Nelson Ugwuagbo

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim forfeiture of digital wallet assets valued at $222,729 to the federal government.

The ruling was issued on Monday by Justice Alexander Owoeye following an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Owoeye directed the EFCC to publish a notice in a national newspaper, allowing any interested party 14 days to appear before the court and show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the government.

According to the EFCC, the digital assets were recovered from a syndicate of 792 suspected fraudsters involved in cryptocurrency and romance scams. The syndicate includes 114 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two Khazartans, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian.

The suspects were arrested on December 10, 2024, at a seven-storey building in Victoria Island, Lagos.

During the court proceedings, EFCC counsel Zeenat Atiku told the court that the digital wallet assets were “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of an unlawful activity.”

Atiku said the agency had gathered intelligence on an alleged large-scale fraud scheme operated by foreign nationals in Lagos. She added that the syndicate financed its activities through a company identified as Genting International Co. Limited (GICL).

Residents of Amegu Nkalaha in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State are fleeing their homes following an attack by suspected armed herdsmen on Sunday, which has claimed at least 16 lives.

When Reporters visited the community on Monday, hundreds of residents were seen leaving with their belongings, including cooking utensils and mattresses, seeking refuge in neighboring areas. Survivors gathered in clusters, mourning their losses as they recounted the destruction left by the assailants.

During the visit, burned houses and properties were visible, with residents stating that the attackers took advantage of Sunday morning when many people were at church. Three additional bodies recovered on Monday were seen being prepared for burial.

A total of seven yam barns were burned, while 25 houses were completely razed. Five others, though not burned, had windows and doors severely damaged. Some of the victims had their throats slit, while others suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

After the killings, soldiers and police officers reportedly arrived in the community to console the residents. However, witnesses claim the security personnel seized phones from individuals recording videos of the destruction and threatened reprisals if the footage surfaced online.

A resident, Edeze, whose phone was confiscated, said, “After they took away 10 recovered corpses, including that of retired policeman James Ogbu, the soldiers returned and handed back the seized phones.”

He further alleged that Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Patricia Obila, instructed the police to carry out mass arrests in the community, accusing residents of killing Fulani-owned cattle. “She has yet to visit the community,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in eight new Federal Permanent Secretaries ahead of the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of the year at the State House, Abuja.

The swearing-in ceremony, which took place on Monday, was preceded by introductory remarks from the State House Director of Media and Publicity, Abiodun Oladunjoye. The newly appointed permanent secretaries are Onwusoro Ihemelandu from Abia State, Ndiomu Philip from Bayelsa State, Anuma Nlia from Ebonyi State, and Ogbodo Nnam from Enugu State. Others include Usman Aminu from Kebbi State, Oyekunle Nwakuso from Rivers State, Nadungu Gagare from Kaduna State, and Kalba Usman from Gombe State.

In addition, President Tinubu administered the oath of office to 18 newly appointed Federal Commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). Those sworn in include Linda Oti from Abia, Akpan Effiong from Akwa Ibom, Enefe Ekene from Anambra, Steve Ugba from Benue, Chief Eyonsa from Cross River, and Aruviere Egharhevwe from Delta. Others are Nduka Awuregu from Ebonyi, Victor Eboigbe from Edo, Wumi Ogunlola from Ekiti, Ozo Obodougo from Enugu, and Kabir Mashi from Katsina. Also sworn in were Adamu Fanda from Kano, Kunle Wright from Lagos, Aliyu Abdulkadir from Nasarawa, Bako Shetima from Niger, Samuel Durojaye from Ogun, Nathaniel Adejutelegan from Ondo, Saad Ibrahim from Plateau, Modu-Aji Juluri from Yobe, Bello Garba from Zamfara, and Mohammed Usman from Gombe.

Additionally, Kayode Oladele was sworn in as a Commissioner for the Federal Character Commission, while Victoria Iyatan took the oath as a member of the National Population Commission.

Residents of several communities in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have raised concerns over the presence of notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, in the region.

Reports indicate that Turji’s loyalists were spotted on motorcycles, transporting casualties, on the evening of January 19 and the morning of January 20, 2025. They were seen moving towards the Garsa/Kadanya area in the Bayanruwa den.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fleeing bandits passed through Galadi, Damaga, Rudunu, and Danbenchi, with some sighted near Rudunu, Bankamawa, and Farfaru in Faru District.

Intelligence sources suggest that Turji and some of his men are currently at the Garsa/Kadanya hideout, where they are reportedly being hosted by Jummo Smally, a former rival of the bandit leader.

Efforts to reach the Zamfara State Police Command for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has intensified surveillance at the country’s entry points following a fresh outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Uganda.

The Ugandan Ministry of Health recently confirmed the outbreak, reporting one death and tracking 44 contacts.

In response, the NCDC issued an advisory on Sunday, reassuring the public that there are no reported cases of Ebola in Nigeria while emphasizing proactive measures to prevent an outbreak.

“There are no cases of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria. However, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Partners through the National Emerging Viral Hemorrhagic Diseases (EVHD) Technical Working Group, continues to monitor disease occurrence and has initiated measures to strengthen our preparedness in the country,” NCDC Director-General Jide Idris stated.

He outlined measures including an update of the EVD emergency contingency plan, heightened surveillance at points of entry, and the optimization of diagnostic capacity for Ebola testing in designated laboratories across cities with international airports and the National Reference Laboratory. Additionally, all Lassa fever testing laboratories can be activated to scale up testing if necessary.

