Connect with us


BIG STORY

Immigration Cleared About 60,000 Backlog Of Passport Applications In Four Days — Tunji-Ojo

Published

on

Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has cleared about 60,000 passport backlog in four days.

Tunji-Ojo spoke on Tuesday when Betta Edu, minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, paid him a courtesy visit in office in Abuja.

He said the number was out of the over 200,000 pending passport applications.

The minister had directed the NIS to ensure the clearance of all pending passport applications within two weeks.

According to a statement by Alao Babatunde, his special adviser on media and publicity, Tunji-Ojo said he would clean up the passport crisis in the country.

“When we came on board, the passport crisis was an embarrassment to the country and we said there is no way it can continue,” he said.

“As at this morning, I can tell you that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared, specifically, 59,906.

“On Sept. 6, when I gave the 2-week ultimatum, we had over 200,000 backlogs. However, we have recorded tremendous progress, and I still maintain my words, those backlogs must be cleared.”

On her part, Edu said her visit was informed by the need for the two ministries to collaborate in reducing human trafficking.

She added that the collaboration would also include other related challenges such as the poor welfare of veterans, underemployment and poverty reduction.

Edu said the interior ministry is in the best position to solve issues of human trafficking as it plays a supervisory role in the service.

Responding to her, Tunji-Ojo said the interior ministry welcomes such initiative as it is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

He commended Edu for the concept and assured her of his support.

“There is a lot of work to be done and we cannot work in silos as the President has directed,” Tunji-Ojo said.

“We are not just working on humanitarian endeavours such as human trafficking, NIS must help us change the story completely.

“We may only have to expand it to include the welfare of inmates in our correctional centres as they are Nigerians as well.

“Let’s see how they can benefit from your welfare packages. Of course, there is a lot we can achieve together.”

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Prison Officers Involved In Bobrisky Bribery Allegations Will Face Prosecution — Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo

Published

on

The Federal Government on Friday assured that all individuals implicated in the alleged bribery case involving crossdresser “Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky,” will be prosecuted.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, “Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo,” during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, commemorating his first year in office.

Earlier, the minister had launched a comprehensive investigation into accusations of bribery and corruption within the “Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).”

This came after reports emerged that “Bobrisky,” who had been sentenced to prison earlier in the year, had not served his sentence within the correctional facility.

As the investigation progressed, the Nigerian Government, through the “Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board,” suspended several senior prison service officers on Thursday, “September 26, 2024.”

The officers suspended include “Michael Anugwa,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) responsible for the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; “Sikiru Adekunle,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) overseeing the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; and “ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna,” stationed at the MSCC in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, who was accused of escorting a convicted inmate outside the facility.

Another officer, “Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) managing the MSCC in Kuje, Abuja, was suspended for allegedly accepting payments on behalf of an inmate.

In addressing the unfolding bribery and corruption scandal, “Dr. Tunji-Ojo” called on Nigerians to remain patient during the investigation, assuring the public that all involved would be held accountable.

“We will not spare anyone, regardless of their status. The investigation is ongoing, but rest assured that no one will be shielded or protected,” the minister asserted.

He further clarified that the investigation went beyond the allegations linked to “Bobrisky,” noting that of the four suspended officers, only two were connected to the “Bobrisky” case. “This process will continue; it doesn’t end here,” he added.

“Dr. Tunji-Ojo” expressed his trust in the integrity of the committee members leading the investigation, encouraging the public to have confidence in their work.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

UPDATE: US Company Costco Denies Selling Baby Oil To Diddy

Published

on

American wholesale corporation, Costco, has denied selling “baby oil” to disgraced rapper and music executive, Sean Combs, aka Diddy.

The federal officers seized supplies that they say were intended for use in orgies known as “freak offs,” including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of “baby oil” during the raiding of Diddy’s Beverly Hills mansion in March.

In a new TMZ Studios documentary, ‘The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment’, the rapper’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo suggested he had 1,000 bottles of “baby oil” because he buys them in bulk from Costco.

Reacting to Diddy’s lawyer’s claim, Costco said they don’t sell “baby oil.”

“None of the company’s US locations carry ‘baby oil,'” Costco told TMZ.

Diddy was recently arrested by Homeland Security on suspicion of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and interstate transportation for prostitution.

Diddy has denied all the charges, entering a not-guilty plea on Tuesday, 17 September.

However, the Bad Boy Records’ boss’ bail request was rejected twice.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Naomi Campbell Gets 5-Yr Ban From Being Charity Trustee In UK For “Using Funds On Spa Treatment”

Published

on

Naomi Campbell, the British supermodel, has been banned from serving as a charity trustee in England and Wales for five years.

The UK Charity Commission found that her charity, Fashion for Relief, was “poorly governed and managed financially” by its trustees.

The investigation, conducted from April 2016 to July 2022, revealed that only 8.5% of the funds raised were spent on charitable grants.

Additionally, charity funds were reportedly used for Campbell’s stays in luxurious hotels, spa treatments, and cigarettes.

Campbell responded to the findings in an interview, expressing her concern and claiming she was not aware of these expenses, as she had entrusted the charity’s management to a legal employer. She said, “I was not in control of my charity.”

Veronica Chou and Bianca Hellmich, other trustees, were also sanctioned.

Hellmich was banned for nine years for receiving unauthorized funds, while Chou was banned for four years.

Tim Hopkins, part of the investigation team, stated that Campbell and the other trustees had failed in their legal duties.

Approximately £344,000 has been recovered, and an additional £98,000 of charitable funds has been protected.

The recovered funds were used to make donations to other charities and settle liabilities.

Campbell founded Fashion for Relief in 2005 with the aim of relieving poverty.

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular