News Rider

                CJN,  Olukayode Ariwoola Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola has disclosed that 6, 884 cases are suffocating the Supreme Court.  The CJN, who stated this in Abuja on Monday at a special session of the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2022/2023 legal year and the swearing-in of 63 newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria, lamented that most of the cases are incredible. He lamented that the 6,884 cases, who were appeals filed by different individuals are still pending in the court.  Reeling out the Supreme Court’s performance in the last legal year, he noted that the pending (backlog) civil appeals are 4,741 while the number of pending criminal appeals are 1,392.  Ariwoola pointed out that the are 751 moribund appeals for disposal, bringing the total number of pending appeals in the court to 6884. “Out of the 4,741 civil appeals in the court’s docket, 1,495 have briefs fil...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja                             Amina Mohammed  The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed has promised to support Nigeria in reclaiming the 350, 000 landmass lost to drought and desertification annually.  Nigeria is estimated to be losing over 350,000 hectares of land out of 909,890 km² of landmass and 13,879 km² of water area to desert encroachment and drought.  This amounts to $6 billion annually, that are lost to desertification in the 11 Frontline states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states that cut across the North East and North West region of Nigeria.  The frontline states, with a projected population of over 54 million and 394, 000 landmass are worst hit by desertification. Mohammed was a former Minister of Environment, with a proven record of programmes and policies initiated in the e...

Osun State House of Assembly has moved against Governor Ademola Adeleke for shunning State logo and instead, opted for Ngeria's coat of arm logo. This is even as the pulpit of the Governor also carried an emblem that is not the State logo. In addition, the State flags were removed and replaced with those of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Government Office, Abere. The PDP flags were also hoisted at Oke-Fia park.  Other changes include the reversal of the slogan and name of the State as well as non-compliance to rendition of State anthem. At his inaugural speech on Monday, Gov Adeleke issued an Executive Order, reversing the name of the State from ‘State of Osun’ to Osun State.  He also changed the slogan of ‘State of Virtue’ to ‘State of Living Spring’. But BOblog  observed that the State anthem was not rendered at the swearing in of Adeleke’s appointees on Monday.  To this end, the State Assembly has cautioned Adeleke, saying  that the usage o...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has faulted heath workers over poor handling of medical waste in their facilities nationwide, adding that such harmful practise endangers their lives,  the waste collectors, as well as the community to infections and diseases.            At a 2-day sensitisation and training workshop on healthcare waste management in Abuja–COVID-19 and other healthcare waste–Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi noted that the response to COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria revealed the danger of exposure of healthcare workers to medical waste.  The workshop, which was organised by the department of pollution control and environmental heath, Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with Earth Environmental Health Solutions, attracted participants from the 36 States including the Federal Capital Territory.  Abdullahi observed that the required activation and support necessary for better m...

              Dr Faisal Shuaib The Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib has stated that Nigeria failed to attain the mandatory 70 percent of the year-end global vaccination coverage for COVID-19.  In an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja, Shuaib noted that Nigeria is 21.6 million persons away from reaching the target of fully vaccinating 70 per cent of its eligible population by December 2022. He maintained that 62 per cent of the country’s eligible population have been partially vaccinated against COVID-19. Shuaib disclosed that as at November 25, 2022, that 56,790,371, total eligible persons targeted for COVID-19 vaccination were fully vaccinated while 12,492,646 were partially vaccinated in 36 States, including the Federal Capital Territory.  By this figure, Nigeria has fully vaccinated half of the total population eligible for COVID-19 vacci...

An Upper Area Court in Karu, Abuja has sentenced a 50-year-old man, Adamu Habib to four months iimprisonmen for stealing two packets of ”Orbit” gum, worth N12,840. The convict, who resides in Garki Village, pleaded guilty to theft. Delivering his ruling, Justice Malam Ishaq Hassan gave the convict an option of N10,000 fine and warned him to desist from committing crime. Hassan also ordered the convict to pay N12,840 in compensation. The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Olarewaju Osho, told the court that the complainant, Joseph Sunday of “Faxx Supermarket, Abuja, reported the matter at the Durumi Police Station on November  7, 2022.  Osho said that on October 18, the convict stole two packs of ”Orbit” gum, worth N12,840. He stated that during routine police investigation, the convict admitted to committing the offence. Osho informed that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 287 of the Penal Code. 

    IGP Alkali Baba    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba to three months in prison for disobeying a valid court order. In a judgement delivered by Justice M. O. Olajuwon on Tuesday, the court held that the IGP should be committed to prison and detained in custody for a period of three months or until he obeys an order it made on October 21, 2011. The IGP’s committal followed a suit by a police officer, Mr. Patrick Okoli, who claimed he was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigerian Police Force. “If at the end of the three months, the contemnor remains recalcitrant and still refuses to purge his contempt, he shall be committed for another period and until he purges his contempt,” the court said.  Justice Olajuwon stated that though the Police Service Commission recommended Okoli’s reinstatement into the Force, that the IGP refused to comply with the order despite a decisi...

