First Bank

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Army Reacts To Attack On Zulum Convoy

The convoy of the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Gana Zulum came under Boko Haram Terrorists fire while visiting Baga Town on the 29th of July 2020. The Executive Governor had earlier paid a visit to the Commander, 19 Brigade at the Nigerian Army Super Camp Baga where he was fully briefed about the prevailing security situation in the general area. The unfortunate incident occurred shortly after the Governor and his entourage departed the Super Campaign to visit other parts of Baga town. The incident forced the Governor to abort his planned movement to Baga.

Court Adjourns Jang’s Case Till November 4

The Plateau State High Court, Jos, on Wednesday adjourned the case of fraud, involving former Plateau State governor, Senator Jonah David Jang and a former cashier in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (OSSG), Yusuf Pam till November 4 and 5, 2020.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Alleged N5.2m Fraud: How COVID-19 Stalls Trial Of Benue Deputy Speaker, Clerk

Justice S.O Itodo of the Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi on Monday, July 27, 2020 adjourned a fraud case involving the deputy speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Christopher Adaji and the Clerk of the House, Torese Agena to October 14, 2020, owing to a report that Adaji had tested positive to the Corona virus pandemic.

Achina Microfinance Bank MD, Jonathan Nnamdi Udemadu Jailed 11 Months For Multiple Fraud

Justice I.B. Gafai of the Federal High Court, Awka, Anambra State has  convicted and sentenced former managing director of Achina Microfinance Bank, Aguata, Mr. Jonathan Nnamdi Udemadu to 11 months imprisonment for multiple fraud.

Eid-el-Kabir: FG Declares 30th And 31st July, 2020 Public Holiday

The Federal Government has declared Thursday 30 and Friday 31 July, 2020 as Public Holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir Celebration.

Monday, July 27, 2020

2020 WASSCE To Begins Aug 17

The Federal Government on Monday asked schools in the country to reopen for graduating pupils effective August 4.

Gold Price Touches Another Record High

The spot gold price surged to over 1,930 U.S. dollars per ounce on Monday, surpassing the previous record high set in 2011.

Sunday, July 26, 2020

''I Didn't Do It'' Pantami Denies Giving Nipost Approval To Increase License Fees For Courier Companies Generating Major Controversial

Isa Ali Pantami, the minister of communications and digital economy, has denied giving approval to the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) to increase licence fees for courier companies.

NIPOST recently announced a review of the licence fees to be paid by courier companies saying the ministry of communications and digital economy, its supervisory ministry, approved the new guidelines.

In a tweet on Saturday, Pantami said the increased licence fees were not included in the guidelines it approved.

“Our attention has been drawn to an increase of licence fee, which was not part of the regulation I earlier approved for you. Your chair and postmaster-general (PMG) were yesterday contacted to put the implementation on hold and send a report to our ministry by Monday,” he wrote.

“The power of regulation of NIPOST lies with the minister. Any change of fee must be specific & be approved by him before implementation. I know the economic challenges of NIPOST. However, looking at the economic hardship of our citizens, we need to suspend any move.”

Pls @NipostNgn, our attention has been drawn to an increase of licence fee, which was not part of the regulation I earlier APPROVED for you. Your Chair and PMG were YESTERDAY contacted to put the implementation on hold and send a report to our ministry by Monday. Best wishes!

— Isa Ali Pantami, PhD (@DrIsaPantami) July 25, 2020

Here is a breakdown of the reviewed courier fees announced by NIPOST:


In a statement on Tuesday, Frankin Alao, general manager for corporate communications, said Pantami approved the new guidelines to replace the one which has been in existence since 2001.


The statement said the new guidelines would enhance the operations of courier services while giving special consideration to small & medium enterprises (SMEs).

“Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami stated in the letter of approval that the new regulations will no doubt enhance the regulatory powers of NIPOST in this subsector of the economy,” the statement read.

“This was put into perspective as the new regulations that created six categories of licensing ranging from international operators, regional, state, municipal or intra-city, and giving consideration for special small & medium enterprises (SME) licence.”

NIPOST had also said the new regulations would assist SMEs to grow and create youth empowerment that will translate into employment opportunities for Nigerians.

