FEATURES
The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yayaha Bello, has threatened to institute legal proceedings against an online medium that published report linking him to an attack on President Bola Tinubu.
Bello who spoke through the Director, Media office of the former governor, Ohiare Michael, on Monday described the publication as not only a mischievous but absolutely senseless report.
The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a not only mischievous but senseless report published by a mushroom blog called Daily Excessive, which attributed fake quotes against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to our principal, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
“Ordinarily, we would not have even bothered to give this any attention, because no informed Nigerian would take such a ridiculous story, written by a sick mind, seriously, especially since court records are public documents.
“This clarification is, however, necessary for the record and for the benefit of social media users who circulate fake news without fact-checking the details.”
He said that the report, which is part of the desperate plot by irresponsible politicians to strain the relationship between the President and the former governor is the most laughable twist in their failed bid to execute their bring-him-down-at-all-costs mirage.
“The Media Office of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, hereby states that the report in circulation by one Daily Excessive blog, which quoted the former governor to have said that he would reveal to the world how President Tinubu became President is not only misleading but also a confirmation of how unintelligent some unrelenting detractors of the former governor are.
“Every Nigerian following court proceedings, since the former governor submitted himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, knows that trial has not commenced in any of the cases. Former Governor Bello has only taken his plea at both courts.
“The court is an open place where journalists and other stakeholders monitor proceedings. This is the reason no informed Nigerian would even consider opening this sick report by an ‘Excessive fake news purveyor’ called Daily Excessive. But a ‘conquered’ mind is a sick mind, so we understand the plight of these mischief makers,” the statement added.
Bello further reiterated his support for Tinubu, and his party, the All Progressives Congress.
[OpinionNigeria]
Supreme Court Slams ₦5 Million On Ex-presidential Candidate For Challenging Tinubu’s Election
AFOLABI
The Supreme Court in Abuja levied a fine of ₦5 million against Ambrose Albert Owuru, a former presidential candidate, for subjecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to harassment through a baseless and vexatious lawsuit.
Naija News reports that Owuru, who ran for the presidency in 2019 under the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) against former President Muhammadu Buhari, was mandated to remit the ₦5 million to Tinubu.
Justice Uwani Musa Aba-Aji issued this directive while dismissing Owuru’s latest suit, which sought the removal of Tinubu from Nigeria’s presidency.
In addition to the monetary penalty, the Supreme Court instructed its Registry to reject any future frivolous originating summons submitted by Owuru.
During the proceedings, Owuru, who asserted that he was a lawyer admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1984, attempted to represent himself while donning his wig and gown.
He was subsequently ordered to leave the court room and to remove his wig and gown before being permitted to present his case.
After complying with the court’s orders, Owuru was questioned about his repeated appearances before the court, given that his previous suits had been dismissed on three occasions.
Despite his efforts to persuade the Supreme Court to hear his arguments, his explanations were deemed unconvincing.
Justice Aba-Aji remarked that Owuru’s behaviour was inappropriate for someone claiming to have over 40 years of legal experience. Ultimately, the court dismissed his suit and mandated him to pay ₦5 million to Tinubu.
More details shortly…
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig. Gen. Yushau Ahmed Dogara has reiterated the scheme’s zero-tolerance policy for protests and indiscipline among serving corps members.
Dogara, who handed down the warning during a working visit to the temporary orientation camp in Kaduna, said, in the last three months, several corps members have attempted to protest, resulting in disciplinary actions against them.
He reminded corps members that the scheme’s bylaws clearly outline the consequences of indiscipline, and corps members are expected to adhere to these rules.
“In NYSC, just like in the Army and the Police, we don’t allow protest because we are disciplined and law-abiding. So whenever anybody wants to deceive you, go back and read your bylaws.
“In the last three months, we have a few corps members who are indiscipline. They attempted to protest. So, we are keeping them behind due to their act of indiscipline”, he said.
He expressed concerns over the safety of corps members, particularly with regard to night journeys, warning that most night journeys are hazardous and have resulted in accidents and kidnappings.
According to him, the scheme has lost several corps members to night journeys, and it is essential to take proactive measures to prevent such incidents, urging corps members to desist from night journeys and prioritize their safety.
“My concern has been these incessant night journeys that have claimed so many lives. Sometimes they are involved in accidents and some other times kidnapping and we never recover them.
