Naomi Osaka, a globally renowned tennis champion, has not only captivated audiences with her sportsmanship on the court but also emerged as a dynamic entrepreneur. Her ventures into various business reflect her diverse interests and strategic vision. With a reported net worth of $60 million according to Forbes, Osaka has diversified her portfolio beyond tennis, venturing into skincare, talent management, media production, health food, and sports recovery technology.

Here, we explore five key ventures that encapsulate her business acumen:

• KINLÒ: Championing Skincare for Melanated Skin

In 2020, Osaka launched KINLÒ, a skincare brand focused on the needs of melanated skin, a niche often overlooked in the beauty industry. This venture stemmed from her personal experiences and understanding of the specific skincare challenges faced by people with darker skin tones.

The range of products offered by KINLÒ includes specially formulated sunscreens and moisturizers. These products are designed to offer effective protection and nourishment, addressing issues like sun damage, which are more prevalent in melanated skin.

KINLÒ’s success is rooted not just in its products but also in its mission to educate and advocate for better skincare practices for all skin types. Osaka’s involvement goes beyond business; it’s a platform for her to champion inclusivity and community health.

• Evolve: Redefining Talent Management

Osaka, along with her agent Stuart Duguid, founded Evolve in 2022. This talent agency, led by a female athlete, is a pioneering initiative in sports management, particularly focusing on nurturing and representing emerging athletes.

Evolve is more than an agency; it’s a support system for athletes. It provides a range of services, including branding, marketing, and financial management, all tailored to the unique needs of sports personalities.

With Evolve, Osaka aims to bring a change in the athlete representation industry, especially by empowering female athletes and giving them a platform to excel both in and out of their sporting arenas.

• Hana Kuma: Breaking New Ground in Media Production

In partnership with LeBron James’ SpringHill Company, Osaka launched Hana Kuma in 2022. This media venture is a bold step into the world of content creation and distribution.

Hana Kuma focuses on producing culturally relevant and impactful content. It aims to tell diverse stories that resonate with a global audience, reflecting Osaka’s commitment to inclusivity and representation.

This media company not only marks Osaka’s expansion into new business territories but also positions her as an influencer in the media industry, capable of shaping narratives and bringing untold stories to the limelight.

• Sweetgreen: Investing in Health and Wellness

In 2021, Osaka made a strategic investment in Sweetgreen, a brand valued at $3 billion. This move marked her as one of the youngest investors in the company, showcasing her foresight and belief in healthy living.

Sweetgreen’s focus on providing nutritious, sustainable food options aligns with Osaka’s lifestyle and personal values. This partnership underscores her commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle among her fans and the broader public.

As an investor, Osaka plays a significant role in guiding Sweetgreen’s branding and outreach strategies, leveraging her global influence to advocate for healthier food choices.

• Hyperice: Enhancing Sports Recovery and Performance

In 2019, Osaka acquired a stake in Hyperice, a company specializing in sports recovery technology. This decision reflects her understanding of the needs of athletes and her commitment to enhancing sports performance.

Hyperice is known for its cutting-edge recovery products, and Osaka’s involvement has not only added to her business portfolio but also allowed her to influence product development, using her insights as a professional athlete.

Her association with Hyperice is more than an investment; it’s a partnership that helps bridge the gap between athletic needs and technological solutions, reinforcing her position as an influential figure in sports technology.

Osaka’s evolution from a tennis superstar to a multifaceted entrepreneur is a narrative of ambition, insight, and versatility. Her diverse business interests, from skincare to sports technology, highlight her multifaceted persona and her ability to identify and capitalize on unique opportunities. Beyond her financial success, Osaka’s ventures are imbued with a sense of purpose, whether it’s promoting health and wellness or championing inclusivity and diversit

[billionaires.africa] 

The amount the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has disbursed to the States and Local Governments (LGs) increased by 23 per cent, from the total sum of N2.272 trillion they got between February and June 2023, to a total of N2.805 trillion both tiers of governments were allocated between July and November 2023.

