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 Court Grants EFCC Order to Freeze 1146 Suspicious Accounts   Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Wednesday 24, April, 2024 granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, an interim order to freeze One Thousand, One Hundred and Forty Six(1,146) bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies being investigated for alleged offences bordering on unauthorized dealing in forex exchange, money laundering and terrorism financing.   The judge ordered that the accounts be frozen “pending conclusion of investigation."   While ruling on a motion moved by the EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, the judge stated “that an order of this honorable court is hereby made freezing the bank accounts stated in the schedule below which accounts are owned by various individuals who are currently being investigated in a case involving the offences of unauthorized dealing in foreign exchange, money laundering and terrorism financing to the extent that the inv...

 NIGERIAN ARMY TROOPS APPREHEND HUMAN TRAFFICKER IN LAGOS, RESCUE VICTIM Troops of 65 Bn Nigerian Army (NA) operating under the 81 Division NA, have successfully apprehended a human trafficker in Lagos. Following actionable intelligence, Mrs Olushola Areke was arrested in connection with human trafficking. The suspect was accused of kidnapping Miss Fayoke Kunle, a 22-year-old daughter of Mrs Ainor Kunle. Mrs. Kunle claimed she had voluntarily entrusted her daughter to the suspect, who had promised to secure employment for the young girl in Oshodi, Lagos. However, instead of heading to Oshodi as promised, the suspect moved Miss Kunle to Kano, where the victim later discovered herself and overheard discussions about being transported to Libya. Miss Kunle courageously escaped from her captor and returned home on 23 April 2024. In response to this alarming report, troops reached out to Mrs Areke, and was subsequently arrested at the designated meeting point, where she intended to pick ...

Ekiti: Police Nab Twins, 2 Others Over Theft Of Rice, Beans, N936,750 Worth Goods The Ekiti State Police Command has apprehended twin brothers for burglary and stealing of food items and other valuable goods. The command, through its Public Relations Officer, Abutu Sunday, disclosed that two other suspects were arrested alongside the twin brothers for receiving stolen items. The command stated, “On 25/04/2024 at about 8 AM, one Olasoji Kehinde and Olasoji Taiwo were arrested while attempting to break a shop at Mathew Street, Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti. “During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and further stated that they were responsible for the burgling of three shop in Fayemi Market at Agric Olope, Ado-Ekiti. “At Agric Olope, they carted away two bags of rice, two bags of beans and other valuables valued N936,750.” It was noted that “Further investigation by the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) led to the arrest of one Afolayan Funke ‘f’ and Nnaji Benignus Aroh ‘m’ who th...

 Press Release   Nigeria -India Joint trade meeting holds in Abuja.   Nigeria and India are holding a joint trade summit today in Abuja to improve their bilateral ties and ease commerce. At the opening ceremony, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, welcomed delegations from both countries and stated that the joint meeting was called to strengthen the existing bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries. He said the joint bilateral meeting will focus on key priority areas with the “aim of reviewing the development and expansion of economic relations as well as exploring the possibilities of increasing and diversifying trade.” Ambassador Rimi acknowledged the increasing volume of trade between Nigeria and India saying, “India is the largest trading partner of Nigeria in Asia especially, Nigeria’s petroleum products (which is a total of 12% India’s crude requirements) while Nigeria is ranke...

 Abeokuta Explosion: @ogsgofficial Seals Gas Company  Ogun State Government has sealed off Gasco Marine Ltd, the company whose truck was involved in an accident that caused explosion in the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area on Saturday. Speaking in an interview after sealing off the premises of the company located at Onijoganjogan, Abeokuta, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Environment and Chairman, Special Task Force on Environmental Matters, Hon. Farouq Akintunde said the accident occurred due to the negligence of the company. He said: “Two days ago, Ogun State was in a tumult with the news of fire incident that occurred around Ita-Oshin. We can authoritatively confirm that the truck that was involved in that fire is from this company. “It was a sorry case because it involved loss of life and destruction of properties. Our preliminary investigation shows that it is an act of negligence from the company as they did not do the nee...

 Court stops increment in prices of DSTV, GOTV subscription A Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja, on Monday, restrained Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of Dstv and GOtv from increasing their tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on May 1. The three-member tribunal, presided over by Saratu Shafii, gave the interim order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade. The tribunal, in a ruling, restrained Multi-Choice from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it. “The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” Shafii declared. She, therefore, directed all parties in the suit to appear be...

