Category: Featured

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have begun investigation of the sum of CFA 7m intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, along the Idiroko Border in Ogun State.

The investigation of the CFA 7m, which is about N17m ( Seventeen Million Naira) commenced on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 after it was handed over to the EFCC by the Customs’ Area Comptroller for the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu at Idiroko in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Speaking during the handing over, Shuaibu said the foreign currency stashed in 5,000 denomination was being smuggled from Nigeria en route the Idiroko border to the neighbouring Republic of Benin.

According to him, the bag containing the cash was uncovered by operatives of the NCS along the Baggage Road in Idiroko where it was left at a corner by a yet-to-be-identified courier.

“On March 20, 2025, our officers on duty at outward Baggage Hall spotted a bag suspected to be carrying an unlawful content. On thorough examination, it was discovered to contain new mint foreign currency notes.”

“Our officers conducted a search on the bag, in line with the provisions of the Section 6 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and discovered the bag to be containing foreign currency.

“On examination; it was discovered to contain 7,000,000 CFA.

“It might interest you to know that failure to declare any cash amounting to the seized currency runs contrary to the Anti-money laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995,” he said.

He added that handing over the cash to the EFCC for further investigations was part of the Service’s efforts at fostering inter-agency collaboration, particularly in line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

While receiving the exhibit, Head, Investigations, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, Moses Oguzi, commended the Management of the NCS for its vigilance and commitment towards safe-guarding the nation’s borders.

Ogunzi, who spoke on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC , ACE1 Ahmad Ghali, assured that the Commission would conduct a thorough forensic investigation of the cash found by officers of the NCS.

“ This is a reminder that no effort will be spared in holding accountable those who seek to undermine the integrity of our financial systems”, he said.

The Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU), has dismissed 13 staff members for offences including sexual misconduct, abandonment of duty, and other violations.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Joseph Ayodele announced this on Monday during a press briefing ahead of the university’s 29th convocation ceremony. He emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining discipline among staff and students, stating that misconduct would not be tolerated.

“The University under my leadership has raised the bar of discipline of staff and students to an admirable level,” Ayodele said. “Our administration detests all forms of malfeasance, and those involved in any form of indiscipline have been appropriately dealt with in accordance with the University’s rules and regulations.”

Providing a breakdown of the disciplinary actions, Ayodele revealed that three staff members were dismissed for abandoning their duty posts, one for sexual misconduct, and nine had their appointments terminated. Additionally, three employees were barred from holding leadership positions for three years, while 21 received warnings for various infractions.

During the convocation ceremony set for Saturday, March 29, 2025, EKSU will award first-class honours to 200 graduates from the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic sessions.

Ayodele shared further statistics, noting that 5,406 students would graduate with second-class upper division, 9,076 with second-class lower division, 1,295 with third-class, and four with a pass. The university will also confer 162 PhD degrees, 242 master’s degrees, and 61 postgraduate diplomas.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for increasing the university’s monthly subvention from N260 million to N410 million, which has helped clear outstanding salaries and accumulated staff allowances.

“We also congratulate the Governor of Ekiti State and Visitor to the University, His Excellency, Omoluabi Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, in whose tenure these great things are happening,” Ayodele said. “It is reasonable to connect the improvement in the fortunes of the University to the historical upward review of the monthly subvention, which has significantly boosted staff morale and ensured stability in the academic calendar.”

The university will also confer honorary doctorate degrees on Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji, and Board Chairman of the Bank of Industry Dr. Mansur Muhtar in recognition of their contributions to society.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has warned traditional rulers in Osun State that they risk dethronement if communal clashes between Ifon and Ilobu persist.

The conflict has resulted in three d+aths, over 30 injuries, the displacement of 100,000 residents, and property lisses exceeding N2 billion.

To restore order, Adeleke imposed a 24-hour curfew on the affected areas and met with the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Akinyooye, and the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, issuing them warning letters.

Security forces, including the military and DSS, are enforcing the curfew. High Chief Leke Ogunsola of Ilobu confirmed that an attempted arson attack was swiftly thwarted. Oba Akinyooye called for peace, urging displaced residents to return home.

Meanwhile, Federal Housing Authority Executive Director Oluremi Omowaiye criticized the state’s delayed aid response and appealed to Vice President Kashim Shettima for urgent intervention.

With growing pressure for relief efforts, stakeholders are watching closely to ensure peace is restored and victims receive necessary support.

The Ogun State Police Command on Saturday said that its operatives have arrested eight students of Ifo High School for allegedly engaging in cult activities.

Those picked up were Omolaso Waris (16 years) Bennett Bolawatife (15 years)Aluko Taiwo (15 years) Akinola Ifeoluwa (16 years) Azeez Hassan (16 years) Kilani Babatunde (aka Soldier) (16 years) Kehinde Aluko (15 years) and Fasedemi Samuel (16 years).

They were reportedly arrested after the Principal of the secondary school, Mr Alako Oluwole, alongside a teacher, Mr. Akinseku Oloruntoba Julius reported the activities of these teenagers to the police on Friday.

The students during interrogation were said to have disclosed to the police that two students in Senior Secondary School one, Ebenezer Ope and Ebenezer Tobi allegedly initiated them into the cult group called Future Guys.

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has criticized the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, stating that imposing a state of emergency goes against the principles of federalism.

Speaking to an international news outlet, Soyinka argued that the 1999 Constitution grants excessive power to the president, emphasizing the need for a national dialogue to address the issue.

“If the action is constitutionally valid, then it is time to amend the constitution to ensure true federalism,” he said. “The government is overly centralized, and while the debate will continue on whether this decision was wise, it fundamentally contradicts the spirit of federalism.”

