EFCC Withdraws Appeal, Uncertainty Lingers Over Yahaya Bello’s Arrest
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has backed down from its attempt to challenge a court order that protected Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, from arrest, interrogation, and prosecution. The EFCC admitted that its appeal was filed outside the legal time limit, raising questions about the reason for the delay and why its operatives attempted to raid Bello’s residence despite being aware of the existing court order.
With the appeal now withdrawn and the Kogi High Court’s judgment from April 17, 2024, still in force, it remains to be seen whether the EFCC can legally detain Yahaya Bello without violating the law. The commission’s next move is being closely watched, as this development has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing saga.
Sheikh Musa Lukwa, a Sokoto-based cleric, on Tuesday, led his followers to observe eid prayer.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, had declared Wednesday as the first of Shawwal and Eid day, commemorating the completion of the 2024 Ramadan fast.
The council said the crescent moon was not sighted on Monday, the same view earlier espoused by Saudi Arabia authorities.
But Lukwa, who has over the years disobeyed the Sultan’s directive on moon sighting, led prayers at his Juma’at mosque around 8:30am.
Justifying the action, Lukwa said the moon of Shawwal was sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday
“There were reports of sightings on the new crescent in many places, including here in Nigeria, but the one that we were sure of is that of Niger Republic.”
Miyetti Allah head denies linking Nasarawa governor to crime Makinde vows prosecution of immigration personnel who assaulted traffic officers “We have a verified video clip of their council of Ulamah authenticating the report after which the country declared Tuesday as Sallah day. So it is now binding on us to observe Eid on Tuesday because this is what the teachings of the Holy Prophet says.
“If we can accept that of Saudi Arabia, why can’t we agree with that of Niger Republic which is nearer to us.
“I am not saying all Nigerian Muslims must observe their Eid prayer on Tuesday but we have no moral justification not to observe our prayer on Tuesday because the new moon was sighted by our neighbors. And remember there is no fasting on Sallah day, it is prohibited,” he said. Lukwa has been defying Sultan directives, accusing the monarch of forcing Muslims to accept the moon sighting of Saudi Arabia which he believes is against the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The cleric however, challenged any scholar with a contrary view to a public debate.
There are so many ways to break up with a person. Some do it in person and transparently while others send a text or leave a “Dear John” letter behind. Some situations require an abrupt end to the relationship while other times breakups can drag out for what seems like eons — the latter of which has become known as “slow dumping.”
What exactly is ‘slow dumping?’
“Slow dumping is an indirect and gradual process in which one partner distances themselves emotionally and physically from a romantic relationship instead of openly communicating their desire to end it,’ Nia Williams, founder of the dating coaching service Miss Date Doctor, explained to Metro.
Akin to “quiet quitting” a relationship or letting a relationship fizzle out, the act of slow dumping has been around forever — and it’s absolutely brutal. It only happens when there is an established relationship where two people have committed to one another. Since slow dumping happens over an extended period of time, the person being dumped often has no idea that it’s happening and is still working to save the relationship even though the other person has already checked out.
“It’s a passive way and cowardly of ending a relationship which can be very hurtful for the receiver,” Williams added, because a person who slowly dumps someone is certain that they are no longer interested in the relationship. But instead of being straightforward, they start to engage in behavior so untenable that their partner has no choice but to take notice and eventually leave the relationship.
There are a few signs of slow dumping you can look for.
1. Communication is lacking.
They might not call or pick up the phone like they used to. They seemingly have no interest in talking to you about their day or yours and have stopped sharing with you. Your partner starts to interact with you as little as possible. They might simply have lost interest in you or be avoiding conversation, so you don’t detect their true motives.
2. They avoid quality time.
Your partner no longer takes you out, invites you to events, or spends time binge-watching shows together. They have no interest in spending time or maintaining the connection with you. You suddenly feel like a spectator on the sidelines of their life.
3. They become emotionally distant.
A person who is slow dumping you might suddenly seem detached and avoidant. You can no longer read their emotions and mood and begin to wonder if something is wrong but act as if everything is alright if you ask. They shut you out in preparation to leave you behind.
4. They are always gone.
Your person will use any excuse to be away from you. They might say they are working late, hanging with friends, or give any other reason that they are not around like they used to be. They are spending time with other people who matter more to them than you do.
5. They feel like a stranger.
Someone who is planning to leave might start behaving differently than what you are used to. They could form a new social circle, suddenly start complaining about you, or leave you out in the cold by limiting their interactions.
It’s important to note that the signs could also be a result of stress, depression, or anxiety in your partner. Either way, it must be addressed and dealt with in a straightforward manner.
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna has declared the Kaduna governorship election inconclusive.
