Author: Saint Augustine

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday visited the scene of a petrol tanker explosion in Iyana -Ipaja area of the state. Properties worth several millions of naira were destroyed in the ensuing inferno. The governor blamed the frequent tanker explosions in the state on carelessness and indiscipline of truck drivers, saying the trend must stop. He said, “As at 1am this morning, a tanker loaded with 33,000litres of petrol fell from Ipaja Bridge and spilled all its contents within the environs of Ipaja, covering almost five streets from here. “In the last four hours, all our emergency agencies have…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other banks in the Federal High Court, Ibadan, for their roles in the recycling of mutilated currencies worth N8bn. The trial, which took place before Justice Ayo Emmanuel, had Patience Okoro, Afolabi Johnson, Ilori Sunday, Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola and Fatai Yusuf being arraigned on five counts of conspiracy, diversion and stealing of mutilated currencies meant for briquetting. They were accused of replacing the mutilated currencies with cut-to-size newspapers and diverting the money for personal use. Also arraigned are Kayode Philips,…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) said it withdrew the six-count fraud charges against former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, before Justice E. S Chukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja as a prelude to the consolidation of all the cases it has against him. The media and publicity department of EFCC in a statement explained that the withdrawal will allow the anti-graft agency consolidate the charges against the former governor, pending before two Federal High Courts in Abuja. In the withdrawn charge, Sylva was being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly converting N2 billion worth…

Konga.com, Nigeria’s foremost online business founded in 2012, has a mission to become the engine of commerce and trade in Africa. Konga has self-fulfil business model initiative to assist other sellers in Nigeria. Kunle Oguneye, Konga’s marketing director, with over 1,000 direct and indirect employees, tells BusinessDay that the self-fulfill initiative is to empower other sellers to effectively reach more customers, more effectively. He believes that online shops will continue to grow because of Nigeria’s poor infrastructure, as operators have only scratched the surface of e-commerce, given the population of Nigerians on internet. Excerpt: Could you tell me more about…

Niger Delta ex-militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has condemned the amnesty granted to the ex-Niger Delta militants by the late president, Umaru Yar’adua. According to him, this was a bribe to allow oil flow from the Niger Delta region to the North. He said that was the reason he rejected the offer. Dokubo, who gave the clarification during the 2015 MASSOB day celebration, held in Owerri, Imo State, also faulted the national conference organized by the Federal Government, insisting that the exercise did not represent the views of the Niger Delta region that is yearning for a referendum. “It only represented…

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has given an account of how a phone call by the Comptroller General of Customs, Dr Dikko Inde Abdullahi saved the management of the Tincan Island Container Terminal (TICT) of the proposed picketing by the members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Tincan Island Chapter yesterday. It will be recalled that NAGAFF had last Thursday issued a press release warning its members to dissociate themselves from the planned picketing and withdrawal of service citing inability of ANLCA to exhaust all avenues of dialogue with the sole aim of…

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Shehu Garba says ongoing cleaning and refurbishment has prevented President Buhari to move into his official residence in Aso Rock Villa days after he was sworn in as President. “As far as the President is concerned, the place (his official residence) is not ready yet. Workers are cleaning and refurbishing the place. Once the exercise is completed, the President will move in”, he said. Meanwhile there are reports that staff of Aso villa, particularly security officers, are currently in a state of confusion as to what their job schedule will be…

No fewer than 69 persons burnt to death Sunday evening when a trailer loaded with Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol that was descending from Army barracks side of Onitsha Enugu express way lost control and rammed into the Asaba Motor Park at Upper Iweka, Onitsha and exploded. Reports say eleven vehicles mostly commuter buses and two motorcycles inside the Asaba Park Onitsha including the 40 foot tanker laden with petrol burnt beyond repairs inside the park. Governor Willie Obiano who immediately rushed to the scene of the accident, on hearing it, wept on seeing the number of casualties.…

Lagos Lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has berated the secret declaration of assets by President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo, saying the declaration was contrary to their solemn promises that they made openly and willingly to Nigerians, in the course of their campaigns. The lawyer, in a statement issued on Sunday said “it is indeed unfortunate and too early for Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, to be turning against the solemn promises he made to Nigerians”. He argued that it is not enough for the president to declare his asset with the Code of Conduct Bureau, but to further make the content…

Six top officials of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 16 other workers of commercial banks in the country have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for a mega scam involving N8 billion. The suspects were picked up by operatives of the anti-graft agency for stealing and putting into circulation defaced and mutilated Nigerian currency notes to the tune of N8 billion meant for destruction. All the suspects have already been taken into EFCC custody preparatory to their arraignment at the Federal High Court, Ibadan, tomorrow. The trial will run till June 4 in a bid…