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Anambra State Government Goes Tough Against Recalcitrant Land Grabbers, Demolishes Buildings For Various Degrees Of Violations Anambra State Joint Enforcement Taskforce on development control has embarked on demolition of structures in Idemili North and South Local Government Areas for various degrees of urban development violations.  The development control became imperative due to violation of the state building codes and regulations as well as assault on its officials by some developers. The enforcement exercise which comprised officials of Anambra State Physical Planning Board, ANSPPB, security operatives, among others also featured stern warning that the state government will not relent in going after defaulting developers in the state  The demolished structures were a fence and gate at Immanuel Church Street, around Joedon area of Nkpor built by a developer, blocking an access road built by government. Also partially demolished was a factory on government land where some...

Nigeria, Netherlands To Strengthen Existing Bilateral Relations  The Federal government of Nigerian and the Kingdom of Netherlands have agreed to modernise existing bilateral investment treaties to further deepen bilateral relations the two countries.  Tops on the agenda of the Nigeria-Netherlands Economic Consultation are Trade, Investment and Development, Agriculture, Economy and Renewable Energy among other areas like Oil and Gas, Special Economic Zones, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Trade facilitation in Western Africa, Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) Education and Health.  Speaking at the opening of the Economic Consultation in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adamu Lamuwa, said discussions would also be opened for the establishment of a joint Bi-national Commission that would further consolidate and boost relations between the two countries. Mr Lamuwa, who wa...

Nigerian widow cries out for justice after loan app owner publishes fake obituary of her A Nigerian widow identified as Modupe Elizabeth Oladipupo has cried out for help after a loan company she contacted a while back, published a fake obituary of her, in a bid to get some money off her. In a chat with LIB, Oladipupo said on May 22, she contacted the loan company and asked for a loan of N13, 000. She said when the process was completed, she was credited the N13, 000 and told she would pay N20, 000 in return. Oladipupo said she immediately contacted an agent of the company and told them she was no longer interested as the interest demanded, was too much. Oladipupo said she immediately returned the money to the account provided.  She said she was shocked to receive a call from a lady from the company, saying she owes them N10, 000. She said all her explanation to the lady fell on deaf ears as the lady insisted she owes them N10000 and that they will tarnish her image if she failed to...

ARMY WAR COLLEGE NIGERIA ORGANISES SYMPOSIUM ON NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR FOR PARTICIPANTS OF COURSE 7/2023 The Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) organized a Symposium on the Nigerian Civil War for participants of Course 7/2023 on June 7, 2023. The event took place at the College Auditorium in WU Bassey Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja. This symposium is a crucial component of Module 6 of the AWCN curriculum, aimed to provide a platform for invited guests to share their insights on the Nigerian Civil War. Additionally, it marked the fourth symposium of its kind to be held at the College. The Special Guest of Honour, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff, emphasized the importance of studying the Nigerian Civil War as it holds valuable lessons that can contribute to addressing the current security challenges faced by the nation. He acknowledged that the contemporary security environment is characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Understanding the history o...

Presidential Poll Dispute: 5 INEC ad-hoc staff to testify against Tinubu 7 June 2023  Five ad-hoc staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have been okayed to testify as special witnesses in the petition that a former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, filed to challenge the outcome of the 2023 presidential election. The INEC ad-hoc staff members, who participated in the conduct of the disputed presidential election, were subpoenaed to appear before the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC. Atiku, who came second in the presidential contest that held on February 25, had in the joint petition he filed with his party, alleged that the election was rigged in favour of President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. The former Vice President, in his 66-paged petition, accused the electoral Commission of installing a third-party device he said was used to intercept and switch re...

