A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Monday, sentenced a 20-year old tailor, Ahmad Garba to three months imprisonment for stealing six shirts and six trousers.

The Magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Bokkos in his judgment, ordered the convict to pay an option of N10, 000 fine or spend three months in prison.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Inspector Ijuptil Thiawur, told the court that the case was reported on November 17, at the “C” Division Police station by Usman Mohammed.

Thiawur said that the convict trespassed into the complainant’s house and stole six shirts and trousers and he was caught.

The police said that the offence contravened the Plateau Penal Code Law, NAN reports.

The US police on Sunday arrested a 16-year-old boy in New Mexico after an alleged quadruple homicide of his family members.

New Mexico State Police, in a statement said the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 emergency call before dawn on Saturday from a male minor who told the dispatcher he had killed his family.

It was gathered that when deputies arrived at the home, located in the city of Belen, the 16-year-old walked out of the residence with his hands in the air and was extremely intoxicated.

“Deputies entered the residence to find Leonardo Leyva, 42, Adriana Bencomo, 35, Adrian Leyva, 16, and Alexander Leyva, 14, all deceased from suspected gunshot wounds. A handgun was located on the kitchen table,” state police added.

A Belen official said that the victims are the suspect’s parents and two brothers.

The police said that the teen suspect has been charged on suspicion of four counts of first-degree murder.

A combined team of security operatives made up of the Nigeria Police force, Armed forces, Department of State Security Service, DSS and Nigeria Civil Defense have dismantled criminal hideouts responsible for incessant civil unrest in Ezioha, Eziama Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli LGA Imo State.

In a press statement made available to Journalists by the State Police Command’s public relations officer, ASP Henry Okoye, said the operation led to the killing of four suspects, the arrest of five, recovery of various firearms and other items linked to the suspects.

Okoye informed that the operation was made successful by the combined security outfits in their renewed effort to improve security and combat insurgency.

He pointed out that the various security agencies, under the auspices of “Operation Udoka”, have strengthened their operations to dismantle criminal networks operating within the state.

The release revealed that the Commissioner of Police, CP, Aboki Danjuma and other service commanders conducted an assessment of the ongoing operation in Ezioha, Eziama Autonomous Community aimed at targeting criminal hideouts responsible for violent attacks and kidnappings in the region.

The police spokesperson hinted that the operation leading to the dismantling of the suspect’s hideouts was followed by a protracted gunfight with the terrorists disclosing that eight motorcycles, several dangerous weapons including explosive devices, and communication equipment linked to the suspects were recovered.

“The assessment, involved key security figures, including the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, Brigadier General U.A. Lawal, Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Air Commodore David Bello, Commander NAF 211 Quick Response Group, Owerri, Naval Commander Oguta, Commodore MB Salisu, the DSS Commander, the NSCDC Commander, and the SSA to the Governor on Security Affairs, Brig. Gen. Joseph Ogbonna (Rtd.). They commended the professionalism of the joint security operatives and stressed the importance of public cooperation in aiding the fight against crime by providing valuable intelligence,” he stated.

Okoye remarked that the operation followed an earlier ransacking of a similar criminal hideout in Aku within the month.

He further stated that the State Police Commissioner used the moment to reassure the people of the state that the security agencies were working in unison to protect the state.

“The CP. called on all citizens to work in partnership with law enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful and secure environment throughout the holiday season.”Okoye further stated

A mayor in Mexico’s central San Luis Potosi state, who was a member of the ruling Morena party, was shot dead on Sunday along with three other people, local authorities said.

Jesus Eduardo Franco, mayor of Tancanhuitz municipality, and the three other victims were all found dead inside a vehicle, according to the state prosecutor’s office.”We deeply regret the death of our colleague Eduardo Franco, municipal president of Tancanhuitz,” Morena party president Rita Rodriguez wrote on X.

“We ask authorities to reach the ultimate consequences and find those responsible,” she added.

Dozens of local officials have been targeted in organised crime-related violence that has plagued Mexico in recent years.

Local media reported last month that Alejandro Arcos, a mayor in southern Guerrero state, was decapitated less than a week after taking office and his head placed on top of a pickup truck.

More than 450,000 people have been murdered and thousands have gone missing since the Mexican government deployed the army to combat drug trafficking in 2006, according to official figures.

