Appeal Court Orders NICON To Pay N1.7bn Debt To Ecobank

The Lagos division of the Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed an appeal filed by NICON Group of Companies Plc challenging a judgment delivered by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, which ordered it to pay Ecobank Plc N1.7billion.

The appellate court presided over by Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur in an unanimous judgment held that NICON could not complain that its rights to fair hearing were breached because its counsel was present when Ecobank’s lawyer, Kunle Ogunba (SAN) argued the application at the lower court.

Good News: Access Bank, Netherland FMO In N5bn Facility For Women

Access Bank Plc has signed a N5 billion ($30m) facility deal with the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) for lending to Women in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. The line of credit, according to Access Bank in a statement, will provide financial resources to women-owned small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria.

Seven drug traffickers nabbed on one flight excrete 8.7kg cocaine

Forty-nine-year-old Fred Obi was about to board an Ethiopian Air flight from Abuja to Tel Aviv, Israel with a strange cargo allegedly concealed in his stomach when the law caught up with him. He had ingested 1.594kg of cocaine.

Tambuwal asks court to jail IG for contempt

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to summon the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, to explain why he should not be jailed for disobeying the court order.

Tambuwal accused Abba of consistently disobeying the court order made on November 7, 2014, which directed parties in his substantive suit filed to stop his removal as a member and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Remain vigilant, Jonathan tells Nigerians, condemns Kano mosque attack

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Kano State over the heinous attack on the Central Mosque in Kano,Friday.
Kano mosque blast
He commiserates with all the families who lost their loved ones.  The President calls on relief agencies and medical personnel to deploy every possible effort to assist the injured, and the general public to heed the call for the donation of blood by the hospitals where the injured are being treated.

Senate President Again disregards letter of defection from defecting PDP senators To APC

The 11 Senators who have vocalised their intention to leave the ruling PDP for the APC have in the last couple of days preferred to discuss all of their political issues behind closed doors and away from the prying eyes of the media.

The matter has dragged on for over 2 weeks in a back and forth manner as the lawmakers searched for a political solution to the stand-off. A point of order by Senator Bukola Saraki was all that was needed to reopen the matter as soon as the senate resumed plenary.

Yoruba Will Regain Its Right of Place In My Next Administration----Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said Nigeria would overcome her current challenges, just as he regreted the emergence of Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker of the House of Representatives at the expense of Mulikat Akande-Adeola, the Peoples Democratic Party preferred candidate for the position.

Raymond Dokpesi Resigns As DAAR Communications Chairman To go Into Politics

The chairman DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Aleogho Raymond Dokpesi has served notice to step down as chairman of the media conglomerates board of directors.

Dokpesi made his intention known this Thursday at the sixty-fifth meeting of the board of directors of the media outfit in Abuja.

PHOTOS: Peter Obi's Appearance in Agulu Market Arouses Mammoth Attraction

Immediate Past Governor on Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi appearance at Nwagwu Agulu Main market on saturday, in Aniocha LG.A. of the state, to purchase plantain and groundnut peas for consumption, aroused scores of market women who were amazed to see the the former governor who came in person to the market.
His appearance at the market place aroused boisterous welcome songs from women in the market, chanting victorious songs and calling on him in Igbo language to disregard whatever accusations from his political allies created to misrepresent his person but  assured him of their  support for his future political ambition.

92 Died In Recent Kano Bomb Blast

At least more than 92 people have been confirmed  dead and also more that 126 injured on Friday when two suicide bombers blew themselves up and gunmen opened fire during weekly prayers at a mosque of one of Nigeria’s top Islamic leaders. AFP reporter confirmed that 92peple dead at one hospital morgue...

Eagles stagnant despite Afcon crash

Despite crashing out of AFCON 2015, African champions Nigeria remain the 42nd ranked team in the world and 10th in Africa.
HUMBLED: Super Eagles players listen to their coach before training ahead of the return clash with Sudan on Wednesday.
HUMBLED: Super Eagles players listen to their coach before training ahead of the return clash with Sudan on Wednesday.

