Afrigather A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, evaded arrest by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee. 87 Chibok women stay lacking a decade after their abduction. Chess participant, Tunde Onakoya, performed for 60 hours to safe a Guinness World Report and lift $1 million for kids’s schooling throughout Africa.
Listed here are the highlights from the week’s largest information tales, from April 14 to April 20, 2024.
- #BringBackOurGirls
This week marks the tenth anniversary of the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from the Authorities Women Secondary College in Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram terrorist group.
276 schoolgirls of the Authorities Women Secondary College in Chibok, a group in Borno State, have been kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorist group on April 14, 2014.
Regardless of guarantees from successive governments to safe their launch, 89 women are reportedly nonetheless in captivity. There have been calls for presidency intervention as mother and father sought closure and hope for the protected return of their daughters.
Amnesty Worldwide criticised the federal government’s failure to rescue the women and known as for accountability, whereas safety analysts highlighted the necessity for improved methods to deal with abduction.
In the meantime, on Thursday, troops of the Nigerian Military rescued Lydia Simon, one of many kidnapped Chibok women.
Lydia, who was pregnant on the time of her rescue, was held captive by Boko Haram terrorists for 10 years.
In response to a standing report by the BringBackOurGirls marketing campaign group in October 2022, of the 276 kidnaped women, 57 escaped captivity after leaping from the vans on which they have been being transported, 107 of them have been launched, 16 have been rescued by the army, and 96 of them remained lacking.
- #ChessMarathonForChange
President Bola Tinubu and different outstanding figures confirmed assist for chess participant, Tunde Onakoya, as he made to interrupt the Guinness World Report for the longest unbeaten chess marathon.
Onakoya launched into his 58-hour quest in Instances Sq., New York, aiming to surpass the present file of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds. As Onakoya persevered by the problem, notable people like Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, and the US Mission in Nigeria expressed their encouragement and admiration for his endeavour.
Reward of Chess, a non-profit organisation primarily based in New York, disclosed that Nigerian chess grasp, Onakoya, skilled extreme vomiting and abdomen ache throughout his try to interrupt the Guinness World Report for the longest chess marathon.
Regardless of the challenges, Onakoya refused to give up, citing his dedication to the desires of thousands and thousands of kids.
Alongside his US counterpart, Shawn Martinez, Onakoya aimed to boost $1m to assist academic alternatives for underprivileged youngsters throughout Africa. Onakoya surpassed the purpose of 58 hours of uninterrupted play and stopped on the 60-hour mark.
- FG enforces costs
The Federal Authorities initiated enforcement raids at a number of supermarkets and markets throughout the Federal Capital Territory to make sure compliance with value show and amount rules, aiming to cut back the price of meals commodities nationwide.
The Federal Competitors and Client Safety Fee performed the raids to eradicate grocery retailer value gouging and unlawful pricing schemes. Throughout the enforcement train, the FCCPC sealed 4U Grocery store in Abuja and evacuated baggage of rice reportedly crammed with weevils.
This transfer got here in response to issues raised by shoppers about rising prices of products, contributing to Nigeria’s inflation. The FCCPC has vowed to take agency measures in opposition to firms participating in unfair market practices like value manipulation, extreme pricing, or cartel formation.
Moreover, plans are underway to introduce a value tracker and conduct raids in main open markets throughout the nation to make sure compliance with rules and shield shopper rights.
- Cubana’s flip
Lagos-based socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly often called Cubana Chief Priest, was arraigned earlier than Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Lagos on Wednesday for alleged abuse of the naira observe.
He pleaded not responsible to the fees and was granted bail within the sum of N10m with two sureties. His lawyer cited well being points and emphasised that the offence, which carries a most punishment of six months imprisonment with an possibility of wonderful is a bailable offence.
The prosecution didn’t oppose the bail software, and the decide granted bail on the situation that it have to be perfected inside seven days.
Cubana Chief Priest hinted at simply fulfilling the bail situations, expressing gratitude to his supporters. The trial is scheduled to begin on Might 2. The costs stemmedbfrom allegations that he sprayed N500 notes at a social occasion, opposite to the provisions of the Central Financial institution Act 2007.
His arrest and trial got here shortly after the conviction of controversial cross-dresser Bobrisky for related offences.
- Dunamis Testimony saga
Vera Anyim, who was interrupted throughout her testimony at Dunamis Worldwide Gospel Centre in Abuja by the church’s Senior Pastor Dr Paul Enenche, stated that she holds no grudge in opposition to the church.
Anyim, whose testimony was interrupted when she claimed she graduated with a “BSc in Legislation,” was subsequently chided by Enenche, who questioned the credibility of her testimony.
Nonetheless, in a Fb put up, Anyim said that she had met with Enenche and his spouse and had put the scenario behind her. The church issued a press release explaining that issues arose relating to Anyim’s language proficiency and the readability of her tutorial credentials. The Senior Pastor’s actions have been stated to stem from a dedication to upholding requirements of excellence and integrity throughout the church group.
Anyim, in her Fb put up, clarified that she really graduated with a Third Class from the Nationwide Open College of Nigeria. Regardless of the ordeal, she emphasised her willpower to maneuver ahead positively.
- Yahaya Bello: Needed
Earlier within the week, operatives of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee besieged the Abuja residence of a former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The EFCC’s actions got here because of ongoing authorized battle between Bello and the fee, together with an amended cost alleging cash laundering to the tune of N84 billion.
The EFCC accused Bello of cash laundering, breach of belief, and misappropriation of funds, with Bello at present at giant.
The EFCC’s try and arrest Bello was thwarted by armed intervention at his Abuja residence, reportedly involving the present Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, who allegedly escorted Bello away from the scene.
The Inspector Common of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, ordered the withdrawal of all law enforcement officials hooked up to the previous governor.
This motion adopted the Nigerian Immigration Service putting Bello on a watchlist after the EFCC declared him needed for alleged cash laundering.
The Nigeria Police Pressure has additionally detained a feminine police officer who served because the aide-de-camp to the previous governor.
She was detained alongside different officers, following an order by the IGP. Their arrest stemmed from suspicion of aiding Bello’s escape from EFCC operatives making an attempt to arrest him.
Bello’s media workplace accused the EFCC of persecution, citing duplicated prices and questioning the company’s motives. Bello and three different suspects face 19 counts associated to cash laundering.