Court Adjourns Company, Siblings’ Alleged N10m Fraud Trial Till July 12 Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, adjourned till July 12, 2023 “for mention” the N10m fraud trial involving a company, Stelmart Nigeria Limited, alongside its Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Mathew Oluwafemi Moses, and Chief Operating Officer, COO, Mathew Veronica Omolayo. The defendants, who were arraigned on November 8, 2022, are being prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a nine-count charge bordering on stealing contrary to Section 285(9)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. One of the counts reads: "Stelmart Nigeria Limited, Matthew Veronica Omolayo and Matthew Oluwafemi Moses, on or about the 1st February, 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use, the sum of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) property of 03 Capital Nigeri...

N332.9m Fraud: Court Admits More Evidence against Defendants in Lagos Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, admitted in evidence more documents tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against Emmanuel Monye, Malz Rendezvou and Anpre Creations Ltd., who are facing trial on a 14-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining by false pretence, stealing by conversion, forgery and using false documents to the tune of N332, 924,375. Monye was initially standing trial alongside Adebayo Oluwatosin, Corbufina West Africa Ltd., Harrow Milford Nigeria Ltd. and SBA Commercial Logistics Limited. They were facing a 14-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining by false pretence, stealing by conversion, forgery, and using false documents to the tune of N332, 924,375. They initially pleaded "not guilty" to the charges. However, in...

I Won't Disappoint Nigeria, President Tinubu And APC -New SGF  *** “To have been selected to serve in this exalted position out of over 200 million Nigerians, it is a challenge to serve in line with the oath I have taken today. “I assure Nigerians I will do my best, I will not disappoint the President, I will not disappoint this country and I will not disappoint my party. “I believe Nigerians will find fulfilment in my responsibilities as I discharge that in their own interest. It is an honour to serve the country and I am strongly persuaded that guided by Almighty God, I will do my best and Nigerians will really have to reap the dividends of democracy.” -George Akume, SGF Addressing Journalists After Swearing-In At State House, Abuja  

Wadada Resigns From PAN Nigeria Ahead Of 10th NASS Inauguration  *** The Senator-Elect for Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada has resigned his appointment as the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Nigeria Limited.  This is contained in a letter addressed to the Board of Directors of the company through the acting Managing Director of PAN and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja. Wadada thanked the board, management and staff of the company for their support and cooperation during his tenure. “Sequel to my emergence as senator-elect to represent the people of Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Nasarawa State at the just concluded 2023 General Elections. “I write to inform you of my resignation as Chairman, Board of Directors, effective immediately. “This decision is borne out of my desire to effectively concentrate on providing purposeful representation to my people upon the inauguration of the 10th National Assemb...

PDP Chieftain Drags Omadefu To Court Over Alleged Certificate Forgery  ***  The member representing Keana Constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA), Adamu Mohammed Omadefu has been dragged before a Federal High Court sitting in Lafia over alleged forgery of secondary school certificate.  Mr Omadefu who's serving second term was sued alongside the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 2nd and 3rd defendants in the suit respectfully.  The candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for Keana Constituency in the recently concluded 2023 general elections, Osheka Ogwole instituted the suit on Wednesday June 07.   Mr. Ogwole, a seasoned Quantity Surveyor and Valuer alleged that the Senior School Certificate of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) submitted by Omadefu for election was forged.  The PDP Chieftain stated that Omadefu (1st defendant) has no minimum requirement to...

Governor Sule Appoints 7 New Permanent Secretaries *** Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Wednesday approved the appointment of seven new Permanent Secretaries. This is contained in a statement by Mrs Abigail Waya, Acting Head of Civil Service in the state. The governor approved the appointment in furtherance of his quest to reposition the state civil service for improved productivity. Mrs Waya listed the new Permanent Secretaries to include Abubakar Abdullahi, Rabiu Ashuku, Isaac Danladi, Belinda Oyigbenu, Garba Muhammad, Edward Daudu and Khadija Oshafu. According to her, the new appointees are to fill the vacancies created by the recent retirement of some permanent secretaries in the state civil service. She noted that the appointees would be inaugurated on a date to be announced later.   

