Eleven aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 gubernatorial elections in three Southwest states, namely; Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States, on Thursday presented themselves for screening before a committee set up by the party.

The 7- man screening committee led by Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, took place at the Southwest PDP secretariat, old Bodija, Ibadan.

The aspirants from Ogun state are Segun Sowunmi; Jimi Lawal and Oladipupo Adebutu, while two aspirants from Oyo state are Hazeem Gbolarumi and the state governor, Seyi Makinde.

Six aspirants from Lagos state are David Kolawole; Shamsideen Dosumu; Jimi Karmal; AbdulAzeez Adediran; Adedeji Doherty and Rhodes Gbadebo.

Speaking with newsmen on the exercise, Makarfi said the aspirants must comply 100 per cent with the PDP guidelines and the electoral act.

He stressed that the screening was to ensure that the candidates or aspirants of the party are in full compliance with the law.

A member of the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC), Stephanie Terungwa, who was declared missing on April 14, has been found dead.

Eddy Megwa, Director of Press and Public Relations, NYSC, made this known on Thursday, stating that the corpse was found wearing the NYSC Khaki trouser with the face defaced beyond recognition.

He stated, “The attention of NYSC management has been drawn to the pictures making the rounds in the social media of a missing corps member deployed to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

"The corpse was found wearing the NYSC Khaki trouser with the face defaced beyond recognition.

"On account of this, management reported the discovery to relevant security agencies to help identify the body. It was later confirmed that the remains was that of a missing corps member, Stephanie Se-Ember Terungwa, with State Code Number FC/21B/5807.

"Investigations are, however, currently on-going to unravel the identity of the perpetrators of the dastardly act in order to bring them to justice. May her soul rest in peace.”

A Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant Segun Showunmi has vowed to probe and jail any individual found guilty of stealing Ogun State resources, if made governor of the State in the 2023 elections. 

He stated this at his Abeokuta, residence  during Iftar (breaking of Ramadan fast) with journalists in the state stating confidently that he would defeat his co-aspirant,  Oladipupo Adebutu like a baby as he is poised to winning the PDP governorship primaries. 

Showunmi who claimed to have remained in PDP since 1999, said no aspirant can “claim to be more PDP than him, adding that he is searching for a deputy that is more than a spare tyre.”

He said his intention is to run the state like a country if he’s elected governor next year.

The governorship aspirant promised to run a government with “complete paradigm shift from the status quo,” by making Ogun “absolutely self sufficient.”

He  accused the present state government of paying lip services to security, health, education and development issues in the state.

The PDP aspirant noted that lack of effective social welfare programmes and policies have turned children of the poor to beggars in the state.

Showunmi said “I intend to run Ogun State  as if it is a country.

“I am looking to create an Ogun that will be absolutely self sufficient.

“One of the first things that we are going to do if I win and may God let me win, is to create an Ogun Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, where bright minds of Ogun will seat down every blessed day, crafting solutions to problems of now and even problems of the future.”

The aspirant also promised what he called “indigenisation of Ogun Government contracts” by allowing indigenes to be part of projects to be executed by any contractor.

He vowed to ensure those who have stolen the state’s resources are jailed, even as he said he should be jailed if found to have stolen from the state.  

According to him “I’m chasing immortality by the policies and programmes that we will run here. And if one day you find me a thief, jail me, because I will jail those who have stolen before me. 

“Let nobody be deceived, I’m not asking to “I am looking to create an Ogun that will be absolutely self sufficient.i did not say I would  lead Ogun so that we can pamper ourselves, no!.

“Government business is a sacred trust which you hold on behalf of all the collectives.

“This is Ogun. The vast majority of people living here are bona-fide citizens of this place whose parents are the owners of this land. You can not be in charge of our land, asset, taxes and  goodwill, and all you will do is to steal and they will not probe you? You must be joking. Showunmi said”

One of the pregnant women abducted from a train in Kaduna on March 28, 2022, has given birth.

A family member of the victim disclosed this in an interview with ARISE TV.

According to the television station, the relation said a doctor was sneaked into the camp to attend to the woman.

Sources said the terrorists are organised and coordinated because of the way they were able to get medical supplies into the forest, a development they described as still shocking to both government and security operatives.

“The woman who was reportedly eight months pregnant at the time of the attack, gave birth safely after the terrorists were said to have invited the medical personnel to attend to her. The state of health of the baby is however unknown.”

