$2bn Arms Deal: Northern Groups Call On EFCC, Other Anti-Graft Agencies To Pick Up Jonathan

Some groups have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-graft agencies to pick up former President Goodluck Jonathan for questioning over the $2bn arms deal scandal.

This is coming after the arrest of some persons allegedly involved in the misappropriation of the funds meant for the purchase of arms to strengthen the military in the fight against insurgency.

The groups, The Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen therefore, argued that Jonathan should also be held accountable for alleged crimes of the suspects as the President of the country at the time.

Buhari Attends 1st Kaduna Music Festival, Also Gets Honoured At Kaduna State University (Photos)

President Buhari today attended the Opening Ceremony of the first  Kaduna Music Festival (KadFest) which kicked off today in Kaduna. The Governor of the State, Nasir El-Rufai and many other Government officials grace the opening.

His excellency was also conferred Honorary Doctorate degree of Letters by the Visitor to the Kaduna State University during the 2nd Convocation of the Kaduna State University which also took place today. See more photos from both events below.

87 People Found Dead After Attacks In Burundi: Witness

A Burundian army official says 87 people were killed in violence Friday when three military installations were attacked by armed men.

Army spokesman Col Gaspard Baratuza said today eight security officers were among those killed and 21 others wounded in the fighting. Baratuza said forces arrested 45 members of the unidentified group that attacked the military installations.

Residents of Burundi's capital said that security forces searched houses and dragged out some people and shot them, some with their hands tied behind their backs.

The violence is associated with the disputed third term of President Pierre Nkurunziza, that many Burundians and the international community have opposed saying it's unconstitutional.

Egypt Jails Two Policemen For Beating Lawyer To Death

Two police officers were sentenced on Saturday to five years in jail by an Egyptian court for torturing a lawyer to death in a police station in February, a rare penalty against members of the security forces.

The two officers, a lieutenant colonel and captain with the national security force, had been accused of torturing a Lawyer Karim Hamdy, 27 to death in a Cairo police station in February.

Karim Hamdy was arrested in February on charges of taking part in anti-government protests organised by the Muslim Brotherhood, the movement that the military removed from power in mid-2013.

Shiites Attempt To Assassinate Chief Of Army Staff In Zaria

That’s exactly what the official twitter handle of the Nigerian Army announced two hours ago. According to reports, there was a gun battle when Shi’a Muslim sect members attacked the Chief of Army Staff in Zaria and seven people were killed.

Photos have now surfaced online, were Nigerian soldiers were seen taking charge of the situation. Ofcourse the Chief of Army Staff was not hurt, more photos below.

Newly Appointed Transition Committee Chairman In Jos, Abducted, Killed

Suspected kidnappers on Saturday abducted and killed the newly appointed transition committee chairman of Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Family sources told Premium Times today that Hosea Azi was kidnapped on Friday evening along Miango road, in Kufang, near former NYSC Secretariat in Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

The sources said the politician died alongside four of the six people who abducted him after the car in which they were driving him away got involved in an accident in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The late Mr. Azi was appointed the transition committee chairman of Jos East on Thursday, following the removal of his predecessor, Sanda Agwom, by Governor Simon Lalong.

Gambia President Declares Country An Islamic Republic

Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh has declared the formerly secular country an Islamic republic in a move he said was designed to distance the West African state further from its colonial past.

The tiny sliver of a country, named after the river from which British ships once allegedly fired cannonballs to fix its borders, joins the ranks of other Islamic Republics such as Iran and Afghanistan.

"In line with the country's religious identity and values, I proclaim Gambia as an Islamic state," said Jammeh on state television. "As Muslims are the majority in the country, the Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy," he added.

Gambia's population of 1.8 million people is 95 percent Muslim. He said that other citizens of other faiths would still be able to practise.

Nigeria Will Switch To Digital Broadcasting In 2017 –Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has restated the commitment of the Federal Government to achieve the ‘Digital Switch Over’ in broadcasting by 2017.