Pinnick: We ‘ll have a new Super Eagles

President of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick says they want to have a new look Super Eagles where ‘new players will come in’ and ‘make the other players sit up’.pinnick
This is coming in the aftermath of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

2Face, Oritsefemi, Niyola, others thrill fans at NMVA

This year’s edition of the Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) held on Wednesday night with titillating performances by 2Face, Oritsefemi, Mr Songs, Joe-el, Skales, Niyola and Mc Galaxy.
Joe-el, MC Galaxy received their first awards for the Best Video by a New Act and Best Use of Dance in a Music Video respectively. Gbade Adetisola also received the award for the Best Use Of Visual Effects. Kemi Adetiba won the award for the Best Director, Niyola couldn’t help but cry when her name was called as the winner of the Best R&B Video. Sammy Okposo went home with the Best Gospel Video Award.

‘Music Meets Runway’ returns with African edition

THE organisers of the annual fashion and music event Music Meets Runway (MMR), Le Reve Events, has announced that this year’s MMR will be an ‘African Edition’ with participation from different African countries.
“Last year’s Icons Edition featured four of the most outstanding designers in Nigeria; Ituen Basi, Mai Atafo, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and Deola Sagoe.

I am the male version of Mariah Carey-Samcole

With over 100,000 downloads in the first few weeks of his debut single, ‘Shakara’ , Samson Edhosa known by the stage name ‘Samcole’ signed his way into reckoning in the Nigerian music industry.
Thereafter the good-looking 26-year-old, public administration graduate of University of Benin followed up with two more singles ‘Love You and Baby Sweet’ , featuring Timaya, to prove he’s not just another flash in the pan.
samcole-artiste

Davido buys N36m cars for manager, producer

Music star and HKN gang boss, Davido (David Adedeji Adeleke) reportedly spent over N35m on brand new cars for both his manager, Kamal Ajiboye and his producer, Sheyi Akerele (Shizzi).
Davido bought a brand new black Mercedes 450 GL which cost N12m for his manager while that of his producer, is a brand new black Porsche Cayenne which cost N24m.

Davido buys N36m cars for manager, producer

Music star and HKN gang boss, Davido (David Adedeji Adeleke) reportedly spent over N35m on brand new cars for both his manager, Kamal Ajiboye and his producer, Sheyi Akerele (Shizzi).
Davido bought a brand new black Mercedes 450 GL which cost N12m for his manager while that of his producer, is a brand new black Porsche Cayenne which cost N24m.

Man, 34, arraigned for allegedly raping foreigner

A 34-year-old man, Fabian Anyanwu, who allegedly assaulted and raped a 22-year-old Cameroonian lady, on Monday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Anyanwu, a resident of 721 Road, D Close, Block 2, Festac Town, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of assault and rape.
The prosecutor, Cpl. John Iberedem, told the court that the accused committed the offences on August 15 at his residence.

Wife awarded N93bn in record divorce

The estranged wife of a London financier was awarded N92723499992 -ninety-two billion seven hundred twenty-three million four hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-two (£337 million $530 million, 425 million euros) on Thursday in one of the biggest divorce settlements seen in a British court.
Details of the payment to US-born Jamie Cooper-Hohn, 49, emerged after a draft judgement was given to lawyers ahead of a final ruling.
Cooper-Hohn’s lawyers were reported to be considering an appeal to get an ever bigger payout.
Cooper-Hohn had separated from hedge fund manager Chris Hohn, 48, after being married for 15 years and the two had fought over assets worth over £700 million.
Hohn had offered his wife a quarter of the fortune, but she argued that their wealth was the result of a partnership.

I’m out of 2015 Senate race – Gbenga Daniel

Immediate past governor of Ogun State, Otunba Olugbenga Daniel has said that he would no longer contest the 2015 Senatorial election in Ogun State.
In an exclusive interview in his Lagos home, yesterday, the former governor appreciated the demands on him to contest, especially by people who believed that his doing so would boost their own aspirations.

Police parade 25 year old Nigerian musician turned armed-robber

Lagos state Police command yesterday paraded a 25 year old musician named John Sunday pictured left, who says he took to armed robbery in order to gather N100,000 to promote his reggae album.
“I am a musician from Ikofepepe in Akwa Ibom State. We were three in the gang, but one is on the run. I needed money to launch my album, Tureke Reggae; that is why I went into robbery. I was targeting N100,000″ John said when he was interrogated.
John  Onyekachi Oshomi (pictured right) who claimed to be a bus conductor said he joined the gang because he needed to take care of his family. The two were was arrested on November 21st.
“I was a commercial bus conductor. We were operating on the Agege Total-Oshodi route. I just got married, but my wife is still in the village. I was looking for money to feed her whenever she comes to Lagos; that was why I went into armed robbery. ” Sunday confessed.

The script to remove Jonathan Thickens

President Goodlcuk Jonathan is in the centre of the storm following the police invasion of the National Assembly complex penultimate Thursday. Allegations hitherto covered by partisan persuasions are being laid bare. But how far the aggrieved legislators can go is another thing.
Great wars have often been started with few utterances. So is the unfolding battle of wits between the legislative and executive arms of government in Nigeria.

2015: We must send PDP packing – Aregbesola

Osogbo, the Osun state capital stood still on Thursday as Governor Rauf Aregbesola was sworn in for another one term of four years amid glamour.
It was a day leaders of the major opposition party, the All Progressives Congress crowded on Osun to celebrate the party’s recent victory over what it believes was the worst intimidation in the history of elections in Nigeria.
While Aregbesola blamed the Peoples Democratic Party for the nation’s multi-form woes, insisting the party must be ousted from power come 2015, lead speakers at the event reiterated their earlier positions that the APC remained the only answer for a prosperous Nigeria.

Update: How Alison-Madueke Emerged As first female OPEC President

Members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, yesterday, elected Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum, as its president, making her the first female president of the oil cartel.
Alison-Madueke, who is currently the Alternate President of OPEC, was elected at the 166th meeting of the OPEC Conference in Vienna, Austria, and will assume office from January 2015.
She is expected to take over from Abdourhman Atahar Al-Ahirish, Libya’s Vice Prime Minister for Corporations.
The conference also elected Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar and Head of its delegation as Alternate President.

Federal govt. Approves N9.2bn Contract For Purchase Of 750,000 Stoves

The Federal Government on Wednesday approved the contract for the procurement of 750,000 units of clean cooking stove worth N9.2 billion and 18,000 wonderbags for distribution to rural women nationwide free.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the purchase and distribution of the items for free is in furtherance of the National Clean Cooking Scheme.

Read 16 Cancer-Causing Foods You Should Avoid

When your parents were young, no one was concerned about foods that cause cancer. The research was very young at the time, but there were also far less processed foods on the market. People ate healthier and more pure foods, because that was what was available to them.

Today, it seems like doctors link everything to causing cancer – it’s hard to determine what to really stay away from. While you think you may be doing the right thing for your health by drinking diet sodas or low-calorie popcorn, you’re actually eating some of the worst cancer-causing foods out there!

Below are 16 of the biggest carcinogen culprits that you probably eat every day. While you may be thinking “Everything causes cancer, so why bother changing my diet,” these 16 common food items have been scientifically shown to significantly increase the risk of cancers.

Nollywood Actor Lock Horns With Brother For a Political Slot

As the 2015 general election approaches, tension now brews in Enugu North  Senatorial Zone, Enugu State between two biological brothers jostling for one political position, under the same party, to  represent Nsukka/ Igbo Eze South federal constituency in the House of Representative.
Ashiwaju.org gathered that the two are of one womb and natives of Echara in Nsukka local government area. One is Kenneth Okonkwo (a.k.a Andy), the famous Nollywood actor, while the other is Luke Okonkwo (a.k.a Aguma). The two were said to be  locking horns for the occupation of Nsukka /Igbo-Eze South federal constituency seat at the national House of Representative under People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Between Abia PDP and Kalu’s ‘special waiver’

Leopards can never change their spots, so goes the old saying. And the truth of this adage is plain from the antics of one man who has continued to constitute himself a political distraction in Abia State. On Wednesday, November 19, a horrendous news item was planted in some dailies, including that owned by the former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, just to deceive and cause commotion in the polity.

2015: Atiku accuses PDP of using security operatives against APC members

FORMER Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar yesterday accused the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the country of using security operatives against members of the All Progressive Congress, APC because it cannot match the strength of the opposition.
Atiku described the action of the PDP as the height of impunity stressing that the APC would not tolerate such behaviour in Ebonyi state and other part of the country.
The former Vice President stated this in Abakaliki while briefing APC party faithfuls on his presidential ambition and on the need for the party to remain strong and formidable during the 2015 general election.

Breaking News: Diezani Alison-Madueke Elected First Female President Of OPEC

Nigeria’s minister of petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has just been elected the first female president of OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries). She is the replacement for the former president, Abdourhman Atahar Al-Ahirish who hails from Libya.
She is expected to hold the post for one year and to resume the position immediately. She was elected today at the 166th General Meeting of the organization in Vienna, Austria.
She was the first female to take on the position of Minister of Petroleum resources in Nigeria and also elected the first female president of OPEC.

Why Jonathan has failed to defeat B’Haram – OBJ

FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, sneered at President Goodluck Jonathan for not having adequate understanding of the Boko Haram insurgency and being unable to proffer a response to the menace starring the nation in the face.
Besides, Obasanjo also derided Jonathan’s administration for celebrating what he called “naked corruption”, which according to him, has hampered the nation’s economy and created problems for majority of Nigerians.
Obasanjo spoke at the presentation of an autobiography of the former president of the Court of Appeal and pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), retired Justice Mustapha Akanbi in Abuja.
The former President claimed that “Boko Haram is not simply a menace based on religion or one directed to frustrate anybody’s political ambition but essentially a socio-economic problem that is tainted with religion.”

Senate sets up panel to probe IG over N’Assembly siege

Members of the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday descended heavily on the Nigeria Police Force for its last week Thursday’s invasion of the National Assembly. The action resulted into a pandemonium after policemen fired tear-gas canisters at the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and some federal lawmakers.

The upper chamber, consequently set up a seven-member committee to probe the police action, within seven days, with a view to bringing to book those behind it.

KAYMU PRODUCT REVIEW: MUCH ADO ABOUT THE IPHONE 6 PLUS

The dilemma that comes with making a switch to a new phone can be quite daunting especially if it’s the hot new phone everyone’s talking about. The iPhone 6 was launched in Lagos on Friday Nov 7th 2014 with much fanfare, however the real talk of the town is the iPhone 6 plus; But is it worth the buzz? Kaymu explores its features to help you make your decision!

THE WAY FORWARD TO OUR COLLECTIVE HEALTH IS HEALTH INSURANCE - ANAMBRA NHIS BOSS.

 BY O'STAR EZE. AWKA.
It is said that health is wealth and that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. Because of this and the near disregard or outright non-existence of the consciousness of health insurance in Anambra state in particular and Nigeria in general, Orient daily reporters recently engaged the Anambra State Coordinator of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Mr Agu Michael, in an exclusive interview in his Awka office, on the agency's operations and related issues. Following are excerpts from the enlightening interview which proved that indeed the people of Anambra state are indeed yet to realise the wonderful services the federal government has made available to them through NHIS. The widely travelled and deeply experienced, vibrant state coordinator shares the origin, and mode of operation of NHIS,the services the agency has to offer the public and the peculiar challenges the firm is encountering in Anambra State.

How Chaz B shared his near death experience before he died

Throngs of Radio listeners of relationship programme on Rhythm Network “ Sharing Life Issues” across Nigeria and around the world has been thrown into mourning mood after losing Charles Bruce Chukuma a.k.a Chaz- B to the cold hands of death today Saturday, November 22nd, 2014.In fact, it appears the Nigerian Showbiz industry is about to go into extinction as its members are dropping to death one after the other.Just few days back the industry lost Master Broadcaster, Opeyemi Fajemileyin.

Read Dele Momodu Predictions on 2015 Presidential Election

To many Nigerians, both home and abroad, Dele Momodu is known as a Nigerian journalist, publisher, actor, motivational speaker and businessman who owns the renowned Ovation International, a magazine that has given publicity to people in Africa and all over the World.

What many people do not know about the 54-year-old publisher born in Ile-Ife, Osun State, western Nigeria on 16 May, 1960, is that he is also a political analyst.

