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 EFCC Arraigns  Woman  for Alleged N39.8 Million Fraud in Fidelity Structures   The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Nwodo Martha, a former Principal Manager at Fidelity Structures Limited before Justice H. U. Ezugwu of the  Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.   Martha was arraigned on  nine-count charges bordering on stealing by fraudulent conversion to the tune of Thirty-nine Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-seven Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (N39, 847, 800. 00).   Count Three reads: “That you Nwodo Martha from February to December 2017, in Nsukka Enugu State of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use the aggregate sum of Five Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (N5, 840, 000. 00) property of Fidelity Structures, the sum being payment for pur...

 Ukraine Accuses North Korea Of Helping Russia Murder Civilians A senior Ukrainian presidential aide on Wednesday said North Korea was helping Russia kill Ukrainian civilians and called for greater international isolation of both countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday signed a comprehensive strategic partnership, deepening military and political ties that have flourished since Russia invaded Ukraine. “There is no doubt that North Korea is actively cooperating with Russia in the military sphere today and deliberately provides resources for the mass murder of Ukrainians,” the aide, Mykhailo Podolyak told AFP. The United States and its allies have accused North Korea of providing ammunition and missiles to help Russia’s war and Ukraine has reported finding fragments of North Korean munitions on the battlefield. Deliveries of North Korean artillery shells to Russia were helping its forces maintain a “high intensity” of attacks, Podo...

  ASUU threatens fresh strike, issues 3 weeks ultimatum to Nigerian Govt The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has issued a three weeks ultimatum to Federal Government to respond to its demands, to avoid industrial action. Chairperson ASUU Federal University Dutse, FUD, Branch in Jigawa State, Comrade Salim Ahmed gave the warning at an emergency press conference held at FUD, ASUU Secretariat in Dutse. According to him, “the Members of the Expanded Executive Officers of the ASUU Federal University Dutse met today, Wednesday, 19th June 2024, to consider and take a look at the patriotic engagements of the Union with the Federal and State governments on how best to address all the lingering problems bedeviling Nigerian Public Universities”. He said ASUU observed that the present administration deliberately ignored the leadership of the Union since its inception on 29th May, 2023. “All efforts were put in place by the leadership of the Union to get the government to convene a ...

 Indiana man stabbed son to death in argument over dirty dishes: police An Indiana man stabbed his own son in the heart during an argument over dirty dishes in the sink, police say.  Timothy Ray Lisby, 59, faces an initial charge of aggravated battery and is being held without bond, according to Marion County Jail records.  However, a family friend who witnessed the grisly death of 31-year-old Christopher Allen Lisby on June 14 believes the father should face murder charges, he told Fox 59. The case has been turned over to homicide detectives since the battery charge was filed, per the outlet, and their investigation is ongoing.  Jeremiah Green told the outlet that after bickering over a pile of dirty dishes, Lisby and his son wrestled each other to the floor inside the mobile home on Dogie Road in Indianapolis.  Then, the elder Lisby lashed out with cutlery.  "Tim had a spoon in his hand and started stabbing Chris with it," Green told the outlet. "Chris sa...

 Nine killed in blasts at Chad ammunition depot, health minister says At least nine people were killed and more than 46 injured in blasts caused by a fire at a military ammunition depot in Chad's capital on Tuesday night, health minister Abdelmadjid Abderahim said, Reuters reported. The death toll could rise as many people suffered serious injuries, Abderahim told reporters on Wednesday. The explosions lit up the night sky over the military base near the central African nation's main international airport and sent spent shells flying into nearby homes where terrified residents struggled to find cover. On Wednesday morning President Mahamat Idriss Deby visited the site where wrecked cars and twisted metal littered the ground around a crater. More photos below. 

 Kevin Costner shuts down Jewel dating rumors: 'It just hasn't happened' Kevin Costner has broken his silence about his alleged romance with Jewel.  During an appearance on "The Howard Stern Show," the "Yellowstone" actor — whose divorce from ex Christine Baumgartner was finalized in February — explained the nature of his relationship with the folk singer and admitted that they have actually "never gone out." After Stern said he had "heard rumors," Costner replied, "No, Jewel and I are friends. We've never gone out ever. She's special, and I don't want, I don't want these rumors to ruin our friendship because that's what we have. She's special to me. She's beautiful enough to go out with."  "How does that s--- start? Kevin, how does that work," Stern asked.  "We were down at [Richard] Branson's island. She has a foundation, which I didn't know, and she was part of the founda...

