A 43-year-old realtor, Jimi Folarin, has been declared missing after being called by a client to inspect properties in the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

His distraught sister, Iremide Omowunmi, who confirmed the sad development to Vanguard, said Folarin left the house at exactly 4pm on Wednesday, October 30, for the property inspection and has not answered his phone since.

“At about 4 PM, my brother called me to say that the clients he was waiting for had contacted him to come and inspect the properties. This was exactly at 4 PM.

My brother is a real estate agent who sells land and assists people in buying land. Around 5pm, I tried calling him to see if he had arrived, but although the phone rang, he did not pick up. I thought maybe he was busy with the clients, so I stopped calling. It wasn’t until 10pm that I tried reaching him again, but he still didn’t respond. I then texted him on WhatsApp, but he didn’t reply either, which is unlike him.

While I was calling him, my brother’s friend was also trying to reach him. After a while, a strange number called my brother’s friend, asking who he wanted to speak to. When my brother’s friend questioned the caller, they immediately hung up.

This morning, I called that strange number, and the person answered. But when I asked for Folarin, my brother, they abruptly ended the call. I have reported the case to the Gbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu,” she said

At least 14 passengers narrowly escaped death while the driver sustained a minor injury when a commercial bus went up in flames along the Old Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The vehicle, a Toyota Hiace bus, was said to be heading to Asaba, Delta State when it suddenly caught up in flames in the middle of the bridge on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

An eyewitness and trader in the area, who identified himself as Obiora Uzor, said the passengers had managed to jump out of the bus before the fire finally engulfed the whole vehicle, adding that the driver sustained burns as the fire started from the front of the vehicle.

“The bus suddenly went up in flames while in motion and caused panic on the bridge as the passengers struggled to escape having been caught up by the fire. No one knew the cause of the fire," the witness said.

“It caused a heavy gridlock to and fro the bridge as motorists and other passersby were battling to extinguish the fire before the arrival of firefighters who later controlled the inferno."

The Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, confirmed the incident, in a statement on Thursday.

“The Anambra State Fire Service on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, received a distress alert at 0930 hours reporting of a vehicle (bus) engulfed by fire along the Bridge-head, Onitsha,” he said.

“A crew of firemen and firefighting equipment were immediately deployed to the rescue. They extinguished the fire and ensured that it did not affect other vehicles that were plying the bridge.

“The cause of the incident is unknown. No life was lost. The public was advised to alert the fire service in time whenever there is a fire incident and to install fire extinguishers in their vehicles. Remember, fire kills but, we can prevent it."

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the arrest, detention, and arraignment of 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters.

Atiku condemned the federal government’s actions, stating that even underage children have not been spared from what he describes as the “wickedness” of Tinubu, referring to him as “T Pain.”

Reports from Vanguard revealed that a minor collapsed in the courtroom during proceedings, a situation that critics attribute to malnourishment and inadequate treatment.

In a statement on his social media platform, Atiku expressed his outrage, saying, “A disturbing video of malnourished children being arraigned before a Federal High Court on the orders of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has come to my attention. The horrible scene, reminiscent of a Nazi concentration camp, once again reflects the low value this government places on the lives of the vulnerable, especially children.”

He emphasized the importance of protecting children’s rights, referencing Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act, which guarantees the dignity of every child. He quoted the Act, stating, “Every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no child shall be subjected to physical, mental, or emotional injury, abuse, neglect, or maltreatment, including sexual abuse; nor shall any child be subjected to torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.”

Atiku criticized the delay in the arraignment of these children, noting, “The children are being prosecuted for their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests that occurred between August 1 and August 10, 2024. If they are just being arraigned three months later, one can only imagine the dehumanizing conditions they have endured during their detention.”

He expressed his disappointment that a leader who once fought for Nigeria’s democracy and led protests is now demonizing those who peacefully protest against the impacts of his harsh policies.

“Children, who are among the most affected by these policies, have every right to protest peacefully, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Child Rights Act. A nation can be assessed by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. It is saddening that even underage children are not spared from the wickedness of T Pain,” he said.

Atiku concluded by stating, “The disturbing conditions under which the accused children were brought to court only reinforce the justification for their participation in the protests in the first place.”

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has condemned the detention and reported maltreatment of minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria.


The organisation expressed deep concerns following alarming reports that several detained children, some under the age of 15, collapsed due to malnutrition inside the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The minors have been held since August by the Nigerian police after participating in protests against worsening insecurity and deprivation in the country.

In a statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani on Friday, the organisation called on Senator Oluremi Tinubu to intervene, urging her to see these young detainees as “her own children.”

CISLAC also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to halt these actions by government officials, including the Minister of Justice, and to immediately order the release of the minors.

“It is disturbing and damaging to Nigeria’s global image to witness such treatment of young citizens who were only exercising their constitutional rights,” Rafsanjani stated. He added, “The inhumane detention and maltreatment of these children must end."

"Anyone responsible for detaining these minors unjustly is the true criminal here, and this incident warrants urgent intervention.”

"Images and videos from the courtroom have circulated widely on social media, depicting the harrowing scenes of some minors lying on the floor as lawyers and others tried to revive them.

"This incident occurred when the minors were brought to court from various police detention cells, where reports claim they were denied adequate food and medical care.

"Sources allege that the prolonged detention and harsh conditions were intended to punish the minors, who have been accused of fighting the government despite the absence of credible evidence. CISLAC has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take immediate action, advocating for the rights of the detained minors."

The organisation further urged international bodies such as UNICEF, the World Food Organization, the World Health Organization, and Save the Children Foundation to condemn the incident and pressure the Nigerian government for an unconditional release. “Detaining these children under such appalling conditions is unconscionable,” Rafsanjani emphasised.

“We are appealing to all responsible authorities to ensure their swift release and hold accountable those who orchestrated their detention. This incident stands as a dark stain on our national commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights.”

The minors were initially detained following a police order, which cited alleged involvement in a supposed plot to destabilise the government. However, CISLAC and other rights groups argue that their detention violates both national and international human rights standards.

Voters in Botswana have rejected the country’s long-serving governing party in a result that marks a political earthquake in the diamond-rich southern African nation.

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) - in power since independence in 1966 - has won only four parliamentary seats as of Friday afternoon. It will be replaced by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

In a phone call to UDC leader Duma Boko, President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded and congratulated his opponent.

Despite overseeing a dramatic change in Botswana, recent poor economic growth and high unemployment dented the BDP’s popularity.

The party "had got it wrong big time", Masisi told a press conference.

"I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration. I am proud of our democratic processes and I respect the will of the people."

He has urged his supporters to remain calm and rally behind the new government.

Speaking to Boko on the phone, the outgoing president said: "You can count on me to always be there to provide whatever guidance you might want."

In his first comments to the media since the outcome was clear, Boko, a 54-year-old former human rights lawyer, said: "What has happened today takes our democracy to a higher level. It now means we've seen a successful, peaceful, orderly democratic transition."

"It's a shock to me in terms of the numbers. I'm humbled and I can only pledge to [the people of Botswana] that we'll do the very best," he added.

This was the third time he had run as a presidential candidate.

UDC and other opposition party supporters have been celebrating in the capital, Gaborone, and elsewhere in the country.

"I did not ever think I would witness this change in my life," 23-year-old student Mpho Mogorosi, who had gone on to the streets of Gaborone, told the Reuters news agency.

"The BDP had stayed too long in power and I am proud to be part of the people that removed them for a better Botswana," she said.

A party in power for 58 years pledges change for Botswana
The UDC has won 35 seats, according to the latest tally, which means that it has an outright majority in parliament.

It has pledged to adopt a new economic strategy that creates well-paying jobs and distributes wealth that empowers all citizens.

Kgoberego Nkawana, just elected as an MP, told the BBC's Newsday programme that many young people in Botswana remained jobless despite huge deposits of diamonds and a fairly thriving tourism industry in the country.

A man in a dark blue suit wearing a light blue shirt and a tie
IMAGE SOURCE,AFP
Image caption,Duma Boko, leader of the UDC, is set to be Botswana's next president
"The unemployment rate is very very high and people are living literally on handouts from government because there are no jobs. So it's really bad," Nkawana said.

The party has committed to creating 450,000 to 500,000 jobs within five years.

The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), supported by former President Ian Khama who split from the BDP, has so far secured five seats while the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has got 14 seats as things stand.

Political analyst Lesole Machacha said the way that the change in government has been accepted was very impressive.

"It's very rare [on the continent] for a smooth transition to occur," he told the BBC. "This has been very peaceful."

Masisi - in office since 2018 - led the BDP’s failed campaign.

The president ran on a message that his party could bring about "change", but not enough voters were convinced the BDP could do what was needed for the country.

Official results are expected to be announced by the electoral commission later Friday.

Additional reporting from Innocent Selatlhwa in Gaborone.

Shocking moment Mercedes driver PUNCHES truck’s wing mirror & shouts ‘open the door’ in ‘road rage’ fury

Video taken by the stunned driver of the truck shows the woman standing outside the cab at a busy junction and shouting at him.

Cops confirmed that the incident took place on Pinkham Way in Southgate, North London at around 4pm on Wednesday.

However, the events leading up to it were not caught on camera.

The woman reportedly tried to force her way between two lorries to enter a dual carriageway, which led to the driver accusing her of crashing into multiple other vehicles as she did so.

Footage shows the woman getting out of the Mercedes and aggressively approaching the truck driver as he sits behind the wheel.

She attempts to open the door before telling the driver through the window: "Come on, open the door."

She added: "Come on, open the door bro. Open the door."

But when the driver refuses to open the door and continues to film her she grabs the door of the lorry and hauls herself up.

The truck driver was left speechless as she appeared to punch the wing mirror with her fist and smashed it to pieces.

The damage caused the plastic cases to detach from the mirror and glass to shatter on the floor.

Taking a piece of the debris, the woman then launches it at the driver's window before storming back to her Mercedes which was left with the door open.

With the furious attack over, she drives away as shocked motorists watch on.

