Cryptocurrency: Turn In Users’ Data To Nigerian Govt – Court Orders Binance

…. As Experts Warn Of Economic Consequences By Ogechi Okirie ABUJA – Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted an interim order compelling Binance Holdings Limited (prominent cryptocurrency exchange platform) to furnish the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with comprehensive data on all Nigerian traders using its platform. “The applicant’s application dated and filed 29th February, 2024, is hereby granted as prayed. That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing the operators of Binance to provide the commission with comprehensive data/information relating to all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform,” the judge ordered. The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, issued the order following an ex parte motion moved by the EFCC’s legal representative, Ekele Iheanacho, aims to provide crucial information to the anti-graft agency for its investigation. The ex parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/259/2024 was brought pursuant to Sections 6(b), (h), (I), 7(1), (a)(2), and 38 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Establishment Act, 2004 and Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 (as amended) and the inherent powers of the …

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APC in diaspora asks Tinubu to intervene in UK chapter crisis

ABUJA- The Committee of Diaspora Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (CDC-APC) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the brewing crisis over the conduct of election into the United Kingdom chapter. The call is contained in a statement jointly signed by Adesegun Labinjo and Bola Babarinde, the chairman and general secretary of the Committee, respectively, on Monday. According to the statement, the president’s speedy intervention is needed following an alleged election compromise into the UK diaspora chapter. The statement said if the situation is not checked, it might lead to unintended and unfavourable outcomes for the diaspora chapter and the party. “With the imminent catastrophe, the lasting solutions which we all yearn for may elude the chapter and other chapters in Diaspora,” it said. The statement also mentioned that the frosty relationship between CDC-APC and APC headquarters should end, adding that the diaspora chapters were not in competition with the party’s leadership. “We want to support and complement the party, and to leverage on the strength and spread of our supporters abroad, which is to be marshalled …

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One killed, two injured as suicide bomber strikes in Borno

MAIDUGURI- The police in Borno on Monday confirmed that a suicide bomber injured two persons in the Biu Local Government Area of the state. ASP Daso Nahum, the command’s public relations officer, confirmed the incident to journalists on Monday. Mr Nahum said the incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, when the Muslim faithful were observing their night prayers. ”The male suicide bomber, who was suspected to be heading to the mosque, detonated the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) close to the roundabout, killing himself. ”Two passersby who were wounded by the explosive were immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment. ”A combined team of security personnel were immediately deployed to the scene of the incident to restore normalcy,” he said. The spokesman urged the state’s people to heighten their level of vigilance, especially during Ramadan, when most Muslim faithful are observing late night prayers. ”People should make sure that they are vigilant and should not hesitate to report any suspicious moves to the security agencies,” he said.  (NAN)

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UN chief condemns attack on peacekeepers in DR Congo

NEW YORK- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, has condemned an attack that saw eight peacekeepers from the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) wounded during clashes between the powerful M23 rebel movement and Government troops. The incident occurred on Saturday, in the vicinity of Sake, just 20 kilometers from Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu. The wounded peacekeepers, who were part of Operation Springbok initiated last November to safeguard civilians in the region, sustained their injuries amidst the ongoing fighting, where UN troops have been assisting Government forces in order to protect vulnerable civilians. Guterres, in a statement by his Spokesperson, Mr Stephane Dujarric condemned the attack, emphasising that it could amount to a war crime under international law. Expressing his wishes for a swift recovery for the injured peacekeepers, he reiterated calls for all armed groups, Congolese and foreign fighters alike to immediately cease hostilities and engage in the disarmament process. Furthermore, the UN chief emphasised the necessity for M23 to withdraw entirely from territory it has occupied and conform to the agreements outlined in the …

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Perform or be sacked, Wike tells FCTA Permanent Secretaries

ABUJA- The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has advised the newly inaugurated Permanent Secretaries for the FCT Administration to perform, else, they will be sacked. Wike gave the warning after the inauguration of the Chairman and Commissioners of the FCT Civil Service Commission, FCT Head of Service, and the Permanent Secretaries in Abuja on Monday. “As a permanent secretary, you are not a political appointee, and you know the implication of that. “If you perform below our expectations, there is nothing like query him in accordance with civil service rules. “We have no time for that. We will just send you packing as permanent secretary,’’ he said. Wike added: “I don’t want to hear that files are unduly delayed. “We want you to support the government of President Bola Tinubu to realise the Renewed Hope Agenda’’. The minister reminded the FCT workers of the long struggle for the realisation of the FCT Civil Service Commission since enactment of the law in 2018. He said as President Tinubu had actualised the dream, it was only fair …

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Wizkid killed rap, now trying to kill Afrobeats – Terry Tha Rapman

Veteran Nigerian rapper Terry Tha Rapman has called out singer Wizkid over his recent habit of “killing” genres with his comments. Recalled that Wizkid has been under fire after he denounced Afrobeats in a social media post recently, saying he can’t be boxed into one category. Reacting via X platform, Terry Tha Rapman recalled that Wizkid “killed” rap with his comment that “rap is dead” and has now “killed” Afrobeats with his recent outburst. He urged Highlife artists to beware of Wizkid, adding that it might be his next target. Terry Tha Rapman wrote, “First rap, now Afrobeats. How many genres Wizkid wan kill? Highlife, run o!”

