Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  Abuja, July 10, 2025 — The House of Representatives Sub-Committee on the Protection of Critical National Assets has dismissed a corruption petition filed against the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO), declaring the allegations unsubstantiated and affirming the agency’s legal standing under Nigerian law. The petition, submitted by the Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA), had accused NELMCO of financial misappropriation and questioned its continued operation more than a decade after the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The group argued that the agency should have ceased to exist in 2017. However, at the…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja, July 10, 2025 — The Presidency has faulted the United States government over its recent visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, rejecting Washington’s claims that the policy change was driven by a lack of reciprocity from Nigeria. In a statement issued Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described as “misleading” and “inaccurate” the justification given by the U.S. government, while reaffirming Nigeria’s continued commitment to a reciprocal five-year, multiple-entry visa policy for U.S. nationals. “We want to reiterate that the U.S. government’s claim of reciprocity as the…

By Peter Omopo  Jos, July 10, 2025 — The Plateau State Police Command has commenced the trial of 22 individuals arrested in connection with the brutal killing of 13 wedding guests in the Mangun community of Mangu Local Government Area. The victims, passengers from Kaduna State en route to a wedding in Qua’anpan Local Government Area, were attacked on June 20, 2025, after reportedly losing their way and entering Mangun market square. The assailants, described as an angry mob, descended on the group, leaving 13 dead and several others injured. Speaking to journalists at the Command Headquarters in Jos on…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja, July 10, 2025 — The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has nullified ongoing arbitration proceedings at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London, initiated against Nigerian oil company Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited by a consortium of lenders, including Shell and the African Finance Corporation (AFC). Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice S.B. Belgore ruled that the arbitration was initiated in defiance of existing court injunctions and therefore amounted to a “brazen affront” to Nigeria’s judicial authority. “The arbitration proceedings in London, undertaken in clear disregard of binding interim injunctions, amount…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja, July 10, 2025 — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the recovery of funds linked to the collapsed CBEX investment scheme, with the process for final forfeiture now underway. EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, made the disclosure on Thursday during an event commemorating Africa Anti-Corruption Day in Abuja. He stated that several individuals connected to the fraudulent cryptocurrency and investment platform have been arrested and are currently being prosecuted. CBEX, a now-defunct virtual investment scheme, is alleged to have defrauded over 600,000 Nigerians of approximately ₦1.3 trillion before its collapse in April 2025.…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja, July 10, 2025 — Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that he was the “most demonised” public official during the final years of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, citing efforts allegedly made at the time to remove him as Governor of Borno State. Shettima made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation of a new book by former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, titled OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3bn Nigeria Oil Block. Reflecting on the turbulent political climate of the time, Shettima recounted how former President Jonathan allegedly considered…

By Peter Omopo  Lagos, July 10, 2025 — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed criminal charges against gospel music executive Ezekiel Thankgod, popularly known as Eezee Tee, over the alleged misappropriation of $443,371 belonging to renowned gospel artistes Mercy Chinwo and Judith Kanayo, popularly known as Judikay. Thankgod, the founder of Eezee Global Concepts and former manager of both artistes, is facing a three-count charge alongside his record label before the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja. The charges, filed under Suit No. ID/25810c/25, were brought by a team of EFCC prosecutors led by Rotimi…

Osogbo, July 9, 2025 — A political advocacy group based in Osun State, the Osun Democrats for Democracy (ODD), has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a move it describes as critical to ensuring continued development in Osun State and consolidating national support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. n a press statement issued Tuesday evening in Osogbo and signed by the group’s Director of Publicity, Comrade Adeoye Fasipe, the ODD urged Governor Adeleke, currently of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to consider the broader political landscape and make what the group…

Osogbo, July 9, 2025 — A political advocacy group based in Osun State, the Osun Democrats for Democracy (ODD), has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a move it describes as critical to ensuring continued development in Osun State and consolidating national support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. n a press statement issued Tuesday evening in Osogbo and signed by the group’s Director of Publicity, Comrade Adeoye Fasipe, the ODD urged Governor Adeleke, currently of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to consider the broader political landscape and make what the group…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja, July 9, 2025 — The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on the National Assembly to urgently pass legislation that would criminalise the possession of unexplained wealth in Nigeria. Speaking at the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance held in Abuja on Wednesday, Olukoyede stressed that the ongoing fight against corruption remains hampered by legal loopholes that protect individuals with assets grossly disproportionate to their legitimate income. “Help me pass the Unexplained Wealth Bill. I’ve been begging for the past year. This same bill was thrown…