Policemen Clean Up Abuja Streets To Mark Police Day

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  Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, on Wednesday embarked on a large-scale street clean-up across various divisions of the territory. The initiative forms part of the celebrations for the 2025 National Police Day, which features a three-day community outreach programme to commemorate the National Police Day. Speaking at the event, Adewale noted that the exercise was intended to showcase the police as integral members of the community. He noted that a clean and tidy environment discourages crime. He said, “Police have always been part of environmental sanitation. You will discover that whenever there is a pronouncement for a clean-up exercise, the police are always there to ensure compliance. “What we have come to do today is to demonstrate that we are part of the community, as cleanliness is next to godliness. “A clean and tidy environment discourages crime, and this is what we have come to reinforce. “Our area commanders are coordinating similar exercises across different commands, including Abaji and Gwagwalada. “Since this community hosts our command headquarters, we are leading by example.” Punch

Man Bags Life Jail For Setting Ex-Boss Ablaze In Ekiti

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  An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced a 41-year-old man, Olasunkanmi Kareem, to life imprisonment for attempting to murder his former boss by setting him ablaze. Kareem was arraigned on November 18, 2024, on a one-count charge of attempted murder, contrary to Section 241 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021. According to the charge sheet, “The defendant, on August 11, 2024, at Ifaki Ekiti, attempted to murder one Omoboriwo Bashiru by setting him ablaze.” Narrating his ordeal before the court, the victim said, “The defendant was once my apprentice at my mechanic workshop. Even after he graduated, I continued to assist him whenever he had issues with customers’ cars. “On that day, he called me around 8pm, asking about a carburetor I had helped him repair. When I told him I didn’t see it, he became abusive and threatened to set me ablaze wherever he found me. I thought he was joking. Later, I called him, and he told me where he was. “We met at a vulcanizer’s workshop, and an argument ensued. Unknown to me, he had a gallon of petrol in his hand. Since it was dark, I didn’t see it until he poured it on me. When I realized it was petrol, I tried to run, but my body was already on fire. I fell into a drainage before some passersby rescued me and put out the fire. I suffered severe burns and was rushed to the hospital,” Bashiru recounted. The prosecution, led by Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, presented four witnesses and tendered Kareem’s statements, pictures of the victim, and a medical report as evidence. The defendant testified in his own defense but did not call any witnesses. Delivering judgment, Justice Jibril Aladejana held that Kareem had lured the victim to a location, ambushed him behind an electric pole, and doused him with petrol before setting him on fire. “The facts before the court show that the defendant deliberately set out to harm the victim. But for the intervention of passersby, the victim would have died. This intentional act of causing grievous bodily harm amounts to attempted murder,” the judge ruled. “In my view, the defendant does not deserve leniency. He should face the full wrath of the law,” Aladejana added before sentencing Kareem to life imprisonment.

BREAKING: Edo Tribunal Dismisses Action Alliance’s Petition Against Okpebholo, APC.

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  The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja has dismissed the petition filed by the Action Alliance and Adekunle Omoaje against the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission. In its judgment on Wednesday, the three-member tribunal struck out the petition, describing it as lacking merit and frivolous. AA and Omoaje had challenged Okpebholo’s victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election, alleging corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. They argued that the APC candidate did not secure the majority of lawful votes and that INEC’s declaration of Okpebholo as governor was illegal and unconstitutional. The petitioners also claimed that AA was denied the opportunity to field a governorship candidate, as the nomination form had not been signed by the party’s National Chairman. INEC had declared Okpebholo winner with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, who polled 247,655 votes. In its judgment, the tribunal ruled that Omoaje lacked the legal standing to challenge the election since he did not participate in the poll. It also held that his claims, which stemmed from his non-recognition as AA’s National Chairman by INEC, had no basis under the Electoral Act 2022. Consequently, the tribunal dismissed the petition in its entirety. Punch

