Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

Concerned by the number of court summons and arrest warrants by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to compel Kogi State former governor, Yahaya Bello, to respond to allegations against him, Civil Society Groups have described the former governor’s decision to continuously boycott the court as wrong signals to investors and youths that the constitution is ineffective. They argued that this behaviour not only sets a dangerous precedent but also sends a disheartening message to investors and Nigerians especially the youths on the integrity of law and order, as well as, leadership. According to them, boycotting courts undermines the…

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Works, Engineer (Dr) Adekunle Olayinka, FNSE, has described former Chairman of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Otunba Henry Oladele Ajomale as a ‘paragon of loyalty, selflessness and dedication to the progressives family. Olayinka stated this via a message he released to celebrate the 80th birthday of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) member. Dr Olayinka acknowledged the transformative impact of Chief Henry Ajomale’s steadfast dedication to the party (APC). He commended Ajomale for his progressive vision which he noted, has propelled the state and nation forward in several…

By Ola abdul-Fatah The Yahaya Bello story first reads as a fairy tale, then as a joke. In 2016 when he was sworn in as Governor of Kogi State, he did not win the election. Abubakar Audu of the All Progressives Congress did, but passed away before he was inaugurated. Try as he might, James Faleke was not accepted as a replacement even though he ran on a joint ticket with Audu. So, in came Yahaya Bello, who came second. He was barely 40 years old and virtually unknown. It was reported then that on inauguration day, Bello wept bitterly,…

The Minister of Communication, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani has expressed hope that the launch of Thuraya communication products and services will help in the fight against insecurity, illegal mining and oil thefts in the country. The Minister stated this on Wednesday, 2 October, 2024 during the official launch of Thuraya products and services in partnership with TSAT Telecommunications Ltd, an indigenous telecom services firm. The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr Farouk Yusuf, said, beyond helping in expanding the country’s broadband penetration to hinterland and hard-to-reach areas, the formal entry of…

The legal team of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPBO), has urged the Federal Government to drop the terrorism charges against him or grant him bail so that he prepare properly for his trial. The legal team, which made the call during a press briefing on Wednesday, 2 October, 2024 in Abuja, described the condition their client was held at the Department of State Service (DSS) detention facility as “very hostile.” Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to Kanu, said: “His continued detention at the DSS facility is not conducive as the environment is hostile and unfit…

Wanted bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, has dared the security forces, saying he is not afraid to die, just as he also called for dialogue with the federal government to end armed violence in Zamfara State. Turji, who is among the 43 terrorists in the North West declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters, made the call in a five-minute and forty-second video. In the video, Turji confirmed the killing of his boss, Halilu Sububu, saying that Sububu’s killing would not silence him. Turji said that he was willing to lay down his arms if the government would dialogue with him. “Sadists, who claimed…

The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa on Thursday, 3 October, 2024 has said that Boko Haram failed to survive in Kano State due to the commercial nature of the city. Musa explained that communities in the state refused to accommodate Boko Haram members because it would affect their business. The CDS, who stated this while speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show, said communities play a major role in the fight against insurgency. “In the North-East we got communities to get youths without any criminal records and profiled by the police and DSS and we gave them some level of…

A former acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Folashodun Shonubi, has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja presided over Justice Maryann Anenih that the redesigned naira notes released by the apex bank under the leadership of Godwin Emefiele was different from what former President Muhammadu Buhari approved. The Deputy Governor of Operations informed the court that Emefiele had claimed that there were intrigues and politics involved in the naira redesign exercise. While responding to questions from Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Shonubi said the late 2022 naira redesign exercise, ahead of the 2023…

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested two women, Tessi Ikechukwu and Lauretta Akomen, for allegedly stealing and selling a three day old baby for N2 million. The police also rescued a three day baby from the suspects. Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe made this disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, 3 October, 2024. “On 1/10/2024, at about 1830hours, a tricycle rider (name withheld) came to Ekpan Police Station and reported that while he was on his daily commercial operation, four women boarded his tricycle, on reaching Efurrun Roundabout, two…

Panic has gripped the residents of Egwuma community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State after gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen killed at least six people including two soldiers have been Tuesday, 1 October, 2024. According to an eyewitness, soldiers deployed to the area refused to respond to the invaders attack. The gunmen later attacked the soldiers’ base after attacking the community. The eyewitness who preferred anonymity, said the bandits took four of the soldiers’ motorcycles and killed two of them. “The entire community has been deserted. There is nobody left behind again, except for the few soldiers…

An Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos State Presided over by Justice Ismail Ijelu on Wednesday, 2 October, 2024 sentenced a man, Abodurin Abozo, to eight years imprisonment for defrauding a man of N62 million on the pretext of procuring him two plots of land. Justice Ijelu held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved the two-count charge of obtaining false pretences and stealing against Abozo. The judge also held that the convict obtained the sum of N56 million from the complainant, one Mr Samuel Segher, with the assurance of procuring two plots of land for him on…

Big Brother Africa reality TV show winner, Karen Igho has cried out for help on social media, disclosing that she has been battling with divorce from her husband, Yaroslav Rakos. Karen also added that Rakos should be held responsible if anything happens to her. Karen, who made this disclosure in a series of posts on her X handle on Tuesday, 1 October, 2024, called on the general public to hold her husband responsible should any harm befall her, the reality star accused Rakos of physical and sexual abuse. She added that he is attempting to take custody of their two…

The Bauchi State chapter of the Retired Police Officers Association of Nigeria (REPON) has disclosed that over 500 members have passed on while fighting for their retirement benefits. REPON also lamented the delay of a proposed bill, submitted to the National Assembly since 2012, seeking the establishment of a police pension board. The Secretary of the chapter, retired ASP John Iliya, who made this disclosure at a press conference held in Bauchi, expressed frustration, stating, “We can no longer tolerate these empty promises Iliya, who recalled that on 21 May, 2024, members of the association protested at the National Assembly…

Former Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku was on Thursday, 3 October, 2024 admitted to bail in the sum of N150 million by a Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), High Court presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji in the alleged N27 billion fraud charge brought against him by the Federal Government. Ishaku was granted the bail by Justice Oriji with two sureties in the same amount. One of the two sureties must be a Federal Government employee of the rank of Director. Similarly, the two sureties must be residents in the FCT with their house addresses to be verified by the…

Nigerians have been assured of reduction in the cost of electricity, with the current effort to step up generation and distribution of power in the country. The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu gave the assurance on Thursday, 3 October, 2024, when he received the Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund, Mr. Tosin Adeyanju, who led the management team of the agency to pay a courtesy call on the Minister at the headquarters of the ministry in Abuja. The Minister said that it is worthy to note that the price of electricity is still the cheapest in Nigeria,…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday, 2 October, 2024 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Petroleum Commission, Ghana (PCG) towards developing and deepening local content regulations in Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector. The signing ceremony took place at the sidelines of the 2024 Annual Local Content Conference and Exhibition held at Takoradi, Ghana. The MoU is valid for three years and it is centred on the desire to build synergies through information sharing and transfer of skills of mutual interest and benefits. Under the MoU, NCDMB will offer PCG strategic advice and guidance in the…

The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, has advocated for more investment in the energy sector by foreign investors to ameliorate poverty in Africa. He made this assertion at the ongoing summit of the G20 Energy Transition Working Group meeting in Foz Do Iguaçu, Brazil. The Energy expert, while speaking to delegates from across the globe underscored the important role of energy transition in achieving both clean affordable energy access and net-zero emissions target by 2050 in African countries, and Nigeria in particular. Dr. Abdullahi posited further that modern, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is…

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has charged religious bodies to collaborate with governments at all levels to address the societal challenges confronting Nigeria such as poverty and insecurity. The Governor spoke during the official induction of the South West officers of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the 56th birthday celebration of the President of CAN in the South West, Bishop Akintunde Akin-Akinsanya, in Abeokuta on Thursday. Prince Abiodun,  said that his administration acknowledges the role of the Christian community in shaping the socio-cultural and spiritual fabric of the country. “As a government, we deeply acknowledge the…

Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has approved the conversion of ad-hoc staff in the service of the 33 local government councils in the state to permanent staff. The Governor said that the decision was taken to bridge the gap in the workforce at the local government level, noting that the due process for the employment must be followed effectively and perfected within four weeks. Governor Makinde disclosed this at the official commissioning of the newly-built Local Government House and Staff Training School, held at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. He assured that his administration would continue to seek innovative ways…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departs Abuja today, Wednesday, 2 October, 2024, for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation, part of his yearly leave. He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms. He will return to the country after the leave expires.