Austin Okai, the House of Representatives candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency in the 2023 elections under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has alleged that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is currently hiding in the state government house. This follows the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declaring Bello wanted in April after he failed to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja for his arraignment on charges of alleged N84 billion money laundering. The EFCC had called on anyone with information regarding Bello’s whereabouts to report to the commission or the nearest police station.…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Katsina State has filed a suit at the State High Court challenging the State Independent Electoral Commission (KTSIEC) over the non-refundable fees it has prescribed for aspiring candidates in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for February 15, 2025. The fees include N3 million for chairmanship aspirants and N1 million for those seeking councillorship positions. The SDP cited these financial barriers and other stringent conditions imposed by KTSIEC as the reasons for taking legal action. Bello Adamu Safana, the Chairman of Katsina SDP, disclosed this at a press briefing in Katsina on Friday. The…
A 43-year-old man, Raymond Mukaila, appeared in an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, on Friday, facing charges of theft involving property and cash valued at N999,500. Mukaila, who pleaded not guilty, is charged with stealing. The prosecutor, ASP Christian Okonofua, informed the court that the defendant committed the offence between February and March at Agbalumo, Oreyo in the Igbogbo area of Ikorodu. According to Okonofua, the defendant stole several items including an aluminum frame valued at N286,000, an aluminum window worth N210,000, three pieces of flue master valued at N16,000, three seat covers worth N10,500, and an iron pole pillar…
Kaduna State Police operatives have arrested five notorious kidnapping suspects and one suspected car thief, recovering a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser in the process. In a statement issued on Thursday, the State Command spokesman, ASP Mansir Hassan, detailed the arrests and ongoing investigations. “On June 15, 2024, at about 18:10 hours, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Maigana received intelligence from a concerned citizen regarding a group of kidnappers planning to collect ransom money from the relatives of their victim. Acting swiftly, the DPO mobilized his patrol team and some members of the local vigilante group to the location. The…
The Niger State Government has announced its readiness to collaborate with civil society organizations, media, and security agencies to tackle the menace of gender-based violence (GBV) in the state. This initiative is supported by a robust legal, policy, and institutional framework. Mary Yisa, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Niger State Ministry for Women Affairs, disclosed this in an interview in Minna regarding the issue of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEAH) in the state. Two weeks ago, the state government declared that any person who batters their spouse could face a three-year prison term or a…
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to abandon economic policies prescribed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), warning that adherence to such policies could lead to economic collapse. In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Chairman, Falalu Bello, the PRP criticized the government’s continued implementation of IMF-induced policies, which it claimed have led to widespread poverty, unemployment, and inflation in Nigeria. The party pointed to the removal of fuel subsidies, the devaluation of the Naira, and increases in interest rates as examples of IMF-prescribed policies that have exacerbated the suffering of Nigerians. The…
Daniel Bwala has openly criticized Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, in light of the recent meeting between ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and First Lady Remi Tinubu. Bwala stated that the photograph of Remi Tinubu with Obasanjo would cause sleepless nights for Obi. On Monday, Obasanjo visited Remi Tinubu to pay homage during Sallah, an event that followed just days after the former President was seen wearing a cap with Tinubu’s insignia. It is noteworthy that Obasanjo and President Bola Tinubu belong to different political affiliations, despite both hailing from the Southwest. During the 2023 presidential election, Obasanjo had…
A Federal High Court in Kano has nullified the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano. The court also invalidated all actions taken following the controversial reinstatement. In a verdict delivered on Thursday, Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman declared, “I hereby order that every step taken by the Government is hereby nullified and becomes null and invalid. This does not affect the validity of the repealed Emirates Law but includes actions taken by the Governor, such as assenting to the Law and the reappointment of Sanusi.” Justice Liman emphasized that he had reviewed audio recordings of the…
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has assured residents of Imo State of a free, fair, and peaceful exercise in the forthcoming local government elections slated for September 21 across the state’s 27 Local Government Areas. Charles Ejiogu, Chairman of the Commission, provided this assurance during a stakeholders’ meeting focused on achieving a credible election. Ejiogu noted that the forthcoming poll will mark the fifth local government election since the re-enthronement of democratic governance in 1999, with previous elections held in 1999, 2004, 2010, and 2018. Highlighting the importance of the exercise, Ejiogu emphasized that the third tier of…
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced plans to conduct local government elections. This was disclosed in a public notice signed by the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, and made available to journalists on Wednesday night. InfoStride News recalls that Governor Siminalayi Fubara recently swore in caretaker committee chairmen for the 23 local government areas following the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen who were loyalists of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). During the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Fubara emphasized that the tenures of the caretaker chairmen would be short-lived, as…
