Boniface Maingi, the director of Kenya Police Reforms, has been named as the new director of the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) on Monday. Apexnewsgh reports Maingi takes over from Judy Jebet Ndeda, who has been recalled to police headquarters for redeployment after serving in the position since December 1, 2023. The Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, announced the changes, including the transfer of several officers from Ndeda’s office. Maingi, a seasoned officer who previously served as the director of personnel at police headquarters, will now lead the IAU. In addition to these changes, Koome disbanded an anti-terror unit that was previously based in his office, sending officers to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The IAU is currently handling multiple cases involving police officers and working to ensure discipline and professionalism within the service. A recent report by the task force on police reforms recommended amendments to the National Police Service Act to clarify the mandate of the IAU Director, ensure competitive recruitment, and decentralize the unit’s functions. The report also called for a focus on disciplinary offenses rather than criminal matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the DCI and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority. The IAU is responsible for receiving and investigating complaints against police, promoting discipline and good order within the service, and recommending appropriate action for unlawful conduct. With dozens of complaints currently under investigation, including allegations of extra-judicial killings, Maingi’s leadership will be crucial in promoting accountability and professional standards within the Kenya Police Service. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com

A 74-year-old politician with “critical” health issues has been imprisoned as Togolese authorities crack down on dissent, according to a spokesperson for the nation’s opposition coalition. Apexnewsgh reports This comes after tensions escalated when Togo’s parliament passed a bill proposing significant changes to the political system, leading to the postponement of elections scheduled for 20 April. Five opposition activists were arrested for campaigning against the reforms, with the bill proposing that the president of Togo become a symbolic position chosen by parliament rather than by direct election. Executive power would then shift to a prime minister, a move opposed by opposition parties as they fear it could allow President Faure Gnassingbé to remain in power. The DMK (Dynamique Monseigneur Kpodzro) coalition spokesperson expressed concerns about the health of Dovi Amouzou, one of the detainees, who has ongoing heart-related issues and is reportedly not receiving proper medical care while in detention. The five politicians are held on “public order charges” and have been taken to the civil prison in the capital city, Lomé. An investigation has been opened into individuals accused of inciting popular revolt during an unauthorized protest. However, the opposition claims these are “bogus allegations” and the Conference of Togolese Catholic bishops has urged President Gnassingbé not to sign the changes into law, advocating for broader consultation and a more inclusive national debate. Opposition parties boycotted previous elections and have limited representation in parliament, resulting in almost unanimous approval of the constitution change. The presidency cited the delay of the elections as necessary for “consultations” on the contested reforms. As of now, no new date has been set for the elections in Togo. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com

Togo’s Minister of Energy, Aziable, recently addressed the ongoing energy crisis that has plagued the country since January 2024. Apexnewsgh reports In a statement shared on social media, she revealed that the main cause of the power outages is a shortage in natural gas supply. According to Aziable, the demand for natural gas in Togo is 35,000 MM BTU per day, but the supplies are often insufficient or nonexistent. This has led to high production costs and frequent power cuts, impacting not only Togo but also neighboring countries like Benin and Ghana. Oil and gas expert, Olivier de Souza, explained that a maintenance issue in the West African Gas Pipeline (WAPCo) has disrupted the transportation of gas from Nigeria to Togo, Benin, and Ghana. This has resulted in a breach of contract, as the necessary gas volumes are not always delivered to meet demand. Despite these challenges, Minister Aziable emphasized the importance of the WAGPCo in ensuring energy security for the region. She highlighted the need for investments in infrastructure, such as an LNG import and regasification terminal, to diversify energy sources and improve supply reliability. In light of recent natural gas discoveries in Côte d’Ivoire, the country is planning to connect to the WAGP, which will also require significant investments. However, such initiatives could help alleviate the energy crisis in the region in the long run. While the road ahead may be challenging, stakeholders are committed to finding solutions to address the energy crisis and ensure a stable supply of power for Togo and its neighboring countries. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following his arraignment for alleged abuse of office. Apexnewsgh reports The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja made the remand order after Emefiele and his co-defendant, Herry Omoile, pleaded not guilty to a 26-count charge brought against them by the EFCC. Justice Rahman Oshodi ruled that Emefiele will remain in custody until Thursday when the judge will determine his bail application. Omoile, on the other hand, was remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services. Emefiele’s lawyer, Abdulakeem Ladi-Lawal, had requested for bail on self-recognition or in the most liberal terms, urging the court to impose similar bail conditions previously granted by another court. The EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose the bail application but urged the judge to impose conditions that would ensure the defendants’ presence in court for their trial. The charges against Emefiele and Omoile include accepting gratification, gifts through agents, corruption, fraudulent property receipts, and conferring a corrupt advantage on associates, all contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act of 2000. Emefiele is also facing prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over allegations of fraudulent financial transactions during his tenure as CBN Governor. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com

