News
Senate condemns killings in Omala communities, Kogi state
The Senate has resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to organize a public hearing involving all stakeholders to find lasting solution to the recurrent issue of herders and farmers clash that has resulted in the death of many Nigerians.
This followed adoption of a motion on matter of urgent importance titled “urgent need for rehabilitation of Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi, Bagajib and Bagana, communities in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi state by gun men attacks and killings, which was sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin (APC-Kogi East).
Jibrin in his motion said Omala Local Government Area has been under recurring attacks by gunmen, leading to killings and destruction of properties and farmlands.
He said the attacks and killings had rendered many homeless with no means of sustenance.
He said it was worrisome that Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji and Bagana communities have been ravaged by recent gunmen, rendering over 30,000 inhabitants of the communities homeless and leading to exodus of the people to other parts of the state.
He said on 5th April 2024, armed herders invaded Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji and Bagana communities, killing 21 innocent citizens, including women and children, in addition to unprecedented destruction of their farm produce.
“Alarmed that on 30th April, gunmen attacked Ajokpachi Odo community in Omala LGA, killing no fewer than three persons and rendering the entire community desolate, with no health facility to cater for the deteriorating health conditions of the survivors.
He said the attacks have resulted in the killing of over 500 citizens, in addition to wanton destruction of public and private properties worth hundreds of millions of naira.
According to him, the displaced persons have resolved to return to their ancestral homes, but cannot afford shelters and have no means of sustenance.
He also expressed worry that educational institutions in the communities had been destroyed, with many buildings and other facilities completely burnt down, thereby making it absolutely difficult for the children of the affected communities to access educational facilities.
He also expressed regrets that apart from destruction of schools, health centres are obviously non-existent to cater for the health needs of the affected communities as the few hitherto existing ones have been lost to the hostilities
This, he said has increased the rate of mortality in the affected communities.
He said markets, business centres, shops and various business outfits in the affected communities have been completely destroyed.
This, he said had resulted in an the people to an atmosphere of inevitable economic helplessness.
Contributing to the motion, Senator Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) said the nation was yet to curb the problem of headers ravaging communities, adding that the herders have no right to ravage any community, saying that actions should be taken for ranching of cattle in the country.
“We must find a way of banning migrant gracing and apprehend and prosecute the killers”, he said.
Senstor Adams Oshiomhole (APC -Edo North) advised Senate to set up of an ad-hoc committee to organise public hearing to find a lasting solution to issues of farmers headers classes. This was accepted by all.
Senator Titus Zam (APC-Benue North West) said the farmers/headers crisis had defiled all security solutions, advising that Senate should enact an “open gracing prohibition law”, which he said would deter open gracing and encourage ranching of cattle.
The Senate after observing a minute silence for the departed souls in the communities, urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist the affected communities with relief materials and other forms of support.
News
Court Remands P-Square’s Brother, Ex-Manager Jude Okoye IOver Alleged N1.3B, $1M, £34,000 Fraud
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of the defunct music duo P-Square, to court over alleged money laundering involving ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.
Jude Okoye, along with his company Northside Music Ltd, was arraigned before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, facing a seven-count charge related to financial crimes.
One of the charges states: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd, sometime in 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful acts, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another charge alleges that Jude Okoye and his company used a Bureau de Change operator to convert $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and sixty-two dollars, eighty-seven cents) domiciled in Access Bank Plc into naira and remitted the funds into various accounts with the intent to conceal the source of the money, in violation of the Money Laundering Act.
Jude Okoye pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel Larry Peters Aso applied for a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
However, defence counsel Inibehe Effiong informed the court of a pending bail application and urged the court to keep Okoye in EFCC custody until the application is heard.
The prosecution opposed the request, citing congestion in EFCC facilities and urging the court to remand him to a correctional centre instead.
Justice Owoeye subsequently adjourned the case to February 28 for a bail hearing and fixed April 14 for trial commencement.
The judge also ordered that Jude Okoye be remanded at the Ikoyi correctional facility pending the determination of his bail application.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Prince Funso Ayeni, an Ikole born philanthropist and politician has donated the sum of N1,000,000 for the support of one Esther Fisayo Aluko Medical needs.
Fisayo Aluko, an Indigene of Ikole LGA part of Ekiti State is currently in need of fund running to millions of Naira to carry out a kidney transplant.
Prince Funso Ayeni made his support known via a Whatsapp platform created for the Indigenes of the LG.
“Good afternoon great citizens,
I am Prince Funso Ayeni (PhD)
I am deeply touched by the condition of Esther Fisayo Aluko, a young lady from Ikole Ekiti, battling kidney issue.
On behalf of myself, my family, and the entire Funso Ayeni Foundation (FAF), I have donated ₦1,000,000 (one million naira) towards her medical treatment ( receipt attached).
“I also appeal to our brothers and sisters from Ikole Local Government, both in and out of government, to rally their contacts and resources to support this urgent cause.
“Together, we can give Esther a chance to live a healthy life again.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The naira is exchanging for ₦1,498 to 1 US Dollar at the parallel market (black market) in Nigeria.
This means that for every one dollar, you can get the equivalent in naira of ₦1,498 on February 26, 2025.
The black market rate signifies the value at which individuals can trade their dollars for naira outside the official or regulated exchange channels.
Note that the Black Market Exchange rate is typically higher than the official exchange rate because it is not regulated by the government
Today’s February 26 exchange shows that the naira has improved against the dollar, as it strengthened compared to what it traded on Tuesday, February 25, when the naira exchanged ₦1,499.
The value of any nation’s currency is determined by aggregate supply and demand.
The forces of supply and demand are themselves influenced by a number of factors, including interest rates, inflation, capital flow, and money supply.
The most common method to value currency is through exchange rates. The two main exchange rate systems are fixed rate and floating rate systems.
Investors and participants closely monitor these parallel market rates for a more immediate reflection of currency dynamics
Court Remands P-Square’s Brother, Ex-Manager Jude Okoye IOver Alleged N1.3B, $1M, £34,000 Fraud
Funso Ayeni donates N1m, appeals to citizens to support Fisayo Aluko medical needs
Naira again falls against Dollar – February 26
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