Jack Smith led two investigations into Trump, but later dropped both
Jack Smith, the special counsel who led two federal criminal cases against Donald Trump, has resigned from the Justice Department before the president-elect takes office later this month.
According to a court filing submitted on Saturday, Mr Smith "separated from the Department" on Friday.
CBS News, the BBC's US media partner, reported in November that Smith would resign from the Justice Department after completing his work.
Mr Smith's departure comes amid a dispute over the release of his report into the findings of Trump's classified documents case.
Mr Smith was appointed as special counsel in 2022 to oversee two Justice Department cases into Trump - one over the alleged improper hoarding of classified documents and the other over an alleged attempt to interfere in the 2020 election outcome.
Both cases resulted in criminal charges against Trump, who pleaded not guilty and sought to cast the prosecutions as politically motivated.
Mr Smith's cases against the president-elect were closed last year following Trump's presidential election win. Prosecutors wrote that Justice Department regulations forbid the prosecution of a sitting president.
CBS reported in November that Mr Smith's resignation was expected as it would allow him to leave his post without being fired by Trump or the incoming president's attorney general.
His exit means he leaves without either of his criminal prosecutions of Trump seeing trial.
Earlier this week, US District Judge Aileen Cannon - who oversaw the classified documents case and controversially dismissed it last July - temporarily barred Mr Smith and Attorney General Merrick Garland from "releasing, sharing, or transmitting" the report about the case.
Trump's legal team received a draft copy of the report last weekend and it was expected to be released as soon as Friday.
The move by Judge Cannon came after attorneys for Trump's former co-defendants in the case - Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveir - called on her to intervene. Both men had pleaded not guilty.
Judge Cannon ordered the release be put on hold until a higher appeals court, the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta, considered an emergency appeal from Mr Nauta and Mr De Oliveir.
By law, special counsels must present the findings of their investigations to the Justice Department, which is headed by the attorney general. Garland has promised to release all reports to the public and has so far done so.
A guide to Donald Trump's four criminal cases Trump's attorneys argued that Mr Smith did not have the legal authority to submit the classified documents report because he was unconstitutionally picked to do the job and was politically motivated.
Trump's legal team also wrote to Garland not to release the report, and urged him to end the "weaponisation of the justice system".
On Friday, a judge sentenced Trump to an "unconditional discharge" in a criminal case related to hush money payments, meaning he has been spared jail and a fine, but he will still take office as the first US president with a felony conviction.
These men were recorded whipping a married woman and her lover as punishment for their affair. In the background, the woman's husband can be heard repeatedly asking how many times the man had been intimate with his wife. @PoliceZimbabwe
These men were recorded whipping a married woman and her lover as punishment for their affair. In the background, the woman's husband can be heard repeatedly asking how many times the man had been intimate with his wife. WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO THOSE WHO CHEAT IN A RELATIONSHIP?
Click "Like" Beat Them Both "Share" Report To Police
Man caught wife and a man on their matrimonial Bed sweating It Out...
Husband allegedly caught his wife cheating at their house, instructed them not to get dressed, and then called a family meeting.
He caught his wife in his bed in his house with another man. Then made them sit down, sweating and all, with only a blanket to cover themselves. Then he called the uncle's as well as his wife's relatives. Oh he called the man's wife too. Video in comments
FG seals $70m deal with John Deere to boost food production
IITA, others connect 267 youths, women with agripreneurs
The Federal Government, through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), has signed a contract with AGCOMS International Trading Limited, a sub-dealer of John Deere, to supply 2,000 mechanised equipment and boost food production.
The equipment includes tractors, plows, and combined harvesters targeted at boosting food security in the country.
The contract, worth $70 million, includes the supply of 2,000 tractors, 100 combined harvesters and other equipment such as plows, planters, and trailers.
The equipment will be assembled in Nigeria, as training and product support will be provided to ensure the sustainability of the program.
Speaking at the signing ceremony which held at the minister’s office in Abuja on Thursday, January 9, 2025, Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food Slsecurity said, “The programme is part of the federal government’s efforts to mechanise agriculture in Nigeria and improve food production
“Sometime in October 2024, the Federal Executive Council.(FEC) approved the direct procurement of 2,000 tractors and several implements for every tractor” he said.
“And I believe for every tractor there will be a plow, planters, harrow, rigger, planters. There will also be 100 combined harvesters among others.”
The minister said the programme is expected to create jobs, increase food production, and reduce poverty in rural areas.
“The need for mechanisation programme seeks to increase, and improve our production, which we have challenges with because of mechanisation.
“We have been having a decline in farm operations in terms of aging farm operation as the youths are actually running away from agriculture because of the drudgery, thus the need for mechanization.”
In his remarks, Mohammed Abu, NADF executive secretary, said the NADF has been mandated to implement one of the four mechanisation programmes of the federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his aspiration to see that Nigeria transits from monolithic economy and well-diversified economy.
