Author: Biyi Lawrence

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension of the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa State, Mr Hudu Yunusa-Ari, pending the completion of investigation by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba into the conduct/actions of the REC during the recently-concluded controversial supplementary election in Adamawa State. The President has also directed the immediate investigation, and prosecution, if found liable, of Yunusa-Ari, by the IG. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, stated this in a statement issued on Thursday. The Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, signed…

Gunmen have kidnapped Stanley Ogwo, the son of a radio presenter with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Godwin Ogwo. The National Diploma II student of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, was kidnapped on his way to school from his residence. His father told The Punch that the available information is that his son was abducted in a commercial bus he boarded to school. He also disclosed that he has been contacted by the gunmen, but they are yet to make a demand. The staff of Radio Nigeria Enugu said the bandits contacted him through his son’s handset.…

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has dissolved the activities of the Lagos State Parks Management Committee, reinstating the suspended Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). The presiding judge also directed the Police to stop intimidating RTEAN members and remove all barricades imposed on their secretariat by granting them access to their offices. The State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had previously suspended the activities of RTEAN and appointed a 24-member committee, including Musiliu ‘MC Oluomo’ Akinsanya, as the chairman of the parks management committee. On Tuesday, Justice Maureen Esowe ordered the reinstatement of RTEAN operation, noting that setting up…

The Federal Government has declared Friday, 21 April and Monday, 24 April as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid el-Fitr celebration. The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, according to a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, obtained on Wednesday. He congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan. Aregbesola called on all Muslims to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). “The self-restraint,…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Ali Bello, a nephew of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi to 30 and 31 May, for continuity. Bello and three others were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N3 billion fraud. When the matter in the suit marked ABJ/CR/573/2022 (FRN Vs. Ali Bello) and three others was called on Tuesday, the prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, called their first witness, Nicholas Oyemomoni, from the American International School, Abuja. Oyemomoni, however, could not complete his testimony because the defence team, led by Abubakar Aliyu, objected…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Adamawa State, Senator Aishatu ‘Binani’ Dahiru has denied bribing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials with 2billion naira. Binani said that she won’t do anything to subvert the democratic process, adding that she is a democrat and not a do-or-die politician. Binani described as “bizarre”, allegations that she gave out N2bn to some unnamed staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) including embattled Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa Ari, to procure a favourable declaration as governor-elect for Adamawa State. “I never did, I would never do such,” Binani stressed. Ari…

The factional leader of Labour Party Lamidi Apapa, its national deputy chairman (South) and other officials, have been suspended, as the leadership crisis rocking the party deepened. The party appointed acting executive members according to a statement signed by Ladi Iliya, national deputy chairperson and Kenedy Ahanotu, deputy national secretary. They stated that the decision was taken at a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Asaba and attended by members of the National Working Committee. Also in attendance at the Asaba meeting were state chairmen and secretaries of the party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The party’s federal…

The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, lamented that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, have failed to cooperate with any correspondence over the alleged loss of $2.4 billion from illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil. This is as the committee has again summoned Malami and Ahmed to appear before the committee with necessary documents and information that would help in its assignment. Malami and others, including the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, failed to appear before the committee chaired by Mark Gbillah on Wednesday. The officials…

An angry mob on Wednesday, set a government-owned BRT Bus on fire following an accident involving the bus and two yellow-coloured vehicles known as ‘danfo’. An unnamed commercial bus driver was confirmed dead in the accident involving the BRT Bus and the two yellow-coloured vehicles. The accident occurred around the Ogudu bridge, inward the Alapere area of Lagos State. It affected vehicular movement and caused gridlock along the ever-busy axis connecting the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The BRT bus went up in flames, compounding the traffic situation along the axis. The Spokesman for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq…

A teenager, Abass Enitan, has been sentenced to nine months imprisonment without an option of fine for damaging a police station cell toilet window in a bid to escape. Magistrate M. C Ayinde who presided over the case at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, sentenced the 19-year-old without an option of fine after he pleaded guilty to the offence. “This will serve as deterrent to others,” she held. Enitan, whose address was not known was charged with unlawful attempt to escape from custody and wilful damage. Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Segun Oke told the court that Eitan committed the…