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A 29-year-old loan officer, Ayomide Lamidi on Thursday appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N11.6 million belonging to his employer of one of the Microfinance Banks.

The prosecutor, Insp Sunday Bassey told the court that the defendant committed the offence between January and July, 2025 at the bank’s branch located along Ikorodu Road, Ketu. Bassey said an internal audit revealed that the defendant diverted customers’ loan repayments and deposits for personal use without remitting them into the bank’s account.

He said the bank’s auditor, Mr Adesola Adebowale and branch manager, Yetunde Ogundare, reported the matter to the police after discovering the fraud. The prosecutor added that during interrogation, the defendant admitted to the act.

He said the offence contravened Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mrs O.A. Daodu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N700,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned until Oct. 7, 2025, for further hearing.

Hellen Ati, the woman who claims to have a child with popular nightlife promoter Cubana Chiefpriest, has taken to social media in tears, lamenting his refusal to conduct a DNA test.

In a video shared on her Instagram page, Hellen expressed her frustration, accusing the socialite of manipulating public opinion against her. She said many now see her as a clout chaser, making her the target of online bullying.

‘He made people believe that what I am doing is clout chasing, content. Nobody believes me. Everybody is just dragging me every day,’ she said tearfully.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other activists and passengers have been detained by the Israeli military while intercepting boats sailing towards Gaza with aid.

The aid, sponsored by the the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) was making an attempt to break Israel’s 18-year blockade of Gaza. The Israeli foreign ministry on, X, revealed that the people detained were safe and healthy and were being transported to Israel. He further revealed that they plan to begin their deportation process to Europe once they get to Israel.

‘One last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance. If it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented.Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,’ he stated.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed filed to challenge the state of emergency declared for Rivers State on 18 March 2025, by President Bola Tinubu.

Presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho, while delivering his verdict in the case brought by Belema Briggs and four others, said the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to initiate the case.

Following a prolonged political tension in Rivers, Tinubu had declared emergency rule in Rivers State, citing a potential breakdown of law and order. The declaration entailed the suspension of the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. In their place, the president appointed a sole administrator to oversee the state’s governance during the emergency period.

Displeased with the move, the plaintiffs approached the court seeking to overturn the declaration and restore the suspended officials. However, the court held that none of the claimants had the legal authority to file the suit, noting that they did not represent any state institution or hold any office that would grant them such powers. But Justice Omotosho stated that the plaintiffs failed to contest the president’s rationale for imposing emergency rule, which was to avert an impending breakdown of law and order. He noted that the relevant provisions of the law were properly invoked by the president, and that no breach of fundamental rights could be established under the circumstances.

He further dismissed the claim that the lawsuit was brought on behalf of the people of Rivers State, stating that there was no evidence that the plaintiffs had obtained the mandate of the people, nor had they secured authorisation from the Attorney General of the state.

Describing the suit as ‘frivolous and baseless,’ the judge said none of the plaintiffs had suffered any special harm or injury beyond what might affect the general population of Rivers State.

Tinubu officially ended the emergency rule on 18 September 2025. In a speech, he revealed that over 40 legal challenges had been lodged in relation to the declaration, including a high-profile suit by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party currently pending before the Supreme Court.

$25bn Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project Gets New Company

The $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project has taken a big step forward with the creation of a special company to handle it.

This new company means the project is moving from the planning stage to putting in place the systems and money needed for actual construction. International financiers like the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) are already showing interest in supporting the project.

When completed, the pipeline will carry up to 30 billion cubic meters of gas every year. It will stretch more than 6,000 kilometers, passing through about 12 West African countries, linking Nigeria’s gas to Morocco, and then to Europe. Nigeria, which has Africa’s largest proven gas reserves, wants to reduce dependence on its local market by selling more gas abroad.

For Morocco and other countries along the route, the pipeline will increase energy supply and boost their roles in the global gas market.

The creation of a project company is important because it puts all the responsibilities, financing, and management of the pipeline in one place.

This makes it easier for investors and financial institutions to trust the process.

The final investment decision, expected by the end of 2025, will determine if the project has enough funding to move fully into construction.

The United States has denied entry to an Iranian delegation scheduled to attend the World Cup draw later this year.

According to Iranian Football Federation (FFI) spokesperson Amir-Mehdi Alawi, those affected include FFI President Mehdi Taj, national team Head Coach Amir Ghalenoei, and seven other officials.

The delegation was expected to be present for the draw, which is scheduled to take place on December 5 in Washington.

The FFI is now seeking FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s intervention to overturn the decision within the next two weeks.

The U.S. entry ban, first introduced under former President Donald Trump, has long been a point of contention between the two countries. Observers fear that while players and coaching staff may not face major restrictions, officials, sports journalists, and fans could be significantly affected.

The FFI has expressed hope that Iran’s matches will at least be hosted in Canada or Mexico if difficulties persist with U.S. visas.

Iran and the U.S. have not maintained diplomatic relations for more than 45 years, and the two nations remain political rivals.

Despite this, nearly two million Iranians live in the United States, and family visitsthough often complicated had previously been possible. The current restrictions, however, have also disrupted such reunions.