“We have various mechanisation programmes and the NADF is implementing one”
“The one we’re implementing is the John Deere 2000 tractors. These are 2000 tractors, the riggers, plows, harrows, and all other equipments, plus 100 combined harvesters.
“We have also had a stakeholder engagement hosted by a mechanisation international partner, HAIFA, where we invited various mechanisation stakeholders and this will drive us to conclude on the implementation programme.
“The John Deere tractors hopefully would be delivered before the wet season.”
The executive secretary also said, “We have gone into another MOU with the Nigerian Ports Authority to provide the John Deere dealer outcomes, with a space within the ports or close to the ports where they would set up the assembly plant and then, hopefully, have these tractors delivered to the various parts of this country, as will be contained in the implementation programme.”
In his remarks, Chijioke Okoli, country director for AGCOMS International Trading Unit, who is the sub-dealers of John Deere in the country, said the contract signed is basically a procurement agreement, which is not just to bring tractors and dump and work away.
*First and foremost, there is a whole lineup of events that are attached to the procurement,” he said.
“The assembly plant plays a very crucial role because the people that will be opportune to go through the process with us will have the opportunity of having first-hand visibility on what it takes to put it together. So we can rest assured that this unit can confidently give us years, possibly decades of actual work on the field.
“The total procurement value is about 70 million USD, and that’s the value to get it down to the collection center in Abuja and Lagos. Now, it doesn’t just end with procurement. Training is also part of this. It’s at the core. Product support is also key. And based on what we’ve just signed up, it will be readily available to keep on supporting this unit.
“And there are several strategies already in play, which was activated two years back when we made a plan to originally start this. And that plan is to get a whole lot of our own local technicians so that whenever they see a joint contractor, they know there is a tractor they can be comfortable with operating.”
'Yoruba Nation Manual' Which Guides Self-Determination Struggle Is Already With Nigerian President — Prof Akintoye
Akintoye added that an activist, Sunday Adeyemo, more commonly called Sunday Igboho is not committing any crime under Nigerian law or the international community for leading a self-determination movement for the Indigenous Yoruba people
Prof. Banji Akintoye, Yoruba self-determination movement, Ilana Omo Oodua leader, has explained that the Yoruba self-determination struggle published a Manual since 2020 to guide the activities of the struggle and it is already with the Nigerian president.
Akintoye added that an activist, Sunday Adeyemo, more commonly called Sunday Igboho is not committing any crime under Nigerian law or the international community for leading a self-determination movement for the Indigenous Yoruba people
Akintoye's comments were in response to criticisms from Fulani leaders, including Prof Garus Gololo, who have accused Igboho of being a criminal.
However, Akintoye maintained that Igboho's actions align with international law and the Nigerian constitution, which guarantees the right to self-determination.
The historian also provided context to Igboho's intervention in Igangan, where he helped to expel Fulani militants who had been terrorising local communities.
Akintoye, in an article he wrote, described the Fulani agenda as a quest for territorial expansion and domination, which has resulted in violence and displacement of indigenous populations.
He wrote, "Prof. Gololo thinks that seeking self determination for one’s nation is a crime. This highly educated compatriot of ours is grossly wrong in that view. Demanding self determination for one’s nation is entirely in accordance with the provisions of international law and of Nigerian law. The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People affirms that indigenous peoples have the right to self determination, and that members of an indigenous people have the right to seek to retrieve their nation’s self determination from the country that their nation currently belongs to, provided that they do it without violence or disruptiveness.
“The African Charter of Human and People’s Rights fully affirms exactly the same. Now, since Nigeria is a member of the United Nations and the Africa Union and a signatory to these two international laws, both laws are parts of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Former Nigerian President Buhari, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in 2016 and 2017, acknowledged that if any nation in Nigeria seeks self determination peacefully, through a peaceful organisation, then the Nigeria state would have no other option than to negotiate with such a nation. President Buhari even added that it is immoral to deny self determination to any nation that peacefully seeks it.
“Therefore, since the Yoruba Self Determination Struggle is well known to be an avowedly and consistently peaceful and law-abiding movement, Sunday Igboho as a leader of it is breaking no law of Nigeria. No activist in the struggle for Yoruba self-determination and separation from Nigeria is breaking any law.
“As Prof. Gololo may not know, the Yoruba Self-determination Struggle published a Manual in 2020 to guide the activities of the struggle and t inform its Yoruba people and the rest of the world, about its chosen path to the self-determination of the Yoruba nation. Copies of this manual, titled YORUBA NATION CHOOSES THE NOBLE PATH TO ITS NOBLE GOAL, was sent to the President of Nigeria and to the Secretary General of the United Nations. In response to Prof. Gololo’s massively fiery attack against Sunday Igboho on social media, the highest organ of the Yoruba Self-determination Struggle has directed that the Manual be further widely disseminated – and that a copy must be made to reach Prof. Gololo.”
