Months after his resignation as the senior pastor of City of David Parish of RCCG, Region 20, Lagos, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade has started his own church.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the church, which is also based in Lagos, is named ‘Family Fellowship’.

Recall that Iluyomade was earlier suspended by the leadership of the RCCG for throwing an elaborate 60th birthday party for his wife,
Dr. Siju Iluyomade, shortly after the death of Herbert Wigwe, a member and financier of his parish.

The cleric was thereafter transferred to another parish of the church following the outcries that greeted the birthday bash.

Iluyomade was later moved to the Throne of Grace, Ebute Metta headquarters of the church after he was suspended for three months

He subsequently resigned his pastoral relationship with the RCCG and has been rumoured to begin a new ministry since then.

A video surfaced on Monday, showing Iluyomade and his new congregation dancing at the new church during a Sunday service.

Wigwe, co-founder of Access Bank, was among six people killed in a helicopter crash in California, the United States in February 2024.

He died alongside his wife, son, and a former president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in the crash.

The chartered helicopter was on its way from Palm Springs to Boulder City in Nevada when it went down about 96km (60 miles) from Las Vegas.

The 57-year-old banker was on his way to Las Vegas to attend Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Nollywood actress cum politician, Tonto Dikeh, has shared an emotional testimony of how God miraculously reunited her family.

During the Sunday service at Pastor Jerry Eze’s Streams of Joy International Church in Abuja, Tonto said she tapped into the clergy’s prophetic word some weeks ago, which focused on restoring lost relationships.

The thespian revealed she did not initially recall losing anyone, but as a lover of prayer, she keyed into the prophecy, trusting God’s will to be done in her life.

However, a few days after the prophecy, she received a message via social media as a woman reached out to her, claiming to be her long-lost sister.

Tonto said she later remembered her father had told her about having a daughter he lost contact with at birth abroad after parting ways with her mother.

Tonto, overwhelmed, went on her knees, tearfully thanking God for this miraculous restoration, adding that her lost sister and her father had finally reunited.

See the video below.

The lawmaker representing Delta North, Senator Ned Nwoko is set to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), his Director of Communications, Gloria Okolugbo, has confirmed.

Naija News reports that Okolugbo, in a statement released on Sunday, disclosed that the senator’s decision follows a series of consultations with stakeholders, supporters, and constituents in Delta North.

She attributed the move to Nwoko’s dissatisfaction with the PDP’s inability to support his developmental goals for the Anioma people.

“Senator Ned Nwoko came prepared to serve and deliver the dividends of good governance to the Anioma people, but regrettably, he has not enjoyed the cooperation and support of his party, the PDP, in pursuing this vision. This is despite being the only PDP senator in Delta State,” Okolugbo stated.

Key grievances raised by Nwoko include the lack of state government support for critical projects aimed at improving the lives of Delta North residents.

These projects include:

– Okpai Independent Power Plant (IPP): The step-down project to provide electricity to over 60 communities has reportedly stalled due to lack of support.

– Ogwashi-Uku Dam: A vital project intended to ensure water supply across the region remains unfulfilled.

“The senator believes it is no use remaining in a party where his campaign promises to the people of Delta North cannot be fulfilled. The marginalisation of the zone has persisted for too long,” Okolugbo added.

Okolugbo revealed that Nwoko has begun engaging with the APC and has received positive feedback on his developmental agenda. She emphasised that the senator’s decision is driven by his commitment to delivering on his electoral promises.

“This decision is not just about politics but about delivering on his electoral promises to the Anioma people,” she said.

The National Association of Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), have backed the N1.1 billion allocation by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for staff feeding in the 2025 budget.

Speaking at a health walk organised by JAMB to kickstart its 2025 activities in Abuja over the weekend, the unions said the allocation was key to improve the level of productivity in the Board.

The unions, which countered the recent misrepresentations about the figure, noted, that the plan includes expanding free lunch provision, previously exclusive to the headquarters, to over 2,300 staff across JAMB’s 44 offices nationwide.

