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Category: News

  • FCMB founder dies in London

    First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Subomi Balogun, has died at the age of 89.

    He reportedly died in London on Friday.

    Confirming his death on Twitter via his verified account @abiodunMFR, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun said Balogun was a visionary leader and dear father who would be sorely missed.

    “It is with a heavy heart and sadness that we receive the news of the passing of our dear father, Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun, the Asiwaju Omooba of Ijeband and founder, First City Monument Bank – @MyFCMB

    “He will be remembered as a visionary leader who dedicated his life to the betterment of our society and his unwavering commitment, tireless efforts, and remarkable contributions will continue to inspire generations to come.

    “May the memories of Otunba Balogun Subomi serve as a guiding light and source of inspiration as we carry forward  his legacy of service and dedication.

    “We hereby express our heartfelt condolences to his family and pray God grants them the strength to bear this sad loss. May God rest his soul,” he twitted.

    Until his death, he was Otunba Tunwase of Ijebuland before his death.

    As a ranking Ijebu Chief, his death will, however, only be officially announced in line with tradition.

  • Court nullifies Alex Otti’s candidature, LP candidates in Abia, Kano

    Court nullifies Alex Otti’s candidature, LP candidates in Abia, Kano

    Abia State governor-elect, Alex Otti

    A Federal High Court sitting in Kano, presided over by Justice M N Yunusa has nullified the candidature of the Abia State Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti and all the candidates of the Labour Party in Abia and Kano States.

    The court ruled that their emergence was not in compliance with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act.

    A copy of the judgement delivered by the court was made available to newsmen on Friday.

    The Court in Suit No FHC/KN/CS/107/2023 filed by Mr Ibrahim Haruna Ibrahim against the Labour Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ruled that the failure of the Labour Party to submit its membership register to the INEC within 30 days before their primaries renders the process invalid.

    “The party that has not complied with the provisions of the electoral act cannot be said to have a candidate in an election and cannot be declared winner of an election; this being so, the votes credited to the 1st defendant is a wasted vote,” the Judge ruled.

  • NDLEA raids drug joints nationwide, arrests 534

    Some of the suspects arrested by the NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commenced a nationwide raid of drug joints ahead of the May 29 inauguration of a new government in the country.

    According to the Director, Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi, 534 drug suspects have been arrested during the operation, code-named Operation Mop Up.

    Babafemi said in a statement on Friday that the operation was to remove enablers of crime and violence in the form of illicit substances and those who deal in them.

    This, he said, was with a view to ensuring peaceful inauguration of new administrations at national and sub-national levels on May 29.

    “Not less than 534 suspects have been arrested in the first few days of the commencement of the operation.

    “However, tons of illicit drugs were recovered across the states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    “This includes cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, tramadol, codeine-based syrup, cannabis sativa and various new psychoactive substances among others.

    “Top on the list of the states with high arrests and seizures are Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Kaduna, Rivers, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Osun, Benue and Plateau,’’ he said.

    Babafemi quoted the Chairman, retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, as commending all officers and men involved in the exercise for their professionalism and adherence to standard operating procedure.

    Marwa said “I am impressed by the level of compliance with the directive to all our commands and formations.

    “Which is to dismantle all drug joints within their areas of responsibility, mop up all illicit substances in such locations and arrest all those culpable.

    “This will in no small measure take out of the equation, enablers of crime and violence.

    “This includes illicit drugs, their dealers and all those relying on mind-altering substances to disrupt the May 29 inauguration ceremonies across the states and the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

    The NDLEA boss charged them to continue with the offensive against drug cartels and traffickers “until the last gram of illicit drug is taken out of the streets and communities” across Nigeria.

  • Enugu governor-elect slams N20bn lawsuit on NYSC

    Enugu governor-elect, Peter Mbah

    The Enugu State Governor-elect, Mr Peter Mbah has filed a N20 billion suit against the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Federal High Court, over alleged conspiracy, deceit, and misrepresentation of facts.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo had on Monday, upon a motion ex-parte by Mbah’s counsel, Mr. Emeka Ozoani (SAN), sequel to the lawsuit, stopped the NYSC from disclaiming Mbah’s certificate.

    In the suit, Mbah is equally seeking a declaration that he participated in the NYSC scheme via a call-up letter number FRN/2001/800351; Lagos code LA/01/1532, and upon completion was issued a certificate of National Service No. A808297.