“Our Yoruba Self-determination Struggle is a peaceful, law-abiding, civilised and competent movement. We know our rights. We are charitable towards others. But we don’t tolerate unjust persecution of our people. We want our Fulani compatriots to give up their campaigns of falsehood against one of our foremost leaders, Sunday Igboho.
"By the grace of God, we Yoruba shall soon peacefully depart from Nigeria and begin, under our own patriotic and dedicated leaders, to live the life of progress and high-quality prosperity that we Yoruba love very much. We say proudly to the world that our new country shall be a friendly and helpful neighbour to all its neighbors, a country decently upholding the dignity of the Black Race, a country that all other countries in the world shall respect and confidently do business with,” the historian added.
The residents of Kano state in Northwest Nigeria are celebrating after the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned a High Court decision that had nullified the reappointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano. This ruling has sparked jubilations among his supporters, as it reinstates his position as Emir, which had been contested in the lower court.
The Appeal Court ruled that, Bayero’s case, which sought to challenge Emir Sanusi’s position, lacked merit.
In a judgement, a three-member panel of the court of Appeal, led by Justice Mohammed Mustapha, voided the June 20, 2024, decision of Justice Abubakar Liman of the Federal High Court, which invalidated the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024 that facilitated Sanusi’s reappointment.
The appellate court held that, Justice Liman was bereft of the jurisdiction to nullify the steps the Kano State Government took pursuant to the 2024 Emirates Council Law.
The court held that, a fundamental rights enforcement suit that was filed by an aggrieved kingmaker in the state, Alhaji Aminu Agundi, which the high court judge relied upon to issue the order, was incompetent.
It emphasised that, the principal reliefs sought by Bayero fell outside the scope of fundamental human rights and were, related to chieftaincy matters.
Citing Section some relevant sections of the Nigerian Constitution, the court pointed out that, the Federal High Court does not have the authority to handle issues related to chieftaincy.
In another judgement, the Appeal court ordered a fresh hearing of the suit the embattled 15th Emir, Bayero, filed to challenge the decision of Governor Yusuf to unseat him.
The court forwarded the case back to the Chief Judge of the Kano State High Court to be reassigned to another judge for expeditious hearing and determination.
The Appeal Court judgement has been hailed by Emir Sanusi’s supporters, with celebrations erupting in some parts of Kano, as many see it as a victory not only for the Emir but also for the integrity of the state’s traditional institutions.
The court’s decision is expected to bring to an end the prolonged legal battle on Kano chieftaincy matter.
Recalled that, the Kano State House of Assembly had on May 23, last year, enacted the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which the state Governor, Abba Yusuf, assented to on the same day.
Governor Yusuf among other things, deposed the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and also reversed the status of the emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye emirates to that of district heads, following the collapse of their emirates.
The Governor also, reappointed the 14th Emir of Kano, Mohammadu Sanusi II, who was deposed in 2020 by the immediate past Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who had also enacted the law that splits the Kano emirates into five.
One of the kingmaker Alhaji Dan Agundi, and the Sarkin Dawaki Babba who was dissatisfied with Sanusi’s reappointment challenged the decision in court and secured an order for the maintenance of status quo, so as to allow the deposed 15th Emir, Bayero, to remain on seat.
Trending Video Of a Customer Who ‘Spiritually Disappeared’ In The Bank Premises After He Was Detained For Fraudulent Activity.
What’s Your Take On This Video
Read Full Details Of What Transpired Below:
“The Attached Incidence though strange Happened in our Branch this Morning. A customer whose Naira account was on PND with an Arrest at Sight notice Maintained came to our branch to complain on not being able to transact. When we discovered the notice, we tried delaying the customer in the banking hall while I contacted the Police IPO to notify them of the presence of the Customer in our location. The Police directed that we get the MOPOL in the branch to hold him while their team are already on their way to the branch.
“The Customer was becoming impatient in the banking hall and motioning to go so we handed him over to the MOPOL on duty who was with him. The customer kept arguing and threatening to go to which the Mopol maintained him on close range. Before the IPO and her team arrived, my chief security came that the MOPOL has confirmed that the customer had disappeared. I questioned the Chief Security on what he means by disappearance or he meant ran away and he confirmed that it was disappearance.
“I quickly ran to check CCTV and to the greatest shock; what I have never seen nor experienced, the customer truly disappeared as in the attached Video. The IPO and her Team came we explained to them, and when they saw the footage they were as shocked as all of us. We thank God that it happened under CCTV, the IPO and her team also exclaimed that the suspect would have disappeared under their watch.
The way you sometimes sound heh. So for your mind, Lagos state will demolish any property without any prior notification.
