Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7m, N830m, and multiple properties linked to the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele. The judge who had earlier dismissed an application brought by an interested party seeking to stop the judgment, from being delivered granted the final forfeiture application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala. The funds, forfeited to the federal government, were held in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank accounts managed by individuals and entities including Omoile Anita Joy, Deep…
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, has revealed that none of the 31 requests for state creation met the constitutional requirements. Kalu, who also serves as the Deputy Speaker of the House, made this known on Friday during a two-day retreat for committee members in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. The retreat, held from February 20 to 23, 2025, provided a platform for reviewing pending amendment bills and strategizing about the next steps in the constitutional review process. The 10th House organized the event in collaboration with…
An Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo has ordered the State Independent Electoral Commission, OSIEC, to go ahead with the conduct of the of the local government election scheduled for Saturday (tomorrow). In an enrollment order brought before Justice A. Aderigbigbe on Friday by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP against OSIEC and Its Chairman, Hashim Abioye, the court states that there is vacancy in the 30 local government areas of the state as held by the judgement of the Federal High Court. The court found as a fact, that the election conducted by the 1st Defendant on 15th October,…
Media personality and talk show host, Chinedu Ani, popularly known as Nedu Wazobia, has addressed recent controversies surrounding his role on the Honest Bunch podcast. Speaking at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos, Nedu clarified that he was not fired but chose to step down due to mounting pressure and controversies. Nedu emphasised that everyone had the right to express their opinions and react to issues. However, he stressed that it ultimately boiled down to what the public wanted to believe. “Rather than engaging in petty fights, I have decided to clear the air by stepping away from the…
By Chinedu Omenma The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) Aba and Convenor of the Forum of Southeast Professors (FOSEP), Professor Victor Ukaogo has urged his Kinsmen from Ozuitem in Bende Local Government in Abia State to emulate other communities around them and appreciate the good works being done by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu for the community. He was speaking to the press at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, University of Nigeria Nsukka shortly after the morning session of the well attended international conference on Ethnicity…
Tensions flared during plenary on Monday as a dispute over seating arrangements led to a heated exchange between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the senate leadership. The controversy began when Senator Natasha’s seat was relocated upon resumption of the session, but she refused to comply with the change. The Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, had raised a point of order, citing sections of the Senate rule book to justify the reassignment of seats. Monguno explained that the changes were necessary to accommodate shifts caused by some opposition members moving to the majority wing. The changes, he argued, are within the constitutional…
Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been granted bail by the Isabo Magistrate Court in Abeokuta following his arraignment on charges of assault and obstruction of government officials. Portable, who had earlier surrendered himself to the police at the Lagos State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) on Wednesday after being declared wanted by the Ogun State Command, was transferred to the Ogun State Police Headquarters, Eleweran, before being presented in court on Thursday. The singer faced a five-count charge, including conspiracy, assault, restriction, being armed with cutlasses and guns, and conduct likely to cause harm. He pleaded…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Saviour Enyiekere as the chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), marking a significant step in strengthening the administration of Nigeria’s legislative body. This was contained in a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday. Enyiekere, an environmental specialist and former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President, will serve a five-year renewable term. In addition to the chairman’s appointment, President Tinubu also approved the selection of 12 commission members, with two representatives drawn from each of Nigeria’s six…
The Katsina State Hisbah Board has banned all nightclub activities across the state, citing Islamic principles and the need to uphold moral values. The Hisbah Commander-General, Dr Aminu Usman (Abu Ammar), announced this in a statement issued in Katsina on Wednesday. He stated that nightclub owners must shut down their establishments to curb immoral practices, protect societal values, and address security concerns in the state. “The board warned that violators would face strict penalties. Security agencies have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the order. “We are committed to building a morally upright society and ensuring peace and security…
Controversial Nigerian street pop singer Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, has been brought before the Isabo High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The police had declared Portable wanted on February 18 over an alleged attack on three officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA). After surrendering to the police in Lagos on Wednesday, Portable was transferred to the Ogun State Police Command and subsequently taken to court on Thursday. The incident in question occurred on February 5 when OGPDPA officials attempted to seal Portable’s bar due to lack of proper permits and insufficient airspace…