Category: News

Channels Television and Africa Independent Television have apologised publicly to the Department of State Services(DSS) following their reports regarding the agency’s appearance during the Lagos Assembly crisis on February 17.

AIT News retracted their initial report in an official statement during its News Hour program.

It clarified that its reportage was based on eyewitness accounts but acknowledged that the information was however incomplete and had unintentionally misrepresented the intervention of the DSS.

It said: “AIT News wishes to apologise to the Department of State Services for the news item broadcast during our bulletin on Monday 17th February 2025, regarding the presence of DSS at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

“Our intention was not to malign or embarrass the DSS, an institution we hold in the highest regard for its critical role in safeguarding our nation.

“Our reporting was based on eye-witness account obtained from sources available at the Lagos State House of Assembly. However, we recognize that the report may have been incomplete and unintentionally misrepresented the service and its presence at the State House of Assembly. We regret any embarrassment this may have caused.”

Channels TV on their part also tendered apology during its ‘Politics Today’ programme hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, with the former Assistant Director-General of the DSS, Muhammed Ngoshe, as guest.

“It came to light in some of the letters that we actually now saw that it was the clerk of the Lagos Assembly who actually wrote for DSS protection at the House of Assembly. But if you look at the video, it was made to appear as though the lawmakers were fighting to get inside and they were shocked that DSS was there.

“I think it’s right to apologise to the service to say the use of invasion might not be the right word to use because it was portrayed as though the DSS invaded, they were not invited, but it came to light that there was no decency in how they carried out their work.

“In the real sense of it, it happened that they invited the DSS. I think an apology is right to be placed on the doorstep of the DSS to say the use of ‘invasion’ is probably not the right word to use and not to demean the role and the effort of the DSS, that was not the right word to use.”

DSS had before now threatened a lawsuit against both media stations, accusing them of publishing false and malicious reports..

A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital has convicted and sentenced the Chief Executive Officer, of a Cooperative Society, Uno Michael Eke, to one-year imprisonment over charges bordering on conspiracy, obtaining property by false pretence and money laundering to the tune of N2bn (Two Billion Naira).

Eke was sent to prison after pleading guilty to four-count amended charges preferred against him by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This was contained in a statement on the X handle of the anti-graft agency, on Saturday, February 22.

The statement reads in part: “Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has convicted and sentenced the Chief Executive Officer, Micheno Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, Uno Michael Eke to 1-year imprisonment for conspiracy, obtaining property by false pretence and money laundering to the tune of N2bn (Two Billion Naira).

“He was jailed after pleading guilty to four-count amended charges preferred against him by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

“Eke pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

“In view of his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin prayed the court to convict the defendant based on the charges before the court. The defence counsel, Ime Umanah informed the court of a plea bargain agreement before the court and prayed for a lighter jail term for his client.”

Former Kaduna Nasir El-Rufai has stated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar deserves some flowers for leading economic reforms during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

El-Rufai claimed that humans only remember the negative things that their fellows have done forgetting the good ones.

The former Governor said this during a condolence visit to the family of Edwin Clark, an elder statesman and Niger Delta advocate who died on February 17.

El-Rufai said: “Nobody gives Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the credit for economic policy making under the Obasanjo administration. Many of the things we did, we did under his leadership.

“Maybe because we don’t write about it, and people don’t read history, we tend to forget. We only remember negative things. Maybe it’s part of human nature.”

Abubakar was vice-president in the Obasanjo government from 1999 to 2007.

While he was Obasanjo’s Deputy, Atiku was responsible for overseeing the privatisation of national assets.

Sowore, convener of #RevolutionNow movement, described Babangida as a “villain” responsible for Nigeria’s democratic setbacks.

In an interview with Nigerian Info FM, Sowore decried the fact that Babangida, who annulled the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election, is being honoured instead of facing justice for his actions.

He expressed dismay that the former leader, instead of “rotting in jail,” is enjoying privileges and reverence despite his role in what many consider one of Nigeria’s darkest political betrayals.

Babangida, popularly known as IBB, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, remains a controversial figure in the nation’s political history.

His annulment of the June 12 election, widely believed to have been won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola led to political unrest and prolonged military rule, which ended in 1999.

Many Nigerians still hold him responsible for derailing the country’s democratic process.

During the launch of his book, “The Journey in Service,” and a fundraising event for his presidential library in Abuja on Thursday, Babangida acknowledged that Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election, admitting that he takes full responsibility for the annulment.

