A few days after the commemoration of the 10-year anniversary, another Chibok girl, Lydia Simon, has been rescued by troops of Operation Desert Sanity III, North East Operation Hadin Kai.

She was rescued with her three children by the troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion in Ngoza LGA of Borno State, yesterday.

Sources told Vanguard that, Lydia, who was on serial number 68 among the abducted missing girls, escaped from the camp of Ali Ngulde in Mandara Mountain, where she was held in captivity for several years.

She surrendered to troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion at Ngoshe in Gwoza LGA. The rescued Chibok girl was five months pregnant and claimed she was from Pemi Town in Chibok.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, said yesterday that the apex bank is not defending the Naira with the nation’s foreign reserves.

He was speaking against the backdrop of the recent decline in Nigeria’s foreign reserves corresponding with massive appreciation of the Naira in the foreign exchange market (forex), fueling speculations that the apex bank pumped forex into the market to dwarf demand pressure and shore up the value of the local currency.

Speaking at the on-going Spring Meetings of the IMF the World Bank, Cardoso said that his team at the apex bank is determined to nurse a foreign exchange market ruled by the principle of willing buyers-willing seller.

He also said that Ways and Means (federal government borrowings from CBN) is no longer an issue, particularly after the fiscal authorities securitised the outstanding.

His words, “Defending the Naira, from every indication is an elephant in some rooms. I will make this as clear as possible. It is not our intention to defend the Naira. Much as I have read in the recent few days some opinions about what has happened in terms of our reserves being drawn down, the CBN Defending the Naira, if you take your mind to our philosophy and policy, you will see it will be counter intuitive. We want the Naira to perform independently as long as we have a vibrant forex market.

“Initially we needed to keep the BDCs going. So it is important for people to get forex for school fees, travels and the like.

Why reserves shifted

“The shift you see in our reserve is not to defend the Naira but for things like settling obligations that fell due. Mind you, that is the reason for keeping foreign reserves, in the first place.”

Cardoso also said that his team is cooperating with the fiscal authorities and that, “Ways and Means is no longer an issue.

He said, “Let me be upfront in saying that the monetary policy is only one side. It is very clear to us that we need to have a very good handshake with the fiscal authorities.

“For instance, food inflation is not within the purview of the CBN. Ways and Means is now less an issue.”

The CBN boss said he decided to go the orthodox central banking route in order to build confidence in the Nigerian currency.

He also said that he had no choice than to raise monetary policy rate, recording 600 basis points hike within a short period of time.

He promised to communicate more with Nigerians and other stakeholders in order to moderate their expectations.

“We want Nigerians to be realistic in their expectations. We have used the MPC to explain why we took the measures that we have taken.

“We will strengthen the communication framework using different platforms to communicate.”

The governor expressed satisfaction that he took hard decisions but added that they are yielding desired outcomes.

He said within two months of his administration , the Naira was adjudged the worst performing currency, but within six months it moved to the best performing currency, globally.

“Ultimately the objective is to ensure that we moderate inflation’’, he stated.

Key take-away lessons for him, he said, was that he could not over-emphasise the importance of trust, stating, “Irrespective of boldness to do certain things if the trust is not the there, you will sub-optimise.

“It is a bit of a surprise that one had expected a greater understanding of a lot of the issues, expectations of the people on the CBN is often misplaced.”

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, promised harsh consequences for persons who pit themselves against Nigeria’s sovereignty and security.

He also said his administration had made considerable gains against banditry and kidnapping through intensified campaigns buoyed by intelligence gathering.

“Those who think they can threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria will have themselves to blame. They have a price to pay. And we are not going to relent,” Tinubu said when he received leaders of the Yoruba socio-political Organisation, Afenifere, at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.

The delegation was led by the leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae, and other eminent citizens.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed the details of Wednesday’s talks in a statement titled, ‘President Tinubu receives leaders of Afenifere, says the administration is resolute in achieving economic security in a fair and equitable system for all Nigerians.’

