Author: Opalim Lifted

The trial of Nigerian businessman Fred Ajudua over an alleged $1.043 million fraud has been adjourned indefinitely by the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos. Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court ordered the adjournment on Monday after hearing submissions from both the defence and prosecution regarding a recent Court of Appeal judgment. Ajudua is facing trial for allegedly defrauding a Palestinian, Zad Abu Zalaf, of $1,043,000 under false pretences. The case dates back to 2005 when it first began before Justice M.O. Obadina of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja. Proceedings were repeatedly delayed over…

The trial of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello continued on Monday at the Federal High Court Abuja, where a prosecution witness told the court the ex-governor was not directly linked to the property transactions under investigation. The 10th prosecution witness, Mahmoud Abdulazeez, an accountant with Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited, made the disclosure while testifying before Justice Emeka Nwite. During cross-examination by defence counsel Joseph Daudu, Abdulazeez said the former governor did not participate in the preparation or execution of the property documents tendered as evidence in the alleged money laundering case. Court admits disputed documents Earlier in…

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of N81,108,143.08 linked to a massive fraud triggered by a system glitch at Sterling Bank Plc. Justice Yelim Bogoro gave the order on Monday, March 9, 2026, directing that the funds be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria in favour of the bank. The ruling followed a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Hannatu U. KofarNaisa. Background of the Sterling Bank glitch fraud The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on October 2, 2025 and directed that the…

A senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, has been confirmed dead after Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a military base in Kukawa, Borno State. The assault, believed to have been carried out by fighters from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, reportedly forced troops to retreat after hours of intense fighting. Sources said the heavily armed insurgents stormed the military facility in Kukawa town on Sunday, setting vehicles ablaze and looting ammunition before moving into nearby communities. Commanding Officer Among Casualties Military sources confirmed on Monday that Farouq, the commanding officer at the…

Qatari authorities have arrested more than 300 people for sharing images and what officials described as “misleading information” during days of Iranian attacks, the interior ministry said on Monday. The arrests come as tensions escalate across the Gulf, with Iran reportedly launching daily drones and missiles targeting airports, military bases, energy facilities and residential areas in the region. According to the ministry, those detained filmed and circulated video clips and posted rumours online that could “stir public opinion”. In a statement, authorities said the suspects — from “various nationalities” — were arrested by the Department for Combating Economic and Cyber…

Donald Trump has called on Australia to grant asylum to members of Iran women’s national football team, warning the players could face danger if they return home after refusing to sing their country’s national anthem. Trump said he had discussed the issue with Anthony Albanese, revealing the conversation in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday. According to Trump, the Australian leader was already addressing the situation involving the players, some of whom are reportedly seeking protection. “I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team,” Trump wrote. “He’s on…

Former Adegboye Onigbinde, ex-head coach of the Nigeria national football team, has died at the age of 88. The family confirmed his passing in a statement signed by Mrs Bolade Adesuyi, saying the respected football tactician and Modakeke high chief died a few minutes earlier. “With great gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of this great man: a Modakeke High Chief, the first indigenous Nigerian Super Eagles football coach, father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend – High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde,” the statement said. The family thanked God for what they described as…

A woman has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly firing multiple shots at the Beverly Hills home of pop star Rihanna while she was reportedly inside the property. The suspect, identified as Ivana Ortiz, 35, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department after the attack on Sunday afternoon, according to Page Six. Authorities said Ortiz is currently being held in custody with bail set at $10.225 million (£7.61 million). Police responded to reports of gunfire at the singer’s mansion in Beverly Hills at about 1.21pm local time. According to the Los Angeles Times, officers discovered that the property…

A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced Obiajulu Emeka Emmanuel to one year imprisonment for obtaining $850,000 under false pretences. Justice Ismail Ijelu delivered the judgment on Monday after finding Emmanuel guilty of fraud involving a failed property investment scheme. The case was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 in Ikoyi. According to the anti-graft agency, Emmanuel was first arraigned on November 10, 2025 on a 21-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, forgery and retention of stolen property under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences…

The Court of Appeal has affirmed the conviction and sentence of former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Maj.-Gen. Umar Mohammed, for offences related to theft and misappropriation of company funds. A three-member panel of justices led by Abba Mohammed, alongside Okon Abang and Eberechi Nyesom, delivered a unanimous ruling dismissing Mohammed’s appeal. The former general had challenged the authority of the Nigerian Army’s Special Court Martial and the validity of its judgment. Conviction upheld The Special Court Martial had on October 10, 2023 convicted Mohammed for stealing and criminal misappropriation of funds belonging to NAPL. He…