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Just in: Sokoto central market on fire

Fire has gutted the motorcycle section of Sokoto Central Market. An eyewitness, who could not ascertain the cause, said the fire started early Monday morning. However, another source revealed that the fire emanated from a dump site close to the motorcycle section. While reacting to the incident, the chairman of the Motorcycles Marketers Association, Shehu Muhammad, said they could not quantify the number of motorcycles destroyed because the fire was still raging. “We cannot quantify the number of motorcycles burnt down by the fire now because the fire is still raging. “But many people lost their shops along with their motorcycles because they could not come in time as the fire started around 6 am. “But men of the federal and state fire services are currently battling, but I know it will take some time before they can quench it all,” he said. He, however, begged the state government to come to the aid of those who lost their property during the inferno.

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Top 10: FA Cup leading scorers this season

Following the FA Cup semi-final draw on Sunday night, below are currently the top scorers in the competition. Blackburn Rovers’ Sammie Szmodics is currently the top scorer in the FA Cup with six goals. Szmodics is ahead of the likes of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who has five goals and Coventry City’s Ellis Simms, who also has five goals to his name. Recall that Manchester United will face Coventry United in the FA Cup last-4 after beating Liverpool. Chelsea will clash with Premier League Champions Manchester City in the other semi-final tie after beating Leicester City. Here are the FA Cup’s leading scorers so far: Six goals: Sammie Szmodics Five goals: Erling Haaland, Ellis Simms and João Pedro Four goals: Kyle Wootton Three goals: Joshua Stokes, Shane McLoughlin, Ali Al Hamadi, Callum O’Hare and Jack Barham.

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Court orders Binance to release names, transaction details of Nigerian users

ABUJA- The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ordered Binance Holdings Limited to provide the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with comprehensive information on all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the interim order after ruling on the ex parte motion moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho. “The applicant’s application dated and filed 29th February, 2024, is hereby granted as prayed. That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing the operators of Binance to provide the commission with comprehensive data/information relating to all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform,” the judge ordered. The interim order enabled the anti-graft agency to unravel the alleged money laundering and terrorism financing on Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange platform. The ex parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/259/2024 was brought pursuant to Sections 6(b), (h), (I), 7(1), (a)(2), and 38 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Establishment Act, 2004 and Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 (as amended) and the inherent powers of the court. In the affidavit in support of …

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Again, terrorists abduct 87 in fresh Kaduna attack

Terrorists on Sunday night abducted 87 people after launching a fresh attack on the Kajuru-Station community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. A member of the Kajuru-Station Youths, Harisu Dari, confirmed the incident on Monday. Harisu, who said the terrorists stormed the village around 10 pm, said they also broke into some shops and stole food items and other valuables. The attack came barely two days after 15 women and a man were abducted in the Dogon-Noma community of the same local government. Kajuru and Chikun LGs had in the past two weeks become the hotbed of kidnapping, causing tension in the state. Harisu explained that no contact has been established yet with the 87 locals abducted on Sunday night. “As of the time I visited the community this morning, security operatives have not been drafted to help restore the confidence of the villagers. “The villagers are traumatized by the sad development. The government needs to re-strategise in tackling these terrorists,” he said. Precise Post reports that the terrorists had in two weeks kidnapped over 172 villagers in …

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Budget Padding: Salient Questions Nobody is Asking Ningi, By Ola Awoniyi

What was the motive of Distinguished Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi for raising a controversy over the 2024 federal budget? Since the Senate at its Plenary of Tuesday 12th March, 2024 deliberated over the matter and handed a three-month suspension to the Bauchi Senator, there have been countless commentaries in the media on the issue but few of them have considered the pertinent questions that would have helped Nigerians see what Senator Ningi sought to achieve by essentially stirring up a hornests’ nest. To start with, Ningi is not just a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is a ranking Senator with vast experience in legislative business. Ningi was first elected to the House of Representatives at the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999 and is one of the longest serving federal lawmakers in Nigeria. He was the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007, and Deputy Majority Leader in the Senate for another four years between 2011 and 2015. Those were privileged positions that made him a Principal Officer in both chambers of …

