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Sitting Judges Should Not Preside Over Election Tribunals – Afe Babalola Legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, on Monday, said sitting judges should not preside over election petitions tribunals.  The nonagenarian Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said judges who preside over election tribunals should be separate from regular court judges to avoid the halt of cases unrelated to elections. He suggested that retired judges and respectable SANs should constitute tribunal judges. The legal luminary, who spoke at an event in Ado-Ekiti to mark his 60th anniversary at the Bar, said the judiciary needs a total overhaul. “Our judiciary today needs a total overhaul and you cannot do it without a new constitution,” he said. “I have about three cases myself in respect of matters arising from the university.” “For the past four years, these cases have been on. We have some judges here, the headquarters won’t be able to sit for many months be...

FIVE IGBO STUDENTS WHO EXCELLED IN A CHINESE UNIVERSITY  Introducing the remarkable achievement of five Igbo students who excelled in a Chinese university and were honored with awards from the institution. Ifeoma, Chioma, Chinedu, Johnson, and Chimaka, the group of Igbo students, have brought tremendous pride to Nigeria as they successfully graduated in China. These exceptional individuals, who attended Southwest University in China, were singled out for their outstanding performance and received prestigious awards. The names of the awardees are Ifeoma Amuche, Chukwuemeka Chioma, Chinedu Wilson, Akpata Johnson, and Oraka Chiamaka. In a TikTok video posted by Miss Chioma, one of the students, they joyfully celebrated their graduation. This group of intelligent Nigerian students, who all studied at Southwest University in China, received well-deserved recognition. Miss Chioma, in her TikTok video, proudly shared their achievements, showcasing their faces and award certificates. It is...

GOVERNOR KEFAS SENDS NAMES OF COMMISSIONER NOMINEES TO TARABA ASSEMBLY 10th July, 2023  Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has sent a list of commissioner nominees to the state’s House of Assembly for screening. The list is coming barely a month after his inauguration as the number one citizen of the state. The list which was on Monday made available to the House, included twenty-one nominees. The governor, it would be recalled, had recently trimmed down the number of the Ministries from twenty-four to twenty-one. On resuming office as Governor, Kefas had expressed his administration’s desire to ensure that 80 percent of his Commissioners and Special Advisers are made up of young persons. The speaker of the House of Assembly, John Kizito Bonzina who admitted that the list of nominees has been submitted to the House by the governor, said screening will soon commence. The list reportedly includes Professor Nicholas Oliver Namessan, George Peter, Gideon Samuel Nonso, Augustina Godwin...

Actor, Chinedu Ikedezie Cries Out Over Alarming Rate Of Online Begging July 10, 2023      Chinedu Ikedieze, better known as Aki, the very popular actor who blessed our childhood with unforgettable memories alongside Pawpaw, has expressed his disgust over the alarming number of online beggars. The outstanding actor bemoaned the numerous people sliding into his Direct Message (DM), asking for help on Instagram. In a video shared on his page on Sunday evening, July 9, the actor said someone sent him a message asking for $35,000 while another person sent him a DM requesting for $12,000. He lamented how one of his fans begged him for $35,000 (N26m) while expressing his surprise at the fan’s boldness. The actor pointed out that the outlandish monetary requests do not only come from Nigerians. He urged social media users to remember that celebrities are human too and have obligations, particularly in these trying times, he can’t go about heralding to people’s demands. ‘’This is ...

Tension over gas leakage in Delta community 10th Jul 2023  Palpable tension has enveloped Odidi community in Burutu local government area of Delta State over the discovery of a gas leakage allegedly from a facility belonging to Agip Oil Company in the area. The leakage, it was learnt, was discovered about three months ago and the attentions of Agip Oil Company and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) were drawn to it, but nothing has been done to tackle the spill. In a statement at the weekend, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), noted that there was an urgent need for the federal and Delta State governments as well as Agip Oil Company to immediately clamp the gas leakage from the Bemobebe-aka Gas Well located in Odimodi community. ERA/FoEN , in the statement signed by the communication officer, Elvirah Jordan, stated that it received a Save-Our-Soul (SOS) from the community on July 5th this year, lamenting the gas leakage....

