The National Universities Commission (NUC) has released a list of universities operating illegally in Nigeria.

The list was contained in a notice signed by the acting secretary of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki, which said the affected universities have been closed down by the government and are under investigation.

According to the note attached to the list, the identified universities have not been licenced by the federal government.

It added that anyone who patronizes or obtains degrees from the illegal universities does so at his/her own risk.

The statement also warned that certificates obtained from the institutions will not be recognized for the purpose of NYSC, employment and further studies.

See the list.

According to Channels TV, Maiyaki confirmed on Wednesday that some arrests have been made with regard to the activities of the illegal universities.

Maiyaki said the Department of State Services (DSS) was involved in the clampdown on illegal institutions.

Naija News reports the clarification comes on the heels of an investigative report by a journalist, Umar Audu, who exposed a fake certificate syndicate from Bening Republic and Togo, which some Nigerians patronize.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, on Wednesday said the sanction and clampdown of the federal government against fake results would not be limited to Benin and Togo alone but would be extended to other countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Niger Republic.

The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has blamed technology for the double deployment of an undercover journalist, Umar Audu for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The Minister said the failure of technology was responsible for the mix-up but plans have been set in motion to avoid a future occurrence.

Mamman made the submission on Wednesday while speaking about the investigative report by Audu in which the journalist was able to obtain a University degree from Benin Republic in under two months and used the same to participate in the NYSC scheme.

“I presume that’s a failure of technology. Sometimes, it happens. So, it’s for the technical people to answer that,” Mamman said.

Audu, who had previously served in the NYSC scheme, was again deployed for the scheme and posted to Cross River State with the fake certificate obtained from Benin Republic.

Speaking on the development, Mamman added that he had already discussed with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, “so that we simply have one identification system in our country and don’t carry different identification everywhere we go.”

Minister Lists Results From Other Countries That Will Be Banned
The Minister of Education in Nigeria, Tahir Mamman, has listed some other countries that will be affected by the decision of the federal government to suspend accreditation and evaluation of results from such countries.

Speaking on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television, Mamman said the hammer of the federal government won’t be limited to results from Benin Republic and Togo alone.

According to him, the sanction of the federal government will be extended to results from countries like Uganda, Kenya and Niger Republic.

Investors in the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), experienced a significant boost in the stock market as they gained a total of N1.5 trillion in just two days.

This positive sentiment continued yesterday, with the market capitalization reaching N42.429 trillion on Wednesday, compared to the N40.917 trillion it opened with on Tuesday.

The gains were primarily driven by Tier-1 banks such as Zenith Bank which rose by 4.23%, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTCO) by 3.49% , and STANBIC IBTC recorded a rise of 3.1% to offset losses in other sectors.

The benchmark index also recorded a 2.04% gain, settling at 77,537.57 points, resulting in a year-to-date return of 3.70%.

Market turnover was also higher, with a total of 927.56 million shares valued at N10.69 billion exchanged in 11,629 deals.

The market breadth closed positive, with advancing issues outnumbering declining ones at a ratio of 9.57-to-1. Dangote Sugar emerged as the top gainer, while LEARN AFRCA led the laggards’ table.

Tingo Group Founder Charged With Massive Securities Fraud In New York
Meanwhile, in a major development in the financial world, Odogwu Banye Mmobuosi, also known as Dozy Mmobuosi, founder of the Tingo Group, faces serious charges of securities fraud and false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as announced by Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI.

Naija News reports that the indictment, unsealed in Manhattan federal court, accuses Mmobuosi of orchestrating a deceptive scheme to inflate the financial statements of his companies – Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods.

These allegations suggest that Mmobuosi falsely represented these Nigerian companies as operational and profitable, generating substantial revenues, and then sold them to U.S.-listed companies, including Tingo Group (Nasdaq: TIO) and Agri-Fintech Holdings (OTC Markets: TMNA).

This fraudulent activity reportedly led to the issuance of misleading financial statements, portraying Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods as profitable and cash-rich entities. Mmobuosi allegedly profited millions from this scheme through well-timed share sales at inflated prices.

Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney, commented on the gravity of Mmobuosi’s alleged actions, stating, “With this Indictment, Mmobuosi’s alleged deceitful scheme comes to an end.”

Similarly, FBI Assistant Director James Smith emphasized the seriousness of such securities schemes, highlighting their devastating impact on investors and the commitment of the FBI to bring perpetrators to justice.

Mmobuosi, 45 and originally from Nigeria, faces charges including conspiracy, securities fraud, and making false filings with the SEC. The maximum sentences for these charges range from five to twenty years in prison, though actual sentencing will be determined by a judge.

The indictment also highlights Mmobuosi’s lavish lifestyle, allegedly funded by the profits from this fraudulent scheme. Accusations include the use of illicit profits for luxury cars and private jet travel.

This indictment follows a lawsuit filed by the SEC against Mmobuosi and Tingo Group in December, describing the fraud as of “staggering” scope. Notably, Tingo’s reported cash balance of $461.7 million in March was starkly contrasted with legitimate bank records showing less than $50.

These charges are merely accusations at this stage, and Mmobuosi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter Davis and Kiersten A. Fletcher leading the prosecution.

In a major development in the financial world, Odogwu Banye Mmobuosi, also known as Dozy Mmobuosi, founder of the Tingo Group, faces serious charges of securities fraud and false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as announced by Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI.

The indictment, unsealed in Manhattan federal court, accuses Mmobuosi of orchestrating a deceptive scheme to inflate the financial statements of his companies – Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods. These allegations suggest that Mmobuosi falsely represented these Nigerian companies as operational and profitable, generating substantial revenues, and then sold them to U.S.-listed companies, including Tingo Group (Nasdaq: TIO) and Agri-Fintech Holdings (OTC Markets: TMNA).

This fraudulent activity reportedly led to the issuance of misleading financial statements, portraying Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods as profitable and cash-rich entities. Mmobuosi allegedly profited millions from this scheme through well-timed share sales at inflated prices.

Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney, commented on the gravity of Mmobuosi’s alleged actions, stating, “With this Indictment, Mmobuosi’s alleged deceitful scheme comes to an end.” Similarly, FBI Assistant Director James Smith emphasized the seriousness of such securities schemes, highlighting their devastating impact on investors and the commitment of the FBI to bring perpetrators to justice.

Mmobuosi, 45 and originally from Nigeria, faces charges including conspiracy, securities fraud, and making false filings with the SEC. The maximum sentences for these charges range from five to twenty years in prison, though actual sentencing will be determined by a judge.

The indictment also highlights Mmobuosi’s lavish lifestyle, allegedly funded by the profits from this fraudulent scheme. Accusations include the use of illicit profits for luxury cars and private jet travels. This indictment follows a lawsuit filed by the SEC against Mmobuosi and Tingo Group in December, describing the fraud as of “staggering” scope. Notably, Tingo’s reported cash balance of $461.7 million in March was starkly contrasted with legitimate bank records showing less than $50.

These charges are merely accusations at this stage, and Mmobuosi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter Davis and Kiersten A. Fletcher leading the prosecution.

Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Koroma has been charged with treason.

According to a statement shared by the Sierra Leone Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, the former president is being charged for his alleged involvement in the failed coup attempt of November 2023.

Mr Koroma was charged with four offences, including treason and two counts of harbouring fugitives. It was not clear as of press time if he had been arrested.

He was invited for questioning in December following an attack on a military barracks, a prison and other targets in Sierra Leone. The attacks, which the government later called a failed coup, led to the release of over 2,200 prisoners and the death of over 20 people.

President Julius Bio’s administration claimed that the former president’s bodyguards were largely responsible for the attempted coup. Shortly afterwards, Mr Koroma issued a statement denouncing the attacks.

[Premium Times]

The federal government has announced that it will suspend accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Kenya, Uganda, Niger Republic and other African countries where institutions that issue false certificates operate.  

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, made this statement while featured on Channel TV on Wednesday.  

This is coming on the heels of an investigative report that unveiled how some Nigerians deploy scrupulous means methods to get a degree from the country, to get graduate job opportunities in Nigeria for which they are not qualified. 

