In today’s edition of Nigeria in Brief, two former governors convicted and jailed for corruption have been freed and Nigeria’s afrobeat star, Kizz Daniel got arrested in Dar es Salaam.
Two former governors convicted of widespread corruption while in government, including theft of over 3 billion naira collectively were released from jail on Monday after serving only a fraction of their time. Jolly Nyame – a former Taraba Governor was meant to serve a 14-year jail term from 2018 for allegedly diverting N1.64 billion in May 2007, while Joshua Dariye, a former governor of Plateau State was convicted for looting over N2 billion when he served as Plateau Governor between 1999 and 2007. President Muhammed Buhari, who had a well-regarded anti-corruption reputation, pardoned the two men in April this year. Mr. Dariye looked nothing like a man who endured the inconvenience of jail time. He looked well kept, plump, adorned in a clean white native attire, and posed for the camera with broad smiles from his luxury SUV when he departed the correctional centre on Monday afternoon.
Police in Tanzania arrested Nigerian Afrobeat star, Oluwatobilola Daniel Anidugbe, also known as Kizz Daniel on Monday for an alleged breach of contract. A video surfaced on social media showing the Buga crooner walking into a Police van after his arrest in Dar es Salam. Unconfirmed reports say the Woju singer was being charged to court for allegedly receiving $5,000 for a show for which he did not turn up. He was later released on bail and is expected to return to Nigeria today.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday gave his consent to energy provider, Seplat to buy Exxon Mobil’s Nigeria unit. Seplat Energy entered into the acquisition deal worth $1.28 billion in February. Buhari, who doubles as oil minister, granted ministerial approval to the deal, according to a statement from the presidency. Exxon and Seplat are expected to operate the unit’s oil licenses, supporting Nigeria to meet its OPEC production quota in the short term as well as accelerating the development of gas resources in the area.
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The Nigerian government is seeking a loan from the US Export-Import Bank to fund a solar power project being developed by Sun Africa LLC, a renewable energy provider, according to the company. Bloomberg reports that Sun Africa is developing solar power facilities for the Niger Delta Power Holding Co. Chief Executive Officer of the US-based Sun Africa, Adam Cortese, told Bloomberg that the projects have passed through feasibility studies, technical analysis and land-permitting phases in the past two years, and are due for loan processing with the export credit agency.
Nigeria will host a presidential reception for its athletes following an impressive performance at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Sports Minister Sunday Dare said President Buhari “is very proud” of the athletes and has directed a Presidential reception on their return. “Mr President is also very proud of you and has approved that a presidential reception is held to honour you for the historic feat at Birmingham 2022. We will immediately start to plan for the reception and once we have tightened things up, we will announce the date, invite you over from your different bases and you will have that privilege of meeting Mr President,” he said.