Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Category: News

  • Family Speaks On Cause Of Paul Akintelure’s Death

    Family Speaks On Cause Of Paul Akintelure’s Death

    The family of the late governorship aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Paul Akintelure, has opined that the death of the deceased is not ordinary.

    Akintelure, a medical doctor jostling for the governorship ticket of the APC, was confirmed dead in the early hours of Tuesday.

    The demise comes barely a week after Akintelure raised alarm, alleging that there was a serious threat to his life ahead of the APC governorship primary fixed for April 25.

    Though he did not provide details of the threat, he noted that he was compelled to address the matter with grave concern and a heavy heart.

    In an interview with Daily Trust, the deceased’s younger brother, Oladapo Akintelure, said his death was not natural.

    According to him, the Ondo politician had been complaining of several illnesses and was admitted to a hospital before he finally passed on.

    He added that Akintelure was also advised to take an urgent break from his campaign to face his health.

    He said, “For the past 12 or 14 days, he had been complaining of several sudden illnesses ranging from headaches to back and chest pains.

    “He was admitted at a time and had to take a break off campaign to attend to his health. At a time, we were worried and advised him to rest and we moved him to Lagos,” the younger brother said.

    However, Oladapo said he believed the sudden death of his brother was not natural, describing the sad development as unfortunate.

    “As a family member, I would not want to say much for now because it is still a shocking moment for us. This is not ordinary but it is unfortunate that we lost him at this critical time.”

  • Details Of Sheikh Gumi’s Meeting With FG Emerge

    Details Of Sheikh Gumi’s Meeting With FG Emerge

    The details of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s meeting with security agencies over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country has emerged.

    Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, revealed that Gumi had been invited over some of his remarks. 

    The minister said Gumi was not above the law and would be interrogated if security agencies deemed his comments reckless.

    This comes after Gumi continued his advocacy for amnesty for bandits in a recent radio interview, saying that many took to banditry because of alleged neglect and marginalisation from the government.

    The cleric has been photographed with various bandit groups on numerous occasions, while some Nigerians have called on security agencies to arrest him over his alleged ties with terrorist groups.

    In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Gumi said he had a productive interaction with security agencies who invited him over his alleged connections with bandits.

    The cleric stated that his meeting with the security agents centred on how to curb banditry in the North West region of the country.

    Gumi said there was no cause for alarm and thanked well-wishers and journalists who called to check on him.

    He wrote: “Last night I got many frantic calls from well-wishers and journalists about a news item that I was interviewed by security. There is absolutely no cause for alarm.

    “Yes, we had a productive interaction on how to curb banditry as we are all trying — each in his own sphere — to tackle the monster bedevilling the nation. There was no animosity but courtesy and full of respect.

    “We all need as a nation to unite and work in synergy to achieve an everlasting peace.”

  • BREAKING: CBN Hikes Interest Rate

    BREAKING: CBN Hikes Interest Rate

    In an effort to tackle rising inflation in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria has raised the monetary policy rate, known as the interest rate, by 200 basis points per cent to 24.75 per cent from 22.75 per cent. 

    The new develop was disclosed on Tuesday by the apex bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, at the 294th Meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee press briefing in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, saying the bank retained the Cash Reserve Ratio to 45 per cent.

    Cardoso stressed that the move was to ensure that the country’s rising inflation rate, which stood at 31.70 per cent in February, was moderated.

    Recall that the MPC raised the country’s interest rate in February to 22.75 per cent.

    The 294th MPC is the second since the appointment of Cardoso in September, with the next MPC meeting expected to be held on the 20th and 21st of May, 2024.

  • Presidency Disowns Viral List Of New Nigerian Ambassadors, Designations 

    Presidency Disowns Viral List Of New Nigerian Ambassadors, Designations 

    The Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has described as fake news a purported list of new Nigerian Ambassadors.

    A purported list of new Nigerian Ambassadors and their assigned countries went viral on social media on Tuesday.

    In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Tinubu’s aide said the names in circulation are merely a copy of an outdated 2017 list.

    Olusegun added that most of those mentioned in the fake list have already retired from their diplomatic duties.

    He wrote: “The alleged LIST OF NEW NIGERIAN AMBASSADORS AND THEIR ASSIGNED COUNTRIES circulating online is fake.

    “This list is merely a copy of an outdated 2017 list, where most of the individuals mentioned have already retired from their diplomatic duties.

    “A few names on the list are even inaccurate, and some have sadly passed away. One must question the sudden emergence of this stale list at this time.

    “Therefore, it is imperative to disregard and treat this list with utter contempt.”

