News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Scene of the incident at Lokogoma yesterday.  The Same Global Estate, Abuja known for its scenery was bustling like other residential homes.  Located in Lokogoma district, Abuja Municipal Area Councii (AMAC), the estate is peaceful, though some of the houses are old.  The residents were however thrown into panic on Sunday when over 100 motorcyclists invaded the estate in search of a hit-and-run driver that killed two of their colleagues.  A motorist reportedly hit two Okada riders on Sunday and ran into the estate to avoid being lynched by a mob. Irked by the motorist move to evade arrest, the Okada riders drove into the estate in droves and set two buildings ablaze.  This, they did to avenge the death of their colleagues that were killed by the motorist.  A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, informed BOb that the motorcyclists set the houses ablaze in an attempt to capture the hit-and-run driver.  It was l...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi (middle) displaying his membership card alongside others shortly after defecting to the Labour Party yesterday.  Fomer Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi has joined the Labour Party, with a promise to reunite and rescue Nigeria from widespread hardship and economic woes.  This is coming barely 72 hours after he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and withdrew from the party’s presidential race.  Obi had in his letter titled, "Resignation From Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Withdrawal from the Presidential Contest,” which he addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Sen. Iyiochia Ayu on May 24, 2022", stated that he had already notified the party Chairman of Agulu Ward 2 on his resignation.   “I am writing to intimate you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was conveyed to the Chairman of Agulu Ward 2. Anaocha LGA. An...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Late Nunugwo  The Community Court of Justice, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has indicted the federal government over the death of a businessman, Desmond Nunugwo, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in April 2016.  To this end, the court mandated the federal government to pay N20 million compensation to the deceased family for all the prejudice and damages suffered as a result of his death in violation of Article 4 of the African Charter. The 29-page judgment obtained by BENNY Okeke's blog on Thursday revealed that Justice Edward Asante presided over the case alongside Justices Dupe Atoki and Januaria Costa, on March 21, 2022. He was assisted by the Deputy Chief Registrar, Dr Athanase Atonno.  Nunugwo was detained by EFCC operatives in Abuja on April 16, 2016, on allegations of defrauding a complainant the sum of N91 million.  Barely 24 hours later, he was said to have been...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Committed to improving the fauna and flora across Nigeria's ecological zones, the National Park Service (NPS) has moved to acquire aircraft for increased surveillance at the parks' in order to curb insecurity.  Already, the acquistion of the aircraft and other sundry issues were captured in the ageny's 2022 budget, just as the service plans to engage with the National Assembly for improved funding.  The Conservator-General of NPS, Dr Ibrahim Goni stated this in Abuja Wednesday while receiving a 6-man delegation from Environment Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) and others, who were on a courtsey visit to felicitate with him on his reappointment.  According to him, "We are aware of what is happening in our country. Mr President said that he's aware of our efforts in trying to keep the national parks secure. In order to focus on security, we are proposing the acquisition of ICT equipments to get detailed digital int...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the tenure of Conservator-General, National Park Service (NPS), Dr Ibrahim Goni for another five-year. The reappointment was effective from 10th May 2022.  NPS is an agency under the Federal Ministry of Environment, saddled with the responsibility of preserving, enhancing, protecting and managing Nigeria’s flora and fauna. It currently oversees the 17 National Parks in the country.  In a letter to the ministry with reference number: FMENV/ADM/199/T/188 and dated 19th May, 2022 highlighting President Buhari's approval, Minister of Environment, Barr Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi congratulated Dr Goni and wished him more fruitful tenure in office. Barr. Abdullahi stated that his appointment was in accordance with the provisions of Section 171 (2d) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).  Goni was first appointed as Conservator-General of the NPS in April, 2017.  A sta...

