A lawyer, simply identified as Okechukwu, was killed in a tragic road crash that occurred along the Awka area of the Awka-Enugu Expressway in Anambra State on Sunday night.

Our correspondent gathered that the lawyer died after his vehicle hit an abandoned articulated truck on the road and somersaulted into a nearby drainage.

A kinsman of the victim who identified him said the deceased had just deposited the remains of his late mother at the mortuary before the incident happened.

The kinsman, who pleaded anonymity, said, The incident happened along the expressway along the Awka area. The deceased thought the truck was moving, but when he realised it wasnt moving, it was too late as he hit it, and his car veered into the gutter.

The lawyer had recently welcomed a newborn with his wife, whom he married in February. His sudden demise has left his loved ones in shock.

“He had just put his late mother in the mortuary and was preparing for the funeral. Now, he’s joined her in the mortuary. The incident serves as a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability and the importance of cherishing every moment”

It was an avoidable death caused by allowing abandoned vehicles to stay on the road longer than necessary. The stationary vehicle was at a dangerous position on the road thereby posing a danger to other road users”

It was gathered that the victims remains had been deposited at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, morgue after he was confirmed dead.

Other residents have criticised traffic officials including the Federal Road Safety Corps for allegedly allowing the abandoned truck to remain on the road longer than necessary without taking action to tow it away.

But reacting to the development, the Corps Commander, FRSC, Anambra State Command, Joyce Alexander, commiserated with the family members of the victim, praying God to comfort all of them and take care of the family he left behind.

Alexander said the abandoned truck could not be towed because of the load it was carrying, adding that she had directed the FRSC personnel to cordon off the scene with reflective tape.

She said, “I am aware that he ran into a broken-down stationary truck. Unfortunately, this happened in the night and the FRSC rescue team that went for the rescue operation could not ascertain from any eyewitness what really happened.

“It was not a tyre burst, as no tyre burst was observed. The only likely explanation is excessive speed which might have led to loss of control. We arrived at this conclusion because of the skid marks and yeo marks trailing on the crash scene.

“I have also visited the scene to confirm the marks and the apparent struggle with the steering before the vehicle eventually tumbled. I will like to point out here that the FRSC is not, and cannot be at every place.

“And that’s why we solicit the collaboration and assistance of so many groups and individuals, the media inclusive. That is also why we have the FRSC toll-free emergency number: 122.

“We rely on every member of society to alert us on crashes and obstructions.”

He noted that because the truck could not be towed due to the load it was carrying, he had directed his staff to cordon off the scene with reflective tapes to warn oncoming traffic in the night, pending when the truck could be offloaded and towed in the morning.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged downtrodden Nigerians who bear the marks or burden of broken promises, exploitation and corruption not to give up hope on their country.

President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero said this in a statement to workers and Nigerians on independence day on Monday.

The statement reads: On the occasion of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary celebration, we congratulate all Nigerians, especially workers for their sacrifice, resilience or robust spirit in spite of serial acts of betrayal of monumental proportions by the political leadership at various times and levels.

We urge the downtrodden Nigerians who bear the marks or burden of these broken promises, exploitation and corruption to not give up hope on their country.

In light of the fact that their sacrifice has been taken for granted for so long, they should learn to protest within the limits of the law against injustices and subversion of democratic norms, culture and values by the dominant political elite.

It should be apparent to the citizenry that the leading political elite are not ready to do the right thing except they are compelled to do so.

In the same vein, we would like to sound a note of caution to our political elite whose pre-occupation is to circumvent the principles and practice of popular democracy that undermining our democratic institutions can no longer be business as usual.

The consequences of their acts of commission or omission brought us this far. It is time to turn a new leaf. Let it be the beginning of a new low.

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has officially confirmed the suspension of several senior officers, including Deputy Comptroller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa, over allegations of ethical violations related to the custody of crossdresser Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, at the Kirikiri Medium Security Custodial Centre in Lagos.

This affirmation came after DCC Anugwa contested claims of his suspension during a parliamentary inquiry held in Abuja on Monday.

Anugwa insisted he had not been suspended, contradicting the directive from the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

In response, NCoS spokesperson, ACC Abubakar Umar released a statement on Monday night clarifying the situation.

According to Umar, the suspension, which was implemented on September 26, 2024, had been properly communicated to the officers involved.

He said, The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video of one of its senior officers purporting that the Service has not served him a letter of suspension as earlier directed by the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board CDCFIB.

The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not only the said officer in the video, but three other officers following their alleged roles in various misconducts so as to allow for further investigation.

The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi state.

Recall that two letters were issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services board (CDCFIB) with reference nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17 both dated 26th September, 2024, suspending the aforementioned officers.

