Abdulrahman Bello, the suspected killer of the final-year student of Kwara State College of Education Ilorin, Hafsoh Lawal, on Wednesday confessed before the court to killing his Facebook lover for money rituals.

The suspect, who also claims to be an Islamic cleric, said he carried out the act alone.

Bello, who said he killed Lawal because he needed human hands for money rituals, regretted that if only he had known another way to source the needed ingredient, he wouldn’t have killed her.

Meanwhile, a police witness, Inspector Ayodele Azeez, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the state Police Command, showed up at the hearing.

The Police Inspector narrated that: “On 14th February 2025, a case of murder and rape was transfered from C Division Oja-Oba to State CID.

“The 1st defendant, Abdulrahman was found with the following exihibits; one axe, cutlass, table, charms, right and left hands of the victim, consultation book, Tecno phone, iPhone, iPhone XR, paint rubber, container with blood, slippers and after the case has been accepted at the state CID, it was later reffered to anti-homicide and anti-robbery sections.

“The case was assigned to some team of Police officers led by ASP Dada Segun who directed me to obtain statement from the suspect and I took him to a conducive environment in a room.

“I asked him which language he preferred to speak and he settled for English and I asked if he had any relative around the police command or any lawyer to witness how his statement would be recorded,” the police witness recalled.

He added that: “He said No! I asked if he needed the service of a lawyer and he agreed that I should get him one but he added that he didn’t have money to pay for legal service. I told him not to worry about the money.

“I eventually got him lawyer A.O. Ahmed in whose presence he wrote his statement. After writing his statement under caution, he signed it after recording everything in his own handwriting.

“I told him to cross-check again in case there was any omission or need for addition, he confirmed that there was no problem and he signed the statement.

“After checking the statement, my team leader, ASP Dada Segun requested that the lawyer endorse the statement which he also did, while I also signed my column too as an IPO. ASP Dada Segun also requested me to also do video recording of how the suspect signed his statement.

“I also used my Android Phone to do recording and I transferred it to my laptop and later to a compact disc with certificate of compliance,” he narrated.

He stated further that Insp. Azeez, on February 16th 2025 and his team led by ASP Dada Segun, went to the scene of the crime at Olunlade and found a pair of earrings belonging to Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal.

He however confirmed all the exhibits tendered before the court as items recovered from Abdulrahman Bello’s house.

Barr. Agbede, who held brief for the counsel to the 1st defendant, objected to the admission of the compact disc, stressing that the suspect was coerced into making his statement while counsels to other defendants raised no objection.

Justice Hannah Ajayi however admitted the disc as an exhibit and ordered that it be played in the courtroom.

The police witness further hinted that: “when the investigation started, Abdulrahman’s call log revealed that the remaining defendants were on his regular call list before the day and the very day he perpetrated the evil act.

“All of them were tracked and arrested. When we took them before Abdulrahman Bello, it was discovered that they know each other, and the 2nd defendant happens to be the teacher of Abdulrahman, the 3rd defendant is also a student of the 2nd defendant while the 3rd and 5th defendant are his closest friends.

“We carried search on their houses, but nothing was recovered, and we returned them to the station,” he stated.

At the time of filing this report, the court was on recess.

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reiterated the urgent need to wipe out corruption in Nigeria.

Speaking against the backdrop of recent allegations of budget padding in the 2025 national budget of the country, Obi submitted that Nigeria remains a relentless scene of corruption.

Recall that Naija News earlier reported that a non-governmental civic and transparency organisation, BudgIT, alleged that a staggering 11,122 projects worth ₦6.93 trillion in questionable projects were dubiously inserted into the 2025 national budget.

Reacting to the allegation, Peter Obi, in a post on Wednesday via his ? account, said Nigeria must be rid of entrenched corruption if the country is to make any meaningful progress.

He posited that the discovery by BudgIT is likely a small fraction of the actual misappropriated amount, adding that such developments are troubling and beg a fresh call for the aggressive fight against corruption in Nigeria.

“I have consistently maintained that for this country to make progress, Nigeria must cease to function as a crime scene and be repositioned for genuine development.

“This entrenched corruption – persistent and deeply rooted – must be nipped in the bud if there is to be any meaningful turnaround.

“How else can we explain the distressing revelations by BudgIT, which uncovered a staggering ₦7 trillion in questionable projects inserted into the 2025 national budget? I am convinced that this figure represents only a fraction of the actual amount misappropriated. These findings are deeply troubling and confirm my long-held position that we have turned our country into a crime scene. We must urgently and aggressively combat corruption, misappropriation, and fiscal recklessness in order to manage our resources effectively and efficiently, and invest in critical areas of development: health, education, and lifting our people out of poverty,” Obi lamented.

