₦airaland Forum

President Buhari, on Friday, received the Primate and Archbishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in State house, Abuja.

Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo was also present at the meeting with the archbishops.

The most awaited controversy about the post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) has been addressed by the federal government. This comes as the government announced the cancellation of the post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) into the nation’s institutions of higher learning.

Universities were responsible for conducting the Post UTME for candidates who passed the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, made this known yesterday while making the pronouncement in Abuja to declare open the 2016 combined policy meeting on admission to universities, polytechnics and other higher institutions in Nigeria the federal government has confidence in the examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, adding that there is no need for other examinations to be conducted by universities after JAMB exams.

He said, “As far as I am concerned, the nation has confidence in what JAMB is doing. The universities should not be holding another examination and if the universities have any complain against JAMB, let them bring it and then we address it.”

Adamu further stated that since JAMB is qualified enough to conduct tests, there’s no need for tertiary institutions to conduct tests again for students to gain admission.

Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday fixedJune 3, 2016, to commence the trial of the Registered Trustees of the Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN), alongside the engineers that supervised the collapsed guest house belonging to the church. The reason for the adjournment was due to the late filing of additional proof of evidence by the prosecution. [ 358 more words. ]

http://newsbreakers.ng/synagogue-building-collapse-trial-k…/

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has asked striking workers in the state to put an end to their industrial action and create room for dialogue. Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor insisted that until the workers resume, nothing can be done.

http://newsbreakers.ng/fayose-pleads-striking-ekiti-worker…/

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Gabriel Olonisakin, on Wednesday, restated that the military would intensify its offensive efforts in the Sambisa Forest until the area was completely rid of terrorists.

Speaking at the inauguration of some projects at Naval Barracks Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, he said that the “Operation Crack Down” recently launched into Sambisa was yielding positive results.

''The operation is progressing and part of the benefits was the rescue of the two Chibok girls.

''The operation is ongoing and we will continue until we rid that place of all terrorists,'' he said.

Olonisakin said that the terrorists had been decimated, adding that it had become increasingly difficult for the insurgents to carry out their nefarious acts.

''We will continue to step up our game with the multinational task force,'' he said.

He commended the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, on the projects which were initiated to improve the welfare of personnel.

The projects inaugurated by the CDS were the refurbished Intensive Care Unit at Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo, as well as residential and administrative buildings.

Samuel Ajibola, special assistant on parliamentary matters to Ayodele Fayose, the governor of Ekiti state, has resigned.

In a letter dated May 28, Ajibola conveyed his message to quit the government.

“I humbly write this to formally notify you that I am resigning from my position as your S.A on Parliamentary Affairs,” the letter read.

“Sir, within my personal conviction, I am satisfied that I have in honesty and utmost loyalty served the PDP, the people of Ekiti and government in general.

“Therefore, I premise my resignation on some basic developmental issues and the economic situation in the state which I cannot continue to pretend over. My resignation takes off immediately.”

The governor has reportedly accepted Ajibola’s resignation and appointed Alexander Adeojo as replacement.

Ajibola was the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member in the house of assembly before Fayose won the election.


NewsBreakersNG authoritatively reports.

Shooting Stars assistant coach Friday Christopher has resigned his position claiming he has been left in the dark.

Christopher, a former coach at Enyimba FC who joined the Oluyole Warriors in 2016 has decided to call it quit just four days to the start of the second round of the NPFL 2015/16 season.

"I had to leave 3SC because I felt I was left in the dark. I expect that after the end of the first round of the NPFL we ought to sit down and evaluate our performance and map out the way forward by either bringing new players or allow some leave," Christopher told Goal.

"At least after the first round we ought to know what the problems are and then find a proper solution so as to head into the second round refreshed.

"After the first round, everyone kept to themselves, no meeting was called in fact everyone kept mute. Then when I now resume training I met just eight registered players and we have a league match this weekend.

"The next day I met with 13 players of which one was injured but unfortunately no one is talking to me and we have to present a team on Sunday in the League. If anything goes wrong the coaches will be blamed but no one knew what's been happening behind the scene."

An order has been issued by the newly-appointed Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, that all former political office holders who are still in possession of their diplomatic passports be arrested. He gave the order while holding his maiden parley with top management staff of the Service in Abuja.

http://newsbreakers.ng/fg-orders-arrest-former-ministers-s…/

Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, has said the state recorded 4,035 cases of sexual and child abuse in 2015.

