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Negotiating with bandits’ll enrich them, not good strategy – Ganduje tells Kwankwaso

2026-07-21T19:30:23.528+01:00

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, has declared that sitting with bandits to negotiate is not a good strategy.

Ganduje warned that negotiating with bandits would further enrich the terrorists, thereby worsening insecurity in the country.

He made the remark at a press conference on Tuesday in response to claims by the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Kwankwaso, that he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would hold talks with terrorists if elected into office in 2027.

According to Ganduje: “The role of the security agencies depends on the strategies that have been adopted. The Air Force helps to do its own due diligence, alongside the Army, Navy, the police, and the DSS. So, the issue of sitting with bandits to negotiate with them personally, I don’t appreciate that.

“Because, in Nigeria, having a gun without approval is illegal. How do you expect hundreds of bandits to come from the forests with their guns to sit down with local chiefs, chairmen of local governments, traditional rulers, or even the police and start negotiating? I think that system has failed, and it will continue to fail.

“This is because we are giving room to the bandits; we are arming them because the negotiation is that they should be allowed to operate here and there, they should be given money, transportation, motorcycles, and money for logistics. So, in a way, we are giving them an enabling environment to operate.

“And by so doing, they would enrich themselves through kidnapping, as that would give them more financial power to purchase weapons, which would be used against us to cause panic and then call them for negotiation. I don’t think that is a good strategy.”

Fayose: Like Yar’Adua, Jonathan tried, scrap REA – Atiku’s aide to Tinubu

2026-07-21T19:29:25.963+01:00

The Senior Political Assistant to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarenwaju, on Tuesday, suggested that the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) should be scrapped like former presidents Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan tried to during their tenures.

Olarenwaju said President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has no business with rural electrification because states should be able to provide power in their domains.

Posting on X, Atiku’s aide wrote: “The Act itself is now compromised, and REA should be scrapped as Yar’Adua tried to do in 2009 and then Jonathan came in and asked Oronsaye to do a more holistic review of the entire FG.

“In a truly federated country where power is the business of the states as Tinubu claims, FG has no business anymore with Rural Electrification and any state that prioritises power should source it for its people.

“The Govt should be consistent: you can’t claim states can generate, transmit and distribute power then still hold on to a rural electrification agency that bypasses the State Governments.”

This comes less than 24 hours after Tinubu named a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, as the Chairman of REA.

Fayose’s appointment was part of the 25 Nigerians Tinubu appointed to head some federal ministries.

Boat accident in Cameroon kills 20, including 18 Nigerians

2026-07-21T19:28:38.328+01:00

A boat accident in the Republic of Cameroon has claimed at least 20 lives, including 18 Nigerians travelling to a community in Adamawa State.

The boat, said to have been travelling from Garoua in Cameroon to Yola in Nigeria, capsized after encountering a violent storm late Monday night, it was learnt on Tuesday evening.

Witnesses said the boat, which was carrying more than 50 passengers, was also heavily loaded with iron rods and other building materials meant for Dasin, a village in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

They recounted that the boat was caught in a severe storm around midnight, causing it to overturn. Initial estimates indicated that about 30 people might have died, but local authorities have so far confirmed that about 20 victims have been killed.

Among the deceased, the 18 identified as Nigerians have been buried in Wuro Bokki community in Fufore LGA, according to reliable sources, while search and rescue operations continue for passengers who are yet to be accounted for.

Divers from both Cameroon and Nigeria are said to be involved in the search, while many survivors are receiving treatment at hospitals in border communities.

Actress Mo Bimpe threatens to sue X user over divorce, paternity fraud claims

2026-07-21T19:28:33.423+01:00

Adebimpe ‘Mo Bimpe’ Oyebade, the Nollywood actress, has denied social media allegations claiming her husband, Lateef Adedimeji, filed for divorce after a DNA test purportedly revealed he is not the biological father of their triplets.

The rumours originated from a now-deleted post by an X user identified as @iam_Mardiyyah, which alleged that Adedimeji sought a divorce after a hospital reportedly rejected his blood donation for one of the children due to a blood mismatch.

The post further claimed that the incident prompted a paternity test, which purportedly showed that Adedimeji was not the biological father of the children.

“Popular Nigerian actor Lateef Adedimeji has filed for divorce from his wife after the Ilorin general hospital rejected his bl00d donation for one of the triplets, the doctor claimed their bloods do not match and this triggered a paternity confirmation which led to the 40 years old actor to carry out a DNA test on the children, result shows that Lateef is not the biological father of the kids,” the post reads.

Reacting via her Instagram story, Bimpe dismissed the allegations as “fabricated lies” and warned those behind such posts to desist from it.

She threatened to take legal action against the peddlers of these rumours for dragging her children into the false narratives.

The actress also called out the use of fake or AI-generated images accompanying the claims.

“I don’t want to hear justice for whatever your stupid name is by the time I am ready for you. You silly trolls have constantly trolled me on these platforms for years and I’ve been quiet but what I wouldn’t take is you bringing your stupidity to my children!!! Be warned! I won’t hesitate to take the right actions if need be,” she wrote.

“It’s the nerve to post fake/Ai pictures together with fabricated lies for me! Such effrontery!”

In May, the actress had dismissed viral AI-generated photos claiming to show her triplets.

The lovebirds got married in December 2021 and had previously spoken about dealing with public criticism over their journey to parenthood.

Last year, Adedimeji revealed that some online critics mocked his wife over childbirth.

FG settles N333bn legacy debt owed to eight GenCos

2026-07-21T18:46:59.174+01:00

The federal government says it has paid N333 billion to eight participating electricity generation companies (GenCos), covering 17 power plants, under the first phase of the power sector debt settlement programme.

Olu Verheijen, special adviser to the president on energy, spoke on Tuesday during the investor forum for the presidential power Sector financial reforms programme (PPSFRP) – series II bond issuance.

“Series I delivered on its promise. In February 2026, the Federal Government deployed approximately ₦501 billion, N300 billion in cash and roughly ₦201 billion through non-cash bond instruments, addressing approximately 22 percent of the settlement obligations under executed Settlement Agreements, with the balance to be covered through Series II and subsequent issuances,” she said.

