Category: News

Nigerian singer D’banj, also known as Dapo Oyebanjo, has been absolved of rape and N-Power fraud accusations by both the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Exclusive documents obtained by our correspondent reveal that in separate clearance reports, the police and the anti-graft agency concluded their investigations, exonerating the artist from the allegations.

According to an affidavit presented by Toheeb Lawal of the Abuja-based law firm Law Corridor, before the District Court of Abuja, the reports from the police investigation and ICPC clearance were marked as exhibits A and B. The legal practitioner asserted that both entities cleared D’banj of the rape and fraud accusations.

In 2020, D’banj faced allegations of rape, prompting an investigation ordered by the Inspector General of Police. A report dated November 14, 2023, signed by ACP YY Abubakar of the Special Enquiry Bureau at the Force Criminal Investigations Department stated that the investigation found no evidence to support the claim. The complainant later voluntarily withdrew the petition.

Additionally, in 2022, the ICPC accused D’banj of diverting funds related to the N-Power Programme. However, after investigating the matter, the ICPC clarified that there was no prima facie case of fraud against him. The commission stated that D’banj was not under investigation for any fraud-related offense.

D’banj’s lawyer, in a deposition filed before the Chief District Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, emphasized that the singer was never a government official, had no access to government funds, and supported the N-Power campaign for free, without receiving any payment from anyone or the government.

By Isaac Kertyo

As part of measures to cushion the hardship effect of fuel subsidy removal on Benue people, the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has officially handed over 100 buses to Benue Links Transport Company to ease transport challenges.

Performing the ceremony at the premises of Benue Linked Nigeria Limited on Thursday, the Governor explained that Government arrived at the decision to purchase the buses as a palliative strategy to ameliorate the hardship following removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

Governor Alia who underscored the importance of transportation to people of the state, noted that it will enhance economic growth, and charged management of the company to ensure that all drivers handling the buses are professionals.

The Governor lauded the management of Benue Links company for being proactive by identifying and opening new routes to many towns and villages across the state, describing it as a welcome development. He cautioned sabotours to stay away from Benue Links company or face full wrath of the law.

“It is our hope and expectations that more routes would be opened and fares dropped for interested passengers. There is no gain saying that transportation has become a necessity in the contemporary life, and it enhances economic growth. We purchased the buses as a palliative strategy to cushion the hardship effect of fuel subsidy removal.

As I hand over these buses, my appeal to the management of Benue Links is to ensure that all drivers handling them are qualified and professionals that are very dedicated. There should be very strict monitoring of activities with the view to checking arbitrary hikes in fares.”

The Governor commended, President Ahmed Tinubu, led Federal Government for introducing the palliatives, from which his administration has used to address transportation challenges in the state, stressing that the buses would ease transport challenges being face by Benue citizens.

Responding, the Acting General Manager Benue Links Transport company, Mr Alexander Fanafa, pledged to sustain the gesture of the state government by providing more buses for faster development. He lauded Governor Hyacinth Alia over procurement of the buses.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

Chairman of Akwa United Football Club of Nigeria, Mr Paul Bassey has been elected as the 2nd Vice President of African Clubs Association (ACA), at the launching of the association yesterday in Cairo, Egypt.

Four Nigeria Premier Football League clubs namely; Akwa United, Plateau United, Bendel Insurance and Enugu Rangers were invited by CAF to attend the association’s inauguration in Egypt and Elder Bassey, a veteran journalist and seasoned sports administrator was unanimously voted the second (2nd) Vice President by delegates.

In a post election reaction Bassey thanked his colleagues in Cairo including Barrister Amobi of Enugu Rangers who encouraged him to run for the position.

The new ACA VP said the victory was not personal, “I dedicate this victory to Nigerian Clubs on whose platform I stood to contest. Even the CAF President today acknowledged the huge contributions Nigerian clubs have made to the development of the game in the continent.

