Seventeen persons, including a commercial bus driver and two conductors, have reportedly died in a road accident in Imo state.

Witnesses said the accident happened on Tuesday after a tipper ran into an 18-seater commercial bus along Orlu road in Owerri, the state capital.

A witness told TheCable that the tipper driver was trying to avoid a pothole when he veered off his lane and collided with the bus, leading to the death of everyone on board.

The tipper driver reportedly sustained severe injuries and was unconscious.

A resident said some bodies of the victims were trapped under the damaged vehicles, while others were recovered and deposited in a morgue.

Okoye Henry, police spokesperson in Imo, was not immediately available for comment when contacted by TheCable for more information on the accident.

In May, about 15 people died and many others were injured after a truck crashed into four buses at the Imo State University (IMSU) junction in Owerri.

 

Witnesses said the truck collided with vehicles coming in the opposite direction due to a brake failure in the Ugwu-Orji area.

The Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, his Science, Technology, and Innovation counterpart, Uche Nnaji, and Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, are some of the high-profile government functionaries expected to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy on Wednesday.

The Committee, chaired by the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra State, Afam Ogene is investigating the utilisation of over $2bn investment and grants for the development of renewable energy sources in Nigeria from 2015 till date.

The committee argued last week that despite the huge grants and investment in the sector, the power supply in the country has continued to worsen.

Scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 and 6 November 2024, the investigative hearing follows the mandate given to the Committee on June 6, 2024, to investigate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies involved in investments, procurement, and receipt of grants for renewable energy sector development.

At the commencement of the investigative hearing on Tuesday, none of the ministers showed up, preferring to send representatives, most of whom were asked to return to their various offices.

Expressing his disappointment at the turnout, Ogene urged the concerned ministers and other government officials to appear before the Committee unfailingly on Wednesday.

The Labour Party lawmaker reminded representatives of invited government officials that the power to summon public officers for investigation is vested in both chambers of the National Assembly.

He said, “Let me state this again: Section 81 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended) provides that ‘Each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct an investigation into any matter or thing with respect to which it has the power to make laws.”

He added that this power includes probing into “the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, Ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for executing or administering monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.”

At the commencement of the hearing, Ogene called on the Budget and Economic Planning to appear before the committee to make his presentation. However, a director in the ministry, Felix Okonkwo, appeared on behalf of the minister.

Asked if he had the mandate of the minister to speak, Okonkwo said, “I can take some responsibilities but not all.”

Not pleased with the remark, Ogene urged him to go back and inform his principal to physically appear on Wednesday.

“Tell your minister to appear before this committee on Wednesday. It is not meant to witch-hunt anybody. A situation where invitations are sent about three times to heads of MDAs and they would still not appear to make their presentations is not acceptable,” he said.

The story was no different when Deputy Director of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Suleiman Abubakar, stood in for the minister.

Asked if he was delegated to speak for the minister, Suleiman said his directorate mandated him to attend the investigative hearing.

Ruling on the development, Ogene said, “You have no locus to stand in for the Minister. He should appear in person on Wednesday. We wrote to the Minister, not a directorate.”

Also expected at the investigative hearing on Wednesday are the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Union Bank of Nigeria, Niger Delta Power Holding Company and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.

Donald Trump is now 24 electoral college votes away from winning the United States presidential election. 

The Republican Party candidate has now amassed 246 electoral college votes, with Vice President Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party polling 210 electoral college votes at the time of reporting.

There are 538 votes in the electoral college and it takes 270 — a majority — to win the presidency.

Trump is now projected to win the battleground state of North Carolina and the swing state of Georgia, leaving Harris with a mountain to climb. There is currently no realistic pathway to a Harris victory.

A “hush” has descended on the Harris campaign headquarters, with various outlets reporting that the campaign would no longer be talking to the press until it is done and dusted.

The US presidential election has been a keenly contested one and was considered “neck-and-neck” and “too close to call” even before the first mail-in ballots were cast.

Immigration, border security and inflation were Trump’s strongest campaign points, while Harris campaigned on reproductive rights for women and building “an opportunity economy”.

Harris entered the race in July after US President Joe Biden’s shaky debate performance in June.

Barack Obama, a former US president, and a slew of celebrities had acted as Harris surrogates on the campaign trail.

Trump has promised to “tighten the border” and “root out illegal immigrants” if re-elected. The Republican Party candidate has repeatedly described the Democratic Party as “weak”.

The Republican Party has also taken control of the senate.

The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday disclosed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of the minors facing trial for treason on compassionate grounds.

