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How trail of crypto, bank deals tied Kenyans to money laundering network

A network of shell companies, international remittance services, intermediary bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets has landed two Kenyans in the crosshairs of investigators, who have frozen Sh115 million linked to them after tracing what they believe was a sophisticated money-laundering operation involving more than Sh300 million.

The frozen cash includes stablecoins in Binance wallets; $751,853.70 USDT (Sh97.2 million) linked to Glory Kithure and $896 USDT (Sh115,852) linked to Michael Machimbo.

It also comprises Sh17.6 million in cash, spread across nine accounts in Equity Bank, Stanbic, NCBA, KCB, and Absa.

Court documents obtained by the Business Daily detail how Michael and Glory allegedly received millions of shillings through a multi-layered network of intermediaries, shell companies, and crypto exchanges.

In an affidavit filed by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA), investigators detail how the scheme operated through two parallel channels. The first involved six people and two companies, who carried out money transfers into Kenya via international remittance services.

Two people, Justice Gaturu and Richard Mwangi, and two companies, DigitalMall Global Ltd and Bitflux Fintech Ltd, were the source of funds. Money from the duo was wired through two other individuals identified as Patrick Mwendwa and Purity Michael, before eventually ending up in Michael and Glory’s bank accounts.

Money from the two companies was wired directly to their accounts.

Between October 2022 and January 2024, for instance, Michael is said to have received Sh80.7 million to his Equity Bank accounts from Purity and another intermediary identified as Kevin Kipngeno.

Some Sh17 million was also wired to his Stanbic Bank account from Bitflux Fintech Ltd during the same period.

Between July 2022 and May 2025, Glory received Sh53.6 million, where investigators pieced together 57 bank transfers, all between Sh10,000 and Sh550,000, well below the reporting threshold.

In Kenya, cash transactions of $15,000 (Sh1.9 million) or more must be reported to the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC). Cross-border transfers of $10,000 (Sh1.3 million) or more also require reporting.

This is to assist the State agency in identifying the proceeds of crime and combating money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.

‘The repeated use of amounts just below the reporting threshold is consistent with the structuring of transactions to avoid regulatory reporting requirements,’ the ARA says in the court filings.

‘When considered together with the subsequent movement of the funds through additional intermediary accounts before reaching the respondents, it constitutes a recognised indicator of the layering stage of money laundering.’

In one example, Justice received two payments of Sh454,769 and Sh454,259 from the US payments platform Chime Inc. into his Equity Bank account on November 3 and 6, 2023.

He then transferred Sh1.1 million in three instalments to Patrick’s Equity Bank account between November 4 and 7.

Patrick subsequently forwarded the money to Purity in three transactions of Sh300,000, Sh300,000 and Sh400,000 between November 6 and 8. Purity then transferred Sh500,000 each on November 6 and 7 to Glory’s Equity Bank account.

According to investigators, Glory withdrew Sh100,000 to M-Pesa and used the remaining funds for purchases, spending and transfers to other bank accounts, including Michael’s.

Court documents further show that Glory later transferred Sh5.25 million to Aristocars Ltd on December 2, 2023, in what investigators believe was the purchase of a motor vehicle.

Detectives cite the transaction as part of a pattern in which funds were allegedly moved through several accounts before being spent or invested in assets.

In a separate illustration, Justice received Sh453,029 from the international money transfer app Sendwave and Sh890,000 from one Cosmas Gatuyu before transferring Sh1.4 million to Patrick, who in turn sent Sh900,000 to Purity.

Purity then transferred Sh950,000 to the first respondent’s Equity Bank account, which investigators say later accumulated sufficient funds to pay Sh9.38 million to Ace Prestige Auto Ltd on July 18, 2024, ostensibly to purchase another motor vehicle.

‘Investigations are underway to obtain documents and records of transactions traced to international remittance services, including a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request to the United States of America dispatched in May 2026,’ reads court papers.

An MLA request is a formal, government-to-government process used to gather evidence or legal documents from one country to aid in a criminal investigation or prosecution in another country.

The second money-laundering channel relied on USD Tether (USDT), a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. The digital currency was moved through multiple accounts on the Binance crypto exchange platform to distance the funds from their origin.

