Category: PM News

A 58-year-old woman identified as Rita Izehia Iyoha has been arrested for allegedly defrauding one Frank Obruche Esemudje and his wife of N446 million under the pretence of selling a property, located in Effurun, Warri, Delta State to them.

Iyoha, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, defrauded the couple in collaboration with her sister, Fidelia Oghenetejiri.

Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the anti-graft agency said in a statement on Friday that Iyoha is set to be arraigned for property fraud.

According to the anti-agency, Iyoha, the principal suspect, and Oghenetejiri were arrested based on petition by Esemudje that they presented themselves as the rightful owners of the property they wanted to sell to him which they claimed was an inheritance from their father.

But the petitioner said upon payment, he could not take possession of the property as there was a subsisting court judgment restraining the sisters from disposing of the property.

Efforts by the petitioner to get his money back proved abortive as Iyoha immediately relocated to Ghana after the transaction.

Despite her relocation, the EFCC kept track of her and consequently arrested her upon her visit to Nigeria at a popular motor park in Lagos.

She has made useful statements and will be arraigned in court soon.

Oghenetejiri on the other hand is facing prosecution before Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State on a three-count charge that borders on advance fee fraud and obtaining by false pretence.

One of the charge reads: ‘That you Fidelia Oghenetega Jemu on about the 22nd of May 2025 in Warri, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court by false pretence and with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N50 million via your First Bank account number 3217460863 from Frank Obruche Esemudje under the pretence that the money was for the purchase of a property, situated at No 54 Airport Road, Effurum and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act

She pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge and was remanded in a Correctional Centre.

Nigerian entertainer and social media personality, Peller, has claimed he earned a staggering 11 million coins, equivalent to about ?70 million, immediately after participating in the popular online worship event, Hallelujah Challenge.

Peller made this revelation in a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), stating:

‘Hallelujah challenge dey work, I made 11 million coins (70 million naira) after I joined hallelujah challenge yesterday.’

The Hallelujah Challenge, a midnight praise and worship session led by gospel artist Nathaniel Bassey, is known for attracting large audiences globally, with many participants often sharing testimonies of miraculous financial breakthroughs, healings, and divine interventions.

‘Hallelujah challenge dey work,I made 11 million coins (70 million naira ) after I Joined hallelujah challenge yesterday’ – Peller pic.twitter.com/v8ItK74Ymf

Less than 24 hours after assuming office, challenges in need of urgent solutions are already piling up for the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan. One of such challenges, unarguably is the intractable problem of leadership of Labour Party.

This emerged on Friday morning with a letter by Julius Abure, the factional National Chairman of Labour Party to Amupitan affirming his claims as the legally recognized leader of the party.

Abure, in a letter of congratulation to Amupitan published on the social media platforms of Labour Party told the new INEC Chairman that there is a pending order of the Court binding on INEC to recognize him as the leader of the party.

He added that while the former chairman of the Commission, Yakubu Mahmood failed to abide by the court order, May Agbamuche-Mbu who took over from him as acting chairman took steps to abide by the order.

He therefore urged Amupitan to abide by the court order recognising him as the Labour Party chairman.

Abure at INEC meeting

Recall that the Abure was one of the chairpersons of political parties invited by INEC to a consultative meeting of the commission presided over by Agbamuche-Mbu on Tuesday, 14th October 2025.

INEC had claimed that Abure was invited to the meeting following court order from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Gwagwalada directing it to recognize him as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

However, the Abure the faction of the party led by Nenadi had protested against the invitation of Abure to the meeting by INEC.

Indeed, the Nenadi Usman faction had called for the arrest of Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu over the invitation while accusing her of aiding Abure in foregery of court document in a statement signed by Ken Eluma Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser (Media) to the Interim National Chairman.

The Nenadi Usman faction claimed that its ‘independent and painstaking investigation has revealed that no such court order exists. While it is true that Mr. Abure filed a suit against INEC in Suit No: CV/1914/2025, before Hon. Justice Kayode Agunloye of Court 40, FCT High Court, Gwagwalada, our formal request for a Certified True Copy (CTC) of any order purportedly recognising him as Chairman was met with a categorical confirmation from the court that no such order was ever granted.