The Benue State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has rescued 11 persons and recovered 20 bodies from a boat accident in Agatu Local Government Area.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police Sewuese Anene, told the News Agency Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the incident took place late in the evening of the previous day.

Anene said the rescue was still ongoing.

Chairman, Agatu LGA, Mr Melvin James, said the victims were from Nasarawa State.

“It’s true that there was a boat mishap yesterday, and the people came to Ocholonya market in Agatu,’’ he added.

“What I learnt is that when they were returning to their base in Apochi and Odenyi communities in Doma in Nasarawa State, the boat they were travelling in capsized.

“I am trying to get my colleague from Nasarawa State to see how we can go there to visit the families and console them,” he said.

James said he had contacted the commander of the Nigerian Navy in the LGA to help in the rescue.

An accident involving two containerised trucks one loaded and the other empty occurred yesterday at Powerline by Cele Bus Stop, Ita-Oluwo, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that three individuals were killed in the incident, while two others were rescued from the wreckage with injuries and taken to the General Hospital, Ikorodu, for treatment.

According to reports, the truck had a brake failure while allegedly trying to evade a revenue collector in pursuit.The mechanical failure led to a chain reaction, causing the truck to collide with other vehicles and damaging nearby structures.

Emergency services, including LASTMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Fire Service, and personnel from the Nigerian Army’s 174 Battalion, responded promptly to the scene.

LASTMA officials secured the area with caution tape to facilitate rescue operations and prevent further harm to bystanders.

Its General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condoled with families of the deceased.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recovered 636,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth N4.4 billion in street value at Port-Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers.

This is contained in a statement issued by agency spokesman Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Babafemi said that the drugs were intercepted in shipments from India on December 9, 11 and 13.

He said the seizures were made during a joint examination of four containers by NDLEA officers, men of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies at the port.

This, he said, was made possible following processed credible intelligence on the shipments by the NDLEA operatives.

“At the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state, no fewer than 636,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth N4.4billion in street value were intercepted in shipments from India,” he said.

Meanwhile, with the same vigour, Commands and formations of the agencies across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities, among others, in the past week.

Mr Babafemi named the places as WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of City Comprehensive College, Ogidi, Anambra, Government Secondary School, Toungo, Adamawa, Bonny Camp Primary School, Victoria Island, Lagos, and Government Junior Secondary School, Yarganji, Kano.

He added that the Oyo State command of NDLEA delivered a WADA enlightenment lecture to leaders, elders, youths and residents of Tapa, among others.

This, he said, was a continuous process by the agency to reduce, to the barest minimum, the dangers of illicit drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country.

Mr Babafemi said NDLEA top boss Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of the Onne area of the agency for the arrests and seizures.

Marwa said that the operational successes should show the drug barons and cartels that the agency had the capacity and intelligence network to track their movements and their consignments even before getting to Nigeria.

He said the agency would continue to lose heavily if it failed to back down on the criminal trade.

Tragedy struck on the River Benue as around 20 people, mostly women and children, reportedly drowned when a wooden boat capsized near Ocholonya in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday.

The victims, traders returning to Odenyi in Nasarawa Toto LGA of Nasarawa State after attending the Ocholonya market, were caught in the mishap.

A local resident, who identified himself simply as Adanyi, narrated, “Yesterday (Saturday) was Ocholonya market day, and this market is within Agatu LGA.

“The people, mostly women and children, were returning to their base in Odenyi in Nasarawa State when the boat they were travelling in capsized, and all died.”

Confirming the incident to our correspondent on Sunday, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James, stated, “It’s true that there was a boat mishap yesterday, and the people came to Ocholonya market. Ocholonya is in Agatu Local Government.

“What I learnt is that when they were returning to their base in Apochi and Odenyi communities in Doma, Nasarawa State, the boat they were travelling in capsized.”

James continued, “I am trying to get my colleague from Nasarawa State to see how we can visit the families and console them. Conflicting reports suggest that 20 people have died, but no recovery of the corpses to my knowledge.

“Locals confirmed that divers have recovered corpses, but as chairman, I must speak authoritatively. I want to establish contact with divers to confirm the actual number of bodies recovered, but their lines were not connecting.

“However, one source told me that 20 corpses have been recovered, and some people are still missing.”

The chairman further revealed that he had contacted the Nigerian Navy commander in the LGA to assist in the rescue operation.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful as her phone line was unreachable.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted claims that it approved the herbal product Lung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride), which falsely asserts that it makes smoking safe when used.

