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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Martins Morakinyo on a three-count charge bordering on stealing , obtaining property by false pretense and conspiracy to steal to the tune of N13m in Lagos.

Morakinyo was arraigned before Justice R. A. Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC on Friday October 24, 2025.

One of the counts reads: ‘ Martins Morakinyo (Trading under the name and style of Refined Edge Concept) and Tope Afolabi (at large) sometime in 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted the sum of N13,283,750.00 (Thirteen Million, Two Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira) property belonging to Jawo Technologies and Innovative Solutions Limited.’

The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty ‘ to the charge when it was read to him.

In view of this, prosecution counsel, A. A. Usman, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed for the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre.

Counsel to the defendant, B.J. Fayemi, prayed the court for a date to move an application for bail on behalf of his client.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the case till November 7, 2025 for the hearing of the bail application and December 9 and 12,2025 the commencement of the trial.

The Judge also ordered the defendant to be remanded at the Maximum Correctional Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos.

A financial expert, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, has explained how removal of Nigeria from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) ‘grey list’ will benefit the country.

Uwaleke, a Professor of Capital Market Studies at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi n a statement on Saturday in Abuja said the removal represented a trust signal for investors and Nigeria’s trading partners.

He added that being taken off the FATF grey list would also enhance Nigeria’s access to global finance, trade, and investment.

‘The delisting is also good for Nigeria’s international image and credibility as it signals to international investors, banks, and Rating agencies that Nigeria has strengthened its AML/CFT regime.

‘This reduces the perception of the country as a high-risk jurisdiction for cross-border financial flows and correspondent banking relationship.

‘With enhanced global trust, the country may witness increasing foreign direct investments which have been in short supply.

‘As country risk is perceived to fall, domestic companies raising debt capital might do this at lower costs,’ he said.

He said that as risk perception lowered, demand for securities might increase, tightening spreads, and possibly reducing yields for government securities and improving valuations for equities.

According to him, Nigerian Issuers may also find it cheaper to access global debt markets.

‘Overall, the removal is positive given Nigeria’s substantial cross-border financial flows.

According to him, it is cheering news for the country coming from an international body that was established to coordinate global efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist, and proliferation financing.

‘Its signal value of a strong fundamental governance and AML/CFT systems will help position Nigeria as not only a leading economy in ECOWAS but also in Africa,’ he said. .

Uwaleke, however, said that removal from the grey list was not the end of expected reforms.

‘It only means that the country has substantially addressed the recommended strategic deficiencies.

The grey list refers to the list of countries under increased monitoring by FATF.

It is an international body that sets standards to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing (financing of weapons of mass destruction)

Nigeria was included on the FATF grey list in February 2023, citing strategic deficiencies in the country’s systems for combating money laundering, terrorist, and proliferation financing.

According to Uwaleke, being on the grey list has several positive implications for the Nigerian economy.

‘When FATF grey-lists a country, it means the country has significant deficiencies in its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) framework .

‘It means that the country is under enhanced scrutiny, which often send ripples through the global financial system increasing the country’s risk.

‘Foreign investors are bound to reassess risk exposure and pull back or demand higher risk premium.

‘International banks increase due diligence or even limit correspondent relationships,’ he said.

He said that multilateral agencies may tighten supervision or delay funding, while private compliance systems such as SWIFT automatically flag transactions from that country as higher risk.

‘As a matter of fact, development Finance Institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank use FATF standards as a condition for funding and technical assistance,’ he said.

‘The challenge for Nigeria, going forward, is to sustain them including by effectively implementing all required legal, institutional, and operational reforms to permanently stay out of FATF grey list,’ he said.

Popular Nigerian on-air personality, Do2dtun, has opened up about why he chooses to respond to social media trolls instead of maintaining silence like many other celebrities.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the father of two explained that addressing negative comments directly helps him maintain peace of mind and stay authentic to his true personality.

Do2dtun said that, unlike public figures who prefer to ignore online insults, he finds relief in speaking his mind, as it prevents emotional buildup.

‘I’m human before anything else. If someone insults me online, I respond the same way I would in person. It clears my chest and keeps me grounded. Staying silent doesn’t always work for me,’ he wrote.

