The European Union has congratulated Angola’s President João Lourenço on his election as the new chairperson of the African Union.

The Angolan leader was elected African Union chair at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa from February 15 to 16, 2025.

The European bloc congratulated Mr Lourenço in a message posted on the European External Action Service’s (EEAS) handle, @eu_eeas.e.

The EU also congratulated the newly elected Chairperson of the African-Union Commission, Mahmoud Youssouf and his deputy, Selma Haddadi.

The EU said in the post that the year 2025 marked the 25th
anniversary of the mutually beneficial partnership between the EU and Africa.

“Africa is a geo-political priority for the EU and we will continue our strong political dialogue and action,” the EU said in the post.

Mr Youssouf, the new chairperson of the African Union Commission, is from Djibouti.

Haddadi will deputise him from Algeria. Both mandates are for four years, renewable once. Both elected officials garnered the required two-thirds majority votes of the 49 member states eligible to vote.

Six AU member states are under sanctions and were ineligible to vote.

The 60-year-old Mr Youssouf is taking over the reins of leadership of the African bloc from former chairperson Moussa Mahamat, who is from Chad.

Mr Mahamat served as AU chairman for two consecutive terms since 2017.

A middle-aged woman and her two children have lost their lives in a fire incident on Sunday night in Ondo State.

The fire incident happened at Rainbow Street, Onipakala Junction, off Adeyemi Road, in Ondo West Local Government Area.

A family source, speaking under anonymity, told journalists on Monday that the victims were burnt beyond recognition in the inferno, which lasted for hours.

The source said the mother was a petty trader, while the two children were identified as Bukola, aged 16 and Ife, 11.

He also said the fire destroyed the entire building where they were trapped.

According to him, the efforts by neighbours to save their lives proved abortive as the state Fire Service in the town failed to mobilise.

“When the fire was raging, we called the fire service, only to be informed that there was no water and chemicals.

“In fact, immediately, the officer switched off his cell phone,” the source said.

CSP Funmilayo Odunlami, Ondo police public relations officer (PPRO), confirmed the incident to journalists on Monday through text messages.

“Yes, their remains have been deposited at the morgue by the police,” Ms Odunlami said.

Also, the chief fire officer in Ondo State, Bimbola Araroba, told journalists that he could not confirm the incident, saying only the officer in the area could confirm it.

The Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa, Ikeja, was, on Monday, thrown in turmoil when men of the State Security Service and the Nigeria Police Force invaded the complex and disrupted the plenary.

The heavily armed operatives, dressed in black jackets and helmets, as at 10:00 a.m., sealed the offices of the speaker, Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, Fatai Mojeed, and the clerk while also barricading the assembly complex.

Ms Meranda arrived at the premises with her convoy at about 11:15 a.m. She met with fellow lawmakers at the complex garden, where they mobilised and chased away the operatives from the assembly premises before they regained access to the chamber and resumed plenary.

It is yet to be ascertained whose orders the joint team of operatives acted on at the time of this report, but this development comes after Peoples Gazette reported that President Bola Tinubu had notified the lawmakers to prepare for the reinstatement of ousted Mudashiru Obasa, as speaker.

Mr Obasa had filed a motion at the Ikeja Division of the state High Court, challenging his January 13 impeachment in absentia by 32 out of 40 lawmakers when he was in the United States of America over alleged fraud. He also sought an accelerated hearing.

A building collapse in the Egyptian capital killed 10 people and injured eight more on Monday, with several others believed to be missing under the rubble, state media reported.

Ambulances were dispatched to the scene in the working-class neighbourhood of Kerdasa, where civil defence teams searched for people thought to be missing under the rubble, according to the Al-Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper.

Eyewitnesses told the state-owned outlet that “a gas cylinder explosion” caused the collapse, and a police investigation was underway.

Building regulations are unevenly enforced in the sprawling metropolis of Cairo, home to over 26 million people.

The city has seen several deadly building collapses in recent years, both due to the dilapidated state of some and, at times, failure to comply with building regulations.

Governor Umaru Bago has inaugurated an empowerment programme for 716 youths sponsored by a state lawmaker, Sani Umar (APC-Kontagora 1), in Kontagora LGA.

While inaugurating the programme that involved the disbursement of funds on Sunday in Kontagora, he said it would enable youths to acquire skills for self-reliance.

Mr Bago commended the lawmaker for the empowerment programme, which he described as people-centred. He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the support given to them, saying that the programme was designed to impact their lives positively.

He said the Niger government would continue to develop policies that positively impact the lives of the people, especially women and youths.

Mr Bago said youth empowerment was crucial to fighting unemployment, restiveness and hardship. He commended the state legislators for their support and collaboration, attributing the government’s successes to their continued assistance and foresight.

The governor reiterated his resolve to foster cohesion between the executive and legislature, ensuring the delivery of democracy dividends to the electorate.

Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, the speaker of the House of Assembly, commended the lawmaker for the initiative aimed at empowering the youths to become self-reliant.

He lauded the governor for not interfering with legislative engagements and for promoting democratic principles in governance and the polity.

The Defence Headquarters says the morale of the Nigerian contingent to Canada for the Invictus Game was not dampened by the refusal of the Canadian embassy to grant chief of defence staff Christopher Musa a visa for the event.

The military said this in a statement on Monday.

Several top military officers’ requests for visas to attend the Invictus Games in Vancouver were turned down.

The military was invited to participate in the Invictus Games with its team, consisting of three officers and 21 players, including the team’s physiotherapist.

He explained that the Invictus Games Foundation catered for the team’s accommodation and feeding needs, along with those of other participating nations.

“However, in spite of our best efforts, only 14 members of the team, excluding the team leader, captain, and physiotherapist, were granted visas. Regrettably, seven of our athletes who had the potential to excel were denied visas, preventing them from participating in the Games.

“Notwithstanding this setback, our team’s outstanding performance earned Nigeria gold, silver and bronze medals, proudly placing our nation and Africa on the global map of Invictus Games,” said the statement.

It added, “Furthermore, the participation of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, would have added mental strength to our troops. It is on record that the Chief of Defence Staff has initiated laudable efforts to boost morale of our service personnel who risk their lives to protect our nation and its people.

“The Invictus Foundation Centre, which is the first in Africa and currently under construction, is part of this initiative to provide care and mental healing for our wounded personnel.”

The Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, who went missing in March 2024, has been discovered in FBI custody, facing allegations of defrauding the U.S. government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.

The Nigerian monarch, who also holds American citizenship, is battling a 13-count fraud indictment at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

His prolonged absence has left the royal stool of Ipetumodu vacant for nearly a year, stirring serious concerns among indigenes, especially as he missed three major traditional festivals, including the annual Odun Egungun and Odun Edi.

Mr Oloyede, based in Cleveland, was arrested on May 4, 2024, after the U.S. District Court issued a warrant for his apprehension. The FBI accused him of orchestrating a scheme through his six registered companies to fraudulently obtain loans meant for struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To alleviate the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the U.S. government allowed small business owners to request financial aid like the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), which must be used for certain expenses that include paying fixed debts, payroll and other “permissible” bills.

Loan applicants were required to submit their quarterly federal and annual tax returns, wage and tax statements and other supporting documents to show that their businesses might collapse without external aid in light of the global health crisis.

The FBI found out that Mr Oloyede not only falsified the supporting documents he submitted to apply for the loans but also diverted the money for his own personal use, violating federal laws.

FBI records show that In June 2020 alone, Mr Oloyede received over $100,000 loan for four of his six companies, including Available Tax Services, Available Tutors, Available Financial and Available Transportation.

On October 7, 2021, Mr Oloyede was awarded a $500,000 loan for his company JO&A. Two days later, he got another $500,000 loan for Available Transportation.

Further investigations revealed that the monarch, with a background in accounting, also assisted co-conspirators in executing similar fraud schemes, charging them a percentage of the loan amount upon disbursement.

“Oloyede assisted co-conspirators and confederate borrowers who submitted and caused to be submitted PPP and EIDL loan applications containing false information,” stated the indictment filed on April 3, 2024.

Unaware that he had been indicted, Mr Oloyede left Nigeria and returned to the U.S., where his family is based. It did not take long before the FBI swooped him into custody after he landed on U.S. soil.

