The Federal High Court in Lagos has jailed one Courage Ipaka for impersonating Nigerian singer Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour N’abania.

The convict was sentenced to two years imprisonment for duping a U.S. citizen, Yvelte M. Thompson, of $53,000.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu handed down the sentence on Tuesday after Ipaka pleaded guilty to two counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge also gave Ipaka the option of a ₦2 million, fine and ordered the forfeiture of ₦7.9 m to the victim.

The EFCC’s Prosecutor Suleiman Suleiman presented evidence through the investigator, Azibagiri Ekpar, who explained how Ipaka executed the fraud.

“Ipaka impersonated Flavour by claiming he would organise shows in the United States and received payments through his Bitcoin wallets,” Ekpar said.

Ekpar further revealed that the EFCC uncovered the scam after receiving a petition from one Eyitayo Abiodun and others on behalf of Thompson.

“We invited Flavour, who came forward and denied any involvement in the allegations. Our investigation led us to Benin City, where we found that Ipaka Courage was the real culprit,” Ekpar said.

He added, “Ipaka admitted in his statement that he impersonated Flavour and scammed Mrs Thompson of $53,000 in 2021.

“Ipaka said he converted the funds into naira and deposited them into his Access Bank account.

“The sum of N7.9m was recovered from Ipaka’s accounts through the manager’s cheques from Zenith and Access banks.”

Justice Dipeolu, after reviewing the evidence, sentenced Ipaka to two years imprisonment with the option of a fine.

The Federal Government and the People’s Republic of China have agreed to partner on a crackdown on financial intelligence on anti-monetary laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.

A joint statement by the two countries on ‘Establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Building a High-Level China-Nigeria Community with a Shared Community with a Shared Future’, released by the State House on Wednesday, said both countries would collaborate to encourage flexible and diverse regional and monetary and financial cooperation such as local currency swaps, to facilitate trade between China and Nigeria and make contributions to global financial stability.

At the invitation of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, President Bola Tinubu was in China for a State Visit on Tuesday, and to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The statement said, “The two countries agree to carry out international cooperation on financial intelligence on anti-monetary laundering/ countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) and support Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard the order of its financial and foreign exchange markets and to crack down on financial crimes, including money laundering.”

According to the release, both countries have also committed to support the World Trade Organization’s focused multilateral trading system, oppose trade protectionism, promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, and create a transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for cooperation.

“The two sides further support the establishment of more friendly relations between Chinese and Nigerian provinces/states and municipalities with a view to expand and deepen cooperation at the sub-national level.

“The two sides are committed to stepping up protection of lawful rights and interests of each other’s citizens on their territories and create a favourable business environment for each other’s companies.

“The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs and jointly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms governing international relations guided by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. The two sides advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation and jointly uphold peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, the common values of humanity, and commit to a new approach to international relations focusing on win-win cooperation.

“The two sides agreed that, over half a century since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, both countries have shown respect to each other and treat each other as equals. The relationship between the two countries has withstood the test of international changes, the mutual trust has been enhanced continuously, and practical cooperation has yielded fruitful outcomes. The two countries have embarked on a path of seeking strength through unity for a win-win cooperation.

“The two sides reaffirmed their firm support to each other on issues related to their respective core interests and major concerns, particularly sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese side supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of Nigeria and the efforts made by Nigeria to maintain national unity, peace, security, and social stability, as well as promote economic development and improve people’s welfare. The Nigerian side firmly adheres to the one-China principle, acknowledges that there is but one China in the world, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Nigeria opposes any form of “Taiwan Independence” or interference in the internal affairs of China and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.

“The two sides spoke highly of the leading roles played by FOCAC in advancing the quality of cooperation between China and Africa over the past 24 years since, i.e. establishment of FOCAC, believing that the successful convening of the Beijing Summit of FOCAC opened a new chapter of unity and cooperation between China and Africa. Guided by the Declaration of the Beijing Summit on Jointly Building a High-level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future and Action Plan, the two sides are willing to deepen their mutually beneficial practical cooperation between China and Africa to achieve common development and prosperity.

“The two sides reiterate their firm support to each other in independently seeking a development path that suits their own national interest and will further strengthen exchanges on experiences of governance. Nigeria highly commends that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have made great transformation through a Chinese path to modernization, and subscribes to the opinion that the Chinese path to modernization expands options of development and solutions of practices for mankind in seeking modernization. They also commended each other’s efforts towards the prioritization of sustainable development and economic growth through the implementation of various developmental initiatives aimed at achieving poverty alleviation and enhanced food security.

