Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Shortly after, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello handed over his position to his successor, Usman Ododo, on January 27, he was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with corruption related to the diversion of over N80 billion. The charges were made by amending existing cases involving his nephew and an associate, accusing him of converting state funds for personal use. The Kogi State Government, in response, criticized the charges as politically motivated, highlighting discrepancies in the timeline of the alleged offenses and emphasizing the state’s commitment to transparency and accountability. They called for an apology from the EFCC and urged the President to intervene to protect the agency’s integrity.
2. Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, the younger brother of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, was arrested by the EFCC for his involvement in corruption within the Aviation Ministry. He is accused of conspiring with his brother to divert public funds through inflated contracts awarded to a company owned by him. Despite being a civil servant, Abubakar received contracts worth billions of Naira from his brother’s ministry. The contracts were awarded for various projects, but no work has been completed, with funds allegedly transferred to other entities. Abubakar Sirika is currently in EFCC custody, providing further information on the ministry’s financial activities under his brother’s supervision.
3. The All Progressives Congress (APC) accused opposition parties of instigating mass protests across major cities to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration. This accusation came after protesters in Minna, Niger State, blocked roads on February 5 to protest against the rising cost of food items and perceived government inaction. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has returned to the country after a two-week private trip to France.
4. Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Yemi Cardoso, made a revelation that Nigerians spent $58.7 billion on Personal Travel Allowances (PTA) and $40 billion on education and healthcare between 2010 and 2020. He disclosed this during a sectoral briefing on the financial sector organized by the House of Representatives. The session also addressed concerns over the nation’s economy, including foreign exchange manipulation and the impact of forex restrictions. Cardoso assured of economic recovery despite challenges and emphasized the need for structural reforms, along with plans to improve revenue collection and address financial distress in institutions like the Bank of Industry.
5. The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has apprehended 149 suspected criminals traveling into the state in trucks from various parts of the country. The suspects were arrested at black spots in three local government areas, where robbery and kidnapping activities were frequent. Despite claiming to be hunters, the suspects concealed weapons, bags of Indian hemp, and cutlasses in their vehicles.
6. Nigeria is set to face South Africa in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. It will be their fourth encounter in the tournament, with Nigeria winning the previous three matches by an aggregate score of 8-1. Nigeria’s last semi-final victory against South Africa was in 2000, with a 2-0 win thanks to Tijani Babangida’s brace. Nigeria has a record 15th semi-final appearance but has only progressed from one of their last six. South Africa, in their fourth semi-final, last reached this stage in 2000 when they were defeated by Nigeria.
7. Mohbad’s biological mother has made a shocking claim that the late Mohbad’s father is not his biological father, daring him to take a DNA test to refute it. It’s worth noting that Mohbad’s mother had been absent from his life, leaving him with his father, who cared for him until he started his musical career. This revelation has left Mohbad’s fans stunned.
