EFCC Questions Chief Judge John Tsoho Over $160,000 Found With Wife Ahead Of CCB Hearing

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday questioned Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for several hours over a large sum of cash reportedly found in his wife’s possession. An EFCC source told SaharaReporters, “EFCC interrogated the Chief Judge, Tsoho, for hours on Tuesday over his wife’s cash haul.” The development follows reports that Justice Tsoho’s wife was intercepted by EFCC operatives while travelling to Benue State and subsequently returned to Abuja. Sources said $160,000 in cash was allegedly discovered in her possession at the time. Details surrounding the source of the funds and the purpose of the trip have not yet been clarified. The investigation comes as Justice Tsoho is scheduled to appear before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on March 16, 2026, over allegations that he failed to declare his assets as required by law. A petition alleges that the Chief Judge did not fully disclose his assets, including three accounts with United Bank for Africa (UBA) and another with Access Bank. Should the CCB establish a prima facie case, it could press charges, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a 10-year ban from public office. The Federal High Court issued a statement via its Director of Information, Catherine Christopher, reaffirming that Justice Tsoho is cooperating fully with the CCB. The statement noted that the Chief Judge will appear before the bureau alongside his legal representative, Kanu Godwin Agabi (SAN), who is currently abroad for medical reasons but has indicated he will accompany Tsoho upon his return. “The Federal High Court of Nigeria wishes to clarify that the Honourable Chief Judge, Hon Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, remains fully committed to cooperating with the Code of Conduct Bureau in respect of its invitation,” the statement read. It added, “In accordance with his constitutional right to consult and be represented by counsel of his choice, his legal representative, Kanu Godwin Agabi, CON, SAN, has indicated his readiness to accompany the Honourable Chief Judge to the Bureau upon his return to Nigeria.”

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ICPC Denies Arrest Or Investigation Of Justice James Omotosho, Calls Viral Video False

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has denied claims circulating on social media that it arrested or is investigating Justice James Omotosho. In a statement on Tuesday, ICPC spokesperson John Odey described the video as false and misleading, clarifying that the commission has neither arrested nor summoned Justice Omotosho in connection with any probe. “The commission wishes to clarify that it has neither arrested nor invited Justice James Omotosho in relation to any investigation. The commission is also not investigating the judge as alleged in the video,” the statement read. The ICPC urged the public to disregard the video and avoid sharing unverified content that could cause panic or damage reputations. The commission further stressed that it does not have the authority to investigate serving judicial officers and reiterated its respect for the judiciary. “The ICPC has no mandate to investigate serving judicial officers. The commission has regard for Justice James Omotosho and all judicial officers in Nigeria,” the statement added. Justice Omotosho sits at the Federal High Court in Abuja and has presided over cases involving Nnamdi Kanu. The video’s claims emerged amid reports of inquiries by the National Judicial Council into some judges. Recently, the Code of Conduct Bureau invited Federal High Court Chief Judge John Tsoho over alleged issues with asset declarations. While the court confirmed Tsoho would cooperate, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) noted that investigations or prosecutions of judges by other agencies should follow proper procedure, requiring the National Judicial Council to first conduct disciplinary reviews.

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Kano Governor Abba Yusuf Sacks Head Of Service Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, Appoints Acting Replacement

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has dismissed his Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, effective immediately. The announcement was made through the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature. According to the statement, the move is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to restructure the state civil service for greater efficiency, discipline, and improved service delivery across government institutions. Governor Yusuf has directed Musa to hand over the responsibilities of the office by Wednesday to Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Maimota, the Permanent Secretary for Administration and General Services at the Cabinet Office, who will serve as acting Head of Service until a substantive replacement is appointed. The governor expressed gratitude to the outgoing Head of Service for his dedication and contributions to Kano State during his tenure. “We wish him the best in his future endeavours and pray for his continued success in all aspects of life,” the statement read. It further confirmed, “The outgoing Head of Service is directed to hand over the affairs of the office to the Acting Head of Service by Wednesday, 11th March 2026, pending the appointment of a substantive Head of Service.”

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Court Approves ICPC To Detain Former Kaduna Governor El-Rufai For Additional 14 Days

A Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja, has approved the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to extend the detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai by 14 days. The order, issued Thursday by Chief Magistrate Okechukwu John Akweke, is to allow the anti-graft agency to complete its investigation into allegations of money laundering and abuse of office. The remand will run until March 19, 2026. Court documents show the order was granted in the presence of El-Rufai’s lawyer following an application by the ICPC. Prosecuting counsel Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha requested the court to authorize the continued detention until investigations are concluded. The court stated: “An order of this Honourable Court issuing a remand warrant against the Respondent (NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI) in favour of the Applicant i.e. Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to detain the Respondent… in its custody for another fourteen (14) days pending conclusion of investigation activities on allegations of Money Laundering/abuse of office.” It added, “Application granted as prayed. That the Applicant i.e. ICPC is hereby ordered to re-detain the Respondent for additional 14 days to enable the commission conclude investigation activities. The return date shall be 19th day of March 2026, for report of compliance.” El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ukpong Esop Akpan, has challenged the new remand order, following a previous failed attempt to nullify the first detention. The court is set to rule on the challenge on March 17. An ICPC source told The Nation that the commission is not persecuting the former governor and that all actions comply with legal procedures. “With a Senior Advocate of Nigeria as our chairman, we cannot detain any suspect without a valid court order. El-Rufai’s legal team has been involved in all proceedings. The first remand order was challenged and dismissed; the second will be ruled on March 17,” the source said. The source added that the ICPC is acting on a petition against El-Rufai and that the chairman has no personal interest in the matter. “Equity demands that we hear from him,” the source said.

