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 Suit Challenging Marriage Of Orphaned Girls Not Yet Withdrawn, Says Minister The Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye says the lawsuit challenging the proposed mass marriage of 100 orphaned girls in Niger State has not been withdrawn.  “The case is not yet withdrawn. I want to make that clear. How do I withdraw a case in a day?” the minister said on Friday. “Well, before I even withdraw the case, we have to go back to court and then tell the court that we have settled. We are withdrawing the case. Do you understand? “How can I go and withdraw? We are still trying to organise ourselves on how to partner well and get this problem sorted.” Her comment followed the Niger State House of Assembly Speaker Abdulmalik Sarkindaji’s proposed mass marriage of 100 orphaned girls in his constituency. The move got a pushback from several quarters, prompting the minister to file a suit challenging the proposed marriage. Following the backlash, Sarkindaji said he was discontinuing w...

 Alleged $34.4m Fraud: Court Refuses Binance Executive Bail as EFCC Presents First Witness   Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday 17, May 2024, threw out a bail application filed by Tigran Gambaryan, Binance executive and second defendant in an alleged tax evasion, currency speculation and money laundering case to the tune of $34,400,000 (Thirty-Four Million, Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).   Ruling on the bail application filed on April 8, 2024 by defence counsel, Mark Mordi (SAN), the judge held that the defendant had no respect for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, adding that shortly after his arraignment on April 8, 2024, he hatched a plot to escape from lawful custody in similar fashion his partner and first defendant, Nadeem Anjarwalla escaped.   The judge further noted that both defendants shared the same space in detention before the escape of the first defendant and that some of his co-conspirator...

  PRESS RELEASE NNPC Ltd Clarifies Lagos Depot Fire Incident …Says Normalcy Restored The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) wishes to clarify that the fire incident at a tank farm in Marine Beach, Apapa, Lagos, was at a Depot belonging to HOGL Energy Ltd. (Honeywell Depot) and not an NNPC Retail Ltd. facility, as circulated by early responders. The fire, which has since been extinguished, was as a result of petroleum products spillage within the perimeter of the tank farm. Meanwhile, NNPC Ltd. and other Depots in the area have resumed loading activities. NNPC assures that the incident will, in no way, affect petroleum products supply and distribution across the country. Olufemi Soneye Chief Corporate Communications Officer NNPC Ltd Abuja. 17 May, 2024

 Court Jails Social Media Influencer, Aluko Tunmise One Year in Lagos Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, convicted and sentenced one Aluko Tunmise, a self-acclaimed social media influencer and model, to one year imprisonment for celebrity scam. He was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one-count charge bordering on cybercrimes. One of the counts reads: “That you, ALUKO TUNMISE JUWONLO (A.K.A. KEANU REEVES), sometime between January and March, 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, directly made a false statement, wherein you held yourself out as a white man by name "KEANU REEVES" on your Telegram Account, knowing same to be false and with intent that the representation is relied upon for the purpose of procuring the issuance of financial instrument to yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable un...

  *...The Mayor of Umunneochi LGA NDUBUISI IKE is one man too many..... his assumption of office has brought physical changes in Umunneochi Local Government in different areas .... but one major area of interest is the remodeling and reroofing of the entire structure at the Local Government headquarters NKWOAGU ISUOCHI and tiling of the offices.....* *... before his assumption of office.... Umunneochi was almost the kidnap headquarters in Nigeria.....but his security architecture is such that has made Umunneochi safe and free from kidnapping....this he jointly achieved with Governor Alex Otti.....* *.... Mayor NDUBUISI IKE.....has demonstrated capacity to lead..... but most importantly is the inclusiveness in his administration....as he believes in parliamentary democracy..... as he ensures that Umunneochi sons and daughters in diaspora are part of his team.....* *....he has developed a plan for the development of the LGA, with his world class team of planners with deep root and ca...

