Author: Opalim Lifted

A Kuje Magistrate Court has granted bail to a House of Representatives member for Aba North and South, Alex Ikwechegh, in the sum of N500,000 and two sureties in like sum. In a brief ruling, the Presiding Judge, Abubakar Sai’id, said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide utility bills as proof of evidence. The charges brought against him include abuse of office, assault, and threat to life. He pleaded not guilty when it was read to him. His counsel, thereafter, made an oral application for bail which was granted by the court. The case has been…

The Canadian government alleged that Indian Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was behind the plots to target Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. The Indian government did not immediately respond but has dismissed Canada’s prior accusations as baseless, denying any involvement. The Washington Post newspaper first reported that Canadian officials alleged Shah, considered the number two in the Modi government, was behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists in Canada. Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison said to a parliamentary panel on Tuesday that he told the US-based…

Nigeria’s Dangote oil refinery has a stockpile of 500 million litres of petrol, its billionaire founder said, countering claims by marketers who asserted they needed to supplement  his supplies with imports to meet fuel shortages. Chronicle reported that President Bola Tinubu had summoned oil regulators, the head of the state-owned NNPC, the finance minister, and Aliko Dangote to a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday. The purpose was to review a policy requiring NNPC to sell crude oil to the Dangote refinery in local naira currency in an effort to ease foreign exchange pressure and help the mega refinery secure enough…

Britain’s new Labour government unveils its first budget on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning of tax rises and public spending cuts as he focuses on long-term growth. The highly-anticipated fiscal update — the first under the centre-left government after 14 years of Conservative rule — is crucial to Starmer’s mission of firing up Britain’s economy. But to do that, Starmer said there will be a number of “tough decisions”. The government has confirmed that the budget will include tax rises, cuts to public spending and changes to fiscal rules to enable borrowing billions more to invest Finance minister…

Sporting boss Ruben Amorim says he has not yet made a decision about his future after Manchester United expressed an interest in appointing him manager. Sporting confirmed earlier on Tuesday that United had made an approach and are willing to pay Amorim’s 10m euros (£8.3m) release clause. Speaking after his side’s 3-1 Portuguese League Cup quarter-final win against Nacional on Tuesday evening, Amorim told Sport TV:, external “Nothing is decided yet. I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.” Then in a news conference he added: “There is interest from Manchester United, there is the payment of a…

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Implementation Committee on the naira-based sales of crude oil and refined products and asked the members to resolve any teething problems. In a review meeting on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, the President said using the Naira was conceived to remove the exchange rate hurdle. “Whatever solution we proffer in crude oil and refined products sales in Naira should not take us back to our experience in the last 40 years. “There can be cost and revenue adjustment in the oil sector, but the issue is that the government will not have to…

Barbara Bush, one of Republican former US president George W. Bush’s daughters, has endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in the razor-thin White House race and campaigned for her over the weekend, she told People magazine. Bush, 42, spent part of the weekend knocking on doors for the vice president’s campaign in Pennsylvania, considered one of the most crucial swing states that will decide the November election between Harris and Republican Donald Trump. “It was inspiring to join friends and meet voters with the Harris-Walz campaign in Pennsylvania this weekend,” she told People. “I’m hopeful they’ll move our country forward and protect…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned financial institutions against continuing disruption in online banking services across Nigeria. A statement by the commission’s Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello on Tuesday, said it was deeply concerned by the disruption which has hindered customers from accessing their funds, making payments, and carrying out essential transactions. “The disruptions have negatively impacted millions and have serious implications for individuals and businesses alike,” the statement partly said. According to the commission, service providers are required by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) to be transparent and communicate…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has picked Nov. 14 and 18 for Nigeria’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Republic of Benin and Rwanda. A statement on Tuesday by NFF, Match-day 5 clash with Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Nov. 14 will kick off at 8 p.m., Nigeria time. CAF has appointed Issa Sy from Senegal as the referee, his compatriots Djibril Camara, Nouha Bangoura and El Hadji Amadou Sy will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official, respectively. Rene Williams Sere…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday launched the 2025 Armed Forces of Nigeria Remembrance Day emblem and appeal fund. Launching the emblem at the Council Chamber in the State House in Abuja, the President commended the Armed forces for their role as the first line of defence in protecting the country. He commended the patriotic commitment of the Armed forces to Nigeria’s unity, stability and progress, stating that it would be impossible to promote peace and development without security. In his remarks, President Tinubu hailed the Nigerian armed forces for their dedication and sacrifice in securing the nation. He stressed the…