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 EFCC Hands over 14 Forfeited Properties to Enugu State The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 handed over 14 properties initially forfeited to the Federal government and now ceded to the government and people of Enugu State. The transfer of the properties to Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mba was performed by the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede at the corporate headquarters of the Commission. Speaking before the brief handover ceremony, Olukoyede who disclosed that the road to the forfeiture dated back to 2007, stated that event spoke of the mutually beneficial relationship existing between the federal government and states. “What we are witnessing today testifies to a symbiotic relationship that should exist between the federal government and the state governments. The essence of our meeting here today is for us to handover properties that were forfeited to the federal government, which of course belong to Enugu State people b...

 Court Jails Three for N17.6m Fraud in Maiduguri   The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, April 22, 2024, secured the conviction and sentencing of three fraudsters before Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri.   The convicts are Mohammed Dogo, Babagoni Mustapha Ali, and Dookenger Odey Takon.   Dogo and Ali were arraigned on April 8, 2024, on one-count separate  charge bordering on criminal misappropriation to the tune of N6,360,422.00 (Six Million Three Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-Two Naira).   Takon , on the other hand, was arraigned on September 24, 2020, on a four-count charge bordering on cheating, obtaining by false pretence, forgery, and criminal misappropriation to the tune of  N11, 300,000.00 (Eleven Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira).   The charge against Dogo read: "That you Mohammed Dogo, between 2012 to 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno St...

 " Powerful visions birth movements that change lives. Today, we welcomed back @tunde_onakoya , our chess champion, to Lagos.  His journey embodies the spirit of Lagos—resilient, ambitious, and driven to succeed. As we celebrate his achievements, we're inspired by his vision for empowering our children and youth.  Together with Tunde and the transformative power of Chess, we'll work towards a future where every child in Lagos has the opportunity to realize their full potential.  The state proudly supports his mission, purposefully providing resources to fuel this noble cause now and in the future.- Gov. Sanwo-Olu.  More photos below. 

 Punish my abusers within 48 hours or face lawsuit - Student bullied by her classmates threaten school authorities The bullied student of British Lead International School, Miss. Namtira Bwala has threatened to file a lawsuit against the school authorities if her abusers are not punished within 48 hours. In a letter drafted by her lawyers, Deji Adeyanju and Co, Namtira asked the school authorities to immediately investigate and pronounce the stiffest punishments in the student’s rule book on Ms.Maryam Hassan, Miss Faliya, and nine other students who bullied her. Namtira said if the school authorities fail to sanction the student bullies within 48 hours of the receipt of the letter, she would seek immediate and severe legal redress against the school. The letter reads “We are Solicitors to Miss. Namtira Bwala (acting through her next friend), hereinafter referred to as our client, on whose instruction we act. Our client and several other parents in Lead British International School ...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  PRESIDENT TINUBU APPROVES TAKEOFF OF CONSUMER CREDIT SCHEME President Bola Tinubu has approved the takeoff of the first phase of the Consumer Credit Scheme. Consumer credit serves as the lifeblood of modern economies, enabling citizens to enhance their quality of life by accessing goods and services upfront, paying responsibly over time. It facilitates crucial purchases, such as homes, vehicles, education, and healthcare, essential for ongoing stability to pursue their aspirations.  Through responsible repayment, individuals build credit histories, unlocking more opportunities for a better life. Additionally, the increased demand for goods and services stimulates local industry and job creation.  The President believes every hardworking Nigerian should have access to social mobility, with consumer credit playing a pivotal role in achieving this vision. The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) achieves its mandate through the fo...

  PRESS RELEASE FG ANNOUNCES THE RECOVERY OF N57BN DEBT FROM 10 MDAs The Federal Government  has announced the recovery of N57 billion from the N5.2 trillion liaibilities owed the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and other bodies by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance Mr. Okokon Ekanem Udo made the disclosure today in Enugu, the Enugu State Capital, during  a Sensitisation Workshop on Federal Government Debt Recovery Drive through Project Lighthouse Programme for South-East geo-political zone.  While declaring the event open, Ekanem stated that the debts came to the spotlight from data aggregated from over 5,000+ debtors across more than 93 MDAs. Represented by the Ministry's  Director, Special Projects,  Aisha Omar, the Permanent Secretary informed that it also received refunds to the government from companies who failed to deliver on projects for which payment ...

