Category: Happenings

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has charged youths across the country to stay away from internet crimes and thread the paths of integrity, transparency, and accountability for the sake of their future and progress of the nation.

Olukoyede gave the charge at a recent event in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. According to him, “Corruption is not just someone else’s problem, it is yours, mine, and ours. It is all about unfair advantages, the bribes the lies and the cheating.

It is also the silent bystander, the ignored warning sign, and the compromised value. You have a choice: to accept the status-quo or challenge it; to be part of the problem or part of the solution.

You are the future, and the future is now. Let’s create a Nigerian society of integrity, transparency, and accountability that we can be proud of.”

President Bola Tinubu’s administration appears to have upped the petrol price from N650 to N855, according to pump price displays on Tuesday on fuel dispensers at the government NNPC stations

Amid a lingering fuel scarcity and crisis, petrol prices on dispensing machines of government-backed NNPCL stations in Lagos and Abuja on Tuesday showed N855 per litre, cementing claims that the price has been reviewed upward to reflect the nation’s current foreign exchange woes and fuel landing cost hassles.

Other filling stations adjusted their price to N897 per litre on Tuesday morning.

Femi Soneye, the NNPCL spokesperson said: “I’m not aware. But I’ll find out.”

Fuel prices have dwindled between N580 per litre to N700 per litre since Mr Tinubu became president and announced the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023.

Hajiya Dada, the mother of late Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, has passed away at the age of 101.

She di£d at her home in Katsina after a period of illness, the family disclosed on Monday, September 2.

Recall that Umaru Musa Yar’adua served as President of Nigeria from 2007 until his d£ath in 2010.

After 28 days in detention, the Nigeria Police Force has formally charged Isaac Bristol, aka PIDOMNigeria, to court for cyber-related offences.

The 41-year-old, who is said to be a prominent whistleblower on X (formerly Twitter), was arrested on August 5, 2024, by officials from the National Cybercrime Centre.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/456/2024 and filed on Monday, September 2, 2024, at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

In the nine-count charge, Bristol is accused of illegally mobilising support from Nigerians to participate in the recent nationwide hunger protests tagged #EndBadGovernance.

According to court documents made available to newsmen, he faces charges related to the transmission of classified government documents and spreading false information.

Specifically, he is accused of sharing documents claiming that Tinubu released N24.1 billion naira to NAHCON Chairman through Shettima’s office, later increased to N90 billion naira.

Police operatives in Edo have arrested a 19-year-old native doctor, identified as Timothy Dauda, for allegedly shooting one Alex Ezekiel to death.

The command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, in a statement on Monday, September 2, said the incident happened on August 20 in the Onumu community under Akoko-Edo LGA. Yamu said the suspect was arrested by personnel of the Igarra Division.

According to the statement, “The suspect claimed to be a native doctor and specialises in preparing charms against guns and cutlasses. One Alex Ezekiel, now deceased, went to the ‘native doctor’ to get the charms prepared for him.

After preparing the charms, the native doctor tried to test their efficacy by shooting the deceased with a gun. Unfortunately, the deceased sustained fatal injuries and was rushed to Ifejola Hospital, Igarra, where he was certified dead by a medical doctor.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that the Federal Government’s reforms in the health sector have attracted over $4.8bn in investments.

The Vice President disclosed this at the recent Commissioning of a hospital in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

“Our health sector calls upon us all to unite. The promise of this day is one we cannot overlook. It is through such collaboration and shared dedication that we can guarantee every Nigerian receives the care and support they deserve.

This administration’s ambitious health sector reforms, which have already attracted over $4.8 billion in potential investments, signal a strong commitment to revitalising our healthcare system.

These reforms are anchored on a comprehensive roadmap designed to address longstanding challenges, and central to this are four key pillars: Transforming healthcare governance, improving population health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and strengthening health security,” he said.

The president of Cuba, has conferred a national medal of honour on Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate.

The Haydee Santamaria Medal was bestowed on Soyinka at the Casa de las Americas in Havana, Cuba, on August 23.

In a statement issued by the Cuban presidency, Diaz-Canel said Soyinka’s visit to the country is “very significant, it is the visit of a brother who has always fought for just causes”.

The president said awarding Soyinka the medal is an expression of many feelings for Cuba, adding that the Haydee always harped on the importance of culture to revolution.

“With you, we share ideas, dreams, commitment to human improvement,” Diaz-Canel said.

Jorge Fornet, director of the Centre for Literary Research of Casa de las Americas, said awarding Soyinka the Haydee Santamaría Medal, which has been previously received by many of the most outstanding figures of Latin American, Caribbean and other world intellectuals, “is an act of justice that honours us”.

An employee of a handling company at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Auwalu Ahmed Dankade, who returned $10,000 he found while cleaning an aircraft, has said that his motivation is to please Allah.

