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Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners set for release as crowds gather in Gaza

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All 1,966 Palestinian detainees slated for release from Israeli prisons have boarded buses as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange with Hamas, officials involved in the operation confirmed on Monday.

The releases come as part of the ongoing deal tied to the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.

According to Israeli sources, around 250 convicted prisoners, including several serving sentences for terror-related offenses, are being released from Ofer Prison, located between Ramallah and Beitunia in the West Bank.

Their release is expected to proceed once Hamas hands over the remaining hostages still held in Gaza.

Reports from Arabic media indicate that Palestinian Red Crescent medical teams entered Ofer Prison earlier today to assist in transferring a sick security prisoner also scheduled for release.

Another 1,718 detainees from Ketziot Prison in southern Israel, mostly Gazans arrested during the course of the war, are also being freed and transported back to the Gaza Strip.

They are expected to be received at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, where initial medical checks will be conducted.

Footage obtained by Reuters shows about a dozen masked gunmen dressed in black, believed to be members of Hamas’s armed wing, stationed around Nasser Hospital alongside large crowds of Gazans gathered to welcome the released detainees.

Armored Israeli military vehicles were seen positioned near Ofer Prison earlier in the day, showing a heightened security during the exchange process.

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EFCC evicts Malami from Abuja home amid forfeiture dispute

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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.

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Fuel price hike: Gov Makinde announces N10,000 transport support for workers

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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.”

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Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds

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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.

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