“The two sides spoke highly of the overall planning, coordinating and driving roles played by the Intergovernmental Committee and its Sub-committees between China and Nigeria and decided to continue their active coordination under this mechanism, as well as maintain close communication on the convening of the second Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee and sessions of its Sub-committees.

“Nigeria applauds and supports the vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind, The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI) proposed by President Xi Jinping. Both sides pledge to support each other’s efforts in multilateral affairs, including the UN, the G20 and BRICS. Both sides agree to support the increased calls for UN Security Council reforms with balanced geographical representation to reflect current geo-political realities. Both sides agree that human rights, including the right to development, are a common cause for all humanity and oppose the politicisation of human rights issues, i.e. the interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.

“China appreciates the efforts of Nigeria in enhancing regional peace and solidarity and promoting regional integration, with a strong emphasis on respecting democracy, good governance, and the rights of citizens. China supports the West African countries in addressing differences through friendly dialogue and consultations and to carry forward the regional integration. In this regard, China also urges other international actors to refrain from actions that could turn the region into a space for geopolitical contestation.

“Guided by the Cooperation Plan between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Jointly Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, both countries remain committed to advancing high-level cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC Conference outcomes with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Eight Priority Agenda of the Nigerian Government to jointly promote high-level practical cooperation across board.

“China welcomes Nigeria to expand trade between the two countries through platforms such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) and the China Import and Export Fair (the Canton Fair), Lagos and Abuja International Trade Fairs, the Annual Nigerian Mining Week and through new channels such as e-commerce and overseas warehouses in China. China supports the import of more quality products from Nigeria into its market. Nigeria is willing to strengthen its partnership with China in the development of energy and mineral resources and to work with Chinese companies to set up plants in Nigeria to meet local consumption and export needs. China will encourage more competent Chinese companies to invest in Nigeria to contribute to the diversified and dynamic development of Nigeria’s economy.

“The two countries will seize the opportunities of developing productive capacity, further deepen overall reform, jointly explore cooperation in areas such as digital economy, green development, blue economy and agricultural modernisation, and foster new growth drivers in cooperation. Nigeria welcomes the Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Global Initiative on Data Security proposed by the Chinese side and appreciates China’s efforts in promoting the rights of developing countries in artificial intelligence, network, data and other fields.

“The two sides agree to deepen cooperation on the infrastructure connectivity between the two countries. China proactively supports Nigeria in developing its domestic infrastructure construction, including transportation, ports and free trade zones, towards achieving integrated development and connectivity for industries. The two sides will make joint efforts to fully support Nigeria’s geographical and development advantage in West Africa to establish Africa’s flagship projects on cross-national and cross-regional cooperation.”

The Aramoko Archdeaconry of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Ekiti West Diocese, has suspended a vicar, Rev. Emmanuel Gbenga Erinle, over alleged s3xual misconduct.

The suspension order was conveyed to the embattled priest through a letter dated September 2, 2024, and signed by the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Revd. Cornelius Adagbada.

“The Diocese frowns upon the alleged s3xual misconduct, considering that such nefarious acts were making worshipers leave the church daily for other churches,” the letter stated.

Women in Edo State have called on the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole, to issue a public apology for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Dr. Betsy Obaseki, the wife of the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

Naija News understands that Oshiomhole in a trending video, had reportedly referred to Dr. Obaseki as childless.

The protest, led by the Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Maria Edeko, took place in Benin on Thursday.

During the protest, the women expressed their outrage, condemning the senator’s remarks and emphasizing that such statements are offensive and disrespectful, especially towards women facing fertility challenges.

The protesters demanded that Oshiomhole retract his comments and offer a formal apology to the Obaseki family.

According to the demonstrators, childlessness should not be used as a weapon in political discourse, and they urged for more sensitivity and respect in political engagements.

Edeko said, “It is sad to see a person (Oshiomhole) who has once governed the state, condescend to such a level. It is a taboo, a sacrilege and a desecration of Edo land to mock a woman or a couple for not bearing a child. Those who mock others for not having children yet could be described as one of the most ungrateful persons on earth.

