Global Naija Info

Messi and Suarez celebrate a goal Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has started talks with the defending Spanish champions about a new contract, while striker Luis Suarez is set to sign a new deal until 2022. Argentina international Messi, 29, is already contracted to the club until June 2018, and Barca boss Luis Enrique said he “celebrated” the fact negotiations were under way. “It makes me more relaxed,” he added. Uruguay’s Suarez, 29, is close to extending his stay at the Nou Camp. The former Liverpool player has won two La Liga titles and the Champions League since moving to Barcelona in July 2014 in a £75m deal. “It’s done, just a few small details need to be sorted and we’ll announce it in the next few days or weeks,” said Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu. “We want Luis Suarez to stay at the club for many more years. For us, he is an important character.” Suarez won last season’s European Golden Shoe – awarded to Europe’s top scorer in domestic football – after netting

TURNING-POINT-Bola-Bolawole Ultimate evil, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, and his propaganda chief Josef Goebbels, said human memory is very short; that you have to remind Homo sapiens of the same facts again and again. They were correct. How many of us still remember the notorious Lagos robbery king-pin, Ishola Oyenusi? Though I only read about his devilish exploits, I remember him each time I race through Adeniyi-Jones Street, Ikeja and cast a glance at WAHUM, Oyenusi’s nemesis. Benin-based robbery king-pin, Lawrence Anini and his second-in-command, Monday Osunbor’s exploits, are more recent; yet how many of us still remember their blood-cuddling testimonies? It got so bad in those days that the then military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida, had to publicly embarrass the then Inspector-General of Police, Etim Inyang, with “My friend, where is Anini?” Not long afterward, the devils were captured. The rest, as they say, is history. Recently, two very important Nigerians chose to prod our mem

Anthony Joshua with his IBF belt Anthony Joshua has promised “blood, sweat and tears” in the defence of his IBF heavyweight title against Eric Molina in Manchester on Saturday. Britain’s Joshua, 27, is making the second defence of the belt he won in April. At Friday’s weigh-in, the champion scaled 17st 12lb, six pounds heavier than for his last fight, while his American challenger scaled 16st 13lb. “People love the thud of punches and there will be a knockout,” said Joshua. “People are saying I’m the favourite but I don’t see it like that. I take him as a real challenger. I’ve got to stay calm, wait for him to fatigue and then unload.” Joshua has finished all 17 of his pro fights early. Molina is widely expected to be merely a stepping stone for Joshua, with a match against former heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko pencilled in for next April. The Texan, 34, lost his first fight as a pro in 2007 but has been beaten only twice in 27 bouts since. Anthony Joshua and Eric Molina

Nigeria’s currency, the naira The Naira on Friday remained stable at the parallel market, exchanging at N485 to a dollar. The Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N602 and N515, respectively. At the interbank market, the Naira also remained stable at N305.50 to a dollar. Trading at the Bureau De Change (BDC) window saw the Naira sold at N399 to a dollar, CBN controlled rate, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro exchanged at N606 and N515, respectively. Traders at the market said that the scarcity of dollar persisted, leading to slow activities.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu The Independent Electoral Commissioner in charge of South South, Dr. Lecky Mustapha has said that the commission is ready to conduct free and fair polls on Saturday. Mustapha said this while supervising electoral materials in Port Harcourt Local Government Area (Phalga) Friday evening. The rerun elections will be conducted in the three senatorial districts for senatorial seats, eight federal constituencies for the representatives seats and 10 state constituencies for state assembly seats. He said that both sensitive and non-sensitive materials were being moved to the Registration Area Centres (RAC). Mustapha noted that card readers had been deployed to the Local Government Areas. He said adequate logistics had been put in place for the success of the polls Mustapha urged party chairmen to call their agents to order to ensure peaceful elections, and lamented the harassment of electoral officials by party agents. He also advised politicians ag

Scene of a blast Mr. Yusuf Muhammed, Chairman, Madagali Local Government, Adamawa, said 56 persons died and 177 injured in the twin blasts that that hit Madagali Market on Friday in Adamawa. Muhammed, who confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview, said 57 of the injured were critical and 120 minor. He said the critically injured were rushed to Mubi General Hospital and Yola Specialists Hospital, while those that sustained minor injuries were treated and discharged . Madagali Market operates on Fridays and the two blasts occurred at the grains and second hand clothes sections of the market. The council boss appealed to the federal, state governments, relevant donors and humanitarian agencies to come to the aid of the people. He said such a gesture would help them in alleviating the pain and loss from the blasts.

