News Desk Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Obasanjo, IBB Battle for the Soul of PDP

The cold relationship between former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and immediate past president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, may have shifted to the National Convention of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as both appear set for a fierce battle. The convention, which has been shifted from December 8, 2007 to January 5, next year, as a result of a procedural error, has seen the party divided into Obasanjo and Babangida camps with each supporting different candidates for the office of the national chairman of the party. MORE>>>

Yar’Adua Blocks Buhari’s Witnesses

For the second time, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has frustrated the efforts made by General Muhammadu Buhari to get his witnesses a platform to give a situation report on the inspection of documents and materials used for the April 21 presidential polls. Counsel to the president yesterday opposed fiercely an application made by Buhari’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), before the presidential election tribunal seeking to bring five witnesses to adopt the depositions they tendered before the court. MORE>>>

London court hears Ibori’s asset case today

A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal Criminal Division will today in London hear former Governor James Ibori’s money laundering case. The panel, scheduled to begin sitting at 10:30 a.m., will be led by Justice William Gage and assisted by Justice Dame Staal and Ms. Justice Cox. MORE>>>

Court discharges Judith Asuni, others

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday discharged Judith Asuni, an American woman, charged with felony and espionage against Nigeria. A Nigerian, Saidu Danjuma and two German journalists, Florian Orpitz and Andy Lehman, who were charged alongside her, were also discharged. MORE>>>

Adedibu: AC, Balarabe slam Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday came under strong criticism for describing a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, as ”the only father of the PDP.” Obasanjo, during his visit to the politician in Ibadan on Sunday, was quoted as saying that Adedibu, as the father of the PDP, could not be looked down on. MORE>>>

IMF ready to cancel Liberia debt

The International Monetary Fund is ready to start cancelling Liberia's debt to the agency after securing sufficient funding for the process. The IMF says donor nations have pledged $842m (£407m) which will start the process once the pledges are honoured. MORE>>>