President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that would withdraw the United States from the United Nations (UN) human rights council.

The order would also withdraw the US from the UN’s Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Trump signed the order on Tuesday.

The US president also instructed a review of American involvement in UNESCO.

“I always felt the UN has always had tremendous potential but it’s not living up to it’s potential,” Trump said.

He said the UN needs to be fair to ountries that “deserved fairness”.

It also orders a review of American involvement in United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The US was UNRWA’s biggest donor, providing close to $500 million a year.

However, in January 2024, former President Joe Biden paused funding after Israel accused about a dozen UNRWA staff of taking part in the Hamas attack that triggered the war in Gaza.

Congress formally suspended contributions to the agency until at least March 2025.

Trump’s order to withdraw the US from the UN agency coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington.

Earlier, Trump said Palestinians have no alternative but to leave Gaza.

The US president added that he would like to see them take up a “nice piece of land” in neighbouring Jordan and Egypt.

Trump said he does not necessarily support Israelis settling in Gaza.

“I just support cleaning it up and doing something with it,” he said referring to the embattled strip.

This is not the first time Trump has dealt UNRWA a financial blow.

During his first term, he also cut off funding for the agency, saying Palestinians needed to agree to renew peace talks with Israel, and calling for unspecified reforms.

Since taking office on January 20, Trump has signed orders withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris climate agreement

A high court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, has convicted and sentenced Olayiwola Oguntade, a former employee of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to five years in prison for fraud.

Oguntade was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on October 13, 2020, on a three-count amended charge bordering on forgery, advance fee fraud, and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N10 million.

Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Olayiwola Oguntade, sometime in 2010 at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N10,000,000 by false pretence through Kola Al-Amin from Polybadan Microfinance Bank Ltd and thereby committed an offence of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 1 (i) (b) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Oguntade pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, prompting the over four years of trial, during which prosecution counsel, Oyelakin Oyediran and Lanre Suleiman, called 10 witnesses and tendered several incriminating documents against him that were admitted in evidence.

Delivering judgment on January 28, Bayo Taiwo, the presiding judge, held that “the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, noting that the court was convinced that the defendant is guilty of the offences filed against him by the EFCC.”

Taiwo sentenced Oguntade to five years imprisonment without an option of a fine

Suzzette Chibuogu, the ex-wife of Ikenna Erinne, the late US-based Nigerian cardiologist, has denied claims that she is responsible for his death.

A Nigerian-American man identified as Clayton Udoh, in a recent video shared on Facebook, claimed the cardiologist committed suicide after losing a child support case and being ordered to pay $15,000 per month.

He also alleged that Erinne’s visitation rights were restricted and that he had lost his license amid the legal battle with Suzzette Chibuogu, his ex-wife.

The claims sparked a range of mixed emotions on social media, with many users calling for the identity of Erinne’s ex-wife to be exposed.

However, Chibuogu’s father dismissed the allegations, arguing that Erinne took his life to avoid the consequences of holding his ex-wife and children at gunpoint for three hours.

Ikenna Erinne, the late US-based Nigerian cardiologist,

Ikenna Erinne, the late US-based Nigerian cardiologist,

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Chibuogu corroborated her father’s claims, describing the incident as a “near-death experience” where she had to “beg to live for three hours”.

She revealed that she had been the primary caregiver and financial provider for her children, including her disabled child, while Erinne lived in another state.

Chibuogu claimed that she and her children have faced threats since the incident and warned that she has evidence to take legal action if the harassment persists.

She urged people to move forward with love, reminding them that she and her children are real people trying to rebuild their lives after years of hardship.

“There are a lot of lies swirling around the internet right now and it’s impossible to address them all. For years I have stayed silent as I’ve gone through a journey of character development, resilience and obedience to God,” she wrote.

“My children and I had a near-death experience on January 26 and we are now on a journey of healing. Those who know me know that I have always taken care of my kids 100% of the time since their respective births.

“Those that know our situation know that their Dad hasn’t even lived in the same state as us for the majority of their lives. They know that my son is permanently disabled and has been in therapy 40 hours a week since he was 1 year old.

“They know that I have always been the primary financial provider for my kids. Always. My children and I will overcome. The worst night of our lives when we begged to live for three hours has been flipped around to make us look like villains.

