The Punch Newspaper Archive for August 2009

Sunday, August 30, 2009

EFCC declares Ibru’s associates wanted

We can’t guarantee all bank deposits — NDIC

2007 election: Mother of slain party agent appeals to IG

Lagos goes tough on land grabbers, prosecutes 30

We didn’t blackmail judiciary — EFCC

N1bn fraud: ICPC arrests official of education ministry

NAFDAC discovers 10 fake drug firms, reviews laws

14 teaching hospitals for inauguration soon —FG

Amnesty: Ex-militant commander complains of neglect

EVENING UPDATES: EFCC to file charges against Ibru, Adigwe, others on Monday

AFTERNOON UPDATES: Reopen dialogue with ASUU, AC urges FG

Saturday, August 29, 2009

It’s easy to resist temptation because I’ve a beautiful wife– Kingsley Ike

Ex-bank chiefs gave loans to ‘ghost’ companies

Shares: Client to drag stockbroker to court

NMA deplores kidnapping of medical personnel in Abia, Anambra, Edo

Agency allays fears of avian influenza in C’River

NDLEA arrests 19-year-old undergraduate for drug trafficking

Michael Jackson died of drug overdose – U.S coroner

Mutiny: Army commutes life sentence on 27 soldiers to 7-year-jail term

EVENING UPDATES: Review of life term means imminent freedom – Jailed ex-UN peacekeepers

AFTERNOON UPDATES: Nigerian army commutes life sentence of jailed soldiers

Globacom’s millions reunite Ini Edo and Uche Jombo

Friday, August 28, 2009

Inside the detention camp of EFCC, the new home of ex-bank chiefs

Dede and I are still together, but no more as lovers -–Bimbo Akintola

No plan to sell banks yet – Sanusi

Sacked bank chiefs fail to meet bail conditions

PPA faction suspends Kalu, others

Oyo demolishes Bodija Market, displaces 15,000 traders, residents

Crisis over Lagos’ Muslim praying ground

Okiro wants PSC to stop posting CPs

Kwara Poly expels 212 students

The man, Sanusi – Peterside

Nigeria reassures Ghana of supply of crude oil

Amnesty: Four militant leaders still in detention

Bharti offers $13.1bn for 49% of MTN

EVENING UPDATES: 16 bank chiefs still in EFC custody, Arisekola-Alao, Otedola pay up

AFTERNOON UPDATES: PPA faction suspends Kalu, others

MID-DAY UPDATES: Nigeria’s non-oil growth to exceed six per cent - Sanusi

Timaya, Empress in church brawl

‘Environmental degradation, threat to Nigeria’s survival’

Thursday, August 27, 2009

MEND is faceless, says Sylva

EFCC recovers N25.7bn from bank debtors

Crime: Anambra calls for mass transfer of policemen

Eight policemen arrested for alleged murder

Why Nigeria is vulnerable to climate change –Minister

Information vital to effective policing –IG

We’ll recover oil wells from Akwa-Ibom — Imoke

We won’t bow to minister’s blackmail — ASUU

EVENING UPDATES: Businessman borrows N1bn from Wema Bank with fake share certificate

MID-DAY UPDATES: Markets, shops shut, security tight as tribunal upholds Ogun governor’s election

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Tompolo willing to accept amnesty — FG

Ibru surrenders to EFCC

Amnesty: FG visits Gbaramatu kingdom, laments destruction

Planned attack on Onosode aborted at UI

We’ve rescued 3,600 victims, arrested 130 human traffickers – NAPTIP

Alleged killing: Police may declare Adams, monarch wanted

How we killed palm oil merchant – couple

JTF nabs nine kidnap suspects in Delta

EVENING UPDATES: Unrealistic targets will be abolished -CBN

AFTERNOON UPDATES: Cecilia Ibru surrenders to EFCC

MID-DAY UPDATES: Fear of ritual killers grips Ilorin residents

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Court orders release of two bank chiefs

