BREAKING: President Jonathan Declares State of Emergency in the North... FULL TEXT HERE

The President declared state of emergency in the troubled areas in the four states, Borno, Yobe, Niger and plateau states in his Saturday afternoon,nationwide broadcast.

Below is the text of Jonathan’s address

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, ON THE OCCASION OF THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE FEDERATION IN ORDER TO RESTORE PULIC ORDER, PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE FEDERATION, December 31, 2011

Fellow Nigerians, it has become necessary to address you on recent events in some parts of the country that have threatened our collective security and shaken the foundations of our corporate existence as a nation.

2.    You are all aware of the security challenges which the activities of the Boko Haram sect have foisted on the country. What began as sectarian crises in the North Eastern parts of the country has gradually evolved into terrorist activities in different parts of the country with attendant negative consequences on our national security.

3.      Government in an effort to find a lasting solution to the security threats occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram sect, constituted a Presidential Committee under the Chairmanship of Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari, to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the crises. While efforts are being made to implement the recommendations of the Committee, the crises have assumed a terrorist dimension with vital institutions of government including the United Nations Building and places of worship becoming targets of terrorist attacks.

Ladi Akindele, Owner of Chrome remanded in prison over N15 million fraud

An Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos, has remanded part owner of Chrome, Ladi Akindele, in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos, till his next court appearance, following an alleged assault and issuance of N15 million dud cheque to his partner, Mr. Charles Ahize.

The accused was said to have breached the terms of the joint business.

He was said to have assaulted Ahize when he stormed the Victoria Island, Lagos, site of their joint business (Chrome) with touts.

It was gathered that on December 14, the police visited the accused to invite him for questioning over the assault and issuance of dud cheques case against him.

He was said to have resisted arrest in a manner that almost led to breach of public peace. He was eventually taken away.

Based on the order of Inspector-General of Police, the accused was detained for failing to honour the invitation. Eight days later, he was charged to court.

Part of the reasons the court refused to grant the accused bail was because he resisted arrest and threatened law enforcers.

The matter was adjourned till January 25, 2012.

Source: Vanguard

I’m alive, says man allegedly shot dead during protest Lekki toll protest

LAGOS – Contrary to media reports that one person was shot dead by the police while several others sustained injuries during the protest that greeted the commencement of toll collection at the Lekki toll gates, the man  told newsmen yesterday that he did not die after all.

Femi Ogunsanya, who spoke at the premises of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, however, admitted that he was manhandled by the police but later  rushed to the hospital where he was treated and discharged.

The 38 year-old staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Lekki undertaking told journalists that he did not participate in the peaceful protest that later turned violent, stressing that he was just a victim of circumstance.

He said he was shocked when his colleagues drew his attention to a newspaper publication that he was shot dead.  According to him, “actually, I was manhandled by the police that day because I woke up in the hospital.  I did not participate in the protest. When I closed from office, on my way home, I met  Lekki Local Government chairman at the gate and we exchanged pleasantry.

Suddenly, I saw people running, I tried to escape but was grabbed from  behind and  a hit of gun butt on my head landed me on the ground;  that was the only thing I could remember.  I am alive.”

Reacting, the state Command Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, appealed to media professionals to always verify their stories before publication, admitting however that policemen were drafted to the crisis area when it became apparent that the hitherto peaceful protest had turned violent.

CIBN de-registers Cecilia Ibru...

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has struck-out the name of Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, former Managing Director/Chief Executive, Oceanic Bank International Plc and an Honorary Fellow of the Institute from her Register of members.

This is towards the furtherance, maintenance and observance of ethical standards and professionalism among practitioners of the banking profession in Nigeria.

The action was taken in line with the decision of the Institute’s Disciplinary Tribunal on Monday, December 12, 2011, which was confirmed by the Governing Council of the Institute, at its Meeting of Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

The Disciplinary Tribunal, made up of eminent members of the banking profession with a retired Justice of the Supreme Court as an Assessor, in a unanimous decision, granted the CIBN’s request.

Source: Vanguard

Boko Haram: Protect yourselves in any way you can, Oritsejafor tells Christians

ABUJA— PRESIDENT, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday told Christian faithful across the country to protect themselves, their property and churches in any way they could, against any attack, even as he asked Muslim leaders to call their people to order.

Oritsejafor stated this when he paid a visit to  St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, the scene of the Christmas bomb blast at Madalla, Niger State.

Oritsejafor, while sympathising with members of the parish, said the visit was to let them know that they were not alone.

“Even though Jesus Christ is with you, we have come to show solidarity,” he said.

Oritsejafor, who described the Madalla bomb blast as “madness that should not be talked about among human beings,” said Christian faithful should  expect the unexpected “when you are in the world but our belief in God must be stronger now.”

He said although the Muslim community had taken a good step by visiting and sympathising with Christians and victims of the bomb blast, it was not enough.