“To date, ₦333.12 billion has been settled to the eight participating generation companies, covering seventeen power plants that have executed participation agreements.

“We met our obligation on schedule. The first Series I coupon about ₦63.5 billion was paid in full on 14 July 2026.”

Verheijen said in sovereign finance, trust compounds just as powerfully as interest.

She added that governments seeking to attract private capital must first prove they will honour their own commitments.

“That is exactly what this Programme has done. Bankability does not begin in financial markets. It begins with governments that honour contracts, meet obligations, and create predictable rules. Capital follows credibility. That principle has guided every stage of this Programme,” Verheijen said.

“That credibility is already translating into tangible improvements across the sector. Participating generation companies are meeting obligations to gas suppliers, lenders and operations and maintenance contractors that had previously gone unmet.

“Strong investor participation in Series I was therefore no coincidence. It reflected growing confidence in both this Programme and Nigeria’s broader reform agenda. We are grateful to every institution that placed that confidence in us.”

She said the issuance broadens the settlement of verified legacy debts, improves liquidity across the electricity value chain, and reinforces the financial base needed to attract long-term private investment into Nigeria’s power sector.

“By participating, you are not simply purchasing a financial instrument. You are investing in a reform programme designed to restore payment discipline, strengthen sector cash flows, crowd in private capital, and accelerate Nigeria’s economic transformation,” Verheijen said.

“Ultimately, however, this Programme is not only about balance sheets or capital markets.

“It is about the student who gains another hour to study because electricity is reliable. It is about the small business owner who no longer depends on expensive diesel to remain open. It is about the manufacturers whose competitiveness improves because power becomes more dependable and affordable.”

On Monday, the federal government said it will issue the second tranche of a bond valued at about N729 billion for the settlement of verified legacy debts owed to GenCos.

Ajiran Murder Case Already in Court, We Have Evidence Against Suspect – AIG Jimoh

2026-07-21T18:46:55.986+01:00

Moshood Jimoh, the assistant inspector-general of police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, says justice will prevail in the trial of the suspect linked to the violent crimes in Ajiran community, Eti-Osa LGA of Lagos State.

Jimoh spoke on Monday after some activists visited him at the Zone 2 headquarters in Lagos over the controversy trailing the killings in the Ajiran community.

THE CASE

In April, the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) arrested Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi, a Lagos-based businessman, in Cotonou, Benin Republic, over allegations of involvement in two murder cases between 2023 and 2024.

The businessman was accused of willful destruction of property and allegedly sending assassins to Ajiran community where Ademola Akinloye, the son of a traditional ruler, was killed.

Akanbi was arrested in a hotel in Cotonou after months of tracking by INTERPOL.

In February, Akanbi was declared wanted by the police over alleged involvement in violent crimes in Ajiran community of Eti-Osa LGA.

Jimoh had said Sheriff Ishola, a youth leader, was murdered on April 18, 2023, while Akinloye was killed on August 26, 2024 — both in the Eti-Osa axis of Lagos.

Recently, Martins Otse, a social media influencer popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in a viral video, faulted the police for naming Akanbi as a suspect in the case, adding that the businessman should not be the suspect.

‘THE MATTER IS IN COURT’

Speaking on the matter, Jimoh said police investigated the murder cases and arrested two suspects, whose statements pointed accusing fingers at Akanbi.

Jimoh said Akanbi was declared wanted by the police and later returned to the country by INTERPOL.

The AIG said he faced repeated pressures during the investigation of the case, including financial inducements from some persons — but did not mention any names.

He said during the investigation, the police believed that they had “good evidence that can stand the test of trial” against Akanbi.

“The matter is already in court and justice must prevail,” Jimoh said.

“Police work terminates when matters are taken to court. As a professional officer, I’m not allowed to talk about the matter.

“Nobody can pressure me to do what is unlawful. Justice must prevail.

“All the people who investigated the matter during my time as commissioner of police in Lagos equally resisted it (referring to pressure to abandon investigation).

“Because we have a good case and evidence and other circumstantial evidence that can stand the test of trial in court against Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi. The matter is in court already.”

Reps Seek Audit Of Assets Recovered Since 1999

2026-07-21T18:04:30.073+01:00

The House of Representatives has called for a comprehensive audit of all assets seized, forfeited, recovered, managed, disposed of, or repatriated by government institutions since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

The resolution, adopted on Tuesday, follows a motion sponsored by Ibe Okwara Osonwa, representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State.

It addresses concerns over transparency and accountability in the management of recovered public assets.

Osonwa highlighted the absence of a centralised asset register and weak oversight mechanisms, which he said have created significant gaps in tracking proceeds of crime.

He cited Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the National Assembly to investigate public institutions and scrutinise the management of public funds and assets.

He noted that various anti-corruption agencies, ministries, departments, regulatory bodies, and courts have recovered substantial assets, including cash, landed properties, shares, petroleum assets, vehicles, vessels, aircraft, and digital assets worth trillions of naira since 1999.

Despite the huge value, the lawmaker expressed worry that Nigeria still lacks a centralised and publicly accessible National Asset Recovery and Management Register to provide comprehensive information on the status, value, location, and utilisation of these assets.

Again, Court Adjourns Lamido, Sons’ N1.35bn Fraud Trial Over Counsel’s Absence

2026-07-21T18:00:20.858+01:00

The trial of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, over an alleged N1.35 billion fraud was on Tuesday again adjourned by the Federal High Court in Abuja due to the absence of their lead defence counsel, Joe Agi (SAN).

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the trio on a 37-count charge bordering on money laundering, kickbacks, and fictitious contract awards.

The alleged offences were committed while Lamido served as governor between 2007 and 2015.

During proceedings on Tuesday, defence counsel O.F. Ekegba informed the court that Agi had travelled to Germany to meet with a witness and had taken the case file along.

He sought an adjournment to September and undertook to close the defence case within three days.

Prosecution counsel Chile Okoroma (SAN) noted that the EFCC was only served with the defence’s affidavit that morning but conceded to the adjournment based on the undertaking given.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu subsequently adjourned the matter to a date in September 2026, which will be communicated to the parties.

The latest adjournment came a day after Monday’s proceedings were also stalled due to Agi’s absence. On Monday, Agi had written to the court citing medical issues requiring surgery.