“I have received dozens of text messages and calls threatening my life and my childrens’ lives. This has to stop. I have videos. I have pictures. I have police documentation of multiple incidents. I don’t want to take it there. This has to stop.

“Nobody knows someone like their partner. I respect the experiences and memories you had of him and I do not seek to tarnish them. I know the truth. People that know me know the truth. What you think of me is not my business

The federal high court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of N1,168,602,877, £35,070, and $392,818 recovered from Muiz Tijani Adeyinka, a former employee of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN).

On Monday, Alexander Owoeye, the presiding judge, ordered the final forfeiture of the funds after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) complied with the conditions stipulated by the court after the interim order was granted.

In November 2024, the court ordered the interim forfeiture of the funds and directed that a notice be published in a national newspaper.

The publication was meant to give anyone with an interest in the assets 14 days to appear before the court and explain why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

At the court proceedings on Monday, Zeenat Atiku, counsel to the EFCC, said the anti-graft agency received a petition from FBN in March 2024 about “fraudulent” transactions within and outside the bank.

The EFCC counsel said the investigation revealed that the principal suspect is Adeyinka, a former employee of the bank, who was attached to the settlement office of the financial institution.

Atiku alleged that Adeyinka used his office to manipulate “settlement accounts by creating fictitious domiciliary inflows with which he immediately transferred the naira equivalent to himself and his cronies”.

She said the former FBN employee allegedly used the fraudulent funds to purchase US dollars and digital currency as part of the money laundering plot.

“Investigation revealed that Muiz Tijani Adeyinka, who is the principal suspect, is a former staff of First Bank Nigeria Plc,” the EFCC counsel told the court.

“He is also the MD/CEO of Golden Sieve Logistics Ltd., Golden Sieve Properties Ltd., and Golden Sieve Motors Ltd., which are all duly incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“He was attached to the settlement office of the bank, and with his office, he had some inalienable access available only to the settlement office.”

Since the recovered funds belong to FBN, the federal government is expected to return the money to the financial institution.

In June 2024, the INTERPOL section of the force criminal investigation department (FCID) declared Adeyinka wanted over an alleged diversion of over N40 billion from various customers’ accounts to different accounts in his control

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved N12 billion for the upgrade of critical health infrastructure across teaching hospitals in six states.

Speaking after the FEC meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, Ali Pate, the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, said the upgrades are aimed at expanding healthcare access.

Pate said the fund will be used to procure major diagnostic equipment, including three MRI machines and two CT scanners across key tertiary institutions.

The institutions include the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom; Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state; Federal Medical Center, Keffi, Nasarawa state; Modibbo Adamawa University Teaching Hospital, Yola; and Federal Teaching Hospital, Kebbi.

The minister said the funds would also support broader infrastructure upgrades to enhance both patient care and medical education in these institutions.

He added that the improved facilities have already started attracting patients from foreign countries.

“Gradually, piece by piece, we are building our health infrastructure in the front end, but also at the higher level in the teaching hospitals,” he said.

“And we know that important things are happening; people are now beginning to come to Nigeria and receive quality healthcare. This is already happening, including people from faraway places like the United Kingdom and the United States.

“So despite what we may want to believe about Nigeria’s healthcare system, there are good things happening; the transformation that the president promised is beginning to happen.

“We need to sustain it, and we are investing, and we will continue to invest in that direction.”

The FEC meeting also saw the ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) treaty in order to integrate Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector into the African market.

The treaty, first adopted by the African Union (AU) in 2019, seeks to harmonise regulatory standards across the continent, ensuring access to safe and high-quality medicines.

Pate commended Tinubu’s leadership, describing the ratification as a “major milestone” in Nigeria’s path to medical self-sufficiency and industrialisation.

“With this treaty, what we produce as part of our value chain expansion will have access to a much wider market,” Pate said.

“This means what is made in Nigeria will, over time, be made in Africa.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress has suspended its planned nationwide protest against the recent 50 per cent hike in telecom tariffs approved by the Federal Government.

The labour union aborted the planned rally scheduled for Tuesday (today) following a meeting with government representatives at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja, on Monday.

The telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, had defended the 50 per cent tariff increase, citing rising operational costs driven by inflation, foreign exchange fluctuations, and higher energy expenses.

