NIGERIA NEWS
Again, ex-Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah arraigned on N5bn corruption charges
The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on N5 billion corruption charges.
She was put on trial by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, on five counts relating to advance fee fraud and conspiracy.
In one of the counts, Stella Oduah was accused of obtaining, by fraudulent pretences, a sum of N2.4 billion through Broad Waters Resources from the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
She was said to have fraudulently claimed that the money represented the cost of technical supervision.
The alleged fraud was said to have been perpetrated in January 2014.
In another count, Stella Oduah was alleged to have collected N1.6 billion and a further N839 million through the same means, contrary to Section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.
The former minister, who was docked along with one other accused person, however denied the charges.
Justice Hamza Muazu admitted her to bail on self-recognisance, but ordered that she must deposit her travelling passport with the court and must not travel outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.
Legal luminary Onyechi Ikpeazu represented the former minister during the arraignment.
Chief executive officers of commercial banks have been directed to appear in person before an investigative panel of the House of Representatives over alleged illegal and unexplained deductions from customers’ bank accounts.
The summons was issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the House Ad-hoc Committee investigating the deduction of taxes from civil and public servants’ earnings and bank charges on customers’ accounts.
Commercial banks deduct various charges from customers’ accounts, including SMS charges, Maintenance charges, and transfer charges, among others.
Banks accused of perpetrating illegality
Speaking during the panel session, Committee Chairman, Rep. Kelechi Nwogu, accused commercial banks of engaging in systematic and unlawful deductions, including charges that are neither transparent nor remitted to the appropriate authorities.
“Commercial banks are perpetrating illegality by deducting inexplicable charges from civil servants, public servants and other customers’ bank accounts without remittances,” Nwogu said.
- He noted that banks routinely deduct a range of charges such as SMS alerts, account maintenance fees, and transfer charges, raising concerns over the legality, transparency, and utilisation of such funds.
- Reiterating the committee’s mandate, Nwogu said the investigation would ensure that all deductions imposed by banks are properly authorised, correctly computed, and appropriately utilised.
“Our mandate is clear. All deductions or charges must be deducted rightly, fined rightly, and used rightly,” he said.
He also disclosed that the committee had extended invitations to the Ministry of Finance and would work closely with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and commercial banks operating in Nigeria to ensure a thorough probe.
CEOs must appear; no proxies allowed
The committee chairman firmly rejected any attempt by banks to send representatives instead of their chief executives, stressing that the CEOs themselves must appear unfailingly before the panel.
“You cannot appear here without an identity. We are not here on our own. We are here on the mandate of the people that elected us into parliament,” Nwogu said.
He added: “We have resolved to meet next week Wednesday. You must submit all requested documents on or before Monday. We will go through all the documents and we will put you on oath.”
Four-day ultimatum to submit documents
The committee issued a four-day ultimatum to all banks involved to submit the relevant documents required for the investigation.
According to Nwogu, any bank that fails to comply with the directive by Monday will face sanctions.
The House panel, he said, is determined to leave no stone unturned in uncovering the reasons behind what it described as spurious and unjustified deductions from customers’ accounts.
What you should know
According to a recent Business Expectations Survey Report released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), excessive bank charges, multiple taxes, and inadequate infrastructure ranked as the top constraints in September 2025.
- The survey revealed that respondents identified High Bank Charges (70.8), High/Multiple Taxes (70.8), and Poor Infrastructure (70.7) as the three most pressing challenges hindering business operations across the country.
- Despite these challenges, the report showed a modest level of optimism among businesses.
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Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
The Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens (CCNC), a non-political organisation, has stated that the crisis arising from the withheld local government funds in Osun State is a threat to the political, socio-economic development, and well-being of the Osun people.
Speaking at a press conference, the coalition spokesperson, Raufu Sodiq, stressed that the continued withholding of Osun State local government funds has affected all sectors of the state, calling for the issue to be addressed without delay.
The coalition, which remarked that with the current situation, it has become increasingly difficult to sustain calls on the federal government to release the withheld funds, noted that funds are used for the betterment of the Osun people.
The spokesperson equally demanded full support for the affected sectors, including education, health, and security, to help them recover from the damage the withheld funds have caused.
Others, he pointed out, were to protect the rights of the masses to basic amenities and services, address the rising unemployment caused by the withheld funds, guarantee the security of lives and property in Osun State, as well as ensure the continuity of essential services, and other social services done in other states but deliberately not implemented in Osun State.
The demands also included holding accountable those responsible for the withholding of funds, adding that the state government should explore alternative funding sources, such as grants and loans, to support agricultural, sports development, and other critical sectors in the state.
The coalition further gave the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) a three-day ultimatum to ensure the release of the funds.