NAFDAC condemned the misleading claim circulating in a video on social media, describing it as false and unfounded, emphasizing that such claims endanger public health while urging Nigerians to disregard them.

In a statement on Sunday by its Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, NAFDAC clarified that the promoters of the product had applied for registration but the application was denied as the product’s scientific efficacy and safety could not be substantiated.

The statement reads: “The attention of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been drawn to a misleading video circulating on social media, alleging that NAFDAC approved the registration of a herbal product claiming that “smoking is healthy” when used with their product.

“NAFDAC wishes to categorically state that this claim is false and completely unfounded. The product in question—Lung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride) or any similar product—is NOT registered by NAFDAC.

“The unscrupulous individual behind this product had applied for registration, but the application was outrightly rejected due to the unsubstantiated and dangerous claim that smoking could be made “healthy” by consuming the product.

“As a scientific and professional agency, NAFDAC will never permit the importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of products with claims that do not have any scientific basis.

“Herbal Products and any other related products are not allowed to make any therapeutic claims unless scientifically validated through proper clinical trial studies.

“NAFDAC remains steadfast in its mandate to protect public health and ensure that only safe, effective, and scientifically substantiated products are approved.

“We condemn any attempt to mislead or endanger the public with false claims.

“The public is advised to disregard this video and report any suspicious claims or products to the Agency through our official channels”.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Olu Daramola, a partner at Afe Babalola law chamber, has filed a N500,000 suit at at Ojodu Abiodun division of Ogun State High Court, against Tomilola Titus Farotimi also known as Dele Farotimi for defamation alleged to be contained in his new book titled “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System”.

The suit was filed barely a month after an earlier one filed by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) over similar and alleged defamatory words contained in the book.

The writ, marked HCO/65/24 dated December 13, 2024 was taken on behalf of the applicant by Iheanyichukwu C. Uwa on behalf of the applicant, Olu Daramola (SAN).

The claimant, Daramola, is seeking a declaration that the book, titled ” Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System” authored by the defendant, in circulation within and outside the country and the jurisdiction of the Court, contained some defamatory words on its page 64 as published and distributed by the defendant, regarding the claimant is offensive, defamatory and derogatory and has brought the claimant into ridicule, odium, disrespect, disrepute and scorn in the eyes of the right-thinking members of the society.

The claimant is seeking a declaration that the book as published and distributed by the defendant and regarding the claimant has injured the claimant’s character, prestige, pedigree and reputation as an honest, law abiding, competent, dutiful, reliable, diligent and trustworthy legal practitioner.

The claimant is therefore seeking an order of the court awarding N500,000 against the defendant being exemplary and general damages in favour of the claimant for the book authored by the defendant and said to be in circulation all over the country.

The claimant sought an order from the court compelling the defendant to publish an unreserved apology in the Guardian Newspaper and The Punch or any other two widely national newspapers retracting the said libelous excerpts as contained in the book authored by the defendant and within the jurisdiction of the court.

The claimant sought an order of the court directing the recovery and destruction of the book authored by the defendant and currently in circulation across Nigeria and within the jurisdiction of the court in both hard and soft copy formats from all bookshops, libraries, archives, booksellers, social media and online platforms amongst others.

An order of perpetual injunction was sought by the claimant restraining the defendant, whether by himself, privies, agents/servants, staff, officers, or any other person howsoever described from publishing, causing to be published or in any other manner circulating the said offensive book both in hard and soft copy formats authored by the defendant regarding the claimant.

The claimant further asked for an order of the court directing the Defendant to pay interest on the judgment sum awarded to the Claimant at the rate of 10% (ten per cent) per annum from the date of judgment in this suit until the judgment debt is fully and finally liquidated.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit now as the defendant, currently in custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) is yet to file a response to the suit.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a N150 million penalty per branch on Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) found engaging in the illegal flow of freshly minted Naira notes to currency hawkers and unscrupulous agents.

This was disclosed in a circular dated December 13, 2024, signed by Mohammed J. Olayemi, Acting Director of the Currency Operations Department.

According to the CBN, the fine will apply to the first instance of a violation by any branch found to have facilitated, aided, or abetted the distribution of mint notes to hawkers.

Subsequent violations will attract stricter penalties under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020.

