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 Ibrahim Lamorde, ex-EFCC chairman, is dead Ibrahim Lamorde, the former chairman of the anti-graft agency, EFCC, is dead. He was 61. Mr Lamorde died in Egypt where he had travelled for medical treatment, a close associate told PREMIUM TIMES Sunday morning. Born on 20 December 1962, Mr Lamorde joined the Nigerian Police in 1986 and retired as a Deputy Inspector General of Police in 2021. While a police officer, he served as EFCC chairman between 2011 and 2015. According to his profile on the EFCC website, Mr Lamorde was the third Executive Chairman of the Commission. He was appointed in an acting capacity as Chairman of the Commission on 3 November 2011 following the removal of Farida Waziri by President Goodluck Jonathan. He was confirmed as the third substantive Chairman of the Commission by the Senate on 15 February 2012. Mr Lamorde, who was born on 20 December 1962 in Mubi, Adamawa State, attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Socio...

 TIKTOK SETS NEW MONETISATION GUIDELINES FOR CREATORS- TikTok, a popular social media platform, has announced the rollout of new guidelines for earning money through its livestreaming feature, TikTok LIVE. The platform said in a statement that the guidelines aim to promote positive, inclusive, and authentic communities and will be enforced through a combination of technology and human moderation. Under the new guidelines, certain types of content, including inauthentic or low-quality content, will not be eligible for monetization. TikTok warned that creators who violate the guidelines will be notified and may face restrictions on their access to monetization features. TikTok’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Service will continue to set the standards for acceptable content on the platform, including TikTok LIVE. The company revealed that it was also updating its approach to onboarding new LIVE creators, with a phased rollout of advanced LIVE monetisation features to help new stre...

 Mount Everest climbing duo vanishes from notorious area of world's tallest peak A British climber and his guide who reached the summit of Mount Everest have been missing since Tuesday, and are presumed dead in the mountain’s so-called "death zone," while attempting to descend. The "death zone" is the area on the mountain above 26,000 feet, where low oxygen levels can cause impaired judgment, severe altitude sickness and death after an extended period of time. The mountain’s summit is 29,032 feet.  "On May 21st, at 4:40 AM, Daniel Paterson successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest — a monumental achievement and a testament to his strength and determination," his partner, Becks Woodhead, wrote on a crowdfunding page this week. "Tragically, during his descent, Daniel went missing, and there has been no contact or sighting of him since."  Paterson, 39, and his guide Pastenji Sherpa, 23, were hit by falling ice as they descended when a cor...

 Police say at least 27 people killed in a fire at western India amusement park A major fire broke out Saturday at an amusement park in Gujarat state in western India, killing at least 27 people, including several children, police and media reports said. The fire erupted at the park in the city of Rajkot in Gujarat state. Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava said that the blaze was under control and a rescue operation was underway. Police officer Vinayak Patel said that it was difficult to identify the bodies. Police said they have detained the owner and the manager of the amusement park for questioning as they launched an investigation in the cause. "So far we have confirmed the death of 27 persons in the fire incident," the Press Trust of India news agency quoted Patel as saying, adding that the dead included four children under the age of 12. The park is usually packed with families with children enjoying the school summer vacation over the weekend. Footage showed firefighter...

 Ohio mom sentenced for Mountain Dew killing of diabetic daughter A 41-year-old mom in Ohio who mostly fed her daughter Mountain Dew through a baby bottle until her teeth rotted was sentenced to nine- to 13-and-a-half years in prison for involuntary manslaughter on Friday.  Tamara Banks faced charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter and endangering children, but the murder and endangering children charges were dropped when she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.  The girl’s father, Christopher Hoeb, 53, faced the same charges and has also pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He will be sentenced next month.  "This is one of the most tragic cases I have ever encountered," Clermont County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Clay Tharp told The Cincinnati Enquirer. The 4-year-old, whose diabetes went undiagnosed for years, was found unresponsive in January 2022, Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve said in a news release at the time.  The girl was t...

 Grayson Murray, Two-Time PGA Tour Titles Winner, Dies at 30 Mr. Murray, who was outspoken about his depression and alcohol abuse, had begun a comeback after several volatile years, winning this year’s Sony Open in Hawaii. Watch video below. 