Speaking on security, the President declared that those who threatened the sovereignty of Nigeria would pay a heavy price.

The declaration by Tinubu came days after Yoruba Nation agitators, dressed in military camouflage and armed with guns, stormed the Oyo State Government Secretariat, attempting to hoist the Yoruba Nation flag on the premises of the Oyo State House of Assembly.

The Yoruba Nation promoters are seeking the breakaway of the Yoruba people from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

They contended that the interest of the Yoruba people had not been adequately protected in Nigeria, saying their welfare would be better taken care of under a separate sovereign entity to be known as Yoruba Nation.

But Tinubu speaking on Wednesday, vowed to keep Nigeria as one.

The President said, “I am irrevocably committed to the unity of Nigeria and constitutional democracy. Constitutional democracy has been reflected greatly here since we assumed office. What we face now is the challenge of terrorism.

“Security of life and property is necessary for development. I can tell you we are achieving success. We have degraded terrorism to a level that it can no longer threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“Banditry and kidnapping will be defeated. And there is no payment of ransom whatsoever. We are taking the battle to them. We are getting results more rapidly than before. We are working hard on intelligence gathering.”

The President said his administration was re-engineering Nigeria’s finances and seeking to boost citizens’ purchasing power and spread prosperity by instituting a credit system where the element of cash does not impede a significantly enhanced standard of living for all citizens.

He argued that Nigeria must first secure itself economically before achieving its more sophisticated objectives.

“We are committed to our country’s economic survival. To re-engineer our country’s finances, we must start in earnest,” he explained.

According to Tinubu, this will require first retooling, revamping the economic opportunities available, and continuing to take the necessary firm, steady baby steps.

“Education is a strong weapon against poverty. To empower the people, we must invest in the future of our youths.

“We have seen the problems parents face in training their children in school; it is why we established the National Student Loan Programme, which is taking off well,” he explained.

He assured the Yoruba leaders that his administration would emphasise the Consumer Credit Scheme and provide allowances for the unemployed to reduce the high unemployment rate.

“We must help vulnerable people by providing social security.

“We are looking at how to provide allowances for the unemployed, and we are developing ways to boost the purchasing power of citizens with the Consumer Credit Scheme.

“If we remove the cash upfront element to buy a car or a house, we will reduce the propensity for fraud and corruption across the land,” President Tinubu said.

He thanked the delegation for their prayers and support and assured them he would not relent in his resolve to advance Nigeria.

“God bless Nigeria. God bless our unity; our diversity must bring prosperity for all for the sake of Nigeria,” Tinubu concluded.

Earlier in his remarks, Oba Olu Falae commended the President for his courageous decisions, the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, and other critical ongoing projects.

Oba Falae urged the President not to relent in ensuring fairness and equity for all Nigerians while noting the importance of a constitutional amendment to devolve more powers to the states.

He said, “We are delighted about what you are doing for our country, and we assure you of our continued support.

“We thank you for visiting Akure in February 2024 and believe it is proper to reciprocate your kind gesture.

“We appreciate this relationship, and we need to make it work in the interest of Nigeria.”

Describing President Tinubu as the most important political figure in Africa, the monarch conveyed the elders’ expectations of him to lead the country with knowledge, courage and integrity.

“We have no doubt that your tenure will mark a turning point in our country’s history. Under your leadership, Nigeria will be repositioned,” he said.

The Afenifere Chief also promised firm support for the President, saying, “We will stand by you as you make all efforts to improve the Nigeria story. Be assured that Afenifere will not abandon you in fair or foul weather. As long as you remain faithful to the principles of fairness, integrity, and courage expected of you as the leader of Nigeria, we will stand by you.”

Cameroonian professors in some Nigerian universities and other professionals working in the country, who were arrested and detained in Cameroon have filed a petition before the House of Representatives to intervene on their behalf and free them from detention.

The petitioners, ten in number, are registered refugees in Nigeria, who also called on the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, to deploy other means to secure their release from detention by the Cameroonian authorities.

