News

Trump’s ex-aide, Peter Navarro, released from federal prison

Published

6 months ago

July 18, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Donald Trump’s former White House trade advisor, Peter Navarro, was released from a Florida prison on Wednesday after serving a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Navarro, 75, is expected to travel from Miami, where he was incarcerated in a federal prison, to Milwaukee to address the Republican National Convention. He is listed as one of the speakers at the gathering.

Navarro is the highest-ranking former member of the Trump administration to spend time behind bars for actions stemming from the former Republican president’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Navarro was found guilty of two counts of contempt in September for refusing to comply with a subpoena to testify before the congressional panel that investigated the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters.

Navarro, a Harvard-educated economist, was the architect of the “Green Bay Sweep,” a plot to block Congress from certifying the 2020 election results.

Navarro refused to appear for a deposition before the House of Representatives committee that investigated the January 6 attack on Congress and declined to supply documents to the panel.

He was convicted of contempt by a federal jury in Washington after a two-day trial and claimed to be a victim of “partisan weaponization of our justice system.”

Navarro was the second close Trump ally to be convicted of contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas from the House committee.

US Secret Service agrees to review after Trump assassination bid
Steve Bannon, one of the masterminds behind Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, was also found guilty of contempt of Congress.

Bannon was sentenced to four months behind bars and began serving his sentence on July 1 at a federal prison in Connecticut.

Trump was scheduled to go on trial in Washington on March 4 on charges of conspiring to overturn the results of the election won by Democrat Joe Biden.

His trial was put on hold, however, until the Supreme Court heard Trump’s claim that as a former president, he is immune from criminal prosecution.

The court ruled earlier this month that a former president has broad immunity and Trump’s trial is unlikely to be held before the November election, if ever.

Trump, 78, was impeached for a second time by the House after the Capitol riot — he was charged with inciting an insurrection — but was acquitted by the Senate.

AFP

News

NASS constitutes joint committee to probe N4trn revenue shortfall

Published

53 seconds ago

January 14, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance has constituted a special committee to probe a shortfall of over N4 trillion in revenue due to indiscriminate waivers by government agencies.

The decision to set up the panel to investigate the shortfall followed a motion moved by Senator Adamu Aliero during a hearing to examine the revenue profiles of ministries, departments, and agencies and government-owned enterprises ahead of the 2025 budget.

The hearing aimed to enable the Senate and House of Representatives committees to develop accurate and realistic revenue projections for 2025.

The joint committee is co-chaired by Senator Sani Musa and Hon James Faleke.

Moving the motion, Aliero said: “Due to the issue of waivers, there is a serious shortfall between what is supposed to be collected as revenue and what is actually collected.

“From our records, over N5.9 trillion was supposed to be in the consolidated revenue fund of the federation, but we only have N1.9 trillion. We need to set up a special committee that will investigate this serious anomaly.

“We cannot continue to allow revenue agencies to spend money without the National Assembly. If someone is given a waiver, we have to find out who gave that waiver.

“A shortfall of over N4 trillion is not a small amount. We found out that over N4.9 trillion has not been remitted. We should set up an investigative committee that would investigate all the money that has not been remitted.”

News

Wike plans special reception for FCT victorious athletes

Published

18 minutes ago

January 14, 2025

Naijablitznews

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Barrister Nyesom Wike, is set to honour victorious athletes that have recently represented the Capital Territory in various Games.

This is in recognition of the athletes’ performance at the various Games, the 2022 National Sports Festival, the 7th and 8th National Youth Games and will be staged on Thursday January 16th, 2025.

The historic performance of the team at the Games, is what led to Barr. Nyesom Wike’s approval that a special reception be held in their honour.

The event is organized to appreciate the team’s great acts of sacrifice, patriotism and determination, demonstrated at the Games which has brought the FCT great positivity.

Barr Wike is committed to the development of sports, and has always reiterated that he would continue to create an enabling environment for sports to thrive as part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s focus to engage youths to help discover their potentials and empower them to be better.

News

Reps Urge FG To Sustain Support For Nigerian Military

Published

39 minutes ago

January 14, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Ahead of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the House of Representatives has called for sustained support for the Nigeria military in its quest to address the challenges of insecurity across the country.

This resolution was sequel the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, titled “Armed Forces Remembrance Day: A call to honour, celebrate and support the heroism of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in safeguarding national unity and global peace”, moved by Rep. Babajimi Benson, lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, on Tuesday at plenary.

Rep. Benson who is also the Chairman Committee on Defense, commended men and officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to their constitutional responsibility, said the security challenges facing Nigeria are surmountable.

He said, “The House is aware that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, have demonstrated unparalleled dedication, bravery and professionalism in combating various forms of insecurity across the country, including insurgency, banditry and other criminal activities;

“The House is also aware of the immense sacrifices made by the officers and men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens, often at the risk of their own lives;

“The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, marked on the 15th of January, is a solemn occasion to honour the bravery and sacrifices of fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price for our nation’s peace and unity.

“The House also note that the event provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on the remarkable achievements of our Armed Forces and recommit to supporting their efforts.”

Benson who drummed support for the military, recognised the significant victories recorded so far on the war against insurgency, particularly in the North-East region, where previously inaccessible communities have been liberated, enabling displaced persons to return to their homes.

“We also recognize the immense contributions of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to regional peace and stability through their involvement in joint military operations, collaborations with neighbouring countries, and commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders.

“We further recognise the distinguished record of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in international peacekeeping and other missions under the auspices of the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS, where their professionalism, discipline, integrity and commitment to global peace have earned the respect and admiration of the international community,” he added.

The Lagos lawmaker however advised Nigerians not to trivialize the sacrifices being made by the military, saying, “The House is concerned that lack of commendation for these outstanding achievements would likely dampen the morale of these gallant officers and men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

The House unanimously adopted the motion, and urged the Federal Government to “Sustain its support for the Armed Forces through increased funding, provision of modern equipment, and enhanced welfare packages.”

It mandated its relevant committees to regularly “Assess and provide recommendations for the improvement of the Armed Forces’ operations, ensuring their continued efficiency and effectiveness.”