 billion fraud.

They are being accused of spending N1.5 billion which was gotten from arms deal fraud, on PDP campaign during the last presidential election.

More photos below...

Kuje prison break: Minister of Interior orders immediate security beef up

Following the escape of two inmates from Kuje prison last week, the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdurahaman Dambazau (rtd) yesterday ordered immediate security beef up at the Kuje Medium prisons and all other prisons across the country.

Dambazau gave the order in Abuja after an on-the-spot assessment of the Kuje prisons in Abuja. The two inmates standing trial for murder were said to have escaped from the prison on Friday and are still at large.

The minister who expressed shock at the incident ordered for detailed investigation into the matter and vowed to get to the root of the matter, while the hunt for the escaped inmates continues.

Lagos state goes hard on 'Omo-onile' with task force

The Lagos State Government on Monday set up a Task Force to check the menace of land-grabbing in the State, just at it vowed to tackle the activities of land grabbers popularly called Omo-Onile with the full deployment of resources of government and applicable law once and for all.
Speaking while inaugurating the Task Force, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is determined to apply the full weight of the law to permanently address the issue, adding that the havoc and unrest being caused by land grabbers was no longer acceptable.

I don't see the benefit of naira devaluation, says President Buhari

President Buhari yesterday expressed his opposition over the recent devaluation of the Naira by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The CBN had removed the exchange rate peg of N197 to a dollar in an effort to alleviate the chronic foreign currency shortages and allow market forces determine the exchange rates. 

Ban on road block hasn't been lifted – IGP

The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has said road blocks remains banned. He said the ban on road block was a directive from the Federal Government.

Idris also dismissed the reported sack or forced retirement of some AIGs and other senior police officers as mere speculation.

DHQ warns that Boko Haram terrorists now disguise as vigilantes and hunters

Defence spokesman Brig-Gen Rabe Abubakar,on Monday in a statement said that members of the Boko Haram group now disguise as hunters and vigilantes to evade arrest.

The statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Bri.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, in Abuja reads;

UEFA Euro 2016 quarterfinal schedule

Here is the quarter finals schedule of EURO 2016:
Quarter-finals
QF1: Poland v Portugal – Thursday 30 June, 21:00 (Marseille)

QF2: Wales v Belgium – Friday 1 July, 21:00 (Lille)

QF3: Germany v Italy – Saturday 2 July, 21:00 (Bordeaux)

QF4: France v Iceland – Sunday 3 July, 21:00 (Saint-Denis)

England's coach Roy Hodgson resigns following England's defeat at Euro 2016

Roy Hodgson, on Monday night, became the latest high-profile coach to lose his job after the 68 year-old resigned as England manager following their defeat to Iceland.

After taking an early lead in their Round of 16 game through captain Wayne Rooney, England were pegged back when Ragnar Sigurdsson headed in from close range. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson extended Iceland's lead in the 18th minute at the Allianz Riviera stadium, however Hodgson was unable to turn things around and England were duly dumped out of Europe.

Shortly after their defeat, Hodgson announced he would quit his post with immediate effect. Assistant managers Gary Neville and Ray Lewington have also resigned.

DCP Donald N. Awunah appointed new Police Spokesman

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim K Idris has appointed DCP Donald N. Awunah as the new Force Public Relations Officer.Donald Awunah until his new assignment, was the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Homicide Section of Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) Abuja. He is to replace ACP Olabisi Kolawole who was the Force Public Relations Officer from August 2015 to June, 2016.

Court orders Abia gov, Ikpeazu to vacate office

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, to vacate office immediately for submitting false information to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, for the party’s governorship primary in December 2014.

Alleged forgery: Saraki, Ekweremadu, two others granted bail

Justice Yusuf Haliru of the Federal High Court Abuja has granted bail to Senate President Bukola Saraki, his deputy Ike Ekweremadu, former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi.

Saraki, Ekweremadu and the two others all pleaded not guilty when the charges of forgery of the senate order was read to them.

Argentina stars Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano quits international football

Argentina and Manchester city footballer Sergio Aguero and Barcelona player Javier Mascherano have followed Lionel Messi to quit international football after losing the Copa America to Chile early this morning.

