Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda, has won 99.15 percent of the votes from Monday’s presidential election to secure a fourth term in office. Only about 79 percent of ballots have been counted, according to the country’s electoral commission. Authorities said 9.5 million Rwandans registered to vote. The country has a population of 14 million. Kagame’s opponents — Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana — each received less than one percent in the provisional results. The result is the same as 2017 when Kagame swooped nearly 99 percent of the votes. Final results are expected by July 27, although they could be announced sooner. The president thanked Rwandans for their trust, in an address at his Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) party headquarters in Kigali, the capital city. Kagame seized power as the head of rebels who took control of the government and ended the genocide in 1994, becoming vice-president and de facto leader from then to 2000, when he became president. The 64-year-old is eligible to continue in office till 2034 after a constitutional amendment in 2015 changed a two-term limit. Although he has garnered international acclaim for presiding over peace and economic growth since the end of the genocide in Rwanda, he has also faced criticisms from rights groups and the West. But the Rwandan leader has said he is not bothered about what foreign countries think of his decision to extend his rule. On Saturday, he told journalists that his mandate comes from the people.

  The Lagos State Police Command has disclosed that a 17-year-old girl who accused a cop in the state of rape has been made to undergo a medical examination. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a late-night post on his X.com page on Monday. The PUNCH had reported on July 12 that the victim alleged that she was raped inside Ogudu Police Station in the Ojota area of the state. She added that the officer had promised to help her retrieve a stolen phone, which had been taken by ‘one chance’ robbers on June 16 while she, her grandmother, and her siblings were returning from Ikeja. The suspect reportedly overheard the teenager recounting her ordeal to her mother at her shop and offered to help track her missing phone and take her statement. The victim also noted that she was invited into the office of the suspect in the guise of getting her phone but the suspect rather carried out the alleged act. The mother of the victim, Aramide Olupona, disclosed that her daughter began bleeding a day following the assault and was taken to the Mirabel Centre, adding that the incident was also reported to the authorities. Olupona, however, accused the police of trying to bury the case, saying, “The suspect’s wife and the rest of his family have come to my shop to plead with me saying he would soon retire, but what about my daughter that was raped? Is it because I am a poor woman?” Meanwhile, the police in a statement on Sunday, said that it had begun a full-scale investigation into the rape accusation against one of its officers by the girl. Giving an update on the incident on Monday, Hundeyin noted that the girl had been made to undergo a medical examination to prove her allegation against the officer. He added that the outcome of the medical examination would determine the culpability of the officer. “A medical examination has been conducted on the 17-year-old girl. The result is still being awaited. “If the results cannot prove anything, it would be difficult to secure a conviction in court. The same procedure would be followed if you were the accused. “However, if the result proves the allegation true, then he is culpable and we would be the first to mention his name,” the PPRO stated.

  Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a crypto billionaire, Linus Williams, popularly known as BLord. Blord was arrested in Abuja on Tuesday following allegations of cryptocurrency fraud, terrorism funding, and aiding internet fraud among others against his companies. Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said he was arrested due to complaints against his companies. He promised that the police would thoroughly investigate the matter. Adejobi said, “Yes, we have him with us. The FCID (NPF-NCCC) is currently investigating complaints lodged against Blord Group, Blord Real Estate Ltd, Blord Jetpaye Limited, and Billpoint Technology. “These offences include allegations of cryptocurrency fraud, aiding internet fraud, computer-related fraud, terrorism funding, and non-compliance with regulatory frameworks. “We will do due diligence in our investigation. Our cyberspace must be safe and secure by all means. We are committed to achieving that.” He denied that the petition that led to Blord’s arrest was following a petition from, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan

  Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, defended her ministry’s expenditure of N1.5 million on fueling six vehicles in her convoy during an official trip to Anambra State. She addressed this matter on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, following a recent confrontation with members of the House of Representatives over unrelated expenditures. Kennedy-Ohanenye expressed surprise at the scrutiny over the N1.5 million expenditure, emphasising that the amount was reasonable given the operational needs of her convoy. She clarified the breakdown of vehicles involved, stating, “How many vehicles? I travelled with the staff in the bus, two security vehicles, one DSS and one police, my vehicle, the backup, and the other one. “About six vehicles went all the way to Anambra State for a job, and we came back. What is N1.5m for those cars?” She further highlighted challenges in explaining these expenditures to lawmakers, noting their reluctance to allow detailed explanations during their interactions. “But when I was explaining, they (lawmakers) won’t even give you a chance to explain. Kennedy-Ohanenye defended her need for providing context rather than being limited to simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ responses, arguing, “How can I say yes or no without an explanation?”

