Author: Chima Onyido

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the High Court, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), reaffirmed his earlier order today, instructing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to either release former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, or bring him before the court for bail. The judge had on November 2 given the order following Emefiele’s appeal that the federal agencies violated his fundamental right. Emefiele had included the Federal Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, and the anti-corruption commission as respondents in the case. However, during the recent hearing, Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa SAN,…

In a recent development, the Yaba Magistrate’s Court in Lagos State granted bail to singer Azeez Fashola, known as Naira Marley, and Lagos socialite Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry. They were both granted bail in the sum of N20 million with three responsible sureties. Naira Marley, Sam Larry, and two others were arraigned and remanded on October 6 due to their alleged involvement in the circumstances surrounding the death of musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. As part of the bail conditions, Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun presided ruled that the the defendants are required to surrender their passports…

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, awarded N5 million damages against the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for alleging that the corps’ discharged certificate held by Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State was fake. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, held that the Director General of the NYSC and the corps, who were defendants in the suit, were guilty of misrepresentation of material facts. The judge held that the certificate presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Mbah was authentic and validly issued by the NYSC. Justice Ekwo further held that evidence before the court showed that…

Senator Chukwuka Utazi, former Senator representing Enugu-North Senatorial District of Enugu State, says he quit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) because the “ideals that attracted him to the party have receded into oblivion”. The Senator, who represented the district between 2015 and 2023, submitted his resignation letter to the Chairman of PDP in Nkpologu Ward of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state, Chief Robert Ezeagu, on Sunday. READ ALSO: Soldiers Prevents Suicide Attempt as Woman Jumps into Lagos Lagoon The letter reads: “It is with reservation that I resign my membership of the People’s Democratic Party which I had…

Nigerian Army (NA) soldiers from the 81 Division NA have averted a suicide attempt by Mrs. Francesca Spark, who jumped into the Lagos Lagoon near the 81 Division Officers’ Mess in Marina, Lagos, in an attempt to take her own life. This was disclosed by Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni in a statement, on Monday. He said, “The troops of 65 Battalion NA deployed at the Officers’ Mess, who sighted Mrs Spark quickly used their military riverine skills and ingenuity to rescue her. “She was given first aid and stabilized by the battalion medical…

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of Imo, Mr Mohammed Barde to the Force Headquarters. This is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Monday in Abuja. He said the redeployment of the CP ahead of the Nov. 11 governoship election in the state was in line with his commitment to ensure neutrality in the election. Adejobi said the decision to reshuffle the CP underscores the Police Force’s unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law throughout the…

Lagos Government has shut Ogba City Mall, Ikeja and Ajah market, Etti-Osa, over sundry waste disposal offences. The action was carried out by a combined enforcement team of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (LASTMA) and Lagos Government Special Environmental Corps (KAI). This is contained in a statement issued by Director, Public Affairs of LAWMA, Mrs Folashade Kadiri, on Sunday in Lagos. READ ALSO: Ohinoyi: Gov Bello receives Emir of Kano on condolence visit Kadiri said that shanties and illegal traders’ structures around Ajah BRT corridor and Ajah Jubilee Bridge were also…

Lightning killed three Senior Secondary School (SS3) students in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra on Saturday. According to an eye witness, the lightning struck nine male students who were playing football with their peers on the school’s pitch barefooted. “The students were practicing on the football pitch with their coach preparatory to a football tournament. READ ALSO: NAF airstrikes hit terrorists’ hideouts in N/East, N/West “The coach had ended the training session before rain started, but some of the students stayed behind to continue playing football. “Lightning, accompanied by claps of thunderstorm suddenly enveloped the area and the…

Nigerian music sensation and Grammy award-winning artist, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has replied the fervent requests from his fans for him to release new music. In response, the artist shared that he is currently on vacation and may not be returning to the music scene for the next four years. Commonly referred to as Big Wiz, he also mentioned that during this break, he might engage in sporting activities, including playing golf or other sports. READ ALSO: Village Head Accused of Raping, Infecting Girl With HIV in Jigawa In his post, expressed in Pidgin, Wizkid humorously said, ”…

Organizers of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) have announced their plans for the 12th edition, aimed at promoting indigenous movies on the global stage. The week-long event will commence with the exclusive premiere of “ORAH,” directed by Lonzo Nzekwe, on Sunday night. Scheduled to run from November 5 to 11, 2023, the festival will conclude with the highly anticipated premiere of “Breath of Life,” an inspirational movie directed by BB Shashore and produced by Eku Edewor. Speaking, a media parley heralding the festival at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, Founder and Director of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude, reaffirmed the organiser’s readiness…

