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Harvard University sued several United States agencies and top officials for freezing billions of dollars in federal funding, significantly intensifying a high-stakes showdown with the President Donald Trump-led administration.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the Trump administration accused the nation’s oldest and richest university of failing to combat anti-semitism on campus.
Trump escalated his fight with Harvard after the school refused to bow to his administration’s demands.
Since threatening its funding, Trump suggested that the Internal Revenue Service should tax the university as a “political entity.”
Senior administration officials, including Vice President James D. Vance have criticised tax breaks given to the school’s $53 billion endowment.
The government suspended Harvard’s funding after it refused to comply with “unconstitutional demands” to overhaul governance, discipline and hiring policies, as well as diversity programmes, lawyers for the university argued in a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Massachusetts.
“Over the course of the past week, the federal government has taken several actions following Harvard’s refusal to comply with its illegal demands,” the university’s president, Alan Garber, said.
“We filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government’s authority.”
In his statement on the university’s website, Garber cited the Trump administration’s pause on $2.2 billion in federal funding, threats to block an additional $1.1 billion in grants, a crackdown on foreign students, and the possible revocation of Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
The administration is pushing for sweeping changes at the most elite US universities and has frozen or is reviewing federal funding to Princeton, Cornell, Northwestern, and Columbia universities.
On April 14, the government halted $2.2 billion of multi-year grants to Harvard, claiming the school failed to enforce civil rights laws to protect Jewish students.
Harvard’s lawsuit claimed that the funding freeze violated its First Amendment guarantee of free speech and the Administrative Procedures Act.
It asked a judge to block the US from freezing the funding and declare the government’s actions unconstitutional.
“The government has not, and cannot, identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation,” the lawsuit claimed.
Five days after the killing of over 50 farmers in Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State, suspected armed herders in the early hours of Tuesday attacked Afia Community in Ukum, killing eleven (11) residents.
The Ter Ukum, His Royal Highness Iyorkyaa Kaave who disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi during a security meeting, decried the unprovoked attacks on his subjects by the marauding herdsmen.
The monarch alleged that the attackers plan was to displace the farmers to subsequently return afterwards to occupy their land.
According to him, “As I speak with you, these attacks started on Thursday in Logo and spread to communities in Ukum on good Friday. We are still counting losses and more corpses are being recovered and some people are still missing.”
Ter Ukum added, “Today which is Tuesday 22nd day of April, the herders invaded Afia in the early hour of today, shooting sporadically at anyone in sight, killing eleven people on the spot, while several others sustained varying degree of injuries with scores still missing.
“We want the President to know that these Fulani people are different from the ones we settled with in the 70s and 80s. Those ones do come in the dry season with their wives children and cattle to stay with us; but in recent times, these Fulanis are coming with cattle and AK-47 only to attack our people in their sleep and flee, after a while come back and occupy their homes,” he said.
Addressed President Bola Tinubu, the monarch stated, “The president should get this clear, we don’t want to settle with murderers. These people are coming with a hidden agenda to kill and occupy, which they are no longer hiding.”
Details later…
A coalition of 100 civil society groups, known as the Civic Room for Rule of Law, has thrown its weight behind human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), over his call for the removal of Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.).
The groups claimed that Ibas has breached presidential orders and disregarded the rule of law.
According to the Official Gazette dated March 18, 2025, the Sole Administrator was supposed to operate on the basis of regulations issued by President Tinubu.
However, the groups alleged that Ibas has made appointments and removed officials appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara without any regulatory framework from the President.
In a statement signed by Barrister Maxwell Egboh, President of the Civic Room for Rule of Law, the groups expressed deep concern about the implications of Ibas’ actions on the stability and security of Rivers State.
They urged President Tinubu to take swift and decisive action to address the situation and uphold the law.
Egboh added: “This blatant disregard for the President’s orders is a clear indication of the Sole Administrator’s contempt for the rule of law and the limits of his authority.
“By acting in this manner, he has compounded the illegality of his appointment and undermined the very fabric of our democratic institutions.
