FG rehabilitates 22 female ex-suicide bombers

The Head of the Countering Violent Extremism Department in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Dr. Fatima Akilu, told President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday that no fewer than 22 women and girls recruited as suicide bombers by members of the Boko Haram sect are now undergoing rehabilitation under the programme.

She said the female suicide bombers were being rehabilitated after voluntarily embracing de-radicalisation programme.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, quoted Akilu as speaking during a meeting she had with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to brief him of the department’s activities.

One of the objectives of the CVE is to reform terrorists and prevent others from joining terrorist organisations and violent sects.

Buhari appoints Amina Zakari acting INEC Chairman

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mrs Amina Bala Zakari as the Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the exit of Prof. Attahiru Jega.

Jega’s five-year tenure ended on Tuesday.

Aregbesola pays workers December salary

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun State, Mr. Jacob Adekomi, said on Tuesday, that Governor Rauf Aregbesola has approved the payment of December, 2014 salary for workers in the state.

CBN extends BVN registration to October 31

The Central Bank of Nigeria has extended the deadline for Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration, which is ongoing across the country, the News Agency of Nigeria is reporting.

The bank had earlier fixed Tuesday, June 30, as deadline for the exercise, warning that defaulters may not be able to access to their accounts from July 1.

Okonjo-Iweala denies unauthorized spending of $2.1 billion, says she's ready for probe

The former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has denied claims she spent $2.1 billion out of the Excess Crude Account without authorization and has offered to face any inquiry over the allegation.

Reacting to Monday’s claims against the former finance minister by some governors after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, her media adviser, Paul Nwabuikwu, said “the allegation by some governors that former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala spent $2.1 billion out of the Excess Crude Account without authorization is false, malicious and totally without foundation.”

Former Kano Governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso moves to halt EFCC arrest

The immediate past Governor of Kano state, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has approached a Gezawa High court seeking an injunction restraining the Economic and Finance Crime Commission from arresting him.

The turn of event for Kwankwaso, a two terms governor of the most populous state in the country might not be unconnected with a petition by Kano pensioners to the anti corruption agency where they accused him to have applied under hand tactics in the management of pension fund.

Boko Haram leader arrested in Chad

A Chadian Public Prosecutor, Alghassim Khamis, said on Tuesday that one of the key Boko Haram leaders, Baana Fanay, who has been coordinating trafficking of weapons in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad was arrested on Sunday in N’Djamena.

Buhari’s pledge to make his assets public stands – Code of Conduct Bureau

The Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Sam Saba, has said the bureau has no legal powers to publicise assets declared by public officers.

Mr. Saba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that the mandate of the bureau was to ensure that the assets were declared and verified.

Former Bayelsa Governor’s wife abducted by unknown gunmen

Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped Madam Martha Binabo, the wife of former Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly and the state former Acting Governor, Rt. Hon Nestor Binabo.

The incident, the latest in the series of high profile kidnaping in the state occurred at Agbura community in the outskirts of Yenagoa the state capital.

We will confirm ministerial nominees without delay - Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Tuesday assured Nigerians that there would be no delay in the confirmation of ministerial nominees once the list is sent to the legislature by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Saraki while receiving the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gaver, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office, said it was to ensure that the suspension of plenary does not disturb serious government business like the screening of ministers. He reiterated that the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly will resume plenary when there is any urgent matter of national importance.

PICTURES: Chaos as Millions of Nigerians besiege banks in last minute rush for BVN registration

There is chaos at most banks across the country as customers are rushing to beat the mandatory Bank Verification Number (BVN) deadline billed for today.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had given all banks up till today to update their customers’ data in a bid to check money laundering and other financial crimes. By the end of June 2015, the about 34 million bank customers in Nigeria are expected to have keyed into the biometric data capture policy and have their bank verification numbers (BVN).

2015 Army Day celebration begins July 1

The Nigerian Army will mark the 2015 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL 2015) between July 1 and July 6, 2015.

Court discharges murder suspect for showing remorse

An Ijede Magistrates’ Court near Ikorodu, Lagos State on Tuesday discharged a man, Kazeem Ajiga, who allegedly lynched another man for stealing his aluminium roofing sheets.

Ajiga was arraigned on Tuesday for taking laws into his hands by executing jungle justice on a suspect, Raheem Omoyele, whom he accused of stealing his property.

Popular Yoruba Actor, Odunlade Adekola Signs Endorsement Deal With GLO

Popular Yoruba actor, Odunlade Adekola, has landed a huge endorsement deal with telecommunications company, Globacom as a brand ambassador.

