Nation – National Infinity Magazine

His fortune, her stress

Sometimes a woman finds herself at a destination she did not plan for, a place where she neither bargained for nor boarded a bus or plane to. She just wakes up and finds herself there, a totally new place where she has to learn a new language, new coping skills, a different way of life. What is she supposed to do especially when the new place brings with it both fortune and challenges? Let us start with a woman who married a young brilliant middle-income man when they were both…

Tears, for my beloved country!

Jide Ige

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he ¹” – Proverbs 28:19 “I don’t really want my photographs in your offices, because I’m not a God or an icon, but a servant of the nation – Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine. “Hang pictures of your children instead and look at them every time you want to make a decision, and whenever the spirit of theft visits you, take a good look at your family’s picture and ask yourself if they deserve…

GTCO Transforms Lives with Waste-for Gas Initiative, Distributes 3,000 Gas Cylinders to Obafemi Owode Community

Jide Ige

As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life for households and empower women in underserved communities, GTCO PLC at the weekend launched its Waste for Gas initiative which saw over 3,000 residents of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, receive a unit each of a 3kg gas cylinder. Speaking about the initiative, the Group Chief Executive Officer, GTCO PLC, Mr. Segun Agbaje noted that beyond delivering innovative financial solutions, the institution is deeply committed to making a meaningful impact in the communities where it…

Why newly elected Lagos Assembly Speaker, Meranda agreed to step down

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

Princess Mojisola Meranda has agreed to resign as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, clearing the way for new leadership in the Assembly, The Witness reports. Sources disclosed that the announcement of her resignation has been delayed as President Bola Tinubu is yet to choose from the list of potential replacements presented to him by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state. The decision follows discussions and interventions from prominent political figures, including former APC National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande and former Ogun…

FirstBank’s topshot forfeits N1.1bn, $392,818 fraud money to FG

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

A former top official of First Bank of Nigeria, Muiz Tijani Adeyinka, has forfeited the sum of N1,168,602,877.44; $392,818.01 and £35,070 recovered from him to the Federal Government. Justice A. O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered the final forfeiture of the monies on Tuesday. The judge gave the order following a motion on notice for the final forfeiture which was supported with an affidavit deposed to by Isah Yusuf Nadabo, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Justice Owoeye had, on…

“Maryam was unconvinced of my capacity to be serious, and many people said as much to her.” -IBB reveals in new autobiography

Jide Ige

Former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has revealed details about his marriage to his late wife, Maryam, including her conversion to Islam, in his newly released autobiography, A Journey in Service. The book, launched on Thursday alongside a fundraiser for his presidential library, provides insight into their love story, from their early days in Kaduna to their life as a married couple. Babangida recalled meeting Maryam, formerly Maria Okogwu, in their younger years while living in the unmarried officers’ quarters on Kanta Road, Kaduna. He described being captivated by her…

Industrial Court reinstates Obasa’s clerk at Lagos Assembly, sacks Meranda’s appointee

Jide Ige

The National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos has sacked the acting clerk of the House, Ottun Babatunde, who was appointed by Speaker Mojisola Meranda. The court ordered the reinstatement of the former clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko. The order follows an ex parte application to the court made by Onafeko through his counsel, Yusuf Nurudeen, in a case he filed against the Lagos State Government, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Attorney-General of Lagos State and…

Ekiti Gov.,Oyebanji thanks President Tinubu for approving Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin- Ekiti

Jide Ige

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin-Ekiti. President Tinubu, had on Thursday in Abuja, assented to two separate bills establishing the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State. Governor Oyebanji in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, on Friday, hailed the President for approving the establishment of the Federal University of…

Yorubaland: Obaship ascendancy customs sustenance in the 21st century

Jide Ige

As the people of Ancient city of Oyo, the State Government and the coronation Committee gathered for the installation of the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, at AGANJU SQUARE within the precinct of the total mythical space of 150,000 km2 (58,000 sq mi) remains a re-exaction of culture and traditions at its best in this 21st or is it 22nd century. The event was an opportunity to showcase the uniqueness of cherished heritage and traditions and laid to rest all “duku” (means rifts or misunderstanding) among the royal family and the…