“The people of Rivers State deserve better than to be governed by an unelected official who disregards the law with impunity.
“We are deeply concerned about the implications of these actions on the stability and security of Rivers State. The Sole Administrator’s arbitrary decisions have created an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension, which can only be resolved by his immediate removal.
“We urge President Tinubu to take swift and decisive action to address this situation and uphold the law.”
The groups commended the Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on Rivers State for summoning Ibas for a comprehensive interactive session.
They urged the legislative Committee to thoroughly investigate Ibas’ actions and take necessary steps to ensure that justice is served.
The groups reiterated their commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in the country.
They vowed to continue to monitore the situation in Rivers State and advocate for the rule of law to be upheld.
Nigeria’s broad money supply has increased to N114.22 trillion in March 2025, defying the Central Bank of Nigeria’s monetary policy tightening in the last quarter.
This is according to the latest money and credit statistics released by the apex bank for the first quarter of 2025.
The figure represents a 24 percent increase when compared to N92.19 trillion recorded in the same month of 2024, despite the CBN Monetary Policy Committee pegging the country’s Cash Reserve Ratio at 50 percent.
On a month-on-month basis, the figure also rose by 3.2 percent from N110.71 trillion in February.
The increase comes amid a sharp rise in net foreign assets, which rose by 38.9 percent to N45.17 trillion, which portends stronger capital inflows on the back of possible revaluation gains.
Meanwhile, in contrast, net domestic assets declined by 11.7 percent to N69.05 trillion, reflecting tighter liquidity within the domestic financial system.
Despite efforts to reduce inflation, which stood at 24.23 percent in March, and control liquidity through the imposition of the highest CRR in the world, Nigeria’s monetary base continued to surge.
The rise in broad money supply may be due to foreign asset holdings and government credit.
In the first quarter of the year, M3 grew by 2.8 percent, from N111.11 trillion in January to N114.22 trillion in March.
The CBN data indicated that the volume of currency circulating outside the banking system rose to N4.6 trillion in March, out of a total currency in circulation of N5 trillion.
The implication is that 91.9 percent of all cash in the economy was held outside the banks.
It further represents a 26.7 percent increase compared to N3.63 trillion held outside the banks in March 2024, when total currency in circulation stood at N3.87 trillion.
The increased demand for cash has remained consistent throughout the first quarter of 2025, with January figures showing N4.74 trillion in cash outside banks (90.5 percent of total) and N4.52 trillion in February (89.6 percent of total).
Recall that in February 2025, the MPC retained the interest rate at 27.50 percent and retained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 50 basis points and other variables.
The apex bank is billed to hold its next MPC meeting on May 19 and 20, 2025
The leadership of the Obedient Movement led by Alhaji Ahmad Abulfathi, at the weekend, reached the decision to collapse its national, zonal, state, local government, and ward political structures into the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates (NTCA).
The decision was reached following a strategic high-level and exhaustive meeting held in Lagos with the National Leader of NTCA, Henry Nwabueze.
Represented by the 36 State coordinators of the Obedient Movement, they all agreed to merge their structures at the various levels into NTCA to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
A statement by Ahmad Abulfathi said the lead representative of the movement said: “We are proud to align with the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates to ensure that Nigerians benefit from the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu while completing two terms in office.
“In the spirit of fairness and unity, we urge Mr Peter Obi and other intending contestants for the 2027 presidential election to jettison their ambitions for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We cannot afford to distort and discontinue these laudable structures of development courageously built by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu like removal of subsidy, local government autonomy, tax reforms, revival of refineries, student loans, establishment of ministry of livestock (to regulate the rearing of Cattle etc), establishment of regional development commissions, electricity reforms, increased GDP and foreign reserves, establishment of over 8,800 new primary healthcare centres across the country, upgrade of existing tertiary institutions to
handle trauma, oncology, and infectious disease control. And lots more.
“It is simple. Go And verify, as Mr Peter Obi would fondly say. We Nigerians are called upon to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu, despite these initial challenges being faced, no pain, no gain. Continuity is the intention and our sincere conviction. In a show of solidarity, the movement has pledged to mobilize all youth and women leaders across the nation into the NTCA framework, which it now recognizes as a stronger and more inclusive platform to achieve this Nigerian HOPE.
