The Kaduna State House of Assembly established an ad hoc committee to review all funds, loans, and contracts given under previous governor Nasir El-Rufai, and presented its findings to the House.
The chairman of the ad hoc committee, Henry Zacharia, presented a report during plenary on Wednesday. The report found that most loans obtained under El-Rufai’s administration were not used for their intended purpose, and that due process was not followed in some cases.
Receiving the report, Yusuf Liman, Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, stated that the El-Rufai government took a total of N423 billion, leaving the state with massive obligations.
As a result, the committee recommended that El-Rufai and other indicted members of his cabinet be investigated and prosecuted by security and anti-corruption agencies for abuse of office through the award of contracts without due process, diversion of public funds, money laundering, and plunging Kaduna State into deep debt.
The committee recommended suspending Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance Shizer Badda, who also served under El-Rufai’s government, and the head of the state universal basic education board.
It also called for a comprehensive inquiry of several key appointments of the previous government by competent law enforcement and anti-corruption authorities.
The committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly was tasked with the assignment of examining loans, grants and projects implementation from 2015 to 2023 during which El-Rufai served as governor of the state.
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu has reacted to the recent revocation of the banking license of Heritage Bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Moghalu described the development as the chronicle of a death foretold, adding that the situation was not surprising.
Moghalu shared his thoughts via a post on his X handle on Wednesday.
He insisted that that the defunct bank should not worry anyone, adding that it doesn’t mean the financial system isn’t sound.
Moghalu said: “The revocation of the banking license of Heritage Bank by @cenbank is the chronicle of a death foretold. In other words, it’s not surprising.
“I don’t think it should worry anyone, nor does it mean the financial system isn’t sound. Banks are businesses, even if very special and thus heavily regulated ones. A bank that is badly run should not have a lifetime guarantee. The important thing is to protect depositors funds.
“What we did in 2010 when we created @AmconNg was to ensure SYSTEMIC financial stability. We made sure no bank failed then to ensure systemic stability because of the unique situation of the global financial crisis. But over the long term, I never subscribed to a view that no bank, no matter how badly run, should ever fail. That would be a wrong approach to financial regulation.”
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, further adjourned until June 25 for mention a case against celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu (Cubana Chief Priest), for alleged abuse of the Naira.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), arraigned Okechukwu on April 17, on a three-count charge of allegedly spraying and tampering with the Naira notes during a social event at Eko hotel in Lagos.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N10 million.
At the last adjourned date on May 2, the defence counsel, Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), had informed the court that parties were exploring settlement and had applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.
Following the position, defence counsel then applied for a withdrawal of the preliminary objection, and since there was no objection from the prosecution, the court granted same.
The court had consequently, adjourned the case until June 5 (today) for report of settlement.
However, on Wednesday, newsmen gathered that the defence had written a letter seeking an adjournment of the case.
The case has now been fixed for June 25 for mention.
In the charge, the defendant was said to have tampered with the funds in the denomination of N500, while dancing at the social event in Eko Hotel.
The offence contravenes the provisions of section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act of 2007
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State, on Monday questioned Joseph Aloba, father of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad, over a petition filed by Oba Saheed Elegushi.
The head of the Aloba legal team, Monisola Odumosu, in a statement on Tuesday, said the petition borders on cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and criminal defamation.
According to Odumosu, the allegation came on the heels of an interview granted by Aloba recently.
The statement read in part, “Mr Aloba was invited by the police and led to the police station by the representatives of his legal team, Teri Wellington and Monisola Odumosu. The petition was written by Oba Saheed Elegushi who alleged that during one of Mr. Aloba’s interviews with a London-based blogger, he was criminally defamed.
“During the interview, Mr. Aloba granted the London-based blogger, it was alleged that he said, ‘… his son was bullied and killed on the instruction of Oba Elegushi and that it was one Sam Larry that was sent to do the job…”
According to the statement, Aloba reiterated that defaming or performing any act that constituted or could lead to cyberbullying and cyberstalking Oba Elegushi wasn’t his intention, as he was trying to seek justice for his late son.
Odumosu added that the late singer’s father further clarified that he did not have any proof to support the allegation against the monarch except the petition written by his late son and other phone conversations he had with him.
While noting that the monarch, who was present at the meeting, demanded a retraction, Odumosu clarified that Aloba was never arrested or detained.
“In fairness to Oba Elegushi, he only demanded the retraction of the defaming statements made by Mr Aloba on social media.
“Mr. Aloba was never arrested or detained. He was granted bail without stress. It is important to note that Mr. Aloba is still grieving the death of his son. He just lost a single star in the family firmament.
“Any grieving parent may on the spur of the moment make statements that may tend to be unreasonable. We only need to understand the geographical circumstances giving rise to his utterances.”