The former Anambra State Governor further lamented the enormity of the alleged padded figure of ₦7 trillion, noting that the amount is way bigger than the official budgets of several ministries.

“The ₦7 trillion uncovered as fraudulently inserted into the 2025 budget is even greater than the combined allocations to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the Ministry of Agriculture – ministries that are fundamental to national development.

To be precise:
•The Ministry of Education was allocated ₦3.52 trillion,
•The Ministry of Health received ₦2.48 trillion,
•The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation was allocated ₦260 billion, and
•The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security received ₦636.08 billion.

“Combined, these four ministries were allocated ₦6.896 trillion—an already inflated amount—yet still less than the ₦7 trillion dubiously inserted into the budget.

“That ₦7 trillion figure is even more than the ₦6.1 trillion allocated to national security—at a time when Nigeria is among the most terrorised nations in the world.

“This brazen impunity by our leaders is precisely why the country cannot invest adequately in education—hence the existence of nearly 20 million out-of-school children. It is the same corruption that has crippled primary healthcare, resulting in alarming levels of malnourished children. We face widespread hunger, yet our leaders neglect agricultural investment due to persistent mismanagement and lack of accountability. The same disregard affects our capacity to fund national security effectively, or to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are vital to national growth.

“These glaring acts of corruption reinforce my position: Nigeria has been reduced to a crime scene,” the former presidential candidate argued.

The Way Out

Obi recommended a transparent management of the country’s resources by its leaders as well as strategic investment in key areas of national live to spur growth and development.

According to him, a new Nigeria is still possible.

“We must confront this corruption, misappropriation, and fiscal recklessness with unwavering resolve. Our national resources must be transparently managed and strategically invested in key sectors—health, education, and poverty alleviation—to secure a better future for our people. We must turn this nation around.

“A new Nigeria is POssible,” he concluded.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has distanced itself from the controversial arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in Kenya, stating that its operations are strictly confined to Nigeria’s territorial borders.
Naija News reports that this clarification came during the cross-examination of a prosecution witness, identified by the code name BBB, an intelligence officer from the DSS.

During his testimony, BBB was asked about the DSS’s ability to operate beyond Nigerian borders, particularly regarding the alleged involvement in Kanu’s arrest.

He firmly stated that the agency lacks the jurisdiction to carry out arrests outside Nigeria, further asserting that the DSS operates only within the nation’s borders.

“We do not have the powers to effect arrest beyond Nigeria’s borders,” BBB said, debunking allegations that the agency was responsible for Kanu’s abduction in Kenya. Kanu had claimed he was “kidnapped” from Kenya and forcibly returned to Nigeria in 2021.

The witness further clarified the DSS’s operational structure, stating that the agency is under the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and operates independently from political influence.

When asked whether the DSS can be influenced by politicians or ministers, BBB confirmed that the Attorney General does not direct the agency’s operations, affirming its autonomy.

On intelligence gathering, BBB explained that the DSS relies on various sources, including human intelligence, social media, and other channels, asserting that its operatives are well-trained to gather information as needed.

Further probing revealed that the DSS witness linked Kanu’s Radio Biafra broadcasts to incitement of violence, notably during the EndSARS protests in 2020. BBB stated that Kanu had expressed his readiness to pursue the creation of Biafra by any means, including armed conflict.

The witness also highlighted that Kanu’s inflammatory comments contributed to incidents such as the burning of a police station in Ebonyi State, the Lagos State High Court, and the cargo shed of Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos.

At a point during the proceedings, Paul Erokoro, the defence counsel, requested an adjournment to allow the submission of a video clip they intended to tender as evidence.

The court granted the request and admitted certified true copies of judgments from three fundamental rights enforcement lawsuits filed by Nnamdi Kanu in various courts, including the Abia State High Court, the Federal High Court in Umuahia, and the High Court of Enugu State.

The day’s proceedings began with a warning from the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, regarding the live streaming of court proceedings and the inappropriate use of social media.

The judge specifically cautioned Aloy Ejimakor, a member of the defence team, against posting misleading information on social media.

Lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, had raised concerns about the illegal live streaming of the trial, particularly pointing to Ejimakor’s actions. Agabi suggested that phones be banned from the courtroom to prevent further violations.

In response, Justice Omotosho emphasised the importance of professionalism throughout the trial, noting that the case is too serious to be trivialised. He also warned Ejimakor that continued misconduct could lead to disciplinary action, including potential disbarment.