The suspension which took effect from the 26th of September, 2024, was conveyed to the various officers accordingly.

The public is advised to remain resolute as the Service would ensure that thorough investigation would be carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Rules as well as other extant laws.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned former governor of Taraba State, Darius Dickson Ishaku and former permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, before Justice S. C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja for fraud.

The reports said that the duo are being prosecuted on a 15-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds in the state to the tune of N27,000,000,000.00 (Twenty Seven Billion Naira).

One of the charges reads: That you Darius Dickson Ishaku whilst being the governor of Taraba State and Bello Yero whilst being the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State between July, 2015 and May, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N1,138,082,097.71 (One Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Eighty-Two Thousand, Ninety- Seven Naira, Seventy-One Kobo), which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property, when you dishonestly diverted the said sum to your own use and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under the same section.

Another reads: That you Darius Dickson Ishaku whilst being the governor of Taraba State and Bello Yero, whilst being the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State between July, 2015 and May, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly misappropriated certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N1,138,082,097.71 (One Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Eighty-Two Thousand, Ninety-Seven Naira, Seventy-One Kobo, which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Act.

They pled not guilty when all the charges were read to them, prompting prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN to ask the court for a trial date as well as accelerated hearing on the matter, while Paul Haris Ogbole, SAN and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, counsel to Ishaku and Yero respectively made oral bail applications which Jacobs opposed, insisting on formal applications.

Justice Oriji, adjourned the matter till Thursday, October 3, for hearing on bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCCs custody. Both defendants were arrested on September 27, 2024.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied receiving a bribe to drop the money laundering charge against controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky.

The EFCC, on Monday, explained that the allegations of money laundering were dropped based on Bobrisky’s confessional statement on naira abuse in court and the disclosure of the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML, that Okunenye’s firm, Bob Express, was not a Designated Non Financial Institution, Business and Profession, DNFIBP, and could not be prosecuted for flouting provisions of the Money Laundering Prevention & Prohibition Act, 2022.

The representative of the anti-graf agency, Bilikisu Bala, head of the prosecution team that handled the trial of Bobrisky, who made the clarification during an appearance before the House of Representatives investigative committee probing the alleged case of ₦15 million bribery involving Bobrisky and the EFCC, added that it is well within the powers of the agency to amend charges.

Bala denied any insinuation that the EFCC or any of its operatives received a bribe to drop the charges against Bobrisky.

“We initially raised six count charges bordering on Naira Abuse and Money Laundering against Okuneye based on his confessional statement that his firm, Bob Express, was not registered with SCUML and was not rendering returns to it. Counts 1-4 were on Naira Abuse while counts five and six were on money laundering”

“Okunenye’s confession that he didn’t register his firm, Bob Express with SCUML and not rendering returns to it informed the money laundering charges initially included in the six count charges. However, when we wrote to SCUML on the status of the firm, the Unit responded that it was not a Designated Non-Financial Institution, Business and Profession, DNFIBP. We cannot lawfully sustain the charges in all sincerity. We, therefore dropped them and relied on the four counts on Naira mutilation to which Okuneye had pleaded guilty”, she said.

The prosecutor dismissed claims of financial inducement in dropping charges maintaining that no such thing happened.

“There is simply no basis for that. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, allows amendment of charges. It is a professional practice. It is laughable for anyone to attribute our decision to monetary issues. Why did we write to SCUML if we didn’t want to include the charges? We wrote to be lawfully guided and when the Unit responded that the firm had not breached any law, on what basis should we have retained the money laundering charges?”, she said.

The Chairman of the Committee, Ginger Onwusibe, however, said that at the next meeting, the person who did the audio recording on the alleged bribery should appear before the committee while the meeting was adjourned sine die.

Meanwhile, the lawyer to Bobrisky, Avwerosuoghene Omuvwie, told the investigative committee that his client couldn’t appear physically due to health issues.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force yesterday fired teargas canisters at Nigerian youth protesting against the high cost of living in the country.

The reports said that the protesters had assembled near the popular Berger roundabout at about 7 am marching towards the Eagles Square.

However, in an effort to disperse the protesters, the operatives of the NPF resorted to the use of force.

The protesters are calling on the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to immediately address the hunger and other economic crises in the nation.

Meanwhile, Tinubu had in his nationwide broadcast to mark the Independence Day anniversary, assured Nigerians that his administration was implementing many measures to reduce the cost of living.

The Technical Sub-Committee on Domestic Sales of Crude Oil in Local Currency, on Sunday, confirmed that the supply of crude in naira by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is to begin on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

On September 13, 2024, the committee announced that the Federal Executive Council under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu approved the sale of crude to local refineries in naira and the corresponding purchase of petroleum products in naira.