10 Things You Need To Know About Ndi-Igbo

The Igbo are an ethnic group of Southeastern Nigeria who constitute a significant portion of the Nigerian population. Their language, traditions, and culture are immensely influential in Nigerian society and across Africa. Here are 10 things you didn’t know about the Igbo people.
Sources: “Home and Exile” (Chinua Achebe), EveryCulture.com, Britannica.com, CIA World Factbook, Edition.CNN.com, Faculty.UCR.edu, ComeToNigeria.com, AfricaGuide.com, Bradt Travel Guides

9 Persons Plus American Arrested in Ghanaian cocaine saga

More Nine persons have been picked up by Ghanaian security operatives in connection with the cocaine bust involving a Ghanaian woman, Nayele Ametefe at London’s Heathrow Airport.
The arrest of the nine came after a swoop by a team of security agents. The nine arrested include two ladies who are believed to have travelled with Miss Ametefe but baled out when she was accosted by airport officials. Their names have been given as Nana Akua Amponsah and Sadalia Sandra Nuhu.
The others picked by up by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) are Paa Kwesi Acquah, Sandra’s boyfriend; Mustapha Kilba, a cousin of Akua Amponsah and Faisal Khadar, an American.
The rest are Abdulla Mustrah, Mouiw Jaafar and Charbel Nasr, all Lebanese, and Mariotto Benard Young, an Indian.

When Buhari Turns To Facebook Friends To Solicit For Funds

All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirant and former military president, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has turned to his followers on social media to assist him in raising funds for his presidential campaign. The .The initiative is a first of its kind in Nigeria’s political circles. It is carried out through a crowd funding platform on facebook...

Buhari urged his followers on the social medium to give sacrificially. He posited that he was aware of their already difficult living conditions but sacrifice was needed in order to dislodge the Goodluck Jonathan administration. from the reins of power in next year’s presidential  elections.

See Photos: The Billionaire Wedding That Shut Down Benin

When Two kids of Billionaire parents wed, activities in town literally stops.This occurred yesterday in Benin when One of the sons of the Olu of Warri, Tsola Emiko yesterday got married to Ivie Okunbor, one of the daughters of billionaire businessman, Captain Hosa Okunbor.

House Committee Members Walk Out On Inspector General Of Police Because He Refused To Properly Address Speaker Tambuwal

The Inspector general of police, Sulaiman Abba, appeared before the House of Representatives Police Committee yesterday after several days of ignoring their invitation. The meeting chaired by Usman Bello Kumo quickly denigrated into bad blood between committee members and the IGP.

 The IG had opened his statement explaining why the police invaded the house last week by rehashing the initial police statement that they had credible intelligence that some thugs had planned on causing mayhem at the resumed sitting of the house.
 He said the intelligence led them to send policemen to the house to confront that thugs.

2015: PDP Screens JONATHAN, Tafawa-Balewa Withdraws

In order to set the stage for its December 10, 2014 National Convention, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday screened two of its presidential aspirants: President Goodluck Jonathan and Dr. Jelil Tafawa-Balewa.
The duo appeared before the party’s presidential screening committee in Abuja. After seven hours with the committee, Tafewa-Balawa announced his withdrawal from the presidential race.
Though President Jonathan was adopted by the PDP National Executive Committee, NEC, at its last meeting in September as the sole presidential candidate, he still went through the full procedure of procuring the expression of interest and nomination forms last month.

President Jonathan arrived at the PDP National Secretariat, venue of the screening at 3:14pm and was received by the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and other leaders of the party, as well as some members of the National Assembly.
He was accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, some members of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali and other aides.
Unlike Jonathan’s previous visits to the PDP secretariat when security aides formed strong network round him, the arrangement was relaxed as he freely exchanged pleasantries with several PDP members who trooped to the venue to receive him.

PDP-Backed Speaker Likely To Emerge Against Tambuwal

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is working behind the scenes to plant one of its members as a new Speaker of the House of Representatives as part of an elaborate plan to undermine the incumbent, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who recently left the PDP to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Three sources at the PDP secretariat and the National Assembly told SaharaReporters that officials at the Presidency as well as hawkish elements within the party were collaborating on a plan to prop up an alternative speaker in order to create an effective revolt against Mr. Tambuwal’s continued role as head of the House.

US Embassy Receives Over 220,000 Visa Applications, Announces New Visa Processing For Nigeria

The US Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate in Lagos received more than 220,000 non-immigrant visa applications between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014.

The Consular Chief of the embassy, Ms Stacie Hankins, disclosed this while responding to questions from newsmen on the new visa procedures on Tuesday in Abuja.

Hankins said the figure represented an increase of about 38,000 visa applications when compared with the 182,000 applications in the previous year.