The petition was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Isah Mohammed Ashiru against Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 governorship election held in the state on March 18, 2023.
In a split decision of a ratio of 2:1, the three-man tribunal panel led by Justice Victor Oviawe declared that the election was inconclusive and thus directed that a supplementary election should be held by the Independent National Electoral Commission within 90 days.
Odioama Sea Encroachment: Gov. Diri takes immediate step to tackle erosion
… assures people of the State’s govt intervention
… approves renovation of Pry Health Centre, offers to complete community pavillion
His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State visited the ancient community of Odioama in Brass Local Government Area of the State to empathise with them on the environmental disaster of sea encroachment that has befallen the community.
After he was conducted round some affected places, Governor told the people that the State Government is making immediate intervention to prevent further damage to infrastructure.
The Governor who noted that though the scope of the work is beyond the State Government, “we must take our destinies into our hands.”
“There is hope for our people. The sea encroachment which is the perennial problem of Odioama will now begin to have a solution from your State Government. Be rest assured that your Government will be shoulder to shoulder with you to tackle this encroachment that is hitting our land and our houses.”
So we call all our developmental partners to join the State Government to keep Odioama safe not only Odioama, we have the same instances in Koluama, Sangana. So we have so much to do which is beyond the scope of the State Government.”
Governor Diri who also described his visit as apolitical said, he is committed to the development of the State, stating that Bayelsa is beyond APC or PDP but good governance.
“And as Governor, I am committed to developing Bayelsa State that is why I am here today. I am not here to campaign, I am not here to talk about PDP or APC.
In my politics, I don’t look at PDP or APC, I look at friendship, I look at brotherliness. And if you watch Bayelsa now, Bayelsa is no more just APC, PDP. Bayelsa is talking about good governance, a governance that can make the people come together, a governance that can unite our people, and a governance that can bring peace and secur
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, says the commission is focused on deepening partnerships and promoting investments to secure the future of Niger Delta people in the years beyond the oil-driven economy.
The NDDC boss said this during a three-day “Develop Ondo 2.0 Investment Summit” in Akure, Ondo State.
The NDDC Corporate Affairs Director, Dr. Ibitoye Abosede, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement quoted Ogbuku as saying the partnership with the private sector and development partners would boost funding for accelerated development in the region.
He said, “Thinking beyond oil is not only a pathway to sustain development in the Niger Delta region, but it is also becoming inevitable as the reality of energy transition and the global climate crisis continue to stare us in the face.
“We need the meaningful engagement of stakeholders to form relevant and sustainable partnerships.
“That is why in the NDDC, we take time to listen to our stakeholders to know their priorities and ensure that our interventions adequately reflect them.”
The acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said the state was targeting $2bn through investments that would transform the state into an industrial hub.
He stated, “The response from potential investors thus far has been highly encouraging, with growing interest in exploring the investment opportunities that Ondo State offers.
“Our previous summit has borne witness to remarkable success stories, illustrating the effectiveness of this platform in attracting investments, fostering economic growth in our state, and providing enormous value to our partners and investors.”
A 30-year-old pregnant woman, Eucheria Ndigwe, is currently in the custody of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly stabbing her teenage maid, Chinaze Aneme, in Lagos for failing to wash her bag.
Policemen arrested the suspect following a video on the plight of the maid recorded by one of her neighbours which went viral over the weekend.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest in a message he posted on his Twitter handle, @BenHundeyin, on Sunday.
Hundeyin disclosed that because of her condition, the suspect had been moved to the command’s gender unit where she would get adequate medical attention while the investigation continues.
He said the victim was also receiving medical attention at the police hospital.
He wrote, “The suspect, Eucheria Ndigwe, aged 30 was arrested yesterday. Due to the fact that she is heavily pregnant, she has been moved to our recently-upgraded gender unit, where in conjunction with @Lagosdsva, she will get adequate medical attention while the investigation progresses.
Full list of winners at the 9th AMVCA 2023 Bimbo Ademoye, Tobi Bakre and Osas Ighodaro were among the Nollywood stars who stole the limelight at the AMVCA 2023 held on Saturday.
The award night which was graced by seasoned and legendary celebrities had different categories with different winners from the industry scooping the gongs up for grabs.
