ALLEGED FALSE DECLARATION OF ASSET!!

SarakiThe Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki was docked on Tuesday at the Code of Conduct Tribunal after a short argument between the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) and the defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), who was insisting that the day’s sitting was not for the taking pleas. After Dr. Saraki took the dock, the 13-count charge was read to him and he pleaded not guilty. The Senate President told the tribunal, in his opening remarks that he is a firm believer in the rule of law. Before today, Dr Saraki had given the assurance of his appearance after protracted arguments between his lawyers and the prosecution counsel over the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting over allegations of false asset declaration. His spokesman, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, had said in a statement attributed his absence from the tribunal to the legal advice he received from his counsel, that it is not necessary for him to appear before the tribunal at this stage.

VP OSIBANJO REPS BUHARI IN BURKINA FASO!!

Yemi-Osinbajo to represent buhari in burkina faso: Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will be representing President Muhammadu Buhari at a meeting of six Heads of States and Governments with the leaders of last Thursday’s military coup in Burkina Faso. President Buhari had on Tuesday hosted Heads of States and Governments of ECOWAS at an extraordinary summit in Abuja, where it was resolved that six Heads of States and Governments hold a meeting with the leaders of the bloodless coup. In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Mr Garba Shehu said that the extraordinary summit addressed the current political crisis in the West African State. President Buhari also condemned the coup in Burkina Faso and called for the restoration of civil transitional authority. The President called for the return to democratic rule after elections due for October 11. Nigeria had donated 20 vans to the Burkina Faso electoral commission towards a successful conduct of the general elections. Burkina Faso’s presidential guard under General Gilbert Diendere, seized power from the interim President Michel Kafando in a bloodless coup. The Vice President is expected back in Abuja later on Wednesday.

43 ARRESTED BOKO HARAM SUSPECTS!!

Boko Haram-army:The Nigerian Army said it has arrested a man it described as an ‘Emir of Boko Haram terrorists’, alongside 42 other suspects. The Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, also disclosed on Wednesday afternoon that 241 women and children were rescued during the operation in the Banki axis of Borno State. The Army Spokesman said that the command considers this a major breakthrough with the arrest of Bulama Modu, who he said is the Emir of Bulakuri. He said the troops are in very high spirit, and with the mop up exercise by the Nigerian Army, series of arms and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered. Also a bomb making factory was discovered in Dara Jamel in Borno State. In a similar development, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the days of Boko Haram are numbered. Speaking through his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Twitter, he said: “Boko Haram’s reign of terror in parts of the country will finally be over very soon as the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorist sect will continue relentlessly until total victory is achieved”.

THE DAYS OF BOKO HARAM ARE NUMBERED: PRESIDENT BUHARI!!

Muhammadu-Buhari--Nigeria-PresidentNigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the days of Boko Haram are numbered. “President Buhari assures all Nigerians that the days of Boko Haram are numbered”, a statement released via the Twitter handle of his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said. “Boko Haram’s reign of terror in parts of the country will be finally over very soon as the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorist sect will continue relentlessly until total victory is achieved”, he tweeted. The President also directed the Armed Forces and National Security Agencies to provide maximum security across the nation during Eid-el-Kabir prayers and celebrations, especially in areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks. The tweets added that President Buhari felicitates with all Nigerians of the Islamic faith as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir and congratulates all Nigerian Muslims who are currently in Saudi Arabia to participate in the rites of the Hajj. He urged Muslims and other Nigerians to rededicate themselves to “a greater acceptance and internalisation of its lessons of piety, faithfulness, dedication, fortitude, obedience, sacrifice and selfless service which are for the benefit of all mankind. “President Buhari called for more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism & willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all. He also seized “this opportunity to extend heartfelt commiserations to families in Maiduguri, who have lost loved ones in recent terrorist attacks. The tweets also noted that “President Buhari’s thoughts and prayers for Divine solace are with all those who have been callously plunged into mourning by mindless terrorists, when others are celebrating this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.

BURKINA FASO COUP COLLAPSED WITH INTERIM GOV'T!!

Michel-Kafando The military coup in Burkina Faso has collapsed with the Interim President, Michel Kafando declaring that he is back in charge and that civilian rule in that country has been restored. Mr Kafando’s announcement is coming just as ECOWAS leaders arrived Ouagaduogu to reinstall the interim administration. “We are proud of the mobilisation and fearlessness of the people of Burkina Faso, in particular of its youth, whose determination has stopped the coup succeeding”, Mr Kafando said. “I salute the international community for having rejected unequivocally this action “Regarding the ECOWAS proposals for a solution to the crisis, it is obvious that we will only commit to them if they take into account the will of the Burkinabes.” Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is among the 6 heads of states who are already in Ouagaduogu to oversee the handover process. President Muhammadu Buhari who was to lead the delegation is not attending. The African Union and ECOWAS leaders had given a deadline, which expired on Tuesday night, to the military leadership in Burkina Faso to relinquish power or face stiff penalties.

BOKO HARAM NIGERIA!!

Boko Haram-arm:The Nigerian Army said it has arrested a man it described as an ‘Emir of Boko Haram terrorists’, alongside 42 other suspects. The Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, also disclosed on Wednesday afternoon that 241 women and children were rescued during the operation in the Banki axis of Borno State. The Army Spokesman said that the command considers this a major breakthrough with the arrest of Bulama Modu, who he said is the Emir of Bulakuri. He said the troops are in very high spirit, and with the mop up exercise by the Nigerian Army, series of arms and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered. Also a bomb making factory was discovered in Dara Jamel in Borno State. In a similar development, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the days of Boko Haram are numbered. Speaking through his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Twitter, he said: “Boko Haram’s reign of terror in parts of the country will finally be over very soon as the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorist sect will continue relentlessly until total victory is achieved”.

CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF PLEDGES!!

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has pledged to support the Nigeria Police towards curbing the activities of criminals operating on the nation’s coastal lines. Speaking in Abuja, while on a working visit to the headquarters of the Nigeria Police, Vice-Admiral Ibas stressed the need for the Police High Command to ensure the speedy prosecution of suspects in order to deter other criminals. The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who welcomed the collaboration between the two security outfits expressed concerns about the increasing crime rate along the nation’s water-ways. He however promised to step up prosecution of offenders in order to stem the tide. Channels Television’s Lucky Isawode reports that this partnership is seen as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s maritime security.