“One of my top agenda is the security and welfare of corps members which is why anywhere I go, I must stress these two issues”, the DG added.
On corps members allowance, he announced that the government has agreed to double the monthly allowance from N33,000 to N77,000.
The increase is expected to reflect in the corps members’ allowances soon, pending the completion of necessary processes, especially the cash backing, he assured.
“I need to tell you that whenever the government increase salary, we in the NYSC approach the government for increment in corps members allowances and there was never a time the government did not respond to us.
“This time, the government has agreed to double the amount from N33,000 to N77,000. We are only waiting for cash back because other processes have been communicated to us”, he confirmed.
[DailyPost]
How Cabals Hijacked Buhari’s Presidency For Eight Years, Amassed Wealth — Ex-Minister Dalung
AFOLABI
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has accused a powerful cabal of hijacking power shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari’s electoral victory in 2015.
Speaking on the Mic On Podcast on Sunday, Dalung explained that a cabal is “a group of ambitious individuals, often appointed by the president, who end up manipulating the presidency to serve their personal interests rather than the public good.”
According to him, shortly after Buhari’s victory, an influential group emerged unexpectedly and sidelined those who had actively campaigned for the president.
Dalung recalled how his access to Buhari was suddenly restricted, an event he described as the moment the cabal took control.
He recounted, “On the day Buhari was declared winner, I went to see him in the evening. To my surprise, I was blocked from entering his house — a house where, just a day earlier, I had stayed until 2 a.m. I had to make several calls before I was finally allowed access. From that day, it became clear that the cabal had taken over.”
Dalung criticized the role of Buhari’s supporters, noting that they went out celebrating, leaving the president exposed to those who “understood power” and had the capacity to take over the administration.
“These people, who understood power, took over and ran the government to their interest until eight years were gone,” he said.
When asked whether Buhari’s administration was influenced by a Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) cabal, Dalung dismissed the idea.
He argued that key CPC figures like Tanko Al-Makura were not part of the group controlling power.
“The CPC did not succeed in having a cabal. Instead, the government was hijacked by people who were not politicians but ‘like bandits who laid an ambush’ immediately after Buhari’s victory,” Dalung stated.
He claimed that the individuals who seized power in Buhari’s administration amassed substantial wealth and influence over the years, becoming some of the most powerful figures in Nigerian politics.
“Of course, they are very, very wealthy, and Nigerians should expect them. They are very powerful,” he added.
On the possibility of a similar situation in President Bola Tinubu‘s administration, Dalung suggested that the dynamics had evolved within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He described the ruling party as a “sophisticated political machine” and likened it to a “zoo,” reflecting its complexity.
“It is the same APC we formed, but it is now more sophisticated. The party has become a complex political architecture, more like a zoo,” he remarked.
Despite making these bold claims, Dalung said he had no fear of retaliation. He revealed that he had survived over 10 assassination attempts, including one where his car was riddled with bullets by gunmen wielding AK-47 rifles.
“I’ve been into the struggle for 40 years. I’ve survived more than 10 assassination attempts. There was a time five people carrying AK-47s sprayed my car, and I am still alive,” he said.
He also shared accounts of previous attempts on his life, including efforts to poison his food and ambushes from armed attackers.
“I am not afraid of death. My mother confirmed to me that I will not leave this planet until the day ordained by God,” Dalung stated.
The Supreme Court has imposed a N5 million fine on a former presidential candidate, Ambrose Owuru, for harassing President Bola Tinubu with frivolous and vexatious suits.
Owuru, who contested the 2019 presidential election against former President Muhammadu Buhari on the platform of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP), was ordered to pay N5 million to Tinubu.
Justice Uwani Musa Aba-Aji issued the order against the former presidential candidate while dismissing his fresh suit praying for the removal of Tinubu as Nigeria’s president.
Apart from the N5 million fine, the apex court ordered its Registry not to accept any frivolous suit-originating summons from Owuru again.
At the day’s proceedings, Owuru, who claimed to be a lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984, sought to argue his case wearing his wig and gown.
He was ordered out of the Bar and directed to remove his wig and gown before he could be allowed to argue his case.
Upon complying with the orders, Owuru was asked why he came before the court again, having had his suits dismissed three times.
Although he tried unsuccessfully to convince the Apex Court to grant him adequate audience, his explanations were rejected as unconvincing.
Following his recalcitrance, the court threatened to refer him to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee LPDC.
