Author: Khadijah Olowode

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A Federal High Court in Abuja presided by Justice Donatus Okorowo has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from prosecuting the suspended Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, over his declaration of Aisha Dahiru, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as Governor in the March 18 poll. Okorowo gave the order on Monday, 10 July, 2023 after Mr Michael Aondoaka, SAN, counsel to Dahiru, moved the ex-parte motion to the effect. In the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/935/2023, the APC candidate in the poll, sued INEC, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and another as respondents.…

The Federal Government on Monday, 10 July, 2023 arraigned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu and nine others before an Ogun State High court. Sitting in Abeokuta for vote buying. Adebutu, who was charged in absentia has been on the run from law. It would be recalled that Adebutu, some months ago, sneaked out of the country, following allegations of electoral malpractices and money laundering preferred against him and his party by the Federal Government. The All progressives Congress (APC), through its Ogun State Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, had written…

Death hit the Alimoso Local Government chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as two prominent members died within hours of each other early Monday, 10 July, 2023, reports thegazellenews.com The news of the demise of the immediate past Chairman of the Igando-Igando Local Council Development Area, Mrs Morenikeji Adeshina Williams came first. Popularly called Mama Willy, Mrs Williams died in London where she had gone to visit her children early Monday, 10 July, 2023. Sources told thegazellenews.com that the former Council boss did not have any complain of illness. “In actual fact, she was supposed to have returned back…

The Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District in the Upper Legislative Chamber, Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule, has urged motorists to avoid reckless driving and over-speeding to prevent avoidable auto crashes that can lead to unnecessary deaths and life-threatening injuries. Senator Adebule gave this advice via a condolence message she sent to the families of the victims of the Badagry auto-crash that claimed 14 lives including that of a four month old baby which occured on Sunday, 9 July, 2023. The Senator also condoled the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the crash and the subsequent loss of lives. “I am really…

The Code of Code Bureau, CCB, has denied reports that the Department of State Services, DSS, raided its offices to cart away incriminating documents on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his associates. The CCB, in a statement by Daniel Okafor, its Director, Education and Advocacy Services, said: “The attention of the Code of Conduct Bureau has been drawn to an online publication of Friday 7th July, 2023 in the Sahara Reporters claiming that the DSS raided offices of anti corruption agencies, specifically the CCB, ICPC and EFCC, and carted away incriminating documents affecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his associates.…

1. Our attention has been drawn to an alleged vandalization of the Campaign Office of the Social Democratic Party in Lokoja. If true, we condemn the act in its entirety as being barbaric, undemocratic and unacceptable to the people and Government of Kogi State. 2. The Kogi State Government will continue to support the freedom of anyone and everyone to aspire to positions in line with the ethos of democratic values. Attacking the Campaign Office of any political party is criminal and would not be condoned. 3. We call on security agencies in the state to investigate and apprehend perpetrators…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Pope Francis on Sunday, 9 July, 2023 disclosed that he would create 21 new cardinals from across the world at the end of September. Pope Francis made this disclosure during his weekly Sunday Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace on Saint Peter’s Square in Rome, Italy. “Their provenance expresses the universality of the Church that continues to proclaim God’s merciful love to all people on earth,” said the Pope. The consistory will be the ninth for the creation of cardinals under Pope Francis, who is in the tenth year of his papacy. His choices are…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered that Mmesomma Ejikeme, the student of Anglican Girls Secondary School, Nnewi, who has been at the centre of a JAMB score controversy, undergo counselling. In a letter to the principal of Anglican Girls Secondary School Nnewi, Soludo directed the immediate commencement of psychological counselling and therapy sessions for Ejikeme. Thegazellenews.com recalled that the student admitted on Thursday, 6 July, 2023, that she manipulated her JAMB results to arrive at 362, which was the highest in the country. Soludo directed that the 19-year-old be handed over to a Professor of…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday, 9 July, 2023 in Guinea- Bissau, emerged as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), thegazellenews.com reports. His emergence was announced at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS. The 63rd Ordinary Session summit was the first engagement of the President within the African continent since he assumed office on May 29, 2023. Immediately he emerged as ECOWAS chairman said, “We will take democracy seriously, Democracy is very tough but it is the best form of government.” Tinubu succeeds President…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have confirmed the arrest of four members of a drug syndicate, including two church officials; a female staff of a courier company and another lady, involved in trafficking the lethal opioid, fentanyl in Delta State. Spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the development on Sunday, 9 July, 2023 in a statement issued in Abuja. According to Babafemi, the bust of the fentanyl cartel operating from Warri, Delta State is coming barely a month after two members of another syndicate: Odoh Collins Oguejiofor and Oliver Chigozie Uzoma were…