Una go school now, act like one
You talk through the anus sometimes, my property at Silverpoint Estate in Badore, Ajah-Lekki was demolition immediately after covid in 2020. No prior notice from the government. Up till this day the community and the state government is in court. Me don kukuma leave the country for them.....
EFCC loses over $350,000, jewelries days after sacking 27 officials over fraud
In a troubling turn of events, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is now grappling with a major scandal involving the disappearance of substantial amounts of cash and valuables from its Lagos Zonal Command.
Credible sources told PRNigeria that between $350,000 and $400,000 has reportedly gone missing, along with expensive jewelry and other high-value items.
This disturbing revelation comes just days after the EFCC dismissed 27 of its officials due to misconduct and fraudulent activities, a move that has raised questions about accountability and oversight within the agency.
The dismissals which were announced on Monday, followed recommendations made by the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee and were subsequently ratified by the commission”s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
While the investigation into the missing funds is already underway, the EFCC finds itself in a precarious position as it seeks to restore public trust. The agency, which has long been regarded as the frontline warrior against financial crimes, is now facing scrutiny for alleged lapses in its internal controls.
As of the time of this report, efforts to reach the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, for comments on this latest debacle have been unsuccessful. The absence of an official response raises further concerns about transparency and the agency's commitment to addressing allegations of misconduct.
As the investigation unfolds, many are left wondering what measures will be taken to prevent future incidents and restore faith in an agency tasked with combating corruption. This latest scandal serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the EFCC in its mission to uphold integrity and accountability in Nigeria's financial system.
Emefiele to stand trial as court dismisses objection in $2.1bn allocation case
The Ikeja special offences court in Lagos has dismissed the application of Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), challenging its jurisdiction.
Emefiele was arraigned at the Lagos court on a 26-count charge related to abuse of office.
The charges were filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing Emefiele of allocating foreign exchange totaling $2,136,391,737.33 without competitive bidding, an act deemed prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians.
During the trial, Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the charges, and through his lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, challenged the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the charges filed by the EFCC.
Ojo requested the court strike out counts one to four, arguing that the offences related to abuse of office were not recognised by law, as required by section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
WEDNESDAY’S RULING
On Wednesday, Rahman Oshodi, the trial judge, ruled that the anti-graft agency had established a territorial jurisdiction on count eight to 26 with various facts in the proof of evidence attached with the case file.
The judge struck out counts one to four of the charge bothering on abuse of office.
Oshodi ruled that the allocation of foreign exchange without bid, which was the subject of counts one to four, was not punishable under law.
He added that the law does not recognise the action as an offense.
“Allocation of foreign exchange without reason is not defined as an offense in any written law,” the judge ruled.
“The objection to counts one to four succeeds and is hereby struck out.
“The objection challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction over count eight to 26 fails and is hereby dismissed.
“The prosecution has established sufficient territorial nexus in this case.”
Oshodi said the case will proceed to trial, with the next hearing adjourned to February 24 and 26, 2025.
World's Tallest Woman, Rumeysa Gelgi, Shares Her Air Travel Experience
Rumeysa Gelgi, the world’s tallest woman who lives with a rare genetic condition, recently revealed her air travel experience. Turkish Airlines went the extra mile to ensure her comfort during the 19-hour journey from Istanbul to San Francisco. To accommodate her needs, the airline removed six seats to install a custom stretcher, allowing Rumeysa to lie flat and protect her back throughout the flight. The cabin crew, medical staff and support teams worked diligently to make the journey seamless and relaxing.
Speaking about her experience with Guinness World Records, Rumeysa said, “I’m literally so excited my heart beats fast. Because of my spine condition, I had to fly on this stretcher. It was great, it was really comfortable. The entire crew and the chef surprised me with a stunning chocolate cake. This was so kind, so lovely, it made me emotional to be honest."
In the comment section, Rumeysa Gelgi further explained, “I have a condition called scoliosis, which is severe spinal curvature. I had spinal fusion surgery for it, 11 years ago and my curve has been reduced and doesn’t threaten my life anymore. However, the time I can stay seated is still limited to 1-2 hours at once (it was a maximum of 20 minutes before my surgery). After that period of time, I need to lie down for a while to relieve the immense pressure on my spine."
Rumeysa Gelgi shared that her spinal condition requires her to keep her back straight and flat at all times due to two long rods and 30 screws in her spine, which prevent it from bending or twisting. As a result, travelling by air on a stretcher is not just the safest option but the only viable one for her—not because of her height, but due to her medical condition. Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude for finding a way to experience air travel safely.
According to GWR, Rumeysa Gelgi was born with Weaver Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that leads to bone overgrowth and other symptoms. This condition has only around 50 known cases in medical history.
APC Chieftain Hails Court Judgment on Rivers Budget
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka, has hailed the judgment of a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, which dismissed a suit seeking to compel Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-submit the 2024 budget to the embattled 27 lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule.
The case was filed by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, with the Rivers State Government, the Governor and the Attorney-General named as defendants.
