Author: Opalim Lifted

The trial of former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, over an alleged N5.78bn diversion of Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC) funds has been adjourned to July 27, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination. Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, made the adjournment on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, following proceedings in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Ahmed and his former Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu, are standing trial over alleged mismanagement of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) counterpart funds. The adjournment followed an oral application by defence counsel Ibn Mahmud, who told the…

A prosecution witness in the ongoing Kogi fraud trial involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that he paid between 50 and 60 per cent of consultancy commissions earned from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) to officials of the agency. The witness, who appeared as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) 18th prosecution witness, made the disclosure on Wednesday before Justice Maryanne Anineh during proceedings in the N110.4 billion alleged fraud case. According to the witness, his company provided tax automation, tax audit and advisory services to KSIRS.…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted Cannabis Sativa and expired pharmaceutical products with a combined Duty Paid Value of N12.8 billion at Apapa Port, Lagos, in a major anti-smuggling operation. Officers of the Apapa Area Command, working alongside the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), seized a 40-foot container loaded with Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as “Canadian Loud”. The container, identified as CAAU7569127, was intercepted on June 15, 2026. Customs officials recovered 3,639 sachets of the illicit substance, each weighing 500 grammes, bringing the total weight to about 1,819 kilograms, or 1.81 tonnes. The command said preliminary field tests…

A coalition of Nigerian diaspora organisations in the United States has announced plans to honour selected Americans and veteran journalist and media executive, Laolu Akande, in recognition of what it described as sustained efforts in highlighting insecurity, human rights concerns, and advocacy for religious freedom in Nigeria. The recognition ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, US Capitol, Washington, D.C. The programme will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST, with red-carpet arrivals beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by a post-event DJ performance from 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The initiative is…

Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim has been appointed as the new manager of AC Milan, taking on the challenge of restoring the seven-time European champions to the UEFA Champions League. Amorim, 41, signed a two-year contract with the Serie A giants and is reportedly set to earn a net annual salary of €3.5 million. His appointment marks a return to management six months after his dismissal from Manchester United. Speaking after his appointment, Amorim described the move as a career ambition. “There are ambitions that stay with you throughout your career, and coaching AC Milan has always been one of mine,”…

The Abia State Government has commenced the enforcement of its newly introduced centralised transport system in Umuahia, marking a major step in its efforts to improve orderliness, traffic management, and public transportation in the state capital. As part of the initiative, transport operators have begun a phased relocation to the newly established Nnenna Otti Bus Terminal in Umuahia. The relocation exercise is aimed at streamlining transport operations, reducing congestion in key parts of the city, and providing commuters with a more organised and secure transit environment. Government officials say the centralised system will also enhance the monitoring of transport activities…

Three police officers were killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded during a clearance operation on the Anka–Bagega road in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State. According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred at about 5:05 pm on June 15 when a police team moved to neutralise a suspected explosive device allegedly planted by bandits. The officers were part of a team led by Abdulrazak Musa Hassan, the officer in charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit. The team, which also included personnel from the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), was conducting a controlled clearance…

A Katsina State High Court has sentenced Hauwa’u Mukhtar, a female arms courier, to death by hanging after finding her guilty of conspiracy to commit, aid and abet terrorism. The judgment was delivered by Justice A. B. Bawale following proceedings at the Katsina High Court in northern Nigeria. According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, Mukhtar was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at Jibia motor park in Katsina State while allegedly attempting to transport ammunition. She was said to have been caught conveying 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition intended for a suspected bandit leader identified as…

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that he is prepared to make any sacrifice, including risking his own life, to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Council in Oyo State. Speaking at his Ikolaba residence in Ibadan during a peaceful protest led by activist Martins Otse, Makinde reassured residents that his administration was deploying all available resources to bring the victims home safely. The governor said ongoing rescue operations were being carefully coordinated to avoid further loss of life. According to him, intelligence reports indicate that no additional casualties have been recorded among the…

Patience Ozokwor, the Nollywood actress, has expressed pride in the villainous characters she often portrays on screen, saying the roles serve a greater purpose by shedding light on real societal issues. Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, addressed the frequent misunderstanding surrounding her on-screen persona in a recent video chat. The 67-year-old film star noted that some viewers mistakenly assume her real-life personality mirrors the wicked characters she plays. However, she explained that the intent behind such roles is to expose negative behaviours and offer moral lessons to the audience. “I feel bold to expose the ills in society. Those…