Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted permission for a prosecution witness to testify under protective conditions in the ongoing trial of a retired army general and five others accused of plotting a failed coup against President Bola Tinubu. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik approved the request after the prosecution argued that the witness required protection for security reasons as proceedings commenced. Under the ruling, the witness will testify behind a screen to conceal their identity from the public, and their real name will not be disclosed during the trial. The federal government has filed a 13-count charge…

Elegbede Abiodun ‎• 2025 would be known as a landmark year in GTCO’s growth and expansion with successful listing of its shares on the London Stock Exchange. The shareholders of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), yesterday commended the management of the financial institution for the highest dividend payout of N12.76K in the Nigerian’s banking sector for 2025 financial year. ‎The shareholders yesterday at the GTCO’s 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) lauded the Group’s impressive 2025 financial year performance and also for meeting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s N500billion new minimum capital requirement. ‎Speaking at the AGM, the President…

Manny Ita  – MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced plans to divest a 60% stake in its fintech subsidiaries—MoMo Payment Service Bank and Y’ello Digital Financial Services—to MTN Group in a major intra-group restructuring valued at about ₦95.5 billion. The transaction, disclosed ahead of the company’s Annual General Meeting, will see MTN Group acquire majority ownership through its fintech arm, while MTN Nigeria retains a 40% stake in both entities. Under the deal structure, the acquisition will be executed through a combination of fresh capital injection into the fintech businesses and a secondary purchase of shares from MTN Nigeria. The…

Manny Ita  – Cadbury Nigeria Plc has announced the resignation of Ibukun Awosika as a director on its board, bringing to an end a 16-year tenure marked by significant contributions to the company’s governance and strategic direction. The resignation, which takes effect from May 1, 2026, was disclosed in an official statement signed by the company secretary, Afolasade Olowe, and communicated to the Nigerian Exchange Limited as well as the investing public. The board confirmed it had formally accepted her decision to step down. Awosika joined the board in October 2009 as a non-executive director and has since played a…

William Ruto of Kenyan President William Ruto of Kenyan has said that his remarks on Nigerian English were misinterpreted and taken out of context. Ruto, who gave the explanation at the Mining Investment Conference and Expo in Nairobi on Tuesday, said the remarks were made in a private conversation. Ruto had drawn the ire of Nigerians a few days ago when he addressed Kenyans living Italy. At that event, he praised Kenya’s education system, noting: “Our education is good. Our English is good. We speak some of the best English in the world. “If you listen to a Nigerian speaking,…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian government has raised fresh concerns over a resurgence of xenophobic attacks targeting its citizens in South Africa, outlining four key demands aimed at protecting Nigerians and restoring confidence among foreign communities. The warning was delivered by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), who described the situation as deteriorating despite earlier diplomatic engagements between both countries. According to the commission, Nigerians and other African migrants have faced weeks of harassment, looting, and targeted violence in parts of South Africa. Recent incidents reportedly include attacks on businesses and even schoolchildren of Nigerian descent,…

Manny Ita  – A trader from Edo State, Osifo Stanley, has formally joined the 2027 presidential race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), after purchasing the party’s ₦100 million expression of interest and nomination forms to challenge incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Stanley’s move signals an early internal contest within the ruling party, coming shortly after allies of the president also secured the same forms on his behalf ahead of the APC presidential primary scheduled for May 23. The aspirant completed the purchase at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja, positioning himself as one of the first individuals…

FILE: Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun Elegbede Abiodun • He says he supported political success of Daniel when he contested for the governorship in 2003. The governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday said he was instrumental to the emergence of Otunba Gbenga Daniel as governor of the state in 2003, as well as to his election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in 2023 as the senator representing Ogun East. Governor Abiodun, according to a viral video, reportedly disclosed this at the stakeholders meeting of the ruling party held at his Iperu Remo private residence on…

Manny Ita  – A federal high court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark. Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the tenure of the party’s state working committees and executive committees remains valid and subsisting until properly conducted congresses and a national convention are held. The court held that neither Nigeria’s constitution nor the ADC constitution empowers the caretaker or interim national working committee to appoint bodies to conduct state congresses.…

File photo: Fuel pump Elegbede Abiodun The development comes against the backdrop of rising global crude oil prices, which have significantly increased feedstock costs for refiners. The Dangote Refinery has increased its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit by N75 per litre, deepening concerns over a fresh round of fuel price hikes across the country, as it also suspended product sales following a disruption in its Proforma Invoice process. Price data obtained from Petroleumprice.ng and confirmation from a Dangote refinery official on Wednesday revealed that the refinery raised its petrol loading price from N1,200 per litre to N1,275 per litre,…