Author: Kwara Reporters

The ongoing effort to further amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has sparked further debates on the immunity clause for the president and his vice, as well as the governors and their deputies.Labour Party’s factional national chairman, Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, in a recent remark, had urged the National Assembly to scrap the controversial immunity clause that protects state governors while in office.At various points, some other Nigerians have made similar suggestions.Their argument has been that the state governors are hiding under the immunity clause to commit all kinds of atrocities, ranging from financial misappropriation to misuse…

No fewer than 32 people, among them two Chinese nationals, have been arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal lithium mining at Sooro Market in Kishi, Irepo LGA of Oyo State. Sunday Odukoya, the special assistant on security to the state governor, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Ibadan. He said the arrest was in response to the rampant illegal mining activities observed in the market.He also disclosed that the state government has closed down the market and removed all unauthorized structures and shanties erected within its premises following an order by the state’s deputy governor, Adebayo Lawal.Odukoya reiterated the government’s firm stance…

By Ayuba Musbau Kawu, ArcWhen you see this headline, you would mistake it as a PR for Dr. Oloriegbe. You would think it’s a push for him to contest for election.No, that’s not it.This is, rather, an advisory call for Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, a man in whom I am well pleased, to be wary of a deceptive man who loves pretending.Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq political trajectory is marred with a notorious reputation for betrayal; his alliances are temporary, serving his interests until their expiration. This modus operandi came to the fore in his dealings with Dr. Oloriegbe, whom he betrayed in…

The political crisis rocking Rivers State deepened last week, with shots fired from each side of the divide.Leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state had asked the state lawmakers to begin the process of impeaching Governor Siminalayi Fubara.Fubara’s estranged godfather and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on his part, described the choice of his successor as a mistake.Wike, who spoke at an event in Rivers, begged God and his political family to forgive him.According to him: “I want to say this clearly: in life, we make mistakes. I have made a mistake. I own it up and I…

An FCT High Court in Gwagwalada has convicted one Mrs Ramat Mercy Mba for forging the signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, the late Abba Kyari.Justice Ibrahim Mohammad however deferred the sentencing of the convict till May 16.He directed that the mother of five be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre.The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) had arraigned Mba in June 2022 on a five-count charge bordering on cheating, fraud and forgery contrary to Section 13 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 200 and sections 320 (b), 366 of the Penal Code Cap 89 laws…

Femi Falana (SAN) insists Rivers State House of Assembly members who decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have lost their positions in the lawmaking body. About 25 lawmakers loyal to the immediate past governor of Rivers State and the current Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike had defected to the APC in the wake of the political impasse involving him and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.Rivers Crisis: Fubara Cannot Tell Legislature Where To Meet, Says FalanaWhile Falana had late last year said the lawmakers would lose their seats for moving to the APC, the human rights…

•NLC, TUC, others to picket NERC office, DisCos in 36 statesThe organised labour will on Monday (today) commence nationwide protests over the electricity tariff hike and removal of subsidy from the power sector by the Federal Government.The National Treasurer of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Olatunji Ambali and the National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, who confirmed the planned protests to The PUNCH in separate interviews on Sunday, insisted on the reversal of the tariff hike to the subsidy era. The labour action is expected to lead to the shutdown of the Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria Electricity…

The Joint Task Force codenamed Operation Delta Safe has uncovered over 50 illegal crude oil refining sites in the Biseni area of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.JTF Commander, John Okeke, who led the operation on Sunday, said illegal refining of stolen crude oil was taking place in each of the sites.Okeke said he had earlier warned oil thieves in the area to desist from illegal refining of crude oil or relocate to other areas.No arrests were made but he urged public-spirited persons in the area to volunteer useful information that would help in stemming the tide of the…

Armed men dressed in military uniform are reported to have invaded the Mbiaong Ukwa Community in Odukpani LGA of Cross River State, killing five elderly people, and destroying houses.Witnesses claim the armed invaders who came from the distant Isu community in Ihechiowa Local Government Area of Abia State allegedly kidnapped a number of young men who resisted them.But police authorities in the state said they were not aware of the attack.Irene Ugbo, PPRO, said, “We are not aware of such an attack. It has not been reported to us. The first place they ought to have reported is the nearest…

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria to suspend the implementation of the controversial cybersecurity levy policy and ordered a review.This followed the decision of the House of Representatives, which, last Thursday, asked the CBN to withdraw its circular directing all banks to commence charging a 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy on all electronic transactions in the country.The CBN on May 6, 2024, issued a circular mandating all banks, mobile money operators, and payment service providers to implement a new cybersecurity levy, following the provisions laid out in the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act 2024.According to…