“According to reports by family sources, she gave birth with the aid of doctors brought in by the terrorists. We can also report that the terrorists are demanding the release of their top commanders in exchange for the abducted train passengers,” ARISE said in its report.

The families of the kidnapped have appealed to the government to secure their release, but the terrorists have demanded to swap them with their commanders who are currently in detention.

Earlier in the week, the terrorists released pictures of the victims in captivity.

Among those seen were a couple with their four kids, two elderly women and 17 men.

At least nine persons were killed after the terrorists bombed the rail track and opened fire on the passengers.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has extradited one Adedunmola Gbadegesin to the United States over a wire fraud scam worth $148,000.

Gbadegesin, who was extradited on Monday, is wanted in the US over an alleged conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.

According to the EFCC, the office of the attorney-general of the federation made a request for Gbadegesin’s extradition following a court order to the effect.

“The offences contravene Title 18, US Code, Section 1349 and 1956 (h) and carries a maximum jail term of 20 years was extradited on Monday,” the statement reads.

“His extradition was coordinated by the EFCC following a request from the office of the attorney-general of the federation, pursuant to a February 11, 2022 Order by D.E Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/21, which granted a request to extradite the suspect to the United States to answer to criminal charges bordering on romance scam, wire fraud and money laundering.

“Gbadegesin who was arrested on September 2, 2021, is alleged to have defrauded an American lady living in Kentucky, United States, of over $148,000.”

According to the anti-graft agency, the suspect is billed to appear before a United States District Court for the District of New Mexico.

He is expected to be charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Senate on Wednesday passed a bill imposing jail terms of at least 15 years for paying a ransom to free someone who has been kidnapped, and made abduction punishable by death in cases where victims die.

Armed gangs operating mostly in Northeastern and Northcentral states of Nigeria have for more than a decade spread terror through kidnappings for ransom, targeting students, villagers and motorists on highways. They have also killed thousands of people.

The bill, which amends Nigeria's terrorism law, mandates the death penalty for convicted kidnappers where the abduction leads to loss of life, and life imprisonment in other cases.

Opeyemi Bamidele, chairman of the Senate's judiciary, human rights and legal committee, told the Senate that making ransom payment punishable with jail would "discourage the rising spate of kidnapping and abduction for ransom in Nigeria, which is fast spreading across the country".

President Muhammadu Buhari's government has already classified the armed kidnapping gangs, known locally as "bandits", as terrorists this year - but that has not stemmed the kidnappings, now almost a daily occurrence.

The bill will be debated in the lower House of Representatives before being sent for the president to sign.

Central African Republic has adopted bitcoin as an official currency, the Country's presidency said on Wednesday, becoming the first country in Africa and only the second in the world to do so.

Despite rich reserves of gold and diamonds, Central African Republic is one of the world's poorest and least-developed countries and has been gripped by rebel violence for years.

A bill governing the use of cryptocurrency was adopted unanimously by parliament last week, said a statement signed by Obed Namsio, chief of staff of President Faustin-Archange Touadera.

"The president supports this bill because it will improve the conditions of Central African citizens," Namsio told Reuters, without elaborating.

In the statement, he called it "a decisive step toward opening up new opportunities for our country".

Central African Republic is one of six nations that use the Central African CFA franc, a regional currency governed by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC).

Two of the country's former prime ministers last week signed a letter expressing concern about the adoption of bitcoin without guidance from the BEAC, calling it a "serious offence".

"The BEAC learned at the same time as the public of the enactment of a new law on cryptocurrency in Central African Republic," a BEAC spokesman told Reuters, adding that the bank did not have an official response yet.

El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt bitcoin as legal tender last year, but the rollout was hampered by scepticism and it postponed a proposed bitcoin bond in March amid global market turmoil.

African governments have taken a varied approach to regulating cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.

Nigeria's central bank barred local banks from working with cryptocurrencies last year before launching its own digital currency, the eNaira.

South African regulators have been exploring the potential regulation of cryptocurrencies and other blockchain technology, and Tanzania's central bank said last year it was working on a presidential directive to prepare for cryptocurrencies.

Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, caused a stir on social media when he announced his second marriage to fellow actress, Judy Austin, on Wednesday.

In his announcement, Yul also revealed that he has welcomed a son with his second wife.

Yul’s first wife of 17 years, May, has reacted to the news of her husband’s second marriage, as she called on the judgement of God over the union.

Taking to the comment section of her husband’s post, she wrote, “May God judge you both.”