  The Abia state government has approved the payment of N45,000 in wage awards for public servants in the state at N15,000 each month for a period of 3 months, with effect from July 2024. The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this Monday while briefing the press on the outcome of this week’s state Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, stating that the wage award is part of efforts by the state government to cushion the effects of the prevailing economic hardship in the country. Prince Kanu, while restating the commitment of the state governor’s administration to the welfare of Abia workers, also announced that the government would soon commence payment of annual leave allowances to civil servants who actually observe their annual leave, stating, “Because of the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare, he accepted to pay Abia workers a wage award of 45 thousand naira in total, but at 15 thousand per month over the course of three months. “What we inherited was accumulated leave allowances, but all that would be a thing of the past now given the governor’s commitment, which he made even before the meeting with the organised labour. Once any Abia worker is due for leave, he or she will be paid his or her leave allowance,” Prince Kanu stated. On the outbreak of cholera, the Information Commissioner said that the state is cholera and diphtheria-free, as all the 112 suspected cases of cholera recorded in 8 LGAS of the state have tested negative after being taken to the laboratory in Lagos, adding that those in the health sector of the state government are working round the clock to ensure that any emergency is tackled head-on. “I want to announce to us that Abia is cholera- and diphtheria-free. Between the 30th of June and the 7th of July, a total of 112 suspected cases of cholera were reported, cutting across 8 LGAs. “Following various tests carried out and the samples collected across these 8 LGAs, there were no reported cases of death and not even a confirmed case of cholera. “There were some reported cases, about 12 reported cases of diphtheria across the state, particularly in just two LGAs, Osisioma and Umuahia South. “Unfortunately, there were three deaths resulting from those suspected cases, but the test did not confirm that there were further cases of diphtheria. Contributing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Ngozi Azodoh, said that all suspected cases of cholera collected across 8 (eight) LGAS tested negative after laboratory tests, adding that they are working with relevant agencies to ensure that Abia maintains cholera-free status and stressing the need for all to imbibe the attitude of good hygiene. “We, in accordance with the protocols, conducted a rapid diagnostic test, and out of those rapid diagnostic tests, only 3 came out RDT positive. “We had to send those RDT-positive cases to the national reference laboratory for confirmation, and we are happy that all of them came back negative. “So we are cholera-free as a state. However, we will continue to maintain high levels of surveillance. “We also had a diphtheria scare at Umueze community, very close to Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba. “We identified 12 people, we treated them, and they are doing well. We also designated Abia State University Teaching Hospital as the treatment centre.” Azodoh maintained. Responding to questions on the recent reversal of command promotions by the state government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, said that the reversal was necessitated following the abuse of the process and stressed that further details on the policy would be given. “It (the Command Promotion) was used to usurp the rights of others. For instance, we had a situation where someone who was in Grade 12 was just taken far above his seniors in Grades 13, 14, and 15 and appointed a permanent secretary. “So it was causing problems in the system, and that is what is being corrected. We have started the process of correcting the mess,” Mr Ekeoma stated.

