Commissioner: Keyamo Will Begin Construction of the Abia Airport on Tuesday.

The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, is scheduled to officially commence the construction of an airport in Nsulu, Abia State, on Tuesday of the upcoming week. This announcement was made by the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during a press conference that followed the weekly Executive Council meeting held in Umuahia. He indicated that the project represents a partnership between the Federal Government and the Abia State Government. The Commissioner noted that the Federal Government had originally intended to build an airstrip; however, Governor Alex Otti advocated for its enhancement into a fully operational airport. “The State will contribute by constructing standard runways capable of accommodating large aircraft,” Kanu stated. He underscored that the completion of the airport would greatly boost the socio-economic activities and tourism prospects of Abia. Educational Initiatives Kanu further revealed plans to establish 20 smart schools across the 17 local government areas of the state, as part of Governor Otti’s initiative to reform the education sector. These smart schools will be equipped with interactive boards, internet access, and other contemporary facilities. Existing schools will be chosen for upgrades, and additional teaching staff will be recruited. This initiative aligns with the government’s policy of providing free and compulsory education for students from primary through Junior Secondary 3, set to commence in January 2025. “This policy is designed to ensure that there are no out-of-school children in Abia,” Kanu remarked.

"You Have Made A Terrible Error" is How Jay Z Responds to Accusations of Rape.

During the recent week, Sean Carter, widely recognized as Jay Z and the CEO of Roc Nation, has faced allegations of having raped a 13-year-old girl several years ago. Jay Z has maintained a friendship with Diddy for approximately three decades, making it difficult to dismiss the possibility of his involvement in these allegations. In response to the claims regarding the alleged assault of a minor, he has issued a statement through his legal representatives. He stated: "You have made a grave misjudgment in assuming that 'celebrities' are all the same. "I do not belong to your world. I am a young man who emerged from the projects in Brooklyn. We do not engage in such games. We adhere to strict codes and values. We safeguard children. "It appears that you exploit individuals for your own benefit."

Citing an Abuja Court Order, Glendora Bookshop Lagos Removes Farotimi's Book From its Shelves.

Following the recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which issued an injunction prohibiting the further production and distribution of "Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System," authored by human rights attorney Dele Farotimi, it has been reported that the Managing Director of Glendora Bookshop in Ikeja, Lagos State, has instructed the immediate withdrawal of all copies of the book from its shelves nationwide, according to Trustbase News. Staff members indicated that this action was taken in compliance with the court's order, which specifically restrains the ongoing production and distribution of the aforementioned book. The injunction stems from allegations of defamatory content within the book directed at the esteemed legal practitioner, Afe Babalola, SAN. A staff member who spoke to journalists on Wednesday confirmed the directive, stating, "The owner of Glendora Bookshop has instructed us to remove the book from the shelves immediately and return it to the publishers. As of now, all copies of the book have been taken off our shelves. In fact, we do not have any copies remaining in our store." The book has sparked considerable controversy due to its claims of judicial manipulation and has recently achieved global bestseller status in the politics category on the Amazon platform. Trustbase News previously reported that armed police officers apprehended Farotimi at his office in Lagos State on December 3 and transported him to Ekiti, over 300 kilometers away. The following day, he was brought before a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, facing charges of criminal defamation against the legal luminary Afe Babalola, SAN, as outlined in "Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System." The book alleges that Babalola engaged in judicial manipulation to obtain favorable rulings for his clients. These allegations have not only garnered significant public attention but have also placed the legal figure under scrutiny, with increasing criticism regarding his use of police resources to intimidate Farotimi. A court order was sought and secured by Afe Babalola, mandating an immediate cessation of all sales and distribution of the book, encompassing both physical and digital formats. In the legal case No. CV/5372/24, filed on December 6, 2024, by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, who leads Afe Babalola’s law firm, the Plaintiff additionally requested an order to confiscate any royalties accrued from the book's sales. The court issued an interlocutory injunction prohibiting Farotimi and all related entities from continuing the distribution of the book.

JUST IN: The Senate Declares the Seat of Edo Governor Okpebholo Vacant.

The Senate announced on Wednesday that the position held by Governor Monday Okpebholo is now vacant. Additionally, the Senate called upon the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a bye-election to fill this vacancy. The vacancy arose after Okpebholo, who served the Edo Central Senatorial District, was elected and inaugurated as the Governor of Edo State last month. Senate President Godswill Akpabio made this announcement following a valedictory session held in honor of Okpebholo by the Senate. Akpabio encouraged the Governor to uphold his legacy of positive contributions as he undertakes his responsibilities in Edo State. Further details will be provided shortly...

A Defender From Cameroon Supports Lookman to Win the CAF Men's Player Award.

Flavien Enzo Boyomo, a defender from Cameroon, is endorsing Ademola Lookman for the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award. Lookman has been selected as one of the five finalists for this prestigious accolade. The other nominees include Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi, and Ronwen Williams. Boyomo, who is currently with the Spanish club Osasuna, asserts that Lookman possesses the strongest likelihood of securing the award compared to the other contenders. “I am confident that Lookman will claim the African Ballon d’Or,” Boyomo stated, as reported by Actu Cameroon. “He has won the Europa League and stands the best chance of taking home the trophy this year.”

