Headlines

The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has attributed the February 2024 helicopter crash that claimed the life of former Access Holdings Plc Group Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, to pilot error arising from spatial disorientation.

In its final report released this week, the NTSB identified the “pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC)” as the primary cause of the crash. The report stated that this led to spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control of the aircraft.

The crash, which occurred on February 9 near the California-Nevada border, resulted in the deaths of all six people on board, including Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.

The NTSB also criticized the helicopter operator for what it described as “inadequate oversight of its safety management processes.” It noted that the company failed to ensure pilots completed necessary flight risk assessments, addressed maintenance issues, and complied with pre-flight regulatory requirements.

The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC130 registered as N130CZ, was operating under visual flight rules at the time of the crash, despite deteriorating weather conditions that warranted a switch to instrument-based protocols.

The report underscores significant lapses in both decision-making by the pilot and systemic safety management by the operator.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday arrived in Anambra State on a working visit to commission several infrastructure projects executed by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

The President commissioned a number of facilities described as “legacy” projects, including the newly constructed State Government House, the Solution Fun City, a new Governor’s Lodge — the first in 34 years — and the remodelled House of Assembly complex, among others.

Tinubu landed at the Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, at about 12:14 p.m. He was accompanied by top government officials including the National Security Adviser, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu; Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State; and the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

From the airport, the President was driven to the Solution Fun City, where he performed the official commissioning before proceeding to the New Government House and the Governor’s Lodge.

Speaking during the commissioning of the New Government House, Tinubu commended Governor Soludo and the people of Anambra for the infrastructural strides, noting that infrastructure remains critical to national development.

“Soludo is here providing solution, and that solution is in infrastructure and in carrying people along in the area of development,” the President said. “Serving people and building institutions — this is all about democracy. It is about prosperity. It is environmentally responsive governance.”

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria, operators of DStv and GOtv, challenging the intervention of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in its recent subscription price increase.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Omotosho held that the suit was an abuse of court process, citing the existence of a similar matter already pending before a court in Lagos. He noted that MultiChoice should have pursued its claims in that forum.

While affirming the FCCPC’s powers to investigate under its enabling Act, the court ruled that the commission lacked the authority to fix or suspend prices without a specific delegation from the President through a gazetted directive. The court stated that no such delegation was presented in the case.

Justice Omotosho emphasized that Nigeria operates a free-market economy where service providers are at liberty to set prices, and consumers have the right to accept or reject them. He ruled that the FCCPC’s directive to MultiChoice to halt its price hike violated the company’s right to fair hearing and appeared selectively enforced.

The judge also dismissed the FCCPC’s claim that MultiChoice occupies a dominant market position, describing the argument as untenable. He said the services offered by the company are discretionary and not essential to national survival.

Justice Omotosho cautioned that attempts by regulatory agencies to impose price controls without legal basis could discourage investment and negatively affect the economy.

The court concluded that while the FCCPC has the power to investigate market activities, it cannot lawfully impose price restrictions without proper legal backing.

Popular rights activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the development in a phone conversation on Tuesday.

VDM was arrested by operatives of the anti-graft agency in Abuja on Friday, an action that triggered widespread reactions across social media platforms.

The arrest drew criticism from several public figures, including the 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, respectively, as well as music star Davido, all of whom called for his immediate release.

The 133 cardinal electors of the Catholic Church on Wednesday took their oath of secrecy and entered into conclave to begin the process of electing a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.

The cardinals gathered inside the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, where they listened to a spiritual meditation delivered by the former Preacher of the Papal Household before commencing the election process. In line with tradition, the electors will remain in strict isolation throughout the conclave to prevent external influence.

The process is governed by centuries-old rituals and protocols. A new pontiff will be announced when white smoke rises from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel—a signal to the world that a decision has been reached.

Pope Francis, the 266th pope, was elected in 2013 and served until his death last month.

Among the prominent names being speculated as potential successors are Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, according to various media reports.