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A group of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national officials have charged aggrieved leaders of the opposition party to accept the leadership of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum or resign.
The national officials, at a press briefing, in Abuja, yesterday, said Damagum’s case was settled until December 2025. They said it was wrong for party members to be demarketing the party instead of exploring internal crisis resolution mechanisms.
The Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, who spoke on behalf of the national officials, said the demarketing of the party by aggrieved members must stop.
PDP leaders have been divided on whether Damagum should be replaced or allowed to continue as acting national chairman. The division in the opposition party deepened recently with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, affirming the nomination of former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye as replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary.
However, Anyanwu has appealed the judgment while the appellate court has directed the parties to maintain the status quo.
Nevertheless, Osadolor, who noted that “all have sinned” said party stalwarts must bury their pride and join hands with the acting national chairman in the building of the party.
“Worrisome is the action of a member of the party who under the guise of ‘due process advocates’ act on behalf of self-serving leaders lurking behind the scenes mischievously causing misunderstanding in the party.
“This behavior is apparently self-serving on their path as it is not in the interest of the PDP in any way. It is ethically and morally wrong for members of the party to move around creating confusion instead of exploring our internal mechanism for peace.
“This is no longer the time for blame games. All have sinned. From the BoT chairman who endorsed an opposition governor, to candidates that negotiated and supported other party candidates with promises to get their return support, to NWC members and leaders that lost their polling units.
“We must all come down from our high horses, forget pride for now and join hands with the party as led by Amb. Illya Damagum to reposition this party back to winning ways. Court distractions and media demarketing of the PDP must stop forth with. You do not need to like the officers but the party is more important. If you want to resign and go, be a proper opposition, do not be here and be going from television house to radio house abusing the party.
“The case of the acting national chairman is settled till December, 2025, and on that of the national secretary, we’re waiting on the courts. Let’s learn to love and support PDP first and always.”
Osadolor added that the abysmal performance of the PDP in the last 10 years would continue except members get their acts together.
According to him, “from 2013 till date, personal ambitions have driven us to heights of pure mischief and arrogant use of power. This has led to agreements not being kept and the ambiguities in our Constitution being explored by those in position, even through the courts.
“We are all complicit by being perpetrators, supporters or silent. No one is coming to save us, we must stand up and become heroes, we brought ourselves here. Tomorrow beckons on us, to rise up and surmount these challenges.
“As we await the outcome of the ongoing litigations, let us work towards the upcoming constitutionally backed stakeholders engagements, embrace each other, and put plans in place to amend the ambiguities, the loop holes in our Constitution.
“Our individual ambitions must be within the ambit of the law and must be pursued with sincerity and loyalty to the party, not the mischief and arrogance that we always display.”
A non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of human rights, International Human Right Today Initiative HRTI, led by Comrade Maiyasin, has filed a complaint with the Katsina State Police Headquarters, alleging that a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Dutsinma, CSP Bello Gusau, took a 15-year-old girl detained at the police station to his house, where she spent the night.
According to the organization, before taking the step to file the complaint, they conducted a thorough investigation and gathered evidence confirming that the girl spent the night at the DPO’s residence and not at the police station.
In an interview with DAILY POST, the organization’s leader stated, “The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Musa, has taken the matter very seriously. As a result, he set up an investigative committee and suspended the DPO from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Based on the findings gathered by the organization, Maiyasin stated, “The girl had initially gone missing before she was found and taken to the Dutsinma Police Station. Due to the lateness of the hour, she was left at the station to spend the night. However, the DPO instructed the girl’s relatives, who came to take her home, to leave her, claiming he would personally take her home in the morning.”
The next morning, when the girl’s relatives returned to the station to bring her food, they found that she was not there. The officers on duty in the morning shift informed them that she had not spent the night at the station. This led to a confrontation between the police and the girl’s relatives until she was eventually brought back to the station. However, she was wearing different clothes from those she had the previous night.
The organization claimed that the girl confirmed to them that she spent the night at the DPO’s house and that he had instructed her to go there. They further stated that they recorded her testimony to that effect.
