News

Edo CJ Frees One Inmate From Auchi Correctional Centre

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2024

Editor

The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has granted freedom to an inmate of Auchi Medium Security Correctional Centre.

The freed inmate, Saliu Akande, who had been incarcerated since 2020 over alleged rape gained freedom when the CJ visited the facility on Thursday.

Okungbowa directed that the inmate be granted freedom due to non-availabilIty of case files and charges against him for the past four years.

The Chief Judge said the visit was part of his activities to decongest the correctional centre and to promote speedy trials.

“Section 470 (2) of Edo State Administration of Law 2018 has entrusted us with the mandate to ensure the criminal matters are speedily dealt with and congestion of criminal cases in courts are drastically reduced.

“Since my assumption of office, I have together with members of Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee worked assiduously to ensure that our mandate is accorded much desired seriousness.

“To this end, my avowed and unalloyed commitment is that no one is made to remain here one day longer than necessary unless as prescribed by law.

“Today’s exercise, therefore underscores the passion and commitment of my administration to achieve these goals” Okungbowa said.

The CJ thanked the members of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee for their support and effort aimed at decongesting correctional/custodial facilities in the state.

Okungbowa said he was aware of the perennial challenges faced by the correctional services in Edo and assured to ameliorate the problems.

He called on those who have benefited from the exercise in the state to be of good behaviour and ensure they avoid any act of misbehaviour that may bring them back as they may not be lucky next time around.

Welcoming him to the centre, the Assistant Controller of Auchi Command of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS), Kingsley Ebare, commended the Chief judge for his efforts at ensuring that only those qualified inmates benefited from the exercise.

“The visit will restore hope to the hopeless and reposition their minds that Justice will be served to deserving persons according to the laws of the land,” he said.

Ebare thanked the CJ for appointing a substantial judge at the high court for prompt trials.

“In recent past, trial process at the high court Auchi were crawling, but for your benevolence of appointing a substantive judge, we are optimistic that adjudication of cases will pick up.

“To this extent, we are grateful to you in particular and to the state government at large” he said.

He, however,, appealed to Okungbowa to help the centre to liaise with the state government for assistance in the area of logistics and medical care for inmates.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.