EFCC Arrests Suspended Edo Official “Ebo Stone” For Naira Abuse

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  Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday, arrested the suspended coordinator of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team, Kelly Okungbowa, popularly known as Ebo Stone, for alleged naira abuse. The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, revealed this in a statement on Monday. He said Okungbowa has been suspended by the state government owing to a viral video where he was seen spraying and mutilating the naira at a bar on March 9, 2025. The statement reads, “The EFCC has arrested Kelly Okungbowa (a.k.a Ebo Stone) for alleged naira abuse. “Okungbowa, who until recently was the coordinator of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team, PSRT, now suspended by the State Government, was arrested owing to a viral video where he was seen spraying and mutilating the naira at a bar on March 9, 2025. “He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.” “Okungbowa, who until recently was the coordinator of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team, PSRT, now suspended by the State Government, was arrested owing to a viral video where he was seen spraying and mutilating the naira at a bar on March 9, 2025. “He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.” In a statement on Monday, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo State PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Nehikhare, charged EFCC with thorough investigation and diligent prosecution in accordance with the CBN Act of 2007, which criminalises the abuse of naira notes. Nehikhare said, “The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commends the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the swift arrest of Kelly Okungbowa, also known as Ebo Stone, for alleged naira abuse. “The swift arrest of Okungbowa, who was seen in a viral video spraying and mutilating the naira, sends a strong message that such criminal and irresponsible actions will not be tolerated, regardless of the perpetrator’s position or influence. “We charge the EFCC to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter and ensure diligent prosecution by the CBN Act of 2007, which criminalises the abuse of naira notes, including spraying, stepping on, or mishandling.” Punch

JUST IN: Rivers Assembly Accuses Fubara, Deputy Of Misconduct, Issues Notice

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  The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a notice accusing the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, of alleged misconduct. The lawmakers justified their actions based on the Nigerian Constitution, according to the notice obtained by Channels Television. The notice read, “In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office.” Details later…

Oyo Govt Trains 1,950 farmers in various Agricultural Enterprises

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  The Oyo State Government has begun a capacity-building program for One Thousand, Nine-hundred and fifty, 1,950 farmers across the 33 local government areas in the State, as part of its continued efforts in ensuring food security. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, while declaring the training exercise open on Wednesday in Ibadan, said the event will create a sustainable agricultural ecosystem that boosts food production in Nigeria. Speaking through the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abosede Owoeye, the Commissioner revealed that government is investing in the State’s future through its various trainings for farmers, adding that the Engr. Seyi Makinde-led administration recognizes the crucial role farmers play in ensuring food security and economic prosperity. According to Olasunkanmi, “the training program encompasses various areas, 660 farmers will receive training on pasture establishment, management, conservation, and artificial insemination techniques, 300 farmers will learn about climate-smart agriculture, focusing on high-value crop production and effective weed management strategies, 140 young farmers will receive training on beekeeping practices,100 participants will learn about shea butter production techniques, 90 participants will receive training on locust bean processing methods, 660 youths, women, and retirees will receive specialized training on mushroom cultivation across all zones in the state.” Barrister Olaleye therefore urged the participants to take full advantage of the training, emphasizing that the government has engaged expert resource persons to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. Expert at the event included scholars from the University of Ibadan, such as Prof. Olusola Olorunnisomo; Dr. Adewunmi Adesina. Others were Mr. Tunmise Olagbaju, and Mr. Kola Ajao, Bee Specialist, amongst others.

