Alleged Cybercrime Case Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Stalls, Adjourned to October 20

The cybercrime trial of suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was adjourned to October 20, 2025, after her legal team filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction. The objection, raised by her counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), questions the alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation.

The senator, arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024, is accused of spreading false information electronically to incite violence and public disorder. Specifically, she is alleged to have publicly claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to kill her.

At the resumed hearing on September 22, prosecution counsel David Kaswe said they were ready to begin, with a witness present. However, the judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, ruled that the court must first resolve the jurisdictional objection before proceeding with the trial.

Key Allegations Against Akpoti-Uduaghan:

Accused of transmitting false, inciting information electronically.

Allegedly stated that Akpabio and Yahaya Bello plotted her assassination.

Charges brought under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention, etc. (Amendment) Act 2024.

Wike’s U.S. Property Laundering Exposed: Sowore Uncovers Florida Real Estate Transfers to Wife and Children

A new exposé by activist Omoyele Sowore has revealed a sprawling real estate laundering scheme involving Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzette Wike, a serving Court of Appeal judge. Documents obtained from Florida public records show that the couple transferred multiple U.S. properties—worth millions of dollars—into the names of their children between 2021 and 2023, using Quit Claim Deeds, a legal method often exploited to quietly conceal property ownership.

Sowore, sharing the documents publicly, accused Wike of using his political office to launder funds into U.S. real estate. The properties, located in Seminole County, Florida, were transferred to their children Jordan, Joaquin, and Jazmyne Wike, with one of the deeds executed just days after Wike assumed office as FCT Minister in August 2023.

The activist further alleged that the minister's denial of U.S. property ownership during a recent TV interview was a calculated lie, as he had directly signed the deeds. Sowore also linked these transfers to broader patterns of corruption, including Wike’s alleged abuse of office to allocate over 2,000 hectares of prime Abuja land to his son, bypassing due process and payments.

In addition, a prior report by Peoples Gazette revealed that Wike secretly acquired a $2 million mansion in Florida under the names of his wife and children, raising serious questions about his declared income and sources of wealth. The house, located at 113 Spring Creek Lane, Winter Springs, is also linked to earlier property transfers.

Sowore has since petitioned U.S. authorities, alleging money laundering, asset concealment, and trafficking in stolen public funds, urging investigation under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.

Justice Eberechi Wike’s U.S. Democratic Party membership was also flagged, as it violates Nigeria’s Judicial Code of Conduct, which forbids judges from holding partisan affiliations.

Wike, Nigeria’s former Rivers State governor and now a key minister under President Bola Tinubu, has repeatedly denied all allegations.

Wike’s U.S. Property Laundering Exposed: Sowore Uncovers Florida Real Estate Transfers to Wife and Children

Taraba Finance Commissioner Implicated in ICAN Exam Impersonation Scandal Amid Calls for Her Removal
An exclusive video obtained by SaharaReporters shows a woman named Leavitt Felix caught impersonating Sarah Enoch Adi, the Taraba State Commissioner for Finance, during an ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) examination.

In the footage, exam supervisors confront Felix, who admits to writing the exam for Adi. Although she initially claimed she didn’t know Adi personally and was contracted by someone named "Joshua," her statements contradicted system records linking her to the Ministry of Finance. Supervisors threatened police involvement if she didn't provide full disclosure.

This scandal adds to growing calls for Adi's removal from office, following an August 2025 protest by civil servants. Workers accused her and the Accountant General of mismanaging a biometric verification exercise that removed over 7,000 legitimate workers from the payroll.

Adi, appointed in August 2023, holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Doctorate in Accounting from Nasarawa State University (2023). Despite her credentials, the impersonation incident and prior controversies have cast serious doubts on her professional integrity.

Kebbi LGA Imposes Curfew After Deadly Gold Mining Clash

Authorities in Yauri Local Government Area, Kebbi State, have imposed a 10 p.m.–7 a.m. curfew following violent clashes among youths in the Garin Katta community over gold mining.

The violence, which began with the killing of a miner on Saturday, escalated into retaliatory attacks, destruction of shops, and the burning of motorcycles. Casualty figures remain unclear.

Council Chairman Abubakar Shuaibu said security forces, including police and the military, were deployed after attempts to identify the culprits were obstructed. He urged calm, stressing that conflict only deepens instability.

Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol Price, To Begin Direct Supply Nationwide

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and will begin direct distribution of the product to filling stations across Nigeria starting Monday, September 15, 2025.

In a statement on Thursday, the refinery said the gantry price has been reduced to N820 per litre, with pump prices varying across key states. Lagos and other South-West states will retail at N841 per litre, while Abuja, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Kwara will sell at N851 per litre.