Justice Aba-Aji ruled that Owuru’s conduct was unbecoming of a lawyer of over 40 years, as he claimed to be.
In the end, the Court dismissed his suit and ordered him to pay Tinubu N5 million.
The court lambasted him for taking the Supreme Court for a ride, wasting its precious time with baseless suits and grossly abusing court processes.
Before the suit was thrown out, Bode Olanipekun SAN who appeared for President Tinubu had drawn the attention of the court to several cases of Owuru that were dismissed on account of frivolity.
He added that the direction of the fresh suit could not be understood because of the poor ways and manners it was couched by the applicant.
Olanipekun SAN also said that it was difficult for him to apologize to the court on behalf of Owuru because the conduct of the applicant had become something unbearable in the practice of the law profession.
In his own response, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Taiwo Osipitan assured that the conduct of the former presidential candidate would be referred to the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.
The Court of Appeal had previously imposed a fine of N40 million on Owuru, to be paid to Tinubu, INEC, and others, for filing a suit against them.
The new suit prayed the Apex Court to sack Tinubu on two major grounds: alleged non-qualification to hold office as Nigeria’s President and alleged usurpation of the office in contravention of the law.
Defendants in the suit were former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Tinubu as 1st to 4th defendants, respectively.
He claimed that his suit at the Supreme Court, which would have removed Buhari from office, was technically jettisoned by the Apex Court due to a mix-up in hearing dates.
He also prayed the Apex Court to disqualify Tinubu on account of the forfeiture of $460,000 to the United States of America over an alleged drug trafficking-related offence.
Besides the alleged forfeiture, Owuru accused Tinubu of being an active agent of the CIA, a position he claimed disqualified Tinubu from holding the office of President of Nigeria.
Specifically, Owuru prayed the Supreme Court to invoke Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution to remove Tinubu from office on the grounds of being under the control of foreign authorities.
He also asked the Supreme Court to declare him Nigeria’s President and order his immediate inauguration to reclaim his alleged usurped mandate.
[TheNation]
Comedian and actor AY Makun has spoken out about the recent controversy surrounding Netflix’s supposed halt in funding Nigerian original films.
The controversy was ignited by filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, who claimed that Netflix had ceased commissioning Nigerian originals, raising concerns about the streaming giant’s commitment to the Nigerian market.
In an interview with Nollywood on Radio, Makun clarified that Netflix is not exiting the Nigerian market but is likely re-strategizing its approach due to financial concerns.
“I had a meeting with Netflix recently and it was never mentioned to me that they are opting out of business in this part of the world,” Makun stated.
“At the last meeting, we discussed my next project and how they can be a part of it. I also do not want to believe strongly that they are leaving Nigeria.”
Makun noted that Netflix’s struggles in Nigeria stem from financial challenges.
“The truth is if you are doing business in a particular region and you are not making money but spending much more than you’re making, you would want to re-strategise. That is what is going on with their system and structure,” he said.
The comedian explained that Netflix’s spending in Nigeria has far exceeded its earnings, prompting the company to reassess its business model.
He pointed to the widespread practice of subscription sharing and low subscription rates as key factors contributing to Netflix’s challenges in the country.
“For example, the subscription basis for Netflix in a country that has a population of over 200 million people is just about 300,000, so there is a leakage somewhere that needs to be corrected,” Makun noted.
He added that many Nigerians are accessing Netflix content through shared subscriptions rather than purchasing individual subscriptions.
“You would see a person with a Netflix subscription sharing with several people, so that’s the problem. It is not just about the filmmakers,” Makun concluded.
Deborah, the Nigerian singer and daughter of Paul Enenche, the senior pastor of Dunamis International, and her husband Sam Hawthorn on Sunday welcomed their first child.
The Eneche family took to Instagram on Monday to announce the baby boy’s arrival.
They posted a video showcasing Deborah’s journey to motherhood, from her final trimester to the moment she arrived at the hospital with her loved ones.
The video also captured the tender moment when Deborah hugged her newborn son, surrounded by her family.
In the caption accompanying the video, the Enenches expressed their gratitude to God for the new addition to their family.
“What a Faithful God we serve!” it reads. “He has not left us without His kindness and mercies in this season.
“We return all the Honor and Glory to Him for the Blessing of a Baby Boy on Sunday the 15th of December 2024.
“Congrats mummy Deborah and Daddy Sam.”
