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5 movies you can look out for this weekend

Itoro ETUKUDO
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5 movies you can look out for this weekend

IT is a weekend and you will want to relax. Here are some Nollywood and Hollywood movies you can watch to make it a perfect weekend. 

SISTÁ

The life of a single mother becomes increasingly challenging when the father of her children re-enters their lives, capturing their undivided attention and overshadowing her presence.

Directed and written by Biodun Stephen, SISTÁ is a Nollywood drama that tells the story of a single mother. It stars great actors and actresses from Nigeria including Kehinde Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon, Bisola Aiyeola, Adediwura Adesegha, among others. The movie which was released in August 2022 in Nigeria has a 9.2/10 on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) and lasts for 1 hour 34 minutes. It can be streamed on prime video.

PASSPORT

Passport. Source: Wikipedia
Passport. Source: Wikipedia

The film revolves around the intertwined lives of Oscar and Kopiko, two individuals seeking excitement but existing in different realms of loneliness. Oscar, en-route to the airport with his uncle, intends to return to the UK to visit his ailing mother.

Unfortunately, during the car ride, Oscar’s bag containing his travel passport is stolen by a group of street individuals named Mighty and Tobee. Desperate to retrieve his passport and make it in time for a crucial job interview in the United Kingdom, Oscar must seek the aid of Kopiko, a tomboy residing in the ghetto. Together, they must collaborate closely to ensure Oscar doesn’t miss his flight.

Meanwhile, Kopiko, a tomboy who grew up in the impoverished neighbourhood with her sister and sick mother, witnesses the lack of progress and development in her community. This fuels her aspiration to become the community’s chairperson, envisioning a brighter future. However, she faces fierce competition from Terminator, who also vies for the position.

The movie was released on September 2022 in Nigeria and runs for 120 minutes. It was directed by Dimeji Ajibola, written by Abodi Ogba and produced by Vincent Okonkwo.

Among the casts are, Mercy Johnson, Jim Iyke, Zubby Micheal and Jide Kosoko. The movie has 8.4/10 ratings on IMDB and can be streamed on Netflix.

THE TRADE

The Trade. Source: IMDb
The Trade. Source: IMDb

Featuring stars like Blossom Chukwujekwu, Rita Dominic, Chiwetalu Agu, Mercy Aigbe, Denola Grey among others, “The Trade” is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged drama that delves into the dark underbelly of human trafficking.

The film follows the intertwined stories of three characters: Sarah, a young woman who falls prey to a human trafficking ring; Mark, an undercover agent determined to bring down the criminal network responsible for the trade; and Maria, a survivor who has managed to escape and seeks justice for herself and others.

The film was released in January, 2023. It was directed and written by Jide Osiberu and can be streamed on Prime Video as well.

Plane

Plane. Source: Wikipedia
Plane. Source: Wikipedia

In a heart-pounding turn of events, Pilot Brodie Torrance becomes a beacon of hope as he skillfully navigates his aircraft away from a deadly lightning strike.

However, the gripping tale truly unfolds when Torrance is compelled to make a daring landing on an island ravaged by war. Little does he know, surviving the turbulent descent was merely the start of an arduous journey.

As a group of treacherous rebels seizes control and holds the majority of passengers hostage, Torrance finds himself in a race against time.

With no one else to rely on, he must forge an unlikely alliance with Louis Gaspare, a convicted murderer being transported by the FBI. Together, they must summon every ounce of courage and resourcefulness to outwit their captors and secure the freedom of the innocent.

Plane is an electrifying action thriller movie released in 2023, directed by Jean-François Richet. The gripping screenplay was crafted by Charles Cumming and J. P. Davies.

The film boasts an exceptional cast including Gerard Butler, Mike Cotler, Yoson An, and Tony Goldwyn. The captivating storyline revolves around a skilled pilot (Butler) who forms an unlikely alliance with a prisoner (Colter) in a daring attempt to rescue their fellow passengers from a perilous land they were forced to make an emergency landing in.

SANCTUARY

Theatrical Release poster. Source: Wikipedia
Theatrical Release poster. Source: Wikipedia

After inheriting his father’s hotel chain, Hal finds himself in a difficult situation as he attempts to bring an end to his long and covert relationship with Rebecca, who happens to be a dominatrix.

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As the night unfolds, a tense battle of wills ensues between them, each fighting to maintain control and gain the upper hand. Their struggle for power and dominance becomes the central focus, creating a fraught and intense atmosphere throughout the night.

Sanctuary is an intense American psychological thriller film that was released in 2022. The movie is directed by Zachary Wigon and features a screenplay written by Micah Bloomberg. Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott take on the lead roles, delivering captivating performances.

Nigeria Air: Reps summon aviation ministry’s permanent secretary

Ehime ALEX
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Nigeria Air: Reps summon aviation ministry’s permanent secretary

THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, Emmanuel Meribole, will on Wednesday, June 7 appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation to clear some grey areas in the Nigeria Air project.

Meribole’s invitation was conveyed in an letter signed by the committee clerk, Bassey Edem.

According to the invitation, the committee requested that the permanent secretary come with every document that pertains to the project, also known as a national carrier.

The committee is worried about the viral reports and videos making the rounds over the Nigeria Air project.

“As committee of the parliament saddled with responsibility of oversighting the aviation sector of the economy, we deem it necessary to be fully briefed about the project.

“Consequently, l am directed to invite you to an emergency session with the committee on Thursday, first of June 2023. You are to come with all individuals/agencies connected to the project,” the committee stated in the invitation.

Meribole, however, requested to be given till June 7 to enable him to assemble all the necessary documents and individuals connected with the project and appear before the committee.

The ICIR recalled that the immediate past minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, had on Friday, May 26, brought in an aircraft branded Nigeria Air.

A Boeing 737-800 with registration number ET-APL, mode S Q4005C, and serial number 40965/4075, the aircraft was displayed by the outgone minister as belonging to Nigeria Air.

According to Sirika, the aircraft is one out of 30 aeroplanes expected to form the fleet of national carriers in the next five years.

To the amusement of many Nigerians, the aircraft was suddenly returned to Ethiopia Airlines the day after the unveiling.

Information gathered from the live tracker, however, showed that the aircraft was about 10 years eight months old, with its first flight being June 22, 2012, as an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft.

Further checks revealed that the aircraft is in active service for Ethiopian Airlines and was back to regular flight service after Sirika made a “water splash” unveiling the aircraft.

Stakeholders in the industry had queried the aircraft’s specification, documentation, ownership, and technical agreement, besides the court case surrounding the project.

The ICIR also reported that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had sued Sirika over alleged shady deals, deliberate infractions of the Nigerian laws, and self-enrichment/corruption surrounding the Nigeria Air project.

Against this background, the House Committee on Aviation had invited the permanent secretary to appear before it with detailed documents.

According to detailed information on the invitation, the documents expected to be presented by the permanent secretary to the committee include full business case (FBC) as prepared by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), full disclosure of the ownership structure of Nigeria Air, including equity contributions by individuals, organisations and consortium outlining each contribution, names, addresses, phone numbers and their businesses’ registration certificates.

All private and public partnership (PPP) agreements reached and signed with Ethiopian Airlines on the project are also to be presented to the committee, the letter specified.

Meanwhile, the latest information on flight live tracker ‘flightrader24.com’ showed that the Boeing 737-800 flight had been back to regular service for Ethiopian Airlines on its Addis Ababa-Mogadishu route, which appears to be the same route it flew before being brought into Nigeria and presented as Nigeria Air’s aircraft.

David Hundeyin, via his tweeter handle, had drawn public attention to the flight tracker.

“The “Nigeria Air” Boeing 737-800 has had its hurried wrap job removed and is now back in regular service for @flyethiopian on its usual Addis Ababa- Mogadishu route – the same route it flew as recently as last week before being “commissioned” in Abuja by @hadisirika,” Hundeyin tweeted.

Fresh concerns mount over Ondo governor Akeredolu’s health

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Fresh concerns mount over Ondo governor Akeredolu’s health

THERE are fresh concerns over the health and capacity of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to continue to lead Ondo State.