  The Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Igboho, has allegedly issued a fresh eviction notice, warning all notorious herders who continue kidnapping and robbing people in the South West zone to leave immediately. The activist allegedly said this through his spokesperson, Olayomi Koiki, in an audio message. Though the veracity of the notice still remains cloudy, the activist may have acted on the cries of his people from Oke Ogun area of Oyo State, who constantly experience all forms of vice from the herders. An indigene of the affected places told Vanguard that the herders have renewed their hostilities by kidnapping, killing, and preventing farmers from going to farms. Some weeks ago, Igboho warned the harmful herders to leave the zone, suggesting that he would set up local security guards to prevent farmers from unnecessary intimidation. In the audio message, Koiki spoke in Yoruba, saying, “Today is the 15th of July, 2024. This breaking news is issued around 6pm. All Fulani people living in Oke Ogun, living inside the bushes there, who are kidnappers, that are killing the people, are immediately ordered to leave now. Sunday Igboho said he would continue his work at Oke-Ogun, in Kishi, and all communities that made up of Oke-Ogun. He said he would touch all those places remaining.” “All Fulanis should leave the bush in Oke-Ogun. The forest does not belong to you. The land belongs to us. He added that he is also waiting for the Obas in other parts of Yoruba land to speak up if they are witnessing attacks from Fulani people in their domains.” As claimed in the audio, Igboho made it clear that he is not fighting any governor, but he’s ready to show the herders troubling his people out of the zone. He added that his men would comb all the forests presently occupied by herders across the Yoruba lands after getting permission from kings in Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, and Osun states. He said his men “are currently working on how to storm the forest in Oke Ogun land in Oyo State and warn all Fulani living there to vacate immediately.” Expectedly, there have been reactions on social media, with some urging the activists to go ahead and others saying he is acting on his own. “Someone has to tackle these herdsmen in the South West. The governors are so helpless. I can’t thank you enough, Sunday Igboho. I am thinking of joining the Yoruba Nation movement in North America. We have to oust the Fulani herdsmen out of the Nigerian South West.”

  The house of representatives committee on solid minerals development says Nigeria loses $9 billion annually to illegal mining. Jonathan Gbefwi, chairman of the committee, spoke on Monday at a public hearing organised to investigate illegal mining in the solid mineral sector. The lawmaker said illegal mining poses “substantial risks” to the nation’s economy, environment, and security. “The unregulated exploitation of our natural resources jeopardises the sustainability of the mineral sector, leading to environmental degradation and revenue loss that could otherwise benefit our communities and nation as a whole,” he said. “It is imperative that we take as a matter of urgency, decisive steps and necessary action to address this issue and ensure that our solid mineral sector operates within the framework of the law, protecting our natural resources for future generations. “Furthermore, as representatives of the people, the parliament is deeply worried about the loss of revenue through unregulated and illicit mining operations with the federal government disclosing that unlawful mining costs the country $9bn each year with the only money coming from a 3 percent royalty paid by the few licensed miners. “This development, as you all know, hampers the country’s ability to maximize the benefits from its mineral resources.” Gbefwi said there is “grave concern” about the negative impacts of illegal mining which has led to insecurity and conflicts over control of mining sites and their resources. He said the conflicts have escalated into violence, exacerbating existing political and social tensions in affected communities which has resulted in limited data availability and inadequate measures to control this illicit practice ‘80% OF MINING IN NORTH-WEST DONE ILLEGALLY’ Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, while declaring the public hearing open, said an estimated 80 percent of mining in the north-west is done illegally. Represented by Julius Ihonvbere, the majority leader of the house, Abbas said illegal mining is a “growing socio-economic challenge in Nigeria affecting the ecosystems and increasing poverty levels, especially among peasant farmers” who depend solely on environmental resources for a living. “Nigeria is richly blessed with solid minerals, which should bring great fortune to the country and the citizens, but the wealth is largely stolen by criminal elements,” Abbas said. “According to reports, an estimated 80% of mining in the north-west region is carried out illegally and the mining of largely untapped mineral deposits in the area is at the root of community violence. “A disturbing issue, which makes this investigative hearing very critical is the fact that various mining communities in Nigeria live in agonising conditions, economically and socially, arising from years of neglect, and various deprivations and severe environmental degradation, air and water pollution, arising from unsafe mining practices by illegal miners.” Abbas said the impact of the “unprecedented illegal mining” across Nigeria has been devastating as farmlands and crops. He said these mining activities destroy economic trees and reduce their benefit and values to the residents. Abbas said the parliament would take “decisive steps” towards addressing nefarious mining practices and noncompliance with set standards in the solid minerals sector.