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The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, has sentenced two men, Ugwu Chijioke and Ibrahim Adekunle, to a 46 years combined jail term for impersonating operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and executing a fake court order.
This is according to a statement by the EFCC on its Facebook page on Sunday.
According to the anti-graft agency, the convicts were arrested in May 2021 at New Horizon Estate, Lekki, Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the commission during which they were carrying out an illegal operation.
At the time of their arrest, exhibits such as fake EFCC identity cards, jackets, and a court order allegedly from Mushin Magistrate Court were recovered from them.
Following their arrest, they were arraigned before Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos Command of the EFCC on an amended five counts including impersonation, attempted property fraud, possession of false documents, and unlawful wearing of the EFCC uniform.
The statement read in part, “That you, Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle, on or about the 12th day of May 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, attempted to obtain property from one Oriyomi Johnson under the pretext that the ‘Chief Magistrate Court, Lagos State Judiciary, Mushin, Lagos’ issued an order to the effect that the property located at New Horizon Estate, Lekki- Ikate, Lagos be seized and the said apartment sealed pending the arrival of the said Oriyomi Johnson, which representation you knew to be false and committed an offence of attempt to obtain property by false pretence contrary to Sections 8(b) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section11(3) of the same Act.
“That you, Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle, on or about May 12, 2021, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court not being a person holding any office in or authority of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, wore a jacket bearing the official mark of the commission, which was calculated to convey the impression that you held such authority and committed an offence of unlawfully wearing the uniform of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission contrary to Section 79(1) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”
The suspects pleaded guilty to the offences when read to them, and following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel, Abdulhamid Tukur, presented a review of the case facts, requested the court to deliver a guilty verdict and impose the corresponding sentences.
Justice Abike-Fadipe found them guilty as charged on counts one, two, three, four and five.
The defendants, however, pleaded with the judge for mercy.
In her judgment, Justice Abike-Fadipe convicted Chijioke and Adekunle to seven years each on counts one to three, one year on count four and eight months on count five.
“Delivering judgment, Justice Abike-Fadipe sentenced the defendants each to seven years on counts one to three each, one year on count four and eight months on count five.
“The sentences are to run concurrently.”
PUNCH Online reported on May 2 that the Nasarawa State Police Command arrested three fake officials of the EFCC in the Nasarawa Local Government Area of the State.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, had disclosed that the suspects had launched an attack around the Federal Polytechnic in the Nasarawa LGA where they robbed people of their belongings and subsequently abducted a National Diploma student of the institution, Adudu Kingsley.
He further explained that the victim was released and the suspects were arrested following painstaking efforts by officers of the command.
Guaranty Trust Bank has dragged no fewer than 60 top executives of 13 commercial banks to court as a pending suit between GTBank and Afex Commodity Exchange over N17bn Anchor Borrowers Programme loan lingers.
The 60 executives including the chairmen, chief executive officers, directors, and company secretaries of the 13 banks are facing contempt proceedings for allegedly failing to implement a No-Debit-Order reportedly placed on the accounts of Afex Commodity Exchange with the banks.
In suit no FHC/L/CS/911/2024 involving Guaranty Trust Bank Limited and AFEX Commodities Exchange Limited, the Federal High Court, Lagos division presided by Justice CJ Aneke signed an order for the bank chairmen, MDs, directors, company secretaries and the liquidator of Heritage Bank (Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation) to be committed to jail for failing to obey its May 27, 2024 ruling.
A legal notice titled ‘Order to serve notice of disobedience to order of court vide newspaper publication’ published in some national dailies including The PUNCH on Thursday, partly read, “An order granting leave to the Plaintiff Applicant to serve Form 48 (Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court) dated 11th June, 2024 and all other forms and processes that may be issued in this contempt proceedings inclusive of Form 49 on the 1st-60st parties cited for contempt
THE ROUND TABLE: FG Warns Of Mass Sacking Should ‘Unrealistic Minimum Wage’ Happen
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The matter was adjourned to next Thursday.
