The former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has requested more time from a Federal High Court in Abuja to conclude the refund of public funds he allegedly siphoned. Nwabuoku and his co-defendant, Felix Nweke, are facing an 11-count charge of money laundering brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), involving ₦1.6 billion.

The alleged offenses were committed while Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. Nwabuoku was appointed acting AGF on May 20, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged ₦80 billion fraud. Nwabuoku was removed from office in July 2022 after being under the EFCC’s radar for corruption allegations and was replaced by Sylva Okolieaboh.

During the court session on Wednesday, Nweke’s lawyer, Emeka Onyeaka, informed the court of developments indicating steps toward resolving the matter. Onyeaka stated that his client had made substantial refunds of the money traced to him. Nwabuoku’s lawyer, Maduakolam Igwe, also confirmed that his client had made similar refunds.

However, EFCC counsel Ogechi Ujam noted that while the commission received a proposal letter, no negotiations, settlements, or agreements had been reached. Justice James Omotosho, in response, set a new date for the arraignment, adjourning the case until October 14.

The EFCC alleges that Nwabuoku, Nweke, and others converted funds derived from unlawful activities for personal use, violating the Money Laundering Prohibition Act. The charges include converting ₦262,602,897.27 paid into the Zenith Bank account of Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, among other counts.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih, due to his alleged actions and statements related to the Edo governorship primary election. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, made the announcement in Abuja, stating that the National Working Committee (NWC) considered complaints about Orbih’s activities during its 588th meeting on July 10.

Ologunagba explained that the NWC unanimously condemned Orbih’s conduct, which was deemed inconsistent with the PDP’s constitution and his role as a national officer. Consequently, the NWC has established a six-member committee led by Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the matter.

Pending the investigation’s outcome, Orbih is suspended from participating in all NWC meetings, activities, and programs. The NWC also recognized the support and solidarity of the majority of Edo’s people who have rallied around the PDP and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo. Ologunagba urged all PDP leaders, stakeholders, and members in Edo to stay united and focused, working towards the party’s success in the upcoming election.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Hon. Olaide Akinremi, describing it as a significant loss to the party, Ibadanland, and Nigeria. Akinremi, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, died early Wednesday in Abuja after a brief illness. He was 51.

Hon. Olaide Akinremi, also known as Jagaban, was a two-term lawmaker and a member of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe. The APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, conveyed in a statement from Ibadan that Akinremi’s death came at a crucial time when his leadership was needed most by his constituents, the National Assembly, and the broader society.

Sadare praised Akinremi as the embodiment of responsible and responsive leadership, noting his numerous achievements. He highlighted that Akinremi had redefined representation at the National Assembly, providing relief and hope to the people of Ibadan North Federal Constituency.

“Prince Akinremi’s demise is a death to many as he means so much to our great party, even in death. The vacuum he left behind will be extremely difficult to fill but we find solace in the legacy of kindness, philanthropy and service to the people which he was able to impact on the surface of the earth,” said Sadare.

The Isaac Omodewu-led State Executive Committee and the entire APC membership and supporters mourn the loss of Akinremi, recognizing him as a remarkable party man and a vibrant politician whose contributions left an indelible mark.

Rev. Fr. Lawrence Soja-Anyembugu, the Parish Priest of St. Kizito’s Catholic Church in Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, has called on both the State and Federal Governments to implement more people-oriented policies, programs, and projects to alleviate the hardship faced by Nigerians. Speaking during an interactive session with newsmen in Akwanga on Wednesday, he emphasized the need for efforts to tackle the issues of hunger and economic challenges in the country.

Rev. Fr. Soja-Anyembugu praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its focus on infrastructure development but urged for more actions to improve the standard of living for Nigerians. He also commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for his initiatives on job creation and infrastructure development, recognizing their efforts to address economic issues but highlighting the necessity for further improvement.

The cleric stressed the importance of support and prayers for political leaders at all levels, believing that such support can contribute to their success. He appealed to Nigerians to maintain peace and tolerance among themselves, regardless of political affiliations, to foster a harmonious society.

In his concluding remarks, Rev. Fr. Soja-Anyembugu urged the community to support their leaders through prayers, emphasizing the potential for positive change and improved living conditions through collective effort and divine guidance.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) FCT Command has apprehended a woman, Precious Yusuf, who attempted to smuggle drugs into the medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja. This information was revealed in a statement by the Command Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Samson Duza on Wednesday in Abuja.

Duza explained that Yusuf entered the Kuje custodial center on Tuesday, July 9, disguising herself as a visitor to an inmate. During the routine search conducted by the officers, items suspected to be Indian hemp and other dangerous drugs concealed in food packs within a carton were discovered. The suspect confessed that she was sent to deliver the drugs to an inmate.

