Justice James Kolawole Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown out a lawsuit brought against the Federal Government, aiming to prohibit the conduct of elections and examinations on Saturdays in Nigeria.

The suit instituted by the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Nigeria was thrown out by the Judge on ground of being frivolous, vexatious, irritating and baseless.

The church had claimed that Saturday is its Sabbath day of worship and that fundamental rights of its members are being brutally breached by the conduct of elections and examinations on Saturdays.

The plaintiff then sought order of the Court to prohibit the Federal Government of Nigeria from further conducting elections and examinations on the Sabbath day so as to stop disruption of their rights to worship.

However, Justice Omotoso, in his judgment on Wednesday, held that the fundamental rights being claimed by the church were not at large and cannot be curtailed by government policy.

Besides, the Judge held that the Seventh Day Adventist Church is in the minority in Nigeria and cannot impose its doctrine on the majority of other religious denominations in the country.

Details later...

A nurse treating patients at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has died due to an outbreak of Lassa fever.

A source at the hospital said the nurse, Ewogu Nkechi, died last weekend and was buried immediately based on Lassa fever control protocol.

She had been attached to the emergency department of AE-FUTHA since December 2019. She was a graduate of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, and hailed from the Ikwo Local Government Area of the State.

When contacted for his reaction, the Commissioner for Health in Ebonyi State, Dr. Moses Ekuma, confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state, saying the state epidemiologist and other health personnel are on top of the outbreak.

“Actually, there is an outbreak of Lassa Fever. It is not only in Ebonyi State. It affected other places more especially those areas that are prone to the outbreak. The state epidemiologist and other health team are on top of it to ensure its prevention and control,” he said.

Yesterday, the Nigerian Senate passed N446,342,656,992 as the 2024 budget of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The action of the Senate followed its adoption and approval of the recommendation of its Committee on Finance that considered the budget.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa (APC – Niger East) presented the report.

Of the sum, according to the report, N177,441,479,682 is for Personnel Cost, N156,454,385,053 is for Overhead cost and N112,446,822,255.00 is for capital expenditure.

The committee observed that: “The Service Year 2024 budget estimates are based on Zero Based Budgeting.

“That the 2024 projected Cost of Collection of N446.34 billion is 39 per cent higher than the 2023 approved budgeted cost of collection which stood at N320.90billion.

“The personnel cost is based on staff strength on the payroll including social benefits (such as NHIA, Pension contribution etc.) and anticipated performance bonus for the year.

“The increase in overhead projection can be attributed to the need for more robust operational activities which are critical in driving the achievement of Service core objectives e.g tax automation projects and other critical ones that relate directly to tax collection and administration.

Amadu Galadima, a Nigerian man residing in the Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State, asserts that he travels 9.5 kilometers daily from his village to Dukku to procure free food for his nine children, enabling them to break their fast during Ramadan.

Galadima, aged 49, made this known to Daily Trust, revealing that his family is one of the beneficiaries of an annual Ramadan feeding programme organised by a Bulgarian-based charity organisation, Charity Association Margarity, in the state.

“I usually secure motorcycle lift from good Samaritans going to Dukku so that I can get to where the food is distributed to have a plate, and the quantity served is good. When coming back, sometimes I trek some distance before I can see someone to give me a lift back home,” Galadima was quoted as saying by Daily Trust.

He continued: “When I get the food, I take it to my family and I hardly get a mouthful of it. I have 9 children - 5 girls and 4 boys - and this food is greatly helping us as we don’t have what to eat at home. We thank the association for this gesture.”

Like millions of other Muslims around the country, Galadima's tribulation during the holy month of Ramadan could be linked to the current socioeconomic challenges created by President Bola Tinubu's fuel subsidy removal and Naira floating policies.

SaharaReporters had reported several demonstrations tagged as #EndHungerProtests in major cities across the country.

Speaking further on the programme, Alhaji Hafiz Muhammad Sulaiman, the Nigeria Country Coordinator of Charity Association Margarity, stated that the group feeds at least 300 people per day, including widows, orphans, almajiri children, and other impoverished individuals.

According to the organiser, the organisation fed 18,000 people (600 for 30 days) during last year's Ramadan.

He added that the food scheme had been hurt this year by a decrease in donations received by the group, which he attributed to the Gaza war.

Asabe is another beneficiary of the charity. She is a widow and mother of eight, who always travels from a far distance every day to also get free food for her family to eat.

She said, “I come from Daurawa (quarters in Dukku) to collect a plate of this food. I have eight children. I thank these people who are providing this help to us. In this hardship, having this food is helping us. With this food, at least we have what to eat for dinner. It is a great relief!”

Another widow, Malama Fatsuma, stated that she and her children rely on the Iftar meal provided by the association.

“We feed on this food. We thank the leadership of this association for helping us with what to eat. It is only Allah that will reward them. It is a great help, especially in this trying time,” she said.

“In this period when prices of food items have increased, the food we get here (from the association) is a succour to my family.

“Sometimes we hardly have what to eat, but with this help, at least I have what to take to my family every day. I’ve been saved the cost of giving them dinner at least,” Abdullahi Isma’il, another beneficiary said.

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.

The House of Representatives Committee on Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis has summoned the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Pate and the Permanent Secretary, Daju S. Kachollom over the alleged misappropriation of $300 million in antimalarial funds.

Amobi Ogah, the Chairman of the Committee read the resolutions in Abuja on Tuesday, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Mr Ogah expressed his displeasure over the absence of the Permanent Secretary of the ministry at the resumed sitting of the committee on Tuesday.

“The Committee has resolved that the Permanent Secretary be arrested if she failed to honour the summons, having failed to appear three times.

“Malaria is now an epidemic in Nigeria. The government has always wanted to help the people but most times the civil servants are our problem.

“This money has been made available since 2021. We have been inviting the Permanent Secretary. This is the third time we are inviting her to come and explain to us what has happened.

“Have they used the money? If they have not used the money, where is the money? It is a matter of simple explanation. But they have been running away, calling all manner of people to talk to us,” he said.

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.