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EFCC Bans Sting Operations at Night In line with the newly-reviewed procedures on arrest and bail of suspects by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has directed that sting operations at night time be stopped in all the Commands of the EFCC. He gave the directive in Abuja on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 in reaction to the arrest of 69 suspected internet fraudsters by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal of the Commission in Ile-Ife, Osun State.   Already, many of the suspects duly profiled by the Command have been released, while profiling of suspects yet un-released will be completed, without further delay. The Commission wishes to assure the public that it will not relent in its adherence to the rule of law, in the exercise of its mandate.   

FG earmarks N17bn for presidential air fleet, yacht in supplementary budget     The federal government has earmarked N12.7 billion for the presidential air fleet in the 2023 supplementary budget. The figure is in the recurrent expenditure of the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) with a total budget of N29.7 billion. Other items in the budget proposed for the ONSA are the settlement of outstanding annual service legal agreement and bandwidth subscription for ONSA intelligence platforms (N4.7 billion); and operation MAD Thunder-NSA (N10 billion). The ONSA said it would spend N2.2 billion as “part settlement of outstanding liabilities for procurement of treated/operational vehicles for State House and ONSA”. Budgetary allocations to the presidential air fleet have historically elicited outcry from Nigerians, given the rising cost of maintenance. TheCable had reported that Nigeria budgeted N73.3 billion for the presidential air fleet from 2011 to 2020. As of 2015, the...

Tinubu threatens to sack non-performing political appointees President Bola Tinubu has threatened to relieve non-performing political appointees of the their appointments to make way for committed Nigerians to deliver. The President made the threat in Abuja, while declaring open a 3-day retreat for cabinet members of his administration. He said at the end of the retreat, participants would be made to sign a bond with him, warning that a Result Delivery Unit, to be headed by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Co-ordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, would evaluate their performances. “If you are performing nothing to fear, if you miss the objective, we’ll review, if no performance you leave us… Delivery, yes, we must achieve it for the sake of Nigerians”, President Tinubu stressed. He emphasised that a great Nigeria was possible, saying that a greater Nigeria will come under their commitment, guidance, and resolute determination to give the country a direction. President Tinubu...

Oil companies unremitted revenue hits $8.3bn – NEITI Over $8.3 billion revenue has not been remitted to the Federation Account by some privately owned oil companies and federal governments agencies since 2011. Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Ogbonnaya Orji made the disclosure to the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts. Dr Orji was before the lawmakers to present a report on the $74.386 billion spent on fuel subsidies by successive administrations since 2011, as the agency compiled the actual amount paid as subsidy on a yearly basis. According to him, Nigeria has also lost N16.25 trillion to unabated crude oil theft, based on data collated and signed off by the operators and other stakeholders from 2011. The Executive Secretary stated that the agency is working with various enforcement institutions, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Relate...

Michael Jackson tops Forbes list of highest-paid dead celebrities of 2023. Michael Jackson, the late king of pop, has topped the Forbes highest-paid dead celebrities of 2023 list with an estimated $115 million in earnings. The list, which was released on Tuesday, Oct. 31, ranks the top 13 deceased celebrities based on their pretax earnings from sales, streams, licensing deals, and other sources of income between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. It also includes their estate acquisitions made or announced during the same period. According to Forbes, the 13 deceased musicians, authors, and other A-listers on Forbes’ annual ranking of the highest-paid dead celebrities earned $470 million during the past 12 months, a 70% decrease from the record-breaking $1.6 billion grossed in 2022. Michael Jackson returned to the No. 1 spot for the first time in four years with an estimated $115 million in earnings. He’s followed by his late father-in-law, Elvis Presley, at No. 2. See the list be...

Evil serial rapist nicknamed “Killer” who targeted couples and forced men to rape women, sentenced to 102 years imprisonment in South Africa. The High Court in Polokwane, South Africa has sentenced a vicious 28-year-old serial rapist, Evans Ramahlo, to 102 years imprisonment after he was convicted of robbery with firearms and rape charges.  Ramahlo was sentenced on Monday, October 30, 2023.  Provincial police spokesperson in Limpopo, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, in a statement on Tuesday, October 31, disclosed that the convict is also known as “Killer”, which is his nickname.  “The court heard that during January 2021 and November 2021, in Motupa village, Bolobedu South, under the Tzaneen policing area, communities were terrorised by two armed males accused of targeting couples who could be found strolling around the village at night,” Mashaba said. The assailants would rob the couples of their belongings such as cellphones, and raped the female victims in front of their pa...

