Category: Happenings

The Federal Competition and Consumer and Protection Commission (FCCPC) just arrived at the Abuja-based Chinese supermarket situated at the China General Chamber of Commerce.

Earlier on Sunday, Nigerians had expressed outrage over a discriminatory policy implemented by the Chinese Supermarket which restricted entry exclusively to its citizens and barred Nigerians.

The facility manager of the complex Shaibu Sanusi confirmed that Nigerians from outside the complex do not shop but Nigerians within can access it.

While the supermarket remains shut, the consumer protection agency seems to believe that some people are hiding inside in a bid to avoid confrontation with the agency.

Obinichi Nnorom, a lecturer of the mechanical engineering department of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Rivers State, has been called out for sexual harassment.

In a video circulating online, Obinichi and his female student can be seen standing close to each other as he fondles her bazooms while a friend recorded the harassment.

The viral clip has now sparked outrage with some of Obinichi’s victims recounting their horrid ordeal in his hands.

Confusion as the two wives of the Osun Governor, Ngozi, and Titilola Adeleke, have printed different posters with their names and pictures welcoming Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to Osun state.

The federal government is expecting a fresh $2.2 billion single-digit interest loan from the World Bank and another budget support facility from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, disclosed this during a press briefing at the end of Nigeria’s activities at the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings in Washington DC in the United States.

While speaking on the sources of international funding to the Nigerian economy, Edun listed diaspora remittances, foreign portfolio investments and facilities from the World Bank and other international development partners.

He said, “We have qualified for the processing just this week to the Board of Directors of the World Bank of a total package of $2.25bn of what you can call ‘the closest you can get to a free lunch’; virtually a grant.

It’s for about 10 to 20 years moratorium and about one per cent interest.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN said the apex bank is assiduously to achieve a stable foreign exchange (FX) rate.

Yemi Cardoso, CBN governor stated this during a press conference held at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group.

He said, “Again, to be honest, I think we should expect that there will be increases here and there, ups and downs and even from what you’ve reported yesterday, from what I gather, the naira has begun strengthening overnight.


“So I think the most important thing to say here is that we are doing everything possible to ensure that we have a stable exchange rate and an exchange rate that finds its adequate price discovery level.”

The CBN governor said the local currency will continue to appreciate against foreign currencies. On diaspora remittances, Cardoso said the bank’s target is to double the present flows.

According to Cardoso, the target may appear ambitious, but he expressed confidence that the country will be able to accomplish it.


He said Nigeria will continue to engage investors in discussions centered on the state of the reforms implemented so far.

Cardoso also said there has been positive response from foreign portfolio investors (FPI).

“They’re part of a process of continuous engagement. And it is so critical that we use any opportunity we can to dialogue with investors and to update them on the state of the reforms that have taken place.

A 31-year-old Nigerian man has been sentenced to 28 years in prison by Woolwich Crown Court in the U.K. for attempted murder, and possession of firearms, among others.

Marcus Adepoju was arrested after he attempted to shoot someone in retaliation over a £3.50 drug in Edmonton, London.

Adepoju was convicted of multiple firearms and drug offenses following a trial at the same court in February and was sentenced by the court on Friday.

In April 2023, officers were called to a house on Nelgarde Road, Catford, where a man reported he had been shot at through a window by a masked man.

The three shots had narrowly missed him but caused superficial wounds from glass shards, as well as extensive damage to the property, Enfield Dispatch reports.

A search of the unit recovered two firearms alongside ammunition, drugs, cash & knives.

He was found guilty of attempted murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and a further count of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria will become a major economic force in the world under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking in Abuja, the vice president said Tinubu administration is committed to creating an unprecedented enabling environment for both local and foreign investors to thrive.

According to him, “Nigeria is where the attraction should be for investors all over the world as Nigeria will become a major global economic force under President Tinubu. By 2050, Nigeria will be the third most populous country in the world and only recently, an investment bank projected that by 2075 Nigeria’s economy will be the third largest in the world.