 NEWS RELEASE Abuja, April 23, 2024 Nigeria Launches New Fiscal Incentives to Revitalise Oil & Gas Sector, Aiming to Attract $10 Billion Investment … as FG endorses consolidated guidelines Today, in a move to further revitalise the oil and gas industry’s contribution to the Nigerian Economy, Wale Edun, OFR, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, presided over a signing ceremony at the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja endorsing the Consolidated Guidelines for the implementation of Fiscal Incentives for the Oil & Gas Sector - a cornerstone of the Presidential Directive aimed at enhancing the Nigerian oil & gas sector's global competitiveness whilst stimulating economic growth. As disclosed during the signing, the Presidential Directives were developed and coordinated by the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen to ensure a competitive framework for the Nigerian oil & gas industry. These Consolidated guid...

 OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL CIVIL AVIATION NCAA/DGCA/DANA/1/24/001 24th April, 2024 The Accountable Manager, Dana Airlines Limited Dana House 116 Oshodi-Apapa Expressway Isolo, Lagos. SUSPENSION OF AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATE OF DANA AIR The above subject matter refers, please. Subsequent to the runway excursion involving your MD-82 aircraft with registration marks 5N-BKI at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on 23rd April, 2024, the Authority is awaiting the preliminary report of the investigation launched by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). While the NSIB is conducting the safety investigation, the NCAA has initiated an in- house compliance assessment of this occurrence taking into account previous occurrences involving DANA Air aircraft. This is in a bid to establish any trend which must be nipped in the bud in the interest of the safety and well-being of our citizens and travellers. Furthermore, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development ...

  Nigerian Govt grounds Dana Air operations The Nigerian Government has suspended the operations of Dana Air. The order followed an incident involving a Dana Air plane at Lagos airport on April 23, which forced aviation authorities to divert flights from local to international airport. The decision was announced by Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo. Details shortly…

 My parents wrongly portrayed in TV show, 2baba’s daughter laments Isabel Idibia, daughter of global singer 2baba, has expressed dissatisfaction over her parents participation on a TV show, ‘Young, Famous, and African‘.  According to the 15-year-old, she didn’t like the way they were depicted. She said the way they were portrayed was completely incorrect and when she attempted to defend them, she was labelled a kid. Isabel further stated that she knows them more than others since they lived in the same family, while netizens only acquire their information from the internet or social media. Annie Idibia’s daughter In a video, she said: “I don’t like the way my parents were portrayed in Young, Famous and African, the way they were portrayed was just so wrong. Whenever I try to back my parents up and say that’s not what happened everyone is like ‘how would you know? You’re just a child’ How would you know?  “You’re not in my family, your knowledge is based on stuff that you ...

 Sokoto dethrones 15 traditional leaders, investigates four Fifteen traditional leaders have been dethroned by the Sokoto State Government for various offences. Four others are also still being investigated for other offences. The offences bordered on aiding insecurity, land racketeering and others. The development followed  recommendations of the committee set up by Governor Ahmed Aliyu to review appointment of traditional leaders, renaming of higher institutions and dissolution of Governing Boards of parastatals other than the statutory bodies.  Their dethronement with immediate effect was announced by Abubakar Bawa, Press Secretary to the Governor.  Bawa also said seven other traditional leaders were retained while the District Heads of Sabon Birni local government and his counterpart from Binji were transferred to Gatawa and Bubkari districts respectively. The statement reads: “District Heads of Tsaki and Asara are to retain their seats. Cases involving District ...

 Paris 2024: How Super Falcons can qualify from ‘group of death’ – Shorunmu Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu says the Super Falcons must be at their best to have a good outing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Randy Waldrum’s side are drawn in a tough group with world champions Spain, Japan and Brazil. Shorunmu believes only a strong performance can help the team scale through the hurdle. “I urge the Falcons to be strong, focused, and resilient in their game at the group stage because the team belongs to the group of world football champions,” Shorunmu told NAN. “At the same time, it is a necessity for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the technical crew to involve seasoned players. “Beware of aged players for better performance by the team at the group stage.” The Super Falcons are making a return to the Olympics after a 16-year absence. The West Africans will face Brazil in their first game in the women’s football event on July 25.

 Anambra Govt Holds  Roundtable Discussion On Revival Of Igbo Culture  By Ifeyinwa Ogwo In line with Gov. Chukwuma Soludo's agenda to promote the Igbo culture and revive its core values, the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism (MCET), has hosted a roundtable discussion with various stakeholders of the Citizenship Rights Directorate, Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) Youth wing, Film Village, Traditional Institute, others to talk about the revival of the Igbo culture and its core values. The discussion, which was held at the Ministry's Conference Hall, Jerome Udoji's Secretariat, Awka focused on the need to preserve the Igbo language, revival of what the Igbo are known for which centered on respect for elders, hard work, brotherliness, investing in the state, honesty and the kindred system and to identify harmful practices that are not part of the Igbo culture. Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner, Mr. Don Onyenji observed that the Igbo's ...