“We rise as women of Edo State, home and abroad, to denounce the shameful conduct of Oshiomhole. We call on all women and couples that have gone through the pain of not bearing a child on time or not having a child at all, to express displeasure over the pathetic development.”

The Presidency has said at no time did President Bola Tinubu promise the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that his administration would not increase the pump price of fuel.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, said this on Tuesday, in reaction to organized labour’s outcry that workers have been betrayed.

Recall that the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, demanded an immediate reversal of the adjusted fuel price increase by Tinubu’s government.

Ajaero said Labour accepted the ₦70,000 minimum wage because the President promised there would not be an increase in fuel price.

Labour had in the build-up to the minimum wage negotiation, held onto ₦250,000 to be the minimum wage.

“We are filled with a deep sense of betrayal as the federal government clandestinely increases the pump price of PMS. One of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased even as we knew that N70,000 was not sufficient.

“We recall vividly when Mr President gave us the devil’s alternatives to choose from: either N250,000 as minimum wage (subject to the rise of the pump price between N1,500 and N2,000) and N70,000 (at old pms rates), we opted for the latter because we could not bring ourselves to accept further punishment on Nigerians,” Labour said, in a statement, on Tuesday.

Abdulaziz, in response, accused Ajaero and Labour of playing dirty politics and deceiving Nigerians. He stated that the two meetings Tinubu had with Labour had no discussion concerning fuel price increases in exchange for minimum wage.

“I sat through the two meetings President Bola Tinubu had with Labour leaders on minimum wage. At neither of the meetings was an offer made in exchange of fuel price hike. Ajaero is once again playing his dirty politics with the emotions of Nigerians,” Abdulaziz wrote on his X handle.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued arrest warrants for British citizen Andrew Wynne and two Nigerians, Lucky Obiyan and Abdullahi Musa, following allegations of plotting an insurrection against Nigeria.

Naija News had earlier reported that the police declared Wynne and his Nigerian collaborator, Lucky Obiyan, wanted for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration and placed a 20 million naira bounty on them.

The arrest order was made on Tuesday by Justice Emeka Nwite in response to an ex-parte application filed by the police.

Andrew Wynne, also known by the aliases Andrew Povich and Drew Povey, along with the two Nigerians, has become a key target in the Nigerian government’s intensified crackdown on activists associated with the #EndBadGovernance protests.

The administration of President Bola Tinubu has been actively pursuing those linked to these protests.

In a statement released on Monday, police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi accused Wynne of organizing “a network of sleeper cells” with the intent to destabilize the Tinubu administration and create nationwide chaos.

Adejobi revealed that Wynne, who has since fled the country, had rented a space at Labour House in Abuja under the guise of running an “Iva Valley Bookshop” and establishing “STARS of Nations Schools,” which the police allege were covers for subversive activities.

On the same day, the government arraigned 10 Nigerians who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protests in various states, including Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna.

These individuals are charged with collaborating with the 70-year-old Briton to destabilize Nigeria.

The charges also include accusations of calling for the military to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government and conspiring with Wynne to wage war against the Nigerian state.

Justice Nwite ordered the remand of the 10 defendants until September 11, when a ruling on their bail applications will be delivered.

This comes after an earlier ruling on August 22, where the court ordered the detention of 75 protesters, including 28 minors, for two months while awaiting police investigations into alleged terrorism-related offenses.

During Tuesday’s hearing, police lawyer Audu Garba moved the ex-parte application for Wynne’s arrest. Garba argued that the court’s order was necessary to allow all law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to lawfully arrest the defendants, who are currently on the run.

He stated that the charges against them include conspiracy, treason, incitement to mutiny, and acts of terrorism, as outlined under sections 97, 410, 413, 416, and 412 of the Penal Code, Northern States Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 2004.

The affidavit supporting the ex-parte application reiterated many of the claims made against the 10 protesters and highlighted allegations that the fleeing defendants were responsible for planning and executing attacks on several government facilities in Kano State, including the High Court Complex, the Nigerian Communications Commission office, and a printing press.

Justice Nwite found the application to be meritorious and granted the police’s request, thereby authorizing the nationwide arrest of Wynne, Obiyan, and Musa.

The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, has criticised the recent hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS (petrol), by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.

This is as NECA described the situation as Nigerians paying for the inefficiency of NNPCL.

The Director General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, responding to the new pump price of PMS.

NNPCL Retail outlets hiked the pump price of fuel to N855 per litre.

