Author: Khadijah Olowode

Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, today adjourned hearing in a fresh 10 count charge against four bloggers: PRECIOUS EZE ‘M’ 38, OLAWALE ROTIMI ‘M’ 46, ROWLAND OLONISHUWA ‘M’ 43, and SEUN ODUNLAMI ‘M,’ 37 who were arraigned for the offences of Cyber Stalking against Guaranty Trust Holding Company, its Management and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The order of the presiding Judge was sequel to plea of not guilty by the four defendants to the 10 count charge of conspiracy to commit felony to wit: Cyber Stalking, Conspiracy to defraud and Extortion by threats…

By Rauf Aregbesola I received with shock but submission to the will of Allah the report of the demise of the Asiwaju of Osogboland, Chief Ajadi Abdulfatai Adekilekun Badmus. Chief Badmus was a great indigene of Osogbo who spent his lifetime for the development of the city. He was a household name in Osogbo, famous far and near for his piety, philanthropy, and acts of kindness. He was a devout Muslim who contributed to the advancement of Islam by building mosques and supporting Islamic programmes. A progressive at heart, he was one of the leaders in the state who identified…

Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has condemned the treatment meted out to the Super Eagles team by Libya authorities ahead of its second leg match slated for Tuesday, 15 October, 2024 in the country. Dahiru-Erewa in a statement signed by the spokesman of NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun noted that travelling by road in Libya is most dangerous and totally not advisable because of the current situation in the country. He lamented that the team which left Nigeria on Sunday, 13 October, 2024, to Libya for its return match had their flight diverted to an innocuous airport far…

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has strongly condemned the recent actions of Libyan authorities, who held the Nigerian Super Eagles and their officials hostage at Al Abaq Airport. This incident occurred after the Nigerian aircraft, originally en route to Benghazi, was diverted to another city over a two-hour drive from the intended destination, just an hour before landing. This diversion caused significant distress to the Super Eagles team, officials, and support staff, who were left stranded and subjected to unnecessary delays. The Honourable Minister expressed deep concern over the poor treatment of the team, particularly as…

Super Eagles captain, Williams Troost-Ekong, has said the life of the players are not safe hence they are not going to play the second leg game against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya scheduled for Tuesday, 15 October, 2024, reports thegazellenews.com. It was confirmed on Sunday night, 13 October, 2024, that players and officials of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team were held hostage by Libyan authorities upon their arrival at Al Abaq Airport in Al Abaq. In a video posted by the Eagles media team, the players and officials, along with their luggage, were left stranded at the airport, with the Libyan…

Tragedy struck at approximately 6:00 pm today, Sunday, 13 October, 2024 at Second Rainbow, inward Mile 2 along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway when a fully loaded tanker carrying black oil experienced brake failure, leading to a devastating multi-vehicle collision. The runaway tanker collided with two Volkswagen Commercial buses and a Honda car KTU 223 GH, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives. The victims, all passengers in one of the Volkswagen buses, succumbed to their injuries at the scene. In response to the emergency, officers from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) who swiftly arrived and took control of the…

On October 9, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly elected 18 members to the Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term. The members elected to the Council are Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Iceland, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand. The Council is an intergovernmental body within the UN system consisting of 47 States tasked with promoting and protecting human rights globally. The election, conducted via secret ballot, determined which nations would fill three-year terms beginning on January 1, 2025, replacing members whose terms expire…

The ancient city of Ijebu Ode was practically locked down at the weekend as people from across the globe stormed the city for the installation of Tunde Odulaja as the Lapo-Ekun of Ijebu Ode. Agog with excitement and pageantry, the indigenes, residents and visitors watched with admiration as the highly revered monarch, the Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, conferred the prestigious title of Lapo Ekun on Odulaja. Admonishing the newly decorated high chief to be a good community leader and show exemplary leadership, the monarch reminded Odulaja of his responsibilities to the town and the…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has commenced emergency repairs of the failed sections of the East West-Road between Warri in Delta State and Benin in Edo State, especially the dilapidated sections along Ibadulume, Amukpe round-about, Mosoga and Ologbo. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, inspected the on-going repairs at the failed sections of the road in the company of the Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai and other directors of the Commission. Ogbuku expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving the directive for the urgent restoration of the failed sections of the strategic road traversing the…

The father of Bashir Hadejia, who was allegedly unlawfully detained on the directive of Defence Minister of State Bello Matawalle, has expressed grave concerns for the safety of his family. In a press statement obtained by PRNigeria, Alhaji Umar Hadejia revealed that the Inspector General of Police had unlawfully detained him and his five children at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) unit in Abuja. He said this occurred following orders from Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. The family was reportedly taken into custody on September 30, 2024, around 6 PM, without warrants or formal charges, just after Bashir…