“The new guideline has made it possible for every operator irrespective of their category to be identified with specific address and location that is traceable to before and after engaging their services. This will eliminate the risk posed by dubious operators who may take advantage of poor control to operate illegally,” the agency said.

However, the fees did not sit well with owners of small businesses as many took to social media to complain about the fees.

“My manager said they are arresting dispatch riders and their bikes. We need to register with N250,000 per bike before we can operate. Even if we need to register, why N250,000? Where do they expect us to get such money to register each bike?” Tessy Olisedeme, the owner of an online store, TCM Brand, wrote on Instagram.

“How much is the profit we are making? How do we satisfy our customers and make some change for ourselves without dispatch bikes? I have two bikes I use for delivery, that will be N500k from where exactly do I bring this money from?”

“High dollar rate and shipping fees are already killing us now this @jidesanwoolu please sir look into this fee it is too high for us, we don’t mind registering but not N250k sir, please help to make running a business easy for us.”

Sharing similar thoughts, Nelly Agbogu, who provides trading tips to small business owners and owns a healthy food and snack company, said her dispatch bikes were almost seized on Friday.

thecable.ng

''We Left Them Because Of Their Lawlessness'' Gov Obaseki Slams APC, Starts Re-Election Campaign As PDP Candidate

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has vowed to never return to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Obaseki who spoke at the flag-off of his campaign in Benin City, the state capital said he left the APC due to the lawlessness of some leaders of the party.

 
Obaseki had in June defected to PDP after which he emerged the party’s governorship candidate, ahead of the September 19 gubernatorial election in the state.

He said: “We left them because of their lawlessness. We will not, no matter how provoked, resort to the same lawlessness. I want to thank you and assure you that God has given us victory.

“This mandate that has been given to us is simple. What you (PDP) are saying as a party is, we like what you have done in the last four years, please go back and continue and improve on what you have done.

“In the last four years, we put our people first. Nothing else matters more than our people even though that put us in trouble. But we didn’t care because the voice of our people is the voice of God.

“Because we were working for our people, God Almighty has supported us. That is why we are here today because what has happened to us in the politics of this country can best be described as miraculous.”

Hushpuppi Speaks On His Women, Children

For years, not much was known about the love life of Ramon Abbas, the Nigerian Instagram celebrity accused of fraud.

Popularly called Hushpuppi, Mr Abbas was arrested for wire fraud in Dubai in June and extradited to the U.S. on July 3.

Before his arrest, the 37-year-old was resident in Dubai and known for flaunting extravagant lifestyles on his Instagram page but never for once, did he reveal the women in his life.

Although he has been romantically linked with some Nigerian celebrities and Instagram socialites in the past, he never publicly identified with them; at least not on his verified Instagram handle which boasts 2.5 million followers.

His Instagram page was a mini catalog dedicated to showing off his cars, clothes, shoes, and jet-set lifestyle. It screamed luxury and nothing more.

Exposé
As part of his ongoing celebrated trial, Hushpuppi has revealed that he has three children from three different women. He said two of the children live in London and the third lives in New York City.

He told Pretrial Services that he has had an on-again/off-again relationship with the last child’s mother for the last five years.

Pretrial Services Programs are procedures in the U.S. to prepare cases for trial in court.

Pretrial services said the woman’s uncle lives in the Chicago area where he works as a Uber driver. He offered to be a third-party custodian for Abbas and would allow Abbas to live with him.


They added that there is no indication that Abbas knows or ever has met the man as Abbas has never been to Chicago. Pretrial Services did not recommend this residential placement and the court agreed.

The United States Court sitting in Illinois listed the information above as one of the five major reasons for Hushpuppi’s continued detention.

St. Kitts and Nevis
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis issued a statement concerning Hushpuppi’s citizenship status on its official website on July 6.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis said it became aware of reports and rumours concerning Hushpuppi’s Federation’s citizenship.

It read, “We note that the Nigeria-born Mr. Abbas, 37, was granted a St. Kitts and Nevis passport in February 2020 by virtue of his marriage to Shawana Nakesia Chapman, 32, a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis by birth and the United States of America.

“Ms. Chapman, a resident of North Carolina, USA, married Mr. Abbas in Nigeria in October 2018, thereby conferring him with the right to St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship”.

They also added that any suggestion that the citizenship was obtained through means other than marriage – such as the country’s Citizenship by Investment program, which includes rigorous background checks – is therefore utterly false and willfully misleading.

