PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Four members of a gang, including three Saudis and one Nigerian national have been arrested in Saudi Arabia over alleged involvement in the smuggling and sale of cocaine.   According to a report by Saudi Gazette on Monday, May 8, 2023, about 2.2 kilograms of cocaine were seized from the suspects.   The Criminal Investigation Department of the Riyadh Police revealed that it foiled an attempt to smuggle in and the sale of 2.2 kilograms of cocaine in the city of Riyadh and the Jeddah governorate.   The gang members based in the Jeddah governorate, were found involved in the smuggling of cocaine while a citizen led a gang of two other citizens who were engaged in carrying out the sale of cocaine in the city of Riyadh using organized criminal methods.   Riyadh police seized the quantity of cocaine and a sum of money. Legal measures were taken against the arrested gang members and they were referred to the competent authorities.   The security authorities called...

Bandits Abduct 40 Christians In Kaduna About 40 people were on Sunday abducted by gunmen during a church service at Bege Baptist Church, Madala, along Buruku Baringi road, Kaduna, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kaduna State chapter, Rev. John Joseph Hayab confirmed the incident to DAILY POST. He said, “The worshippers were in the Sunday service around 9:30 am when they heard gunshots very close to the church. The gunmen attacked the church and went away with 40 worshippers.” He added, “Along the way, somehow, 15 of the kidnapped persons returned, remaining the rest 25 who are presently in captivity without any word from their abductors.” According to him, efforts were being made to get in contact with the abductors concerning the remaining people. When contacted, the State Police spokesman, DSP Mohammed Jalige promised to contact the DPO of the affected area for prompt action.  

Kenneth Okonkwo, Others Represent Peter Obi At Presidential Election Tribunal Veteran Nigerian actor and spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has revealed the lawyers representing the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the court of appeal. He made this known in a post on his Twitter page on Monday. Okonkwo said, “We have a formidable team of legal luminaries representing #PeterObi. From left is the head of the team, Livy Uzoukwu SAN, Awa Kalu SAN, Benbella Anachebe SAN, Kenneth Okonkwo Esq and a host of other experienced lawyers. May God grant us the wisdom to recover the people's mandate.” The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal began pre-hearing the petitions challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election on Monday. More photos below. 

APC Concludes, Nominates Akpabio For Senate President, Tajudeen For Speaker The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has zoned the leadership of the 10th National Assembly. According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, on Monday, the zoning arrangement reported to the NWC is as follows: Senate President – South-South Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Deputy Senate President – North West-Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano).  

Summary Of What Happened In Court At The Presidential Election Tribunal  Summary of What Happened in Court on Monday at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal Pre-hearing: Case Against Tinubu/APC/INEC Begins. ● The presiding Judge is Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani. He heads a 5 Man Pannel of Justices. ● Tribunal Listened To Peter Obi's Case Against Tinubu, APC and INEC. ● The Plea By Obi's Lawyers To Televise The Proceedings was REJECTED. ● They announced That All Cameras Should Be Taken Out Of The Court Room And Everyone Should Keep Away Their Phones. ● AA party lawyers who came to represnt same party didn't know each other and when there is no clarity on who is the real lawyer, they both withdrew their petition against Tinubu, leaving another party called APM. ● Peter Obi's pre-hearing case was to verify if all parties have filed their responses. ● Gov. of Plateau state created his own drama too when he claimed to be representing and he was told he can't repr...

NLC and Imo State Government sign agreement on Labour related matters in Imo State More details loading... One more photo below.   

*DEBUNKING ODOGWU'S DIATRIBE* - _Re: "Cornucopia: Governor Soludo's Aversion for Anambra State Journalists, Real or Imagined?"_  Paul Nwosu It was indeed shocking to read the verbose fictional piece by Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, Chairman NUJ, Anambra State Chapter. Odogwu's lengthy waffle does great harm to the profession of journalism in which facts are sacred. I had expected that a journalist of his rank and academic background ought to have fact-checked his public presentation. In this our business, fictions must not be presented as facts. And it is on this basis that I think it is proper to set the records straight. In his contentious write-up, Odogwu claimed that the SSG, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu has finished writing a letter to close National Light Newspaper and Printing Corporation; and once Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR, signs it, the organisation will be closed for good. This is not true. The issue of National Light is still being intensively consider...

