Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun on Wednesday, said criminals have threatened to go after him, following the anti-crime battle of his government.
Abiodun had on January 21, 2022, re-launched the state joint security outfit, code-named OP-MESA, where he declared war on kidnappers and internet scammers commonly called ‘Yahoo Boys’ in the state.
But the governor, while speaking in Abeokuta, hinted that the hoodlums are feeling the heat of the newly relaunched security outfit.
He spoke at the “Ogun, Oyo Joint Security Meeting”, bilateral session put together by Ogun and Oyo State Governments to finding solutions to the insecurity challenges in their states.
The governor dared the criminals, saying “I am waiting for them.”
He said “After we launched our OP-MESA last week, I understand that they have been working extremely hard, in fact, what I hear is that those criminals are now saying that Dapo Abiodun is making life unbearable for them and that they are going after me, well, let me assure you that I will continue to make life intolerable and unbearable for you and I’m waiting for you.”
Lagos-based Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Omogbolahan Marshall better known as K1 the Ultimate, has been thrown into mourning after losing his father to the cold hands of death.
Late Mefu of Igan, Otunba Samson Aremu Rufai was a prominent community leader in Ago-Iwoye.
He reportedly passed away at the age of 84 years.
According to reports, Otunba Rufai died in the early hours of Wednesday, 26th January 2022, after battling briefly an undisclosed illness.
He was the Mefu of Igan Quarter, one of the eight Quarters in Ago-Iwoye and reigned for 43 years.
It should be noted that Otunba Samson Rufai assumed the position of Mefu of Igan Quarter in 1979 and during his time recorded many gigantic developments.
He was survived by many children, including Otunba Sesan Rufai, the Chief Executive Officer of Goldmyne TV and Limelite Hotels.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has allegedly withdrawn its personnel attached to Shina Peller after he called for the dissolution and merger of the corps with the Nigeria Police Force.
The withdrawal is coming after Peller, who represents lseyin/ltesiwaju/ Kajola/lwajowa Federal Constituency in Oyo State at the House of Representatives, proposed the bill via National Security And Civil Defence Corps (Repeal and Transition) Bill 2022, which passed the first reading on Tuesday.
The bill seeks to develop regulations and implement procedures for the transfer of assets and personnel of the Corps to the Nigeria Police Force.
Also, the bill will ensure the establishment of a transition management committee to oversee the security agency before its collapse into the Police
Speaking on the floor of the House on Tuesday, Peller said he sponsored the bill in order to address the fragmentation of security resources across multiple competing agencies in the country.
While noting that the multiplicity of security agencies is counterproductive and a waste of scarce resources, Peller urged the Green Chamber to ensure the successful passage of the proposed legislation.
Peller noted that the functions of the NSCDC have become a duplication of the police and has led to avoidable conflicts, adding that the duties of the NSCDC are being performed by the police.
He, however, assured Nigerians that no hob will be lost as a result of the scrapping of the agency, noting that assets and personnel of the agency will be absorbed into the police.
The sentencing of self-confessed internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, has been postponed by the United States District Court till July 11, 2022.
Judge Otis D. Wright in Los Angeles granted the order after the lawyers to Hushpuppi led by Louis Shapiro called for a postponement.
Hushpuppi is expected to remain in custody in the intervening period of the delay.
It was earlier reported that the sentencing of Hushpuppi was previously fixed for February 14 over his fraudulent activities.
Recall that the internet fraudster pleaded guilty last year to the charges, seeking a lighter sentence.
The court document released earlier stats, “At the request of counsel, the sentencing is continued to July 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.”
This is coming after the Police Service Commission ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to investigate the link between suspended head of the Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari and internet fraudster, Abba Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi.
The commission directed the IGP to submit the report of the fresh probe in two weeks time for the PSC Standing Committee on Discipline to review.
The decision was reached following the advice of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Binance Chief Executive Officer, Changpeng Zhao, has explained that the controversial restriction of accounts on its platform is due to ongoing measures to prevent fraudulent activities.
