Author: Opalim Lifted

Maryanne Moghalu, wife of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor Kingsley Moghalu, has stood by her controversial statement advising investors to steer clear of Lagos, insisting she has “nothing to apologise for.” Her 2024 warning resurfaced after governance expert Dr Joe Abah and social commentator Ogbeni Dipo debated online over ethnic remarks. During their exchange, Dipo reminded Abah that Moghalu had previously cautioned investors, saying, “Invest in Lagos at your own peril,” following the Lagos State Government’s demolition of structures deemed illegal or unapproved. Responding to the renewed criticism, Abah said Moghalu’s stance would not deter him or…

Military investigators have teamed up with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to trace suspicious financial transactions linked to the alleged October 1 coup attempt. Top security sources told The Punch that the agencies are carrying out a forensic probe into the accounts of both military and civilian suspects accused of funding the plot to overthrow the Tinubu administration. As part of the investigation, several bank accounts are believed to have been frozen, though officials declined to confirm the move. “This is standard procedure in cases of this nature,” one security official…

Protests over Tanzania’s disputed presidential election have entered a third day, with reports suggesting that hundreds may have been killed amid a government crackdown. Demonstrations erupted across the East African nation on Wednesday following the announcement of election results that opposition groups have dismissed as fraudulent. In response, authorities imposed a curfew in Dar es Salaam and restricted internet access, further fuelling public outrage. By Thursday, the electoral commission declared that President Samia Hassan was in an early lead with 96.99 percent of votes counted in just eight of the 272 constituencies. The announcement triggered fresh waves of unrest, as…

King Charles III has officially stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of his “prince” title and ordered him to leave his long-time Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, amid renewed controversy over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement on Thursday, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the King “has today initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honours of Prince Andrew,” adding that the 65-year-old royal “will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.” The Palace also revealed that formal notice had been served for Andrew to surrender the lease on Royal Lodge, his home of over…

Guinea-Bissau’s army says it has foiled a plot to overthrow the government just a day before the start of election campaigning, arresting several senior military officers accused of trying to “subvert the constitutional order.” At a press conference in Bissau on Friday, Deputy Chief of Staff General Mamadu Ture said the alleged plan was intended to derail the upcoming polls. “This action aimed to disrupt the electoral process,” he stated, without revealing how many officers were detained or the exact nature of their plot. Among those arrested is Brigadier General Daba Nawalna, who heads a military training centre about 30…

US President Donald Trump has redesignated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ in response to allegations of a Christian genocide in the country. Trump announced his decision in a Truth Social post on Friday. “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Trump said. He blamed radical Islamists for the “mass slaughter”. “I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’,” he declared. Trump directs resumption of US nuclear weapons testing Trump said when Christians are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria “(3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide)”, something must be done. The US…

The Supreme Court has dismissed appeals filed by Mr. Abubakar Peters, Managing Director of Nadabo Energy Limited, over an alleged N1.4 billion oil subsidy fraud. Peters had challenged a Court of Appeal ruling that revoked his bail and imposed stricter conditions while also seeking leave to travel abroad for medical treatment. Dele Oyewale disclosed this on Friday in a statement. However, the apex court rejected both requests and ordered him to return to the Lagos High Court to face trial. The case, presided over by Justice C.A. Balogun, involves Peters and his company, Nadabo Energy Limited, who are being prosecuted…

Nathaniel Bassey, the Nigerian gospel singer, has reaffirmed his decision not to monetise the official YouTube page for his ‘Hallelujah Challenge’ online prayer session. The initiative, which began in 2017, holds prayer meetings twice a year featuring various gospel artistes and clerics. Speaking during a session on Thursday, Bassey addressed scammers who create fake pages to profit from the event. He revealed that certain individuals “criminally clone” his official YouTube channel, stealing the live feed to divert viewers and make money from it. “There are people who join Hallelujah Challenge from fake pages on YouTube. Let me tell you why,…

Barcelona are eyeing a sensational move for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen as they plan for life after Robert Lewandowski, according to reports in Spain. Mundo Deportivo’s Gabriel Sans told Turkish outlet Radyospor that the Catalan giants have placed Osimhen high on their striker shortlist. “Barcelona are keeping a close eye on Osimhen and he’s definitely a player they want,” Sans revealed, adding that the club plans to open talks for the Galatasaray star in 2026. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano backed the report, confirming that Barça are “for sure” searching for a new No. 9 with Lewandowski expected to depart when…

The October 1 foiled coup saga has taken a new turn as more details emerge about the identities of at least 16 military officers detained over the alleged plot. According to sources, 14 of those arrested are from the Nigerian Army, including a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and one lieutenant. The remaining two suspects — a Lieutenant Commander from the Navy and a Squadron Leader from the Air Force — hold ranks equivalent to major. Premium Times investigations revealed that most of the detained Army officers belong to the Infantry Corps, with one…