Author: Festus Adeloye

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has reiterated his commitment to ensuring adequate security and massive infrastructural development to advance the economic development of the state. Okpebholo also assured the people of the state that his administration would provide affordable healthcare, water and food security, value-driven education, and economic rejuvenation, for the enjoyment of the masses, in addition to tourism and creative industry. The party flagbearer, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, also pledged to give life to the Edo Diaspora Agency which…

A 40-year-old man, Benalayefa Asiayei, has been shot dead by a policeman along Azikoro Road in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. It was gathered that Asiayei was returning from work in his vehicle, a Toyota Sienna, around 8pm on Tuesday when he was shot by the policeman. When contacted about the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, said the policeman responsible is attached to the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo. The deceased, who was an electrician and hailed from the Bobougbene community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, was carrying a passenger in the…

The Supreme Court has scheduled June 13 for the hearing of a lawsuit filed by the Federal Government against the 36 state governors concerning alleged misconduct in the management of local government affairs. Justice Garba Lawal fixed the date while addressing an application for the expedited hearing of the case, presented by Lateef Fgebemi, SAN, to ensure sufficient time for all parties to file their legal documents and exchange them. Under the ruling, the 36 state governors are required to submit their respective defenses to the federal government’s lawsuit, which seeks full autonomy for the 774 local governments across the…

The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has granted an interim injunction preventing Speaker Martin Amaewhule and his affiliated lawmakers from continuing to convene or identify themselves as members of the state House of Assembly. This ruling, issued by Justice C.N. Wali, comes in response to a legal action initiated by lawmakers aligned with Governor Siminilayi Fubara. The group, led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo and including Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy, sought to restrain the aforementioned lawmakers. As per the court documents, the lawsuit names 25 lawmakers as defendants, alongside the Rivers State Governor, Attorney-General, and Chief Judge. This…

The National Medical Services Laboratories (NMS Labs) in Pennsylvania, United States, has denied claims made by the Lagos State Government regarding the toxicology test of the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. The denial came after inquiries by Punch Newspaper, which launched a fact-finding mission to determine the cause of the musician’s death. Earlier allegations suggested that NMS Labs was responsible for carrying out a toxicology test to uncover the factors leading to Mohbad’s untimely demise. This claim was part of the proceedings at the Coroner’s Court in Ikorodu, Lagos, where the state government’s counsel, O. Akinde,…

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, yesterday, urged President Bola Tinubu to review his economic policies, noting that they have pauperised Nigerians. Afenifere, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, urged President Tinubu to alleviate the plight of Nigerians. Reviewing Tinubu’s first year in office, the Yoruba body said: “The economy has experienced severe turbulence in the one-year administration of President Bola Tinubu, worsening the previous administration’s economic legacy. “Afenifere, hereby, calls for a better understanding of the economy to stop the al
arming rate of inflation, devaluation, increasing unemployment, homelessness and poverty. “Firstly, it is an illogical economic belief…

The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, has assured Henkel Nigeria’s management of the Federal Government’s support to boost the economy. This assurance was given during a courtesy visit by Henkel Nigeria’s Managing Director, Rajat Kapur, Head of Finance, Kadir Demirtas, and other key team members in Abuja. Uzoka-Anite acknowledged the industrial and consumer firm’s reputation for excellence, innovation, and empowerment. She expressed optimism about the potential for fruitful collaboration between the Ministry and Henkel Nigeria to overcome current economic challenges. Commending Henkel Nigeria for its contributions to the country’s economy, Uzoka-Anite welcomed the opportunity to…

Harsh words came yesterday from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over the conflicting orders issued by courts in Kano in respect of the tussle in the Emirate. NBA President Yakubu Maikyau described the actions of the Federal High Court and Kano High Court judges as a “disgrace and shame to the profession” He spoke through a statement from the secretariat. Also yesterday, the National Judicial Council (NJC) stepped into the matter by initiating a probe. The probe will commence with the summoning of FHC Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, and Chief Judge of Kano, Justice Dije Aboki. They are to…

The federal government and organised Labour will resume negotiation on a new national minimum wage on Friday, May 31, following a breakdown of talks. President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero confirmed this to our reporter following a letter by the chairman of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage inviting Labour to the table. A copy of the letter, which was signed by the Secretary of the Committee, Ekpo Nta, was obtained by our reporter on Wednesday. Ajaero confirmed that organised Labour will honour the invitation but warned that the discussion will not be a “monologue.” He…

On Wednesday, terrorists launched a deadly assault at Maro Junction, a bustling weekly market situated in Maro Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. According to reports, the attackers, armed with firearms, unleashed chaos at around 3pm. Former local government chairman, Cafra Caino, affirmed the tragic incident, disclosing that the assailants opened fire upon the market, resulting in the death of 12 individuals. Additionally, Caino revealed that approximately 20 others sustained injuries of varying severity and were promptly transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment. This marked the second assault on the weekly market, leaving business owners and…