by Oge Okonkwo

 Okonjo Iweala explains why charges were dropped against Abacha -Premium Times

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday constituted an inter-ministerial committee to manage the €167 million (about N36 billion) expected to be returned to Nigeria from the government of the Principality of Liechtenstein as part of the looted funds recovered from the Abacha family.

The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, confirmed on Thursday in Abuja that Nigeria would receive the recovered funds, latest by June 25.

She also explained that the federal government withdrew the N100 billion stolen funds charges against Mohammed Abacha, son of Sani Abacha, to ease the return of the N36 billion.

Court orders lawmakers to halt probe of Alison-Madueke -Premium Times

An Abuja Federal High Court on Thursday restrained the National Assembly from proceeding with its proposed probe of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The House of Representatives had summoned the minister to appear before its committee investigating her alleged spending of N10 billion on a chartered aircraft.

The minister and the NNPC, first and second plaintiffs, however, filed a suit seeking to stop the lawmakers from embarking on the probe.

Work begins on 2nd Niger Bridge – Official

Preliminary works have commenced on the construction of the long awaited Second River Niger Bridge in Anambra.

The Chairman of the construction firm – Julius Berger- retired AVM Nurudeen Imam, said this in Abuja at the company’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday.

Imam said the company successfully entered the Public Private Partnership (PPP) market and was selected as preferred bidder for the second River Niger Bridge project. Read more….

FG to receive N37bn Abacha’s loot in June 25

The Federal Government will  receive 227 million dollars (about N37 billion) from the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein being part of looted funds recovered from the Abacha family.

Principality of Liechtenstein is a small country in Central Europe, bordered by Austria to the East of Switzerland. It is one of the oldest jurisdictions in offshore assets.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance, Mr Paul Nwabuikwu on Thursday in Abuja. Read more….

Beat Bosnia, Okonji-Iweala begs Eagles

Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has charged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to beat Bosnia in their next round of game in the ongoing World Cup tournament in Brazil.

According to the Minister, Nigeria could still make it even after the draw with Iran Monday.

In a one liner statement on her Facebook page sent by her Media Adviser Mr. Paul Nwabuko, Okonjo-Iweala said, “Go, Nigeria! We can still do it. Bosnia, here we come!” Read more….

– See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/06/beat-bosnia-okonji-iweala-begs-eagles/#sthash.QfBMtDTu.dpuf