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Category: News

  • BREAKING: Court Grants Ex-Minister Agunloye N50m Bail

    BREAKING: Court Grants Ex-Minister Agunloye N50m Bail

    Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court Apo, on Thursday, granted bail to ex-Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, in the sum of N50 million.

    Agunloye was arraigned on seven counts bordering on fraudulent award of a contract and official corruption, on Wednesday.

    The judge had ordered his remand in Kuje Correctional Centre pending hearing and ruling on the bail application.

    Moving the application, the Counsel for the former minister, Adeola Adedipe, prayed the court to grant bail to his client by way of self-recognisance or in liberal terms.

    He said Argunloye is not a flight risk and that the notion canvassed by the prosecution was “born out of misconception and communication barrier”.

    Adedipe also appealed to the court not to order the use of a public servant as surety for his client.

    The senior lawyer also argued that the apprehensive misconception about bail and the mischief argued by the prosecution has been cured by Section 352( 4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

    Under this provision, Adeola said, “Once a defendant is admitted to bail, even if he absconds, the trial will continue and he will be convicted where necessary.”

    However, the prosecution counsel opposed the bail application.

    Delivering the ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie said the pendulum of the court swings in favour of granting bail to the defendant.

    He granted N50 million bail to the defendant and ordered him to produce two sureties in like sum.

    The sureties must be “reputable” and “people of means” resident within the FCT.

    They must have properties worth N300 million with a Certificate of Occupancy that must be verifiable.

    They must submit copies of their identity card and photocopies of their international passports to the court.

    The defendant is to submit his passport to the court and must be present for hearing at all times.

    The matter has been adjourned to February 12.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating Agunloye over the $6 billion Mambilla Hydropower Contract.

  • Akwa ibom: Umo Eno remains Gov as S/Court dismisses APC, YPP, NNPP’s petitions

    Akwa ibom: Umo Eno remains Gov as S/Court dismisses APC, YPP, NNPP’s petitions

    The Supreme Court, Thursday, affirmed the election of Umo Eno as the governor of Akwa Ibom State, in the March 18, governorship election in the state

    The seven-man panel of the Apex court, lead by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the petition following the withdrawal of three separate appeals brought before it by the petitioners alleging certificate forgery.

    They failed to convinced the panel that Emo Eno Bassey and Bassey Eno Emo were not the same and as such that the governor allegedly forged his Secondary School Certificate.

    Consequently, the lead counsel to the respective parties withdrew their separate appeals as the apex court panel of Justices hinted that they have no merit.

    The Petitioners in the matter are All Progressive Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Akanimo Udofia, Young Progressive Party(YPP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Akpan Albert Bassey as well as that of New Nigeria People’s Party(NNPP)and its governorship candidate, John James Akpan Udoedehe.

    Their arguments especially forgery allegations did not go down well with the Apex Court Justices who queried the lawyers on whether the West African Examinations Council WAEC gave evidence to establish the criminal allegations.

    Upon admission that WAEC did not testify in the matter, the lawyers opted and separately withdrew the appeal.

    This prompted Justice Abba-Aji to dismiss them following no objections from lawyers to the various respondents.

    The Court did not award cost against any of the lawyers to the appellants having voluntarily withdrew their cases on ground of want of merit.

    The Court of Appeal in Lagos had in November last year affirmed the election of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State in the governorship election held on March 18, 2023.

    The appellate court in its judgment dismissed three separate appeals, filed against the governor’s election.

    While affirming the September 28, 2023 judgments of the election petition tribunal, the three-member panel of Justices headed by Festus Obande dismissed the appeal brought by the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Bassey Akpan, and his party against the Independent National Electoral Commission, Eno, and the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Justice Obande also granted judgments in favour of the governor against the appeals of the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, John Udoedehe, as well as Akanimo Udofia, of the All Progressives Congress.

    The appellate court declared in the unanimous judgments that all three appeals lacked merit.

  • Ogun Guber: Supreme Court reserves judgment seeking Abiodun’s removal

    Ogun Guber: Supreme Court reserves judgment seeking Abiodun’s removal

    The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and it’s candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in the March 18, governorship election.

    Adebutu’s appeal is seeking the nullification of the declaration of Dapo Abiodun as winner of the election.

    Specifically, he is challenging Abiodun’s re-election on the ground that the Electoral Act, 2022, was not adhered to, citing corrupt practices and issues of non-qualification.

    Specifically, PDP and Adebutu want the Supreme Court to set aside and dismiss the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which had on November 23, affirmed the decision of the Tribunal in upholding Adiodun’s victory.

    Recall that two Judges of the court below had dismissed the appeal filed by Adebutu for lacking in merit, while Justice Jane Esienanwan Inyang saw merit in the petition and thereby ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return presented to Abiodun and conduct another election in 99 polling units where elections were disrupted.

