Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, is set to spend more time behind bars as he failed to produce the ₦300 million bail amount specified by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court. The court had earlier granted Emefiele bail on charges related to corrupt practices. Justice Hamza Muazuof the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja had initially granted bail to Emefiele in the sum of ₦300 million, along with two sureties in like sum. The bail application was filed by his legal representative, Mathew Burkaa, SAN. This decision comes after the former CBN…

President Bola Tinubu will, on Wednesday, depart Abuja for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to attend the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28) Climate Summit. In a statement issued on Wednesday by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the World Leaders’ Summit will take place on December 1 and 2, 2023, under the theme, “Unite, Act, and Deliver.” Ngelale said President Tinubu will deliver a national statement at the summit, highlighting Nigeria’s stance on various thematic issues, including renewable energy and climate financing. Mindful of the severe impact of climate change on Nigeria, such as desertification, flooding, erosion, drought, and national…

There were scenes of wild celebrations as Rivers Hoopers were crowned champions of the 2023 Nigeria Premier Basketball League on Saturday in Port Harcourt after they defeated Nigeria Customs 77-57 on the last day of the Final Four playoff to end the campaign with an unbeaten record of 13 games. Consequently, the KingsMen picked the ticket as Nigeria’s sole representative at the 2024 Basketball Africa League. Earlier in the day, Gboko City Chiefs defeated Hoops & Read 80-70 to move temporarily on top of the league standings and opened up a three-way battle for the league title, with all of…

Willian scored an injury-time winner from the penalty spot as Wolves were on the wrong end of more video assistant referee controversy in their Premier League defeat at Fulham. Alex Iwobi had opened the scoring in the seventh minute for the hosts, side-footing Antonee Robinson’s cutback through the legs of Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa. Matheus Cunha equalised for the visitors after 22 minutes, heading in Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s cross after the Frenchman skilfully beat Robinson down the right. Willian restored Fulham’s lead with the first penalty of the game just before the hour mark after Nelson Semedo had caught Tom Cairney…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been inundated with barrage of complaints from well-meaning Nigerians concerning unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts, which investigations by the Commission have linked to Automated Teller Machine, ATM, Debit Card swapping or fraud. The modus operandi of fraudsters involved in this nefarious practice involves keeping a debit card of the same bank, and in the guise of helping a confused bank customer at any ATM point, swaps the card in such a hurry that the customer would not notice and at the same time memorises the pin used in trying the fake…

The Confederation of African football has announced the final shortlists for the women’s categories of the 2023 CAF Awards, with Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie making the cut. In the Player of the Year zone, the Barcelona striker will battle with her France-based compatriot, Zambia’s Barbara Babanda, and South Africa’s trio of Andile Dlamini, Hilda Magaia as well as Thembi Kgatlana for the individual accolade. Others are Cameroon and Inter Milan star Ajara Njoya and the Morocco trio of Anissa Lahmari, Fatima Tagnaout, and Ghizalaine Chebbak who plays professional fooball at AS FAR. It is a double delight for goalkeeper…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Board and Management team for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which would take effect from December 1, 2023. In a statement on Monday by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the appointment complies with Section 59 (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. President Tinubu anticipates the fullest measure of compliance with the performance-driven and results-oriented mandate of his Renewed Hope administration in implementing an energy policy that will monetize all available oil and gas resources of today. The president added that the policy would pave the way for the total…

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday confirmed three of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominees of cabinet rank. This was made known in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Eromosele Ebhomele. The House confirmed Abiodun Ogunleye for the position of Commissioner. It also approved two others for the positions of Special Adviser to the governor (cabinet ranks). Their confirmation took place during a plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa. Earlier, Hon. Mojeed Fatai, chairman of the ad-hoc committee set up to screen nominees of the…

Veteran comedian, Bright Okpocha popularly known as Basketmouth, has set a five year plan to quit comedy. Basketmouth said he would be quiting comedy when he clocks 50 years to build his own empire and work in every aspect of the entertainment industry. The 45-year-old, during an interview on Arise TV, explained that he plans to retire after doing a run of yearly comedy shows for the following five years. He said even though he initially gave up a music career in the 1990s to pursue comedy, he had always known he would return to it. “In five years, I…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the 2024 Appropriation Bill with aggregate expenditure of N27.5 trillion. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, announced this on Monday after the federal cabinet meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The minister also said the targeted revenue for next year is N18 trillion. According to him, further details of the budget will be released when President Tinubu makes his presentation of the budget to the National Assembly. Bagudu also said FEC also approved the revised 2024 – 2026…

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has affirmed Ahmed Aliyu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the Governor of Sokoto State. In a ruling on Monday, a three-member panel of justices affirmed Aliyu as the winner of the March 18 governorship election after dismissing the appeal of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Saidu Umar. Recall that Umar had challenged the outcome of the Sokoto governorship election, citing alleged falsification of certificates, variation of names, election fraud and non-compliance with electoral guidelines. Also, the court held that the subpoenaed witnesses failed to front-load their statement on…

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has sacked the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman. The Appeal Court ordered a rerun in five polling units. The State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal had on September 30 nullified the victory of Liman representing Makera State Constituency and ordered a rerun in 42 polling units. This followed a petition filed before the Tribunal by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Solomon Katuka, challenging the election of Liman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In his petition, the PDP candidate alleged gross irregularities regarding the election of the…