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Akpabio unveils senate committees, names Adeola, Wadada as chairmen 11th Jul 2023  Senate President Godswill Akpabio has also announced some standing committees, namely Appropriations, Public Accounts, Ethics, and Public Petitions and Establishment. Akpabio, who spoke at Tuesday’s plenary session, revealed that Senator Solomon Adeola would chair the Appropriations Committee, while Senator Ahmed Wadada is to chair the Public Accounts Committee. See the announced Special Senate Committees and their Chairpersons below: Rules and Business — Titus Zam (chairman), Opeyemi Bamidele (deputy) Senate Services — Sunday Karimi (chairman), Williams Eteng Jonah (deputy) Ethics and Public Petitions — Okechukwu Ezea (chairman), Khalid Ibrahim Mustapha (deputy) Public Accounts — Aliu Wadada Ahmed (chairman), Onyeka Peter (deputy) National Security and Intelligence — Shehu Buba Umar (chairman), Asuquo Ekpenyong (deputy) Legislative Compliance — Garba Musa Maidoki (chairman), Ede Dafinone (deputy) Me...

Anxiety As Rivers CP Goes After Erring Officers The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, has matched his words with action, following the arrest of policemen caught assaulting a man in a viral video trending on social media. The incident, as captured in the video happened on Saturday, infront of Crunches eatery, Oyigbo, where about five policemen where filmed dragging and brutalizing a young man who should be in his early thirties. This is happening few days after Nwonyi charged the CP Monitoring Unit to monitor activities of police officers in the command, warning that any officer found wanting would be dealt with in accordance with the extant law of the Nigeria Police In a release made available to TNN by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the CP vehemently condemned the policemen for assaulting and brutalizing the man. He affirmed that the policemen in the video have been identified and arrested and are currently at the Command undergoi...

I once nearly took my life — Billionaire Femi Otedola's best kept secret 11th Jul 2023  Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola, has revealed that he almost committed suicide after losing $480 million in the diesel market in 2008. He spoke about his depressive episode during his business partner Akin Akinfemiwa’s 50th birthday celebration in London. According to a Nairametrics, Otedola revealed how instrumental the celebrant was to him getting through the depressive episode that struck him after losing the money. In his words: “My relationship with Akin is what I would call destiny prevails.  “In 2005, I had a friend that worked in Oando, and she did mention to me that she had a colleague.  “And she called Akin, and we spoke.” Otedola spoke about how Akin came to his aid when he was unable to find a capable oil trader. He added: “I set up my trading company in  London: Fine Shade Energy.  “I was looking for a trader, and I couldn’t find any good trader.  “I call...

Diphtheria: 30 children killed in Yobe, 42 hospitalised 11th Jul 2023  Suspected diphtheria outbreak has killed at least 30 children and left 42 at the isolation center of the Specialist Hospital in Potiskum Local Government area of Yobe State. Tandari, Misau Road, Sabuwar Sakateriya, Arikime, Ramin Kasa, Boriya, Igwanda and Texaco quarters are the most affected areas, Daily Trust can confirm. A source at the Isolation center of the Specialist hospital in Potiskum revealed that they are faced with inadequate drugs to contain the situation. The source said so far about 46 cases have been admitted with more than 5 casualties. Daily Trust correspondent learnt that more than 20 children have died at home while 4 casualties were recorded at the hospital. A parent of one of the affected children who gave his name as Abdullahi Muhammad, said ‘‘many children have died at home before coming to the hospital, it’s a deadly disease claiming lives. ‘‘We appeal to the government to promptly resp...

Court hands over lawyer to EFCC for wrongful criminal charges against Stella Oduah 11th Jul 2023  Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the arrest and investigation of a prosecutor who filed a criminal charge against the lawmaker representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Senator Stella Oduah on the allegation of the forgery of her National Youths Service Corp, NYSC certificate. Justice James Omotosho after the inspection of the charge before him, discovered that the prosecuting counsel who filed the charge on June 22, 2023 posed to be a staff member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). However, the EFCC discharged the individual from its legal unit since November 2022. The Court was surprised on why the prosecutor will deliberately mislead the court having left the service of the EFCC more than 6 months before the charge was filed. Justice Omotosho further questioned the absence of the seal of the legal practitioner to authenticate that he is indeed a lawy...

