Photos: Buhari and his delegation formally welcomed to China by the Chinese president

President Buhari and his delegation were yesterday formally welcomed to China by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, at a ceremony which held at the Great Hall in Beijing China. Buhari was treated to a 21 gun salute and he also inspected a guard of honor of the Chinese Liberation army. Continue to see more photos.

Press statement on the kidnap of Channels TV reporter in Imo state

Read the statement from NUJ below...
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zone C (South East) has received with shock, the report of the kidnap of Channels Television Correspondent in Owerri, Imo State, Mr. Tope Kuteye by 3am Monday April 11, 2016. Kuteye was reportedly kidnapped at his residence in Owerri.
We condemn the kidnap of this innocent citizen and journalist. Kuteye is neither a politician nor a money-bag business man. It therefore baffles the Union as to why he should be the target of this dastardly act.

We therefore appeal to the abductors of Mr. Kuteye to release him unconditionally without delay.

We similarly call on law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned to secure the release of Kuteye soonest should his abductors hedge.

We regret that journalists, who are always at the forefront in the battle for social change, accountability, transparency in governance and social justice should be made the victim of the vices they stood against.

Please, and please, we plead with abductors of our colleague to release him without further day!

Signed:

1. Comrade Christopher Isiguzo, Vice President, NUJ Zone C.
2. Comrade Kenneth Ofoma, Secretary NUJ Zone C.

Press statement on the alleged manslaughter of a biker in Abuja

Below is a press statement from friends of the deceased.
On Friday, 1st of April, 2016, along the Yoruba mosque axis of the Maitama district, a biker, Mr. Somar Ain Al Shaibeh was on an afternoon ride, kitted with his helmet. Unknown to the rider, a woman driving a Toyota Matrix car with Plate Number BW 227 RSH out of impatience was carelessly driving against traffic as to avoid the traffic gridlock caused by a mosque on her rightful lane, and decided to drive one-way through the very dangerous bend.


Before the rider could sight the oncoming vehicle, it was too late and a head-on collision became unavoidable. He was hit by the woman, unconscious and was rushed to the hospital, and a case was lodged with the police.

Photos: Gov. Oshiomhole, Iara and Dangote at the groudbreaking ceremony of Dangote cement plant in Edo State

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote on Sunday, April 10 announced the commencement of the company's $1 billion cement plant in Okpella, Edo State. The groundbreaking ceremony of the six million metric tonnes integrated plant was part of activities to mark his 59th birthday. Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, his wife Iara and Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano are pictured at the event. More photos after the jump.

2016 budget crisis confirms my position that Buhari is clueless, incompetent - Fayose

Read the press statement below...
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose has described the raging controversies between the Presidency and the National Assembly over the 2016 Budget as a confirmation of his position that President Buhari was clueless and incompetent, saying; “Nigerians should expect more blunders like this until they send Buhari back to Daura in 2019.”
The governor, who said it was now obvious that the President and his All Progressives Congress (APC) only wanted power desperately without the wherewithal to govern, added that; “I warned Nigerians of the consequences of electing an octogenarian as president and with the international embarrassment that this budget crisis has become, I have been vindicated.”

Photos: "Borno is now free! declares Governor Shettima as he visits NEMA headquarters in Abuja

Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima says Boko Haram has been decimated since President Muhammadu Buhari took office. He declared that "Borno is now free," noting, however, that the war against the sect is still on. Shettima stated this yesterday, April11 during his visit to the headquarters of National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) in Abuja.

Senate says its open to restore Lagos-Calabar rail project into 2016 budget

The Nigerian Senate says it is open to restore the controversial Lagos-Calabar rail project into the 2016 budget if the Federal government sends in a supplementary budget. Spokesperson of the senate, Abdullahi Sabi, stated this while speaking to journalists at the National Assembly today April 12th.

Large trade imbalance between Nigeria and China must be reduced- Buhari

Press statement from the Presidency
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Beijing called on the Nigerian and Chinese business communities to work harder to reduce the trade imbalance between both countries which is currently in China's favour. Speaking at the opening of a Nigeria-China Business/Investment Forum, President Buhari said that trade and economic relations between both countries must be mutually-beneficial and conducted with reciprocated respect and trust.
"Although the Nigerian and Chinese business communities have recorded tremendous successes in bilateral trade, there is a large trade imbalance in favour of China as Chinese exports represent some 80 per cent of the total bilateral trade volumes.

New Zealander pensioner charged with smuggling cocaine into Australia

A New Zealand Kiwi pensioner is in an Australian maximum security prison ail on drug smuggling charges after six kilograms of cocaine was found in his bag. He claimed the bag was given to him by two Nigerian men in Brazil who promised to share huge amount of money with him.

Rivers State Police Command releases photos of arrested armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists.

The Rivers State Police Command today released photos of suspected cultists, kidnappers, and armed robbers arrested in the state. Arms and ammunition recovered from the suspected criminals were also displayed. More photos after the jump

'Aspiration and wealth creation are not dirty words',UK prime minister David Cameron lashes out at Panama Papers report

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has been under mounting pressure since his father, Ian Cameron, was identified as a client of a Panamanian law firm that specializes in helping the wealthy to reduce their tax burdens by creating off shore investments and having offshore accounts in reports sparked by Panama Papers leaks.

The prime minister initially refused to say whether he had a stake in Blairmore Holdings, an offshore firm established by his father, before acknowledging he had sold his shares in it shortly before he was elected as Prime minister in 2010.