 In crime series they tell us the cause of death even after years of being dẽäd” – Timi Dakolo weighs in on Mohbad’s autopsy result In a fresh new perspective, singer Timi Dakolo has weighed in on Mohbad’s autopsy results.  Taking to the X-platform, he expressed how it was surprising that his autopsy results were still unfounded. He went on to reveal that in crime series, they find bodies even after the years of the person being dead and they are still able to tell the cause of death. In his words, he had this to say, “except all the crime series I’ve been watching are lying to me. They find bodies after years of being dead and still tell us the cause of death.”. EARLIER REPORT: Mohbad's autopsy couldn't determine cause of death. According to Wahab Shittu (SAN),  while addressing journalists at the coroner’s inquest held in Lagos State on Wednesday, the pathologist in charge of the autopsy had stated that the cause of death could not be determined because as at the time t...

 BET has announced the nominees at this year's award show. Nigerian singers, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Tems, Asake, Seyi Vybez, Davido, and Lojay received nominations at the 2024 BET Awards. At the 2024 BET Awards  Several Nigerian musicians  have been Nominated  the List  includes, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Tems, Seyi Vibez and Asake Are The Singers On The Nominations List. Singer Ayra Starr garners three nominations as the Best New Artist, Best International Act, and the BET Her award—for her chart-topping single “Commas.” She is set to face off with other famous artists like Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, and Megan Thee Stallion at the BET Her category with Victoria Monet also being present. Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has been nominated twice for an American award. (the African giant) He is in the Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Best Male R & B / POP Artist categories, this means he will contest with Chris Brown, Drake or Usher. Looking at the Vi...

 Tyla receives four nominations at the 2024 BET Awards.  Tyla and Beyoncé are tied with four nominations each on the 2024 BET Awards. Tyla 🇿🇦 has been nominated for a total of 4 BET Awards: ⚫ BEST NEW ARTIST  ⚫ BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST  ⚫ BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT ⚫ VIEWER'S CHOICE AWARD

RWANDA'S KAGAME SUBMITS BID FOR JULY ELECTION Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has officially submitted his candidacy to the country's poll body for the July presidential elections. He had already confirmed last September that he would be seeking a fourth term. He is widely expected to win the poll, which could see him extend his presidency to nearly three decades. Mr Kagame won the last presidential election in 2017 with nearly 99% of the vote. Two of his opponents, opposition politicians Bernard Ntaganda and Victoire Ingabire, have recently been barred from vying in the election over previous convictions. Mr Kagame, 66, has faced criticism from rights groups, which have accused him of cracking down on the opposition. But the president has maintained that Rwanda respects political freedoms.

 British High Commission Seeks ICPC intervention in tackling visa racketeering  The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has assured the British High Commission of the Commission's continued support in tackling visa racketeering in Nigeria.  Dr. Aliyu stated this when he received Mr. Coran Oakley, the International Liaison Manager of the Home Office International Operations in the British High Commission, Abuja, in his office. The ICPC boss stated that he was aware of the existing working relationship with the High British Commission and promised that the ICPC would always be prepared to continue to work with the High Commission noting that the collaboration would be given priority under his leadership. More photos below. 

 PRESS RELEASE  FG TO COLLABORATES WITH TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE ENVIRONMENT  The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has stated that the Federal Government will continue to collaborate with the traditional institutions in the country, especially in protection and preservation of the environment through discouraging tree felling and promoting clean cooking. The Minister disclosed this when the Emir of Nasarawa and former Minister of Environment, His Royal Highness, Alh. Ibrahim Usman Jibrin paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry today, Thursday 16th May 2024. Balarabe stated that the Ministry is doing alot in tackling environmental challenges such as plastic waste, erosion and flood, desertification, drought control and other climate change challenges. He assured the visiting Emir that being the former Minister of Environment, he would build on his legacy and achive the mandate of the Ministry in line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’...

 NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS ( NSCDC ). LAGOS STATE COMMAND.  PRESS STATEMENT. LAGOS NSCDC JOINS FORCE WITH FFS AND NIS, KESHINRO AVOWS COMMITMENT TO EFFECTIVE DISASTER MANAGEMENT. The State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Lagos State Command, Mr Adedotun Keshinro has reiterated his commitment to ensure effective disaster management in the state. The Lagos State Commandant made this known, when he visited the Federal Fire Service, yesterday, Thursday, 16th May, 2024.  The Lagos State Commandant was received by the State Controller, Deputy Controller of Fire Oduyelu Olumuyiwa, who attested to the inseparable relationship between both agencies especially, in the areas of mutual training, operations and protection of lives and property of the people. He called on the NSCDC to continue to give them the needed support during their operations in order to prevent mob actions and other unforseen crises or disaster.  The NSCDC and ...