In a statement, the regulator said the adjustment was in line with its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 to ensure the financial sustainability of the telecom sector.

However, the NLC rejected the tariff hike and demanded a reduction to five per cent, threatening a nationwide protest if its demands were not met.

It condemned the hike as insensitive and unjustifiable, arguing that it would impose an extra burden on Nigerian consumers.

 The union’s president, Joe Ajaero, reiterated its demand for a significant reduction after the National Administrative Council meeting of the NLC.

He said, “After extensive discussions, the following resolutions were reached: NAC-in-session totally rejects the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike, which it considers too harsh for citizens. It, therefore, strongly condemns the Nigerian Communications Commission’s decision to approve the increase.”

“This decision is insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct attack on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already suffering under worsening economic hardship caused by government policies beyond their control.”

The union called on Nigerians to prepare for a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services in protest against the increase.

Despite the union’s pressure, telecom operators remained firm that the current adjustment was necessary to maintain service quality and support network expansion in an increasingly challenging economic environment.

They ruled out negotiations with organised labour on the tariff increase, insisting that no reduction would be made despite the labour threat.

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, argued that the approved increase is vital to sustaining telecom operations amid escalating costs.

“This increase is a lifeline that enables us to survive. Anything lower would be like giving someone who needs 100 litres of oxygen only a fraction—barely enough to keep them alive but insufficient for long-term survival,” he asserted.

To ensure maximum impact, the NLC mobilised the electricity, aviation workers and civil society groups for the protest.

However, following the Monday meeting, the NLC resolved to halt the demonstration pending further discussions.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, NLC President, Ajaero, said the government had agreed to set up a larger committee to review the entire tariff structure.

According to him, the committee will be composed of five representatives from both sides and is expected to submit its findings within two weeks.

Ajaero stated, “We emphasised that the NLC is the largest organisation in Africa, and no stakeholder consultation can exclude us and still stand. On that basis, they agreed to form a broader committee to ensure a fair and inclusive agreement to look at the entire tariff structure as a model to come out with a realistic and all-inclusive agreement.

“So, the committee will be made up of five representatives, from both sides and expected to come out with a result after two weeks. That will determine the next line of action and the process of engagement.’’

He added that the union’s next steps, including protests, boycotts, or service withdrawals, would depend on the outcome of the committee’s work.

“The symbolic action of submitting the letters tomorrow (today) will be put on hold until the outcome of such a committee. The outcome of such a committee is what will determine our next line of action in terms of protest, in terms of boycott, in terms of even withdrawal of services, which are the three issues we put online,” he explained.

While the planned symbolic submission of protest letters had been put on hold, Ajaero noted that the NLC remains concerned about other pressing economic issues, including electricity tariffs and burdensome taxes on workers.

“We have also expressed our displeasure over the high electricity tariff and the unbearable tax regime, which is killing workers. These remain unresolved issues that must be addressed,” the labour leader said.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the NCC raised the tariff following a study.

He stated that the NLC agreed to look at the study to come up with its resolutions, adding that a committee of five representatives each from both sides had been instituted.

The minister said, “The crux of the matter is that there is already a study that was conducted by the NCC that led them to arrive at this 50 per cent increase. Now, we are discussing this with Labour.

“Labour has agreed that they will look at that study, and then a small committee has been set up to look at that study once again and come up with a final resolution for the consideration of government and Labour in about two weeks.

“So, the summary of it is that the Nigeria Labour Congress and the delegation of the Federal Government have set up a committee of five each.

“We are going to meet here continuously for the next two weeks, and at the end of the second week, we will now come up with a recommendation that we will give to the government and the organised Labour for final consideration.

“Both the organised Labour, the NLC particularly, and the government people have sat down here and have agreed on this position.

“So, there won’t be any protest tomorrow (today) by the Nigeria Labour Congress, and there will be some form of report that will come up in about two weeks from now to consider the study and other considerations by both parties.”

Meanwhile, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, which had initially supported the protest, also announced on Monday the suspension following a high-level meeting with the NCC.

The council, which represents over 600 affiliate organisations, had previously condemned the tariff hike and planned a mass protest to occupy the headquarters of the NCC and the National Assembly.