“The first phase of the deployment will cover the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Kwara, Delta, Edo, Rivers, and South-West states, with nationwide expansion planned as more trucks are delivered,” the company stated.

The refinery noted that the use of CNG-powered transportation in the supply chain will save Nigeria over N1.8 trillion annually, cut distribution costs, and help ease inflationary pressures. It added that the initiative will directly benefit more than 42 million MSMEs by lowering energy costs.

The company also disclosed that it is investing over N720 billion in the programme, which is expected to create thousands of jobs and revive dormant filling stations nationwide.

Stakeholders such as fuel station operators, telecom companies, and large-scale fuel consumers have been urged to partner with the initiative. Petrol station owners were also encouraged to register for free delivery and other benefits tied to the scheme.

Source: Dangote Group

UPDATED: Ekong Dropped As Osimhen, Lookman Lead Nigeria’s Attack Vs Rwanda

Captain William Troost-Ekong has been benched as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman spearhead Nigeria’s attack in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

Coach Eric Chelle handed a start to 20-year-old Benjamin Frederick, who will partner Calvin Bassey in central defence. Wilfred Ndidi takes the armband, with Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka completing the midfield trio.

Stanley Nwabali keeps his spot in goal, while Moses Simon joins Osimhen and Lookman upfront. Nigeria, with just seven points from six matches, must win to keep alive their slim qualification hopes.

Nigeria’s Starting XI vs Rwanda:
Nwabali; Ola Aina, Bassey, Frederick, Onyemaechi; Ndidi (C), Iwobi, Onyeka; Simon, Lookman, Osimhen.

#SuperEagles #WorldCupQualifiers #NGARWA

Kano NNPP Expels Rep Member Abdulmumin Jibrin Over Anti-Party Activities

The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expelled House of Representatives member Abdulmumin Jibrin, representing Kiru/Bebeji constituency, over alleged anti-party activities and disloyalty.

State Chairman, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, said Jibrin’s expulsion followed “repeated acts of sabotage and public defiance,” including media attacks on the party and its leadership. He added that Jibrin’s political relevance stemmed only from his affiliation with the Kwankwasiyya movement and NNPP, noting that the lawmaker had earlier hinted at plans to defect.

Dungurawa further accused Jibrin of failing to pay mandatory party dues, vowing to seek legal action for recovery. He stressed that the Kwankwasiyya movement, led by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, remains strong despite speculation of defections.

#NNPP #KanoPolitics #AbdulmuminJibrin

News Brief: Israel Flattens Gaza City High-Rise, Orders Residents to Flee.

An Israeli airstrike on Saturday destroyed a high-rise residential tower in Gaza City, the second such strike in two days, as the military urged residents to evacuate south ahead of an expected offensive to capture the city.

Israel said Hamas had installed surveillance equipment and observation posts in the building. Witnesses identified the target as the Sussi residential tower, which collapsed into rubble in a cloud of smoke.

The military has announced plans to target more tall structures allegedly used by Hamas and issued fresh evacuation orders, directing civilians toward Al-Mawasi — a declared “humanitarian zone” that has itself come under Israeli fire in the past.

Residents expressed despair, saying nowhere in Gaza was safe. “Wherever we go, death pursues us, whether by bombing or hunger,” said Samia Mushtaha, a displaced resident.

The assault comes amid growing global pressure on Israel to end its nearly two-year war in Gaza, where the UN has declared famine and warned of a looming disaster, with nearly one million people still in and around Gaza City.

Hamas has accepted a proposal for a temporary ceasefire and staggered hostage releases, but Israel insists on the unconditional release of all hostages and Hamas’s disarmament.

US President Donald Trump said Washington was in “deep negotiations” with Hamas over remaining hostages, but warned that without their release, the conflict would escalate.

Since Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed 1,219 people in Israel, more than 64,000 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes, according to Gaza’s health ministry figures considered reliable by the UN.

Seven Feared Killed, Others Injured As Police Repel Bandits In Katsina

At least seven people were killed when suspected bandits attacked Magajin Wando village in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State late Friday night.

State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Danmusa, confirmed the incident, saying the attackers were believed to be avenging the deaths of their members previously neutralized by the Community Watch Corps (CWC).

Residents injured during the raid were reportedly ambushed again on their way to the hospital, with their vehicle riddled with bullets and a CWC vehicle burnt.

Danmusa commended the CWC for their swift intervention, stressing that their action prevented greater casualties. He extended condolences to families of the victims and assured that the government, in collaboration with security agencies, will intensify operations to dismantle criminal networks.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and share information to aid ongoing security efforts.

#Katsina #Security #Banditry