From October 1, NNPC will commence the supply of about 385kbpd (385,000 barrels per day) of crude oil to the Dangote refinery to be paid for in naira, the committee had declared.

The Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee is Zacch Adedeji, who doubles as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

When contacted on Sunday and asked if the plan for the crude oil supply to the $20bn Lekki-based plant is still intact, the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Mr Dare Adekanmbi, responded in the affirmative.

He said, I can confirm to you that the Chairman, Sub-Technical Committee, Zacch Adedeji, is working day and night to ensure that things go according to plans. He knows how important it is to have the agreement implemented as has been planned for the benefit of Nigerians.

This implies that NNPC is to supply about 11.5 million barrels of crude oil to the Dantote refinery monthly, and based on the deal, the plant will release equivalent volumes of refined diesel and petrol to the domestic market also in naira.

The panel explained in September that this initiative would help reduce pressure on the naira, eliminate unnecessary transaction costs, and improve the availability of petroleum products across the country.

Since then, the implementation committee chaired by the Minister of Finance and we, the technical committee, have worked intensely with NNPC and Dangote refinery to fashion out the details of the modalities for the implementation of the FEC approval, Adedeji had stated.

While stating that crude would be sold to Dangote in naira from October 1, the committee chairman and FIRS boss said, In return, the Dangote refinery will supply PMS (petrol) and diesel of equivalent value to the domestic market to be paid in naira.

Diesel will be sold in naira by the Dangote refinery to any interested off-taker. PMS will only be sold to NNPC. NNPC will then sell to various marketers for now. All associated regulatory costs (NPA, NIMASA, etc.) will also be paid in naira. We are also setting up a one-stop shop that will coordinate service provision from all regulatory agencies, security agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth implementation of this initiative.

Adedeji explained that the technical committee that worked to flesh out the initiative would transition to an implementation execution and monitoring committee that would be working out of Lagos for the next three to six months.

The committee, which includes the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Jafiya; the FIRS boss, as well as representatives from NNPC, Central Bank of Nigeria, AfreximBank, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, was set up to craft a robust template that will ensure the successful implementation of the initiative.

Meanwhile, modular refineries have called on the government to work out modalities for the supply of crude to their plants as well.

About 24 hours before the commencement deal, the modular refiners told one of our correspondents that they were not involved in the scheme of things.

The Publicity Secretary of the Crude Oil Refinery-owners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, said, The committee is only discussing with Dangote at the moment.

According to Idoko, the committee, at its inaugural meeting, said it would start the naira sale of crude with refineries producing petrol, noting that at the moment, only the Dangote refinery is producing the commodity.

He said the association made a case that the committee should extend the sale to other refineries to avoid discrimination, but they havent given us any feedback.

Idoko stated, Perhaps, during the October date, they will disclose more in terms of the modus they want to adopt. But at the moment, we have not received any clear communications as to how the naira sale will be administered other than the fact that they said they will start with PMS-producing refineries.

The CORAN spokesman disclosed that many of the modular refineries have been facing serious crude challenges, preventing them from producing fuel.

He noted that some refineries with 10,000 capacity currently produce a little above 3,000 barrels per day due to the unavailability of crude oil.

A 6,000-capacity refinery now produces 1,000 barrels, but productions are off and on because of erratic crude supply, he stated.

He added, Our modular refineries are facing a serious crude crisis. Nothing has changed for modular refineries. There are talks with the government but there hasnt been any definite arrangement for supplies.

Nigerians are hopeful that the naira crude sale scheduled to start on October 1 will bring down the price of petrol.

Since it commenced the sale of petroleum on September 15, the Dangote refinery has refused to announce the price of the product.

The company denied selling at N898 per litre to the NNPC, saying the claim by the NNPC was misleading and mischievous, deliberately aimed at undermining the milestone achievement recorded.

The Dangote refinery urged Nigerians to await a formal announcement from the presidential committee.

We urge Nigerians to disregard this malicious statement and await a formal announcement on the pricing, by the Technical Sub-Committee on Naira-based crude sales to local refineries, appointed by President Bola Tinubu, which will commence on October 1, 2024, bearing in mind that our current stock of crude was procured in dollars, the Dangote Group stated.

However, the Federal Government has said it would not interfere in the price controversy between the NNPC and Dangote, saying the petroleum sector had been deregulated.

The National Emergency Management Agency said it has deployed a team to monitor Rivers Benue and River Niger following the release of water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

We are monitoring the level of the water along the River Benue, and the Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, has already deployed staff to the states along the river bank, so we are monitoring the situation as it is at all the river system. Our monitoring system is on River Benue and River Niger.

The staff are there monitoring the situation, and relating with the people in communities along these river belts, to be careful. The water has been rising, but we are still monitoring the situation. Its better to be prepared than to be taken unawares.

