Headlines

An early morning fire has destroyed good worth millions of naira at IC World Emporia Centre, a popular shopping mall in Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja.

Eyewitnesses say the fire started at about 4am on Wednesday morning.

According to an X user, Mister Mash, efforts to reach the FCT Emergency service proved abortive.

He wrote: “4:13am currently happening right now in Gwarimpa, IC World Emporia on fire.

“I called the @Fedfireng emergency line 0803 200 3557, the woman hung up on me. I called 112, they said I should call 122, I called 122, they said I should call 112.”

The Middle-Belt Youth Forum will, today, stage massive protests against the alarming surge in kidnappings plaguing the Nigerian capital.

Fueled by recent incidents, including the tragic murders of multiple abductees, the youth-led demonstration is expected to be halted at the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The youths are urging a crackdown on kidnappers and bandits and also want the Nigerian government to designate them as terrorists.

Meanwhile, nineteen residents remain captive, including nine whose release hinges on a staggering N700 million ransom.

Already, four hostages, among them a promising young student, have been brutally murdered, allegedly due to ransom delays.

They include Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level biological science student at Ahmadu Bello University, snatched alongside six siblings.

Her five sisters, including another high-achieving student, Nadherah, remain in captivity after their father’s release.

The kidnappers’ escalating ransom demands were initially set at N60 million and now doubled.

Folashade Ariyo’s family endures similar anguish. Her mother and three siblings are still with the kidnappers.

Folashade, only 13 years old, was killed by the kidnappers, igniting nationwide outrage.

The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, rescreened and cleared all nine former Commissioners for re-appointment into the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

LeadingReporters gathered that Fubara had few days ago resubmitted the names of the nine nominees, who in November, 2023 resigned from his cabinet in the wake of a political crisis between him and the immediate-past governor of the state, Nyesom Wike apparently in solidarity with the latter.

However, the former commissioners were not subjected to any question as they were asked to take ‘a bow and leave’ the chamber.

A former deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, is among those currently displaced from their residences due to an explosion that occurred on Tuesday in a section of Ibadan, the state’s capital city.

The Oke-Ogun politician deputised the late Governor Lam Ona-Olapo Adesina from 1999–2003 under the Alliance for Democracy Party.

According to a local news platform, it was gathered that Barrister Oladokun, a close associate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a respected member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, and his family are presently being accommodated by a relative.

A source close to the politician hinted that Oladokun’s storey building, located not too far from Dejo Oyelese Street, was badly affected.

The source said, “He must vacate the building because “nobody is sure if the foundation of the building will still be okay after being jolted by the unexpected explosion.”

Another source informed us that the home of the former Attorney General of the Federation, the late Chief Bola Ige, was also affected.

An independent source disclosed that he observed that most of the windows of the building had been shattered.

The platform noted that other popular residents of the state living around Wole Oyelese Street whose properties were reportedly affected by the explosion included Oba Kola Adegbola, Comrade Kunle Famoriyo of Afenifere Renewal fame, actress Bimbo Osin, interim Oyo NAWOJ chairperson, Bola Okanlawon, and others.

The state government, through its information commissioner, noted in a statement that “all security service chiefs, including paramilitary chiefs and fire operatives, have been deployed by the governor to rein in the spillover from the explosion.”

The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, visited the scene of the explosion late Tuesday night.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, said preliminary investigations by security agencies revealed that the explosion that rocked the Bodija Area of Ibadan, the state capital on Tuesday was caused by explosive devices stored by illegal miners.

No fewer than 10 persons were feared killed and 15 others hospitalised following the explosion that also affected a section of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Oyo State House of Assembly, the residence of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, some buildings at Ologuneru, Apete, New Garage, Bashorun, Akobo, Sango and Eleyele.

Makinde, who visited the scene of the explosion Tuesday night, said though further investigations were still ongoing, anyone found culpable would be brought to book.

“Preliminary investigations by the security agencies revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there which caused the blast. The investigations are ongoing. All those found culpable for this will be brought to book,” he tweeted on Wednesday

One of our correspondents, who was at the scene of the explosion, reported that no fewer than 10 bodies were recovered from the site and taken away in ambulances.

But the governor said two people died while 77 others were injured in the explosion

“In total, we have 77 injured victims so far, most of whom were treated and discharged, and two fatalities. May their souls rest in peace and may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Makinde added.

The governor also revealed that the “medical bills of victims will be picked by the government” while promising to ensure that all those whose houses were affected were ‘supported to rebuild their lives”

The governor urged residents to be calm, noting that rescue operations had already started at the scene of the incident.

“Earth-moving equipment, ambulances, emergency lights, and security were deployed to the scene of the incident. The wounded and injured are being treated and moved to public and private hospitals within Ibadan.

