Author: Opalim Lifted

A federal high court in Abuja has convicted Saleh Mamman on allegations of money laundering. Justice James Omotosho found the former power minister guilty on all 12 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Delivering judgment, the court held that the prosecution successfully proved the charges against Mamman beyond reasonable doubt. Mamman served as Nigeria’s minister of power under former President Muhammadu Buhari from August 2019 until September 2021, when he was removed during a cabinet reshuffle.

Aliko Dangote has unveiled plans to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity in Nigeria, marking a major expansion of his industrial empire into the country’s troubled power sector. The billionaire businessman disclosed the ambition during a conversation with Makhtar Diop, saying energy remains one of Africa’s most urgent development needs. “We are now going into power… 20,000 megawatts,” Dangote said, while also highlighting fertilisers and industrial inputs as critical sectors for the continent’s growth. The move comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with a severe electricity crisis that has undermined economic growth, disrupted businesses and left millions reliant on costly diesel…

At least 34 people have died while 254 others have been infected following a meningitis outbreak across nine local government areas of Sokoto State. Faruk Abubakar-Wurno, commissioner for health, disclosed the development on Wednesday, warning that the outbreak had spread across several communities and triggered emergency response measures by the state government. According to the commissioner, many of the deaths occurred in homes before medical intervention could be provided, as some residents reportedly linked the illness to spiritual causes or mysterious circumstances, delaying treatment and hospital visits. Isolation centres have now been established in Dogondaji and Kurawa communities within Tambuwal…

Nyesom Wike has defended the decision to reallocate land around Jabi Lake, insisting the move is aimed at improving the area and attracting serious investors. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) spoke on Wednesday during a media chat in Abuja, days after Pastor Sarah Omakwu publicly appealed to him not to hand over the popular recreation centre for private development. In a video shared on Instagram, Omakwu knelt while urging the minister to reconsider the allocation. “I cannot fight the minister of the FCT. I cannot. But I go on my knees as a mother in this land…

Media mogul Ted Turner, who revolutionised global broadcasting by launching the world’s first 24-hour news channel, has died at the age of 87. Turner founded CNN in 1980, transforming how news is delivered and consumed. The network began amid scepticism but quickly proved its value through continuous, real-time coverage of major global events. US President Donald Trump described Turner as “one of the greats of broadcast history,” while current CNN chairman Mark Thompson called him “the giant on whose shoulders we stand”. Veteran journalist Christiane Amanpour praised Turner for creating “an unstoppable media revolution”, highlighting his enduring influence on journalism…

A contractor working with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill US President Donald Trump and using his government work computer to research details connected to the alleged plot. Authorities identified the suspect as Dean DelleChiaie, a 35-year-old mechanical engineer and FAA contractor based in New Hampshire. According to prosecutors, investigators discovered online searches allegedly carried out by DelleChiaie that included phrases such as “how to bring a firearm into a federal facility” and “I am going to kill Donald John Trump.” Prosecutors also alleged that he searched for information related to…

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has destroyed 1,167 confiscated mobile phones and other prohibited items recovered from custodial centres across the country as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown on contraband. The public destruction exercise was supervised by Sylvester Nwakuche, who said the seized items included Android phones, iPhones and basic feature phones uncovered during coordinated search operations conducted over the past eight months. The Service also disclosed that N2,569,000 in smuggled cash was recovered from inmates during the operations. According to a statement issued by Jane Osuji, the confiscated money has been remitted to the federal treasury in line…

A prosecution witness in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello has told the court that a judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court faulted the decision of the American International School Abuja to refund prepaid school fees to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Nicholas Ojehomon, the school’s internal auditor and the 14th prosecution witness, made the disclosure on Tuesday during cross-examination in the ongoing trial. Ojehomon read portions of a Certified True Copy of the judgment delivered in a suit filed by Ali Bello against the school over the disputed fees. According…

Africa should reduce its reliance on distant fuel imports and prioritise domestic refining capacity, according to the Dangote Group. In a post shared on Wednesday on X, the company said the continent’s current model of sourcing refined petroleum products from overseas is “fragile” and unsustainable for long-term energy security. The statement underscores a growing argument among policymakers and industry players that Africa’s dependence on imported refined fuel exposes its economies to global supply disruptions, volatile pricing, and logistical bottlenecks. By contrast, expanding local refining capacity could stabilise supply, reduce costs linked to shipping and foreign exchange, and strengthen industrial development…

Nigeria’s passport has climbed six places in the latest global passport rankings, but Nigerians can now access fewer countries without a visa. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, the Nigerian passport moved from 95th position in January 2024 to 89th in April 2026. However, the number of destinations Nigerians can enter without securing a visa beforehand dropped from 46 to 44. The ranking, compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association, evaluates 199 passports based on visa-free and visa-on-arrival access worldwide. The report showed that while Nigeria gained access to destinations such as Fiji, Samoa, Micronesia, Rwanda and…