Crowned in 2019, the Apetumodu often shuffled between Nigeria to attend to his royal duties and the U.S. to visit his family.

It is unclear whether the indigenes of Ipetumodu were aware of the damning allegations hanging on their monarch’s head and whether the town will choose a new ruler should Mr Oloyede be found guilty and sentenced to prison.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to establish a combined maritime task force to safeguard the Gulf of Guinea.

Speaking at the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa on Sunday, he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leading this initiative.

He proposed Lagos as the headquarters of the task force.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga said President Tinubu’s message was delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.

“The time has come for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritise the creation of a Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea.

“I wish to announce that Nigeria would like to host the headquarters of the task force in Lagos,” he said.

Nigeria signed an agreement to provide strategic sea lift services for AU peace support operations, natural disaster support, humanitarian actions, and personnel movement.

Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, signed for Nigeria.

Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, signed for the AU.

Under the pact, the Nigerian Navy will provide a vessel for the operations on a cost-recovery basis.

Nigeria opposed a proposal to restructure the AU’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (PAPS).

It warned that such a move could lead to unnecessary expenditures and disrupt continental peace and security efforts.

Speaking at the AU session, President Tinubu, represented by Tuggar, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to meaningful AU reforms but rejected the bid to create a new department separate from PAPS.

He said: “We do not support the proposal to reconfigure the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS).

“The reconfiguration in the way currently suggested will only lead us to incur more expenditure needlessly.

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has intensified its fight against oil theft, deactivating 25 illegal refineries, arresting 12 suspected oil thieves, and recovering 95,000 litres of stolen crude across four states in the Niger Delta.

Additionally, troops destroyed 18 boats used for illicit operations and seized other refining equipment in a series of raids conducted between February 10 and 16, 2025, in collaboration with sister security agencies.

This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma.

He said, “The well-coordinated operations led to the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 25 illegal refining sites, demobilization of 18 boats used for criminality, with over 95,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.”

In Rivers State, troops intercepted a 45,000-litre DAF truck with multiple plate numbers, suspected of siphoning crude along the Trans Niger Pipeline.

The suspects abandoned the truck upon sighting security forces.

At Odagwa-Imo River stretch, Etche LGA, two wooden boats carrying 20,000 litres of stolen crude were seized.

In Ndoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, three illegal bunkering dump sites were uncovered, with 3,420 litres of illegally refined diesel stored in sacks. Two suspects were arrested.

In Karakrama, Degema LGA, troops intercepted three wooden boats containing 3,200 litres of stolen crude.

Additional busts at Kumufari and Ogbonma Forests in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA, led to the deactivation of 19 refining sites, 51 drum pots, and 34 drum receivers, with over 4,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

“Similarly, in Delta State, troops projected force into Benneth Island general area in Warri South West LGA, where three active illegal refining sites were deactivated, with several holding facilities destroyed and over 6,300 litres of stolen crude confiscated,” Danjuma said.

In Omadino, Warri South, two more illegal sites were shut down, with 5,400 litres of refined AGO recovered.

At Aladja, Udu LGA, troops raided Cp Villa and Kazo Hotels, where illegally refined AGO was stored. Four suspects were arrested. In Eku, Ethiope East, a suspect was arrested in possession of a pump-action rifle.

In Bayelsa State, a newly established illegal refining site was discovered at Etelabu Forest, Yenagoa, with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude seized.

In Biseni, Yenagoa, a tricycle loaded with illegally refined AGO was intercepted, though the driver fled.

At Clough Creek, Ekeremor LGA, troops faced armed resistance while attempting to dismantle an illegal refinery.

“Attempts to clear the route were met with resistance by armed oil thieves, who opened fire on troops. The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon the area,” the statement said.

Two wooden boats were destroyed, and an unspecified quantity of stolen crude was seized.

The crackdown is also ongoing in Akwa Ibom State, where the military is restricting the activities of oil thieves through sustained operations.

The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Maj. Gen. Eric Emekah, commended troops for their efforts in curbing oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

During an operational visit to the Imo River stretch on February 15, 2025, he assessed illegal activities in Afam, Obeama, and Umuori Creek (Rivers State), as well as Asa waterways (Abia State)—areas notorious for illegal bunkering.

“These places were known for their notoriety in illegal bunkering activities. During the visit, the GOC ordered all life-supporting structures and several illegal refining sites be taken out in those identified sites,” the statement added.

Emekah charged the troops to “effectively deny economic saboteurs freedom of action by smoking them out in order to increase exploration activities in the Niger Delta region.”

Kenyan athlete, Edwin Kibet Koech, and Ethiopian runner, Guta Meseret Hirpa, have emerged as the men’s and women’s champions, respectively, in the 2025 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, securing top honours in the prestigious event.

Koech clinched the men’s title for the second time, having previously won in 2023, completing the 42km course in a record time of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

His victory earned him the $50,000 first-place prize.

In the women’s category, Hirpa secured her first-ever Lagos City Marathon title, crossing the finish line with an unofficial time of 2 hours, 37 minutes, and 4.08 seconds.

Her triumph led to an Ethiopian 1-2 finish, while a Kenyan athlete settled for third place.

The 2025 edition of the marathon attracted approximately 37,000 runners across both the 10km and 42km races.

According to Race General Manager and retired Nigerian long jumper, Yusuf Ali, participation figures were based on the number of running kits distributed, despite over 60,000 athletes registering for the event.

The 42km race commenced at 6:30 am from the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, while the 10km race started at 9:30 am from the Grace Garden Event Centre, Lekki. Both events concluded at Eko Atlantic City.

Now in its 10th year, the Lagos City Marathon holds a World Athletics gold label, with organisers striving to achieve a platinum label, a milestone that would make it the first marathon in Africa to attain the prestigious status.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commended the winners and participants of the 2025 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, describing the event as a testament to Lagos’ status as a global hub for sports and excellence.

Sanwo-Olu, who participated in the race, took to his X handle to celebrate the competition’s success, highlighting its role in promoting endurance, determination, and Lagos’ vibrant sporting culture.

“The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is more than a race—it’s a celebration of endurance, determination, and the vibrant spirit of Lagos. Thousands of athletes from across the world took to our streets, proving once again that Lagos is the home of excellence in sports and global events,” he said.

The governor praised the organisers, athletes, and supporters for their roles in making the event a success and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to hosting world-class sporting competitions.

“Lagos continues to set the pace in hosting world-class sporting events. We are building a city where sports, tourism, and opportunity thrive,” he added.

The first Nigerian to finish the race, Nyango Gyang Boyi, made history by finishing in the top 10 positions.

He finished the race in 8th place, clocking a time of 2:25:41.58 which will earn him a prize award of $4,000.

As the first Nigerian to finish the race, Boyi also won the N2 million top prize in the Nigerian category.

The Nigerian government has responded to the United States’ decision to stop foreign aid by looking for new ways to raise money for economic growth.

An authoritative source to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, speaking to The Nation on condition of anonymity, said that Nigeria sees this policy as an opportunity rather than a setback.

“The Trump aid policy is nothing but an incentive for us to double our efforts to be creative in raising resources to boost our economic growth and development,” the source said.

The official explained that while foreign aid has been useful, Nigeria is now prioritizing international partnerships and foreign investments.

“In a globalized world, collaboration between developed (North) and developing (South) countries is essential,” the source said. “The North has grown its economy, and the South still needs support to develop its own.”

However, the government believes that Nigeria must focus on long-term partnerships rather than relying on aid.

“While we are willing to leverage foreign support to fill gaps, our main priority is attracting foreign investments and partnerships that will help us grow our economy in a sustainable way,” the official added.

One area of concern is funding for HIV programmes, which rely heavily on donor support.

The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, said the government was already working on ways to fund HIV programmes locally.

“The Nigerian government will intensify domestic resource mobilization strategies to ensure the sustainability of the HIV response,” Ilori stated.

She explained that this would help reduce the risk of sudden donor aid cuts affecting HIV prevention and treatment efforts.

“Through effective stakeholder collaboration, favourable policies, and advocacy to policymakers, Nigeria can still achieve the target of ending AIDS by 2030,” she added.

