Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello Arraigned Amid Heavy Security. The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, appeared at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, amid a heavy security presence. Arriving at the court around 8:50 am, Bello faced charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC accuses Bello of financial misconduct, including the alleged mismanagement of state funds, embezzlement, and abuse of office during his tenure as governor from 2016 to 2023. The charges follow ongoing investigations into his financial dealings. According to reports,…

Ceasefire Deal Reached Between Israel And Hezbollah. After 13 months of conflict, a landmark ceasefire agreement has been announced to halt hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia. The deal, brokered by the United States and France, aims to restore peace in Lebanon and secure Israel from militant threats. Key Terms of the Agreement US President Joe Biden described the deal as “a permanent ceasefire,” with measures to ensure stability along the Israel-Lebanon border. Under the agreement: – Hezbollah will withdraw its fighters and weapons from the area between the Blue Line—the de facto Israel-Lebanon border—and the…

Trump’s Tariff Plans Spark Concern From Affected Countries. Officials from Canada, Mexico, and China have voiced strong opposition to President-elect Donald Trump’s recent pledge to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from America’s top trading partners. They warn that such measures could have devastating economic consequences for all involved. Trump announced plans to introduce 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, alongside a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, in what he described as an effort to curb drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Concerns from Canada   Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his dismay and pledged to work constructively…

Families Seek Justice After Australian Teens Die In Suspected Methanol Poisoning In Laos. The families of two Australian teenagers, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, are calling for justice after their tragic deaths in Laos from suspected methanol poisoning. The 19-year-olds were among six foreign tourists who reportedly consumed toxic bootleg alcohol, leading to a fatal outcome. Laos authorities have detained eight individuals, all staff at the Nana Backpackers hostel in Vang Vieng, where the victims were staying. The hostel, now closed, has denied serving illicit alcohol, but investigations are ongoing. Families Welcome Progress   The bodies of Ms Jones…

Arsenal Thrash Sporting 5-1 In Champions League Masterclass. Arsenal delivered a scintillating performance in Lisbon, defeating Sporting 5-1 to secure their most emphatic Champions League away win in years. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhães, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard all found the net as the Gunners showcased their attacking prowess. The victory marked a significant statement for Mikel Arteta’s side, lifting them to seventh in the table and ending their five-match winless run in Champions League away games. Martinelli opened the scoring early, tapping home Jurrien Timber’s low cross in the seventh minute — Arsenal’s fastest…

Manchester City Surrender Three-Goal Lead As Feyenoord Stun Etihad. Manchester City’s struggles continued as they squandered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in a dramatic Champions League encounter at the Etihad Stadium. City seemed in full control after Erling Haaland netted twice and Ilkay Gundogan added another to give the hosts a commanding lead. However, Feyenoord mounted a remarkable comeback, silencing the home crowd and delighting the 5,000 travelling fans. Anis Hadj Moussa sparked the comeback in the 69th minute, capitalising on a defensive error by Josko Gvardiol to pull one back for the Dutch side.…

Lewandowski Hits Champions League Milestone As Barcelona Outclass Brest. Robert Lewandowski etched his name further into Champions League history by becoming the third player to score 100 goals in the competition as Barcelona delivered a commanding performance to defeat Brest. The 36-year-old Poland striker joined the exclusive century club, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo (141) and Lionel Messi (129) in the all-time rankings. Lewandowski’s milestone came early in the match when he converted a penalty in the 10th minute, following a collision with Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot. Barcelona doubled their lead through Dani Olmo, who netted his first…

Yahaya Bello Honours EFCC Invitation Amid Allegations. Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has once again presented himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja to address allegations of financial mismanagement during his tenure. Arriving at the EFCC headquarters on Tuesday in a black Hilux vehicle, the former governor was accompanied by his legal team. Notably, the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, was absent from the visit, contrary to earlier speculations. This latest development comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the EFCC’s authority to investigate state officials, reinforcing…

House Of Representatives Removes Danladi Umar As CCT Chairman. The House of Representatives has removed Danladi Umar from his position as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), invoking constitutional provisions despite lacking the required two-thirds majority. During Tuesday’s plenary session, lawmakers relied on Paragraph 17(3), Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 22(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. This stipulates that the removal of the CCT Chairman requires a two-thirds majority vote from both legislative chambers. With the House comprising 360 members, the required threshold stands at 240; however,…

CBN Adjusts Monetary Policy Rate To 27.50%. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised its monetary policy rate (MPR) to 27.50%, an increase from the previous 27.25%. The decision was made during the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) final meeting of the year, held at the bank’s headquarters in Abuja. Announcing the adjustment, CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso emphasised that the move aligns with the bank’s commitment to tackling inflation and ensuring economic stability. The MPR, a critical tool in shaping interest rates, has a direct impact on the cost of borrowing and the broader economy. The decision reflects…

President Tinubu Orders Swift Restart Of Warri And Kaduna Refineries. President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to expedite the reopening of the Warri and Kaduna refineries as part of ongoing efforts to revitalise the nation’s energy sector. This directive was issued as the President commended NNPCL for successfully restoring operations at the Port Harcourt refinery, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s push for energy self-sufficiency. President Tinubu expressed gratitude to former President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating the rehabilitation of the country’s refineries, highlighting the importance of continuity in governance. He also acknowledged…

Governor Sanwo-Olu Suspends Senior Aide Over Misrepresentation. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced the suspension of his Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, Mr. Wale Ajetunmobi, following the misrepresentation of facts on his personal “X” account regarding a past incident. The suspension comes in the wake of concerns over the inaccuracy of Mr. Ajetunmobi’s statements, which have raised doubts about his conduct. In response, the Governor has reiterated his administration’s firm stance against any form of extrajudicial punishment, emphasising that such actions have no place in the state’s values. Governor Sanwo-Olu stated, “We categorically denounce any…