News

House Of Reps Condemns Lawmaker’s Assault Of Bolt Driver, Says Probe Ongoing

Published

3 months ago

October 29, 2024

The House of Representatives has condemned the assault on a ride-hailing driver by a member of the lower lawmaking House.

A video of Alex Ikwechegh assaulting Stephen Abuwatseya and threatening him had gone viral, prompting condemnations from Nigerians.

Hours after the video emerged, the House of Representatives said it was concerned over the incident which it takes “seriously”.

“These reports, which have garnered widespread media coverage and public attention, detail accusations of a physical confrontation with an e-hailing driver, Citizen Stephen Abuwatseya, and the use of threatening language,” Reps spokesman Akin Rotimi Jr said in a late Monday statement.

“The 10th Assembly, House of Representatives, takes these allegations very seriously. As elected officials, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability in our official engagements and privately.
Any behaviour that falls short of these standards is a matter of concern, and we are committed to addressing such issues with the utmost seriousness.

We are aware that the matter is now before the Nigeria Police, and we urge the public to allow the due process of investigation to unfold. We welcome further engagement from the public on the subject, even as we continue to monitor the situation.

“We remain dedicated to upholding the values of accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior that define the 10th Assembly, House of Representatives. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”

Following the development, police authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said the lawmaker from Abia State was in its custody.

“Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning,” the police said in a statement.

News

BREAKING: Former NHIS Boss to Stay in EFCC Custody as Court Postpones Trial

Published

18 minutes ago

January 30, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Kuje, has adjourned the arraignment of former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, to Monday, February 3, 2025.

According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, Yusuf, was arrested on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, and brought before Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu on Thursday for his scheduled arraignment on allegations of fraud. However, the court adjourned the case to allow for amendment of charges.

During the brief session, defense counsel, Isah Dokto Haruna, who held brief for lead counsel O.I. Habeeb, SAN, sought bail for the defendant, but the judge declined the request due to the postponed arraignment.

“In the absence of a formal arraignment, bail at this stage is premature,” Justice Nwecheonwu ruled, ordering that Yusuf remain in EFCC custody until his next court appearance.

The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025, when the former NHIS boss will be formally arraigned.

Details later….

News

Illegal IGP Comment: Sowore pleads not guilty to cybercrime charges

Published

20 minutes ago

January 30, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Activist Omoyele Sowore, has pleaded not guilty to the cybercrime charges against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had filed the charges against Sowore for calling him an “illegal IGP.”

Sowore had made the remark on his verified X handle.

However, the activist is standing trial before Justice Liman of the FCT High Court and was docked at about 10:00 am when the charges were read to him.

When the charges were read, Sowore pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Meanwhile, several of his followers had protested in front of the court over Sowore’s arraignment.

News

Five feared k!lled as gunmen storm Ondo community

Published

23 minutes ago

January 30, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Five persons have been reportedly killed during an invasion by gunmen at Ajegunle-Powerline community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

An eyewitness, Mr Akin Olowolafe, a farmer in the community, told newsmen on Thursday in Akure that five people were allegedly killed during the attack, which happened on Tuesday at about 3pm.

Olowolafe said the gunmen entered the farmlands while people were working and started shooting sporadically in the air, which resulted in the death of five farmers.

According to him, the gunmen usually attack the farmlands on a daily basis around the community, and it has made life unbearable for farmers.

Many farmers in the community have fled their farms for fear of being killed. The attacks are unchecked while their is no intervention from the appropriate authorities.

“The incessant clashes and destruction of farm crops are so worrisome and it has led to boycotting of farms by farmers in the area,” Olowolafe said.

Also, a labourer, Mr Fidelis Daniel, who corroborated the story, said that the corpses had been deposited at the mortuary.

“I was inside the farm too when the incident happened, I just heard the sound of guns, and I immediately ran to my house.

It was even God that saved me too, they would have killed me.

They suddenly came with weapons to destroy our crops and killed five people. Three people from Plateau and two from Kaduna State,” he said.

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, however, denied the number of casualties.

“There was an attack on the community, and police is still investigating, but I cannot confirm the number of people