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Lagos Court Jails Businessman Four Years  for  Issuance of False Documents Justice R. A. Osodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, September 20, 2024, convicted and sentenced a businessman, Bernard Okechukwu Nzenwa, to four years and 11 months imprisonment over issuance of false documents. Nzenwa, alongside his company,  Omega Maritime and Energy Ltd.,was arraigned on December 7, 2022 by the Lagos Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one-count charge bordering on issuance of false documents. The count reads: "Bernard Okechukwu Nzenwa, Omega Maritine and Energy Limited, and Dr. Oluchi Nzenwa, (now at large), sometime on the 9th March, 2011, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, issued a false document titled, "BOND FOR THE RE-EXPORTATION OF IMPORTED GOODS DELIVERED WITHOUT PAYMENT OF IMPORT DUTIES”, which you purported to have emanated from Guaranty Trust Bank Plc". The defendant, however, pleade...

 PRESS RELEASE EDO ELECTION: IGP DIRECTS SECURITY MEASURES, MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS FOR EDO OFF-CYCLE ELECTION. As IGP Calls on Citizens to Adhere to Rule of Law, Assures Free Exercise of Voting Rights. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has announced comprehensive security measures to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process during the upcoming Edo off-cycle election scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024. In preparation for the election, the IGP has ordered the restriction of all vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day. Exceptions will be made for essential services, including accredited media, electoral officials, ambulances, and emergency responders. To maintain the integrity of the electoral process, the IGP has implemented a ban on all security aides and escorts accompanying VIPs to polling booths and collation centres. Unauthorized security p...

 ABUJA, FCT PRESS STATEMENT FAKE NEWS ALERT - SOME PARTIES CIRCULATING FAKE MAGISTRATE COURT RULING AGAINST APC EDO GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, SENATOR MONDAY OKPEBHOLO - PLEASE DISREGARD  In the final hours to the Edo State Gubernatorial Election scheduled to be held tomorrow Saturday, September 21, 2024, certain political parties  have desperately resorted to forgery, disinformation and blackmail by circulating a FAKE Magistrate court ruling purportedly disqualifying Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC Gubernatorial Candidate in the election.  The circulated RULING IS FAKE, a FABRICATION and an act of pure desperation in the face of their imminent defeat at the polls. The Magistrate Court that purportedly issued the FAKE RULING has issued a disclaimer stating categorically that the FAKE RULING did not emanate from that court.  The FAKE NEWS meant to sow seeds of doubt about the APC candidate is a blatant and calculated attempt to subvert the will of the Edo electora...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT ‘I DIDN’T COME TO LOOK FOR MONEY, I CAME TO WORK’, PRESIDENT TINUBU TELLS FORUM OF FORMER NASS PRESIDING OFFICERS   President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration is focused on delivering tangible results and making a positive difference in the nation’s infrastructure, food and energy security, education and long-term economic stability.    At a meeting with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly, led by former Senate President Ken Nnamani, the President emphasised that he is not in office for personal gain but to serve the country.   ''I didn’t come to look for money and exploit the situation; I came to work. I asked for the votes, and Nigerians gave them to me, '' the President, who was a former senator,  told the meeting after a session of banters and handshakes with former parliamentary colleagues.   The meeting was attended by 16 former presiding officers, including former ...

 NASA's "Hidden Figures" honored in Congressional Gold Medal ceremony Black Women Mathematicians Receive Congressional Medals for Space Program Work  A group of Black women central to NASA's success during the space race and known as the "Hidden Figures” were honored Wednesday in a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on Capitol Hill.  "This has been a long time coming," House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said at the ceremony. "At a time in America when our nation was divided by color and often by gender, these women dared to step into the fields where they had previously been unwelcome."  The "Hidden Figures" were considered crucial to NASA's work from 1930-1970. They were mathematicians and engineers who played a role in the earliest American space flights — calculating rocket trajectories and earth orbits and helping to put men on the moon. Three of the women — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson ...