Issues in Afe Babalola, Dele Farotimi and Yoruba Obas intervention

Jide Ige

By Lanre Ogundipe The defamation debacle between revered legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, (SAN), and self-styled “retired” lawyer, Dele Farotimi triggered national and (to some extent) global reactions towards the end of last year. There are reports on regular and social media that following the visit of some Yoruba traditional rulers, the matter may have being resolved. According to a statement, the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi led a delegation of Obas from other parts of Yoruba land Sunday night to the Ado Ekiti residence of Babalola seeking…

Zero Processing Fee; GTBank Removes POS Processing Fees to Support Businesses

Jide Ige

Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd has announced the removal of processing fees on all GTBank POS terminals, reinforcing its commitment to supporting businesses with cost-effective payment solutions. This initiative, which took effect Tuesday, 11 February 2025, communicates that merchants using GTBank POS terminals will no longer incur Merchant Service Charges (MSC) when receiving payments from customers. With this initiative, all qualifying SME Merchants can now receive payments at zero cost, allowing them to reduce operational expenses, whilst promoting the merchant’s enterprise, and enhancing customer experience. Speaking on the initiative, Miriam Olusanya,…

Habaripay’s Squad announces dates for take on Squad Hackathon 2.0, invites applications from young innovators across Africa

Jide Ige

HabariPay’s Squad, payment fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”), today announced dates for its annual social coding competition. Building on the success of the inaugural edition, “Squad Hackathon 2.0” is set to take place from the 13th–15th of March 2025 at the state-of-the-art GTCO Training Complex, Tayo’s Plaza, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Launched in January 2024, Take on Squad Hackathon is designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills among emerging tech talents. Competing teams will leverage Squad’s advanced APIs to create scalable digital solutions…

Court adjourns Mompha’s money laundering trial till March 13

Jide Ige

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos has adjourned till March 13, 2025 further hearing in the trial of Ismaila Mustapha for an offence bordering on alleged money laundering. The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had on January 12, 2022 arraigned Mompha alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity, failure to disclose…

Ex-Firstbank staff forfeits billions to FG

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of the sums of N1,168,602,877.44, (One Billion, One Hundred and Sixty Eight Million, Six Hundred and Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy Seven Naira, Forty Four kobo) $392,818.01 (Three Hundred and Ninety Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighteen United States Dollars, One Cent) and £35,070 (Thirty Five Thousand, Seventy Pound Sterling) recovered from one Muiz Tijani Adeyinka, a former employee of First Bank of Nigeria, FBN, to the Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN.…

FG replaces JSS,SSS, with 12-year basic education model

Jide Ige

The Federal Government has scraped all Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools in the country and introduced a compulsory 12-year uninterrupted basic education model after which a Nigerian child can aspire to higher education. With this development, the Nigerian Government is seeking the abolition of 6-3-3-4 education system and replacing it with 12-4. This is even as it has sought the approval of the National Council on Education to officially adopt 16 years as the minimum entry age requirement into the country’s tertiary institutions. Minister of Education, Dr…

No signs of stopping as Cristiano Ronaldo turns 40, admits ‘complete player’ status

Jide Ige

Cristiano Ronaldo marked a milestone that few footballers reach while still playing at an elite level—his 40th birthday. But for the Al-Nassr star, age is just a number, and the mission remains the same: to keep proving that limits are meant to be broken. Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo PUNCH Online reports that the Portuguese star and Champions League Hall of Fame legend clocked 40 on Wednesday. Some legends at, above 40 Several football legends have played beyond 40, defying age like Cristiano Ronaldo. Gianluigi Buffon retired at 45, while Paolo Maldini…

NERC issues gudelines on electricity tariff hike

Jide Ige

As controversies trailed the purported electricity tariff hike by the Federal Government, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued regulations on the procedure for tariff reviews. The latest order, signed by NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba, stated that pursuant to the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, the commission is obligated to review and approve a fair tariff to allow licensees to recover prudent costs and a reasonable return on capital invested in the business for the provision of electricity services. It stated that Section 116(1) of the Act provides that…

Buhari: How dare you… ?

