A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed June 5 for a report of settlement in a case against celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, over alleged abuse of the naira.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on April 17 arraigned Okechukwu on three counts of allegedly spraying and tampering with the naira notes during a social event at Eko Hotel in Lagos State.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N10 million.

Justice Kehinde Ogundare had then adjourned the case until May 2, for hearing of the preliminary objection and trial.

When the case was called on Thursday, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari appeared for the prosecution, while Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), announced appearance for the defendant .

NAN reports that the defence counsel informed the court that the parties were exploring a settlement and have applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act.

He told the court that if the prosecution confirmed the position as true, there would be a need to apply for a withdrawal of the defence’s preliminary objection and allow for a reconciliation.

In response, the prosecutor confirmed the position as stated by the defence counsel and told the court that the application was still being considered.

Following the position, the defence counsel applied for a preliminary objection since there was no objection from the prosecution and the court granted the same.

A 100 Level student of Veritas University, Abuja, has been reported dead.

The student, identified as Mr. Joshua Daniel, in the Department of Computer Sciences, reportedly died after he slumped at the university’s gymnasium on Tuesday, April 30,2024.

“All attempts by the medical team, led by the Chief Medical Director, to revive him failed and was pronounced dead”, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, said in a statement, Wednesday evening.

The statement said the “parents of the student have been informed and the school has, as matter of procedure, informed the police about the tragic incidence.”

The vice chancellor’s statement tagged:’Notification of the Death of a Student on Campus”, read in full:”On behalf of Management, staff and students of Veritas University, I regret to announce the painful and sudden death on Campus of one of our students, Mr Joshua Daniel, who passed away on 30th April, 2024.

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has announced a new minimum wage of N40,000 for the state's workers. The governor made this announcement during the Workers' Day celebration at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

The Federal Government has assured victims of last Saturday’s tanker gas explosion at Ita-Oshin, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, of adequate compensation.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed this yesterday when he paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene of the accident. The fire accident, which involved a tanker gas truck belonging to Gasco Marine Ltd, Abeokuta, claimed the life of the “motor boy” of the gas laden tanker while about six vehicles and two other shops were equally burnt.

Ekpo, who came with the Authority Chief Executive of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, said that the Federal Government delegation was in the state assess situation of things as far as the accident is concerned and see how to forestall a reoccurrence.

The minister charged stakeholders in the gas industry to prioritise issues of standards and safety measures as the Federal Government won’t allow the lives of its citizens to be so endangered.

He said the country is transiting to use of CNG as an alternative fuel and that anything that may want to hurt the confidence of the people or make people to begin to feel that CNG is not safe to use with the type of accident that happened in Abeokuta and Port Harcourt involving CNG trucks is really a source of concern.

He said: “Nigeria’s gas resources are up to 208 trillion cubic feet and we have to make use of it in the way that it should be to drive the economy of this nation. “So, what we are emphasising on is maintaining safety standards because anything that falls beyond this won’t be appreciated. “When we visited where the cylinders were kept, we saw a crack on it which may be that it was not up to standard.”

The operatives of the Ogun  State Police Command have arrested a 30-year-old actor, simply identified as Praise for allegedly abducting and defiling a 14-year-old girl (name withheld).

The suspect was arrested in Mowe area of Obafemi Owode Local government area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Omolola Odutola confirmed the arrest of the suspect to journalists in Abeokuta on Thursday.

The PPRO said the suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged at the Mowe divisional headquarters of the police by the grandparents of the victim.

the PPRO said.

She added that the command is partnering with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare to end sex assault and abuse in the state.

Keenu Rattray, a digital content manager at FIFA,  has proposed to his girlfriend, Hannah, who is in a wheelchair.
 
 Keenu shared photos from the beautiful cover-themed proposal on his X handle on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
 
“So many blessings in my life, you are definitely the biggest one,” he captioned the post.

Pero Adeniyi, the second baby mama of the musician, Innocent Idibia aka 2Face has applauded her daughter with the singer for gaining admission to a University in America.
 
She made the revelation on her Instagram page.
 
According to the proud mother, her daughter, Ehi Idibia got accepted into the University of Connecticut.
 
While she didn’t disclose Ehi’s field of study, Pero expressed her confidence in her daughter’s abilities, believing she would excel.
 
She sent Ehi a heartfelt message, praying for God’s guidance and success throughout her academic journey, hoping she stays focused and on track.
 
