Crime Facts

Hoodlums attack LG secretariat in Ekiti

  Some suspected hoodlums from Obbo-Aiyegunle in Kwara State on Tuesday attacked Ilejemeje Local Government secretariat and some residents of the town over land dispute. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the alleged hoodlums were heavily armed and fired gunshot to scare residents. The local government secretariat windows and doors were vandalised as workers ran for safety. Speaking on the attack, the Eleda of Eda- Oniyo, Oba Awodipo Awolola explained that the hoodlums attacked some people with charms in their farms, saying one person had been hospitalised. Oba Awolola said the incident had caused trauma and fear among residents of the community. He urged the state government to intervene and settle the dispute between Ekiti and Kwara residents, to avoid bloodshed of innocent lives. The traditional ruler appealed to the security agencies to mobilise more officers to the community to prevent further attacks on residents. Reacting, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area in Ekiti, Mr Alaba Dada, expressed shock over the incident adding that security officers have been mobilised to the town. Dada urged both Ekiti and kwara governments to settle the land dispute in the interest of peaceful and harmonious relationship between the two states.

Israel kills local Hezbollah commander in Lebanon strike

  An Israeli strike killed a local Hezbollah commander in south Lebanon on Tuesday, the Israeli army and a source close to the powerful Iran-backed movement said. Israel and Hamas ally Hezbollah have been exchanging near-daily cross-border fire since the Palestinian militant group attacked southern Israel on October 7, triggering war in the Gaza Strip. Tuesday’s strike came with regional tensions high after Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel over the weekend in retaliation for a deadly Israeli strike on Tehran’s consulate in Damascus. The Israeli military said its “aircraft struck and eliminated Ismail Yusef Baz, the commander of Hezbollah’s coastal sector”, adding he was killed in the Ain Baal area. The official National News Agency reported one dead in an Israeli strike on a car in Ain Baal, about 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the border, later saying “enemy warplanes” struck two cars in Shehabiya, about 10 kilometres from Ain Baal, reporting casualties. Hezbollah announced in a statement that Baz had been killed, without mentioning his rank or role. But a source close to the group told AFP that “the field commander in charge of the Naqura region” had been killed “in an Israeli strike”. Hezbollah said it launched Katyusha rockets on a base in northern Israel’s Beit Hillel “in response to the Israeli enemy’s attacks” on Lebanese villages, “the latest of which was in Ain Baal”. Earlier Tuesday, Hezbollah claimed an attack on Beit Hillel using explosive drones, with local Israeli authorities saying three people were wounded. The Israeli military said “two armed” drones entered from Lebanon and exploded near Beit Hillel. Hezbollah had said its fighters launched an “air attack with suicide drones in two phases… striking the Iron Dome (air defence system) platforms and their crew” in the area.   On Monday, Hezbollah targeted Israeli troops with explosive devices, wounding four soldiers who crossed into Lebanese territory — the first such attack in six months of clashes. The violence has killed at least 365 people in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah fighters but also including at least 70 civilians, according to an AFP tally. In Israel, the military says 10 soldiers and eight civilians have been killed since hostilities began. Tens of thousands of civilians have fled their homes on both sides of the border.

EFCC To Arraign Cubana Chief Priest On Wednesday For Abuse Of Naira

  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a three-count charge against popular Instagram celebrity Pascal Okechukwu also known as Cubana Chief Priest for allegedly spraying and tampering with the naira at a social event contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007. Cubana Chief Priest will be arraigned on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court, Lagos. Channels Television obtained a copy of the charge which was filed on April 4th by EFFC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) alongside seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the Commission. In Count 1, it was alleged, “that you, Okechukwu Pascal on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”. In count 2, it was alleged, “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”. In Count 3, it was alleged, “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”. This is coming days after the EFCC arraigned controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye better known as Bobrisky on similar charges for which he was sentenced to a six-month jail term.