The Controller of the FCT Command, Ibrahim Usman, ordered that Yusuf be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution. Usman issued a warning to drug peddlers to cease their attempts to smuggle illicit substances into the custodial centers under the guise of visits, emphasizing that officers and men were vigilant to thwart such efforts.

He also urged the public and well-meaning Nigerians to support the Service in its mission to maintain a reformatory system and ensure the safety of society. Usman assured the public of the safe custody of those legally interned at the center.

The immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El-Rufai, has mocked his successor, Governor Uba Sani, over waste disposal issues in the state. Despite being friends and political associates for many years, El-Rufai and Sani have recently been at odds.

Governor Sani has been praised in some quarters for his performance since taking office a little over a year ago, with some claiming he has made significant improvements in the state. However, El-Rufai saw an opportunity to criticize his successor when an X user posted photos of garbage heaps in Kaduna, sarcastically suggesting that Sani had “completely changed” the state.

The X user wrote, “They thought we were kidding when we said that in just a few months, Governor Uba Sani had changed Kaduna completely. This is the type of change we are getting from the best Governor in Nigeria,” accompanied by photos of the waste.

El-Rufai responded with a cryptic message, “From God we all came, and to Him we shall all return,” seemingly mocking Sani’s handling of the state’s waste management.

The tension between the two leaders has escalated since Sani accused El-Rufai of plunging Kaduna State into significant debt, hampering governance and development. Sani highlighted that the state faced a substantial debt burden of $587 million, ₦85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities inherited from El-Rufai’s administration. Over 70% of the state’s allocation was reportedly being used to service this debt, prompting the state assembly to investigate the financial transactions from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023.

The investigation, led by Barrister Henry Danjuma Magaji, uncovered significant unaccounted funds and irregularities in financial transactions. In response, El-Rufai recently took the Kaduna State government to court over allegations of misappropriation of funds against him and some of his officials.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) community court of justice ruled that the Nigerian government is guilty of human rights abuses in its handling of the #EndSARS protest in October 2020. The court mandated the Nigerian government to pay each applicant 2 million naira as compensation for violations of their security.

This ruling followed the case brought against the Federal Government by Obianuju Catherine Udeh (DJ Switch), Perpetual Kamsi, and Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka over alleged violations during the peaceful protests at the Lekki tollgate on October 20 and 21, 2020.

The ECOWAS court held that the Nigerian government’s actions, particularly its disproportionate use of force at the Lekki Toll Gate, breached several international human rights standards, including articles 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. However, the presiding judge, Justice Koroma Sengu, dismissed the allegation that the right to life as guaranteed under Article 4 of the ACPHR was violated.

DJ Switch claimed that protesters were shot by soldiers, resulting in death and injuries, which she live-streamed. She also claimed to have received threatening phone calls that forced her into hiding and eventual asylum. The second applicant, who was in charge of welfare for protesters, recounted how soldiers began shooting after the power went out, leading to her hospitalization due to police tear gas. The third applicant recalled narrowly escaping being shot, witnessing soldiers deny an ambulance entry, and later observing inadequate medical service for victims at the hospital.

Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, has announced a million naira bounty for the apprehension of Magnus Okpalannadi, 62, who allegedly defiled his three-year-old daughter. The Ministry received a report about Okpalannadi’s actions, and upon discovery, he disappeared before being apprehended. The minister emphasized the zero-tolerance stance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration towards child abuse and molestation and assured that Okpalannadi would be prosecuted to deter others. Kennedy-Ohanenye reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a safe environment for its citizens and pledged to protect the rights and dignity of every Nigerian child, woman, and vulnerable individual .

Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has congratulated Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, wife of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, on her elevation to the position of Appeal Court Judge. In her congratulatory letter, Mahmoud praised Eberechi’s contributions to legal practice, noting her integrity, fairness, and dedication to justice. Mahmoud expressed confidence that Eberechi’s wisdom and sound judgment would positively impact the judicial system. Eberechi was among 22 newly appointed Justices of the Court of Appeal, sworn in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, in Abuja. Mahmoud wished her continued success and fulfillment in her new role.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered Nigeria to pay 2 million naira each to victims of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests in Lagos. The court found that Nigeria violated the victims’ rights to security, freedom of expression, assembly, and protection from torture and degrading treatment, among other rights under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). Nigeria must report back to the court within six months on the measures taken to implement the judgment. The court emphasized that Nigeria failed in its duty to investigate human rights violations and provide an effective remedy. The ruling was delivered by a three-judge panel, which included Justices Sengu Koroma, Dupe Atoki, and Ricardo Claúdio Gonçalves .