He said they should take a step further and help reach Boko Haram members, noting that the perpetrators were not spirits.

His words:  “We see this as pure madness, normal people don’t behave like this, even animals have value for each other not to talk of human beings.”

Culled From Vanguard

SSS Statement detailing how Nigerian Lawmaker Ran Boko Haram

ALI SANDA UMAR KONDUGA (A.K.A. USMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI)

By MARILYN OGAR,

ARREST OF ALI SANDA UMAR KONDUGA (A.K.A. USMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI), SPOKESMAN OF THE BOKO HARAM SECT

On 3rd November, 2011 about 2030 hours at Gwange area, Maiduguri, Borno State, a joint security operation led to the arrest of Ali Sanda Umar KONDUGA, acclaimed spokesman of the Boko Haram sect, widely known in the media as Usman AL-ZAWAHIRI. He was a former political thug operating under a group widely known as ECOMOG.

2.      His arrest further confirms the Service position that some of the Boko Haram extremists have political patronage and sponsorship. This is moreso as AL-ZAWAHIRI has so far made valuable confessions in this regard. Highlights of some of his admissions are:

i.       That he was recruited by a political party stalwart in Maiduguri, Borno State;
ii.      That following the compulsory registration of all SIM  cards nationwide, he was asked to steal a SIM card which he used in sending                                                                                                                                                                                                         threat text messages      

Jonathan Threatens Sudden Justice to Terrorists, Sponsors [Thisday]

National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi

By  Ahamefula Ogbu       

Worried by the slow grind of the justice system, especially in dealing with cases arising from the frequent terrorist attacks by Boko Haram, President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday promised “sudden justice” for promoters of violence in the country.

He expressed confidence in the preparedness of his administration not only in squaring up with the assailants but also defeating them, especially as he had reinforced security institutions to deal with those who have refused to repent, be rehabilitated and reintegrated into normal society.

He however made a case for the review of the justice system of the country to make it less adversarial by considering the introduction of suspended sentences and parole.

Jonathan, who spoke at the State House, Abuja during the inauguration of the reconstituted Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, said the society should have a place for correctional approach in the penal system to make it more redemptive with the protection of human rights in mind.

Sounding tough on the security challenges the country has been facing, the president said he would not spare the sponsors and perpetrators of the violence in the country.

High Court Halts Operations of Nationalised Banks [Thisday]

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

By Davidson Iriekpen

The Federal High Court in Lagos has temporarily halted the operations of the three commercial banks that were recently nationalised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

They are Mainstreet (from the defunct Afribank), Keystone (Bank PHB) and Enterprise (Spring Bank).

Ruling on the ex-parte application filed by Chuks Nwachuku on behalf of some aggrieved shareholders of the former banks, the presiding judge, Justice Charles Archibong, restrained the banks from further dealing with the assets, businesses and operations of the three banks pending the determination of the motion on notice filed by the aggrieved shareholders.

The shareholders, among whom are Boniface Okezie, Adeyemi Kehinde, Adebowale Bolanle and Cole Alexander, in the motion ex-parte are seeking for an order to restrain the three new banks, the CBN, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) from further dealing with the assets, businesses and operations of the nationalised banks.

The shareholders had gone to court to challenge the nationalisation of the three banks, saying that the actions violated their rights to freedom from compulsory acquisition of property guaranteed under the constitution and the prohibition of nationalisation of enterprises contained in Section 25 of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission Act Joined as respondents in the suit are the three nationalised banks, the CBN, NDIC, AMCON, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the three banks and the Minister of Finance.

In the suit, the shareholders argued that the revocation of the licences of the banks by the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, was prejudicial to their rights to invest in public quoted companies in accordance with the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Act and the Investment and Security Act (ISA).

Part of the reliefs sought by the shareholders include a declaration that the action of the CBN, NDIC and the AMCON in purporting to transfer the assets, businesses and operations of the nationalised banks to the new banks is a breach of their fundamental human rights to freedom from compulsory acquisition of property as guaranteed by the constitution.

They are also seeking for an order of the court for the respondents to jointly and severally pay them punitive damages to be determined by the court through their lawyer for the diminution in the value of their shares of the nationalised banks as a result of the unlawful and malicious conduct of the CBN governor.

The shareholders are equally seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the three new banks, the NDIC and the AMCON from offering for sale or advertising or representing to any person, any intention or offer for sale or transferring or purporting to transfer to an person any interest in the assets, businesses and operations of the three nationalised banks.

They also want the court to make an order granting the nationalised banks a period of six months or an extension of time within which to recapitalise or attain any requisite level of recapitalisation as determined by the court and free of any interference from the CBN or its governor.

The court has fixed hearing of the substantive motion for November 28, 2011.

