Author: Alade Adisa

The Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, has said despite the cry from the travelling public about the high cost of flying tickets in Nigeria, the people still pay of the cheapest rates in the world. Also, the group has blamed the perceived high cost on numerous taxes and levies they have to pay and the high cost of doing business in the sector. AON has therefore called for the reduction in the number of taxes and levies members have to pay and making the business environment friendly. READ ALSO: Nigeria exits nations with largest airlines trapped funds The spokesperson for the…

Efforts of former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to breathe the air of freedom on Thursday failed as a High Court of Federal Capital Territory ordered his continued detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The court, which sat at Gwarinpa and presided over by Justice Maryam Hassan said Malami should continue to be in the custody of the EFCC. He has spent 10 days in detention and is facing investigation over sundry accusations against him, among which included alleged financial malfeasance regarding the utilisation of recovered loot, as well as his reported links to terrorist financing. READ…

Former governor and minister, Dr Chris Ngige, was on Thursday granted bail by a High Court of Federal Capital Territory in an eight-count fraud case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The court, sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja and presided over by Justice Maryam Hassan, after admitting Ngige to bail, also adjourned further hearing on the matter to January 28 next year. Ngige, a former Anambra State Governor and also a Minister of Labour in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, was granted bail in the conditions of the administrative bail earlier granted him by the…

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Gwarinpa, on Friday ordered the remand of the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, in Kuje Prison. Justice Maryam Hassan issued the remand order after the former minister pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court directed that Ngige remain in custody until Monday, when his bail application will be heard. Ngige, who served as Minister of Labour from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, is facing trial for his alleged involvement in contract…

Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, was on Wednesday docked before an Abuja High Court by the Federal Government on a five-count charge bordering on alleged N2.4 billion fraud. Oduah, who served as Aviation Minister from 2011 to 2014, was docked alongside her former aide, Gloria Odita. Aside from their alleged involvement in contract fraud, the defendants were further accused of criminal breach of trust and obtaining by false pretence, offences contrary to Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the the same Act. READ ALSO: ‘Why Nigerian actors struggle in…

After clearing about 98% of the airlines’ funds that were hitherto trapped, Nigeria was on Wednesday omitted from the list of countries with the largest airlines’ trapped funds. Top on the list is Algeria with over $302 trapped funds out of the estimated $1.2 billion. Nigeria, which featured prominently, is absent, having cleared 98 per cent of blocked airlines’ funds in 2024. READ ALSO: Nigeria’s education budget surges to ₦3.52trn- Shettima  Other countries on the list include Lebanon ($138 million), Mozambique ($91 million), Angola ($81 million), Zimbabwe ($67 million) and Ethiopia ($54 million). International Air Transport Association, IATA, stated that out…

“There was enough evidence that the government of President Obasanjo was reluctant to find the killers of Bola Ige.” – Chief Bisi Akande When Chief James Ajibola Ige, SAN, was murdered on December 23, 2001, few days after resigning his position as Nigeria’s Minister of Justice, some thought it would be a matter of days before the assailants would be arrested and brought to justice. Their optimism was because Ige, a chieftain of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, was not only close to then President Olusegun Obasanjo of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, but was also regarded as Obasanjo’s most…

Sixteen members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have defected to the All Progressives Congress APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. While announcing their decision on Friday, they said the crisis in the PDP was the reason for their action. The defectors include the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, his Deputy, Dumle Maol, and 14 others. READ ALSO: Cross River APC chairman impeached over alleged financial misconduct Recall that Wike among others were recently expelled from the PDP by leadership of the…

Despite the resignation of Governor Ademola Adeleke from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, late Monday night, the party is still going ahead with its governorship primary election in Osun State on Tuesday, as delegates have started arriving the venue in Osogbo. Adolak Hall, Osogbo, the venue of the election is already brimming with delegates from across the state and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, also at the venue. READ ALSO: Adeleke may withdraw from PDP 2026 ticket bid unless party resolves crisis — Osun PDP Recall that the State PDP Chairman, Mr Sunday Bisi had on Monday announced…

Yet to be identified gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday attacked the convoy of the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, near the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, Imo State. The incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, shortly before the Sam Mbakwe Airport Junction in Imo State. It was gathered that no life was lost in the attack. However, in a swift reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ukoha Njoku, said it was a three-man advance team of the governor that was attacked and that the governor was not at the scene. READ ALSO: Gov. Otti warns election…