Troops clear Boko Haram Camps, rescue, children and women

Troops clear Boko Haram camps, rescue children, women The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that scores of women and children held captive by Boko Haram insurgents have been rescued by troops along Banki, Kumashe and Bama axis in Borno State. The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Abuja. He said the advancing troops cleared four camps along the axis, while several others were cleared in Bolungu 1 and 2, Bula Doye and Cheehi Dare areas also in Borno. “Nigerian troops advancing to clear all known Boko Haram terrorists camps towards Banki, Kumshe axis and Bama axis have cleared four more camps earlier on Tuesday. “They were able to clear the terrorists’ camps at Bolungu 1 and 2, Bula Doye and Cheehi Dare and secured a very important bridge linking the towns of Miyanti and Banki in Borno State. “The gallant troops also rescued dozen of kidnapped women and children held captive by Boko Haram terrorists,” he said. It said more enclaves of the insurgents would be cleared as troops involved in the operations advanced towards more areas previously occupied by the insurgents. The statement said the offensive operations by ground troops and aerial bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force would continue in the region until the insurgency was ended. The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the military had intensified offensive against the insurgents with the aim of ending their reign of terror in the North-East. Dozens of kidnapped women and children held captive by Boko Haram terrorists were also rescued @RabeAbubakarDDI pic.twitter.com/T3H2pcebTm — DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) September 15, 2015 Nigerian troops cleared Terrorist camp at Bolungu 1&2, Bula Doye and Cheehi Dare. @RabeAbubakar pic.twitter.com/gWR0g296bO — DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) September 15, 2015

Gunmen Kidnap UNIPORT VC's Son

Gunmen kidnap UNIPORT VC’s son Gunmen on Monday night kidnapped Ejire Lale, the son of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, in Agbeta Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area of the state. Lale was said to be supervising his fish pond when a group of six armed men stormed the place around 7.30pm after robbing a neighbour within the compound. The hoodlums, according to a source, did not come in a car, but were able to forcefully take away the son of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ndowa Lale, to an unknown destination. Details later…

UPDATES 10th SEPTEMBER 2015

UPDATES: Buhari may reduce foreign missions. Police to arrest illegal siren users. Police order clampdown on MASSOB, arrest 22 members. FG spends N2.7tn on power in 16 years. Jonathan, Alamieyeseigha rally support for Dickson. Nigeria sliding into dictatorship under Buhari – PDP govs. FG: Nigeria's Interest Paramount as JP Morgan Delists FGN Bonds. Pope Francis makes divorce easier for Catholics. UN to engage ex-militants in Cote d’Ivoire. Senate Miffed with Buhari's Nominees for Assuming Office without Confirmation. Victims of Bomb Blasts Cry out for Help, Accuse Government of Neglect. Ekiti May Abolish Free Education, Holds Summit. NYSC Monthly Allowance: Tete Promises To Pay Arrears. Again, Tribunal Dismisses Amosun’s Bid To Stop Isiaka’s Petition. Declare Your Asset, APC Challenges Gov Fayose. Gombe Spent N20bn On Education In 4 Years – Gov Dankwambo. Intelligence Reports Reveal Chibok Girls Still Alive. Adefuye’s Body to Depart US Friday. Gov Yari Orders Demolition Of Gusau’s Shopping Mall. Troops Arrest Boko Haram’s Drugs, Logistics Suppliers. Benue, Taraba Govs, Monarchs Meet Over Boundary Dispute. Tuition hike: Babcock varsity, parents’ meeting deadlocked. Buhari, Obasanjo meet. Bailout: Osun lecturers reject pay cut. Lagos releases 2,500 C of O. We’ll never hang Buhari’s portrait in our offices –PDP. Relocate Now, NEMA Tells Communities Along Rivers, Lagos and NTA Network Bigboy, Akinwunmi Adeseye marks birthday in grand style on Lagos mainland. Flood-prone Areas. Financial Inclusion: Glo Xchange Rolls Out Super Agent Network. Nigeria is built on satanic foundation, says Fani-Kayode.