Budget Defence: NASS Clears JAMB Of Financial Impropriety

NASU’s Chapter Chairman in JAMB, Andrew Onakpa, who spoke on behalf of the Union, commended the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for prioritizing staff welfare.

“Efforts by the Registrar to address staff welfare are humane and should not be discouraged,” he said.

According to him, an improved feeding scheme will enhance staff performance. He added that the union pushed for the inclusion of other JAMB offices.

“We have over 2,300 staff in more than 44 offices nationwide. When you calculate the cost of feeding across all working days in a year, the figure is understandably significant. It’s not about mismanagement; it’s about improving welfare,” he said.

He expressed concern over the backlash from the National Assembly during JAMB’s recent budget defence, warning it could jeopardize these initiatives.

Onakpa described the registrar as “a man of high calibre” and urged him to maintain his commitment to improving staff welfare despite criticism.

On his part, ASCSN JAMB Branch Chairman, Ebenezer Ayalibola, corroborated Onakpa’s sentiments, emphasizing that the welfare committee meticulously calculated the feeding budget.

“This includes staff in outstations. If you multiply the agreed amount per staff per day across 12 months, the figure will naturally add up to N1.1 billion. This was a collective decision by the welfare committee, not the Registrar acting alone,” Ayalibola said.

Addressing the N850 million reportedly proposed for fumigation, Ayalibola explained that the figure encompasses all cleaning services, fumigation, and security across JAMB’s offices nationwide.

“As for the fumigation, that money was not for just fumigation alone but along with all cleaning services and security for a year at all our offices nationwide too.

”The aggregate of all the salaries for our contractors who do all the services is what constituted that N850 million.

“These costs include the salaries of contractors providing these essential services,” he clarified.

Bitcoin hit a record high above $109,000 on Monday as Donald Trump, who has signalled plans to deregulate the cryptocurrency sector, prepared to be sworn in as United States president.

Bitcoin surged to reach an all-time peak of $109,241 ahead of Trump’s inauguration ceremony, before falling back to $107,765 at around 0740 GMT.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the world’s biggest cryptocurrency has soared since Trump won the presidential election in November, with Bitcoin surpassing $100,000 for the first time in early December.

It came after Trump nominated cryptocurrency backer Paul Atkins to head the US securities regulator, reinforcing optimism the new president will deregulate the sector.

Despite having once branded cryptocurrencies a “scam”, Trump changed his stance and was a major advocate of them during his election campaign.

The incoming POTUS launched his cryptocurrency over the weekend, appropriately called $TRUMP, sparking feverish buying that sent its market capitalisation soaring to several billion dollars.

When bitcoin reached the landmark $100,000 level, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “CONGRATULATIONS BITCOINERS!!! $100,000!!! YOU’RE WELCOME!!! Together, we will Make America Great Again!”

Cryptocurrencies have made headlines since their creation, from their extreme volatility to the collapse of several industry giants, foremost among them the FTX exchange platform.

Bitcoin was conceived in 2008 by a person or group identified as Satoshi Nakamoto.

It was pitched as a way to break free of mainstream financial institutions by establishing a decentralised platform for transactions.

The digital currency is created or “mined” as a reward when powerful computers solve complex problems to validate transactions made on a meddle-proof register known as the blockchain.

Bitcoin has long been criticised for being the currency of choice for making untraceable payments on the so-called dark web, a hidden part of the internet used for criminal activities.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on president-elect Donald Trump to identify, recover, and return proceeds of corruption traced to former and current Nigerian public officials and their associates as he takes office.

SERAP also asked him to ensure that any returned proceeds must adhere to strict standards of transparency and accountability, ensuring that the funds are used solely for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

The organisation, which made this demand in a letter dated January 18, 2025, signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, further asked Trump to direct the U.S. Department of Justice to initiate civil asset forfeiture proceedings against these proceeds of corruption.

SERAP maintained that this action would fulfil several commitments made by the U.S. to assist Nigeria in asset recovery efforts.

It also urged the president-elect to identify and publish the names of former and current Nigerian public officials suspected of corruption and to apply existing U.S. presidential proclamations to impose temporary bans on such officials’ entry into the U.S.

