Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
President Bola Tinubu has cancelled all his official events in Lagos today, including his attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta in honour of the stampede victims in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State. The two tragedies claimed many lives and left many others injured. President Tinubu was scheduled to watch the boat parade and other activities of the Boat Regatta from the waterfront of his Queen’s Drive residence in Ikoyi. Dignitaries, including top officials of the Lagos State government and white cap chiefs from the State, were already seated when the President cancelled his appearance following briefings on the tragedies.…
The Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti has approved the immediate payment of compensation to persons, corporate organizations and other entities whose land has been acquired for Abia Industrial Innovation Park, Owaza. A statement by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chaka Ikenna Chukwumerije urged all affected persons to ensure that they complete the Indemnity Certificate amongst other necessary documentation to effect a seamless receipt of their due payment. “Affected persons are also by this notice invited to a Town Hall Meeting at Vincker Hotels, Owaza on Monday, 23rd December, 2024 by 12 pm” The Statement also directed affected…
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has approved a new monthly stipend of N250,000 for traditional rulers in the State. The Chairman, Abia State Council of traditional rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mba made the disclosure in an appreciation message to the Governor on Saturday. Mba, who spoke on behalf of principal officers and entire members of the traditional rulers council, said that the payment of the monthly package will commence in December, 2024. He explained that the N250,000 monthly stipend is different from the N150,000 Christmas package which Otti recently approved for over 500 traditional rulers in Abia State. “The Council…
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been released from Kuje Custodial Centre after meeting the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja. This was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza. Duza said, “Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening (Friday).” “The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was on the ground to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were observed.” Bello was granted bail on Thursday by Justice MaryAnne Anenih in the sum of N500m. The…
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Oyo State, as well as the families of the victims, following the tragic stampede during a children’s carnival in Ibadan that reportedly claimed the lives of over 30 children. Kalu is deeply saddened by the devastating news and acknowledges the unimaginable tragedy has left an indelible mark on the nation’s collective conscience. He shared his thoughts and prayers with those impacted by the tragedy and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote safety, well-being, and the…
Magistrate court in Ekiti State has granted human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi ₦30 million bail. The court ordered him to provide two responsible sureties with a landed property in Ekiti State. He was told to refrain from media interview and to submit his international passport. The case has been adjourned till 13th February 2025. His bail conditions were set after the magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, had at the last sitting, reserved ruling till December 20 on the bail application and ordered that the activist be remanded in prison. Farotimi is facing a 14-count charge of alleged defamation against a Senior Advocate…
Nigeria’s Police Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has warned that raining curses on someone online is considered cyberbullying and a criminal offense punishable by law. According to Adejobi, such an act is cyber bullying which goes beyond the freedom of expression or criticism. He wrote, “Raining direct curses on someone online is cyber bullying, not expression of freedom or criticism. “And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offence and punishable. Be guided.” Questioning Adejobi’s post on X, Felix Abayomi, tweeting as #felabayomi, wrote, “When does raining curses become a crime? I look forward to the…
The Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Deinde Dipeolu, has ordered the final forfeiture of a warehouse built on a 1.925-hectare property along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. Justice Dipeolu also ordered the permanent forfeiture of 54 general-purpose steel containers. The court issued the order for the final forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, filed an application for the forfeiture, as no individual or organisation came forward to claim the assets. On November 28, the judge had previously ordered the…
The House of Representatives on Thursday announced plans to submit the sum of N704.91m for the use of vulnerable Nigerians owing to the economic hardship occasioned by the removal of subsidy from petrol on December 31, 2024, to President Tinubu. Recall that on July 18, the House resolved to slash 50 per cent of their salaries for six months to address the challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians, following the adoption of a motion moved during a plenary session. Addressing his colleagues during Thursday’s plenary, Mr Speaker said, “If you recall, about five months ago, we decided to contribute half of…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ogun Command, has successfully destroyed a six-hectare hemp farmland in Alaka village, Ogun. The agency’s state commandant, Mr Tijani Rabe, revealed the tactical operation at a news conference organised in Abeokuta on Thursday while presenting the agency’s 2024 scorecard. Rabe said four persons were arrested and being investigated in connection with the hemp farming. He said the command also recorded other significant success stories in its efforts to curb the hard drug trade. According to him, the command arrested 675 drug offenders with 9.7 tons and 537.81 litres of liquid-base illicit drugs. He…