News
Former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, released from prison
A former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, has been released from the Kuje Correctional Centre after meeting up with his bail condition, PUNCH Online gathered.
I wast learnt that Agunloye was released on Friday.
The spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Adamu Duza, confirmed this to newsmen.
Duza said, “Agunloye has been released from the prison after meeting his bail condition. He was released this evening around 5:30pm.”
A Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the remand of Agunloye in Kuje Custodial Centre over a $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Agunloye before the Federal High Court in Abuja where he pleaded not guilty to the charges read against him.
The judge, however, ordered that the embattled former minister be remanded in Kuje custodial centre pending when bail would be granted.
It will be recalled that the EFCC declared Agunloye wanted in connection with a $6 billion power scheme involving the Mambilla hydropower project.
EFCC alleged that Agunloye, who served as a minister between 1999 and 2003, under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, illegally awarded a contract for the construction of a 3,960 MW Mambilla hydroelectric power station on a build, operate, and transfer basis.
The agency told the court that the contract, which was awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, was done without any budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing.
Agunloye was equally alleged to have corruptly received kickback to the tune of N3.6 million from the company he awarded the contract to.
However, the defendant, who had also served as a Minister of State for Defence, pleaded not guilty to the charge when he was docked, even as the court remanded him in Kuje prison pending the decision on his bail application.
The Mambilla hydropower project, initiated in 2003, has been embroiled in legal disputes and allegations of corruption.
News
DSS arrests blogger for cloning agency’s website, advertising fake recruitment
The Department of State Services has arrested a 32-year-old blogger, identified as Augustus, for cloning its official website and posting a fake recruitment notice.
The suspect, from Akwa Ibom State, was apprehended on Thursday at his residence on Akpan Eno Lane in Abak.
According to DSS sources, Augustus, a graduate of the University of Uyo and a content creator, cloned the agency’s website to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians into believing the DSS was conducting a recruitment exercise.
“Augustus, a native of Abak Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, was tracked and arrested by our operatives on Thursday at his residence.
“He claimed to be a graduate of the University of Uyo, a blogger, and a content creator. Augustus had cloned the DSS website, where he created a fake online recruitment notice, seemingly with the intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the public,” the source stated.
An anonymous source commented, “One Augustus was arrested on Thursday at his residence. His actions were aimed at defrauding the public.”
The fake notice was flagged as false by the DSS, which quickly issued a warning to Nigerians not to fall victim to such fraudulent activities.
Augustus is expected to be arraigned in court soon to face charges related to his alleged activities.
News
Lagos state government demolishes structures blocking drainages in Langbasa, Orchid Road
The Lagos State Government has demolished structures obstructing drainage systems along the Langbasa-Jehovah Witness-Ramota drainage alignment in Langbasa and on Orchid Road, both in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
The demolition exercise was carried out by the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Department of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
This operation is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to ensure the free flow of rainwater and reduce flooding risks in Eti-Osa and other parts of Lagos.
The update was announced by Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, through a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday.
“Earlier today, the operatives of the Drainage Enforce and Compliance Department of the Ministry commenced removal of contraventions along Langbasa-Jehovah witness-Ramot Giwa drainage alignment, Langbasa, Eti-Osa LGA, and also contraventions along Orchid road,” Wahab’s post read in part.
The commissioner’s post was accompanied by two video clips showing a bulldozer tearing down structures, including perimeter fences, a standalone column, and a small building. Additionally, pictures shared in the post highlighted the aftermath of the demolition, revealing cleared areas where the contravening structures once stood.
News
Appeal Court nullifies ruling restraining Bayero from parading self as Kano emir, orders fresh hearing
The court of appeal in Abuja has ordered a fresh hearing of the Kano state emirship tussle involving Aminu Bayero.
In a judgment delivered on Friday, a three-member panel of justices led by Mohammed Mustapha, faulted the verdict of the Kano state high court.
The high court had stopped Bayero and four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.
The appellate court held that in the ruling delivered by Amina Adamu Aliyu, trial judge, on July 15, Bayero was denied fair hearing due to the “shoddy manner” the high court conducted its proceedings.
Mustapha said the high court was unfair to Bayero by conducting proceedings without serving him a hearing notice to enable him present his case.
The lead justice held that all courts of law are bound to ensure justice for all parties by giving them equal opportunities, adding that the conduct of the proceedings against Bayero amounted to a travesty of justice.
Consequently, the appellate court ordered that the case be remitted to the chief judge of the Kano state high court for reassignment to another judge for expeditious determination.
Lamido Sanusi was reinstated as emir by Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, at a colourful ceremony in the government house on May 24.
The Kano house of assembly repealed the law that Abdullahi Ganduje, former governor of the state, used to depose and exile Sanusi in 2020.
The repeal paved the way for the reinstatement of Sanusi and the dethronement of Bayero.
-
Business1 week ago
Air France deboards French national in Abuja airport for unruly behaviour
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Lala Akindoju loses dad
-
News1 week ago
‘He’s a dead man walking’ — military threatens to eliminate Bello Turji
-
News1 week ago
Celebrating Excellence in Nigeria: The Icons of Resilience, Leadership, and Innovation in 2024!
-
Business1 week ago
X to launch payment system this year
-
News1 week ago
Fire razes police station, three buildings in Lagos
-
News1 week ago
Benin Republic summons Nigerien envoy over terrorism allegations
-
Politics1 week ago
Edo PDP alleges plot to impeach LGA chairpersons over financial misconduct