Parties cited for contempt include Access Bank, Citibank, Jaiz Bank, Union Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, First City Monument Bank, NDIC (liquidator for Heritage Bank), Polaris Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Taj Bank, United Bank for Africa and Zenith Bank alongside its principal officers.
In the court ruling dated May 27, 2024, twenty banks were directed to transfer monies standing to the credit of the respondent into the AFEX’s account with GTB until the N17.81bn is repaid.
The N17.81bn loans comprise N15.77bn; the amount outstanding and unpaid, as of April 17, 2024, and the cost of recovery and incidental expenses in the sum of N2.04bn.
The court also granted an injunction allowing GTB to take over AFEX 16 warehouses located across seven states and sell the commodities stored in them, which it said were procured with the Central Bank of Nigeria Anchor Borrowers’ loan facility.
Earlier in the month, the court had served contempt proceedings against AFEX and some of its principal officers including Ayodele Balogun, Jendayi Fraaser, Justin Topilow, Mobolaji Adeoye and Koonal Ghandi.
According to court papers, AFEX had sourced the Anchor Borrowers Programme Loan facility from GTB to provide finance for smallholder farmers registered under the CBN Anchor Borrower’s programme.
The loan was expected to be repaid from the sale of commodities. However, AFEX failed to uphold its end of the deal even after an extension.
In a statement following the interim court order, AFEX claimed that it had repaid about 90 per cent of the loan facility.
“However, a portion of the loan remains outstanding with the farmers and while we have paid out a portion out of our own purse, we remain in discussions with CBN over the outstanding amounts of the said facility,” the exchange said.
It also said the full value of the loan was utilised to provide input to farmers in three consecutive seasons, starting in 2020.
The exchange added that it had remained consistent with repaying the loans until economic headwinds impacted the operations of the farmers that they had disbursed the money to.
“Over 800,000 hectares of farmland were financed through the course of the programme’s operationalisation; however, significant macro and policy headwinds, including the cash crunch on the back of the Naira redesign policy, severely impacted the productive capacity and market participation of the smallholder farmers in the 2022/2023 season.
“This resulted in less than 40 cent repayment from farmers on their input loan bundles, down from our 90per cent repayment rates in the previous eight years of providing input financing for farmers. The low repayment rate ultimately impacted on our ability to refund the full value of the loan at the end of Q1 2023 and following a 6-month extension period,” AFEX added.
The commodities exchange also stated that the lingering effects of the cash crunch have continued to impact farmers, who sold at below market value to get immediate cash inflows to sustain their families in the period and remain unable to pay back.
Meanwhile, AFEX has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to activate the collateral guarantee of up to 70 per cent clause included in the Anchor Borrowers programme.
“Evidenced in the attached letters, our engagements with Guaranty Trust Bank Limited, a Participating Financial Institution in the program, as well as the apex bank have seen us highlight these limitations on the part of the defaulting farmers with suggestions being made to the CBN to activate the risk-sharing structure put in place for the program and release funds accordingly to sustain activities and allow for needed recovery efforts in our agriculture sector.
This was made known on Sunday by movie producer, Stanley Nwoko otherwise known as Stanley Ontop via his Instagram page.
He revealed that the actress passed away today, Sunday, June 16th, after battling with leg cancer.
Nwoko wrote: “Nollywood actress and veteran Mrs Stella Ikwuegbu is dead. The veteran actress left this world today after battling with leg cancer. Rest well, Madam Stella. Nollywood again. It’s well.”
The late actress began her career in 1990, appearing in numerous films such as ‘Spoiler,’ ‘Ukwa,’ ‘Sound of Love,’ ‘Holy Man,’ ‘Two Hearts,’ ‘Heart of Stone,’ and ‘Madam Koikoi,’ among others.
Hailing from Enugu, she was not only an actress but also a businesswoman.
A graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu State, she launched her restaurant, ‘The Film Bar,’ on August 1.
The actress’ death comes barely five days after veteran Yoruba actor Dayo Adewunmi, aka Sule Suebebe, died at 68.
Tragedy struck in Ondo town, Ondo State after two lovers were reportedly electrocuted during sex romp.
