Ben Akabueze, director general of the budget office of the federation, says funds were withheld for duplicated projects discovered by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He made the disclosure during an interview on Sunrise Daily where he spoke about the measures taken by the Budget Office to prevent wastage of the government’s funds.

Akabueze, a chartered accountant, revealed that the Budget Office took the necessary measure after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) uncovered some duplicated projects in a report.

“The ICPC came up with a report which they sent to us about duplicated projects that they found in the budget,” he said. “We did our own review (and) we found that 54 of those projects were not actually duplications but there were issues with project descriptions – project descriptions which made them look the same, but they were not the same.

“Every project in the budget has a unique identifier and the ones which were found to indeed be duplicated, funding was withheld from such projects. There were 185 from the list we received; 185 (projects) were found to be duplicated, 54 were not.”

Chairman of the ICPC, Bolaji Owasanoye, had disclosed that 257 projects amounting to N20.138 billion were duplicated in the 2021 budget.

According to the anti-graft agency chief, the commission tracked 1,083 projects across the country. But the exercise could not be conducted in Borno and Zamfara due to the security situation in the states.

Akabueze, on his part, believes it is the responsibility of the ICPC to take necessary actions against those involved in the duplication of projects in the nation’s budget.

He stressed that the best the Budget Office could do was to withhold the release of funds for such a purpose to help the nation save its resources.

“We have our own job description, we have the limit of our own authority,” the accountant stated. “When it (duplicated project) is discovered, the most – on our own part – that we can do is withhold release of funds to those specific projects.

“The ICPC has already reported. They have investigative powers, so they actually pull in the people involved to investigate whether these are willful actions to defraud the government or whether they are erroneous. They are the ones with the authority to do so, we don’t (have such authority).”

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/12/03/akabueze-funds-were-withheld-for-duplicated-projects-uncovered-by-icpc/

Nollywood actress, Ini Edo, has confirmed rumours of her welcoming a daughter through a surrogate mother.

After days of keeping silent since the rumours began, the actress finally opened up in an interview with Stella Korkus, which was published on Friday.

Surrogacy is a practice where a woman (a surrogate) carries a child for another person through artificial insemination of eggs.

Confirming the news, Edo stated that the daughter was genetically hers because her eggs were used to fertilize the child.

She said, “Yes I do have a daughter and I had her through surrogacy. The eggs are mine and so genetically, she’s my blood.

“I chose this path to fulfil my dream of becoming a mother. I still have a good number of eggs frozen in case I decide to do surrogacy again or carry my baby myself.”

She also mentioned that she had the daughter almost a year ago, stating that she planned on breaking the news herself.

“I was hoping to talk about her on her first birthday in a few months but mischief makers beat me to it and spoilt the beautiful story with lies,” Edo said.

Reacting to rumours that her child’s father was a married man, identified as Kome, the actress said, “It is so sad that in Nigeria, when a ‘single’ woman is friends with a guy, it must mean to people that they are dating.

“Kome has been my friend for years and that’s what it is, period. He is a responsible family man and doesn’t deserve to be dragged into my motherhood story.”

She then revealed that she opted for a donor because of her fears saying, “I opted for a donor for me and my baby’s peace of mind.

“Another major reason I opted for a donor is because it scares me so much when I see banter and controversies between a mother and a father over a baby in public forums.”

During the interview, Edo also opened up about her past miscarriages, pointing out that her experience did not influence her decision on surrogacy.

“I had a series of miscarriages in the past but that wasn’t my reason for going this route .I still hope to carry babies In my womb in the future, God willing,” the actress said.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/12/03/ini-edo-confirms-surrogacy-rumours-speaks-on-previous-miscarriages/

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the case against the election of Prof. Charles Soludo as the Governor-elect of Anambra State.

In a judgement delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, the dismissed suit sought to nullify Soludo’s election on the allegation that he presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission during registration.

The plaintiffs, Adindu Valentine and Egwudike Chukwuebuka, had in their suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/711/2021, alleged that Soludo lied in the affidavit (Form EC9), which he submitted to INEC.

INEC, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Soludo, and the Deputy Governor-elect, Dr Onyeka Ibezim, were cited as defendants in the suit.

The plaintiffs claimed that Soludo and his running mate had filled in different elective positions in their nomination forms.

The parties claimed the governor-elect stated that he was contesting the Aguata II Constituency seat, while the deputy governor-elect stated that he was contending for the Awka II Constituency seat in the forms they submitted to INEC.

The court also awarded a sum of N2 million against the plaintiffs, in favour of the APGA, Soludo and Ibezim.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/12/01/court-dismisses-suit-challenging-soludos-election/

President Muhammadu Buhari has received President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa at the State House in Abuja.

The South African President who is accompanied by a delegation of ministers and business leaders is on a state visit expected to reinforce South Africa’s bilateral relations with Nigeria as well as strengthen partnerships directed at African development and cooperation in multilateral forums.

Ramaphosa’s four-nation visit to the West Africa region, which also looks to advance trade and investment between the two countries, coincides with the 10th Session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission.

The South African President arrived in the country last night and had a private dinner with the President at the State House.

Ramaphosa’s visit to President Buhari is coming hours after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed the first three cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Nigeria, saying they are linked to passengers from South Africa.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/12/01/buhari-ramaphosa-hold-talks-amid-omicron-variant-concerns/

The Lagos State Government has released the White Paper on the #EndSARS Panel of Inquiry report.

According to the government, 11 out of the 32 recommendations made by the panel, have been accepted, six others were accepted but with modifications, while one was rejected.

The document also says 14 of the recommendations fall outside the powers of the state and will consequently be forwarded to the Federal Government for consideration.

A leaked version of the report had indicted the Nigerian Army and the Lagos State Government in the killing of unarmed protesters and a subsequent cover-up of the incident at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.

But after the panel submitted its findings to Governor Sanwo-Olu, he set up a four-member committee led by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), giving them two weeks to raise the White Paper on the reports submitted by the panel.

At a press briefing earlier today, the Governor said the leakage was “regrettable”.