 The Lagos State Government on Sunday stated that the ongoing removal of all contravening structures under the System I drainage channel midstream (Odo Iya Alaro) Ojota and Ogudu, will address major flooding issues on the mainland and its environs. State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab made this assertion when he led some officials on an inspection tour to the enforcement sites to ascertain the level of compliance by property owners and the extent of work. He explained that System I was established in 1974 and it is the biggest and widest Primary Channel that defloods the major parts of the mainland which cuts across Ogudu, Ojota, Ifako, Gbagada and Maryland, adding that the flyover bridge coming from Odo Iyaloro will cut across these areas. Wahab stressed that the Government has been having discussions with property owners/residents since the year 2021 and the conversation ended in November 2023, stating that contravention notices have been ...

 Court Jails Man for N12m Inheritance Fraud in Maiduguri The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, secured the conviction and sentence of one Isiyaku Ibrahim before Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri. He was arraigned on July 3, 2023, on  one-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation to the tune of N12,000,000.00 (Twelve Million Naira only).wn personal use, to the detriment of the family members of the deceased and The charge reads: "That you Isiyaku Ibrahim and Mallam Ibrahim sometime between 2014 to 2019 at Jajere Baga Road, Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being entrusted with dominion over certain properties belonging to Muhammad Isiyaku (now deceased) to wit: (1) Three Houses, (2) Two fenced lands one of which had seven shops, (3) two bread factories, (4) one open land, (5) two truck tankers and (6) one big installed generator...

 Volleyball: Customs Strikes Again, Defeats Saint Denis Olympique at 37th Club Championship in Egypt  The Nigeria Customs Service is not only known for its doggedness in fighting smuggling and generating revenue for the federal government, the service has demonstrated a high level of professionalism in sport at the ongoing 37th Women’s African Volleyball Club in Cairo, Egypt.  The Customs Volleyball Women's Team defeated its opponent, Saint Denis Olympique, by 3 - 0 to imprint its first win at the ongoing championship on Saturday, 27th of April, 2024. The team who came out strong displayed the anti-smuggling doggedness with a lead in the first set of the game with a 25 - 21 score, sending shivers down the opponent's spine. Coach Pricillia Agera led the team, who displayed good skill and dominance with a nail-biting scoreline of 29-27 to clinge victory and secure a place in the annals of volleyball history. Coach Priscilla Agera hailed the players for their unwavering comm...

 Customs Visits Family of Rice Sale Stampede Victims, Rollout Support Strategies  In a heartwarming gesture, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reached out to the family of Susan Odulaja, one of the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred during the sale of 25kg bags of rice in Lagos on February 23, 2024. The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, sent a delegation led by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs/Zonal Coordinator Zone "A," Hammi Swomen, to visit the family in Jibowu, Lagos State, on Friday, April 26, 2024. During the visit, the Zonal Coordinator expressed the NCS's deepest condolences to the family, stating, "We remember the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of four precious lives during the disposal of 25kg bags of rice at a reduced price of N10,000. We are here to support this family and demonstrate our commitment to their well-being." This visit marks the second time the NCS has reached out to the family, de...

 GOVERNOR HOPE UZODIMMA SET TO COMMENCE GRATUITY PAYMENT  Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, is gearing up to kickstart the long-awaited gratuity payments for retirees within the state. Scheduled to commence this week, the initiative aims to honor the dedicated service of retired workers.  Governor Uzodimma, eyeing a start date of Tuesday, April 30, 2024, has aligned the rollout with the upcoming Workers Day on May 1, 2024. This strategic move emphasizes the administration's commitment to prioritizing the welfare of both current and former civil servants.  In a recent address, Governor Uzodimma emphasized the importance of a reformed Civil Service, one that fosters pride among workers and ensures timely benefits upon retirement. The governor reiterated his dedication to addressing these concerns, pledging to uphold transparency and efficiency throughout the process.  Assuring retirees of his preparedness, Governor Uzodimma revealed that he did not borrow but has...

 Drama as Toyin Abraham clashes with Area Boys on movie set Nollywood actress, Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi didn’t hold back at lashing out at Area boys who came to disrupt her movie set. The movie star, who is currently in Lagos shooting a movie, was captured online exchanged words wth thugs who came to disrupt the set. Toyin in the video could be heard asking if she can’t shoot movies in Lagos anymore as she vowed to change it for the thugs if they vandalize her movie set. To let peace reign, Toyin offered them N10,000 but the Area boys could be heard pleading with the actress to increase it. Watch video below. 

 Nigerian Who Relocated To UK In 2022 Beat Wife To Death With Skateboard 26th April 2024 A United Kingdom-based Nigerian man, Olubunmi Abodunde, has beaten his wife, Taiwo, to death with their son’s skateboard, Daily Mail reports. The couple, who had three children, arrived in the UK from Nigeria in 2022 and always clashed over alleged affairs and arguments about bills. According to the news platform, 48-year-old Abodunde had been repeatedly investigated by Suffolk Police about domestic violence and was due to go on trial for murder but changed his plea to guilty on Wednesday after a jury had been sworn in. During the abuse, officers heard ‘a number of bangs’ inside the house, which Abodunde had gone into, despite bail conditions imposed the day before that banned him from the property following another violent episode. When they finally entered 25 minutes later, they found the wife, 41-year-old Taiwo, with her ‘skull smashed in’. However, Judge Martyn Levett, sitting at Ipswich Cr...

