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Category: Politics

  • Yahaya Bello to be arraigned, June 13

    Yahaya Bello to be arraigned, June 13

    The former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Friday finally agreed to submit himself to the Federal High Court Abuja for arraignment on June 13.

    At the Friday sitting, Justice Emeka Nwite rejected the former governor’s request for suspension of trial.

    Following the rejection of the application, the lead Counsel to the defendant, Abdulwahab Mohammed, gave the undertaking that his client will appear before the court in the next adjourned date.

    He stated that Bello was not afraid of arraignment but the safety of his life in the hand of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

    According to Mohammed, the life of his client has been under consistent threats in Abuja, hence, his decision to go underground for safety.

    In his remarks, Justice Nwite reiterated that EFCC as a law-abiding body would not do anything against the provisions of the law.

    The court added that Bello was not the first former governor to be merely invited by the anti-graft agency and would not be the last.

    The judge also said that the charges are based on allegations that have not been proved, adding that the law even presumes any accused person innocent until proven otherwise.

    Consequently, Justice Nwite advised Bello’s lawyer to prevail on his client to respect the law and order of court as a law-abiding citizen.

    Responding, Mohammed expressed gratitude to the court, adding that with the assurance that EFCC would not do anything untoward, the former governor would be brought to court.

    “All my client needs is just an assurance for the safety of his life which has been under threat for sometimes in Abuja.”

    He, therefore, requested for four weeks to bring his client before the court.

    However, he added that the former governor, now at large, will come to the court instead of the EFCC to take his plea in the charges.

    In his reaction, counsel to the Anti-graft agency, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, didn’t oppose the application.

    Justice Nwite fixed June 13 for Bello to appear in court to take his, please.

  • Nigerian Army Agrees to Withdraw Troops from Okuama Community

    The  Nigerian Army has reached an agreement with Delta State Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to withdraw military personnel from the troubled Okuama community in Ughelli, South local government area.

    This decision, announced in a press release by Governor Oborevwori, comes after discussions with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. 

    The withdrawal is effective immediately.

    The community had been under military siege following the tragic killing of 17 soldiers, including high-ranking officers, on March 14. 

    Governor Oborevwori expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Nigerian Army hierarchy for their understanding and cooperation in a peaceful resolution ofthe crisis.

    He also thanked members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, and other leaders for their support during this challenging time. 

    Governor Oborevwori reassured the people of Okuama of the Delta State Government’s commitment to assisting them in returning to their homes and rebuilding their lives.

  • Commercial Bus Conveying Women, Children Abducted in Otukpo, Benue State

    Commercial Bus Conveying Women, Children Abducted in Otukpo, Benue State

    The growing incidence of violent attacks and kidnap of villagers in a manner akin to guerilla warfare continues unabated in Apa, Agatu and parts of Otukpo and Ohimini Local Government Areas of Benue state as armed men suspected to be cattle herders have waged a relentless war, killing them in their numbers and abducting women, children and unsuspecting victims on a daily basis.
    The armed criminals also lay siege on the highway to kidnap wayfarers for ransom in order to sustain their crime economy. A source disclosed to Nigerian Anchor this Wednesday, May 8th, that in furtherance of their criminal enterprise, armed men suspected to be Kidnappers, yesterday, at a lonely section between two villages named Omutele and Ankpechi in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state, intercepted a commercial transport mini-bus belonging to Benue Links Transport Service and conveying passengers from Abuja to Otukpo.
    As at press time, the exact number of passengers affected cannot be verified, but first responders claim that victims were mostly women, while the minor were abandoned. Sources say that the abandoned children had been handed over to men of the Nigerian Police Force.
    It was also disclosed that one of the young men from the two villages who were mobilized and currently on a hot chase for the adaptors was short while another retreated for his dear life. Meanwhile, a few others are reported to continue with the quest, combing bushes and forests in frantic search for the victims and their abductors.
    A concerned villager who commented on the incident expressed the opinion that, “There are police posts in the area. The locales must be part of this, and that’s the great challenge.”

  • DSS arrests former Oyo PMS chairman, Auxiliary

    DSS arrests former Oyo PMS chairman, Auxiliary

    The Department of State Services has reportedly arrested Mukaila Lamidi, the embattled chairman of the Oyo State Park Management System, popularly known as Auxiliary.

