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Post Date : October 17, 2024

World Bank urges Nigerians to support Tinubu’s economic reforms

The World Bank has urged Nigerians to support the ongoing economic reforms, warning that opposing or reversing them could have serious negative consequences for the country. Speaking at the launch of the Nigeria Development Update (NDU) report in Abuja, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, emphasized that while the reforms may be challenging, they are crucial for the nation’s long-term stability. Dr. Diop cautioned that rolling back these reforms would be detrimental, saying, “Reversing the reforms would spell doom for Nigeria.” In the same vein, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, reiterated the importance of staying committed to the reforms. He stated, “Any effort that is not sustained will be a waste. Together with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, we’ve been discussing how to stay on course.” Edun further explained that the government’s focus is on reducing inflation while ensuring investments flow into critical sectors such as industry, where jobs can be created. “We are prioritizing market pricing and sat down with labor unions to explain why we cannot afford to let this opportunity slip.” On the removal of subsidies, Edun noted, “Every day without subsidies means more funds available for education, healthcare, and other essential expenditures.” Also speaking, Central Bank Governor Mr. Olayemi Cardoso highlighted the importance of promoting exports in light of the exchange rate adjustments. “The moderation in the FX rate should make our goods more competitive for export and discourage the importation of unnecessary goods,” he said.

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Post Date : October 17, 2024

Nigeria Receives Gavi’s 846,000 Doses Of Malaria Vaccines

Minister Ali Pate (middle) with other government officials on October 17, 2024 in Abuja Nigeria has received the first batch of 846,000 doses of the R21 malaria vaccines, from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The official launch of the vaccines on Thursday was attended by officials of the Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and development partners. Minister of Health, Ali Pate, described the arrival of the vaccines as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to eliminate malaria in the country. He said the vaccines would first be distributed to states with the highest burden of the disease, particularly Kebbi and Bayelsa and would serve as a complement to other treatments for malaria. Pate also cleared the air on concerns about the efficacy of the vaccine, stating that it has proven to be safe and efficient for malaria treatment. Also, the Director General of the NPHCDA, Muyi Aina, explained the plans for distribution, adding that an enforcement team would be set up by the agency and the date and location for the administration of the vaccines would be communicated in due course. Aina said about 140,000 doses are expected in the coming months as the target is to make available one million vaccines for the first batch. The R21 malaria vaccine, which would be administered in two doses per vial, was produced by the Serum Institute of India.

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Post Date : October 17, 2024

Hold VeryDarkMan accountable, Bobrisky replies Falana, Falz

Popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, has asked human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, and his son, Folarin, popularly known as Falz, to hold controversial media critic Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, responsible for the defamatory content circulating on social media. The crossdresser clarified that he never gave Falana or his son any money to get a presidential pardon during his prison ordeal. Bobrisky response followed Falana and Falz’s demand for a public apology and retraction of defamatory statements made by the popular crossdresser in audio recordings circulating online. The PUNCH reports that in one of the audios shared by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky claimed that he had spoken with Falz, requesting his assistance in persuading his father (Falana) to help secure a presidential pardon, which allegedly cost N10 million. The crossdresser also alleged that he asked Falz for N3 million to secure special treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre. In another audio shared by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky claimed to have paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in an attempt to secure a Federal Government pardon over charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. However, in a letter dated 14 October 2024, issued by Falana’s legal representatives, Olorunfemi Akinyemi and Taiwo E. Olawanle, Bobrisky was accused of making false and defamatory statements about Falana and his son’s involvement in the alleged bribery and pardon. The legal team described Bobrisky’s claims as entirely unfounded and damaging to Falana’s reputation. They demanded a full retraction and apology, to be published on all platforms where the statements were shared. Responding to the demand, Bobrisky insisted that he never gave money to Falana or his son to get a presidential pardon. The crossdresser argued that the sharer of the defamatory content should be held liable for his action. “I Okuneye Idris aka Bobrisky didn’t give Falz or his dad any money for pardon. As a matter of fact, no penny was given to them. Have said this before and I will say it again. The person that published an audio online should take full responsibility for what he posted in public. “My lawyer will respond to any further information the public wants about this ongoing issue trending on social media,” Bobrisky wrote on his Instagram story on Wednesday. In another post, the crossdresser wrote, “In reply to the two letters in circulation from the law firm of the Falanas. I like to state for the records and pending the official reply from my counsel, state for the avoidance of doubt that I Okuneye Idris Olarewaju aka Bobrisky did not publish any defamatory statement or statements concerning the learned SAN and his son Falz and that in the public domain pursuant to my solicitor’s letter dated the 27th day of September 2024 that I have denied any knowledge of what VDM published. “I stand to express denial and put the matter to strict proof and advise that whoever has been defamed should hold the publisher of defamatory content and my fundamental rights to privacy of my communications should be respected and protected. Best.”