EFCC arrests Intercontinental Bank chairman, nine others

SAN: Ripples over publication of shortlisted candidates

FG directs councils to resume negotiations with ASUU

Stop posting corps members to troubled spots, FG tells NYSC

I am not aware of petition against me — Ezekwesili

Assembly demands analysis of N117bn debt from Mimiko

Yar’Adua returns from medical trip

EVENING UPDATES: Court orders EFCC to release ex-CEOs of FinBank, Afribank

MID-DAY UPDATES: NHIS not deducting money from civil servants

Monday, August 24, 2009

RMAFC asks NNPC to return N12.64bn to federation account

Waziri leads EFCC team, policemen to Lagos

Wema Bank recovery team swoops on debtors

Police uncover local weapons assembly unit in Benue

PDP to drag Obasanjo-Bello to national body

IG declares Edo lawmaker wanted

Daniel, Amosun know fate on Thursday

Current banking reforms not to promote northern agenda – Presidency

EVENING UPDATES: Joint EFCC, CBN, ICPC, NDIC team swoops on Wema Bank’s debtors

MID-DAY UPDATES: 100 EFCC operatives storm Lagos to arrest bank loan defaulters

52 Nigerians on death row, 3,132 in prisons abroad – FG

Strike: ASUU threatens to publish names of politicians’ children schooling abroad

Banks: EFCC declares Akingbola, Ibru wanted

Food poisoning: One person dies, 64 others hospitalised

Gunmen kidnap two in Delta, Anambra

IG reads the Riot Act to officer-cadets

Police recover guns, ammunition from hideout

Newly-wed in police net over cousin‘s death

Kidnapping: Doctors threaten to go on strike

Sunday, August 23, 2009

EVENING UPDATES: EFCC declares Ibru, Akingbola wanted over various offences

MID-DAY UPDATES: Cholera epidemic spreads through northern Nigeria, claims 27 lives

World peace: US ready to partner OIC –Obama

Saturday, August 22, 2009

MEND vows to resume attack on oil facilities in September

N747bn bank loans: EFCC begins arrest of debtors Tuesday

ASUU accuses fg of aborting dialogue

ICPC arrests fake investigators

....Okah’s passport too at MMIA over non-clearance

Security agents seize Cecilia Ibru’s passport

Akingbola, Ibru suits: We are ready for them – CBN

Nigeria needs revolution, says Maitama Sule

EVENING UPDATES: SSS agents seize Okah’s passport at MMIA over non-clearance

Diary of a crisis that made the nation shudder

MID-DAY UPDATES: Drunken man falls off Lagos bridge, dies

Friday, August 21, 2009

Ramadan: Yar’Adua seeks Muslims’ support for banking reforms

Intercontinental Bank recovers N4.8bn

EFCC freezes accounts of sacked ex-bank chiefs

ICAN tackles FG on over-dependence on oil

ANPP wants rejuvenation of EFCC

Mega party movement plans democracy summit on Oct. 1

FCT minister allocates 1,150 plots in 245 days

Seven die as rival cultists clash in Calabar

A’Ibom police foil attempt to kidnap Indian

NBA urges NASS to adopt Uwais’ report in electoral reform bill

EVENING UPDATES: EFCC freezes accounts of sacked bank MDs, 14 directors

MID-DAY UPDATES: 400 boat passengers, 12 crew members escape death in Lagos waters

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Audit: Investors dump banks’ shares

Decentralise education sector — Commissioner-nominee

Seventy militants surrender arms in Rivers

Police demote 100 officers

Sanusi faults debtors’ claims

Lawyers divided over bid for abolition of SAN award

ASUU strike: FG is playing the ostrich — NANSF

Top Nigerians shamed as debtors

Debtors’ list: Obat Oil boss faults CBN, demands apology

Buhari blames FG for crisis in banking sector

EVENING UPDATES: Police Service Commission demotes 100 newly-promoted police officers

MID-DAY UPDATES: Seven CBN staff arraigned for N13m fraud

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Ogun crisis: Obasanjo-Bello, Okupe walk out on Daniel

EFCC gives bank debtors one week ultimatum to pay up

SEC orders NSE to drop Akingbola as VP

‘Nigeria accounts for 10% of world’s maternal deaths’

There are plans to scuttle amnesty – Ijaw

FG approves N89bn for contracts for FCT, others

Kidnappers abduct wife of governor’s aide

Robbers kill victim crying for help in stolen car

Dangote, Aig-Imoukhuede others fault CBN’s debtors’ list

Ekiti commissioner-nominees fail current affairs test

You’re toying with our future, students tell Alao-Akala, lecturers

EVENING UPDATES: Pay up within one week or risk arrest, lose assets –EFCC tells Dangote, others

AFTERNOON UPDATES: Botanists discover rat-eating plant in Philippines

EFCC arrests Union Bank ex-MD, two others

MID-DAY UPDATES: Gunmen kidnap popular transport magnate‘s wife from lecture hall