During the interview, Sowore, a longtime advocate for good governance and accountability, argued that Nigeria’s failure to prosecute leaders who subvert democracy has emboldened impunity in the nation’s political system.

He said, “I’m convinced and I have expressed even before the book was launched a few days ago that it was going to be a pack of lies.

“My own conviction starts from the fact that Nigeria is so backward that justice is so delayed that people’s lives are ruined, the economy of this country was destroyed, the future of this country was suspended in 1993 by Babangida.”

“For him to come back 32 years later to slap the Nigerian people in the face with a book launch and a launch for his presidential library which raised over N17 billion in three hours instead of rotting in jail shows that Nigeria is not working.

“Nigeria never worked and we must make sure that this country works so that people who engage in impunity and criminal activities just don’t get away with it in such a way that they were even rewarded years later.”

Sowore was asked if the right thing to do is for IBB to apologize to Nigerians rather than merely admitting that Abiola won the election and taking responsibility for the annulment.

He said, “No, an apology is unnecessary. It is punishment that is necessary and I dare say that it doesn’t matter when he is punished but IBB ought to be punished even if it is one day to his death. He deserves to be punished.

Kidnappers have killed a Nigerian Army non-commissioned officer, Abdulfatai Odutola, over a delay in ransom payment.

According to report, Odutola, a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), was abducted on February 15, 2025, along the Abuja-Jos highway.

He was reportedly travelling to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the time of the incident.

His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million for his release.

A military internal memo earlier obtained by newsmen reads, “Pls information reaching me now from this sldr whisky that MWO Abdulfatai Odutola (CC 23 BDE Yola) was kidnapped yesterday along Abuja-Jos Road, while returning to Yola. He left Ilorin on Friday 14th of Feb 2025 and slept at Abuja. He continued his movement from Abuja yesterday b4 the incident happened to him.

“Currently they are demanding N20,000,0000 for his release. Pse appropriate authority should help the sldr.”

However, another internal memo revealed that the body of the senior personnel has been recovered.

“Information reaching us now from Yola is that the above MWO Abdulfatai Odutola’s body was discovered by police from Jos forest killed by his kidnappers after passing deadline for payment of 20 million naira ransom payment demanded by his kidnappers. Also his car was discovered. Kindly take action.”

It was reported that Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killed three army personnel during an attack on a military base in Borno State.

The terrorists reportedly attacked the military facility in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area, for several hours.

According to a source, the terrorists destroyed several buildings and stole two gun trucks during the assault.

“There was an attack recently in Borno, one Staff Sergeant with two private soldiers were killed. However, the army authorities are silent over the attack which happened at a base in Isige Town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

“They burnt one military vehicle while they went away with two gun trucks, later reinforcement came from nearby unit but then the Boko Haram fighters have left,” the source said.

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, says he is no longer interested in making trouble but is now all about making money. Nigerian home decor ideas

The Zazu crooner stated this in a video he shared on his Instagram page this morning, hours after an Ogun State Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, on Thursday, February 21, granted him N2 million bail in a case of assault filed against him by the Ogun state police command.

Portable was arraigned by the Ogun State police command for allegedly assaulting three officials of the Ogun Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA).

In a video shared, the singer expressed gratitude and declared his intention to focus on financial success rather than trouble.

“My fans, thank God for everything. If you have God, you have everything. I need money. I am not looking for trouble anymore. I’m now focused on making money. I have N2 million bail debt. I need more money. I am looking for money.”

President Bola Tinubu has commended former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida for the courage to admit M.K.O Abiola’s victory in the June 12, 1993 election.

The President, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the launch of Babangida’s autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service’, and the fundraising ceremony for the IBB Presidential Library Project on Thursday, February 20, also commended the former leader’s efforts and contributions to the history and growth of the country.

The President noted that the former leader’s admission to Abiola’s victory would help in setting the records properly.

His remarks was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, February 20.

The statement partly reads: “President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Abuja, said former President Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida showed unusual courage and patriotism by admitting that late M.K.O. Abiola won the June 12 election in 1993.

“The President, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the launch of Babangida’s autobiography, ” A Journey in Service,” and the fundraising for the IBB Presidential Library Project, saluted the former leader’s contribution to the country’s history and development.

“General Babangida confirmed for the first time in 32 years that Chief Abiola had won the historic June 12 election based on collated results.

“The annulment was a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic history, precipitating a political crisis and hastened his exit from power.

“President Tinubu said the former leader’s admission about Abiola’s victory will help to set the records properly.

