Thursday 18 April 2024 PDP govs warn against illegality as NEC meets today Heavy punishment awaits persons threatening Nigeria’s unity – Tinubu Policemen, Kogi gov foil EFCC attempt to arrest Yahaya Bello Driver flees scene after allegedly killing Osun poly student Alleged ₦84bn Theft: No Court Can Prevent EFCC From Prosecuting Yahaya Bello — Falana Alleged N80.2bn Money Laundering: EFCC To Arraign Yahaya Bello On Thursday Tinubu Reads The Riot Act To Terrorists, Bandits, Says They’ll Be Defeated Court Fixes May 20 To Rule On Nnamdi Kanu’s Application Seeking Transfer From DSS Custody Ganduje’s Trial Stalled Over Inability To Serve Criminal Charges Cubana Chief Priest Pleads Not Guilty, Granted ₦10m Bail CBN not using foreign reserves to defend Naira — Cardoso FCCPC deploys operators to market over rising prices on food stuff Again, Reps reschedules resumption date to April 30 Obi to FG: Set up task force to address reoccurring national grid collapse El-Rufai’s Probe: We Won’t Be Intimidated By Your Threat, Kaduna Speaker Tells Ex-Gov’s Son FG ready to partner PETAN for oil, gas sector’s development — Minister Tinubu directs Education Ministry to include NOUN graduates into NYSC PDP NEC will not change party leadership — Governors Oyo demolishes Yoruba Nation agitators’ building No plans to introduce Ruga in Enugu –Nnaji, produce city promoter Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  Justice R Irele-Ifijeh of the Edo State High Court has sentenced three men, Solomon Abuede, James Monday and Kelvin Edward, to death by hanging for armed robbery, kidnapping and murder. The convicts were sentenced for the kidnap and murder of one Ephraim Akhere in Ekpoma, Esan West LGA, of the state in 2014. The court also sentenced one Oviasogie Sunday to life in prison for receiving an Infinity SUV with registration number, EFR 218 FB, property of the late Ephraim which was stolen after his murder. The convicts were among six persons arraigned on a six-count charge of armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy and receipt of stolen property. The other two accused persons, David Williams and Monday Ozomo, were discharged for lack of evidence linking them to the crimes. Justice Irele-Ifijeh held that the confessional statements of Solomon Abuede, James Monday and Kelvin Edward that they participated in the robbery were corroborated by the evidence of one Sandra, a prosecution witness, who was in the same vehicle with the late Ephraim.

  A magistrates’ court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Wednesday, remanded a 45-year-old woman, Rayinat Bakare, in prison for allegedly stealing a nine-year-old girl. The Magistrate, Mrs A B Olagbegi-Adelabu, who did not take the plea of Rakiyat, adjourned the case to May 16, while waiting for advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Earlier, the Lagos State prosecuting counsel, Mrs Olawunmi Osibanjo, told the court that Rakiyat on March 14, at about 6pm on Allynson Street in Ikorodu held the hand of a nine-year-old girl while walking on the road and the girl kept crying. She said, “People who saw the girl crying asked her if the woman was her mother and she said, ‘No’, which brought the attention of people who started questioning the defendant. “The mother of the girl eventually appeared and told the crowd that she had never come across the defendant in her entire life.” The prosecutor noted that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 277 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. (NAN)

  The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, said yesterday that the apex bank is not defending the Naira with the nation’s foreign reserves. He was speaking against the backdrop of the recent decline in Nigeria’s foreign reserves corresponding with massive appreciation of the Naira in the foreign exchange market (forex), fueling speculations that the apex bank pumped forex into the market to dwarf demand pressure and shore up the value of the local currency. Speaking at the on-going Spring Meetings of the IMF the World Bank, Cardoso said that his team at the apex bank is determined to nurse a foreign exchange market ruled by the principle of willing buyers-willing seller. He also said that Ways and Means (federal government borrowings from CBN) is no longer an issue, particularly after the fiscal authorities securitised the outstanding. His words, “Defending the Naira, from every indication is an elephant in some rooms. I will make this as clear as possible. It is not our intention to defend the Naira. Much as I have read in the recent few days some opinions about what has happened in terms of our reserves being drawn down, the CBN Defending the Naira, if you take your mind to our philosophy and policy, you will see it will be counter intuitive. We want the Naira to perform independently as long as we have a vibrant forex market. “Initially we needed to keep the BDCs going. So it is important for people to get forex for school fees, travels and the like.     “The shift you see in our reserve is not to defend the Naira but for things like settling obligations that fell due. Mind you, that is the reason for keeping foreign reserves, in the first place.” Cardoso also said that his team is cooperating with the fiscal authorities and that, “Ways and Means is no longer an issue. He said, “Let me be upfront in saying that the monetary policy is only one side. It is very clear to us that we need to have a very good handshake with the fiscal authorities. “For instance, food inflation is not within the purview of the CBN. Ways and Means is now less an issue.” The CBN boss said he decided to go the orthodox central banking route in order to build confidence in the Nigerian currency. He also said that he had no choice than to raise monetary policy rate, recording 600 basis points hike within a short period of time. He promised to communicate more with Nigerians and other stakeholders in order to moderate their expectations. “We want Nigerians to be realistic in their expectations. We have used the MPC to explain why we took the measures that we have taken. “We will strengthen the communication framework using different platforms to communicate.” The governor expressed satisfaction that he took hard decisions but added that they are yielding desired outcomes. He said within two months of his administration , the Naira was adjudged the worst performing currency, but within six months it moved to the best performing currency, globally. “Ultimately the objective is to ensure that we moderate inflation’’, he stated. Key take-away lessons for him, he said, was that he could not over-emphasise the importance of trust, stating, “Irrespective of boldness to do certain things if the trust is not the there, you will sub-optimise. “It is a bit of a surprise that one had expected a greater understanding of a lot of the issues, expectations of the people on the CBN is often misplaced.”