    In adopting his brief of arguments, Chris Uche SAN, counsel for the appellants said INEC ought to have conducted fresh elections in 99 polling units where elections were cancelled and not declared a winner.

    He said the return of the governor by INEC was unlawful and the election was wrongly concluded because corrupt practices were allegedly manifest during the March 18, governorship poll.

    Abiodun Owonikoko, counsel for the first respondent(INEC), asked the apex court to dismiss the appeal.

    He maintained that governorship and presidential election is not determined by margin of lead but by spread of votes, according to Section 179 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Wole Olanipekun, counsel for second respondent, urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal which challenges concurrent decisions of the two lower courts.

    INEC had declared Abiodun winner of the governorship election after polling 276,298 votes to defeat his closest rival Adebutu, who polled 262,383 votes.

  • CBN Appoints New Executives for Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank

    CBN Appoints New Executives for Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank

    The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced the appointment of new executives for Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank. 

    The decision comes after the dissolution of the board and management teams of these financial institutions.

    The appointments, effective immediately, were disclosed in a statement signed by the CBN’s acting Director of Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali Hakama. 

    The appointees will now oversee the operations of the respective banks.

    Union Bank Appointments:

    Yetunde Oni: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
    Mannir Ubali Ringim: Executive Director

    Keystone Bank Appointments:

    Hassan Imam: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
    Chioma A. Mang: Executive Director

    Polaris Bank Appointments:

    Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
    Chris Onyeka Ofikulu: Executive Director

    The decision to dissolve the boards and management teams was attributed to non-compliance with Sections 12(c), (f), (g), (h) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020. The CBN emphasized that the actions of these banks posed a threat to financial stability.

    Despite the changes, the CBN assured depositors that their funds in the affected banks remain secure and unaffected by this decision.

  • Tinubu constitutes boards, management teams for NAHCON, Christian pilgrims commission

    Tinubu constitutes boards, management teams for NAHCON, Christian pilgrims commission

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed a management and board for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

    The development came about three months after the president appointed Jalal Arabi as the chairman of the commission.

    In a statement on Wednesday, Anjuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said the appointments are to ensure hitch-free and seamless hajj operations in 2024.

    Members of the commission’s management are Aliu Abdulrazaq, commissioner, policy, personnel, and finance; Anofi Elegushi, commissioner for operations; and Abubakar Yagawal, commissioner for planning and research.

    NAHCON’s board members are; Muhammad Umaru Ndagi (north-central), Abba Jato Kala (north-east), Muhammad Bin Othman (north-west), Tajudeen Oladejo Abefe (south-west), Aishat Obi Ahmed (south-east), Zainab Musa (south-south), Musa Inuwa Fodio (Jama’atul Nasril Islam), and Adedimeji Mahfouz Adebola (Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs).

    The president also appointed the board and management team of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC).

    Members of the board are Aloche Adole (chairman), Stephen Adegbite (secretary), Omowumi Ogunlola (south-west), Clement Nweke (south-east), and Weli Wosu (south-south).

    Others are Joseph Mamman (north-west), Toma Ragnjiya (north-east), Simon Dolly (north-central), and Raphael Nwankwo, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

    The president urged the appointees to “consider their appointment as an opportunity to serve the nation”.

  • NiDCOM & BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION COLLABORATE ON DiASPORA PROGRAMMES

    NiDCOM & BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION COLLABORATE ON DiASPORA PROGRAMMES

    The British High Commissioner to Nigeria Dr Richard Montgomery has emphasized the important role of the Nigerian Diaspora in the United Kingdom and pledged more collaboration with the Nigerians in diaspora Commission .
    He further stressed the need for enhanced trade and investment between both countries.

    Speaking during a courtesy call to Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and some Management staff in the Office in Abuja ,
    the British High Commissioner stated further that the UK-Africa Summit scheduled to hold in May in the City of London, is a strategic opportunity to galvanize trade and investments for both countries and the African continent at large.
    He commended Nidcom for initiating programs such as the Diaspora investment summit and several others.

    Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, welcomed collaboration with the British high commission and reiterated Nigerias commitment to continue to enhance engagement with the Diaspora.

    She also underscored the imperatives of cultural exchanges, advocating the revival of the Cultural Road Show initially slated for 2020 but deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Outlining the Commission’s activities and programmes, Dabiri-Erewa seized the opportunity to emphasize the importance of creating comprehensive sensitization and awareness for Nigerians planning to migrate to the UK, “We can’t stop migration, but as a government, we will create an enabling environment; Nigeria and the UK government should have an MOU , particularly on migration of health workers “ she stated.

    Dabiri-Erewa expressed optimism ahead of the UK- Africa Investment Summit in London, , and the role of the Nigerians in the UK in playing a catalytic role in bolstering partnerships between the UK, Nigeria, and the African continent.

