Court voids Rivers PDP congresses, axes chairman, exco
The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) state executives led by Aaron Chukwuemeka from parading themselves as Exco of the party. Presiding judge, Justice Stephen Jumbo, delivered the ruling on an interlocutory injunction on Monday. Two Port Harcourt based legal practitioners, Edwin Woko, Love Otuonye, and two others who are members of the PDP filed the case was against the party’s National chairman, state chairman, and nine others praying the court to declare null and void the purported PDP local government and ward congresses conducted the 319 wards and 23 LGAs by pro-Wike supporters on 27th of July, 10th August, and 31st August last year. The applicants had contended that all the congresses were done in disobedience to an order of the Rivers State High Court issued on the 16th of July 2024 stopping the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as their agents and privies from conducting congresses pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons already filed. This ruling is coming on the heels of a similar decision last year which also nullified the ward, local government, and state executives of the All Progressive Congress (APC) which had produced Tony Okocha. Some political watchers have viewed the development as a blow to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike in his running political battle in Rivers State with Siminalayi Fubara, his successor.
Edo Election Tribunal to begin full hearing on Ighodalo vs Okpebholo case Wednesday
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has scheduled full hearings for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, on the petition filed by Asue Ighodalo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The petition challenges the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election. The New Daily Prime earlier reported that Farouk Adamu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer declared Okpebholo a a winner. Adamu said Okpebholo, a serving senator at that time scored 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ighodalo who polled 247,274 votes. The hearing adjournment came after INEC and Governor Okpebholo, the 1st and 2nd respondents in the case, filed an application requesting a postponement. Ighodalo and the PDP are disputing INEC’s declaration of Okpebholo as the winner of the election. READ ALSO: Okpebholo begins remodelling of Edo schools The tribunal, presided over by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had initially adjourned proceedings on December 21, 2024, to Monday, January 13, 2025, after completing pre-hearing sessions. However, at Monday’s resumed sitting in Benin City, the tribunal’s Assistant Secretary, Dayo Dahunsi, presented a fresh application from the respondents requesting a further adjournment to Wednesday. The application cited the lead counsel for the respondents’ prior commitment to appear before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, for a case scheduled for a definite hearing. Although the petitioners’ counsel, Oladipo Oshinowo, representing lead counsel Ken Mozia, expressed readiness to proceed, he did not oppose the adjournment. Josephine Ogagaworia, representing the APC, the 3rd respondent, also did not object to the postponement. Following the submissions, Justice Kpochi adjourned the case to Wednesday. The hearing is expected to address the petitioners’ grievances and the respondents’ defence over the September 2024 governorship election results.
APC members arrested after visiting impeached Lagos speaker
Some All Progressives Congress (APC) members who are supporters of the just impeached Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa were on Monday arrested by security agents inside the Assembly complex. The arrested persons were taken away from the Assembly premises in a Black Maria on the same day. They claimed to be APC youths from Agege, the constituency of the impeached speaker. According to News Central reports, the supporters were intercepted by security personnel and subsequently confined in a Black Maria stationed near the Assembly premises. In the video posted by News Central, one of the victims speaking from the Black Maria said no fewer than 20 of them are in the vehicle, adding that he has asked the security operatives for the reasons of their arrest but no tangible reasons have been given. The detainees visibly distressed, have also been calling out for basic necessities such as food and water while awaiting further action from the authorities. On Monday, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly impeached the speaker, who was accused of multiple statutory and financial infractions. Mrs Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, was also a former chief whip of the house. Mojeed Fatai is now the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Obasa has been enmeshed in a series of financial infractions. His removal comes barely a month after he was accused of allegedly spending N17 billion to fix a gate that leads to the assembly.
N200bn USSD debt: FG to blacklist 18 banks
The Federal Government’s axe may fall on some Deposit Money Banks over the non-payment of over N200 billion on Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) to Nigerian telecom operators as the government set to list out names of the defaulting 18 banks on Tuesday (tomorrow). According to a report from Vanguard, the reason for the public seems to be for the telcos to stop offering the said services that enable their customers conveniently do online banking. The Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission, in December 2024, issued a final directive to Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators to resolve the protracted N250bn Unstructured Supplementary Service Data debt dispute. The directive, contained in a joint circular dated December 20, 2024, was signed by the acting Director of Payments System Management at the CBN, Oladimeji Taiwo, and the Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, Chizua Whyte. The document, according to the report outlined a structured payment plan for clearing the debt and introduced new operational guidelines for USSD services. Under the terms of the directive, 60 per cent of all debts incurred before the implementation of Application Programming Interfaces in February 2022 must be paid as full and final settlement. Payment agreements—whether as lump sums or instalments—must be finalised by January 2, 2025, with full settlement due by July 2, 2025. For debts arising after February 2022, the CBN and NCC mandated that banks pay 85 per cent of all outstanding invoices by December 31, 2024, and ensure that 85 per cent of future invoices are settled within one month of issuance. The regulators also directed both parties to discontinue all ongoing litigation related to the USSD debt issue, warning that non-compliance would attract stiff sanctions. “In view of the foregoing, the CBN and NCC hereby direct that all DMBs and MNOs adhere strictly to the outlined payment terms to ensure final resolution of this matter. Failure to comply will result in sanctions,” the circular stated. The move comes amid mounting pressure from telecom operators, who had earlier called for a clear payment framework to address the debt, which has strained relationships between the banking and telecom sectors. Additionally, the regulators emphasized the transition to end-user billing for USSD services, noting that it would only apply to banks and telcos that meet the outlined payment obligations. Pending this transition, operators are required to implement a “10-seconds rule,” ensuring sessions shorter than 10 seconds are not billed. The circular further highlighted the opportunity for banks currently using prepaid billing systems to migrate to EUB, subject to regulatory approval. The CBN and NCC reiterated their commitment to resolving the debt impasse, stating that the measures are aimed at fostering stability in both the financial and telecommunications sectors while ensuring the continued availability of USSD services for Nigerians.
