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Court Fixes April 1 For Fresh Arraignment Of Lamido Over ₦1.3 Billion Fraud

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 1 for the fresh arraignment of a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido , over an alleged ₦1.3 billion corruption charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Lamido is expected to be arraigned alongside his two sons, Aminu Lamido and Mustapha Lamido, who are accused of participating in the alleged fraud through fictitious contract awards. Justice Peter Odo Lifu fixed the date on Friday following the absence of the defendants in court. Although the fresh arraignment was scheduled to take place on Friday, counsel to the Lamidos, Joe Agi (SAN), apologised to the court for their absence. The senior lawyer explained that the defendants received information about the trial late on Thursday evening. According to him, the former governor and his sons reside in Kano and were unable to travel to Abuja within the short notice. Agi subsequently assured the court that he would produce the defendants on t...

FRSC secures conviction of 20 motorists over traffic offences in Ogun

No fewer than 20 motorists have been convicted for various traffic offences by the Ogun State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The offenders were convicted during the Phase II sitting of the FRSC Mobile Court held at the Itori Unit Command and presided over by Chief Magistrate O.T. Odunsaya. In a statement issued on Friday by the Corps Public Relations Officer, Odunsi Afolabi, the motorists were arraigned for various violations, including overloading and excessive speeding, among other traffic-related offences. Afolabi disclosed that all the offenders were convicted by the court, with none discharged during the proceedings. According to him, “A total of 20 offenders were arraigned and subsequently convicted. Forty offences were recorded during the exercise, out of which 39 attracted various fines, while none of the offenders was sentenced to imprisonment.” He explained that the enforcement operation targeted critical safety violations such as failure to install speed li...

Defence minister seeks stronger collaboration with science, innovation ministry

The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has called for stronger collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to drive innovation and develop home-grown technological solutions to national security challenges. Musa made the call when he received the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, on a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Defence, Abuja. This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Queenet Iheoma-Hart, Chief Information Officer, for the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry on Thursday in Abuja. The minister said the meeting was aimed at forging stronger partnerships between the defence sector and agencies under the science and technology ministry to enhance innovation, research and technological advancement in support of Nigeria’s security architecture. According to him, Nigeria must prioritise indigenous technological development and self-financing innovation to address national challenges and reduce depen...

Fuel Price Drops As NNPC Reduces Pump Price Nationwide

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reduced the pump price of petrol at its retail outlets to ₦1,130 per litre in Lagos and ₦1,165 per litre in Abuja. The new pricing, which took effect on Wednesday, represents a reduction of ₦100 from the previous ₦1,230 per litre in Lagos and ₦95 from ₦1,260 per litre in Abuja. Checks showed that the revised price was already reflected at several NNPC retail outlets in Lagos, including stations along Isheri Oshun Road, Apple Junction, and Ago Palace Way. Similarly, motorists in Abuja observed the new price of ₦1,165 per litre at NNPC filling stations located in Jabi and Wuse. The development offers slight relief to consumers who have faced repeated petrol price increases in recent months. The latest adjustment comes despite many oil marketers yet to reflect the earlier reduction in the gantry price of petrol by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The refinery had recently reduced its gantry price by ₦100 per litre ...

3 dead as bus plunges into river in Ibadan

No fewer than five persons were rescued alive and three lifeless bodies were recovered by the Oyo State Fire Services Agency as a passenger bus plunged into the Ariyo River along Amuloko road in Ibadan. The Chairman of the agency, Mr Moroof Akinwande, confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan. Akinwande said the agency’s personnel got a distress call about the incident on Wednesday through a telephone call from one Mrs Fadeke Yusuf and immediately deployed personnel to the scene. “Upon arrival, we met a Suzuki bus (OSUN) LEW 484 XA with eight passengers which lost control and crashed into a river. “Five persons were rescued alive and conveyed to Ona – Ara private Hospital Jegede area, while three dead bodies were recovered and handed over to a team of policemen from Ogbere Divisional headquarters led by ASP Aishat Ibrahim,” he said. He attributed the cause of the accident to reckless driving and advised motorists to always drive with care and observe...

Kaduna debunks claim Gov Sani endorsed political aspirants

Kaduna State Government has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that Governor Uba Sani has endorsed certain aspirants for the National Assembly ahead of future political contests. The government described the claim as a fabrication by its authors and urged members of the public to disregard the report in its entirety. In a statement issued in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, clarified that the governor has neither endorsed nor given preferential support to any individual seeking elective office. According to the statement, Governor Sani remains committed to democratic principles and believes in a transparent, fair and inclusive process that allows party members and stakeholders to determine candidates through the constitutionally established mechanisms of the party. “The attention of the Kaduna State Government has been drawn to a misleading message circulating on social media alleging that Governor Uba Sani has endorse...