Author: Opalim Lifted

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to immediately enforce a court judgment compelling him and President Bola Tinubu to publish the names of individuals indicted in the alleged misappropriation of N6 trillion linked to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The judgment, delivered on 10 November by Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, followed a Freedom of Information suit filed by SERAP. The court ordered the government to widely publish the names of those implicated in abandoned NDDC projects—13,777 in total—undertaken between 2000 and 2019,…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation, is yet to meet his bail requirements. The EFCC was responding to Malami’s claim that his bail was revoked because of his attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi state. Malami is being probed for 18 alleged offences, including money laundering, abuse of office, and terrorism financing. In a statement on Friday, Mohammed Bello Doka, his special assistant on media, had said the former AGF did not default on any bail requirements. “For the avoidance of doubt, Abubakar Malami, SAN did not default on any…

Former senator representing Ekiti North, Ayodele Arise, has urged the Federal Government to go beyond diplomacy in securing the release of 11 Nigerian soldiers detained in Burkina Faso, insisting that military action should remain an option. Speaking on an Arise TV programme on Saturday, Arise said Nigeria must project strength in its dealings with neighbouring countries, particularly on sensitive security matters. According to him, a clear show of readiness to act could force the Burkinabe authorities to reconsider their stance. “I think we should move and do something. Once they are aware that we want to do that, I am…

The immediate past Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed, has urged Nigerians to give encouragement to the President Bola Tinubu-led administration in the fight against insecurity in the country. While emphasising that no president would want his country to be insecure, Lai Mohammed, who served in the administration of the late Muhammadu Buhari, stated that the situation is a global issue. The former information minister made the appeal while delivering the 15th convocation lecture of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, with the title ‘Don’t Just Graduate, Innovate.’ With Mohammed tasking the new generation of Nigerian graduates not to…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has explained the cause of the ongoing network outages affecting telecommunications subscribers across Abuja, pointing to a disruption in diesel supply. In a statement issued on Saturday, the NCC spokesperson, Nnenna Ukoha, said the service challenges were largely linked to diesel supply issues impacting IHS Nigeria Limited, a key colocation company that powers base stations for major operators, including MTN and Airtel. According to the commission, the disruption followed actions by the National Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA), which led to interrupted diesel deliveries to telecom sites, triggering widespread service outages in the Federal…

Yerson Mosquera’s stoppage-time own goal gave Premier League leaders Arsenal victory over bottom of the table Wolves in a dramatic finish at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners were frequently frustrated by a stubborn five-man Wolves defence and took until the 70th minute to take the lead, when Bukayo Saka’s curling corner was pushed on to the post by Sam Johnstone and the ball bounced off the goalkeeper’s back to put them ahead. Arsenal were nervy as they looked to see out the win, but that allowed Wolves to send numerous balls into the box before Mateus Mane crossed for Tolu Arokodare…

Gospel singer and music entrepreneur, Yinka Ayefele, has said he still believes he will walk again despite the motor accident that left him unable to stand. Ayefele revealed this belief in a recent video shared on his Instagram page, where he was seen speaking with his triplets and explaining the reason he cannot walk. He said the accident occurred on December 12, 1997, during the Christmas festive period. According to him, he was driving when the crash happened. He explained that the road was slippery, causing his vehicle to lose control. Ayefele said the car tumbled about six times before…

Cole Palmer scored his first goal since September as Chelsea ended a four-game winless run with a 2-0 victory over in-form Everton at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old forward, still managing a groin injury that kept him out for more than two months, opened the scoring after 21 minutes in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel. Right-back Malo Gusto, who set up Palmer’s goal, added a second just before half-time. Everton dominated the opening 20 minutes, with Iliman Ndiaye having two shots on goal and James Garner also going close. But the aptly nicknamed ‘Cold’ Palmer calmed Chelsea’s nerves after a…

Mohamed Salah marked his eagerly awaited Liverpool return with an assist as Arne Slot’s side beat Brighton thanks to a Hugo Ekitike double. Victory pushed the Reds up to sixth as they extended their unbeaten run to five games following a first win at Anfield since November 4. All eyes were on Salah, who returned to the squad after he was left out for Liverpool’s midweek Champions League win at Inter Milan following his extraordinary outburst last weekend at Leeds United. Named on the bench by Slot, the Egyptian forward came on in the 26th minute after defender Joe Gomez…

Claims by Nigeria’s Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijani that armed bandits evade tracking by using so-called call bouncers have been publicly challenged by technology professionals. The controversy followed comments by Tijani during an appearance on Channels Television where he spoke about the difficulty of tracking phone calls linked to kidnappings and banditry despite the mandatory linkage of SIM cards to national identity numbers. During the interview, Tijani said criminal groups were using some kind of technology to make calls “a special kind of technology” to make calls, claiming they were “not using the normal towers” and instead…