NANS accuses Jonathan of complicity in Rivers crisis

The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) yesterday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of being the brain behind the Rivers State crisis.

It described Jonathan’s earlier denial of involvement in the crisis as false.

Five governors are patriots, says Babangida (THE NATION)

Five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors yesterday took their save-democracy crusade to Minna, the Niger State capital.

They met with two former Heads of State Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Royal Baby: William, Kate welcome baby boy

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and husband Prince William on Monday welcomed their first child, a son.

The baby boy was born at 4:24 p.m., weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces. A name has not yet been announced for the child, who is now third in line to the throne.

Dame Patience Jonathan’s mother dies in crash (PUNCH)

THERE was anxiety in Port Harcourt on Monday as news of the death of Mrs. Iwari-Oba, the mother of the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience,  spread in the Rivers State capital.

The mother of Mrs. Jonathan was said to have been involved in a ghastly motor accident along Elele Road in Rivers State.

Hawker, three others killed in Lagos building collapse

Four persons, including a 15-year-old hawker identified only as Sukurah, lost their lives on Sunday after a two-storey building under construction, collapsed in Surulere, Lagos State.

President running a ‘one-man show’ in PDP – Amaechi

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi  has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of turning the Peoples Democratic Party into a “one-man show” and of condoning “impunity and authoritarianism” in an effort to ensure re-election in 2015.

Emenike scores first league goal

Returning from injury after months of lay off, the Nigerian international, Emmanuel Emenike Sunday  afternoon registered his first league goal in the Russian Premier League to announce his return to scoring form.

Nigerians knock Senate over ‘child marriage’ law (PUNCH)

Massive protests have continued to trail the Senate’s passage of a resolution to retain the provision of Section 29 (4) (b) of the 1999 Constitution. Under the section, a married underage girl is deemed to be an adult.

Prominent Nigerians and human right organisations took to the social media to protest what they described as legalisation of sexual abuse of underage girls.

I’ve learnt from my mistakes – Funke Akindele (PUNCH)

Popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, has said she bears no grudge against her estranged husband, Almaroof Oloyede. She said also she has learnt from her mistakes in her crashed marriage to him.

Why we kept mum’s corpse in wardrobe for 10 years – Satguru Maharaj Ji devotees

The embalment of the remains of a 78-year-old Madam Lucy Osigwe by one of her children, Dr. Chimezie Osigwe, a devotee of the founder of One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji, since 2003,  continues to generate  ripples. The incident has launched the serene town of Ejemekuru, Imo State into public discourse. The allegation against Dr. Osigwe,  currently in police detention, is that he used the remains of his mother for ritual and that two other members of the family had also been used.

I’ll make Nigerians know how honest Amaechi is –Wike

For Governor Chibuike Amaechi and his friend, Chief Nyesom Wike, the die is cast at last. It is time to bare all and go for the kill. As Wike, the Minister of State for Education spoke to Saturday Sun, he spared no word or effort in his vitriolic attack on his political ally who has been in a running battle with him in the past months over the soul and spirit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.

Tanker crushes father, mother, two kids to death in Edo

A family of four has been crushed to death by a tanker at Egba junction along the Benin-Auchi express road.

Witnesses said the family consisted of the father, mother and two children.

Boko haram burn 30 students alive in Potiskum boarding school in Saturday morning attack

Islamic extremists killed 29 students and an English teacher Mohammed Musa, who was shot in the chest.

Islamic militants attacked a boarding school in northeast Nigeria before dawn Saturday, killing 29 students and one teacher. Some of the pupils were burned alive in the latest school attack blamed on a radical terror group, survivors said.

PDP shuns Tambuwal’s visit to Edo

The Peoples Democratic Party leadership in Edo State, on Friday,

shunned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, when he visited the state.

There was the conspicuous absence of  Edo PDP leadership at the Benin Airport to receive Nigeria’s No. 4 citizen, hours after a large crowd, including the Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, had gathered at the airport, awaiting his arrival.

NGF crisis was planned –Aregbesola

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has said that the crisis in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum was orchestrated.

He said the scenario that played out after the NGF election was premeditated.

 He said, “Some people deliberately wanted to discredit a process that had been proven to be very organised, peaceful and without rancour.

Amaechi free to quit pdp –Presidency

The Presidency on Friday said Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was free to resign from the Peoples Democratic Party, if he was no longer ready to respect President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the party.

PDP, ACN fight dirty

 THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday fought dirty calling each other names.

While the ACN described the PDP as a ruling party with a failed presidency, the other described the ACN as a party peopled by deceitful hypocritical leaders who pretend to be democrats.

We Won’t Leave PDP – Tambuwal, Amaechi

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday dispelled growing rumours that he was on the verge of leaving the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for an opposition party.

