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S.Africa Police: Okah In Contact With Nigeria Bombers-REUTERS   Henry Okah in court-Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko   JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Nigerian militant leader Henry Okah was in contact with his bombing conspirators in Nigeria before and after a deadly car blast in the capital of Abuja, according to a South African police investigation. Okah was arrested in Johannesburg shortly after the blasts that killed at least 10 people at an October 1 parade to mark the 50th anniversary of Nigerian independence. Four possible suspects have been arrested in Nigeria. South African police investigators said in an affidavit, read by a prosecutor at a bail hearing for Okah in a Johannesburg court, that he was "the mastermind" behind the blast but they could not reveal the evidence implicating Okah to protect their confidential sources. Okah, residing in South Africa and charged with conspiracy in the bombing, said in

Nigeria Must Help James Ibori By Sonala Olumhense caption: James Ibori and his banker, Cecilia Ibru Columnist:  Sonala Olumhense This is an urgent appeal to the People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria (PDP): do something! It is an appeal to the youth of Oghara, Ibori’s hometown: do something! It is an appeal to the University of Benin: do something! It is an appeal to *President Goodluck Jonathan, and to Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Delta State Governor, and to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and to the Nigeria Police: do something!!! Do something before James Ibori, the “Odidigborigbo of Africa,” former Delta State governor and almost-2011-Operation Zuma-running-mate-to-Umaru Yar’Adua, makes an unscheduled appearance in a London court. Do something tonight or tomorrow, but certainly no later than Saturday, and get Ibori back to Oghara, Abuja or Lagos, or any of

       

2011: Caucus option stirs push for automatic tickets President Goodluck Jonathan welcoming former Gov of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu and other delegation of the Northern Political Summit -G20 during a solidarity visit to the President Villa Abuja on Monday. PHOTO: NAN SOME Federal legislators desperate to return to the National Assembly are pushing for a new clause in the Electoral Act 2010. The "Right of First Refusal" is to guarantee Senators and Representatives automatic return tickets to the National Assembly. It is all part of "a grand trade-off" planned by the lawmakers who are considering the Executive’s proposals on the Electoral Act’s amendments. The Presidency is proposing the use of party caucus to choose candidates for the 2011 elections – a plan many have described as "evil" and "undemocratic". The House may hold an executive session today to de

Abuja bombings: Rivalry between SSS, Police threatens probe By Adelani Adepegba   Thursday, 14 Oct 2010  

Coalition paves way for children to sue parents   WATCH it, parents. One instance of neglect or the rod wrongly applied can land you in court, and your accuser will be your child. For years, seeking a better deal for the Nigerian child has been a popular topic. The Child Rights Act was the result of this crusade and many states have passed it into law. But implementation remains a hurdle. When will the child really begin to enjoy his rights to education, good health and even protection from abuse? It was for this purpose that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) mobilised a wide range of professionals for a workshop in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. At the forum were magistrates, judges, police officers, assessors from ministries of women affairs and social development, practicing lawyers and other stakeholders from Plateau State. The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Mini

Senate warns Jega over polls Prof. Attahiru Jega THE Senate has begun the amendment of the Electoral Act 2010, for the second time, with a stern warning to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to stop blaming the National Assembly for any hitch in the electoral process. During yesterday’s plenary session where the First Reading of the second alteration was taken, the senators registered their displeasure over what they described as Jega’s sustained attempts to lay the blame for distortions in the electoral calendar at the doorsteps of the legislature. The lawmakers complained that Jega’s recent utterances were capable of inciting public odium against the National Assembly in the handling of the amendment to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act. Senator Kanti Bello was the first to complain. He tendered a copy of a national newspaper which quoted the INEC boss as saying that preparations for the

Nigeria's Damola Osayomi stripped of gold medal Osayemi Oludamola NIGERIAN Osayemi Oludamola has been stripped of the women's 100 metres Commonwealth Games gold medal on Tuesday after her B sample confirmed a positive test for a banned stimulant, the Games Federation said. "The Federation Court determined that Ms Oludamola had committed an anti-doping rule violation and that she be disqualified from the Games and all her competition results at the 2010 Commonwealth Games be nullified," said a statement. Her compatriot Samuel Okon, a 110 metres hurdler who also tested positive for Methylhexaneamine, waived his right to have his B Sample tested and has also been disqualified, the statement added. Oludamola was awarded gold in controversial circumstances when Australian Sally Pearson was disqualified for a false start three hours after crossing the line. Natasha Mayers, who crossed the line third in the blue riband

  Police disrupt Edo PDP factional meeting By James Azania      

Bomb Blasts: My my story – Dokpesi By Henry Umoru, Abuja The Director-General, Ibrahim Babangida Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Raymond Dokpesi said yesterday that security agencies now investigating the Abuja bomb blasts should look elsewhere for the brains behind the explosions as he knew nothing about the blasts that killed at least 10 Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 50th Independence Day anniversary. He was arrested and detained for 24 hours by the State Security Services, SSS, to explain how an SMS message purportedly from him was found in the handset of a suspect in security custody. Chief Dokpesi, speaking in Abuja for the first time since his release by the SSS, said he had never met or discussed with MEND leader, Henry Okah or anyone suspected of involvement in the Abuja bomb blasts. “I have never corresponded with him through either directly or communicated with him through any third party. Nor has my principal, General Ibra

Kidnapping: RCCG petitions Jonathan…to stage one million-man protest By Ikechukwu Nnochiri The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, yesterday, commenced a nationwide collection of signature of its members that would partake in a planned one million-man protest rally against the spate of insecurity in Nigeria. The General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who yesterday initiated the move, insisted that it was high time religious organisations raised awareness over the depreciating standard of security in the country, adding “we cannot afford to celebrate, clinking glasses and congratulating each other when a horrendous decimation of the most vulnerable is picking up a pace and our stock of human capital heading for the abyss.” General Overseer , Pastor Enoch Adeboye According to a petition sent to President Goodluck Jonathan by the spiritual leader of RCCG, Adeboye, which was equally attached to the registration form that was used, yesterday,

By Fidelis Soriwei, Olusola Fabiyi and Mudiaga   Affe        

Workers lost more jobs under Sanusi than any other CBN governor – NUBIFIE By Victor Ahiuma-Young LAGOS — NATIONAL Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, weekend, said more Nigerians had lost their jobs in the banking sector under the current Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, than any other CBN governor in the country. This came even as the union lamented that Mallam Sanusi who has just spent over one year as governor had not only created loss of confidence in the Nigerian banking sector, but imposed management on some banks who the NUBIFIE claimed were doing worst things than the sacked management of some rescued banks. General Secretary of the Union, Comrade Segun Ola, told Labour Correspondents that the body was strongly opposed to planned sale of the rescued banks by CBN and argued that the shareholders had shown interest and preparedness to recapitalise their banks. He said: “I c

Golden Jubilee awards: Chukwumerije faults selection of 50 ‘distinguished Nigerians’   By Mudiaga Affe