Mohammed said with the digital switchover, Nigeria would completely change the way television broadcasting is done.

“We are going to revolutionise the entire industry,” the minister said in a statement by his special adviser, Segun Adeyemi, on Friday.

The minister also allayed fears being expressed in some quarters that with the digital broadcasting, watching television would be out of the reach of poor Nigerians.

Nigeria: Dad Replies School, After Daughter Brought Back Report Sheet With Spelling Errors

I added Nigeria because similar things are frequently featured on Dailymail or Mirror.co.uk. Never have I ever thought it would happen in Nigeria soon, lol.

So a student of American University Of Nigeria Academy brought back her report on the 2^nd of December, 2015 and her dad was so upset about mistakes made by the institution that he had to correct their he to she, their advice to advised and one more. The angry dad then instructed his daughter to take it back to them after he took another time to write them a special note below… so awkward and funny, lol. See the full report sheet below.

7 Months Old Baby Whom Mother Left Alone At Home Roasts To Death

I just hope she won’t blame the devil. Even if she was just going down the street to buy salt, she should have gone with her. We are talking about a baby here. Smh

Tragedy, occurred again in Lekki area of the state Thursday afternoon, when fire consumed a seven- month-old baby while her parents were away. It was said that before help could get to the baby, she was completely burnt beyond recognition, Speaking with Saturday Vanguard, the Director State Fire Services, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, narrated thus:” We received distress call at about 1 pm of a fire outbreak at Ikota Housing Estate, I quickly dispatched my men to scene of the fire incident.

The fire men later retrieved the charred body of the baby girl from the debris of the fire. “It was later found out that the baby was locked up alone in the house while the mother went out. The husband it was learned had gone to his usual workplace. “ Fadipe added that from investigation, the fire started from the kitchen before it spread to the room where the baby was sleeping and due to the effect of the choking smoke the baby must have died before the fire later burnt her.

Photos: Atiku Visits Internally Displaced Children At Yola Orphanage

The former vice-president yesterday visited internally displaced children at Yola orphanage. ATiku who announced this on one of his social media pages wrote;

‘I spent yesterday with internally displaced children at the Yola orphanage. Please let's show care to those in need’.  See more photos below.

Photos: Mercy Johnson Delivers Baby Girl

Star actress, Mercy Johnson has welcomed her 3^rd child, a baby girl.Mercy welcomed her bundle of joy yesterday in the United States. Below is what her husband, who is now a father of five (2 from his previous marriage) penned down.

With my Hands Lifted up and my Mouth Filled with Praise with a Heart of THANKSGIVING I will Worship you oh Lord. I Hurriedly left Nigeria to witness the birth of my Baby, I was airborne when the Baby arrived. I'm right in the hospital at University of Maryland (St.Joseph Medical Centre) Baltimore. My wife and baby doing very well. Its a sister for Purity.Help me give thanks to God in this month of THANKSGIVING. God bless you all'.

See more photos after the cut.

People Doing Music Now Are Yahoo & Drug Boys, Baba Fryo Fires

Baba Fryo who released two smash singles in the 90s, Denge pose and Notice me, has said he never left the music scene because he was frustrated like many people have said, but the game changed. He said we no longer have raw talents and most people have flooded the music scene just because they are yahoo/drug boys and have the money. Fryo explained to Saturday beats on what he does now and how he has really not left his first love- the music industry. Enjoy!

“There was no time I left music, but the system has changed. At present, we don’t have raw talents in the music industry; people doing music now are the ‘Yahoo’ and drug boys. They took over the industry.

A ‘Yahoo boy’ can just enter the studio because music is easy now unlike before when you would have to pass through many processes to release a song. Then you would sing from the beginning of that track till the end, but they cut corners nowadays which also explains why their songs don’t last more than six months. When they play some of my songs like Denge Pose and Notice Me, people still dance to them and remember the lyrics. Many things have changed.