    According to The Punch, Auxiliary was arrested at about 4:00 pm on Tuesday at his residence in the Olodo area of Ibadan, the state capital.

    Although the reasons for his arrest are still sketchy, a source who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity because of the weight of the matter said it was because of an interview he granted on Saturday, May 4, in which he called out Seye Famojuro, a trusted ally of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for being behind his woes.

    In the interview he granted to Media personnel, Ajibola Akinyefa, in the Yoruba Language, the former PMS chairman said, “If he (Famojuro) is the governor or Seyi Makinde is, we will know. It is just a matter of time. Everybody will face the consequences of their actions. The people he chose to manage the park are cheating themselves.

    When asked if it was his hooliganism that led to his removal, Auxiliary queried how many people reported that he beat them to the police.

    He further said that Seye would still return to Ijesha because Ibadan is not his homeland.

    “Seye will still go back to Ijesha because Ibadan is not his town. Only Governor Seyi Makinde and I will remain here because we won’t run away. And I see that the bird is not working, but God feeds it. Seye will reap the seeds of his actions,” he added.

  • Ikeja Electric slashes tariff for Band A customers

    Ikeja Electric slashes tariff for Band A customers

    Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IE) Monday, revealed that it has reduced it’s electricity tariff for customers under Band A from N225/kWh to N206.80/kWh.
    This was made known through a circular by the management of the company on its “X”(Formerly Twitter) page on Monday.
    Specifically, it said the customers will now pay N206.80/kwh as against the N225/kwh ordered by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
    According to the statement, IE guaranteed to provide 20 to 24 hours of electricity to users under this Band, adding that the tariff for customers under other categories will remain the same.

    It said: “Dear Esteemed Customers, Please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kwh to N206.80/kwh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily.
    “The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged.”

  • Nigeria Police Reacts To Reports Of Packing Lagos State Residents In Buses To Osun

    Nigeria Police Reacts To Reports Of Packing Lagos State Residents In Buses To Osun

    The Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command on Saturday claimed that it was not aware nor were its operatives involved in packing some residents of the state to Osun State. 

    Reports emerged on Saturday on how the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with the Lagos State Task Force packed hundreds of residents and young people from the streets of the state on Friday and dumped them in Osun State. 

    One of the youths who said he was taken away by the Nigerian policemen at his place of work on Friday afternoon narrated his ordeal.

    He had said the law enforcement agents packed young people from Ajah, TBS and Island areas of the state and gathered them inside an uncompleted building at the Makoko police station before moving them to a forest in Ilesha town in Osun State.
    He had said there were about five luxurious buses filled with the youths that were taken to Osun State in the company of policemen. 

    Reacting to this in a press statement issued on X, the state command spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin claimed the force was not aware of the operation.

    The statement reads: “Following news making the rounds that the “Nigerian Police…Pack Residents…to Osun,” the Lagos State Police Command wishes to clarify that it is not aware, neither was it part, of any such operation.

    “The command, in keeping with its mandates of prevention and detection of crime, conducts raids of black spots from time to time, and promptly arraigns only culpable suspects in courts of competent jurisdiction in the state after a thorough screening of the people raided.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Adegoke Fayoade, assures the good people of Lagos State that the command would continue to prioritise their safety and security at all times.” 

  • Court bars Kano DisCo from implementing new tariff

    Court bars Kano DisCo from implementing new tariff

    A Federal High Court in Kano has issued an order restraining the National Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company from implementing the new electricity tariff for Band A consumers.

    The suit marked FHC/KN/CS/144/2024 was filed by Super Sack Company Limited and BBY Sacks Limited.

    Others are Mama Sannu Industries Limited, Dala Foods Nigeria Limited, Tofa Textile Limited, and Manufacturers Association Of Nigeria Limited.

    However, ruling on an ex-parte motion by Abubakar Mahmoud, counsel to the plaintiffs, the presiding judge, Abdullahi Liman, ordered NERC and KEDCO from going ahead with the impending tariff pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.

    The order also restrained the defendant from intimidating and threatening to disconnect the applicants’ electricity supply for non-acceptance of the new increased tariff.

    Recall that in April, NERC approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

    With the new tariff, customers under the category, who receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, would begin to pay N225 per kilowatt, starting from April 3 — up from N66.

