Further evidence has revealed how Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, the former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allegedly demanded for bribe to unfreeze a suspect’s account.

According to Denisaurus News, the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the EFCC led by Magu, to unfreeze the account of of Damjay Integrated Services Ltd, but instead of obeying the law, the suspended anti-graft boss refused and a request of N75 million was made for the court judgment to be adhered to.

The 58-year-old former acting chairman of the anti-graft agency, who is being investigated for fraud, diversion of assets and billions of naira, allegedly asked Donald Wokoma, the CEO of Damjay Integrated Services Ltd to pay the money in three tranches into three accounts associated to officials working with Magu, known as the “Magu Boys.”

Denisaurus News obtained communication held on WhatsApp with instructions of the said payment.

https://www.witnessngr.com/efcc-documents-show-how-magu-allegedly-demanded-bribe-to-unfreeze-suspects-account-2/

Lagos East Senate: My Focus Is On Polaris Bank’s Stakeholders, Customers For Now - Abiru
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The managing director cum chief executive officer of Polaris Bank Limited, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru, has reacted to news making the rounds on some online media platforms alluding that he is seeking to contest for the forthcoming senatorial bye-election of Lagos-East Senatorial Zone under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Late Senator Bayo Osinowo, the lawmaker representing the zone reportedly died of complications from coronavirus (COVID-19) in July.

Abiru, in a statement made available to THE WITNESS on Tuesday, noted that while he holds the public service in high esteem, “his time and energy at this time is primarily devoted towards building a world-class financial brand that will serve the interest of all stakeholders of the Bank”.

“I am working assiduously with his team to consolidate the Bank’s stellar performance which resulted in a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N27.8 billion in the 2019 financial year; being its first year of operation.

“Having served as a former commissioner under the then leadership of Babatunde Fashola SAN, it is not unexpected that such rumours and sentiments could sometimes spring up in some quarters.

The Polaris Bank CEO advised the staff and customers of the lender as well as regulators, local and international stakeholders to disregard such stories expressing his commitment to his current mandate in the bank.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/lagos-east-senate-my-focus-is-on-polaris-banks-stakeholders-customers-for-now-abiru/

A leaked document and email from one Olanrewaju Suraju who claimed to be the chairman of a group, Civil Society Against Corruption, indicates a desperate move to cast aspersions against the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

The chairman of Integrity Group Against Corruption, Mr Bello Gambo Iliya showed the leaked email to reporters in Kano on Tuesday.

The leaked email titled "Complaint Against Malami" was dated Monday 27th July 2020 and signed by one Lanre. The email was intended to garner support from civil society organisations.

The letter reads "Dear Colleagues, I am checking to know if you and your organisation will be interested in jointly signing this document and any other Comrades you know. Please kindly revert ASAP

Thanks

Lanre".

The writer of the email (Lanre) was demanding support to petition President Muhammadu Buhari against the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN.

It could be recalled that Olaruwanju Surajo, claimed to be the Chair of Human and Environment Development Agenda in 2018 when he addressed a press conference on relevant matter and now he chairs Anti-corruption NGO.

Recall that for days, it appears their efforts to get people to own the document failed as he resorted to emailing some NGOs to achieve their sinister motive.

It was clearly verified that the said man was busy struggling to get support from civil society organisations against the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Mr Bello, therefore, appealed to Malami to remain resolute in the fight against corruption, adding that "peoples like Lanre are survivalists trying to revive themselves through sponsorship against authorities fighting corruption in the country".

READ MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/plot-to-unseat-agf-malami-uncovered-as-efforts-to-petition-buhari-fail/

How ex-FMBN MD, Gimba Kumo, acquired agency’s N49m vehicles for N4.9m few months after purchase
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The Senate has uncovered how the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria sold three vehicles worth N49 million to the then outgoing Managing Director, Gimba Kumo, at N4.9 million few months after purchase of the vehicles.

The then MD was President Muhammadu Buhari’s son-in-law.

This was reflected in the report of the Auditor General of Federation, Anthony Ayine, for 2015, being investigated by the Senate Panel on Public Accounts.

According to Auditor General’s report, three vehicles bought by the agency .....................

