The Court of Appeal has sacked Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State.

The court, therefore, ordered that Mr. Ibrahim be replaced with Eyitayo Jegede, who belongs to the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news2/appeal-court-sacks-jimoh-ibrahim/

Against the backdrop of a petition sent to the Senate of the National Assembly by an ex-Managing Director of Conoil Nigeria Plc, Mr. Charles Uwaechie, the chairman of the company, Dr. Mike Adenuga has been summoned by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to appear before it tomorrow November 23, 2016 for a public hearing on the investigation of the allegations.

Mr. Uwaechie, The New Diplomat gathered, petitioned the Senate over what he alleged was acts of impunity, arbitrariness, oppression and disregard to Labour and extant laws by Conoil Plc and the person of Dr. Mike Adenuga resulting in injustice to him (Mr. Uwaechie). He alleged he was employed in Conoil Plc in 2010 as Head of Distribution and Supply and by 2014, he was appointed as the Managing Director and subsequently, the Acting Executive Director of the company. He however expressed surprise that without any cause, the chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga suspended his salary from July, 2015 without any cause, adding that for the five years he worked in the company he had neither being queried nor faced any disciplinary action.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/uncategorized/senate-summons-adenuga-alleged-maltreatment-staff/

.Militants Intensify Attacks… Bomb Oil/Gas Installations

.Oil Production Drops Drastically, Military Deploy More Troops

.Clark, Others Beg Federal Government/Militants For Cease Fire

Whatever hopes were raised by the peace parley between the Presidency led by President Muhammadu Buhari and the stakeholders of the Niger Delta Region under the aegis of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, seem to be disappearing by the day. Not only are new groups emerging to make new demands, there is infighting among the different groups claiming to represent the interest of the region. Some of them accuse the PANDEF of not being representative of peoples of the region while the others accuse Clark of pursuing a selfish agenda.

The first signs of trouble emerged barely 24 hours after the Tuesday, November I, meeting in Abuja when militants who had hitherto ceased fire blew up the Trans Forcado Pipeline. This attack was however linked to the deployment of soldiers to the region shortly after the parley.

However, military authorities quickly explained the deployment as routine.

However while efforts were being made to mend whatever cracks were appearing over the peace deal, another attack was carried out on Tuesday, November 15 by the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA. It was exactly two weeks after the peace meeting in Abuja. The attacks brought down three trunklines in Nembe, Bayelsa State.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/fresh-tension-fears-mount-niger-delta/

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The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has described the sentencing to death of a Nigerian in Singapore for drug related offences as heartbreaking despite repeated calls for Nigerians to desist from criminal activities like drug peddling.

In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun in Abuja, she said that since Singapore is determined to enforce its laws as a deterrent to drug trafficking, which has reduced as a result of its stringent capital punishment, nothing much can be done except to continue to appeal.

She reiterated her appeal to Nigerians to avoid drug peddling in their host countries as laws of countries, whether acceptable or not, will be difficult to influence.

“While we regret the death sentence passed on the Nigerian, we once again appeal to Nigerians to avoid crimes like drug trafficking with most countries especially in Asia declaring zero tolerance for drug trafficking,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/execution-nigerians-singapore-heartbreaking-abike-dabiri/

Founder of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar, has approved a staff pay raise of up to 26%, amounting to 91 million Naira, aimed at cushioning the impact of the current economic recession.

President of the institution, Ms Margee Ensignthis revealed this at the institution’s 12th year anniversary celebration.

Addressing the gathering, she urged the institution’s workforce to continue to re-dedicate themselves to hard work in reciprocating the kind gesture.

The event brought together AUN school children from the academy as well as the University students, staff and friends of the institution, to equally honour Mr Abubakar, who recently turned 70.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/atiku-approves-26-pay-raise-cushion-recession/

...IGP Restates Commitment of NPF to Clamp down on all Criminal Activities

An attempt to kidnap a Nigerian oil magnate, Femi Otedola, has been foiled by the Nigeria Police Force.

The IGP’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) accomplished this task when it arrested a three man notorious kidnap gang on the 23rd June, 2016.

The arrest was achieved through coordinated intelligence gathering and deployment of technical investigative tools that spanned several weeks.

