The Punch Newspaper Archive for July 2008

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Collapsed buildings: Reps summon FCT minister, FCDA

EFCC fails to arraign Jimoh Ibrahim

Police recover N359m from armed robbers

Dikibo’s killers to die by hanging

Transcorp confirms full payment for OPL 281

Oil probe: Obasanjo to be sent questionnaires

ACF disagrees with northern governors on alleged laziness

‘Declare state of emergency on federal roads’

Alleged N10.2bn fraud: Court summons ex-Gov Aliero, anti-graft agencies

2008 budget: 75 per cent of funds released

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I didn’t touch a kobo during power probe — Elumelu

EFCC arraigns Jimoh Ibrahim today

Dozens trapped as buildings collapse in Abuja

Devote 10% of derivation to host communities — RMAFC

Recruitment: Minister confirms 43 deaths

Privatisation: PHCN to be sold in 2011

Transcorp used unsecured oil block for NITEL deal – Reps

FOI Bill: Enough information is available to you, Nigerians reply Bankole

Teachers suspend nationwide strike for two weeks

Monday, July 28, 2008

‘Investigation into Funsho Williams’ killing stalled’

Again, militants attack two oil pipelines, SPDC shuts in production

Teachers may end strike today

Why tension heightens in Bakassi — Minister

Recent judgments undermine judiciary’s credibility — AC

Kidnappings facilitated by relatives of victims — Okiro

ECOWAS post: Nigeria initiates moves for Oyemade’s reinstatement

Camerounian envoy meets Yar’Adua over tension in Bakassi

Bankole gives fresh conditions for passage of FOI bill

Why Obasanjo did not appear before us — Elumelu

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Foreign missions can’t account for N10.2bn — Reps Committee

Quit, opposition parties tell Agagu

Reps seek ‘missing’ N57.5bn excess crude proceeds

Reps summon Chigbue, Ugwu over Lagos trade fair complex

Judge faults federal character provision

Senate summons SGF, AGF, others over monetisation

Murder of air force man causes tension in Lagos

Gunmen free eight abducted expatriates

Court strikes out Gani’s suit on $12.4bn oil windfall

Niger Delta crisis: Activists condemn Yar’Adua’s request for British troops

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Gunmen kill two civilians, abduct eight expatriates

PDP leaders sulk as Mimiko supporters step up celebration

N’Delta crisis: Politicians, others scamper for safety

Bankole tasks Yoruba leaders on Adedibu’s legacy

FG can longer delay Niger-Delta development ––S’South Senate Leader

I survived on biscuits –Abducted Delta SSG’s father

Lagos speaker insists on election into 57 council areas

I’m a role model –Mantu

Police arrest 15 over Effurun mayhem

Friday, July 25, 2008

Obasanjo approved unbudgeted $17.2m for DPR – Accountant

MEND’s threat: JTF rolls out gunboats in Chanomi creeks

Oba of Oyinlola’s town robbed of cash, property worth N1bn

FG, NUPENG to resume discussion on Tuesday

Cameroun battles Niger Delta militants

Tanker fire: One more victim dies, relations throng hospital

Ondo: Jubilation trails Mimiko’s declaration as gov

Nigeria will hand over Bakassi to Cameroun on August 14 – Yar’Adua

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Armoured vehicles, riot policemen patrol Ondo streets

Oil probe: Reps panel declares $210m signature bonuses missing

Power: Yar’Adua orders release of N58.8bn to energy ministry

Tanker fire kills eight in Lagos

Senate blames FG for N’Delta crises

Teachers plan protest march to N’Assembly

Crime: Okiro asks French ambassador for assistance

We’ll eradicate polio in Nigeria —Yar’Adua

Rising crime wave: Okiro summons DIGs, AIGs, CPs

FG moves to prevent health workers’ strike

FG realises N450bn from National Assembly probes —Speaker

JTF kills 12, arrests 48 suspected militants, bunkerers

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Strike: FG teachers not involved – Minister