Oluwagbenga Abiola The Sole Administrator of Agege Local Government, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, Oluwagbenga Abiola, has vowed to go hungry in order to ensure that students in the council area achieved a better future in their various field of endeavour. Abiola, who stated this during the graduation ceremony of the council’s vocational training programme for indigent students in the locality, donated his December salary to the three best graduating students of the skill acquisition scheme. Over 300 students benefited from the programme which was held inside the council secretariat amidst pomp and ceremony. “I have decided to go hungry for one month for you “graduating students” to prosper in life, I have decided to go hungry for one month for you “students” to have financial support to start your business, I have decade to go hungry because I want you students to have a brighter future. “I will be glad and happy if after few months you are able to make good use of this financial su

Justice symbol Three men have been sentenced to six months imprisonment each for stealing palm fruits and pineapples in Osun state. A Magistrate court sitting in Osogbo, capital of the state on Friday passed the judgement. The convicts, include a 57-year-old Azeez Olarewaju, Sarafa Olarewaju, aged 33, and Ilutoye Olayode, aged 25. The State police that prosecuted the three men accused them three of conspiracy, trespass and theft. According to the Police Prosecutor, John Idoko, an Inspector of Police, the convicts committed the offence on August 4, 2008 at about 10:00am at Igbo via Ejigbo in the state. Idoko argued that the trio conspired together and forced themselves into a parcel of land that was in custody of one Adeyemi Oyedemi without any justifiable reason. During hearing of the matter yesterday, Idoko said the convicts stole palm fruits and pineapples valued about N300,000. The prosecutor informed the court that the theft almost led to breach of public peace around the

The report’s author, Richard McLaren (centre), said doping took place on ‘an unprecedented scale’ More than 1,000 Russians – including Olympic medallists – benefited from a state-sponsored doping programme between 2011 and 2015, a report claims. At least 30 sports, including football, covered up samples, the report says. “It was a cover-up that evolved from uncontrolled chaos to an institutionalised and disciplined medal-winning conspiracy,” said the report’s author, Richard McLaren. Lawyer McLaren said London 2012 was “corrupted on an unprecedented scale”. The report also implicates medallists at the 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow, and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. According to the report, salt and coffee were used to manipulate Russian samples. The report added the system was refined over the course of the 2012 Olympics, 2013 Worlds and Winter Olympics to protect likely Russian medal winners. Russia won 72 medals at the London Games, 21 of which were gold,

Carnival during the street party It was in deed two days of unlimited glitz and glamour at the Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island last Saturday and Sunday as over 500,000 fun-loving Lagosians thronged the venue to enjoy the pleasure life offers at the Lagos Street Party, TLSP, the first of its kind in Nigeria. The venue was lit up with artistes, singing, dancing and several other activities that make life worthwhile. There were influx of children, youths and families, all of whom were in celebration mood. Notable artiste thrilled the audience to all genres of music. Among others, artistes like Olamide, Phyno, MI Abaga, Kaffy, Atawewe and Ice Prince were on ground to thrill the audience while some of the DJs, Humblesmith, DJ Spinall, and DJ Lambo, really thrilled the revelers at the street carnival. Olamide performing at the Street Party On Saturday, artistes like 9ice, Dammy Krane, Fatai Valentine (FUJI), Sunkanmi and few others stirred up the audience at the street party. On Sun