  Troops of the Nigerian Army have reportedly rescued one of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by terrorists in 2014. Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the girl, Lydia Simon, was rescued by troops of 82 division task force battalion in Ngwoza LGA of Borno. The publication said Lydia, who is five months pregnant, was rescued alongside her three children on April 17. She was among the 276 students abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in April 2014. The publication added that Lydia claimed to be from Pemi town in Chibok. Makama said Lydia escaped from a camp located at Ali Ngulde in Mandara mountain where she was held captive for 10 years. The publication said the girl surrendered to troops of 82 division task force battalion at Ngoshe in Gwoza LGA of the state. In the past 10 years, more than 100 of the schoolgirls were released in batches after negotiations, while some escaped from their abductors. In April 2023, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said about 93 schoolgirls were still in captivity. The federal government had promised to ensure the remaining schoolgirls are rescued but many of the students are still in captivity 10 years after they were abducted.

  President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, promised harsh consequences for persons who pit themselves against Nigeria’s sovereignty and security. He also said his administration had made considerable gains against banditry and kidnapping through intensified campaigns buoyed by intelligence gathering. “Those who think they can threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria will have themselves to blame. They have a price to pay. And we are not going to relent,” Tinubu said when he received leaders of the Yoruba socio-political Organisation, Afenifere, at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday. The delegation was led by the leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae, and other eminent citizens. The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed the details of Wednesday’s talks in a statement titled, ‘President Tinubu receives leaders of Afenifere, says the administration is resolute in achieving economic security in a fair and equitable system for all Nigerians.’ Speaking on security, the President declared that those who threatened the sovereignty of Nigeria would pay a heavy price. The declaration by Tinubu came days after Yoruba Nation agitators, dressed in military camouflage and armed with guns, stormed the Oyo State Government Secretariat, attempting to hoist the Yoruba Nation flag on the premises of the Oyo State House of Assembly. The Yoruba Nation promoters are seeking the breakaway of the Yoruba people from the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They contended that the interest of the Yoruba people had not been adequately protected in Nigeria, saying their welfare would be better taken care of under a separate sovereign entity to be known as Yoruba Nation. But Tinubu speaking on Wednesday, vowed to keep Nigeria as one. The President said, “I am irrevocably committed to the unity of Nigeria and constitutional democracy. Constitutional democracy has been reflected greatly here since we assumed office. What we face now is the challenge of terrorism. “Security of life and property is necessary for development. I can tell you we are achieving success. We have degraded terrorism to a level that it can no longer threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty. “Banditry and kidnapping will be defeated. And there is no payment of ransom whatsoever. We are taking the battle to them. We are getting results more rapidly than before. We are working hard on intelligence gathering.” The President said his administration was re-engineering Nigeria’s finances and seeking to boost citizens’ purchasing power and spread prosperity by instituting a credit system where the element of cash does not impede a significantly enhanced standard of living for all citizens. He argued that Nigeria must first secure itself economically before achieving its more sophisticated objectives. “We are committed to our country’s economic survival. To re-engineer our country’s finances, we must start in earnest,” he explained. According to Tinubu, this will require first retooling, revamping the economic opportunities available, and continuing to take the necessary firm, steady baby steps. “Education is a strong weapon against poverty. To empower the people, we must invest in the future of our youths. “We have seen the problems parents face in training their children in school; it is why we established the National Student Loan Programme, which is taking off well,” he explained. He assured the Yoruba leaders that his administration would emphasise the Consumer Credit Scheme and provide allowances for the unemployed to reduce the high unemployment rate. “We must help vulnerable people by providing social security. “We are looking at how to provide allowances for the unemployed, and we are developing ways to boost the purchasing power of citizens with the Consumer Credit Scheme. “If we remove the cash upfront element to buy a car or a house, we will reduce the propensity for fraud and corruption across the land,” President Tinubu said. He thanked the delegation for their prayers and support and assured them he would not relent in his resolve to advance Nigeria. “God bless Nigeria. God bless our unity; our diversity must bring prosperity for all for the sake of Nigeria,” Tinubu concluded. Earlier in his remarks, Oba Olu Falae commended the President for his courageous decisions, the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, and other critical ongoing projects. Oba Falae urged the President not to relent in ensuring fairness and equity for all Nigerians while noting the importance of a constitutional amendment to devolve more powers to the states. He said, “We are delighted about what you are doing for our country, and we assure you of our continued support.   “We thank you for visiting Akure in February 2024 and believe it is proper to reciprocate your kind gesture. “We appreciate this relationship, and we need to make it work in the interest of Nigeria.” Describing President Tinubu as the most important political figure in Africa, the monarch conveyed the elders’ expectations of him to lead the country with knowledge, courage and integrity. “We have no doubt that your tenure will mark a turning point in our country’s history. Under your leadership, Nigeria will be repositioned,” he said. The Afenifere Chief also promised firm support for the President, saying, “We will stand by you as you make all efforts to improve the Nigeria story. Be assured that Afenifere will not abandon you in fair or foul weather. As long as you remain faithful to the principles of fairness, integrity, and courage expected of you as the leader of Nigeria, we will stand by you.”

