Month: May 2024

N19.4bn Fraud: Court Grants N200m Bail To Sirika, Brother

ADEOLA YUSUF

Justice Suleiman Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Thursday, granted the former minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, bail in the sum of N100 million each and 2 sureties. One of the sureties must own a landed property in the Federal Capital Territory, in like sum. The court also held that the defendants are not to travel outside the shores of Nigeria without the permission of the court. While delivering the ruling on the bail application, Justice Belgore held that “I see…

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Binance Executive, Gambaryan, Collapses In Court Over Alleged ill-health

ADEOLA YUSUF

There was a mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, as detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, who is facing a money laundering charge, slumped in the open court over alleged ill-health. The development occurred shortly after the matter was called for trial continuation before Justice Emeka Nwite. As soon as the case was called by the court registrar, Gambaryan did not step forward to the dock from the back row seat where he was seated. Justice Nwite then asked where the 2nd defendant (Gambaryan) was and…

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W’Cup Qualifier: FIFA Replaces Officials Of Benin Republic vs Nigeria Clash

ADEOLA YUSUF

World football governing body, FIFA, has made changes to the officiating team of the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Benin Republic and Nigeria which is scheduled for the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Ivory Coast on Monday, June 10. The changes have sent packing Ethiopian official Bamlak Tessema Weyesa, who was originally designated as referee for the encounter scheduled to kick off at 4pm. In his place, Gabonese official Pierre Ghislain Atcho will now be the referee. Weyesa’s compatriots Temesgin Samuel Atango and Tigle Gizaw Belachew have been retained as…

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NPA, Koko win Champion Newspapers’ 2023 Awards

ADEOLA YUSUF

Champion Newspapers Limited has announced Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) as winner of its Government Agency Award and the NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello Koko as the Most Outstanding Public Servant in 2023. According to the Newspapers’ management, the NPA has shown commitment to its mission of delivering efficient port services in a safe, secure and customer-friendly environment and stood out to be maritime logistics hub for sustainable port services in Africa. In a statement by the General Managing Director, Dr. Mrs Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, the ports agency was lauded for its unique…

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Abuja Metro Rail To Operate Free For Two Months

ADEOLA YUSUF

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the Abuja Light Rail will operate free for two months, after its commissioning on Monday, the 27th of May, 2024. Wike stated this during the ongoing Ministerial Sectoral Update to mark the first year in office of the President Bola Tinubu administration, held at the Radio House in Abuja, on Thursday. The Minister had earlier stated that the President, Bola Tinubu will commission the Metro rail project for commercial activities on Monday. He however urged residents to begin…

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Court Grants Abba Kyari Two-Week Bail For Mother’s Burial Rites

ADEOLA YUSUF

A federal high court in Abuja has granted bail to Abba Kyari, suspended deputy commissioner of police (DCP), for two weeks. Kyari has been in detention since his arrest in February 2022. In the ruling delivered on Tuesday, Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, said the bail is to enable Kyari to conclude the burial rites of his mother, Yachilla Kyari, who died on May 5. The judge ruled that Kyari should deposit his international passport with the court and report to any National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) formation nearest…

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Lamido Sanusi II Reinstated As Kano Emir

ADEOLA YUSUF

“All the district heads elevated or appointed under the repealed law are to revert to their previous positions,” details of political fireworks by state assembly that dethroned Emir Bayero, others Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II has been reinstated as the Emir of Kano. This decision, a report by Abuja-based Leadership newspaper showed, followed the Kano State House of Assembly’s resolution to dethrone the current Emir and also dismantle the four new Emirates in the State established under a controversial 2019 law. Though it has not been officially announced, the LEADERSHIP said…

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CBN Orders Existing BDCs To Reapply For New License

ADEOLA YUSUF

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN yesterday released new operational guidelines for Bureau De Change, BDCs, and directing existing operators to reapply for new licenses and six six-month deadlines to meet the new minimum capital requirements. The new guidelines introduce two categories of BDCs, Tier 1 and Tier 2, with minimum capital requirements of N2 billion and N500 million respectively. The new guidelines were released yesterday via a circular to all BDC operators and stakeholders in the financial services industry. Among other things, the new guidelines limited the foreign currency…

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Family Of Detained Accountant Asks IG To Probe Fraud Allegations

ADEOLA YUSUF

The family of detained chartered accountant, Ms. Omafume Ayinuola, has asked the Inspector General of Police IGP, Kayode Egbetokun to probe accusation of fraud preferred against their daughter by a prominent stockbroker and businessman, Peter Ololo. The family in a petition by Erhievuyere-Dominic Peter, a brother to the detained accountant, lamented that members of the family were currently living in fear for the safety of detained sister, stressing that members of the family have been subjected to harassment and intimidation. The petitioner complained that “The actions taken against his family…

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Lookman Hits Hat-trick As Atalanta End Leverkusen Run To Win Europa League

ADEOLA YUSUF

Atalanta triumphed in the Europa League final and ended Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten streak. In a display nearing perfection Gian Piero Gasperini’s side put down a marker early in the game after winning a corner. The initial ball was cleared by Leverkusen, but David Zappacosta dribbled back into the box before picking out Ademola Lookman at the back post. Lookman’s opener increased the confidence of Atalanta who pressed high with such intensity that Leverkusen had no answer. Lookman was a nightmare for defender Edmond Tapsoba and added a second by…

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