Category: Daily Trust

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled a digital vehicle management system (CVMS) aimed at curbing smuggling and enhancing transparency in the importation of vehicles.

The new system, which is part of the NCS’s efforts to modernize its operations and improve revenue collection, enables users to verify the authenticity and customs clearance status of imported vehicles.

The digital vehicle verification system provides a secure and reliable means of verifying vehicle imports, reducing the risk of smuggling and fraud. The system also enhances transparency and accountability in the customs clearance process.

Towards this end the NCS encouraged stakeholders, including vehicle importers, dealers, and the general public, to utilize the new system to verify the customs clearance status of imported vehicles.

Speaking at the launch, the Comptroller General of Customs CGC, Adewale Adeniyi described the initiative as a milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation agenda, noting that it closes long-standing loopholes in the vehicle clearance process.

‘For years, verification of imported vehicles relied on fragmented and outdated methods that left room for misinformation, fraud, and revenue leakages. The launch of this system is another score on the board for our bold transformation agenda.’ CGC Adeniyi said.

He explained that the CVMS was developed in collaboration with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and local technical experts to provide a secure and transparent verification process accessible to all Nigerians.

According to him, the digital platform will significantly reduce the circulation of smuggled and improperly cleared vehicles while boosting government revenue.

He said, ‘This new solution empowers the public and strengthens the integrity of our Service by promoting transparency, accountability, and trust.’

CGC Adeniyi added, ‘Anyone who invests millions of naira in a vehicle would not hesitate to pay N15,000 to verify its authenticity and ensure their investment is protected.’

A heavy-duty vehicle has reportedly crushed a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts at the Federal University Lokoja, identified as Mrs. Kemi Emmanuel, to death at Felele-Lokoja, a suburb of Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.

The incident happened around 3:30 pm on Wednesday when the lecturer was on her way home after closing for the day at the institution.

Witnesses said an oncoming articulated vehicle hit the commercial motorcycle carrying her, crushing her shortly after she fell off the motorbike due to the heavy impact.

‘It was a gory sight. The trailer hit the motorcycle carrying her while trying to negotiate a bad portion at the Crusher-Felele end of Lokoja, along the Lokoja-Okene highway.

‘Unfortunately, she fell off and landed at the side of the trailer’s tire, which crushed her immediately.

‘Surprisingly, the motorcyclist ran away, claiming to be pursuing the trailer that crushed her,’ said Bolaji Ade, a resident of the area.

However, the Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Tenimu Etuku, has confirmed the incident, describing the death of the lecturer as very sad and unfortunate.

‘When the accident happened, our rescue operation team responded quickly and rushed the victim to Kogi State Specialist Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

‘The corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the FRSC boss expressed shock over the inhumane behaviour of the motorcyclist who reportedly ran away on the pretext of chasing the truck driver.

Etuku cautioned commercial motorcyclists to refrain from contesting the right-of-way with articulated vehicles on the highway to mitigate such unfortunate incidents, thereby saving the lives of innocent passengers.

The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Miller G. Dantawaye,, has ordered the immediate redeployment of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Ushafa division in Bwari Area Council of the FCT back to the command headquarters in Abuja.

CP Dantawaye, who disclosed the development to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, said the decision followed the circulation of a video on X (formerly Twitter) depicting the DPO slapping a young man on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

He expressed displeasure over the DPO’s action and condemned the officer’s behaviour, which he said falls short of the high standards of discipline, civility, and professionalism expected of police officers.

He emphasized that such behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated under his leadership as police commissioner in the FCT.

‘Consequently, the DPO involved in such action has been redeployed back to the state police command headquarters with immediate effect, while the situation is currently under investigation,’ he said.

The police commissioner reminded all the DPOs and their subordinates that they must remain professional, courteous, and law-abiding in the discharge of their duties.

He also warned that any act of misconduct or abuse of power by any officer will attract severe sanctions.

CP Dantawaye also called on members of the public to remain respectful and law-abiding in the course of interactions with police officers, saying mutual respect and cooperation are essential for effective community policing and public safety.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has appointed his elder brother, Alhaji Adamu Mohammed, as Emir of the newly created Duguri Emirate.

The new emir was presented with an appointment letter by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Aminu Hammayo, on behalf of the governor at a ceremony held Friday at the palace of the emir in Duguri, Alkaleri Local Government Area.

Speaking during the event, the SSG charged the traditional ruler to continue to support government policies and programs for sustainable growth and development

Responding, the new emir expressed gratitude to Governor Bala Mohammed for conferring upon him the honor and prayed Allah to reward him abundantly.

The monarch pledged to remain loyal to the Bauchi state government and the Bauchi Emirate council.

Similarly, Aminu Hammayo also presented appointment letter to the new emir of Bununu Emirate, Alhaji Jibrin D Hassan

Hammayo charged the royal father to work in line with the rule of law for sustainable growth and development as well as to carry all the tribes along for peace to reign supreme and be law abiding at all times

Responding, the new emir of Bununu thanked Governor Bala Mohammed for the honor done to him and assured that he would not disappoint the government and the people.

