LEGENDINFO

F ormer United States senator from New Jersey Bob Menendez has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for what prosecutors described as one of the most brazen corruption schemes in U.S. history.  The 71-year-old politician, who served nearly 18 years in the Senate, was convicted last year of taking nearly $1 million in bribes, including cash, gold bars, and a luxury car, Washington Post reports. Menendez appeared before U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein on Wednesday for sentencing, holding back tears as he defended his public service.  “I believe that in a half-century of public service I’ve done far more good than bad,” he said. Prosecutors said Menendez took bribes from three New Jersey businessmen seeking favours, including help in securing deals with Egyptian and Qatari officials.  Evidence showed that Menendez facilitated military aid to Egypt and provided sensitive U.S. information. He is the first U.S. official convicted of acting as a foreign agent. Businessm...

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has expelled Rauf Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor of Osun State, over alleged anti-party activities. Aregbesola, who led Osun State for two terms, was accused of breaching Article 21 of the APC Constitution, which outlines disciplinary measures for members. His expulsion was confirmed in an official letter from the party leadership. The letter, titled “Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You,” and signed jointly by Tajudeen Lawal, State Chairman, and Alao Olabisi Kamoru, Secretary, stated that the decision followed an investigation and approval by the State Executive Committee, SEC. “At the end of the investigation, the SEC considered the report of the Disciplinary Committee. Having carefully reviewed the findings and recommendations, the SEC resolved to approve your immediate expulsion from the APC,” the letter read. The APC alleged that Aregbesola’s actions had undermined the unity a...

In exactly four months, those elected in 2023 will be celebrating their second year in office. Shortly after, the politics of 2027 will increasingly occupy the attention of politicians and Nigerians as a whole. Such is the dialectic of politics and government in a democracy. I was prompted to address this topic by the utterances of some Northern politicians and activists, especially those threatening to snatch power from President Bola Tinubu in 2027. On this topic, the North (the heavy political, Muslim North, that is), are still divided. To be sure, this bloc, with the South West and state power in tow, played the leading role in putting Tinubu in power in 2023. However, some are already regretting their action due, partly, to Tinubu’s draconian hunger and poverty-inducing economic policies, subsisting general insecurity, extreme nepotism and Tinubu government’s self-isolation from the realities that the ordinary Nigerian faces daily. To add salt to their injury, Tinubu’s bold and re...

The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a notorious arms smuggler, Abubakar Umar, also known as Dangada, and seized a large cache of weapons he was transporting from Niger Republic in Zamfara State The operation, carried out in collaboration with troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, took place between Monday and Tuesday along the Kaura Namoda-Zurmi Road it was gathered on Wednesday. Acting on intelligence provided by the DSS, security operatives closely monitored Umar’s movements as he made his way from Niger Republic, where he had collected the weapons.  Sources revealed that Umar was tasked with delivering the munitions to Birnin Magaji Local Government Area (LGA) for distribution to key bandit leaders, including Kachallah Atta, Alhaji Shinge, Alhaji Nashama, and a certain Zaki. In a well-coordinated ambush, DSS operatives and military troops intercepted Umar along the Kaura Namoda-Zurmi Road. On realizsing he had been trailed, the arms courier attempted to escape but...

It was gathered that the raid conducted around 1am on December 16, 2024, targeted an old bungalow near St. Mary Catholic Church, Ifofin, and Ogbon Idio in the Ilesa-East Local Government Area. The Department of State Services (DSS) has revealed details of a covert operation that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State. It was gathered that the raid conducted around 1am on December 16, 2024, targeted an old bungalow near St. Mary Catholic Church, Ifofin, and Ogbon Idio in the Ilesa-East Local Government Area. A team of about 30 DSS operatives carried out the operation, which had been in motion for 90 days. The suspects, identified as Adamu Abubakar (aka Abu Aisha), Babagana Bashuli, Muhammed Adam, Mustapha Abacha, Katuru Muhammed, Babakura Abacha, Muhammed Ciroma, Ali Gambo, Muhammed Umoru, and Muhammed Bundi, were reportedly undergoing training on manufacturing and detonating explosives at the time of their...

