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.
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.
Mrs Buhari, Nigeria’s first lady, spends a lot of time in Dubai, sometimes being in the middle-eastern city for several weeks, allegedly on taxpayers funds.
The Nigerian Governors Wives Forum (NGWF) has confirmed that the viral video showing its members celebrating Aisha Buhari’s birthday in Dubai is real.
The forum, however, says though the celebration held in Dubai, it was a coincidence as that was not the main reason its members travelled to the UAE city.
The position of the NGWF was contained in a statement by the wife of the Ekiti State Governor and chairperson of the forum, Bisi Fayemi, on Wednesday.
Mrs Fayemi, who was in the video, stated that the Nigerian First Lady’s birthday coincided with an official trip which some wives of governors were part of.
Many Nigerians have criticized the video that shows Mrs Fayemi holding a cake while leading the other women to present a cake to Mrs Buhari during the latter’s 51st birthday in Dubai.
Mrs Buhari, Nigeria’s first lady, spends a lot of time in Dubai, sometimes being in the middle-eastern city for several weeks, allegedly on taxpayers funds.
Although her office is not recognised by the Nigerian constitution, the federal government allocates funds for the running of the First Lady‘s office including its retinue of aides.
The governors’ wives also travelled for the trip at a time millions of Nigerians are unable to get petrol for their vehicles and generators, with many spending hours at filling stations.
The fuel situation adds to the worsening economic situation in a country where about half of the population live below the poverty line and millions of people are unemployed.
In their statement Wednesday, the governors’ wives were unapologetic about their trip and the Dubai celebration, saying both were necessary.
NIRSAL AD
“For the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of the public, the Nigerian Governors Wives were on the entourage of the First Lady of Nigeria who was on an official trip to the UAE,” Mrs Fayemi wrote in the statement.
“The trip coincided with the birthday of HE Aisha Buhari. On the morning of her birthday, which was February 17th, the delegation of Governors’ Wives paid a private visit to present a cake and flowers. After the brief presentation, we proceeded to attend the scheduled meetings for the day.”
Mrs Fayemi said the governors’ wives were “dismayed to see footage of the visit interpreted to mean Governors’ Wives left Nigeria for the sole purpose of celebrating HE’s birthday.”
Read full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT
Our attention has been drawn to a social media post shared on the 1st of March 2022 suggesting that some Nigerian Governors’ Wives were in Dubai to surprise the First Lady of Nigeria Dr. Aisha Buhari on the occasion of her birthday on the 17th of February 2022.
For the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of the public, the Nigerian Governors Wives were on the entourage of the First Lady of Nigeria who was on an official trip to the UAE.
The trip included visits to Dubai Expo 2020, and tours of the Dubai e-learning center, Dubai Youth Hub and meetings with foundations and agencies in UAE who are interested in investing in education, health and technology in Africa, with priority given to women and young people.
The trip coincided with the birthday of HE Aisha Buhari. On the morning of her birthday, which was February 17th, the delegation of Governors’ Wives paid a private visit to present a cake and flowers. After the brief presentation, we proceeded to attend the scheduled meetings for the day.
We were therefore dismayed to see footage of the visit interpreted to mean Governors’ Wives left Nigeria for the sole purpose of celebrating HE’s birthday.
This is not true and we find this assumption scandalous. We are all dedicated to supporting our spouses as well as our First Lady, and we would never be a party to anything that will bring embarrassment to them and ourselves.
Our key learnings from our visit to the various agencies in Dubai and the briefings we received points to the need for Nigeria to scale up investments in education, science and technology and provide more opportunities for young people, who are the key to the future. We will continue to address these issues in our own work as well as advocate for increased commitments in these areas from our leaders.
A student of Kinsey College of Education in Ilorin, Kwara State, Yakubu Ahmed has killed his colleague Farouq Ahmed.
Yakubu and the deceased reportedly got into a fight which involved the use of knives. The fight led to life threatening injuries.
According to the First Information Report, FIR, both boys were rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, in Ilorin. However Ahmed lost his life due to injuries sustained during the fight.
Reports revealed that the reason for the fight was over some missing plates which was kept with the deceased.
Trial Magistrate, Adebayo Kudus, in his ruling, said he could only take cognizance of the case but lacked jurisdiction to entertain it.
He adjourned the matter till March 21, 2022, for mention.
Meanwhile, Chukwuweze, a middle-aged woman in a Delta State community, has been beaten to death by an angry mob over allegations of witchcraft.
According to Ika Weekly Newspaper, the incident was said to have occured last weekend at Mbiri Kingdom in Ika North East Local government of the state.
A source who craved anonymity while condemning the mob action meted on the deceased disclosed that the incident was instigated by one Mr. Chukwuekwu. Read more.
