Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 23

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

FG Set to Revoke Shell’s Licence in Ogoniland
•New operator to take over

Indications emerged on Wednesday that the Federal Government will soon revoke Shell's operating license in Ogoniland as President Yar’Adua has disclosed that a new operator will take over the company's oil fields in the area by the end of the year. But Shell spokesman, said the Government has not formally communicated the planned take-over to them.

Abia Set For Showdown With SPDC

Abia State Government has threatened to drag Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to court over alleged neglect of Owaza Community, an oil producing community in the state that has suffered series of oil spillage. Trouble began few months back when the community reported oil spillage allegedly from some Shell's oil wells in the area.

UAE, UK Investors Visit Calabar to Explore Oil, Gas Potential

Investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom have arrived in Cross River to explore the potential in the oil and gas sector. The member representing Obudu constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr. Jerry Agba, said that the investors would also explore the opportunities in tourism.

Niger Delta Crisis Is Real Danger, Says Eso

Eminent Jurist, Justice Kayode Eso, Monday, placed on the front burner the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta and its implications for national stability. Eso, who is the chairman of the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission, warned that any attempt to pay lip service to the conflict by the various stakeholders could spell doom for the country.

Ateke Killed Over 2,000 In Okrika - Witness

About 2,000 Okrika indigenes were allegedly murdered by the cult leader, Tom Ateke, and his group, the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement (NDVM), during the violence that engulfed the kingdom from 2001, according to Major Napoleon Ogan (rtd) while testifying at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission sitting in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Police Confirm Kidnap of Ex-Commissioner's Wife

The Rivers Police Command has confirmed the kidnap of the wife of a former commissioner in Bayelsa by unknown gunmen in Port Harcourt. The command's Spokesperson, Rita Abbey, said that Mrs Augustina Ekeowei was picked up inside the Dosa Family Church in Abuloma on June 1 to the amazement of fellow worshippers.

Okiro Parades Octogenarian Woman For Child Trafficking

Inspector general of police, Mr Mike Okiro, on Thursday in Abuja paraded an octogenarian woman involved in human trafficking in Abia State. Police swooped on the suspect’s illegal hostel were she harbours young pregnant women and girls and arrested her.

Bayelsa Gets Another LNG Project

A consortium of three companies has agreed to site a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project in Brass area of Bayelsa State.  The project will be the second LNG project to be sited on Brass Island, after the federal government owned Brass LNG.

JTF, Police Contributed to N/Delta Crisis –CLO

The Joint Task Force and the police are said to have contributed to the tension in Rivers State and the Niger Delta, generally. In a testimony given by the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission sitting in Port Harcourt, Mr Damian Ugwu averred that instead of keeping peace and protecting people, both security agencies were involved in acts of brutality and extra-judicial killings.

Gunmen Kill 4 at Uniport

Hell was let loose Wednesday, at the University of Port Harcourt when gunmen invaded the school, killing four and injuring others. Security men retaliated swiftly, killing two of the attackers and arrested one. Five Ak47 magazines were recovered from the attackers.

FG Charges 78 MASSOB Members for Treason

Seventy-eight (78) members of the Movement for Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were on Tuesday arraigned before the Federal High Court, Enugu for treasonable felony. The suspects were arrested in Anambra State during the commemoration of the 41st anniversary of the defunct Biafra.

Gunmen Kidnap Bayelsa’s New SSG‘s Wife

Even before he assumed duty as Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government (SSG), Hon. Gideon Ekeowe is already in the eye of the storm with the kidnap of his wife, Mrs. Augustina Ekeowe by unknown gunmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday. Ekeowe was announced the SSG in a special government announcement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Preye Wariowei penultimate Tuesday night.

Kidnappers’ Sponsors In Police Net

Imo State police command has confirmed the arrest of kidnappers in the state. The suspected sponsors of the kidnappers were also nabbed.

Two Sons of Imo Speaker Kidnapped

Mr Emma Ezeazu, the Commissioner of Police in Imo, on Wednesday confirmed the kidnap of two sons of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Goodluck Opiah. Ezeazu said in Owerri that following the report of the incident, the police had begun investigation into the matter.  He said the police acting on a tip-off, also arrested three suspected kidnappers in a hotel in Aba, in Abia State.

5 Die in Sleep

Five members of a family died in their sleep on Sunday in the home of one Mr William Eze, in Enugu State. Three others are said to be critically ill at a Hospital. A relation of the deceased, Mr Arize Agu, said he suspects that the deceased might have died of suffocation arising from the fumes of a generating set placed in the passage of the building as he got whiff of the fumes when he forced their door open after calling severally with no response from them.

Count Me Out of Niger Delta Militancy, Says Amaechi

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state, Monday, at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, declared that he had never been involved in the arming of any militant group for reason in the state. He also assured that nobody would be arrested or punished for giving evidence before the Commission. But militant leader, Tom Ateke, accuses Amaechi, of being part of a cult that worked for the enthronement of former governor, Peter Odili.

Youths Give Shell 72 Hours To Recall Sacked Kinsmen

Youths of Ogulagha kingdom have given the Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC) 72 hours to recall their kinsmen allegedly sacked in the company’s re-organisation exercise. Failure to heed the warning, the youths said the management of the company should be prepared for unpleasant consequences.

Niger Delta: Youths Embark on Operation 'Lay Down Your Arms'

The National President of the Niger Delta Youth Council, (NDYC), Donatus Ebisin, said the group has put in place a programme tagged "operation lay down your arms" that will reduce cases of abduction and hostage taking in the Niger Delta Region. Ebisin said NDYC is preaching the gospel of peace in the Niger-Delta States to stop restiveness in the region.

Centrica, British Firm, to Build $12bn LNG Plant in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State has signed a $12bn deal with a British gas and power firm, Centrica Plc, to build a new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant in the state. Governor Godswill Akpabio said during the week that the plant would be built on Tom Island in Mbo district, southeastern part of the state.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Soldiers Locate Bunkering Depot In Warri

The Joint Task Force (JTF) penultimate weekend located an illegal bunkering depot in Warri South, Delta state. Major Omale Ochagwuba, spokesman of the JTF, said four boats loaded with substance suspected to be crude oil were impounded at Ubeji. The suspects were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for prosecution.

Navy Alerts Of Terrorist Threat To Oil Prospecting

The Nigerian Navy, Monday, alerted of terrorism threat to Nigerias’ maritime environment with its concentration of oil prospecting and production facilities, warning that these platforms constituted very attractive targets for terrorists acts especially now that trans-national terrorism is on the increase.

Okah’s Secret Trial Mere Cover-Up – Ijaw Group

The Ijaw Youth Council has challenged the FG on an open trial of the detained leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah, if it has nothing to hide. National Secretary of the IYC, Udengs Eradiri, said that the President Yar’Adua administration was demonstrating hypocrisy by insisting on trial in camera.

Total Reassesses Continued Stay In Nigeria

The French energy giant, Total, has commenced an assessment of its continued presence in Nigeria’s Niger Delta following the spate of violence in the area.

PENGASSAN Threatens Chevron With Strike

Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), of Chevron threatened to begin an indefinite industrial action on over alleged unfair working environment, increasing expatriate quota abuse, among others.

Edo Police Recover Kidnapped 8-Yr-Old Boy In Anambra

The Edo State police on Thursday disclosed that they have recovered an eight-year-old boy, who was kidnapped in Benin three months ago, in Anambra State. Edo Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Dega, who paraded suspects, said that the parents of the boy had on several occasions paid out the sum of N2.5m before the recovery of the child.

Uduaghan Advices Investors on How To Secure Their Investments In N-Delta

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Thursday, told oil companies and other investors in the Niger-Delta what to do to protect their investment/facilities from attacks.  Uduaghan advised that their operations should conform to the necessary safety, health and environmental standards, and that their policies must be community-friendly.

IGP Orders Full Probe of the Murder of A Business Man

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro has ordered full investigation into the murder of a business man in Delta.  Chief Happy Ekojikoko, 47, was recently killed at his guest house by yet-to-be known assassins.

Two Delta Communities In Dispute Over Land Ownership

A fresh crisis looms between two Ijaw and Itsekiri oil-rich communities, Dinkoru and Tebu in the Benin River, Delta State, over ownership of land. The executive chairman of Dinkoru community, Felix Adanse, called on both the government, the Delta Waterways Security Committee, Joint Task Force (JTF) to intervene before the crisis escalates.

Police Shoot 50-Yr-Old Mother Hawking Bread In Delta

A 50-year-old mother of four, Elizabeth Krokele is now battling for life at a clinic in Ovwian, Delta State after she was shot by a trigger-happy police team, escorting a bullion van. An operative of the State Security Service (SSS) in the state had the tyre of his car also shot. A Warri-based lawyer, Oghenejabor Ikimi, and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) have called for an inquest by the Inspector General of Police into the incident in a bid to bringing the culprits to justice.

Delta Stops Diversion Of Ships From Warri Port

Delta State government has successfully stopped the diversion of ships bringing in goods and other gas gathering/ construction equipment meant for the Escravos-Gas-to-Liquid, EGTL, project, Warri, to the Nigerian Ports Authority, Port Harcourt, even as it assured that all such equipment would now be discharged at the Warri Ports only.

60 Vessels to Lift Gas from Escravos by December

A consultant to the Delta State Government on Ports and Maritime activities, Dr Wilson Omene, has disclosed that the Escravos Gas Project would attract at least 60 vessels before the end of this year.

2,500 Shell Workers Face Sack as 1,000 Retire

As the deadline for the voluntary disengagement of staff of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) expired, the management of the Shell is set to lay off about 2,500 of its workforce, who refused to cash in on the window of voluntary retirement at the end of May.  More than 1000 workers were either laid off or had voluntarily retired at the end of May. The retrenchment exercise is however not going down well with the NNPC.

Count S/South Out Of N/Delta Summit, Clark Tells Yar’Adua

Prominent Ijaw leader, Chief E.K. Clark, on Monday implored President Yar’Adua to count out the South-South people from the proposed Niger Delta Summit, arguing that summits were not held before the massive transformation of other major cities. Clark also called on Shell to bring to an immediate close, its ongoing restructuring policy or face horrible penalty, alleging that the ongoing restructuring in SPDC was targeted at Niger Deltans.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Six Policemen Arrested Over Lagos Killing

Following the killing of a 40-year-old man, Mr. Semiu Murtala, in his car in Lagos on Saturday, six policemen believed to have perpetrated the act have been arrested and detained. The policemen were said to be on patrol when the gory incident happened. A protest by youths in the area followed the dastardly act.

Court Remands Man, 19, For Difilement

An Ilorin magistrate‘s court has ordered that 19-year-old Mustapha Sada be remanded in prison for the defilement of a 12-year-old girl. The accused allegedly lured the girl into the bush under the pretence of going to pray for her, and had carnal knowledge of her.

Lagos Fights Crime With 3,000 Jobs

In its efforts to stem the high crime rate in Lagos State, the state government has provided 3,000 jobs for unemployed youths.

Robbers Kill Security Man, Injure 2 In Ibadan Bank Raid

Tragedy struck again in Ibadan on Thursday as men of the underworld raided a micro-finance bank and killed a security man attached to the bank while two customers sustained gun shot injuries. The armed robbers made away with a large sum of money from the bank.

Four Arraigned For Stealing Two Containers

Four persons, including a woman, have been arraigned at the Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing two containers of goods valued at N2.4 million. They face a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen goods.

Man In Court For Killing Daughter

A Lagos trader, Jacob Esikak, 32, was arraigned in court for killing his one-year-old daughter with a knife. The prosecutor told the court that the accused targeted his wife, but missed her and mistakenly stabbed his daughter Ekemini during a fight.

Driver Charged With Killing Three Persons

A 40-year-old driver, Isiaka Hammed, has appeared before an Ibadan Chief Magistrate’s Court, for manslaughter. The accused allegedly drove his 18-seater Mazda bus recklessly and in the process killed one of his passengers and two other persons who were standing by the roadside. Other passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.