EFCC Docks Four for N600m Land Scam in Enugu The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, arraigned four persons before Justice A.O Onovo at State High Court, Enugu on a five count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing by conversion, contrary to Sections 495 (a) and 342, 343 of the Criminal Code Law of Enugu State, 2004.  The defendants are Nsude Oguejiofor, Ogbe Emmanuel Monday, Benjamin Onyekachi Nnaji and Nsude Sylvester Chukwuani.  They allegedly misappropriated N600, 000,000 proceeds of the sale of 100 plots of land belonging to the Umuwankum family of Amechi Uwani. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of Two Million Naira and one surety in like sum. The surety must be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 13 and resident within the jurisdiction. The case was adjourned till September 21, 2023 for hearing. More photos below.   

VALEDICTORY SPEECH TO THE 9TH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY REP. FEMI GBAJABIAMILA, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (2019 – 2023). WEDNESDAY, 7TH JUNE 2023. PROTOCOLS Honourable colleagues, fellow Nigerians:  1. I thank God almighty, by whose grace and mercy we have gathered here once more in the people’s House to do our duty even as our time in the 9th House of Representatives comes to an end.  2. This will be the last time I address you from this dais as the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives. It has been the honour of my life to serve our beloved country from this honourable House. I am profoundly grateful to the people of Surulere 1 Federal Constituency for allowing me to represent them for the last twenty years. And I am grateful to you, my dear colleagues, for the honour and privilege of serving as Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives for the last four years. All glory belongs to the almighty God, who ordains our destinies and guides our path....

Subsidy: Oil Marketers To Donate 100 Buses Major oil marketers are to donate about 100 50-seater buses, worth N10 billion, to support the government’s subsidy removal intervention. The marketers made this known in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu. At a news briefing, Chairperson of the delegation, Dame Winifred Akpani, expressed the unflinching support of the marketers to fuel subsidy removal, arguing that it was long-over-due. She observed that the move, although painful and stressful, would unleash the potential of Nigeria, engender free-market economy, entice foreign investors, ensure security as well as create jobs and wealth. She also voiced the hope that other organisations would emulate their gesture to urgently cushion the effect of the subsidy withdrawal on the masses. Dame Akpani urged Nigerians to be patient and understand the essence of the subsidy removal, as the government had geared up efforts to ameliorate the situation created by the policy....

Actress Iya Gbonkan shed tears of joy as she receives over N5million from Nigerians following her cry for help Nigerians have come to the aid of veteran Yoruba actress, Margaret Bandele Olayinka popularly known as Iya Gbonkan after she cried out for help Recall that last month that the actress noted how she has been acting for decades yet doesn’t have a car. She claimed that she has been jumping on buses every day to get to her destination. Iya Gbonkan called on her fans to celebrate her now that she is still alive and not wait to kill a cow when she is dead. “I have been acting for decades yet I don’t have a car. I jump on buses every day. If I die now, you will kill a cow. Celebrate me now that I am alive. I need a car from my fans”. In an update, the veteran has received millions from Nigerians. According to a report online, Pastor Gabriel who watched the video had put a call through to her and paid her a visit in Osogbo. He made an arrangement immediately by sourcing funds from kin...

Uber Driver Caught Having Sëx With Prostitute Says Wife Will Cover £197 Fine  A married Uber driver, Mohammed Jamal, 37, who was filmed having sëx with a prostitute in the back of his cab has said his wife would be the one who will pay his fine. According to Dailymail on Wednesday, Jamal was arrested and charged with soliciting sex after a neighbour saw his vehicle "bouncing up and down" and filmed him in the back seat with a prostitute at 2 am in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on April 9, 2023.  Jamal has since lost his job as a private driver. He said, "I lost my job as a private hire driver and have not worked for the last two months. I signed on with universal credit on May 25. My partner will pay any fine." Gareth Hughes, prosecuting officer, said, "The witness who contacted the police was alerted by the sound of a dog barking outside in the street. "The car's movements were described as bouncing up and down and he believed the people inside were h...