About 15 passengers sustained injuries in a multiple accident that occurred at Ketu, inward Ojota, in Lagos State.

The permanent secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.

Mr Oke-Osanyintolu said the accident was reported via the state’s toll-free emergency numbers, 767 and 112.

He added that LASEMA’s response team from the Command and Control Centre, C3, Alausa, swiftly swung to the scene.

“They arrived at the scene of the multiple collision, which involved three vehicles under the Ojota Interchange Bridge, at 11:40 a.m.

“Upon arrival, it was discovered that the accident involved a BRT bus, with registration number EXY-167XY, an articulated truck, with an unknown registration number and an 18-seater commercial bus, with registration number JJJ-439YG.

“The articulated truck was laden with a 40-feet container.

“Further investigations revealed that the articulated truck, while heading inward Ketu, suddenly lost control of motion,” he said.

He added that the truck skidded off its lane and collided with the BRT bus, which was headed toward Ojota from the opposite direction.

“The BRT subsequently skidded off its lane into the service lane and collided with the yellow commercial bus.

“Fifteen people were injured. No critical injuries were sustained and fatalities were recorded.

“The BRT bus suffered significant damage to the front and rear ends, and the tractor head of the truck was also damaged,” he said.

He added that the injured victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The LASEMA official said the agency’s pre-hospital care team attended to four at the accident scene.

“The articulated truck was recovered off the road and towed to LASTMA yard at Oshodi.

“The BRT bus was recovered off the road to the BRT yard in Ojota, while the yellow commercial bus was driven off by its owner,” he added.

He said the road had been set free for vehicular activities.

A chief magistrates’ court in Abeokuta on Friday sentenced a 35-year-old man, Kabiru Lawal, to three months’ imprisonment for stealing goats and ram.

Mr Lawal, who resides in the Olomore area of Abeokuta, pleaded guilty to stealing and conversion on two counts.

The magistrate, V.B. William, convicted Mr Lawal following his guilty plea to the charges preferred against him.

Ms William sentenced him to three months each for the first and second counts, saying that the sentences must run concurrently.

She, however, gave him the option of restituting the goat and ram amounts to the complainant.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that Mr Lawal committed the offences sometime in June 2023 at No. 47, Kuforiji Olubi Drive, Abeokuta.

Mr Olu-Balogun said the defendant fraudulently obtained eight goats and one ram valued at N300,000, property of one Ibrahim Akanbi, under the pretence of helping the complainant sell the goats and ram.

“The complainant gave the defendant eight goats and a ram to help him sell them, but the defendant sold all of them and converted the money to his personal use.

“After committing the crime, he ran out of Ogun state without remitting the money to the complainant but was later caught,” he said.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened section 419(b) and 390(3) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.

Ghana will undergo a three-week power supply disruption across many areas due to a reduction in the supply of gas from Nigeria, the Ghana Grid Company LTD. (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have announced.

“We wish to inform the public that due to reduction of gas supply from Nigeria since Wednesday 12th June, 2024 some areas across the country have experienced interruption in power supply,” GRIDCo and ECG said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The companies said the disruption in the gas supply chain from Nigeria is due to maintenance works being carried out by Ghana’s gas supplier, The West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAPCo), on its facilities. The maintenance is expected to last three weeks.

“The West Africa Gas Pipeline Company (WAP Co), in a statement, has explained that the reduction in gas supply was due to maintenance works being undertaken by a gas supplier in Nigeria and is projected to last three (3) weeks,” the statement said.

“The maintenance has caused a reduction in overall power generation capacity in Ghana which could result in load management over the period of the work.”

GRIDCo and ECG noted that everything is being done with relevant stakeholders to ensure equal distribution of available power across Ghana during the period.

“GRIDCo and ECG, however, wish to assure the public that we are collaborating with other stakeholders in the power value chain to optimise available resources to ensure minimal impact of the reduction in gas supply on consumers.”

The House of Representatives and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control have resolved to lift the ban on the sale and consumption of sachet alcoholic beverages in the country.

