Author: Safiu Kehinde

Safiu Kehinde The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has dismissed lawsuit filed by a Nigerian, Chukwuemeka Edeh, demanding five million naira damages for alleged unlawful detention and torture by the defunct police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The petitioner had approached the court with an application praying for the enforcement of his rights and a default judgment against Nigeria following the government’s failure to defend the case. Delivering judgment, however, the three-member panel of the court, presided over by Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, read by Justice Edward Asante with Justice Dupe Atoki as member, dismissed the applicant’s claim of default…

Safiu Kehinde An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced one Ismail Mustapha to 14 years imprisonment over attempted to sexual assault of his neighbour’s daughters. Mustapha was docked on four-count charge bordering on defilement and sexual assault by penetration of two blood sisters (names withheld), ages eight and 11 years respectively. One of the sisters and their mother had already testified before the court how Mustapha entered their house and defiled the girls while they were asleep The prosecution later informed the court that the parties had entered a plea and sentence agreement dated Nov. 13, thereby…

Agency Report The International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos, has advised journalists and other media practitioners to observe personal safety standards and professionalism while covering the Ondo State governorship elections. Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, IPC, gave the admonition in a statement issued on Friday by Melody Akinjiyan, Press Freedom Officer, IPC. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ondo State gubernatorial election holds on Saturday. Arogundade said the admonition became necessary due to the important role of the media during electioneering processes. He added that the warning was also due to growing concerns over journalists’ safety. “Though this…

Safiu Kehinde The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has denied claims of recruiting while cautioning potential job seekers against falling victim to scammers. A statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide on Friday in Abuja, said that the clarification became necessary following desperate efforts by alleged fraudsters to scam unsuspecting job seekers. He maintained that there is no ongoing arrangement for recruitment in the Corps. “The attention of the FRSC has been drawn to a publication by online platforms misinforming the public about ongoing recruitment of personnel into the services of the Corps. “This medium is to…

Agency Report Gas cylinders conveyed in a truck have exploded at a Filling station in Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State, causing damage to about six vehicles. The police spokesman in the state, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu disclosed this in a statement issued in Katsina on Friday. He said that on Nov. 15, a loud explosion was heard by police operatives attached to Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters and promptly the DPO led a team in collaboration with the military, to the scene. “Upon arrival operatives found a truck loaded with gas cylinders engulfed in flames at Tamal filling station,…

Safiu Kehinde The remains of late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, is set for internment as the funeral service held in his honour ended at the National Christian Centre Abuja. The remains of the late ay Chief arrived at the church at 11:17 am in a military motorcade and was ushered in by the military ‘pipe band’ and horsemen. NPO reported Lagbaja’s death on the 5th of November, 2024. He died at the age of 56 after protracted illness which initially saw him absent from public events. Meanwhile, the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and other top…

Safiu Kehinde President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged Ondo governorship candidates to let tomorrow’s election reflect the people’s will. Tinubu made this charge in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga. While urging the electorates to uphold peace and decorum, the President admonished the governorship candidates and other political stakeholders to respect the right and decision of the people. He, however, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its diligent preparation for the election and timely distribution of the election materials. The statement read in part; “As Ondo State prepares for…

Safiu Kehinde The Supreme Court has dismissed the lawsuit filed by several state governors questioning the constitutionality of the legislation that established the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies. The initial lawsuit was filed by the Attorney General of Kogi State, and subsequently, additional states joined in filing comparable lawsuits, with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) named as the sole defendant. According to report, a seven-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji upheld the existence and the powers of the anti-graft agency to prosecute financial crime offenders. The states had argued in the suit brought against…

Mia le Roux who was set to represent South Africa at the Miss Universe finals this weekend in Mexico has pulled out of the competition, organisers have announced, citing health concerns. The 28-year-old made history as the first-ever deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa in August, following a controversy-hit competition which saw one finalist withdraw after being trolled over her Nigerian heritage. She had spent weeks in Mexico preparing for the finale of the prestigious beauty contest. The Miss South Africa organisation in a statement said Ms Le Roux’s health and well-being “are our utmost priority” and pledged…

Donald Trump praises his pick for health secretary, RFK Jr, as a “great mind” in his first speech since election night Trump says the vaccine sceptic will “help make America healthy again” by protecting them from “harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives” Celebrating his impending return to the White House at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Trump told supporters the Russia-Ukraine conflict has “got to stop” And he unexpectedly announced Doug Burgum as his pick for interior secretary – see who’s joined Trump’s team so far here Trump’s choice of loyalist Matt Gaetz for attorney general continues to cause…