In a decisive crackdown on cybercrime, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended 14 individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. The arrest, executed by operatives from the EFCC’s Makurdi Zonal Directorate, took place during a meticulously planned sting operation at the Federal Low-Cost Housing Estate, a residential area within the city. The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests in an official statement released on Friday in Abuja He revealed that the operation was the result of actionable intelligence received by the commission, which indicated that the suspects were deeply…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan has ordered the remand of five men accused of attempting to murder a neighbour in a rural community. The defendants—Aliu Hammed, 23; Molomo Tairu, 20; Haruna Isiaq, 25; Abdullahi Isiaq, 22; and Abdulmumini Idris, 25—are facing charges of conspiracy and attempted murder, bringing them before the court on serious criminal accusations. In addition, the Chief Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, presided over the session on Friday and made the decision to remand the accused individuals in the Agodi Correctional Facility in Ibadan. The remand was ordered due to the court’s lack of jurisdiction to…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has reiterated its unwavering support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, emphasising his rightful position within the party amid ongoing internal disputes. The forum has vowed to engage with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to review the recently held congresses in Rivers State, aiming to address any anomalies and restore order within the party. The PDP Governors’ Forum made its position clear in a communiqué released after its 4th regular monthly meeting, which took place at the Government House in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, on Friday. The…
The Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised concerns over what it describes as a violent outburst by supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following the Supreme Court’s recent verdict. The Director of Media and Publicity for the Kogi APC Campaign Council, Kingsley Fanwo, detailed the incident in a statement released on Friday, alleging that the violence was triggered by the actions of the SDP supporters after the court’s ruling affirmed Governor Usman Ododo’s election victory. According to Fanwo, the disturbances reportedly began immediately after the Supreme Court delivered its judgement, confirming Ododo as the…
With the Edo State governorship election just weeks away, Dr Dennis Osahon Aikorogie, the National Rescue Movement (NRM) candidate, has announced his withdrawal from the race and his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This decision marks a significant political shift as the state prepares for a highly contested election. On Friday, during a rally organised by the APC at Textile Mill Road in Benin City, Aikorogie made his decision public. He cited his desire to contribute to Edo State’s progress as the primary reason for his withdrawal and subsequent support for the APC. This move, he emphasised, is…
Ralph Okey Nwosu, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reassess and clarify his administration’s vision to truly benefit the Nigerian populace. Nwosu expressed concern that the current “Renewed Hope Agenda” of Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) government has so far resulted in increased poverty and hardship across the country. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Nwosu voiced his dissatisfaction with the direction of the Tinubu administration. He pointed out that the president’s vision remains unclear to many Nigerians, and that without a clear and actionable plan, the nation is at risk…
The Supreme Court has confirmed the re-election of Senator Douye Diri as the legitimate Governor of Bayelsa State, dismissing an appeal brought by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Timipre Sylva. The judgment, delivered on Friday, marked the culmination of a protracted legal battle that had gripped the political landscape of Bayelsa. In the lead judgment, Justice Garba Lawal ruled decisively against the appeal, declaring it to be not only without merit but also a gross abuse of the judicial process. The court’s decision was unanimous, aligning with the earlier rulings of both the Court of Appeal and…
Vice President Kamala Harris, in a momentous address delivered in Chicago, officially accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president. Her speech, marked by passion and conviction, offered a vision of unity and progress for the United States, promising to serve all Americans if elected to the highest office. On the final evening of the Democratic National Convention, Harris took to the stage to share her personal story, emphasising her roots and the experiences that shaped her as a leader. The Vice President’s speech also served as a platform to confront key issues facing the nation, including the ongoing conflict in…
The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeals lodged by the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the election of Hope Uzodinma as the Governor of Imo State. The decisions were a significant blow to both Athan Achonu, the LP’s gubernatorial candidate, and Samuel Anyawu of the PDP, who sought to overturn Uzodinma’s victory in the November 11, 2023 election. In delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Baba Idris declared that the appellants had failed to substantiate their allegations of electoral malpractice, including claims of overvoting. The court ruled that the evidence presented by both the LP…
A pro-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) group, operating under the banner of PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, of orchestrating a media campaign against Senator Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT). The group also alleges that Wike is the primary instigator of the ongoing political unrest in Rivers State. In a press briefing held in Umuahia, Abia State, the National Coordinator of the group, Emeka “Yellow” Ikpegbu, voiced strong concerns over Wike’s actions. Ikpegbu criticised Wike’s negative reaction to the recent visit of…
