Yesterday, an Ikeja High Court heard testimony from a witness, Mohammed Buhari, regarding how he dropped money for kidnappers in Ojuelegba, Lagos State.
Buhari gave evidence yesterday before Justice Adenike Coker at the ongoing trial of three suspects – Lima Auwal, Abdullah Usman and Seidu Abbas – alleged to have kidnapped a nine-year-old boy.
The trio allegedly kidnapped the boy on Ajayi Street, Idi-Araba, on November 4, 2022. They were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping.
During resumed proceedings, Buhari gave an account of how he received a call from the kidnappers and dropped money for them at Ojuelegba. The witness said he followed the kidnappers’ instructions and dropped the ransom inside a vulcanizer tyre placed by the roadside towards Ojuelegba.
Led-in-evidence by the prosecution counsel, Ms Titi Adeyegbe, the witness said after he closed from work, he drove his boss, Aliu Abubakar, home. Abubakar is the kidnapped boy’s father.
According to him, they didn’t meet Abubakar’s wife and brother, Ibrahim, at home. He said they were told they went looking for the boy since he didn’t return from school on Friday.
He also joined in the search and they slept on the street till the following morning.
“Me and Ibrahim went to the second street searching. We were on the street overnight yet we could find the boy. Then my boss went to report to the police.
“The second day, in the morning, I got a text message and I showed my boss. The message said ‘your son is with us, we needed $3,000 and N200,000. I later got a call and the voice said, ‘oga na we carry your son’. I asked if I can speak to the boy. He gave the phone to the boy and I asked how he is to which he responded fine.
“They didn’t call me again till Sunday morning. They asked if I am ready to get the boy. They said they will tell me where to get the boy and asked how much I had gotten of the amount they demanded. I said N200,000, and they said it was too small. I beg them but they insisted on N700,000. We were both speaking Hausa and I told them I had gotten N400,000.
“About 10pm, they asked if I was ready to bring the money. I got to Yana bus stop on their instruction, and then they described the cloth I wore. I was told to go to the front of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He told me to move towards Ojuelegba road and drop the money inside a tyre by the road.
During a session at the Ikeja Special Court on Tuesday, businessman Mr. Chinedu Igbokwe recounted how a Bureau de Change operator named Abdulami Isah allegedly swindled him of $63,950.
Igbokwe, who was led in evidence by the counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, A. A. Usman, said he was introduced to Isah on October 4, 2022, and on October 6, he paid the defendant the said amount.
The witness said after he made the payment, he waited for them to remit the fund (naira equivalent) and when they were not forthcoming, he then went to meet them.
“They told me that Isah had received the money and when I met him, he confirmed that he had received and withdrawn the fund. He paid the sum of N15.9 million and when I asked him what was happening, he switched off his phone and I could not find him again.
“The pressure was much on me and I had to take money from my local textile business to pay people in order to keep my reputation. On August 18, 2023, I petitioned EFCC and two days later, the commission acknowledged the petition and by August 25, the defendant was arrested.
“What surprised me most was when I visited the EFCC office after the arrest, Isah opened up to EFCC that he is a syndicate to Alli Baba,” Igbokwe narrated.
The witness further told the court that the payment was made through the international account number of the defendant.
He confirmed to the court that the defendant had refunded N15.9 million, while the outstanding was N26.5 million.
Isah is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and fraud.
Justice Ismail Ijelu adjourned until April 22 for continuation of the trial.
A popular Fuji musician, Taye Akande Adebisi, also known as Taye Currency, has dismissed a report circulating on social media platforms that he fainted in London, the United Kingdom.
There were concerns about the musician’s health on Wednesday after a report emerged that he collapsed in London during his performance and was rushed to the hospital.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Tope Eluyefa, the fuji musician expressed surprise at the unfounded claims that had been spreading, asserting that he is in good spirits and robust health.
He emphasised that his recent performances were streamed live on various social media platforms, attesting to his well-being and negating any suggestion of collapsing or requiring hospitalization.
While dispelling the rumours, Taye Currency called for responsible journalism, emphasising the importance of verifying facts before dissemination.
The singer underscored the need for unity and prayer in Nigeria to address prevailing challenges, mentioning his observance of fasting even while in London.
He said: “I want to reassure my global audience, especially my fans in Nigeria, along with my family and friends, that I am fit, healthy, and actively engaged in my endeavours worldwide.