READ MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/how-ex-fmbn-md-gimba-kumo-acquired-agencys-n49m-vehicles-for-n4-9m-few-months-after-purchase/

BEWARE! Scammers don’t need ATM card, cellphone to wipe your bank accounts, see latest tricks
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Nigerians have raised the alarm on how they are being swindled daily by advance fee fraudsters, popularly known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo boys’ and other criminals.

As the internet continues to expand into every aspect of society, online scams are only growing in sophistication.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/beware-scammers-dont-need-atm-card-cellphone-to-wipe-your-bank-accounts-see-latest-tricks/

FCCPC Irukera’s overzealous actions against Med Contour boss: The unanswered questions
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The social media was abuzz in the last few days with the news of the arrest and purported arraignment of Dr Anuoluwapo Adepoju of Med Contour Services Limited, a Lagos-based medical doctor, by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, over the death of one of her clients, Mrs Nneka Onwuzuligbo.

According to the FCCPC, Dr Anu Adepoju and her hospital were arraigned for allegedly obstructing the investigation by the commission into the case which led to the closure of the hospital for more than two months now.

However, the events of the last few days by the FCCPC and its chief executive officer who is also the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, have drawn the curious eyes of the public over the handling of the case.

The recent actions of Barr Irukera have raised eyebrows and questions are being asked as to his personal involvement in the case which borders on vendetta.

Some of the questions begging for answers over the case are: How else can we explain why the FCCPC would get involved in a case that is outside its jurisdiction? Why would Mr. Irukera the CEO of a Federal Government agency personally come to Lagos from Abuja and invade Dr Anu’s clinic with a team of policemen without a search warrant or any legal backing of any sort? Why does he appear to have an obsessive interest in Dr Anu’s case? In whose interest is he hellbent on circumventing the law just to embarrass Dr Anu? Why would a self-acclaimed lawyer act in this manner?

One would think the involvement of the CEO of the FCCPC will ensure that the agency follows the tenets of the rule of law. Instead, they did a hatchetman’s job; including totally misidentifying Dr Anu.

To compound matters, together with erring officers of the police, he orchestrated the illegal arrest of Dr Anu by DCP Longe and the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State Mr. Odumosu to making her spend three days in the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti.

He personally mandated DCP Yetunde Longe not to grant Dr. Anu administrative bail and claimed the orders to lock her up were supposedly from the inspector general of Police.

What do we make of the fact that Mr Irukera goes around intimidating innocent people using the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s name?
Is the vice president aware that a public official is making such vile threats with his good name?

Barr Irukera filed information about Dr Anu since the 3rd of June 2020 and did not serve her a copy as demanded by law. She only became aware of the charges in court on the 3rd of July 2020.
He was duly scolded by Justice LIMAN J. of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos for failure to duly and properly serve Dr. Anu the frivolous allegation levelled against her before the beginning of trial.

Before Dr Anu was arraigned, Mr Irukera went ahead to give the press uncertified court copies of proof of evidence, and affidavit of completion of investigation. Mr Irukera has made himself the regulator, enforcer, investigator, prosecutor and judge in this case.
It is interesting to note that against all sense of decency, Mr Irukera has embarked on a social media trial of Dr Anu. He spends more time attempting to smear Dr Anu’s good name than actually facing the job he was put in office for!

Please Mr. Irukere should tell the world where he got several millions of naira to pay over 15 press media houses that he commissioned on July 3, 2020 to push out fake news against Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju. Or is he being sponsored by someone?
He is also prosecuting Dr Anu in the electronic, print and social media.

It is high time the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and other relevant medical authorities cautioned Mr Irukera as he has no grounds to harass Dr Adepoju.

The vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo should immediately call Mr Irukera to order. He should be compelled to stop dragging the name of a well-respected individual in the mud with his gutter tactics.

This is also a clarion call on the president, Muhammadu Buhari to look into Mr Irukera’s activities as they are not befitting of the prestigious office which he holds. His actions bring disrepute to the efforts of Mr President to better the lot of Nigerians.

God bless Nigeria.

– Samson writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

I prefer sleeping in cell, not office, that’s Allah’s wish – Magu tells police after being quizzed
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For hours on Monday, acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, testified before a panel looking into allegations leveled against him by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The panel is headed by Justice Isa Ayo Salami, a retired president of the Court of Appeal.

