A tragic incident occurred at BrickHall Schools in the Cadastral Zone B11, Kaura, Abuja, when a four-year-old pupil, Miguel Ovoke, died during the school’s feeding hours on Wednesday.
The boy was pronounced dead upon arrival at Excel Specialist Hospital, following complications during lunch.
The medical report from Excel Specialist Hospital detailed that the young boy had aspirated on meat while eating at school.
Upon examination, doctors noted that Miguel exhibited severe symptoms, including fixed and dilated pupils, unresponsive to light, absence of peripheral pulses, unrecordable blood pressure, and no signs of cardiopulmonary activity.
Dr. Akinwande Ajayi, who signed the medical report, indicated that despite exhaustive resuscitation efforts by the medical team, Miguel was ultimately declared “Brought in Dead.”
According to Punch, the sudden and distressing nature of the death has prompted Miguel’s parents to suspect foul play.
They have enlisted the services of lawyer Deji Adeyanju to pursue legal inquiries and actions regarding the circumstances of their son’s untimely demise.
Everton secured their first win in a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park since 2010 to leave Liverpool’s Premier League title aspirations in ruins after a 2-0 defeat on Wednesday.
The defeat leaves Jurgen Klopp’s men still three points adrift of leaders Arsenal and only one point in front of defending champions Manchester City, who have two games in hand.
“We need a crisis at City and Arsenal and we need to win football games,” said Klopp of his side’s shot at the title with four games to go of his reign.
Goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin took Everton eight points clear of the relegation zone.
The Toffees now look certain to extend their 70-year stay in the English top flight despite being deducted eight points on two charges of breaching financial rules.
Klopp had never lost on his previous eight visits to Goodison but his final taste of the Merseyside derby was a bitter one.
Hopes of a glorious goodbye for the German after a nearly nine-year tenure that has transformed the club’s fortunes are fading fast.
According to reports, Feyenoord boss Arne Slot is being lined up as Klopp’s successor and the past few weeks have exposed weaknesses that need addressing in a huge summer for the Liverpool hierarchy.
‘Energy, commitment’
The Reds have won just one of their last four league games and have also bowed out of the FA Cup and Europa League in recent weeks.
Klopp made six changes after resting a number of key players for Sunday’s 3-1 win at Fulham but did not get the response he desired.
Buoyed by their weekend win over Nottingham Forest to pull clear of the relegation zone, Everton are a side transformed from the one that went 13 Premier League games without a win between December and April.
“Delighted with the performance of our players and delighted for the Evertonians,” said Everton boss Sean Dyche.
“They’re a good side, we know that. The commitment and energy from us had to be there.”
Slow starts have been a recurring factor as Liverpool’s quest for four trophies has unravelled.
Everton thought they had a penalty in the opening minutes when Calvert-Lewin was tripped by Alisson Becker but VAR intervened to save the visitors as the striker was offside.
Alisson then clawed away a Calvert-Lewin header and Ben Godfrey nodded wide as Liverpool struggled to cope with Everton’s threat from set-pieces.
More comical defending from the Reds led to the opener on 27 minutes.
Alexis Mac Allister’s mishit fell perfectly for Branthwaite and the defender’s effort went in off the post despite Alisson’s best efforts.
Going behind woke Liverpool from their slumber and only a combination of wasteful finishing and Jordan Pickford preserved Everton’s lead until half-time.
Darwin Nunez blasted straight at the England number one when clean through before the Uruguayan teed up Luis Diaz to fire too close to Pickford.
Mohamed Salah’s loss of form has come at the worst possible time for Liverpool’s title challenge and the Egyptian sliced another good opening well over the bar.
Liverpool were camped in the Everton half after the break, yet the hosts pulled further clear just before the hour mark from another dead ball.
Calvert-Lewin was afforded a free header at the back post to power home Dwight McNeil’s corner.
Liverpool’s night was summed up when Diaz’s powerful effort came back off the post with Pickford finally beaten.
But it was Klopp who was crestfallen come the final whistle as he looks set to depart Anfield with just one Premier League title to his name.
[DailyTrust]
The founder of Woodhall Capital, Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, has disclosed that despite being married for 20 years she has never cooked in her home.
In a conversation with Ifedayo Agoro on ‘The Diary Of A Naija Girl” podcast, Hunponu-Wusu explained that though she would have loved to cook and do other chores, she never had that time.
