Saleh Mamman collapsed in Abuja and landed at the hospital yesterday after being told by President Muhammadu Buhari that he had been relieved of his job. Mr Mamman served as power minister since 2019 until he was fired on Wednesday, Sept 1, as Mr Buhari conducted a minor redeployment of his cabinet members. He was fired alongside agric minister Sabo Nanono. “He collapsed yesterday and was immediately hospitalised,” a family source told  The Gazette  under anonymity. “He wasn’t expecting to be fired so soon.”

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has stated that value has been added to the lives of Nigerians by the Buhari-led administration.    Reiterating that the infrastructural projects embarked upon by the current administration has rubbed off positively on people in different ways in an interview with Daily Trust, the Minister maintained that most of the problems people are blaming this government for predates it.   Amaechi added that even if Buhari has done nothing since he was elected, he has increased the value of lands in villages as people are now competing in the purchase of lands following the construction of railways and roads.    He said;    “They blame us for insecurity, but they must not forget that the reason there is insecurity is that the economy does not empower Nigerians. As a governor, I would say that if a government can’t produce a legitimate economy, Nigerians will produce for themselves an illegitimate economy. Peopl...

Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) lawyer, Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor has explained why the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has not been able to send an audio or a video message to his supporters since he was detained by the DSS in June. The counsel said this while reacting to questions from an IPOB member on Tuesday, August 24 The IPOB supporter had raised concerns after Ejiofor gave an update on his meeting with the IPOB leader on Facebook. A fan known as Henry requested, “Please Barrister, when next you see him please if use your phone and do a short video with him for us! Let’s see and hear him! My own worries though!”   Ejiofor then explained that he was not permitted to do so because of the law existing in the facility where he is detained. Ejiofor said, “It’s not permitted within their environment but we are working out something more pronouncing than that. Already applied formally for that. Shall keep you people posted.”   The trial of Kanu, 53, will resume in October aft...

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has given a reason why repentant Biko Haram members cannot be prosecuted.   In recent weeks, no fewer than 1000 Boko Haram fighters and their families have handed themselves over to the Army in the southern Borno towns of Konduga, Bama, and Mafa. The repentant insurgents have gone on to be rehabilitated and reintegrated by the military.   This action has been condemned by many Nigerians who are of the opinion that instead of rehabilitation, the surrendered insurgents should be prosecuted for acts of terrorism.   However, in an interview with NAN in Washington, Mohammed explained why the repentant insurgents can't be prosecuted. In his words   “I personally spoke to the military authority before I left Nigeria and they said what they were doing is what the global practice dictates about soldiers that surrendered that should be treated as prisoners of war. You cannot just shoot them because there are internati...

The High Court sitting in Owerri, on Thursday ruled in favour of Chukwuma Umeoji as the governorship candidate of the  All Progressives Grand Alliance  in Anambra State. The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recongize the Owerri Convention that produced Jude Okeke as the Chairman of the party. The court struck out the suit filed by Victor Oye asking it to stop the electoral body from recognizing and publishing the name of Umeoji as the candidate of the party in the forthcoming election. The court granted Victor the grace to appeal the earlier judgement but refused to grant the order for stay of execution. The court also went ahead to reaffirm its earlier judgment. INEC has been ordered to continue to recognize Umeoji as the candidate of the party and Jude Okeke as the chairman pending the determination of the appeal filed by Victor Oye at Appeal Court Owerri. Following the judgement of the court today, the electoral body has been restrained f...

Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has said that the upcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State slated for November 6, 2021, will not hold. Nnamdi Kanu: There will be no election in Anambra – Simon ekpa Ekpa, in a tweet on his Twitter page, said that a no-election order will be activated by members of IPOB. He boasted that South East leaders do not know what the electorate are ready to do and that they must learn from their Northern counterparts. He wrote, ”No election in Biafraland will be activated by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), starting from the Anambra election. ”The leaders in the SE don’t know what the electorate are ready to do. The struggle has entered AutoPilot. The leaders from SE must learn from Northerners.” Few days back, there was a near-total compliance to the sit-at-home order issued by the separatist group in Anambra. Nnewi, Awka, Onitsha, Ekwulobia as well as other areas saw total co...

