United States President, Joe Biden made a 30 min call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday, thanking him for the release and recent withdrawal of criminal charges against Tigran Gambaryan, the Head of Financial Crimes Compliance at Binance, who was held in custody for 8 months, over money laundering charges to the tune of $35.4million dollars and Tax evasion.
Gambaryan, who is a US citizen, was arrested in February during a business trip to Nigeria and faced serious charges of money laundering and tax evasion, which he denied.
His arrest was compounded by the escape of his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, the former Africa regional manager for Binance who was also taken into custody, EFCC had announced last week, that an Abuja court had dropped the money laundering charges against Gambaryan to allow him to seek medical treatment abroad. The decision prompted Joe Biden to call Tinubu to thank him for the release of his citizen.
The minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar in a statement released on Tuesday, said that the call, also focused on collaboration between Nigeria and the U.S, especially in law enforcement, and the implications of the recent case involving cryptocurrency exchange.
He added, that Biden also expressed strong support for Nigeria’s aspiration for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, highlighting Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and its contributions to global peacekeeping efforts.
Africa’s richest man, and founder of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, on Tuesday, condemned the importation of petroleum products from overseas, saying that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery currently has over 500 million litres of petrol available for sale and urged marketers and the NNPC to patronize his products.
Dangote spoke after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his committee on crude oil and refined product sales in local currency.
Members of the House of Representatives last week, criticised the Minister of Works David Umahi over Nigeria’s deteriorating road infrastructure.
The Ministry’s Director of Bridges, Bede Obiora, who represented the minister of works, had cited funding constraints as the primary cause of the poor road infrastructure during a house hearing committee meeting.
The Chairman of the committee on Femma, Remi Oseni vehemently rebuffed the minister’s defense, and challenged the claim that resource scarcity was to blame.
In Anambra State, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo last week, explained why he is yet to fulfil his campaign promise of making the state, the Dubai-Taiwan of Nigeria.
Soludo spoke at an event last week stating that education is needed to bring his campaign promise to reality, and that turning Anambra state into Dubai and Taiwan, cannot be achieved with an illiterate population.
Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu on Tuesday, debunked reports circulating on social media, that he had filed a lawsuit to prevent the economic and financial crimes commission from arresting and prosecuting him after his tenure, over alleged misconduct.
The report was debunked in a statement released by the States Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lawal Pedro, who confirmed that Sanwo Olu did not sue the EFCC in any court.
The statement further emphasized that the Governor, who still has nearly three years left in office and enjoys immunity has not been investigated or contacted by the EFCC regarding any allegations.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God has suspended two of its pastors following allegations of homosexuality which has now gone viral on social media.
The National Overseer of the church, Sunday Akande’ ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.
The Freedom of the City of London award, dates back to 1237, It is one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in existence today, symbolising a unique bond between the City of London and its most distinguished recipients.
The award recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society, embodying values of leadership, courage, and philanthropy.
The award has been conferred on notable figures including; Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth the second, Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking, and Princess Diana.
Over the weekend, In a rare honour that celebrates her transformative leadership and her commitment to amplifying Africa’s authentic narratives on the global stage.
Olori Ivie Atuwatse the third, was conferred the award in an illustrious ceremony, held at Guild-hall, in the United Kingdom.
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