VISAFONE'S ACQUISITION BY MTN, END OF CDMA????

It  became official, January 5, 2016, that the last Nigerian Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA operator standing, Visafone, has finally succumbed to the terrible distress in that genre of telecommunications operation and allowed itself to be swallowed by a GSM counterpart, MTN Nigeria.

However, when Vanguard carried the news eight months earlier that the CDMA operator may soon melt into another, it was quickly and unofficially, dismissed as a rumour by both players. But today, MTN has admitted that  the acquisition falls in line with the company’s determination to improve the quality of broadband services for its subscribers.

According to MTN Executive, Amina Oyagbola, the acquisition is also a reflective of MTN’s concerted efforts to deepen the growth and rollout of broadband services across the country in support of the National Broadband Plan for the benefit of Nigerians.

ZARIA SHIITE KILLINGS - THE ARMY ACTED WITHIN ITS RULES OF ENGAGEMENT - COAS BURATAI TELLS PROBE PANEL.

The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Yusuf Buratai, yesterday, appeared before a Special Investigative Panel that was constituted by the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, to probe circumstances that led to the bloody clash between the Nigerian Army and the Shiite Muslim sect.

This came on a day hundreds of members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shiites) stormed the commission to protest the continued detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky, by Nigerian security services.

The clash which occurred on December 12, 2015, resulted in the instant death of many members of the sect, with others seriously wounded.

LASSA FEVER - FG CONFIRMS 212 SUSPECTED CASES IN 17 STATES, BLAMES STATE GOVERNORS FOR DISEASE SPREAD.

The Federal Government has confirmed 212 suspected cases of Lassa Fever in 64 Local government areas across 17 states in the country, even as it warned against a conspiracy of silence among the states of the federation.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Issac Adewole, who disclosed this, yesterday, in Abuja at the Emergency National Council on Health meeting with state Commissioners of Health and other stake- holders in the health sector, said the current out-break was a national embarrassment.

Adewole, who debunked rumours in some quarters that the disease was a “gimmick to get money from the government, said objective of the meeting, was to facilitate discussion on control of the ongoing disease outbreak; to develop strategies of prevention and management of all cases in Nigeria, among others.

NIMASA N2.6BN FRAUD - FASHION DESIGNER GOT N543M FOR A NON-EXISTENT CONTRACT.

The trial of an ex-Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi, and five others continued before a Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday with a bureau de change operator, Hussein Sabo, testifying against them.

The defendants are being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly converting to their personal use a total of N2,658,957, 666, belonging to NIMASA between December 23, 2013 and May 28, 2015.

They were on December 4, 2015 arraigned on 22 counts in relation to the offence before Justice Ibrahim Buba.

OLISA METUH GRANTED N400M BAIL, PDP LAMENTS AS HE APPEARED IN COURT IN HANDCUFFS

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, was driven off in a prison pick-up from the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, shortly after he was granted bail in the sum of N400m by the court on Tuesday.

Metuh, who was produced in court in handcuffs for the bail hearing, is, however, to remain in Kuje Prison, Abuja, till he perfects his bail conditions.

After the court delivered its ruling on his bail application on Tuesday, prison officials led him to a waiting green pick-up and locked him up at the rear cabin of the vehicle.

OLUBADAN DIES IN HIS SLEEP.

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, is dead.

Palace sources said the monarch died at about 7.30pm on Tuesday in his palace in the Monatan area of Ibadan.

Oba Odugade, who was born on April 14, 1914, became the Olubadan in July 2007.

RAPPER "ICE PRINCE ZAMANI" HEARTBROKEN OVER ALLEGATIONS AND RECEIPTS LEVELED AGAINST HIS GIRLFRIEND MAIMA NKEWA.

Chocolate City Vp & Rapper "Ice Prince Zamani" is a troubled man at the moment as his relationship might be heading for the rocks following allegations of infidelity leveled against his pretty girlfriend Maima Nkewa.

Trouble started last week when she shared a photo of them together and professed her undying love for him..and that started the whole madness. Someone left a comment on her page accusing her of dating some married man named Akin in Abuja. And a few hours later, receipts were produced. It gets more interesting.

