Author: Opalim Lifted

Alvan Gurumnaan, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the agency did not force Henry Omoile, co-defendant of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele, to make statements. Gurumnaan appeared before the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday to testify in the trial-within-trial in the ongoing case involving Emefiele and Omoile. Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and making corrupt demands while serving as CBN governor. Omoile is facing a three-count charge bordering on the unlawful acceptance of gifts by a public officer. One of the…

Operatives of the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate have arrested a 64-year-old man, Ndubisi John Iheukwumere, for allegedly defrauding a petitioner of N165 million in a land deal. According to the Commission in a post on Facebook, Iheukwumere allegedly collaborated with a woman identified as Mrs. Salt Adaeze Udoka, who is currently on the run, to obtain the money under the pretence of selling a 100-acre property at Ewulu Kingdom in Delta State. The EFCC stated that “preliminary investigation by the Commission revealed that the petitioner transferred the said sum to the suspect in two tranches.” However, the Commission added that…

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved N100 billion for the rehabilitation of police and other security agencies’ training institutions across Nigeria. This decision followed recommendations from an ad hoc committee set up to assess the condition of security training facilities nationwide. At its 154th virtual meeting on Wednesday, NEC also approved N2.6 billion for consultancy services related to the project. President Bola Tinubu had earlier proposed the overhaul of security agencies’ training institutions during the 152nd NEC meeting in October. Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu and chairman of the committee, said training facilities in the institutions were in dire…

The senate has confirmed Christopher Musa, the immediate past chief of defence staff, as the new defence minister. Musa’s nomination was approved on Wednesday after senators scrutinised his military background and responses to questions on key issues regarding security. Musa assured lawmakers of his commitment to serve Nigeria diligently if confirmed as a minister. “I believe that the challenges we are facing is a Nigerian challenge, not only for the armed forces or security forces, but for everyone working together,” Musa said. “I want to assure you, we will win working together as a team. Even when I was CDS,…

A rowdy scene unfolded in the Senate on Wednesday after some lawmakers opposed a move to excuse Christopher Musa, former Chief of Defence Staff and ministerial nominee, from questioning. Trouble began when Sani Musa, senator representing Niger East, proposed that the nominee be allowed to “take a bow and go.” The suggestion was immediately rejected, with several senators rising to their feet and shouting in protest as the chamber became visibly unsettled. ‘Donald Trump Is On Our Neck’ Senate President Godswill Akpabio halted the push, reminding lawmakers that the screening was a serious exercise requiring public interrogation. He said Nigerians…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has increased cash withdrawal limits on all channels to N500,000 weekly for individuals and N5 million for corporates. Announcing the policy revision in a circular on Tuesday, the regulator pegged automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawals at N100,000 daily, with a weekly cumulative withdrawal of N500,000. The development is a major shift from tighter cash policy measures introduced under the previous administration. In December 2022, the central bank, under Godwin Emefiele, its former governor, had directed deposit money banks and other financial institutions to limit over-the-counter cash withdrawals by individuals and corporate entities per week…

The US government has halted immigration applications for citizens from 19 nations, including Afghanistan, Yemen and Haiti, an official memorandum said Tuesday, deepening the nation’s sweeping crackdown on migration. Authorities paused green card and citizenship processing, according to the memo, for people from countries already subject to travel restrictions announced in June by President Donald Trump. Those 19 nations also include Venezuela, Sudan and Somalia. Senior US officials have signaled in recent days they would starkly tighten restrictions on immigration, a move fueled by the shooting of two National Guard soldiers last week. The main suspect in the shooting, which…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday demanded greater efficiency, tighter coordination, and more measurable outcomes in the ongoing fight against insecurity across the country. The President made the call during a high-level security meeting with heads of intelligence agencies and the nation’s service chiefs at the State House, Abuja. The closed-door session, which lasted for over an hour, reviewed recent security developments and assessed the effectiveness of current operations nationwide. Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, described the engagement as “frank and highly productive,” noting that the President issued fresh directives designed…

The sudden resignation of the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, may signal further exits from the Federal Executive Council in the coming weeks. Badaru’s departure on Monday has intensified speculation about an imminent cabinet shake-up. Although it is not for anyone to predetermine the President’s next move, strong indications suggest that more ministers could be eased out as the administration approaches the 2027 election cycle. Badaru’s resignation, conveyed in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Tinubu, brought an abrupt end to his tenure at a time when the nation is intensifying efforts to confront mounting security challenges.…

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has announced the creation of a regional security trust fund under which the 19 northern states and their local government areas will contribute a combined N1 billion monthly. According to the forum, the fund will be deducted at source to tackle the escalating banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping ravaging the region. The decision was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a crucial joint meeting between the governors and members of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC) in Kaduna on Monday. The communiqué, signed by Inuwa Yahaya, NSGF chairman and governor of Gombe,…