Author: Opalim Lifted

Handwriting experts say a newly released note linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein appears to match another handwritten document discovered after his death in a New York jail cell. According to an investigation by the Associated Press, forensic handwriting analysts compared the latest note with one previously recovered following Epstein’s death in 2019 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. The experts told AP that similarities in the writing style, letter formations and overall characteristics strongly suggest both notes were written by the same person. The report adds another layer to the continuing public scrutiny surrounding the circumstances…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Sadiya Farouq, a former minister of humanitarian affairs and social development, wanted over alleged abuse of office and diversion of public funds. In a statement shared on its website, the anti-graft agency said “anybody with useful information about her whereabouts” should contact EFCC offices through the number listed on the page. “Farouq, 52, is an indigene of Zamfara State, and her last known address is EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja,” the wanted notice reads. Sadiya Farouq served as minister from 2019 to 2023 under the administration of former…

The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has clarified the correct official appellation of President Bola Tinubu following repeated errors by some media organisations and institutions. The clarification was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the SGF, Yomi Odunuga. According to Odunuga, the statement was personally signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. Akume urged media organisations and members of the public to verify official titles before publication to avoid what he described as embarrassing and avoidable mistakes. “For the record, the…

Troops have uncovered illegal weapon-making factories in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, leading to the arrest of five suspects during a coordinated security operation. According to security sources quoted by Zagazola Makama, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday during a joint raid conducted by the Quick Response Force (QRF) of Headquarters OPEP in the Vom community. The operation reportedly followed several weeks of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance aimed at tracking illegal arms production networks operating within the state. Sources said security operatives targeted two separate illegal arms manufacturing sites where suspects were allegedly caught producing weapons…

Former Minister of Power and Steel, Danjuma Goje, has proposed that Nigeria hand over the management of its electricity sector to China or another advanced country for 20 years to achieve stable power supply. Goje, senator representing Gombe central made the suggestion recently during the senate screening of minister-designate for power, Joseph Tegbe. The senator said Nigeria should abandon fragmented reforms and instead adopt a comprehensive agreement covering electricity generation, transmission and distribution. According to him, the country should “swallow our pride” and invite a successful nation, preferably China, to take full control of the sector for two decades. “The…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the screening schedule for aspirants contesting for Senate and House of Representatives seats ahead of the party’s primary elections. In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the screening exercise for Senate aspirants will hold on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, 2026. According to the statement, the exercise is scheduled to take place at Abuja Continental Hotel, formerly known as Sheraton Hotel, from 10:00 a.m. daily. The party also disclosed that the screening for House of Representatives aspirants will be conducted on the same dates at Treasures…

Aliko Dangote, founder and president of Dangote has revived plans to list Dangote Cement on the London Stock Exchange, nearly eight years after an earlier attempt stalled. The billionaire businessman disclosed the renewed push in an interview with the Financial Times, saying changes to the United Kingdom’s listing rules have made the move more attractive. Dangote said the revised regulations had “brought down minimum listing requirements”, encouraging the company to revisit its long-standing ambition of securing a dual listing. “We want to do a dual listing. We have been thinking about it for seven to 10 years,” he said. The…

A prosecution witness in the ongoing alleged N110.4 billion fraud trial involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Friday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, how a property worth the naira equivalent of N950 million was allegedly purchased in United States dollars. The witness, Ramalan Abdullahi, who testified as PW15 before Justice Maryanne Anineh, said the property located at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, was linked to Ali Bello through Shehu Bello. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering…

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to N10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth. The facility provides loans ranging from N500,000 to N5 million under a general category, and N5 million to N10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50 per cent of an applicant’s average monthly turnover. At the centre of the offering is a zero per cent interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure. Repayment is structured over…

The United States government has announced plans to intensify enforcement against parents who owe more than $2,500 in unpaid child support by revoking their passports. In a statement released Thursday, the US Department of State said the move is being implemented by the administration of Donald Trump in collaboration with the US Department of Health and Human Services. According to the department, the policy is aimed at ensuring that parents who fail to meet their financial responsibilities to their children face “real consequences”. The statement noted that US law already requires citizens to comply with child support obligations before obtaining…