“Sequel to this alignment agreement, the Obedient Movement will adopt the identity and operational direction of Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates, to demonstrate its commitment to unity, progress, and national development.”
The first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, died of stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said in a statement on Monday.
The pontiff’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics across the globe. From South Sudan to Argentina, Poland to the Philippines, the BBC reports from across five continents.
Pope Francis confirmed in his final testament – released by the Vatican recently, that he wished to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major and “without particular decoration”.
The statement read, “As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
“Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the Resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
“I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.
“I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
“The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
“The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.
“May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.”
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has raised the alarm over escalating security challenges in the state, particularly with the start of the 2025 farming season, lamenting that the state is under siege by elements determined to displace the people and take over their ancestral homes.
The governor, who made this known while addressing worshippers at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi, called on citizens to remain alert and stand firm against those seeking to destabilise the state by reporting suspicious movements to security agencies.
Recall that the governor a few days ago visited Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State where attacks on the communities by armed bandits on Thursday, and early hours of Good Friday, left over 50 farmers dead with scores sustaining varying degrees of injuries. He appealed to the federal government to come to the aid of the state to end the attacks.
A statement by the principal special assistant to the governor on media and content creation, Isaac Uzaan, quoted the governor as expressing grave concern over the persistent attacks on the farming communities in the state, stating that the state is under siege by elements determined to displace the people and take over their lands.
“We are under siege as a state. Our people are under constant attack; those attacking us are not ghosts; they have faces, motives, and missions. They drag people out, they kill to occupy. It is completely unacceptable,” Governor Alia fumed.
He warned political actors who may be exploiting the crisis for personal or partisan gains to refrain from such actions, saying, “We have mechanisms in place to uncover those complicit in the destruction of our state.”
“I want to condemn all forms of criminality in the state, a terrorist is a terrorist regardless of his or her ethnicity or religion. Crime is crime. Anyone who commits it is a terrorist and should not be among the living,” he declared.
Governor Alia, however, encouraged the people of Benue to remain resilient, assuring them of his administration’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace and order across the state.
Reflecting on the lessons of Easter, the governor described the death and resurrection of Christ as the ultimate example of selfless sacrifice, and he called on the people to pray for the repose of those recently killed, especially the innocent victims in the Ukum and Logo local government areas.
While insisting that everyone is responsible for security, the governor said, “If you see something, say something to enable the security agencies to move swiftly and stop these invaders.”
Chelsea have drawn up a three-man striker shortlist for the summer, according to The Athletic.
Multiple reports have suggested that Chelsea are interested in Napoli-owned striker Victor Osimhen but the Nigerian international was not mentioned in Athletic’s David Omstein’s list.
Ornstein reports that the Blues are keen on bolstering their attacking options after the season.
The Blues have missed multiple chances in the ongoing season due to lack of a prolific striker.
According Ornstein, Chelsea are looking at Liam Delap, Benjamin Sesko, and Hugo Ekitike.
The trio has scored 12, 20 and 21 goals across competitions this season, respectively.
Enzo Maresca’s side will face competition for the signature of all three strikers, with Delap being linked to Manchester United, Sesko with Arsenal, and Ekitike with Liverpool.
However, Chelsea will be confident they can sign at least one of the strikers ahead of the new season.
Chelsea’s highest goal scorer this season is Cole Palmer, who has scored 14 goals across competitions despite failing to find the back of the net in his last 13 games.
Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has slammed the chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Buba Galadima, referring to him as a failed politician with no base.
Ganduje was reacting to Galadima’s remark that he has no political values, adding that he is the APC National Chairman due to President Bola Tinubu’s influence.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Oliver Okpara, Ganduje said Galadima has no moral standing to question his political relevance.
Ganduje reminded Galadima that he successfully governed Kano State for eight years without interruption.
He described Galadima as “a failed politician with no political base.
