Just In: Fire Erupts At Dangote Refinery In Lagos
A fire broke out at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos on Wednesday. Emergency response teams are on the scene, and efforts are underway to contain the blaze.
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Gov. Yusuf Allocates N3bn For Classroom Upgrades, Plans Deployment Of 17,000 School Security Personnel
The Kano State Government has announced a significant investment of N3 billion to upgrade classroom infrastructure across its 44 Local Government Areas.
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Governor Abba Yusuf revealed this initiative during a stakeholders meeting held at the Government House in Kano on Tuesday, emphasizing the project’s goal to create a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.
In addition to the infrastructure upgrades, Governor Yusuf disclosed plans to employ 17,000 security personnel to ensure the safety of primary schools statewide, with an allocation of 400 personnel per local government.
The personnel will be recruited from the local communities to enhance service delivery.
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Each local government council will receive N25 million for renovation efforts, overseen by the Universal Basic Education Board to ensure quality control.
Governor Yusuf stated, “This investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving education infrastructure and providing a better learning experience for students.”
Fake News Can Be As Harmful As Terrorism – Information Minister Warns
On Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized the harmful effects of misinformation and fake news, comparing their impact to that of terrorism.
He praised media professionals for their role in the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and urged them to avoid sensationalism in their reporting.
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Speaking at the opening of a two-day training workshop titled “Effective Reporting Towards Strengthening Alternatives to Terrorist Ideologies,” held at the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Idris cautioned journalists against spreading misinformation.
“Sensational reporting can inadvertently glorify terrorist acts and spread fear,” Idris stated.
“Misinformation and fake news can be as damaging as the terrorist acts themselves. You must avoid this at all costs.”
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Idris highlighted the ideological nature of terrorism, noting that extremist groups exploit vulnerabilities, spread fear, and propagate messages that falsely present them as fighting for a social cause.
He stressed the importance of providing positive alternatives to counter these narratives.
“To counter this, we must offer compelling, positive alternatives that resonate with the same audiences targeted by terrorists. Therefore, your reporting plays a pivotal role in this endeavor,” he said.
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The minister urged the media to project the successful initiatives and programs of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) that focus on counter-radicalization and the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists into the community.
He called on defense correspondents to collaborate with security experts, sociologists, psychologists, and community leaders to offer a multi-faceted perspective on terrorism and its alternatives.
“Use data and research to back your stories, thereby enhancing credibility and depth,” Idris added.
Just In: El-Rufai Drags Kaduna Assembly To Court Over Alleged N432 Billion Misappropriation
Kaduna State former Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has filed a lawsuit against the Kaduna State House of Assembly, contesting allegations that his administration misappropriated N432 billion and left the state with substantial debt obligations.
El-Rufai, appearing in person at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday, initiated a fundamental rights enforcement case against the Assembly.
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He claims the committee investigating his administration denied him a fair hearing.
According to a statement by El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor’s lawyer, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, filed the lawsuit challenging the Assembly committee’s report that accused El-Rufai of corruption.
Adekeye stated, “His lawyer, AU Mustapha SAN, said that El-Rufai approached the court as a Nigerian citizen who is entitled to be given a fair hearing before his rights can be determined by a quasi-judicial or investigative body or courts in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.”
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El-Rufai has asked the court to declare the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Investigation of Loans, Financial Transactions, Contractual Liabilities, and Other Related Matters of the Government of Kaduna State from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, as ratified by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, unconstitutional and therefore null and void for violating his right to fair hearing.
In June, the state Assembly’s ad hoc committee submitted its investigative report on El-Rufai’s administration’s financial dealings, loans, and contracts.
The committee’s chairman, Henry Zacharia, claimed that the loans secured during El-Rufai’s tenure were misused and that proper procedures were not followed in some instances.
Assembly Speaker Yusuf Liman alleged that El-Rufai’s administration misappropriated N423 billion, leading to significant financial burdens for the state.
BREAKING: Six Teenagers Drown In Kaduna River After Junior WAEC
Six teenagers from Ribang (Mbang) village in Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, tragically drowned in the Mbang river on Tuesday while returning home from their Junior WAEC exams.
The incident occurred at around 5:30 p.m.
The victims, identified as Manasseh Monday (16), Musa John (16), Pius David (15), Monday Ayuba (16), David Danlami (19), and Yahuza Audu (16), were students of Government Secondary School Fadan Chawai. They had been taking the West African Junior School Examination.
Pastor Simon Ishaku, the National Public Relations Officer of the Ribang Development Association, confirmed the tragic event on Wednesday.
He reported that three bodies have been recovered and buried, while three others remain missing.
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Pastor Ishaku described the devastating impact on the community, noting that the students had left their homes with high hopes, only for their families to be met with grief instead of joyous reunions.