Data from FAAC compiled by THISDAY showed that States and LGs received a combined amount of total of N5.078 trillion as allocation for the 10-month period which was between February and November, 2023, even as economic hardship and pressure persists at both tiers of government respectively.

Workers and labour leaders, including some Chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that spoke with THISDAY, lamented that despite the increased allocation, some governors have not done enough to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on their citizens. They decried the cost of living crisis occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal, just as they said they said they were looking forward to a minimum wage review.

However, the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, has expressed confidence that the negotiation of a new minimum wage between the federal government and the organised labour would be concluded before March this year.

According to the Minimum Wage law, present national minimum wage of N30,000 would expire by March, 2024.

Ajaero said, “The federal government had through a letter asked the organised labour to release our names to the new minimum wage committee to be constituted.

“Since last year, the list was submitted to the government and it is only when the committee is constituted that we now go into negotiation with the government as a union to agree on it.

“The existing minimum wage will be expiring by March this year, so it is hoped we may conclude the negotiation for a new minimum wage before March.”

Under the current revenue sharing formula, the federal government gets 52.68 per cent of the revenue shared, States get 26.72 per cent while the LG gets 20.60 per cent. The fund is to ensure development at different levels of government and also to enable States and LGs meet their obligations. Unfortunately, most of the LGs are not autonomous and the utilisation of their allocations are determined by the governors.

Beside, oil producing States also get 13 per cent derivation and there is also the revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT) that is shared among the three tiers of government.
It is also worthy to note that the aforementioned amount allocated to the States and LGs exclude intervention from the federal government through cash and other edible items that were distributed to the States to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.

The data showed that in the 10-month period (February to November, 2023), a total of N12.731 trillion was shared among the three tiers of government. While the federal government got N3.366 trillion within the review period, the 36 States were allocated a total of N2.915.63 trillion and the LGs got a total of N2.154 trillion within same period.

Commenting on the higher revenue allocation, the organised labour under the umbrella of the TUC said Nigerians have continued to suffer economic hardship despite the expected gains in revenue from removal of fuel subsidy by the Bola Tinubu’s administration.

General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nuhu Toro, who spoke on telephone with THISDAY, yesterday, said : “The gains from the removal of fuel subsidy has not impacted positively on the economy and well-being of Nigerians. In this regard, all the promises made by government so far, we have not seen the implementation. We in the organised labour, we are tired of failed promises.”

For the states, Toro said the federal government had promised to allocate N5 billion to each state for provision of palliative to the citizens.

“As we speak, I am aware that federal government has released about N3 billion to the states. I also know that some states have added additional amounts to this fund to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy,” he added.

According to him, limited progress has been made by states in disbursement of the palliative fund through purchase and distribution of grains to the people, disclosing that so far some States have distributed rice, beans, garri, maize, among other foodstuff.

When asked to assess the economic situation especially as it affects workers in the states, the TUC scribe said:” The workers and indeed the masses has been worst of because of the removal of the fuel subsidy poor implementation of palliative by the respective governments at federal, state and local governments.”

He accused the federal government of engaging in what he called policy somersault. For instance, he said the federal government went ahead and announced 50 percent discount on road and railway transportation cost on the eve of the Christmas festivities without even paying workers the N35,000 Wage award as agreed.

“Do they think that people will travel to their villages to go and die of hunger? This is pure policy somersault”.

On what labour intends to do going forward, Toro said that:” We will expect the federal government and respective states to show understanding and put the necessary measures in motion to start negotiation of the new minimum wage.

“As soon the minimum wage committee is set up, we hope to put all the issues on the table and whatever we agree as the new minimum wage must be implemented by the states,” he said.

For his part, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Ondo State, Victor Amoko, hopes that the negotiation of a new minimum wage between the federal government and the organised labour would be finalised as soon as possible.

“Hard times don’t last forever, we believe that we are going to overcome it. For the N35,000 wage award as agreed during a meeting that was held following the removal of fuel subsidy, Ondo State government has commenced the payment in across board in the State. We appreciate the state government for that.