The organisation claimed that Diezani Alison-Madueke’s looted assets, along with other recently returned assets, represent only a small fraction of the over $500 billion that has reportedly been stolen from Nigeria and is located in the U.S. or otherwise under U.S. jurisdiction.

SERAP highlighted that its requests serve the public interest and adhere to the UN Convention Against Corruption requirements, to which both the U.S. and Nigeria are parties.

It also alleged that proceeds of corruption from Nigeria continue to be deposited in U.S. banks or other locations under U.S. jurisdiction.

The letter stated, “We hope you and your incoming government will address the legal obstacles that continue to enable corrupt Nigerian officials to deposit and conceal their ill-gotten assets in the U.S. and other locations under U.S. jurisdiction.

“Returning proceeds of corruption to Nigeria is a critical development imperative. By returning these proceeds, the U.S. would contribute to efforts to alleviate the country’s growing poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The U.S. has obligations under relevant provisions of the UN Convention Against Corruption to trace, freeze, and seize proceeds of corruption from Nigeria located in the U.S. or otherwise under U.S. jurisdiction and to return these assets to the Nigerian people.

“A dedicated chapter of the Convention focuses on international cooperation regarding the recovery and return of stolen assets, including those from Nigeria (Chapter V, comprising nine articles),” the organisation stated.

SERAP further expressed concern that corruption remains a significant barrier to sustainable development, the rule of law, and the effective enjoyment of socio-economic rights in Nigeria. Implementing the recommended measures would help address these governance challenges.

It said, “Corrupt practices have long been viewed as an unavoidable aspect of the country’s ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as its governmental power structures across various states.

“Nigeria’s auditor-general’s office annually documents extensive and systemic corruption within ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), including in the petroleum, education, health, and water sectors, pushing millions of Nigerians further into poverty. The auditor general’s office has reported trillions of naira as missing or diverted.

“SERAP urges you to promptly share information with relevant Nigerian civil society organisations regarding the stolen assets of Nigerian origin located in the U.S. or otherwise under U.S. jurisdiction, as mandated by Articles 46(4) and 56 of the UN Convention Against Corruption.

“Imposing a temporary travel ban on former and current Nigerian officials suspected of retaining proceeds of corruption in the U.S. or in locations under U.S. jurisdiction would not violate due process or the presumption of innocence principles, provided that the reasons for the sanctions are communicated to those affected.

“According to reports, the U.S. government and the Federal Government of Nigeria recently announced an agreement to quickly repatriate approximately $52.88 million in forfeited corruption proceeds.

“These funds were forfeited to the United States as part of the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice. The forfeited assets were illegally acquired using funds linked to money laundering and a conspiracy to bribe former Petroleum Resources Ministers,” SERAP stated.

Sterling Bank Limited and its holding company, Sterling Financial Holdings Company, are currently battling a N1.257, 536, 572. 80 billion depositors’ funds which was stolen from the bank by some of its staff.

The Witness gathered that the staff colluded with some fraudsters to hack the bank’s banking platform and stole the said fund.

The suspects, namely Victor Nwabueze (50), Favour Odey (22), Adekunle Daniel (34), Akachukwu Alagbogu, and Yetunde Oguntade (28)—were arraigned by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday.

The group faced a three-count charge of conspiracy, hacking, and money laundering under the Cybercrimes Act and Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

The prosecutor, Barrister Justine Enang, alleges that the suspects, in collaboration with internal staff of Sterling Bank, breached sensitive systems between November 3 and 4, 2024, using compromised data, including IP addresses and mobile equipment identities – 14984244, IP address 84252.113.3 & 88 transaction., to transfer funds to fraudulent accounts.

He informed the court that the alleged acts of the defendants contravened sections 27(1)(b); 14(1) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act, 2015 as amended in 2024, Read along with section 14(1) of the same Act.

