Author: Opalim Lifted

Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has welcomed a fourth wife into his family following a low-key wedding held in Abuja. The private ceremony, which took place recently, saw Bello tie the knot with Hiqma, his new bride, in the presence of close family and friends. The news was confirmed on Instagram by his third wife, Hafiza Yahaya Bello, who shared a heartfelt post celebrating the latest addition to their family.  “Alhamdulillah, our family just got a little bigger and more loving! A warm welcome to our new family member, Mrs. Hiqma Yahaya Bello! May Allah bless our union and…

A high court of the federal capital territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama has declined to grant a request by Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state, to travel abroad for medical attention. At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Maryann Anenih, the presiding judge, ruled that the court could not consider the application seeking release of the travel document since the passport is not before it. Bello, through his counsel Joseph Daudu, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had filed an application dated June 20, seeking permission to travel outside the country for medical treatment. The request was argued at the…

Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that his principal’s resignation letter from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was leaked by internal saboteurs. The letter, dated 14 July, surfaced online on Wednesday, sparking political backlash — especially given the ongoing national mourning for former President Muhammadu Buhari. Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, lashed out at Atiku for the timing of the letter’s release. He criticised the ex-VP for going public during the official mourning period declared by President Bola Tinubu in Buhari’s honour. The former president died on Sunday in London and…

Speed Darlington has filed a suit against National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) over alleged violation of his fundamental human rights. On June 27, the agency declared the controversial rapper wanted for alleged rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. This was after he failed to honour an invitation for questioning over his public admission of having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl. Following the intense backlash, Darlington backtracked on his earlier confession, claiming it was entirely fictional. In the suit filed at the federal high court in Abuja, Darlington argued that declaring him wanted “without a court order…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to appeal a court ruling that acquitted former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, of multiple counts of money laundering and fraud. Delivering judgment on a no-case submission on Wednesday, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ruled that the EFCC failed to establish a prima facie case to justify a full defence from the ex-governor. Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, had been facing an 11-count charge bordering on the alleged laundering of ₦6.9 billion during his tenure as governor. Prosecutors claimed he received ₦1.2 billion in campaign funds for the 2014 election…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced plans to launch a digital platform for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) starting August 1. In a statement on Wednesday, Akinsola Akinlabi, NIS spokesperson, said the move is part of the federal government’s reform agenda to improve transparency, efficiency and access to immigration services. He said the new platform, available at https://cerpac.immigration.gov.ng, will allow users to apply for CERPAC online without filling physical forms. “With effect from August 1, physical CERPAC forms will no longer be accepted,” he said. “All CERPAC applications after July 31 must be submitted solely…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Atiku disclosed his intention to leave the opposition party in a letter addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Jada, Jada LGA of Adamawa state. Abubakar described his departure from the PDP as “heartbreaking”, saying the party has strayed from the ideals on which it was founded. “I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the Party,” Abubakar said. “Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a Presidential candidate twice has been…

President Bola Tinubu has directed all relevant federal agencies to ensure full compliance with international protocols following recent changes in United States visa issuance policies affecting Nigerian citizens. The directive comes days after the US Department of State updated its non-immigrant visa policy for several countries, including Nigeria. According to the new guidelines, most non-diplomatic, non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be valid for only three months and will allow just a single entry into the United States. The changes took effect immediately. In a notice published on its website, the US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria stated,…

The Federal Government has said it has not received an official communication from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding a new visa policy affecting Nigerian citizens in the issuance of transit and entry visas. Recently, the UAE reportedly introduced fresh visa limitations for Nigerian nationals, less than a year after both countries resolved a long-standing diplomatic disagreement over visa issuance. Under the new rules, Nigerian travellers between the ages of 18 and 45 are no longer eligible for tourist visas unless they are accompanied by a sponsor or meet newly outlined conditions. Additionally, all transit visa applications by Nigerians have…

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has been buried in the garden of his residence in Daura, Katsina state. The body of the late president was interred after funeral prayers were held at a helipad near his country home on Tuesday. Buhari was buried in a spot where he usually sat in his compound’s garden when he was alive. Military pallbearers wheeled Buhari’s body, draped in the colours of the Nigerian flag, to the graveside in a trolley. Gunshots were fired as a mark of respect for the former president and commander-in-chief. Chris Musa, chief of defence staff, read the citation of…