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Internet Fraudster Surrenders Voluntarily to EFCC in Benin

Our Reporters1 week ago1 week ago02 mins

An internet fraudster on Monday April 8, 2025 surrendered himself to the Acting Zonal Director of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACEI Effam Okim The 28-year-old fraudster who hails from Oredo Local government area of Edo State explained that he turned himself in because he did not want to continue with the fraudulent practice for fear of being apprehended by Operatives of the Commission. “I reported myself because I wanted to stop and turn a new leaf”, he said. Prior to surrendering, the fraudster was a specialist in romance scam variants of internet fraud. “I tell my victims that I am from China and that I work as a medical doctor in a war- torn country. My victims are foreigners who I deceive into love relationships. I communicate with them in Chinese using a mobile app translator. I profess love for them by telling them how beautiful and attractive they are”, he said.

Nigeria’s U-18, U-20 Women’s Handball Teams Hit Camp For IHF Tourney

Our Reporters1 week ago1 week ago04 mins

Nigeria’s Under 18 and 20 Women Handball teams have opened training camp in Lagos ahead of the IHF Trophy’s Women Zonal Phase slated between 20th and 24th of April in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The National Under 18 women’s team led by Coach John Uzor and the Under 20 women’s team led by Coach Adewunmi Agbola Shittu are at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos wherein they are undergoing intensive training for the competition which is the first hurdle in the IHF Women’s Trophy calendar for the year. The Under 20 team is made up of the Under 18 team that made Nigeria proud by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time ever in the history of the country. Some of the players are; Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and her twin sister Taiwo Babatunde who plays for Seasider Babes of Lagos, Esther Mathew of ADDIDJA HBC of Benin Republic and Rahima Bello who plays for KIRYATONO HBC of ISRAEL. Others are; the Samuel Sisters (Prudence and Precious), Chidera Ogbusimba, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters all from RIMA Queens of Sokoto as well as Damilola Akinlade of Rivers Queens, Omole Joy of Rivers Queens, Taiwo Islamiat of Seasiders babes and Oluwalade Phoebe of Ekiti. For Coach Shittu, it is not a new experience as his present Under 20 Women’s team were the successful Under 18 team that he led to finish second in the IHF Women’s Trophy Intercontinental Phase in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last year, representing Africa following their success in the zonal and continental phase. Coach Shittu, however believed it is a different situation, saying this is the first Nigeria would be participating in the Junior category (Under 20) of the competition as it will be a new experience for the players. For Coach John Uzor, the Under 18 team wants to surpass the record set by their predessesors, stressing that the country would have the best players to do so. “We are entering into a big shoe worn by our elder sisters who are now in the Under 20 category and we must maintain and even surpass their standards. We have the best crops of players to overcome in Cote’d’Voire,” Coach John assured. The two teams must win the zonal phase in Abidjan to qualify for the continental phase later this year.

Newcastle Eye Top Four as United Visit in Premier League Clash on GOtv

Our Reporters1 week ago1 week ago03 mins

The race for Champions League spots continues this weekend in high-stakes games across various venues in the Premier League. All the games will show live on GOtv. The headline fixture sees Newcastle host Manchester United at St James’ Park. The Magpies are flying, with three straight wins, including a 3–0 dismissal of Leicester, and could move one point clear of fourth-placed Chelsea if they win. They have a game in hand. United remain stuck in 13th after a goalless Manchester Derby, but can still influence the European race. The game kicks off at 4:30 PM on Channel 65 (SS EPL). Saturday kicks off with Manchester City at home to Crystal Palace at 12:30 PM. Despite last weekend’s draw, a win could move the champions back into the top four, depending on results elsewhere. Arsenal, held by Everton last time out, will be desperate to close the gap on leaders Liverpool when they host Brentford at 5:30 PM. Both games air on Channel 65 (SS EPL). Liverpool, beaten 3–2 by Fulham last time out, face a struggling West Ham on Sunday. The Reds remain top and will look to extend their lead with a win. Chelsea take on Ipswich, needing maximum points to keep pace in the top-four race. Both games kick off at 2:00 PM Other key fixtures include Brighton vs Leicester, Forest vs Everton, Southampton vs Aston Villa, and Wolves vs Spurs, all potentially impacting European hopes and mid-table standings. The round ends Monday night with Bournemouth hosting Fulham at 8:00 PM, a battle of attacking mid-table sides. Catch all Premier League matches this weekend on Channel 65 (SS EPL) with GOtv.

