FEATURES

FEATURES

The authorities of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, have expelled two female students for bullying a colleague.

The development followed the outcry that trailed the video of two female students assaulting another female student of the institution on social media.

This was as the Commissioner for Police in Ekiti State, Mr Adeniran Akinwale, said on Tuesday that he had ordered an investigation into the incident.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Temitope Akinbisoye, in a statement on Tuesday, said a disturbing viral video on social media platforms showed “one Miss Opemiposi Precious Bolaji, an 18-year-old 100L Mass Communication student beating her colleague identified as Miss Gloria Ajayi, a 100L Mass Communication student, in a private hostel outside the university campus.

“The university authorities condemn in strong terms, any form of violence or misconduct in our university or by any of our constituents. Such behaviour is entirely inconsistent with the values we uphold and the standards of respect and dignity that we expect from all members of our university.”

Akinbisoye said, “In accordance with our institution’s policies and extant regulations, the affected students appeared before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee at its emergency meeting held on Monday, May 6, 2024.”

He said that having considered the report and recommendations of the SDC, the university authorities had expelled Bolaji, “who was beating her colleague with a stick and threatening to inflict bodily harm on her, having found her guilty of misconduct and flagrant breach of her matriculation oath.”

The PRO further said that Osaro, “who provided the stick with which Ajayi was beaten, was found guilty of misconduct (as an accomplice) and flagrant breach of her matriculation oath and consequently expelled with immediate effect.”

The institution’s spokesperson added that Miss Mistura Adejuwon and Miss Precious Olanrewaju, “who gleefully recorded the video and posted it on social media were warned and advised to always report such incidents to the Directorate of Students’ Affairs and the Security Unit of the university, rather than escalating it on social media.”

He added that Mr Olawale Ajewole, a 200L Mass Communication student, “was exonerated for making efforts to lock Miss Ajayi inside a room to prevent further beating.”

He added that the committee and the university authorities exonerated Miss Ajayi “who was seen being beaten in the viral video but did not retaliate or engage in fisticuffs with her tormentors.”

The PRO reiterated the institution’s zero tolerance for all forms of indiscipline, adding that it was committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the university community.

He said, “We encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences any form of harassment, abuse or violence against any student to report it immediately to the appropriate authorities.”

Meanwhile, the police commissioner, Akinwale, had directed the Ikere Area Commander to liaise with the management of the institution and “ensure the perpetrator is identified, investigated and made to face the legal consequence(s) of her barbaric action.”


The commissioner, in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, implored members of the public to be calm and avoid taking laws into their own hands.

He stated, “The state police command is not unaware of a video circulating currently on social media where a female student of BOUESTI was seen assaulting and molesting her fellow female student. The command describes the act as inhumane and unacceptable.”

In Bayelsa State, a middle-aged man has died in a brothel after allegedly lodging with a commercial worker.

The lifeless body of the yet-to-identified man was found on Tuesday in a room at the brothel located in the State Capital, Yenagoa.

According to reports, the deceased, who is said to be a father of 12 children visited the brothel to meet his regular customer at Tombia-Amassoma Road axis of Yenagoa.

The deceased, aged 40, from Delta State, was said to be battling stroke before the unfortunate incident, residents of the area disclosed.

He was said to have left home around 8 am on Tuesday to meet a prostitute as he was of the customers to the commercial sex workers at the brothel, but he was later found dead in the quarters.

All the commercial sex workers fled on noticing that the man had died.

As at the time of visiting the scene, people living around the area were trying to get the identity of the deceased in order to contact the relative to evacuate the corpse for burial.

It was gathered that security operatives have previously raided the brothel and earmarked it as a red-light zone.

The commander of Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, in Bayelsa State, Mr Tolumobofa Akpoebibo Jonathan, confirmed the incident.

According to him, the deceased is a 40-year-old father of 12 from Delta State.

