The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned a nine-day timeline, termed “FCT Week,” dedicated to the inauguration of completed projects in Abuja. This event will commence on May 27, 2024.

During a final inspection of several ongoing projects on Friday, Wike revealed that the inauguration activities would kick off with the launch of the commercial operation of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit system. This marks a significant milestone in the capital’s transportation infrastructure, aimed at enhancing urban mobility and reducing traffic congestion.

In addition to the rail system, other critical projects slated for inauguration include the official residence of the Vice President, a notable development that underscores the government’s commitment to providing top-tier facilities for its leaders. Also on the agenda is the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), which extends from the Villa Roundabout to Ring Road 1, featuring four interchanges designed to improve traffic flow and connectivity within the city. Another significant infrastructure, the B6 and B12 Circle Road, will also be inaugurated, further expanding the city’s road network and easing transportation.

Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of the projects, praising the contractors for adhering to the project timelines. He highlighted the FCT Administration’s role in ensuring timely project completion through consistent funding and support.

“By the approval of Mr. President, we believe that from the 27th of this month, we shall start the inauguration of the various projects,” Wike stated. “Particularly on the 27th, we believe the President will flag off the commercial operation of the Abuja Metro line. We believe on Monday, we will do the final inspection of that. From what we have seen, I think we are good to go.”

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) Dr. Dili Ezughah, has described the removal of the agency from the national  budget as a huge setback.

Ezughah stated this  when the House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, paid an oversight visit to the council headquarters in Abuja.

He lamented that the development had brought untold hardship to the staff of the agency, with many of them withdrawing their children and wards from school due to inability to pay school fees, while expressing appreciation to the committee members for their efforts to salvage the situation, reiterating  the urgent need for a correction of  what he described as  misclassification.

He said NPC was wrongly classified as a professional body, when it was actually a regulatory agency.

Ezughah briefed the committee on the reform taking place in the council, especially the recent creation of a marketing department to boost internal revenue generation, as well as a fact – checking app in the works. He explained that the app, when developed, would check misinformation and disinformation on the social media.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, Hon. Fatoba Olusola, pledged the commitment of the committee to ensuring the reinstatement of the NPC to the budget.

Hon. Fatoba said the committee would do everything possible to empower the council to effectively perform its statutory functions.

He also assured that the enabling legislation would be revisited to see the areas that could be amended for an optimum performance of the agency.

The Nigerian Press Council, alongside all the professional associations, was removed from the 2024 Appropriation Act.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to grant bail to an executive of Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan, on the ground of high risk of flight.

Gambaryan and Binance were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on money laundering. Both pleaded not guilty.

During the bail application, Defense Counsel, Mark Mordi argued for the court’s power to grant bail with conditions to ensure Gambaryan’s court attendance.

However, the Prosecution Counsel, Ekele Iheanacho opposed the application, labeling Gambaryan a flight risk.

Iheanacho stated, “The defendant attempted to obtain a new passport, claiming his old one was stolen, which is suspicious given the recent escape of his colleague.”

He highlighted Gambaryan’s dual citizenship in the United States and Armenia, emphasising that he lacked ties to any community in Nigeria.

“The fact that the passport of the defendant is with the complainant does not guarantee that he will remain in Nigeria,” Iheanacho remarked.

Justice Nwite, considering the nature and severity of the offense, sided with the prosecution, ruling that, “The applicant will jump bail if bail is
granted to him,” and ordered Gambaryan’s remand in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in ensuring his safety and preventing potential flight.

Following the ruling, the trial was scheduled for accelerated hearing, with the EFCC calling its first witness who is a staff from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).