Author: Akintayo Adams

Cross River State Government, through the Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has denied taking nor signing any fresh loan, both domestic and foreign, since the administration assumed office on May 29, 2023, till date. The reaction follows the report of the Debt Management Office (DMO) on states borrowing internally and externally. Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, Governor Otu expressed shock on how the Debt Management Office arrived at ₦220.2billion as the domestic debt profile of Cross River State as of December 2023, up from ₦204.04billion posted for the state as of June 30th, 2023. “There’s no record in…

Katsina State Government under the leadership of Governor Dikko Radda has dismissed claims by the Debt Management Office of an increase in the debt profile of the state. In a recently published report by the DMO, it was disclosed that Katsina under Governor Radda, together with some other states of the federation, collected fresh loans to worsen their prevailing debt crises. Katsina State was reported to have borrowed ₦36.93bn. However, in a statement on Wednesday, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, spokesperson to the Governor faulted the report and said the state government has prioritized repaying subsisting loans secured by previous administrations since…

Sequel to the approval of increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, on Wednesday, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has unveiled the areas under the Band A classification. Band A are those who enjoy 20-24 hours of electricity supply daily while those in Band B are subscribers who enjoy 16 to 20 hours. Those in Band C enjoy 12 to 16 hours daily.. Band D subscribers are beneficiaries of eight to 12 hours daily and Band E subscribers only enjoy four to eight hours of electricity consumption everyday. The…

Tigran Gambaryan, one of the detained Officials of Binance Holdings is in court over allegations of tax evasion. The exchange company and its two executives are set for arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Tigran Gambaryan, arrived at the court in company of EFCC Officials at 9:15 am on Thursday while his colleague, Anjarwalla was absent as he was said to be on the run. The defendants, with Gambaryan as the second are facing a five-count charge of money laundering, and operating specialised businesses in Nigeria without a license. In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, Binance…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested and detained cross-dresser, Idris Okuney, known as Bobrisky in the media space over abuse of naira, spraying of naira notes and currency mutilation. He was arrested in Lagos on Wednesday night, and has since been remanded at the Lagos Command of the EFCC. Confirming the development, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale said, “Bobrisky is with us. He was arrested last night in Lagos, and he is at our Lagos command. We arrested him for alleged abuse of naira notes, spraying of nara notes, and currency mutilation, among others. “We are very serious about…

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft uncovered an illegal fuel depot at No 3 Silver Bird Road, Ilasun Lekki, on Tuesday, arresting five suspects. The leader of the syndicate, Mr Ahmed Ariyo alongside four other persons were arrested in a private apartment where they carry out their illegal activities. According to a statement by the NNS Beecroft spokesperson, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, the Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo, while briefing newsmen, disclosed that the discovery of the illegal fuel depot was sequel to credible intelligence they received on suspicious activities taking place at Elegushi beach. He said that this…

The European Union (EU) has announced a collaboration with the federal government to reduce environmental waste in Nigeria. Following its proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly last December, the EU is joining the Federal Ministry of Environment, including other stakeholders around the globe to mark the International Zero Waste Day in Nigeria. Speaking during an event in Abuja to mark this year’s International Zero Waste Day with the theme: “Beat Waste,” Deputy Ambassador, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, said this year’s event prioritizes the need to reduce waste. “This year’s theme ‘Beat Waste’ underscores the…

Four people have been killed after a Russian overnight strikes hit Ukraine’s second largest city Kharkiv. The strike injured 11 other Individuals, officials said Thursday. During a second strike on a residential building, three rescue workers died while another, a 68-year old woman was killed in a drone attack on another building, Igor Terekhov, the mayor of the eastern city, wrote on Telegram. Speaking, Kharkiv governor Oleg Synegubov said Russian forces had launched “at least 15 drones”, some of which had been downed. Russia have made it a habit of attacking Ukrainian cities at night, with Kharkiv, near the northeastern…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) revealed that it generated more than ₦1.3 trillion revenue in the first quarter of 2024. The Comptroller General of NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on its activities in the first quarter of 2024, on Wednesday in Abuja. “The total revenue collected during this period amounted to ₦1,347,675,608,972.75. “The collection for the first quarter represents a substantial increase of 122.35 per cent compared to the same period last year, where ₦606,119,935,146.67 was collected,” he said. The CG said that the month-by-month analysis reflected the service’s impressive growth trajectory in Jan. 2024,…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the detention of Emmanuel Osase, q Nigerian accused of being a member of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, for 60 days. Osase was accused of spreading the messages of the terrorist group, opposing the democratic system of government in Nigeria, and calling for terrorist attacks on Nigeria and its symbols of sovereignty. He was arrested on the 11th of March. The order detaining the suspect was given by the trial judge, Inyang Ekwo, following a motion ex-parte filed by the Department of State Services marked FHC/ABJ/CS/409/2024. A. A Ugee, Counsel…