Ezekiel noted that some communities had already been affected by the water released from the Lagdo Dam.

Since the release of the water, we have seen how some communities were affected along the river in Adamawa and Taraba.

This year, the level of monitoring and awareness of the flood system is higher than what it used to be in the previous year, he added.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has predicted five days of heavy rainfall, which may lead to flooding in 15 states.

The flood prediction, obtained on Sunday from the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment, also urged stakeholders to take note.

The centre indicated that the identified locations and their environs are likely to witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flood within the period of prediction from September 29 to October 3, 2024.

The states and locations affected include Akwa Ibom State (Oron, Edor, Eket, Upenekang); Adamawa State (Numan, Abba Kumbo, Farkumo, Jimeta, Wuro-Bokki); Bauchi State (Kafin-madaki, Bauchi); Bayelsa State (Sengana, Brass); Kebbi State (Argungu, Gwandu); Kaduna State (Buruku); Katsina State (Bakori, Funtua, Jibia).

Others are Kwara State (Jebba); Nasarawa State (Rukubi); Plateau State (Shendam); Rivers State (Bonny, Nembe); Taraba State (Bolleri, Duchi, Garkowa, Gassol, Gun Gun Bodel, Kambari, Mayo Ranewo, Mutum Biyu, Bandawa, Dampar, Yorro, Ngaruwa, Kwata Kanawa, Lau); Sokoto State (Silame); Yobe State (Dapchi); and Zamfara State (Anka, Majara).

The Nigerian Correctional Services has disclosed that Idris Ogunleye, also known as Bobrisky, was not kept in the general cell because he has some special features that are feminine in nature.

Micheal Benson, the NCoS official in charge of the Kirikiri Medium Security Facility, said this, yesterday during the investigative hearing conducted by the House of Representatives.

It would be recalled that the House is investigating the alleged N15 million bribe demanded by the EFCC and the money paid to NCoS officials in exchange for Bobrisky to be given special privileges during his six months incarceration.

Bobrisky have some special features like breast. If we put him in the general cell, you would have to bring out his body from the cell. We have some convicted rapist and sodomites, Mr Benson said.

Mr Benson explained that Bobrisky was later moved out of the Medium Security Correctional Facility into the Maximum Security facility for his own safety. The officer, however, said the action was taken in his absence by his superior.

It was reported that Bobrisky did not appear before the panel, but has been ordered by the House to appear in a date yet to be announced by the lawmakers.

Ahead of the October 1, Independence Day celebration, the FCT Police Command yesterday, September 30, deployed Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) personnel, anti-riot equipment, and visibility policing, among others.

The command also announced the diversion around Central Area and Eagle Square during the celebration.

A statement issued by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh said: The FCT Police Command, in anticipation of the upcoming October 1st Independence Day celebration, has strategically deployed adequate personnel and equipment throughout the FCT.

These proactive deployments aim to ensure that residents of the FCT enjoy a hitch-free Independence Day celebration. The deployment will include Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) personnel, anti-riot equipment, and visibility policing, among others.

Traffic diversions will be implemented in areas expected to experience large crowds, including Central Area and Eagle Square. While celebrating Independence Day, residents of the FCT are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or activities to the FCT Police emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653, PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192.

Sixteen Governors have set up committees to implement the N70,000 new minimum wage for workers across the country.

The Federal Government commenced payment of the new minimum wage to its 1.2 million workers last Thursday.

The Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, in a memo to the Budget Office of the Federation, noted that the civil servants would be paid the minimum wage with effect from September.

Edo, Lagos and Adamawa States have also commenced payment of the new salary while Abia and Anambra are to commence payment in October.

Here is a list of States that set up minimum wage committees

1. Ogun

2. Ekiti

3. Sokoto

4. Kebbi

5. Osun

6. Enugu

7. Borno

8. Zamfara

9. Kogi

10. Kwara

11. Gombe

12. Kano

13. Taraba

14. Delta

15. Rivers

16. Jigawa.

Operatives of the Adamawa State Police Command have arrested a man who climbed a 33KV high tension electricity pole to demand the resignation of President Bola Tinubu.

The incident occurred in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The man had remained up the pole, insisting Tinubu must resign before he would come down.

It was gathered yesterday morning that the incident happened between the morning of Friday September 27 and evening of Saturday, September 28.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguruje, said the man, whose name was not revealed, was rescued on Saturday night and taken into Police custody in the state capital, Yola.

The Command is going to parade the man today (Monday) for attempting suicide, Nguroje said, adding that attempting suicide is a criminal offence under Nigerias constitution.

We are going to charge him to court, Nguroje asserted.

He added that the Police has a duty to protect lives and property and that when any individual attempts to take his life, the individual has to be made to face the law.

