These are the top stories you should be monitoring today.
The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Wednesday described Nigerian senators as people who are trying to blackmail him into perverting the course of justice.
Idris, who refused to honour two previous summons by the Senate, said he failed to appear for a third time Wednesday because he found no reason to do so, having learnt that the invitation was “a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting, unfortunate and mischievous” on the part of senators.
The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has defended the agency’s N24 billion new office, brushing aside criticisms about the huge cost, and claiming it is a modest amount for a building that should cost N100 billion.
Magu on Wednesday took strong exception to the scrutiny that followed the EFCC’s completion of the new headquarters in Abuja.
The 10-floor building is about 95 per cent completed as at May 9, and is expected to serve as the operating base for the anti-graft body.
The Nigerian Police, Taraba Command Wednesday, confirmed the death of nine persons in early morning attacks on Tutuwa community in Ussa Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, David Misal, told journalists that a yet-to-be identified armed militia must have carried out the deadly attack.
Rimansikwe Karma, the Chairman of Ussa Local Government Council, while also confirming the attack to newsmen, added that three people were injured.
Some of the members of the nPDP – the group, tagged ‘New PDP’ or ‘nPDP’ made of key members of the PDP – that played major roles in victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections and are still members of the party, have written to the national chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, alleging that they are being sidelined in the APC.
The aggrieved members said despite their contributions to the APC victory in 2015, the party “never recognised them or gave them appointments.”
Some of the members of the nPDP were Senate President Bukola Saraki; ex-Governor Danjuma Goje of Gombe; ex-Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano; and ex-Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto.
The former Governor of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday announced that he would declare his bid for the national chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Thursday.
He told journalists in Benin that President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, would join top members of the party at the occasion.
And… stories from around the world.
Arizona Senator John McCain has announced he does not support Gina Haspel‘s nomination to lead the CIA citing “her role in overseeing the use of torture.”
I believe Gina Haspel is a patriot who loves our country & has devoted her professional life to its service & defense. However, her role in overseeing the use of torture is disturbing & her refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying. https://t.co/ocDtdqU2Sx
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) May 10, 2018
US President Donald Trump has been claimed to have dealt a major blow to Iran‘s already struggling economy.
Trump’s decision to walk away from the nuclear deal is likely to cost Iran billions in foreign investment, slash growth, deter tourists and deprive its citizens of business opportunities.
“This is a setback on many levels,” said Hassan Hakimian, director of the London Middle East Institute at SOAS. “It is bound to be disappointing in terms of the impact on the economic prospects for Iran, and particularly the youth.”
Iran and Israel have appeared to edge closer to all-out war after Israel’s military said its positions in the Golan Heights were fired at with a barrage of Iranian rockets, prompting it to respond with extensive strikes targeting Tehran’s forces across Syria.
The attack, if confirmed, would mark the first time Iran has fired rockets in a direct strike on Israeli forces, dramatically ratcheting up what has for years been a conflict fought through proxies.
Several but not all of the Iranian rockets were intercepted by Israeli defences, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman, Lt Col Jonathan Conricus, told newsmen.
Italy’s scandal-tainted former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has given his blessing for his coalition partner, the League, to attempt to form a government with the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S).
The 81-year-old’s presence had been the sticking point preventing the two parties from breaking a political deadlock that followed inconclusive national elections in March.
Mahathir Mohamad is on course to become the world’s oldest elected leader at 92, after a shock victory in Malaysia‘s bitterly fought election.
The former PM came out of retirement and switched to the opposition to take on his one-time protégé Najib Razak, beset by corruption allegations.
His historic win has ousted the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which has been in power since independence in 1957.
Najib has said he will “accept the verdict of the people”.
Omoleye Omoruyi… an apprentice web/game developer, novelist, sensitive to happenings in the world. Meet him @Lord_rickie on Twitter/Instagram
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