Trendbrio.com

News and Entertainment Update

Live
World
US Offers $10 Million Reward For Information On Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei 01
02
News
Shi’ite Group Stages Pro-Palestine Quds Day Protest In Bauchi, Backs Iran Amid Rising Tensions
03
News
Dangote Refinery Raises Petrol Ex-Depot Price To ₦1,175 Per Litre
04
News
NDPC Warns Content Creators Over Filming Nigerians Without Consent For Social Media Content
05
Soccer
Sports
Pep Guardiola Wins Barclays Manager Of The Month For February, 12th Career Honor

Tag: FG

FG Drops Criminal Defamation Charges Against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Wale busari03 mins

The Federal Government has officially discontinued the criminal defamation and cyberbullying case against the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, putting an end to a legal battle that had drawn intense public and political attention. The withdrawal was confirmed on Sunday following a telephone conversation with Eseme Eyiboh, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President. According to him, the decision was consistent with Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s earlier directive to withdraw all defamation-related suits he had instituted. The charges arose from petitions submitted by Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello after Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made comments during a televised appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, where she reportedly claimed there were plots to assassinate her. Eyiboh, while explaining the development, said, “When the Senate President made the decision to withdraw all defamation cases in court, he didn’t say ‘except Natasha’; he said all cases.” Akpabio had announced on Thursday that he instructed his lawyers to discontinue every defamation suit he filed against individuals, stating that the decision followed advice he received from a priest during a New Year Mass. Following this directive, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation filed a Notice of Discontinuance dated December 12, 2025, before the Federal High Court in Abuja, effectively bringing the prosecution to an end. The filing was made under Sections 108(1), 108(2)(a) and 108(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as well as the inherent powers of the court. The notice, submitted in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was signed by officials of the Department of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the Attorney-General and duly certified by the court. It was entered in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025. “The Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation intends to discontinue proceedings in this matter,” the notice read.

Read More

7,000 Forest Guards Graduated To Strengthen Environmental Security In Northern Nigeria

Wale busari02 mins

The Federal Government has officially graduated 7,000 newly trained Forest Guards in a ceremony held simultaneously across seven northern states on Saturday. The parades took place in Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Park Service. The move is part of ongoing efforts to boost environmental security and strengthen the protection of Nigeria’s forest reserves and national parks. The Forest Guards are expected to play a key role in tackling illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and other environmental crimes, while also supporting broader national security operations. Graduates underwent specialised training provided jointly by security and environmental agencies to prepare them for duties in forest communities and protected areas. Officials highlighted that the joint effort aims to improve intelligence-sharing, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and ensure a stronger security presence in remote locations prone to criminal activity. The new Forest Guards are scheduled to be deployed to their respective duty posts in the coming weeks.

Read More

Nigeria Gave Intelligence, Greenlight For US Terror Airstrike — Foreign Affairs Minister

Wale busari05 mins

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has disclosed that Nigeria supplied the intelligence that led to the recent United States airstrike on terrorist targets in the country and also gave formal clearance before the operation was carried out. Tuggar made the revelation on Friday during an interview on Channels Television, a day after the US confirmed it had conducted the strike as part of its counter-terrorism operations. He explained that the strike was the product of ongoing security collaboration between Nigeria and the United States and had no religious undertone. “It’s Nigeria that provided the intelligence. I was on the phone yesterday for 19 minutes with Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the United States. We spoke extensively, and we agreed that I was going to speak with President Tinubu for President Tinubu to give the go-ahead,” Tuggar said. “And I did speak with him and it was agreed also that the statements that would follow would be statements that would show clearly that it is a strike against terrorism and that it is part of the ongoing joint operations between Nigeria and collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.” The minister said Nigeria has consistently sought stronger partnerships with the US and other countries to tackle terrorism, describing the strike as evidence of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to security. “Nigeria has remained consistent in its approach, which is to work with all partners that are committed to the fight against terrorism, irrespective of what religion, who the victims are, whether they are Muslims or Christians, and irrespective of what type of terrorism, be it terrorism being carried out in the name of one religion or the other, or indeed even banditry. So this is an ongoing process.” He added, “We have been working closely with the Americans. This is what we’ve always been hoping for: to work with the Americans, work with other countries to combat terrorism, to stop the death of innocent Nigerians. So this is a vindication of the Tinubu administration. “For those who thought that there was some foot-dragging or the government wasn’t doing enough, it is a clear indication that we are committed and we are prepared to work with all countries.” Tuggar stressed that the operation had nothing to do with religion, noting that its sole objective was the protection of lives. “It is not to do with religion, it is to do with protecting Nigerians and the innocent lives of either Nigerians or non-Nigerians. This was clear. We spoke twice. “We spoke for 19 minutes before the strike, and then we spoke again for another five minutes before it went on.” The US President, Donald Trump, had earlier confirmed that American forces carried out an airstrike targeting suspected terrorist elements in Nigeria.

