Oduduwa News

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and Interpol have launched an investigation into the N1.3 trillion frauds perpetrated through a digital investment platform, CBEX.

CBEX, operated by a group of foreign nationals in collaboration with their Nigerian partners, reportedly collapsed on Monday.

Recall, many Nigerians have begun counting losses after the popular trading platform, CBEX failed to approve withdrawal returns on investment to investors.

The EFCC has signaled intention to partner with International Police INTERPOL begin a full scale probe on the alleged scam.

Details later.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday said he has the capacity to occupy the highest political office in the land.

Makinde, a second-term governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made this known on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

According to him, the 2027 elections would be between Nigerians and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC); and not a contest between the PDP and the APC.

Makinde said, “I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land and I have what it takes but what I want to do right now, is it what Nigerians are asking for right now, is it what my party will say we should do, we don’t know; we still have a long time to go.

“But where we are right now is that we must fix our party, we must have a platform for you to even aspire to be anything.

“Let me also say this: if my political journey ends here, I am also happy.”

Notable Fuji Musician, Saheed Osupa has withdrawn legal case against the controversial singer, Okikiola aka Portable over alleged defamation.

In a statement made available by the Media Aide to the Fuji Musician, Basit Babatunde as read in part:

“The management of King (Dr.) Saheed Osupa wishes to inform the general public that the legal action previously instituted against Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been formally withdrawn on the instruction of Osupa himself.

“It is essential to clarify that the legal proceedings were initially initiated by Osupa’s management team in response to what was considered a grave violation of intellectual property rights and an unacceptable pattern of defamation and public misconduct. Hence, the intention was not personal, but to set a precedent that would discourage unruly behavior and promote responsibility, especially among younger artists.

“However, following heartfelt pleas from several prominent Nigerians—amongst whom are Alhaji Ahmad Lawal, CEO of Lahmad Concepts, and Saheed Ibile, CEO of Harmony Holdings Ltd, Alh. Fatai Lajero on behalf of Olufimo Royal Parliament, and Alh. Waheed Ogunsesan, National President Olufimo Fans Club.— and moved by Portable’s plight, following his inability to meet his bail conditions, Osupa gave a personal directive for the immediate withdrawal of the case.

“Please note that this decision is driven by compassion and the hope that this moment will serve as a turning point in Portable’s life and career, as Osupa believes that while accountability is essential, mercy, too, is a pillar of leadership. He hopes that Portable will seize this opportunity for reflection, growth, and transformation.

“As a condition of this withdrawal, Portable is expected to:

• Retract his statement implying Saheed Osupa should be held responsible if anything happens to him
• Confess to the falsehood of the public claim of his lawyer, Chief Bar. Isaac Adebayo, about holding Saheed Osupa’s leg begging for forgiveness, because contrary to this claim, Osupa did not even set his eyes on Portable
• Sign an undertaking to desist from cyberbullying, defamation, and character assassination henceforth.

“If these conditions are not met, the case may be reinstated.

“Osupa remains committed to supporting a music industry built on respect, discipline, and mutual growth. He continues to use his platform to guide and uplift the next generation of creatives.

“Finally, we appreciate the support of our fans, Fuji lovers worldwide, and well-meaning Nigerians who understood our legal move to protecting our image. Your backing means a lot to us, and we’re grateful for your loyalty”.

Irate youths storm the CBEX office in Ibadan’s Oke Ado area, ransacking and looting tables, couches, and other items after the platform crashed.

It would be recalled that the digital trading platform reportedly crashed, leaving users with zero balance on their accounts.

Many had been left in various stages of grief as they mourned the loss of their money.

Others have reacted by storming CBEX local offices to wreck havoc.

A video making the rounds on social media shows throngs of people who had stormed the CBEX office in Ibadan to loot.

Some of them were seen with different items ranging from tables, couches, and others.

Netizens’ reactions …
@DrMel_ said: “Even thought it was an online scam, so they have an office?”

@dokitawaa wrote: “Who are you to blame? Nigerians or Government. This is a clear testament that the government failed Nigerians.”

@Gistme9j commented: “The most funny part be say, most of this people are not even an investors on Cbex”

@chocolekann wrote: “That guy wey get $68k wetin he wan move wey go worth him money”

@Dailygistz said: “Nigerians get no protection from FG when foreign investment corporations unexpectedly close up.
How long will this continue?”

@chineduokoli_ remarked: “Good. Any unregistered fraudulent business that siphon people’s money must experience what they dealt on the people”

@Mrlekan213 said: “Funny enough these people wey dey carry things fit no even put money there ”

Popular Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, widely known by his stage name Portable, has been remanded in the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, following his inability to meet stringent bail conditions imposed by an Upper Area Court.

Portable, who appeared in court on charges of defamation of character, was granted bail on Monday in the sum of ₦1 million.

However, the court ruled that his release was contingent upon providing two sureties in like sum.

