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Police, ICPC Clear D’banj Of Rape, N-Power Fraud

The Nigeria Police Force and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC has cleared popular singer, D’banj of rape and N-power fraud allegations.

In separate documents on Friday, the police and the anti-graft agency gave the artiste a clean slate in separate clearance reports upon completion of investigations.

In an affidavit deposed by Toheeb Lawal of Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, before the District Court of Abuja, wherein the reports of the Nigeria Police Force Investigation and clearance from the ICPC were marked exhibits A and B, the legal practitioner averred that the police and the ICPC cleared the singer of rape and fraud allegations.

Recall that in 2020, the singer was accused of rape, and the Inspector General of Police ordered an investigation into the allegation.

In a report dated November 14, 2023, with case number CR:3000/X/FHQ/ABJ/SEB/T.1/VOL 18/284 and signed by ACP YY Abubakar of the Special Enquiry Bureau at the Force Criminal Investigations Department at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the police said the matter was investigated but there was no evidence to substantiate the claim.

“The allegation was investigated,” the police report read in part.

It added, “The complainant, witnesses, and suspects made their statement. The investigation was extended to the Glee Hotel Lagos, where the staff on duty on the date of the alleged incident made their statement.

“The management and staff of the Glee Hotel averred that the first suspect was not seen in the hotel on the date of the alleged incident, nor was he given a spare key to gain access to any room in the hotel where the complainant lodged, and they have only one key to each room, which completely debunked the allegation of the complainant.

“The management of the hotel also held that it had no record to show that the complainant checked into the hotel as a guest on the alleged date, and she did not, at any time, raise an alarm, complain, or report any indecent assault or rape.

Related Topics:clear Dbanj fraud ICPC Npower Police rape

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May 1st Ushers in New Minimum Wage for Nigerian Workers

The Federal Government says although the Tripartite Committee On National Minimum Wage is yet to conclude its negotiations, workers will not lose anything as the new minimum wage will take effect from May 1, 2024.

The Minister of State Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, stated this on Wednesday while addressing Nigerian workers at the May Day celebration in Abuja.

She said it is regrettable that the new national minimum wage is not ready before today, but that a wide consultation is ongoing to ensure that the document is out together as soon as possible.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have at various times called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to hasten the upward review of wage awards. Of late, the Organised Labour demanded N615,000 as the new minimum wage for workers to cope with the many economic realities and high cost of living in Nigeria.

The labour unions said the current minimum wage of N30,000 can no longer cater for the wellbeing of an average Nigerian worker, lamenting that not all governors are paying the current wage award which expired in April, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act is to be reviewed every five years to meet up with contemporary economic demands of workers.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has lauded the contributions of workers in Nigeria to the growth of the country.

He gave the commendation in his address to the workers presented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at an event to mark the 2024 Workers’ Day in Abuja.

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New Minimum wage in Nigeria start in May 2024

The Federal Government has assured workers in Nigeria that despite ongoing negotiations by the Tripartite Committee On National Minimum Wage, the new minimum wage will start retroactively from May 1, 2024.

This announcement was made by the Minister of State for Labour, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, during the May Day celebration in Abuja.

Earlier reports indicated that the Federal Government had approved salary increases ranging from 25% to 35% for civil servants across six Consolidated Salary Structures.

These structures include CONPSS, CONRAISS, CONPOSS, CONPASS, CONICCS, and CONAFSS, with the increases retroactively effective from January 1, 2024.

Despite the delay in finalizing the new national minimum wage in Nigeria, the Minister emphasized ongoing consultations to expedite the process with a pledge that implementation will start from May 1, 2024.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have repeatedly urged the government to expedite the upward review of wage awards.

Organised Labour has demanded a new minimum wage of N615,000 to address economic realities and the high cost of living. They argue that the current N30,000 minimum wage, which expired in April, is inadequate, especially considering that not all governors have been consistently implementing it since the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

This act mandates a review every five years to align with prevailing economic conditions.

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GPHCDA 2024 Management Retreat: Fubara Commits To Making Greater Port Harcourt City A Model

The Greater Port Harcourt City 2024 Management Retreat was recently held from April 26 to April 27, 2024 at the Swiss International Hotel in Mabisel, Port Harcourt.

Lifestyle Nigeria reports that the theme of the retreat was “Transiting to New Smart Cities; The Beginning”.

The retreat brought together various key individuals such as government officials, stakeholders, industry experts, and leaders of thought to discuss and deliberate on issues related to the sustainable development and growth of Greater Port Harcourt City.

The event was flagged off by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminilayi Fubara, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Prof (Mrs) Ngozi Nma Odu.

She assured the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA) management that the Governor has a keen interest in seeing the vision of creating Greater Port Harcourt City fully realized during his tenure.

The Governor emphasized his commitment to support the authority towards the achievement of the vision for the good of the people of Rivers State. The Governor called on the management to seize the moment and lay the groundwork for a city that is prosperous, livable, and futuristic. The Greater Port Harcourt City aims to become a model for other states to emulate.

In his address, the acting Sole Administrator TPL (Dr) Tonte Davies highlighted the road map/action plans which the GPHCDA is undertaking towards achieving the vision of creating new smart cities and in the context of the outlined drive, the recent groundbreaking for the ongoing 20,000 low-income housing units is a recognised cardinal move that points to the start of a major implementation activity which will enhance this focus.

GPHCDA 2024 Management Retreat: Fubara Commits To Making Greater Port-Harcourt City A Model

He also listed a few achievements like the completed phase 1 stormwater canal retention, the 500,000 litres capacity water project, the installed 11kva switchgear panel, and the 3kva electricity power substation amongst other ongoing infrastructural projects. Dr Davies happily informed the meeting of the introduction of a digital solution to streamline physical planning regulations and documentation to facilitate business transactions and enhance express approvals, which promotes the ease of doing business in that regard.