“There are a lot of positives to take away here and when we get back we have to share our experiences in order to build a better structure for our league as most clubs in Africa have dwarfed us success and infrastructure wise.”

Engineer Hersi Ally Said of Young African Football Club of Tanzania emerged the President, while the Marketing Director of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club of South Africa Jessica Motaung will serve as the 1st Vice President of the association.

African Clubs Association is a body formed by the Confederation of African Football CAF to help improve the quality and competitiveness of African Football.

The principal objective of the association is to help make African football commercially viable, globally competitive, attracting sponsors and building partnership with both private and government in the areas of providing standard sporting infrastructure as well as development of young talents within the continent.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe and other top officials as well as representatives from FIFA attended the event.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

An application seeking for interlocutory injunction restraining the Chairman of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna state from performing any official function until the determination of the case filed by eight councilors at High Court in Kaduna has been granted.

Eight Councilors had dragged the Kagarko Council Chairman, Hon. Rabo Nasara and three other institutions before Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna, challenging the rationale for reinstating the Council Chairman.

The Council Chairman Hon. Nasara was earlier suspended by the Kaduna State House of Assembly on allegation of contracts scam.

While on suspension, the Chairman was also allegedly impeached by eight of the Legislative Council members over allegation of contract scam and other offenses ranging from alleged contract inflation, awards without adequate consent of the councilors, amongst others.

The Council Chairman was however later reinstated by the State House of Assembly through the Ministry for local Government affairs after verification, against the alleged impeachment slammed on the chairman by the eight councilors, which resulted to a legal action against the Chairman and three other institutions.

When the case came up for hearing Thursday in High court 16, the application filed by the councilors seeking for an order of the court to restrain the Council chairman Hon. Rabo Nasara, from performing any official duty until the determination of the case was however extended.

Speaking in an interview with Journalists after the sitting, Counsel for the plaintiff, Barrister John Aweh Atama, said “We had an application seeking for interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from carrying out any activities until the determination of the case.

He also said “Upon service of the motion, the 1st, 3rd and 4th defendants listed below filed a counter affidavit”, saying they need time to go through what they disposed to, in their affidavit.

“So that, if there is need to file our own response, this is the reason why we’ve to take a new date to be able to do that. From what you saw in the court, they didn’t come within time, and that’s why they file a motion seeking the leave of court to give them more time within which to fo that.

“And since it is their right to seek for their response, there’ll be no need for us to oppose the application. And that’s why you noticed I said I’m not opposing their application for extension of time.

“So as it is now, the 1st, 3rd and 4th defendant’s counter affidavit have gone in, and we’re going to take a look at them and see how we can file responses to same. For the second respondents, that’s Kaduna State House of Assembly, they’ve change lawyer and brought another one.

“According to them, they’ve not received the originating processes, and that’s the reason they’ve not been able to file anything. But now that they have received same, they too will file their own response to our motion seeking for interlocutory injunction.

“And that’s why the court Judge, John Ambi, adjourned the case to the 13th of December 2023, so that all the applications be taken together.

Note that “The 1st defendant is the Council Chairman Nasara, 2nd defendant is the State House of Assembly, 3rd and 4th are ministry for LG and the Attorney General of the state, who’s the chief law officer of Kaduna state and represented all the ministries, agency and parastatals.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Eight armed criminal bandits between the age of 19, 20 and 27 years that have been kidnapping and terrorising residents of Kaduna state been arrested by the police.

Accordingly, the State Commissioner of Police (CP), Musa Yusuf Garba, has also charged police Operatives to go on the offensive as we enter the yuletide season.

The command made this disclosures in a statement signed by its spokesman Asp Mansur Hassan, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement stressed that “In a recharged drive towards guaranteeing that lives and properties are secured in Kaduna state especially during the impending festive season coupled with the Commissioner of Police Kaduna state command, CP Musa Yusuf Garba, directive to Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders to go on the offensive, Police Operatives from the Divisional Headquarters Maigana has succeeded in the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and armed robbers.