The Principal suspect, one Ikechukwu Daniel, a 28 year old indigene of Imo State, who is the mastermind of the gang, was rusticated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria due to his cult related activities on campus in 2009/2010. He also doubles as the IT guru of the kidnap gang with mastery of Computer applications. He made damning revelations of their criminal exploits in the South West of the Country.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/breaking-police-foils-plan-kidnap-nigeria-oil-magnate-femi-otedola/

A senior Nigerian soldier was on Tuesday killed by the Boko Haram, army sources told PREMIUM TIMES.

B.U. Umar, a lieutenant colonel and commanding officer of 114 TF battalion of the Nigerian Army was ambushed alongside his troops on Monday morning between Bita and Piridang.

“His vehicle stepped on an improvised explosive device, but he was not hurt,” a source told PREMIUM TIMES.

“He came out to assess the damage on the vehicle and Boko Haram opened fire and killed him in the process.”

The soldiers were said to be on their way to Yola in Adamawa State from Bita in Borno State when the incident occurred, sources said.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/another-nigerian-lieutenant-colonel-ambushed-killed-boko-haram/

The leader of the jihadist group Boko Haram has reacted to the election of Donald Trump to the White House with a warning that “the war has just begun” against the West.

“Do not be overwhelmed by people like Donald Trump and the global coalition fighting our brethren in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and everywhere,” Abubakar Shekau said in an audio message posted on YouTube late Sunday.

“We remain steadfast on our faith and we will not stop,” he said in the hour-long message. “To us, the war has just begun.”

Boko Haram is waging a seven-year-old uprising against the Nigerian state that has claimed more than 20,000 lives, with the insurgency spilling over the West African nation’s borders into neighbouring states.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/war-just-begun-boko-haram-tells-trump/

BANGKOK — An outspoken member of Malaysia’s Parliament was sentenced on Monday to 18 months in prison for publicly disclosing classified information from an official audit into a scandal-plagued government investment fund.

A lower court ruled that the lawmaker, Rafizi Ramli, was guilty of violating the Official Secrets Act by possessing and publicizing information from the document. Mr. Rafizi, who has served in Parliament since 2013, could also lose his seat and be barred from running for office for five years.

Rights advocates said the prosecution and conviction of a sitting member of Parliament for speaking publicly was unprecedented and was aimed at silencing one of the government’s most vocal critics.

“The 18 months’ imprisonment sentence can only be described as harsh and excessive, all the more so as Rafizi was merely performing his role as an elected representative,” Lawyers for Liberty, a Malaysian human rights organization, said in a statement. “The conviction and sentence will create a dangerous chill on free speech and result in a more repressive, opaque and unaccountable government.”

Mr. Rafizi, a member of the People’s Justice Party, has been a leading critic of Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is accused of receiving $1 billion from 1 Malaysia Development Berhad, a government investment fund that Mr. Najib established and oversaw. Mr. Najib has said that he never received any money from the fund or took anything for personal gain.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/malaysian-lawmaker-prison-disclosing-classified-information/

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee, Prof Itse Sagay has described as diversionary, malicious and vindictive, the call for the Minister of Transport, to step down from office.

In an interview with select journalists on Thursday in Lagos, Prof Sagay made it clear that he was speaking in his personal capacity.

He insisted that the outburst of Justice Okoro and Ngwuta (two justices of the Supreme Court) is “surprising considering that it is totally unrelated to the raids of their premises, their arrests and subsequent charges before the courts”.

The Professor also said that “men of that status should not indulge in such diversionary activities in the midst of grave and ominous charges against them. I would have thought that they would use the time at their disposal to prepare their defenses against the serious charges they are facing.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/judges-call-amaechi-step-diversionary-sagay/

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of several US cities to protest against the election of Donald Trump.

Many shouted the slogan “Not my president”. Others burned orange-haired effigies of the businessman.

Mr Trump will become the 45th US president after securing a surprise victory over Hillary Clinton.

He is due to meet current White House incumbent Barack Obama for talks aimed at ensuring a smooth transition.

Mr Obama – who had branded Mr Trump “unfit” for office and campaigned against him – urged all Americans to accept the result of Tuesday’s election.

“We are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country,” he said.

Defeated Mrs Clinton also told supporters Mr Trump had to be given a “chance to lead”.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news2/trump-election-win-sparks-protests-us-cities/

Malik Obama, the Muslim half-brother of outgoing US President Barack Obama, has taken to Twitter to celebrate Donald Trump's win against Hillary Clinton.

