Author: Opalim Lifted

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the bye-elections held across Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as important operational tests ahead of the 2027 General Election. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said no election should be treated as routine, stressing that each poll gives the Commission an opportunity to assess its systems and improve its preparations. Amupitan monitored Saturday’s elections from INEC’s National Situation Room at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, alongside National Commissioners and senior management officials. The Commission conducted bye-elections in five legislative constituencies across the four states: Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Dawakin…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council has called on Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race over allegations linked to the disputed Mambilla hydropower project. In a statement issued on Friday and signed by Dele Alake, spokesperson for the APC campaign council, the ruling party accused Atiku of compromising Nigeria’s interests in connection with the project. The APC based its position on proceedings before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris involving Sunrise Power, Transmission Company Limited and the Federal Government. The tribunal recently ruled in…

Lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs say they are withdrawing from his $100 million defamation lawsuit, citing “unpaid legal fees and a breakdown in communication” with the rapper. Michael Tremonte, a partner at Sher Tremonte LLP, filed the request on September 14 at the Southern District of New York, alleging that Combs had not paid a substantial balance of the firm’s fees, costs and expenses. Sher Tremonte LLP is representing Combs in his civil cases, including the $100 million defamation lawsuit he filed against Courtney Burgess, attorney Ariel Mitchell and Nexstar Media Inc., the parent company of NewsNation. Combs initially filed…

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has warned point-of-sale (POS) operators across the country against aiding fraudsters and money launderers in perpetrating financial crimes. Olukoyede spoke on Wednesday when a delegation from the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN), led by Oti Obioha, its national president, visited the agency’s headquarters. Olukoyede, who was represented by Michael Nzekwe, his chief of staff and commander of the EFCC, said POS operators are now involved in financial crimes, including terrorist financing, ransom payments and money laundering. According to him, the association needs to strengthen…

Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has imposed a 24-hour curfew across Minna, the state capital, following unrest reported in parts of the city. The curfew takes effect immediately after Friday’s Jumu’ah prayers and will remain in place until further notice. Residents have been directed to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary movement throughout the period. Security agencies have also been ordered to enforce the directive and take measures to protect lives and property across the metropolis. The unrest followed Thursday’s protest linked to the deaths of suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and…

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris has ruled in favour of Nigeria in the $2.35 billion arbitration brought by Sunrise Power over the Mambilla hydropower project. The tribunal also ordered Sunrise Power and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, to reimburse Nigeria 75 per cent of its legal fees and expenses, amounting to $11.8 million. Chronicle NG understands that the final award was issued on Thursday. Tribunal Rejects Sunrise Claims In a decision signed by the three-member panel, the tribunal dismissed Sunrise Power’s claim that Nigeria breached its contractual obligations under a settlement agreement and an addendum. It also rejected…

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has launched an investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations in Niger State. The suspects were arrested during coordinated operations by the Niger State Command in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16, 2026, as part of efforts to tackle illegal mining activities. The investigation follows reports that at least 33 suspected illegal miners were feared dead after being detained at an NSCDC facility in Minna. The deaths were reportedly discovered in the early hours of Thursday. Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, had attributed the…

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its investigation into the controversial Mambilla power contract after an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris ruled in Nigeria’s favour. The tribunal, on September 17, rejected claims brought by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) over disputes linked to the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, saying the Commission’s investigation was pivotal to the Federal Government’s defence. Tribunal rejects millions of dollars in claims According to the…

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Aniviye, following the deaths of suspected illegal miners in custody. Tunji-Ojo also ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which reportedly occurred at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the Niger State capital, in the early hours of Thursday. The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde. According to the statement, the suspected illegal miners were arrested during…

The death toll from suspected alcohol poisoning in some communities in Ondo State has risen to 49, with 170 cases recorded. The incident was first reported on Saturday, September 5, in Odigbo town and Araromi-Obu in Odigbo LGA after residents reportedly consumed a herbal liquid substance. Some of those affected allegedly became unconscious before dying at different locations. On September 13, the Ondo State Government banned the sale and distribution of unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances following the deaths of 30 people in the state. Subsequently, the Ondo State Police Command arrested one Oloruntoba Babatunde for allegedly producing the…