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One of Abuja's finest radio personalities, Oni Lukuman Olanrewaju popularly known as Amb. Wahala has made a surprise comeback to the excitement of his teeming fans around Abuja and environs.


This comes after the broadcast journalist cum comedian went on a year long break from behind the microphone.


Known for mimicking former first lady, Patience Jonathan, Amb. Wahala anchors Toriwowo on 104.5 Love FM Abuja.


Previously an hour news programme, the comeback package now has additional one hour devoted to bringing radio lovers in Abuja and environs latest news, gossip, entertain, politics sports and more.


Toriwowo will now run every weekday from 8-10pm non stop.


As a comedian, he is very visible in Abuja entertainment landscape and has hosted as well as co-hosted several shows in the nation's capital.


He is also the vice president of Abuja Body of Comedians (ABC).

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In an effort to encourage entrepreneurship among secondary school students, a humanitarian and philanthropist, Barr. Orby Venessa Agwuncha has rolled out a multi million national business competition which offers wide range of opportunities for participating schools.


Tagged Bossladylaw Business Challenge, the scheme apart from offering them opportunities to pursue entrepreneurship also awards multi million Naira cash scholarship prizes and education tour outside Nigeria.


The Bossladylaw Business Challenge (BBC) 2023 is starting with Anambra State and is open for all secondary schools in the state.


There is also provision for community team of four students while a category has been created for special needs schools.

Each participating school is expected to come up with one business idea which must include the four business components, which include identification of problem/opportunity, solution or improvement the idea provides, creation of prototype to represent the idea and establishment of target consumer or market.


Schools wishing to take advantage of this opportunity are advised to submit their proposals in PDF format at a date not later than May 6.


Knockout stage for the competition will start May 16.


Teams will be invited to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges using a PowerPoint presentation. Each team will have ten minutes to present their ideas and five minutes for questions and answers with the judges.


The judges will base their rating on the four business components.


The two best teams from the six education zones in Anambra will advance to the finals, which will be a 3-day entrepreneurship summit and they will have opportunity to showcase their business project


Award ceremony will hold May 26 and the best four teams will have opportunity to pitch their ideas for the last time


Awards include, top best 3 teams from conventional schools, top best 3 teams from the special needs schools, best mentors, best prototype, best online vote and many in-kind Awards from the sponsor, Bossladylaw.


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Troops of of One Division, Nigerian Army operating in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, says it has killed five terrorists and recovered four AK-7 rifles.


Lt-Col Musa Yahaya , Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations One Division Nigerian Army, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Kaduna.


Yahaya said in continuation of the onslaught against bandits and other criminal elements terorising the North Western part of the country, the troops operating in Chikun local government area of Kaduna state has conducted clearance operation on road Kanti-Tantatu in Kubusu forest and Kaso hills general area in Kaduna state.


“To deprive bandits and criminals freedom of action so as to create an enabling environment for economic activities and legitimate businesses to strive.


He disclosed that the operation which started on Thursday till early hours of Friday, dealt a heavy blow on the criminals, neutralising five terrorists as well as capturing four AK 47 rifles, six AK 47 magazines and 24 rounds of 7.62mm.


Others included three motorcycles, one matchet, two handsets and some charms.


According to the General Officer Commanding onec Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation, Whirl Punch, Maj-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja expressed satisfaction in the conduct of troops and commended their commitment and resilience during the operation.


He also urged all law abiding citizens to continue to support the troops and other security agencies with credible and actionable information that would assist in the fight against the criminal elements.



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The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has slammed a fine of N5 million on Channels Television for breaking the broadcasting law in a programme with Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, Labour Party Vice Presidential candidate.


This is contained in a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the television station and dated March 27. The letter was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.


The letter, with the title: “Broadcast of an Inciting Interview, A Sanction”, was signed by Balarabe Ilelah, the commission’s Director-General.


It read in part:” The NBC monitored the broadcast of a live interview of the running mate of the Labour Party Vice presidential candidate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, by the anchor of Politics Today, Seun Okinbaloye, on Wednesday, March 22.


“Dr Baba-Ahmed said it will be unconstitutional to swear in an elected president on May 29, 2023, because of election irregularities,” Ilelah said in the letter.


He noted that the broadcast was volatile and capable of inciting public disorder and therefore violated some sections of the broadcasting code.


This, according to him, includes the section that said no broadcast shall encourage, or incite, be repugnant to public feelings or contain offensive reference to any person or organisation, alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity.


Ilelah added that according to the broadcasting code, broadcasters shall ensure that no programme contained anything which amounted to subversion of constituted authority.


He recalled that the NBC had engaged Channels Television severally to consider public interest before any programme is broadcast.


This, he said, was to ensure that the country was not plunged into anarchy.


