Author: Safiu Kehinde

Safiu Kehinde Edo state governor, Monday Okpebholo, has set up a 12-man committee in a move to recover government vehicles alleged to be in custody of private individuals. Okpebholo inaugurated the committee at an event held today at Benin city. The Kelly Okungbowa-led committe was given two weeks ultimatum to ensure that government vehicles are fully recovered and subsequently returned to the State government. Meanwhile, Okpebholo appealed to members of the public who might have information about those withholding the vehicles to reach out to the state government. “A lot of vehicles used by the past administration are missing as…

Safiu Kehinde Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has, on Thursday, presented N3 trillion budget proposal before the state’s House of Assembly. As disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the governor on media and publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the budget themed ‘Budget of Sustainability’ is made up of recurrent expenditure of N1.239 trillion (41%) and capital expenditure of N1.766 trillion (59%). With a total Revenue of N2.5 trillion, the budget deficit stood at N408 billion which, according to Akosile, will be financed through external loans, internal loans, and bonds. Meanwhile, the capital expenditure is divided across six sectors…

Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile during an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday, Kyiv’s air force said, in what would be the first use in war of a weapon designed to deliver long-distance nuclear strikes. The launch, if confirmed, highlights rapidly rising tensions in the 33-month-old war after Ukraine fired U.S. and British missiles at targets inside Russia this week despite warnings by Moscow that it would see such action as a major escalation. Security experts said it would be the first military use of an intercontinental ballistic missile. ICBMs are strategic weapons designed to deliver nuclear warheads and are an…

Safiu Kehinde The International Criminal Court (ICC) Judges have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander, Mohammed Deif, over alleged war crimes. ICC called for the trio’s arrest after its pre-trial chamber dismissed Israel’s objections to its jurisdiction and approved the arrest warrants. In their ruling, judges held that there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that Netanyahu, Gallant, and Deif bear “criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict between Israel and Hamas. However, both Israel and Hamas have rejected the accusations with Israeli…

Safiu Kehinde Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has arrived at the Chambers of the State House of Assembly for the presentaion of the 2025 Budget. The Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, announced this in a post on his X handle on Thursday. As contained in the post, the Lagos 2025 budget is titled ‘Budget of Sustainability’. “Arrival of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Chambers of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) for the presentation of the Year 2025 Budget Estimates proposal. “It is christened “Budget of Sustainability”!” Akosile wrote. Accprding to the state’s…

Agency Report Senate on Thursday at plenary approved the new external borrowing plan request of $2.2billion dollars presented for consideration by President Bola Tinubu. The approval followed adoption of report of Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts. The report was presented by the Chairman of the Committee Sen. Aliyu Wammako (APC -Sokoto). President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday, Nov 19, in separate letters to both chambers of the National Assembly, requested for approval of $2.2 billion dollars external borrowing plan to part fund the N9.7trillion deficit in the 2024 budget. Senate upon receipt of the request, mandated its committee…

Safiu Kehinde Few hours after his arrest, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has ordered the remand of self-acclaimed Biafran Prime Minister, Simon Ekpa, over suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The court made the decision on Thursday after the Central Criminal Police arraigned him for his role in terror plaguing Nigeria’s southeast region, local newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reports. The Police crime commissioner and head of the investigation, Otto Hiltunen, said Ekpa was suspected to be promoting violence against civilians in Southeastern Nigeria from his base at Finland, citing his activities on social media amongst others.…

Safiu Kehinde Convicted kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (Evans) may have to consider being represented by the Lagos State Office of Public Defender (OPD) due to the absence of his counsel on several adjourned dates for the hearing of his kidnapping charges on the 30th of January 2025. Justice Adenike Cokers of Ikeja High Court, on Thursday asked the prosecution to ensure the presence of OPD at the next proceeding, if Evans’ counsel did not show up. “Tell your lawyer, Jan. 30, 2025, is for your re-arraignment and the prosecution should ensure that the office of public defender is on ground. “OPD can…

Agency Report The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has described as ‘cheap blackmail’ the allegations by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) that the Nigerian Navy was frustrating the fight against crude oil theft. The Chairman of TSSNL, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, made the allegation while hosting the National Leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday. Reacting to the allegation while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military on Thursday in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba said the allegation was laughable. He said that the military always seek cooperation of all stakeholders in the on-going…

Safiu Kehinde President Bola Tinubu has mourned former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Zakari Ibrahim following his death earlier this week. The President expressed his condolences in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday. Tinubu, as contained in the statement, commiserated with the people of Katsina, the state government, and the Emirate Council where he held the title of Talba. While praying for the late 81-year-old NIA DG who also served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Tinubu urged his family immortalize him by embodying the virtues he stood…