Author: Mariam Usman Lawal

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday filed a six-count charge against Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye popularly known as Bobrisky. Bobrisky will be arraigned on Friday before Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos. While the first four counts of the charge border on abuse of the Naira, the last two counts border on alleged money laundering. In the charge sheet filed by EFCC Prosecutor, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Rotimi Oyedepo, alongside seven other lawyers, Bobrisky in the first count is alleged to have tampered with the sum of N400,000 by spraying same while dancing at…

In response to mounting community complaints regarding the portrayal of thuggery and cross-dressing in films, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Films and Censorship Board, Abba El-Mustapha, has issued a directive to suspend and prohibit all such cinematic productions across Kano State. The decision was communicated through a press release signed by the media officer of the State’s Censorship Board, Abdullah Sani Sulaiman. The Board’s directive came shortly after a meeting between senior staff of the Kano Film Censorship Board and representatives of the Kannywood. Citing the authority vested in the Board by extant laws, El-Mustapha emphasised the…

K President Bola Tinubu has signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law on Wednesday. This significant move follows extensive deliberations by both the Senate and the House of Representatives on the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund’s report. Initially enacted in June 2023, the bill underwent legislative review and reconsideration before being ratified by President Tinubu. This marks his second legislative achievement since taking office just two weeks ago. The legislation, sponsored by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, aims to provide interest-free loans to financially disadvantaged students, enhancing access to higher education. It…

Kano State House of Assembly has certified the nomination of Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and three others as members of the State Executive Council. Mustapha, the eldest son of the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 General elections, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso was confirmed along Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, Abdujjabbar Umar Garko and Shehu Sule Aliyu Karaye. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf renominated Kibiya, a former commissioner for Land after he was sacked in September, 2023 for issueing death threat to Judges of Kano Election Petition Tribunal. Confirming their nomination during the plenary on Tuesday,…

Kano State indigenes, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has flagged off the distribution of free JAMB Forms to 6,500 Secondary School students in the state. While unveiling the distribution, Governor Yusuf said the gesture was meant to assist indigent students who could not afford the form. According to him, “Let me assure you that the gesture is a symbol of our government’s unwavering commitment to invest in the future of our children. We believe that education is a bedrock of development and by empowering our students, our children would have access to quality education, we are laying the foundation for…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have detained a 35-year-old lady, Chidinma Agbazue. Chidinma was allegedly caught attempting to export 20 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 10.70 kilograms concealed in African salad popularly called Abacha and dried vegetables to Doha, Qatar through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos state. NDLEA officers at the Lagos airport working in partnership with men of the Department of State Security had on Thursday 28th March intercepted Chidinma, an outbound passenger from Lagos to Doha, on Qatar Airways during clearance of passengers at the screening point of terminal 11…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has constituted the appointment of Caretaker Committees for State, Local Government, and Ward chapters where their tenures expired. The development was in accordance with the provisions of Section 29 (2) (b) of the Party’s Constitution. These Caretaker Committees have been tasked to overseeing the affairs of the Party at their respective levels for a period of three months. In a press statement signed by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary, on the 29th of March, the NWC calls upon all leaders, critical stakeholders, and members of the…

President Bola Tinubu has called on religious leaders to refrain from vilifying or denigrating the nation in their sermons. Speaking during Ramadan Iftar with traditional rulers and religious leaders at the State House on Thursday in Abuja, the President emphasized the important role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and fostering a sense of unity among citizens. He urged the leaders to be more constructive in their criticism of those in elective positions. President Tinubu also declared that his administration is determined to turn Nigeria’s challenges into prosperity. He reiterated that no terrorist can defeat the collective will…

A Saudi Arabian woman, Rumy Alqahtani, will in a historic first, participate in the 2024 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. This signals a huge milestone in the reforms being promoted by the Saudi crowned prince, Mohammed Bin Salman. The 27-year old Riyadh born Alqahtani, took to Instagram to express excitement at the opportunity while also highlighting the significance of the country’s landmark debut at the beauty pageant. With this announcement, Alqahtani becomes the second after Baharain’s Lujane Yacoub, who was at the previous year’s Miss Universe pageant, marking the first appearance of a contestant from the conservative Gulf region. The…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has shut down a fast food chain KFC outlet at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos over discriminatory practices. It was closed down with immediate effect from Thursday, March 28, 2024, according to a statement by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Obiageli Orah. “In line with Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, Part C, section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination which states that, ‘A person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle or facility that members of the public are…

