Author: Akintayo Adams

In a landmark decision, Iwao Hakamada, an 88-year-old man and the world’s longest-serving death row inmate, was acquitted by a Japanese court after spending more than five decades on death row. Hakamada was initially convicted in 1968 for the quadruple murder of his boss, his boss’s wife, and their two children. However, new evidence questioning the integrity of the case has led to his retrial and exoneration. Hakamada was sentenced based on key evidence, including bloodstained clothes found in a tank of miso. Despite denying the charges, he later confessed under intense interrogations, which reportedly lasted up to 12 hours…

The naira continued its depreciation on Wednesday, falling to ₦1667.42 per dollar, down from ₦1658.48 on Tuesday, according to FMDQ data. This marks an ₦8.94 decline in just one day. In the past 48 hours, the naira has dropped by ₦104.76 at the official foreign exchange market. Meanwhile, in the black market, it weakened further to ₦1705 per dollar on Thursday, compared to ₦1675 on Tuesday. This is the first time in weeks that the naira has crossed the ₦1700 mark at the parallel market. This depreciation follows the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent 27.25% interest rate hike, which is…

The Nigerian government has announced plans to impose more taxes on citizens and businesses, despite the ongoing economic challenges. This move is part of the government’s Economic Stabilisation Bills, approved by the Federal Executive Council earlier this week. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy Tax Reforms, revealed the plan in a statement on his official X account. The initiative, called “Tax Identification Consolidation and Collaboration (TICC),” is designed to expand Nigeria’s tax base and generate more revenue by widening the tax net. Oyedele stated that the plan is one of 15 proposed laws aimed at fostering…

US Vice-President Kamala Harris, aiming to strengthen her economic platform, promised to drive new investments in domestic manufacturing if elected president in November. Speaking in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, Harris presented herself as a pragmatic capitalist, committed to uplifting the middle class through targeted initiatives. She outlined plans for $100 billion in tax breaks and incentives to support young families, first-time homebuyers, and the elderly, while emphasizing investments in artificial intelligence, aerospace, and energy. In contrast, Harris also highlighted the need for wealthier Americans and corporations to “pay their fair share,” proposing tax increases on the rich. She promised…

The Federal Government has approved an increase in the monthly allowance for corps members to ₦77,000, effective from July 2024. This decision was announced by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in a statement signed by its Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, on Wednesday. The approval came through a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission, dated September 25, 2024, and signed by its Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta. This increase follows the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. Previously, corps members received a monthly allowance of ₦33,000, following an adjustment to…

Controversial social media personality, Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, has responded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) invitation after he accused some of its personnel of accepting bribes. In a video posted on his Instagram on Wednesday, VeryDarkMan criticized the EFCC for not addressing his claims of bribery and for failing to confirm the detention of Bobrisky, the central figure in the controversy. He stated, “The EFCC should focus on investigating its officers, particularly those involved with Bobrisky, before summoning me.” He called for the commission to audit the financial activities of its officers before inviting him,…

The Federal Government has distanced itself from the ongoing disagreement over petrol pricing between the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery. According to President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, both companies are free to set their own prices, as the petroleum market has been deregulated. Addressing the press in Abuja on Wednesday, Onanuga emphasized that since both Dangote Refinery and NNPCL operate as private entities—despite NNPCL being government-owned—they are guided by market forces and can independently determine their pricing for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). He noted that competition between the two could lead…

The Presidency has revealed that President Bola Tinubu is preparing to reshuffle his cabinet. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, shared this during a press conference at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday. Onanuga noted that while the President has expressed his intention to reorganize the cabinet, there is no specific timeline, though it could happen before October 1st. He stated, “The President has expressed his desire to reshuffle his cabinet… I don’t know whether he wants to do it before October first and he will surely do it.” Regarding the administration’s performance,…

Abdul Mumuni, one of the sons of the late Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola, has made some revelations about his father’s family and financial arrangements. Speaking in a viral video, Abdul discussed his late father’s Will, revealing how MKO Abiola meticulously arranged financial provisions for his over 30 wives. Abdul explained that MKO Abiola’s first wife, Simbiat, was allotted £300,000. He further alleged that two of his brothers, Kola and Wuraola Abiola, acting as self-appointed directors, have been lifting over 600,000 barrels of oil from their late father’s oil block, without sharing any of the proceeds with the other siblings. He…

The Senate has confirmed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN). Her confirmation comes after hours of screening by members of the Upper Chamber on Wednesday. With the confirmation, Kekere-Ekun becomes the 23rd substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn-in Justice Kekere-Ekun as the Acting CJN in August. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community or Google News online channel.