Sanusi Steps Into Soludo’s Big Shoes: Becomes CBN Gov

 

 

Lamido Sanusi, The New CBN Gov

 

From handling the rein’s of The First Bank Of Nigeria, Forty seven-year-old Lamido Sanusi on Thursday stepped into Soludo’s shoes as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor based on the nomination of president Yar’adua.

Reports have confirmed his arrival in the Unity state of Abuja to take over from Deputy Governor, Ernest Ebi, to whom Chukwuma Soludo handed over before his exit on Monday.

Sanusi would also hold meetings with top management, including Deputy Governors and departmental Directors, who would brief him on the state of affairs to enable him get a grip on his tasks, while all eyes are on him, waiting, to see how he will manage and surpass the legacy Soludo established during his tenure.

LoveWorld News Agency

Nigerian militants say will blockade oil vessels

Nigeria’s main militant group said on Monday it would blockade key waterways in the Niger Delta to try to prevent crude oil exports after days of military helicopter and gunboat raids on its camps.

The security forces launched an offensive against militant camps around Warri in the western Niger Delta on Friday after two oil vessels were hijacked and its soldiers were attacked, leading to the heaviest fighting in at least eight months.

“We have ordered the blockade of key waterway channels to oil industry vessels both for the export of crude and gas and importation of refined petroleum products,” the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said.

“This means vessels now ply such routes at their risk,” the group said in an e-mailed statement.

The army says it has rescued 17 hostages — nine Filipinos, four Ukrainians and four Nigerians — and destroyed a major camp belonging to militant leader Government Tompolo since launching its offensive three days ago.

Sourced from Reuters

Ekiti Bribe: SSS Quizzes Adebayo

 

Nigerian electoral Chairman, Maurice Iwu

 

Bolanle Talabi

LoveWorld Newsroom. 

 

In line with the directives of President Umaru Yar’Adua for a full scale investigation into the N250 million bribery scandal rocking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the Ekiti State gubernatorial election re-run, State Security Services (SSS) officials yesterday in Abuja interrogated the Resident Electoral Commission from the state, Mrs Ayoka Adebayo along with seven other electoral commissioners.

This is just as the election petition tribunal that would hear all grievances arising from the outcome of the re-run governorship election may soon begin sitting in the state.

Mrs Adebayo and the electoral commissioners arrived at the SSS headquarters in Abuja around 12 noon and were quizzed for several hours in the office of the SSS’s director general. An INEC administrative staff was also said to have been quizzed along with them.

At press time the Ekiti REC, three national commissioners -Victor Chukwuani, Philip Umeadi and Solomon Adedeji Soyebi -and the administrative secretary were still at the SSS headquarters. Also interrogated by the SSS were four other resident electoral commissioners from other states that helped in the conduct of the Ekiti State election.

After their interrogation, other categories of staff would be invited for a similar exercise to unravel the truth behind the N250 million bribe scandal

However, uncertainties arose as to whether INEC’s chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu may have also been interrogated by the SSS along with his commissioners. However, INEC’s spokesman, Andy Ezeani sent a text message denying that his boss was interrogated by the SSS.

Commenting on the allegations of bribe, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) denied any complicity in the scandal, describing it as an “unnecessary distraction by the Action Congress (AC) to score cheap political points.”The Ekiti State PDP chairman, Bola Olu-Ojo said: “We are not involved in the bribe scandal. It is arm-twisting and a distraction to the party.

In a related development, the election petition tribunal may soon commence sitting in Ado-Ekiti, to preside over petitions into the governorship re-run election. Indications to this effect emerged in the Ekiti state capital, following the arrival of Polycarp Nwachucku, the secretary to the tribunal.

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by Nwachukwu, the secretary stated that “notice is hereby given that the election petitions tribunal in the rerun governorship election in Ekiti State is now in place at the High Court complex, Ado-Ekiti. “Litigants, lawyers, gentlemen of the press and other members of the public should please take note.”

Following its rejection of the results of the election won by Segun Oni of the PDP, AC’s candidate, Kayode Fayemi had threatened to approach the tribunal for redress. The AC alleged that the election was manipulated in favour of the PDP.

 

 

4-Nigeria Militants Hijack Oil Vessels

 

Nigerian militants have hijacked two cargo ships in the Niger Delta and given oil companies until Saturday to evacuate staff, warning they would attack helicopters and planes after the deadline.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a 24-hour ultimatum on Wednesday for oil workers to leave the region after heavy clashes with the military, but said on Thursday some firms had asked they be given more time.

Security sources working in Africa’s largest oil and gas industry said they were taking the militant threats seriously, but there were no plans to evacuate staff.

“They’ve said it all before. Nobody ever evacuates, but some companies will increase their alert level,” a private security contractor said. 

Sourced from Reuters