Two In Police Net Over Forgery

The Niger State police command on Friday paraded two men for allegedly attempting to forge NECO senior secondary school examination results. The suspects are said to be staff of Ikeje community college in Olamoboro LGA Kogi.

Debtor Stabs Pregnant Woman To Death In Ijebu Ode

A pregnant woman, Mrs. Oyindamola Titilayo, has been stabbed to death by her debtor in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. The debtor allegedly brought out a short knife and stabbed the woman to death in the market when she held on to him and asked for her money.

Police Parade Pastor, 10 Other Robbery Suspects

A pastor, Mr Akinlola Johnson, and a septuagenarian, Mr Lamidi Ayinde, were among 11 suspects paraded by the police for several robberies in Osun State. About 11 stolen vehicles were also recovered by detectives of the command.

One Dies As Brt Bus Crushes Car In Lagos

It was a tragic day on Tuesday in Lagos as a car was crushed by the state government-operated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), leading to the death of the driver while three others were injured. A Mitsubishi bus that lost control crashed into the car. The BRT bus, which was behind the car, hit it a little from behind, was later set on fire by an irate mob, who mistakenly suspected that it was the cause of the accident.

Masked Men Kidnap Couple

Police in Lagos are working to unmasked seven masked men who kidnapped a man and his wife from their home at the Ejigbo area of Lagos State.  According to source, the men were fully armed when they stormed the residence of the victims.

Lagos Command Arrests 4, Recovers Arms

The Lagos State Police Command penultimate weekend arrested four armed robbers and recovered four assorted arms and ammunition.  One of the robbers was arrested at the Apapa Division, two in Ebutte Ero and one in Okokomaiko.

Oyo Not Safe For Criminals – CP

The acting commissioner of police in charge of Oyo State, Mr. Ralph Ibeazor, has said that the state had become too hot for criminals. Ibeazor explained that the police command had put in place measures to forestall any act of criminality.

Rep Urge PPMC to Sue Lagos Over Ijegun Fire

The Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC) can take court action against the Lagos State government if it is sure that the pipeline act right of way is violated in the Ijegun fire incident. This is the stand of Clever Ikisipo, chairman, House of Representatives committee on petroleum, down stream sector, who was irked by the exchange of blames between Lagos government officials and the PPMC management at a public hearing on the Ijegun pipeline fire incident.

Smugglers Kill 2 Policemen, Set Police Station Ablaze In Lagos

It was a dark Saturday in Badagry as some smugglers in reaction to the killing of one of their members set the Mowo Police Station ablaze and allegedly killed two policemen.  A trigger happy policeman allegedly shot dead one of the smugglers at a check point.  Following the development, attempts were made to carry out a mob action on the said policeman who quickly fled for dear life.

Widow Of Deceased Police Officer Says Hubby Was Killed By Colleagues

The controversy surrounding the death of a police Sergeant in Lagos State, while on duty, has taken a dramatic turn, as information at the wife’s disposal alleged that he was actually shot dead by one of his colleagues and not armed robbers as claimed.

2 Pupils Die, 6 Others Injured In Ibadan - As Bus Runs Into Them

Two primary school pupils lost their lives on Wednesday at Iwo Road area of Ibadan while six other pupils sustained serious injuries when a commercial bus rammed into them. The bus driver allegedly lost control and the bus ran into the waiting school pupils who were about to cross to the other side of the road.

Airport Police Command, FAAN Partner On Security

As part of efforts to make the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA) Lagos conducive and reduce the menace of cyclists popularly called okada riders, the Airport Police Command has stated that it was proposing a joint task force with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to checkmate their activities.

GENERAL

Shell Sues NNPC For $2.24bn

Indications emerged, Thursday, that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) can no longer generate enough revenue to sustain its operations. This is even as it was revealed that the Shell Petroleum Exploration Company (SNEPCO) has sued NNPC for $2.4billion. The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Engr. Abubakar Yar’Adua, has expressed dismay that the corporation's expenditures always outweighed its income and called for its commercialization.