In a statement addressed to the Nigerian community, published on Sunday, Mr Zhao said 281 Nigerian cryptocurrency accounts were affected by these proactive measures.
“Some 281 Nigerian accounts have been affected by these personal account restrictions with approximately 38% of these cases restricted at the request of international law enforcement,” he said.
Mr Zhao emphasised that the Nigerian community is one that brings great pride, adding that since the inception of Binance, Nigeria and Africa at large have been “very special markets to us and for crypto.
The CEO’s comment came days after many traders of cryptocurrencies took to Twitter to vent their anger and grievances over the various unusual activities they noticed on their wallets on the Binance platform.
Many users of the platform, especially Nigerians and other Africans, last Wednesday alleged that they had been deprived of access to their wallets (account) without significant reasons.
Binance is a cryptocurrency exchange platform where digital currency holders can transact seamlessly in a peer-to-peer (P2P) pattern.
“On hearing the concerns raised by the community, I decided to write to re-emphasize our commitment to you,” Mr Zhao said in his statement Sunday.
While apologising for the inconvenience caused by delays in resolving customer support requests, Mr Zhao stated that “user security remains our top priority.”
He said: “We love and are devoted to our Nigerian community, but we must ensure that our users are safe. As such, protection mechanisms such as KYC, anti-money laundering measures, collaboration with law enforcement, and account restrictions are in place to ensure our community remains protected and that fraudulent activity is prevented.
“This is a global approach applied in every country.”
Ongoing efforts
According to the statement, Mr Zhao said regardless of the bitter experiences, “we owe it to you, our users, to deliver the experience you deserve.”
In its bid to rebuild the trust of Nigerians on its brand, Mr Zhao said the company is ensuring speedy resolutions of ongoing user cases tied to account restrictions.
“Currently, we have resolved 79 cases and continue to work through others. All non-law enforcement-related cases will be resolved within two weeks,” he said.
He noted that the company is devoting more customer service personnel to the region, and that it will dedicate additional risk agents with a great understanding of the Nigerian market.
“Rest assured, we are working hard to attend to all customer service requests,” he explained.
Future Face Africa sponsored by Ecobank presents the Winners; Ana Campos – Angolan and Nziza Ken – Rwandan
Ana Campos, a Rwandan and Nziza Ken, an Angolan both winners of Future Face Africa model talent search competition held at Eko Hotels and Towers, Lagos, Nigeria at the weekend
It was all glitz and glamour as winners emerged at the grand finale of the keenly contested Future Face Africa (FFA) model talent search competition which took place at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos last Sunday. Ana Campos, An Angolan and Nziza Ken, a Rwandan emerged winners in both female and male category respectively at Africa’s largest model search competition.
The final event had 18 contestants who qualified after a rigorous selection process involving physical castings in eight African countries, as well as thousands of digital applications from all over the world. Some of the 18 finalists were flown into Lagos for a photo session and runway competition – turning their modelling aspirations into a reality.
The two winners won the title of “Africa’s next future face” and received a two-year international modelling contract with a top international modelling agency; as well as $5,000 cash prize. In addition to providing a career start in modelling, the competition also prepares the winners for global modelling roles. The event is majorly sponsored by Ecobank Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Head Marketing and Corporate Communications, Ecobank Nigeria, Babajide Sipe, said the bank’s decision to sponsor the event is in line with its Pan African vision of developing potentials and talents on the continent, adding that it aligns with Ecobank’s commitment to providing a veritable platform for actualizing the dreams of many young talents who will become global super stars in the fashion and beauty industry.
“We are proud to be sponsors of this event. You know that Ecobank is committed to Africa and focused on giving the young ones every opportunity to realize their potential. Africa has the talent, the resources and the best people across the globe to succeed in any industry. Future Face Africa is a platform to discover some of these talents and to again put Africa in the global Fashion scene.
Future Face Africa, no doubt Africa’s largest model search competition is headed by Elizabeth Isiorho, a pioneer in the African modelling industry and the founder of Beth Model Management Africa, Africa’s largest modelling agency.