Money Laundering: Court Adjourns Mompha’s Trial Till Dec 19 Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court Sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, adjourned till December 19, 2023 further hearing in the alleged N6bn fraud trial involving Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha(now at large).  Mompha alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on January 12, 2022 on eight-count charges bordering on conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity; retention of proceeds of criminal conduct; laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity; failure to disclose assets and property; possession of documents containing false pretence and use of property derived from unlawful act. One of the counts reads: "Ismaila Mustapha, Ahmadu Mohammed (at large) and Ismalob Global Investment Limited, sometime in 2016 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction...

EFCC Reviews Arrest and Bail Procedure The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has reviewed its guidelines on arrest, bail and processing of suspects. The review, which is premised on the need to adhere to the rule of law and international best practices in the treatment of suspects, was rolled out on Monday, October 31, 2023 across all its Commands.  In the new guideline, premium attention is focused on the rights of suspects, especially where arrest, detention and bail issues are concerned. Operational activities are to be tailored towards relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999( as amended), the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2011 and the EFCC’s Standard Operating Procedures, SOP.   Specifically, operatives of the Commission are not allowed to demand for professional certificates of sureties as a bail condition. Also, every demand for international passport of suspects would henceforth be exercised with discreti...

NSCDC ARRESTS 7 FOR VANDALISM IN KWARA STATE    Kwara State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) has arrested seven suspects over alleged vandalisation of electric cables at Tanke area of Ilorin. In a statement by the commands spokesman Ayeni Olasunkanmi said two of the suspects were arrested with vandalized electrical cables .  The statement said the suspects led the patrol team to the scrap dealers spot at Oke Odo area where other five suspects were apprehended.    The statement expressed concern over increase in the activities of vandals in the state.    The statement appealed to the general public to ensure adequate protection of facilities provided by government.

TROOPS RAID BANDITS HIDEOUT IN ZAMFARA STATE  The Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD), North West have destroyed the hideout of a notorious bandit kingpin, Dogo Gide killing three and recovering military uniforms, riffles, among others. A source disclosed that during the operation conducted by troops of OPHD, the notorious Bandits kingpin Dogo Gide narrowly escaped death with serious gunshot injuries, his foot soldiers were on the run while his hideouts were discovered and destroyed. Another source spoke to Radio Nigeria correspondent that, the troops also destroyed the terrorist's enclaves at Dansadau, Mai Tukunya and Babban Doka villages which have been the hideouts for Dogo Gide in Zamfara state.    According to the sources items recovered from the Dogo Gide’s house include,tailoring machines for sewing various military and other security agencies uniforms, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), a mini pharmacy suspected to be used for treatment of wounded terrorists...

Rivers Crisis: Youth Leader, 120 Others Granted Bail The Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Chijioke Ihunwo, has been arraigned at the magistrate court in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Ihunwo, who was arraigned alongside 120 others, were all present at the Rivers Magistrate Court 22 on Wednesday where a five-count charge was preferred against them. The charges were conspiracy; causing a riot; damaging the house gate of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule; unlawful assembly; and causing breach of public peace. When the charges were read out, the accused youths all pleaded ‘not guilty’. After the charges were read out, counsel for the defendants, Alabo Tamunowari, applied for bail insisting that they have four capable sureties who will provide all 121 accused persons whenever requested. This was opposed by Enyiepere Sikpi, counsel for the prosecution, who raised questions about the veracity of the sur...

Supreme Court’s Judgement Is The Lord’s Doing – Oluremi Tinubu President Bola Tinubu’s wife, Oluremi, has described the judgement of the Supreme Court as the Lord’s doing. Mrs Tinubu made the remark while applauding the apex court’s judgement that upheld her husband’s victory in the 2023 presidential election. She spoke at the Imo State All Progressives Congress Women Campaign Rally for Governor Hope Uzodimma’s re-election quest in Owerri. The First Lady said the court granted her husband a ‘clean bill.’ According to Mrs Tinubu: “You can see, the court has already given my husband a clean bill, and we believe that this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. “Let me tell you, like my husband promised, that the East will be the industrial hub of Nigeria, and by the grace of God, the development of the South-East starts from Imo. “When we came for the campaign, I promised you, I said we will do whatever it takes to make sure Nigeria is one.” Last week, the Supreme Court di...

