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  • Alleged Forgery: Mmesoma Admitted Using Her Phone To Manipulate UTME Result – Anambra Panel

    Alleged Forgery: Mmesoma Admitted Using Her Phone To Manipulate UTME Result – Anambra Panel

    The committee of inquiry set up by the Anambra State Government to look into the examination fraud involving Mmesoma Ejikeme has confirmed that she manipulated her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination result, giving herself a score of 362 as against an actual score of 249.

    The Committee in its eight-page report said that the student of Anglican Girls Secondary School in Nnewi admitted that she manipulated the fake result herself, using her phone.

    Mmesoma gained the attention of Nigerians recently following the controversy relating to her UTME result.

    Following the release of the UTME results by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board in May, Mmesoma was widely celebrated as the top scorer in the examination after coming out with a score of 362.

    Her claim of being the top scorer had gotten her a ₦‎3 million worth of scholarship from Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing.

    However, JAMB later came out to deny Mmesoma’s claim of being the highest scorer in the 2023 UTME, saying that the student faked the result she was parading. The exam body said that Mmesoma actually scored 249 and not 362.

    With the controversy the issue raised, Governor Chukwuma Soludo set up a committee of inquiry to investigate the matter.

    The Committee in its report signed by the Anambra State Commissioner of Information, Paul Nwosu, said it conducted interviews with relevant parties, including Mmesoma, JAMB officials and other individual(s) involved in the process as well as the principal of Anglican Girls Secondary School.

    The report noted that JAMB revealed that Mmesoma made several requests to JAMB asking for her result and each of the times she received in her phone the same score of 249 total aggregate.

    The Committee said that in Mmesoma’s submission, she owned up in the presence of her principal and Education Secretary that the narration of JAMB officials was a true and correct description of what happened.

    The Committee said it tried to find out the motive behind her action but Mmesoma replied that nothing motivated her.

    According to the Committee, Mmesoma is expected to tender a written apology to JAMB, the Anglican Girls Secondary, and the Anambra state government.

    The report read in part, “Recall Mr Governor that with the recent release of scores of candidates who applied for admission by the JAMB and subsequent announcement of Nkechiyere Umeh as the candidate with the highest score of 360, Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, a 19-year-old student of Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Uruagu Nnewi, from Enugu State, protested to the state government that she scored 362 and ought to have been so recognised.

    “This has elicited interest and generated serious controversy and misgivings among the general public that the state government in its wisdom decided to constitute a committee of inquiry to look into the under-listed terms of reference; review Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s JAMB results and associated documents.

    “Conduct interviews with relevant parties, including Mmesoma, JAMB officials and any other individual(s) involved in the process. Provide recommendations based on the findings of the investigation.

    “The committee invited Mmesoma, the Principal of Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, and officials of JAMB for an interactive session with the Committee.

    “JAMB officials led by Dr Fabian Benjamin, the Head of Public Affairs presented the detailed processes and procedures involved in JAMB admissions, the policy changes that have occurred in the release of UTME scores since 2021 and what specifically transpired between the candidate Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma with registration number: 20230639047FF in her quest to obtain her JAMB score.

    “JAMB revealed the different times that Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma made several requests to the JAMB portal asking for her results at different hours, and each of these times (four in number), she received in her phone, same results from JAMB indicating candidate’s UTME Results to Wit: Eng: 64, Phy:54, Bio: 74, Che: 57 with a total aggregate score of 249.

    “JAMB disclosed that the candidate was well informed of her correct score. Mmesoma had sent a request to JAMB with a different registration number showing a UTME result of an aggregate score of 362, with Eng: 98, Phy: 89, Bio: 94, and Che: 81. The results she sent differed substantially from the standard JAMB format where she got an appropriate rebuttal stating her real score of 249.

    “A number of red flags were also highlighted by JAMB officials showing a different date of birth, different Registration Number, and Notification of results template that has been discarded since 2021, amongst others.

    “It was also evident that even the centre name ‘Nkemefuna Foundation (Thomas Chidoka Centre for Human Development as it was known before now) used for the examination was also manipulated where the candidate used the old name of the centre (Thomas Chidoka Centre for Human Development) in her own manipulated result sheet.

