Author: Chronicle Editor

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged all former governors now in the ninth Senate to “publicly commit to stop collecting pensions from their states while they serve as senators, return ‘pensions’ already collected to the public treasury, and push for the abolition of double emoluments laws for former governors and deputies in their states.” Several of the 36 states have enacted pension-for-life laws for former governors and deputies. Among former governors in the ninth Senate that will enjoy such pensions are two ex-governors Abia State, Orji Kalu, and his successor, Theodore Orji; former governor Ebonyi State Sam…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Saturday says it does not have details of the rape accusation leveled against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo. The Christian association however condemned any case of rape in strong terms, saying it doesn’t matter who is involved. Rev Samson Ayokunle, President, CAN, who gave the condemnation via a text message to the News Agency of Nigeria stressed that justice must prevail in all rape cases. Ayokunle described rape as ungodly, wicked and reprehensible. He,however, noted that CAN had no details on the trending allegations against the founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Pastor…

The Nigerian Army will showcase Africa’s first ever Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company (NAVMC) in a national broadcast on Sunday as it steps up effort to combat insecurity in the country. NAVMC was officially commissioned in January and was expected to take-off with the production of the prototype of the light and heavy infantry vehicles at Rigachikun, Kaduna State. The commissioning of NAVMC in January featured a facility tour of NAVMC’s production line, which include NAC-V production line, B vehicles assembly plant, fitter machine plant, engine overhaul shop, engine testing bay, fabrication, painting and spray shop as well as foundry…

Security agents believed to be officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) have stormed the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Abuja and have arrested two persons. The security agents arrested two unidentified men after they turned up at a planned protest outside the church. The church has come under nationwide scrutiny after Busola Dakolo, wife of musician Timi Dakolo accused the founder of COZA Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of rape. Mrs Dakolo in an interview claimed that Pastor Fatoyinbo raped her when she was just 16 in Ilorin, Kwara state capital. Pastor Fatoyinbo has since denied the allegations in…

Defending champions Cameroon remain top of Group F after a goalless draw with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations. The five-time winners, who beat Ghana 2-0 in the 2017 semi-finals, went closest in the first half as Christian Bassogog was denied by Richard Ofori. But Ghana almost won it late on when substitute Owusu Kwabena struck the crossbar and Andrew Yiadom went close. Clarence Seedorf’s side are two points clear at the top of the group before Benin play Guinea-Bissau (21:00 BST). With four of the six third-placed teams qualifying for the knockout stage, Cameroon are well placed…

The Gombe State Government has begun the sales of 68, 400 bags of assorted fertiliser at subsidised price of N5,000 per bag for the 2019 wet season to boost food security in the state. Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, who announced this in Gombe on Saturday, said the inputs would be sold to farmers at subsidised rates to improve agricultural productivity, increase farmer’s income and boost food security in the country. Yahaya stated that the development of the agricultural sector would remain the policy thrust of his administration in line with his campaign promises to the good people of the state.…

An Indian woman and her daughter were beaten and hacked to death in eastern India for allegedly practising witchcraft, police said on Saturday. The killings took place in Jharkhand state’s West Singhbhum district on Thursday, senior police officer Anand Mohan Singh said. The 56-year-old woman, Malti Devi, was attacked by her neighbour, also a distant relative, who accused her of witchcraft and blamed her for deaths in his family, Singh said. “The woman recently performed some rituals at her place after which the suspect’s wife fell ill. He, along with two others brutally beat the women with wooden sticks…

Adamawa Government has inaugurated the state Livestock Transformation Committee to facilitate the implementation of Federal Government’s National Livestock Transformation Plan in the state. NAN reports that Adamawa is one of the seven pilot states selected by the Federal Government for the programme. Inaugurating the six-member committee in Yola on Saturday, the state Deputy Governor, Chief Crowther Seth, said the members were selected based on their experience in livestock matters and proven integrity. Seth urged them to put the interest of the state and nation in general in the discharge of their assignment, and to work closely with the National…

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant on Media to a former president, Goodluck Jonathan, to October 3, 2019. Okupe, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is facing a 59-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust to the tune of N702million. The EFCC through its counsel, Ibrahim Audu, closed its case against him on June 26, 2019after calling its sixth witness, Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director, Administration and Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser,…

Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, June 28, 2019, dismissed the preliminary objection filed by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia,challenging her trial before the court. Ofili-Ajumogobia alongside Godwin Obla, SAN, were re-arraigned on May 15, 2019 on an 18-count charge bordering on breach of trust, false statement and unlawful enrichment. One of the counts reads: “That you, Hon. Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla, SAN, on or about the 21st day of May, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to indirectly conceal the sum of N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million…