“In Ondo, the government is owing us only one areas of 2017 and our new governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has promised soonest, sooner than what we expect, the money will be paid. We are looking forward to have that balance any moment from now.”, Amoko said.

In Oyo State, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kayode Martins, admitted that the economic reality has indeed had a toll on the workers.

However, Martins, while speaking with THISDAY said workers in the state have so far received the wage award of N25,000 for three months while pensioners also received N15,000 for three months.

He added that workers in the state also received 13th month salary in December.

Similarly, workers in Sokoto and Kebbi States lamented that they were facing difficult times, notwithstanding the higher FAAC allocations to the States.

Speaking with THISDAY, a member of Sokoto State Chapter of NLC accused the State executive of compromise, saying the exco failed to engage the State government on new minimum wage or award wage in view of economic reality.

“Look at neighbouring State of Zamfara, the Governor paid them 13-month salary, this will go a long way in ameliorating their plight,” the source who pleaded to remain anonymous said.
In Kebbi State, a worker who also spoke on condition of anonymity said the government abandoned them in the State.

However, in Taraba, the Chairman of the TUC, Sule Abasu, told THISDAY that the state government was doing its best to cater for the plight of workers in the state despite the meagre resources at its disposal.

Speaking in the same vein, Chairman of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigerian (JUSUN), Taraba State Chapter, Comrade Mohammed Usman commended the present administration in the state for improving the salaries of workers which according to him has gone a long way to cushion the effect of the bitting economic situation in the country.

Also speaking, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Taraba state, Comrade Peter Jediel told THISDAY that workers in Taraba state were happy and adjusting to the cost of living crisis.

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 had to make an emergency landing shortly after taking off from Portland, Oregon.

According to the BBC, the incident happened on Friday, when the aircraft returned to Portland 35 minutes into its flight to California after an outer section, including a window, fell.

The airline said the plane, carrying 174 passengers and six crew members, landed safely.

“Alaska Airlines flight 1282 from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California, experienced an incident this evening soon after departure,” the company said.

On Saturday morning, the company said it would “temporarily” ground all 65 of its 737 Max 9 aircraft to conduct inspections.

BBC quoted the UK Civil Aviation Authority as saying it is “monitoring the situation very closely”.

A passenger sent a photo to the KATU-TV news outlet showing a gaping hole in the side of the plane next to passenger seats.

Another outlet, KPTV-TV, reported photos sent in by a passenger showing a large section of the plane’s fuselage missing.

Announcing the grounding of the 65 planes, Alaska Airlines’ CEO Ben Minicucci said: “Each aircraft will be returned to service only after completion of full maintenance and safety inspections.”

Minicucci commended the efforts of the six crew members on board the flight which had reached 16,000ft (4,876m) when it began its emergency descent, according to flight tracking data.

[DailyTrust]

Chelsea’s full squad to face Preston in today’s FA Cup third round tie at Stamford Bridge has been revealed.

According to Football London, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has a list of players that includes Christopher Nkunku, Djordje Petrovic and Enzo Fernandez to face Preston on Saturday evening.

Chelsea head to the game after beating Luton Town 3-2 in their game in the Premier League.

Here is the full list of Chelsea players available for the Preston clash:

Goalkeepers: Djordje Petrovic, Marcus Bettinelli, Lucas Bergstrom

Defenders: Alfie Gilchrist, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Ian Maatsen, Thiago Silva, Malo Gusto

Midfielders: Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Leo Castledine, Enzo Fernandez

Attackers: Raheem Sterling, Cole Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk, Armando Broja, Deivid Washington, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku

The kick-off time for the match is 6.30 pm, Nigerian time.

[DailyPost]

A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has lamented the security situation in the country, saying that it has gone beyond control.

He said the situation the country is in at the moment has gone beyond playing politics, adding that President Tinubu has a lot of work to do and Nigerians are ready to give him time.

“The state of our nation has been completely in a shambolic situation, it is perpetual despair and despondency. There is hunger in the land and there is anger in the land; the insecurity has gone beyond control,” Chief George said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.