Although it would have still been null and void even if such order existed, especially in the face of the Supreme Court’s unambiguous judgment of 4th April 2025 which conclusively upheld Senator Nenadi Usman’s leadership of the Labour Party, it smacks of fraud, scant regard for our laws, meddlesomeness, and partisanship for Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu to have dragged INEC into this web of political criminal conspiracy to commit this judicial heist.’

Consequently, the Nenadi Usman faction of Labout party said it has directed its ‘supporters nationwide to begin immediate mobilisation for a peaceful occupation of INEC Headquarters until Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu is arrested and prosecuted, and until INEC fully complies with the binding Supreme Court judgment affirming the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman.’

The party also urged the new INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan to urgently address ‘this grave injustice and purge the Commission of the elements of destabilisation led by Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu and her co-conspirators.’

Restore me as chairman of Labour Party

But Abure, in the letter to Amupitan on Friday insisted that his faction of the party has been recognized by court. Consequently, he also demanded that his faction of the party should be allowed to nominate candidates for the upcoming FCT local government elections

‘We are however appealing to you to fully comply with several orders and judgements of the courts by directing the inclusion of the Labour Party in the up coming FCT council election by uploading the names of the party candidates.

‘As a worker in the temple of justice and one known to have always respected the rule of law, we urge you to revisit this abnormally and restore recognition to the current leadership of the Labour Party as led by my humble self. This is because, the judiciary, which you are a prominent member has spoken loudly and clearly on both the position of the law on the political party leadership and the party supremacy.

Read Abure’s letter below to Amupitan below

STATEMENT FROM THE LABOUR PARTY

To: Prof. Joash Amupitan

Chairman

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Abuja

Sir,

LETTER OF CONGRATULATION

May I personally and on behalf of the leadership and members of the Labour Party congratulate you on your well deserved appointment as the Chairman of INEC. Your appointment and elevation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one that most Nigerians looked forward to, having followed your trajectory as a profound scholar, a legal luminary, a cerebral teacher and impactor of knowledge, an administrator of repute and a deeply religious person.

I joined millions of Nigerians a few days ago, glued to our television on the day of your screening, while you exhibited your mastery of the task ahead while also holding the entire Senate spellbound with your intellectual prowess on how to navigate the bedeviling and intractable challenges of election management in Nigeria, albeit with ease.

I must say that you came prepared to face the challenges and to help secure our fragile democracy. Nigeria craves for an umpire who is apolitical and whose past has testimonies of love for the nation. Nigerians need a strong willed umpire who will place the nation first and who will not succumb to cheap blackmail and little tricks by the politicians who will stop at nothing in pursuit of both their ordinate and inordinate cravings. I want to say that you earned your current status and that President Tinubu’s choice and fate in you is not in anyway misplaced.

Let me at this juncture appreciate the immediate past acting Chairman of the commission for chosing to right the very many wrongs of the past leadership of INEC and for swiftly remedying the glaring infractions perpetuated against the Labour Party.

I do not want to burden you with our challenges as this letter is purely congratulatory. However, I want to use this opportunity to remind you of a pending order of the Court binding on INEC to recognize the present leadership of the Labour Party as led by my humble self, Barrister Julius Abure but which for reasons known to the immediate past INEC leadership was disregarded but for which we are grateful that the Acting Chairman has remediated substantially.

We are however appealing to you to fully comply with several orders and judgements of the courts by directing the inclusion of the Labour Party in the up coming FCT council election by uploading the names of the party candidates. As a worker in the temple of justice and one known to have always respected the rule of law, we urge you to revisit this abnormally and restore recognition to the current leadership of the Labour Party as led by my humble self. This is because, the judiciary, which you are a prominent member has spoken loudly and clearly on both the position of the law on the political party leadership and the party supremacy.

I want to sincerely congratulate you for this wonderful elevation. May God crown your efforts and make your tenure in the commission truly glorious.

Once more, Congratulations.

