The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the conviction and sentencing of former General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Hakeem Oladapo Otiki. In a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel of justices, the apex court dismissed the Nigerian […]
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An economist, Prof Akpan Ekpo, has said that Nigeria does not have to keep borrowing, noting that it is not the country’s only option.
Prof Ekpo said this on Friday in an interview on Arise Television, monitored by DAILY POST.
He said if Nigeria’s revenue is growing, the country can channel it into ventures that enhance the lives of every citizen.
According to him, if the nation’s debts were sustainable, it would not need to borrow the way it is, stressing that Nigeria’s current borrowing is somewhat out of place.
“Definitely, borrowing is not our only option. In fact, we don’t have to borrow. There other options. For example, you mentioned the public private partnership. And then the issue I raised was that, even if you have to borrow, have you done enough study to justify that borrowing?
“The way we are borrowing is not the way we should go. There are other options. You have contractor finance, public partnership so on and so forth.
“When you keep borrowing, who will pay? Out generations yet unborn. They won’t be happy with us when we have accumulation of debts waiting for them to pay,” he said.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja rebuked Johnmary Jideobi, the plaintiff, and his lawyer, Ndubuisi Ukpai, on Friday for their lack of diligence in pursuing a suit aimed at preventing former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election. The judge described the attitude of both the plaintiff and […]
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Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has been removed from FIFA’s roster for the upcoming World Cup this summer following his arrest in the UK last month, although reports indicate that the case has now been closed.
Dieperink was serving as a VAR official during Crystal Palace’s Conference League match against Fiorentina on April 9 and was taken into custody in his hotel room after the game on allegations of sexual assault involving a teenage boy.
After an investigation, Dieperink was not charged with any crime, and the police have dropped the case due to insufficient evidence.
Dieperink, who asserts that he ‘fully cooperated’ with the police inquiry, was included in FIFA’s list of VAR officials for the forthcoming World Cup, but the 38-year-old has now confirmed that he will not participate in the tournament, which commences on June 11.
In an interview with the Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Dieperink expressed: ‘It deeply saddens me that I have been falsely accused.
“From the outset, I have fully cooperated with the police investigation and have also provided complete transparency to FIFA, UEFA, and the KNVB.
“The allegations have been disproven, and the case was dismissed within two weeks following a thorough and adequate investigation by the police.
“I am thankful for the support I received from the KNVB and the manner in which they managed this situation. It is regrettable that FIFA has chosen not to appoint me for the World Cup any longer. Naturally, I am disappointed about this.”
A representative for the Dutch Football Association, KNVB, stated, “We advocate for a safe and ethical football culture at all levels and take reports of inappropriate conduct seriously.
“Of course, we believe that a Dutch referee must possess impeccable character, but we also find it essential that he has the opportunity to share his narrative and is not wrongfully accused.
“In this particular instance, the police in the United Kingdom conducted an investigation and subsequently dropped the case.
“Rob Dieperink has provided full cooperation and been completely open with the KNVB from the very beginning, and based on all available information, we see no reason not to appoint him for matches in the Dutch league.”
World Cup 2026: FIFA drops referee after arrest over sexual assault involving teenage boy.
National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has given out no fewer than 130 units of horsepower tillers to farmers in Kebbi as part of efforts to strengthen mechanised farming and enhance food security. The equipment was handed over to beneficiaries in Birnin Kebbi on Friday during a ceremony attended by officials of the […]
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A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a housewife, Halima Umar, to 20 years imprisonment after she was found guilty of unlawful possession of 302 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and providing support for terrorism-related activities.
Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa delivered the judgment on Friday after the defendant pleaded guilty to two out of a four-count charge filed against her by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The court noted that although the convict expressed remorse and pleaded for leniency, offences relating to terrorism and illegal arms movement posed serious threats to national security and could not attract a light sentence.
According to court proceedings, Umar admitted acting as a courier to transport ammunition meant for bandits operating in Plateau State.