Carnival during the street party It was in deed two days of unlimited glitz and glamour at the Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island last Saturday and Sunday as over 500,000 fun-loving Lagosians thronged the venue to enjoy the pleasure life offers at the Lagos Street Party, TLSP, the first of its kind in Nigeria. The venue was lit up with artistes, singing, dancing and several other activities that make life worthwhile. There were influx of children, youths and families, all of whom were in celebration mood. Notable artiste thrilled the audience to all genres of music. Among others, artistes like Olamide, Phyno, MI Abaga, Kaffy, Atawewe and Ice Prince were on ground to thrill the audience while some of the DJs, Humblesmith, DJ Spinall, and DJ Lambo, really thrilled the revelers at the street carnival. Olamide performing at the Street Party On Saturday, artistes like 9ice, Dammy Krane, Fatai Valentine (FUJI), Sunkanmi and few others stirred up the audience at the street party. On Sun

Scene of a blast The death toll in the twin blasts which rocked a market in Madagali area of Adamawa State has reached 30. The explosions occurred at a market in Madagali town in northern part of Adamawa State, the military has confirmed. Residents told Daily Trust that two suspected female suicide bombers detonated the bombs at the grains section of Madagali market Friday morning and killed dozens of people. The spokesperson of 28 Task Force Battalion in Mubi, Major Badare Akintoye said 30 civilians died in the attack while those injured were receiving medical attention in hospitals in Mubi and nearby Gulak. The Chairman of Madagali Local Government, Yusuf Muhammad called on federal government to deploy soldiers to the surrounding areas where he said Boko Haram insurgents set up camps. He described the attack as set back, to relative peace enjoyed by residents who resumed normal commercial and social activities following successful military operations.

Boko Haram members The United States House of Representatives has passed a legislation directing the country’s Secretaries of State and Defence to jointly develop a five-year strategy to assist Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram. The measure is also aimed at providing assistance to members of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and international partners offering support in counter-terrorism operations against the Boko Haram sect in the region. According to reports, the legislation, passed by a voice vote, was introduced by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-Florida) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine). They expressed optimism that it would help combat Boko Haram specifically. The strategy is also aimed at addressing the crushing humanitarian and educational crises that Boko Haram had created. “Boko Haram captured my attention and the headlines when the terrorist group kidnapped 276 Nigerian schoolgirls from their dormitory rooms 968 days ago. For most of the world, t

Femi Fani-Kayode “We will write this for all to read. Anyone, soldier or not, that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes” – Mallam Nasir El Rufai, 2012. I will never forget these words. How I wish that my friend and brother, Governor Nasir El Rufai, expressed the same level of angst, cold rage, chilling resolve and passion for vengeance after the murder of millions of defenceless and innocent non-Fulanis, including women and children, in his own Kaduna state and indeed all over the country since the coming to power of the Buhari regime one year and seven months ago. How I wish that he could have learnt a lesson or two from other Nigerian leaders of Fulani extraction who are far more restrained, mature, experienced, knowledgeable and responsible than him like Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Hon. Minister Kabiru Turaki, Hon. Minister Hadi Sirika, Governor Sule Lamido, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, General Aliyu Gusau and count

NEMA Mr Sa’ad Bello, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Coordinator in charge of Adamawa and Taraba, has confirmed twin bomb blasts in Madagali Market in Adamawa. Bello, however, said the number of casualty was yet to be ascertained. Also confirming the incident, the Chairman of Madagali Local Government, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed, said the incident which occurred around noon was at the animal and grains sections of the market. “Certainly there is casualty but I can’t really give you a figure for now,” Mohammed said. A resident of Madagali, who simply identified himself as Hamma, said many people were affected as the blasts occurred around the busy areas of the market. “You know today is our market day. I just pray God to minimize the casualty,” Hamma said.

Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama President John Mahama of Ghana has conceded defeat to the opposition candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in the just concluded 2016 general elections. In a tweet the president-elect, Nana Akufo Addo, stated: ”I’ve received words of congratulation from Mr Greenstreet, Mrs Rawlings, Dr Nduom, Dr Mahama & Mr Yeboah. I thank them. May God bless Ghana.” Nana Akufo-Addo, Ghana’s president-elect

File Photo: Explosion at a motor park Twin explosions have hit Madagali in Adamawa State, with scores feared dead, witnesses said Friday. The attack occurred at a busy market early Friday. Details of casualties are still expected. Madagali lies some 276km from the Adamawa State capital, Yola. The town, which is close to neighbouring Borno State, was one of several others held by Boko Haram at the height of the group’s brutal insurgency. The latest blast is the third in Madagali, following attacks by two female suicide bombers on December 28, 2015, at a busy motor park. Thirty people were killed in that blast and 16 were injured. PREMIUM TIMES

Some ladies in Lagos said they prefer buying fairly used pants and brassieres because they were durable and could get good bargain from market. They disclosed in separate interviews on Friday in Lagos that their preference for fairly used pants and bras was due to the fact that such products were genuine and last longer than new ones. Mrs Ann Adedeji, who was at Ikotun Central Market in Lagos, said that apart from durability, most of the fairly used pants and bras had trendy designs and were colourful. She said, “I get more colourful bras and pants that are most times not available in boutiques and at the same time I get value for my money as they are durable. “You can only get unique bra designs here because the Ikotun Central Market is the main place for fairly used underwears.” Mrs Victoria Adejo, who was also at the market, said that it was after she suffered an embarrassing experience with a new bra that she decided to make do with fairly used ones. She said the hook of the

Vehicle involved in the accident The Edo State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has confirmed that 53 people died in the multiple accidents that occurred in the evening of Thursday at Abudu bridge, along Benin/Agbor Road, in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State. Spokesman of the ‎State Sector Command, George Otoaviokhai, who gave the confirmation in a text message to journalists in Benin, said five persons also sustained varying degrees of injuries, making an estimated 58 persons involved in the accident. Another vehicle involved in the accident In the text messages titled: “FRSC info on Abudu auto crash,” Otoaviokhai said eight vehicles, namely, two buses, one Sienna, one Dyna truck, one tanker, one Ford bus, one Toyota Corolla and one motorcycle, were involved in the accident he attributed to brake failure. FRSC vehicle evacuating one of the bodies “All the in the two buses, Sienna and Corolla burnt to ashes and one dead person taken to m

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers The election of Governor Ben Ayade as governor of Cross River State has been upheld by the Supreme Court. The apex court on Friday upheld the election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor, saying that Mr Joe Agi who came second in the December 2014 primary did not prove allegation of false declaration of age against the governor. Joe Agi had asked the court to sack Ayade over false declaration of age. Details later.

Miss-Nigeria-Audition-Enugu- The 40th Miss Nigeria will be crowned on Dec. 19, the organisers of Miss Nigeria 2016, Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN), has announced following the successful conclusion of audition for contestants at the zones. DTN said in a statement on Friday in Lagos that the event would hold at the Eko Convention Centre at 7.30 p.m. with Red and Green carpet from 5pm to 7pm. The statement said that the zonal audition held from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5 in four locations — Port Harcourt, Abuja, Enugu and Lagos — to accommodate contestants from the thirty-six states. It noted that the Port-Harcourt audition held on Nov. 29 at Hotel Presidential and the Abuja audition on Dec. 1, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja. It added that the Enugu zone had theirs on Dec. 3 at The Hotel Presidential, Independence Layout and the final audition in Lagos was on the Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island. “There was a huge turnout of contestants vying for the crown. Th

Vietnam flood Six more people have been reported dead in central Vietnam’s floods, bringing the death toll in the region to 24 in the past 10 days, authorities said on Friday. The National Committee for Search and Rescue (NCSR) reported. NCSR said the floods, which began on Nov. 29, have killed 10 people in Binh Dinh province, seven in Quang Nam province and six in Quang Ngai province and one in Gia Lai province. However, two people were still missing. The Central Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control reported that Heavy rains had submerged nearly 10,000 homes and 1,300 hectares of rice fields in the region. The army has mobilised over 2,500 soldiers to help flood victims. “The region received up to 500 millimetres of rainfall for the past three days. “Roads have been damaged and many areas have been isolated by flood waters,’’ the NCSR said. The floods of the past 10 days are just the latest in a series of heavy rainfalls in the region. “In mid-Octo