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, charged all workers in the employment of the state government to recommit themselves to efficient and effective service delivery for the benefit of all Lagos residents. Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the charge at the annual interdenominational thanksgiving service for the Year 2023 Lagos State Public Service Week held at Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja with the theme: “A Transformed Life for a Greater Service ” Sanwo-Olu was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde at the thanksgiving service, which was part of the activities lined up to…

Former Presidential Aide, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa and society matriarch, Hajia Abah Folawiyo put together a private lunch in honour of Chief Mrs. Ireti Asemota to celebrate one year anniversary of the demise of her loving husband and automobile guru, the late Chief Sunny Asemota. The event held at Mama Bakassi’s highbrow restaurant, Echoes of Calabar, Victoria Island had many top society women who had been together for over 40years in attendance. For those who didn’t know, the trio of Chief Mrs. Ireti Asemota, Yetunde Onileere and Hajia Abah Folawiyo are best of friends and are never tired of each other’s…

The wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Akeredolu has announced the suspension of activities lined up for her forthcoming 70th birthday celebration. The Ondo First Lady will be 70 on July 20. There had been criticisms in some quarters about her plans to have a big celebration while her husband is in convalescence and the postponement is believed to be a reaction to the criticisms. She said in a a Twitter post on Sunday, 9 July, 2023, morning that the suspension was a result of circumstances beyond her control. The tweet reads, “Hello Family and Friends. This is…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Popular singer and photographer, Toyin Sokefun-Bello, aka TY Bello, has disclosed that she went to university just to please her mum. TY Bello said her plan was to become a “big hairstylist” after graduation, adding that she has always been creative as far back as she can remember. The minstrel, who made this disclosure while featuring as a guest on the latest episode of I Said What I Said podcast, co-hosted by FK and Jola, also added that she started writing songs at the age of 8. The ‘Land is Green exponent also disclosed that she started photography…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Sokoto State Government has set up a five-man Commission of Inquiry to probe all land allocations and government assets sold or auctioned during the administration of former Governor, Aminu Tambuwal. The committee is led by Justice M.A. Pindiga (rtd), and Secretary Nasiru Muhammed Binji. Other members of the committee are: Chief Jacob E. Ochidi, SAN; Usman Abubakar and Barrister Lema Sambo Wali. The Press Secretary to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, in a statement, noted that the committee would also ascertain the government’s bank account and the amount realized from the sales and auctions of the assets. “The…

Tragedy hit Lagos early morning of Sunday, 9 July, 2023 as an 18-seater passenger bus crashed into a stationary trailer, with all 18 passengers feared dead, reports thegazellenews.com This medium learnt that the incident occurred at a place called Agemowo, very close to Mowo, on the Lagos-Badagry highway. Thegazellenews.com learnt that the accident might have been caused by over-speeding which might have resulted in a brake failure which made the bus to crash into the stationary trailer. Sources told this medium that as at the time of writing this report, there have been no report of any survivor in the…

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has appointed Lagos State University (LASU) Professor, Basirat Olusola Oladipupo as the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology LASUSTECH), reports thegazellenews.com. Professor Oladipupo’s appointment was made public via a letter signed by the Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola. The letter was dated Wednesday, 5 July, 2023. Her letter of appointment indicated that the erudite academic and experienced scholar would serve as the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration of the newly established university based in Ikorodu. She would serve for five years: from 25 May, 2023 to 25…

The long wait for the re-opening of Eko Bridge in Lagos State has ended. The flyover is now open for vehicular traffic, 15 months after it was closed by the Federal Government for a major repair. The bridge was severely damaged at Apogbon section during a fire caused by illegal trading under it. The intensity of the inferno was said to have weakened major components and supporting pillars of the bridge, prompting its closure for extensive repair on the entire stretch. Eko Bridge is one of the three bridges linking the mainland to the Island of Lagos. The bridge’s reopening…

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday, 8 July, 2023, joined President Bola Tinubu, ex-Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd); Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and other eminent Nigerians to attend the funeral service of the founder of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Micheal Olasubomi Balogun. The funeral service, which was a Holy Communion Service, held at The Cathedral Church Of Our Saviour, Italawajoda, Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, was presided over by the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Bishop of Remo…