The deputy spokesman for the House, Philip Agbese, who disclosed this, said the lifting of the ban would end when the economy fully recovers from its current strain.

NAFDAC had banned the production of beverages in small sachets and bottles for reasons not unconnected with the prevailing cases of drug abuse in the country, especially by some young Nigerians.

Recall that the House of Representatives had on February 7, 2024, mandated its committee on the NAFDAC to probe the circumstances surrounding the ban imposed on the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles in Nigeria by the agency.

This was sequel to a motion moved on the floor of the Green Chamber by members Paschal Agbodike and Philip Agbese during the plenary session.

Briefing journalists at the National Assembly Complex on Friday, Agbese disclosed that the resolution to temporarily lift the ban was arrived at after a meeting between the House Committee and NAFDAC officials.

He said, “We all agreed at the meeting that at a certain stage in history, we must move on with our counterparts across the globe. Nevertheless, at the moment, we agreed with NAFDAC that there would be a temporary lifting of the ban until the economy regains its strength.”

Speaking on how the decision was arrived at, Agbese who represents Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Benue State, said, “We had engagements with stakeholders, including NAFDAC and the organised private sector involved. Resolutions were reached at that meeting based on the submissions made by the stakeholders, civil society organisations and other interested parties.

“Part of the recommendations before the parliament was that the ban was not timely given the current economic realities and coupled with the fact that the five-year moratorium granted by NAFDAC to the private sector, the advent of COVID-19 and other economic realities we are facing today did not permit the operators in the industry to comply with their terms.”

Justice L.O. Ogundana of the Ekiti High Court in Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday, sentenced four men to death by hanging for murder and armed robbery.

The convicts: Sola Ogunleye, Ebenezer Adebayo, Lasisi Afeez and Ojo Oba were arraigned on charges of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and conspiracy.

The offence of armed robbery is contrary to Section 6(b), of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

While the offences of murder and attempted murder are contrary to Sections 319 (1) and 320 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap.C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

Ms Ogundana, when delivering his judgement, held that the prosecution proved all the offences against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge consequently convicted all the defendants and sentenced them to death by hanging for the offences of armed robbery and murder.

For the offence of attempted murder and conspiracy, Ms Ogundana convicted and sentenced the four men to life imprisonment.

The prosecution stated that the offences were committed by the convicts on May 29, 2017 at Oyan Orete Camp, ljan- Ekiti.

It said that the convicts robbed the residents of the camp at gunpoint and one Olasunkanmi Ramon was murdered.

The prosecution also informed the court that the convicts attacked one Usman Adeleye and inflicted him with machete cuts on the head.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Julius Ajibare, who prosecuted the case for the state, called five witnesses and tendered seven exhibits to prove his case.

The convicts, who had pleaded not guilty to the offences, were represented by counsel, Chris Omokhafe, and Oluwaseun Oyebanji.

The four men gave evidence in their own defence during trial and called two other witnesses.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Ebonyi has waded into the crisis of gross human rights abuse in Agharoza, Iboko community in the Izzi Local Government Area.

Trouble erupted in the community on Thursday when the youths allegedly set ablaze the house of their kinsman, John Ekpono.

The action followed a spiritual revelation by a clergyman, commonly known in the area as “Ubadimma”, who was in the community for a three-day crusade.

During the crusade, the cleric had revealed that Mr Ekpono was responsible for the community’s backwardness and other calamities befalling the area.

Convinced by the revelation, the youths went on a rampage and burned down Mr Okpono’s house and other valuables, accusing him of being evil.

In an interview with journalists, the state coordinator of NHRC, Christopher Okorie, reacted to the development and expressed concern that people could be barbaric because of superstition.

Mr Okorie frowned at the practice where people relied on unfounded revelations and superstitions to witch-hunt innocent citizens in society.

He described such acts as unlawful and urged members of the society to desist from them.

“The people should stop taking the law into their hands. They should always report any serious concerns to the police, who are trained to handle such issues professionally.