The CCNC, however, warned that if the federal government fails to act and get this issue completely resolved within three days, the coalition will be forced to adopt more drastic measures, including confrontation, to seek justice, which will be done nationwide.
The group, therefore, urged the federal government to prioritise the welfare of the masses, release the withheld funds to prevent further suffering, and not politicise the issue further.
According to the coalition, “CCNC will always stand for justice and protect the rights of our people without hesitation. We want to restate that we will never be allowed to be tools in the hands of any government. All we want is good governance, effective security, and employment that will aid good living conditions.
“We want to say that with all sense of responsibility that if the federal government administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not do the needful, we will have no other choice than to use the last resort of activism, which is confrontation, to seek justice.
“We don’t want the Osun State local government fund to be politicised any further. And we want to remind the federal government that Osun is not the only state that has not fully implemented local government autonomy, and the people should not be made to suffer unnecessarily.”
Rwanda accused the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi Wednesday of deliberately violating a ceasefire in eastern DRC, days after the signing of a peace agreement in Washington.
Rwandan-backed M23 fighters entered the strategic city of Uvira, near the Burundian border late Tuesday, as it became the latest major settlement to fall in the mineral-rich region that has been plagued by decades of conflict.
Thousands of civilians and scores of Congolese soldiers have fled across the border into Burundi, which has sent troops to help the DRC fight the Kigali-backed M23 and its Rwandan allies, according to military sources.
In a statement on X, the Rwandan foreign ministry said recent violations “cannot be placed on Rwanda” and said “the Congolese Army (FARDC) and the Burundian Army (FDNB)… had been systematically bombing civilian villages close to the Rwandan border, using fighter jets and attack drones, and which the AFC/M23 has said it has been forced to counter”.
“These deliberate violations of recently negotiated agreements constitute serious obstacles to peace,” the statement said.
The renewed violence undermines an agreement aimed at ending the conflict brokered by US President Donald Trump and which Kinshasa and Kigali signed less than a week ago, on December 4.
The United States and several European countries urged the M23 and Kigali in a joint statement on Tuesday to immediately cease their ongoing offensive.
AFP
The post Rwanda accuses DR Congo, Burundi of ‘violations’ days after peace deal appeared first on Vanguard News.
The Federal High Court of Nigeria (FHC) has condemned the use of the photograph of one of its judges, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, in media reports about the gruesome murder of retired Delta State High Court judge, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu.
The Court affirmed that, contrary to the wrong impression created by the misused image, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu is alive and currently discharging her judicial duties in her division.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the Federal High Court described the continued use of Justice Ojukwu’s photo in place of the murdered Justice Okogwu as reckless, misleading, malicious, and unprofessional, noting that it has caused Justice Ojukwu emotional distress.
The statement, signed by the Court’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Oby Christopher, demanded the immediate removal of all posts, articles, broadcasts, and digital content containing the wrongful use of Justice Ojukwu’s photograph.
The statement read: “The Federal High Court of Nigeria hereby issues this formal refutal and strongly condemns the recent dissemination of false, misleading, and malicious media publications that wrongfully used the photograph of Honourable Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in connection with reports on the tragic murder of Honourable Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, a retired Judge of the Delta State High Court.
“For absolute clarity, the Federal High Court affirms that Honourable Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu is alive, healthy, and currently serving with distinction as a Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
“His Lordship has no direct, indirect, or remote connection whatsoever to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the death of Justice Okogwu.
“The publication and circulation of Justice Ojukwu’s image in this context are not only factually inaccurate but also defamatory, professionally reckless, and legally actionable.
“This misrepresentation has caused significant emotional distress to His Lordship, her family, colleagues, and the broader judicial community. It also constitutes a breach of fundamental journalistic and ethical standards.
“Pursuant to applicable laws, including the laws of defamation under Nigerian jurisprudence, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, and relevant regulatory standards governing media practice, the Federal High Court demands the following with immediate effect:
‘Immediate removal of all posts, articles, broadcasts, and digital content containing the wrongful use of Justice Ojukwu’s photograph.
‘A clear, unambiguous public retraction, expressly acknowledging the misidentification and correcting the misinformation.
‘A written and publicly published apology directed to Honourable Justice Ojukwu, disseminated across all platforms on which the erroneous information was originally shared.’”
The Federal High Court advised all media organisations, journalists, bloggers, and online publishers to exercise strict due diligence in verifying facts and images before publication, particularly when reporting on judicial officers whose reputational integrity is essential to the administration of justice.
It warned that failure to comply with the notice, or any continued publication, sharing, or circulation of the false image after the formal refutal, would be construed as deliberate malice and bad faith.
“The Federal High Court will not hesitate to initiate appropriate civil and criminal proceedings against any individual, organisation, or platform found culpable.
“The Court remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting the dignity, safety, and integrity of all judicial officers serving the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it said.