Dr. Idris also noted that Nigeria does not currently have Ebola vaccines but acknowledged the availability of vaccines and therapeutics for some strains of the virus.

“The approved vaccine for the Zaire species (EBV) is not currently available in the country but can be obtained from WHO Afro and does not protect against the Sudan virus,” he explained.

He emphasized that early detection, patient isolation, supportive treatment, strict infection control measures, contact tracing, and safe burial practices remain critical in reducing morbidity and preventing fatalities.

The NCDC assured Nigerians of its commitment to preventing an outbreak and urged the public to remain vigilant while adhering to public health guidelines.

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL) chapter, has once again called on President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, to investigate what they described as worsening conditions, facility decay, and inhumane treatment at the hospital.

During a peaceful protest on Friday at the hospital premises in Lokoja, the doctors also demanded the immediate reinstatement of their suspended president, Dr. Jimoh Umar, who was removed last year due to the association’s activities.

Speaking at the protest, Dr. Olushola Baoku, the immediate past chairman of the association, lamented the sharp decline in the hospital’s medical workforce, stating that the number of doctors had dropped from 315 to just 43 due to poor working conditions.

He further criticized the employment terms of many doctors at the hospital, describing them as exploitative. According to him, some doctors are employed on short-term contracts that require renewal every two months, denying them pension, promotion, hazard allowances, and other benefits.

“This category of doctors have no pension, no promotion, no hazard allowance, no minimum wage award, and they work in a harsh environment where facilities in the hospital are not functioning,” Baoku said.

He also alleged that despite directives from the Federal Ministry of Health for hospital management to use internally generated revenue to clear outstanding salaries, many workers remain unpaid.

“Some of our doctors have been renewing their contracts for the past five years instead of being fully employed. Since 2012, this hospital has not employed a single doctor or health worker, leading to severe manpower shortages in all departments,” he added.

The association, which has staged three protests in the past week, accused the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Olatunde Alabi, of turning the facility into a “slave camp” for doctors. They claimed that multiple petitions had been sent to the Minister of Health, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Head of Service, and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), but no action had been taken.

Dr. Baoku recounted incidents highlighting the hospital’s deteriorating state, including the death of a staff member in the Accident and Emergency Unit due to power failure and an attack on medical personnel by a patient’s relative over inadequate equipment.

He also alleged that the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is incapable of keeping a patient stable for three hours due to a lack of functional facilities.

The association further accused the CMD of disregarding a directive from the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, through the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Kachollom Shangti Daju, which approved the reinstatement of Dr. Jimoh Umar on December 12, 2024.

“The letter reached the hospital on January 11, 2025, but the CMD, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, has deliberately refused to implement it,” Baoku stated, citing violations of civil service rules.

The protesting doctors urged the federal government to intervene urgently to prevent the total collapse of the hospital.

Former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has congratulated Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, on her victory at the 67th Grammy Awards, where she won the Best African Music Performance category.

In a statement shared via his X handle on Monday, January 3, Obi expressed his delight at the achievements of Nigerian youths, particularly in the entertainment industry.

“I am ever elated by the huge success Nigerian youths are making in various fields, especially in the entertainment sector,” he stated.

He commended Tems on securing her second Grammy Award and extended his appreciation to the Nigerian entertainment industry and all artists who received nominations.

“Undoubtedly, Nigeria remains home to the endless flow of talents who, through their creative arts, continue to put the nation on the global map,” Obi added.

The former Anambra State governor reaffirmed his commitment to fostering an environment that supports youth growth and talent development for national productivity.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 199,495 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, with a Duty Paid Value of N199,495,000.

Comptroller General of the NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made the announcement on Thursday during a press briefing at the Service’s Adamawa/Taraba Command in Yola.

He revealed that the seizure was part of Operation Whirlwind, a collaborative effort between the NCS, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority aimed at curbing fuel smuggling.

Adeniyi explained that the interception was carried out through intelligence-driven operations and strategic tactics designed to disrupt sophisticated smuggling networks.

According to him, the seized petroleum products included four fuel tankers carrying 97,000 litres, 1,363 jerry cans of 25 litres each, and 311 drums of 220 litres each.

He further stated that the operation led to the discovery and dismantling of illegal storage facilities, the interception of fuel tankers, and the prevention of cross-border smuggling through unauthorized routes.

The Customs chief reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling fuel smuggling and ensuring that petroleum products are not diverted from local markets to unauthorized destinations.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that certain individuals, whom he described as “clowns,” are being paid to defend the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

El-Rufai made the remarks on Monday during a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, where he criticized the state of governance and opposition in the country, describing it as a “national emergency.” He further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of lacking internal democracy, stating that he no longer recognized the party he helped to build.

His comments sparked speculation about his possible exit from the APC, drawing reactions from party loyalists, including the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala.

In response to El-Rufai’s criticism, Bwala took to social media, questioning whether the former governor would have expressed the same views had he been part of the current administration.

“My senior brother, if you were to be in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position? It is a government you participated in its formation, that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam, a Ji soron Allah mana,” Bwala wrote.

El-Rufai swiftly countered, dismissing Bwala as a “latter-day convert” to Tinubu’s government. He reiterated that he had informed President Tinubu that he was not interested in serving in his administration.

“I was a cabinet minister 22 years ago, and it was clear to Asiwaju that I was not interested in any position in his future government,” El-Rufai stated.

He further criticized those defending the government, suggesting that their actions reflected “moral flexibility.”

“If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I would still say or do the same regarding the tragedy within a party I was a founder of, and the government that emerged from it,” he added.