Author: TheScrutinyNG

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a two-day state visit to France aimed at deepening economic cooperation between the two nations.  French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Tinubu at the historic Invalides Memorial Complex in Paris, marking a Nigerian leader’s first official state visit to France in over two decades. The visit underscores France’s efforts to strengthen ties with English-speaking Africa following recent diplomatic challenges with former allies on the continent.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to accept an offer from Leicester City to become their new manager and should be in charge for their game against Brentford on Saturday. It is thought Van Nistelrooy is currently at his home in the Netherlands, but his appointment could be confirmed quickly. There are still details and contractual issues to be agreed and he has not signed anything yet, but there is optimism on both sides the deal will be completed soon. Van Nistelrooy has been exploring opportunities to become a number one and Sky Sports News understands he had a number of…

Sean “Diddy” Combs, the American rapper, has been denied bail for the third time in his ongoing sex-trafficking and racketeering case. A New York City judge ruled on Wednesday that Combs posed a significant risk of witness tampering if released before his trial, which is scheduled for May 2025. The 54-year-old was held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, facing charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution, and more than two dozen accusations of sexual assault filed in civil lawsuits. Combs has pleaded not guilty and denies all allegations. In the latest ruling, US District Judge Arun…

Simon Ekpa, the self-styled prime minister of Biafra in exile, is set to face trial in Finland by May 2025, according to Finnish authorities. Ekpa, who was arrested last week alongside four others on suspicion of terrorism-related activities, remained in custody at the Päijät-Häme District Court. Senior Detective Superintendent Mikko Laaksonen of Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation confirmed the trial timeline via email, stating, “The date for bringing up possible charges by the prosecution was set by the district court to May 2025.” Laaksonen added that both Ekpa and Finnish authorities may request a re-evaluation of the case after two…

The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai launched devastating airstrikes against terrorists in Kukawa, Borno. This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, on Wednesday in Abuja. Akinboyewa said the NAF fighter jets destroyed a gun truck and neutralised several fighters in the first strike while the second was to provide close air support to repel an attack on ground troops. He said that the first operation began with credible intelligence on the location of a terrorists’ gun truck, approximately five kilometers west of Kukawa. According to…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has commenced payment of N85,000 new minimum wage to the state workers, fulfilling a promise he made earlier this year. The payment, which began with November salaries, has been widely celebrated by civil servants in the state. Recall that Fubara had announced the wage increase in response to President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a N70,000 national minimum wage in July, pledging a higher wage for Rivers workers, citing the state’s robust Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as a sustainable source for the increase. Under Fubara’s administration, Rivers State’s IGR has seen significant growth, rising from…

Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams on Wednesday, lauded the management of the Lagos State University (LASU) for sustaining Yoruba language in the school’s curriculum, urging other tertiary institutions in Yorubaland to take a cue from such initiative. Iba Adams made the disclosure at the 2024 edition of Ajagunmale festival held in Lekki, Lagos. He also reiterated the need to make Yoruba language compulsory for admission into states’ universities, adding that the Yoruba language, with its rich contents, articulation and delivery remains a potent tool for liberation. “I applaud the management of the Lagos State University (LASU) for…

The Supreme Court has affirmed Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa as the authentic national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), thereby putting an end to the seeming perennial leadership tussle in the party. In a unanimous judgement, a five-member panel of the apex court held that Edozie Njoku was wrongly laying claim to APGA chairmanship. The court clarified that its earlier judgement, which Njoku relied on to claim the chairmanship, did not confer on him any enforceable rights. Justice Stephen Adah, who read the lead judgement, emphasised that the issue of party leadership is internal to the political party and…

Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa is celebrating his strong friendship with fellow singer, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma on the latter’s birthday.  Osupa shared a touching video on social media showing the two musicians enjoying quality time together. In his post, Osupa expressed gratitude for their ability to overcome past differences and grow even closer. He praised their long-lasting bond and described Pasuma as an amazing person, celebrating their incredible friendship built over the years. He wrote: “Happy birthday to my friend, Ajibola Alabi Pasuma @officialpasuma, I’m so grateful that we were able to work through our recent rough patch and come out…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a former Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Gimba Kumo Ya’u and two others over an alleged diversion of $65 million meant for the development of 962 units of residential housing units in Kubwa District, Abuja. ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare said in a statement that Mr. Ya’u, an in-law to former president Muhammadu Buhari was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja alongside the former Executive Director of the bank, Mr. Bola Ogunsola and the…