Sit-at-home: Enugu residents count losses say ‘we can’t cope anymore’ 11th Jul 2023  Residents of Enugu, the capital of Enugu State have lamented the negative impact of the frequent sit-at-home order by non state actors in the South-East geo-political zone of Nigeria. They made their feelings known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu. The residents, among whom are traders, artisans and legal practitioners said their various means of livelihood were being drastically affected. A trader at Ogbete Market, Mr Jude Uwazurike said that his business was gradually decreasing by the day as a result of frequent closure of the market. He said: “I sell clothes (abada) at Ogbete Market and I can say without mincing words that I was doing well in my business before now. “However, as I speak, I am just managing to survive because this issue of closing shop every Monday and sometimes they just order people to remain indoors for days is no longer a joke....

 A Las Vegas family has been thrown into mourning after a toddler accidentally fatally sh0t himself at a caregiver’s home over the weekend.   Jaiangelis Stevenson, 2, fired the gun at himself in the bedroom of a home near Nellis Air Force Base around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 9, KLAS reported. The boy was transported to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced d£ad, the outlet explained. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the incident for possible ab^se and neglect. Jaiangelis was being watched by a family member while his mother was working, when the sh00ting occurred, his aunt Paris Box told 8 News Now. “We would actually call him ‘Blue’ because of his eyes,” she recalled of the youngster. “He would be like ‘Hi, Ti Ti’ and he would be walking around with his little popsicle.” The family is working on accepting what happened, Box added. “A child was shot with someone else’s gun and that is negligence, but I don’t know what happened,” she said...

*ANAMBRA STATE IS HOMECOMING FOR ME*  - Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderemi Adeoye Paul Nwosu The New Commissioner of Police of Anambra State, Mr Aderemi Adeoye has stated that being posted to Anambra State is like a homecoming for him.                               He made this submission after what he called "a robust discussion" with the Deputy Governor Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim whom he had paid a courtesy visit.  Police Commissioner Adeoye made the firm promise to sustain the security infrastructure already in place in Anambra State. He pledged to provide the needed leadership to generate intelligence policing for ndi-Anambra.              "I am not new to Anambra," he said, adding, "In the 90's I served for 10 years here." He disclosed that he was the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations.                  He als...

Bear with Anambra Govt, expansion brings demolition, says APGA Chieftain By David Okpala/Stella Okpala An APGA Chieftain, Mr Joe Mbakwe has called on traders within Ekwulobia Round About to bear with Anambra State Government, as no meaningful development could be achieved without sacrifice. He said this while interacting with information officers shortly after Mass, at St. Paul's Catholic Church Premises, Akpo, Aguata LGA, on July 9. Mr Mbakwe, former Councillor Akpo said, "it is painful seeing traders being displaced in a harsh economy like ours.  "We must not suffocate at holdups, waste precious time that could have been used for development and progress, at Ekwulobia Round About, we need to pay the price. "Nobody eats omelette without breaking eggs. We are in dare need of a flyover at Ekwulobia Round About. It is not possible to achieve it without demolitions, so, the destruction is apt for proper construction." Mbakwe enjoined traders, property owners withi...

Court Adjourns Suit Challenging Alleged Abduction Of Nnamdi Kanu From Kenya To Nigeria  The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has adjourned a lawsuit filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu against the Nigerian government and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. This was made known in a press statement released by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead lawyer for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday. According to the statement, the case which was filed for the judicial interpretations of relevant laws and statutes regulating the alleged abduction and extradition of Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya by the Nigerian government and its agencies was adjourned till further notice by the court.  The statement reads: “This suit was instituted in April 2022, to invite the Federal High Court to interprete the relevant sections of the Domestic and International Laws which the Nigerian government ...

Comptroller General of Immigration Visits Innoson Factory The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Services, Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola, on Tuesday, 11th of July, 2023 visited Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Plant, Nnewi, Anambra State. At the IVM factory, She expressed satisfaction over the level of work going on at the factory and the huge number of employees, stating that Anambra State as an industrial hub remains of utmost importance. "I'm taking a work tour of all the formations under me and Anambra is very important to me, being a hub of industry in Nigeria". The Immigration Boss added that such local manufacturing depicts great possibilities for Nigerian youths. "This great vehicle manufacturing plant is very impressive and should encourage Nigerian youths that the future of this country is very bright, especially in this dispensation". " This is very nice, you can see the number of people working here and from the look of things, you ca...