Here is a full list of the winners:
BEST ACTOR IN A MOVIE Tobi Baker – Brotherhood
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA -(MOVIE/TV SERIES) Osas Ighodaro – Man of God
BEST DOCUMENTARY Nora Awolowo – Baby Blues WINNER
BEST MOVIE EAST AFRICA Click Click Bang – Philip Karanja Njenga WINNER
BEST MOVIE WEST AFRICA Brotherhood – Jade Osiberu WINNER
BEST MOVIE SOUTHERN AFRICA Elvis Chucks – Jewel WINNER
Best Short Film Adeoye Adetunji – Pa Aromire
Best Online Social Content Creator Elozonam , Kie Kie – Back From The Future
Best Indigenous Language, Swahili (Movie/TV Series) Philip Karanja Njenga – Click Click Bang
Best Indigenous Language, Yoruba (Movie/TV Series) Anikulapo – Kunle Afolayan
Celebrity chef and restaurateur Hilda Effiong Bassey, also known as Hilda Baci, recently completed her attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the individual with the longest cooking time.
Originally aiming to cook for 96 hours to surpass Lata Tandon’s record of 87 hours and 45 minutes set in 2019, Hilda Baci decided to extend her attempt to 100 hours and 40 minutes as the 96th hour approached, surpassing the previous record by more than 13 hours.
Hilda’s cooking marathon began on May 11, 2023, and concluded late on May 15. Throughout the event, she skillfully prepared over 200 meals, serving them to an impressive crowd of over 4,000 people.
Expressing gratitude for the overwhelming love and support she received, she thanked Nigerians for their incessant cheers.
She further noted that her toughest moments were the first 6 hours and she had to pray to God for strength.
Speaking with Pulse Nigeria, she said:
” I am so amazed at the outpouring of love from Nigerians towards achieving this record. The first six hours were the toughest for me, I had to pray to God for strength. . “I appreciate everyone who took time out to support and encourage me by visiting the venue to cheer me on or driving the conversation on social platforms. . “Your unwavering passion to see me succeed through this attempt is heartfelt. I am grateful to my family, the various teams that worked with me on this project, and fans from all over the world who kept the passion going.’’
A Nigerian chef has been cooking up a storm in her kitchen in the hopes of landing a world record.
Hilda Bassey, known on social media as Hilda Baci, has been dominating headlines around the world ever since she launched her cooking marathon.
She’s hoping to snap up the record title for longest cooking marathon (individual) which currently belongs to Lata Tondon (India) with a time of 87 hr 45 min.
Hilda began cooking on Thursday and continued through to Monday, reportedly whipping up 55 recipes and more than 100 meals in a whopping 100-hour stint.
Officials on our records team look forward to reviewing the evidence and hope to be able to verify Hilda’s efforts as a new record very soon.
A Guinness World Records spokesperson said: “We are aware of the record attempt and are looking forward to receiving the evidence for our Records Management Team to review, before we can confirm the record is official.”
Hilda explained she was taking on the challenge to highlight Nigerian cuisine.
She told CNN: “Nigerian cuisine is the best out there. The more recipes are propagated, the more people will be willing to try it. Nigerian food is such comfort food.”
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, celebrated Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, for leading Napoli to clinch its Seria A title after 33 years.
The governor, in a statement shared on his Facebook page, said, “So many stories begin in Lagos and it’s always a moment of pride for me to see young people from our city achieving great things.
“A big congratulationsto Victor Osimhen #victorosimhen9 on blazing the trail in the Serie A goal scoring charts, leading your team to the league title as well as breaking George Weah’s record as the highest scoring African in the league.
“As someone who talks about his humble roots in Lagos and continues to give back in amazing ways, we say keep flying the flag of Nigeria high with your impressive performances for Napoli.
“I look forward to working together soon to take football in Lagos to greater heights.”
The president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to travel out of the country once again any moment from now.
TrackNews gathered that his spokeman, Tunde Rahmon, confirmed the travel plans and said “The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, may travel out. But definitely not tomorrow.”
Tinubu is reportedly running away from all the drama about the zoning of leadership positions of the 10th National Assembly.
This is just as northern youths, under the aegis of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), have called on Tinubu to probe appointees of President Muhammadu Buhari after his inauguration.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP in Kaduna, the president of AYCF, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, said Tinubu should go ahead and probe some of President Buhari’s appointees if they are found wanting.
AYCF said Tinubu as a democrat should fight corruption, follow due process and strengthen institutions of government for democracy to strive. “We can’t preempt the incoming administration of Tinubu but if the appointees of President Muhammadu Buhari are found wanting the new president can probe them.
The lawmaker from Borno State, Muktar Betara, has accused the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, of allegedly sponsoring “an unpopular candidate” to succeed him.
Betara stated this while officially declaring his intention to contest the speakership position at the Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja on Monday.
TrackNews reports that the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (NWC) on Monday evening officially zoned the position of the Speaker to the North-West, while the Deputy Speaker was zoned to the South-East.
With the official announcement of the zoning formular of the All Progressives Congress, APC for the 10th National Assembly, a frontline candidate for the Office of the Speaker, Honorable Benjamin Kalu has officially withdrawn from the race and has now declared his intention to run for the Office of Deputy Speaker.