Their petition was presented to the House Committee on Public Petitions by a legal firm, FRULAW CHAMBERS.

The professors and professionals were arrested at Nera Hotel in Abuja on January 5, 2018, by security agents and later repatriated to Cameroon, tried by a military tribunal and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Kondengui Maximum security detention facility.

In their petition, the asylum seekers in Nigeria pleaded with House to, among others, cause the government of Nigeria to institute an urgent action to secure the implementation of communication 59/2022 of October 14, 2022, of the UN-HRC-WGAD calling for their release.

Addressing journalists on the petition, a lawyer at FRULAW CHAMBERS and a former member of the House of Representatives, Abdul Shaibu Oroh, reiterated the call on President Tinubu-led federal government to employ diplomatic and political measures to ensure the release of detainees.

He said: “What we are asking the parliament to do, we realise that these people were not detained under the administration of Bola Tinubu who is a human rights person.

”He was a former exile, a former refugee in another country who was running away from tyranny. He fought tyranny and defeated tyranny.

“Now, there is hope renewed, so we want that hope that is renewed to engage our neighbours, to touch the lives of our neighbours, especially these my clients. We want him to intervene with the Cameronian authorities to release them.

”Even the UN Special Commission on Arbitrary Arrests made this appeal to the Buhari administration but you people know that the Buhari administration didn’t respect human rights, they didn’t listen to anybody.

“So we are appealing to him, we are appealing to our parliament elected by our people, by sovereign will of the Nigerian people to intervene with the Cameroonian authorities to release these people.

”May be they can go into a conversation to negotiate peace because these people are interested in peace so that their refugees can return home, so that their people can have peace.

“You know, you cannot negotiate with somebody who is not free. These people, one of them, former deputy registrar of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, was 65 years old and according to the law of Cameroon, you cannot sentence a man who is 65 years old to life imprisonment.”

In apparent response to the rising economic hardship in the country, the number of disengaged workers that withdrew money from their pension savings for sustenance increased by 33.9 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023, Q4’23.

According to the Q4’23 report released by the National Pension Commission, PenCom, 10,299 Retirement Savings Account, RSA, holders that lost their jobs, withdrew from their pension savings in Q4’23, up 33.9 percent from 7,688 of such withdrawals the previous quarter, in Q3’23.

In Q4’23, the 10,299 RSA holders withdrew N6.5 billion from their pension savings against 7,688 RSA holders that withdrew N8.6 billion in Q3’23.

The Pension Reform Act permits disengaged workers to withdraw 25 per cent of their pension savings four months after losing their jobs.

The report stated: “In Q4’23, a total of 10,307 RSA holders requested to access 25% of their RSA balances due to temporary loss of employment. Out of that, 10,299 RSA holders’ requests were approved, while eight were rejected because their ages were above 50 years.

“Out of the 10,299 applicants whose benefits were approved, 9,819 were from the private sector, while the remaining 480 were from the public sector. The sum of N6,504.96 million was approved for the 10,299 RSA holders under the age of 50 years.”

The report further states that: “In Q3’23, a total of 7,697 RSA holders requested to access 25% of their RSA balances due to temporary loss of employment. Out of this figure, 7,688 RSA holders’ requests were approved, while nine were rejected because their ages were above 50 years. From the 7,688 applicants whose benefits were approved, 7,242 worked in the private sector, while the remaining 446 worked in the public sector. The sum of N8,628.27 million was approved for the 7,688 RSA holders under the age of 50 years.”

Meanwhile, on contributions for residential mortgage, the report stated: “A total of 1,128 RSA holders requested to access up to 25% of their RSA balances towards payment of equity contributions for residential mortgage during the quarter under review. Approvals were granted to 991 requests amounting to N9,618.74 million, while 137 were rejected due to incorrect documentations. Out of the 991 applicants whose benefits were approved, 304 were from the private sector, while the remaining 687 were from the public sector.”

THE Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, on Wedneday, foiled an attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest the immediate-past governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, at his 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja residence.