Read More

ASUU, Federal Government Finalize New Agreement On Salaries, Pensions And University Funding

Wale busari02 mins

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government have reached a new agreement, bringing an end to the long-running renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement. The resolution marks a major milestone in addressing disputes over academics’ welfare and funding for public universities. ASUU announced the development on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, confirming that the agreement will take effect from January 1, 2026, with a scheduled review after three years. The deal was finalized on December 23, 2025, following extensive negotiations between the union and government representatives. Under the new terms, academic staff in public universities will receive a 40 per cent salary increase, alongside significantly enhanced pension benefits. Professors retiring at age 70 are now entitled to a pension equivalent to their annual salary. The agreement also introduces a revamped funding model for universities, allocating dedicated resources for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment, and staff development. Additionally, a National Research Council will be established to oversee research activities, with at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product committed to funding research. Other key provisions include strengthened university autonomy and academic freedom, the election of academic leaders such as Deans and Provosts restricted to professors, and assurances that no staff member will be penalized for participating in previous industrial actions.

Read More

FG Files Fresh N1 Billion Money Laundering Charges Against Former AGF Abubakar Malami And Son

Wale busari03 mins

The Nigerian Government has brought fresh money laundering charges against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged financial transactions exceeding N1 billion. The 16-count charge, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, names the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant, with Hajia Bashir Asabe also listed as a co-defendant. According to court documents, the defendants are accused of handling, transferring, and concealing funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Investigators reportedly traced N1,014,848,500 to a Sterling Bank account linked to these transactions. The prosecution claims the funds were laundered through corporate entities, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, allegedly used to obscure the source and movement of the money. Between 2015 and 2025, the defendants are said to have acquired several properties in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi states with illicit funds, including luxury homes in high-profile areas such as Maitama, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, and Jabi, some of which were reportedly purchased while Malami was in office as Attorney-General. One of the counts alleges that between July 2022 and June 2025, the defendants used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to hide the unlawful origin of over N1.014 billion, violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The charge sheet also outlines the alleged use of bank accounts, hotel businesses, and real estate firms to retain, move, or disguise large sums of money, including payments for hotels, plazas, duplexes, and landed properties. Prosecutors argue that the defendants “reasonably ought to have known” the funds were derived from illegal activities. Malami served as Nigeria’s Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari and has faced multiple corruption allegations during his tenure, all of which he has denied. In a related matter, the Federal High Court had previously granted Malami interim bail in a separate EFCC case, requiring him to surrender his passport and provide two sureties. The current money laundering case has been adjourned to January 5, 2026, for further proceedings.

Read More

FG Orders Road Contractors To Keep Key Highways Open During Holidays

Wale busari04 mins

The Federal Government has instructed all federal road contractors to keep project sites open during the holiday season, emphasizing that major highways and bridges must not be closed without official approval. Minister of Works David Umahi issued the directive on Tuesday at an emergency meeting with directors and contractors of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja. He also ordered directors and federal controllers to postpone their holiday plans and remain on site to ensure that ongoing projects do not obstruct traffic flow. Umahi criticised some contractors for leaving sites under the pretext of holidays despite worsening road conditions across the country. He highlighted strategic routes such as the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway, Abuja drainage canals, and key corridors in Sokoto, Katsina, and Kebbi states, noting that these must remain operational. He said, “No contractor is permitted to close a site without the approval of the Federal Ministry of Works. Some sites must not close at all. Abuja–Lokoja cannot close. Some corridors are simply too critical. Don’t close the roads. Open them for vehicular movements.” The minister also announced that the government has begun verifying and preparing to pay N2.13 trillion owed to road contractors, with payments expected to start in January 2026. Directors and contractors have been instructed to submit claims and certificates for verification, with only confirmed obligations to be settled. Umahi noted that President Bola Tinubu was surprised at the size of the outstanding liabilities, which he said were largely inherited and worsened by weak supervision and poor contract management. A committee chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima has been set up to manage the verification and payment process. The minister acknowledged recent traffic disruptions, particularly on the Abuja–Lokoja highway, describing them as “very embarrassing,” and directed emergency measures to restore smooth traffic flow before the Christmas season. He also raised concern about congestion on the Enugu–Onitsha Road. Umahi urged contractors and supervising officials to work together to remove bottlenecks and ensure smooth vehicular movement on all major federal highways. He commended contractors for supporting President Tinubu’s shift from asphalt to concrete road construction, describing it as a difficult but necessary change to improve road durability. He explained that asphalt roads often deteriorate within 10 to 15 years due to drainage failures and soil issues, while concrete roads last longer if properly built. In addition, Umahi announced a reorganisation of the Ministry of Works, with directors and senior engineers redeployed to supervise projects directly in the field. “Everybody is going to the field. Only the Permanent Secretary and I will remain in the office. Every director will supervise a major project, and performance will be judged strictly by output,” he said.