Indigenous Company strikes 1st Oil in Rivers State

Nigerian firm strikes first oil in Rivers •Oil rig... threatened by climate change An indigenous exploration and production oil firm, Green Energy International Ltd (GEIL), operator of the Otakikpo Marginal Field, has struck its first oil. A statement endorsed by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Olusegun Ilori explained that the  feat came on the heels of the re-entery and integrity test of Otakikpo well-02, perforation and testing of the E1000A sand of the same well. The field which lies approximately 60 km Southeast of Port Harcourt, Rivers State  is  based in the South of Shell’s OML 11, between the shore to the South and Chevron’s OML51 to the North and about 35 km East of Bonny Crude Export Terminal. “The E1000A is one of the two target reservoirs in Otakikpo-02. Achieving this critical milestone barely 15 months after receiving its ministerial consent for the farm-out from Shell and its JV partners, brought instant celebration to stakeholders of the company and its Technical Partners, Lekoil Oil & Gas Investment Ltd,” the statement read. The field was discovered by Shell and its JV partners in 1980 while the appraisal well- Otakikpo-02 which the company re- entered to produce the first Oil was first drilled in 1981 and this was followed by Otakikpo-03. Under a Farmout from Shell JV, the Federal Government awarded the marginal field to Green Energy which it designated as the operator, to implement the company’s innovative Small Scale Gas Utilisation Programme (SSGUP) Otakikpo field was identified as one of the suitable sites for a pilot programme that offers unique solution to improving the economy of the oil producing communities while ensuring zero routine gas flares. The programme  consist  of  oil production from the field while the associated gas will  be processed and utilised  for power generation for the communities and excess sold to the Port Harcourt Distribution Company (Disco) in addition to LPG extraction and  bottling facility to produce and distribute domestic cooking gas. The statement, explained that as  a way of implementing its mandate and the vision of its stakeholders as an integrated energy company, GEIL has recently obtained a license for 10 megawatt (Mw) captive power from the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Also, the company was recently granted a licence by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for modular refinery to produce diesel and other refined products. The company has also pursued a stakeholder partnership model with the communities around the project area, a situation which has enabled the host communities to appreciate the presence of the company as partners for sustainable development. Its Chairman, Prof Anthony Adegbulugbe, was full of excitement for the milestone achieved so far within the short span of moving to the field. He thanked the host communities for the partnership with the company and hoped  the people would allow the company enjoy a hitch-free and conducive environment to unfold its unique development initiatives  for the overall good of the people and the nation. He said: “The project offers considerable benefit to all stakeholders and has the strong potential of a gas flares out solution, boosting the economic development potentials of the community, and indeed the nation, while bringing profitable returns to its Investors.”

Police order clampdown on MASSOB, arrest 22 members

Police order clampdown on MASSOB, arrest 22 members The Punch

The police have arrested 22 members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra and those of the Indigenous People of Biafra in some parts of the country. The police said four suspects were apprehended in Anambra, six in Imo, 11 in Delta and one in Abia states. A statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, on Tuesday, in Abuja, said the arrests were sequel to the order by the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, who issued a clampdown on persons or group of persons inciting violence and social disorder across the country. The police said all the persons so far arrested for inciting violence, irrespective of their class or status in the society, would be charged to court. The statement reads, “The Inspector-General of Police has ordered an immediate clampdown on persons or group of persons inciting violence and social disorder across the country. “This directive becomes imperative owing to the recent activities of (some) members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra and the Indigenous People of Biafra in some parts of the country. “This operational order empowers the police to arrest anybody fomenting any act of violence or disorder, or any act inimical to the security of the nation.”  

Trial Delays: New Criminal Justice Act to the rescue: Trial of Boko Haram insurgents

