K1’s principal talking drummer, Ayankunle Ayanlowo, has outlined specific terms for resolving the conflict between himself and the fuji music icon, King Wasiu Ayinde, the Mayegun of Yorubaland.
The rift between the two musicians gained nationwide attention when Ayanlowo accused K1 of neglecting the welfare of his band members—an accusation vehemently denied by the artist.
In a private conversation at his residence in Felele, Ibadan, the drummer expressed his desire for reconciliation, stating, “I seek a resolution to our dispute. I urge for a gathering where both parties can present their perspectives. Wasiu must show a sense of godliness in expressing his stance, while I also should have the opportunity to voice my grievances. I believe the intervention of respected elders is necessary. However, I hold firm in my decision not to return to his band.”
When pressed on his reluctance to reconcile, Ayanlowo remarked, “He holds grudges and shows no forgiveness. I have entrusted the matter to God, and I have no intention of rejoining the band.”
Confirming the involvement of religious and traditional leaders in mediating the conflict, the lead drummer emphasized, “One of my stipulations is that everyone involved in organizing the peace talks bears responsibility for my safety. I have been given assurances that my security will be assured.”
“After dedicating 32 years to working with him, I now wish to pursue my own path. I have made numerous attempts to break away. I simply ask to be left in peace,” he pleaded.
In a crackdown on environmental nuisance, the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) officials made a strong statement by apprehending a total of 92 individuals in various locations across the state.
Nine miscreants were caught red-handed at Bolade, Shogunle, PWD, and Ladipo pedestrian bridges for obstructing people from utilizing the facilities, demonstrating a blatant disregard for public safety and order. Additionally, 56 individuals were arrested for endangering themselves and others by crossing the highway at Oshodi Oke and other locations instead of utilizing the provided pedestrian bridges.
Furthermore, 27 street traders were also taken into custody at popular areas like Victoria Island, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Ajose Adeogun, Ligali Ayorinde, and Adeola Odeku. Their presence not only contributed to environmental clutter but also posed risks to pedestrians and motorists.
The State government’s unwavering dedication to maintaining a clean and orderly environment was reiterated, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for any activities that undermine public safety and cleanliness.
Authorities are standing firm against any attempts at distraction, blackmail, or propaganda as they strive to create a safer and more organized Lagos for all residents and visitors.
The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, April 5, 2024, secured the conviction of Idris Okuneye, a.k.a Bobrisky, before Justice Abimbola Awogboro sitting at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos over mutilation of the Naira notes.
He was arraigned on Friday on a four-count charge bordering on mutilation of the Naira notes to the tune of N490, 000, 00 (Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira).
Count one reads: “That you, OKUNEYE IDRIS OLANREWAJU, on the 24th day of March, 2024, at Imax Circle Mal, Jakande, Lekki, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with the total sum of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”
Another count reads: “That you, OKUNEYE IDRIS OLANREWAJU, between July and August, 2023 at Aja Junction, Ikorodu, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with the sum N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”
He pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, S.I. Sulaiman sought to invite the investigating officer, ASE I Bolaji Temitope Aje, to give a brief review of the facts.
Aje narrated to the court that the EFCC received intelligence on some individuals, who are in the habit of mutilating and spraying the Naira notes at social parties and event centres in Lagos.
“Based on the intelligence, the EFCC set up the Special Operations Team to observe and monitor activities of individuals, who are involved in the habit of mutilating the Naira.
“The team visited many event centres and monitored social media pages, where the Naira was being abused.
“During the course of the monitoring, the team came across videos on social media, where the defendant was seen abusing the Naira.
“The team then proceeded to download these videos via our office laptop computers and also went further to copy these videos on compact discs.
“In the light of the foregoing, a letter of invitation was written and forwarded to the defendant.
“The defendant honoured the invitation. When he got to our office, he was voluntarily cautioned. Thereafter, he volunteered to write his statement .
“The defendant was shown a video,where he was spraying money on an artiste called Segun Johnson. The defendant confessed that he was the one in the video. He was also shown a video at IMAX Circle Mall, where he sprayed a total sum of N400,000 at a movie premiere. The defendant also admitted that he was the one in the video and that he carried out the abuse.
“The defendant was also shown two other videos of him spraying the Naira at Aja junction, Ikorodu, and White Stone Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos .
“The defendant admitted to spraying money in these videos. He was, therefore, served with a bail condition.
Sulaiman, thereafter, sought to tender, in evidence, the defendant’s statements and compact disc copies of the video attached to the certificate of identification.