The announcement was met with an outpouring of congratulations from friends, family, and fans.
Hawthorn married Deborah in 2022. Their wedding sparked controversy after she walked down the aisle carrying a Bible instead of a bouquet.
At the time, Deborah said her choice of carrying the Bible reflected her desire to build her marriage on a strong spiritual foundation.
[TheCable]
Bitcoin soared to a record high above $106,000 on Monday following comments from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggesting plans to establish a U.S. Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, akin to the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
This announcement fueled optimism among cryptocurrency investors and sent prices skyrocketing.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency hit an all-time high of $106,533 before settling at $104,462, marking a 3.2% gain.
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, also saw gains, rising 1.5% to $3,965.
Market enthusiasm on the rise
Investor confidence was further boosted by the inclusion of MicroStrategy, a major Bitcoin holder, in the Nasdaq 100 index. This development is expected to attract increased institutional inflows, adding to Bitcoin’s momentum.
“This is uncharted territory for Bitcoin. The market now has its sights set on the $110,000 mark. The anticipated pullback never materialized due to the overwhelming bullish sentiment driven by this news,” said Tony Sycamore, an analyst at IG.
Bitcoin’s meteoric rise aligns with expectations that the incoming Trump administration will adopt a more favorable regulatory approach to cryptocurrencies. Trump’s remarks to CNBC last week hinted at an ambitious agenda:
“We’re going to do something great with crypto because we don’t want China or anyone else—others are embracing it—and we want to lead,” he said.
- When pressed on whether he envisioned a strategic reserve for Bitcoin, Trump responded affirmatively: “Yeah, I think so.”
- The idea of a national Bitcoin reserve has gained traction as governments globally begin to explore similar strategies.
- Data from CoinGecko reveals that governments currently hold 2.2% of Bitcoin’s total supply, with the U.S. owning nearly 200,000 Bitcoins valued at over $20 billion. Other notable holders include China, the UK, Bhutan, and El Salvador.
Global shift toward crypto reserves
The concept of cryptocurrency reserves is not new. Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the U.S. dollar’s diminishing role as a global reserve currency, citing its politicization. “Countries are turning to alternative assets, including Bitcoin. No one can prohibit it,” Putin remarked.
However, despite the excitement, skepticism remains. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently likened Bitcoin to gold, suggesting its role may be more speculative than practical.
Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone, expressed caution:
“While Trump’s comments provide a tailwind for Bitcoin, the establishment of a strategic reserve would be a complex process with far-reaching consequences. It’s not something likely to happen soon.”
What you should know
Bitcoin has surged more than 50% since the Nov. 5 election that saw Trump elected along with many other pro-crypto candidates. The total value of the cryptocurrency market has almost doubled over the year so far to hit a record over $3.8 trillion, according to CoinGecko.
- Trump – who once labelled crypto a scam – embraced digital assets during his campaign, promising to make the United States the “crypto capital of the planet.”
- Trump this month named a White House czar for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies, former PayPal executive David Sacks, a close friend of Trump adviser and megadonor Elon Musk.
- Trump also said he would nominate pro-crypto Washington attorney Paul Atkins to head the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- In Nigeria, stakeholders have urged the Nigerian government to take proactive actions to benefit from the impending crypto boom in the global market under a pro-crypto U.S. President, Donald Trump.
According to the President of the Stakeholders in Blockchain Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), Mr. Obinna Iwuno, in a statement shared with Nairametrics on Tuesday, said Nigerian regulators would need to take urgent actions on these steps to avoid losing value to foreign markets.
[Nairametrics]
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed deep concern over the significant developmental gaps in Northern Nigeria, particularly in education and agriculture.
He highlighted that these deficiencies have hindered the region’s progress and exacerbated its challenges.
Sanusi made these remarks on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State, during an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the visit of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass, founder of Faidha Tijjaniyya in West Africa.
In his address, the former Emir noted that despite its large population, the North has failed to harness its potential, particularly in agriculture, where most residents remain subsistence farmers lacking access to modern agricultural practices.
He called on leaders and stakeholders in the region to prioritize investments in education and agricultural development, emphasizing that these sectors are critical for uplifting the region’s economy and overall quality of life.
“The North must wake up. Our future depends on our ability to invest in education and adopt modern agricultural techniques to better the lives of our people,” Sanusi stated.