In the judgment delivered on December 20, 2024, Justice Sika Aprioku, held that the suit was “premature”, noting that legal disputes regarding the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers to make laws are still unresolved in various Courts.
The presiding Judge reasoned that the status quo post-defection by the 27 lawmakers on December 11, 2023 should be maintained until the matters before the courts are conclusively determined.
Justice Aprioku insisted that Governor Fubara can transact business with the members that did not vacate their seats.
“The governor cannot carry on business with those who defected and by that act of defection, lost their seats.”
Justice Aprioku cited precedents from the previous administration of Governor Ezenwo Wike, stating that budget presentations and financial bills could proceed even when legislative membership fell below the constitutional threshold.
“Therefore, the same way His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, presented budgets and financial bills with only six members, when the numbers were less than two third 2/3 of the 32 members. So shall His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State be constitutionally guided to interface, and approach the properly constituted House of Assembly led by Oko-Jumbo, to carry on business of the State and until the 27 lawmakers who defected and lost their seats, approaches the Court, for a redemption or INEC conducts another election to the seats vacated by the 27 Lawmakers upon their defection”.
Justice Aprioku added: “The Claimant’s claim seeking declarative and injunctive reliefs for the re-representation of the 2024 budget to the former 27 lawmakers, who defected and automatically vacated their seats, lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed.”
Consequently, the Court imposed a penalty of N500,000 against the Claimant in favour of the Defendants.
In the detailed 33-page judgment, the Judge clarified that Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, is self-executing, meaning lawmakers who defect from their sponsoring party without legitimate cause automatically lose their seats.
The Court further observed that the Constitution does not require Court intervention for such vacancies to take effect.
“Once the person defects from the party that sponsored their election to another party, without any division in the political party, that person automatically vacates the seat,” Justice Aprioku explained.
The judgment highlighted that the Budget was presented and passed into law on December 14, 2023, after the lawmakers’ defection on December 11, 2023. The Court found that the Claimant failed to dispute the Defendants’ Affidavits detailing the former lawmakers’ defection and the concealment of this information during earlier proceedings.
Conclusively, the Court held that the suit was premature, as the Supreme Court must first resolve jurisdictional issues concerning the 27 defected lawmakers’ status, adding that, pending such a verdict, only lawmakers who retained their seats could engage in legislative business with the Governor.
Reacting on the judgment, Eze, an erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), commended Justice Aprioku “for justice of the matter based on law and facts without resorting to undue technicalities.”
Eze thanked Justice Aprioku “for delivering this landmark and exemplary judgment in a case that has far-reaching implications on good democratic governance in Rivers State.”
He said: “By dismissing the case of the Claimants who are known blind loyalists of former Governor Wike, the court has further upheld the rights of the authentic Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in discharging their statutory legislative duties”.
In his statement signed and made a available to journalists yesterday, the APC chieftain stated that the judgment is a significant victory for democracy and Rivers people as well as a testament to the power of the Judiciary and sanctity of rule of law.
He said: “The court’s judgment has reaffirmed the importance of Judiciary in ensuring that politicians adhere strictly to constitutional provisions, party guidelines and INEC rules and regulations etc.”
He further commended the court for its wisdom, courage in delivering the judgment, saying that is not just a win for Governor Fubara, but a victory for the entire lovers of democracy and people of Rivers State.
“The judgment demonstrates Your Lordship’s deep understanding of the law, a commitment to justice, and a keen sense of fairness.
“Justice Aprioku’s deep knowledge of the law, and well-reasoned and researched decision have brought hope and relief to Rivers people, who are tired of the handiworks of detractors hired by Wike to constitute a clog on the wheels of democratic governance in the State.
“We are particularly pleased by the Judge’s mastery of the subject matter and his ability to articulate the judgment in a clear and concise manner.
“The judgment of Justice Aprioku has no doubt, set a high standard for judicial excellence and serves as a model for future cases bordering on defection and budget presentation”, Eze stated.
Eze therefore, urged Prof Mahoomud Yakabu the INEC Chairman to “stop playing hide and seek game with the politics of Rivers State and conduct elections in the areas where Rivers State have no legislative representatives”.
The APC Chieftain also commended Governor Fubara for his commitment to take Rivers State out of the woods to a more progressive and prosperous State.
“Today, the achievements of our indefatigable, proactive, humane and peace-loving Governor within a short period in office, has earned him the appellation, Champion of Good Democratic Governance in Nigeria.
“Despite all odds and distraction posed by Wike and his demented errand boys, Governor Fubara has remained resolute, committed, and focused in providing purposeful leadership to people of Rivers State.
“We believe that the passage and implementation of the 2025 Rivers State Budget will open yet another vistas in the development strides and provision of more people-oriented projects to people of Rivers State.”
