🗞️ Prison Breaksss
Hi! This edition was written while listening to the podcast “Food, We Need to Talk” and watching the latest season of Loot.
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In this edition:
Watch out for fake student loans websites
The Binance exec “on the run” has been apprehended
Inflation’s latest victims
Yahaya Bello vs EFCC
Over 4,000 prisoners have escaped prisons in Nigeria
PSA: NELFUND warns Nigerians against fake websites
Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) says to look out for fraudulent websites targeting students seeking federal student loans.
They notified particularly about the website www.fedstudyloan-gov.ng placing ads about the loans. This website is a scam.
NELFUND they are the only agency that offers financial aid to students. Their website is still inaccessible as they have yet to begin accepting applications for the federal student loan program.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu hired Jim Ovia, founder of Zenith Bank, as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
The appointment, according to the presidency, aims to ensure that all Nigerian students have access to quality higher education of their choosing, and no students are hindered due to lack of funds.
The National Student Loan Programme, implemented by NELFUND, seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
Money
The Naira is in a seesaw motion at the moment. On Friday the 26th of April, it got stronger against the US dollar on the unofficial market, going from N1,450 to N1,380 for every dollar.
But, it got a little weaker on the official market, going from N1,309.81 to N1,339/$. The amount of money exchanged on the official market also went down a bit.
As they continue to struggle to #savethenaira, the FG has launched another strategy: a 10-year, $10 billion Diaspora Fund
This fund aims to attract foreign currency into the economy and strengthen the Naira. It will contain multiple investment platforms designed to offer investors different mechanisms for participating in the country’s economy.
The goal is to encourage investments, remittances, and philanthropic efforts in infrastructure, healthcare, education, entrepreneurship and similar sectors.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen ties between Nigeria and its diaspora community, promoting national development and utilising the potential of Nigerians living abroad as agents of change.
Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment is inviting firms to bid to manage part of the fund. Find out how on the fund’s website
Binance exec arrested in Kenya
The Kenyan Police Service has apprehended Nadeem Anjarwalla the Binance executive who fled Nigeria to Kenya following his escape from custody in Nigeria.
The arrest was confirmed by government sources familiar with the case who spoke to Arise on condition of anonymity.
Anjarwalla is one of two Binance executives who were apprehended for suspicion that the Binance app is aiding illicit money transfers and currency speculation in Nigeria
The EFCC, with the help of the FBI and Kenyan authorities, were able to track Anjarwalla down in Kenya and secure his arrest.
The Nigerian government is now working to bring Anjarwalla back to Nigeria to face trial.
EFCC’s illegal Forex trading hunt
The EFCC froze 300 illegal forex accounts on a crypto exchange platform on Monday, April 17th following a court order.
The EFCC chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, said this action was taken to ensure the safety of the foreign exchange market and protect the economy as these illegal forex accounts could further weaken the Naira.
He stated that there are people in this country doing worse than Binance as over $15bn passed through one of the platforms in the last year, outside the financial regulations.
Inflation’s latest victims
Cooking Gas
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that the price of cooking gas has increased by 7.1% in March 2024 compared to February 2024.
The South-South geopolitical zone recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg gas cylinder, while the North-East recorded the lowest price.
The price per litre of household kerosene increased by one per cent in the same period
The highest average price of kerosine per litre in March 2024 was recorded in Kaduna, while the lowest price was recorded in Rivers.
Telecom companies
MTN, Globacom and other telecom companies in Nigeria have proposed an increase in their pricing and are seeking approval for this hike from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The telcos said they haven't raised prices in 11 years, but the forex losses and rising energy costs are hurting their business. But is the quality the same? 🤔
The NCC is considering a cost-based study to determine if a price hike is justified.
MultiChoice: DStv & GOtv
The new DStv and GOtv prices are expected to take effect on the 1st of May. See the prices here
Fraud
Yahaya Bello vs EFCC
We reported last week that Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State has been in hiding from the EFCC since they declared him wanted for fraud and embezzlement charges totalling over N80 billion
One of the EFCC’s claims is that their investigation found that Yahaya used $760,000 of the state’s money to pay his children’s school fees years in advance.
The EFCC says the school has returned all the money to the EFCC
Yahays, from hiding, responded to the claims that the school fees were stolen. He says the EFCC is lying
Backstory: Two weeks ago, EFCC officials went to Yahaya Bello’s house to arrest him after he had ignored their invitation for interrogation
Officials say while they were at Yahaya’s house, Usman Ododo, the current governor of Kogi, arrived at the property and reportedly “whisked Bello away”. Amazing
Bello claims the EFCC's actions are unlawful because of a court order and he can't be arrested or arraigned until this order has been lifted by the court.
Bello is still in hiding and the EFCC is still looking for him. But, obvs, he hasn't done anything wrong. Innocent people looove hiding.
Fraud and the former Minister of Aviation
The EFCC plans to arraign former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in court next week over alleged fraudulent contracts amounting to N8.069 billion.
Sirika is accused of awarding contracts to his younger brother's company, Engirios Nigeria Limited, knowing that his brother was a civil servant.
The contracts include the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport, the establishment of a fire truck maintenance and refurbishment centre at Katsina Airport, procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and a power generator's house in Aviation House, Abuja, and procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
Out of the total contract sum, N3.2 billion was paid to Engirios Nigeria Limited, which then transferred the funds to various companies and individuals.
