President-elect Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria eight days to his inauguration as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of The Federal Republic of Nigeria. The incoming president returned to the country on Saturday after a week in Europe. His latest trip had raised eyebrow, with some reports saying that he was battling an undisclosed ailment. But Tunde Rahman, his spokesman, had said he went abroad to rest ahead of his inauguration on May 29. While abroad, Tinubu met with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Presidential Candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), and former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi. The meeting had generated tension, with some Kano APC chieftains threatening to withdraw support for the president-elect if he implements one of the decisions arrived at in France. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano had also expressed reservations over the meeting as was heard in a leaked audio conversation. But Ganduje was among the dignitaries who went to the Abuja airport to welcome Tinubu back home. Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Vice-President-elect Kashim Shettima, and GodswillAkpabio, anointed candidate for president of the 10th senate, were among those who welcomed Tinubu. The president-elect returned amid the storm generated by the endorsement of some lawmakers as leaders of the 10th National Assembly. During a protest by aggrieves aspirants, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, National Chairman of the APC, had said the National Assembly leadership list would be reviewed, but the action was not taken in Tinubu’s absence.

  The Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Tony Mwaba Kazadi has impregnated his Deputy Minister, Aminata Namasia, saying it was “accidental”. Tony and Aminata have reportedly been working together for some time, which led to both of them developing feelings for each other, despite both being married. A DRC journalist, Lungila John had taken to the Twitter to reveal the affair between both officials that have resulted into pregnancy. The duo have come under heavy criticisms by citizens of DRC, as they have been accused of portraying bad conduct and demonstrating lack of morals in the country. Archy Lema, a citizen of DRC and a Twitter user said, DRC is a country of shame. She said Aminata has no education to give to any young lady in the country. Another citizen of DRC said if politicians in the country, especially Tony and Aminata wanted to be referred to as “excellencies” or “honorables”, their conducts should have been more excellent and honorable, especially since they are very popular and wealthy unlike other Congolese people. Aminata Namasia, was on April 12, 2021, appointed National Deputy Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education in the Democratic Republic Of Congo under Jean-michel Sama Lukonde’s cabinet.

  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara to provide evidence that Abdulrasheed Bawa, chairperson of the agency, demanded $2 million from him. Matawalle had alleged in an interview he granted to the BBC Hausa that Bawa had asked for $2 million from him. Speaking with BBC Hausa on Thursday, Bawa asked Matawalle, to report any governor who has committed financial crimes to the EFCC. On Wednesday, the Zamfara governor asked the EFCC chairman to ensure that the agency’s probe did not target only outgoing governors but also officials in the presidency.   Matawalle said the planned investigation by the EFCC “must be holistic and not selective”. Reacting to Matawalle’s comments, the anti-graft agency disclosed that it was probing the governor for allegedly diverting N70 billion meant for contracts in the state. However, reacting to the allegation by the governor in a statement on Friday, Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesperson, said Matawalle should go beyond the allegation by providing “concrete evidence as proof”.   “If Matawalle will be taken seriously, he should go beyond sabre-rattling by spilling the beans-provide concrete evidence as proof of his allegations,” the statement reads. “Again, the commission wishes to alert the public about plans by some of the alleged corrupt politically exposed persons to flee the country ahead of May 29. The commission is working in close collaboration with its international partners to frustrate these escape plans and bring those involved to justice.”