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Nigeria Begins Evacuation Of Citizens From Iran Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

The Federal Government has started evacuating Nigerians from Iran, guiding those who wish to leave safely across the Armenian border as tensions escalate in the Middle East. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), announced the development on Tuesday via her X account. She said officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran are coordinating the evacuation and assisting citizens who want to depart. Evacuees are being escorted to the Armenian border, where arrangements have been made to ensure their safe passage. The operation comes after coordinated military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel on February 28, which reportedly sparked retaliatory missile and drone attacks in parts of the region, raising concerns of a broader conflict. Dabiri-Erewa reassured that no Nigerian has been affected by the ongoing hostilities and confirmed that embassy staff remain at the border to assist those leaving the country. “Willing Nigerians are being escorted across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran for safe passage. No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the war, and officials remain at the border to receive all who want to leave,” she stated. The evacuation highlights the government’s efforts to safeguard Nigerians amid the ongoing tensions involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

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Tinubu Orders Deployment Of 100,000 CNG Conversion Kits To Ease Petrol And Diesel Costs

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate rollout of 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits across Nigeria within the next two to three weeks to help Nigerians cope with rising petrol and diesel prices. The announcement was made by Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), after a meeting with the President at the State House, Abuja. Ahmed explained that the directive was driven by the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has pushed global petroleum prices higher, increasing transportation costs nationwide. “The President wanted to know what we are doing at Pi-CNG and EV to scale up gas availability so that Nigerians can have more affordable transportation,” he said. The initiative will enable motorists and tricycle operators to convert their vehicles to run on CNG, providing a cost-effective alternative to petrol and diesel. Ahmed said multiple stakeholders are involved to ensure the kits are quickly deployed and accessible to the public. The rollout is expected to start within two to three weeks, with conversion centres soon buzzing with activity. The programme also includes the introduction of bi-fuel vehicles and tricycles capable of running on both CNG and electricity. President Tinubu also instructed Pi-CNG to accelerate the development of gas refilling stations and electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide, with a particular focus on the Northern corridor. Currently, 77 refilling stations are under development across the country, with notable progress in Kano State, where two LCNG stations and several daughter stations are nearing completion. The Northern corridor, spanning Lokoja, Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, and Maiduguri, will be equipped with multiple refuelling points to ensure smooth access to CNG for motorists.

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Keyamo Orders Airports To Resume Hybrid Cash And Electronic Payments From March 13

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has ordered the return of a hybrid payment system at all airport access gates across Nigeria, following the suspension of the full cashless system that caused major traffic jams. Effective Friday, March 13, 2026, both cash and electronic payments will be accepted at airport entrances nationwide. The decision came after a review meeting between the minister, officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and senior ministry staff to assess the challenges faced during the initial rollout of the cashless system. The fully cashless system had earlier been suspended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after it led to congestion at several airports. Looking ahead, the ministry plans to work with concessionaires to implement a fully automated electronic payment system at all airport gates, aiming to eventually phase out cash entirely. Motorists who already have FAAN Go Cashless Cards can continue using them, while other electronic payment options, including POS terminals and approved digital channels, will remain available. The minister encouraged travelers and road users to obtain and use the FAAN Go Cashless Card as the authority continues to refine the system. He emphasized that the directive restores the previous gate payment arrangement while paving the way for a fully automated system across Nigeria’s airports.

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Chude Jideonwo Says Lagos Is Full Of Married Gay People, Warns About Ritual Ads On TikTok

Popular media personality Chude Jideonwo has said that Lagos is home to many married gay people. He made the comment while addressing speculation about his own sexuality following a viral interview with TVC. In a segment from his latest appearance on The Clarity Zone Podcast, Chude also expressed concern over ritual advertisements on social media. Describing what he’s seen online, he said, “Abi them say people are advertising rituals on TikTok. Ritual is advertised on TikTok. Native medicine, I have seen three people advertising, and people are engaging. One of the women was live from her shrine. And people were like, ‘Mama, how can I reach you?’ with a phone number.” Reflecting on the public’s reaction to his interview, he added, “When the TVC interview came out, people were saying maybe I’m gay. I’m like Lagos is full of married gay people.”

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