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 Tinubu Declares April 7 National Police Day  President Bola Tinubu has declared April 7 as National Police Day. He made the declaration through Vice President Kashim at the maiden award and commendations event organised by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Abuja on Monday night. Delivering the President’s speech titled, “Courage Under Fire: A Bouquet for Our Police Force,” VP Shettima said at a time in Nigeria’s history when the nation’s security architecture is being stretched beyond elastic limits, the citizens have been able to endure in the face of security threats as well as attacks on their lives and livelihoods due to the commitment of the police. He noted that his administration had been unequivocal about its resolve to transform the Nigeria Police Force into “a modern, professional, and accountable institution that mirrors the aspirations and values” of the nation. This is as he listed part of the comprehensive reforms by his administration to rejuvenate the police f...

 State police: Police law amendment may take two years Nigerians clamouring for state police may have to wait a little longer as the process of amending the 1999 constitution to make the initiative possible may take two years. The constitution amendment process is expected to run from January 2024 to December 2025, according to the work plan unveiled by the committee on constitution review chaired by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu. The Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, in an interview on Monday, said like other issues relating to review of the constitution, amendment of the Nigeria Police Act to accommodate state police would take two years. Waive also said the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review planned to meet with state governors, traditional rulers, and leaders of faith-based organisations in June on the state police bill. In a demonstration of its seriousness, the Federal Government had on F...

 Falana Faults Coroner’s Ruling On Death Of Sylvester Oromoni Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has questioned the ruling of Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri, the Coroner who investigated the death of Master Sylvester Oromoni, a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State. In the ruling delivered on Monday, the Coroner Lagos exonerated Dowen College and blamed the death of the deceased on the negligence of the family doctor. Reacting moments after the ruling, Falana said “It is curious that the coroner ignored the evidence of the government pathologist that the “black substance” found in the stomach of the deceased was not subjected to toxicological examination. Falana’s statement read, “In his lengthy ruling delivered today, Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri, the Coroner who investigated the unfortunate death of Master Sylvester Oromoni Jnr., a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos exonerated the authorities of Dowen College and blamed the unfortunate death of the decea...

 Over 1,000 kidnapped victims so far rescued without ransom — FG The  National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday, said the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has so far rescued over 1,000 kidnap victims without paying a ransom. Ribadu said this when he received 22 students and staff of the Federal University of Gusau, Zamfara State, rescued on Sunday. The bandits had, on September 22, 2023, invaded the institution and abducted over 30 students and members of staff. The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mani Mummuni, who was at the university to sympathise with the families and the school authorities over the incident, called on security agencies to hasten the rescue of the kidnapped students. In a press statement, the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, assured that the command would ensure the rescue of all the kidnapped students, as it had deployed an additional tactical team for search-and-rescue operations. The police noted t...

 Shaibu being persuaded to drop petition against Edo CJ — Counsel The impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, is being persuaded to drop his petition against the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa. His lawyer, Andrew Emwanta, revealed this in an interview on Monday. Emwanta said in view of the appeals coming from several quarters, Shaibu was weighing his options. Shaibu, through Emwanta, had last week written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, requesting a complaint form to file a formal petition against the Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Daniel Okungbowa. On the request of the Edo State House, the Chief Judge had set up a seven-man panel to probe alleged perjury and leaking of the government’s secrets against Shaibu. The seven-man panel, headed by retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa, concluded the probe on Friday, April 5, and sent its report to the Assembly on Monday, April 8. The Assembly, after considering the report of the probe, ...

 PRESS RELEASE HOUSING MINISTRY COMMENCES ALLOCATION FOR THE SALE OF HOUSES UNDER NATIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMME The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has concluded the allocation for the first batch of completed houses across the states of the Federation, for successful applicants under the National Housing Programme (NHP). This was contained in a Press statement on Monday by the office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi. In the release, the Permanent Secretary stated that the first batch of the allocation process was concluded after a review of the conditions and procedures for sales of houses under the National Housing Programme (NHP) as conveyed in a circular with Ref. No. DPBH/645/1/643 from the Ministry on the 29th of December, 2023. He disclosed that out of a total of 8925 applications that were received, 1294 were for Outright payment, 2408 for Mortgage, 2184 for Rent to own and 3039 were for installmental payment modes. Ogunbiyi...

 PRESS RELEASE  FG UNFOLDS PLANS TO CUT DOWN ON COST OF TAX EXPENDITURE, ENSURE TAX INCENTIVES The federal government has revealed plans to ultimately cut down on the cost of tax expenditure and ensure tax incentives which would positively impact the economy. The Honourable Minister of Finance and  Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, recently approved the inclusion of an Incentive Monitoring and Evaluation Platform (IMEP) in the current Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) process. The IDEC automation, which was introduced as from 1st March, 2020, is a Fiscal incentive by the federal government under the Ministry of Finance to boost sectors of the economy by exempting critical players from paying import duty and all other statutory customs charges respectively. In his statement: *This is to provide the Federal Ministry of Finance with a robust automated tool for more effective Monitoring and `Evaluation (M &E) measurement of the impact of all custo...