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Friday announced the resumption of normal flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, that was temporarily shut.  Flight operations were closed on Thursday between 1:10 a.m and 3:43 a.m, due to the discovery of a mangled unidentified human body found on Runway 18R of the international wing. The Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Mrs Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, who confirmed the incident via a statement in Lagos on Friday, said that flight operations resumed at 3:43 a.m. Hope-Ivbaze said that the runway was shut down due to an unidentified human body found on runway 18R/36L on May 19 at the Muritala Muhammed lnternational Airport (MMIA), Airport, Lagos. She said flight operations resumed at the airport after the evacuation of the  mangled body on the runway. Hope-Ivbaze stated that a motorised cleaner that swept the runway discovered the remains at about 1:06 a.m. and no...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari, (right) in a handshake with His Highness, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi (left) during his condolence on the passing of the late President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed at Mushrif Palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Friday.  President Muhammadu Buhari joined Muslims on Friday to observe Jummah prayers for the repose of the soul of late President of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE, He was accompanied by members of the Nigerian delegation, who were on a condolence and congratulatory visit to the country, following the death of Sheikh Khalifa and the subsequent election of his successor, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu revealed that the President attended the Friday prayers at Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed, The First Mosque. In a sermon titled: ‘‘Sh...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja       The attacked train Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has postponed the resumption of train services for Abuja- Kaduna route.  This, may not be unconnected with the outburst by the families of passengers that were kidnapped by terrorists on the same corridor in May.  Terrorists had on March 28th bombed the Abuja-Kaduna train, killed nine passengers and abducted about 70 others during the attack. The train service was earlier billed to commence operation on Monday, May 23, 2022 but the spokesperson of NRC, Mr Yakubu Mahmood announced on Friday  that a new date would be communicated to passengers soon.  According to the statement, “Sequel to our earlier Press Release No. 10, dated 16th May, 2022, the general public should note that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is announcing a shift in the resumption date for Abuja- Kaduna train service." While apologising for the delay in the resumption of train services,...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          Ahmed Idris  The federal governemnt has suspended the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris over alleged N80 billion fraud.  Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed disclosed this through a letter marked HMFBNP/AGF/SUSPENSION/5/2022 and dated 18th May, 2022. The letter said the suspension became necessary to pave the way for proper and unhindered investigation into the allegations in line with Public Service Rules 030406. It reads, "Following your recent arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of diversion of funds and money laundering, I write to convey your suspension from work without pay effective 18th May, 2022." “During this period, you are not expected to attend to your place of work or contact any official in your office except for any disciplinary hearing that may be advised." “It is expected that you will strictly comply...

        ASAP Rocky and Rihanna Fenty Popular singer, Rihanna Fenty and her lover, ASAP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Meyers have welcomed their first child together. Information obtained from TMZ revealed that the baby boy was born on May 13, 2022, in Los Angeles. The couple had in January shook the world when they announced that they were expecting their first child together. All through the pregnancy, Rihanna dressed stylishly by showing off the baby bump and at the same time, adorned in designers apparel.  There was also a mild drama during the pregnancy as ASAP Rocky was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department in connection with a shooting incident in November, 2021. The department had in April announced that the rapper was arrested for assault with a firearm at the Los Angeles International Airport. Irrespective of the incident, Rihanna fully supported her rapper boyfriend by attending one of his shows and cheering him up, This happened ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja        Abuja-Kaduna train attacked by terrorists in March  The federal government has vowed to rescue the passengers abducted by terrorists on Abuja-Kaduna bound train on March, just as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is expected to commence operation on Monday, May 23, 2022.  In addition, the federal government also canceled early morning and night operations, two months after the facility was bombed by terrorists. Terrorists had on March 28th bombed the Abuja-Kaduna train, killed nine passengers and abducted about 70 others during the attack. A statement by the Deputy Director of Public Relations, NRC, Mr. Yakub Mahmoud revealed that the service would return with greater security measures and without the early morning and the night train operations. It reads, "Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMoT) has directed the resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna Train Services (AKTS).” "The rescue ...