Kazeem said this during a news briefing on the activities of the state’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, said.

Through the DSVRT, Kazeem said government handled a total of 192 cases comprising 89 domestic violence cases, 62 defilement cases, 18 rape cases, six attempted rape, 10 child neglect and seven child abuse cases. Ninety-two cases are presently being heard in court.

Kazeem warned that the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would not tolerate domestic violence and child abuse and would do everything within its powers to tackle the issue.

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late General Sani Abacha has made a declaration that he would soon make public how his boss, the late General Sani Abacha and the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, MKO Abiola, died.

Speaking with a group of journalists in Lagos, the former CSO explained that the deaths of Abacha and Abiola emanated from the same source.

Al-Mustapha, who added that he would make the comprehensive revelation in his new book, Mustapha’s Memoirs, said, “For instance when Chief MKO Abiola was in prison, many notable Nigerians visited him. They will visit him in the morning, and when they come back to the Villa in the evening to see Abacha, they would say a different thing entirely.

“Unknown to these notable Nigerians, particularly notable Yoruba personalities, who visited Abiola, their visits were recorded on video. I did the video recording without their knowledge.

“These people would visit Abiola and come back to tell government a different thing about him.

“These same people would still go and tell Abiola a different thing about government. They are on video. The agencies of government have these videos evidence.

“These same people told MKO Abiola never to accept any compromise or negotiations. They advised him never to come back home without his mandate. All these things are on video.

“Of all the Yoruba leaders, only Oba Tejuosho told MKO Abiola the truth: to accept the conditional bail and go home.

“Only Oba Tejuosho told MKO Abiola that Abacha was his friend, urging him to reconcile with Abacha who was ready for reconciliation. It was Oba Tejuosho who told MKO Abiola that he still had the goodwill and would win if he re-contests after Abacha.

“What killed Abacha is what killed MKO Abiola. But I would reveal that after my court case, still at the Supreme Court. I would publish a book which has three volumes— the Mustapha’s Memoirs, which will tell what happened under Abacha and how he died.”

The Borno State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday discovered two bomb-making factories in Dikwa, Borno state.

Commandant of the Corps in the state, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

Abdullahi said that the factories were discovered during a joint patrol by men of the command and troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army.

"In an effort to comply with the directives of the Ministerial Committee on Resettlement of Liberated Towns by the military, NSCDC had deployed its personnel to Dikwa and are working hand in hand with the military.

"This collective effort has therefore, led to the discovery of two major bomb making factories in two abandoned houses.

"Our Detection and Bomb Disposal Unit, Intelligence and Detective Operation Unit in collaboration with the troops of 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army have since neutralised some of the live IEDs.

"Some IEDs making equipment, gas cylinders and a jet bomb propeller were discovered and handed over to the brigade command.

"Men of the command also discovered 114 live machine gun ammunition along Dikwa-Mafa road just after Shehuri Village that was abandoned by the insurgents,’’ Abdullahi said.

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide condemned the alleged donation of 4.2 billion naira to an American University by Niger Delta oil made billionaire, Mohammed Indinmi, labelling it “an irresponsible and a global wastage of Niger Delta resources”. The spokesman of IYC worldwide, Eric Omare disclosed in a statement; “It is sad and provocative that Mr. Mohammed Indinmi who operates in different parts of the Niger Delta region and has failed woefully in his corporate social responsibility to the host communities could donate such a whopping amount of money to a private institution in faraway America whereas the communities and people hosting his company, Oriental Energy wallow in poverty. [ 139 more words. ]

http://newsbreakers.ng/ijaw-group-condemns-business-mogul-…/

Music legend and reggae singer of all time, Ras Kimono recently announced his daughter’s graduation. Sennami Onwubuya, his second daughter, graduated from the St Cloud University, Minnesota US and the proud father was in attendance to cheer her. The elated father took to his Facebook page to share some pictures, expressing his satisfaction at his daughter’s achievement. He wrote, “Hip, Hip, Hip, Hurray my second daughter Sennami graduated from St Cloud-University in Minnesota USA. We give thanks to the Most High Almighty JAH”

http://newsbreakers.ng/ras-kimono-celebrates-daughters-gra…/

A Lagos based legal practitioner and business mogul, Fred Ajudua has been re-arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja over allegedly obtaining a sum of 8.4 million dollars from the former Chief of Army staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi while they were both in Kirikiri maximum prison. Ajudua was earlier docked with a court registrar, Ronke Rosulu for conspiracy to obtain money under false pretence. [ 141 more words. ]

http://newsbreakers.ng/alleged-fraud-ajudua-re-arraigned/

José Mourinho has been appointed manager of Manchester United and will take over from the 2016/17 season, signing a three-year contract with an option to stay at the club until at least 2020.

