Author: Opalim Lifted

The United States has released the identities of three individuals and six entities allegedly linked to Islamic State (ISIS) financing, including three Nigerian bureau de change (BDC) operators. On Monday, Tommy Pigot, US state department spokesperson, said a Nigeria-based operator was among the three individuals and entities accused of helping the ISIS move funds across borders through money exchange businesses. Pigot said the network spanned from France and Syria to Turkey and Nigeria. According to the US official, the Nigeria-based facilitator’s money exchange businesses served as conduits for ISIS financing. The other two individuals, said to be based in France…

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to score in six FIFA World Cup tournaments following a brace in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. He netted twice in the first half to continue his World Cup scoring streak that started on his debut in 2006 and he also found the net in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions of the competition. Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leao and an own goal also added to Ronaldo’s strikes to seal an emphatic victory against Uzbekistan and shrug off reports of internal crisis within the Portuguese team. Ronaldo scored the opener in the sixth minute…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has said he would support a nationwide ban on tinted vehicles if he had the authority to enforce it, citing growing security concerns across Nigeria. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Disu argued that heavily tinted vehicles have become a preferred tool for kidnappers, armed robbers and operators of “one-chance” scams, making them a significant security risk. The IGP said the country’s security challenges require stricter regulation of tinted vehicles and hinted that authorities are moving towards tighter restrictions. “If I have my way, there would be no vehicle that would be tinted in…

Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has directed officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to desist from unauthorised social media activities capable of undermining the integrity and professionalism of the force. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Anietie Edem, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), said the directive followed concerns over the growing trend of police personnel creating videos, conducting live sessions, and engaging in other social media activities while in uniform without official authorisation. Edem said serving officers are prohibited from creating or sharing unauthorised content while in police uniform, commenting publicly on official police matters, disclosing sensitive operational…

The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) has criticised the presidency’s reaction to calls for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation, arguing that true leadership is measured by accountability rather than attacks on critics. The exchange followed comments by Peter Obi, who on Monday urged Bola Tinubu to step down over what he described as a “monumental failure” in governance. Obi said his remarks were inspired by the resignation speech of Keir Starmer, in which the British leader acknowledged public dissatisfaction over economic difficulties and unfulfilled campaign promises. Responding on behalf of the presidency, Bayo Onanuga dismissed Obi’s position as misguided. He argued…

The Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Bolaji Akinola, has strongly rejected allegations linking the minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, to the recent violence in Osun State, describing the claims as politically motivated and without merit. Akinola was responding to comments attributed to the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, who allegedly connected Oyetola to the unrest. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Akinola said the accusations were a deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of the former Osun State governor, insisting that Oyetola had never been associated with violence or the sponsorship of…

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, has confirmed the recovery of a Lexus RX300 belonging to retired broadcaster MS Kitan Oyesiku, who was allegedly killed alongside her security guard. Ojajuni made the disclosure during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene of the incident, where he received updates from detectives overseeing the investigation. The police commissioner said the vehicle, which had earlier been reported missing from the deceased’s residence, was recovered overnight by police operatives and has been secured as part of ongoing efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killings. “It is worthy of note…

A prosecution witness in the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering trial involving former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has revealed details of multi-million-naira transactions traced to the account of Alkausar Farm, an entity linked to the case. The witness, Munawwarah Anas, a Compliance Officer with Jaiz Bank Plc, testified yesterday before the Federal High Court in Abuja as the fifth prosecution witness in the trial of Malami, his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendants on a 16-count charge bordering on…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has ordered an investigation into the conduct of its operatives following the remand of Omoyele Sowore, activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC). On Monday, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of Sowore at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail. Mohammed Umar, the presiding judge, made the order after dismissing an application by Sowore seeking the judge’s recusal from the case on grounds of alleged bias. On June 16, the court revoked the bail granted to Sowore and…

Remand of activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in Kuje Prison has triggered fresh concerns about the state of civil liberties in Nigeria. The concerns were raised by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi; Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP); the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; and rights lawyer and special counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Aloy Ejimakor. The Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation…