The Osun State Government has expressed deep sadness over the unfortunate loss of a Customs officer, SC Kabiru Tijani, his wife and three children, in an inferno that occured at his house at Ede, Osun state, on Sunday.....Read Full Article>>

The fire, which source is yet to be ascertained, broke out at the residence of the late Tijani, burning the officer, his wife and three children who are in the house when it occured. Only a 13 year old child who is a member of the family survived the incident. In a message of condolence to the family of the deceased and the Nigeria Customs, Governor Ademola Adeleke in a statement signed by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, described the incident as touching and painful, expressing the heartfelt sympathy of the government and the people of Osun to loved ones of the deceased. Governor Adeleke however advised residents in the state to be alert to their environment and do away with anything that could ignite fire in this dry season, noting that management of electrical appliances and inflammable objects must adhere to proper safety measures.

He also tasked emergency management bodies, such as O’Ambulance, to intensify rescue alertness in communities and towns across the state, declaring his administration’s resolve to keep the people and property safe.

“I am distraught to hear about the terrible fire incident that resulted in the death of SC Kabiru Tijani, his wife, and three children, at his residence in Ede, Osun state. It is really painful for me, and I want to use this avenue to commiserate with the family of the deceased and the Nigeria Customs,” Governor Adeleke noted.

“It is my prayer that God Almighty repose their souls and give their loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses occasioned by their death.”

The Anambra State Government has suspended the installation of solar-powered street lights in Awka metropolis, which would have cost the state over N1 billion.....Read Full Article>>

This decision was made during the 35th Anambra State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Awka.

I spent 24 years in prison for refusing to join in murder, money ritual plot — Ismaila Lasisi

During last week’s Executive Council meeting, three companies were listed as having been awarded the contract expected to be completed in three months.

According to the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, the council extensively debated the memo for the installation of the solar-powered street lights and resolved that the unit cost was too high and required a downward review.

It was gathered that the memo was stepped down and rescheduled for re-presentation at the next State Executive Council meeting, where all specifications will be available.

“This move is a prudent decision to ensure the project’s execution at a reasonable cost. The previous release incorrectly stated that the street light project had been awarded.

“The government regrets the mistake. The public will be updated on the project’s status once a decision is made”, the EXCO was said to have decided.

According to SaharaReporters from top police sources that Pastor Idowu, who is also popularly known as the “Next-Level Prayer Conference” pastor was arrested by the police and is under probe for alleged real estate fraud and money laundering.....Read Full Article>>

Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the Nigerian police are currently grilling the Lead Pastor of the Harvesters International Christian Center (HICC), Bolaji Idowu, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

SaharaReporters learnt from top police sources that Pastor Idowu, who is also popularly known as the “Next-Level Prayer Conference” pastor was arrested by the police and is under probe for alleged real estate fraud and money laundering. “The Next Level Prayer Conference, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, has been arrested by the police, and he is being grilled in Abuja over real estate fraud and money laundering,” a top p police source said.

“He is at the FCID Abuja as we speak,” another source added.

Pastor Idowu started the church in December 2003.

Over the years, it has expanded locations across Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

According to the church website, the Harvesters church attracts over 70,000 worshippers both online and onsite.

Pastor Idowu’s “Next Level Prayers” is a platform where participants offline and online are encouraged to build a prayer life.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has confirmed that the Port Harcourt refinery, with a production capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, is operational and currently producing various refined petroleum products, including diesel, kerosene, and petrol.....Read Full Article>>

This update was provided by the PENGASSAN National President, Festus Osifo, during the association’s National Executive Council Meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja, dispelling any doubts about the refinery’s operations. Despite the refinery’s much-anticipated commencement of production, there has been considerable debate over its functionality.

However, Osifo reassured attendees that the facility is indeed operational, although additional maintenance is still needed to complete its full functionality.

Osifo also clarified that the refinery’s operations would not lead to a reduction in petrol prices, highlighting that the current value of the naira against foreign currency plays a significant role in determining the price of refined products.

He stated, “The confirmation I have today is that the refinery is working. However, I need to explain the refining process. First, we appreciate Nigerians for holding the government accountable, as we must ensure the workability of our assets. We cannot just accept everything the government tells us; we must verify it.

“We are also pleased with the media’s efforts to keep the government accountable regarding the refinery’s progress. We conducted checks with our members working there. The fractional distillation unit, commonly known as the CDU, processes crude oil by heating it at different temperatures to produce various products.”

Osifo further explained that while the Port Harcourt refinery produces diesel, kerosene, and naphtha, the refining process for petrol is still incomplete. Maintenance is ongoing, and naphtha is currently being blended with other materials to produce petrol, but the unit that produces reformate, a key ingredient, is still being finished.

He emphasised that the operation of the refinery will create jobs and boost the economy, but will not reduce the cost of petroleum products due to the weak naira.

“The greatest challenge is the weakness of our currency.

“With the naira trading at 1 dollar to 1,700 naira, the cost of goods, including petroleum products, will remain high,” Osifo explained.

Popular Airline in Nigeria reduces ticket prices for all destinations....Read Full Article>>

Nigeria’s oldest airline, Aero Contractors, has reduced the price of domestic flights to N80,000 for all routes during the festive season.

The airline’s management revealed that this offer, available until January 2025, is intended to make travel more accessible during the holidays.

Previously, ticket prices for routes like Lagos to Abuja ranged from nearly N100,000 for economy to over N180,000 for business class.
With this adjustment, Aero aims to simplify travel costs for passengers during the busy holiday season.

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has voiced cautious support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills, while urging transparency, inclusivity, and broad public participation in the process.....Read Full Article>>

In a statement released on his official Twitter account, Obi described tax reform as a “critical issue” for Nigeria but emphasized that it must be approached thoughtfully and inclusively.

He called for public hearings to ensure that Nigerians from diverse backgrounds have a platform to engage in the reform process. “Tax reform is a critical issue, and there is nothing wrong with pursuing it,” Obi stated.

“However, such reform must be subject to robust and informed public debate. A public hearing on tax reform is essential, allowing Nigerians from all walks of life to engage meaningfully. This is how we build public trust and ensure inclusivity in policymaking.”

Obi highlighted the importance of considering the broader impact of tax reforms, beyond merely increasing government revenue. He argued that any policy changes must take into account their overall effects on the nation’s economic and social sustainability.

“When considering tax reforms and similar issues, it is insufficient to focus solely on the benefits to the government, particularly in terms of increasing revenue collection. We must also take into account the overall impact on the nation and the sustainability of all its regions,” Obi said.

Acknowledging the significance of reform, Obi urged the government to prioritize public sensitization and secure buy-in from citizens to foster trust and legitimacy in governance.

“Let us prioritize transparency, deliberation, and public engagement in charting the path forward. This is how we build a truly participatory democracy,” he concluded.

Obi’s statement comes amid growing debates on Tinubu’s tax reform agenda, with some critics arguing it could impose undue burdens on ordinary Nigerians. His endorsement, tempered with calls for transparency and public dialogue, underscores the need for a balanced approach that aligns economic policy with the interests of the people.

Joe Igbokwe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, owns the newly seized Abuja estate with 753 duplexes, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently took over.....Read Full Article>>

The APC chieftain made this claim while reacting to the EFCC’s announcement on Monday, December 2.

According to the EFCC, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the forfeiture of the estate in his judgment on Monday evening. On Monday, December 2, the EFCC announced that it had made the largest single asset recovery since its establishment in 2003. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled on the final forfeiture of an estate located on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.

Joe Igbokwe stated that former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele is the owner of the 753 duplexes forfeited by the FCT Court to the EFCC.

According to the anti-graft agency, the estate measures 150,500 square meters and contains 753 units of duplexes and other apartments. Justice Onwuegbuzie ruled that the property should be forfeited to the federal government.

