Author: Farouk Abbas

THE Senate has asked Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to stay away from its proceedings, saying the suspended lawmaker can’t resume yet. In a statement on Sunday, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu insisted that there was no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall the lawmaker before the expiration of her suspension. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 for violating Senate rules after a seat arrangement brawl with Senate President Godswill Akpabio whom she accused of sexual misconduct, an allegation Akpabio denied. Recently, the suspended lawmaker, who relied on a recent judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the…

THE leadership crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has taken a new twist as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) moves to expel its suspended National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two other top officials, and refer them to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and possible prosecution over allegations of misappropriating over ₦1 billion in party funds. The decision follows the submission of a 14-day investigative panel report which found that Gabam and two other suspended members, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, the National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, the National Youth Leader, ignored formal invitations…

THE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has wasted at least N8 billion on 6,200 “contingency bed spaces” for non-existent pilgrims in Makkah during the 2025 Hajj. This revelation comes at a time when the commission is facing threats of international litigation from Saudi catering and accommodation companies over N12.9 billion in debts. This scandal was uncovered by a team of investigative journalists who are currently reviewing dozens of officials documents that include contractual agreements, transactional receipts, payment vouchers, as well as audio, videos, recorded voices and interviews with many officials familiar with what transpired during the 2025 Hajj operation.…

THE management of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) in Ayingba has expressed sorrow and concern over the sudden and unexplained death of one of its lecturers, Mr. Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle, who passed away last Thursday while reportedly in the company of a female student, Miss Glory Ojochegbe, from the same department. Ibikunle, who served in the Department of Social Science Education, was said to have died under unclear circumstances, prompting growing public interest, speculation, and viral rumours on social media. In a statement issued on Friday by the institution’s Registrar, Mr. Yahaya Alilu, the university confirmed the incident, describing it…

SETTLEMENT talks between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former Adamawa State governor, Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd.), over an alleged ₦29 billion fraud were put on hold on Friday following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari. At the resumed hearing before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) informed the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was unable to conclude key consultations due to the national mourning period declared in Buhari’s honour. “The Honourable Attorney-General was supposed to meet with parties involved to finalize…

THE Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has denied reports linking the Federal Government to a 25 per cent share acquisition in First Bank Holdings. In a statement issued on Friday, the Special Assistant to the President on Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele, described the July 17 publication on news platforms as “inaccurate, misleading, resentful and malicious.” The statement partly read,” We are compelled to respond to a publication by ThisDay Newspaper of July 17, 2025, and Arise TV suggesting that 25% of First Bank Holdings (First Holdco) shares were transferred to…

THE Armed Forces of Nigeria has launched the 2025 First Bi-Annual Sensitisation Training on Stress Management, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Emotional Intelligence for troops deployed in active combat theatres. The training, held on Friday at the 8 Division Auditorium in Sokoto, was targeted at officers and soldiers involved in Operation FANSAN YAMMA and other internal security operations across the country. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, reaffirmed the military’s commitment to the mental health of its personnel, noting that troops not only confront physical threats but also endure deep emotional and psychological strain…

THE Federal Government has suspended its recruitment process into its paramilitary agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Nigerian Correctional Service. In a statement dated July 16, 2025, the Secretary to the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services, Maj-Gen A.M. Jibril (rtd), said the application portal would be reopened on Monday, July 21, 2025. “As part of an effort to optimize the efficiency of its system, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) announces that the portal dedicated to the recruitment into its paramilitary agencies has…

FORMER Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has officially resigned from the party, marking a significant blow to Nigeria’s main opposition platform. The development was confirmed through a letter dated Monday, July 14, 2025, sighted by News Point Nigeria on Wednesday. The letter, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Jada 1 Ward in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was signed by Atiku himself and marked as received. The letter was shared publicly by one of Abubakar’s media aides, confirming weeks of speculation about his looming departure amid political realignments ahead…

FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect. In a letter dated July 14, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman of the PDP, Jada 1 Ward, Jada Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State, Atiku stated that his resignation is due to irreconcilable differences that have emerged within the former ruling party. He noted that he found it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the party has taken, which, according to him, diverges from the foundational principles it stood for. The letter reads, “I am writing to…

