Category: PM News

The trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, continued on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, with testimony from the fourth prosecution witness, who revealed that Malami’s bankers had filed a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) concerning his accounts.

Testifying before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc, confirmed that the bank had flagged several of Malami’s transactions as suspicious. Bata explained that although the deposits in Malami’s accounts appeared to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) guidelines, the bank was required to report the transactions to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) due to their repetitive nature.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and their son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, on a 16-count charge of conspiracy, money laundering, and the concealment of funds amounting to N8.7 billion, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

The witness further elaborated on the process for filing an STR, clarifying that transactions deemed repetitive or of suspicious origin must be reported to the NFIU, an autonomous unit of the CBN responsible for analysing and disseminating financial intelligence. Bata added that his role as a compliance officer was to handle correspondence from law enforcement agencies but that he was not directly involved in managing Malami’s accounts.

Under cross-examination, Bata stood by his statement, despite objections from the defence, which sought to challenge the relevance of further clarification. Justice Abdulmalik allowed the re-examination, emphasising the need for transparency and clarification on technical financial matters.

Following the completion of Bata’s testimony, the court adjourned the trial to May 22, 2026, for continued proceedings.

By Deborah Akpede

Mr Simeon Akpanudom, AIG FCID Annex Lagos, has banned Point of Sale (POS) operations within the FCID premises in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu.

He charged officers to uphold professionalism, discipline and strict adherence to due process in duty discharge.

He gave the charge on Thursday during a general lecture and meeting with sectional heads at FCID Annex Lagos.

In a statement by FCID Annex spokesperson, ASP Aminat Mayegun, the ban aligns with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu.

According to Akpanudom, such activities are incompatible with security and operational integrity and are often exploited to facilitate corrupt practices.

He directed that all intelligence reports must be thoroughly vetted and verified by sectional heads before submission.

He tasked sectional heads to ensure deliberate supervision of personnel and strict compliance with professional standards to minimise misconduct.

Akpanudom stated that land-related disputes should not be entertained by the department, insisting officers follow established investigative procedures.

He warned against unprofessional conduct, noting Nigeria Police must project a positive and credible public image.

He urged officers to respect hierarchy and uphold the established chain of command in duty performance.

The AIG reiterated that unprofessional acts would not be tolerated and would attract appropriate disciplinary measures.

He encouraged officers to remain committed to integrity, accountability and national service. (NAN)

The Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has congratulated the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, on the occasion of his 66th birthday, describing him as a leader whose administration has continued to impact positively on the lives of residents across the state.

The council, in a congratulatory message issued by the Chairman, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin, and Secretary, Comrade Olalekan Akindoju, commended Governor Adeleke for what it described as remarkable achievements recorded in the areas of infrastructure development, workers’ welfare, healthcare, and other people-oriented programmes since assuming office.

The union noted that the governor’s attention to workers’ welfare through prompt payment of salaries and pensions, as well as efforts geared towards improving the working environment for civil servants, had earned him admiration from different segments of society.

While wishing Governor Adeleke many more years in good health, wisdom and strength, the union prayed for greater accomplishments in his efforts to move Osun State forward.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote development, accountability and the welfare of the people, stressing the importance of collaboration between government and the media in sustaining democracy and good governance.

The statement described the governor’s 66th birthday anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on his contributions to the growth and progress of Osun State and Nigeria at large.

By Remi Adefulu

The recent consensus reached on the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State is bound to go down in history as a significant chapter in our polity.

This is in view of the shape and manner it took, to the amazement of some who had thought a day like that would be a mirage. You may not really blame such pessimists in view of the political trajectory of the Gateway State, which has always been full of intrigues. Worse still, no political leader in the state’s recent history was successful in an attempt to actualise that the governorship seat should go to Ogun West Senatorial District.

This time, Ogun APC has grown to become a Mecca of sorts, going by the quality and quantity of politicians who have trooped to the party in droves to realise their ambitions. Many were even surprised when Dr Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who used to be a vocal critic of President Bola Tinubu, joined the fray.