Magu was detained last night after being quizzed by the panel.

He was whisked away from the Presidential Villa, where he was interrogated to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) at about 10.15pm shortly after the investigative panel ended its sitting.

His escort mobile policemen and security detail were stood down before he was taken into custody.

It was learnt that shortly after emerging from the sitting, Magu was led into a waiting white Hilux van marked 371D.

Magu insisted on sitting in the open space at the back of the Hilux.

The police team persuaded him to sit in the first cabin.

The ding-doing over his relocation to the FCID lasted about 25 minutes.

Magu was later allowed to go to the FCID in his official car.

A source said: “In the light of the ongoing investigation, it became expedient to detain Magu at the FCID. We do not want him to return to the office while he is being questioned, because he is likely to have another session with the Justice Salami panel.”

It was also learnt last night that Magu might be suspended from office.

“By not allowing him to go back to his office was an indication that he might be suspended.

“It is obvious that the Presidency has concluded plans to look for a new candidate for the office,” the source said.

At the FCID around 10.50pm, Magu rejected an offer to take him into an office to stay the night.

He told the officers in charge to treat him like a suspect by putting him in a cell.

Sitting on a chair, he said: “I won’t go and sleep in any .................................

READ MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/81106-2/

An end to financial scandals in Delta State may not be near, as an investigation has revealed that the State Government secured golden spoons, towels and assorted coffee for 30 godfathers in the state.

Although the list of the recipients are still unknown, a sum of N10,750,000 was expended to secure the items.

The details were contained in a memo with file number No. GHA.782/T18/6 obtained from the government house which was authored and allegedly executed by the Permanent Secretary, Government House & Protocol, Mr. Eddy Ogidi-Gbegbaje.

The permanent secretary, in the memo stated that, each hamper which sold at the cost of N350,000 would contain, “35 pieces of golden cutlery, wines, coffee, UK Camel Tea-sets, pens, beverages, champagne, honey assorted tea, and set of towels.”

A source within the government house disclosed that the gifts were part of the 2019 Christmas package for the selected persons.

According to him, while Deltans were finding it hard to secure rice and other commodities to facilitate their yuletide celebrations, such whooping sum was voted for such luxury.

Nevertheless, what he was not sure of was whether the stipulated 30 hampers were eventually purchased and delivered, since there was no proof.

Although in his usual manner refused to respond to inquiries, Mr. Ogidi-Gbegbaje had stated in the memo that, “as customary to the directorate, during the festive period, … categories of personalities are provided with giant size hampers on behalf of the state government.”

“The need for the state government to appreciate prominent Deltans in and outside the state during the upcoming Christmas and New Year Celebration for their support and contribution to the development of Delta State.”



Govt couldn’t feed Deltans during lockdown – Activist laments

Reacting to the development, director-general, Young Nigerians Rights Organization, Comrade Victor Ojie, said it was obvious that the Delta State Government under Senator Ifeanyi Okowa had little or no regards for Deltans.

He decried how deficiently the state addressed the needs of Deltans during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“It was difficult for the state to give food to Deltans during the COVID-19 lockdown. We are barely five million people in Delta State but the state could not cater for us despite the huge allocations accrued to Delta State.”

Ojie said, “the Government under Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is more interested in their personal effects. When they want to construct roads, they look for money. When they want to build schools, they look for money. But when it comes to their personal interest, there is always money for them in the Government House, the House of Assembly and the Peoples Democratic Party.”

He urged politicians in the state to look beyond the state by proving their mettle at the national level.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/80893-2/

Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and wife, Dame Edith, have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), THE WITNESS reports.

The governor disclosed the information through a post on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, saying that they are well and are on medication.

According to him: "My wife and I have

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/breaking-delta-gov-okowa-wife-test-positive-for-covid-19/

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Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has denied online reports that he is a co-owner of Executive Jets Services Ltd, an aviation company whose operating license was recently suspended indefinitely by the Ministry of Aviation after flouting lockdown guidelines for safety when it conveyed an artiste to Abuja for a concert. 

