The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and renowned businessman, Pascal Okechukwu popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, have agreed to settle the naira abuse charges levelled against him out of court. The trial of the socialite continued at the Federal High court in Lagos on Thursday, May 2. At the sitting, both parties agreed to settle the matter out of court, after which the trial was adjourned to June 5 for the hearing of the settlement report. Recall that the Anti-graft Agency had on April 16 filed three count charges on Chief Priest for the alleged mutilation of the…
Author: Pius Kadon
According to reports, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation has announced a revision of the Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage for banks operating within the country. This new coverage benchmarks was revealed by the NDIC’s Managing Director, Bello Hassan during a media briefing held in Abuja. The MDIC for Deposit Money Banks has been raised from N500,000 to N5m, for Microfinance Banks from N200,000 to N2m, for Primary Mortgage Banks from N500,000 to N2m, and for Mobile Money Operators subscribers’ pass-through from N500,000 to N5m per subscriber. Hassan stressed that the update aims to enhance depositor safety, public trust, the inclusivity of…
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi is trending on social media over his interview exchange with Arise TV correspondent, Laila Johnson, during a media session on May 1, on the construction of the Calabar-Lagos coastal lane. While the Arise News Laila asked him a question, Umahi interjected by saying “Sister I was raised in the village, me I no dey hear “phoné,” which simply means phonetics. In a responds to this, Laila told the minister that it’s the way she speaks and could not help it. When the former Ebonyi state governor asked for interpreters, Laila pushed back by saying…
Following the worsening impact of fuel scarcity across the country, the Federal Government says it has begun a 15-day emergency fuel supply to ensure the commodity circulates across the nation. The government also revealed that vessels importing Premium Motor Spirit would continue to berth at the shore to discharge petrol to different depots, from where the product would be distributed to different filling stations. The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria had in a statement on Tuesday 1 May said its members in Apapa and other locations in Lagos had been receiving 300 million litres of fuel from eight vessels…
Grammy-award-winner, Damini Ogulu, professionally referred to as Burna Boy, has earlier surprised disc jockey Obinna Ajuonuma, also known as DJ Obi, with a whooping $10,000 (N14 million) cash gift during his birthday. DJ Obi celebrated his birthday on Monday, 29th April, at his popular Lagos hangout spot, Obi’s House. It will be recalled that DJ Obi was reported to have set a world record for the longest DJ set ever played in 2016 when he played on the turntable for 240 hours. Highlight of the birthday celebration came alive when Burna Boy, who was at the event, sent a representative…
President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has assured Nigerian workers that the Legislature and the Executive arm of government will work together toward giving them a living wage and better working conditions. He made this known in a statement issued by his Special adviser on media and publicity Eseme Eyiboh in Abuja on Wednesday 1 April. The Senate president extolled the good qualities that stood out the Nigerian worker, saying that a Nigerian worker was noted for his patriotism, hardwork, resilience, and dedication to duty. He stressed further; “I am happy to be associated with the Nigerian worker as…
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 1, 2024, as a public holiday in commemoration of Workers’ Day. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Aishetu Ndayako, on Tuesday 30th April. According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, conveyed the declaration, stressing the importance of excellence, efficiency, and fairness in labour. Tunji-Ojo emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s dedication to fostering innovation, productivity, and inclusivity in workplaces. The minister underscored the government’s commitment to prioritizing citizens safety and well-being, particularly in the context of climate change.
