Author: Mujeebat Olayiwola

The United States has repatriated $52.88 million traced to former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Madueke. US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills, Jr., led a delegation to execute the Assets Return Agreement at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja on Friday. Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, signed the agreement, revealing the funds stemmed from the forfeiture of Galactica assets linked to Diezani and her associates. He emphasized that the move highlights the commitment of both nations to combat corruption while ensuring restitution supports transparency and accountability. The funds will be managed through a framework…

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned 45-year-old Stella Nwadigbo at Magistrate Court 1 in Ogba for allegedly assaulting and indecently treating a three-year-old pupil in Ikorodu. Captured in a now-viral video, the teacher’s actions prompted swift public outcry. The Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Ikorodu Police Division arrested Nwadigbo on January 8, 2025, transferring her to the Gender Unit at the Command Headquarters after preliminary investigations. The young victim has been taken to a medical facility for proper care, according to Lagos Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin. Nwadigbo has since been remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Facility, with the case…

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party chieftain, Peter Obi, has expressed grave concern over the alarming wave of kidnappings and killings ravaging the country. In a heartfelt post on his X handle on Thursday, Obi described the situation as a dangerous wind sweeping across all sectors of the nation, leaving no one unaffected. According to Obi, the rise in violent crimes has created widespread apprehension in Nigeria, with critical workers in various sectors such as agriculture, health, and education becoming frequent targets. He cited recent cases, including the killing of the Manager of College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala, and…

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has enriched its collection with 20 vibrant Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update, reflecting the growing global recognition of Nigeria’s unique cultural and linguistic influence. New entries include household terms like japa, agbero, eba, 419, and abi, showcasing the creative interplay of Pidgin English, street slang, and cultural expressions. Remarkably, words like japa and jand are listed as both nouns and verbs, emphasizing their versatile usage. Pronunciation guides are also included to help non-Nigerians master these terms. Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant for OED, celebrated the milestone on LinkedIn, expressing pride in…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Bashir Saidu, a former commissioner of finance under Governor Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of money laundering and public fund diversion. Saidu, alongside a Ministry of Finance staff member, Ibrahim Muktar, faces a two-count charge filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna under suit number FHC/KD/IC/2025. Court filings reveal that Saidu allegedly accepted ₦155 million in March 2022 through his special assistant, Muazu Abdu, in violation of Nigeria’s cash transaction laws. The ICPC claims Saidu knowingly controlled funds suspected to be proceeds of corruption, funneled through proxies. Part…

The China Development Bank has approved a $254.76 million loan to Nigeria to support the completion of the Kano-Kaduna railway project, a crucial infrastructure development in the country. The announcement comes ahead of an official visit by China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, to Nigeria this week. The 203-kilometre standard-gauge railway, which links Kano, a major northern city, to Abuja, the nation’s capital, has faced significant delays due to funding challenges. The total cost of the project is estimated at $973 million. In a statement on its website, the China Development Bank noted that the approved loan would ensure the smooth…

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has assured corps members that their monthly allowance will soon be increased to ₦77,000. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday during the commissioning of a staff bus donated by Capital Express Insurance Company, Ahmed revealed that arrangements for the increment have been finalized. He expressed his commitment to the welfare and security of corps members, adding that by 2025, they will enjoy all the benefits they deserve. Ahmed’s remarks were highlighted in a report published by *Daily Trust*. Currently, NYSC members receive ₦33,000 monthly, despite President Bola Tinubu’s…

Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has strongly denied allegations made by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, claiming he issued threats against Obi’s life and family. In a social media post titled “Have I Really Crossed the Line?” shared on Monday, Obi alleged that his New Year message criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration had led to threats, including one allegedly from Morka. According to Obi, Morka accused him of “crossing the line” and warned him to expect consequences. Obi’s allegations referenced comments Morka made during an Arise TV interview on Sunday, where…

Justice K. B. Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, has set Tuesday, January 13, 2025, to deliver his ruling on the bail application for former Ooni of Ife’s wife, Naomi Silekunola, Agidigbo FM proprietor Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, and Islamic High School Principal Abdulahi Fasasi. The trio is facing charges related to the tragic Christmas funfair stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, in December 2024, which claimed the lives of over 35 children. During a hearing at Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan, on Tuesday, their legal representatives—Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN) for Naomi, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN) for Hamzat, and Waheed…

The arrest of Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Elediye, a prominent Lagos socialite, has brought fresh attention to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) fight against drug trafficking. On January 1, 2025, the agency apprehended the 61-year-old after intercepting a truck containing 44 jumbo sacks of imported cannabis. Elediye, who is well-known in the social circles of Lagos, was arrested at her mansion in Okota following the capture of her employee, Abideen Adio, who had been driving the truck. The NDLEA revealed in a statement on January 5 that Elediye is a significant figure in the drug cartel operating out of…