The publication by the journalist titled “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN Reporter Bagged Cotonou Varsity Degree in 6 Weeks, Participated in NYSC Scheme” made the allegations. 

According to the Minister, most of these institutions that issue fake certificates don’t have physical sites or campuses. However, they are located in different countries in Africa.  

He said, 

• “It is a wake-up call for us and that is why we quickly swung into action to stop the recognition of certificates and qualification from those countries that are in the forefront of this business.  
• “And I can tell you that we are not going to stop at just Togo and Benin. We are going to extend it to countries like Uganda, Kenya, and even Niger here where such Institutions have been set up.  
• “A lot of these institutions don’t have physical locations. They just operate undercover. They don’t have a physical site.” 

Security Forces to Prosecute Individuals with Fake Certificates 

Mamman also said that security agents will go after Nigerians with fake certificates from foreign countries already using them to secure opportunities in the country.  

The Minister, who described such individuals as criminals and not victims said he has no sympathy for such people. Instead, they are part of the criminal chain that should be arrested.  

• “If along the line, we can trace that there are people already in the system. For instance, if a particular institution or operator has been operating, say in the last 10 years, we will check if we can get records of Nigerians who attended that institution. 
• “Once we do that, they are criminals and you know there is no timeframe to criminality. We will trace them. As long as we can lay our hands on their institutions and they are right here with us, certainly, the security agencies will go after them because they are criminals,” he added. 

Backstory 

• The Federal Government on Tuesday suspended the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.  
• This move followed a report detailing how a degree was acquired from a university in Benin Republic in under two months. 
• “This report lends credence to suspicions that some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a Degree with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified,” a statement from the Ministry of Education noted. 

[Nairametrics]

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has identified at least 58 illegal universities or satellite campuses operating in Nigeria, warning that Certificates obtained from the institutions will not be recognised for the purposes of compulsory one-year national service, employment, and further studies.

Acting executive secretary of NUC, Chris Maiyaki, disclosed this on Wednesday when he spoke with Channels Television in Abuja, saying that some arrests have been made in connection with the fake institutions.

Maiyaki said the Department of State Services (DSS) was involved in the clampdown on the illegal institutions and their promoters.

The NUC secretary urged parents and guardians to check the commission’s website for legal and illegal universities in Nigeria so that their children and wards don’t fall victims.

The revelations followed the suspension of degree certificates from two francophone West African countries and other countries after an undercover journalist detailed how he acquired a degree from a university in the neighbouring Benin Republic under two months and was subsequently deployed for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Also, in a public announcement by the Commission signed by the acting executive secretary of NUC where the fake institutions were listed, Maiyaki said that in addition to their closure, other nine institutions/campuses, which he described as “Degree Mills”, were undergoing further investigations and/or ongoing court actions.

He noted that the purpose of the actions was to prosecute the proprietors and recover illegal fees and charges on subscribers.

They include; National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa State: North Central University, Otukpo, Benue State; Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu; Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia State;
West Coast University, Umuahia; Saint Clements University, lyin Ekiti, Ekiti State; Volta University College, Aba, Abia State; Illegal Satellite Campuses of Ambrose Alli University, and L.I.F.E Leadership University, Benin City, Edo State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, anybody who patronises or obtains any certificate from any of these illegal institutions does so at his or her own risk.

“Certificates obtained from these sources will not be recognised for the purposes of NYSC, employment, and further studies,” Maiyaki warned.

See Full List of Illegal Universities/Campuses Below:

