Here are the highlights from the week’s biggest news stories, from April 14 to April 20, 2024.
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram terrorist group.
276 schoolgirls of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, a community in Borno State, were abducted by the Boko Haram terrorist group on April 14, 2014.
Despite promises from successive governments to secure their release, 89 girls are reportedly still in captivity. There were calls for government intervention as parents sought closure and hope for the safe return of their daughters.
Amnesty International criticised the government’s failure to rescue the girls and called for accountability, while security analysts highlighted the need for improved strategies to address abduction.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, troops of the Nigerian Army rescued Lydia Simon, one of the abducted Chibok girls.
Lydia, who was pregnant at the time of her rescue, was held captive by Boko Haram terrorists for 10 years.
According to a status report by the BringBackOurGirls campaign group in October 2022, of the 276 kidnaped girls, 57 escaped captivity after jumping from the trucks on which they were being transported, 107 of them were released, 16 were rescued by the military, and 96 of them remained missing.
President Bola Tinubu and other prominent figures showed support for chess player, Tunde Onakoya, as he made to break the Guinness World Record for the longest unbeaten chess marathon.
Onakoya embarked on his 58-hour quest in Times Square, New York, aiming to surpass the current record of 56 hours, nine minutes, and 37 seconds. As Onakoya persevered through the challenge, notable individuals like Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, and the US Mission in Nigeria expressed their encouragement and admiration for his endeavour.
Gift of Chess, a non-profit organisation based in New York, disclosed that Nigerian chess master, Onakoya, experienced severe vomiting and stomach pain during his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Despite the challenges, Onakoya refused to quit, citing his commitment to the dreams of millions of children.
Alongside his US counterpart, Shawn Martinez, Onakoya aimed to raise $1m to support educational opportunities for underprivileged children across Africa. Onakoya surpassed the goal of 58 hours of uninterrupted play and stopped at the 60-hour mark.
The Federal Government initiated enforcement raids at multiple supermarkets and markets within the Federal Capital Territory to ensure compliance with price display and quantity regulations, aiming to reduce the cost of food commodities nationwide.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission conducted the raids to eliminate grocery store price gouging and illegal pricing schemes. During the enforcement exercise, the FCCPC sealed 4U Supermarket in Abuja and evacuated bags of rice reportedly filled with weevils.
This move came in response to concerns raised by consumers about rising costs of goods, contributing to Nigeria’s inflation. The FCCPC has vowed to take firm measures against companies engaging in unfair market practices like price manipulation, excessive pricing, or cartel formation.
Additionally, plans are underway to introduce a price tracker and conduct raids in major open markets across the country to ensure compliance with regulations and protect consumer rights.
Lagos-based socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday for alleged abuse of the naira note.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N10m with two sureties. His lawyer cited health issues and emphasised that the offence, which carries a maximum punishment of six months imprisonment with an option of fine is a bailable offence.
The prosecution did not oppose the bail application, and the judge granted bail on the condition that it must be perfected within seven days.
Cubana Chief Priest hinted at easily fulfilling the bail conditions, expressing gratitude to his supporters. The trial is scheduled to commence on May 2. The charges stemmedbfrom allegations that he sprayed N500 notes at a social event, contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act 2007.
His arrest and trial came shortly after the conviction of controversial cross-dresser Bobrisky for similar offences.
Vera Anyim, who was interrupted during her testimony at Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja by the church’s Senior Pastor Dr Paul Enenche, said that she holds no grudge against the church.
Anyim, whose testimony was interrupted when she claimed she graduated with a “BSc in Law,” was subsequently chided by Enenche, who questioned the credibility of her testimony.
However, in a Facebook post, Anyim stated that she had met with Enenche and his wife and had put the situation behind her. The church issued a statement explaining that concerns arose regarding Anyim’s language proficiency and the clarity of her academic credentials. The Senior Pastor’s actions were said to stem from a commitment to upholding standards of excellence and integrity within the church community.
Anyim, in her Facebook post, clarified that she actually graduated with a Third Class from the National Open University of Nigeria. Despite the ordeal, she emphasised her determination to move forward positively.
Earlier in the week, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission besieged the Abuja residence of a former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The EFCC’s actions came as a result of ongoing legal battle between Bello and the commission, including an amended charge alleging money laundering to the tune of N84 billion.
The EFCC accused Bello of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds, with Bello currently at large.
The EFCC’s attempt to arrest Bello was thwarted by armed intervention at his Abuja residence, reportedly involving the current Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, who allegedly escorted Bello away from the scene.
The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to the former governor.
This action followed the Nigerian Immigration Service placing Bello on a watchlist after the EFCC declared him wanted for alleged money laundering.
The Nigeria Police Force has also detained a female police officer who served as the aide-de-camp to the former governor.
She was detained alongside other officers, following an order by the IGP. Their arrest stemmed from suspicion of aiding Bello’s escape from EFCC operatives attempting to arrest him.
Bello’s media office accused the EFCC of persecution, citing duplicated charges and questioning the agency’s motives. Bello and three other suspects face 19 counts related to money laundering.
