TodayPrice

Author: Chisom OZ

  • No apology from Fubara yet – Wike replies Tompolo

    No apology from Fubara yet – Wike replies Tompolo

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has rejected calls for reconciliation from former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, stating that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has not approached him for forgiveness.

    In a statement issued by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, the minister made it clear that forgiveness requires an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a direct plea for pardon, neither of which Fubara has made.

    Tompolo had earlier called for Wike to temper his anger and reconcile with Fubara for the sake of peace in Rivers State. The Niger Delta leader said, “And just like I will not accept rebellion from my son, I will also not cause more problems. Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all. We will have a dialogue and resolve all lingering issues, and again Fubara will return to his seat.”

    When asked about Tompolo’s appeal, Wike’s camp responded with scepticism.

    “There is no offence. It is when somebody has offended you personally that you are talking about the person seeking forgiveness or whatever. As Christians, let’s now assume that Fubara has offended the minister, do you forgive someone who has not come to you to seek forgiveness?

    “The person who has wronged you must first agree that in his mind he has wronged you. Let’s assume that Fubara has offended the minister, has he come to seek forgiveness? I’m not saying there is an offence and there should be forgiveness, but he has not even come for forgiveness.”

    Olayinka explained that Wike’s concerns were rooted in governance principles, rather than being of a personal nature.

    “The minister has never said that Fubara offended him personally. He only said that Fubara should govern in accordance with the rule of law and that Fubara should not throw away those who risked their lives and resources—and that is not too much to ask. He said, ‘Those who worked to make you governor, don’t throw them away like that’. So, that is not about forgiveness. If there is one person Fubara would say he has offended, it should be the president.

    “He is the one to go for soul-searching because throughout the time he was working with this same Wike, throughout the time Wike was facing the bullet for him, Wike was not a bad person then. So, at what point did Wike become a bad person to him? He should ask himself. When did Wike become somebody that Fubara would be so bold as to tell him that he would deal with him? At what point?”

    Concluding with a proverb, Olayinka said, “It’s like asking a doctor to prescribe medicine for a sick person, but not convincing the sick person to take it. What’s the result?”

  • Court nullifies Obasa’s removal as Lagos Assembly Speaker

    Court nullifies Obasa’s removal as Lagos Assembly Speaker

    Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court has declared the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly illegal and unconstitutional.

    Delivering judgment on Wednesday, the court nullified the proceedings and resolutions of the Assembly held on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was ousted from office.

    Obasa had filed a suit challenging his removal, naming the House of Assembly and the newly appointed Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, as defendants. The suit, filed on February 12, 2025, through his counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), argued that his removal was carried out while the Assembly was on recess and he was outside the country.

    He contended that the sitting during which he was removed was unlawfully convened, lacking proper authority or any formal delegation of power from the Speaker’s office.

    Obasa’s legal challenge was anchored on nine grounds, relying on provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    The court’s ruling effectively reinstates Obasa as Speaker and renders null all decisions taken during the contested session.

  • Businessman sentenced to four years in prison for refusing to accept Naira as legal tender

    Businessman sentenced to four years in prison for refusing to accept Naira as legal tender

    Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced a businessman, Uzondu Precious Chimaobi, to four years imprisonment for refusing to accept the Naira as legal tender.

    A statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stated that Chimaobi was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on refusal to accept the Naira as a legal tender by the agency’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 in Lagos.

    One of the counts reads: “That you, Precious Chimaobi Uzondu, on December 10 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, refused to accept Naira (Nigeria legal tender) by accepting the sum of $5700 ( Five Thousand Seven Hundred USD) as a means of payment for a purchase of a cartier diamond bracelet with serial number (12345678) and you, thereby , committed an offence contrary to Section 20 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

    According to the EFCC, the defendant initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, leading to his full trial.

    Subsequently, the prosecution presented its first witness, Owolabi Oyarekhua Jude, an EFCC operative, who told the court that “the Commission received intelligence on the activities of a jewellery company called Unlimited Jewellers Limited, “whose owner is one Uzondu Precious Chimaobi.

    He added that “The Company, which deals in jewelry at Atlantic Mall, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos intentionally tags and sells its products in Dollars as against the CBN Act, 2007 ,which stipulates Naira as the only legal tender in Nigeria.”

    Continuing, he added that “ Subsequently, a covert operation was carried out, where an undercover operative of the Commission disguised as a customer to purchase a Diamond Nail bracelet that was tagged $6000 and bought it for $5700.

    “The company refused to receive Naira and demanded Dollars as a means of payment. The payment was made and receipt was issued in Dollars . The owner of the company was arrested and taken to the Commission’s office.”

    However, at the resumed sitting on April 14, 2025, the defendant opted to change his “not guilty” plea to “guilty.

    Upon his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, prayed the court to rely on the evidence earlier given by the investigating officer and admit it in convicting the defendant.

    Delivering the judgement on Tuesday, April 15, the court found the defendant guilty and gave him an option of a fine of N50,000( Fifty Thousand Naira) on count one.

    The Judge sentenced him to four years imprisonment, with an option of a fine of N600,000 on count two.

    His Cartier Diamond wristwatch was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

  • Barca advance to Champions League semis despite Guirassy hat-trick

    Barca advance to Champions League semis despite Guirassy hat-trick

    Barcelona are through to the Champions League semi-finals with a 5-3 aggregate win, despite losing 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday with Serhou Guirassy hitting a hat-trick.

    Holding a 4-0 lead after a dominant performance in Catalonia, the visitors were made to sweat as Dortmund and Guirassy nearly pulled off a stunning turnaround.

    Guirassy put Dortmund in front with a Panenka from the spot with 11 minutes gone and headed them two goals clear early in the second half.

    Dortmund sensed a sensation but Barcelona hit back, Fermin Lopez forcing Ramy Bensebaini into an own goal with just over half an hour remaining.

    Guirassy reignited Dortmund’s belief with a third on the 76th-minute mark and the final stages may have been different had Julian Brandt not been offside before scoring with 11 minutes remaining.

    Despite losing their first competitive game in 2025, Barcelona are through to the semis, keeping their dream of a remarkable treble alive, 10 years after last completing the feat by winning the Champions League in Berlin.

    Barcelona, considered title favourites, will face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in the final four.

    Clearly outclassed in the first leg, Dortmund will take inspiration from Tuesday’s performance, not least the goalscoring form of Guirassy.

    The 29-year-old Guinean, who has spent most of his career bouncing between the first and second divisions in Germany and France, now has 13 Champions League goals this season, more than any other player.

    Despite a big first-leg lead, Hansi Flick made good on his pre-match pledge to continue attacking, opting against resting any of his attacking trident of Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal or Raphinha.

    With coach Niko Kovac admitting Dortmund needed a “miracle” to reach the semis after the debacle in Catalonia, the hosts’ task got a little harder when captain and centre-back Emre Can was ruled out with injury just before the match.

    But Dortmund raced out of the blocks, Guirassy and strike partner Maximilian Beier going close inside the opening 10 minutes before Pascal Gross was the victim of a clumsy foul in the box by Wojciech Szczesny.

    Guirassy stepped up to the spot and was nerveless, calmly unleashing a Panenka to get the hosts underway.

    Dortmund sliced Barcelona open repeatedly without reward until half-time but made it count four minutes into the second-half, Guirassy heading in a Ramy Bensebaini assist from a corner.

    With Dortmund’s 81,355-strong Westfalenstadion smelling blood, Barcelona’s familiar response was to send their attack down the right and the move paid off almost immediately.

    After Yamal’s cross was half-cleared, Fermin Lopez found himself in the teenager’s channel, whipping a pass towards Lewandowski which Bensebaini hit into his own net.

    With Barcelona content to control possession as the clock wound down, Guirassy relit the hosts’ hopes when he scored his third in the final quarter of an hour, blasting in from close range after some delightful dribbling from teenage winger Julian Duranville.

    The home fans erupted when Brandt scored three minutes later, but the midfielder was offside, allowing Barcelona a breather.

    Barcelona managed to hold on despite waves of energetic Dortmund attacks in the final stages to remain on track for the treble.

  • NAFDAC raises alarm over circulation of counterfeit Aflotin drugs

    NAFDAC raises alarm over circulation of counterfeit Aflotin drugs

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday alerted the public of the presence of counterfeit Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets circulating under the brand name Aflotin 20/120 in Nigeria.

    The agency said on its X handle that the counterfeit product was discovered and reported to the agency by the genuine manufacturer, Ajanta Pharma Limited, from Mumbai, India.

    According to NAFDAC, Ajanta Pharma observed that it manufactured the counterfeited product with batch number PA2128L in December 2018, with an expiry date of November 2020.

    It said the batch was created for Combisunate 20/120 (Artemether 20mg/Lumefantrine 120mg Tablets), with a pack size of 30 x 24 tablets, but had now been counterfeited and was being sold as Aflotin 20/120mg with a pack size of 1 x 18 tablets.