Sanusi also delivered a lecture on harmonious coexistence in multiethnic and religious communities. Reflecting on Sheikh Nyass’s historic visit 50 years ago, he lauded the Senegalese cleric’s role in fostering peace among Muslims and non-Muslims in the former Benue-Plateau State.
He recalled that Sheikh Nyass’s visit was facilitated by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, and supported by his grandfather, Muhammadu Sanusi I, with permission from the state governor at the time, J. D. Gomwalk.
While commending the current administration in Plateau State for supporting the Muslim community, Sanusi urged Muslims to collaborate with the government to promote peace and development actively.
“Peace and cooperation are essential for sustainable growth and unity in our society,” he added.
Nigerian rapper Panshak Zamani, popularly known as Ice Prince, has opened up about the challenges he faced growing up without parents and how those experiences shaped his life and career.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Listen podcast, the Aboki hitmaker revealed that he lost his father at the age of 11 and his mother when he was 21.
These losses forced him to take on menial jobs to support himself through school, but financial hardships ultimately prevented him from pursuing higher education.
“I don’t have a mother or father. I’m an only son. That’s quite tough,” he said.
“I was eleven years old when I lost my dad. I was about 21 or 22 when my mum passed away. And I have a huge family that depends on me.”
Ice Prince explained that he had no financial support system growing up, saying, “I don’t have no uncle, aunty, godfather, or godmother that I depend on. It has been nothing but God in my life.”
Reflecting on his journey, the rapper shared his hope to inspire others with his story.
“I want people to look at my life and say if I can succeed, then no one has an excuse to fail,” he said.
He also recounted his struggles with education, noting how he missed out on a university admission due to financial constraints.
“I was the guy that spent at least three weeks at home every term because of school fees,” he said.
“I didn’t go to the University because of N20,000. I had about two weeks to pay that money but I couldn’t raise it on time. That was how I lost the admission.”
More...
Nigeria exported N181.62bn worth of electricity from January to September of 2024, analysis of data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has shown.
A breakdown showed that N58.65bn was exported to Togo, Benin and Niger Republic in the first quarter of 2024 followed by N63.28bn in the second quarter and N59.69bn in the third quarter.
This is despite the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) putting a cap on the electricity exportation to these countries in May in a bid to boost domestic markets.
In the order, the regulatory agency directed that power delivery to Nigeria’s neighbours must not exceed six per cent of total grid electricity at any point in time, stating that since the implementation of the April 2024 Supplementary Order, the commission had observed sub-optimal grid dispatch operation practices.
In a document tagged: ‘Interim Order on Transmission System Dispatch Operations, Cross-border Supply and Related Matters’, it stated that the directive will last for six months in the first instance before review.
NERC’s order dated April 29, 2024, and which became effective from May 1, 2024, was signed by the commission’s Chairman, Sanusi Garba, and Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni.
It argued that this has compromised the Distribution Companies’ (Discos’) ability to deliver on its Service Based Tariff (SBT) committed service levels to end-use customers with a significant impact on market revenues.
NERC said the system operator’s sole reliance on limiting Discos’ load off-take/allocation in managing recurring grid imbalances while prioritising international off-takers and Eligible Customers (ECs) is neither efficient nor equitable.
The practice so far adopted by the operator in managing generation availability, it said, has caused significant hardship to Discos’ customers, comprising industrial, commercial, and residential, especially during peak demands while prioritising delivery to other bilateral contracts, including exports to international customers.
The commission noted that the current international and bilateral contracts with Generation Companies (Gencos) were based on best-endeavour and with loose terms that are often below the minimum contract standards currently operated in the industry.
Police arrest suspected fraudsters who forge certificates of different int’l and African universities in Lagos
AFOLABI
Two suspected international fraudsters who specialise in forging certificates of different international and African universities have been arrested by the police at Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos.
The suspects, Elvis Osakpolo Edokpain, 23, and Kelly Osas Endgieen, 24, also specialise in defrauding their unsuspecting victims on the internet and have succeeded in acquiring exotic cars and erecting mansions in different parts of the country with the proceeds of their loot.
Police sources at Zone 2 said table turned against the suspects after detectives at the Anti-Corruption Unit of the zone received credible information from outside Nigerians concerning a group of boys that specialises in forging foreign certificates.
It was learned that on getting the information, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the zone, Adegoke Fayoude, detailed anti-corruption unit to investigate it. He reportedly gave marching orders that they must be rounded up without delay.