Trial delays… New Criminal Justice Act to the rescue Share 43 Tweet 0 Share 0 On August 27, Chad sentenced 10 Boko Haram members to death on terror charges after a three-day trial. The convicts were executed by firing squad two days after. Will such swift trial be possible in Nigeria? But, there is hope that things may improve with the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015, writes JOSEPH JIBUEZE. In June, twin bomb attacks rocked N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, Nigeria’s ally in the battle against terror. Dead were at least 38 people. The attacks were the first by Boko Haram militants in Chad, which hosts the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional force set up to fight the insurgents. The June attacks were followed by a blast that killed 15 people at a market a month later. The Chadian government wasted no time in its quest for justice. It re-introduced the death penalty for acts of terror in July and banned the wearing of full-face veil by women. The trial of those arrested in connection with the June attacks was to last for eight days, but due to security reasons, it was accelerated. The country, it was learnt, did not want to be hobbled by any delay. On August 27, about two months after the attack, 10 Boko Haram members were convicted over their roles in the act. They were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, killings, wilful destruction with explosives, fraud, illegal possessions of arms and ammunition, and using psychotropic substances. Two days after their conviction, they were executed. The executions were the first application of death penalty in Chad since the country declared a moratorium in 2003. Expectedly, the coalition of opposition forces and civil liberties groups criticised the new anti-terror legislation, saying it could be used to suppress civil rights. The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office raised concern about the speed with which the executions were carried out. Its spokeswoman Cecile Pouilly wondered whether those executed “had access to lawyers and were able to appeal against their death sentence.” The UN agency also called on Chad to review its anti-terrorism law which it says contains a very vague definition of terrorism, which may not be legal internationally, and potentially could put many people at risk of execution. The Nigerian experience There have also been some relatively convictions of insurgents in Nigeria. For instance, in December 2013, Boko Haram kingpin Kabiru Umar (a.ka. Sokoto) was sentenced to life imprisonment over the December 25, 2011 bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State. His trial lasted eight months, having been arraigned on April 19, 2013. He was, however, kept in detention for about a year following his re-arrest in February 2012.another Boko Haram member – Mustapha Umar – who bombed a plaza, housing the offices of some newspapers in Kaduna. He was jailed for life on November 15, 2013, having been arraigned on February 5, 2013. His conviction came almost a year after his arrest in April 2012. On October 1, last year, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced three Boko Haram members – Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman – to 25 years imprisonment each. Their trial lasted for 11 months as they were arraigned on November 27, 2013. The suspects, arrested at Lekki Phase I and at Ijora Oloye, Apapa-Iganmu, Lagos, were charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism, illegal possession of firearms, including three packets of explosive construction pipes, 15 detonators and 11 AK-47 rifles with 30 rounds of live ammunition, and for being members of a proscribed organisation. However, thousands of Boko Haram suspects have been in detention for years. For instance, on September 7, 2010, there was a jail break at the Bauchi prison following an attack by 50 gunmen, suspected to be insurgents. No fewer than 721 prisoners escaped and majority of the inmates were allegedly involved in a sectarian violence in 2009. Some of them were later re-arrested. There was also controversy over where to keep the rising number of arrested insurgents. A plan to relocate 47 of them to prison facilities  in Ekwulobia in Anambra State and  Calabar in Cross River State, sparked  a huge outrage. Endless corruption trials Several high-profile corruption cases have been stalled due to frequent adjournments, interlocutory appeals, weak prosecution, judges’ transfer and other deliberate ploys to delay justice. Courts halt trials while interlocutory appeals are decided by higher courts. ‘Skilled’ defence lawyers exploit this to secure  months, or even years of delays in any given case. The cases of some former governors fall within this category. Other cases are frustrated due to transfer of judges, or their elevation to higher courts, in which case trials have to start afresh. For instance, during the trial of former Intercontinental Bank Managing Director Erastus Akingbola, Justice Habib Abiru had adjourned till November 15, 2012, for the adoption of final written addresses. A date for judgment would have been fixed that day. However, it was announced on November 2, 2012 that Justice Abiru had been elevated to the Court of Appeal. Akingbola was re-arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on February 26, 2013. Again, the prosecution went through the process of recalling its witnesses, some of whom were no longer available. Interlocutory appeals It can take years for the Supreme Court to rule on interlocutory appeals. For instance, the Federal Government charged Mohammed, son of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for receiving money stolen from the government’s coffers by his late father between 1995 and 1998. The defendant sought to quash the charge on the ground that the immunity that his father enjoyed  in office covered  the acts which constituted the offence for which he (the son) was charged. It took over 10 years for the Supreme Court to rule on the interlocutory appeal, numbered SC.40/2006. Not long after the ruling, the Federal Government withdrew the N446.3 billion theft charge instituted against Abacha. Negative consequences Interminable delays reduce the chances of ever concluding cases in a satisfactory manner. Witnesses lose interest. The public lose faith in the judiciary. Investors keep off. In a web of corruption, investigating police officers are