Oshiomhole Dares Okonjo-Iweala

•I await your lawyer’s letter
GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has told former minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala that he awaits a letter from her lawyers on her involvement in the alleged mismanagement of Nigeria’s economy under her watch.
Oshiomhole, however, said Okonjo-Iweala should explain to Nigerians how so much sleaze went unnoticed under her watch rather than parry issues. Reacting to the former minister’s Wednesday’s statement, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Prince Kassim Afegbua said rather than respond to issues, Okonjo-Iweala was making self- indicting statements on how she denied Edo people funds needed to develop critical infrastructure. “She should be ashamed to even state that she denied Edo people infrastructure loan when she could not redeem what was due to the state. Would there have been need for loan request if she were truly in firm control of the economy under her watch?
He said: “Is it not ridiculous that the former minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy pretends to be ignorant of the sleaze and primitive looting of the nation’s treasury under her watch?
The Sun.

Pro-Biafra Protest: Cash Looted, Vehicles Worth N50m Destroyed In Onitsha Factory

…NSCIA warns Muslims against retaliation
Over N50 million worth of valuables were allegedly destroyed by the pro-Biafra protesters at Onitsha, Anambra State.
The protesters, who stormed Best Aluminum Manufacturing Company limited at Anyika Street, Ozala Layout Awada, Onitsha, with various weapons during the protest allegedly carted away N12million cash, burnt two vehicles, destroyed six others, smashed building glasses, looted computers and generating sets.
Best Aluminum Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Pius Nweke said the hoodlums, numbering about 200, stormed the factory with intent of collecting arms from policemen on guard. When that failed, he said they stole and destroyed.

Biafra: Obiano Warns Mischief-Makers To Keep Off Anambra

Anambra Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has warned mischief makers to keep off the state.Obiano issued the warning in a special broadcast. The governor said he was in constant touch with security personnel in the state, adding that “his government has been monitoring developments with regards to protests by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
“As your governor and chief security officer of the state, I am compelled to act to avert any likely breakdown of law and order. In all situations, the preservation of human life comes first and I am determined to enforce that.

Deaths In Onitsha: Hold IPOB, MASSOB Faction Responsible –Uwazuruike

National leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, absolved his group in the protests rocking the South East and South South geo-political
He also denied the involvement of his group in the deaths of some protesters at Onitsha on Wednesday.

Onitsha Violence: Fear Grips Northern Govs

•‘We can’t afford violence in another part of Nigeria’
GOVERNORS of the 19 northern states yesterday took undisclosed security measures with a view to ensuring that Wednesday’s violence which included burning of places of worship in the commercial city of Onitsha, in Anambra State, does not spread to the northern part of the country.

Speaking on behalf of the 19governors, Borno State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Kashim Shettima whose statement was issued by his spokesman, Isa Gusau, yesterday in Maiduguri, said the Governors, particularly those of major cities, were in touch with one another yesterday and had taken some firm measures which aim at averting any spill-over. Shettima said the governors took the undisclosed measures, following media reports claiming that worship places were touched during Wednesday’s violence in Onitsha.

Our Protest Will Stop If Okorocha, Ekweremadu Emerge Presidential Candidates In 2019 – Ohanaeze Youths

The youth wing of the pan Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has lauded former military Heads of States, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Yakubu Gowon for their support for Igbo presidency.
Babangida had said in a recent interview that he will back an Igbo for the presidential seat in 2019 if he finds a credible personality.
Similarly, Gowon had openly canvassed for an Igbo president to pilot the affairs of Nigeria in the nearest future.
National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo youth wing, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in an interview with Vanguard, described the two former leaders as true elder statesmen.

Troops Discover Boko Haram Hideout-Tunnel In Sambisa, Free Hostages [PHOTOS]

Troops of the Nigerian Army are continuing their advancement towards the main camp of the Boko Haram sect in Sambisa.
During the encounter, the troops freed many hostages and dislodged some Boko Haram insurgents, who fled on sighting them.
Army sources told DAILY POST that the Boko Haram fighters cannot escape into towns as there were many check points at all Sambisa exits and entry routes.
The troops discovered a tunnel the sect uses as hideout from military air strikes.
They also destroyed Boko Haram flags, motorcycles, among other properties.
Some images of the operation were obtained by DAILY POST Thursday night.