Although the prosecution wished Agi a speedy recovery, they expressed concern over the prolonged nature of the case, which has been pending since 2015, and noted that another member of the defence team could have appeared.

Lamido and his sons have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Court Remands Two ADC Supporters Over Gombe Airport Invasion

2026-07-21T17:53:06.677+01:00

A Chief Magistrate Court in Gombe has ordered the remand of two supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in police custody for their alleged roles in the invasion of the Gombe International Airport.

The defendants, Muhammad-Sunusi Abdullahi (also known as Ataka) and Ahmed-Daudu Dinawa (also known as Jadda), were remanded on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, by Chief Magistrate Aliyu Abubakar of Court No. 2.

They pleaded not guilty to a seven-count charge that includes criminal trespass, disobedience to a lawful order, obstruction of public servants, intentional insult, inciting disturbance, and mischief.

According to the police prosecutor, Umehi Thomas, the incident occurred on July 15, 2026, around 12 pm during the arrival of ADC governorship candidate, Dr. Bala Bello Tinka.

Thomas told the court that the defendants, along with others still at large, allegedly forced their way into the airport’s VIP section by destroying the security lock at the Executive Gate and gaining unauthorised access to the restricted area.

Efforts by security personnel and airport management to stop them were reportedly unsuccessful, as the defendants allegedly turned violent and insulted officials. The value of the damaged property is yet to be fully ascertained.

The alleged offences contravene various sections of the Penal Code Law of Gombe State.

Counsel for the defendants, Ayuba Rabiu, opposed the remand and applied for bail, citing relevant sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law and the 1999 Constitution.

He noted that his clients had already spent five days in police custody.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the magistrate adjourned the case to August 5, 2026, for hearing and fixed July 23, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application.

The matter is still under investigation.

FG Unveils Consumer Credit Scheme For Laptops, Others

2026-07-21T17:49:39.688+01:00

The Federal Government has launched a new consumer credit initiative aimed at making laptops, internet-enabled devices, and other digital tools more affordable for Nigerians through structured financing.

Unveiled on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the Credit for Laptops, Internet, Connectivity and Knowledge Digital Devices Programme (C.L.I.C.K.D.) is a collaboration between the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

The programme forms part of broader efforts to deepen digital inclusion, support skills development, boost local manufacturing, and enhance productivity in the digital economy.

It will initially focus on locally assembled laptops, with plans to expand to other digital devices.

Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, emphasised the importance of a robust credit system for national development.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and CREDICORP for the initiative, describing it as a key step toward achieving a $1 trillion economy.

Tijani noted that access to affordable credit for productive assets would empower individuals, stimulate job creation, and drive digital transformation across the country.

The Managing Director and CEO of CREDICORP, Uzoma Nwagba, announced that the corporation would provide 1,000 locally assembled laptops to eligible fellows under the government’s Three Million Technical Talent Programme.

He added that the rollout started in Abuja with 77 beneficiaries receiving devices, while distribution to other states would continue in phases.

Nwagba explained that the scheme would equip young Nigerians with essential tools for learning, remote work, and participation in the digital economy, while supporting local manufacturing and job creation.

The initiative is expected to bridge the digital divide and enable more citizens to access training opportunities and technology-driven economic activities.

'Tinubu Should Have Been Impeached Years Ago' – Aisha Yesufu

2026-07-21T17:45:42.202+01:00

Activist Aisha Yesufu has said that President Bola Tinubu should have been impeached a very long time ago.

Yesufu made this remark in a statement posted on her verified X handle on Tuesday.

She was responding to the National Assembly’s reaction to the delay in the implementation of the national budget.

Recall that Borno North Senator, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, had on Monday described as an ‘impeachable offense’, failure to implement the capital budget.

Reacting, the co-convener of BringBackOurGirls Movement said, “Start the process already.

“President Tinubu should have been impeached years ago.”

Recall that Yesufu had also slammed Nigerian senators, stating that they were the enablers of what she described as the ‘evil’ that Tinubu is doing in Nigeria.

Atiku's US Lobbying Firm Submits Tinubu's US forfeiture case to Trump, congress

2026-07-21T17:21:18.759+01:00

Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C, a Washington-based lobbying firm, says it has begun providing US Department of Justice (DOJ) records concerning drug trafficking allegations against President Bola Tinubu to members of the Donald Trump administration, Congress, and senior congressional staff.

Von Batten-Montague-York was hired by Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), in March under a 12-month, $1.2 million lobbying contract to help strengthen his reputational standing in the US, facilitate engagements with US officials and congress, and counter what the contract describes as the Nigerian government’s lobbying narratives.

In a post on X, the firm said many within the US government were previously unaware of the DOJ’s allegations concerning Tinubu and that it intended to ensure that the complete collection of DOJ court filings, a supporting affidavit, and related federal court decisions are brought to Trump’s attention.

“Following discussions with members of the @realDonaldTrump Administration, Congress, and senior congressional staff, we began providing more than 60 pages of @TheJusticeDept documents concerning the DOJ’s allegations of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (@officialABAT) alleged involvement in a heroin trafficking investigation spanning the late 1980s and early 1990s,” the firm wrote.

The firm made public a document titled “Background and Chronology of the 1993 U.S. Department of Justice Heroin-Proceeds Forfeiture Case and the 2023 FOIA Litigation Concerning Alleged Heroin Trafficking from Nigeria to the United States Involving Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

According to the document circulated by Von Batten’s firm, the US department of justice held that a Nigeria-based heroin trafficking organisation imported white heroin into the United States and transported it from Nigeria to Chicago, where it was distributed through the organisation’s members and associates.

The individuals identified in the government’s allegations, in United States v. Funds in Account No. 263226700 et al., No. 93 C 4483, were Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adegboyega Mueez Akande, and Abiodun Agbele.

The document states that between 1988 and 1991, federal investigators looked into a heroin trafficking organisation operating in the United States, and that the government stated proceeds from the organisation were deposited into bank accounts in the United States owned and controlled by Tinubu.

Tinubu was said to have opened multiple bank accounts that he owned and controlled, used to receive and transfer funds alleged to be proceeds of heroin trafficking. The document described Akande as a longtime acquaintance of Tinubu whom the DOJ alleged was the leader of the trafficking organisation, and who the government said provided the funds used by Tinubu to open one of the accounts.