The crypto scheme involved Michael, Glory, Kevin and three others identified as Samuel Simiyu, Wanza Mutuku and Eliud Korir.

Investigators say the stablecoins were transferred from an account on the crypto app NoOnes, operated and controlled by Samuel and registered through Wanza’s identification details, to a Binance wallet Michael and Glory controlled.

The two then transferred most of the stablecoins to a Binance wallet Kevin controlled, and he converted the cryptocurrency into Kenyan shillings through Binance transactions before remitting the cash to the duo’s bank accounts.

Between June 2024 and September 2024, court papers show that Michael’s Binance wallet address received a total of USDT 220,508, equivalent to Sh28.5 million at current exchange rates, in 10 transactions.

From February 2023 to November 2025, meanwhile, the account withdrew or transferred a cumulative sum of USDT 899,130 (Sh116.3 million) through 107 transactions.

Glory’s Binance wallet was found to have received USDT 930,597 (Sh120.5 million) in 62 transactions between January 2023 and November 2025 and withdrawn or transferred USDT 178,491 (Sh23.1 million) between February 2023 and January 2026.

Investigators said they interviewed Samuel in May 2026, where he said he was a cryptocurrency trader. He admitted owning and controlling a NoOnes crypto exchange account registered using his wife Wanza’s identification details and email address, according to the affidavit.

Samuel told investigators that he also owned and operated a crypto wallet on the global exchange platform OKX registered in his name. He admitted to owning an account on Paxful, a peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto marketplace that allows users to buy and sell Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies directly with each other.

Both accounts were linked to the same email address.

“He averred that Michael approached him with a deal to use his OKX, NoOnes and Paxful accounts to transfer crypto to [Michael and Glory]’s Binance wallets. However, he claimed that he did not know the sources of the crypto that [Michael] was laundering through his crypto accounts or wallets,” the ARA says.

Wanza said while she had allowed her husband to use her email address to trade cryptocurrency on the Paxful and NoOnes platforms, she did not know the origin of the cryptocurrency that passed through those accounts.

‘The evidence discloses a deliberate, multi-layered scheme through which large sums of money, whose origin the respondents have refused to explain, were received, moved through a chain of intermediary accounts designed to obscure their source, and ultimately deposited into the respondents’ Binance exchange accounts and bank accounts,’ the affidavit says.

Neither Michael nor Glory offered any explanation for the transactions when interviewed. ‘Both exercised their right to remain silent, declining to offer any explanation, innocent or otherwise, for the funds they received,’ the agency says.

While only Sh115 million has been frozen so far, the assets recovery body estimates that the combined value of property traceable to the two exceeds Sh300 million.

The court on July 3 granted a 90-day preservation order on the funds while investigations continue.

‘In addition, the respondents are being investigated for tax evasion, having transacted cumulative sums of more than Sh300 million but have consistently filed nil returns in their tax records at the Kenya Revenue Authority,’ said the ARA.

How Kenya can optimise digital marine insurance integrationv

Global trade is facing unprecedented disruption as geopolitical tensions, shipping bottlenecks and climate-related shocks strain supply chains.

For an import-dependent economy like Kenya, these disruptions have raised the cost of imports while slowing exports to key international markets.

Amid concerns over freight charges and delayed shipments, one crucial issue deserves greater attention: marine cargo insurance. Long treated as a routine administrative requirement, marine insurance has become a critical element of business continuity and regulatory compliance.

Kenya’s regulatory environment has changed significantly. Under Section 20 of the Insurance Act, all marine cargo insurance for imports must be obtained from locally licensed insurers.

Although the law has existed for years, enforcement has intensified following the integration of marine insurance verification into the Kenya Revenue Authority’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICMS).

Today, imported cargo cannot be cleared at the Port of Mombasa or other entry points unless the ICMS digitally confirms a valid local marine insurance policy.

This has helped eliminate fake or altered insurance certificates, reduced revenue leakages and improved the integrity of customs processes. Digital verification has also streamlined cargo clearance by reducing reliance on paper documentation.

