Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) stated that the country was moving closer to being removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list. Nigeria was added to the FATF Grey List on February 24, 2023, as a result of increased cash inflows and weaknesses in countering money laundering, terrorism, and arms financing. However, in a statement issued on Friday, NFIU spokeswoman Sani Tukur claimed Nigeria had fulfilled 30% of the Action Plan developed as part of the listing process. The statement read, “The Financial Action Task Force has approved Nigeria’s third progress report since the country was added to…

Two police officers were killed and one injured after unknown gunmen attacked their checkpoint in Aba. This comes just one month after unidentified gunmen stormed a military roadblock at Obikabia Junction, killing five troops and burning their patrol vans. The incident, which occurred near the Opobo intersection on Ikot Ekpene Road in Ogbor Hill, sparked panic as street traders, vehicles, and shop owners fled to safety. Several food products belonging to street sellers, including rice, beans, garri, pork, and vegetables, were scattered down the road as they fled. A few minutes later, numerous patrol teams of officers rushed the area…

Senator Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna congressman, has cautioned northern leaders to abandon their plans to topple President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. Sani warned that such a move could damage the country’s unity. Sani delivered the warning during an appearance with Arise Television. Instead of attempting to obtain greater political power, the former legislator advised northern leaders to participate in the Tinubu administration’s initiatives and programmes that will benefit Nigeria’s northern region. Sani said, “There is evidence of the rallying of forces. A regrouping of forces political from the north is trying to use former President Buhari…

Tobi Amusan, Nigeria’s 100-metre hurdles world record holder, has been authorised to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.  The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) dismissed appeals made by World Athletics (WA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenging the decision to clear her of a doping conviction. In July 2023, WA charged Amusan with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under Rule 2.4 WA ADR for three alleged whereabouts failures in a 12-month period. Meanwhile, Amusan appealed the verdict, and in August 2023, the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal (WADT) determined that Amusan did not break Rule 2.4 of the WA…

No fewer than 14 worshippers have been killed in Imawa town, within Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, by a moving truck that lost control. According to reports, the incident occurred on the highway when a truck collided with worshippers returning from Juma’at following the two rakat Friday prayers. CC Ibrahim Abdullahi, Kano Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, confirmed the incident to journalists and stated that several other worshippers were injured. According to a statement issued by his spokeswoman, CRC Abdullahi Labaran, the Sector Commander, preliminary indications indicate that the truck holding registration number Reg No.…

President Bola Tinubu appointed eight new permanent secretaries on Friday to fill current and upcoming vacancies in the federal public service’s highest administrative cadre in various states and geopolitical zones.  Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said this in a statement on Friday headed ‘President Tinubu appoints eight new permanent secretaries.’ “The new Federal Permanent Secretaries were appointed after a diligent selection process by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation,” said Ngelale. They are Dr. Emanso Okop (Akwa-Ibom), Obi Vitalis (Anambra), Mahmood Tabi’a (Bauchi), and Danjuma Sanusi (Jigawa). Others…

The Edo State Police Command has announced the arrest of the suspected killer of a graduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Glory Adekolure. The victim was reported to have gone to school (UNIBEN) for her final clearance on June 13, 2024, but her remains were found under a tree on a street in the Iyowa Community of Benin City, the Edo State capital. However, fifteen days after Miss Adekolure’s death, the Edo State Police Command said the suspect was apprehended in Delta State. In an interview with Channels Television on Friday, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye,…

Two people were confirmed dead, and 16 people apparently survived the recent cholera outbreak in portions of Rivers State.  Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, the state’s Commissioner for Health, confirmed this in a press statement signed by her in Port Harcourt on Thursday, stating that there were no cases of cholera in the state at the time. Oreh revealed that the incidence occurred in three communities inside the Andoni Local Government Area and that the two victims died from cholera-like symptoms. The health commissioner added that all of the cases were reported within the last four weeks, while the ailment was…

Francis Ogwu, a 65-year-old pastor, has been handed over to police after allegedly defiling his seven-year-old domestic help.  Ogwu, the culprit, was detained after worried community residents raised an alarm. Miss Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, media aide to the Anambra Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, said this in a statement to journalists in Awka on Thursday. The suspect, a pastor and general overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church in Awka, is from Imo State. He has resided in Anambra with his wife and children for more than 30 years. Ogwu confessed to the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare,…

The late Nollywood actor John Okafor, also known as Mr Ibu, will be laid to rest on Friday, June 28, in his birthplace of Amuri, Nkanu West Local Government Area, Enugu State.  On Friday, videos circulated on social media showing the arrival of his body as relatives, friends, and colleagues gathered to say their final goodbyes. On Wednesday, he was honoured with a night of tribute in Enugu State, with fellow actors Charles Anwurum and Victor Osuagwu among those who paid their final respects. Earlier this month, the Actors Guild of Nigeria staged a candlelight march to pay tribute to…