Daily Trust had reported how the governor signed the law creating 13 new emirates.

The 25,000 -capacity Stade de Kégué in the Togolese capital, Lomè is venue for today’s 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture, first leg match between 10-time champions Nigeria and their Bèninoise counterparts, known as Amazons, with the Cup holders seeking a comfortable win that will render the return leg in Nigeria on Tuesday a mere formality.

Head Coach Justine Madugu has a total of 19 players available for the encounter, and has promised his squad will go all out for the goals that will earn it the ticket to a defence of the title won in Morocco this summer.

The Kingdom of Morocco will also host next year’s house party, where all semi-finalists will collect automatic qualification tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

‘We have a team that will go out there and make us proud. Yes, we would have loved to have Jennifer (Echegini) but we do not and we can only pray for her to recover quickly.

‘On Friday (today), we will go out and play our game and seek the goals that will put us in a good stead ahead of the return leg.’

With Echegini out, Madugu is likely to opt for US-based impresario Deborah Abiodun to start, alongside captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Christy Ucheibe in the middle, with Chiamaka Nnadozie (one of the best goalkeepers in the world) marshalling a defence-line of Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale and Ashley Plumptre.

In the fore, Madugu has Esther Okoronkwo (doubtless one of Nigeria’s impact players at this year’s Women AFCON), the pushful Chinwendu Ihezuo, six-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, new-face Joy Omewa and China-based Folashade Ijamilusi, who was also a delight as Nigeria won a tenth AFCON title in Morocco this summer.

It will be recalled that a week ago, the Super Eagles walloped the Cheetahs of Benin Republic 4-0 in the final Group C match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, thereby denying their neighbours the sole group ticket to the World Cup.

This scenario will definitely be a talking point when the two countries meet again today in Lome.

Gambian official Ngum Fatou will be the referee of the encounter that begins at 3pm Togo time (4pm Nigeria time).

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said no suspect, including politicians arrested and undergoing prosecution, will enjoy immunity from probe or prosecution because of his or her political alignment.

This is just as the anti-graft agency stressed that the investigation into the alleged corruption of a former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, still remains active despite accusations of being shielded after he defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the EFCC, who made this clarification during a press briefing that was held at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja to commemorate his second anniversary in office, said justice will be served on his case.

Daily Trust reports that Okowa had in November 2024 been arrested by the anti-graft agency over the alleged diversion of N1.3tn in oil derivation funds.

The former governor and his successor, Sheriff Oborevwori, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress in April 2025.

Nigerians, both online and offline, accused the commission of shielding the former governor after his defection to the ruling party.

But Olukoyede, who spoke through the Director of Legal and Prosecution at the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, rejected the accusation, maintaining that the EFCC operates independently and without political bias.

He said, ‘Someone asked the question that it is alleged that politicians who jump ship to the ruling party are shielded. The simple answer is that it’s not true.

‘I think the reference was made to the case of a former governor of Delta State. To the best of my knowledge, that case is still undergoing investigation. And in due course, justice will be served.’

The EFCC’s legal chief explained that the agency prefers to complete a comprehensive investigation before filing charges, particularly in high-profile or politically sensitive cases.

The commission also announced the recovery of 1,502 non-monetary assets fraudulently acquired by some highly-placed Nigerians, scattered and hidden in different parts of the country.

The anti-graft agency listed a forfeited private university, which has now been converted to a federal university in one of the northern states, as part of the non-monetary assets recovered from looters.

It said those assets recovered comprise 402 properties in 2023, 975 in 2024, and 125 so far in 2025.

The EFCC explained that part of the funds recovered was deployed to key national initiatives, including the Students Loan Scheme and Consumer Credit Scheme, with a total of N100 billion invested.

‘Investigations into CBEX’s fraud complex’

Meanwhile, the commission said investigations into the controversial Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), a digital investment platform that allegedly fleeced Nigerians of over N1.3trn, are complex.

The anti-graft agency specifically explained that the case involved layers of transactions and actors spread across different countries, making it one of the most intricate financial investigations the commission has undertaken.

Daily Trust had reported how at least 600,000 Nigerians, who reportedly invested in the fraudulent CBEX investment scheme, lost N1.3 trillion after it collapsed in April 2025.

EFCC’s Head of Investigation, Abdulkarim Chukkol, told journalists that the virtual currency scheme is multinational in scope.

‘As you are aware, the investigation is quite complex. When I say it’s complex, I mean it involves different jurisdictions. The modus operandi, as we all know, has to do with virtual currency,’ the anti-graft agency official said.

According to him, funds obtained from Nigerians through the CBEX platform were laundered through multiple channels, with most of the custodians of the proceeds located outside Nigeria.

He noted that the total amount involved ran into millions of dollars, adding that suspects from other countries were also under investigation.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Thursday approved the dissolution of the Board and Management of the state-owned Lobi Stars Football Club, Makurdi.

A statement by Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, indicated that the dissolution was with immediate effect.

The governor noted that the decision was aimed at repositioning the club for greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance in both the league and other competitions.

Alia further directed that all members of the dissolved management should hand over all official documents, assets, and responsibilities to the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Hon. Tiza Imojime with immediate effect.

