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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has preferred a fresh charge against the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, over an allegation that he illegally printed Naira notes while he held sway at the apex bank.
The anti-graft agency, in the four-count charge it entered before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, equally accused the former CBN boss of unlawfully approving the withdrawal of about N124.8billion from the consolidated revenue fund.
According to the EFCC, the defendant, acting in violation of law and “with intent to cause injury to the public,” okayed the printing of naira notes without the approval of both the former President, Muhammadu Buhari and the board of the CBN.
Emefiele, who is already facing multiple charges both in Abuja and Lagos, is expected to take his plea before trial Justice Maryann Anenih.
Specifically, the charge against him, read: “That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of N375,520,000.00 pieces of colour swapped N1, 000, at the total cost of N11,052, 068,062 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.
“That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 172,000,000 pieces of colour swapped N500 (Five Hundred Naira) Notes, at the total cost of N4, 471,066,040 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.
“That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 137,070,000 pieces of colour swapped N200 (Two Hundred Naira) Note, at the total cost of N3, 441, 005, 280 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.
“That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, on or about the 7th day of October 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 80 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), by approving the withdrawal of the total sum of N124, 860, 227, 865.16 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation in a manner not prescribed by the National Assembly, which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.”
It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had on June 9, 2023, suspended Emefiele from office as the head of the apex bank.
He was later arrested at his Lagos residence by DSS operatives.
The former CBN boss was subsequently transferred to the custody of the EFCC, which on November 28, 2023, docked him on a six-count charge that bordered on his alleged involvement in procurement fraud.
Though Emefiele, who initially spent 151 days in custody of security agencies, was later granted bail to the tune of N300million and ordered to produce two sureties that the trial court stressed must be Abuja residents that have landed property within the Maitama District, the defendant could not perfect the conditions till December 23, 2023, when he was released from Kuje prison where he spent about 34 days.
Six men have been arrested for raping a 12 year old girl at Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The girl, whose name was withheld, went for an errand for her parents when she was accosted by the men and taken to their hideout.
The suspects include: isah Isma’il, 60yrs, Ibrahim Umar, 45, Mustapha Sani, 44, Dauda Garba, 40, Tukur Bawa, 38 and Muktar Muhammed, 28.
It was gathered that they were apprehended by men of the Hisbah Command at various locations in Argungu after committing the crime.
A director at the Hisbah Command in Birnin Kebbi said the suspects confessed to committing the offence while being interrogated by the officials of the command.
He added that the suspects and the victim had been handed over to the criminal investigation department of the police command in Birnin Kebbi for further investigation.
The Public Relations Officer of the Police Command, SP Nafi’u Abubakar who confirmed the arrest of the suspects said they are being investigated at the CID in Birnin Kebbi police Command.
Naira’s woes continue for the second week as legitimate operators of Bureau De Change, BDC, await the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention.
FMDQ data showed that the naira dipped to N1520.40 per dollar on Tuesday from N1478.11.
This represents N42.29 depreciation against the dollar in the official market compared to N1478.11 traded on Monday.
Similarly, in the parallel market section, the naira dropped to N1520 per dollar on Tuesday, compared to N1500 the previous day.
The combined data showed that the margin between official and parallel foreign exchange markets stood at N0.40 on Tuesday.
Speaking about the development, Mistila Dayyabu, a BDC operator at Wuse Zone 4, urged the Central Bank to resume its supply of FX to the retail end of the market as a solution to the naira fluctuations.
“The naira depreciated further to N1,520 per dollar from N1,500 on Monday. We are eagerly waiting for CBN to release additional FX intervention into the retail end of the market,” he said.
From February to April 8, 2024, the apex bank distributed FX three times to BDCs.
However, the naira returned to depreciation in mid-April. During that period, it dropped by 28 per cent against the dollar.
Popular Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has opened up about her relationship status.
According to the 21-year-old singer, she is currently single and hopes to find love soon.
The ‘Bloody Samaritan’ hitmaker also admitted that she has broken a few hearts.
Speaking in a recent interview with Angela Yee, Starr said: “I am not in love yet but [I will be] soon. I have broken a few hearts. Not on purpose, though. In case I’ve broken anybody’s heart, it has not been on purpose.”
The Lagos State Police Command, has said that the controversial singer Haberb Okikiola popularly known as Portable would be granted bail only if he is able to produce a reliable surety.
The singer was arrested Tuesday morning following his inability to pay the balance of N14 million out of N27 million worth of a G-Wagon car he purchased from a car dealer.
He was said to have paid only N13 million, while refusing to pay the N14 million balance.
Confirming Portable’s arrest to Vanguard, the spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hudenyin said the singer will spend the night in the police cell, pending when he’s able to produce a reliable surety before he can be granted bail.
