Category: The Nation – Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday joined hundreds of Nigerians in mourning Arise News anchor and reporter, Ms. Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, 29.

Sommie died on Monday after an armed robbery incident at her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

President Tinubu has directed security and law enforcement agencies to track down those responsible for Sommie’s death, a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said yesterday.

Describing the broadcaster’s death as cruel and condemnable, Onanuga said the President ordered investigators to conduct a swift probe to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

He assured Nigerians that his administration was committed to securing lives and property, adding that additional measures were being put in place to combat crime in all its forms.

Mrs. Tinubu described Sommie’s passing as painful and untimely.

In a post on her verified X handle, @SenRemiTinubu, the First Lady said she was saddened by the tragic loss of ‘one of our young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession’.

She said: ‘Her death is painful and quite unfortunate. She has been cut down in her prime. I condole with the Chairman of Arise News Media, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, her family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. It is my hope and prayer that the perpetrators will be apprehended as soon as possible and brought to book.’

Also, FCT Police Commissioner Ajao Adewale has ordered a discreet and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sommie’s death.

The police chief assured Nigerians of the command’s commitment to ensuring justice.

A statement by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the police commissioner had directed the deployment of intelligence and operational assets to identify, track, and apprehend those responsible for ‘this heinous crime’.

The police also dismissed allegations that the team, which responded to the distress call, turned down appeals to take Sommie to the hospital on the grounds that they had no fuel.

Also, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described her death as regrettable.

According to Sanwo-Olu, Sommie was a rising star in the media, and she performed her duties with passion and professionalism.

Idris described her as a vibrant and dedicated professional whose work resonated with audiences across Nigeria and beyond.

The minister assured fellow citizens that a swift investigation would be carried out on the incident.

The FCT Council of the NUJ called for a forensic investigation, saying the incident highlighted Nigeria’s growing insecurity and the need for accountability.

In a statement by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), the NBA described Sommie’s death as cruel, expressing concern over reports of alleged medical negligence.

‘The suggestion that her chances of survival may have been compromised by a hospital’s failure to act urgently is shocking and demands accountability,’ said the NBA.

The body of Nigerian lawyers called for a thorough investigation into the robbery and the hospital’s handling of the case.

It stressed that Nigerians must not only be safe from insecurity but must also trust that healthcare institutions would save lives during emergencies.

Also, there are new facts about how the broadcaster died in Abuja.

Giving details during the Arise TV’s ‘Morning Show’, Sommie’s colleague, Ojy Okpe, said she jumped from her room after learning that 14 armed robbers had stormed the building.

Though she survived the fall, she reportedly died after hospital workers allegedly refused to give her immediate treatment.

Her colleagues accused Maitama Hospital in Abuja of negligence, claiming that Sommie and a security guard injured during the attack were denied urgent care because the hospital workers demanded identification documents before treatment.

Ojy Okpe and Reuben Abati described the incident as a preventable tragedy linked to systemic failures in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

Abati condemned the hospital’s conduct, calling it a violation of medical ethics and Nigerian law, which mandates that accident and emergency victims be treated immediately.

Wazobia FM has marked this year’s World Heart Day with a Heart Walk in Ajegunle, Lagos.

The event, tagged Heart Waka for Life, commenced at the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Participants marched through the community to Maracana Stadium, where fitness activities were held to promote healthier living.

Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Olalekan Akindipe joined the walk side by side with residents.

He described the event as an important step towards building stronger, healthier lifestyles in the community.

The energy of the walk was further boosted by Wazobia FM presenters, who brought their on-air charisma to the streets.

They were joined by top celebrities including Korexx, Cute Abiola, Aproko Doctor, Kemen, Kaffy, Kenny Blaq, and Broda Shaggi, while Mr Macaroni and Gossip Loaded offered their support online.

General Manager for Wazobia FM, Cool FM, Nigeria Info FM, and Kids FM, Femi Obong-Daniels, explained that the Heart Walk was designed to get everyone in the council involved in fitness and health awareness.

Program Managers of the stations and some On-Air Personalities also stressed the benefits of regular walking, highlighting its role in preventing heart disease, improving cardiovascular fitness, and boosting energy levels.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youths and consolidating economic reforms, as the country marked its 65th Independence Anniversary.

In a national broadcast from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu described young Nigerians as the ‘greatest assets’ of the nation, urging them to dream big and innovate across science, technology, sports, arts, and the creative sector.

The President highlighted several initiatives rolled out to support education, entrepreneurship, and youth development.