The Federal Government says it has opened an investigation into the detention of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft in Burkina Faso after the plane was forced to land in Bobo-Dioulasso on Monday.
Tribune Online reports that the aircraft, which had 11 military personnel on board, was compelled to land after allegedly entering Burkina Faso’s airspace without authorisation.
The incident was reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, the state news agency, which published a statement issued by the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) outlining details of the interception.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the Nigerian government is closely monitoring the situation.
“We are monitoring the situation and will issue a statement when we receive adequate information,” Ebienfa told reporters.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Nigerian singer-songwriter and actor, Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy has criticised the Federal Government for what he described as a “double standard” in the handling of insecurity, noting that authorities respond faster to foreign crises than to the dangers faced daily by Nigerians.
In a message shared on his social media platforms, Charly Boy questioned why the government was able to swiftly mobilise fighter jets, armed personnel and military equipment to intervene in the crisis in the Republic of Benin, yet continues to act slowly at home where citizens face constant attacks from bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups.
He argued that if Nigeria could rapidly deploy resources to support a neighbouring country, then the same level of urgency should be applied to protect farmers, schoolchildren, traders and communities across the nation who live in fear.
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According to the him, many rural areas and villages have become unsafe, with residents unable to sleep peacefully or move freely due to persistent insecurity.
He said parents are increasingly anxious about the future, while economic activities suffer as violence spreads.
Charly Boy added that the government cannot claim to be deaf to the cries of its own citizens while showing capacity abroad, stressing that Nigerians deserve protection, safety and decisive action within their own borders.
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Amb. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a leading Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to party leaders and elders in Iseyin Local Government, pledging loyalty to party supremacy and a commitment to sustaining the developmental legacies of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Ajadi, who was received by PDP chieftains across Iseyin, described his visit as a mark of respect and appreciation for the consistent support the local leaders have given the party over the years, particularly in making PDP a dominant political force in Iseyin and the Oke-Ogun axis.
Speaking during the visit, Ajadi, who was led to the leaders by the PDP Chairman in Iseyin Local Government, Alhaji Musediq Ajigbotosho Adele, said the strength of the party in the area was built on loyalty, sacrifice and grassroots engagement.
“I am here to pay homage to our leaders and to appreciate the immense support they have been giving to the PDP. Your steadfastness is the reason the party continues to record victories in Iseyin and across Oke-Ogun,” Ajadi said.
He stated that his entry into partisan politics and his governorship ambition were driven by conviction and service, rather than personal ambition.
“I heard the call to join the PDP, and I obeyed. My joining the party and my aspiration to govern Oyo State are by divine call. I believe God has called me to continue the good works of Governor Seyi Makinde in 2027. I represent Omituntun 3.0 — continuity with progress,” he added.
Ajadi also offered prayers for the party leadership and elders present, urging unity and collective responsibility in strengthening the PDP ahead of future elections.
In his remarks, elder statesman, Chief Doyin Babalola, described Governor Seyi Makinde as a worthy son of Iseyin who has never neglected his roots.
“Governor Seyi Makinde is our first son. He has never left Iseyin behind. He remembers his people, and that is why development has touched every corner of Oke-Ogun,” Babalola said.
He stressed that political loyalty should not be confused with elite movement between parties, noting that electoral strength remains with the people.
“Some people may defect, but the electorate does not go anywhere. The people remain, and they know those who have served them well,” he added.
Another PDP leader, Chief Alhaji Omokunmi Mustapha, prayed for Ajadi’s political journey to yield positive outcomes, while recalling the importance of consistency and loyalty within the party.
“I would not have spoken after our leader, but what I have to say is important. Politics rewards those who stand firm. I experienced that when support came my way, and I won,” Mustapha said.
He further observed that considerations such as origin, name and faith often play a role in political calculations, not only in Oyo State but across the South-West, urging aspirants to understand the political environment while prioritising unity.
Mustapha praised Governor Makinde’s contributions to Oke-Ogun, particularly in expanding educational opportunities through the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) campus and other infrastructure projects.
“What Governor Makinde has done in Oke-Ogun will never be forgotten. His works have reduced feelings of marginalisation and strengthened the bond between Iseyin and the rest of the state,” he said.
Another party elder, Chief Muraina Siaba, advised Ajadi to adopt an inclusive leadership style that carries all factions of the party along.
“Politics of inclusiveness is key. When everyone feels carried along, the party becomes stronger, and victory becomes easier,” Siaba noted.
The visit concluded with prayers led by Mallam Ajibola Waheed, who committed Ajadi’s political ambition and the future of the PDP in Iseyin and Oyo State into God’s hands.
Other party leaders present at the meeting included Alhaji Lateef Yusuff Kalli, Alhaji Waheed Ajibola, the pioneer PDP chairman in Iseyin in 1998, Alhaja Muinat Olona, among several others.
