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Category: News

  • BREAKING: Court Of Appeal Strikes Out Pro-Wike LG Chairmen Suit

    The Port Harcourt division of the Court of Appeal, on Monday, struck out two appeals filed by Local Government Chairmen loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, for lack of merit.

    The appeals marked CA/PH/137M/2024 and CA/PH/145M/2024, filed by Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and six others, challenged the decisions of the lower court in the matters of the elongation of the council leadership tenure.

    The Court of Appeal found the appeals to be without merit and consequently struck them out.

    Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, had amended the local government law and extended the tenure of the 23 local Chairmen that would expire by June by six months.

    When Governor Siminalayi Fubara declined assent to the Bill, the Lawmakers override the Governor and passed the Bill into Law.

  • JUST IN: One person killed, 18 rescued in Jigawa boat mishap 

    JUST IN: One person killed, 18 rescued in Jigawa boat mishap 

    One person has died, and another is missing as a boat carrying traders capsised on Sunday in Jigawa State.

    According to the police spokesperson in the state, Lawan Adam, 20 traders were travelling from Kwalgai in Auyo Local Government Area to neighbouring Hadin in Kaugama council when the boat capsised.

    Mr Adam said local divers and the police rescued most of the victims after responding swiftly to a report of the accident.

    “The rescue team was able to rescue eighteen (18) passengers alive, while two (2) female passengers were still searching”, Mr Adam said.

    He said one of two missing persons, identified as Habiba Ado,18, of Kwalgai community, was later alive but died at a hospital in Auyo.

    The police spokesperson said preliminary findings revealed that the accident was primarily caused by powerful waves and overloading that led to the driver losing control of the canoe.

    “Efforts were being intensified to rescue the remaining missing woman while the rescued victims were all rushed to the hospital for medical attention,” the police spokesperson said.

  • BREAKING! Pro- Wike Lawmakers Give Fubara 7 Days To Re-Present 2024 Budget

    The Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule has issued a 7-day ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-present the 2024 budget to the House.

    The order follows the first sitting of the pro-Wike House on Monday after some months. The other House led by Victor Oko-Jumbo is also holding a parallel sitting.

    Fubara had earlier presented the budget to the House loyal to him when his current Chief of Staff Edison Ehie presided as the Speaker.

    Ehie and the other pro-Fubara lawmakers passed the budget estimates, and the governor signed the bill into law. He stated that it is aimed at promoting economic development, inclusive growth, and addressing socio-economic inequality in the state.

    Details later…

  • More woes for Yahaya Bello as EFCC placed him on interpol watchlist 

    More woes for Yahaya Bello as EFCC placed him on interpol watchlist 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has placed former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello on INTERPOL’s watch list in three North African countries of Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria.

    Recall that the ex-Governor had earlier been put on the watch list of Egypt, Libya and Sudan.

    The anti-graft commission said the recent action followed an intelligence that the Bello may try to run to any of these countries.

    The watch-list was also activated ahead of the July 17 expected appearance of the former governor before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Bello is facing a 19-count charge for alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N80.2billion.

    The ex-governor has denied the allegation and has consistently failed to appear before the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite on June 13 and June 27.
     
    At the last hearing, Bello filed an application for the transfer of his trial to the Federal High Court, Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

    Speaking on the situation, the EFCC source said, “Ahead of the next hearing of the case, EFCC has activated many options, including taking a concrete action to watch-list Bello in North Africa.

    “We are aware of a botched exit to Morocco via Cameroon. We are determined to stop him from going on exile.

    “From Singapore, the EFCC executive chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede was in Tunisia where he delivered a paper at a session on illicit financial flows. Thereafter, he had a meeting with all the heads of INTERPOL in North Africa on the intelligence on the ex-governor.

    “He formally asked INTERPOL to place Bello on Red Alert in all North African countries and it was accepted.

    “The watch-list has taken immediate effect. He will be arrested in any part of North Africa. We took this step because we are suspecting that he had been bidding time not to be available for arraignment.

    “We expect Bello to be in court to prove his innocence. EFCC has to do its work to avoid bad precedent.”

  • Kidnapped  Zamfara Catholic priest in Zamfara released after two weeks

    Kidnapped  Zamfara Catholic priest in Zamfara released after two weeks

    The Parish Priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State, Mikah Suleiman has regained his freedom from bandits who kidnapped him two weeks ago.

    Suleiman’s release was announced in a statement on Sunday, July 7, 2024, by the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Pascal Salifu.

    The statement read, “We are overjoyed to announce the safe release of Fr Mikah Suleiman, who was kidnapped on 22/06/2024.