The document described Agbele as an associate whom Tinubu said he met through Akande, and that Tinubu admitted knowing Agbele and associating with him in both Nigeria and the United States.

The DOJ alleged Agbele sold heroin for the organisation before being arrested while selling heroin to an undercover law enforcement officer, and that he later cooperated with federal investigators.

The document stated that the DOJ filed the forfeiture case in 1993 in the U.S. district court for the Northern District of Illinois, seeking forfeiture of funds which they termed proceeds of heroin trafficking or property involved in money laundering.

The DOJ went on to seize the funds identified in the complaint, and the matter concluded through a negotiated civil forfeiture settlement, under which a portion of the funds was forfeited to the United States.

The document further traced subsequent efforts to obtain records relating to the case. It said journalist Aaron Greenspan filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit in 2023 seeking records from multiple federal agencies relating to the historical investigation.

According to the chronology, a US district court for the District of Columbia ruled in 2025 that certain federal agencies, including the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), could not rely on a blanket refusal to confirm or deny the existence of responsive records for portions of the FOIA request and ordered them to process responsive records in accordance with the FOIA.

The chronology said the litigation remains ongoing. It also stated that, following discussions with members of the White House and senior congressional staff, the chronology, court records and FOIA decisions were being provided to several house and senate committees “for informational and oversight purposes” in light of Nigeria’s strategic relationship with the United States and reports that Tinubu is seeking a meeting with Trump during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.

The issue of Tinubu’s US forfeiture case featured prominently in litigation arising from the 2023 presidential election. Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP argued before the presidential election petition court (PEPC) that Tinubu ought to have been disqualified over the 1993 civil forfeiture of $460,000 in the United States.

However, in its judgment, the PEPC held that the petitioners failed to establish that Tinubu had been convicted for any criminal offence in the United States.

The court also held that the forfeiture proceedings were civil in nature and that the evidence before it did not prove that Tinubu submitted false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by failing to disclose the forfeiture.

Reps summon Foreign Affairs Minister, NSA over PFIPC scandal

2026-07-21T17:17:40.046+01:00

The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee probing the alleged establishment of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC, has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Adviser, NSA, to explain how the council allegedly operated despite concerns over its legitimacy.

This came on the heels of the submission of a memorandum by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Dunoma Ahmed, which stated that it had no official dealings with the council and had, instead, sought clarification from the NSA following the detection of irregularities in its correspondence.

The ministry’s permanent secretary, while appearing before the committee on Tuesday with a letter dated July 21, 2026, disclosed that Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as Director-General of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PEAC/PFIPC, approached the ministry three times seeking its collaboration and endorsement to organise a World Investment Summit in Nigeria.

According to the ministry, the requests were received on June 26, 2025; August 5, 2025; and June 5, 2026, but were not acted upon.

The letter read, “Guided by extant rules and regulations as well as the necessity of carrying out due diligence before obliging any request, the Ministry… did not take any action on the requests.

“The Ministry’s refusal to oblige the requests was further necessitated by some of the discrepancies observed in the letters submitted by Prince Adeyemi and the ongoing investigation on the legitimacy of the PFIPC and the personality of its alleged director-general.”

The ministry further revealed that it wrote to the Office of the National Security Adviser on October 16, 2025, seeking clarification on the status of Prince Adeyemi.

The NSA, according to the ministry, responded on November 26, 2025, indicating that enquiries made with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President showed that “Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew is unknown to any office of the Federal Government”.

The ministry also categorically informed the committee that it had no relationship with the council.

“The Ministry did not participate in any diplomatic engagement or bilateral and multilateral discussions held by the PFIPC. The Ministry has never had any official interaction or engagement with the PFIPC or its alleged Director-General,” the Ministry of Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

A committee member, Abubakar Hassan Fulata, while questioning the ministry’s response, asked why stronger measures were not taken after the ministry received confirmation that the council lacked legal recognition.

“After confirming from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the Chief of Staff to Mr President that this entity does not exist legally, did you communicate to the so-called Director-General… that this organisation is illegal and that you should not interact with it any further?” Fulata asked.

Responding to the concerns, the committee chairman said the ministry had acted appropriately by referring the matter to the national security adviser but insisted that the security office must now account for what followed.

'God Not Laundering Machine' - Atiku Blasts Tinubu Over N8bn Church, Mosque Budget

2026-07-21T17:07:36.658+01:00

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government over reported allocations of about N8.05 billion for church and mosque-related projects in the 2026 budget.

The ex-Vice President accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of using religion to shield questionable public spending.

Atiku spoke in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following reports highlighting religious project allocations contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

The ADC presidential candidate expressed concern that billions of naira were reportedly earmarked for religious projects at a time many Nigerians continue to struggle with rising poverty, deteriorating public services and increasing debt.

Citing an analysis by public accountability organisation, Tracka, Atiku said about N1.91 billion was allocated to church-related projects, while another N6.14 billion was budgeted for mosque-related projects.

He argued that the budget failed to adequately disclose the identities of many of the religious institutions expected to benefit from the allocations, making independent verification difficult.

“God is not a laundering machine for public funds. The Tinubu administration has no moral or legal licence to hide behind the altar, the minbar, or the sacred robes of our priests and imams to mask questionable appropriations,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President maintained that if the projects were legitimate, the Federal Government should immediately publish the names of every beneficiary church and mosque, project locations, implementing agencies and the legal basis for the allocations.

“If these projects are genuine, publish the names of every beneficiary institution, disclose every project location, and execute every project in full public view,” he added.

Atiku further accused the administration of dragging religious institutions into what he described as opaque budgeting practices, warning that places of worship should not be used to conceal public expenditure.

“The Tinubu administration has crossed the moral red line by dragging the altar and the minbar into the marketplace of opaque budgeting,” he stated.

He also urged the Federal Government to keep religious leaders and institutions out of political and budgetary controversies, insisting that churches and mosques should remain centres of moral guidance rather than instruments for what he described as questionable appropriations.

“Faith must never become a camouflage for budgeting by concealment,” Atiku said.

