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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has assured investors in the ill-fated trading platform known as CBEX that they would get their money back.
The assurance was given on Wednesday by the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, while speaking during an interview with Channels Television.
He added that before the collapse of the digital trading platform, the EFCC had warned Nigerians to be wary of such ponzi platforms, but unfortunately, many Nigerians didn’t heed their warning.
Oyewale noted, however, that as a responsible agency, the EFCC had started profiling the platform before it collapsed and with the recent collapse, the anti-graft agency is partnering with other international security agencies to track those behind the scheme and ensure investors recover their funds.
Naija News reports that CBEX, which promised investors a 100 percent return on investment, began experiencing trouble last weekend as many could no longer withdraw their funds.
Speaking on the development, the EFCC spokesman said many Nigerians have been besieging them with calls and visits, and the agency is actively working on how the numerous ‘investors’ would get their money back.
Oyewale added that the recovery may take some time.
“We were not waiting for Nigerians to call us before we started our work, of course, we have been working.
“We were not beaten by what actually happened. Our dragnet is wide, our intelligence is very effective, and we were tracking that digital trading platform.
“We were tracking it, and we profiled several things concerning the platform. You will recall that March 11 this year, the executive chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, had called to instruct us to alert Nigerians,” Oyewale said.
Beware Of Ponzi Schemes
The spokesperson recalled how the EFCC warned Nigerians to be wary of about 58 Ponzi scheme companies.
He added that the EFCC would not just sit back but would do everything within its power to recover the funds lost by those who invested in the crashed CBEX platform.
“That shows that we are proactive and we have our hands on what is happening. So concerning this investigation, we were on it, it’s not that we didn’t know.
“We’ve been alerting Nigerians about ways and means of how to separate themselves from this kind of shenanigans.
“Before the calls came, we were working, while the calls are coming, we are working; And even after the calls, we are still working.
“The essential thing is that, of course, we are going to recall some of the things that Nigerians should be looking out for, you know, concerning this kind of investment schemes and all of that,” he said.
Oyewale said, despite the assurances, the recovery is not a short-term process and may take time.
“No, it will be very irresponsible and unprofessional if the EFCC says that you have lost your money; there is nothing the commission can do about it.
“We are already working with Interpol and our international development agencies to ensure that these people are brought to book.
“Investors are going to get their money back, and we are already working on that. Everything I’m saying is that this kind of thing could have been averted.
“Be it as it may, it was not averted, we are not going to throw our hands out helplessly and say that there’s nothing EFCC can do about it.
“We are more responsible and professional than that. We have spread out our wings by talking to Interpol and the necessary agencies across the world to be able to bring all the actors to book, and investors will have their money back,” the spokesperson added.
The Federal Government on Wednesday sympathised with victims of the digital investment platform CBEX, stressing that Nigerians must work together to put an end to the rise of Ponzi schemes in the country.
The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, made the appeal in his keynote address at the second edition of The Spokespersons Summit organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Abuja.
According to Oyedele, ridding the country of such a menace is a collective task for all citizens.
He said, “To put your hard-earned money in an investment that collapses a few months later is very painful. It’s more painful than paying taxes because when you pay taxes, there’s actually the hope that they will fix your road, pay salaries of civil servants, and the government will provide security. But when it’s a Ponzi scheme, the benefit is zero.
“We also want to encourage Nigerians to take the opportunity to learn, including learning about the tax reform, because you may find that one knowledge in one area helps you in another area. I also believe that our regulators, professional bodies, including NIPR and you guys in the media need to educate our people more so they don’t lose their hard-earned money to Ponzi schemes.
“So people shouldn’t fall for all these ‘you get 100 cents in one month.’ If anybody can make 100 per cent returns in one month, they won’t come to you. They’ll go to the bank and take a loan of 30 per cent, make the money and keep it for themselves. If you’re not too sure and you don’t understand it, ask people around before you stake your money into it.”