Ibru: Rogers makes U-turn on Al-Mustapha, others

Lottery: Appeal Court strikes out Lagos’ suit against NSL

Court grants Nnamani permission to travel abroad

N’Delta: Divided views in Presidency may cause confusion

MEND denies receipt of NNPC’s funds for pipeline protection

Ogbomoso boils over sale of mosque

‘Oil wealth mismanaged’

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Gunmen attack Abia governor’s convoy, seize two vehicles

EFCC drags Jimoh Ibrahim to court over N1bn fraud

Obasanjo, others must appear in person – Reps committee

Military confirms recovery of 3 slain soldiers

FG reappoints Suleiman CEO of PHCN

Oyo PDP crisis beyond Alao-Akala, Ladoja — Akinjide group

Presidential committee clarifies CBN’s $462.9m investment in AFC

NLC president writes Yar’Adua on NUT strike

Ribadu in court, denies ownership of $3.9m mansion in Dubai

Monday, July 21, 2008

Obasanjo awarded N37bn health contract in error – FG

Reps committee queries Okiro over N2bn paid by applicants

Teachers’ strike: Senate summons education minister, NUT

FG fixes hajj fares for 2008

Agagu, Mimiko may know fate on Thursday

PDP bars Ladoja, Alao-Akala from media war

Missing soldiers: Five bodies recovered in Bayelsa

Why power probe report is not ready – Reps

NITEL: Privatisation adviser to emerge in August

Nigerians have no reason to continue suffering — Mark

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Ex-servicemen drag SSS boss before N’Assembly

Oil blocks: FG makes $2.1bn from bids

Jonathan to meet Yar’Adua over N’Delta crisis

Corruption: EFCC seeks partnership with media

Amaechi meets Julius Berger over speculated withdrawal from N’Delta

Gunmen abduct Delta SSG’s father

JTF re-assigns troops in Rivers

Zimbabwean wins African journalist of the year award

‘Constitution review won’t stop Niger Delta crisis’

I’ve forgiven my detractors — David Mark

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Fresh clash in Bayelsa, seven feared killed

N1bn loot: We are more interested in how Akala spent N27bn –Elders Forum

How judge, eight others concealed N1.4bn 2007unspent funds –EFCC

How to make N’Delta talks succeed ––Attah

Group advocates radical measures to retrieve stolen Benin artefacts

NDLEA arrests Oshodi trader with heroin

Warrant of arrest: Lagos Police boss files counter-affidavit

PDP leader insists on 1963 Constitution

Senate rates ICPC low on anti-corruption campaign

Election tribunal: Anxiety in Ondo as Agagu knows fate this week

Friday, July 18, 2008

Immigration warns personnel on graft, AC condemns recruitment deaths

Minister flays elite over foreign medical treatment

NJC to hear Aregbesola’s petition August

Senate, Ajumogobia, NNPC disagree on oil sector deregulation

Mark, Reps urge FG to end NUT strike

Okereke-Onyuike, Attah, others drum support for Obama

No going back on Bakassi accord – UN

Money laundering: EFCC arraigns ex-Plateau dep gov, Botmang

Rumble in SSS over new pay, FG cars

Thursday, July 17, 2008

FG drops N’Delta summit, opts for ‘discussions’

Closure of Third Mainland Bridge now August 2

Power emergency delayed again

Lagos Customs seizes N2bn contraband goods

Waziri wants special courts for errant Nigerians

Strike: NECO postpones common entrance examination

Police raid Ibadan community, arrest 364 suspects

NCC may ban street sale of GSM SIM cards

Reps begin oil sector probe next Tuesday

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Obasanjo didn’t consult military before signing Bakassi treaty – Azazi

Nigerian group to protest Yar’Adua’s London visit

Lagos opposes closure of Third Mainland Bridge

Mark: ANPP, CNPP flay judiciary over verdict

Opposition parties in Nigeria are lazy — PDP

Mu’azu denies fleeing abroad to escape EFCC

Tribunal upholds Saraki’s election

Delta Assembly sets up panel to probe Shell’s reorganisation

I took appeal court’s proceedings for granted — Imoke

ID card scam: ICPC arraigns three in Ondo

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Tobacco firms ask court to dismiss FG’s N5.3tn suit

