Category: PM News

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday reserved its ruling until Thursday, 9 October, on the admissibility of digital evidence tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Rahman Oshodi fixed the date after hearing intense arguments from both the prosecution and the defence on whether the documents and messages extracted from a former executive assistant to Emefiele met the legal requirements for admissibility.

Emefiele is standing trial alongside his associate, Mr Henry Omoile, on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged receipt of gratification, corrupt demands, and unlawful acceptance of gifts.

The charges involve financial transactions reportedly totalling $4.5 billion and ?2.8 billion.

During Wednesday’s hearing, EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), led operative Mr Alvan Gurumnaan in continuing his testimony on digital evidence obtained during the investigation.

The evidence included WhatsApp conversations allegedly showing coded exchanges and instructions on cash deliveries. Gurumnaan told the court that the acronym ‘PCS’ seen in the chats meant ‘piece’, a term the parties allegedly used to refer to $1,000 units.

He also testified that messages recovered from the phone of Emefiele’s former executive assistant, Mr John Adetola, revealed discussions with one Mr Eric Eboh, who purportedly instructed Adetola to deliver $400,000 to the former CBN governor.

The witness added that Adetola confirmed delivering the money and that efforts to trace Eboh were still ongoing.

While some documents dated February 2024 were admitted without objection, defence lawyers, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Mr Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN), opposed the admissibility of others extracted from Adetola’s device.

They argued that the digital evidence had not been properly certified as required under Section 84 of the Evidence Act.

The EFCC, however, countered that the documents were primary evidence, not requiring certification, since they were directly extracted from the original device using verified forensic tools.

Oyedepo added that any EFCC officer familiar with the extraction process could validly testify to their authenticity.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter until 9 October for a ruling on the admissibility of the evidence.

The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has said about 98 per cent of Nigerian workers will be exempted from paying Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax under the new tax laws scheduled to take effect from January 2026.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Taiwo Oyedele said this at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the reforms were designed to protect low-income earners and those living around the poverty line, while ensuring fairness and efficiency in Nigeria’s tax administration.

Oyedele said that the Federal Government generated good revenue from tax in 2024, even as plans were ongoing to reduce the corporate income tax rate from 30 per cent to 25 per cent as part of the broader fiscal reform agenda.

‘The more inequality you create, the more time-bomb you have. These reforms are designed to strengthen governance around revenue generation, improve accountability, and ensure that tax revenues are effectively utilised,’ he said.

Oyedele said that the reforms would help enhance the country’s sovereign credit rating, lower borrowing costs for both government, businesses, and stimulate private-sector investment.

The chairman said that the reform process had been inclusive, with engagements across all sectors of the economy, including persons with disabilities, farmers, and Nigerians in the diaspora.

‘No one was left out. We worked with every state, consulted widely with stakeholders, and co-created solutions to the challenges identified in the fiscal system,’ he said.

Oyedele commended President Bola Tinubu for adopting an implementation-focused approach, which allows the committee not only to design reforms but also to work directly with government institutions to execute them.

‘Our Committee is unique because we are not just submitting a report, we are part of the implementation process.

‘ The goal now is to ensure public understanding, capacity building, and effective rollout of these laws,’ he said.

According to Oyedele, the reforms are expected to broaden Nigeria’s tax base, improve compliance, and make the system more equitable, ensuring that those with the ability to pay contribute fairly, while protecting those most vulnerable.

Nigeria is rolling out one of the largest integrated vaccination campaigns in its history, aiming to protect around 106 million children against measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

According to a statement by WHO on Monday, the nationwide initiative will combine multiple vaccines and child health services in a single drive, ensuring efficient delivery to children across the country.

The campaign targets children aged 0-14 years for measles and rubella, and 0-59 months for polio.

It will be implemented in two phases: Phase One, launching today, covers 20 high-risk northern states and Oyo State in the southwest. Phase Two, beginning in January 2026, will expand to the remaining southern states.

To reach every community, health workers will deliver services through fixed posts, temporary outreach points, and house-to-house ‘sweep teams,’ ensuring that even children in the most remote and underserved areas are reached.

