IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The European Union has expressed concern about US plans to impose fresh sanctions on Russia, amid concern they could hurt energy companies. The EU Commission sounded the alarm after the US House of Representatives voted in favour of the measures, despite opposition from Donald Trump. The bill is likely to complicate the US president's hopes of improving relations with Russia. It aims to punish Russia for alleged interference in the 2016 US election.

In a statement, the Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "The EU is fully committed to the Russia sanctions regime." But he warned of "unintended unilateral effects that impact the EU's energy security interests". Several European nations, including Germany, are angry because the new law could penalise companies working on pipelines from Russia, for example by limiting their access to US banks.

The legislation, which also includes sanctions against Iran and North Korea over ballistic missile tests, still needs to be passed through the US Senate before it can be sent on to the president to be signed. It is unclear whether the president will veto it.

National Leadership of the Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria Ibrahim Abdullahi says about fifty four of their members were killed, while fifteen others are still missing. Over one thousand cows are still unaccounted for according to him in the recent clash between the Fulani and Adara natives in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state.

Contrary to the earlier reports released by the police claiming that thirty two Fulani’s were killed in Kajuru crisis, over fifty were killed while some are still missing in the words of the leadership of the association.

They are accusing security agencies of not arresting the perpetrators after submitting their names to the police and describing the incident as unfortunate, they call on the media to be fair in their reportage.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday, granted an interview to some journalists in Enugu. Kanu was in Enugu to receive awards from a number of pan-Igbo groups, including the Igbo Women Assembly, the Eastern Consultative Assembly and the Igbo Students Union. Justice Binta Nyako had barred Kanu from granting interviews, and being in gatherings of more than 10 persons, when she granted the IPOB leader bail.

Asked if he was not worried that he could be re-arrested for flouting the bail conditions by granting the interview, Kanu said the court cannot stop him from speaking. He said he was only responding to questions asked him by journalists. According to him, refusing to respond to the questions would be seen as a sign of arrogance on his part. He said, “I am replying you. That is what I am doing. I am not giving an interview, I am responding to the question you asked me. “The judge is a very learned fellow. She cannot stop me from speaking.”

Kanu added that President Muhammadu Buhari and the Department of State Services were the ones that are guilty of flouting court orders.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has dismissed three policemen from the Nigeria Police Force for their involvement in illegal arrest and detention of some people. The dismissed personnel; AP.No 136005 Inspr. Okelue Nkemeonye, F/No. 355897 Sgt. Braimoh Sunday and F/No. 359928 Sgt. Yusuf Olukoga were attached to Area Command Ijede-Ikorodu under Lagos State Command. The personnel who were armed pretended to be Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) harassed their victims and collected N200,000 from them before they were released.

In a statement in Abuja Monday by the Officer in charge of Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), Abayomi Shogunle stated that the personnel tagged their victims Internet fraudsters ‘Yahoo Yahoo boys. Shogunle said investigation revealed that they policemen collected N90,000 through ATM withdrawal and N110,000 through mobile bank money transfer to a third party account provided by the policemen.

Shogunle said the officers were found guilty and dismissed after they appeared at Orderly Room trial at the Zone Two Command Headquarters, Onikan-Yaba, Lagos.

Fifteen political parties registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission have formed alliance with the name, Coalition for a New Nigeria, CNN. Leaders of the various political parties announced the development at a press briefing in Abuja.

Following the success recorded by the political parties that merged to produce the ruling All Progressive Congress in 2015, these leaders of different political parties are now taking the same steps by forming alliance ahead of 2019 General Elections.

With this Union of fifteen political parties, the leaders say the Coalition is out to bring the change, Nigerians are yearning for.