Author: Opalim Lifted

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced that it has successfully completed the River Niger crossing segment of the 130-kilometre Obiafu–Obrikom–Oben (OB3) gas pipeline. In a statement on Thursday, the company said the milestone was achieved by its subsidiary, the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, marking a key step in expanding Nigeria’s gas transmission network. NNPC said the crossing unlocks the full capacity of the OB3 pipeline, which is designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day. The company added that the project would enhance energy availability, improve supply reliability, and accelerate economic…

Armed bandits have attacked a farm settlement in Kwara State, killing a labourer and abducting the farm owner during a late-night raid. The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. at Purapura Farm Settlement along the Venra–Tenebo road in Kaiama Local Government Area. The attackers reportedly stormed the area, opening fire and taking the farm owner, Musa Purapura, away. A source familiar with the attack said the victim killed was a labourer from the Republic of Benin who had only arrived at the farm a day earlier. He was reportedly shot during the assault. The Sariki Samari of Venra confirmed the development,…

President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the 2027 governorship aspiration of Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos. In a post on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said Tinubu gave the endorsement during a meeting with members of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council (GAC) at the State House, Abuja. “President Tinubu formally endorses the Lagos APC consensus governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, at a meeting with members of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council, led by Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” Onanuga wrote. In one of the photographs shared by Onanuga, Tinubu and Hamzat are…

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid scored a penalty each in an incident-packed first-leg draw that leaves their Champions League semi-final in the balance. Viktor Gyokeres won and scored a spot-kick for the visitors just one minute before the break after he went down under a challenge from David Hancko. But Julian Alvarez levelled the score 11 minutes into the second half with a penalty awarded following a video assistant referee review. The game started as a cagey affair with neither side looking to give away an advantage. But after Gyokeres put the Gunners in front, Atletico Madrid started the second half…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun probing the Managing Director of Paramount Energy Limited, Ralph Chinazum Ajah, over an alleged N72.3 million fraud in Enugu. Operatives from the EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Directorate are investigating claims of obtaining by false pretence and stealing linked to the transaction. According to the Commission, a petitioner accused Ajah of collecting N72.3 million for the supply of petroleum products to several business outlets. The payments were reportedly made in six instalments between April 11 and May 24, 2022. The petitioner said the suspect failed to deliver the products despite repeated assurances. EFCC…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a lawyer, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo, over an alleged N15.7 million land fraud in Enugu. Nwobodo was re-arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu. He is facing a 20-count charge bordering on forgery, possession of forged documents and obtaining by false pretence involving N15.7 million. The defendant was initially arraigned on January 27, 2025, on a five-count charge before the same court, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self-recognition. Emefiele…

A senior police officer has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, approved the payment of $6.23 million linked to foreign election observers. Commissioner of Police Eloho E. Ekpoziakpho gave the testimony on April 28, 2026, while appearing as prosecution witness in the ongoing fraud trial of Emefiele before Justice Hamza Mu’azu. The case centres on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office and conspiracy to obtain by false pretence. Ekpoziakpho told the court that investigations revealed the controversial withdrawal from the Central Bank…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said its mandate goes beyond prosecuting fraud, stressing that it also recognises Nigerians who uphold integrity. Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said the commission investigated Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International, over alleged money laundering but found no wrongdoing. According to him, the probe lasted six months and concluded that the cleric was not involved in any financial crime. Olukoyede said the EFCC is committed to rewarding integrity alongside enforcing accountability. He noted that the agency formally commended Eze after the investigation cleared him. The EFCC…

The Senate approved a $516.3 million loan request by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday. The funds will be used for the construction of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway (Section One, Phase 1A and 1B). The approval followed the Senate’s consideration of the report of its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts. The committee, chaired by Senator Magatagarda Wamakko, recommended approval of the loan. The syndicated financing facility is being sought from Deutsche Bank, according to a request letter Tinubu sent to the Senate last Thursday. Tinubu wrote, “The proposed financing arrangement comprises a syndicated loan to be secured through Deutsche Bank AG,…

The Dangote Refinery has increased its petrol price, raising its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit by N75 per litre, while also suspending product sales following a disruption in its Proforma Invoice process. Price data from Petroleumprice.ng, along with confirmation from a Dangote Refinery official on Wednesday, showed that the petrol loading price rose from N1,200 per litre to N1,275 per litre, while coastal supply prices increased to N1,215 per litre. The change followed operational adjustments and has started affecting the downstream petroleum market. The official confirmed the development, saying, “Yes, the increase of PMS to N1,275 per litre is…