The Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC) has designated Simon Ekpa, 14 other persons and two entities, for their alleged involvement in supporting terrorist activities and terrorism financing.

The committee further directed financial institutions to freeze their assets and report any transactions related to the individuals and entities to the Sanctions Committee and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

The designations were part of Nigeria’s efforts to comply with international standards on combating terrorism financing, as outlined in the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The full list of designated individuals and entities include: Simon Ekpa Njoku – Born 21 March 1985, with accounts in Guaranty Trust Bank; Godstime Promise Iyare – Born 20 May 1996, with accounts in Access Bank, UBA, and Moniepoint; Francis Chukwuedo Mmaduabuchi – Born 27 September 1987, with accounts in Ecobank and Fidelity.

Others are John Anayo Onwumere – Born 5 March 1987, with accounts in Sterling and Zenith; Chikwuka Godwin Eze – Born 5 May 1975, with accounts in First Bank and Access Bank; Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo – Born 27 May 1983, with accounts in Union and Ecobank; Chinwendu Joy Owoh – Born 10 February 1982, with accounts in First Bank and GTB; Ginika Jane Orji – Born 5 October 1995, with accounts in Blueridge and Opay; Awo Uchechukwu – Born 11 December 1978, with an account in First Bank.

The committee also listed Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali – Born 7 July 1998, with accounts in Access and FCMB; Ohagwu Nneka Juliana – Born 15 August 1985, with an account in UBA; Eze Chibuike Okpoto – Born 12 January 1989, with accounts in Access and FCMB; Nwaobi Henry Chimezie – Born 12 June 1991, with accounts in Access and UBA; Ogomu Peace Kewe – Born 27 June 1997, with accounts in Access and Zenith; Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises – With accounts in Access Bank and GTB; Seficuvi Global Company – With accounts in Access Bank and Ecobank; and Lakurawa Group are those indicted.

While giving details of the designations, the committee said: “Simon Ekpa: Known for his role in facilitating about 49 fundraisers across different countries between October 2023 and September 2024, Ekpa allegedly used social media platforms to orchestrate attacks on government facilities, particularly military and paramilitary formations in Nigeria’s southeast. These actions resulted in significant loss of life and property damage.

“Godstime Promise Iyare: Linked to local fundraising activities for IPOB, Iyare was identified through an account at United Bank for Africa used to collect funds from members in Nigeria. His mobile phone number was associated with multiple National Identity Numbers, raising concerns about identity manipulation.

“Francis Chukwuedo Mmaduabuchi: Accused of using a Moniepoint account to receive donations from IPOB members in Nigeria, Mmaduabuchi’s activities were uncovered through intelligence sources.

“John Anayo Onwumere: Born on March 5, 1987, Onwumere was linked to a Sterling Bank account number 0026224269, which was reportedly used to receive donations from members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria.

“Chikwuka Godwin Eze: Born on May 5, 1975, Eze was associated with an Access Bank account number 0108595489. This account was used by members of the BRGIE local chapter from ‘Odumegu State Defactor’ and ‘Urhobo Isoko State Defacto’ based in Anambra State and Delta State respectively, to contribute to the group.

“Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo: Born on May 27, 1983, Chukwuedo was involved with a Flutterwave account number 9461730261. Similar to Eze, this account was used by BRGIE members for contributions.

“Chiwendu Joy Owoh: Born on February 10, 1982, Owoh was identified with a Moniepoint MFB account number 6474876289. This account was part of a structure created by BRGIE to collect funds from its members in Nigeria.

“Ginika Jane Orji: Born on October 5, 1995, Orji was linked to an Opay account number 8039231985, which was reportedly used to receive donations from members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria.

“Awo Uchechukwu: Born on December 11, 1978, Uchechukwu is identified as a Commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN). He was reported to have received funds directly from Simon Ekpa to finance the activities of the group through his First Bank account number 3060144916.

“Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali: Born on July 7, 1998, Ali was associated with an Access Bank account number 1612608952. This account was used by the BRGIE to collect funds from its members in Nigeria.