Nigeria’s Afro-pop singer, Davido Adeleke and wife, Chioma Rowland made their first public appearance after the death of their son, Ifeanyi Adeleke.  The duo were spotted on Sunday.at the inauguration of Davido's uncle, Sen Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.  Sen Adeleke was sworn-in as the sixth executive governor of the State at the Osogbo City Stadium. Davido was adorned in a traditional attire alongside members of the Adeleke’s dynasty, including his father, Billionaire Adedeji Adeleke.  Nigerians were however stunned after the family's group photograph, when Dr Deji Adeleke requested to know Chioma's whereabouts.  He said, "David, where is Chioma." Recall that Davido played a massive role during Sen Adeleke's campaign and election, which led to his emergence as the  Osun governor-elect  in July, 2022.  Briefly   Ifeanyi was the first son of Davido Adeleke and Chioma Rowland.  The three-year-old lad was repo...

        Sen Ademola Adeleke  The winner of Osun Gubernatorial election, Gov Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was on Sunday sworn in as the sixth executive governor of the State.  This is even as he ordered the immediate freezing of the state’s bank accounts shortly after his inauguration.   Chief Judge of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo, administered the oath of office on Adeleke at the Osogbo City Stadium. Justice Ojo also administered the oath of allegiance on Adeleke’s deputy, Mr Kola Adewusi. Adeleke succeeded former Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, APC. He directed the immediate return to status quo ante, all appointments, placements and other major decisions taken by Oyetola’s administration from July 17, the day after the governorship election in the state. Adeleke noted that a panel would be set up to conduct an inventory of government assets and recover those that were diverted.  The g...

BY CHIKA OKEKE  Abuja Barely 93 days to the general elections, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to resume the Continuous Voters Registration, CVR, exercise.  In a judgement delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday, he directed the INEC to immediately commence the registration until 90 days before the 2023 general elections. Ekwo also mandated the electoral body to ensure that all eligible Nigerians are not deprived the opportunity of getting their voter’s card for the forthcoming poll. Justice Ekwo held that it's the constitutional responsibility of the electoral umpire to make adequate provision for the exercise in accordance with the Nigerian laws. “The case of the plaintiffs succeeds on merit,” the judge declared. Findings by BOblog  revealed that the Presidential and National Assembly election is expected to hold on 25th February 2023, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assemb...

       Catriona Laing As the Brexit saga deepens, the United kingdom has perfected plans for a new trade deal with African countries including Nigeria.  British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing stated this on  Sunday during her appearance on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja. Brexit, 'British exit' was the withdrawal of UK from the European Union on January 31, 2020. The UK continued to abide by the rules governing the EU until the conclusion of the transition period on December 31, 2020. About 80 percent of Britain's excess inflation was attributed to Brexit decision, in addition to the shortfall on trade and investments, as declared by experts.  Laing said that in order to overcome its current economic challenges, that the UK is working assiduously to find new markets and reap from the benefits of Brexit. “We are still, I think, in transition post-Brexit. To be honest, our economy needs to adjust and look more ou...

Gunmen have attacked St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Eburummiri community, Ibagwa-Aka in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State and abducted the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Victor Ishiwu. The incident happened on Saturday night during the priest’s weekend all-night adoration with worshippers. The gunmen suspected to be kidnappers stormed the church and shot sporadically into the air.  Findings revealed that the gunshots dispersed the worshippers, who ran in different directions for safety.  An eye witness confided in the Nation that while the priest ran into the parish house and locked himself up, that the parishioners ran out of the church with some of them running into the bush that night.  The source further stated that the kidnappers conversed in Pidgin English and Fulfulde before trailing the priest to the Parish House. They threatened to set the church ablaze if the cleric failed to come out from his hiding.   The eyewitness confirmed that when...

                    Mrs Kehinde Ajisegiri National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested Saudi-bound widow with cocaine concealed in footwear at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos. The Director, Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi disclosed this via a statement in Abuja on Sunday.  Babafemi said that the 56-year-old widow and mother of four, Mrs Kehinde Ajisegiri, was arrested over her attempt to traffic 400 grams of cocaine concealed in her footwear en route Makkah, Saudi Arabia. He stated that the suspect, who claimed to be a business woman trading in adults and children’s wears on Lagos Island was intercepted on Sunday November, 13. The director stated that the suspect was arrested while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight going to Saudi Arabia via Doha. He said that during critical examination of the pair of sandals the woman was wearing, that two parcels of cocaine...