“Consequently, on the following infractions, Channels Television is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a penalty of N5,000,000 (five million naira) only in the first instance,” he said.


He added that any further infraction by the television station would attract higher sanctions.


“You are advised to pay within two weeks from the day of receipt of this letter or the penalty will be graduated,” the NBC Director-General said.

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Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici has agreed to take an immediate leave of absence.


Spurs’ season was thrown into further chaos on Wednesday when it was revealed Paratici’s ban in Italy had been extended worldwide.


Paratici was handed a two-and-a-half-year ban from the game in January after his former club Juventus, where he worked for 11 years, were found guilty by an Italian court of false accounting.


While Paratici’s suspension initially only prevented him from working in Italy, Fifa’s extension of the Italian FA’s (FIGC) ban resulted in Tottenham “seeking further clarification” from the world governing body given an appeal had previously been launched with FIGC Federal Court of Appeals.


That appeal will be heard on 19 April but Paratici will now step away from his duties at the Premier League club.


“This week – 29 March 2023 – the Fifa Disciplinary Committee announced a decision to extend the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) sanctions, relating to Fabio Paratici, worldwide,” a club statement read.


“This decision was taken in advance of Fabio Paratici’s appeal hearing against the FIGC sanctions on 19 April 2023, the result of which would then have been considered by additional stakeholders, including the club.


“Given Fifa’s unexpected ruling the sanctions may now have multi-jurisdictional effect, although they are still related to the FIGC appeal.


“In view of Fifa’s decision, Fabio has agreed with the club that he will take an immediate leave of absence pending the outcome of his appeal.”


Tottenham parted company with Antonio Conte on Sunday and Cristian Stellini, previously his assistant, has been tasked with leading the club for the final 10 matches of the season.

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The federal government has released the sum of N15 billion for the repatriation of Internally Displaced Nigerians from three neighbouring countries.


The internally displaced persons (IDPs) were those who fled to the neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroon ans Niger at the height of Biko Haram and other terrorists activities in the North-east.


Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, made this known on Friday while briefing newsmen at the State House, Abuja, after a meeting of Repatriation, Ruturn and Resettlement Committee chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.


According to Zulum: “Few months ago, the President of the Federal Republic Nigeria established a committee for the repatriation, return and resettlement of IDPs that are living in the Republic of Chad, Cameroon and Niger to Nigeria. Based on the recommendation of the Chairman of this committee, which is the Vice President, the sum of N15billion naira has been released to the committee. We are here to discuss the modalities for implementation; who does what. So far, so good. A lot has been discussed. Many items will be procured so that the repatriation exercise will take immediate effect.”


Asked how many IDPs have been repatriated so far, the Borno state governor said “More than 300, 000 have been repatriated. But under this phase, we are yet to begin the process. This is the 4th Phase of the repatriation exercise we shall embark upon very soon. Guidelines were provided for respective agencies that are to handle this matter. What should be given to the individuals in terms of food and non-food items; what type of house shall we build; what is the transportation medium? What is the minimum threshold required to return people from the neighbouring countries to Nigeria?


These are some of the issues that were discussed according to international best practices.”

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Following the expiration of a 72-hour ultimatum given to the famous singer, Habeeb Okikiola, commonly called Portable, to turn himself in, the Ogun State police command has arrested the singer for refusing to honour the invitation.


Early on Tuesday, two videos of the musician raining curses and rough-handling some men of the Nigeria police surfaced on the internet.


Displeased by the conduct of Mr Okikiola toward the officers, the police gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the singer, a request that should elapse today, Friday.


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Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Mary Peter-Odili has been confirmed the 51st Chairman of the Body of Benchers.


A life Bencher, Adegboyega Awomolo also emerged as the Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers as the Body undergoes a transition to a new leadership, contrary to the letter written by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau to the body, nominating Funke Adekoya to be the Vice Chairman of the body.


Speaking at the event in Abuja, Justice Odili said there was a need for the bar and bench to focus more on the objectives of the body.


Outgoing Chairman Wole Olanipekun called for the unity of the profession and a disregard for people calling for an interim government.


Wole Olanipekun assumed office as the 50th Chairman of the body in March 2022 haven being made the vice chairman on March 30, 2021.

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The Labour Party on Friday dismissed the purported suspension of its national chairman, Julius Abure, by its Ward Executive in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, saying the masterminds were being sponsored by opposition parties.


The LP said no reasonable party member would be thinking of suspension when they are pursuing their presidential mandate in the Election Petition Tribunal and all other mandates including the Governorship, Senate and House of Representatives that were brazenly stolen.


The National Secretary of LP, Farouk Umar, in a statement, also blamed the purported suspension of Abure as the handiwork of opposition parties plotting to distract the party.


According to him, the party’s constitution was clear on who can suspend and who cannot suspend the national chairman.