Continuing, the Presidential Fiscal Policy chair assured that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission are rolling out the development.
When asked if he had fallen victim to such a scheme even as a teenager, Oyedele kicked.
“I’ve never fallen victim. I just feel like you can’t come to me with an investment proposition that does not make sense and leave convincing me it’s almost totally impossible. Even for credible platforms like banks and investment institutions, I challenge them every time before I invest.
“They have to tell me the activity behind the money, the risk I’m taking, and what guarantees you have. The EFCC are also playing their part. So I think it’s a collective assignment for all of us. If it looks too good to be true, it is most likely not true,” he stated.
On Tuesday, the digital investment platform CBEX suddenly collapsed, with reports indicating that investors incurred losses amounting to over N1.3 trillion.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions, with users expressing frustration, criticism, and concern.
In a related development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, however, assured individuals who invested in the crashed investment platform that they would get their money back.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Morning Brief on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said the anti-graft agency has been receiving numerous calls from Nigerians seeking information and remedies regarding CBEX.
Veteran actress Eucharia Anunobi has taken a swipe at the decline in effective communication in today’s digital era.
In a post shared on Instagram, Anunobi lamented how many people miss out on valuable opportunities simply because they fail to communicate clearly and directly.
She stressed the importance of stating one’s intentions upfront when sending messages to avoid being ignored or misunderstood.
The actress also questioned the rationale behind sending vague greetings such as “hi” or “hello beautiful” without any meaningful follow-up, calling for more purposeful interactions.
“I don’t get it. Why would you enter someone’s DM and just say hi? For crying out loud, do you think everyone has time to waste?” she stated.
She also emphasised that in today’s fast-paced world, ambiguity is not just annoying, it’s a waste of time.
She urged social media users to be intentional with their communication and not treat direct messaging like a casual street chat.
“So I should now start playing ping pong with you? I say hello, you say how are you, I say fine… come on now! If you have something to say, say it! State your purpose, be direct. Shoot your shot with sense.” she remarked
She said it’s about respecting people’s time and maximising opportunity.
“Don’t you know what it means to grab an opportunity? Obviously, common sense is not common.” she added.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar III, has declared social media a “terrorist organisation” during a speech on Wednesday, urging security agencies to address its dangers.
In the remarks, captured in a video posted by News Central, the prominent Nigerian traditional leader criticised the platform for spreading false narratives that can destabilise society.
“What happened has happened. You cannot come and be doing social media because that is one terrorist organisation.
“Social media is a terrorist organisation. What they do; somebody will sit down in his comfort zone and formulate stories, and you will discover that it is not true,” the Sultan stated.
The Sultan’s call for action emphasizes the need to curb misinformation, which he believes is easily spread by individuals crafting deceptive stories online.
“So, social media is a terrorist organisation that we must deal with. Security agencies must deal with this terrorist organisation called social media,” he reiterated.
[Punch]
Following his recent investment drive in the United Kingdom, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke disclosed that his administration has secured a hundred million dollars in investment from British investors.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed and made available to reporters in Osogbo on Wednesday, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, which was witnessed by the UK Prime Minister’s trade envoy, Hon Florence Eshalomi, covers investments in different areas including agriculture, water, tourism and free trade zone.
The trip also yielded a partnership deal with the British Museum on cultural tourism, focusing on Osun’s cultural assets.
“Contrary to the fake news and doctored video from members of the opposition, the state governor successfully and flawlessly addressed four major high-profile meetings, which include the landmark trade meeting in the House of Commons; the address at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce trade mission; the cultural tourism engagement at the British Museum; and the investment briefing with a select group of investors.
“In the end, a total of $100 million investment deals were made with a group of investors who attended the signing of the investment facilitation MOU in the presence of UK Prime Minister’s trade envoy, Hon Florence Eshalomi. The investment areas include agriculture, water, tourism and free trade zones.
“An investment collaboration framework with the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry was agreed upon during the chamber’s trade mission. Alongside the Osun State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the relationship is to create a tripartite working framework among the binational chamber, the State government and the UK Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“A partnership deal with the British Museum on cultural tourism focusing on Osun cultural assets and confirmed a huge link between the museum and Ile Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba nation.
“A new framework relationship between the British Museum and the state government on digitization of cultural assets.
“Multiple hosting and briefing of Osun indigenes on state of governance at home with two full days of feedback and brainstorming on governance ideas”, the statement added.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has further reduced the ex-gantry price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N835 per litre.
According to sources at the refinery, the plant dropped the price of the petrol sold to oil marketers to N835 per litre, six days after the refinery reduced it to N865 per litre.
“The refinery reduced the price of the petrol to N835 per litre,” a source told TheCable.
The reduction in Dangote petrol price followed an announcement by the federal government on April 9, that the naira-for-crude oil deal will continue after the first phase ended on March 31.
“The stakeholders reaffirmed the government’s continued commitment to the full implementation of this strategic initiative, as directed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC),” the finance ministry said.
“Thus, the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative is not a temporary or time-bound intervention, but a key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining, bolster energy security, and reduce reliance on foreign exchange in the domestic petroleum market.”
On April 15, Farouk Ahmed, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), said the estimated pump price of petrol in Nigeria is less than that of neighbouring countries in West Africa.
Ahmed also said Nigeria’s petrol importation reduced by 29.9 million litres in eight months due to increased contributions from local refineries.
[TheCable]
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend his ongoing retreat in France and return to Nigeria immediately to address the worsening security crisis gripping the nation.
In a statement posted today on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi expressed grave concern over the increasing rate of violence and insecurity across the country, lamenting what he described as a “glaring absence of governance.”
“Within just two weeks of Mr President’s absence, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives due to various security breaches, especially in Plateau and Zamfara States,” Obi wrote.
He also pointed to the resurgence of insurgency in the North-East, particularly in Borno State, where both civilians and security personnel have been reported killed. The situation, he added, is not different in the South-East, where killings and abductions continue unabated.
Obi condemned the repeated pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta, describing them as further evidence of a nation in deep crisis. “Amid these disturbing developments, the CEO of the troubled company called Nigeria is holding a retreat in faraway France, removed from the epicentre of national distress,” he said.
He questioned the wisdom of conducting a strategic retreat in a foreign land that enjoys relative peace and stability secured by its leadership, while back home, “blood continues to flow.”
Reaffirming that his comments were driven not by personal ambition but by a desire to see a better-governed nation, Obi urged the President to “suspend whatever he is doing in France and return home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues.”
“The fight for a better Nigeria is not about individuals,” he added. “It is about ensuring that every citizen can see, feel, and benefit from the policies and decisions of those in power.”
THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, said yesterday that militancy, kidnapping and other social vices in the country would drastically reduce if the federal and the sub-national governments create jobs for the citizenry.
It also advised that the government create sustainable and not casual jobs, which pay would not sustain a worker for a month.
This is as the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said President Bola Tinubu was committed to fulfilling his administration’s promise to build a Nigeria where members of the workforce could attain their full potential.
Speaking at the official launch of the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme, LEEP, in Abuja, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said employment remained the best way to cope with social crisis in the country.
While noting that people meaningfully engaged would not think of indulging in social vices, Ajaero said: “I want to acknowledge the programme today (yesterday), we in the labour movement identify with any programme that enhances employment. And employment is the best way to cope with our social crisis.
“People that are engaged, people that are working will not think of other social crises. The level of militancy, kidnapping will be reduced to the barest minimum if we create jobs. And that is why the labour movement identifies with this.
“If this is properly implemented, Nigeria will be heaven of sort. And I want to say, at any stage where the input of the labour movement is required, where our assistance is required, we’ll be there because it will benefit the people of Nigeria.
