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 Customs intercept N3.9bn worth pangolin scales in Kebbi The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone “B” Command, Kaduna, on Wednesday, said its operatives intercepted pangolin scales with a Duty Paid Value of N3.9bn. The Customs FOU Zone B, comprises Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory. The Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, zone “B”, Ahmadu Bello-Shuaibu, who made the disclosure, said one arrest was made in connection with the smuggled pangolin scales. According to the Comptroller, acting on actionable intelligence, operatives stormed a suburb of Zuru Town in Kebbi State, discovered and evacuated sacks of pangolin scales which weighed 445.45kg on May 24. He put the value of the seizure at the international market at N3,955,596,000. The Customs chief said the success of the operation lay in robust intelligence sharing between the Service and Wild Life Office coupled with the determined ...

 I Served Kaduna With Integrity – El-Rufai Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, says he served with integrity. The former governor said this in response to the report which recommended his probe. Daily Trust had reported how the ad hoc committee set up to probe El-Rufai’s government submitted its report, on Wednesday. Receiving the report, the Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, said a total N423 billion was siphoned by the El-Rufai’s administration while leaving the state with huge liabilities. The committee recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai and other indicted officials by security and anti-corruption agencies. The report called for the immediate suspension of the Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance, Shizer Badda, and the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board. But responding in a statement which Muyiwa Adekeye, his media aide, issued on his behalf, El-Rufai said he is proud of his record in service. “We are awa...

 Binance Will Face All Due Process On Charges Of Severe Financial Crime – FG  Against the backdrop of continuing interest in the ongoing trial of rogue online platform, Binance, and one of its Chief Executives, who illegally trade in cryptocurrency in Nigeria, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said due processes are being applied in all stages of the trial by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.   “At all stages, due process has been followed, and prosecutors are confident of their case, based on the facts and evidence gathered. Binance will have every opportunity to defend itself in court against these severe charges of financial crimes against the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The next hearing is on June 20, 2024,” Idris said. The Minister explained that Binance, the defendant, has received consular access and all due care, following normal diplomatic protocols and the rule of law, adding that the judge in the case has suff...

 PRESS RELEASE RMAFC Advocates  Full Autonomy for Local Governments , Backs FG  The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has advocated for full autonomy for Local Government Councils ("LGCs") in the country just as it backs the Federal Government in its ongoing efforts to free LGCs from the firm control of State Governments through legal means by giving effect to the provisions of the Constitution. The RMAFC Chairman, Mr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in a Statement, observed that LGCs as the third tier of government domesticated at the grassroots level ought to be outside the control of State and Federal governments as they are solely established to ensure effective governance at the grassroot. The Constitution of Nigeria recognizes federal, states, and local governments as three tiers of government and that the three recognized tiers of government draw funds for their operation and function from the Federation Account created by the Constitution Mr. She...

 OGSG DEBUNKS ONLINE RECRUITMENT ADVERT Ogun State government has debunked an online recruitment advert attributed to the state Civil Service Commission.   A press release, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Roseline Oluwatoyin Jacobs, on behalf of the Chairman of the Commission, Engr. Tokunbo Odebunmi, stated that the said online advert was reported to have called on prospective applicants to apply for various vacancies in the state’s Civil Service. It emphasised that the publication was a mischief, perpetrated by some unscrupulous individuals, bent on maligning the image of the state government, stating that the Commission would not recruit via online but through its headquarters at Block A, New Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.  The release enjoined the general public to be wary of such propaganda and disregard the online publication in its entirety, in order not to fall victim.

 Dubai to Host Fourth Edition of World Police Summit in May 2025 - Under the theme "Beyond the Badge: Envisioning the Next Area of Policing"  - A new security system anticipates the future of policing for the next 25 years - Experts and specialists will explore the future of policing alongside the fifth industrial revolution - Key topics will examine rapid technological changes and their impact on vital sectors - The summit will discuss the integration of technology and humans to achieve sustainable and innovative practices The Supreme Committee of the World Police Summit has confirmed the fourth edition of the summit, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will take place from May 13 to 15 next year, under the theme "Designing the Future of Policing," and will address critical themes in line with global changes and the fifth industrial revolution. This...

 IMO GOVT APPROVES THE INVESTMENT OF $200M FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ORASHI ELECTRICITY COMPANY  The Imo State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, has approved a $200 million investment for the establishment of the Orashi Electricity Company.  The Governor announced this during the inauguration of members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission and the House of Assembly Service Commission, stated that the investment, secured through private partners, will be entirely funded by these partners, with no financial contribution or borrowing required from the state.  Expressing his confidence in the power project, the Governor said that Imo State will soon experience 24-hour steady power supply in all the Local Government Areas, with the Orashi Electricity Company Limited fully activated to light up Imo come January 2025.  He emphasized that the key to the economic boast of a state starts from a steady power supply,...