According to Shettima, there are video and photographic evidence of some of the protesters which were uploaded by the actors themselves.

He lamented that the nation lost over N300 billion from the destruction and halting of economic activities orchestrated by the protesters.

Shettima made this claim while receiving the minors at the Presidential Villa, shortly after their charges were dropped by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.

Shettima said, “The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, instructed the release of the suspect on humanitarian grounds, despite incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetration and actions some of which were uploaded by the actors themselves.

“Regarding this evidence, the President as the father of the nation is giving these young men another chance at becoming responsible citizens who will make a positive impact, in a drive for a better Nigeria.

“I would like to admonish you, young men not to allow yourselves to be used to perpetrate violence and destroy public and private property because over N300 billion was lost in the protests, consisting mainly of private property and loss of business.

“I will urge you, I will advise you, you are our children, to use the opportunity of the President’s magnanimous gesture in ensuring that you overcome and become responsible citizens who will contribute to the growth of the society.

“I will urge our governors and our elected representatives here, that cuts across the political divide, what binds us together as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes whatever divides us.

“I will call on our two governors and our representatives into a single cause, and ensure that these subjects are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the fabric of our communities.”

A new terror group, operating in Sokoto State, reportedly pays youths ₦1 million to join in their destructive operation.

The Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Alhaji Isa Salihu Kalenjeni, who disclosed this, said the foreign-based armed religious group occupies five local governments in the state.

Speaking at the reception of Course 33 of the National Defence College, Abuja, who were on a study tour in the state, on Monday, he explained that the group locally known as Lakuwarawa migrated from Libya, Mali and Niger Republic and camped at Tsauni forest.

According to Daily Trust, Kalenjeni also said the Lakuwarawa has “launched one of the deadliest attacks in the area that resulted in the killing of four soldiers on patrol along Gudu road recently.

“They are forcing people to pay Zakkat and at the same time robbing people of their belongings. Just recently, they robbed a shop owner of ₦2 million. They also seized his car and released it after he paid ₦350,000.”

The Tangaza Council Chairman added that the group stole four motorcycles in Balle, the headquarters of Gudu LGA, adding bandits have also joined forces with the terror group.

“They usually come to our communities during the day and go back to the forest in the night. They also have drones which they use in monitoring the movement of security operatives,” Kalenjeni added.

The Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Engr. Idris Gobir, who received Course 33 of the National Defence College, reportedly confirmed Kalenjen’s account.

Gobir said an “assessment carried out indicated that the group possessed sophisticated weapons and their criminal activities were observed in about 5 LGAs of the state.“

The price of imported high-quality loose rice has surged by 144.77% over the past year, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to the NBS’s latest food price report, the average price of a 50kg bag of imported rice climbed from ₦49,103 in September 2023 to ₦120,193 in September this year.

The cost per kilogram of imported rice rose by 3.21%, increasing from ₦2,329.05 in July to ₦2,403.86 in September. This is a significant jump from ₦982.07 per kilogram a year ago, indicating a more than twofold increase.

Prices for other types of rice have also risen. The cost of loose agricultural rice went up from ₦1,882.39 in July to ₦1,965.64 in September, marking a 4.42% increase.

On a year-over-year basis, this represents a 146.33% rise from ₦797.98. Nasarawa recorded the highest price at ₦3,050.33 per kilogram, while Benue had the lowest at ₦1,314.13.

Broken rice, or Ofada rice, saw a 5.61% increase from ₦2,234.06 in July to ₦2,359.47 in September, resulting in an impressive 213.36% increase over the past year.

The price of locally produced rice is following the same trend, with loose local rice rising by 4.57%, moving from ₦1,831.05 in July to ₦1,914.77 in September.

The persistent rise in rice prices is part of the broader surge in the cost of living across Nigeria, causing concern nationwide.

Additionally, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices have also skyrocketed from around ₦175 per litre to between ₦1,000 and ₦1,300 per litre, further impacting the cost of goods and services across the country.

The new Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa has announced the abolishment of the 18-year admission benchmark into tertiary institutions in the country.

This is as he hinted on the possibility of his administration reviewing the nation’s education policy.

The Minister, however, stated there would be no reversal on the federal government’s decision to void over 22,700 degree certificates obtained by Nigerians in some “fake” universities in neighbouring Togo and Benin Republic.

Alausa spoke on Wednesday in his inaugural ministerial press conference which is ongoing in Abuja.

