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 Insecurity: Tinubu / Shettima  Youths Coordinator Zamfara State Chapter   Isa Gusau abducted. Reports coming in from Gusau the Capital City of Zamfara State indicates that, the Northwest Tinubu /Shettima Youths Coordinator Zamfara State Chapter Ambassador Bashir Isa Gusau has been kidnapped by suspected bandits criminals terrorizing Zamfara State and it's neighboring states. An eye witnessed who beg for anonymity said, " more than 30 armed bandits stormed the resident of Ambassador Bashir Isa Gusau and subsequently abducted him in front of his wife leaving the entire neighborhood's in confusion. " After some minutes of the ugly incident, we contacted the relevant security agents such as police Headquarters Gusau, Department of State Security Service DSS Zamfara State Command as well as the State command of Civil defence only to discovered that ambassador Bashir Isa Gusau is nowhere to be found. Ambassador Bashir Isa Gusau is  a  strong APC   supp...

 The Traditional Ruler of Azumini Ndoki Ancient Kingdom in Ukwa East LGA, Abia State, HRM Eze Edward Eule (Onyenweali X), has dismissed claims by some of his subjects that he abandoned his throne following his temporary absence from the community. This is as six suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with the stealing of the community’s electricity transformer, thus plunging the community into darkness. The monarch, who is currently in the U.S, explained that his trip was to attend to personal and professional matters, adding that he will soon return to Nigeria. "I travelled to the United States of America in May 2025 to attend to some professional and personal matters. I am robustly healthy and fine, and I may soon conclude the task of my sojourn here", he said. Prof. Eule accused individuals he described as "mischief-makers operating under the guise of an Interim Ruling Council" of peddling falsehoods and propaganda about his alleged abdication. ...

 The narrative that LIRS will take unpaid taxes directly from accounts of Lagos residents is far from the truth- LIRS chairman, Ayodele Subair, says  The Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service LIRS, Ayodele Subair, says reports that the LIRS will take unpaid taxes directly from the bank accounts of residents of the state residents is far from the truth. Subair stated this when he appeared on Arise TV on Tuesday, January 27.  The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) over the weekend released a statement saying it will begin enforcing the recovery of outstanding tax liabilities from defaulting taxpayers through third parties, including banks, employers, tenants, debtors, and business partners. The agency said that the action is in accordance with Section 60 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025 (NTAA 2025), which grants LIRS the legal power of substitution. “The NTAA 2025 empowers the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service to direct any pe...

Rapper Ray J says doctors told him he has only months to live after recent health scare American singer and media personality Ray J has sparked concern online after claiming doctors told him he has only a few months left to live. Ray J, who was recently hospitalized for severe chest pain, had earlier revealed that his heart was functioning at just 25 percent after being diagnosed with pneumonia. At the time, he described the situation as life-threatening and thanked fans for their prayers and support. Watch video below. 

 Lagos Court Jails Two for N36.5m Theft   Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, convicted and sentenced the duo of Obiesie Elyon Chukwugene and Afolabi Adebayo Olumuyiwa to one year imprisonment each for N36,570,000.00 ( Thirty Six Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand Naira) theft.    They were initially arraigned alongside a firm, D Velvetbox Agro Farm Limited, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, on November 21, 2024 on a 15-count charge bordering on stealing.    Count one reads: “Obiesie Elyon Chukwugene, being the Managing Director of D Velvetbox Agro Farm Limited, a registered company incorporated in Nigeria, on or about  27th May, 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the aggregate sum of N5,000,000.00 ( Five Million Naira only) belonging to Judith Okoli by d...

 Ghana grants citizenship to American YouTuber IShowSpeed Ghana has granted citizenship to US YouTuber IShowSpeed, the country's foreign minister announced, as the influencer wraps up a month-long tour of Africa. Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa said in an X post that following "confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana", his government "has approved the issuance of a Ghanaian Passport to IShowSpeed." "Keep making our great nation Ghana, and our beloved African continent proud. Ghana celebrates you," the minister said, AFP reported. The 21-year-old African American IShowSpeed – born in Cincinnati, Ohio as Darren Jason Watkins Jr. – is a highly followed social media influencer. Africa's other version He hit 50 million YouTube subscribers this month. Forbes estimates his net worth at $20 million. IShowSpeed's tour, which started on December 29, has taken him to 20 countries, showing his tens of millions of followers a diffe...