VDM Donates N20M to Bring Back Trafficked Girls From Ivory Coast

Our Reporters1 week ago1 week ago02 mins

Online human rights activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) has donated the sum of N20million to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to facilitate the return of young Nigerian women trafficked to Ivory Coast back to Nigeria. The Controversial activist, who in company of his lawyer, Barrister Deji Adeyanju were at the NAPTIP office in Abuja on Thursday, made the disclosure of the donation on Friday. According to him, the donation was made to ensure the return of the girls back to the country and to also assist with their rehabiliation. “On behalf of the RATEL MOVEMENT, I donated the sum of 20million Naira to NAPTIP through the (MVOI) to help bring the trafficked children from Ivory Coast back to Nigeria and other victims of trafficking and to also help in their rehabilitation. “Furthermore, we urge the immigration to play their parts in protecting our children especially our girl child by securing the borders, their work should not be stop at printing international passports and seizing bags of rice at the borders in the name of contraband. “Help us, help our children,” he pleaded.

Stop Giving Political Interpretation To Judicial Matters, AGF Tells Nigerians

Our Reporters1 week ago1 week ago03 mins

Reflecting on the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, Fagbemi said he deliberately maintained neutrality on the matter, as it is currently undergoing judicial review. He noted the controversy surrounding the appointment of Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Administrator of Rivers State, warning against public commentary on cases before the courts. “People should stop interpreting the law based on political partisanship,” he said. “Let’s allow the judiciary to make its pronouncement.” The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has cautioned against politicizing judicial matters, urging Nigerians to interpret legal issues strictly through the lens of the Constitution. Speaking in Lagos on Thursday at the presentation of “Tribulations and Trophies: Bola Ajibola in His Own Words!”—an autobiography of the late former Attorney-General of the Federation—Fagbemi advised stakeholders to set aside emotions and rely on legal principles for clarity on contentious issues. Fagbemi praised the late Bola Ajibola as a reformer and legal icon of great integrity, saying his legacy in justice reform and institution-building remains impactful. “In the Ministry of Justice, the records are there,” he said. “He did so much in terms of law reforms and in advising the authorities at critical times. Every lawyer should strive to emulate this great man who did so much in Nigeria and beyond.” The book event drew several dignitaries, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola. Bola Ajibola, who served as a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague and founded Crescent University in Abeokuta, passed away on April 8, 2023, at the age of 89. Read Also: https://trendbrio.com/stop-giving-political-interpretation-to-judicial-matters-agf-tells-nigerians/

Sterling Bank Unveils Industry-First Zero Transfer Fee Policy on OneBank App

Our Reporters1 week ago1 week ago05 mins

LAGOS, NIGERIA – Sterling Bank has made a game-changing move in Nigeria’s banking landscape by eliminating transfer fees on its digital banking platform, OneBank. With this bold step, Sterling becomes the first major Nigerian bank to completely waive charges on customer transactions within its own app. The official announcement was made during a press conference held recently in Lagos, where top executives from the bank—including Maurice Igugu (Chief Marketing Officer), Obinna Ukachukwu (Growth Executive, Consumer and Business Banking Directorate), Uti Ellu (Group Head, Customer Experience Strategy), and Abubakar Suleiman (Managing Director/CEO)—gathered to unveil the groundbreaking initiative. “This is not a gimmick. This is the future—and it starts now,” said Abubakar Suleiman, CEO of Sterling Bank. “For too long, Nigerians have paid fees just to move their own money. We’re saying enough is enough.” Suleiman revealed that the decision is a direct result of the bank’s years-long digital transformation journey. Sterling has developed a robust infrastructure capable of supporting a vast user base, including a custom-built callback system that currently serves over five million customers and processes more than 180 million transactions. In addition, the bank has fully transitioned from a legacy European core banking system to a homegrown, scalable platform, hosted in a private cloud environment that can seamlessly support up to 50 times its existing customer base. “We’ve done the work. Now it’s time to pass those benefits on to the people,” Suleiman added. The Zero Transfer Fee Policy is available exclusively to users of OneBank, Sterling’s flagship digital app. As an added incentive, new customers who sign up before April 30 will receive a free AfriGo debit card and enjoy lifetime access to fee-free transfers. “This is more than a product feature—it’s an economic statement,” Suleiman said. “We’re standing with everyday Nigerians, small business owners, and anyone who’s tired of being nickel-and-dimed by the system.” Obinna Ukachukwu, who leads the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate, emphasized that the new policy is both a thank-you to long-time customers and a welcome mat to those seeking a better banking experience. “We owe this to the customers who believed in us and supported our transformation,” Ukachukwu said. “And for those joining us now, you’re family—so you get the same lifelong benefits.” He also hinted at what’s next for Sterling: new features and financial tools tailored to help both individuals and businesses improve financial wellbeing and drive economic growth. “We’re still covering some of the transaction costs, including fees paid to other banks. But we’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do. If more banks take this step, the entire industry—and the Nigerian people—will be better for it,” Ukachukwu concluded.