1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
2. Christians of Charity American University of Science & Technology, Nkpor, Anambra State or any ofits other campuses
3. University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos or any of its other campuses
4. University of Applied Sciences & Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria
5. Blacksmith University, Awka or any of its other campuses
6. Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria
7. Royal University Izhia, P.O. Box 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State or any ofits other campuses
8. Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi State or any of its other campuses
9. United Christian University, Macotis Campus, Imo State or any of its other campuses.
10. United Nigeria University College, Okija, Anambra State or any of its other campuses.
11. Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its other campuses.
12. UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State or any of its other campuses.
13. Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos, Plateau State or any of its other campuses
14. The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and LagosStudy Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria
15. Collumbus University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria
16. Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria
17. Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria
18. London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
19. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
20. Lobi Business School Makurdi, Benue State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
21. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
22. Bolta University College Aba or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
23. JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University) Kaduna IllegalCampus
24. Westlan University, Esie, Kwara State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
25. St. Andrews University College, Abuja or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
26. EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.
27. Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo Akwa Ibom State or any of its campuses in Nigeria
28. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria
29. Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria
30. Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja or any of its campuses in Nigeria
31. Acada University, Akinlalu, Oyo State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
32. Fifom University, Mbaise, Imo State or any of its campuses in Nigeria
33. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.
34. Atlantic Intercontinental University, Okija, Anambra State
35. Open International University, Akure
36. Middle Belt University (North Central University), Otukpo
37. Leadway University, Ughelli, Delta State
38. Metro University, Dutse/Bwari, Abuja
39. Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam) Ndoki, Rivers State
40. Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State
41. Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja.
42. Temple University, Abuja
43. Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
44. National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
45. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway and its Annex at 41, Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
46. University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
47. Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
48. African University Cooperative Development (AUCD), Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
49. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study
50. Evangel University of America & Chudick Management Academic, Lagos
51. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko Campus)
52. Career Light Resources Centre, Jos
53. University of West Africa, Kwali-Abuja, FCT
54. Coastal University, Iba-Oku, Akwa-Ibom State
55. Kaduna Business School, Kaduna
56. Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger State
57. West African Union University, in Collaboration with International Professional College of Administration, Science and Technology Nigeria, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
58. Gospel Missionary Foundation (GMF), Theological University. 165 Iselo road, Cele bus stop, Egbe-Ikotun, Lagos.

[Leadership]

• Road infrastructure, pipelines, rail tracks, cables top list of vandals’ targets
• FG expends N60 billion on pipeline repairs yearly
• Stakeholders seek public enlightenments, stiffer sanctions for vandals, reckless drivers 

Amid paucity of funds to close the gap of infrastructural deficit nationwide, there is a growing concern on routine vandalisation of available public assets, which currently costs over N132 billion in repairs yearly.

Nationwide are rampant thefts of electricity transformers and cables, removal of rail track slippers, tampering with oil pipelines, vandalism of manhole covers, pedestrian bridge railings and bridge barriers.

Repair estimates are though sketchy, findings showed that pipeline repairs alone cost the Federal Government at least N60 billion yearly. Another conservative estimate showed that each state – where such infrastructures are restored at all – spends an average N2 billion on repairs of vandalised public assets yearly.

Concerned stakeholders, however, called for sensitisation on the culture of protecting public assets, coupled with stiffer penalties for vandals, as deterrence.

Agusto & Co., a rating agency, recently estimated that Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit requires $3 trillion to close over the next 30 years, while the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan envisages an investment of $150 billion yearly to achieve the target.

But the 2024 budget and allocations to critical sectors show that a paltry sum of N1.32 trillion is allocated for infrastructure, including execution of new projects and repairs in ministries such as works and housing, transport, aviation, and water resources.

The sum is completely dwarfed by Lagos State government’s recent claim that the state alone requires over N7 trillion to tackle infrastructure challenges in 2024. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed that about 60 per cent of yearly budget on roads is spent on fixing and maintenance due to damage by some heavy-duty vehicles.

Lagos State Government allocated 27.3 per cent of its N1.76 trillion 2023 budget to road infrastructure, amounting to N482.86 billion.

Indeed, many flyovers and pedestrian bridges in the state have been stripped, with their fittings and railings stolen or damaged. The increasingly brazen hoodlums have recently taken to hacking the concrete dividers on major highways to extract the embedded steel.

In Lagos, most affected bridges include those in Apapa, Ijora flyovers, Ladipo and Oshodi pedestrian bridges, Dorman Long Bridge, Ojuelegba, Iyana-Isolo, Otedola and Carter Bridge. Findings revealed that severally, truck barriers have been installed on facilities like Ojuelegba Bridge and others, but routinely knocked down by reckless drivers of heavy-duty trucks.