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Northern Senators Forum condoles with Nigerian Army over Delta killings

ABUJA- The Northern Senators Forum (NSF), has condoled with the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Defence  Staff and the Chief of Army over the loss of personnel in the Delta killings. Chairman of the Forum, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’adua made this known in a statement in Abuja on Sunday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, 12 soldiers and a civilian,  lost their lives on Thursday, March 14 in an ambush at Okuoma Community, Ugheli South Local Government Area of Delta. The incident occurred when the troops were responding to a crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities of the area. In his condolence message, Yar’adua expressed the group’s deepest condolences. The lawmaker who is also Chairman, Senate Committee on Army said ” On behalf of northern senators we wish to extend our deepest condolences to the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army and officers and troops of Operation Delta Safe. “This is on the tragic loss of personnel who were killed during a peace mission to Okuama …

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Putin says his win’ll make Russia stronger as results project landslide

MOSCOW- Russian President Vladimir Putin says his win will make Russia stronger as results project a landslide. Early result means that Putin looks to have easily won a new six-year term that would enable him to overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia’s longest-serving leader for more than 200 years. After the win, Putin told reporters that Russia must make its army stronger and that the ‘noon against Putin’ protests had no effect. The Russian president added that he would do everything he could to solve the tasks of what he termed Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine. Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. after election results projected a landslide victor, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised China for its success on the world stage. Putin said relations between China and Russia were sustainable and he was sure they would be stronger in the coming years. Sanctions against China are doomed to fail, he added. Putin also said there was no democracy in the West, including in the United States. The electoral system is more transparent in Russia than …

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Gov. Sanwo-Olu urges Nigerians to be prayerful amid worsening hunger, economic hardship

LAGOS- Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has enjoined Nigerians to be focused and steadfast in prayers for the nation to successfully overcome its current economic challenges. Mr Sanwo-Olu gave this charge during the annual Ramadan public lecture (1445 A.H) held at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island on Saturday. The theme of the lecture was: “The Current Economic Situation: Solution from Islamic Perspective.” Mr Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, advised leaders to come up with policies that would be beneficial for the nation’s economy. He also urged the people to be patient with government, while stating that society could not afford to be toxic at this time. According to Mr Sanwo-Olu, the society cannot afford to be toxic as people go to social media to curse which is not the solution. “The solution is for us all to come together and pray so that things can be better for our country. “The reality of things is that the withdrawal of subsidy, which we have been used to for decades, will come with challenges. “So, my …

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APGA celebrates Gov. Soludo’s two-year anniversary in office

ABUJA- The National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sly Ezeokenwa, has congratulated Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, on his two-year anniversary in office. Ezeokenwa, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Tony Mbeki on Sunday in Abuja, congratulated Soludo. Ezeokenwa said that the two-year period under the visionary leadership of Soludo had been a significant chapter in the annals of Anambra’s journey towards achieving a livable and prosperous state. He described Soludo as the embodiment of the aspirations and prayers of the people of Anambra. He also described him as a veritable angel sent to shepherd the state into an era of unprecedented growth and development. “Soludo’s tenure so far has been a testament to the transformative power of dedicated and insightful governance. “His commitment to fostering a state that is not only livable but also thrives on all fronts reflects the very ethos that APGA stands for,” he said. Ezeokenwa said that the two years of Soludo’s administration had significantly impacted the socio-economic landscape of Anambra State. This cuts across different sectors, including …

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Rail Project: Discountenance Insinuations Cast On MoU Between Transport Ministry And MPH Rail Development – FMT to Nigerians

By Simon Akwu Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMT) has urged the Nigeeian pubic to discountenance the insinuations, cynicism and aspersions cast by certain persons (especially on social media) concerning the status and implications of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 12th February, 2024 by the Honourable Minister of Transportation (HMT), Senator Said Ahmed Alkali on behalf of the Ministry with Messrs. MPH Rail Development (UK) Limited, a United Kingdom-registered company with Nigerian and foreign shareholding. According to the statement signed by the Director Press and Public Relations released via X, for clarity, a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, is a non-binding agreement that states each party’s intentions to take action, conduct a business transaction, or form a new partnership.  It is not a legally binding agreement. It provides only a platform for further engagement, discussion, scrutiny, and the provision of required guarantees by the parties to reach an agreement if the parties are satisfied. The statement titled: “Setting the Records Straight: The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Federal Ministry of Transportation and MPH Rail Development (UK) Limited for …

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