“While I commend the panel for undertaking its task to the best of its abilities, it is however regrettable that the panel’s work and the leakage of an unauthorized version of the report have generated much tension. Sadly, a deep wound has been reopened,” he added.

The governor, however, assured Lagosians that his administration remains committed to justice and truth.

Speaking further, he announced that he had initiated a peace walk as part of efforts to ensure harmony in the state.

“To quicken recovery and engender a better understanding, I will lead ‘A Walk for Peace’ in December to herald the healing of the land.

“I have extended an open invitation to the youths, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society groups, students and the media, as well as other stakeholders to join me in this peace walk,” Sanwo-Olu said.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/30/endsars-lasg-releases-white-paper-on-lagos-judicial-panel-report/

A former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has been re-invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,(EFCC) following investigations into alleged document falsification

Fani-Kayode alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenandi Usman, is standing trial on alleged N4.6billion money laundering, before Justice Mohammed Aikawa.

Other defendants are Yusuf Danjuma, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and a company, Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Ltd.

They are facing a 17 count charge of money laundering preferred against them by the Anti-graft Agency.

They had each pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.

The trial had begun before Justice Aikawa and witnesses were still being led in evidence until Aikawa was transferred out of the Lagos division.

The charge was consequently, re-assigned to a new judge, Justice Daniel Osaigor, and the defendants were scheduled for re-arraignment on October, 27.

Meanwhile, at the last adjourned date, Fani Kayode was absent from court and the defence counsel who appeared on his behalf, Mr Fred Ajudua informed the court that he was on admission at Kubwa General hospital in Abuja.

He had prayed for an adjournment on that grounds on behalf of the second defendant

But, the EFCC prosecutor, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, informed the court that the same tactics had always been adopted by the defendant whenever he does not want to attend court.

After going through the court’s records, Justice Osiagor noted that it was clear that the defendant had issued a similar letter of excuse five times.

The court had consequently ordered the defendant to be present in court on the next date without fail.

The court also ordered him to pay a fine of N200,000 in addition.

When the matter came up yesterday, all the defendants were present.

Counsel to second, third and fourth defendants, Morrison Quakers (SAN), and Clement Onwuenwunor, also announced their appearance.

The first defendant’s counsel Chief Ferdinard Orbih, was absent, following a letter to that effect.

The prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo did not oppose the letter of the first defendant counsel.

Oyedepo however, informed the court that the prosecution was glad that the court had figured out from its record that the second defendant (Fani Kayode) had sought repeated excuses from the court.

He told the court that the prosecution had recently discovered that all letters sent by Fani-Kayode were fake.

At this point, the court stopped the prosecutor on the grounds that it was a matter the agency ought to thrash out before the court acted on the letters to grant an adjournment.

Osiagor said that having granted an adjournement on the letters, the court had become functus officio.

In response, Oyedepo told the court that the agency was currently working on the report and will do the needful

A drama however unfolded after the case was adjourned until January, 24.

While Fani-Kayode was still at the corridor of the court an EFCC investigator, Mr Shuaibu walked up to him alongside the prosecutor and after some tete-a-tete, the defendant entered his vehicle and followed the Efcc operatives to their office.

The operative who confirmed the arrest to journalists, said that at the time of filing this report, Fani-Kayode was in their custody on quiz over the false documents.

In the charge, the defendants were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015.

In counts one to seven, they were alleged to have unlawfully retained over N3.8 billion which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act of stealing and corruption.

In counts eight to 14, the defendants were alleged to have unlawfully used over N970 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of an unlawful act of corruption.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/30/efcc-arrests-fani-kayode-in-lagos-court/

Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday, berated the Department of State Services, DSS, for granting a former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, private access to his client in detention.

Ejiofor, who described Kalu’s visit to his client as “bizarre and unusual”, maintained that it was in gross violation of the court-ordered guideline for visitation.

He alleged that the DSS gave the erstwhile governor access to the IPOB leader before the time scheduled for a formal visit.

It will be recalled that Kalu, who piloted affairs of Abia State from 1999 to 2007, had in his post that went viral on social media on Monday, revealed that he paid a visit to the IPOB leader at the DSS detention facility.

Kalu, who is currently the Chief Whip of the Senate, in the said post, noted that he was the one that made Kanu’s father, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu, the traditional ruler of Afara-Ukwu, Umuahia, in 2001 while he was in office as governor.

He wrote: “This afternoon, I visited my brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody, Abuja. I met him in good health and care, and we discussed him as ‘Umunne’.

“In 2001 when I was Governor, I made his father Eze Israel Okwu Kanu, the traditional ruler of Afara-Ukwu, and since then, the family has been very close to me.

“I understand that Nnamdi has an insane amount of people rooting for him back home, and I encouraged him to consider the consequences of certain actions and utterances for the sake of the same people.

“Even though my ideology and his ideology are totally different, God has made us brothers and we can’t run away from each other.

“I owe him and Nigerians good counselling, whether he and his family listen to me or not, I will continue counselling him as I have always done in the past. What we need most is a peaceful and secured society.”

However, Ejiofor, while kicking against the visit in his own statement titled “Update on our visit to our noble client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the DSS Headquarters Abuja on November 29 2021”, said it turned out to be a “political gimmicks”.

Ejiofor said he has initiated a formal process towards ensuring a thorough investigation of Kalu’s visit to his client.


https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/30/Igbos-lawyer-knocks-dss-for-granting-orji-kalu-visitation-access-to-nnamdi-kanu/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives have arrested 60 persons at an award event organised to “reward internet fraudsters”.

According to a statement issued on Monday by Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman, the 60 persons were arrested during the event which held at the Conference Hotel in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The commission said several items, including cars and mobile phones, were recovered from the suspects, adding that they would soon be charged to court.

“Operatives of the Lagos Command of the EFCC have arrested 60 suspected internet fraudsters during an awards ceremony at the Conference Hotel in Abeokuta, Ogun State,” the statement reads.