    “In Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s submission, she owned up in the presence of her principal, and the Education Secretary that the narration by the JAMB officials was a true and correct description of what transpired.

    “She also admitted to having given a manipulated result by herself unaided, using the same phone Airtel Number.

    “According to her, she proceeded to the cybercafé (Prisca Global Computers, Uruagu, Nnewi) where she printed the results she had manipulated.

    “The Committee tried to find out the motive behind her action, but Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma said nothing.

    “In their own submissions, the Principal Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Uruagu, Nnewi, and the Education Secretary — Diocese of Nnewi (Anglican Communion) expressed shock at what transpired where in their presence, Mmesoma admitted to have manipulated her UTME results, deceiving the school, her immediate family and the state government.”

    The Committee hailed JAMB for their diligent handling of the matter and the information supplied about the interface with the candidate, adding, “We hope that this unearthing of the truth as we have discovered will go a long way in correcting the sentiments, misconceptions and deceptions that have been in the public domain.

    Channels TV

  • Twitter Threatens To Sue Meta Over Rival Threads App

    Twitter Threatens To Sue Meta Over Rival Threads App

    Twitter threatened to sue Meta just hours after the Instagram parent company launched Threads, an app it hopes will beat out the struggling site owned by Elon Musk.

    This photo illustration created in Washington, DC, on July 5, 2023, shows the Twitter logo reflected near the logo for Threads, an Instagram app.(Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP)

    In a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, published by online news outlet Semafor on Thursday, Musk lawyer Alex Spiro accused the company of “unlawful misappropriation of Twitter’s trade secrets and other intellectual property.”

    The letter accused Meta of hiring dozens of former Twitter employees who “had and continue to have access to Twitter’s trade secrets and other highly confidential information.”

    Threads is the biggest challenger yet to Musk-owned Twitter, which has seen a series of potential competitors emerge but not yet replace one of the world’s biggest social media platforms, despite its struggles.

    Zuckerberg’s latest move against Musk further heightened the rivalry between the two multibillionaires who have even agreed to meet for hand to hand combat in a cage match.

    And in his first tweet in over a decade, Zuckerberg posted a Spiderman pointing at Spiderman meme in an apparent reference to the similarities between Threads and Twitter.

    Threads went live on Apple and Android app stores in 100 countries at 2300 GMT on Wednesday, and early feedback noted its close, but scaled back, resemblance to Twitter.

    Within a few hours, more than 30 million people had downloaded Threads, Zuckerberg said Thursday.

    “Feels like the beginning of something special, but we’ve got a lot of work ahead to build the app,” Zuckerberg wrote on his official Threads account Thursday.

    Accounts were already active for celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Hugh Jackman, as well as media outlets including The Washington Post and The Economist.

    On Threads, Zuckerberg wrote: “It’ll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it.”

    Twitter has said it has more than 200 million daily users.

    Threads was introduced as a spin-off of Instagram, giving it a built-in audience of more than two billion users and sparing the new platform the challenge of starting from scratch.

    Instagram chief Adam Mosseri told users that Threads was intended to build “an open and friendly platform for conversations.”

    “The best thing you can do if you want that too is be kind,” he said.

    Zuckerberg is taking advantage of Musk’s chaotic ownership of Twitter to push out the new product, which Meta hopes will become the go-to platform for celebrities, companies and politicians.

    Analyst Jasmine Engberg from Insider Intelligence said Threads only needs one out of four Instagram monthly users “to make it as big as Twitter.”

    “Twitter users are desperate for an alternative, and Musk has given Zuckerberg an opening,” she added.

    Under Musk, Twitter has seen content moderation reduced to a minimum with glitches and rash decisions scaring away celebrities and major advertisers.

    He also fired more than half of Twitter’s staff, some of whom presumably went to other tech companies, including Meta.

    EU ‘Many Months’ Away

    Meta has its legion of critics too, especially in the major market of Europe, which could slow the growth of Threads.

    The company has been criticized for its handling of personal data, the essential ingredient for targeted ads that help it rake in billions of dollars in profits.

