Sen. Hadi Sirika Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with an ongoing investigation involving money laundering amounting to N8,069,176,864.00. Sources within the EFCC confirmed that Sirika's arrest is linked to fraudulent contracts he allegedly authorized for a company called Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika. The investigation gained momentum after revelations made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, earlier in January, stating that the EFCC was probing the controversial Nigeria Air deal, which was sealed during Sirika's tenure as the aviation minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Keyamo disclosed, "The EFCC is investigating that deal. There is a criminal investigation going on. I have called for the report." Reports from SaharaReporters in May 2023 had indicated that the aircraft unveiled by t

President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the implementation of the N100 billion Consumer Credit Scheme in Nigeria amidst the rising economic challenges facing the nation. Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s spokesperson, made this announcement in a statement released on Wednesday. According to Ngelale, interested Nigerians are encouraged to visit the portal of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation before the deadline of May 15, 2024. He emphasized the significance of consumer credit in modern economies, highlighting its role in enabling citizens to access goods and services upfront while paying responsibly over time. This scheme aims to facilitate crucial purchases such as homes, vehicles, education, and healthcare, essential for ongoing stability and the pursuit of individuals' aspirations. Ngelale pointed out that by building credit histories through responsible repayment, citizens can unlock more opportunities for a better quality of life. Additionally, increased demand

Letter by the commissioner In a dramatic turn of events, the Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zaccaeus Adangor, SAN, has rebuffed his redeployment to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office), promptly tendering his resignation from the State Executive Council. This decision from Adangor comes just a day after the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, announced a minor cabinet reshuffle, which included Adangor's redeployment. Alongside Adangor, the State Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, was also reassigned to the Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment. Adangor, a staunch loyalist of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, joins a growing list of commissioners who have distanced themselves from Fubara's administration amidst political tensions. In his resignation letter addressed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Adangor cited Fubara's interference in the execu

Students at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, protesting against the reported killing of a fellow student by a police officer. The incident reportedly unfolded during a police intervention in a dispute between two individuals. According to eyewitness accounts, the tragic event transpired in the early hours of Tuesday, with the police officer allegedly firing gunshots during the altercation, resulting in the death of one student and injuries to two others. Confirming the incident, SP Adewale Osifeso, the police spokesperson in Oyo State, acknowledged the occurrence and assured that an investigation is currently underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the shooting. In response to the devastating loss, LAUTECH students mobilized for a peaceful protest, converging at the school gates to demand justice for the victim. Their demonstration included blocking access to the university

  Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has undergone a stunning transformation, emerging as a standout player in the Italian Serie A with his stellar performances for Atalanta. Since joining the club last season, Lookman has notched an impressive tally of 21 goals and 14 assists, cementing his status as one of the league's top talents. In Atalanta's recent 2-1 victory over Monza, the 26-year-old showcased his prowess by providing two crucial assists, further bolstering his growing reputation as a key contributor in Serie A. Lookman's remarkable statistics place him among elite company, with only a select few players surpassing 20 goals and 10 assists since the start of last season. This resurgence comes after a challenging stint in the English Premier League, where Lookman struggled to make an impact across multiple clubs. Despite initial setbacks, Lookman's move to Atalanta has proven to be a revelation, with the Nigerian forward thriving in the Serie A environment. Lookma

On Tuesday, X, previously known as Twitter, encountered a widespread outage that disrupted access to the platform for users worldwide. The disruption, which commenced at 9:45 AM, caused significant frustration among users across various regions, including the US, UK, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa, notably Nigeria. Users attempting to engage with the platform through browsers or mobile apps found themselves unable to access their feeds properly. Many reported encountering issues such as failed loading of content on their 'for you' and 'following' pages, while others faced the frustration of encountering a blank screen. The severity of the outage prompted users to voice their grievances on social media platforms, expressing their frustration at being unable to access X's services for an extended period. Despite the widespread nature of the disruption, the exact cause of the outage remained undisclosed at the time of reporting. The outage's impact reverberated

In a bold declaration, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has pledged to tender his resignation if embattled former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello evades prosecution. Speaking during an interactive session with selected editors at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, Olukoyede asserted that all those implicated in obstructing Bello's arrest would face the full force of the law. Bello, who was declared wanted by the EFCC on April 18 over alleged involvement in an N80 billion financial crime, has yet to appear in court for scheduled arraignments. Despite direct communication from the EFCC urging him to address the charges against him, Bello declined the invitation, denying that he was even invited and accusing the commission of spreading lies. Expressing his determination to uphold the integrity of the EFCC's mandate, Olukoyede emphasized that he had personally overseen the prosecution of past governors, including Willie Obiano and Ab