President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) and the outgoing Ministers  President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday held valedictory session for 10 outgoing ministers seeking elective public office in the 2023 general election at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this while addressing journalists shortly after the session.  Mohammed said that nine of the outgoing ministers were present for the session. He added that not all the 10 ministers aspiring for political office, had resigned from office as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari. “This morning, there was a valedictory session for 10 members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) who have indicated their desire to aspire for higher offices,” the minister said. When asked if all the 10 outgoing ministers had sent in their resignation letters, Mohammed said: “Well, Mr President said some have and others are in the process of doing so.” He didn't name those that had resig...

        IPOB Members Ahead of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's trial, the  Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared May 18 and 26, 2022 as sit-at-home for the South-East region.  The group said it declared the sit-at-home, being the court dates of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu as part of solidarity. In a statement on Saturday, the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, also dissociated itself from a voice note purportedly announcing different dates, saying that any other date, is not from IPOB. Powerful noted that the group’s core mandate is the well-being of Biafrans all over the globe, with emphasis in the homeland of Biafra. He said the IPOB leadership is very strategic in its actions and directives to the Biafran people, so as to avoid playing into the hands of ‘its enemies”. He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a purported voice note ordering Biafrans and residents of Biafraland to sit at home on a date other than May 18. Th...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, with Agency Report          Khalifa bin Zayed The President of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Khalifa bin Zayed is dead.  Emirati state news agency WAM reported that he died on Friday at the age of 73.  To this end, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs via Twitter on Friday announced that there would be 40 days of official mourning, with flags at half mast and three days closure of ministries and official entities at the federal and local levels and the private sector. Sheikh Khalifa had rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2014, with his brother, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (known as MBZ) seen as the de facto ruler and the decision-maker of major foreign policy decisions, such as joining a Saudi-led war in Yemen and spearheading an embargo on neighbouring Qatar in recent years. “The UAE has lost its righteous son and leader of the ’empowerment phase’ and guardian of its blessed journey,” MBZ s...

BY CHIKA OKEKE with Agency Report The slain student of Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) Sokoto, Miss Deborah Samuel has been buried in Niger State yesterday.  Pastor Emmanuel Maaaji of the First Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Tunga Magajiya, Niger confirmed that her body arrived in her village, Tunga Magajiya, Rijau local government area of the state.  The late Deborah Samuel, a 200-level student of Home Economics at SSCOE Sokoto was on Thursday attacked, killed and set ablaze by Muslim students for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed.  Maaji, the pastor to the deceased’s family in charge of the church in Tunga Magajiya, spoke by telephone to newsmen on Saturday. “The family is insisting that late Deborah Samuel be buried today because they are not happy with the way the government is handling the issue,” he said. Maaaji said that the late Samuel’s mother “has been unconscious since she heard the news on Thursday, which led to a rise i...