He disclosed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had so far disbursed N99.5 billion in student loans and N44.7 billion in upkeep allowances to about 510,000 students across 228 higher institutions in the country.

‘Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high.

‘We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits. Approximately 510,000 students across 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions,’ he said.

He added that the Credicorp scheme had granted N30 billion in affordable loans to 153,000 Nigerians for vehicles, solar energy, home upgrades, and digital devices.

Similarly, he said the YouthCred programme, launched in June, had begun offering consumer credit to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to aid their resettlement.

Tinubu further noted that the investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, jointly implemented with the Bank of Industry, African Development Bank, French Development Agency, and Islamic Development Bank, was at the verge of full implementation.

This, he said, was to support the technology and creative sectors.

On the state of the economy, the President admitted that ongoing reforms had caused temporary pains, with inflation and high living costs affecting citizens.

‘The alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option.

‘ Sacrifices made were laying a new foundation cast in concrete, not on quicksand,’ he said.

He said the real measure of progress would be seen not only in statistics but also in food security, quality education, reliable electricity supply, and safer communities.

Tinubu urged state and local governments to complement federal efforts by boosting productivity, innovation, and enterprise.

‘Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first,’ he declared.

The President assured citizens that the dawn of a new, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria was within reach, calling on all Nigerians to support the nation-building process.

Sir: The recent war declared by Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG) on Dangote Refinery for whatever reasons is uncalled for. It is hypocritical, unjustifiable and shameful.

For over 30 years, Nigerians have suffered perennial fuel scarcity and incessant price increases. Yet, there is no record of NUPENG and PENGASSAN’s intervention to bring lasting succour to Nigerians. Even at the time that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari encouraged investors to establish modular refineries, what did NUPENG and PENGASSAN do to encourage the establishment of many refineries to bring relief to Nigerians?

What was the role of NUPENG and PENGASSAN all the years that the fortunes of the Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries have been nosediving? Which workable action plan did they present and discuss with the governments at the federal and state levels to make petroleum products and job opportunities available abundantly?

There have been losses of thousands of lives and properties on Nigeria roads caused by road accidents involving the drivers of fuel tankers. What has NUPENG and PENGASSAN done with the monies they have been collecting from the tanker owners to reduce or prevent the road crashes?

Because of the failure of NUPENG and PENGASSAN, the National Assembly had to mandate the Federal Ministry of Transportation to bring the stakeholders together, including NUPENG and PENGASSAN to solve the problems of road crashes involving fuel tankers and other articulated vehicles. Yet, the stickers of NUPENG, NLC, NURTW, RETEAN, and NARTO adorn the tankers and other trucks without meaningful concerns about the driver road worthiness and the vehicle road worthiness.

What NUPENG, PENGASSAN and their allies are doing to Dangote Refinery will surely discourage more investors from going into petroleum product refining, thereby blocking the channel for more job creation while also reducing the competition that could bring down the prices for the benefit of the masses they claim to be fighting for.

Ironically, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is also mobilising for nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery. Will this not amount to economic sabotage?? Will the NLC strike create more job opportunities?

NLC which is now more active in the affairs of the Labour Party has suddenly woken up to fight against Dangote Refinery. What was the role of NLC when the importation of cement was draining the foreign exchange of Nigeria? As soon as the likes of Dangote and BUA stepped in to produce cement locally, NLC also stepped in to collect union dues. If Dangote and BUA cement were muzzled the way the unions are trying to do to Dangote Refinery now, what would have been the situation today? The new investors in cement production would not have been encouraged to invest.

There have been crises of public transportation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for many years now. The federal government tried to intervene with hundreds of buses but the buses were grounded in less than three years because of mismanagement by NLC. Some of the buses are presently in the NLC yard on Shetima Munguno Crescent at Utako, Abuja.

If NLC, NUPENG, PENGASSAN and other unions cannot successfully run businesses that impact positively on the Nigerian workers they pretend to cherish so much, they should stop taking anti-economic development actions which will inflict more hardship on the masses.

The unions have been amassing trillions of Naira annually without meaningful investments which can better the lives of the people they claim to be fighting for. Many Nigeria workers suffer disabilities and other hardships in their workplaces while the leaderships of the same unions they pay money to every month turn their faces to the other side. Who is deceiving who?

It is time for the government to review the Labour Laws. If what NUPENG, PENGASSAN, NLC, transport unions, and other unions are doing in Nigeria is what happens in Britain, America, China and other developed countries, their economies would have crumbled.

The Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Lukmon Agbaje, has said pupils stand to benefit many things by participating in the Spelling Bee Competition.