In addition to measles-rubella and polio vaccines, the campaign integrates routine immunisation and other essential child health services, including treatment for neglected tropical diseases and seasonal malaria chemoprevention in high-risk areas.

This holistic approach supports Nigeria’s ‘Primary Health Care Under One Roof’ strategy and advances the Health Campaign Effectiveness agenda towards universal health coverage.

The initiative responds to persistent outbreaks of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) as well as measles and rubella outbreaks in Nigeria and across the Lake Chad Basin.

Nigeria is coordinating with Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Niger through a cross-border action plan to stop active outbreaks by the end of 2025 and eliminate remaining risks by the end of 2026.

‘On behalf of the Government, I want to express our deep respect and gratitude to Nigeria’s frontline health workers for their unwavering dedication.

‘I urge you to approach this campaign with the same resilience and commitment you have shown over the years.

‘As a parent myself, I know that no parent would ever refuse something that protects their child. Vaccines are safe, and they save lives,’ said Dr Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

This campaign builds on the success of two recent ‘In-between Round Activities’ in 11 northern states (August-September 2025), which reached over 3.1 million children with vaccines, provided nutrition supplements to 500,000 malnourished children, and delivered anti-malaria interventions to 150,000 children.

‘Nigeria’s integrated approach sets a strong example for the Region.

‘By uniting efforts against measles, rubella, and polio, and by working hand-in-hand with communities and partners, we are moving closer to the day when no African child suffers or dies from these preventable diseases,’ said Dr Mohammed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

In preparation for this nationwide rollout, Nigeria has also strengthened systems to ensure smooth implementation.

Trainers have been mobilised across states, payment processes for frontline workers have been redesigned for greater efficiency, and campaign systems have been upgraded to integrate data more effectively and safeguard integrity.

These investments will ensure that every health worker is supported and every child vaccinated is recorded accurately, bolstering accountability and trust in the programme.

Nigeria is also introducing a new combined measles-rubella vaccine to replace the measles-only vaccine.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease, particularly for malnourished children, while rubella can cause severe birth defects (Congenital Rubella Syndrome) if contracted during pregnancy.

The campaign is led by the Nigerian government, with support from the WHO, UNICEF, Gavi – the Vaccine Alliance, Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, civil society organisations, and traditional and religious leaders.

Robust coordination mechanisms are in place for financing, social mobilisation, training, vaccines, and logistics to ensure success.

Nigerian medical doctor Egemba Chinonso Fidelis, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, has warned Nigerians about their health and a possibility of a ‘stroke pandemic’.

While speaking about blood pressure and hypertension on his X page, Aproko Doctor urged Nigerians to take their health seriously. He also advised that young people go for checkups regularly.

‘There’s a silent pandemic of high blood pressure among young Nigerians. We think we’re too young for a stroke, but it’s happening,’ he wrote.

He also opened up on the possible signs of the medical emergency, urging Nigerians not to play with their health.

‘One sign people miss: Aphasia. Suddenly being unable to form words, even when your thoughts are clear. Please it is not something to joke with; it’s a medical emergency. Know your numbers. Abeg,’ he added.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo State, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, has resigned his membership of the party.

He announced his resignation in a letter to the chairman of Ward 12, Ovia North-East Local Government of the state, Mr. Osaigbovo Godspower.

He said his decision to dump the PDP was not driven by animosity but by conviction and continued commitment to the service of his people.

According to him, ‘Politics, at its best, is a vehicle for service and representation, a means through which leaders express their commitment to the welfare of the people.

‘However, as the dynamics of the Nigerian political landscape continue to evolve. I find it

necessary to seek a new platform that aligns more closely with my vision and desire to continue serving my people effectively.

‘In doing so, I remain guided by my philosophy of ‘Aiguiyekampe’ – politics is without bitterness. My decision is driven by conviction, not animosity, and by a continued commitment to the service of our people,’ he said.

He therefore expressed appreciation to the party for the opportunities and experiences afforded him in the past.

The ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, did not state his next destination. Independent findings however indicated that he is on his way to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Uzamere who represented Edo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly between from 2007 to 2015, was first elected on the platform of the PDP in 2007.