Vandalism is, however, not peculiar to Lagos. For instance, the Management of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company said that between January and June 2022, a total of 158 distribution substations were vandalised across the four franchise states of the company causing the company to lose over N238.7 million worth of equipment.

In the Federal Capital Territory, solar-powered street lights have been stolen. Some of the poles were cut off and taken away alongside the solar panels and lights.

Besides, about N556 billion was lost between August and October 2021 to pipeline vandalism, sabotage and other challenges that led to the shut-in of over 17.86 million barrels of crude oil, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. The NNPC said it spent N53.36 billion on this in 2020.

Vandalism of electricity facilities and equipment accounts for over 60 per cent of blackouts recorded across the country.

Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) lost over N50 million monthly to vandalism through stolen cables, damaged transformers, and other network infrastructure, while the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) said it lost an estimated sum of N4 billion to vandalism of its assets as such acts reportedly escalated within its network in six months.

Similarly, in Ogun state, three transmission towers collapsed recently on the 132KVA Papalanto/Ojere double-circuit transmission line, after they were vandalised, causing power outages around Abeokuta and its environs.

In the telecommunication sector, the National Communications Commission stated that over 50,000 cases of major destruction to telecom infrastructure and facilities have been reported nationwide in the past five years.

The Guardian gathered that the motoring public have also contributed to the destruction of public facilities. Culprits in the act are usually articulated trucks conveying 40-feet containers, who are often involved in lone or multiple accidents on the expressway.

The trend has been a drain on the nation’s lean resources as an average of 200,000 barrels per day is lost to the wanton damage to pipelines and a huge amount of N60 billion yearly by the Federal Government to repair and maintain the vandalised points, according to the former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

Apparently pained by the economic loss to vandals, infrastructure expert, Lookman Oshodi, said beyond punitive measures for those who destroy public facilities, the government needs to do more in terms of education and awareness creation among the users, especially drivers.

Oshodi said truck drivers cannot safely convey goods and machineries across the country without understanding the basic rules of road ethics.

He said: “If a truck driver is apprehended for destroying public infrastructure, massive education is required for him and the owner of the vehicle on what is obtainable in driving in a city like Lagos.

“The drivers that cause damage to infrastructure should be made to pay exorbitantly for such damage. If the owner of the vehicle has good insurance coverage, the insurance should cover the cost of damage.”

Oshodi, who is the Project Director, Arctic Infrastructure, observed that the Nigerian State still battles inadequacy of infrastructure.

“Management and maintenance strategy of public infrastructure are still relatively low, and we have not been able to develop robust expertise to understand the importance, purpose, and direction that public infrastructure should go.

“We still take public infrastructure as a transactional and political patronage system. Public infrastructure speaks to the fundamental existence of any society, strength, capacity, the direction, and wealth, extent of good governance and prosperity of any society,” he said.

He advised that as part of transport infrastructure provision, the government should install signals on strategic locations on the type of trucks that can pass a particular axis and conditions of the areas they can divert to on the expressway to get to their location.

He added that the essence of truck driver signals on the highways was to prepare any right-thinking drivers to be aware of diversions ahead during the journey and the available options to take.

Former Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Apapa branch, Sunny Ejeje, said it is time for the government to come out strong against those who vandalise public infrastructure, rather than spare them when such incidents happen.

He said the refusal to do so would continue to cause more discomfort to residents, who are the beneficiaries of the infrastructure.

“The perpetrators must be prosecuted individually because most of the time public infrastructure is destroyed as a result of negligence. Apart from impounding the vehicles and government should arrest and prosecute the individuals and make the companies they work for pay for the damage.”

The President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Dr Elizabeth Eterigho, said there is the need to strengthen enforcement of existing laws to deter vandalism, adding that such acts should be treated as a criminal offense and enforced with fines and/or imprisonment.

“There is a need for concerted efforts from citizens first, the governments’ agencies, law enforcement, to address this issue and ensure that the nation’s economic growth potential is not undermined. Collaborate with stakeholders such as utility companies, private entities, and community groups to prevent vandalism through collective efforts, including employing security personnel, installing Closed Circuit Television cameras, and implementing access control systems,” Eterigho said.