NLNG’s Tax Relief No Longer Necessary, Says FG

The House of Representatives has secured the backing of the executive in its move to amend the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (Fiscal Incentives and Assurances) Act as the Federal Government said the retention of the law is no longer necessary. Minister of Finance, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman in a document sent to the House of Representatives Committee on Gas stated that the pioneer status enshrined in the Act, which qualifies the NLNG for income tax relief from commencement of the project until production day is no longer desirable and should be deleted.

Senate Confirms Waziri as EFCC Boss

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Mrs. Farida Waziri, a retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, as the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, thus ending weeks of controversy over her nomination.

Mobil To Empower Women In Africa

Poised to contribute its quota to the development of gender-friendly environment in Africa, ExxonMobil is, between June 2 and 27, 2008, holding a training workshop for women drawn from selected countries in Africa through its "Educating Women and Girls" initiative. The programme, tagged Global Women in Management (GWIM), is expected to hold in Abuja.

NUT Declares War on Federal Govt

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has declared war with the Federal Government over what it said was government’s silence on its demand for a salary scale for teachers.  The union could no longer tolerate the antics of the government over its demand.

FG Plans Fuel Price Hike - CNPP

Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) on Tuesday raised the alarm over alleged plans by the Federal Government to increase the fuel pump price to about N100 per litre.  It also faulted the nomination of Mrs. Farida Waziri as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

6 People, 17 Horses Die In Road Accident

About six people and 17 horses were reported killed on Monday in an auto crash on Askira-Maiduguri Road on their way to participate in a grand durbar organised by Borno State traditional rulers in honour of the governor, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff. The trailer conveying the horses lost control as the driver attempted to avoid hitting an old woman who was crossing the road.

Rainstorm Kills Woman, Destroys 80 Houses In Kano

A housewife, Malama Rabi, lost her life while over 80 houses and schools were destroyed by rainstorm on Monday night in Kano.

UK To Assist Nigeria On Gas Flaring, Climate Change, Adaptation Fund

The British Government has expressed readiness to partner the Federal Government in stemming climatic challenges especially in the areas of gas flaring and greenhouse emission.

Fuel Scarcity Looms As NARTO Begins Strike Over High Cost Of Diesel

Petroleum products tanker owners under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) have concluded plans to withdraw their vehicles from the roads unless the government does something urgent to address the escalating cost of diesel in the country. This may plunge the country into another round of acute fuel scarcity.

Car Snatcher In Police Custody

Federal Capital Territory police command has arrested a suspected car snatcher in Lugbe, along airport road, Abuja. The suspect, Abdul Barau, attempted to rob one lady of her vehicle at gun point. Alarm raised by the lady made some passersby to notice who called in police anti crime patrol team that and arrested him. When searched, police recovered a toy pistol, extra plate number AA 564 AAK from him.

Tanker Drivers Begin Nationwide Strike

Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) workers will commence a nationwide strike today. According to them, the industrial action is to protest the recent hike in the prices of Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO-Diesel) and the high freight rate which they claimed, are affecting the smooth distribution of petroleum products across the federation.

FG Moves to Curtail Fuel Importation

The Federal Government, Wednesday, formally inaugurated two steering and working committees on the proposed "Gas to Liquids for Petrol Technology," Project by ExxonMobil. The project will entail using the latest technology to convert gas to liquids for petrol in order to meet the nation's daily fuel consumption.

NNPC: No Record of Gas Sold By NLNG

The House of Representatives Committee on Gas was on Wednesday stunned when officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) told the lawmakers that they do not have records of natural gas produced or sold by the Bonny based Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) for nearly 10 years of its operation. The committee, piqued by the tardiness of NNPC, alleged that the organisation was collaborating with the NLNG to deprive Nigerians value for their money they invested in the company.

Okiro Meets Squadron Leaders

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Okiro on Wednesday at the Force Headquarters Abuja met with about 55 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Squadron Commanders to review the nation’s security situation. Okiro said it became necessary to review the PMF "operational strategies and discuss inherent problems affecting squadron to enhance their performance".

Shell Says Nigeria Has Enough Gas For Domestic, Export Needs

Contrary to earlier held impression that Nigeria does not have enough natural gas for both domestic and export requirement, Royal Dutch Shell plc, has said that the country has enough to supply the domestic market as well LNG export.  Given gas resources and the exploration potential, Shell sees no conflict between the requirements to supply domestic gas in required quantities and the further development of LNG export capacity.