sometimes deliberately transferred outside of the states where the offences were committed. It is not unusual to hear prosecutors make excuses that witnesses could not attend court sessions, or could not be reached. Judges are also sometimes transferred to other divisions and cases must start de novo (afresh). Incompetence A frontline lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) once said that corruption in the judiciary and the incompetence of some lawyers and judges work against quick justice delivery. An ill-prepared lawyer will seek an adjournment at the first opportunity, and a judge who lacks the intellectual capacity to adjudicate a case will indulge such lawyers and adjourn even the simplest of rulings. Intelligent lawyers and judges are not difficult to know but ill-prepared lawyers find excuses to seek an adjournment. Hardworking judges rule instantly on bail applications following a familiar template. The lazy ones will adjourn for two weeks or more. Some judges also sit very late, further causing delays. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has vowed to report such judges to the National Judicial Council (NJC). According to Babalola, before a judge can dispense justice, he must possess the necessary judicial qualities of integrity, deep knowledge of the law, honesty and a sense of justice itself. Unfortunately, many of them, he said, lack such qualities. Antiquated methods Most courts are burdened with antiquated physical and legal infrastructure that renders them extremely slow and inefficient. Lack of courtroom technology is also a challenge. Most judges still write in long hand. In some states, lack of adequate number of courtrooms force judges to share spaces, alternating sitting times. This leads to unsecured storage of court documents, leading to “loss” of case files, and provides room for corruption. Lack of adequate institutional reforms and modernisation; low investment in information and communication technology; lack of political will and commitment to a better society; use of archaic and outdated laws, procedures and processes that are riddled with loopholes are some of the problems the judiciary is faced with. For instance, the 42-year-old Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi can no longer cope with mordern realities. It is a tale of daily agony for lawyers, litigants and other court users. To get a seat at the Federal High Court in Lagos, an interested party must arrive, at least an hour before the 9am resumption time. To get a seat in court is a privilege that one must guard jealously, because all it takes to lose the seat is just to stand up for a moment. For those who are able to get into the courtroom at all, it is best to remain  till court rises for the day. It is not unusual to see lawyers standing outside for hours. Some of the courtrooms are so small that the docks and the witness boxes, meant for accused persons and witnesses have been converted into file shelves. Accused persons now stand outside the dock. Lawyers have to fight their ways through crowded corridors into the courtroom. And due to extremely fully dockets, most times the court is unable take all the cases listed for the day. The situation is worse anytime  Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN)  have cases to argue. By the time they are done with, the day is far gone. As a way out, an ultra-modern nine-storeycourthouse is being developed under  at Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos.  The project, which began in 2012, is billed to be delivered next year and the judges are expected to relocate there. But, due to what is believed to be poor funding, the project is moving at snail’s speed. Funding of the judiciary from the Federal Government has reportedly witnessed a steady decline since 2010, from N95 billion in that year to N85 billion in 2011, then N75 bilion in 2012 and dropped again in the 2013 budget to N67 billion. With the tumbling crude oil prices at the international market,  the subventions may further shrink. Jurisdictional loopholes Commencement of criminal proceedings is usually complicated by issues of jurisdiction. Preliminary objections can be filed on the basis that the case ought to be tried at the state High Court rather than the Federal High Court, or at a special tribunal. A charge can also be challenged because it was filed outside where an alleged crime occurred. Jurisdiction is very paramount in a case and often times, a lot of time is wasted on it before the proper commencement of the case. To exhaust the complete remedy in a case from trial court to Supreme Court could take up to 20 years with the original litigants dead and substituted and in some cases, the substitutes also dead and substituted. The process of interlocutory appeals aggravates the situation to the extent that by the time the Supreme Court decides that the case be continued in trial court, most of the witnesses might have died or are alive but senile, with documents no longer traceable. Decrying this situation, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption Prof Itsay Sagay (SAN) said: “Another thing is that we now have a new genre of senior advocates, whose sole means of existence is to stall cases, especially corruption cases. “And the way they stall cases is very simple: once the charges are filed, they look at the charge. Instead of tackling the charge and providing answers for the issues raised, they simply file a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case. “And many judges, in my view, foolishly in the past, play along with these senior advocates. They abandon the main case and concentrate on the preliminary objection, which may take perhaps a year or two. Meanwhile, the substantive issue of corruption is suspended. “When the judge finally arrives at the conclusion or judgment or ruling that he has the jurisdiction, the chap (defendant) appeals straightaway – still abandoning the substantive issue for the issue of jurisdiction – to the Court of Appeal. At the Court of Appeal, if he fails, he takes it to the Supreme Court. “By the time the Supreme Court finally decides that the court has jurisdiction, 12 years or so might have elapsed. By then, the investigating police officer (prosecutor) is retired; the officials of the Ministry of Justice, who handled it (the case) at the early stages in the High Court, would have been promoted and the judges themselves could have retired.

