Category: PM News

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, adjourned to Nov. 3, the trial of a Lagos businesswoman, Clara Anthony, charged with an alleged N643.8 million fraud.

Anthony is standing trial before Justice Ibrahim Kala, alongside a company, Flourish Claire Concept. They are charged with 17 counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by fraud, dishonest conversion and stealing.

She was arraigned by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) on Nov. 25, 2024, and had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court had granted her bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

On March 12, the prosecution called a first prosecution witness, who began giving their testimony. But the matter was adjourned to July 2.

On July 2, the case could not proceed because of the absence of the defendant and the case was then adjourned to Oct. 6 for continuation of trial.

When the case was called on Monday, the prosecutor, Mr Samuel Ogala, informed the court that the defendant was again absent from the court, adding that her counsel was not also in court.

He urged the court to revoke the bail of the defendant, and issue a bench warrant for her arrest.

In a short ruling, Justice Kala revoked the bail of the defendant and issued a bench warrant for her arrest by the police, and adjourned the case to Nov. 3.

Meanwhile, as parties were about leaving the court, the defendant suddenly showed up , and informed the court that she was unable to reach her lawyer as he had not been taking her calls.

She apologised to the court while saying she may need to get another lawyer to represent her.

But while reacting, the prosecutor urged the court to take recognise the four prosecution witnesses who were present in court while pleading that the defendant should not be allowed to delay the trial.

But Justice Kala ordered the defendant to be present with her counsel on the next adjourned date unfailingly.

The court vacated the earlier bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant, but warned the defendant make herself available with her counsel on the next adjourned date, or risk a revocation of her bail.

The court, adjourned the case until Nov. 3 for trial.

According to the charge, the defendant was said to have committed the offences sometime in August 2023, at Oregun in Lagos.

She was alleged to have fraudulently obtained several sums of money from Lagos traders, under a false pretence of investing the money in rice business.

According to the prosecution, the defendant obtained several millions in tranches from various traders, using the name her company (second defendant).

She was alleged to have obtained the sums of N56 million, N36 million, N58.05 million, N20.5 million N3.2 million, N410 million, N6. 1 million and N54 million from different traders under the guise of investing the money in rice business.

The alle

ged offences contravene the provisions of section 1(1)(a-c), and section 8(a, b, and c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act, 2006.

They also contravene the provisions of section 390 of the Criminal Code Act 2004.

The Lagos State government has bestowed a lasting honor on Afrobeats artist Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko by naming a street after him.

The artist who hails from Lagos Island, expressed his excitement for the new honor while thanking God for the blessing.

This recognition and honor celebrates Adekunle Gold’s musical journey and success. The singer took to his Instagram page to share the news. He also shared a picture of his family standing by the landmark.

‘Adekunle Kosoko Street. The city that raised me now carries my name. Thank you Lord for my many blessings,’ he wrote.

The Senior Special Assistant on media to the Delta State Governor, Mr. Ossai Ovie Success, has threatened to take legal action against that organisers of Big Brother Naija show.

Shortly after the winner of the 10th season of the show was announced, Ossai took to his X handle to express his annoyance about the result.

He claimed that the first runner-up, Dede, was robbed of her position as the winner.

‘Dede was robbed by BBNaija organizers because Delta boy Kellyrae won last year’s season, so they didn’t want another Delta to win this year’s edition. She truly deserved the Big Brother Naija crown, not the second position. She ought to have been the winner, not because she’s from Delta, but because she made everyone who watched the show proud,’ he wrote.

Ossai also added that he plans to take legal action on the claims that the voting results was rigged. He also expressed his disappointment in the result.

‘I’ll be suing Big Brother Naija on behalf of Dede because the voting was rigged. I’m highly disappointed in this season,’ he added.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Office of the National Security Adviser and other top government officials for their roles in finding solution to the dispute between it and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Dangote, in a statement on Sunday hailed the government officials for their role in resolving what it described as the ‘disruptive actions of PENGASSAN’ against the refinery.

‘Dangote Refinery is grateful to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, for his intervention, through his ministers and senior officials, which resulted in the abatement of the disruptive actions of PENGASSAN against the Refinery.

‘We remain very grateful to these officials for their patriotism and national service,’ it said in a statement on Sunday.

The company also expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their supportive voices and words of encouragement during the battle with PENGASSAN

‘You gave us hope and reinforced our belief in the Nigerian nation and people as the backbone of our enterprise.