“Yes, he’s with us. A vehicle dealer has lodged a complaint against him.
“If he gets a reliable surety, he will be granted bail,” said the police spokesman.
However, as at 8.30pm, there was no sign of him being released on bail.
A public affairs analyst, Sam Amadi has sent a warning to Peter Obi, the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
Speaking on Tuesday, he warned Obi that he can't win 2027 elections without his followers called Obidients.
Posting on X, Amadi wrote: “NB: you cannot win 2027 presidential election without the unalloyed support of the ObiDients.
“The ObiDients are all those who are angry against the status quo and want a change. It’s either @OfficialAPCNg
remains or that change. APC lite cannot win against APC. It’s not 2015.”
Amadi’s warning is coming amid reports of a possible merger ahead of the 2027 polls.
On Monday, Obi met with the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in his residence in Abuja.
In a separate meeting, the former Anambra State governor also met with ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Ibrahim Lamido.
Reacting, the LP had said the meetings were aimed at rescuing Nigerians from their current sufferings.
Nigerian Fuji maestro, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma attended the convocation ceremony of his daughter, Aliyah Mofiyinfoluwa Odetola, at the University of Illinois Urbana Champagne in Chicago, USA.
The singer, via his official Instagram on Saturday, shared a video from the ceremony expressing gratitude to God.
He wrote, “Haliamdulilahi Robin Al’amin, my daughter, Aliyah Mofiyinfoluwa Odetola, just graduated at University of Illinois Urbana Champagne Chicago with honours. Modupe Olohun Oba, anu nimori gba, kii shagbara.”
Music maestro, Stevie Wonder has become a citizen of Ghana.
The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Akufo-Addo conferred the country's citizenship on the music legend and made it public on his official X account on Tuesday.
The president’s post read, “In conferring Ghanaian citizenship upon Stevie Wonder, we not only extend our warmest embrace to a beloved son of Africa, but also reaffirm our belief in the enduring spirit of Pan-Africanism and the global African family, and the boundless potential of our continent and all its descendants.”
A statement from the nation’s presidential website read:
It read, “The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has conferred Ghanaian citizenship upon the legendary musician, humanitarian, and global icon, Stevland Hardaway Morris, popularly known as Stevie Wonder.
“This conferment, according to President Akufo-Addo, not only recognises his immense talent and achievements but also acknowledges his deep connection to the African continent and his tireless efforts to promote unity, solidarity, and cultural exchanges among all peoples of African descent.”
He said his decision to become a citizen of Ghana is a testament to his profound respect and admiration for our nation’s history, culture, and values.
Describing his new citizenship as a vivid manifestation of the goals of the Year of Return, which was commemorated in 2019 as a bridge between the African peoples on both sides of the Atlantic, he called on all to “draw inspiration from his legacy and strive to build a future where creativity flourishes, diversity is celebrated, and the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood transcend all differences.”
'Nigeria Don Happen To Me' - Actress Evan Okoro Cries Out Over Impending Demolition Of Her House
AFOLABI
Nollywood actress Evan Okoro has raised an alarm over impending demolition of her house.
She took to social media to voice her anguish over the impending demolition of her property in Delta State, lamenting, “Nigeria don happen to me.”
According to Okoro, her efforts to earn a living through various endeavours, including a fish farm and plantation, have been destroyed. She further appealed to the state’s governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, urging him to intervene and halt the demolition.
“Please my governor, do something #sheriffoborevwori,” Evan Okoro implored in a post via her Instagram handle on Tuesday.
“I’m just a struggling, hardworking lady who is trying to earn a living in your state, Asaba, Delta State. Our sweet and handsome governor please sir do something. My whole world is crumbling,” she lamented.
The actress noted that she has not only lost her home but also her means of livelihood.
“It is not fair, I am heartbroken right now, why are they doing this to us? Nigeria don happen to me. Everything is gone, my fish farm is gone. My plantation is gone,” she lamented in a video she posted.
She further acknowledged the government’s authority over land ownership and pleaded for compassion.
“All lands belong to the government I know, even my father’s house in the village. Please do something sir #sheriffoborevwori our very own Governor please sir.”
However, the demolition of properties tagged ‘illegal’ has been ongoing across the country.
A businesswoman, identified simply as @lashiskin_ on Instagram, was traumatised after a demolition notice was issued by the Lagos State Government on the building her family purchased in the Eti Osa Local Government Area of the state.
The fair-skinned lady, who, based on her Instagram profile, indicated that she was into the skincare business, was seen shedding tears uncontrollably over the development in a viral video she posted on her page late Sunday.
In the video, the businesswoman was lamenting that her family purchased the property in February 2024, adding that all their hard work was expended on its purchase.
She said, “We bought our property in February and we have only been there for two months. All the hard work, all the sleepless nights, everything… If you are in Lagos, you know how much property in Eti Osa costs.”
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has revealed his hero.
He named legandary heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali as his hero in boxing.
Pastor Adeboye said Ali never let his guard down during his boxing days, adding that his foot work was next to none.
He spoke at the church monthly thanksgiving service and special service for athletes, youths, businessmen and woman and their families at the church national headquarters, The Throne of Grace Parish, Ebute-Metta in Lagos.
According to Adeboye: “In boxing, my coach taught me years ago, I told you I used to be a boxer, I know I don’t look like one now. My coach warned us, “don’t let down your guard that’s your shield but when you go to battle against the opponent make sure you are protecting your head. Keep your guards up.
“The only fellow that we know in boxing at least in those days who never bothered about the shield up there (his head) is because he had his own shield on his legs. It is the fellow known as Muhammad Ali because he has a footwork that is second to none.
“So when you are trying to get him, he doesn’t bother, he is not wasting his time shielding because he knows he can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.
“If you know anything about boxing, he happens to be my hero. You will not find a scratch on his face, he doesn’t allow the enemy to get close to his face at all by using his legs. Now, if you are not a Muhammad Ali, keep on your shield. That’s for the sportsmen.”
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A 29-year-old woman identified as Torkwase Kpile has been accused of stabbing her husband to death over an argument over s3x in Achusa Village, Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.
DAILY POST reproted that the couple, who got married two months ago, disagreed over s3x before the lady picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed the man in the neck.
She reportedly stabbed Igbah Kpile, her husband, in several parts of his body before he collapsed.
Neighbours who were attracted by Kpile’s scream rushed into the house and met him in a pool of blood while his wife, unremorseful and angry, alleged that her husband was disturbing her for s3x.
Though rushed to a nearby clinic in Makurdi, Kpile died on the way and was confirmed dead on arrival by the doctor on duty.
In the meantime, Torkwase, the suspect, has been on the run and the police have commenced an investigation into the murder.
A man identified as Hamisu Abdullahi has been arrested by a vigilante group in Zamfara state known as Askaraw, for helping bandits to coordinate attacks.
It was gathered that he was arrested on Monday, May 13, 2024, in Kabrawa under the Farfaru emirate in Maru Local Government Area of the state and handed over to the security.
Intelligence sources told security analyst, Zagazola Makama, that Hamisu's spying activities and that of his accomplices were responsible for the attacks on troops and towns in Maru and other LGA in Zamfara state.
“On interrogation, he confessed to having revealed troops’ movements and position to his bandits collaborators. Investigation is however ongoing to unravel the network of local informants whose nefarious activities have endangered troops on clearance operations in Zamfara state," the source said.
Nigerian Man, Olubunmi Abodunde Jailed For Life For Beating Wife to Death With Skateboard in UK
AFOLABI
A Nigerian man has been given a life sentence in the UK for killing his wife with a skateboard.
He had blamed his loss of control on medication.
According to BBC, Olobunmi Abodunde, 48, admitted to killing Taiwo Abodunde, who suffered “catastrophic brain injuries”, on 28 November last year”.
Ipswich Crown Court heard “a degree of ferocity” was involved in her death at the couple’s family home in Exning Road.
Abodunde must spend a minimum of 17 years in prison before he can be eligible for parole.
The court heard on 27 November, the day before Mrs Abodunde’s death, the couple had a domestic incident and Abodunde was arrested.
As part of bail conditions, he had been ordered not to contact his spouse.
The following morning, Abodunde travelled to the family home to retrieve a mobile phone at about 09:00 BST, the court heard.
Mrs Abodunde, a mother of three, had been working overnight as a health care assistant and had been on her way back home.
Prosecutor Stephen Spence KC told the court Abodunde was aware of his wife’s shift pattern and CCTV showed she had arrived back at about 09:12.
“Only the defendant now knows what happened,” Mr Spence added.
The court was told two officers had attended the property at about 09:20 to speak with Mrs Abodunde about the previous day’s domestic incident.
“The officers repeatedly knocked on the door and notified them of their presence but got no response or heard any calls for help,” Mr Spence told the court.
However between 40 and 50 “thuds” had been heard, believed to be Abodunde attacking his wife.
Officers were given clearance by senior police officials to enter the property at 09:45, the court was told.
“When they entered the front door, they immediately found the lifeless body of Mrs Abodunde with her skull smashed in,” Mr Spence said.
A postmortem examination found Mrs Abodunde had suffered “catastrophic brain injuries”.
She also had injuries that were consistent with her body being “stamped on” as well as being hit with a skateboard.
This had been found at the property covered in blood and fragments of skull. The court was told the victim had also been strangled.
