A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to a Facebook content creator , Chioma Okoli, in the sum of N5 million with two sureties.
Okoli was arraigned on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 before Justice Peter Lifu but was later remanded at Suleja Correctional Center in Abuja.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the two counts of conspiracy and cyberstalking levelled against her.
In his ruling on the bail application filed by her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, on Friday, the judge granted her bail with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Lifu held that one of the sureties must be her spouse or blood relations and must be resident in Abuja with verified means of livelihood.
She must also deposit her passport with the court, if she has one.
The court held that the ruling was predicated on Section 365 (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended on the presumption of innocence. The court held that denying her bail would be a wrong application of discretion and tantamount to pre-trial judgment and judicial rascality.
Naija News reports that the case has been adjourned to June 13, 2024 for trial.
Recall that the CEO of Erisco Foods Limited, Eric Omeofia, alleged in 2023 that a negative product review made by Chioma Okoli adversely impacted his business after she said that the Nagiko Tomato Mix she bought had too much sugar.
Okoli was arrested by the police in September 2023 with her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, raising the alarm that the fundamental rights of his client were being breached by the police and Omeofia.
40-year-old Woman Bags 5 years Imprisonment For Trafficking Young Nigerian Girls To Ghana For Prostitution
AFOLABI
A 40-year-old Nigerian s3x worker, Rose Ikem, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour by a Circuit Court at Asokwa, Kumasi, Ghana, for trafficking young girls from Nigeria to Konongo in the Ashanti region for pr*stitution.
Ikem, who was convicted of human trafficking and assault this week, will also compensate four of her victims, whom she lured from Nigeria, for GHȼ24,000 with each of them receiving GHȼ6,000.00.
Her latest victims were aged between 17 and 24 years.
According to police prosecution, the convict has been trafficking young girls from Nigeria to Konongo, deploying them into pr*stitution, with some of them being subjected to abuse.
On April 23, 2024, police received a complaint from a resident of Konongo about the treatment being meted out to the victims by the convict.
Police proceeded to the Konongo SSNIT area residence of Ikem but met her absence.
According to ASP Stephen Ofori who led the police prosecution, the police detected that the victims were locked up in a room, and the whereabout of Ikem was unknown.
Police then laid an ambush until she resurfaced and was subsequently arrested.
When she was forced to open the room, police rescued two victims (name withheld) with the two others who ran away being rescued the following day, with the help of the complainant
The court, presided over by His Honour Fred Obikyere, was told how Ikem tasked her victims, who had worked between three months and two weeks, to make a daily remittance of GHȼ500 to her. This amounted to a total of GHȼ89,000.
According to ASP Ofori, any time the victims failed to meet their target, Ikem assaulted them physically, causing one of the victims to fracture her left hand.
The court sentenced her to 5 years with hard labour for trafficking and 12 months for causing harm. Both sentences will run concurrently.
Former Governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande has made a new claim.
He stated that President Bola Tinubu battled spiritual forces before his inauguration in May 2023.
He disclosed this while speaking at a one-day lecture organised by an Arewa think tank in Kaduna on Thursday.
The former interim chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said it was not surprising that the opposition tried to prevent Tinubu from winning at the polls.
“The tension and threats generated in the country by the opposition with the view to deny Tinubu the presidential victory in the presidential election were not surprising,” he said.
“Towards the last elections, the prophecy was thick that Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not become the APC candidate, but he did become.
“Religious clerics of one belief and the other became sleepless for him not to win the presidential elections, he won!”
He continued, “Thereafter, spiritual threats and political manoeuvring began that he would not be inaugurated as a Nigerian president, he assumed the presidency.
“The battle then shifted to the judicial sword-crossing that he should be removed from the presidency, but his presidency was upheld.
“Other predictions were that he would have no health to manage the office, but he remained divinely healthy”.
He further revealed that Nigeria has been waxing stronger despite permutations from different quarters, adding that President Tinubu’s one-year anniversary was celebrated in grand style.
The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested ten members of a human trafficking and child abduction syndicate in the state.
Naija News reports that the state Commissioner of Police, Ali Kaigama, stated this while addressing journalists at the command headquarters in the state capital on Thursday.
