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Nobel Prize-winning activist sentenced to 10 years in jail A court in Belarus has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski to 10 years in prison. He was convicted of smuggling and financing "actions grossly violating public order", the Viasna human rights group said. Supporters of Mr Bialiatski, 60, say that the authoritarian regime of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko is trying to silence him. Mr Bialiatski was one of three winners of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. He was arrested in 2021 following massive street protests over widely disputed elections that kept Belarus's long-time leader in power the previous year. Demonstrators were met with police brutality and Lukashenko critics were regularly arrested and jailed during the demonstrations, which started in 2020. Mr Bialiatski was in court alongside two fellow campaigners, Valentin Stefanovich and Vladimir Labkovich. Mr Stefanovich was sentenced to nine years in prison, while Mr Labkovich received seven ye...

Gbajabiamila hails Supreme Court's judgement on currency swap ...says CBN must respect apex court's decision The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has hailed the decision of the Supreme Court, which invalidated the deadline for the currency policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and extended it to 31st December, 2023. Gbajabiamila noted that, by the decision, the apex court has once again proved that it is the highest court of justice in the land.  He said the House had faulted the implementation of the policy as it went contrary to the law establishing the CBN, and that the Supreme Court's decision has validated the position of the House. In a press statement on Friday, Gbajabiamila said, "It has always been the position of the House of Representatives that, despite the noble intentions behind the currency swap policy, the design and implementation of the policy have been fatally flawed and contradictory to the ends of la...

HOW IT HAPPENED This Kitwe (Zambia) business man was in January this year attacked by 4 heavily armed thieves who entered his house through one of the windows at the sitting room. They went to straight to his bedroom and ordered him to give them money. He first resisted but later handed the thieves K25,000 cash after being tortured. His wife was lucky, she was not beaten. After stealing K25,000, the thieves stole a television set worth K50,000 which was bought 5 months ago. But exactly after one month and two weeks of breaking into the house, the thieves mysteriously forgot the owner of the house and decided to sell his TV set to him. When the owner saw the his TV set, he recognized it and remained calm. They told him that the TV was going at K20,000 and he agreed to buy it. He then told them to come the following day to enable him look for K20,000 and they agreed. The following day, at around 14:30 hours, the same 4 men entered his fence with a hope of getting K20,000. Still more the...

Kanu needs urgent heart surgery, IPOB cries out 3 March 2023  The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said there is an urgent need to rush its detained leader Nnamdi Kanu to a specialist hospital where he can be given proper treatment for his deteriorating health. Raising the alarm in a statement on Friday, the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, noted that Kanu’s deteriorating heart needs urgent medical attention. He claimed Kanu, who was rushed to what he described as an ill-equiped DSS clinic for medical emergency in Abuja on Monday February 27, 2023, needs his personal physician to take care of him. He said rushing him to DSS clinic is cosmetic and may cause more harm to his health. The statement reads in parts: “The attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been drawn to the  continued deteriorating health of our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu who was rushed to an ill-equiped DSS clinic on a medical eme...

Abia NLC Calls Off Three Days Strike March 3, 2023 The Abia State Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has called off the three day strike embarked upon by the union over non payment of salary arrears and implementation of agreements made. Arising from what they described as an exhaustive, comprehensive and extensive deliberations with the state government, the union said her decision to call off the strike stems from the renewed commitment of the state government to workers welfare and her quick intervene to resolve the issues raised by the striking workers. Assistant General Secretary of the union in Nigeria, Com. Chris Onyeka while addressing the media in Umuahia admitted that though there are varying degrees of issues raised by workers in the state he is optimistic that the State government is committed to ensuring a more worker friendly environment as work returns to normalcy in the state with industrial peace restored. The National body noted that a more committed and product...