The operatives of the anti-graft agency had stormed the street around 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday and laid siege to the former governor’s residence, preventing both human and vehicular movements.

The EFCC operatives were, however, resisted by armed policemen dressed in black, with the inscription ‘Special Forces.

Our correspondent, who visited the residence on Wednesday afternoon, observed the heavy presence of armed operatives of the EFCC, policemen, operatives of the Department of State Services, Counter Terrorism Unit and Yahaya Bello’s private security team.

The stalemate continued as the EFCC operatives were prevented by the policemen and other armed men guarding the former governor from entering the house.

At exactly 2.30 p.m., the convoy of the Kogi State governor, Ododo, arrived at the residence, alongside several security operatives and youth supporters.

Governor Ododo was ushered into the residence by his security details and around 4:20 p.m., the convoy left the residence with Bello inside the governor’s car.

About 10 minutes after the governor and the former governor had left, the EFCC operatives laying siege to the residence were seen retreating to Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, while the DSS operatives and other security agents guarding the house also drove off shortly after.

Confirming the development to our correspondent, a source who preferred anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case, said, “The former governor has left. He left with Governor Ododo, who just drove out now with his security guards.”

A source at the EFCC, who also preferred anonymity, said, “Yahaya Bello has escaped with the Kogi State Governor, Ododo. Our operatives could not stop the governor.”

Efforts to confirm the reason behind the siege on Bello’s residence failed as the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, did not respond to inquiries concerning the development.

The EFCC had been having a running battle with the former governor over allegation of corruption.

The anti-graft agency had arraigned the ex-governor’s nephew, Ali Bello, in a charge that featured the ex-governor’s name.

The EFCC, in the charges, alleged N84bn fraud.

One of the counts read: “That you, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, Yahaya Adoza Bello (still at large), and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large), sometime in September 2015 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80,246,470,089.88, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(b) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended,”

However, the Kogi State government faulted the charge, describing it as ‘ridiculous and laughable,’ saying the state had no missing funds.

EFCC condemns obstruction

In a statement on Wednesday by its spokesman, Oyewale, the EFCC warned Nigerians against obstructing its operatives during their duties.

“The EFCC wishes to warn members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

“This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC,” Oyewale said.

Bello, on his part, described the seige on his home by the EFCC as an illegality, calling on President Bola Tinubu to rein in the anti-graft agency.

In a statement released by his media office, Bello said the move by the EFCC to arrest in was in violation of a February 9, 2024 of a Kogi State High Court in Lokoja, which restrained the EFCC from “harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting” him pending the determination of the fundamental rights suit filed by the ex-governor against the EFCC.

The media team said: “It is a surprise that an agency led by a lawyer could flagrantly disobey a subsisting court order, by taking actions contrary to the reliefs granted.

“We are aware of the total commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s current administration to the rule of law and can say categorically that the EFCC leadership might have offered the agency on a silver platter to desperate politicians to convert it to their score-settling tool, without minding the effect on its integrity and the image of Nigeria as regards the rule of law.”

Courts makes counter orders

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, issued a warrant for the EFCC to arrest Bello.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order following an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC on Wednesday.

However, in a counter ruling, a Kogi State High Court in Lokoja restrained the EFCC from detaining and prosecuting Bello.

Justice Nwite made “an order directing and/or issuing an arrest warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.”

But in a countermanding order, Justice I. A. Jami of the Kogi State High Court restrained the EFCC from arresting the former governor.

The EFCC had dragged Yahaya Bello, his nephew, Ali, one Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in an amended charge in March 2024, over an alleged N84bn money laundering.

The anti-graft agency, in the 17-count amended charge, accused Yahaya Bello of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N84,062,406,089.88.

The EFCC had claimed in the amended charge that the former governor was at large.

To record -4.6% growth in fiscal balance

The International Monetary Fund, IMF, has projected Nigeria’s public debt to Gross Domestic Product, GDP, ratio to reach 46.6 percent in 2024, and 46.8 percent in 2025.

This represents a 0.3 percentage points and 0.5 percentage points growth respectively when compared with the IMF projection for 2023.

