Author: Khadijah Olowode

The Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of Zenith, Providus and Jaiz banks, on Tuesday, 9 January, 2024, honoured the invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to hand over documents relating to accounts operated by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the anti-graft agency. A source from the Agency confirmed that the bank Czars, departed the Abuja headquarters of the anti-graft agency after the documents were handed over. Multiple sources close to the banks, EFCC and the Presidency, clarified that the banks documents were requested by the anti-graft agency, to help in its ongoing investigation, into alleged financial impropriety…

Zenith Bank PLC, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, has dismissed as entirely untrue reports on the purported arrest of its Group Managing Director, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, in a section of the media. The reports had claimed Dr Onyeagwu was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with alleged fraud at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. The foremost lender however clarified that the GMD was neither arrested nor detained by the EFCC or any other anti-graft agency, adding that he is currently fulfilling his duties and responsibilities as the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc.…

Justice J. O Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja, has slated the commencement of trial of a former Minister of Power and Steel Development, Olu Agunloye for February 12, 2024. Agunloye is standing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on seven-count charges bordering on fraudulent award of contract and official corruption to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion US Dollars) contrary to and punishable under Section 22(4) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. At Thursday, January 11, 20223’s session which was to determine his bail application, filed by his counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN,…

The Federal authorities have been charged to be more proactive and do necessary follow-up on its attempts to cut costs, and not just stop at making statements that may become ineffective, but should diligently pursue its plans across different government layers to make an impact. Laolu Akande, a veteran journalist and former presidential aide gave the charge featuring on the Channels TV’s news documentary programme, Sunrise Daily, on Thursday, 11 January, 2024. As he said, “I think one of the things that everybody seems to agree on is that we need to cut the cost of governance which has been…

In a game-changing partnership, Unilever Personal Care brands: Rexona, Axe and Dove have been announced as the official sponsors of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 andTotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024. The partnership with CAF was spearheaded by Unilever International, Unilever’s Global Business Unit and Unilever’s Personal Care Business Group. This association makes Unilever the exclusive Personal Care Consumer Goods partner for the two tournaments, with the company working closely with CAF on a range of football initiatives across a selection of African countries over the duration of the agreement. The TotalEnergies CAF…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, 11 January, 2024, said that his administration will continue to create a conducive and an enabling environment for investors with great ideas to move the state forward irrespective of political affiliations or differences. The Governor equally maintained that the state government would continue to encourage youths in the state, noting that the future of Nigeria rests on its youths. Governor Makinde stated this while commissioning the Omoluabi FM in Ibadan. He said that due to his administration’s commitment to creating an environment where businesses can thrive, the number of radio stations he met…

The Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), has called for greater collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to check fraudulent malpractices in the real estate sector in the state. This call was made in Lagos on Wednesday, 10 January, 2024 by the Special Adviser on Housing, Ms. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare , while on a courtesy visit to the Lagos Zonal Commander o of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Michael T. Wetkas. Odunuga-Bakare said the visit was meant to seek greater collaboration with the Commission, adding that “Our agency was created by the government to register, monitor…

Trial continued, on Thursday, 11 January, 2023, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022: FRN v. Ali Bello & Anor, before Justice J. K Omotosho at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division. The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, continued the Examination-in-chief of its 2nd Witness in the matter, Edward Bananda who gave evidence of financial transactions of the Kogi State Government and the Kogi State Government House Administration. He testified as to inflow and outflow with respect to the Government House Account, which were cash withdrawals and transfers from the account. In all of the evidence given by the witness, no…

Justice A.A Bello of the Kaduna State High court sitting in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced one Idris Musa to ten years imprisonment for Automated Teller Machine, ATM fraud. He was jailed on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 after pleading guilty to one- count charge bordering on cheating, upon his arraignment by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC. The one- count charge reads: “you, Idris Musa, sometimes in July, 2022 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced one Idris Ismail by swapping his Zenith Bank ATM card under the guise of helping him withdraw money, an…

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has rallied the support of the international community for local value addition in the mining sector, asserting that it is critical for the development of the mining industry and Africa’s economy. Speaking as a panellist at the opening session of the ongoing Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, titled ” Why the Super Region? Should the Super Region Have Its Own Critical Minerals Strategy?” Alake stressed that as the world strives to achieve net zero environmental impact in all processes of mining operations, emphasis should shift to local value…