“So, when you look at all those things; we are all Nigerians and I listened to his (Tinubu) New Year speech and I also listened to what Chief Osoba said, this is not the time to play politics, it is our nation. He (Tinubu) has a hell of a job to do and I have listened to him. He has these eight objectives for the year, national defence, internal security, and job creation; the man who left who was my oga did a woeful job, he did not do well at all; they belong to the same party.

“So, we all Nigerians will give him a chance, let us see how he is going to handle it. Bola Tinubu, God will guide him – he is in the hottest seat in the whole of Africa today because for every 10 Africans 6 are Nigerians, brilliant people. So nobody can pull any wool over our eyes, I pray for him, I pray for our country.”

With the recent killings in Plateau which claimed over two hundred lives and killings happening in other parts of the country, George was asked what he expects from President Tinubu to stem these ugly developments and he advocated for the use of modern technology.

“You need equipment, you need surveillance. The technology available now was not available at our time. So, it will be a combination of modern technology; put cameras all over like they do here in England. You don’t have to be physically there; you monitor from your control room things that are happening.”

The elder statesman also reiterated calls for state police, saying that much powers are concentrated on the shoulders of the Inspector General of Police.

“We need every state to have its police on the ground, whatever it is going to cost us because police work is a communal work, it means you will employ people from that community to do the police work,” he said.

He said the President does not have to do these things within one year but he must start from somewhere so that the people will see that he is doing something about the insecurity bedeviling the nation.

The Nigeria Police Force says its Cybercrime Centre acting on a petition at the instance of Hon and Doctor Mrs Seye Oladejo has arrested three persons in connection with a case of, cyberstalking, and threat to life.

The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Friday, said suspects namely Adebukola Kolapo Nnedum Micheal Somtomchukwu and Isaac Akpokighe, all males of ages 27, 25 and 30 respectively are members of a syndicate called Gistlover family, responsible for the daily running of the Gistlover blog, a microblogging platform known for Cyberstalking, incitement, Blackmail, and sundry, which has over the years been a course for public outcry.

Ademuyiwa said the blog is known for Cyberstalking, incitement, Blackmail, and sundry, which has over the years been a course for public outcry.

Upon interrogation, the three suspects denied working for Gistlover, however, one of the suspects said he created a fake Gistlover page to gain followers on his social media page.

The statement read, “Upon arrest the suspects revealed their various degrees of involvement in the conspiracy, corroborating the already available overwhelming pieces of evidence. The first suspect Adebukola Kolapo a.k.a Omo oba Gistlover was responsible for the creation of over 80 percent of the Gistlover pages thereby lending his digital footprint for the perpetration of the aforementioned criminal act.

“Being on the payroll of the said platform and having enjoyed incentives like car gifts and monies, Adebukola was saddled with the responsibility of scouting, editing and captioning content including the cyberstalking post made against the complainant, Hon. and Dr. Mrs Oluseyi Oladejo. Adebukola has also contributed to laundering monies obtained from the illegal scheme through various means.

“In more developments, digital Forensic analysis led to the recovery of eight (8) gist lover pages created on the instruction of the head of the syndicate by Adebukola, and wallet addresses used in laundering these monies.

The arrest of the trio has caused controversy across social media platforms.

“The Second suspect, One Nnedum Somtochukwu also shared in the conspiracy wherein at every point the page was taken down for certain infractions and violation of policies at the instance of reports from Law Enforcement Agencies, the suspect using his platform will by all means redirect traffic to the new page, helping the blog to evade sanctions.

“Enjoying incentives like referrals for promotions from the head of the syndicate, Nnedum has also been found sharing content, feedback, and making defamatory remarks with the said head of the syndicate.

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“The Third suspect, Isaac Akpokighe a 30 years old male resident of Igando Lagos State unlike the duo above, is like hundreds of Nigerians who having observed the lucrative nature of the Blackmailing, cyber stalking and false information market, decide to imitate the Gistlover blog. By so doing, he created several such pages and mirrors the activities of the blog including reposting the defamatory and life-threatening post against the complainant and many other notable Nigerians. Digital forensics led to the recovery of four gistlover pages created by Isaac Apkokogho.