  • Alleged Fraud: Olu Agunloye, Former Minister of Power and Steel Remanded in Kuje Prison

    Alleged Fraud: Olu Agunloye, Former Minister of Power and Steel Remanded in Kuje Prison

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has taken a decisive step regarding Olu Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. 

    Justice Donatus Okorowo ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre following charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging his involvement in fraudulent activities.

    Agunloye, who also previously served as Minister of State for Defence, pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

    However, the court ruled for his remand pending the determination of his bail application.

    This development unfolded after the EFCC had declared Agunloye wanted on December 13, 2023, for suspected involvement in fraudulent acts. 

    The anti-graft agency had sought information from the public regarding his whereabouts, urging individuals to report to the nearest police station or contact the EFCC.

  • Unpaid Bills: TCN Issues 14-Day Suspension Notice to Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd

    Unpaid Bills: TCN Issues 14-Day Suspension Notice to Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has taken decisive action against Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) due to non-compliance with market rules, issuing a 14-day disconnection notice. 

    According to TCN’s statement, ASCL has accumulated a substantial debt of N33.71 billion as of November 2023, with N30.85 billion owed for energy and capacity supplied by Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET) and N2.22 billion to service providers.

    Despite prior notifications and interventions by the Minister of Power to rectify the defaults, ASCL’s non-compliance remains unresolved. 

    TCN has demanded the settlement of outstanding invoices and the provision of bank guarantees within the specified 14-day period to avoid disconnection from the National Grid, as per Section 45 of the Market Rules.

    Failure to rectify these defaults within the stipulated timeframe may lead to disconnection, and if left unresolved after 30 business days, the Market Operator may terminate ASCL’s Market Participation Agreement, escalating the matter to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for further action.

    This action by TCN follows a hint in the NERC’s 2022 annual report regarding the potential disconnection of Ajaokuta Steel from the national grid due to its significant indebtedness of N25.06 billion.

  • Betta Edu: Why Youths Aren’t Fit To Lead Nigeria – Daddy Freeze

    Betta Edu: Why Youths Aren’t Fit To Lead Nigeria – Daddy Freeze

    Media icon Daddy Freeze has expressed his viewpoint that older corrupt politicians should retain power instead of transferring leadership to younger individuals. 

    He made these remarks during an Instagram live session following the suspension of Minister Betta Edu over alleged fraud, emphasizing that the lack of experience led to her involvement in corruption within a short period. 

    Freeze suggested that older politicians have a better understanding of the systems, while he criticized youths for potentially mishandling the system if in power, stating,

     “I’d rather have an experienced older individual comprehend the system than a young person who might recklessly exploit it.” 

    He further emphasized his preference for seasoned politicians like Tinubu, Atiku, or Obi over youths, suggesting some youths lack a moral compass.

    He said, “I don’t want youths to lead Nigeria. I would rather have an old thief that understands the system than a young thief that would just steal the system senselessly. You never do minister work how many months dem Don catch you already.

    “At least, other person wey dem dey catch, e dey reach like three years later. Someone who isn’t 40 yet, I’m 10 years older than her [Betta Edu]. She is a proper youth.

    “Those you saying you don’t want old people, for me, all this old people whether it’s Tinubu, Atiku or Obi, I prefer them to youths. Nigerian youths? Some of them were born deficient of a conscience.”

  • I Never Held Private Meeting With Obasanjo – Ohanaeze Leader

    I Never Held Private Meeting With Obasanjo – Ohanaeze Leader

    The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has clarified that he did not engage in any private discussions with former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo during the latter’s closed-door meeting with Ohanaeze chieftains in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    Iwuanyanwu made this statement during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday.

    The meeting, which took place at the residence of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, had sparked curiosity due to its private nature and the status of the attendees.

    According to the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okey Emuchay, the meeting involved discussions on “issues of mutual interest” between the former President and the Ohanaeze chieftains.

    Emuchay described the meeting as symbolic and crucial, noting that it led to fruitful deliberations.

    However, he refrained from providing specific details about the topics discussed during the visit.

    The meeting and Iwuanyanwu’s subsequent clarification indicate the ongoing engagement of prominent leaders in addressing issues concerning the Igbo community and Nigeria at large.

    Emuchay said, “Issues of mutual interest were discussed, and the Ohanaeze PG informed Chief Obasanjo that Nigeria should erect monuments in his name for the sacrifices he has made.

    “Iwuanyanwu had recalled Obasanjo’s role in ending the civil war with the slogan of no victor no vanquished; repayment of huge external debts and recovery of the economy during his time as President.

    “He informed the former President that the Igbo nation will bestow honour on him appropriately.”

    The former President was accompanied by Chief Oyewole Fasawe; while some Igbo leaders and Ohanaeze chieftains who were at the meeting included Emuchay; former Minister for Aviation, Kema Chikwe; Bishop Sunday Onuoha, Fidelis Ozichukwu; and Chief Tony Ukasanya, among others.