Magistrate-court An Ikeja Magistrate’s’ Court in Lagos on Friday granted N200,000 bail to a 50-year-old man, Monday Alfred, who allegedly beat up a security guard, Idowu Ikalewumi, to a pulp. Alfred, who allegedly stole two phones valued at N 25,000 from Ikalewumi and cash of N100,000 belonging to Elizabeth Akintunde, is a resident of Oshodi area of Lagos. The Magistrate, T.O Shomade, who granted the defendant bail, ordered that he must produce two sureties in like sum as part of the bail conditions. Shomade said the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two-year tax payment to the Lagos State Government. Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Raji Akeem, had told the court that Alfred, who entered a not-guilty plea, is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, assault and threatening violence. He said the defendant committed the offences on Dec. 4 at Adewale Crescent, Boladale Street, Oshodi, Lagos. Akeem explained that Ikalewumi was a security guard

The gavel of justice An unemployed man, Chukwukere Akachukwu, who allegedly broke into an apartment and stole N108,000, was on Friday in Lagos granted N50,000 bail. An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court directed the accused to provide two sureties in like sum who must be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government. The 35-year-old accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of burglary and stealing. ‎According to the Prosecutor, Sgt. Yomi Egunjobi, the accused committed the offences at No. 14, Yomi Are St., New Oko-Oba, Abule-Egba, Lagos, at about 10.30 p.m on Nov.14. He alleged that the accused burgled the apartment of the complainant, Mr Ogbolu Stephen. Egunjobi told the court that the accused broke into the complainant apartment through the window while he was on night shift. “The accused was seen by the complainant’s neighbour who went outside to urinate and raised alarm. ‘Akachukwu was apprehended by security guards in the area

Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, Enugu State Police Commissioner The Police in Enugu have arrested two suspects for printing and circulating fake U.S. currency notes (dollars) and for swindling unsuspecting members of the public. Mr Ebere Amaraizu, Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State Command, said in a statement in Enugu on Friday that the suspects are; Emeka Udebusor and Erick Ekete, both of Nchantancha Nike community. Amaraizu said the police operatives in Emene Division caught the two suspects following a tip off on Dec. 4. He alleged that the suspects were indulging in washing fake dollars, euro and naira in bundles with a substance suspected to be chemicals. Amaraizu said that the police recovered red and white cloths being used by the suspects in their shrine. Also recovered are pots containing substances believed to be charms and 16 bundles of 100 notes suspected to be fake U.S. dollars. “The suspects are syndicate of the popular 419 fraudster ring. “The arrest of the su

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has said that his administration’s desire is to make Edo the most prosperous economy in the South-South within three years. Obaseki said this on Thursday night in Benin at a seminar organised for permanent secretaries as well as leaders and stakeholders in the state. He said that in another seven to 10 years, his desire was to position the state as the number one economy in the country. The governor said that in “15 to 20 years, we want to be the number one investment destination in the continent’’. “To achieve this vision for the state, first class institutions capable of nurturing transformation policies must be built,’’ he said. Obaseki stressed the need to deliver on infrastructure better than what was available in the Federal Capital Territory. “We must deliver on infrastructure better than what are available in the Federal Capital Territory. “We must aim at generating revenue more than Lagos without putting

Miss-Nigeria-Audition-Enugu- The 40th Miss Nigeria will be crowned on Dec. 19, the organisers of Miss Nigeria 2016, Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN), has announced following the successful conclusion of audition for contestants at the zones. DTN said in a statement on Friday in Lagos that the event would hold at the Eko Convention Centre at 7.30 p.m. with Red and Green carpet from 5pm to 7pm. The statement said that the zonal audition held from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5 in four locations — Port Harcourt, Abuja, Enugu and Lagos — to accommodate contestants from the thirty-six states. It noted that the Port-Harcourt audition held on Nov. 29 at Hotel Presidential and the Abuja audition on Dec. 1, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja. It added that the Enugu zone had theirs on Dec. 3 at The Hotel Presidential, Independence Layout and the final audition in Lagos was on the Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island. “There was a huge turnout of contestants vying for the crown. Th