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

EFCC arrests Union Bank ex-MD, two others

Dangote’s, Otedola’s firms, others owe N747bn

Ogun House defers plenary

ASUU strike: Egwu, Okojie, others frustrate agreement – Awuzie

Fashola pledges to reconstruct Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

Michael Jackson will be buried on August 29 – Father

Fresh fears over alleged killer polio vaccine

Edochie regains freedom

EVENING UPDATES: Niger Delta communities may get five per cent oil royalties

AFTERNOON UPDATES: Why I was kidnapped – Pete Edochie

MID-DAY UPDATES: 30-year-old woman pregnant with 12 babies

BREAKING NEWS: Kidnappers free Pete Edochie

Monday, August 17, 2009

Police arrest suspected Boko Haram members in Ogun

2011 elections may fail –Iwu

Edochie’s abductors demand N60m ransom

NSE places Union Bank, others on full suspension

JTF’s withdrawal: Pirates take over Delta waterways

Reps back sacking of bank chiefs

‘Bank shake-up may have collateral damage on insurance subsidiaries’

Two NYSC members arrested in Minna for fraud

Boko Haram: Group urges FG to set up commission of inquiry

Army disowns alleged report on plot to murder Yobe gov, others

‘We’ll resolve Lagos LCDAs controversy constitutionally’

EVENING UPDATES: Pete Edochie‘s kidnappers demand N10m ransom

More reactions trail sack of five bank managing directors

MID-DAY UPDATES: NSE freezes prices of five indicted banks‘ shares

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Amnesty: Safety concerns slow down disarmament process

INEC declares Arise winner of Ekiti senatorial election

Banks: Yar’Adua orders security agencies to recover debts

Falae backs Clinton, carpets Yar’Adua for lack of direction

HIV/AIDS: 17 states may lose $260 m World Bank credit – DG NACA

Don’t arrest motorists without MOT – Fashola

MEND: Rift between Boyloaf, Okah deepens

80% of visa documents are fake —Ambassador

Gunmen kidnap ace actor, Pete Edochie, one other

BREAKING NEWS: Gunmen kidnap Pete Edochie

EVENING UPDATES: AC candidate rejects Ekiti rerun result as INEC declares PDP’s Arise winner

MID-DAY UPDATES: Opposition politicians, organised labour mobilise for October 1 mega summit

Saturday, August 15, 2009

NSE to place technical suspension on affected banks

Violence mars Ekiti, Oyo rerun elections

Sacked bank chiefs may go to jail – Sanusi

Police dislodge 3,500 persons from Islamic sect camp in Niger

Collapsed buildings: LASG establishes building material testing lab

ICPC quizzes local government chairman over N140m fraud

PDP faction threatens showdown with INEC over LG polls

2011 poll may be the worst –CNPP

Ijaw traditional ruler regains freedom after two months in captivity

EVENING UPDATES: Kanu’s football career uncertain as Portsmouth’s takeover crisis rages

MID-DAY UPDATES: Thugs attack ex-governor, journalists in Ekiti rerun, police arrest LG boss

Friday, August 14, 2009

I’ll still marry, but not to a Nigerian –Modupe Ozolua

CBN sacks five bank chiefs for gross misconduct

Boko Haram: Soyinka blames government

NAFDAC vows to get justice for My Pikin victims

NSE awaits CBN’s request to suspend indicted banks’ stocks

I’ve shot a world-class movie, but I’m owing banks millions – Kunle Afolayan

40-year-old woman jumps into fire, burns to death

Ekiti rerun: INEC to use ballot papers with conflicting numbers

EVENING UPDATES: CBN names Aboh, Iroche, others as new bank MDs, police secure head offices

FG to buy armoured vehicles made by Diaspora Nigerians

MID-DAY UPDATES: CBN removes Cecilia Ibru, Akingbola, Ebong, Adigwe, Nwosu as bank MDs

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Presidency confirms 14 Nigerians on Libyan death row

Controversy over N34bn oil marketers’ debts to Intercontinental Bank

Nigeria in serious problems – ANPP

Alao-Akala, deputy shun NLC rally

10m Nigerian children out of school — UNICEF

Relationship between Fashola and I unbreakable — Tinubu

Clinton‘s visit reinforces solution to nation‘s problems —Experts

Education of Almajiris will end crisis in the North —Expert

Police orderlies: We’ve complied with IG’s directive — Commands

EVENING UPDATES: One year after, Bakassi people vow to reclaim ceded peninsula

MID-DAY UPDATES: United Nations warns Amaechi against forced evictions in Rivers State