  A hit-and-run driver allegedly fled the scene of an accident which claimed the life of Olanrewaju Olatona, a student of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Osun State, late Monday. The accident was said to have occurred when the driver who was reportedly driving against traffic, collided with the motorcycle conveying Olatona, and another passenger along the Ikirun-Osogbo road area of the state. PUNCH Metro gathered on Wednesday from a student of the polytechnic, who was privy to the incident but pleaded anonymity, that the driver was driving in the wrong direction when he allegedly hit the motorcycle conveying Olatona and one other yet-to-be-identified person. The severe impact of the collision was said to have led to the National Diploma 2 student’s death. Our correspondent further gathered that Olatona, who was the Financial Secretary of the Department of Mass Communication, was preparing for his mandatory one-year Industrial Training programme. The source said, “A student of Iree was killed by a trailer driver on Monday night. The student was on a motorcycle with one other person when the driver, who was driving against traffic, collided with them. “The student died on the spot. He was the Financial Secretary of the Department of Mass Communication and was about to go for his IT before his untimely death.” Confirming the incident to our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Wednesday, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, disclosed that the police had launched a manhunt for the fleeing driver. “Yes, the incident happened and we are just confirming that he is a student. When it happened, it was not reported to the police at first that the victim was a student. “It was a case of a hit-and-run and the driver could not be apprehended immediately. Meanwhile, the police will not relax. We will arrest the driver,” Opalola said. PUNCH Metro reported in April 2018 that a hit-and-run driver crushed a first-class student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Deborah Olajide, to death. She was reportedly run over and killed along the Akure-Ilesa Expressway, a few metres away from the main gate of the university. The driver of the vehicle was said to have escaped from the scene of the accident. Following the incident, the students organised a procession in front of the school gate and blocked the expressway for several hours.

  A day-old baby boy abandoned in a polythene bag has been rescued at Alhaji Masha Road, in the Surulere area of Lagos State. PUNCH Metro gathered that a yet-to-be-identified social worker attached to a hospital in Surulere, while on her way to a destination, heard the sound of a crying baby emanating from the polythene bag. Upon observing what was in the polytene bag, the social worker saw the baby boy and quickly rushed him to the Randle General Hospital for quick medical intervention. It was learnt that the baby had been responding to treatment. Our correspondent learnt that the Divisional Police Officer and a team from the family support unit visited the scene of the incident. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident. He said, “The case of the day-old baby abandoned by unknown persons in a polythene bag was reported at the Surulere Division on April 15, 2024, around 1:40pm, by the social worker. “The baby has been rescued and is responding to treatment. The Divisional Police Officer and a team from the family support unit visited the scene of the incident. The investigation is in progress.” PUNCH Metro reported that a day-old baby was found in a carton and placed at a spot in Zone ‘B’ Area in Dagbolu, Osun State in December 2023. This was as the state government urged residents to volunteer information that would enable it to identify the parents of the baby