OPEC Oil prices extended gains on Friday on optimism that non-OPEC producers would agree to cut output following a cartel agreement to limit production. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will meet non-OPEC nations in Vienna on Saturday seeking their help in curbing a global supply glut. Azerbaijan has said it will come to the Austrian capital armed with proposals for its own reduction. Brent sweet crude for February delivery was up 17 cents at 54.06 dollars a barrel by 0 after settling up 1.7 per cent on Thursday. The contract hit its highest since July 2015 at 55.33 dollars on Monday. NYMEX crude for January delivery was up 33 cents at 51.17 dollars a barrel. Russia has said it would cut 300,000 barrels per day, meaning other non-OPEC producers combined would need to pledge the same amount to lower output by the 600,000 bpd.

South Korea president, Park Geun-hye South Korean lawmakers on Friday voted overwhelmingly to impeach President Park Geun-hye over an influence-peddling scandal. Members of parliament voted by secret ballot with 234 in favour and 56 opposed, meaning dozens of members of Park’s own conservative Saenuri Party backed the motion to remove her. No fewer than 200 members of the 300-seat chamber needed to vote for the motion for it to pass. Parliament speaker said seven votes were disqualified, two members abstained and one member did not participate. Report says the Constitutional Court must decide whether to uphold the motion, a process that could take up to 180 days. The Prime Minister, Hwang Kyo-ahn, immediately assumed Park’s duties on an interim basis. Park, 64, is accused of colluding with a friend and a former aide, both of whom have been indicted by prosecutors, to pressure big businesses to donate to two foundations. The two foundations were set up to back her policy initi

Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa gov The Bayelsa Government has restricted the activities of herdsmen in the state to the Bayelsa Palm area. Gov. Seriake Dickson announced the restriction on Friday in Yenagoa in a live radio and television programme. The governor said that the measure was taken as a result of recent upsurge in violence and criminal activities of the herdsmen in some parts of the country. Dickson also warned herdsmen against bearing arms in the course of grazing their livestock, saying that anyone contravening the order would face the wrath of the law. He explained that the government has been collaborating with security agencies and leaders of the herdsmen , with a view to opening up designated ranches for their operations. “No cattle should be seen roaming the streets of Yenagoa. It is a dangerous trend and we are working on a system to give them a temporary place at the Bayelsa Palm, which has over one thousand hectares. “Non-state actors will not be allowed to go a

Nyesom Wike, Rivers State governor Chief Ambrose Owuru, the presidential candidate of Hope Democratic Party, has called for peace and order during Saturday’s legislative rerun elections in Rivers. Owuru made the call on Friday in Port Harcourt while speaking to newsmen on his expectations from the elections scheduled for Dec. 10. The politician said it would be counterproductive for political parties to indulge in violence and irregularities in a bid to win elections. According to him, elections should be held on a level playing field to enable the votes of electorate to count. “I want to see an election full of honesty and decency. “I want to see a situation where the election will come and go without violence, I want to see people living in peace after the elections,’’ he said. He called on youths in the state to avoid being used by anybody to foment crisis during the elections. Owuru said that electoral victories achieved through violence and irregularities would not trans

Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia Justice Hakeem Oshodi of a Lagos High Court Ikeja on Thursday varied a bail condition granted Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Godwin Obla, who are facing corruption charges. The duo were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Nov. 21, on 30 counts. They both pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were each granted a N20 million bail on self recognisance. However, due to her inability to meet the bail conditions, Ajumogobia filed an application before the court, praying it to vary the bail conditions. Thus, on Thursday, the judge varied the bail conditions, after entertaining arguments from counsel to both parties. Oshodi held that he exercised his discretionary powers in favour of the two accused in view of the fact that the EFCC did not raise any objection to the application. The judge therefore granted the request of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, alongside Obla’s to perfect a N20 million bail bond