    It added that the overprinted matter did not match Ajanta’s overprinting style.

    The agency said the company had confirmed that the Aflotin 20/120mg with Batch No: PA2128L available in the Nigerian market was a counterfeit, as determined by the investigation carried out and observations made on the product.

    “The genuine Aflotin 20/120 tablet is a combination of Artemether/Lumefantrine (20mg/120mg) and is primarily used for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite,” it said.

    The regulatory agency emphasised that counterfeit medicines endanger people’s health because they do not comply with regulatory standards, which means the safety, quality, and efficacy of these products are not ensured.

    “The use of counterfeit medicines often fail to treat diseases or conditions effectively, leading to serious health consequences, including death,” NAFDAC said.

    It said all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators had been informed and directed to conduct surveillance and remove any counterfeit products found within their zones and states.

    NAFDAC also advised distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products.

    It advised that all medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. (NAN)

  • Doctors could have prevented Maradona’s death, they deceived us – Daughter

    Doctors could have prevented Maradona’s death, they deceived us – Daughter

    Argentine football legend Diego Maradona’s daughter told a court Tuesday his death “would have been avoided” if doctors caring for him after surgery had done their jobs.

    Maradona died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, while recovering at home from brain surgery for a blood clot. He had battled cocaine and alcohol addiction for decades.

    His seven-person medical team is on trial for what prosecutors have called the “horror theater” of the final days of his life, and risk up to 25 years in prison if found guilty.

    Maradona was found to have died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema — a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs — two weeks after going under the knife.

    “If they had done their job, this would have been avoided,” his daughter Dalma Maradona, a plaintiff in the case, told a court in San Isidro in the north of Buenos Aires.

    “They deceived us in the cruelest way,” she said of the medical team.

    Dalma Maradona, 38, testified that physician Leopoldo Luque, one of the accused, had assured the family that home hospitalization was “the only option.”

    She was told her father would have everything he needed, including 24-hour care and an ambulance at the ready.

    This “never happened,” she said. “It was a house where, occasionally, a doctor would come to see him.”

    After her father’s death, she said she found the house “disgusting, and it smelled like urine.”

    She claimed she had tried to visit the ex-footballer days before his death, but was denied entry to the house by Maradona’s lawyer and an assistant.

    The defendants in the case are accused of “homicide with possible intent” — pursuing a course of action despite knowing it can lead to their patient’s death.

    Prosecutors allege the former footballer was abandoned to his fate for a “prolonged, agonizing period” before his death.

    Nearly 120 witnesses are expected to testify in the long-delayed trial, which is expected to run until July.

  • How Saheed Osupa stopped Portable’s rearrest in Ilorin over alleged N6.3m fraud

    How Saheed Osupa stopped Portable’s rearrest in Ilorin over alleged N6.3m fraud

    Unknown to the controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, plans had been hatched to rearrest him immediately he was released from the correctional facility at Okekura on Tuesday, this time over his failure to perform at the Kwara Tampan Fiesta at Starwood Hotel, Gaa Akanbi junction in Ilorin on September 29, 2024, after he was allegedly paid N6.3 million.

    Vanguard reliably gathered that his eventual remand at the correctional centre on Monday was perfectly knitted by sympathisers of Fuji musician Saheed Osupa as everyone his contacts connected to perfect his bail backed out.

    “Everyone contacted to perfect his bail conditions was not allowed to show up, as King Saheed Osupa sympathisers directed them to go back in order to humble Portable for overstepping his boundaries by lashing out at their music Idol,” a member of TAMPAN who craved anonymity told Vanguard.

    Portable was to be kept at the correctional centre on another allegation of fraud when he personally called Saheed Osupa to apologise followed by torrents of calls which eventually forced the Fuji singer to intervene.

    Confirming the development to journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, Yemi George, Managing Director of Starwood Hotels, said Saheed Osupa prevailed on him not to re-arrest Portable.

    “I have obtained every necessary document to re-arrest him today in order to refund my money but out of respect for the legendary Fuji musician (Osupa) he prevailed on me not to,” Mr George said.

    He continued, “My company, Starwood Hotels O2 Arena in collaboration with the leadership of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) put an event together for Portable to perform but he never did.”

    According to a document obtained by Vanguard titled,” Petition for fraudulent and obtaining by false pretense the sum of N6.3m,” the petitioners said they entered agreement with Portable on July 22, 2024, which he never respected.