“In the same vein, I pray that it will be a programme that will bring sustainable jobs, not casual jobs, not jobs that the wages will not be able to take you home.”
While launching the LEEP initiative, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, said the administration was up-skilling and re-skilling the citizens to prepare them for both jobs that are available and those ahead.
He noted that the national initiative “is designed to expand employment opportunities, equip Nigerians with critical skills, and drive economic empowerment through innovation and technology.
“LEEP is the fulfilment of the promise made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a national ecosystem where every Nigerian worker can reach his full potential, and where technology enhances, not threatens our labour market.”
Shettima observed that the government could not have boasted of investing in the citizens unless it was committed to building a system that helped and encouraged their search for work as well as equip them to grow on the job.
He stated: “The future of work in Nigeria is one that must compel us to rethink the dynamics of a rapidly evolving world. Across continents, the very idea of what constitutes a job is being redefined. Machines are replacing hands. Artificial intelligence is challenging intellects.
“Traditional employment structures are giving way to fluid, digital ecosystems. Yet, within this uncertainty lies a sea of opportunity, if only we are bold enough to sail it.”
On what the administration intended to achieve with the LEEP, Shettima said: “The Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme, LEEP, is a well-considered response to a pressing national need. As jobs become increasingly vulnerable to technological disruption, our duty is not to lament but to prepare.
“LEEP aims to provide comprehensive training that equips our people with the right skills to compete and contribute to today’s global economy.”
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State pledged the support and commitment of governors to the successful implementation of the programme.
He said if the scheme was religiously implemented, the economy would be significantly impacted through the reduction in unemployment and criminality and productive engagement of the citizenry.
On her part, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Onyejeocha, said the programme was aimed at expanding access to sustainable employment and stimulating vocational training, noting that the current unemployment statistics were a clear and imminent danger for the country’s future.
She explained that while LEEP was an institutional shift targeted at enhancing training, upskilling and connecting Nigerians to sustainable jobs across different sectors, it would require the collaboration of all stakeholders for the scheme to be successful.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, said unemployment was among the severe social problems facing youths globally, either directly or remotely, with far-reaching consequences that had multi-faceted implications that could not be ignored. He said: “In Nigeria, this can be attributed to various reasons, which include economic instability due to recessions and depressions, inadequate quality education and training to match available jobs, as well as the difficult circumstances that businesses operate in, which are not conducive for creating new jobs.’’
In his remarks, the Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr Silas Agara, said LEEP was a bold step by the administration of President Tinubu to decisively address the challenge of unemployment in Nigeria and reposition employment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.
He said LEEP was carefully articulated by the ministry of labour and employment, in collaboration with its parastatals, to, among other goals, equip young Nigerians with employability skills in the bid to create wealth and contribute to the economic development of the country by creating 2.5 million jobs in two years.
The International Labour Organisation, ILO, Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and ECOWAS Liaison Office, Ms. Vanessa Phala, described the programme as Nigeria’s commitment to shaping the lives of its youths.
“This marks a turning point for our youths to contribute to the growth and development of this country,” she said.
The anti-Tinubu coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has slammed governors of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for playing the spoiler for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, accusing them of usurping the powers of other organs of the PDP and killing the opposition.
The coalition in a statement on Wednesday was reacting to the resolution of the PDP Governors Forum at its meeting on Monday, April 14, where the state chief executives declared their opposition to the initiative to form a broad-based coalition of opposition political parties, politicians and other groups.
However, coalition spokesman Salihu Moh. Lukman, in the statement, said the coalition is a viable option not only for defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu but also for rescuing Nigeria’s democracy from imminent collapse.
He said, “For more than 10 years that the PDP had been out of power, Nigerians had waited for the party to dust itself off and provide the viable opposition that Nigeria needs. Instead, the party went into suspended animation until the rampaging Tinubu-led APC found a willing undertaker to finally put it to rest.
