Author: Akintayo Adams

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…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Limited and Newscross Exploration and Production, its Joint Venture Partner, have restarted operations at the Awoba Unit Field with a target of 12,000 million barrels per day after two years forced hiatus over crude oil theft. The Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. According to him, the oil field restarted operation on April 13, 2024, averaging 8,000 barrels per day, and production is expected to increase to 12,000 barrels per day within the next 30 days. The Awoba Unit straddles OMLs 18 and 24 in the mangrove swamp south…

Pandemonium broke out at the Ladoke Akintola University Of Technology (LAUTECH) in the Ogbomoso area of Oyo State on Monday as yet-to-be-identified police officer allegedly gunned down a student and injured two others. It was learnt that the unfortunate incident occurred when the police officer was invited to settle a misunderstanding between two people in the school. In an attempt to settle the matter, the officer reportedly shot sporadically into the air and, in the process, gunned down one student and injured two others. The incident triggered a riot in the school as students locked the school gates in protest,…

No fewer than ten people have been proclaimed dead following a mid-air collision between two navy helicopters during a military training and rehearsal for a Royal Malaysian Navy parade. According to reports, one of the choppers clipped the rotor of the other before the two crashed down, leading to the death of at least ten persons. Footage of the unfortunate incident which occurred on Monday night has been circulating on local media. The choppers crashed in the Malaysian town of Lumut, which is home to a navy base. “All victims were confirmed dead on site and the remains were sent…

Ibrahim Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), is optimistic that Super Falcons would have a positive outing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The nine-time African champions are making a return to the Olympics after a 16-year absence. The Super Falcons will face world champions Spain, Brazil, and Japan in Group C at the Olympics, after fending off a strong challenge from reigning African champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa to qualify for the women’s football event. Gusau recognised the strength of the teams in the group but is confident the Super Falcons will scale through the…