At least 5 dead and 2 injured in Russian drone strike on Ukrainian train At least five people were killed and two were injured after a Russian drone strike hit a passenger train in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, authorities reported. The attack targeted a train traveling near Barvinkove, close to the Donetsk border, near the end of its 830-mile journey from Chop in southwestern Ukraine, passing through Lviv. The Kharkiv prosecutor’s office said three Shahed-type drones were used, with one striking a passenger car and the locomotive, igniting both, while the other two exploded nearby. The office attributed the attack to the “Ossetian Army,” though it was unclear whether this referred to Russian forces redeployed from South Ossetia or militias from the region supporting pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike, calling it unjustifiable and describing it as terrorism, emphasizing that there is no military reason for targeting civilia...

Skyscraper Live falls short of topping Netflix charts Alex Honnold’s climb of one of the world’s tallest buildings drew significant attention on Netflix, but the live special fell short of topping the streamer’s weekly charts. Skyscraper Live, which aired on Jan. 24 after a one-day delay due to weather, recorded 6.2 million views globally over Saturday and Sunday. That placed it third among English-language shows for the week of Jan. 19-25. The 116-minute special, which followed Honnold scaling the facade of Taipei 101 in Taiwan, accumulated 12 million hours of viewing, a metric calculated by dividing total viewing hours by run time. The shift from Friday to Saturday may have reduced its total views, as it had less time to accumulate numbers and Saturday is generally a lighter night for TV audiences. Netflix has increasingly explored live programming, but Skyscraper Live represents its first foray into this type of extreme, made-for-TV spectacle. While it lagged behind the platform’s N...

 11.5 million people registered for Harry Styles’ Madison Square Garden residency tickets Harry Styles’ upcoming Madison Square Garden residency for the Together, Together Tour is already breaking records, with 11.5 million people registering for the pre-sale, according to Ticketmaster. The company said this marks the “highest volume ever recorded for an artist presale” in New York and “the largest artist presale registration performance ever seen for a single market or residency-style run.” With Madison Square Garden holding 19,500 for each show, the 30-date run offers roughly 585,000 tickets—just 5 percent of the total pre-sale registrations. While some of those sign-ups may come from scalpers or automated bots, the sheer number underscores enormous demand for one of the world’s biggest artists, far exceeding the supply of tickets in a single U.S. city. Fans have expressed frustration over the high ticket prices, a growing trend in the music industry as production costs rise and ...

 Thomas Fogarty, 91, pioneer in vascular surgery, dies Thomas J. Fogarty, whose medical innovations transformed vascular surgery and are credited with saving millions of lives, died at his home in Los Altos, California, on Dec. 28 at the age of 91. Renowned for his ingenuity and surgical skill, Fogarty earned accolades as both the “Thomas Edison” and the “Mickey Mantle” of medical device invention, leaving a legacy of over 190 patents and more than 45 medical technology companies. Born in Cincinnati in 1934, Fogarty displayed a talent for tinkering from a young age, creating soapbox derby cars, model airplanes, and mechanical devices to help his widowed mother. At 15, he began working in a local hospital, assisting in surgeries and observing the limitations of contemporary vascular procedures. Troubled by the frequent amputations and deaths caused by traditional blood clot removal, he developed a balloon catheter while a medical student at the University of Cincinnati, creating a m...

 Trump warns US may withdraw aid to Iraq if former leader regains power President Trump on Tuesday warned that the United States would “no longer help Iraq” if Nuri Kamal al-Maliki returned as the country’s prime minister, marking another direct intervention in Iraq’s political affairs amid ongoing U.S. efforts to limit Iranian influence in Baghdad. Maliki, nominated by Iraq’s main Shiite bloc last Saturday, previously served as prime minister from 2006 to 2014. While the U.S. supported him initially, his second term drew criticism for sectarian policies that contributed to the rise of the Islamic State. Trump took to Truth Social, stating that Maliki’s return would prevent Iraq from achieving “Success, Prosperity, or Freedom” without American support. The warning comes as Iraq balances pressures from both the U.S. and Iran, with Tehran maintaining strong ties to many Shiite leaders, including Maliki. Republican lawmakers, including Representative Joe Wilson, have echoed the admini...

