Thursday, May 16

Benin City Court Sentences 15 Internet Fraudsters to Jail
16May By Ofomata EdidiongNo Comments
Metro

Benin City Court Sentences 15 Internet Fraudsters to Jail

Fifteen individuals found guilty of internet fraud and obtaining money through false pretenses have been sentenced to jail by the Edo State High Court in Benin City. Among those convicted are Sagay Favour, Efemini Kelvin Mudiaga, Izzi Evans, Okim Ekene, Jakpa Godspower, and Lucky Alao SeyiEk. The rest include Adams Jarret, Mathew Ese, Oritsegbogwa Joseph, Joshua Lucky Ojabugbe, Emudiaga Akpojaro, Richard Promise, Aboh Daniel Bonfrey, Deniran Emmanuel Edafe, and Orode Ovie. Upon arraignment by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), all the individuals pleaded guilty to charges related to obtaining money by false pretense and possession of fraudulent documents. For example, Deniran Emmanuel Edafe was charged with possession of documents containing...
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Former Minister Agunloye Fails in Attempts to Halt $6 Billion Fraud Prosecution
16May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

Former Minister Agunloye Fails in Attempts to Halt $6 Billion Fraud Prosecution

An objection from ex-minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, challenging the authority of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute him has been dismissed by the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Apo. The EFCC announced this development on Thursday via its official handle. Agunloye is currently facing a seven-count charge related to an alleged $6 billion fraud associated with the Mambilla Power Project. His counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), submitted a motion contesting the EFCC's power to investigate and prosecute him, as well as the court's jurisdiction to try him. In response, prosecution counsel Abba Muhammed filed a counter affidavit, rejecting Agunloye's motion as incompetent and in violation of Section 115(2) of the Evidence Act....
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Fubara’s Government Responds to Resigned Commissioners’ Allegations of Toxic Working Environment in Rivers
16May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

Fubara’s Government Responds to Resigned Commissioners’ Allegations of Toxic Working Environment in Rivers

The Commissioner for Information and Communications in Rivers State, Joseph Johnson, has affirmed that Governor Sim Fubara provides his appointees with the freedom to carry out their duties, emphasizing that there is no toxic work environment within the administration. Johnson addressed the recent wave of resignations that affected Fubara's cabinet earlier this week. Five commissioners tendered their resignations from the Rivers State Executive Council, citing a toxic work environment as the reason. Prior to this, two commissioners had left the government following a cabinet reshuffle by the governor. These resignations are a result of the ongoing power struggle between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike. In response to these developments, Johnso...
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Arsenal’s Arteta Hinting at Potential Return to Spain
16May By Ofomata EdidiongNo Comments
Sports

Arsenal’s Arteta Hinting at Potential Return to Spain

According to recent statements, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may be considering a return to Spain in the future. Arteta's current contract with the Gunners is set to expire in 2025, and there have been rumors linking him to a possible move to Barcelona. During a pre-match press conference before Arsenal's upcoming game against Everton, Arteta was questioned about the prospect of managing in Spain. The former Spanish midfielder expressed, "I have always had thoughts of eventually returning. The pull of my home country, the lifestyle, the sense of community, and the culture – these factors always play on my mind." “While I am currently content here at Arsenal, pleased with the support I receive, and genuinely passionate about my work, I believe that one day the call to return will come. ...
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Ruling: N301m Lawsuit against CBN and UBA for Freezing Customer’s Account Dismissed by Court
16May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

Ruling: N301m Lawsuit against CBN and UBA for Freezing Customer’s Account Dismissed by Court

A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has thrown out a N301 million legal action brought against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and United Bank of Africa (UBA) by Babatunde Victor, an aggrieved customer. The suit alleged that the customer's bank account was unlawfully frozen. The Judge's decision to dismiss the lawsuit was based on the argument that the CBN and UBA froze the account numbered 2116708900 at UBA in compliance with a court order. During the judgment on the case involving the disgruntled UBA customer, it was emphasized by the Judge that the freezing of the account by CBN was deemed lawful as the central bank had obtained a court order for the action. Victor had taken CBN and UBA to court, seeking compensation of N301 million for what he cl...
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A message to Tinubu from NNPP chieftain: N48,000 minimum wage is insufficient for workers’ survival
16May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