Kaigama disclosed that the suspects include one Bala Abubakar of the Tudun Wada area of Sokoto, who sold out a total of 28 children, including six of his biological children.
The commissioner noted that the rescued children had been handed to the state orphanage home for proper care.
According to Kaigama, the suspects gave their victims to Kulu Dongoyaro and Elizabeth Ojah in exchange for between N150,000 and N250,000, claiming they were being taken to an Abuja-based NGO willing to shoulder the responsibility of their welfare.
In another development, Kaigama disclosed the arrest of one Saifullah Hassan of Gunmi Local Government area of Zamfara State, who was alleged to have killed one Balikisu Garba of Gidan Dare behind Jummat Mosque at the Ifeoma Hotel.
He said, “On May 24, 2024, at about 0620 hrs, Mr John, the manager of the Ifeoma Hotel in the Phase 1 Old Airport area of Sokoto, reported that a woman identified as Balikisu Garba of Gidan Dare was found dead.
“On receipt of the report, police operatives from the Old Airport Division led by the DPO swung into action, and as a result, the suspect bag, which was abandoned after the act, containing some receipts of payment and some SIM cards, was recovered.
“These recoveries led to the identification of the suspect as one Saifullah Hassan of Gunmi LGA of Zamfara State, which intensified the investigation, and the suspect was later traced and arrested in Funtua, Katsina State.”
The CP assured the state’s residents that the command remains committed to upholding law and order and commends the governor, Ahmed Aliyu, for his support throughout the investigation process.
He called on the good people of the state to continue cooperating with the command to create a safer environment.
Police Officer Calls For Arrest Of School Proprietor, Head Teacher For Singing Old National Anthem
AFOLABI
A former Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, has called for the arrest of the proprietor and head teacher of a private school (name withheld) for singing the old national anthem.
Naija News recalls that President Bola Tinuby had on Wednesday signed the old National Anthem Bill 2024, ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’ as a replacement for the national anthem “Arise, O Compatriots.”
In a post via her Instagram page on Friday, Dolapo described the refusal to revert to the new national anthem as an unpatriotic attitude and it would not be tolerated.
The police officer noted that it was against the law to use the old anthem after President Tinubu signed and assented to the new national anthem, ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’.
Dolapo Badmus added that the proprietor and head teacher will be charged to court for the offence.
She wrote, “If, as of today, three days after the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed and assented the new national Anthem into law, you are not able to recite it in its entirety, then you are a suspect.
“I just passed through a private school, and I could hear them singing the old National Anthem! Arise oh compatriots”! (We are no longer arising as compatriots; it is Nigeria we are hailing now.)
“I have called police to come and arrest not only the proprietor but the head teacher inclusive ( I will make sure they are charged to court) Don’t ask me for what offence? Consult any lawyer to learn more. Anyone not singing the new national anthem is sabotaging Nigeria. I won’t tolerate any unpatriotic attitude.”
...As Negotiations Continue On Friday
The federal government has invited the leadership of organised labour for fresh talks on Friday as it battles to meet the May 31 deadline set by the union for the government to end negotiations on the proposed new minimum wage.
Recall that the President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, had said on May Day that “If by May end, we don’t have a new minimum wage that will take a worker home, we will not be able to guarantee industrial peace. We are sticking to that ultimatum.”
However, the negotiations for a new minimum wage had been stalled on Tuesday, after the federal government delegation increased their earlier proposal by N3,000 to N60,000 with organised labour reducing theirs by the same margin to a final proposal of N494,000.
THE WHISTLER reported that organised labour was disappointed with the pattern of negotiation, which prompted the meeting to end in deadlock and adjourned indefinitely.
But THE WHISTLER learned on Thursday that the continuation of the tripartite meeting will continue on Friday, May 31 2024, by 10 am, with both unions reiterating that the May 31 ultimatum is still in motion.
A top source who spoke anonymously said, “We will meet with the federal government in Abuja on Friday by 10:00 am to continue the minimum wage discussion.
“Our bone of contention is for the federal and state governments, Organised Private Sector (OPS) and other tripartite members to explain how they arrived at the N60,000 proposal.
“Although negotiations continue tomorrow, it will not stop the earlier announcement of the May 31 ultimatum”.