However, increased automation brings new risks. Because the system depends on uninterrupted digital infrastructure, technical failures can delay cargo clearance, causing costly backlogs, storage charges and losses, especially for time-sensitive or perishable goods.

To sustain efficiency, the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Insurance Regulatory Authority and technology providers must invest in reliable systems, backup infrastructure and contingency measures that keep trade moving during outages without compromising security.

Businesses, too, must rethink their approach. Marine insurance is no longer merely a regulatory obligation but an essential risk management tool.

In an era of global uncertainty, ensuring shipments are adequately insured through compliant local providers protects businesses from costly disruptions while supporting a stronger and more resilient domestic insurance sector.

Second-hand homes take centre stage in new cycle

The residential market may have already bottomed out, but a recovery is unlikely to resemble previous cycles, with second-hand homes expected to become the primary growth engine as affordability challenges continue to reshape buyer behaviour.

Vichai Viratkapan, an independent housing and urban development analyst and manager of the Housing Finance Association, said the market has begun to stabilise, but the recovery will be gradual and led by resale housing rather than newly launched projects.

“The market has started to recover, but not every segment will recover at the same pace,” he said. “Resale homes will become the key driver of the next growth cycle.”

Second-hand homes are better aligned with current market conditions because they offer lower prices, established neighbourhoods and immediate occupancy at a time when purchasing power remains under pressure, said Mr Vichai.

Households are making more practical purchasing decisions as economic uncertainty, elevated household debt and stricter mortgage lending standards continue to limit affordability, he noted.

Affordability has overtaken speculative investment and new project launches as the dominant factor influencing purchasing decisions, prompting buyers to focus on homes that fit their financial capacity, said Mr Vichai.

The structural shift has been building for nearly two decades. Before 2007, second-hand homes accounted for 48% of residential transfers by unit, while new homes represented 52%.

The gap was even wider by transaction value, with resale homes comprising only 38% of the market compared with 62% for newly built housing.

That balance has now reversed. In the first quarter of 2026, second-hand homes represented 67% of residential transfers by unit, leaving new homes with only a 33% share.

The value gap has also narrowed significantly. Existing homes accounted for 48% of total transfer value, while new homes captured 52%, highlighting stronger demand for higher-value resale properties.

Mr Vichai said the figures indicate that the resale market is no longer limited to lower-income buyers, but has become a mainstream option across several price segments.

He attributed the trend partly to changing buyer preferences following the pandemic, with purchasers increasingly favouring completed homes that allow them to inspect actual units, neighbourhoods and facilities before committing.

“Unlike off-plan projects, completed homes eliminate construction risks and allow buyers to secure mortgage approval immediately before transfer, reducing uncertainty throughout the purchasing process,” said Mr Vichai.

Mortgage approval remains another major hurdle, although rejection rates have improved markedly, falling to around 45% in the first quarter of 2026 from a peak of about 70% at the end of 2025, as financially weaker borrowers had already exited the market.

He compared the lending process to a water filter, saying stricter underwriting has screened out high-risk applicants, leaving a larger proportion of financially disciplined buyers with genuine housing needs.

“The quality of borrowers is improving. Those who remain in the market generally have stronger financial discipline and clearer purchasing intentions,” said Mr Vichai.

Developers should adjust their strategies by aligning new supply with genuine demand instead of relying on expectations of a rapid market rebound, he noted.

Projects targeting owner-occupiers with practical unit sizes, competitive pricing and completed or near-completed homes are expected to outperform more speculative developments over the coming years, said Mr Vichai.

Demographic changes, including slower household formation and an ageing population, are further reshaping residential demand and will require developers to rethink both product design and pricing strategies, he said.

“The market is unlikely to return to the rapid growth seen in previous cycles,” Mr Vichai said. “The next phase will be driven by real demand, with second-hand housing playing a far larger role than many expected.”

Delayed maritime cases raise import costs, hurt investment, SGF tells stakeholders

The Federal Government has linked the efficiency of Nigeria’s maritime justice system to the country’s trade competitiveness, warning that delays in resolving maritime disputes are increasing import costs, discouraging investment and undermining efforts to unlock the potential of the blue economy.

