News In Brief Today 20/04/16

Good morning! Here are 10 things you need to know this morning....

1. There was a mild drama in the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki after the Senate President’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi engaged the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar in a serious argument over adjournment of trial.

Agabi had moved for adjournment of the matter to allow him rest, on the ground that he had been working all through the night. Umar, however, turned down his request, saying that it was part of price he would pay as a lawyer.

2. A house situated at 17, Egberonbe Street, Ladylak bus stop, Bariga in Lagos was completely razed by inferno on Tuesday morning after the petrol stored inside by a “black marketer” went up in flame.

Neighbours said some area boys living in the building stored PMS (fuel) in their apartment, which caused the tragic incident.

3. A soldier lost his life and several others injured after suspected Boko Haram terrorists ambushed the convoy of the Acting General Officer Commanding, GOC, 7 Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu.

He was enroute to visit troops in Bama, Borno State when the incident occurred.

4. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has uncovered no fewer than 37,395 ghost workers in the federal civil service.

EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu, who made this revelation noted that violators of the provisions of the Procurement Act risked five to ten years imprisonment, adding that civil servants found guilty under the Act might also face dismissal from service.

5. The Anioma Security Watch Network, Tuesday staged a peaceful protest in Asaba against the killings and kidnapping of its citizens by suspected Fulani Herdsmen.

The group, which shutdown the Delta State capital, asked the government of the state to find another place for the visitors.

6. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has picked the suspended Director General of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, Nelly Mayshak, for alleged N2.5 billion fraud.

Also arrested alongside Maysjak were Yoab Youssoufou, Patricia Iyogun and Ruth Imonikhe.

7. Chairman, Senate Committee on Services, Sen. Ibrahim Gobir, has explained that the Senate purchased only 36 utility Land Cruisers at the cost of N36.5 million each, and not 108 cars as widely reported in the media.

Gobir, who made the clarification while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, explained that the specification of Land Cruiser purchased by the senate was VXR V8 and not V6 as being speculated.

8. Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has said that there is an ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and China for the latter to be importing some of its own requirements from Nigeria.

Emefiele, who believed that this would help to reduce the trading deficit between the two countries, also said part of Nigeria’s deal with China was that the country became the Asian country’s trading hub in West Africa.

9. The social media team of the Peoples Democratic Party has announced the shutting down of its official twitter handle over what it termed strange activities.

Head of PDP Publicity Division, Chinwe Nnorom, who made the announcement in a statement via the PDP’s Facebook page said the general public would be informed of a new twitter account soon.

10. The Police Service Commission (PSC) has said it received 705, 352 applications as at 7.30 a.m., Tuesday, April 19, from people seeking enlistment into the Nigeria Police Force.

It stated that 202, 427 applications were for the position of Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), 169,446, for the position of Cadet Inspector and 333,479 for the position of Constables.

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