Governor Obaseki Raises Minimum Wage for Edo State Workers to N70,000 In a move that has been hailed as a boon for workers in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki announced a significant increase in the minimum wage for civil servants to N70,000. The Governor made this historic declaration while inaugurating the Labour House on Monday, signaling a positive change in the lives of thousands of workers in the state. Governor Obaseki emphasized that the new minimum wage will take effect from May 1st, 2024, providing a much-needed boost to the livelihoods of workers in Edo State. This decision showcases the Governor's commitment to improving the welfare and standard of living of workers under his administration. Having secured a second term in office, Governor Obaseki's move adds to his track record of prioritizing the well-being of the people of Edo State. As the state prepares for another critical governorship election in September this year, the increase in minimum wage is likely t...

  Finidi George appointed as new Super Eagles head coach The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed former Super Eagles winger Finidi George as the new head coach of the nation’s senior men’s national team. The announcement came in a statement on Monday, with the NFF Board approving the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to hand over the reins to the 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis forward. Finidi George, who spent 20 months as an assistant to the outgoing José Santos Peseiro, had been serving as the interim coach after the Portuguese tactician’s departure following the Super Eagles’ impressive run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. During his interim tenure, George oversaw two friendly matches in Morocco last month, where the team ended an 18-year winless streak against Ghana with a 2-1 victory before suffering a 0-2 loss to Mali. “George, a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa...

 JAMB releases 2024 UTME results The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has released the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination results. Over 1.94 million candidates registered and sat the examination in 118 towns and over 700 centres across the country. The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede announced the release of the UTME results at a press conference held at the board’s headquarters, Bwari, in Abuja on Monday. The examination which began on Friday, 19th April ended on Monday, 29th April 2024. The board earlier explained that it chose to delay the release of the UTME results by some days because it needed some time to scrutinize the results to ensure credibility and integrity of the results, ensuring that there are no questions or any form of unclarity concerning the results particularly as regards the issue of impersonation, mixed biometrics, and other forms of malpractices. Details later… 

 Ighodalo denies involvement in Shaibu’s impeachment The Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has refuted claims that he has a hand in the impeachment of the state’s former Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu. Ighodalo described the allegation as fake, saying it was cooked up to tarnish his reputation. This was contained in a statement by his media team on Monday. The statement read, “While we would not usually join issues in response to every passing comment, it has become imperative to address the recent spurious allegations by former Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu, “It is necessary for the record, to state in no uncertain terms, that Mr. Asue Ighodalo has had no role or involvement in any form whatsoever in the very public process leading to Mr. Shuaibu’s impeachment and subsequent removal from office by the Edo State House of Assembly. “These claims are completely without merit, and Mr. Ighodalo categorically denies any such involvement. Th...

 The Lagos State Government has initiated a dialogue between her and property owners in Ifako, Gbagada area, to fashion out a way forward on the subsisting suspension order on Planning Permit in the axis. The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, who spoke during a Stakeholders meeting in the premises of the Catholic Church, Ifako, Gbagada, said that a Suspension order was placed on Planning Permit processing and approvals in Ifako, Gbagada and surroundings last November due to observed foundation failures and distress on several buildings such as tilting and sinking. He said that the problem owed its origin to the soil condition of the area, which required a huge financial outlay to rectify through pilling. His words: “Years of sand mining activities in the area have affected the soil condition and made it not economically viable to build horizontally, given the enormous resources involved in doing about 35 to 36 metres depth of pilling a...

 Many Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Mourners In Enugu Community Gunmen on Sunday night attacked mourners at Ugwuijoro village, Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, killing several persons and leaving many others injured. Some of those killed were identified as Okeh Simon Ugwu Oruku; Okeh Chukwuebuka; Julius Ogbonna Odiegwu; and Gabriel Ugwor Ezea, among others. A video which trended on social media on Monday morning showed a deserted community. The voice in the video alarmed the invaders took the villagers by surprise and shot sporadically at the mourners. Also tables and chairs were seen scattered in the compound where the mourners had converged, while lifeless villagers could equally be seen in a pool of blood. Nimbo had come under a heavy attack in 2016, leading to the loss of many lives. The gruesome incident at the time attracted a nationwide outrage and condemnation. The police spokesperson in Enugu State, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, is yet to respond to...