Also speaking on the issue, the National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) Etim Okon, said, “A joint National Executive Council (NEC) gave us a mandate to uphold the ultimatum, so everyone should wait till May 31”.
Okon, who is also the Vice-President of the TUC when asked if the TUC will honour Friday’s meeting, said, “I cannot reply to this, we are not working as TUC but as organised labour as far as the issue of minimum wage is concerned”.
He described the N3,000 increase as “embarrassing”, alleging that the federal government is not serious about the minimum wage discussion.
Okon said, “We have been able to explicitly defend our demands, but after we walked out, they increased it by N3,000 which is very embarrassing, and we also responded by a N3,000 decrease.
“They are coming to the negotiation table without seriousness, It is a clear indication that the government is lackadaisical in their statement and approach to ensuring that the national minimum wage comes to stand.
“The government needs to know that the informal economy receives from workers take-home pay, we want the government to show seriousness.
“Because we walked away, you issued notice for another meeting, who is fooling who”.
Earlier the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, in a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun appealed to organised Labour to be considerate and patriotic in their demands for the ongoing minimum wage negotiation.
She had said, “We appeal to organised labour and, indeed, other relevant stakeholders to be considerate and patriotic in their demands, recognising that our economy is still recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic and other global economic shocks.
“We are committed to putting the people first and ensuring that our economic policies benefit all Nigerians, not just a select few”.
The Naira recorded its first massive depreciation against the dollar at the foreign exchange market 24 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first anniversary.
FMDQ data showed that the Naira depreciated to N1484.75 against the Dollar on Thursday from N1329.65 on Wednesday.
This represents an N155.1 loss against the dollar compared to N1329.65 traded on Wednesday.
Similarly, at the parallel market section the depreciated to N1490 per dollar on Thursday from N1480 the previous day.
The development comes as the turnover of foreign exchange transactions dropped to $235.41 million on Thursday from $328 million on Tuesday.
Accordingly, the last time the Nadepreciatedated at both official and parallel foreign exchange markets was on May 23, 2024, when the Central Bank of Nigeria announced fresh guidelines to Bureau De Change operators.
Since mid-April, the Naira has continued to fluctuate against the dollar at the forex market despite CBN interventions.
Olayemi Cardoso, the governor of CBN at the last 295th Monetary Policy Committee blamed the volatility on seasonal fluctuations.
Uruguay striker, Edinson Cavani, has announced his retirement from international football on Thursday.
The 37-year-old is his country’s second all-time leading scorer and third most-capped player, with 58 goals in 136 appearances.
Cavani, who currently plays for Boca Juniors, wrote on social media: “I have been and always will be blessed to have pulled on this shirt to represent what I love most in the world, my country.
“I want to dedicate myself to this new stage of my career and give everything I have to where I need to be.
“Today I’ve decided to retire, but I’ll always follow you with my heart pounding, just like when I played in that beautiful shirt.”
Cavani made his debut for Uruguay in 2008 and played at four World Cups.
He also won the 2011 Copa America in Argentina.
Credit to the government rose month-on-month, MoM, by 2.0 percent to N19.98 trillion in April from N19.58 trillion in March.
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Money and Credit Statistics for April showed mixed trend in credit to the government since January where it stood at N23.5 trillion.
According to the CBN, credit to the government grew to N33.92 trillion in February and fell to N19.58 trillion in March but went up to N19.98 trillion in April.
The data also showed that credit to the private sector rose MoM by 2.4 percent to N72.9 trillion in April from N71.2 trillion in March. This resulted in a 2.31 percent MoM rise in net domestic credit to N92.9 trillion in April from N90.8 trillion in March.
Analysts at Cowry Asset Management Limited attributed the March decline in credit to the government to the effect of policy rate hike by the CBN.
Commenting in the company’s weekly financial Market review and outlook, they said: “This could be linked to the effect of the policy rate hike by the monetary authority on the economy where the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has raised interest rate by 600 basis points to 24.75 percent so far in 2024 from 18.75 percent just to achieve price stability.
“The full impact of the policy rate hike by the central bank will continue to be seen in the economy as borrowing costs trend higher while businesses seek alternative funding options in the local debt market through the issuance and raise of commercial papers for the short term in order to keep business operations afloat.”