Sources within the government confirmed to The ICIR on Friday, June 2, that the governor’s health was deteriorating and he needed “serious prayers.”

A report claims the governor is scheduled to be flown out of Nigeria today, Saturday, June 3, for treatment.

Akeredolu was sworn in for a second term of four years on February 24, 2021.

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He is the 18th person to lead Ondo State since its creation in 1976 and the sixth elected governor of the state.

The ICIR also reports that he was the most vocal governor in Nigeria’s South against atrocities committed by non-state actors, including herders’ rampages that killed hundreds and insurgency and banditry that spiralled in many northern states during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.

In January, his wife, Betty, attacked one of her husband’s female aides, Bunmi Ademosu, for allegedly interfering in the governor’s health management. She also said Ademosu was plotting to become the state deputy governor.

Betty’s recorded audio outburst against Ademosu leaked from a Whatsapp page having the governor’s appointees.

Part of the message says, “I have a message for Ademosu. I don’t have her number, and I don’t think she is worthy of me having her number. I want this woman to stay away from my husband. Stop sneaking in concoction.”

She alleged that Ademosu brought the concoction from “her fake pastors” to give her husband to drink. 

“We rely on medical care, we rely on Western style of medical care, and Aketi will get well.”

“What has triggered this very message is her recent meetings to become the deputy governor of Ondo State. Look at you; what have you got upstairs to become the deputy governor of Ondo State? Peradventure, anything happens to Aketi, Lucky takes over; it’s a constitutional thing. 

“But for you to be scheming, for you to be scheming. I warned Aketi from the beginning that this woman is evil, this woman is no good, and it’s happening. She has nothing good for you, and I warned you. This woman is bloody evil. But I’m warning her for the very last time to stay away from my husband.”

Betty stressed that Ademosu should know she was dealing with an Igbo woman (Betty is an Igbo, one of the three largest tribes in Nigeria).

She vowed to deal with Ademosu mercilessly and make her live the rest of her life in regret should anything happen to her husband.

Akeredolu proceeded on a two-week working vacation as part of his annual leave on April 3. He promised to resume work on April 26.

In a letter addressed to the state’s House of Assembly Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, the governor was to hand over to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

However, the recent fears over Akeredolu’s health are raising concerns  in the state as the true situation of things remain uncertain.

The Social Democratic Paty (SDP) in the state has reacted to the issue in a statement issued by its chairman, Stephen Adewale, in Akure, the state capital.

He said being a public officer, the governor’s health record should not be shrouded in secrecy.

“In the past 24 hours, the rumour of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s poor health has dominated the media and spread like wildfire in Ondo State.

“While it is no longer news that Governor Akeredolu is dealing with health issues, as this was made clear in the viral voice note that was released by Ondo State First Lady, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, in recent weeks, the governor’s rumoured battle with blood cancer, his bedridden condition, and his inability to sign documents have taken centre stage.

“While the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State had enthusiastically and eagerly anticipated that the Governor would refute such rumours by presenting himself to the public, the silence from the Governor’s camp and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State is concerning and alarming. To us at Ondo SDP, therefore, their silence and failure to deny or confirm the information imply consent.”

The party said there were doubts over the governor’s capacity to continue to govern the state.

It added that the situation undermined the ability of the state government to fulfil its obligations and commitments.

The party called on the governor to make his medical records public to lessen tension in the state.

“We strongly believe that the good people of Ondo State have the right to know about the medical conditions of Arakunrin Akeredolu.

“In contrast to ordinary residents who have the right to keep their health state to themselves, high-level elected officials like Arakunrin, whose treatment is being paid for by the public, cannot hide behind personal rules.”

On April 18, 2022, The ICIR reported the governor dismissing rumours of his death.

Subsidy removal: NLC to begin nationwide strike Wednesday

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Subsidy removal: NLC to begin nationwide strike Wednesday

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is to commence a nationwide strike on Wednesday, June 7, if the Federal Government fails to reverse the hike in the fuel pump price. 

NLC President Joe Ajaero announced this in Abuja on Friday, June 2, after an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).

