Year: 2025

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has sentenced a make-up artist, Abdullahi Huseini, also known as Amuscap, to six months imprisonment for abusing and mutilating the Nigerian currency.

 

Justice S.M. Shuaibu handed down the sentence after Huseini pleaded guilty to a one-count charge bordering on the abuse of the naira, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

 

The charge read, “That you, Abdullahi Musa Huseini, on the 6th day of December, 2024, at Ali Jita Event Centre, Kano, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing during a social event tampered with the sum N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) in 1000 notes denomination issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying in the said occasion and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”

 

Huseini, who was arrested by the EFCC following credible intelligence, was said to have defaced and abused the Naira during his wedding celebration.

 

“The convict was arrested following credible intelligence on his involvement in the deliberate mutilation of the Nigerian currency by spraying it at his own wedding celebration,” a statement by the EFCC read.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Zarami Mohammed, presented the facts of the case and tendered evidence to support the charge. Upon review, Justice Shuaibu found the defendant guilty and sentenced him accordingly.

 

“Upon arraignment, Huseini pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution counsel, Zarami Mohammed, to present the facts of the case and tender evidence before the court. Delivering judgment, Justice Shuaibu found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to six months imprisonment without an option of fine.

 

“Investigations revealed that Huseini willfully defaced and abused the Naira notes in defiance of warnings and campaigns against the practice by the EFCC,” the statement added.

 

With no option of fine, Huseini will serve the full six-month term as Nigeria continues its crackdown on Naira abuse.

The Eselu of Eselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has said that it may be impossible for traditional rulers in Nigeria to completely stay out of politics, explaining that doing so would be tantamount to “taking salt out of soup.”

 

This is just as the traditional ruler lamented the continuous border closure, particularly about fuel restrictions around the border communities, saying that this Federal Government policy is subjecting the people to untold hardship.

 

Oba Akinyemi disclosed this at an event organised to mark his birthday in Abeokuta on Monday.

 

Oba Akinyemi questioned the rationale for maintaining the closure, especially after the government claimed to have removed fuel subsidies.

He said several efforts had been made to engage authorities on the issue, but with little result.

 

Akinyemi disclosed that “They believe that petrol is being smuggled to Benin, Niger Republic and the rest, and that is affecting the economy. But that was initially, when there was subsidized fuel. Now, if the government says it has taken away subsidy, and we’re buying at a high rate, why is the border still closed?”

 

“Up till now the border is still closed—you can’t even take five litres outside Nigeria, even the border communities within 20 to 25 kilometres. It’s a common question, but nobody has given a clear answer.”

 

“To me, we’ve been making a lot of calls, write-ups, media chats to the authorities, but when you look at the reason why they closed the border and why they’ll not open it, it’s like having a crack between the economic policy of Mr. President and the people living in that area.

 

“When you come to the palace, you’ll see the number of people coming for help daily. But we don’t have that money. Even my salary cannot take care of my workers, not to talk of the security in the office. It is a serious problem,” he said.

He insisted that politics is interwoven with the traditional institution, especially in a democratic system where the delivery of development often relies on political office holders.

 

The royal father said “The truth of it is that it’s like taking salt out of the soup if any Kabiyesi says he’s not engaging in politics,” Oba Akinyemi told journalists.

 

He continued, “Ask him who is his local government chairman, state governor—are they not politicians? Who are the ministers of the state—are they not politicians? If you get one or two things in the community, are they not through them? You cannot take salt from the soup.”

 

Oba Akinyemi explained that while traditional rulers should not engage in “dirty politics,” their involvement in governance and the political process is sometimes unavoidable.

 

“At times, you cannot be an Oba without playing politics. Even the issue of paramountcy—first class, second class and the rest—is it not politics? And some who are paramount rulers, who gave them the paramountcy? It’s politics,” he said.

Oba Akinyemi added that the political system also dictates the influence of traditional rulers, saying, “If it’s not politics, the governor can do and undo—he has the veto power.”

 

The royal father, however, said that notwithstanding the tough economic situation, the Senator representing Ogun West, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has been very consistent with a series of intervention projects in the Senatorial district, describing him as a true representative of the people.

 

“Yayi is doing extremely well. We’ve never had it this good in terms of giving the constituency this level of priority. Particularly, if you go anywhere in Ogun West now, you’ll see his work,” the royal father added.

 

He called for more responsive governance at the federal level to address the suffering of Nigerians, especially in border communities that are bearing the brunt of harsh economic policies

 

The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over what he described as non-compliance with the federal character principle in political appointments.

 

Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Monday, the lawmaker accused the President of violating the constitutional requirement for balanced representation in government appointments.

 

Ndume pointed to Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that political appointments reflect the country’s diversity.

 

“The figures are there. You can look at the figures. I sent you one. I sent you figures. It’s not that I’m just making accusations. And it’s not that I’m saying, well, the president has no right to do that kind of thing.

 

“But it’s a constitutional provision. Section 13, I mean, Section 14 (3) of the constitution is very, very clear,” he said.

 

The senator added that the current appointments fail to align with the federal character principle as outlined by law.

 

“When you look at it vis-a-vis the appointments made so far, and there are political appointments, the constitution is very clear.

 

“It is because of avoiding such infractions that the constitution clearly states that appointments, especially political appointments, should reflect the federal character, and that is not the case here.

And all I am saying is to call the attention of Mr President to such infractions so that it can be corrected; otherwise, you know, these things can boomerang at a certain period of time”, Ndume stated.

 

Ndume, a senior member of the National Assembly, clarified that his comments were not meant as a personal attack on the President but rather a duty tied to his role as a lawmaker.

 

“I know, as you rightly say, people look at me as somebody that is critical of the government. I have the right to do that in the first place. And in fact, that’s why I’m in the National Assembly in the first place.