“His statement clearly portrays him as a mischievous personality, politically.
“Ganduje is a well known, tested and trusted, result-orientated technocrat and politician of high repute who successfully led Kano for two uninterrupted terms.
“He is a man with infallible proof of performance across Kano and beyond.
“His developmental projects are still littered across Kano state, a testament of his unbroken connection with the people.
“Ganduje is a grassroots politician with results to show. Where are Galadima’s results?
“Galadima should know that the APC ship under the leadership of Dr Ganduje is sailing smoothly and the party has continued to wax stronger under him.
“The same cannot be said of Buba Galadima’s NNPP which has continued to suffer serious lacerations due to an intractable and untreatable factionalization.”
Nigerian legislative lawyers, under the aegis of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, ALDRAP, have dragged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly before the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Court.
The lawyers urged the court to impose sanctions on President Bola Tinubu over the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State.
The lawyers are also seeking imposition of sanctions on the leadership of the National Assembly over their role in the ratification of the emergency rule in the oil rich state.
Recall that Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on 18 March 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Justifying the decision, the President said he was “greatly disturbed about the political crisis” in the state and accused Governor Sim Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly building.
Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, were suspended for an initial period of six months. A retired Vice Admiral, Ibas, was appointed as Sole Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state during the emergency period.
About a month after taking the decision, Tinubu is still under fire from several quarters, with many Nigerians questioning the legality and propriety of the decision.
According to a DailyPost report, ALDRAP had in a letter dated 17th April 2025, had given Tinubu seven days to disclose provisions of the state of emergency proclamation in Rivers State which empowered the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), to appoint sole administrators for local government areas.
The lawyers threatened to take legal action against the President it he failed to heed the demand.
The lawyers, who are demanding the reversal of the emergency rule declaration, are now asking the ECOWAS court to impose sanctions on Tinubu and other relevant Nigerian officials over the suspension of democratic governance in Rivers.
Defendants in the suit are Tinubu and heads of government of the various ECOWAS member countries, President of the Nigerian Senate, Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, as well as Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Oversight of Rivers State, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The court document explained that the suit, among other objectives, is aimed at providing the ECOWAS Court of Justice with information and expert perspectives on the critical legal and governance issues arising from the declaration of a state of emergency within a Member State, specifically focusing on the role and responsibilities of legislative bodies including the National Assembly, “and in overseeing such declarations and the actions taken thereunder”.
ALDRAP, in the suit, stressed that the actions taken by Tinubu in imposing emergency rule in Rivers State violated ECOWAS regulations.
“The subsequent actions of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the imposition of a handpicked military administrator raise serious concerns and, in the Plaintiff’s considered view, clearly contravenes Article 1 of the Protocol A/SP1/12/01 on Democracy and Good Governance Supplementary to the Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security, 2000.
“Given the unequivocal violation of these core principles, particularly the zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government, the plaintiff hereby calls upon the relevant Authority to exercise its powers under Article 45 of the aforementioned Protocol and the Supplementary Act A/SP.13/02/12 on Sanctions Against Member States that Fail to Honour their Obligations to ECOWAS Act 2-SP13 of 2012 to impose appropriate sanctions on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, members of the legislature, and the Nigerian government,” parts of the lawsuit read.
The demand for sanctions on Nigerian authorities is the chief prayer sought by ALDRAP in the suit, which is yet to be assigned for hearing.
ALDRAP had also written the Authority of Heads of State and Government – the highest organ of ECOWAS – to demand sanctions on Tinubu over the Rivers emergency rule.
In a letter addressed to the Authority of Heads of State and Government, signed by its lawyer, Kenneth Amadi, and dated 30th March 2025, ALDRAP had argued that ECOWAS has no justification for not imposing sanctions on the Nigerian government after punishing Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic for what it described as ‘similar’ offenses.
The letter is titled ‘A manifest sign of the danger of democratic backsliding in ECOWAS: What is good for Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali should also be good for Nigeria. Urgent need for intervention of the Authority of Heads of State of ECOWAS, ECOWAS Parliament and the ECOWAS Commission by imposition of sanctions upon the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for declaration of state of emergency upon six million citizens of Rivers State and imposition of military rule thereof in violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’.