Senior state official killed among five in western India plane crash  A private plane carrying a senior state official crashed in western India on Wednesday, killing all five people on board after the aircraft attempted to land and burst into flames near the runway. The Learjet 45 was traveling from Mumbai to the city of Baramati when it came down in an open field close to the airstrip, about 159 miles southeast of the financial capital. Television footage from the scene showed thick smoke rising from the charred wreckage as emergency crews responded. Authorities said poor visibility may have played a role, and an investigation has been launched by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau to determine the exact cause. Officials said Baramati operates as an uncontrolled airfield, meaning it does not have a dedicated air traffic control tower. Instead, pilots rely on traffic and weather information provided by instructors from nearby flight training facilities. Before attemptin...

 Flags honoring Danish troops restored at US embassy after public backlash     The removal of flags honoring Danish soldiers who were killed while serving in Afghanistan has sparked widespread anger in Denmark after staff at the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen took them down ahead of a planned silent march honoring veterans. The flags, which had been placed in flower boxes outside the embassy and bore the names of fallen Danish troops, were removed days before a Jan. 31 demonstration intended to show solidarity with veterans and commemorate their sacrifices. The timing intensified public backlash, particularly following recent remarks by President Donald Trump that appeared to minimize the role played by NATO allies during the war in Afghanistan. In a televised interview, Trump said allied forces sent to support U.S. troops “stayed a little back and a little off the frontlines,” adding that the United States “never really needed them.” Those comments were met with sharp critic...

 9-foot boa constrictor captured in Florida homeowner’s yard A Florida sheriff’s deputy faced an unusual call when a 9-foot boa constrictor was discovered in a local resident’s yard. The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office reported that Cpl. T. Kramer responded after a homeowner spotted the massive snake outside her home. Photos shared by the sheriff’s office show Kramer carefully capturing the boa constrictor. The snake was handed over to animal control, though officials said its origins remain unknown.

 Former South Korean first lady receives 20-month prison sentence for corruption  South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, was sentenced to 20 months in prison on Wednesday for corruption, as her husband, ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, awaits a verdict on a rebellion charge that could carry life imprisonment or the death penalty. Seoul Central District Court found that Kim accepted luxury gifts, including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag, from the Unification Church in exchange for promises of political favors. The court said her position as first lady gave her significant influence over the president, which she exploited for personal gain. Kim, through her lawyers, said she would “humbly accept” the court’s judgment and apologized for causing public concern. Kim’s sentence was lighter than the 15 years prosecutors had sought for charges including stock price manipulation, violations of political funding laws, and bribery, while she was acquitted of two other c...

Marilyn Manson's sexual assault case by former assistant reinstated under new California law A previously dismissed sexual assault case against Marilyn Manson, filed by former assistant Ashley Walters, was revived Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court under a new California law extending the statute of limitations for certain sexual abuse claims. Judge Steve Cochran granted Walters’ motion for reconsideration, vacating his December 2025 ruling that had dismissed the case and allowing it to proceed toward trial. The original suit, first filed in 2021, accused Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, of sexual harassment, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and wrongful termination based on her time working for him in 2010–2011. Previous attempts to move the case forward were blocked because the claims were made years after the alleged incidents, with courts initially ruling that the delayed discovery doctrine did not apply. The new law, Assembly Bill 250, s...

 OPERATION PEACE SHIELD: 6 BRIGADE TROOPS RESCUE KIDNAPPED VICTIM DURING ONGOING OPERATIONS Troops of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have successfully rescued a kidnapped victim following sustained, robust, and aggressive search and rescue operations within the Brigade Area of Responsibility. On 27 January 2026, troops deployed at Dogon Gawa, Taraba State, while conducting ongoing search and rescue operations, sighted and rescued a man who had been abandoned in the bush by his captors. The victim was later identified as Mr Ghali. Further investigations revealed that Mr Ghali and another victim, Mr Simon Oluchukwu, were abducted on 11 January 2026 at Gbise Village, Mbayonga of Benue State. During the abduction, their driver was sadly killed by the kidnappers. Following his rescue, Mr Ghali was immediately debriefed, provided with necessary medical care, and subsequently reunited with his family. Speaking on the success of the operation, th...

 PRESS RELEASE  NIGERIA POLICE UNCOVERS 7.7 BILLION NAIRA TELECOM FRAUD, ARRESTS 6 SUSPECTS, RECOVERS ASSETS  The Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC) has uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated cyber-enabled fraud syndicate. The syndicate was responsible for the illegal diversion of a telecommunications company’s airtime and data resources, resulting in an estimated financial loss of over ₦7.7 billion.  The breakthrough followed a petition by a Nigerian telecommunications company, which reported suspicious and unauthorized activities within its billing and payments infrastructure. Investigations revealed that internal staff login credentials had been compromised, granting threat actors unlawful access to core systems. Following weeks of planning, coordinated enforcement operations were executed in October 2025 in Kano and Katsina States, with a follow-up arrest in the Federal Capital Territory. The operation led to the arrest of six suspects...