In the circular, the CBN expressed concern over the rising trend of cash hawking, where mint Naira notes are openly sold in markets and public spaces. It noted that this practice undermines the efficient distribution of cash across the country and erodes public confidence in the financial system.

To enforce compliance, the CBN announced plans to conduct periodic spot checks in banking halls and ATMs, focusing on cash disbursement practices. Additionally, mystery shopping exercises will be undertaken to identify cash-hawking hotspots and expose banks involved in the illicit trade.

The circular also referred to an earlier directive issued on November 13, 2024, reiterating the apex bank’s commitment to eliminating the commodification of Naira notes.

Beyond imposing fines, the CBN has urged financial institutions to strengthen their internal controls, processes, and procedures around cash management. It emphasized the need for banks to tighten operations at Cash Management Centres, branches, and teller points to prevent the exploitation of cash distribution mechanisms.

“This directive underscores the CBN’s resolve to address the illegal activities undermining efficient cash distribution and ensure the integrity of the Nigerian financial system,” the circular stated.

The CBN called on banks to take proactive steps to monitor and secure their cash distribution processes, warning that non-compliance would attract severe consequences.

The move forms part of the apex bank’s broader strategy to uphold the sanctity of the Naira and promote efficient cash management across the country.

South Korean lawmakers on Saturday voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, with the opposition declaring a “victory of the people”.

The vote took place as hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Seoul in rival rallies for and against Yoon, who launched a failed attempt to impose martial law on December 3.Out of 300 lawmakers, 204 voted to impeach the president on allegations of insurrection. 85 voted against. Three abstained, with eight votes nullified.With the impeachment, Yoon has been suspended from office while South Korea’s Constitutional Court deliberates on the vote.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is now the nation’s interim leader.

The court now has 180 days to rule on Yoon’s future.

Two hundred votes were needed for the impeachment to pass, and opposition lawmakers needed to convince at least eight parliamentarians from Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) to switch sides.

A Seoul police official earlier told AFP at least 200,000 people had massed outside parliament in support of removing the president.

On the other side of Seoul near Gwanghwamun square, police estimated 30,000 had rallied in support of Yoon, blasting patriotic songs and waving South Korean and American flags.

“Yoon had no choice but to declare martial law. I approve of every decision he has made as president,” supporter Choi Hee-sun, 62, told AFP before the vote.

The South Korean president has vowed to fight on and doubled down on unsubstantiated claims the opposition is in league with the country’s communist foes.

One protester said she had rented a bus so parents at the rally would have a place to change diapers and feed their babies.

Another said they had initially planned to spend their Saturday hiking.

“But I came here instead to support my fellow citizens,” Kim Deuk-yun, 58, told AFP.

– Insurrection claims –

If the Constitutional Court backs his removal, Yoon would become the second president in South Korean history to be successfully impeached.

But there is also precedent for the court to block impeachment. In 2004, then-president Roh Moo-hyun was removed by parliament for alleged election law violations and incompetence, but the Constitutional Court later reinstated him.

The court currently only has six judges, meaning their decision must be unanimous.

And should the vote fail, Yoon could still face “legal responsibility” for the martial law bid, Kim Hyun-jung, a researcher at the Korea University Institute of Law, told AFP.

“This is an act of insurrection,” she said.

“Even if the impeachment motion does not pass, the president’s legal responsibilities under the Criminal Code… cannot be avoided.”

Yoon has remained unapologetic and defiant as the fallout from his disastrous martial law declaration has deepened and an investigation into his inner circle has widened.

His approval rating — never very high — has plummeted to 11 per cent, according to a Gallup Korea poll released Friday.

The same poll showed that 75 per cent now support his impeachment.

A Nigeria pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, has dismissed claims that he was about to be deported from his current base in the United Kingdom.

Adeboyega, who recently lost his battle against deportation from the UK over an alleged £1.87 million fraud, said the allegations levelled against him are baseless and should be dismissed.

In December, an investigation by the UK Charity Commission found “serious misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration” of his church.

PUNCH Online reports that an immigration tribunal ruled that Adegboyega should be deported to Nigeria after investigations exposed the misuse of funds by his church.

In an interview with the BBC published on Friday, the founder of the SPAC Nation church dismissed the allegations, saying that fraud allegations against him came from “disgruntled members” of his church.

“It is false. They have been on this thing for the past four years.

