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A former Personal Assistant to Governor Ayo Fayose during his first tenure, Goke Olatunji, was on Tuesday arraigned at an Ado Ekiti High Court over alleged double murder.

The offences were allegedly committed 11 years ago.

Also charged with him is a member of House of Representatives, Thaddeus Aina.

Aina was absent in court.

The two men were charged with the murders of the then Holland-based Tunde Omojola and a World Bank Consultant, Dr. Ayodeji Daramola.

The trial was however stalled because of the absence of Aina, who was said to have gone abroad for medical treatment.

The two murder cases were consolidated at the request of the lawyers to both parties.

Omojola was killed in Ifaki Ekiti in 2006 during a councillorship election, while Daramola was murdered in Ijan Ekiti on August 14, 2006.

Both murders were committed during the first term of Governor Fayose.

When the case was brought before Justice Adewale Fowe on Tuesday, the prosecuting counsel, Adekunle Adetowubo, told the court that Aina, who is currently representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, had been flown abroad for medical treatment over undisclosed ailment.

Both Adetowubo and counsel to the defendants, Adedayo Adewumi, sought a brief adjournment and also prayed the court to issue a Witness summon so that all the witnesses can be brought to court at the next adjournment date.

Adetowubo said: “My lord, the counsel to the second respondent had told me that he was sick.

“The purpose of this case is to prosecute and not to persecute.

“Again, only the living can be tried and not the dead.

“We pray that he recoverz soon and by the time he will appear, the trial can be heard expeditiously.

“We can’t continue with this case until the 2nd defendant appears in court, because this is a criminal case.

“Ordinarily, we would have requested for a Bench Warrant to bring him to court, but we have done

our own findings and we found out that he was truly flown abroad for treatment.

“My lord, this adjournment does not mean we are withdrawing the charges against him, we are not even ready for that.

“Some of those granted bail in this case could not be found now, but the second respondent has consistently been coming to court. So we want him granted this opportunity to appear when his health is restored.

“What we intended to do today is to mention the case, but under this circumstance, we oblige your lordship to give us a new date so that we can come with our witnesses.

“We know that this case has a chequered history but we still need patience since the defendant was only exercising his fundamental rights.”

The Counsel to the respondent aligned with the submission of the prosecuting counsel that a brief adjournment is needed under this circumstance urging them, to tidy up their case for speedy trial of the accused persons.

In his ruling, Justice Fowe, who had earlier objected to adjournment, said: “This matter has stayed for long and I wish we continue now.

“But since both parties had sought for this adjournment under the circumstance, I hereby adjourn the case to April 27, 2017 for hearing.

“I also direct that all processes be served on the prosecuting witnesses to appear in court on that day.”

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“JAPA”: Canada Increases Minimum Proof Of Funds To N17m For Immigrants

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Foreign nationals aiming to migrate to Canada through the Express Entry system will now need to meet a higher minimum financial requirement, following a recent update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Based on the new guidelines effective from July 7, 2025, a single applicant is now required to show access to at least CAD $15,263 (about N17 million), an increase from the previous CAD $14,690. For a family of two, the new minimum required amount rises to CAD $19,001 (N21.2m).

This update in the financial threshold is part of IRCC’s annual review of settlement fund requirements, calculated at 50% of the low-income cut-off figures determined by Statistics Canada.

These funds are meant to prove that applicants can financially support themselves and their families after arriving in Canada.

Applicants must provide official letters from their financial institutions, printed on the bank’s letterhead. For those applying with a spouse, funds in joint accounts may be combined.

To stay eligible in the Express Entry pool, candidates must update their proof of funds in their profile no later than July 28, 2025. This update will not affect the original submission date and time of the profile, meaning it will not impact tie-breaker situations.

Proof of funds remains a mandatory requirement under both the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, it is not required for applicants under the Canadian Experience Class or for those already authorized to work in Canada with a valid job offer, even under other Express Entry categories.

Submitting an Express Entry profile is only the initial step and does not guarantee permanent residency. IRCC continues to invite the highest-ranking candidates from the pool approximately every two weeks, using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assess and rank applications.

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UK Introduces eVisas For Nigerian Study, Work Visa Applicants

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The British High Commission in Abuja announced on Wednesday a new change in the United Kingdom’s immigration process for Nigerians applying for study and work visas.

Effective from 15 July 2025, most applicants in these categories will start receiving digital eVisas instead of the traditional visa stickers in their passports, according to a statement from the BHC.

The new policy applies only to applications submitted on or after 15 July 2025. Those who apply before that date will still follow the current process, which involves submitting a passport at a Visa Application Centre and receiving a vignette.

The statement reads, “From 15 July 2025, most individuals applying to enter the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer receive a physical visa sticker (vignette) in their passport. Instead, successful applicants will be issued an eVisa, a secure, online record of their immigration status. This change marks a major step in the UK Government’s transition to a modern, digital immigration system. This change applies only to study or work visa applications submitted on or after 15 July 2025. Applicants who apply before 15 July will continue with the current process, including leaving their passport at the Visa Application Centre and receiving a vignette. Visit visa applications will continue to receive the visa vignette sticker for the time being.”

Applicants are still required to visit a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric data.

Once approved, applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration with the decision and instructions for creating a UKVI account to access their eVisa.

The statement continues, “Despite the removal of the vignette for study or work visas, all applicants must still attend a Visa Application Centre to provide their biometric information as part of the visa processing procedure. Once a decision is made on their visa application, applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration with the outcome and instructions to create a UKVI account, to access their eVisa.”

Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission in Abuja, Gill Obe, stated, “We’re making it easier and faster for Nigerians to travel to the UK. From 15 July 2025, most people applying for study or work visas will get a digital eVisa instead of a visa sticker in their passport. This is a further big step to a fully digital UK immigration system, making the process more secure, more efficient, and more convenient for students, professionals, and families.”

She explained that not all applicants would be affected immediately.

“However, if you’re applying as a dependant, like a spouse or child, of someone who is studying or working in the UK or if you are applying for a visitor visa, you’ll still receive a visa vignette sticker in your passport for the time being,” she said.

The High Commission clarified that eVisas have already replaced Biometric Residence Permits for individuals granted leave for more than six months. Those with a UKVI account can use the “View and Prove” service to share their immigration status with third parties, such as employers or landlords in England.

To obtain an eVisa, applicants must apply online via the official UK government website (gov.uk), attend a Visa Application Centre to provide biometrics, take their passport home the same day if no vignette is required, and follow instructions in the decision letter, including creating and linking a UKVI account if needed.

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BREAKING: Ganduje Appointed FAAN Board Chairman

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Former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been appointed “Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),” shortly after resigning as “National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The announcement was made on Tuesday at the official inauguration of newly appointed FAAN board members in Abuja.

Ganduje resigned from his role as APC national chairman last week, citing “urgent personal reasons.” He has been succeeded by Ali Bukar Dalori.

 

More to come:

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