Federal government has approved a new policy for tollgates on Federal roads across the country.  The approval was granted during the weekly Federal Executive Council presided over by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, today August 11.   A statement released by Tolu Ogunlesi, the Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, quoted the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, as saying that the tollgate policy was developed after extensive consultations with various stakeholders within and outside the government, including transport unions like National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers’ Association Of Nigeria, amongst others.  He listed the recommended tolling fees in the approved policy and regulations to include “Cars: N200; SUVs: N300; Private Buses: N300; Commercial Buses: N150; Luxury Buses and Trucks: N500”.  According to the statement, fees at existing tolled roads (Lagos and Abuja Airport Toll Plazas,...

The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has withdrawn the Chieftaincy title of former Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, as the Otunba Asoludero of Iselu kingdom. Ogun monarch withdraws Okorocha’s Chieftaincy title The first-class monarch also cancelled the installation ceremony which had been fixed for September 19, 2021. The monarch had disclosed that he honoured Okorocha with the title in recognition of ‘his exemplified track record of unifying different tribes across the country.’ But, Oba Akinyemi in another letter on Monday, addressed to Okorocha explained that the chieftaincy title was withdrawn in the interest of peace and harmony. The monarch however was silent on the reason for the sudden withdrawal and cancellation of the ceremony. A committee that comprises the paramount rulers in the state including the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Dr Sikiru Adetona, allegedly grilled the monarch over the move to honour Okorocha It was further gathered that...

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the acquisition of 20 per cent minority stakes ($2.76 billion) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the Dangote Petroleum and Petro-Chemical Refinery. Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, briefed journalists after the virtual FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa. Mr Sylva explained that the acquisition would cost $2.76 billion. The minister added that the FEC also approved contracts for the rehabilitation of Warri and Kaduna refineries. “The FEC, today, approved the award of contract for the rehabilitation of Warri and Kaduna refineries at the combined total sum of $1.5 billion – $897.67 million for Warri refinery and $586. Nine million for the Kaduna refinery,” Mr Sylva disclosed. “The executive council also approved the acquisition of 20 per cent minority stakes by the NNPC in the Dangote Petroleum and Petro-Chemical Refineries in the ...

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has recommended the immediate suspension of DCP Abba Kyari, the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), from the Service of the Nigeria Police Force, pending the outcome of an ongoing internal investigations touching on him. Inspector General Of Police, In his letter to the Police Service Commission, dated 31st July, 2021, noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer, is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force. The IGP further noted that the suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment for the NPF Special Investigation Panel to carry out its investigations into the weighty allegations against DCP Abba Kyari without interference. The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer. The Special Investigation Panel (SIP), comprising four (4) Senior Police Officers, is headed by DIG Joseph Eg...

A resident of Borno state has said the bribery allegation against Nigeria’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari by suspected fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, alias Hushpuppi, didn't come to him as a surprise. The resident in a private message to a Nigerian academic and media scholar, Farooq Kperogi claimed Kyari is currently building a mansion on Jemina Road, Damboa. Claiming the gate of the house was made of glass and steel, he alleged that the police chief offered N70 million to a neighbor who has a house behind his mansion “so he can have his house out of the way to enable him have straight access to the main road from this mansion.” "Good evening Prof. Just reading your post on the Abba Kyari saga. It didn't come to me as a surprise. Kyari is so super rich for the job he does. He is building a mansion on Jemina road of Damboa, that house is something else. It is the first gigantic double-gated house I'm seeing in Maiduguri, the gate is made of gla...

