News
Anti-narcotic war: Nollywood star actor sentenced to 5yrs imprisonment
A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced a 40-year-old America-trained Nollywood filmmaker, Mbadiwe Emeka, to five years imprisonment for trafficking in 17. 30 kilograms of Canada Loud, Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic drug similar to cocaine, LSD, and heroin.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, handed down the jail term on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, after Emeka pleaded guilty to the two counts of unlawful importation of the drug by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Earlier, when the convict was arraigned, the NDLEA prosecution counsel, Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the convict was arrested on December 24, 2024, during the examination of incoming cargo with Airway Bill No: 00637337285, from Huston, United States of America at the National Handling Company Import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Ibrahim told the court that the convict had procured one Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James to import the banned drug.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravened Sections 21(1)(e) and are punishable under Sections 11(a), 20 (1) (a) and 20 (2) (a)of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
However, Emeka pleaded guilty to the two counts.
Following his guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case and tendered all exhibits in the charge.
Meanwhile, the convict’s lawyer, Dennis Warri, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing his client.
He pleaded with the court to consider his client’s timely guilty plea, as a sign of remorse and for not wasting the court’s time.
Warri urged the court to give the convict a non-custodial sentence or a fine option in lieu of the custodial sentence.
After listening to the submissions of parties, Justice Lewis-Allagoa sentenced the convicted filmmaker to five years imprisonment.
The judge however ordered him to pay N3m in lieu of the jail term.
The court also ordered that the bulk of the exhibit and the iPhone 12 pro-Max be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
News
Kaduna Electric workers’ unions agree to restore power immediately
The management of Kaduna Electric has agreed to review its past actions after the two in-house labour unions promised to restore electricity to Kaduna State and all its franchise States with immediate effect.
The resolutions were reached after Governor Uba Sani convened a meeting, which ended around 8pm with both parties on Friday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.
The labour unions of Kaduna Electric embarked on industrial action since last Sunday, following the decision of the management to sack 444 workers, plunging Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States to darkness.
At the end of the meeting which lasted into Friday night, Governor Uba Sani promised to be the guarantor as he would ensure fairness to both sides after the parties agreed to sit down and take a joint decision.
‘’The unions praised the Governor for his intervention. They also commended the Management, ably led by Dr Hashidu, for moving Kaduna Electric forward,’’ the resolution stated.
The unions also ‘’noted that the Management is operating under stringent conditions, given the prevailing economic situation in the country but promised to help it to succeed.’’
The parties also noted that the Management of Kaduna Electric and the labour unions are partners in progress, adding that what happened was as a result of a breakdown in communication.
The meeting also argued that ‘’there must be a give-and-take on the side of both the Management and Labour in order to find an amicable settlement of the dispute.’’
The resolution was signed by Dr Umar Abubakar Hashidu, the Managing Director of the electricity company, Comrade Wisdom Nwachukwu, the Vice President(Distribution) of National Union of Electricity Employees(NUEE), Comrade Rilwanu Shehu, Deputy President North of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).
Other union members that signed the resolution include Comrade Muhammed Musa, Deputy President North of NUEE and Comrade Haruna Ahmed Tinau, Deputy Secretary General(North).
Engr Idris Ahmed Idris, the Managing Director of Kaduna Power Supply Company also signed the resolution.
News
NNPCL: No explosion at Warri Refinery
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), yesterday, said there was no explosion at the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC).
Its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr Olufemi Soneye disclosed this in a rejoinder which stressed that any contrary report was utterly false.
Soneye said routine maintenance was in progress in the plant.
The statement said, “NNPC Ltd wishes to clarify that there was no explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC). Any reports suggesting otherwise are completely false.”
NNPCL recalled that on January 25, 2025, operations at WRPC Area 1 were intentionally curtailed to carry out necessary intervention works on select equipment, including field instruments that were impacting sustainable and steady operations.
According to the statement, “The intervention works are essential to ensure the production of on specification finished and intermediate products, particularly Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Kerosene (Kero).”
News
List of countries every Nigerian can visit without a visa in 2025
Nigerian passport holders can travel to 45 countries worldwide without needing a visa, according to a recent travel update.
This offers a convenient option for those looking to travel without the hassle of visa applications.
Of these 45 countries, 27 allow visa-free entry, while others provide options like visa-on-arrival or require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The entry requirements vary by country, making international travel easier for Nigerians.
This update, sourced from Visaindex, highlights the growing opportunities for Nigerian citizens.
With access to countries across different continents, Nigerians can travel for tourism, business, or family visits with less red tape.
The Gambia
In 2019, The Gambia declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travelers. The policy extends to visitors from Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and even select Baltic states. This openness has significantly boosted tourism and trade in the West African nation.
Benin
Inspired by Rwanda’s openness, President Patrice Talon announced in 2019 that Benin would eliminate visa restrictions for all Africans. This decision has strengthened Benin’s position as a hub for West African commerce and travel.
Kenya
In October 2023, Kenyan President William Ruto declared that by the end of the year, Kenya would eliminate visa restrictions for all African travelers. The goal? To enhance trade, strengthen economic ties, and position Kenya as a leader in African interconnectivity.
Rwanda
In November 2023, Rwanda announced its visa-free entry policy for all African nationals. President Paul Kagame emphasized that any African could now travel to Rwanda without paying a fee, reinforcing the nation’s reputation as a top tourist destination in Africa.
Ghana
Ghana recently joined the ranks of visa-free African nations, opening its doors to travelers from across the continent. This decision aligns with Ghana’s vision of becoming a major hub for trade, investment, and tourism in West Africa. The move is expected to attract business professionals, entrepreneurs, and tourists alike, strengthening Ghana’s economic position.
Barbados
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Chad
Cook Islands
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Dominica
Fiji
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Kiribati
Liberia
Mali
Micronesia
Montserrat
Niger
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Togo
Vanuatu
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