Third Mainland Bridge to be shut for two months

Appeal court, tribunal uphold Mark, Oyinlola’s elections

Yar’Adua’s birthday gaffe: More knocks for governors, others

Flood: Commuters stranded in Lagos

House debates possible subsidy on diesel

N1bn loot: I won’t resign, says Alao-Akala

Agreement on Bakassi illegal — Presidency

64 million Nigerian youths jobless —Minister

Bonga Oilfield: Defence HQ vows to track down perpetrators

Monday, July 14, 2008

Election petitions: It’s D-Day for Mark, Oyinlola

Confusion reigns over Yar’Adua’s birthday

FG cruel to Al-Mustapha, others – Asari-Dokubo

‘Senate has no powers to ban el-Rufai from holding public office’

Alleged N1bn loot: Ibadan elders, Afenifere, Ajimobi ask Alao-Akala to resign

N19.5bn probe: Senate raises the alarm

Committee recommends suspension of PHCN privatisation

Appeal court sacks C’River governor, speaker inaugurated

Appeal Court sacks Cross River Governor, Liyel Imoke

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Yar’Adua, VP spend N655.97m on foreign trips

How Alao-Akala looted over N1bn in 11 months – EFCC

FG hasn’t treated Niger Delta issue properly — Onosode

Infrastructure, not summit, is answer to N‘Delta crisis – CNPP

ASUU threatens to join teachers’ strike

FG may bring down diesel price

Lagos asks Supreme Court to stop FG from collecting VAT

Investment tribunal shuts down 30 ‘wonder banks’

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Reps bill prescribes US presidential primaries model

N’Delta summit chairmanship: Count me out –Gowon

I’ll reject favourable verdict –Aregbesola

Trigger-happy policeman to die by hanging

Customised armoured vehicles ready for N’Delta

MEND’s threat: It’s fire for fire – JTF chief

TAM: Kaduna refinery to gulp $60m

Era of hardship: Motorists, housewives groan under petrol, kerosene scarcity

N78m spent on Sallah rams lands DG in EFCC net

Friday, July 11, 2008

Race for Mark’s job begins

Police seal off Ekiti Asembly

JTF foils major oil theft, arrests 14 Filipinos, Greek

Afenifere advises Yar’Adua to cancel UK trip

CJN’s overseas trip may stall Aregbesola’s petition

Appeal Court upholds election of Chime, Elechi

NBA urges Osun tribunal to suspend judgment

...JTF increases checkpoints in Yenagoa

Soldier feared dead as gunmen kidnap German

Britain considers options on Niger Delta

Anyaoku, Gowon, Kukah may replace Gambari

Osun scandal: Aregbesola petitions NJC, appeal court president

Nigeria loses $80m daily to crisis in Niger Delta – Yar‘ Adua

Reps reject bid to abolish death penalty for robbers

God delivered me from poisoning —Daniel

Nigeria may miss MDG on infant mortality —Makama

N’Delta summit: Political parties in Edo hail Gambari’s exit

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

The Patriots oppose constitution amendment

Finally, Gambari quits

Senate probes oil block leases

Osun gov’s lawyer is misleading the public — The News

Reps order rehabilitation of Niger Bridge

Power crisis: PHCN begs consumers not to batter staff

FG rules out hike in petroleum prices

Mark’s appeal: Apprehension in PDP as court sets to rule

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

World Bank, FG sign N46bn pact on roads

Senate summons defence minister, Army chief over pact on Bakassi

Ekiti lawmakers break mace, sack speaker

‘150,000 pregnancies are terminated everyday’

New constitution: Southern senators, governors meet to harmonise positions

NUT strike: NUJ, NANS back teachers

Group lambasts Tsav over corruption allegation against EFCC

JAMB, varsities fix 170 cut-off mark for 2008 admission

Reps okay bill on 360 members’ diplomatic passports

Osun tribunal: AC asks NJC to probe bribery allegation

Jefferson’s case: Obasanjo, aides should apologise to Atiku — AC

Monday, July 07, 2008

FG set to implement population policy —Jonathan

We have evidence to nail Borishade, Fani-Kayode, says EFCC.