He further noted that he chooses his responses carefully, ensuring they come from a place of understanding rather than anger or ego. According to him, being expressive about his emotions has made him mentally stronger and more self-aware.

The radio host added that while he sometimes blocks certain individuals, replying occasionally helps him maintain balance and authenticity.

‘People expect you to stay quiet, but I’ve grown by being honest about my feelings. I don’t fake strength. I deal with things as they come,’ he added.

It was tribute galore on Saturday as family members, associates and friends gathered in Abeokuta, Ogun State to celebrate the 20th memorial service of former First Lady, Stella Obasanjo.

Led by her husband and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, the dignitaries at the Church service held at Chapel of Christ the Glorious King, OOPL, Abeokuta on Saturday include former Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun.

‘We are celebrating a life of service,’ Obasanjo said in an interview after the service,

In his testimony during the Church service, John Abebe, younger brother to the late wife of the former president, described her as someone that hardly got angry and always put up a smile.

‘ Sister Stella was somebody you just couldn’t get angry with because she would always smile through everything, every difficulty.

‘ I remember when my oldest brother passed on, as soon as my sister came from Abeokuta to see my parents or to stay with my parents, everything changed in the house.

‘ With her smile and huge encouragement to my parents, the grief was reduced.

‘ So , when I saw this announcement a few days ago, that was what occupied my heart throughout, and I knew that whatever I was going to say today was going to be based on her smile.

Olumuyiwa, her son in his late 40s now, 20 years after his mom passed on, has a 17-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, and they are doing very well.

‘We miss Stella a lot, because if she had been around, she would have been the mother who would have taken over from my parents,’ he said.

While speaking, Olumuyiwa Obasanjo, her only child, said his mother would be remembered with her infectious laughter.

He said that her kindness, advice and life lessons that she shared would be missed, but her legacy would live on.

‘She was caring and protective – as an only child, most people understand that – but also strict and would not tolerate any deviation from you.

‘ So, I have kept that in mind, and I have continued to try to live my life that way,’ he said.

Speaking with newsmen, former Ogun governor, Gbenga Daniel, appreciated God for the life of the late Stella Obasanjo.

‘ We thank God for her life.

Twenty years down the line, the legacy she left behind, the son and grand children, will continue to miss her motherly support.

‘ In particular, during my time as governor of the state. we named a motherless home after her,’ he said.

In his sermon, Rev. Yusufu Obaje, the pioneer Chaplain, State House, Abuja, said that Stella Obasanjo had a lifetime of submission to the will of God.

He said that she lived an exemplary life.

Stella died at a hospital in the southern resort city of Marbella, Spain, from complications resulting from surgery.

She passed away on Saturday morning, 22nd of October, 2005 ahead of her 60th birthday celebrations scheduled for 14th of November of the same year.

The Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education recently organised a two-day netball seminar for secondary school teachers in Udu Local Government Area.

The training event which was held at the premises of Ovwian Secondary School, Udu, was co-sponsored by the Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation and CSED (Community Sports and Educational Development) Initiative.

The training event was attended by 58 teachers that were drawn from government and private secondary schools in Udu Local Government. As well as teachers from Army Day Secondary School Effurun in Uvwie LGA and College of Commerce Warri, who were specially invited by the event organisers. Teachers from Otokutu Secondary school Otokutu in Ughelli South LGA also attended the training event.

The training which included theory and practical sessions was delivered by coaches Edema Fuludu, Beauty Obamwonyi and Onome Fuludu, who are Netball Africa certified coaches.

They were supported by Ruth Opuene, who is a netball coach with Bayelsa State Sports Commission. Apart from being taught basic netball skills, the 7 positions of netball and the roles of each player, participants were taught how to mark a netball court.

The major highlight of the training course was the session on safeguarding of students and athletes that take part in sports.

The netball training was concluded with a practice session involving two groups of teachers who tried to practicalize their new knowledge of the game.

The Chief Inspector of Education (C.I.E.) Udu LGA, Mr Samson Ochuko Omosonwhofa and the Principal of Ovwian Secondary School, Mrs Ochuko Gere, were full of praises for the organisers of the training event for bringing the game of netball to the attention of their enthusiastic teachers.

They urged the teachers to positively impart the knowledge gained from the training into the sport programmes of their various schools, for the benefit of their students and local community.