“If you have 1,000 people in a place, are you telling me 30 people will not be disgruntled? How on earth do you run an organisation without disgruntled people?” he asked.

Speaking further, Adegboyega dismissed reports of a deportation order, adding that the case was an “ongoing issue”.

He said, “There is no deportation order. Let me make that clear.”

Adegboyega stated that he has decided his fate is in the hands of the judges, stressing that his church has helped get hundreds of knives off the streets and has tackled gun violence in the UK.

“We believe in a practical approach to help a community – young people coming out of low social-economic background, taking them out of crime,” he said.

Addressing criticism over his lavish lifestyle, the preacher said he puts on luxury items to connect to the new generation he is speaking to.

He said, “I put on what is right, what connects to the generation I’m speaking to, so they are not attracted to drug dealers”.

Addressing his long stay in the UK, Adegboyega said he arrived in the country at 25 in 2005 on a visitor’s visa but failed to legalise his stay.

The pastor said he assumed his family was handling his immigration paperwork.

“I lost track of time,” he said, referring to the nearly decade-long delay in applying to regularise his immigration status.

The Ogun State Police Command on Saturday said that its operatives have arrested a truck driver, Olalere Timileyin and his motor boy at Obada Oko, Abeokuta, the state capital, over the death of a man said to have been assaulted for allegedly stealing a tarpaulin.

The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Saturday.

Odutola stated that one Alao Fadipe of Iyana Ikereku at about 3 am on Friday, December 13, reported to the police how he saw some individuals fighting on the road in front of his house.

Fadipe reportedly told the police that upon getting to the scene, he observed that Timileyin, a truck driver and his motor-boy associated with a cement factory in Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state were allegedly assaulting a man for stealing tarpaulin until he lost consciousness.

Odutola explained further, “Acting on the complaint, detectives from Obada Oko responded and arrested the driver and his motor-boy at the location.

“The injured man was promptly taken to the State Hospital, Ijaye, for medical care, but sadly passed away during treatment.

“The body has been sent to the morgue for an autopsy. The suspects are currently being interrogated, and efforts are underway to reach the deceased’s family.

“The case will be forwarded to SCIID Eleweran for further investigation”.

The state command has also warned residents against street fights or any act of violence that could lead to a breach of peace during this yuletide and beyond.

More trouble seems to be brewing for lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, following a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee seeking his disbarment.

The Law Firm of Afe Babalola which filed the petition accused Farotimi of violating certain provisions of the rules of professional conduct for lawyers.

He is specifically accused of violating “the extant Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners Rules 1, 15(1), 15(2b), 15(3a), 15(3g), 15(3i), 15(3j), 26(1), 27(1), 30, 31(1), (2) and (4) of the Rules of Professional Conduct 2023 by bringing the entire judiciary in Nigeria into disrepute with his unfounded allegations of corruption against eminent justices of the supreme court of Nigeria, judges of high court of Lagos state, Aare Afe Babalola san, Olu Deramola, SAN, Ola Faro esq, and the entire chambers of Afe Babalola & co in his book titled ‘Nigeria and its criminal justice system.”

Farotimi is currently standing trial in Ado Ekiti for alleged criminal defamation

He was granted bail on Monday in the sum of N50 million and his case adjourned till 29 January 2025.

Farotimi,according to Ola Faro, a partner in the Afe Babalola Law firm, engaged in conduct that was unbecoming of a legal practitioner by making false accusations against the Supreme Court and the legal profession in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

The Farotimi allegations,the petitioners,added were aimed at discrediting the Nigerian judiciary, including Justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the High Court of Lagos State and their law firm, and to subject them to ridicule within the legal community, thereby damaging their hard-earned reputation and financial standing.

Faro said: “He (Farotimi) joined his clients in committing misconduct and breach of law with reference to judicial officers by having unlawful access to a judicial officer. He gave service to his client which he knows is capable of causing a breach of law and disrespect and corrupting a judicial officer. He knowingly made a false statement of law and facts with respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court.

“He assisted his clients in a conduct that he knows to be illegal and fraudulent. Knowingly engaged in illegal conduct in the cause of his practice as a legal practitioner. Treated his fellow lawyers without respect, fairness, consideration and dignity, allowing ill feelings between opposing clients to influence his conduct and demeanour by distorting the facts of a case in the cause of his practice as a legal practitioner.

