The Punch Newspaper Archive for February 2008

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Tribunal’s verdict vindicates us – INEC

Israel offers to end Nigeria’s electricity problems

Yar’Adua’s victory: Military warns trouble makers

Global Fund commits N15.4bn to HIV/AIDS, others

Auto crash: Four burnt to death, 25 houses razed in Oyo

Security lapses threaten Vision 2020 – Soludo

Court stops Oyo PDP congress

Senate moves to avert doctors’ strike

Election tribunal: Why Ogebe was absent on judgment day

Buhari, Atiku want to destroy democracy – Senate Majority Whip

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Appeal Court upholds Nyako’s removal as Adamawa governor

Two toddlers, female oil worker abducted in Port Harcourt

AC, Buhari head for S’Court

Accept tribunal’s verdict, Yar’Adua tells Buhari, Atiku

Judgment: Ali, Falana, others disagree

Verdict has vindicated us – Obasanjo

LG poll: Lagos electoral commission yet to decide on date –Investigation

Yar’Adua queries 78% increase in 2008 budget

Federal tertiary institutions get $180m World Bank grant

Yar’Adua was validly elected – Court

Contract: ICPC probes Alao-Akala’s aide

Monday, February 25, 2008

Policemen shun investment despite salary review – Investigation

Kidnappers demand N50m to free Odili’s ex-aide

AC won‘t rescind decision on govt of national unity –Bugaje

Adedibu, Arapaja, others hold parallel congresses

Nigerian criminal justice system, a failure – Amnesty International

Tension as tribunal sacks Abia governor

It’s D-Day for Yar’Adua

PDP says Obasanjo never campaigned for Egwu, Ogbeha

Certificate forgery: Rep admits interrogation by EFCC

Tribunal ruling: I‘ll not be deterred – Mark

Defence team stalls Igbinedion’s trial

Abia tribunal: Orji, TMG, PDP, PPA react

Orji, Abia governor, sacked at tribunal

ANPP alleges plot to burgle exhibit room

Lagos withdraws N2.7tn suit against tobacco firms

Youths hold Obat Oil boss hostage, gunmen abduct Odili’s ex-aide

FG’ll be liable if MEND leader dies, say IYC, INC

LG chairmen, others to earn N593bn yearly

APGA canvasses mass action for Iwu’s removal

Police kill four robbery suspects in Lagos

Two PHCN’s workers jailed for receiving bribe

PDP may prune chairmanship candidates to three

AC tackles N’Assembly over allocation

SSANU rejects proposed new salary structure for varsity workers

Mark: PDP, ANPP ’sure of victory’ in Benue’

Adedibu not a political phenomenon – Olunloyo

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Police uncover another illegal detention camp

...Nnamani, senators react

Tribunal annuls David Mark’s election

Contractor abandons work on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

PDP chieftains threaten to tame Adedibu

$16bn power probe: No gov can ignore us ––Panel

Anxiety as Yar’Adua awaits verdict

Ohakim alleges plot to kill him

Friday, February 22, 2008

S’East PDP narrows chairmanship contest to four candidates

Prisons to transfer Rev King to Maiduguri

Henry Okah: Jonathan under pressure as Ijaw youth leaders meet

…How he became an arms dealer –Brother

Allow family, doctors access to Henry Okah – Court orders FG

Audu moves to stop Idris from fresh Kogi governorship poll

Four feared dead in Oshodi clash

Gunmen release kidnapped AGIP chief

Adultery: Two to die by stoning in Katsina State

Court strikes out Virgin Atlantic’s suit

Nigerian, Russian gas deal worth N805bn

NITEL: FG seeks new core investor

Nigerian stabbed in Ukrainian racist attack

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Nigeria, critical to Africa’s growth – APRM leader