US Varsity To Lay Off 2000 Employees, Cites Termination Of USAID

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  US university Johns Hopkins on Thursday announced plans to lay off more than 2,000 of its employees around the globe, noting that the move is coming on the heels of President Donald Trump’s administration’s massive reduction in foreign aid funds. In a statement made available by the school on Thursday, the leading scientific said, “This is a difficult day for our entire community. The termination of more than $800 million in USAID funding is now forcing us to wind down critical work.” The university is based in Baltimore, Maryland, the largest city an hour’s drive north of the US capital, but is eliminating at least 1,975 jobs in projects across 44 countries and 247 jobs in the United States. New US President Donald Trump and his senior advisor, billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, have embarked on a campaign to slash federal spending, targeting in particular support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for foreign aid, research and development. Johns Hopkins University is one of the institutions hardest hit by these drastic reductions. In early March, its president Ronald Daniels explained in a message to students and professors that federal money accounted for nearly half of the backing it funds received last year. Referring to a “historical relationship” between the “first American research university” and the government, he warned that students, researchers and professors would see damage to programs designed to improve health, hygiene and medicine across the world. – Drinking water – Thursday’s announcement confirmed that the cuts hit the university’s medical school and school of public health as well as Jhpiego, a global non-profit organization founded more than 50 years ago and which works to improve health in countries worldwide. “Johns Hopkins is immensely proud of the work done by our colleagues in Jhpiego, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the School of Medicine to care for mothers and infants, fight disease, provide clean drinking water, and advance countless other critical, life-saving efforts around the world,” the university said. The university receives roughly $1 billion annually in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is currently running 600 clinical trials, according to The New York Times, which added that Hopkins is one of the plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit challenging such cuts. USAID, the largest funding agency for Jhpiego, distributes humanitarian aid around the world, with health and emergency programs in around 120 countries. Trump, whose appointees are dismantling the humanitarian agency, signed an executive order in January demanding a freeze on all US foreign aid to allow time to assess expenses. Critics warn that slashing USAID work will endanger millions of lives. Punch

Court Orders Verydarkman From Defaming Mercy Chinwo Online

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  The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Nyanya, Abuja, on Thursday, restrained a social media activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, from making further defamatory publications against gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo. Chinwo had sued Verydarkman over alleged defamatory statements he made on social media, which she claimed were not only false but also damaging to her public image and reputation. In suit number FCT/HC/GWD/CV/39/2025 and motion number FCT/HC/NY/M/1371/2025, filed through her legal team led by Henry Eni-Otu, Chinwo prayed the court to restrain VeryDarkMan from further posting, publishing, sharing, circulating, disseminating, or broadcasting any information, statements, or comments against her on social media. While delivering the ruling on the motion ex-parte filed on March 11, 2025, the presiding judge, Justice Aliyu Shafa, held that “It is hereby ordered as follows: that the defendant/respondent (VDM) is hereby restrained, either by himself, his servants, privies, cohorts, representatives, or any person deriving authority from the defendant, from further posting, publishing, sharing, circulating, disseminating, or broadcasting through any social media platform or any electronic means any information, statement, or comment whatsoever in respect of or against the claimant/applicant, or on any issue relating to the subject matter of this suit, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.” The court fixed March 25, 2025, for the hearing. Punch

UK Teen Sentenced To Life For Killing Schoolgirl Over Teddy Bear

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  A London court, on Thursday, sentenced a teenage boy to life in prison for stabbing to death a 15-year-old schoolgirl in a row over a teddy bear. Hassan Sentamu, 18, was ordered to spend a minimum of 23 years in jail for knifing to death Elianne Andam in Croydon, south London, on her way to school in September 2023. She was attacked by Sentamu, the ex-boyfriend of her friend after a dispute between the pair over returning each other’s belongings, including the soft toy. Sentamu, who was 17 at the time of the killing, was found guilty of murder and having a knife in January following a trial. Passing sentence, judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb told Sentamu that he was driven by his “short temper and aggressive tendencies” condemning his actions as “senseless and evil”. “Elianne was 15 when you murdered her, she will always remain just 15, she will never realise the potential of her life,” she said. The judge added Sentamu had carried on “mercilessly killing her on the floor as she begged for mercy. You walked away showing no remorse as if her life meant nothing”. Sentamu, who the court heard acted in a “white hot rage” after feeling he had been teased by the two girls the day before the killing, sat with head in his hands in the dock and wiped away tears as he was sentenced. The killing is one of a string of fatal knife attacks involving teenagers that have horrified the nation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called rising knife crime a “national crisis”. Elianne’s father, Michael Andam, told the court: “The thought of her final moments torments me – wondering if she was calling out for me, hoping I would save her – but I wasn’t there. I couldn’t protect her”. Elianne’s mother Dorcas Andam said her daughter had dreamed of becoming a lawyer. She described her as the “kindest, most loving daughter” who was “vibrant, creative, and purposeful”. She loved to sing and braid hair. “Now the music has stopped, the laughter is gone. All that remains is a deafening silence,” she said in a victim impact statement. AFP