” I don’t get to cook. I would have loved to get more time; not even for cooking but for other things across the family. So, I’m not even zooming in on cooking…
” I love and admire women who have the time but I’m through to the path God has set me and that is the entrepreneurial path,” she said.
When asked if her husband was bothered, she responded that cooking might not be his love language.
Hunponu-Wusu’s revelation has again brought to the fore conversation about the roles of a woman in the home.
Though it is believed that, these days, men should compliment their wives in kitchen duties, a popular Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, aka Hilda Baci, recently declared that she wouldn’t date or marry a man who knows how to cook.
According to the former Guinness World Record holder, she loves cooking and would not want a man who will outshine her in the kitchen.
“I don’t want a man that knows how to cook. I don’t want it. I like cooking so much. My friends would tell you like Hilda would show you love, she will send you food. You will cook for you. That’s kind of one of the things I like to do for people that I care about, especially for my man.
“You can wake me up in the middle of the night and say, ‘Babe, I want a doughnut. I want meat pie.’ And I’m flying to the kitchen to make it for you. That’s my thing. I want a man that can order me food. If you don’t have a problem with ordering me food, I’m in love,” Baci said in a viral podcast video that made the rounds on X (formerly Twitter).
[Punch]
The University of East Anglia, located in Norwich, UK, has announced scholarships worth £33,150 (N44.3 million) and transportation cost of £4000 (N5.3 million) to Nigerians seeking masters programmes.
According to the information on the school website, the funding opportunity is the David Sainsbury Scholarships in Global Plant Health, which is fully funded for students planning to travel to the UK for study.
The offer by the University of East Anglia is hugely available for Nigerians and other foreign students willing to do their masters programmes under scholarships, covering travel expenses.
The applications from its David Sainsbury Scholarships in Global Plant Health is for candidates wishing to undertake an MSc in Plant Health at the University of East Anglia in the 2024/2025 academic year.
Among other benefits catered for in the scholarship at the University of East Anglia are tuition fee, living stipends and transportation allowance.
The scholarship offers funding to the tune of £33,150 (N44.3 million) and transportation costs of £4000 (N5.3 million).
Interested candidates must first apply and be accepted into the University of East Anglia beforebeing considered for the scholarships, the school website said.
The information on UEA website reads, “Provided you meet the eligibility criteria, you will automatically be considered for the scholarship, on a competitive basis – no separate application is required.
“You will be evaluated for the scholarship based on the same criteria used to evaluate your application to enrol on the course.
“The criteria are: academic achievement and academic awards together with knowledge/experience/potential of molecular biology, genetics, molecular interactions, data science such as bioinformatics and statistics, laboratory skills, and independent study.”
Addressing interested Nigerian applicants, it says, “All self-funded Nigerian students applying to a Master’s course at UEA starting in September 2024 will automatically be awarded the UEA Nigeria Award scholarship.
“The scholarship is worth £4,000 – if you meet UEA entry requirements, £5,000 – if your final undergraduate grade is a CGPA 4.1 and above. Amounts will be deducted from your tuition fees, in line with terms and conditions.”
The applications for the scholarship are currently open and expected to close on May 31, 2024.
The University of East Anglia (UEA) was founded in 1963 and is located in Norwich, a historic city in the east of England.
U.S. prosecutors are seeking an above-guidance sentence of 36 months for the former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Binance on charges of enabling money laundering, according to a sentencing memorandum out late Tuesday.
The memorandum, which was filed with the court for the western district of Washington, states that Zhao should serve a higher sentence than suggested under advisory guidelines to “reflect the gravity of his crimes.”
Under advisory guidelines, Zhao’s sentencing would come in at a range of 12 to 18 months in prison.
“A custodial sentence of 36 months — twice the high end of the Guidelines range — would reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for law, afford adequate deterrence, and be sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the goals of sentencing,” U.S. prosecutors said.
Zhao is accused of willfully failing to implement an effective anti-money laundering program as required by the Bank Secrecy Act, and of effectively allowing Binance to process transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activity, including transactions between Americans and individuals in sanctions jurisdictions.
Binance has separately been sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission over the alleged mishandling of customer assets and the operation of an illegal, unregistered exchange in the U.S.