#CHAN2016 - CHIKATARA HITS HAT-TRICK AS SUPER EAGLES BEAT NIGER 4 - 1.

NGA 4 NIG 1

The home-based Super Eagles defeated Niger Republic 4-1 in their first game at the Championship for African Nations on Monday here in Kigali.

Goals from Osas Okoro and a Chisom Chikatara hat-trick sealed the win for the Eagles.

Prince Aggre had the Eagles first chance less than one minute into the game but his low shot was gathered by Alzouma Inoussa in goal for Niger.

55 NIGERIANS STOLE N1.34TN FROM PUBLIC TREASURY IN JUST 8YRS - LAI MOHAMMED.

The Federal Government has alleged that 55 former government functionaries and top businessmen stole N1.34tn from public treasury in eight years.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the allegation at a press conference to announce a National Sensitisation Campaign against Corruption in Abuja on Monday.

Although Mohammed did not disclose the authority for the allegation, he categorised the officials involved in the corrupt practices to include former state governors, ex-ministers, former legislators, civil servants, bankers and other businessmen.

PICTURES FROM TOOLZ AND TUNDE DEMUREN'S PRE-WEDDING SHOOT.

Pre-wedding shots of Captain Tunde Demuren and popular OAP Tolu Oniru - Toolz.

See more pictures after the cut........

SWANSEA APPOINTS FRANCESCO GUIDOLIN AS HEAD COACH.

Swansea City have confirmed the appointment of Francesco Guidolin as head coach until the end of the season.

The 60-year-old arrived in Wales on Monday afternoon to complete his short-term move, which will see him work alongside Alan Curtis, although Guidolin will have the final say on team selection. 

He will be in the crowd at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night as Swansea attempt to salvage their dire season against Watford. 

His prospects of staying at the club beyond the summer depend on whether he can save Swansea from relegation, though it is understood that other candidates, including Brendan Rodgers, will be considered if they stay up. 

25-YR-OLD MAN REMANDED FOR RAPING 3 TEENAGE GIRLS.

An Ile-Ife Chief Magistrate’s Court in Osun on Monday remanded a 25-year-old man, Seun Adeoti, in prison custody, over the alleged rape of three girls.

Adeoti was arraigned on a three-count charge of gross indecency, threat to lives and unlawful sexual intercourse with Folake Adedini (15), Arike Adegoke (14) and Imole Adewole (16).

The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Sunday Osanyintuyi, said the offences were committed on Dec. 4, 2015 around 1:00 p.m. at Akui Street, Ile-Ife. Osanyintuyi alleged that the offences contravened Section 86, 360 and 516 of the state’s Penal Code.

CORRUPTION IS FIGHTING BACK!!!!!!!!!.

With only a few real steps taken to tackle the monster, the forces of corruption are pushing back and their counter attack is gathering momentum. From the accused persons and recipients of stolen funds to politicians who suddenly found themselves in the unfamiliar opposition benches, beneficiaries of the past dispensation, clever lawyers, bent judges, religious contractors and media cheer squads, familiar weapons are being deployed. Neither the government nor the people must waver or bow to these forces of retrogression.

#DASUKIGATE, EMEFIELE, AND HOW TO APPOINT THE NEXT CBN GOVERNOR.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has come under intense scrutiny in the past six months. This is not just because of its controversial restrictions on foreign exchange transactions but also as a result of allegations that its leadership facilitated inappropriate massive cash withdrawals of foreign currencies from the Bank’s coffers by the erstwhile National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, close to the 2015 presidential elections.

These transactions are believed to have had the blessing of President Goodluck Jonathan.

PREMIUM TIMES believes these unfortunate controversies pose a serious threat to the lived reality of the independence of the Central Bank, which we believe is of vital importance to the maintenance of a sound economy.

WHY I REFUSED TO HONOUR COURT SUMMONS - TOMPOLO.