Further details on the incident have it that the man had on Friday morning, the market day of Mayo Belwa, climbed the 33KV high tension pole along the Yola-Jalingo highway, insisting on Tinubus resignation.

The state Police Command had to get some locals to persuade him to descend from the pole. They were able to persuade him to come down on Saturday night.

Controversial Nigerian social media personality, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan appeared before the House of Representatives panel investigating bribery allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) yesterday.

Officials of the EFCC and the NCoS were also present as the Committees on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions commenced an investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption levelled against the anti-graft agency and the prison service by the blogger.

It would be recalled that in a viral video, VeryDarkMan alleged that recently released crossdresser, Bobrisky paid ₦15 million for the anti-graft agency to drop money laundering charges against him during his naira spraying ordeal in April, after which a court sentenced him to six months imprisonment.

The blogger also alleged that Bobrisky paid some millions of naira to secure a choice place in prison. However, the crossdresser denied the allegation and proceeded to sue the blogger. On their part, the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have ordered investigations into the allegations by the blogger.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had urged the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; to conduct an independent investigation into allegations made by a blogger.

The House of Representatives has banned journalists from covering its investigative hearing into the ₦15 million corruption allegations involving crossdresser Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS).

The decision was communicated to the House press corps by the Joint Committees on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Services of the House of Representatives

The lawmakers said its investigation into the corruption claims involving the EFCC and NCS in the Bobrisky case is prohibited.

This decision followed an earlier invitation extended to the press to report on the proceedings.

It would be recalled the House of Representatives last Thursday, adopted a motion to investigate the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the allegation of receiving ₦15 million from crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.

It was reported that a social media influencer, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, alleged that Bobrisky, following his conviction by the court for abusing the naira, allegedly served his jail term in a private residency and not the correctional center.

Though Bobrisky has denied the allegation, the matter has gained national attention.

As part of the actions that have taken place, the federal government suspended the officers in charge of the maximum and minimum custodial centres in Kirikiri, Lagos State, on Thursday.

Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, CDCFIB, Jaafaru Ahmed, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja.

Ahmed in the statement, said the suspension of the officers is to allow for further investigation on the various allegations, assuring that the outcome would be made public when concluded.

e Jika da Kolo community in Yadin Kidandan, located in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has suffered a tragic loss, alleging that over 25 people were killed by a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike intended to combat terrorists.

The incident reportedly occurred over the weekend, sparking significant controversy between the villagers and the military.

Local reports indicated that the victims included 23 worshippers in a mosque and several individuals at a nearby market, who were allegedly killed during the operation.

This claim is in direct conflict with the statements from the NAF, which insists that the operation was executed based on reliable intelligence about a terrorist enclave in the Yadi Forest area, supposedly devoid of any civilian structures such as mosques.

The Air Force maintained that the strike successfully eliminated a number of terrorists, contradicting the communitys reports of civilian casualties.

They firmly denied the presence of a mosque within the targeted zone, underscoring their commitment to preventing collateral damage.

Abdullahi Ismail, a councillor representing the area, acknowledged the incident and highlighted the region as a known danger zone due to frequent terrorist activities.

He said, The strike disfigured the bodies of most of those affected. 23 mutilated bodies were gathered from the scene and had been buried according to Islamic rites. We gathered body parts of 23 people who were identified by relatives, including children and they have been buried.

Of course, Yadin Kidandan is a danger zone because it is under the control of bandits. But there are also innocent villagers who still live around there because they have no other place to go just like the casualties that we witnessed on Friday. So, we discovered that when the strike occurred, most of the people at the mosque died.

A survivor who craved anonymity while speaking with newsmen disclosed, It was a crowded place because there was a local market close to the mosque which was also affected. The incident happened around 2pm.

Yes; it is true that there was a strike by a plane on Friday at a mosque in Jika da Kolo village that claimed many lives, including a few from our village who went to their farms or to do business at the local market close to the mosque. Many people were killed, among them farmers and children who had gathered around the mosque.

We heard when the plane arrived; it dropped something and a moment later, we heard a loud sound because I was in a nearby village.

Thereafter, family members of the victims went to the scene and recognized their relatives for the funeral. With little investigation, those who threw the bomb should have established that the bandits dont live within the villages; they are in the bushes. It is a difficult moment for us, another local identified as Malam has said.

The villagers, therefore, called on the Federal and Kaduna State governments to investigate this incident, saying most of them were still living around the areas because they didnt have any other place to go.

While reacting to the claim of the villagers, the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, said the airstrikes were only rained on the logistics base of terrorists.

He said there was no mosque in the area, based on pictorial evidence of how the location was before and after the operation as the operation was carried out following credible intelligence indicating a huge presence of terrorists and their weapons cache in the Yadi Forest.