Mohbad died at the age of 27, on September 12, 2023, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed why one of the newly constructed road in abuja was named after Wole Soyinka.
Within Nigeria had reported that the Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to the Outer Northern Expressway within the Federal Capital City was named after the Nobel laureate.
The project, which was a Full Scope Development of the Arterial Road, was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.
Wike disclosed that the contract for the construction of the road was awarded in 2020 at the cost of N30.6 billion, adding that the completion of the road project has brought relief to the residents of the FCT.
He said the naming of the road after Soyinka was a way of honouring individuals who have contributed to the growth of Nigeria.
He stated that “the proposal to dedicate the road to Prof. Wole Soyinka is rooted in the importance of honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to progress and development during their lifetime, thus setting an example for others.”
The Minister also thanked the contractor for ensuring the timely completion of the road project.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that he went against the wish of many people to appoint Nyesom Wike as the FCT minister.
Tinubu said some persons advised him against appointing Wike into his cabinet.
Tinubu said Wike has proved his detractors wrong and has also rewarded the confidence he resposed in him, noting that he has given his government something to point to as achievement in its first year.
Nollywood actress Motilola Akinlami has taken to social media to share her emotional journey following her bold accusations against senior colleague Kunle Afod for allegedly sabotaging her career in the industry.
In a video posted on her Instagram account, the actress expressed gratitude for her life amidst what she described as trying times.
The video captures Motilola visibly emotional, thanking God while poignant music plays in the background.
Acknowledging the challenges she faced, Motilola revealed that she felt spiritually, physically, and emotionally shaken by the ordeal.
However, she expressed profound gratitude to God for guiding her through the turbulent period.
In her Instagram post accompanying the video, Motilola wrote;
“Had to post this today because them try…aaah them shake me oh.. Spiritually, Physically, Emotionally gan ko kere. But I’m grateful…..thank you Eledumare Oba A sore ma ye.”
Meanwhile, Nollywood actress, Motilola Akinlami has called out her senior colleague, Kunle Afod for reportedly sabotaging her in the movie industry.
In the series of videos, Motilola noted how Afod’s wife used to run from pillar to post over their relationship and now that she decided to let him go, he has made it a point to sabotage her from getting big jobs in the industry. According to the actress, this had been going on for five years.
The actress expressed her frustration over how movie producers have ghosted her because Kunle Afod reportedly manipulated their colleagues to sideline her in the movie industry.
According to Motilola, she has spoken to a lot of her senior colleagues to help resolve the issue but all efforts have proven futile.
See below;
APC Calls Advice Unpatriotic
The Peoples Democratic Party, on Monday, advised the organised labour not to settle for nothing less than N120,000 as a minimum, saying the Federal Government had no excuse not to pay as much.
But the ruling All Progressives Congress, whose government is proposing N60,000 as minimum wage, described the PDP’s advice to Labour as unpatriotic.
The Organised labour, spearheaded by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trades Union Congress, began a nationwide strike on Monday after rejecting the Federal Government’s N60,000 minimum wage offer as opposed to the N494,000 being demanded by labour.
The strike paralysed activities at government offices, airports, schools and hospitals; while the electricity supply was cut and water distribution was halted.
In an interview with our correspondent, the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the APC-led Federal Government was being insincere in its negotiation with Labour.
According to him, the Federal Government had been extravagant and so could not claim not to have funds to pay at least N120,000 as minimum wage.
Abdullahi said, “The back and forth with the labour leaders is hypocritical of the government. They didn’t mean well for Nigerians from the word go, even when they started engaging the NLC. It was not an intended policy direction. It was something that was made as a smokescreen to continue to deceive the Nigerian workers and, of course, the nation.
“With the lies the APC is telling us, if they can afford to construct a road for N3tn, if they can afford to do all this jamboree if they can afford to take 1,500 government officials out of this country for things that are not important, then I don’t know why, for crying out loud, they should not be able to pay a reasonable minimum wage.
“The reasonable minimum wage Nigeria should take at this moment should be N120,000 or nothing less. If Nigerians cannot be given that as a minimum wage, then we better go on with this strike unending. So that the government will know that some people put them there if they were truly elected.”
But when contacted, the APC Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, lambasted the opposition for instigating the organised labour against the government.
Ibrahim stated “The PDP is gradually turning into something that will one day question the integrity of the Constitution of Nigeria.
“If the PDP had won the election, believe me, it would have not been a question of minimum wage, there would be no wage at all. So, they said it out of anger, the bitterness of losing an election, and lack of patriotism.”
The APC Publicity Director acknowledged the hardship in the country but described the NLC and TUC’s demand for N494,000 minimum wage as unreasonable.
