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Court Rejects Malami’s Bail Application

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A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has dismissed a bail application by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Justice Babangida Hassan, presiding over the case, ruled on Thursday that Malami’s detention is lawful and supported by a valid court order. Meanwhile, former South-East spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has urged Malami to cooperate with the EFCC investigation instead of demanding the recusal of its chairman. Speaking from Paris, France, Onoh responded to Malami’s call for EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede to step aside from the probe, citing alleged conflicts linked to the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report. He argued that the report does not prevent the EFCC from investigating former public officials and emphasized that requests for recusal must adhere strictly to the law and principles of fairness. Onoh stressed that the EFCC operates under statutory authority to investigate economic and financial crimes without bias, noting that the Salami Panel was intended to strengthen accountability, not provide immunity for any individual. He also highlighted Malami’s past actions as Attorney-General, including overseeing high-profile prosecutions widely criticized as politically motivated, which involved defiance of court orders and prolonged detentions. “It is the height of hypocrisy for former AGF Abubakar Malami to now accuse the EFCC of ‘personal vendetta’ when he himself led a campaign to remove former EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu in 2020,” Onoh said. He recalled that Malami drafted memos to then-President Muhammadu Buhari levelling over 22 allegations against Magu, including diversion of recovered funds and gross misconduct, and refused to appear before the Salami Panel, denying Magu the chance to confront his accuser. Critics described this as a “grudge war” leveraging Malami’s influence. Onoh added that Magu was never prosecuted or convicted, yet his career was effectively ended, exemplifying the type of vendetta Malami now attributes to the current EFCC leadership. He also cited Malami’s role in the prolonged detention of former National Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki, despite court orders granting bail, as evidence of the former AGF’s disregard for the rule of law to settle political scores. Onoh concluded that Malami cannot now seek special treatment or call for recusal simply because he faces accountability.

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Tinubu Will Not Direct EFCC, ICPC Over Farouk Ahmed Allegations — Presidency

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The Presidency has reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not step into the affairs of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies over the corruption allegations surrounding Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. Ahmed resigned from his position after Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, accused him of corruption, triggering public outcry and demands for accountability. Reacting to the situation on Thursday, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission are independent bodies empowered by law to act without interference from the Presidency. His response came after criticism emerged on social media over the absence of arrests or publicly announced investigations following Ahmed’s resignation. An X user, @OurFavOnlineDoc, questioned why stepping down appeared to be the only consequence. “No prosecution. No arrest. No investigation. No proper accountability. Just allegation of stealing public funds, followed by a quiet resignation, and everybody can move on. This is not how to build a sane country with trust, integrity, and respect before the world. What a shame,” the user wrote. Onanuga dismissed the criticism, insisting that the President cannot dictate how the anti-graft agencies operate. “This is how we get things wrong through uninformed criticism. ICPC and EFCC are autonomous institutions. The ball is now in their courts to carry out their mandates. Mr. President will not tell them what to do,” he said.

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FCT High Court Grants Bail to Former Labour Minister Chris Ngige

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A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gwarimpa has granted bail to former Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige. Ngige is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge involving abuse of office and acceptance of gifts worth approximately N2.2 billion. He is accused of receiving the gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) while serving as supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023. In a Thursday ruling, Justice Mariam Hassan ordered that Ngige be granted bail under the same conditions as the administrative bail previously approved by the EFCC. The judge stipulated that Ngige must provide a surety who holds a director-level position and owns landed property within the court’s jurisdiction. Since Ngige claimed his international passport was misplaced, the surety is required to deposit their own international passport with the court, which will only be returned once Ngige provides a replacement. The court adjourned the matter until January 28 and 29 next year for trial.

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I Dated Veekee James – DeeOne Opens Up About Past Romance, Responds to “Unserious” Claim

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Comedian DeeOne has confirmed that he once had a romantic relationship with celebrity fashion designer Veekee James, responding to her recent comments labeling him as “unserious.” Veekee had previously described DeeOne as someone who shouldn’t be taken seriously, prompting him to share his side of the story on Instagram. DeeOne revealed that he and Veekee James were involved back in 2018, shortly after his Big Brother Naija stint. He explained that he values his freedom and does not like being controlled, recalling instances where Veekee would ask him to buy things for her, which he felt was inappropriate. “There’s no bad blood, and it’s not that I didn’t treat her well,” DeeOne said. “Some people in the industry know about this, even her husband Mr. Femi James knows. I just don’t like being controlled or constantly messaged for favors. I’m a boyfriend, not a house help.” Despite the past, DeeOne expressed goodwill toward Veekee and her husband, saying he is a fan of their work and has moved on. He also advised fans not to take celebrity issues personally, noting that some details of the entertainment industry are not widely known. “To be honest, I wish them the best. I’m not a hater and I have moved on,” he added. “But from me, it’s all love. Don’t take all this personally—there are things in the entertainment industry people don’t know about, and the reason I’m saying this is because she’s the one that talks negatively about me.”