AC calls for disbandment of Osun election tribunal

MEND leader under probe for secession, arms theft – Police

Yar’Adua, Buhari, Atiku know fate on Tuesday

PDP members hold monitoring team hostage in Delta

Yar’Adua, Obasanjo intervene in PDP, Ciroma panel’s face-off

Doctors begin nationwide strike March 1

Navy, Air Force, US hold joint training

How electoral documents were falsified – INEC staff

WHO pledges more support for polio eradication

Yar’Adua knows fate next Tuesday

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

US recession: Value of foreign reserve dips by 40%

N’Assembly sends N2.8tn harmonised budget to Yar’Adua

Yar’Adua wants tribunal chairman elevated to S’Court

Strike: ASUP issues 21-day ultimatum

Adedibu, Alao-Akala differ on consensus candidates

Damaged Escravos/Warri trunkline: Community demands N40m

Police arraign 13 persons for illegal bunkering

FG directs tight security in N’Delta

One killed as robbers invade governor’s residence

Gunmen abduct Agip chief in PH

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Why bank robbery persists – Special Report

Uncertainty over killing of MEND leader

$10bn funds: ‘Obasanjo’s former aides tried to blackmail Yar’Adua’

Immunity clause, form of corruption – Group

States reject dollar allocation, disagree with CBN

AC begins preparation for fresh presidential election

Bayelsa, least industralised state in Nigeria –Governor

No work no pay, FG tells ASUU

PDP leadership, Ciroma committee at war

Audu rejects calls for election postponement

Monday, February 18, 2008

28% of abortions in Nigeria done by married women – Report

Poll annulment: Nnamani blames INEC, parties

PDP convention: Nobody can use me – Ciroma

You’ve lost focus, Yar’Adua tells NNPC

WAEC withholds 35,485 results

Obasanjo’s ex-ADC, DELSU’s registrar die in road accidents

High accident rate unacceptable – Yar‘Adua

ICPC interrogates Duke, wife for hours

NLC calls for Iwu’s removal

VP in darkness for five minutes at FRSC conference

Sunday, February 17, 2008

AC urges Yar’Adua to probe Obasanjo over $16bn energy funds

FG to spend N60bn on Senators, Reps annually

Group blames Obasanjo for Ekiti crisis

I’ll continue to fight for democracy – Tinubu

FG releases N8.3bn for research in tertiary institutions

NDLEA receives 150 deportees from Libya

Amaechi orders Tom to surrender weapons

Lagos IPP: FG deducts N9bn in four years

Obasanjo’s aide blames poverty on evil leaders

60 per cent of Nigerian graduates not employable ––Soludo

Saturday, February 16, 2008

My father’s last moment, Abimbola Cardoso, TOS Benson’s daughter

Nobody can remove me ––Obasanjo

Church leader held over N30m fraud

S’East PDP moves to prune number of chairmanship candidates

PDP leaders move against Adedibu

Lagos impounds okadas

INEC triggers campaign in Kogi

EFCC should prosecute Obasanjo ––Ahmad Sani

Friday, February 15, 2008

IG sets up panel to probe PEF

OOU defends VC over ICPC probe

Canaanland robbery: Police trail mastermind to Delta State

Three-in-one tragedy

Marijuana plantation with conference room, worship centre, library uncovered by NDLEA

Again, London stops Ashimolowo’s N16bn church project

Anenih, PDP chieftains shun airport reception for Obasanjo

Angola extradites MEND leader, associate

Viagra lands Nigerian doctor in trouble

Bail: Court to hear Igbinedion’s motion Monday

National Honours: Presidency sends three ministers to beg Bankole

Money laundering: Court remands Nnamani, two others in prison custody

Two pupils, others perish in auto crash

Speaker Bankole’s figure on wastage in power sector most credible, says PUNCH poll

Price manipulation: SEC investigates AP, five others

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Virgin vs FG: Court fixes ruling for March 24

April 14 poll: Fashola floors Jimi Agbaje again

NYSC records 13 deaths in five states

Reps protest CFR award to Bankole

Court strikes out suit against Taraba governor

Ibadan won’t host PDP convention – Adedibu

NBA, Ohanaeze, others pay tribute to Benson

‘Nigeria yet to meet drug production target’

CNN expands operations in Africa

8.2m kids may become orphans in 2010’