He, however, decamped to the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), sometime in September 2010, when he was quoted to have said that the ticket of the then ruling PDP was as worthless as the Zimbabwe dollars.

His letter to the Senate, which was read by the then Senate President, David Mark, stated that the crisis in Edo PDP made him switch party to enable him successfully pursue his political ambition.

Uzamere who won the ticket of the ACN and second term in the Senate in 2011, later ditched his then APC for the PDP.

ýThe Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, October 6, 2025, arraigned one Oguibe Promise Nkwachukwu and his company, Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited, on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

Specifically, he was arraigned for allegedly stealing the sum of N200,000, 000 while serving as an accountant of Travelstar Web Logistics Limited

One of the counts read: ‘That you, Oguibe Promise Nkwachukwu, being the alter ego of Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited and Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited, being a company incorporated in Nigeria sometime in March, 2020 in Nigeria, within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $ 36,000 (Thirty Six Thousand United States America Dollars), property of Travelstar Web Logistics Limited entrusted to you, being the custodian as an accountant to the Travelstar Web Logistics Limited, thereby committed an offence stealing, contrary to Section 280(1) (b) and (2) (f) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.’

Another count read: ‘That you, Oguibe Promise Nkwachukwu, being the alter ego of Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited and Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited, being a company incorporated in Nigeria sometime between 29th January, 2018 and July, 2018 in Nigeria, within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $ 156,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand United States America Dollars), property of Travelstar Web Logistics Limited entrusted to you, being the custodian as an accountant to the Travelstar Web Logistics limited, thereby committed an offence Stealing, contrary to Section 280(1) (b) and (2) (f) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.’

He pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges when they were read to him.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel, A.A. Usman, asked the court for a trial date for the prosecution to open its case and also prayed the court to remand the suspect at a Correctional Centre.

The defence counsel, Kelvin C. Uzozie, informed the court of a pending bail application on behalf of his client and also pleaded that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC custody .

After listening to both parties, Justice Oshodi adjourned till October 17, 2025 for the hearing of the bail application and also ordered the remand of the defendant at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos.

The Cross River Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has warned drivers in the state to repent from committing road traffic infractions or face jail terms.

The Sector Commander, Innocent Etuk gave the warning in Calabar on Monday during a mobile court proceeding to try drivers for various traffic infractions along Calabar-Odukpani road.

Etuk said he had already made it clear that he was ready to send many drivers to jail unless they repented.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a court presided by a Magistrate Mr Eno Iyamba, arraigned 49 traffic offenders, convicted 46, and discharged three.

NAN reports that a total of 114 offences were recorded with Drivers Licence Violation (DLV), Seatbelt Use Violation (SUV), Attempting Corrupt Marshal on duty (ACS) as the most prevalence.

Speaking further, the sector commander said the exercise was the Corps’ strategic intervention to cut down the excesses of the motoring public in terms of traffic infractions.

He said, ‘Today, another mobile court sitting to fulfil our mandate to bring down road crashes; at least once or twice every month, we carryout these intervention patrols to achieve our mandate.

‘It is sad that despite our advocacies through the media and others, traffic infractions are not abating.

‘Last month, many drivers were convicted for attempting to corrupt our men and this month, it is still on the increase.

‘In the month of September, we did not convict any driver for Dangerous Driving (DGD) but this month, we have already convicted one and it took our synergy with sister agencies to get this done,’ he said.

Etuk noted that as the ’ember’ months unfolded, the Corps had identified flash points in the state where it normally encountered challenges.

According to him, the flash points are Odukpani Junction, Okurikang, Ikom Four Corner and Ogoja towards Vandekia.

He said that the command planned to have a camp around Okurikang which would be on and effective till late night to enable the Corps reduce response time in the case of any emergency.

In a move that could transform Nigeria’s domestic energy market, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has once again reduced the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas.

The new ex-depot price now stands at ?760 per kilogram, down from ?810 last week.

This marks the refinery’s second major price cut in less than a month, and it continues to position Dangote as the leading driver of affordability in the gas sector.