 Captures 26,816 Traffic Violations in Three Months The Lagos State Government has vowed to intensify enforcement exercises on curbing the illegal activities of fake enforcement officials across the State. The State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi disclosed this today during the 2024 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa – Ikeja, adding that the Ministry, through its task force team, would continue its sting operations in different areas of the State until impersonation of officials is eradicated. He cautioned against revealing more details on the Ministry’s enforcement operations and Strategy, so as not to compromise its effectiveness and success, as the impostors will devise new methods to avoid been apprehended in order to continue with their nefarious activities. Speaking further, Mr. Osiyemi also explained that the recently introduced Traffic Management Solution Device (TMS) has successfully captured 26,816 real-time...

 Cardinal Okpaleke Urges Ag.Rector Fed Poly Oko To Use His Position For Good Of All By Uzo Ugwunze The Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Anambra State, His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, has called on the Acting Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Uche Onyegbu to use his position for the good and betterment of all. Cardinal Okpaleke gave the advice at Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Ogidi, on April 21, during the Thanksgiving Mass in honour of the Acting Rector, Dr Onyegbu and his family for God's goodness and upliftment. In his homily, he urged Dr. Onyegbu to keep watch over all the flock which God gave him to oversee at the institution, adding that such exalted position comes with big responsibilities. "Today, God has given you the responsibility to shepherd the staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko. It is now your duty to mentor them and lead them to the path of Godliness. "God has reason for elevating us to certain positions, and now that y...

 *ASHIA Launches Standard Medical Treatment Guidelines* Choice Chioma | I-Witness News The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency launched a new standard medical treatment guideline that will help guide the quality of care rendered by different specialists attending to beneficiaries of the scheme.  This was announced during the quarterly meeting held recently with the medical directors and hospital administrators of the accredited health providers of the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme. This was at the quarterly ASHIA/Providers meeting held at the Agency's office, opposite government House in Awka. During the meeting, the MD/CEO of ASHIA, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi reiterated the benefits of the hospitals submitting their encounter forms and said that at the discretion of the agency, defaulters will suffer serious consequences for failure to comply before the deadline given. " It ensures that healthcare providers follow standardized protocols, leading to consistent care across ...

 ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT DENOUNCES STORY OF ABDUCTION AND RAPE IN UKWULU  The Anambra State Government has debunked a recent, trending story of abduction and rape that allegedly occurred in Ukwulu, a town in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.  In recent times, the state government has observed that certain individuals, motivated by political agendas, have persisted in spreading false and baseless stories in an attempt to undermine the peace and security enjoyed by Ndi Anambra and residents of our state. The trending story, which surfaced on various online platforms demanding the attention of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR, was found to be another concocted narrative, void of credibility and substance and mischievously circulated to paint a scenario of insecurity within our peaceful state. The supposed female victim of the abduction, in her unsigned and poorly articulated tale, claimed to have been kidnapped alongside her husband and housemaid by Fulani h...

 Stop Selling Expired Goods Or Face Sealing Of Businesses - Anambra Environment Commissioner Warns Shop Owners By Lilian Akpunonu In line with the directive of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to create a livable and enabling environment, the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu through the Environmental Health Officers of the Ministry has warned shop owners to desist from selling expired goods to consumers. As part of the Anambra State Government's efforts to safeguard public health and safety, Environmental Health Officers from the Ministry of Environment sealed off shops located on Ifite Road near All Saints Anglican Church in Awka. The inspection revealed a large amount of expired goods, including soft drinks, fruit extractions, bottled water, wine, Lucozade Boost and other items that were no longer suitable for human consumption. Speaking about the incident, the Director for Environmental Health and Pollution Control Department, Mrs Oluchi Nwankwu said it is u...

 Enugu govt bans illegal tolls, extortion of motorists, haulers The Enugu State Government has banned all forms of illegal tolls and extortion of motorists by touts, warning that flouters of the order would face the full wrath of the law. The government also announced the cancellation of all existing produce and haulage revenue collection contracts by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), saying those responsibilities would now be taken over by service hubs to be established in partnership with Heavyhaul Services Limited to meet the needs of logistics businesses and heavy-duty vehicles that transport goods in and out of Enugu State. The government made these known at a press conference addressed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday, with critical stakeholders in attendance. This was even as stakeholders, including the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Pol...