The sum, equivalent of approximately N15m, was found on Wednesday afternoon in an Egyptian aircraft, and Dankade immediately reported the discovery to his company manager, leading to the identification and return of the money to its owner.

In a telephone interview with Daily Trust, Dankade said, “I have been trained not to take what does not belong to me. Anything you take unlawfully, you will be held accountable for in the hereafter.

“My parents taught us to be content with whatever we have, and this upbringing made it easy for me to return the money.”

Sources at the airport hinted that Dankade would be invited to Lagos by his employers on Friday, possibly to receive a reward for his honesty and exemplary conduct.

A Nigerian national faces drug smuggling charges after Anti-Narcotics Force’s (ANF) Lahore International Airport operation uncovered concealed cocaine capsules.

The suspect, who had flown into Pakistan from Nigeria via Dubai, was found with 38 c+caine-filled capsules hidden in his stomach, The Express Tribune reports. According to ANF spokesperson, a total of 608 grams of cocaine was recovered from the capsules.

This arrest underscores a worrisome and accelerating trend in transnational drug smuggling, with foreign nationals playing a significant role.

Notably, Nigerian nationals have been disproportionately represented in these cases, with 10 individuals apprehended in 2023, and a remarkable 4.811 kilograms of contraband seized, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation.

Thus far in the current year, law enforcement agencies have undertaken a series of rigorous operations, totaling seven, which have yielded significant results in the fight against narcotics trafficking.

The police command in Abuja has arrested over 97 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise referred to as Shi’ites, over the killing of its officers.

On August 25, members of the Islamic sect clashed with the police at the Wuse area of the federal capital territory (FCT) during the Arba’een symbolic trek.

A brawl ensued between members of the group and the police, leading to the death of two officers.

Speaking on the incident on Wednesday, Bennett Igweh, FCT commissioner of police, said the police paraded 94 members of the group following the attack.

He said the Shi’ites attacked the police officers with cutlasses, petrol bombs and guns, and that three police patrol vehicles were burnt.

The commissioner identified the officers killed as Innocent Agabi, an assistant superintendent of police, and Alex Odeh, an inspector.

The House of Representatives has written a letter to the Canadian government, imploring it to probe a Nigerian, Amaka Patience Sunnberger, based in Canada, over threats and hate speech against Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin ethnic groups.

The letter signed by Biodun Omoleye and Tochukwu Chinedu Okere, stated Sunnberger’s comments constitute threat to Nigerians.

“On behalf of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group and the House Committee on Diaspora Matters, we are writing to express our deep concern regarding the actions of Ms. Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian citizen residing in Canada.

“Ms. Sunnberger has recently been recorded making inflammatory statements that incite violence against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups in Nigeria, including advocating the poisoning of food and water supplies to achieve their mass genocide.

The letter added that Sunnberger’s recorded statements constitute a direct threat to the lives and safety of millions of Nigerians.

“Her incitement to violence and call for genocide through poisoning are not only deeply troubling but also represent a clear violation of multiple international, Canadian, and Ontario laws.

“Such rhetoric is dangerous and has the potential to incite real-world violence, both in Nigeria and within the Nigerian diaspora,” the lawmakers expressed.

It further indicated Sunnberger violated Canadian, Ontario laws, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, amongst others laws.

The letter added, “In light of the seriousness of these violations, we respectfully request the following actions:

“Investigation: An immediate and thorough investigation should be conducted into Ms. Sunberger’s actions by Canadian law enforcement and appropriate authorities.

“Prosecution: We urge that Ms. Sunberger be prosecuted under the relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada to hold her accountable for her incitement to genocide and hate speech.“Public Denouncement: We request that the Canadian government issue a public condemnation of Ms. Sunberger’s actions to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to combatting ha e speech, violence, and genocide.

“Collaboration with Nigerian Authorities: We also request that Canadian authorities collaborate with Nigerian authorities to prevent any potential escalation of violence as a result of Ms. Sunberger’s incitement, and to ensure that justice is served.

Zimbabwean bishop detained in Nigeria for visa violation came to conduct election for church faction in support of gay practice –Immigration.

The Nigeria Immigration Service on Monday offered reasons why a Zimbabwean Bishop, Eben Nhiwatiwa of the United Methodist Church was arrested & detained

Bishop Nhiwatiwa was reportedly taken into custody in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State for allegedly entering the country with invalid travel documents

The Adamawa State Comptroller of Immigration, told SaharaReporters exclusively that the cleric was caught performing religious duty with a “visit visa”, instead of a “religious visa”

It was reported on August 25 how Zimbabwean Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa of the United Methodist Church had reportedly been detained by Nigerian Immigration authorities, despite having all necessary documents

Bishop Nhiwatiwa arrived in Nigeria on August 21, 2024 to oversee the election of a new bishop for the church’s Nigerian chapter, following the resignation of Bishop John Wesley Yohanna

Pavel Durov, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Telegram, has been released from police custody after four days of interrogation.

