News
Fani-Kayode’s special assistant slumps, dies in Abuja hotel
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has announced the death of his longtime Special Assistant, Mr. Ndifreke Saviour Mark, who slumped and died in an Abuja hotel.
Fani-Kayode, made this announcement on his official Xaccoutn formally Twitter in the early hours of Monday, 21 October 2024.
According to Fani-Kayode, Mark left his residence early in the morning to attend Mass at the Catholic Church of Assumption, Asokoro, on Sunday, October 13, before heading to a hotel with an individual before his death.
Mark, who had served FFK for over 34 years, was reportedly checked into Mildy Lodge and Apartments in Garki, Abuja, where he spent some time with an unidentified individual.
“According to the police, he took a room at the hotel, spent time with an individual, and apparently slumped and died in that person’s presence,” Fani-Kayode revealed.
Mark was rushed to the Asokoro District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The individual who was with him at the time of his collapse has been taken into police custody, and a full criminal investigation is underway.
Fani-Kayode expressed his deep grief over the loss, describing Mark as a loyal and trusted aide. “He was like a son to me, and his passing is a huge blow to my family and me.
We shared many dreams and aspirations, and now he has gone, it has left much pain,” he said.
The hotel staff, including the receptionist, have been detained for questioning, while both the manager and the owner were invited by the police earlier this week.
The hotel was sealed for two days as investigations began, and the room where Mark lodged remains sealed.
Fani-Kayode has assured Mark’s family, including his wife, Barrister Patience Ndifreke-Mark, of his support during this difficult time. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring justice if foul play is discovered.
“I have absolute confidence in the FCT Police Command to get to the bottom of this matter,” he added, stating that an autopsy would be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Fani-Kayode also paid tribute to his aide, remembering him as a kind, reliable, and compassionate individual who “brought joy to many and was incapable of hurting a fly.”
Mark is survived by his wife and two children.
News
President Tinubu swears in seven new ministers
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly-appointed ministers at the Council Chambers in Abuja.
Those sworn in include Nentawe Yilwatda as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as the Minister of Labour & Employment; Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the Minister of State Foreign Affairs.
Others are Jumoke Oduwole (Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (Trade and Investment), Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Minister of Livestock Development), Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (Minister of State, Housing, and Urban Development), and Suwaiba Said Ahmad as the Minister of State Education.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presides over the Swearing in Ceremony of New Ministers Screened by the Senate at the State House
Monday’s swearing-in came days after their appointments by President Tinubu and subsequent confirmation by the Senate.
Calls for the reshuffling of the president’s cabinet reached new levels in the wake of Nigeria’s dwindling economic fortunes which have worsened the living standards across the country.
President Tinubu heeded the calls in October, sacking five ministers and nominating seven others. Those dismissed included Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye (Women Affairs); Lola Ade-John (Tourism); Tahir Mamman (Education); Abdullahi Gwarzo (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development).
This was in addition to the reassignment of new portfolios to 10 other ministers.
News
Osun: Police confirm arrest of man for allegedly killing father
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a man identified as Saidi for the alleged murder of his father, Bale in his farm at Ilusi, Osun State.
The Osun police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, who confirmed the arrest, disclosed that investigation has commenced into the matter.
Opalola said, “The suspect was arrested on the suspicion that he killed the father. I have been briefed about it. Investigation is ongoing.”
Village sources also revealed that the remains of the Bale was discovered on his farm on Friday after it was noticed that he had been missing for some hours.
A resident of the village, simply identified as Sakariyau, said that Bale went missing last Thursday and after a thorough search around the village, his corpse was found on his farm the following day covered with leaves.
He said, “Before he (Bale) was traced to his farm on Friday, he could not be found anywhere around the village since he left for the farm.
“When we got to his farm, we searched everywhere and found his remains covered with leaves. His head was cut off by unknown people.
“Thereafter, people around, who suspected Bale’s son, who accompanied the deceased to the farm on the day he was killed, descended on him.
“He was seriously beaten because people knew he went with his father to the farm to harvest cocoa. He initially denied killing the man, but he later admitted committing the crime after he was seriously tortured by some angry youths.
“The cocoa produce already harvested and the motorcycle of the deceased were found on the farm. The boy was later handed over to police and he was taken to the Iperindo station for further investigations.”
News
Appeal Court acquits ex-CJN Onnoghen
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has discharged and acquitted a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, from his conviction of false assets declaration by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
The conviction of Onnoghen was thrown out by the appellate court following the resolution of the issues that led to his trial and conviction.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari had on January 25, 2019, about 29 days before the presidential election, suspended Onnoghen from office as the CJN and swore in the next most senior jurist of the Supreme Court, Justice Tanko Muhammad, to take over the leadership of the judiciary.
Delivering judgment, the Presiding Justice, Justice Abba Mohammed, adopted the terms of settlement between the federal government and Onnoghen.
He also ordered that the four bank accounts of the former CJN forfeited be returned to him.
Shortly after the judgment, Counsel to Onnoghen and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Adegboyega Awomolo, thanked President Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi for ensuring the resolutions of the issue.
Onnoghen’s suspension came barely eight hours after he announced his decision to inaugurate judges who would preside over election petition tribunals.
Ex-President Buhari’s action elicited varied reactions from both within and outside the judicial circles, with the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, describing it as a coup against the judiciary.
Onnoghen was later convicted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on a six-count corruption charge that was preferred against him by the Federal Government.
It was alleged that he made a false declaration to the Code of Conduct Bureau.
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