Kalu, stated this today via a press statement made available to the members of the press.
In the statement Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, extended his gratitude and appreciation to all who supported him while he vied for the Speakership position of the 10th Assembly because he much believed this position was ideal for the Southeast region, as it has not produced a Speaker in the last 40 years but that as a firm believer in the precept of party supremacy, he had no choice than to withdraw his candidacy for that position.
The statement read :
”I wish to extend my gratitude and appreciation to all who have tirelessly supported my candidacy for the Speakership position of the 10th Assembly. I believed this position was ideal for the Southeast region, as it has not produced a Speaker in the last 40 years.
”However, as a firm believer in Party supremacy, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for the Speakership Position and fully accept the nomination for the position of Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly in line with the directives of our Party the All Progressives Congress (APC). This decision aligns with the Party’s commitment to fairness, equity, and inclusiveness in all of its leadership selection processes”
Charles III on Saturday was officially crowned king in the first coronation in Britain since 1953.
At 12:02 pm, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the solid gold St Edward’s Crown on Charles’s head as a sacred and ancient symbol of the monarch’s authority.
Cries of “God Save the King” rang out from the 2,300-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey and trumpet fanfares sounded at the climax of the solemn religious confirmation of his accession.
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Two former Presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, State Governors, serving and former members of the National Assembly, other top government functionaries and captains of industry, today graced the Commendation Service in honour of late Pa Abraham Joseph Michael Diri, father of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.
At the service held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Sampou, Governor Diri, described their late father as a pillar and great man of impact.
“We are humbled, my family and I, we are humbled as a State at the arrays of personalities here today to lay my very humbled father to rest.
Not even in the wildest of my imagination did any of us expect the timber and caliber of Nigerians here present. Whatever anybody does for you, you can only say thank you.
From the bottom of my heart, my family is a thankful State. I lack words, we are indeed overwhelmed.
For us, our father who today has departed and by the grace of God we lay him to rest today has impacted positively on all of us, his children and I think all of us his children have those positive deposits on us,” Governor Diri stated.
He appreciated all those who attended the ceremony.
Former President Jonathan attended with his wife, Patience just as the Vice President Osinbajo attended with wife, Dolapo.
Governors in attendance include: Gov. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa of Delta State, Gov. Darius Ishiaku of Taraba State, Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State along with his wife, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State.
Former State Governors in attendance were that of Bayelsa State, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers State.
Some Governors-elect were also in attendance.
The Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Country Chair of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Osagie Okunbor and other captains of industry graced the event.
Pa AJM Diri, a retired Primary School Headmaster died at the age of 88.
Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has refuted claims on some news outlets that she is a virgin.
Etiko, on her Instagram page, expressed dismay that a better title could not be rumoured about her.
She said, “Since yesterday, I have not rested with the news calling her out as a virgin. I did not grant any interview, revealing that I am a virgin. I cannot remember granting any interview saying I am a virgin. They did not give me any better title, like soon to be a billionaire.”
“There was no written word or an interview about virginity and they are all busy with my precious name, which really shows how important and relevant I am.”
Foreign countries rushed to evacuate their nationals from Sudan as deadly fighting raged into a second week between forces loyal to two rival generals.
Evacuation flights were continuing early Monday, with hundreds of people flown out overnight on military aircraft.
Foreigners also fled the capital Khartoum in a long-United Nations convoy, while millions of frightened residents hunkered down inside their homes, many running low on water and food.
Across the city of five million, army and paramilitary troops have fought ferocious street battles since April 15, leaving behind charred tanks, gutted buildings and looted shops.
US special forces launched a rescue mission Sunday for around 100 embassy staff and their relatives, swooping in with Chinook helicopters to fly them to a military base in Djibouti.
US forces “will remain deployed in Djibouti to protect United States personnel and others until the security situation no longer requires their presence”, President Joe Biden said Sunday in a letter to the Speaker of the House.
British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said UK forces had also rescued diplomats and their families while Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said his country had temporarily suspended its evacuation operation.
“Our diplomats are safe -– they have been extracted and are working from outside the country,” Trudeau tweeted.
‘Landed safely’
Germany and France meanwhile said they had also begun evacuating their nationals and those from other countries.
Two French planes carrying around 200 people of multiple nationalities landed in Djibouti.
The German army said it had evacuated 101 people on the first of three military aircraft sent to Sudan.
The first Airbus A400M “landed safely in Jordan” at around midnight local time (2100 GMT Sunday), the Bundeswehr said on Twitter. Another plane with 113 people was on its way to Jordan, it said.
Italy evacuated about 300 people in total, according to their foreign ministries.
