Nigerian singer, Timaya has taken to his social media to tender a public apology following his arrest over a hit and run allegation.
It was earlier reported that the singer was arrested on Thursday morning by security operatives of the Lagos police command after they stormed his residence for allegedly hitting a lady around Ikate Lekki, Lagos, on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
Timaya was reported to have absconded after the ordeal, and all efforts from the victim’s sister to reach him proved abortive as he also went ahead to block them on Instagram.
According to Osinubi Omowumi, the sister of the victim, the music star of rammed his car into her sister after she challenged him for damaging her car, thereby causing severe injuries to her.
In the statement released this evening via the micro blogging platform, Twitter, the singer explained that the hit and run report was misleading, adding that the thought of staging a hit and run at this stage of his career would be a big joke.
He went on to share a detailed narrative of what had transpired between the lady and himself.
Timaya expressed his sympathy, noting that he wished things had turned out differently.
He also apologized to his fans and to the family of the lady for all the troubles he put them through.
In what could be termed as a big win, Ukraine fighters have reportedly killed a top Russian general amid fierce war.
Reports obtained by Naija News on Thursday claimed that Major General Andrey Sukhovetsky was killed yesterday after Ukrainian defence forces repelled the Russian offensive.
The General who was the deputy commander of the 41st Combined Arms Army of Russia’s Central Military District, was reportedly killed by a sniper.
The report is coming a day after the Russian Ministry of Defence said it has so far recorded 498 casualties in the war against Ukraine.
It further disclosed that more than 1,500 of its servicemen were injured since the invasion of Ukraine was launched last Thursday.
Defence ministry spokesman, Igor Konashenkov, however, has argued reports about ‘incalculable losses’ among Russian forces, describing it as ‘disinformation’.
Ukraine has, however, noted that the true number of Russian troops killed is higher than Moscow admits.
A statement credited to Sergei Chipilev, a deputy of the Russian veteran’s group, on General Sukhovetsky’s demise read: “It is with great sorrow that we learned of the tragic news about the death of our friend, Major General Andrei Aleksandrovich Sukhovetsky, on the territory of Ukraine during a special operation.”
Meanwhile, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, on Wednesday offered to waive visa requirements for foreigners who helps fight in their war against Russia.
Zelensky authorised a decree that would allow foreigners to assist his country in the fight against Russian troops that invaded the country last Thursday.
For foreigners who want to help in the war, the decree brings in a “temporary visa-free regime”.
Ukraine at the moment requires citizens from the European Union and the US to have visas of more than 90 days within six months for visiting.
Naija News reports that the Ukraine President noted that the visa-free regime will be effective immediately from 1 March and will be effective as long as the martial law is in force in the country.
The visa-free regime, however, was not extended to citizens of Russia who were described as “citizens of the aggressor state.”
An Osun State High Court presided over by the Chief Justice of Osun State, Oyebola Adepele-Ojo has ordered that Rahman Adedoyin and six other suspects be remanded at the Ilesa correctional facility in the murder case of Timothy Adegoke a postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) who was killed under controversial circumstances.
The order was given on Thursday when the suspects were arraigned amidst tight security at the Osun State High Court.
The six others remanded alongside Adedoyin who is the owner of the hotel (Hilton Hotels and Resort, Ile-Ife) where Timothy Adegoke lodged when he travelled from Abuja to Moro in Osun State for an exam are Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Florence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle and Adedeji Adesola.
The postgraduate student was however declared missing two days after only to be found dead later.
Society gazette reports the suspects are standing trial on an 11-count charge bothering on conspiracy, murder, attempted felony, unlawful interference with a dead body, altering, and intent to destroy evidence.
Investigations led to the arrest of Chief Adedoyin and others who are staff members of the hotel.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to them in court.
The lead prosecution counsel, Mr M.O. Omosun, told the court that the defendants committed the offences sometimes between Nov. 5, 2021, and Nov. 7, 2021, within the Ile-Ife area in Osun.
Omosun said: ”They also altered and cancelled the receipt number 931, which indicated the payment receipt made by Timothy Adegoke to Hilton Hotels in Ile Ife.
” The body of the deceased, his laptop, phones and his other belongings were dumped at an undisclosed place by the defendants to cover up their activities after he was allegedly murdered.”
The counsel for Adedoyin, Mr K.K. Eleja, however, approached the court on behalf of his client to grant him bail in the most liberal terms.
The counsel for the six other defendants also aligned themselves with the application for bail.
However, the presiding judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, overruled the bail application by the defence counsel and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has slammed an eight-count criminal charge on the former commander of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abba Kyari, over his involvement in drug trafficking.
Naija News reports that the anti-narcotics agency filed the criminal charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022 before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday.
The NDLEA, through its lawyers led by the Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Joseph Sunday, also filed the same amount of charge against six others suspects allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
The suspects are four IRT members namely ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu, as well as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, two suspected drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
Kyari and the four other police officers were accused by the NDLEA of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55 kilograms.
DCP Kyari and the IRT members were alleged to have also unlawfully tampered with 21.25kg worth of Cocaine.
The NDLEA accused the suspected drug traffickers of conspiring with others at large, to import 21.35kg of Cocaine into the country.
This development comes hours after the Federal Government began the process of extraditing Kyari to the United States of America to face trial over his alleged involvement with suspected internet fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, aka Hussipuppi.
Mr. Osho Oluwatosin Isaac, a fast rising journalist and publisher of http://www.trixxng.com , will on Sunday 13th of March, 2022 be presented with an award of outstanding journalist of the year, by a Non- Governmental Organisation, Rainbow hall of fame awards (RAHFA) at Golden gate restaurant ikoyi, Lagos.
It was gathered that the award was in recognition of the publisher’s bravery and commitment to the journalism profession and in the same vein, encourage him and other journalists not to give up.
In response to the award received, he said it would spur him to work harder.
He has received several awards among which is the notable prestige excellence award as the Blogger Of The Year(2021).
Indeed this handsome young chap has affirmed the assertion that the pen is mightier than the sword.
Lagos Safe For Your Investments, Speaker Obasa Tells Qatari Government
Qatari officials with the Hon. Temitope Adewale, representative of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, at the event.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has described the State as one that guarantees safety of investors and their businesses since the government takes seriously the protection of lives and property.
Dr. Obasa said this at the Qatar-Nigeria Business Matchmaking Event which had officials of the govermment of the two countries on Wednesday. The event also had businessmen and prospective investors in attendance.
The meeting, it was learnt, is aimed at deepening trade between the two countries in manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, technology and other related areas.
Represented by Hon. Adewale Temitope, Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Transportation, the Speaker noted that the growth and advancement of Lagos in various areas of the economy are the result of true leadership.
He added that for investors in Lagos, it has always been a symbiotic relationship since the State has the needed human capital and the market while they have the resources.
“It is, therefore, going to be a symbiotic relationship between Qatar and Nigeria,” he said while urging prospective investors to also consider the transportation and health sectors of the State in view of government’s successful effort to create an enabling environment.
Speaking at the event, Ali Ghanem Al-Hajri, ambassador of the State of Qatar to Nigeria, said the meeting would further strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and his country.
“We think this meeting to deepen bilateral relations to build an economic bridge between the two markets.
“Nigeria is the biggest market in West Africa, and there are lots of potentials and opportunities to deal with the Qatari market. I can see a huge economic bridge between the two countries,” he said.
Qatar Development Bank (QDB), which organised the business matchmaking event, used the opportunity to engaged with Nigerian businesses on strengthening investment ties across diverse sectors.
Obasa Congratulates Adeboye At 80, Says RCCG Leader Divinely Chosen
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has described Pastor Enoch Adeboye as a man divinely chosen by God to lead the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Dr. Obasa, who said this in a message congratulating Adeboye on his 80th birthday on Tuesday, added that the Pastor’s leadership style has resulted in massive growth, progess and expansion of the church making him one of the most popular religious leaders across the globe.
The Speaker also thanked the General Overseer for his advice to leaders, encouragements and contributions to the efforts to have a peaceful Nigeria.
“We thank God for picking you to lead the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Today, like always, there is no doubting the fact that you were truly and divinely chosen to lead His flock,” he said.
Read the full Congratulatory message below:
Tribute To Pastor Adeboye At 80
Your humility, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, respected man of God and General Overseer of one of the largest churches in the world, is topnotch.
As you clock 80, I want to say it is only God that could have blessed you with such an age and agility. Many people would hardly believe that you are already 80. Your physical strength remains. I have never seen you read the Bible or any other material with difficulty, your gait confirms your strength. This proves Gods words that He would bless those He would bless. It also reminds of how God blessed Moses in Deuteronomy 34:7 to the extent that even at 120, his eyes were not dim and his vitality never waned. Dear Pastor Adeboye, you are blessed!
Thank you for being a foster father to a lot of Nigerians. Thank you for adding your voice at all times when issues that need your fatherly advice or words of wisdom arise. Your contributions to the efforts at having a peaceful Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised. We follow your teachings, we hear your appraisal and words of encouragement.