The incident according to an eyewitness occurred at the Ayeyemi area of Ondo town, Ondo State.
Vanguard gathered that the middle-aged man identified as Eric and his yet-to-be-identified girlfriend were reportedly found dead at a new apartment in the area.
The lifeless bodies of the lovers were reportedly found stuck together.
This, the source said was an indication that the lovers were having sex before the ugly incident happened.
According to the source, the dead lovers were said to have been separated by a doctor.
The source said that “The secret lovers were electrocuted during the sex romp.
“The generator was running in the premises and a phone plugged on a power socket to charge was seen placed on the bed. It might be possible they had contact with a naked wire resulting in their electrocution.”
“The relatives of the deceased man found the lovers dead after they did not answer their phone calls the following day. They looked through a window, spotted the bodies, and broke down the door to enter.
Contacted the state Police commands spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, confirmed the incident.
Odunlami added that an investigation had commenced into the incident, saying “The man and the woman are lovers who were known by both relatives. They died in the room but they were not stuck together. We are yet to know the cause but the investigation had commenced.
A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Dr Celestine Chukwuneye, has criticised the way and manner the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in last year’s elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is playing opposition politics.
Chukwuneye said in Lagos that Atiku is doing more of an attack on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, without the necessary facts and without proffering a solution. He said a good opposition should criticise the government with facts and figures.
The APC chieftain lamented that Nigeria does not have a strong opposition party or coalition of parties. He added: “We need a strong opposition. It helps to make the government perform to its optimum. It is my wish that the opposition should get their acts together. In politics, there is no need for undue rivalry. I don’t believe in that. It should be live and let live.’’
He advised the opposition to work for the country’s progress by commending the government when it is doing well and pointing out with facts and figures it is doing otherwise. He said: “If the ruling party gets it right, it is good for the country. The opposition could be in government tomorrow as it happened in 2015 and life continues. Whether in government or opposition, do your best for the country.”
On the recent visit of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi to Atiku, the medical doctor said: “If it is about a merger, it is good. Let them merge. It is a good thing for the country. We should have two good strong parties in the country. The others can pursue their agenda.
Chukwunenye also lamented that all the political parties are not united, saying this is bad for our nascent democracy. His words: “All of them are in crisis. This is good for the country. They should be focused on delivering the dividends of democracy.’’
He said the situation is even worse for the so-called smaller parties because they are hardly visible. “You hardly hear anything from them. They only come around when there are elections,” he added.
Chukwunenye said there is a need to amend the electoral laws. He said the percentage a candidate is expected to secure to win the presidential election should be reviewed. “We borrowed our presidential system from the United States. But, in that country, no one wins the presidential election with less than 50 per cent of the total votes cast.
“It is not good also when one party gets 90 per cent of the votes. This helps to ensure that democratic tenets are kept. It helps to reduce centrifugal forces such as ethnicity and religion in our political system,’’ he added.
Operatives of the Nasarawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC have arrested a gang of kidnappers responsible for the abduction and murder of Comrade Daniel Umaru Lagi, the father of former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Innocent Lagi.
The Commandant of the corps, Ismaila Abdullahi, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, June 15, 2024, said the suspects were arrested in a sting operation in collaboration with the troops of the Nigerian Army, Operation Whirl Stroke of the Nigerian Army.
Mr Abdullahi added that the suspects have confessed to the crime and will be charged to court for prosecution upon completion of the investigation.
LIB reported that the deceased, who was also the father of Professor Theophilus Lagi, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) was killed on Sunday, June 2024 a few days after his abduction.
Late Lagi was kidnapped in Wamba on Tuesday, May 28.
"A pastor told me she is behind my predicament" - Woman says after setting her 86-old-old mother ablaze in Ondo
AFOLABI
A 45-year-old woman, Abiodun, popularly known as “Iya Sunday,” poured petrol on her 86-year-old mother and set her ablaze in Ondo State, alleging she is behind her predicament.
The incident occurred at Surulere, an area opposite Anglican Cathedral Church in the Ondo West local government area of the state on Friday, June 14, 2024.