A statement by Anthony Chiejina, Group Head, Branding and Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, made available to THE WITNESS on Tuesday, refuted claims that Dangote is part owner of Executive Jets Services Ltd and further denied ownership of the Bombardier Challenger 605 with registration number 5N-EXS.

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to an online publication which alleged that our President/CE, Aliko Dangote is a co-owner of the Executive Jets Services Ltd, a private airline based in Lagos. We hereby refute this allegation in its entirety, as Aliko Dangote has no stake or vested interest in the Executive Jets Services Ltd.”

He further said “The said aircraft Bombardier Challenger 605 with registration number 5N-EXS does not belong to Aliko Dangote. Dangote Group only keeps its fleet of aircraft in the hangars operated by Executive Jets Services Ltd just as others also avail themselves of the hangar services. The general public is hereby advised to disregard this unfounded and misleading report.”

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/im-not-co-owner-of-executive-jets-dangote/

COVID-19: FirstBank disinfects Lagos branch, redeploys fresh team as staff tests positive
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First Bank of Nigeria Limited on Tuesday announced that one of its staff at its Marina, Lagos branch, has tested positive to coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to a statement by the bank made available to THE WITNESS, all staff of the branch have been asked to go on self-isolation and get tested, while the branch and its entire vicinity have been thoroughly disinfected.

“We have just confirmed that one of our staff working in FirstBank, Marina branch has tested positive to COVID-19 on 15 June 2020.

“In line with our COVID-19 emergency response plan, we have immediately activated our established incident management protocols. These include asking all staff of the branch to go on self-isolation and get tested.

“In addition, we immediately swung to action and have thoroughly disinfected the branch and the entire vicinity overnight.”

The lender, while reiterating its commitment to the safety of its staff, customers, and host communities, however, disclosed that a fresh team have been deployed to the branch with brand new personal protection kits and equipment.

“We have brought in a fresh team of our staff who have been given brand new personal protection kits and equipment to work with therefore, ensuring that there is no risk to any staff working out of the branch or any customer who chooses to bank with us at the same branch.

“Staff of the branch, whose tests are ongoing now, will not be returning to work until they are medically certified.

“The impact of COVID-19 has become the new norm and as we learn to live and deal with it. Swift, effective and decisive response in dealing with the challenges as they arise to ensure minimal disruption to service is critical as our new reality,” the statement added.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/covid-19-firstbank-disinfects-lagos-branch-redeploys-fresh-team-as-staff-tests-positive/

The Lagos State Government may have resolved to allow resumption of worships in churches and mosques in the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said churches and mosques would now be allowed to reopen after after several weeks of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/79554-2/

The immediate-past managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru, is dead. He was 60.

The current GMD of the corporation, Mele Kyari, confirmed the death on his verified Twitter handle, saying he died last night.

“My brother, my friend and my mentor, Dr Maikanti Kachalla Baru,

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/breaking-ex-nnpc-gmd-maikanti-baru-is-dead/

Parents, Atlantic Hall School at loggerheads over N175,000 monthly fee for e-learning
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The Board of Trustees of the Atlantic Hall School has come under scathing attack from parents who describe the virtual lesson fees during the school closure as exploitative and unfair.

The School had imposed an initial monthly fee of N195,000 per student with effect from May, with the plan for the virtual school to run till end of July or till such a time that schools will reopen after the relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions by the state.

But an immediate protest by the parents resulted in a N20,000 reduction to N175,000 as contained in a letter to parents dated May 10, 2020, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/78826-2/

Popular Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson Okojie and her husband, Prince Odi Okojie have welcomed their fourth child in the United States.

The couple have however, not disclosed the gender of the new born baby.

READ MORE AND SEE PHOTOS HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/78562-2/

The bankers committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has agreed that plans to lay off staff would be suspended.

This was announced in a statement signed by Isaac Okorafor, CBN director of corporate communications, on Sunday.

Okorafor said: “A special meeting of the Bankers’ Committee was convened on May 2, 2020, to further review the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic ...............

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/78487-2/

The management of Keystone Bank Limited, has alerted its teeming customers of the activities of one Mr. Obinna Onuselogu, who parades a company, Triple C Investment Limited, as an affiliate of the bank with the aim of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.