THE Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on charges of money laundering and theft amounting to ₦6.9 billion. Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke discharged the former governor after upholding his no-case submission filed to challenge his trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court held that the EFCC had not been able to link Fayose to the crime, nor was a prima facie made case against him to warrant further defence. On May 20, the court had reserved its decision after hearing arguments from counsel to Fayose (the 1st defendant)…

AS Nigeria prepares to lay to rest its former President, Muhammadu Buhari, world leaders, diplomats, and global institutions have sent in messages of condolence, praising his leadership, integrity, and legacy in both military and democratic service. The 82-year-old former Nigerian leader passed away on Sunday in a London hospital after a prolonged illness. Buhari, who served as military head of state from 1983 to 1985, and later as civilian president from 2015 to 2023, is being remembered on the world stage for his decades-long impact on Nigeria and West Africa. African Union (AU) In a statement released from Addis Ababa,…

THE Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Police Force said it has, in collaboration with other security agencies, led by the AIG Zone 14 Katsina, deployed adequate security measures in Daura town and across the command for the burial of late former president Muhammadu Buhari to ensure a hitch-free burial. The command, headed by CP Bello Shehu, extended its deepest condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, the family, friends, and the entire nation on the passing of the former president. The Command, in a statement by its Spokesman, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, acknowledged Buhari’s contributions to the nation’s…

THE Federal Government has declared Tuesday, 15 July, 2025, as a public holiday in honour of the late former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari. According to a statement released by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, the holiday is furtherance to the seven days of national mourning declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The statement said the Honourable Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, following the approval of His Excellency, President Tinubu. The Minister stated that the holiday is a mark of respect for…

MORE tributes have poured in in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died at the age of 82 on Sunday, July 13, 2025. The Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said Buhari lived by the “discipline, humility, and a deep love for our country”. The former Nigerian environment minister extended her heartfelt sympathies to the family of the late president and the entire people of Nigeria. The outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, expressed great sadness over Buhari’s death. “Thank you for your leadership, patriotism…

THE Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has urged editors and journalists to promote responsible journalism practices. Arising from its 2025 biennial national convention, with the theme, “Nation’s Security Future: Harnessing Diversity for Peace/Stability and the Media’s Role”, held on June 27, 2025, in Enugu, the convention, in a communiqué signed by NGE President, Eze Anaba and the General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, also tasked the media and government to prioritize peace and inclusion, and work towards building a stronger, more united Nigeria. The convention emphasized that a nation’s security and stability can be enhanced by leveraging its diversity, with the media…

AUTHORITIES in Kogi State say they have uncovered a disturbing supply chain involving local vendors who allegedly provide essential resources including food, water and petrol to kidnapping gangs operating in forest hideouts across the state. In a statement on Sunday, Kingsley Fanwo, the state commissioner for information, said the revelations followed recent security operations across Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Yagba East and Yagba West local government areas, which were launched in response to an uptick in kidnapping cases. Among the incidents that sparked the crackdown were the murder of a retired army officer from Odo-Ape and the abduction of a prominent farmer…

THE Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned ruling on the no-case submission filed by Gabriel Suswam, former Governor of Benue State and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, in their ongoing corruption trial. Peter Lifu (Justice) announced the adjournment on Friday, setting July 23, 2025, as the date for the court’s decision. According to a statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Suswam and Okolobia are standing trial on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and criminal diversion of public funds. The EFCC accused the duo of misappropriating N3.1 billion, said…

THE Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday ordered the final forfeiture of a sprawling array of assets, luxury vehicles, and cash  both in naira and dollars linked to a massive fraud scheme involving the illegal diversion of funds from Union Bank customers. Justice Daniel Osaigor granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) application for a non-conviction-based final forfeiture of the assets following detailed investigations which uncovered a fraudulent withdrawal of over ₦2 billion from the accounts of 575 unsuspecting customers of the bank. The application was argued by EFCC’s counsel, Hanatu Kofar-Naisa, who urged the court to…

VICE PRESIDENT Kashim Shettima has revealed that he was nearly removed as the Governor of Borno State during the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan, and only escaped the fate due to the intervention of the then Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Bello Adoke. Shettima, who governed Borno from 2011 to 2019, made this disclosure on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation of Adoke’s memoir, “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigerian Oil Block.” “I was the most demonised public official during the Jonathan era,” Shettima declared. “There was even a plan to illegally remove me from…