In her words;
 
“Super proud of you, Ehi! I am confident that you will do exceedingly well. As you start this new chapter, God will go with you, you will not derail his mercy, and grace will forever speak for you.
Thank you, Lord . It has been you and will always be you.
@ehiidibia GO HUSKIES!!!!”
 

Popular singer, Wizkid has reacted to reports that he was slapped by colleague Davido at a Dubai concert in 2017.
 
This comes after a video from a podcast, Breakfast Club, recently made the rounds alleging that Davido slapped Wizkid during a concert that happened in 2017 in Dubai.
 
Wizkid took to Twitter to react and said the rumuor is untrue.
 
“ in y’all wildest dreams!
I wish a ni.g.ga would.” he wrote.
 
Check out reactions that followed:
 
@47kasz said: “If they did, he won’t keep quiet bout it
 
Those one wey go don Dey shout.. slap wiz?? How??”
 
@honest30bgfan_ remarked: “Wizkid don enter kitchen again, davido no gree come online since e Dey fear”
 
@amosuibk penned: “Wizkid fit dey pass through depression like this and we go think say na cruise e dey catch o”
 
@temi_rossie said: “Make dem collect phone from this boy hand jare”
 
See post below

Nigerian footballers, Alex iwobi and Calvin Bassey were seen in a viral video shopping together at a store in London.

The Super Eagles stars both play for Fulham FC in the Premier League.

They were spotted at an outlet where different designer items are sold.

See Video Below;

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lindaikejiblog (@lindaikejiblogofficial)

The Anambra State Government has arrested one Uzochukwu Okoli, for marrying off his underaged daughter.
 
Okoli was apprehended after his daughter reported to the State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare about the alleged ill-treatment being meted out to her by her father and the man he forced her to marry.

The daughter, Chioma Okoli, who is currently 16 years old, said after the death of her mother, her father took her and her sister out of Edo state and brought them to Anambra.
 
She alleged that she was first forced to live with a 70-plus-year-old man at the age of 14 but after some time, she ran back to her father's house before he finally gave her out to a 34-year-old Chinedu Nweke as husband.
 
Chioma who was in the company of her sister, explained that life with Chinedu has been a living hell because he allegedly beats her and sometimes pees in her mouth. She said this act made her run away with their 9-month-old baby.

Her father, Uzochukwu Okoli, on the other hand, claimed her daughter is 18 years old and, at some point, said she is 20 years old.

After he was handcuffed, Mr Okoli threatened to deal with the daughters if he made it out of prison.
 
He also urged Chioma and her sister to pray he dies in prison because he would make life more miserable for them.
 
Meanwhile, the  Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon Ify Obinabo, has instructed that the case be charged to court so that the girl can get justice.
 
Both Mr Okoli and Chinedu Nweke were arrested and will be arraigned in court.

No fewer than that two students of Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Makoda, reportedly drowned while attempting to cross the Thomas Dam in a boat, in Kano state.

Confirming the horrible incident in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer, of the State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, disclosed that the victims were identified as Abubakar Sanusi, 22, and Salisu Ado, 21.

The PRO added that their third colleague,  Ibrahim, 21, was rescued alive and  currently receiving medical attention at Dambatta General Hospital.

The statement reads: “On Tuesday 30th April 2024, State Fire Department located in Danbatta local government area received an emergency call at about 15:06 hour from Comrade Ibrahim Muhammad who informed us about the incident.

“Our officers arrived at the scene of incident at about 15:27 hrs. When they arrived, they found three students of Audu Bako College of Agric in Makoda local government who boarded a boat with the intention of crossing, but the boat sank with them.

“By God’s intervention, the boat driver managed to save one of the students named Ibrahim of about 21-year-old and rescued him alive.”

The Niger State Police Command has arrested three suspects for alleged thuggery and illegal possession of prohibited firearms. Commissioner of Police, Mr Shawulu Dan-Mamman, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna yesterday, said that the three suspects were arrested with dangerous weapons and some weeds suspected to be Indian hemp in Maitumbi, Minna.

According to him, the suspects were arrested at about 1:00 a.m. on April 30, during a raid in the Corpers lodge area, led by the DPO of Maitumbi Division, in collaboration with vigilance members, following a distress call.

“When we received the distress call, our patrol team of Operation Flush with vigilance members, led by the DPO rushed to the area and successfully arrested the suspects.

“The suspects were known for thuggery and the use of dangerous weapons to terrorise residents of the area,” he said. The CP further said that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), for further investigation, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other accomplices at large.

Dan-Mamman, however, advised parents and guardians to keep close watch on their wards and caution them against getting involved in crime that would incur the wrath of the law.