In a statement by the lender on Thursday, the bank said Mr. Onuselogu who used to be a staff of the bank was no longer in its employ. It added that anyone who transacts any business with him purportedly in the name of the bank does so at his/her own risk.

"Please note further that Keystone Bank is neither related nor affiliated to any company known as Triple C Investment Limited, which Mr. Onuselogu claims to be its chief executive officer. Anyone who transacts any business with him purportedly in the name of Keystone Bank does so at his/her own risk, the statement said.

It was learnt that the ex-staff has been using the name of the bank and its executives claiming to be in partnership with the bank with the intent of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.

The bank said it was working on a legal process and security agents to put an end to the unscrupulous activities of the so-called Tripple C Investment and its agents led by Mr Onuselogu.

Keystone Bank is a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering convenient and reliable solutions to its customers.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/keystone-bank-disowns-ex-staff-fake-investment-company/

COVID-19: Our Daily Manna publisher, Bishop Kwakpovwe, distributes food items to over 1000 in Lagos
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Publisher/author of the life-changing devotional booklet, Our Daily Manna (ODM) Worldwide, Bishop (Dr.) Chris Kwakpovwe and his wife, Rev. (Mrs) Flora, on Monday, 20th April 2020, distributed food items to over 1000 people in Lagos State, to mitigate the harsh impact of the lockdown directives of the Nigerian government as part of measures to combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The items worth millions of naira which included bags of rice, bags of garri, bags of beans, cartons of noodles, tubers of yams, sacks of salt and gallons of palm oil were presented to Lagosians including the under-privileged widows, children and the vulnerable, who thronged the church located at Ogudu-Orioke, Ojota, from all over the state.

The distributions were done in line with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC) guidelines on safety measures. Before the commencement of the distribution, all the beneficiaries were made to wash and sanitise their hands; the bishop and his team used face masks and gloves for the process while also maintaining social distancing. Members of the Nigerian Police Force were also on ground to ensure strict compliance with the NCDC’s COVID-19 rules.

Commenting on the gesture, Bishop Kwakpovwe, who is also the presiding minister of Manna Prayer Mountain, an inter-denominational ministry under the ODM publications said he was concerned that the pandemic has reached dangerous dimensions, with a spike in infection numbers around the world and Nigeria. He said that the gesture was to cushion the effects of the lockdown arising from the pandemic.

“We are in difficult times, but our hope is on the word of God which assures us that we are more than conquerors.

“As we continue to pray for an end to the pandemic, which has impacted Nigeria and other countries negatively, we are also concerned about its effects; hence, this is our own little way of supporting our communities.

“One of the mandates of Our Daily Manna is to positively impact lives both spiritually and physically. We do this almost everyday even before the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The ODM publisher further stressed that he was motivated to assist the needy because the government alone cannot carry the weight of the lockdown on the people.

“Government cannot do it alone, religious and corporate institutions must continue to join hands with the state to mitigate the impact of the lockdown in the country and that is what we are doing.”

Beneficiaries couldn’t hide their joy and happiness for the support from the ODM publisher as they took turns to shower praises on the bishop and the church for remembering them in these trying times.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Omoyele, a mother of four expressed her gratitude as she collected her food parcel. She said: “I was not expecting food today because I didn’t know how to feed myself and my children, but I thank the Man of God and the Our Daily Manna team for giving me food. Now I can feed my children.”

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Eunice Nwachukwu said: “Of a truth, it has not been easy for me and my children. But thanks to the man of God and his wife for the palliative, this will go a long way.”

A Muslim, Mr. Muhammed Suleman who could not control his emotions after collecting the foodstuffs said: “God will bless the bishop. This gesture came at the right time.”

Bishop Kwakpovwe has been fulfilling his kingdom mandate of supporting the needy and touching lives. Year after year, he spends millions of naira to provide for the needy across the country.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/covid-19-our-daily-manna-publisher-bishop-kwakpovwe-distributes-food-items-to-over-1000-in-lagos/

The Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is set to probe the acting director-general of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Aisha Dahir-Umar, for alleged misappropriation of funds, flagrant violation of procurement process and abuse of office, THE WITNESS reports.

The investigation, THE WITNESS gathered, follows recent findings by the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Pensions, which revealed high level of financial recklessness in the commission headed by Dahir-Umar.