Read More

FG To Delete Terrorist Accounts On Social Media, Tracks Online Financing Networks

Wale busari04 mins

The Federal Government has confirmed that Nigerian security agencies are partnering with major social media companies to track and remove accounts used by terrorist and criminal groups to promote their activities and raise funds. Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, made the disclosure on Tuesday during an end-of-year briefing in Abuja. He said platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X have been exploited by terrorists to publicize operations, display looted items, and communicate with supporters. Security agencies have held multiple engagements with these companies to address posts and accounts deemed threats to national security. “Social media platforms have been used by terrorist groups—if you knew how many accounts we have taken down. We meet with platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and X. While they are businesses focused on growth, we explain the security risks and ensure harmful accounts are removed,” Laka said. The DG recalled that at one point, bandits were posting videos of stolen goods on TikTok, livestreaming, and holding online conversations, but these activities have since been curtailed. He added that terrorist groups continually change tactics, including operating under aliases and unverified accounts, and security agencies are constantly updating their strategies to counter these shifts. Ransom payments remain a major source of terror financing, with kidnappers increasingly using point-of-sale (POS) operators to transfer funds, making it harder to trace. “You see a transfer made by terrorists, and when you investigate, the account belongs to a POS operator. The kidnappers provide the POS operator’s number, the money is transferred, and they collect it,” he explained. Laka said authorities have intensified efforts to trace ransom payments, arrest suspects, and dismantle terror financing networks, though operational details are withheld for security reasons. Several arrests, prosecutions, and asset recoveries have helped Nigeria comply with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards. He also highlighted coordinated investigations by security agencies, financial intelligence units, and the judiciary as key to Nigeria’s recent progress in meeting Financial Action Task Force requirements. Acknowledging challenges posed by evolving terrorist tactics and porous borders in the Sahel, Laka reassured Nigerians that both physical and digital counter-terrorism measures are being strengthened. “Towards the end of 2023, the security situation in Nigeria was improving. But after coups in some Sahel countries, the situation worsened due to cross-border terrorist connections. Nigeria must play a leadership role in West Africa and the Sahel to address these threats. We are doing our best, and in 2026, we will intensify our efforts,” he said.

Read More

FG Confirms Only One Official Version Of Newly Enacted Tax Reform Laws

Wale busari04 mins

The Federal Government has confirmed that there is only one official version of the recently enacted tax reform laws. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement on Monday in Abuja during an end-of-year news briefing. Idris rejected claims that the laws had been altered after passage by the National Assembly, emphasizing that the version assented to by President Bola Tinubu remains unchanged. He noted that the legislation went through full legislative procedures, including consultations and debates in the National Assembly, before receiving presidential approval. “The Federal Government is moving forward with the commencement of implementation, noting as changed,” Idris said. Addressing concerns about alleged discrepancies between the version passed by lawmakers and the one officially gazetted, the minister said these issues had been raised in the National Assembly, and the executive would defer to the legislature’s review. “I think it is important for us to wait for the National Assembly to look at this again to tell us whether there were discrepancies or not. This is, at this point, an affair of the National Assembly to which I have no jurisdiction, and I have no authority to speak about. As far as the government of Nigeria is concerned, there’s only one version of that tax document,” he added. The controversy began after Abdussamad Dasuki, a lawmaker representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in Sokoto State, raised concerns in the House of Representatives that the version passed by the National Assembly differed from the one later gazetted and circulated by the Ministry of Information. According to PUNCH Online, the tax reform laws, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, were recently signed into law by President Tinubu. The bills faced strong opposition during legislative debates, particularly from some northern lawmakers concerned about their economic and regional impact. The controversy deepened after Dasuki claimed that certain provisions in the gazetted laws had not been debated or approved by the National Assembly. The laws have also attracted criticism from prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, both of whom called for a suspension of implementation pending clarification of the disputed sections. Meanwhile, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, dismissed claims of secret amendments and warned of consequences for Nigerians if the new tax laws are not implemented from January 1.

Read More