 New York man charged in betting scheme that ended ex-Raptors player Jontay Porter's NBA career A New York man has been charged in federal court for a sports betting scheme that saw former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter get banned from the NBA for life.  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced Tuesday that a criminal complaint was filed against Long Phi "Bruce" Pham of Brooklyn for conspiring with others to defraud a sports betting company by placing multiple "under prop" bets on two NBA games with knowledge that the player they were betting on would ensure the wagers placed on his performance would be successful.  The player in the complaint was only identified as "Player 1," but information in the complaint matches the details of the sports betting violations committed by Porter, which led to him being suspended from the league in April.  "Whether on the court or in the casino, every point matters...

 Netanyahu says Israel 'prepared for very intense action' against Iran-backed Hezbollah amid rising tensions Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday morning that the Jewish state is "prepared for very intense action in the north" in response to the Lebanese terrorist movement Hezbollah's continued rocket and drone attacks into northern Israel. Speaking from an Israeli military base in Kiryat Shmona, Netanyahu declared, "We said, at the start of the war, that we would restore security in both the south and the north – and this is what we are doing. Today I am on the northern border with our heroic fighters and commanders, as well as with our firefighters. Yesterday the ground burned here, and I am pleased that you have extinguished it, but ground also burned in Lebanon." The Israeli leader continued, "Whoever thinks he can hurt us, and we will respond by sitting on our hands is making a big mistake. We are prepared for very i...

 Romanian minister of culture asks Louis Vuitton to recognize traditional blouse as inspiration for item Romania’s minister of culture says she will ask French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton to acknowledge that a traditional Romanian blouse directly inspired items in one of its 2024 collections. "We will request that Louis Vuitton recognize the heritage and cultural value of the traditional blouse model with ribbons," Raluca Turcan wrote on Facebook late Monday, adding that it’s an opportunity for international recognition of the "inestimable value" of Romanian tradition. The blouse in question is known in Romanian as an "IE" (pronounced "E-eh"), which typically has intricate embroidery and tassels and is widely recognized as a symbol of the country’s rich folk culture. In 2022, the garments with a specific style of embroidery were added to a UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.  Louis Vuitton did not immediately respond to questions ...

 Poland launches special commission to probe Russian and Belarusian influence A special commission tasked with investigating Russian and Belarusian influence in Poland was beginning its work on Wednesday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced. At a news conference in Warsaw, Tusk and other officials described the commission as a non-partisan body of experts whose aim is to protect national security. Its work begins at a time of security concerns across the region as Russia’s war against Ukraine is in its third year. Tusk issued an order in May to establish a commission to investigate Russian and Belarusian influence in the years 2004-2024. He and other Polish officials say the country is facing intensified hybrid attacks from Russia and its neighbor and ally Belarus that include alleged acts of sabotage, cyberattacks and growing pressure along the Poland-Belarus border. The number of attempted border crossings from Belarus into European Union member Poland has shot up in recent mont...

 Lagos-based clergyman, Bolaji Idowu, has slammed men who marry women for financial security.  While preaching in his church recently, the clergyman said; ‘’One of the most shameful thing I have seen is when men try to marry women for money. How can you be a grown man and your dream in life for success, your strategy for success is I will find a rich girl form a rich family and I will marry her. Is it because you believe there is nothing in you that can produce. That is consumer mentality.  How do you want to do marriage and in planning for your marital finances, you plan that people will give you money to do your marriage. Does it not show that you lack critical wisdom?’’. Watch video below. 

 PSG 'refuse to pay Kylian Mbappe £70m he's owed in salary and bonuses' after his free transfer to Real Madrid PSG have reportedly withheld payments to Kylian Mbappe to the tune of €80million (£70m) in the wake of his free transfer to Real Madrid. The French superstar was confirmed as the newest 'Galactico' on Monday, ending a transfer saga as he joined the club on a five-year deal. According to L'Equipe, the loss of their star player for nothing has prompted the withholding of large payments in order for the PSG boss not to 'lose face in this matter'.  The outlet report that PSG refused to pay the 25-year-old his salary in April and May as well as his bonus in February. This has allowed the side to recover around £70m - the amount promised to the France captain as a loyalty bonus when he signed his 2022 extension. In November, French outlet RMC Sport reported that Mbappe - who was exiled from PSG's squad last summer after he informed the club he wou...