 Kano APC nullifies Ganduje’s suspension, sanctions ward leaders State Working Committee of the Kano chapter of the All Progressive Congress, on Monday, sanctioned some ward party leaders who earlier suspended the National chairman of the party, Umar Abdullahi Ganduje. Leaders in Ganduje’s ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government had earlier on Monday suspended the APC national chairman. But in a swift counter action, the party’s local government officials thwarted Ganduje’s suspension and sacked those behind it. The APC Dawakin Tofa Local Government Chairman, Inusa Dawanau, alleged that those behind Ganduje’s suspension were caught in anti-party activities, adding that evidence of their meetings with the opposition had been exposed. State Working Committee of the party while adopting the suspension of the ward APC leaders, said they have sanctioned the masterminds for six months. It added that a special investigations panel has been set up to verify several allegations against them. ...

 Community rallies around 81-year-old Vietnam Vet/ pizza delivery driver after being punched in the face and carjacked. Ernie Aimone was making a pizza delivery in the Jefferson Park neighborhood in Chicago around 9 p.m. Wednesday night. After the delivery, Ernie was crossing the street when he was sucker punched from behind. The blow automatically dropped the 81-year-old veteran. The assailant then demanded Ernie's car keys. He commented he feared for his life and wanted to see his children again so he complied while remaining face down. They then made off with Ernie's car and livelihood in one fell swoop. Hours after the attack, police spotted Ernie's 2015 Hyundai, Santa Fe and gave chase. Sadly, the chase ended when the suspect crashed Ernie's car, causing major damage. Police were only able to apprehend one teenage suspect after the crash. Ernie has been delivering pizza for "Joe's on Higgins" for 40 years and is a beloved employee.  He is considered f...

 Alleged $6bn fraud: Court Dismisses Agunloye’s Motion against Prosecution by EFCC   Justice Jude Onwueguzie of the Federal High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja on Monday, April 15, 2024, dismissed a motion raised by former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye challenging the powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to prosecute him.     Agunloye is facing trial for an alleged fraudulent award of contract of the Mambilla project to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion United States Dollars)   At the last adjournment, the former minister, through his lawyer, Adeola Adedipe SAN filed a motion arguing that the EFCC lacked both investigative and prosecutorial powers to prosecute him on the charges preferred against him.  He also made a solemn application to the court to allow the participation of Amicus Curiae, also known as friends of the court during the hearing of the preliminary motion, suggesting notably, the Attorney General of the...

 EFCC Arrests Suspected Internet Fraudster in Port Harcourt   Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a  suspected internet fraudster, Ali Desmond Chinedum in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.     He was arrested following credible intelligence on his suspected involvement in internet-related offences.   Items recovered from him include, one iPhone 11 Pro Max, One Redmi 12 Android mobile device, two  United States Navy identity cards with number: 100040041245 and 100010041159, one Mercedez Benz GLK and one HP Laptop computer device and charms.   He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.   More photos below. 

 EFCC Arraigns Father-in-Law, Daughter-in-Law for Alleged Forgery in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, April 15, 2024, arraigned a father-in-law,  Alaba Alakija and his daughter-in-law, Oyinkansola Alakija before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on an amended two-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy and using false documents. One of the counts reads: “Alaba Alakija and Oyinkansola Alakija, on or about the 6th day of August, 2015 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to financially benefit from the property located at No.10, Keffi Street, South-west, Ikoyi, Lagos, conspired amongst yourselves to use a false document titled: "Vesting Deed by Dr. Omodele Alakija and Mr. Afolabi Alakija", the executors of the estate of the late Sir Ademola Alakija, purporting  same to be made by Dr. Omodele Alakija and Mr. Afolabi Alakija.” The def...

 Court Jails Three Internet Fraudsters in Ilorin Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Monday, April 15, 2024  convicted and sentenced three internet fraudsters, Qudus Temitope Ismail, Kolade Adetola Toheeb and Abdulmalik Timileyin Khalid to various jail terms. They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on internet fraud. The charge against Toheeb reads: “That you, Akolade Adetola Toheeb sometime in July, 2023 in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation when you pretended to be one Throndsen Waylen, a football match forecaster with phone number +23481260084504 with which you created a telegram account, and you fraudulently deceived one Jake Cooper to send $200.00 (Two Hundred Dollars) through paypal to you, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Penal Code”.   They all plea...