We Will Publish Names Of Looters- Buhari

President Mohammadu Buhari on Friday said his government will soon publish names of those who have returned portions of their loot from public coffers. President Buhari, according to The Cable News, said that the Central Bank of Nigeria will soon publicly name those who looted Nigeria. He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was holding on from publishing the list in order to avoid jeopardising investigations and further recoveries.

The president disclosed this while speaking at the 15th session of the Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation lecture at the International Conference Centre, in Abuja yesterday. In his lecture, Buhari said during electioneering, the issue that gained “higher currency” in the psyche of the people was that Nigerians needed leadership that could be relied upon to tackle the orgy of corruption in the country.

“We have taken steps towards recovering a reasonable amount of the money that was looted or misappropriated from public coffers. Investigations are ongoing on public officers who served, or are still serving, and those whose conduct are questionable will be compelled to accept the path of honour and surrender their loot,” he said. “As I stated recently, a good number of people who abused their positions are voluntarily returning the illicit funds.

Sean Tizzle Dazzles In Native

Hehehe the young singer stepped out yesterday in a native attire, and we must say we LOVE! Hopefully, Sean will love us for this, we are not putting his ‘pink lips’ on blast, lol.

Photos: Popular Yoruba Actor, Lala Graduates From OAU

Popular Yoruba actor Muyideen Oladapo Lala, has graduated from Obafemi  Awolowo university. He was among the many students that graduated yesterday at Obafemi Awolowo University. A joyous Lala said;

"Thanks to Almighty Allah, he started it and he didn't leave the job unfinished. What can I give him in return? I just have to say Baba ooooo e se e e e e," he said shortly after his graduation.

Lala was a student of Dramatic Arts. Big congrats to him.

We Would Continue To Pay N18,000 Minimum Wage- Jigawa Governor

The Governor of Jigawa State, Badaru Abubakar on Friday reassured workers in his State that he will not scrap the N18,000 minimum wages as suggested by many governors.

Mr. Badaru gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.

He said the state government would continue to pay the N18, 000, as well as leave grants and other allowances due to the workers in spite of dwindling revenue.

“I had interaction with the workers last week. I promised to continue with the N18, 000 minimum wage. I also promised to give them what we agreed upon as leave grant, that they have not been enjoying for some time. We kept our promise this year and we intend to continue next year,’’ the governor said.

Dasuki Only Paid Me N670m And It Was To Compensate Me- Nduka Speaks From US

The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Thisday newspaper, Nduka Obaigbena, has said the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, paid him N670 million as compensation for attacks on his newspaper’s offices in Abuja and Kaduna in 2012.

He said he also received compensation for the illegal seizure of newspapers by men of the armed forces.

Mr. Obaigbena made the disclosure while responding to an invitation by the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) in connection to the ongoing probe into the usage of $2.1 billion arms procurement fund by the office of the NSA under Mr Dasuki.

Online Publishers Visit Saraki, As Saraki Assures Social Media Bill Will Not Be Passed

The president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Friday assured that the senate would not censor the media. This is contained in a statement by his Media Assistant, Bamikole Omishore, made available to the newsmen in Abuja.

The statement said that Mr. Saraki gave the assurance when members of the Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) led by its president, Olufemi Awoyemi, visited him.

It said the group’s visit was in connection with the widely criticized ‘’Frivolous Petitions Prohibition Bill 2015’’ popularly tagged ‘’Anti-Social Media Bill’’.

Uche Nnannah Responds To Malicious Publication, Says My Marriage Is Fine & My Son is Alive

Some news websites had recently reported that newly married Nollywood actress Uche Iwuanyanwu Nnannah is having problems in her marriage because of her involvement in a s3x tape and even said she lost her child too. But then, the story is far from the truth, because Uche’s marriage is intact and her son is alive and doing well.

Responding to the news, the actress through her publicist Bola Aduwo, says, ‘This is nothing but a pack of malicious lies! A figment of someone’s sick imagination! How someone can just sit down and concoct this kind of story is beyond me. Please my marriage is intact, my son is fine and I am not emaciated neither have I ever been involved in any sex tape’. The actress further stated that it was unfortunate that she was not contacted first to confirm such stories before running to the press with it.

