Author: Opalim Lifted

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted Darius Ishaku, former governor of Taraba State, permission to travel to Dubai for a medical check-up and surgery. Sylvanus Oriji, the presiding judge, granted the application on Tuesday after it was filed by Chris Umar, counsel to Ishaku, on behalf of the former governor. The prosecution did not oppose the application. The judge adjourned the case until October 5, 2026, for the continuation of the trial. Ishaku and Bello Yero, former permanent secretary in the Taraba Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, are standing trial on a 15-count charge bordering…

Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will deliver the keynote address at the launch of a new book examining Nigeria’s democratic experience from 1999 to 2023. The two-volume publication, titled ‘SHADOWS: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023)’, spans more than 900 pages and chronicles the country’s political and democratic evolution over 24 years. Amupitan is expected to speak on ‘Strengthening Electoral Institutions: Pathways to Free, Fair, and Peaceful Elections in 2027’, with a focus on reforms needed to improve Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the next general election. According to the organisers, the book…

Taiwo Johns, an official of the Taraba Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has narrated how ₦1.8 billion meant for the purchase of Christmas grains in the state was transferred into his company’s account. Johns appeared before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Monday in the ongoing trial of Darius Ishaku, former governor of Taraba State, and Bello Yero, the state’s former permanent secretary in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Ishaku and Yero are facing trial on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds. They have…

Brent crude oil prices rose by 4.19 percent on Tuesday to $86.79 per barrel, the highest level since June 12. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude surged by 3.16 percent to $80.61 per barrel. The surge came after the US reimposed a naval blockade on Iran, while renewed attacks between Washington and Tehran heightened concerns over energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. On July 12, Iran said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz after its forces fired a naval cruise missile at a vessel it accused of sailing through an unauthorised route. One month earlier, global crude oil…

The House of Representatives has reversed its earlier approval of the proposed state police bill, paving the way for fresh consideration of a revised version submitted by President Bola Tinubu. The decision was taken during Tuesday’s plenary after Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, moved a motion urging lawmakers to reconsider the legislation. Waive explained that new issues had emerged regarding the bill’s provisions, making it necessary to review its clauses to ensure they align with Nigeria’s national security framework. As part of the decision, the House rescinded its June 11 approval of the bill…

The Senate has asked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to withdraw his call for a United Nations (UN)-led investigation into the abduction and rescue of schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area of the state. The resolution followed the adoption of an additional prayer moved by Senator Adams Oshiomhole during debate on a motion commending President Bola Tinubu, the armed forces and other security agencies for rescuing the victims after 56 days in captivity. The substantive motion was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and co-sponsored by 108 senators. On Monday, Makinde had called on the UN and…

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), after he failed to honour the court’s summons. Muhammed Umar issued a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest on Tuesday after Genesis Francis, his lawyer, told the court he had been unable to persuade his client to attend the proceedings. The warrant was issued in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026 between Adeyemi and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Also listed as defendants are individuals identified simply as Femi and Anu, who are said to be at large. Umar said the…

Hadi Sirika, former minister of aviation, has rejected suggestions that the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari left Nigeria in economic distress. Sirika said his years in government gave him a clear understanding of the state of the nation under Buhari, adding that the former president’s stewardship had been unfairly portrayed. Speaking on Arise TV on Monday, the former minister said the country was in a sound socioeconomic position during Buhari’s tenure. The former minister said he disagreed with claims that Buhari’s policies were responsible for the country’s current economic challenges. “I don’t want to get dragged into that debate,…

Davido has admitted that his greatest fear is not falling off the charts but failing to recognise when it is time to leave them. The Afrobeats star made the revelation in a video that has gone viral on social media, where he reflected on the pressures of sustaining a long career in the public eye and the emotional reality of watching celebrated figures lose favour despite years of extraordinary success. According to the singer, seeing icons become targets of criticism after decades of achievement has made him think deeply about his own future in music and the importance of leaving…

Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the director-general of the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), has urged President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent panel to investigate the controversy surrounding the council. In an open letter, Adeyemi argued that the investigation should be handled by an independent, multi-stakeholder panel rather than the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), saying such a process would inspire greater public and international confidence. He proposed that the panel include representatives of civil society organisations, independent media, international financial observers, human rights groups such as Amnesty International, diplomatic observers from…