“The event tagged “Peer Youths Awards”, investigation revealed, was organised to reward high-level internet fraudsters.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/29/conference-hotel-raid-efcc-confirms-arrest-of-60-yahoo-boys/

Lionel Messi has won the men's Ballon d'Or for a record seventh time.

Messi, who left Barcelona as a free agent to sign for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, was presented with the award for best men's footballer in the world on Monday night in Paris after another record-breaking 12 months for club and country.

In July, the 34-year-old ended his long wait for a major international trophy by winning the Copa America with Argentina as they beat hosts Brazil in the final.

Messi shared the Player of the Tournament prize with club-mate Neymar and took home the Golden Boot after registering four goals and five assists.

Three months prior, Messi scored twice in the Copa del Rey final to win his 34th - and final - trophy with Barcelona as they beat Athletic Bilbao 4-0.

The PSG forward was the previous winner of the award in 2019 as last year's edition was cancelled because of Covid. Messi also won the Ballon d'Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who was the favourite to win the 2020 edition of the Ballon d'Or, came second in the vote.

Lewandowski has scored 73 goals in just 60 games for Bayern Munich since the start of last season, and won FIFA's and UEFA's men's player of the year awards in 2020.

Analysis: Messi was still magical in 2021

This was the year that Lionel Messi finally won a major international trophy for Argentina. Yes, he had an Olympic gold medal already. But it was his inability to inspire the senior side to go all the way at a tournament that was so frequently held against him.

Messi was brilliant in Brazil. He was the Copa America top scorer with four goals but also registered the most assists - five of them. Against Ecuador in the quarter-final, he cleverly set up each of the first two goals before scoring the third himself.

That free-kick was one of two scored by Messi at the Copa - more than were scored by everyone at Euro 2020 combined. They were among his 15 goals scored from outside the penalty box in 2021. As his pace deserts him, other qualities have come to the fore.

His form for Barcelona during the first half of the year should not be forgotten. He scored 28 goals in 29 games, including two in a man-of-the-match performance to win the Copa del Rey in April. The team was not functioning at its best, but he remained remarkable.

Messi has made a less compelling case since swapping Barcelona for Paris, but there was still that solo goal in the win over Manchester City and two more against RB Leipzig. Only this weekend he delivered a hat-trick of assists in PSG's 3-1 win over Saint Etienne.

It is natural to feel sympathy for Robert Lewandowski, a victim of that curious decision not to present an award in 2020. But the biggest reason to feel sorry for those men chasing individual prizes is that they have the misfortune to be doing so in the era of Messi.

For some, there is a sense of fatigue at seeing him claim the Ballon d'Or for a seventh time. But sustained excellence can hardly be held against him. The Messi of a decade ago may well have been superior to the Messi of today. In 2021, there has been no man better.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/29/messi-wins-record-extending-seventh-ballon-dor/

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies have all mounted a hefty recovery Monday morning.

The two leading cryptocurrencies are up 4.4% and 5.4%, respectively. The entire market capitalization for the crypto industry is up 4.2% at press time, totalling $2.72 trillion. This figure is still roughly $300 billion shy of the industry’s all-time high.

The top movers on the day remain buzzy metaverse tokens, including The Sandbox (SAND) and Gala (GALA). SAND is currently up 15.5% and GALA is up 13.7% over the past 24 hours.

This morning’s surge comes after a bearish close on Friday after reports of a new COVID-19 variant emerged. Bitcoin and Ethereum both dropped by 6.5% and 8.1%, respectively.

Called Omicron, the World Health Organization (WHO) categorized the new COVID strain as a “variant of concern” rather than one “of interest.” Omicron has raised alarms across the medical community due to its large number of mutations.

It has yet to be determined whether these mutations affect how easily the variant spreads, if the illness it causes is especially severe, or if the variant is resistant to current vaccines.

Gathering this information “will take days to several weeks,” reported the WHO.

On Sunday, medical experts in South Africa, where cases of Omicron first appeared, however, reported that symptoms have so far been “extremely mild.”

News that this variant may not be as lethal as previously thought may have sparked optimism in financial markets.

Markets have since settled as leading cryptocurrencies and the wider stock market recovered some of the losses last week. Still, market watchers are hesitant to put the new variant behind them as the WHO continues to gather more information.

“Despite the irresistible pull of buying-the-dip on tenuous early information on omicron, we are just one negative omicron headline away from going back to where we started,” said a market analyst at the Forex platform Oanda, Jeffrey Halley.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/29/bitcoin-ethereum-rebound-as-reports-suggest-omicron-covid-19-variant-mild/

Canada said it has confirmed two cases of COVID-19 omicron variant from persons who had recently travelled from Nigeria.

According to report by Associated Press, the government of Canada had announced the detection of the new COVID19 variant in a statement issued on Sunday.

“Today, the province of Ontario has confirmed two cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 in Ottawa, both of which were reported in individuals with recent travel from Nigeria. Ottawa Public Health is conducting case and contact management and the patients are in isolation,” the statement said.

But the federal government through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that the deadly omicron variant of the coronavirus was yet to be detected in the country.

A statement issued on Sunday by its Director General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa however urged Nigerians to go and get vaccinated and also to adhere strictly to COVID19 health Advisory as a means of avioding any spread of more deadly COVID-19 variant.

He said that the Centre was on alert and engaging in country wide surveillance to check possible import of the new variants.

More details later…

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/29/canada-detects-two-cases-of-omicron-from-people-who-visited-nigeria/

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has disclosed plans by the apex bank to set up an International Financial Centre at the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos to be operational in the second quarter of 2022.

Emefiele explained that the facility is expected to serve as a hub for attracting domestic and external capital which is much-needed to strengthen the Nigerian economy post-COVID-19.

The CBN governor stated this in a keynote address he delivered at the 56th Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) annual dinner held in Lagos at the weekend.

“The International Finance Centre when fully operational in the 2nd quarter of 2022, will help to position Nigeria as a key destination for investment in Africa,” Emefiele added.

