Ecobank has increased its cost of SMS alerts to N6 from N5, effective May 1, 2025. The hike was announced in an email sent to its customers on Wednesday, citing a “revised tariff” for the change.

“We understand that this change may cause some inconvenience and want to assure you that the decision was made after careful consideration.

“We remained committed to delivering the best possible service and sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support,” the email stated.

The increase came after recent tariff hikes by telecom operators that jerked up prices for data and voice calls, citing rising operation costs in the country.

Although financial institutions rely on SMS to notify customers of account transactions, many offer email alerts as a free alternative.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 24.23 per cent in March 2025.

Meanwhile, finance minister Wale Edun has said the federal government plans to reduce the inflation rate to single digit and create more jobs.

Mr Edun stated this during a press conference at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings on Saturday in Washington D.C.

Eleven people have been killed in clashes in a Damascus suburb as armed groups attacked civilians and security forces, Syria’s official SANA news agency reported on Wednesday.Since late Tuesday, armed groups have been firing on civilian and public security vehicles on the roads, while other assailants attacked a checkpoint in Sahnaya city, south of the capital, SANA reported.

Residents told DPA that machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades had caused damage to homes and cars and left many residents frightened for their safety.

Security forces had advanced to the centre of Sahnaya amid heavy gunfire to reach Druze-dominated neighbourhoods in the city, one resident said.

The clashes in Sahnaya came one day after violence erupted in the town of Jaramana, also near Damascus, sparked by an audio recording of a person insulting the Muslim prophet Mohammed.

At least 17 were killed in the Jaramana clashes, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The recording was attributed to a member of the Druze community, sparking clashes between members of the Druze community and other groups.

On Tuesday, the interior ministry said they are still working to identify the person speaking in the recording.

A statement from the Druze community in Jaramana said the recording was fabricated to incite sedition.

Since the overthrow of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, Syria’s new Islamist leadership has called for unity and promised inclusivity, but deadly violence has repeatedly broken out.

In March, clashes erupted between Syrian security forces under the country’s new authorities and gunmen loyal to al-Assad in Syria’s western coastal region.

The fighting left hundreds dead.

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has partnered with the Nigerian Exchange Group to achieve its ambitious $6 billion investment targetIn a statement on Tuesday, the ministry underscored its commitment during a closing gong ceremony at the NGX in Lagos.

Trade minister Jumoke Oduwole outlined FMITI’s ambitious target to facilitate $6 billion in foreign investment into Nigeria’s productive economy in 2025.

Ms Oduwole was at the stock exchange to perform the distinguished closing gong ceremony on the Nigerian Exchange in Lagos on April 28.

Explaining further the financial targets and strategic vision of the $6 billion target, she said $3 billion was projected to come from foreign direct investment into key sectors.

According to her, such sectors include infrastructure, manufacturing, agribusiness, technology, and renewable energy.

Ms Oduwole explained that these sectors were pivotal to creating jobs, promoting exports, and enhancing Nigeria’s productive capacity. She said another $3 billion would be mobilised through foreign portfolio investment (FPI) by leveraging innovative financial instruments like green bonds, diaspora-linked securities, and SME-focused platforms.

She noted that these efforts aimed to deepen market liquidity and align capital flows with national priorities.

Ms Oduwole emphasised the integral role of capital markets in driving economic resilience and sustainable growth.

She said, “Deepening Nigeria’s capital markets is fundamental to improving investment flows, creating jobs, and sustaining long-term economic resilience.”

Ahonsi Unuigbe, chairman of NGX, reinforced the importance of this collaboration.

Temi Popoola, group managing director of NGX Group, highlighted the exchange’s technology-driven vision.

A Ukrainian drone attack ignited a fire on Wednesday at an industrial site in the Russian city of Murom, about 300 kilometres east of Moscow.According to Russian Telegram news channel Astra, citing local residents, the target was a factory producing ignition devices.