Super Falcons of Nigeria goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has become the first African and Nigerian player to win the best goalkeeper in the French D1 Arkema (women’s league). The 23-year-old shot-stopper clinched the award as one of the best goalkeepers in the world following her remarkable achievements and heroic penalty-savings this season for Paris FC. She wrestled a stiff competition from Olympic Lyon’s Christiane Endler and Katarzyna Kiedrzynek of Paris SG to claim the coveted individual accolade. “It’s very pleasing because she deserves it and she achieved an exceptional Champions League and not only on penalties,” said Pierre Ferracci, the president…
The former Director of Information Technology of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who is also a second prosecution witness, John Ayoh, has informed the Lagos High Court Sitting in Ikeja that former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, allegedly collected bribes before awarding contracts. Ayoh revealed this on Monday, April 29, while testifying before Justice Rahman Oshodi in the ongoing trial of the former Central Bank Governor on allegations of abuse of office and accepting gratification to the tune of $4.5bn and N2.8bn. “That is how he operates, he will not award contracts without collecting anything”.…
A riotous session imbrued the resumption of the Senate to plenary on Tuesday April 30th as senators fought over the seats. The plenary had commenced at about 11 am and immediately after the procession, the Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, read out announcements, specifically the names of the lawmakers who had celebrated their birthdays while the Senate was on recess. Meanwhile, it was during the announcement that Senator Sahabi Yau (APC, Zamfara North) started to raise his voice at the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) while he in return pointed his finger at Yau as if giving him a…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has on Monday 29 April conducted an on-the-spot raid at the Wuse Zone 4 area of Abuja, where an unidentified number of Bureau De Change operators were apprehended. BDC operators trading in the area confirmed this to our correspondent stating that the raid happened around noon, causing chaos and fear in the area. The Anti-graft agency also conducted a raid on Monday afternoon, arresting traders who were only granted bail after paying between N30,000 and N50,000. Meanwhile, the traders who pleaded anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue said the arrest affected trading…
For a few hours now, the social media have been submerged in a stewing rivalry between Nigerian music giants, Wizkid and Davido. The dirty fight between the two music stars flared up on Monday night, drawing widespread attention online. Trouble begun in the early hours of Monday after Wizkid mocked Davido on X, formerly Twitter. The Grammy award-winner also tackled music producer and label owner, Don Jazzy. Wizkid referred to the Marvin boss as an “influencer” while taunting Davido with a recent viral video of him on his knees, pleading and crying after a fan asked him to release new…
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that there would be a total blackout in the country in the next three months if the proposed electricity tariff hike is not implemented. Adelabu made this known in Abuja when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Power at an investigative hearing over the recent electricity tariff hike by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)on Monday, 29th April. “The entire sector will be grounded if we don’t increase the tariff. With what we have now in the next three months, the entire country will be in darkness if we don’t increase…
A 400-level female student of the University of Abuja, Murjanatu Zubairu, who was reportedly missing on Friday has died in a car accident along the Lugbe – Airport Road, Abuja. The deceased, a student of the Department of Arts Education in the university’s Faculty of Education, left home for school on Friday but her whereabouts remained unknown until Monday. Confirming the incident on Monday 29 April, her uncle, Zubairu Yewuti who is also a former vice chairman of Kwali Area Council of the FCT, noted that, “The family of Murja called me in the afternoon and they confirmed that she…
Nigerian afrobeat singer and rapper, Skales has poured out his heart on his Instagram Stories. The singer-songwriter said that he has no one, except for his daughter, whom he shares with his estranged wife. He added that he misses his late mum and he is so lonely. “Love is a joke in this gen…” he wrote. “Love is bullshit. You better love strategically,” he added. The 33-year-old further stated that he fears for his life, is so lonely, and no one has his best interest at heart. He wrote: “I am a lonely man that’s scared for my life every…
A renowned historian Allan Lichtman, who has correctly predicted every presidential election since 1984 has made his prediction for the forthcoming presidential election in the US. The professor of history at American University in Washington, declared that ‘a lot would have to go wrong’ for Joe Biden to lose to Donald Trump in November. Allan Lichtman devised a system, which he called ’13 Keys’, and wrote a 1980s book explaining the idea. He stated that the technique enables him ‘to predict the outcome of the popular vote solely on historical factors and not polls, tactics or campaign events.’ Despite polls…
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has stated that the fuel scarcity being experienced across the country will last for two more weeks. Addressing newsmen, the Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, noted that the product is not available in the country and that it is now challenging to source the product because most refineries in Europe are undergoing turnaround maintenance. Ukadike blamed the severe shortage in supply on importation bottlenecks and the slow pace of marketers’ licence renewal by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA. While adding that only 1,050 marketers out of…
Former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on Sunday April, 28 urged his counterpart in Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to come out of his hiding and respond to his case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Recall that the embattled ex governor of Kogi state, has been having a running issue with the anti-graft agency, which declared him wanted after he failed to make himself available for arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja where the EFCC filed N80.2bn fraud charges against him. In the same vain, the Nigerian Immigration Service also placed Bello on watchlist, ordering that…
Justin Bieber’s wife, Hailey Bieber has reacted to worrying photos of her husband crying. The 27-year-old American model, commented on her husband’s latest photo dump, which included crying selfies of the Grammy Award winner, 30. ‘A pretty crier,’ wrote Hailey in the comments section. Hailey appeared to put speculation on any marital issues to rest. Justin bieber Justin and Hailey tied the knot in 2018, and they’ve since frequently been greeted with rumours of marital trouble. Recently, there were speculations by Hailey’s father Stephen Baldwin, who posted about ‘special challenges’ the couple was facing in a since-deleted post on Instagram…
Arsenal winger, Bukayo Saka, has extolled Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo, for his commitment to the world of football. The Al Nassr soccer star is one of the greatest goalscorers of the game with 885 senior career goals for club and country in 1,200 professional career appearances and Saka believes the 39-year-old’s goal-scoring ability is a major motivation to a lot of other footballers. “He was a perfect example of that. He just exploded and turned into a goalscoring machine, and I think he inspired a lot of players to try and follow in his footsteps,” Saka added.