DAILY POST obtained an audio recording where the girl’s father expressed his determination to seek justice for his daughter through the appropriate authorities.
After a detailed investigation, the organization submitted a formal complaint to the Katsina State Police Headquarters, urging the authorities to take appropriate action.
The spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command , DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu confirmed to DAILY POST that the complaint was received and that an investigation is ongoing into the allegations.
The investigation is expected to reveal the truth and ensure justice is served.
Commerical banks in the country yesterday issued warnings to their customers about the rise in fake bank alerts, a tactic commonly used by fraudsters to deceive individuals and businesses.
According to statements from different banks seen by Daily Sun, these fake alerts often appear as genuine notifications of deposits or transfers, leading recipientto believe they have received money
Victims typically proceed to release goods or services without verifying the payment, only to realize later that the funds were never actually transferred.
This issue has become more prevalent with increasing digital transactions. Banks and regulatory authorities in Nigeria has constantly encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities immediately.
Access Bank, in an email notification to its customers, said, “Dear valued customer, Just received a credit alert? Hold on! Do not rely solely on SMS or email alerts. Always confirm payments into your account through secure channels like Access More, Internet Banking or *901#.
Be cautious of fake alerts- stay one step ahead and verify before completing any transaction. Stay vigilant!”
There have been a shocking escalation in fraudulent activities lately especially in the nine months of 2024, leaving banks and customers vulnerable.
According to the FITC fraud and forgery report for Q3 2024, fraud cases reported by banks jumped by an alarming 65% from 11,532 in Q2 2024 to 19,007 in Q3 2024. The monetary figures are equally disturbing as in Q3 2024, fraudster attempted to steal an eye-watering N115.9 billion-more than double the N56.6 billion recorded in the previous quarter.
This caused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise an alarm, warning Nigerians to beware of falsified SWIFT documents being used to back such allegations.
The apex bank disclosed that it has received a wave of complaints from private entities, individuals, law firms, and government agencies, claiming that foreign funds transferred to their accounts remain uncredited.
Many of these complaints, the bank noted, come with fake SWIFT MT103 forms and acknowledgment copies that cannot be verified on the SWIFT network, indicating that the alleged transfers never took place.
Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, announced the arrest of 37 suspected internet fraudsters in Awka, Anambra State.
The anti-graft agency disclosed on its X (formerly Twitter) handle that the arrest followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to fraudulent internet activities.
It stated that the all-male suspects were arrested in a sting operation at Commissioners’ Quarters, Dr. J. O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State capital, and that items recovered from them included six exotic cars, laptops and mobile phones.
“They will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the statement added
Some countries offer a fast-track path to citizenship for foreigners who marry their citizens. This shortens the usual residency requirements and helps spouses gain citizenship more quickly. While the rules vary, marriage is often accepted as a valid reason for granting citizenship or residency. This also comes with benefits like the right to live, work, and travel freely. Fast-tracking citizenship through marriage is a good option for those wanting to build a life in a new country.
Here are five countries where marrying a local could quickly change your nationality in 2025.
Spain
In the past, marrying a Spanish citizen automatically granted citizenship. However, since 1975, direct citizenship after marriage is no longer possible.
Marriage still makes the citizenship process faster. Marrying a Spaniard makes it easier and quicker to get residency and citizenship. Normally, it takes 2 to 10 years of residency to qualify for citizenship. If married to a Spanish citizen, you only need one year of legal residency. However, you may need to renounce your original nationality unless you’re from a former Spanish colony. With Spanish citizenship, you can travel to 183 countries without a visa, live and work anywhere in the EU, and vote in Spain.
Step-by-Step Process: First, register your marriage with a notary in Spain. Then, apply for a residency permit to live and work in Spain for five years. There are two options: the EU Family Member Card for those with legal status and sufficient income, or Family Arraigo for those without legal status but with a clean criminal record.
After getting your residency, live in Spain with your spouse for one year. The year starts only after your residency permit is approved. Once you’ve lived together for a year, apply for Spanish citizenship. You’ll need to pass the Spanish language test (A2) and the CCSE cultural exam.
