Suspect arrested for N6bn fraud not witness in Edo election tribunal – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has denied claims that a suspect under investigation for an alleged N6bn fraud, Jonathan Okunbor was a witness in the ongoing Edo State election tribunal. According to the commission, the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo, had claimed that the suspect was one of his witnesses
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has denied claims that a suspect under investigation for an alleged N6bn fraud, Jonathan Okunbor was a witness in the ongoing Edo State election tribunal. According to the commission, the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo, had claimed that the suspect was one of his witnesses

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US House passes bill banning transgenders from participating in men, women’s sports

The United States House of Representatives has banned transgender men from competing in men’s sports and transgender women from competing in women’s sports. This was made known on Tuesday by the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson in a post on X. “Today is a great day in America because House Republicans just passed @RepGregSteube’s
US House passes bill banning transgenders from participating in men, women’s sports

The United States House of Representatives has banned transgender men from competing in men’s sports and transgender women from competing in women’s sports.

This was made known on Tuesday by the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson in a post on X.

“Today is a great day in America because House Republicans just passed @RepGregSteube’s Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act ensuring men cannot compete in women’s sports.”

“Men are men, women are women, and men cannot become women. It’s just that simple,” the Speaker wrote.

This comes as the incoming President Donald Trump, who had banned transgenders in the United States military, is about to assume power next week.

DAILY POST reports that there are talks in some quarters that Trump may re-introduce ban on transgenders in the military.

US House passes bill banning transgenders from participating in men, women’s sports

Russia launches new missiles targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure

Russia on Wednesday launched a new barrage of missiles and drones at Ukraine, targeting gas infrastructure and other energy facilities in western regions. Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said the Russian forces launched over 40 missiles during the morning attack and used more than 70 drones overnight. Zelenskiy, in a post via X, said that Ukrainian
Russia launches new missiles targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure

Russia on Wednesday launched a new barrage of missiles and drones at Ukraine, targeting gas infrastructure and other energy facilities in western regions.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said the Russian forces launched over 40 missiles during the morning attack and used more than 70 drones overnight.

Zelenskiy, in a post via X, said that Ukrainian air defences shot down at least 30 missiles.

“Another massive Russian attack. It’s the middle of winter, and the target for the Russians remains unchanged: our energy infrastructure.

“Among their objectives were gas and energy facilities that sustain normal life for our people,” he said.

Meanwhile, the governor of Ukraine’s western Lviv region said two energy facilities, in the Drohobych and Stryi districts, were damaged.

In neighbouring Ivano-Frankivsk, the governor said air defences were fending off Russian attacks on facilities.

Both said no injuries had been reported. Ukrainians use natural gas mainly for heating homes and cooking.

DAILY POST gathered that the country uses gas stored over the summer months to use in winter, when daily production does not cover consumption.

Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities are located in the western part of the country, including in the Stryi area.

Their role has grown since Kyiv refused to extend a gas transit agreement with Russia.

Russia has stepped up its bombardments of Ukraine’s power sector and other energy infrastructure since March 2024, knocking out half of the available generating capacity and forcing long, rolling blackouts across the country.

Ukrainian cities, businesses, and residents rushed to install new generating capacities, including solar panels, batteries, generators, and other equipment to increase their energy independence and survive the critical cold months.

Zelenskiy, who visits neighbouring Poland on Wednesday, reiterated his pleas to Kyiv’s Western allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence.

“We have also discussed licenses for the production of air defence systems and missiles for them, which could serve as one of the effective security guarantees for Ukraine. This is both realistic and necessary to implement,” he added.

The capital Kyiv also came under attack, with hundreds of residents taking shelter in underground metro stations across the capital, sleeping on yoga mats and sitting on folded chairs with their pets.