The police spokesperson said that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

He added that while strongly warning against all sorts of partnerships that promote the illegal activities of this blog and others engaging in similar activities, the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, applauded the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center led by CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry, as he reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to ensuring the safety of citizens in the physical and digital space.

see the full statement below

NPF-NCCC UNVEILS THREAT ACTORS BEHIND COMPLEX CYBERSTALKING AND BLACKMAILING BLOG, ARRESTS 3, RECOVERS 12 ACCOUNTS.

as the IGP reaffirms Police commitment to Ensuring Improved Digital, Physical Safety.

In an onward fight against the menace of cyberstalking, threat to life and blackmailing schemes operating in the guise of micro blogging pages, and contending with the online safety of many, the Nigeria police Force National Cybercrime center, acting on a petition at the instance of Hon and Doctor Mrs Seye Oladejo have arrested three in connection with a case of Conspiracy, Cyberstalking, and threat to life.

The suspects namely Adebukola Kolapo Nnedum Micheal Somtomchukwu and Isaac Akpokighe, all male of ages 27, 25 and 30 respectively are members of a syndicate called Gistlover family, responsible for the daily running of the Gistlover blog, a microblogging platform known for Cyberstalking, incitement, Blackmail, and sundry, which has over the years been a course for public outcry.

Upon arrest the suspects revealed their various degrees of involvement in the conspiracy, corroborating the already available overwhelming evidences. The first suspect Adebukola Kolapo a.k.a Omo oba Gistlover was responsible for the creation of over 80 percent of the Gistlover pages thereby lending his digital footprint for the perpetration of the aforementioned criminal act. Being on the pay roll of the said platform and having enjoyed incentives like car gifts and monies, Adebukola was saddled with the responsibility of scouting, editing and captioning contents including the cyber stalking post made against the complainant, Hon. and Dr. Mrs Oluseyi Oladejo. Adebukola has also contributed in laundering monies gotten from the illegal scheme through various means.

In more developments, digital Forensic analysis led to the recovery of eight (8) gist lover pages created on the instruction of the head of the syndicate by Adebukola, and wallet addresses used in laundering these monies.

The Second suspect, One Nnedum Somtochukwu also shared in the conspiracy wherein at every point the page was taken down for certain infractions and violation of policies at the instance of reports from Law Enforcement Agencies, the suspect using his platform will by all means redirect traffic to the new page, helping the blog to evade sanctions.

Enjoying incentives like referrals for promotions from the head of the syndicate, Nnedum has also been found sharing contents, feed backs, and making defamatory remarks with the said head of the syndicate.

The Third suspect, Isaac Akpokighe a 30 years old male resident of Igando Lagos State unlike the duo above, is like hundreds of Nigerians whom having observed the lucrative nature of the Blackmailing, cyber stalking and false information market, decides to imitate the Gistlover blog. By so doing, he created several of such pages and mirrors the activities of the blog including reposting the defamatory and life-threatening post against the complainant and many other notable Nigerians. Digital forensics led to the recovery of four gistlover pages created by Isaac Apkokogho.

The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

While strongly warning against all sorts of partnerships that promote the illegal activities of this blog and others engaging in similar activities, the Inspector General of Police IGP Olukayode Egbetokun PhD. NPM, applauds the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center led by CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry as he reaffirms the commitment of the Force to ensuring the safety of citizens in the physical and digital space.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA

5th January, 2024

Renowned Political Economist, Pat Utomi has lamented that the legislators in Nigeria are rubber stamped and are watching the country drift aimlessly.

Utomi stated this on Friday while speaking with newsmen shortly after paying a condolence visit to the family of the late former Speaker, House of Representatives, Ghali Na’abba in Kano.

He noted that Na’abba represented a season when lawmakers were independent compared to the present crop of legislators.

According to him, “Late Na’abba represents for us a season in which we had an independent legislature that ensured that government policy could be aligned to service to the people.

“Today we don’t have a legislature. I can say that without even batting an eyelid. We have rubber-stamp legislators who are watching the country drifting aimlessly and are not offering options. Honourable Ghali Na’Abba did offer that when he was the Speaker of the National Assembly.

