Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested a popular Lagos socialite, Emeka Okonkwo Daniel (a.k.a. E-Money), for allegedly abusing the Naira note.
Our correspondent gathered that he was arrested on Monday night at his residence in the Omole area of Lagos.
Sources within the commission on Tuesday said E-Money was arrested for allegedly spraying United States dollars, an act said to be in violation of the Foreign Exchange Act.
One of the sources said, “On Monday night, we arrested E-Money for Naira abuse and defacing foreign currencies. Specifically, he was alleged to have sprayed U.S. dollars, which is against the Foreign Exchange Act.
“He was arrested at his Omole, Lagos residence. Preliminary investigations are ongoing, and he will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
Another source who confirmed his arrest to our correspondent stated that E-Money is currently being flown to Abuja for questioning.
The source, who is not authorised to speak to the press, said, “Yes, he has been arrested and is being flown to Abuja as I speak, to face investigators on the issue.”
When contacted, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined to comment on the matter.
Shade, the wife of billionaire businessman Razak Okoya, has revealed that she did not miss out on anything in life despite marrying her husband at the age of 21.
Okoya stated this during an interview with BBC Yoruba about her marriage on Sunday.
The socialite noted that she has no regrets about marrying an older man.
According to her, choosing to marry an elderly partner has not prevented her from experiencing any aspect of life.
She said, “My husband has been very generous to me and defends me everywhere. God said this is where I will be. We met each other, and he liked me.
“I’m happy in my marriage to him. He is far older than me, but I don’t think I ever missed out on anything because I didn’t marry a younger man. I remember when he expressed his interest in me – it was straightforward, and he got down to business by meeting my parents and doing the needful in no time.”
Shade, now 48 years old, married billionaire businessman Razak Okoya in 1999, at the age of 21.
Her husband, who is currently 85 years old, was already a prominent figure in Nigeria’s business landscape at the time of their union.
She confidently stated that she has never felt deprived or disadvantaged for not marrying a younger man.
Okoya shared more insight into her marital journey, expressing deep satisfaction and happiness, and affirming that her marriage has been fulfilling and rewarding.
The Oyo State Government, on Tuesday, waded into the simmering public altercations over the boundary dispute between Osun and Oyo states.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital, said the government urged both sides of the divide to stop the back-and-forth blame game and allow the two governments to continue mature discussions on the resolution to the land dispute.
He said that the media feed on combustible materials such as this, and while unending hostile public statements feed the media nest, they are injurious and distracting to what the governors of the two states are doing.
Oyelade said, “The two governments believe that the protracted land dispute is not intractable and traditional institutions should not be a clog in the wheel of peaceful resolution.
“Governors Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke are cooperating fully with the National Boundary Commission through their representatives and believe that an amicable solution will be arrived at soon.”
The National Emergency Management Agency, Lagos Operations Office and other stakeholders on Monday received 203 vulnerable Nigerian returnees from Libya.
This was according to a statement shared on NEMA’s official X handle on Tuesday.
The agency, in the statement, noted that the returnees were received at the Murtala Muhamed International Airport, Cargo Terminal in Lagos.
It added that returnees arrived at the airport at 19:00hours aboard a Al Buraq Boeing chartered flight with registration number 5A-BAC.
The statement read, “The returnees comprised 50 males, 96 females, 29 Children and 28 infants. They (returnees) were offered necessary assistance by the International Organisation for Migration with the support of NEMA, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons Offices, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Department of State Services, the Port Health Services and the Nigeria Police Force.
“There were two medical cases, and the patients were transferred to New Ikeja Hospitals for treatment.
“After the mandatory profiling and biometric exercise, the returnees were moved to Igando Internally Displaced Persons resettlement centre for further reintegration programme.”
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered businesswoman Aisha Achimugu to appear before it on Wednesday in connection with an ongoing investigation involving her.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the directive after also ordering Achimugu to report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday and subsequently appear in court on Wednesday in the company of EFCC officials.
The order followed an application filed by Achimugu’s counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), seeking to prevent the EFCC from detaining or harassing Achimugu during her compliance with their investigation invitation.
Earlier, on April 11, Justice Nwite had directed the EFCC and five other security agencies to file their defences in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Achimugu. She is seeking protection from arrest and detention.
The security agencies named in the suit include the Nigeria Police Force; the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; the Depertment of State Services; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; and the Nigerian Immigration Service.
Achimugu, an industrialist, filed an ex parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025 on April 3, listing the agencies as first to sixth respondents.