Jide Ige

Honesty may not always pay, but lying always costs. Trust is a tower, built stone by stone, lies take stones from the bottom. There is no security in secrecy; every undiscovered lie is a live landmine. Lies breed a bodyguard of new lies to protect themselves – Amar Bhidé and Howard H. Stevenson. “I live on rent accruals from my houses in Kaduna” says Mohammadu Buhari. This banner headlines in virtually all our major dailies grabbed my attention. Self-adulating anti- corruption posturing by no less a personality than former President…

South Africa’s Ramaphosa hits back at Trump over land confiscation allegations

Jide Ige

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday hit back at his United States counterpart, Donald Trump over the latter’s threat to cut funding to the African nation after accusing it of “confiscating” land and “treating certain classes of people very badly.” Trump on Sunday announced he was cutting off all future funding to the country pending an investigation. “South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people very badly. I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has…

2023 New Year Day Tragedy: Fatinoye family’s killers to die by hanging

Jide Ige

An Ogun State High Court sitting in Kobape, Abeokuta, the state capital, on Monday sentenced Lekan Adekanbi, Ahmed Odetola, and Waheed Adeniyi to death by hanging for the murder of Kehinde Fatinoye, his wife, Bukola Fatinoye, and their son, Oreoluwa, on January 1, 2023. The couple was attacked at their Ibara GRA residence shortly after returning from a crossover service. Led by their driver, Adekanbi, the assailants invaded their home at about 2am, killing them before setting the house and their bodies on fire. They also tied up their son,…

How Nigerian man shot self to death over $15k child support case

Jide Ige

A 36-year-old United States-based Nigerian cardiologist, Ikenna Erinne, has reportedly committed suicide after losing a child support case to his yet-to-be-identified ex-wife. The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday, January 26. It was gathered that the Anambra-state-born late doctor had a prolonged divorce battle with his estranged wife, including the custody of their children. He, however, lost the case after a US court ruled in favour of his ex-wife and ordered him to pay a monthly child support of $15,000. Confirming the incident in a post shared on…

Gory Images: Abuja ‘runs girl’ saved from suspected ritualists by police

Jide Ige

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has rescued a young woman from a suspected armed robber and ritualist. The command has also commenced a manhunt for the suspect. This was made known in a statement shared by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. According to the statement, the incident occurred at a hotel in the Wuse district of Abuja, where 25-year-old Promise Eze from Ebonyi State was found tied to a small chair, her mouth covered with plaster. She was unconscious…

Bizzare! NDLEA saves popular Lagos clothier as emergency surgery removes 57 pellets of cocaine lodged in stomach

Jide Ige

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have saved the life of a 59-year-old businessman, Chijioke Igbokwe after he underwent emergency surgery to remove 57 out of 81 pellets of cocaine lodged in his stomach. The surgery, an exploratory laparotomy, was performed after Igbokwe spent seven days struggling to excrete the illicit substance, which he had ingested in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said Igbokwe was arrested on January 26, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, during the inward…

Access Bank appoints Uche Orji as Independent Non-Executive Director

Jide Ige

Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Uche Orji as an Independent Non-Executive Director of its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’), effective from January 7, 2025, following the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (‘CBN’). This appointment reflects our commitment to enhancing our governance practices and ensuring a diverse and experienced board. Mr. Orji is a renowned investment banking professional, information technology entrepreneur, and finance expert with three (3) decades of professional and board experience. He is the Co-founder and Partner…

NESG Appoints Wole Adeniyi, Mohamad Darwish, and Olusegun Alebiosu as Board Members

Jasmin Ekua, Banking & Finance

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has announced the appointment of three leaders, Mr Wole Adeniyi, Mr Mohamad Darwish, and Mr Olusegun Alebiosu, to its board of directors. These appointments reflect the NESG’s steadfast dedication to promoting visionary leadership and strengthening partnerships with key business leaders and private sector stakeholders. The addition of these accomplished professionals is expected to drive strategic initiatives aimed at transforming and advancing Nigeria’s economic landscape. Wole Adeniyi is the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Bank Ltd and is responsible for driving the institution’s strategy…

