News

Thursday, 16 March 2017 02:37

Senate’s rejection of Magu: Lawyers react, blame Presidency

Some lawyers have reacted to the rejection by the Senate for the second time of the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The Senate hinged its decision on Wednesday on a letter by the State Security Service, SSS, which reaffirmed its earlier position that Mr. Magu lacks the integrity to lead the anti-corruption agency. Lawyers accuse the presidency of having a hand in the impasse. They said although President Muhammadu Buhari has the prerogative to re-nominate the same person again, he has a duty to first put his house in order. Last…

Thursday, 16 March 2017 02:37

Trump travel ban: US judge blocks new executive order

A Federal judge in Hawaii has blocked President Donald Trump's new travel ban, hours before it was due to begin at midnight on Thursday. US District Judge Derrick Watson cited "questionable evidence" in the government's argument that the ban was a matter of national security. President Trump described the ruling as "unprecedented judicial overreach". The order would have placed a 90-day ban on people from six mainly Muslim nations and a 120-day ban on refugees. Mr Trump insists the move is to stop terrorists from entering the US but critics say it is discriminatory. An earlier version of the order,…

Thursday, 16 March 2017 02:27

Apostle Suleman being persecuted by 'APC cabal' - Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has risen in defence of founder of Omega Fire Ministry, Johnson Suleman, saying the allegations of adultery against him by a Canada-based Nigerian, Stephanie Otobo, was a product of a “high level conspiracy". Apostle Suleman as he his fondly called, has been embroiled in a sex scandal, following Ms. Otobo’s allegations that she had sexual relationship with the married, outspoken cleric. Ms. Otobo has since called for police investigation accusing the cleric of deceptively making her lose a pregnancy she had for him. Suleman has consistently denied the allegations, saying it was a witch hunt…

Thursday, 16 March 2017 02:25

Northern Christians back Suleman, allege plot to silence him

Northern Christian Youth Network (NCYN) has alerted Nigerians to the surreptitious and dangerous moves to silence General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman as part of a well orchestrated campaign to intimidate opposition elements ahead of 2019 elections. The NCYN in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by its Secretary, Mr. Yunana Jacob, the group said “the two-pronged plan being hatched by Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, involves using the Department of State Services (DSS) to intimidate and put away Apostle Suleman – the undisputed champion of Southern Kaduna Christians, as well as trying to…

Thursday, 16 March 2017 02:24

FG reverses self on helicopter ban in Abuja airport

Aviation minister Hadi Sirika says helicopters can now fly in and out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja (NAIA). He made this known while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday. The minister said that the office of the National Security Advisers would soon issue a statement reversing its earlier directive banning the helicopters from the NAIA. ‘’On the helicopter issue, National Security Adviser (NSA) has the constitutional responsibility vested on him by Mr President to advise the President on National security matters. "In his wisdom he had sent out letters banning the helicopters’ operation from…

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 16:33

How Senate rejected Magu as EFCC chair

The Senate today rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as substantive chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The rejection followed a letter by the Department of the Security Service (DSS), which re-affirmed the agency's earlier position on several allegations against Magu. At the confirmation hearing this afternoon, Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi) referred to the DSS letter, which was submitted to the Senate late yesterday. "Mr acting chairman EFCC, I love you. I appreciate your sagacity. Mr Chairman, I have before me, two reports from the SSS: one addressed to the Senate in October last year and another…

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 16:30

Non-confirmation won't stop me from fighting corruption - Magu

Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu whose confirmation was again rejected by the Senate on Wednesday has said that neither the Senate rejection nor report from Department of State Services (DSS) would stop him from continuing the fight against corruption until his last day in office. Magu also said he doubted the authenticity of the report from DSS indicting him and accusing him of lacking integrity to head the anti corruption agency. Magu who addressed a coalition of civil society groups at the entrance to the National Assembly after his screening said he would not…

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 16:27

Hameed Ali fails to appear before Senate as lawmakers threaten arrest

Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali, did not appear before the Senate on Wednesday to brief the lawmakers on planned action on vehicles without duty payment. But in accordance with Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate resolved to “compel” Mr. Ali to appear on Thursday “to state his case”. The Customs’ planned policy to impound vehicles without duty payment has been suspended, the service announced Wednesday morning, in obedience to a Senate resolution. But the Senators were not satisfied. They insisted on Mr. Ali’s appearance, regardless of the announcement to suspend the policy which set him…

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 09:49

Nigeria Customs bows to pressure, suspends controversial vehicle duty policy

Nigeria Customs Service has announced suspension of its new policy on payment of import duties on vehicles. Customs gave car owners one month to pay duties for their vehicles - for those who had not done so - vowing to prosecute defaulters. The plan sparked controversy as many Nigerians complained about paying for cars that had already found their ways into the country. Customs Service initially defied a Senate demand the policy be put on hold, resulting in a standoff between both sides. But a statement released Wednesday by Customs spokesperson, Joseph Attach, said the plan has been “put on…

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 03:34

Presidency moves to avert face-off between Senate and Customs CG

There were indications on Tuesday that the presidency waded in to avert a face-off between the Senate and Comptroller General (CG) of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.), over the controversial ultimatum issued to car owners and dealers nationwide to pay the duties on their vehicles between March 13 and April 12, 2019, or risk having their cars impounded. THISDAY gathered that on getting wind of the impasse that has ensued between the Senate and Ali over his refusal to honour its invitation, President Muhammadu Buhari cautioned all his appointees against causing disaffection between him as the head…

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Wednesday, 15 March 2017 03:33

NASS/Customs boss face-off: Hameed Ali meets Saraki at National Assembly

Senate President Bukola Saraki met with Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of the Nigeria customs service (NCS), in his office at the national assembly complex. Ali arrived at the senate wing of the national assembly complex a few minutes before 6pm on Tuesday. This is coming a few hours after the senate reaffirmed its resolution to summon him over the customs’ planned seizure of vehicles without paid duty. The senate had asked him to appear before it in a customs uniform. But Ali wrote to the senate president, saying he was still seeking legal advice on the matter. He also said he…

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 03:31

Large sacks of mint-fresh cash found at Kaduna airport

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says five large sacks of mint-looking local currency have been discovered at a check-in counter at Kaduna International Airport. Ibrahim Bappah with the anti-graft commission's local office said Tuesday the "crispy naira notes" were discovered Monday when a distinctive aroma was detected during routine screening. The owner of the money fled and has not been found. The intended destination of the sacks of cash, worth about N47 million ($155,000), is not immediately clear. Bappah says the anti-graft commission is looking into whether the money is linked to any crime. AP

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 03:27

Donald Trump tax: Leaked 2005 document angers White House

US President Donald Trump paid $38m (£31m) in tax on more than $150m (£123m) income in 2005, a leaked tax return reveals. Two pages of the tax return were revealed by US TV network MSNBC, triggering an angry response from the White House. It said publishing the tax return was illegal. Mr Trump refused to release his tax returns during the election campaign, breaking with a long-held tradition. The two pages were a fraction of the complete return and did not include details of Mr Trump's income. Correspondents say the leak is still significant because so little is known about…

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 03:22

Catholic Bishops demand Dasuki, el-Zakzaky, Kanu’s release

Catholic Bishops, under the aegis of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), have called on the Federal Government to uphold the rule of law and obey court orders. The bishops stated that as a matter of urgent public importance, the Federal Government should release, without delay, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh el Zakzaky; the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd). The three of them have been in detention over charges preferred against them by the Federal Government. Although several courts have…

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