ALDRAP, in the letter warned that failure by ECOWAS to sanction Tinubu would prove that the organization is unjust, and may also result in further weakening of democratic governance in West Africa.
“If for no other reasons, for the sake of showing to the world that ECOWAS is not what the three countries (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic) that recently exited has said it is – an institution that adopts double standard and oppresses the weak. The Nigerian President, as the chair of the Authority who president over the sanctions imposed on Niger for unconstitutional change of government, should not be allowed to do the same thing without consequences. If this is allowed to happen, we greatly fear that it would incentivise wider democratic backsliding in the region,” the letter said.
Faulting the reasons given by Tinubu for imposing the emergency rule in Rivers, the letter added, “It is important to state for the records that the President must either have been misled or decided to mislead the nation and the entire world by the reasons he gave for the declaration of a state of emergency. The President understands that the so-called crisis in Rivers State never existed beyond a fight between two individuals – the governor and the immediate past governor, who is a close ally of the President and whose side the President has not just since taken but for whose benefit the President has now also acted.”
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The Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Robinson Ewor has made an allegation against the All Progressives Congress and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Ewor alleged that Wike is working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to sabotage the PDP from within.
Speaking during a live appearance on Arise News on Monday, 21 April 2025, Ewor claimed that Wike’s actions and affiliations clearly indicate he is no longer a true member of the PDP, alleging that the former governor is being funded by the APC to destabilise both the party at the national level and the Rivers State chapter ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ewor explained that the party experienced no internal troubles before the 2023 general elections until Wike lost his presidential ambition and subsequently failed to clinch the vice-presidential ticket.
According to him, Wike’s personal disappointment triggered the crisis that later engulfed the party.
“First and foremost, PDP had no issues preparatory to the 2023 general elections. Wike, the current FCT minister, wanted to be the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And he submitted himself to the primaries of the party. But Atiku won the party ticket. Thereafter, Wike wanted to be the vice president. Because Atiku did not pick him to be the vice presidential candidate, Wike started the crisis in PDP,” Ewor stated.
He added that Wike spearheaded the formation of the G5 group, which he claims had one mission: to damage the PDP’s chances at the polls.
“This was the genesis of the crisis in PDP: First, because Wike lost the presidential ticket. Second, Atiku Abubakar did not pick him as a vice presidential ticket,” Ewor explained.
“He started the crisis in PDP and formed what we call, what Nigerians know as G5. What does the G5 stand for? Destroy PDP. Ensure that Atiku Abubakar did not win the election. That was what the G5 stand for. Today, the party has moved beyond the 2023 general election.”
On Wike’s continued interference in PDP affairs, Ewor questioned the logic of advising a party he is “busy destroying.”
“Wike is no longer in the party. How do you advise a party you are no longer a member? How do you advise a people you are busy destroying? How do you advise a party that you are at the forefront of bringing it down?” Ewor queried.
“The crisis we find today in PDP is not because the PDP is in crisis. It is because the FCT minister is on a mission to destroy the party. He is on a mission to destroy the party. And he has started it in River State.”
Addressing the fallout between Wike and Rivers Governor Sim Fubara, Ewor insisted the governor was being vilified for asserting his constitutional authority.
“What is the crime of Sim Fubara? Sim Fubara didn’t commit any crime. But because he wanted to control the structure of the party, control the structure of government, control the state house of assembly, and every other known structure in the state, to enable him rig election in 2027 for the All Progressive Congress,” Ewor alleged.
“This is just a crisis in River State. Sim Fubara did not commit any offence. Can Wike in good conscience tell Nigeria? This was the crisis before October 2023 that others had seen Sim Fubara be impeached.”
Ewor claimed Wike’s insistence on controlling all political structures in Rivers was to benefit the APC in future elections, an ambition that the state PDP leadership has since rejected.