‘Be assured that we would continue to work for and in your interest and persist in always protecting that interest against rent seekers, economic saboteurs and economic squatters.

‘To our loyal workers, who ensured that our operations were not disrupted even for a second, we thank and appreciate you,’ the company stated.

Dangote also assured assured Nigerians that it would not relent in serving the nation faithfully and diligently through the uninterrupted production of petroleum products.

‘Our commitment to the Nigerian nation and our pact with its people remain undiluted, undiminished and unalterable notwithstanding the distractions from our detractors and the saboteurs in our midst,’ the statement added.

Recall that PENGASSAN last Wednesday called off its industrial dispute with Dangote Refinery after government’s intervention.

The strike was initially triggered by the reported mass sack of more than 800 Nigerian workers by Dangote Petrochemicals and Fertiliser Limited after they voluntarily subscribed to join PENGASSAN.

The President of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said the union decided to suspend the strike out of respect for institutions, in spite of serious concerns over loopholes in the government-brokered agreement reached with Dangote management.

‘Even with our doubts about Dangote’s sincerity, we have chosen the moral high ground. Nigerians must see PENGASSAN as patriotic, law-abiding and committed to sustaining national economic stability,’ he stated.

Osifo said the union’s main demand was full reinstatement of the affected workers, but government instead opted for redeployment within related companies owned by the Dangote Group.

‘Our position was simple: bring them back to their original jobs. Government proposed a middle ground instead, and that remains our greatest reservation with the settlement,’ Osifo explained.

He added that the union accepted the compromise reluctantly, noting that the most important thing now was to get the affected workers back to earning and feeding their families.

However, Osifo made it clear that PENGASSAN would not be misled by unfulfilled promises or prolonged delays.

‘We will not wait endlessly if nothing happens.

‘We suspended the action in good faith to respect government. But the moment we detect any foul play or gimmicks, we will return to the trenches immediately,’ he said. (NAN)

Lagos is a city of greatness – a restless, ambitious, unstoppable megacity that beats with the energy of over twenty million dreams. It is the heartbeat of Nigeria, the economic nerve centre of West Africa, and the symbol of what is possible when vision meets resilience. But as Lagos evolves, one undeniable truth emerges: it is time for Lagos to be led by a woman.

For decades, Lagos has been blessed with capable male governors who have steered the state through waves of urbanization, economic reform, and modernization. Yet, despite this progress, the city still battles deep inequalities – in housing, healthcare, education, and opportunity. The problems that persist are not merely administrative; they are deeply human. And addressing them requires not just infrastructure and policy, but empathy, balance, and a new perspective.

A woman governor would not only represent symbolic change – she would represent strategic transformation.

1. Women Govern Differently – and Effectively

Across the world, data consistently shows that women in leadership deliver results that are inclusive, transparent, and sustainable. From Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia, women leaders have demonstrated a rare ability to blend compassion with competence, empathy with efficiency, and vision with accountability.

In Nigeria, where governance has too often been marked by aggression, ego, and exclusion, Lagos needs that unique brand of leadership that listens, collaborates, and uplifts. A woman’s approach to governance naturally prioritizes community well-being, education, healthcare, and economic inclusion – areas that directly shape the quality of life of ordinary Lagosians.

A female governor would be more likely to view development not merely as concrete and steel, but as people and potential.

2. Lagos Women Already Run the Engine of the City

From Balogun Market to Yaba Tech, from Lekki to Alimosho, women are the lifeblood of Lagos’ economy. They are traders, innovators, transporters, teachers, bankers, nurses, artisans, and entrepreneurs. They run households and small businesses; they hold the social fabric of communities together.

Yet, they are underrepresented where it matters most – at the top. Women constitute over 50% of the Lagos population, yet their voices remain largely absent from executive decision-making.

It is both unjust and unwise to ignore the demographic that drives the engine of the state. Electing a woman governor is not tokenism – it is smart governance. It is leveraging the leadership, grit, and intelligence that Lagos women have already proven in every sphere except the one that matters most: political power.

3. A New Kind of Progress: From Infrastructure to Humanity

Lagos has grown taller, wider, and richer. But it must now grow fairer, safer, and more inclusive. The next frontier of Lagos development must not only be about roads and rails – it must be about the people who walk and ride on them.

Who better than a woman to lead that transition? A woman understands the daily struggle of the market woman who wakes before dawn, the mother who navigates unsafe roads to get her child to school, the nurse who faces burnout in a public hospital, the young girl who dreams of tech but can’t afford data.