We didn’t approve PFIPC’s request to host world investment summit - Foreign affairs ministry

2026-07-21T15:51:39.700+01:00

The ministry of foreign affairs says it neither granted any request from the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) nor had any official dealings with the council.

Umar Ahmed, permanent secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs, spoke on Tuesday when he appeared before the house of representatives ad hoc committee investigating the PFIPC imbroglio and the N1.3 billion allocated to the council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The PFIPC held a pre-world investment summit dinner and press conference in 2025 and April 2026, respectively.

Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, is at the centre of the PFIPC controversy.

Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused of operating the agency, claimed the chief of staff issued his appointment letter — an allegation Gbajabiamila has denied.

The presidency said the appointment letter bearing Gbajabiamila’s signature was forged, while the chief of staff had earlier petitioned security agencies over the matter.

Adeyemi was arrested on July 14 by operatives of the police intelligence response team (IRT) in Osun state.

On Monday, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) interrogated Gbajabiamila over his alleged role in the PFIPC fiasco.

‘WE HAD NO DEALING WITH PFIPC’

Ahmed, who represented Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of foreign affairs, told the lawmakers that Adeyemi, who presented himself as the director-general of the PFIPC, approached the ministry on three occasions seeking its collaboration and endorsement to host a world investment summit in Nigeria.

Ahmed informed legislators that the foreign affairs ministry received the requests on June 26, 2025, August 5, 2025, and June 5, 2026, but declined to act on them after carrying out preliminary checks.

“Guided by extant rules and regulations as well as the necessity of carrying out due diligence before obliging any request, the ministry, however, did not take any action on the requests,” he said.

“The ministry’s refusal to oblige the requests was further necessitated by some of the discrepancies observed in the letters submitted by Prince Adeyemi and the ongoing investigation on the legitimacy of the PFIPC and the personality of its alleged director-general.”

Ahmed said the ministry wrote to the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) on October 16, 2025, seeking clarification on Adeyemi and PFIPC’s status.

The permanent secretary said the ONSA responded on November 26, 2025, informing the ministry that enquiries made with the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (OSGF) and the office of the chief of staff to the president indicated that Adeyemi was unknown to any office of the federal government.

“I wish to clearly state the following: the ministry did not participate in any diplomatic engagement, bilateral and multilateral discussions held by the PFIPC,” Ahmed said.

“The PFIPC did not facilitate or receive any foreign investors, partners, and delegations through the ministry. According to the available records in the ministry, there is no document, memorandum of understanding, or agreement signed with foreign governments by the council.

“The ministry did not play any role with the council in promoting Nigeria’s investment abroad. No Nigerian mission had interaction with the PFIPC, since they did not receive any directive from the ministry in that regard, in line with the ministry’s extant procedures and line of communication.”

Ahmed added that the ministry has never had any official interaction or engagement with the PFIPC or its alleged director-general.

On Monday, Esther Walson-Jack, head of the civil service of the federation (HoS), said office space used by the PFIPC at the federal secretariat in Abuja was allocated to the office of the secretary to the government of the federation.

'Obidients, Kwankwasiyya Will Shock Nigeria' – Kwankwaso

2026-07-21T15:48:53.562+01:00

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed claims by former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff that his alliance with Peter Obi would struggle to attract support in Kano and northern Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Monday, Kwankwaso said Sheriff was merely trying to impress President Bola Tinubu and insisted that even his political opponents acknowledge his influence in Kano.

“My humble self, Ali Modu Sheriff and his friend Bola Tinubu were all in the APC. We know ourselves very well. Up to now, I communicate with them, especially Senator Ali Sheriff himself,” he said.

He continued: “I have heard him when he was here, but I can tell you he was not serious about it. He just wanted to impress our brother in the Villa, to convince him that he’s working.”

Kwankwaso argued that his political strength in Kano is widely recognised.

“Even the worst enemies will tell you that Kwankwaso has Kano,” he stated.

He said he welcomes attempts by opponents to underestimate him, describing it as politically advantageous.

“I am not one of the politicians who go out there bragging, most of the time I feel happy when people decide to underrate me or what I can do because it sends people to sleep while we are working,” he said.

The former Kano Governor expressed confidence that neither Kano nor northern Nigeria would abandon the NDC alliance.

According to him, “Whether anybody has the capacity to take votes away from us in Kano, or indeed in northern Nigeria, is just a matter of patience. By the grace of God, the good people of Kano State, and indeed northern Nigeria, are completely different from what he was trying to paint here.”

Kwankwaso also rejected Sheriff’s assertion that Peter Obi could not secure significant votes in the North, pointing to Obi’s previous electoral performance.

“Peter is not a new person in terms of running an election in northern Nigeria. In the last election, he contested himself and got over two million votes in northern Nigeria. By whatever standard, two million is a huge number,” he said.

He maintained that Obi remains a formidable political force across the region, noting that,

“In many parts of northern Nigeria, Peter himself is very formidable. The people who voted for him that time are still around.”

According to Kwankwaso, the combination of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and Obi’s supporters would reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 election.

“This combination of Obidients and Kwankwasiyya will spring a lot of surprises, especially from the young men and women who are not too worried about some of the sentiments Ali Modu Sheriff and other people are trying to paint,” he said.

VIDEO: How I was molested at 12 by 40-year-old woman – Peller

2026-07-21T15:48:50.206+01:00

Nigerian TikTok streaming and content creator, Peller, has narrated how he was molested at the age of 12.

Peller made the revelation in a snippet of his latest interview on Honest Bunch podcast.

Recounting his childhood experience, the content creator said, “Let me tell you when I lose my virginity, na one old woman. She raped me. She molested me. I need justice for Peller.”

Daddy Freeze asked, “How old was she and how old were you?”

Peller answered, “She’s like 40 years; I was like 12.”

Narrating how it all happened when “I visited my friend’s place, and my friend’s mom wasn’t at home. The woman that molested me was a friend to my friend’s mother.

“I was on my own watching film on my phone when the woman carried me. If I con go school, my manh00d will be standing if I see any female or teacher passing and I will start to dey cry. Omo, I soapy tire”, he said.

Watch him

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NSCDC Uncovers Fake University Operating in Lagos Apartment, Rescues 106 Students

2026-07-21T15:31:51.879+01:00

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Badagry Area Command, have busted a suspected fake university running from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, rescuing 106 young students.