After managing to get in front of the lorry which was the target of the attack, she is said to have pulled up and got out to confront the driver.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman told The Sun: "Police are investigating a road rage incident on Pinkham Way, Southgate.

"It happened shortly after 16:00hrs on Wednesday, 30 October when a woman reportedly confronted a lorry driver before damaging the vehicles wing mirror.

"No arrests have been made.

"Enquiries are ongoing."

Less than 11 days to the handing over to the Governor-elect, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, by the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the State Accountant General, Mr. Julius O. Anelu, and four other officials said to be signatories to the state government accounts.

It was gathered that the five state government officials, reportedly arrested on Thursday, were being held at the Benin office of the agency.

It was also gathered that the officials were arrested apparently to forestall last minute withdrawal from the state account following thee budget allegedly approved by the Edo State House of Assembly about two weeks to the inauguration of the new government.

The source said with the arrest, government activities had been halted, as the state was unable to pay emoluments due to civil servants, pensions, and other public servants.

He added that other statutory payments such as security bills and other obligations were also affected.

According to the source, the commission intend to keep the arrested officials till November 12, when the tenure of the outgoing government would end.

When contacted, the EFCC spokesman in Edo State, Williams Oseghale, simply directed our reporter to the Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Dele Oyewale.

When contacted on the phone, Oyewale requested our correspondent to send a text message.

Text messages were sent to Oyewale’s WhatsApp number and his line as an SMS, but he was yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.

Fubara is Wike’s political investment, says Tony Okocha

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, on Friday, warned critics against distorting the narrative of the crisis rocking the state, insisting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the investment of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Okocha disclosed this during a media parley with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Okocha who served as the Chief of Staff to former Governor Rotimi Amaechi from 2007 to 2015, stated that he feels embarrassed every time he listens to a radio analysis and hears the presenters dishing out a biased narrative.

He said, “I can tell you that the conversations going on around the state are skewed. They need to hear our side of the story. Some people are blaming us at the APC and even bringing in the FCT Minister for the crisis in Rivers. They are holding us in scorn. Naturally, I know what anybody will say is that he (Wike) has done eight years; why is he not allowing someone else to run his own? But that is not the narrative.

“Nobody makes an investment and throws it away; the business will fail. Governor Fubara is Wike’s political investment. I must have said this many times. This is because he lifted him from ground zero and put him where he is today. Fubara was never a politician; he was a civil servant.

“He was taken from a state of relative obscurity in his Local Government to a political crescendo, which is the position of governor in a state like Rivers. So, it is not a case of Wike suffocating anybody in Rivers; it is just a case of Governor Sim Fubara versus the same Governor Sim Fubara. He is the governor. In Ikwerre’s parlance, there is an adage that says ‘You are the man that holds the yam and the knife.'”

Continuing, Okocha also blamed the governor for spurning the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the court order directing him to re-present the 2024 budget before the Martins Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly.

He said that rather than following the agreed resolution, Fubara allowed his loyalists to go loose by threatening and attempting to blackmail the president.

“There was an intervention by Mr President through an eight-point agenda. The president said the governor was wrong by presenting the budget to a four-member assembly over and above 27 others, and that he should go back and re-present it. Fubara accepted and told Mr President that being the first time he was meeting with him, whatever he said pertaining to Rivers, he would abide by.

“He also made a request, and the president asked him to state it. The request was that those who worked with him from his side should not be vilified or punished. The president assured him that nothing of the sort would happen, as the meeting was for reconciliation. After that, all manner of narratives arose. Some said he signed under duress; others claimed he was ambushed. The fifth columnists were also on the prowl for pecuniary interests.

“But did he implement the decision of Mr President and the judgment of the court to re-present the budget to the House of Assembly under Martin Amaewhule? Now, some people are going about trying to skew the narrative that those who got the recent judgment are enemies of Rivers. But is it right for the governor to run a state without a budget? It is even dangerous for us as a state because you don’t have a limit for spending,” he warned.

President Bola Tinubu has reacted to the advice from the National Economic Council (NEC) to withdraw the Tax Reform Bill from the National Assembly, News360 Nigeria reports.

The NEC, led by Vice-President Kashim Shettima and comprising state governors, on Thursday, recommended withdrawal due to disagreements and concerns raised by various groups.

In a statement on Friday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said President Tinubu commends the NEC members for their advice but believes the legislative process provides an opportunity for inputs and necessary changes without withdrawing the bills. Tinubu urges the NEC to allow the process to take its full course while welcoming further consultations and engagement with stakeholders.

The Tax Reform Bills aim to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration, overhaul tax operations, and align them with global best practices. The four bills include The Nigeria Tax Bill, which eliminates multiple taxation and simplifies tax obligations, making Nigeria’s economy more competitive.

The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill proposes new rules governing tax administration across federal, state, and local jurisdictions to ease taxpayer compliance and enhance revenue for all tiers of government. The Nigeria Revenue Service Bill re-establishes the Federal Inland Revenue Service as the Nigeria Revenue Service to better reflect its mandate as the revenue agency for the entire federation.

Additionally, the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill proposes creating a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and state tax authorities. This bill also establishes the Office of Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board to protect taxpayers’ interests and facilitate dispute resolution.