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Pearl Okafor Describes Meeting Pastor Chris Okafor as Divine Miracle, Shares Joy About Starting Family

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Pearl Okafor, the new wife of Pastor Chris Okafor, has shared the story of their relationship, describing their meeting as a divine miracle. “We met by divine orchestration,” she said, praising her husband. Pearl highlighted the many roles Chris plays in her life, calling him “my sugar daddy, boyfriend, husband, best friend, and daddy.” She also expressed her excitement about starting a family, saying she looks forward to carrying his children and watching them grow. Pastor Chris Okafor echoed her feelings, revealing he never had doubts about marrying Pearl. “I knew what I wanted and I am happy,” he said, sharing tender moments with his wife on Instagram.   View this post on Instagram  

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Ecuadorian Footballer Mario Pineida Shot and Killed in Guayaquil

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Ecuadorian footballer Mario Pineida has been shot and killed in the port city of Guayaquil, his club confirmed on Wednesday. Pineida, 33, was a member of Ecuador’s national team for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and played for Fluminense in 2022. In a post on X, his club, Barcelona SC, expressed deep sorrow, stating it “regrets to inform, with deep sorrow, that it has been officially notified of the death of our player Mario Pineida, an event that occurred following an attack against him” in Guayaquil. The Interior Ministry also confirmed Pineida’s death and said a special police unit has been assigned to investigate the case. Reports indicate that Pineida was attacked by two individuals on motorcycles, who opened fire on him, his mother, and another woman. Guayaquil has become a hotspot for gang violence linked to drug trafficking, and several footballers in Ecuador have been targeted in recent months. In September, three players from Ecuador’s second division were killed, one reportedly connected to sports betting, while local footballer Bryan Angula was wounded in a shooting a month later.

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FIFA Awards Malaysia Three 3-0 Defeats Over Ineligible Players, FAM To Appeal

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FIFA has handed Malaysia a major blow, awarding the nation three 3-0 defeats after it was found to have fielded ineligible players, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed on Wednesday. Matches previously recorded as friendly wins against Palestine and Singapore, along with a home draw with Cape Verde earlier this year, have all been overturned. The sanctions follow FIFA’s suspension of seven foreign-born Malaysian national team players who submitted falsified documents claiming Malaysian ancestry. FAM, which had already been fined $440,000 in the ongoing scandal, has now been hit with an additional $12,500 penalty. A FIFA disciplinary committee meeting held last Friday declared, “Malaysia is declared to have lost 3-0 in all three matches,” the association said. The investigation began after FIFA received a complaint following Malaysia’s 4-0 victory over Vietnam in June during an Asian Cup qualifier, where two of the implicated players scored. FIFA’s probe found that Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, and Joao Brandao Figueiredo did not have a parent or grandparent born in Malaysia, as required for national team eligibility. FAM, however, insists it acted appropriately and confirmed it will appeal the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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Fubara: Rivers State Met N600 Billion In Treasury After Emergency Rule

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Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has clarified that Administrator Ibot-Eke Ibas left N600 billion in the state treasury at the end of the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He also noted that his administration had left N300 billion in the account before the emergency rule commenced. The emergency rule was in effect from March 18 to September 18, when it was lifted. Fubara spoke on the state’s finances during the inauguration of the 14.2km Obodhi-Ozochi Road in Ahoada East and Ahoada West, a project initiated by former Governor Nyesom Wike and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. His administration redesigned the road. The governor made the remarks following repeated claims by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, that Vice Admiral Ibas left N600 billion in the treasury. Addressing the crowd mobilized by his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, Fubara encouraged Amaewhule to translate the support into votes for President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027. Fubara emphasized that his administration has maintained detailed records of all expenditures and promised to release them soon. He stressed that his government would not be linked to fraudulent activities in project execution. “When we left during the emergency rule, our records are there. We left over N300 billion, and when we returned, we met about N600 billion. Every penny spent is documented, and the evidence will be shown in the next six months,” he said. He added: “There is no issue with how we are using the funds or what we met. Nobody can question my integrity. I am not associated with fraudulent acts. The record of your money and how it is being spent is intact. We have strong projects ongoing. Perhaps some believe otherwise because we don’t flag-off projects unnecessarily.” Fubara further explained his administration’s approach to project delivery: “We believe in commissioning projects rather than spending on flag-offs and commissioning separately. We save the money and present completed projects to the people. Call me any day, the records are there.”

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