Trust politicians, an elated Governor Dapo Abiodun, flanked by the APC leader in Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; former governors Gbenga Daniel, Ibikunle Amosun and other party leaders, gave their backing to the choice. Therefore, the euphoria that greeted the announcement of Senator Solomon Adeola representing Ogun West in the Senate was deafening and tumultuous.

By that announcement, the APC finally succeeded in giving justice to the only zone that has never attained the exalted seat of the state governor several decades after the creation of the state. No doubt, this is the first time in the history of the state APC that a landmark decision of this magnitude has been agreed to by all stakeholders.

This must have taken a lot of work by forces within and outside the state to achieve, given the history of past election cycles in Ogun State. According to Governor Abiodun, President Tinubu kick-started the process of the historic endorsement of Yayi, a process which was said to have started months back.

The state helmsman took the exercise further by prevailing on other contenders to step down for the governorship candidate, an advice which was heeded by all. The announcement by Prof. Obasanjo that she had stepped down for Senator Adeola was a clear deference to the governor’s intervention.

From Ogun East, Prince Abiodun Akinlade and Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, both strong contenders, threw in the towel in the interest of their zone and its people. Aside from clearly showing that Ogun APC can speak with one voice at very critical moments, the decision was a clear demonstration of party supremacy.

While Ogun APC holds the ace as the first state chapter of the party to come forward with a governorship candidate, close followers of the state’s politics would know that some significant factors made Yayi’s emergence an easy task. One of these is the unparalleled support he received from President Tinubu, who sees Yayi as a dependable ally, thoroughbred politician of many years’ standing, an astute professional and a loyal party man.

Unlike some of those before him, Senator Adeola has built bridges of unity among the political class across the state such that he is a friend to all the who’s who in the state and beyond. Aside from this, every part of Ogun State has the footprints of the lawmaker, something he has been doing without altercations with the authorities.

Yayi also has a very rich backroom staff led by Kayode Odunaro, a foremost journalist and strategist of no mean order who readily deploys over three decades of experience in navigating political waters.

This is surely unsurprising considering the public service records of Adeola, especially from the House of Representatives, where he was Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation. Following his exceptional performance in that position, he was given the same portfolio when he was elevated to the position of Senator, and he never dropped the gauntlet.

It was therefore normal when his people in Ogun West Senatorial District persuaded him to come home to bring his wealth of experience to bear on his roots. Thus far, he has not disappointed them, shattering the record of representation of his predecessors since the advent of democracy in 1999.

This is aside from the many programmes including poverty alleviation, vocational education, scholarships, employment opportunities, food palliatives and grants to the elderly, among others.

The ball is now in the court of Senator Adeola to up the ante of governance in Ogun State by bringing his wealth of experience to bear, since it is crystal clear that he is destined to become the state’s next governor. Ogun State surely has a lot to offer Nigeria, and it would take a man of Yayi’s vision to unleash a brand new idea of governance on the people and the nation at large.

Luckily, he has all that is needed to excel and prove that his public service record cutting across decades is no fluke. One of the things working in his favour is his personality as a man endowed with the capacity to relate with all critical stakeholders within and outside the state.

As someone who has built a network of contacts in very strategic places over the years, this surely is payback time for this technocrat. His acceptance by all political blocs in the Gateway State, including the opposition, which eventually led to his emergence as consensus candidate, is a testimony that he would be a rallying point for all.

This is something he needs to leverage to repair broken political bridges within the Ogun APC, an issue that has been a recurring decimal over the years. With a rock-solid political base, Adeola would have to heal the wounds of the past to avoid needless distractions from his party and focus on taking Ogun State to its desired destination.

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has affirmed that that its post-strike battle damage assessment revealed that several terrorists and not civilians were killed in a recent air-land operation in Zamfara.

DHQ said this while dismissing reports alleging civilian casualties in the air strikes in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, Director, Defence Media Operations on Tuesday.

Onoja said troops of Joint Task Force, North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, conducted the operation on, Sunday, May 10, targeting a high-level meeting of terrorist ring leaders at Tumfa Village, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara.

He said this followed credible multi-source intelligence confirming the location as a coordination point for planned attacks across communities.

