A 60-year-old herder, Audu Usman, on Monday, appeared in a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged defilement of his 14-year-old daughter. The police also charged a 43-year-old auxiliary nurse, Mrs Faith Akapa, with unlawful abortion. The prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Adeosun, told the court that the defendants committed the offence in 2019 at about 11pm at Ogboro Area of Imeke, Badagry, Lagos. Adeosun alleged that “The first defendant, Usman defiled his 14-year-old daughter. “The two defendants in 2022, at about 5pm conspired to commit felony to wit committing abortion.’’ The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Sections 137, 261, 411…
Author: Editor Francis
Retired soldiers, operating under the Nigerian War Veterans Association in Ogun State, have penned an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, highlighting their grievances over the neglect of welfare packages, particularly pensions. The letter, jointly signed by Fatai Shorinmade, the chairman, and Ogundairo Victor, the secretary of the association, was disseminated to the media in Abeokuta. In their correspondence, the veterans underscored the potentially demoralising impact of neglecting their welfare on serving soldiers nationwide. They emphasised the critical need for addressing the welfare concerns of both active duty personnel and retired war veterans, stressing that delayed welfare payments have…
The official foreign exchange market in Nigeria has experienced a significant surge in turnover, reaching $11.43 billion within a span of just over two months, following recent reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria, according to findings Reports and data from FMDQ Securities, a platform that publishes official foreign exchange trading information, reveal a staggering increase of 185.75 percent or $7.43 billion, between January and March 15th through the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange by Deposit Money Banks. Key players in this market include commercial banks, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and international oil firms, who primarily serve as sellers…
President Vladimir Putin is poised to tighten his grip on power on Sunday in a Russian election that is certain to deliver him a landslide victory, though thousands of opponents staged a symbolic noon protest at polling stations. Reuters Rport Putin, who rose to power in 1999, is set to win a new six-year term that would enable him to overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia’s longest-serving leader for more than 200 years. The election comes just over two years since Putin triggered the deadliest European conflict since World War Two by ordering the invasion of Ukraine. He casts it…
Recall a tragic incident in Delta community, the Nigerian Army suffered a devastating loss as attackers claimed the lives of a commander, three officers, and 12 soldiers. The fallen soldiers, serving with the 181 Amphibious Battalion, were on a peace-keeping mission in Bomadi Local Government of Delta State when the attack occurred. The Defence Headquarters has released the identities of the fallen heroes, sharing their photos and names on Monday. Their names are: – LT COL AH ALI COMMAND OFFICER 181 AMPHIBIOUS BATTALION NIGERIAN ARMY – Maj SD Shafa (N/13976) – Maj DE Obi (N/14395) – Maj SD Shafa (N/13976)…
Islamic cleric Sheikh Abubakar Gumi has restated the importance of dialogue in securing the release of kidnapped victims, attributing the actions of the kidnappers to frustration. Drawing parallels to the Niger Delta militant activities, Gumi emphasised the need for negotiations to address the underlying security flaws enabling such crimes. He stressed the innocence of the abducted children and advocated for all efforts to ensure their safe return. Gumi made these remarks during a radio programme on Nigerian Info in Lagos on Monday. Sheikh Gumi advocates for negotiations in dealing with kidnappings because he believes there’s a fundamental security flaw allowing…
A Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered Binance Holdings Limited to provide the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with comprehensive data or information on all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the interim order after ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho. “The applicant’s application, dated and filed 29th February 2024, is hereby granted as prayed. “That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing the operators of Binance to provide the commission with comprehensive data/information relating to all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform,” the judge…
Former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has strongly asserted that Nigeria’s survival under the executive presidential system is highly doubtful. He emphasized that the current presidential system spells doom for the nation. Speaking at the ongoing National Dialogue on the constitutional future of Nigeria, organized in honor of esteemed constitutional lawyer Prof. Ben Nwabueze by the Patriots, a group of eminent national leaders, Aregbesola voiced his concerns. The theme of the dialogue, “Lawful Procedures for Actualizing a People’s Constitution for Nigeria,” provided the backdrop for his remarks. Aregbesola, who boasts extensive political experience, having served as a Commissioner in…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that at least eight directors are slated to receive early retirement notices from the apex bank this week. The impending move has sparked widespread concern among CBN staff and raised questions about the transparency of the process. Sources familiar with the matter reveal that the affected directors, some of whom were previously redeployed to the FSS 2020 arm of the bank under the Governor’s Directorate, are being asked to exit the CBN. While some directors have reportedly already been served with disengagement letters, the terms of their departure remain unclear. The decision…
In a bid to address its fiscal deficit and debt service obligations, including social and job creation projects, the federal government of Nigeria is expected to raise the Value Added Tax (VAT), to 15 per cent by 2027, doubling the current rate of 7.5 per cent. This move comes as the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a renowned international business research firm, projects significant challenges for the country’s economy. The EIU’s latest Country Report highlights a forecasted widening of the fiscal deficit to five per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, slightly above the estimate for the previous year.…
UTM Offshore Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG), Nigeria’s pioneering indigenous company in the field, has announced its transition to the crucial Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Commissioning (EPCIC) phase of its groundbreaking project. Dr. Julius Rone, the Managing Director and CEO of UTM, revealed this significant milestone during a productive visit to Mr. Felix Ogbe, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), held at the board’s headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Rone expressed gratitude for the comprehensive support provided by NCDMB throughout the project’s progression, emphasizing adherence to international standards at every stage. He highlighted…
GOVIMA reported Sunday that the Niger government says a “NO” to the military relationship with the US army .It was gathered that the diplomatic relations between the United States and Niger have hit a significant snag following an unexpected move by a USA delegation. Sources reveal that the USA delegation, including military officials, purportedly made a clandestine entry into Niger without adhering to the necessary diplomatic protocols, effectively bypassing the country’s military leadership. This covert manoeuvre by the USA delegation reportedly culminated in a condemnation of Niger’s military leadership, with demands for their immediate resignation. The reaction from Niger’s military…