Armed men invade Ladipo market, demolish shops

Some armed men and officials suspected to be working for Mushin Local Government and supported by a team of policemen on Tuesday morning invaded Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market and demolished shops in the market.

Policemen detained for shooting at commercial bus

There was panic in Ilupeju, Lagos yesterday as policemen shot at a passenger-laden commercial bus.

The policemen are being detained at Ilupeju Police Station on the order of Lagos Command spokesman Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP). Nwosu told our reporter last night that what the policemen did was wrong.

Adultery: Housewife Dies In Lover’s Custody

There was confusion on Monday at Ejigbo, after a housewife, Mrs Joy Bakare, impregnated by her secret married lover died in her lover’s custody after she gave birth to twins in Lagos State, western Nigeria.

The incident happened at Aya-Oye Street, Ejigbo, Lagos where her lover simply called Fatai kept her after she became pregnant for him.

Fatai took the late Joy from her matrimonial home to a single mother’s apartment in Ejigbo after she became pregnant for him.

It was learnt that Joy already had three children from her estranged husband who resides in Sururere area before she became pregnant for Fatai who resides at Abaranje in Ikotun area.

Police uncover baby factory in Abia

Imo State police command has uncovered a baby factory at Mbutu, Isiala Ngwa South local government area of Abia State, and arrested the proprietor, Chief Emmanuel Eke.

15-yr-old SSS student commits suicide in Imo

A 15-year-old senior secondary school student, identified as Paschal Egbosimba, last weekend committed suicide at Uratta in Owerri North local council area of Imo State.

It was gathered that the deceased, who hailed from Ntueke, Ideato South local government area of the state, was living with his mother and siblings around Toronto Junction, Uratta, before the incident.

Malaysian father, son jailed for supporting terrorism

Shukor Abu-Bakar, a Malaysian deputy prosecutor, said on Tuesday that a man and his son were sentenced to 18 and 12 years imprisonment respectively for supporting terrorist activities.

He said that Kamardin Hashim, Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge, handed down the sentences, after the two pleaded guilty to the crime.

Read Buhari’s speech to Nigerian governors: 'Find money to pay your workers'

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, AT THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL, HELD AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA, ON MONDAY 29TH JUNE 2015.

Protocol

Jega Ends Tenure As INEC Chairman, Hands Over To Wali

Professor Attahiru Jega’s tenure as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come to an end.

The former INEC boss, who took over from Professor Maurice Iwu, assumed office on June 8, 2010 during the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Professor Jega officially handed over leadership to the commission’s National Commissioner, Ambassador Mohammad Wali, on Tuesday.

Under his tenure, the electoral body conducted the election that brought former President Goodluck Jonathan in and the March and April 2015 general elections that brought President Muhammadu Buhari in.

110,000 living with HIV/AIDS in Taraba – NEPWHAN

No fewer than 110,849 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Taraba, Mr. Edward Ogenyi, National Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, said on Tuesday.

Ogenyi made this disclosure in Jalingo at the commencement of a five-day ‘Demand Generation Activities for HIV and AIDS Service Uptake’ in Taraba.

Several killed as military plane crashes in Indonesia

An Indonesian air force transport plane crashed Tuesday into a residential area of a major city shortly after take-off, exploding in a fireball and killing at least 20 people.

Buildings near the crash zone were severely damaged and cars were reduced to flaming wrecks when the Hercules C-130 with 12 crew members on board came down in Medan, a city of two million on the island of Sumatra.

Lagos state government clears tankers off Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

The Lagos State Government has cleared tankers, which were illegally parked or abandoned, on the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway.

The government, in a statement by the spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority on Monday, Mrs. Bola Ajao, explained that the decision would ensure the safety of Lagosians and free flow of traffic in the area.

‘Stigmatise HIV/AIDS patients, risk six-months jail term’

The Ondo State Government has restated its commitment to enforcing the rights of the people living with HIV and AIDS in the state.

The government warned that anybody caught discriminating against the PLWA in the areas of employment, medical treatment, hiring, assignment, promotion, demotion, transfer, retirement, among others, would face the law.

FRSC gives Sept 1 deadline for speed limiters on commercial vehicles

The Federal Road Safety Corps is set to clamp down on commercial drivers who do not install speed limiters in their vehicles by September 1.

The Lagos State Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RS2, Mr. Nseobong Akpabio, who disclosed this in Magboro, Ogun State on Monday, stated that any commercial driver who failed to comply with the directive would be apprehended.

Judge withdraws from Babalakin’s N4.7bn fraud case

The Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin, has requested the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, to re-assign a fundamental rights enforcement suit which he filed against the Attorney General of the Federation.