Meanwhile, Uche who has acted in so many movies has taken time off acting to have a baby and start a family but promises to be back to the silver screen soon.

9 Die In Abakaliki-Enugu Highway Accident

At least nine persons lost their lives in a road accident along the Abakaliki-Enugu highway early Friday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The accident occurred along Ezzangbo portion of the Abakaliki-Enugu highway and involved a Toyota Sienna bus and a truck with registration number HKW 436 XA.

Charles Abuochi, the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi, confirmed the story in an interview with NAN. He, however, said that the details of the auto crash were still sketchy.

However, corpses of deceased victims have been deposited at a nearby mortuary. May their souls rest in peace.

New Video: Wizkid - Final (Baba Nla)

Mikel Obi’s Daughters Represent His CLUB (Photos)

The girls were dressed in a Chelsea Football Club jersey; the club their dad plays for. Too cute!

Woman, 4-Year Old Daughter Assassinated In Benin, Police Suspects Landlady

This is painful! Suspected assailants have killed a woman, identified as Itohan Enagbare, and her four-year-old daughter, Iwinosa, in Benin, the Edo State capital. It was learnt that the incident occurred at the residence of the deceased on Osaze Street, off Dumez Road.

It was gathered that the unknown assailants stormed the 28-year-old woman’s residence at about 1pm on Wednesday, dragged her outside and stabbed her to death.

Sources said the four-year-old girl’s loud cry when her mother was attacked also caused the killers to hack her to death before they fled the scene.

Photos: Buhari Attends Funeral Service Of Former President Of Republic Of Benin

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, 10th of December, was among the dignitaries that attended the funeral service of late Mathieu Kerekou, the former President of the Republic of Benin. The service held in the country’s capital, Cotonou.

Buhari who spoke on behalf of other African leaders, described late Kerekou as, “a father of his nation and founding father of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).” He described the late General as a leader who was loved by his people and advocated for international cooperation, who will be greatly missed within and outside Benin Republic. See more photos of him after the cut.

Charles Novia Lists His Best 5 Actresses For 2015

Trust him to always have his list of best actors and actresses at the end of each year.  Charles says, these are his best 5 actresses for 2015 and ofcourse he would soon release the list of his best 5 actors in 2015. Enjoy!

  

In what has now become an annual and personal reward system for actors of sorts, which I feel is needed for an ingrained development for Nollywood, my annual list of ‘Best Actresses and Best Actors’ in Nollywood for the year has been something for me to look forward to compiling as with what many readers of my critiques also look forward to reading.

In 2013, Mercy Johnson got the top diadem from me and in 2014, Nse Ikpe Etim got the Best Actress award. For the year 2015, I and my usual team of professional critics sat down once again to draw up a list after watching a number of films through the year. But something quite interesting caught my attention this year; the rise of television series on Nigerian television more than ever in terms of quality and direction. This development seems to have been triggered off by Africa Magic and its original films and commissioned fares and other established independent producers caught the bug too.

Oh Dear! Kenyans ‘Mock’ Their President Over Frequent Travel

Imagine if a social bill had been passed in that country, lol. Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta has been forced to defend his frequent overseas trips after Kenyans took to social media to ridicule him as a foreign leader making a fleeting visit to their country.

Kenyatta returned last week from trip abroad that included a summit in South Africa, a climate conference in France and a Commonwealth meeting in Malta. He is due to travel to Rwanda later this week.

Kenyans have been posting photographs online that depict highlights of his “visit” to Kenya. In recent days, the criticism has gone viral, with the hashtag #žUhuruInKenya gaining popularity on Twitter.

Scores Of Women 'Divorced/Abandoned' For Voting In Tanzanian Elections

Up to 50 women in Zanzibar have been divorced for taking part in the recent Tanzanian elections against the wishes of their husbands, according to lawyers and women’s rights campaigners.