 PRESS RELEASE POLICE SPEAKS TOUGH ON INDISCIPLINE, MISCONDUCT Sanctions Erring Officers, Subjects Senior Officers to Force Disciplinary Committee Hearing In a decisive move to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has emphasized his administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of indiscipline. He stressed that the mandate of the Police is to serve and protect with honour and integrity, and as such all breaches of the core values of the NPF will be met with decisive action to maintain public trust and ensure justice.   In line with this policy, all cases reported against personnels have been creditably attended to, and justice have been done appropriately. Many of the erring officers have been sanctioned, while some cases are still at the orderly room trial level, and will soon be concluded. For instance, a Police Inspector has been dism...

 French police kill man suspected of setting fire to synagogue in Rouen Local prosecutor says two investigations into arson attempt and death of unidentified suspect are under way. Police in France have shot dead an armed man who was suspected of setting fire to a synagogue in the northern city of Rouen, the authorities said. On Friday, police intervened at about 6:45am (04:45 GMT) after smoke was reported at the synagogue. A man at the scene, reportedly carrying a knife and a crowbar, threatened a police officer, who then “used his weapon”, said the Rouen prosecutor. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE: "French reports say the suspect had been served with an expulsion order and was in the process of appealing against it. Police were called at around 06:45 (04:45 GMT) after smoke was seen rising from the synagogue. The attacker climbed on a large waste bin and threw a petrol bomb through a small window, setting the synagogue alight. Two police officers reached the scene fast, after the ma...

 Court convicts doctor Anu Adepoju over client’s d£ath  The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has convicted a medical doctor, Anu Adepoju, over a failed plastic surgery that resulted in the d£ath of one Nneka Onwuzuligbo in 2020.  Anu, who’s the founder of MedContour Services LTD, was convicted on Friday, May 17, on a five-count charge bordering on a refusal to honour an invitation for an investigation into post-body surgery complications and failure to produce investigation documents. Recall that shortly after the news of Onwuzuligbo demise went viral, Anu was arrested and later charged to court alongside her company by the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission (FCCPC) in 2020.  The prosecuting counsel for the FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera,  announced the conviction on X.  Irukere had earlier disclosed that the offence carries either a prison term, a fine, or both.

 A MAN WHO WAS MISSING SINCE 1996 WAS FOUND CAPTIVE AT NEIGHBOUR’S UNDERGROUND HOLE IN ALGERIA. “Omar vanished during the decade-long Algerian civil war of 1998, leading his family to assume that he was killed in the conflict between the North African nation's government and various Islamist rebel groups. The truth was much closer to home: Now aged 45, he was found amid haystacks in a stable on May 12 - just 200 yards away from his family's home in the city of Djelfa. The discovery came after the captor's brother aired grievances on social media, reportedly due to an inheritance dispute. Reports said the post revealed the identity of the victim and his location, and prompted Omar's family to storm the residence. The alleged culprit, a 61-year-old doorman working in the nearby town of El Guedid, was taken into custody after attempting to flee, the Algerian Ministry of Justice said. Algerian media reported that the victim said he had been unable to call out for help '...

 GOV. SANWO-OLU RECEIVES HIGH COMMISSIONER OF JAMAICA TO NIGERIA, MR. LINCOLN G. DOWNER ON COURTESY VISIT AT LAGOS HOUSE, MARINA, ON FRIDAY, 17 MAY, 2024 l-r: Spouse of the Jamaican High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Lucrecia Downer; the High Commissioner, Mr. Lincoln Downer; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde during a courtesy visit by the Jamaican Envoy at the Lagos House, Marina, on Friday, 17 May 2024. Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu flanked by the Jamaican High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Lincoln Downer (left) and his spouse, Lucrecia (right) during a courtesy visit by the Jamaican Envoy at the Lagos House, Marina, on Friday, 17 May 2024. Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu presents an Eyo statue to the Jamaican High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Lincoln Downer (left) during a courtesy visit by the Jamaican Envoy at the Lagos House, Marina, on Friday, 17 May 2024. Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Baba...

