JUST IN: Ajimobi’s Eldest Child, Bisola Kola-Daisi Dies In UK

  Bisola Ajimobi Kola-Daisi, the first child of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, late Abiola Ajimobi is dead. It was gathered that Bisola who is married to Mr Kolapo Kola-Daisi died in the early hours of Thursday. She died at the age of 42. Our correspondent learnt that she died in the United Kingdom. Until her death, she was the Special Adviser to the Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu. The Special Adviser to the former governor, Mr Bolaji Tunji confirmed the incident to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday. Tunji said, “Yes. It has been confirmed”.   •DAILY POST.

JUST IN: 24-hour Curfew Imposed As Osun Communal Clashes Escalate

  The communal clashes involving Ifon and Ilobu communities escalated on Saturday, spreading to the Erin Osun community. The governor, Ademola Adeleke, has subsequently imposed a 24-hour curfew on the affected communities. Adeleke had initially imposed a 12-hour curfew in the wake of the communal clashes that had displaced many residents of Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun. Many of those displaced were observed on the streets of Okinni on Saturday, with some, especially northerners, coming out of the area in buses. A statement by the spokesperson to Osun Governor Olawale Rasheed, intimating measures to prevent further escalation, reads, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has stepped up conflict de-escalation moves on the Ifon-Ilobu conflict, imposing a 24-hour curfew, mobilising a joint security task force and hosting a peace deal between the two warring communities. “We assure the people of Ilobu and Ifon that I am committed to securing their lives and properties. I have updated the state’s presidency of development. We are on top of the situation. “Meanwhile, we seek to bring to the attention of the public that opposition elements are circulating old videos of communal conflicts in some parts of Osun state to spread false pictures of insecurity in Osun state. “While the ongoing conflict is regrettable and while all hands are on deck to stop the violence, we inform the public to take note of the activities of fake news merchants who are digging up old videos to discredit the state government. The videos being circulated of violence in other towns and villages in Osun are fake news and should be disregarded by the members of the public.”

Just In- Tinubu Swears In Ibok-Ete Ibas As Rivers Sole Administrator

  ABUJA – The sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas(rtrd.) has taken oath of office at the Presidential Villa Abuja. Recall that upon the declaration of state of emergency on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu had appointed Ibas to take charge in the troubled state for six months, pending resolution of the political crisis. Fielding questions from reporters shortly after the brief ceremony, on how he intends to pilot the affairs of the state vis a vis expectations from Nigerians, Ibas simply responded saying, “First of all, I think we know the circumstances that led to where we are here. “Mr. President made it very clear in this broadcast, if the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers state, that is the utmost task that I have to work together with all other stakeholders to ensure that we bring peace, order and security and stability to the people and government of River State and Nigeria at large.” Recall that Tinubu had invoked a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the protracted political crisis for his actions. While the power play between current Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara got heightened, Tinubu revealed that he felt disturbed and needed to take immediate actions to quell the crisis, which was depriving the citizens of Rivers the dividends of democracy.  

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

  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…

JUST IN: Reps Propose Tax Exemption For Military Personnel

  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…  

JUST IN: Senate Committee Recommends Six-Month Suspension For Natasha

  The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has recommended a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central. This decision follows her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. During an ongoing plenary session on Thursday, the committee advises that her salary and security details be withdrawn. The Committee’s chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, who presented the panel’s report at plenary, said Natasha was guilty of all allegations against her as she failed to submit herself to the legislative Committee for the review of her conduct. Additionally, Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to issue a formal apology to the Senate for actions deemed disrespectful. The controversy ignited earlier this year when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. She claimed that her motions, particularly concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company, were deliberately obstructed. Furthermore, she alleged that Akpabio referred to her as a “night club girl” on the Senate floor, a remark he later apologized for. These allegations were formalized in a petition she resubmitted to the Senate. In response, Akpabio has consistently denied all allegations, emphasizing his respect for women and refuting claims of any misconduct. He expressed disappointment over the committee’s recommendation, labelling the accusations as unfounded. The Senate is scheduled to debate the committee’s report, with discussions focusing on potential amendments before a final decision is reached. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s absence during the committee’s probe has raised further concerns, as she failed to appear despite prior notifications. As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the Senate’s forthcoming deliberations, which will determine the final outcome of the committee’s recommendations. Asuquo Ekpenyong of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the current senator representing the Cross River South senatorial district at the Nigerian senate. Senator Steve Karimi from Kogi West (APC) also spoke to issues afterwards apologising to Akpabio for backing her for a leadership role. Meanwhile, minority leader, Senator Abba Moro from Benue South (PDP) urged that the suspension be reduced to three months which he believes is more than enough to put things in order. Punch