Also joined as respondent in the suit is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

23 Nigerian policemen to face trial for insubordination after refusing to fight Boko haram

Twenty-three policemen who refused to participate in a military operation against Boko Haram insurgents in March 2015 are to face orderly room trial for alleged insubordination.

The men, who were earlier detained by the military for 26 days for not joining military personnel in a counter-terrorism offensive against insurgents in Borno State, have been directed to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, to face the consequences of their action.

Court adjourns Tinubu’s N150bn libel suit against AIT

An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday adjourned the N150bn libel suit filed by former Lagos state Governor, Chief Bola Tinubu, against African Independent Television to September 30.

Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe adjourned the suit for further direction on the court processes served by counsel to both parties in the suit.

Pictures from Vice President Osinbajo in cote d'ivoire

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in Abidjan today to Launch the West Africa Energy Leaders Group today June 30th

REVEALED: Okonjo-Iweala spent $2.1 Billion without approval - FG

The National Economic Council, chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday accused a former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, of spending $2.1bn from the Excess Crude Account without authorisation.

“We looked at the numbers for the Excess Crude Account. The last time the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, reported to the council, and it is in the minutes, she reported by November 2014 that we had $4.1 bn.

National Assembly Crisis: Ekweremadu must go - APC

The crisis in the National Assembly  is far from ending as the leadership of the All Progressives Congress on Monday insisted on removing the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, of the minority Peoples Democratic Party.

NE learnt on Monday that the ruling APC was still miffed that Ekweremadu emerged as the deputy senate president and had vowed never to allow “a senator from a minority party take over the duties statutorily assigned for the majority party.”

Aso Rock conducts audit of security personnel

Authorities of the Presidential Villa, Abuja have ordered a comprehensive audit of security personnel and forces deployed in the seat of power.

The audit may have been necessitated by the ongoing inter-agency rivalry in the Villa.

According to a memo signed by the Aide-De-Camp to the President, Lt. Col. Lawal Abubakar, the exercise was needed for “accountability and deployment.”

The memo dated June 25, 2015 was titled, “Request for strength returns of security personnel and forces deployed within the Presidential Villa, Abuja.”

Chibok girls forced to fight for Boko Haram – Witnesses

Some of the 219 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped on April 14, 2014 have been forced to join the fighters of the Boko Haram sect, the BBC has been told.

Witnesses told BBC Panorama Programme that some of them are now being used to terrorise other captives, and are even carrying out killings themselves.

The BBC cannot verify the testimony, but Amnesty International says other girls kidnapped by Boko Haram have been forced to fight.

The Chibok schoolgirls are still missing, more than a year after they were kidnapped from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

Three women who claimed they were held in the same camps as some of the Chibok girls told the BBC’s Panorama Programme on Monday that some of them had been brainwashed and are now carrying out punishments on behalf of the militants.

Buhari promises improved power supply

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday promised that his administration would give the highest possible priority to the rapid improvement of power supply across the country.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke while granting audience to officials of CGGC, the Chinese construction company working on the Mambilla Power Project.

Shehu Sani blasts PDP for saying President Buhari was too slow in just one month into his four-year administration

A Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, said on Monday that it was morally wrong for the Peoples Democratic Party to say that President Muhammadu Buhari was too slow in just one month into his four-year administration.

He said the PDP antic was to rush President Buhari into the ‘landmines’ it had set for the administration after its painful defeat at the March 28 presidential election.

Buhari yet to appoint Chief of Staff — Presidency

The presidency today denied reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has named his chief of staff.
Rumours were rife on Monday that Mr. Buhari on Monday appointed a former military administrator of Kaduna State, Hamid Ali, as his Chief of Staff.

However, the president’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, told NE no appointment had been made.
“No appointment yet,” Mr. Adesina said. He did not provide further details on whether an appointment would be made soon.

Buhari's arrest of brother-in-law false - Garba Shehu

Reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Department of State Sevice, DSS, to arrest his wife’s younger brother, Musa Yola, over suspicion of fraud, are untrue.

NE contacted presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, and he categorically denied the reports.
“It is definitely not true, there is no iota of truth on this report there is no basis for the president to do that,” Mr. Shehu said.

Also, the man who is said to have been arrested, Mr. Yola, stated that he was shocked to see reports of his purported arrests in the social media.

“As we speak, I am in the President’s office and I was with him last night,” he said.

Mr. Yola also said he has never been involved in forgery or fraud and has never been arrested by either the Police or SSS or any security agency for that matter.

He also said he has never been to any police station or SSS office as an accused person.

