The Nitto ATP Finals draw, featuring the top 8 ranked players on the ATP Tour this season, is finally out! And with the much-anticipated action set to get underway on November 15 at the O2 Arena in London, the stage is set for the special and unique, year-end tournament which acts as a curtain-dropper for any given annual ATP season. As with every season, it’s a stellar, star-studded line-up that descends on the UK capital, encompassing the best and brightest stars in the game today along with the year’s best performers: from tournament regulars and stalwarts of the game Novak…
Author: Francis Francis
As part of the activities of the Lagos State Government to ensure the safety of lives and improve sanity on Lagos roads during the festive period and beyond, the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) has taken its safety enlightenment awareness campaign to lgando/lkotun axis of the State. In her opening remarks at the event, the General Manager, LASDRI, Mrs Afusat Tiamiyu said bringing of the sensitisation campaign to the area was informed by its strategic location as well as the large concentration of motor parks along the corridor. Tiamiyu said it became imperative to bring all the professional drivers in…
The Benin Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of Azeez Oriire Paul ( a.k.a Quineeth Chynaberry Laty) an internet fraudster on a one-count charge bordering on intent to defraud before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Warri, Delta State. Paul had sometime in 2017 sent fraudulent electronic messages to one Umudi Elvis Kigho, which he relied upon and caused him to suffer the loss of Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira( N350,000). The count reads: “that you Azeez Oriire Paul (a.k.a Qu Chynaberry Laty) sometime in December 2017 at Warri,…
… Warns Against Extortion, Corrupt Practises The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts (CBD), Olugbenga Oyerinde, has warned operatives of the Agency against extortion, bribe-taking and all forms of corrupt practices, especially during the festive period. Oyerinde, who gave the warning while addressing officers of the Agency in preparation for the yuletide season, urged the personnel to be civil, firm and decisive in their actions, while avoiding unlawful acts that are capable of bringing the Agency to disrepute and losing the confidence of stakeholders within the business districts. While charging them to rise up to…
A South African lady, Malindy Hadebe has starred up controversies on social media after she advised ladies to stop demanding money for sex. She queried that ladies claim to offer sex to their partner as a sign of love but when guys tend to do the same, ladies demand money in return. She urged ladies in such category to rather get a job to earn a living and desist from such mentality. “You give him sex to show him that you love him, but when he gives you sex to show you that he loves you he must pay” “Why…
Regina Daniels husband, Ned Nwoko has again become a subject of discussion as a former Big Brother Naija housemate, Princess has disclosed that she rejected the billionaire philanthropist when she was younger. In her page on Instagram, Princess openly declared that she’s done dating for love, and she’s now open to self-investment and funding. Reacting to this, a fan took to her comment section to ask her if she would love Ned Nwoko to apply and she disclosed that he already applied, but she rejected the proposal. The former housemate added that she turned down the billionaire because she was…
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has stressed the need for a technology-driven Public Service nationwide to spur innovation and rapid development across Nigeria. Speaking on Thursday through his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, at the opening of the 42nd Meeting of the National Council on Establishment in Ikeja, the Governor emphasised that “in the 21st Century where technology and innovation are the main drivers of development, our public service must not live in the past; it must reflect the new age and strive to be competitive as a foremost public service in the sub-region and Africa”. While stressing that…
Justice I.N. Buba of the Federal High Court, Enugu has convicted and sentenced one Ojike Odiwe Maduabuchi to two years imprisonment or pay N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) option of fine for obtaining money by false pretence. The convict was prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on a one-count charge of criminal impersonation. The charge read, “That you, Ojike Odiwe Maduabuchi sometime in September 2020 in Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, impersonated one Michael Scott, an American citizen on your Whatsapp account and Thai Friendly Application, with…
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of four oil thieves and a vessel, MV Tim Begele, before Justice A.M. Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. The convicts, Ukwuoma Ahamefula, Omeogor Nelson, Efemuaya Evans and Jude Eghreriniovo, were arrested sometime in December 2019 on board a vessel, MV Tim Begele, by the Nigerian Navy and subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution. They were, however, arraigned alongside the vessel on March 4, 2020, on a three-count charge bordering on illegal dealing…
Nollywood actress, Joke Lawal, has stated that many Nigerians perceive female actresses as prostitutes, noting that this disturbing trend is gravely affecting the local film industry and has to change when she gets a chance to change the narrative. Today.ng reported that the movie queen made the remark in a recent interview with newsmen. “I would like to change people’s perception of actresses. A lot of people think of actresses as prostitutes, they see us as people who are not worthy of marriage and having a family. If I have the power this is something I will like to change,”…