The IMF disclosed this in its Fiscal Monitor for April 2024 titled: “Fiscal policy in the great election year”

It also downgraded the country’s fiscal balance-to-GDP ratio to -4.6 percent in 2024 from -4.2 percent in 2023.

According to the IMF, large shares of loans on concessional terms, high inflation, and resulting favorable interest-growth differentials had helped contain average public-debt-to-GDP ratios in low-income developing countries, at around 50 percent of GDP since 2020, on average.

It added: “An exception was an uptick to 53 percent of GDP in 2023, largely driven by exchange rate depreciation in Nigeria. ‘’However, countries are carrying heavy debt-service burdens, amounting to 13 percent of total spending and almost 25 percent of tax revenues, on average, in 2023 (about double the level 15 years ago).

“In Nigeria, the debt-service burden amounts to around 56 percent of tax revenues. Such high debt-servicing costs prevent low-income developing countries from spending more on essential services and critical investment to improve economic resilience and reduce poverty.

“Economies in this country group are also borrowing increasingly on commercial terms, amplifying their exposure to interest rate and foreign exchange risks. “Accordingly, risks associated with debt refinancing are high, as repayments of substantial amounts of external debt—about $60 billion—are coming due in 2024–25, three times the average in the 2010s (Holland and Pazarbasioglu 2024).

“Several low-income developing countries returned to international markets after a hiatus in early 2024 (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya), allowing them to refinance maturing debt. However, at present, governments should carefully consider the trade-offs between current financing and future fiscal sustainability associated with issuing public debt at high cost (April 2024 Regional Economic Outlook Sub-Saharan Africa).”

IMF also said that the fiscal balances have improved only in sub-Saharan Africa (by 1.2 percentage points of GDP with both lower spending and higher revenues.

It added: “Overall, primary deficits are projected to decline further in low-income developing countries in 2024 to 1.5 percent of GDP, on average, gradually falling to 1 percent by 2029, about 1.3 percentage point of GDP below their level in 2019. Revenues are expected to improve in many economies in this group, given, among other measures, new tax measures and reduced exemptions to the value-added tax (Bangladesh). Expenditures are expected to rise modestly.”

The Student Loan Scheme of the Tinubu-led Administration os set to kick off with about 1.2 million beneficiaries.

Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND’s) Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), Mr. Akintunde Sawyer said the loan scheme will take off soon after President Tinubu signed it into law on April 3. 

It will be funded with one per cent of the total annual collectable revenue by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The FIRS has already been given a revenue target of N19.4 trillion.

If the target is met, N194 billion will be available as a loan to the beneficiary students and repayment, according to the law, will commence two years after the completion of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC).

Commenting on the scheme, the NELFUND CEO said;

“We don’t expect to have more than 1.2 million students in the first instance. As time goes on, there will probably be expansion.

“For the successful applicants, we will be paying their fees – the full amount – directly to the institutions.

“There will also be a stipend paid to the individuals. At a regular interval, the beneficiaries will receive an amount of money for their upkeep so that they can do the basic things – feeding, photocopying handouts and data.

“They can use the stipend to ensure that there is enough opportunity for them to survive the experience of being students. We all know that students’ survival is on another level.”

On the condition to be met by potential beneficiaries, Sawyer said they would be required to provide their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) numbers, National Identification Number (NIN), and Bank Verification Number (BVN), among other details before they can apply for the loan.

Those who are already students and seek to take the loan would need to, in addition to these conditions, provide their matriculation details. He added;

“Without a doubt, President Tinubu intends to ensure that as many Nigerians as possible get this opportunity. That is why he has vigorously pursued this opportunity on behalf of students.

“That is why all of us must join hands to ensure that capacity expansion can happen. This is not going to be an elitist programme. It is a programme that is going to drag as many people into the education net as possible.

“That is what the President intends and that is what we are going to do.”

Pascal Okechukwu, who is popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest is a Nigerian celebrity bar man, entrepreneur associated with the nightlife scene.

