Author: Opalim Lifted

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has secured the conviction and sentencing of Sani Endurance Aferokhe and Hillary Odo, two former bankers, for diverting N10.3 million belonging to bank customers. According to a post on X by the commission on Wednesday the judgment was delivered by Justice A. O. Onovo of the Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu. The case was handled by the EFCC and relates to offences committed while the convicts were staff of Intercontinental Bank Plc, now Access Bank Plc. Aferokhe and Odo were arraigned on January 18,…

The United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria has assured Nigerians that visas issued before January 1, 2026, will remain valid despite new US travel restrictions affecting the country. The reassurance followed concerns after the US government placed Nigeria among 15 mostly African countries under partial travel suspensions on December 16. Other affected countries include Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and The Gambia. According to US authorities, the decision was based on security concerns linked to the presence of radical Islamic terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State, in parts of Nigeria. The US government said these conditions create…

A chaotic moment unfolded in a recent train collision with Toyota Hiace bus at the Arena area of Oshodi in Lagos State. Following the alerts, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASTMA) said it immediately activated the state’s emergency response plan from its Cappa Base in Oshodi and deployed its response team to the scene. The emergency agency confirmed that no casualties were recorded in the incident. LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said, “Following distress alerts received at about 7:53p.m., LASEMA activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from its Cappa Base, Oshodi. “Upon arrival of LRT at the incident…

Grammy-nominated singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has announced that he will visit Osun State to collect his Accord Party membership card, days after his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, formally joined the party. Davido made the announcement on Tuesday via his social media pages, saying he would be at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo. “I will be live in Osun to pick up my @AccordPartyNG membership card @ Imole House, Osogbo tomorrow… see you soon accordingly,” he wrote, while tagging the governor. The announcement follows recent political developments in Osun State after Governor Adeleke resigned from the…

Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa state, has pardoned Sunday Jackson, a farmer sentenced to death for killing a man said to have attacked him on his farm. Jackson was among three inmates granted a state pardon by the governor, while the sentences of five others were fully remitted as part of activities marking Christmas and the New Year. Also, Joseph Eugene and Maxwell Ibrahim, held at medium-security custodial centres in Yola and Kaduna, were also granted pardon. Those who have their sentences fully remitted are Joshua James Audo, Adamu Ibrahim, Mohammed Abubakar, Ibrahim Usman, and Saidu Abubakar, serving sentences in…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the request to recognise the national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki. INEC cited multiple court judgements for its decision. The Turaki-led PDP NWC has the support of Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, and Bala Mohammed, his Bauchi counterpart. In November, the opposition party, with the backing of Mohammed and Makinde, convened a national convention in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, which produced a new set of national officers. The national convention was preceded by a series of conflicting court judgements, with some rulings from…

A Japanese woman has drawn global attention after holding a wedding ceremony with an AI partner she created using ChatGPT, highlighting a growing shift in how intimacy and technology intersect in modern society. Yurina Noguchi, a 32-year-old call centre operator, says her relationship with the AI—modelled on a video game character named Klaus—developed gradually through daily conversations. What began as casual chats eventually evolved into emotional closeness, culminating in what she describes as a proposal from the AI. Although Japan does not legally recognise marriages to artificial intelligence, Noguchi’s ceremony reflects a rising trend of long-term, emotionally committed relationships with…

Members of the Nigeria Super Eagles were beaming with smiles as the federal government finally fulfilled its housing and land pledge for their silver-winning feat at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that the players received certificates for the promised land and houses and were handed the documents at the camp in Fez, Morocco, on Monday. The Super Eagles finished second at the 2023 AFCON, which was held in 2024, losing 2-1 to the hosts in the final. It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu, while receiving the players at…

Mohamed Salah showed his killer instinct to score a stoppage-time winner as Egypt came from behind to beat Zimbabwe in their opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Liverpool forward’s trophy cabinet is stuffed with silverware from his time at Anfield but he is yet to lift the AFCON trophy with the Pharaohs, and for large parts of the game in Morocco it looked as if this campaign was likely to get off to an inauspicious start. While Salah is nicknamed the Egyptian King, it was Prince Dube’s first-half strike which handed the Warriors the lead…

An Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, on Monday dismissed an application filed by the Fuji Musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, seeking to stop the selection process of the next Awujale. Recalled that Ayinde, who is from Fidipote rulling house had approached the court to challenge the committee in charge of the installation process of the new Awujale on why only Fusengbuwa rulling house should produce the next Awujale. The Fuji musician had filed a suit against Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the Chairman the Fusengbuwa rulling house, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, at the State High…