David Mark Named In Panama Papers With UK Properties - The Nation

Former Senate President David Mark has been associated with running eight offshore companies registered in British Virgin Island.
His former wife is also listed as owning shell accounts.

Senator Mark (Benue South), who recently won re-election into the upper chamber for the fifth time, is the latest Nigerian to be named in the secret assets leak of files belonging to Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.

Peter Onyekwere-Ebigbo Elected Into World Council On Torture Victims

A Nigerian Prof. Peter Onyekwere Ebigbo, of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has been elected to serve on the International Council for
Rehabilitation of Torture Victims in Copenhagen, Denmark. Ebigbo, who is the first black African to work on the council, will serve from 2016 to 2019.

Due to Ebigbo’s numerous contributions to education and scholarship, UNN during its 45th convocation recently upgraded the erudite scholar to the revered academic status of Professor emeritus, barely three years after his retirement.

Kids Found Dead In Ogun Church Premises

There was panic at Matogun, in the Lambe area of Ogun State on Tuesday after the police recovered corpses of two missing pupils from a church in the community, Christ Crusaders’ Deliverance Ministry.
The deceased – six-year-old Isaac Ayegbo, a primary 2 pupil, and Ayomide Innocent, 4, who was in Nursery 1 – were reportedly found inside the church’s vehicle after they were declared missing on Sunday.

Customs Blames CBN’s Policies As Revenue Falls By N230bn

Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), retired Col. Hameed Ali, has said that the service had a revenue shortfall of N230 billion in the last quarter of 2015.
Ali made the disclosure during a Consultative Forum between Customs and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) held at the Customs Training School, Ikeja, Lagos.

He attributed the shortfall to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) policies, adding that the service pleaded for sympathetic consideration by the CBN to review the policies.
“Customs had also made progress in getting the necessary approval for clearance of a huge backlog of imports.

Imo Govt. Signs MoU For Production Of Electronics

The Imo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese company to commence the production of electronics and electrical materials.

The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, recently received the Chinese delegation at the Government House in Owerri the Imo State capital.

‪#‎BuyNigeria‬: Enough Of Empty Talks, Says Osinbajo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday said the government and other stakeholders had spoken enough on the need for Nigerians to patronise made in Nigeria products.
He said there was the need to embrace the campaign which he said could contribute to the revival of the cotton, textile and garment industries which is one of the goals of the present administration.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice President spoke during a meeting he had with industry stakeholders and members of the Implementation Committee on the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Policy at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

We Can’t Impose AU Force On Burundi, Says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said since the Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has rejected the proposal of a stabilising force from the African Union for his country that was currently witnessing political crisis, the idea could not be imposed on the country.
Buhari therefore urged the people and government of Burundi to explore dialogue in resolving the current political differences in the country.

We Can’t Impose AU Force On Burundi, Says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said since the Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has rejected the proposal of a stabilising force from the African Union for his country that was currently witnessing political crisis, the idea could not be imposed on the country.
Buhari therefore urged the people and government of Burundi to explore dialogue in resolving the current political differences in the country.

Kachikwu: Fuel Scarcity Will End On Wednesday In Abuja, Lagos

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu on Tuesday said that the scarcity of petrol which had lasted a while in the country would be over from Wednesday (today) through to Thursday in Abuja and Lagos, the country’s political and commercial capitals.
Kachikwu, who said this during a town hall meeting he had with workers of the Petroleum Products Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) in Abuja noted that while he expects an end to scarcity in both cities from today, other cities in the country like Port Harcourt, Warri, Sokoto and Kano would however begin to experience such improvement by the weekend.

Boko Haram Threatens Fresh Terror Attacks In New Video

A propaganda video by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, has alerted Nigeria’s security agencies to possible terror attacks on soft targets.
In the video posted on YouTube last week and removed after a few hours, Shekau made a reference to an impending attack “in the heart of your land”, a phrase being interpreted to mean a major city in the country, most likely to be carried out by suicide bombers.

Nigeria In Darkness Due To Pipeline Vandalism, Transmission Failure

Recent attacks on crude oil and gas pipelines may have signaled the end of the honeymoon enjoyed by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari with respect to pipeline vandalism. This has ushered in a period of darkness witnessed in recent weeks, as vandalism of gas pipelines disrupted supply of feedstock to gas-fired power generating plants, which account for over 78 per cent of power supply in the country, ThisDay reports.

‘How Saraki Diverted Kwara Funds For Personal Properties’

Trail opened Tuesday before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in the case against Senate President, Bukola Saraki after his last minutes efforts to stay proceedings failed.
Saraki, who is facing a 13-count false assets declaration charge, was arraigned before the tribunal late last year. The prosecution has been unable to open trial in view of the several huddles raised by Saraki, including challenging the CCT’s jurisdiction, the competence of the charge, the propriety of his trial before the tribunal, among others, up to the Supreme Court.

Falana To DSS: Release Zakzaky Within 24 Hours

Activist-lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has demanded the unconditional release of leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) Sheik Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife, Hajia Zeenat Ibraheem from unlawful detention.
In an April 5 letter to the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Falana said his clients were denied access to their family and doctors since their arrest.

Falana said last December 12, thousands of armed soldiers allegedly unleashed violent attacks on IMN members in Zaria, Kaduna State on the orders of the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai who claimed that the unarmed civilians wanted to assassinate him.

