Abacha Loot: Arms Are Not Roads, Electricity, Health, SERAP Tells Okonjo-Iweala

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo Iweala to “apologise to Nigerians for claiming recently that recovered Abacha loot was transparently spent while she knew that $322m (about N63billion) recovered Abacha funds were inappropriately released to finance the fight against Boko Haram.”
SERAP’s statement today followed Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s confession that she released about $322m to the former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki for military operations.
In a statement today by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organisation said that, “The truth about the spending of Abacha loot is now coming out, and it is clear that Mrs Okonjo-Iweala was wrong to accuse SERAP of bias while she knew that we are simply seeking truth, justice and accountability on the spending of recovered Abacha loot.”

ALLEGED $2bn Arms Deal PROBE: EFCC To Summon Okonjo-Iweala

Oshiomhole alleges ex-minister aided looting of stolen funds
I secured ex-President Jonathan’s approval — Okonjo-Iweala
Okonjo-Iweala should tender apology to Nigerians — SERAP
ABUJA— Indications emerged last night that the Federal Government would extend its dragnet towards apprehending and prosecuting more individuals and groups which allegedly helped themselves with huge funds meant for the acquisition of arms for the armed forces, leaving the soldiers to fight with bare hands.

Elite Frustrating Buhari’s Reform Agenda —Agbakoba

Human rights lawyer and former President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has lauded the economic and political policies initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari, noting however, that the elite are frustrating the President’s reform agenda.
Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, on the state of the nation, Agbakoba said that since May 29, there has been an economic correction in the country, as well as an ideological shift to the left to serve the people’s interest.

Ex-Director: I Delivered $47m In 11 Suitcases To Dasuki

MORE shocking revelations have come on how huge cash estimated at $2billion meant for arms purchase was allegedly diverted by key government officials and politicians during the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Presidency.
A former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Mr. Shuaibu Salisu, said $47million was withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 11 suit cases.
He said he suspected that the cash might have been given to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He, however, said as a civil servant, he was innocent because he only carried out instructions from the ex-National Security Adviser, Mr. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.

Soyinka: Disobeying Court Orders Is Invitation To Anarchy

Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka has condemned what he called sustained contempt of the judiciary by security agencies and political office holders. He said it is an aberration in a democratic setting for people to disobey orders of the court. It is the surest way to anarchy, the literary icon said.
The playwright, who cited no specific instance, said only criminals would flout court orders in a democratic society. He made a reference to Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, who the literary giant described as a “thug”.

'Sosoliso Crash' Will Never Happen Again, FG Vows

The Federal Government has vowed to take necessary steps to ensure that another plane crash like that of Sosoliso air crash which claimed about 109 lives 10 years ago does not reoccur.
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, made the vow on Thursday at the Port Harcourt International Airport during a candle light procession in memory of 60 students of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, who lost their lives in the Sosoliso crash at the airport Saturday, December 10, 2005.

PDP, Reps, Anenih, Ayu, Others Named In N30b ‘Loot’

EFCC begins trial of ex-NSA, Yuguda, Bafarawa today
Jonathan’s ex-aide ‘on the run’
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today begin the trial of a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr. Sambo Dasuki, ex-Minister of Finance Bashir Yuguda and a former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu as well as six others for alleged misappropriation N10billion.
The others are a former Executive Director of NNPC, Aminu Baba Kusa, former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, Sagir Attahiru, Dalhatu Investment Limited, Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.

International military review: Syria, Dec.10,2015

#Syria

Foreign Policy Diary – The Russia-Turkey standoff: Bosphorus blockade

#Russia, #Turkey

Ukraine's Yatsenyuk Faces Dismissal Pressure From Protesters, Poroshenko

Ukraine's Prime Minister Yatsenyuk faced pressure from the president's parliamentary bloc to resign, as his own faction refused to enter a new ruling party. Several hundred people blocked the streets of Kiev on Friday to demand the dismissal of Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who was giving an annual report on the government's work in the Ukrainian parliament.

YEMEN MAP OF WAR – Dec. 10, 2015

The war in Yemen has spilled over into Saudi Arabia and continues to drag on. It is no longer confined to the Saudi coalition versus the Houthi alliance but Al Qaeda, target of the drone war, controls almost the entire eastern half of Yemen, including Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout province. Initially, the Saudi coalition included AQAP against the Houthi alliance but some fighters have joined IS/Daesh, (typically) targeting all sides and this complicates a negotiated settlement.

The war has restored the popularity of Saleh, one of the main players in the Houthi alliance, whereas Hadi is resisting talks. His popularity is waning and talks may end his political aspirations. This is posing a serious challenge to the Saudi coalition, explaining their all-out pursuit of victory.

Russia in an invisible war

Source: http://oko-planet.su/politik/politiklist/301881-rostislav-ischenko-rossiya-v-nevidimoy-voyne.html

Rostislav Ischenko

Translated by Seva

Russia in an invisible war

How could Russia in just 20 years, without wars or other perturbations, rise from a semi-colony to an acknowledged world leader, equal among the top ones?

Kitchen “strategists”, who sincerely believe that massive nuclear strike is the universal solution to any international problem (even the hottest one, close to military confrontation), are unhappy about the moderate position of the Russian leadership in the crisis with Turkey. However, they deem insufficient even direct participation of the Russian military in the Syrian conflict. They are also dissatisfied with the Moscow’s activities on the Ukrainian front.