Mzuri Issa, coordinator of the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) in the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago, said 47 women were divorced for voting contrary to their husband’s orders in a tightly fought ballot that remains undecided.

Issa added some women did not take part in the election for fear of being divorced or for fear of violence, while others complained that they were forced to cast ballots for candidates they did not support.

The divorces were confirmed by the Zanzibar Female Lawyers Association (ZFLA) and the Mwanakerekwe district Kadhi court in Zanzibar.

5 Women Sue Japanese Government For Depriving Them The Joy Of Bearing Their Surnames After Marriage

Five women are suing the government of Japan over a law requiring spouses to adopt the same surname. The women say the law is unconstitutional and violates married couples’ civil rights, and are demanding compensation.

“By losing your surname ... you’re being made light of, you’re not respected ... It’s as if part of your self vanishes,” said Kaori Oguni, a translator and one of the five women involved in the lawsuit.

A decision by the supreme court, due on 16 December, coincides with prime minister Shinzo Abe’s push to draw more women into a shrinking workforce. Despite that, many in his conservative ruling party are opposed to any legal change.

Rwanda's 'Most Wanted Man' Arrested By Interpol Over 1994 Genocide

Family photographs of some of those who died in the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Photograph: Ben Curtis/AP

Interpol agents arrested a Rwandan with a $5m bounty on his head who is among the most wanted for the 1994 genocide, officials said on Thursday.

Ladislas Ntaganzwa was arrested in the eastern Congo city of Goma late on Monday, according to John Bosco Siboyintore, head of the genocide tracking unit at Rwanda’s Public Prosecution Authority, and Richard Muhumuza, Rwanda’s prosecutor general.

Ntaganzwa is among the nine most-wanted fugitives in the 1994 Rwanda genocide which killed more than 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus, Siboyintore said.

Supreme Court Decides Reverend King's Fate On Death Sentence February 26

The Supreme Court, on Thursday, fixed February 26 for judgment in the appeal filed by the General Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly, Reverend Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, a.k.a Reverend King, challenging the judgment of a Lagos High Court sentencing him to death by hanging.

The apex court, presided by Justice Walter Onoghen, adjourned for judgment after entertaining arguments from counsel to prosecution and defence in the matter.

Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, who appeared before the Supreme Court alongside Mrs. Idowu Alakija, the Director of Public Prosecution and other counsel in the state, urged the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgment of the lower courts.

Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Declares Emergency On Education

According to Premium Times, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal on Wednesday declared a state of emergency on the state’s education sector, with a pledge to totally turn around the fortune of the sector in the next four years.

Announcing the decision after the state executive council meeting presided over by Mr. Tambuwal, the state commissioner of finance, Saidu Umar, said henceforth, extraordinary measures would be implemented within a defined time-frame to achieve desired result.

He said statistics on education in Sokoto was not only worrisome, but regrettable, adding that with the new policy in place, government hoped to reverse the negative trend for the benefit of the state.

Who Released, Killed And Ate Our Lion? By Reuben Abati

“Did they send you your own share of the bush meat?”

“Bush meat?”

“The lion in the zoo that became bush meat in Jos”

“What’s my own inside? I don’t know any zoo worker in Jos and how could a lion that was allowed out of its cage and got shot end up in my stomach. The kind of things you say sometimes.”

“That means you have not been following the story.”

Man Weeps In Court As Wife Sues For Divorce

There was mild drama yesterday at  the Agboyi/Ketu Customary Court when a respondent, Mr Bayo Bankole broke down in tears and started pleading with his estranged wife, Ejiro Bankole not to break their almost five-year -old marriage.

Bankole, who was being sued by his wife over allegations of being diabolical, constant beating, which caused miscarriage and inflicting of injuries on her body, told the court that it was his mother and family members that are responsible for the maltreatment of his wife, pleaded with her to forgive him and not go ahead with the divorce processes.