    According to the petition, Portable was paid N6.3m to perform at the ‘Kwara Tampan Fiesta’ on September 29, 2024, but he failed to appear on stage at the agreed time.

    Despite arriving over 16 hours late, he allegedly sneaked out of the hotel without fulfilling his promise to perform.

    The petitioners claim that Portable’s actions caused significant financial loss and distress, and they are seeking a thorough investigation, prosecution and restitution of the N6,300,000 allegedly obtained through fraudulent means.

    The petition was signed by Chief Olu Amusan, Governor, TAMPAN and Ayodele Demokun on behalf of Starwood Hotels 02 Arena.

    In a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Kwara command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed Portable’s arrest following a petition received from Saheed Osupa.

    The petition borders on criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and the use of abusive and insulting words.

  • $1 trn economy: Anaba charges banks to prioritise real-sector lending

    $1 trn economy: Anaba charges banks to prioritise real-sector lending

    Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Eze Anaba, has charged Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to prioritise lending to the real sectors of the economy, especially agriculture, manufacturing, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and infrastructure, in order to achieve the $1 trillion economy by year 2030, set for the nation by President Bola Tinubu.

    He gave the charge at the 36th Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Seminar for Finance Correspondents and Business Editors, in Abuja, yesterday.

    He expressed disappointment that banks have not been lending to the real sectors of the economy at levels required to significantly grow the economy and that the trend must change to achieve the $1 trillion target by 2030.

    Mr. Anaba said, “The President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria recently said that manufacturers cannot access loans.

    “So, in this quest for a $1 trillion economy—yes, there’s nothing wrong with ambition. They say if you don’t have vision, you will perish. That’s true. But ambition must be matched with sincerity.

    “The economy is driven by the informal sector—people who need N10,000 or N20,000 naira to buy items to run their businesses. The big manufacturers don’t even have the political connections to get the funds they need.

    “Until the banks start operating professionally, fairly and justly, this quest for a $1 trillion economy will remain a pipe dream.”

    The editor also observed that small business owners have been unable to access loans from the banks, thereby hindering their growth and expansion.

    According to him, “Small-scale traders and businesses cannot access loans to run their operations. How do you drive an economy where loans are only available to those with political connections—people who will not use the money productively?

    “Loans are only available to people who don’t even have the capacity to manage or run businesses. Many Nigerians have an interest in business. Can we access loans to run those businesses?  Today, small-scale businesses are suffering due to lack of access to funds.”

    He charged the CBN to be more aggressive in the performance of its regulatory functions in the banking sector.

    The editor said, “To get the desired impact and to drive the quest for a $1 trillion economy, I urge the CBN to be more aggressive in its regulatory control of the banks. There are no two ways about it—the CBN has to be more aggressive.”

    CBN media partnership

    Mr. Anaba, who is the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), called for greater collaboration between the CBN and the media to put the banks on their toes by pressuring them to lend to the real sectors that would yield an accelerated growth of the economy.

    His words, “Let’s talk to ourselves critically. How can the media and the CBN work together to make our financial institutions more purposeful, fit for purpose, and useful to businesses, so that our economy can grow?”

    Mr. Anaba also urged objectivity among media practitioners, whom he said should always bear in mind the overall health of the banking sector and the economy in their reportage.

    Earlier in her remarks, the Director of Payments System Supervision Department, Dr. Rakiya Yusuf, described the media as critical stakeholders needed to build trust among members of the public in the recapitalization exercise and the journey towards the $1 trillion economy.

    She urged media practitioners to always bear in mind the grave responsibilities society has placed on them and remain constantly objective and patriotic in carrying out their duties.

    In his own contributions as a panelist, the Director of Payments System Policy Department, Mr. Musa Jimoh, urged greater transparency by the banks as technology becomes more relevant in their operations.

    He also called for greater human capital development, especially in the area of Fintech, noting that the nation had lost a lot of fintech experts to the “Japa” phenomenon and that steps must be taken to replace the lost expertise to man the technology infrastructure.

  • Kwara NSCDC nabs 45-year-old man for alleged sodomy of teenage boys

    Kwara NSCDC nabs 45-year-old man for alleged sodomy of teenage boys

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested a 45-year-old vehicle spare part dealer, Ganiyu Kehinde, for allegedly engaging in acts of homosexuality and the defilement of two teenage boys in lpata-Oloje area of Ilorin.