“The governors know that the virus that afflicts the PDP has no cure. They are only grandstanding. They know that Nigerians cannot accept this PDP as the alternative because it is clear to all discerning Nigerians that the ruling party has hijacked its soul.
“Nyesom Wike is the untouchable super minister in Asiwaju’s government, not because of the sterling job he is doing in the FCT, but because he has done a great job of ensuring that the PDP is not able to present a presidential candidate to challenge Tinubu for power in 2027.
“However, with the growing coalition, that mandate has been adjusted in recent weeks. The new agenda is to revive the PDP to stand as a counterforce to the coalition and present a candidate that would split the vote in 2027. This PDP Governors’ Forum is wittingly or unwittingly playing Asiwaju’s spoiler game, and they expect Nigerians to take them seriously.”
Lukman said rescuing Nigerian democracy, which is about rebuilding trust between citizens and politicians, is the main objective of the coalition.
According to him, the coalition has also become necessary if the integrity of political institutions, especially political parties, in upholding and promoting political competitions in the country is to be restored.
He said nothing represents the sad reality of the destruction of Nigeria’s democracy than the party that ruled Nigeria for 16 years and arrogantly boasted of ruling for 60 years, the PDP.
“The mere fact that the NEC meeting of the party has not been held for two years and no Nigerian can confidently tell who is really in charge of the party is evidence of this collapse. This should be the concern of leaders of the party, including its governors.
“Unfortunately, all we have seen of the PDP governors is the flagrant usurpation of the powers assigned to the organs of the party. This is wrong. It is also a clear demonstration that if left alone, the PDP governors will only continue the path of destroying democratic institutions in the country.
“As it is, all patriotic Nigerians who are committed to rescuing Nigerian democracy should recognise that the challenge facing us as a nation is beyond the romantic affiliation to so-called political parties such as the PDP, with many of their leaders operating as Trojan horses to the APC and President Tinubu’s government.
“It makes no sense to invest energy and resources in a party whose leaders are either appointees of the APC government or undercover supporters. Otherwise, how can anyone justify the way PDP and its leaders are mismanaging themselves and practically putting themselves on the path of self-destruction and political irrelevance?
“For the avoidance of doubt, the coalition is fundamentally about rebuilding Nigerian democracy. Leaders of the coalition recognise this and, more importantly, recognise all the challenges ahead. Resolving these challenges and building the confidence of Nigerians is about restoring the value of political negotiations as critical and fundamental to guaranteeing the survival of democracy. Over the years, both the PDP and APC have demonstrated contempt for political negotiations and, to that extent, disrespected agreements in various ways.
“The survival of Nigeria and the future of democracy largely depend on how political actors seek to reverse this ugly reality. This is what leaders of the coalition have been painstakingly working on. The coalition is working hard to finalise negotiations towards unveiling the coalition, along with its structure and programme of action for rescuing Nigeria.
“The expectation is that all political actors, including leaders of the PDP, would recognise the danger facing the country and join the coalition as a necessary and perhaps strongest response towards rebuilding Nigerian democracy. This has not happened. However, even as the PDP governors and some leaders of the PDP express opposition to joining the coalition, we extend hands of fellowship to all political actors in the country to join us to rescue Nigerian democracy,” the coalition added.
Vanguard recalls that aside from Atiku, other drivers of the coalition include former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi; former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai; and Tinubu’s estranged ally and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal.
They are joined in the coalition by some aggrieved elements of the APC, including a former governor of Nasarawa State and former national chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; former Rivers State governor and ex-transport minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; and former Ekiti State governor and ex-minister of solid minerals, Dr John Kayode Fayemi.
Three reasons why application for green card via marriage is delayed or denied by US immigration
AFOLABI
The desperation to obtain a green card to become an American citizen is a common phenomenon amongst many immigrants, especially from developing and underdeveloped nations.
The reasons why Green card applications based on marriage can be delayed include inconsistencies in information, insufficient documentation, and potential fraud concerns, such as marrying solely to obtain a Green card.