    Mosseri said he regretted that the launch was delayed in the European Union, but had Meta waited for regulatory clarity from Brussels, Threads would have been “many, many, many, months away.”

    According to a source close to the matter, Meta was wary of a new law called the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which sets strict rules for the world’s “gatekeeper” internet companies.

    One rule restricts platforms from moving user data between products, as would potentially be the case between Threads and Instagram.

    Globally, the Threads hashtag on Twitter has garnered three million tweets, with many users jokingly suggesting people will return to Musk’s platform.

    Others expressed privacy concerns.

    “Meta loves to collect private information and I don’t trust the way it treats private information,” a Japanese user tweeted.

    “I also have the impression that this is a company hated by EU, so I’m reluctant.”

    But some said they would permanently move to Threads.

    One Threads user wrote: “Now I truly can say goodbye to Twitter forever.”

    Channels TV

  • Gov. Oyebanji describes planned Kiss-A-Thon in Ekiti as ‘indecent’, to prosecute propagators

    Gov. Oyebanji describes planned Kiss-A-Thon in Ekiti as ‘indecent’, to prosecute propagators

    Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has issued a notice that he would prosecute owners of facilities that would be used for a proposed three-day Kiss-A-Thon programme which was aimed at breaking a Guinness World Record (GWR) in the state.

    According to a Prohibition notice signed by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, in Ado- Ekiti, on Thursday, any person or corporate body that allows himself/ herself and facilities to be used in executing the proposed programme in the state would be prosecuted before an appropriate court.

    Apata said the state government considered the proposed programme as, “an indecent act, absurd, unhealthy and capable of denigrating the image of Ekiti State and same is contrary to the law of Ekiti State.”

    The Attorney General added that the planned Kiss-A-Thon programme was contrary to sections 148 and 150 of the Criminal law (2021) which prohibits indecent acts and practices in the State, and anyone who violates the law is guilty of felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.

    “The Ekiti State Government has been inundated with a proposed planned 3-day prograamme by some individuals in Ekiti State tagged KISS-A-THON (a programme meant to be a 3-day kissing marathon event planned towards setting a Guinness World Record).

    “The State Government has considered the proposed planned event as an indecent act, absurd, unhealthy and capable of denigrating the image of Ekiti State and same is contrary to the law of Ekiti State, particularly sections 148 and 150 Criminal Law no 21 of 2021 which prohibits indecent acts and practices in Ekiti State.

    “That pursuant to the provisions of the law and any other relevant laws applicable in Ekiti State, the proposed programme tagged KISS-A-THON is hereby prohibited throughout the breadth and length of Ekiti State.

    “Consequently, no individual or corporate body is allowed to embark upon and/ or execute the proposed planned KISS-A-THON in Ekiti State. That any person and/or corporate body that allows himself or herself and /or facilities to be used in executing/ propagating the proposed planned programme in Ekiti State will be prosecuted before the appropriate court and dealt with according to the law, ” the Attorney General stated.

    Arise News

  • [FULL DETAILS] Abba Kyari granted N50m bail

    [FULL DETAILS] Abba Kyari granted N50m bail

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has admitted the former Head of the Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari, to a N50 million bail in a charge filed against him and two others by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The NDLEA had filed the 24-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022 against Kyari and two of his siblings – Mohammed Baba Kyari and Ali Kyari – in respect of which they were arraigned last month.

    Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on Thursday, July 6, 2023, granted conditional bail to Abba Kyari at the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

    Justice Omotosho also ordered that the sureties must have property worth N25 million each within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), among other conditions.

    The judge held that even when Kyari meets the bail conditions, the endorsement of his release warrant would be subject to development in a sister case pending before Justice Emeka Nwite in which he is being tried with four others on alleged drug deal.

    Justice Omotosho said despite the Kuje prison jailbreak by terrorists on July 5, 2022, Kyari refused to escape where about 90 per cent of the inmates escaped freely.

    The judge said NDLEA did not controvert the argument, adding that the failure to counter the submission was an admission by the anti-drug agency.

    Justice Omotosho held that the offence with which he was being charged was a bailable one.

    Kyari had been denied bail twice in the other case pending before Justice Nwite.

    His two siblings were earlier granted bail by Justice Omotosho.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had declared the former super cop wanted over his alleged involvement in a 25kg cocaine deal.

    He was subsequently arrested and arraigned in court, which ordered his remand in Kuje Prison, Abuja.

    The police had set up a panel to probe the conduct of the former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police.

    He was subsequently suspended from the force.

    The NDLEA had alleged that Kyari and his men, unlawfully tampered with 21.25kilograms worth of cocaine that they seized from the two convicted drug traffickers- Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwane- even as it also accused them of dealing in cocaine worth 17.55kg.

    It alleged that the police officers committed the offence between January 19 and 25, 2022, at the office of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) IRT, Abuja, in connivance with one ASP John Umoru (now at large), contrary to section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.“The court had earlier denied the Defendant’s bail, even as it ordered their remand at Kuje Prison.

    The NDLEA’s revelation came months after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) indicted Kyari for conspiring with convicted fraudster and social media influencer, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, in a $1.1 million scam targeting Qatari business people.

    Hushpuppi, who is known for his luxury life, was arrested in the UAE in June 2020 alongside 11 of his associates over allegations bordering on hacking, impersonation, scamming, banking fraud, and identity theft.

    On July 5, 2022, gunmen attacked the Kuje correctional facility and freed over 500 inmates, including suspected members of Boko Haram.

    Although there were rumours that former top cop and other “high profile” inmates escaped, Abubakar Umar, spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), denied the claim.

    Moving a bail application at the court session, Kyari, through his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, told the court that he had the opportunity to escape but declined to do so.

    Daily Trust

  • Kano: State Anti-graft Agency Summons Ganduje over Dollar Video

    Kano: State Anti-graft Agency Summons Ganduje over Dollar Video

    The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has summoned ex-Governor Abdullahi for questioning over the controversial dollar videos.

    In 2017, Daily Nigerian, an online publication, had released some videos of Ganduje allegedly collecting kickbacks from contractors.

    The ex-governor had denied the allegation, saying the videos were doctored.

    But speaking Wednesday at a one-day public dialogue on ‘Anti-Corruption Crusade in Kano’, Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, chairman of PCACC, said the videos had been authenticated.

    He said the videos were subjected to forensic analysis which indicated that they were authentic.

    Speaking on Channels TV’s Lunchtime Politics on Thursday, Rimingado revealed that the commission had written and dispatched an invitation letter to the former governor to appear before the commission so as to provide necessary information in the ongoing investigation.

    Magaji said the agency’s belief in the legal maxim of “innocent until proven guilty” will apply to the ex-governor as it does to all and that it believes the investigation will give the ex-governor the opportunity to finally get to clear his name in the controversy.

    “I have signed a letter to invite him for questioning at the commission next week because this is what the law says and we will provide ample opportunity for him to defend himself,” he said.

    Meanwhile a group, Coalition for Northern Civil Society Group has condemned the PCACC recent moves to investigate the dollar videos, alleging that the move was orchestrated together with the Kano state government to bring the ex-governor to disrepute and spoil any chance of the ex-governor in securing any appointment with the President Bola Tinubu led federal government.

    The secretary of the group, Mohammad Lawal Shuaibu, who also appeared on the Channels TV programme, said that it was unfortunate that since the video emerged in 2018, the emphasis has been on only the alleged “receiver” while the “giver” of the alleged bribery has not been brought to the limelight.

    Muhammad Garba, Ganduje’s ally who was twice appointed information commissioner when the former governor held sway, had told BBC Hausa that Ganduje was not worried about the probe.

    “The matter is currently being handled by the court, and being a lawyer himself, Muhuyi is well aware of the appropriate actions to take. We are closely observing the situation to see how it unfolds. As a lawyer, Muhuyi is best equipped to determine whether he has the legal authority to investigate the matter that is before the court. I had spoken to Governor Ganduje, he remains unconcerned by the situation. This is strictly a legal matter,” Garba had said.

    Daily Trust

  • Reps urge President to find lasting solution to insecurity in Southeast

    Reps urge President to find lasting solution to insecurity in Southeast

    The House of Representatives has urged the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to consult with political, traditional and religious leaders in the South-East geopolitical zone to find a lasting solution to the insecurity in the area.

    The call by the lawmakers came a day after gunmen attacked Ishieke Daily Market located in the Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Tuesday.

    The resolution of the House followed a motion by a member of the Green Chamber, Eze Nwachukwu, on the need to forestall further killings in Ebonyi State.

    On Tuesday, gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) scared citizens particularly traders around Ishieke and Ukwuachi suburbs of Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State.

    Their actions caused panic as people took to their heels for safety.

    Channels TV

  • Kano gov’t says forensic analysis has authenticated dollar video involving Ganduje

    Kano gov’t says forensic analysis has authenticated dollar video involving Ganduje

    A forensic analysis has determined that the viral video capturing former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje allegedly receiving bundles of dollar notes as a bribe from a contractor and stuffing them in his flowing dress is authentic.

    The video, which garnered widespread attention in 2017, has been the subject of intense scrutiny.

    Six years after the incident, the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Muhuyi Rimingado, confirmed that the video wasn’t doctored.

    “The authenticity of the videos had been confirmed,” Rimingado said on Wednesday during a one-day public dialogue on the anti-corruption crusade in Kano.

    He also acknowledged the immense pressure he faced to establish Ganduje’s innocence or guilt since the video’s release.

    Rimingado further revealed that the commission had been investigating the allegations against Ganduje since 2018. However, due to the former governor’s immunity, proving his guilt or innocence had been an insurmountable challenge.

    It is worth noting that while Governor Ganduje had initially denied the contents of the video when it first surfaced, the Kano State House of Assembly formed a committee to investigate the allegations. Unfortunately, the committee had not submitted its findings before a new assembly was inaugurated on July 4, 2023.

    The former governor took legal action by filing a suit in the Kano State High Court, seeking to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating him regarding the matter.

    The former Attorney General of the State, representing Ganduje, requested that the court restrain the EFCC until a separate lawsuit between the former governor and the publisher of the Daily Nigerian, Jafaar Jafaar, is resolved.

    The authenticity of the video will undoubtedly have significant implications for Ganduje’s reputation and ongoing investigations. As the legal proceedings continue, the public eagerly awaits further developments in this high-profile case.

    He also acknowledged the immense pressure he faced to establish Ganduje’s innocence or guilt since the video’s release.

    Channels TV

  • Kanu’s incarceration, an attempt to destroy economy of the Southeast, says Iwuanyanwu to Tinubu, as he appeals for Kanu’s release

    Kanu’s incarceration, an attempt to destroy economy of the Southeast, says Iwuanyanwu to Tinubu, as he appeals for Kanu’s release

    …Adds Igbo free to live, trade in Lagos

    PRESIDENT-GENERAL of the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, yesterday, appealed to the Federal Government to have Mazi Nnamdi Kanu released, saying his continuous detention is a deliberate attempt by some elements to destroy the economy of the South-East.

    Iwuanyanwu, who spoke in Lagos during the first official tour of South-West states, told newsmen that insecurity in the South-East arose due to the incarceration of Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafar, IPOB, would be suppressed if he is set free.

    The Ohanaeze leader said: “We don’t have security problems in the South-East, we have said release Nnamdi because the young people are supporters of Nnamdi Kanu. When we look at it seriously, we have not seen any offence committed by Kanu. In fact, the court has said he should be released. As Igbo leaders, we do not see any reason he should be kept in detention. These people are giving excuses including their sit-at-home. We believe that keeping Nnamdi Kanu in prison is an effort to collaborate with some elements who want to destroy the economy of the South-East. We are appealing to the federal government to release Kanu because if he is released, we can now know those who are proper criminals and agitators.

    “Frankly speaking, I believe that President Tinubu will release Nnamdi because we have not been told he committed any offence. He is being detained even though he was not caught carrying AK-47. Nnamdi Kanu is sick and if he dies in prison, it will create a lot of problems for us. Every Igbo leader has talked about his release including the five South-East governors. I think if any Nigerian leader has respect for the Igbo, he will release Kanu because once he is released, the security problem will be reduced.”

    Igbo free to live, trade in Lagos

    Addressing the fears of the Igbo in Lagos, Iwuanyanwu urged them to calm, saying they are safe and do not have any problem living in the state.

    According to him, top indigenes of Lagos State are comfortable with their conduct and do not see them as a threat to their social well-being.

    He said: “I think we can solve the problem and we are appealing to them because asking people to leave is a new phenomenon. We are not worried about it because I have discussed with top indigenes of Lagos. Leaders in Lagos are not in support of this view. I want to let you know that Ohanaeze under my leadership is working with the five South-East governors on this issue. Hope Uzodimma told me that South-East governors would meet with their colleague (Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu). I was pleased that they had a good meeting with the governor of Lagos State where they came up with a communiqué. I learnt that the governor is in Abuja, I will try and see him, but even if I don’t see him, I am quite satisfied that Governor Uzodimma has seen him. What we don’t want is the demolition of properties belonging to the Igbo or to inflate taxation against them.

    “A lot of rumours are flying all over the place but I don’t believe these things are true because I don’t believe any right thinking government can do that. I can tell you that at the moment, we have no problem. I have told the Igbo that I have discussed with top Lagosians. I have also told the Igbo that they are safe and they have no problem in Lagos State.

    “Some Igbo lived in Lagos before 1914. We have a character in Igboland which makes us different. We know that we have a home and our home is in Eastern Nigeria. Wherever we go, we know we are visitors, and we have never gone anywhere to claim their land. Every Igbo man who owns property in Lagos does so legitimately. We have not come to preach a sermon that God gave us the land in Lagos. We paid for it. Lagos is Lagos because of what those who came, like the Igbo, including northerners and those from other tribes have invested.

    “Igbo came, invested and developed the place; they have not forgotten the fact that they are visitors. Every Igbo man is told from home to obey the law of their host communities and Igbo have done that all through history.”

    Vanguard

  • Ukraine, Russia Accuse Each Other of Planned Attack on Europe’s Biggest Nuclear Plant

    Ukraine, Russia Accuse Each Other of Planned Attack on Europe’s Biggest Nuclear Plant

    Ukraine and Russia accused each other Wednesday of planning to attack one of the world’s largest nuclear power plants, but neither side provided evidence to support their claims of an imminent threat to the facility in southeastern Ukraine that is occupied by Russian troops.

    The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been a focus of fear since Moscow’s forces took control of it early in the war. Ever since then, Moscow and Kyiv have traded blame for shelling the facility and accused each other of nuclear terrorism.

    Regular power outages resulting from shelling made it impossible to operate the plant safely, and its six reactors have been shut down to minimize the threat of a disaster.

    Over the last year, the U.N.’s atomic watchdog repeatedly expressed alarm over the possibility of a radiation catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl after a reactor exploded in 1986.

    Ukraine has alleged more recently that Moscow might try to cause a deliberate leak in an attempt to derail Kyiv’s ongoing counteroffensive in the surrounding Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of blowing up a dam in southern Ukraine last month with a similar aim, while Moscow blamed Ukraine for its destruction.

    Citing the latest intelligence reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged Tuesday night that Russian troops had placed “objects resembling explosives” on top of several of the plant’s power units to “simulate” an attack from outside.

    “Their detonation should not damage power units but may create a picture of shelling from Ukraine,” according to a statement from the general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces.

    The Associated Press reviewed high-resolution satellite imagery of the plant taken Monday and Wednesday. The photos showed no visible changes to the roofs of the six concrete containment domes covering the reactors at the plant, or nearby buildings.

    The International Atomic Energy Agency has officials stationed at the Russian-held plant, which is still run by a Ukrainian staff that oversees crucial cooling systems and other safety features.

    Arise News

  • At Tribunal, Tinubu, APC close defence in Atiku’s petition, as parties set for final addresses

    At Tribunal, Tinubu, APC close defence in Atiku’s petition, as parties set for final addresses

    President Bola Tinubu and his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), on Wednesday, closed their defence in Atiku Abubakar’s petition challenging the outcome of the 25 February presidential election.

    It takes the case before the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja to the stage of exchange of final written addresses among parties, and a date will be fixed for the closing arguments.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Mr Tinubu the winner of the election, but the outcome is being contested by two of the leading opposition candidates – Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

    The pair came second and third, respectively, in the presidential poll.

    They alleged in their separate petitions submitted to the court that the election was marred by widespread malpractices and non-compliance with statutory provisions levelled against the electoral commission, INEC.

    They also accused Mr Tinubu of falsification of academic records, drugs trafficking and identity scandal.

    Both candidates had finished presenting their cases, calling witnesses and tendering tons of documents supporting their cases.

    After a three-week run of the petitioners’ case that ended on 23 June, INEC had earlier closed its own defence in both cases on Monday and Tuesday, leaving Mr Tinubu and his party, the APC, to take their turn.

    Mr Tinubu’s legal team, headed by Wole Olanipekun, began its bid to counter both petitioners’ cases on Tuesday.

    Opening defence of Mr Tinubu’s victory during proceedings in Atiku’s case, Mr Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), tendered several documents on Tuesday to debunk claims of academic records forgery and criminal conviction being levelled against the president.

    Mr Olanipekun tendered certified true copies of Mr Tinubu’s academic records from Chicago State University in the US and correspondences between the Nigerian Police Force and the US Embassy in Nigeria.

    In reply to the police’s enquiry, the US Consular General in Lagos cleared Mr Tinubu of any criminal conviction or arrest in the US. The letter was dated 4 February 2003.

    At the resumed proceedings in Atiku’s case on Wednesday, Mr Olanipekun called the only witness in the case, Opeyemi Bamidele.

    Mr Bamidele, a Nigerian senator, was called to the New York Bar in January 1999.

    In his testimony before the five-member panel of the court chaired by Haruna Tsammani, Mr Bamidele said Mr Tinubu’s victory could not be nullified over his forfeiture of $460, 000 to the US government through a court order.

    Under cross-examination by APC’s lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi, a SAN, Mr Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District at National Assembly, said Mr Tinubu was neither arraigned nor indicted for any crime by a US court.

    “As far as criminal indictment is concerned, Senator Bola Tinubu has a clean bill of health because he was never indicted or convicted by any American court,” Mr Bamidele said.

    The witness clarified that civil forfeiture cannot be considered as criminal trial or conviction.

    Testifying on the issue of the president’s alleged dual nationality, Mr Bamidele said he had known Mr Tinubu for over three decades, saying he is a Nigerian citizen by birth.

    While being cross-examined by Atiku’s lawyer, Eyitayo Jegede, Mr Bamidele said Mr Tinubu did not need to score 25 per cent of votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory to be declared winner of the 25 February presidential.

    He said the FCT has no special status other than Nigeria’s capital city.

    Mr Bamidele admitted that Mr Tinubu scored 19.4 per cent in total votes cast in the FCT during the February election.

    He added that Mr Tinubu didn’t need to win majority votes in Abuja and Lagos.

    When it was APC’s time to open its defence, Mr Fagbemi said his client chose to adopt Mr Tinubu’s evidence in the case as their defence.

    “Having taken a sober reflection of the entire case, we have enough evidence, and we are not calling any witnesses.

    “We do not intend to whip dead horses; we announce the closure of the case of the 3rd respondent (APC),” Mr Fagbemi said, referring to Atiku’s petition as dead.

    Afterwards, the court ordered parties in the suit to file and exchange their final written addresses.

    The court ordered Mr Tinubu and the APC to file their written addresses within 10, while Atiku has seven days to do the same.

    Mr Tsammani, who heads the five-member panel, said a date for the hearing of closing arguments would be communicated to parties.

    The court adjourned Mr Obi’s case for similar reasons after Mr Tinubu and the APC closed their defence.

    Before the commencement of full trial in Atiku and Mr Obi’s suits, Mr Tinubu had indicated his intention to call 39 witnesses to aid his case.

    Similarly, the APC had said it would present 25 witnesses to debunk allegations of fraud against its candidate, Mr Tinubu.

    But they both fell far short of the anticipated number of witnesses they had boasted of presenting before the court.

    Premium Times

  • Heavy rainfall: NEMA issues red alert, warns of possible flooding in 14 states

    Heavy rainfall: NEMA issues red alert, warns of possible flooding in 14 states

    THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued an alert warning 14 states of heavy rainfall that might lead to flooding, between July 4 and July 8.

    NEMA said 31 communities may also be affected.

    This alert was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, July 5, by the Coordinator, NEMA, Lagos Territorial Office, Ibrahim Farinloye.

    Farinloye advised that necessary measures should be taken to prevent loss of life and property.

    He listed the states and communities that are likely to be affected by the looming flooding as Kano (Sumaila, Tudun Wada); Sokoto (Shagari, Goronyo and Silame); Katsina (Katsina, Jibia, Kaita and Bindawa). Delta (Okwe); Kaduna (Kachia); Akwa Ibom (Upenekang); Adamawa (Mubi, Demsa, Song, Mayo-Belwa, Jimeta, and Yola); and Plateau (Langtang and Shendam).

    Others are Zamfara (Shinkafi and Gummi); Borno (Briyel); Jigawa (Gwaram); Kebbi (Wara, Yelwa and Gwandu); Niger (Mashegu and Kontagora)and Kwara (Jebba).

    Farinloye thanked the Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja, for sharing the information through the FEWS Central Hub.

    Flooding has been a significant issue in Nigeria, with several lives lost and many people displaced.

    In 2022, about 96 persons died, while 1.3 million others were displaced by floods in Bayelsa State alone.

    The Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA) disclosed this in a statement.

    Bayelsa is among the states that were ravaged by floods in 2022.

    BYSEMA Chairman Walamam Igrubia, in the statement released in Yenogoa, said those displaced by the floods were forced to seek refuge in temporary camps

    Also, in 2022, amidst severe flooding that sacked residents of several communities in Kogi State, about five persons were confirmed dead when a building collapsed at Ayah, in Ibaji Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    The deceased included four females and one male.

    Recently, on Friday, June 23, foods took over Trademore, a popular estate in Abuja.

    The ICIR in April did a report on the likely occurrence of flooding in 2023 and listed what government and residents should do.

    In another report  done by The ICIR, an environmental activist, Olumide Idowu, asked the Federal Government to collaborate with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to sensitise Nigerians at the grassroots on climate change and how it leads to environmental disasters such as flooding. 

    ICIR

  • Tinubu backs implementation of $5bn LNG project

    Tinubu backs implementation of $5bn LNG project

    President Bola Tinubu, has backed the implementation of a $5bn floating Liquefied Natural Gas project expected to supply 40 per cent of the nation’s gas needs by Q4 2026.

    The President gave his backing on Wednesday, when he received a group of joint venture partners consisting of UTM FLNG, TECHNIP Energies and JGC Corporation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Leader of the delegation and Group Managing Director of UTM FLNG, Julius Rone, while addressing State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, revealed that the multi-floating LNGs are being implemented with a $5bn loan from AFRIEXIM Bank.

    According to Rone, the loan removes financing obstacles ahead of the 2026 kickoff.

    He noted that Tinubu assured the ventures involved of his administration’s commitment to fully support the project because it aligns with his programme to revive the economy and provide more jobs.

    He said, “The President has assured us of his full support. And he has said that if we encounter any obstacle to the implementation of this project, we should not hesitate to report back to him through the Chief of Staff.”

    Rone noted that, when completed, the plant would satisfy 40 per cent of Nigeria’s LPG needs by producing 300,000 tons annually. It will also provide 7,000 direct jobs for citizens.

    He noted that this would be the first time in Nigeria that an indigenous company is involved in such a project that would help in decarbonisation.

    The GMD said it would be the first floating LNG project in Nigeria and is expected to come on stream in Q4 2026.

    Vanguard