A woman governor would humanize governance. She would shift Lagos’ growth from being measured in kilometers of expressways to being measured in quality of life.

4. Leadership Integrity and Accountability

Let’s face it – the people are tired of politics-as-usual. They crave leaders who are authentic, empathetic, and ethical. Women have shown, time and again, higher levels of integrity in public office. Studies from institutions like the United Nations and World Bank have shown that female leaders are often less corrupt, more transparent, and more responsive to citizens’ needs.

Lagos, a state that has achieved so much economically, now needs moral capital – leadership that inspires trust. A woman at the helm can restore that trust and redefine what political leadership looks like in Nigeria’s most important state.

5. Lagos Can Set the National Standard – Again

Lagos has always been the state that leads Nigeria’s future. It led in urban innovation, in digital economy expansion, in creative industries. Now, Lagos can lead again – by making history and electing the first female governor of the state.

This is not just about gender; it is about progress. Lagos can once again set the pace for the rest of Nigeria, proving that leadership excellence is not defined by gender, but by vision and results.

The woman who leads Lagos will not only inspire girls across the state – she will signal to the entire country that the era of gender barriers in governance is over.

6. Continuity With Transformation

The current administration has laid foundations in infrastructure, technology, and innovation. The next phase requires not just continuity, but a transformation in governance culture.

A woman governor can sustain the developmental momentum while recalibrating priorities toward inclusivity, education, youth empowerment, and healthcare. She can build on existing policies while redefining their focus around the dignity and welfare of the people.

In essence, she can combine what works with what’s been missing.

Conclusion: The Time is Now

Lagos does not need a woman governor because of charity or sentiment. Lagos needs a woman governor because it makes strategic, moral, and developmental sense.

The state that prides itself on innovation and progress cannot continue to recycle the same kind of leadership and expect different results. The heartbeat of Nigeria deserves a new rhythm – one that beats with empathy, intelligence, inclusivity, and strength.

Lagos deserves a woman’s touch – not as a token, but as a turning point.

The next governor of Lagos must be a woman.

And she must not only succeed the current governor – she must succeed for all of us.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has listed interception of 6.3kg of Loud, a potent cannabis strain being smuggled from Thailand to Lagos concealed in bedsheets and dried hibiscus flowers among its recent drug seizures across the country.

Spokesperson for NDLEA, Femi Babafemi who announced this in a statement on Sunday said a total of 290,450 pills of tramadol (250mg) and pregabalin capsules were intercepted in a major drug bust across multiple Nigerian states, including Kano, Lagos, and Kaduna during the week.

Babafemi said a syndicate’s attempt to smuggle cannabis from Thailand to Lagos through courier firms was also foiled by operatives NDLEA operatives working with courier companies

He said in Kano, a joint operation between NDLEA and Customs on Danbatta-Daura Road led to the arrest of 38-year-old Sa’adu Ali.

‘Officers seized 290,450 tramadol pills and pregabalin capsules during the operation.

‘In Lagos, operatives arrested a notorious drug dealer, John Igbe, also known as ‘SammyBless,’ on Admiralty Road, Lekki.’

He was caught with 550 grams of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain, packaged in cups.

Babafemi said on the same day, three suspects, Idris Lukman, Fuad Abdulsalam, and Mobolaji James, were arrested in Mushin with 109kg of skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup, and 2kg of nitrous oxide.

‘At the Trade Fair Complex in the Alaba area of Lagos, NDLEA operatives recovered 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 caplets of expired 225mg diclofenac in a separate warehouse raid.’

He said in Kwara, 27,700 pills of tramadol (100mg/225mg) were seized from 25-year-old Salisu Abubakar on Monday, Sept. 29, during a stop-and-search operation in Bode Saadu, Moro Local Government Area.

Babafemi said in Kaduna, one Blessing Ovaka, 50, was arrested with 498.5kg of skunk at Kudandan in Chikun LGA, while 27-year-old Dahiru Salisu was nabbed with 34,180 tramadol capsules on Kaduna-Zaria road.

‘Also on Sept. 29, NDLEA officers raided a location in Isheri, Obafemi Owode LGA, Ogun State, arresting Abubakar Audu with 112kg of skunk and 16 grams of tramadol hidden in the premises.’

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Monday insisted that an Abuja-based Lawyer, Victor Giwa will be arraigned on Wednesday.

Giwa and Ibitade Bukola are charged by the Nigeria Police Force with forgery and impersonation.

At Monday’s proceedings, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, declined to proceed with arraignment. saying the case was not listed on the court’s cause list.