According to the report, a large portion of the funds was dedicated to supplying essential food staples such as rice, beans, maize, and other commodities.  The President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government reportedly spent a total of N9.74billion for the procurement and distribution of food items as part of its efforts to mitigate the nationwide food crisis in 2024.  This was revealed by BudgIT on its platform, GovSpend, a civic-tech organisation advocating for transparency and accountability. According to the report, a large portion of the funds was dedicated to supplying essential food staples such as rice, beans, maize, and other commodities. The report showed that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security led the initiatives, making multiple payments to contractors responsible for the emergency supply of palliative foodstuffs to various federal constituencies.  Key transactions included payments for the delivery of rice, beans, and garri to help alleviate ...

Ruud van Nistelrooy (48) admitted Leicester's 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace on Wednesday was the lowest moment of his reign at the relegation-threatened club. Van Nistelrooy's side suffered a sixth consecutive loss as they missed a host of chances at the King Power Stadium before Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marc Guehi netted for Palace. Second-bottom Leicester are two points from safety after winning just three of their first 21 league games this season. "There's hope there, the spirit is there in the team, but today is a big blow," Van Nistelrooy said. "It was I think the lowest that we've felt so far in my spell because today we had high hopes of proving ourselves with points and a performance." Former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy, who served as the Old Trafford club's interim boss prior to Ruben Amorim's appointment in November, was hired by Leicester following Steve Cooper's sacking. But the former PS...

African football great Yakubu Ayegbeni (42) says Arsenal must sign a striker to have a chance of winning the Premier League this season, ahead of Liverpool. The Gunners kept up their bid for the Premier League title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. After being initially put behind by Son Heung-Min’s opener, Mikel Arteta’s side fought back to secure all three points with Dominic Solanke’s own goal and a strike from Leandro Trossard. With the result, Arsenal have moved up to second in the standings, now just four points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand. While not dismissing the possibility of the Gunners challenging the Reds to end their 21-year wait, the former Middlesbrough and Everton striker believes the club needs more firepower in attack to make it happen. "This season is proving to be quite challenging. When you look at how Liverpool are...

Nollywood actress Faithia Williams is celebrating a proud moment as her son, Khalid Balogun, graduates with a first-class degree from the   University of Lagos . The elated mother shared the news on Instagram, posting a photo of Khalid alongside a heartfelt message. In her post, she expressed immense joy and gratitude, applauding her son for his dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Faithia prayed for her son’s continued success, happiness, and fulfillment, asking that he be guided by faith, courage, and determination as he embarks on his new journey.  She wrote: “Hmm, I’m short of words… Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah! My darling son, @khalidgram__ I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude as I celebrate your incredible achievement! You’ve worked tirelessly and persevered through the challenges, and today, you’ve emerged with a FIRST CLASS DEGREE from the University of Lagos’ Creative Department! “Alhamdulillah, my heart is bursting with pride and love for you, m...

The police have vowed to take legal actions against Amnesty International on what it described as false publication over the bad governance protest if there is no retraction. NPF demanded an immediate retraction and public apology concerning a publication titled: “Bloody August: Nigeria government’s violent crackdown on and bad governance protests” via a letter dated January 6, 2025 to Amnesty International.  According to a statement on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police said: “The publication in question, which includes numerous unsubstantiated claims, falsely accuses the Nigeria Police of human rights violations, police brutality, and excessive violence during the August 2024 End Bad Governance protests. Upon careful review and investigation, the NPF categorically rejects these baseless allegations, affirming that the claims are entirely false and without foundation. “The NPF emphasises that during the protests, the Police acted ...

In a bid to improve the fortunes of Nigerian football and sports at all levels, the federal government has earmarked over N31.4 billion for the renovation and upgrade of critical sports facilities across the country.  This initiative, under the National Sports Infrastructure Development Plan, is part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate the country’s sports sector, elevate athletic performance and restore Nigeria’s capacity to host international sporting events.  At the heart of this ambitious project lies the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, alongside other iconic sports facilities, such as the National Stadium in Surulere in Lagos, Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu and Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt. These historic sports arenas are slated for substantial upgrades that promise to restore their statuses as world-class facilities.  According to the leadership of the reinstated National Sports Commission (NSC), the initiative refl...

Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, rejected the estimate during budget defence before a joint committee session on INEC and Electoral Matters, at the National Assembly on Friday. The INEC chairman in his presentation before the joint committee chaired by Senator Sarafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South), said elections in Nigeria have become huge burden requiring adequate funding. He said, “Our proposal for the 2025 budget, the provision requires the sum of over N126 billion.  We have the document that has provided details line by line on how we intended to spend the N126 billion. “We would like the support of the National to enable us to achieve our responsibilities in the first line charge and most of these responsibilities are constitutional. “In a nutshell, the N40 billion budget envelope given us  for 2025 will not cover 1/3 of projected expenses which  totally amounts to over N126 billion “Aside the off-cycle elections for 21 constituencies to be filled through...

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the country is not under “serious threat for now” for the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).  While there have been concerns over the outbreak of the virus in certain parts of the world, the NCDC has assured Nigerians that the country is safe and there is no cause for alarm. “Let me say, there’s no serious threat for now. That’s one. Two, this HMPV virus, it’s not a new virus. It’s just that it’s not well-known. But it’s been implicated in many respiratory infections over the years, over the countries, especially in children, and elderly people,” the NCDC Director-General Jide Idris said on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s  Sunrise Daily “Just like the normal flu, old virus or influenza, respiratory virus, it’s just one of those causes of respiratory problems.” ‘We Learned our Lessons’ The NCDC boss said the country is monitoring the situation and is on high alert with no cases reported in Nigeria yet. “We are in a ...

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday urged the government of the People’s Republic of China to increase the $2 billion currency swap between Nigeria and China to enhance trade between the two countries. He also called for an upward review of the $50 billion aid package for Africa, which China’s President Xi Jinping announced last year. China and Nigeria recently renewed their currency swap agreement, valued at 15 billion yuan (approximately $2 billion), to enhance trade and investment. Receiving the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi, at the State House Abuja, the President said increasing the level of currency swaps will speed up the infrastructural development in Nigeria and deepen the strategic bilateral relations. “We still demand more in the area of currency swap. The level you have approved as a government for Nigeria is inadequate considering our programme. If you can increase that, it will be well appreciated. Our bond should grow stronger and become unbreakable,” the P...

Arbitration Tribunal in Lagos has ordered SANEF Creatives Limited, owned by Bankers’ Committee of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay N19.4 billion to Hanson Dredging and Marine Service Limited (HDMS). The payment is for the unlawful termination of its contract for dredging and reclamation work at Lagos Creative Entertainment Centre (LCEC), known as National Theatre. Sole Arbitrator, Ayo Fanimokun, gave the order on December 30 in his final arbitral award in the dispute between HDMS and SANEF Creatives. SANEF is a special-purpose vehicle of Bankers’ Committee comprising CBN and banks. HDMS took SANEF before Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Arbitration Tribunal in 2023 after its contract was unlawfully terminated in May 2022. In its claims through Dr. Charles Mekwunye (SAN), HDMS averred that having signed the contract for dredging and reclamation of LCEC with SANEF on November 11, 2021, it mobilised to site. It claimed to have completed over 60 per cent of ...

Telephone tariffs will soon go up, following Federal Government’s approval of the request by telecom operators. The approval was conveyed yesterday by Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani during a meeting with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). The new tariffs regime is likely to begin next month as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the regulator of the sector, plans to release the guidelines latest by end of the month. Telephone tariffs were last increased about a decade ago. Operators’ bid for approval to raise tariffs grew louder since 2022. In recent weeks, chief executives of MTN Nigeria Karl Toriola  and Airtel Nigeria Dinesh Balsingh personally canvassed the increase in tariff to “save the industry”. At yesterday’s meeting, Tijani said the approval being considered by the Federal Government through the NCC had become imperative to stimulate growth and investments in the sector. The MNOs have bee...

