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Hajj: Gombe gov warns pilgrims against drug trafficking, money laundering

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Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has issued a stern warning to intending pilgrims embarking on the 2025 Hajj, cautioning them against any acts that could tarnish the image of Nigeria, particularly drug trafficking and money laundering.

The governor delivered the warning during a farewell ceremony for the pilgrims on Sunday in Gombe. He was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibrahim Njodi.

Yahaya urged the pilgrims to avoid associating with people involved in drug peddling or other illicit activities, noting the grave consequences such actions could bring, especially in Saudi Arabia where drug trafficking carries a mandatory death sentence.

“Anybody caught carrying prohibited items, especially narcotic drugs, whose penalty in Saudi Arabia is death, should have himself or herself to blame,” the governor said.

“You must not allow yourselves to be used as conduit pipes for illegal trade, even unknowingly.”

He further advised the pilgrims to conduct themselves with dignity and patriotism, obeying all laws and regulations of both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. He warned that any unruly behavior would be met with appropriate sanctions.

Yahaya also charged officials of the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board to discharge their responsibilities diligently and give maximum attention to the welfare of the pilgrims.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Mr. Saadu Hassan, disclosed that a total of 957 pilgrims from Gombe will be participating in this year’s Hajj.

According to him, the first batch of 512 pilgrims is scheduled to depart on Monday, while the second batch of 445 will travel on Tuesday.

In his remarks, the Emir of Dukku and chairman of the pilgrims’ board, Alhaji Haruna Rashid II, commended Governor Yahaya for his continued support, which he said has ensured a smooth Hajj preparation process for the state’s pilgrims.

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PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES SENATOR IFEANYI ARARUME ON HIS BIRTHDAY

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President Bola Tinubu felicitates Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume, astute politician and accomplished businessman, on his birthday, December 16.

Senator Ararume’s odyssey in politics began in the late 1980s, when he served as the State Treasurer of the Liberal Convention in old Imo State. He later joined the National Finance Committee of the defunct National Republican Convention.

He represented Imo North in the 9th National Assembly. He was first elected in May 1999 and re-elected in April 2003. He also served on several committees and held other official roles.

President Tinubu commends the former senator for his years of service to the nation and contributions to its peace, unity, and progress.

The President describes Senator Ararume as a resolute and shrewd politician, highlighting his courageous and remarkable political journey through the years.

President Tinubu wishes Senator Ararume a happy 67th birthday and prays that God Almighty will grant him more years of good health and strength.

 

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Daddy Freeze hosts actress Doris Ogala as she opens up on alleged relationship with Pastor Chris Okafor

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Daddy Freeze went live with Nollywood actress Doris Ogala as she shared her side of the ongoing controversy involving Pastor Chris Okafor, whom she claims she dated for years before things fell apart.

According to Doris, her relationship with Pastor Chris began in 2017, long before the public drama. She said they met by chance in Abuja and that he told her he was divorced at the time. She also claimed she didn’t even know he was a pastor when they first connected.

Doris said their relationship quickly became serious. She alleged that Pastor Chris introduced her to his parents, invited her to his village in Anambra State, and treated the relationship like a real commitment. She described their bond as emotional, physical, and deeply personal, insisting it was genuine love, not a casual affair.

She further claimed that while Pastor Chris preached publicly, he was privately very dependent on her, calling her often, sharing personal struggles, and even relying on her for medical prescriptions through her doctor.

Addressing why she later married another man, Doris said family pressure played a major role. She explained that her eventual husband was someone from her past who resurfaced during a vulnerable period after her father’s death. Despite not being in love, she said her family pushed her into the marriage.

Doris admitted that while her marriage was ongoing, she remained emotionally connected to Pastor Chris. She openly acknowledged engaging in phone intimacy with him during that period but maintained that there was no physical sexual relationship between them while she was married.

She described her marriage as abusive and toxic, alleging repeated physical violence and emotional distress. According to her, Pastor Chris remained her emotional support during that time, which is why communication between them never completely stopped.

Doris also claimed she has evidence to back up her story, including chats and videos, which she says Pastor Chris later shared with his lawyers.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSUdp3OjZll/?igsh=OTR2MjZlOG1rbWQy

 

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Alleged N2.2bn fraud: Ngige to remain in Kuje Prison till December 18

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Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Gwarimpa in Abuja has ordered that former Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, be kept at Kuje prison till December 18.

Ngige will be on remand till the date when his bail application would be decided by the court.

Justice Hassan issued the order on Monday shortly after taking arguments for and against the bail request of the former governor of Anambra State.

Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, pleaded with the judge to admit the former minister to bail, mainly on health ground.

He submitted that the former minister would not jump bail or interfere with witnesses if admitted to bail.

However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, represented by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, vehemently opposed the bail request, insisting that Ngige was a flight risk.

Tahir told the judge that Ngige was granted administrative bail by the EFCC and allowed to travel abroad for medical care but never reported back to the Commission.

Besides, he said that the international passport released to Ngige; to facilitate the abroad trip was never returned till today.

The senior lawyer argued that it was when Ngige was re-arrested that he came up with a purported claim that he lost his passport.

He insisted that the claim of passport loss was an afterthought and should not be believed by the court.

After the submissions, Justice Hassan fixed December 18 to deliver ruling in the bail request.

Ngige was last Friday slammed with an eight-count charge bordering on corrupt practices.

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