Lagos—A 17-year-old house maid, Esther Abiodun, who was alleged to have poured hot water on her employer, Alhaja Dupe Iba Agba, while she was asleep, was yesterday re-arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court.

THE unfolding political drama in Rivers State is, no doubt, a worrisome distraction not only to the dramatis personae and their henchmen but also to the entire polity. Its festering dimension as we follow the intrigues and name-calling portrays us as an unserious lot who see politics and political power as avenues to lay claim to some fiendish acclaim. It is depressing as a recurring negative of our democracy and why the political system is fraught with many challenges, yearning for overhauling.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an access to information request to the President, World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim urging him to “exercise the Bank’s prerogative to release documents relating to spending of recovered assets stolen by Late General Sani Abacha”.

AMERICAN and Western European experts predicted that Nigeria will disintegrate in 2015. With the political desperation and frenzy that marked the political campaigns of the 2015 presidential election, many thought that Nigeria was at the point of the predicted 2015 disintegration. Surprisingly, the election took place without the much anticipated violence.

When President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office about five months ago, security was top on the priority of his administration as he immediately gave assurance to tackle the lingering security challenges with all the seriousness they deserve. And soon enough the new government was to take far-reaching decisions in this regard.

Akure—Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF and chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Samuel Oluyemisi Falae, yesterday received the shock of his life on his 77th birthday as gunmen numbering over 20 invaded his farm in Ilado village, Akure North area of Ondo state and abducted him.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, yesterday, confirmed the death of 20 Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during this year’s Hajj.

ABUJA—Barely three months after the Catholic Church of Annunciation, Kubwa, was upgraded as a Parish by the Archdiocese of Abuja, suspected armed robbers stormed it and carted away valuable equipment and a Toyota Camry.

ABUJA—Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Charles Soludo, and former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, were yesterday sighted at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, filling visitors’ forms on their way to the office of Alhaji Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Abuja—The Nigeria Army has approved the promotion of 5,000 soldiers fighting insurgents in the North-East and others involved in other operations, as part of steps to boost their morale.