However, the governor of the Vladimir region, Aleksandr Avdeyev, said on Telegram that only a warehouse had caught fire.

He added that the blaze, now extinguished, was triggered by falling drones.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said that 34 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight, including three over the Vladimir region.

Ukraine had been defending itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion for more than three years, with substantial Western support.

As part of its military response, Kiev had frequently targeted sites inside Russian territory.

However, the damage and casualties caused by Ukrainian strikes were limited compared to the destruction and human suffering inflicted by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Junior petroleum minister Heineken Lokpobiri has described the joint venture between Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Caverton Offshore Support Group and Stenabulk as a strategic industry alignment.Mr Lokpobiri also said the JV was a bold step toward enhancing shipping operations, strengthening local content, and driving economic growth.

A statement on Wednesday said that the minister, who spoke during a strategic engagement with the JV partners, restated the importance of cross-sector collaboration in achieving national profitability goals.

He attributed the JV to President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and foresight in industry reforms.

“This joint venture is a testament to the president’s vision. It reflects the kind of impact-driven collaboration that we believe will transform the energy sector and strengthen Nigeria’s economic position.

”For us to maximise expected profitability and deliver long-term value to the nation, every sector of the industry must be actively firm and aligned with one another. The JV represents a practical example of the government’s local content aspirations becoming reality,” he said.

Mr Lokpobiri expressed satisfaction with the partnership with Caverton, an indigenous firm.

The chief operating officer of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Olabode Makanjuola, affirmed the company’s readiness to deliver on the objectives of the joint venture.

The general manager of Stenabulk, Fredrik Eriksson, also described the partnership as a unique opportunity to merge international shipping expertise with local operational strength.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has urged the National Environmental Standard Regulatory Agency to ratify and domesticate its sustainable ocean resources management agreements.NSC executive secretary Pius Akutah said this in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Akutah spoke during a courtesy visit by Jonathan Dajely, NESRA acting director of the Lagos Liaison Office, to the NSC’s office in Lagos.

The executive secretary noted that the federal government through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was committed to sustainable ocean resource management.

“The NSC commends the National Environmental Standard Regulatory Agency for its crucial enforcement activities in the nation’s seaports.

“We cannot overemphasise the importance of allowing NESRA to carry out its mandate unhindered at the nation’s seaport.

“The Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is committed to sustainable ocean resource management and NESRA needs to ratify and domesticate its agreements for mutual benefit,” he said.

Mr Akutah added that there was a need for synergy among government agencies, emphasising collaboration over antagonism to boost the marine sector.

On Wednesday, a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court sentenced a 33-year-old man, Salisu Abubakar, to eight months’ imprisonment for stealing wrappers worth N830,000.The magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, however, gave the convict, a resident of Liberia Road, Malali, Kaduna, an option of a N50,000 fine.

The magistrate warned the convict to desist from committing crimes and ordered the return of the stolen wrappers to the owner.

Earlier, the convict had pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him.

Following the guilty plea, the prosecutor, Chidi Leo, urged the court to try him summarily under Section 286 sub 2 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The prosecutor told the court that Mr Abubakar had committed the offences on April 18 at Ungwan Rimi Road, Kaduna.

Mr Leo said that Mr Abubakar and two others, now at large, broke into a shop belonging to the complainant, Rabiu Nasir, and stole wrappers and lace fabrics valued at N830,000.

He said Mr Abubakar was caught with the stolen items while the others ran away.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released Nigerian socialite and businessman Emeka Okonkwo, popularly known as E-Money, on bail following his arrest over alleged naira abuse.E-Money was taken into custody by the EFCC on Tuesday, April 28, after being arrested late Monday night at his residence in the Omole area of Lagos.

He was then moved to the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja.

The socialite was said to have allegedly sprayed naira at a public event, including United States dollars, thereby also violating Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

After regaining his freedom, E-Money shared a calm update via his Instagram handle.

The businessman was seen at home with a gospel track playing softly in the background.