    According to the statement issued by the Spokesperson of the command Ayoola Sola to journalists in Ilorin on the development, “The incident was reported at the Gender Unit of the Command on the 14th of April, 2025, by the parents of the victims and concerned members of the community, who alleged that the suspect had been involved in repeated homosexual acts with two teenage boys (names withheld), aged 15 and 19.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect lured the victims with monetary gifts, giving them ₦500 on separate occasions after having carnal knowledge with them.

    “The victims further disclosed that the suspect sexually assaulted them through anal intercourse multiple times, both at his residence and in an uncompleted building located in Oko-Olowo area, Ilorin.”

    “The victims are currently undergoing medical and psychological assessments to support their recovery and the ongoing investigation,” the statement added.

    The spokesman also noted that while the suspect denied all allegations of sexual penetration, he admitted allowing the boys to sleep on his chest, describing the interaction as harmless.

    The suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the ongoing investigation in accordance with legal provisions.

  • PSG survive Aston Villa scare to reach Champions League semis

    PSG survive Aston Villa scare to reach Champions League semis

    Paris Saint-Germain survived a second half onslaught to beat Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate and reach the Champions League semi-finals despite a 3-2 defeat on Tuesday.

    The French champions were cruising towards the last four when full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes struck in the first 27 minutes to add to their 3-1 first leg lead.

    Youri Tielemans pulled a goal back for the English side before half-time and two goals in two minutes from John McGinn and Ezri Konsa transformed the tie early in the second period.

    PSG were thankful to goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for keeping Unai Emery’s men at bay and preventing another famous collapse in the Champions League knockout stages.

    Villa boss Emery was in charge of PSG when Luis Enrique’s Barcelona overturned a 4-0 first leg deficit with a dramatic 6-1 win in 2017.

    Luis Enrique again emerged victorious over his compatriot but was the one this time given a scare of blowing a seemingly unassailable lead.

    Villa had not experienced a European night like this since 1983 and there was an embarrassing moment for the hosts before a ball was kicked as the Europa League anthem was played instead of the famous pre-match hymn of the Champions League.

    Desire Doue’s stunning strike to begin PSG’s fightback from 1-0 down in last week’s first leg was not enough for him to retain his place in the side.

    But Luis Enrique’s decision to start Bradley Barcola was justified when he sprinted down the left and Emiliano Martinez spilled his cross into the path of Hakimi, who fired home the opener on 11 minutes.

    Another blistering break from the visitors cut Villa open as Ousmane Dembele squared for left-back Mendes to stroke in his fourth Champions League goal of the season and second of the tie.

    – Royals in raptures –

    Villa’s refusal to give up the fight was rewarded when Tielemans’ deflected effort pulled a goal back before half-time.

    Villa fanatic Prince William and his son George were among the home support that were in raptures as what seemed an impossible fightback came closer to reality.

    McGinn’s deflected effort flew into the top corner to restore parity on the night at 2-2.

    Emery’s decision to start with Marcus Rashford up front ahead of top scorer Ollie Watkins was a controversial one before kick-off.

    Rashford has been reborn since a January loan move from Manchester United.

    The England international was denied a goal by a stunning save from Donnarumma.

    But from the resulting corner, Rashford nutmegged Fabian Ruiz, skipped past Vitinha and cut the ball back for Konsa to slot in at the near post.

    A PSG side that looked imperious in the first 45 minutes were suddenly all at sea as Villa missed a series of chances to take the game to extra time.

    Donnarumma produced another brilliant save to prevent Tielemans’ header finding the top corner.

    Marco Asensio then had the chance to net against his parent club only for Donnarumma to fly out from his goal to block.

    Konsa should have headed in another enticing Rashford delivery.

    But Rashford’s removal for Watkins proved a turning point as PSG restored control and should have added to their lead in the closing stages as Martinez saved from Hakimi and Doue.

    Willian Pacho blocked Ian Maatsen’s goalbound effort in stoppage time to deny Villa at the death.

    But they have surpassed expectations in their first experience of the elite level of European football for over four decades.

    For PSG, their quest to win the competition for the first time goes on and they have rarely had a better opportunity to end that wait.

    Arsenal are their likely semi-final opponents as the Gunners take a 3-0 quarter-final, first leg advantage away to holders Real Madrid on Wednesday.

    On the other half of the draw Barcelona will face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in a heavyweight clash.

    But PSG are arguably the continent’s form side and with the Ligue 1 title long since sewn up, can focus entirely on conquering Europe in Munich on May 31.