    ‘We extend our heartfelt gratitude to God for His protection and to everyone who offered prayers and support during this challenging time.

    “Our thanks also go to the authorities and all involved in securing Fr Mikah’s release. He is currently receiving the necessary care and support.”

    Salifu urged people to “continue to keep him in your prayers as he begins his recovery.”

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar confirmed the priest’s abduction on Saturday, saying, “Yes, the incident happened early hour of today, the Reverend Father was kidnapped in his residence. We were not informed when the incident happened but what I gathered was that the man stays alone not in the church.

    “We have deployed our tactical squad to go after the kidnappers with the aim of rescuing the victim unhurt.”

    More so, the acting Chancellor of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Nuhu Iliya had urged the Christian faithful to pray for the “quick and safe release” of the priest.

    “We equally commend him to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors,” Iliya said.

  • Senate Intensifies Probe into N30 Trillion Ways and Means; Extends Committee’s Assignment by Two Months

    Senate Intensifies Probe into N30 Trillion Ways and Means; Extends Committee’s Assignment by Two Months

    The Senate has ramped up its investigation into the N30 trillion Ways and Means facilities granted to the Federal Government by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) between 2014 and 2023. Last Thursday, the Senate extended the assignment of the Ad-hoc committee handling the probe by an additional two months.

    Senator Isah Jibrin (APC Kogi East), who chairs the Ad-hoc committee established in March, requested more time, citing delays in receiving crucial information from several relevant agencies involved in the utilization of these funds.

    During a telephone conversation with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Senator Jibrin, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise Duties, explained that the extension would enable the committee to intensify its efforts.

    “Most of the relevant agencies have been contacted, and their documents are being meticulously scrutinized regarding the spending of the disbursements obtained through the Ways and Means facilities,”

    Senator Jibrin stated. “As this is a highly sensitive national task, the committee is committed to conducting a thorough investigation without rushing to conclusions.”

    Jibrin emphasized that increased pressure would be applied to the few agencies that have not adequately responded to information requests. He warned that heads of non-compliant agencies might be summoned if they fail to provide the necessary information.

    “The extended timeframe will ensure that the committee produces a comprehensive investigative report by September this year, detailing how the N30 trillion Ways and Means were disbursed, for what purposes, and how the funds were expended,” he added.

    The Ways and Means facility is a loan mechanism through which the CBN finances the federal government’s budget shortfalls. This method often leads to macroeconomic instability, causing inflation and high exchange rates due to the excess liquidity injected into the economy.

    Although CBN law limits advances under Ways and Means to 5 percent of the previous year’s revenue, this limit has frequently been exceeded.

    In February this year, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso announced that the bank would cease granting Ways and Means advances to the government until all outstanding debts are repaid.

  • 76 Countries Including Nigeria Sign Controversial Samoa Agreement (Full List)

    76 Countries Including Nigeria Sign Controversial Samoa Agreement (Full List)

    The Samoa agreement focuses on economic development, security, environment, migration, mobility, and climate change other areas include investment opportunities, sustainable development, and mutually beneficial cooperation, among others.

    The Samoa agreement has been signed by 79 countries across the world to address various aspects of the economy.

    The objective of the Samoa agreement is to serve as the legal framework for EU relations with these 79 countries. These include 48 African, 16 Caribbean, and 15 Pacific countries.

    The agreement covers 2 billion people and aims to strengthen the capacity of the EU and the ACP (African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries) to address global challenges together.

    Here are the full list of countries to benefit from the Samoa Agreement:

    African Countries:
    1. Algeria

    2. Angola

    3. Benin

    4. Botswana

    5. Burkina Faso

    6. Burundi

    7. Cameroon

    8. Cape Verde

    9. Central African Republic

    10. Chad

    11. Comoros

    12. Congo

    13. Côte d’Ivoire

    14.Democratic Republic of the Congo

    15. Djibouti

    16. Egypt

    17. Equatorial Guinea

    18. Eritrea

    19. Eswatini

    20. Ethiopia

    21. Gabon

    22. Gambia

    23. Ghana

    24. Guinea

    25. Guinea-Bissau

    26. Kenya

    27. Lesotho

    28. Liberia

    29. Libya

    30. Madagascar

    31. Malawi

    32. Mali

    33. Mauritania

    34. Mauritius

    35. Morocco

    36. Mozambique

    37. Namibia

    38. Niger

    39. Nigeria

    40. Republic of the Congo
    41. Rwanda
    42.São Tomé and Principe

    43. Senegal

    44. Seychelles

    45. Sierra Leone

    46. Somalia

    47. South Africa

    48. South Sudan

    49. Sudan

    50. Tanzania

    51.Togo

    52. Tunisia

    53. Uganda

    54. Zambia

    55. Zimbabwe

    Caribbean Countries:
     