Truly Yours,

Barrister Julius Abure

National Chairman

Labour Party

October 24, 2025

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports suggesting he would appear as a witness in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing them as baseless.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike said he had not received any formal notice or court summons to testify in the case and therefore had no reason to appear in court.

‘You don’t become a witness just because your name appears in a newspaper,’ the Minister stated.

‘Nobody has served me any document or subpoena. If I am served, I will appear. Until then, I have no business running around over something I only read in the papers,’ he added.

Wike said that he had no knowledge of why Kanu included him on the list of potential witnesses, insisting that only the IPOB leader could explain the decision.

‘If you happen to see Nnamdi Kanu, ask him why he listed me,’ Wike said. ‘I never volunteered to be a witness; I don’t even know the basis for including my name.’

Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial for terrorism-related offences at the Federal High Court in Abuja, recently submitted a list of individuals he described as ‘compellable witnesses.’

The list includes several prominent figures, such as former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.

Wike reaffirmed that while he holds deep respect for the judicial process, he would only appear in court if duly summoned by law.

A school proprietor identified as Mrs. Imaobong Cyril Okpong has been arrested for her alleged involvement in a series of visa fraud and fake offers of foreign scholarships schemes for nonexistent studies abroad.

The suspect who is the alleged proprietor of Michael Udonquak Schools , Mbierebe in Akwa Ibom State was arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

She was arrested after one Dr. (Mrs.) Blessing Nse Bassey, a clinician, petitioned the EFCC about her activities, Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the anti-graft agency said in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, Bassey alleged that the suspect defrauded her of the sum of ?3 million under the guise of securing a University admission for her and also processing Canadian visas for her and her husband.

According to Bassey, the suspect contacted her sometime in February 2024 with a supposed opportunity to secure a scholarship and study visa abroad.

She explained that she didn’t make any payment until the suspect signed an indemnity agreement, which she notarized before making the ?3,000,000 electronic transfer into the suspect’s First Bank account

However, after receiving the payment, Okpong allegedly became unreachable and started rejecting calls on her mobile lines as she completely failed to deliver on her promise and terms of the signed agreement.

Bassey claimed that the suspect had defrauded many victims, especially one of her friends who got stranded in China after Opong gave her fake scholarship.

‘I met in China who got stranded in China when she got there and realized that there was no scholarship. Some of her victims had travelled abroad with fake documents that left many of them stranded overseas while some others faced deportation with huge financial losses’

EFCC said the suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Edo governor, Monday Okpebholo, has revealed that his administration has constituted a task force for the protection of petroleum pipelines in the State.

Okpebholo made the disclosure on Friday, during the courtesy visit to his office by the newly-elected leadership of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), led by its chairman, Michael Ogiamen.

The Governor who was responding to concern raised by the association over pipeline vandalism along the Benin Depot-Warri Refinery corridor, assured that the task force will also strengthen security in the State.

He further hinted that his administration would empower the office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Pipeline Surveillance to enhance effective monitoring and protection of petroleum infrastructure in Edo State.

He said: ‘For the vandalization of pipelines, we have already set up a task force on pipeline monitoring. We will take charge on our own part. But the Warri part, that is Delta State, I will also talk to the Governor to see how we can jointly monitor the pipelines so that there will be no vandalization going forward.’

Earlier, in his remarks, the new chairman of IPMAN, Micheal Ogiamen, assured the Governor of IPMAN’s commitment to transparency, unity, and continuity of leadership within the association.

He said: ‘I can honestly tell you, sir, that at the expiration of my tenure of three years, I will hand over to my vice here, Mr. Pius. That has been our practice, and it will not change according to our constitution.’

Nigerian British rapper David Orobosa Michael Omoregie, popularly known as Dave, has dissed Nigerian strikers in his new album.

The rapper who released his third studio album on Friday, claimed that Nigerian strikers tend to lie about their age.

The rapper stated this in one of his songs ‘Chapter 16’, off the new album.

‘H*es lying about their age like Nigerian strikers,’ he stated.