Justice Awogboro admitted and marked the documents as exhibits.
In view of the above, Sulaiman prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
Justice Awogboro,thereafter, ruled, “upon the admission of guilt by the defendant, testimony of PW1 and following the evidence tendered, the defendant is declared guilty as charged.
Bobrisky, in his plea for mercy told the court, said: “I am a social media influencer, with five million followers; and in all honesty, I was not aware of the law.
“I wish I can be given a second chance to use my platform to educate my followers against the abuse of the Naira. I will do a video on my page and educate people on that. I will not repeat the offence again. I regret my action”, he pleaded.
The defendant’s counsel, Ayo Olumofin, prayed the court for leniency. He appealed to the court to temper justice with mercy, considering his status as a first-time offender as well as his “ sincere remorse for his actions.”
Pleading further, he said, “He will lead the crusade against the abuse of Naira. He is also an employer of people ; and if he goes to jail, the people he employs will suffer. He has cooperated with the EFCC and has not wasted the time of the court. We urge the court to caution the defendant and allow him to go. He has given evidence that he will be useful to the country. We urge you to grant a non-custodial sentencing option of fine.”
After listening to both parties, the Judge deferred judgment in the matter to Tuesday, April 9, 2024 and also ordered that he be remanded in the EFCC custody.
Sixteen days after the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company disconnected University College Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State, for owing N495m, power has been restored to the health facility.
Weren’t they recieving subventions? Or the students not paying school fees? How were those funds utilised?
Previous provost’s that accumulated that should be arraigned. Over.
The Nigeria Police Force wishes to address the recent circulation of a document purportedly containing conclusions of an investigation into allegations against the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The document alleges fraudulent misrepresentation, certificate forgery, examination malpractice, and perjury against the governor.
We wish to clarify that the said document did not originate from the Nigeria Police Force. The alleged signatory, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, does not have the authority to release such a report on behalf of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) or any other such Departments within the Nigeria Police Force.
The Nigeria Police Force is currently investigating the origin of the said document and the circumstances surrounding its circulation. We urge the public to exercise caution and refrain from spreading unverified information that could potentially tarnish the reputation of individuals or public officials.
Furthermore, we assure the public that any official communication or report regarding investigations conducted by the Nigeria Police Force will be released through appropriate channels.
The 35 Artillery Brigade intercepted a significant amount of drugs and transferred the exhibits to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Troops intercepted a Mazda vehicle suspected of carrying a large quantity of Cannabis Sativa in Odeda LGA, Ogun State on March 29, 2024. Brigadier General Mohammed Tajudeen Aminu commended the troops and emphasized the importance of vigilance.
On April 3, 2024, 441 wrapped pieces of Cannabis Sativa, weighing 223kg, along with the Mazda vehicle, were handed over to the NDLEA Ogun State Command.
The Brigade reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with other security agencies to combat crime in the state. The NDLEA Ogun State Command expressed gratitude for the military’s support, highlighting the successful cooperation in previous operations.
This collaboration has enabled the NDLEA to achieve significant results in countering drug-related activities, breaking syndicates and enhancing overall drug enforcement efforts.
Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have commenced investigation of Idris Okuneye, a.k.a Bobrisky, for allegedly spraying Naira notes.
The EFCC had invited the 31-year-old following a video report of spraying and flaunting wads of new Naira notes at the premiere of a movie, Ajakaju, produced by Eniola Ajao, a Nollywood actress and producer, at Film One Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos on March 24, 2024.
The investigation also revealed that he had also committed the alleged offence at some other event centres and parties at different times.
Following the invitation by the Commission, he arrived at the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC on the morning of Wednesday, April 4, 2024, for interrogation and volunteered his statements.
He will soon be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations
The Oyo State Government has begun the third phase of the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers in the state with the distribution of two bags of 50kg feeds and two bottles of disinfectant to 1,000 pig farmers.
The phase will also witness the free vaccination of at least 120,000 cattle with anthrax vaccine and CBPP vaccine, while another 250,000 cattle, goat and sheep will also be vaccinated by the state government.
Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said this in Ajaawa, Ogo Oluwa Local Government, on Wednesday, during the flag-off of the third phase of the farm inputs distribution to farmers in the state.
He added that 1,000 sheep and goat farmers across the state will equally receive two bags of 50kg wheat offal each.
The effort, he noted, is in continuation of measures introduced by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative to cushion the effect of economic hardship on residents of the state.
