News
DSS releases female journalists arrested during APC Chairman’s mother’s funeral
Following a barrage of outrage by the public and the media, the Department of State Services (DSS), on Saturday night, released two female journalists working with Jay 101.9 FM, Jos, Plateau State, who were arrested while covering the funeral of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, the late mother of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe.
The duo, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, were earlier reported missing by the station after their arrest by the security agents for posting a video report on Jay FM social media handles showing a face-off involving a cleric and some security operatives during the funeral service.
With the news of the missing journalists going viral and creating a storm in Jos, the DSS had no option but to release them.
The management of the station which confirmed their release in a statement late Saturday, said after hours of uncertainty, the duo were located at the DSS office in Jos and have since regained their freedom.
“Upon confirming that the DSS was holding them, frantic efforts were made to secure their release. Although our efforts were initially rebuffed, they were eventually released,” the management said in the statement signed by its Managing Director, Comrade Clinton Garuba.
Garuba, who strongly condemned the arrest of the journalists, described it as illegal, undemocratic and suppression of press freedom.
“This event has once again prompted us to draw attention to the disturbing issues of press freedom violations, human rights abuses, and the erosion of the rule of law by security agencies,” Garuba said.
The Jay FM management claimed their staff were professionals and were only carrying out their duties by doing what well trained journalists would do and are ethically mandated carry out their duties and document incidents for public record and accountability.
It called on the DSS to respect press freedom and act within the law, stressing that the press is not an enemy of the state.
“We remind the agency that this nation is under civilian rule, not military dictatorship. Security agencies exist to protect citizens, not to intimidate or abduct them.
“To those who wield power, we remind you that the freedom of the press is the lifeblood of democracy. When journalists are silenced, democracy dies in darkness,” the statement added.
Former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami says Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operatives forcefully evicted him and his family from their Abuja residence despite ongoing court proceedings over the property’s forfeiture.
He described the action as unlawful and vowed to challenge it in court.
The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance as a palliative for the state workforce to cushion the effects of the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, Kayode Martins, in a statement released on Monday, March 23, disclosed that the governor has granted the request of the union on the issue of transportation allowance.
The statement read
“Following the intervention and formal request made by the State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) earlier this morning, the state government has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance for all workers in the state.
The newly approved allowance is set to take effect from April 2026, providing much-needed relief to workers grappling with rising transportation costs amid current economic challenges.
This development comes as a direct response to sustained advocacy by the state NLC, aimed at cushioning the impact of increased living expenses on the workforce.
Further details on implementation are expected to be communicated by the relevant government authorities in due course.”
News
Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, March 23, convicted and sentenced Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), to a 72-year jail term without an option of fine.
DailyTrust reports that in the judgment delivered, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been able to prove the nine-count money laundering charge beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the judge, the defendant is hereby convicted as charged.
Justice Omotosho convicted Nwabuoku in all the nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment in each of the counts, making 72 years.
The judge, however, ordered that the counts shall run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho, who described Nwabuoku’s act of diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Account in the Ministry of Defence as “appalling,” commended the EFCC for being detailed in its prosecution.
The judge observed that the evidence of the 9th prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned money of over N200 million during investigation was not controverted by the defence.
Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. He became acting Accountant General of the Federation in May 2022.
IMO STATE LABOUR PARTY DESCENDS INTO FACTIONAL WAR
EFCC evicts Malami from Abuja home amid forfeiture dispute
Fuel price hike: Gov Makinde announces N10,000 transport support for workers
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