 FG To Deploy Military Veterans To Secure Ungoverned Areas The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy retired military personnel to help secure Nigeria’s ungoverned spaces, as part of broader efforts to strengthen national security and stimulate economic activities in conflict-prone areas. The move followed the inauguration of an 18-member committee by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), charged with reclaiming ungoverned territories for economic viability and repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans. According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Information at the Ministry of Defence, Enderline Chukwu, the committee was inaugurated on Tuesday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.  The minister was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa. Speaking at the inauguration, Musa explained that deploying veterans would complement ongoing military operations by integrating e...

 South-South Governors Celebrate Fubara @51 The South-South Governors Forum (SSGF) extends hearty felicitations to their Brother-Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on his 51st birthday. Chairman of the regional governors body and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, in a statement on Wednesday, described Governor Fubara as a humble servant of humanity and the people of Rivers State. The statement noted Fubara’s exemplary leadership qualities that have endeared him to the Rivers people as well as his tireless effort and commitment to the peace and greater good of the state. “On behalf of the South-South Governors Forum, I extend our warm birthday wishes to His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, on his 51st birthday. “The Forum celebrates the new year in your life and the new life in your years just as we wish you greater leadership successes in the years ahead.” Happy Birthday Your Excellency! H.E Senator Douye Diri Governor, Bayelsa Stat...

 ANAMBRA POLICE-LED JOINT SECURITY FORCES REMAIN FIRM, CONTAINING ATTEMPTS BY DEVIANTS TO BREACH PEACE IN ONITSHA FOLLOWING STATE GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVE ON MARKET CLOSURE The Anambra State Police Command in collaboration with other security agencies, remained proactive and resolute in preventing any attempt by miscreants or criminal elements to exploit the temporary closure of markets to cause a breach of peace in Onitsha. The Joint Security Team have successfully contained and deterred all forms of disruptive activities, ensuring the safety of lives and property.  The Command also observed the pattern of individuals using social media platforms to incite violence, disrupt public peace, as well as the sharing of unverified videos on social media regarding the security situation in the area. Onitsha remains calm and every situation is under control as per the directives of the Commissioner of Police CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc mnips PhD. The Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Operations ...

 FRESH BENUE ATTACK AS SUSPECTED HERDERS KILL ONE ON AGAGBE-NAKA ROAD  28th January, 2026     One person has been killed in a renewed attack by suspected armed herders along the Agagbe–Naka–Agatu axis in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State. Security sources disclosed that the incident occurred on January 27 at about 6:01 p.m. on the Agagbe–Naka road. According to the sources, military personnel alerted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Naka Division through a distress call, reporting that a resident of Naka, identified as Iorsugh Genabe, was attacked and killed while travelling along the route by suspected herder bandits. The DPO was said to have immediately mobilised a patrol team, alongside other tactical units, to the scene of the incident. Police authorities later confirmed that the victim’s body was recovered and deposited at the Agagbe mortuary for autopsy. Sources further revealed that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the p...

 GOV. ALIA SETS UP COMMITTEE TO RESOLVE EDUCATION MINISTRY, EXAM BOARD OVERLAP  28th January, 2026      The Benue State Government has constituted a committee to address reported overlaps in functions between the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management and the Benue State Quality Assurance and Examination Board, particularly over the clearance of candidates for the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE). The move follows concerns raised by education stakeholders over duplicated responsibilities between the two bodies, which they warned could affect the smooth conduct of the forthcoming examinations. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr Adamu Margaret Ijaguwa, it was disclosed that Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia personally intervened and directed the Chief of Staff to convene a meeting of key stakeholders, which was successfully held on Tuesday. After extensive deliberations, the meeti...

 EFCC Arraigns Dr. Tersoo Joseph Loko, Ex Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSEIC, for Alleged N1.1bn Fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, arraigned Dr. Tersoo Joseph Loko, former Chairman, Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSEIC. He was arraigned alongside ten  others before Justice M. S Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Makurdi, for an alleged N1,100,000,000 (One Billion, One Hundred  Million Naira) fraud. 