Boat carrying 300 migrants missing near Spain’s Canary Islands 10th Jul 2023  At least 300 people who were traveling on three migrant boats from Senegal to Spain's Canary Islands have disappeared, migrant aid group Walking Borders said on Sunday. Two boats, one carrying about 65 people and the other with between 50 and 60 on board, have been missing for 15 days since they left Senegal to try to reach Spain, Helena Maleno of Walking Borders told Reuters. A third boat left Senegal on June 27 with about 200 people aboard. The families of those on board have not heard from them since they left, Maleno said. All three boats left Kafountine in the south of Senegal, which is about 1,700 kilometres (1,057 miles) from Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands. “The families are very worried. There about 300 people from the same area of Senegal. They have left because of the instability in Senegal,” Maleno said. The Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa have become the main destination for m...

Just In: The President of Federal Republic of Nigeria and new ECOWAS Chairman, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is back in the country  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Abuja Monday evening after attending the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Guinea-Bissau. On hand to receive the President were Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, former Kebbi governor Atiku Bagudu, former Jigawa governor Abubakar Badaru and former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje. More photos below.   

 Tony Elumelu, King Charles III, US President Joe Biden attend Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum in London Read his full statement below: "I was in London today at the invitation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom and U.S. President Biden to attend the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum in London, aimed at mobilising a new generation of catalytic capital in the fight against climate change. This Forum convened a group of global leading philanthropies, companies, and investors.    I represented Africa and presented our agenda: the urgency for action on Climate Change; the threat to our lives and livelihoods; that Africa must lead the world in driving environmental sustainability. We can no longer be a passive player in an issue that is so central to our present and future.   Africa needs a just, fair, equal and a realistic strategy to address the inequalities that exist between Africa and the rest of the world. Africa must prioritise the provision of a mix of ...

STATEMENT:  BE ON ALERT, DON'T BE CAUGHT UNAWARES AS APC GOVERNMENT ALREADY PLANNING FOR A RERUN - LABOUR PARTY NATIONAL CHAIRMAN JULIUS ABURE TELLS MEMBERS The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure said that he has been informed of the plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government to work ahead of a possible rerun, knowing that the tide of the wind is heavily tilted against it. The National Chairman also called on the over 10 million members of the party to be on the alert and get ready to further humiliate APC and its government in the polls if their sinister plot materializes. Barrister Abure stated this on Monday 10th of July during an online meeting held with Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy led by Professor Eddie Oparaoji, who is the Labour Party Diaspora Chairman in the United States. Abure said: Rumours have it that those in government are already planning for rerun and this is one of the support we will be canvas...

NYSC Relocates Plateau Orientation Camp Over Killings The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced a change in the venue for the 2023 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Orientation Camp in Plateau State. The change is as a result of attacks by gunmen that tragically resulted in the deaths of several victims in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. On Monday, the NYSC, through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, released a statement designed to inform the public, particularly prospective corps members, regarding the new location. As the statement explained, the permanent orientation camp in Mangu will, for the time being, no longer serve as the venue for the orientation course for prospective corps members. On the contrary, the camping exercise will temporarily take place at Waye Foundation. This venue is located by Buken Academy Doi-Du, in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, and has been designated as the interim NYSC orientation camp. Eddy Megw...

UAE Orders Arrest Of Man Filmed Flamboyantly Buying Luxury Cars While People Carried Money For Him  The United Arab Emirates government has ordered the arrest of a man who was filmed arrogantly telling a car dealer in a luxury showroom in Dubai to sell the most expensive cars in the garage to him. According to Arabian Business reports, the video insults and ridicules Emirati society and incites harmful public opinion of citizens. In the viral video, an Asian man wearing an Emirati dress is seen attempting to buy a car worth $545,000 and other ones while being flanked by people carrying large sums of money for him. He said, “What is the most expensive car here? Okay. I want the Mercedez, rolls royce and the Red Bull sports car." Meanwhile, the UAE’s Federal Prosecution for Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes has ordered the detention of the man pending investigations after being accused of abusing the internet in posting inciting propaganda that stirs up public opinion and harms the ...

