News
Just in: Court Grants Dele Farotimi Bail
Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi has been granted ₦30 million bail by a Magistrate court in Ekiti State.
The court also asked Farotimi to provide 3 sureties with a landed property within the jurisdiction.
He was told to refrain from media interview and to submit his international passport. The case has been adjourned till 13th February 2025.
Farotimi, who has been remanded in a correctional centre in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, arrived at the Magistrate Court premises around 9:45 am on Friday.
He was conveyed to the court premises in a prison’s van with a police escort, alighting while raising his hands up in appreciation of a cheering crowd outside the court.
His bail comes after the magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, had at the last sitting, reserved ruling till December 20 on the bail application and ordered that the activist be remanded in prison.
During the court proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge preferred against him by the police.
His counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, had filed a preliminary objection asking the court to strike out the charge.
According to him, the charge before the court was unknown to law and the offence of defamation was not recognised under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
Farotimi is being prosecuted before a chief magistrate’s court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola.
The arrest of the activist sparked public criticisms with many Nigerians calling for his immediate release.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The federal government has endorsed the establishment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic in Gwarinpa, Abuja.
The decision was part of the government’s drive to ensure that every state in the country had at least one federal polytechnic.
The approval of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Polytechnic was conveyed in a letter dated January 9, 2025, by the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
It was addressed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The FCT Minister’s office confirmed receipt of the letter on January 16, 2025.
In the correspondence, Dr. Alausa urged Wike to identify suitable locations in Gwarinpa for both temporary and permanent sites of the polytechnic.
A joint team from the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education have been listed to inspect the proposed locations before finalizing the site selection.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic is expected to boost technological education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship development, aligning with the government’s commitment to enhancing technical skills and economic empowerment across Nigeria. [With GWG report]
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) reports that the fire incident at its Buguma Wellhead 008, operated by its subsidiary, NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd (NEOL), was directly caused by the activities of pipeline vandals attempting to compromise the Christmas Tree and steal crude oil.
This unfortunate act of sabotage, which also resulted in severe damage to the well’s back pressure valve, reflects a disturbing pattern of repeated attacks on wellheads in the zone. Since March 2023, crude oil theft on this asset has been persistent, with criminals now resorting to extreme measures, including the use of dynamite to destroy installations and illegally access hydrocarbons.
NNPC Ltd remains committed to combating these fires and mitigating the financial losses associated with these criminal activities, which place a significant burden on the nation’s economy. The company is working closely with relevant security agencies to put an end to these acts of vandalism.
Additionally, NNPC Ltd reaffirms its commitment to supporting communities affected by these destructive activities and will continue to provide necessary relief efforts to mitigate the impact on those affected.
Olufemi O. Soneye
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Ltd.
Abuja
20th January, 2025
FG endorses Bola Ahmed Tinubu Polytechnic
NNPC Ltd says vandals responsible for Buguma wellhead fire
Nigeria Commiserates With Republic Of Turkiye Over Kartalkaya Ski Resort Hotel Fire Incident
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
Metro21 hours agoTimileyin Ajayi’s father begs for the release of his son after the gospel singer beh£@ded a young woman
-
News12 hours agoCourt orders immediate arrest of Access Bank’s Ag MD, others for theft, contempt
-
News21 hours agoWatch Nigerian Pastor, Kumuyi delivers prayer at Trump’s inauguration
-
Sports21 hours agoMikel Obi arrives in Galatasaray to hold talks with Osimhen amid Nicolas Jackson’s goal drought
-
News20 hours agoStaff hack Sterling Bank system, steal depositors’ N1.2bn funds
-
Foreign21 hours agoMinutes After Taking Over as President, Trump Takes First Decision Against Migrants
-
News13 hours agoIsraeli far-right minister thanks Trump for revoking US sanctions on settlers
-
News20 hours agoNiger tanker explosion: HoR Minority Caucus commiserates with families of victims, demands probe