Oluwasegun Adesuyi, Author at SocietyGazette.com

Buhari Govt Cancels Compulsory COVID-19 Test For Vaccinated Travellers Lagos airport

The Muhammadu Buhari-led government has cancelled the compulsory COVID-19 test for vaccinated travellers coming into Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made this known during a press briefing on Monday.

He pointed out that in-bound fully vaccinated passengers arriving in the country will no longer be required to take a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 Test.

Mustapaha stated that fully vaccinated passengers on arrival would undergo a rapid antigen test at the airport by the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC ), within the arrival hall of all the country’s point of entry and airports.

The PSC boss added that fully vaccinated passengers will not be charged for arrival rapid antigen tests at the airport.

The SGF revealed that the revised international travel protocols, would take effect on Monday, 4th April, 2022.

He said: “Passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated shall take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure, or do a Day 2 and day 7 test on arrival. Such passengers will be expected to pay for their PCR tests through the travel platform.

“Rules that apply to fully vaccinated adults also apply to children aged 10 – 18 years; they will not be required to have pre-arrival PCR tests but will have a sample taken at the arrival hall but not charged.

“All passengers travelling out of Nigeria are encouraged to be fully vaccinated and to fully comply with COVID-19 protocols and requirements in their country of destination.”

The SGF said that the PSC continues to strongly recommend the use of face masks in enclosed environments, while n open spaced, the use of face masks was discretional.

Mustapha also said that the country still has the National Response in place as its continue to monitor global trends and adapt them with the situation in country.

He stressed that there had been a consistent decline in number of cases around the world but that does not give Nigerians the leverage to let their guards down yet because there were predictions of rebounds as Nigerians can see in China, South Korea, Germany, Vietnam, France, Hong Kong.

Bamise’s murder: Court sets aside date for prosecution of suspect

The Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), on Tuesday set aside May 9, 10, and 11 for the prosecution of a prime suspect in the murder of 22-year-old Bamise Ayanwole.

It was gathered that the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Omininikoron, accused of killing Bamise, was arraigned on Tuesday morning before Justice Sherifat Sonaike on a four-count charge of conspiracy, murder, and two counts of rape. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Nice’s arraignment followed a legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Jide Martins, recommending the prosecution of the 47-year-old.

Recall that Bamise went missing after boarding the BRT bus on February 26. She was said to have boarded the bus which was going to Oshodi at about 7pm at Chevron Bus-stop in Lekki.

Her lifeless body was discovered on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island, on March 7, triggering public outrage.

JUST IN: Obi Cubana’s Odogwu Bitters Seals N50m Endorsement Deal With Portable

Nigerian billionaire businessman, Obi Cubana, has signed a deal with musician, Habeeb Okikiola also called Portable, as the brand ambassador of his new herbal drink “Odogwu bitters”.

The deal which was signed on Monday was revealed by Portable.

Based on the disclosure made known in a video, the deal which endorses Portable as a brand ambassador is valued N50m.

But both parties did not disclose the tenure of the deal.

THE WHISTLER could not independently verify the terms of the deal as of the time of filing the report.

The deal has however generated reactions on micro-blogging site, Twitter.

A Twitter user with the handle @Tee_Classiquem1 said, “Portable just signed a deal worth N50m with Obi Cubana as an Ambassador for his new herbal drink Odogwu bitters. It’s safe to say being an idamu adugbo is really paying off for his brand.”

For @Nycewizy, he said, “Obi Cubana is smart. Man wants to break the context that Odogwu Bitters is an Eastern Drink for just the Igbos. Signed the rave of the moment Portable as a Brand Ambassador for a whooping N50m? Smart move.”

Also, @oba2312 tweeted, “Obi cubana smart guy pushing odogwu bitters to the trenches, portable is the right person!”

Similarly, @ManLikeIcey said, “Portable is the most loquacious artiste in the street right now, making him a brand ambassador for a gin is a very exceptional decision, he’ll make more than that N50m Obi Cubana gave him.”

Obiano: EFCC Arrests Officer Who Videotaped Ex-Anambra Governor In Detention

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one of its officers for allegedly videotaping the immediate-past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, while in custody of the anti-graft agency.