Known for his lavish lifestyle, exuberant personality, and ostentatious displays of wealth, Cubana Chief Priest has become a household name in Nigeria and beyond.

However, behind the glitz and glamour lies a story that raises questions about the responsible use of wealth and the consequences of unchecked extravagance of Cubana Chief Priest.

Here are 10 key insights into the persona and controversies surrounding Cubana Chief Priest:

Early life

Born Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, Cubana Chief Priest grew up in Aba and Umuhu Okabia, Imo State, Nigeria. As a child, he dreamt of becoming a musician.

Shoemaking business

Following his father’s footsteps, Cubana Chief Priest learned the art of shoemaking in Aba. His dedication paid off, earning him his first million during his time at Federal Polytechnic Nekede in Owerri.

Family life

In the midst of his career pursuits, Cubana Chief Priest found love and married Angel Gold Okechukwu. Their union blessed them with two sons, Chukwuebuka and Obinna.

Entrepreneurial milestone

Cubana Chief Priest’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Club Xhrine in Owerri, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Social media boom

With his vibrant personality and charm, Cubana Chief Priest became a social media sensation, amassing millions of followers on Instagram.

Arrest and controversy

In April 2022, Cubana Chief Priest was apprehended by the EFCC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. He faced allegations that stirred controversy and left his fans shocked.

Career and speculation

Following his arrest, Cubana Chief Priest’s social media presence dwindled, leaving fans wondering about his whereabouts and the future of his career.

Philanthropic life

Despite his flamboyant image, he is known to engage in philanthropic activities, such as supporting the less privileged and contributing to community development projects.

He has been known to donate money to charitable causes and support aspiring entrepreneurs, earning praise from some quarters for his generosity and community engagement.

Fame and limelight

He has a massive following on social media, with millions of followers on platforms like Instagram, where he shares insights into his lifestyle, businesses, and social engagements.

Alleged Naira abuse

Following Bobrisky’s arrest, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Cubana Chief Priest on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. He was arraigned on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty.

The Federal High Court in Lagos State consequently granted the businessman and socialite N10m bail with two sureties in like sum.

Keaiirra Shavoiyae Chidozie, a 28-year-old woman, faces charges after fatally shooting her Nigerian husband four times during a domestic dispute in their residence in the United States. She is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on May 23rd.

Keaiirra shot Michael Chidozie once in the arm, once in the chest, and twice in his torso and left to die on the bedroom floor.

The incident happened in their residence in Houston, Texas on March 21, and Michael died of spinal injury complications.

According to reports, the police found the 26-year-old Micheal in gun wounds and was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital, but died after spending 18 days on life support.

A man has died less than a month after police say his wife shot him multiple times at their apartment in the Galleria area.

Investigators said the shooting was a result of an argument between the couple on March 21.

According to ABC13 Houston news, court documents show the victim’s wife is facing an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge.

It was, however, revealed that the Harris County Clerk’s website reveals the charge has not been upgraded.

It added that Keaiirra is out on bond and awaiting her next court date on May 23.

According to investigators, the two children belonging to the couple witnessed the altercations that led to the shooting.

The children have been delivered to a family for care pending the case of their mother.

The neighbours said they had not experienced the couple having a disagreement before, leaving them in surprise over the issue.

“I never would have thought something like that would happen,” Francis Abah, Michael’s friend, said.

“They were just like every other couple who every now and again had issues, but I was expecting they would work it out,” Abah said.

“But you never saw them be violent towards each other,” ABC13 Houston reporter Alex Bozarjian asked.

“No, not at all,” Abah answered.

Abah said he and Michael became friends in 2018, and that their kids often played together.

“We just envisioned this whole big family get together. It is very tragic. His exit was a painful one,” Abah said.

“It’s a tough pill to swallow, and something he feels didn’t need to happen had the couple sought help.”

At just 26 years old, Michael died from complications at Ben Taub Hospital on April 8, 18 days after he was shot.

The report added that Michael’s family and friends are trying to raise money to send his body back home to Nigeria