Boko Haram Ambushes Victor Ezugwu's Convoy - Premium Time

Suspected boko haram insurgents on Tuesday ambushed the convoy of the Acting General Officer Commanding, GOC, 7 Division, the Nigerian Army has said.

The Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, said in a statement that “the leading elements of the Acting General Officer Commanding, GOC, 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu’s leading convoy was about 8.30am on Tuesday morning ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists enroute to visit troops in Bama, Borno state, north east Nigeria”.

Biodun Olujimi Admits To Buying Votes In Leaked Text Message

Last week, online news medium Sahara Reporters published the numbers of Nigerian senators so that the citizens can socialise with them. Since then, Nigerians have been bombarding the distinguished senators with texts and calls, and in the process interesting revelations are coming to light as citizens interact with them outside the campaign arena. A Nigerian senator has just allegedly admitted that she paid money for the votes that elected her into the National Assembly. Senator Abiodun Olujimi, who was Governor Ayodele Fayose’s deputy from 2003 to October 16, 2006 and is currently representing Ekiti South senatorial district made this admission in a text message the senator sent a tweeter who contacted her. People used a caller ID app to check the number out and confirmed that the number was authentic and genuinely belonged to senator Olujimi. Read the full confession below

$2.1bn arms deal fraud: Dasuki loses bid to stop ongoing trial

The Federal High Court, Abuja has dismissed an application by embattled former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to stop his trial in the $2.1 billion arms deal fraud. Delivering judgement in the suit filed by Dasuki against the Federal government today April 19th, the presiding judge, Justice Ademola Adebiyi, ruled that Dasuki's trial must continue. The judge said Dasuki had not followed the proper process of filing a contempt charge against the federal government. According to Justice Adebiyi, it was out of place for a defendant in a suit to ask that charges against him be dropped for unweighty reasons. He therefore dismissed the former NSA’s application to stop his trial. Dasuki had filed the application to stop his trial on the grounds that the federal government lacked moral and legal rights to continue his trial after it had disobeyed order of bail granted him since Nov 3rd 2015. Meanwhile, an Abuja High Court has fixed May 3rd for Dasuki's trial on charges of diverting funds meant for the purchase of arms for soldiers fighting Boko Haram.

Soldier dies after Boko Haram lays seige on acting General Officer commanding 7 division

One soldier was killed while 2 others were injured after Boko Haram members laid an ambush for the leading elements of the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu’s (pictured above) convoy which was enroute Bama for a visit the troops. After a gun battle, the soldiers were able to clear the ambush, killing some of the terrorists and recovered vehicles and weapons from them. The recovered items include a Toyota Hilux vehicle, 2 AK-47 rifles and several ammunitions. The Acting GOC has continued his operational visit to Bama, while the body of the late soldier and the wounded have been evacuated to Maiduguri. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has also spoken with the GOC.

Distribution Of Exotic Vehicles Divides Senators

April 18, 2016
Sunday Aborisade, Abuja

The secret distribution of the first batch of the brand new 108 Sport Utility Vehicles to 36 senators last Thursday has started generating tension and ill-feelings among members of the upper chamber.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that each senator from the 36 states had collected the keys to the Land Cruiser jeeps.

A senator who craved anonymity, confided in our correspondent on Sunday, that only identified members of the pro-Saraki’s Like Minds Senators were favoured in the distribution of the vehicles.

Lawyers To Sue NASS On CCB/CCT Amendment Bill

Some lawyers in Lagos on Monday threatened to sue the Senate on the ongoing moves to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act 2004.

The lawyers said embarking on such an amendment at a time when the Senate President was being tried by the tribunal was in bad faith.

Mr Tope Alabi, a human rights lawyer, said the Upper Chamber has the constitutional duty to legislate for the country, but that the motive for making the law must be right.

“The Senate has the constitutional power to amend any law but the motive must be right and for the good of the country,’’ he said

NNPC Staff Abducted By Gunmen In Kaduna(photo)

A staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), identified as Yusuf Abdulkadir has been reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen in Kaduna.
Abdulkadir, who is a staff in the NNPC Abuja office was said to have been abducted on Saturday at his residence in Rigachiku, Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 10pm on Saturday when he was whisked away to an unknown destination.

Herdsmen, Farmers Clash: Buhari Deploys Troops To Restive Communities

President Muhammadu Buhari, has ordered the deployment of troops to stop frequent clashes in states between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

For now, the troops have only been to Agatu local government in Benue State.