As Mr Spence addressed the court, the defendant could be heard sobbing from the dock.
Nneka Akudolu KC, defending Abodunde, said there was “no other explanation as to why that level of violence was exhibited” other than medication her client was taking at the time of the murder.
She said this medication led him to “completely lose control with tragic and lifelong consequences for those who loved” Ms Akudolu.
Ibuprofen, vitamins and steroids were found in Abodunde's blood following the incident, the court was told.
“Whilst it does appear that medication was taken, there would be no medical evidence to support that he was medicated with anything that would excuse or cause him to act in the way that he did,” Mr Spence said.
During mitigation, Judge Martyn Levett said it was also “surprising” why Abodunde had taken 30 minutes to find the mobile phone once in the house.
“It seems to me that he was waiting for confrontation,” he told the court. “There is no debate that there was not going to be confrontation in my view.”
Ms Akudolu said Abodunde “was a very well-respected man” both here in the UK and in Nigeria where the couple had previously moved from.
He had been a local councillor in Nigeria and had a local street in the country named after him.
The court heard the couple had a “history of frequent disputes over bills and money” with some “low-level violence” involved.
Ms Akudolu told the court that “not a day will go by that [Abodunde] does not regret the misery” that he has caused.
In his sentencing remarks Judge Levett described Mrs Abodunde's killing as "ruthless, violent, savage and heartless".
He told the court Abodunde had lied to officers telling them his wife had attempted to attack him with a knife the day before he murdered her.
Abodunde also claimed she had tried to beat him, but no evidence was found to substantiate this, the court was told.
As Judge Levett spoke, Abodunde could be seen from the dock with his head in his hands while sobbing.
Judge Levett said there had been "no self-defence at all" on Abodunde's part and he had heard "no remorse other than sobs from the dock".
Following the murder, Suffolk Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous contact with the couple.
It said earlier this month, two officers were advised they were being investigated for gross misconduct over potential breaches of the standards of professional behaviour.
Another officer is under investigation for breaches amounting to misconduct.
An IOPC spokesman said: "This does not mean disciplinary proceedings will necessarily follow. Our investigation remains ongoing."
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero has said Labour would disown 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi if he adopts policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank if elected President of Nigeria.
Ajaero stated this when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief breakfast programme on Tuesday.
He described the position of the NLC on the removal of petrol subsidy and electricity subsidy as “fixated”, adding that the labour union would have it tough with any LP President who implements the policies of Bretton Woods institutions which support the removal of subsidies on electricity tariff and petrol.
The NLC President said, “He (Obi) is the presidential candidate of Labour Party but does he own NLC or the Labour Party? Why can’t you separate them? Whosoever is the presidential candidate or official of the Labour Party must buy into our projects. If he says he was going to undertake those policies, let him be elected and try such policies.
“Whether a presidential candidate of a party that Labour forms would dictate for Labour? The answer is known to everybody. The policies of Labour, the ideologies of Labour are clear and we are going to pursue it. If anybody is coming with another ideology, he is going to have it tough with us because that is not what we stand for.
“It (our approach) would have been worst for anybody flying the flag of Labour Party to come and implement these policies, to come and adopt the policies of the IMF and the World Bank. It would have been worst for the person. In fact, we would disown the person, he would be on his own. We have to make this distinction clear.”
Meanwhile, Ajaero said electricity tariff hike pushes up inflation, insisting that the recent increase by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution companies in the country must be immediately reversed.
“Unknown to people, this issue of tariff increase is determined by inflation and the value of the currency,” NLC President Joe Ajaero said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief show on Tuesday.
“NERC takes these two major variables to determine tariff increase. Unknown to the same NERC, each time you increase tariff, it leads to another inflation which within few months, they would see demand for another tariff increase. And this is happening on and on and there is no control over it.”
On April 3, 2024, NERC raised electricity tariff for customers enjoying 20 hours power supply daily. Customers in this category are said to be under the Band A classification. The increase saw the customers paying N225 kilowatt per hour from the current N66, a development that has been heavily criticised by many Nigerians, considering the immediacy of the tariff hike and the current hardship in the land.
Following the outrage, NERC asked discos to cut down electricity tariff rate by 8.1% for customers under Band A category. The outrage, however, persisted with many Nigerians rejecting the reduction and demanding a total reversal of the tariff hike. The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) subsequently picketed NERC offices and discos on Monday to press home their demands.
Ajaero, on Channels Television’s programme on Tuesday morning, kicked against the “politics of reduction” embarked upon by NERC in recent times. He said reduction after tariff increase won’t stand, insisting that NERC and discos must first reverse the tariff to the old rates and come to the negotiation table with labour unions and other stakeholders on an agreeable way forward.