on Friday, at least 79 "enemies" and 8 soldiers were killed during the bloodiest day of unrest in months in Burundi according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP).  

Scenes Of Violence In BurundiIB Times

The fighting left the capital, Bujumbura, pockmarked with bullet holes and strewn with bodies.  

The fighting started when unidentified gunmen attacked three military installations. The offensive earned a severe response from the Burundian security services. The violence is the worst the East African nation has witnessed since the unrest began after President Pierre Nkurunziza’s illegal bid for a third term in May.

Eyewitnesses told the AFP that Burundian soldiers were seen dragging random young men from their homes, in supposed opposition strongholds throughout Bujumbura, and then executing the men on the spot.

In a statement after the clashes, army spokesman Colonel Gaspard Baratuza said that only “enemies” of the Burundian state and soldiers were killed in the clashes. However, many residents of Bujumbura believe the security services committed extrajudicial killings.

These residents informed AFP that several bodies had their arms tied behind their back, and were apparently killed with a single shot through the skull.

Despite the number of bodies in the streets, and evidence that the army may have engaged in mass executions supporters of the government exuberantly held marches in Bujumbura on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the security services were busy disposing of as many bodies as possible. The military claimed they were merely removing the bodies to avoid the spread of disease. However, several residents believe that the army was attempting to cover up the evidence of a massacre.

At the request of France the United Nations (UN) Security Council met on Friday to discuss the most recent outbreak of violence in Burundi. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called upon all parties involved to hold back from further violence.

Samantha Power, the American ambassador to the UN, warned that the Security Council was prepared to “consider additional measures” against powerbrokers in Burundi.

Prior to the most recent attacks, roughly 240 people were believed to have been killed due to the political violence wracking Burundi.  

06:10

On Friday night, the Federal Government (FG) released a circular calling upon all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to remit 80% of their operational surpluses to the Consolidated Revenue Fund account, according to Punch Newspaper.

Minister of Finance Kemi AdeosunDaily Gist

The order allegedly originated from the office of the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun. The order also called upon all MDAs to reduce operating costs as much as possible, in keeping with President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to reduce wasteful government expenditures.

Minister Adeosun also noted the very poor performance, thus far, of compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act by MDAs. She warned all Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of MRDs that any failure to remit the required amount of funds to the Consolidated Revenue Fund would result in their immediate sanction.

In addition, all future reviews of Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers would take into account their compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act when contemplating the renewal of their tenures.

“All revenue gathering agencies must comply with the circular and cut their costs,” Mrs. Adeosun’s statement read in part.

In order to ensure compliance with her directives, the Minister of Finance announced that every MDA was now required to submit monthly Expenditure Transcripts and Revenue Returns to the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

Sources: Sahara Reporters

06:06

Nigeria’s Dream Team VI are through to the final at the ongoing U-23 Africa Nations Cup. Etebo Oghenekaro’s strike in the 76th minute from the penalty spot ensured that Siasia’s men qualified for Rio 2016 Olympics.

09:48

Hearing on the N44.5m fraud allegation against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, was stalled at the House of Representatives again on Wednesday.

It was the second time within one week that the hearing was stalled by the petitioners, Anti-Corruption Network.

The House Committee on Public Petitions, which is chaired by a lawmaker from Abia State, Mr. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, is handling the investigation.

At the first hearing date of December 3, Anti-Corruption Network failed to turn up, a development which forced the committee to adjourn the sitting to Wednesday.  However, Umar was present on December 3 and also appeared before the committee today.  But, as Nkem-Abonta called the case today, a representative of the petitioners, Mr. Olusegun Abeoran, rose to request another extension of time.  He claimed that the network’s brief was not ready and would take another one week for the document to get to the committee.  “We are asking for extension of time for the purpose that our brief is not ready.  “We will plead for one week to forward it to the committee,” he stated.  But, Nkem-Abonta said he took exceptions to the reasons given by Abeoran.  He reminded him that the accused CCT chairman was a busy judge and that the committee would not condone a situation whereby the judge was made to appear twice for a hearing the petitioners were not prepared to prosecute.