Umar directed that “they should go and read the party’s constitution.”


Some members who claimed to be ward executives of the party had slammed suspension on Abure over alleged forgery and anti-party activities.


The Ward Chairman, Martins Osigbemhe, at a press conference, explained that Abure was suspended by the executive, pending the determination of the numerous petitions and cases against him in courts.


Martins while reading the statement of Abure’s suspension signed by seven out of 11 member ward executives, accused him of illegally substituting candidates of the party in the recently concluded general elections.


But Umar in a statement clarified that it is only the national convention that can suspend the national chairman of the party, adding that it must also be through such a convention called for the suspension of the national chairman.


He said, “The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party was called to the press conference held today Friday, March 31, 2023, by some unknown faces assembled in one room in Abuja wherein they pronounced a suspension on our national chairman, Julius Abure. They also made some spurious allegations against him which are untrue and concocted by the sponsors of the press conference. We however deemed it fit to make some responses.


“The young men we saw on that visuals are not anybody from Labour Party in Edo State as claimed. The executives of the party in the State, Local Government and my ward are well known to the party. None of them was at the press conference. We make bold to say that they are people assembled and rented from some Abuja slums and paid to read a prepared speech given to them.


“Again, our party’s constitution is clear on who can suspend and who cannot suspend the National chairman. They should go and read the party’s constitution. It is only the national convention that can suspend the national chairman of the Labour Party. It also must be through such a convention called for the suspension of the national chairman.


“We think that the sudden suspension was an afterthought of some opposition parties purely to distract the leadership of the Labour Party at this time. There is no reasonable party member at this point who will be thinking of such a thing when we are pursuing our presidential mandate in the court and all other mandates including the Governorship, Senate and House of Representatives that were brazenly stolen.


“Who will be contemplating the suspension of any national party official at this point? It is on record that for the first time in the history of the party, the Abure-led leadership has succeeded to change the political narratives in the country. A party from the blues competing with the top two political parties and in the process, won eight Senate and 34 House of Representatives as well as numerous House of Assembly seats. We also won a governorship seat while we are in court to retrieve other mandates including the presidency.


“This is certainly not a matter that should be given serious attention by the media. We ordinarily should be talking to our lawyers by now but the fact that you are dealing with faceless individuals who are been sponsored is.


“We are also calling on Nigerians to distance themselves from politicians who take pleasure in maligning political leaders, especially, politicians who are afraid of the rising profile of our national chairman, Julius Abure.”

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The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, has sealed the hall of hotel where the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, issued certificates of return to the Enugu state Governor-Elect, Peter Mbah; his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai and 17 elected House of Assembly members-elect in the state.


According to Vanguard, the development followed an alleged structural defect of the double decker hall which caused a big bang during the issuance of the certificates of return to the election winners on Thursday and which caused pandemonium and made the recipients, the commissioner of police, the INEC staff and numerous others to scamper for safety.


Though the process of the issuance was later completed there, midway through the presentation, there was a loud bang in the hall which sent the people scampering out of the hall, causing a stampede.


Consequently, the ECTDA on Friday went for an inspection on the facility and said it discovered the building had no approval plan, together with another upcoming structure in the hotel.


Disclosing reason for it’s decision on the building, Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, Dr. Josef Onoh said that management of the hotel was impatient with the agency to conclude its investigation of the facility and was bent on holding another function on the distressed hall by Saturday without resolving the problem with the building.


Onoh said: “The hall doesn’t have an approval but the hotel has and there was a structural band on the hall yesterday (Thursday) when INEC was issuing certificates of return which made everybody to scatter because they thought the building was going to collapse.


“So we went there today for inspection and we are now sealing the place, including another building being developed at the back. The proprietor of the hotel is not ready to exercise patience for the Nigeria Society of Engineers to come for their own inspection, but is asking us to allow her host a wedding there tomorrow and I wonder how much she collected for the event that the venue cannot be relocated. So we have sealed the hall.”


 

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The Ogun State police command has arrested famous singer, Habeeb Okikiola, commonly known as Portable, who had earlier refused to honour police invitation.


Recall that earlier on Tuesday, two videos of the musician raining curses and rough-handling some men of the Nigeria police surfaced on the internet.


Portable’s arrest is coming after the police gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the singer, which elapses today, Friday.


The police had condemned the singer’s actions also threatened to prosecute him.


Portable had claimed that an internet fraudster had brought the police to his bar to arrest staff members “for no reason.”


But the police noted that it acted on a petition.


Speaking on the development, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed that the singer has been arrested and currently cooling his feet at the state headquarters of the police in Eleweran, Abeokuta.


Mr Oyeyemi further said the Zazu crooner was arrested after refusing five invitations.