“No tension, everywhere good. I see all your love and support. God bless you all,” he wrote.

Likewise, fellow socialite Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, also took to Instagram to celebrate E-Money’s release.

He wrote, “My brother don fall out. To God be the glory.”

The anti-graft agency has been cracking down hard on individuals accused of abusing the Nigerian currency.

Just days ago, singer and rapper Terry Apala was remanded in custody over alleged Naira abuse.

He joins a growing list of entertainers and public figures facing similar charges.

The way out of the problems in the world lies in upholding and practising multilateralism, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has said.

Speaking at a meeting of foreign ministers from the BRICS members and partner countries, he said all countries should make a choice.

He said the countries should make a choice in the face of the U.S. waving the tariff stick around the world.

Mr Wang said China’s response to the trade war is clear and firm: it will fight to the end if it must fight, and any talks must be based on equality and respect.

According to Mr Wang, China upholds not only mutually beneficial cooperation but also international rules.

Cardinals aged 80 and above are ineligible to vote in a papal conclave. Of the 135 cardinals originally eligible for the 2025 conclave, 15 are 79 years old—some just weeks away from the age limit. However, with Cardinal Antonio Cañizares of Spain stepping aside due to health reasons, the total number of electors now stands at 134.

The age restriction for electors was introduced by Pope Paul VI in the 1970s and reaffirmed by Pope John Paul II in the 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis.Among those participating, the five oldest cardinals eligible to vote hail from Spain, Guinea, Poland, Pakistan and England, according to Catholic News Agency.Cardinal Ryłko, a long-serving Vatican official, was a close collaborator of Pope John Paul II and led the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Ordained by Cardinal Karol Wojtyła before he became pope, Ryłko was made a cardinal in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI. He played a role in shaping lay ministry initiatives and is fluent in Polish, Italian, English, and German.

Cardinal Joseph Coutts – PakistanBorn: July 4, 1945
Cardinal Ryłko, a long-serving Vatican official, was a close collaborator of Pope John Paul II and led the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Ordained by Cardinal Karol Wojtyła before he became pope, Ryłko was made a cardinal in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI. He played a role in shaping lay ministry initiatives and is fluent in Polish, Italian, English, and German.

Cardinal Joseph Coutts – PakistanCardinal Robert Sarah – Guinea

Born: June 15, 1945

A prominent figure in the Vatican, Cardinal Sarah has served under three popes in key curial roles, including prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship. He became an archbishop at age 34 and strongly advocated for traditional liturgy. Fluent in French, Italian, and English, Sarah also participated in the 2013 conclave and is seen by some as a potential candidate for the papacy.

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has flagged off the construction of an industrial city in Izhiangbo, the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state as part of efforts to boost the state’s economy and attract investment.

Speaking at the groundbreaking on Tuesday, Nwifuru said the project would feature a wide range of modern infrastructure, including a well-planned road network, sustainable power supply from independent providers, standardised water systems, broadband internet and robust security architecture.

He said that the city was not a mere construction project but also a comprehensive and deliberate strategy to reposition the state as a foremost destination for industrialisation and economic expansion.

He said, “It is designed to host a wide range of industries, including manufacturing hubs, technology parks, logistics centres, and export facilities.

“Through this project, we aim to harness and add value to our abundant natural resources — solid minerals, agricultural produce, and human capital; attract both local and international investors by providing a business-friendly environment with modern infrastructure; and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, empowering our youth and women.Additionally, it will promote technological advancement and innovation; stimulate trade and economic integration within and beyond the borders of Ebonyi State.”

The governor said Izhiangbo was chosen for its strategic location along major transport corridors and its proximity to raw materials, skilled labour, and markets.He added, “The Industrial City will feature a well-planned road network with constant and sustainable power supply through independent power solutions; standardised water treatment and reticulation systems; advanced waste management and environmental protection measures.