The competition was introduced in Lagos State by First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her husband’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State.

Speaking during the event, which had the participation of pupils from primary and secondary schools in the council, Agbaje said the competition was more than just a spelling contest.

He added that the competition revives the dying reading culture and encourages excellence among the pupils.

‘This spelling bee is about building confidence, promoting a reading culture, and encouraging excellence among our children. Education remains the best legacy we can give, and Ayobo-Ipaja will continue to invest in it for the sake of our future generations,’ he said.

The Deputy Director, Education District 1, Mrs. Rihanat Adeogun, praised the initiative, noting that ‘spelling bees sharpen vocabulary, strengthen reading culture, and prepare children for future academic challenges’.

In the primary school category, Praise Paul emerged as the winner, with Adedayo Abigail and Ayodele Victoria clinching the second and third positions respectively. Their performances drew loud applause and admiration from the audience.

Expressing gratitude after his victory, Paul said: ‘All I can say is that God helped me. I also want to thank the council chairman for this great opportunity.’

The secondary school category also featured outstanding performances, with participants demonstrating remarkable confidence and determination. Though the results were highly competitive, organisers described every contestant as a winner for their courage, hard work, and dedication.

Some of the parents at the event also commended the programme, describing it as a motivation for pupils to take education more seriously.

The competition concluded with the presentation of prizes, certificates, and group photographs.

Rite Foods Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable innovations in its manufacturing processes.

The spoke while hosting reporters on a tour of its Energy Centre in Ososa, Ogun State, as part of activities that marked this year’s World Ozone Day. The day highlighted the importance of collective global action in protecting the ozone layer-earth’s natural shield against harmful ultraviolet radiation-and reinforces the need for continued efforts to tackle broader environmental challenges such as climate change and pollution.

Speaking during the tour, General Manager, Operations, Olufemi Ajileye, said the company is determined to set the pace in sustainable manufacturing with world-class processes that conserve energy, protect the environment, and cut carbon emissions.

At its factory, the company deployed fully automated systems, energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy, and advanced carbon-free infrastructure-all designed to safeguard the ozone layer and minimize its ecological footprint.

Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Ekuma Eze, explained that sustainability was embedded in the facility’s design. According to him, the company’s unique energy mix-92per cent gas, 6.5per cent diesel, and 1.5per cent solar-alongside low-emission technologies has kept its carbon intensity below 800gCO2/lpb, far lower than the industry average of 1,300-2,500gCO2/lpb.

‘This demonstrates our commitment to cleaner energy sources, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting the ozone layer,’ Eze said.

Ajileye added that the factory’s cooling plant is equipped with advanced safety systems that ensure zero ammonia leaks and eliminate harmful emissions. This, he said, not only protects the environment but also guarantees the highest standards of product quality and safety.

Beyond factory operations, the company extends its environmental stewardship through its CSR pillars-Education, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Stewardship, and Community Development (EYEC). Its flagship programme, RiteOnTheBeach, has championed ecological conservation along Lagos’ coastlines by promoting plastic waste recovery, recycling, and community-led clean-ups that generate jobs and fund school supplies for children in underserved communities.

These initiatives, the company noted, reflect its commitment to circular economy practices that reduce waste, empower communities, and protect future generations.

Rite Foods’ efforts have not gone unnoticed. The company was recently named Food Company of the Year 2024 at the Independent Media Awards. Its portfolio-which includes 13 Bigi Carbonated Soft Drink variants, Bigi Premium Drinking Water, Sosa Fruit Drink in five flavours, Nigeria’s No. 1 Fearless Energy Drink, and Rite Spicy Beef and Bigi Beef Sausage Rolls-continues to refresh millions of consumers nationwide, proudly produced to world-class standards.

Big Brother Naija reality star Phyna has expressed outrage and grief over her sister Ruth’s tragic death, which she claims was calculated and planned.

In a series of emotional posts on Instagram, Phyna accused Dangote Group, a billionaire businessman’s company, of being insensitive and irresponsible in their handling of her sister’s burial expenses.

‘Also on Sept 13th, the day of burial, Dangote groups did not pick up all calls made to them from us, as we were told the bills were not paid, but they claim it was, the mortuary was also covered by the family,’ she said.

According to Phyna, Dangote Group covered only her sister’s bills at Lagoon Hospital, while the family paid other bills from Auchi to Irrua without reimbursement.

‘The bills from Auchi down to Irrua were covered by the family; no refund has been made.