José, 53, has managed at the top level of European football for over a decade and in that time has won league titles and cups in four countries (Portugal, England, Italy and Spain), as well as winning the UEFA Champions League twice – in 2004 with FC Porto and in 2010 with Inter Milan.

Announcing the appointment, Ed Woodward said: "José is quite simply the best manager in the game today. He has won trophies and inspired players in countries across Europe and, of course, he knows the Premier League very well, having won three titles here.

"I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome him to Manchester United. His track record of success is ideal to take the club forward."

José Mourinho said: "To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game. It is a club known and admired throughout the world. There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match.

"I have always felt an affinity with Old Trafford; it has hosted some important memories for me in my career and I have always enjoyed a rapport with the United fans. I’m looking forward to being their manager and enjoying their magnificent support in the coming years."

The Portuguese coach has won 22 trophies since 2003.

A 400-level Pharmacy student, Lauretta Obakpolo, has emerged winner of the just concluded election of Students' Union Government (SUG) at University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Obakpolo won the Presidential seat after beating five other candidates with 2,283 votes.

The moment she was declared winner by the electoral committee, her supporters moved round the campus singing victory songs.

According to reports, before the election, many students did not envisage her as a worthy candidate but the tables turned the day she unveiled her manifesto.

The management of Benson Idahosa University in Edo State has announced that it will produce 800,000 tons of tomatoes in order to offset tomato shortage in the country. According to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbe, tomatoes in six States in Nigeria – Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kadua, Plateau, and Lagos have been infected with a pest that kills the fruit. [ 180 more words. ]

http://newsbreakers.ng/7391-2/

The governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has said the recent increment in the pump price of petrol remains one of the gifts of President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigerians to celebrate his one year in office. Fayose also declared that the president’s one year in office remains a colossal waste. The Ekiti governor in a statement titled, “Petrol Price Increment as Buhari’s 1st Year Anniversary Gift to Nigerians” explained that the Federal Government was indirectly collecting N58.50 tax from suffering Nigerians on each litre of petrol they buy. [ 831 more words. ]

http://newsbreakers.ng/fayose-describes-buharis-stay-offic…/

A federal high court in Lagos has granted a Mareva injunction permitting the Nigerian government to freeze assets owned by two Nigerian businessmen Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore, and their company Atlantic Energy. The individuals are linked to former Nigerian oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke in a wide range of shady business dealings that illegally transferred Nigerian oil assets to them and their companies. [ 128 more words. ]

http://newsbreakers.ng/court-orders-freeze-1-8-billion-ass…/

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Wednesday threw out the appeal filed by the troubled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr Nnamdi Kanu together with two other pro-Biafra agitators, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu. They had approached the upper court to query what they described as the “strange procedure” utilised in their trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja. [ 64 more words. ]

http://newsbreakers.ng/nnamdi-kanu-others-bail-appeal-thro…/

An Ikeja Magistrate Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi (Mrs) on Monday granted a remand application initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC which had sought to remand former aviation minister and spokesperson of the Goodluck Jonathan campaign organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode over allegation of fraud to the tune of N1.4 billion.

The court arrived at the decision shortly after listening to the argument of lawyer representing the anti-graft agency, Mr A. N. Anana and Faki Kayode's lawyer, Wale Balogun.

The anti-graft agency in its argument before the court stated that the remand application which was pursuant to section 261 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2011, of Lagos State, was to remand Fani-Kayode pending when he will be properly arraigned at the appropriate Court.

But in opposition, Fani Kayode's lawyer, Balogun argued that the anti-graft agency’s application was moved in breach of the former minister’s constitutional rights.

He added that the defendant had been granted an administrative bail by the EFCC but was never allowed to perfect such.

He also informed the court that the anti-graft agency had gotten the same order of remand before an Abuja Chief Magistrate court.

He, therefore, urged the court to disregard the EFCC's remand application against his client.

But Chief Magistrate Osunsanmi while dismissing Kayode's application ruled that he failed to exhibit any document before the court to show that the former Minister of Aviation has been charged before any court of the alleged offence.