The command also arrested the alleged proprietor of the illegal institution, who is said to have lured youths from various parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with false promises of admission into a foreign university.

The raid was conducted in the early hours of Monday following intelligence gathering and several days of surveillance.

According to the NSCDC, the operation had no official name, registration, signboard, or recognised campus, yet it allegedly presented itself online as a distance-learning centre linked to a foreign institution.

Badagry Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the suspects targeted mostly teenagers and young adults aged 19 to 24 from states including Kogi, Oyo, and parts of northern Nigeria. Some victims also came from Niger, Cameroon, and Togo.

Victims reportedly paid between ₦200,000 and ₦1.5 million for “admission and processing fees,” while foreign nationals paid between $400 and $500.

The scheme allegedly operated on a recruitment model similar to a Ponzi scheme, offering commissions to participants who brought in new students.

Some were also reportedly involved in promoting unidentified products online for additional earnings.

Ekunola expressed concern that many parents were unaware of their children’s activities. “One parent told us her child informed the family that he came to Badagry to learn a trade, not to attend a university,” he said.

The rescued students are currently in protective custody and will be profiled before being reunited with their families.

The arrested proprietor is assisting with investigations, and the NSCDC has vowed to expand its probe to uncover the full network and check for similar operations elsewhere.

Senate Expands Safe Schools Initiative Probe, Summons TETFund, NELFUND

2026-07-21T15:28:25.816+01:00

The Nigerian Senate has extended the lifespan of its ad hoc committee probing the Safe Schools Initiative by three weeks and significantly broadened the scope of the investigation.

On Tuesday, the Red Chamber approved the inclusion of key agencies, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) in the ongoing inquiry.

The expansion aims to deliver a comprehensive review of funding, implementation, and accountability mechanisms for education and social intervention programmes linked to student safety and welfare across Nigeria.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative, moved the motion for the extension and expanded terms of reference.

He argued that issues of school security, educational infrastructure, and social interventions are deeply interconnected.

“Investigating the Safe Schools Initiative without reviewing these complementary bodies will result in fragmented legislative oversight,” Kalu stated.

He emphasised that a wider probe would enhance accountability, protect students, and improve transparency in the management of intervention funds.

Under the new mandate, the committee will examine financial flows, operational challenges, and efficiency across the agencies.

This includes TETFund’s infrastructure and security projects in tertiary institutions, NELFUND’s loan disbursement processes and student access, UBEC’s basic education interventions, and social safety nets such as school feeding and emergency relief programmes.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put the motion to a voice vote, and it was unanimously approved. The committee now has three additional weeks to complete its work and submit a report.

The ad hoc committee was originally inaugurated in December 2025 amid persistent attacks on schools despite substantial government and donor funding for the Safe Schools Initiative, launched in 2014 following the Chibok schoolgirls abduction.

The probe has already scrutinised billions of naira released for the programme, including ₦15 billion in 2023, and raised questions over fund utilisation and financial irregularities.

FLASHBACK: “I’d Rather Stay Home Than Work for APC” – Fayose

2026-07-21T15:21:32.769+01:00

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose once firmly rejected the idea of serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, declaring he would prefer to remain at home rather than take up an appointment under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a October 15, 2025 appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain revealed that President Tinubu had personally offered him a position, which he politely declined.

“Have you seen me taking an appointment from the APC? Asiwaju asked me, ‘What would we give you?’ I said, ‘Nothing, sir.’ At 65, I’d rather be at home, being more responsible, doing other things that I need to do. I’ve served well. Two-time governor, I’ve done well. Tomorrow will hold itself,” Fayose had said.

He emphasised that while he shares a long-standing personal friendship with Tinubu, describing him as a “friend and brother,” this relationship did not extend to political alignment with the APC.

Fayose insisted his public interventions were based on personal conviction rather than any desire for appointments.However, in a notable turn of events, President Tinubu on Monday appointed Fayose as Chairman of the Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

The appointment was announced by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, as part of 26 new board appointments across 10 federal agencies and commissions. All appointments took immediate effect.

The development has sparked reactions, including comments from Fayose’s brother questioning the suitability of the role.

Ondo Commissioner Accuses Interior Minister of Fueling APC Crisis

2026-07-21T15:17:06.976+01:00

Razak Obe, Ondo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, has alleged that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is behind the crisis currently unsettling the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party has been embroiled in internal conflict following the outcome of its recent primary elections.

Several aspirants loyal to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who failed to secure tickets during the National Assembly primaries, have taken legal action against the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), challenging both the results and the list of candidates submitted.

Speaking on Arise TV, Obe claimed that the Interior Minister is working against the governor’s camp, aligning instead with the APC National Chairman.

“There is a clear political divide within the Ondo APC. While divisions are normal in politics, we expect balance. Without euphemism, the Minister of Interior is behind the crisis in the Ondo APC. He is on the opposing side, not on the side of the governor. All other stakeholders are aligned with him,” Obe stated.

The allegations highlight growing tensions within the ruling party as stakeholders prepare for the 2027 elections.

Gombe ADC Chairman Defects to PDP, Endorses Isa Pantami for 2027 Governorship

2026-07-21T15:13:55.683+01:00

Danladi Ya’u, the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe State, has officially resigned from the party and declared his support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Ya’u announced his defection in a resignation letter addressed to ADC ward chairmen in Kwado, Kiji, and Kurba, stating that his decision was driven by confidence in the PDP candidate, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, a former Nigerian minister.

“I hereby formally resign from my position as the former State Chairman and currently serving as State Auditor of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Gombe State Chapter, and also resign my membership of the party with immediate effect. I have defected to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP to support the candidature of Prof. Isa Ali Pantami in the 2027 governorship race,” Ya’u wrote.

His move adds momentum to Pantami’s campaign as political alignments intensify ahead of the polls.

PRP National Vice Chairman Olajide Epe Quits Party Ahead of 2027 Elections

2026-07-21T15:12:42.570+01:00

Wolimoh Olajide Epe, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) National Vice Chairman for the South West, has resigned from the party, citing concerns over its lack of national relevance and political direction.