BREAKING: PDP Reps’ Caucus Meeting Ends In Commotion As Pro Wike Lawmakers Move To Give Damagun Vote Of Confidence Fails

  The meeting of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives ended in commotion with the lawmakers sharply divided along the lines of those in support of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damgun and those against his continued stay in office. The meeting summoned by the leader of the Caucus and House minority leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda was held on Tuesday at House Committee Room 301, National Assembly Complex Abuja ahead of Thursday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party. However, the main agenda of the Pre-NEC meeting which was to pass vote of confidence on Damagun by lawmakers loyal to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike could not sail through. This was as a group of over 60 lawmakers under the auspices of Opposition lawmakers coalition maintained their ground that the acting chairman should resign and someone from the North-central zone take the position. They also insisted on the expulsion of FCT minister Wike and any other politician involved in Anti-Party activities. Recall that last week, a group of 60 PDP federal lawmakers threatened to quit the party if the doctored list of Caretaker Committees in Rivers and 10 other states which was filled with members and loyalist of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is not nullified. The group under the aegis of Opposition lawmakers coalition also demanded the resignation of the acting chairman of PDP, Damagun to pave way for a North central person to emerge as acting chairman of the party pending the conduct of convention as required by the party’s constitution. The opposition lawmakers coalition at a press conference addressed by their Spokesperson and the member representing Ideato Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said they cannot be in a political party where the activities of such party are determined by another political party. “We call for immediate resignation of Umar Iliya Damagun as Ag National Chairman of PDP for anti-party activities and allow North central produce the acting chairman as clearly stated in the PDP constitution or watch us reconsider our membership of the party in the months ahead if the right thing is not done. “The NEC of the Party should ensure that the list of party Caretaker Committees in Rivers State and all other 10 states tampered by Damagun and his APC friends are reversed and announced as originally agreed, that is by extension of the tenures of the outgoing leadership. Any tampering in any state will be resisted and not acceptable. They should also ensure that disciplinary action and punishment are meted out on FCT minister Wike and his cohorts for anti party activities. A member of the Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere-led Opposition lawmakers coalition who revealed the outcome of the meeting on the condition of anonymity said the move to pass vote of confidence on Damagun failed. The lawmaker said: “We are glad that the plan of the pro- Wike group supporting Damagun fall like a pack of cards as we refused all entreaties to perpetuate illegality and stoking of crisis in the party. Our position remains that Damagun must go for someone from North-central to take over and complete Ayu’s tenure. “Our Party needs total overhaul and reformation. We currently have in the PDP a national leadership that is in bed with the APC and is working extremely hard to hand over the party to the APC. This is quite shameful disheartening. But we won’t fold our hands and let gat happen. We are aside other demands insisting on 100 percent formation of caretaker PDP executive list at all levels without any tampering or inclusion of new names outside the earlier resolution that members of the expiring excos should act as caretaker for 3 months pending the conduct of substantive election. Our party will not be overtaken by APC, we are here to serve the Nigerian people not to the whims and caprices of some selfish politicians.”

Cable thief electrocuted to death in Benin

  A man has lost his life while attempting to vandalise a BEDC Electricity transformer along Airport Road, Benin City. The unidentified man had managed to sever some cables before being fatally electrocuted. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, drew the attention of bystanders who were shocked by what they saw at the scene. Passers-by who were drawn to the scene expressed anger towards the deceased for causing persistent power outages in the area. It was a grim confirmation of their suspicions as the thief met his death. He emphasised the importance of diligence in wealth acquisition, urging youths to pursue legitimate means of earning a living to avoid such untimely death. The incident underscored the dangers of energy theft and vandalism, as highlighted by Mrs Evelyn Gbiwen, the Acting Head of Corporate Communications of BEDC Electricity Plc. She lamented the recurring incidents of sabotage within the company’s operational areas across Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states. Despite repeated warnings from the company, such acts persist, leaving communities in darkness and posing significant hazards to both individuals and infrastructure. Mrs Gbiwen appealed to residents to remain vigilant and assist in safeguarding BEDC’s facilities against vandals, emphasising the collective responsibility to ensure uninterrupted power supply for all. Editor’s note: This photo is for illustration 

Why my 10-year marriage ended – Brazil legend Kaka

  Brazilian football icon Kaka has broken his silence on his 2015 divorce after a rumoured claim made by his ex-wife. Kaka, who married his childhood sweetheart Caroline Celico in 2005 while playing for AC Milan, recently addressed the split during a podcast interview reported by Spanish outlet Sport. The couple, who share a son and daughter, ended their marriage after a decade together.   Reports surfaced last week suggesting that Celico attributed the breakup to Kaka being “too perfect” for her – however, Celico has debunked the reports. Reacting, Kaka, 41, refuted this claim during the podcast, stating that he had done everything possible to prevent the separation. He said: “In 2015 I was married, and my wife at the time decided she didn’t want to be married anymore. “She said, ‘I’m not happy and I attribute my unhappiness to marriage’. “I was living in the United States, and she asked to go back to Brazil. “Her words were, ‘I want to go back to Brazil, I want to live there and I don’t want to be married anymore’.”