“We collaborated with him back in those days from civil society, from direct action, we stood by him to ensure that we have a working system. Many years afterwards as we saw the drift got worse, we thought that we needed to treat it the third way, a different way, right now it is going to be the second way because nothing else is left in the country. A country that is not working, run by politicians who just think about themselves and self-love. So what we have in our country today, can be called government of the worst by people who are consumed by self-love.”

[NaijaNews]

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has disclosed that it granted Pioneer Status Incentive (PSI) to 34 companies in 2023.

The Deputy Director of Investor Relations at the Commission, Lovina Kayode, made the disclosure yesterday at a media briefing in Abuja

She said tax incentives are meant to boost foreign investments for the country even though it is becoming a contentious issue due to the high amount of revenue lost to waivers granted yearly.

Lovina stated that the commission follows stringent procedures in granting tax breaks, saying that is why only few companies benefit.

She said: “The pioneer status incentive is a stimulus that allows a company to get three years of not paying Corporate Income Tax, just to get more investments.

“This process is stringent because our parent ministry and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) are involved to make sure the right investors get this incentive.

“So far this year, we granted 34 applications and one of the things we intend to do is to ensure we are not just giving incentives to undeserving companies. However, there is already a notion that Nigeria gives out too many waivers, incentives and concessions.
“But tax expenditure, which means what the government has lost by granting pioneers status incentive, is just a small amount compared to what the country gains by granting these incentives to qualified companies.”

She explained that the commission has plans to publish impact reports on the effectiveness of the pioneer status on job creation and other economic activities that promote investments.

“On impact, that is one thing NIPC is planning on, next year. It is one of our biggest tasks to do an impact assessment. These incentives we gave out, how have they impacted the country in terms of job creation?”

“How many jobs are the companies creating and what kind of import substitution has come about because we have granted these incentives; and how much would the government gain after the three years of them not paying these taxes,” she added.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Aisha Rimi, restated her resolve to facilitate and assist investors to stake their investments in the country in a bid to actualise the mandate of the commission.

[NaijaTimes]

The Ogun State Area Command II of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially released a bullion van that made headlines back in 2022, having been apprehended with smuggled rice and a whopping N24 million.

Customs Area Controller Olusola Alade made this announcement on Friday during a press briefing, disclosing that the bullion van, initially impounded in April 2022 for transporting 12 bags of 50kg smuggled foreign parboiled rice, has now been released, based on reports by News Agency of Nigeria.

The van, which was traced back to an Abeokuta branch of Access Bank, also harboured the sum of N24.4 million. The cash and the bullion van, sporting the registration number FKJ 993 BZ, have been handed over to officials of Bankers Warehouse Ltd. and Access Bank in Abeokuta.

What Customs said

• “The bullion van belonged to Bankers Warehouse and was impounded on April 22, 2022, by a joint border patrol team along the Sokoto-join/Joga road in the Abeokuta axis.
• “The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, has now ordered the release of the bullion van and the money to both the Bankers Warehouse and Access Bank on compassionate ground after investigation,” Alade said.
• “The seized foreign parboiled rice which were 12 bags of 50kg each were carefully concealed in the said vehicle. “Consequently, the said vehicle and the items were conveyed to the Customs House in Abeokuta for safekeeping.
• “After examining the vehicle, the money was discovered and deposited at the Abeokuta branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for safekeeping.
• “The vehicle was detained while the rice was converted to seizure in line with Section 168 of Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
• “In connection to the above seizures, three suspects were arrested, detained, granted administrative bail, and subsequently charged to court for aiding smuggling,” Alade explained.

Subsequently, Bankers Warehouse Ltd. and Access Bank submitted an appeal letter to the Customs’ Comptroller-General, seeking the release of both the van and the money on compassionate grounds.

After careful consideration of investigation outcomes and recommendations, the Comptroller-General approved the release, aligning with the provisions of Section 248 (1) and (2) of the NCS Act, 2023.

[Nairametrics]