It was gathered that the victim, whose name is yet to be confirmed, sustained first-degree burns, affecting her from head to toe and currently receiving treatment in a hospital
According to an eyewitness, the daughter of the octogenarian visited her mother at home around 5 am on Friday, alleging the old woman of being behind her spiritual predicament before setting her mother on fire.
“What happened between them before the incident we don’t know, but the suspect has been arrested by police at the Enu-Owa division for further investigation,” the eyewitness said.
The suspect, Abiodun, while speaking on the incident confirmed she set her mother on fire and did the act intentionally because she was told that her mother was behind her predicament.
"I went to my mother’s house around 4 a.m. and sat outside. When it was 5 a.m., I called out my mother from the house. Immediately after she came out, not knowing what was happening, I poured petrol on her body and set her on fire.
"I went to one pastor for prayer, and he told me that my mother is behind what is happening to me. I did not believe it at first. My mother also took me somewhere to see a woman. After my mother left, the woman also told me the same thing.
“I burnt my mother because of what I heard from the pastor and the woman, that I can only be free from bondage when my mother is dead.”
A police source at Enu-Owa police station who confirmed the incident said the suspect has been arrested and the case would be transferred to the Police headquarters in Akure for further investigation.
Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has called on the church to question the wealth sources of politicians making donations to support evangelism.
Osinbajo spoke on Saturday at the inaugural lecture in honour of the late senior pastor of Fountain Life Church Taiwo Odukoya.
The lecture titled ‘Strengthening the Christian voice in government or public office’ was held at the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Osinbajo admonished the church to teach good values that Christians can hold on to when they find themselves in public service.
“How often do those who receive money from politicians and from other sources ask the source of the money? the former vice-president asked.
“So the question is not how many Christians are in government, business, or professions? The question is, what are they equipped with?
“What are the relevant principles of the gospel that they know and apply in their daily and professional or public lives?”
Tolu Odukoya, associate senior pastor of the church, said the lecture would carry on the legacy of empowerment of her late father.
“It is with great joy and a sense of gratitude that I welcome you all to the inaugural Daniel Odukoya lecture,” Tolu said.
“Today marks the beginning of a significant tradition in our church, a tribute to my father, our father, the founding father of the Fountain of Life Church.”
Ben Akabueze, director-general (DG) of the budget office of the federation, who delivered the lecture, emphasised the need for Christians in power to uphold good tenets.
“In today’s world, governments operate in a diverse and pluralistic society, thus diversity is reflected not only in the cultural and ethnic background but also in the multiplicities of world views,” Akabueze said
“Christianity co-exists alongside other faiths and circular perspectives, these diversities necessitate a respectful and collaborative approach to governance.
“It is important for Christians to engage with respect and understanding towards other faiths, which should not mean compromising one’s belief but rather, finding ways to express such belief.
He urged Christians in power to ask for forgiveness and retrace their step when they derail.
“I encourage each of you to step into leadership roles, your presence and voice in these spaces can make a profound difference,” he added.
“No one is invaluable and leaders will make mistakes, Christians in public office should demonstrate humility and the willingness to seek forgiveness.”
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to “ensure that his government’s proposed bill on new minimum wage for Nigerian workers is entirely consistent and compatible with Nigeria’s international obligations to promote and advance the right of workers to an adequate living wage.”
The president had in his Democracy Day Speech on June 12 stated that “We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine the new minimum wage as part of our law for the next five years or less.”
In the letter dated 15 June 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “the reportedly proposed level of the minimum wage in the executive bill is grossly inadequate and falls short of the requirements of international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.”
SERAP said, “The executive bill should reflect the international standards that Nigerian workers should be provided, at a minimum, with a living wage, in accordance with costs of living.”
According to SERAP, “As you and your government know, Nigerian workers face many human rights challenges. Most of the people living in poverty work, yet they do not earn a wage sufficient to afford an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families.”
The letter, read in part: “Any proposed minimum wage that fails to guarantee a life in dignity for Nigerian workers and their families would be entirely inconsistent and incompatible with international standards.”
