News
NDLEA Arrests, Arraigns 58-Year-Old Alleged Drug Baron
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday arraigned a 58-year-old alleged drug baron before a Jos Federal High Court for illegal possession of tons of hard drugs.
The Jos based accused, Jude Okoye alias Zuma, was arrested by officers of the agency on June 9, 2017 at his store in Apata quarters, Jos North Local Government of Plateau.
Okoye is being tried on an eight-count charge of unlawful possession of 1, 372Kg of Tramadol drug, 1, 089 Kg of cough syrup containing codeine, 28. 3 Kg Diazepam injection.
Also in his possession was 16Kg of Pentazocine injection, all alleged to be Psychotropic substances similar to cocaine and heroin.
Others substances allegedly found in his possessions include; 18Kg of cough syrup containing codeine, 200gm of Lorazepam tablets, 250gm of Tramadol and 100gm of Pentazocine Injection.
The NDLEA prosecuting counsel, Buhari Abdullahi, told Justice Dorathy Agishi that by possessing such hard drugs the suspect had committed offences contrary and punishable under sections 19 of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Law of the Federation 2004.
When the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty, and the prosecution prayed the court to commence trial.
Abdullahi said: “My Lord, the frightening aspect is that most of the hard drugs found in the accused possession are expired drugs, which if they find their way into the market would have posed serious danger to the lives of innocent Nigerians.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that two officers of the NDLEA gave testimonies of the arrest and substances found in the possession of the baron.
Etsu Daniel, the agency exhibit keeper told the court the exact quantity of each of the substances found in Jude’s possession and presented them to the court as exhibits.
Umar Shettiem, the defence counsel, cross examined the witnesses on their testimonies against his client.
The prosecution later sought for adjournment to present more witnesses.
Justice Agishi has adjourned the case to April 23 and 24 for continuation of hearing.
News
Nigerians Seek Woman Who Spoke Out Eloquently Against Fuel Scarcity In Viral 1994 TV Clip
April 30th 1994, 30 Years Ago, And Till Today Nothing Has Really Changed.
Netizens have gone in search of a beautiful and well-spoken woman who spoke out against fuel scarcity 30 Years Ago.
A user on X.com, Jackie, who identifies as #JWEZEE had shared the video yesterday with the caption, “On this day April 30 1994, same day same time, only difference 30years ago.
“Nigerians in long fuel queues lamenting, 30years later they are still lamenting. And In another 30years will still lament, why? Because patterns don’t lie.”
In the video, which has since gone viral, Nigerians were seen queuing to purchase fuel and lamenting their predicament as citizens waiting in long queues with their gallons to buy fuel.
The woman passionately addressed the unfairness of soldiers skipping queues to resell fuel, highlighting a longstanding problem.
She said in part, “You have the soldiers that come, they buy petrol, they put it in jerry cans they sell it right in front of these people, it’s ridiculous.
“They get the fuel themselves, why do they have to come here, they don’t join the queue, they just buy and they sell right in front of people, it’s ridiculous. Something has to happen.”
The 30-year-old video which recently surfaced coincides with the current fuel price hike across the country.
Here is the viral video from 30 years back.
Currently, the country is facing fuel scarcity and price hike, with fuel being sold at N900 per litre in some states. This has affected the price of goods in the nation.
News
FG Declares May 1st Public Holiday To Mark Workers’ Day
The Federal Government had declared Wednesday, May 1st, 2024, as a public holiday to mark this year’s Workers’ Day.
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made the declaration, according to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Aishetu Ndayako.
“The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st May 2024 as a Public Holiday to commemorate this year’s Workers’ Day Celebration,” Aishetu said in a statement on Tuesday, April 30.
“In alignment with this year’s theme, which focuses on ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate, I wish to state that the Federal Government remains steadfast in its resolve to prioritise the safety and well-being of all citizens,” the minister said.
“Let me reaffirm Mr. President’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for work, where every worker can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development”.
The minister, who acknowledged the contribution of workers, called for more measures to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change through synergy.
“The Minister also urged Nigerians to remain committed to the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as he wishes workers a happy celebration,” the statement read.
News
“There Would Be total Blackout For Three Months If Electricity Tariff Hike Is Not Implemented ” – Minister Of Power Warns
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has warned that there would be a total blackout in the country in the next three months if the proposed electricity tariff hike is not implemented.
The minister gave the warning in Abuja when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Power at an investigative hearing over the recent electricity tariff hike by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)on Monday, April 29.
In his words
“The entire sector will be grounded if we don’t increase the tariff. With what we have now in the next three months, the entire country will be in darkness if we don’t increase tariffs. The increment will catapult us to the next level. We are also Nigerians, we are also feeling the impact.”
He said the sum of $10 billion is needed yearly for the next ten years to revive the nation’s power sector and nip in the bud the challenges bedevilling it.
“For this sector to be revived, the government needs to spend nothing less than 10 billion dollars annually in the next 10 years.
“This is because of the infrastructure requirement for the stability of the sector. But the government cannot afford that. And so we must make this sector attractive to investors and to lenders. So, for us to attract investors and investment, we must make the sector attractive, and the only way it can be made attractive is that there must be commercial pricing.
“If the value is still at N66 and the government is not paying subsidy, the investors will not come. But now that we have increased the tariff for A Band, there are interests being shown by investors,” he said.
Adelabu said the inability of the government to pay outstanding N2.9 trillion subsidy was due to limited resources, hence the need to evolve measures to sustain the sector.
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