 Cigarette smuggling has crippled aid delivery in Gaza as smokes go for $25 apiece The high price of tobacco in Gaza has given rise to a cigarette smuggling industry that now threatens United Nations aid convoys, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal. Cigarettes can cost as much as $25 each in the war-torn region, and gangs have found ways to smuggle them in as contraband alongside aid deliveries. One group of Palestinian men demanded entry to a U.N. warehouse last week to secure a stash of cigarettes they knew was inside, according to the Journal. The smuggling operation only enhances the dangers for aid convoys operating in Gaza, which have already faced mobs of Palestinians stopping them in their tracks. Demand for cigarettes skyrocketed in early May when Israeli forces seized control of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. They closed the border to virtually all trade, cutting off a previously steady flow of tobacco products into Gaza. Opportunists then b...

 IDF approving Lebanon 'offensive' is step toward ‘significant escalation’ against Hezbollah, ex-official warns The Israel Defense Forces’ announcement that it has approved plans for an "offensive in Lebanon" is "another step towards a significant escalation" against the terrorist group Hezbollah, a former IDF spokesperson tells Fox News Digital.   The IDF released a photo this week showing a meeting of top generals discussing war strategy, noting that "as part of the situational assessment, operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon were approved and validated, and decisions were taken on the continuation of increasing the readiness of troops in the field."  "What this means is another step towards a significant escalation. The IDF has been preparing troops for combat scenarios in Lebanon for months and what it means that now it has also approved plans, strategic maneuver plans, of how to attack Hezbollah in Lebanon on the ground and of co...

 Texas mom of 4 found hanging from dock in staged suicide: police The death of a Texas mother of four who was found hanging from a dock last month is now being investigated as a homicide, police said this week. Investigators believe Giselle Tapia-Salazar, 30, was positioned to make it look like she had died by suicide, and police have now identified two persons of interest in the case, according to media reports. Tapia-Salazar's body was discovered in League City on May 31 hanging from a rope near a boat where she lived with her boyfriend, James Hart.  Police said they believe she was murdered and then tied to the dock. "This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me," Hart told KHOU of Tapia-Salazar's death. Hart has staunchly denied any role in the alleged crime. "It feels like a nightmare you can't wake up from. I didn't have anything to do with it and I never would have. I loved Giselle more than anything in the world. We were together 24/7. I w...

 RE: ALLEGATIONS OF FORCEFUL TAKEOVER  The attention of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has been drawn to allegations posted online by some residents of Kenneth Odidika Close in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, accusing LASBCA of allegedly colluding with some individuals to forcefully take over lands in the area. The accusations orchestrated by Mr. Kenneth Odidika, a lawyer and owner of a structure at 5, Kenneth Odidika Close, off Ologolo Road, off Lekki-Epe Expressway, Maiyegun, Lekki, Lagos A statement issued on Tuesday by LABSCA said it is on record that some structures erected on that axis, especially that at 5, Odidika Street, were identified to have been erected contrary to the planning standards and Regulations, hence the service of enforcement notices requesting for the development permit and other building control documents the Agency. It explained further that, in response to the notices served on the structures in the area including the...

 CHOLERA OUTBREAK: LAWMA BOSS TASKS RESIDENTS ON PERSONAL, DOMESTIC HYGIENE The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has called on residents to observe the best personal and domestic hygiene, as well as proper waste management practices, to curb the spread of rampaging cholera. He gave the advice in his office, Ijora Olopa, against the recent outbreak of the disease, which has claimed some lives, leaving many hospitalised. Cholera, a severe diarrheal illness caused by infection with the bacterium vibrio cholerae, spreads primarily through contaminated water and food, thriving rapidly in unsanitary conditions.  He said, "The outbreak of cholera in the state is a serious public health concern. It is imperative that every resident takes proactive measures to prevent further spread of the disease. Ensuring proper personal and domestic hygiene, including efficient waste management, will go a long way in curbing the spread of ...

