news bits

EFCC-PEF

THE Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri, on Thursday, gave a seven-day ultimatum to individuals who received vehicles and money from the Police Equipment Foundation to return them or face prosecution.

The EFCC boss in a statement in Lagos by the agency’s head of media and publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi issued the ultimatum while being briefed by the agency‘s Director of Operations, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin on the progress made so far on the controversial PEF funds.

The commission further said that the development was in connection with its ongoing investigation into the activities of the defunct PEF.

The statement also said that beneficiaries who failed to return the vehicles and money they received from PEF would be arrested and prosecuted


CHINESE COMPUTER FACTORY

Chinese firm, Spur Group, has concluded plans to establish a multi-million dollar factory that would produce computing hardwares and softwares in Nigeria.

The investment is expected to lead to the production of cheaper and affordable computers in the country.

Speaking in Abuja recently, General Manager of Spur Group, Mr. Yang Ming assured that the company decided to invest in Nigeria because of the cordial investment climate and similarities of developmental challenges of the two countries.

He said his firm was one of the three top IT firms that is spreading e-government IT enterprises in China. According to him, the firm currently has a foothold in South Africa but would be glad to also build a manufacturing plant of both hardware and software in Nigeria at the end of its business tourism.

MILITANTS ATTACK

Nigeria’s biggest offshore facility, Royal Dutch Shell’s Bonga field, was shut down yesterday following an attack on the oil field by militants.

Offshore facilities are hitherto thought to be safe from militant attacks.

Located 120 kilometres (75 miles) offshore, Bonga oil field has a daily production capacity of 200,000 barrels of oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas.

The militants, numbering about 20, who were said to have operated in three speedboats, also kidnapped a United States citizen, Captain Jack Stone, a staff of Tidex, an offshore company.

OMEHIA WEEPS

Former Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Celestine Omehia yesterday insisted that Governor Rotimi Amaechi remains his blood brother and would always wish him well.

He disclosed that the reconciliation between him and the governor has to go beyond the public accusation, saying two of them and their wives must a have a private discussion.

Omehia had hardly finished the statement when he began to cry and for a moment he had to stop to mop tears, lamenting the inhuman treatment meted out to his parents was a way to deal with him.