Author: Citynews

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken legal action against two Chinese nationals and their company for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities in Kwara State. The accused, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, along with their company Ebuy Concept Limited, were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ilorin. A statement on EFCC’s X handle (former Twitter) on Friday, said the defendants are contending with serious charges, saying the defendants were arraigned on Monday, April 22. They were accused of possessing and transacting in solid minerals without the necessary government authorization, and failing to pay royalties to…

The race to emerge the next Nigerian music idol got off to an electrifying start last Sunday as contestants displayed their musical prowess in a bid to earn the judges’ nod for the next round. However, the much desired platinum card which automatically secures a place in the final for outstanding contestants, eluded the auditionees as the trio of Omawumi, Ric Hassani and guest judge, Emem Ema, unanimously agreed that they were not convinced to issue it. The judges were generous enough to issue a couple of golden tickets which would secure a place in the main show for contestants…

United States President Joe Biden recently signed a bill that could potentially result in the ban of TikTok in the US if its Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance, fails to sell it within a year. US lawmakers are concerned about the potential national security risks associated with the app, particularly if the Chinese government were to gain access to the data it collects. Many countries have taken action to limit or ban TikTok, citing worries about privacy, security, or ethical issues. Different approaches have been taken by various countries, with some implementing comprehensive restrictions and others focusing on particular features of…

The 4th mobile network operator in Nigeria, 9mobile, lost more customers to the bigger operators in the first quarter of this year as 6, 443 subscribers ported out of its network. This is revealed in the latest number porting data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). According to the NCC data, a total of 9,000 subscribers moved from one network to another between January and March. The data shows that 72% of subscribers that ported out of their networks did so from 9mobile. Other operators also recorded outgoing porting, but insignificant numbers compared with 9mobile. MTN, for instance, lost…

The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has underscored the importance of maintaining a clean environment, to combat the spread of malaria. He said this in a statement marking this year’s World Malaria Day, themed: ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’. The World Health Organization (WHO), had noted that approximately 249 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide in 2022, with an estimated 608,000 deaths, occurring mostly in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and remaining a major global challenge. He said that while malaria was primarily transmitted through the bite of…

When the management of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) in July 2023 announced that it was reclassifying Fidelity Bank Plc from small-price stock to medium-price stock, financial analysts concluded that the road to attaining Tier1 status by the bank is closer than ever imagined. In full year 2022. Fidelity Bank briefly fell into the Tier 1 category and saw the highest gross earnings of N337.10 billion and profit before tax of N53.68 billion. The bank’s higher interest income relative to interest expense led to a net interest margin of 7.70 per cent, ahead of other similar banks. Regarding its financial…

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said on Thursday that the government would relocate a lot of correctional centres to create better space, security, and infrastructure. Tunji-Ojo made the pledge when he visited Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, where 119 inmates escaped following a rainstorm that damaged the facility on Wednesday. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Mr Ozoya Imohimi. The minister said it was imperative to relocate a lot of the correctional centres to conducive environment. “This facility was built in 1914 to house 250…

Prosecution Witness Eight, (PW8), Hamma Adama Bello in the trial of former Head of Service (HoS), Winifred Oyo-Ita on Thursday, April 25, 2024 narrated before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, how thedefendant and her subordinates diverted public funds into their private companies. Oyo-Ita, the first defendant is facing criminal prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC alongside her special assistants, Ugbong Okon Effiok (seventh defendant), Garba Umar (fourth defendant) and six companies: Frontline Ace Global Services Limited, Asanaya Projects Limited, Slopes International Limited, U and U Global Services Ltd, Prince Mega Logistics Ltd…

A Compliance Officer with the Stabic IBTC Bank, Babatunde Adenekan, yesterday, gave vivid details before a Lagos Federal High Court, of how funds belonging to Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, were distributed into various bank accounts. Adenekan, a Prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), narrated the alleged financial fraud while testifying in the trial of the Managing Director of NAMA, Ibrahim Abdulsalam and six others. They are charged by EFCC with stealing and conversion of the agency’s monies amounting to about N6.8 billion before Justice Babs Kuewumi. Other accused are Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche,…

..Umahi, Make Case For Road Dualisation  The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, on Thursday paid a thank you visit to the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi over the fast pace of work on the 34-Km Ikorodu Itokin Road which is currently being rehabilitated. The road was constructed in 1975 by Messr. Taylor Woodrow, under the regime of General Yakubu Gowon and General Mobolaji Johnson. It will be recalled that in April 2021, Senator Abiru moved a motion on the floor of the Nigerian Senate…