 Viral American woman who divorced her husband for going brøke reveals she cheatęd on him with his rich friend. “I NEED TO GET THIS OFF MY CHEST! I came home from work and my husband told me he lost his job. I really tried to be a good wife and hold things down for about 30 days. I was tired of being the man of the house so I went out with his friend and one thing led to the next. His friend cashed out on me and showed me an amazing time. I missed being treated like a woman and had my husband not loss his job this wouldn’t have happened. He’s calling me a cheater but his job as a man was to provide. I was not wrong and I refuse for him and his family to tarnish my name.”

 Actor Baba Ijesha appeals five-year jail sentence for sexual assault Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, known as Baba Ijesha, has filed an appeal against his conviction for the sexual assault of a minor. He has requested the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, to overturn the ruling of the Lagos State High Court, which sentenced him to five years in prison. The conviction was handed down by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo (retd.) of the Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court on July 14, 2022 to Baba Ijesha. Baba Ijesha through his counsel Kayode Olabiran on Tuesday, told the appeal court that his client was set up and that he acted according to a script that he was invited to act on by his colleague. “The Appellant was set up. The Appellant is an actor. He acted in a script that he was invited to act by his colleague (PW1), Damilola Adekoya,” he said. The Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Babajide Martins, urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit and also a misc...

 'Season of harvest of criminals', as police parade 21 suspects in Edo The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Funsho Adegboye, has described successes recorded by operatives of the different units of the Command in the last two weeks as “a season of harvest of criminals.” Adegboye stated this on Tuesday in Benin while parading a total of 21 suspects arrested in different parts of the state for various crimes. They were arrested for armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, murder, cultism, illicit drugs, economic sabotage, and pipeline vandalism. “This has been a season of harvest of criminals. the suspects were arrested within a period of two weeks and all this is done to make Edo safe for the citizens to carry out businesses in the state,” he said. Among the suspects were Ovie Samuel (46), Stanley Itota (45), Felix Oputi (46), Kadiri Hassan (45) and Alex Akaeze, who were arrested for being in possession of 1,080 kilograms of ICE (hard drug), worth ₦20 million in s...

 London man Jade Charles jailed five years for illegal firearm possession London man, Jade Charles, 35 has been sentenced to five years in prison for being in possession of illegal firearm during the Notting Hill Carnival. Teamwork from Met and City of London Police officers at last year’s Notting Hill Carnival led to them seizing a firearm in a bum-bag. Charles of Saltram Crescent W9, appeared at Southwark Crown Court in September 2023, where he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was sentenced at the same on Friday, 19 April. Detective Constable Andrew Payne, the investigating officer from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said the loaded firearm in Charles’ possession put innocent members of the public at risk on what is known as ‘Children’s Day’ at Carnival. Payne said its recovery had no doubt prevented it from being used to commit violent offences on the streets. The police reports that on 27 August, 2023 officers working on the security operation o...

 Femi Adebayo’s wife warns 'online aunties' messaging her Aduke Adebayo, the wife of the award-winning filmmaker Femi Adebayo, has called out online aunties who keep giving her unsolicited advice through her direct messages (DM). Aduke warned against their double standard narrative in advising her to keep calm, saying she would do what she did with actress Dayo Amusa a thousand times. Aduke, who is also a food vendor, explained that her recent outburst was aimed at defending her husband, who had been publicly criticized by a colleague; who she thinks should have settled the issue amicably. She promised to keep blocking those who come to her inbox telling her to back out of her husband’s matter with his colleagues. She said: “Dear online aunties, please stop coming to my DM with your double-standard narrative. I’m tired of reading your numerous dumb advice… I’ll do what I did again and again if your favourite goes the same route, I wonder why you all think it’s okay for her to p...

 Copyright commission names Soyinka’s birthday National Reading Day The Nigerian Copyright Commission has dedicated this year’s World Book and Copyright Day to the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and named July 13 the National Reading Day to mark the 90th birthday of the literary icon. This was disclosed by the Director-General, NCC, John Asein, in a statement, wherein he also stressed the importance of allowing individuals to read in their preferred manner and location. “Our Nobel laureate in Literature, playwright, essayist, literary icon and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Prof Wole Soyinka, will turn 90 on the 13th of July, 2024. “We are pleased to dedicate this year’s World Book and Copyright Day to him. He is unarguably the tallest living iroko in Nigeria’s rich literary forest and an advocate of books, reading and copyright. “Beyond a befitting celebration of the literary icon on his 90th Birthday, the commission is calling on stakeholders in the book industry to recognise J...