JUST IN: 14 rescued, Others Trapped In Lagos Building Collapse

  A building under construction at Oriwu Street in the Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos State has collapsed, trapping several people under the rubble. The state police command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the incident happened at about 4 pm. Hundeyin added that 14 persons had been rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital for medical attention. He wrote, “Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have been mobilised to the scene of the collapse of a building under construction at Oriwu Street, Lekki Phase 1 which occurred at about 1600hrs today. “A total of 14 persons have so far been rescued and taken to Lagos Island General Hospital for treatment. “Meanwhile, operatives of the Command remain on ground to provide security for the ongoing rescue operation.” Details later…

Just In – NDLEA Apprehends Wanted Drug Baron In Lagos After 17 Years 

  Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a wanted 59-year-old international drug baron, Ogbonnaya Jeff. He was apprehended at his hideout in the Ojo area of Lagos after 17 years of evading authorities. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agency’s Special Operations Unit had been tracking Ogbonnaya following an Interpol Red Notice against him and intelligence from the National Intelligence Service of South Korea. He stated that the agency had gathered incontrovertible evidence of Ogbonnaya’s activities, including his recruitment of young Nigerians as drug couriers to smuggle illicit substances into the Republic of Korea. He said, “The major development that warranted this special briefing pertains to the arrest of a drug lord wanted across the world as the leader of an international drug trafficking organization. “On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, we arrested Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff, a 59-year-old drug baron. The suspect was apprehended at his hideout at No. 3, Ibukunoluwa Taiwo Close, off LASU Road, Lagos. He had been under NDLEA investigation before his arrest. As a result, we have comprehensive intelligence on his activities and incontrovertible facts confirming that he is a notorious drug lord who recruited young Nigerians as couriers to smuggle illicit substances into the Republic of Korea (South Korea). “Our records reveal that many Nigerians apprehended outside the country for drug-related offences were linked to him. Furthermore, we have established that he laundered drug proceeds through the importation of electronics and other goods. Following his arrest, a search of his residence led to the recovery of multiple Nigerian international passports belonging to different individuals, many of which contained Korean visas. Additionally, we recovered some illicit substances stored at the back of his house.” Marwa said Ogbonnaya had previously served a one-year prison term in South Korea in 2007 before being deported to Nigeria in 2008. However, he resumed his illicit operations, orchestrating drug shipments to the Far East. “Ogbonnaya maintains another domestic carrier, identified as ‘Asa,’ who delivers drug consignments to a warehouse operated by Okori Emmanuel, a Nigerian who serves as his supply manager in South Korea. As of now, two arrest warrants have been issued against Ogbonnaya by the Seoul Central District Court in January and June 2024. These warrants charge him with importing narcotic drugs in violation of Article 3-7 of South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act, an offence punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.” Marwa, however, reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a base for international drug trafficking operations.

JUST IN: Ex-Lagos PDP Gov Candidate, Jandor, Dumps Party

  A former Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party during the 2023 general election, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has dumped the party. Jandor announced his resignation at a press briefing held at Liberty Place, Ikeja, in Lagos on Monday. According to him, his reasons for leaving the party are not unconnected to indiscipline and anti-party activities, which have become the norm in his erstwhile party. The ex-PDP governorship candidate, who a large group of supporters accompanied, revealed that the decision to part ways with the PDP stemmed from actions taken by some of the party’s leaders, including the former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George. According to Jandor, these leaders actively worked against the PDP in the 2023 elections. “We will consult widely with everybody and then take the decision to collapse our structure to another platform. What is majority on the ground now is that we have left the Peoples Democratic Party,” Jandor stated. Details later…

JUST IN: FG To Review Electricity Tariff For Band B, C Customers

  The Federal Government has announced plans to regularise electricity tariffs in a bid to address disparities in the current billing system as well as encourage investment in the power sector. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this known at the ongoing public presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan on Thursday in Abuja. He said the government is considering this option over the slow pace of migration to Band A customers, which he attributed to the reluctance of Distribution Companies to make the necessary investments. Under the current structure, customers in Band B, who enjoy 18 to 17 hours of electricity supply, pay N63 per kilowatt-hour, while those in Band A, with only two hours more of supply, are charged N209 per kilowatt-hour. Adelabu described this as “unfair” and stressed the need for a regularisation of the tariffs to create a more balanced and equitable pricing system. The minister said, “We will look at the tariff again. I am not saying that we’re going to increase the tariff before I am misquoted. “We are going to look at it and see how we can improve upon our modest achievement of last year, not only to ensure that we grow the sector that we need but also to ensure that we can invest more in revamping all these dilapidated infrastructures.” “The migration to Band A should have been faster, but we found out that the DisCos refuse to invest. They have refused to invest in this sector. “A lot of investment is required for us to achieve an accelerated migration of lower-band customers into Band A. It is taking a lot of time.” In response to this, the government is considering restructuring the tariff bands, reducing the current wide gap between them. A new system, proposed to encompass Bands A, B, and C, would address these inequalities. “The gap between the Band A tariffs and Bands B, C, D, and E is just too wide,” he said. “We believe it’s not fair. It is not just, and we must be able to carry out some level of regularization.” According to him, the government is committed to reviewing the existing tariff structure, although he was quick to clarify that the review does not imply an imminent increase in rates. Punch