The King and The Queen Consort will travel to France 🇫🇷 and Germany 🇩🇪 for the first State Visit of the new reign, from 26th March to 31st March 2023. The visit will celebrate Britain’s relationship with France and Germany, marking our shared histories, culture and values. It will also provide an opportunity to look forwards and demonstrate the many ways the U.K. is working in partnership with France and Germany, whether that be to tackle climate change; respond to the conflict in Ukraine; seize trade and investment opportunities or share the best of our arts and culture. As well as speaking to the strength of the U.K.’s bilateral relationships with France and Germany, Their Majesties’ visits will include engagements highlighting the importance of sustainability and community – key themes which have been embraced by citizens of all our countries. There will also be opportunities to reflect on the sacrifices and challenges of our shared past, out of which has come an enduring legacy...

HE, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the President-Elect, accompanied by wife of the Vice President-elect, HE Nana Aisha Kashim Shettima and some Governors wives made a congratulatory visit on HE, Dr Aisha Buhari, First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa to thank her for her leadership during the successful presidential campaign. Present at the occasion were APC Woman Leader, Dr Betta Edu, DG Women Campaign Council Hon. Dr Asabe Vilita, APC Women Activists and Associates of the First Lady. Press Release:   Aisha Buhari receives wife of President-elect First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, has congratulated the wife of the President-elect, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the success of her husband at the polls. She was speaking during a courtesy visit by Mrs. Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Mrs. Buhari said the President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim ...

After Publicly Humiliating Him When He Was Down, Pirates Producer Wants Johnny Depp Back as Jack Sparrow: "I think Johnny is an utter friend and an amazing artist"  Jack Sparrow or Capt. Jack Sparrow (as he prefers it) was an integral part of the franchise. Actor Johnny Depp, who was faced with the barrage of online hate after being accused of domestic violence, couldn’t agree more. The hate grew bigger in size and to avoid controversies, Disney fired Johnny Depp when he was involved in the defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard. We have all heard this story before, but what the people don’t know is that the producer of the notorious franchise wants Johnny Depp back. With a bottle of rum in one hand and dangling steps, the character of Capt. Jack Sparrow became one of the most iconic characters in 2003. Johhny Depp received international acclaim and rose greatly to fame with this iconic role and it was this role that was taken away from him when he was down on his luck. Fo...

 MAMBA GIRL STABBED TO DEATH BY HER FRIEND OVER A BOYFRIEND  Police in Southern Province have nabbed an 18-year-old female for allegedly murdering her juvenile friend with a knife. According to close sources, Juliet Hachiboola from Maamba town in Sinazongwe district is alleged to have murdered Salome Habeenzu aged 18 over a boyfriend. And Provincial Police Commanding Officer Paul Achiume who confirmed the development to Byta FM Zambia says the incident occurred Thursday morning in New Maamba Township. Achiume explains that the deceased (in picture) who was home alone at the time was found in a pool of blood outside her house with a deep cut on the left cheek and neck. He narrates that the deceased's top was cut in pieces with blood spots splashed inside the house where a kitchen knife and a stone stained with blood were recovered. Achiume further discloses that from the information gathered at the scene, Hachiboola was seen entering the deceased's house but was never spotted w...

'I KILLED HER AFTER I SPENT THE N150,000 SHE GAVE ME TO GET HER AN APARTMENT' - ESTATE AGENT WHO KILLED BENUE VARSITY STUDENT The police in Benue state have arrested the suspected killer of an undergraduate of the Benue state University, Erekaa Dooshima, who went missing in February and was found dead days after. Benue info-pedia, earlier reported that the deceased was found dead on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, three days after she went missing. Following the circumstances surrounding her death, the police swung into action and in the course of its investigation, arrested an estate agent, Shagbaor Ugosor Japhet, who she gave the sum of N150,000 to, for him to help her secure an apartment. Benue rights activist Mr Ukan kurugh reports that following his arrest and interrogation, the suspect confessed to killing Dooshima. The suspect said that he used the money to stake a bet and when he couldn’t provide the house or the money, he called the 25-year-old lady and hacked her to dea...