It shows that the trajectory of global growth is facing Africa and Nigeria will make or mar that transition. So, the future belongs to Africa. If Nigeria works, Africa works.“

Burning clothes were strewn in the park, which was locked down by authorities, while ambulances lined up nearby on standby, an AFP correspondent at the scene saw, describing a strong smell of burning chemicals.

The scene unfolded moments after the full panel of 12 jurors and six alternates was selected for the trial of the former president in a hush money cover-up case.

“A male did light himself on fire outside of the Supreme Courthouse. We’re still gathering details from the field,” said a New York Police Department spokesman.

The fire department did not respond to a request for comment, but media reported the man had been taken away for medical treatment.

The incident happened in a park opposite the 100 Centre Street courthouse, which has been used by authorities to corral protesters, both pro-Trump and anti-Trump, as well as by some members of the media.

The park, which is close to several courthouses and other buildings, is a popular local lunch spot.


Trump’s criminal trial, the first of a former president, is being conducted amid tight security in a 15th-floor courtroom swarming with Secret Service officers as well as court police.

New York’s police department had promised a major deployment to ensure the trial passes off safely, with the force’s head of intelligence John Hart calling it a “major challenge.”

The South African Police Service (SAPS) have arrested eight Nigerians for allegedly attacking the operatives and damaging their vehicles during a drug raid.

The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, confirmed the incident that happened in the Northern Cape on Friday.


According to a South African Police Service (SAPS) statement, at the time of the arrest, police were tracing information of one of the Nigerian nationals in possession of drugs.



“While conducting this search, a large group of Nigerians attacked police. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd,” SAPS said.


One suspect was arrested for illegal drug possession and three were detained at Kimberley Police Station for public violence, South African Government News Agency said.

In addition, while the policemen were processing the case, suspects broke windows at the station. The police have since added charges of malicious damage to property.

The South African police added, “Another group of Nigerians later approached the police station and threatened to retaliate. The Operational Commander warned the group to disperse.”

Upon dispersing, the group damaged police vehicles, while another four suspects were arrested for malicious damage to property.


Otola has since condemned this behaviour and stated that those who hinder police from exercising their duties will be brutally dealt with.

“We will not allow such lawless behaviour. We are processing the suspects and working with Home Affairs to determine if they are legally or illegally in the country. Police will continue to stamp the authority of the state in the Northern Cape,” he stated.


“We will not allow such lawless behaviour. We are processing the suspects and working with Home Affairs to determine if they are legally or illegally in the country.

The Nigeria Immigration Service has placed embattled ex-governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on a watchlist.

The police headquarters in Abuja has also ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to him.

This comes hours after the EFCC declared him wanted over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; & one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested & referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads

The Anambra State Government has arrested a 40-year-old man, identified as Anietie Tim for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Onitsha.

The arrest came after the suspect had evaded operatives of the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs & Children’s Welfare.

Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Ify Obinabo, in a statement on Thursday, April 18, 2024 said the incident happened in 2022 after which the suspect has been evading arrest through the help of some military personnel at the Barrack where he lives.

“The suspect, Anietie Tim, from Eninan AkwaIbom in his defense said he never knew his victim was an under age and went further to say that she was the one that tempted him and he responded because he’s a man with blood flowing through his veins.

Mr Tim also explained that before the incident, he was already befriending his 14 Year old victim, who, according to him, was always starved at home.

A suspected yahoo boy, identified simply as Precious, has been arrested by police operatives in Benin City, Edo State in connection with the alleged mirder of his 7 months pregnant girlfriend.

It was gathered that the deceased, Victory Izorobor, went missing last week after she visited the suspect to cook for him.

According to a report “The guy invited her over to cook for him. He lives on Sapele road, here in Benin.”

“When she didn’t return home, her family went in search of her and when they couldn’t find her they got the boy arrested.”

