A Sydney court has sentenced a Salvation Army youth support worker from Nigeria, Friday Fredrick Jeremiah, to a minimum of six months in jail for having sex with a 17-year-old girl in his care at a homeless shelter.

Jeremiah, 35, pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to nine months in jail with a non-parole period of six months.

The court heard that Jeremiah exploited the girl’s vulnerability and engaged in sexual activity with her in a nearby park.

“This caused the victim to feel uncomfortable and she did not say much.

“The therapeutic youth support worker later led the victim away from the shelter to a nearby park, grabbed her head and kissed her which she said also made her feel uncomfortable,” the court was told.

According to reports, Jeremiah thereafter led the teenage girl to a tree and pulled down her pants before engaging in sexual activity with her.

The court was also informed that Jeremiah returned to the shelter, telling the girl to wait 10 minutes before coming back, so as not to draw suspicion.

The girl then messaged a friend to narrate her ordeal with Jeremiah.

“Jeremiah continued to message her for months after the incident, even after she left the shelter for long-term accommodation.

“At one stage, he sent her a picture of his genitalia with the message: ‘Let the sleeping dog lay’ to which she did not respond.

The judge noted Jeremiah had a good work history and was an active volunteer at his church, he stated however that, “his good character was reduced to some extent because the offender relied on his good character to become a carer for vulnerable people such as the victim.”

He will be eligible for parole on December 3.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has rewarded the overall best student of the Lagos State University (LASU), Olaniyi Olawale, with N10 million. 

The governor made this announcement at the university’s 27th Convocation and 40th Anniversary in Lagos on Thursday. 

Yusuf, from the Department of Accounting Education, graduated with cumulative grade point average of 4.98 in the 2022–2023 academic session. 

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Jubril Gawat, made this known in a tweet on X on Thursday.

He wrote, “FLASH: Governor of Lagos State, Mr #jidesanwoolu has announced a token of N110m for the overall best graduating student of Lagos State University (#LASUOfficial), Olaniyi Mubaraq Olawale, Accounting Education, who graduated with a CGPA of 4.98. 

“Mr Governor made this announcement today at the Lagos State University (LASU) Grand Finale of the 27th Convocation Ceremony.”

Immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-rufai on Wednesday responded to his indictment of the State House of Assembly probing his 8-year administration in the state.

El-Rufai said he led a government of integrity and competent governance between May 29, 2015 and May 29th 2023 when he governed the state.

In an apparent reference to the his indictment by the ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, El-Rufai’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, affirmed his principal’s integrity while dismissing what he described as a “scandalous claims being aired as the report of the committee.”

El-Rufai’s reaction, made available to THE WHISTLER, read:”We are aware of news that the Kaduna State House of Assembly has adopted the report of the ad-hoc committee it asked to probe the El-Rufai government.

“We have not been availed a copy of the report, to which we would respond robustly whenever we obtain it. We affirm the integrity of the El-Rufai government and dismiss the scandalous claims being aired as the report of the committee.

“Malam Nasir El-Rufai is immensely proud of his record of governance and the legacy he left in Kaduna State. This record of consistently high performance in public and private office cannot be altered by any malicious effort to use the auspices of a state legislature for defamation and undeserved smears.

“Many of the officials who served in the El-Rufai government appeared before the ad-hoc committee because of their confidence in the quality of their service and the rectitude in which they served Kaduna State.

“They were under no illusion that they were participating in a fair process. It was obvious that the ad hoc committee was merely going through the motions of an inquiry just to give some gloss to predetermined conclusions.

“It is sad to see such a shameful departure from any notion of decency and fairness by a state legislature. We dismiss with contempt the claims being peddled in connection with the report.

“Malam El-Rufai wishes to assure discerning Nigerians that he has served Kaduna State with integrity and to the best of his capacity, assisted by a hardworking and patriotic team.

“He complied with all extant laws in all his activities while he was the governor. This jaundiced probe should be disregarded as the politically motivated hatchet job it is.”

Recall that the probe by the state Assembly was necessitated following the lamentation of the incumbent Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, that El-Rufai left him a huge debt profile.

Sani, who spoke during a town hall meeting in Kaduna, said he inherited a lean treasury, adding that he could not pay workers’ salaries.

Sani said, “Despite the huge debt burden of N587m, N85bn, and N115bn contractual liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development.

“We have conducted a thorough assessment of our situation and are sharpening our focus accordingly.”
The revelation by Sani had generated reactions from several quarters, including El-Rufai’s son, Bashir, who took to his social media handle and accused his father’s successor of shying away from his responsibility.”

Meanwhile, ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under the former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday, submitted its report to the House.

The Committee indicated the former governor saying that most of the loans obtained under El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023, were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained.