Roadblocks
In a comprehensive report on the detention hearing, the court gave some reasons for the refusal to grant his bail.


The report released on Monday was based on the recommendations of the Pretrial services, which provides the court with quality information about the defendants.

The court concluded that the defendant must be detained pending trial because the government has proven that no condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure the defendant’s appearance as required.

RAMON OLORUNWA ABBAS, aka “Ray Hushpuppi, arrested by Dubai Police
“The court agreed with the recommendation of Pretrial Services that Mr Abbas presents a risk of non-appearance and that he should be removed to the charging district in California in custody.”

In addition to the findings made on the record at the hearing, the court cited five major factors for the detention.

The factors include the fact that Mr Abbas is subject to a lengthy period of incarceration if convicted, lacks significant community or family ties to the district, has significant family or other ties outside the United States, lacks legal status in the country and will be subjected to removal or deportation for serving any period of incarceration.

The Order says, “The court agrees with the recommendation of Pretrial Services that Mr Abbas presents a serious risk of nonappearance and that he should be removed to the charging district in California in custody. In addition, the Court finds Abbas presents a serious risk of flight to avoid this prosecution with the meaning of 18 USC 3142(f)(2). The Court stated the reasons for its ruling on the record during the removal hearing held on July 13, 2020. The additional notes contained in this Order are consistent with the reasons stated on the record and are intended to supplement rather than supplant those statements.

“Abbas is not a United States citizen and has no significant ties to the United States. If he is convicted of the charges, he faces deportation once he serves any custodial sentence that might be imposed. If the allegations in the complaint are true, Abbas has sufficient assets to fund a flight to anywhere in the world, and he has ties to many foreign countries.

“Abbas reportedly rents an apartment in Dubai for $10,000 a month and drives a Bentley. He is alleged to have committed financial crimes that netted tens of millions of dollars or more.

He might spend the next twenty years in prison if convicted of the crime.”

Premiumtimesng.com

Friday, July 24, 2020

Yakubu Dumps PDP, Joins APC

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has dumped the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. 

Thursday, July 23, 2020

President Buhari Wears Face-mask In Mali

Presidential photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo, shares photo of President Buhari wearing a face mask as he arrives in Mali.

Mali has been on the edge of war for a few months as efforts to restore peace between the parties on warpath seem to deem.

 

Toke Makinwa Says Marriage Should Have An Expiry Date And Subject To Renewal Clause


Toke Makinwa, Nigerian radio personality, television host, vlogger, lifestyle entrepreneur, and author says marriage should have an expiry date and subject to renewal clause.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Kanye West Suffering From Bi-polar Disorder - Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian took to Instagram Wednesday morning following husband Kanye West's late night Twitter meltdown, saying she is 'powerless' and calling her husband 'brilliant but complicated'. 

The reality star, 39, said 'his words sometimes do not align with his intentions' after Kanye last night claimed he has been 'trying to get divorced' from Kim since she met his fellow rapper Meek Mill at a hotel. 

Reps Speaker Gbajabiamila Gives Condition For Probe Panel To Invite Embattled NDDC Acting M.D Pondei For Further Questioning Over N81.5Billion Fraud

Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, says the panel probing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) can invite Kemebradikumo Pondei, acting managing director of the agency, if there is the need to do so.

Pondei was taken to a hospital after he fainted while he was being grilled by the committee probing the alleged mismanagement of N81.5 billion by the interim management committee (IMC) of the commission.
Thereafter, the speaker said the acting NDDC managing director would no longer appear before the panel because he had already tendered documents to his defence.

But speaking on the floor of the house on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila said now that Pondei is out of the hospital, the panel could still invite him for further questioning.

“What I said is that he has submitted his report, he was speaking to the written report and for that and for that day, he didn’t have to come back, we already had his written reports,” the speaker said.

“However, the committee reserves the right to, completely, absolutely – now that we know he is out of hospital from all reports, and we thank God for his life, we thank God that he is okay, and now that we know that he is up and about, the committee has the absolute right to reinvite him for further questioning if the committee so chooses that they need him and that is my ruling on that.”

Ekiti State Governor Fayemi Tests Positive

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi is the news governor to have contacted Covid-19.

