A former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has condemned the recent defections of some New Nigeria Peoples Party members to the All Progressives Congress in the state.
Mr Kwankwaso, who expressed anger over the development while addressing supporters from Takai Local Government Area who refused to join the APC at his Miller Road residence in Kano on Friday, said the defectors committed the worst political sins and betrayed the ruling party in state.

The politician said, “There is no worse political sin than leaving the party that gave you opportunity and support. This is the highest level of betrayal.”

Mr Kwankwaso’s comment came days after Kano South Senator, Kawu Sumaila, joined the APC and noted that the NNPP was utterly divided and dysfunctional.

The former governor described the defectors as betrayers, accusing APC members of pursuing selfish interests.

He stated, “Kano South is a lesson. Voters rejected spaghetti, N200 and Atamfa (wrappers) and were patient to vote for the NNPP. But those who won the election among us decided to abandon the masses and join those who do not have the masses at heart but are only after what they will get for themselves and their families.”

Meanwhile, the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, recently described the NNPP as a dead party, predicting Mr Kwankwaso would soon join the APC.

Mr Ganduje also predicted that the proposed coalition of opposition parties against President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027 would soon collapse.

He said, “The NNPP is dead. And it will soon be buried very, very soon. I’m looking at where we will bury the body, the coffin has already been constructed. What remains now is to dig the grave. And already they are digging the grave very, very soon. Even like that, the so-called NNPP national leader, he too says after losing everyone, he wants to come back to us, we will welcome him, because he’s coming back home.”

An employee and his accomplice have been arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos, for allegedly selling bags of cement and other building materials worth over N250m belonging to their employer and gambling with the proceeds.

Spokesperson for the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ovie Ewhubare, in a statement on Saturday, said the suspects, Ezekiel Taiwo and Rahman Airat, are facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, fraudulent conversion, embezzlement, and money laundering.

The duo’s arrest by the police was in response to a petition by Jimoh Atofolaki, who alleged that his employee at his company’s Osogbo branch, Mr Taiwo, diverted the said property.

Mr Ewhubare, in the statement said, “In a significant development to an ongoing case of conspiracy, stealing, fraudulent conversion of funds, embezzlement, and money laundering to the tune of two hundred and fifty million naira (N250,000,000), the PSFU has arraigned two suspects; Taiwo ‘M’ and Airat before the Federal High Court, Lagos.”

The command’s spokesperson added that investigations showed that Mr Taiwo conspired with Airat to convert the goods and used the proceeds for gambling.

Commissioner of Police, SFU, Okunade Nurat, admonished business owners to always carry out thorough background checks before employing individuals to take charge of their businesses

A veteran journalist and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Raheem Adedoyin, has commended President Bola Tinubu for putting in place a reward system for party stalwarts.

He gave the commendation in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

Mr Adedoyin was reacting to the appointment of Bilikisu Sanni and Bishop Bunmi Olusona as executive director and non-executive director of the board of the newly created North Central Development Commission.

The former information commissioner in Kwara State described both appointments as well deserved.

He expressed gratitude to the president for always honouring Kwara State in federal appointments and distribution of infrastructure projects.

He noted, ‘‘I don’t think we are celebrating these appointments enough. We should; it is not just that two Kwarans were appointed to federal positions of political significance, the appointees belong to the genre of politicians often overlooked in national appointments. They are homegrown, active at home and well-grounded in community development.’’

He said their appointments came in the wake of similar federal recognition of prominent stakeholders such as a former Kwara Executive Council member, Abdullateef Alakawa, and Chairman of APC in Kwara State, Sunday Fagbemi.

Mr Adedoyin said he was excited by the appointments of home-based politicians as it was in tandem with the case he made to Mr Tinubu as then APC presidential candidate when he visited Kwara State in 2023.

He recalled that he canvassed at his parley with APC stakeholders in Ilorin that recognition and patronage be given to stakeholders and politicians who toiled at home for the party’s electoral success.

He thanked the president for responding positively to his request.

