Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Nigerian Army has verified the arrest of investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo at an illicit oil bunkering facility.  The army issued a statement in reaction to widespread outrage about Soyombo’s incarceration. The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) disclosed on X (previously Twitter) that Soyombo had been in Army captivity for three days. “The 6th Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, for three days running. Journalism is not a crime,” FIJ said. Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, confirmed his arrest in a statement on…

President Bola Tinubu and his French counterpart President Emmanuel Macron signed two key agreements on Thursday in Paris, cementing a partnership to develop critical infrastructure and sustain long-term agriculture and food security. The agreements were signed during an economic forum at the Palais des Élysées, attended by business leaders, industry captains, state governors, and top officials from both countries, as part of Tinubu’s state visit. During the event, United Bank for Africa Group Chairman Tony Elumelu and French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry, Antoine Armand, signed an agreement to enable UBA to begin operations in Paris. In the same…

The General Council of the World Trade Organisation has reappointed Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General for a second term.  Okonjo-Iweala’s new four-year tenure will begin on September 1, 2025. Okonjo-Iweala thanked the WTO’s 166 member nations for their sustained faith and support in a statement released Friday. “I am deeply honoured by the trust and support of the WTO General Council and its 166 embers. It is a privilege to continue serving as Director-General for a second four-year term,” she said. Reflecting on her first tenure, the former Nigerian finance minister emphasised the WTO’s critical role in dealing with global…

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja was stalled on Friday due to the absence of his defence counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN).  Mohammed was reportedly unaware of the hearing date, leading to his absence. Bello faces a 19-count charge of money laundering amounting to N84 billion, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Bello has already been charged in a separate case before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, with 16 counts of fraud involving N110.4 billion. As Justice Emeka Nwite prepared to begin the arraignment on…

The Enugu State Police Command arrested three suspects, including a banker, for allegedly defrauding a customer of N4m through identity theft.  The suspects, identified as Ndulaka Okwudili, Ifeanyi Nnamani, a former bank employee, and Philip Ozogwu, a National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment agent, were apprehended on October 18, 2024. According to the statement, Okwudili admitted to discovering a bag containing personal items, including SIM cards, near Nowas Junction, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, in October 2023. “In January 2024, Okwudili inserted an Airtel SIM card from the bag into his phone and received a substantial credit alert. This prompted him and others still…

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has pledged to bring European glory to Turkish side Galatasaray. Osimhen made the pledge on Thursday night following Galatasaray’s hard-fought 1-1 draw away at AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League. Chronice NG reports that the Nigerian forward was instrumental in securing the result, netting a crucial equaliser in the 43rd minute after the Dutch side had taken an early lead. Despite the draw, his confidence in the team’s European ambitions remains unwavering, as he assured fans of his commitment to bringing the coveted UEFA Cup to Turkey. In an interview with Parçalı Sportz, a renowned…

United Bank for Africa (UBA) has signed a deal to commence full banking operations in France. In a statement issued late Thursday, the banking company said the major commercial partnership deal with French Finance Minister Antoine Armand was part of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to France. During the visit, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA Group, signed an agreement in the presence of Tinubu and France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, indicating the French Government’s support for the expansion of UBA’s banking operations in France. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Elumelu said, “This partnership reinforces our commitment to seamless international banking services…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public to the circulation of counterfeit Combiart Dispersible Tablet 20/120 mg in the country. In a statement on its X handle on Thursday, the NAFDAC said it had alerted its offices nationwide to begin the immediate mop-up of the fake malaria drug manufactured by Strides Arcolab Limited, based in India. “This product was discovered in the FCT and Rivers State during surveillance activities conducted by officers of the Post Marketing Surveillance Directorate of NAFDAC. “The laboratory report of the analysis carried out on the product revealed…

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced that change of name will no longer be a requirement for married female corps members seeking redeployment. This is stated in a circular signed by the service’s Director Corps Mobilisation, Abubakar Mohammed, and distributed to directors, Assistant Directors State and Federal Capital Territory, and FCT Coordinators. The circular dated November 25, 2024, titled “Review of criteria for concessional deployment/relocation for married female corps members,” revealed that the NYSC has approved the review of criteria for the approval of concessional deployment/relocation of married female corps members. It also stated that state coordinators are…

Samson Omoniyi, a Nigerian living in the United States of America who was detained along with eight others for alleged money laundering and fraud, could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted by US authorities. The US Department of Justice’s Office of Public Affairs issued a press statement late Wednesday stating this. According to the statement, Omoniyi and his accomplices were indicted on Tuesday on allegations of conspiracy to engage in money laundering following their detention in three jurisdictions across the United States. It further indicated that the Omoniyi, who remained innocent until proven guilty by the court,…