 Six Boko Haram terrorists surrender to MNJTF troops The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) said six more Boko Haram fighters have surrendered to its troops during operations in their various areas of responsibility. One of the Boko Haram fighters surrendered to the troops with his wife, two children, and 36 hand grenades, MNJTF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, said in a statement on Monday in Maiduguri, According to him, the ex-Boko Haram fighters who surrendered to troops of 403 Amphibious Brigade, Sector 3 in Monguno between April 17 and 27 gave various reasons for abandoning the terrorist group. According to Abdullahi on April 17, a 19-year-old Boko Haram terrorist who hailed from Masarram on the Lake Chad Island and residing at Duguri, surrendered to the troops and highlighted the growing discontentment within the group for his action. He added that initial investigations revealed that the suspect had a three-year affiliation with Boko Haram’s Buduma faction. The...

 40 dead in Kenya dam collapse A dam collapsed in western Kenya early Monday, killing at least 40 people after a wall of water swept through houses and cut off a major road, police said. The Old Kijabe Dam, located in the Mai Mahiu area of the Great Rift Valley region that is prone to flash floods, collapsed and water spilled downstream, carrying with it mud, rocks and uprooted trees, police official Stephen Kirui told The Associated Press. Vehicles were entangled in the debris on one of Kenya’s busiest highways and paramedics treated the injured as waters submerged large areas. Ongoing rains in Kenya have caused flooding that has already killed nearly 100 people and postponed the opening of schools. Heavy rains have been pounding the country since mid-March and the Meteorology Department has warned of more rainfall. Kenya’s Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki ordered the inspection of all public and private dams and water reservoirs within 24 hours starting Monday afternoon to avert...

PRESS STATEMENT BASH ALLI AND HIS SERIAL BLACKMAIL MUST BE CONFRONTED AND DEFEATED Thank you, gentlemen of the press, for responding to this invitation at such short notice. I am constrained to address you today to speak to the trending video and open petition to the President wherein Bash Alli, a former World Boxing Champion threw caution and decency to the wind to allege that I demanded the sum of 'another '1 USD( One million dollars) from him inorder to endorse his plan to stage what he calls the oldest boxers fight in Nigeria. When Bash Alli released his video and open letter to the President,with the sole aim to defame and destroy my reputation and integrity, some friends and associates advised that I totally ignore him and his blackmail gambit. They believe that by responding to Bash Alli and his vile campaign of calumy, I will validate and bring him to the limelight.  After a deep reflection, I have come to the inevitable conclusion that to ignore him will be a profou...

 ACTDA BEGINS DESILTING OF DRAINAGES, WARNS AGAINST DEFAULTERS By: Ukpa Ewa As  rainy season gradually assumes its place, activities towards flood control by the Anambra State Government was in high tempo as the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), begins massive desilting of drainages across Awka metropolis. Speaking to journalists in Awka during the exercise, the Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr. Ossy Onuko said  the Agency was launching a one week intensive desilting of drainages along Ziks  Avenue in continuation of its operation clean and green campaign. According to the ACTDA boss, the agency carried out the cleaning of  7.5km drainages  to ensure that different areas across the city  were free of debris covering the flood channels.  Mr. Onuko who explained that the agency discovered that once it rains the whole place would be flooded, maintained that the agency was focusing on areas like...

 Anambra Police Commissioner  Confers With Dike Ochioha 1 Of Ogbunka Kingdom  By Uche Kalu The outgoing Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Aderemi Adeoye has been conferred with a chieftaincy title in Anambra community. The chieftaincy title, Dike Ochioha 1 was bestowed on him by the Traditional Ruler of Ogbunka Kingdom in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State, HRH Igwe J.M. Anyaoha following the approval of Anambra State Government for the conferment of Chieftaincy title on the Commissioner. The event which held on Sunday, April 28, equally witnessed the conferment of Ada Eji Ejemba 1 on the commissioner’s wife, Mrs. Bolanle Adeoye. Recall that CP Aderemi will be retiring from Nigeria Police Force on May 1 this year, having served in the Force for 35 years and  several activities have been lined up to mark his official disengagement from Service, part of which was the Pull Out Parade held in his honour at the Alex Ekwueme Square over the weekend. *...

 VGC Chairman reportedly found d£ad inside his car The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into the d£ath of a 42-year-old man, identified as Gihan Mbelu, said to be the chairman of the Victoria Garden City in the Lekki area of the state.  In a post by one Deji Lambo on X, Mbelu who was a financial adviser and venture capitalist was found unconscious in his C300 4Matic car around 10.10 am on Friday, April 26, 2024, around VGC.  He was rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital where he was confirmed d£ad by a doctor on duty.  It was gathered that people decided to inspect his vehicle which had been running for hours at the spot where it was parked. “Concerned by the discovery, some of the people in the area, upon close observation of the vehicle, found Mbelu in it. While some people speculated that the 42-year-old man might be sleeping, some other persons, who were bent on ascertaining Mbelu’s true state, reportedly made frantic efforts t...