A DSS operative, Fahad Tahir, who testified as the first prosecution witness, told the court that the defendant was arrested on July 6, 2025, while allegedly conveying 302 rounds of AK-47 ammunition alongside N57,100 in cash.
He said investigations revealed that she was instructed by one Alhaji Sani to travel to Zaria in Kaduna State to collect the ammunition from another contact before transporting it onward.
The witness added that the defendant was later moved to the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja on August 11, 2025, where she further confessed to the offences in the presence of a Legal Aid Council lawyer.
The prosecution counsel, Dr. Callistus Samson Ezeh, tendered the ammunition, cash, and confessional statements as exhibits, which were admitted without objection from the defence.
In court, Umar also personally admitted possession of the ammunition and cash at the time of her arrest.
The charges included providing support for terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and unlawful possession of ammunition under the Firearms Act, 2004.
After reviewing the evidence and her guilty plea, Justice Yilwa convicted and sentenced her to 20 years imprisonment.
Terrorism: Court Sentences Woman To 20 Years In Prison is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
A former Imam has been jailed for life after a court heard he sexually abused women and girls over more than 10 years while exploiting his position as a religious leader in east London.
Abdul Halim Khan, 54, of Old Ford Road, Tower Hamlets, was sentenced on Friday at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London and ordered to serve a minimum term of 20 years, according to GBI.
He was found guilty on February 13 of 21 offences, including nine counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, five counts of rape of a child under 13, and one count of assault by penetration.
The court heard that Khan targeted seven women and girls while working as an imam at a mosque in east London, using his position of trust to gain access to them and exert control.
He arranged meetings in secluded places and sometimes in victims’ homes, where he carried out sexual abuse while claiming he was a jinn (a supernatural spirit).
Prosecutors said he also used threats linked to “black magic” to frighten victims into silence, making them believe harm would come to them or their families if they reported him.
Police said the abuse came to light in February 2018 after his youngest victim disclosed what had happened to a teacher at school, prompting a wider investigation.
Officers went on to interview more than 50 witnesses and examine 10 mobile phones as part of the case.
Following sentencing, one survivor said: “Taking the difficult step to come forward and speak about the abuse and trauma I suffered has been painful and one of the hardest things I have ever done.
Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the United Nations Development Programme, and others have discussed and addressed the menace of rising unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria. They discuss the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), where leading private sector organisations, government representatives, and development partners at the NJFP 2.0 Employers’ Forum in Lagos, catalysing renewed commitments […]
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A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has apologised to President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over his role in the impeachment moves against the State Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.
Gbajabiamila had said he almost lost his job as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff due to Elliot’s involvement in the attempt to impeach Obasa.
He disclosed that Tinubu had informed him of Elliot’s involvement but he denied it only for the Department of State Services, DSS, to affirm the President’s claim.
Reacting, the veteran Nollywood actor-cum politician vowed never to let Gbajabiamila down because he learnt everything he knows about politics from him.
Featuring on TVC’s Your View, Elliot also hinted on running for a fourth term as lawmaker in the state.
He said: “The Gbaja this and Gbaja that of the world. My own baba. I know you’re upset, and I want to say I’m sorry in front of everyone. I’m not saying: ‘Oh, yes, media will come out. Oh yes, Desmond begs again.’ Yes, because he’s my egbon. And I grew up learning everything I knew in politics through him.
“He might be upset over something or whatever it was. I’m human. To err is human, to forgive is divine. So I’m sorry, my daddy, if I’ve offended you in any way.
“To the matriarch of Surulere, Mama, I’m sorry if I’ve offended you, but I’ll keep the party strong.
“My scorecard is there for everyone living in Surulere, and I’ll never let you down if given the opportunity to serve you again.”
I won’t let you down again – Desmond Elliot apologizes to Tinubu’s CoS, Gbajabiamila
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concern over Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate, disclosing that a woman dies every seven minutes during childbirth in the country. The UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Busiku Butichi, made the disclosure on Friday in Maiduguri during the symbolic handover of WASHFIT supplies to health facilities in […]
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