However, the increase in credit to the government in April contradicts analysts’ prediction of a continuous declining trend.
“While we think a continued slow growth in total credit to the government and private sector will continue, businesses will explore further funding options amidst rising prices. On the other hand, we think the federal government will continue exploring various funding options with lower debt servicing requirements just to meet its project funding and investment obligations”, analysts at Cowry Asset projected.
Nollywood actress Eniola Badmus has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for bringing “significant progress and hope” to Nigeria.
Badmus shared her views while congratulating President Tinubu on his first year in office.
Recently appointed as the Special Adviser on Social Events and Public Hearings to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Eniola Badmus expressed confidence in Tinubu’s ability to drive the nation forward.
She emphasised that Nigerians are optimistic about continued success and growth under his leadership.
On her Instagram page, the movie star wrote: “Congratulations on your first year in office, @officialasiwajubat.
“Your dedication and leadership have brought significant progress and hope to our nation. We look forward to continued success and growth under your guidance.”
More...
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that most people he helped to power during the 2023 general elections now avoid him.
Umahi said this in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on Thursday while speaking with newsmen.
The minister said that even National Assembly members whom he helped to power were among those who now avoid him, adding that he was not disturbed by their behaviour.
“It is only Chief Onyekachi Nwebonyi who will openly acknowledge that I am his father and boss.
“The others feel that by doing so, the state governor, my successor, will be angry with them.
“The governor cannot do that because he too openly acknowledges that I was instrumental to his emergence,” he said.
He said that the development made him stop having political godsons but has opted for political friends.
“I will fight anybody who makes trouble with the governor because he deserves our respect.
“I have done my bit, have left the stage and have to respect myself,” he said.
Umahi said there were usually crises between the predecessors and successors, adding that “I am however not available for such because I have been so blessed in life by God.
“There are always pathways to successes and failures and when you dig for someone to fail, you have already failed,” he said.
The minister vowed to stick with Nwifuru for eight years and thanked God for giving the governor the grace to unite all leaders of the state.
“The issue of the leaders staying together for long is not our business but I have known the governor for 16 years and will continue to support him.
“I will never regret making him my successor as he, alongside few others, stood with me during the hard decision of defecting to the APC,” he said.
Umahi previously served as the senator representing Ebonyi South senatorial district from June to August 2023. Before his tenure in the Senate, he was the governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023 and served as the deputy governor from 2011 to 2015.
(NAN)
No fewer than 40 directors failed the qualifying examination for appointment to the position of permanent secretaries.
A total of 92 directors were listed to sit the examination which took place on May 27, 2024.
While 40 directors scored below 50 per cent, which indicated failure, according to the result of the examination obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, three were absent while one director could not complete the exam.
A May 28, 2024 memo by the Office of the Head of Service tagged, “HCSF/ CMO/ AOD/012/IX/59’ noted that the next test will be an ICT-based test.
Recall that the Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of Civil Service, had earlier announced the commencement of the process for the appointment of new permanent secretaries to fill existing and impending vacancies for Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara states, South-East and South-South zones.
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, disclosed this in a circular addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, among others.
In the memo, which she personally signed, Yemi-Esan noted that only directors who attained the position of substantive director on or before January 1, 2022, would be considered in the process.
The circular dated April 19, 2024 and tagged “HCSF/CMO/AOD/012/IX/24 read: “Following the approval of Mr. President, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is commencing the process of the appointment of Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service in respect of existing and impending vacancies for Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Ebony, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara States, South-East and South-South geo-political Zones, whose Permanent Secretaries have retired or will retire between April and September, 2024.
“Consequently, the mainstream Federal Civil Service officers who meet the following conditions are eligible to participate in the exercise.”
Giving the qualifications, the memo stated that candidates must “have attained the position of substantive Director on Salary Grade
Level 17 on or before 1st January, 2022; have updated their records on the IPPIS Verification Portal; are from the states or geopolitical zones listed in paragraph one above; and are not retiring from service earlier than 31st December 2025.”
The memo also stated that officers undergoing disciplinary procedures were excluded from the exercise.
In a recent post on his social media account, Nigerian comedian Seyi Law expressed admiration for President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office, highlighting the ongoing progress and areas for improvement.