A message to Tinubu from NNPP chieftain: N48,000 minimum wage is insufficient for workers’ survival

Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi, a prominent figure in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has emphasized that the proposed N48,000 minimum wage set by the federal government is inadequate for workers to sustain themselves. The recent discussions between the federal government and labor unions reached an impasse when the government revealed its proposal of N48,000 as the new minimum wage. Expressing his discontent, Ajadi highlighted his disappointment with the government's suggestion of N48,000 as the minimum wage. In a statement provided to NewsNow on Thursday, the NNPP leader disclosed his close monitoring of the negotiations between the government and Organized Labor regarding the new minimum wage. He criticized the government for not taking into account the current economic circumstan...
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Insights from Atiku’s Former Aide, Bwala, on the Leadership Style of Tinubu in OPEC Matters
16May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

Insights from Atiku’s Former Aide, Bwala, on the Leadership Style of Tinubu in OPEC Matters

In response to the recent data released by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), indicating that Nigeria's average daily crude oil production has increased to 1.28 million barrels per day, Daniel Bwala, former spokesperson of the defunct Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign council, pointed out that President Bola Tinubu is displaying leadership qualities without creating unnecessary noise. According to OPEC, the rise in Nigeria's daily crude oil production was determined through the collection of primary and secondary data. Bwala highlighted in his statement, "OPEC's April report reveals that Nigeria's average daily crude production has grown to 1.28 million barrels per day, marking a 4.07% increase from the March 2024 figure of 1.23 million barrels per day. He also e...
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Addressing Terrorism Financing: Collaborative Efforts by ICPC, CISLAC, and Others
16May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

Addressing Terrorism Financing: Collaborative Efforts by ICPC, CISLAC, and Others

Reaffirming its commitment to fighting terrorism financing, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Nigeria is dedicated to this cause. During a Multi-Stakeholders’ National Dialogue in Abuja, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, emphasized the Commission's determination to prevent terrorism financing and violent extremism. The event, organized by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) and the Inter-Governmental Action Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA ECOWAS), aimed to address these critical issues. Dr. Aliyu highlighted ICPC's pivotal role in combatting terrorism financing, particularly in Nigeria’s northeastern region, emphasizing the i...
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The House of Representatives to Investigate Daily Increase in Prices of Commodities
16May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

The House of Representatives to Investigate Daily Increase in Prices of Commodities

The House of Representatives has tasked its Committee on Commerce with looking into the continuous rise in prices of goods across the country. This decision was made following the approval of a motion presented by Jesess Onuakalusi (PDP-Delta) on Thursday, titled "The Urgent Need for Price Control Board of Nigeria to Fulfill its Constitutional Duties". In his presentation, Onuakalusi mentioned that the price control board had neglected its duty of regulating commodity prices, leaving it in the hands of marketers to set prices at the expense of consumers. He highlighted the fact that while workers' salaries remain unchanged, the cost of goods keeps escalating on a daily basis. "The primary role of the price control board is to oversee and manage the prices of all goods in Nigeria," he em...
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Concerns in Akwa Ibom as Doctors Suspend Services Following Colleague’s Kidnapping
16May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

Concerns in Akwa Ibom as Doctors Suspend Services Following Colleague’s Kidnapping

Medical services in both government and private hospitals in Akwa Ibom State have been suspended by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) due to the prolonged abduction of one of their members. Dr. John Esu, a senior member of the doctors’ association, was abducted by gunmen on April 30, 2024, in the Oron local government area and has been held captive for over two weeks. The continued captivity of Dr. Esu has compelled the frustrated medical professionals to cease their services, citing the lack of responsiveness from the government and security agencies towards ensuring the safety of citizens, including healthcare workers. Addressing the situation, NMA State Chairman, Prof. Emem Abraham, emphasized the need to enforce the strike as a means of highlighting the challenges faced by...
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