SABINEWS EVENING NEWS UPDATE FOR OCTOBER 19, 2016
Diezani: EFCC arrests two commissioners
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested two serving commissioners in Enugu State in connection with investigations into the $115m (N23bn) allegedly disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, during the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Charles Egumgbe, was the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party campaign office in the state during the 2015 polls, while Commissioner for Tourism, Rita Mba, was the secretary. Read more
Senate to probe DSS raid
The Senate has decided to probe the raid on the houses of some judges and their arrests by the Department of State Services. The decision comes six days after the House of Representatives decided to probe the incident. Read more
FG takes over educational, professional goals of 21 Chibok girls
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said that the Federal Government will henceforth take over the educational and professional needs of the 21 Chibok girls recently released by Boko Haram.
He gave the promise while receiving the girls at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Read more
Northern Leaders Must Prioritize Education, Inclusiveness –Tambuwal
Northern leaders must prioritize education and promote inclusivity in order to minimize conflicts and ensure long-term development of the region, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said. Speaking in Washington, USA, at a three-day symposium organized for Governors of Northern Nigeria by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), he said giving education the necessary attention will ensure easy mobilization of the populace for societal good. Read more
Attention! Nasarawa State Government Communique On Workers Salaries
The attention of Nasarawa State Government has been drawn to insinuations and innuendos borne out of mischief by some unpatriotic elements with regard to Government’s compassion, magnanimity, and respect for principles of negotiation and adherence to the status quo ante as agreed by both parties.
This is in tandem with the understanding reached with the Federal Ministry of Labour, National Human Rights Commission and the National Leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress while negotiations with the State Labour Union continues. Read more
Police train SARS operatives in Benue
In a bid to re-align policing in Nigeria to current democratic norms, the Zone 4 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force has commenced training of 96 officers and men of the force for the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Benue State.
The training would focus on the use of force and handling of firearms, care and custody of suspects, investigation techniques, cordon, search and seizure, management of scene of crime as well as community policing, human rights and the rule of law. Read more
FEC approves N30 billion for mining
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N30 billion intervention fund for mining exploration in the country.
The Minister of Mining and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari. Read more
Nigeria’s overnight interbank rate falls to 20 percent after FX auction disappoints
Nigeria’s overnight interbank rate crashed on Wednesday to around 20 percent from 150 percent after the central bank sold less hard currency than expected at a special auction, traders said.
“The central bank has released the result of the auction, but the amount sold fell short of market expectations,” one dealer said, without giving details. Read more
Police Detain About 200 Suspects For Airline Ticket Fraud
According to an Agency report on Wednesday, 193 suspects were detained over a five-day period for airline ticket fraud.
The report said that the incident happened at the world airports around the globe.
The suspects booked flights using stolen, compromised or fake credit card details, allowing them to travel anonymously. Airline fraudsters cost the industry an estimated $1 billion dollars per year. Read more
MOSOP, Wike condole with Saro-Wiwa’s family
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People and the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, have expressed their condolences to the family of late Kenule Saro-Wiwa over the untimely death of their son, Mr. Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr.
MOSOP in a statement on Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Fegalo Nsuke, expressed shock over the news of the death of Saro-Wiwa Jr. Read more
Don’t trivialise serious allegation, Amaechi tells Justice Okoro
Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has accused Justice Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court of trivialising serious allegation levelled against him.
The minister added that those faced with serious allegation should treat the issue with the seriousness it deserved. Read more
Court Warns Ex-Taraba Gov. Nyame Against Interfering With EFCC’s Witnesses
Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the FCT High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, warned parties, their agents, and surrogates to stop interfering with prosecution witnesses as trial of Jolly Nyame resumes. Read more
EFCC discharges first witness in Akpobolokemi’s N8.5bn fraud case
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday discharged its first witness, Teslim Ajuwon, in the trial of a Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi. Akpobolokemi is being prosecuted for an alleged fraud of N8.5bn perpetrated within NIMASA between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015. Read more
Chibok girls have seen world’s worst offer, says Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday regretted that the 21 Chibok girls who were released from the captivity of Boko Haram insurgents last Thursday had seen the worst the world had to offer.
He said it was now time for them to experience the best that the world could offer them. Read more
Boko Haram razes village near Chibok
Boko Haram has burnt down a village neighbouring the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok where the group kidnapped over 200 schoolgirls two years ago, local residents said Wednesday.
A group of Boko Haram gunmen invaded Goptari, 10 kilometres from Chibok, late Tuesday and set it on fire after looting food supplies and livestock. Read more
NSCDC arrests 20 suspected transformer vandals
The Cross River State command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps on Wednesday said it had arrested 20 suspected transformer vandals from January to date.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Clement Adesuyi, told newsmen in Calabar that the suspects were arrested at different locations in the state. Read more
Nigeria overtakes South Africa as Africa’s biggest economy: IMF
A new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nigeria as Africa’s biggest economy, in spite of its current challenges. Nigeria is placed ahead of South Africa and Egypt which are second and third respectively.
In August, Nigeria was reported to have lost its position as Africa’s biggest economy to South Africa, following the recalculation of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Read more
Clinton campaign took shape in secret, hacked emails show
Back in early 2014, a media leak revealed Robby Mook was being considered to run a possible presidential campaign by Hillary Clinton.
In fact, the 36-year-old was already on the job — almost three years before the vote. Read more
IYC condemns soldiers’ killing of footballer
The umbrella body of Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, has condemned the military for killing Joseph Izu, a defender with the Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The player was reportedly killed by soldiers of 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, at Okarki, a border community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, at a close range. Read more
Mourinho issues Rashford with England Under-21 warning
Jose Mourinho does not want Marcus Rashford to be selected for next year’s European Under-21 Championships if the Manchester United striker is a regular in the senior England squad.
The United manager was responding to stories that England’s governing Football Association were keen to include Premier League stars, such as Rashford, in their Under-21 squad for the tournament in Poland in June. Mourinho has no problem with Rashford, who turns 19 on the last day of this month, being a part of that squad – but only if he has not established himself in the senior set-up. Read more