EFCC Arraigns Man for Alleged N2m Romance Scam In Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on May 8, 2023, arraigned one Femi Emmanuel Phillip for an alleged involvement in romance scam to the tune of N2m before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. The suspect was arrested sometime in April 2021, following intelligence reports received by the Commission about his alleged involvement in the criminal activity. At the point of his arrest, operatives of the EFCC recovered some documents linking him to a romance scam. He pleaded “not guilty” to the one- count charge. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility. The defence counsel, I. Chiaha, in response, told the court about a pending bail application and also prayed the court for the defendant to remain in the EFCC custody. Justice Oweib...

EFCC Arraigns Businesswoman, Ramalian-Yaro, Four Firms for Alleged Multi-billion Naira Fraud in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, May 8, 2023, arraigned a businesswoman, Saadatu Ramallan-Yaro,  Director, April 1616 Investment Limited and Amsaymay Limited, both Designated Non-Financial Institutions, on alleged money laundering   before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. Also arraigned on separate charges were four companies:  April 1616 Investment Limited; Misabs International Limited, Armada Financial Services and Amsamay Limited. One of the charges against Ramallan-Yaro reads: “That you, Saadatu Ramallan-Yaro, being a Director of April 1616 Investment Limited, a Designated Non-Financial Institution, on or about the 3rd day of July, 2020 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to submit to the Ministry of Commerce a declaration of activitie...

Court Dismisses Defendant’s No-Case Submission in Alleged N15.8m Fraud Trial in Lagos Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, May 8, 2023, dismissed the No-case submission filed by one Balami Abdullahi, who is being prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N15, 800,000.00 (Fifteen Million, Eight Hundred Naira). The defendant allegedly defrauded one Alhaji Buba Kimba of the said sum by falsely representing to him that he had 40,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil to sell. The defendant was accused of failing to deliver the product. All efforts by the complainant to retrieve the money from him also proved abortive. He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges, when he was first arraigned by the EFCC on Friday, December 13, 2019 before Justice Dada on two counts bordering on obtaining by false preten...

 LEKKI COASTAL ROAD: “CLEARING OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WILL BE A CONTINUOUS EXERCISE” - LAGOS TASKFORCE The Lagos State Taskforce has carried out a follow-up clearing and mop-up operation at the Lekki Coastal Road in line with its mandate of ensuring a serene and habitable environment for residents within the axis through the removal of illegal structures and shanties used as hideouts by criminals. The operation, carried out in the early hours of today and lasted about six hours, was led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye who later disclosed that 38 suspects were arrested during the exercise.  Jejeloye further stated that the makeshift shanties by the roadside were demolished to ensure free vehicular movement along the route as well as rid the area of criminal hideouts. The Chairman warned all squatters and unscrupulous elements to keep off the area or risk being arrested and prosecuted. He appealed to roadside traders to move their wares to the designated market ...

 BENUE'S AVERSION TO WITCHCRAFT 8th May, 2023      Benue state is once again in the news for the wrong reasons. Only recently, youths in Ikyve community in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state reportedly buried two elderly persons alive for alleged witchcraft practice. According to witnesses, the two elders were sent beneath the earth on suspicion of invoking the lightning that killed one of the villagers identified as Henry Ihwakaa, his wife and his two-week-old child. One of the elders was Henry Ihwakaa’s father. The other victim whose name was not given was said to be a collaborator. Aggrieved youths in the community were said to have mobilised and attacked Ihwakaa’s father and his alleged collaborator. Thereafter, they dug a shallow grave and buried them alive in it. However, contrary to the reports, the state’s Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, only confirmed the killing of one elder, stating that two other suspects were alread...

EFCC Seeks Extradition of Brothers, One Other To U.S. Over Child Exploitation, Pornography   The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has initiated an extradition proceedings at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, against three suspects, Samson Ogoshi, his brother, Samuel, and Ezekiel Ejemeh Robert, over exploitation of minor and production of child pornography. The Ogoshis and Ezekiel were indicted in a United States Federal Court on December 1, 2022 on charges of exploitation of minors and production of child pornography resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute child pornography and conspiracy to commit stalking through the internet. According to investigations, the suspects conspired to conduct a sex-based extortion of minors and adults in the United States of America. The trio, investigations also revealed, hacked some social media accounts, posing to be young attractive women to entice unsuspecting victims to send their se...