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Post Date : October 17, 2024

FactCheck: NO! CAF hasn’t imposed $10m fine, 2-year ban on Libya team over Super Eagles’ airport incident 

G As each nation has continued to justify what happened two days ago at the Al Abraq Airport in Libya, there are claims that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed a $10m fine and a 2-year ban on Libyan national team. Social media users also claimed that the AFCON game between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights was moved to a neural stadium in Angola by CAF. Recall that the  Nigerian team had flown into Libya on Sunday afternoon for the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying Group D fixture against Libya, only to be subjected to inhumane treatment upon arrival. The Nigerian contingent was caged at the airport for over 20 hours without food or water and completely shut out of the world. Although the Libyan Football Federation has denied any form of mistreatment on the Nigerian team, the Super Eagles have pulled out of the match which is supposed to take place on 15 October. The claims which have gone viral on Facebook WhatsApp groups and X, stated, “CAF OFFICIALLY RESCHEDULES THE ABANDONED MATCH BETWEEN LIBYA AND NIGERIA FOR MARCH 2025 “THE AFRICAN FOOTBALL BODY SANCTIONS LIBYA $10M FOR DAMAGES AFTER THEIR ILL TREATMENT OF SUPER EAGLES PLAYERS AND STAFF AT THE AIRPORT“ “The fixture is set to be held in Angola, as Libya is banned from playing home from now till 2026.“ You can find this claim here, here, and here. Verifying This Claim First, the claims that CAF slammed a two-year ban, imposed $10m on Libya’s team, and moved the game to a neural stadium (ground) in Angola cannot be found on either the official website or the X account of the African football governing body as of Wednesday night. The last press statement by CAF concerning the Nigeria/Libya row on 15 October, stated that “the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Qualifier fixture between Libya and Nigeria will not take place as scheduled tonight.“ “The matter will be referred to the competent CAF bodies.“ An enquiry sent to CAF communications via communications@cafonline.com had not been responded to as of the time of writing this check. Also, no credible news organization in Africa has authoritatively confirmed these claims to be true. Verdict These claims are FALSE.

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Post Date : October 17, 2024

Police officer, Ábraham Uzuobo rapes 17-year-old girl detained for receiving stolen property in Benin police station

Sgt Abraham Uzuobo, an officer attached to Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, is presently facing disciplinary action for reportedly raping a minor detained at South-Ibie police division. The suspect, a 17-year-old girl, was detained for allegedly receiving stolen property. According to sources with knowledge of the development, Uzobo sneaked into the cell after Inspector Edith Eduma, a female officer, who was on duty, stepped out briefly. He was said to have unlocked the cell, taking the teenager to the admin department where he reportedly took advantage of her. In a video of the incident reviewed by DailyTrust, the suspect was seen lying on the floor, while the policeman who was caught pant down, argued with the policewoman in charge of the case, as he rushed to put on his trouser. An insider told Daily Trust that the incident occurred on October 10, 2024. An internal correspondence of the force seen by our correspondent confirmed that it happened last week. Inspector Eduma was said to have suspected foul play when she returned to find the key to the cell missing. She raised the alarm and Uzobo and the suspect were traced to one of the offices in the administrative section of the station. A source said rather than report the incident to the authorities, the officer informed her husband and two others who are both policemen. She was said to have later collected N45,000 from the embattled officer to conceal the crime and subsequently blackmailed him to either pay additional N1 million to avoid the video being uploaded on social media. Although Daily Trust cannot independently verify these allegations, the signal of the force documented the blackmail. Both Uzoba and Eduma have faced orderly room trial and have been recommended for dismissal over the shameful act. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu, said he would issued a statement on the incident later as he was on the road from Auch to Benin. Asked if the incident was true, the PPRO neither said yes or no till he ended the conversation. The development comes after another 17-year-old girl was raped inside Ogudu Police Station in Lagos State. The Lagos victim had reportedly lost her phone to ‘one chance’ robbers and the policeman promised to help her retrieve it. Narrating her ordeal, the victim had said: “On June 29, officer Owolabi called my mum on her phone and told her he had arrested the person with my phone and my mum should send me to his police station and I went there. On getting there, I was told they made a mistake with the tracking, and that the person caught wasn’t the one with my phone. “The officer sent his personal assistant to call me into his office and he showed me directions there. When I entered his office and greeted him, he replied and got up to lock the door and put the key in his pocket. I shouted, ‘Sir, why did you lock the door?’ “He started trying to pull my clothes off and I shouted, then he brought out a gun, cocked it, and threatened to shoot me if I shouted. Then he began harassing me and when I struggled with him he hit me on the back of my head with the gun and raped me.” The suspect was later arrested.