The U.S., which separately accuses Binance and Zhao of violating the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions on Iran, ordered Binance to pay $4.3 billion in fines and forfeiture. Zhao agreed to pay a $50 million fine.
Zhao stepped down as Binance’s CEO in November last year after reaching this plea and was replaced by the former Abu Dhabi markets regulator’s chief, Richard Teng.
Zhao was not immediately available for comment when contacted via social media platform X. Binance has yet to respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
Prosecutors say Zhao violated U.S. law on an “unprecedented scale,” and that he had a “deliberate disregard” for Binance’s legal responsibilities.
In the memorandum Tuesday, prosecutors said under Zhao’s control, Binance operated on a “Wild West” model.
“Zhao bet that he would not get caught, and that if he did, the consequences would not be as serious as the crime,” the memorandum stated.
“But Zhao was caught, and now the Court will decide what price Zhao should pay for his crimes.”
Zhao’s official sentencing is expected to take place April 30.
Should the proposed Executive bill be passed, politicians found guilty of tax evasion will be barred from seeking elective offices.
The plan was made known yesterday by chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee Taiwo Oyedele.
He said an amendment to an existing tax law will be sent to the National Assembly to ensure tax compliance and prevent default by the political class.
Oyedele, who spoke at the 2024 strategic retreat for staff of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) in Abuja, outlined key reforms on tax compliance among politicians and the plan to set up a national tax amnesty programme.
He said a proposed amendment to the existing tax law would disqualify those who fail to meet their tax obligations from running for political office.
Oyedele said: “We’re moving beyond a tax clearance certificate, which can be easily obtained. Effective compliance involves a thorough examination of tax declarations, filings, and payments to determine if a candidate is genuinely fulfilling his tax responsibilities as outlined in the constitution.
“This issue arose during the last election. The argument was that the constitution doesn’t explicitly list tax compliance as a qualification criterion. We’re rectifying this oversight to ensure financial responsibility among those seeking public office.”
Oyedele unfolded plans for a tax amnesty programme later this year titled: the “Voluntary Disclosure or Declaration Program.”
Emphasising the JTB’s role in the initiative, he said: “The term ‘amnesty’ can have negative connotations. However, the core objective is to encourage tax compliance. The JTB, as the leading tax coordination body, is perfectly positioned to spearhead this programme.”
Oyedele reflected on the previously implemented Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) programme, implemented previously, saying that “VAIDS could have achieved greater success if the JTB had been placed at the forefront, rather than acting as one stakeholder among many.”
He added: “I recall a JTB meeting where I asked for a live response to the question of how many members supported VAIDS. To my surprise, over 50% indicated their disapproval. This wasn’t about a lack of desire to collect taxes from evaders; it was about disagreement with the government’s approach.”
“This time around, we’ll adopt a different strategy, ensuring not only the JTB’s involvement but also the collaboration of all stakeholders. We’ll work together to co-create a solution that addresses everyone’s concerns.”
Oyedele also highlighted the proposed reforms that will transform the JTB’s role.
He said: “We all recognise that the JTB’s mandate goes beyond personal income tax. The current reform package includes a draft law to replace the traditional tax return system. This will pave the way for the establishment of a new entity with a broader scope.
“The name will change, but the JTB’s core function will remain: to coordinate and harmonize all taxes and levies, not just personal income tax. It’s vital that you begin preparing for this new operating environment that’s just around the corner.”
JTB Secretary OlusegunAdesokan emphasized the need for adaptation, saying: “Our domestic tax ecosystem is undergoing significant reforms. The JTB, with its critical role in tax administration, needs to be positioned to seize the opportunities that this transformation presents.”
He added: “Achieving this goal requires the JTB Secretariat staff to embrace a culture of collaboration and innovation. By fully comprehending their evolving roles within this new dispensation, they will ensure the JTB’s continued success.”
The Philippines Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered Apple and Google to remove the Binance app from their respective app stores for users in the Philippines.
According to CoinTelegraph, a press release by the SEC on April 23 said it is working with Apple and Google to remove applications operated by Binance, the biggest crypto exchange in the world. It confirmed that the big tech companies received separate letters to that effect on April 19.
“The SEC has identified [Binance] and concluded that the public’s continued access to these websites/apps poses a threat to the security of the funds of investing Filipinos,” the SEC said.