 Sean 'Diddy' Combs placed on suicide watch as he awaits trial While Sean 'Diddy’ Combs is on suicide watch at a New York jail, a shocking video of a porn star who claims he was the rapper's sex slave has resurfaced online. Combs, 54, was placed on suicide monitor at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, which is 'standard for high-profile individuals'. He was arrested and indicted earlier this week in Manhattan for sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs was remanded to MDC after a judge on Wednesday denied his attorneys' bid to free the disgraced hip hop mogul despite offering his flashy Florida home in Star Island and his mother's house as a $50 million surety. As Combs remains in a Brooklyn cell, a man named Jonathan Oddi - who claimed he had sex with the rapper and his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura - also remains in jail. Oddi made the wild claims in a 2018 video when he was being questioned by F...

 Huge python grabs Thai woman as she’s doing dishes, squeezes her for two hours A Thai woman somehow survived a terrifying encounter with a huge python after the 16-foot snake wrapped itself around her waist as she was doing dishes — and then squeezed her tightly for two hours. Arom Arunroj, 64, was cleaning up in her kitchen just outside Bangkok on Tuesday night when she felt a sharp pain in her thigh and looked down to see a massive python taking hold of her, Thailand’s Thairath newspaper reported. “I was about to scoop some water and when I sat down it bit me immediately,” Arunroj told the outlet. “When I looked I saw the snake wrapping around me.” “I grabbed it by the head, but it wouldn’t release me,” she continued. “It only tightened.” The snake continued to coil around Arunroj’s waist until she could no longer stand, forcing her to prop herself up against the kitchen door as she screamed for help. A neighbor finally heard her cries around 90 minutes later and quickly alerted...

 Yahoo boy who tied up a lady in Abuja hotel for ritual arrested – Police The Federal Capital Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected fraudster and ritualist who confined a lady in a hotel in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.    The suspect's plot to use the victim for an alleged money ritual was foiled when the hotel staff heard her screams and rushed into the room only to find her naked and bound with cellotape.  The spokesperson of the command, SP Josephine Adeh, who disclosed news of the arrest in a statement on Thursday, September 19, 2024, said the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took the suspect into custody and is yet to hand him over to the police for diligent investigation. The FCT police command is aware of the video footage making the rounds about a lady who was criminally confined in Top view hotel, Wuse, Abuja on 17th September, 2024 by an alleged Internet fraudster allegedly for money ritual,” the statement read.   "Findings reve...

 Two Suspects Apprehended for Sales of Newborn Twins Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested one Ujunwa Una 'f' and Chinelo Igbechionwu 'f' for conspiracy and child sales.  The suspects were arrested by patrol officers from Ojodu Division stationed at Berger bus-stop, an entry point into Lagos State, whom had earlier been alerted about the suspects by a Good Samaritan. The suspects were found with two newborn baby girls, approximately six-days old, while traveling from Abia State on September 9, 2024. Investigations revealed that the suspects were en route to deliver the babies to one nurse in Lagos State whom the mother of the babies promised to link them up with only after they had arrived Lagos.  Upon questioning, the suspects confessed to the crime, stating that they were paid the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (₦150,000) for transportation of the babies to Lagos. The suspects added that the mother of the babies sold the babies bec...

 Obasanjo: Thieves can’t provide just governance Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has demanded that corrupt politicians be jailed for their misconduct, arguing that “thieves cannot provide just governance”. On Thursday, the 87-year-old statesman spoke virtually at the memorial lecture of Denis Joseph Slattery, the late cleric, in Lagos. In his speech titled ‘the imperative for moral rectitude in governance,’ Obasanjo said the most important demand of anybody involved in governance at any level is “accountability”. He stressed that government officials with “questionable” integrity cannot make fair decisions for the greater good. “If you look clinically at the people in government today at both executive and legislative levels, some of them should be permanently behind bars for their past misdemeanour and criminal misconduct,” said Obasanjo who served as Nigeria’s head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as its president from 1999 to 2007. “You cannot expect thieves to give good ...

 Incredible family pet fiercely protects a small child that wandered off and fought something unknown, nearly losing his own life.  The Hopkins family live in rural Hopkins County, Kentucky so when their 4-year-old son went missing after feeding the dogs with his sister the entire community swung into action.  When Brittany Hopkins first noticed Tommy (who is on the spectrum) was missing, she checked her mother's home next door. After spending a short time searching and with panic setting in, police were notified. An extensive search was begun for Tommy and the family's pet dogs that had accompanied him wherever he had gone. They searched through the night and when there was no sign of Tommy by the next morning search parties were organized. Thankfully a group of young women located Tommy and his dogs on Tuesday morning, September 17th. Three of the dogs were in good condition but one dog clearly sustained injuries fighting something off of Tommy.  The first thing th...