More than 90 people have died after a ferry sank off the north coast of Mozambique, local authorities say. Officials in Nampula province said five people had been rescued of the around 130 believed to have been on board. They were fleeing a cholera outbreak, Nampula Secretary of State Jaime Neto said. Many children were among the dead, he added. “Because the boat was overcrowded and unsuited to carry passengers it ended up sinking,” Mr Neto. Unverified video posted on social media purported to show dozens of bodies lying on a beach. The boat was apparently travelling from Lunga to Mozambique Island, off the coast of Nampula, Portuguese broadcaster RTP reported. Nampula province has been one of the worst-affected by the cholera outbreak which has spread over several countries in southern Africa since January last year. According to Unicef, the current outbreak is the worst in 25 years. Since October 2023, Mozambique has reported 13,700 confirmed cases and 30 deaths. An Islamist insurgency in neighbouring Cabo Delgado province has claimed the lives of at least 4,000 people and displaced nearly one million others since it began over six years ago. For nearly 400 years, Mozambique Island was the capital of Portuguese East Africa, when the region was under colonial rule. The island is designated a Unesco world heritage site for its colonial architecture and rich history as a trading post. Source: BBC

In a recent address to the nation, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has announced that drug abuse in the country has reached a critical level and declared it a national emergency. Specifically, he highlighted the prevalence of a synthetic drug known as kush, which has been widely used among young people in urban areas for years. Describing kush as a “deadly” drug that is taking a toll on communities, President Bio emphasized the need to combat drug trafficking networks operating within the country. He noted that unemployment and poverty have made drugs like kush easily accessible to young individuals seeking to escape the challenges of life. Health experts have warned that kush can lead to permanent brain damage and even suicidal behavior, making it a significant public health concern in Sierra Leone. To address these issues, the government has established a rehabilitation center for drug abuse victims and formed a ministerial task force to combat the spread of drugs in the country. Sierra Leone is not alone in facing this crisis, as neighboring countries like Guinea and Liberia are also grappling with an increase in kush consumption. In Liberia, President Joseph Boakai has similarly declared drug abuse a public health emergency and established a committee to address the threat posed by synthetic drugs. As President Bio and other leaders in the region work to tackle the issue of drug abuse, the hope is that these measures will help to protect communities and ensure the well-being of citizens in Sierra Leone and beyond. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com

An 80-year-old woman from the US has tragically lost her life after being attacked by an aggressive elephant during a safari drive in Zambia’s Kafue National Park. Apexnewsgh reports The incident took place on Saturday when a large elephant charged at the vehicle carrying six people, causing it to flip over several times. According to Keith Vincent, CEO of the safari group, the vehicle was unable to move out of the elephant’s path due to the terrain. Sadly, the 80-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries, while four other guests sustained minor injuries and are currently receiving trauma counseling. One woman was transported to a hospital in South Africa for further treatment. Authorities are currently investigating the incident, with the police and the department of national parks and wildlife involved in the case. The woman’s remains will be repatriated to the US in the coming days. Vincent expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and assured support for the guests and guide involved in the distressing incident. He explained that the vehicle had stopped due to being trapped by the terrain and vegetation, leading to the unfortunate encounter with the elephant. This incident has sparked concerns about increasing elephant populations in neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe and Botswana, which have also reported deadly elephant attacks in recent years. The safety of tourists on safari drives in these regions has raised questions about how to manage interactions with wildlife to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.   Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana   For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com  

Popular social media personality and self-proclaimed cross-dresser, Bobrisky, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged abuse of naira, spraying of naira notes, and currency mutilation. The arrest took place in Lagos on Wednesday night, and Bobrisky is currently being held at the Lagos Command of the EFCC. This arrest follows a series of controversies surrounding Bobrisky in recent weeks, leading to increased scrutiny of the social media sensation. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest and stated that Bobrisky will be charged in court for the alleged offenses. The arrest of Bobrisky has sparked discussions on social media, with many expressing their opinions on the situation. Further details on the case and potential legal proceedings are expected to unfold in the coming days. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com

In a recent development, Togo’s government has decided to postpone the legislative elections scheduled for 20 April to an unspecified date. Apexnewsgh reports This decision comes after lawmakers approved a controversial constitutional reform that has sparked criticism from the opposition. The amendment, which was adopted by Parliament in March, has raised concerns about a potential power grab by President Faure Gnassingbe to extend his stay in office. The opposition has strongly opposed the reform, leading President Gnassingbe to send it back to the assembly for a second reading. According to a statement released by the presidency, the delay is necessary to conduct consultations with all stakeholders regarding the reform. The National Assembly has requested additional time to engage in these discussions before proceeding with the elections. As a result, the government has announced a slight rearrangement of the electoral calendar, with no new date provided for the legislative elections. The controversial law passed by Parliament aims to transition Togo from a presidential to a parliamentary system, granting the assembly the authority to elect the president for a single six-year term. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the presidential term, opposition groups fear that this reform could lead to indefinite rule by President Gnassingbe, who took office after his father’s coup over 50 years ago. The situation in Togo remains tense as the government navigates the complexities of the constitutional reform and the upcoming elections. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com