APC Leaders Pleaded For My Return - Osoba

Former Governor Olusegun Osoba on Tuesday said the public misconstrued what happened at his Bourdilon home, Ikoyi – Lagos, last Sunday when the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southwest met.
In attendance at the meeting included the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule and former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo.

I'm Happy My CCT Trial Commenced, Says Saraki

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that he is glad that his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on alleged asset declaration in 2003 has finally commenced.
Saraki in statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, said that Tuesday’s proceedings gave him confidence that “if the trial is conducted fairly” he would “be vindicated.”
The Senate President noted that “even though the prosecution tried to bring in some dramatic narratives, it was clear that they were merely thrashing around and hoping to titillate the public with salacious tales.”
Saraki added that he was “hopeful however that when the time comes, his lawyers will have the opportunity to present his case.”
The Nation.

Ortom, Abounu Visit Agatu With Trucks Of Soldiers, Policemen

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his deputy, Benson Abounu, Tuesday, visited the ravaged Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
This is the first time the governor will be visiting the area since he assumed power last year.
Many residents of the community have been killed, while several others were rendered homeless by suspected Fulani Herdsmen.
Ortom has been facing public criticisms following his refusal to visit the area or take necessary steps to end the crisis.

Launching Of Abuja-Kaduna Rail Project Not Feasible By May 29 – Amaechi

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has stated that the official launching of Abuja-Kaduna rail project would not be feasible by May 29.
Amaechi made this disclosure at Idu, Abuja, while inspecting the arrival of two new coaches by the contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) on Tuesday.
The minister said that the development was due to earlier refusal of Daughters of Charity Hospital in Kubwa to relocate for the alignment of the rail track.

Dangerous Islamic Group Emerges In Kaduna – Governor El-Rufai

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has raised the alarm over the emergence of a deadly Islamic group, “Gausiyya” in Markafi Local Government Area of the state.
Mr. El-Rufai made this known in a radio interview on Friday, while justifying the need to regulate religious activities in the state.
The governor had weeks ago forwarded the Religious Regulation Bill, 2016, to the state House of Assembly, a situation that pitched him against religious leaders and rights activists across the country.

Buhari: Boko Haram Has Close Links With ISIL.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said the Boko Haram sect has a close link with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Buhari said this at the presidential villa in Abuja during a farewell ceremony held in honour of Tom Amolo, high commissioner of Kenya to Nigeria.
The president was quoted as saying ending insurgency in Africa will require stronger collaboration and commitment from governments, financial institutions and security agencies.

Saraki: Despite EFCC’s Salacious Tales, I See Hope.

Senate President Bukola Saraki says he will eventually be vindicated in his case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) despite the “salacious tales” by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
EFCC had described in detail the huge sums of money allegedly lodged in the personal accounts of Saraki, who is being accused of false asset declaration while he was governor of Kwara state between 2003 and 2011.
Yusuph Olaniyonu, his media adviser, said in a statement issued on Tuesday that the senate president was “glad” that the trial has finally commenced.

Stop Blaming PDP For Your Failures, Sheriff Tells Buhari

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has charged the All Progressive Congress led federal government to concentrate on providing solutions to the myriads of problems confronting the country rather than perpetually blaming the PDP for the failure of government. Senator Sheriff spoke Tuesday while inaugurating four committees of the party– the convention, Reconciliation, Finance and Zoning committees.

I Didn’t Reconcile With Fayose, Aluko Cries Out

Dr. Temitope Aluko, a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who was alleged to have reconciled with Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti State has described the purported reconciliation as a mere propaganda aimed at tarnishing his image.
It was reported in the media on Sunday that Aluko who revealed the fraud that characterised the governorship election in Ekiti State and other irregularities against Fayose had reconciled with the governor.

However, Aluko at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, said he agreed to a purported peace meeting organised by two members of the party because of the respect he has for PDP, not knowing that it was a set up by Fayose.

LASTMA Experience Is A Proof That State Police Will Succeed -Ambode

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday said that the state’s experience and success with Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) was a sign that state police would succeed.
Amobode spoke at the 6th Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)Annual Lecture in Abuja with the theme“ `State Road Traffic Management Efforts: the LASTMA’s Experience’’.
He said , LASTMA was established as a traffic management agency in the state to curb traffic issues and carry out the required enforcement responsibilities..

‪#‎PanamaPapers‬: Toyin Saraki’s Lawyers Disagree With Husband, Say Secret Assets Belong To Her Alone

Lawyers to Toyin Saraki, the wife of the embattled Nigerian Senate president, Bukola Saraki, have said the controversial hidden assets the politician failed to disclose, tucked away in secret offshore tax havens, belong solely to Mrs. Saraki, and not her family estate.
A trove of internal data from the Panama-based offshore-provider, Mossack Fonseca, obtained by the German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung and shared by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) with PREMIUM TIMES and over 100 other media partners in 82 countries, revealed that the properties were part of the assets belonging to the Senate President’s immediate family.

You’re A Threat To Democracy, Rivers PDP Tells Amaechi.

The war of words between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) continued on Tuesday as the former harped on the activities of the former governor, Rotimi Amaechi, which it said was dangerous to democracy.
While the APC was calling for a fresh conduct of the legislative elections rerun in the state, PDP was accusing the leader of the party of fomenting artificial crisis and tension so that a state of emergency could be declared in Rivers.