“Ohagwu Nneka Juliana: Born on August 15, 1985, Juliana was linked to a UBA account number 2147559148. Similar to Ali, this account was used by BRGIE for fund collection.

“Eze Chibuike Okpoto: Born on January 12, 1989, Okpoto was linked to an Access Bank account with account number 0071127599. This account was reportedly used to receive funds from members of the Biafran Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) to support Biafra self-referendum via its Telegram groups.

“Nwaobi Henry Chimezie: Born on June 12, 1991, Chimezie was associated with a Moniepoint Micro Finance Bank account number 8276850931. This account was used by BRGIE to collect funds from its members in Nigeria.

“Ogumu Peace Kewu: Born on June 27, 1997, Kewu was involved with First Bank accounts, including account numbers 3180578127 (NGN) and 3180578127 (USD). These accounts were used to facilitate USD donations to Nigeria.

“Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises: Owned by Okudah Uchenna Anthony, this enterprise used a Zenith Bank account with account number 1226773554 to collect donations for BRGIE.

“Seficuvi Global Company: Owned by Godswill Ogborin Nwaodun, this company’s bank accounts were reported to be used by BRGIE to collect funds from members in Nigeria.

“Lakurawa is part of Jama’at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), a militant group active across Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, and Nigeria. Since 2016, Lakurawa has established a presence in Nigeria, particularly in Sokoto and Kebbi States. The group engages in violent attacks, assassinations, and enforcement of radical Islamist rule, imposing strict governance on communities. It also finances its activities through extortion, forced taxation, cattle rustling, and ransom from kidnappings.”

The suspended Senator representing Kogi Central in the Senate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has once again reacted to her suspension for 180 days from the Upper Legislative chamber, reiterating that the action was an injustice that will not stand.

She also said that it was a mere suspension from the Senate and not an expulsion.

Recall that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was earlier on Thursday suspended by the Senate for a period of six months over violation of Senate rules and other misconduct after a face-off with the Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangement in the Red Chamber penultimate week.

Natasha

The crisis took a new twist when the female Senator days after accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office and deliberate frustration of her legislative rights because she refused to yield to his advances.

Taking to her social media handles later this Thursday night, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed what she told her colleagues earlier in the day on her way out of the Red Chamber after her suspension was pronounced, when she posted that ‘This Injustice Will Not Be Sustained!’

She further hailed herself, saying: “Suspended, not expelled.

“Pierced but not broken.

“The voice may be temporarily tamed but cannot be silenced.

“I salute your courage, my distinguished Senator Natasha H. Akpoti, in the face of this storm

“My confidence is in the fact that, just like the other Storms, you will come out victorious and better prepared to serve your people.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, quizzed the immediate-past minister for women affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, over her alleged roles in misappropriation, violation of procurement process and diversion of public funds to the tune of N138,413,253.89 in the course of disbursing the 2023 budgeted funds for the ministry.

EFCC sources, who spoke to LEADERSHIP, said the former minister arrived the anti-graft commission headquarters around 11:00am on Thursday and faced interrogators on her alleged involvement in the fraud.

The sources said investigations by the EFCC showed that funds donated for the funding of P-BAT Cares for Women Initiative were allegedly diverted for her self enrichment.

As at press time Thursday evening, interrogation was still ongoing as she had not been admitted to administrative bail

Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $1.4million linked to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to the federal government.

The judge initially granted a final forfeiture order on June 24, 2024, but set it aside on June 27, 2024, after it was challenged by the respondents.

The court subsequently directed the respondents to file a suit to show why the money should not be forfeited to the federal government and for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to re-argue the application.

The respondents argued that they were unaware of the funds and claimed the money was not a proceeds of any criminal activity.

However, in his judgement on Thursday, Justice Faji reaffirmed the final forfeiture of the $1.4million, stating that the EFCC had successfully demonstrated that the money was obtained through unlawful activities.