While announcing his new son, Yul Edochie added that he loves the child as much as he loved his older four children, which he shared with his first wife,

Yul Edochie wrote, “It’s time for the world to meet my son. His name is STAR DIKE MUNACHIMSO YUL-EDOCHIE.

Born by my second wife, Judy Austin.

And I love him so much, just as much as I love my other children.”

Yul, the last child of veteran actor, Pete Edochie, married his first wife at the young age of 22 .

He followed in his father’s footsteps and made his debut in the movie industry a year after his marriage.

In their 17 years of marriage, Yul and May are blessed with four children Danielle, Kambi, Karl, and Victory Edochie.

Senator Ibikunle Amosun has declared his intention to contest the presidential seat in the 2023 general election, promising to help Nigeria “achieve her manifest destiny”, channels Television has reported.

The Senator, who represents Ogun Central Senatorial District, made the decision known in a letter he wrote to the Senate.

Senate President Ahmed Lawan read the former governor’s letter during a plenary session on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to the letter, the lawmaker says his experience makes him fit for the seat

“I have been blessed by God to serve as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 2003 and 2007 and as a two-term Governor of Ogun State between 2011 and 2019. I have also had the privilege to be elected a second time to the Senate of the Federal Republic in 2019 where I currently serve the good people of Ogun Central Senatorial District,” the letter read.

“My varied experience in private and public life has imbued me with requisite insights, experiences, and network of relationships adequate to provide a leadership that will galvanize our dear country to achieve her manifest destiny as a leader in Africa and of the black race.”

The letter noted that the official declaration will take place on Thursday, 05 May 2022,  at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, CBD, Abuja.

Amosun’s declaration further adds to the growing list of politicians who have declared their intention to vie for Nigeria’s number one position under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Already, a chieftain of the party and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi; Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State; a former Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha among others, have indicated their interest for the APC ticket.

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River had yesterday visited President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the Nigerian leader had given him the go-ahead to contest for the post.

Also, there are speculations that former President Goodluck Jonathan will soon declare his intention.

The Cross River leader, however, said if “the APC feels that President Jonathan is the appropriate candidate that will take us to victory, I will turn my support for him”.

On Tuesday, the APC started the sales of Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms to intending aspirants.

Ogun State Governor,  Dapo Abiodun says his alleged arrest in the United States over credit card fraud and forgery in 1986 can not be a sufficient ground for his disqualification by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Abiodun said APC as a political party lacked the power to disqualify him, stressing that only a competent court of law could do so had the statutes of limitations for such matters not passed. 

Governor Abiodun in a 14 page document was reacting to a petition submitted by a member of the APC, Ayodele Oludiran on behalf of Oluwatobi Sofela of Ogun Bibire Unity Forum, who warned that the party might lose the governorship seat in Ogun due to Mr Abiodun’s criminal history and its concealment from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) despite swearing an oath. 

Represented by Afe Babalola and Co, Mr Abiodun’s legal team argued that the governor’s probable arrest was not a conviction and hence was not answerable to the laws that applied to criminals.

“An aspirant or candidate will only be disqualified by the court if the false information he gives relates to a constitutional requirement of eligibility. APC is not a court of law. Accordingly, it cannot disqualify our client,” the governor’s lawyer wrote Abdulahi Adamu, APC chairman, citing section 29(6) of the Electoral Act 2022

Even if he was convicted in 1986, the governor’s legal counsel asserted the Nigerian constitution only disqualifies ex-felons from contesting political offices if their sentence was less than 10 years before the election date.

“In any event, assuming but not conceding that our client was even convicted in 1986, he would still not be affected or caught by Section 182 (1) (e) of the CFRN because the CFRN requires that the conviction which would disqualify a person from the position of the governor must have occurred ten years before the date of election to the office,” wrote Mr Abiodun’s lawyer.

The petitioner, Ayodele Oludiran had cautioned that the discrepancies in the governor’s educational qualifications might also cause opposition parties to question the eligibility of Mr Abiodun’s re-election bid, swaying the electorates to their side.

“If action is not taken, the chances of our great party, the APC, retaining the governorship seat in Ogun State shall be in jeopardy as previously seen in Bayelsa and Zamfara States,” wrote Mr Sofela in a statement.

Mr Abiodun, allegedly with jail number 8600B9436, had filed an application for a redaction of his criminal records in Miami Dade, Florida and it was granted in 2015. 

Last May, Abidemi Rufai, a longtime associate of Mr Abiodun, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the U.S. for his role in a $650 million (N312 billion) employment fraud.