“The industrial city features broadband internet connectivity and security architecture that guarantees the safety of investors, workers, and residents.

“Our government, in collaboration with strategic partners, is committing substantial resources to ensure the successful delivery of these critical infrastructures.”

China is ramping up its propaganda campaign to push back against new US tariffs, deploying Cold War-era imagery, patriotic messaging, and AI-generated memes to denounce what it calls “bullying” by Washington and reinforce a narrative of national resilience.

In response to the sweeping 145% tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, Beijing has openly condemned the measures as ineffective and provocative, arguing they will neither resolve the fentanyl crisis nor hinder China’s continued economic ascent.

On Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry posted a video across its official social media accounts, featuring American-accented English narration and footage of a Chinese MiG-15 shooting down a US fighter jet during the Korean War. The video compared yielding to the tariffs to “drinking poison,” declaring: “China won’t kneel down, because we know standing up for ourselves keeps the possibility of cooperation alive, while compromise snuffs it out.”

The video continued with Cold War references, calling imperialists “always arrogant” and suggesting any appearance of reason is only due to pressure. It cut to images of the Korean War armistice signing, reinforcing Beijing’s message of defiance in the face of US power.

China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, echoed these sentiments on Monday during a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Brazil, describing Trump’s trade strategy as “the open return of the law of the jungle.” According to a foreign ministry readout, Wang warned that silence or compromise would only “embolden the bully further.”A Chinese official speaking anonymously to Reuters said the leadership sees any sign of concession as a long-term weakness, potentially allowing Trump to alter the terms of engagement again in the future. Messaging like “Do Not Kneel,” the official explained, is designed to resonate both within China and abroad.Despite heavy censorship on Chinese social media, especially regarding sensitive topics such as alleged human rights abuses, memes and musical skits targeting US tariffs are flourishing. On Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, a viral AI-generated song set to an upbeat electronic rhythm parodied US policy with lyrics like, “The King has come up with new tariffs! Peasants, peasants, listen up!”—a jab at US Vice President J.D. Vance’s recent controversial use of the term “peasants” to describe Chinese citizens.The satirical track continues, “Tariffs for you even if you are not human!” as it displays an image of a penguin—mocking reports that new US levies apply even to uninhabited Antarctic islands.Through its use of historical references, pointed rhetoric, and digital satire, China is signalling it has no intention of backing down as tensions with the US escalate.China is ramping up its propaganda campaign to push back against new US tariffs, deploying Cold War-era imagery, patriotic messaging, and AI-generated memes to denounce what it calls “bullying” by Washington and reinforce a narrative of national resilience.

In response to the sweeping 145% tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, Beijing has openly condemned the measures as ineffective and provocative, arguing they will neither resolve the fentanyl crisis nor hinder China’s continued economic ascent.

On Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry posted a video across its official social media accounts, featuring American-accented English narration and footage of a Chinese MiG-15 shooting down a US fighter jet during the Korean War. The video compared yielding to the tariffs to “drinking poison,” declaring: “China won’t kneel down, because we know standing up for ourselves keeps the possibility of cooperation alive, while compromise snuffs it out.”

The video continued with Cold War references, calling imperialists “always arrogant” and suggesting any appearance of reason is only due to pressure. It cut to images of the Korean War armistice signing, reinforcing Beijing’s message of defiance in the face of US power.

China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, echoed these sentiments on Monday during a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Brazil, describing Trump’s trade strategy as “the open return of the law of the jungle.” According to a foreign ministry readout, Wang warned that silence or compromise would only “embolden the bully further.”

Senator Abba Moro (Benue South) has stated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could have won the 2023 presidential election if it had not picked Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

During an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Tuesday night, Moro described the decision to pick Okowa, a former Delta Governor as a “costly error” for the opposition party.

His remarks follow recent comments by Okowa, who expressed regret over accepting the vice-presidential slot.

