The Court of Appeal in Abuja delivered a ruling on Friday, dismissing separate appeals aimed at compelling the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to disclose the asset declaration forms of former presidents, their vice presidents, and principal officers of the National Assembly. The appeals were filed by the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) and the Incorporated Trustees of the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy. PPDC sought access to the asset declaration forms of former President Goodluck Jonathan, his Vice President Namadi Sambo, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, and his vice, Yemi Osinbajo, while the African Centre for Media…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
President Bola Tinubu has stated his administration commitment to combating smuggling activities and confronting what he terms as “old subsidy beneficiaries” in Nigeria. Speaking at a meeting with members of the Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu stated the need to defend the treasury for the benefit of the people. Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu has implemented measures aimed at discontinuing petroleum subsidies and unifying foreign exchange rates to eliminate long-standing arbitrage. However, he acknowledged that these actions have faced resistance from individuals and groups…
The Federal Ministry of Works has announced its plans to ensuring a level playing field for local contractors in handling road projects across the country. The announcement came following a meeting between the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and a delegation from the Association of Ministry of Works’ Contractors in Abuja. Minister Umahi said that while local contractors would be given opportunities, adherence to the highest standards and best practices would be non-negotiable criteria for consideration in securing contracts. He stressed the importance of strict compliance with procurement processes and job specifications, citing the critical role of road infrastructure in…
Mr. Kanmi Ajibola, the representative for Oriade State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, has called upon the National Assembly to enact legislation enforcing death penalty for corruption offenses. In a five-page letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Ajibola stressed the urgent need for stringent measures to curb the pervasive culture of corruption gripping the nation. Part of the letter reveals, “As a human rights activist, I should not be thinking of a capital punishment to curb or drastically minimise corruption in Nigeria, but for the…
Russia and Ukraine downed drones and rockets overnight as polling stations opened across Russia on the first day of voting in the presidential election. Kyiv has launched some of its largest air attacks on Russia this week ahead of the vote, which is set to hand President Vladimir Putin another six-year term in the Kremlin. Russia’s defence ministry said Friday it had downed drones and rockets over the Belgorod border region and the Kaluga region, southwest of the capital Moscow. “Air defence equipment intercepted and destroyed five drones and two rockets over the territories of the Belgorod…
The United Nations on Friday raised concerns over the recent surge in mass kidnappings in Nigeria, particularly in the northwest region, where criminal gangs continue to target schools, villages, and highways for ransom. This comes after reports emerged of nearly 600 people, including hundreds of school children, being abducted in the past week alone. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed dismay over the recurring incidents, and noted the need for investigations to ensure the perpetrators face justice. “Children have been abducted from schools and women taken while searching for firewood,” He said, “Such horrors must not…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has advocated for the transparent use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by developers to guarantee fairness and privacy for consumers. This call came during an event held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, in commemoration of World Consumer Rights’ Day, themed “Fair and Responsible Artificial Intelligence for the Consumer”. Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, stated the importance of AI developers being transparent about the data, algorithms, and models used in AI systems. He stressed the need for fair and responsible deployment of AI to address challenges facing the country. …
In a recent court ruling in Seongnam, South Korea, actor Oh Young Soo, best known for his role in the global hit Netflix series “Squid Game,” was found guilty of indecent assault. The charges stem from allegations of inappropriate behavior towards an actress in 2017. The courtroom sentenced Oh to eight months in prison, with a two-year probation period, and ordered him to complete 40 hours of sexual violence education. During the trial, South Korean media noted Oh’s subdued demeanor, with reports stating he kept his head lowered throughout the proceedings. Following the verdict, Oh quietly exited the courthouse, presumably…
Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully completed its most impressive Starship test flight to date on Thursday, even though the spacecraft didn’t survive re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. The mission, hailed as a step forward by NASA, saw the Starship travel more than halfway around the world before a fiery demise over the Indian Ocean. This third test flight of the Starship system marked a series of important milestones, according to The Washington Post. After a near-flawless launch from SpaceX’s South Texas facility, the Starship separated from the Super Heavy booster and embarked on a nearly hour-long journey. This success comes as welcome…
The United States Department of State has announced visa restrictions on several South Sudanese individuals on March 13, 2024. These restrictions target those deemed responsible for undermining peace efforts through corruption, which the US says fuels ongoing conflict in the country. The press statement released by Department Spokesperson Mathhew Miller stated the ongoing challenges South Sudan faces, including a lack of political will to create a stable and prosperous nation. The blame for this, according to the US, lies with leaders who prioritize personal gain through corrupt practices over the well-being of the South Sudanese people. The visa restrictions, implemented…
The federal government is locked in a tense standoff with cryptocurrency exchange Binance. The dispute centers on Binance’s alleged impact on the Nigerian Naira (NGN), and potential illegal transactions. As part of ongoing negotiations, the FG has demanded extensive user data from Binance, including information on the platform’s top 100 users in Nigeria and all transaction history for the past six months. This request is as a result of the government’s concerns about transparency and Binance’s potential influence on the NGN exchange rate. The situation has further escalated due to the detention of two Binance executives, Nadeem Anjarwalla and Tigran…
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), has announced the postponement of its plan to launch a satellite from the country. During the NASRDA Day presentation at the 8th Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Expo, Dr. Halilu Shaba, the Director-General of NASRDA, disclosed that the agency’s 2025 satellite launch plan has been put on hold due to insufficient funding. Dr. Shaba stated the ambitious nature of the plan and the financial challenges that prevent its execution at the moment. He mentioned that NASRDA lacks the financial resources to pursue other grand objectives, such as sending an astronaut into space,…