“We reiterate the call for a ceasefire and resumption of dialogue in Sudan,” Madrid’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares tweeted.
Ireland said it was also dispatching an emergency team to assist with evacuating its citizens and their dependants.
Egypt, Sudan’s large neighbour to the north, said it had evacuated 436 nationals by land.
Long convoys of UN vehicles and buses were seen leaving Khartoum heading east to Port Sudan on the Red Sea, 850 kilometres (530 miles) away by road, carrying “citizens from all over the world”, according to one Sierra Leonean evacuee.
– ‘Nowhere is safe’ –
The fighting broke out on April 15 between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Daglo’s RSF emerged from the Janjaweed fighters whom former leader Omar al-Bashir unleashed in the Darfur region, where they were accused of war crimes including genocide.
The military toppled Bashir in April 2019 following mass citizen protests.
The two generals seized power in a 2021 coup, but later fell out in a bitter power struggle, most recently centred on the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army.
Multiple truces have been agreed in recent days, and ignored.
Khartoum’s airport, where the blackened hulls of destroyed aircraft lie on runways, is under the control of the RSF.
The conflict has left terrified civilians sheltering inside their homes, with power largely off amid sweltering heat and the internet out for most.
“Life in Khartoum today I would say is still burdened with anxiety and exhaustion,” said Tagreed Abdin, a programme manager and architect.
“We did get power back yesterday, Wednesday, in our area. But at the same time, there was a rocket strike in our neighbourhood a few doors down from us. So, it is like nowhere is safe.”
– ‘Stop the violence’ –
Fighting has broken out elsewhere across Sudan, Africa’s third-biggest nation.
Battles have raged in Darfur, where aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said their medics had been “overwhelmed” by the number of patients with gunshot wounds, many of them children, in the city of El Fasher.
Some hospitals have been shelled and others ransacked, with more than two-thirds of hospitals in Khartoum and neighbouring states “out of service”, the doctors’ union said.
The scramble by foreigners to escape has heightened fears among Sudanese of what will happen when diplomats who could act as potential mediators have gone.
“Pushing for safe passages to evacuate internationals without simultaneously pushing to end the war will be terrible”, said researcher Hamid Khalafallah.
“International actors will have less impact once they’re out of country,” he said, adding in a message to foreign nations: “Do all you can to leave safely, but don’t leave the Sudanese people behind unprotected.”
The US Agency for International Development said it was ramping up assistance to people caught between the warring factions.
USAID “has deployed a disaster assistance response team in the region to coordinate the humanitarian response for those in need both within and outside of Sudan”, agency chief Samantha Power said Sunday, reiterating calls for a ceasefire.
The verification badges of football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Nigerian singers, Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid have been restored days after it was removed from the microblogging platform, Twitter.
Wonder9ja publishes that Elon Musk put back the blue badge, which was a badge of verification to some accounts regarded as high-profile accounts with more than one million followers without paying to keep the badge.
Twitter had insisted on an $8 monthly payment to subscribe to its ‘Twitter Blue’ if account holders must retain their verification badge, or for those who want to get the blue tick newly.
Popular persons, including top Nigerian singers who did not subscribe to the Twitter Blue service, had their badges yanked off and it has generated concerns among followers.
Nevertheless, inspections on the Twitter accounts of Ronaldo and Nigerian singers including Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid today showed that the verification badges on their accounts have been restored.
Recall that before Elon Musk acquired Twitter, users of the microblogging platform do not pay to get verified nor pay for a monthly subscription to renew their verifications.
However, Musk has rolled out a series of terms and conditions since becoming Twitter’s CEO. He announced earlier that the company would begin removing all legacy blue checks starting from April 1, 2023.
“On April 1st, we will begin winding down our legacy verified program and removing legacy verified checkmarks. To keep your blue checkmark on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue,” Elon Musk announced in March via a tweet accompanied by links to subscribe to the premium program.
In the last four years, Access Bank has become insatiable with its desire to make inroads into other African markets by acquiring other banks and financial institutions in other African countries.
Recently, Access Holdings, the bank’s parent company, pumped $300 million into the bank, ostensibly to ramp up its acquisition spree in Africa and expand its tentacles on the continent.
Italian Serie A leaders Napoli have expressed doubt in the availability of Nigeria international Victor Osimhen for their crucial UEFA Champions League first leg quarter-finals against AC Milan next week, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Osimhen suffered a muscle injury while on international duty with Nigeria last week, during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau and missed Napoli’s Sunday 4-0 loss against Milan in a Serie A clash at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona last Sunday.
Since joining the Italian outfit from Lille in 2020, Osimhen has grown to become an integral part of Luciano Spalletti’s side and the 24-year-old is enjoying a brilliant season, scoring 25 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions to help Spalletti’s side sit 16 points clear in the Serie A table and reach the Champions League last eight.