Justice Omotosho concluded by reaffirming the need for an expedited hearing in the interest of all parties, especially Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody for an extended period. The case was adjourned until Thursday, May 22, for the conclusion of the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.

Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has described President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV as an insult to Christianity.

He said the President’s presence at the Pope’s inauguration could have been arranged by lobbyists.

Recall that the head of the Roman Catholic Church recently invited President Tinubu to his historic papal inauguration at the Vatican City in Rome.

At the end of the inauguration, Tinubu joined other world leaders to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the Pope.

But Babachir has downplayed the President’s meeting with Pope Leo, saying it’s a non-issue.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Babachir said President Tinubu’s presence at the event is not an achievement, adding that lobbyists with correct inducement may have arranged the invitation extended to him.

“You know that going to see the Pope is just a matter of your lobby. How well you can lobby, how many friends you have out there in the Vatican that can lobby for you. So, it is not as if it’s a major achievement to visit the Pope on his inauguration. It can be arranged in advance by lobbyists, probably with the correct inducement. So, Bola Tinubu going to visit the Pope is a non issue,” he said.

The former SGF maintained that President Tinubu’s meeting with the Pope further reinforced his sentiment that a Muslim-Muslim ticket is an insult to Christians.

He faulted the President’s visit to the Vatican City, saying a Muslim should not be leading eminent Christians to the Pope. 

According to him, Tinubu would not have attended the event if he had a Christian as Vice President. He added that the ticket with which Tinubu emerged as Nigeria’s President is an unfair arrangement.

He said, “It reinforces my earlier belief that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is an insult to Christianity, had there a senior a Christian as a vice president. It’s only expected that he will be the one to represent the government. But now in Nigeria, we have a so-called Muslim visiting the Pope, leading a delegation of and Catholics, eminent Catholics, to the Vatican. So it proves the fact that a Muslim, Muslim ticket is an unfair arrangement.”

It would be recalled that Babachir initially supported Tinubu’s candidate during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election. He withdrew his support when Tinubu chose Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim, as his running mate.

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has alleged that some Nigerian politicians and members of the armed forces are acting as informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents.

Zulum made the revelation on Wednesday during an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central, where he vowed that the state would strengthen its intelligence network and deal with saboteurs “ruthlessly.”

“We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, within the politicians, and within the communities. What we shall do is to strengthen our intelligence and to deal with them ruthlessly.

“Let’s remove contractocracy. In six months, we can put an end to this madness. We need not politicise insecurity,” he said.

Addressing the issue of surrendered insurgents, Zulum stated that while not all who surrendered have reformed fully, the overwhelming majority are contributing positively.

“I cannot completely say that 100% of those people who have surrendered are doing the right thing, but I want to assure you that over 99% are doing well and are not participating in the ongoing terrorism,” Zulum said

The governor reaffirmed the need for Nigeria to embrace both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in tackling insurgency, noting that over 99% of repentant insurgents are no longer involved in terrorism.

He stressed that military force alone would never bring about a total end to insurgency.

He stated, “Insurgency will never be ended by kinetic measures alone. We must ensure that the non-kinetic measures are also properly put in place.

“What I mean by non-kinetic measures is social, political, and economic dimensions of the crisis. Our ongoing non-kinetic measures have yielded positive results with the support of the Nigerian military.”

He acknowledged that not all 500,000-plus repentant fighters may stay reformed, but believes the system is largely working.

“Yes, I believe among the 500,000 or more that have repented, I cannot rule out the possibility of fewer of them going back to the bush,” he said.

He criticised the lack of equipment for the military and accused insurgents of having a superior technological advantage, saying “The army doesn’t have the necessary equipment on ground to fight the insurgency.”

The governor, however, commended the Nigerian military’s role in supporting peace-building efforts

“I want to commend the Nigerian armed forces for the support that they have been rendering to our non-kinetic measures,” Zulum said.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to pay attention to ground-level intelligence and professional advice from the military.

“The forest guard shall be provided immediately. The President of Nigeria needs to listen to those who can differentiate their left from their right.

“We should not politicise insecurity. The President needs to listen to the people who can tell him the right thing. The President should listen to the army,” he stated.

Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has revealed that the politicians pushing for a strong opposition coalition have considered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a no-go area.

He said the coalition’s technical committee is examining whether the alliance should register a new party or adopt and upgrade an existing one.

Babachir said this when he appeared on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Wednesday.

The former SGF said the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, is a committed and active member of the group championing the coalition campaign to wrest power from President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

According to him, the coalition is mostly driven by politicians who agreed to form an alliance against the ruling party. 

