Chaos engulfed the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday following a violent clash between two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers on Sapele Crescent, off Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, Garki II, Abuja.

The conflict underlines an ongoing dispute within the NURTW, a development which observers say requires urgent intervention by the federal government, to prevent further breakdown of law and order, especially in the nation’s capital city.

It was reported that a clash broke out when supporters of the NURTW President, Tajudeen Baruwa, marched towards the union’s national headquarters, which is currently occupied by the Lagos Park Management Committee led by Tajudeen Agbede.

The PUNCH reports that Baruwa had earlier revealed that he sought the intervention of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Labour Congress to resolve the situation, without success.

“We shall henceforth not hesitate to defend our mandate with the last drop of our blood,” Baruwa had earlier vowed while accusing former NURTW leaders of illegally occupying the National Secretariat of the union.

He stressed that only a court of competent jurisdiction can invalidate his mandate, and encouraged aggrieved members to follow due process and seek legal redress, warning that anything short of this could lead to anarchy.

He further accused the former president of the union, Najeem Yasin, and Agbede, the former National Vice President, of holding illegal meetings with selected past leaders of the union.

While calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, to intervene in the matter, he alleged that the police seem to be working in favour of the Lagos Park Management Committee.

Though our correspondent could not ascertain the exact number of casualties, if any, as of the time of filing this report, however, eyewitnesses revealed that the transport union members fired several gunshots in the air during the conflict, which caused heightened tension in the area.

When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh referred our correspondent to the Force Headquarters.

However, the Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi did not respond to enquiries by our correspondent.

A security man, Samuel Adeniyi, was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre on Monday for allegedly smashing the head of his girlfriend, Morolake Sunday, with a sledgehammer in the Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos State.

Magistrate Patrick Nwaka of the Yaba Magistrate’s Court ordered that the 33-year-old be remanded after he (Adeniyi) was brought to court on one count of murder.

The police prosecutor, Thomas Nurudeen told the court that the incident occurred on August 10, 2023, at No. 33, Audu Ekpa Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant claimed that his lover was cheating on him and was never satisfied sexually.

It was revealed in court that on the day of the incident, the deceased, a nanny, left the child she was tending to and went to meet with another man, claiming she went to buy recharge cards.

It was further disclosed that Adeniyi allegedly waited for hours before she returned.

While he was trying to question her on why it took her a long time to come back home, they had a heated argument that led to a fight and he unintentionally hit her head with a sledgehammer.

Nurudeen told the court that the defendant fled the scene, while the deceased was rushed to the Mainland General Hospital by her employers, where she was confirmed dead by a doctor on duty.

The charge read, “That you, Samuel Adeniyi, on August 10, 2023, around 12 pm, at No. 33 Audu Ekpa Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Sarah Morolake, aged 25 years by hitting a sledgehammer on her head, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 222 and punishable under Section 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2015”

The defendant’s plea was not taken.

The Magistrate ordered that he be remanded in prison custody pending the outcome of legal advice from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

Nwaka adjourned the case till October 10, 2023.

The former Marlian record signee reportedly died on Tuesday at the age of 27.

Music executive Ovie shared the sad news on his X page #Ovieo on Tuesday evening.

“Confirmed. MohBad is dead. Sad, sad day,” he tweeted.

Also, Nigerian rapper, Olamide Adedeji, popularly known as Olamide shared a cryptic message on his X handle.

Damn! Mohbad (sic)”In another tweet, Olamide posted, “This life (sic)”

An old video of Bella Shmurda saying Mohbad was battling mental health issues recently resurfaced online minutes after the reported death of the singer.

Some of the popular songs of the singer include KPK, Peace, Komajesun, Pariwo, and many more.

Information on the cause of his death and where he died as of the time of filling this report was sketchy.

A man, Oluboyo Temitope, and his wife, Suliya, have been arraigned before an Ondo State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ore in the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state for their alleged involvement in fraudulent practices.They were arraigned on two-count charge of fraud and obtaining money under false pretence.The couple were alleged to have committed the offence between January and August 2023, at Kajola, Araromi-Obu at the jurisdiction of the magistrate court.According to the prosecution, the couple fraudulently obtained the sum of N6.47million from one Kazeem Mojirade Sarufat and Kazeem Morufat, on the pretence of supplying them kegs of palm oil which they failed to do, but allegedly converted the money to their private use.The police prosecutor, Inspector Muyideen Yekini, told the court that the defendants conspired to commit a felony to obtain money under false pretence.He said the offence contravened Sections 516, 419 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.The prosecutor sought an adjournment of the case to enable him study the case file and prepare his witnesses for trial. He also prayed the court to transfer the case file to Araromi-Obu Magistrate Court.The defence counsel, Mr. O. J Ikudaisi, did not oppose the application made by the prosecutor, praying the court to grant his clients bail in most liberal terms but the prosecutor opposed the bail application earlier made by the defense counsel, saying the defendant might abuse the privilege, if granted.In his ruling, Chief Magistrate, B. A Ikusika, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties in like sum.