Chair of the SEC, Emilio Aquino explained that Binance selling or offering unregistered securities to locals and acting as an unregistered broker is against the laws of the country’s securities regulation.
He added that by removing Binance applications from the digital app marketplace the big tech companies would help reduce the spread of illegal activities in the country’s securities sector.
This move by the SEC follows the blocking of access to Binance websites by the SEC and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on March 25.
The Philippines SEC has actively warned its citizens to desist from using Binance for investing since November 2023 citing that the crypto exchange was yet to secure a license to solicit investment from the public or operate an exchange to buy and sell securities.
The Philippines is the latest country to make moves to ban Binance from its shores following compliance concerns and accusations of illegality.
The Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, ABCON, has blamed peer-to-peer cryptocurrency platforms like Binance for the recent depreciation of the Naira against the Dollar in the foreign exchange market.
The National President of ABCON, Aminu Gwadabe, disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Wednesday.
He stated that as long as Binance and other platforms remain profitable, the Naira’s depreciation will persist.
He said that the recent wave of depreciation of the Naira was of concern to the BDC operators.
“I am happy that the authorities, and even the BDCs as operators, have identified the peer-to-peer (P2P) platform.
“The P2P is a platform like Binance, where speculators use the Dollar to buy USDT, a stablecoin that is pegged at one to the Dollar.
“As long as Binance and other platforms remain profitable, the Naira will continue to depreciate.
“There are many of them in the system. Binance has been nipped in the bud, but there are still many. They are online platforms with no registration, no restrictions,” he stated.
Recall that Naira slumped against the Dollar in the foreign exchange market despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s release of an additional $10,000 each to legible BDC operators on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, resumed clamping down on Binance and other cryptocurrency platforms to defend the Naira in the FX market.
The anti-graft agency had arraigned Binance and two of its executives before an Abuja High Court over alleged fraud and currency manipulation.
The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, said it arrested a father writing exams for his son during the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.
The board warned that it has improved its technology check for those engaging in all forms of examination malpractices.
Speaking in Kaduna on Wednesday, the JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede who inspected the UTME centres in Kaduna, expressed satisfaction over the 2024 examination, which had 1.94 million students this year.
He, however, frowned at few cases of impersonation, adding that some people now have multiple National Identity Number, NIN, which the examination body would take up with the Identification Management body.
“For those who engage in cheating, they should know that it does not pay. The technology is helping us to check that. Across the country, most of the problem we have is impersonation. For instance now, we say we have NIN, we now have cases of people with two NIN and therefore, that has defeated the purpose of identity verification. We are going to take that up with NIMC, that there are people who have two NIN.
“We have a case of a father impersonating his son, writing examination for the son and I wonder, are you not destroying your son’s future? Of course, two of them are now in custody. I can’t understand what the father will now tell his son when they are both locked up in the same cell. This happened definitely not in Kaduna, but I don’t want to disclose the state,” he said.
He said JAMB needs support of highly populated states like Lagos, to build mega CBT centres like that of Kaduna, which accommodates 4,000 candidates per day.
He expressed hope that the authorities in Lagos would provide a suitable land for JAMB to build the Mega CBT centre in the city.
Punish my abusers within 48 hours or face lawsuit - Student bullied by her classmates threaten school authorities
AFOLABIThe bullied student of British Lead International School, Miss. Namtira Bwala has threatened to file a lawsuit against the school authorities if her abusers are not punished within 48 hours.
In a letter drafted by her lawyers, Deji Adeyanju and Co, Namtira asked the school authorities to immediately investigate and pronounce the stiffest punishments in the student’s rule book on Ms.Maryam Hassan, Miss Faliya, and nine other students who bullied her.
Namtira said if the school authorities fail to sanction the student bullies within 48 hours of the receipt of the letter, she would seek immediate and severe legal redress against the school.
The letter reads
“We are Solicitors to Miss. Namtira Bwala (acting through her next friend), hereinafter referred to as our client, on whose instruction we act.
Our client and several other parents in Lead British International School have informed us and we verily believe them that this act of bullying is a reoccurring issue in the school, and despite several attempts to draw the school’s attention to it, the issue has persisted, leaving our client traumatised from the emotional and physical effect of the oppressive acts by these dare devil bullies.
Regrettably, our client has once again, been subjected to physical attacks in the hands of these bullies, with the video of the act going viral on social media.