“The propagation of such rumours only serves the interests of my detractors. Thanks to the Almighty, I’ve been energetically fulfilling my commitments.”
Nigerian rapper, MI Abaga has opened up on why most talented artists seek solace in drugs.
The 'Bad Belle' crooner has brought attention to the widespread problem of mental health difficulties in the entertainment industry.
In an interview, MI Abaga voiced his worries, about how people in the creative field are prone to these kinds of problems.
According to MI Abaga, because they are constantly subjected to rejection, hopelessness, and negativity, creatives—including artists—are especially susceptible to mental health issues.
He underlined that for prosperous artists, the circumstances worsen, and many turn to drug addiction as a coping strategy.
“Creatives are generally more at risk of mental health challenges to the extent that even when we are in the middle of it, there is no support. We face a lot of rejection, hopelessness, and negativity. Yet, when one becomes successful, it gets even worse.
The problem is so big and many artists are turning to drug abuse. We need to tackle the issue collectively to find ways to help creatives in Nigeria and Africa when faced with rejection,” MI Abaga said.
A cleric, Rev. Canon Tony Mukoro, has been rescued from suspected kidnappers by the Edo State Police Command.
Spokesperson of the command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident to newsmen on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Benin said one AK 47 rifle, one expended AK 47 shell, two pump action guns, 14 live cartridges, one cap, and a bag were recovered from the suspects.
The victim was reportedly abducted by suspected gunmen at Isihor community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state while returning home in his car.
According to the PPRO, the Divisional Police Office in Ugbowo, Benin, received information that hoodlums accosted and kidnapped Mukoro in his Toyota Highlander car.
Operatives of the division immediately swung into action and intercepted the vehicle.
"They engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel. The hoodlums fled during the cross fire and the victim was rescued unhurt,” he said.
He said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
Three persons alleged to have killed 17 officers and men of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Nigerian Army, Otuama, Delta State, last Thursday have been arrested.
This is according to a report by Vanguard.
The report stated that the suspects were arrested in Port Harcourt yesterday and moved to Army headquarters, Asaba, where they are currently being held.
However, the military yesterday moved in swamp buggies to the besieged Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State in continuation of the ongoing razing of the community.
The two swamp buggies, which were offloaded from trailer trucks onto barges at the Bomadi Police Division waterfront, were then transported to the creeks.
A source who spoke from a neighbouring community disclosed that the heavy vehicles were seen transported on barges through their community waterways towards Okuama.
“Yes, I saw them passing through our river towards Okuama. They’re heavy machines, but nobody can tell their mission there,” she said.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Akugbene community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State has been released from detention by men of the military Joint Task Force, JTF, Bomadi Division.
It was gathered that the community chairman and others detained Monday over the harbouring of the fleeing chairman of Okuama and other suspects secured their release yesterday after producing the alleged perpetrators under the community’s custody.
The security situation at Bomadi and its environs is still tense, as armoured vehicles and men in uniform are seen strategically in the town.
Residents of Delta community where 16 soldiers were killed narrate their own side of what happened
AFOLABINigerian soldiers have opened fire on residents of Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State where 16 military personnel were killed.
This is according to DailyTrust. Recall that troops attached to 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta were killed while on peace mission.
Trouble started when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba communities both in the South South State.
There were reports that the military went on a reprisal attack after the incident.
But reacting, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, said the armed forces being a disciplined force complies with its rules of engagement, laws of armed conflict and respect for human rights.
Buba, a Major-General, said the military would not be led by emotions, but by the rule of law even in the face of provocation, adding that the incident would not demoralise or deter gallant troops from carrying out their constitutional duties as expected.
However, speaking with DRTV in Warri, two Okuama residents accused the military of carrying out mass killing.
The residents, who pleaded anonymity, said the soldiers had visited their community for a peacekeeping mission and were received in the town hall.
According to the residents, it was all fine until they asked to take the community chiefs away.
They said the soldiers reacted violently when the community insisted they leave without their chiefs.
On of the residents said: “On the 14th of March, we were at home when some military officials came to our community. We welcomed them and they said that they wanted to walk around the community. They walked around the community and said that they wanted to have a peace talk at the town hall.