In another landmark feat, Rema becomes the first African lead artist to have a song reach 1 billion Spotify streams with his mega hit single 'Calm Down' featuring Selena Gomez.Since breaking into the limelight, Rema has enjoyed commercial success that has made him one of Africa's biggest music export. The hitmaker ranks amongst the top 1o most streamed Afrobeats artists of all time, and his latest feat further cements his place and one of the greats.The achievement not only highlights Rema's growing influence in the music industry but also stresses the power of cross-cultural musical fusion in today's interconnected world. Rema, a Nigerian artist, featured an American artist, Selena Gomez, in a remix that took the world by storm.'Calm Down' quickly became a worldwide favorite because of its catchy mix of Afrobeats rhythms, blended with afro-fusion melodies, Rema's unique and soulful singing and the unexpected addition of Selena Gomez on an Afrobeats song. The song production was made with a combination of modern and traditional elements, showing how African music is changing and growing.The billion-stream milestone on Spotify is no small feat, as it signifies the popularity of 'Calm Down' and Rema’s ability to create music that transcends borders and resonates with a diverse audience. His unique sound has propelled him to the forefront of the global music stage, with the song having its highest streams from the USA, India, Mexico, Brazil and the UK.The song's infectious chorus and relatable lyrics have made it a go-to track for both dancefloors and personal playlists, with data showing that 'Calm Down' has been added to over a million Spotify playlists.This moment symbolizes the power of music to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries and serves as a beacon for aspiring artists to create authentic, boundary-pushing music that resonates with audiences around the world.

Akintola Williams, the trailblazing figure who became Nigeria’s inaugural indigenous chartered accountant, has passed away at the remarkable age of 104. His legacy is firmly etched into Nigeria’s financial landscape, having played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s accounting profession and fostering the growth of its financial sector. Mr. Williams, who was born in 1919, embarked on a path that saw him excel in the realm of accounting. He pursued his accounting studies at the prestigious University of London and achieved the status of a chartered accountant in 1947. Upon returning to his homeland, Nigeria, he went on to establish the renowned Akintola Williams & Co., which has since evolved into the respected firm Deloitte & Touche, in the year 1952. READ MORE: Tinubu rejoices with doyen of accounting, Akintola Williams, at 104 Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Williams was an ardent advocate for the advancement of the accounting profession in Nigeria. He played a pivotal role as a founding member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), even serving as its president from 1963 to 1965. Additionally, he contributed his expertise as a member of the National Board of Accountants and Auditors. Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Williams earned a plethora of awards and distinctions, underscoring his exceptional contributions to his country. These accolades included the esteemed Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM). Moreover, he was honored as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. In his passing, Mr. Williams leaves behind a legacy that continues to resonate in Nigeria’s financial and accounting sectors, serving as an enduring source of inspiration for generations to come.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has secured landmark deals with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while the visa ban on Nigerians has also been lifted.Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement said the president and the UAE ruler, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday met in Abu Dhabi to finalize the historic agreement which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers.“Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay,” Ngelale said.As negotiated between the two Heads of State, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.Ngelale added that in recognition of Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals presented by the president to his counterpart, an agreed framework has been established.He said this newly-agreed framework will involve several billions of U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors.STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASEPRESIDENT TINUBU @officialABAT SECURES LANDMARK DEAL WITH UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ACROSS SECTORS; VISA BAN ON NIGERIAN TRAVELERS IS LIFTED IMMEDIATELYPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on… pic.twitter.com/YGq0HCcghY— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) September 11, 2023The sectors include defense, agriculture and others and will be made by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.“Additionally, President Tinubu is pleased to have successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments which will be announced in detail in the coming weeks,” Ngelale stated.“In conclusion, the President wishes to commend the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unalloyed friendship and his determined effort to join hands with him to fully normalize and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two important countries.”

The Super Eagles Chief Coach, Jose Peseiro, has said that he is assembling the team to win the next African Cup of Nations qualifier (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire in January 2024.Peseiro said this on Sunday at the post-match press conference following the Super Eagles’ 6-0 annihilation of Sao Tome & Principe in their final AFCON qualification match.Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick while Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi and Samuel Chukwueze scored one goal each in the game.Peseiro during the post-match-presser said his team played with maximum commitment to win the last group match against the Falcons and True Parrots at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.“Our players played with maximum commitment. They want to play for me, I assembled them to win AFCON Cup and today, they have shown good commitment in their play,” Peseiro said.The Potuguese tactician said the Super Eagles played a fantastic match as they were not relaxed in spite of playing against a weak opponent like Sao Tome.“Normally if you play against a team that is not strong everybody relax but today, they did not relax. It was a fantastic game by the players, 6-0 is very good,” Peseiro said.“I will like to say congratulations to the people and Government of Akwa Ibom because I see today was a fantastic atmosphere.“The fans were fantastic today, I say thank you. I like the people here, everything provided for us was good.”The Super Eagles finished as group leaders with 15 points from six matches ahead of Guinea Bissau as both countries will be playing at the tournament in Cote D’Ivoire.