However, after extensive deliberations and a forensic review of the economic realities facing telecom service providers, the Council reversed its stance.

The NCSCN assembled an 11-man delegation for a four-hour meeting with NCC officials.

According to NCSCN Executive Director Blessing Akinlosotu, the council’s delegation initially approached the meeting prepared for a showdown, expecting to challenge the NCC on the tariff decision.

However, detailed presentations, economic assessments and operational data provided during the meeting led to a re-evaluation of the situation.

To ensure an objective assessment, the council formed a five-man technical committee to conduct a forensic analysis of telecom service providers’ operational costs, financial statements and annual profit margins.

Akinlosotu said, “After the tensed and robust engagement with the Management of NCC, we further set up a 5-Man Technical Committee to carefully study documents presented to us, and asked the Committee to do clinical and forensic examination of available records of operational costs and annual profits margins of some major Telecom Service Providers in Nigeria, with critical assessments of Financial Statements.

“Our findings were very interesting and calls for serious review of position and planned line of action.”

The committee’s findings revealed that telecom operators had not increased tariffs since 2013 despite inflation and harsh economic conditions.

The cost of electricity and diesel has risen sharply, significantly impacting network operations.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to pay N1.12bn in compensation to the family of one Mike Madu, killed by an INEC driver in Imo State.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment on Friday, ordered INEC to pay the N1.12bn with 10 per cent interest per annum from the date of judgment until the final or full payment is made.

In addition, the judge ordered  INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and other defendants to send a letter of condolence to the late Madu’s family.

“An order is hereby made for the defendants to pay the cost of prosecuting this action. This shall be the judgment of this court,” Justice Ekwo added.

The plaintiff, Augustine Madu, filed the suit on behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe, Awo-Omamma community in Oru-East Local Government Area of Imo State.

The amended writ of summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1074/2019, listed INEC, its Chairman, the INEC Commissioner in Abuja, and an INEC escort driver, Hassan Abdul, as the first to fourth defendants, respectively.

Augustine filed the suit on September 18, 2019, seeking four reliefs, including an order for the defendants to pay N1.12bn in compensation to Madu’s family for the unlawful termination of his life.

In his statement of claim, Augustine described his deceased brother, Mike Madu, as a successful businessman born on June 9, 1970, to the late John and Chioma Madu in Awo-Omamma, Imo State.

He said Abdul, an INEC staff member and driver under the office of the national commissioner, was responsible for the fatal accident that claimed Mike’s life on June 16, 2019.

On September 10, 2019, the deceased’s family resolved to take legal action against the defendants.

Augustine noted that his brother frequently travelled between China and Nigeria, often accompanying Chinese investors to facilitate business opportunities.

On one such trip, Mike was escorting two Chinese investors to explore investment prospects in the Enugu State Free Trade Zone.

During their journey on the Itobe-Anyigba Expressway in Kogi State, their Lexus car, driven by Ega Chukwudi of Auto Star Transport Company, collided with a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser Jeep driven by the fourth defendant, Hassan Abdul.

The Toyota, occupied by Abdul and a police escort, Sgt. Usman Abdullahi, lost control, swerved into the opposite lane, and crashed into the Lexus in a head-on collision.

The Land Cruiser then somersaulted into a bush and caught fire, while the Lexus sustained heavy damage.

Mike sustained severe injuries and died, along with one of the Chinese investors, Huang Hia Yan.

The victims were taken to Holley Memorial Hospital in Ochadamu Village for medical attention, while the deceased were later transferred to Kogi State Specialist Hospital Mortuary.

 The surviving Chinese investor, Qu Xin Dong, was admitted to the same hospital, while Chukwudi, the Lexus driver, was treated at Enugu State Orthopaedic Hospital. Abdul and his police escort received treatment at Holley Memorial Hospital.

A police report dated July 16, 2019, concluded that Abdul’s reckless speeding was the cause of the accident.

On July 10, 2019, the Kogi State Chief Magistrate Court ordered a post-mortem examination of the deceased. The plaintiff later obtained a warrant to bury his brother and the deceased investor.

Augustine lamented that throughout this period, INEC and its officials showed no concern or remorse for causing Mike’s death.