The Committee led by Hon. Henry Zacharia, who’s also the Deputy Speaker of the House, recommended the prosecution of El-Rufai, some other indicted members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for abuse of office and money laundering while in office as well as plaguing Kaduna State into heavy debt.

In 2024, the world’s richest people hold significant influence due to their groundbreaking ideas, investments, and guidance.

The top 10 richest people globally come from various fields like technology and luxury goods. They’ve contributed to space exploration, digital communication, e-commerce, and high-end fashion, shaping their industries profoundly while amassing immense wealth. 

Below is a summary of their standings and net worths, per figures from Financial Express:

Net worth: $210 billion

Big time businessman and investor, CEO of Tesla , spaceX and also X previously known as Twitter, Elon Musk tops the list. His ventures have made significant impacts in the fields of space exploration, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. Musk’s forward-thinking approach has led to groundbreaking developments in technology and sustainability.

2. Bernard Arnault 

Net worth: $202 billion

Bernard Arnault oversees a vast empire of luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Sephora. Under his leadership, LVMH has continued

3. Jeff Bezos

Net worth: $194 billion

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has maintained his position among the world’s wealthiest through his significant shareholding in the company. He also owns Blue origin a private aerospace manufacturer, and The Washington Post.

4. Mark Zuckerberg

Net worth: $163 billion

Mark Zuckerberg is the co founder and CEO of Meta platforms (formerly Facebook). These platforms have grown since into one of the world largest social media companies. Meta also owns Instagram,Whatsapp, Messenger,Oculus VR,Threads.

5. Lari Ellison

Net worth: $146 billion

Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle Corporation and grew it into one of the largest software companies globally, specializing in database management systems.

6. Larry Page

Net worth: $142 billion

Larry Page is a cofounder of Google and now part of Alphabet. His wealth primarily comes from his 6% stake in Alphabet and various other investments.

7. Warren Buffet

Net worth: $137 billion

Warren Buffet known as the “Oracle of Omaha” leads Berkshire Hathaway. His stash features significant stakes in insurance, energy distribution, railroads, and consumer products. Buffett is also a standout do-gooder, donating billions towards different causes

8. Sergey Brin

Net worth: $136 billion

Sergey Brin is also a co-founder of Google. He was in on creating Google’s search engine alongside Larry Page. He was the tech boss at Google and later took on the same gig at Alphabet, Google’s parent company. His riches mainly flow from his 6% share in Alphabet and other investments.

9 .Bill Gates

Net worth: $129 billion

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft is a well-known philanthropist and business magnate. He played a significant role in the personal computer revolution, shaping the technology industry as we know it today. Through his foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he has made substantial contributions to global health, education, and poverty alleviation efforts. His riches consist of a 1.4% share in Microsoft and different investments via his private company, Cascade Investment.

10. Steve Ballmer

Net worth: $123 billion

Steve Ballmer was the CEO of Microsoft after Bill Gates. During his time as CEO of Microsoft, Ballmer shaped the company’s directions and strategies. Currently, Ballmer owns the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team​. His riches consist of a 4% share in Microsoft, the Clippers, and other assets such as The Forum and Intuit Dome.

The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to investigate the alleged fraudulent allocation of title documents to some real estate developers.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State, Mr Jonathan Gbefwi.

Moving the motion, Gbefwi, noted that before the appointment of Wike by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023, several title land documents in the FCT were issued to some real estate developers “In a highly suspicious manner.”

He said, “The House wonders if the Director of Lands or any official of the Federal Capital Territory Development Administration issued the Right of Occupancy, purportedly in the name of the Minister of FCT. at the period when the office of the Minister was vacant, have the legal right or authority to do so.

“The House is concerned that some of the lands affected were subject to litigations which were yet to be resolved

“We are disturbed that some of the beneficiaries of these alleged fraudulent allocations are already using them to forcibly grab disputed land which is a recipe for conflicts

“We are convinced that if the title document of any land is fraudulently issued or procured, whatever is built on it should not stand in the interest of the public.”

Following the resolution of the House, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary, directed the Committee on FCT to “Investigate all allocations of land in the name of the Minister of FCT. Abuja, given from January to August 2023.”

The House also resolved “That all such lands which are subject to litigation or multiple allocations, should be identified and their allocation withdrawn by the Minister pending the resolution of the matter.”

The committee is expected to report back to the House in four weeks.

…says trial- and -error economics failing

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to stop deceiving Nigerians about his administration’s true position on fuel subsidy.

Atiku said this in a statement, in Abuja, yesterday.

He explained that contrary to the President’s public posturing about removing fuel subsidy, the Tinubu administration has been secretly paying trillions of Naira as subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

The former Vice President who was the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2023 election, noted that subsidy payments under Tinubu’s watch is likely to hit N5.4 trillion this year (2024).

Atiku said, “President Bola Tinubu, at his inauguration on May 29, 2023, announced the abolishment of the subsidy on PMS, popularly known as fuel.

