The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is accusing Apple of using “illegally exploited” minerals extracted from the country’s embattled east in its products, lawyers representing the African country said Thursday. The DRC’s lawyers have sent Apple a formal cease and desist notice seen by AFP, effectively warning the tech giant it could face legal action if the alleged practice continues. The Paris-based lawyers for the DR Congo accused Apple of purchasing minerals smuggled from the DR Congo into neighbouring Rwanda, where they are laundered and “integrated into the global supply chain”. Contacted by AFP, Apple pointed to statements…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger state, faced a dire situation as heavy rains pounded the facility, resulting in the escape of 119 inmates. The downpour, which lasted for hours on Wednesday night, inflicted severe damage on the prison, including the destruction of parts of its perimeter fence. Adamu Duza, spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory FCT Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), confirmed the incident, stating the urgent efforts underway to recapture the escapees. Despite swift activation of recapture mechanisms and collaboration with other security agencies, only 10 inmates have been successfully apprehended thus far. Duza…
The Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to host a grand official defection ceremony for Mr. Dotun Babayemi, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, and their respective supporters. This move follows Dr. Ogunbiyi’s defection to the APC in July 2023, while Mr. Babayemi, though yet to formally announce his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is anticipated to join the APC ranks soon. The defection ceremony, organized by a newly unveiled committee led by Alhaji Mayegun Debo Badru, will see the convergence of thousands of supporters and followers from across Osun State. The 12-member committee, with Hon…
The Federal Government of Nigeria in order to promoting inclusivity and safeguard the rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) has initiated the establishment of a committee aimed at elevating awareness about PWD rights. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the directive during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, James Lalu, in Abuja. The committee will collaborate closely with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to develop a comprehensive framework for advancing awareness about the rights and privileges entitled to individuals with disabilities. Expressing the government’s commitment, Minister…
In response to mounting legal scrutiny from the European Commission, TikTok, the Chinese-owned video sharing giant, has announced the voluntary suspension of its rewards scheme for the newly launched TikTok Lite app. This comes amidst an ongoing investigation by the EU concerning the potential risks posed by the rewards feature. The European Commission had issued an ultimatum, stating that unless TikTok could prove within 48 hours that the rewards scheme did not pose a serious risk, it could face orders to suspend the feature. The Commission emphasized the necessity for TikTok to demonstrate compliance with risk assessment and mitigation regulations…
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has made an appeal to the Italian government, urging them to cease the ongoing sales of arms and air-force jets to Nigeria. The group, represented by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, expressed grave concerns over the Nigerian government’s alleged flagrant violations of human rights, citing instances where arms procured from foreign sources were purportedly used to suppress innocent civilians, particularly in the South-East region. In a statement issued by Emma Powerful, IPOB highlighted the urgent need for the Italian government to reassess its arms deals with Nigeria, emphasizing the reported misuse of military equipment intended…
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated the “Eko Cares” Initiative, a social intervention program aimed at providing relief to residents facing financial difficulties. The initiative, which targets 500,000 households, is expected to alleviate the burden on vulnerable individuals and families across the state. The launch event, held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, was attended by dignitaries including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Femi Hamzat, Chief of Staff Tayo Ayinde, and other prominent figures from various sectors. The program will benefit households across 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos. Under the…
Four people were taken to hospital after spooked army horses broke loose during morning exercises in central London and galloped through the streets at rush hour, the army and emergency services said. Photos and video posted on social media by British news outlets showed two horses running along busy roads, dodging buses, taxis and other traffic. Both were wearing saddles and bridles, with one apparently covered in blood on its chest and forelegs. A number of prestigious army cavalry regiments have stables in the British capital and horses are a regular sight around government buildings on Whitehall,…
German police on Wednesday arrested 11 suspected members of a Nigerian mafia group behind a large-scale dating scam. The group, identified as the Black Axe gang, stands accused of orchestrating a large-scale dating scam that targeted individuals in Germany. The arrests come after a thorough investigation into the gang’s operations, which encompassed various criminal activities including money laundering and human trafficking. The Black Axe gang’s modus operandi involved using false identities to initiate romantic relationships with unsuspecting victims. Once trust was established, the fraudsters would then manipulate their targets into sending money under false pretenses These…
The Lagos Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps says it recorded 111 road crashes in the first quarter of 2024. The Sector Commander, Babatunde Farinloye, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos that 535 people were involved in the road crashes out of which 17 died within the period under review. “We had a total of 179 casualties, which comprised 162 injured persons and 17 deaths. A total of 111 cases were recorded; 14 were fatal, 65 serious and 32 minor cases,” he said. The sector commander said 98 commercial vehicles, 69 owned by individuals,…
Commercial drivers affiliated with CMS Taxi and Bus Nigeria Limited staged a peaceful protest in Marina, Lagos, yesterday. The drivers, facing economic hardship due to the lockdown of their park by the Lagos State Government, fervently appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for intervention. Speaking on behalf of the drivers, Alabi Kamorudeen, the union president, stated the sequence of events leading to the protest. He disclosed that the government had initially approached the union to utilize their park for an event, to which they consented. However, upon the conclusion of the event, the park was abruptly locked up. Kamorudeen lamented…
Passengers on a journey in Zamfara State thwarted a kidnapping attempt by armed bandits, resulting in the death of one assailant and the seizure of two AK-47 rifles. The incident unfolded along the Talata Mafara-Gusau highway, where the family of a bride-to-be, accompanied by other travelers, found themselves targeted by armed bandits. The bride’s family, en route to Kano for wedding preparations, faced a dire situation when the bandits ambushed their convoy. According to an eyewitness account obtained by PRNigeria, the passengers were taken by surprise as gunshots rang out in the vicinity. Two armed bandits on motorcycles blocked the…