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has advised staff members of the commission to remain non-partisan and maintain their integrity, ahead of the Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi governorship election. Yakubu said this when he visited some INEC offices to assess preparations for the Nov.11 Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo governorship election. This is contained in the commission’s bulletin in Abuja. Yakubu said that INEC was committed to credible election in the states. “INEC is not a political party and does not have a candidate in the Nov. 11 governorship election. READ ALSO: 12th Africa Int’l Film Festival…

Emeka Rollas, National President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has described the annual Nollywood New Yam Festival and Awards as a platform that unites stakeholders in the film industry Rollas, who said this on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the 11th edition of the festival in Abuja, added that the festival also showcased Nigerian culture. According to him, celebrating the diversity of Nigeria’s rich cultures and traditional values at the annual fiesta is what binds stakeholders from different background in Nollywood together. ”Nollywood have played a major role in propagating, promoting the culture of Nigeria and indeed Africa…

Ace actress Happy Julian-Uchendu, popularly known as Happy Julian, has received award of International Ambassador for African Culture at the 2023 Nollywood New Yam Festival in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Noni Okocha, Chief Executive Officer of “I am the Future of Nigeria Youth Initiative” also received the recognition of International Ambassador for African Culture. They were honoured alongside other industry stakeholders and promoters of African culture and values at the closing ceremony of the 11th edition of the festival on Saturday in Abuja. READ ALSO: Insecurity: US Warns Citizens to be…

The Federal Government is ready to support Adire, a locally-produced fabric, with some form of subsidy to enhance its production. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Betta Edu, disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday during her visit to the Adire mall at Itoku in Abeokuta. Edu who also visited the fabric’s production grounds at Asero said government would create an industrial hub across the country to further boost revenue for market women. She therefore assured market women of government’s intention to ensure the fabric became known around the world. ”This is why there is need for government…

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says it has commenced investigation into an accident involving an HS 125 aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-AMM, belonging to Flint Aero. Mr James Odaudu , Director of NSIB Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said in a statement in Abuja, that the accident occurred at about 8:21p.m. on Friday. “The aircraft, with 10 passengers and 3 crew members onboard, was en-route Ibadan from Abuja. The aircraft, on final approach to landing Runway 22, Ibadan Airport, crashed short of the runway. “There was no fatality, as all passengers and crew were safely evacuated. “As…

Tacha Akide, the Reality star and Radio host, has unveilef her newly acquired “N100 million” Range Rover SUV. Taking to her social media platforms, Tacha joyfully shared a video of the ride,  acknowledging her sugar daddies as the sources of funds for the car. She listed her sugar daddies who were brands that she work for, including many who were sponsors of the BBNaija reality show. READ ALSO: US: 400,000 Still in North Gaza Despite Relocation Efforts “I’m not one of those that’d come online and lie to you guys that I worked hard; it’s sugar daddy. Are you looking…

Four officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are feared dead following an ambush by gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates, in Bakana community in Rivers. A resident of the community who spoke on condition of anonymity told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Saturday that the incident happened in the early hours of Friday. The resident said the officers were shot dead on Bakana River in Degema Local Government Area by sea pirates. READ ALSO: Despite Diplomatic Talks, Israeli Strike on Gaza School, Palestinians Report “Two of the victims who are Muslims…

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom says it has nabbed five suspects and impounded a wooden boat together with 18 bags of rice in the state. The Commanding Officer (FOB) Capt. Uche Aneke, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibaka when he handed over the suspects and bags of rice to Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) in Ibaka on Friday. Aneke noted that the suspects were arrested around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday. He said the Nigerian Navy (FOB), Ibaka received intelligence regarding suspected smuggling activities within the…

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is committed to providing the necessary support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to unlock their full potential and ensure their long-term success. Tinubu, said this at the 2023 Edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF), organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Friday in Lagos. The event has its theme as, “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value”. He was represented by Mrs Lucia Shittu, Chief Executive Officer, Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board (TBSMB). Recognising the vital role that MSMEs play in the Nigerian economy, Tinubu stressed the government’s responsibility…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Friday inaugurated a new member of the Executive Council and two Permanent Secretaries (PS). Speaking at the ceremony at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Gov. Sanwo-Olu said the appointment of a new member of the State Executive Council was in a bid to expand the scope of administration in the state’s healthcare system. Mrs Oluwakemi Ogunyemi, a trained nurse and two-term member of Lagos State Health Service Commission, was sworn in as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health. Besides, the governor elevated two Directors in the State civil service to Permanent Secretaries.…