Author: Friday Omosola

The Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos has rejected an application by Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), challenging its jurisdiction to hear his case. Emefiele is facing a 26-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing him of abuse of office. The charges allege that he allocated $2.14 billion in foreign exchange without competitive bidding, an act the EFCC claims undermines the rights of Nigerians. At his arraignment, Emefiele pleaded not guilty and, through his lawyer Olalekan Ojo, argued that the court lacked jurisdiction.  Ojo also asked the court to…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has disclosed that the 18 suspended Local Government Chairmen in the state funnelled over N12 billion to leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) within 15 months.  He made this revelation yesterday while receiving the acting Chairmen and Councillors of the 18 Local Government Areas during a courtesy visit at the Government House. Governor Okpebholo commended the acting Chairmen and Councillors for their dedication to transparency and democracy, emphasising that public funds should not be diverted for personal or partisan interests. He said when he assumed office, he met with the Accountant-General, who showed him…

Two Nigerians residing in the United States, Olutayo Sunday Ogunlaja (39) and Abel Adeyi Daramola (37), could each face up to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of orchestrating a $560,000 romance scam. U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez and FBI Special Agent Raul Bujanda in a statement disclosed the duo’s conviction following a four-day trial and less than three hours of jury deliberation. According to prosecutors, the scheme began in January 2016 when Ogunlaja and Daramola, along with accomplices, created a fake identity under the name “Glenn Brown” on the dating platform eHarmony.com. READ ALSO:…

The Federal Government (FG) has reaffirmed its commitment to launching a national air carrier soon.  This assurance was given by the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Abubakar Kana, during a formal handover ceremony at the ministry. Kana emphasised his dedication to establishing the long-awaited national air carrier and revamping airports across the country. He noted that his mandate aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the aviation sector. According to Kana, achieving these goals will require strategic partnerships with the private sector due to limited resources. He pledged full support to…

The appointment of Éric Chelle, former Mali head coach and ex-manager of clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran, as the new head coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles, has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Chelle’s appointment on Tuesday, making him the third man to lead the national team since Jose Peseiro resigned in March 2024. In confirming the news, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that Chelle would immediately take charge of the home-based Super Eagles at the 2024 African Nations Championship in Tanzania, Kenya,…

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has rejected the Federal Government’s (FG) request to resume his trial, insisting that the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, must withdraw from the case. Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, disclosed this development on Tuesday in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Justice Nyako’s earlier decision to recuse herself remains valid and binding. “Our position is based on the fact that Justice Nyako entered and enrolled an order recusing herself on September 24, 2024, and to date, that order remains extant and subsisting. It has not been…

An Ibadan High Court has set Tuesday, January 13, 2025, to deliver its ruling on the bail applications filed by Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oriyomi Hamzat, the CEO of Agidigbo FM and Fasasi Abdullahi, the principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan.   The three defendants are facing trial for their alleged involvement in a tragic stampede at a December funfair held at Islamic High School, which claimed the lives of 35 people, mostly children. On December 24, they were remanded at Agodi Correctional Centre after being charged with conspiracy, negligence resulting in harm, and failing to…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence in the leadership of Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Mahama, stating that his administration will bring positive change to the country and strengthen ties between Ghana and Nigeria. Speaking at Mahama’s inauguration ceremony in Accra, Tinubu described the event as a celebration of African democracy and a testament to the continent’s capacity for progress and productive governance. He said the inauguration symbolizes another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society and answers the question of whether Africa is capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Praising Ghana’s resilience and progress, the former governor of…

Nigeria, particularly Lagos State, has blossomed into a global hub, captivating both domestic and international celebrities. From Christmas festivities and cultural celebrations to tours and diverse events, the allure of Lagos is undeniable. A diverse array of figures, including prominent footballers like Bukayo Saka (Arsenal and England) and Rio Ferdinand (former Manchester United star), as well as renowned figures like Rick Ross (Maybach Music Group executive), have been drawn to Nigeria’s rich cultural tapestry and unique experiences. This trend continues with recent visits from international stars like American singer Chloe Bailey, who sparked dating rumours with Burna Boy, and rapper…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations made by Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, against its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), alleged on his X page yesterday that Morka had threatened him for criticizing the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The 63-year-old claimed that the APC spokesperson warned him that he had “crossed the line” and would face consequences for his remarks about the Tinubu administration. The allegations sparked widespread speculation and condemnation, with notable criticism coming from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who urged…