The statement reads:

PROPOSED TAX REFORM BILLS SHOULD GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS; INPUTS CAN BE MADE AT PUBLIC HEARINGS

President Bola Tinubu has received the National Economic Council’s recommendation that the tax reform bills already sent to the National Assembly be withdrawn for further consultation.

President Tinubu commends the National Economic Council members, especially Vice President Kashim Shettima and the 36 State Governors, for their advice.
He believes that the legislative process, which has already begun, provides an opportunity for inputs and necessary changes without withdrawing the bills from the National Assembly.

While urging the NEC to allow the process to take its full course, President Tinubu welcomes further consultations and engagement with key stakeholders to address any reservations about the bills while the National Assembly considers them for passage.

When President Tinubu set up the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform in August 2023, he had only one objective: to reposition the economy for better productivity and efficiency and make the operating environment for investment and businesses more conducive. This objective remains more critical even today than ever before.

The Committee worked for over a year and received inputs from various segments of society across the geopolitical zones, including trade associations, professional bodies, different Ministries and Government Agencies, Governors, traders, students, business owners, and the organised private sector.

The tax reform bills that emerged were distilled from the extensive work of the Presidential Committee.

The tax bills before the National Assembly aim to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration processes, completely overhaul the nation’s tax operations, and align them with global best practices.

Below are the major highlights of the four Bills.
1. The Nigeria Tax Bill: This Bill seeks to eliminate multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide.

2. The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB): This Bill proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country. Its objective is to harmonise tax administrative processes across federal, state and local jurisdictions to ease taxpayers’ compliance and enhance the revenue for all tiers of government.

3. The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill: The Bill seeks to re-establish the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to better reflect its mandate as the revenue agency for the entire federation, not just the Federal Government.

4. The Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill: This Bill proposes creating a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and all state tax authorities. The fourth bill will also establish the Office of Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board, protecting taxpayers’ interests and facilitating dispute resolution.

The bills’ overarching objective is to effectively coordinate federal, state, and local tax authorities, thereby eliminating the overlapping responsibilities, confusion, and inefficiency that have plagued tax administration in Nigeria for decades.

Under existing laws, taxes like Company Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT), Tertiary Education Tax (TET), Value-Added Tax (VAT), and other taxing provisions in numerous laws are administered separately, with individual legislative frameworks.

The proposed reforms seek to consolidate these numerous taxes, integrating CIT, PIT, CGT, VAT, PPT, and excise duties into a unified structure to reduce administrative fragmentation.

While there may be differences in approach or specific provisions of the new tax bills, what is not in contention is the need to review our tax laws and how we administer them to serve our overall national development agenda.

President Tinubu will continue to respect and welcome the advice and recommendations of the National Economic Council, an essential constitutional organ of government on economic matters.

b]A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, Godwin Emefiele, to forfeit to the Federal Government, a cash sum of $2.045 million, eight choice properties in Lagos and Delta, as well as two share certificates of a firm.[/b]


Justice Deinde Dipeolu ordered the permanent forfeiture of the funds and the two share certificates belonging to Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust, stating that the former CBN governor or any interested party did not contest the initial interim forfeiture.

Additionally, the court forfeited seven prime landed properties, noting that Emefiele failed to demonstrate a connection between his lawful earnings from Zenith Bank and the CBN and the acquisition of these properties.


The court pointed out that Emefiele did not provide any documents or evidence to prove ownership of the properties.

However, Emefiele denied any links to the companies under whose names the properties were purchased, and those companies did not appear in court to claim them.

The EFCC listed the companies as Amrash Ventures Limited, Modern Hotels Limited, Finebury Properties Limited, Fidelity Express Services Limited, H & Y Business Global Limited, and SDEM Erectors Nigeria Limited.


Justice Dipeolu concluded that there seems to be something suspicious regarding the acquisition of the properties that Emefiele and the companies are trying to conceal.

The judge further stated that the interested party failed to show any lawful interest in the properties, which were acquired with illegitimate earnings.

Consequently, he ordered the final forfeiture of all properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria, as they are reasonably suspected to have been acquired through unlawful activities.


The properties include two identical fully detached duplexes located at No. 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, and an undeveloped land measuring 1919.592sqm with Survey Plan No. DS/LS/340 at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos; a bungalow at No. 65a Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, (Formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos and a four-bedroom duplex at 12a Probyn Road, Ikoyi.

Others are an industrial complex under construction on 22 plots of land in Agbor, Delta State; 8 units of an undetached apartment on a plot measuring 2457.60sqm at No. 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, and a full duplex together with all its appurtenances on a plot of land measuring 2217.87sqm at 2a Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

DAILY POST recalls that on August 15, 2024, the court had authorised the EFCC to temporarily take custody of the assets.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called for the case-file of the minors that were arraigned for participating in the EndBadGovernance protest.

The AGF, in a statement he made available to newsmen Friday night, ordered the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, to transfer the case-file to his office before Saturday.


He further directed the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) to immediately put machinery in motion to ensure the matter which was adjourned till January next year, is brought forward.