Cancel Your Homecoming, Police Warn Natasha

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  The police have asked Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan to cancel her planned Sallah rally in Kogi State’s Central Senatorial District. Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, stated this in a statement released on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP William Aya. According to the statement, Dantawaye said the rally goes against the state government’s recent ban on political gatherings, which was announced on Monday. The statement reads, “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State. “The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.” The police also warned against any attempts to defy the directive, saying, “In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on anyone who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.” Despite the ban on political gatherings, which was announced on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan has insisted that she will go ahead with her “homecoming,” stating that she is only returning to the state to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents. Punch  

Okpebholo Meets Senate Deputy President Over Edo Travellers Killing

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  Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has paid a condolence visit to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, over the killings of travellers in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The governor was at the Maitama residence of the Deputy President of the Senate in Abuja on Monday. A mob had intercepted the travellers who were on their way to Kano State for Sallah celebrations, ransacked their vehicle and gruesomely murdered them on Thursday. The victims are hunters from Kano State. This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, a copy of which was made available to The Punch on Monday. “The governor extended his condolences to the Deputy President of the Senate, who is from Kano State, pledging that the state government will assist the families of the victims. According to the statement, the Edo State governor disclosed that the 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killings of the travellers are going to be taken to Abuja for further interrogation. While assuring that the perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law, he described the killings of the innocent travellers as unfortunate and condemnable. “It’s unfortunate that it happened in our state. We are here to say, to let you and other people know that we are not happy. The president is doing something drastic about this. He’s not happy also. The IG has swung into action. The DIG CID is in charge. So far, they have arrested 14 suspects. “So they are bringing them to Abuja for interrogation. We have also set up a committee to see that we take care of the families of the deceased,” the governor was quoted as saying. Responding, the Deputy President of the Senate said the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others. “We cannot undo what has been done. But we all want – all Nigerians, what they are looking forward to is to make sure that these people are arrested and brought to justice. And you are doing well in that direction. And I’m also glad you’ve spoken about the fact that your government is ready to assist the families of those affected. ” I want you to continue to pursue the case so that all those who were involved in these barbaric actions are brought to justice. It’s a barbaric action, to say the facts. “If they are brought to justice, it would serve as a deterrent to those who might want to do this in future. I know that people from other parts of the country have been staying with your people in Edo for centuries in a very conducive atmosphere. And this barbaric act has never happened. I’m sure, under your watch, this will not happen again. “I thank you very much. You’ve told me now that you’ll meet the Kano State governor today. This is very good. Please continue what you are doing. Mr President also told us that you are doing very well in this direction, and we have seen it because, as I said, we have spoken several times on this matter in the last 72 hours,” he said. Punch

Tinubu Extends Immigration CG Nandap’s Tenure Till 2026

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  President Bola Tinubu has approved the extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, until December 31, 2026. Nandap, who joined the NIS on October 9, 1989, was appointed as Comptroller-General on March 1, 2024, with an initial tenure set to end on August 31, 2025. A statement by the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, said Tinubu commended Nandap for her leadership, noting improvements in border management, immigration modernisation, and national security under her watch. “Under her leadership, the Nigeria Immigration Service has witnessed significant advancements in its core mandate, with notable improvements in border management, modernisation of immigration processes and national security measures. “President Tinubu commended the Comptroller-General for her exemplary leadership and urged her to continue dedicating herself to the Service’s strategic priorities, which align with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement read. He also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the NIS in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and ensuring safe and legal migration. Punch

I was offered N5bn bribe to impeach Fubara – Rivers Chief of Staff

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  Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has alleged that he was offered N5 billion to coordinate the impeachment of his principal. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ehie claimed he has evidence of the bribe offer stored on his phone. “I can also open my phone to show you, in the beginning of October 2023, when they approached me with a bribe of N5 billion. It is here in my phone, “It was for impeachment. It’s here. I have it and I have printed it and distributed it, in case, in their evil imagination, they decide to attack me. I already have a son and a brother,” he said. Ehie said the offer was made while he was serving as the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The Chief of Staff also denied claims that he orchestrated the October 30, 2023, bombing of the Rivers Assembly complex on Fubara’s orders. The allegation was made by a former Head of Service in the state, George Nwaeke, during a press conference last Friday. Nwaeke had alleged that he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Ehie at the Government House to execute the operation, though he admitted he did not know the amount inside. Dismissing the claims as false and politically motivated, Ehie said, “It is very important to clarify that I had no hand and was not part of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly. “Like everyone else, I woke up in the early hours of 30th of October 2023 to hear of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.” Ehie stated that he had instructed his lawyers to file a lawsuit against Nwaeke for criminal libel. “I will not join issues completely with Mr. George Nwaeke because I have already instructed my lawyers to file an issue of criminal libel against him, and I hope he is very prepared to substantiate his claims and his allegations,” he said. He further alleged that Nwaeke had sought financial assistance from him on the same day he resigned as head of service. Rivers State has been in turmoil since Fubara’s fallout with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike. On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and suspended both the governor and his deputy. Subsequently, on March 26, the sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, suspended all political officeholders in the state. Punch

