Author: Amina Mohammed

The United States Department of Justice has announced that a Nigerian national, Edwin Okoronkwo, will be deported after serving a 75-month prison sentence for defrauding multiple Americans through an online scam. Okoronkwo and his wife, Julie Okoronkwo, who was also sentenced to 25 months in prison, ran a catfishing scheme where they impersonated high-ranking U.S. military officials to deceive victims into sending money. Authorities revealed that Julie played a key role in making the scam appear legitimate by communicating with victims over the phone. She also used her position at a hospital to steal victims’ personal information, including social security…

The Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 46-year-old Managing Director of Leuven Empire Hotel and Suites, Macdonald Opara, for allegedly sodomising a 16-year-old boy. The Zone’s spokesperson, Ayuba Umma, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday said, the victim’s father (name withheld) submitted a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police on January 23, 2025, alleging that Opara engaged in unlawful sexual acts with his son. She said the victim reportedly confided in his mother after Opara threatened him with psychological harm if he disclosed the incident. According to her, investigations revealed that…

The police have dropped the N1.3bn fraud charges they filed against Gbolahan Obanikoro, son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and four others. The decision was communicated to the Federal High Court in Lagos via a Notice of Withdrawal filed under Section 108(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. In the document, dated February 4, 2025, and signed by Chief Superintendent of Police Justin Enang, and sighted by our correspondent, the police did not specify the reason for the withdrawal of the charges marked FHC/L/902c/2024. The document read: “Take notice that the prosecution hereby withdraws the above-mentioned charge against the…

The Niger Delta Development Commission has begun the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta under its Youths Internship Scheme. The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs Seledi-Thompson-Wakama, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, on Thursday. She explained that the beneficiaries would undergo practical, hands-on training across the various organisations for 12 months to develop critical skills. NAN reports that during the inauguration of the scheme on July 31, 2024, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees. According…

Justice Azuka, an Anambra State House of Assembly member, was found dead near the Second Niger Bridge on Thursday. Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the discovery. He said a joint security team found Azuka’s decomposing body during a routine patrol. “In the early hours of today, 6/2/2025, the Joint Security Team, including Police and AVG Operatives, was on a mission to rescue Honourable Azuka. Unfortunately, they found his lifeless body at the scene,” Ikenga stated. Ikenga assured the public that the investigation is ongoing. “The joint security team has taken control of the scene. Efforts…

Tunisia’s President, Kais Saied, has dismissed Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia and appointed Michket Slama Khaldi as her replacement. This was revealed in an official statement released late Wednesday night. The presidency announced the move via Facebook, revealing images of Khaldi taking the oath of office to assume the role. No further explanation was provided regarding the dismissal of the outgoing minister, Nemsia. However, Khaldi, a prominent magistrate, comes with notable experience, having previously chaired a national commission focused on recovering embezzled public funds. Tunisia has been grappling with persistent shortages of essential goods, including milk, sugar, and flour, for…

The Federal Government has officially commenced toll operations on the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road corridor as part of efforts to repay the $460.8m loan obtained from China Exim Bank for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the road. Motorists using the highway will now pay tolls ranging from N500 for saloon cars to N1,600 for multi-axle vehicles, while police and military vehicles are exempted to enhance their operations. The toll gates, strategically positioned along the 227.2km stretch of road, are divided into four sections: Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and Makurdi. Speaking at the official launch of toll operations at the Garaku Toll Station in…

Argentina said Wednesday it will pull out of the World Health Organization, following in the footsteps of the United States and citing similar complaints over the UN body’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic. President Javier Milei’s spokesman announced the decision two weeks after President Donald Trump, an ideological ally and hero of the Argentine leader, announced Washington’s planned exit from the agency. Milei’s decision was based on “deep differences regarding health management especially during the pandemic,” spokesman Manuel Adorni told reporters, adding Argentina would not “allow an international body to interfere in our sovereignty.” He cited the “longest lockdown in the…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) has recognised Ude Okoye as the party’s authentic National Secretary. They urged the party’s national working committee to immediately swear him in as the substantive national secretary of the party. The decision was taken during an emergency meeting at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja on Wednesday over the party’s lingering crisis. The meeting has in attendance the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Secretary of the BoT, Senator Ahmed Makarfi. Others included former governors Achike Udenwa, Sam Egwu, Babangida Aliyu, and Senator Ben Obi among others. At the gathering the BoT received report…

Tragedy struck in the Ukubie community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on Monday when a woman, identified as Madam Stella, drowned her six-year-old daughter, Rachael, in a fit of rage. The incident, which has left residents in shock, reportedly occurred after Rachael defied her mother’s repeated warnings against bathing in the river. Eyewitnesses said the little girl had gone to the waterfront when her mother found her and ordered her to leave, but she refused. “Despite warnings to leave the water, Rachael refused, prompting her mother to become enraged,” an eyewitness recounted. In a moment of fury,…