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Post Date : October 17, 2024

IBD Dende seeks withdrawal of N500m suit against journalist, Soyombo

The Founder of IBD Hotels, Ibrahim Dende, has requested the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to allow the withdrawal of his N500m defamation lawsuit against investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo and the Foundation for Investigative Journalism. The letter, addressed to the registrar and parties in the case, dated September 30, 2024, and titled ‘Notice of Discontinuance,’ also conveyed Dende’s apologies for any inconvenience. The letter was delivered to the parties days before the court’s scheduled date for the definitive trial of the suit. In response to the discontinuance notice, counsel for the FIJ, Slingstone LP, filed a motion challenging the discontinuance by way of a letter, because the defence had already been filed and Dende now required leave of court to withdraw the suit because issues had been joined by parties. They are asking the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety with substantial cost to prevent Dende from re-filing the same suit subsequently because it would amount to forum shopping. “By virtue of Order 24 Rule 1(3) of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (Civil Procedure) Rules 2018, leave of this Honourable Court is expressly required for the discontinuance or withdrawal of this suit where, as in this case, defence has been filed against the claim,” Slingstone LP argued. “The claimant’s letter dated September 30, 2024, addressed to the Registrar, Court 18 and titled ‘Notice of Discontinuance in the Matter of Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun v. Fisayo Soyombo & 2 others with Suit Number CV/2286/2024’ and purporting to discontinue the suit is incompetent and falls short of the requirement for an application for leave under Order 24 Rule 1(3) of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory Abuja (Civil Procedure) Rules 2018. “The Notice of Discontinuance dated September 30, 2024, is irregular and constitutes an abuse of judicial process. “The 1st and 2nd defendants have incurred substantial costs in defending this frivolous and legally unsustainable action, which the claimant has filed with the ulterior motive of securing an injunction to prevent the continuing publication of press reports exposing his involvement in unlawful importation through Nigerian land borders, as well as his overt association with public office holders despite his notorious involvement in smuggling,” the counsel added. When the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday before Justice Binta Mohammed, Vembe Terence, who held the brief of Slingstone LP on behalf of Soyombo and FIJ, notified the court that the first and second defendants (that is Soyombo and FIJ) filed a motion on notice dated October 11, 2024, praying the court for an order dismissing the claimant’s purported Notice of Discontinuance as an abuse of judicial process. In the application, the first and second defendants argued that the rules of the court mandated the claimant to obtain leave of court to withdraw and discontinue a suit where a defence had been filed against the claim. They contested that the claimant could not unilaterally withdraw a suit he instituted, considering the first and second defendants had incurred substantial costs defending the frivolous action filed by the claimant in bad faith to secure an injunction to stifle press freedom. Dende’s counsel, Bola Aidi (SAN), sought to withdraw his earlier letter seeking to withdraw the suit. In opposition to the claimant’s application to withdraw the letter of discontinuance, Terence submitted that granting the application would constitute an abuse of the judicial process. The court directed both parties to present oral arguments on the issue. Following the oral submissions, the court reserved its ruling to consider the facts and arguments presented before it and adjourned until November 21, 2024, for a ruling.

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Post Date : October 17, 2024

Boko Haram in viral video, executes two Red Cross staff, woman in Borno

The unconfirmed video clip, yesterday, indicated that some armed members of Boko Haram have gruesomely murdered two Red Cross staff, in Ngoshe Community of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. Vanguard had recently reported killings of farmers and abduction of many people in the community and Kirawa town of Gwoza, with looting of unripe crops on farmlands by terrorists. In the video clip obtained yesterday, the leader of the terrorists who did not mention his name, said in Hausa language: “Many of our elders and children have been molested by security agencies, but Allah (God), in his infinite mercy to our struggles, has successfully led to the arrest of some staff working with Red Cross as well as some elderly women, including one of my sisters. “This is in addition to the successful killing of many security agencies and infidels and our great enemies. ” With these saboteurs we have captured, one of the females is my sister but because these women appear to be old in age, we will allow them to go free, while we execute the remaining enemies to indicate that we are fully on ground and to show the world that God Almighty is on our side as true Muslims,” the leader of the group said in the video. The video clip showed the gruesome murder of victims with an axe, as watchers or collaborators shouted Allahu Akbar (God is Great) during the incident. Speaking on the recent video clip, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents the area in the Senate, said: ”I just watched the video too, and am trying to verify its authenticity. “Notwithstanding, this has confirmed all my cries to the federal government and the whole world in my interviews with, especially Vanguard and other media platforms, that the resilient people of Gwoza, especially farmers who have resettled back to their ancestral homes after decades of Boko Haram atrocities, are still undergoing various forms of renewed attacks”. All efforts to get confirmation from Yuxia JIANG, Communication Delegate, International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, proved abortive at press time.