                  Gov Samuel Ortom In a bid to encourage the residents to regularise their land titles, the Benue State Government has cut-down all land fees by 50 percent.  Benue Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Mr Bernard Unenge made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi, on Sunday. Unenge hinted that the state government has computerised all land records to fast track the issuance of titles in the state. He noted that the application for land titles can be obtained within a month, adding that the initial outrage over the introduction of the state Geographic Information Service, GIS, has been addressed. Unenge disclosed that the government created awareness that improved the application for the acquisition of land and titles.  “The issuing time which normally takes a long period has been worked on and the problem is now seamless and faster while the quality of wor...

The Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has destroyed about 10 camps and neutralised several bandits during air interdiction missions in three Local Government Areas, LGAs, of Kaduna State. In a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Mr Samuel Aruwan, revealed that the operations were conducted within a week. He noted that the hideout of a bandit, Alhaji Ganai at Kidandan in Giwa LGA was destroyed, adding that the bandits' and several others were neutralised in the strike.  He added that the hideout of another bandit, Ali Kawaje in Birnin Gwari LGA, was similarly targeted and destroyed. The commissioner said that two other camps belonging to Musa Pajelo and Kachalla Bello, and other targets in Walawa area, Fadaman Kanauta and Kuduru were also destroyed. He disclosed that bandits were sighted and neutralised in locations such as: 4km southwest of Alhaji Ishiaka, 6km northeast of Maguzawa, and 2km west of Ye...

Despite the colorful opening ceremony, Qatar became the first country to lose the opening match 92 years after the establishment of the World Cup.  The Asian champions recorded 0-2 defeat to Ecuador at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium. Ecuador thought they had made a dream start when they silenced the home fans as Valencia headed in, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for an offside in the build-up. AFP reports that Valencia broke the deadlock with a penalty in the 16th minute and doubled his tally just after the half-hour mark. Qatar improved slightly in the second period, but by the end of the 90 minutes, the excitement which greeted the build-up – featuring Morgan Freeman and BTS star Jung Kook – was a distant memory as thousands of fans left early amid a deflated atmosphere. Felix Sanchez’s Qatar will likely need a positive result in their second Group A match against Senegal on Friday just to avoid the ignominy of becoming only the second hosts, after Sout...

          Prof Muhammed Akanbi The Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, Professor Muhammed Akanbi, SAN, is dead. He died on Sunday night after a prolonged illness at the age of 51.  Akanbi reportedly died at a hospital in Dubai after battling an undisclosed illness.  He will be buried on Monday, November 21, 2022 at his home town in Ilorin according to Islamic rites.  Briefly Akanbi joined the services of the University of Ilorin in 1998 as Lecturer II. He was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor on April 1, 2020 at the age of 49. The deceased’s father, Late Justice Muhammad Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi, served as the President of the Court of Appeal and was also the pioneer Chairman  of  the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission. He died on June 3, 2018. Prof Muhammed Akanbi was elevated to the rank of a  Professor of Law in the Department of Business Law in 2012. The legal icon, who was the second person to ser...

      Mu’azu Sambo Committed to reducing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit, the Federal Government has mapped out a 25-year infrastructure plan, meant to link the 36 States capitals including the Federal Capital Territory by rail. Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, who disclosed this on Saturday, said that the infrastructure plan was designed to integrate railway modernisation programme.  Nigeria Integrated Infrastructure Masterplan (NIIMP) highlighted that a total of $3.1 trillion would be required to build, maintain and manage the nation's infrastructure from 2014-2043.   The short-term plan of the NIIMP, which covered a 5-year period had indicated an investment of about US$127 billion over the first 5-year period to close the infrastructure gap.  Annually, Nigeria needs about $100bn, which is approximately N38 trillion to close the infrastructure shortfall.  In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Dr Sa...

Experts have advocated the need for improved access to sanitation and hygiene facilities in order to reduce toilet infections and achieve sustainable lifestyle.  This is even as the World Health Organisation, WHO, revealed that 779 million people around the world lacked access to safely managed sanitation services. WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti stated this on Saturday in her message to commemorate the 2022, World Toilet Day, WTD, with the theme, “Groundwater and Sanitation – Making the Invisible Visible." WTD is celebrated annually on November, 19, meant to raise awareness on the importance of toilet to healthy life and hygiene. Regrettably, about 48 million Nigerians still practice open defecation according to the 2021 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene–National Outcome Routine Mapping, WASH-NORM, III Report. But Moeti hinted that 208 million people still practice  open defecation, adding that safely managed sanitation services would lead to the...