The CBN governor noted that a key challenge to supporting growth in key sectors of the economy was access to large pools of cheap investment capital, adding that over $100 trillion was being held by institutional investors in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.

According to him, most of the funds were invested in low-yielding assets relative to high-yielding opportunities in Nigeria.

Furthermore, Emefiele noted that although uncertainties remained around the mutating Delta virus, prospects of a broad-based economic recovery in Nigeria were bright as efforts were being made to improve access to vaccines for Nigerians, in addition to measures aimed at implementing safety protocols to curb the spread of the virus.

He, however, pointed out that “our economic growth remains fragile, as our unemployment and inflation rate remains at levels that are not very supportive of growth. Second, continued implementation of our intervention efforts would need to be undertaken to sustain the recovery efforts and stimulate further growth of the economy.

“Third, given population growth at about 2.7 per cent annually, it is important that we continue to deploy measures that will enable our economy to attain annual growth rates of over five per cent.

“Through the pandemic, we are aware that our policy responses are often more effective when we work with the private sector. For example, the CACOVID alliance played an instrumental role in reducing the negative effects of the pandemic, by providing palliative support to families affected by the virus and in rebuilding our healthcare institutions.

“Leveraging the strength of the private sector will be critical in mobilising funds that are needed toward building a more resilient and stronger economy. We intend to strengthen collaborations with the private sector to support investments in critical sectors such as infrastructure, and ICT, in addition to ongoing efforts to build a stronger agriculture and manufacturing base in Nigeria.

“As a result, all efforts in 2022 must be made to ensure that we maintain our focus on improving access to finance and credit for households and businesses, mobilising investment to boost domestic productivity, enabling faster growth of non-oil exports, and supporting employment generating activities,” he explained.

Commenting on the recently introduced 100 for 100 policy on production and productivity, he reiterated that the programme targets credit of up to N5 billion to be provided to 100 firms every 100 days, provided that the firms are investing in projects that are Greenfield projects.

Secondly, projects would be assessed on their ability to generate significant employment opportunities in critical sectors of the economy, he added.

Thirdly on the 100 for 100 policy, he pointed out that eligible firms must show evidence of their efforts to harness available local raw materials towards the realisation of their intended investment.

Emefiele also said efforts would be made to support firms geared towards producing goods for the export market.


https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/28/cbn-to-set-up-international-finance-centre-in-eko-atlantic-city/

The National Association of Nigerian Students on Friday threatened to shut down the country should the Federal Government proceed to remove subsidy from petrol.

The organisation called on Nigerians and all its allied structures to be on the alert for further directives on the next action.

The President of NANS, Sunday Asefon, issued the threat during a press conference held in Abuja.

According to him, although NANS was not totally against deregulation, the conditions for such already agreed upon must be out in place before deregulation.

The text of the briefing was titled “Nigeria will be shut down should the Federal Government attempt the removal of fuel subsidy as allegedly being proposed.”

Asefon said, “None of those conditions is in place at the moment. It is therefore very strange that the Federal Government could contemplate the removal of fuel subsidy now.

“The four refineries are not functioning, and if they are functioning at all, it is at a near-zero level. There is zero consultation with stakeholders to even consider issues around deregulation and why it should or should not be. The survival of Nigerian workers and their wards is yet to be discussed, yet a date that may take lives out of them have been fixed.

“Furthermore, inflation is already passing a skyrocketing level. So we may need to find a word to describe the kind of inflation that will be experienced if the pump price of PMS goes above 200 per cent.

“In fact, we are very convinced that the Federal Government is acting impulsively on a matter as sensitive as this.

“NANS is rudely shocked by the statement credited to the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari to the effect that Premium Motor Spirit could sell as much as three hundred and forty N340 by February 2022. This is said to be due to the plan of the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy and usher in an era of so-called deregulation.

“Even more absurd is the proposal announced by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajia Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed that N5,000 will be paid to 40 million vulnerable Nigerians to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

“NANS is still trying hard to make an iota of good sense out of this strange proposal. We shall return to this particular point.

“But let us first of all categorically state that on behalf of the suffering millions of Nigerian students and on behalf of the millions of the frustrated masses of the Nigerian people who are our parents, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, friends and neighbours, we reject this socio-economic evil proposal and we shall resist it.

“Nigerians are really suffering. We are in dire socio-economic straits. We are weeping in our hearts and souls. We are dying in silence. We feel the agony and anguish because we are practically involved. Therefore, any attempt to aggravate the social woes and economic manacles that we already face and wear will not only be unconscionable but reckless. It will amount to testing the patience of Nigerians too far. And we wish to warn against it.

“The country is very stretched and tensed. In case the government is not aware, we are passing them this intelligence free of charge now. Again we advise, let the government not stretch it further. The consequences will be dire. The people are already flamed. Mendacity will beget mendacity. NANS is happy that the organised labour and civil society groups have all rejected the proposal.

“We shall ensure that the entire country is shut down and paralysed should the Federal Government proceed with its insensitive plan of deregulation, or even any further increase in the pump price of fuel. We have had enough.

“We know that neo-liberal and imperial economists will soon emerge to confuse themselves with some well-rehearsed stale analysis and commentaries. Let us tell them already that nothing can change except the practical reality of the socio-economic condition of Nigerians

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/26/nans-threatens-to-shut-down-nigeria-over-fgs-planned-subsidy-removal/

The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has upheld the final forfeiture order on the $40 million worth of jewellery seized from the premises of the former Minister for Petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke.

Justice Festus Obande, who read the judgment on Friday, held that there was no substance in Alison-Madueke’s bid to overturn the lower court’s order and subsequently dismissed the move by the former Minister to challenge the forfeiture order.

Barring any appeal by the former minister to the Supreme Court, the jewelleries are to be forfeited to the Federal Government.

In July 2019 the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had secured an order from Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court to temporarily forfeit the expensive items to the Federal Government.

According to the schedule attached to the forfeiture application, the jewellery, categorised into 33 sets, includes “419 expensive bangles; 315 expensive rings; 304 expensive earrings; 267 expensive necklaces; 189 expensive wristwatches; 174 expensive necklaces and earrings; 78 expensive bracelets; 77 expensive brooches; and 74 expensive pendants.”