Witness recounts how former Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido and his sons allegedly defrauded the state

Read the Press statement from EFCC below...
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on April 11, 2016, presented more witnesses in the on-going trial of former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, and two others before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
They are being prosecuted on a 27-count charge bordering on the abuse of office and money laundering. Prosecution witness, Micheal Wetkas, an operative of the EFCC, who testified as PW18, revealed how Lamido, his sons, and cohorts received kickbacks, while masquerading the same as proceeds for executed sub-contracts.

Photos: 22-year-old mother confesses to killing her toddler daughter

Sofina Nikat had earlier told investigators her daughter Sanaya Sahid was snatched from her pram by an African as they were walking in Olympic Park at Heidelberg West, Australia on Saturday morning. The 15-months-old was later found dead in a Melbourne creek in the early hours of Sunday, April 10.

Anti-Graft War: Sagay Charges EFCC To Be Resolute

Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, has charged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, not to relent in carrying out its mandate of ridding the country of economic and financial crimes.



Sagay, who led some members of the committee to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, on April 7, 2016 also stressed the pivotal role the anti-graft agency has to play in winning the war against corruption.

EFCC NABS TWO FAKE 'EFCC OPERATIVES'

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday April 8, 2016 arrested the duo of Abbas Attahiru and Mohammed Sufiyanu for offences bordering on personation and obtaining by false pretence.



Attahiru and Sufiyanu’s arrest followed a complaint by a would be victim, that the suspects claiming to be staff of EFCC, informed him of a petition purportedly written against him.

Dasukigate: Metuh’s Move to Stall Trial Rejected … Ordered to Enter Defence

The National spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Monday April 11, 2016, again attempted to throw another spanner in the wheel of justice at his ongoing trial before Justice E. O Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on the seven count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.


Metuh who is being prosecuted alongside his company, Destra Investments Limited for the alleged N400m fraud, had earlier on Friday April 8, 2016, met a brick wall in his attempt to stall his trial.

How Lamido, Others Defrauded Jigawa - EFCC Witness

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on April 11, 2016, presented more witnesses in the on-going trial of former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, and two others before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.


They are being prosecuted on a 27-count charge bordering on the abuse of office and money laundering.

EFCC Arraigns Man for Attempting to Steal N7m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday 11th April, 2016 arraigned one Adekunle Yakub Asuni before Justice. I.B. Gafai of the Federal High Court Awka, Anambra State on a four count charge for attempting to steal the sum of N7,000,000.00 (Seven million naira) by false pretence from the account of one Abdullahi Adamu.



The offence contravenes the provisions of section 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act. 2006.

Lagos commences prosecution of 28 tax defaulters

This is a press statement from the office of the Attorney General and commissioner, Ministry of Justice, signed by the Chief Public Affairs officer, in Lagos state, Bola Akingbade.
The Lagos State Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit has begun prosecution of recalcitrant tax payers in the State.


The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem who disclosed this on Monday, said that The Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit has filled all the necessary information at the State High Court for the arraignment of 28 tax defaulters referred by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and prosecution has begun in earnest.

Man commits suicde because no female wanted to marry him

The lifeless body of a 40 year old man simply known as Femi was discovered by the residents of Alhaji Aboki Street in Abaranje area of Ikotun in an uncompleted building.
According to residents in the area, Femi was evicted from his one room home barely two months ago but that this was not the first time Femi who was also known as Fela had tried to kill himself.
He said Femi had attempted suiced twice before but failed. They said apart from the eviction, Femi was also frustrated that he was not yet married at 40 and didn't have his own home anymore.

Photos: LUTH doctors accused of causing the death of woman in Lagos

Doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital ( LUTH) Idi-Araba, Lagos have been accused of causing the death of Ngozi Udebu, a 46 years old married woman and teacher at St. Finbarrs college Yaba on March 28th. Speaking to the Nation, husband of the deceased who is an estate developer, Ausbet Udebu, said professional misconduct by the doctor's led ‎to the death of his wife on Easter Monday.

Photo: Man and his Vietnamese wife Bag 25 years in prison for drug trafficking in Cambodia

A Nigerian man and his Vietnamese wife were on Thursday, March 24 found guilty at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court of smuggling 1.5 kg of heroin from Cambodia to Australia and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Samuel Amechi Okeke, 34, (pictured arriving at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court) and his 26-year-old wife Ho Thi Nhu Thuy, were arrested in July 2014 after customs officials in Australia intercepted 10 backpacks lined with heroin that they had mailed from the Dangkao district post office in May that year, according to police. They were subsequently charged with drug trafficking.

Photos: Troops Nab kidnapping syndicate in Ohafia, Abia State,

Troops of 14 Brigade Garrison based in Ohafia, on Sunday March 10, 2016 conducted an operation aimed and bursting a notorious kidnapping syndicate based in Nkporo community of Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.

Photos: Dying for the perfect shot: teen girl killed by train while posing for selfie

A teenage girl has died after she was hit by a train as she posed for a selfie just inches from a railway track. Horror photos show the unnamed 19-year-old just seconds before the train hit her after ignoring warnings from other tourists to move back. This happened in the city of Foshan, South China’s Guangdong Province last Saturday.

Tompolo drags FG to court over his N45.9billion trial

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemulopo, alias Tompolo who has been declared wanted by the EFCC over his involvement in a N45.9 billion scam at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, has dragged the Federal government before a Federal High Court in Lagos asking that the fraud charges leveled against him be dropped.

In the court paper filed by his counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa yesterday April 11th, Tompolo is seeking for the nullification of sections 221 and 306 Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 (ACJA), which prevents parties in a criminal trial from seeking a stay of proceedings.