    Recall that President Tinubu had, on September 2nd, 2023, recalled all career and non-career ambassadors manning the country’s diplomatic missions, embassies, and consulates globally.

  • Edo PDP Chairman Freed From Kidnappers Den

    Edo PDP Chairman Freed From Kidnappers Den

    The Edo State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has regained his freedom after eleven days in captivity.

    According to Senator Odion Ugbesia, Aziegbemi arrived his residence at about 3am on Tuesday, March 26.

    It was still unclear if any ransom was paid for Aziegbemi’s release as at the time of writing this report.

    Recall that Aziegbemi kidnapped on the March 16, 2024 by some unknown gunmen a few metres from his residence off the GRA in Benin City, the Edo state capital.

    He was said to have been trailed by his abductors who were said to be in two Toyota Corolla cars, overtook his jeep along Odaro Street off Country Home road close to his house at about 11 pm Friday.

  • NSA confirms Binance executive’s escape 

    NSA confirms Binance executive’s escape 

    The National Security Adviser’s Office has confirmed that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a detained executive from Binance, has fled from custody. 

    Anjarwalla, implicated in an investigation into Binance’s operations, escaped last Friday, as per the ONSA’s announcement on Monday. 

    This confirmation follows an earlier report by Starnews Ng detailing Anjarwalla’s escape. 

    Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communication at ONSA, affirmed the development in a statement, disclosing that preliminary findings indicate Anjarwalla departed Nigeria using an illicitly obtained passport. 

    Efforts are underway to apprehend the fugitive.

    The statement read, “The Office of the National Security Adviser confirms that Nadeem ANJARWALLA, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria has escaped from lawful custody on Friday, March 22, 2024.

    “Upon receiving this report, this office took immediate steps, in conjunction with relevant security agencies, MDAs, as well as the international community, to apprehend the suspect. Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect.

    “Preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport. ”

    Mijinyawa noted that those responsible for the custody of Anjarwalla had been arrested.

    He noted that the investigation was ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding his escape.

    “The personnel responsible for the custody of the suspect have been arrested, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his escape from lawful detention.

    “Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria, like other governments around the world, has been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing transactions perpetrated on the Binance currency exchange platform.

    “Until his escape, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities and serving as Binance’s Africa regional manager, was being tried by Nigerian courts. The suspect escaped while under a 14-day remand order by a court in Nigeria. He was scheduled to appear before the court again on 4 April 2024” the statement added.

    He urged Nigerians and the international community to help with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.

    Mijinyawa said, “We urge the Nigerian public and the international community to provide whatever information they have that can assist law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect.”

    Financial Times had on February 28 reported that two executives of the company were arrested and detained after they flew into the country as a result of a ban on their website.

  • 1.9 million Nigerians are living with HIV, says APIN

    1.9 million Nigerians are living with HIV, says APIN

    An estimated 1.9 million Nigerians are living with the Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Nigeria is one of the three countries in the world with the highest burden of the virus.

    A public health voluntary service initiative, APIN, made the disclosure at the weekend.
    persons.

    Speaking during the Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U)/ International women’s day media roundtable, the Senior Technical Advisor, Prevention & Community Services APIN , Dr Olubunmi Amoo, stated that the group has a variety of women-focused interventions.

    Dr Amoo stated that the interventions ranges from Cervical Cancer screening, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, HIV testing and treatment, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programming, and Economic Empowerment activities.

    Speaking further she said that the successes and results from these programs are helping to give women voices in their households and the society at large, while ensuring their health and wellbeing.

    Delivery the welcome address, the Associate Director, Human Resources & Administration APIN,
    Mr Luke Onu and Deputy CEO (Programs), Dr Jay Osi Samuels, remarked on the need to specifically target women in public health interventions, as well as other areas including governance, economic empowerment and leadership, a practice which APIN is committed to.

    The duo also appreciated the media for their support so far and encouraged them to continue to amplify messages on women’s inclusion on their platforms.

    Also speaking in the occasion, the Communications and Media Specialist APIN, Mrs Emerald Awa-Agwu, stated that APIN introduced the Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) campaign, aimed at increasing HIV testing, adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and uptake of viral load services to achieve an Undetectable viral load.

    Awa-Agwu informed that people Living with HIV who take their ARTs consistently can achieve an undetectable viral load. This means that the amount of HIV in their blood is too small to be detected by standard HIV tests. At this point, they are also unable to transmit HIV, Hence the name Undetectable =Untransmittable (U=U).

    Speaking further she said ” APIN Public Health Initiatives, addresses diseases of public health importance and mitigates their impact using cutting-edge approaches in public health program management, capacity building, research and health information management in partnership with other stakeholders.