 Officers of Elemoro Division responded to a distress call today, Friday, September 20, 2024 at about 0200hrs about three young men robbing passersby with a pistol and arrested Victor Okoman ‘m’ aged 24, Saheed Balogun ‘m’ aged 38 and David Kaimon ‘m’ aged 27 with a loaded semiautomatic pistol. The suspects led the Police to the recovery of 26 live ammunition.  Investigation is ongoing.  One more photo below. 

 The duo of Sunday Nwabufor ‘m’ aged 47 of Festac and Obinna Nweke ‘m’ aged 45 of Ketu Mile 12 were arrested by officers of Ojo Division on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at about 1400hrs in the Ojo area of Lagos State following a tip-off. They were found with 120 wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine.  Investigation is ongoing.

 Edo REC: Being Wike’s cousin doesn’t disqualify me from serving as INEC official Anugbum Onuoha, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Edo, says being a cousin to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), does not preclude him from being appointed as an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Recently, Tony Aziegbemi, chair of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, asked INEC to redeploy Onuoha over ties with Wike. Aziegbemi expressed a lack of confidence in the REC’s ability to conduct a free and fair election in the state. Onuoha served as a special adviser on lands when Wike was the governor of Rivers state. Reacting to the PDP’s request, INEC said Onuoha will not be redeployed and that the focus should be on the voting process. Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Friday, Onuoha asked Nigerians to focus on his competency, character, and conscience, and ignore his relationship with Wike. The Edo REC said p...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU URGES PEACE AND CIVILITY IN EDO STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on all stakeholders in the upcoming Edo State governorship elections to conduct themselves peacefully and sportingly. The election is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.    The President implores the governorship candidates, political parties, and supporters to respect the democratic process and the people's will. He believes in the voters' ability to make informed decisions about their future leaders.    President Tinubu emphasises that democracy thrives on civility, tolerance, patience, and respect for the rules of the game. He notes that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has committed to conducting a free and fair election and urges all stakeholders to work together to ensure a successful and peaceful process.    The President commends the governorship candidates and political part...

 Mpox cases in Africa approach 30,000 mark: Africa CDC The total number of mpox cases in Africa has risen to 29,152, including 6,105 confirmed cases and 738 deaths, since the start of 2024, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Xinhua reported. Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya, in addressing a special online media briefing on the multi-country mpox outbreak in Africa, said that the continent reported 2,912 new cases in the past week alone, including 374 confirmed cases and 14 deaths, bringing the total number of cases reported this year to 29,152. Kaseya said that the cases were reported from 15 African countries across all five regions of the continent and noted that cross-border movement, malnutrition and unsafe sexual practices are among the major risk factors for mpox. In mid-August, the Africa CDC declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. Soon after, the World Health Organiz...

GOV ENO FULFILS PROMISES TO THE FAMILY OF LATE NOLLYWOOD MAKE-UP ARTIST, ABIGAIL FREDERICK  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ By EKEMINI JAMES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In line with his promise, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has handed over a remodeled fully-furnished six bedroom bungalow to the family of Late Nollywood make-up artist, Abigail Edith Frederick, in Ikot Udoma, Eket Local Government Area. The Governor has also donated a business support grant of one million naira to the family and additional one million naira as educational grant to her two younger sisters.   Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, he recalled that on the 13th of February, 2024, Governor Eno had personally visited the grieving family where he offered automatic employment to the deceased's elder sister, promised assistance to the undergraduate sisters and directed his aide on Humanitarian Services to renovate the family house and bring it up to modern standard...

 ‘Christianity Does Not Take Away Romance’, Adeboye Counsels Couples The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has advised Christian couples never to allow spiritual responsibilities to replace conjugal duties to each other. Adeboye advised while speaking about the importance of maintaining romance in marriages. In a lengthy post on his X handle, Adeboye shared that he and his wife, Foluke, still nurture their love with pet names whenever they are alone, emphasising that “anointing does not reduce romance.” He said, “The fact that you are a Christian does not in any way take romance out of your marriage. Marriage is the only institution where romance and intimacy is allowed between a man and a woman. “Some pastors hardly go on dates with their spouses because they consider such a romantic activity as a distraction from their focus on spiritual matters. Some of them don’t even play with their spouses anymore. “Beloved, the anointing does not...