Enang also told the court that the defendants’ act was contrary to and punishable under Section 18(2)(b) & (d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The Charges Against The Defendants Read: “That you Victor Nwabueze Ogochukwy “m”, Favour Odey “f’, Adekunle Daniel “m”, Akachukwu Alagbogu and others now at large, sometimes on the 3rd & 4th November 2024, in Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of the Judicial Division of The Federal High Court, with intent to defraud, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony to wit: internet fraud to the sum of N1, 257, 536, 572.50 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty Seven Million, Five Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy Two Naira, Fifty Kobo) by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 27(1)(b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act, 2015 as amended in 2024, Read along with section 14(1) of the same Act.

“That you Victor Nwabueze Ogochukwu “m”, Favour Odey “f’, Adekunle Daniel “m”, Akachukwu Alagbogu and others now at large, sometimes on the 3rd & 4th November 2024, in Lagos State, within the aforementioned Judicial Division of The Federal High Court, did knowingly and without authority cause financial lost to Sterling Bank Plc to the tune of N1, 257, 536, 572. 80 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty Seven Million, Five Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy Two Naira, Fifty Kobo) by suppressing one of the banking platform and Bance Application from their various customers’ account to different fraudulent accounts with the collusion of an internal staff/external parties for possible compromise on sensitive data and security system of the bank by using international mobile equipment identity 14984244, IP address 84252.113.3 & 88 transaction, thereby conferred economic benefits on yourselves by converting the money in question to your own use against the Sterling Bank Plc and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(1) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act, 2015 as Amended in 2024.

“That you Victor Nwabueze Ogochukwu ‘m’, Favour Odey ‘f, Adekunle Daniel ‘m’, Akachukwu Alagbogu and others now at large, sometimes on the 3rd & 4th November 2024, in Lagos State, in the aforementioned Judicial Division of Federal High Court, Lagos, did directly or indirectly converts or transfers, retains or takes possession or control of funds belonging to Sterling Bank Plc, knowingly or reasonably ought to have known that such funds is, or forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful Act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) & (d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

While they pleaded not guilty, the prosecution opposed bail, citing the defendants’ potential flight risk.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa eventually granted bail at N50 million each, with one surety who must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

Pending bail fulfillment, the accused were remanded in custody.

The case is adjourned to March 13, 2025, for trial.

Authorities continue to investigate other suspects believed to be at large.

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has disclosed that his government spent ₦500 million to send 204 postgraduate scholarship awardees to the United Kingdom (UK).

Naija News reports that Governor Nwifuru, on Saturday, sent 204 postgraduate scholarship recipients to the UK and 541 others to various universities in Nigeria for postgraduate programs.

Nwifuru said the scholarship was not just an investment in education, but an investment in the future of the State.

“It is an event that demonstrates our commitment to human capital development which occupies centre stage in our Government,” he said.

He urged the recipients to immerse themselves fully in their studies, embrace the cultures they encounter, and build networks that would be invaluable to their growth.

“But remember, your ultimate mission lies here at home. Upon completing your studies. For emphasis, we expect you to return to our State and channel your expertise into sectors that need your innovation, creativity, and leadership,” he advised.

Speaking on the cost of logistics for the awardees traveling to the UK, Nwifuru thanked Air Peace founder, Allen Onyema, for reducing costs for the government.

His words: “Let me thank Allen Onyema for showing a very great interest. For showing a very great interest. And I must thank him publicly and inform you about his contributions. I contacted Allen Onyema about two days ago and I told him, Allen, I am finding it difficult to transport my people from Nigeria to the United Kingdom. And he said, I have the solution. I said, what is the solution? He said, my aircraft is available. And if you had informed me earlier, Allen Onyema Foundation would have taken off all the resources and all the expenses. Would have paid it off. But since it is very prompt, there is nothing I could do. But I am going to give it to you in the price that you cannot find anywhere.

“And I want to inform you about it. We are sending 204 students. Total number ought to be 212. Three are heavily pregnant. Then the other three are being disqualified based on health issue.  Two are already in the UK. There are now remaining 204. And what is leaving today (Saturday) is 204.

