- High electricity tariffs: We’ll install solar panels in universities, says Tinubu
- Aiyedatiwa declares today work-free
- EFCC to arraign Otudeko, ex-First Bank MD Monday over N12.3bn fraud
We have highlighted the five most important developments in the news today, Friday, January 17, and present them below.
5 issues in the news that should matter to you today
1. High electricity tariffs: We’ll install solar panels in universities, says Tinubu: To save public higher institutions in the country from the heavy burden of high power tariffs usually slammed on them by power distribution companies, President Bola Tinubu has said his administration will soon start installing solar panels in the institutions.
He stated this on January 16 during the 55th convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, Yaba.
2. FG not involved in setting fuel price – Minister: The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has said the price of crude oil in the international market remains a major force in driving the fluctuations in the pump prices of petrol.
He said the downstream sector is now fully deregulated, and the government is no longer involved in setting prices.
The minister said these at the inaugural meeting of the Petroleum Industry Stakeholders Forum, held on Thursday, January 16, in Abuja.
3. Aiyedatiwa declares today work-free: Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared Friday, January 17, a work-free day to enable public servants to travel to their communities to participate in tomorrow’s local government election.
A statement by Chief Press Secretary to Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the governor urged stakeholders to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful local government election across the state.
4. EFCC to arraign Otudeko, ex-First Bank MD Monday over N12.3bn fraud: The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State, has fixed January 20 for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arraign the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Chief Oba Otudeko, and a former First Bank Managing Director Stephen Onasanya for allegedly defrauding the bank of N12.3 billion.
According to the EFCC, the four defendants allegedly committed fraud in tranches of N5.2 billion, N6.2 billion, N6.150 billion, N1.5 billion, and N500 million between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos.
5. Court orders arrest of Mercy Chinwo’s manager: On January 16, a Federal High Court in Lagos granted a warrant of arrest against Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, the manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Justice Alexander Owoeye granted the order following a motion exparte brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the manager's arrest.