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Post Date : October 17, 2024

NNPC still sole Dangote petrol buyer – Marketers

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is still the sole off-taker of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery despite the recent directive of the Federal Government that other oil marketers were free to start loading PMS from the plant. Oil marketers revealed on Wednesday that NNPC would continue to be sole off-taker of the product from the $20bn Lekki-based plant until its agreement with the Dangote refinery as regards the lifting of PMS terminates. They, however, did not tell when the agreement between both organisations would end. Officials of NNPC and the Dangote refinery also did not respond to enquiries on when the agreement would end. On October 11, 2024, the Federal Government in a statement from the finance ministry, announced that oil marketers were now free to negotiate purchase of petrol directly from the Dangote refinery without recourse to NNPC. “Moving forward, petroleum product marketers are now able to purchase PMS directly from local refineries without the intermediary role of NNPC. Marketers are encouraged to initiate direct purchases from refineries on mutually negotiated commercial terms, which will promote competition and improve market efficiency,” it stated in the statement. But after meeting with officials of the Dangote refinery on Tuesday, members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria revealed that NNPC was still the sole off-taker of Dangote petrol pending the termination of an agreement between Dangote and NNPC. In a notice to IPMAN members in the Western Zone, issued by the Zonal Chairman, South-West, Dele Tajudeen, the association said, “The IPMAN National Vice President, Zonal Chairman of Western Zone, IPMAN members, and PTD Zonal Chairman met with the Vice President of Dangote Group and many other notable staff members of the Dangote refinery yesterday, October 15, 2024. “We had a very useful and fruitful discussion on the direct purchase of products from the Dangote refinery. The Vice President of Dangote confirmed that the Minister of Finance/ Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and the Minister of Petroleum Resources have directed them to commence sales of products to marketers who have duly registered with the refinery, but they are still having a pending agreement with NNPC Ltd which still subsist. “Until and when the agreement is terminated by either party, the direct sales will still be on hold.” The notice stated that the IPMAN National Executive Council would hold a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday “in that respect.” It added, “In view of this, marketers who are yet to officially register as IPMAN members should do so without wasting time as such marketers will not benefit from this opportunity when we eventually commence lifting from the Dangote refinery.” Both the Dangote refinery and NNPC did not respond when contacted to react to the development. However, major oil marketers told our correspondent that they were still lifting products from the Dangote refinery through the deal between NNPC and the Lagos-based refinery. “There is a subsisting deal between NNPC and Dangote refinery and it is based on that deal that we major marketers are lifting PMS from the refinery using PFI (proformer invoice),” a major dealer who spoke in confidence due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, stated.

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Post Date : October 17, 2024

Months after, 350 escapees from Suleja, Maiduguri prisons at large

The Nigerian Correctional Service has remained silent over the whereabouts of no fewer than 350 inmates who escaped from the Suleja and Maiduguri correctional facilities in 2024, following severe flooding and rainfall. Earlier in the year, on April 24, heavy rains caused the walls of the Suleja Medium Security Prison in Niger State to collapse, leading to the escape of 119 inmates, with only 23 rearrested. Also, on September 9, a ravaging flood triggered the collapse of the perimeter wall at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri, Borno State. A total of 281 inmates fled after the incident with only seven recaptured. Observations by The PUNCH showed that the Correctional Service has since then failed to provide updates on efforts to recapture the runaway inmates. The spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, did not respond to calls or messages when contacted on Wednesday for comment.

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Post Date : October 17, 2024

BREAKING: Imo police begins orderly room trial against officers caught extorting money from motorist in viral video

The Imo State Police Command has commenced an orderly room trial against officers caught in a viral video extorting money in Owerri last Sunday. These officers, who have been in detention, are:1.Inspector Ibrahim Nainna The command assured that the results of the proceedings would be communicated in due course. In a similar development, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Aboki Danjuma, and his management team on Thursday actively conducted inspections across various police divisions and tactical teams. This initiative aims to assess the conditions of suspects in detention and ensure that no individual is held beyond the legal limits. This move reflects a commitment to upholding the rights of detainees and improving overall police accountability. Recall that October 13, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, ordered the arrest of an officer and his team for extorting money from commercial bus drivers. The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on X.com on Sunday. A 15-second video showed a policeman collecting money from commercial bus drivers plying the road. Okoye assured all that he would “personally identify these officers and share their details here to show that the command has zero tolerance for extortion.” He added that the CP has also directed the command’s Complaint Response Unit and Provost Department to ensure the officers receive maximum punishment. “Disciplinary actions will be taken against them to serve as a warning to others,” he added. There has been a spate of complaints over police harassment and extortion in Imo State recently.

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