Author: Mayor

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has described the Nigeria First policy introduced by President Bola Tinubu as a major step toward reviving the country’s industrial base. Speaking on Channels Television’s Youth Forum, a live interactive programme held on Thursday, the minister emphasized the need to protect indigenous manufacturers from being overwhelmed by foreign competitors. “Two things that make me happy about being part of this administration. One is the issue of Nigeria First because that is the real way back for industrialisation,” Tunji-Ojo said during the programme. He argued that without such a policy, local manufacturers would continue to…

Manchester United’s troubles continued post-season as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against a Southeast Asian XI in an exhibition match held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Wednesday. The loss, witnessed by a crowd of 72,550, added to what has already been a nightmare season for the English club. Ruben Amorim’s side, coming off a dismal 15th-place finish in the Premier League—their worst since 1974—appeared sluggish and uninspired in the sweltering 32°C (90°F) heat of Kuala Lumpur. United fielded a strong starting lineup including Harry Maguire, Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, and Andre Onana.…

Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, contesting a judgment that handed over full ownership of a 753-unit housing estate in Abuja to the federal government. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier secured a court order for the final forfeiture of the estate, located in the Lokogoma area of the Federal Capital Territory. While the property was initially associated with an unnamed former public official, Emefiele—through his counsel, A.M. Kotoye—insists he has an interest in the estate and should have been included in the forfeiture…

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has expressed concern over a significant rise in suspicious financial transactions from Nigeria to Dubai and Hong Kong—two locations it now labels as emerging global centres for illicit money flows. According to a report published in May 2025 and obtained by Chronicle NG on Tuesday, the NFIU recorded 401 Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) linked to the two regions between January 2021 and September 2024. The combined value of these transactions stood at more than N48bn. Of the total reports, 185 were tied to Dubai, accounting for the lion’s share of N29.6bn. The remaining 216…

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has reiterated the Commission’s commitment to holding corrupt individuals accountable and ensuring that victims of fraud receive restitution. Olukoyede made this known at a summit on asset recovery organized by the Ministry of Justice in Abuja on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The event, themed “Synergizing Towards an Effective Asset Recovery and Management and Unveiling of National Central Database of Forfeited Assets and Proceeds of Crime (POCA) Regulations 2024,” brought together key players in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts. Olukoyede, represented by the Director of Proceeds of Crime Management,…

Panic has gripped residents of Akure, the Ondo State capital, following the escape of nine patients from the Ondo State Neuropsychiatric Hospital. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has sparked concerns over the hospital’s security infrastructure and the potential threat posed by the escapees to public safety. Sources within the hospital confirmed that the patients, who were undergoing psychiatric treatment, fled due to the poor security structure at the facility. One hospital staff member, who requested anonymity, described the situation as dangerous and called on the state government to urgently intervene. “Where we usually keep them is not that secured.…

A Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced two oil marketers, Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor, to 14 years imprisonment each for their roles in a N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud. Justice Mojisola Dada handed down the judgment on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, following their re-arraignment on an amended 57-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, forgery, and the use of false documents. The charges were brought against them alongside their company, Nasaman Oil Services Limited. The defendants, who initially faced a 49-count charge, were dragged before the court by the Economic and…

The Federal Government has disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovered a combined total of $967.5 billion and N277 billion in cash and assets during 2024. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, made this known on Tuesday during the Asset Recovery Summit held at the Ministry of Justice in Abuja. The event also featured the unveiling of the National Central Database of Forfeited Assets. According to Fagbemi, the EFCC led the effort by recovering over N248 billion, $105 million, and…

President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly’s approval for a significant new external borrowing plan totaling over $21.5 billion, as well as the issuance of a domestic bond worth ₦757.9 billion aimed at clearing outstanding pension liabilities. The President’s requests were contained in three separate letters transmitted to the National Assembly and read on the floor of the House of Representatives by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Tuesday. In one of the letters, Tinubu sought approval for the creation of a foreign currency-denominated issuance programme within the domestic debt market. The proposed $2 billion capital raise will be managed…

By Oluwafemi Popoola Nigeria’s democratic journey, though turbulent and often imperfect, has managed to retain a delicate balance of political pluralism since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999. But in recent months, I have watched with growing alarm as the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appear to be charting a dangerous course — one that suggests a deliberate, systematic drift toward a one-party system. Since Tinubu assumed office in 2023, there has been a discernible consolidation of political power within the APC. The ruling party seems to be tightening its…