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has assented to the state’s 2021 Appropriation Bill, with the assurance that the state government would strive to recover from the economic challenges engendered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Okowa, who signed the bill on Monday in Asaba, commended the state’s House of Assembly for speedy passage of the Bill and said that signing the budget with a month to the end of 2020 would avail the state government the opportunity to plan further towards the implementation of the 2021 budget from January 2020. He thanked God for the warm working relationship between the executive and…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday re-arraigned former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal before Justice Charles Agbaza of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi. Lawal is facing criminal prosecution alongside three others namely: Hamidu David Lawal (his younger brother), Sulaiman Abubakar, Apeh John Monday and two companies, Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd. Their re-arraignment on Monday followed the demise of the former trial judge, Justice Jude Okeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja. The defendants were docked on amended 10-count charge, bordering on diversion of funds, criminal…
The Maiduguri Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of Adam kaka Adam, a former banker, who was on Monday sentenced to one year imprisonment by Justice Ibrahim Jauro of the Yobe State High Court sitting in Damaturu. The convict was prosecuted on one-count of theft to the tune of N11, 657,500.00(Eleven Million Six Hundred and Fifty-seven Thousand Five Hundred Naira). Adam, a former service manager in charge of Vault Room and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Unity Bank Plc. Damaturu Branch, Yobe State allegedly diverted the said sum which was mearnt to…
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Monday arraigned Osita Ojeah, his company, Homeland and Overseas Limited, and Anthony Nwosu before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State on a two-count charge bordering on stealing and conspiracy to steal to the tune of N139, 000,000.00(One Hundred and Thirty-nine Million Naira). One of the counts reads: “Osita Ojeah, Anthony Nwosu and Homeland and Overseas Ltd., on or about the 3rd of February 2016 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonesty stole and converted the sum of N139,…
President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu who has been waking waves since Monday morning for the wrong reasons, has cried out that people are quoting him out of context. Garba had in an interview with the BBC on Monday, stated that the 43 farmers that were killed by Boko Haram on Saturday did not have military clearance to be on the rice farms when the attack happened. When asked if he was not blaming the farmers for going to the area, Shehu responded, “Not exactly but the truth has to be said. Was there…
Three firemen of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were reportedly injured and a fire engine of the Agency damaged by hoodlums, who attacked the officials in the course of duty on Sunday. Making this disclosure, Acting Head of the Agency, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye expressed displeasure over the incessant attacks on firefighters in recent times for yet to be identified reasons. She recalled that the attack on the firefighters and the engine occurred after officials of the agency were prevented from attending to a fire incident at Nmani Street, Dopemu Agege, in Orile Agege LCDA, Lagos. Adeseye informed that…
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has called on Christians in politics to always strive to affect lives positively, especially the poor and vulnerable in the society. Okowa who made the call while speaking at the 22nd biennial delegates conference of the Joint Council of Knights, Church of all Nigeria, Anglican Communion, held at All Saints Cathedral, Ughelli, said Christians in politics should embrace humility and lead by example. According to him, Christians in politics must have a distinctive character that truly portrays the Spirit of Christ in them, adding that the change that we desire begins with each person choosing…
Abubakar Mohammed Sani, a serving Deputy Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, was on Friday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Hadiza Sabi’u Shagari of the Federal High Court Katsina on a six-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence. The defendant allegedly used his position as an officer of the Katsina Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service (as it then was) and obtained a total sum of N2,850,000 (Two Million Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from some persons under the guise of helping them secure employment into the Prison Service. The EFCC…
Justice Adie A. Onyebueke of the Cross River State High Court, Akamkpa, has sentenced one Augustine Effiong Bassey to five years imprisonment for stealing N27 million, belonging to a microfinance bank, where he was a branch manager. He was prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), on a one-count charge of stealing. The charge read, “That you, Augustine Effiong Bassey (‘m’), sometime between 2010 and 2012 at Uyanga, Cross River State, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Cross River State, with the intent to defraud, stole the sum of N27,300,000 (Twenty-seven…
Vietnamese human rights defender Nguyen Bac Truyen and other prisoners of conscience held in An Diem prison in Vietnam are on hunger strike to protest unjust treatment by prison officials, religious Advocacy group, CSW has disclosed. In a release on Friday, the group said Nguyen Bac Truyen’s hunger strike began on 26 November and will continue until the prison conditions and treatment are improved. Truyen and others are protesting about lack of access to medical care and confiscation of letters from prisoners to their families without explanation, among other things. Several prisoners have also requested transfers to prisons closer to…