On January 20, after taking office, President Trump signed an executive order suspending foreign aid for 90 days.

The order stated that no U.S. aid would be given unless it aligns with American foreign policy and values.

The former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has filed a suit against the Assembly and the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, challenging the legality of his sack.

Obasa, in the suit which is yet to be assigned to a judge, is urging the court to declare that his colleagues in the House acted unlawfully by removing him while the Assembly was in recess.

In the application dated February 12, 2025, and filed by his lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), the plaintiff claimed that he was removed from his position on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers while he was out of the country.

The embattled lawmaker is seeking the following reliefs: an order of the court fixing a date for the accelerated hearing of the case and to shorten the time allowed for the defendants to respond with counter-affidavits or written addresses to seven days post-hearing.

He also asked the court to order that the time for the plaintiff to file their replies on points of law be limited to three days.

Obasa’s application is based on nine grounds, focusing on the interpretation of various sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The plaintiff challenges the constitutionality of the Lagos State House of Assembly’s sitting and proceedings during recess without the Speaker convening the House or delegating authority to someone else to do so.

Public interest necessitates that this case be heard and resolved quickly to avoid disruption of legislative activities in the state.

Obasa maintained that the court must urgently determine the legality behind the Assembly’s current leadership because it violates the applicable laws and rules.

He further asserts that the court holds inherent powers to grant expedited hearings and time limitations.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter.

Obasa was impeached on January 13 while he was away from the country by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.

The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has condemned alleged attacks on its members by some sponsored suspected thugs.

This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris.

The party leadership described the incident as uncalled for.

He said, “This is condemnable and unacceptable, we call on the security agencies in the state to ensure a thorough investigation of the matter.”

He added that the APC as a peace-loving party in the state would not accept any obnoxious and unwarranted acts of intimidation and harassment.

Mr Idris added, “The APC will continue to maintain its position as the strongest political party in Zamfara State and nobody will intimidate us. The state APC chapter is hereby warning politicians in the state who always attack its members and property especially when the party is organising or carrying out an activity in the state.

“Our members were attacked by some suspected political thugs while moving from Gusau to Bungudu town for a function organised by a lawmaker, Abdulmalik Zubairu.”

According to Mr Idris, the members of the party were moving to attend the official inauguration of over N1billion worth of empowerment projects executed by Abdulmalik Zubairu for the benefit of his constituents and the state in general.

He noted, “The political thugs openly and strategically stationed themselves along the Gusau to Bungudu Road to perpetrate the attack. This led to the destruction of many vehicles and wounding of their occupants simply because they are APC members. We are therefore calling on the state police command and other security agencies to immediately swing into action and arrest the suspected perpetrators.”

The state APC leadership also urged its members to remain patient as the party would ensure that justice was done to all those attacked and those who sustained injuries.

Mr Idris stated , “We are also calling on our members to remain calm and not to be discouraged by any intimidation and harassment.”

House of Representatives member Philip Agbese says he will voluntarily resign if Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan can provide evidence that he sought bribes from the cryptocurrency company during the former U.S. federal agent’s legal ordeal with the Nigerian government last year.

“I’m prepared to resign in my own honour if he can show where I ever demanded a bribe, much less collecting one, from him or anyone linked to Binance,” the lawmaker told Peoples Gazette on Friday afternoon.

In X post on Friday morning, Mr Gambaryan specifically named Mr Agbese and Peter Akpanke as two of the three House of Representatives members that demanded $150 million in cryptocurrency as a bribe to make the money laundering trial initiated against him and another Binance Nadeem Anjarwalla go away.

Mr Gambaryan noted both lawmakers were working under the leadership of Labour Party House Representative Obinna Onwusibe, which confirmed the media report last year that some Nigerian lawmakers had sought bribes from Binance.

Mr Agbese refuted the claim, saying he was not part of the committee that investigated the allegations against Binance. He said he only met Mr Gambaryan once, where they had a brief discussion, but never requested any payment from him.

“I am not a member of the committee that looked into the Binance matter. I met him once in the office of another lawmaker, and we only chatted when I told him I had schooled in the UK. But never for once did I ask him to pay me anything at the meeting, and I never set my eyes on him again after that meeting,” Mr Agbese said.

