Author: Opalim Lifted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two suspected fraudsters before the Federal High Court in Benin City over an alleged N143 million fraud. The defendants, Kelvin Usiholo and Osaigbovo Aikoriogie, were docked on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, before Justice B. O. Quadri by the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate. They were charged alongside three others said to be at large, Eghosa Aikoroghie, Junior Igbinovia and Bobby Osaretin on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and obtaining by false pretence. According to the EFCC, the suspects allegedly conspired in 2024 to commit money laundering, contrary to provisions of…

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has praised Alex Otti for what he described as “transformational leadership” in Abia State. Osinbajo spoke on Wednesday during a visit to the governor’s office in Umuahia, a visit that coincided with Otti’s birthday. Commending Otti’s performance, Osinbajo said the governor has made public service “worthwhile”, noting that many leaders fail to fulfil campaign promises after assuming office. “Sometimes you wonder whether, after all the efforts to get into office, leaders are able to fulfil their promises,” Osinbajo said. “But in your case, you have done not just what you promised, but even more. You…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama to dismiss the N5.5 billion defamation suit filed against it by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS). The suit, marked CV/4547/2024, was filed on October 17 by two DSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, who alleged that SERAP defamed them by accusing DSS operatives of unlawfully invading its Abuja office in September 2024. In September, SERAP claimed DSS agents were “unlawfully occupying” its office and demanded to see its directors. The alleged incident occurred less than 24 hours after the…

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has warned traders against hoarding essential food items and inflating prices during Ramadan and Lent. In a statement issued on Thursday, the agency’s Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the agency had received reports that some marketers were deliberately withholding staple commodities widely consumed during the fasting period. According to him, the practice creates artificial scarcity, pushes up prices and worsens hardship for families already struggling with rising living costs. Issa-Onilu described the alleged hoarding as “economically disruptive and morally indefensible”, particularly during a season that emphasises compassion, sacrifice and social responsibility. “This is a period that…

Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have searched the Abuja residence of former Kaduna governor, Nasir el-Rufai, as investigations into alleged financial improprieties deepen. Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to El-Rufai, confirmed on Thursday that agents of the anti-graft commission carried out the operation at the former governor’s Aso Drive home. “UPDATE: The Aso Drive residence of Malam Nasir @elrufai was today searched by the ICPC. Ubong Akpan, Malam El-Rufai’s lawyer, condemned the action as unlawful, and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights,” Adekeye wrote on X. Efforts to get official confirmation…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has firmly denied claims that $2,000 was distributed to some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) as an “attendance fee” during its recent engagement in Maiduguri. In a statement, the NBA National Secretariat described the allegation as baseless and unsupported by evidence, warning that it unfairly questions the integrity of the association’s leadership. According to the secretariat, the NBA neither received nor authorised the distribution of any such sum. The association stressed that there is no documentary proof to support claims that the Borno State Government paid $2,000 to any group on behalf of the NBA.…

Unity Bank Plc says its merger with Providus Bank Limited remains on course following approvals from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In a statement on Wednesday, the bank said the approvals, alongside court and shareholder endorsements, form part of the process to meet the apex bank’s recapitalisation requirements. The bank’s statement follows speculation that the merger has been stalled due to insider credits owed by its directors. “Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) backed the merger between the two lenders, with pivotal financial accommodation to support the transaction,” the bank…

The Federal Government will officially launch the Nigeria digital trade platform for air and sea cargo operations in March 2026, marking a major step in overhauling the country’s import and export systems. In a statement shared on X, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that its Directorate of Cargo Development and Services, working alongside the National Single Window (NSW) team, has concluded engagements with key industry stakeholders ahead of the rollout. According to FAAN, all cargo airline operators have been directed by the Minister of Finance to begin submitting air cargo manifests through the National Single Window platform…

Gabon has announced the suspension of social media platforms, citing the “spread of false information,” “cyberbullying,” and the “unauthorised disclosure of personal data.” Jean-Claude Mendome, spokesperson for the High Authority for Communication (HAC), said online content has fuelled conflict and deepened divisions in the country. “These actions are likely, in the case of Gabon, to generate social conflict, destabilise the institutions of the Republic, and seriously jeopardise national unity, democratic progress, and achievements,” Mendome said in a statement on Tuesday evening. He noted that the suspension would last “until further notice” but did not specify which platforms would be affected.…

Popular socialite and businessman, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has said President Bola Tinubu made Buhari president and could also make an Igbo man president if the South East supports him for another term. He made the statement on Wednesday while reacting to a viral video of a South East monarch who appealed to Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, or return him to Kenya, where he was arrested. Cubana Chief Priest praised the monarch for taking the message to Abuja, saying the physical presence of the traditional ruler…