BY CHIKA OKEKE       Sa’ad Abubakar The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has condemned the murder of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE ) Sokoto, Sokoto State. Deborah Samuel, a Christian and 200-level student of Home Economics at SSCOE Sokoto was on Thursday attacked, killed and set ablaze by Muslim students for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed.  She had cautioned her classmates against posting religious comments on their WhatsApp platform before her death.  According to her, "Holy Ghost fire, nothing would happen to me, is it by force you guys would always be sending this religious stuff in the group, the group wasn’t created for that, but rather as a notice for when there’s a test, assignment, exams, etc, not these nonsense religious posts.” The school management had since shut down academic activities till fur...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   L- R: President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr Chris Isiguzo; President of Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Mr Kabir Garba; Journalist with African Gong.com, Mrs Blessing David; Legal Practitioner, Mr Abdul Mahmud; TVC reporter, Ivy Kanu and Executive Director of IPC, Mr  Lanre Arogundade at the public presentation of documentaries on attacks on journalists and roundtable on protection of journalists as frontline workers in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE.  Stakeholders in the media industry and Civil Society Organisations (CSO's) have demanded an end to brutality against Nigerian journalists while calling on the three tiers of government to respect the rights' and dignity of the media professionals.    These formed the crux of discuss in Abuja yesterday at the public presentation of documentaries on attacks on journalists and roundtable on protection of journalists as fro...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         President Buhari  Ahead of the 2023 general election, President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele and other appointees with political ambition to resign.  This was contained in a memo by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha yesterday, which was addressed to ministers, heads of agencies, parastatals and departments, including the governor of the CBN.  The president had also directed all ministers seeking elective public office to step down on or before May 16. Simiilarly, the Court of Appeal yesterday, conditionally validated a section of the electoral law that mandated political office holders like ministers to resign before they could contest for elections or vote in party primaries. The memo reads, "Mr President has observed and noted the expression of interest and intention by some members of the Federal Executive Council, Heads ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has suspended its planned nationwide strike over the high cost of jet fuel. This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the President of AON,  Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina and other operators on Sunday. Other signatories are the Executive Director of Max Air, Alhaji Shehu Wada;  Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo; CEO of Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu; CEO of Aero Contractors, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood; MD of Azman Air, Faisal Abdulmunaf, and Chairman of Air Peace, Barr. Allen Onyema. The statement reads: "The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) wishes to inform the general public that further to numerous calls from the highest echelons in government, with promises to urgently intervene in the crises being faced by airlines due to the astronomic and continuously rising cost of JetA1, the AON has acceded to requests to withdraw the action for the time being while we allow for a fresh ro...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  The Federal Competiton and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has kicked against the planned suspension of domestic flights' on Monday by Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) over the high cost of jet fuel. To this end, the commission implored domestic airlines to consider the effect of the proposed shutdown on passengers and the magnitude of difficulties and hardship associated with such an action. Domestic airlines had on Friday informed Nigerians over its proposed plans to shut down all scheduled services indefinitely, effective Monday, May 9 due to the rising cost of jet fuel that currently sells at N700 per litre. President of AON, Abdulmunaf Yunusa, in a memo endorsed by nine other airline operators said that the government’s earlier intervention in the aviation fuel crisis had failed to forestall imminent collapse, with Jet-A1 scaling the N500 per litre benchmark. The signatories to the memo were the Executive Director of Max Air, Shehu W...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos has raised the alarm over attacks on 149 journalists and other media professionals between 2020 to 2021 while discharging their official responsibilities.  A breakdown of the attacks revealed that about 40 incidents were recorded and documented by IPC on 49 journalists in 2021 alone while over 100 journalists and other media professionals had been victims of surveillance, spying, harassment, threats, violence, assaults, battery, unlawful arrests, jailing, robberies, kidnappings, and murder since 2020. To this end, the IPC has called on the federal government to respect its commitment and uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Peoples and Human Rights.  The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade stated this on Tuesday in commemoration of the 2022 World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) with the theme,...

        Khafi Kareem The London Metropolitan Police Service has issued a final warning to its female officer, Khafilat Kareem, who achieved fame as a participant in the Big Brother Nigeria reality TV show in 2019. The service said she took part in the show without permission. Khafilat, a Police Corporal (PC), was said to have requested for leave without pay in order to feature on the reality TV show in June 2019 but her request was declined as the force told her that taking part in the show was “not in the best interest of either her or the Metropolitan Police Service. In spite of the warning, however, she appeared on the show and handed over some official items she had taken with her without permission to the programme’s organisers. Thereafter, she entered the Big Brother house in Lagos where she spent 77 days before she was evicted. A misconduct hearing panel constituted by the force was said to have found her guilty of breaching the standards of profes...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja       Aregbesola  The federal government has declared Monday, May 2 and Tuesday, May 3 as public holidays to mark this year's workers' day and Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.  Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore.  He lauded workers for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice, which he said contributed to the country’s greatness and respect in the comity of nations. According to him, "Labour is the very essence of humanity. We are alive because we work and only the dead are incapable of working." The minister congratulated Muslims for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan, urging them to imbibe the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad. “The self-restraint, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spir...