He explained that the air interdiction strike prevented immediate and precise casualty enumeration on the ground.

“The casualty figures circulating across media platforms remain speculative, unverified and inconsistent with official military assessments.

“Our official position remains that several terrorists were neutralised after post-strike battle damage assessment,” he said.

Onoja also rejected allegations of civilian casualties, saying no credible evidence had emerged from official assessments.

“The target remained a confirmed terrorist structure occupied by armed non-state actors threatening civilian lives.

“Those making such claims should rely on verified evidence, not social media reports or adversarial sources,” he said.

He reaffirmed that the Armed Forces operated under strict rules of engagement and international humanitarian law.

“Civilians are never deliberately targeted during operations,” he stressed.

He said ground troops continued clearance operations while the public was urged to follow official communication channels.

Onoja assured that any verified civilian casualty would be transparently communicated under established military protocols.

He reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to professionalism, accountability and civilian protection throughout ongoing operations. (NAN)

OYS/KTO

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Commissioner for Tertiary Education in the state, Sule described JAMB’s approved cut-off mark as too low for Lagos universities, arguing that the state could not lower its educational standards to align with states considered educationally disadvantaged.

“To us in Lagos State, the cut-off marks approved by JAMB look too low for our universities. None of our three universities is admitting any student who scored below 185 in the UTME,” the commissioner stated.

“For JAMB to announce 150 as the cut-off mark out of the 400 obtainable marks in the UTME for this year’s admission seekers is very low,” he said.

“Lagos cannot be considered educationally disadvantaged to the extent of bringing its cut-off mark down to meet what Sokoto or Zamfara State requires,” Sule added.

He further disclosed that plans were underway to increase the number of state-owned universities to four in a bid to accommodate more admission seekers.

“Increasing our universities from one to three is still part of what the state governor is doing to provide more educational platforms and opportunities for Lagos residents,” he said.

“And increasing the number to four is still part of this effort by the state government to give all admission seekers the opportunity to get tertiary education in Lagos,” Sule added.

As political parties across Nigeria begin their primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, fear is already rising in many states. Sadly, this fear is not new. Over the years, party primaries in Nigeria have become dangerous political battles marked by violence, intimidation, shootings, thuggery and sometimes killings.

Instead of being peaceful democratic exercises where delegates freely choose candidates, primaries often resemble war zones. Supporters clash violently, ballot boxes disappear, political thugs invade venues, and security agencies struggle to contain chaos. In some cases, lives are lost before the main elections even begin.

This ugly trend must stop. No political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. Democracy cannot grow in an atmosphere of fear, violence and lawlessness. If Nigeria truly wants credible elections in 2027, political parties must first conduct peaceful and transparent primaries.

The first step is for political parties to stop treating primaries as “do-or-die” affairs. Many politicians see losing a primary as political death because politics in Nigeria has become heavily tied to money, power and access to government resources. As long as politics remains a desperate struggle for survival and wealth, violence will continue.

Party leaders must therefore promote internal democracy. Delegates should be allowed to vote freely without intimidation or manipulation. Candidates must also accept defeat gracefully instead of mobilising thugs to attack opponents or disrupt the process.

Another major problem is the open use of political thugs. During primaries, armed youths are often hired to scare delegates, snatch materials or attack rival camps. Some politicians even move around with convoys of armed supporters as if preparing for battle.

Security agencies must take a firm stand against this. The police, DSS, NSCDC and other agencies must identify flashpoints early and arrest known troublemakers before violence erupts. There should also be strict enforcement against the carrying of weapons around primary venues.

Equally important is the issue of vote-buying. In many primaries, delegates are openly bribed with huge sums of money. Once money enters the process heavily, tension naturally rises because desperate politicians will do anything to protect their financial investment.

Political parties must introduce stricter monitoring systems. Delegates’ accreditation should be transparent and electronic where possible. Independent observers and media organisations should also be allowed to monitor the process closely.

Party leadership also has a huge responsibility. Many crises begin because party executives manipulate delegates’ lists or secretly impose candidates. Once aspirants feel cheated, anger spreads quickly among supporters and violence becomes likely.