Celebrating the president’s dedication to repositioning Nigeria, Seyi Law commended Tinubu’s commitment to creating a nation of equal opportunities for all.
He emphasized that the renewed hope agenda is still alive and well, led by the courage of supporters like himself.
Seyi Law also commended Tinubu for the successful launch of the student loan program and the impact of the 3MTT program in information technology.
He acknowledged the progress made in security matters but also noted that there is still work to be done.
He also applauded Tinubu’s achievements in the Ministry of Interior Affairs, including the ease of passport procurement and improved security at airports through the introduction of e-gates. However, he stressed the need for urgent intervention in the agricultural sector.
Seyi Law further called on the presidency to address pressing concerns such as the new minimum wage and door availability for infrastructural development.
he congratulated Tinubu on reaching the milestone of his first year in office and expressed hope for continued blessings on Nigeria.
On his X handle, he wrote:
“The journey to reposition Nigeria has been arduous but your unwavering dedication is truly commendable. I firmly believe in your ability to transform Nigeria into a nation that provides equal opportunities for all. The renewed hope agenda remains alive and well, fuelled by the courage that sustains us, your supporters.”
“I extend my personal salute for the successful launch of the student loan program. Your efforts in the field of information technology through the 3MTT program have left a long-lasting impact as evidenced by the beneficiaries who stand as testimonials to your commitment,” he said in part.
He added, “Turning to security matters, the military has made significant strides, although there is still work to be done. In the Ministry of Interior Affairs, your achievements are noteworthy. Nigerians now celebrate the ease of passport procurement and improved security at airports, thanks to the introduction of e-gates.”
However, Your Excellency, alongside our celebrations, there are pressing concerns. Urgent intervention is needed in the agricultural sector and we eagerly await news regarding the new minimum wage. While infrastructural development is commendable, addressing door availability remains a critical priority. In conclusion, I extend heartfelt congratulations on reaching the milestone of your first test in office. May God continue to bless Nigeria”.
Media
Congratulations, @officialABAT, on your 1st year in office. pic.twitter.com/WmKSMJKsAj
— SEYILAW (@seyilaw1) May 29, 2024
Dikko Radda, governor of Katsina, says it would be difficult to address the issue of insecurity without taking measures to alleviate poverty.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, the governor unveiled his administration’s accomplishments in curbing poverty in state since his assumption in office.
“If you are unable to stop or to reduce poverty and provide the teaming youths job opportunities, it will be very difficult to address the issue of insecurity,” NAN quoted the governor as saying.
“It is true that you don’t need anybody to tell you that there’s poverty. We also understood that the problem of insecurity is attached to the problem of banditry and criminalities that we have in our region. We promised to approach the problem in two ways, kinetic and non-kinetic approach.
Radda said it established the Katsina state enterprise development agency, aimed to support small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly micro and small businesses
He said the state government set aside a budget of N3.4 billion in collaboration with the Bank of Industries as managers.
“Just in the last three weeks, we launched the training of 3,000 youths across the state on mechatronics, who would be attached to various workshops.
“After their graduation, we’ll support them to set up their own workshops, so that they can provide job opportunities for our teaming youths in the state.
Radda said the state is implementing community centers in villages to develop, provide employment, and support to young men and women in localities.
“We concentrating on the frontline and vulnerable local governments so that the government will address that issue squarely,” the governor continued.
“Second way of fighting poverty is to improve productivity. Agriculture is our major occupation, that’s why we created Katsina State Irrigation authority.
“The aim is to have all year-round irrigation farming in the state, that will reduce redundancy, and keep everybody busy.
The governor said the importance of farmers being educated about farming as a business to boost productivity.
He noted that upon his assumption in office, there were only 72 extension workers in the state, but now there are 722.
“Just yesterday we gave each of them a motorcycle and other equipment to enable them move around to enlighten farmers on the way to improve their productivity.
“We also launched the sales of about 20,000 metric tons of fertilizer to farmers in the state at a very subsidised price.
“These are some of the things that we are putting in place to engage the farmers, the youths and the locals to be more productive, reduce the level of poverty and improve their livelihood.”
The governor added that the state government, through the KT-CARES, has supported over 6,100 farmers in the state.
“We also supported women and youths with items worth over N2.5billion to get them moving.”