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Survival after disarmament worries militants

How we’ll survive meltdown — Army Chief

Why FG is insensitive to our strike – ASUU

Corruption: Yar’Adua admits challenges

Why passage of FOI bill is delayed – Reps

Mimiko vows to recover looted funds

Ogun orders surveillance of religious camps

Police transfer officers over Ekiti election rerun

Boko Haram: I have no hand in Yusuf’s killing – Sherrif

Stop receiving defectors, Atiku tells Yar’Adua

EFCC performed poorly in the last one year – Clinton

EVENING UPDATES: Clinton urges Yar’Adua to embrace political reform, tackle corruption

MID-DAY UPDATES: World energy demand to rise by 1.3m bpd by 2010 -IEA

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Clinton arrives, holds town hall meeting today

Ondo asks police to arrest operator of secret accounts

Deregulation: FG to stop uniform fuel prices

Ekiti is being haunted by ghosts — Fayose

Vaswanis: EFCC detains ex-Customs CG, Ahmed, four others over N3bn fraud

Dambazau charges soldiers on professionalism

Bayelsa denies paying militants

Onovo sets up special squad to arrest errant orderlies

Agagu replies Mimiko on allegations of profligacy

I am not against amnesty – Amaechi

EVENING UPDATES: FG pays N862bn as salaries annually, begins biometric scheme

MID-DAY UPDATES: Scientists develop anti-AIDS vaginal gel for African women

Monday, August 10, 2009

FG awarded N12.6bn communication contracts under me —Akunyili

Amnesty: Fear grips militants over leader’s death

Request for listing of Lagos LCDAs not before us – Senators

No more negotiation with ASUU – FG

NDLEA impounds two cars stuffed with 53 sacks of weeds

Boko Haram: Panel set to write report

Minimum wage: NLC holds rally in Ibadan on Thursday

FG absolves JTF of killing militant leader

EFCC denies returning Nnamani’s seized properties

HOS orders withdrawal of TV sets from public offices

Collapsed wall kills medical college’s provost

EVENING UPDATES: FG abandons negotiations with ASUU, orders universities to recall striking staff

MID-DAY UPDATES: Obasanjo bungled Asian oil-for-infrastructure deals - Report

Sunday, August 09, 2009

MEND gives fresh conditions for surrendering arms

Why access to forex is difficult – Banks

FG raises N236bn to finance budget deficit

Jubilation in Osun over Aregbesola’s release

Police college facilities deteriorate – Investigation

Bankole expresses satisfaction with work on Ota bridge

Militants won’t surrender arms at collection centres —Negotiator

Boko Haram: AJ seeks suspension of police officers

Kidnappers release LG bosses, seize wives

14 die as two buses collide in Kwara

EVENING UPDATES: MEND gives fresh conditions for arms surrender

MID-DAY UPDATES: 20 feared dead as boat sinks near Lagos

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Osun Osogbo without Adunni Olorisa

Hillary Clinton is coming to soothe frayed nerves – Oyebode

Between Okoya and her suitors

Mutiny: Hope rises for jailed ex-UN peacekeepers – Counsel

Niger Delta crisis: Oil production drops by half

Crisis: Rivers NULGE denies twisting election rules

Badagry Expressway: ‘Cost of compensating demolition victims not yet known’

Budget implementation: Panic as FG moves to punish offenders

$180m Halliburton bribe: Prosecutor wants NNPC/Agip joint venture agreements suspended

BREAKING NEWS: Police release Aregbesola

EVENING UPDATES:Hope rises for convicted Nigerian ex-UN peacekeepers, as confirmation deadline ends

MID-DAY UPDATES: ENI fears negative impact from $180m Halliburton bribery of Nigerian officials

Friday, August 07, 2009

ExxonMobil spends $50m to fight malaria in Africa

FG, Lagos adopt silence after 14 days of grandstanding

Police arrest Aregbesola, say he committed crime against Nigeria

Collapsed buildings: Aliero orders demolition exercise in Abuja

Tandja wins referendum to extend rule

Group mobilises global action against sectarian violence

Lawyer’s absence stalls Ibori, EFCC case

EFCC invites Niger Speaker, five others over N500m LG fund

Amnesty: We’ll hold you to your word, militant leader tells Yar’Adua

Militants visit Rivers amnesty centre, none yet in Delta

EVENING UPDATES: Police arrest Action Congress chieftain, Rauf Aregbesola

Dangote emerges stock exchange president

MID-DAY UPDATES: Obama, US senators join hands against malaria in Nigeria, others