3 pupils burnt to death in Yola 10th Jul 2023  Three Islamic pupil have been reportedly burnt to death in Yola Adamawa State after a mosquito repellant coil ignited a fire on Friday night. According to reports, the Islamic pupils known as almajiri resided within the premises of their school at Sabon Pegi, a community in Yola South Local Government Area. New Telegraph gathered that the deadly fire was said to have emanated from a mosquito repellent coil in the room the deceased shared. Our correspondent also gathered that two of the pupils died instantly when the fire occurred in the night of Friday while the third died on Saturday morning at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola Malam Abubakar Usman who is the founder of the school attest that that pupils died due to the fire from the mosquito repellent which engulfed their room. He said, two of the pupils, Ismaila Muhammadu who was 12 years old, and Yusuf Abubakar who was 13, died instantly, while 17-year-old Mustap...

Terrorists kill 8-month-old baby, 8 others in Plateau 10th Jul 2023  Still reeling from the killings over the weekend in the Mangu local government area of Plateau State, where 12 people were killed, another eight, including an eight-month-old baby, were killed on Sunday at Farin-Lamba, Vwang District of Jos South Council, by terrorists suspected to be Fulani militias. According to a statement issued by the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM) and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the terrorists arrived in the community in a Vectra vehicle at about 9:45 p.m. and opened fire at the victims, who were heading home after the day’s activities. The statement depicted that the eight-month-old baby who was murdered by her father was said to be returning from the hospital when they met their untimely deaths. It was mentioned that before the latest unprovoked attack, several Communities in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, and Mangu Local Government Areas witnessed deliberate de...

Hurdles before G5 governors as Tinubu compiles a ministerial list 10th Jul 2023  The group of rebellious five governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections are finding it extremely difficult to make President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial list despite their lobbies to become part of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government that most of them did not contribute anything to the party’s presidential victory. Though one of the then five Governors is still incumbent, the rest four are presently without any job, with three of them losing out completely in their senatorial ambition and were unable to produce a successor that would have been cushioning the effect of stepping down from their Golan Heights after eight years of wielding influence. Apart from the former Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, who fought towards the end of the election to work for Tinubu, the other three ex-Governors of Benue, Enugu and Abia states failed woefully to ensure that ...

Court remands nursing mother for allegedly stabbing husband to death over dinner 10th Jul 2023  A Magistrates’ Court sitting at Iyaganku in Ibadan, on Monday ordered that a nursing mother, Damilola Opeyemi be remanded in Abolongo Correctional facility, Oyo Town for allegedly stabbing her husband to death over dinner. Magistrate P. O. Adetuyibi, did not take her plea due to want in jurisdiction. Adetuyibi said the remand is pending legal advice from the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP). She adjourned the matter until Sept. 27, for mention. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Damilola is charged with murder. Earlier, Police Prosecution, Insp. Olalekan Adegbite told the court that Damilola on July 4, at about 8.30p.m caused the death of her husband. Adegbite said: “The couple who lived at Adogba Ajegede area, Ibadan, stabbed her husband, Oluwashina, 27, during a fight over noodles dinner.” He said the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 316 and pun...

We saw the worst form of corruption during Buhari administration — Kukah 10th Jul 2023  The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has said that Nigerians witnessed the worst phase of corruption under the last administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari. He said this while delivering a keynote speech at the 60th call to bar anniversary celebration of legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola, in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State on Monday. Bishop Kukah noted that even though corruption did not start under the last administration, they amplified it in moral, financial and other terms. “We have seen the worst phase of corruption in Nigeria, Femi Falana, my friend here will speak about that because he has published a series of articles talking about what happened under the Buhari administration. “They were not the ones who caused corruption but I think in the last administration, we saw the ugliest phase of corruption whether in moral terms, financial terms and ot...

Court Stops Prosecution Of Suspended Adamawa REC July 10, 2023 A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from prosecuting the suspended Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, over his declaration of Aisha Dahiru, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as governor in the March 18 poll. Justice Donatus Okorowo made the order after Mr Michael Aondoaka, SAN, counsel to Dahiru, moved the ex-parte motion to the effect. In the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/935/2023, the APC candidate in the poll, sued INEC, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and another as respondents. Aondoaka while moving the motion on Monday, argued that until the election petition tribunal decides the fate of his client in accordance with Section 149 of the Electoral Act, 2022, the prosecution of Yunusa-Ari cannot be said to be valid. He said the decision of INEC to.file.action against any person involved in Dahiru’s...

