Author: Opalim Lifted

A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged $2.63 million money laundering case. Justice Inyang Ekwo, who presided over the matter on Thursday, ordered that Bodejo remain in the anti-graft agency’s custody pending the determination of his bail application. The court adjourned the case until July 20 for a ruling on the bail request. Bodejo was arraigned on charges bordering on alleged money laundering and pleaded not guilty to all the counts. Following the arraignment, EFCC counsel,…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the immediate disengagement of Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services) as the operator responsible for collecting and submitting Nigerian visa applications in the United States. According to a public notice issued on July 9, 2026, all prospective travellers and Nigerians in the US who require visas to enter Nigeria must now submit their applications directly to the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or the Nigerian Consulates in New York and Atlanta, pending further directives. The NIS assured applicants that the Nigerian Embassy and its consulates have put adequate measures in place to ensure…

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has directed troops to shoot bandits and terrorists on sight, warning that any soldier who hesitates while waiting for orders will be treated as a criminal. Speaking on Wednesday during the commissioning of newly acquired security assets in Sokoto State, Musa said security personnel deployed to combat armed groups must act immediately once they identify bandits or terrorists. “Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist,” he said. “Anybody who refuses to shoot or kill any bandit or terrorist in the name…

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has appointed former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as president of its Board of Trustees (BoT). The appointment was announced on Wednesday at the foundation’s annual general meeting in Lagos. Osinbajo succeeds Philip Asiodu, who stepped down after serving as president of the board for more than 25 years. Speaking at the meeting, R.I.B. Adebiyi, chairperson of the foundation’s National Executive Council (NEC), commended Asiodu for his contributions to environmental conservation and institutional development. She said Asiodu’s tenure was marked by “wisdom, foresight and an unwavering commitment” to environmental protection, adding that he leaves behind a…

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has claimed he rejected a private apology from Al Jazeera over his controversial interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, insisting the broadcaster should have apologised publicly. Speaking on The Morayo Show, Bwala said the matter is now before a court in England, where his legal team is pursuing what they describe as a defamation case. According to Bwala, the broadcaster admitted it should have informed him in advance that the interview would focus heavily on his past criticisms of President Bola Tinubu and his subsequent support for the president. “They…

MultiChoice has officially become a full subsidiary of French media giant Canal+, marking a major milestone in the evolution of one of Africa’s largest pay television companies. The announcement was made on Thursday by David Mignot, Chief Executive Officer of Canal+ Africa, who said the integration ushers MultiChoice into a new chapter as part of a global media group. “MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries,” Mignot said. He noted that Canal+, founded in France and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges, has a strong presence across Africa with…

Ahmed Dikko, former managing director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), has pleaded not guilty to a 12-count money laundering charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Dikko was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday alongside Masterpiece Projects & Investment Ltd, the second defendant in the case. The EFCC alleged, among other counts, that the former PHRC managing director used about N218.4 million to acquire a property in Katampe Extension, Abuja, without passing the funds through a financial institution, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and…

Weekly protests by South African civil society groups demanding the removal of undocumented foreign nationals have escalated into violence, with reports of assaults, forced evictions and attacks on street traders. The demonstrations, led by March and March, the Labour and Civic Organisation (Laco), the All Truck Drivers Forum and other groups, entered their second week on Thursday. Speaking during a march in Alexandra, community leader Bongani Msomi said protesters were moving from house to house in search of undocumented foreigners. “We are walking around doing door to door removing foreigners,” he said. According to Daily Maverick, the demonstrations turned violent…

Cynthia Anijekwu, an upcoming Nigerian actress, says she has received over N13 million in donations just days after making a public appeal for financial support to cover her cancer treatment. In a video posted by colleague Destiny Etiko on Instagram on Monday, Anijekwu revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and underwent surgery, but the disease later returned and has since spread to her bones and breast. She disclosed that her monthly treatment costs now exceed N600,000 and appealed to Nigerians to help her raise N20 million for radiation therapy, surgery, and other medical expenses. “I was diagnosed…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed that the standard N100 banknote remains legal tender and must be accepted for all transactions across the country. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali, said the bank had received reports that some individuals and businesses were rejecting the standard N100 note over doubts about its validity. The apex bank clarified that both the standard N100 banknote and the commemorative N100 banknote introduced to mark Nigeria’s centenary are valid legal tender. “For the avoidance of doubt, the CBN hereby reiterates that both the commemorative…