Day: February 17, 2025

Customs seizes over 53,000 litres of smuggled PMS in Kwara, vows tougher crackdown … As CGC Adeniyi declares fuel smuggling an economic threat

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its fight against fuel smuggling, seized over 53,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Kwara State under Operation Whirlwind between January 14 and February 11, 2025. The intercepted fuel, valued at ₦53 million, was smuggled through various border routes in the state. Speaking at a press briefing at the Kwara Command on Monday, February 17, 2025, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, described fuel smuggling as a direct threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security.   “Despite the removal of…

EFCC, CAC deepen collaboration to combat corruption, boost Economic growth

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have reinforced their commitment to collaborating in the fight against corruption, with the aim of fostering economic growth and ensuring a transparent business environment.   This commitment was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit by the EFCC Executive Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, to the CAC Registrar-General/CEO, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), at the commission’s headquarters. In his remarks, the EFCC Chairman commended the CAC management and staff for their continuous support and swift responses to EFCC requests. He emphasized that…

NASS Clerk Ogunlana pledges Legislative reforms, Staff welfare, Infrastructure upgrade

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening legislative reforms, improving staff welfare, and advancing infrastructure development within the parliamentary system.   Speaking during his inaugural meeting with top management officials, Ogunlana emphasized the importance of amending the National Assembly Service Act and advancing the National Assembly Pension Board (Establishment) Bill, key initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the National Assembly bureaucracy.   In a statement signed by the Director of Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, on behalf of the Secretary for…

BINANCE EXECUTIVE, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF NIGERIA AND THE REST OF US By Yemi Itodo

Emporium Reporters

Some people want us to believe what the Binance Executive said, simply because he’s a white man. That’s mental slavery!   There’s no magic on earth that would make me believe an outsider more than my own brother, until the matter is proven beyond every reasonable doubt.   How do I trust or choose a man whose background I don’t even know; someone who is being tried for defrauding Nigerians; accused of being used to finance terrorism in Nigeria; someone who escaped from the prison, despite the sophisticated apparatus of…

Fact-Check: No Evidence Nigerian Lawmakers Demanded $150 Million Bribe from Binance Executive

Emporium Reporters

A recent claim by Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, accusing three Nigerian lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe, has been found to lack credible evidence. Gambaryan alleged that the lawmakers Ginger Onwusibe, Philip Agbese, and Peter Akpanke sought the bribe to be paid into their personal cryptocurrency wallets during his trip to Nigeria to resolve a dispute between Binance and Nigerian authorities.   The accusation, made on Friday, February 14, added a new layer to an ongoing saga involving Binance executives, Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, who…

NUJ FCT mourns passing of former Auditor, Charles Enyaoha Ahamefula

Emporium Reporters

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, is in mourning following the death of its esteemed former Auditor and Treasurer, Chief Charles Enyaoha Ahamefula. He passed away on Sunday, 16th February 2025, at Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.   Chief Ahamefula was a seasoned journalist who served with distinction at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) until his retirement in 2014. His impressive career at FRCN saw him take on roles such as Controller of News, Head of the Igbo Translation Unit,…

Monday Lines: Pa Adebanjo: A celebration of death By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, died on Friday. He would have been 100 years old if death had not been too fast; if it had waited three more years plus two months. An age of almost a century is a huge haul, a boon anywhere. Yet, when the 96/97-year-old’s death was announced four days ago, the world gasped and agonized over his departure. In courage and in principle, he was vintage wine, the older the better. He lived well and strong; he ended very well and very strong. He never…

OKE-ITE THE EVIL POT AND BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF ANAMBRA By Law Mefor

Emporium Reporters

A battle for Anambra’s soul has been sparked by the new Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, which declares certain categories of practitioners as persona non grata. The most prevalent of these are evil native doctors, fake native doctors, and other fakes, such as false prophets who deceive the gullible populace, especially the younger generation. Some claim that traditional religion and practices have been banned in the state by the new law, which establishes the legal and operational frameworks for the battle to reclaim the Anambra social order. This assertion,…

WAEC releases 2024 Private exam results …. 67.55% of Candidates score five credits and above

Emporium Reporters

By Ibrahim Netwon   The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results for the 2024 second series of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates.   According to a statement by WAEC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, 43,923 candidates—representing 67.55% of those who sat for the exam—achieved credit and above in at least five subjects.   Among them, 34,878 candidates (53.64%) earned five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. This mark a 9.35% improvement from previous years, compared to the 42.16%…

Nigerian military debunks allegations on Visa request for Invictus Games

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Headquarters has refuted recent allegations regarding the Nigerian military’s visa requests for the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.   In a statement signed by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, the military clarified that it received an official invitation to participate in the global sporting event, which celebrates wounded and recovering service personnel. Nigeria’s contingent consisted of three officers, 21 athletes, and a physiotherapist, with the Invictus Games Foundation covering accommodation and feeding costs.   However, despite all necessary arrangements, only 14 members of the team…