Mr Adedoyin also thanked the state Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the home leadership of the party for their unrelenting quest for a good deal for Kwara State at the federal level.

He stated, “There are just many interests at stake and fierce power play at work. This is a lesson for all of us in party politics. We all cannot get political appointments at the same time; yours will come in different ways.’’(NAN)

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has said a total of 1,622 Nigerian pilgrims have been transported to Madinah for the 2025 hajj.
Vice President Kashim Shettima declared the inaugural flight open in Owerri, Imo State on Friday.

A data released by the Principal Information Officer, NAHCON, Shafii Mohammed, indicated that three designated Nigerian hajj air carriers recorded a total of four flights in Bauchi, Kebbi, Imo and Lagos states.

Mr Mohammed said that the air carriers were MaxAir, Flynas and Air Peace

He said, “On Friday, MaxAir flight VM3001 departed Bauchi to Madinah at 11:53hrs with 539 Bauchi pilgrims and six officials. Flynas flight XY8066 departed Kebbi to Madinah at 18:29hrs with 420 Kebbi pilgrims and one official.’’

Mr Muhammed stated that the inaugural flight began with Air Peace flight APK 7900 which departed Owerri to Madinah at 19:36hrs with 240 pilgrims and four officials.

He said that Flynas flight XY8016 also departed Lagos to Madinah at 19:39hrs with 423 Osun pilgrims.”

(NAN)

The European Union has pledged the sum of 300 million euros for new projects in the North-West and North-East of Nigeria.The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, made this known at the 2025 annual Europe Day celebration in Abuja.

Mr Mignot said that the EU and Nigeria shared a dream of a better, rule-based, more prosperous, sustainable, equal world, reflecting the realities and needs of the 21st century.

According to him, for this dream to come true, both must work together and as both have a major role to play in Africa and the world.

He stated. “Since my arrival last September, I see a concrete progress daily in our partnership through the roll-out of our EU Global Gateway strategy to offer more opportunities to the people, specially, the women and the youth, through the 300 million euros of new projects that we are launching this year in the North-West and the North-East. I also see our common willingness to enhance our relations, particularly in trade and investment for which we are proud to be your number one partner. In this fast-changing world, the EU is for Nigeria a stable and reliable partner and so is Nigeria for us.’’

Speaking further on partnership, the envoy said that the bloc was building the same partnership with its sister organisation ECOWAS.

He added that the bloc was seeking the same alliance with Africa as a whole, adding that foreign ministers from the bloc would meet in Brussels to prepare for the EU-AU summit.

“The summit will be held later this year and to also celebrate our 25th years of partnership, which is second to none in all areas,’’ Mr Mignot said.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, lauded the EU for the additional support of 300 million euros dedicated for new projects in the two regions.

He said that the partnership and values that Nigeria and the EU shared helped in addressing restiveness due to some of the empowerment initiatives they created for Nigerian youths.

Mr Bagudu said. “Today is not just the affirmation of values that transcends borders, peace, solidarity, mutual respect and partnership for sustainable development. These are values which the EU has championed and which Nigeria, the largest economy and democracy, both shares. Over 60 years, the relationship between EU and Nigeria has flourished in depth and breadth from trade, investment to governance reforms, public health, education, digital economy and climate action.

“The EU intervention in the Niger Delta and the North-East in supporting peace building initiatives and the restoration of livelihood and youth empowerment programmes has helped to reduce restiveness and in educational challenges. In recent years, EU continue to be a strategic partner in our nation’s developmental priorities, including our national development plan 2021-2025 and the new Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.’’

The University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Asaba chapter in Delta State, has lauded the appointment of Dr Ayibatonye Timi as the Executive Director (Corporate Services) of the South-South Development CommissionThis is contained in a statement by the chapter’s Chairman, Jacob Kagho, to journalists on Saturday in Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu, in a letter to the Senate on Thursday, sought confirmation of the appointees to the boards of the North-Central, South-West, and South-South Development Commissions.

Mr Timi was named among other distinguished individuals to spearhead the development of Nigeria’s geo-political regions.