The NLC NEC at the meeting issued the Federal Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) an ultimatum to reverse the new pump price by Wednesday, June 7, failing which the union will embark on the nationwide strike.

Ajaero said the decision was taken to force a reversal of the removal of fuel subsidy by the government.

According to him, the decision to embark on strike was prompted by the pains Nigerians are going through following the increase in the cost of petrol, otherwise known as premium motor spirit (PMS), after the Federal Government removed subsidy for the product.

“The NLC NEC directs all state councils and industrial unions to commence mobilisation from this moment,” Ajaero added while addressing journalists after the meeting.

In his inauguration speech on May 29, President Bola Tinubu declared that the subsidy regime, which made the government pay a substantial part of the cost of a petrol litre, was gone. 

Minutes after the declaration, most fuel stations in the country shut down, making motorists queue for several hours.

In many states, including Abuja, the fuel pump price rose by more than 200 per cent. For instance, petrol was sold in the nation’s capital for N195 per litre before the government removed the subsidy. It has since sold for N537 in the city after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced new pump prices for states. The prices differ by a few margins across the nation.

Transport fares have since attracted similar hikes across the country, as many citizens lament the policy and describe it as too harsh for a nation where poverty is rife.

The cost of food and other necessities have also jumped because of the policy.

Many workers trek long distances to get to work or return home, which could be dangerous to health and reduce productivity.

Tribunal overrules INEC, admits election results sheets submitted by Obi, LP

Vincent Ufuoma
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Tribunal overrules INEC, admits election results sheets submitted by Obi, LP

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, June 2, opposed moves by Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to tender election documents as evidence before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

The tribunal is hearing petitions filed against the election of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25 presidential election.

Obi and the LP submitted the documents, which were the Certified True Copies (CTC) of results sheets used for the February 25 election, as exhibits to support their petition.

During the proceedings on Friday, June 2, INEC’s counsel, Kemi Pinhero, objected to the admission of the documents, arguing that some of the documents were unfamiliar and not part of the ones pleaded by the petitioners, as agreed upon during the pre-hearing session.

However, the five-man panel, led by Haruna Simon Tsammani, ruled that it was improper for INEC’s lawyer to interfere in the proceedings since all parties involved had agreed to offer explanations during the address stage of the proceedings.

Despite this objection, the court accepted supplementary evidence from parts of Rivers State and Niger State that had been presented on Thursday, June 1.

Additionally, exhibits from six other states, namely Adamawa, Bayelsa, Oyo, Edo, Lagos, and Akwa Ibom, tendered by Obi legal team were admitted.

A breakdown of the newly submitted exhibits revealed that forms EC8A were admitted in 21 local government areas of Adamawa, 8 in Bayelsa, 31 in Oyo, 18 in Edo, 20 in Lagos, and 31 in Akwa Ibom.

All the respondents in the case objected to the documents presented before the court.

Following the submissions made by all parties, the tribunal adjourned to Monday, June 5.

Obi’s petition

In their petition, Obi and the LP argued that when Tinubu’s running mate, Kashim Shettima, became the vice presidential candidate, he was still nominated as the APC candidate for the Borno Central Senatorial election.

They also challenged Tinubu’s eligibility, alleging that he was previously indicted and fined $460,000.00 by a United States District Court for an offence involving dishonesty and drug trafficking.

Obi, who came third according to results announced by INEC, claimed that the election was invalid due to corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

He argued that INEC breached its regulations and guidelines by not prescribing and deploying technological devices for voter accreditation, verification, continuation, and authentication as required.

The petitioner sought a declaration from the court that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the election and that all votes recorded for him were wasted.

He also requested the court to determine that he received a majority of lawful votes and satisfied constitutional requirements to be declared the winner.

In the alternative, he called for the cancellation of the election and the conduct of a fresh election in which Tinubu, Shettima, and the APC would not participate.

Table tennis: Quadri, Oshonaike drop in latest ITTF world ranking

Dotun OMISAKIN
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Table tennis: Quadri, Oshonaike drop in latest ITTF world ranking

NIGERIAN table tennis stars, Aruna Quadri and Olufunke Oshonaike, have dropped in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) world rankings for May 2023.

