Author: Ayo

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of $2.04 million and seven properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The order was made by Justice Akintayo Aluko, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The properties, located in Lekki and Ikoyi, Lagos, and Agbor, Delta State, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. They include two fully detached duplexes, a 1,919.592 sqm undeveloped land, a bungalow, a four-bedroom duplex, an industrial complex, eight apartments, and a full duplex. Justice Aluko stated that the interim forfeiture was necessary…

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). This decision was made at the NJC’s 106th meeting, presided over by the current CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. If approved by President Bola Tinubu, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history, after Justice Mariam Mukhtar. She will succeed Justice Ariwoola, who will retire on August 22, 2024, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70. The NJC also recommended 27 candidates for appointment as judges of state high courts and one candidate for appointment as Kadi of the…

The Nigeria Customs Service has begun enforcing the zero percent import duty and Value-Added Tax exemption on essential food items, following President Bola Tinubu’s approval. The Ministry of Finance confirmed the approval in a letter to the Nigeria Customs Service dated August 8, 2024. The Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, has instructed officials to commence enforcement measures. The exempted food commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, grain beans, and millet. The policy is restricted to these items and is effective from July 15 to December 31, 2024. Importation is limited to investors with milling capacity and a verifiable…

The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved the extension of Access Holdings Plc’s N351 billion rights issue to August 23, due to the recent nationwide protests that disrupted business operations. The extension provides shareholders with ample opportunity to subscribe to their rights, according to a statement signed by Group Company Secretary Sunday Ekwochi. The rights issue, which commenced earlier, offers 17.772 billion ordinary shares at N19.75 each. Acting Group Chief Executive Officer Bolaji Agbede stated that the offer for subscription will expand the group’s growth strategies and financial strength. “The commencement of the Rights Issue subscription is an important step…

In a surprising turn of events, the P-Square twin brothers, Peter and Paul Okoye, have put aside their differences and reunited. This comes after a public feud between the two, with Peter denying allegations that he petitioned the EFCC to arrest his brother. The reconciliation meeting was facilitated by none other than the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi. A photo of the trio has gone viral, with Rudeboy posting it on his Facebook page and thanking Peter Obi for his intervention. The meeting marks a new chapter in the relationship between the twin brothers, who had been at odds…

President Bola Tinubu has given his nod to the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, a comprehensive strategy aimed at managing, harnessing, and reversing the exodus of healthcare professionals from Nigeria. Prof Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, made the announcement on Monday. The policy seeks to create a thriving workforce that is well-supported, adequately rewarded, and optimally utilized to meet the healthcare needs of all Nigerians. It envisions a system where healthcare workers are recognized and rewarded, especially in rural and underserved areas. The policy tackles push factors driving healthcare workers out of the country, including…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has refuted allegations of diverting funds to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Edo State. Mrs. Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director of Corporate Affairs, described the claims as fabrications by mischief makers. Thompson-Wakama emphasized that the commission does not finance political parties or candidates, and its sole focus is on accelerating development in the Niger Delta. “The NDDC board and management is now more than ever determined to positively impact the lives of Niger Delta people.” The NDDC spokesperson highlighted the commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability, citing the recent engagement of KPMG…

The much-anticipated rollout of petrol from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery may not happen on Monday as earlier projected. Despite assurances from top officials that the refinery is set to begin production this month, findings suggest that the 650,000 barrels per day capacity refinery might face delays due to ongoing crude supply crisis. The refinery, which awaits 29 million barrels of crude oil from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, is ready to release petrol this month. However, the low supply of crude may impact the process. “We will start the sale of PMS this August, though the low supply of…

As the Edo State Governorship Election approaches, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified electoral offences as a major threat to free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria. INEC’s Head of Legal Department, Mrs. Rita Amadi, emphasized the need for youths to understand electoral laws and penalties to mitigate electoral offences. Amadi, represented by Mrs. Oba Agbonifo, presented a paper titled “Electoral Offences and Penalties” at a one-day engagement with youth groups in Edo State. She noted that prosecuting electoral offences is a challenging task due to the inefficiency of criminal investigations in Nigeria. Amadi stressed that ending impunity…

In a shocking turn of events, Napoli’s prolific striker Victor Osimhen has expressed his desire to leave the Serie A club. This revelation comes from Giovanni Manna, a high-ranking director at Napoli. According to Manna, Osimhen’s request to depart is not a new development, as the Nigerian forward could have left the club last summer. However, the absence of concrete offers has kept him at Napoli until now. Manna stated, “Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club. He wants to go. The situation is clear; there were already chances for his exit last summer. Victor wants to leave. We…