Author: Opalim Lifted

The Presidency has launched a fresh attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty by using a United States lobbying firm to submit documents about President Bola Tinubu to the administration of President Donald Trump. In a statement issued on Thursday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, questioned why Atiku had not also reported himself to US authorities over his own legal history. Onanuga described Atiku’s decision to hire a Washington-based lobbying firm as inappropriate, arguing that taking Nigeria’s domestic political disputes to a foreign government was unbecoming of someone…

A Washington-based lobbying firm hired by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has announced that it is distributing United States Department of Justice (DOJ) records relating to historical drug trafficking allegations against President Bola Tinubu to members of President Donald Trump’s administration, Congress and senior congressional staff. Von Batten-Montague-York, which signed a 12-month lobbying agreement worth $1.2 million with Atiku in March, said the move is aimed at ensuring US officials are fully informed about court filings linked to Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case. The contract also covers strengthening Atiku’s reputation in the US, facilitating engagements with American officials and countering what…

Burna Boy, the Grammy-winning Nigerian Afro-fusion star, has been announced as the headliner for the opening day of the 2026 Reggae Land Festival. The performance, scheduled for July 31 at the Milton Keynes National Bowl, will mark the ‘Ye’ hitmaker’s debut at one of the United Kingdom’s largest reggae and dancehall festivals. Organisers extended the event to three days after the original August 1–2 weekend dates sold out in record time. Burna Boy will top the bill for this year’s festival, which was introduced in response to unprecedented ticket demand. He joins an expanded lineup that includes Vybz Kartel, Shenseea,…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a nationwide enforcement operation to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200 millilitres from circulation. The agency said the exercise is in line with the Federal Government’s ban on the production, importation, distribution, sale and use of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and small PET bottles. NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, had earlier explained that the policy is designed to protect children and young people rather than punish manufacturers. She said the decision was informed by growing evidence linking alcohol packaged in sachets…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has resumed the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, in naira, ending its brief policy of selling the product in US dollars. The refinery announced the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the move would provide relief to petroleum marketers and consumers. According to the statement, the refinery has fixed its gantry price for petrol at N1,215 per litre. “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has resumed the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in naira, providing a measure of relief to marketers and consumers. The gantry price is fixed at N1,215 per litre,”…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Sunday Adejumo wanted over an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. In a wanted notice issued by the anti-graft agency on Thursday, Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale said Adejumo, 36, is being sought in connection with its ongoing investigation into the alleged offences. According to the commission, his last known address is No. 14, Gongola Street, Area 2, Garki, Abuja. The EFCC appealed to members of the public with useful information about Adejumo’s whereabouts to report to any of its offices in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin,…

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with support from the Government of Canada, has opened applications for SpeakUp 20, a youth-led initiative aimed at raising awareness and promoting action against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Borno State. The programme seeks to recruit 20 young changemakers who are passionate about using digital platforms to drive positive social change and amplify awareness of SGBV, survivor support services and referral pathways. According to UNODC, eligible applicants must: Be between 18 and 29 years old. Live in Maiduguri, Borno State. Be active on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X,…

Garba Maidoki, senator representing Kebbi South, has called for the inclusion of traditional medicine in a bill seeking to overhaul Nigeria’s food and drug regulatory framework. He argued that indigenous healing practices remain relevant, particularly in rural communities. The senator spoke on Tuesday during debate on a bill seeking to repeal the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, Etc.) Act and the Food and Drugs Act, replacing them with a single legal framework for regulating food, medicines and other products that affect public health. ‘Most Rural Dwellers Rely on Traditional Medicine’ Speaking in support of the bill sponsored by Sadiq…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has uncovered 908 fake workers across several federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), exposing a payroll fraud scheme that allegedly siphoned hundreds of millions of naira. The anti-corruption agency said it recovered about N942 million linked to fraudulent salary payments made to the fictitious employees. According to BBC Pidgin, ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu said the discovery followed an investigation launched in 2024 after the commission detected irregularities in pension payments. Aliyu explained that fake workers are individuals whose names are fraudulently inserted into government payrolls despite not being…

Businesswoman and Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd founder Aisha Achimugu has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of oppression, intimidation and a deliberate campaign to destroy her reputation, insisting she is not a criminal despite ongoing legal proceedings against her. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Achimugu said the anti-graft agency had subjected her to “oppression, character assassination, intimidation and the deliberate dissipation of my lawfully acquired personal property.” She claimed the EFCC’s actions had damaged her reputation, disrupted her investments and placed her life, her children and her businesses at risk. Properties Already Forfeited Her allegations…