[UPDATED] PDP: Makarfi caretaker committee is illegal, says court

A Federal High Court in Abuja has said that the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party is illegal.

Justice Okon Abang said this in preliminary ruling in an application filed the Ali Modu Sheriff-faction of party.

The Sheriff faction of the party had filed an application on July 4 for an interlocutory injunction seeking to stop the national convention of the party, which was planned by the Makarfi faction and scheduled for August 17.

Court remands teenager in prison for alleged rape of 35-yr-old woman

An Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded in prison custody a 19-year-old man, John Julius, for alleged rape of a 35-year-old woman.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Bayo Ajiboye, had told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offence on July 12 at Efon Alaaye-Ekiti.

Ex-govs fraud cases: AGF lists Saraki, Akpabio, Daniel, Odili, Ladoja for fresh probe, trial

Senate President Bukola Saraki, factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ali Modu Sheriff; and Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, are among 31 former governors whose alleged corruption cases investigated by the anti-graft agencies are likely to be reopened soon.

The PUNCH had exclusively reported on Tuesday that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, had written to the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, directing the reopening of the cases of the ex-governors.

MTN to list on Nigerian Stock Exchange

Telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria, has said it will list its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2017.
The company said in a statement on Thursday that the listing was part of a settlement arrangement with the Federal Government.
“The Board of Directors has resolved to proceed with preparations for a listing of MTN Nigeria on the NSE as soon as commercially and legally possible, and has established a management task team with the responsibility to guide the company towards a listing,” it said in the statement.

PHOTO SPEAK: FULL PICS OF NEW TRAIN LINE FROM ABUJA TO THE SOUTH

Ekweremadu will lose seat to APC candidate, says Okorocha

The Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has said Ike Ekweremadu should be warming up to lose his seat as the Deputy Senate President.

Okorocha said a candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Benjamine Uwajumogu, who contested in the last Saturday re-run senatorial election in Imo State would displace Ekweremadu as soon as he joins the Senate.

World Cup: FIFA considers two additional slots for Africa

The visiting President of world football governing body, FIFA, Gianni Infantino, on Monday said if the organisation should consider increasing the number of teams that will be participating in the World Cup, he would propose two more slots for Africa.

Budget padding scandal confirms my position on NASS -Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday said the ongoing revelation on budget padding in the National Assembly only confirmed his earlier position that lawmakers are “armed robbers and rogues.”
He said the best way out of the current mess was to ensure that only men of integrity are elected into the National Assembly.
Obasanjo spoke with State House correspondents shortly after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

BREAKING: Edo Speaker steps down

Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, has stepped down from the role.

She was replaced by the Deputy Speaker, Dr. Justin Okonoboh, by 18 out of the 24 members of the House and sworn in at about 11am on Monday.

It would be recalled that Ativie was sworn in on May ‎3 her predecessor, Victor Edoror, was impeached.
Ativie decided to step down after a motion was moved by the Majority Leader, Folly Ogedengbe, under matters of urgent public importance, for a change in the leadership of the House.

Artistes must do right thing to succeed in music –D-TRUCE

Talented rapper, D-Truce, has called on musicians across the country to always strive towards excellence if they hope to have successful careers.

The young artiste who is signed unto X3M Music, the same label that houses the soulful duo of Simi and Praiz – a product of the famous MTN Project Fame Academy, made the call in Lagos recently during the filming of the video of his latest single, Better Days.