Speaking on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ on Monday, Okowa admitted that his candidacy went against the wishes of his people.On April 23, Okowa and Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okowa defended the move, saying it was in the “best interest of our people” and necessary for the state to be “connected to Abuja.”

Reacting to Okowa’s defection, Moro said the former Governor’s statement only confirmed that “his heart was never truly with the PDP.”

According to him: “Given what we know now, with the hindsight that we have now, some of us think that the party would have won the election if other candidates, other than Okowa, had been picked as the vice-presidential candidate from the south.

“I think there is an error of judgment on the part of everybody that was involved in the choice of Okowa as the candidate.How else would you characterise this scenario that a sitting Governor, a former senator and a presidential candidate of a party couldn’t deliver his state even to the presidential candidate?

“And to think that two out of the senators from that state were from the opposition parties other than the PDP.

“So, I think that picking Okowa as the vice-presidential candidate in 2023 was a very serious mistake.

“As it is now, you can safely conclude that we lost the election because of lack of commitment.

“Otherwise, how can you explain that shortly after losing his state, that ordinarily should have been a very easy pick for the PDP, instead of rendering an apology to the party and Nigeria, he’s now talking about regretting being on the ticket?His soul was not in the PDP. His soul was not in that election, and that is why we performed very miserably in Delta state.”

Telecommunications services disrupted in Kogi State are expected to resume by Wednesday following a resolution of the dispute between MTN Nigeria and the state government, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria has said.

The Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, told PUNCH Online on Tuesday that the issues that led to the shutdown of telecom masts in the state, primarily affecting MTN, had been addressed, paving the way for service restoration.

“We have resolved the issues. Services will be fully restored on Wednesday,” Adebayo said.

The shutdown stemmed from a compliance dispute between MTN and the Kogi State Utility Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency, which accused the telecom giant of violating operational rules and under-declaring the extent of its optic fibre network coverage in the state.

KUIMCA Director General, Taofeeq Isah, told journalists in Lokoja on Friday that MTN failed to comply with state operational rules.

“After assuming the office last August, I found non-compliance in their files. A four-day verification showed they covered more areas than declared,” Isah said.He noted that MTN initially claimed to have laid 48 optic fibres across Kogi, but a joint verification exercise revealed a much larger coverage.I called them for a discussion where they complained of being overbilled concerning the area of the state covered by their optic fibre.

“I went with them for a verification exercise to assess their claim, which took about four days, and we found out they were even covering more areas than they claimed,” Isah said.

Kogi demanded additional levies, and MTN’s refusal led to a court-ordered facility shutdown, leaving subscribers and businesses frustrated for over a week.

Officials from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service also accused MTN of tax evasion and submitting irrelevant documentation during compliance checks

Meta says it has launched enhanced personalisation features for its Meta AI assistant and introduced a ‘Discover’ feed to promote social interaction around AI use.

In a statement on Tuesday, Meta said the AI assistant could now learn individual preferences, such as interests in travel and language learning, and glean relevant details from user interaction contexts.

“The Meta AI will draw upon user-provided information from Meta products, including profile details and content engagement, to deliver more pertinent responses.

“Users who link their Facebook and Instagram accounts within the Accounts Centre will benefit from a more refined and integrated AI experience,” Meta said.

It added that the ‘Discover’ feed allowed users to share and explore innovative AI uses, view popular prompts, and adapt them for personal use while maintaining control over their content.

Meta emphasised that users could retain control over their content, with nothing being shared to their personal feeds unless explicitly chosen by the user.

It said these two latest developments underscored Meta’s commitment to creating AI tools that were intelligent and deeply connected to individual users and their social experiences

Members of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti North Senatorial District have endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye for a second term in office.

In January and February, the leaders of the Ekiti South and Central districts endorsed the governor and his deputy for reelection.

Leaders and party members made the endorsement from the Ekiti North senatorial district at a meeting held on Tuesday in Ido-Ekiti, Ido-Osi LGA.

The endorsement came barely two weeks after the state caucus of the party endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Mr Oyebanji for a second term in office.