We thank God for picking you to lead the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Today, like always, there is no doubting the fact that you were truly and divinely chosen to lead His flock. The growth, progress and expansion of Gods work across the globe with you being the head of the RCCG are attestations to your effectiveness as a religious leader. There is no way religious leaders would be listed globally without your name in a prominent position. And to many clergymen in Nigeria, you remain a father figure, a teacher and inspiration.
You have been a source of encouragement to us in Lagos State. We thank you for always praying for us and for your wise counsels. We appreciate your time because you are always there whenever we need you.
Your attainment of 80 years on earth is significant in the sense that it proves God’s love for you and for us who gain from your tutelage.
On behalf of my family, colleagues and staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I celebrate you on this special occasion of your 80th birthday. I also pray that God bless you with more wisdom, divine health and protection so that you can continue to be of service to Him and humanity, amen.
Former Emir of Kano, Mohammadu Sanusi has explained why he was sacked from his position as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and Emir of Kano.
Sanusi disclosed this while speaking at the closing ceremony of the AIG Public Leadership Programme Class of 2021, in Abuja, yesterday.
The former CBN governor explained that his attitude of speaking the truth to those in power cost him his positions.
According to Sanusi, he has “always stood to speak the truth to power, the reason I was removed as CBN governor and Emir of Kano, but that did not stop me from doing what I see as the right thing.”
He lamented that Civil Servants have traded their conscience for personal gains.
Stressing that civil servants no longer perform their duties creditably, Sanusi said: “over 80 per cent of them have lost their conscience for personal gains.”
Also speaking, the Chairman and Co-founder of Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said the foundation spent £563,000 in training 49 top civil servants for the Public Leaders’ Programme Class of 2021.
He disclosed that having partnered with the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, the foundation drew top executives as beneficiaries from across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Khe Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Thursday, reacted to the process to extradite the former head of the IGP Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari to the US.
Naija News had earlier reported that Malami filed an application before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja for Kyari’s extradition.
The application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022 was filed under the Extradition Act.
Malami noted that the application was filed before the court following a request by the Diplomatic Representative of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.
The extradition request of the suspended deputy commissioner of police is connected to his indictment in the $1.1million fraud perpetrated by confessed internet fraudster, Abass Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi and four others.
The minister on Thursday while speaking through his media aide, Isa Gwandu said, after “thorough studies and reviews of issues regarding the application and components thereof, processed the application and forwarded same to the relevant authorities for further necessary action.
“As you are aware extradition is a process that involves multifaceted components.
“The components are usually multi-territorial, international, local and judicial. Submission of request from the concerned party to the relevant authorities constitutes one of such components.
The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice received the extradition request in respect of the officer in question.”
Kyari is currently being detained by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency over an allegation linking him to drug trafficking.
The embattled police officer was arrested by the Nigeria police force alongside four others and handed over to NDLEA.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has started the process to extradite the former head of the IGP Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari following a request by the United States.
The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police was accused of taking bribes from confessed internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.
A grand jury on the 29th of April, 2021 had filed an indictment against the embattled police officer with the approval of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami on Wednesday, filed an application before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja for Kyari’s extradition.
The application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/249/2022 was filed under the Extradition Act.
According to Malami, the application was filed before the court following a request by the Diplomatic Representative of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.
The minister said, “for the surrender of Abba Alhaji Kyari, who is a subject in a superseding three counts indictment”.
Malami in the affidavit filed in support of the extradition application noted that he is satisfied that provision is made by the laws of the U.S. such that so long as Kyari has not had a reasonable opportunity of returning to Nigeria, he will not be detained or tried for any offence committed before his surrender other than the extradition offence which can be proved by the fact on which his surrender is sought.
He further stated that he is satisfied that the charges levelled against Kyari are not political nor is it trivial.
The AGF also expressed satisfaction that the request for Kyari’s extradition was not made to persecute or punish him on account of his race, religion, nationality or political opinions but in good faith and the interest of justice
He added that Kyari, “if surrendered, will not be prejudiced at his trial and will not be punished, detained or restricted in his liberty, because of his race, nationality or political opinions”.
The AGF said having regard to all the circumstances in which the offence was committed, it will not be unjust or oppressive, or be too severe a punishment, to surrender him.
Malami said he was also satisfied that Kyari has been accused of the offence for which his surrender is sought.
He noted that there was no criminal proceeding pending against Kyari in Nigeria for the same offence.
According to court documents, the three count-charge marked: 2:21-cr-00203-RGK, was filed on April 29, 2021, before the US District Court for the Central District of California, USA.
The charge filed along with the extradition application reads
“Count one: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
“Count two: Conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 1956(h), carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
“Count three: Aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting that offence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2(a), carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.”
kyari is currently in the detention of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency over a crime related to drug trafficking.
