July 2025 | Page 42 of 48

Business Mogul Mike Adenuga Makes Rare Public Appearance in Lekki

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Nigerian billionaire Mike Adenuga, the chairman of Globacom, was seen making a rare public appearance today in Lekki, drawing attention from well-wishers, business associates, and residents alike. Adenuga, renowned for his low public profile and significant contributions to Nigeria’s telecom and oil sectors, was spotted attending a brief but notable gathering in one of Lekki’s upscale venues. Though the exact nature of the engagement was not immediately disclosed, sources suggest it may be connected to corporate meetings, community outreach, or an investment evaluation tied to his various business interests in the area.

Extradited Dubai-Based Nigerian Arraigned Over Alleged $307,500 Fraud

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned Abubakar Mohammed Aboki, a Nigerian national recently extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), before the Federal High Court in Abuja over his alleged involvement in a high-profile $307,500 fraud case. The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that Aboki was arraigned on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, following the conclusion of a thorough police investigation. Aboki is facing a six-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, and money laundering. The charges stem from allegations that he defrauded an international automobile dealer by falsely claiming to facilitate the shipment of luxury vehicles from Dubai to Nigeria. “Investigations revealed that the suspect diverted the funds for personal use and issued a forged bill of lading to deceive the complainant,” the statement noted. The court has ordered that Aboki be remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Keffi, Nasarawa State, pending the hearing of his bail application on July 17, 2025. Recall that on May 25, 2025, the police had confirmed his successful extradition from Dubai, after the conclusion of a coordinated international operation. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to fighting transnational crime and ensuring diligent prosecution of criminal cases. “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in strengthening international cooperation and ensuring justice is served in cases of cross-border fraud,” Adejobi added.

Diddy Acquitted of Sex Trafficking and Racketeering But Will Remain in Jail Pending Sentencing

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

By Kamal Yalwa–New York, USA In a dramatic courtroom moment on Wednesday, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges by a New York jury, bringing an emotional close to a high-profile federal trial that has gripped the entertainment world for months. The verdict, delivered shortly after 10:00am local time, saw 12 jurors clear Combs of the most serious charges, concluding that he did not operate a criminal enterprise or engage in sex trafficking involving former girlfriends and associates. However, the jury found him guilty of the lesser charge of transporting individuals for prostitution, leaving Combs partially convicted and still facing prison time. Dressed in an off-white sweater and trousers, Combs reacted with overwhelming emotion as the verdicts were read. Upon hearing the first “not guilty” for racketeering, he bowed his head in silence. When the jury acquitted him of sex trafficking, he held his head in his hands, visibly overcome. Once the verdict was finalized, Combs made a prayer gesture toward the jury and his family — including his twin daughters, sons, and 85-year-old mother — and appeared to mouth the words: “I’m coming home.” His legal team, led by attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, swiftly urged the court to release Combs on the basis of the acquittal on the most severe charges. Agnifilo noted that Combs’ plane was chartered and currently in Maui, suggesting he had no intention of fleeing. “Mr. Combs has been given his life back by this jury,” Agnifilo said. “He will not run afoul of anything this court imposes on him.” Despite their efforts, Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs bail during a subsequent hearing that same afternoon, ruling that the hip-hop entrepreneur would remain in federal custody until his sentencing later this year. Outside the courthouse in Manhattan, supporters chanted “Free Diddy!” as news of the partial acquittal spread. Inside, celebrations erupted among Combs’ legal team and family, with hugs and tears marking a moment of relief — if not full vindication. The split verdict highlights the challenges of prosecuting cases involving celebrity, coercion, and long-term abuse, particularly in the aftermath of the #MeToo era. While Combs was cleared of organizing sex-trafficking operations, the conviction for prostitution transport still carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years per count. Diddy will remain in custody at a Brooklyn federal facility until sentencing, expected later in 2025. Ask ChatGPT