Consequently, she ordered that Fani-Kayode be remanded in EFCC's custody for 21 days pending when he will be arraigned at the appropriate court.

Our attention has been drawn to media reports regarding a court judgment alleged to have been entered against the Federal Government of Nigeria and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in respect of an action by the Socio-Economic Rights Agenda (SERAP) pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.

The High Court, according to the media reports, ordered the Federal government and Dr Okonjo Iweala to provide information relating to N30 trillion Naira allegedly unaccounted for.

Please note the following:

· Dr Okonjo-Iweala hastens to state that she was never served with any court processes in relation to the said matter. She has not read the judgment and would, therefore, defer any comments on the matter.

· However from the media reports, the case was instituted in February 2015 but was not served until July 2015 after Dr Okonjo-Iweala had already ceased to be the Minister of Finance.

· By the date, the said papers were purportedly served Dr Okonjo-Iweala was no longer a public officer and could therefore not be the subject of a request for production of any documents or information under the Freedom of information Act.

· The Court processes must have been served on others because the attention of Dr Okonjo-Iweala was never drawn to the matter in which she appears to have been sued personally. She, therefore, did not engage any lawyer to act for her in the matter.


· The decision of SERAP to anchor its case on a baseless and unsubstantiated allegation by former CBN governor Professor Charles Soludo that N30 trillion – about seven times the total annual budget during the Jonathan administration – is missing confirms SERAP’s dubious motives and its role as a tool for politically motivated actors.

· It is curious that the first time Dr Okonjo-Iweala is being made aware of a matter filed against her in court is in news reports reporting the delivery of judgment. She has instructed her lawyers to take steps to set aside the judgment as it affects her.


Paul C Nwabuikwu
Media Adviser to Dr Okonjo-Iweala

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase has released a stern warning to factional leaders of the PDP telling them not to disturb public peace and security in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This is contained in a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, ACP Olabisi Kolawole.

The statement said, “Intelligence at the disposal of the Force leadership indicates that some aggrieved factional leaders and members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) have perfected plans to engage thugs from across the country to join them in threatening public peace and security in Abuja. This is sequel to the on-going intra-party leadership crisis in the party and further fallout of the recent political engagements of the Party.

“The plan of the brains behind this development is to infiltrate Abuja and attack the National Headquarters of the Peoples’ Democratic Party with intent to forcefully occupy the facility. Towards perfecting this criminality, credible police sources confirm that the actors will mobilise into Abuja with effect from Monday May 23, 2016 and they intend to march through major streets in Abuja before proceeding to the PDP Secretariat to manifest their intention.

“Consequently, the Inspector-General of Police has directed the deployment of Police assets to secure the PDP Secretariat and protect the staff until the threat to internal security that is being occasioned by the intra-party crisis within the PDP is stabilised. The police action is a proactive initiative which is being em-placed in furtherance to the statutory Mandate of the Nigeria Police to prevent breakdown in law and order and protect lives and property.

“The Inspector General of Police, however, warns all actors in the crisis as well as their loyalists to refrain from any act that may threaten public order as the Police shall deal promptly, firmly and decisively with such persons or group in line with their legal obligations.”

Manchester United has sacked Louis van Gaal just two days after he led the Red Devils to FA Cup final victory over Crystal Palace.

The Dutchman has been axed by the United hierarchy for the team’s poor Premier League campaign and will be replaced by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Van Gaal's Dutch coaching staff – including United’s assistant coach, Albert Stuivenberg and goalkeeper coach Frans Hoek – have also left the club.

The suspected wife killer, Lekan Shonde, on Friday informed a Lagos State chief magistrate court sitting in Ebute Meta that he knew nothing about the death of his wife, late Ronke Shonde. He was arraigned before Chief Magistrate O. A. Adelaja by the police. The late Ronke died at their Egbeda, Lagos, home on May 5. According to a temporary charge designated D/30/2016, Mr Shonde was accused of beating his wife to death with his fist. [ 54 more words. ]

http://newsbreakers.ng/egbeda-murder-shonde-pleads-not-gui…/

Egyptian officials have stated that the debris from the missing EgyptAir flight has been found floating in the Mediterranean.

It would be recalled that Flight MS804 was flying from Paris to Cairo with 66 passengers and crew when it suddenly went off the radar early on Thursday.

Spokesman for the Egyptian army have said that the piece and passenger belongings had been found 290km (180 miles) from Alexandria.