Reacting to the news, Mr Kagho said that the appointment was well-deserved, adding that it would bring about direction and transformational impact on the region.

According to him, with Timi at the helm of corporate services, stakeholders are optimistic that the commission will achieve the objectives for which it was established.

He said, “Dr Timi has been a steadfast advocate for the values of the University of Ibadan. His leadership, commitment and ambassadorial presence have greatly enhanced the UIAA’s public image. He is a principled steward of resources, a tireless workaholic, and a champion of collaborative leadership.’’

Mr Kagho expressed confidence in Mr Timi’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the SSDC’s mandate in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stated, “The UIAA Asaba chapter extends heartfelt gratitude to President Tinubu for this thoughtful appointment that reflects his commitment to inclusive governance and strategic national development.’’

The SSDC board, chaired by a former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche, also includes Usoro Akpabio as Managing Director, with other members representing the six South-South states and additional geopolitical zones.

Mr Timi is a former Commissioner for Special Duties, DESOPADEC, and ex-lawmaker representing Patani Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has banned sale of petrol in filling stations across Bama Local Government Area, including Bama town and Banki.The directive followed consultations with security agencies as part of ongoing efforts to address security challenges in the area.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Dauda Iliya, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Maiduguri.

“I have directed the immediate ban on the sale of petrol in Bama town, Banki, and other parts of Bama Local Government Area with immediate effect,” Mr Zulum said.

He warned that anyone found violating the directive would face the full wrath of the law.

He stated, “Let me make it clear, there will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of this ban. Security agencies have been given strict orders to clamp down on any filling station or individual contravening this directive. Anyone found culpable will be dealt with accordingl.’’

Mr Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in the state and called for the support and cooperation of residents in the ongoing fight against insurgency.

The governor consistently implemented measures aimed at cutting off supplies to insurgents and curbing their mobility in conflict-affected areas.

(NAN)

A political group of the Peoples Democratic Party in Zamfara State, G15, has empowered 40,000 women with cash and clothing materials across the 14 local government areas of the state.
The women were given N20,000 each and two pieces of clothes.
Chairman of the group and Chairman of Kauran Namoda council, Manir Haidara, disclosed this to journalists on Friday in Gusau.

Mr Haidara said that the group aimed to complement the efforts of the state Governor, Dauda Lawal, directed at ensuring security of lives and property across the state with such soft empowerments.

He said that Mr Lawal had impacted the lives of residents by tackling insecurity, health, education, agriculture, infrastructure and reviving the collapsed economy of the state.

He stated, “The group sees it as necessary to go back to the grassroots and assist the vulnerable women and youths across the state. We are now rounding off the first phase intervention programme with a total of 40,000 women with each receiving N20,000 and two pieces of clothing materials. The next intervention programme will pay attention to our youths especially from the vulnerable communities. We will provide them with support on medium and small-scale business to enable them to become economically dependent. The task ahead of the governor are numerous, it is therefore necessary for us as supporters to commit our resources to that his mission of rescuing the state,”

Mr Haidara stated that the G15 was composed of supporters of Mr Lawal with one representative from each of the 13 local governments and two representatives from Gusau.

He said the organisation formed 10 months ago had engaged in different activities to support the wellbeing of residents.

The Lagos State government will begin enforcing building regulations in Ikeja GRA this weekend, with demolition of illegal structures scheduled for Saturday.
Gbolahan Oki, permanent secretary at the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), made this known during a meeting with developers and residents of Ikeja GRA.

He stated that the time for issuing warnings was over. Enforcement, he said, would begin immediately, beginning with building markings and demolitions on Saturday.

“Thank you very much. As elders say, a journey of a million years begins in one day. I’m ready to lead.

“If I get approval, I’ll start painting and marking buildings that owners won’t like. I will remove them,” Mr Oki said.

He explained that enforcement would start in Ikeja GRA and then move to Ikoyi and Banana Island. The state would no longer tolerate lawlessness.

Mr Oki said LASBCA officers would accompany him and remove buildings that visibly breach approved building plans, especially those with extra floors or altered use.

