Author: Opalim Lifted

The trial of the former Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu, concerning the alleged misappropriation of N5.78 billion in public funds, resumed on Wednesday, 11th March 2024, before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin. During the hearing, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its second witness, Dr. Oladimeji Dasuki, a retired Permanent Secretary of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), who served from 2011 to 2020. Under the guidance of EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, Dasuki testified that the Kwara State Government, led by…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Abubakar Aseku, an assistant superintendent with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), for allegedly receiving salaries from two other government agencies while still in active service of the NIS. ICPC reaveled that Aseku fraudulently earned N4.2 million from the Nasarawa state ministry of education, science, and technology in 2015 while working as a school teacher, despite being on the payroll of the immigration service. The commission also alleged that between 2018 and 2019, he received an additional N13.4 million in salaries from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) while…

Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former senator and ex-federal minister, has stated that a woman would need at least 50 billion naira to compete for a senatorial seat in Nigeria.  Ogunlewe, who represented Lagos East in the Senate from 1999 to 2003 and served as Minister of Works under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2003 to 2006, made these remarks during a recent interview. Beauty a Hindrance in Male-Dominated Senate, Says Ogunlewe   Ogunlewe also commented on the ongoing controversy involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, recently accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances towards her. This…

Victor Osimhen said Nigeria will be driven by desperation in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month as they look to avoid missing out on a second successive edition of the finals. The Super Eagles of Nigeria have made a winless start in Group C, drawing three of their first four games, with striker Osimhen absent through injury. The West Africans endured what the 26-year-old described as a “heartbreaking disappointment” three years ago when fierce rivals Ghana progressed from a play-off and reached Qatar 2022 at their expense. “It’s a dream of every footballer to play at the World Cup…

Habeeb Okikiola, the Nigerian singer better known as Portable, has signed a new artiste to Zeh Nation, his record label. Portable unveiled the fast-rising singer identified as Gospel Kanu in a recent Instagram post. The ‘Zazoo Zeh’ hitmaker described Kanu as Young Odumodu, who looks up to rapper Odumodublvck as his mentor. During the unveiling, Portable asked Kanu to showcase his rap skills and encouraged the public to follow him on social media. He also revealed that Kanu was among nine boys recently arrested by the Ogun state police at his bar. “Do not regret. I have never regretted my…

Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez had a penalty dramatically ruled out in the shootout as Real Madrid edged out their city rivals to reach the quarter-finals. They will face Arsenal in the last eight, having kept alive their hopes of winning a record-extending 16th Champions League trophy. Neither side could find a winning goal before the end of extra time after Conor Gallagher’s strike – just 27 seconds into the game – had levelled the tie on aggregate after Real Madrid’s 2-1 first-leg win. That meant penalties were needed to determine the outcome and, after the first three had been converted,…

Aston Villa completed a comfortable passage into a Champions League quarter-final with Paris St-Germain after cruising to victory against Club Brugge at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s side were in prime position as they protected a 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Belgium, putting the tie out of the reach of the visitors following the half-time introduction of on-loan talisman Marco Asensio. A risk-free first 45 minutes was only notable for Club Brugge defender Kyriani Sabbe’s 16th-minute red card for hauling back Marcus Rashford as he chased keeper Emiliano Martinez’s long clearance. Asensio, outstanding since his arrival from PSG, secured…

Arsenal completed a resounding 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven to set up a mouthwatering Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. Holders Real beat capital rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties – and Arsenal will likely have to find top gear against the Spanish giants in the last eight after cruising past their Dutch opponents. Leading 7-1 from the first leg in the Netherlands, the Gunners took the opportunity to make wholesale changes to their starting XI. While there were also huge swathes of empty seats around a subdued Emirates Stadium, those in attendance were treated to a sumptuous opening goal…

An American dog owner was shot by his pet after it jumped on his bed and set off a loaded gun, police said Wednesday. The man, from Memphis, Tennessee, was asleep beside his female partner when he was shot early Monday morning, escaping with a graze to his left thigh that was treated in hospital. A year-old pit bull named Oreo — “got his paw stuck in the trigger guard and ended up hitting the trigger,” a police incident report said. It did not specify the type of weapon fired, and recorded the incident as “accidental injury.” While gun violence…

A meeting between President Bola Tinubu, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, Deputy speaker Mojisola Meranda and members of Lagos House of Assembly is currently underway at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Speaker Obasa, arrived at 2:50 pm, joining his colleagues who had arrived earlier in two coaster buses. This meeting is aimed at resolving the recent leadership crisis in the State House of Assembly, which led to his impeachment and subsequent reinstatement after intervention from political leaders and the Governing Advisory Council (GAC). Despite his reinstatement, tensions remain among lawmakers. Recently, he filed a corruption case against former speaker, Meranda. Purchase of N5bn…