It was also gathered that the singer will remain in police custody till Monday when he will be charged in court.

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has renamed the state-owned Technical University (Tech U), Ibadan, after his predecessor, late Abiola Ajimobi.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Makinde announced the change of the institution’s name during its second convocation held at the University Hall, Tech U, on Friday.


According to the governor who is the Visitor to the university, the institution has made tremendous progress from its humble beginnings.


“Looking at this, today is a good day to honour my predecessor, who established the university.


“So, we have made the decision to rename this university as Sen. Abiola Ajimobi First Technical University, Ibadan,” Makinde announced.


He added that his administration would put the Governing Council of the institution in place before the end of April.


He equally approved a “Category 3 Primary Health Centre” for the university.


He stated that the facility would provide continuous and comprehensive care for the students and the entire members of staff of the institution.


He commended the efforts of the management and urged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the university and Oyo State.


Speaking on some of his administration’s achievements in the education sector, Makinde said access to education, including university education, has improved.


He further stated that his administration had increased the number of universities owned by Oyo State to three from one and a half universities in 2019.


He added that since 2019, there had been a significant improvement in the ranking of Oyo State in the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).


Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adesola Ajayi, said that out of 165 graduating students, 24 graduated with First Class; 76 with Second Class Honours (upper division); 52 graduated with Second Class honours (lower division) while 13 others graduated with Third Class.


Ajayi added that the university had been providing unique opportunities to less privileged students in the state to receive tertiary education.


According to him, the presence of the governor has given a great encouragement to the entire university community, more importantly, to the pioneer Engineering graduates and those coming behind them.


He said that the excellence achieved by the governor over the years, both in his private profession and in politics, has further helped to break the glass ceiling for young people and encouraged them to aspire to be whoever they dream to be.


He lauded the Makinde-led administration for the support it has given to the institution, saying the school management had equally repaid the trust by sustaining commitment to adopt global best practices.



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The Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division has sentenced two Chinese nationals Mr. Meng Wei Kun and Mr. Xu Kuai to three years imprisonment for corruption.


It was learnt that the convicts were earlier arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto, on a 3- Count charge bordering on Conspiracy, Money Laundering and attempted bribery.


The convicts were said to have offered a N50 million bribe to officials of the Sokoto Zonal Command of the EFCC.


The lower court however, discharged and acquitted them of the said charges which necessitated an appeal by the anti-graft agency.


Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Abubakar Mahmud Talba, held that the respondents tried to frustrate the Appeal through maneuverings, stating that “Gone are the days of technicalities in Law”.


He emphasised that “Court’s must allow case’s to be heard on merits”.


According to him, the EFCC had proven Count 1 and 2 of the 3 Count charge before the Federal High Court beyond reasonable doubt but agreed with the lower Court on count 3 and accordingly struck it out because a similar Charge was pending before the High Court of Justice Sokoto State.


“The respondents are charged with conspiracy and making a cash payment in excess of the threshold provided by the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amended in 2012 to Abdullahi Lawal (then zonal head of EFCC Sokoto) which was established beyond reasonable doubt before the lower Court but surprisingly the trial Judge summersaulted in his judgement and recanted.


“I regret to say that the judgment is like a fiction by the trial judge who created doubts in his mind while discharging his responsibilities.


“Without doubt the trial judge grossly misconceived that no offence was committed,” Justice Talba averred.


He noted that, conspiracy was a distinct offence even if the commission of the actual offence was aborted.


“And in the instant case there exists positive cogent inescapable evidence the offence was committed”, he said.


He held that the appeal was immensely meritorious, thus convicted and sentenced the Chinese nationals to three years on each of the two Counts with an option of N10 Million fine each on each count.


“Before I draw the curtain, the respondents are Chinese and an offence of this gravity in their home country attracts the death penalty yet here they are corrupting our Country.


“The Courts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will not condone corruption in any way; as President Muhammadu Buhari has said if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria,” he stressed.


 

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A Grade I Area Court, Lugbe, Abuja, on Friday, dissolved a 13-year-old marriage between one Fausiya Abdul-Hameed and her husband, Abdul Hameed, over the latter’s lack of love and maltreatment of his wife.


Delivering judgment, the Judge, Saleh Ramat, held that the marriage had broken down irretrievably.


He dissolved the marriage on the grounds that the estranged couple had lost interest in their union and had also consented to dissolving the marriage.


“Both parties have consented to the dissolution of the marriage and the respondent has also asked the court to grant his wife’s prayer for divorce,” the judge held.


He directed the petitioner to file a separate suit in another court for the recovery of her property from her ex-husband’s house, as his court had no jurisdiction over such matter.


Ramat also ordered the petitioner to file a fresh application before his court for the custody of their two children.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fausiya had earlier in her petition alleged that her husband was maltreating her and had refused to take care of her and their children.


