Author: Chronicle Editor

Senate proposes stiffer sanctions for gas flaring from 2021 The Senate on Thursday considered a bill which proposes stiffer sanctions for any person or corporate entity involved in gas flaring in Nigeria from January 1, 2021. The Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Punishment) Bill, 2020, which scaled second reading during plenary, was sponsored by Senator Albert Bassey Akpan (Akwa-Ibom North East). Clause 11(a) of the bill provides that, “Any person who flares gas after December 31, 2020 contrary to section 4 of this Act, commits an offence under this Act, and shall be liable on conviction to pay a fine which…

The Senate on Thursday considered a bill to provide enabling framework that would legalize all forms of electronic transactions undertaken in Nigeria. The bill, if passed and signed into law, will prohibit and criminalize online fraud, and also make it legally possible to admit evidence of electronic transactions between parties in court during proceedings. Sponsor of the bill, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (APC – Ogun Central), said the online transactions in the United States reached three trillion dollars in 2014 alone. According to the lawmaker, online transactions account for well over ten trillion dollars in sales of goods and service globally.…

Japan is to ask all schools to close from Monday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says. The closure – thought to affect 13 million students – will continue until the school year ends in late March. World Health Organization head Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said the global outbreak had now reached a “decisive point” and had “pandemic potential”. For the second day running, more cases have been reported outside than inside China. Dr Tedros urged governments to act swiftly and aggressively to contain the virus. “This is not a time for fear. This is a…

Three suspected internet fraudsters facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ilorin Zonal Office have pleaded guilty before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of Kwara State High Court, Ilorin to the criminal charges levelled against them. The defendants, namely: Olopade Oladimeji Solomon, Atanda Femi Benjamin and Atoyebi Samson are being prosecuted on separate charges. The charge against Atanda reads: “That you, Atanda Femi Benjamin ( alias Federer Abril), sometime in December,  2018, at ilorin, within the judicial division of the Kwara State High Court, did attempt to cheat by impersonation, when you pretended to be one Federer Abril to…

A prosecution witness, Dr. Musa A. Musa, on Thursday, February 27, 2020 narrated before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja how Shamshudeen Bala, son of the former FCT minister and now Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, made payments for three units of four bedroom semi-detatched duplexes, located in Apo and Guzape areas of Abuja  in the name of two companies: Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Limited and Diakin Telecommunications Limited. Dr. Musa was the general managing director and chief executive officer of the Abuja Investment Company Limited at the time of the purchase of the properties. He revealed that the defendant…

The Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested a blogger, Mr Dikeocha Chukwuebuka,who published a picture of a crowded open cell  in his Twitter handle @TheRealDayne, claiming that it is that of Port Harcourt office of the EFCC. The Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the Commission, Mr Usman Imam who announced the arrest while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt today, February 27, 2020 said the suspect was picked up at about 4pm on Wednesday, February 26 in the premises of a new generation bank on Ada George Road in Port Harcourt. He said the arrest…

SuperSport viewers on GOtv Max will soon be treated to the biggest club football match in the world as the latest edition of ‘El Clasico’ – the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid – draws ever closer. The teams’ La Liga Round 26 clash is set for Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday 1 March 2020 and you can see all the action live on SuperSport Select 4 at 9pm. El Clasico has a rich history which dates to the teams’ very first meeting back in 1902. Here are 10 key players who have helped to shape this incredible rivalry down…

Two more patients have tested positive for coronavirus in England, bringing the total number of UK cases to 15. They have been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres in Liverpool and London, the Department of Health said. The virus was passed on while they were in Italy and Tenerife, said England’s chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty. Ministers have said they expect more cases to emerge. The new patients are being treated at specialist centres at the Royal Free Hospital, London, and the Royal Liverpool Hospital. The BBC understands that the person who contracted the virus in Tenerife is from…

Manchester City produced a stunning late fightback as goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin de Bruyne secured a memorable 2-1 win at Real Madrid to take control of their Champions League last-16 tie. After a cagey first half, the hosts capitalised on a defensive mix-up between Rodri and Nicolas Otamendi to take the lead as the impressive Vinicius Junior raced towards goal before neatly squaring for Isco to slot home. Sergio Ramos shot over as Real Madrid looked to double their advantage but City equalised 12 minutes before time when Jesus nodded in from close range. It was the least…

The Lagos State Government says a patient that was suspected to have contracted the deadly coronavirus on Wednesday, has tested negative. A press statement by the Lagos State Ministry of Health on Wednesday night said the attention of the Lagos State Ministry of Health has been drawn to news making the round about a “suspected case of coronavirus at the Reddington hospital in Lagos.” The government said action had been taken by the Ministry of Health and that the situation was currently being investigated. The government said the patient has been isolated at the Mainland Hospital and that blood samples…