Sadly, rather than address this issue head-on by imposing severe sanctions on the student bullies, the school has issued a timid statement lacking in force or recognition of the severity of the situation at hand.
Our client completely dissociate herself from the statement issued by the school on April 22, 2024 wherein a case of battery was unconscionably referred to as an “incident between minors.
We state that it is this type of statements, coupled with the school’s gross negligence, that has enabled the student bullies, leading to increased incidents of unchecked bullying in the school, an environment that should ordinarily be a safe space for students.
Sequel to the foregoing, we have our client’s instruction to demand for the immediate investigation and the pronouncement of the stiffest possible sanctions in the student’s rule book, on Ms. Maryam Hassan, Miss Faliya and nine other students who have formed a cult of bullies in Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
Please note that if the school fails to sanction the student bullies within 48 hours of the receipt of this letter, we have our client’s further instruction to seek an immediate and severe legal redress against Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, without further recourse to you.”''
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I Cancelled My Flight To Nigeria, Walked To Chess Board With Sickness, Tears, Fear – Chess Master, Tunde Onakoya Reflects On Guinness Records
AFOLABITunde Onakoya, the popular Nigerian chess master, has talked about how he cancelled his flight returning to Nigeria from the United States to embark on the Guinness World Record (GWR) breaking chess marathon.
He also noted that he walked to the chess board with sickness, tears in his eyes, fear and uncertainty.
Onakoya said that two days before the record attempt, his health failed him, and it was so bad that he had started sneezing blood and coughing violently but he was resolute to embark on the record attempt for 58 hours.
Recall that Onakoya on Saturday set a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess after playing for 60 hours nonstop.
Onakoya broke the record of Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, who played for 56-hour, 9-minute in 2018.
The challenge was held at New York City’s iconic Times Square.
The new record holder had said his attempt was to raise funds and awareness for providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children across Africa.
Recounting his experience during the record attempt and expressing gratitude to his supporters, Onakoya in a post on his X handle on Wednesday said that during the attempt, it got to a point when was on the verge of calling it off but he had to continue because he had promised the children back home that he was going to make them proud and come back to them with tales of triumph.
He wrote, “I have struggled to find the right words to capture all of the emotions I’ve felt in the last couple of days - it is indeed one of those weeks when decades happened.
“I had woken up in the middle of the night some two weeks ago, cancelled my flight back home and decided to pursue this crazy idea of breaking the world record right in the heart of Times Square.
“It was basically attempting the impossible due to time constraints, but we made it work and got all the necessary permissions as our will was far greater than any resistance we faced.
“But two days before the record attempt, my health failed me. It was so bad I had started sneezing blood, and coughing violently.
“I was on the verge of calling it off but I had promised the children back home that I was going to make them proud and come back to them with tales of triumph. After all, I had taught them that it was possible to do great things from a small place against all odds.
“On the day of the attempt, I still wasn’t feeling well but I dressed up and walked down to Times Square to see that Nigerians had turned up in numbers with Flags and flowers in hand to cheer me on.
“With tears in my eyes, I walked up to the chess board and did it afraid, unwell, uncertain but with a resolute mind.
“After 60 hours of mental torture, we set a new record for the longest chess marathon in the world. We pushed human limitation and gave the world something new to believe in.
“But my greatest joy wasn’t just breaking the record, it was in the little moments we shared with everyone that was present and the wave of support back home in Nigeria.
“I experienced human love and kindness in its purest form. People travelled from all over the world to come sit with us in the cold as we spared for several hours.
“To everyone who supported our vision, donated to our cause and stood by us - this record is yours as much as it is mine. Together we have done something truly extraordinary. Thank you
“As I sit here on my flight back home, my heart is full and I can’t wait to tell the children their dreams are valid as well.
“Well done Tunde-The one who gives the forgotten little children big caps to wear, now the world will see them through your light.”
Media
I have struggled to find the right words to capture all of the emotions I’ve felt in the last couple of days-it is indeed one of those weeks when decades happened.
— Tunde Onakoya (@Tunde_OD) April 24, 2024
I had woken up in the middle of the night some two weeks ago, cancelled my flight back home and decided to pursue… pic.twitter.com/V5rEJLZBiA
Multichoice Group, the owner of DSTV has again hiked the tariff plan for its satellite television service by 25.4 per cent despite public outcry.