“So I don’t know, in God’s honest truth, what he is talking about.”

Mr Agbese maintained he could not have possibly requested payment in cryptocurrency because he doesn’t have any crypto account and has transacted in digital currency.

He challenged Mr Gambaryan to produce the crypto account that was meant to receive the bribe.

“He said he was asked to pay the money into a crypto account. I don’t have a crypto account. I have never used a crypto account for anything, whether to buy or to sell, in my life. So I challenged him to produce the crypto account in which he was asked to pay the money,” he added.

Tigran Gambrayan, a Binance official held in detention for eight months by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, says the State Security Service (SSS) was involved in Nigerian lawmakers’ demand for $150 million from the cryptocurrency company, adding National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, “wanted billions in payouts to fund his future political ambition.”

Mr Gambaryan disclosed this in a statement on his official X handle on Friday, explaining that the SSS asked them to comply with whatever the lawmakers instructed them to do.

“The DSS was involved in the House of Representatives matter,” said Mr Gambaryan. “We met with them at their office on Friday, January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to our meeting with the House of Representatives. They alluded to the fact that we had to comply with whatever the House members instructed us to do.”

Mr Gambaryan named Philip Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Pete Akpanke, the lawmaker representing Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe as the lawmakers who “set up fake cameras” to make the meeting appear official only to demand bribe paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets from Binance.

“At the House meeting, there were three members present. Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. There was a third House member, but I don’t recall his name.

“They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in. As you may already know, this ended with them asking for a $150 million bribe, paid in cryptocurrency, into their personal wallets. A Mickey Mouse operation at its best,” Mr Gambaryan wrote.

Narrating Mr Ribadu’s involvement in his detention saga, Mr Gambaryan said, “Ribadu emphasised that he wanted billions in payouts to fund his future political ambition. However, when the corruption scandal came to light, he was trapped—because any settlement would now be perceived as a bribe. I guess he really wanted his boss’ job.”

Berating Mr Ribadu, Mr Gambaryan said, “Ribadu overstepped his authority and embarrassed Nigeria in front of U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

“Ribadu acting like an asshole angered the White House and led to diplomatic repercussions—the U.S. limited visas to the Nigerian delegation for UNGA, and Biden refused to meet with Tinubu until my situation was resolved. In the end, Ribadu overestimated his influence. They thought they could secure a quick win, but instead, they created an international incident, exposing his incompetence on a global scale.”

Mr Ribadu could not be reached for comments. The spokesperson in the NSA office did not pick up calls seeking comments on Mr Gambaryan’s allegations. Text and WhatsApp messages sent to him are yet to be replied to.

Mr Gambaryan’s statement alleging the SSS’ involvement in lawmakers’ bribe demands followed his first interview in which he narrated the diplomatic moves behind his release from detention in October 2024.

The SSS temporarily shut down its media office and transferred its former spokesman to serve as state director in Ogun.

However, when contacted by The Gazette, Mr Agbese, one of the accused lawmakers, dismissed Mr Gambaryan as a “drowning man,” denying his involvement in the demand for a bribe from Binance.

“You know, when a man is drowning, he tries to hang on anything he sees. The allegations have been investigated by the Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes. They have addressed a press conference on the matter,” Mr Agbese said. “The matter is in court.”

He added, “The allegation is not strange knowing the kind of business Binance people are into. You know what cryptocurrency means? It is a transaction that takes place between two criminals, people who facilitate transactions between criminals. I’m not a party to that.”

Mr Onwusibe, another lawmaker Mr Gambaryan accused, said, “I am already in court with them, so I don’t want to speak on the matter again.”

However, Mr Akpanke could not be reached as his contact could not be found on the National Assembly’s website, where The Gazette found his colleagues’ contact.

The Canadian High Commission has remained silent on the refusal to grant a visa to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

In a terse statement, the High Commission cited privacy concerns as the reason for not addressing the issue.

“The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports related to planned travel by senior officials. However, for privacy reasons, we are unable to comment on the status of visa applications of specific individuals,” the statement read.