Eze expressed optimism that the unveiling of N1.188trn 2025 budget by Governor Fubara, which prioritised roads, agriculture, health etc, will bring governance more closer to the people of Rivers State.
2025 Budget: FG allocates N2.5 billion for passenger boarding bridges at Lagos airport
The Federal Government has allocated N2.5 billion in the proposed N49.74 trillion 2025 budget for the procurement and installation of passenger boarding bridges at the Lagos airport.
This funding is part of the N105.95 billion allocated to the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, of which N93.03 billion was earmarked for capital expenditures.
The project aims to enhance passenger convenience and operational efficiency at Nigeria’s busiest airport.
The provision for the boarding bridges is part of a broader set of aviation infrastructure projects detailed in the 2025 budget. According to the budget document, the allocation is categorized as an ongoing project, highlighting government’s efforts at modernizing airport facilities and improving the overall travel experience.
Passenger boarding bridges are critical airport infrastructure, allowing passengers to board and disembark aircraft directly from the terminal, eliminating the need for shuttle buses or walking across the tarmac.
Their installation at the Lagos airport is expected to streamline operations, particularly for international flights, and enhance safety standards.
The installation of the passenger boarding bridges at the Lagos airport in the 2025 budget is part of a larger strategy to upgrade critical airport facilities nationwide.
Additionally, the budget allocates N500 million for upgrading instrument landing systems from CAT I to CAT II/CAT III and installing these systems in major airports, including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, and Kano. It also provides N1.5 billion for the provision and enhancement of Wi-Fi services in five international airports and select domestic airports.
Other key allocations include N3.68 billion for establishing Nigeria College of Aviation Technology annexes in five geopolitical zones (Akure, Osubi, Ebonyi, Ilorin, and Yola), N1 billion each for baggage handling systems at Lagos airport and water cooling chillers at Lagos and Abuja airports, and N200 million for completing the General Aviation Terminal Protocol at MMIA Lagos.
Further allocations include N100 million for constructing car parks at the Hajj and cargo terminals at MMIA Lagos, N200 million for replacing elevators and escalators at Wings D and E of Lagos airport, and N50 million for rehabilitating the perimeter fence and road at Lagos airport.
The budget also sets aside N500 million for procuring, installing, and maintaining weighing bridges at cargo terminals in MMIA, Abuja, and other airports, along with N50 million for rehabilitating the Hajj terminal at Lagos airport.
A high court in Port Harcourt has ruled that Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers state governor, can conduct official business with three lawmakers at the state house of assembly who have not vacated their seats.
In a judgement delivered on December 20, 2024, Sika Aprioku, the presiding judge, dismissed a lawsuit brought by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners.
The suit sought to compel Governor Fubara to re-submit the 2024 budget to the faction of the state assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.
The claimants had questioned the failure of the defendants to re-present the 2024 budget to the state house of assembly, arguing that it was necessary for the proper functioning of the state government.
During the hearing of the matter on November 12, 2024, counsel to the defendants, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, tendered documents to the court citing a precedent where the Rivers state house of assembly, with only six members, transacted business with Nyesom Wike, former governor of the state, between December 2015 and February 2017.
Oko-Jaja told the court that between 2015 and 2017, the six members of the Rivers state house of assembly confirmed appointments and also passed the 2017 appropriation bill into law on December 28, 2016, a number far less than the 24 members that ought to form a quorum.
In his ruling, the judge agreed with the submissions of the defence counsel.
“Therefore, the same way his excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, presented Budgets and financial Bills with only six members when the numbers were less than two third 2/3 of the 32 Members, so shall his excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers state be constitutionally guided to interface, and approach the properly constituted house of assembly led by Oko-Jumbo, to carry on the business of the state and until the 27 lawmakers who defected and lost their seats, approaches the court, for a redemption or INEC conducts another election to the seats vacated by the 27 lawmakers upon their defection,” the court held.
“In sum, until the supreme court gives its verdict on the issue of jurisdiction which affects the status of the 27 lawmakers, it is only those who did not vacate their seats, the governor can constitutionally approach to the present budget, appoint chief judges and president, customary court; also screen commissioners, including the attorney general and make board appointments.
“That the claimant’s claim seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs for the representation of the 2024 budget to the former 27 lawmakers, who defected and automatically vacated their seats, lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed.
“That this suit be and is hereby dismissed, with cost in the sum of N500,000.00, awarded in favour of the defendants and against the claimant.”
Meanwhile, Fubara signed the N1.18 trillion appropriation bill at the government house in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
In December 2023, Fubara presented the 2024 budget to five-member of the Edison Ehie-led Rivers house of assembly.
Since 2023, the Rivers assembly has been factionalised following the feud between Fubara and Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
THE RIVERS BUDGET CRISIS
The pro-Wike lawmakers, who are the majority, are being led by Martin Amaewhule.