She claimed that as a result of her husband’s behaviour, their first daughter died.


“He doesn’t feed the family. In fact, we usually beg to feed,” she said.


Fausiya further said that her husband used to lock her up in the house and deny her access to people.


She further stated that when neighbours got to know about the maltreatment, they reported the matter to the Chief of Gbessa community for his intervention.


Fausiya said, “He was invited several times by the chief, but he never showed up.


“When I couldn’t take it anymore, I traveled to Lagos to stay with my mother for two years.


“The community decided to rent an apartment for me because my life was in danger.


“My husband no longer has any love for me; I want the court to dissolve this marriage and help me recover all my personal belongings from his house.


“I also want to have the custody of the remaining two children,” she added.


NAN reports that the respondent did not deny the allegations made by his wife and neither did he object to her prayer for divorce.

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Students from far and near went to their different jamb exam centers to write the mock exams today.


The exam was supposed to be in two batches.

There was a batch A that was slated for7 am and candidates were expected to have been seated by 6:30 am, then there was the 9 am batch and the candidates were also expected to have been in their centers by 8:30 am.

I actually took my daughter to the CBT professional test centre at bwari FCT not few metres away from the JAMB head office here In Abuja, that was her center.

It was an annoying situation when even as at 12:30 pm the candidates that were billed for the 7am exams had not started.


Parents that were waiting for their children became apprehensive and couldn't just understand what the delay was about.

Most of the children had not eaten and some parents had actually done drop off with the mind of coming later for their ward.


Most of the children that had been dropped off, had no money, phones or even food because they felt they could endure whatever hunger until after the exams.


At about 12:40pm, 3 coaster buses drove into the centre and the staff and security personnel at the centre began to direct some of the children to get on the buses.

In the process, some parents raised alarm and began to shout even as they wondered at the rationale behind such action.

At a point some of the children that had seen parents yelling at them to get off the buses, quickly did.


Meanwhile before then, no body not a even staff came out to address the waiting parents as to what was really going on, and when parents asked them, all they were told was that network was slow thereby affecting "thumb printing", for 6 hours?


It was at the point when parents were yelling at the gate that the Registrar of Jamb drove in with 3 Hilux trucks of security men armed to the teeth.


He grudgingly stepped out to address the parents because they compelled him to.

Before then, parents had begun to look for snacks and drinks for their children who had started complaining of hunger. They kept on coming to the gate to talk and complain to their parents, because they were not in the exam hall, but under a makeshift tent.

Some were even feeling sleepy and tired after staying up late to read at night.


The Registrar with every sense of pomposity told us that we were breaking the law because we came close to the gate to give our hungry children food and drinks.

It's not as if they made any provisions for the children o.


We were even expecting him as a father to sympathize with the children and beg them for understanding being their fault that their systems were not working.


When he said that, all hell let loose.

Parents began to scream at him out of anger, because we were expecting some kind of explanation or even apologies. Instead he told us that we should not have come close to the gate.


I asked him how we would have been able to pass on the food items to our children, and that if they had done the right thing, there would not have been any reason for parents to come close to the gate.

At that question, he began to ramble and tell us stories of network failure and all those annoying lies.


He subsequently told us that the second batch were to get on the buses and go and write the exam in jamb office.


A parent asked how the children will come back to the original center they were posted and he swore that the buses will bring them back


To cut the story short, the exams actually started at 3:45pm and ended at 5:30pm.


And the shocker we received was that those children that were taken to the jamb office had to trek all the way back to their former center, except for those that their parents took them their with either bikes or vehicles.


I don't know when we will get it right in this country.

Ordinary mock jamb in FCT..

So how would it be in other states and local government areas?.


It keeps getting worse every year.

And those children came out of the center broken, dissolutioned, and frustrated. You could see the children that were all fired up in the morning, and ready to do justice to the Mock exam, coming out very cold and troubled.


I have said it, let us go back to the days of shading with HB pencil abeg

It's not worth it.

We can't seem to get any thing right in this country.

Ordinary computer based test?

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Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, says the huge sums of money recovered by the anti-graft body are being deployed for completion of major projects in the country.


He stated this on Thursday, March 30, 2023, during an engagement between the Commission and Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, held at the corporate headquarters of the Commission, Abuja.


The EFCC boss charged Civil Society Organisations to strengthen collaboration with anti-graft agencies stressing that, with their closeness to the grassroots they are well positioned to assist the Commission with information that will enhance the fight against corruption in Nigeria.


. He said such collaboration was imperative as the fight against corruption was not for the EFCC only.


The EFCC boss disclosed that funds recovered by the Commission are being deployed for the completion of some critical infrastructures in the country, including the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kano Expressway, as well as the construction of the second Niger Bridge.