Zenith leads 12 other Nigerian banks in world top 1000

Zenith Bank tops Nigerian banks in this year’s Top 1000 World Banks Ranking of The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group, London, United Kingdom. The 13 banks that made the ranking are Zenith Bank, First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank, First City Monument Bank, Skye Bank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Union Bank and Standard Chartered Bank.

Police parade 11-yr old boy, 12 others for ritual murder, kidnapping

The Nigeria Police, Kogi State Command, has paraded 13 suspects for  various criminal activities in the state. Among them is one Mudi Ibrahim, who was nabbed while trying to enlist into the Army and Yahaya Isah, a serving councillor and an 11-year-old boy  in connection with the killing of a 17-year-old girl for rituals.

I am Following God’s Law With Death Sentence Oshiomhole Says

The governor of Edo State; Adams Oshiomhole has defended the signing of the death warrants on two armed robbers that were condemned to death in Edo state recently.
He warned citizens in the state that his administration will not fail to hand down the capital punishment to anyone found culpable.

Vatican Approves Sainthood For John Paul II, John XXIII

Pope Francis gave the go-ahead on Friday for John Paul II to be made saint and granted a rare exception for canonisation at the same time for John XXIII, who had the same reformist views and personal touch as the current pontiff.

Fake ‘Youth Corper’ To Serve In Prison

The fake NYSC member, Opeyemi Ajala

A suspected fake National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member, Opeyemi Ajala, 34, has been remanded in prison custody after he was arrested by the police at Dolphin Division, Ikoyi, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, and charged to court.

Lagos State sets world record in tooth-brushing

Nigeria’s Lagos State has shattered the Guinness Book of World in tooth brushing previously set by India by getting 300,000 students from 600 public secondary schools in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria to brush their teeth simultaneously at different locations.

I’ll contest 2014 gov election, Bamidele dares Tinubu, ACN

The Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, has said the endorsement of Governor Kayode Fayemi by the national leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria can not stop him from pursuing his ambition in 2014.

Tinubu Endorses Fayemi For Second, Tell Bamidele To Shelve Ambition

The national leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has endorsed the candidacy of Governor Kayode Fayemi for the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The ACN national leaders also told a House of Representatives member from the state, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, to shelve his purported governorship ambition and support Fayemi’s second term bid to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far by the ACN-led government in the state.

His Majesty, Obong of Calabar dethroned By Appeal Court

The Court of Appeal Court in Calabar, Cross River State yesterday nullified the appointment of Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi –Otu (V) as the Obong of Calabar and declared the stool vacant.

The appellate court also held that a former Minister of Finance, Chief Anthony Ani, who is also a contender to the throne, is not traditionally qualified and eligible to vote and be voted for as the Obong of Calabar.

Kogi councillor contracted us to cut off girlfriend’s head for rituals - Suspects

 •It’s not true - Councillor 

BARELY two months after he was declared winner of the recently conducted LG election in Kogi State as a councillor, Yahaya Isah allegedly asked three of his friends, Suleiman Yunusa (35) Isiaka Yunusa (23)  and Alifa Maha (17) to bring the head of his girlfriend, 17-year-old Igbere Ogbadu.

Doctors advise family to turn off Mandela’s life support machine

DOCTORS treating Nelson Mandela have advised his family to turn off his life support machine, since according to them, he is in a “permanent vegetative state.”

Also, a legal filing related to a family dispute over reburying the remains of Mandela’s three children indicated on Thursday that Mandela “is in a permanent vegetative state and is assisted in breathing by a life support machine.”

5 S/Court workers sacked over leaked judgment

CJN:Aloma Mukhtar

Justice Aloma Mukhtar

Justice Aloma Mukhtar

Justice Aloma Mukhtar

THE Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has dismissed five workers of the Supreme Court and a staffer of the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, for their involvement in the leakage of an undelivered judgment in the case of SC 179/2012 involving Senator Alphonsus Uba Igbeke and Lady Margery Okadigbo and three others.

Police arraign innocent man for murder

Shock pervaded the quiet atmosphere of the Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, after an investigating police officer, Corporal Alagbe Olumide, admitted that he was forced to arraign a murder suspect, Ayodimeji Alegbeleye, for the crime he never committed.

Senator Abe: visit won’t bring reconciliation

Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast) described yesterday’s visit to President Goodluck Jonathan by Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Part (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah and his delegation, as one-sided.

Jonathan, PDP chiefs attack Amaechi at Villa meeting

WITH its brawling leaders talking tough, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be far away from the peace it desperately desires.

The President warned yesterday that the “new PDP” would not condone indiscipline, after accusing some of its leading lights of fraternising with the opposition.