General Musa disclosed that he and several senior military officers were denied visas, leaving some stranded. Expressing disappointment, he described the incident as a “wake-up call” for Nigeria to reinforce its sovereignty and avoid being taken for granted by foreign nations.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in his reaction, said there was no justification for the denial.

The Head of Financial Crime Compliance at cryptocurrency firm, Binance, Tigran Gambaryan, who spent eight months in a Nigerian detention facility over alleged corruption, has identified three Nigerian lawmakers who allegedly demanded a bribe of $150m from him.

Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, a 37-year-old British Kenyan who serves as the regional manager for Africa at Binance.

Both were charged with money laundering involving $35 million, as initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Anjarwalla managed to escape from custody on March 22, 2024.

However, Gambaryan was released following the intervention of the United States government.

While in detention, the Binance boss said some lawmakers in the House of Representatives demanded bribes from him.

Taking to his verified X handle, Gambaryan named Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe and Peter Akpanke, all members of the House, as the men who allegedly demanded the huge sum from him.

Gambaryan’s post on X read in part, “The DSS was involved in the House of Representatives matter. We met with them at their office on Friday, January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to our meeting with the House of Representatives. They alluded to the fact that we had to comply with whatever the House members instructed us to do.

“At the House meeting, there were three members present. Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. There was a third House member, but I don’t recall his name.

“They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in. As you may already know, this ended with them asking for a $150m bribe, paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets. A Micky Mouse operation at its best.”

Reacting to the development, however, Agbese, who doubles as the Deputy Spokesman of the House, has called on the Binance boss to support his claims with evidence or face the consequences of his actions.

Speaking with PUNCH Online, the Benue lawmaker said, “I am outraged by the false allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of the controversial crypto firm Binance, claiming that I was among those who demanded a $150m bribe from him.

“These allegations are false. I was not part of any meeting with any Binance executive regarding money for any purpose. The leadership of the committee took the matter to court, and Binance has already apologised.

Tunji-Ojo, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, said the action by the Canadian embassy is condemnable and shows a lack of respect for Nigeria.

“Without knowing the full facts, I think even for us it is a policy, the issue of reciprocity as I always say, has to be given due consideration.

“As much as we are not ready to dabble into the sovereignty of other nations, the issue of visas, issue of migration management is a sovereign issue.

“As much as we don’t want to dabble into that, it is not a disrespect to the Chief of Defence Staff, to me, without knowing the facts, it is disrespectful to the country, and it is disrespectful to us as a people. If that can happen to the chief of defence staff, then I am worried for an average Nigerian.”

The Minister said that he was struggling to find justification for the action by Canada, noting that even if there were questions the embassy needed, there were diplomatic back channels in which that could have been done.

He said he was confident the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would take the necessary steps to resolve the issue diplomatically and ensure mutual respect between the two nations.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has approved the appointment of Kabir Akanbi, as the Acting Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, effective from February 13, 2025.

This was contained in a press statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations of the Supreme Court, Ahmed Umar.

According to the statement, Akanbi’s appointment follows the retirement of Hajo Sarki Bello, who attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years in public service.

Prior to his appointment, Akanbi served as the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of the Election Petition Tribunal Unit at the Court of Appeal headquarters, Abuja.

Akanbi has over 20 years of experience in judicial administration, legal reforms, and public service, and he has made significant contributions to the modernization of Nigeria’s judicial system.

Akanbi obtained his law degree from the University of Ibadan in 2001 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2003 after attending the Nigerian Law School in Lagos. He further earned a Master’s degree in Law from Temple University, Philadelphia, USA, in 2005.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Institute of Information Management, Africa, Akanbi has played a pivotal role in integrating technology-driven innovations into judicial processes.

His tenure as Deputy Chief Registrar at the Court of Appeal was marked by groundbreaking reforms in election petition tribunal management, case tracking, and anti-corruption initiatives.

Congratulating him on his new role, the CJN “urged him to apply his vast experience in legal practice, corporate advisory, and public service leadership, particularly in software development and legal technology, to further enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of the Supreme Court”.

Elder statesman and chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayodele Adebanjo, has died at the age of 96.

Mr Adebanjo died on Friday morning at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State.

The family confirmed his death in a statement made available to our correspondent on Friday.

The statement was jointly signed by his children, namely, Mrs. Ayotunde Atteh (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), Mrs. Adeola Azeez (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), and Mr. Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo.

“He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025, at his Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria home at the age of 96,” the statement read.

It added, “We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, and justice.

“His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total, and this he fought for until he breathed his last breath.”

The family also disclosed that consultations are ongoing with Adebanjo’s friends, associates, and various interest groups across the country and beyond to finalise plans for a befitting funeral.

According to the statement, details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, adding that a condolence register has been opened at his residence in Lagos and his country home in Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The former organising secretary of the Action Group is survived by his 94-year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, along with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, have expelled a student, Goddy-Mbakwe Chimamaka Precious, over her assault on a lecturer from the Department of Theatre and Film Studies.

In an official expulsion letter dated February 13, 2025, and signed by the Acting Registrar, Mr. Victor I. Modebelu, the university stated that the decision followed the recommendation of the Student Disciplinary Committee, which found the student’s actions to be a gross violation of the institution’s disciplinary regulations, specifically Regulation 4 (SDR).

The incident, which gained widespread attention after a video surfaced online, reportedly involved Precious attacking the lecturer identified as Dr. Chukwudi Okoye.

The attack followed the interruption of a TikTok video she was recording on campus. The confrontation led to public outrage and calls for disciplinary action.

According to the letter, the expulsion takes immediate effect, with the university directing Precious to vacate the premises and return any university property in her possession.

This development marks a decisive move by the UNIZIK administration in maintaining discipline within the institution, and it generated widespread reactions.

The letter read, “The Ag. Vice-Chancellor has received the report from the Student Disciplinary Committee on the case of your assault on a lecturer from the Department of Theater and Film Studies, which was found to be a gross misconduct and violation of the Students Disciplinary Regulations particularly Regulation 4 (SDR).

“Consequently, the Ag. Vice-Chancellor has, on behalf of the University Senate, approved the Committee’s recommendation that you be expelled and you are hereby expelled from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The expulsion takes immediate effect.

“You are expected to vacate the University premises immediately and return any University property in your possession.”

The National Examinations Council has released the results for the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination External, which was conducted from November 14 to December 14, 2024.

During a press conference held on Friday at the NECO headquarters in Minna, the council’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, revealed that 86,067 candidates had registered for the examination, with 84,799 participating.

Wushishi reported that 57,114 candidates—representing 67.35%—obtained five credits or more, including English Language and Mathematics.

He said, “The total number of candidates that registered for the examination is 86,067, with 44,988 (52.27%) male and 41,079 (47.72%) female.

“The total number of candidates that sat is 84,799, with 44,277 (52.21%) male and 40,522 (47.78%) female.

“The number of candidates that sat for English Language is 83,220 out of which 62,929 representing 75.62% got Credit and
above.

“The number of candidates that sat for Mathematics is 83,024, out of which 77,988 representing 93.93% got Credit and above.

“The number of Candidates who got five (5) Credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics, is 57,114 representing 67.35%.

“Also 70,711 candidates, representing 83.39%, got five (5) Credits and above irrespective of English Language and Mathematics.”

Addressing the issue of examination malpractice, Wushishi noted a reduction in the number of malpractice cases compared to the previous year.

He revealed that 6,160 candidates were involved in various forms of malpractice, a 27.7% decrease from 2023’s 8,518 cases.

The NECO boss also mentioned that several exam supervisors and centres had been recommended for blacklisting.

“The number of candidates booked for various forms of malpractice is 6,160, as against 8,518 in 2023, which is lower by 27.7%. Seven supervisors, including two each from Oyo and Ogun States and one each from Lagos, Cross River, and Ebonyi States, have been recommended for blacklisting for poor supervision, lateness, and aiding malpractice during the exam.

“Fourteen centres—10 in Ogun and 4 in Oyo States—have been blacklisted for involvement in widespread malpractice in nine subjects,” he added.

He said candidates can now access their 2024 SSCE External results by visiting the official NECO website at www.neco.gov.ng and using their examination registration number.

Wushishi also extended his gratitude to the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, among others, for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the examination process.