09:44

Media mogul Raymond Dokpesi has been formally arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count charge which includes money laundering.Raymond Dokpesi

Dokpesi, the Chairman of DAAR Communications, owners of African Independent Television, AIT and Raypower, was earlier invited and arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, over money disbursed by the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Shortly after he took his plea, Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordered that he be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of his bail application by 12:30pm on Thursday.

The prosecution led by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN),‎ accused the defendants of receiving, N2.1bn from the office of the National Security Adviser between October 2014 and March 19, 2015 for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential media campaign in breach of provisions of the Public Procurement Act, Money laundering Act and the EFCC Act.

Justice Kolawole has fixed trial for February 17, 18 and March 2 and 3.

09:26

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, says he does not regret supporting President Muhammadu Buhari during the electioneering, adding that Nigeria would not have survived four more years of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s rule.Wole SoyinkaPunch NG

Soyinka added that the revelation of stolen loot such as the arms purchase fraud justified his position that Nigeria was being run aground by the last administration.

The Nobel laureate said this during a programme titled, ‘Channels Book Club’ on Channels Television on Tuesday.

The playwright confessed that he used to have a bad impression of Buhari who he once described as a “devil for whom in my calculation, no spoon existed long enough to justify the risk even of an impromptu snack.”

However, Soyinka said many of his trusted companions were able to convince him during the electioneering that Buhari had changed and that the highhandedness that characterised his military rule in the 1980s could not be repeated during a democratic rule.

He said, “We were left with two credible contestants in terms of catchment area for the nation. We had reached, in my view, the bottom. I became convinced that if this country underwent four more years under President Jonathan, the country would run aground completely. I looked at the record and said this cannot go on, this has to stop.

“Then I looked at this man who had contested elections three times before and said he would not contest anymore and then decided to throw his hat in the ring. I talked to people and I said do you know what you’re doing?

“And after weighing all the options, I said let’s try a new one. And since in electoral terms, he was the one, I guardedly, with reservations, announced that no, not a continuation under Jonathan.

“And so very reluctantly, I want this on record, because I made it quite clear, I weighed the two of them and I said this nation stands a better chance under Buhari. And what has been coming out now? Look at all that has been coming out? Look at the figures (loot) which virtually hammer one into the ground just the sheer enormity of the robbery of this nation that is getting exposed progressively. It shows that we did not make a bad choice.”

When asked if he was completely satisfied with Buhari’s six months in office, Soyinka said, “Not totally but Buhari has proven that there is such a thing as a born again democrat.”

Asked his opinion of the recent pro-Biafran agitations, Soyinka said there was a need for the government to meet with pro-Biafran groups to understand the real problem.

The playwright said the government should convoke a fresh National Conference which would address the feelings of pro-Biafran elements.

The octogenarian said the government could not wish away with idea of Biafra because ideas could not be killed.

He said the government should treat the matter dispassionately as there was nothing evil about secession. He noted that Nigeria even ceded the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroun.

Soyinka said, “So, let us sit down, let us talk once again about restructuring the nation in a way that no one will want to leave. The agitations, for me, are not surprising. It was expected that it would happen sooner or later.

“So, I am referring to a genuine and authentic National Conference. Not like the one that former President Olusegun Obasanjo called which was meant to try to perpetuate himself in office.

“The one under Jonathan was extensive; it covered lots and lots of ground. It proposed some far-reaching changes, not far-reaching for me, but far-reaching. It is about time we went back to efforts like that; genuine ones like that.”

PunchNg

09:23

Upcoming Artistes in Nigeria

The artiste for the week is EclipseMsx

Be on the look out for new sound something different from the typical Nigerian Music

The Moon and Stars Ep

01- Intro
Download Intro
02- Bank Digits
Download Bank Digits
03- Be my Friend Skit
Download Be My Friend Skit
04- Be My Friend
Download Be My Friend
05- Ass
Download Ass
06- I'm here Bro
Download I'm Here Bro
07- Live
Download Live


Its a nice mix compilation although he still has a lot to learn he did  a nice job.
My favourite track on this mixtape is 'Be My Friend'

20:08

According to sahara reporters, no less than five people have been killed in a twin suicide attack in the remote villages in Borno State, according to vigilante sources.