The former minister broke the news on his Twitter handle after taking two previous tests which had come out negative.

Monday, July 20, 2020

Questions Over How Polaris Bank Will Be Able To Pay N789Billion Debt

Polaris is arguably Nigeria’s foremost bank when it comes to issues of controversy and misunderstanding. Born from the death Skye Bank, the phoenix Polaris has

Lagos Govt Shuts Down Quilox

The Lagos State Government has locked up Quilox pool and bar, Ajah and three other facilities for violating COVID-19 guidelines and contravening different sections of the State Environmental Law.

The Lagos State

Nicki Minaj Pregnant With First Child

It’s exciting news for the Barbz fanbase as Nicki Minaj is pregnant!

The 37-year-old rapper and her husband Kenneth Petty are expecting their first child together.

Minaj took to her Instagram page on Monday to share alongside a set of glam snapshots of her baring her baby bump.

Drama As NDDC Acting MD Faints While Testifying Before Reps Probe Panel

Kemebradikumo Pondei, acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), passed out during a session of the house of representatives committee probing the commission, on Monday.

Ballon d'Or 2020 cancelled due to coronavirus

The prestigious Ballon d’Or will not be awarded this year because the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the soccer season.

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama tested positive for coronavirus

Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama, has tested positive for coronavirus.⁣

“Did my fourth Covid-19 test yesterday at the first sign of throat irritation and unfortunately this time it came back positive,” Onyeama tweeted on Sunday afternoon.⁣

Sad! Diekola Osa Avielele Popular Events Planner – And Daughter If Ex Gov Adebayo – Dies After A Week After Delivery Of New Baby

Diekolola Osa Avielele, the MD/CEO of Cederwood Group, an event and rental servicing company is

Saturday, July 18, 2020

APC Head To Court To Seek A Fresh Disqualification Of Obaseki And Shaibu Over Falsified Academic Qualifications And Tax Fraud

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is seeking the disqualification of the governor of Edo state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu from the upcoming gubernatorial poll over falsified academic qualifications and tax fraud. The details are contained in court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Benin by West-Idahosa & Co.


How To Change Whatsapp From A Normal Account To A Business Account

Like millions of people around the world, you probably use WhatsApp on your phone every day to stay in touch with your friends and family members. However, there is one more side of WhatsApp that can be very useful to business owners, social media marketers, and more.

Friday, July 17, 2020

Saraki Thanks Judiciary After Winning Court Case Against EFCC

1. Today, as always, I thank Almighty Allah as I welcome the judgement of the Federal High Court, Lagos, by the Honorable Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa in which the court dismissed in its totality the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a forfeiture order on my home in Ilorin, Kwara State. I am particularly happy that the court specifically ruled that there was no evidence that the property was built with any illicit or stolen funds from the Kwara State Government or any other institution or quarter, whatsoever.

Real Madrid seal 34th LaLiga title

Real Madrid won the 2019/20 LaLiga title on Thursday, taking their record tally to 34 league crowns.

Zinedine Zidane's side wrapped up their first league title since 2017 with one game remaining, having won 26 of their 37 games so far, drawing eight and losing just three.

Actress Lizzy Anjorin Holds Traditional Wedding..Here Is When The ‘’White’’ Version Is Scheduled For

Nollywood actress, Lizzy Anjorin on Thursday held her traditional wedding ceremony in Lagos.

The Yoruba movie star

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Buhari Receive Nigeria’s First Artisanally- Mined Gold

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday received the country’s first artisanally- mined gold. ⁣


Biden, Musk And Gates' Twitter Accounts Hijacked

A series of high-profile Twitter accounts were hijacked on Wednesday (July 15), with some of the platform's top voices - including U.S. presidential candidate Joe Biden, reality television show star Kim Kardashian, former U.S. President Barack Obama, billionaire Elon Musk, and rapper Kanye West, among many others - used to solicit digital currency.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Presidential panel holding Magu, not me says IGP

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, on Wednesday distanced himself from the detention of the suspended acting Chairman of the country’s anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

Nigerian Air Force Wings First Female Fighter, Helicopter Pilot Dies At 25

Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the first-ever and only female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force has died. The tragic incident occurred in Kaduna yesterday after she sustained head injuries from a road accident.

