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The attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has urged the National Assembly to consult widely before passing the bill seeking the return of the old national anthem.The minister said this on Monday, at a public hearing by the Senate Committee on judiciary, human rights and legal matters in Abuja. Mr Fagbemi urged the two chambers of the National Assembly to allow inputs from Nigerians before passing a decision on the bill. “Against the background of the foregoing, I am of the considered opinion that the revered issue of choice of a national anthem should not come into being only by legislative fiat, or presidential proclamation alone. “It is not out of place for Nigeria to be guided by the process of evolution of a national anthem in other...

The police spokesperson in Lagos state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said a blogger identified as Stanley, will be prosecuted for allegedly defaming a businessman, Emeka Okonkwo, widely known as E-money, in his online video. Mr Hundeyin disclosed this on Monday while parading the suspect before journalists at the command’s headquarters, Ikeja. The image maker said that the command received a petition from E-money about the offensive video, stressing that a crack squad of the command, who swung into action for investigation, arrested the 24-year-old suspect at Uromi in Edo. “He is going to be prosecuted because the things he engaged in were criminal in nature. He has allegedly defamed E-money and he is going to be prosecuted. “We are not prosecuting the suspect because of the personal...

Happiness Uduk, the Calabar zonal coordinator of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has described the proliferation of universities in the country as a worrisome trend.Happiness Uduk, the Calabar zonal coordinator of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has described the proliferation of universities in the country as a worrisome trend. Ms Uduk said at a press conference in Uyo on Monday that the trend was not in the interest of the nation’s education sector. Ms Uduk said that rather than establishing more universities, governments and other stakeholders should ensure adequate funding for the existing ones. “The proliferation of universities across the country is not in the best interest of the education sector. The existing ones should be adequately fun...

The former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde is dead. Though details of his death is still sketchy at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that he died in Egyptian hospital where he had gone to seek medical attention for an undisclosed ailment. Ibrahim Lamorde was born on 20 December 1962. He was a Nigerian police officer who was appointed Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 23 November 2011 after chairman Farida Waziri had been dismissed by President Goodluck Jonathan. He was confirmed as Chairman by the Senate on 15 February 2012.

Two women have lost their lives after being struck by lightning during the rain in the FESTAC area of Lagos State. Police spokesman in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, made this known in a post he shared on his X handle – @benHundeyin, on Saturday. Mr Hundeyin said that the incident happened during the rain on Friday. “Somewhere on First Avenue, FESTAC, two women remained indoors during the downpour yesterday. “Lightning struck, electrocuting them instantly and causing a fire outbreak,” he said. According to him, the victims live in a shanty built under high-voltage wires. The spokesman sympathised with the deceased, and prayed that their souls rest in peace.NAN

.The police command and other security agencies in Kano will adhere strictly to the court order halting the installation of a new emir, the commissioner, Usaini Gumel, has said.Mr Gumel told journalists on Saturday in Kano that the Federal High Court order in suit FHC/KN/CS/182/2024, dated May 23, 2024, was still subsisting and would be enforced. Mr Gumel spoke at a press conference held at the police headquarters in Bompai, Kano. The Kano Division of the Federal High Court had halted the installation of a new emir on Thursday after the state government abrogated the Emirates Council Law, which effectively dissolved the five emirates created by former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. On Thursday, Governor Abba Yusuf signed the Kano Emirate Bill (2024) into law and announced the r...

A tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on Saturday morning exploded after falling on its side on the Ibafo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, causing gridlock. Florence Okpe, the spokesperson, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun, confirmed the incident to journalists in Abeokuta. Ms Okpe said men of the Ogun State Fire Service were at the scene of the crash, with efforts ongoing to put out the fire. ” FRSC operatives from Ibafo outpost are on ground managing the traffic situation. ” We are witnessing traffic build up between Ago Igbala, the road traffic crash scene, and MFM prayer city on the outward Lagos section of the expressway,” she said. Ms Okpe said full details of the crash would be provided as soon as possible.NAN

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Friday refused to grant an application filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd, seeking an interim order restraining the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from requesting any financial, accounting, or tax documents from them.Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by the applicants’ counsel, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), directed all parties not to take any step that could make the suit’s outcome nugatory. Although the ruling was delivered on Wednesday, its certified true copy was sighted on Friday. “The ex-parte order for interim injunction dated 8th day of May 2024 and filed 16th day of May 2024 is hereby refused,” he declared. Justice Omotosho then adjourned the matter until May 30 for a hearing of the motion o...

The police command in Kaduna State said its operatives have rescued three kidnapped victims and arrested a notorious kidnapper in the state. The command’s public relations officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the rescue and arrest in a statement on Friday in Kaduna. Mr Hassan said, “On May 21, at about 14:50hrs, the divisional police officer (DPO) of Kidandan division received a distress call reporting that unknown bandits had blocked the Kidandan-Dogon Dawa Road and kidnapped an unspecified number of individuals.” He said in response, the DPO swiftly mobilised personnel from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), attached to Operation Whirl Punch in Galadimaw, and proceeded to the scene in an Armored Personnel Vehicle (APV). Mr Hassan said, “Upon arrival, the police team engaged the...