  Russia Bombs Hardware Superstore in Kharkiv, Killing 6, Ukraine Says It was the latest attack in a sustained bombing campaign that has made life increasingly dangerous for civilians in the northeastern Ukrainian city. Russia bombed a hardware superstore in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Saturday afternoon, killing at least six people and injuring at least 40 others, Ukrainian officials said. The attack was the latest in a sustained bombing campaign against the city that has made life increasingly difficult and dangerous for civilians. Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, said that 16 people were still missing, suggesting that the death toll could rise....

 Labour Party disowns suspension of National Chairman Julius Abure The National Working Committee of the Labour Party has described the suspension of its national chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by the executives of Ward 3, in Arue-Uromi, Esan North- East Local Government, as fake. The State Working Committee had on the night of Friday, May 24, 2024, ratified the purported suspension of the party’s national chairman in Benin City. Reacting to the suspension, the National Working Committee of the party on Saturday, May 25, 2024, said its national chairman has not been suspended by the executives of Ward 3, Arue-Uromi, Esan North East of Edo State. A statement signed by the national publicity secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, dated May 25, 2024, said the ward chairman of the party, Thompson Ehiguese, lacked the powers under the constitution of the party to either remove or suspend a national chairman. Ifoh, added that Thompson Ehiguese, the chairman of the ward has also in a vir...

 Rapper Nicki Minaj films own arrest in Amsterdam Rapper Nicki Minaj took to social media early Saturday morning to film her own apparent arrest in Amsterdam.  Authorities at the Amsterdam airport attempted to take Minaj into custody for drug possession, according to her Instagram Live video where she recorded the encounter.  Although Instagram Live footage is only available while it's being recorded, videos of the encounter have been re-shared on Instagram, showing the airport officials telling Minaj she is under arrest and her personal baggage needs to be searched. A Royal Netherlands Marechaussee spokesperson told NBC News that a 41-year-old woman had been arrested at Schiphol Airport for "possession of soft drugs In the video, an official is heard saying that Minaj is being arrested for "carrying drugs" and she was instructed to get into their vehicle so she could be transported to the police station.  "I’m not going in there. I need a lawyer present," ...

 EFCC Arraigns Fake BDC Operator, One other for Currency Racketeering in Enugu The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Friday, May 24, 2024 arraigned the duo of Onwuka Chimezie Henry and Ekene Ibegbu before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State on a two-count charge bordering on currency racketeering and operating bureau de change business without an appropriate licence. One of the counts reads: “That you, Onwuka Chimezie Henry and Ekene Ibegbu, sometime in February 2024 at Owerri Road, Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria did jointly carry on the business of Bureau De Change under the name of ‘Archibenkong Enterprises Bureau De Change’ without due incorporation and valid licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 (1) amd (2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act No. 5, 2020 and punishable under Section 57 (5) ...

  I RUINED PEOPLE’S LIVES - Benny Hinn  Televangelist Benny Hinn has admitted to ruining people's lives and his reputation by allowing false prophets to attend his crusades.  The renowned preacher admitted to giving prophecies he thought were from God but later realized weren't accurate.  Hinn asked for forgiveness, stating that he's human and prone to mistakes. The recent controversies involving prominent pastors and evangelists have sparked a significant conversation among Christians about the extent to which believers should trust their pastors.  Do you think Benny Hinn deserves forgiveness after apologizing for his false prophecies?  ©️DW Africa

PRESS RELEASE  NIGERIA TO PARTNER WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN IN DEFENCE EQUIPMENT PRODUCTION - MATAWALLE The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON has assured the Pakistan Government of Nigeria's readiness to partner in the production of Defence equipment and hardware through the newly signed Nigerian Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria  (DICON) Act. The Minister stated this when he received the delegation from the Pakistan Air Force led by AVM Zaeem on courtesy visit to his office in Ship House Abuja.  Dr Bello said that besides Nigeria's willingness to partner with Pakistan to enhance military needs and requirements, the need to collaborate in exchange of real time intelligence sharing will also deepen the long time established relationship with Pakistan Government. He assured the delegation that the Ministry will come up with the requirements for proper documentation and further engagements that will be of great bene...