“The said Operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer had on the 17th November, 2023 at about 0200 hours stormed the criminals’ den in Nuba farm and arrested the following persons:

Those arrested are (1) Bello Suleiman 20 years old, (2) Ismail Abubakar 20 years old, (3) Usman Suleiman 20 years old, (4) Umar Suleiman Gero 19 years old and, (5) Isah Lawal 20 years old all of Farin Kasa village in Soba LGA of Kaduna state. Others are (6) Abubakar Bello 27 years old of Sakaru village in Soba LGA, (7) Ibrahim Mu’azu 20 years old of Bagaldi village Soba, and (8) Umar Suleiman.

“Preliminary inquiry disclosed that the aforesaid suspects were responsible for the abduction on the 25th August, 2023 of Hon. Kawu Ibrahim Yakasai.

“Equally, a certain Adamu Mu’azu ‘M’ of Bagaldi village was their kidnapped victim in recent time. Their gang leader one alias Hanazuwa ‘M’ of Farin Kasa village is at large though trailed. All the suspects will have their day in court at the completion of investigation”, it stated.

The Commissioner of Police Kaduna State Command, CP Musa Yusuf Garba hailed the Operatives and tasked them to even be more circumspect during this yuletide season.

The CP, as well called on the public to be security conscious as criminal elements are on the prowl to unduly meet up with the demand of the festive period.

By   Milcah   Tanimu

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have expressed concern over government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) functioning as undertakers of businesses in the country. They also highlighted challenges such as rising inflation, multiple taxes, and threats of strikes and protests that continue to impede organized businesses in Nigeria.

During the third edition of NECA Employers’ Excellence Awards 2022 in Lagos, both associations commended businesses for their resilience in the face of a challenging business environment. The Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, warned that organized businesses would no longer accept a situation where social partners or the government acted as undertakers of legitimate businesses.

While praising the resilience of businesses despite a nearly 30% inflation rate, Oyerinde emphasized the need for a conducive business environment. He urged a shift away from the current challenges and called on MDAs, ministries, and government authorities to stop hindering legitimate businesses. Oyerinde emphasized the role of organized businesses in promoting foreign direct investment and their contribution to employment and the country’s GDP.

The Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, supported NECA’s concerns, stating that most MDAs have created an unfriendly business environment. He called for policies that would improve the economy and urged the private sector to influence such policies.

Former President of NECA, Sam Ohuabunwa, stressed the importance of investment for economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. He encouraged employers, investors, and businesses to contribute to the needed investments in Nigeria.

In a related development, economist Bismarck Rewane noted that Nigerians are more concerned about the prices of essential commodities like rice, bread, and garri than the figures presented in the 2024 budget by President Bola Tinubu. Rewane emphasized the need for tangible improvements in the cost of living and basic necessities to resonate with the public.

These statements reflect the growing concerns within the business community about the challenges posed by government policies, inflation, and other factors affecting the overall business environment in Nigeria.

A Nigerian nurse based in the United Kingdom has reportedly been terminated from her job after being found praying for an elderly patient. The incident was disclosed by online doctor Harvey Olufunmilayo through his Twitter handle, @drolufunmilayo.

While the claim is yet to be independently verified, the doctor shared the story as a cautionary tale for Nigerian doctors working in the UK, advising them against praying for patients. According to the doctor, it is not customary for nurses to engage in praying for patients, and if religious services are required, a cleric should be called in to perform them.

The tweet reads, “I just read the sad story of a Nigerian who came to the UK and was employed by an agency to work as a caregiver for elderly people. She was assigned to care for an elderly patient who was dying, and she was reported for ‘praying for the client to get better’. Yeah. She got sacked and deported.”

The doctor also suggested that bringing religion into healthcare in the UK is considered an abuse of trust and a misuse of one’s position, emphasizing that healthcare professionals are expected to focus solely on their job responsibilities.