“They went to the town hall. The military men were entertained and welcomed. They (the soldiers) asked for the community chairman and community leaders. They sat with them and had a talk. After that, they asked the chairman and some community leaders to follow them.
“We said that they had had the peace talk with the leaders already so they should leave, but the soldiers insisted they had to take them away. The people said no. From there, the army turned the whole story into violence. Right there, in the community town hall, the soldiers started shooting our people there. Killed many of the young people there. People started running; some were killed instantly. Nobody expected any shooting.
“The army went and came back with more reinforcement. About twenty more people were killed immediately.”
Another source said: “The army – they just changed all of a sudden and opened fire on us. Women and children died. We cannot find some of our children and our parents.
“They (the soldiers) killed over 20 of our fellow residents. Some of our buildings were razed. Many residents have fled and there are even dead bodies in the bush where we have been hiding. We want the government to come to our rescue.”
Popular Canadian rapper, Drake has gifted a pregnant fan $25,000 after she appealed to him to be her baby daddy.
According to People Magazine, this happened at the Frost Bank Financial Center in San Antonio, Texas, as part of his “It’s All a Blur Tour with J. Cole”.
The 'One Dance' crooner saw the expectant mother in the front row with a sign pleading for him to be her rich baby daddy in a now-viral concert video.
His well-known song, Rich Baby Daddy, which includes Sexyy Red and SZA, was referenced in this course.
After spotting her, he said:
“She’s got a sign that says I’m five months pregnant, can you be my rich baby daddy?’.Well, first of all, I don’t wanna offend your real baby daddy, but I would love to.”
Drake stated that he wanted for the safety of the expectant fan to remove her from the packed mosh pit.
Then he proposed to give her $25,000 so she could start a profitable baby business.
He declared:
“First of all, get you out of the pit so we can put you somewhere safe like the VIP or some s,” he told the fan. “Cause you can’t be pregnant getting bounced around. When I start playing some of these slappers, we can’t have you getting pushed around. Second of all, I’d love to give you $25,000 so you can be a rich baby mama.”
Media
Drake gives a pregnant woman $25,000 at his show ????????
— Salt Flash (@SaltFlash) March 17, 2024
“I’d love to give you $25,000 so you can be a rich baby mama.” pic.twitter.com/Pt479s0iQN
Nollywood actor, Prince Emeka Ani has hailed skit maker Sabinus after they collaborated on a project.
Speaking about it, the veteran actor said his phone briefly froze when he received an enormous credit alert from Sabinus.
Ani praised the fellow actor and AMVCA-winning comedian for the wonderful manner he treated him during the project.
In a now-viral video, he revealed that Sabinus had driven a Prado Jeep to pick him up from Asaba, Delta state, for a project involving the creation of a skit in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state.
He revealed that the whole production process had lasted 15 mins but he was lounged in a very expensive hotel and given the best treatment.
He noted that the credit alert he had received was big enough to freeze his phone for some few seconds.
His words …
“During my stay, he accommodated me in one of the finest hotels in Port Harcourt and arranged for a Prado Jeep to take me back to Asaba. Truly grateful for the royal treatment. Nobody has given me such respect and priority.
“After shooting a 15-minute skit with Sabinus, I was treated like royalty. He paid me before I even left Asaba, and the alert from him froze my phone for a few seconds.”
Nigeria has witnessed a significant surge in tax earnings from foreign firms, with figures nearly doubling in the span of one year.
This significant fiscal boost is likely due to the weakening of the naira, which has increased the local currency’s value of foreign transactions for non-import (foreign) Value Added Tax (VAT) and Foreign Company Income Tax (CIT) payments.
The latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for 2023 indicates that Nigeria’s revenue from foreign-related Value Added Tax (VAT) rose by 61%, with figures reaching N824.6 billion, a significant increase from N510.8 billion in 2022.
More noteworthy is the surge in Corporate Income Tax (CIT) from foreign entities, which has seen a 107% increase, climbing from N1.14 trillion in 2022 to N2.38 trillion in 2023.
Recommended reading: Nigeria gets N4.9 trillion CIT in 2023
Cumulatively, the total tax revenue from these streams rose by 93%, from N1.66 trillion in 2022 to N3.21 trillion in 2023.
While the increase in tax revenue is a welcome development for the country’s finances, it also highlights the Nigerian economy’s exposure to exchange rate risks.