Access Bank to Host Pioneering Africa Trade Conference in Cape Town

Jide Ige

Access Bank PLC is set to host its first-ever Africa Trade Conference (ATC), a landmark event focused on advancing Africa’s economic transformation under the theme,‘Empowering Africa Through Trade, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth’.Scheduled for March 12, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa, the conference is poised to bring together the most influential voices in trade, finance, and policy to address the future of commerce across the continent. With Africa’s trade finance gap estimated at $81 billion annually, the conference aims to tackle the systemic challenges hindering trade, particularly for SMEs and…

Alaafin designate, Owoade dissolves unauthorised coronation committee

Jide Ige

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, has ordered the immediate dissolution of an unauthorised coronation committee allegedly set up by a group of individuals without his approval. In a statement made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the monarch warned that any further meetings or activities related to the committee would be considered illegal and would not be tolerated. Oba Owode emphasised that any committee or event related to his coronation must receive prior approval from his office. The statement, titled “Coronation…

Finally, Osun APC expels Aregbesola

Jide Ige

The All Progressives Congress has expelled a former Minister of Interior and ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, over alleged anti-party activities. Aregbesola, who led Osun State for two terms, had spearheaded a faction within the APC known as The Osun Progressives which was later rebranded as the Omoluabi Caucus. A letter from the APC leadership seen by newsmen on Wednesday officially confirmed Aregbesola’s expulsion. The letter, titled “Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You,” accused him of breaching Article 21 of the party’s constitution, which…

Union Bank’s Save and Win Palli Promo 4 rewards 360 customers with N21min first draw

Jide Ige

UNION BANK REWARDS 360 CUSTOMERS WITH N21 MILLION IN FIRST SAVE AND WIN PALLI PROMO 4 DRAW Nigeria’s leading financial institution, has kicked off its Save and Win Palli Promo 4 campaign on a high note following the announcement of its first set of winners in its inaugural monthly draws. The first live draw of this season, which took place at the Bank’s Head Office in Marina, Lagos, rewarded 60 customers with ₦100,000 each. Additionally, 300 other winners went home with ₦50,000 worth of gift vouchers during the inaugural live…

The NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament Returns with GTCO as Headline Sponsor

Jide Ige

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) is proud to be the headline sponsor of the 2025 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament. The highly-anticipated Polo Series will be held at the prestigious Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi, from 4th to 23rd February 2025. A staple in Nigeria’s sporting and social calendar, the NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament is celebrated for its rich heritage, thrilling competitions, and vibrant atmosphere. Last year’s tournament delivered a thrilling six chukkas encounter that saw Leighton Kings dispatch a hard-fighting Art Hotel Shoreline team to retain the coveted…

3,690 Nigerians involved as Trump moves to kick illegal immigrants out of US

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

About 3,690 Nigerians in the United States are faced with deportation as Donald Trump begins a crackdown on illegal immigrants in the country. In a document compiled by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday, the agency revealed the data is broken down by nationality and number of people faced with deportation. It also clarified that as of November 24, 2024, there are 1,445,549 non-citizens on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders. In the document titled “Noncitizens on the ICE…

Why I returned $5,700 I found in US toilet to owner -Nigerian woman, Ogunremi

Jide Ige

A Nigerian-American woman, Victoria Ogunremi, returned the cash sum of $5,700, which she had found in the toilet at her workplace in New Jersey, United States. Most Nigerians living abroad have described the gesture as one of the remarkable acts of honesty and kindness. Ogunremi told the News Agency of Nigeria in a telephone interview on Monday that the gesture had earned widespread praise from her employer, colleagues and the person who lost the money. According to her, the decision to return the money was made with concern for the…

Power generation in Nigeria and the bane of Corruption

Jide Ige

“ Oh, I am very weary. Though tears no longer flow; my eyes are tired of weeping, my heart is sick of woe” – Anne Brontë Poor electricity generation with the unabated collapse of the national grid should be a major concern to every Nigerian. One wonders how the country has put up with this malaise, over the years. Our national grid, which is the lifeline of the nation’s electricity generation, has become what the Yorubas call ‘abiku’! The Nigerian electricity sector, managed by one of the world’s largest publicly…

Like father, like son: Sen. Obanikoro’s son, Gbolahan, others to be tried for N1.3bn

