A United States District Court has sentenced a Nigerian national, Adepoju Babatunde Salako, to six and a half years in prison for his involvement in a $5m fraud scheme linked to COVID-19 relief programmes. According to a statement released on Thursday by the United States Department of Justice, Salako, 34, who lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was handed a 78-month federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The statement added that, under the terms of his plea agreement, the defendant also agreed to plead guilty to seven additional counts of…
Author: Adeboye
The Nigeria Police Force Special Fraud Unit has cleared businessman Austin Albert and his affiliated firms of allegations of fraud linked to a $667,000 transaction following an extensive investigation. The development was also affirmed by a judgment of the Federal High Court, which upheld the findings of investigators that no criminal wrongdoing was established against the businessman. The probe, conducted by the Special Fraud Unit, reportedly began after authorities misinterpreted certain foreign exchange brokerage transactions carried out by Albert’s businesses. However, investigators later concluded that the transactions were legitimate and not connected to fraud, money laundering or any other criminal…
The Senate on Thursday summoned the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, to appear before its committee over an alleged N210tn expenditure recorded by the national oil firm between 2017 and 2023 which lawmakers say remains inadequately explained. Also invited by the panel are the former Chief Financial Officer of the company, Umar Isa, and the former Group General Manager of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti. The Senate committee warned that it may issue warrants of arrest against the former management officials should they fail to honour the…
A newborn baby was discovered abandoned on Wednesday night at the entrance of Zone 6, Federal Housing Estate, Shagari village area in Akure, WEEKEND HOPE reports. The infant was reportedly left at about 9:35 p.m. and was found by a community resident, who quickly alerted other members through the estate’s group chat. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a male resident and member of the Federal Housing Estate Association executive council suggested that the baby may have been left at the gate intentionally so that it could be picked up by a local orphanage operating within the community. Attempts to reach…
Troops of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army have dislodged suspected terrorists from Mansur Village and nearby communities in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, recovering an AK-47 rifle during the operation. The military said the operation was carried out under Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III as part of ongoing efforts to protect residents and restore peace in the area. The offensive targeted locations believed to be strongholds of the criminals who had reportedly attempted to establish control in parts of the local government area. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations,…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has promised to deliver more developmental projects for the benefit of residents of Kuje Area Council. Wike made the promise in Kuje on Thursday, while addressing stakeholders during a thank-you visit over the positive outcome of the February 21, 2026, FCT Area Council Elections. The pledge followed a request by the council’s Chairman-elect, Mr Danjuma Shekwolo, for the minister to consider the execution of three key road projects in the area. Wike, who acknowledged the request, promised that he would sit with the Chairman-elect and traditional leaders to decide which…
The Olatunji Disu-led Nigeria Police Force has removed ACP Benjamin Hundeyin from his position as Force Public Relations Officer, six months after his appointment. Approval for Hundeyin’s removal was reportedly granted on Thursday, March 5, 2026, by the Inspector-General of Police, though the reasons for the decision were not immediately disclosed. The development comes amid a broader restructuring at the Force Headquarters following the installation of Disu as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police last week. A source familiar with the matter confirmed the removal, stating, “The Force Public Relations Officer has been relieved of his duties this morning.” Hundeyin had…
The Cross River State House of Assembly has placed Mr Ovat Agbor, representative of Obubra I State Constituency, on indefinite suspension following allegations of violent conduct. Although the Assembly did not provide full details, reports suggest that Agbor allegedly manhandled his wife on multiple occasions, reportedly linked to excessive drinking and late-night habits. The House condemned the behaviour as unbecoming of a legislator. The decision was reached during plenary on Thursday after a motion moved by Davies Etta and seconded by Francis Bassey Asuquo. Members described the actions as contrary to the ethical standards expected of lawmakers. Following deliberations, Agbor…
The Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Thursday sentenced two bandits, Abubakar Sodiki and Abubakar Mohammed, to death by hanging after finding them guilty of armed robbery. The convicts were arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms. In addition to the death sentence, the court imposed life imprisonment for kidnapping and a 10-year jail term for illegal possession of firearms. During the trial, the victim, Alhaji Saheed Arowasi of Boniya community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, told the court that his abductors initially demanded a…
The senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, announced his defection during a press conference held on Thursday at his residence in Abuja. The lawmaker said his decision followed what he described as the steady decline of the party that once dominated Nigeria’s political space. Speaking to journalists, Dickson lamented that the PDP, which he said once inspired hope among Nigerians, had deteriorated significantly. “The PDP is sick and presently in the ICU,” he said. He further accused some…