As the Coronation weekend draws to a close, my wife and I just wanted to share our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to all those who have helped to make this such a special occasion. We pay particular tribute to the countless people who have given their time and dedication to ensuring that the celebrations in London, Windsor and further afield were as happy, safe and enjoyable as possible. To those who joined in the celebrations - whether at home, at street parties and lunches, or by volunteering in communities - we thank you, each and every one. To know that we have your support and encouragement, and to witness your kindness expressed in so many different ways, has been the greatest possible Coronation gift, as we now rededicate our lives to serving the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and Commonwealth. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐑. An official portrait following the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on 6th May. Pictured from left to right: The Duke of Kent, The Duchess ...

Supreme Court Fixes Date For Judgement On Osun Guber May 8, 2023 The two top contenders of Osun Guber The Supreme Court will on Tuesday give its verdict on the appeal brought before it by the immediate past governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, and his party, the All Progressives Congress. The court is expected to seat by 2 pm tomorrow (Tuesday). Oyetola and the APC had challenged the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which affirmed Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party as the elected governor of Osun State. In 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced Adeleke as the winner of the election. The Supreme Court on Monday scheduled the date and time to lay to rest the legal tussle over the governorship seat of Osun State after parties in the appeal adopted their written address and oral submissions in the matter. Both Oyeleke and the APC pray that the apex court set aside the verdict of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal. The judgement al...

 PETER OBI: TRIBUNAL ADJOURNS PRE HEARING May 8, 2023 The spokesperson of the Labour Party in February 25 presidential election Kenneth Okonkwo has stated the Presidential Election Petition Court has adjourned the pre hearing of the trail to Wednesday, 10th of May 2023. The Labour Party Chieftain revealed this on his media platform ( Twitter handle) on Wednesday.According to the tweet he made, “After a brief pre-hearing trial, the case was adjourned to Wednesday, 10th May, 2023 at 2 pm prompt. Alex Ejesieme (SAN), Kenneth Okonkwo Esq With me is Alex Ejesieme SAN. We can recall that the opposition parties, (People’s Democratic Party, Labour Party) and their presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi filed a suit against the president elect of the country, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu challenging his mandate. INEC They noted that the the February 25 presidential election was rigged because of INEC’s failure to upload the results in Portal as promised. However, the Peoples Democratic P...

You Can’t Stand In For Tinubu, Presidential Tribunal Tells Gov Lalong May 8, 2023 Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State The Presidential Election Petition Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, barred Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State from standing before it as the representative of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The Plateau state governor had immediately the first petition that was lodged against the outcome of the 2023 presidential election was called up, stood up and announced himself as Tinubu’s representative. “My Lord’s my name is Simon Lalong and I am here to represent Tinubu,” the governor stated. However, Justice Haruna Tsammani led a five-member panel that declined to recognize him as Tinubu’s representative. “You cannot represent an individual. Tinubu is not a corporation that would need a representative,” the presiding justice held. “My Lords, in that case, I will represent the All Progressives Congress, APC,” Governor Lalong responded. Meanwhile, the court has...

Governor Ganduje Commends Hisbah On Societal Vices Fight  Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has commended the state hisbah board, for it's dedication towards eradicating societal vices, across the 44 local government areas. Dr. Ganduje gave the commendation, during a visit to Hisbah headquarters Sharada Kano State. According to the Governor, his administration had mapped out policies and programs aimed at uplifting Kano Hisbah to international standards. He explained that, the state government had recruited hundreds of hisbah marshalls and hisbah corps, in addition to establishment of new structures, and training of personnel to strengthen their capabilities. Dr. Ganduje however stressed that, the agency's efforts had yielded positive results, where miscreants and unpatriotic Nigerians in Kano, are scared of committing unethical acts, for fear of being apprehended. Earlier in his remarks, the Commander General, Kano State State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Dr. Harun Muh...

Action Alliance Withdraws Petition Against Tinubu The Action Alliance has withdrawn its petition against Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-Elect. No reason for the withdrawal was revealed at the start of the Presidential Election Petition Court’s pre-hearing on Monday in Abuja. AA’s lead council, Oba Maduabuchi requested that the party’s petition be withdrawn. After the All-Progressives Congress (APC), the President-Elect, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stated that they had no objections, Justice Haruna Tsammani dismissed the case.  