Malik, who holds American citizenship, surprised many in July when he said that he would be voting for Mr Trump instead of Mrs Clinton, his brother's preferred candidate.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/obamas-half-brother-celebrates-trumps-win/

November 9, 2016, Abuja, Nigeria---On this day, I wish to extend my sincerest congratulatory remarks to U.S. President-Elect Donald J. Trump, on his remarkable victory in yesterday’s national election in the United States.

Mr. Trump persevered through a very challenging Republican primary election cycle, where he defeated sixteen (16) professional and well-organized candidates. While many career politicians tried to write off Mr. Trump’s candidacy as a long shot, he stuck to his positions and controlled the daily media messaging like no other candidate in the history of American Presidential campaigns.

Additionally, I must commend Mr. Trump for his gracious and courteous acceptance of Secretary Hillary Clinton’s phone call to concede the election. He recognizes that Secretary Clinton ran a courageous contest and was perhaps the most qualified candidate for President in decades. Having worked with Mrs. Clinton as a champion of the Global Alliance for Clean Cook Stoves, I can personally attest to her hard work and dedication to the less fortunate in our society. Secretary Clinton would have been a tremendous leader and we will all miss her dedication and commitment to public service.

I look forward to working with President-Elect Trump to continue the strong U.S.-Nigeria relationship and to address our mutual interest in defeating global terror networks, rooting out corruption and strengthening the institutions of governance.

Mr. Trump’s years of being a private sector leader can be invaluable to Nigeria as we work to restructure and diversify our economy. It is important for the private sector here to have a larger role in expanding our economic base, creating jobs and fostering entrepreneurship. In these areas, I am sure he will be able to serve as a strong partner.

read more story at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/saraki-congratulates-president-elect-donald-j-trump/

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has attributed the re-appearance of high profile attacks in Nigeria’s Northeast to the support that the Boko Haram terrorists get from some individuals.


The Army Chief emphasized an urgent need for a renewed local and international support to end terrorism in the country and globally.

He made the remarks at the sideline of a meeting with a security delegation from the Atlantic Council, African Centre in the United States of America.

“We have some elements who are within this society and are still supporting them clandestinely.

“So the support of every Nigerian is very key to the end of this terrorism,” he stated.

General Buratai noted that the role of the Nigerian Army in prosecuting the counter-terrorism crusade in the northeast has been misinterpreted by some people.
read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/buratai-blames-renewed-boko-haram-attacks-secret-support/

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With barely three weeks to the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, there are strong indications that the unfolding drama may be a re-enactment of the 2007 scenario which threw up Sir Celestine Omehia as Governor of Rivers State.

But who is Celestine Omehia?

Sir Celestine Ngozichim Omehia (born 15 September 1959) was the fourth Governor of Rivers State from 29 May 2007 to 25 October 2007.

He emerged the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, candidate in the state in controversial circumstances over Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and went on to win the election. He was subsequently sworn in as governor of the state.

But barely five months after, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision sacked him from office and replaced him with Amaechi who was believed to be the party’s rightful candidate but who never contested the election but won from the cool comfort of his room.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/ondo-polls-end-road-mimiko/

Expectations are high as governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki, moves into the Dennis Osadebey Avenue location of Edo State’s Government House. Shortly after he was declared the winner of the September 28, 2016, Edo State governorship election, Obaseki, in his address to the press, “pledged to work tirelessly for the good of all Edo people, irrespective of gender, social status, ethnicity, religion or political affiliations.”

By this remark, he had clearly demonstrated that he was not going to be governor of just a section of the society but for all Edo people. And on this score, there are several tasks before him as he prepares to take the oath of office come November 12, 2016.

Minimise wastage in government

At a thanksgiving ceremony held at the St Peters Anglican Church, Benin Diocese, the presiding priest, Venerable Osaro Igbinosa, urged the governor-elect and deputy Hon. Philip Shaibu, to work hard to fulfill his electoral promises and minimise wastage in government when his government is formally inaugurated.

Igbinosa said the prevailing economic recession in the country is a cloud with a silver lining if only the led and the leaders were courageous enough to take tough decisions.