Fulani herdsmen and farmers’ clash in Agatu has seen some communities completely wiped out while others, who managed to escape, are now living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

His Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, who spoke ‎on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily yesterday, said the deployment was part of measures to end conflicts that had claimed several lives as well as affected farming activities in the states.

EFCC Arraigns American For $2.3m Visa Scam (picture of the American Scammer)

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned an American businessman, Marco Ramirez, alongside his companies — Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now LLC — on eight counts bordering on obtaining money by false pretences to the tune of $2.3m.

Ramirez was arraigned before Justice Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama on Monday, according to a statement by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren.

According to the complainants, Prince Ejikeme Mgbemena and Frank Egbon, the suspect allegedly promised them that he would invest the money under the Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Based Fifth Preference (EB-5).

2016 Budget Row: NASS Softpedals, Reaches Truce With Presidency

ABUJA—After a week long face-off between the Presidency and the National Assembly, indications emerged, last night, that the lawmakers had soft-pedaled on their tough stance by accepting to review the budget.


Vanguard learned that the change of heart by the legislators, who had earlier threatened to veto the President on the matter, followed series of rapprochement between the Presidency and the top echelon of the NASS since the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from China.

NLC To Senators: Return Exotic Cars Or Face The Wrath Of Nigerians

The Nigeria Labour Congress has called on senators who benefited from a recent purchase of 108 brand new Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles by the Senate to immediately return same or face the wrath of the Nigerian people.

The union described the purchase, coming at a time the country is enduring excruciating financial crisis, as a crime against the people.
Reports said senators have started taking delivery of the new Sports Utility Vehicles, SUVs, since last week at the rate of N35.1 million per unit.

Senate Committee Summons Danladi Umar

Panel: you must appear on Thurs

I won’t come, says Judge

‘My trial won’t disturb Senate’

Senators may have set the stage for a major confrontation between them and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over Senate President Bukola Saraki’s trial for alleged falsification of assets.

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions yesterday summoned CCT Chairman Justice Danladi Umar over allegations of corruption against him.

The invitation, coming on a day Justice Umar said Saraki’s trial will run daily,  appeared a new twist to the matter.

Ikpeazu Borrowed N24bn In 11 Months

UMUAHIA— GOVERNOR Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has borrowed a total of N24 billion since he assumed office 11 months ago.


Ikpeazu
This was made up of a N14.1 billion bail-out fund and another N10 billion which government sources said was for infrastructural development.

Meanwhile, the Abia State Government has said that its debt profile was not up to N78 billion as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, which also placed the state as the 5th highest indebted states in the country.

Saraki Desperate To Return – PDP

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kwara State Chapter, Iyiola Oyedepo has alleged that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki is desperate to return to his former party where he served as a governor for eight years.
Oyedepo while speaking with some party leaders from the 16 local government areas of the state in Ilorin, the state capital on Monday said the All Progressives Congress, APC, was out to render Saraki “politically Unclad.”

He said, “The senate president is about to be made Unclad by the APC. APC is in disarray and he is about to be made politically Unclad.

A Housemaster Injures SS3 Student In Ogun State(graphic Photos)

Read what a Trezzy Blog reader sent below.....
Hello, my name Adebola and I am writing this story on behalf of my brother who is a SS3 student at APOSTOLIC FAITH SECONDARY SCHOOL, ADATAN, ABEOKUTA. This incident happened on the 15th of April, 2016 at about 11pm. The normal time for light out in the school is 10pm but due to the ongoing WAEC exams the school authorizes that light out be moved to 11pm to unable the students read for an extra hour.

Pregnant Woman Dies In An Accident On Zamfara Road ( Graphic Photos)

According to Rariya, An Hausa News page, Actually it was written in hausa but translated to english Captioned "A pregnant woman and a driver died after their car, a Honda Civic with registration number AH 836 FTA was involved in a fatal crash. A little girl who was also in the car survived the crash See graphic photo below

Fulani Herdsmen Kidnap Ogbobe Stephen, Enugu Auditor, Demand N5m Ransom

By Chinenyeh Ozor

Tension has pervaded Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state, following the abduction of an Enugu state auditor over the weekend by Fulani herdsmen along Nsukka-Adani express road. The abductors have demanded N5 million as ransom for his release.