The Justice Minister said there were issues that his office would need to look into to enable him make an informed decision regarding the trial of the defendants.

He, however, stressed that it was not within his powers to vary the court order that remanded the protesters in detention centers.

The statement, which was personally signed by the AGF, read: “It has just come to my notice that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the endbad governance violent protest in court for various offences including treason.

“There are some issues my office will need to look into regarding the matter to enable me take an informed decision.

“I am aware that the court has remanded the defendants in detention centres and adjourned the case to January.


“It is not within my power to vary the order of the court remanding the defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January.

“I have, however, directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the case-file to my office and hand over same to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) tomorrow, Saturday 2nd November, 2024.

“I have further directed the DPPF to immediately put machinery in motion for consideration of the court to bring the adjournment date forward (an earlier date).”

It will be recalled that police had on Friday, arraigned 72 persons that included minors, before the Federal High Court in Abuja for participating in the recent nationwide protest.

The 10-count charge against the defendants bordered on treason.

Four minors who were cited as defendants in the case collapsed before the charge could be read to them in court, a development that prompted their exclusion from the trial.

The AGF’s intervention may not be unconnected with widespread condemnation that trailed the incident.

A 58-Year-Old Man has committed suicide in Igburowo town, Odigbo Local Council Area of Ondo State, after consuming a chemical substance and pesticide, commonly known as snipper.

The lifeless body of the 58-Year-Old deceased man identified as Bamidele Omolayo was discovered when an octogenarian in the community raised an alarm.

According to sources, before terminating his life, the deceased had a minor argument with a member of his family and threatened, after which he threatened to terminate his own life.

One of the sources who craved anonymity stated “I was told that he was engaged in a shouting match with his brother before he took the rash decision.

“It was later that his corpse was discovered lying flat on the main road that links the community to a farm settlement.

Following the development, the community was said to have been thrown into a state of shock, with a resident of the community, stressing that the deceased might have left his house early in the morning and trekked for some kilometres to the outskirts of the community before committing suicide.

With no suicide note found on the deceased, residents of the community subsequently reported the incident at reported the incident at the Ore Area Command of Nigeria Police Station, after which his body was evacuated and deposited at the mortuary of the State Specialist Hospital, Ore, Odigbo Local Council.

When contacted, the Police spokesperson in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the incident, stated that an investigation had begun, stressing that “The police are aware of the report of suicide, but we do not have details of what led to it; an investigation will unravel that.”

Oil marketers, on Friday, revealed that the price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, produced by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery was between N1,015 and N1,028/litre depending on the quantity being purchased.

Based on this, the dealers vowed to import the commodity and sell it below the Dangote refinery price as well as the price being sold by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Data released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria on Thursday showed that the landing cost of petrol was N978.01/litre as of October 31, 2024.

It stated that the landing cost of diesel was N1,069.97/litre, while that of aviation fuel was put at N1,119.67/litre.

The landing cost of these white products is the unit price of the imported commodities on landing on Nigeria’s shores.

Since the Dangote refinery commenced the release of refined petroleum products domestically, it had refused to announce the cost of the commodity despite several demands for the price.

However, a major marketer, who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, confirmed that the cost of petrol from the Dangote refinery was higher than that of imported PMS.

According to the official, the refinery currently sells to oil marketers making bulk purchase at N1,015/litre and small buyers at N1,028/litre.

The major marketer also disclosed that three cargoes carrying petroleum products recently arrived and had been discharged at seaports along the nation’s borders.

“Dangote is selling to bulk buyers at N1,015/litre, but to marketers who are not buying in bulk, the refinery is selling at N1,028/litre.

“But imported PMS is cheaper than the cost of Dangote’ own, and that is why he is doing all he can to ensure that the government stops the importation of fuel,” the dealer stated.

Commenting on the development, [i]marketers under the aegis of the Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria vowed that they would sell imported petrol below the price offered by the Dangote refinery.[/i]

The association said its PMS would also be cheaper than that of the NNPCL.

The PETROAN Publicity Secretary, Dr Joseph Obele, however, told Saturday PUNCH that the price of Dangote PMS might be higher because the refinery was still producing with the imported crude it bought at a premium.

He said the association had struck deals with some international fuel suppliers to import PMS at a good price, adding that the product would arrive in Nigeria at a price around N800/litre.

“PETROAN is an association, but we have incorporated our limited liability company called PETROAN Limited. We have got the licence from the Corporate Affairs Commission, and we have applied to the NMDPRA to licence us and give us authority to import. So, as we get that authority to import, I think we will import from the best market.

“And it is good also for the general public to understand that the landing costs in all the nations are not the same. PETROAN has got a partner from the international market, that the product will arrive here at close to N800/litre. So, since PETROAN has the best value for Nigerian citizens, we are calling on the regulatory agency to release our authority to import in no distant time so our first stock will come in.

“And we assure you that PETROAN will sell far less than Dangote. It will sell at prices far less than NNPC. Right now, NNPC is selling to us at N1,040/litre. PETROAN will not sell like that, because we have negotiated. And all our partners and foreign counterparts are on standby to make sure we give Nigerians the best value,” Obele said.