“Sim Fubara didn’t commit anything. But because he knows that if he put Sim Fubara’s seat properly until 2027, and they did not agree that he can no longer carry out that mission of destroying the PDP. But as a party, we have come together, especially at the state level, to ensure that we put our house in order,” he said.
“Before now, he heard the party hostage at the state.”
Highlighting a case of disobedience to the party’s national directive, Ewor said: “The national says ‘don’t conduct congresses’. He (Wike) went ahead to conduct congresses. But today, we have gone beyond that. The party today at the state level is no longer in his hands. Therefore, there is nothing he can do as far as the party is concerned at the state level.”
Ewor also revealed that mechanisms are already in motion at the national level to reclaim and reposition the party through the efforts of PDP governors, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the Board of Trustees (BoT).
“At the national level, there are steps by the PDP governors’ forum, by the NWC, and then the BOT of the party to ensure that the party is repositioned,” he said.
He concluded with a strong assertion, alleging Wike’s operations are being bankrolled by the APC with the aim of sabotaging the PDP from within.
“But today, Nyesom Wike is sitting put, bringing down the party. And the APC is funding him. That is the crisis. If you say crisis in the PDP, remove Yosso Wike today, you don’t see a single crisis in the party. You don’t see a single crisis in River State. Remove him, you won’t see crisis anywhere in the state and at the centre.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has clarified that getting a Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering certificate is not clearance to operate.
This followed claims that the defunct digital asset trading platform, CBEX, was registered with EFCC's Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML.
However, EFCC stated that ST Technologies and not CBEX registered with SCUML, saying that the certificate didn’t imply clearance by the Commission.
The clarification comes after Lesley Kessy Oviritsa, one of the victims of the CBEX Ponzi Scheme said she fell prey to CBEX after seeing and verifying its CAC and SCUML Certificate.
Oviritsa claimed they had no reason to suspect foul play, especially since they claimed their SEC certificate would be ready by May 2025.
Recall at CBEX swept over N1.3 trillion from their investors’ accounts.
In a post on its official handle on X on Monday, EFCC said the Commission is not a clearing house or regulatory authority of online businesses.
The post read: “SCUML Certificate Is Not CLEARANCE BY EFCC.
“ST Technologies (not CBEX) registered with the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML in line with Section 17 of the Money Laundering, (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“Registration is a statutory requirement for all Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions, DNFBPs, in Nigeria in consonance with Nigeria’s Anti-Money Laundering/ Control of Financing Terrorism, AML/CFT regime.
“The EFCC is not a clearing house or regulatory authority of online businesses.
“But financial fraud of any kind is the remit of the Commission, and it is committed to ensuring justice for victims of the CBEX scam.”
‘My Task Was To Clean Up Faeces’ – Quadri Shares Ordeal In Detention After Viral Photo With Peter Obi
AFOLABI
The 17-year-old who gained national attention during the 2023 elections for appearing in a viral photograph with Peter Obi’s campaign motorcade, Alabi Quadri, has shared the harrowing details of his detention at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Alabi recounted the moment that marked the beginning of his ordeal, his arrest by the police following an incident in his community.
Naija News reports that he revealed that the viral photo with Obi’s motorcade seemed to have made him a target for trouble, with some individuals threatening his family.
Quadri explained that he had no idea that a conflict had broken out in his area the day he was arrested. Returning home from his job as a motor boy, he was ambushed by local area boys, who handed him over to the police.
“Since the viral campaign picture surfaced, it seems like some people have been keeping a close watch on me.
“Someone even threatened my mum, saying that the money they had given me would be split in two, or else she wouldn’t see me again. They warned that they would kidnap me and take me somewhere she couldn’t even use the money,” he said, recalling the fear and confusion surrounding his sudden capture.
Upon reaching the police station, Alabi found himself locked in a cell with older men he didn’t know. He was later transferred to the notorious Kirikiri prison, where his nightmare deepened.
“At the station, they locked me up in a cell with people I didn’t know. They were older men I had never met before, and I was the youngest among them,” he recalled, his voice tinged with the pain of the experience.
He added, “In Kirikiri, my daily task was to clean up faeces from morning until six in the evening because I couldn’t afford to pay the marshall.”