The Federal Government has announced that a consortium of investors from South Korea has set up machinery to build four 100,000-barrel capacity refineries in the country. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed this on Tuesday, 9 October, 2024 at a summit organized by the Crude Oil Refinery-owners Association of Nigeria in Lagos. According to him, the refineries will be built across four locations in Nigeria, noting that the government has maintained an open environment to investors. “We encourage investors to build limited refineries by providing an open environment. A recent approval was granted to invite…

From Chuks Collins, Awka No fewer than eight members of the Anambra State House of Assembly majority were of the Labour Party caucus have disassociated themselves from the Local government administration bill recently brought before the House by Gov Charles Soludo. The tempestuous bill was reportedly passed into law today, Tuesday, 8 October, 2024. The LP caucus led by Hon. Jude Umennajiego, representing Onitsha South 2, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Anambra State House Assembly premises shortly after the day’s sitting. The caucus,while absolving themselves from the new ‘law’ pointed out that it was in conflict with the…

Edward Adamu, fourth Prosecution Witness (PW4) in the trial of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 told Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja, that Emefiele did not did have the approval of either former President Muhammadu Buhari or that of the CBN Board for the 2023 redesign of naira notes as required by the rules. Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Adamu disclosed that the usual process for currency redesign begins with the Director of Currency Operations submitting a proposal to the Committee of Governors (COG). The COG then transmits the proposal to CBN Board for approval,…

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has applauded the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC for initiating the establishment of the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, NDCCITMA. The Governor, who was represented by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Trade and Investments, Dr John James Etim, gave the plaudits while declaring open the NDCCITMA sensitisation workshop in Uyo, the state capital. He said that the Chamber of Commerce initiative aligned with the state government’s policy of promoting investments and entrepreneurship as critical drivers of economic development. Governor Eno stressed the importance of collaborations…

By Yusuf Mohammed Yahaya Bello needs no introduction at this point as there have been countless news stories via the social and traditional media about his macabre dance with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). I am open to correction if anyone thinks I am wrong. I do not think that in the history of EFCC’s pursuit of former public officials for alleged corruption, anyone has given the commission as much headache or trouble as the ‘’White Lion.’’ The former governor’s resolve not to be apprehended by the anti-graft agency reminds me of my childhood days. As a kid,…

Abubakar Kweido, First Prosecuting Witness, PW1 in the trial of a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja before Justice James Omotosho that the former Minister allegedly used funds from the Mambilla Hydro project’s account to purchase Abuja properties. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting Mamman on a 12 -count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33.804 billion. During Wednesday’s proceedings, Kweido, an operative of the EFCC while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Olumide Fusica, SAN said investigation…

Ten chefs have emerged as finalists for tomorrow’s Lagos State Government final culinary food cooking competition tagged Eko Flavours. The 10 finalists would battle for N10million and other consolation prizes during the Eko Flavours Cooking competition organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in conjunction with the Tantacom Group. The finalists are Badejo Oreoluwakitan (chefkitts), Afolabi Abisola (rukybcooks), Isaiah Oyede (Isaiah_chef), Adesanya Abimbola Chiwendu (breezy_kitchen) and Akinnire Oluwadamilare Ezekel (Chefdrey). Others are Akorede Enitan Olamide (enny_tan_), Sanusi O. Kaothar (kaotharr_), Omobonike Awosanmi (aveonkitchen), Ibidunni Layade (Ibidunnice) and Obodiahi Blessing (beesandbaVer). The Eko Flavours Project is a…

In a remarkable story of vision, tenacity, and unwavering commitment, Adewale Jubril Tinubu and his partners at Oando Plc, a Pan-African energy giant have built an empire on the foundation of the number ’30’. The rise of the conglomerate showcases the significance of the earth-shattering moment in Tinubu’s business empire. The defining moment was in 2000 when the then small start-up Ocean and Oil Services Limited made a bold move to successfully bid for a 30% controlling interest in Unipetrol Plc, a downstream petroleum marketing company in Nigeria. That strategic acquisition laid the groundwork for Oando’s subsequent growth and transformation…

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development is probing the claims and counter-claims of Osun State Government and Thor Explorations Limited, owners of the Segilola Resources Operating Limited over taxation and operational matters. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake announced today that a fact-finding team has been set up to engage both parties towards resolving the dispute and restoring industrial harmony. Led by Dr. Mary Ogbe, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD), the committee will include representatives of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National Association of Chambers…

The Africa Film Academy, producers of the Africa Movie Award Academy, AMAA, have unveiled the highly anticipated nominations for the upcoming 20th edition. The unveiling event which was held at the Sheraton Hotel in GRA, Ikeja, on Wednesday, 2 October, 2024, with members of the jury and screener college in attendance as well as the AFA board represented by Mr. Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, the Chief Operating Officer of AMAA, Mr Tony Anih and AMAA gala night producer, Mr Kingsley James. The 20th edition of AMAA, in partnership with Lagos State, is themed ‘Celebrating African Creativity.’ Anyiam-Osigwe revealed the line up of…