The associations spokesperson stated that he would not be able to disclose the exact quantity to be imported, but stressed that PMS imported by PETROAN would be cheaper.

Obele explained that Dangote was only selling to NNPC directly, while NNPC sold to marketers.

“I am telling you that that the position of NNPC as a middleman is still active till tomorrow. NNPC has refused to announce how much Dangote is giving. Dangote has also refused to announce how much he is selling to NNPC. So, I think there is an agreement that they don’t announce it.

“All we know is how much NNPC is selling it to us. However, the transaction between the two is not in the public domain. NNPC has refused to mention it. And the general public has said, please make these things open,” he said.

Speaking on the landing cost of N978/litre, he emphasised that the landing cost differs from country to country.

“N978 to N1,000, that’s the landing cost. It was about N1,100 as of last month. But because of the drop in the selling price of crude oil in the international market, PMS has witnessed a downward review in the international market too. So, I think we should also witness a downward review,“ he said.

When reminded that the NNPC just jerked up its price, Obele responded, “No, the issue we have is that the only functional refinery we have is the Dangote refinery. And Dangote has announced to everyone who wants to hear that the crude oil stock he is still working on was the one he bought from the international market; that the naira-for-crude stock, he has not started refining that. So, we don’t expect a downward review from someone who bought old stock when crude oil was selling for $80 and $78 per barrel.

“So, now that it has dropped to $72, we are not expecting to review the price automatically. Because you can put it to us that it is still trading with the old stock. But recently, the price of crude oil has dropped. We hope that whoever is buying the new stock of this new trade should review the price downward. But if what Dangote has used to refine the stock available is the old stock got when crude oil was still selling at $80 per barrel, we don’t expect him to review downward.

“Until the refinery commences production with the stock it just received last week in naira, that’s when people can criticise it. But at the moment, I think the selling rate reflects the former cost of crude oil.”

Meanwhile, the National Assistant Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Yakubu Suleiman, also stated that the cost of Dangote petrol was higher than the imported commodity at the moment.


Suleiman, speaking in an interview with Arise TV, on Friday, stated that the price of fuel from Dangote refinery was higher than the cost of commodities imported.

According to him, the price of petrol at Dangote refinery was set at around N995 and higher than other sources.

Suleiman also accused the Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote refinery, Aliko Dangote, of sidelining key stakeholders in its fuel supply strategy, claiming that limited engagement with independent marketers had hampered their ability to lift petrol from the facility.

When contacted, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Tony Chiejina, said the figures being bandied were not correct.

He described reports on Dangote petrol price as fake news, wondering where they emanated from.

“This is fake news. People are just posting what they like,“ he said.

Chiejina, however, declined to give the actual price.

Many consumers have requested electricity distribution companies also known as DisCos to disconnect them from power supply, lamenting that they can no longer pay their energy bills.

Most of the consumers opting for disconnection fall under the Band A and B categories and are postpaid customers.

Saturday PUNCH findings revealed that the consumers receive estimated billing ranging from N40,000 to N400,000, depending on the electricity gadgets and size of the house or shop.

This was as some prepaid consumers on Band A also found it difficult to pay for the electricity tariff, forcing them to stay in darkness for days.

The electricity tariff for Band A is N209.50 per kilowatt-hour, while that of Band B is N64.07 per kWh.

Band A’s minimum electricity supply hours are 20 hours per day, while Band B consumers enjoy 16 hours daily.

Nigerians have been lamenting the increase in electricity tariffs coupled with the high cost of fuel.

Many unmetered consumers continue to decry high estimated billing from their DisCos, resulting in their resolve to stay without power rather than accumulate debt for ‘unused energy’.

Saturday PUNCH noted that the number of consumers asking DisCos to disconnect their electricity due to estimated billing had been increasing amid economic hardship.

A staff member of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity on Thursday, said the company disconnected between 15 and 20 houses every month based on requests from owners.

According to him, the affected consumers receive estimated bills of between N180,000 and N300,000 every month, regardless of the structure.

He said, “It is a common request from people, especially those on Band A who find it difficult to pay for electricity. Postpaid customers on Band A, who are frustrated with estimated bills of N80,000, N100,000, N200,000, N350,000, and above, have been requesting disconnection.

“On average, we disconnect 15 to 20 houses on request every month, and we suspend their accounts pending installation of prepaid meters. We recently disconnected some buildings at Ijedodo and areas in Okota based on requests. No Band A area is exempted from such disconnection requests.”

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a petty trader on Abija Street, Alekuwodo area of Osogbo, Osun State, Bisola Adeoye, said she opted for disconnection after she couldn’t bear the estimated electricity bill.


Adeoye stated that she usually received arbitrary estimated billing of between N200,000 and N300,000 for a single shop.


She said, “I have just one shop; the least I received as a bill in a month was N200,000. IBEDC officials initially asked me to pay N15,000 every month. Later, I was asked to pay N25,000 on estimated billing every month. The bill was choking and unbearable. I asked them to disconnect the electricity because I would run into debt.”