NFF mourns as Nigeria goalkeeping legend Peter Rufai dies at 61

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria football firmament turned pale on Thursday evening after it was confirmed that the country’s 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup first-choice goalkeeper Peter Rufai had died in Lagos following a period of illness. “This is really, really shocking,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said in Abuja. “Peter Rufai dead? What happened? I am perplexed. We did not even know that he had been ill. “We earnestly pray to the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest, and to comfort all his loved ones as well as the entire Nigeria football family.” Reports said the flamboyant goal-tender, who was in and out of the Nigeria senior team for 17 years, had been ill for some weeks, before giving up the ghost at a Lagos hospital at about 6am on Thursday. Former Nigeria international midfielder Waidi Akanni confirmed that the body of one of Nigeria football’s true heroes had been deposited at a Lagos hospital. Rufai made his debut for then Green Eagles in a friendly match in December 1981, and won the Africa Cup of Nations silver in 1984 and 1988, before Nigeria swept to glory in the continental finals in Tunisia in 1994. He was the first-choice goalkeeper in the three championships. The charismatic and disciplined goalkeeper also kept goal for Nigeria in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals (the Super Eagles made the Round of 16 on both occasions), and dedicated his post-retirement days to discovering and mentoring young players. He also served as the coordinator of the Nigeria U23 team at a time. Apart from his memorable outings with the Super Eagles, Rufai was an extraordinary figure at Lagos club, Stationery Stores, with whom he reached the final of the Africa Cup Winners Cup competition in 1981. He also played professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

Diddy Verdict Sparks Debate Over Domestic Abuse Power and the Limits of Justice

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

New York — The split verdict in the federal trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has reignited conversations about domestic abuse, power dynamics, and the evolving legacy of the #MeToo movement. After more than seven weeks of testimony, a federal jury found Combs guilty of transporting individuals for prostitution, but not guilty of sex trafficking or racketeering, despite graphic evidence of abuse and claims that he used wealth and coercion to control former partners. The trial featured harrowing testimony from Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine and another woman known only as “Jane”, both of whom described years of alleged abuse and manipulation under Combs. Prosecutors argued that Combs’s actions constituted a “criminal enterprise” driven by money, fear, and violence. A 2016 surveillance video showing Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway was a key piece of evidence. Ventura testified that she felt “trapped” and described repeated physical violence, including a 2009 incident where Combs allegedly stomped on her face. Yet, the jury declined to convict on the more serious charges of sex trafficking, sparking criticism from advocates who say the verdict reflects a deep misunderstanding of coercion in intimate partner abuse. “Today is a good day for perpetrators,” said Dr. Emma Katz, an expert on domestic violence. “The jury seems to have decided that someone can be physically assaulted and controlled by their partner, yet not be coerced.” Legal analysts suggested prosecutors may have fumbled key aspects of the sex trafficking case. Defense attorneys, while conceding Combs’s abusive behavior, argued that there was no proof of coercion in the alleged sexual acts. They pointed to affectionate messages from Ventura as evidence of consent — messages experts say are common in abusive relationships due to fear, manipulation, or survival strategies. “Domestic violence is not sex trafficking,” Combs’s attorney Teny Geragos said during trial — a line that appears to have resonated with the jury. The outcome, some say, reveals the limits of public and legal understanding of abuse, especially when it happens within romantic relationships. “There’s still stigma and disbelief when victims stay with their abusers,” said Katz. “It’s not that simple. Victims fear for their lives, their children, or simply have nowhere to go.” Critics also pointed to the broader implications for the #MeToo movement, which began as a push to hold powerful figures accountable for sexual violence and abuse. While some advocacy groups praised the guilty verdict on transportation charges, others said the result highlights systemic failures. “This is a stain on the criminal justice system,” said Arisha Hatch of the gender justice group UltraViolet. “It shows we still don’t fully believe victims — especially when the accused holds immense wealth and influence.” Still, Ventura’s legal team welcomed the partial conviction, saying it ensured Combs was “finally held responsible for two federal crimes,” each carrying a maximum of 10 years in prison. Advocacy groups including Lift Our Voices and the National Women’s Law Center praised Ventura and Jane’s courage in testifying, saying their actions strengthened the movement for justice, even as challenges remain. “The verdict may be split, but their bravery is whole,” said Fatima Goss Graves, president of the NWLC. “No jury can take that away.

Diogo Jota: What happened to the Liverpool and Portugal football star?