” ‘I am glad about the revelation of June 12. My General, we will not forget to pray for you. I listened to you carefully. I am not here to read a speech. I am here to pay homage.

” ‘Let me say thank you for everything, for who you are, what you are, and how you have contributed to the history of this great country’, he said.

“Babangida served as Nigeria’s leader from August 1985 to August 1993.

“President Tinubu said he will continue to do his best for the country by making tough decisions to reposition the economy.

“He called on Nigerians to refocus their time, energy, and resources on building the country that remains their home and be more mindful of changes in global migration laws that could impede their dreams of a better life.”

Former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has said late BasHorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The June 12 election has been a heated topic with several accounts of the events narrated by different parties.

DailyTrust reports that in his autobiography: “A Journey in Service,” which was launched in Abuja, on Thursday, February 20, the former Nigerian leader said he was convinced that Abiola won.Nigerian home decor ideas.

This is according to Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s immediate past Vice President, who reviewed the book.

“He also answers the question of whether Abiola actually won the June 12 election, and I quote him, ‘although I am on record to have stated after the election that Abiola may not have won the election, upon deeper reflection and a closer examination of all available facts, particularly the detailed election results, which are published as an appendix to this book, there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 elections.”

The former Vice-President quoted IBB to have said, given another chance, he would handle the events of the June 12 election differently.

Abiola, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the election adjudged as Nigeria’s freest, was up against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

The results of the election were trickling in when the military regime ordered the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) under the leadership of late Professor Humphrey Nwosu to halt the exercise.

In his book, Babangida was quoted to have said he was happy that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged Abiola and honoured him with the greatest national title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has convicted and sentenced one Nwachukwu Ifeanyi, over currency racketeering.

The convict was arrested on February 9, 2024, by operatives of the EFCC Special Task Force following credible intelligence linking him with currency racketeering.

Investigations revealed that he used his shop, located at 98 Douglas Road, Owerri, Imo State to hawk new Naira notes, and has been prosecuted on an amended one-count charge, bordering on currency racketeering to the tune of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).

This was disclosed in a statement on the X handle of the anti-graft agency on Thursday, February 20.

The statement partly reads: “The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentence of one Nwachukwu Ifeanyi, a currency racketeer before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.

“He was prosecuted on an amended one-count charge, bordering on currency racketeering to the tune of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).

“The charge reads: “That you, Nwachukwu Ifeanyi, sometime in February 2024, at Douglas Road, Owerri, Imo State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, hawked the total sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) mints in Five Hundred Naira (N500) denominations, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act”.

“He pleaded “guilty” when the charge was read to him, following which prosecution counsel, Blessing Obasi called on Isaac Adole Enemona, an EFCC operative to review the facts of the case.

“Enemona informed the court that the convict was arrested at No. 98 Douglas Road, Owerri, Imo State on February 9, 2024, while selling N500 (Five Hundred Naira) denominations, totalling N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand). The witness identified the exhibit money, Exhibit “Registration Form, documents printed from the convict’s phone, the Certification of Identification and the statements the convict voluntarily tendered on February 9, 10, 14 and 15, 2024, which were all admitted in evidence.

“The prosecution thereafter, asked the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, while the defence counsel, Alex Williams prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that, “he is a first-time offender who has chosen not to waste the time of the court.”

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A dramatic confrontation unfolded in the Senate on Thursday when Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central out of the chamber.

The incident was sparked by a report from Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, who informed the chamber that Uduaghan, had refused to move to a newly assigned seat.

Monguno explained that the seat reassignment was necessary to fill gaps left by two opposition senators who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Referencing Senate Order 24, Monguno emphasised his role as Chief Whip, while also citing Order 6, which grants the Senate President authority to assign and reassign seats as needed.

He further pointed out that senators are expected to speak only from their designated seats, giving Akpabio the power to deny recognition to anyone speaking from an unassigned position.

In protest, Senator Uduaghan stood up from her original seat, invoking Order 10, claiming her privileges had been violated.

However, Akpabio swiftly ruled her out of order, affirming that she could not be recognised while speaking from an unauthorised location.

When Senator Natasha raised her hand to speak, she was denied recognition by the Senate President for not addressing the chamber from her newly assigned seat.

Unwilling to relent, Senator Natasha vocalised her objection, openly challenging the Senate President’s decision.

She said: “I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege.

“I’m not afraid of further being silenced. I will not be shoved into the corner. As the Senator duly elected by my people, I choose to remain in this seat, come what may. The worst you will do Mr. Senate president is to suspend me.”