According to him, “EFCC was the first organisation to comply with the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 that mandates relevant agencies to open Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account in naira, dollar, pound sterling and the euro.”


“In one swoop, we transferred N110billion, $29million, €6.6million and £1.3 million, and His Excellency, President and Commander- in Chief of the Armed Forces instructed that all the monies be transferred to the Presidential Infrastructural Development Initiative to complete the Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kano Expressway, as well as the second Niger bridge. This morning, I learnt we transferred an additional N32 billion in that account which is also going to be used for that purpose.”


The anti-corruption czar says that with the Money Laundering( Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the placement of the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML, in the EFCC, which enhances the Commission’s power to monitor, register and regulate Non-designated Financial Institutions, Businesses and Professions, DNFIBPs, stealing from public treasury will become difficult because all the avenues for leakages will be blocked.


Speaking on the EFCC’s 2022 conviction record, Bawa disclosed that the Commission secured 3,785 convictions and lost only 41 cases, stressing that the figure represents a 98.2% success rate in court.


In his own remark, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani wondered where Nigeria would have been, without the EFCC and CSOs. He commended the Commission’s involvement in the just-concluded general elections, stressing that without the EFCC’s involvement, commercialization of votes would have been too brazen and unmanageable. .


Secretary to the Commission, Dr. George Ekpungu appreciated CSOs for supporting the EFCC in the fight against corruption and sued for more involvement in the crusade.


Also, in a related event in Lagos Bawa called on CSOs to be constructive in criticising the activities of anti-graft agencies in the country.


He gave the charge in a remarks during the anti-corruption stakeholders summit themed “ Assessing The Fight Against Corruption Under President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration( 2015-2023)” organised by the Human Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA, Resource Centre in Ikeja, Lagos.


Bawa, who spoke through the Lagos Zonal Commander of EFCC, Tongnwan M. Wetkas, said though the Commission was not averse to criticisms, it must be constructive in nature.


He said: “We welcome constructive criticisms. When you are criticizing us constructively, you are building a society; you are telling us to do things in a better way; and in the end, you are adding value to the society.


“We appreciate what you do, but I urge you to do it constructively. Help us to analyze issues very well; always have your facts and figures; ensure you reach out to us when you need information, and we will give it to you”.


The EFCC Chair, however, expressed his satisfaction over the roles being played by the CSOs, describing them as “patriots.”


According to him, “You are people who are concerned about the progress and stability of the country. You work tirelessly on behalf of others. While those of us are paid to do what we do, you deem it fit yourselves to do what you do for the progress of the society.”


Olarenwaju Suraj, Chairman, HEDA, emphasized the need for CSOs and other stakeholders to ensure that the incoming administration prioritizes the anti-graft war.


Suraj, who spoke to the participants via Zoom, said: “ As this government is winding down, it is incumbent on us and other stakeholders to ensure that the fight against corruption is on the front burner of the incoming government.


“This is not just about policies or political statements, but also about the independence of the anti-corruption agencies.


“In this wise, a term that has been confirmed by the Senate, for whatever it is, must be allowed to run out before the removal of the head of an anti-graft agency.


“This is why I am also happy that the National Assembly is in the process of the amendment of the EFCC Act to ensure that the EFCC Chairman enjoys the same form of protection as the Chairman of either the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB or Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Fraud Related Offences Commission, ICPC.”


 

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The ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) has reportedly suspended a serving senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Ibrahim Oloriegbe and one Waheed Piri for allegedly working against the party during the 2023 governorship election in the state.


This was contained in a letter written by the party’s chairman from Ilorin West Local Area to the state chairman on Thursday, and seen by SaharaReporters, announcing that the suspension of the federal lawmaker as indefinite.


The letter accused Oloriegbe of plotting to ensure APC lost in the 2023 elections in the state because of his failure to secure his returning ticket in the party after being defeated by Saliu Mustapha.


The statement reads: “With reference to the emergency meeting of the Ogidi Ward exco, elders and stakeholders held on the 28 March, 2023 therein they re-appraised the political journey of the ward and review their performances in just concluded general election among other things before them.


“After through and objective review of their activities, the Exco in consultations with the elders and stakeholders of the ward unanimously agreed to general demand of the people of Ogidi Ward on the immediate indefinite suspension of the duo of Sen. (Dr.) Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe and Alhaji Waheed Piri over obvious anti-party activities and gross abuse of political offices which is in line with Article 21(B) I-V of the party constitution”.


The duo was also accused of working with opposition parties.


“This suspension notification for duo is necessary because both of them have become moles in our midst working for the opposition party in our ward and the suspension takes effect from 29th March, 2023.


“Henceforth, the concerned and appropriate authorities hereby are informed about the decision of Ogidi Ward. Thanks and please accept the highest esteem regards of teeming Ogidi Ward APC members. Attached are the signatures of the Executive of the Ogidi Ward, the Party’s Local Government Executives, Elders, and Stakeholders from Ogidi Ward.”