During the proceedings,EFCC counsel, Bahari-Bala, disclosed that $1,426,175.14 was located in the account of Donatone Limited at Titan Trust Bank (Account No. 2000000500), and investigations revealed that the funds were linked to fraudulent activities.

According to an affidavit sworn to by EFCC investigator David Jayeoba, intelligence reports led to the discovery of concealed funds in Donatone Limited’s account. Jayeoba claimed that the investigation unveiled a scheme involving Emefiele and his associates, including Donatone Limited directors Uzeobo Anthony and Adebanjo Olurotimi, who allegedly assisted in hiding and disguising the proceeds of illegal activities.

The investigation further indicated that between 2021 and 2022, during a time when foreign exchange was scarce in Nigeria, many international companies struggled to obtain forex.

Emefiele and his associates reportedly collected bribes and kickbacks from businesses seeking forex approvals. One entity identified as NP allegedly deposited $26,552,000 into Donatone Limited’s account at Titan Trust Bank.

In total, Donatone Limited received $26,555,000, with the current balance in the account being $1,426,175.14. This amount is what the EFCC sought to forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria, having been traced to the unlawful activities of Godwin Emefiele and his associates.

The investigation revealed that international entities seeking forex were pressured into paying substantial sums during this period. Additionally, the signatories to the account holding the amount of $1,426,17

5.14 are currently at large.

About a month after closing down the Onitsha Drug Market, popularly known as ‘Ogbo Ogu Market’, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reopened the market.

NAFDAC officials in charge of the South-East zone had closed the market following searches and discovery of fake and substandard drugs in the market.

The South-East zonal director of the regulatory agency, Mr Martins Iluyomade, announced the re-opening of the market on Thursday during a meeting with officials of the Anambra State government, officials of the drug market association as well as traders from the adjourning markets selling timbers, plumbing materials, among others.

Speaking on the findings of the agency in the markets, the NAFDAC South-East zonal director said: “It is saddening to see that we have people amongst us whose only way of making money is by destabilising the country and killing people.

“We have confiscated over 50 trailers of fake and substandard drugs. We have many still in warehouses in town and we are coming after them. The volume of narcotics we saw here is enough to destabilise any nation. There is a link between the circulation of narcotics and insecurity. Check any country that there is insecurity and breakdown of law and order, you will see that narcotics is in high supply.

“This is a sad story, the number of narcotics we have found here. The people dealing in it know the effect, but they are doing it because people say the sale of narcotics is more lucrative than cocaine.

“We have also seen people who deliberately go and bring substandard and fake drugs. People import tablets in nylon bags with no label and they will bring it here and put it in packs and put label on them for sale. We saw a lot of it. We saw medicines that had been banned as far back as 2007, but people are stocking it.

“Many of them were banned because they cause cancer, and new replacement produced, but people still stocked them. That is wickedness. Another category is unregistered drugs. The volume of those medicines are usually small on the counter, but has large cache of them in warehouses outside the market.”

Iluyomade said even some genuine drugs were stored in manners that they lost their efficacy and even become harmful, far before their expiration date.

“The storage of the drug is also a problem. There is no ventilation in all the packing stores we visited. Medicine are supposed to be kept under certain weather where they maintain their effectiveness. Medicines are chemicals and even those who sell registered original medicines have had them expired long before the expiry date.

Iluyomade said even though the market would be reopened from Friday, March 7, about 4,000 shops would, however, remained locked until their owners come to the agency and explain certain drugs found inside their shops.

Leaders of the market unions expressed happiness about the news to reopen the markets, while pledging to work with the agency to identify traders who deal in illegal drugs.

Chairman of the Plumbing Materials Market, Mr Chikodili Ejiofor, expressed shock about the quantity of drugs found in his market. He said: “I don’t deal in drugs, my market is for plumbing materials and I was shocked at the number of drugs found in my market. Tramadol, codeine and many others were all found in the market to my amazement.”