    “The organization started out as a project of the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) in 2000 but became an independent NGO in 2007.

  • IPOB: Kanu’s family insists he needs cardiologist

    IPOB: Kanu’s family insists he needs cardiologist

    The family of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has
    raised fresh concern over his continued failing health, saying he needs urgent medical attention to avert a major health crisis.

    This is as the family sought to know those benefiting from the alleged whopping N800 million that the Federal Government spends as the cost of bringing him to court any time he is to make appearance.

    Spokesman of the family, Prince Emmanuel Kanu in a statement on Sunday said the family heard that the Federal Government spent N800 million each time he was brought to court.

    His words:” Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has finally become a money-minting venture for a few corrupt individuals in the corridors of power.

    “We heard that Government spends N800 million each time he is brought to court. Then, we want to know who the beneficiaries of the said money are?

    “Government should tell the people who collects and spends the money, and on what.

    “Our fear is that if it’s true that such humongous amount of money were spent on bringing him to court any time he is to appear, then it may be impossible to grant him bail any time soon because the cabal benefiting from his continued incarceration may not be willing to let go of their oil well.”

    The family which recently berated the Igbo political class for allegedly abandoning their son, expressed deep worry over his health condition.

    “We just got information that he is critically down. He has not been granted access to his personal doctors, and he urgently needs cardiologist. He should not be allowed to die in DSS custody”.

    The family, once again, called on the international community, to prevail on Nigeria to release the IPOB Leader who, it said, “is unjustly held for demanding the freedom of his Biafra people “.

    Kanu has remained in a solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, (DSS), since June 21 when he was abducted and extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya.

  • Detained Binance Executive Escapes From Custody, Flee Nigeria

    Detained Binance Executive Escapes From Custody, Flee Nigeria

    A key Binance executive detained in Nigeria on allegations of tax evasion and other charges, Nadeem Anjarwalla, has reportedly escaped custody.

    According to PREMIUM TIMES, Anjarwalla, 38, managed to flee on Friday, March 22, from a guest house in Abuja where he and a colleague were being held.

    The escape occurred when guards allowed him to visit a nearby mosque for Ramadan prayers.

    The dual British-Kenyan citizen is believed to have left Abuja aboard a Middle Eastern airline, raising questions about his departure despite Nigerian authorities holding his British passport.

    Efforts are underway to determine Anjarwalla’s destination and facilitate his return to custody.

    An Immigration official revealed to PREMIUM TIMES that Anjarwalla escaped using a Kenyan passport, sparking inquiries into how he acquired the document given that his British passport was in official custody.

    This has led to speculation about the oversight and privileges granted to the detainees, including phone access, which may have facilitated the escape plan.

    The National Security Adviser’s office, through Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communication, acknowledged the incident but has yet to provide further details.

    Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, and Tigran Gambaryan were initially detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024, leading to a series of legal actions against them and the cryptocurrency exchange.

    Following Binance’s non-compliance with a court order demanding data on Nigerian traders, the duo’s detention was extended to prevent evidence tampering.

    Charges against Binance and the executives include failure to register for taxes and issue invoices for VAT, as well as aiding subscribers in evading taxes.

    This incident comes amidst a broader crackdown by the Nigerian government on financial crimes, including money laundering and terrorism financing, with Binance allegedly being used for such activities.

    The government claims that over $21.6 billion was traded by anonymous Nigerian users on Binance, contributing to economic destabilization and Naira depreciation.

    The saga adds to Binance’s legal woes, following a guilty plea to money laundering charges in the US and a significant settlement with the Department of Justice.

    Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao’s trial in the US has also been delayed, casting a shadow over the cryptocurrency giant’s operations globally.

  • Kaduna Governor, Sani Speaks On Gumi’s Involvement in School children’s Release

    Kaduna Governor, Sani Speaks On Gumi’s Involvement in School children’s Release

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, on Sunday, revealed that Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was not involved in the release of abducted Kuriga pupils.
    Sani revealed this days after Gumi offered to negotiate with bandits for the release of the pupils.

    The governor while speaking on Channels TV, said all the 137 schoolchildren abducted on March 7, 2024 from the Chikun Local Government Area of the state by bandits have been rescued by the military.

    According to Sani, the rescue mission was carried out by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State, where the hostages were moved by their kidnappers.

    The governor described as speculations, talks in some quarters that ransom was paid, stressing that Gumi was not involved in the rescue of the pupils.

    Sani said, “All those speculations you are hearing today are figment of some people’s imagination. I can tell you that without any fear of contradiction. There was nothing like Gumi in this operation. I can tell you. I won’t undermine the efforts of our Armed Forces.”