The EFCC alleges that Achimugu, through her company, Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, acquired two oil blocks using funds not traceable to legitimate earnings, and that corrupt practices tainted the acquisition process. The investigation remains ongoing.
In response, Achimugu sought interim reliefs restraining the agencies from harassing, detaining, or violating her rights to freedom of movement, liberty, privacy, and property. She further alleged that her declaration as “wanted” by the EFCC on March 28 was unjustified and damaging to her reputation and professional standing.
At Monday’s hearing, Ogunwumiju informed the court that Achimugu would return to Nigeria on Tuesday to report to the EFCC by noon.
He urged the court to ensure she is protected from harassment, especially considering her role as the mother of a child with special needs.
EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, opposed the application, arguing that it was speculative and that Achimugu had previously breached administrative bail conditions by failing to honour invitations.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite directed the EFCC to continue its investigation while ensuring Achimugu’s appearance in court the next day.
“The applicant shall appear before the 4th respondent (EFCC) on April 29, 2025, as outlined in her affidavit. Upon her appearance, the respondent shall return with the applicant to this court on April 30, 2025, to report on the proceedings,” the judge ruled.
Representatives from the ICPC, DSS, EFCC, and NIS were present at the Monday session.
The Oyo State Police Command on Tuesday said that the video of the alleged invasion of the state by suspected Boko Haram currently circulating on social media was recycled.
The command’s spokesman, CSP Adewale Osifeso, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Ibadan, the state capital.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a video clip is currently being circulated on social media alleging the arrest of suspected Boko Haram members who invaded the state along the Ibadan Expressway.
“The Police Command in Oyo wishes to address the recent circulation of misleading information on social media regarding a video that purportedly shows an attempted invasion of the state by Boko Haram elements intercepted along the Ibadan Express road.
“The video, which allegedly depicts articulated trucks filled with motorcycles and weapons, has been verified as a recycled clip from 2022,” he said.
Osifeso said the re-emergence of the video, particularly during a period of enhanced security in the state, suggests a deliberate attempt by certain individuals with malicious intent, seeking to spread falsehoods and incite fear and unrest.
“The command urges the public to remain vigilant and disregard such antics; we assure that this does not pose any current threat to the safety and security of the state.
“To further substantiate our claim regarding the video’s outdated nature, we note that the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) at the Ilero Divisional Police Headquarters, DSP. Segun Adeyemo, who appeared briefly in the video, retired from the Nigeria Police Force in August 2024 after a long period of meritorious service,” he added.
Osifeso reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding all residents in the state.
He urged the public to avoid circulating outdated video content pertaining to issues that had been previously resolved and encouraged them to thoroughly verify any information before sharing on social media.
A General Court Martial sitting at the Headquarters, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for murder, while Private Abubakar Yusuf was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for robbery.
The sentences were handed down following the conclusion of their trials for murder and robbery respectively.
A statement on Tuesday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu said the court martial composed of 11 members, was inaugurated on February 18, 2025, by the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, to adjudicate cases involving erring personnel within the Division.
Delivering judgment on Private Mohammed, the President of the court, Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, said the soldier was found guilty of the murder of his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali, an offence punishable under Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Brigadier General Buhari explained that the panel arrived at its unanimous decision after a thorough review of the evidence, the service record of the accused, and a plea for mitigation by the defence counsel.
However, he stressed that in the interest of justice and societal order, the law must take its full course.
“Given this, the GCM has determined that the accused soldier, 21NA/80/6365 Private Adamu Mohammed, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the charge of murder,” Buhari was quoted as saying.
In a seperate case, the court found Private Yusuf guilty of robbery at a mall within Enugu.
Yusuf was convicted under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004.
Although pleas for leniency were considered, Buhari noted that, due to the inability of the court to reach the unanimous decision required for a maximum sentence under Section 107(2) of the Act, the GCM instead relied on Section 140(3) to impose a 10-year prison term.
“Accordingly, the accused soldier, 23NA/85/12116 Private Abubakar Yusuf, is hereby sentenced to 10 years imprisonment,” he said.
Buhari emphasized that the sentences are subject to confirmation by the appropriate military authorities, which marks the conclusion of the soldiers’ trials.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to maintaining discipline and upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
“The wrong actions of a few do not reflect the values of the institution. Swift and decisive measures are always taken to ensure accountability and justice,” he stated.
He assured the public that the Army remains steadfast in its mission to protect the integrity of its operations and foster trust and confidence among the Nigerian people.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, commended the commitment and determination of Remo Stars Football Club, which culminated in the team winning its first-ever Nigeria Professional Football League title on Sunday.
The governor described the achievement as an unprecedented feat in the annals of the state.