    Goodluck Jonathan  President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan as he celebrates his 65th birthday today, November 20. In a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina on Saturday in Abuja, the President recalled the contributions of Jonathan towards the growth and development of the nation. He lauded Jonathan for sacrificing his personal ambition for the greater good of the country, a decision that earned him local and global recognition as a man of peace. President Buhari joined the family, particularly his wife, Patience, and mother, Eunice, in celebrating another milestone in the life of the former president.  Buhari recalled Jonathan’s political journey, which he said, had been evidently shaped by the mercies and grace of the Almighty God, starting as deputy governor, 1999-2005; governor, 2005 -2007; vice president, 2007-2010 and president, 2010-2015. He stated that the friendliness, loyalty,...

        Babachir Lawal  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has promised to appeal the dismissal of  N544 million grass-cutting fraud leveled against the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal and five others.  In his ruling on no-case submission made by Lawal and his co-defendants, Justice Charles Agbaza of the Federal High Court, Abuja, held on Friday that the EFCC, which presented 11 witnesses in the course of the trial, failed to establish the ingredients of the alleged offence. He added that EFCC failed to establish prima facie case against the co-defendants. The judge further ruled that EFCC did not establish that Babachir Lawal was either a member of the Presidential Initiative for North East that awarded the contract or a member of the Ministerial Tenders Board that vetted and gave approval to the disputed contract. The judge said that EFCC also failed to link Babachir Lawal with Bureau...

        Bukayo Saka Arsenal and England forward, Bukayo Saka has partnered with a Charity Organisation, BigShoe to fund the surgery of over 120 Nigerian children. The 21-year-old assisted BigShoe to organise the surgery that focused on brain tumours and inguinal hernias in Nigeria’s second largest city, Kano. Speaking with Sky Sports, he said that he felt blessed to be in a position where he would contribute to making the children’s lives easier and better through the surgeries.  He said, ‘I still feel very connected to Nigeria. For me, it is very important to use my abilities to make a positive impact where I can, and I have to say a big thank you to the whole BigShoe team for making this possible." Saka noted that its important for every child to have the same opportunity to achieve their dreams.  "It makes me happy when I can see the kids happy and their parents are happy. Iwant to do more and more and help as many children as I can", he said...

As the Federal Government focuses on non-oil sector to raise Nigeria's economy, the United Nations Global Compact Sustainable Ocean Business Action Platform has spotlighted investment opportunities worth over $1.5 trillion in the Niger Delta region through 'Blue Bond.'  Blue bond is a debt instrument issued by governments, development banks or others to raise capital from impact investors to finance marine and ocean-based projects with positive environmental, economic and climate benefits.  These were part of the submissions at the just concluded three-day forum, organised by Alfe City Institution in collaboration with Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Thursday.  It was hosted by the Akwa Ibom State Government and supported by Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority and National Inland Waterways Authority, with the theme, "Preparing for a Future Less Reliant on Crude Oil’. Mr. Erik Gierc...

            Mohammed Buba Marwa  The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has opened up on how Nigeria transitioned as an important hub for illegal drug trafficking globally.  The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, Rtd, hinted this at the 10th Anniversary Lecture and Investiture of Realnews Magazine and Publication Limited in Lagos Thursday.  Speaking on the theme, Drug Abuse Among Youths In Africa: Implication For Nigerian Economy And 2023 Election", the NDLEA boss stated that the agency's activities from January 2021 till date, further reinforced that Nigeria is not only a transit pipeline but also a thriving market for hard drugs.  He lamented that Nigerians cannot pretend not to know that young people are abusing illicit drugs due to their overt lifestyle, saying that youths promote drug subculture.  "It is common nowadays to hear them say they want to be high. It is the...

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, has sealed over 381 pharmacies and patent shops in Akwa Ibom State for various offences. Director and Head of Enforcement Department, Mr Stephen Esumobi stated this while addressing newsmen in Uyo on Friday. Esumobi said that the sealing of the pharmacies and patent shops followed an enforcement exercise by the council in compliance  with the operational laws and rules of the council. He disclosed that out of the 381 premises sealed, 52 were pharmacies while 329 were patent medicine shops. Esumobi noted that the premises were sealed for offences which include, operating without registration or renewal of premises certificates and unauthorised sale of medicines.  Others are poor storage facilities and temperature control, stocking and sale of prescription and other ethical products by the patent medicine vendors, and among others. He hinted that at the end of the exercise, 727 premises were visited, comprising  of 559 paten...

      President Muhammadu Buhari  President Muhammadu Buhari has approved new salary scale for judicial officers, just as he directed the immediate implementation of the enhanced salary and welfare scheme for the officers.  He disclosed this at the official inauguration and handing over ceremony of Nabo Graham-Douglass Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt to the Council of Legal Education. This is contained in a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Dr Umar Gwandu,  Buhari was represented by the AGF and Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami, SAN. Buhari directed the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission and Malami to promptly initiate measures towards the prompt implementation of the salary across the country. He stated that the initiatives were targeted at strengthening the capacity and independence of the judiciary, whic...