Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, 25 September, 2024 commenced the trial of Ex-Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, for an alleged N33.8billion fraud with the presentation of its first witness. Mamman was arraigned on Thursday, 11 July, 2024 on 12-count charges bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering  to the tune of N33.804 billion.  At Wednesday’s proceedings, Prosecution witness One, PW1, Abubakar Kweido, an operative of the EFCC while been led in evidence by Adeyinka Olumide Fusika, SAN, narrated how investigation activities reviewed that multiple monetary transfers were made from the project account meant for Mambilla hydroelectric…

Six years after the bloody bank robbery in the ancient town of Offa, in Kwara State, the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, presided over by Justice Haleema Salman, on Thursday, 26 September, 2024, sentenced five suspects involved in the 2018 bank incident to death. Salman found the five suspects guilty of illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery and culpable homicide. According to the judge, the offences are punishable by death. The judgment, originally scheduled for August 2, 2024, was postponed due to the nationwide protest that took place in August. It was reported that Michael Adikwu, leader of the robbery gang,…

Civil servants under the federal government payroll will start receiving the new minimum wage payment from Thursday, 26 September, 2024 The spokesperson of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa disclosed this in an exclusive interview with an online medium on Thursday, 26 September, 2024. Mokwa, who assured that workers will begin to get alert of their new minimum wage salary payment starting from Thursday,26 September, however, did not state if the minimum wage would be paid alongside its arrears. “Federal Government civil servants will start getting the new minimum wage from today (Thursday) this September 2024. What…

The National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) has disclosed that the average Nigeria’s domestic airfare for a single journey rose by 25.51 percent on a month-on-month basis to N123,700 in August 2024 compared to N98,561 in July. The Bureau made this disclosure in its Transport Fare Watch released on Tuesday, 24 September, 2024. The data showed that on a year-on-year basis airfare cost climbed by 56.56 percent to N123,700 in August 2024 from N79,011.38 in the corresponding month last year. NBS said that Niger state has the highest air transport charges (for specified routes and single journeys) with N129,575.21, followed by Federal…

Key players in the Nigerian business and economic sector have raised alarm over the recent interest rate hike by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee. President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Dele Oye and the President of the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, Femi Egbesola in separate statements on Tuesday, 24 September, 2024 said the CBN interest rate to 27.25 percent would impact heavily on the growth of businesses and investments in Nigeria. Their concerns come as the CBN MPC in a unanimous decision by members announced a…

The Lagos State Government has sealed the Celestial Church of God, the Redeemed Christian Church of God and seven companies and hotels in Ikeja, Mushin, Gbagada, and Maryland areas of the state. The state Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab made this disclosure in a statement through his X account on Wednesday, 25 September, 2024 Quoting Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency(LASEPA), he stated that the crackdown is aimed at tackling noise and other environmental violations in the state. Among the sealed companies are: Vital Products Limited, A & P Nigeria Limited, Polite Anchorage and Suites, Terrag Inn Apartment,…

A German grandmother and her five-month-old grandson are missing after a flash flood swept through their holiday home near Pisa, Tuscany. It was gathered that the tragedy unfolded when the nearby River Sterza overflowed its banks, inundating the house where the family was staying. The family, on vacation in Italy, called emergency services on the evening of Monday, 23 September, 2024 as floodwaters began pouring under their door. However, a language barrier and difficulties in locating the family delayed rescue efforts. According to the mayor of Montecatini Val di Cecina, Francesco Auriemma, as the family attempted to reach higher floors…

At least five police officers of the Kano State Police Command died and 11 others injured in a ghastly road accident that occurred at Karfi town in Kura Local Government Area of the state. The Kano State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, who confirmed the sad incident on Tuesday, 24 September, 2024, added that said 11 other police officers sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash. “The accident occurred at Karfi, a few kilometres to Kano and five of the officers died as a result of the accident while 11 others sustained injuries. “It was gathered…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has explained that monthly revenue releases by the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) are impacting Nigeria’s foreign exchange pressures. The Governor of CBN, Olayemi Cardoso made this disclosure in his remarks after the CBN 297th Monetary Policy Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 24 September, 2024. The Apex Bank boss, who raised alarm over the growing level of fiscal deficit in the country, added that members of MPC have observed a strong correlation between FAAC and the Liquidity level in the banking system and exchange rates. “Members were also concerned about the growing level of…

