Author: Chronicle Editor

The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, November 29, 2021 secured the conviction of eight (8) internet fraudsters before Justice F.A Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State for offences bordering on impersonation with intent to defraud. The convicts are: Eleadi Godspower, Okoh Paul, Okoro Marvelous Atiti, Osaro Osasere, Osamwonyi Precious Etinosa, Godstime Imariebe, Ohumumwen Osaaremen and Christopher Momudu. Paul, Atiti, Osasere, Etinosa, Imariebe, Mamudu and Osaaremen were prosecuted on a one count charge of intent to defraud while Eleadi Godspower and his company, Eleadi and Sons Energy Ltd…

Stock markets around the world have fallen after the boss of Moderna cast doubts on the effectiveness of vaccines against the new Omicron Covid variant. Stephane Bancel told the Financial Times he thought there would be a “material drop” in vaccine efficacy. The Omicron Covid variant was first detected in South Africa, and the symptoms have been mild so far. But travel restrictions have been imposed as a precaution by places including the UK, the EU and the US. Mr Bancel predicted that existing vaccines would be less effective in staving off Omicron, and that it would take months for…

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has adjourned the trial of Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, till February 16, 2022. Naira Marley is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy and credit card fraud. He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when he was arraigned on May 20, 2019. At the last sitting on October 27, 2021, Augustine Anosike, a forensic analyst testifying as the second prosecution witness, had concluded his examination-in-chief. The court subsequently adjourned till November 30, 2021 for cross-examination.…

Summons Interior Minister, Aregbesola, AGF Malami, NCS CG, Nababa The Senate on Tuesday mandated its Committee on Interior to carry out a full-scale investigation into the causes of jail breaks across the country. Accordingly, the upper chamber resolved to summon the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa to determine the status of correctional centres nationwide, with a view to finding out the challenges in order to prevent future recurrence. These formed part of resolutions reached by the Senate following a motion brought…

The Federal Government will sanction those who bring in personnel into the public workforce by illegal recruitment, pad their payroll and retain ghost workers, President Muhammadu Buhari said Tuesday in Abuja. Declaring open the 3rd National Summit on Diminishing Corruption in the Public Sector, the President warned that his administration would not hesitate to punish Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that fraudulently present new projects as ongoing projects in the budget. ‘‘We reduced the cost of governance by maintaining our promise to complete abandoned or ongoing projects commenced by previous administrations and have ensured that MDAs do not…

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Kano state government to publish two national dailies apologizing to the dethroned Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi. Sanusi’s forced exile from the state after his dethronement was illegal, unconstitutional, and a gross violation of his fundamental human rights, according to the court’s ruling, delivered by Justice Anwuli Chikere. As a result, the court awarded N10 million in damages to Kano state in favour of the deposed Emir. Sanusi was deposed as Emir of Kano State on March 9, 2020, after being accused of disloyalty and insubordination by the Kano State…

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Tuesday explained why Nigeria did not sign the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) G20 Inclusive Framework two-pillar solution to tax challenges of the digitalized economy. The OECD G20 Inclusive Framework two-pillar solution proposes a framework of rules aimed at tackling base erosion and profit shifting, and providing for the taxation of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs). Four member countries of the Inclusive Framework (Nigeria inclusive), out of 140, have not agreed to the two-pillar solution. Nigeria’s reasons for not agreeing to the two-pillar solution was explained in a webinar session hosted by the…

Dr Jonathan Obaje, a Nigerian research scientist based in Singapore, says based on preliminary clinical data coming from South Africa on the “Omicron” variant of the COVID-19 virus, African innate immunities may have already weakened COVID-19 virus significantly. Obaje, a former Vice President of Nigeria in Diaspora, Singapore, said this on Tuesday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He quoted various media reports across South Africa, saying Hospitals across the country reported that symptoms of “Omicron”, the new COVID strain, are very mild and no record of death associated with it so far. “Around 90…

Armed robbers killed a policeman and a Special Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps on Monday in Aramoko-Ekiti when they raided an old generation bank. A source who requested anonymity told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that armed robbers stormed the bank through Igede-Ado-Ekiti Road after work had closed. According to the source, the armed robbers blew the main door to the banking hall with explosives believed to be dynamite to gain access. He added that the gun-wielding robbers had earlier opened fire on a police officer on guard before blowing up the main door. “The Special Marshall…

Cristiano Ronaldo has accused the France Football editor of lying after he said the Portuguese’s only ambition was to retire with more Ballons d’Or than Lionel Messi. Ballon d’Or organiser Pascal Ferre made the claim to the New York Times. Paris St-Germain’s Messi won his seventh Ballon d’Or on Monday, with five-time winner Ronaldo voted sixth. “I always win for myself and for the clubs I represent,” said Manchester United forward Ronaldo. “I win for myself and for those who love me. I don’t win against someone.” Messi wins record seventh Ballon d’Or On Friday, Ferre told the New York…