The first suicide bombing took place in Kimba village of Biu Local Government Area (LGA) at 8:30am, which reportedly killed two people.

The second suicide bombing took place at 12 noon in Sabon Gari, which is reported to have killed three people.

According to a Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) member from Biu, ''a male detonated a bomb (in Biu) killing an elderly man along with him.''

SaharaReporters will provide updates and official confirmation as made available.

09:49

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This organization is committed to resolve the issue of the people without discrimination. Lots of past records and partners. To participate call us on 08089420302,08188305057.or visit our office at Road 2 suit C212 ikota shopping complex.VGC Ajah lagos state.

https://www.facebook.com/JoyOfTheWholeEarth/

09:48

A source at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has linked former Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State and a once convicted top member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, with receiving N100 million each from the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (ret.).Bode George and Peter odiliThe EFCC source told SaharaReporters that the largess to the two PDP officials was diverted from funds meant for the purchase of arms in order to better equip the Nigerian military in its campaign against Islamist terror group, Boko Haram. 

Instead, the N200 million paid to the two PDP stalwarts was designed to ensure the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost the presidential election held on March 28th, 2015.

A panel appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari is currently investigating the reported theft of more than $2 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the name of purchasing arms. Mr. Dasuki, who was arrested yesterday, initially claimed he stole no funds, adding that Mr. Jonathan approved all his expenses related to arms deals. However, his position changed after he was confronted with the statement written by his former director of finance, Shuaibu Salisu who had squealed on all those involved in the scam to investigators.

Nigerian law enforcement agents have so far arrested twenty-one persons in relation to the arms purchase scandal. Those under detention or arrest include former senior staff of the office of the National Security Adviser, a former state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, and the owner of African Independent Television (AIT) network, Raymond Dokpesi. All the arrested suspected are being interrogated in connection with money laundering. 

Yesterday, the former NSA, Mr. Dasuki, joined the other suspects at the offices of the EFCC. Agents of the Department of State Services (DSS) handed Mr. Dasuki over to EFCC operatives who have begun questioning him on how he allegedly diverted funds meant for arms purchase into Mr. Jonathan’s re-election campaign.
 
An EFCC investigator told SaharaReporters that some of the detained suspects were now providing useful information after almost all of them initially exhibited resistance. 

AIT proprietor, Mr. Dokpesi, openly admitted that he received funds from the NSA to run publicity for the Jonathan and PDP campaigns. An official of the EFCC told SaharaReporters that it was “unbelievable for the NSA [National Security Adviser] to be the person allocating money for political campaigns.” 

Mr. Bafarawa, whose detention was approved by a court order, has stated that he received N4.6 billion from Mr. Dasuki for “spiritual purposes.” Our EFCC source said their agents were still questioning the former governor to explain what was meant by “spiritual purposes.” 

Our source revealed that Mr. Odili and Mr. George “may soon be invited to explain why they received N100 million each from funds budgeted for arms purchase.” 

Those still in EFCC detention as of last night are as follows: Shuaibu Salisu, Abba MT Usman, Sagir Attahiru, Evegny Kundaev, Aminu Baba Kusa, Salisu Usman Garu, Bashir Yuguda, and Attahiru Bafarawa. Mr. Dokpesi was released last night after meeting bail conditions.

The case of Bode George is instructive, at a thanksgiving service held by him after his release from prison in 2011 in Lagos a Lagosian priest delivering a sermon entitled, ‘A minister and a witness,’ Venerable Tayo Aduloju  had this to say according to Punch newspaper: “If you are involved in any shady deal; if you are found anywhere elections are rigged; and partake in any form of manipulation, it means you have not learnt anything from your experience. Real power belongs to God. It does not belong to PDP. It does not belong to any president.

“As from today, you are expected to represent Christ. You are an ambassador of Christ. Never again will the name of God be soiled through you.”

Mr. Aduloju also charged politicians to shun thuggery, rigging, and avarice so as to return the country on the path of decency.

He said, “Shun thuggery. Shun violence. Shun greed. Shun rigging and whatever that can cause trouble.”

 Mr. George later denounced this priest at a press conference.

09:45