I am deeply saddened by the news of an auto accident that occurred on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, and claimed the lives of innocent passengers, including a 4 month-old baby, and left scores of injured people. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. This is a very sober time for us as a government, and while we acknowledge God as the giver of life, the one who determines every man’s destiny, it saddens us when we experience incidents like this.  The death of a loved one is usually very painful. On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I sympathise with the immediate families, friends and associates of the victims of the auto accident.  We prayed that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Amen.  

Movie director said I couldn't be actor because I'm albino - Damilola Ogunsin Nollywood actor, Damilola Ogunsin, has recounted how a movie director once told him that he could not be an actor because he is an albino. The prolific thespian narrated this in a recent interview with Hip TV, revealing some of his major challenges in the movie industry. Ogunsin said, “When I was coming into Nollywood, I had a major director who I will not mention his name. He looked at me and said, ‘Why do you want to be an actor? How many albinos do you find as actors? It’s not a place for you to be.’ “I have been doing theatre since primary school. I have been in the theatre group in my primary school, secondary school, my church, in my polytechnic in Ibadan, in University of Lagos, and everywhere.” The ‘Gold Fish’, as he is fondly called, said he has always been passionate about theatre, stressing that he doesn’t think his “beautiful skin” is what is to stop him from achieving his dreams. He said ...

May Yul Edochie allegedly begins divorce proceedings against her husband, Yul Edochie May, the first wife of actor, Yul Edochie, has allegedly began divorce proceedings against her estranged husband, Yul. May and her counsel reportedly visited a court today July 10, to submit a petition for the dissolution of her 18-year-old marriage to the actor. According to insiders, Yul has refused to be served the originating summons.  The couple have been at loggerheads over his decision to take actress, Judy Austin, as a second wife and also welcome a son with her. In April 2022, Yul announced he has welcomed a son with Judy and that she is now his second wife. May has never hidden her disapproval of his union with Judy. In September 2022, May released a statement expressing her disapproval. She stated that she had a stable and loving home prior to the unprecedented events regarding her marriage. She mentioned that polygamy is a life choice and that no one should be compelled to accept it. ...

Ondo Assembly Extends Akeredolu Medical Leave Indefinitely July 10, 2023 Ondo lawmakers have approved an extension of the medical leave of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. No date was fixed for the resumption of the Governor in the new Governor Akeredolu last month began medical leave and said he would resume duties on July 7. The new extension, according to Speaker Olamide Oladiji, was based on the doctor’s advice on the need for the Governor to take adequate rest after recuperating. Oladiji said Governor Akeredolu forwarded the letter of extension on medical leave in line with section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Oladiji said the Governor, in the letter, said his Deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, would continue to act as Governor until a written declaration to the contrary is made. The Speaker, who expressed appreciation to God for the speedy recovery of the Governor, expressed optimism that he would soon resume his duty.  

Count Us Out Of This Media Rascality Against Gov Mbah- Enugu Online Practitioners July 10, 2023 Enugu professional online media practitioners, condemns in its strongest term, the futile effort by some faceless group using fictitious online medium to change the agenda and what transpired at our meeting with the Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Mbah, on Friday 8th July, 2023. The Governor met with the media practitioners in the state in line with his campaign promise to hold a quarterly media chat as part of his open governent policy. He also used the opportunity to seek their support in the resolve of his administration to put a stop to the illegal sit-at-home that has impacted the state and South East very negatively. At the meeting, both online Media Practitioners, members of correspondent chapel and reporters of private radio stations, among others, were present. The Governor pointed out that the promoters of the illegal sit-at-home had been routed out, but that they had resorted...

INTERNAL SECURITY: IGP RECIEVES COMMITTEE REPORT ON ESTABLISHMENT OF S.I.S, REPOSITIONING POLICE MOBILE FORCE TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY The Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, received the much-anticipated committee report on the repositioning of the Police Mobile Force to strengthen internal security to wit the establishment of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) today 10th July, 2023, from the Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Adeleke Adeyinka Bode, mni. This report marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of the IGP to enhance operational efficiency and ensure the effective management of manpower in the Force. The IGP had, in his recent address during his inaugural meeting with the Commanders of the Police Mobile Force and other tactical squads, unveiled the establishment of a 40,000 strong Special Intervention Squad, and the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escorts, ...