By Francesca Hangeior

At least 27 people were reportedly wounded after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake has struck the south of Taiwan.

The country’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) said the quake had a depth of 9.4 kilometres (6 miles) with its epicentre in Dapu township in Chiayi county, and hit shortly after midnight on Tuesday.

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The main tremor was followed by several smaller quakes.

CWA said there have been dozens of aftershocks, including two with a magnitude of five or higher, mostly in Tainan, adjacent to Chiayi.

The National Fire Agency (NFA) added that several buildings in disaster-stricken areas of southern Tainan City collapsed, trapping some individuals who were later rescued.

The fire agency said 15 people were sent to hospital for minor injuries. Among them were six people, including one child, who were rescued from a collapsed building.

The NFA also reported cases of road and infrastructure damage, along with power outages impacting parts of the country.

Taiwan lies along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, the line of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes occur.

Last April, a 7.2-magnitude quake struck eastern Taiwan, claiming at least 18 lives and injuring more than 1,000 people.

Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos State High Court has ordered the arrest of Access Bank’s acting Managing Director, Bolaji Agbede and three others for allegedly failing to appear for arraignment.

Access Bank logo
The judge’s order also affected Balmoral International Limited, DDSS International Company Limited, and Adejare Adegbenro.

Justice Harrison issued the arrest warrant after the Lagos State prosecution counsel, Uthman̈ Rilwan informed the court that he had served the defendants with notice, but they failed to attend the arraignment.

The Lagos State government had filed a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, and attempted theft against the defendants.

When the case was called, Rilwan informed the court that the day’s purpose was to arraign the defendants; however, they were absent despite receiving notice of the court date.

The prosecutor stated that on or about September 2, 2013, at Plot 1261, Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, the defendants conspired to commit theft.

He alleged that Adejare, Balmoral, Access Bank, and Agbede stole the property of MOB Integrated Services at Plot 40b, Burdillion Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, by using it as security for a loan without the complainant’s consent and subsequently entered into a consent judgment.

Additionally, they were accused of attempting to steal the property of MOB Integrated Services on May 26, 2019, by offering and granting DDSS International Company Limited a credit facility of N1 billion.

According to the prosecutor, these offences contravened Sections 411, 280, and 21 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

Rilwan stated, “My Lord, this matter is for arraignment today, and the defendants have been duly served with a copy of the charge. We request the court to issue a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest to ensure they attend proceedings on the next court date.”

Consequently, Justice Harrison issued a bench warrant against the second to fifth defendants, Balmoral International Limited, Access Bank, Bolaji Agbede, and DDSS International Company Limited.

The judge directed that the bench warrant be executed against the principal officers and adjourned the case until February 24, 2025, for the arraignment of the defendants. [newsnowonline.com]

*says, he was shot, lost valuables worth $114,000

By Francesca Hangeior

Disc jockey DJ Big N has recounted how he survived a robbery incident during his recent visit to South Africa.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, he narrated that he was out with an acquaintance when they were attacked near a traffic light.

“On Sunday, January 12th, a night out turned into both the worst and most teachable experience of my life. I went out with some friends to a fancy lounge in Johannesburg, SA,” he wrote.

“From there I decided to head to another club with another acquaintance. On the way, at a traffic light, we were ambushed by two cars carrying six armed men with automatic rifles.

“In the chaos, I tried to escape but got shot in the leg. One of the robbers put the rifle to my head and demanded my watch, which I struggled to remove, along with my chain and other jewelry. Bleeding heavily, I managed to get back to the car, and the driver rushed me to the nearest hospital.

“The bullet had passed through my leg, narrowly missing a major artery and bone. Doctors described this as miraculous, calling me ‘lucky.’ I credit my survival to divine intervention and my mother’s prayers.”

DJ Big N shared a photo of himself on a hospital bed and another photo showing him using crutches.

He said the incident made him appreciate the fickleness of life.

“The experience changed my perspective on life. I lost over $114k worth of valuables that day, but I realized material possessions mean nothing. Life is fragile, and validation is meaningless,” he wrote.

“God gave me another chance, and I’m committed to living more authentically and appreciating life without unnecessary stress.

“This event restored my focus and reminded me of what truly matters. I am Nonso Temisan Ajufo, also known as Big N, and this is my truth.”