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) is set to arraign Gbolahan Obanikoro, son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and four others, in court for alleged conspiracy, obtaining by false pretenses, and involvement in a N1,356,057,330.43 billion fraud. His father, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence is also standing trial in court for alleged multi-billion naira fraud in a case instituted by the EFCC. Others to be arraigned alongside Obanikoro are: Adejare Adegbenro, 51; Balmoral International Limited; M.O.B. Integrated Limited; and DDSS International Company Limited. The suspects will…

My impeachment is fake, -Obasa, insists due process not followed

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has faulted his removal by lawmakers. Obasa, who spoke on his removal for the first time on Saturday, said it was important for the lawmakers to “follow constitutional procedure” to remove him as speaker. During a welcome rally at his 47 Joel Ogunnaike GRA official residence, Ikeja, he described the allegations against him as “fictitious and unsubstantiated.” The former speaker also debunked the allegations of corruption brought against him by the lawmakers during his removal, describing the alleged…

PDP condoles as Oyo Gov., Seyi Makinde loses brother

Jide Ige

The Peoples Democratic Party on Friday commiserated with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State over the death of his elder brother, Mr Sunday Makinde. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said the nation and Oyo State had lost a rare gem with the demise of Makinde. Ologunagba described the deceased as a humble, exceptionally brilliant and highly ingenious professional. He said that as a committed patriot, the deceased dedicated his life towards the progress and development of Oyo State and Nigeria. “Makinde was…

We know retired Generals behind illegal mining in Nigeria -Oshiomhole

Jide Ige

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State who represents Edo North in the National Assembly, has alleged that retired military generals are behind illegal mining across the country. Oshiomhole, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, made the allegation on Friday when Sampson Ekong, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, submitted his 2025 budget report before the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The former labour leader, who is a member of the Appropriations Committee, said the retired military generals are known to him and…

32 Years after stepping aside, Babangida set to launch memoir, Presidential Library

Jide Ige

Ex-military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) is set to launch his long-awaited autobiography titled: ‘A Journey In Service’. It will be released on February 20, 2025, at the event billed for the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. The development is coming 32 years after IBB left office. The regime of the former Head of State was dogged by the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) policy which sparked a nationwide riot among other economic regulations. There was also the unresolved murder of late veteran journalist, Dele Giwa and…

FirstBank’s FirstGem: Redefining Women’s Empowerment in Nigeria

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

The story of women’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy is as old as the nation itself. It is no secret that women are the largest untapped source of national wealth worldwide. All over the world, women hold their place of pride in commercial enterprise. The Nigerian businesswoman have for a long time faced significant barriers in accessing the financial services and business support needed for their businesses to thrive. Globally, traditional banking failed to recognize the unique challenges of female entrepreneurs. It is against this backdrop that the 2019 International Women’s…

Oyinlola assumes duty as GOC 3 Div, commander OpSH

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

Maj.-Gen. Eyitayo Oyinlola has assumed duty as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, and Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH). Oyinlola took over from Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, who has been posted to the National Defence College, Abuja. He thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for finding him worthy to head 3 Division and OPSH. He promised to sustain the successes achieved by his predecessor and ensure lasting peace in Plateau and other areas of responsibility. Earlier, Abubakar congratulated…

N8bn budget allocation for anti-vandalism advocacy, not electricity bill awareness says Adelabu

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has reassured Nigerians of his commitment to delivering a stable electricity supply, stating that efforts are ongoing to improve the country’s power infrastructure. Adelabu also addressed misconceptions surrounding the N8bn allocation in the Ministry of Power’s 2025 budget, clarifying that the funds are earmarked for advocacy against vandalism, education, enlightenment, and deploying technology to safeguard power infrastructure—not for sensitising citizens to pay electricity bills. The minister, who came under fire on social media following claims that the ministry was spending N8bn on electricity bill…

OAU Student’s Murder: A/Court uphold’s Adedoyin’s death sentence

Jide Ige

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital has upheld the death sentence of a popular hotel owner, Dr Ramon Adedoyin, who was found guilty in the murder case of an ex-Master’s student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke. According to the court’s judgment on Thursday, the appellate court noted that the judgment by the Osun State High Court which sentenced Adedoyin to death stands. The appeal court had reserved judgment on October 29, 2024 The judgment read in parts, “The judgment of the High…