Stop female genital mutilation, it endangers life, Igbo communities warned A female rights advocate, Chinyere Osuwah has frowned at the continued practice of female genital mutilation in parts of Igbo land and called for total abolition of the ugly practice. Osuwah described the practice as dangerous to the health of the girl child. According to her, such a culture and tradition should not be encouraged anywhere at all. She called for stringent laws to protect young girls from this harmful traditional practice. In a public statement in defence of innocent female children, the female rights advocate said: “It is embarrassing to see that some people are still practising this harmful tradition. What is the gain in maintaining a traditional practice that is harmful to the people? “This has to stop. It is not good for the health of the girl, rather it is a source problem for them. “The innocent girls embark on this forcefully because they are most cases not up to the age of taking indepen...

Osimhen Nominated For African Player Of The Year Nigeria star Victor Osimhen is among 30 nominees named on Wednesday for the 2022-2023 men’s African Player of the Year award. The prolific Napoli forward was the leading scorer in Serie A last season with 26 goals and in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with 10, including four in one match. Stars from the Morocco squad that made history in Qatar last December by becoming the first World Cup semi-finalists from Africa are also contenders. They include goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, defender Achraf Hakimi, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, winger Hakim Ziyech and forward Youssef en Nesyri. Sadio Mane of Senegal and Mohamed Salah of Egypt, both two-time winners of the award, have also been nominated. Walid Regragui, who took charge of Morocco just a few months before the World Cup, is among 10 nominees for the coach award. The Club Player of the Year list includes Fiston Mayele from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the joint leading scorer in bo...

Protesters storm N/Assembly, demand sack of Defence Minister Dozens of pro-democracy activists have stormed the National Assembly in protest to demand the removal of the Minister of Defence over growing insecurity across Nigeria. The protesters carried several banners with inscriptions demanding the sack of the Minister of Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, over alleged complicity in the crisis especially in Zamfara state. The protesters under the aegis of the Civil Society Advocacy Groups for Accountability and Probity also accused the defence Minister of links to bandits responsible for the loss of lives and property in northern Nigeria. They called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to exert his influence on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure Matawalle is relieved of his job. Spokesperson for the group of protesters, Danesi Momoh, claimed that the Defence Minister has a lot of explanations to make especially with his recent indictment by a panel set up by the Zamfara State...

CHILD MALNUTRITION:UNICEF APPROVES N500 Million FOR RUTF IN JIGAWA STATE  Jigawa state executive council has approved the release of Two hundred and fifty million naira a matching grant for the procurement of Ready to Use therapeutic Food (RUTF) to fight acute child malnutrition in the state. The State Chief Nutrition Officer, Saidu Umar stated this while speaking to newsmen shortly after the approval of the funds. He explained that, UNICEF has already approved its grant of Two hundred and fifty million Naira which made the total money to N500 million for the procurement of the commodity. Saidu noted that, under the agreement UNICEF will facilitate and supervise the process of the procurement of RUTF and equally assis in it's management and distribution at various Centres For Management of Accurate Malnutrition.  According to him, about 10,000 suffering from acute malnutriton in the state will benefit from the commodity. He added that, beside RUTF the state is also supportin...

PRESIDENT TINUBU REQUEST THE APPROVAL OF $7,864BILLION LOAN FROM AFDB President Bola Tinubu has this wednesday sent a letter  requesting  the Senate  approval of a loan of  $7,864billion and 100million euro  from  the African Development Bank (AFDB) for infrastructural development across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. The planned loans as explained in the letter and read in plenary by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, are also meant to mitigate the adverse effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians through palliative measures. President Bola Ahmad Tinubu in the letter also explained that part of the loans being sought for, were earlier approved by the immediate past government in the 2022 -2024 External Borrowing plans which however had to be jerked up by the present government as a result of fuel subsidy removal. The  planned projects cut across all sectors with specific emphasis on infrastructure, ag...

