A fatal road accident on Wednesday in Ebonyi State claimed the life of a prospective member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and left several others injured. The deceased, a female corps member, was among 12 prospective corps members traveling in a 14-seater bus en route to the NYSC orientation camp in Afikpo, Afikpo Local Government Area, for their three-week orientation course as part of the 2024 Batch C Stream II. The accident occurred when the Enugu North Mass Transit bus reportedly rammed into a parked truck in Amenu village, Okposi, along the Amasiri-Okigwe route. Eyewitnesses said the impact…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Justice Binta Dogonyaro of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Jubrin Buba, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), after he failed to appear in court despite being granted bail. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had earlier arraigned Buba before Justice Asma’u Akanbi of the FCT High Court, Kubwa, on charges of forgery and providing false statements. Akanbi had granted the defendant bail, but following her elevation to the Court of Appeal, the case was reassigned to Justice Dogonyaro for…
The Nigerian government, through the National Universities Commission (NUC), has approved the establishment of Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science, and Technology, Oferekpe. The institution becomes the 278th university in Nigeria and the 66th state-owned university in the country. The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, announced the approval on Thursday while presenting a letter of recognition to Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State. According to Prof. Ribadu, a copy of the recognition letter will be sent to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has called on the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR) to provide clarity and transparency regarding its claim of achieving a 143% revenue generation performance. In a statement issued by the APC’s Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo Esq., the party expressed skepticism over the DBIR’s assertion, describing it as a desperate attempt to mask the shortcomings of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration. “We find it troubling that the administration continues to boast of inflated figures without any verifiable data or tangible proof to substantiate such claims,” the statement read. “These claims appear to…
The legal adviser to the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party, Kehinde Edun, has alleged that the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, is now back working with the embattled national chairman. Edun made this statement on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme. “I believe so. He hasn’t made any categorical statement about that. He hasn’t said he has left the party,” Edun said when asked about Obi’s status within the party. “Yes, he’s with us, and I believe he’s speaking with Abure. That’s what I know and believe.” The Labour Party has been mired…
The Abeokuta High Court on Wednesday sentenced 22-year-old Jamiu Malomo to death by hanging for the murder of a sex worker, Asisat Akande, following a dispute over payment. The court heard that Malomo, who was 18 at the time of the incident, stabbed the deceased to death on July 18, 2021, around 9:30 p.m. in the Ori-Apata community, Oke-Aregba, Abeokuta. Dispute Over Payment According to the prosecution, Malomo picked Akande from a bar in the Panseke area and took her to his residence for sexual activity. Their agreement was for a payment of ₦10,000, but Malomo only paid ₦8,000 after…
Operatives of the Lagos Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have detained a 42-year-old suspected army impersonator accused of abducting and robbing a man of his valuables. The RRS announced the arrest on its official X handle, @rrsLagos767, on Wednesday. The suspect, identified as a dismissed army sergeant and ex-convict, was apprehended on Saturday under the Ikeja Bridge. Victim Identifies Suspect According to the RRS, the suspect was spotted by one of his victims near Computer Village, Ikeja. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had on December 30, 2024, accused his victim of bumping into him and allegedly causing the loss…
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the conduct of free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive elections that meet international standards. Speaking at INEC’s first quarterly consultative meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, emphasized the importance of credible elections for sustainable democracy and national development. The insisted that INEC must deliver in the upcoming 2025 general elections, particularly with off-cycle elections in Anambra State. Call for Early Preparations Dantalle advised INEC to begin preparations for the 2027 general elections without delay. The highlighted the need to…
Former United States President Donald Trump has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to immediately end the war in Ukraine, warning that failure to settle could lead to harsher consequences. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump urged Putin to “stop the ridiculous war,” emphasizing that it would be in Russia’s best interest to negotiate peace promptly. “I’m not looking to hurt Russia. I love the Russian people and have always had a very good relationship with President Putin – and this despite the Radical Left’s Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX,” Trump wrote. He acknowledged Russia’s historical contribution during…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged political parties to nominate fresh candidates for bye-elections into state and federal legislative positions to reduce recurring vacancies. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the appeal during the commission’s first quarterly meeting with political parties in 2025. He revealed that since the inauguration of the current national and state assemblies in June 2023, 23 constituencies have witnessed vacancies, necessitating multiple bye-elections. Prof. Yakubu noted that the commission conducted nine bye-elections last year, with an additional 14 vacancies occurring since then. He described bye-elections as “unpredictable, unbudgeted, and difficult to plan in advance,”…
