News Desk Sunday, June 24, 2007

Security Operatives Intercept N190 million at Airport

SECURITY operatives have arrested a top official of the Wuse branch of Skye Bank, Mr. Taiwo Ajanaku, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly being in illegal possession of N150 million. The operatives are currently grilling the official, who is said to be the zonal cashier of the bank for the Northern zone, including Abuja. MORE>>

Nigeria loses N50bn Daily to Strike

In a statement on Saturday, Ajayi said, “For an economy of an estimated Gross Domestic Product of N18tn, daily loss from the current strike action is estimated at over N50bn.” The LCCI arrived at the N50bn figure based on the N18tn GDP, which it divided by 365 days. The GDP is the monetary value of all the goods and services produced within a country‘s borders in a specific period, including foreign remittances. In Nigeria, it is usually calculated on an annual basis. MORE>>

I've Not Declared Any Assets, Says Uba

Former Governor Andy Uba of Anambra State at the weekend, described as fictitious media reports, which claimed that he has declared his assets worth N1 trillion.
Uba, in a statement he personally signed, said there was no way he could have declared his assets, when the Supreme Court judgment had on June 14, voided his governorship, a day (June 13) after he was given his assets declaration form. MORE>>

As FG Promises One Year ban on Fuel Price Hike..., Labour Suspends Strike

The nationwide strike called jointly by the Nigeria Labour Con-gress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to protest increases in prices of petroleum products and the Value Added Tax (VAT), among others has been called off. By this development, all business premises, factories and public offices were expected to resume normal operations effective midnight yesterday. MORE>>

OBJ, PDP govs in trouble - As Yar'Adua Moves to appease Opposition - OBJ Begins Tactical Withdrawal from PDP

AS President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua intensifies efforts to pacify the opposition over the outcome of the April general elections, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may end up being the pawns in the political chess-game, being perfected for the trouble-shooting venture. MORE>>

Eight Persons Killed in Ebonyi Over Witchcraft

Sequel to the protracted communal crisis that engulfed Onicha-Igboeze Community in Ebonyi State, no fewer than eight persons alleged to be perpetrators of witchcraft and other crimes, have been killed by the irate youths in the town. MORE>>

Fuel: Soldiers Escape Lynching For Killing Driver

PANDEMONIUM broke out yesterday at the local wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos as two soldiers, who allegedly chased a commercial bus driver to death, over purchase of petrol from road-side hawkers, narrowly, escaped being lynched by an irate mob. MORE>>