ICPC Arrests Six For Selling Govt Shares

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission on Wednesday disclosed that it had arrested six top functionaries of the Bauchi State government for allegedly selling shares belonging to the state government in Ashaka Cement Company. The affected government functionaries were accused of selling N89m worth of shares of Bauchi State government in the cement company.

Wiz-Kid Killed For Ritual

Ritualists may have begun to target ''best brains '' in the country rituals. They have, therefore, made the School for Gifted Children in Abuja a possible target. Their first victim was an 18-year old SS3 student, Mohammed Baba. Mohammed left the school's dormitory by 9.00pm, last Wednesday for the toilet, but never returned. His body was found in a bush near the school the following morning with stab wounds on the body, while the private part had been removed.

Baby Found In Toilet With Slit Throat

Homicide detectives from the Kaduna State Police Command are grilling a 28-year-old woman who allegedly made futile attempt to murder her day-old-baby girl.
The suspect allegedly took a safe delivery of her baby girl and made for a razor blade with which she reportedly slashed the throat of the baby before dumping her in a pit toilet. But the baby was found by a good Samaritan who went to the toilet at the middle of the night.

Activists Demand More Commitment To Environment By Chevron

Environmental justice, peace, and human rights groups say they are demanding more demonstration of commitment by Chevron to the protection of the environment in its areas of operation. The groups, which took their demand to the venue of the company's annual shareholders' meeting asked Chevron to clean up and remedy the environment devastated as a result of its activities.

Diesel Scarcity May Compel Manufacturers To Increase Prices Of Goods

The soaring costs of Automated Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise called diesel, will soon begin to take its tolls on the Nigerian masses as manufacturers start increasing prices of their goods and services to reflect increasing costs of energy, according to investigations.

Man, 35, Bags Eight Month Jail Term For Kidnapping Two-Year Old Girl

An Abuja Court has sentenced Samsudeen Zubairu, 35, to eight months' imprisonment or pay a fine of N10, 000 for kidnapping a two-year-old girl. He had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of kidnapping and causing bodily harm.  Zubairu seized the girl on May 18, this year and put her in a sack.

Stock Fraud: Two arrested by EFCC

A female member of a syndicate, which specialized in stealing investors’ dividend warrants and paying same into their private bank accounts, has been nabbed by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The 40-year-old lady, who gave her name as Sarah Akpan, was arrested alongside a man, whose name the commission declined to disclose as “he was still undergoing investigations.”

Arik to Resume Flight Operations in 5 African Countries

Baring any last minute changes, Arik Air would soon resume flight operations in five African countries. The flight operations are expected to link Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Cameroon and Senegal from Lagos, seen as the West African aviation hub.

CBN Tightens Monetary Policy As Inflation Rises

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday raised the monetary policy rates (MPR) by 25 basis points from 10.0 per cent to 10.25 per cent following inflationary pressures as measured by the movements in the year-on-year consumer price index, which intensified in April from lower 7.8 per cent in March this year.

Senate Considers Bill On Excess Crude Reserve Fund

As President Umaru Yar’Adua had hinted that he would need part of excess crude oil money to finance power project, Senate will consider for second reading a bill to create excess crude oil reserve fund. The bill when passed into law would create for the regulation, deployment, management and investment of same to safe guard the long-term interest of Nigeria.

Hike in Oil Prices Will Continue —IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that current high prices of crude oil will continue for a while.  According to the result of a survey conducted by the multilateral institution, “World oil markets are likely to remain under pressure for some time before high prices have a corrective impact on both supply and demand.”

Oil Sector Probe: Reps Uncover Breach Of Due Process
DPR gets deadline to provide data

The House of Representatives Committee recently mandated to probe the activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other parastatals in the oil sector has uncovered breach of due process in the conduct of the 2006 and 2007 bid rounds of oil blocs allocations. Chairman of the committee, Hon. Igo Aguma, said that the committee was interested in finding out why certain companies and organizations bypassed due process and were still awarded oil blocs.