A man identified only as Aliu was shot and attacked with a machete by unknown gunmen while riding a motorcycle toward Idufe village in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State. The assailants also stole the victim’s motorcycle during the attack, which occurred around 9:40 a.m. on Tuesday. Confirming the incident, Ogun State Police spokesperson Omolola Odutola told the media that Aliu was on his way to Iwoye to visit his family when the attack happened. “One Kugbukin Kolawole reported the incident to the Imeko-Afon Police Division, stating that the victim had borrowed the motorcycle from him shortly before the…
The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested Musbahu Auwal, a security guard at the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) Zonal Office in Sokoto, for allegedly conspiring with others to steal office materials and equipment. This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai. According to the statement, the incident was reported on January 17, 2025, at about 2:50 PM, by Ladan Muhammad, the Zonal Director of the NBC in Sokoto. Muhammad reported the theft at the Uguwar Rogo Police Station, stating that unknown persons had stolen items from the Commission’s office in the Gagi area…
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the federal government to review certain provisions in the proposed tax reform bills to alleviate the economic challenges faced by Nigerians. TUC President, Festus Osifo, made this appeal in a statement on Tuesday following the organization’s National Executive Council meeting. Osifo called for an increase in the threshold for tax exemptions, arguing that the current proposal in the bill is insufficient. “The threshold for tax exemptions should be increased from the current N800,000 per annum, as proposed in the bill, to N2,500,000 per annum. This will provide relief to struggling Nigerians…
The political camps of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, will face off on February 10, 2025, at the Supreme Court in five separate cases filed against each other over unresolved disputes concerning Rivers State matters. The two camps shifted their legal battles to the apex court on Monday, where a five-member panel, led by Justice Uwani Musa Aba-Aji, fixed February 10 for the determination of the cases. The court granted an adjournment to allow both parties to file and exchange necessary court documents. For procedural efficiency, the Supreme Court consolidated four of the appeals…
The Senator representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, has dismissed rumours of his alleged defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC). The speculation emerged following a viral video on social media showing Mustapha in a conversation with former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at a public event. The footage fueled reports of his possible exit from the ruling party. However, addressing the claims on Monday, Mustapha, who also holds the title of Turaki of Ilorin, refuted the allegations in a statement released by his media aide, Nasif Solagberu. He described the rumours as baseless and unfounded.…
Residents of Shavoh, a neighborhood in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, are living in fear following reports of suspected gunmen patrolling the area on Sunday night. Eyewitnesses told reporters that the unidentified individuals, armed with dangerous weapons, were seen monitoring homes during the early hours of Monday. The armed figures were said to have been moving stealthily through the streets, sparking widespread concern among residents. “We no longer feel safe even in our own homes,” a resident lamented, reflecting the unease in the community. Community leaders and residents have called on the state government and security agencies to act swiftly,…
A coalition of civil society organizations under the aegis of the Socialist Liberation Movement (SLM) has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies and development initiatives. The coalition’s position comes in the wake of criticism from former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who, at the 21st Chief Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Lecture in Lagos on January 15, accused Tinubu’s administration of mishandling the economy. Sanusi argued that the government lacked credible individuals to effectively communicate its economic policies to Nigerians. Sanusi’s remarks have drawn backlash from the Federal Government and sections of…
Pope Francis has described plans by former U.S. President Donald Trump to deport illegal migrants as a potential “disgrace” if implemented. In an interview with an Italian TV program from his Vatican residence, the Catholic Pontiff expressed concern over the impact of the proposed deportations on vulnerable individuals. “If the plans go ahead, Trump would make poor wretches that don’t have anything foot the bill,” Pope Francis said. “That’s not right. That’s not how you solve problems.” The Pope also extended a message to Trump on Monday, offering “cordial greetings” and urging him to foster a society with “no room…
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his government’s readiness to rebuild relations with the incoming United States administration, hours before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Speaking during a televised Russian Security Council meeting on Monday, Putin commended statements from Trump and his team about restoring direct contact with Russia and preventing global conflict. “We certainly welcome this approach and congratulate the elected president of the United States of America on taking office,” Putin said. He emphasized Russia’s openness to dialogue, stating, “We have never refused dialogue and have always been ready to maintain smooth cooperative relations with any American administration. We…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticized the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Adolphus Wabara, accusing him of fueling the ongoing crisis within the party. Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Sunday, Wike alleged that Wabara and some PDP leaders are responsible for the party’s setbacks, particularly through their actions and utterances. The Minister condemned the push by some PDP leaders to oust the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and the National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, despite existing court rulings. “If Wabara were my father, I would have…