The unpredictable and inconsistent rainfall patterns currently being experienced across Nigeria have raised significant concerns among experts, who warn that this could severely impact food production in 2024 and beyond. In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), environmental and agricultural experts highlighted the potential consequences of these weather anomalies, which could exacerbate food shortages and increase poverty levels. Ms Gloria Bulus, an environmental specialist and founder of the Bridge-that-Gap Initiative, expressed deep concern over the erratic rainfall, noting that it could lead to reduced agricultural yields, thus intensifying food insecurity in the country. She explained that many…
President Bola Tinubu has called on the Nigerian Armed Forces to maintain heightened vigilance and proactive measures in addressing the evolving security threats facing the nation and its surrounding region. This directive was delivered during the Graduation Ceremony of Course 32 at the Nigerian Defence College, Abuja, a prestigious event marking a significant milestone in the professional development of the nation’s military leaders. In a message conveyed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President at the ceremony, Tinubu emphasised his administration’s unwavering commitment to securing Nigeria as a safe and stable environment for investment and economic growth. He…
A farmer from Benue State, Imoter Tarkighir, was remanded in custody on Friday on charges of criminal trespass, intimidation, and unlawful possession of firearms. The case, which has drawn attention due to its serious nature, was brought before Magistrate Kelvin Mbanongun at a Makurdi court. However, the defendant’s plea was not taken as the court lacked the jurisdiction to do so. Magistrate Mbanongun, recognising the gravity of the charges, ordered that Tarkighir be held at the Makurdi Correctional Centre while the police continue their investigation. The case has been adjourned until 7th November for further mention, allowing time for the…
A 17-year-old student from the Federal Government Science and Technical College (FGSTC) in Doma, Nasarawa State, has been reported missing under concerning circumstances. The young girl, Miss Mercy Dauda, was last seen after attending a Young Catholic Students (YCS) convention at Madonna Girls College, located in Tudun Kauri, Lafia Local Government Area. Her sudden disappearance has left her family and school community in a state of deep distress. Mercy Dauda, a Senior Secondary School 3 student, was reportedly last seen on Thursday, shortly after the conclusion of the YCS convention. According to eyewitness accounts, she was accompanied by a classmate…
On Thursday, Marvellous Godwins Omobayo emphatically reaffirmed his position as the legitimate Deputy Governor of Edo State, amidst ongoing legal disputes surrounding his office. Speaking confidently during a visit from the leadership and members of the three recognised transport unions in Edo State, Omobayo made it clear that he continues to fulfil his constitutional duties with unwavering commitment. Omobayo’s declaration comes at a time of considerable political turbulence in Edo State, following the controversial impeachment of his predecessor, Philip Shaibu. Despite the upheaval, Omobayo has remained resolute, stating that the challenges have not deterred him from his primary responsibility—supporting Governor…
In what promises to be a historic moment for Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu is expected to swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Friday, pending any unforeseen circumstances. Justice Kekere-Ekun, who is currently the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, is set to succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who will be stepping down after an illustrious career in public service. Justice Kekere-Ekun’s elevation marks a significant milestone in the history of Nigeria’s judiciary, as she will become the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria. Her appointment comes at a time when there is…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is taking significant strides to enhance its fight against economic and financial crimes by leveraging advanced technology. The EFCC Chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, emphasised this commitment during the inauguration of a state-of-the-art electronic learning management studio at the EFCC Academy in Abuja. This new initiative reflects the commission’s determination to modernise its operations and enhance the capabilities of its workforce in tackling corruption and other financial crimes. In his address, Mr Olukoyede highlighted the critical role of technology in the modern fight against corruption. He underscored how the financial landscape has evolved, with…
The leadership of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has issued a strong call for an independent forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), focusing on the period of Engineer Mele Kyari’s leadership from 2020 to the present. This demand comes in response to recent revelations regarding NNPC’s financial operations, which have raised serious concerns about the management and transparency of the nation’s oil revenues. In a statement released on Thursday and circulated to journalists, the CNPP expressed profound shock and disappointment over NNPC’s recent request for the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to reimburse an…
The Action Alliance (AA) has expressed strong disapproval towards Mr Kenneth Udeze, accusing him of deliberately misleading the public and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding his standing within the party. In a statement released on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Olu Omotoso, the AA asserted that Udeze, having been both suspended and ultimately expelled from the party, has no legitimate authority to represent or speak on behalf of the Action Alliance. According to the statement, Udeze’s suspension and subsequent expulsion strip him of any moral or constitutional rights to act as a spokesperson for the…
In a significant legal development, the Benue State High Court in Makurdi has issued an injunction preventing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its planned state congress in Benue State. This judicial order, handed down by Justice Theresa Igoche, represents a substantial setback for the PDP’s organisational activities within the state and adds a layer of complexity to the internal dynamics of the party. The court’s decision follows a lawsuit initiated by a group of plaintiffs, including Igbawuwa Andover Alfred and others, who sought to challenge the planned congress. The legal action was directed not only against the…