Death Tolls In Congo Reaches 401 Deaths from last weeks flood devastation in two villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached 401, the provincial governor, Theo Ngwabidje Kasi said on Monday. As of Monday, more bodies were still being recovered from the disaster that has become one of the deadliest in the country’s recent history, Reuters reports. On Friday, at least 176 people were reported dead, while many others were declared missing. Some other 205 people were seriously injured in the flooding resulting from rivers bursting their banks after the heavy rains on Thursday, while 167 people are listed as missing. President Felix Tshisekedi has declared a day of national mourning as a team of ministers coordinate humanitarian aid and disaster management, government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said.  

Police Intensifies Security Patrol, Kill Notorious Bandit In Giwa LGA, Kaduna State The Nigeria Police has intensified patrol in Giwa Local Government Area to curb with emerging security challenges. This is contained in a statement signed by the State Public Relelations Officer PPRO Mohammed Jalige which indicates that the police yesterday killed one notorious armed bandit and recovered motorcycles belonging to the gang. It says the Operatives attached to 47  Police Mobile Force deployed to Kaya on routine patrol along Fatika Road, sighted a gang of armed bandits riding on motorcycles, and in military camouflage where they engaged them on gun battle.  According to the statement, one of the bandit was shot dead while others escaped with varying degrees of bullet wounds. The statement says the State Commissioner of Police, Musa Yusuf Garba commended the professionalism exhibited by the personnel and urged them to sustain the onslaught against banditry and other forms of criminal...

Update: NSIB, NCAA Begin Investigation Into Aircraft Incident  Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says, investigation has commenced into the  incident involving a B737-400 with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-MBD operated by Max Air. The aircraft, with 144 passengers and Six crew members onboard was en-route Abuja from Yola when it had a tyre burst while landing on the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria. According to a statement by spokesman for the NSIB, Tunji Oketunbi says, first responders arrived at the accident site and evacuated the passengers, adding that there was no injury or fatalities. As investigation commences, the NSIB, solicit information from the general public in form of pictures, video or recording evidences to help assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation.  In a related development, the Director General, Civil Aviation, Captain Musa Nuhu has assured the traveling public that, the authority and oth...

Gov. Soludo inaugurates hostel donated by foundation at Community High School Akwaeze By Ginika Oguji The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has inaugurated a 250-bed capacity female hostel in Community High School, Akwaeze, Anaocha Local Government Area (LGA). The project was bankrolled and donated to the school by Chief Ikenna Okafor, Founder of Nzekwuabuo Foundation, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO). The governor during the inauguration also laid the foundation stone of the male hostel, and inspected the equipped science laboratories, an e-library, a multi-purpose hall, an ICT hub and a 60 KVA diesel-powered generator also donated by the foundation to the school. He commended Chief Okafor for the initiatives, describing him as a great son of the soil, who is not just a blessing to the people of Akwaeze town but to the entire Anambra State. ``We have come to celebrate you while you are still alive because you are living a life with purpose," he said. The governo...

Fire Incident Will Not Affect Our Operations –EFCC The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has assured the public that Friday, May 5 fire incident at the Enugu Zonal Command of the Commission will not affect its operations. The Secretary to the Commission, Dr. George Ekpungu gave the assurance on Sunday, May 7, 2023 during an inspection visit to the Command. Speaking with journalists after a tour of the facilities affected by the fire incident, Ekpungu expressed relief that the inferno did not affect critical components of the work of the Commission, noting that the digiitisation process initiated by the Abdulrsheed Bawa leadership of the Commission had ensured that all the Commission’s processes are fully digitilised with back-up at the central server in Abuja. Thursday’s incident was said to have been triggered by a surge in the public power source. But Ekpungu said the Commission cannot make any categorical statement on the cause of the inferno until the ongoing investig...

Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal: Heavy Security At Court Of Appeal There are heavy security outfits at the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, ahead of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal sitting scheduled to commence today. As at 8:33 this morning, the courtroom is yet to be opened as most lawyers, media practitioners wait outside the court. Although the court is expected to sit at 10am, which has always been a tradition in cases like this. According to the list released by the registry,  the first petition to be heard is that of the Action Alliance and it's candidate Solomon Okanigbuan, followed by that of Action People's Party, then that of Peter Obi and Labour Party, then that of the Allied Peoples Movement and lastly that of Atiku Abubakar and PDP. All parties are challenging the outcome of the February 25, 2023 Presidential Elections that produced Bola Tinubu as the President-Elect. One more photo below.