The stakeholders said the present administration had laid a solid foundation for a transformative development that must not be disrupted.

They said Mr Oyebanji’s second term would ensure the completion of numerous impactful projects, safeguard Ekiti’s future, and elevate the state to new heights.

In his address, Cyril Fasuyi (APC-Ekiti North) said the governor has touched every nook and cranny of the 16 LGAs with transformative projects that directly impact the people’s lives.

He described the governor as a man of his word, whose action reflected his campaign commitment. The senator explained that the governor has fulfilled his electoral promises to the Ekiti people and effectively delivered on the six pillars of his administration.

“He has delivered on all the six pillars of his administration and Ekiti North, in particular, has felt his presence; we have felt his impact in all the five local governments and a good turn deserves another.

Earlier, the Ekiti North Progressive Leader’s Forum chairman, Samuel Abejide, said the governor had ensured that the benefits of governance were felt at the grassroots.

The Ekiti House of Assembly speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, commended the governor for embarking on tangible developmental projects in the state.

Mr Aribasoye assured Ekiti residents that no individual or group would be allowed to disrupt the pace of development.

Adefowora Abiodun, one of the promoters of the cryptocurrency trading platform Crypto Bridge Exchange, has been taken into custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after the accused turned himself in.

Mr Abiodun, on Monday, surrendered to the anti-graft agency following a ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, approving EFCC’s request to arrest and detain six CBEX promoters.

This decision is pending the conclusion of the investigation into the alleged offences and potential prosecution of the individuals declared wanted by the EFCC.

Mr Abiodun, alongside five others, Seyi Oloyede, Emmanuel Uko, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Avwerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim, were declared wanted by EFCC on Friday over the CBEX Ponzi scheme that swindled thousands of Nigerians out of their money, worth over $1 billion.

Mr Abiodun’s lawyer, Babatunde Busari, stated that the accused submitted himself for investigation to clear his name.

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Tuesday granted an application by the federal government to shield the identities of witnesses billed to testify against the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice James Omotosho granted the application after the federal government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, moved an ex parte motion to the effect.

Moving the motion, Mr Awomolo told the court that the identities of the witnesses needed to be protected for security reasons.

The lawyer informed the court that the charges against Mr Kanu bordered on terrorism, hence the need to protect the witnesses.

He requested that the names of the witnesses be shielded from the public for general security reasons.

Kanu Agabi, who appeared for Mr Kanu, did not object to the application.

Mr Agabi, however, requested similar cooperation from the federal government when the bail application for Mr Kanu would be argued.

The judge subsequently granted Mr Awomolo’s plea.

Meanwhile, the first prosecution witness, identified as PWAAA, commenced testifying as the government formally opened its case against Mr Kanu.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday commiserated with Mr Adeyemi Edun, CEO, Daniel Ford International, and other family members on the death of Mrs Olufunmilayo Edun, their matriarch.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja, by Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman.

The President urged the family to find comfort in the remarkable impact she made in her lifetime through her devotion to prayer, charitable works and wise counsel.

He prayed to the Almighty God to grant peaceful repose to the departed soul and bring strength and comfort to the Edun family during this grieving time.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of businesswoman Aisha Achimugu over alleged N8billion oil block transactions.

She is also to account for how she came about 136 personal and corporate bank accounts,l.

According to a top source in EFCC, Mrs. Achimugu was arrested upon returning from London through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Her arrest was barely 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice I.E. Ekwo, ordered her to appear before the EFCC on Tuesday and before the court on Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Achimugu was declared wanted by the EFCC in March 2025 on allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

In an affidavit by an EFCC investigator, Mr. Chris Odofin, Achimugu was under investigation for alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, corruption, and possession of property reasonably suspected to have been acquired through unlawful means

The affidavit also showed the applicant operates a total of one hundred and thirty-six (136) bank accounts across ten different banks both in her personal and corporate names.