George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association.

He said maritime justice should not be viewed as a narrow legal issue but as a critical economic imperative with direct implications for governance, trade and national development, calling for stronger collaboration among key institutions to build a more efficient maritime justice system.

‘When a maritime claim is delayed in court, trade suffers. When a ship arrest is poorly executed, investor confidence falls. When cargo liability disputes go unresolved, the cost of importing essential goods rises, and it is ordinary Nigerians who bear that cost,’ the SGF said.

According to him, these are economic realities that fall within the mandate of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which is responsible for coordinating the implementation of Federal Government policies and programmes across ministries, departments and agencies.

Akume noted that the maritime sector involves several institutions whose activities are closely interconnected, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Federal High Court.

He stressed that these agencies must work in harmony by sharing information, aligning regulatory actions and presenting a coordinated and predictable operating environment to the international shipping community.

‘For these institutions to serve Nigeria effectively, they cannot operate in silos. They must work in harmony, sharing information, aligning their regulatory postures and presenting to the international shipping community a coordinated, predictable and professionally competent face,’ he said.

The SGF also acknowledged concerns that resolutions reached at conferences often fail to translate into concrete action, assuring stakeholders that the Federal Government would support the implementation of recommendations arising from the seminar.

He said the Office of the SGF would facilitate legislative engagement where reforms require amendments to existing laws, support executive processes for the ratification of international maritime conventions and coordinate collaboration among relevant government agencies.

‘The work done in this hall over the next three days should not remain in this hall. It must find expression in policy, legislation, institutional reform and ultimately in the daily experience of every Nigerian who does business through our ports or seeks justice in our courts,’ Akume said.

He described the Blue Economy as a strategic pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that an efficient maritime justice system is essential to unlocking the sector’s economic potential.

According to him, investors will only commit capital to maritime ventures if they are confident that contractual disputes can be resolved fairly, swiftly and transparently.

‘No investor will commit capital to a maritime venture in Nigeria if they cannot trust that contractual disputes will be resolved fairly and swiftly. No shipping line will regard Nigeria as a reliable port of call if they fear that legal processes will be slow, unpredictable or technically uninformed,’ he added.

Also speaking at the event, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, urged the judiciary to prepare for a new generation of maritime disputes arising from autonomous ships, digital shipping and the global transition to cleaner maritime transport.

Oyetola said the rapid evolution of maritime technology was creating unprecedented legal questions around liability, navigational responsibility, insurance, collision regulations and the allocation of responsibility when autonomous vessels or their systems fail.

He noted that the digitalisation of shipping through electronic bills of lading, blockchain-enabled cargo documentation and digital freight contracts was transforming global commerce while creating ‘fresh evidentiary, contractual, and jurisdictional issues’.

‘The prospect of vessels operating with limited or no human crews raises fundamental questions concerning liability, navigational responsibility, insurance, collision regulations, and the allocation of legal responsibility when technology fails,’ Oyetola said.

He said the growing international focus on maritime decarbonisation and environmental responsibility would also generate increasingly complex disputes over environmental liability, pollution damage, regulatory enforcement and compliance with evolving international standards, urging judges to approach such cases with ‘sound legal reasoning, scientific understanding, and awareness of emerging international jurisprudence’.

Oyetola emphasised that by strengthening the mechanism for prompt and efficient resolution of shipping disputes through litigation and arbitration, Nigeria can successfully position itself as Africa’s premier maritime hub.

‘Every judgment delivered in a maritime matter sends a powerful message, not only to the litigants before the court, but also to international investors, shipowners, financiers, insurers, cargo interests, and seafarers across the world. The marine and blue economy cannot flourish in a legal vacuum,’ Oyetola said

Also speaking, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who declared the seminar open, said the maritime sector serves as a vital channel for the movement of goods and services, facilitates international trade, supports economic growth and contributes significantly to employment and national revenue.

The Chief Justice further emphasised the importance of effective and prompt dispensation of admiralty justice, noting that maritime disputes often involve complex, time-sensitive and cross-border transactions.