Morocco earthquake death toll rises to 2,700 Villagers wept for lost relatives in the rubble of their homes on Monday as the death toll from Morocco’s deadliest earthquake in more than six decades rose to almost 2,700 and rescuers raced against time to find survivors.Search teams from Spain, Britain and Qatar were joining Moroccan rescue efforts after a 6.8 magnitude quake struck late on Friday in the High Atlas Mountains, with the epicentre 72 km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech.The state news agency reported the death toll had risen to 2,681 with 2,501 people injured. Rescuers said the traditional mud brick houses ubiquitous in the region reduced the chances of finding survivors because they had crumbled.Among the dead was 7-year-old Suleiman Aytnasr, whose mother had carried him to his bedroom after he fell asleep in the living room of their home in a hamlet outside Talat N’Yaaqoub, in one of the worst-hit areas. He had been about to start a new school year.“As she came back, the earthquake happened and the ceiling was destroyed and fell on him,” said Suleiman’s father, Brahim Aytnasr, whose eyes were red from crying. He had spent Monday trying to salvage items from the debris of his house.Another son, 20-year-old Mouath, had escaped by climbing through a hole in the collapsed kitchen ceiling.Footage from the remote village of Imi N’Tala, filmed by Spanish rescuer Antonio Nogales of the aid group Bomberos Unidos Sin Fronteras (United Firefighters Without Borders), showed men and dogs clambering over steep slopes covered in rubble.“The level of destruction is … absolute,” said Nogales, struggling to find the right word to describe what he was seeing. “Not a single house has stayed upright.”Despite the scale of the damage, he said rescuers searching with dogs still hoped to find survivors.“I am sure that in the coming days, there will be some rescues. We think that there may still be people in the collapsed structures, that there may have been pockets of air, and as I say, we never give up hope,” he said.After an initial response that was described as too slow by some survivors, search and rescue efforts appeared to be speeding up on Monday, with tent camps appearing in some locations where people were preparing for a fourth night outdoors.A video filmed by Moroccan outlet 2M showed a military helicopter flying over an area close to the epicentre, dropping sacks of essential supplies to isolated families.With much of the quake zone in hard-to-reach areas, the authorities have not issued any estimates for the number of people missing.Roads blocked or obstructed by rocks that tumbled down the steep slopes during the quake have made it harder to access the worst-hit locations. Heavy machinery has been brought in to clear roads only for subsequent rockfalls to block them again.The harm done to Morocco’s cultural heritage has been emerging gradually. Buildings in Marrakech Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were damaged. The quake also did major damage to the historically significant 12th-century Tinmel Mosque.Residents in Tinmel, a remote village closer to the epicentre where 15 people were killed, said they had been sharing food, water, and medicine, but desperately needed tents and blankets to shelter from the cold mountain nights.The mother of a 15-day-old child said she needed milk formula and medicine for her baby.It was the North African country’s deadliest earthquake since 1960, when a tremor was estimated to have killed at least 12,000 people, and the most powerful since at least 1900, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In a televised statement on Sunday, government spokesperson Mustapha Baytas defended the government’s response, saying every effort was being made on the ground.The army said it was reinforcing search-and-rescue teams, providing drinking water and distributing food, tents and blankets.King Mohammed VI has not addressed the nation since the disaster. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch told local media the government would compensate victims, but gave few details.

An Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, on Monday, granted an order asking the Ogun State government to maintain the status quo and stay off the property belonging to the wife of the Senator representing Ogun East, Yeye Olufunke Daniel.Agents of the state government had, in the early hours of Sunday, destroyed some parts of the five-storey building located along Folagbade road in Ijebu Ode.Defending its actions, the state government, on Sunday, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olayiwola Abiodun, said the structure violated the building codes of the state with numerous defects.Meanwhile, Abiodun, on Monday, again warned that the state government will not tolerate lawlessness and the violation of the state’s building codes.The governor also denied any political motives in the partial demolition of DATKEM Plaza, Ijebu-Ode.Abiodun formally reacted to the demolition and the attendant accusation after inspecting the eight-kilometre Mowe-Ofada Road in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.He said, “I’m sure that everyone would testify to the fact that since I assumed office in 2019, I have ensured equity, and fairness and upheld the rule of law. I have not in any way attempted to be vindictive or in any form or manner appear like someone who is trying to witch-hunt anyone.“Having said that, these are some of the insinuations I have read on social media and nothing could be farther from the truth. You all have seen the position of the Ministry of Physical Planning, which is the ministry that is entrusted with ensuring that people adhere to our different building codes. Because if we don’t respect building codes, if we don’t abide by building laws, it means that we are nothing but a chaotic society.”“Only a few weeks ago, the new minister of the FCT said any person who builds in FCT without approval no matter how highly placed they are, be it a minister or anybody, the building will come down. And recall sometime last year, when a building collapsed on Gerald in Lagos, a building that belonged to someone that I know personally, I held a press conference and said we would not allow for this to happen in Ogun State. You build without approval, you build beyond your approval, and if you don’t build in line with our regulations, that building will come down.”However, the court, on Monday, asked the government to stay off the property pending the determination of the substantiative matter filed before it.