Court orders interim forfeiture of N30.7m linked to alleged NNPC fraud
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) an interim forfeiture order of N30.7 million, reportedly connected to alleged fraudulent activities involving officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). Justice Emeka Nwite, ruling on an ex-parte application by the EFCC, said the commission had provided sufficient grounds to temporarily forfeit...
Court refuses bail for Bauchi commissioner, three others over terrorism financing charges
A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail to Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three others standing trial over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering. Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling on Monday, January 5, 2026, ordering instead that the case be given accelerated hearing. Adamu is being tried alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed...
JAMB: No plans to increase 2026 UTME, direct entry fees
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it has no intention of increasing the fees for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) forms. In its Weekly Bulletin released on Monday, the Board assured parents, guardians, and prospective candidates that application fees have not been raised in the last nine years. Instead, JAMB noted that costs...
2026 budget aims to consolidate Tinubu’s reform gains – Minister
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the 2026 Federal Government budget is designed to consolidate the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, which he says is already producing positive results. Idris stated this in an op-ed titled “A Defining Moment for Nigeria: Why Staying the Course Matters,” published in national newspapers on Monday. The statement was...
One arrested as gunman attacks US vice president’s house
United States Vice President JD Vance has confirmed that "a crazy person" tried to break into his Ohio home by hammering on the windows. Vance, on Monday, January 5, 2026, disclosed that he and his family were not there when the incident occurred. The vice president wrote on X: "I appreciate everyone's well wishes about the attack at our home. As...
Wike to APC National Secretary: Rivers politics not your turf
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, to steer clear of political affairs in Rivers State, describing the region as a “no-go area” for interference. Wike issued the warning on Monday during a thanksgiving visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State. His comments...
NGX market capitalisation hits N100trn
The market capitalisation of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) hit N100 trillion on Monday, January 5, 2026. Data obtained from the NGX showed that the market capitalisation closed at N101.80 trillion. Tony Elumelu’s net worth hits $3.2bn This underscores the growing depth of Nigeria’s capital market, driven by increased participation from both domestic and foreign investors, as well as price appreciation in...
Tinubu nominates Magnus Abe, 20 others for NMDPRA, NUPRIC boards
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded two separate letters to the Senate, requesting the confirmation of 21 nominees to serve on the boards of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). In the first letter, the President nominated former senator Magnus Abe as chairman of the NUPRC board. Abe previously represented...
20 kidnap victims rescued in Zamfara
Twenty villagers abducted from Dunfawa community in Moriki District, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, have been rescued unharmed, according to security sources. The victims were taken on Saturday when armed attackers invaded the village, causing panic among residents. Security sources said the captives were freed at about 4 p.m. after joint security patrols intensified operations across the Moriki...
Sowore: If I were President, drones will be my defence minister
A former Nigerian presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has proposed a radical change to the country’s defence strategy, saying that if he were president, he would prioritise drones over conventional military structures — even to the point of doing away with the office of the Minister of Defence. Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme on Monday, Sowore criticised the traditional...