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US has disclosed how it identified and nailed Nigeria’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, as one of the co-conspirators of Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi.   According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California, Abba Kyari, a high-ranking Nigerian police officer who has received multiple honours, was one of six people indicted over an elaborate scheme to defraud a Qatari businessperson of more than $1 million, masterminded by celebrity fraudster, Ramon 'Hushpuppi' Abbas.   The 6 indicted over scheme to defraud a Qatari businessperson   The FBI revealed this in an affidavit issued before the United States District Court by a Special Agent with the FBI, Andrew John Innocenti.      The FBI said that Kyari abandoned his duties in Nigeria sometime in 2019 and flew to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, to "enjoy a good time" with Hushpuppi, who lived at P...

  Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja has adjourned the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to October 21, following the failure of the Department of State Security DSS to produce him in court today July 26.   When the matter was called up, Justice Binta Nyako said nothing could be done since the defendant, Nnamdi Kanu, wasn't produced in court by the DSS. According to the prosecution counsel, Mohammed Abubakar, Kanu was not in court due to logistic reasons. Justice Nyako then ordered the DSS to allow Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor access to his client and she also promised to work with lawyers to the prosecution and defence and head of the security team to work out a plan to allow Ejiofor access to his client who he, claims he hasn't seen in eight days.   Justice Nyako then adjourned the case till October 21 but said the date could be brought back if the prosecution was able to obtain a fiat from the ...

Banks, shops, and industries in Onitsha and Nnewi stayed shut today, July 26, as the trial of Nnamdi Kanu resumes at the Federal High Court Abuja.   According to reports from the state, youths suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) allegedly blocked the entrance and exits from Onitsha including the Onitsha head bridge and the industrial town of Nnewi.   The roads leading to major markets in Onitsha were also allegedly occupied by IPOB members to ensure that residents stay at home in solidarity with the IPOB leader, who is being arraigned in Abuja today.   Banks also had to stay shut for fear of chaos.   Drivers seen trying to enter Onitsha were allegedly ordered to return to their destination.   Youth suspected to be IPOB members also lit bonfires in the streets as they ensured compliance to the sit-at-home order.  

The Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Multilateral, Donor Agencies and Special Projects and Focal Person, National Social Investment Programme, Prince Abdulkareem Suleiman Onyekehi, has advised graduates to go and learn trade or start business like Obi 'Cubana'.    "Stop waiting 4govt jobs. Govt can never employ all graduates. Learn trade &start business. Start small like Obi. U will succeed" he advised.   

  The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has denied asking Cubana Group Chairman, Obi Iyiegbu aka Obi Cubana, to loan money to Nigeria. According to online news platform, the Ministry of Information and Culture on its verified Facebook page on Sunday placed a ‘Fake News’ stamp on a news item claiming that the minister made the statement. The news which was published by an online medium read in part, “Obi Cubana has this kind of money and Nigeria is borrowing money from China. Cubana should borrow us money, Nigeria is collapsing- Lai Mohammed”. Obi Cubana has been trending on social media for the last four days for hosting a lavish funeral for his mother in Oba, a town in Idemili South local government area of Anambra State. Several videos emanating from the event show people spraying money indiscriminately while a concert was held after the burial and was attended by musicians Davido, D’Banj, Phyno among others. The ‘naira rain’ at the event has led to several memes...

A member of the House of Representatives, Akin Alabi has revealed why he chose to spray a little amount of money while attending the burial of Obi Cubana’s mother. A video had surfaced online showing the lawmaker who represents Egbeda Ona-Ara federal constituency in Oyo state, being serenaded by an Oghene band as he danced and sprayed what looked like N2k but was later revealed to be N9k. He was then dragged online for spraying a measly sum while other personalities at the occasion sprayed bundles of naira notes. Speaking after being dragged, Alabi explained that he only dropped N9000 because could not spray as much money as others considering the fact that he’s a public official. He wrote on Instagram;  ”As a government worker, I could not afford to spray (or was it sprinkle) more than this. And it was not 2k as bad mouthed people said. It was 9k.   Thank you @obi_cubana for hosting us. You deserve all the love. Oya… Akin Nalabi eeeeh”. See his  post : ...