“Medical personnel are on standby at these hospitals to provide all needed assistance to the injured. We have visited UCH to see some of those injured during the incident.

“I urge all residents to please call 615 for any emergencies they may be experiencing at this time and to remain calm and stay away from the immediate scene of the incident to allow rescue operations to be carried out without interference,” he added.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has shunned an invitation by the Code of Conduct Bureau over an ongoing investigation bordering on alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers.

Our correspondent who was at the CCB headquarters, Federal Secretariat, Abuja on Tuesday, observed that the minister, who was scheduled to meet with interrogators at 11am, did not show up at the bureau between 10am and 1pm.

Confirming the development in a telephone interview on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the CCB, Veronica Kato, said the minister’s interrogation would be rescheduled for a later date following his memo to the bureau citing national assignment.

“Yes, the minister’s interrogation has been rescheduled. He wrote, asking that it be rescheduled because he has a national assignment, so it has been rescheduled for a later date,” Kato said.

When asked about the next scheduled date, she said there was no specific date yet.

“We don’t have a precise date now, but it has been rescheduled to another day,” she said.

The CCB had invited the embattled minister over the involvement of his company in a ₦438 million contract with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The company, New Planet Projects, allegedly belonging to the minister, benefitted from a contract from the ministry.

A document exclusively obtained by our correspondent on Monday revealed that the CCB invited the minister to appear before it on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the CCB headquarters, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.

The document signed by Gwimi S.P, the CCB Director, Investigation and Monitoring, on behalf of the CCB Chairman, Murtala Aliyu, revealed that the bureau’s invitation is hinged on its mandate and powers as enshrined in the Third Schedule, Part 1, 3 (e) of the 1999 Constitution.

The letter addressed to the minister, read, “The bureau is investigating a case of alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers in which your name featured prominently. Consequently, you are invited for an interview scheduled as follows:

“Date: Tuesday, 16th January, 2024. Time: 1100hrs prompt. Venue: CCB Headquarters on 5th Floor, Annex III, Phase I, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.

“This invitation is pursuant to the mandate and powers of the Bureau as enshrined in the Third Schedule, Part I, Paragraph 3 (e) to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Please be properly guided.”

Interest groups defend Tunji-Ojo, allege media trial 

Meanwhile, some interest groups, the Coalition of Civil Rights Organisations and Elite Africa, have defended the allegations against the embattled minister, while alleging media trial and accusing his opponents of being unhappy with his ‘growing popularity’.

In a statement on Monday, CCRO said, “The Coalition of Civil Rights Organisations unequivocally wishes to debunk the purported invitation of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, by the Code of Conduct Bureau over alleged corruption.

“This latest report by a section of the media is another in the series of the campaign of calumny which has recently been orchestrated by sponsored propagandists who are mainly out to discredit the radical transformation, being undertaken by Tunji-Ojo, and by extension, to undermine the achievements of President Bola Tinubu.

“There is no doubt that the timing and nature of these allegations appear suspicious and politically motivated, aiming to tarnish the reputation of a public servant known for his commitment to transparency and accountability.

“We have thoroughly examined the circumstances surrounding the purported invitation by the CCB and find them to lack credible evidence, resembling a smear campaign rather than a genuine pursuit of justice. We want to strongly believe, that if perhaps, there is a need for any conversation or interrogation to be conducted by the CBB, how did such become a media affair, if it is not a smear campaign, like we suspected?”

The second group, Elite Africa, in a statement, attacked the South West Integrity Group for demanding the suspension of Tunji-Ojo over alleged corruption.

The statement read in part, “The South West Integrity Group, in a publication, had stated that Tunji-Ojo should resign over his alleged involvement in the recent controversy in the award of contracts at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

“The timing of these allegations, coupled with the sweeping reforms he has instituted, raises eyebrows. It seems certain elements within the political landscape are uneasy with Tunji-Ojo’s unyielding stance against corruption.

“His track record of dismantling established systems of exploitation has made him a thorn in the side of those who thrived on malfeasance.”

President Bola Tinubu, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), were among dignitaries who attended the unveiling of a book titled ‘Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser Media and Publicity, 2015-2023’ on Tuesday.

Also in attendance were former President Muhammadu Buhari; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The book, written by Buhari’s former spokesperson, Femi Adesina, was presented alongside five volumes of another book titled ‘Muhammadu Buhari, The Nigerian Legacy, 2015 to 2023.’

The book launch which held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, marks Buhari’s first official visit to the federal capital since May 29, 2023 when he handed over to Tinubu.

The event was also the first time that Tinubu and Buhari will appear together in public since the handover of May 29.