Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigerian Court Sentences Mortgage Banker For N31m Property Fraud. A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted a mortgage banker for defrauding a client of N31 million in a property scam, marking another victory for Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its fight against financial crimes. The banker, whose identity has not been disclosed, was found guilty of obtaining money under false pretences after failing to deliver a two-bedroom apartment for which he had received payment. The EFCC’s investigation revealed that the convict accepted N31 million from a client for the purchase of a property but…

Trump Rejects Dictatorship Claims, Urges Unity To Restore Safety In Washington. US President Donald Trump has dismissed accusations of authoritarianism, asserting that while some Americans may desire a dictator, he is not one. Speaking at a recent event, Trump addressed criticisms labelling him as dictatorial, instead calling for Democrats and others to join him in efforts to address rising crime and restore safety in Washington, DC. His remarks come amid heightened political tensions, with posts on X reflecting public debate over his leadership style and intentions. Trump emphasized his commitment to democratic principles, distancing himself from authoritarian comparisons. “They…

Global Postal Services Halt US Deliveries As Trump’s Tariff Rules Spark Uncertainty. At least 25 countries, including major economies like the UK, Germany, France, India, and Australia, have suspended package deliveries to the United States due to new tariff rules set to take effect on 29 August 2025, according to the United Nations’ Universal Postal Union (UPU). The move follows US President Donald Trump’s executive order, signed in July, which eliminates the “de minimis” exemption that previously allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the US duty-free, a decision that has disrupted global postal networks and e-commerce supply chains. …

Nigerian Manufacturers Urge Suspension Of 4% Customs Levy To Ease Economic Strain. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to suspend the recently reintroduced 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) levy on imports until 31 December 2025, citing its potential to exacerbate economic challenges for the manufacturing sector. The appeal, articulated in a statement by MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, follows the levy’s reinstatement on 4 August 2025, after its suspension in February due to widespread stakeholder opposition. MAN argues that the 4% FOB charge, which replaced the 1% Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) fee and…

PSG Féminines Bolster Squad With Signing Of Super Falcons Star Rasheedat Ajibade. Paris Saint-Germain Féminines have secured the signature of Nigerian international Rasheedat Ajibade on a two-year contract, a move that strengthens their attacking options ahead of the 2025-26 French Arkema Première Ligue season. The 25-year-old forward, who captained Nigeria’s Super Falcons to their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco in July, joins the French giants as a free agent after her contract with Atlético Madrid expired last season. The deal, announced on Tuesday, 26 August 2025, will keep Ajibade at PSG until 30 June 2027.…

Lagos Doctors Demand Action As LUTH Fails To Provide Meal Allowances. The Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a stern warning to the management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), condemning the hospital’s failure to provide meal allowances for doctors on call duty. The association’s outcry follows years of unresolved grievances, with doctors accusing LUTH of neglecting their welfare despite repeated complaints. In a communiqué released after an Emergency General Meeting held on 15 August 2025, the NMA, led by Chairman Dr Saheed Babajide Kehinde, expressed unwavering support for the Medical Guild’s 21-day ultimatum…

Kano State Government Rejects Allegations Against Protocol Chief In N6.5 Billion Corruption Probe. The Kano State Government has firmly dismissed claims that its Director-General of Protocol, Abdullahi Rogo, misappropriated N6.5 billion from state coffers, labelling the accusations as politically motivated falsehoods aimed at tarnishing Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration. The statement comes as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigate allegations of fund diversion through a network of front companies, bureau de change operators, and personal accounts allegedly linked to Rogo. In a detailed response issued on Monday…

Abuja-Kaduna Train Derailment Leaves Passengers Stranded, Investigation Underway. A Kaduna-bound passenger train derailed on Tuesday, 26 August 2025, at approximately 11:09 a.m., between Kubwa and Asham stations along the busy Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor, leaving passengers stranded and prompting swift action from authorities. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the incident, which occurred at KM 49, and reported that emergency response teams, including medical personnel and security operatives, were promptly deployed to the scene to assist affected passengers. According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), six passengers sustained minor injuries, with no fatalities recorded. The injured were quickly attended…

Northern Nigeria Braces For Flood Risk As Government Issues Urgent Alert. The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a critical flood warning for nine northern states, highlighting the potential for heavy rainfall and flooding between 25 and 29 August 2025. The alert, announced by the National Flood Early Warning Centre (FEW Centre) under the Federal Ministry of Environment, urges residents and authorities in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara to take immediate precautions to mitigate the risks. According to a circular signed by Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, specific…

Nigeria’s Pension Regulator Signals Boost For Infrastructure Investment. The National Pension Commission (PenCom) is set to revise regulations to increase the proportion of pension funds that can be invested in infrastructure and private equity, a move aimed at enhancing returns for retirees and supporting Nigeria’s economic development. The announcement, made by PenCom spokesperson Ibrahim Buwai, comes as the commission seeks to address the challenges posed by high inflation and currency depreciation, which have eroded the real value of pension savings. Currently, pension fund investments in infrastructure and private equity are capped at 5% of total assets, with fixed-income securities,…

Ezekwesili Slams Tinubu’s ‘Subsidy Is Gone’ Declaration As Ill-Planned Braggadocio. Former Nigerian Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s abrupt declaration of fuel subsidy removal, labelling it as driven by “braggadocio” and lacking proper planning. Speaking at a panel discussion during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Enugu on 25 August 2025, Ezekwesili argued that while the subsidy removal was a necessary reform, its hasty execution has plunged Nigeria into economic turmoil, exacerbating poverty and inflation. On 29 May 2023, in his inaugural address as Nigeria’s 16th President, Tinubu declared, “Fuel subsidy is gone,”…

President Tinubu To Launch Revised Counter-Terrorism Strategy In October. President Bola Tinubu is set to unveil Nigeria’s revised National Counter-Terrorism Strategy in October, following a comprehensive review to align the nation’s security framework with evolving threats. The announcement was made by Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), during the third-quarter stakeholders’ meeting of the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) in Abuja. The revised strategy, now finalised and submitted to National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for approval, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism. The review process,…