“He was later released on bail but was rearrested on Tuesday, April 16, after the girl’s body was found in a nearby bush.

“They have been dating since 2016, however, her family doesn’t have his picture.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted for offenses relating to economic and financial crimes.

This was contained in a notice posted on the commission’s official social media pages on Thursday.

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station,” the notice read.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have reportedly barricaded the house of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in Wuse, Abuja.

The EFCC siege comes days after the former governor held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, at the State House.

On Wednesday, a top source shared the photograph showing how operatives of the EFCC barricaded the access road to Bello’s house.

According to a source, “EFCC barricades Bello’ house in Abuja. No movement in the area as EFCC barricaded the house. They are yet to gain access.”

Although there was no immediate information available to the reason while the anti-graft agency stormed the former governor’s residence, it may be connected with the N84 billion fraud case against him which the EFCC is prosecuting.

The EFCC had charged the former governor with financial fraud to the tune of N84 billion.

The anti-graft commission in an amended charge, accused Bello of diverting N80 billion of state funds in September 2015, four months before he assumed office.

Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, has lamented that Nigerians have lost faith in the nation’s currency, the Naira, and are now saving in Dollars.

Speaking at a recent event in Lagos, he noted that the recent appreciation of Naira’s value showed that Nigeria’s effort to boost its currency is yielding results.

He said the country targets all diasporic funds to boost the Naira. The country’s foreign direct investment dropped to N3.7 billion in 2023.

“Because of a lack of faith in the currency, people have decided to try to hold and save in dollars. We are targeting all the funds in the diaspora. There are all these funds that you have brought into your (local foreign currency) accounts; we are targeting them,” he said.

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, April 15, 2024, arraigned a father-in-law,  Alaba Alakija, and his daughter-in-law, Oyinkansola Alakija before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on an amended two-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy and using false documents.

One of the counts reads: “Alaba Alakija and Oyinkansola Alakija, on or about the 6th day of August 2015 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to financially benefit from the property located at No.10, Keffi Street, South-west, Ikoyi, Lagos, conspired amongst yourselves to use a false document titled: “Vesting Deed by Dr. Omodele Alakija and Mr. Afolabi Alakija”, the executors of the estate of the late Sir Ademola Alakija, purporting  same to be made by Dr. Omodele Alakija and Mr. Afolabi Alakija.”

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.

A fresh crisis is brewing in the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been suspended from the party in Kano State.

Ganduje was suspended for alleged corruption including allegations of bribery levelled against him by the Kano State Government.

The former governor was suspended by the executive members of Ganduje Ward in the Dawakin-Tofa local government area of Kano State.

Gwanzo, addressed journalists on Monday, on the suspension.

He said:

“We decided to suspend Dr. Ganduje from the party due to the seriousness of the allegations against him,” Gwanzo stated.

Iran has launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel, injuring at least 12 people, according to an Israeli army spokesman.

“Last night Iran fired over 300 ballistic missiles, UAVs and cruise missiles towards Israel,” military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a televised statement, revising an earlier figure of more than 200 launches.

Hagari said 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles were launched, none of which entered Israeli territory, adding that 110 ballistic missiles were also fired and few of them reached Israel.

In a separate statement, the Israeli military said that “dozens of surface-to-surface missile launches” were identified, with the majority intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory.

One of those injured was a seven-year-old girl from a Bedouin community near the southern town of Arad, who was in intensive care, according to the medical center that received her.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in Cross River state, arrested a 40-year-old widow and mother of two identified as  Mrs. Theodora Ita on Monday, April 8, 2024, for producing and selling a lethal new psychoactive substance (NPS) locally called ‘combine.

The Agency revealed this through a statement signed by its Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Ita was captured at Bassey Edom, Calabar, in possession of NPS which is a mixture of different strains of cann+bis and opioids soaked in raw gin. At the time of her arrest, 18 liters of the dangerous substance in used paint drums were recovered from her.

In her statement, she claimed she started the illicit drug production and distribution in October 2023.