“We have met with the victim’s family, and NHRC, in collaboration with some human rights-based civil society organisations in the state, have swung into action to investigate the case,” Mr Okorie said.

He said that the commission was committed to ensuring that justice was done in the matter.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command, has deployed 3,168 personnel to ensure hitch-free Eid-el Kabir celebrations.

Its commandant, Mohammed Lawal-Falala, said in a statement by the corps spokesperson Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi on Friday in Kano that the personnel would monitor sensitive places to prevent criminal activities or disorders during the celebration.

He said the NSCDC personnel would work with the police, SSS, Federal Road Safety Corps, and KAROTA to maintain law and order, as well as the free flow of traffic.

According to him, the personnel will provide maximum security at various mosques, recreational centres, and nooks and crannies throughout the festive period and after.

He urged officers and men to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, as enshrined in the Act establishing the corps.

The commandant enjoined the public to cooperate with security agents and obey the laid-down laws for peaceful Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in the state.

All is set for Muslims worldwide to celebrate Eid el-Kabir on Sunday after Hajj pilgrims stand on Mount Arafat on Saturday.

The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18, 2024, public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.

In a statement on Friday signed by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Aishetu Ndayako, quoted the minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as congratulating all Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion.

Tunji-Ojo called on the Muslim Ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for unity, prosperity and the stability of the country.

The statement added, “The minister reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“He further enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to support, cooperate and join hands with the president in his sustained efforts to diversify the economy and progressively accelerate the pace of the nation’s economic recovery.

“While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Minister advised all Nigerians to take responsibility in the resolve to hand over a prosperous Nigeria to the nation’s children.”

It was earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu would depart Abuja, the nation’s capital, for Lagos State on Friday ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

In a statement on Friday by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu will observe Eid-el-Kabir in Lagos, where he will also spend the Sallah holidays.

It added: “The President will mark the occasion with prayers and reflection on advancing the transformation of Nigeria in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.”

PUNCH online had reported that the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, declared Sunday, June 16, as Eid-el-Kabir day after affirming that Friday is the first day of Dhul Hijjah.

Sultan disclosed this in a statement on Friday by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Sambo Junaid, in Sokoto State.

“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with Nigeria’s Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings.

“The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country, also wishes all Muslims a Happy Eid-El-Kabir. May Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds, amen,” the Sultanate council said in the statement.

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Lagos State from Abuja, the nation’s capital, ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The President is in his home state to spend the Sallah holidays with family, friends and associates.

The presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, had, in an earlier statement, said the President would mark the occasion in prayers and reflection on advancing the transformation of Nigeria in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18, 2024, public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.

In a statement on Friday signed by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Aishetu Ndayako, quoted the minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as congratulating all Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion.

Tunji-Ojo called on the Muslim Ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for unity, prosperity and the stability of the country.

The statement added, “The minister reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“He further enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to support, cooperate and join hands with the president in his sustained efforts to diversify the economy and progressively accelerate the pace of the nation’s economic recovery.

“While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Minister advised all Nigerians to take responsibility in the resolve to hand over a prosperous Nigeria to the nation’s children.”

A 25-year-old woman named Temitope Adetanju has been arrested for allegedly inserting a piece of firewood into the vagina of a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) for stealing in Isewo, Obada Oko, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.

It was gathered that the victim had stolen a biscuit worth N200, Milo worth N150, and Mr. Fruit worth N300.

DAILY POST reports that the child was allegedly subjected to severe physical torture by her guardian due to her stealing habit.

Confirming the incident, the police spokesperson in Ogun State, Omolola Odutola, said the incident occurred around 11:00 am on Thursday, June 13, 2024, and the suspect was arrested by the Divisional Police Officer in Obada-Oko.

Odutola stated, “On June 13, 2024, Temitope Adetanju, a 25-year-old woman, was arrested by the DPO in Obada-Oko, Ogun State, for allegedly inserting a sizable piece of firewood into the private part of a 12-year-old girl, accusing her of stealing a biscuit worth N200, Milo worth N150, and Mr. Fruit worth N300.”

