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US President Joe Biden on Wednesday met the leaders of African nations that hold elections in the new year to press for a free vote. On the sidelines of a summit that has brought most African leaders to Washington, Biden and his top aides met separately with a group of six leaders as part of his democracy push. The group included Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who is ineligible to seek a third term in February to lead Africa’s most populous country, and President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo who took office in 2019 in the vast country’s first peaceful transfer of power. Also participating were Gabon’s Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been president since 2009 after succeeding his longtime-ruling father, and the leaders of Liberia, Madagascar and Sierra Leone, according to the White House. Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security advisor, said ahead of the meeting that the president would call for free elections across the continent. He said the parti

The police have said they will launch a manhunt for politicians procuring Permanent Voter Cards for the purpose of rigging the 2023 general elections. This came as the Independent National Electoral Commission vowed that anyone caught buying or selling PVCs would be arrested and prosecuted, warning politicians and political parties that it would not condone any illegal acts. The development is coming on the heels of reports that some politicians were buying up PVCs and inducing voters to harvest their Voter Identification Numbers. The INEC National Commissioner overseeing the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states, Mohammed Haruna, had on Monday in Abuja raised the alarm that some politicians were buying PVCs ahead of the 2023 polls. He also disclosed that two persons have been recently convicted for illegal possession of PVCs in Sokoto and Kano states. But speaking to The PUNCH on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, Rotimi Oy

Morocco came into this game thinking they have overachieved, they came to the match knowing they were not the ones under pressure. They knew they were the underdogs, but even underdogs can bite. Just one bite and the giant will crawl. That was exactly what happened.  Portugal started the game with almost the same team that rolled over Switzerland as though they didn't even exist. They put 6 past the Swiss, brushed them by and rolled the round leather into a net that seemed wider than the usual. On this evening, however, against the Atlas Lions of Morocco, they found their tactics and strategies not enough.  Even their vast array of attacking talents - Sylva, Ramos, Felix,  Fernandes, Leao and the greatest of them all, greater than even Eusebio and Figo combined, Cristiano Ronaldo - could not conjure something special against Bono.  Make no bones about this, the Moroccans are no pushovers. They had taken scalps from the balding Belgium Brains and the budding boots of Spa

Music star, Oladapo Oyebanjo popularly known as D’banj, has broken his silence after his release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.   The singer was detained over allegations of fraud associated with the N-Power programme.   D’banj  took to his Instagram account a few hours after he was released on Friday and denied any fraudulent dealings and that he was released based on self recognition.    He said, “Global thank you to the world. I was invited on an ongoing investigation in ICPC. I have assisted the commission with all I know and I am confident in their capacity to unravel the truth. I have no business with fraud, all I do is chop life. I was released on self-recognition because nothing was seen or found on me. God bless you all my people.”   Credit: Instagram | iambangalee -

An American sports journalist, Grant Wahl, has died in Qatar, where he was covering the World Cup. According to ESPN, Wahl died while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands. Reports reveal that Wahl fell back in his seat in the press box at Lusail Iconic Stadium during extra time and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance. Emergency services workers responded very quickly, the reporters said, and the reporters later were told that Wahl had died. Wahl had written on Monday on his website that he had visited a medical clinic while in Qatar. Earlier during the World Cup, Wahl drew international attention after saying he was briefly stopped from attending the US match against Wales in November for wearing a rainbow-coloured T-shirt. Wahl said he was detained for 25 minutes at Ahmed Bin Ali stadium in Al Rayyan, then was let go by a security commander. Credit: Twitter| Fulham FCUSA -

An Edo State High Court sitting in Auchi has sentenced one Taofeek Isah to death by hanging for kidnapping and attacking with harmful substances. The court also sentenced two of Isah’s accomplices, Jeremiah Okamudu and Miracle Pius to four and 19 years in prison respectively and discharged the fourth accused persons. Justice Philip Imoedemhe held that the evidence tendered had convinced the court beyond reasonable doubt that the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants were guilty of the crimes. During the trial, the prosecutor, Clement Eseigbe, told the court that Isah connived with three of his friends to kidnap, gangrape and grievously assaulted one 20-year-old Blessing Ezekiel on October 22, 2021, at Okpella community in Etsako East LGA.