The Lagos State Police Command had claimed that Alabi was arrested and remanded for alleged public disturbance and robbery.
However, his family and supporters have consistently maintained that his arrest was unjust, with many accusing the police of using him as a scapegoat.
After spending several months in detention, Alabi was finally released on April 17, 2025.
Pope Francis, who passed away at 88 years old on April 21, 2025, leaves behind a legacy marked by compassion, humility, and a relentless pursuit of reform.
As the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, his passing not only marks the end of an influential papacy but also places him among the oldest popes in history.
Naija News highlights the ten oldest popes to have ever served, showcasing their enduring legacies and contributions to the Church.
1. Pope Leo XIII – Age: 93 years, 140 days: Reigned: 1878 – 1903
Pope Leo XIII remains the oldest pope to ever serve, living to the remarkable age of 93 years and 140 days. His papacy spanned 25 years, during which he was widely respected for his intellectual contributions and his efforts to bridge Catholic teachings with modern thought.
His leadership during a pivotal era in Church history solidified his status as one of the most influential popes of the modern age.
2. Pope Celestine III – Age: 92 years: Reigned: 1191 – 1198
Pope Celestine III, born Giacinto Bobone, was elected pope at 85 years old. Despite his wish to retire, he served for nearly seven years until his death at the age of 92.
His papacy was marked by attempts to mediate conflicts and his desire for resignation, which was not granted during his time as pope.
3. Pope Francis – Age: 88 years: Reigned: 2013 – 2025
Pope Francis, known for his focus on social justice and reform, led the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death in 2025.
As the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope, he made significant contributions to the Church’s engagement with marginalized communities.
He passed away on April 21, 2025, a day after making a final public appearance at the Vatican.
4. Pope Gregory XII – Age: 88 years: Reigned: 1406 – 1415
Pope Gregory XII holds the distinction of being one of the few popes to voluntarily abdicate the papacy. He stepped down at 88 years old during the Western Schism to help restore unity in the Church. Despite his resignation, Gregory XII remains one of the oldest popes to have served.
5. Pope Clement XII – Age: 87 years, 305 days: Reigned: 1730 – 1740
Pope Clement XII was elected pope at 78 years old and served for a decade until his death at 87 years and 305 days. His papacy is remembered for his leadership in consolidating the Church’s finances and addressing various ecclesiastical matters.
6. Pope Clement X – Age: 86 years, 9 days: Reigned: 1670 – 1676
Pope Clement X, born Emilio Bonaventura Altieri, became pope at 79 and served for six years, passing away at 86 years and 9 days. His papacy reflected a deep reverence for tradition and a commitment to his faith, even as he advanced in age.
7. Pope Benedict XVI – Age: 85 years, 318 days: Reigned: 2005 – 2013 (Resigned)
Pope Benedict XVI made history when he resigned from the papacy in 2013 at 85, becoming one of the few popes to voluntarily step down.
His papacy, which began in 2005, was marked by his intellectual depth and commitment to maintaining traditional Catholic teachings. Benedict XVI passed away in 2022 at the age of 95.
8. Pope Pius IX – Age: 85 years, 107 days: Reigned: 1846 – 1878
Pope Pius IX holds the record for the longest papacy, serving for nearly 32 years. During his tenure, he faced significant challenges, including the loss of the Papal States and the declaration of papal infallibility. He passed away at 85 years and 107 days in 1878.
9. Pope Innocent XII – Age: 85 years, 107 days: Reigned: 1691 – 1700
Pope Innocent XII was elected to the papacy at the age of 75 and served until his death at 85 years and 107 days in 1700. His papacy was defined by his commitment to reforming the Church and eliminating nepotism, a persistent issue during his time.
10. Pope Lucius III – Age: 85 years: Reigned: 1181 – 1185
Pope Lucius III, born Ubaldo Allucingoli, assumed the papacy at the age of 81. Despite his advanced age, he served the Church during a time of great political and religious turmoil, including tensions with the Holy Roman Emperor. He passed away at 85 in 1185.