 Robert De Niro narrates Biden campaign ad with debunked or questionable claims about Trump Anti-Trump actor Robert De Niro lent his staunch support to the Biden-Harris campaign this week, narrating a new ad that painted Trump as an unstable "dictator" who will do anything to grab power. De Niro, who has gained notoriety throughout the Trump years by trashing the former president on many occasions, provided a voice-over for the new ad which trotted out some questionable or debunked narratives about Trump that the Democratic Party and media outlets have pushed. "Trump wants revenge and he’ll stop at nothing to get it," De Niro began in the quick 30-second spot, which also included quotes from Trump that prominent conservatives say have been taken out of context. TRUMP REVEALS 'VERY FIRST ACTIONS' HE'LL TAKE AS PRESIDENT DURING OHIO RALLY, HAMMERS BIDEN'S BORDER POLICIES The campaign ad begins with De Niro saying, "From midnight tweets to drinking...

 EFCC Arraigns Man, his Company over Alleged N32m Fraud   The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned Mr. Kanu Ifesinachi Tenison and his company, Vikan Integrated Services Nigeria Limited,  before Justice P. M. Ayua of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt,  the Rivers State capital on allegations of multiple fraud.   Tension and his company, first and second defendants respectively are facing prosecution on 11-count charges,  bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, alteration and obtaining money under false pretence.    One  of  the charges reads: “That you Kanu Ifesinachi Tenison and Vikan Integrated Services Nigeria Limited between the 18th day of September, 2023 and 30th day of September, 2023 in Bonny Island Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained money in the sum of Ten Million and Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N10...

 Internet Fraudster Bags One Year Jail Term in Port Harcourt   Justice E. A. Obile of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital has convicted and sentenced one Ukachukwu Chidiebere to prison for internet fraud.   Chidiebere was prosecuted by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC on one-count charge of impersonation.   The charge reads: “That you Ukachukwu Chidiebere (a. K. a Libaan Cali, David Mckay), on or about the 2nd of February, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently created a Google Chat account with usernames: davidmckayceo001.rbc@gmail.com and represented yourself as David Mckay, the Chief Executive Officer  and President of Royal Bank of Canada with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention Etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) ...

 MFM G.O, Odukoya Partners Highlife Custodian, Femi Esho To Build First Africa Musical Museum A monumental and unprecedented project is currently in the works, poised to revolutionize the musical landscape of Africa. This groundbreaking initiative will not only captivate the nation but also make waves across the entire African continent. The collaboration between two eminent figures—Dr. DK Olukoya, a distinguished preacher, and Chief Femi Esho, a renowned music expert and founder of Evergreen Musical Company—marks the beginning of an extraordinary venture. As you read this, intensive work is in progress to build and complete before the end of the year the biggest music empire ever seen in Africa. It will consist of a music Museum, music library, gallery showcasing Head Burst of Artistes, display of over 1,000 pictures of Nigerian musicians from 1914 and relics of their costumes/old musical instruments, an event center for music concerts, cinema theatre,  recording studio and s...

 Lady Who Assisted Her Father With Vulcanizing Job Receives 500k Cash Gift A viral video of a Nigerian lady assisting her aged father with his vulcanizing job has led to her receiving a gift of #510,000 from a compassionate Nigerian.  The footage which went viral shows the lady helping her father with tire repairs unashamedly. That’s amazing,congratulations to her.

 _*THE TIGRESS OF THE TIGER BRANCH...*_ The year was 2012. The occasion was the annual conference of the NBA. The place was at Abuja. EVERY, and I mean EVERY lawyer complained that the Joseph Daudu SAN led NBA had increased conference fees and prevented lawyers from attending the AGM in clear breach of the provisions of NBA constitution. NBA branches nationwide condemned it. Lawyers grumbled.  The NBA ExCo were bent on enforcing their breach of the NBA constitution. NBA Ikeja, led by Monday Ubani resolved to disobey the illegal impositions by the NBA. The branch delegates arrived the International Conference Centre, Abuja where the August event took place and resolved not to be intimidated by the national leadership of the Bar.  We carried placards. We sang _aluta_ songs but the NBA leadership would not bulge. President Goodluck Jonathan addressed lawyers. Meanwhile, NBA Ikeja members were outside. We carried placards and protested the unjust exclusion. Thereafter  J...