Nigerian filmmaker and actress Eniola Ajao has addressed the controversy surrounding Bobrisky being presented with the “Best Dressed Female” award at the premiere of her movie, ‘Ajakaju’ recently. Reports indicate that during the launch of her highly anticipated film, “Ajanaku: Beast of Two Worlds,” on Sunday, numerous celebrities attended the event. Many attendees showcased intriguing costumes, and to the surprise of many, Bobrisky was awarded the title of Best Dressed Female of the Night, along with a prize of one million naira. This decision sparked discontent among some attendees. Toyin Abraham, Portable, Dayo Amusa, and others engaged in a…

Florida State Governor, Ron DeSantis signed a bill on that will prohibit children younger than 14 from joining social media in the state, reports NBC News. According to the report, those who are 14 or 15 will need a parent’s consent before they join a platform. The bill, HB3, also directs social media companies to delete the existing accounts of those who are under 14. Companies that fail to do so could be sued on behalf of the child who creates an account on the platform. The minor could be awarded up to $10,000 in damages, according to the…

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has taken legal action against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four other defendants for purported copyright infringement of musical works belonging to Nigerian artist, Maleke Idowu Moye. The NCC filed criminal charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as disclosed by journalists on Monday. The defendants named in the charge include MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, along with Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd., and Yahaya Maibe. The NCC alleges that between 2010 and 2017, the defendants engaged in the unauthorized sale, distribution, and use of Moye’s musical works and…

Paul Akintelure, a prominent gubernatorial hopeful within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, has tragically passed away. Prior to his untimely demise, Akintelure had voiced concerns over escalating threats to his safety. Expressing optimism that the situation would improve over time, Akintelure sadly witnessed the intensification of these threats as the APC’s gubernatorial primary election, slated for April 25, drew near. In a poignant statement released by his spokesperson, Oladapo Akintelure, on Thursday, March 21, 2023, Akintelure lamented, “Initially, I hoped these incidents would diminish, yet regretfully, they have escalated to pose a serious threat to my…

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced an upward shift in Hajj fare for 2024 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The increase in the Hajj fare, according to NAHCON is occasioned by unavoidable volatility in the exchange rates of dollar to naira. In a statement issued by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director, Public Affairs, (NAHCON) on Sunday, registered pilgrims who have completed their earlier final fare of #4.7 million are expected to make additional ofN 1,918,032.91 to equate the current forex rate. Besides, NAHCON said new registration for 2024 Hajj will henceforth attract N8,225, 464.74 (Adamawa/Borno); N8, 254,464.74…

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has unveiled a mobile application for Nigerians to modify their data on the National Identification Number (NIN). With this new app, Nigerians can now make corrections to their name, date of birth, phone numbers on their NIN profile. Before now, Nigerians who wanted to modify their data on NIN have had to go through a difficult process, besieging NIMC’s offices nationwide. How to modify your NIN data using the NIMC mobile app: Click on Register if you don’t have an account Click on login if you already have an account After login, you…

President Bola Tinubu has hailed the National Security Agency, Nuhu Ribadu and other security agencies over the safe release of the Kuriga school children in Kaduna State. About 287, were kidnapped on March 6 when the gunmen on motorcycles rode through their school, taking them away in an incident that sparked outrage and condemnation from several quarters including the UN children’s welfare agency UNICEF. Two weeks after their kidnap, the children were rescued by security agencies. The military on Sunday said the victims were rescued in Zamfara State in the early hours of Sunday, through the joint efforts of…

The Force Headquarters of the Nigeria Police on Saturday released the identities of 12 policemen, six of whom they said were gruesomely murdered and the six others still missing during a rescue operation in Delta State. They also confirmed the arrest of five suspects. The slain officers, according to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa AdejobI, the policemen fell victim to an ambush by armed assailants while undertaking a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in Ohoro Forest, Delta State. The deceased officers, according to the statement, include…

ABUJA—A bill proposing a new structure of salaries and allowances for judicial officers in the country has passed the third reading at the House of Representatives. President Bola Tinubu forwarded a letter along with the executive bill to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, urging swift passage of the proposed legislation. In the letter, the president said the bill seeks to end the “prolonged stagnation” of the remuneration of judicial officers. “The judicial office holders salaries and allowances bill seeks to prescribe salaries and allowances and fringe benefits for judicial officials to end the prolonged stagnation in their remuneration…

Two children have been burnt to death in Bauchi following a fire incident in their residence, the police said in a statement on Monday. The statement issued by the spokesperson of Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, also said a suspected motorcycle thief was set ablaze by a mob at Magamar Gumau market, Toro Local Government Area of the state. Mr Wakil said that the fire incident that claimed the lives of the siblings occurred on Sunday in the Madina area of Bauchi. “Upon receiving the distress call, a team of policemen attached to ‘C’ Divisional Police Headquarters rushed…