Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja has permitted the Department of State Service (DSS) to detain 10 suspected terrorists, who had planned to launch a Boko Haram/ISWAP cell in Osun, for 60 days pending conclusion of investigation. In a ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by their lawyer, Justice Nwite held that the application was meritorious and accordingly granted. He subsequently adjourned the matter to March 3 for mention. In the affidavit deposed to by Yamuje Benye, a personnel of the agency attached to the Legal Service Department at the national headquarters, averred that the suspects were…

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 105 individuals, including four Chinese nationals, at a business apartment in the Gudu area of Abuja. EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. “In its ongoing efforts to clean the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested four Chinese and 101 Nigerians in a business apartment in the Gudu axis of Abuja,” the anti-graft agency said. He said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday, January 9, adding that…

The Federal Government has received $52.88 million in recovered assets linked to a former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United States of America. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed this during the formal signing ceremony of the asset agreement between Nigeria and the United States in Abuja on Friday. In his remarks, Fagbemi explained that $50 million of the recovered assets would be deployed through the World Bank for the development of rural electrification projects, while the remaining $2 million would be used by the International Institute of Justice to expand the…

Incoming US president Donald Trump sparked a political battle with outgoing leader Joe Biden and California’s Democratic governor Thursday over the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles. Trump launched a series of evidence-free broadsides accusing Governor Gavin Newsom of a variety of failings — including wasting water that could have been used to fight fires in order to protect a kind of fish. “Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!!” Trump said on his Truth Social network, using his usual nickname for the Democrat, who is widely viewed as a potential White House contender. Trump added that the deadly Los…

The Coalition of Northern Groups and civil society organisations have rejected the proposed tax reform bills sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu for legislative approval, stating that the bill and other related policies will deepen economic hardship, marginalise regions, and undermine national unity. Speaking at a town hall meeting on Thursday in Kaduna, the groups emphasised the need for equitable, inclusive, and people-centred reforms that prioritise sustainable development and the well-being of all Nigerians. The town hall meeting provided a platform for robust deliberations on the theme: “Tax Reform Bills: A Catalyst for Economic Growth or a…

A man, Chima Nkwocha, a.k.a “Young Billionaire has been jailed for two years for defrauding an American identified as Linda Wheeler of $345,000. A statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said Nkwocha was jailed after he was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a two-count charge bordering on cheating by impersonation and money laundering. One of the counts read: “That you, Chima Hyginus Nkwocha (AKA Frank Nils, Frank Cobert, Frank Brown & Chettot), sometime in 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently impersonate Frank Nils,…

The Nigeria Police Force has detained a yet-to-be-named officer seen in a viral video with Wahab and Raheem, sons of billionaire businessman, Chief Razaq Okoya, abusing naira. This was disclosed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on his X handle on Friday. According to him, the moment captured in the video involving the police officer is unethical and contrary to the values of the force, stressing that disciplinary action is underway to address the misconduct. Adejobi wrote, “The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of the Lagos businessman, Chief Okoya, where they were…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has suspended the extension of export proceeds by banks on behalf of exporters. Ag. Director of Trade and Exchange Department, Dr. W.J Kanya, disclosed this yesterday   in a circular   to Authorised Dealers and the general public, adding that that the decision was Pursuant to provision of Memorandum 10A (23a) and Memorandum 10B (20a) of the Foreign Exchange Manual Revised Edition of March 2018 in respect of repatriation of export proceeds for oil and non-oil export. The apex bank directed that from the date of the circular,  “CBN will no longer approve requests for extension…

Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo struck to earn Real Madrid a 3-0 win over Real Mallorca on Thursday and set up a Spanish Super Cup final clash with rivals Barcelona. Madrid have the chance to earn revenge for their heavy Clasico defeat in La Liga in October after Bellingham’s clinical second-half strike sent them on their way to victory in Saudi Arabia. Backed heavily by fans in Jeddah Madrid never looked like letting the advantage slip and a stoppage-time own goal by Martin Valjent secured their win, with Rodrygo adding a late third from close range. Real Madrid made the early…

Novak Djokovic claimed Thursday that he was “poisoned” by lead and mercury in his food during his troubled and brief stay in Melbourne in 2022 before he was deported on the eve of the Australian Open. The former world number one had his visa cancelled and was eventually kicked out of the country over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid. He was held in a detention hotel as he fought a fruitless legal battle to remain. “I had some health issues. And I realised that in that hotel in Melbourne I was fed some food that poisoned me,” the…