Also, Ogbogwu Market chairman, Mr Ndubuisi Chukwuleta, said: “Before now, we were trying to check fake drugs in our own capacity, but now that NAFDAC has come in, our duty is quite less. We will always report to you. We will tell neighbouring markets to put their ears on the ground and ensure that they help us. This suffering our members are into, only a few people caused it for us, but thank God you are here now.”

Anambra State government officials at the meeting, who is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Pharmaceuticals, Dr Nnadozie Godwin, and the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, both pledged the support of the state governor in cleansing the markets of fake drugs.

Obidike said: “Sanitising drug trade saves more lives than what hospitals save. The lives that NAFDAC has saved so far through this exercise is more than what hospitals saved. We thank the traders for cooperating with them the day they came because if it wasn’t so, maybe the outcome would not have been what we have seen today.”

There was a dramatic turn of events at a Kwara State Magistrate’s Court on Thursday when Abdulrahman Mohammed Bello, the prime suspect in the murder of a final-year College of Education student, Hafsah Lawal, shockingly exonerated his co-defendants.

Bello, who was arraigned alongside Ahmed Abdulwasiu (41), Suleiman Muyideen (28), Jamiu Uthman (29), and Abdulrahmon Jamiu (31), interrupted court proceedings, insisting that the other accused persons were innocent of the crime.

He pleaded with the presiding Magistrate S.B. Mohammed, “I want to say something, Ma.

“The remaining suspects don’t know anything about the crime I committed. I committed the crime alone, and I hereby appeal to this court to release them.”

How Hafsah Lawal Was Killed

The court, intrigued by his statement, asked him to explain what transpired on the day of the incident.

He said, “When Hafsah arrived at my house, she said she was hungry because she hadn’t eaten before coming. I told her to cook, but because she was very hungry, I decided to buy food for both of us.

“After we ate, we started romancing and later had sex. But because God had destined that she would die that day, she died in the process.”

Why I Dismembered Her Body – Bello

Bello further admitted to dismembering Hafsah’s body, revealing that panic led him to make irrational decisions.

He claimed, “The only mistake I made that day was not calling for help. I became nervous, so I decided to dismember her body. I packed her remains and dumped them in a public dustbin, where the police later recovered some parts.

“The only part found in my house was her hands, which I hadn’t disposed of because I was scared and ran away.”

When asked if he had committed such a crime before, Bello denied being a serial offender.

He said, “I have never done such a thing before. This was my first time. It was a spirit that entered me, and once it left, I realized what I had done was bad. Please allow the other suspects to go free.”

In her ruling, Magistrate Mohammed stated that the State Attorney General’s legal advice had confirmed that all five suspects had a case to answer.

“This case is beyond the jurisdiction of this court,” the magistrate ruled. “The matter has been transferred to the State High Court, where the accused persons will stand trial.”

The case was adjourned until March 20, 2025, for further hearing.

Dangote Industries Limited (Dangote Group), along with its subsidiaries, has announced it paid over ₦402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.

Naija News reports that Dangote’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, disclosed in a statement on Thursday.

Chiejina stated that Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) and its subsidiaries, namely, Dangote Cement, NASCON, Dangote Packaging Limited, among others, remitted a total of ₦402.319 billion for the out-gone year as taxes as responsible business enterprises.

The company’s spokesman said as a responsible business organisation, DIL and its subsidiaries were committed to their obligations to the government in tax payment at all levels or to host communities in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

“Recall that Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had in late 2024 recognised DIL and its subsidiary, Bluestar Shipping as the most tax compliant organizations in the country during its Special Day at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

“The Federal Inland Revenue Service is Nigeria’s agency responsible for assessing, collecting and accounting for tax and other revenues accruing to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The Group’s corporate strategy has evolved just as its businesses have grown, matured and diversified into new sectors and regions over the last four decades, noting that Dangote Group has almost single-handedly taken Nigeria to self-sufficiency in cement and refined petroleum products and is expanding rapidly across Africa.

“Dangote Group and its and its subsidiaries, were recognised as number one most compliant in tax payment in the country, just as its subsidiary Dangote Cement, the country’s leading cement manufacturer, at another occasion won three awards at the FMDQ Gold Awards in Lagos as the most active business in the Foreign Exchange market,” it read in part.