This diss to Nigerian strikers quickly stirred controversy online with some fans calling him out for making untrue claims and generalising it.

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved a major shake-up in his cabinet, redeploying several commissioners and appointing two new special advisers as part of efforts to strengthen governance and enhance service delivery across key sectors.

The reshuffle, announced on Friday in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Mohamed, takes immediate effect.

According to the statement, Adnan Nahabu has been appointed as the Commissioner for Higher, Vocational and Technical Education, while Prof. Ahmad Muhammad Bakori has been moved from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to head the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development.

Other key changes include:

Aliyu Lawal Zakari redeployed from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Zainab Musa Musawa moved from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to the Ministry of Special Duties.

Yusuf Suleiman Jibia appointed as Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education.

Engr. Surajo Yazid Abukur takes over as Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development.

Aisha Aminu, former Director-General of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency, now serves as Commissioner for Women Affairs.

In addition, Governor Radda appointed:

Hadiza Abubakar Yar’adua as Special Adviser on Nutrition and Welfare Services.

Isa Muhammad Musa as Special Adviser on Cultural Orientation.

Governor Radda urged the newly appointed and redeployed officials to remain committed to his administration’s Building Your Future agenda, emphasizing the importance of accountability, innovation, and citizen-focused service.

He expressed confidence that the cabinet reshuffle will improve coordination, deepen expertise in strategic sectors, and accelerate the delivery of critical programmes in education, agriculture, youth development, women empowerment, social welfare, and economic growth.

Nigerian singer and song-writer Folarin Odunlami, also known as Fola, has spoken up on his recent struggles with fame and recognition.

While speaking with Spotify’s Radar, Fola revealed that while in school, his classmates barely knew him. He added that a lot of things has changed since he gained prominence and now he can’t casually go to school because of fame.

‘Music matters so much to me because it is such an amazing thing that you can speak to and touch someone without even meeting them in person. 2022, I can’t forget. I put all my money on a music project but I didn’t blow. Before, if I went to the campus, people didn’t even recognise my presence. But just one year down the line, I can’t even enter school anymore because of fame,’ he expressed.

The Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) has officially unveiled Season Four of the Nigerian Secondary School Flag Football League (NSSFFL), marking another step forward for grassroots sports development in the country.

The launch took place on Thursday at Haven Tower, Agidingbi, Ikeja, with top officials including NAFA Secretary General and spokesperson Lawrence Ojaideh; Abiodun Bello, representing Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF) President Olabisi Joseph; league coordinator Abe Oluwatobi; and Samson Akapo from the Lagos State Sports Commission.

This season will feature schools from 11 states – Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Benue, Kwara, Rivers, Ogun, Cross River, Abuja, and Lagos, with Lagos defending both the male and female titles. Preliminary rounds will run from October 27 to November 6 across the states before the national finals.

Ogun will kick off the preliminaries on October 27, followed by Oyo and Ekiti on October 28, Ondo and Rivers on October 29, and Akwa Ibom and Kwara on October 30. Abuja and Lagos will host their games on November 4, with Benue and Lagos concluding the preliminaries on November 6.

In his address, Ojaideh said the league has grown from about 900 student-athletes in its debut year in 2022 to more than 6,000 participants nationwide.

‘The NSSFFL is now Africa’s largest school flag football competition and a hub for youth engagement, sports education, and athletic discovery,’ Ojaideh said.

He announced the upcoming Nigeria Collegiate Flag Football League (NCFFL), a partnership between NAFA and the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA), to provide a pathway for secondary school players to continue the sport at the tertiary level.

Ojaideh also noted that some former NSSFFL players have represented Nigeria at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship, where both the men’s and women’s teams won gold medals.

NAFA acknowledged the role of the Nigeria School Sport Federation and sponsors including Browns Nigeria (in partnership with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns), Unique Open University, Allez Charis Gas Limited, Zibwe, Stretford Hill Limited, and the Gridiron Gems initiative, which promotes female participation in flag football.

‘Together, we are building more than a league – we are shaping a movement that proves Nigeria is ready for American football,’ Ojaideh said.