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf on Friday presented Muhammadu Sanusi with a letter of appointment as the 16th Emir of Kano. The development follows the signing into law of the amended Kano State Emirate Council Law by the governor on Thursday. The amended law abolished the five emirate councils and sacked the emirs appointed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in 2019, paving the way for Mr Sanusi’s re-enthronement. While presenting the letter, Mr Yusuf said, “Sanusi is a victim of the immediate past administration, who is now being restored to his rightful position to lead the people.” Members of the Kano Emirate Council, district heads and title holders graced the ceremony. It also marked a new chapter in the history of the Kano Emirate with the re-enthronement of Mr Sanu...

The National Bureau of Statistics says the average retail price of a litre of kerosene increased from N1,354.40 recorded in March 2024 to N1,439.64 in April 2024. Kerosene price jumped from N1,160 to N1,439 under TinubuThe bureau said this in its Kerosene Price Watch for April 2024, released in Abuja on Friday. NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA • MAY 24, 2024Kerosene pump and TinubuKerosene pump and TinubuThe National Bureau of Statistics says the average retail price of a litre of kerosene increased from N1,354.40 recorded in March 2024 to N1,439.64 in April 2024. The bureau said this in its Kerosene Price Watch for April 2024, released in Abuja on Friday. It said the April price of N1,439.64 represented a 6.29 per cent increase compared to what was obtained in March 2024 at N1,354.40. ...

The Council of Chiefs of Ayede Ogbese kingdom in Akure North Local Government area of Ondo state, on Friday voted to suspend Lisa of the kingdom, High Chief Femi Fajenbimo from presiding over its activities. At a meeting presided over by the Odo of Ayede Ogbese, Chief Olawunmi Akeredolu and all twelve chiefs in attendance unanimously to suspend High Chief Fajembimo for acts ranging from conspiracy to seize the throne of Ayede Ogbese. The Yeyelobirin of the Kingdom, Chief Comfort Olugboyero was also suspended. The Chairman of the kingdom Royal Economic Advisory Council, Prince Adetunji Alade-Okin, a sawmiller was also asked to step aside pending the return of normalcy to the town following the untimely death of Oba Raphael Olaleye Oluyede II. Chief Fajembimo was accused among o...

The House of Representatives has resolved to meet with representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress in a bid to convince the latter to shelve its planned strike over minimum wage. The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary on Thursday in the absence of Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, assured Nigerians that the meeting with labour unions would help resolve the controversy surrounding the agitations over a new minimum wage for Nigerians. The House resolution followed the adoption of a motion on a matter of personal explanation moved by the member representing Etche/ Omuma Federal Constituency of Rivers State, Kelechi Nwogu during plenary. The lawmaker reminded his colleagues that organised labour has announced a plan to embark on strike with effect from May 31, over a d...

By Joan Nwagwu The Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education (SSUCOEN) has appealed to the Federal Government to stop incessant conversion of the Colleges of Education to universities. Mr Danladi Msheliza, President of SSUCOEN said this in a communique jointly signed by Nwenyi Isioma, National Secretary of the union on Thursday in Abuja. The communique was issued at the 38th National Delegates Conference of the union held at Federal College of Education (Technical) Bichi, Kano State. Msheliza said that the Conference viewedrecent decision to convert some Colleges of Education (COEs) to universities as a misguided and short-sighted move. According to him, this will have far-reaching devastating consequences for the education sector. “This conversion will not only lead t...

A Federal High Court in Kano has issued an order stopping the Kano State Government from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law. Justice Mohammed Liman granted the order in an application by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate. Court papers regarding the case have since gone viral. The Kano State House of Assembly, on Thursday, dissolved all the four newly created emirate councils in the state. The dissolution of the affected Emirates was a sequel to deliberations on the floor of the House during plenary. Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Thursday, reappointed Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, four years after he was dethroned by a former governor of the state, Umar Ganduje. In addition, the governor deposed five emi...

Turkish Airlines has described as illegal the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) ‘s recent picketing of the organisation, which disrupted its operations and forced flight cancellations on Tuesday. The airline made its position known in a statement issued by its media relations office on Thursday. It said the National Industrial Court (NICN) had on April 30 issued formal notices of injunction restraining NUATE and its affiliate unions from embarking on any industrial action to disrupt its business. The airline said NUATE’s action, carried out under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was contrary to its transparency and management principles and had caused serious financial losses. “Our attention has been drawn to various malicious and unfounded pu...

On Thursday, the FCT High Court admitted former aviation minister Hadi Sirika and his brother Abubakar to N100 million bail each and two sureties each in like sum. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Mr Sirika, his brother and a company, Enginos Nigeria Ltd, with eight counts of abuse of office, criminal breach of trust and use of position for gratification. Justice Suleiman Belgore, in his ruling on the defendants’ bail applications, held that he found merit in their bail applications. “I find considerable merit in this application. He is a presumably innocent fellow not likely to jump bail. He deserves to be granted bail and I so do,” the judge held. The judge adopted the terms and conditions of bail granted to the former minister in a sister case mar...

FCT minister Nyesom Wike says 120km of roads across the six Area Councils of the capital will be completed and inaugurated before December. Mr Wike stated this in Abuja on Thursday during the ministerial sectoral update on the performance of President Bola Tinubu in the last year. He said, “As I speak to you today, before December this year, we are going to commission not less than 120 kilometres of road in the six Area Councils of the FCT.” Mr Wike described the feat as simply taking governance to the people’s doorsteps, particularly those in rural areas. He added that taking governance to the people was also a demonstration of good governance in line with Mr Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda. “People say ‘government’. What is government when people don’t have impact? People onl...