Makinde inducts 48 perm secs, demands diligence
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Monday, inducted 48 newly-appointed Permanent Secretaries into the state civil service held at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, with a vow to continue upholding merit in the state civil and public service. The new Permanent Secretaries comprise 15 from the mainstream, six Inspectors General of Education, six from the health sector, seven from the local government, one from the House of Assembly, one as Surveyor General, nine Tutor Generals, and three executive secretaries. The governor stated that the appointees went through a rigorous selection process before being appointed to fill the vacancies. While charging the Permanent Secretaries to excel in their roles and justify their appointment, Makinde emphasized that the state would continue to recognize and promote outstanding individuals in the education sector and local government service in the state. Makinde also lauded the professionalism of the state Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, in handling the selection and appointment process of the new Permanent Secretaries. Speaking with journalists after the event, Mr Rotimi Babalola, formerly of the Ministry of Information, and Mr Abdul Waheed Tijani pledged to do their best to support the current administration in the state.
2025 Budget: NASS to exclude JAMB from FG grants
The National Assembly has resolved to exclude the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from the Federal Government’s (FG) 2025 budget grants, citing concerns about the agency’s financial practices. Lawmakers criticised the apparent contradiction in JAMB’s financial operations during an interactive session on revenue projections for 2025, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East). JAMB’s Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, revealed that the board remitted N4 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund in 2024 but received N6 billion from the FG. This disclosure sparked outrage among committee members, including Abiodun Faleke, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo). Faleke questioned why JAMB, a self-sustaining agency, needed government grants if the board could remit an amount of money. Senator Oshiomhole further criticized JAMB’s expenditures, highlighting N1.1 billion spent on meals and refreshments in 2024. READ ALSO: 14 MDAs, S’Court woefully fail ethics, integrity test – ICPC Other expenses scrutinized included N850 million for security, cleaning, and fumigation, N600 million for local travel, N6.5 billion for local training, and N1 billion allocated to a staff housing scheme. Oshiomhole demanded a detailed breakdown of these expenditures, labelling them as excessive and unjustifiable. The session also spotlighted broader concerns over low remittances from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in 2024. Senator Sani Musa emphasised the significant gap between the revenue generated by MDAs and their remittances to the federation account. “This persistent discrepancy hampers the government’s ability to fund critical infrastructure and social services,” Musa stated, attributing the issue to inefficiency, mismanagement, and potential revenue leakages. Lawmakers called for stricter oversight of MDAs to address these challenges and enhance fiscal accountability.
37-Year-Old man charged with attempted murder after nurse stabbed in Greater Manchester
Rumon Haque, a 37-year-old suspect, has been charged with attempted murder for stabbing a nurse at Royal Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester with a bladed article. The 37-year-old suspect, Haque, was also charged with possession of a weapon. Earlier, the New Daily Prime reported that a 50-year-old nurse is fighting for her life after being stabbed in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department on Saturday at approximately 11:30 p.m. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the injured nurse is receiving treatment in the hospital for her injuries. Read Also: Delta woman beats son to death over N200 According to a BBC publication, the suspect, Haque, who hails from Royton in Greater Manchester, will appear before Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Pledging their support for the victim and her family, Det Supt Matt Walker said GMP’s thoughts are with the nurse during this difficult time.
