Video - Iranian jailed for trafficking arms to Nigeria

An Iranian and a Nigerian national have been convicted of shipping arms to the Gambia through Nigeria. But, as our correspondent reports from the Nigerian capital, the court has not presented substantial evidence to link the two men with the weapons.

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15 Russians in prison over alleged gun smuggling

Video - Sharia police in Nigeria smash 240,000 bottles of beer

Police enforcing Islamic law in Nigeria's city of Kano publicly destroyed some 240,000 bottles of beer on Wednesday, the latest move in a wider crackdown on behaviour deemed "immoral" in the area.

Switzerland returns Sani Abacha's loot

 Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Dr. Hans-Rudolf Hodel, yesterday said all the $700 million in Swiss bank accounts belonging to the late head of state General Sani Abacha have been returned to Nigeria.

Hodel said this at a news conference in Abuja. He added that Swiss and Nigerian governments have agreed to request the World Bank to participate in the review of the use of the funds on welfare projects.

"Regarding Sani Abacha, Switzerland has restituted and returned $700 million of illicit assets to Nigeria," he said.

The ambassador said in addition to the return of the funds, Switzerland also funded a project of an NGO network which monitored the use of the recovered monies in the various development projects.

On the case against the late Abacha's son Abba, Hodel said proceedings over support of a criminal organisation were still pending in Geneva.

He added: "There are special procedures to deal with foreign clients who are PEPs (politically-exposed persons). Swiss banks must put clients into different risk categories. They might decide not to start business relationship with a PEP because of the reputation risk involved. Swiss banks are obliged by law to report well-founded suspicions of criminal activity and simultaneously freeze the assets in question."

When asked on a recent report on Swiss traders involved in opaque $6.8 billion oil deals in Nigeria, the envoy said they have not received any formal request regarding that.

"I have no knowledge that we have been contacted by the authorities. In case they will start proceedings and they will need our help, of course with international legal cooperation we will help them if they approach us. But until now, they have not approached us," he said.

Daily Trust

Victor Moses is Nigeria's footballer of the year

Victor Moses was yesterday named the Nigerian Footballer of the Year,2013. He was conferred with the honour by the Nigerian Sports Award. Moses defeated John Obi Mikel and Sunday Mba who were the other nominees for the award.

In an elaborate ceremony at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi was presented with the Nigerian Coach of the Year award while Perpetual Nkwocha of the Super Falcons won the female footballer of the year.

Ball Sports Personality of the year award was won by Portugal based Nigeria table tennis international Aruna Quadri. He defeated Olumide Oyedeji and Ike Diogu, both of De Tigers.

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari won the sports administrator of the year award. He dedicated the award to every Nigerian.

Blessing Okagbare won the Track and Field Star of the Year award while junior athlete Divine Oduduru won the discovery of the year award.

Meanwhile, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of DeltaState also won the Sports Governor of the Year Award. Uduaghan who was present in the hall received the award and said the other nominees, Governors Liyel Imoke of CrossRiver and Babatunde Fashola of LagosState were equally winners.

"I am aware that all the other governors are equally doing a lot in terms of grassroots development. The way we are going, Nigeria will win at least one gold medal at the next Olympics," an elated Uduaghan said.

Mikel Obi however won the Sports man of the year award while Blessing Okagbare won the sports woman of the year award.

Vanguard

Video - Nigerian forces battle growing drug use

Drug abuse is on the rise in Nigeria, prompting the state to interfere. Police have arrested more than 1500 people for drug offences in the past two years. With experts pointing fingers at poverty, more focus is cast on rehabilitation and support.