DisCos raise meter prices by 28.03% for second time in four months

Electricity Distribution Companies, DisCos, have announced a rise in the price of various electricity meter models, making it the second price hike in four months.

According to the DisCos, the cost of a single-phase meter has risen from N117,000 to as much as N149,800, an increase of 28.03 per cent or N32,800, depending on the distribution company and meter vendor.

The new prices posted on the official X handle of the Discos reportedly took effect on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 and reflected the deregulation of meter asset providers as directed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.

In April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission introduced a significant policy shift by announcing the deregulation of meter prices under the Metre Asset Provider, MAP, scheme for end-user customers.

The move was targeted at addressing lingering issues surrounding meter supply and pricing transparency within the electricity sector.

According to the new pricing, Eko DisCo’s price of its Single Phase Metre is now between N135,987.5 and N161,035, while a Three Phase Metre was pegged between N226,600 and N266,600.

Ibadan DisCo said customers will pay between a range of N130,998 and N142,548 for a single-phase meter and N226,556.25–NN232,008 for a three-phase meter.

Abuja DisCo customers will pay N123,130.53–NN147,812.5 for single-phase meters and N206,345.65–NN236,500 for three-phase meters.

Kano Electricity Distribution said its customers will pay N127,925–N129,999 for a single-phase metre and N223,793–NN235,425 for a three-phase meter.

Kaduna DisCo said N131,150—N142,548.94 would be paid for single-phase meters and N220,375—N232,008.04 three-phase meters.

Nigerian man on FBI cyber’s most wanted list sentenced to 45 months imprisonment in US over $6m wire fraud

A 41-year-old Nigerian national, Alex Ogunshakin, has been sentenced in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, the United States for stealing more than $6 million in a wire fraud scheme that victimized two businesses.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Senior US District John M. Gerrard sentenced Ogunshakin to a total of 45 months’ imprisonment on October 31, 2024 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

There is no parole in the federal system. After Ogunshakin’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release and is subject to removal from the United States. 

Ogunshakin, who was on the FBI's Cyber's Most Wanted list, was extradited to the United States in 2023.

From sometime no later than January 2015, continuing to September 2016, Ogunshakin participated in a scheme to defraud U.S. based businesses. 

As a part of the scheme, Ogunshakin and other individuals participated in a business email compromise scheme in which co-conspirators used compromised e-mail accounts to send spoofed emails to thousands of business employees who handled accounting, to include authorizing and sending wire transfers. 

A spoofed e-mail is one in which the e-mail appears to be originating from a sender other than who is truly the sender.

Co-conspirators spoofed e-mail addressed to pose as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or other business executives and would direct recipients of the e-mail to complete wire transfers. 

The business employee, thinking the wire transfer request was legitimate, would comply with the wire transfer and send money to a location providing in wiring instructions. 

Ogunshakin and other co-conspirators provided bank account information to the co-conspirators who sent the spoofed e-mails to the business executives.

In February 2015 and May 2015, two Nebraska based businesses were targeted by the scheme. The investigation into the scheme revealed over 70 U.S. based business were victimized and the loss amount exceed $6 million, with attempted losses exceeding $30 million. 

Ogunshakin and the co-conspirators committed the offense from outside the United States, mostly from Nigeria.  At the request of the United States, Nigerian authorities arrested Ogunshakin for the purpose of his extradition in October 2020, a court in Nigeria found him extraditable in July 2023, and Nigerian authorities extradited him to the United States in September 2023. 

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Ogunshakin in coordination with the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Abuja, Nigeria’s Office of the Attorney General and Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Ogunshakin’s co-conspirator, Adewale Akinloye, was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment in February 2019. Co-conspirators Richard Uzuh, Felix Okpoh, and Nnamdi Benson all remain at large. Co-conspirator Abiola Kayode’s extradition proceedings are ongoing. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lecia E. Wright for the District of Nebraska. 

Hamas Terrorists react to Donald Trump's election win and beg him to 'work seriously to stop the war of genocide and aggression in Gaza

Hamas terrorists have issued a statement reacting to former President Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election.

The terrorist group said on Wednesday that Trump's incoming administration must 'work seriously to stop the war,' after he reportedly asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to wrap up the conflict by the time he gets inaugurated on January 20 should he be elected, according to Fox News.

'In light of the initial results showing Donald Trump winning in the US presidential election,' Hamas believes he is 'required to listen to the voices that have been raised by the US public for more than a year regarding the Zionist aggression on the Gaza Strip,' it said.

The group also said the incoming president's administration must 'work seriously to stop the war of genocide and aggression against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, stop the aggression against the brotherly Lebanese people, stop providing military support and political cover to the Zionist entity and to recognize the legitimate rights of our people.'

It added that the 'new US administration must realize that our Palestinian people will continue to resist the hateful Zionist occupation and will not accept any path that detracts from their legitimate rights to freedom, independence, self-determination and the establishment of their independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem at its capital.'

The statement echoed earlier remarks by Hamas Political Bureau spokesman Basem Naim.

'The election of Trump as the 47th president of the USA is a private matter for the Americans,' he told Newsweek.

'But Palestinians look forward to an immediate cessation of the aggression against our people, especially in Gaza, and look for assistance in achieving their legitimate rights of freedom, independence and the establishment of their independent self-sovereign state with Jerusalem at its capital.

'The blind support for the Zionist entity "Israel" and its fascist government, at the expense of the future of our people and the security and stability of the region, must stop immediately.'

Police seize dogs that allegedly mauled security guard to death in Lagos estate

The Lagos state police command has released an official statement concerning the recent dog attack in an estate in the state. 