“This is not the time to waste the wealth of the state in this time of recession. There are some states in this country that cannot even pay full salaries…

“You (Obaseki) should work more than Governor Oshiomhole. He believes you have the integrity and that you (Obaseki) will not steal the money belonging to Edo State.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/expectations-high-obaseki-steps-saddle/

yesterday at about 9:45mp a suspected female suicide bomber attempted to enter the military location in Yamtake, Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, but a vigilant sentry on duty gunned her down and she died instantly. The failed suicide bombing attack was follow up with futile probing attack by terrorists which was decisively dealt with by the troops.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/nigeria-troops-neutralize-another-female-suicide-bomber-yamtake-borno-state/

…Says Nation has lost a major progressive voice

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday expressed sadness over the passage of foremost elder statesman and member of the Obafemi Awolowo political family, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi.

Olaniwun Ajayi, a prominent chieftain of the pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere died in the early hours of Friday morning at the age of 91.

The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the late Ajayi was a frontline politician who was passionate about the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.

“Papa was one of the few surviving close associates of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. After Chief Awolowo’s death, he was a consistent advocate for the struggle to see Nigeria achieve the dreams of her founding fathers.

“He was very passionate about the progress of Nigeria, he was an intellectual genius who had an enthusiasm for the development of his immediate community and the country at large.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/ambode-mourns-passage-elder-stateman-olaniwun-ajayi/

The Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has set up a Special Investigation Team to immediately commence thorough enquiry into all cases of alleged sexual abuses.

Other issues include exploitation, harassment, gender based violence and professional misconduct on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in some of North-eastern states contained in a report published by the Human Right Watch against Camp officials, vigilante groups, Soldiers and Policemen among others.

The IGP has expressed deep concern over the submissions in the report and has directed the Special Investigation Panel to carry out a discreet and unbiased investigation into all the cases of abuse and misconduct alleged in the report.

In a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, DCP Don Awunah said, the IGP has called on Human Right Watch officials to avail more facts that will assist the Police investigation team conclude the inquiry into the alleged 43 cases mentioned in the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/police-opens-investigation-alleged-idps-abuse/

Honourable Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi Lagos has declared four companies guilty for retaining the proceeds of fraud to the tune of $15.6m. Their sentences will however be suspended until the end of trial.

The companies, which were used by a former special adviser on domestic affairs to ex President Jonathan, Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, to
conceal and retain proceeds of crime, are Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Transocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company.

Consequent to the previous ruling and adjournment for further hearing, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo asked to continue with the review
of facts of the case.

“By the amended charge dated 14 September 2016, the prosecution alleged against the 4th to 7th defendants, a case of conspiracy to commit an offence to wit retaining the total sum of $15,591,700.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/ex-presidents-aide-alledge-15m-fraud-court-convits-four-companies/

The African Development Bank’s Board of Directors on Wednesday approved a $600m loan for Nigeria, several months after the Federal Government had approached the lender for a budget-support facility.

The loan is meant to help Nigeria plug its budget deficit as the nation grapples with its first recession in more than 20 years.

Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, had on September 26 said the bank was working on giving Nigeria loan facilities of $4.1bn between now and next year for critical sectors of the economy.


https://newdiplomat.ng/news/afdb-approved-600m-loan-nigeria-budget-support/

Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has said he would destroy his green card if Donald Trump of Republican Party becomes president of the United States.

Soyinka said this on Wednesday while giving a speech to students of Oxford University, England, reports the Guardian UK.

“If in the unlikely event he does win, the first thing he’ll do is to say (that) all green-card holders must reapply to come back into the US. Well, I’m not waiting for that.

“The moment they announce his victory, I will cut my green card myself and start packing up,” said Soyinka, who is scholar-in-residence at New York University’s Institute of African American Affairs.

The internationally-acclaimed playwright and poet described Britain’s decision to exit the European Union as a “ridiculous decision”.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/trump-wins-us-election-ill-destroy-green-card-soyinka/

The Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa and Economic & Regional Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, Peter Barlerin, was in Nigeria recently.

Excerpts:

Barlerin: I am very happy to be here. I want to start off by saying, Nigeria is one of the most important countries for the United States in sub-Saharan Africa. With the largest population in the continent, a rapidly growing youth population and the second largest economy in the continent, it’s very important to us to have a good relationship. We want a very strong and vibrant Nigeria to work with.