She explained that upon receiving the information, officers from the Juvenile Welfare Center were deployed to apprehend the suspect, Temitope Adetanju.

Odutola further stated that the suspect admitted to committing the crimes she was accused of.

She added that investigations are ongoing to ensure that all aspects of the incident are thoroughly

The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has moved a motion to ban masquerading in public places in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

The Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Moses Odunwa, disclosed this on Thursday, during the first year of the 7th State Assembly members in the hallowed chamber.

Odunwa said the motion to ban masquerading in public places was intended to bring an immediate and permanent end to the alleged barbarism in the area.

According to him: “A motion to ban masquerading at public places in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state aimed at bringing an immediate and permanent end to barbarism in Okwor Ngbo Market.”

He recalled that a masquerade popularly known as “Ugwoke Omebe” beat ministers of God recently at the said Okwor Ngbo Market square.

The Speaker earlier noted that the state’s seventh assembly has made 16 laws and moved six motions, which, in his words, has a direct bearing on the advancement and economic development of the state.

The laws included Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency Law 2023; Ebonyi State Boundary and Allied Matters Commission Law 2023; and Ebonyi State Rural Access Roads Authority Law 2023.

Others are Ebonyi State Roads Fund Law 2023; Ebonyi State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency Law 2023; Ebonyi State Statistics Law 2023; Ebonyi State Revised Appropriation Law 2023; Ebonyi State Appropriation Law 2023; and Ebonyi State Physical Planning Permit Regulation Law 2024.

The remaining ones are Ebonyi State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2024;

Ebonyi State Building Control Regulation Law 2024; Ebonyi State Chief Registrars (Harmonization with the Permanent Secretaries) Law 2024; Ebonyi State Citizens Mediation Centre Law, 2024; Ebonyi State Honours (Amendment) Law 2024; Ebonyi State Correctional Service and Regulation Law 2024; and Ebonyi State International Airport Law 2024, all of which were passed by the House within a year in office.

The House also moved a motion for the upgrade of the state’s 10 Model Junior Secondary Schools to fully operational and a motion for the rehabilitation of the culvert along Abakaliki-Enugu Express Way. According to Odunwa, the culvert was a death trap but has been properly fixed and is currently in use.

The Speaker also mentioned that the House Resolution concerning the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission’s Local Government Elections 2024 Budget Proposal was also mentioned as an achievement of the 7th State Assembly’s first year in office.

Hungary has been ordered by the European Court of Justice to pay a fine of 200 million euros (216 million dollars) and a further one million euros per day for failing to comply with the bloc’s asylum rules.

The ruling followed a previous court judgement in December 2020 concerning procedures for granting international protection and returning third-country nationals.

According to a court statement released on Thursday, the failure to implement that judgement “constitutes an unprecedented and extremely serious infringement of EU law.’’

The judges ruled that Hungary has not taken the measures necessary to comply with the 2020 judgment as regards access to the international protection procedure.

The statement noted, “The right of applicants for international protection to remain in Hungary pending a final decision on their appeal against the rejection of their application and the removal of illegally staying third-country nationals.

The Gwagwalada Division of the FCT High Court on Thursday sentenced a 21-year-old student, Adakole Peter, to one-year imprisonment for defrauding a Chinese woman of $50.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned the convict on two counts of cheating by impersonation and pretending to be a military personnel.

He pleaded guilty to the charges and begged the court for leniency.
Delivering judgment, Justice Aliyu Shafa also gave him an option of a fine of N150,000.

Mr Shafa ordered the convict to sign an affidavit of good behaviour, adding that the Redmi phone being used for the crime would be sold, and the proceeds would be deposited in the federal government’s account through the EFCC.

He also ordered that the $50 recovered from the convict be paid into the federal government account.

Earlier, the convict, in his plea for mercy, promised the court that he had realised his mistake and would not repeat it again.

“I have repented and realised my mistakes. I plead with the court to tamper justice with mercy,” he pleaded.