    The governor-elect also alleged that the corps conspired by fraudulent design suppressed and misrepresented facts in the supposition that his certificate of national service with number A808297 was not issued by them.

    According to him, this is a fact they know as untrue, and incorrect and which act he said constitutes an act of conspiracy.

    He also wants a declaration that the defendants were negligent and maliciously misrepresented facts, which facts the defendants know or ought to know as untrue and ought reasonably to have foreseen that damages would flow from such negligent misrepresentation of material facts.

    An affidavit in support of the motion on notice deposed by Ms Grace Udeagha, stated among others, that Mbah, after graduating in law from the University of East London in 2000, returned to Nigeria.

    She also deposed in the affidavit that as a prerequisite to practice as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Mbah applied and was admitted into the Bar Part I program of the Nigerian Law School.

    She further deposed that the plaintiff upon completing the Bar Part I exam had to wait for the Bar Part II program.

    “That the plaintiff in view of the above was called up for the NYSC and was deployed to Lagos State, with the following particulars: Mbah Peter Ndubuisi; Call up letter No 01134613; reference No NYSC/FRN/2001/800351.

    “That the plaintiff in the course of his NYSC program aforesaid and after six months of NYSC, the Nigerian law School scheduled the commencement of the Bar Part II program usually called Bar Finals.

    “The plaintiff was offered admission to the Nigerian Law School by a letter dated June 20, 2002, the plaintiff applied to the State Director, NYSC, for deferment of NYSC year 2001/2002.

    “Pursuant to paragraph 12 the NYSC directorate headquarters vide Ref: NYSC/DHQ/CM/M/27 approved the plaintiff’s application for deferment of NYSC Ref: LA/01/1532 of Aug.6, 2002.

    “That the plaintiff upon completion of his NYSC service, was issued the NYSC certificate No. A808297 dated Jan.6, 2003, certifying that he completed the one year of NYSC from Jan.7, 2002 to Jan. 6”.

    No date has been fixed for hearing of the motion.

  • Saint Obi’s family slams Zik Zulu, debunks allegations against his widow

    Late Saint Obi and his wife Lynda

    Late Nollywood star, Saint Obi’s family have finally broken their silence concerning revelations made by actor/producer Zik Zulu Okafor about their son’s death.

    In a statement signed by two elder sisters of the actor on behalf of the family, they stated that part of the story was fabricated and meant to portray his estranged wife in a defamatory manner.

    According to them, the “publication by one Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor concerning the death of our son, Mr. Obinna Nwafor, popularly known as Saint Obi, and the accompanying negative commentary in social and other media portraying his widow in an unfair and most defamatory manner.

    “This is in no way, shape or form an accurate portrayal of the Lynda that we know and relate with,” the family said.

    They said further that what Zik Zulu wrote was a figment of his imagination as it does not represent their late brother’s wife that they know and relate with, adding that they should be allowed to mourn their loss in peace whilst they prepare for his burial.

    See the full statement below:

    “PRESS STATEMENT RE: DEMISE OF SAINT OBI (MR. OBINNA NWAFOR)

    “Our attention has been drawn to the publication by one Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor concerning the death of our son, Mr. Obinna Nwafor, popularly known as Saint Obi, and the accompanying negative commentary in social and other media portraying his widow in an unfair and most defamatory manner. This is in no way, shape or form an accurate portrayal of the Lynda that we know and relate with.

    “The Nwafor family also views the said article by Mr. Okafor as sad and most unfortunate. It was neither written in consultation with any member of the family nor authored with our consent or authority. We totally disassociate ourselves from it.

    “The views and allegations contained therein are entirely the opinion of the writer. They are false, malicious and insensitive to the wife, children and entire family he left behind.

    “This is a mourning period for the family, and while we appreciate the condolences of friends, fans, and well-wishers, we ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.

    “The funeral rites will be communicated to the public in due course. May the soul of our dearly beloved brother, son, father and husband, rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

    The statement was signed by Ugoeze Edith Chinyere Obichuku, Mrs. Freda Nwachukwu, Eldest Sister (Texas, U.S.A), Elder Sister (Jos, Nigeria)

    For: The Nwafor Family of Umuezealaeze, Alaenyi, Ogwa, Mbatoli L.G.A, Imo State.