Consequently, Oyerinde said the increase is not only worrisome but also unfair.

He said: “We had expected that the government would leverage on the momentum created by the completion of the Dangote refinery and the planned commencement of operation of the Port-Harcourt refinery.

“This is to clear the obvious self-inflicted pain on Nigerians and progressively reduce the pump price of petrol. This seems not to be the case.

“This new pump price could be seen as making Nigerians pay for the crass inefficiency in the NNPCL.”

He further remarked that, rather than tackling the fundamental issues that have caused Nigeria to remain a net importer of petrol despite having four refineries, the government has continued to impose hardships on Nigerians.

He further noted that the government’s actions are inadvertently contributing to the increasing cost of doing business.

He advised the government to reconsider its approach and take all necessary measures to address the ongoing impoverishment of Nigerians and the weakening of organised businesses.

The development comes as Dangote Refinery officially announced the first rollout of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, had stated that the refinery’s petrol price would be fixed by the Federal Executive Council.

Presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, says the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Limited admitted to having financial constraints because it can no longer subsidise petrol.

Onanugu, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, disclosed this in a post on X on Tuesday.

He said if the NNPCL continues to pay the difference between the landing cost and petrol price, the national oil company will go bankrupt.

Onanuga said NNPC’s debt was a result of the company’s efforts to absorb rising petrol costs and protect Nigerian consumers, rather than any government deception.

“NNPC cried out recently because it can no longer sustain the price differential on its balance sheet without becoming insolvent,” he said.

“The situation has greater implications for the ability of the three tiers of government to function as the NNPC has failed to pay into the Federation Account, the money that should go to the government.

“There are no easy choices. Something must be done to make NNPC survive, and keep the engines of government running and petrol flowing at the pumps.

“That is the scenario that is unfolding, and the game changer and big relief giver may well be the Dangote refinery and other local refineries, which will become the fuel suppliers to the local market.

“When Dangote Refinery and other refineries, including government-owned Port Harcourt Refinery, come fully on stream, our country and economy will benefit on all fronts. There will be many good paying jobs that will be created along the value chain.”

According to Onanuga, there will also be a drop in the huge demand for foreign exchange to import petroleum products.

Tinubu government did not lie about fuel subsidies

I have read a series of articles attacking the Federal Government for not telling the truth about fuel subsidy payments, following NNPC Limited’s admittance it was owing suppliers some $6 billion.

Earlier, the NNPCL increased the price of petrol to N855 per litre, but the landing cost of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was around N1,200.

The Lagos State medical doctor, Idara Bassey, who was declared wanted in connection with the death of a 36-year-old woman during a buttock enlargement surgery at a clinic in Lekki Phase 1, is now in police custody, PUNCH Metro reports.

Our correspondent learnt from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Tuesday, that Bassey is currently being investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti.

Bassey had previously fled after Abiola died during a buttock enlargement procedure at her clinic on August 26, 2024.

The Brazilian Butt Lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that involves removing fat from other parts of the body and injecting it into the buttocks to enhance their fullness and create a rounder shape.

Numerous medical experts have warned about the potential risks of the procedure, particularly following the death of a 31-year-old British woman, Melissa Kerr, during a similar surgery at the Medicana Kadikoy Hospital in Istanbul in 2019.

A BBC report in 2023 revealed that the deceased had not been given enough information to properly assess the risks of the BBL surgery before travelling to undergo the procedure.

Despite warnings about the risks of the enlargement procedure, more videos have surfaced online of women, especially in Lagos, claiming to have successfully undergone the surgery.

While the police confirmed to our correspondent that the nurse who administered the injection to the late 36-year-old had been arrested, the clinic’s owner became a suspect in the case, particularly following her disappearance.

PUNCH Metro reports that Abiola had visited the clinic for the buttock enlargement procedure, which tragically ended in her death after a nurse, allegedly acting under Bassey’s orders, administered an injection.

Earlier, she had left her home in the Diamond Estate, Sangotedo, in the Ibeju Lekki area and directed her driver to take her to the clinic for the procedure.

After the nurse allegedly administered the injection on the doctor’s instructions, the driver who brought Abiola to the clinic reported to the police that she had lost consciousness and began gasping for breath.

When contacted on Tuesday about the progress of the investigation, Hundeyin stated that the doctor is now with the SCID.

Asked whether Bassey would face charges and on what grounds, he said answers to these questions would be provided “after the investigation.”