At the event held at the Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Secretariat, Ajaawa, Olaleye, who also doubles as the chairman, SAfER Food Security Sub-Committee, recalled that thousands of poultry and fishery farmers in the state had benefited in the first and second phases of the inputs distribution exercise.
He lauded the state governor for sustaining agricultural activities in the state through the SAfER initiative, adding that the initiative, which targets crop, poultry, fishery and livestock farmers, is aimed at supporting small and medium scale so as to relieve them of the current economic hardship.
Olaleye said: “We are flagging off the third phase of SAfER interventions for the food security sub-sector with the distribution of feeds and disinfectants to pig farmers across Oyo State.
“Here, 1,000 pig farmers will benefit from the distribution we are doing at the moment. They will get two bags of 50kg of PKC each with two bottles of disinfectant.
“120,000 cattle will also be vaccinated with anthrax vaccine and CBPP Vaccine, 250,000 cattle across the state will also benefit from free vaccination of anthrax vaccine. We are going to give out two bags of 50kg wheat offal feeds each to 1,000 sheep and goat farmers as well.
“This is just the beginning of the exercise and it will go across all the local government areas we have in the state.
“It is part of the SAfER initiative introduced by Governor Makinde. In the next few days, we will proceed to the stage of giving seed, cassava cottons, herbicides and knapsack sprayers to crop farmers across the state.
“The programme is aimed at reducing the cost of food in Oyo State and I want to assure you that by the next harvest season, you will see that prices of goods and food would have gone down.”
The commissioner added that the initiative, apart from relieving farmers of the present economic hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal, will also improve feed quality and quantity for livestock production so as to grow the economy.
The commissioner added that as part of efforts to support farmers in the state, the governor recently pronounced a N600 million subsidy on land clearing, which will see farmers pay only N15,000 per hectare instead of N30,000 being charged earlier.
He noted that the governor had equally waived tax payment on farm produce transport within the state, urging farmers to show fidelity to the government by reflecting the support they received from the government in the pricing of food stuff in the coming months.
“I would like to urge the farmers to be faithful with the government and to also support our people. If they are getting free things from the government, they should also ensure they reduce the prices of goods in a corresponding manner as well.
“Don’t forget that the government has given out 400kg of maize to 2,600 poultry farmers and we have given out to 1,000 fish farmers as well.
“The governor has said that for the next six months, no farmer should pay tax on farm produce in the state. And he has promised to support farmers with 50 per cent payment on the tractor used on their farmlands.
“We have also given out a N1bn loan to farmers and the government is ready to do more for the farmers in the state.”
In their separate goodwill messages, the Member representing Ogo Oluwa State Constituency, Honourable Abideen Adeoye and the chairman, Ogo Oluwa Local Government, Mr. Oluwaseun Ojo, expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for taking the SAfER initiative to the grassroots.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Christianah Abioye, commended the state government for the continuous exercise and support to the farmers to improve their businesses.
She urged the beneficiaries to complement the effort of the state government by making good use of the interventions.
Also in his remarks, the chairman, Piggery Farmers Association, Mr Tope Oye-Alamu, expressed gratitude to the state government for the inclusion of pig farmers as beneficiaries of the state government initiative, noting that his sector had never benefited from such effort before.
Also speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mary Adebayo, a pig farmer in Ogo Oluwa Local Government, appreciated the gesture of the state government.
The naira, on Wednesday, appreciated to N1,240 per dollar at the parallel section of the foreign exchange (FX) market.
The current FX rate signifies an increase of 0.80 percent from the N1,250/$ reported on April 1.
Currency traders, also known as street traders, in Lagos, quoted the buying rate of the local currency at N1,220 and the selling rate at N1,240.
At the official window, the local currency appreciated by 1.25 percent against the dollar from N1,278.58 on April 2 to close at N1,262.85 on Wednesday, according to FMDQ Exchange, a platform that oversees the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM).
During trading hours in the official window, a dollar was sold as high as N1,296 and at a low rate of N1,210.
The daily foreign exchange market turnover was $166.18 million.
With the current figures at both FX markets, the official market rate surpasses the parallel market rate by N22.85.
Meanwhile, on March 10, Goldman Sachs said the naira will appreciate to N1,200 against the dollars in the next twelve months.
“We thus see reason for the Naira to be undervalued, and we see it appreciating to 1200 within the next 12 months,” Goldman Sachs said.
Goldman Sachs said Nigeria is “turning the corner” following its recent currency crisis.
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law.
This development follows individual reviews by both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the report from the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund…