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

The football world remains in shock after tragic road accident involving Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother. Diogo jota reacts.Diogo Jota of Portugal poses for a photograph with the UEFA Nations League trophy after his team’s victory in the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 8, 2025 in Munich, GermanyIn the early hours of Thursday, Diogo Jota, forward for Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team, and his younger brother, died in a car accident in northwestern Spain. At just 28 years old, Jota was enjoying some of the best moments of his career and personal life; he won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal, the Premier League with Liverpool, and he recently married his childhood sweetheart.The tragedy has left a deep void in the football world, which is still trying to come to terms with the loss. What caused the car crash?The two were travelling in a Lamborghini Urus SUV, which, according to reports, suffered a tyre blowout just after midnight while overtaking another vehicle on the A-52 highway, at kilometre 65.300, near the town of Cernadilla, Zamora, just 15 kilometres from the Portugal border. The car veered off the road, crashed, and instantly caught fire. By the time firefighters arrived at the crash scene, the vehicle was completely burned out. The charred remains of the two footballers could only be identified through their identification papers. Crash site.Debris is pictured along the A-52 motorway at the crash site where Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash near Cernadilla in Zamora province, northwestern Spain, early on July 3, 2025Crash scene.Different angle of the crash siteWhy was Jota driving back to England?Jota was travelling by car to catch a ferry from the Spanish port of Santander back to northern England after being advised not to fly as a result of a previous lung surgery, according to multiple media reports in Portugal and Spain. His club side, Liverpool, are due to begin preseason training on Monday. What was Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction?Ronaldo, Portugal’s national team captain, was deeply shaken by the news of teammate Diogo Jota’s death.“It doesn’t make sense. We were only just in the national team together, you had only just got married,” Ronaldo posted on the social media platform X. “To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you’ll always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We’ll all miss you.” Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Jota.Ronaldo was there when Jota made his international debut for Portugal against Lithuania on November 14, 2019 at the Algarve Stadium in Faro, Portugal [Pedro Who was travelling with Jota?His brother Andre Silva, his only sibling. Though less known internationally, Silva, 25, was also a professional footballer. He played for Futebol Clube Penafiel in Portugal’s second division and was previously part of FC Porto’s youth academy. What family does Jota leave behind?A wife and three children. Rute Cardoso has suddenly and painfully become the widow of Diogo Jota, less than two weeks after they were married at a ceremony in his home city of Porto on June 22.