Religious Advocacy, CSW has disclosed that an Ahmadi doctor was murdered in front of his family at his home in Murch Balochan, Nankana Sahib District, Punjab on 20 November, noting that his murder is the latest in a series of killings of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan. According to the Advocacy, the incident took place in the afternoon, just after Dr Tahir Mahmood, 31, and his family finished their Friday afternoon prayers. Local sources report that a teenage male, identified as Mahad, opened fire with a pistol as a family member opened the door. Dr Mahmood was killed instantly. His…
Sectarian violence broke out in the village of Barsha in Minya governorate, Upper Egypt, on 25 November, when hundreds of local Muslim villagers attacked the homes and properties of local Christians, CSW has revealed. According to the religious advocacy, the incident began after rumours circulated that a Christian man, who remains anonymous to ensure his security, had posted a comment on his personal Facebook page that was deemed insulting to Islam. The man claims that his page had been hacked. The assailants also attempted to attack the church of Abou Sefin, where the congregation was celebrating the beginning of the…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Office on Thursday arraigned Prince Lasberry Okafor Anyanwu before Justice E.F Njemanze of the Imo State High Court for alleged fraud. Anyanwu, a former commissioner for Transport and chairman, Imo State Transport Company in Rochas Okorocha’s administration is being prosecuted on four-count charges, bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office, stealing and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N180 million. Count three of the charge read, “That you, Prince Lasberry Okafor Anyanwu a.k.a Lasberry Okafor sometime between the 6th day of November, 2017 and 10th day of November, 2017 at…
An Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Consultant at the General Hospital, Ijede, Dr. Babatope Oni, has called on all tiers of government and the entire public to prevent a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at the monthly Continuous Medical Education (CME) organised by the Ijede General Hospital in Lagos State, Oni stated that the period at which a second wave can occur is when the economy has been fully reopened, such that people engage in their normal day to day activities without taking the usual precautionary measures as they did during the first phase of the pandemic. In his words,…
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has added three more persons, Patrick Anyiadika, Michael and Yusuf Yunisa to its ‘Wall of Shame’, following their apprehension by the enforcement team, for indiscriminate waste disposal and other untoward environmental practices. The Authority, in a statement, said the defaulters were recently apprehended at different locations by its enforcement team for defacing the environment, warning that acts of recklessness towards the environment would no longer be tolerated. It pointed out that concerted efforts to clean up the environment had been intensified with the deployment of PSP trucks and sanitation workers to strategic locations, routes…
Disturbed by the escalation in cases of sexual and gender-based violence, and absence of unified protocols to get justice for the victims, First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has urged the Government to step up the response geared towards reducing the criminal acts to the barest minimum. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hearkened to the call, vowing that no offender indicted in reported cases of rape and gender-based violence will go scot free under his watch. The Governor gave the assurance on Thursday when he received a 54-page compendium on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence compiled by the Stakeholders’ Committee set…
The trial in absentia of Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman, Pension Reform Task Force Team, (PRTFT) continued on Wednesday before Justice Okong Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting Maina, alongside his firm, Common Input Property and Investment Ltd on a 12-count charge of operating fictitious bank accounts, corruption, and money laundering to the tune of N2 billion. At Wednesday’s trial, counsel to Common Input Property and Investment Ltd (the second defendant), Adeola Adegbite told the court of his intention to disengage as the company’s counsel, but even though Prosecution counsel, M.S.…
An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Olamide Sadiq, has told Justice Mohammed Liman of a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, that properties located at 17 and 17A McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, owned by a former Senate President and ex-governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, are believed to have been purchased with funds drawn from the coffers of the Kwara State government. The EFCC had secured an order of interim forfeiture of the properties which was published in The Nation Newspaper, on October 25, 2019. Subsequently, the anti-graft agency had approached the Court for…
Religious Advocacy organization, CSW said it is concerned by the continuing arrests of human rights defenders in Egypt, who are facing excessive charges. A release by the advocacy on Wednesday said on 19 November Egyptian police raided the Cairo home of Mr Jasser Abdelrzaek, CEO of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), and arrested him. He has since been charged with “using the internet to spread false accusations.” The arrest marks the latest in a series of concerning developments for human rights in the country. Earlier, on 15 November, armed police had stormed the home of Mr Abdelrzaek’s…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has restated its resolve to wield the big stick against tax evaders, noting that tax evasion is a financial crime that falls within the purview of the Commission. The Head, Kaduna Zonal of the EFCC, Sanusi Abdullahi made the disclosure on Tuesday when he led his team on a courtesy visit to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS), Kaduna State Office. Abdullahi noted that the EFCC, over the years, has assisted the FIRS in the recovery of taxes from tax evaders and has as well, prosecuted many of such offenders. While urging the…
