Month: February 2025

MultiChoice Price Hike Under Scrutiny: FCCPC Launches Investigation

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has mandated MultiChoice Nigeria, the operator of DStv and GOtv, to maintain its current subscription prices. This directive is in place while the FCCPC conducts an investigation into the company’s planned tariff adjustments. The commission’s decision to freeze prices is primarily to prevent potential consumer exploitation during the investigative period. This directive was communicated through a statement issued by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs for the FCCPC, on Thursday. Although the FCCPC granted MultiChoice’s request for a postponement of a prior…

Atiku condemns Tinubu’s silence on Lagos assembly crisis

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticsed President Bola Tinubu for his silence over the crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly. He described it as a tacit endorsement of anti-democratic tactics aimed at subverting the will of lawmakers. Atiku, in a statement signed by his media aide, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, condemned what he called “backdoor tactics” and the use of state-backed security forces to reverse the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, despite his ousting by an overwhelming majority of Assembly members. Obasa had stormed the Lagos…

EFCC Arraigns P-Square Brother, Jude Okoye Over Alleged Fraud

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EFCC Arraigns P-Square Brother, Jude Okoye Over Alleged Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against Jude Okoye, the elder sibling and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye from the now-defunct music group P-Square, for allegedly laundering ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59. It is worth noting that Okoye appeared in court alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, facing a total of seven charges. One of the charges states that Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd, in 2022, acquired a…

Trump unveils $5m ‘gold card’ visa to attract wealthy immigrants

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US President Donald Trump unveiled plans Tuesday to sell new “gold card” residency permits for a price of $5 million each — and said Russian oligarchs may be eligible. Trump said sales of the new visa, a high-price version of the traditional green card, would bring in job creators and could be used to reduce the US national deficit. “We’re going to be selling a gold card. You have a green card, this is a gold card. We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5…

Obasa awaiting ruling before returning to Assembly – Lawyer

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The legal team of ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has said there is no plan to withdraw the suit filed to challenge his removal as Speaker. Obasa’s lead counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN),  said he was prepared for the court hearing fixed for February 28, notwithstanding the moves to resolve the Assembly crisis politically. Fashanu also explained that Obasa does not plan to return to the Assembly until after he has obtained a judgment from the court. According to Fashanu,  it could amount to…

Lagos Assembly speaker: Meranda’s Position Uncertain as Akande Panel Finalizes Shortlist

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The speakership crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly may soon find resolution, thanks to the intervention of key figures within the All Progressives Congress. Indications suggest that both the impeached Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, might step aside, allowing another lawmaker to assume leadership of the House. This development follows the intervention of prominent APC members, including former governors Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode, among others. President Bola Tinubu directed this high-powered APC delegation to address the escalating political tension within the…

Osimhen in Top Form, Excited for World Cup Qualifiers

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Victor Osimhen, the Galatasaray striker currently on loan from Napoli, is eager to participate in Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers under the leadership of new coach Eric Chelle. The Super Eagles are aiming to revitalize their campaign in their upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. Osimhen, who has been in exceptional form this season, has scored 20 goals and provided five assists in 25 appearances across all competitions for his Turkish club. Having missed the initial four games of the previous qualifying series due to injury, the 26-year-old…

Okocha: Gasperini’s Reaction to Lookman Was Excessive

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Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, has publicly defended Ademola Lookman following the Nigerian forward’s contentious situation with Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The dispute stemmed from Atalanta’s Champions League exit against Club Brugge, where Gasperini attributed their elimination, in part, to Lookman’s missed penalty. Despite Lookman scoring early in the second half, his subsequent penalty miss proved detrimental, contributing to Atalanta’s 5-2 aggregate defeat. Instead of sharing collective responsibility for the team’s performance, Gasperini singled out Lookman, labeling him “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever…

APC, PDP clash as El-Rufai woos opposition parties

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The All Progressives Congress on Sunday attacked the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, as indications emerged that the former Federal Capital Territory minister was rallying northern leaders and bigwigs against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 poll. The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, accused El-Rufai of stoking ethnic agenda over his failure to get a cabinet appointment. The once-cordial relationship between the President and El-Rufai soured after he failed to secure a ministerial appointment. Though Tinubu nominated him for a ministerial position, the ex-governor was rejected…

Babangida justifies $12.4bn Gulf oil windfall mismanagement despite Okigbo report

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Former military President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, says Nigeria failed to maximise its oil boom years due to what he described as a nationwide “profligacy” and “conspicuous consumption” that undermined the economy’s long-term development. He also justified the spending of the $12.4bn oil windfall by his government. “What I have done is not unusual in this country. Somebody did it before me, but I won’t mention names. We did undertake the construction of various ports and other projects (including bridges). “That money could have gone into the Federation Account. Yes, but…