South Africa has promised to return the $15 million arms deal money it earlier seized from Nigeria. The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Myakayaka Manzini, who featured in a programme on African International Television, AIT, “Matters Arising”, yesterday, said the process of refunding the money was already on.

Cameroon’s President Mr Paul Biya vowed, yesterday, that his government would go after the Islamist group Boko Haram “until it is totally wiped out”. His Nigerian counterpart, President Goodluck Jonathan, on his part, was confident that the activities of insurgents and other cross-border criminals will soon be drastically curtailed with the intensification of joint patrols, military operations and intelligence sharing by Nigeria and neighbouring countries as agreed by their leaders in Niamey last week.

THE Presidency, yesterday, opened up on the controversy surrounding the seizure by South Africa of Nigeria’s $15m meant for the purchase of arms for the Nigeria Intelligence Service.

The National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has cancelled all endorsements of candidates by the state executive officers.

THE political climate in Adamawa State changed dramatically yesterday, when embattled Deputy Governor, James Bala Ngilari was sworn in as governor.

South Africa’s seizure of another $5.7m for the purchase of arms by Nigeria has sparked off war of words between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. While the APC accused President Jonathan of embarrassing the country in global community, the PDP has declared that it is solidly behind the president.

Three weeks after South Africa confiscated $9.3m belonging to the Federal Government over an alleged illegal arms deal, the South African authorities have seized another $5.7m arms money from Nigeria.

There were indications, weekend, that the Army High Command has ordered the arrest and detention of a Brigadier-General attached to the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army (names with-held) over allegations of negligence that gave Boko Haram terrorists an opportunity to overrun some communities in Borno State recently.

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, said that he would place greater interests of national unity, harmony, and cohesion before giving appropriate response on the calls by various groups and individuals for him to contest the 2015 election. This was contained in his Eid-El-Kabir message to Nigerians.

Ninety-seven soldiers including four Lieutenant Colonels, a Major and four captains were, yesterday, charged with offences ranging from mutiny, conduct prejudicial to good orders, assault and Absence Without Leave, AWOL, to house breaking, contrary to service discipline.

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, on the occasion of the country’s 54th independence anniversary gave his administration a passmark for delivering on most indicators of good governance.

On the occasion of the country’s 54th Independence Anniversary today, leaders from across the country have expressed optimism on the realisation of the dream of the country’s founding fathers despite present challenges.

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday for the first time spoke on the controversial $9.3m cash allegedly smuggled into South Africa by two Nigerians and an Israeli using his private jet. The money which has been confiscated by a South African court was meant for the purchase of arms for the Nigerian Intelligence Services. This is just as the #BringBackOurGirls# campaign group, has said it will soon drag the CAN president and the Federal Government to court over the money.

President Goodluck Jonathan said, yesterday, that the fight against Boko Haram terrorists has taken so long because Nigerians were not yet fully united to fight the menace.

The sanctity of the judicial arm of government was violated, yesterday, as political thugs invaded the Ekiti State High Court premises, beating up a high court judge and tearing his suit.