Argentina
Argentine citizenship can be obtained in two ways. The first is Citizenship by Option, which is available to children of native Argentine citizens as stated in Article 1, Law 346, and Article 2, Decree 3213/84. The second is citizenship by naturalisation, which requires two years of continuous residency in Argentina, verified by the National Directorate of Migrations. This residency requirement is waived if you are married to an Argentine citizen or have Argentine-born children. However, siblings of Argentine citizens cannot apply for citizenship through this route.
To apply, you must be at least 18 years old. You need a legalised birth certificate, either with an Apostille or international legalisation if required, and a valid Argentine ID (DNI) or passport. You also need police clearance certificates from your home country and any other countries where you lived for more than six months in the past three years. These certificates must be apostilled. A non-criminal record certificate from Argentina’s National Registry is also required. This involves fingerprinting, and the results are sent by email.
You must provide proof of residency in Argentina, such as utility bills, a rental contract, or a domicile certificate from the local police. You also need to show proof of income through pay stubs, monotributo receipts, or an income certificate from a public accountant. If you have Argentine children, you must include photocopies of their birth certificates and a certificate from the Immigration Directorate.
You need to have basic Spanish skills to understand court proceedings and take the citizenship oath. Two specific forms, provided during the process, must also be completed.
The entire process usually takes one to 1.5 years. Applicants must appear in person at three key stages: submitting the application, processing the criminal record, and taking the citizenship oath. A legal advisor must be appointed to manage the application. After completing the process, you can apply for your DNI and Argentine passport.
Brazil
If you and your Brazilian partner marry, you can start the process for Brazilian citizenship within a year. You can marry in Brazil, but it may be easier to marry outside the country due to Brazil’s complicated bureaucracy. If you marry abroad, you will likely need to pay a fee to the Brazilian consulate to process your documents. After submitting the required paperwork, you will get a Certificate of Marriage Registration. This certificate confirms your marriage is recognised under Brazilian law. You will need to bring the marriage documents to Brazil to continue the process and apply for a permanent residence visa.
Marriage to a Brazilian does not automatically give you citizenship. You must follow additional steps. Usually, you need to apply for permanent residence at a Federal Police station in Brazil, which may require travelling there. If you do not speak Portuguese, getting help from a lawyer or a fixer is recommended. Due to Brazil’s bureaucracy, professional help is often important.
After being married for one year and holding permanent residence, you can apply for citizenship by marriage. The naturalisation process may take 12 to 15 months. A good lawyer can help reduce delays. Lawyers in Brazil often work with a fixer, or “despachante,” to handle the paperwork. While many expats find fixers helpful, be careful, as some may not act in your best interest.
Italy
Italian citizenship through marriage or civil union is governed by Law n. 91 of 1992. A non-Italian spouse can apply after two years of marriage or civil union if living in Italy, or three years if living abroad. This period is shorter if the couple has children under 18 or adopts children. Same-sex civil unions, recognised in Italy since 2016, are treated the same as marriages.
The application fee is €250, paid by wire transfer. Since December 4, 2018, applicants must show B1-level Italian language proficiency from an approved institution.
To start, the Italian spouse must be registered with AIRE (if abroad) and have their marriage/civil union recorded at the consulate and the local comune. The citizenship application is submitted at the consulate (if abroad) or Prefettura (if in Italy).
The process has two steps: filling out an online form and making an appointment to submit documents and sign the application. Applicants need a marriage certificate transcript, criminal background checks from all countries lived in since age 14, a certified copy of their foreign birth certificate, and B1-level Italian certification from an approved institution.
France
Foreigners can apply for French citizenship by declaration or by decree, depending on their situation. Citizenship by birth, marriage, or ascendancy is through declaration. Citizenship by naturalisation is through decree.
Foreigners married to French citizens can apply for citizenship by declaration if they meet certain conditions. If living in France, the marriage must last at least four years, with three years of residency in France together. If living abroad, the French spouse must be registered in consular records. The application can be made after four years of marriage. If neither condition is met, the requirement is five years. The marriage must be registered in the French civil registry.
Applicants must have a valid residence permit (unless from the EEA or Switzerland), no expulsion order, and a community of life with the French spouse. They must also have B1-level French language skills and no criminal record. Irregular residency periods do not count toward the required residency.
To apply, submit a completed Cerfa form, photos, a tax stamp, proof of identity and residence, a marriage certificate, and other documents. These include proof of the French spouse’s nationality and evidence of language proficiency. All documents must be in French or with certified translations.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the recruitment of 500 teachers by the State Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to boost learning.
Naija News reports that Commissioner for Education, Emmanuel Iyamu, made this known upon assumption of office in Benin on Wednesday.
Iyamu, who was sworn in on Monday by Okpebholo following his confirmation as Commissioner by the state’s House of Assembly, urged all qualified Nigerians to apply for the teaching job.
While reiterating the importance placed on the education sector by the Okpebholo-led administration, the new Commissioner stated that the recruitment would be done in tranches, stressing that “it is meant to fill the numerous vacancies in public schools.”
Iyamu also stated that the recruitment is strictly merit-based
He added, “Government is committed to ensuring that all public schools in Edo are adequately staffed by qualified teachers.
“The era of having two or three teachers in a school is gone and I am calling on qualified Nigerians
to apply.”
Meanwhile, Okpebholo has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his love for the Edo people, assuring him of continued support ahead of the 2027 Presidential polls.
Governor Okpebholo stated this in his goodwill message during a food outreach by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), through its Social Investment Programme.
At the event, which was held at the New Festival Hall of Government House, Benin City, Edo State, Okpebholo said the electorate in Edo State will give the President 100 percent of their votes in the 2027 presidential election for remembering the vulnerable in the State.
The RHI food outreach began on the 8th of March, 2024, and about seven States, including Edo, have benefited from the initiative so far. The other States include Kano, Benue, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Cross River, and Gombe, while States like Kwara, Kogi, and Abia are next in line.
Governor Okpebholo commended the First Lady of Nigeria and Chairperson of RHI, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her love and motherly role in ensuring that the people of Nigeria enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He noted that the initiative of the First Lady would not have been successful without the support of President Tinubu, assuring him that the people of Edo State will support him for a second term if and when he decides to run.
Dora Chichah, wife of a suspended Catholic priest from the Diocese of Warri, Delta State, Rev Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, has recounted how she met her husband.
Recall that the Catholic Diocese of Warri suspended Oghenerukevwe for allegedly contracting a secret marriage in the United States without completing the formal process of being released from his priestly vows.
The Diocese clarified that Oghenerukevwe had requested on November 30, 2024, to be released from all canonical obligations associated with Holy Orders.
However, the Diocese said it reached out to him, “asking for the required documents to begin the process, but the priest went on to marry without completing the procedure.”
Photos of the wedding, which took place in Dallas, Texas, have since gone viral.
Speaking during a live testimony session at Pastor Jerry Eze’s Streams of Joy International Church in Dallas, Dora shared her journey.
In a video reposted on Monday by a Catholic missionary priest, Fr. Kelvin Ugwu, Dora introduced herself as a single mother of three who had prayed for a husband for over nine years
“What God cannot do does not exist. We dey pray, e dey show. My name is Dora, and I’m giving my testimony from Streams of Joy, Dallas.
“Indeed, the lord has shown me mercy. Since 2020, I have been on this altar, believing God for a life partner. I’m a single mother of three and I have been believing God for over nine years for a divine settlement. I kept on praying. I said, God settle me,” she stated.
Dora added, “In July 2021, Pastor Jerry said the Lord has heard you; he said the Lord allowed all that has happened happen to take you to your wealthy place. He is your salvation. In your waiting time, He will build your character.
“I kept praying. Anytime Pastor Jerry says women in their 30s, women in their 40s, receive your husband. I would dance and I would pray and I was believing God.”
“In 2024, I heard God clearly to relocate from where I was to Dallas, Texas.”
Dora said she reconnected with Daniel, someone she knew growing up in the same area, and they quickly exchanged contact details.