“Successive governments have persistently and systematically violated these guarantees. Millions of Nigerian workers remain poor due mainly to low wages and a lack of social security and social protection.”
“If your government sends to the National Assembly any bill which fails to meet the requirements of international standards, and the bill is then passed into law, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“The proposed recommendations are not unrealistic, as they are based on Nigeria’s international human rights obligations. Human rights are not a matter of charity. Upholding Nigeria’s international obligations regarding the right of workers to an adequate living wage would protect the purchasing power of workers in poverty.”
“The preparation of the executive bill provides you and your government an important opportunity to respect, protect, promote and advance the rights of Nigerian workers to an adequate living wage and fair remuneration.”
“We urge you to take concrete steps to defend the rights of Nigerian workers to an adequate living wage.”
“This would ensure that the proposed executive bill protects not only against absolute poverty but also against relative poverty, as a source of social exclusion.”
“Your government has legal obligations to reflect these guarantees in any executive bill on the new minimum wage to be sent to the National Assembly.”
“The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights imposes clear legal obligations on your government to ensure and uphold the right of Nigerian workers to an adequate living wage that would ensure a decent standard of living for the workers and their families.”
“We urge you to put the country’s resources at the service of human rights, and to advance Nigerian workers’ right to an adequate living wage by immediately cutting the cost of governance and implementing bold transparency and accountability measures in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).”
“We urge you and your government to urgently propose cuts in the huge budgetary allocations to fund security votes, jumbo salaries and allowances paid to members of the National Assembly, and unlawful life pensions to former governors and their deputies.”
“We also urge you and your government to immediately and fully recover missing public funds from MDAs, as documented in the several reports published by the Auditor-General of the Federation.”
“These would enable you and your government to effectively comply with Nigeria’s international legal obligations regarding workers’ right to an adequate living wage.”
“Article 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969, to which Nigeria is a state party provides that ‘[A] party may not invoke the provisions of its internal as justification for its failure to perform a treaty.’”
“The minimum wage setting must take into consideration the relative living standards of other social groups and economic factors, including the requirements of economic development.”
“This means that the level of wages to be proposed in the executive bill takes into account the current cost of living in the country, to ensure that it is sufficient to enable the worker and his or her family to enjoy other rights such as health care, education and an adequate standard of living.”
“SERAP urges you to ensure that the proposed executive bill sets the minimum wage at a level that corresponds to the ‘living wage’, allowing Nigerian workers and their families to achieve an adequate standard of living.”
“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are reflected in the proposed executive bill.”
“According to our information, you stated in your Democracy Day Speech on June 12 2024 that your government is finalising an executive bill on the new minimum wage which is set to be sent to the National Assembly.”
“Under article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 7 (a) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, all Nigerian workers have the right to a remuneration which provides them, as a minimum, with fair wages and a decent living for themselves and their families.”
“In the preamble of its Constitution, ILO calls for ‘an adequate living wage’, and in the Declaration concerning the aims and purposes of the International Labour Organization, ILO affirms its ‘solemn obligation’ to promote ‘policies in regard to wages and earnings, calculated to ensure a minimum living wage to all employed and in need of such protection’.”
“In article 3 of the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131), ILO requires that minimum wage setting take into consideration ‘the needs of workers and their families, taking into account the general level of wages in the country, the cost of living, social security benefits.’”
The family of the late Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Super TV, Mr Usifo Ataga, has raised the alarm that some powerful people were out to compromise the outcome of investigations into the circumstances leading to his death.
It was alleged that those behind the moves might be working surreptitiously to extricate the main suspect in the case, Miss Chidinma Ojukwu from complicity in the murder trial.
Ojukwu and one Adedapo Quadri are currently standing trial for the gruesome murder of Ataga in Lagos on June 15, 2021.
Also docked for the murder is the cousin of Ojukwu, one Chioma Egbuchu, who is accused of stealing Ataga’s iPhone 7 after his (Ataga’s) murder.
A source familiar with the court proceedings stated that the general feeling amongst family and friends is the alleged notion that the trial may be compromised with respect to the autopsy and forensic reports, and the investigation generally.