Panos Kammenos who is the Defence Minister for Greece also said a body part, two seats and at least one suitcase had been found.

A few of the items were found around the south of the area on Thursday, Mr Kammenos said.

European Space Agency satellites spotted an oil slick in the area where the flight had vanished but the organisation said there was no guarantee it was from the missing plane.

The search team has been told to focus on finding the plane’s flight recorders, the Associated Press news agency reports.

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi​, Lagos, on Friday sentenced a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA)​, Mr Raymond Omatseye, to five years in prison for a N1.5bn contract scam.

Omatseye appeared before the court after being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ​for engaging in contract splitting and bid rigging estimated at over N1.5bn while he was the DG of NIMASA.

​.​

At the arrival of Amina Ali Nkeki, the rescued Chibok girl, at the Aso Rock Villa, President Muhammadu Buhari released a statement.

He expressed his delight on her rescue promising his administration would do all within its power to ensure the release of the remaining abducted Chibok girls.

“Like all Nigerians and many others around the world, I am delighted at the news that Amina Ali Nkeki, one of the missing Chibok girls has regained her freedom. But my feelings are tinged with deep sadness at the horrors the young girl has had to go through at such an early stage in her life.

“Although we cannot do anything to reverse the horrors of her past, the federal government can and will do everything possible to ensure that the rest of her life takes a completely different course. Amina will receive the best care that the Nigerian government can afford. We will ensure that she gets the best medical, psychological, emotional and whatever other care she requires to make a full recovery and be reintegrated fully into society.

“Yesterday, medical personnel from Government and other NGOs examined her for a total of about five hours. Trauma experts from the UNICEF also met her. The Federal Government will assist Murtala Muhammed Foundation, which has already been providing support to the families of the missing Chibok girls and which runs a trauma and counselling centre in Kano, will also be involved in ongoing work with Amina, monitoring her progress and highlighting any additional support she requires.

“The continuation of Amina's education, so abruptly disrupted, will definitely be a priority of the federal government. Amina must be enabled to go back to school. No girl in Nigeria should be put through the brutality of forced marriage. Every girl has the right to an education and a life choice.

“Rest assured that this administration will continue to do all it can to rescue the remaining Chibok girls who are still in Boko Haram captivity. Amina's rescue gives us new hope, and offers a unique opportunity for vital information.

“May Allah crown our efforts with success.”

A former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe, has told a court how former President Goodluck Jonathan paid the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, N400 million for the party’s publicity effort. Mr. Okupe appeared before a federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, as a defence witness in the trial of Mr. Metuh, who is accused of receiving funds meant for the purchase of weapons for the fight against Boko Haram. [ 425 more words. ]

http://newsbreakers.ng/okupe-tells-court-ex-president-jona…/

The rescued Chibok girl, Amina Ali Nkeki, has arrived at the Presidential Villa, with her family, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari.

She was accompanied by Special Adviser to President Buhari on Social Investment, Maryam Uwais; Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state and Hadiza Bala Usman of the Bring Back Our Girls Group.

The federal government has reiterated that it will, in a few days, begin the payment of accrued debt owed to road contractors for various projects they have executed across the country.

This was disclosed by Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, yesterday in Abuja. He revealed that the ministries will begin to get some of the funds allocated to them in the 2016 budget within days, and will begin gradual payment of the debts.

He said that is very important because when the debts are paid, workers who were laid off by the construction companies would be recalled to work as soon as possible.

When the minister was visited by about 20 of the construction firms in his office, including Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Arab Contractors, Dantata and Sawoe, Reynolds Construction, Stallini, RCC, Gitto and Setraco amongst others, Fashola said, “Very soon, in a matter of days, hopefully we will get some funding to disburse to you. What we hope to achieve is to hear from you what the problems are, and when you think you can finish.”

He further stated that one reason the government is doing this is to win the commitment of the contractors, to go back to their respective sites, using the thousands of recalled workers to complete their projects.

It would be recalled that a report in November 2015 by the House of Representatives Committee on Works had revealed the contractors were owed about N300 billion by the government.

Fashola also said, “I have been to some roads especially in the north central and I will continue to do that across all your sites. I need you to also provide for us information about the number of people you expect to employ in your various sites. I need to know the number of people you are likely to put back to work when you are paid because what we are likely to achieve here as we go on this year is to complete as many constructions as possible as our money can allow on some of the roads that you are working on.