UPDATES 9th SEPTEMBER 2015

UPDATES: Buhari may reduce foreign missions. Police to arrest illegal siren users. Police order clampdown on MASSOB, arrest 22 members. FG spends N2.7tn on power in 16 years. Jonathan, Alamieyeseigha rally support for Dickson. Nigeria sliding into dictatorship under Buhari – PDP govs. FG: Nigeria's Interest Paramount as JP Morgan Delists FGN Bonds. Pope Francis makes divorce easier for Catholics. UN to engage ex-militants in Cote d’Ivoire. Senate Miffed with Buhari's Nominees for Assuming Office without Confirmation. Victims of Bomb Blasts Cry out for Help, Accuse Government of Neglect. Ekiti May Abolish Free Education, Holds Summit. NYSC Monthly Allowance: Tete Promises To Pay Arrears. Again, Tribunal Dismisses Amosun’s Bid To Stop Isiaka’s Petition. Declare Your Asset, APC Challenges Gov Fayose. Gombe Spent N20bn On Education In 4 Years – Gov Dankwambo. Intelligence Reports Reveal Chibok Girls Still Alive. Adefuye’s Body to Depart US Friday. Gov Yari Orders Demolition Of Gusau’s Shopping Mall. Troops Arrest Boko Haram’s Drugs, Logistics Suppliers. Benue, Taraba Govs, Monarchs Meet Over Boundary Dispute. Tuition hike: Babcock varsity, parents’ meeting deadlocked. Buhari, Obasanjo meet. Bailout: Osun lecturers reject pay cut. Lagos releases 2,500 C of O. We’ll never hang Buhari’s portrait in our offices –PDP. Relocate Now, NEMA Tells Communities Along Rivers, Lagos and NTA Network Bigboy, Akinwunmi Adeseye marks birthday in grand style on Lagos mainland. Flood-prone Areas. Financial Inclusion: Glo Xchange Rolls Out Super Agent Network. Nigeria is built on satanic foundation, says Fani-Kayode.

UPDATES 8th SEPTEMBER 2015

UPDATES: FG withdraws ex-ministers, govs passports. Ohanaeze demands apology from Keyamo over Buhari’s appointments. Civil servants corrupt, lazy, says President. TSA: Buhari gives MDAs Sept 15 deadline. Aregbesola fixed N35bn bailout for gain, PDP alleges. Appointments not yardstick of development – APC. Senate begins power probe today. B’Haram war exposes flaws in military, says Army chief. Police Bureau to Gather Intelligence on Boko Haram Suspects in Lagos. Nigeria Sends Togo Asylum Seekers Back Home. PPPRA Issues Additional Fuel Allocations for Q3. I Have Sent EFCC after Jang’s Men, Says Lalong. Kogi, Bayelsa Guber Polls: Transfer Of Voters Ends Oct 6, 20 – INEC. FCT Area Councils Given One-week Ultimatum to Clear Refuse. Cross River Legalises Death Penalty for Kidnappers. Ortom Vs. Tarzoor: Tribunal Reserves Judgement. Jonathan Endorses Gov Dickson For 2nd Term. I Will Name My Ministers Before Sept 30 – PMB. Buhari replies critics: I have declared my assets four times since 1974. War On Terror: NAF Promotes Airme n To The Rank Of AWOs. BIA builds low-cost schools in Lagos. Robbery: Police to escort luxury buses. A’Ibom tribunal: PDP agent admits signing multiple results. JAMB Inspects Facilities To Be Used As UTME Centres. River Benue: N25bn Dredging Project Yet To Take Off Despite 4 Appropriations.