… her death is painful, shocking – Daughter

 

 

EXACTLY four and a half years after her rumoured death on November 5, 2019, Madam Elizabeth Evoeme, popularly known as Ovularia in the 80s TV sitcom, ‘The New Masquerade’, has passed on aged 81.

 

Born on December 1, 1942, a family member told Vanguard that she died in Port Harcourt, on Sunday, surrounded by loved ones.

 

A statement by the Evoeme Emekalam family on her expiration read: “Friends, fans, colleagues, the family of the legendary actress, Elizabeth Lizzy ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme, would like to notify the public, all those who loved her and her work in ‘The new Masquerade,’ of her passing. Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme will be dearly missed and was extremely loved by her family and also by you, her fans.

“We thank you all for your support and for respecting our privacy at this time. God bless you all and may our dear Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme rest in perfect peace, now and always.”

Her daughter, Justina Ngozi Evoeme, who is based in London confirmed Ovularia’s demise, which she described as painful and shocking, adding “I need to get my head around what has happened.”

2019 rumoured death

On November 5, 2019, Evoeme’s rumoured death was reportedly announced on Twitter by one Churchill Ebhodaghe without any detail regarding the cause of her rumoured expiration.

Dismissing the rumour, Ovularia, on November 8, 2019, reportedly said that those behind the rumour deserved to be punished.

 

She said: “There was never a time I was so sick that it get to the paper or the media. I was never so sick that I needed prayer and I made it public. My sickness is just the sickness of elderly people — arthritis, hypertension,  that’s it.”

Asked if she knew what was responsible for the rumour, she said: “I wish I knew. I wish someone can answer the question for me. Those behind the rumour deserve punishment.” 

Following the rumour of her death then, her on-screen husband, Chika Okpala popular for his role as Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwaogbe alias 4.30 in the sitcom, dismissed the rumour.

“Who’s wishing her dead? I am telling you now that Ovularia is not dead. You can call her on the telephone and she will speak to you. Wishing her death means that she will live longer,” Zebrudaya reportedly said.

 

It’s not rumour this time – Justina, daughter

 

Reminded of her mum’s death rumour in 2019, Justina told Vanguard on phone: “It is not a rumour this time. It is real and very painful.”

The suspect arrested in connection with the murder of a lady, Glory Akpaku, in Delta State, Akpoveta School, has narrated how he allegedly killed the victim by stabbing her multiple times.

According to an interrogation video shared on X.com by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on Monday, the suspect disclosed that the victim was his sugar mummy before her demise.

PUNCH gathered from the video that things went sour between Akpoveta and the late Akpaku over the sum of N100,000 he allegedly kept with the deceased for safekeeping, but which the deceased allegedly refused to give him when he needed the money.

The suspect claimed that he had gone to Akpaku to demand the money but, instead of receiving it, she insisted that she would give it to him after returning from the market.

The suspect narrated further that he threatened the victim to report their relationship to her son, but the victim threatened back that if he did so, she would not give him the money in her custody.

He added that the threat from his alleged lover infuriated him, which led him to stab her with a knife in the neck, hand, and stomach.

Akpoveta narrated in pidgin English (now translated), “She asked me to save some money with her and that she would return the money to me later. But when I needed the money, she refused to give it to me. Rather, she became angry.

“She asked me to escort her to the market, and I thought she would give me the money, but she insisted that she would give it to me after she returned from the market.

“I told her that I would tell her child, and she said if I told the child, she would not return my money. While she was going in front, I took a knife that I had with me and stabbed her in the neck, hand, and stomach.”

The suspect stated further that he regretted his action but blamed the devil for it.

Reacting to the confession, Edafe urged members of the public to learn from it.

The PPRO wrote, “I share stories like this so we can learn from the mistakes of others. So this suspect allegedly murdered his sugar mummy over her failure to give him back the money she was helping him save. When asked why he did it, he said, ‘NA DEVIL WORK’.”