“Failed to observe good faith and fairness in dealing with other lawyers in respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court. Conducted himself in a manner that obstructed, delayed and adversely affected the administration of justice by taking steps to frustrate a decision of the Supreme Court for his personal benefit and the benefit of his client who lost at the Supreme Court.

“Treated the court, particularly the Supreme Court without respect, dignity and honour by using uncouth, unprofessional, undignified and offensive language against the Supreme Court and the justices of the Supreme Court. Made defamatory statements against judicial officers rather than making a complaint to appropriate authorities.

“Indicated that he discussed a pending case with a judge trying the case in the absence of an opposing lawyer. The contravention of these rules by the Respondent (Farotimi) prompted this petition to protect the dignity of the legal profession, the dignity of the court as the temple of justice and to uphold the standards of the legal profession.”

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja and the Oyo State High Court have already barred Farotimi from further publishing, selling, circulating, advertising, or distributing the hard or soft copies of the book.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed that all versions of the naira, including the old and new designs of the N1000, N500, and N200 notes, as well as the commemorative and previous designs of the N100 note, remain valid legal tender without any expiration date.

In a statement released on Friday, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, Acting Director of Corporate Communications, debunked widespread claims of a December 31, 2024, deadline for using old banknotes, labeling them as misinformation.

The CBN emphasised that this clarification is in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling of November 29, 2023, which permits the indefinite concurrent circulation of all versions of these denominations.

“The Bank’s previous clarifications and to offer further assurance, the CBN wishes to reiterate that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023, permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the N1000, N500, and N200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely,” the statement read.

The apex bank urged Nigerians to disregard any contrary claims and to accept all naira banknotes for their daily transactions.

“We urge Nigerians to continue accepting all Naira banknotes (both old and redesigned) for their daily transactions and to handle them with care to ensure their longevity,” Mrs. Ali stated.

Additionally, the CBN encouraged the public to adopt alternative payment methods, such as electronic channels, to reduce dependence on physical cash.

This clarification by the CBN aims to quell confusion and ensure smooth economic activities amid the concurrent circulation of old and redesigned naira banknotes.

Polytechnic lecturers under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have suspended their two-week strike after reaching a new agreement with the Federal Government.

The union directed its members to resume work across the country on Monday.

In a statement signed by ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja yesterday in Abuja, ASUP explained that the decision to suspend the strike followed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached at a conciliation meeting with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on December 9.

The statement said: “Members of the Union and indeed the general public may recall that our Union declared a 2 week definite strike effective 2nd December, 2024 over the inability of the government through its agencies to execute nine items in the work plan jointly developed with our Union to resolve some pending issues of trade dispute.

“You will also recall that a strike was declared to serve as a warning and precursor to an indefinite strike.

“Within the period of the strike, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment convened a conciliation meeting between our Union and the government on the 9th December, 2024 to resolve the dispute and save the sector from the impending indefinite strike.

“At the meeting, a new memorandum of understanding was signed with a caveat that another meeting will be held on 23rd January, 2025 to assess compliance by parties as well as to address other issues.

“After this meeting, the Union’s National Executive Council will meet to review the situation.

“In view of this development, all members of the Union are directed to resume duties from Monday 16th December, 2024.”

Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, yesterday frowned against those politicising President Bola Tinubu’s reforms, saying the reforms are meant to prevent the economy from collapsing.

Speaking at the 48th National Council on Information and National Orientation in Kaduna, Sani said the current administration inherited a comatose economy.

This, he said, warranted the innovative and creative solutions of the President to reinvent the economy and put the nation on the path to sustainable growth and development.

While acknowledging some of the pains that come along with the reforms, the governor said they are being implemented with good intentions, for the greater good of Nigerian people.

He said: “Our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR assumed office at a trying time in the nation’s history. He inherited a near -comatose economy.

“He therefore has the unenviable task of initiating and implementing far-reaching measures to prevent the Nigerian economy from collapse. Because of global economic meltdown and years of mismanagement in Nigeria, fixing our economy requires time and sustained re-engineering.

“That is why Mr. President has come up with innovative and creative solutions to reinvent the economy and put our nation irreversibly on the path to sustainable growth and development. Although some of the measures have been painful, they are being implemented with good intentions, for the greater good of the Nigerian people. As a Father of the nation, President Tinubu has continued to renew our hope in the possibilities of the Nigerian nation.”