As parts of efforts to boost liquidity in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) has disclosed that it will N1.4 trillion into the financial sector. The Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, made this disclosure on Tuesday, 24 September, 2024 during a press conference at the end of the 297th Monetary Policy Committee. Responding to questions on cash insufficiency in banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATM), Cardoso said the apex bank is working to provide a solution. According to him, the bank will impose sanctions on banks sabotaging the system. “Another N1.4 trillion is likely to be delivered in another…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) has given the Federal Government a fresh 14-day ultimatum to resolve pending issues. ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, who stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday, 25 September, 2024, said they were frustrated with the government’s lack of commitment and delay tactics. Hence, it has given the President Bola Tinubu government a 14-day ultimatum which starts on Monday, 23 September 2024. The statement read: “In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, September 23, 2024, during which…

 Barely 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu wrote to the Senate, asking the House to screen and confirm Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun  as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, the Upper Chamber has screened her for the post. The Senate on Wednesday 25 September, 2024 confirmed the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria after screening. Thegazellenews.com reports that Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has been serving as CJN in an acting capacity since August following the retirement of Olukayode Ariwoola. At the commencement of the screening on Wednesday, 25 September, 2024, Kekere-Ekun was accompanied by Justices of the various courts…

The European Union has released €5.4 million in humanitarian aid to help the most affected populations in the aftermath of the devastating floods in Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso. Nigeria, according to a statement on Monday, 23 September, 2024, would be getting €1.1 million. More than 4.4 million people are estimated to be affected in the six countries by floods which led to the destruction of houses, public health facilities, water systems, schools and sanitation facilities as well as roads, infrastructures, and agricultural areas. There is apprehension that the lack of access to water, hygiene, and sanitation…

By Nicholas Oluka Former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello’s theatrics and calculated moves to impress the public last week about his resolve to honour the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, are still fresh in our memory. First, the former Governor, who had loudly denied being invited by the EFCC over an alleged N80.2billion money laundering offences, recanted and stormed the premises of the anti-graft agency in a cavalier manner. His swash-buckling approach to criminal summons by the EFCC shows a total lack of discretion and good judgment. How can a fugitive appear in public…

By Kamaru Adebiyi LET’S face it: equity and natural justice dictate that the Ogun West Senatorial District should produce the next governor of Ogun State. Since the return to civil rule in 1999, the zone has not produced an occupant of the Oke-Mosan Government House, and that has not been for lack of interest or effort. Rather, the downturn in its fortunes has been due largely to internal bickering and the devious schemes of certain individuals outside the zone who have become adept at using certain saboteurs within the zone to scuttle its interests. Politics being a game of numbers,…

The Nigerian Red Cross Society, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has launched an emergency appeal to assist the most vulnerable individuals across Nigeria over the next eighteen months. The appeal aims to raise N2.5bn, focusing on enhancing livelihoods, health, nutrition, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services in the most affected regions. This was disclosed in a statement issued Monday, 23 September, 2024, signed by the NRCS Coordinator of Communications and Advocacy, Chima Nwankwo. “The Nigerian Red Cross Society intends to raise N2.5bn to mitigate the effects of severe hunger and malnutrition…

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has mocked his principal, the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, over the result of the just concluded governorship election in the state. Shaibu said he felt vindicated after Obaseki lost his local government area for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that he holds no grudge against the outgoing governor. The Deputy governor, who stated this while reacting to the outcome of the 2024 governorship during a chat with Arise TV on Monday, 23 September, 2024, noted that Obaseki had never won an election,. According to Shaibu, the All Progressives Congress’s victory vindicated…

Senator Monday Okpebholo has been declared the winner of the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday, 21 September On Sunday, 22 September, 2024 the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) declared Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) as the winner of the keenly contested poll. The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Faruq Adamu Kuta, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, announced the result at the INEC collation centre in Benin City. According to the electoral umpire, Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, winning eleven out of the 18 Local Government Areas in the state, while Asue Ighodalo of…

Hours after the governorship election in Edo State was concluded, the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State chapter has rejected the outcome of the poll, describing it as another rape on democracy, Thegazellenews.com reports. Thegazellenews.com reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission, on Sunday, 22 September, 2024 declared Monday Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the APC as the winner of the keenly contested election. He polled 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, who secured 247,274 and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, who came a distant third with 22,761 votes. In a statement issued on…

The Governor-elect of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC), has vowed to start from where former governor of the Adams Oshiomhole stopped just bas he also promised to bring the South-South state to an enviable height when he assumes office. The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Sunday, 22 September, 2024 declared Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the APC as the winner of the keenly contested election. He polled 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, who secured 247,274 and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, who came a distant third…