She stressed that delays in resolving such disputes could disrupt commercial operations, increase costs, undermine investor confidence and affect the smooth functioning of the maritime industry. She therefore underscored the need for a responsive, efficient and specialised system of admiralty justice capable of resolving maritime disputes in a timely and effective manner.

Justice Kekere-Ekun also highlighted the importance of collaboration across jurisdictions, particularly given the inherently international nature of maritime commerce.

She noted that ships, cargoes, commercial transactions and maritime disputes frequently involve multiple countries and legal systems, making cooperation among courts, judicial officers, regulators, legal practitioners and other stakeholders essential.

She further underscored the importance of the seminar as a platform for judicial and professional engagement, knowledge-sharing and the strengthening of institutional capacity in the field of maritime law.

Parks and wildlife officials faulted in elephant death

An investigation has found that wildlife officials acted negligently in the relocation of the wild elephant Seedor Hupab, whose death earlier this year sparked public controversy.

Disciplinary action against those responsible has been recommended, along with an order for compensation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said on Wednesday.

A fact-finding committee appointed by the ministry concluded that those involved in the capture and transfer operation of the 2.8-tonne elephant failed to exercise due care. It recommended a disciplinary investigation into the personnel concerned and civil liability proceedings against the officials responsible at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

The findings were based on legal considerations and clearly indicated negligence in the operation, said Nipon Jamnongsirisak, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary and chairman of the committee.

The committee recommended that DNP executives linked to the relocation be held financially liable for damages equivalent to the elephant’s value, estimated at 5-10 million baht, with the final amount to be determined through further assessment.

Mr Nipon said the committee would not yet disclose the names of those involved, but confirmed they were connected to the relocation.

The 15-year-old male elephant died on the night of Feb 3 in Khon Kaen province while he was being moved back to his original habitat, a wildlife sanctuary in Loei.

The relocation was ordered after Seedor Hupab strayed from the sanctuary and began raiding human settlements for food, and attacked and killed two people.

A previous inquiry found that the elephant died from respiratory failure after choking on food while being moved, rejecting speculation that he died from a sedative overdose.

His death triggered criticism from animal welfare advocates and calls for accountability over the handling of the operation.

FILIPINO HERITAGE MEETS FRENCH CULINARY TRADITION: Philippine Embassy in France visits fusion restaurant in Le Mans

The Philippine Embassy in France visited a Filipino-French fusion restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide Selection and the Gault and Millau Guide Selection 2026.

Located in Le Mans-a city in the Pays de la Loire region of France-Maison Nipa serves curated Philippine-inspired flavors beyond France’s bustling capital. It is owned by chefs Sharon and Jason Le Glatin-a Filipino-French couple. They invited Ambassador Eduardo José de Vega and the embassy’s Cultural Diplomacy Section to sample the restaurant’s uniquely developed menu of sumptuous French dishes with a Filipino flair: pinangat grey mullet, barbecued white asparagus in Filipino-style curry, lamb in mami noodle soup, and green asparagus leche flan tartlette. The fine-dining restaurant is hailed by the Michelin Guide as a ‘divine surprise’ and is listed under Philippine and creative cuisines. Gault and Millau describes the dining experience there as ‘a gastronomic journey, blending local terroir with the flavors of the Philippines,’ and the cuisine as ‘rich in emotion and meticulous craftsmanship.’

Maison Nipa opened in 2022 and has since been included in the Michelin Guide Selection, gaining recognition for four consecutive years. It was also honored by Gault and Millau with the title ‘Young Talent 2023’ and has consistently been included in the guide’s selection, earning another recognition for 2026.

Chef Sharon is a Filipina-British pastry chef who was born and raised in the Philippines, while Chef Jason-originally from Le Mans-serves as the restaurant’s head chef. Their shared culinary vision led to the establishment of Maison Nipa, with the mutual goal of presenting, with every service, an authentic expression of French-Filipino identity through gastronomic pleasure.

The culinary creations presented by Maison Nipa embody a harmonious fusion of Filipino and French cultures, showcasing the rich gastronomic heritage of both countries to their patrons. For Filipinos living in France, the restaurant also offers a comforting sense of home through menu selections that pay tribute to traditional Filipino ‘lutong bahay,’ evoking nostalgia and familiarity, served in French haute cuisine style.