According to the data published on the World Table Tennis (WTT) website, Quadri dropped from 12th position to 16th after he garnered only 395 points during the month under review.

However, the 2022 African champion maintains the top spot in Africa.

The 34-year-old recorded 350 points at the 2023 ITTF-Africa Cup, in Nairobi Kenya, and earned 45 points at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Durban, South Africa, where he finished in the round of 16.

In the women’s category, the first woman to represent Nigeria at the Olympic games in table tennis, Olufunke Oshonaike, also dropped two spots from 145th position to 147th in the rankings. Another Nigerian, Offiong Edem dropped to 148th.

Other Nigerians in the ranking include, Taiwo Mati, who moved up 16 places from 91st position to 75th in the men’s category.

Also, Olajide Omotayo moved eight points from 163 to 155, while Bode Abiodun moved 10 places from 167th to 157th.

Amadi Omeh moved exponentially in the ranking. He moved 207 places to rank 200 in the world.

Amadi won the WTTC 2024 Western Africa regional qualifications in Accra, Ghana, amassing 75 points.

In the women’s category, Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello moved three steps up from 56th to 53rd.

In the world ranking, the Chinese trio of Fan Zhendong, Wang Chuqpositionsin and Ma Long occupy the top three , respectively, while Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan and Sweden’s Liang Jingkun of China complete the top five.

Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, Lin Gaoyuan and Lin Yun-Ju from China, and Germany’s Dang Qiu and Truls Moregard from Sweden complete the list of the 10 best players in the world for men.

In a related development, Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborududu who won a record-extending 13th African title at 68kg at the African Championship in Tunisia has been named the Wrestler of the Month for May by the World Wrestling.

Ondo Assembly sealed amid alleged plot to impeach Speaker

Vincent Ufuoma
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Ondo Assembly sealed amid alleged plot to impeach Speaker

ARMED police officers have cordoned off the Ondo State House of Assembly compex following reports of an alleged plot to impeach the Speaker, Bamidele Oloyelogun.

This development occurred shortly after a letter purportedly written by the Speaker, announcing his resignation, surfaced.

It was rumoured that the Speaker, in a desperate attempt to avoid impending impeachment, hastily wrote the letter just a few days to the end of the 9th Assembly, which he leads.

The ICIR could not confirm the exact reasons behind the alleged plot to remove the Speaker as it remains unclear.

However, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Gbenga Omole, confirmed the presence of armed security personnel at the Assembly complex.

Omole further revealed that the security personnel prevented the final plenary sitting scheduled to take place on Friday.

However, he debunked reports of the Speaker’s resignation, alleging that his signature was forged on the purported resignation letter.

Omole in the same vein condemned attempts to disrupt the last session of the Assembly.

Meanwhile, State Police Commissioner, Taiwo Jesubiyi visited the assembly and held a meeting with the Speaker on Friday.

Jesubiyi pledged to serve the people of the state and urged the lawmakers to promptly report any deficiencies they observe among the operatives deployed to the complex.

Dismissing the resignation letter, Oloyeloogun said in a personally signed statement that he remains the Speaker of the House.

Oloyeloogun further stressed that he had not discussed or contemplated resignation with any member of the Assembly or his family.

He urged the public to disregard the resignation letter and urged security agencies to investigate the “false and malicious document” that threatens the peace in the state.

“The purported letter of resignation, which is circulating, is the handiwork of fifth columnists who are intent on plunging Ondo State into anarchy, particularly within the House of Assembly,” he said.

“The purported resignation is no doubt the figment of the imagination of the peddlers of such heinous act as l did not contemplate or discussed such move with any member of the Assembly or family members.

“Let me tell members of the public that the purported letter of resignation did not emanate from me as it was forged by purveyors of such letter.

”The Clerk of the House, Mr. Benjamin Jaiyeola (ESQ)has informed me that he did not receive any letter of resignation which has given credence to the fact that the faceless writer is not informed of the process through which such a weighty exercise can take.”

He also affirmed the State House of Assembly’s commitment to supporting the police force.

The Ondo State House of Assembly is not new to crises, controversies, political manoeuvring and power struggle.