While the league is almost a done deal, the Partenopei are still in the race to win the Champions League but the striker’s chances of facing their rivals in the Champions League are looking unlikely.
The striker underwent treatment at Castelvolturno on Tuesday, and according to Sky Sport Italia, Friday will be a key date to know whether the Nigerian will be available in the Champions League next week.
“Napoli confirmed on Tuesday that their star striker underwent therapies in the morning at the club’s training centre in Castel Volturno.
“This means the 24-year-old won’t be available against Lecce on Friday when the Partenopei visit Lecce at the Stadio Via Del Mare.
“Friday will also be a key date to know whether Osimhen will be available against Milan next week. Napoli’s correspondent Massimo Ugolini maintains that the Partenopei will ‘need a miracle’ to have the striker back against the Rossoneri at San Siro.”
A 33years old notorious criminal identified as Nana from Amassoma and Ekeremor communities in Bayelsa State has been arrested by operatives of the Bayelsa State Volunteer Security Outfit for allegedly stealing a phone in a private residence at Samphino, Yenagoa.
He was arrested on Wednesday afternoon at Etegwe in Yenagoa the state capital, following an intelligent report from the victim who earlier pleaded anonymous.
Confirming the incident to the Volunteer State Coordinator, Chief Oyinkuro Lucky Asanakpo, the victim said the culprit broke into his house and stole Samsung A20.
When asked further, the suspect confirmed he stole the phone when no one was in the house.
At the time of the arrest the Nana was in possession with phones, ATM cards, sim cards belonging to people and other stolen items.
He has since been handed over to the Bayelsa Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and prosecution.
A 60-year-old man, Aminu Danmaliki, accused of marrying an 11-year-old girl in Kano State, has spoken out about the rumour.
The wedding video recently went viral on social media, with people claiming he married an 11-year-old girl, which they condemned, claiming that underage girls should be protected rather than married off to old men.
Danmaliki, via his Facebook page on Wednesday, claimed that his wife is 21 years old and not 11 years as people claimed on social media.
He wrote, “My recent marriage with Sakina has generated a lot of tension and unfounded allegations that I married an underage girl some suggesting she is 11 years old and that she was forced to marry me. That is untrue.
“The wedding video went viral. We decided to keep mute but were advised to state the true facts. Here it is: My beloved wife is 21 years old she made her own choice of me as her husband, and I loved her too.
“I hope the blackmailers and doubting Thomas’s will see the reality in this picture and leave us alone to enjoy our honeymoon.”
Civil society organisations demanding the sacking of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, over his disregard for court orders, resumed the call on Tuesday.
The activists during a joint press conference in Lagos, on Tuesday, stated that their demand was also connected to Bawa’s alleged politicisation of the EFCC and infringement on human rights of Nigerians.
The ‘Bawa Must Go’ protests are being led by the Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran; Executive Director, Zero Graft Centre, Kolawole Sanchez-Jude; Chairman, Coalition Against Corruption and Bad Governance, Toyin Raheem; Executive Director, Centre for Public Accountability, Olufemi Lawson; spokesperson for the Transparency and Accountability Group, Ayodeji Ologun; Director, Activists for Good Governance, Declan Ihehaire; and Ahmed Balogun of Media Rights Concern, among other.
The CSO were joined by lawyers, led by Mogbojuri Kayode of the Citizens Rights Advocacy Group.The protest against the EFCC chair began in February.
“It must also be noted clearly, that we are not opposed to the commission’s mandate to fight corruption, but we are opposed to the seeming politicisation of the agency under Mr. Bawa, its clear fixation on certain individuals in society, needless media trial, corruption within the agency, and the manner in which EFCC officials act above the law by corrupting our judicial processes with impunity.
“There is no greater corruption than trampling on the institutions that mediate among citizens and between them and the state. In the desperation to launder a rapidly diminishing image of Bawa, it is laughable that, recently, the commission’s spokesman signed a press release informing Nigerians that an unknown civil society organisation passed a vote of confidence on its chairman after our protests. Isn’t it the job of the media to see that and independently report?” the CSOs said in a statement.
But in a swift reaction, the Director, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement on Tuesday, said, “The allegations are unfounded. These claims are being made by the same set of people whom the agency responded to during our last press briefing earlier this year in February.
“Those making the claims are aggrieved people who are being prosecuted by the EFCC for corrupt practices.
“The groups, through press conferences and staged street protests, have been calling for the sack of the EFCC Chairman for alleged disobedience of court orders. They claim they are motivated by the need to strengthen the fight against corruption.
