Author: Safiu Kehinde

Safiu Kehinde The Police in Oyo on Thursday arraigned one 45-year-old man, Muideen Oladapo, before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, over an alleged assault. Oladapo, whose address was not provided was charged with assault and conduct likely to cause breach of peace. He however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Prosecutor, Insp Femi Omilana told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 6, at about 11. 30 a.m, at Omi-Adio area of Ibadan. Omilana said the defendant assaulted one Rasheed Balogun by using a big stick to hit him on his surgical wound in the stomach…

Safiu Kehinde Labour Party has condemned the interference of Abia state governor, Alex Otti, in the selection of the party’s candidates ahead of the November 2nd local government election. This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh. According to the statement, Labour Party condemns and expresses deep concern over the manner in which Alex Otti is handling the affairs of the election. While establishing the party’s advocacy for justice, equity, and protection of democratic principles, LP demanded the freedom to organize its primaries without interference. They accused Otti of abuse…

Safiu Kehinde A Federal High Court in Abuja has banned Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles and issuing fines to erring drivers. This was disclosed in a post shared on X on Thursday. According to the post, the High Court had, in a ruling presided over by Justice Evelyn Maha, prohibits the VIO, from stopping vehicles on the road, seizing or taking possession of vehicles, and levying fines on drivers. Maha delivered the ruling in a case concerning the enforcement of fundamental rights, referenced as FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, which was brought forward by human rights activist and public interest lawyer, Abubakar…

Safiu Kehinde An Abuja Federal High Court in Maitama has issued another summon to former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, over fresh 16-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC has charged Bello, alongside two others—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—with criminal breach of trust involving N110.4 billion. According to report, the defendants were initially scheduled to take their plea on Thursday. However, when the case was called, the EFCC informed the court that all efforts to serve the charge, filed on September 24, to the former governor had been unsuccessful. In response,…

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has claimed that Nigeria is winning the war against terror and banditry. He said this at the opening ceremony of the News Agency of Nigeria’s (NAN) 1st Annual International Lecture on Thursday in Abuja According to the Idris, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by the Nigerian Army. ”Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism. ‘’Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever.…

Agency Report An Israeli drone attack targeted and destroyed a weapons depot in the coastal Syrian city of Jableh before daybreak Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. The attack carried out via drones and warplane missiles leveled the depot and caused massive explosions heard from long distances, said the UK-based watchdog group. It added that the Syrian air defences and Russian forces responded to the attack within 40 to 50 minutes. The depot is situated near the Hmeimim Air Base, the largest Russian air base in Syria, located in the northwestern province of Latakia. No immediate reports of…

Safiu Kehinde Former Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari, has congratulated Leadership Newspaper over their 20th anniversary. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Garba Sheu, on Thursday, Buhari lauded the media outlet for their contribution to national progress. Buhari also expressed his gratitude to the newspaper for their support all through his eight years tenure. He applauded Leadership newspaper for their consistency while paying tribute to the late founder, Sam Nda-Isaiah. The statement read; “Leadership continues as a personification of the ideals that the late Sam had for a platform celebrating positivity. I have always cherished the Leadership newspapers over the…

Safiu Kehinde Sequel to the new regulations of the ongoing fiscal policy and tax reforms, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced the commencement of tax reduction and exemption in January 2025. The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday by the agency. As contained in the statement, the reviewed Witholding Tax (WHT) Regulations will take effect from next year. However, current (WHT) will be sustained till December 31st 2024. “The Federal Inland Revenue Service (“the Service”) hereby notifies taxpayers, tax practitioners and the general public as follows: “The Deduction of Tax at Source Withholding (WHT) Regulations,…

Safiu Kehinde Former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar has claimed that over 7000 people were killed in two years across the Sahel Region. Abubakar made this claim on Thursday at the ongoing Inaugural Annual International Lecture organized by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The ex-military ruler said 4660 people were killed in 2020, while another 2660 civilians lost their lives in 2021 in the Sahel region due to insecurity. The Lecture with theme, ““Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges – Genesis, Impacts and Options” was conceived by the management of NAN as part of efforts…

Safiu Kehinde A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted N150 million bail to former Taraba state governor, Darius Ishaku. The ex- Taraba governor, who was arraigned to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N27 billion fraud, was prosecuted on 15 counts charge alongside former Permanent Secretary, Bello Yero. The charge bordered on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds. However, both defendants pleaded “not guilty” when all the charges were read to them at the court session on Thursday. Their counsels moved their bail applications which was granted by the…