In his application for the final forfeiture order, EFCC counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo had told the judge that the items were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with the proceeds of unlawful activities of the former minister.

An investigator with the Commission, Rufai Zaki, in an affidavit before the court insisted that the jewelleries were beyond the former minister’s “known and provable lawful income.”

The investigator further said that findings by the EFCC showed that she started acquiring them in 2012, two years after she was appointed Minister.

The investigator also said that the EFCC was in possession of the details of the bank account through which Mrs Alison-Madueke received her salary as a minister.

“The respondent did not utilise her salary or any part of her legitimate income to acquire the assets sought to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Zaki said.

He said a “damning intelligence report” received by the Commission led to the search of former minister’s house at No. 10 Fredrick Chiluba Close, Asokoro, Abuja.

The former Minister on her part had challenged the seizure of the jewelleries from her premises by the EFCC.

An affidavit filed on her behalf by her counsel, Prof Awa Kalu (SAN), Diezani, who is currently in the United Kingdom, alleged that the EFCC violated her fundamental “right to own property and to appropriate them at her discretion,” under sections 43 and 44 of the constitution.

She also accused the anti-graft agency of entering her apartment illegally and taking the items without any court order.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/26/appeal-court-affirms-final-forfeiture-order-of-diezanis-40m-jewellery/

Liverpool’s coach, Jurgen Klopp has defended his statement where he referred to the African Cup of Nations, AFCON as a little tournament saying it was interprteted out of context.

Klopp during a press conference after Saturday’s win over Arsenal, while answering questions regarding international breaks referred to the AFCON as a ‘little tournament’.

He said, “I’ve heard that so often that there’s no international break until March. In January, there’s a little tournament in Africa, I just want to say, and I think Asia is playing games, too – South America as well, great, can’t wait.”

Responding to journalist, Ojora Babtunde who asked him to apologize for ‘demeanly regarding the Africa version of Euro’s, the AFCON, as a little tournament, Klopp explained that it was a way of expressing his frustration at losing vital players at an important stage of the season.

Klopp said his comment was misinterpreted. “I didn’t mean it like that. I don’t know why you understand it like that.

“It’s not even close to the idea in my mind that I want to talk about AFCON as a little tournament, or the continent of Africa like a little continent, not at all.

“What I meant is, because people said, and if you watch the full press conference, if you wanted to understand it in the right way you could have understood it in the right way. I said ‘there’s no international break anymore until March’ and I said: ‘Oh and there’s a little tournament in January,’ and I didn’t mean a little tournament, just like you say it when there’s still a tournament. It’s ironic. There’s still a tournament. A big one. We lose our best players to the Africa Cup of Nations.

“I’m not a native speaker, but if you want to understand me wrong you can do that all the time. I know that I would never think like this. I never understand why you thought like this to be honest, but that’s really not OK, because I would never do that, but that’s it now.

“It was not my intention, but you made something of it. That’s not so cool as well to be 100 per cent honest.” He said.

Liverpool will be without Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane for the month-long tournament, which begins on January 9 and runs till the 6th of February.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/25/afcon-klopp-clarifies-little-tournament-comment-as-reporter-demands-apology/

The federal government has directed Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO) to stop operation in affected oilfield spewing oil in Bayelsa State pending investigation.

Saghir El-Mohammed, press director, ministry of environment, said this in a statement on Tuesday.

“The federal government has directed the exploration company, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited (AEEPCO), to halt operations in the area until a proper investigation is carried out,” the statement reads.

“Also, adequate measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.”

Delineating the steps that the government investigation team and Aiteo had taken to cushion the effect of the oil spillage at Santa Barbara, he added that there will be further curtailment measures to ensure that the leak was adequately managed.

“It can be recalled that the spill occurred on November 5, 2021, in a form of a fountain within the proximity of Opu Nembe community at well 1, wellhead located at the southern field of Santa Barbara,” El-Mohammed added.

“Upon receipt of the report of the incident, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), was set up.

“Also, the state ministry of environment, community representatives, and Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company was set up on November 6, 2021, to immediately address the situation.

“The exercise was inclusive because of inaccessibility to the wellhead location due to the hydrocarbon fumes that saturated the atmosphere in the area.

“Consequently, the JIT directed AEEPCO to shut down in the impacted asset (wellhead) for appropriate oil spill response.”

He said that AEEPCO responded by deploying booms and skimmers to contain the spill crude oil from spreading but the hydrocarbon company could not shut the wellhead.

“As at November 10, 2021, efforts to shut the well have proven difficult due to inaccessibility,” the press director said.

“Meanwhile, in an effort to safeguard the environment and livelihood, staff from the NOSDRA’s Yenagoa field office were deployed to the site to monitor and give a progress report on the measures being taken to address the issue.

“There are further directives to AEEPCO to engage all relevant stakeholders in the spilled oil recovery process.

“In this vein, 3,000 barrels of emulsified crude oil have been recovered and held in a recovery barge.”

He said that more booms were deployed by the Clean Nigeria Association (CNA) system to aid the on-site recovery contractor.

“Further effort yielded result as containment and recovery within the leak area have been reinforced by November 15,” he added.

El-Mohammed stated further that the CNA had mobilised to the site for intensified containment and recovery.

He also said that Boot and Coots, a company mobilised for well control and securing and AEEPCO had obtained temporary work permits for expatriates expected in the country for the activity.

Based on JIT reports, he said that a control company named Kenyon International was at the incident location for an on-site assessment.

“Meanwhile, containment and recovery are still ongoing. It is instructive to note that the wellhead experts have arrived in Nigeria and will commence work on killing the well,” El-Mohammed added.

“However, in order to ensure safety and guarantee future operations in the area by AEEPCO, NOSDRA has mandated the company to carry out concrete actions.

“The action is to address the situation that includes clean-up of impacted areas, remediation of spill site as well as damage assessment and post-spill impact assessment.

