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 Alleged $1.04m Fraud: Court Refuses Ajudua’s Fresh Bail Application Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, July 30, 2025, refused a fresh bail application filed by Fred Ajudua, who is standing trial for allegedly defrauding a Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf, of $1,043,000. At the resumed sitting on Wednesday , Ajudua, who appeared in court accompanied by medical personnel from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), sought a fresh bail on medical grounds.  His counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, informed the court that efforts had been made to ensure the defendant’s presence in court despite ongoing treatment. “I assured this court on July 23 that the defendant would be present today. With the cooperation of medical personnel from LUTH, and despite their policy of not releasing patients under special care, he was allowed to attend court,” he said. He further argued that trial should proceed, stating that Ajudua was fit ...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS GOVERNING COUNCIL AND PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY IN OGONILAND   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed the Pro-Chancellor, governing council members, and principal officers of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoni in Rivers State.   Prof. Don Mon Baridam, from the South-South, is the pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, while Prof. Chinedu Mmom, also from the South-South, will serve as the vice-Chancellor.   Baridam is a professor of Management with a specialisation in Organisational Behaviour. He previously taught at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State.   Mmom is a professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Port Harcourt. He was also a former commissioner for education in Rivers State.   The Governing Council comprised a diverse team, with members from different regions of ...

 PRESS RELEASE FG Completes 135 Road Projects Across Northern Nigeria – Minister The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Ahmed Alkali, has disclosed that the Federal Government has completed 135 road projects across northern Nigeria as part of its infrastructure renewal drive. Speaking on 30 July 2025 during the 2-day interactive session organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation, the Minister said 216 additional road construction projects are currently ongoing in the region. He further revealed that 312 road maintenance projects have been completed, while 50 others are in progress. According to the Minister, several legacy projects cutting across many states are underway, including the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Calabar–Abuja Superhighway, and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road. In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 14 road projects have been completed and commissioned. Other completed projects include the Greater Abuja Water Supply Network Projec...

 Ex-AMCON MD, Ahmed Kuru’s co-defendants Planning To Sell Assets Tied To Alleged N75bn, $31.5m Fraud-EFCC The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, July 30, told Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. that the duo of Kamilu Omokide, Receiver Manager of Arik Air and Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, Managing Director of Arik Air, were planning to  sell assets tied to an alleged N75m and $3.5m fraud involving them alongside Ahmed Kuru, a former Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, and others. Kuru, alongside Ilegbodu, Omokide, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, and Super Bravo Limited, is standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, and abuse of office involving N75 billion and $31.5 million.  Count one reads: “That you, Union Bank Nigeria Plc, sometime in 2011 or thereabouts, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with the intention of causing and/or indu...

Man gets time served for attempt to open plane door and stab flight attendant in neck A Massachusetts man has been sentenced to time served after spending just over two years in custody for a violent midair incident on a United Airlines flight, during which he tried to open an emergency exit door and later attempted to stab a flight attendant. Francisco Severo Torres, 35, pleaded guilty in May to a charge of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants by using a dangerous weapon. His sentence, handed down Tuesday, includes five years of supervised release during which he will not be allowed to fly commercially. The incident took place on March 5, 2023, about 45 minutes before landing on a flight from Los Angeles to Boston. Authorities said Torres tampered with a door handle and disarmed the emergency slide lever before a flight attendant secured it and notified the captain. When confronted, Torres allegedly made threatening statements and soon afterw...

Birmingham, birthplace of metal, pays tribute to Ozzy Osbourne as hearse moves through city Birmingham, known as the “home of metal,” is paying tribute to one of its most iconic figures. Thousands of fans gathered Wednesday to honor Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse traveled through the streets of the city where he was raised and where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968. The procession moved along Broad Street, Birmingham’s main artery, heading toward the Black Sabbath bench on the Broad Street canal bridge, unveiled in 2019. As the hearse passed, fans chanted “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi.” Behind the hearse, six vehicles carried members of Osbourne’s family, who funded the procession. Sharon Osbourne, his wife of 43 years, appeared visibly emotional during the brief moments she was seen by the crowd. Since Osbourne’s death last Tuesday at age 76, fans have flocked to various Birmingham landmarks, embracing the city’s status as the birthplace of heavy metal. Osbourne, often called metal’s god...