“Information available to the commission indicates that the group is sponsored by persons under investigation by the commission and have been mobilised and mandated by their paymaster to embarrass the person of the chairman through choreographed street protests across the country, until he is removed from office.”
Deposit Money Banks have begun to ration the disbursements of old N1,000 and N500 notes to their customers amid uncertainty over whether the Central Bank of Nigeria will release the old notes in its custody.
This came about 24 hours after the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, announced that old N1,000, N500 and N200 notes remained legal tender.
But despite the CBN’s statement on Monday night, the Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday insisted on the seven-day ultimatum it gave the Federal Government to end the cash crunch.
The apex bank’s position came on the heels of several weeks of confusion over the legal status of the old currencies amid a series of Supreme Court judgments in a suit between some state governments and the Federal Government.
The declaration by the CBN was expected to put an end to the scarcity of old and new naira notes that had inflicted pain on Nigerians but findings by The PUNCH on Tuesday revealed that the naira crisis might not be over soon.
Investigations by our correspondents revealed that banks were rationing old notes to their customers via over-the-counter payments with a few lenders loading their Automated Teller Machines.
But The PUNCH findings revealed that the majority of the lenders in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Kwara and other states were paying only N5,000 to each customer over the counters, while a few banks paid N10,000 only.
Further findings indicated that only a few banks loaded their ATMs and most of them were disbursing only N5,000.
The Nigeria Police Force has declared the member representing Bauchi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Yakubu Shehu, wanted.
The police announced a N1m reward for anyone with useful information that could lead to his arrest.
According to the police, the 45-year-old lawmaker is wanted for criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, disturbance of public peace and culpable homicide.
This was contained in the Special Police Gazette Bulletin with Reference Number: CB: 2685/Bsx/VOL.T/4s with the caption: “wanted”.
It was shared with journalists by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil.
“Honourable Yakubu Abdullahi Shehu (Wakilin Birni), ‘m’ 45 years old. Last known address: Off Danjuma Goje Street, Makama New Extension, Jahun ward, Bauchi Local Government, Bauchi State.
“The above person is hereby declared wanted by the Nigeria Police on CRO Form 5, issued by the Inspector-General of Police.
“He is wanted in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, inciting disturbance of public peace and culpable homicide.
“Anyone with information that could assist in his arrest should please contact; 08151849417 or report at any nearest police station,” the bulletin read.
The Afegbua family announced her passing in a statement issued on Sunday.
Afegbua, 79, was a native of Okpella, a town in Etsako-east LGA of old Bendel state (now split into Edo and Delta states).
“The Afegbua family of Edo state has confirmed the demise of the first woman senator in Nigeria, Senator Franca Afegbua, whose sad event occurred this morning, Sunday, March 12, 2023. She combined beauty and brain during her service to Nigeria. Funeral details will be announced by the family soon,” the family said.
She was elected the senator representing Bendel-north in October 1983 under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in Nigeria’s second republic.
Her political journey was, however, cut short as the military coup of December 1983 toppled the civilian government less than three months after she assumed office.
Speaking on how she was able to clinch her senatorial seat at a time the Nigerian political space was largely dominated by men, Afegbua told PLAC in a 2022 interview that women are known to keep their promises.
“People know that women keep to their promises. That was a major factor, a major one. I intended to keep my promises to my people, and I made them understand that,” Afegbua said.
“I think there has been some improvement since my time. There was no woman in the senate before me then but there are women now. Then, I was the only woman but now, there is more than one. I believe the number will increase gradually.
“I remember the day I was sworn in. I felt fulfilled but that did not stop me from continuing to engage with the women and youths in my community. Agitations for affirmative action to enable more women get into the legislature to address the low representation of women is good for women. I am happy we started something, and it is good others have built on our effort.
“My advice is that they should be determined and not lose focus. If they remain serious about their ambition to help their people, they should go ahead and run, and they can be successful.”
Ahead of the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations for the admissions into the 2023/2024 academic session in tertiary institutions across the country, data obtained from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Sunday by our correspondent revealed that 10 states presented less than 200,000 candidates for the examinations.
Based on the data from the board, the 10 states with the highest number of candidates are Borno with 16,793 candidates; Taraba (16,686); Bayelsa (16,494); Adamawa (15,504); Jigawa (13,983); Kebbi (13,482); Sokoto (13,042); while the three states at the bottom of the chain are Ebonyi with 11,172 candidates; Yobe (10,522), and Zamfara (4,988).
The board on its website noted that “at the end of the 2023 UTME registration exercise, the sum of N1,226,406,300 that would have been paid to JAMB-owned centres was paid to CBT centres as registration charges.”