  Late Nollywood makeup artist Abigail buried in Akwa Ibom The remains of the late 24-year-old Nollywood makeup artist, Abigail Fredrick, were laid to rest on Monday in her hometown in Ikot Udoma, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Frederick was among the five film crew members, including actor Junior Pope, who died when their boat capsized on the River Niger last Wednesday. The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, instructed that her body be returned to the state for a proper burial after she was said to have been buried by the riverbank. Following the governor’s directive, her body was exhumed on Sunday, April 14, 2024. A candlelight procession was also said to have been held in her honour. A Facebook user, Ubong David, who shared pictures from the burial on Monday wrote: “Today, the late Abigail Frederick, the Nollywood makeup artist who tragically lost her life in the ill-fated boat mishap, has been laid to rest at the family compound in Ikot Udoma, Eket Local Governm...

Nigerian superstar Asake reveals how fellow superstar Olamide advised him to leave his girlfriend when he became a star He explains "When I made my first big pay check from music, I was so happy that I shared the news with my girlfriend. I gave her full details of how much I made and the next day, I gave her 2 million naira as a gift. To my surprise, she turned it down saying 2 million was too small compared to how much I had made. I was a bit worried cause this girl is from a humble background and I never imagined her to be like that. I explained the situation to Olamide and he advised me to leave the girl, he also instructed me to send the 2 million naira to my mom. I’m glad I did cause my mom was able to make good use of the money and open a big provision store. My mom doesn’t call me for financial issues anymore cause she’s doing just fine" Lessons: "May God bless you my son" is more powerful than "Thank you babe". The money you give to your parents op...

 Parents, doctor’s negligence killed Sylvester Oromoni- Coroner The Coroner Inquest sitting in Ogba Magistrate Court examining the death of a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Sylvester Junior Oromoni, has attributed his death to his parents’ and doctor’s negligence. The Coroner Magistrate, Mikhail Kadiri, held that Oromoni died as a result of failed treatment for his enlarged liver. Oromoni died on November 30, 2021. His death was attributed to bully and an alleged poisonous substance he was forced to drink in the school. He was said to have mentioned that he was beaten up by five senior students of Dowen College whose names were Favour Benjamin, 16, Edward Begue (16), Ansel Temile (14) Kenneth Inyang and Micheal Kashamu, 16, son of late Senator, Buruji Kashamu, before he died. But on January 5, 2022, the Lagos State Government exonerated the five students and five employees of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, who were accused of the death of Sylvester Oromoni. Kadiri said,...

 After Backlash, Dunamis Tenders Apology To Lady Accused Of Fake Testimony Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC) has reacted to a trending video showing its Senior Pastor, Dr Paul Enenche, confronting a woman during her testimony. The woman, known as Anyim Vera, had climbed the altar at the popular church in Abuja to share her testimony on Sunday. She claimed to be the first graduate in her family, stating that she obtained a BSc in law. “I’m the first graduate in my family. My siblings did not get into tertiary institutions due to some reasons. I was supposed to study Law for five years at the National Open University of Nigeria. However, I encountered some challenges that made me have an extra year,” she said. In his reaction, Pastor Enenche openly pointed out that there’s no such degree as a BSc in law, casting doubt on her testimony. The pastor had asked her to return to her seat and warned people against stepping on the altar to lie. “So the testimony is a lie. Is that ho...

 El-Rufai: FG Now Paying More For Fuel Subsidy, But Many Nigerians Don’t Know Former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, says fuel subsidy is back, but many Nigerians do not know this. Fielding question from newsmen in Maiduguri , Borno State capital, on Monday, El-Rufai said the federal government is now paying more than before. Traveling across Quang Binh to stunning cinematic locations He observed that the packages of support that would reduce the impact of fuel subsidy were not effective, hence reversal of the policy. In his inaugural speech, President Bola Tinubu had announced the removal of fuel subsidy, saying its payment was no longer justifiable. But El-Rufai, who said he was in support of the policy, said the government had to make necessary adjustments. “Fuel subsidy is another policy that has been implemented by the president, it’s the right policy. I always supported withdrawing fuel subsidy.” “But, in the course of implementation as you can see the governm...

 Abiodun Swears-in 20th HoS, Promises Better Civil Service  Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun on Monday said that his administration would continue to fulfil all promises made to the public service by ensuring the provision of adequate working tools for the workforce. Governor Abiodun stated this during the swearing-in of the newly appointed Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya at the Executive Chambers of the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta. Noting that the appointment of Mr, Onasanya symbolizes a call to greater service, Prince Abiodun said that his administration would continue its commitment not only to the service but also to the broader development of humanity. According to him, the civil service is the backbone and the engine that drives the policies and the bridge that connects the aspiration of the people with the actions of government. "As you are all very aware, civil service is the bedrock of our administration, the engine that drives our policies and ...