Speaking after the game, Aguero said: "There are several players who are evaluating not continuing with the national team.

MTN fine: Lawmaker drags two ministers to court

A member of the House of Representatives, Raphael Igbokwe, has filed a suit against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami alongside the Minister of Communication Technology, Adebayo Shittu, over the reduction of the fine imposed on telecommunication giant, MTN. 

Also named in the suit are MTN and the NCC.

The suit, which was filed before an Abuja federal high court, is praying the court to determine whether the defendants have the right to reduce the fine imposed on MTN by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Pope Francis says the church should ask forgiveness from gays for past treatment and Christians should apologize to gays

The leader of the Roman Catholic church Pope Francis has made some controversial statements saying that the Roman catholic church should apologize to gays for offending them.

While on a press conference aboard the Papal Plane on his way from Armenia, the pontiff made this statement.  Pope Francis was responding to a question from a journalist about a German Cardinal who said the Catholic Church should apologize for being "very negative" about gays.

The Pope was also asked if he agreed with one of his top advisers, who said after the Orlando, Florida massacre that the Church should seek forgiveness from gay people for having marginalized them.

He told reporters on the plane "there are traditions in some countries, some cultures, that have a different mentality about this question (homosexuals)" and there are "some (gay) demonstrations that are too offensive for some".

"I repeat what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: that they must not be discriminated against, that they must be respected and accompanied pastorally," 

 

"The Church must ask forgiveness for not behaving many times -- when I say the Church, I mean Christians! The Church is holy, we are sinners!"

"I believe that the church not only should apologize to the person who is gay whom it has offended," he added, "but has to apologize to the poor, to exploited women, to children exploited for labour; it has to ask forgiveness for having blessed many weapons."

"One can condemn, but not for theological reasons, but for reasons of political behaviour...Certain manifestations are a bit too offensive for others, no?

"But these are things that have nothing to do with the problem. The problem is a person that has a condition, that has good will and who seeks God, who are we to judge? And we must accompany them well."

'We Christians have to apologize for so many things, not just for this,' Francis added, referring to the treatment of gay people.

'But we must ask for forgiveness, not just apologize! Forgiveness! Lord, it is a word we forget so often!'

The pope did not elaborate on what he meant by seeking forgiveness for the Church "having blessed so many weapons", but it appeared to be a reference to some Churchmen who actively backed wars in the past.

Notorious Awawa gang arrested by Operatives of Lagos State Task Force

A leader of the notorious Awawa cult group, who specialise in terrorising and raping young girls around Dopemu area of Agege, Lagos State, has been arrested by operatives of Lagos State Task Force alongside 14 others after they received intelligence report on the activities of the notorious gang.The operation that got the gang apprehended took place at midnight and was led by SP Olayinka Egbeyemi.

SGF says Federal character not compulsory for ambassadorial appointments

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal says Federal character is not compulsory ambassadorial appointment.Babachir's statement is coming days after the senate summoned him and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godffrey Onyeama, over what it described as irregularities in the 47 names put forward for screening.

During their plenary last Wednesday, most of the Senators argued that the list did not reflect Federal character as 4 states namely Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ondo and Plateau, did not get any nomination. 

Lionel Messi is leaving International Football after Copa America loss

Lionel Messi told reporters after Argentina's Copa America Centenario final loss to Chile on penalty kicks that he is retiring from the national team. Messi said that after so many missed chances, he is ready to step away.He said: "The national team is over for me. That’s four finals (lost), it's not for me," Messi told reporters after losing his third final in as many years. "It’s a made decision, I think." 

Chile are Copa America champions

Arturo Vidal and Lionel Messi missed their opening penalty kicks as Chile won the COPA America Centenario in the early hours of Monday.

After full time of play and extra time which ended 0-0, it went into penalty kicks. The game ended 4-2 to Chile.

Chile goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo emerged the hero on the night with strings of incredible saves to keep his side firmly into the game.

Kidnapped expatriates in Calabar have been released

The seven kidnapped workers of MacMahon Construction Company have been released. They were released with various degrees of injuries yesterday.
It is learnt that an undisclosed amount of money was paid as ransom by the company to secure the release of the workers consisting five foreign expatriates and two Nigerians.