Russia launches new missiles targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure

Stakeholders seek more funding to end tuberculosis in Africa

The Global TB Caucus and partners have identified adequate funding, strengthened multi-sectoral partnerships, and coordinated actions as strategies to ending Tuberculosis in Africa. The TB caucus and partners including the Stop TB Partnership Geneva, the Global Fund, FIND, Light Consortium, WACI Health, among others, made this known in a communique issued on Wednesday, at the
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The Global TB Caucus and partners have identified adequate funding, strengthened multi-sectoral partnerships, and coordinated actions as strategies to ending Tuberculosis in Africa. The TB caucus and partners including the Stop TB Partnership Geneva, the Global Fund, FIND, Light Consortium, WACI Health, among others, made this known in a communique issued on Wednesday, at the

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Edo: We’ve no business with Ighdalo’s witness, Okunbor prime suspect of fraud – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, explained that Jonathan Okunbor is not a witness of former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo. EFCC disclosed that Okunbor is a prime suspect connected to a case of misappropriation of funds involving 18 local government areas in Edo State. On
Edo: We’ve no business with Ighdalo’s witness, Okunbor prime suspect of fraud – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, explained that Jonathan Okunbor is not a witness of former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo.

EFCC disclosed that Okunbor is a prime suspect connected to a case of misappropriation of funds involving 18 local government areas in Edo State.

On Tuesday, DAILY POST reported that suspected EFCC officials allegedly stormed a hotel in Benin City to arrest a person suspected to be a member of the PDP in the state.

The 22 second video posted by Mr Oseni Rufai, one of Arise TV’s analysts on his official X handle, that went viral voices of some persons were heard shouting he should not be arrested.

The people were also demanding for a valid Warrant of Arrest from the suspected EFCC officials.

According to one of the voices, “he dey here since. Let me tell you eh. You can’t take him away. Show us a valid Warrant for you to arrest him. Arrest is a legal word. If you have a valid Warrant you can. That’s all.”

But a member of the party, who pleaded anonymity said EFCC wanted to arrest Ighodalo.

The source said officials of the anti-graft agencies came to a hotel owned by a PDP chieftain to arrest one of the party star witnesses ahead of the January 15, 2025 tribunal sitting.

However, EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale said Okunbor diverted about N6 billion through his company.

A statement by Oyewale reads:”The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a trending video insinuating that Jonathan Okunbor, a suspect being investigated for an alleged N6 billion fraud, was an election witness.

“The Commission wishes to state without any equivocation that Okunbor is not a witness of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the election tribunal as claimed by Asue Ighodalo. Rather, he is a prime suspect connected to a case of misappropriation of funds involving all the 18 local government areas of Edo State.

“Ongoing investigations showed that about N6 billion was diverted to Kezmith Global Ventures owned by Ogunbor. The suspect was running the ventures using the name and identity of Mr Godfrey Emode.

“The Commission’s investigators, in their quest to unearth the shadiness of Ogunbor, arrested Emode who led them to the suspect in Eterno Hotel where a pre-trial meeting was being held.

“Investigators interrogated the counsel to Ighodalo on the status of Ogunbor in the election tribunal matters and he clearly stated that he was not a witness in the matter.

“In spite of this, Mr Ighodalo and his co-travellers at Eterno Hotel prevented EFCC officers from carrying out their constitutional duty and obstructed them from arresting Ogunbor. Specifically, Ighodalo insisted that Ogunbor was his witness when it was obvious that he only wanted to aid his escape from the Commission’s investigators.

“The EFCC remains committed to its adherence to the rule of law and the Commission has no business with any Edo State election witness that has no corruption charge before it. The EFCC will not hesitate to bring anyone to trial, witness or no witness, if it has a basis for doing so.

“The public is assured that Ogunbor will be brought to book soon in connection with the alleged N6 billion fraud involving his firm, Kezmith Global Ventures.”

Edo: We’ve no business with Ighdalo’s witness, Okunbor prime suspect of fraud – EFCC

Chilling Details Emerge in Gruesome Murder of Young Female Graduate

Yinka Olatunbosun Nigerians on social media are mourning the death of a 24-year old graduate of Library and Information Service, Kogi State University, Salome Adaidu who was allegedly beheaded by…

