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There was a mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, as detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, slumped in court.

Gambaryan is facing a money laundering charge.

The drama occurred shortly after the matter was called for trial continuation before Justice Emeka Nwite.

When the court registrar called the case, Mr Gambaryan did not step forward to the dock from the back row where he was seated.

Justice Nwite then asked where the second defendant (Mr Gambaryan) was, and one of the lawyers on the defence team, who sat beside him, held him by the side towards the dock.

As they walked slowly towards the dock, Mr Gambaryan fell and the lawyer assisted him into a front-row seat.

His lawyer, Mark Mordi, explained to the court as soon as the matter was called why his client could not stand when the matter was called.

Mordi said the Binance executive had been indisposed and that a written application letter had been filed to notify the court of the development.

“My lord, the case may not certainly proceed today,” he said.

Throughout the proceeding, the cryptocurrency firm’s agent rested on the arm of the seat where he was sitting.

Justice Nwite on May 16 dismissed Gambaryan’s bail application on the ground that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had been able to establish that the defendant would jump bail if it was granted.

The defendant is being remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre.

The tax evasion charge filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) against Binance Holdings Limited and Gambaryan could not proceed on Wednesday due to his absence in court.

A bill seeking to make provision for Nigeria to revert to its old national anthem has scaled through second reading at the Senate.

The bill sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, enjoys overwhelming support from the lawmakers.

It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back to the house in two weeks

The lawmakers, who appeared unanimous in support of the bill, argued that it would promote better symbol for unity, peace and prosperity, compared to the current one.

After a closed door session to debate on the bill, the lawmakers asserted that the current national anthem is a product of the military junta, decreed by the military and therefore should be discarded to adequately capture the nations democratic values, integrity and principally foster commitment to nationhood.

The old anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was replaced with the current one “Arise, O Compatriots in 1978.

Meanwhile, the the House of Representatives has passed the bill to revert to the old national anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.

The bill was quickly passed through first second and third reading at the lower chamber within minutes.

Kano Assembly on Thursday dissolved all the five emirate councils in the State, declaring Governor Abba Yusuf has the sole constitutional powers to appoint new emir(s).

The Assembly took the decision at the floor of the House during plenary on Thursday.

During the sitting, the Kano State emirate council amendment bill was considered after scaling second and third reading on Thursday.

Deputy Speaker Alhaji Muhammad Bello Butu explained that repealing the law would revive the lost glory of Kano as the division of Kano emirate to five reduced the capacity and dignity of the State at national level.

Majority Leader Alhaji Lawan Hussaini Dala said the emirate council had served as a custodian of culture before, according to him, it was distorted by the creation of additional emirates.

Speaking to journalists, the majority leader explained that with the amendment of the law, all the five emirate councils were abolished while the commissioner for local governments would serve as the overseer.

The Assembly however adopted a motion to create new second class emirate council in the state.

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President Bola Tinubu is billed to attend the inauguration of Mahamat Déby as the President of Chad.

Provisional results from Chad’s National Election Management Agency in May indicated that Deby emerged victorious in a closely monitored presidential election.

With over 61 per cent of the votes, Deby’s win obviates the necessity for a run-off with his nearest competitor, Prime Minister Succes Masra, who garnered 18.5 per cent.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying President Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday for N’Djamena, the Republic of Chad, for the inauguration.

Ngelale stated that President Tinubu will be joined by high-ranking government personnel during the journey and will come back following the event.

The statement read in part, “The inauguration of President Déby follows his declaration as the winner of the country’s presidential election earlier this month and subsequent affirmation by the Constitutional Court of Chad.

“President Tinubu will be accompanied on the trip by senior government officials and will return after the ceremony.”

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of two new Chief Executive Officers to head the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA).

A statement issued on Wednesday, May 22, by the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke has been appointed as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NOSDRA, while Dr. Adedeji Ashiru will serve as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of OORBDA.

Woke, an engineer and environmental specialist, brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served in various capacities, including as Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State and Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt.

Ashiru, who holds a Doctorate degree in Engineering from the Commonwealth University, UK, has led a consortium of blue-chip companies and has a proven track record of success in his professional endeavors.

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

“Furthermore, the President has approved the appointment of Dr. Adedeji Ashiru as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA).

“Engr. Woke, besides being an engineer, is an environmental specialist and politician. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering and has served under the Environmental, Safety, and Operations Departments of the then Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“He was chairman of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State and Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, for many years.

“Dr. Ashiru holds a Doctorate degree in Engineering from the Common Wealth University, UK, and has led a consortium of blue-chip companies, in addition to earning many stripes in his professional endeavour.

“The President expects the new Chief Executive Officers to deploy their competencies to these critical agencies for sustainable gains and turnaround, while maintaining utmost transparency in their operations”, the statement said.