MTN Begs Buhari To Further Reduce $3.2bn Fine

Telecommunications giant, MTN, is seeking a further reduction in the fine slammed on it by the Nigerian government.
MTN had been fined $5.2bn by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, for failing to disconnect unregistered subscribers from its network.
However, Nigerian authorities had slashed the fine by 30 percent to $3.2bn and gave the South African company Dec. 31 to pay up.
It was gathered that the decision to reduce the fine was taken by President Buhari’s office, which passed on the information to the NCC on Wednesday.
However, Reuters reports that management of the troubled company is still pleading with the Nigerian government to further reduce the fine.
But the reduced fine, if enforced, is still more than two times MTN’s average yearly capital expenditure of about $1.5 billion over the last five years and can still cause a lot of trouble for the company.
Daily Post.

Metuh Has No Right To Announce Date Of PDP Convention — Okupe

A former presidential spokesperson, Doyin Okupe, has stated that the announcement of new dates for congresses and national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, as announced by the spokesperson of the party, Olisa Metuh, on Thursday, cannot stand.
Mr. Metuh had released a timetable of schedule of congresses and national convention which, he said, was approved by the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party.

He said the NWC had fixed March 19, 2016 for the party`s national convention.
The party, he said, would conduct its Ward Congresses on February 27, 2016, while March 5, 2016 was slated as the day for Local Government Area Congresses.
The NWC, he said, had also approved March 12, 2016 for state congresses and March 16, 2016, for its zonal congresses.

Biafra: Don’t Create Boko Haram In The East, IYC Tells FG

THE President of Igbo Youth Congress (IYC), Mr Bright Ezeocha, says he fears that the use of violence against pro-Biafra protesters by the government might give rise to the creation of a terrorist group in the manner of Boko Haram in the East.
Ezeocha said this in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune in Lagos when reacting to the alleged killing of some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by security agents on Wednesday.
Ezeocha said he had urged the Federal Government to handle the issue with care by dialoguing with the people to avoid a repeat of history.

Senate Asks FG To Reintroduce Tollgates

The Senate, on Thursday, asked the Federal Government to reintroduce toll gates in all the federal highways in the country and channel the revenue collected for the maintenance of the roads.
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration cancelled the toll gates across the country in 2004, citing loss of revenue to government and the poor maintenance of the tolled roads.

Fayose ‘Increases’ Prices Of Gravel, Sand

Residents of Ekiti State will now pay more for sand and gravel, following the stand-off between Governor Ayo Fayose and members of the Tipper Owners and Quarry Employers.
The stand-off, caused by the government’s imposition of a new tax of N1,000 per trip and a fine of N50,000 for default, was settled yesterday.

Fayose reduced the tax to N500 per trip to take effect from January.
The peace meeting held at Jibowu Hall of the Government House was brokered by the Founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN). It was attended by the Commissioner of Police, Etop James and Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Duke Fubara.

NIMASA Ex-Boss, Others Granted Stringent Bail Conditions

LAGOS—The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, arraigned former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, alongside nine others before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over allegation of theft of N3.4billion.
Akpobolokemi was arraigned alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Felix Bob-Nabena, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Governor Juan, Ugo Fredrick, Timi Alari and two companies, Al-Kenzo Limited and Peniel Engineering Services Limited.

ALLEGED $2bn Arms Deal Fraud: EFCC Uncovers Another N600m Acam

ABUJA—The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, yesterday, continued its arrest of high profile politicians and top military officers over the $2bn arms contract allegedly disbursed by the Office of National Security Adviser, ONSA.

Suspects arrested, yesterday, included the former Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Marine Safety, Air Vice Marshal Salihu Atawodi.
Atawodi was accused of alleged diversion of N600 million meant for acquisition of military boats for the use of the Nigerian armed forces.

18,000 Minimum Wage: We Are Saying We Should Tighten Our Belts – Yari

ABUJA – Zamfara State Governor and chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara has said it was extremely necessary for the state governors, the presidency and the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC to negotiate over the 18,000 minimum wage. The governor said that the dwindling oil prices has drastically affected the revenue generation of most States which can no longer live pay salaries of workers.wage

He stated that therefore no need living under pretense when in reality, the revenues were not coming.
Yari who fielded questions from State House Correspondents after a private meeting with president Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday at the presidential villa also denied making categorical statement on pruning down the wage.

Social Media Censorship Bill: ‘Senate Can’t Be Intimidated’ To Surrender’

ABUJA – AS criticisms continue to trail the ongoing bill by the Senate to censor social media in the country, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said no amount of attacks arising from it would make the Red Chamber abandon the proposed law.
Saraki, who acknowledged the roles of the social media in the development of the country’s growing democracy, however, said the Senate would not fold its hand to allowed it abused by some elements.SO
Speaking yesterday, when Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West, raised the issue under matters of urgent importance, during the day’s plenary, the Senate President berated activities of some social media platforms, which he said, had published numerous materials to undermine the integrity of the Red Chamber.