  • Foreign hardship forced 48% Nigerians back home- NBS

    New National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report has revealed that hardship was responsible for the return of many Nigerians that travelled to Saudi Arabia and Benin Republic.

    In a report titled, ‘Awareness and Perception of Intending and Returned Migrants on the Dangers of Irregular Migration 2022’, the NBS added deceit and crime as other factors that made most Nigerian migrants return home.

    NBS stated that hardship accounted for 48.0 percent as the major reason for the return of migrants, deceit was next at 20.1 per cent and crime was the least with 1.7 percent. 

    The report, which surveyed a total of 2,400 households, was collated to examine the sentiments of Nigerians about the country of their destination before they left Nigeria and when they started living there.

    Saudi Arabia and Benin Republic were the top destinations for migrants, while Kano and Lagos states were the preferred destinations upon the migrants’ return to Nigeria.

    “Returned migrants are persons returning to their country of origin having migrated to another country other than that of their origin or citizenship (migrants whether on short-term or long-term).

    These categories of people can differentiate between their earlier beliefs about their countries of destination before crossing the international borders and what they saw upon arrival. 

    “Figure 5.1 shows the percentage distribution of returned migrants per state. The distribution indicates that Kano State had the highest percentage of Returnees, with 39.0 percent, followed by Lagos state, with 20.7 percent.

    Benue state had the least percentage of returned migrants with 3.9 percent,” the report read. 


    However, regardless of the hardship, about 52.4 per cent of the returned migrants from Edo state told NBS they don’t mind going back to the foreign country, while migrants in Lagos were next on the list, as 14.3 per cent shared the same sentiment with those of Edo State. 

    Note that they all returned to Nigeria for various reasons, while 90.9 per cent of the migrants voluntarily returned and 5.9 per cent were forced to return. 

    Further breakdown showed that 24.9 per cent travelled for business purposes and work accounted for 22.6 per cent.

  • N300m FG projects in progress – Tracka

    Three Federal Government projects worth N289.5 million are currently going well, according to three different reports on the projects by Tracka.

    Nigerian Anchor reports that the projects include: Procurement and Installation of 300KVA Transformer at Umueze Eziala Obizi, Ezinihitte, Imo State; Construction & Furnishing of General Hospital with Solar Inverter & Borehole in Lemu, Gbako LGA, Niger State; and Construction of Solar Streetlights in Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, also in Niger State.

    Reporting on the N8.5 million project in Imo State, Tracka said that the residents are pleased with the project..

    “N8.5m was allocated to the Procurement and Installation of 300KVA Transformer at Umueze Eziala Obizi, Ezinihitte, Imo (State) in the 2022 FG Budget.

    “We tracked and report that the transformer has been installed, and now serving the community.

    “Residents say the power supply has improved compared to when they had only 1 transformer,” it tweeted on its official handle @TrackaNG on Thursday.

    On the health care project in Niger State, Tracka noted that the project is ongoing at a slow pace.

    Tracka also reported that the contractor of the N94 million project has not been seen on-site since February 2023.

    “N94m was allocated to the Construction & Furnishing of General Hospital with Solar Inverter & Borehole in Lemu, Gbako LGA, Niger (State) in the 2022 FG Budget.

    “We report that the project is ongoing but at a slow pace and the contractor has not been seen on-site since February 2023. This is the third year since the project started.

    “We urge the @NphcdaNG (National Primary Health Care Development Agency), the implementing agency, to ensure the project is completed in due time to cater to the resident’s health needs,” it tweeted.

    Tracka reported that the N187 million electricity project in Niger State has delivered 100 streetlights installation so far.

    “N187m was allocated to the Construction of Solar Streetlights in Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Const., Niger in the 2022 FG Budget.

  • Name Change: Ministry of Aviation now Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace

    The Ministry of Aviation will now be known as the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace.

    This was disclosed on Thursday in a statement on the Ministry’s Twitter handle @fmaviationng.

    According to the statement, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the change of nomenclature of the Federal Ministry of Aviation to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace with immediate effect.

    “The new nomenclature is in line with the nature of the sector, being under the exclusive management and regulation of the Federal Government,” the statement added.

  • Presidential Tribunal: Tinubu, APC, INEC kick against live coverage

    *Say the Court is not a theatre, crusade, or Big Brother Naija

    The Presidential Election Petition Court sitting in Abuja has reserved ruling on the request of PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Abubakar Atiku for live telecast of his petition challenging the declaration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as winner.