Here are a few immigration tips shared by a US Immigration Lawyer, LeliaTheLawyer of Essien Law Firm, detailing all you need to know and reasons why the application for a green card via marriage is delayed, denied by the US immigration, or considered fraudulent.
1. Large age gap between you and the person you are getting married to
When you apply for a green card via marriage, immigration would duly investigate if there is a large age gap between you and the person you want to marry or not, e.g a guy of 30 years getting married to a woman of 70 years or vice versa is considered to be suspicious.
Consequently, the immigration officers will then investigate appropriately, and if the marriage is discovered to be for fraudulent means, you could be punished accordingly.
2. When you divorce and marry immediately
It is considered fraudulent when you have just gotten divorced in another country and you marry almost immediately in a country like the United States of America. In this case, immigration will look at this suspiciously and assume you need to marry an American citizen and then return to your home country. If this is investigated to be fraudulent, it can lead to heightened scrutiny and delays.
3. Marrying an American citizen immediately after coming to America
In a situation where there is a sudden marriage immediately after an immigrant visits America,
Immigration can easily notice that the marriage is false or assume that it is just a means to stay in America permanently. The sudden marriage can create a kind of mistrust in the mind of the officers, as it seemed like you lied to get into the United States. The 90-day marriage rule can trigger the presumption of fraud if a foreign national marries a US citizen or green card holder within 90 days of entering the US.
However, if the marriage is for genuine reasons, you have to show that you were visiting, you had an intention to stay earlier, and the marital affair is just a coincidence. Jumping around in marriages or switching in desperation for a green card is also considered fraudulent.
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Veteran actor, Prince Jide Kosoko, has called for harmony, professionalism and mutual respect among Nigerian actors as concerns mount over the rising trend of online feuds within the film industry.
The popular actor also known as Jide Babs, directed his appeal particularly at female Yoruba actors, who have gained a reputation for airing their personal grievances on the social media.
Kosoko reminded them that their actions will shape the history of tomorrow, adding that as mothers and future grandmothers, they should be mindful of the legacy, cautioning that the internet never forgets.
He went further to point out that those who had previously been involved in such fierce disputes have since abandoned the practice, expressing concern that it is now the younger ones — whom they consider their children and who were taught the principles of respect who are keeping such disputes alive.
He said, “We trained many of you. We watched you grow. And while we are proud of how far many of you have come, it pains us to see the house we built being torn apart by ego-driven conflicts.”
He emphasised that, as influential personalities and custodians of culture, they have a duty to set positive examples by upholding the principles of honour, integrity, and proper conduct as rooted in Nigerian traditions.
“Even those who once had disagreements in the past have since embraced peace. But this new wave has taken things to a level that brings shame and discomfort to all of us,” he said.
“We urge you to learn from your male colleagues, who despite differences, have found mature ways to handle conflicts without public disgrace”, he said.
Prince Kosoko urged those involved in the quarrels to channel their efforts into self-development, career progress, and fostering harmony, noting that public confrontations achieve nothing but harm everyone involved.
He also revealed that senior figures in the industry would soon gather for a roundtable with the parties concerned and key stakeholders, with the aim of settling all outstanding matters peacefully.
“We appeal to all to honour this call when it comes. Anyone who chooses to ignore it would be clearly choosing disunity over peace, and destruction over growth. Whatever the issues are, you will have the opportunity to express yourself and we will certainly ensure an amicable settlement”, he said.
Kosoko assured the public and all concerned parties that elders are diligently working behind the scenes to achieve a lasting resolution.
“We remain dedicated to restoring stability, honour, and mutual respect within the industry. It won’t be long before the results of our efforts become clear to everyone,” he concluded.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has summoned DSP Aliyu Adejembi and his men seen in a viral video collecting money from Chinese nationals to the Force headquarters in Abuja for questioning.