Ex-Labour MP, Ivor Caplin arrested in child exploitation sting operation
Former Labour MP, Ivor Caplin, who represented Hove from 1997 to 2005, was arrested on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Brighton following a sting operation conducted by the activist group, Stop Stings. The group alleges that Caplin, aged 66, believed he was arranging to meet a 15-year-old boy, a setup orchestrated by the group posing as the underage individual. Footage of the encounter was live-streamed on Facebook, showing Caplin at Hove train station, where he was confronted by members of Stop Stings. In the video, Caplin denies any wrongdoing, repeatedly stating, “I haven’t done anything.” The confrontation attracted significant online attention, with the livestream garnering over 36,000 views and 3,000 comments. Sussex Police confirmed the arrest, stating: “We are aware of footage circulating on social media showing a man in Brighton being detained on suspicion of engaging in online sexual communications with a child. ”Officers can confirm that a local 66-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, January 12, and currently remains in custody. This is an ongoing and active investigation.” In June 2024, Caplin was suspended from the Labour Party. He previously served as a parliamentary under-secretary. The arrest has prompted reactions from various public figures. Notably, entrepreneur Elon Musk commented on the incident, reportedly stating, “What a creep.” As the investigation continues, Sussex Police have conducted searches at Caplin’s residence in Hove. The authorities have urged the public to refrain from speculation and to allow the legal process to proceed.
US sanctions will destabilize energy market – Kremlin
The Kremlin said on Monday that the latest round of US sanctions on the Russian energy sector risked destabilizing global markets, and Moscow would do everything possible to minimize their impact. “It is clear that the United States will continue to try to undermine the positions of our companies in non-competitive ways, but we expect that we will be able to counteract this,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “At the same time, of course, such decisions cannot but lead to a certain destabilization of international energy markets, oil markets. We will very carefully monitor the consequences and configure the work of our companies in order to minimize the consequences of these … illegal decisions.” The US Treasury imposed wider sanctions on Russian oil on Friday, targeting producers Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, as well as 183 vessels that have shipped Russian oil. The move was meant to cut Russia’s revenues for financing the war with Ukraine. A US official said the sanctions could cost Russia billions of dollars per month if sufficiently enforced. The sanctions have prompted Chinese and Indian refiners, which have bought heavily from Russia, to seek alternative supplies of crude oil. Many of the tankers hit by the latest measures have been used to ship oil to those two countries. Peskov said modern experience had shown it was impossible to cut natural supply routes for energy. “You block something in one place, and an alternative option appears somewhere else. Therefore, a search will be conducted for work options that will minimize the consequences of sanctions,” he said.
Australian DJ, Courtney Mills dies after falling from apartment balcony
Courtney Mills, a renowned DJ and model, has tragically passed away at 37, following a devastating fall from a balcony while vacationing in Bali. The popular entertainer, known for her magnetic stage presence and passion for music, was in Kuta, visiting her two dogs, according to reports. Despite quick medical intervention and multiple surgeries, doctors could not save Courtney, leaving her family, friends, and fans in mourning. Her sudden death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community, where she was celebrated for her talent and vibrant personality. Tragic incident in bali Courtney’s accident occurred while she was enjoying a holiday in Bali, a destination she frequently visited. The fall left her with critical injuries, and she was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. Medical teams worked tirelessly, performing several surgeries to try to save her life. However, the injuries proved fatal, and she passed away, surrounded by love and heartbreak. Family pays emotional tribute Her mother, Diane Mayne, described Courtney as a radiant and loving soul. In a statement to Nine News, Diane said, “She was beautiful, big-hearted, happy, and go-lucky.” Diane’s words reflected the deep loss her family feels and the joy Courtney brought into their lives. Courtney’s sister, Kiani, also spoke about her sister’s legacy. In an interview with the Herald Sun, she shared how the family has found comfort in remembering Courtney’s remarkable life. “The most beautiful thing we have been able to do for the last couple of days is sit and reminisce about the incredible life that she lived and how full her life was,” Kiani said. Kiani highlighted Courtney’s unmatched dedication to her craft. She shared how her sister would go to great lengths to pursue her passion for DJing. “She would drive hours and hours just to DJ for one hour. She would fly across the country to do the job she loved so passionately,” Kiani explained. “To her, it wasn’t a job; it was a life. Being behind those decks was her sense of freedom, and we got to see her light up rooms.” Life filled with music and love Courtney Mills was a powerhouse on stage, known for her electrifying energy and ability to connect with audiences. Whether performing at major music festivals or intimate venues, she brought the same level of enthusiasm and passion. Her love for music was evident in every set she played, and her performances left lasting impressions on fans. Friends and colleagues have taken to social media to express their grief and share memories of Courtney. Many have described her as a kind and genuine person who always brought positivity wherever she went. Community mourns a bright star Courtney’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from the entertainment industry and fans around the world. Her dedication, infectious energy, and warm personality touched countless lives. From her electrifying performances to her down-to-earth interactions with fans, she left a legacy that will not be forgotten. Her passing serves as a reminder of how fragile life can be. For those who knew and loved her, Courtney Mills was more than a DJ or a model—she was a beacon of light and joy. Final goodbye As family, friends, and fans mourn her loss, they celebrate the life of a woman who lived fully and loved deeply. Courtney’s passion for music, her dedication to her craft, and her unwavering positivity will continue to inspire those she left behind. Courtney Mills will be remembered as a talented DJ, a loving daughter, and a devoted sister. Her legacy lives on in the music she created and the hearts she touched. Read Also: Rapper OG Maco Dies at 32