 

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A grand jury in New York indicted former President Trump on Thursday on charges related to a 2016 illegal hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels who alleged they had an affair, the Manhattan district attorney’s office confirmed.


Meanwhile, Trump on Thursday issued a lengthy statement in response to his indictment in a case involving alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.


Why it matters: Trump, who’s running for president in 2024 and facing multiple criminal probes, is the first president in U.S. history — sitting or former — to face criminal charges. The indictment is sure to ripple through his latest presidential campaign.


The charges come more than four years after Michael Cohen, the lawyer who handled the payment for Trump, was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison. He has been a witness against the former president.


The prospect of a Trump indictment was raised in early March after the district attorney’s office invited Trump to testify before a grand jury.


“This evening we contacted Mr. Trump’s attorney to coordinate his surrender to the Manhattan D.A.’s Office for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal,” a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.


“Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected.”

A New York Police Department spokesperson told Axios that every member of the NYPD will report in full uniform Friday as a “precautionary measure” in response to Trump’s indictment.


Trump in a statement Thursday claimed the indictment was an act of “Political Persecution” and accused Democrats of “weaponizing our justice system to punish a political opponent, who just so happens to be a President of the United States and by far the leading Republican candidate for President.”


Meanwhile, an attorney for Daniels tweeted Thursday evening that the indictment is “no cause for joy.”


“The hard work and conscientiousness of the grand jurors must be respected,” Clark Brewster said. “Now let truth and justice prevail. No one is above the law.”


Trump’s attorney did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment and the White House declined to comment.

Worth noting: The Trump campaign later sent fundraising emails asking for donations to help defend the MAGA movement “from the never-ending witch hunts.”


Trump, who frequently casts himself as a victim of overzealous investigators, the media and others, has repeatedly blasted the probe on Truth Social.


While Trump publicly predicted earlier this month that he would be arrested, upending news cycles and provoking reactions across his party, the grand jury investigating him did not conclude on that timeline.


Trump also called for protests, which prompted law enforcement to prepare for large-scale demonstrations that did not materialize.

Background: After his conviction, Cohen alleged that Trump had ordered him to pay Daniels $130,000 in hush money just before the 2016 election and later reimbursed him for it through the Trump Organization as legal expenses.


Trump has denied the affair. His legal team claimed he’s “the victim of extortion” from Daniels and called Bragg’s efforts to have him indicted “insane.”


Federal prosecutors did not pursue charges in the case, but Bragg’s office chose to do so — a controversial decision that made Bragg the focus of Republican accusations that the prosecution was politically partisan.


Of note: Capitol Hill allies of Trump came to his defense after the indictment news broke.


At least one Republican figure, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, has said Trump should drop out of the 2024 presidential race if he’s indicted.


Trump also faces a federal investigation over his efforts to interfere with the 2020 election results and his handling of classified materials.


In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office is investigating whether Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results there violated state law.

Here is Trump’s statement:


“This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history. From the time I came down the golden escalator at Trump Tower, and even before I was sworn in as your President of the United States, the Radical Left Democrats – the enemy of the hard-working men and women of this Country – have been engaged in a Witch-Hunt to destroy the Make America Great Again movement. You remember it just like I do: Russia, Russia, Russia; the Mueller Hoax; Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine; Impeachment Hoax 1; Impeachment Hoax 2; the illegal and unconstitutional Mar-a-Lago raid; and now this.


“The Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their obsession with trying to ‘Get Trump,’ but now they’ve done the unthinkable – indicting a completely innocent person in an act of blatant Election Interference.


“Never before in our Nation’s history has this been done. The Democrats have cheated countless times over the decades, including spying on my campaign, but weaponizing our justice system to punish a political opponent, who just so happens to be a President of the United States and by far the leading Republican candidate for President, has never happened before. Ever.


“Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who was hand-picked and funded by George Soros, is a disgrace. Rather than stopping the unprecedented crime wave taking over New York City, he’s doing Joe Biden’s dirty work, ignoring the murders and burglaries and assaults he should be focused on. This is how Bragg spends his time!


“I believe this Witch-Hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden. The American people realize exactly what the Radical Left Democrats are doing here. Everyone can see it. So our Movement, and our Party – united and strong – will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden, and we are going to throw every last one of these Crooked Democrats out of office so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

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As reactions trail the disclosure by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday over plot to install interim government ahead of May 29 handover from President Muhammadu Buhari to President-elect Bola Tinubu, Labour Party (LP) has dissociated itself from the alleged plot, denying being part of any unconstitutional arrangement to install an interim government.


