Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Nigerian Army has released Fisayo Soyombo, an investigative journalist with the foundation for investigative journalism (FIJ). Abimbola Ojenike, one of Soyombo’s lawyers, confirmed to our correspondent in a telephone interview that he was released shortly after 7 p.m. “He has just been released some minutes ago, and we are trying to find our way out of the cantonment. He is now free and has been released to his lawyers. Technically, this means that if his attention is required, his lawyers will have to produce him, but it is not a standard bail process,” Ojenike explained. In a statement on…

Music producer Oluwole Michael, professionally known as Maye, has launched a lawsuit against Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi Egbu, also known as Sinach. The lawsuit claims copyright infringement for her successful song, Way Maker, which was published in 2016. In the complaint, Maye claims to be a co-author and co-owner of the song. He is seeking N5 billion in damages for the claimed infringement of his rights, as well as recognition of his portion of the track’s earnings. Maye claims that he played an important role in the production process, working as a studio engineer and mixing, recording, and mastering the…

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has voiced deep concern about the proposed tax reform bill, warning that it might have disastrous effects for the northern area and other regions of the country. In an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday, Zulum attacked the bill’s rapid passage through the parliamentary process, comparing it to the Petroleum Industry Bill, which took nearly two decades to pass. Zulum said, “Why the rush? The Petroleum Industry Bill took almost 20 years before it was finally passed. But this tax reform bill is being transmitted and receiving legislative attention within a week. It should be…

Sen. Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved automatic employment for first-class graduates from any Nigerian or foreign university into the state Civil and Public Service as part of measures to improve the system’s workforce quality.  Anthony Okungbowa, the state’s Head of Service, revealed this in a statement issued on Friday, explaining that the Graduate Development Programme strives to integrate top-tier talent into the system to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. Okungbowa stated, “The governor has approved this initiative to motivate workers and encourage them to give their best. The Graduate Development Programme is designed to bring together…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has threatened to impose sanctions on erring players in the financial sector over cash scarcity at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, made the statement on Friday at the annual Bankers’ Dinner hosted by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria in Lagos. Recently, there have been reports of cash scarcity at banks, both at ATMs and at the counter. Cardoso stated, “We also recognise the ongoing challenges with cash availability at ATMs, which disproportionately affect ordinary Nigerians. “To address this, we are conducting spot checks across the Deposit Money banks,…

The candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has expressed his delight at the reappointment of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation for a second term. The WTO General Council confirmed her tenure, which begins on September 1, 2025. Obi lauded Okonjo-Iweala as a symbol of greatness and an inspiration to Nigerians and the international community in a statement released on Friday through X. He praised her for her major contributions to Nigeria’s growth and impressive track record on the world scene. “I am sincerely delighted at the reappointment of…

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Coordinating s for the Economy and Minister of Finance, on her reelection as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  This was revealed in a statement on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President for Information and Strategy. According to the statement, Tinubu is delighted that Okonjo-Iweala has been unanimously appointed to a second four-year term, demonstrating the international community’s faith and confidence in her leadership to advance multilateral trade for sustainable global development. Okonjo-Iweala reappointed WTO Director-General Tinubu expressed assurance that her continuing leadership will cement the international economic…

Two phone thieves suspected to be cultists were set ablaze by an angry mob on Friday in Jos, Plateau State. The incident occurred in the morning in the Kabong area of Jos North Local Government Area. According to eyewitnesses, the suspects used weapons to attack pedestrians and drivers before robbing them of phones and other valuables. Angered by the occurrence, onlookers pursued the culprits, and while some were able to flee, two were apprehended and set on fire by the mob. Mob beats soldier over killing of NSCDC officer Matthew Ignatius, a resident of the Kabong community, confirmed the incident…

The excitement surrounding the resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt Refining Company on Tuesday may have faded, leaving many Nigerians with unfulfilled hopes and expectations. A Saturday PUNCH visit to the refinery on Friday revealed that there was no activity on site, with some personnel telling our correspondent that the facility was undergoing calibration, which might go till next week. The Port Harcourt Refinery has encountered several delays and missed deadlines for resuming operations. Melee Kyari, Group CEO of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, opened the new facility at the refinery’s Area 5 terminal on Tuesday. It was claimed…

Pastor Patience Umo, the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, has arrived in Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, for her funeral service.  The Akwa Ibom State Government declared Friday a work-free day in memory of the departed. Mrs. Umo, 57 years old, died after a brief illness in an undisclosed hospital on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Her death was announced in a statement on Thursday signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, Honourable Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State. The statement partly reads, The statement reads, ”It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the…