The defence counsel, Bridget Abang, in support of the convict’s allocutus, pleaded with the court to tamper with justice with mercy.

Ms Abang pleaded with the court to consider the convict’s plea and age, adding that he was a first-time offender.

The prosecution counsel, I.D. Iloakasia, told the court that the convict and his counsel had entered and signed a plea bargain on June 10.

Mr Iloakasia said between April and May, the convict within the court’s jurisdiction deceived his victim while pretending to be Steve M Marks, a military personnel.

He said the convict carried out an illegal act by inducing Ruth Novick, a Chinese citizen, to send him $50 gift cards. The convict then sold them via the internet for N20,000.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened section 321 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation Abuja, 1990 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.

The prosecutor had earlier urged the court that the money and instrument recovered from the convict be forfeited to the federal government through the EFCC.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested suspected self-kidnapper, Nelson Eserada, and his accomplice, Jerry Lawrence.

The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this on Thursday while speaking to PUNCH Metro in Asaba.

He said the suspect and his accomplice reached out to Eserada’s parent and demanded N50 million ransom.

He said, “Following complaints received from the father of one Nelson Eserada at Abraka Division that his son Nelson Eserada was kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of N50 million in bitcoin.

“The suspect also sent a video of the supposed victim tied and being tortured. The DPO Abraka SP Fabian Ayameh swiftly moved into action and embarked on a technical intelligence-led investigation. On June 10, 2024, one Jerry Lawrence of Jeddo Community Warri was arrested in connection with the crime.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect conspired with the said Nelson Eserada, a 400 Level Student of Banking & Finance Department of the Delta State University Abraka, and that the father had already paid the sum of N5.2 million ransom through a Bitcoin account belonging to the principal suspect Jerry Lawrence.”

Edafe said the suspects are in custody and the investigation was ongoing.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command on Thursday paraded six suspects who specialise in registering Subscriber Identity Module cards with other innocent citizens’ identities and selling them to criminals.

The suspects are Ndubuisi Okeh; John Jock; Nafiu Tijani (a dispatcher); Nasiru Sulaiman; John Njoku and Suleiman Musa.

Addressing journalists while parading the suspects, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe, said the suspects sold the SIM cards to criminals between N3,000 and N5000.

He noted that a total of 1,100 registered SIM cards; three registration machines; two fingerprint machines and a mobile phone were recovered from the suspects.

Igwe said, “On May 29, 2024, at about 3:00 pm, a team of detectives from the State Intelligence Department led by ACP Mohammed S. Baba, acting on credible intelligence, lured and arrested six suspects namely: Ndubuisi Okeh, John Jock; Nafiu Tijani (a dispatcher); Nasiru Sulaiman; John Njoku and Suleiman Musa Who specialises in the sales of already registered sim cards to criminals who operate with other people’s identity to avoid being traced or tracked through their own details at the price rate of three to five thousand naira.”

Igwe also said four different numbers could be registered using a National Identity Number.

According to him, as a result, these criminals use street SIM card vendors to obtain the details of unsuspecting residents who buy and register SIM cards simultaneously.

Igwe explained that the suspects use street SIM card vendors to obtain the details of innocent residents, including their National Identity Numbers, from those who patronize them.

He said, “It may interest you to know that four different numbers could be registered under a single NIN, hence, these criminals employ street sim card vendors to get the details of unsuspecting residents who buy sim cards and register at the same time.

“Over one thousand, one hundred already registered sim cards, three registration machines, and other gadgets were recovered from the suspects. The suspects have all confessed to the crime and will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.”

The CP also said a gun runner, identified as Ikechukwu Didi, was arrested with seven automatic pump action shotguns and 1000 rounds of live cartridges.

He said, “On June 7, 2024, at about 2:00 pm, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives from the anti-car theft section, trailed and arrested one Ikechukwu Didi 54 yrs, at Dutse Junction, who specialises in gun-running. Seven automatic pump action shotguns and 1000 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from him. Suspect will be arraigned in court soon.”

Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as she clocks 70.

The governor’s felicitation is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, on Thursday, in Asaba.

He described Okonjo-Iweala as a distinguished daughter of Delta from Ogwashi-Uku, praising her for being the first African woman to lead the global trade organisation.

Mr Oborevwori said that she was a shining example of professionalism and integrity, and a great role model for women.

He commended the WTO Director-General for her sublime and remarkable achievements in support of Nigeria and the international financial sector.

Mr Oborevwori remarked that Okonjo-Iweala made laudable contributions to the development of Nigeria’s economy, as a two-time finance minister.

He extolled Mrs Okonjo-Iweala for her intellect and skill as a leading economist and specialist in international development, whose faultless work over the years won her praise from all over the world.

He stated, “As a state, we take great pride in your impressive achievements, which have earned you numerous accolades and recognition over the years. Your innovative contributions as finance minister under Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan are particularly noteworthy. On behalf of my family, the Delta State government, and our people, I extend warm congratulations to you, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on your 70th birth anniversary.

“I join your family, colleagues, and well-wishers in expressing gratitude to God for your remarkable life, filled with outstanding accomplishments and fulfilment. As you celebrate three scores and ten, I pray that God grants you continued good health, happiness, and many more years of impactful contributions to the global economy.”

The presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, should focus on investigating more important issues like the allegations of budget padding and return of fuel subsidy.

Obi, who spoke on Wednesday when he featured on an Arise TV programme, said arresting Nigerians over abuse of the local currency, Naira should not be the focus of the anti-graft agency.

According to him, the arrest of the controversial cross-dresser and social media celebrity Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky and others for abusing naira notes “are minor issues”.

He said, “If it is not budget padding today, it would be undisclosed subsidy payment, inflated contracts, and all sorts of things.

“These are issues I want our agencies like EFCC to start dealing with but not arresting Bobrisky and Cubana Chief Priest. These are minor issues.

“Our agencies should face budget padding squarely not arresting Bobrisky because he dressed like a woman and spent N500 notes”.

Recall that the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Mr Abdul Ningi had in an interview in March, alleged discrepancies in the 2024 budget.

The senator claimed that the National Assembly approved N25tn while the President signed N28.7tn.

Similarly, there are claims that President Bola Tinubu has returned part of fuel subsidy that was abolished on May 29 2023.

The presidency has, however, denied the claim, insisting that fuel subsidy is gone.

The Russian Embassy in Nigeria on Wednesday vehemently denied claims of coercing African students, particularly Nigerians, to participate in the ongoing war in Ukraine in exchange for visa extensions.

According to Bloomberg’s Monday report, Russia purportedly sought to enlist thousands of migrants and foreign students to reinforce its troops in the war against Ukraine, adopting tactics similar to those employed by the Wagner mercenary group.

European officials reportedly assessed this situation, claiming that the Kremlin was threatening not to extend visas for African students and young workers unless they agreed to join the military.

Yevgeny Primakov, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, an organisation focused on spreading knowledge about Russia abroad, estimated that there are currently 35,000-37,000 African students in Russia.

But labelling the reports as fake news and entirely unfounded, the embassy emphasised the potential damage such misinformation could inflict on the educational cooperation between Russia and Nigeria.

According to the embassy’s statement, no association of Nigerian students in Russia has confirmed the allegations. Nigerian students reportedly face no difficulties in extending their visas while pursuing their studies in Russia.

The embassy commended the efforts of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Association of Nigerian Students in Moscow for debunking the false claims and reaffirmed its commitment to fostering friendship and cooperation between Russia and Nigeria.

The statement read, “The Embassy of the Russian Federation is compelled to emphasise that such news is not only false but also damages Russian-Nigerian educational cooperation by misleading numerous scholarship and grant applicants as well as their partners, who could be extremely concerned by such fakes.

“The Embassy states that Nigerian students face no difficulties in extending their visas while continuing their studies in Russia. Numerous associations of Nigerian students in Russia have not reported any issues in obtaining the necessary documentation to continue their stay in the country.