Sports experts warn that if the situation is not resolved, it could undermine Iran’s full participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Thursday stormed Oke-Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area to reassure residents of government’s resolve to crush banditry and restore peace, days after armed men massacred security volunteers in the community.

The Governor, accompanied by top security commanders and senior government officials, met with local leaders to calm nerves and assure them that combined forces of the state, Federal Government, and security agencies were working round the clock to protect lives and property. Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Thursday stormed Oke-Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area to reassure residents of government’s resolve to crush banditry and restore peace, days after armed men massacred security volunteers in the community.

The Governor, accompanied by top security commanders and senior government officials, met with local leaders to calm nerves and assure them that combined forces of the state, Federal Government, and security agencies were working round the clock to protect lives and property.

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 62-year-old man suspected to be a member and informant of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over alleged terrorism and extortion in Ihiala Local Government Area.

The suspect is accused of anchoring a major extortion ring that imposes illegal levies on traders and families in the Isseke and Orsumoghu communities.

Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said in a statement on Thursday that the arrest was carried out on Oct. 1 by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu. ‘Preliminary investigations reveal the suspect was collecting ?10,000 and above from each trader monthly, and up to ?100,000 from families organising burial ceremonies in the area,’ Ikenga said.

He added that the proceeds were allegedly funnelled to a terrorist camp commander.

The IPOB suspect is currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing.

Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, commended the officers involved and reiterated the command’s resolve to dismantle all criminal networks linked to insurgent groups. ‘This arrest is part of our broader strategy to flush out elements who exploit residents under the guise of agitation,’ Orutugu said.

The Bureau of African Labour Human and Democratic Rights (BALHADER), as well as the Center for the Defence of Human Rights Democratic in Africa (CDHRDA) and the wrongly disengaged Over 5000 Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), on Monday honoured one of their leaders, Comrade (Mrs) Nwanyieze Ukaummna, well-known as the First Lady of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN who died in August with a memoria session in Lagos.

Comrade Nwanyieze, who turned 70 on the 5th of May 2025, passed on in her 43 Fatai Irawo Street, Ajao Estate, Isolo Lagos on the 30th of August 2025.

The event, which was held at the Akporo Community Hall, Ajegunle Apapa, Lagos started around 11am with hymns and solidarity songs, after which a minute silence was observed in honour of the departed soul.

The memorial service witnessed many members of the workers unions rendering great testimonials about the woman they regard as mother of all maritime workers. Banner of the late Comrade Nwanyieze Ukaummna at the event

The first speaker, Comrade Mufutau Salami described Mrs Ukaummna as a good mother who was very accommodating and hospitable.

‘Mama was a good mother to me. She was always happy to receive you. Any time I went to her for anything, she would urge me to enter and sit anywhere I wanted in the house. She would say sit anywhere you like, it’s your house,’ Comrade Muftau narrated.

He gave testimonies of how the late unionist interceded for him on several cases. He also emphasized that mama loved him so much that if she had decided not to intervene on any issue, she would change her position immediately she noticed him among the concerned individuals. He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul.

Second speaker was Comrade Olumegbon Ibrahim Babatunde who described Mrs Ukaummna’s demise as sad. However, he urged his colleagues to take solace in the fact that the late ‘mother of all maritime workers’ lived a good and impactful life. Another protege of the late union leader, Comrade Emmanuel James, said the deceased played important roles ‘in everybody’s life. You cannot go to her sad and not return happy.’ Comrades observe one minute silence in honour of Mrs Nwanyieze Ukaummna

Another speaker, Comrade James Nwafor, praised mama to high heaven and said the only way to honour her was for him and his colleagues to continue the struggle the deceased led ‘until victory is achieved.’

The BALHADER Director of Programme, Comrade Uchenna Uzoije, himself was not left out in the avalanche of praises for the late Comrade. He noted that Mrs Ukaummna was the first leader of the movement. He described her as his mother ‘in the real sense of it.’

He pledged to honour her beloved memory by pursuing to a logical conclusion the struggle she led till death.

A prayer session for the repose of her soul was held thereafter.

At about 12:30pm, singing of solidarity songs with characteristic demonstration took the stage to wrap up the programme. Comrades sing solidarity songs to honour Nwanyieze’s memoryOne of the comrades giving testimonies at the event about the late people’s leader

The death toll from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the central Philippines earlier this week has risen to 72.

The national disaster agency on Thursday, reported that nearly 300 people were injured, while more than 170,000 were affected by the earthquake, which struck Cebu province on Tuesday evening.

Thirty people died in Bogo City, the epicentre of the offshore quake, where landslides buried homes, the agency said.

Another 22 were killed in San Remigio, 12 in Medellin, five in Tabogon and one each in Sogod, Tabuelan and Borbon.

The disaster agency reported 597 houses partially or totally damaged, along with 87 government facilities, hospitals, bridges, churches, roads and private buildings. It was not immediately clear if people remained trapped under collapsed structures. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake lasted about 30 seconds. Around 2,300 aftershocks of up to magnitude 5.0 have been recorded so far.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol, urged residents not to return to damaged homes, warning that aftershocks could continue for days or even weeks and could cause structures to collapse.

‘Consult civil engineers, structural engineers in your municipal or city engineering office and seek advice regarding the integrity of the buildings,’ he said.