“NOSDRA, through the federal ministry of environment, will keep the public informed on future developments on the spill incident with an effort to contain the further spread and limit the effect on the environment.”

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/24/fg-orders-aiteo-to-suspend-operations-over-nembe-oil-spill/

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has begged the people of Kaduna state not to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming elections billed in 2023.

El-Rufai argued that if voted PDP would drag Nigeria to the problems of yesterday.

He said the people should rally round and vote for the person he would anoint as the state Governor in 2023. The outspoken Governor advised the Kaduna people to trust him in his choice for them.

He alleged that if not for the recalcitrant attitude of former Senators Shehu Sani and Suleiman Hunkuyi, development in Kaduna state would have surpassed the feat achieved by his administration which Kaduna people are now celebrating.

He singled out the just completed ultra modern Kawo bridge, saying credit should not be given to him alone but also to the lawmakers who assured the project had legislative backing ,and also to the people of Kaduna State who supported his administration.

According to him, Shehu Sani and Suleiman Hunkuyi’s action had retarded growth and development in the state ,pointing out that come 2023 ,people should be wary of who they vote to avoid bringing in elements that are enemies of Kaduna state who should be cursed.

” May Almighty Allah ‘s wrath befall them ,” El-Rufai prayed, amidst a thunderous Amen in the Ahmadu Bello Stadium’ Gymnasium Hall where hundreds of people had converged for the launching of the New Finance Function in the state.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/24/2023-el-rufai-urges-nigerians-not-to-vote-for-pdp/

A former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, says he has been granted bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after his arrest over forgery allegation.

In a tweet, Fani-Kayode said he was granted bail by the commission on “self-recognition”.

He also dismissed claims of being arrested by operatives of the EFCC Lagos zonal command.

“Just arrived at the George Hotel for dinner. I was never arrested by the EFCC.

“I was invited & I flew down to Lagos to see them. I arrived in their office at 2.00 pm & left at 8.30 pm. I was granted bail on self-recognition. They were very polite & professional. Thanks be to God,” the message also read.

His tweet was accompanied by his pictures which he indicated were taken at George Hotel.

Just arrived at the George Hotel for dinner. I was never arrested by the EFCC. I was invited & I flew down to Lagos to see them. I arrived in their office at 2.00pm & left at 8.30pm. I was granted bail on self recognition. They were very polite & professional. Thanks be to God.
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) November 23, 2021

When contacted for comments, EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said “I don’t have the details you are asking for. It happened in Lagos.”

The commission had earlier on Tuesday confirmed to this newspaper the arrest of Mr Fani-Kayode in Lagos over alleged forgery and fraud.

Sources familiar with the matter informed this newspaper that Fani-Kayode was being investigated for forgery of his medical report to evade his ongoing trial for alleged fraud.

The EFCC is prosecuting Fani-Kayode and two others on 17 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud to the tune of N4.9 billion.

The Federal High Court in Lagos had awarded a fine of N200,000 against the former minister for his absence from court wirh respect to the alleged N4.9 billion fraud.

The judge, Daniel Osaigor, who gave the order on October 13, asked the minister to pay the fine or stand the risk of having his bail revoked for failing to appear for his re-arraignment.

The matter was adjourned till November 30, 2021, for the re-arraignment of the defendants.

Fani-Kayode, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives (APC), is also standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over diversion of funds he allegedly took fraudulently from the office of the National Security Adviser ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

The defendant served as the spokesperson for the 2015 PDP presidential campaigns for the reelection of then President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost to the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/24/forgery-fani-kayode-reacts-to-arrest-announces-release-by-efcc/

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has been ruled out of action for three months following the surgery on his cheekbone and eye socket.

Serie A leaders Napoli disclosed this in a statement released on their official website on Tuesday.

With this, the striker will miss the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year.

The statement read, “On Tuesday morning, Victor Osimhen was operated on his cheekbone and eye socket by Gianpaolo Tartaro, who was assisted by Dr Mario Santagata with Dr Raffaele Canonico also present.

“Titanium plates and screws were used in the operation.

“The player is doing well and will remain under observation for the next few days.

“Osimhen is expected to return to action in three months.”

The Nigeria international suffered the injury in Napoli’s 3-2 loss to champions Inter Milan at the San Siro after colliding with Inter defender Milan Skriniar on Sunday.

He was taken to the hospital immediately after leaving the pitch and was discharged on Monday after being diagnosed with an orbital and cheekbone injury with the striker scheduled to go into surgery today.

The 22-year-old has been Nigeria’s first-choice striker since 2019 after the retirement of Odion Ighalo. He has been in good form for the national team scoring four goals in their Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying Group C

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/23/osimhen-to-miss-afcon-after-undergoing-cheekbone-operation/

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has described the leaked report of the Lagos State panel as fake news.

The minister made the position of the government known at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

The nine-member panel had in its leaked report alleged that at least nine persons were killed at the Lekki toll plaza when soldiers and policemen stormed the scene to disperse protesters on October 20, 2020.

However, Mohammed described the allegations as “tales by moonlight”.

Mohammed said it was shocking that the same allegations made by Nigerians were merely compiled and submitted as a report by the panel set up to investigate the claims of police brutality.
“It is an intimidation of the majority by a minority,” Mohammed submitted.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/23/lagos-endsars-panel-report-fake-unverified-fg/

THE All Progressives Congress, APC, has announced that its national convention will take place in February 2022.

Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, and governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu disclosed this to State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The APC Governors forum chairman was in the company of the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman and governor of Yobe State, Mai Malla Buni and the governor of Jigawa State, Abubakar Badaru.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/22/apc-fixes-national-convention-for-february-2022/

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has released the 2021 Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) result and noted that there was an improvement in the number of candidates who got credits in five subjects including Mathematics and English Language.

The head of the Nigeria National Office of the examination body, Patrick Areghan, disclosed this in a press statement issued on Monday.