‘In the time of all the troubles, @dangotegroup said to the public that they’ve paid all hospital bills. The only bill Dangote covered was Lagoon Hospital,’ she said..

She also claimed that the company did not pick up calls on the day of the burial, despite claiming to have paid all hospital bills.

Phyna shared a letter sent to her father by Dangote Group, asking him to acknowledge receipt of funds for burial expenses.

She accused the company of impersonating her father by writing the letter themselves and sending it to him to sign.

According to her, she finds the action particularly hurtful, questioning why the company couldn’t have asked the family for an acknowledgement letter instead of drafting one themselves.

She said: ‘This letter that was sent to my dad this evening is really paining me, like @dangotegroup you killed my sister, do massive PR, una give the girl papa money for burial, una con still by una self write acknowledgement letter impersonating my father and you sent to him to sign, so that una plan of after burial nothing else go stand because by then the man go don sign this letter.

‘@dangotegroup, if you needed an acknowledgement letter or receipt for the funds you sent for the burial, you would have kindly asked for the acknowledgement letter from the family, and then we would have provided it. Why typing as my dad? And sending it to him to sign.

‘This should never happen again. If you need something, you ask, as you have always done, because since you can type the letter for us, that means a lot of papers you were asking for while the girl was alive, you would have been able to type it then. Right now, it seems everything was well calculated’.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday listed 12 remarkable economic milestones recorded by his administration as a result of the implementation of sound fiscal and monetary policies.

Exuding confidence about the workability and potency of his bold socio-economic reforms, he reiterated that Nigeria had finally turned the corner, adding ‘the worst is over.’

‘In the last 28 months of my administration, like our founding fathers and leaders, who came before me, I have committed myself irrevocably to the unfinished nation-building business,’ he said in his Independence Anniversary broadcast to the nation this morning.

President Tinubu, who urged Nigerians to team up with his government in accomplishing the unfinished task, assured Nigerians of great relief after the transient pains of reforms.

He hailed the endurance, support and understanding of Nigerians as his administration redirected the economy towards a more visible path, noting that their patience was not in vain.

The 12 milestones highlighted by the President are:

Record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue;

Restoration of fiscal health as manifested in reduced debt service-to-revenue ratio;

Stronger Foreign Reserve, increased tax-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio;

Increased export drive leading to the strengthening of the currency and job creation;

Increased oil production up to I.6 million barrels per day, and domestic refining; and

N330 billion social investment programme for poor households.

Others are:

Rise in coal mining activities;

Expansion of rail, road, air and sea transport infrastructure;

Improved sovereign credit rating through boom in oil stock market; and

Slash in interest rate for the first time in five years by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

President Tinubu, who reflected on the journey to nationhood from October 1, 1960, when the country achieved Independence, paid tribute to the sacrifice, devotion and vision of the founding fathers who fought for self-rule.

He noted that progress has not been static since, judging by the growth in the sectors, including education, health, infrastructure, financial services, telecommunications, information technology, aviation and defence.

Tinubu said life has been full of ups-and-downs for Nigeria in its 65 years of nationhood, as shown by its experience of a bitter and avoidable civil war, military dictatorships and major political crises.

He lamented that the country suffered ‘because we failed to make the necessary investments decades ago.’

President Tinubu said under his leadership, the economy is recovering fast because the reforms are delivering results.

He added: ‘In the second quarter of 2025, Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.23 per cent- Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years – and outpaced the 3.4 per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund.

‘Inflation declined to 20.12 per cent in August 2025, the lowest in three years. The administration is working diligently to boost agricultural production and ensure food security, reducing food costs.’

The President solicited patriotic spirit from Nigerians and canvassed civil engagements.

The President drew a relationship between security and economic growth, assuring that the anti-terror war would be fought with vigour.

He said: ‘The officers and men of our armed forces and other security agencies are working tirelessly and making significant sacrifices to keep us safe. They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.

‘We see their victories in their blood and sweat to stamp out Boko Haram Terror in Northeast, IPOB/ESN terror in Southeast and banditry and kidnapping.

‘We must continue to celebrate their gallantry and salute their courage on behalf of a grateful nation. Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in Northwest and Northeast, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes.’

To the youth, the President said: ‘You are the future and the greatest assets of this blessed country. You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector.

‘Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high.

‘We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits. Approximately 510,000 students in 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions. As of September 10, the total loan disbursed was N99.5 billion, while the upkeep allowance stood at N44.7 billion.’

President Tinubu said under the Renewed Hope Agenda, equitable access to a better future has been guaranteed to Nigerians.

