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