 Ben Affleck believes he was “temporarily ins@ne” when he married Jennifer Lopez and the star actor is reportedly pushing for a divorce after “coming to his senses”.   The pair tied the knot in August 2022, rekindling their romance 20 years after they called off their first engagement.    Less than 2 years later, Ben has allegedly labelled their relationship a "fever dream".   Page Six reports the actor is keen to end their marriage, claiming the decision to wed was due to "temporary insanity".    A source told the publication: “If there was a way to divorce on grounds of temporary ins@nity, he would.”   They added: "He feels like the last two years was just a fever dream, and he's come to his senses now and understands there is just no way this is going to work."    People also reported Ben and Jennifer have "very different approaches to fame" leading to clashes.    Although they recently attended Ben's child Finn's school pro...

 American missionaries killed by Haitian gang 'gave everything' for the people there- family The families of an American missionary couple who were attacked and killed in Haiti alongside the local director of a Christian mission group Thursday are mourning and remembering the departed. Jude Montis, the local director of Missions in Haiti Inc., and Davy and Natalie Lloyd, a young married couple from the U.S., were fatally shot in the community of Lizon in northern Port-au-Prince after leaving a youth group activity at church. Natalie was the daughter of Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker.  "Thursday evening May 23rd our family experienced a tragedy that has broken our hearts and left Naomi and I grieving so deeply words cannot really express. My daughter and son-in-law Davy and Natalie Lloyd were murdered by gangs in Port Au Prince Haiti," Baker said in a statement.  They were killed as Port-au-Prince crumbles under the relentless assault of violent gangs that control 80% o...

 Caitlin Clark finally gets first WNBA win after pair of clutch 3s in front of star-studded L.A. crowd Caitlin Clark was in unfamiliar territory to start off her WNBA career, as her Indiana Fever lost its first five-straight games. For context, Clark lost just five games in the entire 2023-24 college season with the Iowa Hawkeyes (they went 34-5). The Fever will have to win 33 straight games to match that (this would have to stretch into the league's playoffs, and Iowa's record includes postseason games), but at least now, their skid is over, and much of it is because of Clark. Clark hit two clutch threes, including one with less than a minute to go, to help Indiana take down the Sparks in Los Angeles, 78-73, in front of a crowd of 19,103 at Crypto.com Arena. Indy trailed by as many as 11, but after losing by just three entering the final quarter, they started the fourth on a 16-6 run to take a six-point lead. L.A. then cut their deficit to three, but with 2:27 left, Clark dril...

 Wife of rodeo star Spencer Wright shares tragic update on three-year-old son Levi after river accident.  Kallie Wright, wife of rodeo star Spencer Wright, shared a heartbreaking update on their three-year-old son, Levi, who is in critical condition after an accident in the Utah River. Levi nearly drowned and was feared brain-dead after he fell off a toy tractor into the river on Tuesday. Though he woke up briefly on Friday, the boy's mother said on Friday the family is "shattered" after seeing the MRI result.  "The MRI wasn't good, we're shattered but it is just images that suggest a certain quality of life," wrote Kallie Wright, who has been posting updates about her son on Facebook. "Our real teller of all will be what Levi does over the course of a few days." Levi was admitted to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City after his accident on Tuesday. Although the MRI results appeared discouraging, there were signs of progress earli...

 Labour Party chairman, Abure suspended The national chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure has been suspended over alleged anti-party activities. He was suspended by the LP in Ward 3 in Arue-Uromi, in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. Letter of his suspension dated May 14, 2024, was approved on Friday, 24th May, night by the state executive committee in Benin. The suspension letter was signed by the Chairman of the Ward, Thompson Ehiguese, and the Ward Secretary, Stanley Usiomoh. It advised the embattled national chairman to stop holding out or parading himself as a member of the party. The suspension, which was endorsed by the State Executive Committee led by Kelly Ogbaloi, takes immediate effect. Part of the letter reads, “While the suspension is with immediate effect, you are advised to refrain from holding out or parading yourself as a member of Labour Party, Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State”.