 Customs WMC Hands Over Seized Cannabis Sativa Worth Over N96M to NDLEA The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command (WMC) has handed over seizures of 17 sacks containing 1,257 loaves of Cannabis Sativa with a combined weight of 720kg worth over N96 Million to representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, during the handover at the command on Tuesday, 04 June 2024, disclosed that the seizures were made by a patrol team of Officers and Men of WMC at the Bar Beach station of the Command in Lagos.  His words, "At about 2300hrs on Wednesday 15 May 2024, a patrol team of Officers and Men of WMC at the Bar beach station of the Command received credible intelligence on the movement of a boat on the high sea along the beach location carrying items suspected to be offending items".  "Upon receiving the information, the team moved towards the described location and intercepted one fibre bo...

 New York man charged in motorbike hit-and-run that left student in coma allegedly tried to hide evidence A New York State man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to four counts related to an alleged motorbike hit-and-run that left a University at Albany student in a coma in April. Austin Breyette, 25, of Watervliet, is accused of hitting 19-year-old Alexa Kropf with what police previously described as an "illegal dirt bike" on the evening of April 26 when she was out with her friends. Breyette now faces one count of second-degree assault, one count of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting and two counts of tampering with physical evidence. An indictment obtained by NEWS 10 ABC/ FOX 23 Albany states that Breyette allegedly attempted to conceal evidence, including a blue dirt bike and a red Porsche. "It's a nightmare for a parent. I wish it on no one ever," Kropf's father, Jim Kropf, previously told Fox News Digital. Kropf underwent two brain surgeries to...

 'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak hesitated to take job: 'Not exactly a career mover' "Wheel of Fortune" almost looked very different. In 1981, Pat Sajak was working for local television in Los Angeles when he got the offer to take over hosting of the beloved game show. Now, in a conversation with daughter Maggie Sajak, he admits that he had reservations over taking the job that's made him a household name. "You're working in Los Angeles," Maggie began in a video shared on the "Wheel of Fortune" Instagram page. "And one day you get a call from creator of ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ Merv Griffin." He explained, "When you work in L.A., in local TV, in a way you're auditioning every night, because the producers are sitting at home watching TV in their underwear like everybody else." As Maggie laughed, he continued, "Anyway, ‘Wheel of Fortune’ had been on the air for seven years in daytime on NBC, and the host was ...

 PRESS RELEASE GENDER INCLUSIVITY: IGP EGBETOKUN APPOINTS FIRST FEMALE FORCE SECRETARY, AIG YETUNDE LONGE Affirms Non-Negotiable Commitment to Gender Sensitivity in Appointments In furtherance of the vision to ensure gender inclusivity and equality in all aspects of appointments and operations within the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has made an historic appointment of Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Yetunde O. Longe as the first female Force Secretary. AIG Longe brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. Since her appointment as a Cadet ASP on March 3, 1990, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication and competence across various capacities within the NPF. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Forensic Toxicology, which has significantly contributed to her proficiency in crime management and investigation. Her professional development is further enriched by her participation in advanced cours...

 ALLEGATION OF MASS KILLING BY TROOPS OF NIGERIAN ARMY IN SOUTH EAST IS DESPICABLY FALSE  The Nigerian Army (NA) has noted with dismay, a mischievous and systematic campaign of calumny by Simon Ekpa, a self acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafran terrorists' group. The self acclaimed leader through spurious and unfounded claims raised alarm on a viral video alleging that troops of the NA are carrying out mass killing of innocent Igbos at a river and dumping them in the water. The report also contained some unimaginable and not well couched falsehood targeted at whipping-up negative sentiments against troops and inciting anarchy in the South East region.  Contrary to the falsehood being spread from the devious propaganda machinery of the desperate and self-serving terrorists' leader, the NA wishes to state that it has conducted a comprehensive investigation on the allegations made by Simon Ekpa and his associates.  Accordingly,  we wish to...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, PRESIDENT TINUBU CALLS FOR WIN-WIN TRANSITION TO PROSPEROUS AND CLEAN ECONOMY FUTURE On the special occasion of World Environment Day marked every June 5, President Bola Tinubu calls for earnest effort and action by citizens, stakeholders, institutions, and development partners to safeguard the environment and ensure a win-win transition to a prosperous and clean economy future for all. The World Environment Day, established by the United Nations during the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972, is an important moment for raising awareness on environmental matters. The theme of this year's occasion, 'Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience', is very significant, particularly for Nigeria, where the scourge of drought threatens parts of the country. According to the projections of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, about 40 percent of our planet’s land is degraded, which directly i...