Based on his directives, according to police sources, detectives stormed Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and as soon as the suspects arrived, they trailed them to a five-star hotel at Osapa-London in Lekki and later accosted them at the bus stop while they were about escaping from the hotel.
It was gathered that on searching their luggage, one certificate of Blue Crest College, Ghana, belonging to Elvis Osakpolo Edokpiain, was recovered and a student identity card of Academic City College was also recovered from Kenny Osas.
Further search revealed a transcript of an academic record from Blue Crest University belonging to Elvis Osapolo. Going through the search again, detectives discovered a letter of English proficiency from the said college and a letter of recommendation from the same Blue Crest College.
Reports said upon interrogation, the suspects made useful statements to the police and confessed that they never got any admission into the school but procured the degree certificate through the help of a female Nigerian resident in Ghana.
The suspects further stated that the major aim of doing that is to enable them get Ghana resident permit, which they got and the resident permit. and the resident permits also show the suspects as students of Academic City University. But none of them has ever been admitted in the school.
Police sources further disclosed that the suspects confessed that they were made to pay 15,000 Ghana cedis for the certificate and 5,000 Ghana cedis which is equivalent to N1.5 million and 5,000 Ghana cedis for the resident permit which is equivalent to 500,000 dollars.
They reportedly paid a total of 26,000 Ghana cedis to procure the documents. On further interrogation, they said that they are doing it to evade arrest in Ghana since they don’t have any means of livelihood.
According to the suspects in their confessional statements, whenever police intercept us, we will show the passport that we are students because we don’t have any means of livelihood in Ghana. On further interrogation, they confessed that they do fraudulent activities, such as online romance scam and the provision of foreign bank accounts for fraudulent transactions on internet through what they called ‘ Facebook bombing’.
The suspects said; “we meet people online and present ourselves as an American soldier by name Captain Donald Rowe, whom we are impersonating on Instagram. He is a captain of the United States of America and currently on peacekeeping mission in Syria. While we are engaging our victims, we will tell them that there are goods in Syria that if they are interested to buy, they should pay money and we will send the goods to you. We will show them pictures of good materials in Syria.
The suspects also said,” After they make the payment, we use our block chain wallets to collect the money or foreign bank accounts which at last are being credited in our Nigerian accounts. We have our partners in UK, South Africa and other countries and most of our victims are from Japan, Denmark, China and other countries.”
Vanguard learned that while detectives were making frantic efforts to get more credible information from the arrested suspects, a mild drama ensured when the two suspects started negotiating to bribe the police for them to be set free. Police sources said at that stage, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Adegoke Fayoude who recently exposed another suspected fraudsters for offering his men a whooping sum of N174m as bribe was contacted and he directed his men to play along and recover the money as an exhibit. Subsequently, the detectives played along and the suspects paid them a sum of N66m which they collected and kept as an exhibit.
Police sources said that already, police authorities have written to Ghana embassy to get more information about the result and their suspected partners in Ghana said to be spearheading the fraud while they have also spread their dragnets through the International Police, Interpol, to round up their foreign accomplices.
The suspects who claimed they were only able to attend secondary schools in Benin City lamented the fate that befell them stating that it was poverty and the need to make ends meet that drove them into fraud. They advised youths in the country to work hard in order to achieve success and stop looking for the easy way out.
A trainee herbalist, Ifagbenga Taiwo, who was arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly slaughtering his 41-day-old son in the Keesi area of Adatan, Abeokuta, the state capital, has disclosed that he carried out the act under a spell.
PUNCH Metro reported on Wednesday that the incident occurred last Monday after the baby’s mother, Raimat Wasilat, laid him on a bed while washing clothes outside their home.
Wasilat was said to have returned to the room and met his son with a slit throat, prompting her to raise the alarm, which attracted their neighbours and the police.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, disclosed that the wife had fingered her husband in his son’s death which prompted the police to take him into custody for further investigation.
Meanwhile, in an interrogation video obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, the suspect narrated how he used a knife to slit the throat of the infant.
He, however, blamed his action on the influence of a spell, stressing that he was not conscious of what he did until he had perpetrated the act.
According to Taiwo, on the day of the incident, he gave his wife a feeding allowance while going out to the place of his apprenticeship as she was washing some clothes outside.
He added that upon getting to his workplace, he realised that he had forgotten some charms, which he often used for protection at home and decided to return to pick them up.