 Fubara orders audit of LGs accounts in Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has ordered the audit of the accounts of the 23 Local Government Areas for the past three years. Fubara gave the order to the Auditor General of the state on Wednesday while swearing in the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the local councils at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The governor said the audit of the accounts is intended to serve as a check for the incoming chairmen and make the local councils more accountable. Fubara urged the caretaker chairmen to protect the interests of their people, not to see themselves as superheroes and to demonstrate that the government was right in appointing them. He, however, cautioned that their tenure would not be excessively long, because the process for local government area elections would commence soon. The governor also ordered a probe of the tenures of the outgoing local government chairmen...

 Reintroduced national anthem could have prevented banditry – Akpabio Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has said the reintroduced national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, could have prevented banditry and insecurity if the country had retained it. Recall that the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the National Anthem Bill 2024 to revert to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee”, which was abolished in 1978. The National Assembly passed the bill to swap the national anthem from “Arise, O Compatriots” to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” The bill, which speedily passed first and second readings on the same day, was assented to by President Bola Tinubu, making it the new anthem of the country. During a visit to the Nigeria Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies in Abuja on Tuesday, Akpabio said the reintroduced anthem would foster unity, patriotism and love among Nigerians. Akpabio said those labelling the re-introduced anthem as an element of colonialism, don...

 Court Refuses To Grant Abba Kyari, Two Others Bail Justice Emeka Nwite has declined to grant bail to suspended deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, and two other suspended senior police officers. In separate rulings, the court held that the defendants had not brought any evidence in court to warrant the court’s discretion. Justice Nwite said that the court must exercise its discretion judiciously, and in this case, the court cannot grant bail to the defendants. Kyari was detained following his arrest on February 14, 2022, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for alleged involvement in a cocaine deal. The suspended IRT boss, along with four suspended officers, was arraigned on March 7, 2022. Two suspected drug traffickers, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, were also charged. They were also accused of dealing 17.55 kilograms of cocaine, which is in violation of section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, CA...

 Florida man admits to taking the lives of a family of four including two young children and "cremating" them on his property. 25-year-old Rory Atwood is being charged with homicide after admitting to taking the lives of an entire family. The disturbing saga began when a woman told Pasco County, Florida deputies her brother had received a call from Atwood with what appeared to be deceased 25-year-old Phillip Zilliot ll, 26-year-old Rain Mancini, 6-year-old Karma Zilliot and 5-year-old Phillip Zilliot lll. Deputies immediately went to Atwood's property for a welfare check and he said he had no knowledge of their whereabouts. However he did admit the family had been there the night before for a get together where his daughter, who was friends with Karma, the six-year-old, was present. Deputies reported they found nothing suspicious and left the home. They contacted Ms. Mancini's mother who said she had not seen any of the family and a missing persons report was put in. ...

 Our best yet to come, says Power minister The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has said despite the marginal improvement being experienced in the Power sector, Nigerians have not yet seen the best of the good the government has in stock. Describing the improvement in power availability to the people as just a scratch on the surface, he said by the time the government is done with ongoing reforms in the sector, Nigerians will be better for it. He spoke with reporterswhile giving update on the sector at the weekend. He said when the reforms are completed households industries and business will enjoy uninterrupted power supply. Adelabu said: “The update is the improvement that you have all noticed. The update is improvement but you have not seen anything. This improvement that we are witnessing now, we are just scratching the surface. “By the time when we are done with all our reform and transformation in the power sector, it would never remain the same again. Nigerians shoul...

 Tolanibaj responds to Avala’s online outburst Reality star and DJ, Tolanibaj, has responded to her friend Avala‘s recent tweet, which labeled her as an “enemy”. According to Tolanibaj, the issue stemmed from a miscommunication about playing Avala’s song during her DJ set at a club last night. Tolanibaj explained that she was unaware of the request and had no opportunity to play the song due to a sudden change in her set time. She expressed disappointment and hurt over Avala’s assumption and public accusation, stating that a simple call or text could have clarified the situation. Tolanibaj emphasised her support for Avala’s music and their previous friendship, making the misunderstanding even more disheartening. She said: “I’ve made a few calls to get clarity on what the matter is because we were just at a function last night. I’ve been informed that you were expecting your song to be played during my DJ set last night but I was unaware. There was no proper communication from the p...