In the statement released today November 6, the command's spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the owner of the dogs, Salisu Mustapha, has been arrested while the dogs are now in police custody pending the outcome of the discreet investigations that have since commenced.

A video that went viral on Tuesday showed the dogs hovering around the body of the security guard on the road. 

Hundeyin said the dogs were taken into custody after some persons threatened to kill them.

 

Bandits reportedly abduct 100 residents in Zamfara

 

Rampaging bandits have struck again in Zamfara State, attacking communities in Wanke, near the capital Gusau, where they reportedly abducted over 100 people, including women, children, and the elderly.

Vanguard reports that among those abducted was the community’s Chief Imam, who was previously released from captivity and was receiving treatment for a leg injury.

This marks the second time the Chief Imam has been abducted, according to local reports.The state police command is yet to comment on the recent development.

A survivor who spoke to the BBC Hausa Service said

“Near Sabon Layi, over 50 people were taken, and near Dogon Hayi, about 50 more were abducted,” he said, adding that the exact number was still uncertain due to the chaos and panic that ensued as locals scrambled for safety.

He’s a genius. We must protect him ’ – Trump thanks Elon Musk for his support in US election

The Republican candidate for the 2024 United States presidential election, Donald Trump, has praised his loyal supporter and tech billionaire Elon Musk, saying the tech guru must be protected .

Trump, on Wednesday, November 6 informed his supporters that Musk’s Starlink satellite service played a crucial role in saving “a lot of lives” during Hurricane Helene, which struck the southeastern United States in October.

“I told Elon they need it badly in North Carolina. Can you get it? He had that there so fast, it was incredible. It saved a lot of lives. They saved a lot of lives,” Trump stated.

He added;  “He’s a character, he’s a special guy, he’s a super genius. We have to protect our geniuses; we don’t have that many of them.”

Musk has been a strong supporter of Trump’s campaign, randomly donating one million dollars to voters who register to vote for the Republican Party.

‘Your victory shows the confidence Americans have in you’ - President Tinubu congratulates President-elect, Trump

President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.

In a statement released by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said Trump's victory shows the confidence Americans have in him. President Tinubu said he looks forward to strengthening the ties between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.

“Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”

According to President Tinubu, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership. He congratulates them on their commitment to democracy.

President Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.

Acknowledging the United States’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events, the Nigerian leader trusts that President Trump will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.”

20 passengers d!e as tipper rams into 18-seater bus in Imo (photos)

 At least 20 people have reportedly d!ed in a road accident in Imo State. 

Witnesses said the accident occurred on Tuesday Nov. 5, when a tipper truck collided with an 18-seater commercial bus along Njaba Bridge, in the state. 

A source said that the tipper driver was attempting to avoid a pothole when he swerved off his lane and rammed into the bus, resulting in the deaths of 18 passengers on board, including two conductors and the driver. 

The tipper driver reportedly sustained severe injuries and was unconscious. 

A resident said that some bodies of the victims were trapped under the wrecked vehicles while others were recovered and taken to a morgue. 

“Many people were trapped under the wrecked vehicles, as passersby assisted removing the bodies from the vehicles while those recovered were taken to the mortuary,” he said.

 

S3x tape: Equatorial Guinea to install surveillance cameras in offices after 400 s3x tapes hit public spaces

Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teddy Nguema, has ordered surveillance cameras in state offices following the disgraceful scandal involving 400 alleged sex tapes.

This comes after the country's ANIF Director Baltasar Ebang Engonga was arrested and suspended after sex tapes of his encounters with several women including wives of prominent officials' were found.

The tapes depict Ebang in encounters with different women, some of whom are reported to be married, including the wife of the Presidential security head and his own brother’s spouse.

The videos, reportedly recorded in various locations including his office, hotels, and public spaces were found during a corruption probe.

Ebang had initially been detained on allegations of corruption, but the investigation uncovered these recordings on his personal devices.

In response to the scandal, Equatorial Guinea's Vice President, Teddy Nguema, has announced a comprehensive plan to install surveillance cameras in state offices.

This initiative aims to enforce stricter adherence to public service ethics and enhance accountability among officials.

“We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behaviour,” it read.

"We will not admit any fault that denigrates the integrity of our administration, and those who engage in these practices will face drastic measures," the VP’s statement read.

The VP noted that the installation of surveillance systems in state offices signals a resolute stand against corruption and misconduct.

“The government will soon implement the installation of surveillance cameras in all offices of state bodies. We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behaviour. We will not admit any fault that denigrates the integrity of our administration and those who engage in these practices will face drastic measures,” the post read.

Tinubu is fully in charge - Presidential aide, Sunday Dare, dismisses rumors of cabal in Aso Rock

The Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare, has dismissed claims of a “cabal” operating within the presidency, insisting that President Bola Tinubu remains fully in control of the nation’s governance.

While speaking on Channels TV, Dare said the term “cabal” has been misapplied to individuals who, due to their key roles, hold regular briefings with the president. According to him, these persons are simply essential advisors who provide critical information for decision-making.

“I think we’ve become so comfortable with the idea of the cabal, and you must understand how the idea of the Cabal, the people they call the Cabal, are the people that are holding the key sectors of the economy. These are people who are advisors, who must advise the President on trends, who must put critical data in front of him, and they have access to him.

The Minister of Finance, for instance, sees him (Tinubu) on a constant basis to show him all the indicators so that they can see it, they must have constant meetings.”he said

Dare emphasized that the president is fully in charge and has demonstrated this repeatedly, citing Tinubu’s decision to cancel the Central Bank’s cybersecurity tax as a clear example.

“The President is 100 per cent in charge and he has always been from day one, and he has shown it when the CBN cybersecurity tax came up, the president canceled it because he dealt with what the facts are.”