Meanwhile, giving further updates on the incident, the PPRO noted that the incident happened in April and the suspect would be charged in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.

“The incident happened in April. He will be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded,” Edafe concluded.

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has rejected the newly-introduced cybersecurity levy by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, demanding its immediate withdrawal. 

NLC in a statement by its President, Joe Ajaero, lamented that the levy is another anti-people policy of the government in the midst of excruciating economic hardship. 

According to the statement, “The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, vehemently condemns the recent directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to levy a 0.005 percent ‘Cybersecurity Levy’ on electronic transfers. 

“This levy, to be implemented by deduction at the transaction origination, is yet another burden on the shoulders of hardworking Nigerians.

“In a circular issued by the CBN, the directive mandates banks and payment service operators to affect these deductions, effective next two weeks.

“This move, ostensibly aimed at bolstering cybersecurity measures, threatens to exacerbate the financial strain already faced by the populace.”

Canadian rapper Drake’s Toronto mansion is at the centre of an investigation following a reported overnight shooting.

The OVO boss’ mansion was cordoned off by police on Tuesday after a shooting near his property left one person seriously injured after getting shot in the chest.

The Police confirmed that the victim is not Drake and has been taken to the hospital for emergency surgery, according to Toronto’s City News.

On X, Toronto police said they received reports of a shooting at around 2:09 a.m. ET in the city’s upscale Bridle Path neighbourhood.

The suspect reportedly fled in a vehicle, but no descriptions of either the person or the car were provided as of now.

Investigation and further probe in underway, according to reports.

While the motive of the shooting is unclear, it comes amidst the ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, both of whom have been releasing new diss tracks on a daily basis.

[Dailypost]

A lawyer, Festus Onifade, on Tuesday, commenced contempt proceedings against Mr Mohammed Sani, Manager of Abuja office of Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd, over alleged disobedience to the order made by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CCPT presided over by Saratu Shafii had, on April 29, made an interim order, restraining the pay-TV firm from increasing DStv and Gotv tariffs scheduled to begin on May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The three-member tribunal gave the order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the claimant, Onifade.

Onifade, the claimant and a subscriber, had sued MultiChoice and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) as 1st and 2nd defendants.

However, despite the order, the company, on May 1, hiked the subscription rates for its DStv and GOtv packages.

Meanwhile, a Notice of Consequence of Disobedience to Order of Court (Form 48) marked: CCPT/OP/02/2024 dated and filed on May 7, warned Sani against disregard to the tribunal order.

It rears in part: “Take notice that unless you obey the under listed order of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, Abuja given on the 29th day of April, 2024; thus:

“An order restraining the 1st defendant/respondent either by itself, agents, representatives, officers or privies, howsoever described from carrying out the impending increase in tariffs and cost of its products and services intended to take effect from 1st May, 2024, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed before this tribunal.

“You will be guilty of contempt of this tribunal and will be committed to prison.”

Also in a motion on notice dated and filed May 7, Onifade sought an order of the tribunal, directing MultiChoice to pay the sum of N1 billion “or any amount the tribunal deem may fit appropriate in this circumstance for deliberately disobeying, contravening, and failure to comply with the interim order” granted on April 29.

Given eight-ground of argument, the lawyer said despite the order which was validly served on MultiChoice on April 29, the firm deliberately neglected the order and willfully increased the tariffs of its products and services on May 1.

He alleged that the company had an history of disobeying court/tribunal orders.

In the affidavit attached to the application, the claimant gave history of the company’s disobedience to court orders in previous similar circumstances in the country.

He said in 2015, Justice C. J Aneke of Federal High Court (FHC), Ikeja-Lagos gave an order restraining the company from increasing the prices of its products and services, but it went ahead and increased in-spite of the order of the court.

He saiid in 2018, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of FHC, Abuja granted an order obtained by Consumer Protection Council (CPC) now FCCPC, restraining the firm from increasing it prices of products pending the matter before it, but the order was not obeyed.