Gokada Boss Fahim Saleh: How He Died

A leading tech entrepreneur of international ride-sharing companies has been found dead in New York.

The body of Fahim Saleh was found dismembered in

Cheering News As BUA Foundation Gifts Adamawa State N200, 3 Ambulances In Fight Against Covid-19

As covid-19 cases continue to rise across Nigeria, Adamawa state today, became the beneficiary of three ambulances and 200million Naira from BUA Foundation to

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Details As Ex-First Bank Director, Dauda Lawal’s $153M Fraud Case Continues

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos will on July 21 resume the criminal trial of a former director with the First Bank Plc, Dauda Lawal.

Lawal  is standing trial before

EFCC Presents Witness Against Mompha’s Accomplices

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office has presented the first prosecution witness (PW1), Nuru Buhari, in the trial of the duo of Kayode Phillips and Hamza Koudeih, both of whom are alleged accomplices of Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, before Justice Muslim.S. Hassan of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Five Highest Goalscorers In Premier League, La Liga & Serie A

Here are the Golden boot potentials in all leagues across the world.

Below are the highest goalscorers chasing the Golden Boot in the England top-flight league after match day 35.
1. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) 23goals & 4 assists in 2764 mins played.
2. Pirre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 20goals & 2 assists in 2926 mins played.
3. Mohammed Salah (Liverpool) 19goals & 9 Assists in 2696 mins played.
4. Danny Ings (Southampton) 19goals & 2 assists in 2543 mins played.
5. Raheem Sterling (Man City) 17goals & 1 assist in 2461 mins played.

Following the conclusion of La Liga matchday 36 on Monday night with Real Madrid defeating Granada 1-2. Below are the highest Goalscorers chasing the Golden boot in the Spanish top-flight League.
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 22goals & 20 assists in 2700 mins played.
2. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) 19 goals & 8 assists in 3001 mins played.
3. Gerard Moreno (Villarreal) 16goals & 5 assists in 2572 mins played.
4. Luis Suarez (Barcelona) 15goals & 8 assists in 1880 mins played.
5. Raul Garcia (Athletico Bilbao) 15 goals & 1 assist in 2704 mins played.


Top five scorers in the race for the Golden boot in the Italy top flight league.
1. Ciro Immobile (Lazio) 29 goals & 8 assists in 2636 mins played.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) 28 goals & 5 assists in 2469 mins played.
3. Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan) 20 goals & 2 assists in 2601 mins played.
4. Jao Pedro (Cagliari) 17 goals & 4 assists in 2752 mins played.
5. Luis Muriel (Atalanta) 17 goals & 1 assists in 1097 mins played.

Monday, July 13, 2020

Untold Story Of The Extraordinary Friendship Between Magu & Saadina Dantata

Alhaji Saadina Dantata is a dandy soul. Beneath his well-cut Babarigas and unassuming demeanour lies a posh and groovy character. Despite his inclinations for

Alleged N3.6bn Fraud: EFCC Closes Case Against Ex-NDDC Executive, One Other

''Akpabio's Girlfriend Supplies Diesel To NDDC So They Don't Want Light Restored'' - Ex M.D Alleges

The suspended Interim Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Joy Nunieh, has said the reason the

Youngest Daughter Of Nelson Mandela, Zindzi Mandela, Dies at 59

Zindzi Mandela, daughter of former South African president and liberation hero Nelson Mandela, has died, the spokesman of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Monday.

Man City's ban from European football overturned - CAS

Manchester City's two-year UEFA ban from European football has been overturned by the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS), the Lausanne-based court said on Monday.

The Expose On Ogun Govt Giving Gov Dapo Abiodun Sleepless Nights

Two months into his second year in office as governor, the people of Ogun State have begun to express worry over Prince Dapo Abiodun’s alleged sluggish

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Kiki Osinbajo Is not The Owner Of The Property I own It – Landlord, Dr. Ayuba Musa

Dr. Ayuba Musa, the landlord of the property housing the company, GLAM’D Africa, has dismissed Mr. Jackson Ude’s claims concerning the ownership of the house.


Friday, July 10, 2020

UEFA Make Champions League Quarter And Semi Final Draw

Bayern Munich will face Barcelona or Napoli in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, if they can defend their three goal lead against Chelsea in their last 16 second leg game.