UPDATES 7th SEPTEMBER 2015

UPDATES: Ohanaeze slams Buhari for Biu’s reinstatement. Lagos restricts trailers’ movements on roads. Nigerians in S’Africa decry corruption in embassy. We’ll recover stolen funds – Lalong. Presidency to hold peace confab for politicians. PDP, Presidency bicker over invasion of A’Ibom House. Invasion: Publish your report, A’Ibom lawmakers dare DSS. Bauchi missing aircraft found in Morocco. Presidency: Boko Haram May Fall Before Deadline. NNPC Report: Nigeria to Save $1bn from Fuel Import Substitution. Fowler to Engage Audit Firms, Consultants to Boost Tax Revenue. Jalingo Airport to Commence Operations December, Says Ishaku. 2nd Niger Bridge: Only N14bn Spent So Far – NSIA. A/Ibom Lawmakers Deny Arms, Dollar Notes Discovery In Govt House. NLC Denies Pact with Ajimobi on Workers’ Pay Cut. NDLEA Decries Rise of Drug Use by Married Women. Chaplain: Presidency Has Not Closed down Aso Villa Chapel. Buhari on One-day Visit to Ghana, Greets Okonkwo at 70. Jonathan: Adesina, Oteh’s Appointments Show We Had World Class Economic Team. We’ve not lost hope on Chibok girls – Presidency. Mimiko to lead 12 govs to Dickson’s declaration. We paid N1bn fines in four years –Navy.

UPDATES 3rd & 4th SEPTEMBER 2015

UPDATES: UPDATES: Five witnesses to testify against Dasuki. Patience Jonathan settles rift with Dickson. ICPC probes Fashola, Amaechi, Akpabio, others. Forgery suit still in court —Pro-Lawan senators. Fayose pardons workers caught for lateness. Kogi poll: APC supporters reject Audu. President: Fight Against Corruption is to Secure the Future of Nigerian Youths. Bayelsa ex-PDP chairman, Sam Inokoba, dies. Soyinka is ignorant, mischievous – Oyinlola. B’Haram kills 26 more in Borno. Kachikwu: We Saved $287m in Port Harcourt Refinery Turnaround Maintenance. NAF Alpha Jets Bombard More Targets in Sambisa Forest. $15bn Oil Deal: Alison-Madueke Blasts Indian High Commissioner, Refutes Allegation. IG Orders Security for Tribunals, INEC Offices. Crashed Air Force Plane was Not Insured, Says Alonge. Bullet-proof Cars: Court Bars EFCC from Inviting Oduah. Container Smashes SUV in Lagos, Three Feared Dead. No Plan to Ban Fairly-used Vehicles, Say FG. Rivers Guber: INEC Frustrating Tribunal Order On Electoral Materials Inspection – APC, Peterside. Adamawa Has 3,000 Ghost Workers – HoS. B’Haram: Nigerian airports are safe, says FAAN. FRSC to take ‘naked driver’ to psychiatric hospital. 2015 flood won’t be as bad as 2012 —NEMA. Assembly okays Amosun’s N18.9bn loan request. Sack NCC DG, civil servants tell Buhari. Lagos to recruit 1,300 teachers. Buhari to give primary school pupils free meals. Nigerian arrested with N1bn cash in Niger, Nigerien customs reject Nigeria’s request for seized cash. Heavy Security, Marine Police Deployed on A’Ibom, Cross River Waterways to Check Miscreants. Al-Makura Calls For Reduction In WAEC Fees. NNPC Moves To Unbundle PPMC, Says Refineries Not For Sale. Kerosene Likely Cause Of Air Crashes – Otedola. Tribunal dismisses Wike’s objection to new chairman. N4bn loan: Panel rejects request to arrest ex-chairmen. IG bans use of commercial vehicles for operations. Bulletproof cars: Dismiss Oduah’s suit, EFCC tells court. Army recalls 3,032 soldiers to battle Boko Haram. Cleaner caught with N53m at Lagos airport. PTDF cancels overseas scholarship scheme. Bayelsa tired of accidental leaders – Alaibe. Some Nigerians Prefer Stomach Infrastructure To Good Governance – Fashola. Ojuelegba Accident: Police Arrest Trailer Driver, Tow Mangled Vehicles. UBA Profit Rises 40% As Half Year Earnings Hit N167 Billion. DSS Sends Ogar, 14 Others on Compulsory Retirement. Kachikwu Gives Warri Refinery 90-day Deadline to Come on Stream. Buhari Approves Appointments of Two Senior Staff for Osinbajo. Again, Fire Guts Section of Balogun Market. Suicide Attacks Kill 10 in Cameroun. NYSC Activates Biometric Database to Monitor Corps Members. ABU Gets Youngest 37-year-old Prof Doko. Agbaje: PDP heads for S’Court. Return Nigeria’s Looted Funds, Dogara Tells Western Countries. Hamid Ali Resumes At Customs Headquarters. Tambuwal Lays Foundation for 250 Housing Estate in Sokoto. Ondo: Ocean Surge Displaces Residents, Destroys Property. FG to fine overstaying non-ECOWAS visitors $2,000. FG didn’t allow my father to serve —Fernandez’ daughter. US judge jails clerk for refusing gay marriage licenses. Lagos gets 107 new Customary Court judges. Buhari declares 270 cattle, mud houses, N30m, others, Osinbajo worth $900,000, N94m and more. Enyeama loses mum.

