Author: Chronicle Editor

The trial of the deputy speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, (BSHA), Christopher Adaji and the clerk of the House, Torese Agena for alleged fraud continued on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 before Justice S. O. Itodo of the Benue State High Court, Makurdi. The two are being prosecuted by the Makurdi Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a two-count charge of abuse of office and criminal misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N5,040,950 (Five Million, Forty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fifty Naira), to which they pleaded, “not guilty.” At today’s sitting, prosecution…

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu as Resident Electoral Commissioner representing Abia State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The confirmation of the nominee followed consideration of a report during plenary on the screening exercise conducted by the Senate Committee on INEC. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya (APC – Kano South) in his presentation recalled that the request by President Muhammadu Buhari seeking Chukwu’s confirmation was made pursuant to the provision of Section 154(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). IPPIS: Senate leadership meets ASUU, FG over strike…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday said there was nothing wrong in the appointment of Lauretta Onochie, a media aide of President Muhammadu Buhari, as a Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The appointment has generated widespread criticisms from Nigerians who believed that it is partisan and unconstitutional. Yekini Nabena, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC said the party will not succumb to the cheap blackmail orchestrated by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Nabena who gave instances of PDP men who are currently in INEC said what is good for the PDP is also good…

The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, arrested nine men, suspected to be internet fraudsters in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The suspects, whose ages range between 21 and 31 are: Tobi Idowu; Gbeminiyi Samuel; Adekunle Gafar; Wusu Taiwo; Agbabaidan Idris; Olaiya Olamide; Adediran Rotimi; Ikegbuka Junior and Ridwan Garuba. They were arrested during an early morning raid on their hideout at Aaya Camp, Ibadan, following sustained surveillance and intelligence on suspected cyber crime activities in the spot. EFCC urges court to dismiss Mompha’s no-case submission Items recovered from them include two…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has urged Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos to dismiss the no-case submission filed by a suspected internet fraudster, Ismail Mustapha, alias Mompha, who is standing trial over an alleged N32.9 billion fraud. He was re-arraigned on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 alongside his company, Ismalob Ventures, on an amended 22-count charge of fraud. At the resumed sitting today, October 14, 2020, Mompha, through his lawyer, Gbenga Oyewole, SAN, filed a no-case submission, after the prosecution had closed its case at the last sitting. Oyewole, in urging the…

There was pandemonium in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja on Wednesday as #EndSARS protesters were attacked by ProSARS group. Several persons were injured and vehicles vandalised as the invasion of the new groups led to a clash at the popular Berger roundabout in Abuja. It was chaos as people scampered for safety and tried to defend themselves as the invading groups attacked the protesters with sticks and machetes, destroying vehicles and anything on their path. Lawan: Nigerians right to protest SARS brutality, killings The situation held up vehicular traffic and business activity across the nation’s capital. Armed policemen and…

The Senate on Wednesday directed its Committees on Petroleum Downstream, Gas Resources to investigate the remote and immediate causes of gas tanker explosions in parts of the country, with a view to preventing a reoccurrence and report back in two weeks. The resolution was reached sequel to the consideration of a motion brought to the floor by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeolu (APC – Lagos West). Coming under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rule, the lawmaker noted that on September 24, 2020, a massive gas explosion occurred at Cele Bus Stop, Iju-Ishaga in Ifako-Ijaiye LGA, Lagos State. According…

Spain were made to pay for a host of wasted chances as Ukraine inflicted their first defeat in nearly two years. Leeds forward Rodrigo spurned two headed chances as Ukraine goalkeeper Georgi Bushchan continually frustrated the former world champions in the stadium where they won Euro 2012. Spain had 21 shots in total but Ukraine needed just one to score in Kiev. Substitute Viktor Tsygankov ran on to West Ham forward Andriy Yarmolenko’s pass to beat David de Gea. The Manchester United goalkeeper was caught out of position on the counter-attack as Luis Enrique’s side lost for the first time…

Eddie Nketiah became England Under-21s’ leading goalscorer as they beat Turkey at Molineux to book their place at next year’s European Championship. Nketiah missed an 84th-minute penalty but coolly clipped in a record 14th goal at this level four minutes later. England went ahead through Huseyin Turkmen’s own goal, deflecting Ryan Sessegnon’s cross into his net. Aaron Ramsdale kept out Halil Dervisoglu’s penalty, but the Turkey striker netted a consolation late on. Unbeaten England’s qualifying campaign has been exceptional, as they have won seven of their eight games, with their only blemish coming in a surprise 3-3 draw at minnows…

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said Nigerians acted within their rights to protest the killings of, and brutality meted against citizens by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) across the country. Lawan stated this in his concluding remarks on a matter of personal explanation into the murder of Jimoh Isiaka by the Police, and attack on the Palace of Soun of Ogbomoso Land during the recent #EndSARS protest in some states across the country. Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (APC – Oyo North), while coming under Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules, noted with grief “the death of Jimoh Isiaka…