The source claimed that the family’s suspicion became stronger from the testimony of a former Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Professor John Obafunwa.
Family members monitoring the trial were said to have alluded to the testimony of Prof. Obafunwa at a sitting of a state High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square that the samples he gave to perform a post-mortem examination on the body of Ataga, were possibly manipulated having been delayed for over a year before it was returned to him, setting off alarm signals to their fears.
According to the source, the family felt that the investigators were tardy, and for a long time, the Lagos State Government kept promising that it would do all that was necessary to ensure the proper investigation of the matter including paying for proper forensic analysis outside the country.
“Apparently and to the dismay of the family, this did not happen as the government kept procrastinating and the case only moved ahead after the family of the late Ataga paid for the forensics to be done overseas”, the source disclosed.
Speaking to reporters after the last hearing date, Counsel from A & J law firm, Ms. J. Ugegbe, holding watching brief on behalf of the Ataga family stated that “the family is urging relevant authorities to ensure that justice prevails at the end of the day for their son and brother, who was gruesomely killed in his prime by some heartless and soulless individuals.
“For the family, it is their firm belief that justice can only be attained through meticulous and diligent prosecution of the case and one of the means for attaining that is through forensic approach and this is the reason why the family is calling for caution by all,” she said.
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A 32-year-old man, Olumide Yerokun has been docked in an Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court, Ibadan, for allegedly parading himself Ayo Olu (Esq), a lawyer.
Yerokun, whose address was not provided was arraigned in court on Friday.
He was charged with impersonation and obtaining money under false pretence.
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp Sikiru Opaleye told the court that the Yerokun allegedly committed the offence on June 5, at about 6. 25 p.m, at Jericho, Eleyele area, Ibadan.
He alleged that the defendant with intent to defraud falsely represented himself as lawyer Ayo Olu (Esq).
Opaleye alleged that also on June 3, the defendant fraudulently represented himself as a solicitor to PA Opadiran and served quit notice on Mrs Idayat Akapo and two others, while fraudulently presenting himself as a lawyer.
He alleged that the Yerokun represented himself as a legal practitioner by preparing, signing and serving statutory notice.
The Prosecutor further alleged that sometimes in December 2023, at about 12. 30 p.m at Adepoju street, Ibadan, Yerokun did present himself as a legal Practioner to PA Opadiran.
He alleged that the Yerokun fraudulently obtained the sum of N25, 000 from Mrs Akapo as a legal fee for preparation of Tenancy agreement.
He said the offences contravened Sections 484 and 419 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.
She thereafter adjourned the case until Aug. 14, for hearing.
Mrs Folasade Aladeniyi, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan chapter, Mrs Folasade Aladeniyi appeared with some members of the branch on the said case.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman, Anti- Touting and Ethics Committee of NBA, Ibadan, Mr Segun Popoola, said the association seriously frowns at such acts.
Popoola warned that the association will not fail to ensure the Prosecution of anyone who is found guilty of such acts. (NAN)
Kogi, Ekiti and Kwara states have retained the position of states with the most expensive food items as food inflation rose to 40.66 per cent in May.
This was disclosed on Saturday in the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The statistics hub revealed that Nigeria’s inflation rate surged to 33.95 per cent in May 2024, up from 33.69 per cent reported in April 2024.
This shows a minimal 0.26 per cent point rise, suggesting a slower rate of price increase compared to the previous month which rose by 2.14 per cent.
The report said, “In May 2024, the headline inflation rate increased to 33.95 per cent relative to the April 2024 headline inflation rate which was 33.69 per cent. Looking at the movement, the May 2024 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 0.26 per cent points when compared to the April 2024 headline inflation rate.
“On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.54 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in May 2023, which was 22.41 per cent. This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in May 2024 when compared to the same month in the preceding year
“On the contrary, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in May 2024 was 2.14 per cent which was 0.15 per cent lower than the rate recorded in April 2024 (2.29th per cent). This means that in May 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level is less than the rate of increase in the average price level in April 2024.”