IPOB Blames APC For Death Of 9, Names Victims

Markets, schools, banks remain shut in Onitsha
Soldiers, mobile policemen take over streets, conduct stop-and-search on motorists
MASSOB dissociates self, factions trade blames
ONITSHA—Following the three-week long protests embarked upon by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, over continued incarceration of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu which led to the alleged killing of its members by members of Joint Military Task Force, markets, banks and schools in Onitsha and its environs remained closed, yesterday, in apparent solidarity with the protesters.
The Building Materials International Market at Ogidi, near Onitsha, New Auto Spare Parts market at Nkpor and other major markets remained closed, just as banks and schools remained under lock and key.

Onitsha: Pro-Biafran Protesters’ Action, Self-Serving, Says Ohanaeze

The socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned Wednesday’s pro-Biafran agitators’ violent protest that led to the death of over nine persons including a soldier and two policemen.  The Igbo leaders described the group and their leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s action as “barbaric and self-serving.”  Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has said that 137 of the pro-Biafran agitators that allegedly participated in the violent protest have been arrested.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ali Okechukwu, told one of our correspondents on the telephone that those arrested would be prosecuted.

PDP: We’re Not Against Arrest Of ‘Bad Eggs’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it was not against the arrest of its members who have committed various forms of crimes, but stressed that there should be fairness and transparency in the investigation and trial processes.

Reacting to Chief Raymond Dokpesi’s arrest over his alleged involvement in financial deals with the office of National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki in a telephone interview yesterday, PDP national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said that the party was completely in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption drive.
The party however said people arrested should not be presumed guilty until after investigation.
He added that the PDP was neither defending Dasuki nor exonerating him from the alleged crime but that a transparent process of investigation should be done.

I Have Inspired Many African Leaders —Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says he has inspired many African leaders who have also gone ahead to create social change.
Tinubu, who is a former governor of Lagos State, said this at the formal launch of the Centre for African Entrepreneurship and Leadership and his investiture as the Patron at the University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, according to a statement on Wednesday.
The APC leader, who was represented by his wife, Remi, said national leadership must establish the right policies, provide the necessary infrastructure and create the enabling institutional environment under which ambitious entrepreneurs can become productive.

Dokpesi Can Be Charged With Conspiracy – Sagay

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), has faulted the excuse given by the Chairman of Daar communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, that the N2.1bn he collected from embattled former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was for the media campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan during the last election.
He, therefore, stated that based on the outcome of investigations, Dokpesi could be charged with conspiracy to steal.

NLC Calls For Legislation To Protect Whistle- Blowers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Thursday in Abuja called on members of the National Assembly to work out a policy to protect whistle blowers.
President of NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba, made the call while briefing newsmen on “Why the anti-corruption war is succeeding in the country.’’
Wabba said the National Assembly should rise to the challenge immediately, while the courts should ensure speedy disposal of corruption cases.
He said the on-going revelation on the $2.1 billion arms purchase deal has justified unqualified support for the fight against corruption.

Why We Must Cut Minimum Wage Or Sack Workers — Nigerian Governors

Nigerian governors will eventually reduce the federal minimum wage of N18,000 or downsize because of the current economic crunch, the chairman of the body of governors has said.
The chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Zamfara state governor, Abdulaziz Yari, said on Thursday that irrespective of public condemnations of the plan, it would not be economically feasible to retain the same workforce and pay same amount of money.

SERAP Drags Nigerian Senate To UN Over Repressive Media Bill

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an urgent appeal to David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, requesting him to “you use your good offices and position to urgently request the National Assembly of Nigeria, specifically the Senate, to withdraw a bill which if passed into law would undermine the internationally recognized right to freedom of expression and press freedom on the internet in the country”.

$2.1 bn Arms Deal: I Didn’t Receive A Dime From Dasuki, Says Ex-Gov. Bafarawa

ABUJA -The ongoing investigation into the $2.1 billion arms deal involving a former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki and some of his associates took another twist Thursday, with the former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa exonerating himself of any wrongdoing.
There has been a chain of revelations as to how the money was dispensed, with the ex-governor’s name featuring prominently as collecting about N4.6 billion for “spiritual purposes”.