Israel kills more than 300 in Gaza in 48 hours as focus intensifies on GHF

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago010 mins

Gaza’s Government Media Office says Israel has committed ’26 bloody massacres’ in the last two days. Funerals and prayers held at the hospital for the people killed while collecting aidA funeral is held at Nasser Hospital for a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces while attempting to collect aid at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation siteMore than 300 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the last 48 hours, according to the Gaza Government Media Office, which says Israel has “committed 26 bloody massacres” in that period. At least 118 Palestinians were killed and 581 others injured in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, the enclave’s Health Ministry said on Thursday. At least 73 of those were killed since dawn, including 33 aid seekers at the controversial Israeli and United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid sites. Thirteen people were killed when Israeli forces attacked a tent in al-Mawasi in the south, while 16 were killed and many wounded in an attack on Mustafa Hafez School, sheltering displaced people west of Gaza City, medical sources told Al Jazeera. Ahmed Mansour, a displaced Palestinian taking shelter in the school building, said, “We woke up to fierce [Israeli] air strikes. It felt like an earthquake. People say it was a drone attack, but the sound was horrifying, relentless shelling. Missiles were so destructive that they set everything on fire. Victims were left burning for hours without help. There is no one here to save us.” GazaPeople walk over debris at Mustafa Hafez school, sheltering Palestinians displaced by the war, following an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City [Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP]The Government Media Office statement on Thursday said the attacks over the last 48 hours had targeted civilians in shelters and displacement centres overcrowded with tens of thousands of displaced people, public rest areas, Palestinian families inside their homes, popular markets and vital civilian facilities, and starving civilians searching for food. Reporting from Deir el-Balah on the latest killings of Palestinians near GHF aid centres, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum said, “People described scenes of horror as they wait for hours just hoping to get their hands on basic food supplies, only to be met with sudden and unprovoked gunfire … I’ve been speaking to a number of survivors this morning, and they told me such heartbreaking testimonies and they shared the horrific scenes that unfolded near the GHF-run aid centres. “They told me that there was no prior warning, no prior indication – just gunfire ripping through the crowd, desperate Palestinians scattered for cover as bullets flew. They told me that emergency services and medical teams were not able to access the area due to the intensity of the gunfire … This absolutely reflects the collapse of the humanitarian landscape here in Gaza,” he added. GHF’s US contractors reportedly using live fireUS contractors ostensibly guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza have been using live ammunition and stun grenades as hungry Palestinians scramble for food, according to accounts and videos obtained by The Associated Press news agency. Two US contractors, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity, said they were speaking out because they were disturbed by what they considered dangerous practices. They said the security staff hired were often unqualified, unvetted, heavily armed and seemed to have an open licence to do whatever they wished. Later Thursday, GHF released a statement of denial. “GHF launched an immediate investigation when the Associated Press first brought these allegations to our attention. Based on time-stamped video footage and sworn witness statements, we have concluded that the claims in the AP’s story are categorically false.” “At no point were civilians under fire at a GHF distribution site. The gunfire heard in the video was confirmed to have originated from the [Israeli military], who was outside the immediate vicinity of the GHF distribution site. It was not directed at individuals, and no one was shot or injured,” it claimed without providing evidence. A recent report from Israeli outlet Haaretz detailed Israeli troops, in their words, confirming that Israeli soldiers have deliberately shot at unarmed Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza after being “ordered” to do so by their commanders. Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman, said the GHF is “not just to replace the humanitarian mechanism run by international organisations for decades in Gaza, but it’s also to apply maximum pressure on the civilian population”. Odeh also noted that Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has said this week that too much aid is going to Gaza and that none should enter to ensure an Israeli victory. Dr Mads Gilbert, a Norwegian emergency medicine doctor and professor who has provided healthcare in Gaza for more than 30 years, told Al Jazeera that the GHF operation “is part of the [Israeli military forces]’ and the Israeli government plan to ethnically cleanse and to fulfil their goal of genocide in Gaza”. “This has nothing to do with alleviating starvation in Gaza,” Gilbert said. Describing the aid from GHF as a “drop in the ocean” and a “sham operation”, Gilbert added, “The distribution organisation is aimed at using food as bait to attract starving people, to terrorise them and to kill them. The shooting of people in food lines is a war crime.” The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has called for investigations into the killings and wounding of Palestinians trying to access food through GHF. UNRWA notes that while it operated about 400 sites across the besieged enclave, GFH has set up only four “mega-sites”, three in the south and one in central Gaza – none in the north, where conditions are most severe. In a post on X, UNRWA called for the UN to “do the work” in distributing aid. More than 130 humanitarian organisations, including Oxfam, Save the Children and Amnesty International, on Tuesday demanded the immediate closure of the GHF, accusing it of facilitating attacks on starving Palestinians. The NGOs said Israeli forces and armed groups “routinely” open fire on…

AMCON Confirms Sale of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company for ₦100 Billion Amid Legal Dispute

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Abuja, Nigeria — The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has officially confirmed the sale of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for ₦100 billion, marking a major step in the federal government’s ongoing power sector restructuring. The Managing Director/CEO of AMCON, Gbenga Alake, made the disclosure during a media parley with journalists on Thursday, where he revealed that the deal had been finalised and the preferred bidder would soon take over operations of the utility firm. Alake explained that while AMCON met a prior deal upon assuming control of IBEDC, the offer was renegotiated due to concerns over valuation. “When we came in, it had already been sold. But we insisted the price wasn’t right. We asked them to submit a new offer,” Alake stated.“Eventually, we secured almost double the amount initially proposed for the sale.” Despite the successful transaction, the deal has sparked legal controversy, with multiple parties filing lawsuits, including civil society organisations questioning the legitimacy and transparency of the sale. In May, the African Initiative Against Abuse of Public Trust, a civil society group, dragged AMCON, NERC, BPE, and IBEDC before the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2025), alleging the sale of a 60% stake in IBEDC for $62 million was secretive and grossly undervalued. The group claimed that the current transaction could result in a $107 million loss when compared to the $169 million paid for the same stake during the 2013 privatisation exercise. Alake, however, stood by the process, assuring that due diligence was conducted and that AMCON is prepared to defend the transaction in court. “We believe we did the right thing. The sale has been completed. Any issues in court will be addressed,” he said. The sale of IBEDC is part of a broader federal government initiative announced in April 2024 to privatise five electricity distribution companies currently under AMCON or bank control, including Abuja, Benin, Kaduna, and Kano DisCos. This move is aimed at injecting fresh capital and expertise into Nigeria’s struggling power sector, but stakeholders continue to raise concerns about transparency, fair valuation, and regulatory oversight.