According to him, reports from independent sources, including local informants around the general area, confirmed that the logistics base was totally destroyed and scores of terrorists were killed as a result of the attack.

He said, Intensive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance confirmed the consistent presence of terrorists and their motorcycles at the location. Additional intelligence revealed that the logistics base belonged to the notorious terrorist kingpin Kadade Gurgu, a close ally of Dogo Gide.

Furthermore, available intelligence at the disposal of the NAF Air Component revealed that Kadade Gurgu has been providing shelter for notorious terrorist kingpins following the aggressive military operations in Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Accordingly, the Air Component dispatched an aircraft, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, to attack the target. The target area initially appeared uninhabited. However, as the aircraft approached, some of the terrorists were seen emerging from under the shrubbery and running away from the area.

Subsequently, the targets were engaged, recording successful hits on the logistics facility, which was engulfed in flames with thick black smoke seen.Reports from independent sources, including local informants around the general area, later confirmed that the logistics base was totally destroyed and scores of terrorists were killed as a result of the attack.

The Nigerian Air Force, in collaboration with surface forces, will continue to dominate the battlespace through extensive situational awareness, constant patrols, and targeted interdiction of bandits safe havens within its area of responsibility and neighbouring states The aim i to decimate and flush out terrorism and criminal activities within the North-west and North-central geopolitical zones.

The new Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has been sworn-in by President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu presided over Kekere-Ekuns swearing-in at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

Last week, the Senate confirmed Kekere-Ekun as the new CJN.

This followed her screening on the floor of the upper legislative chamber.

Tinubu had named her the new acting CJN following the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Olukoyede Ariwoola.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service (SSS) have resolved to strengthen collaboration to tackle financial crimes.

Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the collaboration would be particularly in the area of intelligence to tackle economic and financial crimes and corruption.

According to him, the two agencies made the resolution when Paul Akugbo, the new director of Base Command Liaison, Lagos, paid a courtesy visit to Michael Wetkas, acting director of the Lagos directorate of the EFCC.

Meanwhile, Mr Akugbo described the visit as necessary to strengthen the existing collaboration between the SSS and the EFCC.

He commended the EFCC for its unrelenting efforts to curb corruption, saying the visit was a proactive measure to meet the people on ground and familiarise with them for better collaboration.

“Security is not a one-man business, so cooperation and collaboration are needed.

We are here for national security, and we have to work better. This is because the criminals are bonding too. I can assure you our cooperation will be robust, and our support will not be hindered,” he said.

Responding, Mr Wetkas expressed delight in receiving Mr Akugbo and his team, adding that the SSS and the EFCC had always worked together.

“On several occasions, we have written letters to you for certain people on our watch list, and you have intercepted them and handed them over to us. We thank you for this.

“The success of our various services is our joint success. Lagos is a challenging place, and we are here to support you in any way we can,” he said.

He said the visit demonstrated that the SSS was ready to work and partner with the EFCC to achieve overall success for Nigeria.

“There is always a need to collaborate and build better relationships to make this country a success,” he said.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the award of a contract worth $117.83 million and N28.43 billion for the procurement of tractors, machinery, spare parts and other agricultural equipment for the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM).

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari disclosed this in a post on his official X handle.

According to him, the execution of the contract by selected firms will be divided into two stages- the supply of ready-made tractors, and other machinery and the transition to local assembly of agricultural machinery.

He noted that $117.83 million and N28.4 billion included the cost of clearing by the customs service and 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) with the delivery timeline set at 60 to 360 days.

The statement reads, “I am pleased to announce that the Federal Executive Council has approved a memo I presented as the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security for the award of a contract to procure tractors, machinery, implements, vehicles, equipment, and spare parts for the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM).”

“The total contract sum stands at $117,830,783.00 plus N28,439,777,100.00 to cover the cost of clearing, customs duties, levies, and delivery to locations across the country, with a delivery timeline of 60 to 360 days, inclusive of 7.5% VAT.”

The Minister added that the initiativewas designed to bolster national food security and reduce reliance on imports. It will promote national development across both public and private sectors by improving agricultural productivity, boosting profitability, and optimizing land use for a wider

Last year, during the Vice President’s visit to the United States, a U.S tractor company in a meeting with the Nigerian contingent led by the V.P disclosed plans to invest in a tractor manufacturing company in Nigeria.

According to press releases from Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity in the Office of the Vice President, the meeting between the Federal Government and representatives of the American tractor manufacturing firm was arranged by Mr. John Coumantaros, Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) cleared over 204,332 backlog of passports in 10 months.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known while reeling out his ministry’s achievements in the last year, at a media event organised by the ministry on Friday in Abuja.

He assured Nigerians that never again will there be backlogs of passports in Nigeria, with the reform measure in place.

