The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, gave the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the go-ahead to arrest and detain six promoters of Crypto Bridge Exchange, CBEX, over alleged investment fraud to the tune of over one billion dollars.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who gave the order after the EFCC’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, moved an ex-parte motion to the effect, said the detention would be pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution.

“I have listened to the submission of the learner counsel for the applicant, EFCC. I have also gone through the affidavit evidence with exhibits thereto along with the written address.

“I am of the view and I hold that the application is meritorious. Consequently, the application is granted as prayed,” the judge said.

DAILY POST reports that the six suspects include Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, and Seyi Oloyede.

Others are Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

In the motion dated and filed April 23 by Yusuf, the anti-graft agency sought two prayers, seeking an order of the honourable court for the issuance of warrant of arrest of the defendants.

It also prayed the court for “an order remanding the defendants in the custody of the complainant/applicant pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution.”

Giving four grounds, the lawyer said the EFCC has a statutory duty of prevention and detection of financial crimes through investigation.

She said there was an intel to the office of the commission’s chairman against the defendant bothering on various criminal offences.

According to her, the applicant has a constitutional duty to investigate these crimes and enforce law and order.

Yusuf said that “the defendants are at large and a warrant of arrest is required to arrest the defendants for proper investigation and prosecution of this case.”

In the affidavit in support of the motion, the EFCC said sometime in April, 2025, it received an intel bordering on an alleged investment scheme fraud against the defendants.

It alleged that the defendants and their company, ST Technologies International Limited, using another company, Crypto Bridge Exchange, CBEX, perpetrated the alleged fraud and the case was received and assigned to its Cybercrimes Section for investigation.

The anti-graft agency said that a warrant of arrest was required to place the defendants on red watch list so that they could be traced and arrested to answer to the case against them.

According to the commission, investigation into the allegation against the defendants revealed a prima facie case of investment scam.

It said it would be in the interest of justice to grant the application.

[DailyPost]

Pope Francis’ doctor recounts the pontiff’s final moments in a pair of newspaper interviews, saying the pontiff had his eyes open and was breathing with oxygen.

The doctor said that the pope was unresponsive after being stricken by illness early on Monday morning; he died without suffering at home.

Dr Sergio Alfieri coordinated Francis’ five-week hospital treatment for double pneumonia and continued to oversee the pope’s treatment after the pontiff returned to the Vatican on March 23 for two months of rest to allow a full recovery.

Alfieri was alerted at 5:30 a.m. on Monday by Francis’ healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti, that the pope had been stricken and needed to be taken to the hospital.

The doctor told the Milan daily Corriere della Sera that he arrived 20 minutes later.

“I went into his room, and he had his eyes open. I noted that he did not have respiratory issues, so I tried to call him, but he did not respond,” Alfieri was quoted by Corriere as saying, adding that his lungs were clear and he was receiving supplemental oxygen.

“He also did not respond to stimuli, even painful ones. In that moment I understood there was nothing more to do; he was in a coma.”

Alfieri said it was too risky moving Francis back to the Gemelli hospital, where he was treated for a complex respiratory infection that nearly killed him twice.

Two hours after falling ill, the pope died, having suffered a stroke.

“He died without suffering, at home, Alfieri told the Rome daily La Repubblica.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin arrived and said the rosary over the body, accompanied by the papal household staff, Alfieri told Corriere. “I gave him a caress as a farewell,” the doctor said.

Vatican News has reported that the pope managed a gesture of farewell to Strappetti after falling ill.

Alfieri became the pope’s surgeon when he needed treatment for diverticulitis in 2021; Alfieri tried to get him on a diet after the surgery.

After the pope suffered several severe respiratory crises in the hospital that required decisive treatment, the surgeon said, “We knew he wouldn’t return to his former condition and that the infection had left another scar on his lungs.”

“He improved with physical therapy. I saw him on Saturday, and I found him in good shape. I didn’t think it would be the last meeting,” Alfieri told La Repubblica.

Though Francis was ordered to rest and avoid crowds for two months to recover, Alfieri expressed understanding for the pope’s desire to return to work.

“Going back to work was part of his treatment, and he never exposed himself to dangers,” Alfieri told Corriere.

Francis couldn’t resist appearing in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, which culminated with a long drive through the Easter crowd of 50,000 on the popemobile, with several stops to bless children.

The pope insisted on inviting healthcare workers from the Gemelli hospital to the Vatican before Easter, even though the doctor suggested they wait until the end of the two-month convalescence in June.

“I have the clear sensation now that there were a series of things he felt he had to do before dying.

“We knew he wanted to return home to be pope until the last instant, and he didn’t disappoint us,” Alfieri told Corriere.

(AP/NAN)(w

Popular Nigerian businessman Obi Cubana has stirred debate on social media following a subtle response to his adopted son, Chidi, who recently referred to himself as the businessman’s “next of kin.”

Chidi had shared a post on TikTok with the caption, “Nothing do my shoulder, I just realised say I be next of kin.”

In what appeared to be a reaction, Obi Cubana posted a photo of himself and his biological son, Alex, on Instagram, with the caption: “Ancient and modern, eyes on the ball. @dtwalx aka next of kin.” He went further in the comment section to reinforce his stance, describing Alex as the “correct boy, original next-of-kin.”

The response sparked mixed reactions online, with some netizens criticising Cubana for handling a sensitive family matter in the public space rather than settling it privately.

This controversy has shown that in Nigeria, the term “next of kin” is widely misunderstood, especially among parents and guardians. Many people mistakenly believe that naming someone as their next of kin automatically grants that person the right to inherit their assets or properties upon their death.

Who is a Next of Kin

In Nigeria, a “next of kin” typically refers to a person’s closest living relative or a chosen emergency contact. This individual may be contacted in cases of emergencies, such as medical crises or accidents, and can be required to make decisions on behalf of the person when incapacitated.

The term is commonly used in medical settings, where hospitals contact the next of kin during emergencies or when consent is needed.

Financial institutions, where banks request a next of kin for administrative purposes, not for automatic inheritance, and legal and employment documents for notification or administrative follow-up in critical situations.

What rights does a next of kin have?

Contrary to popular belief, being listed as someone’s next of kin does not grant automatic rights to inheritance.

According to legal experts, a next of kin may assist with legal processes after someone’s death, such as obtaining a letter of administration.

He/she cannot access or claim the deceased’s assets unless explicitly named in a valid will or under applicable inheritance laws (customary, Islamic, or statutory).

A Lagos-based lawyer, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo, speaking on the matter, explained that, “There is this widespread misconception that if one dies, the fellow’s next-of-kin inherits all his or her assets, but that is not so under the Nigerian legal system. Generally, the question as to who to inherit is determined by law, that is, customary law, Islamic law, English Law, or the Administration of Estates law (or equivalent legislation).

“The law to be applicable in distributing the estate of a deceased shall be determined by the incidence of marriage of the deceased. It follows, therefore, that where a deceased contracted marriage under the Marriage Act, customary law is excluded, and succession to his wealth will be affected in accordance with either English law or the Administration of Estates Law (or equivalent legislation), depending on the jurisdiction. See Obuzez V. Obuzez (2007) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1043) 430.

What are the next of kin’s responsibilities?

Primarily, a next of kin is the first contact point if anything happens to you. The person can make decisions on your behalf in case you are unable to make decisions for yourself. This could come up before your death, whether due to illness, injury, or incapacitation.

Also, the next of kin can play a role in making serious healthcare decisions for the individual. This responsibility is particularly important when the individual is unable to communicate their wishes. Take a situation where someone is in a coma: the next of kin may be called upon to provide consent for medical treatments or end-of-life decisions.