In a definitive ruling, the Supreme Court has affirmed the five-year prison sentence handed down to former House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan. The lead judgment, delivered by Justice Tijani Abubakar on Friday, dismissed Lawan’s appeal challenging the February 2022 decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja. The Court of Appeal had previously reduced the sentence imposed by a high court from seven years to five. Lawan, former Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime, faced charges stemming from a 2013 case. He was accused of soliciting a $3 million bribe from billionaire…
Author: Editor Francis
In a significant diplomatic visit, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrived in Luanda, Angola, on January 24 to engage in discussions with President João Lourenço and Foreign Minister Tete Antonio. The visit aims to reinforce the longstanding U.S.-Angola bilateral relationship, focusing on key areas such as climate initiatives, food security, global health cooperation, economic engagement, and trade. *U.S.-Angola Relations: A 30-Year Partnership Establishing diplomatic ties 30 years ago in 1993, the relationship between the United States and Angola has evolved with regular high-level engagements and increased collaboration on shared goals. Angola, recognized as a strategic partner and regional…
The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sentenced Feyi Daniels, the founder of iReign Christian Ministry, to life imprisonment for the rape and sexual assault of a female church member. The trial judge, Rahman Oshodi, delivered the verdict, finding the Lagos-based cleric guilty of the charges brought against him. The Bishop, who took the witness stand in his own defense during the trial, claimed that three out of the four women accusing him of sexual assault conspired against him. However, the prosecution’s lead counsel, Babajide Boye, aimed to establish a personal relationship between Daniels and the women, alleging financial…
Activities at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, were disrupted as workers, under the Joint Action Committee comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union, and the National Association of Academic Technologists, protested the alleged failure of the institution to implement the N35,000 palliative wage award. The protest, initiated by the workers, aimed to draw attention to the non-receipt of the palliative wage, which was approved to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal. The workers claimed that since the payment began in Ondo State in November 2023, staff members of the university had not received…
Time Out, a renowned publisher of guides and magazines, has designated Lagos as the 19th best city to visit globally, according to its latest rankings. The survey, drawing insights from over 20,000 city residents worldwide and Time Out’s editorial network, evaluated cities based on diverse criteria such as food quality and affordability, cultural offerings, nightlife, overall ambiance, community spirit, access to green spaces, and historical sites. Among African cities, Lagos stood out alongside South Africa’s Cape Town (ranked second) and Ghana’s Accra (44th) on the prestigious list. Time Out encouraged global citizens to explore Lagos, citing the city’s appeal to…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, citing worsening economic hardship in the country. NLC President Joe Ajaero, speaking at the 21st Daily Trust Dialogue in Abuja, expressed concerns about the impact of Tinubu’s policies on the Nigerian population. Ajaero specifically warned President Tinubu against heeding the advice of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), questioning the effectiveness of such recommendations for Nigeria. The removal of fuel subsidies by Tinubu upon assuming office in May 2023 has led to an increase in the prices of goods and services, sparking protests by the…
Nokia announced on Wednesday the signing of a multi-year patent cross-license agreement with OPPO, resolving all existing patent litigation between the two companies globally. As part of the agreement, OPPO will make royalty payments, including catch-up payments covering periods of non-payment. The specific terms of the deal remain confidential. Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, highlighting the mutual respect for intellectual property and Nokia’s commitment to research and development. Lukander emphasized the anticipation of collaborating with OPPO to bring further innovation to global smartphone users. The agreement, along with other significant smartphone deals concluded in…
Six individuals, including three military personnel, have been sentenced to death by hanging for their involvement in a coup conspiracy that unfolded three years ago. The sentencing, handed down on Wednesday at the High Court in Accra, marks Ghana’s first treason trial since 1966, the year of Kwame Nkrumah’s post-independence overthrow. The accused, arrested in 2021 while experimenting with weapons in Accra, faced charges of plotting to overthrow the government. Among the group is a skilled gunsmith, and despite maintaining their plea of not guilty, the court found them guilty of high treason and conspiracy to commit high treason. A…
In response to growing concerns over the safety of teen users, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has announced new measures to enhance protections against unwanted direct messages. The move, disclosed on Thursday, is part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to address regulatory pressure and ensure a safer online environment for young users. This initiative follows Meta’s recent commitment to concealing more content from teens, a response to regulatory demands urging the safeguarding of children from potentially harmful content across its platforms. The heightened regulatory scrutiny intensified after a former Meta employee testified in the U.S. Senate, alleging…
In a public alert issued on Wednesday, January 24, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has raised concerns regarding the widespread sale of counterfeit Arla Dano 14g full cream Milk Powder across various states in Nigeria. The announcement, disseminated through NAFDAC’s official communication platform, disclosed that investigations unveiled the brazen display of these counterfeit products in the market. As a response, NAFDAC has directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct thorough surveillance to identify and remove the fake Arla Dano Milk powder from circulation across the country. The agency urged caution among distributors,…
In a recent development, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) issued a press release addressing the circulation of a malicious video containing false accusations against military personnel involved in maintaining security in the Mangu general area of Plateau State. The video, attributed to Reverend Timothy Daluk, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Mangu Chapter, has raised concerns and prompted an official response. The video alleges bias and support for a specific group by the military, claims vehemently denied by the DHQ. The Defence Headquarters categorically stated that these accusations lack substance, branding them as baseless and malicious. The backdrop of…
The United Kingdom is poised to return several noteworthy Ghanaian cultural artefacts, including a gold peace pipe, which were looted from the Asante king’s court approximately 150 years ago. Contributing to this initiative, the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) will be returning 17 pieces, while the British Museum is set to lend 15 items, including a sword of state and gold badges. These artefacts, seized during 19th-Century conflicts, carry immense spiritual and cultural significance for Ghana, comparable to the renowned Benin Bronzes. The three-year loan agreements, with the possibility of extension to six years, have been established with the Asantehene,…