Again, Simon Ekpa issues two-week sit-at-home in South East Self-acclaimed Biafra Prime Minister and freedom agitator, has again issued two-week sit-at-home order in the South East. Simon who ordered people to sit at home last week, gave five reasons South Easterners must obey and adhere to the recent order. He noted that the immediate and unconditional release of the IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was sacrosanct, noting that the sit-at-home order was to facilitate the freedom of Biafra nation. His words: “Following the demand by the Biafra people for more sit-at-home civil disobedience, the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE) and Biafra De Facto Government In Homeland wish to notify Biafrans that there will be a sit-at-home civil disobedience starting from 31 July, 2023 to 14 August, 2023. “The immediate and unconditional release of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who remains illegally detained at the DSS dungeon. “In preparation for “Biafra’s self-referendum and to further put th...

Hotel staff sentenced to d£ath by hanging for k!lling employer and manager in Lagos An Ikeja High Court has sentenced a 30-year-old hotel worker, Jeffrey Ehizojie, to d£ath by hanging for strangling his employer, Olusola Olusoga and the hotel manager, Tunji Omikunle, to d£ath in Lagos.  Delivering judgment on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, Justice Oyindamola Ogala, held that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubts. Mrs. Ogala found Ehizojie guilty of beating and strangling the Managing Director of Etsahol Hotel and Suites located at Ojodu-Berger, Lagos.  She said the crux of the case of the prosecution was premised on the confessional statement of the convict as well as circumstantial evidence. According to her, the court had carefully considered the retracted defence statement, (which was admitted as evidence) which showed where Ehizojie stated that one of the hotel staff, Henry, had informed him that he observed that the owner of the hotel kept much money at ho...

Tiler, Two Others Jailed for Cybercrime in Kwara The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of a 24-year-old tiler, Yusuf Olalekan Ibrahim from Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State for offences bordering on cybercrime.  Yusuf was convicted alongside Abdulazeez Taofeek Ademola from Oyan in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State and Nurudeen Abdulmajeed from Ile-odo compound, Lasoju in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State by Justice Mahmoud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin The trio of Yusuf, Abdulazeez and Nurudeen had upon arraignment, pleaded guilty to the separate charges preferred against them.  The charge against Yusuf reads: “That you, Yusuf Olalekan Ibrahim, sometime between May 2022 and November 2022 in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation when you pretended to be one Krissy Rivera, a female resident of the United Stat...

Abuja Court Jails Ex-Director Five Years For N250m Fraud   Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted and sentenced a former Director of Echo Logistics, Abdulrahman Aliyu, to five years imprisonment for his involvement in a N250, 000, 000 (Two hundred and Fifty Million Naira) fraud.    He was jailed on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 on a three count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery and cheating to the tune of N250 million.     One of the counts read; "That you, Abdulrahman Aliyu, sometime between July 2018 to July 2019 within the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory while being one of the Directors of Echo Logistics Limited and having been entrusted with a certain property to wit: the sum of N250,000,000.00(Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) transferred by one Alhaji Chubado Tijjani Babbi being investment money for the business of telecom bill recharge card sales into ...

Two Convicted For Fraud in Makurdi The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Command, on Monday, July 10, 2023, secured the conviction of one Agbo Julius Agbo before Justice Abdul Dogo of the Federal High Court, Makurdi, Benue State on one count charge bordering on impersonation.   Agbo, presented himself as a female American citizen through Goggle Chats with the username 'Nick Lance' and procured various gifts cards and Bitcoins worth $200US Dollars (Two Hundred United States Dollars) from one Tasha Little, a United States citizen, whom he misled into believing that he was into Bitcoin Investment. The charge against Agbo reads: "That you, Agbo JuliusAgbo "M" sometime between 2022 - 2023, in Makurdi, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud sent electronic messages to one Tasha Little,  an American female citizen through Google Chats, where you disguised as a foreign national in the name "Nick Lasce...