 

“Collectively, we are supposed to oversight the acts of Mr President and point out some of these irregularities. That is what we swore to do. It’s not personal”, he added.

 

Addressing potential backlash for his remarks, Ndume remained resolute.

 

“Each one of us will stand before God, and God will ask him to account for what he is responsible for. Besides, we are all in this government. What will we tell our people? When you have these figures out, it is already viral, it is already in circulation.

“But you know what, after this interview, those attack dogs or maga-dogs will start attacking Ndume, not the message.

 

“It is not about Ndume or me being a senator. As a Nigerian, I have the right to voice out all these things. Not only that, I have the right to even protest. I have the right. That is guaranteed by the constitution. But from tomorrow, those so-called Tinubu boys or people will start attacking Ndume. These are the facts”, the lawmaker said.

An 18-seater Toyota Hiace Bus with registration number KTG 283 XA has rammed into the busy Damagum market in Yobe State, killing a pregnant woman, four others and injuring 19 persons.

 

Confirming the number of casualties, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, Livinus Yilzoom, told Channels TV on Tuesday that the incident happened Sunday evening when the pedestrian victims were closing from the market.

 

“Note that five persons who died were not occupants of the vehicle, rather, they were pedestrians who were by the roadside waiting to cross.

 

“The driver, in trying to avoid the pedestrian ran into five persons who were killed as he lost control due to the speed he was travelling. So, far 19 persons were injured and five killed,” he said.

The Commander further revealed that on receiving the information, the Unit Command at Dogon Kuka dispatched the crash investigation team to the scene and evacuated the victims to Damagum General Hospital for medical attention.

 

He said that the investigation revealed that speed limit violation and control loss were the immediate causes of the crash.

 

Other eyewitnesses who spoke to Channels Television complained that the location of markets along the highway in most communities is increasing, especially on market days.

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects over the murder of an 80-year-old woman in Ihiala, Anambra State.

 

The suspects were said to have tied the victim’s legs and mouth before murdering her, after which they stole her black CG motorcycle.

 

This was disclosed in a statement by the Anambra State Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Tuesday.

 

Ikenga said the investigation of the incident has been ongoing since the receipt of the complaint on April 2, 2025.

 

He said, “Today, April 8, 2025, the Ihiala Divisional Police Station has in custody one Chidiebere Igboanugo and Emmanuel Ibeabuchi, all males from Umunwaji Ogboro, Ihiala, over the murder of an 80-year-old woman.

 

“The victim, late Mrs Theresa Igbojonu of the same village, was tied on both legs and mouth before her murder. Meanwhile, a black CG motorcycle allegedly stolen from the deceased has been recovered.

“Investigation of the incident has been ongoing since the receipt of the complaint on 2nd April 2025 by 11.30 pm.”

 

Ikenga also added that a joint security team during a patrol in Ihiala had earlier arrested Igboanugo on April 5, 2025, when the deceased’s son sighted the stolen motorcycle being driven by the suspect along Ezego junction in Ihiala.

 

“Upon interrogation of Chidiebere, the security operatives acted swiftly on Monday, April 7, 2025 and arrested Emmanuel Ibeabuchi, whom Chidiebere mentioned as part of the gang that committed the crime.

 

“Further information revealed that two other suspects known as Alla and Emeka, currently at large, are part of their gang.

 

“The Commissioner of Police has directed the immediate transfer of the Case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for discreet investigation and urges the operatives to intensify efforts in arresting the mentioned suspects that are currently on the run,” he added.

 

He said the suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigations.

The Federal Government has acknowledged the adverse impact of the newly imposed tariffs by US President Donald Trump on Nigeria’s oil and non-oil exports, which could potentially disrupt trade relations and affect the competitiveness of Nigerian products in the US market.

 

In a statement issued on Sunday, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, responded to the tariff decision, admitting that the policy would undermine the competitiveness of Nigerian goods, especially in sectors reliant on market access and price competitiveness.

 

According to the minister, Nigeria’s exports to the United States have averaged $5–6 billion annually in the last two years.

 

Oduwole said, “A significant portion (of Nigeria’s exports) — over 90 per cent — comprises crude petroleum, mineral fuels, oils, and gas products. The second-largest export category, accounting for approximately 2–3 per cent, includes fertilizers and urea, followed by lead, representing around 1 per cent of total exports (valued at approx $82 million).

Nigeria also exports smaller quantities of agricultural products such as live plants, flour, and nuts, which account for less than 2 per cent of our total exports to the U.S.

 

“While oil has long dominated Nigeria’s exports to the US, non-oil products—many previously exempt under AGOA—now face potential disruption.

“A new 10 per cent tariff on key categories may impact the competitiveness of Nigerian goods in the U.S. For businesses in the non-oil sector, these measures present destabilising challenges to price competitiveness and market access, especially in emerging and value-added sectors vital to our diversification agenda.”

 

The minister also noted that smaller businesses, particularly SMEs, that rely on the African Growth and Opportunity Act exemptions would feel the brunt of the new tariff, with rising costs and uncertain buyer commitments likely to make market access even more difficult.

 

She added, “This development strengthens Nigeria’s resolve to boost its non-oil exports by strengthening quality assurance, control, and traceability in Nigerian exports to meet global standards and improve market acceptance into more economies across the globe.”

 

Trump’s decision, which has been heavily criticized by global trade experts, will impose tariffs of up to 50 percent on several foreign exports, including Nigerian goods.

 

This policy shift marks a sharp departure from the global free-trade approach that has been in place for decades.

 

Economic experts, in separate interviews with The PUNCH, explained that the policy would raise the prices of goods and services for consumers, weaken the standard of living, slow down manufacturing activities, hinder international trade and consequently weaken demand for Nigerian oil in the US, one of its key markets.