Mr Emmanuel Sanwo-Olu, a 27-year-old man and father of three children, has filed a suit before the Delta State High Court 2 sitting in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, urging it to declare Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, as his father. In the suit no: EHC/148/2022 between Emmanuel Moses Sanwo-Olu and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the claimant argued that he was a product of a relationship between his mother, Grace Moses, and the defendant in 1994/95. Also, in his writ of summons issued by J. O. Aikpokpo-Martins, the claimant is praying the court for the following: “A declaration that the defendant is the biological father of the claimant begotten from Madam Grace Moses of Oleri, Delta State. “An order directing and compelling the defendant to acknowledge and accord the claimant all the rights of a son in accordance with all the laws applicable whether customarily, statutorily, or constitutionally. “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from furt

Peru swore in a new president on Wednesday following a day of political turbulence that saw former President Pedro Castillo arrested after making a last-ditch bid to cling to power. Dina Boluarte, Castillo’s vice, was eventually sworn in, making her Peru’s first female president. She was elected after a majority of 101 members in the country’s 130-person legislative body voted to impeach Castillo. Earlier on Wednesday, the former president said he would shut down the opposition-controlled congress, launch a “government of exception,” and call for new legislative elections. In a televised speech, he said “a new congress with constituent powers to draw up a new constitution” would be convened “within no more than nine months”. “In response to citizens’ demands throughout the length and breadth of the country, we have decided to establish an exceptional government aimed at re-establishing the rule of law and democracy,” the leftist leader said. His speech sparked outrage and a

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has again criticised the Federal Government over the non-implementation of the union’s demands. ASUU has been at loggerheads with the government over its decision to pay the union’s members half of their salaries after it ended its eight-month strike. The government had insisted that the union members would not be paid for the period they were on strike, citing its “no work, no pay” policy. But members of the union had condemned the move and threatened to adopt a “no pay, no work” policy, if the withheld salaries are not paid. The union’s national executive council (NEC) held a two-day meeting at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) in Cross River State to review the development and other issues affecting its members. In a statement yesterday by its President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu; National Secretary, Dr. Henri Oripeloye; and National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ernest Nwoke, CONUA said its members expected the Federal Government to re

* Cautions banks against ATM card discrimination Policy. From January 9, 2023, withdrawals from the banking system across the country will be restricted, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said. This was contained in a circular issued by the director of banking supervision, Haruna Mustafa, dated December 6, 2022, with SD/DIR/PUB/LAB/015/069 as reference number, and titled, ‘Letter to All Deposit Money Banks (DMBS) and Other Financial Institutions, Payment Service Banks, Primary Mortgage Banks and Microfinance Banks’. CBN said the circular is in line with the cashless policy of the apex bank.The circular directed all deposit money banks and other financial institutions to note and comply with a number of directives. CBN directed that maximum cash withdrawal over the counter (OTC) by individuals and corporate organisations per week shall, henceforth, be N100,000 and N500,000, respectively, starting from January 9, which is the second Monday of 2023. The bank further stated

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the state House of Assembly during which he promised to be fair to all, irrespective of their political parties. The governor was accompanied on the visit by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye, Caretaker Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akindele Adekunle, and many chieftains of the new ruling party. It was the first visit of the new government to the state House of Assembly dominated by members of the former ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) whose candidate, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Mr Adeleke defeated in the recently conducted election Earlier last Tuesday, the governor had hosted leaders of the House of Assembly in his private residence in Ede. Speaking at the plenary on Monday, the governor promised to continue all the projects started by the previous administration Mr Adeleke said his administration w

The Ogun State police is ready to give N2.5 million to any individual with useful information about the hoodlums that razed the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abeokuta South Local Government. DAILY POST had reported that the INEC office located at Iyana Mortuary in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, was set on fire by yet-to-be identified hoodlums. In the attack, over 600,000 permanent voters’ cards were burnt, including voting cubicles, ballot boxes and others. The Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Lanre Bankole, has since directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to immediately commence investigation, with a view to unraveling the arsonists behind the devilish act. In an effort to bring the hoodlums to justice, “the Command has resolved to reward anybody with credible information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators with the sum of N2.5 million,” a statement by the Ogun State police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, read.