“The operation will continue for two to three weeks. Anyone who feels untouchable will be arrested and jailed.

“We are past the warning stage. We’ll seal and demolish any non-compliant structure. My officers are ready,” he said.

He clarified that the initiative is not about wealth or aesthetics but about maintaining order and safeguarding public interest in residential areas.

“If your approval was for a three-bedroom flat, don’t convert it to four. Don’t build higher than allowed. Follow the rules,” he said.

Mr Oki said LASBCA would not accept payments or offers to regularise as substitutes for compliance with planning regulations.

“You will pay heavily. Nobody told you to build beyond approval. You’ll be held accountable and prosecuted,” he cautioned.

He criticised property owners who sent engineers to the meeting, calling it a sign of disrespect to the government and community.

“This isn’t just about buildings or money. It’s about being responsible and thinking about others. In the UK or US, people obey planning laws,” he said.

He noted that past notices and invitations were ignored, adding that the government would no longer tolerate breaches of planning laws.

“This is our second meeting. Yet, the same people send representatives. You can’t keep breaking the law without facing the consequences.

“Enough is enough. We’re restoring order to GRA,” he said.

He also condemned the obstruction of access roads, especially those leading to key facilities like the Lagos State General Hospital.

“Emergency vehicles can’t get through due to parked cars. If someone dies in an ambulance, who will take responsibility?” he asked.

Muiz Banire (SAN), chairman of the Ikeja GRA Residents Association, voiced strong support for the government’s actions.

“We are very satisfied, even excited. Enforcement begins tomorrow. The message is simple: everyone must obey the law.

“That’s all we ask — residents and government alike. Without the rule of law, there can be no meaningful development,” Mr Banire said.

Ikeja GRA residents have long raised concerns about overcrowding, illegal conversions, and blocked access to public infrastructure.

President Bola Tinubu has declared himself a bona fide indigene of Anambra and is looking forward to a retirement home in the South-East state.Mr Tinubu teased his audience after he received a chieftaincy title during a one-day official visit to Anambra on Thursday.

“Many of my friends are from Anambra State, and I have seen many of them today. Going forward, we are not just friends. I am now a bona fide son of the soil—one of you—your own son,” Mr Tinubu said.

He added, “Maybe my friend and your governor, Charles Soludo, should find me a plot of land for my retirement home after service.”

Mr Tinubu’s nemesis, Peter Obi, is a former governor of Anambra.

Meanwhile, Governor Charles Soludo has thrown his weight behind Mr Tinubu for reelection in 2027.

Pope Leo XIV presided over the first large mass following his election on Friday.The new pontiff was joined by cardinals in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, a day after he was chosen on Thursday as the successor to Pope Francis.

The U.S.-born cleric, who also has Peruvian citizenship, entered the ornate chapel in the Apostolic Palace, accompanied by singing, dressed in a long white robe and wearing a traditional mitre.

He wore dark shoes, not the red shoes worn by many previous popes, which his predecessor Francis had also eschewed.

The cardinals likewise wore white robes with gold embellishments.

The chapel is the same location where the cardinals elected him to lead the Roman Catholic Church during the conclave.

The pope is the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

Meanwhile, the faithful are eager to see how Leo will shape the Catholic Church.

The new pontiff has a packed schedule for the coming days, including an expected appearance at around midday on Sunday on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica for the traditional Regina Coeli prayer.

Around 100,000 people cheered him in St Peter’s Square on Thursday after white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signalling that a new pontiff had been chosen.

A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted N20 million bail to Ezekiel Onyedikachi, also known as EeZeeTee, the former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, over an alleged $255,000 foreign exchange fraud preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, in a ruling on Friday, said the bail must be backed by one surety resident in Lagos who owns property worth the bail sum.

The judge had on Wednesday released EeZeeTee to his lawyer, Mr Ojukwu Chikaosolu, after his arraignment and gave him 72 hours within which he must meet the bail condition.