The current boost in tax earnings is significantly propelled by the naira’s weakness, which, while beneficial in the short term, may mask underlying vulnerabilities in the economic framework.
Foreign payments make up 49% of 2023 CIT earnings
Nigeria’s Company Income Tax (CIT) collections surged by 73.14% in 2023, amassing a total of N4.9 trillion. This remarkable growth underscores the significant contribution of foreign firms to the Nigerian economy, with nearly half of this figure, precisely 49%, being attributed to foreign CIT.
On the other hand, the Value Added Tax (VAT) collections painted a slightly different picture. While still noteworthy, the impact of foreign firms on VAT was less pronounced than in the CIT sector. Foreign entities contributed 23% to the total VAT collections, which stood at N3.64 trillion for 2023.
This financial landscape highlights the critical role that international businesses play in bolstering Nigeria’s tax revenue, especially in the CIT domain.
More Insights
- In June 2023, the CBN announced the unification of all segments of the forex market, collapsing all windows into one. This was part of an effort to drive liquidity and stability in the forex market in Nigeria. However, this seems to have had a counter-effect, as it triggered further instability in the market.
- Nairametrics earlier reported that the Naira lost about 68% of its value, marking a profound downturn since the implementation of the foreign exchange unification policy.
- The weakening naira has inflicted broad economic repercussions, including heightened import costs, surging inflation rates, diminishing purchasing power, and a deterrent effect on investment inflows.
- However, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Yemi Cardoso said that the naira is undervalued. He added that the apex bank will work towards real price discovery in the foreign exchange market in 2024. Cardoso recently blamed the undervalued state of the naira on market distortions and FX spectators.
- Also, Goldman Sachs analysts recently projected a significant appreciation of the exchange rate to N1,200/$ in 12 months. This amounts to a massive recovery from its perceived undervalued state.
- The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), however, said that the CBN faces a significant liquidity crisis in supporting the naira, as nearly $20 billion of its $33 billion in foreign reserves is tied up in various derivative deals.
- Regardless, the central bank has been actively addressing the FX issue in the country with some reforms, such as clearing the backlog of forex obligations which the CBN noted would be fully cleared in a few days.
- Also, the apex bank plans to establish a singular foreign currency (FCY) gateway bank that will centralise all correspondent banking activities and provide incentives to individuals who hold foreign currencies outside the formal banking system.
- Other measures include investigating and resolving FX backlogs, restricting forex allocation for overseas education and medical trips, augmenting the minimum share capital for BDCs, and targeting FX market speculators.
[Nairametrics]
More...
Embattled singer, Joshua Iniyezo, aka Solidstar, has claimed that his hit song ‘One In A Million’ inspired a new sound in the Nigerian music industry.
He said when he hit stardom, many thought he was Ghanaian because of his unique musical style.
Speaking in a recent episode of The Honest Bunch podcast, Solidstar specifically mentioned that the remix of the song with 2Baba inspired P-Square’s hit song ‘Possibility’ which featured the same artist.
He said, “It was ‘One In A Million’ that paved the way for me in the music industry. I won the Best New Artist at the Nigerian Music Video Awards with the song. Many even thought I was Ghanaian, they didn’t know I’m Nigerian because my style then was different.
“It was my song [‘One In A Million’] that changed the sound of the Nigerian music industry. It was also the inspiration behind P-Square’s ‘Possibility’ featuring 2Baba.
“The song changed the Nigerian music industry. It came with its unique style. I slowed the tempo down and everyone started copying that pattern.”
[DailyPost]
Zenith Bank Plc on Tuesday appointed Dame Adaora Umeoji as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) from June 2024.
She is the first female to lead the bank.
Her appointment is, however, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Umeoji will take over from the current GMD, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose time in office expires on May 31.
Here are things to know about Adaora Umeoji
1. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos,
2. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and first-class honours in Law from Baze University Abuja.
3. She’s a Master of Laws graduate from the University of Salford, United Kingdom.
4. She also bagged a Master in Business Administration from the University of Calabar.
5. Umeoji joined Zenith Bank in 1998, and since joining the bank, she headed the marketing group Maitama branch and went on to be the deputy zonal head of the Abuja Zone.
6. She then became executive director in charge of Abuja and Middle Belt Zones of the Bank.
7. She was appointed to the board on October 9, 2012.
8. She is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
9. She attended the strategic thinking and management program at Wharton Business School, USA.
10. She holds a certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Management Sloan School and a Certificate in Leading Global Businesses from Harvard Business School, USA.