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Boko Haram: Security committee summons ex-Borno CP, Colonel

Amnesty: We must be honest – Yar’Adua

Ondo Assembly threatens to withdraw commissioner’s confirmation

N’Assembly seeks framework for inclusive budgeting

Insecurity: Reduce crime rate, governors tell Onovo

ASUU strike manifests imperfect federalism – Fashola

Bayelsa arms collection centres begin operations

Police raid militants’ armoury in Rivers

Lagos LCDAs: Don’t provoke constitutional crisis, NBA, AC tell Aondoakaa

EVENING UPDATES: Laos frees Nigerian-born Briton

AFTERNOON UPDATES: Seyi Olofinjana joins Hull for £3m, shuns Monaco

Two bank officials, five others die in Ogbomoso robbery

Lagos councils: Yar’Adua’s position, threat to security – Expert

MID-DAY UPDATES: Dangote becomes new NSE president, boosts market capitalisation by N15bn

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

We’ll submit only 50% of our arms — Militants

BREAKING NEWS: Ex-U.S Congressman Jefferson convicted of bribery, faces 150 years in prison

Boko Haram: Borno CP removed

Crack in militants’ camp over negotiation with FG

Killed sect leader was handed over to police — Army

Clinton to discuss Boko Haram crisis with Yar’Adua

Video of alleged execution of Boko Haram financier surfaces

LCDAs: Lagos must revert to 20 LGs — AGF

El-Rufai flays Yar’Adua again

Return to HQ or be dismissed, Onovo orders 100,000 policemen

EVENING UPDATES: Niger Delta militants meet Yar’Adua, withhold arms

MID-DAY UPDATES: Clinton slams Nigeria’s oil dependence, weak power sector

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Privatisation adviser wants NITEL liquidated

We did nothing wrong, says Boko Haram leader in his last moments

Court annuls appointment of Offa monarch

Oni stops salaries of 3,000 workers

Ogun: Police faults Okah’s claim on bandits’ attack

Ekiti kidnappers demand N30m ransom

Olubadan laments non-payment of N1.2bn salary arrears

Onovo confirmed, meets CPs in the North

MID-DAY UPDATES: Boko Haram planned Ramadan bomb attack, FG probes leader‘s death

EVENING UPDATES: Boko Haram may regroup, launch more attacks – U.S Congressional adviser

Monday, August 03, 2009

Amnesty: MEND demands N3bn

Confusion as youths take over Lokoja streets

Yar’Adua to meet with militants in Abuja

Northern govs plan laws against sectarian violence

Striking Ibadan poly lecturers dare Alao-Akala

Fayemi criticises Oni’s proposed jumbo cabinet

Kidnappers seize six more people in Ekiti

Anambra 2010: Ekwueme, Ngige call for free poll

Oil reserves declining – Energy agency

FCT revokes 700 plots, set to cancel 1,670 more

EVENING UPDATES: Northern governors, clerics plan tougher regulation of religious activities

MID-DAY UPDATES: FG to hold high-powered enquiry into Boko Haram crisis - Mark

Sunday, August 02, 2009

‘It’s difficult to create new states now’ –Ekweremadu

Identification of 20 accident victims impossible –FRSC

Pay cut: Yar’Adua, ministers, lawmakers to lose N5.81bn perks annually

Boko Haram: Another 140 kids, women rescued

Kidnappers seize monarch’s granddaughter

Lam seeks police probe of assassination threats

Alam’s loot: ‘We got only keys to two properties’

Robbers kill three policemen

28 escape death as plane catches fire in Enugu

Boko Haram: Clearing of dead bodies continues

AP shares: Drama as Reps disown committee’s report on Dangote, others

EVENING UPDATES: 28 passengers, crew escape death as plane catches fire

MID-DAY UPDATES: FG ignored warnings about Boko Haram –Clerics, military commander

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Hillary Clinton visits Nigeria this week

Accident: Truck crushes 20 at robbery scene in Ogun

ICPC to investigate political donations

SSS arrests gunman at Enugu Governor’s lodge

Calabar: Govt, American firms to build N870m specialist hospital

Boko Haram: Muslim rights group warns against arbitrary killings

Shareholders sue Halliburton officials over $180m Nigerian bribe

Yar’Adua denies relocating PTI to Kaduna

EVENING UPDATES: Policeman kills self at Mandela’s home

MID-DAY UPDATES: Calm returns to Maiduguri