He continued that while he was returning home, he realised that he was feeling uneasy and restless and that he felt like committing a crime.
Taiwo narrated in Yoruba (now translated), “I didn’t go home on Sunday due to engagements at work. I went home on Monday, and when I got home, I took my bath, gave my wife a feeding allowance, and left the house.
“It was when I got to work that I realised I had left the charms I used for self-protection at home. So, I went home to pick them up. After I picked them up, I returned to work.
“About an hour after I had returned to work, I just felt a breeze blow at me, and I began to feel uneasy. It was like something was circulating in my body, and I felt like committing a crime.”
He noted that upon returning home, he did not meet his wife outside at the spot where she was washing clothes, and he went inside, picked a knife, and slit the throat of his 41-day-old son.
“When I got home, I did not meet my wife at the spot where she was washing clothes. I went inside, and I continued feeling that I should commit a crime.
“I went into my mum’s room and picked a knife we had purchased in the Kuto market some time ago. I took the knife and went to where my son was laid, and that was what I remembered last before I came back to consciousness.
“When I realised that my son had been killed, I was wondering what had happened, and I was surprised. I had to flee through the back door of our house,” Taiwo said in the video.
When asked if he had allegedly killed his son in an attempt to divorce his wife, Taiwo replied, “I love my wife, and I did not plan to divorce her. I don’t know how it happened. I have done it before I realised what I did.”
“I fled after doing it because I didn’t know what to do. I am sorry about what I did.”
He appealed to the government to show him mercy.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, on Sunday, said it was not threatened by the weekend visit of ex-presidential flag-bearer of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, to the Abeokuta, Ogun State home of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo “to discuss the political future of Nigeria.”
In the past few weeks, there have been increasing debates about the 2027 generation elections after the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, canvassed for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu for second term.
According to Akume, there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock until 2031, when Tinubu would have completed a second term.
But the opposition would have none of it, insisting that the ruling APC would be removed from power come 2027.
At the weekend, Kwankwaso and Duke, a 2007 presidential aspirant, visited ex-President Obasanjo in Abeokuta and held a closed-door meeting.
While the details of their discussions remain undisclosed, sources close to the leaders suggested that the meeting was part of a larger effort to strategise for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Obasanjo, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, has been actively engaging various stakeholders to explore alternatives to the ruling APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
The ex-President has recently been very critical of Tinubu’s government, decrying alleged corruption and increasing debt burden.
Kwankwaso, a pivotal figure in Kano State politics, brings substantial influence and followership, while Duke, a former governor from the southern region, is expected to contribute his unique perspective on governance and national unity.
Though specifics of their conversation remain under wraps, Kwankwaso’s statement after the meeting hinted at a collective intention to challenge the existing political structure and foster a new direction for Nigeria’s political landscape.
Confirming the meeting via his verified Facebook page, Kwankwaso stated, “I was pleased to be in the company of my friend, His Excellency Donald Duke, and other associates to pay a courtesy call on former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his residence in Abeokuta.”
He added, “Deliberations on significant national issues, including the future of politics and governance in Nigeria, defined the conversation. We are grateful to Baba for his warm reception, support, and hospitality.”
However, reacting to the development in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, the National Publicity Director of the ruling APC, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the meeting as a potential to the APC continuity.
Ibrahim boasted that Tinubu’s political profile and relevance in contemporary politics had dwarfed the opposition figures and statesmen.
He said, “With due respect, I hold Obasanjo in high esteem. As a former President, ex-Head of State, and an elder statesman, I don’t want to take issues with him. But when it comes to the politics of Nigeria, particularly contemporary politics, Tinubu is not their mate.
“Tinubu is head and shoulders above them in modern politics in Nigeria. So the combination of Obasanjo, Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, and Donald Duke, who was my schoolmate, does not present a threat to Tinubu. These are people who were trashed in the last election.
“This is not the first time Obasanjo is going to rally around someone, and that person is defeated. Remember, he supported (ex-President Goodluck) Jonathan, who later lost to Buhari. Obasanjo supported another candidate, Peter Obi, in the last election again and Tinubu trounced them.
“So they can have marathon meetings and meet till the end of time, they will not present any threat to the government of APC. Who among Kwankwaso, Obasanjo, Obi, Duke was not beaten? If they are bringing angels, it’s a different story. But if it is these same spent forces that will combine and meet, their meeting cannot bring any good outcome.”