 Karma is coming for you all - Yul Edochie to critics “Mind your business, una no gree. You want to destroy another man’s life, you want to destroy another man’s family, you want to destroy another man’s career. Because of family matter wey no concern you. Your own family you never fix am oo. Wickked people. Whatever you wish me is what you’re wishing yourself. KARMA is coming for all of you.” - Yul Edochie

 With 50,901 arrests, 9,034 convictions we’re sending a message to drug cartels - Marwa declares as he commissions operational facility built for NDLEA by UK Govt - We’ll continue our support for you, UK High Commission assures Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has said that the arrest of 50,901 drug offenders including 46 barons and the successful prosecution and conviction of 9,034 of them as well as the seizure of over 7,561 tonnes of illicit substances in the past 38 months has sent the right message to drug cartels and their kingpins that Nigeria won’t tolerate their criminal activities. Marwa stated this in Lagos on Monday 15th April 2024 in his remarks at the commissioning and handing over ceremony of an operational facility built and donated to NDLEA by the British government, which he commended for the generous support that will further boost the capability of the anti-narcotic agency in ...

 NIGERIAN ARMY TROOPS INTERCEPT GUN RUNNER IN TARABA, FOIL KIDNAP ATTEMPT, EXTERMINATE TERRORISTS In a series of successful operations, Nigerian Army troops deployed for Counter- terrorism Counter- insurgency operations in Taraba and Benue States have made significant strides in disrupting terrorist activities. The operations resulted in the arrest of a gun runner, foiling of a kidnap attempt, and extermination of a terrorist. In Taraba State, troops, in collaboration with vigilantes, acted on actionable intelligence to apprehend one Mansir Mohammed at Jalingo Motor Park, who has been reportedly involved in gun-running activities with terrorists. His arrest led to the nabbing of other members of his syndicate and the recovery of one Semi Automatic Pump Action gun, one locally fabricated gun, a Peugeot car, 5 mobile phones, and the sum of forty-five thousand Naira (N45,000) only. In a separate operation, troops on routine patrol at Miyande Village in Takum Local Government Area of T...

 How Funke Akindele paid over N16 million for my sister’s operation” – Late actress Bukola Osadare’s sister recounts  The sister of late Nollywood make-up artist and actress, Bukola Iyabo Osadare has recounted Funke Akindele’s good deeds to her late sister. In the wake of claims of Funke Akindele always abandoning her staff, Bukola’s sister debunked it as she recounted how Funke Akindele spent over N16 million for her sister’s first and second operations. The filmmaker didn’t stop there, she directed them to a place in Ikeja to pick up medication worth N500k-N600k each week and also sponsored her and her late sister to the UK. She described the box office Queen as a good person as she was the one who made her sister live for seven years before her death.

 “I would soon be a grandmother” – Mercy Aigbe laments as she steps out in style with her kids Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe Adeoti seems to be looking forward to being a grandmother. The mother of two, whose daughter, Michelle is ripe for marriage, had stepped out in style with her kids and husband, Kazim Adeoti for a wedding ceremony over the weekend. Sharing photos on her Instagram page, she stated that attending the wedding made her realize she would soon be a grandmother. “Stepped out to celebrate love with my tr!be @kazimadeoti @michelleio__ @olajuwon.gentry

 Blackout: National grid collapses again plunging Nigeria into total darkness Nigeria’s national electricity grid collapsed early on Monday at about 2:00 am, plunging the nation into total blackout. According to data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the four generation companies recorded 0MW generation from around 2:00 am this morning. Furthermore, load allocation to Discos as the time of filing this report was zero in seven out of the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos), with Ikeja, Benin, Abuja and Ibadan Discos the exceptions. In total, the load allocation to Discos stood at a meagre 250MW this morning. The TCN is yet to confirm the collapse of the grid. If confirmed, this would be the sixth grid collapse this year and would add to the nation’s recent electricity woes. The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) earlier this month hiked the electricity tariff for ‘Band A’ customers by around 300% to N225/KWh in a bid to attract investment and r...

 Crossdresser, Natasha declares herself acting ‘mummy of Lagos’ in absence of Bobrisky A Nigerian crossdresser, Natasha, sparks discussion on social media as she declares herself the acting mummy of Lagos while announcing that Bobrisky isn’t in town. This is contained in a video captioned: “Bobrisky’s next of kin, the next mummy of Lagos.” In the said video, the lady could be heard discussing the absence of Bobrisky while claiming she’s at a meeting and would be away for some time, hence, she would be taking over from Bobrisky as the mommy of Lagos. Her statement: “As her next of kin, I’m the new acting mummy of Lagos.” “Hey guys, good morning, good afternoon, depending on what time you’re watching this video. I’ve got great news for you, I’m sorry my mum (Bobrisky) is not in town, you all know my mum.” “And we’re working, we’re doing everything to get her out. You guys should exercise patience. As her next of kin, I’m the new acting mummy of Lagos.” “So if you have any problems ab...