In a resignation letter addressed to PRP National Chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Epe explained that his decision followed extensive consultations with political associates, supporters, and stakeholders.

He stressed that the move was not taken hastily but was the result of long deliberations about the party’s future.

Epe, who has served the PRP in various roles including committee member, National Youth Leader, and later Vice Chairman, expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had within the party.

However, he argued that the PRP had failed to evolve into a competitive national force, noting that many supporters had grown frustrated with its inability to build momentum across the country.

He further criticized the party for drifting away from active political engagement, claiming it now functions more as a forum for discussions than a platform for contesting elections and influencing governance.

“I sincerely hope the leadership of the PRP will reflect on these observations and take the necessary steps to reposition the party for greater national relevance and inclusiveness,” Epe stated.

BREAKING: CBN retains interest rate at 26.5%

2026-07-21T14:43:34.732+01:00

The monetary policy committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again retained the monetary policy rate (MPR) at 26.5 percent.

Olayemi Cardoso, CBN’s governor, announced the committee’s decision at a press conference on Tuesday after the panel’s 306th meeting in Abuja.

This is the second time the CBN committee has left the interest rate unchanged in 2026.

The MPC also retained the asymmetric corridor around the MPR at +500/-100 basis points, the cash reserve ratio (CRR) at 40.5 percent for deposit money banks and 16 percent for merchant banks, while leaving the liquidity ratio unchanged at 30 percent.

Explaining the decision, Cardoso said maintaining the current policy stance would enable it to assess incoming economic data before making further adjustments.

“The committee’s decision to maintain the current policy stance followed a thorough assessment of the balance of risks,” the CBN governor said.

“Although the headline inflation moderated marginally in June 2026, global uncertainties have heightened due mainly to the renewed hostilities in the Middle East. In view of the evolving developments, maintaining a cautious monetary policy stance remains appropriate.”

Cardoso, also the MPC chairman, said while geopolitical tensions continue to pose upside risks to inflation, Nigeria’s economy has remained resilient due to reforms implemented by both fiscal and monetary authorities.

“Available evidence suggests that the Nigerian economy has remained largely resilient to the external shocks, reflecting the gains from prior reforms implemented by the fiscal and monetary authorities,” the governor said.

He said the committee also acknowledged improved coordination between the federal government and the CBN, saying stronger policy alignment would enhance macroeconomic stability.

“Members thus noted that greater alignment between fiscal and monetary policies would enhance policy effectiveness and support the achievement of overall macroeconomic objectives,” he said.

“The MPC welcomed the positive outcome of the banking sector recapitalisation exercise, noted improvement in the resilience of the banking system, as reflected in key prudential and financial soundness indicators.”

Cardoso said the committee projected that inflation would continue to moderate but warned that a prolonged escalation of the Middle East conflict remains the biggest threat to the outlook.

According to the economist, the MPC urged the apex bank to sustain close supervision of lenders “to preserve financial sector soundness and mitigate potential risks to financial stability”.

He also reaffirmed the panel’s commitment to price and financial system stability, adding that the MPC remains prepared to adjust policy if macroeconomic conditions warrant.

The latest monetary policy position comes after the country’s inflation rate dropped, for the first time in three months, to 15.91 percent in June 2026.

Economists had advised the CBN to maintain the current interest rate due to surging food prices.

Muda Yusuf, chief executive officer (CEO) of the CPPE, said while headline inflation has broadly stabilised and core inflation continues to moderate, food prices have resumed an upward trajectory.

Troops arrest 10 suspected terrorist’ logistics suppliers in Kebbi

2026-07-21T14:40:42.990+01:00

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have dealt a significant blow to terrorist logistics networks in Kebbi State, intercepting 10 brand-new Honda motorcycles allegedly destined for terrorists and arresting 10 suspects linked to the supply chain.

The development was contained in a post shared on Tuesday by crisis reporter in the North-West region, Bakatsine, via his X handle.

According to Bakatsine, the operation was carried out on Monday afternoon following credible intelligence on the movement of logistics intended for terrorist elements operating in the state.

The report said troops intercepted the 10 motorcycles, which had been strategically concealed inside cardboard cartons, while they were allegedly being transported to a notorious terrorist kingpin, Mallam Gehowa, who operates around the Amogoro axis.

Following the interception, troops launched a swift follow-up operation and tracked down four additional suspects who had reportedly arrived to collect the consignment.

In total, 10 suspects believed to be linked to the terrorist logistics network were arrested during the operation.

The successful operation is seen as another major disruption of terrorist supply chains in the North-West, highlighting the effectiveness of intelligence-led military operations aimed at denying criminal groups access to mobility and other logistical support.

“Release full video now” — Sowore challenges ICPC over alleged Gbajabiamila interrogation

2026-07-21T14:33:17.107+01:00

Human rights activist and African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has challenged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to release the full video of the reported interrogation of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Sowore made the demand in a post shared on his official social media page on Tuesday while reacting to reports that the anti-graft agency had questioned Gbajabiamila.

According to him, making the complete, unedited recording of the alleged interrogation public would be the only way to convince Nigerians that the exercise was genuine.

“If the ICPC truly interrogated Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, they should release the full, unedited video recording to the public now,” Sowore wrote.

The activist dismissed the reported interrogation as what he described as another attempt to divert public attention, insisting that Nigerians would not be persuaded without full transparency from the anti-corruption agency.

“All these gimmicks won’t work. We know this is just another smokescreen,” he added.

The ICPC has not publicly responded to Sowore’s demand at the time of filing this report.

2027: Why I didn’t join Tinubu in APC – Kwankwaso

2026-07-21T14:30:59.450+01:00

Vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has dismissed claims that he planned to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying his discussions with President Bola Tinubu were never about joining the ruling party.

Kwankwaso said although Tinubu made efforts for them to work together after the 2023 general election, the discussions were aimed at exploring ways to move the country forward and not at persuading him to leave the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the APC.

He made the clarification while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.

He noted that he and Tinubu have maintained a longstanding political relationship dating back to their days as members of the National Assembly in 1992–1993, their tenure as governors beginning in 1999, and their collaboration during the formation of the APC.

According to Kwankwaso, Tinubu made efforts for them to collaborate, but the arrangement did not involve him abandoning the NNPP for the APC.