He emphasized that his late brother was not only the breadwinner of his immediate and extended family but also provided for his Chinese wife, Xiaojuan Li, and their son.

He further stated that Mike’s untimely death had left his family in distress, especially his wife and child in China, and that INEC had willfully refused to offer any compensation.

During the trial, the plaintiff presented two witnesses, including Josephine Emumwen, an officer in the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Command.

 Augustine testified as the first witness, adopting his written statement on June 14, 2023.

Although he was recalled for cross-examination on November 16, 2023, the defendants failed to appear in court.

Justice Ekwo, ruling in favor of the plaintiff, upheld the claims and awarded the compensation.

Embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has urged the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja to bar the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from calling additional witnesses after 10 had testified in his ongoing procurement fraud trial.

Emefiele’s lead counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), contended that since EFCC listed only 10 witnesses in the proof of evidence it filed in court, it should not be allowed to call additional witnesses.

But the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), opposed the application, asserting that further testimonies were necessary to ensure a fair and thorough presentation of the case.

Oyedepo argued that denying the agency the ability to call additional witnesses would infringe on their right to a fair hearing. 

After taking arguments from sides on Monday, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned till March 20 for ruling.

Emefiele is facing 20 counts, bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery and conspiracy in the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/577/2023.

He was also accused of using his position as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantages on two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

However, during Monday’s proceedings, EFCC’s 10th witness, Salawu Gana, said the award of contract to  April 1616 for the procurement of vehicles for the CBN adhered to procurement laws and the CBN guidelines.

Fielding questions during cross-examination by Emefiele’s lawyer, Gana said the CBN’s Procurement Department evaluated the quotations submitted by the bidders, vetted the submissions, and resolved to award the contract to April 1616 because its quotation was the lowest.

He added that Emefiele only approved the contract award based on the recommendations of the CBN Tenders Board.

The witness also confirmed that the vehicles were supplied, and the company, April 1616, was paid based on the recommendations of the board to Emefiele for approval.

Gana, who was the Head of the Procurement Unit at the time, stressed that Emefiele was not a member of the CBN Tenders Board.

He admitted that neither he nor the five procurement officers who recommended April 1616 for the award had been charged by the EFCC.

Gana also said he had not seen any evidence or document showing that money was paid from April 1616’s bank account to Emefiele.

He confirmed that, according to the company’s registration certificate, Emefiele was not a director, shareholder, or signatory to April 1616’s bank account.

Gana further testified that Emefiele did not direct or influence him, either through phone calls or SMS, to favour April 1616 in the procurement process, adding that he reported directly to his supervisor, Mr Ekanem Akpan, and not to Emefiele.

The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), presented bundles of exhibits related to the bidding processes for 45 different contracts for vehicle supplies to the CBN by April 1616, RT Briscoe, and Globe Motors.

During his evidence-in-chief, Gana reiterated that April 1616 was awarded the contracts because it submitted the lowest quotations.

Satisfied with the evidence of 19 witnesses they produced to testify before the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, yesterday, closed their case.

The petitioners are challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of All Progressives Congress, APC, as winner of the gubernatorial contest held September 21, 2024 in the state.

At the resumed proceeding in the matter, lead counsel for the petitioners, Mr. Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, informed the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member panel tribunal that they have concluded their case.

The application came shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, produced five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines that were used for the election.

The electronic devices, which were tendered by a Senior Technical Officer in the ICT Department of INEC, Mr. Anthony Itodo, were admitted in evidence, though all the respondents in the matter objected, saying they would give their reasons in their final written addresses.

It will be recalled that the tribunal had earlier admitted in evidence, a total of 148 BVAS that were used in 133 polling units where results of the election were being disputed by the PDP.

Meanwhile, the tribunal has fixed tomorrow, for INEC to open its defence.

INEC had declared that Okpebholo of the APC secured 291,667 votes to defeat his closet rivalry, Ighodalo of the PDP, who got 247,655 votes.

Aggrieved by the outcome of the poll, the PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal, praying it to nullify INEC’s declaration of the APC and Okpebholo as winners of the contest.

The petitioners, among other things, contended that the governorship election was invalid by reason of alleged non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

They equally argued in the petition marked: EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, that Okpebholo of the APC did not secure the highest number of lawful votes that were cast at the election.