    1. Antigua and Barbuda

    2. The Bahamas

    3. Barbados

    4. Belize

    5. Dominica

    6. Dominican Republic

    7. Grenada

    8. Guyana

    9. Haiti

    10. Jamaica

    11. Saint Kitts and Nevis

    12. Saint Lucia

    13. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

    14. Suriname

    15. Trinidad and Tobago

    Pacific Countries:
    1. Cook Islands
    2. Fiji

    3. Kiribati

    4. Marshall Islands

    5. Micronesia

    6. Nauru

    7. Niue

    8. Palau

    9. Papua New Guinea

    10. Samoa

    11. Solomon Islands

    12. Tonga

    13. Tuvalu

    14. Vanuatu

  • 27-Year-Old Steel Company Worker Dies in Ogun Factory Incident

    27-Year-Old Steel Company Worker Dies in Ogun Factory Incident

    Yahaya Ibrahim, a 27-year-old worker at KAM Steel Integrated Company, tragically lost his life at the factory located along the Sagamu-Ogijo Expressway in Ogun State.

    Reports say that the fatal incident occurred when Ibrahim slipped and fell onto an engine roller while working early Sunday morning, around 4:50 am.

    The Ogun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the accident, noting that Ibrahim’s body has been transferred to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital morgue in Sagamu.

    Police officers responded to the scene following a distress call and identified the event as an industrial accident.

  • FG Lists 36 State Universities That Can Apply For Students’ Loan 

    FG Lists 36 State Universities That Can Apply For Students’ Loan 

    The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) on Sunday announced that approval has been given to students from state-owned tertiary institutions to access the federal government loan.

    NELFUND, in a statement on Sunday via its official X account, listed 36 state-owned tertiary institutions that can now apply for student loans.

    The statement disclosed that the management of these institutions have successfully submitted their student data to the NELFUND Student Verification System (SVS).

    It also urged all other state-owned tertiary institutions to submit their complete student data to the NELFUND Student Verification System timely to enable their students benefit from the scheme.

    Below are the institutions that can now apply.

    1. Adamawa State University, Mubi
    2. Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri
    3. Borno State University
    4. Mohammet Lawan college of Agriculture, Borno State
    5. Edo State University, Uzairue
    6. Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
    7. Gombe State University
    8. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Imo State
    9. Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Umuagwo
    10. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria
    11. Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano
    12. Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina
    13. Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management
    14. Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero
    15. Confluence University of Science and Technology, Kogi state
    16. Lagos state university of education
    17. Lagos State University
    18. Nasarawa State University, Keffi
    19. Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun state
    20. University of Medical Sciences, Ondo
    21. Osun State University
    22. UNIVERSITY OF ILESA, OSUN STATE
    23. GTC, ARA Osun State
    24. GTC, GBONGAN Osun State
    25. GTC, IJEBU-JESA Osun State
    26. GTC, ILE-IFE Osun State
    27. GTC, INISA Osun State
    28. GTC, IWO Osun State
    29. GTC,OSU Osun State
    30. GTC, OTAN AYEGBAJU Osun State
    31. OSUN STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ILA-ORANGUN
    32. GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE ILE-IFE
    33. OSUN STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
    34. Taraba State University, Jalingo
    35. Umar Suleiman College of Education, Gashua, Yobe State
    36. Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara.

    It would be recalled that NELFUND had previously announced that students of state-owned institutions would not be able to access loans on the platform yet.

  • CJN to swear-in 12 new Judges for FCT High Court, July 10

    CJN to swear-in 12 new Judges for FCT High Court, July 10

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola will on Wednesday July 10, swear-in the newly appointed 12 Judges for the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The inauguration of the jurists has been slated to hold at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at 10am.

    A statement by the Director of Information and Press of the Supreme Court, Dr Akande Festus indicated that the new Judges are Buetnaan Mandy Bassi from Plateau State; Ademuyiwa Olakunle Oyeyipo from Kwara State; Bamodu Odunayo Olutomi from Lagos State; Iheabunike Anumaenwe Godwin from Imo State and Odo Celestine Obinna from Enugu State and Hauwa Lawal Gummi from Zamfara State respectively.

    The rest are Sarah Benjamin Inesu Avoh from Bayelsa State; Maryam Iye Yusuf from Kogi State; Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria from Oyo State; Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike from Rivers State; Ibrahim Tanko Munirat from Bauchi State and Abdulrahman Usman from Taraba State.