Tinubu’s Reforms Will Earn Him Favourable Place In History – Minister

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  The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will be judged favourably by history, citing his commitment to Nigeria’s progress and governance with a sense of divine responsibility Speaking at the Ministerial Press Briefing Session in Abuja on Thursday, Idris stated that Tinubu’s ongoing reforms, though demanding, are necessary to reposition the country for long-term stability and development. “We have crossed the Rubicon, and the pains are gradually easing as the positive impact of these reforms begins to manifest. Already, we are witnessing a reduction in food prices, stability in exchange rates, and a gradual decline in petroleum product costs—clear indicators that the policies are yielding results,” Idris said. He acknowledged that transformative reforms are often met with resistance due to their immediate hardships but stressed that they are essential for national progress. “Across the world, history has shown that meaningful reforms are never easy; they require sacrifice, resilience, and a commitment to long-term progress. The initial difficulties that accompany these changes are a necessary price for a more stable and prosperous future,” the minister added. While appreciating Nigerians for their patience and support, Idris urged religious leaders to take advantage of the sacred seasons of Ramadan and Lent to pray for the country’s peace, security, and development. “I want to appeal to our Muslim and Christian leaders to continue offering prayers for Nigeria. With unity, faith, and collective effort, we will emerge stronger and more resilient,” he said. Also present at the briefing, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, highlighted their ministries’ achievements as part of the administration’s efforts to drive national development. Punch

JUST IN: Reps Propose Tax Exemption For Military Personnel

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  The House of Representatives Committee on Finance has proposed tax exemption on the personal income of military personnel in Nigeria. The Chairman of the Committee, Abiodun Faleke, disclosed this on Thursday during the clause-by-clause consideration of the four tax bills transmitted to the parliament by President Bola Tinubu in October, 2024. Speaking at the event, Faleke said, “Mr Speaker, honourable colleagues, the committee proposed that personal income of military personnel should be exempted from tax. This is because of the critical nature of their assignment.” The proposal was unanimously endorsed. Details later…  

“No One Will Impeach Fubara”- Rivers Activist

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  Rivers-based activist Jake Epelle on Thursday stated that nobody will impeached the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. According to him, the people of Rivers state are solidly behind Fubara even as he called on Wike and Fubara to address the crisis in the interest of the people of Rivers state. “Let them go and try impeachment, they will not succeed,” Epelle said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief show. “Nobody will impeach Fubara. I say that openly on national television because he hasn’t committed any impeachable offence. Nobody will impeach him; the people are solidly behind him. “Fubara will not be impeached, let them take it to the bank. The call by the FCT Minister to impeach Fubara, he does not have the constitutional power, he may have the deep pocket power and connection, but there is a process and that process will take its course. “The people are solidly behind Fubara. Whatever happens, we should not be calling for impeachment. The Rivers people are resilient and we love this country,” Epelle said. He, however, called on the two warring factions to give peace a chance, saying that “They need to come to the table of negotiation and discussion. It is very undemocratic and injustice for one person to keep dictating the conditions for peace, Fubara and Wike need to be in the same room and look each other in the eyes and settle this. This state is bigger than Wike and Fubara, and this ego-tripping and threats must stop, and it is coming from both sides, and it is not something the Rivers people are known for. My heart bleeds, my eyes are full of tears.” Punch

China Seeks Dialogue With US To Resolve Trade Tensions

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  China on Thursday called for “dialogue” with Washington to resolve spiralling trade tensions that have seen the world’s two largest economies impose a slew of tariffs on each other’s imports. “China has always advocated that China and the United States should adopt a positive and cooperative attitude towards differences and controversies in economic and trade fields,” commerce ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian told a weekly news conference. “But it must be stressed that any form of communication and consultation must be based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit,” she said. “Threats and intimidation can only be counterproductive. It is hoped that the United States and China will work together… to return to the correct track of resolving issues through dialogue and consultation.” Since retaking office in January, US President Donald Trump has unleashed tariffs on major trading partners, including China, Canada, and Mexico, citing their failure to stem the flow of deadly fentanyl and related precursor chemicals. This month saw Trump raise a 10-per cent blanket tariff he previously imposed on Chinese products to 20 per cent. Beijing responded with levies of up to 15 per cent on a range of US agricultural goods including soybeans, pork and chicken. China — the world’s top steel producer — also vowed Wednesday to take “all necessary measures” to protect its interests in response to separate new US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. Punch

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