Hailing the conduct of privately owned CBT centres, the Registrar of the board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said, “Based on the statistics obtained from the 2023 UTME registration data, it is crystal clear that privately-owned CBT centres performed better than their publicly-owned counterparts, which ironically have better facilities as they derived their funding from the public treasury.
“Based on the post-registration analysis conducted by the board, it was discovered that the below par performance of these publicly-owned centres is not on account of lack of facilities, competent personnel or needed resources, but for lack of sufficient commitment to drive the process.”
The 95th Academy Awards wrapped up in Hollywood on Sunday night.
Sci-fi comedy-drama Everything Everywhere All at Once was the big winner, taking home seven Oscars from 11 nominations. The film made history, with Michelle Yeoh becoming the first woman of Asian descent to take home the Best Actress award.
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the awards a year after actor Will Smith’s infamous slap on comedian Chris Rock.
The Labour Party has threatened that it will call on its members to occupy offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission nationwide for allegedly frustrating its petition against the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.
The spokesman for the Presidential Campaign Council of the party, Dr Yunusa Tanko, in a statement obtained Saturday, accused INEC of disobeying the order of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal directing the electoral umpire to grant the party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, access to the certified true copies of materials used in the conduct of the poll.
“It will be recalled that the aforesaid order of the presidential election petition tribunal was duly served on INEC on March 3, 2023, despite the fact that they were present and represented at the tribunal when the Order was made.
“Not minding the service of the said order on INEC, and a reminder letter dated March 6, 2023, and delivered same date at the INEC Headquarters Abuja, the electoral umpire has continued to ignore and or disobey the valid order of such magnitude till now,” Tanko said.
The PUNCH reports that the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on March 3 granted the request of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his LP counterpart, Obi, to inspect the election materials used during February 25 presidential poll.Atiku and Obi had approached the Presidential Election Court to seek permission for the inspection of election materials used during the poll.
Atiku and Obi had approached the Presidential Election Court to seek permission for the inspection of election materials used during the poll.
The PUNCH also reports that Atiku and Obi refused to concede defeat in the February 25 presidential election, vowing to recover their mandate in court.
The two candidates rebuffed the gesture of conciliation made by the President-elect, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, who in his acceptance speech after he was declared the winner of the poll asked them to support him in the task of building the nation.
Both the PDP and the LP rejected the election results over alleged rigging, and voter intimidation among other reasons.
Reacting further, Tanko said, “The action of INEC under reference also constitutes for all intent and purposes, an act of judicial insubordination and willful refusal to comply with the order of court.
“As we speak INEC has chosen to obey the court order given to it to reconfigure the BVAS machine, which they doing right now and ignoring the order granted to us to inspect electoral materials.
“We, therefore, call on the general public to note the level of lawlessness and brazen disobedience to a lawful order of a court by an important statutory agency such as INEC, and which is a well-calculated attempt to undermine and frustrate the presentation of the petition by the Labour Party and its presidential candidate before the tribunal in good time.
“We, therefore, want to state that we will not fail to call our supporters to march to INEC offices nationwide in a non-violent protest which is allowed by law.”
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress will meet with the party’s senators-elect and members of the House of Representatives-elect on Monday. The meeting, which is scheduled to be held … Continue reading APC to meet senators-elect, Reps-elect Monday
The residence of Akenfa on Friday blocked the Melford Okilo road which leads is the major road in yenagoa to protest for the state government address the public concerning the usage of the old N500 and N1000 naira notes.
Since the Bayelsa state government have refused to say something like other states concerning the supreme court judgement on the old naira notes which they were interested party in the suit which they lost residence have taken their anger to the streets of Akenfa blocking the Melford Okilo road.
Concerning the supreme order for the old N500 and N1000 to remain valid and legal tender till December 31st 2023, marketers and tricycle users still rejects it in yenagoa Bayelsa State.
No fewer than 10 passengers were burnt to death on Oyo-Ogbomoso Road on Thursday. The passengers, involved in a head-on collision involving a Mazda and a Toyota Hiace passenger bus, … Continue reading 10 burnt to death on Oyo-Ogbomoso Road
Personnel from the Nigerian Army’s 9 Brigade recovered 1,671 Permanent Voter Cards from an apartment in the Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos State on Wednesday.
According to Eons Intelligence on Thursday, three people were arrested in the apartment, while the main suspect was said to be on the run.
The troops also recovered ballot papers, cutlasses, and Indian hemp from the apartment.
Beautiful photos, as Yentown man promises to be the best husband to his Bride to be, he says she brought order into his life. This was shared on his Facebook … Continue reading COMING SOON: The Mayor’s Wedding
BREAKING: INEC chairman, National Commissioners in closed-door meeting over gov election The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and his commissioners are currently in a meeting. This may … Continue reading
BAYELSA REELS 