According to the court’s directive, one of the sureties must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must be a property owner within a Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

Despite being granted bail, the “Zazoo Zeh” crooner could not immediately fulfil the conditions.

The case, documented under First Information Report (FIR) 117(1) CPC, was filed by the State Intelligence Department of the Nigeria police following a petition dated March 21, 2025, by fellow artist Okunola Saheed Osupa, aka Osupa.

According to the petition, on March 19, 2025, Portable made a live broadcast on Instagram, where he allegedly defamed Osupa, claiming the complainant was envious of his success and attempting to destroy his reputation.

In the video, Portable was quoted to have said: “This man dey try bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with shell—him no get sense. Osupa na tortoise. When Apple Music and Spotify wan drop money for me, na him remove my song from platform make I no see money (This man is trying to dim my shine! He behaves like someone eating a snail with the shell—he lacks sense. Osupa is like a tortoise. When Apple Music and Spotify were about to pay me, he took down my song from the platforms so I wouldn’t get the money).”

In his statement, the complainant, Osupa, maintained that Portable’s remarks were not only defamatory and damaging but also intended to incite public hatred and disturb the peace.

Upon interrogation at the State Intelligence Department (SID), Ilorin, Portable reportedly confessed to the allegations, police said.

The accused was arraigned under several legal provisions: Section 392 (Criminal Defamation), Section 114 (Inciting Disturbance), Section 397 (Criminal Intimidation) of the Penal Code.

Section 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, Sections 10 and 13 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020.

The Investigating Police Officer, ASP Adeniyi James, confirmed that Portable was charged based on a directive from the police authorities.

Portable, a native of Oke-Osa in Sango-Ota, Ogun State, is expected to fulfil his bail conditions before being released. The case has been adjourned, and the presiding judge has urged all parties to maintain decorum as proceedings continue.

The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state has taken a swipe at Governor Seyi Makinde over his alleged penchant for disregarding the judiciary arm of government and thus undermining the cause of constitutional democracy and the sanctity of the courts in both the state and at the federal level stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly should call the governor to order.

The opposition APC lamented that Gov. Makinde had always acted like a civilian despot as he failed to show respect for the separation of Power among the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary in a constitutional democracy.

In a statement issued at the weekend and made available to the journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC alleged that judges and judicial officials in the employ of the state received the least allowances even as they were being denied certain rights and privileges which they deserved for them to discharge their duties optimally.

“Nigerians will not forget in a hurry how Gov. Makinde made a mince meat of the Supreme Court judgment which declared the sack of elected council officials by him in 2019 as an abuse of power and illegal. Recently, the same governor openly came out to fault the verdict of the Apex Court which reestablished financial autonomy to the third tier of government and up till today, people like Makinde are still frustrating the implementation of the judgment by the federal government.

“In Oyo state today, Grade “C” Customary Courts and Rent Courts have been on a long term holiday because the governor does not see any need for their existence and operation. For this simple reason, Magistrate Courts are congested as Magistrates have had to combine cases such as marital disputes, landlord versus tenant disagreement and so on. Even the Grade “A” Customary Courts which was put in place by the state government cannot function properly due to non-availability of courtrooms and logistics.

“It is an open secret that Oyo state cannot boast of adequate number of judges to preside over the available courtrooms as feelers also have it that there about 10 pending appointments to fill the vacancies created by retirement of some judges as appropriate but since the state government is not ready to act as necessary, the National Judicial Council (NJC) cannot approve the appointment of new capable hands. For the record, the NJC officials who visited the state in 2023 and 2024 left with sad tales of neglect by the state government and this further dented the image of the state.” APC added.

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are expected to convene in Ibadan, Oyo State, on April 13 and 14, 2025, to deliberate on the party’s future and the possibility of forming a broader opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This meeting comes at a crucial time, as calls grow louder for opposition parties to unite in challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, internal divisions and differing agendas among prominent PDP figures have reportedly hindered meaningful progress in coalition talks.

A major item on the agenda will be whether the PDP should pursue strategic partnerships with other opposition parties or focus on repositioning itself as a standalone political force. Sources within the party indicate that while several governors are in favor of an alliance, internal disagreements have made it difficult to reach a consensus.

Legal issues are also expected to dominate discussions. The governors plan to contest the federal government’s recent imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State, as well as the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is currently serving as the vice chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. These developments have deepened the party’s internal challenges and sparked fresh concerns about federal overreach in state matters.

Another key issue on the table is the unresolved leadership dispute concerning the position of national secretary. With the Supreme Court having recently issued its Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, the governors hope to determine whether Senator Samuel Anyanwu or Sunday Ude-Okoye is the rightful holder of the position.

A source within the party revealed that the outcome of the Ibadan meeting could be a turning point for the PDP’s future. According to him, the decisions made could determine whether the party remains a relevant opposition force or continues to lose ground.

“The PDP is at a crossroads,” the insider said. “Without urgent reforms and a commitment to unity, many members may lose faith and walk away. This meeting could be the last chance to get things right before 2027.”