 Anti-graft War: EFCC Seeks Greater Collaboration with NCS in Lagos The acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, ACE I Adebayo Adeniyi, has sought enhanced collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, as a way of tackling the menace of economic and financial crimes.

 EFCC Arraigns Former National Coordinator of  NEDC for Alleged N2.2bn Fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday. January 27, 2026 arraigned the  former National Coordinator of Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project, MCRP,  North East Development Commission, NEDC, Alhaji Danjuma Mohammed and two others; Prince Achem and Aminu Alhaji (at large)  before Justice K. N Ogbonnaya of the Federal Capital Territory Court, Zuba, Abuja for an alleged N2,280,000.00 (Two Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty Million Naira) fraud.    They were arraigned on a 54 count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, false pretence and forgery to the tune of N2.2bn.  At Tuesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Adeola Olarenwaju informed the court of the charge filed on  December 3, 2025 and sought  for its substitution with the 54 amended -count charge of January 22, 2026, while relying on the proof of evidence attached.  The court g...

 Gov Uba Sani Announces Plan For Nigeria’s largest Inter-state Bus Terminal In Kaduna Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has unveiled plans to construct what he described as the largest inter-state bus terminal in Nigeria, both in scale and supporting infrastructure. The governor made the announcement on Sunday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which will be located on a 20-hectare site along the Eastern Bypass in Chikun Local Government Area of the state. According to him, the ultra-modern facility will operate as a dual terminal capable of accommodating over 5,000 vehicles. It will be equipped with intelligent traffic management systems, advanced surveillance infrastructure, escalators and elevators to ensure easy access for all users, including the elderly and persons with disabilities. Governor Sani disclosed that the terminal will also feature refuelling stations for petrol, diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG), positioning Kaduna State as a leader in sustai...

 Bandits Reportedly Demand N250m, 20 Motorcycles For Release Of 166 Abducted Kajuru Worshippers Suspected bandits who abducted 166 worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have increased their ransom demand to N250 million and 20 motorcycles, community leaders have disclosed. The village head of Kurmin Wali, Mr. Ishaku Dan’azumi, said the latest demand followed the attack carried out on January 18, 2026, when armed men invaded three churches in the community during a religious gathering and abducted men, women, and youths. Speaking on Tuesday, Dan’azumi described the incident as devastating, noting that the affected community lacks the financial capacity to meet the kidnappers’ conditions. “This demand is far beyond what our people can afford. We are appealing to the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to urgently intervene and ensure the safe release of our people,” he said. Kajuru Local Government Area, located in southern Kaduna, has suffered repeate...

 Two Zimbabwean Nationals Arrested for Illegal Firearm Possession and Immigration Offences  Police in Mahwelereng have arrested two Zimbabwean nationals for possession of an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, and contravening the Immigration Act.  According to police, a 34-year-old foreign male suspect was arrested on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, following information received about a person allegedly in possession of a firearm and ammunition at Extension 71, outside Polokwane. An intelligence-driven operation was conducted, leading officers to an identified house in the area.  During a search of the premises, police recovered a firearm and ammunition. The suspect failed to produce a valid licence to possess the firearm and was immediately arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Further investigations revealed that the suspect was also in the country illegally, resulting in an additional charge of contravening the Immigration Act.  In a contin...

 ANAMBRA SECURITY: POLICE RECOVERS SUSPECTED ABANDONED VEHICLE AND ARRESTS SUSPECTED CULTISTS IN ANAMBRA STATE The implementation of the 2026 rigid strategic operational positioning of the Anambra State Commissioner of Police CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc mnips PhD for personnel to improve security and sustain Safety across the State, has started yielding positive development. This follows the recovery of a suspected stolen abandoned vehicle in Akuzo Nkpor and arrest of four suspected cultists terrorising Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area.  In the early hours of 25th January 2025, Operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad attached to Obosi Sector in collaboration with a vigilante team from Akuzo Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, during their patrol accosted a green coloured Honda Pilot Jeep with registration number KSF 671 BG, suspiciously parked within the area. A thorough search was conducted, during which blood stains were observed inside the ve...