When asked why the meetings and conversations about the coalition spearheaded by Atiku have not featured the PDP, Babachir said the PDP has an incurable virus.

“In all the meetings I’ve attended so far, nobody has ever bothered about adopting the PDP as the platform. We all agree that PDP has an incurable virus. No anti-biotics can cure what is ailing the PDP and we don’t want to go into a house that we cannot modify that is not willing to change,” he said.

Babachir disclosed that the politicians behind the coalition opposition would soon announce their new platform to assuage the anxiety of Nigerians who are worried about the coalition’s political party.

With the PDP considered as a no-go area, Babachir’s revelation implied that Atiku may dump the party anytime soon.

The PDP has been hit with a leadership crisis since it lost the 2023 presidential election.

Efforts to resolve the crisis have proved abortive as party leaders are divided over the national secretary position involving Sunday Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyawu.

Vanguard source learned that the current defections of some non-political office holders into the All Progressives Congress, APC, were largely driven by the promise of election tickets by some influential members of the party.

Also, while those currently occupying public offices have their reelection tickets almost 100 per cent guaranteed, there is, however, growing discontent among stakeholders in some states about the possibility of being dislodged from a party they said they had worked for several years to build into what it is today.

Multiple party sources told Vanguard that the ruling party is also interested in getting more defectors in Kano and Kaduna, as well as states considered very strategic in the South-South zone.

“There are two ways to look at this issue as a politician. People will defect for many reasons. Nobody is defecting because his friend is on the other side. Politicians will defect because of what they can get. 

“Some have said it is due to fear of prosecution by anti-graft agencies, but I do not think that is true. Have you not seen the number of party chieftains being investigated and even being prosecuted by the EFCC?” one of the party sources queried.

According to him, the APC has a policy of treating new entrants equally with the old timers in the party. He said the party would not shy away from giving its tickets to those who had electoral value.

The party source said:  “Somebody can be in the party for 10 years and yet the party has never won an election in his area. If a new member has the political capital and electoral value that can secure us victory in such areas, then why should we shy away from putting out our best foot forward? 

‘’Yes, many of them have ambitions, but you know that where they are coming from, they could easily have got the same reelection tickets there. For us, we believe that those who are occupying public offices and are joining our party are doing that because of the good things they have seen the president doing for the nation.”

Another source said as opposed to contracts, some of the defectors wanted to remain relevant in the political landscape of their areas by being able to attract federal government projects to such areas.

“In international politics, experts would tell you that when you are not at the table, then you are on the menu. While that may not be a very fitting description of what is happening here, the truth is that there are things or projects you can only get for your people when you are close to the decision makers. Those who make decisions are not ghosts. 

“They are not everywhere. But when you are close to them, you can divert their minds to certain areas and get some things done. That way, you remain politically relevant in your area, while also adding value to your party”, the party leader told Vanguard in confidence.

He, however, expressed fears of a possible leadership crisis in some of the states, following the movement of political bigwigs into the APC.

“It is a possibility, but when we get to the bridge, we will cross it. Under President Bola Tinubu, the APC has a solid reward system. I believe something can be worked out by the national caucus in subsequent meetings before the general election.”

APC scribe keeps mum

National Secretary of the party, Senator Ajibola Basiru, did not immediately respond to calls or messages seeking clarifications on how the party intended to handle potential negative fallouts in various states as a result of the defections.

Only political sinners are joining the ruling party — Dalung

However, former Minister of Sports in the Muhammadu Buhari administration, Mr Solomon Dalung, told Vanguard that only “political sinners” are leaving their parties for the APC.

While noting that the defectors had no electoral value, Dalung, now a chieftain of Social Democratic Party SDP, said the masses have refused to follow their leaders into the APC.

He said: “The defections have been clearly defined by Senator Adams Oshiomhole. So, I don’t think we should bother much about it. The defection is a political confession for political sinners who are afraid of being prosecuted by the EFCC. 

“So, once you join the EFCC, your sins are forgiven. But all those defecting to the EFCC have no impact.

“In many places, most of these people, who did not even win elections, are very unpopular people.  In the National Assembly, some of them have never visited their constituencies since they came to Abuja and they are now defecting to the APC. Who will go with them? Did you see any of them moving with any crowd? No.

“So, the defection is more or less a political confession where grave sinners, looters of the national treasury, political bandits and so on go. So that is it. It has no impact on the political situation.”

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has said a section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was nearing completion and that users would have to pay a toll starting from December.

Umahi made the revelation in an interview for an upcoming State House documentary marking President Tinubu’s second anniversary, yesterday.