The upscale, innovative presentation of Philippine cuisine offers French and global fine-dining enthusiasts a vibrant introduction to a variety of Filipino tropical flavors. According to the embassy, the dining experience at Maison Nipa and other Filipino restaurants across France could spark further interest among restaurant-goers in discovering Philippine offerings in both authentic delicacies and haute cuisine menus.

The embassy said it continues to honor Philippine culinary heritage by supporting Filipino culinary artists and practitioners in France. Gastrodiplomacy speaks many languages through food, thereby strengthening further the people-to-people and cultural ties between the Philippines and France.

Listed firms nudged to adapt supply chains

Listed Thai companies are urged to ramp up efforts to reinvent their supply chains as sustainability becomes essential to winning global capital.

Resilient supply chains, standardised carbon reporting and environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration are becoming decisive factors for competitiveness and long-term investment.

Listed Thai firms must transform their supply chains from cost-driven networks into resilient, sustainable structures if they are to remain competitive and attract long-term investment in an increasingly fragmented global economy, according to executives from the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (Fetco).

Speaking at the SET Sustainability Forum, SET president Asadej Kongsiri said sustainability is no longer simply a matter of regulatory compliance, but a core business strategy that will shape companies’ ability to compete, raise capital and withstand future disruptions.

“The era of competing solely on low costs or fast delivery is over,” Mr Asadej said. “Companies with resilient, transparent and sustainable supply chains will be better positioned to compete globally and adapt to future disruptions.”

He called on large listed companies to mentor suppliers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, by helping them strengthen sustainability practices and prepare for stricter environmental disclosure requirements, including greenhouse gas emissions and carbon reporting.

According to Mr Asadej, investors are increasingly evaluating companies not only on financial performance, but also on the quality, transparency and comparability of sustainability data across their value chains. Companies unable to obtain reliable environmental data from suppliers risk higher compliance costs, weaker supply chain resilience and declining competitiveness in global markets.

To support the transition, he said the SET is developing a centralised platform for sustainability data collection, reporting and innovation. The exchange is also investing in digital infrastructure alongside training initiatives to help businesses and suppliers transition to a low-carbon economy while aligning with international reporting standards.

Supply chain resilience

Fetco chairman Paiboon Nalinthrangkurn said geopolitical tensions are reshaping global investment flows, creating a new supply chain landscape in which resilience, reliability and trust are becoming more valuable than simply minimising production costs.

He said the restructuring of global manufacturing networks presents Thailand with an opportunity to attract a new wave of investment, particularly in digital industries, advanced manufacturing and innovation-driven businesses seeking diversified and resilient production bases.

According to Mr Paiboon, listed companies now face two simultaneous strategic priorities: developing supply chains for emerging industries and new technologies while upgrading supplier networks to meet higher standards for quality, sustainability and ESG performance.

“If we plan well, Thailand can continue to prosper by integrating capital markets, businesses and public policy to strengthen confidence in our supply chains,” he said.

Thailand’s public and household debt combined exceed 250% of GDP, limiting the government’s capacity to finance large infrastructure projects. As a result, the capital market will play an increasingly important role in mobilising funding for new industries and attracting global investment to support long-term economic growth, said Mr Paiboon.

Meanwhile, investor expectations have shifted as global investors now assess companies on supply chain resilience, risk management, corporate governance and ESG performance alongside traditional financial indicators.

Thailand’s geopolitical neutrality and industrial base could help attract multinationals to relocate production, provided the country continues strengthening infrastructure, enhancing supply chain capabilities and fostering close collaboration among government, businesses and the capital market, he noted.

Both the SET and Fetco advised sustainable supply chains, improving the credibility of carbon disclosures and building collaboration across value chains to grow investor confidence and position Thailand as a regional hub for sustainable investment.

Azercell congratulates media professionals on National Press and Journalism Day

“Mediacell” subscribers will receive a complimentary 5 GB mobile internet pack

The history of Azerbaijan’s national press began on 22 July 1875 with the publication of ‘Akinchi’, the country’s first Azerbaijani-language newspaper, founded by the prominent educator Hasan bey Zardabi. For more than 150 years, national media has played a vital role in informing the public, promoting social values, and documenting the country’s development.