According to the committees, the pension commission fraudulently spent N9 billion on salaries of only 386 staff, and another N12.3 billion (of the Internally generated revenue of the commission) without approval of the National Assembly. The committees noted that by the PENCOM DG’s summation, the N9 billion salaries are estimated at an average of N2 million monthly per staff.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/77839-2/

More details have emerged on why Abba Kyari, former chief of staff to Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, died after contracting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), THE WITNESS reports.

Kyari’s death which may have increased the number of confirmed coronavirus death cases in Nigeria to 17, was said to have occurred on Friday, after battling with the disease for four weeks.

Though, Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, who broke the news of his death on Friday night, did not go into details, an inside source informed THE WITNESS that Kyar...............

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/77710-2/

Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, is dead.

The president’s chief of staff had gone on self-isolation late March after testing positive for the disease.

He had subsequently moved to Lagos for treatment. Details of his death are still sketchy but Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, confirmed it.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/breaking-buharis-chief-of-staff-abba-kyari-is-dead/

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has extended the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown in the federal capital territory, Lagos and Ogun States by 14 days, THE WITNESS reports.

The president disclosed this in his broadcast to the nation on Monday.

President Buhari had ordered the restriction of movements in the affected states which are the hardest hit by the coronavirus in the country, for two weeks. The two weeks elapses today, Monday, April 13, 2020.

In his words: “With this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/77628-2/

As Delta State continues to battle the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which has driven the state to a lockdown, an unjust and wasteful allocation by the state government has been uncovered, THE WITNESS reports.

Despite the high rates of poverty, unemployment and poor infrastructural development in the ‘big heart state’, investigation by THE WITNESS revealed that the state governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, has allegedly turned the state’s governance to a family business.

In the 2020 Delta State budget seen by THE WITNESS, Gov. Okowa allocated a whopping N400 million to his daughter’s office. The governor had in October 2019, appointed his daughter, Marilyn, as his senior special assistant on Girl-child Education, an office with less relevance to the current challenges facing the state.

A critical look at the budget shows that the governor’s daughter is the only SSA who has a budget allocated to her office.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/77586-2/

Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele-Bello and her husband, Abdul-Rasheed Bello (JJC), have been sentenced to 14-day community service for contravening the lockdown order in Lagos State.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/77366-2/

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown continues in Abuja, Lagos and later Ogun, a video of a man allegedly killed by police officers in Abuja on Wednesday has emerged, THE WITNESS reports.

According to unconfirmed reports trending online, the deceased went out to buy food for his pregnant wife during the lockdown when some police officers enforcing compliance accosted him.

It was learnt that despite explanations by the deceased, the police started beating him till he collapsed and died.

WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/covid-19-lockdown-police-officers-allegedly-beat-man-to-death-in-abuja-video/

Airtel Networks Limited (Airtel Nigeria), on Tuesday succumbed to pressure from Nigerians as it announced the removal of charges for its short message service (SMS), for its subscribers, in the light of the current disruption triggered by Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic .

In a tweet on its verified Twitter handle, @AirtelNigeria, the telecom firm said: ...............................

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/77051-2/

Four new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in Nigeria.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the cases are three in ......

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/breaking-nigeria-records-four-new-cases-of-covid-19/

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has ordered the restriction of movements in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja from 11pm on Monday 30th, March, 2020, THE WITNESS reports.

The president who disclosed this in his broadcast to the nation on Sunday however said the restriction will be for an initial period of 14 day from Monday.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/76887-2/

As part of a robust effort to combat the deadly Coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria, the management of Keystone Bank Limited today announced the donation of N1 billion for the purchase of relief materials, critical care facilities and protective gear to contain the spread of the virus.

The pledge was made during the Bankers’ Committee meeting held recently to support the Central Bank of Nigeria in its bid to raise funds for the fight against coronavirus pandemic through the newly-formed Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Committee against COVID-19.

In a press statement, the Acting Managing Director, Mr. Olaniran Olayinka explained that the decision to make the pledge is part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility pillar to provide an enabling environment by improving the well-being and health of the communities wherein we operate.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/keystone-bank-pledges-n1bn-to-strengthen-fight-against-coronavirus/