Author: Opalim Lifted

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja has warned against what she described as delay tactics in the ongoing Mompha N6bn money laundering trial. At Monday’s sitting, the court frowned at an application filed by Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, seeking leave to appeal a previous ruling that dismissed his no-case submission. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Mustapha and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, on January 12, 2022, on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged N6bn money laundering, conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct and failure to disclose assets. One…

Six people were injured and 14 others briefly trapped after a fire broke out at Terminal One of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. In an update on Monday, FAAN confirmed that the airport’s airspace remains temporarily closed in line with established safety protocols as emergency operations continue. The agency said the six casualties — three men and three women — are in stable condition. One of the affected persons has been transferred to the FAAN headquarters hospital for further medical evaluation and is also stable. Emergency response teams comprising…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that the MMIA airspace remains temporarily closed following a fire outbreak at Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. In an update issued on Monday, FAAN said the closure was in line with established aviation safety protocols. According to FAAN, six people — three males and three females — sustained injuries during the incident. All are currently in stable condition. One of the affected individuals has been transferred to the FAAN headquarters hospital for further medical evaluation and remains stable. Emergency response operations remain active, with coordinated firefighting, rescue…

A fire outbreak has been reported at Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, prompting an emergency response and evacuation of passengers. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the MMIA Lagos fire outbreak in a statement on Monday, assuring the public that no casualties have been recorded. According to FAAN, its firefighting team responded immediately and is working to fully contain the blaze. “Our firefighting team is currently responding and working to contain the situation. No loss of life has been recorded,” the authority said. Passengers Evacuated as Emergency Response Intensifies FAAN said passengers…

One of Mexico’s most feared drug lords, Nemesio Oseguera, widely known as El Mencho, has been killed in a high-stakes military raid, triggering a wave of retaliatory violence across the country. Mexico’s defence ministry confirmed that the 60-year-old kingpin died in custody after being wounded during a special forces operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco state, on Sunday. His body was flown to Mexico City under heavy National Guard escort. Oseguera led the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most ruthless criminal groups blamed for trafficking fentanyl and other drugs into the United States. President Claudia Sheinbaum has faced…

Nigeria has introduced sweeping changes to its campaign finance regulations following the signing of the Electoral Act 2026, a law that significantly raises spending limits for all elective offices. The reform marks one of the most substantial adjustments to political financing in recent years and is aimed at aligning election rules with current economic realities. Signed into law after months of deliberation, the Electoral Act 2026 updates the financial thresholds that candidates and political parties can legally expend during election campaigns. According to authorities, the upward review responds to inflationary pressures, rising operational costs, and the need to modernise the…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 20 suspects over alleged vote buying and other electoral offences during Saturday’s area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In a statement posted on its official X handle on Sunday, the anti-graft agency said its operatives recovered more than N17 million from some of the suspects. According to the commission, the arrests were made across multiple area councils, with offences ranging from vote buying to vote selling. One suspect was reportedly found with N13.5 million in a vehicle parked beside a polling unit in Kwali Area Council. Others were…

Claressa Shields dominated Franchon Crews-Dezurn with a lopsided unanimous decision on Sunday night in Detroit, successfully defending her undisputed heavyweight championship. Fighting in front of a home crowd, Shields improved to 18‑0, earning identical 100-90 scores on all three cards, while super‑middleweight titleholder Crews-Dezurn fell to 10‑3. “I had to take my time tonight,” Shields said afterward. “That’s one of the toughest fights I’ve been in during my pro career. She hits hard these days.” The bout was a rematch of their professional debuts on November 19, 2016, when Shields also won by unanimous decision. Tensions between the fighters remained…

Africa’s richest industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has announced that Nigerians will be able to buy Dangote refinery shares directly within the next five months. Speaking during a high-profile visit to the refinery by Bayo Ojulari, group chief executive officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Dangote described the moment as a milestone for the multi-billion-dollar facility. “Individually, Nigerians too will have an opportunity in the next maybe maximum four to five months. There will actually be an opportunity to buy the shares,” he said. Dangote revealed that NNPC currently holds 7.25 per cent equity in the refinery on behalf of Nigerians,…

Former Kogi West senator Dino Melaye has amplified an open letter urging King Charles III to cancel any proposed President Bola Tinubu United Kingdom (UK) state visit. Melaye shared the letter on his verified X account, drawing fresh attention to mounting criticism of Tinubu amid Nigeria’s political and economic turmoil. The letter, written by Nigerian political scientist Kio Amachree, called for the immediate cancellation or postponement of any state visit, formal invitation or ceremonial reception involving Tinubu in the United Kingdom. In the strongly worded appeal, the author argued that Nigeria is facing deep instability, citing insecurity, terrorism, kidnappings, economic…