Security operatives have arrested a suspected kidnapper and gun runner terrorising communities in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The suspect, Abubakar Ali Damina,43, was arrested on Monday at Ofodo village close to Igabada during a joint operation conducted by security forces and vigilante operatives led by Mohammed Ajitata.

Abubakar, who hails from Bida in Niger State, was found in possession of a single-barrel dane gun, along with various suspicious items including charms, a gun firing cap, and local bullets.

Preliminary investigations revealed his connection to an unidentified Hausa man from Shanawa, Lokoja LGA, from whom he allegedly purchased the gun.

Abubakar confessed to his involvement in criminal activities and disclosed his migration history from Niger State to various locations before settling in Igabada, Igalamela/Odolu LGA, in 2021.

The Igamela-Odolu Local Government Departmental Security Officer, Mohammed Aminu, who confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, said the suspect is currently detained at the Kogi State Vigilante Service facility for further investigation.

Nigerian influencer, Enioluwa, has stated that it is inhumane, unjust, and unkind for one to pick up a plank and hit another human because they do not agree with their choices or segxwal orientation.

He stated this while reacting to a trending video of a cross dresser being assaulted by some boys in a Neighborhood. The area boys verbally assaulted the cross dresser and one of them went on to use a plank to hit him.

Reacting to the video, Enioluwa wrote;

‘’It is inhumane, it is unjust, and it is unkind to pick up a plank and hit another human because you do not agree with their choices or segxwal orientation.

Leave people alone. Everyone deserves to live their life without the fear of violence or harassment and, most notably, ‘Physical Violence.’

“Even if we don’t agree with someone’s choices, we must resist the urge to inflict harm. It’s hypocritical to speak up against oppression while we remain oppressors.''

The House of Representatives Committees on Petroleum Downstream and Midstream yesterday promised that the long queues at fuel stations across the country would be over in “a couple of days”.

Addressing a joint press conference at the National Assembly Complex, the Committee on Petroleum Downstream Chairman Ikenga Ugochinyere and his Petroleum Midstream Committee counterpart, Odianosen Okojie, claimed that hoarders are behind the scarcity.

They insisted that fuel was available and asked law enforcement agencies to arrest any marketers found hoarding the product. According to them, transport vessels’ challenges disrupted the supply and distribution to marketers who were supposed to take the products offshore to onshore.

Ugochinyere said:
He added: “We are convinced that this is temporary and in a couple of days, we shall get over it. “From our investigations, we have found out that there is availability of fuel. “We have on good authority that we have in our storage facilities, at least, about 1.5 billion litres of fuel that can last for 30 days.

Inhabitants of Inikorogha communities of Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, have staged a peaceful protest against alleged plans to secretly withdraw security personnel that have been maintaining peace in the area.

Inikorogha as a whole is made up of over 22 communities.

They were armed with placards with various inscriptions, including: “Come to our aid Mr Governor; We need peace to do our business in Inikorogha; Armed robbers come here to rape and rob our wives and women among others.

The Chairman of Inikorogha community, Friday Benson, while addressing journalists, appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki to see to the extension and increase of security presence in the communities.

He commended the Governor for ensuring that peace and security prevail in Inikorogha and also linking communities through road construction.

According to him, “What we are saying in essence is that nobody should truncate the effort of the Governor by plans to remove security from our communities. There is a great improvement of security in the last one and half years. We thank the Governor for providing the needed security

“Prior to now, evil attacks were meted on our communities, but today we have strong presence of security with the deployment of special forces at mile 3. Their presence has checkmated insecurity being perpetrated in our land by some unscrupulous elements.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of Elders Council, Philip Polo, who expressed worry over news of plans to remove the special forces providing security in the areas, called for more deployment of security personnel.

Polo who thanked Governor Obaseki for his effort in road construction in Inikorogha, added:

“We want to first of all thank Governor Obaseki, he has performed well in terms of infrastructure but sadly that gave birth to some unscrupulous criminals that has made Inikorogha uninhabitable perpetrated by some militants who came through the rivers.

“But when security came everybody was relieved. The situation now is that these same people are trying to pull the strings from behind. We have information that they are trying to see to the withdrawal of the special forces responsible for peace rather we are appealing for more security here.”

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  Mr. Ola Olukoyede, says the anti-graft agency has secured 500 convictions in cybercrimes in the last few months.

Olukoyede as revealed in a statement by the spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said this when he hosted a delegation from the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol).

He said: “EFCC, apart from the police, is one of the prominent, specialised anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria that has the mandate to investigate cybercrimes, and we have been doing that.