According to him, the actions and attitude of Ist defendant was very reprehensible that the then CPC now FCCPC described it as a violation to the rights of Nigeria consumers and those increases done then were in bad faith.

Besides, the lawyer said in 2022, the tribunal granted an order on March 22, 2022 restraining MultiChoice from increasing its tariffs but it went ahead with the tariff hike on April 1, claiming it was a completed act.

He argued that despite the service and receipt of the order, the company, in flagrant and willful disobedient of the order, still went ahead without recourse to the plight of the customer and increased the tariffs of its services and products on May 1.

Onifade said the firm filed a motion before the tribunal dated April 29 but filed April 30, claiming that “the matter before the court is res judicata and completed act.”

According to him, the non-compliances with the order of the tribunal granted on the 29th April, 2024 is deliberate and an affront to the jurisdiction of this Honourable Tribunal and has brought untold hardship on the claimant.

The lawyer, who said the tribunal had the discretionary powers to grant the application, said it was in the interest of justice to grant his request

Meanwhile, when the matter was called on Tuesday, Onifade told the tribunal that the matter was slated for hearing of his motion on notice.

However, counsel for the Multichoice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, said he filed an application on April 30 challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to make the order it made on April 29.

Besides, the senior lawyer said he also filed a memorandum of conditional appearance on same date.

He argued that where the jurisdcition of the court is challenged, the issue had to be decided before proceeding on other matters.

Lawyer to the FCCPC (2nd defendant), M. Adeke, said though he had been served with the processes in the matter, he sought an adjournment to enable the commission respond to all the applications served on it.

Onigbanjo equally sought an adjournment to enable him respond to fresh processes served on him by Onifade.

He, however, insisted that where the issue of jurudiction is raised, such must be address first.

Onifade did not oppose the application for adjournment and the tribunal, presided over by Thomas Okosun, adjourned the matter until May 16 for hearing.

[TheCable]

 

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday, issued a new directive to all financial institutions, including commercial, merchant, non-interest banks, payment service banks, and mobile money operators in the country, mandating the implementation of a 0.5% cybersecurity levy on all electronic transactions.

The fresh charge is in addition to other existing levies Nigerians pay for making electronic transactions.

 

Recall that according to the CBN directive, banks in the country would start charging the cybersecurity levies in two weeks’ time.

However, the apex bank exempted loan disbursements and repayments, salary payments, intra-account transfers within the same bank or between different banks for the same customer, and intra-bank transfers between customers of the same bank from the levy.

Also exempted from the levy were inter-branch transfers within a bank, cheque clearing and settlements, ⁠Letters of Credits, ⁠and Banks’ recapitalisation-related funding only bulk funds movement from collection accounts, savings, and deposits, including transactions involving long-term investments, among others.

Below is the list of charges Nigerians have to pay whenever they make electronic transfers.

1. Cybersecurity levy

N5 is charged on the transaction of N1,000

N50 is charged on the transaction of N10,000

N500 is charged on the transaction of N100,000

N5,000 is charged on the transaction of N1,000,000

N50,000 is charged on the transaction of N10,000,000

2. Transfer fee

N10 is being charged on the transaction below N5,000

N25 is being charged on the transaction between 5,001 and N50,000

N50 is being charged on transactions above N50,000

3. Stamp duties

N50 is being charged on transactions between N10,000 and N10,000,000

4. Short Messaging Service (SMS)

N4 is being charged on each electronic transfer notification

(Customers who use e-mail-only notification are not charged for this service)

5. Value Added Tax (VAT)

N0.75 is being charged on the N10 transfer fee

N1.875 is being charged on the N25 transfer fee

N3.75 is being charged on the N50 transfer fee.

Nigerian comedian, Seyi Law, has called out President Bola Tinubu, over the new cybersecurity levy directive issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Naija News reported that CBN had issued a new directive to all financial institutions, including commercial, merchant, non-interest banks, payment service banks, and mobile money operators, mandating the implementation of a 0.5% cybersecurity levy on all electronic transactions.