Former Niger Delta militancy leader, Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo has explained why he has refused to honor court invitations over the corruption cases leveled against him by the EFCC. In an open letter to President Buhari which he sent out through his media aide, Paul Bebenimbo, yesterday January 18th, Tompolo said;

“The truth of the matter is that I do not know anything about the N34 billion Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is talking about. First, it was N13 billion issue, now it is N34 billion. I am not a signatory to any of the companies mentioned in the said N34 billion case, so I do not know where this one is coming from. I know that God in His infinite mercy will see me through in this critical moment.”‎the letter read.

JIMOH IBRAHIM SACKS MD & DMD OF NEWSWATCH ON LIVE TV AFTER SOME WORKERS EMBARRASSED HIM.

JIMOH IBRAHIM

Distressed workers of the National Mirror and Newswatch Times on Monday stormed the Nicon Luxury, Abuja, venue of the Global Fleet Group annual management conference as its group managing director and publisher of two newspapers, Jimoh Ibrahim, was delivering a lecture to top management staff of the company.

The workers, who have gone for about nine months without salary, stormed the venue when Mr. Ibrahim was in the middle of the lecture on how China’s development strategy has helped keep her ahead of America and other countries of the world today.

The placard wielding workers invaded the lecture venue chanting solidarity songs to demand the payment of their arrears of salaries.

HOW JONATHAN OREDERED DASUKI TO PAY TONY ANENIH N260M REFUND FOR POLITICAL EXPENSES.

Forrmer Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih, has claimed that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan ordered a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), to give him the sum of N260m.

The revelation is contained in a letter the former BOT chairman wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission recently.

An aide to the PDP leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed on Saturday that Anenih made the disclosure.

READ HOW LOOTED ARMS FUND LED TO THE DEATH OF AIRFORCE PILOT AND OTHERS.

New findings that emerged from the arms procurement audit which began in August 2015. have shown that corruption in the military, particularly in the Nigerian Air Force, led to the death of air servicemen fighting against Boko Haram. The audit of military procurements, exposed this week, resulted in President Muhammadu Buhari demanding a deeper probe into Nigeria’s most senior military officers.

In December 2014, Group Captain Ubong Akpan and Master Warrant Officer Zabesan Hosea boarded a Russian-made Mi-24V helicopter with the intent to carry out combat operations against Boko Haram terrorists in Adamawa State. Both air servicemen lost their lives when their helicopter crashed near Girei, Adamawa State.

At their funeral service, Chief of Air Staff AN Amosu said that their “sacrifice” saved Yola, the Adamawa State capital, from falling into the control of Boko Haram terrorists.

MAJOR CRUDE OIL PIPELINE BLOWN UP IN DELTA AS SIGNS OF MILITANCY RETURN THICKENS.

Attacks  on oil installations in Delta State entered  the third day, yesterday, as  militants blew-up major crude oil and gas pipelines to the Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, Tank Farm in Warri South West Local Government Area of the state.

Blown up on Friday night was the main crude line from Makaraba through Otunana and Abiteye to Escravos while  Olero to Escravos gas line was attacked in the early hours of yesterday.

Earlier on Thursday, the Escravos – Warri – Abuja – Lagos pipelines came under attack. The Itsekiri raised the alarm, yesterday, that the attacks could metamorphose into another Ijaw-Itsekiri war.

#DASUKIGATE - EFCC GETS LEAD ON HOW TOP MILITARY OFFICERS LOOTED ARMS FUND.

Indications emerged last night that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has received some  lead on how some of the indicted top serving and retired military officers looted the nation through fraudulent arms contract and direct diversion of funds meant for arms procurement.

Findings revealed that the arrest and detention of a serving Colonel in the Nigerian Army in relation to the diversion of $2.1 billion meant for arms purchase in the Office of the National Security Adviser, exposed the illicit deals undertaken by the indicted officers.

Findings also showed that the Colonel, who hails from Delta State and served as a Personal Assistant to the embattled ex-NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, has been telling the anti-graft operatives all that he knows about the arms deals and those who masterminded the looting of the nation’s resources in the name of arms purchase.