 EFCC Arrests 100 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Enugu   Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested 100 (One Hundred) suspected internet fraudsters at different locations of Enugu State.   The suspects were arrested in early morning sting operations on Wednesday, May 5, 2024 following actionable intelligence about suspected activities of an organised syndicate of internet fraudsters operating along Ibagwa-Nike and other locations in the Enugu  metropolis.   Items recovered from them include three exotic cars, mobile phones and laptops.   The suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.  One more photo below. 

 The woman captured in a now viral video maltreating a female child, 32-year-old Funmi Faith, has been arrested.  She was arrested by police officers from Oke-odo Division yesterday, Tuesday, June 4, 2024.  Meanwhile, the child has been handed over to the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development for proper care and shelter. Watch video below. 

  Committee Recommends Probe Of El-Rufai For Abuse Of Office, Money Laundering The ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under the former governor, Nasir El-Rufai has submitted its report to the House. Presenting the report during plenary on Wednesday,  the chairman of the ad hoc committee,  Henry Zacharia, said that most of the loans obtained under the El-Rufai’s administration were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained, while in some cases,  due process was not followed in securing the loans. Receiving the report, the Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, said that a total N423 billion was siphoned by the El-Rufai’s administration while leaving the state with huge liabilities. The committee, therefore, recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai, some other indicted members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for abuse o...

 Alleged financial misappropriation: Kano court orders substituted service on Ganduje, wife, others A State High Court 7, sitting at Miller Road, has granted an order for substituted service on the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, in the alleged sale of government properties worth billions of naira. The presiding judge, Justice Aminu Adamu Aliyu, granted the order after intense legal arguments between counsels of both applicants and defendants, Nuraini Jimoh SAN and Barrister Zaharadeen Kofar Mata, which include Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Ganduje, Lamash Properties, and others. Recall that the State Chief Judge, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, had transferred the case of the alleged corruption involving Ganduje and seven others. The case, which was before a Kano High Court 4 sitting at Audu Bako, presided by Justice Usman Malam Na’abba, was transferred to Court 7 sitting at Miller Road, presided by Justice Aminu Adamu Aliyu. Ganduje, his wife...

 Why my son will continue to bear my surname – Linda Ikeji Popular blogger, Linda Ikeji, has explained why her son, Jayce, will continue to bear her surname instead of that of his father. Ikeji said it has always remained so right from the birth of the now six-year-old boy, adding that he is free to change the surname when he comes of age. The blogger made this known on her Instagram handle Tuesday while extolling her kid’s cousin named Ryan Kanu whom she described as “the best little human ever!”. “Jayce Ikeji and Ryan Kanu take Disney/Marvel Paris. Cousins, best friends, and literally growing up together as brothers. Their love for each other is incredible, and when they can help it, are inseparable! “Ryan is literally the best little human ever! They’ve been on a few vacations together in the past, but this is the first one they will remember as they are nearly 6 and 7 now,” she wrote. Meanwhile, some netizens have vented their anger against her decision to keep her surname for ...

 Northern senators clash with colleagues over bill on cattle ranching Northern senators and senators from other geo-political zones of the country clashed on Wednesday when a bill for an act to Establish National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission for the Regulation, Management, Preservation and Control of Ranches throughout Nigeria; and for connected purposes 2024 (SB. 466), came up to be debated on. After a heated debate, the Senate passed the bill for a second reading. Also, it was referred to the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Judiciary and Legal Matters to revert in four weeks. The bill was sponsored by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue North-West). Among others, the objectives are to control and regulate cattle ranching business across the country. In his lead debate on the general principles of the bill, Zam canvassed the need for the proposed Commission to manage, regulate, and preserve ranches across the country. He said: “The proposed National Animal Husbandry an...

 50,000 persons living with HIV in Osun, says O’SACA ....Agency begins distribution of preventive tools  Executive Secretary of the Osun State Agency for the Control of AIDS (O’SACA) Dr. Adeniyi Oginni has said no fewer than 50,000 persons in the state live with HIV. The agency has therefore begun distribution of preventive tools, and Ogini appealed to persons with HIV to come out for tests. Ogini explained that distribution of the commodities to the 31 Local Agency for the Control of AIDS (LACA Managers), Network of People Living with AIDS (NEPWHAN), Implementing partners, CBOs working on HIV, Civil Society working on HIV/AIDS (CiSHAN) and some ART clinics in the state, was part of efforts to stop further spread of the disease. He said: “About 50,000 people are still living with HIV in Osun, with 28,000 of them already receiving treatment. Available statistics show that the prevalence of HIV in Osun State is 0.9 per cent. With an estimated population of 5.2 million people, th...