Author: David Great

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, have apprehended five individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities. The suspects were allegedly involved in the extraction and transportation of ilmenite without proper authorisation. The anti-graft agency, in a statement released on its official X handle on Friday, identified the suspects as Samuel Akwa, Willie Uboko, Muhammed Tukur, Salmannu Ibrahim, and Jaafar Adam. The EFCC revealed that the suspects were caught while transporting 1,200 bags of ilmenite in a truck without legal clearance. “At the time of their arrest, the suspects were said to be conveying…

Veteran Nollywood actor, Olusegun Akinremi, popularly known as Chief Kanran, has passed away at the age of 70. The news was confirmed on Friday by movie executive and producer, Seun Oloketuyi, who announced via Instagram that the actor died earlier in the day. He wrote, “Popular actor Segun Remi popularly known as Chief Kanran died Friday morning. Details soon.” Chief Kanran was a celebrated figure in the Yoruba film industry, admired for his unique style, refined elegance, taste for luxury, sharp humour, and powerful performances that graced stage plays and films for decades. In a 2020 interview with PUNCH, the…

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has refuted claims that a Canadian court declared the party a terrorist organisation. In a statement issued on Friday, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, clarified that the court made no pronouncement on terrorism in its ruling. This followed reports from some media outlets on Thursday — excluding The PUNCH — alleging that the Canadian court had declared both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as terrorist organisations. APC urged its members, supporters, and Nigerians at large to disregard the reports, describing them as false and misleading. The ruling party stated, *“We wish…

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has hinted that goalkeeper Andre Onana and new striker Benjamin Sesko could be available for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal. Onana has been sidelined since the first week of pre-season with a hamstring injury, but Amorim says the Cameroon international is in contention. “Josh (Zirkzee) and Andre (Onana) are recovering and are options. We’ll see. “We cannot change everything in four weeks, but we are better. We are training harder and are more prepared to cope with the demands of the game. I’m really more confident, that is clear. Step by step, we will…

When Liverpool host Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday night, it won’t just mark the start of a new Premier League season — it will be the first opportunity for home supporters to watch their side defend the title under Arne Slot. The reigning champions arrive with history firmly on their side, while Bournemouth will be aiming to overturn years of struggle in this fixture. Slot could again unleash all of his new signings — Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike — just as he did in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace. For the visitors, it’s about…

Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has thrown his weight behind plans to construct 3,400 homes in the sensitive E1 area of the occupied West Bank, urging the annexation of the territory in defiance of international objections. The announcement comes as several countries, including Britain and France, prepare to recognise a Palestinian state later this year. In a statement at a pro-settlement event, Smotrich declared, “Those who want to recognise a Palestinian state today will receive a response from us on the ground… Through concrete actions: houses, neighbourhoods, roads and Jewish families building their lives.” He further urged Prime Minister Benjamin…

The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has issued a strong rebuttal to comments made by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo regarding the life and ministry of its first General Evangelist, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola. In a statement signed by Pastor Ade Alawode, Director of Publicity, CAC, the church said it was “necessary to address your recent statements… for the following three reasons: Scriptural Justification… Clarification of Truth… Defense of Legacy.” The statement was in response to Fatoyinbo’s viral message in which he reportedly acknowledged that Apostle Babalola was highly anointed but “had no money” and went on to ask sarcastically, “Where are his…

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has praised President Bola Tinubu for efforts aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s economy, describing reforms under his administration as “moving in the right direction.” Speaking to State House correspondents on Thursday after a courtesy visit to the President, Okonjo-Iweala revealed that their discussions focused on the launch of a major initiative to support Nigerian women in the digital export economy. “We came to brief Mr. President about something very joyful that we did today with the help of the First Lady – the launch of the Women Exporters Fund for the Digital…

The National Pension Commission, PenCom, has urged the Federal Government to increase its pension contribution for police officers from the current 10 per cent to 20 per cent. In a statement released on Thursday, PenCom disclosed that its Director-General, Omolola Oloworaran, made the appeal during a visit to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. The meeting came in the wake of protests by retired police officers over poor welfare and demands to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS. As part of its reform proposals, PenCom is advocating the introduction of a Health Insurance Scheme…

Nigeria has approved a phased plan to refinance 4 trillion naira ($2.61 billion) in electricity sector debt to help stabilise the nation’s ailing power industry and improve supply, its finance minister said. The debt, primarily owed to 27 power generation companies for outstanding invoices between 2015 and 2023, has stifled investment in the industry and exacerbated chronic power outages in Africa’s most populous nation. President Bola Tinubu vowed to settle the claims following a recent verification. He approved the plan on Wednesday. Speaking after a cabinet meeting in the capital Abuja, finance minister Olawale Edun said the refinancing would be…