Meanwhile, Ejiro said that the cry came a bit late as the harm he did to her cannot be erased with his tears.

Karim Benzema Suspended Over S3x Tape Scandal

The French international Karim Benzema, under formal investigation in connection with an alleged attempt to blackmail a fellow player, has been suspended from the national team, the head of the French Football Federation said.

Noël Le Graët said he and his federation colleagues were enormously sad to have made the decision that the Real Madrid striker was no longer able to be selected, saying he was a talented player.

Benzema is being investigated over an alleged attempt by one of his friends to extort money from a fellow international, Mathieu Valbuena, over a s3x tape. He told investigators he approached Valbuena about the tape on behalf of “a childhood friend” but claims he did not think he was doing anything wrong.

Lady Accused Of Pouring Hot Water On Sister, Says Sister Did It Herself

Yemisi Arogbonlo, the 24-year-old medical student who allegedly poured hot water on her stepsister, Oluwafunke, on Friday, December 4, at their house on Road 1, Federal Housing Estate, Mile 4, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has denied the crime.

Yemisi, who spoke with Punch Metro on the telephone on Thursday, said she had a fight with Oluwafunke and it was during the scuffle that the 32-year-old mistakenly fell on a bucket of hot water and injured herself.

She said she (Yemisi) had wanted to bath with the water.

Police Arrests Husband For Watching 23-Year Old Wife Die

A 29-year-old businessman, Oluchi Ajimowu, is being held by the State Department for Criminal Investigation, Yaba, Lagos, for his alleged involvement in the death of her wife, Priscillia Ajimowu.

Priscillia and Oluchi lived with their children in the FESTAC area of the state.

The police are working on two theories; that Oluchi smashed the wife’s head on the floor, or the 23-year-old mother of two poisoned herself after being frustrated by her husband.

Pupils Attack Teachers With Guns In Osun

Some teachers at Anglican High School and Adenle Middle School in Osogbo narrowly escaped being shot when some cultists invaded the school compound and chased out teachers.

The school which houses  student population of about 7,000 is made up of Anglican High School 1-5 and some students of Adenle Middle School.

Our correspondent gathered on Thursday that the crisis was caused by some students who knew they could not pass  the qualifying examination the state wanted to conduct to select those whose WAEC  fee would be paid by the state government.

But some said the crisis started  last Friday when a student identified as Toib and his colleagues stormed the school premises with dane guns to attack a member of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme ( O’ YES cadet) who they had issues with.

Wasiu Ayinde Releases New Photos Of Self

Forever young....

Photos: Annie Idibia & Tuface Step Out In Traditional Attires For A Wake-Keep

The couple attended the wake keeping of Late Prof Wensley Vidal Mobolaji Fowler this evening.

Taiwo Odukoya Pens Down Touching Note To Late Wife, Bimbo Odukoya

The General Overseer of Fountain of Life Bible Church, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya remembered his late wife, Late Pastor Bimbo Odukoya today has the family remembers her 10years on. The pastor was among those who died in the ill-fated Sosoliso airline 10years ago.

Pstor Taiwo said he is glad that the teachings of his wife are still here with us and indeed she lived a fulfilled life, though short. Below is what the Pastor wrote on his instagram page for his dear late wife. So touching. Most of her followers still miss her till date.

FlashBack! Yakubu Gowon Shaking Justin Trudeau The Present PM Of Canada When He Was A Toddler

Such a powerful photo. This was in 1973 and Gowon was the Head of State. Just look at what Justin turned out to be. Make your children shake hands with great men, lol.

Photocredit: Seemeseenigeria

Kogi Assembly Impeaches Speaker, Deputy, Minority Leader

Rt. Hon. Momoh Jimoh, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, has been impeached. The impeachment of the Speaker was endorsed by 17 of the 25-member House.

His impeachment has been reported by many platforms to be ‘politically’ motivated. The Speaker was however accused of financial recklessness and misconduct.

His deputy and minority leader were also impeached.