Rivers Hoopers Through to Basketball Africa League Playoffs

Our Reporters1 week ago1 week ago03 mins

Rivers Hoopers have secured their place in the Basketball Africa League Playoffs by defeating FUS Rabat, and will next face Al-Ittihad of Egypt in a crucial match on Saturday. For a second consecutive season, Nigeria’s representatives at season five of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) have qualified for the Playoffs holding in Pretoria, South Africa from 6-14 June. Rivers Hoopers defeated FUS Rabat 79-71 on Thursday night to move to a 3-1 mark on the Kalahari Conference table. With two games left to play, the KingsMen are second on the table behind Al-Ittihad of Egypt (4-0). While FUS Rabat sit third with a 1-3 record and Stade Malien on 0-4 mark. The KingsMen will battle the Egyptian champions for the first place while FUS and Stade Malien will slug it out for the third spot. Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu is excited to have qualified for the 2025 BAL Playoffs with two more games to go. ”It feels really good to qualify for the finals again. It is the highest basketball stage in Africa, and everybody in Africa wants to be there. I am really, really happy that we are there now. We hope to take some time off to celebrate. ”Right from the get-go our target was to make the playoffs. Now that we have made the playoffs, we are going to get greedy,” he stated. Odaudu said the current target of the team is to go past their previous record of a third-place finish. ”We came in third last year. We are hoping that we are going to go a step further. Everybody wants that for us; they have pushed us, and we want to go a step further than what we did last year. ”Right now we are enjoying the victory of last night and will get back to work this evening.” Rivers Hoopers will next play Egyptian champions Al-Ittihad on Saturday at 4pm WAT.

Atiku Congratulates First Son, Adamu, at 50

Our Reporters1 week ago1 week ago03 mins

Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 General Elections, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, has showered encomiums on his first son, Adamu Atiku on the occasion of his 50th birthday. The Veteran Politician took to Twitter now X on Friday to appreciate the businessman, and Commissioner for Works and Energy Development, Adamawa State. His words: “This day, April 11, has always been a special day for me and my entire family. “The birthday date of every child is registered in the memory of the parents. “And so, when Adamu came to us on this day 50 years ago, every passing year has been a beholding memory. “I cannot pretend to simplify the fact that Adamu Atiku is a son with an aura that is not common – as with many of his siblings. “Having come in what I call the first order of Atiku’s progeny, Adamu was born with a natural mantle of leadership in his hands. “My experience of him growing up was special. Like with all those of my children who came about the same time with him, parenting was meant to be with an iron fist. “However, Adamu, in particular, showed that the iron fist was unnecessary. The mien of his polite character inspired his younger siblings to follow a tradition of modest upbringing that continues to be a defining feature amongst my other children. “Adamu is a blessing to my family, for which I will be eternally grateful to Allah. “I am proud that today, I not only have a worthy son in him, he is also a friend and a confidant in whom I am most pleased with. “It gives me joy to celebrate him today on his 50th birthday anniversary and to wish him the fullness of good tidings in the years that lie ahead by the mercy of Almighty Allah.” Honourable Adamu is said to be committed to the infrastructural development in Adamawa State.