Industry watchers say the move will bring much-needed relief to millions of households struggling with rising living costs and inflation.

Compared to other major suppliers, Dangote’s price stands far lower. Matrix and Ardova depots currently sell at ?920 per kilogram, while A.Y.M Shafa and NIPCO are at ?910 per kilogram.

Stockgap Depot, one of the biggest players in the market, sells for as high as ?950 per kilogram.

The price gap ranging from ?150 to ?190 per kilogram-highlights Dangote’s strong market influence and its growing role in stabilizing Nigeria’s energy prices.

Experts in the petroleum and energy sector have described the refinery’s strategy as a deliberate attempt to reshape market dynamics and discourage unnecessary price hikes by other depots.

By offering cheaper LPG, Dangote is believed to be setting a new benchmark that could force competitors to reduce their prices and make gas more accessible to Nigerian consumers.

Industry analysts also say that the refinery’s latest move aligns with its broader mission to boost domestic energy supply, reduce dependence on imports, and support the federal government’s agenda for clean energy transition.

Many Nigerians have welcomed the development, expressing hope that the reduction will reflect at the retail level, especially in local markets where consumers often face inflated prices.

If sustained, the Dangote Refinery’s consistent price adjustments could not only stabilize the cooking gas market but also encourage more households to switch from firewood and charcoal to cleaner energy sources helping to protect the environment and improve public health.

The governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Monday, visited Isanlu Esa, Okoloke, Okunran, in Yagba West Local Government Area of the state, an axis that has suffered multiple security infractions in recent times.

The governor, during the visit, banned illegal mining and vowed to eliminate criminality and banditry out of the state.

Ododo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for their maximum support to see that criminality and banditry are eliminated completely from the state and the nation at large.

He further praised members of the security agencies for their dedication, commitment, bravery, selflessness and professionalism in ensuring that the lives and livelihood of people are secured, charging them to remain united for a common goal as the necessary supports needed would be given.

‘Let me thank you for your efforts at ensuring security in this area. Your synergy has made your assignment easier, and I am always ready to provide all necessary support to triumph over criminality,’ the governor said.

He regretted that the state had neglected the fertile land for farming as well as the mineral deposits in commercial quantities unexplored, assuring the citizenry of his administration’s unwavering commitment towards the full exploration for transformative development.

‘I also want to commiserate with families and communities that have lost their loved ones. As your governor, I share in your pains, and I am determined to make criminality a thing of the past in this local government. I was elected to protect lives and property, and we will not relent until Kogi State is safe,’ he emphasized.

The governor ordered the traditional rulers to stop giving out land to strangers for peanut and urged them to admonish the youths not to be used as agents by the criminals, stressing that anyone caught would be treated as criminals.

He charged the miners to obtain a license from the federal government and come to the state for profiling, stressing that anyone who disobeys the order would face the wrath of the law.

In his welcome remarks, the Commander of the Nigerian Army in charge of the operation, Brigadier General K. U. Sidi commended the combined efforts of the security agencies, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and special forces in combating criminality in the area.

Sidi expressed appreciation to the governor for his sustained support to the security agencies, noting that the provision of logistics and other assistance had strengthened their capacity to secure the area. He also acknowledged the ‘invaluable contributions’ of the Hybrid Force from the Office of the National Security Adviser for the ongoing operation in Yagba West.

The Royal Father of Isanlu Esa, HRH Oba Olufemi Ogunremi commended Governor Ododo and the security agencies for their efforts, stressing that their relentless efforts had made it possible for the residents to still remain within the community.

He appealed to the security agencies to maintain their presence in the area until criminal activities are completely eradicated.

Nigerian activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju has raised concerns over the credibility and transparency of BBNaija’s grand prize.

Deji on his X handle on Monday, expressed his thoughts on the reality TV show while questioning their grand prize payment.

The lawyer also claimed that past winners end up poorer after winning the show.

‘Do they really give BBNaija winners the prize money? The reason I am asking is because many of them end up looking extremely broke thereafter,’ he wrote

Deji’s post stirred reactions from fans, with some demanding that he mention the names of former winners who became poorer after the show.