“He told me stories about how he has been praying for four years for discernment in his vocation. And in my own case, I had been praying too. He said he had been fasting for three months, asking God to give him the woman for him,” Dora revealed.
The relationship progressed swiftly, culminating in their wedding.
“In three months, we had gone through the marriage class. Within three months, we did the traditional wedding; we did the court. And the white wedding in Streams of Joy, Dallas,” she said.
While Dora did not address Daniel’s status as a Catholic priest during her testimony, the video package featured pictures of her and Daniel during their wedding.
PUNCH Online reports that a woman claiming to be Daniel’s biological sister, Mary Okanatotor, defended the marriage, stating it was the best decision for her brother.
“He did not do a secret marriage as he wrote to the Diocese to inform them of his decision,” she said in a social media post.
The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has announced a reward of ₦5 million and a bungalow for an award-winning Math teacher, Kayode Adewale, who was recently shortlisted for the prestigious $1 million Global Teacher Prize.
Adewale, known for integrating technology with local language instruction at Imagbon/Imaka Comprehensive High School in Ogun State, secured a spot among the top 50 finalists for the global award.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Abiodun lauded Adewale’s contributions to education and named him Ogun State Education Ambassador. The governor promised to honor Adewale with a bungalow in any location of his choice within the state, alongside a ₦5 million cash reward.
The statement said, “As a state that prides itself on being the education capital of Nigeria, we are immensely proud to celebrate one of our own, Kayode Adewale, a visionary educator who has earned a place among the Top 50 teachers globally in the prestigious Global Teacher Prize.
“This US $1 million initiative by the Varkey Foundation, supported by UNESCO, recognizes educators who have made extraordinary contributions to transforming lives and communities through education.
“Kayode Adewale, a mathematics teacher at Imagbon/Imaka Comprehensive High School, Ogun State, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to educational excellence.”
Adewale, an alumnus of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, has previously won the Ogun State Best Teacher Award in 2020.
Abiodun emphasised that Adewale’s international acclaim in 2025 exemplifies the values of selflessness, innovation, and dedication in education.
The statement added, “A proud alumnus of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun — Nigeria’s premier institution for teacher training and one of the top 10 globally — Kayode’s innovative teaching methods and dedication to transforming education have earned him local and international acclaim.
“Today, as a government committed to fostering excellence, we are proud to honor Kayode Adewale as the Ogun State Education Ambassador. To commemorate this achievement, we will provide him with a bungalow in any part of Ogun State of his choice. Additionally, we will support him with a cash prize of ₦5,000,000 to further inspire his outstanding work in education.
“His humility and unwavering dedication to uplifting his community through education are truly commendable.”
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The Jigawa State Government has revealed that properties worth a staggering N5 billion were destroyed during the nationwide protests in August 2024.
Chairman of the fact-finding committee on the protest, Barrister Bello Fanini, disclosed this while presenting the committee’s report to Governor Umar Namadi at the Council Chambers of the Government House in Dutse on Tuesday night.
Fanini, who also serves as the state Commissioner for Justice, stated that the destroyed properties belonged to the federal, state, and local governments, as well as private individuals.
He further explained that the committee had outlined recommendations aimed at preventing such incidents in the future.
In response to the report, the governor expressed appreciation to the committee for their dedication and assured that the government would carefully review and implement the recommendations.
He stressed the need to protect lives and property across the state.
In a related development, Governor Namadi called on public and political officeholders to uphold their oath of office and allegiance while performing their duties. This charge came during the swearing-in ceremony of five newly appointed special advisers at the Government House in Dutse.
The new advisers are Sai’du Umar (Food and Nutrition), Bala Abdulkadir (Special Duties), Musa Sha’aibu (Revenue), Ado Mai Unguwa (Trade and Investment), and Uzairu Nadabo (Export Processing Zone II).
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Bala Abdulkadir expressed gratitude to the state government for the opportunity to serve. He pledged that the advisers would carry out their responsibilities with dedication and integrity.
Meanwhile, the governor has inaugurated the Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, which he chairs. The committee aims to advance one of the administration’s 12-point agendas focused on improving livestock farming in the state.