“And Allen told me, the price for aircraft to UK is 6 million per one person. And you can go and get it out. It is not a difficult thing. But if you calculate 6 million by 209, because five officials are going, if you calculate 6 million by 209, it is about one something billion. And he said to me, Ebonyi Governor, Mr Francis, you know you are a very strong man, very unassuming. What do you want?

“I said, give me the bill. He gave me the bill. He reduced the price down to 766.5 million. I am saying this to all of you, especially many of you that are traveling abroad, so that you know how many people you are indebted to. So that you know how many people you are indebted to.

“Now, when I look at it, it says 766.5 million. It is still very heavy for me. He said, how much will you pay? I said, we will pay 500 million. He said it is okay, Francis, pay the 500 million. Now, what that shows is that we are in the very right track. And I want you to know very well that what Allen did to us is more than 60% of the total costs. What he paid is more than 60%. So we are also very grateful to him.“

Popular Nollywood actress, Ini Edo has shared the travails she encountered before she successfully had her child through surrogacy.

Ini Edo, who has a 3-year-old daughter named Light, disclosed that she had issues carrying pregnancy to term and had to opt for surrogacy.

The actress revealed that she had gone through IVF procedures to get pregnant and suffered six miscarriages before opting for surrogacy.

She opened up on her unique journey to motherhood after being questioned about her child’s paternity on the reality show Young Famous & African.

Her co-star, Luis asked Ini if she has a child and she said she has a baby girl.

“Are you married?” she asked.

“I’m not married,” Ini replied.

“Are you together with the dad?” Nadia questioned.

“No I’m not,” Ini said.

“Is he still alive?”

“Well, I don’t know,” Ini Edo replied to Nadia.

“Girl, is he dead or not? It’s a yes or no question,” Nadia insisted.

“He’s not dead. He doesn’t have anything to do with us. We’re just two people. Just me and my child,” Ini Edo replied.

During her confessional, Ini Edo said, “My journey is one that I have not really been wanting to talk about because it’s personal.”

“I’m raising her alone,” Ini finally told her co-stars. “I went through surrogacy.”

She added: “There was no man in my life at the time and I wanted to have a child. There are different ways to go about that.”

Later, Luis, is seen discussing the research he has done regarding surrogacy and his willingness to try having a child through said means.

However, Ini Edo was taken aback, and she asked why he was choosing surrogacy when he has a girlfriend.

“I don’t think surrogacy is something people just wake up and say that’s what they want to do,” Ini Edo said.

She added during her confessional: “I never thought I would be someone who had fertility issues. But I’ve had issues carrying pregnancies long-term.

“When it looked like it was not going to happen the way I wanted it to happen and I wasn’t getting younger, I said, ‘What are the option? What is available to me?’

“And then, this option came up, so I took it.”

“And I’m very happy with my decision,” she told her co-stars.

A former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has strongly criticized those calling for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

In a post on his X account, Ahmad referred to Kanu as a terrorist and condemned any efforts to secure his release, labelling such advocates as enemies of Nigeria.

“Anybody advocating for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, a terrorist and the leader of the proscribed terrorist organization IPOB, should be considered a sworn enemy of this country,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, a former Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mike Ejiofor, has urged President Bola Tinubu to unconditionally release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

During an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Thursday, Ejiofor called for the prioritization of security challenges in Nigeria.

The former DSS Director said Tinubu’s administration should consider a political solution to resolve the insecurity challenges across the Southeast.

According to him, President Tinubu should release Kanu and see if the insecurity in the region will stop because unknown gunmen killing innocent people in the Southeast claim to be fighting for the IPOB leader.

Kanu, a vocal proponent of Biafran independence, was apprehended by the Nigerian government for his secessionist activities, which include calls for Nigeria’s breakup.

Despite court rulings discharging and acquitting him, Kanu remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In June 2021, Kanu was rearrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria through an extraordinary rendition process to face ongoing legal proceedings.

His trial has since faced delays, particularly after Kanu demanded that Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Federal High Court recuse herself.

The judge complied, referring the case to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment.

Additionally, Kanu has lodged a formal complaint with the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing Justice Nyako of misconduct in handling his trial.