    The sudden hike has since been criticized by the House of Representatives and other stakeholders who have asked NERC to suspend the implementation of the new tariff.

  • Tinubu condoles victims of Ogun gas explosion

    Tinubu condoles victims of Ogun gas explosion

    President Bola Tinubu has sympathised with the victims of the gas explosion which occurred at Ita-Oshin, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State on Sunday, April 28.

    This was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Tuesday, April 30.

    The statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu extends his deepest sympathies to the victims of the gas explosion at Ita-Oshin, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    “The explosion from a solitary gas truck rippled through the community, resulting in the loss of life and property last Saturday.

    “The President also sympathizes with the Ogun State Government and residents of the state over this tragedy.

    “President Tinubu commends Governor Dapo Abiodun on his valiant efforts to arrest the situation and immediately restore calm to the community.

    “The President assures the people of Ogun State, particularly the victims of this harrowing incident, of his fervent support in this moment of grief.”

  • Lagos Temporarily Shuts Down Churches, Hotels Over Noise Pollution

    Lagos Temporarily Shuts Down Churches, Hotels Over Noise Pollution

    The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has temporarily shut down various establishments, including churches, bars, and hotels, in several areas like Ifako-Ijaiye, Abule-Egba, Alagbado, Command, Abesan Estate, and Dopemu due to noise pollution.

    This was made known in a post shared by the state Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on his X account on Friday.

    Affected establishments include the Catholic Church, Seventh Heaven Bar & Lounge, 1602 Hotel, Lourita Hotel & Suites, Wonderful Bible Prayer Ministries, God’s Porch Ministries, White Pavilion Hotel, Quest Hotel & Suites, Honey Comb Confectioners Ltd, and Excel Hotel & Suite. 

    The statement reads: “In a significant effort to address noise pollution and other environmental breaches, LASEPA #LasepaOfficial conducted a comprehensive enforcement operation today in strategic areas of lfako-ljaiye, Abule-Egba, Alagbado, Command, Abesan Estate, and Dopemu within Lagos State.

    “Among the affected establishments are the Catholic Church, Seventh Heaven Bar & Lounge, 1602 Hotel, Lourita Hotel & Suites, Wonderful Bible Prayer Ministries, God’s Porch Ministries, White Pavilion Hotel, Quest Hotel & Suites, Honey Comb Confectioners Ltd, and Excel Hotel & Suite these establishments have been temporarily closed to compel compliance with environmental regulations.

    “LASEPA emphasized the vital importance of businesses adhering to environmental standards.”

  • Three killed, dozens kidnapped as bandits invade Zamfara Emir’s palace

    Three killed, dozens kidnapped as bandits invade Zamfara Emir’s palace

    Armed bandits raided the palace of the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Bello Muhammad Bunu, resulting in three fatalities and the abduction of several residents.

    The attack, occurred around 10 pm on Wednesday, also targeted the the residence of former Military Administrator Colonel Bala Muhammad Mande (rtd). 

    According to witnesses, the bandits attempted to gain entry into the palace by firing at the entrance gate. Fortunately, the gate was locked, preventing their access. However, they proceeded to vandalize nearby structures, including a GSM mast, and set fire to two generators.

    Sources revealed that the emir had been the primary target of the attack, as he had narrowly escaped a previous abduction attempt. Following the incident, he was quietly relocated to the state capital for safety.

    In their failed attempt to breach the palace, the bandits turned their attention to the former military administrator’s residence, firing shots that damaged the property. During their retreat from the town, they inflicted casualties, killing three individuals and abducting several others.

    A resident of the town who pleaded anonymity told Daily Trust: “We don’t know the number of people abducted because when the bandits started the shooting, residents ran into the bush for safety.

    “No one dared stay back when the bandits were firing shots. The magnitude of the gunshots was scary. Hence, we all ran into the bush for our dear lives.

    “We are calling on the government to provide enough soldiers to the town because the bandits may return again since they know the emir is in town.

    “All they want is to abduct the emir, and we don’t know why they want to kidnap him.”

    While the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara confirmed the attack and the abduction of one palace staff member, there are reports of additional abductions, including the Sarkin Gida of Zurmi Emirate and a local tea seller.