Supreme Court Decides Rev King’s Death Sentence Feb 26

The judgement on the appeal filed by the General Overseer, Christian Praying Assembly (CPA), Rev. Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, a.k.a Reverend King, challenging the judgement of a Lagos High Court sentencing him to death by hanging, was on Thursday, fixed for February 26, 2016, by the Supreme Court sitting in Abuja.
The apex court presided over by Justice Walter Onoghen adjourned for judgment after entertaining arguments from counsel to prosecution and defence in the matter.

Godswill Akpabio Loses At Court Of Appeal - Sahara Reporters

The Court of Appeal has nullified the election of Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State Godswill Akpabio. Re-run in 90 days. The un-common transformer has been shown the way out of the Senate. Reporting live from the court.

Things That Make You Go Boom: Russian Jets Filmed Bombing Jihadis in Syria

Footage from the Abkhazian news agency Anna-News has emerged on the Internet revealing Islamist militants being pounded by Russian and Syrian airstrikes.

In the footage, Russian and Syrian warplanes launched air raids on militants based in the western Syrian province of Latakia.

Active Shooter at Arkansas State University Prompts Evacuations

Arkansas State University is reportedly on lockdown after a man with a weapon was spotted on campus, potentially an active shooter.

An armed individual, reportedly male, has been surrounded by authorities. No shots have been fired at this time, and there are no reported injuries. Ambulances are reportedly en route.

Officials say the incident began when the suspect crashed his car into barriers at the university, and also stressed that there were no previous threats made, according to CNN. Students were alerted to avoid the area via a campus-wide text message.

Ukraine 'On the Cusp' of an All-Out War as Biden delivers new war message

A new war is breaking out in Ukraine, and it has been triggered off by no other than the vice president of the United States. During his visit to Kiev last weekend, Joe Biden publicly warned President Poroshenko that "the country is on the cusp" of being completely ruined by rampant corruption.

Ukrainian media reports Joe Biden, US Vice President, demanded action, among other things, the removal of certain Ukrainian officials in the Ministry of Defense and the Prosecutor General's Office.

“The U.S. will continue to stand with Ukraine”-@VP speaking to the Ukrainian Rada → https://t.co/DF3Acy0I9g

— WH National Security (@NSCPress) December 9, 2015

Triple Explosion Hits Syrian Tel Tamer City

A series of explosions have hit the Syrian city of Tel Tamer, leaving 15 dead and more than one hundred wounded.
​Terrorists have detonated three cars in the city of Tel Tamer, in the Syrian province al Hasakah, a source in the people's militia told RIA Novosti. Casualties among civilians are reported.

Greek Jets Target Intruding Turkish F-16 Fighter

A Turkish jet intruded into Greek airspace, which according to the Turkish General Staff, led two Greek jets to keep a radar lock on it as a target.

Two Greek F-16 fighter jets held a radar lock on a Turkish F-16 over the Aegean Sea, the Turkish General Staff said on Thursday.

Turkish President Rules Out Troops Withdrawal From Iraq

Turkey will withdraw troops from Iraq, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said firmly on Thursday.

ANKARA  — Turkey will not pullout its troops from Iraq as they have been deployed in the country for training of Iraqi military and police rather than for combat, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Thursday.

"Our servicemen went to Iraq as instructors, their mission is limited to training," Erdogan told a news conference in Ankara.

Kurds Protest Erdogan's Invasion, Bombings of Iraq

Kurds in Iraq protested Turkey's invasion of Iraq, which is a threat to both the independence of Iraq and the Kurds living in the northern part of the country.

Although Turkey found a friend in Iraqi Kurdistan's most dominant clan leader and current president Massoud Barzani, many Iraqi Kurds have opposed the measure.

World Goes 'Right': US, European Right-Wing Parties on Rise

New Paris-style massacres are likely to happen and will solidify Europe and America's turn to the right, Patrick J. Buchanan predicts.

Syrian Air Force Crushes 1300 Terrorist Targets in Last 2 Weeks

According to a military spokesman, the Syrian Air Force has carried out 364 sorties in the last two weeks, striking 1,300 terrorist targets across four provinces.

According to air force spokesman Brigadier General Ali Mayhoub, the Syrian Arab Air Force has destroyed three terrorist command posts operated by Daesh, also known as ISIL/the Islamic State, in areas around Aleppo and Palmyra. Strikes also targeted three columns of vehicles in Homs province, which took out a number of militants and weapons caches.

Three Dead, 30 Wounded in Recent US Coalition Attack - Syrian Army

The recent coalition air strike on the Syrian Army, which took place on Sunday night, killed three and left thirty wounded, claims a representative from the Syrian Army.

Court Orders Detention Of Dokpesi Till Dec.14

A Federal High Court, Abuja has again, ordered that Raymond Dokpesi be detained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pending ruling in his bail application on Dec. 14. Dokpesi, the former chairman of DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd., is standing trial on a six-count-charge bordering on money laundering and contract fraud to the tune of N2.1billion. Justice Gabriel Kolawole gave the order for the remand of the defendant, after lawyers in the trial had argued for and against his bail application. “The court cannot deliver ruling immediately because all the processes filed by the parties are not before the court.