Author: Chronicle Editor

A serving North Central governor is under probe for withdrawing N60 billion in cash in six years, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) executive chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa said. The fraud, according to him, was uncovered by the newly-created Department of Intelligence under his administration. He spoke of plans to update Nigerians on the behind-the-scene investigations bordering on cybercrime and politically exposed persons (PEPs), adding that the agency has secured 1,576 convictions within 11 months. Bawa’s disclosures were contained in an interview published in EFCC Alert, an in-house journal of the commission. Although the interview was said to have been granted…

By Owei Lakemfa We know President Muhammadu Buhari, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to whom the National Assembly and judiciary are loyal, is perhaps the most powerful person in the country. But when his Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, announced on Monday, December 7, 2021 that his boss had removed with immediate effect, the management and board of a private entity, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, some were still surprised. Not many were aware, that the President has dominion over all things in Nigeria, including the management of private companies. Secondly, the reason given for…

President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to more Bills than any other Nigerian president since the commencement of the fourth republic in 1999, the Senate President said. President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan on Monday explained that no other president has been able to achieve this feat which he credited to the proactive 9th assembly. He explained that President Buhari led-APC had been the most proficient in granting assent to Bills stressing that available data on gazetted Acts showed that between 2015 and 2021, President Buhari had assented to more than 84 Bills, the highest since 1999. Lawan said the projection…

Gunmen have attacked a local market in Plateau state killing at least eight people and injuring a number of others. The raid happened on Sunday evening in the village of Pinau, in Wase area, where people had gathered for the weekly market. The leader of a youth association in the area, Shafi’i Sambo, told the BBC that 12 people were shot dead during the attack including nine in the market and three others elsewhere in the village. He says the victims included men, children and a woman. But the chairman of Wase local government area Ado Abubakar Buba told journalists…

At the yearly review of how Federal Government agencies relate with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the country, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo sent a clear message to the relevant MDAs: your role is to support the “hustle” of Nigerians engaged in different enterprises by creating a conducive and enabling business environment. Prof. Osinbajo made this assertion today during the MSME Clinics Stakeholders’ review meeting at the Presidential Villa, attended by heads and representatives of agencies including SMEDAN, BOI, NEXIM BOA, SON, FIRS, NAFDAC and others. According to him, “everybody knows that Nigerians are enterprising, practically every Nigerian has…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, December 13, 2021 commenced the enforcement of Covid-19 vaccination compliance by staff of the agency in its offices across the country. In Abuja, staff of the Commission’s head office in Jabi were screened by management staff led by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr. George Ekpungu, with officers who were yet to be vaccinated being made to write their names in a special register. Duly vaccinated EFCC staff also put down their names and were admitted into the sprawling facility. The exercise which commenced as early as 6.30 am caught a…

Authorities in Ghana have said that airlines which fly unvaccinated foreign nationals into the country will be fined $3,500 (£2,600) per passenger. Airlines also need to make sure that people fill in the required health declaration form. The new directive which takes effect on Tuesday is intended to stop the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. The fine is aimed at strengthening the ban on foreign visitors who have not received the coronavirus vaccine from entering Ghana, which came into effect on Monday. Ghanaian citizens and residents abroad are exempt from the ban for the next two weeks, but…

Senate President Ahmad Lawan said on Monday that the current National Assembly is the most successful in law making since the return to civil rule in 1999. Lawan made the remark as a guest lecturer at the first Distinguished Parliamentarians’ Lecture Series which was facilitated by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies. He spoke on “The Legislature, Legislative Mandate and the People – The Reality and the Public Perception.” The Senate President said the focus of the ninth National Assembly had been on legislations that are most likely to impact either on the democratic Institutions, economy, security or…

Lionel Messi will return to Spain with Paris Saint Germain to face Real Madrid in the rescheduled draw in the last 16 of the Champions League. Holders Chelsea have been drawn to face French champions Lille, they were the only team that maintained their earlier pairing in the draws. The first legs will be spread out on 15, 16, 22 and 23 February, with the second legs on 8, 9, 15 and 16 March. Chelsea are the only English side to play their first leg at home, with the other three all away after winning their groups. A major change…

Rangers will face German side Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League knockout round play-off. The Scottish champions were seeded in Monday’s draw having finished runners-up in their group behind Lyon. Dortmund, who sit second to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, dropped into the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League section. The first legs will be played on 17 February, with the return ties held a week later. This season’s new format means that the eight group winners, including West Ham United, directly advance to the round of 16. Rangers, who currently lead the Scottish Premiership, last met…