Ana Campos, a Rwandan and Nziza Ken, an Angolan both winners of Future Face Africa model talent search competition held at Eko Hotels and Towers, Lagos, Nigeria at the weekend
Mrs Ibironke Oluremi Adefila (nee Jobi), a senior staff member of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), was brutally murdered in Lagos by assailants thought to be assassins.
Adefila was reportedly on her way to work in the early hours of Friday, January 28, 2022, when she was confronted by heavily armed assailants opposite Awalu group of schools in Laketu, Ikorodu.
According to onlookers, a voice among the armed men was heard yelling, “that’s her, that’s her,” and they promptly attacked her and chopped her to death on the spot with an axe, cutlass, and knife.
Although some good Samaritans attempted to take her to the hospital in the hope that she would survive the senseless mutilation, she had lost a great deal of blood due to the severe injuries she had sustained on every area of her body, including her head and spine.
The deceased’s family has pleaded with the police and other appropriate authorities to expedite the investigation into their daughter’s death.
Alaba Jobi, speaking on behalf of the family, stated, “What made the crime even more shocking and terrible was that she was scheduled to attend a celebration that day in the office to celebrate her promotion to a new level in her office.”
“Many have wondered, ‘What could have prompted this brutal and heinous murder?’”
“Another surprise was that none of her personal items or body parts were stolen.
“Police must act immediately to apprehend those responsible for this horrible act. The mother of five children should not perish in vain. Mr Adefila, the husband, also seeks justice,” stating that Ikorodu, which was once a tranquil neighbourhood, has been blighted by a slew of criminal activities that has become nearly permanent in the area.
“All relevant parties should assist the Lagos Police command in unraveling the mysteries surrounding Ikorodu’s security concerns, particularly the death of Mrs Ibironke Oluremi Adefila,” he added.
Adekunle Ajisebutu, the state police command’s spokesperson, confirmed the incident and stated that the state’s police are “working vigorously to apprehend the offenders.”
Additionally, he added that Abiodun Alabi, the state commissioner of police, has authorized a thorough inquiry into the event.
The Gombe offices of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Atiku for President 2023 were on Tuesday attacked by hoodlums.
They looted the office, razed furniture and carted away valuable property, including air conditioners among others.
The North East Coordinator of Atiku for President 2023, Dr. Adamu Bappayo, who addressed journalists in Gombe, expressed shock over the incident.
He said he could not give any reason for the attack because former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is a peace-loving gentleman.
“I received a call on my phone around 2 am informing me of an attack on the building by hoodlums I do not know what can warrant his kind of attack because my principal, Vice President Atiku Abubakar is a peace-loving man.
“He has a smooth relationship with the Governor of the state, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and many other personalities across the state,” he said.
According to him, the matter has already been reported to Commissioner of Police and the DSS, which requested for a comprehensive statement on it.
As at the time of filing this report, Gombe PDP chairman, Abnon Kwaskebe is holding a meeting with the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Gombe Deputy Commissioner of Police, Adamu Ngorjin, said the Commissioner of Police, Ishola Babaita, has visited the PDP office to ascertain the situation.
Ngorjin said it was too early to make any comment on the incident because the police were still investigating it
The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill seeking to regulate rent payments in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for second reading.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Smart Adeyemi (All Progressives Congress, APC, Kogi State), specifically seeks to stop yearly advance payment of rents and compel house owners to collect rent monthly in arrears.
Adeyemi said many properties in Abuja were empty because of the outrageous rents placed on them.
“Many residents of FCT are finding it very difficult to cope with huge rent payment, the reason many of the houses built for such purpose are empty.”
He said some landlords always insist their tenants pay one year or two years rent.
“That is wrong. There are many tenants whose salaries are competing with their rents because they live in cities like Abuja,” he said.
Speaking on the issue, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC, Niger), described the proposed law as people-centred and urged his colleagues to support its passage.