“The Embassy welcomes the official press release of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter and expresses gratitude to the Ministry and the Association of Nigerian Students in Moscow for their efforts in debunking the fake news aimed at undermining the friendship and cooperation between Russia and Nigeria.”

The Federal Road Safety Corps said four passengers died while it rescued 25 individuals from a road accident on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway at Ugwu Onyeama, which occurred on Tuesday.

The Corps Marshal of the FRSC Shehu Mohammed, in a statement signed by the corps spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Wednesday ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and swift legal action against the responsible driver.

Initial reports suggested that excessive speeding was the root cause of the crash, involving a total of seven vehicles.

“The Federal Road Safety Corps has rescued 25 road traffic crash victims alive from the avoidable road traffic crash that occurred at Ugwu Onyeama on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on June 11, 2024, at 19:00hrs; as Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed directs full investigation and speedy prosecution of the driver responsible for the fatal crash.

“The preliminary crash investigation report revealed that the crash which was caused by a speed violation involved seven vehicles comprising a black Toyota Matrix bearing the following registration details ENU742NL, a white Suzuki Hijet mini bus ENU982XY, a Custom Toyota Highlander jeep JRV247HK, and a blue Toyota Corolla with registration number UWN16AP.

“Others are; a Toyota Rav 4, a Red Mack Tanker and a Mazda vehicle,” the statement read in part.

It was gathered that of the 29 individuals involved in the collision, 10 sustained various injuries, while tragically, four lost their lives.

The injured victims received urgent medical attention at the Orthopaedic Hospital in Enugu, while the deceased were taken to the Park Lane Hospital morgue.

The spokesperson said, “Meanwhile, the FRSC emergency rescue teams deployed to carry out rescue operations reported that the crash involved a total of 29 people comprising 20 male adults and nine female adults. Of the number, 10 victims comprising eight male adults and two females sustained different degrees of injuries.

“Unfortunately, four victims were killed as a result of the crash. The FRSC investigation report indicates that of the four fatalities recorded, two victims were killed on the spot while the remaining two died in the hospital.

“The injured victims were rescued to the Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu while the dead bodies have been deposited in Park Lane Hospital morgue.”

Mohammed reiterated the FRSC’s unwavering commitment to holding those responsible for road accidents accountable.

He called upon the judiciary, transport unions, and other stakeholders to collaborate to ensure prompt and effective prosecution of traffic offenders.

“Expectedly, as a result, that the Corps Marshal had earlier emphasised the need for the maximum penalty for these drivers. Mohammed reaffirmed the position of the Corps on deepening its ongoing prosecution of drivers who by their actions cause road traffic crashes in Nigeria, noting that the driver responsible for the Ugwu Onyeama crash will not be spared.

“As such, he called on the judiciary, leadership of transport unions and other relevant stakeholders in the road transportation sector to join hands with the Corps towards restoring sanity through speedy and effective prosecution of traffic violators, especially those who cause crashes on our roads,” Ogungbemide noted.

An early morning fire gutted a building in the Mangaf district in Kuwait on Wednesday and killed at least 49 people.

Authorities suspect that code violation may have been the reason for the razing of the building, which was said to be housing workers, mostly foreigners.

VOA reports that a driver from Egypt, who survived the outbreak, said the fire started at the lower floors of the building before it moved to the higher floors until the whole building was engulfed with smoke.

The police revealed that many residents were rescued while many others died from smoke inhalation.

The Indian ambassador confirmed that over 30 Indian citizens were hospitalized, while local officials stated that they were still trying to determine the nationalities of the other victims.

Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, in his condolence message shared on his official X platform, said, “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones.”

Speaking at the scene of the inferno, the country’s interior minister, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al-Sabah, said, “The greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters.”

Mr Al-Sabah, therefore, demanded the arrest of the owners of the building, adding that he would later address the overcrowding of labour.

A senior police commander said warnings have usually been made against packing too many people into housing developments.