The EFCC had earlier filed a 14-count charge against EeZeeTee for alleged fraudulent conversion, but amended the charge to a seven-count charge bordering on engaging in foreign exchange transactions without a license.

EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, told the court that in June 2023, the defendant, without being an authorised foreign exchange dealer appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, negotiated a foreign exchange transaction worth $52,895 with one Mr Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke.

According to EFCC, the offences committed contravened Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap F34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and are punishable under Section 29(2) of the same Act.

However, EeZeeTee pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The case has been adjourned till June 20, 2025, for trial.

The election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, has ignited pride and celebration at St. Rita of Cascia High School, where he once served as a teacher.

The 69-year-old Augustinian cardinal’s historic rise as the first American pope was met with elation across his former school community.

Students and faculty remembered him not just as a religious leader but as a humble and compassionate mentor.

Mr Prevost was born in Chicago and graduated with a degree in mathematics from the University of Villanova in Pennsylvania in 1977.

He also studied religion at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.

In 1982, he received a doctorate in church law from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas in Rome before being sent to serve in a Catholic mission in Peru.

In 2023, he became prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a key Catholic administrative body, based in Rome.

He succeeded Pope Francis, who died on April 21.

The late pontiff made Mr Prevost a cardinal in September 2023.

(AA/NAN)

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The Kogi State Judicial Service Commission has ordered the compulsory retirement of a judge, Alemeru Adekunle Bamidele, of the Area Court over misconduct.

The commission also suspended Magistrate Tanimu U. Muhammed from adjudicatory duties for two years and issued him a warning letter.

These decisions were taken at the JSC’s 136th meeting held in Lokoja, according to a statement on Thursday by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Tanko Muhammed.

The commission, however, acquitted four others accused of various alleged offences. They are Magistrate Abdul Musa Mopah, Mr Yunusa Medugu, Deborah O. Ebiloma Esq. and Anuhi Safiya Oiza.

The Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Tanko Muhammed, who spoke on the decisions of the commission in Lokoja on Thursday, also said that a six-man committee was constituted by the Commission to look into the possibility of improving the welfare of magistrates and area court judges.

“The allegations against the officers were first investigated by the Commission’s Disciplinary Committee, which made appropriate recommendations to the JSC.

“The sacked judge was found to have bought a building which was the subject matter of litigation before him, after ordering the sale of the same and refused to make full payment for the property. He was found to have issued a court order without hearing both parties,” Muhammed said.

The committee, he said, was headed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the state, Muizudeen Abdullah.

The National Human Rights Commission says it received 124 human rights violation complaints in March and April.

The NHRC coordinator in Kano, Shehu Abdullahi, stated this in an interview on Friday.

He said 71 cases had been treated, while 53 were pending.

Mr Abdullahi said 83 cases were on children’s, women and gender abuses.

He said, ”20 of the cases received during the period under review are on abandonment of family responsibility and domestic violence. The remaining 21 cases are on economic and cultural rights, labour and physical violence rights.”

He further explained that the commission also meditated on marital matters.

Mr Abdullahi urged couples to be more patient with one another in order to manage their responsibilities jointly

Governor Nasir Idris has released N266.9 million for the tuition fee payment for 100 Kebbi students studying in various universities in India.Higher education commissioner Isah Abubakar-Tunga announced this while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

Mr Abubakar-Tunga lauded the governor for the gesture that showed the administration’s commitment to education.

He urged beneficiaries to reciprocate by being more committed to their studies.

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has given its Development Control Department 48 hours to demolish more than 10 duplexes built on a green area.
The council coordinator, Felix Obuah, gave the directive on Thursday during a joint inspection tour targeting illegal developments across the city.

Mr Obuah explained that the developer of the properties had ignored multiple stop-work orders and warnings issued by the Department of Development Control.

He said the structures, built without authorisation or allocation, violated the Abuja Master Plan in Wumba District, near Apo in Abuja.

“When we invited the developer to provide legal documents for the activities he’s carrying out, we discovered there was no paper, no approval, no allocation,” Mr Obuah said.

