Author: Opalim Lifted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N1.23 billion recovered from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited to the Enugu state government over an abandoned smart schools project. The funds were handed over on Wednesday, following a petition alleging fraud in the construction of 22 smart schools awarded to the construction company by the Enugu state government. In a statement on Wednesday, the EFCC said the money was recovered after investigations revealed that Sujimoto failed to execute the project despite receiving over N2.28 billion as advance payment. According to the EFCC, the petitioner said the contract completion deadline elapsed…

Simeon Amadi, chief judge of Rivers, has declined to constitute a judicial panel to probe Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, citing a court order. The Rivers state house of assembly had asked Amadi to set up a seven-member panel to investigate Fubara and Ngozi Odu, his deputy, over allegations bordering on gross misconduct. In a letter dated January 20, 2026, and addressed to Martin Amaewhule, speaker of the Rivers house of assembly, Amadi said his hands were “fettered” by court injunctions. Amadi said his office had been served with two interim orders on January 16, arising from suits filed…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of 177 Christian worshippers abducted by bandits in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Council of Kaduna State, as outrage grows over initial official denials of the incident. In a statement issued in Abuja, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, criticised the early dismissal of the abduction by the police, describing it as deeply troubling and harmful. He said the response sowed confusion, heightened fear and unfairly cast doubt on the credibility of victims, their families, clergy and eyewitnesses who raised the alarm. Okoh stressed that in crises of this…

Chelsea beat Champions League minnows Pafos to keep their hopes alive of finishing in the top eight – but it took 77 minutes to break down the Cypriot side through Moises Caicedo’s diving header. The £115m midfielder reacted quickest to Pedro Neto’s corner after it flicked off Pafos substitute Nany Dimata, pouncing to head home from close range. It had threatened to be an embarrassing evening for Chelsea against the competition debutants. In boss Liam Rosenior’s first Champions League match – and his fourth in charge of Chelsea – his side were left frustrated when Enzo Fernandez thought he had…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opened its case in the alleged N458 million fraud trial involving Ibrahim Ibrahim, with a senior Unity Bank official detailing how the lender’s systems were compromised. At proceedings on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, the EFCC presented its first prosecution witness, Emmanuel Adeyemi, Head of Fraud Prevention and Investigation at Unity Bank. Adeyemi told the court that the bank’s database was breached on December 24 and 25, 2021, leading to the unauthorised transfer of about N458 million from the accounts of…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Lagos-based businessman, Sarumi Babafemi, over an alleged N206 million fraud at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja. Babafemi was docked on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, before Justice Rahman Oshodi by the EFCC, Lagos Zonal Directorate 1. He was charged alongside three firms linked to him: 606 Autos Limited, 606 Music Limited and Splash Off Entertainment Limited. According to the anti-graft agency, the defendant and his companies are facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, concealment and transfer of proceeds of crime amounting to N206 million. The charges are said to…

At a historic and well-attended event at the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, the Director of the Center for Africana Studies, Nigerian-born Professor Wale Adebanwi, presented the Centre’s 25th edition of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award to iconic filmmaker Spike Lee. The event, which took place in January 20, at UPenn’s Annenberg Center inside the Zellerbach Theatre, was attended by over 900 guests. The audience listened attentively as Spike Lee delivered the Social Justice Lecture associated with the award through a conversation with Heather Andrea Williams, Adebanwi’s colleague at UPenn. Williams has known Lee’s family for…

Harry Kane scored twice and missed a penalty as 10-man Bayern Munich secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a comfortable victory over Union Saint-Gilloise (USG). The result leaves Vincent Kompany’s side second in the table on 18 points from their seven games. Bayern are now three points behind leaders Arsenal and five points clear of Barcelona, who head a quartet of clubs just outside the top eight automatic positions. Belgian champions Union sit 31st on six points, two adrift of a place in the top 24 and a spot in the play-offs, with a…

Liverpool coasted past Marseille to put themselves in a strong position to finish in the Champions League top eight on a night where Mohamed Salah returned to the starting XI for Arne Slot’s side. A moment of genius from Dominik Szoboszlai gave Liverpool the lead in the first half, an own goal from goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli doubled their advantage and Cody Gakpo added a third in the 92nd minute. The three points took Liverpool up to fourth in the Champions League standings and they host Qarabag at Anfield next week as they look to remain in the top eight, thereby…

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele resumed on Wednesday at the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, with fresh testimony outlining intricate cash movements and bank transfers allegedly running into billions of naira. Emefiele is standing trial on an eight-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, forgery and unlawful possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime valued at ₦7.83 billion. Testifying as Prosecution Witness 3, Richard Agulu, a staff member of the Nigerian Communications Commission and former Zenith Bank employee, told Justice Yusuf…