BREAKING: Ekiti Court Grants Fiery Human Rights Lawyer, Dele Farotimi Bail Set at ₦50 Million

Ekiti court grants fiery human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi bail set at ₦50 million, alongside a surety of equal value. The surety must also possess landed property as part of the bail conditions. This decision marks a significant step in the ongoing legal proceedings, reflecting a moment of relief for supporters who have consistently rallied for his freedom under the hashtag #FreeDeleFarotimiNow. The case has been adjourned to the 29th of January, 2025, where further deliberations will take place. Dele Farotimi's situation has drawn widespread attention, sparking debates on the justice system and the rights of citizens. As the next court date looms, activists and supporters are urging for fairness and justice to prevail. They have continued to express solidarity, underscoring the importance of standing by voices that challenge the status quo and advocate for the rights of the people. This development will undoubtedly keep all eyes fixed on the court as the date approaches. For now, the hope remains that justice will take its course.

A Session of the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal is Disrupted by Political Thugs.

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal commenced its pre-hearing session in Benin on Monday, addressing petitions that contest the results of the governorship election held on September 21, 2024, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Unfortunately, the proceedings were disrupted by violence when armed individuals stormed the Edo State High Court. Supporters from seven political parties challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s victory were assaulted by unidentified assailants outside the courtroom. In response, security personnel established barriers at the court entrance and erected roadblocks along the access routes to the location. On September 22, 2024, INEC declared APC candidate Monday Okpebholo the election winner, securing 291,667 votes, thereby defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who received 22,763 votes. The PDP, along with six other parties, submitted petitions to the three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, in an effort to overturn the election results. The PDP specifically requested that the tribunal annul the results and declare Ighodalo as the rightful winner. The tribunal is set to consider seven distinct petitions, which include submissions from the Accord Party, Alliance Party, Social Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Democratic Party, and Zenith Labour Party. The tribunal was established by the National Judicial Council just one week prior to the election, with its Secretary, Muazu Bagudu, confirming the schedule for the pre-hearing.

Dele Farotimi is Granted N50 Million Bail by the Court, and it Adjourns to January 2025.

The Federal High Court in Ekiti has approved a bail of N50 million for Dele Farotimi, a human rights advocate, contingent upon the provision of one surety. On Monday, the court mandated that the surety submit proof of two years' tax clearance, documentation of land ownership, and a letter of authorization from the telecommunications provider. In the meantime, the case concerning the alleged cybercrime has been postponed until January 29, 2025.

EPL: Chelsea is Not Prepared to Compete for the Premier League Title, Says Maresca

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that his squad is not prepared to compete for the Premier League title this season. Maresca noted that teams such as Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City are significantly ahead of Chelsea in terms of readiness. His comments followed Chelsea's remarkable comeback from a two-goal deficit to secure a victory against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday. “Arsenal, City, and Liverpool likely do not experience the same setbacks… as Marc Cucurella did! “On a serious note, we are not prepared; we are quite distant from those teams. Our focus is on daily improvement and enhancing the team,” Maresca conveyed to Sky Sports. Currently, Chelsea occupies the second position in the Premier League standings, trailing only behind Liverpool, while maintaining a lead over Arsenal and Manchester City.

More than fifty Women and Children are Kidnapped by Gunmen in the Zamfara Neighborhood.

Gunmen believed to be bandits have carried out an assault on Kakin Dawa village, located in the Gidan Goga district of the Maradun Local Government Area in Zamfara State. Reports indicate that the assailants abducted more than 50 women and children during the attack. A local resident recounted that the armed men invaded the village around 1:30 am on Sunday, equipped with advanced weaponry, and systematically moved from one house to another. “Panic ensued as everyone began to flee, given that the armed bandits have been targeting our community; we later learned that over 50 of our women had been taken,” he stated. He further noted that the victims included both young girls and married women. He urged both the federal and Zamfara State governments to increase the deployment of military and security forces to the area to confront the terrorists. Attempts to obtain a response from the State police command spokesman, ASP Yazid Abubakar, were unsuccessful at the time of this report.

In Abuja, a Missing Child From Port Harcourt School Was Found.

The Police Command of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has announced that a 4-year-old child named Hope Evans, who was recently reported missing in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, has been located in Abuja. In a statement released on Sunday, the command's spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, disclosed that Hope was reported missing by his mother, Ms. Lydia Jonah Gabriel, on October 31, 2024. The statement detailed that the alarming incident took place around 2 PM when Ms. Lydia raised concerns about her child's absence, who was anticipated to return from the community primary school in Azube, Port Harcourt. According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a suspect identified as Blessing Okoi, currently in custody, allegedly enticed the child away from the school grounds by offering him biscuits and eggs. Josephine noted, “The woman, unfamiliar to the school authorities, managed to leave with Hope without being noticed until the evening when the family could not find him.” She further stated, “Upon realizing her son was missing, Ms. Lydia, accompanied by family members, went to the school to seek additional information.” The PPRO indicated that it was then revealed that the individual who took Hope from the school was locally recognized as Destiny’s mother. However, when the family visited the suspect's residence, they learned that she had quickly vacated the premises that same night. Josephine reported that the child's family subsequently filed a report at the Trans Amadi police station. The case was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more thorough and prompt investigation. Josephine elaborated that, suspecting the individual may have fled to Abuja, the victim’s younger sister reported the incident to the FCT police command. She stated that the Police Commissioner in the FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, has ordered an immediate investigation. Following a thorough investigation, law enforcement officials were able to trace the movements of the suspect, Blessing Okoi, to Maraba, a suburb of Abuja, where she was apprehended on November 29. She stated, “At around 8 PM that evening, the 4-year-old Hope Evans was successfully rescued. “The suspect had previously asserted that she was the child’s mother; however, her statements were inconsistent with the information provided by the victim’s actual mother.” Josephine further noted that the command subsequently reached out to the child’s mother, who arrived in Abuja on November 6, leading to the reunion of the child with her mother.