O ver 30,000 residents have been told to evacuate their homes as a massive wildfire, fuelled by extreme winds, swept through Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, United States, forcing thousands to flee.    Among the evacuees are celebrities like Ben Affleck, James Woods, and the Kardashians, Mail Online reports.   The inferno, now encompassing 2,900 acres, consumes over three football fields of land every minute.  "This is pretty much the worst possible scenario for a firefight," said firefighter David Ortiz, warning residents to obey evacuation orders.   Mandatory evacuations extend to Malibu and Calabasas, with areas like Las Lomas Avenue severely affected.    Witnesses report "dozens" of homes destroyed, with million-dollar properties reduced to rubble. Distressing images show structures crumbling under relentless flames. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state-wide emergency, while President Joe Biden pledged federal assistance. "My Administration will ...

S ix Nigerian soldiers were killed in a pre-dawn attack on their base in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State, by fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja has confirmed.  The insurgents launched the assault on Sunday, arriving in gun trucks and on motorcycles.  “We lost six soldiers in the ISWAP terrorists attack on the base after an intense gun battle,” a source had said.  The attackers set fire to the base and destroyed army vehicles before being countered. Fighter jets were deployed from Maiduguri and struck the fleeing insurgents.  In an update on Wednesday, the DHQ confirmed that 34 terrorists were killed and 23 AK-47 rifles recovered.    It stated, “Troops also recovered over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Sadly, six personnel were killed in action.”   The DHQ said the insurgents sought to retaliate for the recent killing of their commander.    It noted...

A 35-year-old man, Chima Okafor, was allegedly set ablaze by his kinsman, Obinna Obiekea, popularly known as Losky and his son, Chidubem Obiekea, over a stolen knicker jean valued at N25,000. The victim, who was dragged out of a church during a crossover night on December 31 at Nnebugwu Autonomous Community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, was allegedly set ablaze by the suspects and others at large. The victim’s father, Mr. Uche Okafor, who petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, said: “My son was dragged out of a church on December 31, at Nnebugwu autonomous community in Oguta LGA of Imo state where he was attending a crossover night and was allegedly set ablaze by the suspects.” “My son was later rescued and rushed to Congregation Of The Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ hospital at Mgbele in Oguta where he died same day owing to high degree of burn he suffered.” The petition reads: “I urge you sir to use your good offices to ensure that those at large are arre...

Three persons repeatedly died in Ogbomoso on Tuesday when a container-laden truck lost control and fell on a commercial tricycle at Takie Junction around 9:30 a.m. The Nation gathered that the articulated vehicle lost control while navigating a bend, causing the container to topple and crush the tricycle, locally known as Keke marwa. An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said that two female passengers and the tricycle rider were trapped under the container, saying rescue efforts later confirmed all three victims died.  Efforts are underway to remove the container from the road to avert further accidents and restore traffic flow in the area.  Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution while approaching the affected section of the road. THE NATION

On behalf of Ogun State 500,000 KOCA, we write to express our condolences to Otunba Falil Odunowo pka Yomi Cash for the loss of his beloved mother, Chief (Mrs.) Adebisi Kuburat Edionsere pka Cash Madam. Words cannot fully express the gravity of irreparable loss during this time.  It was heartbroken to hear about the passing of a beloved mother Chief (Mrs) Adebisi Kuburat Edionsere, who has lived an impactful life, touching the hearts of everyone she encountered with her kindness, wisdom, and unwavering spirit. Alhamdulilah for a well meaningful and impactful life spent by Chief (Mrs.) Adebisi Kuburat Edionsere. Cash Madam was a remarkable woman and grandmother who filled the world with love, laughter, and warmth. Her nurturing spirit and unwavering support shaped not only her children's lives but also the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her. The bond she shared with everyone was truly special, and her love will always be a guiding light in our hearts. She was known to be...

Man United rallied to snap a four-game losing streak and halt Liverpool romp towards the Premier League title in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool move six points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand to come, over second-placed Arsenal. Man United rallied to snap a four-game losing streak and halt Liverpool romp towards the Premier League title in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool move six points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand to come, over second-placed Arsenal. Man United broke their six-year goal drought at Anfield to open the scoring in spectacular fashion through Lisandro Martinez and got the point a much-improved performance deserved when Amad Diallo levelled on 80 minutes. A point edges the Red Devils up to 13th in the table and seven clear of the relegation zone. Liverpool boss Slot warned that Man United were “much better” than their shocking league position suggested ahead of the game and so it p...