Author: Opalim Lifted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N387,483,488 recovered from fraud suspects to the Jigawa State Government, marking a major recovery of public funds. The presentation took place at the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate office, where the recovered sum was formally transferred to the state’s Director of Treasury Operations, Muhammad Haruna. The recovery followed intelligence provided by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), which flagged alleged misappropriation involving two suspects, Abdullahi Garba and Ayuba Sani. Acting on the tip-off, EFCC operatives launched an investigation that led to the recovery of the full amount. The suspects were subsequently…

Frustration is mounting across Nigeria as subscribers struggle to recover lost SIM cards or register new ones due to a persistent NIMC network glitch. Telecom users say the issue, linked to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has dragged on for days, crippling access to essential services. At the heart of the disruption is the mandatory verification of the National Identification Number (NIN), which must be approved by NIMC before SIM registration or swaps can proceed. However, network providers say the system has been repeatedly unavailable. Registration centres reportedly display the message: “NIMC information temporarily unavailable for subscribers,” leaving many…

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has issued a strong warning to military personnel, local council officials and private motorists over the illegal use of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes across Lagos. The agency said offenders would face arrest and prosecution if caught using the dedicated corridors without authorisation. LAMATA emphasised that only designated BRT buses and vehicles operating under its regulated franchise system are permitted on the lanes. It added that emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks are exempted strictly during emergencies. Speaking on the development, Kolawole Ojelabi, head of corporate communications at the authority, said…

A United Kingdom (UK) employment tribunal has ruled that repeatedly calling a colleague “auntie” can amount to workplace harassment, ordering an NHS trust to pay compensation to a healthcare assistant. The case involved 61-year-old Ilda Esteves, who brought a complaint against her employer, National Health Service (NHS), over the conduct of a colleague. Esteves told the tribunal that staff nurse Charles Oppong persistently addressed her as “auntie” despite being asked to stop, creating what she described as an uncomfortable and offensive working environment. While Oppong argued the term was meant respectfully and reflected Ghanaian cultural norms for addressing older women,…

Nearly three in five Nigerians earn below N100,000 monthly or have no income at all, according to the latest 2025 savings report by Piggyvest. The findings paint a stark picture of mounting financial pressure, as rising living costs continue to outpace income growth across the country. The report reveals that close to 60 percent of Nigerians fall within the lowest income brackets, while only six percent say they feel financially secure. This highlights a widening disconnect between economic reforms and the daily realities faced by households. “On paper, the economy is stabilising… On the ground, however, the strain hasn’t let…

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council will convene a second emergency debate on Friday over a deadly airstrike on a school in southern Iran that reportedly killed 168 children. Council president Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro announced the session on Wednesday, saying it would focus on the protection of children and schools in armed conflicts. The urgent debate follows a request by Iran, China and Cuba, citing the February 28 strike on a school in Minab, a city in southern Iran, at the start of the ongoing war. Preliminary findings from a United States military investigation, reported by The New York…

Russia says a large-scale Ukrainian drone assault sparked a fire at a major Baltic export hub, marking a sharp escalation in cross-border strikes between the two sides. According to Russia’s defence ministry, air defences intercepted and destroyed 389 drones overnight on Wednesday, with most targeting regions near Ukraine and areas around Moscow. One strike ignited a blaze at the strategic port of Ust-Luga, a crucial hub for oil, coal and fertiliser exports on the Gulf of Finland. Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko said the fire was being brought under control, with no casualties reported. Ukraine’s military confirmed targeting energy infrastructure at…

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro, is set to be discharged from hospital on Friday and moved into temporary house arrest, following a serious illness that left him in intensive care. The 71-year-old was rushed to hospital two weeks ago with bronchopneumonia while serving a 27-year prison sentence over an attempted coup after losing the 2022 election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Doctors say Bolsonaro is now “clinically stable” after spending more than a week in the ICU. His cardiologist, Brasil Caiado, confirmed that his condition has improved significantly, with only a minor lesion remaining in his left lung. “We…

Ghanaian President John Mahama has accused the United States of “slowly normalising” the erasure of Black history, warning that recent policy shifts could influence governments worldwide. Speaking at a United Nations (UN) event on slavery reparations in New York, Mahama criticised actions taken by Donald Trump since returning to office. Within hours of his inauguration, Trump ordered the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices, which were created to tackle systemic discrimination. Weeks later, he also moved against exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution, describing some as promoting “corrosive” anti-American ideology. Museums including the National Museum of African American History…

The Senegalese Football Federation has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the Confederation of African Football decision to strip the country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. CAS confirmed on Wednesday that the appeal had been registered. On March 17, the CAF Appeals Board stripped Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and named Morocco as champions. The ruling stated that Senegal breached Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations after several players walked off the pitch to the dressing room in protest of a referee’s decision. CAS said the Senegalese FA is…