The 10th Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday suspended the lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for six months over alleged misconduct in the red chamber.

Naija News reports that the suspension followed the consideration and adoption of the report presented by Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, during plenary.

Here is a list of senators who have previously faced suspension:

1. Femi Okurounmu (Ogun Central) – 1999

Senator Okurounmu was suspended in 1999 after alleging that fellow senators were planning to impeach President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was later recalled after tendering an apology to the Senate.

2. Joseph Waku (Benue) – 2000

In 2000, Senator Waku suggested that a military coup would be preferable to allowing President Obasanjo to continue ruling as a dictator. This statement led to his suspension due to its controversial nature.

3. Arthur Nzeribe (Imo, Orlu Constituency) – 2002

Senator Nzeribe was indefinitely suspended in November 2002 over a ₦22 million fraud allegation.

4. Isah Mohammed (Niger Central) – 2004

In October 2004, Senator Mohammed was suspended for two weeks after physically assaulting Senator Iyabo Anisulowo outside the National Assembly lobby. The altercation was reportedly related to the disbursement of committee funds.

5. Ali Ndume (Borno South) – 2017

Senator Ndume was suspended for six months in 2017 after calling for an investigation into allegations involving then Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye.

6. Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) – 2018

In 2018, Senator Omo-Agege was suspended after opposing the election reordering bill. Despite apologizing for his stance, he sought a court order to prevent the Senate from suspending him, which led to his suspension.

7. Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) – 2024

Senator Ningi was suspended for three months in 2024 after alleging that the National Assembly padded the 2024 budget by ₦3 trillion.

8. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central)

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on the 6th of March, 2025, was suspended for six months over alleged misconduct in the red chamber.

Controversial Nigerian Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable has revealed the reason behind his Instagram name, ‘Elizabeth Joyce.’

In a video circulating on social media, Portable is seen chatting with content creator Egungun of Lagos during a car ride.

In a viral video circulating which started trending on Tuesday, Portable is seen conversing with content creator Egungun of Lagos during a car ride.

When asked about the unusual name on his profile, the singer disclosed that he originally created the account while attempting to learn internet fraud, commonly known as Yahoo Yahoo.

“Make i no lie for you, E get one Facebook and Instagram account wey be say that time i wan learn Yahoo ( internet fraud),” Portable admitted.

“Yahoo no gree, Na hin i just open that account down, as i con hear say them dey look for me say i don blow, na hin i come go edit am, delete oyinbo commot, Na working account.”

Portable rose to fame in December 2021 with his breakout single Zazoo Zeh, featuring Olamide and Poco Lee. Since then, he has remained in the spotlight for both his music and frequent controversies.

Earlier this year, he clashed with Ogun State officials, which led to his arrest and arraignment on a five-count charge, including assault.

Authorities accused the singer of leading a violent attack against officials attempting to seal his bar due to permit violations.

He was declared wanted on February 18 but turned himself in the following day. Portable was later granted N2 million bail, with his case adjourned until March 5.

Click the link below to watch the video:

The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has resubmitted a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

PUNCH Online reports that the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs resubmitted the petition during Thursday plenary, after her earlier petition was rejected by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

Speaking during the presentation, the Kogi lawmaker said the newly submitted petition was filed by her constituents, led by one Zubairu Yakubu.

Following the presentation, Senate President Akpabio inquired whether there were any legal impediments to accepting the petition and she responded that there were none.

Thereafter, the Senate President instructed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate and was subsequently referred to the Ethics committee led by Senator Neda Imasuen, with a directive to report back to the plenary within four weeks after legislative review.

Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan had presented a petition of sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio during Wednesday plenary, which sparked controversy.

The Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), had raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40.

He argued that the matter could not be entertained or referred to the Ethics Committee, as it was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President.

Monguno also contended that the petition could not be considered since Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it.

As a result, the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed the petition, declaring it “dead on arrival.”