Author: Olukayode Oke

The Federal Government has finally admitted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, deliberately halted its initial plan to transmit the February 25 presidential election results electronically. The refusal of the electoral umpire to upload the election results had triggered controversy surrounding the outcome of the poll. Speaking on the matter on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed opined that the move by the INEC to suspend the uploading of results followed fear of cyber-attack. Mr Mohammed who disclosed this while speaking with some international media organisations in Washington DC, said the electoral body withheld the uploading…

Chelsea and Liverpool played out a tame goalless draw at Stamford Bridge that was a sobering reflection of the current reduced status of the clubs. Bruno Saltor was in interim charge of Chelsea following Graham Potter’s sacking while Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made six changes following their heavy defeat at Manchester City. Chelsea had the better of the chances, with Mateo Kovacic seeing his shot cleared off the line by Ibrahima Konate early on before shooting wildly over when clean through after the break. Kai Havertz, who was also thwarted by Liverpool keeper Alisson, saw a goal ruled out for handball by…

Former United States President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty in New York City to a string of charges linked to an investigation into a payment made to an adult film star ahead of the 2016 presidential vote. Trump, the first former president to be criminally prosecuted in US history, entered a Manhattan courtroom shortly before 2:30pm (18:30 GMT) on Tuesday to formally hear the accusations against him. The Republican leader faces 34 felony charges of falsifying New York business records “to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election”, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said as the indictment…

The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) has denied an allegation that it was involved in tracking and leaking of telephone conversations. The Commission in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka noted that  the it’s reaction  might not be unconnected with reports in which some persons insinuated it (commission) into the tracking and leakage of the conversation between the Founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop Oyedepo and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi. It insisted that as a regulator, it does not have the power to track or leak telephone conversation of anyone.…

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the 2023 elections, Peter Obi has reacted to the treason allegation leveled against him by the Federal Government. Obi made the rebuttal in reaction to an allegation of treason raised against him by the federal government through the minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The LP candidate said, “In the past few days, I have observed various campaigns of calumny directed at my person, with the latest being allegations attributed to the information Minister, Lai Mohammed from Washington DC. “It is most unfortunate that these consistent efforts to portray me quite contrary to…

Tonye Cole, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the gubernatorial election in Rivers State in 2023, has reported being assaulted by political thugs who he claims were sponsored by the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The incident occurred during a clash between members of both parties in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Monday, April 03, 2023. The altercation arose over the inspection of electoral materials. According to eyewitness reports, gunshots were heard during the clash, which took place outside the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Port Harcourt. Cole and other APC officials…

A Lagos High Court has rejected the “no-case’’ submission filed by ASP Drambi Vandi, who is accused of shooting Lagos-based lawyer Barrister Omobolanle Raheem on December 25, 2022. Vandi pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. Vandi’s counsel had argued that the evidence presented by the prosecution witnesses did not link Vandi to the crime. However, Presiding Justice Ibironke Harrison dismissed Vandi’s submission, stating that the prosecution had presented enough oral and documentary evidence linking Vandi to the crime. “The prosecution has established a prima facie case requiring some explanation by the defendant,” she said. “The only real issue now is…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja sympathised with former governor of Abia and Chief Whip of the Senate, Mr Orji Uzor Kalu, over the death of his wife, Ifeoma, aged 61. In the condolence message, Buhari commiserated with Kalu and Ifeoma’s family, friends and associates, urging trust in God for comfort and care during the very difficult period of pain and deep reflection. Buhari believed that testimonies given about Ifeoma’s fear of God and charity should provide strength for the family, knowing that she lived well, and served the will of the Almighty. The president prayed for the repose…

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sum of N725,345,897.77 and Plot J 37A 218 Close, 2nd Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, linked to former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi. Naija News understands that the legal counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bilkisu Buhari, earlier filed a petition before the court, stating that the money was illegally diverted from NIMASA. He further told the court that the sum was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, while the property was reasonably suspected to have been acquired with…

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Monday received another batch of 144 stranded Nigerians from Niamey in Niger Republic. Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi, NEMA Coordinator Kano Territorial Office, disclosed this while receiving the returnees at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State. Abdullahi, represented by NEMA Kano Head of Human Resources, Mr Suleiman Sa’ad-Abubakar, said that the returnees arrived at the airport at about 2:30 p.m “The returnees were transported into Nigeria by SKY MALI Airlines, operated by Ethiopian airline B737-400 with registration number UR-CQX” He said that the returnees were brought back under the care of the International…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has debunked the claim alleging that it paid N20 billion to ghost consultants and was involved in the theft of N18 billion liability tax due to the Ogun state government. On Monday night, Garba Deen Muhammad, NNPL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, disclosed this, saying the company has zero tolerance for fraudulent activities. NNPCL was clarifying an online publication alleging it was involved in the theft of multi-billion naira tax due to Ogun state. The company stated that the matter is already before the Court and it intends to prove its innocence. Muhammad described…

Nigerian champions, Rivers United are $350,000 richer after making it to the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup. Stanley Eguma’s side finished in second position in Group B following Sunday’s 1-0 defeat ASEC Mimosa at the Yamoussoukro Municipal Stadium. They have been joined in the last eight by seven other clubs. The quarter-final draw will hold at the CAF headquarters in Cairo on Sunday. Meanwhile, Rivers United are back in the country following their clash against ASEC Mimosa. The Pride of Rivers landed in Lagos aboard a Cote d’Ivoire Airline at about 11.45pm Nigeria time.