While giving a breakdown of the examination and the result, he explained that 1,560,261 candidates sat for the exercise in five countries – The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

A further breakdown of the result showed that 1,398,370 candidates who make up 89.62%, had credits and above in at least five (5) subjects (i.e with or without English Language and/ or Mathematics.

According to him, 1,274,784 persons, representing 81.7%, had credits and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“The percentage of candidates in this category in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2020, that is, those who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, was 65.24%,” he added.

“Thus, there is an appreciable 16.46% improvement in performance in this regard.”

He also noted that the examination which spanned seven weeks was affected by several security challenges including the sit-at-home order in the South East, banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, etc, in the north and other parts of Nigeria.

“All these, coupled with the continuous effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic, made the whole exercise a Herculean one,” the statement read.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/22/waec-releases-2021-wassce-records-81-7-success-rate/

Human rights lawyer and member of the Lagos EndSARS panel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN has alleged serious threat to his life and asked Nigerians to hold government responsible if anything happen to him and his family.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/22/endsars-government-should-be-held-accountable-if-anything-happens-to-me-adegboruwa-alleges-threat-to-life/

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb. Professor George Obiozor, has urged residents of the South East region to go about their normal businesses every Monday of the week because the era of Monday’s sit at home is gone.

Obiozor encouraged all the schools in the South East to commence their usual academic activities without any fear of molestation.

Speaking, he said, “The transporters and traders that come to the South East of Nigeria from all parts of the country and the Cameroons are also advised to feel free to come and transact their businesses.

“This is because the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has cancelled the Monday Sit at Home Order they had earlier issued.

The President General who spoke through its National Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, lauded the understanding and maturity exhibited by the IPOB during the Anambra State governorship election and the cancellation of the Monday Sit at Home.

He said “They have indeed scored two major points: First, the Igbo detractors and doomsayers were disappointed that the election was a resounding success. The second is that the IPOB can listen to the appeal of the elders.


“It is very heartwarming that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Traditional Rulers, Archbishops, Governors, eminent persons, women groups, political class, the academia, etc in Igbo land are united in the Release-Nnamdi-Kanu-Project. This has proved to the sceptics that the Igbo unity is incontrovertible and that they can also be mobilized within a very short time.

There is no gainsaying the diverse views and persuasions among the Igbo but the maturity in the Igbo republicanism is the rare capacity to unite for a common interest any time the need arises.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo thereby called on all the market associations, road transport unions, labour leaders and all the interest groups to sensitize their members towards full economic activities in all parts of Igbo land on Mondays.

“As the Christmas season approaches, it is expected that the volume of business transactions will be on the increase. It is to the advantage of the Igbo land that financial inflow into the South East within the period is not encumbered by any means.

“While the huge losses incurred in the last months because of the Sit at Home is highly regrettable, efforts must be made to ensure that further losses are averted,” he said

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/22/sit-at-home-ohanaeze-urges-south-east-residents-to-carry-out-normal-activities/

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hanging onto his position as Manchester United manager by the skin of his teeth this evening following this afternoon's 4-1 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road.

United suffered their fifth defeat in their last seven Premier League matches against the Hornets, leaving Solskjaer on the cusp of being shown the exit door at Old Trafford.

Watford, who had only won once at home this season in the league prior to this afternoon's triumph, got the job done thanks to goals from Josh King, Ismaila Sarr, who had earlier missed two penalties, the second of which was a forced retake, Joao Pedro and Emmanuel Dennis sealed the points and a memorable victory for Claudio Ranieri's side.

United, after finding themselves two goals down at half-time, did threaten a comeback just five minutes into the second half through substitute Donny van de Beek, but Harry Maguire's dismissal 19 minutes later put pay to any hopes of salvaging a point.

United are now eighth in the Premier League table, 12 points behind league-leaders Chelsea and six points shy of the top-four.

Solskjaer's has seemingly reached the point of no return and the players are understood to be expecting his sacking.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/20/breaking-manchester-united-set-to-sack-ole-gunnar-solskjaer/

President Muhammadu Buhari has said the demand for an unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is a difficult one, but he would consider the demand made by “highly respected Igbo greats.”

He said an unconditional release of the leader of the outlawed group, currently standing trial, runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary.

Receiving a group under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats, led by First Republic parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, at State House, Abuja, President Buhari said. “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious.

“In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”

Stressing his policy of non-interference with the Judiciary, President Buhari said when Kanu jumped bail, got arrested and brought back to the country, “I said the best thing was to subject him to the system. Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.”

The President condoled with Chief Amaechi, who recently buried his wife, praying that her soul would rest in peace.

The nonagenarian had described the situation in the Southeast as “painful and pathetic,” lamenting that businesses have collapsed, education is crumbling, and there is fear everywhere.

He pleaded for a political, rather than military solution, requesting that if Kanu was released to him as the only First Republic Minister still alive, “he would no longer say the things he had been saying,” stressing that he could control him, “not because I have anything to do with them (IPOB), but I am highly respected in Igbo land today.”

Chief Amaechi said twice he had interfaced with Nnamdi Kanu in the past, and the latter rescinded orders earlier given on civil disobedience.

“I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire.”

Other people in the visiting delegation were; His Excellency Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, Chief Barrister Goddy Uwazurike, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, and Mr Tagbo Mbazulike Amaechi.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/19/demand-for-nnamdi-kanus-release-will-be-considered-buhari-tells-igbo-leaders/

A member of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and other matters, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, says there are documents to defend the report submitted by the panel to the government.

He said this on Friday in a statement titled ‘EndSARS Panel: I Acted on The Mandate of The Governor’, in reaction to the remarks by one of the senior counsels to the state government at the panel.

Although he did not name the lawyer, Adegboruwa noted that the legal practitioner asked Nigerians to reject the report of the panel because he (Adegboruwa) signed it and was not present at some of the sittings.

“There are documents to back up and defend the report submitted to the governor by the panel, but I have chosen to defer to His Excellency and to await the White Paper as promised because I believe that the governor meant well in setting up the panel and giving us free hand to operate.