In 2016, the Speaker of the House, Jumoke Akindele, was impeached by 18 of the 26 members of the Assembly. The impeachment was reportedly motivated by a power struggle between Akindele and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

In 2020, nine members of the assembly were suspended after they refused to participate in the impeachment of the state’s former deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, after he defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. Ajayi was Akeredolu’s deputy.

The Assembly was also ordered to pay each of the lawmakers N5 million for suspending them unlawfully.

 

In first major appointments, Tinubu names Gbajabiamila Chief of Staff, Akume SGF

Ijeoma OPARA
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In first major appointments, Tinubu names Gbajabiamila Chief of Staff, Akume SGF

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has made the first major appointments of his administration, naming Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila as his Chief of Staff.

A former governor of Benue State George Akume was equally named as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

The appointments were announced in a statement issued by the State House Director of Information on Friday, June 2.

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“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Friday in Abuja announced the appointment of Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff, and Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, a former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, as Deputy Chief of Staff.

“In a meeting with Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), the President also named former Governor of Benue State and immediate past Minister of Special Duties, George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),” the statement read.

Gbajabiamila

Gbajabiamila was re-elected to represent the Surulere 2 Federal Constituency of Lagos at the House of Representatives in the February 25 National Assembly elections.

He was born in Lagos on June 25, 1962, and attended Igbobi College in Yaba.

Gbajabiamila studied law at the University of Lagos, and after graduating from law school, moved to the United States to attend Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, where he earned a doctorate degree in 1990.

He began his career as a lawyer and served as a prosecutor and Defence Attorney for the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

Subsequently, he was elected into the House of Representatives in 2003 and became the Speaker in 2019.

The announcement of the appointment has finally put to rest speculations that Gbajabiamila was favoured to emerge as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff.

On Thursday, June 1, it was reported that he was appointed at a meeting with security chiefs at the State House in Abuja.

Also on Thursday, a spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Committee, Femi Fani-Kayode, congratulated Gbajabiamila on his Twitter page.

However, when journalists approached him for comments on the rumoured appointment on Thursday, Gbajabiamila neither confirmed nor denied the information.

Rather, he urged Nigerians to be patient about the announcement.

“Let the system follow its course,” he said.

Akume

After two terms as Benue governor from 1999 to 2007, Akume served in the National Assembly as a senator between 2007 and 2019.

He was the Minority Leader of the Senate from June 2011 to June 2015.

The immediate past Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs was born on December 27, 1953, in Mkar, Benue State.

He earned a Bachelors of Arts (BA) degree in History and a Masters of Arts (MA) degree in Political Science from the University of Ibadan.

His political career began in 1983 when he was elected into the Benue State House of Assembly, where he served for two years before the military government of General Muhammadu Buhari dissolved all elected state governments.

Akume became governor of Benue state in 1999 and served till 2007, when he was elected into the Senate.

He was part of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, where he served as Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs.

Tinubu, on Friday, also appointed Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia as Deputy Chief of Staff.

Hadejia served for one term in Jigawa State as the Deputy-Governor between 2015 and 2019. He was elected into the Senate to represent Jigawa North-East in 2019.

EFCC did not question me over alleged N4bn fraud — Fayemi

Vincent Ufuoma
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1
EFCC did not question me over alleged N4bn fraud — Fayemi

FORMER Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, has refuted reports that he is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N4 billion fraud.

Fayemi, The ICIR had reported, was questioned at the zonal command office of the EFCC in Kwara State, on Thursday, June 1.

His questioning followed an earlier invitation extended to him by the anti-graft agency last month to address queries related to money laundering activities against him. It was reported that the invitation was over allegations of money laundering amounting to N4 billion.

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But due to his prior commitments during the transition period, Fayemi reportedly requested a more suitable date for his appearance while assuring of his willingness to cooperate with the Commission.

However, Fayemi, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ahmad Sajoh, on Friday, June 2, said the alleged misappropriation of N4 billion was not raised during his discussions with EFCC officials on Thursday.

He claimed that the visit was solely in response to what he described as a frivolous petition from a group aiming to tarnish his reputation.

