Author: Opalim Lifted

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called for a live public hearing into the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal, insisting that the Presidency must identify officials allegedly linked to the controversy. Atiku’s reaction follows the release of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)’s interim report, which he argued raises critical questions about the role of public officials in the alleged operation of the fictitious agency. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the Presidency…

Samuel Perry, the comic actor better known as Broda Shaggi, has broken his silence months after he was hospitalised following an alleged shooting while filming. In March, the skit maker was filming around the Sango Ota Bridge in Ogun State when he was reportedly shot in the leg. He was initially rushed to a hospital in the Alakuko area of Lagos before being transferred to another facility in the Government Residential Area (GRA) in Ikeja. After months of silence, Shaggi penned an emotional message on his WhatsApp channel, thanking his supporters for their “patience and loyalty” throughout his absence. He…

A court in the US state of New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay $567 million and restrict several features on Facebook and Instagram for children, ruling that the company created a “public nuisance” by exposing young users to harm. The decision, delivered on Thursday, follows an earlier $375 million penalty imposed in March after a jury found Meta liable for making children and teenagers more vulnerable to online predators. The latest ruling comes as Meta faces mounting legal challenges across the United States over claims that its social media platforms harm children’s mental health. A major trial involving similar…

Nigeria’s organised labour has called for an urgent review of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, arguing that soaring inflation and the rising cost of living have rendered the current wage inadequate for workers. The demand was made at the 2026 Nigeria Rights of Workers Summit in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, held to mark 88 years of legally recognised trade unionism in Nigeria. The summit, themed “The Rights of Workers: Decent Work and a Just Economy in Nigeria,” brought together labour leaders, policymakers, employers, workers, civil society organisations and representatives of the National Industrial Court. Speaking on behalf of the President…

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says an unauthorised payment has been made into one of his private bank accounts, prompting concerns over a possible breach of his confidential banking information. In a statement issued on Friday by his senior special assistant on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice-president said the transfer, labelled “Contribution Electioneering Campaign”, was neither requested nor authorised by him or his campaign. According to the statement, the account is strictly private and its details are not publicly available. Atiku said the payment originated from someone completely unknown to him. “The transfer…

The Osun State Government has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of its statutory allocation account. In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1762/2026, filed on August 5 before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the plaintiffs are asking the court to nullify the anti-graft agency’s directive and award N2 billion in exemplary damages against the commission. Ademola Adeleke, the state governor; the attorney-general of Osun; and the accountant-general of the state are the plaintiffs in the suit, while the EFCC, its executive chairman, and First Bank of Nigeria Limited are listed as defendants. The plaintiffs are asking…

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a planned maintenance exercise at its Akwanga 132/33kV Transmission Substation, with electricity supply set to be disrupted in parts of Nasarawa State until Saturday. In a statement issued on Friday, TCN said its maintenance crew would carry out scheduled work on the 40MVA 132/33kV Transformer TR1 at the Akwanga Transmission Substation. According to the company, the maintenance began at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, and is expected to be completed by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2026. During the maintenance period, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) will be…

Air Canada has announced plans to begin scheduled flights to Lagos in 2027 following the expansion of the air transport agreement between Nigeria and Canada. The airline said it welcomed the Canadian government’s announcement of the revised agreement and has started seeking the regulatory approvals required to commence commercial operations to Nigeria. Mary-Jane Lorette, Air Canada’s vice-president of revenue management, partnerships and international affairs, said the carrier is preparing to launch the new route next year. “We welcome this expanded Air Transport Agreement and look forward to obtaining the necessary government approvals to begin service to Lagos, Nigeria in the…

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to release former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai. Atiku’s demand follows President Tinubu’s directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to return to court and vacate the order freezing the Osun State Government’s bank accounts ahead of the August 15 governorship election. El-Rufai has remained in ICPC custody since February 19 over allegations of financial impropriety during his tenure as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023. On April 13, the…

President Bola Tinubu personally informed Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke that he had directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to lift the restriction placed on the state’s bank accounts, according to the presidency. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, said Tinubu conveyed the decision during a telephone conversation with Adeleke on Thursday. “President Tinubu in a phone conversation with Governor Ademola Adeleke on Thursday informed him about his directive to the EFCC to lift the court order on the Osun State Government account,” Onanuga said. The development followed Tinubu’s earlier directive ordering the EFCC…