Acknowledging that the reforms are accompanied by temporary pains, he said ‘the alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option.’

He assured that the resources saved and the stability built would be channelled into proper development.

President Tinubu said ‘we must all turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise, just like the Ministry of Interior has done with our travel passports, by quickening the processing.’

He added: ‘In this regard, I urge the sub-national entities to join us in nation-building. Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes.

‘Let all hands be on deck. Let us believe, once more, in the boundless potential of our great nation.’

Sir: The Trade Disputes Act (TDA) sets out exactly what must happen before workers in essential services may lawfully cease work. In particular, Section 18 demands that parties must seek to resolve disputes through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration before any strike or stoppage. Strikes – or the shutting of valves – in essential sectors must follow that strict path. Then, Section 41 of the TDA mandates that any worker in essential service who stops work must give fifteen days’ notice to employer and government, unless they can prove they were unaware that closing operations would substantially deprive the community of an essential service. (TDA Section 41(1)).

These rules exist for good reason: a refinery is not like a picket line in hospitality. Its operations connect to national supply chains, foreign exchange balances, fuel distribution, and ultimately, the stability of the naira. When PENGASSAN ordered the halt of crude and gas supply to Dangote – without any public record that the 15-day notice was given or that all mediation/arbitration steps were exhausted – it risked acting as a rogue actor above the law.

Indeed, recent court injunctions restraining union leaders from blocking supplies suggest that the judiciary already finds merit in the claim that PENGASSAN’s actions skirt legal boundaries. Yet in public statements, union leaders justify the shutdowns as necessary pushback against alleged mass dismissals of unionised workers and what they see as a betrayal of promise. On their side, Dangote management insists it must preserve operational integrity, guard against sabotage, and protect shareholder capital in the midst of global margins and foreign exchange volatility.

Both sides carry legitimate concerns. Workers deserve fair treatment and enforcement of union rights; investors demand certainty and rule of law. But in this conflict, PENGASSAN’s approach is legally untenable. The law does not permit unilateral shutdowns in essential services while alternative dispute resolution is ongoing, and while notice obligations remain unmet.

More than that, this refinery is not just a factory: it is Nigeria’s industrial reputation on the line. We must force ourselves to see it as a shared national asset. For years, the country has imported refined petroleum despite exporting crude – bleeding forex for lack of domestic refining capacity. Dangote built one of the most ambitious refineries on the continent precisely to reverse that paradox. If this refinery fails now, the message will be chilling: even when we build, we cannot protect.

Yes, the union is powerful. Yes, the grievances may be real. But rule of law is higher. If the law means nothing, then industrial peace means nothing. If unions may break the rules when pressured, management might act with impunity when threatened, and governance systems unravel.

We cannot accept a system where a union, by decree, shuts down oil production without due process. That is tantamount to running a nation hostage. The president, as commander-in-chief and guardian of stability, must intervene decisively. He must compel all parties to resume fair process and stop any action that threatens national supply or economic order. He must declare that no actor, whether corporate or union, is above legal obligation.

Nigeria owes itself (and Africa) a demonstration that we can build and manage projects of scale in a lawful, disciplined way. Dangote Refinery represents one of our clearest chances. It is too valuable to collapse under dispute tactics. The refinery must not die because we treat laws as optional.

We must demand: follow the protocol. Respect workers. Protect infrastructure. Build trust and enforce accountability. Only then will Nigeria prove that its industrial dreams are not built on fumes and fantasies, but on integrity, process, and shared resolve.

Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced two men, Joshua Victor David and Abdulmalik Adesanya Olayiwola, to one year imprisonment each for impersonation.

The duo were arraigned on separate one-count charges of fraudulent impersonation by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the charge, David, in August 2025, posed as one ‘Clara Jane’ and deceived an unsuspecting victim, John Brill, using the email address [email protected] with the intent of gaining an advantage for himself. The offence contravenes Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Similarly, Olayiwola was accused of impersonating one Kylie Dowdy via Facebook in August 2025 to defraud unsuspecting victims, in violation of the same law.

Both defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.

Prosecution counsel, Fadeke Giwa and Ukoha Nwandu, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered the defendants’ statements alongside mobile devices recovered from them. They urged the court to convict the defendants accordingly.

In his judgment, Justice Owoeye sentenced David to one year imprisonment with an option of a ?300,000 fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone 16 and a bank draft of ?250,000 to the Federal Government.

Olayiwola was also sentenced to one year imprisonment, with the option of a ?600,000 fine.

The convicts were arrested by EFCC operatives for internet fraud before being charged and convicted.