FG To Shut Lagos’ Independence Bridge For Two Months

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  The Federal Government has announced the closure of the Independence Bridge (Marina bound) starting April 1 for essential maintenance and rehabilitation works. The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, made this known in a statement on Monday in Lagos. She explained that the bridge would remain closed until the end of May 2025. She said, “The closure will affect traffic traveling from Ahmadu Bello Way and Adeola Odeku towards Marina, Eko Bridge, and Onikan by Zone 2. “Kesha advised motorists to plan their journeys accordingly and use alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion during the repair period.” She apologized for any inconvenience the closure might cause and thanked the public for their understanding and cooperation as the government worked to ensure the safety and stability of the road infrastructure.  

Aare Olayinka Segelu Condoles Ex-Oyo First Lady, Florence Ajimobi Over Daughter’s Demise

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  A governorship aspirant for the 2027 elections in Oyo State, Aare Olayinka Segelu, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the former first lady of the state, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, over the death of her daughter, Bisola Kola-Daisi. Bisola Kola-Daisi, the eldest child of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, died at the age of 42. The mother of three reportedly died on Thursday morning in the United Kingdom (UK) after a brief illness. She served as a Special Adviser to the Minister of Budget and Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, former governor of Kebbi State. In a statement issued and personally signed by him, Aare Segelu, a Germany-based business tycoon and ICT consultant, expressed shock over the death of the young philanthropist who was a prominent figure in Nigeria’s luxury retail scene. “It is with profound sorrow that I extend my deepest condolences to Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, on the heartbreaking loss of her beloved daughter, Abisola Ajimobi. “Abisola’s radiant spirit and warmth touched the lives of many, and her legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew her. During this incredibly difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with the Ajimobi and Chief Kola Daisi families. May you find solace in the cherished memories you shared and strength in the support of friends and loved ones. “As we mourn this tragic loss, let us honour Abisola’s life and the joy she brought to our community. “With heartfelt sympathy, may God comfort the children she left behind. I share in your moment of grief,” Segelu, a stalwart of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said.

Why I Rejected £24m Record Deal In 1995 – Panam Percy Paul

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  Popular gospel singer, Panam Percy Paul, has claimed that he turned down a highly lucrative record deal that could have changed his career in 1995. In a recent sit-down with a Nigerian Pastor, Emmanuel Iren, the singer recalled being offered a three-year contract worth £24 million, roughly equivalent to N7 billion at the time. The singer, however, states that the deal came with an ultimatum that directly conflicted with his Christian values. Recouting his experience, Paul revealed that the record label requested he limit the number of times he mentioned the name “Jesus” in his songs. The singer singer said the record label executive also suggested he use alternative terms like “Righteous One” or “Greatest Lover” in place of the sacred name. He said, “1995, I was at the peak of ministry, and success in the industry, I was offered 24 million pounds for a three year contract. 1995, 24 million pounds was equivalent to 7 billion naira. The catch was ‘can you reduce the number of times you call the name Jesus in your songs?’. And there is more where this came from. and one of them said to me, ‘you actually don’t need to mention the name Jesus. You can call him other names like Righteous one, Greatest Lover.’ I was shocked, so I told them, you can keep the money, while I keep the name”. “Today, the extreme is that music ministry has now become music industry. Where the industry now dictates to the ministers what to do, how to sing and when to sing. For example, it was the marketers in Alaba that encouraged the musicians to add tongues to their songs.”  

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