    The court reserved the ruling on the matter to a later date which is to be communicated to the parties after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) all kicked against the application.

    Arguing his brief, counsel to the applicant, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), posited that “the matter is of national importance and public interest, involving citizens and voters in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, who voted and participated in the said election; including the International Community who have regards to the workings of Nigeria’s Electoral Process”. 

    Therefore, Uche relied on and adopted his written addresses and replies to point of law as his arguments and prayed to the court for an order allowing the live coverage of the proceeding given its monumental national importance, as well as an order directing the modality for its implementation.

    “The nation is interested in the matter and we have nothing to suppress. We urge you to consider the issues raised.

    “The fact that it has not been done before does not mean it cannot be done now. Recall the Oputa Panel was broadcasted live and the nation benefited from it.

    “If the results of the election were not transmitted live, at least let the proceeding be transmitted live,” he said.

    In their arguments, the Respondents, in their separate objections, insisted that the solemn nature of the court would be put in jeopardy if granted.

    Tinubu, in his vehement objections raised by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said that Atiku’s request was not only surprising but dangerous as it was capable of prejudicing the Court itself.

    Olanipekun prayed to discountenance Atiku’s move to turn the Court into a football stadium, a crusade ground a theatre, or a film ground where all manner of telecast could be permitted.

    He further asked the Court not to grant an order that it cannot be enforced or supervised, adding that the present moment is not the best time for such a request to be granted.

    Olanipekun warned that the request if granted could expose judicial officers to avoidable dangers and demanded that heavy costs be imposed on Atiku for making the request.

    “We urge you to dispose of the application with a cost. It is very intriguing and surprising that the motion was brought here. 

    “The court is not a theatre, stadium or crusade ground. We are here for serious business.

    “We pray my lords not to make an order he cannot enforce and supervise.”

    On his part, Counsel to the APC, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, faulted the request, adding that the facility and policy documents are not there for the application to be granted.

    He said that Atiku failed to disclose injuries he would suffer if the request was not granted, adding that at the moment, nobody, including Atiku had not complained of inadequate coverage of the proceedings so far.

    Fagbemi insisted that Atiku did not deserve to be granted the request, adding that the court proceeding is not Big Brother Naija. 

    “The application is annoying. This is the fifth time we are conducting presidential elections.

    “There is no allegation that there is no adequate coverage of the proceeding as required by law. 

    “There is a difference between a trial for the public and a trial in public. I adopted trial for public. It will be like opening a floodgate if my lords grant the request. This is not the Big Brother Naija that requires live coverage,” the APC lawyer submitted.

    Similarly, counsel to the INEC, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud SAN said that Courtroom is for serious business and not a marketplace where anything goes, adding that the request for live coverage is unnecessary and uncalled for and should not be granted.

    Asking the court to dismiss the application, he described it as unnecessary, uncalled for and a move to defect the essence of the administration of justice.

    “The courtroom is for serious business and not a theatrics space.

    “We are very committed and serious and committed and do not want to be subjected to more pressure with cameras in our faces,” Mahmoud submitted.

    In the meantime, Justice Haruna Tsammani has reserved a ruling on whether to grant Atiku’s request or not.

  • US state of Montana bans TikTok

    Montana Governor, Greg Gianforte signed a bill into law

    Montana has become the first U.S. state to ban the Chinese-developed social media app TikTok, as its Republican Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill into law.

    According to the Governor, the decision is to protect personal and private data from the owners whom are a Chinese company called ByteDance.

    “To protect Montanans’ personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party, I have banned Tiktok in Montana,” Gianforte tweeted after signing the bill.

    The new rule prohibits app stores from offering the video-sharing app from January 1, 2024 and prevents TikTok from operating as a business in the state.

    For those who violate and the social media platform is still available, app providers would have to pay a $10,000 fine.

    Users do not face a fine and those who already have the app on their own device are not affected.

    Lawsuits challenging the ban based on the right to freedom of expression are expected.

    Owned by Chinese company ByteDance, TikTok has already been banned on government-issued devices in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the U.S., amid cybersecurity concerns.

    The app has more than a billion users worldwide and is widely used in the U.S. and Europe, fuelling fears that Chinese authorities and secret services might use the app to collect information from users or to spread influence.

    The company has rejected such allegations.