He highlighted the ongoing dangers posed by the Mbang river, which has claimed several lives over the years.
The community’s access to schools and hospitals requires an 8-kilometer journey, making travel perilous.
“We urgently call on the Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani, Senator Sunday Katung, and our House of Representatives members to assist us with a school, hospital, access road, and bridge to alleviate the suffering in our community,” Pastor Ishaku pleaded.
Gov. Otti To Clear N16.5 Billion Salary Arrears Of Abia Civil Servants
The Abia State government has announced plans to pay off the N16.5 billion in salary arrears owed to workers in the state’s civil service in installments.
This decision was revealed by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Mike Akpara, during a press conference in Umuahia on Tuesday.
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Akpara emphasized the administration’s commitment to addressing the issue of unpaid salaries, stating, “A worker deserves his wages.”
He acknowledged that the current administration inherited a significant debt in salary arrears, particularly in state-owned educational institutions.
“We need to jumpstart the economy of the state, and for the velocity of money to improve in Abia, we need to stop going to bed by 7 pm,” Akpara said.
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He added that the government is determined to clear the arrears while also ensuring progress in other sectors of the economy.
While promising that the salary arrears will be paid, Akpara clarified that the payments will be made in tranches to avoid disrupting other economic activities.
He stated that the government aims to start settling the arrears for workers in state-owned educational institutions by July or August, with the goal of completing the payments by the end of the year.
The affected institutions include Abia State University (ABSU), College of Education Arochukwu, College of Health Sciences, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, and Abia State University Teaching Hospital.
Akpara mentioned that the government has already paid salary arrears for April and May to workers in ABSU.
He criticized the past administration’s approach of providing subventions to institutions that still failed to pay salaries, resulting in prolonged arrears.
“In the past, there was something called generate and use, and we noticed that things were not being done properly,” he said.
He noted that the previous administration owed substantial amounts: 33 months to Abia Polytechnic, 22 months to College of Education Arochukwu, and 11 months to Abia State University.
The commissioner assured that the current administration has not taken any new loans since assuming office and has been managing its finances effectively.
He explained that the government is completing the loan application processes initiated by the previous administration with the Africa Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank.
Akpara also highlighted the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that verification exercises will continue as needed to maintain order in the civil service.
“We will continue to apply ourselves to the good works that the state requires to ensure that the people get the dividend of democracy,” he concluded.
No Plan To Dethrone Sultan – Sokoto Govt Clarifies
The Sokoto State Government has dismissed rumors that Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration intends to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
In a statement released on Tuesday, government spokesman Abubakar Bawa condemned what he called a campaign to tarnish the relationship between the state government and the Sultanate Council.
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The denial comes after the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) alleged a plot by the state government to dethrone the Sultan. Vice President Kashim Shettima, addressing the issue at the North-West Peace and Security Summit in Katsina State on Monday, emphasized the importance of the Sultanate as an institution that must be protected and respected.
“In all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, I want to use him as a point of reference to recognize and appreciate all our royal fathers present here,” Shettima said. “And to the deputy governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you. Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea, he is an institution, that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the growth of our nation.”
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In its response, the Sokoto State Government described MURIC’s accusations as baseless, assuring the Muslim community that there is no plot to dethrone the Sultan, who also serves as the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Bawa stated, “The present administration, like its predecessors, cherishes and respects the Sultanate Council long before MURIC was established. The Sultanate Council, with its longstanding historical importance, is revered by all the people of Sokoto State. Therefore, we hold the institution in very high regard and esteem.”
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Bawa further emphasized the cordial relationship between Governor Aliyu’s administration and the Sultanate Council, noting that the government frequently consults with the Sultan on state matters and values his input in policy decisions.
Addressing recent actions involving district heads, Bawa explained, “The affected District Heads were accused of behaviors such as land racketeering, aiding insecurity, and insubordination. A committee was formed to investigate, and based on their recommendations, the government acted in the public interest.”
The statement concludes by reiterating the government’s respect for the Sultanate Council and denying any intentions to undermine its leadership.
Court Orders Cubana To Forfeit N10 Million, Launch Campaign Against Naira Abuse
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, to forfeit ₦10 million to the Federal Government.
This order comes as a result of charges related to the alleged abuse of the Naira.
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This resolution was reached through a settlement agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which was formalized before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on Tuesday.
During the proceedings, EFCC counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala informed the court that both parties had agreed to an out-of-court settlement, which had been signed.
The defendant’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chikaosolu Ojukwu, praised the EFCC’s decision to settle the matter amicably.
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He noted that Cubana Chief Priest was remorseful and committed to improving his conduct.