Hassan Kona, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticized Governor Kefas Agbu of Taraba State for what he described as the recycling of old politicians in the recent appointments of Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Community Special Assistants, and Heads and Members of Boards, Commissions, and Agencies. Kona expressed his disappointment on Thursday, reacting to the long list of appointees announced by the governor on Wednesday night. He described the governor’s action as a mere recycling of old and bemused politicians, though he acknowledged the inclusion of some young individuals in the appointments. “The governor’s…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it plans to forcibly take over the government of Rivers State, calling the claims ridiculous and baseless. In a statement issued on Thursday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the PDP provided no justification for its allegations and instead misrepresented comments made by Chief Tony Okocha, chairman of the Rivers State APC Caretaker Committee. Morka accused the PDP of ignoring the fundamental issues underlying the ongoing crisis in Rivers State. Morka stressed that the current turmoil in Rivers State was orchestrated by Governor Sim…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Nasarawa State Command has announced the seizure of 7,149 kilograms of drugs between July 2023 and June 2024. Peter Onche-Odaudu, the NDLEA Commander in the state, disclosed this at a news briefing on Thursday in Lafia. The briefing was part of the week-long activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Onche-Odaudu highlighted the significant efforts made by the agency to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking despite challenges such as logistics and limited funding. He reported that the seizures included 7,037.2 kilograms of cannabis sativa, 0.011 kilograms…
Gunmen have struck again in the Teaching Hospital Road area of Ado Ekiti, killing a Point of Sale (POS) agent known as Alfa Taofeek. Reports indicate that the gunmen, who arrived on a motorbike, shot and killed Alfa Taofeek, making away with his money and other valuables. According to an anonymous source, Alfa was just opening his shop after dropping his children at school when the assailants struck. Details remain sketchy at the time of filing this report. The police have reportedly taken his corpse to the morgue. Sympathizers besieged the area, describing the deceased as humble and easygoing, and…
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Thursday signed six significant bills into law, emphasizing their importance for the state’s development. The newly signed laws include: 1. Law to Repeal and Re-enact the Kogi State Local Government Service Commission Law 2014 2. Law to Repeal and Re-enact the Kogi State Scholarship Board Edict, 1998 3. Law to Establish the Kogi State Electricity Market and the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission 4. Law to Establish the Kogi State Anti-Corruption Agency 5. Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency Law 6. Kogi State Information Technology Development Agency Law Speaking…
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has voiced its concern over alleged attempts to interfere with the bail recently granted to suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, who is currently facing trial for alleged drug trafficking. Kyari was reportedly granted bail to attend his mother’s burial, an act which the AYCF defends as being within the legal framework. The forum condemned any actions that undermine the concept of bail, which it emphasized is crucial for upholding justice and fairness within the legal system. In a statement issued by AYCF President General Yerima Shettima, the organization reiterated that bail is…
The ongoing crisis within the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Wednesday as the party announced the expulsion of key figures Dan Orbih, Hon. Philip Shaibu, and Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama. The announcement was made by the Anthony Aziegbemi-led state executives, citing anti-party activities as the reason for the expulsions. Orbih, the National Vice Chairman South-South, Shaibu, the former deputy governor of the state, and Ogbeide-Ihama, a two-term House of Representatives member, were targeted in this latest move. The State Publicity Secretary, Ogie Vasco, released a statement confirming the expulsion. He stated that the decision was…
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, has lodged a petition with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS) following an attack on its members in Nkomoro, Ezza North Local Government Area. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 15, 2024, during a coronation ceremony in the community. The journalists, Mr. Inya Uchenna of The Sun newspaper, Chinelo Okoro, and Sir Godwin Oguta, both of FRCN Unity FM, Abakaliki, were invited to cover the event when they were attacked by hoodlums. The petition, titled “UNPROVOKED ATTACK ON JOURNALISTS AT NKOMORO COMMUNITY, IN EZZA NORTH…
The Nigerian Government and Sokoto State Government have announced a collaborative effort to address the ongoing terrorism and security challenges plaguing the state. Deputy Governor Idris Gobir made this declaration on Tuesday in Sabon Fegi, Sabon Birni town, emphasizing the need for a united approach to restore peace and stability in the region. Gobir revealed that a new military base will be established in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area to bolster security operations. “A military camp will be set up in one of the three towns most affected by frequent banditry attacks,” Gobir stated. “These towns are Burkusuma, Dama,…
The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Rivers State has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of intensifying the political unrest in the state. Addressing journalists on Wednesday at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt, APC Chairman Tony Okocha claimed that Governor Fubara’s disregard for President Bola Tinubu’s advice against establishing caretaker committees for local governments has fueled the ongoing crisis. Chief Okocha further expressed concerns over the Fubara administration’s repeated violations of court orders, particularly in cases where parties were instructed to maintain the status quo. “We are deeply troubled by Governor Fubara’s actions, which have only exacerbated the political turmoil in…