Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo state has constituted a 14-man State Assets Verification Committee to probe the eight years tenure of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki. The panel headed by the retired Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, would be inaugurated on November 26, 2024. This is contained in a statement on Sunday by the governor’s media aide, Fred Itua. The statement reads in part. “In furtherance of the Governor’s initiative to set the State on the path of development and accountable leadership, the need to set up a State Assets Verification Committee becomes…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to probe the allegedly over N57 billion of public funds “missing, diverted or stolen” in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021. “Hundreds of billions of naira are also reportedly missing in other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs),” SERAP said. These damning revelations are documented in the 2021 audited report released last week by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. SERAP said,…
The oldest Catholic Priest in Nigeria, Thomas Oleghe, is dead. Oleghe, who hailed from the small town of Igiode, near Agenebode Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State, died at the age of 104. His death was announced in a statement signed by Gabriel Dunia, Bishop of Auchi Diocese. The statement read, ” I hereby inform you of the passage of the Rt. Rev. MSGR Thomas Oleghe, the oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria as at today, to the great beyond at about 2.30am on November, 2024. ” He is of the Diocese of Auchi. He died at the…
Independent Hajj Reporters, a faith-based civil society organization that monitors, reports on, and advocates for transparency in the Nigerian Hajj and Umrah Industry, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to constitute a special committee that will monitor the disbursement of refunds to about 95 000 Nigerian pilgrims who travelled to the 2023 Hajj exercise. The CSO says this call became necessary following the controversy that often follows refunds to pilgrims from the country. IHR, in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, on Monday, said “We are aware that the refund has been disbursed…
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit(NFIU) says the country has secured additional grades in its fight against terrorism financing and money laundering. The agency noted that the ratification was done at a meeting of the Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa technical commission, which took place between November 17 and 23, 2024 in Freetown, the Republic of Sierra Leone. Financial Action Task Force had in 2023 grey-listed Nigeria due to a rise in capital inflows and deficiencies in combating money laundering, terrorism and arms financing. However, in a statement on Sunday,24 November, 2024, the NFIU said Nigeria has been adjudged Compliant…
The President and Founder of Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries, Helen Ukpabio, has threatened to sue singer Emoseh Khamofu, popularly known as Bloody Civilian, for alleged defamation, demanding N200 billion in damages. This was stated in a letter dated 25 November 25, 2024, which Bloody Civilian retweeted on Saturday, 23 November, 2025. In the letter, the Akwa Ibom-born pastor, through her legal counsel—Victor Ukutt and Co. Legal Practitioners—issued the demand under the title, “Demand for Public Apology and Compensation for the Libel of Imaobong Elijah Ukpabio and Apostle Helen Ukpabio.” The controversy began when an X (formerly Twitter) user identified as…
The Lagos State Government has applauded the decision of the Supreme Court ‘s judgment that nullified the National Lottery Act. The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, stated this in a statement issued on Sunday, 24 November, 2024. Omotosho said the judgment also reaffirmed the constitutional authority of state governments to regulate lotteries and gaming activities within their jurisdictions. The statement added that the judgment is a historic victory for the rule of law, federalism, and the constitutional rights of states, stressing that the Supreme Court’s decision is a significant affirmation that the regulation of lotteries and gaming…
English Premier League club, Leicester City, has announced the sack of Steve Cooper as the team’s manager with immediate effect. The club announced on Sunday, 24 November, 2024 in a statement on its website, titled, “Leicester City Part Company With Steve Cooper.” Cooper’s sack comes after the Foxes lost 2-1 at home against Chelsea in the league on Saturday, 23 November, 2024. The Foxes were beaten 2-1 by a Chelsea side managed by former boss Enzo Maresca on Saturday – a defeat which left them two points above the relegation zone. Cooper took over from Maresca in the summer after the…
Famous American rapper, Nicki Minaj, has described Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido as an incredible melody maker and songwriter. She made this known while revealing reasons for her recent collaboration with Davido. Recall that the songstress had recently collaborated with Davido on her latest project ‘If It’s Okay’. However responding to a curious fan who asked about her reason, Minaj stated that she was driven by her desire to infuse Afrobeat vibe into her music. Speaking on her X handle, she described the Afrobeat star as an incredible melody maker. “That man is an incredible writer & melody maker. It is…
Two suspected vandals impersonating staff of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) have been arrested at the scene of crimes at Okhoro and Cemetery roads in Benin, Edo state capital. The Head of Branding and Cooperate Communications of BEDC Electricity PLC, Mrs Evelyn Gbiwen, made this disclosure in a statement issued on Sunday, 24 November, 2024 in Benin City, the state capital. Gbiwen explained that one of the suspects allegedly vandalised 200KVA and 500KVA substations located at Play House and Iyayi in the locality. She added that the suspect allegedly paraded himself as a BEDC staff with an identity card at…