By Temitope Ajayi With the increasing demand for blue-collar workers in Europe,, North America and Asia, the Federal Government, through the Industrial Training Fund, is now working to up the skills of artisans in Nigeria which, in turn, would boost the nation’s economy through skilled manpower and labour export. Of recent, Denmark, Germany, UAE, Estonia, United Kingdom, Ireland and many other countries are introducing various Visa categories to attract artisans from Africa. To boost the pool of local artisans with proficiency in in-demand skills, President Bola Tinubu has mandated the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to retrain and ensure 20million artisans…

Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the third respondent in the governorship election case in Ogun State, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, has described the document most relied upon in the Petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as an orphan and dubious. Oyetibo, made the remarks at the hearing of the case on Thursday, 11 January, 2024 at the Supreme Court in Abuja, citing Section 179 and added that the position of the Lead Cousel to PDP, Chris Uche, SAN, that the Governorship Election of 18th March in the State was wrongly and unlawfully concluded could not be…

A former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Willie Obiano, has showered encomiums on former Chief of Army Staff, Gen TY Buratai rtd, for his efforts to secure the country and foster unity among the ethnic groups. Obiano who spoke at his country home in Aguleri after the conferment of the highest title of ‘The Warrior That Leads His Troops To Battle’ (Ochiagha Dike Eji Eje Ogu) on Buratai, said his people will be eternally grateful for the support of Gen Buratai for helping to stem insecurity in Anambra State. He, however, explained that the chieftaincy title comes with a lot…

The Chief Executive Officer of Royal Hajj and Umrah Services, Prince Saidi Ayorinde has described the appointment of ex- Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State, Prince Anofiu Elegushi as right peg in the right hole. Prince Ayorinde made this disclosure while reacting to the appointment of Elegusi which was announced on Wednesday, 10 January, 2024. While congratulating the new appointee, the Royal Hajj and Umurah Services boss said was confirmation of good performance in Lagos State when he served as the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Amrul Hajj. “Congratulations to our immediate past Amiru-l-Hajj in Lagos State and ex-Commissioner…

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has said that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has no case to answer regarding the contract awarded to a company linked to him by suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu. Sani, in a chat with The Whistler, said Tunji-Ojo did not violate any public service law since he resigned from the company years ago. ”It could have been a conflict of interest if he hadn’t resigned,” he said. The Senator further said it is “not his ministry (that awarded contracts), and companies have the right to pursue businesses anywhere. “Edu’s case is…

By Ganiu Bamgbose, PhD In a recent publication by some Nigerian newspapers, it was mentioned that the Minister of Education in Nigeria, Tahir Mamman, declared that “the Federal Government said more countries, including Uganda, Kenya and Niger Republic will be sanctioned following the suspension of accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo”. The minister further said “We will not stop at the suspension of certificates from Togo and Benin Republic alone. We are going to extend the suspension to other countries where such institutions operate.” While this is a good move as one would assume, the…

A staff of a new generation bank, Globus Bank has been found dead in one of the toilets of the Ikorodu branch of the bank, reports thegazellenews.com The staff, Amarachi Ugochukwu, 32 years old, was a marketing staff of the bank. The incident took place on Monday, 8 January, 2024. The deceased died on suspicion of suicide with a suicide note later in her diary. She was discovered to have gone missing from her desk which was unusual and a search party was conducted and her lifeless body was eventually discovered in one of the toilets of the bank with a…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new board and management team for the National Hajj Commission (NAHCOM), pending confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. One of the newly appointed members, according to a release by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, is the immediate pass Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State, Anofiu Elegusi who is nominated as Commissioner in charge of Operations. Others appointed by the President, apart from Elegusi, are: Jalal Arabi, Chairman (In Office); Aliu Abdulrazaq, Commissioner, Policy, Personnel, & Finance; and Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal, Commissioner, Planning…

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has taken an important step in strengthening the nation’s fight against corruption by initiating a high-level meeting with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demonstrating ICPC’s commitment to fighting corruption through enhanced inter-agency collaboration. The meeting, held at the headquarters of the EFCC on Tuesday, had in attendance the Chairmen and management staff of the two anti-graft agencies and was aimed to deepen mutual cooperation and synergize efforts for greater impact in Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive, and discuss other areas of collaborations. …

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has assented to the 2024 appropriation bill of N358.7 billion passed by Borno State House of Assembly with an adjustment amounting to N18.1 billion With the increase in the budget size, the revised capital expenditure now stands at over N208.4 billion while the revised recurrent expenditure is N150.4 billion. The revised appropriation bill was presented by the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, to the Governor at the council chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri on Wednesday, 10 January, 2024. Speaking at the event, Zulum charged heads of agencies and…