FG to honour Abiola – Tinubu

FAO approves N58m to tackle food insecurity, environmental degradation

N19.5bn aviation fund: I released only N2bn –Okonjo-Iweala

‘FOI bill will benefit everybody’

PDP crisis: Faction rejects Nwobodo committee’s recommendations

PDP intervenes in Daniel, lawmakers crisis

Nigeria loses 30% of budget revenue to N’Delta crisis

Sunday, July 06, 2008

N’Delta summit: FG shops for Gambari’s replacement

Afenifere, others disagree with Tinubu over Abiola’s death

Civil rights group wants UN to investigate Onitsha killings

NUT gives conditions for suspending strike

Aide alleges plot to kill Daniel

‘Pass FOI Bill now or history will mock you’

Rioting soldiers to face court martial

Bakassi: Why Yar’Adua must obey ICJ verdict — AGF

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Niger Delta Summit is diversionary –MEND

N4.5bn fraud: EFCC arrests another NAMA chief

Don’t dare us, army authorities warn militants

I’ve no regret serving under Abacha ––Onagoruwa

Ibadan remains political headquarters of S’West –Bankole

Police foil plot to kill A’Ibom governor

Presidency shelves military onslaught in N‘Delta

...Falae advises Gambari to withdraw

Borishade, Fani-Kayode in shock over court’s decision

Friday, July 04, 2008

Little Alex: Abandoned at birth, shunned by adopters

Fani-Kayode, Borishade shun food, opt for water

EFCC to recover N2.7bn airlines debt –Investigation

EFCC probes N450m sickle cell drug scam

NUT strike: ANCOPSS appeals to FG

Nyako: Why we stopped impeachment– Baraje

NAICOM vows to stamp out fake vehicle insurance papers

Edo PDP crisis: Why we rejected peace deal – Ogbemudia

CBN denies halting margin lending

Panic in Akure as soldiers embark on street protest

UK may introduce Sharia law

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Aviation fund: FG to pay N2bn interest on N6.5bn loan.

‘Why N’Delta peace summit must hold’

Reps’ probe of oil sector may cost N273m

FRSC raises the alarm over deaths on highways

Belgore asks lawmakers to check ‘executive lawlessness’

Lawmaker decries rape, canvasses enlightenment programmes

Reps summon Aondoakaa, Maduekwe over Bakassi

N50bn PEF funds: Martins, Dumuje, Gella granted bail

N’Delta youths ask Jonathan to quit, reject presidential summit

Iwu, Fashola fault constituency delineation in Lagos

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Strike: Teachers call for Education minister’s removal

Court remands Fani-Kayode, Borishade in prison custody

UN seat: Nigeria, S’Leone in diplomatic battle

Replace Gambari or no summit – Lawmakers

Lagos bans arrest of suspects’ relatives

Nigeria, others will not recognise Mugabe – Delegates

Power generation drops to 900MW

Yar’Adua, Reps set for showdown over withdrawal of N1.2tn

Okiro vows to fight crime to a standstill

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Lagos State to spend N6tn on infrastructure

Rep sues Bankole, N’Assembly clerk

Teachers’ strike: NLC, NUT threaten to picket private schools

Constituency delineation: Protests, requests greet exercise

My marriage with Moji beyond repair, Gbenga Obasanjo tells court

Senate bars EFCC, others from arrests in N’Assembly

Military rule failed Nigeria — Chief of Army Staff

Passengers stranded as outage hits Lagos airport

Ex-Bauchi SSG, commissioners arrested over N1bn fraud

Monday, June 30, 2008

Niger Delta governors, elders reject Gambari

Aviation fund: EFCC arrests Fani-Kayode, Borishade

Money laundering: Judge dismisses Fayose‘s application to quash charge

PDP launches fresh bid to woo Atiku, Ume-Ezeoke, Ohakim, 248 others

Mbadinuju arrested at court premises

Teachers’ strike paralyses academic activities

PEF: Dumuje, an ex-convict — EFCC

N30.9bn row: Senate summons CBN, Alison-Madueke