 Abuja, Lagos ranked cheapest cities to live in Africa Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and Lagos, its commercial hub, have emerged as the most affordable cities for expatriates to live in Africa for 2024, according to Mercer’s Cost of Living rankings. The report underscores that the cost of living is a critical factor for expatriates when choosing a relocation destination, influencing their quality of life and financial stability. Both Abuja and Lagos have benefited from currency depreciations, significantly reducing living costs for international assignees. Abuja, ranked first globally for affordability, has seen reduced housing and utility costs compared to other major cities, despite dropping 86 places in the rankings due to economic factors. Lagos follows closely as the second cheapest city in Africa for expatriates, experiencing a notable decline of 178 places in global rankings. This drop reflects the impact of currency devaluation on basic goods and services. The rankings highligh...

 Legal Developments: Nnamdi Kanu signals potential negotiation with FG Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has expressed intentions to pursue negotiations with the Federal Government of Nigeria, according to statements made by his lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, during proceedings before Justice Binta Nyako at the Federal High Court. Ejimakor informed the court that Kanu, under Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, intends to seek negotiations with the federal authorities. This announcement followed the presentation of two applications by Kanu’s legal team: one involving Form 49 and another challenging the court’s jurisdiction over the case. In response, counsel representing the federal government, Adegboyega Awomolo, clarified to the court that he lacks the authority to negotiate on behalf of the government. He emphasized that any negotiation must involve the Attorney General of the Federation. The Form 49 application, also raised during the proceedings, per...

 Amnesty accuses Egypt of rounding up and unlawfully deporting Sudan refugees Amnesty International accused Egypt of rounding up Sudanese refugees en masse and forcibly deporting them, urging authorities to stop these "unlawful" actions, in a report released Wednesday. In its report, Amnesty said "3,000 people were deported to Sudan from Egypt in September 2023 alone", citing an estimate from the United Nations' refugee agency, the UNHCR. "It is unfathomable that Sudanese women, men and children fleeing the armed conflict in their country... are being rounded up en masse and arbitrarily detained in deplorable and inhumane conditions before being unlawfully deported," said Sara Hashash, Amnesty's deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa. Sudan has been gripped by a devastating war and ensuing humanitarian crisis for over a year as rival generals from the regular armed forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces vie for power. Prior to t...

 PRESS RELEASE RIVERS UNREST: IGP CONDEMNS KILLING OF OFFICERS, SECURITY THREAT, ORDERS INVESTIGATIONS, HEIGHTENED SECURITY Commiserates with Family, Loved Ones of Deceased The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, condemns in the strongest terms the recent outbreak of violence and subsequent breakdown of law and order at various Local Government Council secretariats in Rivers State, where supporters of two political factions clashed over the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen, which unfortunately led to the tragic deaths of a Police Officer – Inspector David Mgbada, and Samuel Nwigwe, a vigilante member at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma LGA. In response to these heinous acts, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olatunji Disu, to heighten security measures across the state and institute thorough investigations into the killing of the police officer and the vigilante operative, as well as the general violence which erupt...

 Ban on sachet alcoholic beverages still in force – NAFDAC The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Moji Adeyeye said the ban on the sale and consumption of sachet alcoholic beverages in the country is still in force. Adeyeye said this on Wednesday at a press briefing held in Lagos and monitored by our correspondent via Zoom. She said, “The ban on sachet alcohol is a ministerial directive and the ban still remains until the ministers respond. The meeting last week Thursday is a continuation of the discussion. “The outcome of the meeting is that the ministers should write a memo to the Speaker (of Reps) and the House (of Reps), and the Representative of the Speaker, Prof Jake Dan-Azumi then said we should continue the discussion after the recess of the House members in July. So, the discussion continues.” The deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, last Friday disclosed the House and NAFDAC resolved to lift t...