He said: “I don’t think there was any plan for me to join the APC. I know from the beginning of the administration, the President, being a good friend of mine, of course, a former colleague, my colleague many times in the National Assembly in 1992–93, and of course when we were governors in 1999, and even when we were forming the APC itself, we worked together hand in hand over the last three decades and a half, so we know ourselves.

“Of course, he made efforts for us to work together, but it was not to leave my party then, the NNPP, to join the APC, but to work together to make this country a better place for everybody.

“But for whatever reason, it didn’t work out. That arrangement didn’t work out.

“Well, there were many proposals at that particular time, but I think that is history. Now I am in the NDC. He is now in the APC, and all our names have been uploaded.

“Our names are with INEC now, so we are just waiting for the time for campaigns, and we will see how things move.”

PFIPC probe: Gbajabiamila wasn’t arrested, says ICPC

2026-07-21T14:27:58.585+01:00

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, was not arrested over the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

In a statement on Tuesday, Okor Odey, ICPC spokesperson, said the ex-house of representatives speaker simply honoured the commission’s invitation on the ongoing probe of the PFIPC saga.

Odey said the chief of staff left the ICPC headquarters immediately after questioning.

“Mr Gbajabiamila arrived at the Commission in the afternoon and spent some time attending to enquiries from investigators, after which he departed the premises,” the statement reads.

“The Commission confirms that the Chief of Staff’s visit was on the invitation of its investigators and consistent with its ongoing efforts to gather all relevant facts in the matter. He was not arrested; he simply willingly honoured an invitation.

“Investigations continue, and further updates will be communicated as appropriate.”

On Monday, Jiti Ogunye, Gbajabiamila’s counsel, disclosed that the chief of staff appeared at the ICPC headquarters, where he was grilled over the PFIPC controversy.

On July 2, Tinubu directed ICPC to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the PFIPC scandal.

Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesperson, had said Tinubu asked the ICPC to conclude the investigation and submit a comprehensive report to him within 30 days.

Without a legal framework or presidential declaration, PFIPC operated akin to a government agency, complete with an allocation in the 2026 budget, an office space at the federal secretariat, while recruiting staff members.

The controversy came to the fore on June 11, 2026, when Gbajabiamila issued a statement in which he said the PFIPC does not exist under the Tinubu administration.

The chief of staff had said his office did not appoint Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general of the disowned agency, to any position in the organisation.

However, at a press conference on June 26, Adeyemi faulted the presidency’s disclaimer.

He alleged that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional N200 million to secure his appointment.

The police subsequently filed criminal charges against Adeyemi over alleged forgery and impersonation.

On July 14, the police arrested Adeyemi in Osun state after a bench warrant was issued against him.

He was picked up the same day the federal high court in Abuja ordered his arrest after he failed to honour the court’s summons.

No casualties as fire guts 17 shops in Lagos market

2026-07-21T14:25:42.777+01:00

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service says a fire incident has razed 17 containerised lock-up shops at Sabo market in Ikorodu LGA.

Margaret Adeseye, director of the agency, said in a statement that the emergency was reported at 12:42am, prompting the immediate deployment of firefighters, who arrived at the scene within 12 minutes.

She said the blaze affected 17 of about 30 containerised lock-up shops situated on a section of the market, but was swiftly brought under control before it could spread to neighbouring shops and other structures.

According to Adeseye, firefighters from the Ikorodu and Ijede fire stations jointly battled the inferno and successfully contained it, limiting the extent of the damage.

She added that the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, noting that an investigation is underway.

How the death of mother of my kids affected my life, career - Hanks Anuku

2026-07-21T14:25:34.816+01:00

Hanks Anuku has recounted how the death of his partner affected him and forced him to take a break from acting.

The Nollywood actor spoke during what appeared to be a testimony session at Salvation at the Mountain of God International Ministry in Abuja.

Anuku described the death of the mother of his children as a “traumatic situation” and revealed that they had planned to get married before her sudden passing.

The actor said the loss left him emotionally shattered and unable to move on. He explained that he withdrew from people and isolated himself while struggling to cope with the grief.

He said he eventually found healing and comfort through his encounter with God, thanking Him for transforming his life. He added that he is now committed to encouraging others to embrace salvation.

“A lot of you know me, and I guess you’ve seen a lot of things online about me. But let me tell you something: that wasn’t me. God did it, and He started from here. They came looking for me. God sent strangers, angels, and messengers to look for those He wanted to use to propagate the gospel and win souls for His kingdom. I guess I got lucky. I got on the train, and that’s why I’m here,” he said.

“I want to thank God for choosing a wretched sinner like me to be in His presence and for making the tongues of the wicked cling to the roof of their mouths. I want you all to understand that no one is perfect.

“I’ve been through a lot of traumatic situations. First, I lost my baby mama. I wanted to marry her, but she went to the great beyond too soon. She was the mother of my children, my son and my daughter over there. I remember when I first met her. We were always together. Whenever I’m in a relationship with someone, I’m committed to just that person and no one else. That’s how I’ve always lived my life, whether in Nigeria or abroad.

“I never believed she would leave so soon, and it hurt me deeply, to my very bones and mind, knowing that I would go to bed without her and never get to cuddle her again.

“I probably crossed some boundaries, but I just wanted to be alone, like a hermit, away from the hustle and bustle and burdens of the world. I wanted to become someone I had never been before, but I was misled until I was struck by the Holy Spirit and brought into God’s presence for deliverance, healing, and divine comfort.”

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Anuku further said he is grateful that his children are doing well, expressing hope that he will overcome his challenges gradually with God’s help.

He added that he felt a sense of relief and joy after the prayers, saying the experience lifted the emotional burden he had been carrying and restored his happiness.

“…It gives me joy knowing that my children are doing well, and I believe I’ll soon rise above all this, taking it one step at a time. Thank God for His mercy,” he added.

“Before the deliverance, I felt weighed down. I felt very heavy and uncomfortable. But after the prayers, I felt as light as a feather and as new as a baby. I feel so much joy now. There’s laughter and dancing in me again.”

In recent times, there have been concerns about the actor’s well-being after he was seen in a distressed state on two occasions. However, he dismissed the concerns in both instances.