In a significant development, Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has taken decisive action by dethroning 15 District Heads for various alleged infractions, including insubordination, involvement in land racketeering, aiding insecurity, and misappropriation of public properties. The announcement, made by the Governor's press secretary, Abubakar Bawa, underscores the government's commitment to upholding integrity and accountability in traditional leadership. The statement released on Tuesday in Sokoto highlights the specific District Heads affected by the decision, including Unguwar Lalle, Yabo, Wamakko, Tulluwa, lllela, Dogon Daji, Kebbe, Alkammu, and Giyawa districts. Additionally, those appointed by the former Governor Aminu Tambuwal during the twilight of his administration have also been relieved of their positions. The reasons cited for their removal range from irregular appointment processes to rejection by their subjects, indicating a widespread discontentment with thei

Kwara State Government's proactive intervention has averted a potential public health crisis stemming from the consumption of contaminated beef, suspected to have been sourced from poisoned cows. In a coordinated effort involving multiple ministries and agencies, the government swiftly confiscated and disposed of the tainted meat, ensuring the safety of residents and preventing further spread of harm. The initial alarm was raised by the Kwara Monitoring Group, highlighting the alarming discovery of poisoned cows and the subsequent distribution of their meat for public consumption. Following this alert, the government mobilized a team comprising officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, and Environment, along with the State Environmental Protection Agency. Their collaborative efforts led to the immediate suspension of slaughtering activities for three days to facilitate thorough fumigation of slaughter slabs and prevent any residual effects from contaminating meat sold t

A wave of tension engulfed Auchi, Edo State, on Tuesday as members of rival cult groups engaged in a violent clash, culminating in the tragic killing of an alleged Eiye member in the presence of his own daughter. Reports circulating on social media platforms detailed the harrowing incident, shedding light on the brazen confrontation that unfolded in broad daylight. According to accounts shared by NaijaConfra, a social-media-based platform dedicated to combating cult-related violence, the perpetrators, believed to be members of the Aye Confraternity, descended upon the scene in a Lexus car, wielding deadly weapons. The violence, described as a retaliatory strike, was purportedly in response to the earlier killing of an Aye member identified as Emma, who fell victim to an attack on Monday. "Naija Confra can now confirm that the Aye member named Emma, eliminated in Auchi on Monday, whose assailants were initially unknown, was indeed carried out by members of Eiye, as the events of ye

Veteran Actor Zulu Adigwe The Nigerian entertainment industry is once again enveloped in grief as news of the demise of veteran Nollywood actor, Zulu Adigwe, emerged on social media platforms on Tuesday. The somber announcement was made by movie producer Stanley Nwoko via an Instagram post, where he bid farewell to the esteemed actor with heartfelt condolences. Zulu Adigwe's passing comes as a profound loss to the Nollywood community, following closely on the heels of the tragic boat accident that claimed the lives of Junior Pope and three other actors just two weeks prior. The untimely demise of these talented individuals has cast a shadow over the industry, serving as a sobering reminder of life's fragility. Renowned for his portrayal of fatherly roles in Nollywood productions, Zulu Adigwe endeared himself to audiences with his captivating performances and memorable characters. His noteworthy contribution to the industry spanned several decades, leaving an indelible mark on t

In response to the Dana Airplane skidding incident that resulted in the temporary closure of Runway 18L/36R at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued a statement announcing the reopening of the runway. This development was communicated through a press release signed by FAAN's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, on Wednesday. The closure of the runway, which occurred due to the Dana Air aircraft overshooting during its landing sequence, prompted swift action from FAAN's emergency response team. The team worked diligently to evacuate and recover the aircraft from the site. Following this, comprehensive clearing operations were conducted to ensure the runway was free of any potential hazards, such as Foreign Object Debris, that could compromise flight safety. After careful inspection by both the FAAN Operations Division and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the runway surface was deemed s

In a move that underscores the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service's (KADIRS) commitment to enforcing tax compliance, United Bank for Africa (UBA) branches in the state metropolis have been sealed due to purported non-payment of taxes amounting to N14.3 million. The decision, made public on Wednesday by Hajiya Aysha Ahmad, the Board Secretary/Legal Adviser of KADIRS, reflects the agency's dedication to upholding tax regulations and ensuring revenue collection for the state's development. Ahmad provided comprehensive insights into the enforcement action, citing repeated attempts by KADIRS to engage with UBA regarding the outstanding tax liability. Despite the issuance of numerous demand notices and efforts to communicate the urgency of tax compliance, the financial institution reportedly remained recalcitrant, leaving KADIRS with no recourse but to enforce closure on the premises. The enforcement measures, according to Ahmad, are not punitive but rather intended to compel volunt

In a dramatic turn of events, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated another legal onslaught against the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele. The EFCC, known for its relentless pursuit of financial malfeasance, has now brought forth a fresh charge at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, accusing Emefiele of grave transgressions during his tenure. According to the detailed charge sheet unveiled on Tuesday, the EFCC alleges that Emefiele, in his capacity as the head of the Central Bank, greenlit the printing of an astonishing sum of N684,590,000, despite its staggering cost of N18.96 billion. These revelations come as a shock to many, shedding light on what the EFCC claims to be a flagrant violation of the law under the guise of implementing the naira swap policy during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The four-count charge sheet paints a damning picture of Emefiele's alleged miscondu