Police kill eight robbers, recover 17 guns

Hoodlums kill 22-year-old varsity student

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

N50bn fund: Reps summon Okiro, Kenny Martins

TOS Benson dies at 90

I’ll deliver Lagos to PDP – Egwu

Judicial workers call off strike

Killing: CJ frees detained DIG over ill health

PDP to review convention committee

Mapo Hall: ICPC moves Oyo commissioners to Abuja

Igbinedion to seek variation of bail conditions

Nine-day-old baby, three others feared dead in building collapse

AC faults FG’s U-turn on power sector emergency

Nigeria received N720bn from foreign donors under Obasanjo

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

IBB’s in-law, two others stand as sureties for Ibori

Senate raises budget by N498bn, House, N544bn

Nigeria lacks capacity to treat cancer – Report

Police blame banks for robberies

AC, AD, others move to broker peace in S’West

PDP chairmanship: Northern Union may endorse Izuogu

Six die in UPTH as resident doctors continue strike

INEC deserves commendation for 2007 poll – PDP

Police to vet film scripts – IG

Obasanjo’s transparency rubbished by electoral fraud – Soros

Police arrest 10-man rape gang

Monday, February 11, 2008

Vision 20/2020: Expert calls for strategic plan

NITEL: FG shops for new investors

Warri boils again as Ijaw, Urhobo youths clash

Bail conditions may delay Igbinedion’s freedom

Jonathan advocates participatory approach to vision 20/2020

FUTO enforces ban on alcohol on campus

ASUU stages demonstration in Abuja

Finally, NASS to pass budget today

50 years of oil exploration unprofitable – Jonathan

Bribery scandal: Siemens to cooperate with investigators

Robbers attack EFCC officials, journalists

Ibori, Igbinedion granted bail

Sunday, February 10, 2008

NMA warns resident doctors against fresh strike

Reorganisation: N’Assembly summons Shell management

Tension in PDP over convention committee

Fresh fire at Tejuoso market

Olubadan’s truce with Adedibu complete – Monarch’s aide

Nigerians in Libyan jails send SOS to Mark

Reps okay nullification of Idris’ election

Yar’Adua drops political considerations for federal projects

Belgore, AC differ on immunity for president, others

50,000 Nigerians apply as TAC volunteers

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Security alert in Niger Delta as gunmen threaten more attacks

Idris’ whereabouts unknown

Gbenga Obasanjo shuns brother’s wedding

A’Ibom to commission airport project in September

North-East may adopt Egwu ––Kura

Policemen grumble over salary deductions

Kogi: Okiro to meet CPs Tuesday

S’South Reps tackle Yar‘Adua, N’Assembly over 2008 federal budget

UPTH discharges patients as resident doctors begin strike

Bacteria-fermented milk offers remedy for hypertension

Friday, February 08, 2008

Niger Delta, a national embarrassment –VP...Bankole decries violence

Okiro orders Idris out of government house

Lagos, Clinton foundation partner on environment

Robbers kill three policemen in bullion van attack

Two Nigerian suspects plead guilty in $1.2m US fraud case

EFCC raids Siemens office

FG warns ambassadors-designate against corruption

Gunmen kidnap ex-UNIPORT lecturer

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Electoral Reform Panel may recommend proportional representation

Sultan, Fashola advise stakeholders on quality education

Why Ladoja’s supporters are detained –Police

Ciroma heads PDP convention panel

Idris yet to vacate Kogi Government House

Mother of four nabbed with 5.35kg cocaine

Kidnappers demand N500m for Lulu Brigg’s wife’s release

PDP convention: Reps insist on due process

Political reform panel may recommend proportional representation

Anti-graft war: We have a long way to go – Yar’Adua

Varsity admission: Ogbemudia decries quota system

Judiciary workers chase away justices, litigants

Court fails to deliver judgment on Yobe governor’s election

Preparations in top gear for Osadebe’s burial

Airlines cancel flights, increase fares

Enugu Assembly probes Nnamani

No herbal product is registered – NAFDAC

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Tornadoes kill 20 in US

I am happy to be in NIPSS

Obasanjo spent $16bn not $10bn on energy sector

Yar’Adua orders inauguration of speaker as Kogi governor

Unsafe blood accounts for 15% of Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS transmission – NACA