According to him, he was allowed to leave a few hours after he arrived and answered questions at the Commission’s office.

“We wish to note, too, that contrary to the news that made the rounds about a purported N4b fraud case against Dr Fayemi, no such allegation was raised in his conversation with the EFCC,” the statement said.

“All he did was respond to a frivolous petition from a faceless group, the so-called Ekiti Patriotic Coalition, which we strongly believed is a front for some anti-Fayemi politicians, who are trying to soil the former governor’s good name and image.

“As governor, he consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to the welfare of the citizens, driving notable advancements in infrastructure development and attracting valuable investment opportunities to the state.”

The statement said Fayemi was committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and expressed confidence that the truth would prevail in due course.

Fayemi, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), is not the only former governor being investigated by the EFCC.

The EFCC had also stated it was investigating former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle over corruption allegations, including the award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion.

The anti-graft agency made the disclosure after Matawalle accused its chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, of demanding $2 million bribe from him.

“The Commission would like to put the nation on notice to expect more of the kind of wild allegations made by Matawalle as those at the receiving end of EFCC’s investigations fight viciously back.

“But the real issue with Matawalle is that he is being investigated by the EFCC over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion,” EFCC Director of Communication Osita Nwajah said while addressing journalists on May 18.

Accusing the governor of “monumental” corruption, the EFCC stated that it tracked down more than 100 companies that received payments from the claimed funds while there was no evidence of service to the state.

The EFCC said that as part of the extensive investigation of contracts awarded by the Matawalle administration, especially for phantom projects in the local government areas, it recovered N300 million from a company, Fezel Nigeria Limited.

It added that funds were traced to the Zamfara Investment Company.

Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, is also being probed over alleged corruption, including the possession of 14 properties in Nigeria and abroad, as well as N400 million.

The anti-graft agency stated that these properties, including a hotel apartment in Dubai, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Other former and serving governors being probed for various offences, in line with mass investigations initiated by the EFCC, include Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Bello (Niger), Samuel Ortom (Benue) Benedict Ayade (Crosss River), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) Aminu Masari (Katsina) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

 

Mexico police find 45 bags containing body parts 

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Mexico police find 45 bags containing body parts 

THE Police in Mexico have found 45 bags containing human parts in the state of Jalisco during a search for eight people reported missing last week, local authorities have said.

The discovery was made at the bottom of a 40-meter ravine in the Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, ​​a business hub in the country’s west. 

“Forty-five bags with human remains have been extracted that belong to both male and female people,” the state prosecutor’s office in Jalisco said in a statement on Thursday.

It was not immediately clear if the remains were those eight people missing.

The missing persons worked at a call centre, but the relations reported their disappearances to the police at different times.

Preliminary information by the police suggests that the body parts “match the physical characteristics” of the missing persons, but the police did not confirm the bodies were those who disappeared.

The missing persons comprise two women and six men, all in their 30s. 

The Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences is working with families of the missing employees to determine if the remains are their missing relations. 

The ICIR reports that Mexico is notorious for sudden disappearances of people, including its citizens and foreigners.

At least 100,000 Mexicans and migrants are still missing in the country, and the authorities fail to provide their whereabouts.

Two of the four Americans kidnapped in the country were found dead in March.

Citizens blame the government for lacking the capacity to stop the menace and provide adequate security for its people.

In 2022, a commission set up by the government blamed the police and the military for the disappearance of 43 students in the country in 2014.

The children were travelling through the southwestern city of Iguala when the military and police intercepted them.

Students who survived the arrest claimed their buses were shot. Dozens of the students have not been seen since.

The ICIR reports that Mexico’s homicide rate is among the highest in the world. The country also has some of the deadliest borders globally.

Mexico’s state of Tamaulipas hosts criminal gangs, including the Gulf Cartel, Sinaloa Cartel and North-East Cartel, who battle each other for the country’s border leading into the US.

Migrants use the Mexican Gulf, including Tamaulipas, as the shortest route into the US.

The ICIR reports that despite repeated promises by Mexican President Andres Lopex Obrador to contain the menace, Mexico has continued to record a high number of human disappearances and other heinous crimes.

 

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