The EFCC says they have found no evidence of work done on any of the contract items.
Abubakar Sirika, Hadi Sirika’s brother, has been arrested and detained by the EFCC.
Electricity: High cost, low reward
Over 11.5 million electricity households in Nigeria are experiencing power outages. And less than 20% of Nigerians have access to reliable energy for more than 12 hours daily.
The electricity supply industry is attempting to provide a 20-hour power supply to “band A” customers
The move has resulted in dissatisfaction from everyone. From grid collapses to the distribution companies’ seeming inability to meet the electricity quotas they promised.
Insecurity
Prions breaks
The Nigerian Correctional Service is intensifying efforts to recapture escaped inmates from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre in Niger State.
A rainstorm damaged the facility, allowing 119 inmates to escape. The facility was built in 1914 to house 250 inmates. At the time of the damage, there were 499 inmates in the prison and the building was in pretty bad shape.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has pledged to relocate many correctional centres to create better infrastructure and security.
The incident has highlighted the urgent need for reforms in the over 240 custodial centres nationwide.
Over 4,000 inmates from various correctional facilities in the past five years remain at large.
The government is focusing on searching IDP camps for fleeing inmates.
Hunger in Nigeria
About 15.6 million children in Nigeria are facing hunger due to increasing insecurity, conflict, banditry, and rising food prices.
This number represents a 25% increase from the same period in 2023 and is likely the result of escalating insecurity and rising food prices.
Almost 32 million people in Nigeria, including 15.6 million children, will face crisis levels of hunger between June and August unless food and cash assistance are received.
Violent killings, attacks, and kidnappings by non-state armed groups and bandits have affected food production, disrupted local markets, and caused farmers to flee their farms.
The situation is particularly dire in the north, where one in three children don’t know where their next meal will come from.
Save the Children’s Country Director for Nigeria, Duncan Harvey has called for urgent action to prioritise the needs of children to stop this devastating trend and protect innocent lives.
Police killing civilains
The Lagos State Police Command is investigating the death of Anosikwa Patrick, who was allegedly stabbed by a police officer at Skymall Shopping Mall in Ajah.
The police officer has been identified as Inspector Taofeek, a member of the visiting 12 PMF squadron to Lagos.
The mall's manager and chief security officer are in custody to assist with the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police has ordered detectives from the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the incident.
The incident was first reported on social media by a user named NotMentus.
More terrorism
The incessant conflicts in Benue State have resulted in internal displacement of over 1.4million people - Guardian ng
The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 28 suspects for various crimes, including the abductors of two Taraba varsity students in the state - Channels
The Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Kuru, Jos South Council of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Peter DalyopDinju, was on Friday night shot dead by yet-to-be-identified attackers - Guardian ng
A law professor at Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun, Yinka Olomojobi, has been killed by gunmen in the Iperu area of the state - Channels
Gas explosion in Ogun state
One person died in a gas tanker explosion in Ogun State. The incident occurred on Saturday, April 27, 2024, along the Abeokuta-Sango-Lagos Expressway.
Six other people were injured, and six vehicles were burnt.
The accident happened due to brake failure, causing the truck to lose control and hit a roadside curb.
The fire engulfed five other cars and two shops around the accident scene.
The Ogun State Director of Fire Service confirmed the incident and mentioned that fire service men were clearing the wreckage.
In Africa
Niger
Hundreds of people protested in Niger, demanding the withdrawal of US troops from the country.
The United States recently agreed to withdraw its more than 1,000 soldiers from Niger.
The protest was organised by a group of 24 civil society associations in the town of Agadez, home to a US air base.
Issouf Emoud, who fronts the M62 Movement in Agadez, told AFP that their message is clear: American soldiers should pack their bags and go home.
The US military deployment in Niger has been criticised for not contributing to the country's security.
The US pullout marks a new regional gain for Russia, which has been ramping up its focus on Africa.
Niger faces violence from Boko Haram jihadists and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) from the southeastern region of Diffa near Nigeria.
Moneypox (Mpox) epidemic in Congo
The Republic of the Congo has declared an epidemic of mpox after confirming 19 cases across five states, including the capital city, Brazzaville.
No fatalities have been reported as of Tuesday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) rebranded the virus as mpox to mitigate the stigma and racism associated with the term "monkeypox."
Mpox was initially identified in humans in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970.
The WHO declared the virus a global health emergency in 2020 when an outbreak spread to Europe and North America.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso has suspended BBC and Voice of America radio stations for two weeks - Arise
The suspension is due to their coverage of a Human Rights Watch report detailing a mass killing of civilians by the country’s armed forces.
The report documented the army’s alleged killing of 223 civilians, including 56 children, in villages suspected of collaborating with militants.
VOA stated that it stands by its reporting and intends to continue covering activities in the country.
Other news
Fuel scarcity has returned to Nigeria. Residents are reporting queues forming at petrol stations in Abuja, Nasarawa, Niger, Gombe, Sokoto, and Anambra. - Punch
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has made state of origin certificate a compulsory requirement for passport renewal and fresh application - Premium Times
The Federal Competition and Consumer and Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Monday stormed the Abuja-based Chinese supermarket at the China General Chamber of Commerce - Channels
The Lagos State Ministry of Education is investigating the Indian Language School in Ilupeju accused of denying Nigerians admission - Punch
Dana Air has announced that it is processing refunds for flights affected after it was suspended by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) - Guardian ng
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