Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories:
1. A prosecution witness has testified at the Federal High Court in Abuja that he received N1 billion to renovate houses belonging to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in Abuja and Kogi State. Aminu Rabiu, a businessman with Falala Construction and Interior Decoration Company, detailed payments he received from various sources for these renovations. The trial involves Ali Bello, the former governor’s nephew, and Dauda Sulaiman, accused of laundering N10 billion from the state’s coffers during Yahaya Bello’s governorship. Yahaya Bello faces separate charges of diverting over N80 billion from the state’s treasury but has repeatedly avoided court appearances, stalling his trial. The EFCC has not executed a warrant for his arrest since April. The court has adjourned Ali Bello’s trial to 16 July and the former governor’s trial to 17 July.
2. A Kano State High Court, led by Justice Amina Aliyu, permanently restrained Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero from identifying as the Emir of Kano and similarly barred the deposed Emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye from using their titles. This ruling followed the repeal of the Kano Emirate Law 2019 and the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi as the Emir of Kano. Bayero had previously obtained a Federal High Court order preventing his removal. However, the Kano State government sought and obtained a court order to stop Bayero and the other emirs from parading themselves as emirs. The court affirmed that the repeal of the law by the state House of Assembly was constitutional and directed the deposed emirs to hand over all royal artifacts to the government and the reinstated Emir Sanusi II
3. Donald Trump has chosen JD Vance, the young Ohio senator and author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election. This selection aims to attract blue-collar voters in the industrial Midwest. Trump announced Vance’s candidacy at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, shortly after surviving an assassination attempt. Vance, initially a critic of Trump, has become one of his strongest supporters and advocates. This choice solidifies the Republican ticket as Trump leads President Joe Biden in most national and swing state polls. Vance’s background and populist politics are expected to appeal to voters in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin
4. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted its visa ban on Nigerians, effective on Monday. This decision was announced by Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation after a Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu. The ban, imposed on December 13, 2021, restricted travel for Nigerians due to a surge in COVID-19 cases and a diplomatic dispute over flight frequencies between Nigeria and the UAE. The resolution of these issues by President Tinubu is expected to facilitate travel and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
5. The Naira depreciated yesterday to N1,555 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,545 per dollar last Friday. Similarly, it fell to N1,577.29 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) from N1,563.8 per dollar, marking a depreciation of N13.49. The volume of dollars traded increased by 21.3% to $153.53 million from $126.5 million last Friday. Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NAFEM rates narrowed to N18.8 per dollar.
6. The Federal Government has distributed 20 trucks of rice each to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to address food shortages, as announced by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. This follows Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting. Idris urged governors to ensure the rice reaches the most vulnerable. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s inflation rate hit 34.19% in June 2024, with food inflation rising to 2.55% from May’s 2.28%, driven by increased prices of various food items, according to the National Bureau of Statistics
7. The Lagos State Government will ban unregulated commercial bus operations (“Danfos” and “Koropes”) along the Lekki-Epe corridor starting October 1, 2024. This is part of a transportation improvement plan, including high-capacity buses, e-ticketing, and enhanced infrastructure. Bus operators and unions are urged to collaborate for smooth implementation. From August 1, 2024, an e-call-up system will manage truck movements in the Lekki-Epe Free Trade Zone to reduce congestion and improve logistics. This system will regulate truck entry and exit, enhancing traffic flow in the area, which is crucial for the state’s economy. Stakeholders support these initiatives, and the government will enforce compliance.