  Seun Kuti, the embattled Afrobeat singer and son of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is being remanded at the State Criminal, Investigations and Intelligence Department, SCIID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos on the orders of Yaba Chief Magistrate Court for assaulting a police officer has been crowned the ‘General Overseer’ of his cell by the inmates. A copy of the Holy Bible was said to have been handed over to him as an instrument of his office. His appointment as the GO was however not without some drama after the inmates initially rejected him. In a video that went viral, Seun was accused of slapping a police officer on the Third Mainland bridge on May 13 which prompted an order for his arrest by the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba. Seun however submitted himself to the police accompanied by his lawyers on Monday and was arraigned at a Sabo, Yaba Chief Magistrate Court on Tuesday which ordered his remand. Saturday Vanguard gathered that after preliminary interrogations were concluded, Seun was then taken to the cell to join other suspected criminals. It was learned that his first shocker was the hoarse, deep baritone voice of the leader of the inmates who directed him to keep standing. A few minutes later, a crisis erupted inside the cell as the inmates were said to have rejected him. The inmates were banging on their metal protective door, asking that Seun should be taken out of the cell. Sources said as the uproar by the inmates escalated, Seun started negotiating for peace to reign. That was when he noticed that the commotion his presence caused and his rejection by the inmates attracted little or no attention from the police guards. Doled out N25, 000 At that stage, he reportedly promised to dole out N25,000 to them and he was directed to produce it without delay. He had to beg for the phone to call his wife who quickly brought the money which was handed over to their leader. The inmates subsequently accepted him (Seun) and provided a space for him to sit down. Vanguard also gathered that Seun was so infuriated by the ugly development that played out that he refused to eat the food provided for him including the food brought by his wife. The hunger strike continued for almost a day and a half until he finally started eating. The climax of the drama was that the inmates later crowned him the General Overseer of the cell and a bible was handed over to him. That means that he is presently leading the inmates in prayer sessions whenever the need arises after which they would all chorus: GO, GO. When Vanguard visited the Department at Panti around 2:30 pm, yesterday, Seun was seen clutching the Bible tightly with his left hand while climbing the stairs leading to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge, Waheed Ayilara. He was later led down the stairs, back into the cell. Sources said those who have visited the embattled singer included his elder brother, Femi, and other family members as well as his lawyers and some friends. Seun not paraded — Police The Police have described as untrue insinuation by Seun’s defence counsel that he (Seun) was paraded, urging him to desist from engaging in media trial and allow the judicial process to take its full course. The clarification, according to the Police, became imperative following what was described as a misinterpretation of facts in the matter at hand, being circulated in social media. A statement by the Head of Chambers for the Nigeria Police, DCP Simon Lough, SAN, said: “Seun Kuti was not paraded as erroneously alleged by his lawyers. It was his photograph, fingerprints, name and address that were taken as provided for in the law. It has become imperative to correct some misrepresentations being circulated on social media solely to garner sympathy from the public and to divert attention from the fact issue. First of all, there is no law that prohibits the use of handcuffs to restrain a suspect, especially a suspect that has shown a tendency to violence. Secondly, section 10(4) of Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State allows the taking of photographs of suspects arrested for identification and record purpose”. Meanwhile, the Chief Magistrate Court, Sabo, Yaba has granted an application for an extension of Seun Kuti’s remand for additional four days to allow further investigation into the case. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Olatubosun, extended Kuti’s remand until May 22 following an application moved by Mr Simon Lough, SAN, who led a police legal team to the court.

  Russia on Friday said it banned entry to 500 Americans, including former president Barack Obama, in response to sanctions imposed by Washington. “In response to the anti-Russian sanctions regularly imposed by the Biden administration… entry into the Russian Federation is closed for 500 Americans,” the foreign ministry said, adding that Obama was among those on the list. On Friday, the United States added hundreds more companies and individuals to its sanctions blacklist as it broadened efforts to choke off Russia’s economy over the Ukraine offensive. “Washington should have learned a long time ago that not a single hostile step against Russia will be left unanswered,” the foreign ministry said. Among those listed were television hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers. CNN anchor Erin Burnett and MSNBC presenters Rachel Maddow and Joe Scarborough were also included. Russia said it blacklisted senators, congressmen and members of think tanks “involved in the spread of Russophobic attitudes and fakes” and the heads of companies that “supply weapons to Ukraine.” In the same statement Russia said it had denied consular visit to detained US journalist Evan Gershkovich, arrested in March on claims of spying.   The refusal was triggered by a refusal from Washington to issue visas to journalists travelling to the United Nations with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in April. AFP

  Saturday 20 May 2023 Despite opposing Tinubu’s election, I’ll pray for him as President – Bode George We enjoyed life, education in Sudan before the war– Returnees President, wife, son spent over 250 days abroad for treatment 300 scientists migrated to UK – Association Labour Party: Court Nullifies Candidature Of Alex Otti, Others In Abia, Kano Moscow Bans Obama, 499 Other Americans From Entering Russia Court Lifts Suspension Order On Abure, Other LP Officers No Cause For Alarm, Otti Tells Supporters After Court Judgement Buhari Appoints Oluwatoyin Madein As Nigeria’s Accountant-General National Assembly: We’ve Approved Buhari’s $800m Loan Request – Ahmad No Need For Nigerian Presidents To Seek Medical Treatment Abroad – Aisha Buhari US Mission Confirms Rescue Of Two Workers In Anambra Attack NDLEA Raids Drug Joints Nationwide, Arrests 534 Ahead Of May 29 Inauguration EFCC Secures Conviction Of Three For N1.5bn Fraud In Lagos Insecurity: 63, 111 persons killed in Buhari’s eight years Revamp education, halt ‘Japa Syndrome’ to prevent total collapse — ASUU NYSC DG lied on Mbah’s certificate, says PDP $2m bribe allegation: EFCC dares Matawalle to provide evidence Buhari, Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, others eulogise business mogul, Balogun Insecurity: How Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa remain killing fields PENGASSAN seeks Buhari’s assent to Energy Commission Bill before handover Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…