The visit forms part of Ajadi’s ongoing consultations with PDP stakeholders across Oyo State as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
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POP Man Shocked as Senator Natasha Gifts Him the Duplex He Worked On
According to Senator Natasha, the man she surprised with a beautifully finished duplex had no idea he was actually doing the POP work for his own house.
He showed up every day, committed to his craft, thinking he was simply delivering quality work for a client.
But unknown to him, every ceiling he shaped… every corner he perfected… was a silent gift being prepared for his own future.
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Police in Anambra State have arrested a 26-year-old man, Mr Ugochukwu Uzor, who is alleged to have been involved in the killing of a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Justice Azuka.
Hon. Azuka was kidnapped last year on the eve of Christmas while on a vacation in Onitsha. He was later found dead in February at the foot of the Second Niger Bridge, despite rumours that ransom had been paid.
However, police in Anambra, in a press release signed by their spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, and made available to journalists, said the arrested Ugochukwu was involved in the killing and has a long history of violent offences.
The police statement read: “He revealed his involvement in the abduction and subsequent murder of Hon. Azuka Justice, a distinguished member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, on December 24, 2024.
“Uzor, who is known for his violent criminal activities, was found to have a large tattoo on his body with the inscriptions ‘No Forgiveness’ + ‘No Mercy,’ a disturbing reminder of the hardened nature of his criminal mindset.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being the leader of several criminal gangs operating across Anambra and neighbouring states.”
On how the alleged notorious criminal was arrested, police said: “Anambra State Police, through operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, successfully arrested the notorious and heavily injured armed robber during a major offensive operation in Ogbaru Local Government Area on December 8, 2025.
“The suspect, identified as Ugochukwu Uzor, a 26-year-old male, is a dangerous criminal with a long history of violent offences. He was apprehended in Iyiowa Odekpe, Ogbaru LGA, after a fierce confrontation with the police operatives. During the operation, one locally made Beretta pistol and eleven live ammunition rounds were recovered.”
The command described the arrest of Ugochukwu Uzor as a significant breakthrough in the fight against violent crime and said it would assist further investigations to dismantle criminal syndicates operating within the state.
NIGERIA NEWS
“I’m Traumatised By Marriage”- Regina Daniels Fires Back At Fan Asking If She’ll Remarry
- Regina Daniels has expressed that she does not plan to marry again.
- Her decision follows a challenging separation from her former husband, billionaire Ned Nwoko.
- The marriage ended due to ongoing disagreements between the couple.
Regina Daniels has opened up about why she has no intention of getting married again after her difficult split from her former husband, billionaire Ned Nwoko.
She shared her thoughts while replying to a curious fan online. It is widely known that Regina and Ned’s marriage ended on a sour note due to ongoing disagreements.
The pair, who tied the knot in 2019 and share two beautiful children, reportedly faced increasing tension at home. What started as marital disputes sparked by allegations of domestic issues eventually grew into a full-blown family crisis.
Under one of her recent posts, a follower asked whether she would ever consider remarrying, especially to someone closer to her age. The question read:
“Will you consider marrying another man, and will he be your age?”
In her response, Regina made it clear that she has no plans to marry again, explaining that her past experience left her deeply affected and unwilling to go through such a situation a second time.
She wrote: “Nope, traumatised with that institution.”
See the conversation below:
Read some comments below:
@ekeneudemadu:”She is recovering already and looking healthier. Congratulations to her.”
@darelinflux23:”Nothing dey outside,but this particular outside sweet pass inside.”
@carolineafolashade”Regina na werey 😂see reply.”
@ifeanyichukwu_angel:”She quick move on ooo😂😂😂. Una sure say EPA go sleep after seeing this video ? Make he no release another press statement tomorrow oo I no get energy.”
@chef__gloria”Why men deh vex?”
@adelakuntufayl:”You that is on bed watching this, good night oo😂😂😂.”
@lagracybarbie:”People should learn to mind their business leave this lady alone.”
@yhour_cupoftee:”Regina first papa ned to move on oo 😂😂😂i love it for her.”
@mauriceafa:”When someone’s growth is paused, as a result of not having the will to make decisions of long time involvement; it often tries to resume later. Most of us are guilty of wowing and whisking immature ladies into marriage. If a woman didn’t get the freedom to explore her identity, make mistakes, learn boundaries, or discover her own preferences, that development doesn’t disappear, it just gets delayed. Later, it can show up as a strong desire for: Independence, social validation, new experiences, reinventing herself when she gets out. It’s not particularly immaturity; it’s unmet developmental needs finally surfacing. She go de alright last last. No to too early marriage.”
@wendyrose__:”Omo life is sweet of many things don’t bother you. Your inner peace is very essential 💯.”