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  PRESIDENT TINUBU GREETS CHIEF EDWIN CLARK ON BIRTHDAY President Bola Tinubu congratulates elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, on the special occasion of his 97th birthday. President Tinubu joins family, friends, and well-wishers to celebrate an inimitable figure in Nigeria’s political evolution. The President salutes Chief Clark for his contributions to the nation in many capacities, especially as a guide to various administrations and as a catalyst for critical discourses and causes in furtherance of national development. As the elder statesman marks his birthday, the President wishes him many more years in good health. Chief Ajuri Ngelale  Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) May 25, 2024

 TROOPS AMBUSH TERRORISTS, NEUTRALIZE 6, RECOVER ARMS, LOGISTICS IN KADUNA Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for Counter terrorism operations in Kaduna state on Friday, 24 May 2024, successfully ambushed and neutralized 6 terrorists in Kaduna State, recovering arms and other logistics.  The troops, acting on credible intelligence on  the movement of terrorist elements in Giwa and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas (LGA), swiftly mobilized to intercept the threat. The ambush operation was staged at Kidandan Junction in Giwa LGA, where the troops laid in wait and made  contact with the terrorists. Following a fierce fire fight, the terrorists fled, abandoning one pistol. Continuing their mission, the troops moved on to clear Basurfe and Yuna villages. During this phase, they recovered one motorbike left behind by the escaping terrorists, who had crossed a nearby river valley. The troops in their  determination  trailed the terrorists to Katoge village, a ...

 Electricity tariffs to crash with time - Minister Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has said that the pain that came with increased tariff in the country is a temporary phase which would pass.  While presenting his ministerial scorecard in Abuja on Friday, May 24, Adelabu said electricity distribution companies (DisCos) are now responsive to their duties because the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has improved on its oversight over them. He added that the electricity tariff will crash over time just like telecoms tariffs. Adelabu said;  “It might look expensive at the moment, I am optimistic that these tariffs will go down. We know how much we were buying SIM cards when telecoms first came. We know how much we were buying the telephone sets. But gradually, it scaled off. “Generation, transmission and distribution, these prices will also go down. So, it is a temporary hardship and it will lead to permanent gain.” The power minister further revealed that...

 Singer Paul Okoye a.k.a Rude Boy visits partner''s family possibly for marriage rights preparations  Singer Paul Okoye a.k.a Rude Boy has visited his girlfriend, Ifeoma Ivy’s family for speculated marriage rights.  The couple were spotted in a new video making the rounds, wearing traditional outfits while some family members came calling during the visit. It’s been rumoured that the couple are expecting their first child together.

 Gridlock as petrol tanker explodes on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway A tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on Saturday morning exploded after falling on its side at the Ibafo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, causing gridlock. Mrs Florence Okpe, the spokesperson, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun, confirmed the incident to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta. Okpe said that men of the Ogun State Fire Service were at the scene of the crash, with efforts ongoing to put out the fire. “FRSC operatives from Ibafo outpost are on ground managing the traffic situation. “We are witnessing traffic build up between Ago Igbala, the road traffic crash scene, and MFM prayer city on the outward Lagos section of the expressway,” she said. Okpe said that full details of the crash would be provided as soon as possible.

 Sanusi defies court order, mounts throne as Emir of Kano The 16th Fulani Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has mounted the palace seat, receiving royal greetings. This development comes in spite of a joint security agency in Kano State declaring that they are upholding a court order that prohibits the reinstatement of the monarch. Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, who came out from the Emir’s inner palace to the outer palace, where traditionally Emirs receive their subjects and conduct court sittings, was cheered by hundreds of his supporters as he majestically rode a horse. The state Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, earlier told newsmen that “nobody can change their position on the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II because they did it legally.” He said, “The so-called court order banning them from reinstating Sanusi was not officially submitted to them, and as at the time they did the reinstatement, it was after working hours, which shows that anything coming from the court ...

 Kano CP shuns Gov. Yusuf's order, says police will abide by court order Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Gumel has apparently shunned an order by Governor Abba Yusuf to arrest deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, saying the police will abide by court order. Yusuf had on Saturday ordered the police commissioner to arrest Ado Bayero, saying he is trying to cause crisis in Kano. The “deposed” Emir Ado Bayero who was the chairman of Kano Emir in Council returned to Kano Friday night amidst tight security. He is currently staying at the Nassarawa House, where his late father, His Highness, Abdullahi Ado Bayero was buried. But Gumel at a joint security news conference in Kano on Saturday said: “The Police Command is expressly obeying the Court Order with SUIT No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 Dated 23rd May, 2024 issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Kano alongside ail Law Enforcement agents in the State. “Therefore, we are calling on members of the public to know that the Police in the...