Ogun Police kill abductors of ex-AIG Odumosu’s wife in gun battle

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

The Nigeria Police Force says its operatives have rescued the wife of the former Assistant Inspector General, Hakeem Odumosu Mrs Folasade Odumosu. Mrs Odumosu was abducted last Thursday at the entrance of her residence in the Arepo area of Ogun State. The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. Adejobi said with the support of the Force Headquarters technical intelligence platforms, the Ogun State police operatives engaged Odumosu’s abductors in a gun duel and neutralised the criminals in the swampy area of…

We nabbed 38 suspects, seized N134.2bn drugs in 2024 – Tincan Island NDLEA command

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Tincan Island Port Strategic Command, Lagos State, says it apprehended 38 drug suspects and seized 339,576.91kg of drugs in 2024. Its Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, made this known at a news briefing on Thursday in Lagos. Ofoyeju gave the breakdown of drugs seized to include Codeine 305,323.37kg, Tapentadol 13.370kg, Tafradol 11,.230.8kg, and Benzhexol 5,888.8kg. According to him, the estimated monetary value of the seized drugs is N134.2 billion. He added that a total of 12 convictions were won while no fewer than 26 cases were…

Court grants FG’s proscription request, declares Lakurawa, others terrorist groups

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, made an order proscribing the Lakurawa sect. The court also proscribed other similar groups in parts of Nigeria, especially in the North West and North Central regions of the country. Justice James Omotosho made the declaration while delivering a ruling in a motion ex-parte originating summons filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The AGF had in an ex-parte application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/41/2025, approached the court seeking four orders. An Assistant Director in the Federal…

Police indict Sterling Bank in ‘$28.3m money laundering, fraud’

Jide Ige

Sterling Bank Limited and its holding company, Sterling Financial Holdings Company have been accused by the Nigeria Police Force of money laundering, fraudulent deductions and other financial crimes. This was contained in a report presented to the House of Representative Committee on Public Petition during the hearing of a petition by Maiden Systems Ltd against Sterling Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Shell Petroleum Development Company in Abuja. Maiden system Ltd had petitioned the Committee on alleged mismanagement, fraudulent debit, and misappropriation of funds from its account domiciled with…

Jubilation in Enugu as Ekweremadu’s wife returns from UK prison

Jide Ige

Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria sparking a wild jubilation in her Enugu community. A reliable source on Wednesday confirmed her return to Vanguard. The former Deputy Senate President, his wife, and Dr. Obinna Obeta were sentenced by a United Kingdom court over charges related to organ harvesting. Senator Ekweremadu received a 10-year prison sentence, while Mrs. Ekweremadu was sentenced to six years.

Nigeria: Is Egalitarian society a mirage in our clime?

Jide Ige

As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest_ – Nelson Mandela The news about the “Presidential award” to the highest echelons of the military, dropped like a bombshell. I was awestruck by the outlandish retirement packages approved for military officers by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, penultimate week. What a provocative and wasteful gesture! Another slap in the face of the longsuffering, ever-rugged Nigerians, sucked in by a docile and mentally conquered populace? They say silence means consent. I am more…

Telecom Tariff: Operators get 50% hike approval from NCC

Jide Ige

The Nigerian Communications Commission has approved requests from network operators for tariff adjustments in response to rising operational costs, marking the first change in rates since 2013. The decision, announced in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, on Monday, allows for a maximum adjustment of 50% to current tariffs, significantly less than the over 100% proposed by some operators. The NCC said it is exercising its authority under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and emphasised that the new tariffs would remain within…

PMS: Dangote’s hike pushes pump price to N1,150/litre

Jide Ige

The pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, have risen to between N1,050 and N1,150/litre depending on the area of purchase, following the hike in the cost of the commodity by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and various depot owners. Dealers confirmed that PMS prices would continue to rise since the major component in fuel production, crude oil, has been on the upward swing lately. The National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Festus Osifo, earlier alluded to this when he pointed out…