In terms of overall U.S.-Africa policy, President Obama’s strategy has been to increase peace and security in sub-Saharan Africa; improve economic growth, trade, investment and relationship with the United States; improve democracy and governance and human rights, and increase opportunity and development on the continent.

PT: You are coming at a time Nigeria’s economy is in recession, the first in over two decades. What advice would you offer to the Nigerian government on how to come out of it?

Barlerin: The decline in the price of oil in the international market has a significant impact on Nigeria, and a number of other oil producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is making good effort to try and improve economic conditions in the country.

From the U.S. government’s perspective, we believe a more flexible currency regime will, in the immediate to long-term, be helpful for the economy.

It will make Nigeria’s export more attractive to the region, to United States, and the rest of the world. It will also help the Nigerian economy diversify into other areas, and no longer dependent on oil.

In the past, there were a number of sectors in Nigeria that were very promising. These are the Hi-tech, services, art and culture, fashion industry, film and entertainment. You have Nollywood, which produces a lot of great movies the Diasporas in the United States watch; not just Nigerians, but other Africans and Americans, are interested in.

We just had late last month the Forum on the Africa Growth and Opportunity (AGOA). Nigeria participated long with the other AGOA eligible countries. One thing we noticed with AGOA was the trade preference arrangement, where we agreed to allow importation of about 6,000 duty-free products into U.S. from AGOA eligible countries.

What we have noticed is that in the past majority of imports into the U.S. under AGOA were oil and natural resources. That was certainly the case with Nigeria in the past.

So, we are looking at the possibility of working with Nigeria to help diversify those exports to the U.S., to build a deeper trade relationship that is not just being oil-dependent.

The Nigerian government’s efforts to improve its ease of doing business indicators will help Nigerian companies and U.S. and other investors to come in here and have a more dynamic economy that would give good jobs, better exports and a huge domestic market they can take advantage of.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/reasons-u-s-slow-helping-nigeria-recover-stolen-assets-envoy/

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki Tuesday said that increasing cases of social injustices like rape, diversion of food items and other corruption related cases within the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps are inexcusable.
He also pledged the cooperation of the Senate in ensuring the quick passage of bills to help address the crisis of the IDPs in the country.
Dr. Saraki spoke when the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) led by Mrs. Angele Dikongue-Atangana visited him at the National Assembly, Abuja.
According to the Senate President, "it is disheartening and heartless when you read and hear of cases of corruption in the supplies of food items, when you see cases of malnutrition and mortality in the IDPs. When you see children with cases of malnutrition and you know there can be speedy recovery when the necessary drugs and nutritional items are provided with the necessary food items".
He pledged the readiness of the National Assembly to cooperate with the UN Commission for Refugees in addressing the challenges facing the various IDPs in the Middle belt region of Nigeria.
Dr. Saraki told the leader of the delegation that despite the fact that the Senate has no committee on the Internally Displaced Persons did not mean that the upper chamber is unmindful of its legislative duties in the IDPs, explaining that there are committees of the Senate that are saddled with the responsibilities of tackling poverty and its related challenges.
He pledged the cooperation of the Senate to work with the House of Representatives in the passage of legislation that would enhance the welfare of the persons in the IDPs.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/saraki-social-injustice-corruption-idp-camps-inexcusable/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today November 1, 2016 arraigned one Ahmed Tijjani Umar and his two companies, Eximab Integrated Link Limited and Minanta Enterprises Limited before Justice Tukur Mu'azu of Kaduna State High Court on three counts of obtaining under false pretense and issuance of dud cheque.
The accused person allegedly induced the complainant to part with the sum of N24, 000,000 under the guise that the said amount was management fees in respect of contract purportedly from the National Assembly for the supply of pipes and sanitary wares to the “National Assembly Quarters, Lugbe Abuja”. The purported contract, according to the accused person, was worth N2, 051,534,525.00 (Two Billion, Fifty One Million, Five Hundred and Thirty Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty Five Naira Only).
Investigation into the alleged fraud revealed that the accused person had used his company Eximab Integrated Link to award the purported contract to the complainant, Fenabros Limited.

read full story at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/man-docked-fake-n2bn-national-assembly-contract/

Lack of technical details have been blame on Senate rejection of President Muhammadu Buhari request for approval of the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Rolling Plan of $29.960.