LP’s spokesman, Yunusa Tanko, said the party is not plotting any insurrection, describing the development as a conspiracy against the state. He made the clarification when featured yesterday on Channels Television’s Lunch Time Politics.


“We are not part of any insurrection plans whatsoever. But what I am saying is that we are going to protect the interest of Nigerians based on provisions of the law, which provides that where you are hurting, you have the right to protest and that you would do so with the defence and protection of the Nigerian security apparatus. That is what we would do, but we will not support any insurrection in any way,” he said.


Tanko, however, accused the DSS and other security agencies of not protecting the interest of the Nigerian state during the 2023 general elections, claiming some of LP’s supporters were disenfranchised in parts of the country.


“DSS and security agencies should come out and protect us even if we are on the streets protesting,” he added, maintaining that LP is not mobilising people to come out on the streets to fight. “We are ready to follow the rules and laws of the democratic setting,” he said.


In United States, authorities have granted permission to supporters of LP’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to use a park to protest the outcome of the February 25 presidential election. The permit allows about 100 protesters to converge on the iconic Lafayette Park in front of the White House, in Washington D.C. on Monday, April 3, for four hours, between 8:00a.m. and 12noon. Located across the street from the White House, the park is a prominent fixture in American history.


“We in the diaspora are demonstrating to call the attention of the U.S. government and Biden administration not to recognise the winner,” the organisers said.


The United States Department of the Interior said the organisers and anyone at the protest must “comply with all reasonable directions of the United States Park Police.”


The protesters were warned that “all sideways, walkways and roadways must remain unobstructed to allow for reasonable use of these areas by pedestrians, vehicles and other park visitors.”


The protest is organised by a pro-Obi group, Nigerian American Coalition for Justice and Democracy Inc. A document seen by The Guardian shows that the organiser of the protest is one Franklin Ekechukwu.


The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 1, announced Tinubu as winner of the presidential election.


Ekechukwu said: “Nigerian election was conducted on February 25, the institution that conducted the election did not follow their guideline nor rule of law in accordance with democratic principles. We in the diaspora are demonstrating to call the attention of the U.S. government and Biden administration to not recognise the projected winner.”


Reacting, the All Progressives Congress in America (APC-USA) in a statement by its Chairman, Prof. Tai Balofin, said: “We wish to inform the public that a group of the Nigerian election losers are currently protesting at the park in front of the White House. It is important to note that the U.S. government is not involved or in support of the protest, as anybody can get approval for a peaceful protest.


“We also wish to state that this protest is sponsored by Obi, who lost the election in Nigeria. It is our belief that the presidential election was free and fair, and Asiwaju Tinubu won the election. The majority of Nigerian voters gave him their mandate, and no propaganda, manipulation or tissue of lies can stop his inauguration.


“The APC in the United States of America assures Nigerians not to be perturbed by the actions of the protesters. We have mobilised true Nigerians to come out in support of their mandate, and we believe that the protesters will not succeed in their mission to disrupt the peace and stability of Nigeria.


“The opposition who lost will meet the winner at the protest ground. We urge all Nigerians to remain calm and peaceful, as we believe that justice will prevail, and the mandate of the Nigerian people will be respected,” he stated.

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Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senator-elect, Ireti Kingibe, on Thursday in Abuja expressed willingness to work with her predecessor, opponents and other political parties for a better territory.


Mrs Kingibe of the Labour Party (LP) defeated serving senator, Phillip Aduda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Zakari Angulu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 25 February National Assembly elections.


She noted at a “thank you’’ news conference that her predecessor senators in the FCT had made their inputs in ensuring the development of the capital territory.


She particularly thanked the territory’s outgoing senator, Mr Aduda, whom she said gave the FCT his best in the last 12 years in the Senate.


She said she would like to continue to work from wherever Mr Aduda stopped and would listen to his advice.


“I will also like to reach out to all the other contestants and make them understand that it is not about me, but about the good of the FCT.


“If we join hands, we will move FCT to greater heights. I am willing to work with everyone to get things done.


“I call on Hon. Angulu and all others, irrespective of their parties, who contested with me that I am willing to work with everybody.


“I have always said that FCT should be a model for the rest of the country. I will show that even in appointments, wishes and needs; all of them can consider me to be their senator,’’ she said.


Mrs Kingibe promised to gradually push for the approval of FCT as a mayoralty.


She thanked FCT residents for their resounding support and the LP for believing in her and giving her the ticket to contest.


She listed some women who gave her support in her political journey to include Khairat Abdulrazaq-Gwadabe, the FCT senator between from 1999 to 2003 for showing her the ropes.


She also thanked the late first lady, Maryam Babangida and Jummai Aduda among others and also thanked women and all women groups that supported her.


Mrs Kingibe also thanked traditional rulers in the FCT for their support and noted that they never discriminated against her.

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