Soyinka reiterated his long-standing position that Nigeria’s system of governance is unsuitable for a diverse society.

“The federal spirit of association is crucial & that’s why some of us have repeatedly called for a national conference to create an authentic people’s constitution. As it stands, this action violates federal principles,” he added.

Operatives of the Lagos Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have commenced investigations of a suspect, Okorie Sylvernus Sunday, arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, with $578,000( Five Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand United States of America Dollars)

The investigations commenced on Friday, March 21, 2025 when the Area Comptroller in charge of the NCS at the airport on Friday, March 21, 2025, handed over Sunday to the EFCC for false currency declaration.

The suspect was arrested by the Customs upon arrival in the country from Johannesburg , South Africa, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

On arrival, he had approached the Currency Declaration Desk and declared the sum of $279,000( Two Hundred and Seventy-nine Thousand United States Dollar).

However, an additional sum of $299,000( Two Hundred and Ninety-nine Thousand USD) was found to be neatly concealed in different packages, thereby totaling $578,000 (Five Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand USD).

During further examination, the suspect was found to have also concealed the sum of 100 Euros (One Hundred Euros) as well as a counterfeit $250 (Two Hundred and Fifty USD).”

Speaking during the handing over, Harrison said: “ This is in contravention of the provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, which stipulates that any currency or other forms of negotiable instruments , where the value exceeds $10,000 threshold or its equivalent must be properly declared for inbound and outbound passengers.”

Harrison, who spoke on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, added that “ The Command will be handing over a total sum of Five Hundred and Seventy-eightThousand, United States Dollar ($578,000) to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for false currency declaration.”

While receiving the suspect, the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ahmed Ghali, commended the NCS for its cooperation with the EFCC.

He stated that inter-agency collaboration was very crucial to achieving a common goal, adding that “We are here today to take over one passenger coming from South Africa for falsely declaring the cash he was carrying along . I want members of the public to be weary of this kind of act . It is incumbent on each and every person going out or coming into the country to declare any cash in excess of $10,000. It is mandatory by virtue of the provisions of our laws, especially the money laundering law”.

He also appealed to the members of the public to desist from the act of false declaration or non-declaration, adding that the long arm of the laws would always catch up with anyone involved in the criminal act.

“ We will not allow anyone to sabotage the economy or the nation’s financial system. This is because this kind of act exposes the country to a lot of risks, in terms of money laundering; it also makes the country to be seen as a haven of fraud. We will continue to synergise to make sure we have a better country , a stronger economy and a more functional financial system”, he said.

Police found dead bodies riddled with bullets in Gbalegi, a village on the border between Idanre and Akure

Another clash between two communities in Ondo State has resulted in the tragic loss of six lives, with four persons killed in a separate incident on Friday.

The violence occurred in the Gbalegi village on the border between Idanre and Akure, the state capital. Tensions had been simmering in the community for some time before the armed attack erupted on Friday morning at around 8:00 a.m. The victims were initially taken to the nearby police station before being transferred to the morgue in Akure.

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed that it received a distress call that a group of thugs mobilised themselves to the Gbalegi area (a disputed land between Akure and Idanre), attacking the people of the said area.

Following the incident, the police responded swiftly and apprehended seven individuals. These individuals were found to have charms and seven single-barrel guns, along with a supply of both live and spent ammunition.

In a recent interview with Biola Adebayo, Nigerian veteran actress Dupe Jaiyesimi opened up about her struggles with childlessness revealing she has no child to celebrate her 60th birthday with.

Dupe shared her heartbreaking story, including a past pregnancy that ended in disappointment.

She recounted being pregnant at 40, only to be told by her doctor that the child was not in the womb, leaving her questioning God.

According to her, the pregnancy was ectopic, meaning the baby was growing outside her womb.

After losing the pregnancy, her husband brought another woman into their home, who was already expecting his child. This betrayal led Dupe to leave the marriage.

Despite her desire for motherhood, Dupe admitted that she had struggled with infertility and had undergone two rounds of IVF in an attempt to conceive, but both failed. She also considered adopting a child but was discouraged by her late mother.

Dupe stated that she has been single since leaving her marriage.

The actress, who once graced Yoruba movie screens with her talent, admitted that she had been absent from the industry for over seven years. She has neither featured in films nor produced any projects of her own.

Despite the setbacks, Dupe remains hopeful. She firmly believes that as long as she is alive, there is still a chance for her to become a mother. Her unwavering faith in the future keeps her going.

Her story has sparked an outpouring of support and sympathy from fans and fellow celebrities on social media.

Source: Biola Adebayo’s interview with Dupe Jaiyesimi

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, are at loggerheads over alleged dethronement plots.

Oluwo, in a statement on Friday night, alleged that Oba Ogunwusi is seeking his downfall after he played a prominent role in his emergence as Ooni of Ife.

He claimed the link he used for Oba Ogunwusi would have been used for his elder brother, Tunji Adeyeye, who was his friend and peer at Akobo, Ibadan but he underrated his status.

Oluwo narrated how he arranged several meetings in Ibadan after one Akin Daodu, a close ally to Oba Ogunwusi, begged for his intervention.

He said “To my surprise, the same person I helped to the throne has been planning evil against me. He orchestrated my suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas meeting against the AIG who was a star witness to what transpired. He is using a few kings in Iwoland to destabilize my territory.

“He attacked me last month in the presence of the Governor that I’m discouraging deity worshipping. He was part of those who used my former wife against me. He wants me to be removed as Oluwo by all means. Such is a dream that can never come through. No one can remove me as Oluwo. No one can kill me and no one can bring me down.

“He should keep trying. He will be the one to live to regret, his cohorts that have tried it in the past failed.”