Joan Anderson, inventor of the hula hoop, dies at 101 Joan Anderson, an Australian woman whose role in introducing the hula hoop to the world went largely unrecognized for decades, has passed away. Anderson moved to the United States in 1946 but rediscovered the hoop craze years later during a visit to family in Australia. There, she saw groups of people laughing as they twirled wooden hoops around their waists, sparking her curiosity. After returning to the U.S., Anderson received a bamboo hoop from her mother. A friend noted that the hip movement while using the toy resembled the Hawaiian hula dance, which inspired the name “hula hoop.” In the 2018 documentary Hula Girl, Anderson shared how she and her husband negotiated with an executive from the toy company Wham-O, agreeing to share profits if the hoop took off. Wham-O patented the hula hoop in 1963, turning it into a wildly popular fad that sold millions. Despite this, Anderson’s contribution remained unacknowledged for years, pro...

 Russian strike on Ukrainian training camp kills 3 troops and injures 18 At least three Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 18 were injured after a Russian missile strike targeted a training facility in northern Ukraine, officials confirmed. However, Moscow claimed the casualty count was around 200, ten times higher than Ukraine’s report. The Ukrainian military said it had taken precautions to protect personnel but could not entirely prevent casualties at the unnamed training center. Russia’s Defense Ministry stated on Telegram that missiles with cluster and high-explosive warheads struck the 169th training center of Ukraine’s ground forces strategic reserve near Goncharovskoye in Chernihiv province. According to Russian intelligence, the losses included about 200 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded. In response, Ukraine’s Armed Forces launched a military commission and an internal investigation to determine the circumstances behind the losses. A statement warned that if officia...

Australia to add YouTube to child social media ban The Australian government has announced that YouTube will be included in new legislation banning children under 16 from using social media platforms. The Labor government confirmed Wednesday that starting in December, YouTube will face the same age restrictions as other social media sites under the upcoming law. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the move on X, saying the ban aims to protect young Australians by giving them three more years free from algorithm-driven content, allowing them to grow and connect in the real world. The law places responsibility on platforms to prevent underage users or face fines up to $32 million. YouTube’s parent company, Alphabet, expressed disappointment over the inclusion of YouTube, stating it contradicts previous government commitments and saying it will consider next steps while continuing discussions. The decision follows a recent survey by Australia’s eSafety Commission, which found 37% ...

 Trump imposes 25% tariff on India  President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that imports from India will be hit with a 25% tariff, marking one of the most aggressive trade measures yet in his second term. The president declared the move in a Truth Social post, accusing India of maintaining tariffs that he called “far too high,” as well as imposing “strenuous and obnoxious” trade barriers. Trump also said that India will face an additional penalty for its continued reliance on Russian energy supplies and military hardware. The announcement comes just two days before a trade negotiation deadline that Trump says will not be postponed, as he prepares to impose a new baseline tariff of up to 20% on dozens of countries. These escalating tariffs follow his April 2 “Liberation Day” pledge to reshape U.S. trade policy, a move that initially sent global markets reeling. The new tariff on India represents a massive increase from the average 2.4% rate in recent years, affecting near...

 Vince McMahon involved in 3-car crash, faces reckless driving allegations, according to report A WWE legend, Vince McMahon, has been accused of reckless driving following a three-car collision in Westport, Connecticut. According to TMZ, McMahon was driving his 2024 Bentley when he struck a 2023 BMW 430, which was operated by Barbara Doran. The impact also caused McMahon’s vehicle to hit a median guardrail. Debris from the crash reportedly hit a third vehicle, a Ford Fusion, traveling in the opposite direction. No serious injuries were reported, and all involved were wearing seat belts. McMahon was cited for reckless driving and following too closely, both misdemeanors, and has been summoned to appear in court next month, according to People magazine. The crash happened on the same day wrestling icon Hulk Hogan died at age 71, prompting McMahon to post a heartfelt tribute on X. McMahon, 79, is a former WWE CEO and chairman who began as a commentator before taking over the company i...

 German athlete Laura Dahlmeier dies in climbing accident in Pakistan, official says German biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has died in a climbing accident on Laila Peak in northern Pakistan, local officials confirmed Wednesday. Dahlmeier was struck by falling rocks during her ascent on Monday at about 5,700 meters (18,700 feet). Rescue teams are currently working to retrieve her body and bring it to Skardu city. Bad weather has prevented military helicopters from joining the operation, but other climbers, including two Americans attempting the same route, have joined efforts to assist. Dahlmeier, an Olympic gold medalist and multiple World Championship winner, ended her biathlon career in 2019 to focus on mountaineering and worked as a state-certified mountain and ski guide. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his condolences, praising her as an exceptional athlete and ambassador for Germany. The region where the accident occurred is known for dangerous climbing c...

Barbie dollmakers Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi die in head-on collision Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, renowned Barbie doll designers and collectors, died in a devastating wrong-way car crash in northern Italy. The accident occurred on Sunday, July 27, on the A4 Turin-Milan highway. Their vehicle, traveling in the correct direction, collided head-on with another car driven by 82-year-old Egidio Ceriano, who entered the highway in the wrong lane after leaving a toll booth. Ceriano and a third passenger in Paglino and Grossi’s car also died in the crash, while a fourth passenger survived but remains in critical condition. Mattel, the maker of Barbie dolls, paid tribute to the designers, calling them treasured collaborators who brought artistry and joy to the Barbie brand through their company Magia 2000. Paglino, a fashion designer, and Grossi, a graphic art director, launched Magia 2000 in 1999 and worked closely with Mattel to create numerous Barbie dolls, dresses, and special col...

 Morton Mintz, investigative consumer advocate, dies at 103 Morton Mintz, a pioneering investigative journalist known for exposing the dangers of prescription drugs like thalidomide and the Dalkon Shield, and for holding the auto industry accountable, died Monday at his home in Washington at the age of 103. His son, Daniel Mintz, confirmed his death. Mintz spent three decades reporting for The Washington Post and authored ten books focused on corporate wrongdoing and government failures. Among his most notable works was revealing that General Motors had employed detectives to surveil consumer advocate Ralph Nader after the publication of Nader’s influential 1965 book, Unsafe at Any Speed, which criticized the safety of GM’s Chevrolet Corvair. Nader praised Mintz for his dedication to exposing consumer and worker harms, calling him a champion for justice, and “information is the currency of democracy.” Born in 1922 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Lithuanian Jewish immigrant parents, Mint...

  A 27-year-old woman jealous ex-girlfriend arrested after burning down her ex-boyfriend’s house in Steve Biko According to report the male complainant, was sleeping in his house when his ex-girlfriend knocked at the door, and he did not open. She started breaking the windows. He woke up and sought assistance from the neighbours, and that's when the suspect burned down the house. Police were called to the scene and opened a case of arson. They immediately commenced with investigations, and the suspect was successfully apprehended. The total damage is estimated at R520,000, including all belongings that were destroyed in the fire. The suspect appearred before the Phalala Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 28 July 2025, facing a charge of arson. More photos below. 

 Brazilian Woman Arrested at OR Tambo with R4.2 Million Worth of Cocaine A 25-year-old woman from Brazil was arrested by South African Police at OR Tambo International Airport. She was found with 10 kilograms of cocaine, worth about R4.2 million. She had arrived on a flight from Doha, Qatar. After the arrest, doctors checked her to see if she had swallowed any drugs.

 SANWO-OLU UNVEILS PUZZLE BOOK ON HISTORY OF LAGOS … Urges Teachers, Parents, Schools to Take Advantage Of Book to Reinforce Learning Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, today unveiled the first of its kind Puzzle Book on the History of the state, where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting knowledge-based initiatives that strengthen identity, promote creativity and inspire civic pride among its citizens. Speaking at the Public Presentation of the book titled: “Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book” held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Governor urged teachers, parents, and school administrators to take full advantage of the puzzle book and use it to reinforce learning in and outside the classroom.  He also encouraged pupils to see history not as something abstract or distant, but as something tangible, exciting, and part of their everyday reality. The Governor, who spoke through the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafe...

South Sudan has accepted to take in more migrant deportees from the United States. South Sudan asks the United States to lift sanctions against VP Bol Mel in exchange for accepting more deportees, US news outlet reports South Sudan has asked the Trump administration to lift sanctions imposed on one of its senior government officials in exchange for accepting more deportees from the United States, according to a report by American news outlet Politico. Citing diplomatic correspondence and sources familiar with the negotiations, Politico revealed that the government in Juba submitted a formal diplomatic note to the U.S. Embassy on May 12, agreeing to take in third-country nationals deported from the U.S. The same letter included a number of requests to Washington — including the removal of sanctions on Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel. Dr. Bol Mel remains under U.S. sanctions over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public resources. Juba has also asked the U.S. to reverse visa restrictio...

 Kenyan court orders exhumations in suspected cult-related deaths A Kenyan court has ordered the exhumation of bodies suspected to belong to people who were starved and suffocated in the same county where hundreds of members of a doomsday cult were found dead two years ago, prosecutors said on Wednesday. The bodies in the new case are believed to be buried in shallow graves on the outskirts of Malindi in southeastern Kenya's Kilifi County, and 11 suspects are being investigated, Kenya's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said on X, Reuters reported. "Investigators suspect multiple individuals were murdered through starvation and suffocation," it said. "The victims may have been starved and suffocated as a result of adopting and promoting extreme religious ideologies." More than 400 bodies were exhumed from the nearby Shakahola Forest in 2023 in one of the world's worst cult-related disasters in recent history. In that case, prosecutors have al...

 Nigerian Nurses Begin Seven-Day Warning Strike, Defying Government Appeals The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives – Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) launched a seven-day warning strike on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, despite pleas from the Federal Government to halt the action. The strike, set to end on August 5, 2025, follows the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, 2025, demanding improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions for nurses in federal health institutions. National Chairman Morakinyo Rilwan, speaking on Tuesday, criticized the government’s failure to engage meaningfully with the union during the ultimatum period. “As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. That is why the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it,” Rilwan stated. He added that even last-minute government outreach would not halt the action, noting, “They had enough time.” The nurses’...

WAFCON Final Defeat: Morocco Petitions CAF Over Super Falcons’ Victory Morocco’s Football Federation has officially submitted a petition to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), alleging “refereeing injustices” during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against Nigeria’s Super Falcons. According to reports, the Moroccan side claims that the centre referee failed to award a “clear” penalty in the 82nd minute, with the score tied at 2-2. Video footage suggested a potential handball by Super Falcons defender Tosin Demehin, but following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the referee overturned her initial decision to award a penalty. Following the incident, Morocco’s coaching staff and players expressed their frustration, as the federation argued that the referee’s decision significantly affected the outcome of the match—which eventually ended in a 3-2 victory for Nigeria. Watch video below. 

 NDLEA, FME agree on drug education in school curriculum, test for varsity students, others . As Marwa meets Alausa for collaboration on war against substance abuse Compulsory drug integrity test for students of tertiary institutions and the review of current secondary school curriculum to include drug education are part of agreements reached between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Federal Ministry of Education when the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) led a delegation of his management team to a meeting with the Hon Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa in Abuja on Wednesday 30th July 2025. Marwa had during the meeting commended the minister for his proactive approach to his job while highlighting the devastating effect of substance abuse on the countrys youthful population. He noted that the fight against illicit drugs is a fight for the souls of the Nigerian youth. The purpose of this visit is to seek collaboration wit...

 PRESS RELEASE IGP HOSTS ECONEC DELEGATION ON ELECTORAL PROCESS DIALOGUE  Reaffirms Commitment to Fairness and Impartiality  The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, on Wednesdays  30th July, 2025, received a high-level delegation from the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) at the IGP Smart Conference Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja. The delegation, led by Mrs. Davidetta Browne Lansanah, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission of Liberia, comprised senior electoral officials including Dr. Bossman Asare, Deputy Chairman, Elections Commission of Ghana, Mr. Chinedu Chinedu, Senior Programme Officer, ECONEC, Prof. Bolade Eyinla, Chief Technical Adviser, INEC, and other representatives and partners of the network. The visit was follow-up dialogue on implementation of electoral policies ahead of the General Elections. In her remarks, Mrs. Lansanah appreciated the IGP for granting audience to the delegation, acknowledg...