In October 2023, Ehie resigned as lawmaker to become chief of staff to the governor, as Oko-Jumbo took over as speaker to a four-member faction of the assembly.
In January, a federal high court in Abuja voided and set aside the presentation and passage of the state’s 2024 budget.
James Omotoso, the presiding judge, ordered Fubara to re-present the budget to the “legally” constituted house of assembly led by Amaewhule.
The Rivers governor refused to re-present the 2024 budget.
In another suit, the Amaewhule faction of the assembly sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the commercial banks, and the attorney-general of federation (AGF) from honouring any financial instruction from Fubara.
In October, a federal high court in Abuja restrained the CBN from further disbursing financial allocations to the Rivers state government.
Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, had held that monies from the federation account should not be released to the state pending the passage of a lawful appropriation act by a “validly constituted” house of assembly.
The judge ruled that Fubara was wrong to have presented the state’s 2024 appropriation bill to a five-member assembly “that was not properly constituted”.
In December 2024, the court of appeal in Abuja set aside the judgment restraining the CBN from disbursing financial allocations to the Rivers state government.
Zinox demands apology from Femi Falana SAN over alleged defamation, reputational damage
The management of the foremost African digital conglomerate, Zinox Technologies Limited, has demanded a public apology from Mr. Femi Falana SAN over alleged defamation and reputational injury inflicted on the company and its representatives by Falana and his client, Benjamin Joseph, the CEO of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited, an Ibadan-based computer firm.
In a statement on Sunday, Zinox referenced recent news items in the media relating to certain charges filed byFalana, purporting to act on a fiat donated to him by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, whom Zinox said may not have been properly briefed.
“We are sure that if the circumstances of this case were made available to the respected Honorable Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, he would not have granted the purported fiat to Femi Falana,” Zinox said in the statement.
In the news reports, Falana was said to have filed a suit before Honorable Justice A. O. Ebong of the FCT High Court in charge no. FCT/HC/CR/985/24 in November 2024, a suit Zinox said was based on the same claims which various courts had in the past dismissed as falsehood and baseless.
“Our initial reaction was to ignore these publications as the usual campaigns of calumny that have been orchestrated against Zinox since 2014 by one Mr. Benjamin Joseph, the Managing Director of Citadel Oracle Concept Ltd, the client of Mr. Femi Falana SAN. However, we are persuaded to respond by the consideration that once falsehood is sustained over time, it tends to acquire the garb of truth.”
Zinox said the case arose from a contract between Citadel and Technology Distributions Limited over the supply of computers to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), stressing that the matter has no bearing whatsoever with Zinox and its promoter, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh.
“Firstly, we are shocked that Femi Falana would include Zinox in his purported fiat/charges, a company that has nothing to do with the transaction or allegations. For the records, we want to state as follows:
“Zinox has never been invited by any investigative agency, including the police and the EFCC, on these allegations. There is no report either by the police or the EFCC or any investigative agency where the name of Zinox was mentioned as a suspect. There is no judgment or ruling of any court where Zinox was mentioned as having anything to do, whatsoever, with the transaction or the allegations, the basis of the fiat/charges. Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, the Chairman of Zinox, has never made any statement to the police in the course of any investigations and has never been mentioned in any court proceedings or judgment as part of any investigations relating to these allegations. Indeed, he has never met with Benjamin Joseph before,” the statement said.
Zinox cited instances in which Mr. Joseph lost the case and its adjunct suit. In a petition/case Mr. Joseph reported since 2013 and for which the Inspector General of Police charged him for false information in charge no.CR/216/16, he was unable to prove his allegations for more than 8years.
In another case filed by the EFCC at his instance against his partner, Princess Kama, in charge no. FCT/HC/CR/244/2018, Honorable Justice Danlami Z. Senchi of the FCT High Court (as he then was), dismissed as false all the allegations made by Benjamin Joseph, and imposed the sum of N20 million as damages against him for false petitioning in relation to these same allegations.
Zinox alleged that the current charges said to have been filed by Falana on the basis of a fiat from the Attorney General is the third in a row as he had earlier filed charge no.CR/469/2022, which was struck out by Honorable Justice C. O. Oba of the FCT High Court, by an order dated 8th November 2022.
In what appears to be forum shopping and abuse of court process, “he filed the same charges before Honorable Justice A. S. Adepoju of the FCT High Court, which charges were, once more, struck out by the Honorable Court on 19th March 2024, with Honorable Justice Adepoju holding that: “This matter was brought in dead, extinct and should be confined into the dustbin of history…I hold that the instant suit is an abuse of the process of court and it is hereby struck out accordingly,” the statement said.
Zinox said it was shocked that a “learned Senior Advocate in the person of Femi Falana, would proceed to file the same charges before Honorable Justice A. O. Ebong of the FCT High Court in charge no. FCT/HC/CR/985/24 in November 2024.”