The National Emergency Management Agency has confirmed that the fire disaster that engulfed the Eleme area of Rivers State on Friday 26 April night was caused by a reckless truck driver. It was gathered that the fire that occurred between the Indorama Petro-Chemical Company Gate and the Aleto Bridge on the ever-busy Eleme section of the East-West Road burnt motorists and commuters beyond recognition and destroyed over 120 vehicles on Friday. According to a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Sunday April 28, NEMA noted that the fire was caused by a collision between a truck and a…
Two drug kingpins, identified as Uwaezuoke Christian and Agbo Prince, have been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja for “their years of criminal enterprise of exporting cocaine across continents.” According to the Director of Media and Advocacy, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Femi Babafemi, who announced this in a statement on Sunday 28 April, stated that Uwaezuoke was initially apprehended in 2022 for ingesting cocaine wraps and was later caught again trying to smuggle drugs to India. On the other hand, Agbo was arrested at the FCT airport for attempting to export cocaine to Hong…
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has described as sad the fire incident caused by a tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol which claimed many lives and destroyed several vehicles. The governor who stated this on Saturday while assessing the level of damage caused by the unfortunate incident decried that such an incident would have been avoided. Recall that multiple explosions from fuel tankers at the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State have led to the burning of not less than 100 vehicles and an unspecified number of casualties. It was gathered that a…
Winner of the 2018 Big Brother Naija ‘Double Wahala’ show, Miracle Igbokwe, has graduated with a distinction from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, United States. Sharing a video of the moment he climbed the stage to receive his certificate on his Instagram story, the reality TV star revealed this on Friday 26 April. Recall that in July 2018, he obtained his Private Pilot License and Flight Dispatcher License. Meanwhile, in March 2019, he further disclosed that he received his certification as an “Instrument Rated” pilot. The BBNaija ex-winner was said to have celebrated passing his Flight Instructor examination in 2023,…
Nollywood has again been thrown into a grieving moment after the sad news of the death of another veteran Yoruba Actor Ganiyu Oyeyemi popularly known as Ogunjimi, surfaced on social media on Friday 26 April. Ogunjimi’s death was announced by a Yoruba actor, Kunle Afod, in a post on his Instagram page. Mourning the actor, Afod wrote, “We tried our best but God loves you more. “May his soul rest in peace. Baba Ogunjinmi, RIP, Sun re oooo.” The cause of death has not yet been ascertained as of press time.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned two Chinese, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, alongside their company, Ebuy Concept Limited, before a Federal High Court in Ilorin over alleged illegal mining activities in Kwara State. The duo were arraigned on a one-count charge, which bordered on possessing solid minerals without a license and failing to pay royalties to the Federal Government as required. The anti graft agency revealed this in a post on its X handle on Friday 26 April, saying the arraignment was made on Monday, April 22. “Specifically, the defendants were arraigned on one-count bordering…
An unspecified number of workers have been reportedly trapped at a collapsed building in Kano State on Friday 26 April. It was gathered that no fewer than 11 persons are trapped under the rubble, in the building located at the Kuntau area of Gwale Local Government Area of the state. . Meanwhile, rescue operations are currently ongoing while some corpses have been recovered. Two persons were rescued and rushed to the hospital by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps. Details shortly…
Military commander of an army camp located at Sabon Garin Dan’Ali, in Danmusa local government area of Katsina state has reportedly been killed in an ambush. It was gathered that the incident happened Thursday evening 25th April and the corpse of the deceased, a major in the army, was deposited at a hospital in Katsina. Sources say, the commander, (name withheld), was ambushed at Malali village in Kankara local government area of the state, where he was called to provide reinforcement to repel an attack on the village. “As you know, Malali is along Zangon Pawwa road, and that area…
The naira which seems to have been doing exceeding well against the US dollar in recent weeks, have depreciated further on Thursday, April 25, against the United States dollar. At the official market, the Naira depreciated to N1,309/$ and N1,420 at the parallel market. The new rate which indicates a depreciation of N90 or 6.8 per cent from N1,330 quoted by currency traders on Wednesday, April 24. Bureau de change operators blame the depreciation on an increase in the demand for the dollars. The naira on Thursday continued its downward trend against the United States dollar, tumbling to N1,309/$ at…
According to reports, Burkina Faso has suspended the BBC and Voice of America radio networks from broadcasting for a period of two weeks for airing a rights report accusing the army of attacks on civilians. International NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday April 25th stated that soldiers in Burkina Faso’s jihadist-hit north had killed at least 223 villagers, including 56 children, in two revenge attacks on February 25. The communications authority (CSC) announced late on Thursday; “The programmes of these two international radio networks broadcasting from Ouagadougou have been suspended for a period of two weeks”. It equally noted…
