Author: Chronicle Editor

A Federal High Court in Lagos State has discharged and acquitted Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North) of a N322 million money laundering charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, held on Friday that the EFCC failed to prove the elements of the offences for which it charged Nwaoboshi. Aneke also discharged Nwaoboshi’s two companies – Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd – on the same ground. He held, among others, that the prosecution’s case collapsed because “bank officials were not called to testify.” EFCC to prosecute Orji Uzor…

No fewer than three persons have been confirmed killed in a gas tanker explosion at Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, opposite Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja Lagos State. Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, a spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the incident. The incident occurred on Thursday night after a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker exploded at Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, affecting a plaza housing dozens of organisations. “The latest is that we just recovered three dead bodies this morning, which was beyond our expectation,” said Farinloye while giving an update on the incident. He added, “Yesterday, we made a…

The Police Command in Ekiti State, on Thursday, said it has arrested a 65-year-old man, Durodola Ogundele for allegedly raping his stepmother twice. Mr Sunday Abutu, the command’s Spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement in Ado-Ekiti. According to Abutu, Ogundele was arrested on Wednesday by the Ido-Osi Divisional Headquarters of the command after committing the act. He reported that the suspect had, on June 15, allegedly had canal knowledge of his 85-year-old stepmother in her room. Abutu explained that Ogundele is a son to the victim’s late husband. Baba Ijesha pleads not guilty to sexual assault charge, court denies him…

Neymar moved to within nine goals of Pele’s all-time scoring record as Brazil eased past Peru to earn a second win at the Copa America. The hosts led early on when Juventus’ Alex Sandro fired in from six yards. After half-time, Neymar notched his 68th goal for his country; Pele later saying he was “rooting” for the Paris St-Germain striker to break his record. Substitutes Everton Ribeiro and Richarlison added late goals to send Brazil top of Group B with two wins. Brazil manager Tite has now seen his side score seven goals without reply following their opening 3-0 win…

A coalition of 75 Northern groups under the aegis of Northern Consensus Movement on Thursday announced a reward of N100 million for persons who can produce leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for continuation of his trial for alleged treason. The groups, who disclosed this while briefing reporters in Abuja, accused Kanu and the Eastern Security Network (IPOB’s militia wing) of masterminding the recent spate of attacks on Northern communities in the Southeast via what they called ‘hate speech’. Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, Dr. Awwal Aliyu urged the United States of America, the…

The US Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a bid by Republican-led states to overturn Obamacare, safeguarding the health insurance of millions with the coronavirus pandemic still a threat in much of America. In a 7-2 decision, the nation’s highest court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA), former president Barack Obama’s signature health care program, ruling that Texas and the other 17 states did not have standing in the case. President Joe Biden, who was Obama’s vice president when the ACA was enacted, called the court ruling “a big win for the American people.” “With millions of people relying on the…

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, on Thursday said he is more at ease when visiting Maiduguri than Abuja, the nation’s capital. Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, has been the epicenter of Nigeria’s insurgency war in the North-East. The war has raged on for over a decade. Senator Ndume, while speaking on Channels TV, said the insurgents have been kept away from the city and can only attack soft targets in other areas of Borno State. “I live in Abuja and also live in Maiduguri,” he said. “Once I come to Maiduguri, I feel safer than…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned the federal government to keep its borrowing from the Central Bank of Nigeria within legal limits. The IMF gave the caution in a statement issued at the end of its staff visit to Nigeria. The mission led by Ms. Jesmin Rahman urged the authorities to keep reliance on CBN overdrafts for deficit financing within legal limits. The IMF advised the government to moderate its borrowing from the CBN as well as strengthen budget planning and public finance management practices to allow for flexible financing from domestic markets and better integration of cash and…

Nigeria’s undisputed queen of the track, Blessing Okagbare has raced to victory in the women’s 100m events on the opening day of the 2021 National Olympic Games trial in Lagos. Okagbare an Olympics, World, and Commonwealth Games medalist finished in 10.62 seconds finish to win the women’s 100m title and her eighth National title in the event. With the win, she pushed aside Endurance Ojokolo to become the second most decorated sprinter in the blue ribband race after Mary Onyali who won 11 titles. US-based athlete, Rosemary Chukwuma finished second in 11.07 while National Sports Festival winner, Grace Nwokocha finished…

*VP Osinbajo inaugurates 26-member National Road Safety Advisory Council As judicial panels set up by State Governors to resolve issues of police brutality and related concerns across the country round up their assignments, the National Economic Council (NEC) is set to convene a special session to review reports of the panels that have now started coming to the Council. This is among resolutions and conclusions reached today at the Council’s 117th meeting held virtually and presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN with State governors, federal ministers, the Central Bank Governor and other top government officials in attendance. It…