Another consumer in Orinsumibare area of Owode-Ede, Osun State, identified as Baba Solia, described the estimated billing as crazy and “difficult to pay”.

He lamented being charged N120,000 monthly for a house with only a fridge, television, and radio.

“I told them to disconnect my electricity three weeks ago because I cannot continue paying for what I didn’t use. I have other responsibilities. My priority is feeding my family. The economy is hard,” he lamented.

Also, a resident of Iya Nurse Street, Asanmajana, Moniya area of Ibadan, Oyo State, Dupe Ishola, accused the IBEDC of being insensitive to the peoples’ plight by giving estimated bills when people are already facing hardship.

According to Ishola, she asked the IBEDC to disconnect her electricity because the estimated billing had accumulated to over N1.2m, despite paying N10,000 every month for a shop with just a freezer and fan.

Commenting on the matter, the Chairman of Seidu II community, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Akeem Akejo, lamented the high electricity tariff, pleading with DisCos to consider the common people.

“The electricity tariff is too high; everyone is lamenting. Prepaid owners complain bitterly. People on direct lines are at the receiving end. DisCos should provide prepaid meters and reduce tariffs,” he said.

A resident of Oyekan Street, Ogijo, Ogun State, Olufemi Adeyemi, said his community had engaged a lawyer to address estimated billing by DisCos.

“I’m on a direct line; my electricity was disconnected. The Community Development Committee handles the matter, and a lawyer engages the distribution company. We can’t afford electricity.”

However, the spokesperson for DisCos, Sunday Oduntan, sympathised with affected consumers while stating that electricity distribution companies needed payment for services rendered.

“I sympathise with Nigerians contemplating disconnection because I know the cost of living is high. Electricity is a product like others. You pay when needed.

“DisCos provide services; they need payment. Whoever sells electricity must recover costs to sell again tomorrow,” Oduntan stated.

According to Oduntan, the absence of data makes it impossible for the government to help needy electricity consumers.

“We lack credible data in Nigeria. If available, the government can support consumers who need assistance,” he stated.

Nigerian TikTok star Peller has reportedly caught the attention of the FBI after revelations surfaced regarding his alleged past involvement in internet fraud, commonly known as “Yahoo-Yahoo.”

Controversial investigative journalist Kemi Olunloyo shared this information in an audio post on her social media platforms, claiming that an FBI source informed her about Peller’s suspected connection to cybercrime activities. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Olunloyo alleges that Peller once confessed in a TikTok session to participating in “Yahoo-Yahoo” (internet fraud) before rising to fame and switching to legitimate income as a content creator.

The 19-year-old TikTok star was advised by Olunloyo to be cautious with his public statements, warning that past admissions could result in serious legal trouble. She likened his situation to that of Hushpuppi, an influencer now serving a U.S. prison sentence for cybercrime.

“If you know Peller, please tell him to SFTU. He’s on the verge of single-handedly destroying his own future,” Olunloyo cautioned, underscoring the increasing focus on influencers suspected of cyber fraud.

Olunloyo’s claims have ignited a range of reactions on social media; while some dismissed them as “another cock and bull story from the journalist,” others noted the potentially severe consequences if the allegations his true.

How Facebook pages lure users to ‘financial breakthrough’ with image of Aisha Buhari, others

The use of popular Nigerian images to lure users of Facebook to get financial offers is becoming a trend on the popular social media platform.

The posts on the pages are mostly promoted with pictures of well-known Nigerians in most cases. Thus, operators of the pages are used to lure users of the social media to a trading platform, as a way of “getting rich”.

Among the pictures of Nigerians used is former Nigeria First Lady, Aisha Buhari, on a Facebook page, Dann Films.

The caption of its promoted post on Facebook reads, “We say goodbye to Aisha Buhari, the saddest day for Nigeria”, with an image of Aisha.

Checks indicated that the page was created on September 17, 2018. Further findings showed that it is managed by multiple admins with a sole number administered to the page. The number, through the use of Truecaller, showed the name as “Danny Ting Kts”.

To deceive Facebook users, the page used the name of a Nigerian newspaper, Vanguard, and cloned its website front page, with the heading, “Aisha Buhari did not know that the microphone was on, and we are saying goodbye to him forever.”

However, findings showed that Vanguard did not publish such information.

When the post was clicked, it directed to a website with a different headline claiming, “Central Bank of Nigeria sues Aisha Buhari over statements she made on live television”, with Aisha’s picture, using the front of The PUNCH Newspaper as the source.

The post added, “Live on air, Aisha Buhari regretted revealing the truth. But it was already too late,” but the national newspaper has no such report on its website.

Part of the published misleading information read, “Scandal erupted during a live broadcast, when Aisha Buhari accidentally revealed her secret on the program. Many viewers paid attention to Aisha Buhari’s “accidental” words and started sending messages on the air. However, the show was interrupted by a call from the Bank of Nigeria who demanded that the program be stopped immediately.”

It claimed to have persuaded the director of the Channels Television program to give a copy of the recording of the program.

“If you’ve had a chance to read this article, keep in mind that it may soon be deleted, as has happened with broadcasting. So if you’ve had a chance to read this article, you should instead check out the link provided to us by Aisha Buhari herself,” it further read.