“In the last few months, we have secured over 500 convictions in cybercrimes. Over the years, we have had cause to collaborate with (America’s) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the (United Kingdom’s) National Crime Agency (NCA) and other prominent law enforcement agencies in the world in the area of combating cybercrime.

“We are much ready to do more and also to encourage the heads of the world to give access to information.”

The EFCC boss reiterated the agency’s Olukoyede commitment fight against cybercrimes.

The leader of the delegation, Mr. Craig Jones, in his remarks, said: “I think many countries now recognise that cybercrime is actually a national security threat to countries. This goes hand in hand with financial crimes because the main motivation of cybercrime normally for the criminals is that financial gain and the impact that it makes on the countries and our communities is massive.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo reportedly visited businessman Tony Elumelu in his Office.

The reason for the visit is unknown.

Nigerian singer Peruzzi has opened up about a unique payment method he once had with fellow musician Davido. In a recent interview, Peruzzi admitted that in the early days of their collaboration, he received used clothing from Davido as compensation for songwriting.

“I swear I’m not going to lie, I used to collect clothes before,” Peruzzi said. “But there was a particular one I wrote and he gave me some money so I stopped, but I used to before.”

Peruzzi is known for co-writing many of Davido’s hit songs, including chart-toppers like “FIA” and “Fall.” He has since established himself as a successful solo artist with his own dedicated fanbase.

A disturbing video has emerged showing an accused “killer” father forcing his 6-year-old son to run on a treadmill because the child was “too fat”.

Christopher Gregor, 31, appeared in court Tuesday, April 30 to stand trial for allegedly murdering his son Corey Micciolo in 2021. He faces life in prison if convicted.

During the trial, the Superior Court in New Jersey was shown surveillance video of Gregor forcing Corey to run on a treadmill after the boy fell off multiple times due to the exercise machine’s excessive speed.

Gregor and his son were seen on March 20, 2021, entering the Atlantic Heights Clubhouse fitness center, where the boy was promptly placed on the treadmill and began running, according to a video, obtained by CourtTV.com.

Footage captured Gregor walking up to the treadmill to increase the speed and raise the incline of the track.

The sudden changes in speed and elevation were too much for the little boy’s legs, causing him to fall down and slide off the moving track.

Despite the son falling off, Gregor lifted and tossed him back onto the treadmill, which forced the child’s legs to fold backwards as the father seemingly clamped his teeth into Corey’s head.

The boy gets back on, but again falls off and continues to struggle to remain on the machine, eventually leading the father to decrease both the the speed and incline.

The boy’s mother, Bre Micciolo, was the first witness to take the stand and was in tears as she watched the horrific video.

Days before her son’s death, Bre Micciolo reported the boy’s injuries to the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, according to the US Sun.

On April 1, she requested that Gregor take their son to see a doctor.

While at the appointment, Corey reportedly revealed his father made him run on the treadmill “because he was too fat,” the outlet reported.

The next day, Gregor rushed the young boy to the hospital because the boy woke up from a nap stumbling, slurring his words, and experiencing nausea and shortness of breath, according to Court TV.

During a CT scan, Corey suffered a seizure, forcing medical staff to take life-saving measures, but he died.

An initial autopsy found Corey died as a result of blunt force injuries with cardiac and liver contusions with acute inflammation and sepsis.

Gregor was arrested in July 2021 on child neglect charges stemming from investigators reviewing the surveillance footage from the fitness center.

“Specifically by having (Corey) run on a treadmill and increasing the speed, causing (Corey) to fall, placing (him) back on the moving treadmill while appearing to bite his head, causing the said child to fall several more times,” an arrest warrant obtained by the outlet read.

In September 2021, a forensic pathologist determined Corey’s death to be a homicide as he suffered from chronic abuse including blunt impact injuries on his chest and abdomen with a laceration on his heart, left pulmonary contusion, and laceration and contusion of his liver.

Dr Thomas Andrew believes Corey suffered an acute traumatic injury to the heart four to 12 hours before his death, according to Court TV.

Gregor was arrested on March 9, 2022, for his son’s death but turned down a 30-year plea deal.

He is being held in the New Jersey Jail without bond.

NEW: Mother breaks down in court as she watches her son’s father abuse her child by making him run on the treadmill because he was “too fat.”

New Jersey father Christopher Gregor is accused of killing his 6-year-old son Corey Micciolo.

New footage shows the boy repeatedly face… pic.twitter.com/aVKknkOGd5

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 1, 2024