The committee’s secretary, Auwalu Shehu, alongside other members drawn from the agricultural sector and key stakeholders, has been tasked with implementing reforms to boost the livestock sector.
The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Wednesday, began a three-day warning strike over unpaid salaries, allowances, and other demands.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the President of ARD FCTA, Dr George Ebong, said the strike followed the expiration of the three-week ultimatum issued last year.
Recall that the association issued a 21-day ultimatum to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on December 23, 2024, to meet its demands.
Speaking on behalf of doctors in the territory, Dr Ebong condemned the neglect of hospitals and doctors’ welfare in the nation’s capital.
He stressed that doctors in Abuja had become abandoned projects and called on the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to intervene to prevent an indefinite shutdown of hospitals.
According to him, the decision to embark on the three-day warning strike was a result of a Congress meeting held by its members on Tuesday.
“The three-day strike is being implemented across all government hospitals in Abuja, including Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, Zuba, Kwali, Abaji, Nyanya, and all other hospitals in Abuja.”
“We gave the government an ultimatum to meet our demands, and after that, we met with them and held several dialogues. They pleaded for two weeks, but after that elapsed, nothing has been done. Not even the minimum thing. We expected them to pay the six months of unpaid arrears to doctors.”
“Honestly, doctors have been abandoned. Just as the roads are being constructed, the welfare of doctors should be considered by the minister,” he said.
He added that if nothing is done regarding the doctors’ demands after the three-day strike, they would conduct an appraisal.
“If nothing is done, we will go on an indefinite strike. We want the Minister of FCT to solve this problem to prevent an indefinite shutdown of hospitals in Abuja,” he stated.
He mentioned that promises made regarding the accoutrements allowance had not been fulfilled.
“This allowance, meant for the tools we use daily to serve Nigerians, has also been delayed indefinitely. Management assured us this money would be paid, but to date, nothing has been done. These broken promises make it harder for us to trust the system.”
“Imagine passing a promotion exam years ago, in our case, 2-5 years ago, taking on the responsibilities of your new role, but still being paid for your old position. This is our reality. Doctors who have earned the title of ‘consultant’ are still treated as senior registrars, with no formal recognition or financial benefits. It is a slap in the face to our hard work and commitment.”
“Since 2021, there has been an increase in our hazard allowance — an increase approved due to the high risks we face daily. From COVID-19 to Lassa fever, we work on the front lines, often at great personal risk. Yet, here in the FCT, we are still owed 13 months of arrears,” he emphasised.
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The minister of communications, innovations, and digital economy, Bosun Tijani, has said the recent increase in tariffs by mobile network operators (MNOs) was a sequel to the global inflation and rising cost of operation.
Tijani said this while briefing journalists after a closed-door budget defence session on Tuesday with the National Assembly joint committee on information, communication, and technology.
According to him, telcos have struggled with high operating costs and global inflationary pressures for several years.
The minister said the government was committed to ensuring the sustainability of the telecommunication sector and the protection of Nigerians’ interests.
“The hike in price is based on inflation globally. This is a sector that has not increased prices for a long time; what the government has been doing is managing the situation. They have been crying out for a long time that they are struggling with the cost of diesel. This is not a problem that is unique to Nigerians.
“We will ensure that MNOs can continue to deliver the best quality services to the people. The NCC is doing a lot of tracking now to ensure that the quality of the services people will get is of good quality,” he noted.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is enmeshed in another internal scandal as an officer in charge of Kaduna Zonal Office’s exhibit room allegedly absconded with over $30,000 and other valuable exhibits.
Earlier in January, the country’s flagship anti-corruption agency said it had detained 10 officers in Lagos over theft of operational items they could not account for.
Although the commission did not disclose the specific items stolen by the officials, DAILY NIGERIAN findings revealed that they stole gold bars worth over N1billion as well as over $180,000 and about GBP 140,000.
In the latest scandal, DAILY NIGERIAN exclusively gathered that a member of staff of the commission, simply identified as Polycarp, vanished into a thin air when he failed to account for “over $30,000”.