This came as the EFCC distanced itself from a viral video which showed Obiano sitting in an isolated area in the commission’s headquarters and interacting with an unidentified person.

The EFCC, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on Monday, said the “video is completely at variance with the established Standard Operating Procedure of the EFCC”.

Uwujaren added, “A discreet investigation ordered upon discovery of the leak has revealed the errant officer behind the odious act and he is currently being subjected to appropriate disciplinary action”.

Obiano had spent five days in EFCC’s custody after he was arrested for alleged mismanagement of funds to the tune of N42 billion, among other offences, while he was in office.

He was arrested on Thursday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, a few hours after he handed over to his successor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

The anti-graft agency granted the ex-governor bail on Monday, but noted that he was yet to fulfil the conditions of his bail.

Sack Order: Trial Court Strikes Out Umahi ‘Application’ As Gov’s Hope Hangs On Appeal

The Governor of Ebonyi State David Umahi and his deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, are now banking on the Court of Appeal after the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday struck out their stay of execution application filed against their sacking by Justice Inyang Ekwo.

THE WHISTLER reported that the trial court had on March 8 ordered the removal of the duo over their defection to the All Progressive Congress despite winning the governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party platform.

Based on that, Umahi’s lawyers had filed an appeal before the appellate court while asking the same trial court to stay execution of its judgment.

Having filed an appeal, Umahi’s lawyers sought withdrawal of their application before the trial court.

The judge agreed with Umahi’s counsel by striking out the suit.

Recall that the governor had been ordered by a High court sitting in Ebonyi state to remain in office despite his sacking.

All parties are looking forward to the decision of the Appeal Court regarding his defection.

Village Head, 23 Others Killed During House-To-House Attack In Zamfara

Terrorists on Sunday invaded Ganar Kiyawa village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, killing no fewer than 24 people including the village head and other traditional title holders.

During the house-to-house attack which occurred on Sunday morning, the assailants pilfered valuable items and livestock belonging to the residents.

Some of the villagers who escaped the attack had fled into nearby bushes, sources told Premium Times.

Abdullahi Musa, a resident of Gana, not far from Ganar Kiyawa community, said, “All the shops were looted by the bandits while residents ran for their lives.”

Musa added, “We cannot say how many people were kidnapped so far but those who have been killed. The residents were able to gather 23 corpses for burial. Another corpse was also found after the initial 23. It could be more especially now that the residents are afraid to go deep into the bushes to look for their dead”.

Similarly, the youth leader in Bukkuyum LGA told the medium, “Yes, 24 people were killed by the bandits in yesterday’s attack. The village head and some other traditional rulers as well as residents were killed. They (bandits) have been trying to attack the community but because their main targets were not always sleeping in the town, they decided to come in the morning”.

Zamfara is one of the worse hit states that have been ravaged by terrorists in the North West. Residents are frequently killed and abducted for ransom. Their attackers are also said steal their livestock and impose taxes/levies on them, amongst others.

Just In: Bandits Kill APC Women Leader in Kwara

A woman leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was reportedly killed in Kwara state over the weekend during an exchange of gunfire in a rescue operation between the bandits and a combined team of soldiers and hunters.

The woman, identified as Mrs Olumo Abolaji, APC Women Leader in Koro ward of Ekiti Local Government was one of the eight people kidnapped on Wednesday evening between Araromi Opin and Obbo-Ile in Ekiti local government area of the state.

The politicians, who were all from Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, were returning home the swearing-in of the state executives of the party performed by the state governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in Ilorin when the gunmen suspected to be bandits waylaid them.

It was gathered that five of the eight people involved had escaped from the kidnappers.

According to Mr. Adekunle Oluwole, a relative to one of the victims, who said that five of the eight people involved escaped from the kidnappers listed those involved, as the Isapa Ward Chairman in Ekiti local government area of the state, Mr Daniel Adewuyi; the Eruku ward Chairman; Women Leader Eruku; Women Leader Obbo Ile; Chairman Obbo Ile Ward; Women Leader Koro ward; and Women Leader Isapa ward, among others.