Amaechi approves N15M for OJB kidney transplant

The Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi has come to the aid of ailing music producer, Okungbowa Jezreel Babatunde aka OJB who is currently battling with kidney problem.

The governor has promised to support OJB with fifteen million naira (N15M) needed for the kidney transplant.

Shock as police recover 20 skulls at Aba dump site

•Four cops arrested for killing man, 26

A dumpsite has been discovered near Aba, Abia State, where over 20 human skulls and decomposing bodies, including those of school children were found. The site, which was a horror to behold was located, at about kilometre 15 on the Aba/Azumini Highway at an area called “No man’s land” after Akpaa village in Obingwa Local Government of the state.

Imo police command uncovers arms depot

•Arrests 2 brothers

The special unit of the Imo State Police Command, “Police Ambush Squad,” has discovered a firearms depot at Udume Ogwa in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. The suspects, Okechukwu and Donatus, who are brothers, were arrested at the depot during alleged negotiation to sell a pump action to a prospective buyer.

Construction begins at Lekki seaport

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday said construction has started at the Lekki Sea Port.

Governor Fashola, who spoke while addressing the Organised Private Sector at the Lagos Second Corporate Assembly, said its contractors have been mobilised to site.

Explosion, gunshots in Maiduguri •15,000 fleeing Nigerians return from Cameroon

REPORTS from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Wednesday, indicated that several people might have been killed, following clash between members of the Boko Haram sect and the youth group popularly called Civilian JTF.

COUP IN EGYPT: ARMY SACKS MORSI, SUSPENDS CONSTITUTION •Interim president named •The revolution was stolen from us - Morsi

The Egyptian military removed President Mohamed Morsi from power on Wednesday and suspended the constitution in moves it said were aimed at resolving the country’s debilitating political crisis.

In a televised address to the nation after a meeting with a group of civilian political and religious leaders, the head of the powerful armed forces, Gen. Abdel Fatah al-Sissi, said the chief of Egypt’s constitutional court “will assume the presidency” on an interim basis until a new presidential election is held.

Nigeria is due for revolution – Tambuwal

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has said a revolution is due in Nigeria because of endemic corruption in the country, coupled with the general disaffection of the people  with the ruling elite.

He said the kind of conditions that must subsist in order for any talk of revolution to be taken seriously were widely evident.

Amaechi insists on CP’s transfer over crime rate

RIVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to transfer Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, out of the state without delay.

Amaechi said the call became necessary following the increase in kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities in the state.

Deeper Life Suspends Pastor Kumuyi’s Son John and His New Wife Over Flamboyant Wedding

The Deeper Christian Life Ministry has suspended John Kumuyi, the second son of its General-Superintendent, Pastor William Kumuyi, over his controversial wedding in Jamaica.

The report was contained in an online video on Tuesday.

DSS parades suspected kidnappers of S-Court judge’s wife

BENIN CITY – Three mem-bers of a gang that kidnapped the wife, daughter and driver of a judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, in May, this year, were among seven suspects paraded by the Department of State Services, DSS, in Benin City, yesterday.

Gov. Yuguda returns to Northern Governors Forum

BAUCHI State governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, on Tuesday, made a U-turn on his earlier decision to withdraw his membership of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) as a result of the crisis that trailed the recent chairmanship election of theNigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), saying that he considered the appeals of Northern elders in order give fair representation to the region.

Police parade Bishop Nwabueze over alleged rape of 15 year old girl

 PORT HARCOURT — Chairman of All Bishops in Rivers State, Bishop Chibuike Nwabueze, who was arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year old girl, was paraded, yesterday, by the state Police Command.

The Bishop, who confessed to the crime before newsmen, said he was hypnotised, adding that he was set up by the pastor of the church where the incident occurred.

2 Convicts escape from Nigerian court

 There was commotion at a Delta State High Court, Asaba, Monday, following the escape of two condemned criminals, Elvis Agbofodo (aka Fete), and Frank Okedema.

They escaped from the Court after they were pronounced guilty of a two count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery by the Court.

Appointment of service chiefs illegal -Court

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday has declared the appointment of all service chiefs as illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

The service chiefs are the heads of the three major security arms of the nation, namely, the  Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Army Staff and  Chief of Naval Staff.

NUPENG Strike: Fuel scarcity hits Abuja

Abuja – Long fuel queues have again resurfaced in most filling stations in Abuja following a three-day warning strike embarked upon by  the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers ( NUPENG).

NUPENG started the strike on Monday to press home its demand for what it termed unfair labour practices by some oil companies toward its workers.

Mimiko wins as Appeal Court throws out Akeredolu, Oke’s appeals

THE Court of Appeal, Akure Division, on Monday, dismissed the appeals filed by the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the last governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olusola Oke, challenging the victory of Governor Olusegun Mimiko at the poll.