  GUNMEN KIDNAP CATHOLIC PRIEST IN ANAMBRA Gunmen have abducted a popular Catholic priest in the Onitsha Diocese of Anambra State, Reverend Father Basil Gbuzuo. According to eyewitnesses, the reverend father was abducted from his vehicle while driving around the area on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha also confirming the development in a statement issued on Thursday, May 16, 2024, said the incident occurred on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, around 8 am along the Eke Nkpor-Obosi bypass. The statement also added that His Grace, Most Rev Valerian Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, had called on all Christ’s faithful and people of goodwill to pray for the quick and safe release of the priest. The Archdiocese said it was also intensifying efforts to secure Fr Gbuzuo’s freedom, while committing the priest to “powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers.” The statement signe...

 POLY STUDENT DIES AFTER TAKING DRUGS TO HAVE 11 ROUNDS MARATHON SEX, GIRLFRIEND IN COMA. Oromidayo, a student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan has died after taking s3x enhancement drugs to have 11 rounds of S3x. His partner, a fellow student is also in coma.

 Kaduna Ginger Farmers Count Losses, Struggle For Survival, Over Fungal Infection In the lush fields of southern Kaduna, where ginger cultivation once thrived, a pall of despair hangs heavy over the land. Last season’s fungal onslaught devastated ginger farms, leaving a trail of losses and dashed hopes in its wake. The fungal scourge has left ginger farmers grappling with unprecedented challenges, thrusting them into a battle for survival amidst economic turmoil. Ginger farmers in southern part of Kaduna State last season recorded loss as fungal infection attacked their farms, which caused more challenges to them in this new farming season as many of them lost their ginger seeds, in addition to the economic hardship in the country and the hike in prices of fertilizer, insecticides and the ginger seeds. Emmanuel Gabriel – a ginger farmer from  Kuturmirimi community in Kachia local government, who used to harvest 600 bags of ginger seeds was relegated to 20 bags as he lost about...

 ICPC Case: Mother of Five Bags One-Year Jail Term for Forging Late Abba Kyari’s Signature  The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwagwalada, Abuja, has sentenced a businesswoman and mother of five children, Mrs. Ramat Mercy Mba to one-year imprisonment for her involvement in an employment scam and forging of the signature of late Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to the former President, Muhammadu Buhari. The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Mohammad had last week, deferred the sentencing of the convict till Thursday but directed that she should be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre. ICPC had arraigned Mba in June 2022 on a 5-count charge bordering on cheating, fraud, and forgery contrary to Section 13 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 200 and Sections 320 (b), 366 of the Penal Code Cap 89 laws of Northern Nigeria.

 WANTED PERSON  UGOCHINYERE SOMTO ANAZODO is wanted by EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes. Please report to the nearest Police Station or any of the EFCC Commands across the country for any information that could lead to his arrest.  #EFCCNigeria WANTED PERSON  Joshua Chinedu Odoemenam is wanted by EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes. Please report to the nearest Police Station or any of the EFCC Commands across the country for any information that could lead to his arrest.  #EFCCNigeria. More photos below. 

 FUNERAL SERVICE FOR LATE JUNIOR POPE BEGINS IN ENUGU Funeral service for late Junior Pope begins in Enugu The funeral service for the late Nollywood actor, John Odonwodo, popularly called Junior Pope, has commenced at St. Peter's Catholic Parish, Ukehe, in Enugu State. The 43-year-old actor died alongside four others on April 10 when their boat capsized in the Anam River while returning from a movie shoot.His family had earlier revealed that he would be laid to rest on May 17 in his Uwala Abaka, Ukehe hometown, in Nsukka, Igboetiti Local Government Area of Enugu State. More photos below.