The deleted conversation, it claimed, was between Aisha and one Adline Okere as the interviewer.

In 2022, Channels Television had an exclusive interview with Aisha, where she explained why she apologised to Nigerians over the perceived failure of her husband’s administration to fulfil campaign promises and meet the expectations of Nigerians.

Adline Okere moderated the interview but did not relate to the trading platform or opportunities.

However, the conversation centres on marketing the trading platform with Aisha claiming to have said, “Do you think I don’t work hard enough?” Or that I am not like most Nigerians? Believe me, if I lived on one salary, I’d never have become a millionaire. When someone tells me I’m just lucky, I laugh in their face, because today, there’s everything on the Internet to get rich without leaving your couch.”

Okere responded, “So you’re saying that anyone can make money like you? I don’t believe it…”

However, a major misleading information is that the website addressed Aisha as “him” rather than her.

“You could see just how angry Aisha Buhari was about this sentence (of Adline). She started arguing with the host and accidentally blabbed about the loophole that made him rich”, the post read.

Promoting the platform named, Spectrax, 250 dollars is said to be made into millions in 12 to 15 weeks.

It claimed, “this platform is the perfect solution for those who want to get rich quick. It’s built on self-learning artificial intelligence, which exchanges crypto-currencies for you. That is, you don’t need to understand how bitcoin or any other digital currency works – the program determines the best time to buy or sell assets and trades independently. The advantage is that you don’t have to do anything – just make a minimum deposit, wait for the call from the platform operator to sign up and the program will start earning money itself. I don’t just recommend it – I insist that every Nigerian should utilize this platform. And, then, you’ll forget once and for all about the need to work.”

A check on the link directs users to Spectrax, where they sign up before “getting rich”

Findings also indicated that this same technique has been used with images of Channels Television presenter, Seun Okinbaloye; and Journalist Kadaria Ahmed, on different Facebook pages.

Speaking with a technology expert, Akinwale Balogun, told our correspondent that the pages gradually taking over social media are not only misleading but harmful to the platform and its users.

He urged Facebook to take measures to eradicate such posts from its platform.

“The actions of those pages are not only misleading but harmful to users and Facebook itself. Those pages have now seen the social media platform as where they could easily access without any disturbance to execute their businesses.

“I believe there are many reputable channels making (good) use of Facebook. However, it is high time Facebook took measures and address the situation before the pages turn it to what it is not,” he said.

Man Buries In-Law With Casket Worth Over 130 Million Naira In Anambra

It was a big show of affluence as Imo State born Billionaire, Chief. Dr. Ugonna Osinachi Cliff Orabuchi, (Ikenga Ogberuru) generally known as Panteka, CEO Teka Group LTD bid his Father In-Law farewell with a casket worth over #130 million Naira.

His father In-Law , Nze Mathias Nwafor Uzo Orakwute, from Oba in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State, died recently at the age of 72.

According to information, the billionaire had a very close bond with the deceased Father in-law . He took good care of him while he was alive and even built him an edifice and supported people close to him.

The gasketed Copper Mirror finish casket adorned with white velvet interior and full couch with foot Panel is reliably gathered to be one of the premium products of Apams.

According to research, Copper is unique as a casket material because, like bronze, it's long lasting but will gradually oxidize.

The event attracted who is who in Igboland and many social clubs

Chief. Dr. Ugonna Osinachi Cliff Orabuchi is one of the most respected, and sought after business moguls in Nigeria today.

He’s regarded as a maker of men, a visionary leader, a philanthropist.

Police Arrest Bauchi Woman Who Orchestrated Father-In-Law’s Murder Over Alleged Witchcraft

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old woman for allegedly orchestrating the killing of her father-in-law, whom she accused of practicing witchcraft, blaming him for her son’s death last year.

Operatives of the command discovered the body of the victim in a bush between Wuro Dangogo and Sarma village of Misau Local Government Area.

While briefing newsmen on Friday at the Police Headquarters on Yandoka Road, the Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Muhammad, stated that the victim, identified as Damina Lamba, was found lifeless with signs of a violent head injury.

According to him, operatives of the Misau Divisional Police Headquarters, led by the divisional police officer, responded swiftly, transporting the body to General Hospital Misau where medical professionals confirmed that Mr. Lamba had succumbed to his injuries.

Acting promptly, the police launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the heinous crime.

Three individuals were apprehended in connection with the incident on October 30, 2024.

The suspects, all residents of Wuro Dangogo in Sarma Ward, includes Abdu Lamba, 20, Ruwa Aliyu, 22, and a female, Rakiya Ya’u, 20.

The CP revealed that during interrogation, both Abdu Lamba and Ruwa Aliyu confessed their involvement, revealing that they were hired by Rakiya Ya’u to commit the murder.

According to their statements, Rakiya believed her father-in-law practiced witchcraft, and allegedly causef the death of her son the previous year.

The accusation led her to seek revenge.

Two sticks reportedly used as weapons in the crime, were recovered from the scene while the suspects remain in police custody pending further investigations.