Food Inflation Slowing, FG’s Revenue Up, Economy In Right Direction – Edun

  The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, says the Nigerian economy is moving in the right direction as policies of the new administration has started slowing down food inflation. The minister spoke virtually on Channels Television’s Business Incorporated programme on Tuesday from Washington DC where he is attending the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings. Edun said himself and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, are in Washington DC to showcase the progress made so far in the Nigerian economy. The finance minister said, “The Economic Team of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is here to showcase the progress so far of his bold, courageous and strategic reforms of the Nigerian economy in order to get it stabilise and get investment in to get it growing again. “We’ve all seen what has happened in terms of stabilising the exchange rate and inflation which is headed in the right direction. “If you look closely at the numbers that came out yesterday (Monday), you will see that there is a slowing of the rate of increase of food inflation, things are moving in the right direction, government revenues are up, even oil revenues are up but not as much as we will like.” Prices of food and basic commodities have gone through the roof in the last weeks, as Nigerians battle one of the country’s toughest economic crises sparked by the current government’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows. However, on Monday, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed that the food inflation rate in March 2024 stood at 3.62%, showing a decline of 0.17% from February 2024, when it was 3.79%. But the report showed that for year-on-year, food inflation reached 40.01% in March 2024, marking an increase of 15.56 percentage points from 24.45% in March 2023. Conversely, the NBS said Nigeria’s inflation rate jumped to 33.20% in March 2024 compared to February 2024 headline inflation rate which was 31.70%. The inflation for March 2024 was largely driven by increase in food such as garri, millet, yam, bread coupled with energy and housing costs. The inflation report by the NBS followed the hike of Nigeria’s interest rate from 22.75% to 24.75% by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the apex bank. Interestingly, the March inflation rate was released at a time when measures by the apex bank to strengthen the naira against foreign exchange have seen some positive results. The naira has appreciated against the dollar in recent weeks, gaining over 40%, from about N1,900/$ to about N1,100/$1 now. As the naira rebounds, Nigerians expect significant reduction in the prices of food and basic commodities but this hasn’t been the case with cost of living still high.