11. She is a fellow of professional bodies including the Chartered Bankers Institute of London, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, the Institute of Credit Administration, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, the Institute of Chartered Meditators & Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Nigeria, among others.
12. Beyond banking, Umeoji founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity.
13. She is a peace advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC), and a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI).
14. She was recently awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis.
15. In 2022, the Federal Government honoured her with Officer of the Order of Nigeria as a recognition of her contributions to nation-building.
[TheNation]
Brazil’s justice system on Wednesday will decide whether former Manchester City and Real Madrid striker Robinho will serve his nine-year rape sentence, handed down by an Italian court, in the South American country.
Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice (STJ) will examine the Italian request to approve the prison sentence that was imposed in 2017 and ratified in 2022.
“I hope that here in Brazil I can have the voice that I didn’t have there,” Robinho, who has protested his innocence, said in an interview with Brazilian network TV Record on Sunday.
Robson de Souza, popularly known as “Robinho”, remains free despite his conviction for being among a group of six men who gang raped a young Albanian woman out celebrating her 23rd birthday at a Milan nightclub in 2013.
Former Brazil international Robinho was playing his club football for AC Milan at the time.
His sentence was upheld by Italy’s highest court, after which Italian prosecutors issued an international arrest warrant.
Brazil does not extradite its nationals, however, and Italy asked that Robinho be made to serve his sentence in his home country instead.
On Sunday, Robinho accused the Italian justice system of “racism”.
“It was consensual,” Robinho told TV Record.
“I never denied it (the encounter). I could have denied it because my DNA was not there, but I’m not a liar.
“I played for four years in Italy and I got tired of seeing stories about racism. The same people who do nothing about racism, which I repudiate, are the ones who condemned me.”
If the ruling goes against him, the 40-year-old could still remain free while awaiting an appeal to Brazil’s Supreme Court.
Brazil president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said that he hopes Robinho can “serve” the sentence on Brazilian soil.
– ‘Unprecedented case’ –
According to Brazilian media, magistrates are expected to approve Italy’s request.
“Approval is not common, because the law that allows it is relatively recent. It would be an unprecedented case in Brazil,” lawyer Leonardo Pantaleao told AFP.
Meanwhile, Robinho’s case and that of former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves have sparked criticism over the failure of football authorities in Brazil to condemn violence against women.
In February, former Brazil international full-back Alves, 40, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for raping a woman in a nightclub in Barcelona.
The case was met with silence from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the player’s former clubs and former teammates.
Former Brazil coach Tite said he could not “make a judgement without having all the facts and truthful information” about the case.
For Robinho, it has been a dramatic fall from grace.
Having begun his career at Santos, a team made famous by Brazil great Pele, Robinho was touted as the successor to the golden generation of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho.
In 2005, Robinho left Santos to join Zinedine Zidane, international teammate Ronaldo and David Beckham at Real Madrid.
But although he played for big teams in Europe and won two Confederations Cups — in 2005 and 2009 — and a Copa America in 2007, Robinho only displayed his talent intermittently.
In 2009, he was briefly detained in England for an alleged sexual assault on a young woman, but the charges were dropped after an investigation.
He returned to Santos in 2020 but the club suspended the deal after pressure from fans, sponsors and the media, leading to the abrupt end of his career.
Ex-BBNaija star, Doyin has stated that she can never be in a relationship with someone in the limelight.
The reality TV star, in a recent interview with Hip TV, said she does not want her family in public space and wants some sanity outside the social media buzz.
She said she has always dated men in the corporate world, insisting she doesn’t see herself dating a public figure.
Doyin added that she has known her current partner for about a decade.
She said: “I don’t see myself dating somebody in the limelight. All my life, I’ve always dated men in the corporate world. Those are the men I met; maybe it is because of what my life was like before. I have known my current partner for like 10 years.
“I don’t just see myself dating someone in the limelight. I don’t want my family out there. Let me be out there. But I want to go back home to some sanity.
I’m submissive to my partner even now that we are not married. I believe that two people cannot lead a successful relationship. They will clash. One person has to be more agreeable. That’s why I keep saying a woman’s most important job is choosing the right man to lead her.”