“Ever since, it has been a bragging right of Tinubu and officials of his administration.

“I had in my statement reviewing the one year of the Bola Tinubu administration urged the government to come clean on the actual position of the subsidy policy.

“These were my exact words: “…provide clarity on the fuel subsidy regime, including the fiscal commitments and benefits from the fuel subsidy reform and the impact of this on the Federation Accounts.

“It is curious that since April 2024, fuel queues have mounted at many filling stations across Nigeria, and the infamous ‘black market’ has sprouted in several states.

“How much PMS is being imported and distributed, and at what cost? What is the implicit subsidy?”

“If the subsidy regime had been characterised by opaqueness, what would we say of a situation where the subsidy is still being paid under the cover without Nigerians in the know?

“Like millions of Nigerians, I was shocked to learn through media reports that
the “government is still supporting downstream consumption.”

“Now we know that expenditure on fuel subsidy may reach N5.4 trillion in 2024, compared to the N3.6 trillion spent in 2023, the same year that Tinubu claimed to have abolished fuel subsidy

“I wish to restate that Nigeria is not working, and what we have had in a little over a year is a cocktail of trial-and-error economic policies. Paying subsidies and lying about it is nothing to brag about. Nigerians deserve better than this deception. “

Human rights lawyer Mike Ozekhome has applauded President Bola Tinubu’s government for the reintroduction of the old national anthem, Nigeria, we Hail Thee. 

Ozekhome spoke in an interview with Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday.

He said, “I am not a fantastic fan of the government but if there is one thing I think they have gone right; they have gotten right, and I applaud them for it, it is the reintroduction of this national anthem.”

The return to the old national anthem came after the National Assembly passed the National Anthem Bill 2024 which was later signed by President Tinubu. 

While the development triggered a backlash from Nigerians who questioned the importance of the reversal, Ozekhome noted that the reintroduction of the old national anthem “will cement us together”.

Ozekhome said, “I know that it was advertised that there would be a public hearing over the national anthem.

“That was how I heard. Nobody came to invite me specially and if you’re called, you should go and participate. If you don’t participate, you should not cry later.”

He said, unlike a change of constitution, having a new national anthem does not require town hall meetings at the lowest levels. 

Ozekhome lamented the lack of patriotism among some Nigerians and hopes the new anthem will reinstate that in Nigerians.

According to him, the reintroduction of the anthem was part of the recommendations of the 2014 National Confab.

Ozekhome’s comment came days after Tinubu defended the reintroduction of the anthem which the President described as his “priority”.

“Let me allude to something that happened yesterday. The change of national anthem, ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’,” President Tinubu said during a meeting with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Thursday.

“Some people say, okay… say what? Is that your priority? It’s my priority. I agree with the National Assembly. If they make law, I’ve got to obey that law, or we disagree openly and close the chapter.”

The Nigerian government has said the turnover of Binance, a cryptocurrency platform, surpassed $20 billion from activities in Nigeria, yet the firm paid zero tax to the country.

The Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday while reacting to the allegation that two Binance executives Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla were illegally held in custody in Nigeria.

The Minister clarified that the two executives, although one is currently at large, were held for fueling currency speculation and operating non-registered business activities in Nigeria. 

“It would be recalled that Binance had a turnover in Nigeria of over US$20 billion in 2023 alone, far above the federal budget for health and education, fueling currency speculation and the cost-of-living crisis.

“In addition, it is not registered in Nigeria and neither has it ever paid any taxes within the Nigerian jurisdiction, having all the while operated without oversight or any of the normal guard rails to flag criminal activity”, he said.

Recall that on February 28, Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were arrested by the Nigerian government on the allegation of currency speculation.

Anjarwalla was confirmed to have escaped custody in March.

In April, the Nigerian government arraigned Gambaryan in court for tax evasion and other charges bordering on money laundering.

Anjarwalla, though on the run, was joined in the suit with Binance.

In the federal high court in May, Gambaryan was denied bail and was ordered to be kept in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the recommencement of his trial.

Meanwhile, in a recent unfolding of the trial, Aluko & Oyebode, the law firm handling the case of Binance Holdings Limited, said Mr Tigran Gambaryan may die in custody in Kuje prison and called for his release.

Premier League clubs will on Thursday, vote on whether or not to scrap the Video Assistant Referee, VAR.

The clubs will meet at an annual general meeting.

Wolves are the club driving the vote having been hard done by numerous times. 

The 2023/2024 season saw a host of high profile errors from VAR, including the failure to award a goal that was shown to be onside for Liverpool in their loss at Tottenham.

VAR was introduced ahead of the 2019/2020 season and still continues to split opinions.

The proposal needs 14 votes from the 20 clubs for it to change.

But according to the UK Mirror, Wolves will get nowhere near the required number with VAR set to stay.