Giwa, who appeared in court representing himself, was arrested following a bench warrant issued on Sept. 15.

Bukola, the police said remained at large.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Theophilus Silas, told the court he was prepared for arraignment or, alternatively, to proceed with a bail application.

However, Justice Onwuegbuzie maintained that the matter had not been listed for hearing.

‘The court did not grant any abridgment of time for arraignment,’ the judge said.

NAN reports that the initial arraignment failed on Sept. 15, prompting the court to issue a bench warrant.

Giwa and Bukola are accused of conspiring to forge a legal document purportedly issued by the chambers of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa U. Kalu, with the intent to mislead the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

The contentious letter had sought intervention to halt an arraignment scheduled before Justice Samira Bature of the High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on July 2, 2024.

A deadly snowstorm has trapped nearly 1,000 people on Mount Everest, leaving rescuers in a desperate race against time to save lives.

The unexpected blizzard hit late Friday, dumping more than a metre of snow on the world’s tallest peak and crushing several tents at high-altitude camps. Many climbers are reportedly battling hypothermia as temperatures plummet below freezing.

Rescue teams, joined by local villagers, are digging through heavy snow to clear blocked routes leading up to the camps, which sit around 16,000 feet above sea level.

According to Chinese state outlet Jimu News, some tourists have been brought down safely as emergency operations continue on the eastern slope of Everest in Tibet.

The situation worsened Saturday when conditions forced authorities to suspend ticket sales and entry into the Everest Scenic Area, citing ‘extreme weather and safety risks.’

One stranded witness told The Daily Star: ‘Many people’s tents have been crushed, the camp has more than a metre of snow, and all the passageways down the mountain have been blocked.’

Officials say the storm, which began Friday night and raged through Saturday, is among the most violent to hit the region in recent years. With visibility still dangerously low and roads buried in snow, the coming hours could determine who survives this Everest nightmare.

Health experts have said respiratory diseases are rising among the people due to exposure to mould spores in homes.

They warned that vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory or immune conditions are most at risk of serious complications.

Common sources of mould in homes identified are leaking roofs, soaked walls, damp basements, poorly ventilated bathrooms and kitchens, as well as carpets, upholstery, and insulation materials that retain moisture.

The mould often appears as coloured patches on wet surfaces, especially in areas where there is poor air circulation.

The experts maintain that ignoring mould exposure not only compromises indoor air quality but also has long-term consequences for respiratory health, especially in vulnerable populations already burdened by other health challenges.

A public health expert at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Professor Tanimola Akande, was quoted by PUNCH to have said that mould, a type of fungus that thrives in humid, damp, and poorly ventilated environments, poses a significant threat to public health, particularly in water-damaged buildings and homes with poor construction.

According to him, mould releases spores into the air that, when inhaled, can trigger allergies and respiratory issues, including sneezing, catarrh, wheezing, and asthmatic attacks.

Akande pointed out that mould exposure often goes unnoticed until people start showing recurring symptoms.

‘People may treat catarrh or persistent coughs without knowing that the trigger is inside their own homes,’ Akande said.

To combat mould growth, the don recommended fixing leaking plumbing, improving ventilation, and ensuring that wet areas are promptly dried.

Another medical expert and a Senior Registrar in Community Medicine and Primary Care at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr. Solomon Olorunfemi, described mould exposure as a serious but under-discussed public health issue in households.

He explained that mould exposure happens when people come into contact with mould spores either through the air, through touch, or by eating contaminated food. The danger lies in how easily these spores are inhaled.

Aside coughing and wheezing, symtoms according to him, could also include itchy eyes, skin rashes, and sinus infections which he said are particularly intense in children and the elderly.

Nigerian multi-instrumentalist ?m?´rìnmádé Aníkúlápó Kútì, popularly known as Made Kuti, has opened up on how growing up in the Afrika Shrine affected his childhood.

The Shrine, which was built in the year 2000, has stood as an embodiment of Fela’s music and legacy. Made revealed that he only has happy memories of his childhood days there. He further added that his time there as a child, helped shape his personality an music.

‘I was a troublemaker. Jumping on tables, riding bicycles and skateboards. All my childhood memories of the shrine are happy ones,’ he said.

Made also spoke on the Kuti name, revealing that it is both a blessing and a huge responsibility to bear the name.

‘I know that whatever I do creatively will always be attributed to the family, and I’m okay with that. But sometimes, I wish people could take my music as art in itself, beyond the lineage,’ he added.