To avoid this, parties must maintain fairness and transparency from the beginning. Clear rules should be followed by everybody, including powerful politicians and governors. If aspirants trust the process, they are more likely to accept the outcome peacefully.

Political language must also change. Too often, politicians use dangerous words that heat up the atmosphere. Statements like “we must win at all costs” or “power must remain with us” encourage supporters to see opponents as enemies instead of fellow party members.

Leaders must preach peace before, during and after primaries. Supporters should understand that politics is a competition, not a war.

Traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society groups also have important roles to play. They must continue speaking against political violence and advising young people not to allow themselves to be used as tools for destruction.

Most political thugs are unemployed youths who are recruited with small amounts of money. Many end up dead, injured or abandoned after elections, while the politicians move on with their lives. Nigerian youths must realise that no politician values their lives more than personal ambition.

The media also has a responsibility to avoid spreading fake news, provocative reports or unverified election rumours capable of causing panic or violence. Responsible journalism is critical during politically sensitive periods.

INEC, although not directly responsible for party primaries, must also continue putting pressure on political parties to obey electoral laws and democratic principles. Parties that repeatedly conduct violent or fraudulent primaries should face sanctions.

Nigeria cannot continue normalising political violence. Every election season should not become a period of fear, bloodshed and destruction. Democracy is supposed to give citizens choices peacefully, not bury young Nigerians because politicians want power.

As the 2027 election season gathers momentum, political parties have an opportunity to change the ugly narrative. Peaceful primaries will not only strengthen democracy but also improve public confidence in the electoral process.

The real winners in any democracy should not be the loudest thugs or the richest politicians, but the Nigerian people themselves.

By Joan Odafe

Silverbird Cinemas and several Nollywood stars have paid emotional tributes to late Alexx Ekubo, whose career spanned film, television, and modeling.

The news of the actor’s passing surfaced on Tuesday, with multiple media reports stating that he died after battling cancer related complications.

Silverbird Cinemas, in a post shared via its Instagram handle, @silverbirdcinemas, described Ekubo as a talented actor.

“Today, we pay our last tribute to Chief Ikuku, a talented actor whose presence, charisma, and passion lit up the big screen.

“From his unforgettable roles in The Bling Lagosians, Fate of Alakada, Your Excellency, Billionaire’s Club, and many more, Alexx has continued to leave a strong mark in Nollywood and in the hearts of movie lovers.

“At Silverbird Cinemas, we celebrate his craft, his impact, and the memories he gave us through film. Rest well, King.”

Actor Godwin Nnadiekwe, reacting to the news on Instagram, wrote: “This news has truly broken me. Nollywood has lost a rare soul and I’m at a loss for words because this wasn’t the plan, Alex Ekubo.

“To think you already prepared your will. It’s a heartbreak I can’t quite describe. Rest well, my friend.”

Several celebrities and fans also reacted in disbelief in the comment section of tribute posts online.

Nollywood movie producer, Omoni Oboli, lamented via her Instagram handle, @omonioboli, writing; “My bestie!!! Why??? Lord! We had a plan! Where do I start from???”

Actress Shaznay Okawa, @okawashaznay wrote, “Jesus!!!”

Fashion stylist and costume designer, @rexkingsleyok, wrote: “This hits hard.”

Born on April 10, 1986, in Port Harcourt, Ekubo hailed from Arochukwu.

He attended Federal Government College, Daura, in Katsina State, and later earned a Law degree from University of Calabar after obtaining a diploma in Mass Communication from Calabar Polytechnic.

Ekubo began acting in 2005 with the film “Sinners in the House” and later rose to prominence after emerging first runner-up at the 2010 Mr Nigeria contest.

Over the years, he featured in several Nollywood productions including “A Sunday Affair”, “Omo Ghetto: The Saga”, “Weekend Getaway” and “Your Excellency”.

Ekubo was widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s prominent screen figures, admired for his charisma and versatility on screen. (NAN)

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Apo, on Wednesday rejected attempts by Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa to halt his ongoing trial for forgery and impersonation.

