Author: Chronicle Editor

VP urges Nigerian businesses to step-up product quality for Africa trade Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN says that in an increasingly integrated African continent, all hands must be on deck to ensure that limitations to product quality and technical barriers to trade are removed, while improving the market acceptability of made-in-Nigeria products. Prof. Osinbajo stated this today at the opening session of the virtual “Open-Day with MSMEs” organised by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). According to him, “this is particularly important as we seek to expand our exports to the rest of Africa in the African Continental Free Trade…

The trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and three others for an alleged N8.5billion fraud before Justice Ayokunle Faaji of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos continued on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presenting its seventh witness. Akpobolokemi is standing trial alongside Major-General Emmanuel Atewe (rtd.), a former Commander of the Joint Military Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, and two other staff of the agency, Kime Engozu and Josphine Otuaga. They are standing trial on an amended 22-count charge bordering on…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Command today, November 16, 2021 presented its first witness in the alleged N24.6m fraud trial involving former chairman of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Professor John Ibu before Justice Abdu Dogo of the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State. Professor Ibu is being prosecuted alongside Chief Abukenchi Suleiman and his company, ADB Motors Venters Nigeria Limited on charges of conspiracy and obtaining N24, 650,000 (Twenty-Four Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only) by false pretence. They allegedly obtained the said sum from the Benue State University Teaching Hospital…

The ongoing trial of Abubakar Ali Peters and his company, Nadabo Energy Limited, for an alleged N1.4billion fraud, before Justice C.A. Balogun of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos continued on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, with the Court admitting in evidence all the documents tendered by the prosecution against the defendants. Abubakar and his company are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, for allegedly using forged documents to obtain N1,464,961,978.24 from the Federal Government as oil subsidy, after allegedly inflating the quantity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS purportedly imported and supplied by the company.…

The Senate has passed a bill seeking to provide legal framework for the administration of Nigeria’s territorial sea and offshore activities. The bill which scaled third reading is tagged: “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Exclusive Economic Zone Act 2004; and the Territorial Waters Act 2004 and Enact the Nigerian Maritime Zone Act to Provide for Maritime Zones in Nigeria.” The bill was sponsored by Senator George Thompson Sekibo (PDP, Rivers East). The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report on it by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. Chairman of the…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said the Buhari Administration remains committed to the revitalization and development of the mining sector while ensuring it attracts more local and foreign investments. Prof. Osinbajo explained this is because the mining sector is a critical part of the Buhari administration’s recent National Development Plan 2021-2025. The Vice President stated this today in his remarks delivered virtually at the opening of the 5th Annual Nigeria Mining Week Discourse Series, with the theme, “Top Seven Reasons to Invest in Nigeria’s Mining Sector.” “It is significant that within the space of a year, we have recorded…

The Senate on Tuesday resolved to intervene in the diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following disagreements between both countries. The decision to wade into the dispute was reached sequel to a point of order by the Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, during plenary. Abaribe, while relying on Orders 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules recalled that in December 2020, a memorandum of understanding was executed between Nigeria and the UAE to provide a platform for both countries to engage each other bilaterally. Giving insight into the circumstances surrounding the disagreement between both countries, the…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, says that the Nigerian economy is set for effective growth and job creation with a renewed focus on digital economy, significant value addition in agriculture, other sectors including oil & gas, while boosting productivity generally. There would also be specific attention to review trade policies that are rather too broad and expand the supply sides in revenues, foreign exchange, and electricity. The VP made these disclosures on Monday during a virtual interaction at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Country Strategy Dialogue on Nigeria. According to the Osinbajo, “the cornerstone of our strategy is boosting productivity…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command, on Monday, November 15, 2021 secured the conviction of seven internet fraudsters before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Ogun State. The convicts are Williams Ikechukwu Williams, Aizoba Opeyemi Stephen, Damilare Godwin Asore, Basit Oladeji Bamidele, Babajide Oluwapelumi Bolaji, Abayomi Stephen Aderohunmu and Oladokun Tobi Oladimeji. They were all convicted after pleading guilty to one count separate charges of fraudulently impersonating some foreigners, contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.…

Barcelona are “working silently” on a deal to lure Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah to the Nou Camp, with new boss Xavi wanting the 29-year-old “at all costs”. (El Nacional – in Catalan) Barca’s bid to sign England winger Raheem Sterling from Manchester City on loan in January “doesn’t look easy” because of their financial situation and the 26-year-old’s wages. (Sport – in Spanish) Newcastle United are keen on Monaco and France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, 21, who is also wanted by Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City as well as Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich. (El Nacional, via Sun)  Barca are also monitoring Cesar Azpilicueta’s situation at Chelsea. The Spain full-back, 32, is in…