The CBN had set September 30 deadline for all banks in the country to recapitalise but on August 5, it revoked the licences of the three banks and nationalised them.

Following its action, the NDIC had taken them over and proceeded to creating three bridge banks to take over the assets and liabilities of the affected banks in the interim.

Reacting to the ruling last night, the CBN said it was a rumour as none of its lawyers was aware of the suit in respect of the nationalised banks.

Speaking through its spokes-man, Mohammed Abdullahi, the apex bank said: "We have heard the rumours and we have spoken with our lawyers who have all confirmed that no process or processes have been served in respect of the nationalised banks. So the whole thing is a rumour as far as we are concerned.”

Gbenga Daniel's trial commences tomorrow [Thisday]

Otunba Gbenga Daniel

Justice Olarenwaju Mabekoje of the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta, will tomorrow commence hearing on the alleged 16-count charge on former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

THISDAY gathered that the hearing would look into the allegations levelled against Daniel, which include among others allegation that he stole some funds from the state, which is contrary to Section 390 (4) (f) of the criminal code law, CAP 29, laws of Ogun State, 1978.

In the particulars of  his offences, Daniel was said to have allegedly converted the sum of $1,000,000 belonging to the state government.

Security Forces Stop Embattled Bayelsa Governor from leaving Goverment House [Thisday]

Governor Timipre Sylva


By  Chuks Okocha   and Segun James

Indications that Governor Timipre Sylva may face harsher times ahead emerged Monday  as hundreds of security men deployed to maintain the peace in the state barred him from coming out of Creek Haven, the seat of the Bayelsa State government.

Consequently, Sylva could not participate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward congresses which began yesterday in the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship primary election from which he has been barred from contesting by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

However, he is still, statutorily, a delegate to the primary election.
Some governors, who spoke with THISDAY in the aftermath of Sylva’s disqualification, said it was capable of setting a bad precedent for other governors.

Fierce-looking policemen, in battle-gear mood, barricaded the gate to the Creek Havens and the PDP state secretariat.

Stern looking men of the Nigerian Police mobile force took over all strategic locations in and around the state capital even as men of the Joint (military) Task Force (JTF) were on high alert as the ward congresses took place at the state party secretariat. And in order to ward off any breakdown of law and order, the secretariat was condoned off and all traffic to the area diverted.

Corps members storm NYSC for redeployment from North East posting

Corps members

Many young graduates from tertiary institutions who were posted to the northern States of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi and Gombe states besieged the national headquarters of the National Youth Service Corps in Abuja in search of redeployment.

This  came on a day the management of the scheme released a new date and venue for the Batch ‘C’ Orientation course for corps members posted to Borno and Yobe states. 

The states are  known to have obvious security challenges caused by the Islamist fundamentalist group, Boko Haram.

Court orders FG to pay El Rufai N1 million as damages

Mallam Nasir el-Rufai

 An Abuja Federal High Court on Tuesday ordered the Federal Government to pay the sum of N1m as general damages to a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, for refusing to renew his international passport in 2009.

The court also ordered the government to renew the former minister’s international passport.

President Jonathan appoints new bosses for PPPRA and DPR [Thisday]

President Goodluck Jonathan

By Ahamefula Ogbu       

In a bid to rejig key parastatals in the petroleum industry ahead of the reforms, President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday announced the appointments of Mr. Reginald Chika Stanley as the new Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and Mr. Osten Oluyemisi Olurunsola as new head of Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Both appointments, according to the Presidency, take immediate effect.

Stanley, who until his appointment was Group General Manager of the Business Development Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), replaces Mr. Goody Chike Egbuji while Olorunsola replaces Mr. Andre Obaje.

A statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Olorunsola was until his appointment, Vice-President (Gas) at Shell Upstream International.

Sylva Appeals to JEGA to stop PDP primaries in Bayelsa [ThisDay]

Governor Timipre Sylva

By  Davidson Iriekpen and Chuks Okocha 

Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has appealed to the Chairman of the Indepen-dent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, to direct the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to conduct a fresh governorship primary in the state.

He said the primary would amount to a contravention of Section 86 of the Electoral Act, 2010 

The governor in letter signed by his lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, argued that by scheduling to conduct a fresh governorship primary in the state, the party was about to change or substitute his name as its candidate for the governorship election.

Reps stop FRSC new number plates, licences [PUNCH]

The House of Representatives on Tuesday asked the Federal Road Safety Commission to stop the issuance of new vehicle number plates and driving licence.

In a resolution it passed in Abuja, the House directed its Committee on FRSC to investigate the “rationale, necessity and circumstances” for the commission’s decision to replace the existing number plates and driving licence.

The House also noted that the job of the commission was to ensure safe driving on the highways and not revenue generation.

The committee was given four weeks to complete the assignment, while the FRSC was ordered to stop the implementation of the policy pending the outcome of the investigation.