He said: “By December, we will toll Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. We project a 10-year return on investment.

“The road has solar-powered lighting and CCTV infrastructure, and offers carbon credit advantages.

“It is more than a road; it is an economic corridor and a catalyst for regional growth.

“We have completed 30 kilometres of Section 1 and are on track to complete an additional 10 in Section 2. These are six-lane, concrete-paved highways.

“Just days ago, we flagged off Sections 3 and 3B—65 kilometres in total—covering 38 kilometres in Cross River State and 27 kilometres in Akwa Ibom. The host communities’ excitement speaks to these projects’ transformative impact.”

On the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, the Minister said: “The Trans-Saharan trade route dates back to colonial-era planning. President Tinubu is now bringing these long-abandoned visions to life.”

He also spoke on 2027 presidential election, saying that all the South-East governors were supporting and working for the re-election of President Tinubu.

He also said plans were underway to organise a summit that would bring together leaders from the South-East, including the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, to endorse President Tinubu for the 2027 elections.

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, says the Nigerian Army lacks the requisite equipment to fight terrorists.

Speaking in an interview on News Central on Wednesday, Zulum said terrorists are now deploying sophisticated technology in their operations.

The Borno governor said the bureaucratic bottlenecks attached to the procurement of military equipment should be removed.

Zulum urged President Bola Tinubu to listen to the army on what it requires to end insurgency in the north of the country.

“We must prioritise security. National and subnational governments must pool resources together to procure equipment,” he said.

“The army does not have the necessary equipment on ground to fight the insurgency. Right now, the insurgents are using drones to fight soldiers on the ground.

“A few days ago, I visited the chief of army staff. He said he is looking for about 32 drones and he would end the insurgency.

“My plea is that let us deal with this matter decisively. The president of Nigeria should listen to those that can distinguish between the right and wrong. Those that can tell him the right thing and not sycophants.

“He needs to understand what is happening on the ground.

“A few days ago, I said there is an insurgency in Borno state. I commended the federal government for doing very well and that we should come together to resolve the issues.

“Some people said there is no insecurity in Borno state. We should not politicise insecurity.”

On the state police debate, the governor said the existing security apparatus should be strengthened rather than create a new policing system.

Borno state is the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, which has led to the death of more than 50,000 people, and the displacement of millions from homes since 2009.

There have been renewed terrorist attacks in Borno in recent times.

Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, has been named in the inaugural 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy list.

The list, published by TIME Magazine on Tuesday, is an annual recognition that highlights the 100 most influential leaders shaping the future of philanthropy across the world.

The billionaire is the only Nigerian on the list, according to a statement.

The list features Dangote, also founder of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), alongside global philanthropists like Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, and Melinda Gates.

TIME said the ADF spends $35 million annually on programmes across Africa, approximately over N50 billion yearly on “Giving Back to Africa”.

ADF ONGOING PROJECTS

According to the magazine, the foundation’s ongoing efforts include a $100 million multi-year initiative to combat severe childhood malnutrition.

“Furthermore, an earlier vaccine programme in Nigeria, developed in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others, contributed to the World Health Organisation’s 2020 declaration that polio had been eradicated from Africa, Nigeria being the most populous country in Africa and the last country to eradicate the disease,” TIME said.

“Education is another area where Dangote is making a significant impact. He recently announced a $10 million donation to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, based in Kano State. The conglomerate has provided a wealth of infrastructural support to the country’s tertiary institutions.

“In 2019, the Federal Government revealed that the N1.2 billion hostel donated by the Aliko Dangote Foundation to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was the largest donation ever made by an individual to a university in Nigeria’s history at that time.

“As a member of The Global Business Coalition for Education, the Aliko Dangote Foundation has also focused on early childhood education. Through the Mu Shuka Iri (Let’s Plant a Seed) programme, local women – affectionately known as “Aunties” – are trained in Montessori-style education to become community educators in Kano.

“The foundation’s investments in education include providing vocational training and providing scholarships at the secondary and tertiary levels, in addition to offering annual fellowships through the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders programme.”

Reflecting the foundation’s core priorities, Dangote said investing in nutrition, health, education, and economic empowerment is “their contribution to setting Africans up for success”.

He stressed the need to create the next generation of African leaders, saying it underscores his commitment to long-term societal change.

“My mother instilled in me the ethos of giving back, which inspired my philanthropy 30 years ago,” he said.

“I trust my three daughters will continue this legacy, just as they will continue to grow our business and impact.”

The billionaire expressed his desire to be remembered as Africa’s biggest philanthropist, not just its richest person.