According to CNN on Wednesday, Durov, who was seen exiting the anti-fraud office outside Paris in a police vehicle, was transferred to court for questioning ahead of a possible indictment.

The Paris prosecutor’s office, according to the report, said the billionaire would now face “initial questioning and possible indictment” at a court in the French capital.

The Telegram CEO was arrested by the French police at the Le Bourget airport on August 25. The 39-year-old was held for offences relating to the popular messaging app, according to international media.

It was said that the CEO could face multiple charges bordering on alleged t3rrorism, money laundering, drug trafficking, and child abuse content.

Four members from a Nigerian gang have been jailed after forging more than 2,000 marriage certificates that allowed people live in the UK illegally.

The suspects Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, and Adekunle Kabir, 54, were all jailed for a total of 13 years after a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

The Home Office said the four were part of an organised criminal group that made fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications for Nigerian nationals.

They carried out the enterprise between March 2019 and May last year, and were also found to have provided false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documentation to help applicants remain in the country.

An investigation from the Home Office in the UK and Lagos found more than 2,000 false marriage documents were facilitated by the group, who themselves were Nigerian.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said the 10th National Assembly agreed with President Bola Tinubu’s executive arm of the government to return to the old national anthem because they want to rebuild Nigeria.

Akpabio said this while speaking at the ongoing 2024 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos State.

The Senate President said, “We are diligently working hard to create a robust legal framework that will support the aspirations of all Nigerians. We believe strongly that there is no stain in our country that we cannot erase if we stand together in brotherhood.

That is why we went back to that National Anthem, that though tribes and tongues may differ, though professions may differ, in brotherhood we stand. We went back because we want to rebuild the future of this country; remembering that we may come from different tribes, different backgrounds, different ethnic groups, different tongues, but in brotherhood we stand.”

A 40-year-old tea vendor identified as Abdulrashibu Ya’u in Sararai village, Jigawar Tsada town, Dutse LGC of Jigawa State, has allegedly beaten 20-year-old Hassan Garba to death.

According to reports, Ya’u descended on Garba whom he accused of stealing bread, milk, noodles, and petrol.

Upon receiving the report, the police delegated a team to the scene and arrested the suspect, while the victim was rushed to Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Jigawa, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, said, during questioning at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse, that Ya’u admitted to the crime, stating that Garba’s repeated thefts had infuriated him, and he had previously informed his parents but no action was taken.

He said in a fit of rage, Ya’u tied Garba with a rope and beat him with a stick, leading to his death.

He said neighbors reported hearing Garba’s cries for help but were unable to intervene until police officers arrived.

Ryan Akagbusi, an 8-year-old boy with autism from Richmond reported missing by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office has been found d£ad, authorities confirmed on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

He was reportedly found dead in a lake near his home by Texas EquuSearch.

The child’s mom, Ademorowa Oladeinde told ABC13 on Saturday that home surveillance footage showed her son leaving their house in the 19900 block of Kendall Lake Drive at 4:56 a.m. Half an hour later, her neighbor’s camera captured him walking on a nearby street. Oladeinde said she later found a pair of his shoes on the road.

A local Amber Alert was issued late Saturday afternoon and Texas EquuSearch organized a search party to comb the Lakemont neighborhood. The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office cordoned off parts of a retention pond and closed a road where deputies could be seen searching with K9s.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi as the new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, announced this in a statement on Monday, August 25, 2024.

Ajayi replaces Yusuf Magaji Bichi who was appointed by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018.

The Commissioner for Finance in Borno State, Ahmed Ali Ahmed has been found dead in his room.

According to Daily Trust, the commissioner’s d3ad body was found after his door was forcefully opened in the morning of Monday, August 26, 2024.

The deceased was discovered d3afpd after he failed to emerge at his usual morning time, prompting concerns.

“Oga is no more, he d+ed early this morning,” the source told newsmen. Borno State Government has announced the passing of Ahmed Ali Ahmed, the State Commissioner of Finance.

This marks the second loss of a cabinet member for Governor Babagana Zulum within a year.

According to reports, Hadebe was shot nine times while walking home in Malvern, Johannesburg.

His lif+less body was found by the police with multiple gunshot wounds on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Cartridges were found on the scene, and Clement was declared dead.

Women For Change advocacy group in a statement on Saturday, August 24, said the deceased identified as a trans woman and had recently started transitioning.

Local media reports indicate Hadebe, who is from KwaZulu-Natal province, was at a popular outing area in Johannesburg on the night of August 9 with a friend when they began to interact with the alleged male shooter who was showing interest in them, especially Hadebe.

They however left with the alleged shooter, who didn’t want to go with Hadebe’s friend to the B&B. The friend was later dropped off, and Hadebe and the alleged shooter were left alone.