Senate leader Ali Ndume gave this explanation while briefing journalists at the National Assembly after sitting on Tuesday. Ndume who said he will bring back the President’s request after consultation with his colleague. “The borrowing plan was rejected on technical ground and I am going to appeal to my colleague and bring it back. We cannot reject the baby with the bad water” Ndume said.

He said it was clearly stated in the President’s letter that the technical details was attached but there was no such document. “Even when it was stated in the President’s letter that the technical details was attached but there was no details of the borrowing plans attached to the letter” Nduma added.

read more at https://newdiplomat.ng/economy/lack-technical-details-reason-senate-rejection-buharis-borrowing-plan/

Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed at a checkpoint in Gubio, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State this morning, foiled a suicide attack on Gubio town by 8 Boko Haram terrorists. The suicide bombers who came in a Bedford pick up vehicle primed with Improvised Explosive Devices including suicide vests, attempted to force their way through the checkpoint but met stiff resistance from troops who insisted that the vehicle be thoroughly checked. The suicide bombers refused and blew up themselves by detonating one of the suicide vests killing all the 8 Boko Haram terrorists on board.


read full story here https://newdiplomat.ng/news/troops-foil-boko-haram-terroist-suicide-attack-borno-state/

Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, who is on trial for alleged mismanagement of $2.1billion arms funds, would like former President Goodluck Jonathan to be his witness, it was learnt yesterday.

Mr. Jonathan has faulted the charges against Dasuki, claiming that the ex-NSA could not have stolen about $2.2 billion for arms. “We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army,” he said in a recent interview at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom.

Speaking with our correspondent, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), the ex-NSA’s counsel, said Dasuki wanted Jonathan to testify in court.

Raji said: “It will be desirable for Jonathan to testify for the ex-NSA. It will throw greater light into grey areas. And it will serve the interest of Justice.

“It will be fantastic for him to go to court to testify. Dasuki is an agent of a disclosed and known principal.”

Another member of the legal team said: “With what Jonathan said in London, the only logical thing for him to do is to see it through.

“We want Jonathan to follow-through. If he backs out, it will be bad.”

But, in Raji’s view, a political solution will be better than trial because of the “characters involved”.

He said: “But, frankly speaking, I pray for a political solution to the problem because of the characters involved.

“Both the accused and the government should embrace a political solution to the problem.”

Asked if Dasuki is ready for political solution, he added: “Why not? He is.

”I believe the President is very sincere. He wants to reorganise Nigeria and he deserves the support of all.

“With a political solution, Mr. President will be in good stead to overcome unnecessary distractions in order to succeed.

“I pray that everybody will key into his vision and the economic challenges facing the nation.”

Those point of advising a political solution is that it will not be “tidy” for Dasuki to mention all those who got money from his office. Among them, said a source, are a prominent traditional ruler in the North, who reportedly got N500 million and a former Head of State.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said Dasuki’s defence team was banking on Jonathan’s testimony.

The source said: “All is set for the defence of Dasuki, who is still insisting on an open trial to let Nigerians know the beneficiaries of the arms cash.

“One of those who may testify is ex-President Goodluck Jonathan whose remarks in London appeared to be the first phase of the war chest of the ex-NSA.

“You know the ex-NSA said he acted on Jonathan’s instructions in disbursing some of the cash. And from the look of things, the ex-President is now ready to accept responsibility for whatever Dasuki did.

“We believe it has reached a level that Nigerians must know what really happened, how funds were disbursed and who got what.

“This is why a secret trial is not a viable option, with the way things are going.”

The source added: “So far, we have secured the consent of Jonathan to appear in court for Dasuki. This will make the trial worth it.”

It was learnt that a traditional ruler allegedly benefitted from the arms funds to the tune of about N500million.

Another source added: “Dasuki has a list of highly-placed beneficiaries from the arms cash. A particular traditional ruler got about N500million as a gift from the government through the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA). There are many hidden beneficiaries whom Nigerians must know.

read more story at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/2-2b-arms-scandal-dasuki-call-jonathan-witness/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, yesterday flagged-off his campaign promising to reposition the state , if elected the governor in November 26, gubernatorial election.

Akeredolu who enjoined the people of the state to vote for the party in order to join the progressives of the south west states, promised to tackle decay in the infrastructural facilities in the state.

read full story at https://newdiplomat.ng/news/will-reposition-ondo-elected-akeredolu/