The court also restrained Giwa and his associates from making public comments about the case.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, while ruling on several pending motions, dismissed a series of applications filed by the defence, holding that the court has jurisdiction to continue hearing the matter and that due process had been followed throughout the proceedings.

Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, are standing trial over allegations of forgery and impersonation involving Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa Kalu.

Prosecutors alleged that forged documents were used to mislead the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) into withdrawing a criminal case earlier instituted against Giwa at the FCT High Court in Maitama.

At the resumed hearing, Eristo Asaph and Saleh Nafisa appeared for the Inspector-General of Police, while Farouk Akambi represented the first defendant. Ogbu Aboje appeared for the second defendant, and Levi E. Nwonye held a watching brief for the nominal complainant.

In one of the key rulings, the court dismissed Motion M/7/57/25, which sought to terminate the case on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction, affirming that the court was competent to entertain the matter.

Another application, Motion M/12210/25, which sought to strike out the charge for allegedly failing to disclose sufficient material evidence, was also dismissed. The court held that service on the first defendant was proper and adequate.

Justice Onwuegbuzie further rejected Motion M/14379/25, which requested his recusal and the transfer of the case to the FCT Chief Judge over allegations of bias.

“I have gone through the application, and there is no iota of truth in it,” the judge ruled. “He who asserts must prove. All steps taken so far follow due process. The court is not biased; we stand for justice at all times.”

The court also dismissed an application seeking the temporary release of the first defendant’s international passport for medical travel abroad, citing insufficient documentary evidence in support of the request.

However, the judge granted an application restraining Giwa, his agents, or associates from making further statements about the case in the media, including on social media platforms, newspapers, and television broadcasts.

On the prosecution’s application seeking the revocation of the first defendant’s bail, the court declined the request, holding that bail could only be withdrawn upon clear evidence of misconduct.

Citing the case of Ameh Obute and 5 Others v. State, Justice Onwuegbuzie observed that although the defendant’s conduct appeared unprofessional, it had not reached the threshold required for the revocation of bail.

“If the misconduct continues, we will look into it,” the judge warned.

The court also refused an application by the prosecution seeking leave to amend the charge, ruling that the proposed amendment introduced a separate offence that ought to be filed independently.

The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, According to Alake, a total of 6,465,667 residents have been enrolled in the residency database, comprising 4,058,333 adults and 2,407,224 children.

The commissioner described the Lagos Identity Card Project, popularly known as LAG ID, as a major component of the state government’s strategy to improve governance efficiency and public service delivery under the THEMES development agenda.

He explained that the initiative was designed to provide government with a reliable and comprehensive population database capable of supporting planning, policy implementation and effective allocation of resources.

Alake noted that the agency operates an open framework that allows government institutions and private sector partners to independently participate in the system while leveraging a centralised data-sharing infrastructure.

The commissioner added that the initiative would further expand opportunities linked to the Lagos Residents Card and deepen the state’s digital transformation drive.

Speaking on security and digital enforcement, Alake disclosed that the state’s Safe City initiative had significantly increased digital traffic enforcement across Lagos.

He revealed that about 86,000 traffic violations were tracked within a few months, bringing the cumulative figure to about 737,000 recorded cases.

On technology-driven governance, the commissioner highlighted the role of Art and Technology Lagos, an annual conference organised by the Eko Innovation Centre in collaboration with the Lagos State Government.

According to him, the conference brings together technology stakeholders, policymakers, innovators and government officials to drive conversations around the development of a smarter and digitally connected Lagos.

Alake also stated that Lagos currently leads the country in data protection compliance, revealing that the state now has 109 certified data protection officers responsible for ensuring compliance and safeguarding residents’ data.

“With technology, the state government has been able to know that an average 250,000 visit monthly,” he said.

“When we see our daily visitors on our online platform we are able to tell how many people are visiting our platforms, what they are clicking on and what they are using.

“Some of the services they are related with so we have backend analytics to tell us the number of visitors. I think the back end analytics is very robust and we respond to questions very quickly,” Alake added.

The commissioner further disclosed that the state had completed about 3,000 kilometres of fibre optic duct infrastructure extending to areas such as Alimosho, Ikorodu and Ibeju-Lekki.