 LONDON – TRIAL OF DIEZANI ALISON-MADUEKE COMMENCES The Trial of Former Nigerian Oil Minister Diezani Alison-madueke and Two Others at London's Southwark Crown Court for Alleged Corruption Has Commenced. During the Trial, British Prosecutors Alleged That Diezani Alison-madueke Accepted Bribes From Industry Figures.  The Bribes, Which Included Luxury Goods and Access to High-end Properties, Were Offered in Exchange for Lucrative Oil and Gas Contracts.  Alison-madueke, Who Was Charged in 2023 With Five Counts of Bribe-taking and One Count of Conspiracy to Commit Bribery, Has Pleaded Not Guilty to All Charge. Alison-madueke Was Minister for Petroleum Resources Between 2010 and 2015 Under Then-president Goodluck Jonathan and Was Also Briefly President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, the First Woman to Hold Either Role. The 65-year-old is Now One of the Most High-profile Former Energy Officials to Stand Trial for Alleged Corruption.

 FG RAISES 501 BILLION NAIRA TO SETTLE GENCOs DEBT Federal Government has raised 501 billion naira from the bond market to settle part of more than four trillion naira debt owed power generation companies in the country. The funds were raised through the issuance of two bond tranches: a 300 billion naira 7-year 17.50 percent Series 1 (Tranche A) bond and a 201.02 billion naira 7-year 17.50 percent Series 1 (Tranche B) bond. Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc,  NBET issued the bond. The issuance is  guaranteed by the Federal Government under the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme. Fourteen generation companies signed the deal, describing it as a game changer that will address the liquidity crisis in the power sector.

 Rwanda sues UK over cancelled asylum deal Rwanda has sued the British government over a controversial migration deal which London abandoned about two years ago, according to a statement. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer abandoned the deal between the two countries, which was negotiated by the previous government, when he took office in July 2024, following wide condemnation of the move by rights activists. London had reportedly paid Kigali £240 million ($330.9 million) before the deal was abandoned. In November 2024, the UK requested that Rwanda forgo two payments of £50 million that were due in April 2025 and April 2026, arguing that it was doing so in anticipation of the formal termination of the treaty, according to Kigali. New terms Rwanda indicated that it could accept the arrangements should the treaty be terminated, provided that new financial terms would be negotiated and agreed to. But discussions between Rwanda and the UK did not ultimately take place, and “the amount...

 Uganda court releases prominent rights activist on bail A Ugandan court on Wednesday released on bail a prominent rights activist whose detention was seen by campaign groups as part of a widespread crackdown on dissent ahead of the country's general election that was held on January 15. Sarah Bireete, who heads the Centre for Constitutional Governance, a Kampala-based pressure group, was detained on December 30 after questioning the accuracy of the voter register to be used in the poll. She was later charged with offences related to alleged unlawful disclosure of voters' information. On Wednesday Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko released her on bail saying "the applicant satisfied all the relevant requirements for the grant of bail," Reuters reported. The official results of the poll showed long-ruling incumbent Yoweri Museveni securing 71.6% of the votes. Opposition leader Bobi Wine, who is in hiding and is being sought by the military, has rejected the results. Afte...

 LWC ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION IN PARTS OF LAGOS, ASSURES RESTORATION SOON The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has announced a temporary disruption in water supply to parts of the Lagos metropolis, including Akiode, Ikeja, Magodo, Oregun, Ketu, Ojota, Maryland, Aromire, Ogudu, Gbagada, Shomolu, Ojuelegba, Oyingbo, Ijora Olopa, Agege, and parts of Lagos Island, to enable the completion of critical repair and replacement works at the Adiyan I Water Treatment Plant. A statement signed by the Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), Engr. Temitope Mukhtaar said the planned repair works are necessary to address a leakage on the ND1600mm Adiyan raw water pipeline located at the Akute Intake Station. He further explained that the continuous leakage has been adversely affecting the ongoing construction of the Adiyan Phase II project. “It was observed that the persistent water discharge from the leakage point is saturating the surrounding soil, thereby compromisin...

 SANWO-OLU APPROVES TRANSFORMATION OF OBALENDE BUS STOP INTO MODERN BUS TRANSPORT HUB … Project To Be Fully Funded By MTN As CSR Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the transformation of the Obalende bus stop into a modern bus transport hub that will enhance the Obalende loop, underbridge, and adjoining lay-by, ensuring a seamless integration into the Lagos State Mega-City. The project, which will be fully sponsored by the telecommunication giant, MTN, as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution to the development of Lagos State, will transform Obalende Bus Stop into an aesthetically pleasing and functional public space. A statement signed by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the proposed transformation, on which work will soon commence, will include organised and regulated bus operations, as well as well-labelled location signages. The hub to be named Y’ELLO Bus Park will feature the installation of solar...