Siblings, 10 Other Suspected Internet Fraudsters Nabbed in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abuja Zonal Command today, July 11, 2023, arrested 12 suspected internet fraudsters. The suspects, including two brothers, Maxwell Nwanno and Kingsley Nwanno, were arrested at different estates in Gwarimpa, Katampe and Karu, axes of Abuja, following credible intelligence on their alleged criminal activities. The other suspects are Owoh Chinedu, Ricaldo Francis, Thomas Pante, Chika Okoh, Okusun Destiny and Richard Anthony. Others include Jonathan Victor, Ekulonor Emmanuel, Thompson Amieghemen and Kingsley Henry. Items recovered from the suspects include over 20 mobile phones of different makes, nine laptops, three luxury Mercedes Benz cars, a Toyota Avalon and Lexus 330. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. More photos below. 

  Tunisia moves hundreds of migrants from desolate border area Tunisia has moved hundreds of migrants to shelters in two towns, a local rights group said on Tuesday, after criticism of conditions in a desolate Sahara military area on the border with Libya, where the government transferred them last week. Struggling with high numbers of mainly sub-Saharan African migrants seeking to leave the north African country for Europe, President Kais Saied has responded with measures local and international rights groups say are endangering lives. "Hundreds of people who were on the Libyan border were transferred finally to shelter centres in Medenine and Tataouine towns after difficult times they spent there in the intense heat", Ramadan Ben Omar, an official at the non-governmental Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, told Reuters. The interior ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The government moved the migrants to the site at the Libyan border following an o...

Aboru Aboye purely Yoruba language, not for Ifa priests – Tope Alabi Popular Nigerian gospel singer, Tope Alabi, has reacted to the controversy trailing her viral video where she was heard singing in Yoruba language using the word ‘Aboru Aboye’, a form of greeting among Ifa initiates. In the viral video, Alabi referred to herself as ‘ebo’ literally meaning sacrifice, while also singing the words, “Abiye ni mi, Oruko mi ni yen. Mo de bo, mo ru, mo ye,” (I am a sacrifice, that’s my name. I am a sacrifice accepted by God, that’s my name). The lyrics had since triggered a flurry of reactions in the media space as her fans and some Christian leaders took sides over her choice of words. In a video sighted by The PUNCH, the award-winning singer who was seen ministering in a white garment church said, “Aboru Aboye” is a pure Yoruba language and not an exclusive preserve of traditionalists. Popular Nigerian gospel singer, Tope Alabi, has reacted to the controversy trailing her viral video where...

Lagos Police Arrest Man For Stealing Mini-bus The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Ahmed Ayinde suspected to have stolen a Suzuki mini bus popularly called 'Korope' while attempting to sell it along Isolo Road, Mushin without documents. The police command made this known in a statement shared on their Twitter page on Tuesday. The statement said, "Police officers were alerted when one Ahmed Ayinde attempted selling a Suzuki mini bus popularly called Korope with registration number EKY 902 YA along Isolo Road, Mushin without documents. The suspect was arrested and the exhibit was recovered. "Investigation revealed that the suspect had stolen the vehicle from Iyana Ipaja axis. The owner is hereby invited to come with valid proof of ownership to claim the vehicle."  

Marwa orders nationwide clampdown on illegal sale, use of ‘laughing gas’ Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has directed all commands and formations of the Agency to begin an immediate clampdown on illegal sale and use of nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas following its abuse by people who use it for recreational purposes. Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas that is commonly used for sedation and pain relief, more often by dentists and medical professionals to sedate patients undergoing minor medical procedures. Popularly called laughing gas or N20, it is fast emerging as a drug in demand in Nigeria by young party-goers or fun-seekers to feel intoxicated or high. The gas is often transferred from its containers into balloons, from where its inhaled for euphoric effects. The NDLEA in a statement on Tuesday 11th July said the decision to clampdown on those involved in illegal sale and use of ...

INTERNAL SECURITY: Ag. IGP EGBETOKUN MEETS NSA, PROMISES IMPROVED SYNERGY AMONGST SECURITY INSTITUTIONS The Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, on Tuesday 11th July, 2023, paid a courtesy visit on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Three Arms Zone, Abuja to consolidate on the gains recorded so far in the internal security architecture of the nation. The IGP was accompanied by the DIG Operations, Adeleke Adeyinka Bode, mni; DIG Training and Development, Bala Ciroma; AIG Force Intelligence Bureau, Abdulyari Lafia; the Force Secretary, AIG Habu Sani; the Director, National Cyber Crime Centre, DCP Uche Ifeanyi; and the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi. In his address, the NSA expressed pleasure at the improvement the Acting IGP has made towards sanitizing and repositioning the policing system in Nigeria; that the IGP put the right foot forward from inception. He h...