Saraki signs N55.7bn budget, Amaechi proposes N280bn

House caucus threatens to sue PDP over convention

Mapo Hall: ICPC probes Oyo commissioners

FEC constitutes National Council on Vision 20 2020

Modular refineries: Youths protest in Delta

Gunmen kidnap wife of oil magnate in P’Harcourt

Controversy trails N3bn Lagos-Ibadan Expressway expansion

Appeal Court sacks Kogi governor

Senate set to consider 2008 budget today

Electoral reform: Groups seek Iwu’s removal

Reps void appointment of Yar’Adua’s special advisers

Tribunal reserves judgment in Buhari’s, Atiku’s petitions

PPP: Medical directors opt for commercialisation of key hospital services

UBE grants: ‘Only N38bn so far accessed by 36 states’

NIPSS bars journalists as Ribadu begins orientation

Tribunal: Kogi governor knows fate on Wednesday

OOUTH doctors threaten to down tools

FG indicts hospitals for unsafe blood transfusion

Fake varsity vice-chancellor in police net

Afenifere takes on Yar’Adua on federal character

Convention: PDP constitutes electoral panel

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Road repairs: Obasanjo’s regime spent N500bn in eight years

Monday, February 04, 2008

Judicial workers’ strike paralyses tribunals, courts

Ibori to remain in custody as court adjourns indefinitely

Court can‘t stop convention – PDP

Umaru Dikko laments domination of national politics by ex-military officers

Attack by militants: JTF beefs up security in Bayelsa

House threatens to sanction treasury looters

Police quiz Oyo LG chiefs again

Why we arraigned late Ogun SSG’s driver – Police

AC, PDP disagree on water shortage in Ekiti

Nigeria prone to resistant TB – WHO

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Militants kill three Naval men, injure others

Bail: Ibori’s supporters take over Kaduna hotels

Reps demand apology from Obasanjo, Ali

Olowo palace to become national monument

419 lawmakers: AC insists on probe

Don’t reject 2006 census final results — NPC boss

2008 budget: Research, teaching equipment to gulp N1.9bn

FG sets up panel on doctors salaries

Ribadu commences at Kuru

Saturday, February 02, 2008

PDP offered me money to fight Amaechi ––Princewill

PDP chairmanship: Reps move against Obasanjo

Presidential ballot papers still in South Africa

How ex-NAICOM boss got into trouble

Nnamani, Ezeife carpet INEC over new parties

Immunity clause encourages theft, killings ––Omole

How to curb corruption ––Utomi

More soldiers deployed in Bayelsa

Igbinedion initiates fresh peace moves

Okiro stops policemen in mufti from carrying arms

Friday, February 01, 2008

U.S group launches global protest over displaced Awo statue

Iwu’s answers to my questions evasive –Atiku

Two ministries pay for same job in Niger

Belgium destroys 3,000 bottles of fake Nigeria-bound Champagne

London stops Ashimolowo’s N16bn church

Doctors’ strike paralyses government hospitals

8,521 persons killed in Nigeria

Ministers’ presence at tribunal not to intimidate judiciary –PDP

Muslims urged to render service to humanity

A’Ibom withdraws suit against journalist

Mother, three kids die in Edo accident

New UK biometric system nabs Nigerian ex-convict

NDLEA arrests 519, seizes 3m kg hard drugs

Car dealer held over Saula, NURTW chairman’s, death

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Probe: Ladoja gives Alao-Akala conditions

Oil firms in N’Delta spend funds on masquerades – Elf

$10bn energy fund: Reps probe Obasanjo’s tenure

Robbers invade Canaanland

Militancy: Govt’s patience is running out –Mark

Shell posts record $27.5bn profit

‘909.5m condom packets sold in Nigeria’

FG stops domestic flights from MMIA

Iwu’s answers have destroyed Atiku’s petition – Yar’Adua

Foreign investments hit $33bn in eight years

Diabetes: Lagos regulates operations of fast food outlets

Strike: FG appeals to resident doctors