He therefore charged information managers to help communicate the background of the reforms to the people.

He said: “Information Managers have a responsibility to effectively communicate Mr. President’s Reform Agenda to the Nigerian people. We must fashion a robust Communications Strategy to carry out this important task. We must give the people the background to the reforms, what it is all about, and the benefits therein. “We must be patient with the people and break things down for them. Messages should be crafted in a way that takes care of the peculiarities of different audiences. We need the buy-in of the people in what we do. The people are our pillar of support.”

Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, fired from all cylinders to record a 9-0 win over their counterparts from Niger Republic on Thursday.

The victory is recorded in the second match of this year’s WAFU U17 Girls’ Cup, taking place in Ghana.

In a statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Head of Communications, the Flamingos started brilliantly, with Aishat Animashaun scoring after only five minutes, following an in-swinger by Mary Mamudu.

2024 FIFA World Cup star Shakirat Moshood then started her own song, as she produced a screamer from 35 yards that saw the ball sail above Nigerien goalkeeper Ndiaye Basiru for the second goal in the 17th minute.

Six minutes later, the ever-relentless Moshood scored her second and Nigeria’s third, assisted by Animashaun, and in the 33rd minute, Janet Akekoromowei made it four by netting from close range.

Akekoromowei escaped the attention of Nigerien defenders in the 42nd minute to power home for Nigeria’s fifth, and nicked her hat-trick almost immediately after with a powerful header.

Moshood, not to be outdone before recess, got her own hat-trick in the 45th minute to make it 7-0 against the hapless neighbours at half time.

Moshood was on song again just before the hour, collecting the ball high up the pitch and making a solo drive to fire past Ndiaye for her fourth and Nigeria’s eighth.

With 11 minutes left on the clock, Peace Effiong opted to have her own name on the scoresheet, when she fired from outside the box to beat Ndiaye for Nigeria’s ninth goal.

The Flamingos will next take on their counterparts from Cote d’Ivoire on Monday. (NAN)

All the 36 State Governors in Nigeria have submitted their reports to back the establishment of state police.

This was disclosed by the Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani on Thursday immediately after the 146th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

The Kaduna Governor revealed that the 36 states had submitted proposals supporting the establishment of state police, reflecting a strong consensus among the governors.

“Today, one of the discussions we had at the NEC meeting was the update on the creation of state police. As you are aware, there was a submission by States toward the establishment of state police.

”Today, about 36 states have already made their submission for establishing state police in Nigeria. And I can say here that from what is available, virtually most of the states are in agreement with the establishment of state police in Nigeria,” Sani stated.

Despite the overwhelming support, discussions on the initiative were postponed until the next NEC meeting scheduled for January.

Sani explained, “The council decided to step down the discussion until we receive a report from the secretariat. After that, there will be deliberation at the next NEC meeting.”

He also highlighted a resolution from the previous NEC meeting calling for further stakeholder engagement to refine the proposal.

“And not only that, there’s also a resolution in the last NEC meeting, which is today the Secretariat have also agreed on that, there will be further stakeholder engagement after the panel and deliberation by the members of the NEC.”

The governor acknowledged the unique security challenges faced by different regions, noting, “Considering the fact that virtually every state has their peculiarity in terms of the problem we are having of insecurity in our own states. Knowing fully well that we have a lot of ungoverned space in Nigeria, and also that we have a lot of deficit in terms of number of boots on ground, looking at the fact that a lot of security agencies, the police, the army and other relevant security agencies have no personnel to cover all the ungoverned spaces, that is the reason why most of us agreed that establishment of state police in Nigeria is the way forward toward addressing the problem insecurity in our own country.”

At the last NEC meeting, the governments of Kwara, Kebbi, Adamawa and the FCT were given one week to submit their reports on the proposed creation of state police.

Governor Sani said while others have complied, the FCT failed to do so, with explanations which were accepted by the council.

The council had, in September, threatened to impose decisions on any state that had not complied with the request for reports.

The push for state police comes as Nigeria grapples with severe insecurity issues, including banditry and terrorism.

The NEC’s discussions follow a broader national dialogue on policing reform initiated by President Bola Tinubu earlier in the year.

The President has long advocated for state police as part of efforts to decentralise Nigeria’s heavily centralised security apparatus.