This move is in line with the provisions of the recently amended Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2024.

The directive, detailed in a circular, instructs that the levy be applied at the point of electronic transfer origination, with the deducted amount to be reflected in the customer’s account as a “Cybersecurity Levy.”

In a post via his X handle, Seyi Law described the “Cybersecurity Levy” as punishment for Nigerians, stressing that the policy might discourage banking transactions.

The comedian also questioned Tinubu about implementing the minimum wage and when he would change ‘non-performing’ ministers in his cabinet.

He wrote, “I hate when government agencies don’t speak up to the understanding of the citizens and allow wrong narratives to fester before tackling it. Cybersecurity level, according to the act, is 0.005%, and different figures from 0.5% to 3% are being thrown around. A 0.5% charge in the Nigeria of today is in itself too much punishment on Nigerians. Are we trying to discourage banking transactions again and encourage cash keeping? @cenbankshould revisit this abeg.

“Stamp duty is something, and now this. It is unacceptable. @NGRPresident @officialABAT, let the poor breathe. When will the new minimum wage be announced and implemented? Some of your ministers need to look for another job. One year is here and we are counting. Whether it 0.005 or 0.5%, this is not the time to implement it. Simple. I apologise for the misinterpretation.

“Why do some id#ots think that because you support a person, you must therefore accept all his policies? Yes, the cybersecurity level is from ammended act, I presume, but I don’t think this is the time for the implementation. If there is anything that should be paramount to the government, it should be the new minimum wage.

“Some of you are crying, una never see anything. My brother, na your papa and mama dey collect minimum wage. E no reach where I dey. The truth is the supporters of Mr. President are better Nigerians because we criticise when it is needed.”

Last modified on Monday, 13 May 2024 03:31

The CEO of Binance, Richard Teng, has criticized the Nigerian government’s detention of employee Tigran Gambaryan, calling it a “dangerous precedent” for international businesses and unjust.

Teng mentioned that despite Binance’s repeated efforts to engage with Nigerian authorities, Gambaryan remains in detention for no valid reason.

 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Binance’s CEO expressed alarm over the recent trend of inviting mid-level employees to participate in collaborative policy meetings and then detaining them, calling it a dangerous precedent for companies worldwide.

Teng said, “The message from the Nigerian government is clear: we must detain an innocent, mid-level employee, a former U.S. federal agent, and place him in a dangerous prison to control Binance.

“This regrettable turn of events contradicts the spirit of cooperation and transparency that Binance has consistently demonstrated in its interactions with the regulatory authorities.

Naija News recalls that Gambaryan and his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla were apprehended on February 26 in relation to a criminal inquiry concerning Binance’s operations in Nigeria upon their arrival in the nation.

Anjarwalla escaped from custody, while Gambaryan remains detained at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.

The Nigerian government accused Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, of fixing exchange rates on its platform, which depreciated the naira.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accused Binance, Gambaryan, and his fleeing colleague, Anjarwalla, of concealing the source of the $35,400,000 generated as revenue by Binance in Nigeria, knowing that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activity.

However, according to the Binance CEO, Nigerian authorities were unfairly keeping in custody one of its mid-level employees who does not hold decision-making authority.

The CEO emphasized the urgent need for resolution in the crisis, stressing the importance of allowing Tigran to return home for progress. Binance reiterated its commitment to collaborating with Nigerian law enforcement, highlighting past engagements. 

The company disclosed ongoing efforts to address tax liabilities with Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service. Recognizing Nigeria’s influence, the CEO underscored collaboration with authorities for the future of Binance and the crypto industry. 

Binance outlined its vision of partnering with the Nigerian government to foster economic development. 

Additionally, the CEO highlighted organizational restructuring and reiterated support for Gambaryan, emphasizing his non-decision-making role in Nigeria.