The governor expressed appreciation to the outgoing board and management for their services to the club and the state, and assured that a new management will soon be announced to drive the next phase of Lobi Stars’ growth and competitiveness.

Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development as a vital tool for youth engagement, talent discovery, and social cohesion in Benue State.

It will be recalled that under the dissolved board and management headed by Dr. Philip Nongu, Lobi Stars were relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

At the moment, the former Nigerian champions are preparing for their first season in the NNL after over two decades of top flight football.

Lobi Stars will kick-off their campaign with a home fixture against City FC of Abuja.

Lobi Stars are in Conference C with ABS FC, FC Basira, Doma United, City FC, KADA Warriors, Mighty Jets and Sokoto United.

The Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Programme (YEIDEP) has announced the postponement of the business grants disbursement to Batch A applicants, initially scheduled to commence on October 20, 2025.

In a statement, the programme’s Coordinator-General, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, cited complexities in ensuring a transparent, accountable, and accurate disbursement process as the reason for the delay.

He has cautioned applicants against fake news circulating on social media platforms claiming that the disbursement has commenced, warning that internet fraudsters are peddling false information to extort money from unsuspecting individuals.

YEIDEP emphasized that every benefit or gain related to the programme is offered free of charge and advised the public to ignore criminal elements seeking to exploit them.

According to him, a new date for funds disbursement will be announced through various media platforms once the process is finalized.

Meanwhile, YEIDEP has announced that the registration portal will reopen on October 27, 2025, for Batch B recruitment, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that every registered member receives their entitled benefits.

‘We warn and caution all our registered applicants and potential beneficiaries to ignore the fake news which have flooded different social media platforms falsely reporting that YEIDEP’s business grants disbursement has taken effect.

Internet fraudsters are the ones peddling these fake news, in their desperate attempt to misinform innocent Nigerians, and make them to become gullible to their tricks of financial extortion.

‘Please be conscious not to allow anyone to deceive you. Every benefit or gain relating to YEIDEP is offered free-of-charge. We therefore advise everyone to be well guided, and be smart enough to ignore criminal elements who may want to extort money from the public by peddling fake news to aid their criminal ambitions.

‘We are also delighted to announce to the general public via this medium that the registration portal will be re-opened on Monday 27th October, 2025 for the ‘Batch B’ recruitment.

‘We sincerely wish to express our commitment towards the successful implementation of YEIDEP, as we work to ensure that every registered member receives the benefits entitled. Further updates will be communicated through our YouTube, Facebook and other digital communication channels.’

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 to guarantee greater institutional independence by making it mandatory for the president to get the National Assembly’s approval before the commission’s chairman can be removed from office.

Sponsored by Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau), the proposed legislation seeks to insulate the EFCC from political control and align its operations with global anti-corruption standards.

Gagdi, in his lead debate, said one of the major amendments is the proposal to reduce the president’s power to remove the EFCC chairman, which, under the current Act, can be done at the president’s discretion for inability to discharge the functions of his office or for misconduct.

Section 3(2) of the EFCC Act 2004 provides for the condition of removal of the EFCC chairman.

The section said: ‘A member of the Commission may at any time be removed by the President for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct or if the President is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Commission or the interest of the public that the member should continue in office.’

But under the proposed amendment, the lawmaker said the removal of the EFCC chairman would require the approval of a two-thirds majority of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Gagdi said the proposed reforms would restore public confidence, enhance transparency, and ensure the EFCC operates as a professional and independent body responsive to modern realities.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said with the way the present governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are going, they will bury the party.

Speaking during a session with journalists in Abuja, on Friday, Wike insinuated that governors elected on the platform of the party were not handling the crisis rocking the PDP well.

Daily Trust reports that PDP governors are currently locked in a fierce battle with the FCT Minister, who twice served as governor under the party.

While the governors are putting all together for the party’s convention slated for next month in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Wike’s camp is said to be working towards scuttling it.

Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party, recently accused the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party of forging his signature in its notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the convention.

But the party stakeholders accused Anyanwu of acting a script of the pro-Wike camp.

In his chat with journalists on Friday, Wike spoke about the PDP crisis.

‘Have I not said before now that the booby trap you are setting will consume you? Have I not told you before now, the way these present governors are doing, they will bury this party?’

‘Are you telling me that because I’m not a governor, you go and hold PDP meetings, call them stakeholders, and then exclude me, and you want to survive? Certainly not,’ he said.

Wike also distanced himself from the stakeholders who endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, as the next chairman of the party.

‘I don’t know about Tanimu Turaki becoming chairman. Maybe he’s becoming chairman for another faction. It’s not the PDP I know,’ he said.

On the defections rocking the party, Wike said he foresaw the situation long before it started happening.

‘Right from day one, I’ve said it that with what is going on, if it continues to go on, PDP will continue to lose. Things are not done properly and we will regret it. And that’s what it’s today.

‘It’s very embarrassing. One of the governors was the chairman of the convention committee. It’s very embarrassing. Even though I know they were all playing games. I said it from the beginning. There’s nothing I said that haven’t come to pass.’