Details later…

The embattled Director of Equatorial Guinea’s National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), Baltasar Engonga, has responded to allegations of a massive sex scandal involving hundreds of private recordings, which reportedly include videos of high-profile individuals, including relatives of the country’s president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

The scandal emerged amid a fraud investigation into Engonga’s activities, during which investigators allegedly discovered over 400 explicit videos stored on his computer.

Among the individuals reportedly filmed are members of Equatorial Guinea’s elite, including the president’s sister and close relatives of other officials.

The leaked recordings said to have been consensually filmed, have sparked widespread public outrage and intense scrutiny of the government’s top anti-corruption official.

Responding to the allegations on social media platform X, Engonga denied the authenticity of the videos, attributing the scandal to what he described as the work of “enemies” intent on tarnishing his reputation.

The 54-year-old official dismissed rumours connecting one of the supposed victims to a recent suicide, labelling them as untrue.

The scandal has shaken Equatorial Guinea’s political landscape and raised questions about privacy and misconduct among top officials. Engonga, who was taken into custody following the revelation, continues to deny any involvement as authorities proceed with their investigation.

“I want to tell the People of Equatorial Guinea that those videos are AI edited. My enemies are trying so hard to bring me down

“Ignore the rumours about someone’s death linked to the leaked videos. They’re unfounded”, he said.

Engonga said he had only one wife and six children, adding that she is his hero.

“I only have one wife and my 6 children. They keep me going. We are a happy family. They are my everything.

“If anything ever happens, you are strong enough to guide our children through anything. I trust you completely. You are not just my wife, but my hero”, he added.

Equatorial Guinea has taken a decisive step against misconduct in public office, suspending all officials involved in sexual activities within the premises of the country’s ministries.

Vice President Teodoro Nguema announced the decision on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), warning that the government would enforce “severe measures” against such behaviour.

The statement reads, “Today, we will proceed with the immediate suspension of all officials who have had sexual relations in the offices of the country’s ministries.

“The Government will take severe measures against these acts, since it constitutes a flagrant violation of the Code of Conduct and the Public Ethics Law.

“This action is a decisive step in our policy of zero tolerance towards behaviors that undermine the integrity of the public service.

“Ethics and respect are fundamental in our administration, and we will not allow irresponsible behavior to compromise public trust.

“Responsibility and professionalism must be the pillars of our work as servants of the State.”

In a follow up post on Tuesday, the vice-president said the government would soon implement the installation of surveillance cameras in all government offices.

He said, “We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behaviour.

“We will not admit any fault that denigrates the integrity of our administration and those who engage in these practices will face drastic measures.”

An Investigating Police Officer, Elizabeth Osikolu, on Monday, told an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, how a housewife, Omolara Alashe, forced a 19-year-old girl (name withheld) to sleep with her husband, Ramoni Lateef, to bear children.

Osikolu, the second prosecution witness, who was led in evidence–in–chief by the state prosecuting counsel, B.T. Boye, leading Bukola Okeowo, narrated this to Justice Rahman Oshodi.

Alashe and Lateef, who are both first and second defendants respectively, are standing trial bordering on conspiracy, rape, sexual assault and stealing, preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

The witness told the court that the incident happened in 2022 in their residence at Ketu where they relocated after their former house in Ojota was sold.

Osikolu told Justice Oshodi that the mother of the survivor died while they were living at Ojota and the couple offered to accommodate her.

The IPO said that while living with them, the survivor said the couple “always abused her physically whenever she made mistakes.”

She said at other times,  “The first defendant would also wake her up at midnight and stripe her naked and the second defendant would have sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

“The first defendant (Omolara) wakes her up in the middle of the night, strips her naked while her husband sleeps with her (survivor).”

She said they were in the sitting room one day “when the first defendant suddenly started beating her up, stripped her naked and inserted her fingers in her vagina without her consent.

“After she was done, she threw out her belongings and seized her ATM card and MTN line and the salary she was making at the time to deny her access to her money”, adding that the last incident was on March 24, 2023.

The IPO further told the court that her investigation also revealed that the couple had a baby who died in October 2022.

She said since then, the first defendant had not been able to conceive again.

“So, they decided that instead of the second defendant getting married again, they would use the survivor to bear children for him.”

Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Lekan Egberongbe, the IPO maintained that the survivor was not lying adding that the first defendant admitted it in her statement.

She told the court that if the survivor consented to the sexual assault, she would not have reported to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, nor submitted herself to medical examination at Mirabel Centre.

The witness insisted that the survivor couldn’t resist the second defendant because she was intimidated by the first defendant.

However, after listening to the testimony of the IPO, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to February 3, 2025, for continuation of trial.