Ibrahim said, “The labour union should engage their sense of reason in negotiation. They should engage their conscience, patriotism, justice, and fairness in negotiation. Nigeria is a country that has more than 250 million people.
“While they are negotiating for the workers who are less than 20 per cent of the population, they should also have feelings for the remaining 80 per cent of Nigerians who go to the same market with these workers, who have no one to pay them anything, and who are struggling to make ends meet.
“We agree, yes there is hardship in the land, but for God’s sake, when you are going to talk about your people, do so with a sense of equity. What is good for you is good for others. In a country where we have a lot of people who are unemployed, where the resources are not enough to go around, and you’re asking for N500,000 per month! I think that is unethical, unreasonable, and irrational.”
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says the visa face-off between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates has been settled.
As such, he said the UAE government would soon lift the travel barrier debarring Nigerians from visiting the UAE especially Dubai.
Keyamo made the disclosure on Monday at a welcome dinner for delegates attending the International Air Transport Association 80th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit taking place in Dubai, UAE.
The UAE imposed the visa ban on Nigeria in connection with a number of diplomatic disputes.
President Bola Tinubu had in August 2023 waded into the dispute between the UAE and Nigeria over the issuance of visas as well as the face-off with Emirates Airlines that had made the carrier stop flights into Nigeria.
At the AGM where over 2000 delegates were seated, Keyamo was accompanied into the hall with the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum amid applause.
Speaking with journalists on the sideline of the event, the minister said issues relating to visa denial by the UAE had been resolved, adding that what remained was to fine-tune processes for lifting the visa ban.
He said, “The issue of visa has been resolved just the announcement remaining. They want to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. The announcement will be in a couple of weeks.”
Keyamo further stated that his visit to Dubai was necessitated by the need to ensure cordial relationships with countries of the world.
He said, “The UAE is considered as a very important partner in Nigeria. Nigerians have a lot of stakes here in the UAE with a lot of investments. What we are doing is to make sure that we make it easy for millions of Nigerians who have put a lot of pressure on us to ensure that we open up this route again and secondly to make the visa application easier. I am sure you can see the way I was received here. That is to tell you how they value Nigeria.”
“I was on the same ride with the ruler of Dubai, the Minister and the head of Emirates Group and all the top shots of Emirates. There was no other person given that privilege here; that is to tell you how much they value us and they want Nigeria to see it in that light. They have opened up again to us. They have started to trust us again and I want to say thank you to them. I will take it from here on.”
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has filed a lawsuit against one of its employees, Komolafe Oluwayomi, 45, for allegedly hacking into the bank’s system and stealing N9,989,000 from its account for personal use.
The defendant was ordered arrested by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Bar Beach division, Victoria Island, Lagos following a complaint by the management of GTBank
After an investigation by Inspector Patience Eguabor and team, Oluwayomi, a resident of Unity Close, Ojodu, Lagos from Ondo State was charged before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
X
Police counsel, Ben Ekundayo informed the court that the defendant committed the offence during working hours at the Guaranty Trust Bank Plc located at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Ekundayo told the Court that the defendant betrayed the trust reposed in him by his employer as the officer in charge of payment of drivers’ retirement benefits by fraudulently including the name and account number of his friend in the retirement benefits payroll and used it to transfer the sum of N9,989,000 into his friend’s account as if his friend is a beneficiary of the retirement benefits and later transferred the money from his friend’s account to his personal account domiciled at GTB Bank and converted the money to his use.
He said the management of GTB uncovered the fraud when they audited the drivers’ retirement payroll accounts.
Ekundayo said the offences, the defendant committed were punishable under sections 411 and 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Magistrate, M.A. Owunmi granted him N2m bail with two sureties in like sum.
Owunmi adjourned the case till 11 June 2024 and ordered that the defendant be detained at the Ikoyi correctional facility till he perfected the bail conditions.
Nollywood actress, Toyin Abraham has promised to keep her political choices private after a series of exchanges on social media platform known as X on Tuesday.
The actress during the exchange addressed questions about her support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general election.
The online interaction began when an X user, Otunba (@ManLikeIcey), asked Abraham to share the plans that Tinubu had discussed with her during the campaign.
He wrote, “Maybe one day Toyin Abraham will divulge the plans Bola Tinubu shared with her to the public. I strongly believe we deserve to hear. Thank you @toyin_abraham1.”
In response, Abraham revealed that she had been assured by Tinubu’s camp of “good governance and happiness for everyone.
“You asked me in a polite way so I will definitely answer you. Of course, I was told and promised good governance and happiness for everyone, which I believe.”
Abraham further expressed concern over the potential backlash if the promises made by Tinubu did not materialize.