ZAMFARA FIRST LADY CALLS  FOR WOMEN TO EMBRACE EARLY BREAST CANCER SCREENING Women in Zamfara State and the country in general have been call upon to embrace early breast cancer screening in order to avoid an attack or having an ailment of such nature. The Zamfara State Governor’s wife, Hajiya Huriya Dauda Lawal gave the charge  while flagging off the campaign against breast cancer with the theme “Living Beyond Cancer” at JB secretariat, in Gusau the state capital. Huriya Lawal said cancer is a societal concern that needs attention and urgent action to address the issue, adding that, positive compassion should be driven by collective action to raise awareness, disseminate information, and encourage early detection and preventive measures for cancer. She express worry on how such diseases are not detected early enough to allow for treatment easily, but when the affected person is at a danger zone or quoter to die  The First Lady therefore call on all hands to be on deck in...

IMO POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE OF 1ST NOVEMBER, 2023 WE NEVER ARRESTED NLC PRESIDENT - POLICE The Imo State Police Command wishes to clarify some sketchy reports alleging the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Owerri. It is pertinent to state that the NLC President was in Owerri as part of arrangements of the Congress to mobilize workers for a mega protest rally in the state. In the course of their planning, it was reported that suggestions arose for the lockdown of some essential facilities particularly the airport which led to some workers and other individuals resisting the picketing process leading to scuffles and heated arguments and an eventual attack on the person of the president by a mob.  Upon receiving this report, the Imo Police Command swiftly deployed police operatives to the scene where the Officer in Charge exercised his operational discretion by taking the NLC President into protective custody at the State Command Headq...

EFCC Arrests 69 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ile-Ife  Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested sixty-nine, 69, suspected internet fraudsters in Osun State. They were arrested on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife, Osun State following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities. Credible intelligence linked Oduduwa Estate with activities of suspected internet fraudsters. The suspects are: Dankuwo Eniola Erioluwa, Mustapha Monsuru Oluwanisola, Adeyeye Timilehin Ebenezer, Toromade Hammed Adedeji, Busari Abdulazeez Ayodeji, Adeleye Olumuyiwa Emmanuel, Oluwasakin Moyosore Favour, Olubini Pere Michael, Oluwadara Emmanuel Benny, Gbadamosi Okikola Omotola, Okusipe Tobiloba Paul, Nnekwelugo Enaemeka, Aghwaritoma Wisdom, Adesina Gbolahan Khalid and Micheal Olugoke Oluwaseun.   Others are: Obafemi Joshua Mayowa, Eronmonsele Anthony Igb...

Boko Haram executes 17 youths for failing to pay tax 1st Nov 2023  Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed 17 youths in Gurokayeya village, Geidam LGA of Yobe State, over failure to pay tax. It was learnt that the insurgents stormed the village around 10pm on Monday, gathered the residents in one place and executed selective killings. “They selected 21 youths who were between the ages of 20 to 30 and shot them at close range, while young children and the old were spared. “Seventeen died instantly, while the remaining four were rushed to the hospital in critical conditions,” a security source told our correspondent. He said the insurgent took the measure after several warnings to the villagers to pay their taxes but to no avail. “After the heinous act, they handed another stern warning to the villagers on the consequences of tax evasion before they left,” he said. While confirming the incident, Babagana Aisami Geidam a human rights activist told this paper that 16 corpses had be...

 NLC President Arrested In Imo November 1, 2023 The President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero has been whisked away by the Police at the ongoing protest in Imo state. This is as miscreants have descended on protesters, smashing vehicles and inflicting wounds on labour members. Already, the whereabouts of the NLC President is unknown as heavily armed security personnel took him away. NLC said it would begin protests in Imo State from Nov. 1. over alleged violation and abuse of rights and privileges of workers by the State government. Ajaero said that “NLC was deeply concerned about the persistent and egregious violations of the rights and privileges of workers in Imo State by the State Government.” “Despite our repeated efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and reach amicable agreements, the Imo State Government has become a habitual and serial breaker of these agreements, continuing to trample on the rights of workers in the state. “As a result, we are left...

Nothing Wrong If Father And Son Have Issues – Fubara Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday, expressed optimism that the political crisis, involving himself and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, will be resolved.  He said there is nothing wrong for a father and a son to have problems, stressing that all issues, if any, will be resolved. The governor spoke when the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, led a military delegation to the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital. Fubara restated President Bola Tinubu’s resolve for peace and security in the country, especially during the off-season elections this month. The governor said, “For our dear state, I know everybody is wondering what’s going on, what’s not going on. We are okay, there is no problem. “If we have an internal issue, it will be resolved and everything will go back to normal. “There is nothing wrong if a father and a son have a problem, if there is any problem, but I don’t think t...