News Desk Saturday, June 16, 2007

Yar'Adua Stops EFCC From Arresting Atiku, Nnamani, Tinubu, Others

There were indications on Thursday that the President, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, had directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) not to arrest some top functionaries of the last civilian administration as the commission had envisaged. MORE>>

Uba: I am a Victim of Historical Circumstances - Obi Resumes on Monday

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Anambra State, Dr. Andy Uba, has said his removal as governor by Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling arose from historical circumstances predating his election. MORE>>

Andy Uba, the 17-Day Governor

AS things stand now, Dr. Andy Uba is going down in the history of Nigeria as the governor to serve the shortest tenure. On the flip side, Mr. Peter Obi will also be in history books as the governor who has benefitted the most from the judiciary, strengthening the nation’s democracy along the way. MORE>>

Enahoro Demands Release of Uwazuruike, Others

The Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) and the “June 12 Coalition” have demanded for the unconditional release of MASSOB leader, Mr. Ralph Uwazuruike, and other political detainees. MORE>>

Militants Announce Ceasefire

Armed gangs in the Niger Delta have resolved to sheathe their swords and end hostilities against the Nigerian state and those perceived as its collaborators.

The resolution is to reciprocate Thursday’s release of leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which granted him bail on health grounds after a 21-month legal battle for his freedom. MORE>>

I Know Yar'Adua Better Than Obasanjo

FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday spoke on some national issues, especially his petition at the polls tribunal and the Supreme Court's resolution of the tenure of Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi. MORE>>

Police Fraud: Detectives Find Naira Bills Inside Refrigerators, TV Sets

Detectives probing the N21 million fraud at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, have reportedly uncovered a huge stock of naira bills stashed inside unused television sets and a refrigerators in the home of a senior police officer linked to the scandal. MORE>>

State Creation Will Top Constitution Review - Mark

The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, on Friday said the creation of new states would top the review of the 1999 Constitution. Mark, who spoke while receiving a delegation of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), led by Col. Elias Nyan (rtd), at the Senate building in Abuja, said, “I want to assure you and I am saying the minds of our colleagues who are here, that one of the first steps that this Senate will take is constitution amendment. I believe in it; people have held it against me, but I am convinced in my heart of hearts that we need to look at the constitution. Unfortunately, that exercise was hijacked! MORE>>

Strike: Labour/Govt Talks Deadlock

The stage may have been set for a nationwide strike as the meeting between labour and government over the contentious issues of hike in pump price of petroleum products, VAT rate and sale of refineries ended in deadlock last night. MORE>>

ECOWAS to Adopt Boderless Boundaries

The Heads of the Economic Commu-nity of West African States (ECOWAS) yesterday held its 32nd Summit in Abuja with a view to ensuring the adoption of a strategic decision on borderless boundaries among the member states. The member states also resolved to accelerate the levels of cooperation between themselves. MORE>>

10 Indian Hostages Released in Nigeria

NEW DELHI: Ten Indians abducted in Nigeria 16 days ago have been released. All of them, who worked with a franchise of Indonesia-based Indorama firm, are with company officials, Ministry of External Affairs sources here said on Sunday. MORE>>