The video, which surfaced on social media on Tuesday, shows some Chinese nationals handing out about N5,000 notes to each Nigerian policeman in a lined-up formation. The development sparked outrage with many netizens expressing disappointment and calling for reforms within the NPF over the embarrassing incident.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the Mobile Policemen were on escort duty to the Chinese nationals somewhere in Kaduna State.
“From the information I got from my men in my former office, the mobile policemen are posted to provide security for the Chinese personnel. After they have completed the assignment, the Chinese decide to show ‘appreciation’.
“Instead of him giving the money to the most senior officer among them to give to his men, he decided to do it in his own way,” a source told this newspaper.
However, another source told our Correspondent on Wednesday that the Policemen have been summoned through a Signal Warning to Abuja for disciplinary actions.
“It’s a true story and not a film o,
The officer and men have been summoned to report at the Police Force headquarters, Abuja, for disciplinary action,” the source stated.
According to the Signal dated Tuesday, April 15, 2025, obtained by LEADERSHIP, the Mobile Policemen and their team leader, DSP Aliyu Adejembi, are to unfailing appear at the Police headquarters in Abuja this Wednesday, April 16, 2025, to answer for professional misconduct and discreditable misconduct.
Food inflation rate in Nigeria rose to 21.79 percent on a year-on-year basis in March 2025, this is as nation’s headline inflation rose to 24.23 percent, relative to the February 2025 headline inflation rate of 23.18 percent.
Food inflation was highest in Oyo (19.74 percent), Kaduna (17.24 percent), and Kebbi (14.03 percent) while Sokoto, Nasarawa and Edo states recorded decline in Food inflation
The report showed that on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in March 2025 was 3.90 percent, being 1.85 percent higher than the rate recorded in February 2025 (2.04 percent). This means that in March 2025, the rate of increase in the average price level is higher than the rate of increase in the average price level in February 2025.
Half of Nigerians spend entire income on food as Tinubu’s economic policies bite deeper - Report
AFOLABI
A devastating new report reveals that 50.1 percent of Nigerians now spend virtually their entire monthly income just to put food on the table, highlighting the crushing economic hardship facing ordinary citizens under President Bola Tinubu's administration. The Nigerian Consumer Outlook Report, which surveyed over 7,000 Nigerians across all six geo-political zones, paints a grim picture of a population struggling to survive amid soaring inflation and punishing economic reforms.
The report, conducted by Lagos-based SEID, exposes the harsh reality that more than half of Nigerians earn less than N100,000 monthly, revealing the severe income inequality and financial strain that has intensified since Tinubu's government implemented a series of controversial economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira.
The economic downturn has forced a significant shift in survival strategies, with nearly one-third (31.7%) of Nigerians now depending on self-employment as their primary income source. Meanwhile, skyrocketing electricity costs under the current administration have pushed 18.5% of households to invest in solar energy solutions as they seek alternatives to the increasingly unaffordable national grid.
Education no longer guarantees financial security in today's Nigeria, with the report highlighting that even educated workers struggle with underemployment. Those with advanced degrees earn more but face severely limited access to well-paying jobs in an economy battered by policy-induced inflation and instability.
Survival mode has become the new normal for most Nigerians, with families drastically cutting spending on non-essentials. Luxury and lifestyle categories such as fashion, travel, dining out, premium gadgets, and high-end beauty products have seen sales plummet as middle-income earners adjust to the harsh economic realities created by the administration's policies.
Managing Partner at SEID, Tubosun Akeju, noted that the average Nigerian consumer today faces a fundamentally different landscape than just a decade ago, with recent government policy changes dramatically altering how citizens navigate their economic realities.
Partner at Dentons ACAS-LAW, Afolabi Caxton-Martins, described the report as capturing "the lived realities of Nigerians" as they struggle to adapt to the country's rapidly deteriorating economic environment under the current administration.
As the economic crisis deepens, the report serves as a stark reminder of the growing hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of the Tinubu government's harsh economic policies with little relief in sight.