FG Pays N205bn Electricity Subsidy, As DisCos Withhold ₦50bn In Q3 2023 – NERC

  The Federal Government paid about ₦205bn as electricity subsidy in the third quarter of last year, according to data obtained from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) latest report. The Commission’s third quarterly market report revealed the government incurred a subsidy obligation of about ₦205bn in 2023/Q3 (average of ₦68bn per month), which is an increase of ₦69bn compared to the ₦135bn (average of ₦45bn per month) incurred in 2023/Q2. This increase in subsidy payment, according to the report, was largely attributable to the government’s policy to harmonise exchange change rates due to the absence of cost-reflective tariffs across all electricity distribution companies (DisCos). In the absence of cost-reflective tariffs, the government undertakes to cover the resultant gap (between the cost-reflective and allowed tariff) in the form of tariff shortfall funding. This funding is applied to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) invoices that are to be paid by DisCos. The amount to be covered by the DisCo is based on the tariff that they are allowed to charge and set out as their Minimum Remittance Obligation (MRO) in the periodic Tariff Orders issued by the commission. ADVERTISEMENT The NERC said the rise in the government’s subsidy obligation meant that in Q3/2023, DisCos were only expected to cover 45 per cent of the total invoice received from the commission The development comes on the heels of a report by NERC, that DisCos did not remit about ₦50bn to the power sector in the third quarter of last year. According to NERC, the DisCos failed to remit about ₦50bn to NBET in Q3/2023. Under the market remittance section of the Q3 2023 Quarterly report, NERC said that the cumulative upstream invoice payable by DisCos was about ₦208bn, consisting of ₦167bn for generation costs from NBET, and ₦41bn for transmission and administrative services by the Market Operator (MO). Of the amount, NERC said the DisCos collectively remitted the sum of ₦158bn consisting of ₦124bn for NBET, and about ₦34bn for MO), leaving an outstanding balance of ₦50bn. This translates to a remittance performance of about 76 per cent in 2023/Q3 which is down by about 19 per cent, compared to the 95 per cent recorded in 2023/Q2. In 2023/Q3, the MRO-adjusted invoice from NBET to the DisCos was ₦167bn, while the total remittance made was ₦124bn, which translates to a 74 per cent remittance performance. The remittance performance of DisCos to NBET in 2023/Q3 (74 per cent) was a 25 per cent decrease compared to the 99 per cent remittance performance recorded in 2023/Q2. The notable decline in remittance performance by DisCos is a result of the 18 per cent decrease in remittance in 2023/Q3 (₦124.53bn), compared to 2023/Q2 (₦152.48bn) even though the MRO adjusted invoice in 2023/Q3 (₦167bn) increased by about 9 per cent compared to 2023/Q2 (₦154bn). The total revenue collected by all DisCos in 2023/Q3 was about ₦268bn out of the ₦349bn billed to customers. This translates to a collection efficiency of 76 per cent. The DisCos’ overall collection efficiency increased by 1 per cent from 75 per cent recorded in 2023/Q2. This is explained by the fact that, although there was a marginal difference in total collections in 2023/Q3 (0.09 per cent) compared to 2023/Q2 (₦268bn), the total billings declined by 1.4 per cent (compared to ₦354.61bn in 2023/Q2). All DisCos except Eko and Abuja recorded improvements in collection efficiency in 2023/Q3 compared to 2023/Q2. The DisCos with the most significant improvements in collection efficiency were Kaduna, Ikeja and Yola with about 5 per cent, 3 per cent and +2.9 per cent increases in collection efficiency respectively, between 2023/Q2 and 2023/Q3. Eko and Abuja DisCos had 3.1 per cent and 1.2 per cent decreases respectively in collection efficiencies. The overall increase in collection efficiency in 2023/Q3, NERC said could be attributed to the implementation of various collection campaigns by DisCos, to improve remittance from post-paid customers. “The most proven method for reducing collection losses is the installation of meters (especially prepaid meters for non-maximum demand customers). “Therefore, DisCos are expected to utilise one or more metering frameworks provided for in the NERC MAP and NMMP metering regulation (2021) to improve end-use customer metering in their franchise area. This will reduce commercial and collection losses and will ensure the flow of funds to upstream market participants in the sector. “Furthermore, DisCos must also continue to evaluate options for improving the optimisation of their energy delivery in line with the Service Based Tariff (SBT) regime to ensure that sufficient energy is supplied to customer groups/clusters with the highest collection efficiencies. “Prompt payment of upstream invoices is critical for securing the availability of generation and transmission capacities. The waterfall regime pushes DisCos to boost their collections because most of their allowed revenues rank low in the waterfall. In 2013, the CBN set up an escrow mechanism as part of the conditions for the Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility (NEMSF) intervention that was extended to the DisCos. Under this arrangement, all the revenues of the DisCos are escrowed, with DisCos only having access to these funds after relevant deductions to meet their loans have been made. This escrow mechanism also provided visibility into the financial performance of the DisCos concerning collections. International Customers Failed To Remit N8.5bn On remittance by international customers in Q3, 2023, NERC said none of the four international customers being supplied by GenCos in the NESI made any payment against the cumulative invoice of $11.16m issued to them by the MO for services rendered in 2023/Q3. Using the exchange rate of ₦775/41 at the time, makes about ₦8.5bn not remitted by the four international customers. Similarly, NREC said none of the 16 bilateral customers operating in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), made any payment against the cumulative invoice of ₦2.8m issued to them by the MO for services rendered in 2023/Q33.

FG begins disbursement of N200bn palliative loans

  The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment says it has begun disbursement of the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme to verified applicants after an exhaustive selection process. The government, through the Bank of Industry, had said it would be disbursing three categories of funding totalling N200bn to support manufacturers and businesses across the country. In a progress report posted on the trade minister’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Doris Aniete stated that an unspecified number of beneficiaries have received their grants, adding that by Friday, April 19, another significant disbursement will be made to a substantial number of verified applicants. She said, “We are pleased to inform you that the disbursement process for the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme has officially commenced. Some beneficiaries have already received their grants, marking the beginning of our phased disbursement strategy.” SPORTS EXTRA: Liverpool, United Ends in Stalemate As EPL Battle Toughens0.00 / 0.00 “By Friday, 19th April 2024, a significant disbursement will be made to a substantial number of verified applicants. It is essential to understand that disbursements are ongoing, and not all applicants will receive their grants on this initial date. However, rest assured that all verified applicants will eventually receive their grants in subsequent phases.” This is coming more than eight months after President Bola Tinubu announced the grant for manufacturers and small businesses and two weeks after applicants were directed to submit their National Identification Numbers as part of the requirements to obtain the grant earmarked to cushion the effect that recent economic reforms have had on businesses in the country.   In the address, the president said he was determined to strengthen the manufacturing sector, increase its capacity to expand, and create good-paying jobs. “We are going to spend N75bn between July 2023 and March 2024. Our objective is to fund 75 enterprises with great potential to kick-start sustainable economic growth, accelerate structural transformation, and improve productivity. ‘’Each of the 75 manufacturing enterprises will be able to access N1bn credit at 9 per cent per annum with a maximum of 60 months repayment for long-term loans and 12 months for working capital,” Tinubu said. The programme, riddled with multiple delays and a complex registration process, had received several criticisms from prospective beneficiaries. The President of the Association of Small Business Owners, Femi Egbesola, had decried the slow pace of data collation by the supervising agencies, alleging that genuine businesses were being deliberately discouraged from accessing the loans. More details soon…