“If things didn’t go well, why do I have to be the one to suffer for it? I remember I voted for (ex-president) Jonathan and I was bullied, but I didn’t put blame on anyone after everyone chose (ex-president) Buhari. So please, why would they be cursing and trolling me every time,” she implored.
When further questioned by Otunba on whether she believed Tinubu had failed in governance, Abraham responded by emphasizing her decision to focus on her personal life and career.
“Thank you for your prompt response. Do you believe he has failed at the moment in governance or not?,” Otunba question.
Abraham replied, “I have faced my life and career because I am not a politician and I’m not in government, I have learnt my lesson never ever to be open with my choice again.”
In 2023, Abraham had publicly endorsed Tinubu, saying the former Lagos governor “has been a wonderful man to my people.”
“I love Asiwaju and I’m speaking about myself. I love him. And I’ll vote for him because I love him. Although I’ve not decided, I’m just telling you. And because of the things he has done for my industry,” she said.
Her choice of candidate, however, led to criticism and backlash from some Nigerians on social media.
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Nigerian singer, Oladapo Oyebanjo, with the stage name “D’banj,” has revealed that his 20-year music journey would not have been complete without his business partner, Michael Ajereh, popularly known as “Don Jazzy.”
The 41-year-old took to his Instagram page on Tuesday with a display of a video to appreciate Don Jazzy and invite him to his 20th-year anniversary dinner.
He described the two decades as years characterised by brotherhood, entertainment, and of unwavering support.
D’banj wrote: “My 20 year journey cannot be complete without It’s @donjazzy again! Giving him the invite to my anniversary dinner was a moment filled with nostalgia.
“As we both celebrate 20 years in the industry, I’m reminded of the countless memories and milestones we’ve shared together.
“Here’s to two decades of brotherhood, entertainment, and unwavering support. Love you always, Brother!.”
Don Jazzy also took to the comment section, saying: “Still finding it hard to believe it’s been 20 years bro. Feels like yesterday. Thank you for everything. Love you brotherLee. More blessings.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Don Jazzy, a Nigerian record producer and Chief Executive Officer of Mavin Records, co-founded Mo’Hits Records with D’banj in 2004.
D’banj had earlier hinted at his plan to celebrate his 20 years on stage at the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos, with the theme “D’banj live @New Afrika Shrine.” (NAN)
Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has disclosed how the recently suspended strike affected his business.
Recall that members of the organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, on Tuesday, suspended their strike for five days.
However, Falz disclosed that his business suffered a loss during the strike.
According to the singer, the strike made him stranded in Uyo as his return flight to Lagos was cancelled due to the closure of airports.
He explained that he also lost money he spent organizing a video shoot because he couldn’t make it to Lagos for the shoot.
Falz, however, stated that he understands the reasons for the strike, adding that he is in support of the labour unions’ demands.
Speaking via his Instagram account he said, “I woke up this morning, set out for the airport only to hear that the airport is closed, all the flights are cancelled because of the strike action. I can’t make it to Lagos, now stuck in Uyo.
“It affected me because there is a video shoot I’m supposed to do in Lagos today, I ended up losing money because we have already booked stuff, so we are going to have to pay another amount. Despite the fact that it really affected me, I understand the reason for the strike and I’m with them. I am with the labour. In fact, this strike is supposed to happen earlier than now.”
President Bola Tinubu has named the Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) as Professor Wole Soyinka Highway based on the recommendation of the FCT administration.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by the special adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In naming the road after the distinguished playwright, poet and novelist who clocks 90 on 13 July, President Tinubu said Soyinka was the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has urged Nigerians experiencing hard times to call on God for help.
Adeboye stated this at RCCG headquarters in Ebute-Metta on Sunday during the June thanksgiving service with the theme, ‘Lifter Up of My Head’.
He said, “If you need provision, if things are hard and I know things are hard for quite a few of us, call on the one whose name is Jehovah El-Shaddai, the God who is more than enough.
“Call on Him – the one who is more than enough and He will meet your needs…He has many ways, depending on what is your need.
“When all ways are blocked, call on Him who is called the way when you don’t even know what’s going on.”
The organized labour had embarked on the strike to push for an improvement in the minimum wage of workers.
While the organized labour is proposing N494,000 as new minimum wage, the Nigerian government is insisting on paying N60,000.
In a last minute move to stop the strike, leaders of the National Assembly and organized labour met yesterday.
The meeting, however, ended in a deadlock as the organized labour insisted on the commencement of the strike.
Speaking after the meeting, TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo said the organized labour will never call off the strike without consulting its members.
“It is difficult and infact impossible for us as labour leaders, to call off the strike here. We need to communicate with our various organs , meaning that, the industrial action starts on Monday as planned,” he said.