Netball is the only sport that was initially designed for girls and women, but in recent time, World Netball, has tried to make it a more inclusive sport by encouraging boys and men to play and enjoy the game.

World Netball is currently engaged with the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the host city (Brisbane) of the 2032 Olympic Games in high level discussions in respect of featuring netball at the Games. The current highest level netball is being played is at the Commonwealth Games.

There is also a Netball World Cup, the last edition was held in 2023 In Cape Town (South Africa).

It would be recalled that the game of netball has been on a malfunctioning life support machine in Nigeria, until CSED Initiative stepped in by launching their ‘Project 2027’ netball programme in July 2022.

The Major aim of ‘Project 2027′, is to bring the game of netball to the attention of one million Nigerian school children by training and equipping one thousand teachers.

These teachers are expected to use their knowledge of netball and further online CPD training to introduce the game to their students.

As well as use students’ participation in sports to promote learning and to meet the PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) needs of their students.

At the end of the training event, certificates of attendance, free netball equipment (netball balls, rims and whistle) were freely distributed to the teachers. The Udu netball training recorded the highest number of teachers to be trained in netball in Nigeria.

It also takes the number of teachers and coaches trained so far by CSED Initiative and their sports for change partners to well above the 500 marks.

Special mention has to be made about the role the Chief inspector of Education (C.I.E.) Udu LGA, Mr Samson Ochuko Omosonwhofa played in mobilising the teachers to attend this record-breaking netball training event.

A driver with the Nigerian Railway Corporation in Lagos identified as Ekene Ofielu has been jailed 18 months for stealing over N6.9million from HabariPay Ltd, the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO).

Ofielu was arraigned before Justice Rahman Osodi of the Special offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, October 20,2025 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and possession to the tune of N6,995,944.

One of the counts reads: ‘That you, Christopher Ekene Ofielu, on or about October 2023, Lagos, within this honourable court, used your Habaripay Squad account created for criminal activity and transferred the sum of N6,995,944 into your Access Bank account 14864072356, property of HabariPay Ltd.’

He pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charges when they were read to him

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Abubakar Dambuwa, called on Adams Adze, an investigator with the EFCC, to review the facts of the case.

In his review, Adze said the defendant was arrested, following a petition dated September 26, 2023 submitted by HabariPay Ltd to the Commission.

He also stated that Ofielu had capitalised on a system glitch to make the unauthorized withdrawal.

The prosecution counsel, thereafter, informed the court of a plea bargain entered into by the defendant, and also urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly.

Responding, the defence counsel, Mercy Akhabue, prayed the court for leniency and urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

‘My Lord, he is remorseful and is a first- time offender,’ he added.

After listening to both parties, Justice Oshodi convicted Ofielu on the count of stealing and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, starting from October 20, 2025.

Justice Oshodi, however, gave the convict an option of a fine in the sum of ?1.5 million provided he fully restitutes the stolen amount to the tune of N 6,995,944 to HabariPay Ltd within seven days from his Access Bank account No. 14864072356, failing which the jail term of 18 months would apply .

The court also ordered the restoration of the convict’s Eco Bank salary account.

Justice Oshodi further ordered that the convict’s biometric data be registered in the Lagos State offenders’ register.

The convict was ordered remanded at the EFCC custody pending the execution of necessary documents.

Manchester United produced a thrilling attacking display to defeat Brighton 4-2 in a pulsating Premier League encounter at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Despite a late fightback from the visitors, United’s superior finishing sealed all three points in a game packed with drama, goals, and VAR controversy.

The Red Devils dominated the first half, opening the scoring in the 24th minute through Matheus Cunha, who slotted home a well-placed strike into the bottom corner after a neat assist from Casemiro.

The Brazilian midfielder then doubled United’s advantage in the 34th minute, firing from distance with the help of a deflection that wrong-footed Brighton’s goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen.

United continued their attacking rhythm after the break, with Bryan Mbeumo extending the lead to 3-0 in the 61st minute after a slick move involving Benjamin Sesko.

Brighton, however, refused to back down and pulled one back in the 74th minute through Danny Welbeck, who curled a stunning free-kick under the bar against his former club.

The visitors nearly turned the tide when Charalampos Kostoulas powered home a header from a James Milner corner in stoppage time to make it 3-2, setting up a tense finale.

But as Brighton pushed forward for an equaliser, United struck again in the 96th minute, Mbeumo grabbing his second of the night with a curling effort that clipped the post before crossing the line.

Referee Anthony Taylor had a busy evening, showing multiple yellow cards and consulting VAR for a potential red-card review involving Patrick Dorgu, which was eventually downgraded to a booking.

Brentford deepened Liverpool’s domestic struggles with a fully deserved 3-2 win at the Gtech Community Stadium.

After a midweek Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt, the Reds had hoped to turn the corner, but familiar defensive frailties under manager Arne Slot resurfaced.

Michael Kayode’s long throw caused chaos in Liverpool’s backline in the fifth minute, allowing Dango Ouattara to fire home after Kristoffer Ajer’s flick-on.

The hosts continued to dominate and doubled their lead just before half-time when Kevin Schade latched onto a fine through-ball from Mikkel Damsgaard to beat Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool briefly fought back when Milos Kerkez struck in first-half stoppage time, but Brentford regained control after the interval.

A VAR review awarded the Bees a penalty on the hour mark after Virgil van Dijk fouled Ouattara on the edge of the box. Igor Thiago calmly converted to make it 3-1.

Although Mohamed Salah pulled one back late on with a precise finish, Liverpool’s fourth consecutive league defeat was sealed.

The result leaves Liverpool in sixth place, four points behind leaders Arsenal, while Brentford climb to 10th with their fourth league win of the campaign.

Technology entrepreneur and community leader, Jide Ogunleye, has received the Pan African American Leadership Award (PAALA) in Houston, Texas, in recognition of his exceptional leadership, humanitarian service, and contributions to development across Africa and the diaspora.

The prestigious award ceremony, organised to celebrate Africans driving positive transformation in their communities, brought together leaders, innovators, and changemakers from various sectors.

Reacting to the honour, Ogunleye described the recognition as both humbling and motivating.

‘When I took on the role of President of my Rotary Club, I did it with one goal in mind to serve,’ he said.

‘Together with my incredible team and dedicated members, we delivered impactful projects, touched lives, and created beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. What I didn’t realise was that while we were simply doing what we loved, serving, the world was watching.’

Ogunleye, a data protection professional and the Chief Executive Officer of Ritemate Technologies, leads efforts in digital transformation, data privacy compliance, and software development for organisations across Nigeria.

He expressed gratitude to Dr. Esha Attai and the African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) for the honour, describing it as a reminder that the highest fulfilment in life comes through service to humanity.

Quoting the Rotary motto, he said, ‘He profits most who serves best.’

‘This recognition inspires me to keep serving, keep leading, and keep leaving every space better than I met it. Fulfilment comes not from what we gain, but from what we give,’ Ogunleye added.

The Pan African American Leadership Awards continue to spotlight outstanding Africans whose work exemplifies integrity, leadership, and service, principles that have defined Jide Ogunleye’s professional and humanitarian journey.

The Kano Operations Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) successfully received 150 Nigerian returnees from Agadez, Niger Republic on Thursday.

The return of the stranded Nigerians was done in partnership with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM),

According to NEMA, The returnees arrived safely at Aminu Kano International Airport at approximately 5:20 a.m., where officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) conducted biometric registration and proper documentation to ensure accurate records and facilitate smooth reintegration.

The agency said following registration, the returnees were transported to Bizare Hotel Luxury Apartments for accommodation and profiling scheduled.

The returnees comprised 88 adult male, 32 adult female, 14 male children, and 16 female children, reflecting a broad demographic mix of citizens returning under the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) initiative.

‘In line with the Federal Government’s commitment to a safe, dignified, and humane return, the returnees were provided with immediate humanitarian assistance, including food and potable water to meet nutritional needs, medical care and ambulance services for health concerns, luggage handling and logistical support to ease transit, and overall coordination to ensure a smooth reception process.

‘The successful operation was the result of collaborative efforts by NEMA, IOM, NCFRMI, and other stakeholders, ensuring that the exercise was efficient, well-coordinated, and centred on the dignity and welfare of all returnees,’ NEMA said.