“I appeal to His Excellency to continue in that note of sincerity,” said the Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“There is no minority report from the panel as the report submitted to the governor on November 15, 2021, was unanimously endorsed by all members of the panel, who worked tirelessly, day and night, to serve the government and the people, even at great risks to their health, personal safety, career and family obligations, and their general well-being.

“I’m very sure that panel members would have been lionised to the highest heavens if we had bought into the narrative of the government before the panel that it was criminals, cultists, hoodlums, and unknown gunmen that operated at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.”

Adegboruwa explained that he served on the panel on the mandate of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who told him on the telephone that he was chosen to represent the civil society.

He said he later requested an approval which was granted in writing, that his appointment was on a part-time basis.

Cover Up Truth?

The governor, the lawyer narrated, told him that two members were chosen to represent the civil society on the panel to ensure one of them would always be present at the panel to excuse the absence of the other.

“I accepted the appointment in good faith, to serve the people, to calm frayed nerves at the time, and also to restore normalcy to Lagos State,” he said. “So, at all times, I functioned in partnership with my colleague from civil society, and there was no major sitting of the panel in which both of us were absent.

“I also served on the panel free of charge, from October 19, 2020, when the panel was inaugurated till November 15, 2021, when the panel submitted its report. The government was well aware of my identity, my perspectives, my philosophies and my general convictions, at least since my university days, before it nominated me into the Panel, that I will always say things the way they are.

“All Panel members acted in good faith, independently and in the fear of God Almighty. My principled struggles in respect of toll fee collection started way back from 2011, almost nine years before the Panel was inaugurated.

“Indeed, the governor said that these were the factors that favoured my selection as a member of the panel. Will I then deny myself, forfeit my reputation and discredit my constituency, my colleagues in the Nigerian Bar Association, and comrades in civil society, in order to please anybody or cover up the truth? NEVER!”

According to Adegboruwa, it is improper to subject the report of the panel and the integrity of its members to media trials and attacks.

He added that it would be uncharitable for the same government that urged the panel not to be held down by strict rules of technicalities of law in order to unravel the real truth about the Lekki tollgate incident, to now through its counsel and talk about alleged legal discrepancies to frustrate the good work of the panel that it set up.

“I urge the government to focus on the findings and far-reaching recommendations contained in the report, in order to pursue the laudable objectives of setting up the panel to achieve true healing and reconciliation, instead of seeking to demonise panel members and their report or to evade responsibility,” the senior advocate said

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/19/there-are-documents-to-defend-endsars-panel-report-adegboruwa/

Famous Nigerian musician, Davido, on Wednesday recieved over N120m from his friends.

The superstar had jocularly said he needed N100 million to clear his Rolls Royce from the port.

Davido immediately shared his account details on his verified Twitter handle and Instagram.

His tweet read. “If you know I’ve given you a hit song, send me money, Una know your selves oh.

“I wan clear my Rolls Royce from port abeg.”

In few minutes, the 30BG crooner got over N26m from friends.

Giving update on his Instagram stories, the singer had received over N120m as at time of writing this report in about six hours since he made the request.

The musician reached his target in less than six hours and the money kept pouring in.

Below are some of the names which made it happen.

Femi Otedola
Adekunle Gold
Oba Elegushi,
Akin Alabi
Emeka Okonkwo
Mr Eazi,
Teni
Ikorodu boiz
Obi Cubana
Cubana Chief Priest
BBNaija’s Nengi
Perruzi
Zlatan

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/17/davido-raises-over-n120m-within-hours/

Occupants are trapped as a storey building located at Flour Mills Estate, Magbon in the Badagry area of Lagos State collapsed on Wednesday.

This was announced in a statement signed by the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, on their Facebook page.

The statement read, “There has been a reported case of a storey building collapse at Sunny Filled, Flour Mills, Estate, Magbon, Badagry, Lagos.

“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Badagry Station had rescued five victims from the under-construction building while concerted efforts are ongoing to rescue remaining trapped victims.

“The victims which are mainly construction workers are however rescued with varying degrees of injury but in stable condition and been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

“However, four adults male have been recovered (unconscious) thus far as the Nigerian Police, Morogbo Division and the Community dwellers are complimenting the efforts of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.”

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/17/many-trapped-as-another-lagos-building-collapses-in-badagry/

The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to establish the Real Estate Regulatory Council of Nigeria.

The Council when established would, among others, curb fraudulent practices to ensure that the real estate business confirms with the National Building Code in Nigeria.

The bill is tagged, ‘The Real Estate Regulatory Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2021.’

It was sponsored by Senator Aliyu Wamakko and was read for the first time on April 28, 2021, and a scaled second reading on June 22, 2021.

The Senate passed the bill after the consideration of a report by the Committee on Establishment and Public Service.

The report was laid during plenary by the Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Sabi Abdullahi.

Senator Nicholas Tofowomo presented the report on behalf of the Committee Chairman, Ibrahim Shekarau.

He said the establishment of the Real Estate Council of Nigeria would provide efficient, effective and transparent administration of the business of real estate development in Nigeria

The lawmaker said the Council would be responsible for prescribing minimum standards for the conduct of the businesses of real estate development across the country.

He recalled that the bill seeking to establish the Real Estate Council of Nigeria was passed by both chambers of the eighth National Assembly, but was not assented to by the President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the President’s decision to withhold assent to the bill was a result of certain observations raised by stakeholders at the time.

He said, “Those observations have been taken care of in this report by the Committee following the engagement with stakeholders to ensure that real estate business in Nigeria conforms with the Money Laundering Act 2011 (as amended) and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit Act 2018 in terms of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing due diligence compliance.”

He explained that when established, the Council would standardize the business of real estate by regulating the conduct of transactions; and provide enabling environment and transparency in the business of real estate development in Nigeria.

The lawmaker stated that it would also curb fraudulent practices to ensure that the real estate business confirms with the National Building Code in Nigeria; as well as create an innovative and sustainable environment to promote Nigeria as a real estate investment destination in Africa and the world.

https://www.newslead.ng/2021/11/17/senate-passes-real-estate-regulatory-council-bill/