To mark National Press and Journalism Day, Azercell is offering a complimentary 5 GB mobile internet package to all “Mediacell” tariff subscribers. The package will be valid for 30 days from the date of activation.

For more information, please visit: Media Day

On the occasion of National Press and Journalism Day, “Azercell Telecom” LLC extends its sincere congratulations to all media professionals and expresses its appreciation for their dedication, professionalism, and invaluable contribution to keeping society informed through accurate, timely, and reliable journalism.

The company also respectfully honors the memory of journalists Maharram Ibrahimov and Siraj Abishov, who lost their lives while carrying out their professional duties in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.

Bala Mohammed dissolves Wikki Tourist FC management for lack of performance

Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir of Bauchi State has dissolved the management committee of the Wikki Tourist Football Club.

In a statement signed by the governor’s adviser on media and publicity, Mukhtar Gidado and made available to journalists in Bauchi, the governor said that the dismissal of the management was because of a lack of performance in the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, which culminated in its relegation to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

He said that the decision reflects the government’s determination to reposition Wikki Tourist Football Club, restore public confidence in the management of the Club, and lay a solid foundation for its immediate return to the elite division of Nigerian football.

He further said that throughout the season, the State Government provided the Club with the necessary financial and administrative support to enhance its competitiveness and improve its performance.

‘In addition to meeting its obligations to the Club, the government, as a final effort to avert relegation, constituted a Rescue Team during the closing stages of the season to complement the work of the Management Committee and guide the Club towards survival. Unfortunately, these interventions did not produce the desired outcome, as the Club was ultimately relegated.

‘In view of this development and in the overriding interest of the Club, His Excellency has approved the appointment of Alhaji Haruna Bako, former Bauchi State Director of Sports, as the Interim Sole Administrator of Wikki Tourist Football Club pending the constitution of a substantive management.

‘The Interim Sole Administrator is expected to immediately assume responsibility for the administration of the Club, oversee the handover of all operations, assets, records, and liabilities, and initiate measures aimed at repositioning the Club for improved performance and a successful campaign in the forthcoming Nigeria National League season,’ it stated.

While expressing its appreciation to the outgoing Management Committee, led by Salmanu Abubakar, for their services to the Club and wishes its members success in their future endeavours, Governor Abdulkadir said that Bauchi State Government remained firmly committed to the revival of Wikki Tourist Football Club and will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that the Club regains its status as one of Nigeria’s leading football teams and returns to the Nigeria Premier Football League at the earliest opportunity.

Five rangers killed in deep south attack

Five paramilitary rangers were killed and six civilians injured when a group of heavily armed men on a pickup truck attacked a security checkpoint in Rangae district of this southern border province on Wednesday night.

Six black-clad men riding in a black Nissan pickup truck launched the attack on the Bukeh Sami checkpoint in tambon Tanyong Mat at 6.45pm, firing guns and throwing pipe bombs, according to the Region 4 forward command of the Internal Security Operations Command.

Killed in the attack were SM1 Theerayoot Somakerd and four volunteer rangers: Sakeereeya Jehna, Wimol Dapthong, Nathasit Kaeosena and Solahuding Pi. The six injured civilians included two children.

The attackers then fled on Highway 4055 towards tambon Dusongyor. Security authorities were hunting for the attackers.

The violent incident followed a car bomb attack near a police station in Muang district of Narathiwat Tuesday night.

Col Ekwarit Chobchupol, deputy spokesman for the Region 4 forward command, condemned the ‘cruel and inhumane’ attack, saying it happened in a community area and the perpetrators were ignorant of the suffering of innocent people.

An estimated 7,700 people have been killed in violent incidents since insurgent activity in the three southern border provinces was revived in 2004.

The Thai government has been attempting to restart the stalled peace process, by renewing talks with the insurgency umbrella group Barisan Revolusi Nasional.

Thanut Suvarnananda, Thailand’s new lead negotiator, has said the negotiating team would take into consideration advice from all groups affected by southern violence.