Vanguard gathered that the state auditor identified simply as Ogbobe Stephen who hailed from Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani LGA, had gone home in company of six others for a town hall meeting of the community, only to be kidnapped by herdsmen on his way back to Nsukka after the meeting.

Oshodi Thugs Beat Lagos KAI Officials Blue Black (photos)

 Uneasy uproar surfaced in the Oshodi part of Lagos few mins ago when notorious oshodi thugs and bus conductors unleashed terror on the Lagos State KAI (Kick Against Indiscipline) Officials Naijanewsrave.com correspondent asked one of the touts who pleaded anonymous what ensued between the motor park clan and the KAI officials He said; I was sitting on my own when I heard noise, when I got there, I saw one of the KAI officials grabbing one of our boys by the neck. He didn't like it so he retaliated. When our boss got there, he told the KAI official to leave him but he ignored him that was why we unleashed terror on them However, before we left the place, the two parties were able to reach a reluctant concord before the KAI officials left angrily Will they be back with more armed police officers? We promise to keep you abreast as our correspondent will be updating us live from the park

EFCC Arraigns Tompolo In Absentia

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday arraigned a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, in absentia on 22 counts of fraud amounting to N47.6bn.

Also arraigned in absentia in relation to the alleged fraud were six brothers of a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi – Igo, Julius, Victor, Norbert, Emmanuel and Clement.

Tompolo, Igo, Julius, Victor, Norbert, Emmanuel and Clement were declared as being “now at large” when the charges were read before a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday.

Budget: Rep Slams Amaechi Over Lagos-calabar Rail Project

BENIN—AS controversy continues to trail the Lagos-Calabar rail project, a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Transport, Mr. Ehiozuwa Agbonnayima, has said that Minister for Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, lied when he claimed that the N100 billion Lagos-Calabar rail project was in the budget presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari.


He, therefore, called on the executive to own up and accept responsibility for the mix-up and stop blackmailing the National Assembly, adding that no provision was made for the project in the first and second budgets presented to the National Assembly.

Jeep in US Ambassador’s Convoy Kills 7-Year-Old African Boy

Vehicles in United States Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power’s motorcade were traveling in excess of 60mph on an underdeveloped two-way road when the death occurred.

On Monday, an armored jeep in the motorcade of United States Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power hit and killed a boy in the African country of Cameroon.


The accident occurred near the Moloko Township in northern Cameroon. The Ambassador and her aides were planning to meet refugees and others displaced by regional conflict.

Brazil: Dilma Rousseff Loses Impeachment Vote

Parliament in Brazil has voted to start impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff over charges of manipulating government accounts.

The “yes” camp comfortably won the required two-thirds majority in the vote in the lower house in Brasilia.

The motion will now go to the upper house, the Senate, which is expected to suspend Ms Rousseff next month while it carries out a formal trial.

Beijing Officially Lands Military Plane on South China Sea Reef

In what appears to be the first such occasion covered by Chinese media, a transport plane has landed at an airport constructed on a disputed reef in the South China Sea as part of a rescue mission.


On Monday, a Chinese military airplane evacuated three injured workers from the construction site on the Fiery Cross Reef, an island claimed by both Vietnam and the Philippines.
According to a report in the People's Liberation Army Daily, people were taken to the island of Hainan for medical aid.

Turkey: War is good for business

by Kakaouskia

Greetings to the Saker community and readers.

In one of Start Trek DS9 episodes, a Ferengi (the ultra-exploiters of the galaxy for the uninitiated) made the following comment: War is good for business; however the closer you are to the frontlines the less your profit.

It appears that this mantra is followed by Turkey, especially when considering the Syrian refugees. In 2013 Syria was estimated to have a total population of around 22 million people. The latest estimates show that between 2.5 and 2.7 million Syrians now live in Turkey

The Time Is Now

The Strategic Culture Foundation, a Moscow-based geopolicy think thank, sponsored a conference in Belgrade, Serbia, on 17 April 2016 entitled “What has ‘democracy’ imported from the West brough to the Former Yugoslavia since 1990?” Among nearly twenty distinguished participants was Andrew Korybko, Sputnik talk show host and frequent commentator on world affairs on RT and other analytical outlets. The conference was opened by Aleksandar Pavich, director of SCF Serbia office, and Anna Filimonova, the head of SCF’s Moscow branch.

This is the transcript of the speech made by Andrew Korybko