Author: Akintayo Adams

Convicted Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, aka Baba Ijesha, has petitioned the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, to overturn his conviction by a Lagos State High Court for sexual assault on a minor. On July 14, 2022, Judge Oluwatoyin Taiwo (retd.) of the Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court sentenced Baba Ijesha to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor. However, Baba Ijesha was displeased with the decision and filed an appeal to dispute his five-year prison sentence. Baba Ijesha, through his counsel Kayode Olabiran, told the appeal court on Tuesday that his client was set up and…

The Central Bank of Nigeria has resumed the sales of dollars to Bureau De Change operators. The apex bank disclosed this in a circular referenced TEM/FEM/PUB/001/013 uploaded to its website on Tuesday and signed by Dr Hassan Mahmud, its Director, Trade and Exchange Department. It stated that it is set to sell $10,000 to BDCs at N1,021 per dollar while directing the operators to sell at a spread not more than 1.5 per cent above the CBN rate. The statement read, “We write to inform you of the sale of $10,000 by the CBN to BDCs at the rate of…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has again announced a further reduction in the prices of both diesel and aviation fuel to N940, N980 per litre respectively.  This is sequel to the earlier price reduction to N1,000 a while ago. According to the management, the price change of N940 is applicable to customers buying five million litres and above from the refinery, while the price of N970 is for customers buying one million litres and above.  The Head of Communication, Mr Anthony Chiejina, explained that the new price is a testament to the company’s commitment to cushion the effect of economic hardship in…

Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has said that reawakening refineries in Nigeria would save the nation foreign exchange for fuel importation, and ultimately reduce the pressure on the nation’s currency. He disclosed this when he received the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Turnaround Maintenance of Nigerian Refineries led by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah at Government House, Asaba. He further urged the Federal Government to hasten action in making the nation’s refineries functional. He said: “I am happy that you people are here today.  I can see some of my good friends that we served together as Speakers. “I have the full confidence…

Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, through his lawyers, informed the Judge that he is ready to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer to the 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). However, he is afraid of getting arrested, according to his lawyer, Mr Adeola Adedipe, SAN. “The defendant wants to come to court but he is afraid that there is an order of arrest hanging on his head,” Adedipe said. Thereafter, he prayed the court to set aside the ex parte order of arrest earlier issued against Bello.…

Youths under the aegis of Progressive Northern Youth Forum (PNYF) have assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of enjoying massive support from the region in 2027. This is contrary to claims of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) earlier in the month, when they expressed regret at voting for Tinubu in the 2023 election. “The North made a mistake in voting Bola Tinubu to the presidency in 2023, and it is unlikely that they will repeat the same error in the future.” “They have learned from their past misstep and will strive to select a candidate who can unite the country and…

Emmanuel Macron, President of France has reaffirmed France’s call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in war-stricken Gaza. The French Supremo made this appeal during a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. According to a statement by the French presidency, Macron revealed that he stands in solidarity with the Israeli people following the attack launched by Iran against Israel on the night of April 13-14. The French president “reiterated his firm opposition to an Israeli offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza, which would only aggravate an already catastrophic situation in Gaza and increase the risks of escalation.” He…

Former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has resigned his membership of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This was made known in his resignation letter which was addressed to the chairman of the party in Mbutu Ward, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state. Ihedioha said his beliefs and that of the party are not on par with each other. “Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs. Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly, no longer able to carry out…

Some Kogi State Youths, on Tuesday, staged a protest against plans by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello over alleged N80.2 billion fraud. The youths, under the auspices of the Coalition of Civil Society for Democracy, and Africa Youths Coalition for Justice gathered in their numbers, and barricaded the popular Lokoja-Abuja road which caused gridlock on the highway. They protested accused the anti-graft agency of witch-hunting and victimizing the former Governor. Banners with various inscriptions, “Nigeria is not a banana republic”, “President Tinubu, call EFCC to order”, “EFCC stop witch hunting”, “Yahaya Bello…

A Dana Air aircraft has crash-landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday morning. No casualty was recorded, while the details surrounding the incident were sketchy as at the time of filing this report. The affected aircraft, a McDonald Douglas (MD-83) with registration 5N-BKI, had 83 passengers on board. Spokesman for the airline, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, said, “Dana Air regrets to inform the public of a runway incursion involving one of our aircraft, registration number 5N BKI, which was flying from Abuja to Lagos today, 23/04/24. “We are relieved to confirm that all 83 passengers and crew…