While urging the government to prioritise the safety and well-being of infrastructure, she advised the government to invest in newer technologies that can help detect and prevent vandalism and create awareness campaigns.

Eterigho said: “We must protect our assets, including pipelines, power grids, telecommunication networks, and public infrastructure, as they are very crucial to our daily lives.

“Preventing vandalism of critical infrastructure requires a multi-faceted approach that involves education, awareness, improved security measures, cyber security, collaboration, and reporting and response mechanisms.

“By taking proactive steps to prevent vandalism of critical infrastructure, we can help to protect our communities and ensure the continued functioning of essential services,” she said.

[Guardian]

At least 103 people were killed in Iran Wednesday as two bombs in quick succession struck a crowd commemorating slain general Qasem Soleimani on the anniversary of his killing, state media reported.

The blasts, which state television called a “terrorist attack”, came with tensions running high in the Middle East a day after Hamas number two Saleh al-Aruri – an Iran ally – was killed in a drone attack on a Beirut southern suburb which Lebanese officials blamed on Israel.

The blasts stuck near the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in Kerman, Soleimani’s southern hometown where he is buried, as supporters gathered to mark the fourth anniversary of his killing in a US drone strike just outside Baghdad airport.

Kerman’s deputy governor, Rahman Jalali, said the explosions were a “terrorist attack”.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

“The number of people killed rose to 103 following the death of people injured during the terrorist explosions,” said official IRNA news agency, which earlier reported 73 deaths.

Another 141 people were wounded in the bombings, IRNA said, adding that some were in “critical condition”.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency, quoting informed sources, said “two bags carrying bombs went off” at the site.

“The perpetrators… of this incident apparently detonated the bombs by remote control,” Tasnim added.

The ISNA news agency quoted Kerman mayor Saeed Tabrizi as saying the bombs exploded 10 minutes apart.

“We were walking towards the cemetery when a car suddenly stopped behind us and a waste bin containing a bomb exploded,” an eyewitness was quoted by ISNA as saying.

“We only heard the sound of the explosion and saw people falling. There was a bomb in the trash can,” the witness added.

Online footage showed crowds scrambling to flee as security personnel cordoned off the area.

Deadly adversary
Images on state television showed several ambulances and rescue personnel in the area.

Among the 73 killed were three paramedics who were dispatched to the area following the first explosion, according to Iran’s Red Crescent.

Soleimani headed the Quds Force, the foreign operations arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, overseeing military operations across the Middle East.

Declared a “living martyr” by Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while still alive, Soleimani was widely regarded as a hero for his role in defeating the Islamic State jihadist group in both Iraq and Syria.

In the eyes of many Iranians, his military and strategic prowess were instrumental in warding off the multi-ethnic disintegration of neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan as well as Syria and Iraq.

Long seen as a deadly adversary by the US and its allies, Soleimani was one of the most important powerbrokers across the region, setting Iran’s political and military agenda in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

On days after his death in 2020 and leading up to his funeral in Kerman, millions turned out to mourn in a show of national unity.

A survey published in 2018 by IranPoll and the University of Maryland found Soleimani had a popularity rating in Iran of 83 per cent, ahead of then-president Hassan Rouhani and then-foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

[DailyTrust]

Sadiya Umar-Farouq, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development under ex-president Muhammadu Buhari government, refused to honour the invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission probing an alleged N37.1 billion laundered during her tenure in office through a contractor, James Okwete.

Earlier DAILY POST reports that the former Minister was expected to appear before EFCC interrogators at the Commission’s head office on Wednesday around 10:00 am in Abuja.

However, a source in EFCC who spoke anonymously confirmed that Sadiya Umar-Farouq shunned the Commission’s invitation on Wednesday.

“We just closed from work now because she didn’t show up today, and it’s 6 pm already. It’s certain that she’s never going to show up today”.

The development comes barely 24 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Halima Shehu, the national coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, over her involvement in the fraud.

Consequently, Halima Shehu was arrested by EFCC.

[DailyPost]