NCAA suspends three private jet operators for operating commercial flights

  The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has suspended the permit of three private jet operators for engaging in commercial flights. This was according to a Riot Act on the NCAA’s website on Tuesday, signed by the Acting Director General, Captain Chris Najomo. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had on Monday warned private jet operators unlicensed to operate commercial services that their activities were causing the Federal Government a huge loss of revenue. The minister issued the warning in an interview on Channels TV programme, Newsnight, on Monday. Keyamo said, “Almost all these private jets are operating commercially resulting in a huge loss of revenue for the Federal Government because the licence to fly a private aircraft privately and the one to fly it commercially is so much. “When it is commercial, the money paid to the Federal Government is so much. So, people now take licences from us to say I have just bought a private jet and I want to be using it for my business or to fly my friends and family, and we give them at a very low fee. “However, the moment they are given, they carry passengers all over Nigeria doing six or eight flights a day. This is a notice to them on camera, I am coming for them because the president has given us a marching order, and we are not going to allow it. “First, in terms of passengers’ safety, the regulation is low. Second, it is economic sabotage and I won’t allow that to happen. People who are my friends or the president’s friends, we will come down on them and, perhaps, ground all their planes. We will come very hard on them. In a matter of days or weeks, we are going to come down on them because we have to raise revenue for the Federal Government, ensure that the laws are kept and ensure the safety of Nigerians.” However, expediting action on the warning issued, the acting DG of NCAA in a Riot Act on Tuesday, suspended three jet operators found guilty of engaging in commercial flights. The acting DG disclosed that despite several warnings, these jet operators continued to engage in commercial flight operations, hence their suspension. The message read, “Back in 2023, the use of private jets for commercial purposes had gotten the attention of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, who issued marching orders for the cessation of such acts. “Subsequently, in March 2024, the NCAA issued a stern warning to holders of the permit for non-commercial flights, PNCF, against engaging in the carriage of passenger-cargo or mail for hire and reward. “The Authority had also deployed its officials to monitor activities of private jets at terminals across the airports in Nigeria. As a consequence of this heightened surveillance, no fewer than three private operators have been found to be involved in violation of the annexure provision of their PNCF and Part 91.14 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.” Najomo noted that suspending the jet operators for flouting several warnings was in line with the Authority’s zero tolerance for violation of regulations. He continued, “In line with our zero tolerance for violation of regulations, the Authority has suspended the PNCF of these operators. To further sanitise the general aviation sector, I have directed that a re-evaluation of all holders of PNCF be carried out on or before the 19th of April 2024 to ascertain compliance with regulatory requirements.” The statement further directed that all holders of the Permit for Non-Commercial Flights should submit relevant documents to the Authority within 72 hours. It added, “All PNCF holders will be required to submit relevant documents to the authority within the next 72 hours. “This riot act is also directed at existing Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders, who utilize aircraft listed on their PNCF for commercial charter operations. “It must be emphasised that only aircraft listed in the operation specifications of the AOC are authorised to be used in the provision of such charter services. Any of those AOC holders who wish to use the aircraft for charter operations must apply to the NCAA to delist the affected aircraft from the PNCF and include it in the AOC operations specification. “NCAA wishes to reiterate to the travelling public not to patronise any airline charter operator who does not hold a valid Air Operators Certificate issued by the NCAA when they wish to procure charter operations services. “Finally, the NCAA encourages the legitimate players in the aviation industry to report the activity of such unscrupulous elements to the authority promptly for necessary action.”