The statement said: “It is, therefore, very clear that the deliberate intention for instituting this new charge by Femi Falana SAN, to include the name of Zinox and its Chairman and other persons who were never part of the investigations, is to embarrass them, harm their reputation, and thereby damage their businesses. In the circumstance, we hereby demand a public apology from Mr. Femi Falana SAN, if he is unable to produce the evidence demanded above.
“We, therefore, assure all our business partners, stakeholders, and friends, that we are not ruffled by these spurious allegations. While our lawyers are set to defend the present charges purportedly filed by Femi Falana SAN, we shall not fail to explore all legal remedies against persons associated with orchestrating these false allegations and publications against us,” Zinox said.
The ruler of the Kweme kingdom in Badagry, Oba Sejiro James, the Aholu of Kweme, has installed Mohammed Umar as the Seriki Fulani of Badagry.
The ruler of the Kweme kingdom in Badagry, Oba Sejiro James, the Aholu of Kweme, has installed Mohammed Umar as the Seriki Fulani of Badagry.
Fulani socio-cultural organisations in the South-West and neighbouring Benin Republic graced the coronation.
Presenting him with the traditional staff and beads at Sito Gbethrome community along the Semé expressway in Badagry, Mr James said, “Though the stool you are on is too high, you have been endorsed by God today, and He will be guarding you.”
The traditional ruler urged the new Seriki Fulani to always be on top of situations in Badagry communities. According to him, there have been issues between pastoralists and farmers in Badagry. He urged him to have someone in his cabinet who would represent him in some other communities in Badagry so that he would be on top of things.
Saidu Yusuf, the chairman of the APC for Arewa communities in Lagos State, urged Fulani and Yoruba to join hands to achieve their goals of unity and growth.
Mr Yusuf said they should put politics aside and work to develop their communities.
Mohammed Laba, the Seriki Fulani of Abeokuta and chairman of Meyiti Allah in the South-West, said the installation of such leaders played a great role in resolving conflicts.
Aminu Dogara, the chairman of the Arewa Council of Chiefs in Lagos, said his people would continue to remain committed to the welfare and well-being of all residents.
In his address, the new Seriki Fulani assured that he would work to address his people’s pressing issues of poverty, education and healthcare.
Mysterious giant metallic ring falls in Kenya ‘Red and hot’ object suspected to be rocket debris
A large metallic ring suspected to be debris from space crashed in southern Kenya’s Mukuku village on Monday, the country’s space agency said.
Villagers discovered the “red and hot” ring suspected to be rocket parts at about 3pm local time on 30 December, the Kenyan Space Agency said, adding that it “secured the area and retrieved the debris“.
“The agency wishes to clarify that the object, a metallic ring measuring 2.5 metres in diameter and weighing about 500kg, is a fragment of a space object,” the agency said in a statement.
“Preliminary assessments indicate that the fallen object is a separation ring from a launch vehicle.”
Rocket debris is designed to burn up during re-entry into the earth's atmosphere or to fall over unoccupied areas such as the oceans.
Massive object that crash landed in Kenyan village is likely rocket debris (KSA) “There are many pieces of debris in space and one cannot be 100 per cent certain which will fall where,” the agency said. “However, most debris burns up in the atmosphere, and incidents like this are extremely rare.”
“KSA officials rushed to the scene and, working alongside a multi-agency team and local authorities, secured the area and retrieved the debris.
Space junk is a growing problem, and while this may be an isolated case, the threat is real. Some pieces of space junk are as large as cars or even buses, and if they were to fall, they could pose significant risks to property and human life.
Everyone needs to be aware of this and report anything suspicious to the authorities.”
Space debris reentry sightings in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines Space observer Jonathan McDowell, who tracks rocket movements, said the Kenyan agency could be “mistaken” about the source of the debris.
He emphasised that it could not have come from a space shuttle’s rocket booster. “Totally impossible. The SRBs never reached orbit and have not been ‘in the sky’ since 2011,” the researcher from the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics said on social media.
“I’m not convinced it’s not from an airplane. Don’t see obvious evidence of reentry heating,” the astrophysicist told Inside Outer Space.
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Instead of you to be getting ready for those that will be deported back to Honduras
USA don't have any choice than to do something about the influx of immigrants into their country . It's over too much
Apply for the job of International negotiator.....its seems you know alot about both International and local politicking, even though in your modest cubicle lack constant electricity and decent water supply..
SadiqBabaSani: Waiting for those Satanist anti Christ to come type their nonsense.
So same god was not involved in the exorbitant schools fee arrangement, ignoring those poor members paying tithes and offering for decades but cannot afford the school fees....hear him brag with the word "Elite" I spit on religious scammers. I am beginning to believe more of the Anunnakis theories and their earthly manipulations!!!!
Politics / Re: Mudashiru Obasa Impeached, Mojisola Meranda Becomes Lagos Assembly Speaker by Morbeta11(m): 2:29pm