 Ramaphosa Sworn In For Second Full Term As South Africa’s President South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for a second full term as president in Pretoria on Wednesday, after his weakened African National Congress (ANC) struck a government coalition deal. Chief Justice Raymond Zondo led Ramaphosa’s oath of office ceremony before lawmakers, foreign dignitaries, religious and traditional leaders and cheering supporters at the Union Buildings, the seat of government. “In the presence of everyone assembled here, and in full realisation of the high calling I assume as President… I Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa,” Ramaphosa said. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to re-elect the 71-year-old last week, after a May 29 general election that produced no outright winner. Numerous heads of state, including Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Angola’s Joao Lourenco, Congo Brazzaville’s Denis Sassou Nguesso and Eswatini’s absolute lead...

 IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu appeared in court today as his trial on terrorism charges continued. The case is being heard before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who previously refused to grant Kanu bail or transfer him to house arrest. During today’s proceedings, Justice Nyako struck out an application by Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, who argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case because it violated the constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. Justice Nyako stated that she struck out the application because she had already ruled on it previously, and bringing it up again constituted an abuse of court processes by the defense counsel. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR MORE UPDATE UPDATE: Kanu condemns killings in southeast The leader of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Baifra, Nnamdi Kanu, has desiccated himself from the killings in the Southeast. Kanu, who arrived in court in the presence of his lawyers on Wednesday, also insisted he ...

 How Hollywood made me feel like a commodity – Genevieve Nnaji Prominent actress Genevieve Nnaji has shared her experience seeking partnerships in Hollywood after the success of her 2018 film, LionHeart. Despite her achievements, Nnaji said she realised that she was viewed as a commodity, with Hollywood interested in exploiting her talent and African stories for their benefit. She noted that they wanted to use her to tell their own stories, rather than authentic African stories. “For the first time, I realised I was a commodity. I thought, you know, given what I had done with Lionheart, and all of that, I was going to have an opportunity to do more. Getting there and having the kind of support that obviously CANEX is bringing on board, but I thought I could find it in Hollywood. That was not quite the case. “They wanted what I had but for their benefit. It was all about their story. It was all about how, even if it was our story, I could make it more authentic to their own understa...

 Veteran actor Lere Paimo advises South West Governors on food security A Veteran Yoruba actor, Lere Paimo, popularly known as Eda Onile Ola, has said that with adequate security, infrastructure, and motivation for farmers, the southwest can feed its people and the entire nation. Lere Paimo spoke in an interview on Tuesday in Lagos. The Oyo State-born Nollywood actor and a National Awards holder proffered solutions on the way out of the current socio-economic, inflation and food crisis in the country. According to him, the South-West governors must collaborate and take measures to restrain killer herdsmen to ensure food security in the region. He added that with adequate security, infrastructure, and motivation for farmers, the South-West can feed its people and the entire nation. “Let every South-West governor control activities of herders, who always clash with farmers. This has sent many away from their ancestral farms, and the attendant hunger is staring us in the face. “The he...

 Lagos arrests concrete barrier vandal in Ogudu A suspected vandal, Jeremiah Nwakoba, has been arrested for vandalising the iron reinforcement in the concrete barrier demarcating the Ogudu Garden Valley scheme from System One Channel (Odo Iya Alaro), in the Ogudu area of Lagos State.  The suspect confessed that he engaged in the act before with some accomplices who are on the run. He stated that he usually sells the vandalised iron at giveaway amounts to mobile scrap buyers. He has however, been handed over to police operatives of Ojota Police station for further investigation and prosecution. The concrete barrier which demarcates Ogudu Garden Valley scheme from System One Channel (Odo Iya Alaro) was constructed in 2011 and is a vital infrastructure for the state drainage system.

 CAS REVIEWS NAF EFFORTS IN LAST 12 MONTHS AS HE REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ENDING THREATS OF INSECURITY The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has highlighted the significant achievements of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) over the past year while reaffirming his commitment to intensify efforts against terrorism, insurgency, and other security threats. He made this known earlier today, 19 June 2024, during his meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding, Directors, Commandants and Commanders at Headquarters NAF, Abuja. According to the CAS, “there is no gainsaying that the NAF must be proactive and intensify its efforts to meet the Federal Government and Nigerian citizens' expectations for an expeditious actualization of a peaceful, safe, and secure nation for prosperity to thrive.”  Air Marshal Abubakar also took a cursory look at the global and regional security environment with their attendant impacts on Nigeria's national security. In particular, ...