Press Statement 05/12/2022 Any Ministry, Department or Agency that fail to submit its salary schedule latest today will be sanctioned. Any agency head who obstructs the process of scheduling will face disciplinary procedures. This warning is sequel to report that some agencies are still holding unto their agency's schedules despite the directive of His Excellency. Governor Ademola Adeleke had last week directed immediate conclusion of documentation for payment of salaries. This was a consequence of a report that about 45 agencies are yet to submit their payment schedule. Presently, the payment of salaries is ongoing starting with the Ministry of Justice.  Signed: Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Spokesperson to the Executive Governor, Osun State. Oladele Bamiji Hob  Ibraheem Khalid

A Nigerian university student arrested and detained for more than two weeks after he allegedly defamed President Muhammadu Buhari's wife on Twitter has apologised to the first lady. Aminu Adamu Mohammed was released on Friday after authorities dropped the charges on ''compassionate grounds.". Mr Mohammed denied spreading ''false'' information during a court appearance. He denied defaming Aisha Buhari in a tweet suggesting she had misused public money to her satisfaction. But in a series of tweets and video messages over the weekend, the 24-year-old undergraduate apologised to Mrs Buhari for the initial tweet. ''It was never my intention to hurt your feelings'' he said, promising to ''change for the better.'' Mr Mohammed also thanked Mrs Buhari for forgiving him, describing her as ''our mother.'' He described his experience as ''the darkest hours of my life.'' He did not give det

Igangan Police station Katsina—Terrorists have abducted at least 13 worshippers during an attack on a mosque in Maigamji, Funtua LGA of Katsina. Gambo Isah, police spokesperson in the state, confirmed the development, yesterday. The terrorists were said to have invaded the mosque in large numbers and fired at the worshippers who were forced to flee for safety. Isah said the incident occurred on Saturday night when the worshippers were observing the last prayer of the day. He said the terrorists shot at the imam and another worshipper who both sustained injuries, adding that six among the 13 kidnapped persons have been rescued by the security operatives. The spokesperson said: “It’s true. Two persons were injured. They kidnapped 13 so far and we are still looking for them. Six among the kidnapped persons have been rescued by the combined efforts of the police vigilante. “The attack happened in Maigamji in Funtua LGA. It happened on Saturday night when the worshippers were pr

  Datti Baba-Ahmed, the running mate of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has lashed out at the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, for dismissing Obi and saying he would not mention his name  Baba-Ahmed also accused the APC of anchoring its campaign strategy against Obi on spreading false information across the polity. He said this on Thursday at a Labour Party press conference held in Abuja.     Baba-Ahmed said, “Earlier attempts to discredit the Obi’s candidacy through fabricated allegations of demolition of mosques, internal deportation of northerners, issuance of ID cards to northerners, and ethnic hostilities were all conclusively proven to be false and without basis.   “As if those were not enough, just a few days ago, the presidential candidate of the APC speaking in Delta State, and referring to our presidential candidate, said that it was a disgrace to mention his name. While our candidate is quite comfort

A doctorate student from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Benin, Igbinosa Eghosa, has produced a lightweight utility vehicle. Eghosa of the Department of Production Engineering developed the vehicle under the supervision of Professor Akaehomen Ibhadode, who also led the team to present the vehicle to the University’s Management.  In a statement shared on the Facebook page of UNIBEN on Thursday, the developer opined that the lightweight truck will re-shape and power the growth of the nation’s transport and agriculture industries. He added that with adequate funding, the vehicle could be produced in large quantity as the design was capable of addressing transportation needs even in local communities. On his part, the project supervisor pointed out that over 80 per cent of the materials used for the production of the truck was sourced locally.  Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Lilian Salami, praised the team for promoting local production and expressed the Un

The Anambra State Vigilante Service has rescued a woman who was kidnapped in Akamili, Umudim along Ozubulu road in Nnewi, Anambra State. A Facebook user, Uche Nworah, on Thursday posted a video of the incident showing the vehicle in a ditch. Recounting how it happened, the victim, Ogadimma Ndubuisi said, “They came to our office at … bus stop along that police station, they came there with guns, three guns and told me to get into the vehicle. I asked them to let me bring my phone along but they said no. They dragged me into the vehicle and they used something to cover my eyes. I told them I'm not breathing well, that I have BP, asked that they have mercy on me and remove the cloth from my nose but they did not accept." Credit: Facebook | Uche Nworah

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday raised the alarm over the number of underage voters contained in the list of registered voters in Plateau State. Lead Trustee, Intercontinental Leadership Initiative, Prince Stafford Bisong, said the group, following INEC’s publication of voters’ register had embarked on a, “Claim and Objections” exercise to the 17 LGAs in Plateau State on November 23, 2022, “to see, observe and discover for ourselves the state of affairs and level of preparation of INEC to deliver a credible election in 2023 The group at a press briefing in Abuja, also expressed worry over multiple registrations in five out of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state. The group under the aegis of “Saving Our Votes” therefore called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), “to clean up the voters’ register in Plateau State and in Nigeria as a whole.” They also called on INEC to ensure the investigation and subsequent pro