Author: Vardiafrica

Tigran Gambaryan, Binance head of financial crime compliance, has sued Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA) and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging violation of his fundamental rights. According to reports on February 28, Gambaryan was detained, alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa, by the Nigerian authorities after honouring the invitation of the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) and EFCC to discuss issues relating to the company’s operation in Nigeria. Gambaryan and Anjarwalla’s passports were seized by ONSA. However, on March 25, Anjarwalla escaped from custody and fled Nigeria with a smuggled passport. Advertisement Before escaping custody, on March…

The Federal Government will on April 4 arraign Binance Holdings Limited and its two top officials: Tigran Gambaryan and fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla, on allegations bordering on tax evasion Binance, Gambaryan, and Anjarwalla, listed as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively, are expected to be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja on a four-count charge. Anjarwalla, who had been in detention alongside Gambaryan, was said to have escaped from lawful custody. He escaped on Friday from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were detained. Though the Federal High Court Easter vacation began on…

Justice Abubakar Kutigi of the FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja, has dismissed the charges of fraud, bribery and conspiracy filed against a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Ruling on the no-case submission made by Adoke, Justice Kutigi said the EFCC failed to prove its charges of fraud, bribery and money laundering and ruled that the defendant has no case to answer. He discharged and acquitted the former minister on all counts. The judge said the allegation of illegal tax waivers granted to Shell and Eni was not corroborated by…

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Labour Party (LP) has recommended reserving the presidential ticket for former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. The party also wants the governorship ticket to be reserved for Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, based on what it described as his sterling performance in office. This was disclosed in a communique issued after the party’s National Convention, held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday. “Based on the antecedents of the presidential candidate before, during, and after the 2023 general elections, it was recommended that the 2027 presidential ticket of the party be solely reserved for…

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) says it is designing a clause in the framing of a new minimum wage that will sanction state governments who fail to pay the revised minimum wage when approved. TUC President, Festus Osifo, made this known on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday. He said the sanction will require that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) directly pay workers in states where governors default on the payment of the new minimum wage when agreed on by labour unions, federal and state governments as well as the organised private sector. “We are designing a system as part…

Defence Headquarters has declared eight persons wanted over their roles in the recent killing of 17 military personnel in Delta State. The military released the list on Thursday at a briefing in Abuja. Those declared wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbo (Aka Amagben), Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki, Clement Ikolo Oghenerukeywe, Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi. During the briefing, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, called on Nigerians especially residents of Delta and adjoining states to assist the military with credible information that would lead to the arrest of eight persons allegedly…

Following the conclusion of collation of votes, Mr Diomaye Faye has officially been declared winner of the presidential election in Senegal, winning 54.28% of votes in the first round. Reports from the country’s vote counting commission, which falls under the judiciary, stated that Faye placed well ahead of the governing coalition’s candidate, former prime minister Amadou Ba, who had 35.79% of the votes. The victory for Faye, who was only freed from prison 10 days before the election, still has to be validated by Senegal’s top constitutional body, which could happen in a few days. Faye, 44, who has said he…

Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS), says President Bola Tinubu has given a directive for a single-digit tax system in Nigeria. Adedeji spoke on Wednesday when Adebayo Alli, chief executive officer (CEO) of Guinness Nigeria, led a management team of the firm on a visit to the revenue house in Abuja. In a statement, Adedeji described the directive as a strategic plan that is being religiously followed to lead the country out of the current economic challenges. “The president gave a directive that he wants a single digit tax in the country, meaning that the maximum number of…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the presidential economic coordination council (PECC) and the creation of the economic management team emergency taskforce (EET). Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. He said the PECC and EET initiative is a strategic move to bolster the nation’s economic governance frameworks and ensure robust and coordinated economic planning and implementation. Ngelale said the PECC headed by Tinubu, comprises distinguished leaders and key government officials. The team consists of Vice-President Kashim Shetimma (vice-chairman of the PECC and NEC chairman); Senate President…

Some reports on Wednesday claimed that the NNPCL would review the prices of fuel downward but the company described such reports as false in a statement on Wednesday signed by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has dispelled rumours that it would review the prices of petrol and diesel downward. Some reports on Wednesday claimed that the NNPCL would review the prices of fuel downward but the company described such reports as false in a statement on Wednesday signed by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye. In the statement, the NNPCL…