Author: Vardiafrica

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, has remanded former governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application. Justice Anenih on Tuesday also adjourned the case until Jan. 29, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27, 202,5 for the continuation of the hearing, just as she refused to grant a bail application filed by Bello, saying it was filed prematurely. The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an alleged N110bn money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The judge also…

A total of 227 staff of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, have been given plaques for long service awards for their contributions to the progress and performance of the Commission. Speaking during the award ceremony at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the awards’ essence was to motivate and build staff confidence in career progression and promote excellence through healthy competition for better service delivery. Ogbuku noted that the Commission’s management placed a high premium on staff development and growth, stating that the 227 awardees were recognised for their long-term service and…

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it will sanction airlines who delay ticket refunds.  According to the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Michael Achimugu ticket refund compliance is a crucial part of the agency’s consumer protection plan. Achimugu said the move is in adherence to Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations of 2023. “Going forward, AIRLINES THAT FAIL TO PAY REFUNDS WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME STIPULATED BY THE NCAA REGULATIONS 2023 WILL BE SANCTIONED,” he said. He noted that “Cash purchases must be refunded immediately, and by cash. Tickets purchased by electronic transfer, mobile apps, internet banking, etc…

President Bola Tinubu has commissioned the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Technology Innovation Complex at its headquarters in Abuja. The Data Complex comprises the Command and Control Centre (regular migration), NIS Data Centre, ECOWAS Biometric Card Production Centre, Interior Data Centre and a 0.5KW solar power plant. The President, while commissioning the facility, said he promised to run a government built on ICT and innovations and he has lived up to his promise. In her opening address, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service Kemi Nandap said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex will ascertain the risk level of persons entering the…

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has issued a warning about a global banking malware named Grandoreiro, which poses a significant threat through sophisticated phishing campaigns. In an advisory released by the agency’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team on Monday, December 9, the malware was described as a severe cybersecurity risk, using advanced methods such as screen overlay attacks and remote device control to steal sensitive data, including banking credentials and personal information. The malware primarily spreads via phishing emails and fraudulent websites that deceive victims into downloading malicious software disguised as legitimate updates or documents. Once installed,…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says the new Port Harcourt refinery is over 90 percent completed. The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) operates two refineries; the old plant with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd) and a new facility with 150,000 bpsd — bringing the refinery’s combined crude processing capacity to 210,000 bpsd. Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer of NNPC, spoke on Monday when Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) labour leaders visited the facility in Rivers state. Represented by Isiyaku Abudulai, NNPC’s executive vice-president, downstream, Kyari said the new…

The Senate, through its Finance Committee, has issued a stern warning to government-owned agencies that fail to provide proper expenditure records from the 2024 fiscal year. Chairman of the Finance Committee, Senator Sani Musa, who issued the threat on Monday during an investigative hearing, underscored that the committee will withhold allocations to any agency that does not comply with its summons for scrutiny. In an interface with the Accountant General of the Federation, Missus Oluwatoyin Madein, the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the centralized payment system managed by the Office of the Accountant General also came under scrutiny as members frowned…

The Rivers State Government (RSG) has reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) through the execution of a project to provide two blocks of 12 x 2-bedroom accommodation for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers at NAF Base, Port Harcourt. The completed project was commissioned in a milestone event held on 9 December 2024, highlighting the commitment of the Fubara-led administration to strengthening the welfare and operational readiness of security agencies in Rivers State. Speaking at the event, His Excellency Sir Siminialaye Fubara emphasized the critical role of the NAF and other security agencies in maintaining peace and fostering development…

Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow and been granted asylum “out of humanitarian considerations”, Russian news agencies are quoting a Kremlin source as saying. Russian state TV also reported the news, which put an end to speculation about the whereabouts of Syria’s former president after rebel forces seized control of Damascus. Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry had announced that Assad “decided to resign the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power”. Russia, which has two key military bases in Syria, is a staunch ally of Assad and had intervened in Syria’s…

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stated that the Department of State Services (DSS) are not responsible for searching passengers’ bags at airport Keyamo made this known during an interview on ‘This Morning’ programme on Arise News on Sunday. Using Lagos International Airport as an example, Keyamo said passengers enter through the arrival door and immediately encounter a screening machine for their bags. Keyamo said the bags are inspected at a joint inspection table after the screening, which causes congestion due to the lack of space. He said the congestion often leads to blockages that extend to…