UPDATE ON LATE WHITNEY ADENIRAN: LASG REITERATES COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE FOR WHITNEY The Lagos State Ministry of Education has assured the parents of Whitney Adeniran, the Chrisland pupil who died during the school sports day, that no effort will be spared to get justice for her.  Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo stated this during a condolence visit to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adeniran at their residence in Lagos.  Mrs. Adefisayo confirmed the receipt of the post-mortem report on the cause of Whitney’s death and restated the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, that nothing will be spared at ensuring appropriate interrogation of the cause and prosecution of anyone found culpable.  She assured the parents that the Ministry of Education shares in their grief and will be with the family in the journey for justice.  The Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; Mrs. Abiola Se...

PRESS RELEASE Enugu East Senatorial District, Esan East/West and Igueben Federal Constituencies’ Elections to Hold on 11th March 2023.  

Pension Fraud: Office of Head of Service Pensions Accountant Bags 21 Years A former Accountant, Pensions  Account, Office of the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Garba Abdullahi Tahir, also known as Tahir Garba, was today, March 3, 2023 convicted and sentenced to 21 years imprisonment  for stealing N26.1million meant for pensioners. Abdullahi was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at a Federal High Court, Abuja on a seven count amended charge that bordered on money laundering. Count six reads, “That you Garba Abdullahi Tahir (also known as Tahir Garba on or about the 12th April, 2010 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court converted the sum of N7,800,000.00 (Seven Million and Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) into a bank draft or Manager's Cheque in favour of CHARO Bureau de Change Ltd through your bank account with Ecobank Plc, which sum represented part of the proceeds of crime of criminal breach of trust committed by you...

Supreme court nullifies naira swap policy, says old Naira notes valid till Dec. 31 The Supreme Court has ruled that the old N200, N500, N1,000 notes remain valid and should be in circulation till December 31, 2023. In a ruling delivered today March 3, the apex court also nullified the Federal Government’s naira redesign policy, declaring it as an affront to the 1999 Constitution. Justice Emmanuel Agim who read the lead judgement, held that the preliminary objections by the defendants (the Attorney General of the Federation, Bayelsa and Edo states) are dismissed as the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the suit. Citing Section 23(2)1 of the constitution, the court held that the dispute between the federation and states, must involve law or facts. The apex court further held that President Buhari in his broadcast, admitted that the policy is flawed with a lot of challenges. The court also held that the policy has led to some people engaging in trade by barter in this modern age, in...

Police Confirm Oil Pipeline Explosion in Rivers, 12 persons feared dead  The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed an explosion of oil pipeline at the Rumurkpe community in the Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State. The Explosion happened at about 2AM today, Friday, March 3, 2023 when one of the buses that has loaded with crude oil to drive to another area where the refining will take place in an artisanal refineries kick his vehicle leading to the explosion. In a statement t by the spokesperson of the comma.d SP GRACE IRINGE-KOKO said Preliminary investigation by the Police Command indicates that the victims were scooping crude product when the site caught fire. So far, about 12 persons are believed to have been burnt to death. The identities of the victims are still unknown. Five vehicles, four Keke NAPEPs, and one motorcycle were all burned to ashes. Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police has again admonished members of the public to stay away from illegal...

Court Orders INEC To Allow Obi, Atiku To Inspect Election Materials  3 March 2023 Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, on Friday, secured leave of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja to have access to all the sensitive materials the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, deployed for the conduct of the presidential election that held on February 25. The appellate court, which will sit as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, equally ordered the electoral body to also grant the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, access to the election materials. A panel of the appellate court led by Justice Joseph Ikyegh made the orders after it heard two separate ex-parte applications the two aggrieved presidential candidates filed alongside their political parties. Cited as Respondents in the matter were INEC, the acclaimed winner of the presidential election, Bola Tinubu, as well as his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. Both applica...