The major contributing items to headline inflation in May 2024 include food and non-alcoholic beverages by 17.59 per cent, housing, water, and electricity, gas & other fuel contributed 5.68 per cent while clothing and footwear stood at 2.60 per cent.
Revealing the rate of increase in the country’s food inflation, NBS revealed that the May food inflation rate reached 40.66 per cent on a year-on-year basis.
The sharp rise in food prices has been attributed to a range of factors affecting various food categories.
The items contributing most to this inflation include Semovita, Oatflake, Yam flour pre-packaged, Garri, Bean, Irish Potatoes, Yam, and Water Yam, amongst others.
Food inflation on a Year-on-Year basis was highest in Kogi (46.32 per cent), Ekiti (44.94 per cent), Kwara (44.66 per cent), while Adamawa (31.72 per cent), Bauchi (34.35 per cent) and Borno (34.74 per cent), recorded the slowest rise.
Subsequently, on a Month-on-Month basis, food inflation was highest in Gombe (4.88 per cent), Kano (4.68 per cent), and Bayelsa (3.62 per cent), while Ondo (0.02 per cent), Yobe (0.95 per cent) and Adamawa (1.02 per cent) recorded the slowest rise.
Operatives of the Abia State Police Command have rescued three abducted children from their abductors in Anambra and Delta States.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, adding that the rescue mission led to the arrest of five suspects, including a Reverend Sister.
The statement read, “On May 10, 2024, the Abia State Police Command received a report that three male children, namely: Gideon Osinachi (eight years old), Obioma Divine Osinachi (six years old), and Israel Osinachi (four years old), were abducted by an unknown cyclist from Amoba Okoro village in Ikwuanno LGA of Abia State.
“The children were taken away by the cyclist who was hired by their grandmother to take them to their home after the children had visited her.”
It added that Obioma was later rescued on May 21 at Ekwulobia in Anambra State, and Gideon was rescued at Nkpor in Anambra State on May 23.
Israel was reported to have been rescued in Warri, Delta State, on June 13.
“We are happy to announce that all three children have been rescued and reunited with their family,” it added.
The statement added that during the period of investigation and rescue efforts which lasted from May 10 to June 13, four female suspects and one male suspect were arrested in connection with the crime.
It read, “The suspects were arrested variously at Amawbia and Nkpor in Anambra State, as well as Warri in Delta State. They include Reverend Sister Pauline Alozie (female), Chizoba DJ (female), Glory Umuna (female), Mrs. Georgina Nonye Okoye (female), and Philip Ibe (male). They are in custody and will be charged in court very soon.”
In the statement, the command appreciated the collaboration of various stakeholders towards the rescue of the children.
PUNCH reported in April that the Ebonyi State Police Command dismantled a child abduction ring, culminating in the rescue of six kidnapped children.
A former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili, on Saturday, berated the extravagant lifestyle of Nigeria’s President, Governors and National Assembly members in the country.
Recall the president had said in his Democracy Day speech that the N62,000 proposed was negotiated in good faith.
However Ezekwesili on a Saturday In a post on X formerly twitter, said their financial extravagance was a provocative approach and an insult to citizens.
Ezekwesili who is also the Founder of the School of Politics, Policy, and Governance (SPPG) said, “It appears like the latest hobby of the #nassnigeria and the #NGRPresident and #NigeriaGov is to engage in the serial provocation of hard-pressed citizens who are barely managing to keep heads above water in this crisis-economy.
“In a season of famine and leanness when public officials should set the example of fiscal prudence, the sensibilities of our citizens are daily assaulted with the self-indulgent lives of politicians- many of whom were in fact not credibly elected into office.
“As they say in my place, ‘use your tongue to count your teeth’ because a day shall soon come when at the rate you’re all going with public resources, ‘water go totally pass garri’. He who has ears…..”.
She added, “This democracy belongs to the Nigerian People and not to an insignificant percentage of our population known as politicians.
“One day soon, the people will stare down at you all that think Nigeria exists to give you a luxurious life at the expense of the country.
“The tone deafness towards the pain and anger in this land is not normal and can never sustain. That’s for sure”.