“So all these properties that you are seeing here are going down. Come back here in the next 48 hours, you’d see everything down,” Mr Obuah said.

He said the FCT Administration would not tolerate illegal development, especially in areas designated for environmental preservation.

The director of development control, Mukhtar Galadima, confirmed that no approval was granted for the construction.

“We had marked the structures at various stages, but the developer ignored our directives,” Mr Galadima said.

“The only language that some developers seem to understand is the bulldozer,” he stated.

He noted that the affected structures included both roofed and unroofed buildings and that demolition would proceed as ordered.

The director of parks and recreation, Chidemelu Echee, condemned the destruction of green spaces, saying Abuja’s urban design integrates natural ecosystems to ensure sustainable living.

“This is a disaster waiting to happen,” Mr Echee said. “People are randomly destroying the natural ecosystem without authorisation, which worsens the global warming crisis.”

The Director of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Osilama Braimah, warned that removing green spaces leads to environmental degradation, including increased urban heat and flooding.

“When concrete covers everything, it prevents water percolation, affects groundwater recharge, and worsens flooding,” Mr Braimah explained. “We must preserve green areas to protect people and the environment.”

Detectives from the Ebute-Ero Division of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a suspected traffic robber for stealing a sack of assorted human hairs from a moving truck on a highway.

The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said in a statement on Tuesday that the items were worth N20 million.

Mr Hundeyin said the suspect is part of a criminal gang that committed the theft on the CMS-Marina Bridge on April 25.

“On April 25, 2025, a criminal gang stole a large sack filled with assorted human hairs valued at approximately ₦20 million from a moving truck, unknown to the driver, while in transit along the CMS-Marina Bridge.

“Responding swiftly to a tip-off, police officers arrived at the scene and successfully apprehended one of the suspects, identified as Austine ‘m’ in the Marina car park under the bridge, with injuries he sustained when he jumped from the bridge into the car park in his bid to evade arrest.

“He was found in possession of the stolen items and has been taken to a hospital for proper medical attention under close police watch. A manhunt is currently underway to bring other members of his gang to justice,” Mr Hundeyin said.

The state commissioner of police, Olohundare Jimoh, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to ensure the safety of road users.

He urged residents to remain alert and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.

Bill Gates has pledged to donate 99 per cent of his wealth to the Gates Foundation as he announced plans to wind down the charity organisation earlier than expected in 2045.

Mr Gates made the announcement on Thursday — the day marking the 25th anniversary of the Gate Foundation; established alongside his ex-wife Melinda Gates in 2000.

“It’s kind of thrilling to have that much to be able to put into these causes,” Mr Gates said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The worth of Mr Gates’ pledge is estimated to be $107 billion as of today, which the 69-year-old said would be delivered over time and allow the foundation to spend an additional $200 billion over the next 20 years.

Mr Gates added, “I think 20 years is the right balance between giving as much as we can to make progress on these things and giving people a lot of notice that now this money will be gone.”

He also noted that the donation would allow the foundation to continue supporting various causes around the world, particularly education in the United States and global health in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Mr Gates’ pledge was among the largest philanthropic gifts ever – outpacing the historic contributions of industrialists such as John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie when adjusted for inflation.

It trails the pledge made by Berkshire Hathaway investor Warren Buffett who also pledged to donate his fortune before death. His net worth is currently estimated by Forbes at $160 billion

The police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned a 43-year-old man, Sunday Omede, in a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly beating his wife.

Omede, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of assault and unlawful abuse.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Ayodele Adeosun, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on April 30, at 12.03.a.m. at No 1, Alhaji Bello St., Ajayi Kope, Badagry.

Mr Adeosun said that the defendant physically assaulted the complainant, Mrs Janet Omede and inflicted injuries on her body.

He said, “The defendant unlawfully and physically abused his wife and caused her grievous harm.’’

Mr Adeosun said that the offences contravened Sections 170 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Patrick Adekomaiya, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Mr Adekomaiya said one of the sureties must be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

He adjourned the case until June 3, for mention.