“In the last year, we introduced advanced border management technologies, including GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and other surveillance tools and infrastructure, to enhance national security.

“This technology allows for better monitoring and control of Nigeria’s extensive borders, ensuring that our immigration services are prepared to face modern security challenges.

‘As you are aware, we embarked on a comprehensive overhaul of the passport issuance process, addressing long-standing issues that have frustrated millions of Nigerians.

“One of our key accomplishments was clearing a massive backlog of 204,332 passport applications, a backlog that had left many citizens stranded for months if not years,” he said.

He said,” Today, I can proudly say that we have not only addressed this challenge but we have introduced home delivery services for passports.”

Tunji-Ojo said that the innovation was to ensure that Nigerians no longer have to endure the stress of traveling long distances or waiting in long queues all in the name passport.

“Passports are now delivered directly to the homes of applicants, a service that has brought immense relief to thousands.

“The NIS has also implemented contactless technology, streamlining the passport application process and improving overall efficiency.

“The days of bottlenecks and endless paperwork are behind us. Today, Nigerians experience a faster, more transparent, and seamless passport issuance process.

“We have also established a cutting-edge data center at the NIS with an impressive storage capacity of 1.4 petabytes.

“This state-of-the-art facility is designed to securely house and manage a vast array of critical national information, including the biometric data and personal records of Nigerian citizens,” he added.

The minister explained that the efforts were to ensure the safe storage and retrieval of sensitive information and enhance the efficiency of national security operations, identity management, and service delivery across the country.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has appointed Dr. Udo Samuel Atang as Senior Special Assistant on Administration.

A statement signed by Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the Minister, described Atang as a seasoned administrator with a wealth of experience in public service, governance and administration.

According to the statement, he was, until his new appointment, the Head of Service of the FCT Administration.

The appointee was born on the 27th of March 1964, and hails from Eket local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History obtained from the University of Calabar in 1987 and began his working career in the defunct Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory in 1989.

He has held various senior administrative positions over 35 years in the FCT Administration culminating in his appointment as the pioneer Head of Service of the FCTA in March 2024.

His tenure as Head of Service was extended for six months by President Bola Tinubu on his reaching the retirement age of 60 on March 27, 2024.

“DrAtang’sexpertise, has been instrumental in driving various reforms and initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations,” the statement added.

“In his new role as Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Dr. Atang, who is a fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, will work closely with the FCT Minister in overseeing key administrative functions within the administration, ensuring seamless coordination of activities, and providing strategic advisory support to the Minister.

“His appointment is effective immediately.”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed allegations that $49.8 billion went missing during his tenure as the President of Nigeria.

Jonathan made this statement in Abuja on Thursday while speaking at the launch of a book by Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, the former Minister of Finance and National Planning, who served in his administration.

Jonathan acknowledged his respect for the views of the author but expressed disagreement with certain contributions made by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), now Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

Specifically, he refuted Sanusi’s claims that approximately $50 billion went missing from the CBN during his administration.

“Let me mention that I did not agree completely with some issues raised by one of the contributors. But I don’t intend to join issues because he is our royal father, and he is here.

“The one he raised that he was sacked because he blew a whistle that the Federal Government lost $49.8billion is not quite correct.

“He was not sacked, he was suspended because the Financial Reporting Council queried the expenditure of CBN.

“There were serious infractions that needed to be looked at. That was the reason, but somehow, the time was short. So before we finished, his tenure elapsed. Probably, he would have been called back.

“On the issue of $49.8 billion, till today I am not convinced that the Federal Government lost $49.8 billion,” he said.

Forensic Audit on the Allegations

Jonathan further explained that a forensic audit had proven the allegations to be baseless, and the figures quoted by the former CBN governor were inaccurate.

He noted that the budget for that year was around $13 billion, making it implausible for such a large sum to go missing without detection.

Jonathan added that the independent forensic report found that $1.48 billion was unaccounted for, and recommended that the NNPC should deposit the amount into the Federation Account.

“That year, our budget was $31.6 billion. So for a country that had a budget of $31.6 billion to lose about $50 billion and salaries were paid, nobody felt anything. The researchers that wrote this book need to do further research.

“More so, when our revered royal father came up with the figures, first $49.8 billion, later $20 billion and later $12 billion. I don’t even know the correct one.

“Immediately that happened, we commissioned Price Water Coopers (PWC) to do a forensic audit.

“The report they came up with was that $1.48 billion that they couldn’t provide an account for and NNPC should pay that money into the Federation Account.

“They did not say we lost $12 billion, $20 billion or $49.8 billion,” Jonathan added.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has warned Nigerians about the risks of flash floods and river overflows due to ongoing heavy rains.

In a statement released on Friday, the NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, urged citizens to take immediate actions to mitigate the impact of potential flooding.