Insiders who preferred anonymity told this newspaper that the zonal director, Benedict Ubi, a couple of weeks ago ordered for an audit of the directorate’s exhibit room, following the internal heist that occurred in Lagos.
According to the sources, when Mr Polycarp received the directive that the exhibit room would be audited, he took an excuse to ease himself and fled.
“Immediately after the order for the audit was given, he took an excuse to ease himself. Efforts were made to contact him but all his telephone lines were switched off.
“This is only what the preliminary audit on foreign currency shows. There are chances that more could be uncovered after a thorough audit of the exhibit room,” said a source familiar with the development.
This newspaper learnt that the commission had launched a manhunt to trace the fleeing officer’s whereabouts.
In 2019, an official of the commission was indicted for receiving $20,000 as bribe from a business man at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos state.
Despite his confession to the crime, he was reinstated by the then acting chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu. The matter was not made public.
In 2021, the anti-graft agency dismissed an officer after DAILY NIGERIAN published a leaked audio in which he was heard helping suspects on how their accounts could be unfrozen and charges dropped against them.
The then spokesman for EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, described the officer as “a corrupt fifth columnist with scant regard for the values of the commission,” adding that his action was contemptuous of the Standard Operating Procedure of the EFCC.
“Without prejudice to the outcome of the investigation, snippets of the audio recording clearly showed an abysmally compromised ‘officer’ dropping names to ingratiate his benefactor, a relative of a crime suspect.
“By the alleged action, the said officer is no more than a corrupt fifth columnist with scant regard for the values of the commission.”
On January 6, the commission announced the dismissal of 27 officers from its workforce for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct.
Although the anti-graft agency made it appear recent, credible sources however said it was the total number of members of staff sacked for fraud since the establishment of EFCC in 2003.
Attempts by our correspondent to get the reaction of the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as he neither picked calls nor responded to an SMS sent to his known mobile number.
The chief executive officer of Globacom, Ahmad Farroukh, has stepped down just one month after assuming the role.
Farroukh, a seasoned telecoms executive with extensive experience across Africa and the Middle East, was appointed in December 2024.
His selection was seen as a strategic move to leverage his expertise to drive Globacom’s expansion and innovation in an increasingly competitive market.
Industry analysts suggest the resignation could be linked to internal corporate dynamics or strategic disagreements, though no official confirmation has been made.
Farroukh’s extensive career includes leadership roles at MTN and other telecom giants, where he successfully led key market initiatives.
Globacom, founded by billionaire businessman Mike Adenuga, remains a dominant player in Nigeria’s telecom sector with millions of subscribers. The company is expected to address the leadership transition in the coming weeks.
The Donald Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches and hospitals, ending a decades-old policy in the United States.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary, Benjamine Huffman, announced the end of two directives in a statement, giving agents more authority over whether they can carry out enforcement and eliminating a legal pathway for migrants seeking to come to the United States.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,” the statement read.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement set a policy in 2011 preventing agents from making arrests in sensitive locations.
The Joe Biden administration put out similar guidance.
Immigrant advocates have shared concerns over stripping that policy, arguing that doing so would stoke fear in immigrant communities and keep children from going to school or people from seeking care at hospitals.
The second directive included the phaseout of parole programs that allowed certain migrants to temporarily live and work in the United States.
Republicans have repeatedly said the Biden administration abused the parole program by extending it to multiple nationalities.
The statement didn’t clarify which programs will be phased out, but said the program will be returned to a “case-by-case basis.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration abused the humanitarian parole program to indiscriminately allow 1.5 million migrants to enter our country. This was all stopped on day one of the Trump Administration. This action will return the humanitarian parole program to its original purpose of looking at migrants on a case-by-case basis,” the statement says.
“Oh, dear God! I can’t imagine why they would do that,” said Carmen, an immigrant from Mexico, after hearing that the Trump administration had rescinded the policy against arrests in “sensitive locations.”
She plans to take her two grandchildren, ages 6 and 4, to their school Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area unless she hears from school officials it is not safe.