“I simply don’t know or understand who is behind these malicious rumours,” he said.

Reports posted online said President Buhari ordered the DSS to arrest Mr. Yola after he duped a businessman N300 million promising to aid him acquire an oil bloc.

The reports also said Mr. Yola had refunded the money and that he was granted bail by the SSS.
The spokesperson of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, could not be reached Monday.

However, a source in the DSS confirmed to us that “there was no such order from the President”.
He also said the SSS had no one in detention bearing the name Musa Yola in recent times.

PDP blasts Buhari: 'Don’t blackmail us, get to work, stop giving lame excuses'

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says no amount of intimidation, blackmail and propaganda by the Presidency would stop it from standing shoulder to shoulder with Nigerians in demanding that President Muhammadu Buhari kick-starts government and commence implementation of his campaign promises for which he was voted into office.

The party said Presidency’s excuse of clearing the so-called Augean Stable is lame and diversionary noting that it stands by its statement that the delay is creating loopholes through which some persons claiming closeness to the President have infiltrated executive bodies, arm-twisting and conniving with unscrupulous elements in the bureaucracy to syphon the nation’s resources in the last 30 days.

I Have No House Outside Nigeria – Dangote

Africa’s richest man and foremost business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has disclosed that despite his wealth, he has no residential property outside Nigeria.

Dangote, whose 2015 net worth was put at $21.6billion, according to Forbes, also revealed how the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola discouraged him from investing in the media.

FG appoints Ladan, Director of DPR

The Federal Government has appointed Mr. Mordecai Danteni Baba Ladan, as the Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, to take over from Mr. George Osahon whose tenure elapsed June 19, 2015.

According to a statement on the website of the DPR, Monday, the memorandum dated June 19, 2015 stated that the appointment was with immediate effect.

IN PICTURES: President Buhari inaugurates National Economic Council

President Buhari today inaugurated the National Economic Council which will be chaired by VP Yemi Osinbajo, while all the 36 state governors and the Governor of the central bank Godwin Emefiele are to serve as members. The team will be responsible for advising President Buhari on all issues relating to the Nigerian economy.

Court Dissolves 13-year-old Marriage Over Sexual Starvation

Mr Henric Agbaje, the President of a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, on Monday dissolved a 13-year-old marriage between Ganiu Aremu and his wife; Omolola for sexually starving her husband.

In his judgment, Agbaje said that he was convinced from what he saw of the couple that the bound of love between them had ceased to be.

Facebook opens first Africa office

Facebook announced Monday it had opened its first African office in Johannesburg as part of its efforts “to help people and businesses connect” on the continent.

The office will be headed by Nunu Ntshingila, a former executive at the advertising agency Ogilvy.
“This office will support the significant growth in businesses and people using Facebook,” said a statement from the world’s biggest social network, which has some 1.4 billion active users worldwide including 120 million in Africa.

PDP warns Aregbesola over planned sacking of judge

The Peoples Democratic Party has warned Governor Rauf Aregbesola to desist from the alleged plan to sack Justice Folahanmi Oloyede.

The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Osun State, Mr. Bola Ajao, gave this warning in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Monday.

US plane crash kills three, sets home ablaze

A small plane crashed into a US home Sunday killing all three of the people on board, while the house’s occupants escaped a devastating blaze that erupted immediately, officials said.

“The four occupants of the single-family home were able to get out of the building before it became fully engulfed in flames,” the Massachusetts State Police said in a statement.

Governor El-Rufai appoints co-founder of #BringBackOurGirls movement as new Chief of Staff

Governor Nasiru El-rufai of Kaduna State on Monday appointed the co-founder of #BringBackOurGirls cause, Hadiza Bala-Usman, as his new Chief of Staff.

A statement by his media aide, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, also indicated that the governor had appointed two other aides to assist in the running of the new administration.

Customers storm banks as accounts verification ends tomorrow

Customers in Owerri have besieged banks trying to beat the deadline of June 30 for the verification of bank accounts.

A Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria who visited some banks in Owerri on Monday, reports that bank officials and security operatives, were having a tough time controlling the customers.

Reacting to the development, some of the customers called for the extension of the deadline.

Arsenal officially sign Peter Cech from Chelsea

Petr Cech has agreed to join Arsenal from Chelsea on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee, according to Arsenal's official website.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper made over 400 appearances during 11 years at Stamford Bridge, winning multiple club and personal honours. He also won the Premier League Golden Glove award on three occasions.

A seven-time Czech Footballer of the Year, Cech made his international debut in 2002. He currently has 114 caps for his country - four short of countryman Karel Poborsky’s all-time record.