He, however, said that the women leaders of Eruku ward, Obbo-Ile ward and Koro ward were taken away into the forest by the kidnappers.

He said that some of the victims who escaped from the bandits were taken to the hospital in the area for treatment, adding that some politicians from the area including Mr. Ganiyu Abolarin, an elected member of the Kwara state House of Assembly representing Ekiti local government state Constituency and Mr. Wale Awelewa, Chairman of APC in Ekiti local government were in the hospital to wish them quick recovery.

Oluwole also hinted that four Hilux vans loaded with soldiers, local hunters and vigilance men were drafted to the forest to trail the kidnappers and rescued the victims.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kwara Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, could not be reached for his reaction on the fate of the kidnapped victims yesterday as his phone line was switched off.

But, a senior police officer in the state police command, who sought anonymity, confirmed the incident.

He, however, declined to speak further on the issue.

Also, the state chairman of APC in Prince Sunday Fagbemi, confirmed the incident to journalists yesterday saying that “two of the three victims were rescued alive”.

Fagbemi said: “Two of our party women leaders in Eruku ward and Obbo-Ile ward were rescued alive, but unfortunately we lost one of them because the woman leader of Koro ward was killed by the bandits”.

More trouble For Abba Kyari, Co-Defendants As Malami Approves Seizure Of Assets

The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants are set to lose their properties and money in bank accounts to the Federal Government temporarily.

It was learnt that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had in a letter sent to the Ministry of Justice penultimate week, asked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to grant approval for the seizure of assets belonging to Kyari and his co-accusers.

The suspended DCP and his co-defendants are facing eight counts of conspiracy, obstruction and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Some of the assets include cash and money in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, vehicles, real estate, hotels, buildings, wristwatches, jewellery and other valuable possessions.

A senior justice ministry official told The Punch that Malami has granted a request made by the NDLEA to seize their assets pending the outcome of their case in court.

He disclosed that the seizure of assets of the former commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and his co-accused was to ensure that they did not benefit from the proceeds of crime.

“The AGF has endorsed the request by the NDLEA seeking approval for the confiscation of the assets of Abba Kyari, Ubua and the other police officers involved in drug dealing.

“With the approval, the drug agency can now go after their property such as real estate, bank accounts, cash, vehicles, stocks, bonds and anything of monetary value.” the source said.

Recall that the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, had confirmed that the agency had traced about N4.2bn to Kyari and his co-accused, ACP Sunday Ubua’s bank accounts.

Babafemi added that the accused persons’ bank accounts would be frozen in line with standard practice.

Ali Modu Sheriff Withdraws From APC Chairmanship Race

Former Governor of Borno state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has withdrawn from the national chairmanship race of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports that this is coming days before the national convention of the ruling APC, scheduled for 26 March, 2022.

Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman said he decided to step down due to the zoning arrangement in the party which has ceded the office to North Central.

According to him, he would only rejoin the race should the ruling party change its mind between now and Friday.

Recall that the APC had zoned its chairmanship position to the North-Central with Senator Adamu Abdullahi, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, George Akume amongst others all from the zone gunning for the top position.

However, former Zamfara Governor, Abdulaziz Yari has insisted on carrying on with his ambition despite coming from the North-West.

Davido Reacts As Dortmund Tweets His Slang ‘E Choke’

Award-winning singer, David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido, on Friday took to his Twitter account to express excitement after Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund used his slang, ‘E Choke on its official Twitter account.
The Bundesliga club had posted pictures of their players on their Twitter account with the caption, ‘E Choke’, popularly used by Davido.

Borussia Dortmund shared picture of Erling Haaland, Marco Reus and Axel Witsel celebrating and wrote, “E choke @davido 🇳🇬😂”

The Davido Music Worldwide boss who was excited with the development quoted the tweet and wrote, “clear road”.

Borussia Dortmund added, “BVB fallllll on youuuu 🎶🤣,” a popular song by the Nigerian singer.

The German club also took out time to celebrate Nigerian players that have played for the club in past.

It wrote, “BVB loves Naija 💛, Sunday Oliseh x Victor Ikpeba 🇳🇬”