The price raise was announced on Wednesday in a message sent to customers, adding it will take effect on May 1, 2024.
The statement signed by John Ugbe, Chief Executive Officer was titled, ‘Price Adjustment on DStv and GOtv Packages.’
The new price review is the third since May 2023 when the company announced change in tariff.
DSTV said, “We understand the impact this change may have on you – our valued customer, but the rise in the cost of business operations, has led us to make this difficult decision.
“It remains our mission to provide the best entertainment and viewing experience to you and are committed to continue to deliver high-quality content and unparalleled service. So, from Wednesday, 1 May 2024, the price adjustment will take effect.”
Based on the review, the Premium tariff subscribers will no longer pay N29,500 as it has been adjusted by 25.4 per cent to N37,000,.
Compact Plus tariff was raised from 19,800 to N25,000 while Compact was increased to N15,700 from N12,500.
DSTV hiked the Confam tariff from N7,400 to N9300; Yanga tariff price was revised to N5,100 from N4,200 while Padi plan was reviewed from NN2900 to N3,600.
HDPVR Access Service, Access Fees, and XtraView subscribers will pay N5,000 respectively after review from the old rate of N4,000.
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has alleged that a section of the northern political elites is plotting to prevent President Bola Tinubu from seeking re-election in 2027.
The forum also alleged that the ongoing disruptions and agitations in the North is an attempt to achieve the aim in 2027.
The President General of AYCF, Yerima Shettima, claimed that the plot involves setting unrealistic and unattainable standards for the Tinubu administration, with the aim of discrediting the government and swaying public opinion against it.
He said, “The campaign of vilification and destabilisation is part of a broader strategy to weaken Tinubu’s support base in the North, with minister of state defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, being the primary target.”
According to him, the continuous attacks on key Tinubu allies are part of a broader scheme to destabilise the government and prevent his potential reelection for a second term in 2027.
The AYCF lamented and viewed the actions as desperate attempts by power seekers to halt the administration’s progress and reverse its anti-corruption efforts.
He added, “The AYCF views these actions as a calculated attempt to dismantle the President’s support network and thwart his chances of securing a second term in office.”
Describing the efforts of the anti-Tinubu forces as too early, the AYCF warned against the deliberate propagation of false narratives and the use of obscure groups to undermine the President’s allies and tarnish his reputation.
The AYCF, therefore, called on President Tinubu and his team to remain vigilant and resolute in their commitment to the nation’s progress, urging the President to be wary of the propaganda campaigns being orchestrated against his administration and to stay focused on delivering on his promises to the Nigerian people.
“It is imperative for the government to stay focused on its goals, remain resilient in the face of these challenges, and work towards ensuring a stable and prosperous future for Nigeria. The administration must anticipate and counteract these moves in order to safeguard the progress and development of the nation,” he advised.
The AYCF said it finds it ridiculous for any group to assess and judge an administration that is barely one-year-old against a set of incredible expectations and unfair standards of judgement.
Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Pro. Zacehaeus Adangor, SAN, has formally resigned his appointment as a commissioner in the cabinet of the Rivers State government, led by governor Siminalayi Fubara.
His resignation letter was dated 24th April 2024, and it is coming hours after a minor cabinet reshuffle that affected him.
With the cabinet reshuffle, Prof Adangor, who was the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, was redeployed to the Ministry of Special Duties, (Governor’s Office).
He accused Governor Fubara of interfering with his duties as the Attorney General, alleging that the governor had directed him not to defend or oppose suits filed against the Attorney-General and the Government of Rivers State by individuals sponsored by the state government.
Adangor said “My attention has been drawn to your letter dated 23rd April, 2024 and widely circulated on social media whereby I was “deployed to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office).
“Further to the referenced letter, I hereby give you notice of my rejection of the said redeployment with the effect from 24th day April 2024.”
Prof Adangor said that he was no longer willing to continue to serve in the administration of governor Siminalayi Fubara in any capacity whatsoever.
“It is important to mention that the Governor of Rivers State had in the past couple of weeks willfully interfered with the performance of my duties as the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State by directing me not to defend, oppose, or appear in cases instituted against the Honourable Attorney-General and the Government of Rivers State by persons admittedly hired and sponsored by the Government of Rivers State.”