  Edo Guber, Mercy Johnson’s husband Odianosen Okojie escapes assassination attempt A federal lawmaker representing the Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency in Edo State, Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie has reportedly escaped an assassination attempt. Okojie, the husband of the Nollywood movie Star, Mercy Johnson, was reportedly attacked by armed men suspected to be political thugs at his residence in Uromi on Friday morning. Okojie’s media aide, Michael Ihaza, confirmed the development in a statement. According to the statement, the attackers invaded the lawmaker’s residence with a Lexus GX 470 carrying a Rivers State vehicle registration number – PHC 253 FF. According to the statement, the planned assassination “was unsuccessful owing to the intervention of security personnel attached to the lawmaker”. “The armed thugs who disguised as police officers along with two others, invaded the residence of Hon. Okojie, claimed to be on appointment and proceeded to the seati...

 Enugu Gov’s Pinnacle Oil Filling Station set ablaze A filling station, Pinnacle Oil, belonging to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has been reportedly set ablaze by unknown arsornists. The incident occurred early Friday morning. Local reports have it that the arsonists came in a Toyota Corolla car and carried out the operation. At least four cars within the vicinity were affected by the inferno. As of the time of filing this report, the Agbani Road axis leading to the fuel station has been barricaded by men of the fire service and security operatives. Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the fire incident. However, the police said it may have been caused by a leakage from one of the vehicles that were on queue to purchase fuel. This was contained in a statement issued by the DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command. According to him, “A fire incident occurred at Pinnacle Filling Station, Agbani Road, Enugu, in the morning ho...

 CoCa-Cola announces plan to invest $1bn in Nigeria Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company says it will invest $1 billion in Nigeria over the next five years. The investment commitment was made during a meeting with Coca-Cola’s global leadership team, including John Murphy, president and chief financial officer, and Segun Apata, chairman of Nigerian Bottling Company. Reacting to the development in a statement on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu commended Coca-Cola for its long-standing partnership with Nigeria and for employing over 3,000 people across nine production facilities. Tinubu said the investment highlights his administration’s commitment to creating a robust financial system and a business-friendly economy. The president spoke in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, his special adviser on information and strategy. “We are business-friendly, and as I said at my inauguration, we must create an environment of easy-in and easy-out for businesses,” the statement reads. “We are bui...

 Adunni Ade faces legal threat from cab driver over lost package Nollywood actress Adunni Ade has found herself entangled in a dispute with a cab driver named Frances Njoku, who has threatened legal action against her following a package delivery incident. The conflict began on September 18, 2024, when Ade publicly accused Njoku of absconding with her package and ignoring her attempts to contact him. The actress took to Instagram to call out both Njoku and the ride-hailing platform, In-drive. Her post quickly gained traction, with many of her followers rallying for accountability from the service. By the end of the day, Ade reported that Njoku had returned the package after his profile was locked by the platform. However, the resolution did not put an end to the dispute. Ade on Thursday, shared screenshots of her interactions with Njoku and her fashion designer, who had originally sent the package. The screenshots revealed Njoku’s anger over what he perceived as damage to his reput...

 Olubadan assures UNICEF of children’s rights protection The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin Ige, has stated that he will support the realisation of the United Nations Children Funds’ objectives in Oyo State. The Olubadan gave his word on Wednesday when the UNICEF team paid him a courtesy visit to solicit his support for the protection of children’s rights in the country. The monarch while speaking through the Maye Olubadan,  Chief  Olalekan Alabi, at the Oke Aremo palace, Ibadan, said the choice of the Olubadan as a reference point of contact with other traditional rulers in the country, was a step in the right direction. The monarch said, “Ibadan is the home of first in Nigeria. Ibadan has been at the forefront of political, information, social, and economic development in Nigeria. ”To mention just a few, the first teaching hospital, the University College Hospital (UCH) was established in Ibadan, the first university in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan ...