News
Ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Pleads Not Guilty to N110.4 Billion Fraud Charges
Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Arraigned alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court, Maitama, Bello is accused of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of state funds.
The EFCC alleges the defendants acquired high-value properties with stolen funds, including:
N950 million property in Maitama, Abuja.
N920 million property in Asokoro, Abuja.
Luxury hotel apartment in Dubai worth over AED 5.6 million.
The charges also involve suspicious transfers to foreign accounts and unlawful possession of N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
The trial continues, with the former governor denying all charges.
News
“You Can Still Have Subsidy Without Long Queues” — Rufai Oseni Speaks On Subsidy
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
News
Sanwo-Olu Speaks on Lagos’ Power Challenges and the Need for Change
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
News
Sanwo-Olu Declares August 20 Public Holiday in Lagos for Isese Festival
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