Speed Darlington’s bail application granted, says lawyer

Popular Nigerian singer, Darlington Achakpo, also known as Speed Darlington, has reportedly being arraigned in court and granted bail. One of his lawyers, Deji Adeyanju, disclosed this in a post on X.com on Wednesday. Adeyanju wrote, “Police finally arraigns Speed Darlington in court. “Bail application moved and granted. We are trying to perfect same.” PUNCH
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Popular Nigerian singer, Darlington Achakpo, also known as Speed Darlington, has reportedly being arraigned in court and granted bail. One of his lawyers, Deji Adeyanju, disclosed this in a post on X.com on Wednesday. Adeyanju wrote, “Police finally arraigns Speed Darlington in court. “Bail application moved and granted. We are trying to perfect same.” PUNCH

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America’s soul at stake as Trump comeback looms – Biden warns

President Joe Biden of the United States on Wednesday, warned that the soul of America is still at stake, as he prepares to deliver his farewell address to the nation before the return of the incoming president, Donald Trump. DAILY POST reports that Biden will make a prime time speech from the Oval Office of
America’s soul at stake as Trump comeback looms – Biden warns

President Joe Biden of the United States on Wednesday, warned that the soul of America is still at stake, as he prepares to deliver his farewell address to the nation before the return of the incoming president, Donald Trump.

DAILY POST reports that Biden will make a prime time speech from the Oval Office of the White House in which he is expected to tout the legacy of his single term in power.

“I ran for president because I believed that the soul of America was at stake. The very nature of who we are was at stake. And, that’s still the case.

“History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands. We just have to keep the faith and remember who we are,” he said.

According to the 82-year-old Democrat, the United States was stronger than four years ago, when it stood in a winter of peril after Trump’s chaotic first term, the Covid pandemic and what he called the worst attack on democracy since the Civil War.

DAILY POST recalls that Biden was sworn in just days after the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters trying to overturn his election loss.

Biden added that he had asked the White House to also release a long list of what he said were his administration’s achievements on issues ranging from the economy to healthcare and climate.

The outgoing president has spent much of his final days in power trying to burnish a legacy damaged by his decision to run for a second term despite his age.

America’s soul at stake as Trump comeback looms – Biden warns

Abia First Lady pledges to fight HIV stigma with legislation

The wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has reaffirmed her commitment to leading the fight against the stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS in the state. Mrs Otti made this pledge on Tuesday during a meeting with members of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and the
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The wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has reaffirmed her commitment to leading the fight against the stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS in the state. Mrs Otti made this pledge on Tuesday during a meeting with members of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and the

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46,788 undergoing HIV/AIDS treatment in Abia – ABSACA

Abia State Agency for the Control of AIDS, ABSACA, has disclosed that 46,788 persons are currently undergoing treatment for HIV/AIDS in the State. The Director General of ABSACA, Dr Uloaku Emma gave the figure on Tuesday during a meeting organized by the wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti for members of the
46,788 undergoing HIV/AIDS treatment in Abia – ABSACA

Abia State Agency for the Control of AIDS, ABSACA, has disclosed that 46,788 persons are currently undergoing treatment for HIV/AIDS in the State.

The Director General of ABSACA, Dr Uloaku Emma gave the figure on Tuesday during a meeting organized by the wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti for members of the Abia State chapter of Network of People living with HIV/AIDS in the Nigeria, NEPWHAN, and key population group.

Uloaku who reiterated the agency’s commitment in eradicating every form of stigma against persons living with HIV/AIDS, explained that ABSACA has taken critical steps at achieving zero new infections.

Addressing the members of NEPWHAN during the meeting at her residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Mrs Otti reaffirmed her commitment to improving the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS through advocacy, support, and empowerment.

While condemning stigma faced by affected individuals, she expressed her resolve to combat the stigma, provide hope for affected individuals.

She emphasized that HIV is not a death sentence and urged those affected to embrace treatment while negative rejecting societal judgments.

“I am encouraged by the progress we are making to suppress the spread of the disease but we must do more to prevent new infections and ensure a stigma-free society”, said Mrs Otti.

Mrs Otti also announced plans to collaborate with key stakeholders to domesticate laws prohibiting discrimination and stigmatisation of people living with HIV/AIDS in Abia.

She called on women and youths engaged in commercial sex work to seek alternative opportunities, promising to initiate skill acquisition programs to empower and uplift them.

46,788 undergoing HIV/AIDS treatment in Abia – ABSACA

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