The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, has granted music producer and former manager of gospel artist Mercy Chinwo, Ezekiel Onyedikachi (also known as EeZeeTee), a N20 million bail in connection with a fresh $255,000 alleged forex transaction fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Aneke, in a brief ruling on Friday, set the bail condition, requiring one surety who must reside in Lagos and own property worth the bail sum.

The judge, who had previously released EeZeeTee to his lawyer, Ojukwu Chikaosolu, gave him 72 hours to meet the bail condition.

The EFCC had initially filed a 14-count charge against EeZeeTee for alleged fraudulent conversion but later amended the charge to seven counts, accusing him of engaging in foreign exchange transactions without a license.

Prosecuting counsel Bilikisu Buhari-Bala told the court that in June 2023, EeZeeTee, without authorization from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), negotiated a foreign exchange transaction worth $52,895 with one Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke.

This, she argued, violated Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap F34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is punishable under Section 29(2) of the same Act.

EeZeeTee pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case has been adjourned to June 20, 2025, for trial.

Several areas in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have been thrown into darkness for days.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, confirmed this in three separate outage statements released on its X handle on Thursday and Friday.

The disco blamed the blackout on technical fault affecting the feeders serving the concerned locations.

“We regret to inform you that the ongoing power outage is due to a technical fault affecting the feeders serving these locations,” the AEDC stated in a notice on Friday.

Several areas and businesses affected include Jabi District, Lifecamp, Kado District, Aire Gas, Total Marble, and others along Kaduna Road.

Also, Idu, Citec Mbora, Karmo, EFAB Global Estate, Karmo, Woodfield Estate, Zulu Community and all its environs are experiencing outages.

Also, Sokale Garden, Dutse Makaranta, Dutse Bokuma, Ushafa, Pegi, Gigo, Defence College Estate, Kogo, Zuma, Veritas University, Jamb Headquarters, Law School, Bwari and environs are experiencing similar power outages.

Meanwhile, for Bwari and its environs, the disco said the epileptic power supply was particularly due to a technical fault in the 33 kV Bwari Feeder serving the areas.

“The ongoing power outage is due to a technical fault on the 33kV Bwari Feeder, which is affecting supply to these areas.

“The TCN technical team is working tirelessly to restore power as quickly as possible,” the Abuja disco disclosed.

Meanwhile, residents in the affected areas have continued to lament the impact of the outage.

“We have not had power supply for over a week now. The situation is really impacting households and businesses in Jabu. I now spend more money to buy fuel. The AEDC and TCN need to fix this situation,” he stated.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it closed the registration of pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj on May 2 to enable it to concentrate on the airlift of pilgrims.

The commission said that any Hajj fare deposit received after May 2 would be duly refunded.

Hajia Fatima Usara, Assistant Director, Information and Publication Division, NAHCON, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to Usara, an extension was earlier made possible through the intervention of NAHCON Chairman Prof. Abdullahi Saleh, despite closure of contract by March 25.

“Stoppage of further registration became necessary in order for the Commission to concentrate on airlifting pilgrims, with sufficient resources to ensure their comfort.

“Any Hajj fare deposit received after May 2 will be duly refunded.

“Meanwhile, movement to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj commences from May 9,” she said.

She said that the inaugural flight for this year’s Hajj was scheduled to take off from Owerri, with Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo as host.

The NAHCON spokesperson said that 315 pilgrims from Imo, Abia and Bayelsa were scheduled to board the Air Peace airline for the trip.

“Vice-President Kashim Shettima is expected to grace the occasion as Special Guest of Honour.

“Already, the NAHCON advance team arrived in Owerri earlier on May 7 to monitor preparations for the inaugural flight,” she said.

She said that registration for the 2025 Hajj ended with a record of 40,671 pilgrims.

“Four flights are scheduled to take off simultaneously on May 9 for the pilgrimage.

“The flights are expected as follows: Max Air from Bauchi, two Flynas flights, one from Kebbi and the other from Osun through the Lagos departure centre.

“There is a fourth flight from Niger, totalling 2,528 pilgrims to arrive in Madina on the first day.

Further details will be shared as the activities unfold,” she said.

(NAN)