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Reacting to the report, Joe Igbokwe, in a Facebook post on Monday evening, December 2, alleged that the property belonged to the immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

“I hear with one ear that the 753 duplexes forfeited by an FCT Court in Apo belong to former CBN Gov Godwin Emefiele. This one choked me to the marrow. Many Nigerians no dey fear God again oooo. Godwin Emefiele is one of them.”

Although the EFCC did not mention the estate’s owner, the anti-graft agency has probed the former apex bank governor and has secured several court judgments to take over the ownership of Emefiele’s property.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has disputed claims by Amnesty International that the police used excessive force and k!lled 24 citizens during the nationwide End Bad Governance protests, also tagged Hunger protests, that held between August 1 and 10.....Read Full Article>>

Reacting to the report by Amnesty International, Egbetokun said that contrary to the claim by Amnesty, seven d£@ths, and not 24, were recorded during the protests, and the police were not responsible for the d£@ths.

Amnesty International had in its report released last week alleged that no fewer than 24 protesters were k!lled and over 1,200 others detained by the Nigeria Police during the nationwide demonstrations.

The organisation stated that those k!lled included 20 young people, an older adult, and two children.

Reacting to the report, the IG, in a statement on Monday, Dec. 2, by the Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, described the allegations as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to his office by affected commands.

Egbetokun said, “The Nigeria Police Force has expressed serious concern regarding a recent 34-page report released by Amnesty International, which alleges police culpability in the deaths and arrests of protesters, and the use of excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.

“The Force categorically refutes these allegations as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to the office of the Inspector-General of Police by affected commands”.

Egbetokun maintained that throughout the protests police officers conducted themselves professionally by the rules of engagement.

He said, “The Force wishes to reiterate that throughout the protests, it operated in compliance with established rules of engagement, including providing security for peaceful protesters.

“The Inspector-General of Police had issued clear directives to all Commissioners of Police on managing the protests, emphasising that officers should not deploy arms to manage protests.

“Instead, arms were only to be used when protests escalated into riots involving loss of lives and property damage. Even then, engagement with armed protesters was limited strictly to specialised armed units to restore order.”

“The Nigeria Police Force recorded several unpalatable incidents during the protests, which were accurately documented and publicly shared.

“For example, in Borno State, four individuals tragically lost their lives, and 34 others sustained severe injuries following an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP operatives who infiltrated the protest and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device.

“Similarly, in another isolated incident, an unregistered vehicle rammed into protesters, resulting in two fatalities. These events, which accounted for the total of seven recorded deaths during the protests, were not caused by police actions.”

Egbetokun stated that in states where foreign flags were displayed, police officers were attacked, and properties were destroyed, the force deployed tear gas to prevent further escalation and maintain public safety.

He said, “Furthermore, in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa, and Niger States, some protesters displayed foreign flags, destroyed public and private property, and attacked police personnel deployed to ensure their safety.

“The Police Force had to employ strategic measures, including the lawful use of tear gas, to prevent further escalation and ensure public safety. The use of tear gas is a globally accepted practice for dispersing unruly crowds and was applied judiciously without recourse to live ammunition.”

The IG insisted that the police didn’t fire live ammunition or cause the death of protesters during the protests.

Egbetokun said, “It is important to state that the police did not fire live ammunition nor caused the death of any protester. Officers demonstrated professionalism, restraint, and adherence to constitutional and international standards, even when subjected to attacks and injuries.

“Arrests made during the protests targeted individuals engaging in criminal acts such as treason, vandalism, robbery, arson, and looting. These arrests were conducted lawfully, and those detained were treated within the ambit of the law.

“In a gesture of magnanimity, the Federal Government has since granted pardon to the individuals arrested during the protests despite the severity of their offences, evidencing its commitment to reconciliation and national unity.”

Egbetokun ordered investigations into the claims by Amnesty International, directing the affected Commissioners of Police to submit a detailed incident report within one week.

He said, “In response to Amnesty International’s allegations, the IGP has directed a comprehensive investigation into the claims. Commissioners of Police in the affected states have been mandated to submit further detailed reports on the incidents within one week. This directive aims to identify any deviation from the Standard Operating Procedures and rules of engagement, irrespective of the security agencies involved.”