UPDATES 2nd SEPTEMBER 2015

UPDATES: Business Magnate, Deinde Fernandez Dies at 79. Crash: Akpabio flown abroad for treatment. Court seizes Dasuki’s passport, grants him bail. Pope changes Catholic rule on abortion. Defamation: Blogger gets N3m bail. Igbo lawyer sues Buhari over appointments. I ‘ll strengthen EFCC, ICPC —Buhari. Death toll in Borno attacks hits 80. Ojutalayo joins race to become Ooni. No competency test for Ondo workers. Amaechi left an empty treasury, Wike insists. USAID donates N157.8m to IDPs’ education. PDP accuses FG of planning to transfer tribunal judges. Rivers Guber: Appeal Court Reserves Ruling On Wike, PDP’s Application. PMB Never Promised Specifics In 100 Days, Presidency Insists. NNPC Seeks to End Oil Theft in Eight Months Using Drones. Senate Hails Withdrawal of Forgery Suit by Saraki's Opponents. Resign Now, New Oyo CP Tells Corrupt Officers. Air Force Promotes 9 Seniors Officers. APC Tells Fayose To Explain N9.6bn Loan Application. Troops Recapture Gamboru Ngala From Boko Haram. No Police Recruitment Yet, Says PSC. GTB, Zenith, FirstBank Emerge Top Users Of Internet Media. Hajj: We’ll Execute Any Pilgrim Caught With Drugs – Saudi Govt. SON Displays 2 Container-Loads Of Suspected Substandard Tyres Seized From Chinese Coy. Dangote Plans Zimbabwe Cement Plant.

UPDATES 1st SEPTEMBER 2015

UPDATES: Guber Elections: Appeal Court Reserves Judgment on Rivers, Taraba Petitions. Ambode Inaugurates 20 Mobile Care Units, 26 Transport Ambulances. Fayose: Buhari Gradually Becoming Northern President. Military Recovers 94 Cattle, Other Livestock from Rustlers in Sokoto. Prioritise Your Spending, Assembly Tells Aregbesola. Oshiomhole Asks Onolemhemen to Explain $700m Spent on Second Niger Bridge. Buhari should invite looters for talks —Okogie. Top Bandit Surrenders Self, Arms in Benue. FG Moves to Reduce Cost of Housing Delivery by 30%. Lateness: Fayose Recommends 31 Civil Servants for Disciplinary Actions. China Backs Nigeria Bid for UNSC Permanent Seat. Akpabio’s vehicle collided with ours – US embassy. Dasuki faces illegal arms charge today. No B’Haram member arrested in Enugu, say Police. Appointments: Oyegun backs Buhari, pleads for patience. 3 Feared Dead As Biafran Campaigners, Security Operatives Clash In Anambra. Our appointments not based on ethnicity, says SGF. Timi Alaibe, 9 Others Join Bayelsa Guber Race. NCC Impounds N1.5m Illegal Broadcast Equipment In Abuja. FCTA Impounds 4,790 Okadas In 90 Days, Says Perm Sec. Ugwuanyi Dances On Enugu Streets As Tribunal Upholds His Election. Lagos moves against sellers of pirated films. Ondo workers reject Mimiko’s competency test. Forgery: Saraki, Ekweremadu, others shun court. 64m Nigerians Suffering From Mental Illness – Nebo. AfDB: Osinbajo To Attend Adesina’s Inauguration Today.