Umar emphasised the importance of public cooperation, stating, “We must heed the agency’s warning by doing the needful — clearing our drainages and gutters as well as making way for water run-off.”

He noted that the prolonged rainfall across the country has already led to devastating flash floods in several regions.

Highlighting the agency’s commitment, Umar reiterated NIHSA’s mandate for effective water resource management.

“NIHSA will continue to monitor daily the water levels of our major rivers and tributaries, issuing flood warnings and alerts along with providing flood predictions,” he said.

The DG also revealed data on the water levels in key rivers, noting that the “steady rise in the water levels of River Niger and Benue has gotten to the red mark.”

He urged residents living along riverbanks to take precautions, advising them to “relocate to safe locations and secure their lives and property.”

Umar further stressed the collaborative efforts between NIHSA, emergency response agencies, and the media to safeguard lives and property across the nation.

He stated, “It is an effort to help save lives and property of Nigerians, in order to abate flood impact, enhance food security, promote national resilience to flood, thereby fostering sustainable water resources management.”

With the rainy season in full swing, the need for vigilance is paramount. The NIHSA is encouraging all citizens to stay informed and prepared as they monitor the evolving situation.

By Jude Onyenedogha & Jennifer John

Imo State Government says it is rolling out the drums for the celebration of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.

The state Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy Hon. Declan Emelumba made this disclosure during a press briefing at the conference hall of the Ministry of Information, Owerri, yesterday.

He listed the events lined up for the celebration to include; Jumat prayer, already held yesterday at the state Central Mosque, Church Service to be held at the Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, Tomorrow, Sunday September 29, by 9:30am and to be officiated by the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, His Grace Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji.

The grand finale of the celebration, according to the Commissioner will be on Tuesday, October 1st, at the Ndubuisi Kanu Square (former Heroes Square) Owerri, with Iwejuru, distinguished Imo personalities from various field of endeavor in attendance.

Emelumba said: “As you know, it is not easy to attain 64 years of age, even as a person, not to talk of a nation. So the government sees it that this is worth celebrating and we are rolling out the drums to celebrate it.

The grand finale according to the Commissioner will feature military parade and match past by school pupils/students, workers, as well as various volunteer groups. He added that the governor will at the end address Imo people.

The Commissioner used the opportunity to invite Imo people to fully participate in all the events listed above, which he said the whole idea is to make this year’s celebration, exceptional and memorable.

No fewer than 200 women from four banditry-ravaged local government areas of Katsina State and civil society organizations (CSOs) have brainstormed and re-strategized on how to strengthen peace and security in the state.

The women drawn from the four local governments of Batsari, Jibia, Danmusa and Kankara, through the Women Peace and Security (WPS) initiative of Mercy Corps, converged on Katsina, the state capital, where they deliberated on ways of fostering peace.

The two-day women dialogue was organised by Mercy Corps in collaboration with the Katsina State Ministry of Women Affairs with support from International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Under its Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation in North-west Nigeria (CMCR-NW) project, funded by the European Union (EU), Mercy Corps and partners seek to build the capacity of women and CSOs in peace-building and peaceful co-existence in the state.

One of the participants from Jibia, Amina Mohammed, said the dialogue would assist all women to work harmoniously towards achieving cohesion in the peace-building process in communities rather than working at cross-purposes due to duplicity of activities.

She said Mercy Corps and its partners have empowered them with fresh insights and recommended better ways of working together to ensure peaceful coexistence among communities affected by banditry in Kankara, Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa and other parts of the state.

Another participant, Zainab Aliyu-Kankara, explained that the women’s dialogue served as a veritable platform for them to collectively deliberate on innovative strategies for peace-building in the state, especially in communities ravaged by insecurity.

In her remarks, the Senior Programme Officer of Mercy Corps, Lynda Nkechi Emmanuel, said the two-day women peace and security dialogue was aimed at developing collaborative strategies for promoting peace and security in the state.

According to her, the WPS initiative was a significant step taken by Mercy Corps and partners towards empowering women to play a critical role in promoting peace and security across communities in Katsina State.

She said: “We have over 200 women here who have been selected from Danmusa, Jibia, Batsari and Kankara to discuss the role of women in peacebuilding, identify challenges and opportunities and develop collaborative strategies for promoting peace and security.”

While emphasising the importance of women’s participation in peace-building, the Mercy Corps programme officer encouraged them to take ownership of the initiative by reciprocating the gesture in their respective communities.

In her opening remarks, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hadiza Yar’adua, reiterated the state government’s commitment in tackling security challenges and improving the welfare of women and children affected by conflict.

She assured the participants that the state government under the leadership of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda would continue to prioritise their needs and work towards creating a better living environment for women in the state.