Ojukwu also requested that the charges be dismissed in light of the settlement. Justice Ogundare adopted the terms of the settlement and struck out the charges.
According to the terms of the settlement, under Section 14 (2) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004:
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1. The agreement pertains only to the findings of law violations in the pending charges against the defendant.
2. The defendant will enter into a bond with the EFCC to maintain good behavior and avoid any economic and financial crimes or related offenses.
3. The defendant will engage in rigorous campaigns to sensitize the public against the abuse of coins and notes issued under the CBN Act.
4. The defendant will post at least two video clips bi-monthly on his social media platforms, promoting the campaign against Naira abuse and related offenses.
5. The defendant will pay ₦10 million to the consolidated revenue fund of the Federation upon executing this agreement.
Enugu LP Candidate Petitions NJC, Alleges Conspiracy To Put Him Behind Bars
Barr. Bright Emeka Ngene, the Labour Party candidate for Enugu South Urban Constituency in the State House of Assembly, has accused the Enugu State government’s executive and judiciary branches of plotting to imprison him.
Ngene claims this alleged conspiracy is a punitive measure for his insistence on retaining the mandate he won in the March 18, 2023 House of Assembly Election.
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Speaking to journalists in Enugu, Ngene alleged that Chief Judge of Enugu State, Deputy Chief Registrar, and Magistrate have conspired to ignore a pending petition before the National Judicial Council (NJC), which had taken up his case.
He called for urgent intervention to prevent what he described as a severe miscarriage of justice aimed at ending his political and legal careers.
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Ngene had been declared the winner of the Enugu South Rural Constituency election and was sworn into the House of Assembly, but the court later overturned this decision following a petition by his rival, Sam Ngene of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to Ngene, re-run elections for eight disputed polling units in the constituency have been held twice but were inconclusive, and a third re-run scheduled for June 8 was canceled without notifying Labour Party.
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In his petition to the NJC, Ngene alleged a corrupt agreement between the Enugu State Chief Judge, the Deputy Chief Registrar, and the state government to imprison him before a re-run election can be conducted.
“there is corruptive agreement between the Honourable Chief Judge of Enugu State, His Lordship A.R Ozoemena, the Deputy Chief Registrar, Chijioke Agbo, His Worship E.D Onwu, Esq and the Enugu State government to at all cost or willy nilly put me behind bars before a re-run is conducted over my seat in the Enugu State House of Assembly.”
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“Otherwise, why are these parties applying impunity in continuing with the trial when the NJC has accepted custody of the matter? The ideal thing is that parties in this matter should relax for NJC to decide but they are rushing the matter to put me behind bars and go ahead to conduct the re-run election.” He said
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“I seek the NJC to save me from oppression, persecution, and impeding wrongful conviction bathed by corruption and obvious abuse of judicial office and power.”
“Unless the National Judicial Council intervenes, the Honourable Chief Judge of Enugu State, the Deputy Chief Registrar, and His Worship E. D Onwu will wrongfully and corruptly destroy my ambition to continue to be in the House of Assembly of Enugu State and dent my political and legal career with conviction,” Ngene petitioned.
Bright Ngene called on the NJC to intervene and prevent what he described as oppression, persecution, and potential wrongful conviction due to corruption and abuse of judicial power.
Court Orders Forfeiture Of $1.4 Million Linked To Ex-CBN Governor, Emefiele
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $1,426,175.14 linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Ayokunle Faji, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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This decision stems from an interim forfeiture order obtained by the EFCC on May 29, 2014, which temporarily seized the funds.
The court mandated that the order be published in newspapers to notify any potential claimants, providing them the opportunity to contest the forfeiture.
During Tuesday’s hearing, EFCC counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala stated that the commission had complied with the publication order, and no claims to the funds had been made.
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Buhari-Bala asserted that the money was obtained through unlawful activities by Emefiele, who allegedly received kickbacks for approving foreign exchange allocations to multinational firms during Nigeria’s forex crisis.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Emefiele used intermediaries to conceal the illegal proceeds. David Jayeoba, an EFCC investigator, disclosed in an affidavit that the money was traced through direct intelligence.
According to the investigation, entities paid substantial bribes to secure forex approvals, with transactions funneled through accounts under fictitious names.
The funds, initially amounting to $26,552,000, were deposited into an account at Titan Trust Bank. The deposits were made between November 2021 and September 2022, in increments ranging from $652,000 to $6,450,000.
The investigation revealed that the money was subsequently laundered through foreign accounts and then reintroduced into Nigeria.
The court’s decision to forfeit the remaining $1,426,175.14 to the Nigerian government is supported by Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-related Offences Act.
This ruling follows another recent forfeiture order involving properties worth N12.18 billion linked to Emefiele, issued by Justice C.J. Aneke.
