NewsReports

Some 2,839 soldiers, including high-ranking officers, have been arrested over an attempted coup that is now over, says Turkey’s PM Binali Yildirim. In a night he called a “black stain on Turkish democracy”, he said 161 people had been killed and 1,440 wounded. Explosions and gunfire were heard in Ankara, Istanbul and elsewhere overnight and thousands of Turks heeded President …

Over Ten Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the Progressives Governors’ Forum are expected to join the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo in flagging off the governorship campaign of the candidate of the party in the September 10 governorship election in the state, Mr Godwin Obaseki, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City today. Meanwhile, over one thousand …

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday described the judgement reversing electricity tariff in the country, which became operational on February 1, as a setback to the electricity sector, saying it will appeal the judgement. Power “We will challenge this decision. We have instructed our lawyer to appeal. Consequently, the Commission has filed for stay of execution and a notice of …

In a twist to President Muhammadu Buhari’s order for the probe of two former Chiefs of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and Lt. -Gen. Kenneth Minimah, and 52 others, over arms procurement scandal, some retired military officers and other Nigerians have said that the probe should be extended to the Minister of Interior, Lt. -Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.), and the …

Sixty- seven days after incarceration, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC yesterday finally released the former spokesperson of ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode to join his family and friends. Chief Femi Fani-Kayode who has been in detention since May 9, 2016, finally regained freedom yesterday, Friday, July 15, 2016, after fulfilling his bail conditions. In a …

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday grilled Shalewa Obanikoro, the daughter of a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, over a transaction of N800m she allegedly made. Investigators told our correspondent that Shalewa was grilled at the Lagos office of the EFCC for several hours alongside her mother, Moroophat. An impeccable source at the …

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been grilling a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, for the last one week for allegedly receiving N85m from embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) The EFCC, however, did not detain him but afforded him the privilege of coming from home due …

In response to desperate calls by Nigerians to address the increasing attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen against settlers and farmers in parts of the country, the military is set to launch Operation Accord aimed at checking their activities. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, disclosed this on Friday while receiving the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim …

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has flown in to Istanbul, after an army group said it took over the country. He was seen surrounded by cheering supporters, and said the coup attempt was an “act of treason” and the army must be cleansed in a live TV speech. Forty-two people died during overnight clashes in the capital, Ankara, most of …

As dawn broke in Istanbul on Saturday, Turkey’s largest city, it was still unclear whether an attempt by the military to wrest control from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had been successful. A defiant Erdogan addressed crowds in the city, telling them that the coup had been quashed. “The government is in control,” he told supporters. Overnight, opposition soldiers had attempted …