PUNCH Online reports that Remo Stars claimed the NPFL title with a 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes on Sunday.
Abiodun, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade on Tuesday, said the team has sustained the inherent capacity Ogun State is known for, adding that their resilience and perseverance have paid off.
The governor added that Remo Stars has consistently pushed for the best with an enviable patriotic tendency since its formation
He said the level of the team’s dexterity and capacity earned it the 2024-2025 Nigerian Premier Football League title as well as its promotion to the elite league four years ago.
The governor, therefore, implored other local clubs in Nigeria to emulate the degree of resilience and doggedness the team displayed to help promote Nigeria’s local league to enviable heights.
“It is my utmost delight that the age-long perseverance and consistency of the Remo Stars Football team have eventually paid off at the national level and to the admiration of every Nigerian, including our amiable President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As the first privately-owned NPFL champions since 1996, who ceremoniously secured a place in the CAF Champions League, we commend the undiluted and unwavering determination of the players, the coaching staff, as well as the entire management.
“This is indeed the clear reflection of the profound trait of Ogun State as the first in all areas of success and our all-inclusive policy of transformation as enshrined in our ISEYA mantra,” the statement read.
A total of 41,027 underage candidates were among the 2.03 million who registered for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
This was according to real-time data obtained from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board registration dashboard on Tuesday.
According to data available on the Board’s official website as of Monday, 62 cases of examination malpractice have been recorded so far.
Recall that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, recently reinstated the acceptable age for admission into tertiary institutions as 16 years. He emphasised that candidates below this age would not be eligible for admission, although exceptions would be made for academically gifted students.
JAMB has also clarified that underage candidates—those below 16—may be considered for admission if they demonstrate academic excellence by scoring 80 per cent or more in the UTME. Given that the examination is scored out of 400 marks, this translates to a minimum of 320.
This position by JAMB followed the reversal of the mandatory 18-year age benchmark previously introduced by former Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman. The return to the 16-year benchmark has been widely supported by stakeholders across the education sector.
Speaking at a recent meeting with key stakeholders—including Chief External Examiners, Chief Technical Advisors, and members of the Equal Opportunity Group—JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, reiterated that while the 16-year age requirement remains the standard, candidates under that age may be granted admission only under strict, exceptional conditions.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education has directed that by November 2025, both the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council must begin administering their objective tests via Computer-Based Testing.
According to Alausa, by the May/June 2026 examination season, both the objective and essay components of WAEC and NECO exams are expected to be fully transitioned to CBT—a move aimed at further curbing examination malpractice.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has paid N155.4 million as compensation to property owners affected by the dualisation of the Ikere-Akure road.
Oyebanji said that the N155.4m “covers the formal acquisition of land valuation and payments for unexhausted improvements on the affected property. The transparent and fair disbursement of these funds is our priority, and I want to assure you that due process has been followed.”
The governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, spoke on Monday at Ikere Ekiti while unveiling the disbursement of compensation.
He assured the citizens that embarking on projects that would add value and create vistas of economic activities and business development would continue to dominate the priority lists of his administration.
The governor, who noted the road was conceptualised to bolster business activities and enhance the inter-state transportation system, said, “This project is not just an infrastructural intervention; it is a crucial lifeline that will strengthen socio-economic ties between Ekiti and Ondo states and enhance the general well-being of our people.
“It is also part of the broader development policy to open up our communities, reduce travel time and ensure the safety and convenience of commuters along this crucial corridor.
He praised property owners for their understanding, acknowledging that the compensation might not match the value of their properties but commending them for their sacrifice.
He said, “Though what we are giving might not be commensurate or equal to your property, I want you to know that with this sacrifice, you have written your names with indelible ink in the history of the development of our dear state. I urge you to use these funds wisely.
“You can see that this government is highly compassionate. Some governments can acquire such properties in the public interest and destroy them, and still refuse to pay compensation. But the Oyebanji administration didn’t do that. The administration promised to pay the compensation before the completion of the project, and it is fulfilling this today.”
The Special Adviser on Lands, Survey and Geographical Information System, Prof. James Olaleye, said that the properties acquired were strategic for the successful construction of the road that will bolster economic activities and ease traffic gridlock along that pivotal corridor.
Olaleye described the road as one of the arteries of business and agriculture development in the state, particularly for its linkage to Ikere Ekiti, perceived as the second largest town in Ekiti State.
“To those receiving payments today, use the money wisely. I know it is not easy to give up your property and relocate. But this is a necessary step you have to take for the success of this project. We appreciate your understanding,” the special adviser stated.
