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US Court Jails Nigerian Professor for $1.4 Million Fraud

A United States (US) district court in Michigan has sentenced Nkechy Ezeh, a former executive director at Early Learning Neighbourhood Collaborative (ELNC), to 70 months in prison for having orchestrated a fraud scheme that stole $1.4 million in taxpayer and donor funds intended for vulnerable preschool children. Hala Jarbou, the district judge, described Ezeh as a “a fraud and a thief ” who engaged in a “brazen and widespread” scheme to steal money meant for “most vulnerable children” in West Michigan. Ezeh, an associate professor of education, is the founder of ELNC, a non-profit organisation funded by the US Department of Health and the Department of Education, as well as private donors, to provide meals, transportation, funding, advocacy, and other services to children in underserved communities. According to a statement released by the US government, the trial judge ordered Ezeh to pay $1.4 million in restitution to the victims of the fraud and $390,174 to the Internal...
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APC says May 23 presidential primary not postponed

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that contrary to reports of postponement, its presidential primary election for the 2027 polls would be held as scheduled on May 23, 2026. National publicity secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, said in a statement on Wednesday that reports on social media and other communication platforms about changes to the timetable were false. “This clarification has become necessary following the circulation of false and misleading reports on social media and other communication platforms suggesting otherwise,” the statement read. Under the revised calendar, the sale of nomination forms began on Saturday, April 25, and ran until Saturday, May 2, 2026. Completed forms and accompanying documents were submitted no later than Monday, May 4. Screening of aspirants for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship were held between Wednesday, May 6 and Friday, May 8, while Presidential aspirants faced screening panel on ...
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Energy Commission DG Denies EFCC Arrest Claims Over Alleged ₦500 Billion Fraud

The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Mustapha Abdullahi, has denied being arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged ₦500 billion fraud as reported in the media. Abdullahi, in a statement signed and issued by his Media Aide, Abdulrasaq Danjuma, said he only honoured an invitation by the anti-graft agency. While appealing to the public to avoid speculation, misinformation, sensational commentary, and the circulation of unverified claims that may distort facts, prejudice ongoing processes, or create unnecessary tension, Abdullahi noted that the invitation was consistent with due process and respect for constituted authorities. Abdullahi further urged the public to allow the relevant agencies to carry out their responsibilities so that the facts would emerge through lawful, transparent, and due process. He said, “It is important to clarify that he was not arrested, but attended the engagement voluntarily as a respons...
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Former IGP Alkali Withdraws From Yobe Governorship Race

Former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has withdrawn from the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Yobe State ahead of the 2027 election.  Baba announced his withdrawal in a statement released to journalists on Wednesday. This development ends his participation in the contest after days of disagreement within the party over the choice of a consensus candidate. Before his withdrawal, the former police chief was part of a group of six APC aspirants who opposed the emergence of Baba Malam Wali as the party’s consensus candidate. The aspirants had insisted that the party should conduct direct primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the guidelines of the APC. The aggrieved aspirants included Senator Ibrahim Bomai, Mustapha Maihaja, Bashir Machina, Usman Baba, Kashim Musa Tumsah and Lawan Kolo Geidam. Earlier, Lawan Kolo Geidam had also withdrawn from the contest and declared support for the consensus arrangement adopte...
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Over 70 killed as military bombs Zamfara market

No fewer than 72 people were reportedly killed after a military air strike hit Tumfa market in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State on Sunday. According to AFP which cited a community leader, some of the victims’ bodies were “blown beyond recognition.” The actual death toll is hard to establish at the moment. Everybody, residents and bandits, goes to the market. People are at the mercy of the bandits. There is nothing they can do,” AFP reported Garba Ibrahim Mashema as saying. This is as Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defend Nigeria’s constitution as it tackles the country’s insecurity. Tumfa market is reportedly controlled by bandits and some of those killed were young girls selling millet porridge and tofu in the market. Amnesty International has put the death toll at over 100, stating that one affected village buried 80 people at once. The military has denied reports of civilian casualties, describing them as “not tr...
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Don’t Make Colleges Of Education Dumping Ground – NUT Fires FG Over UTME Waiver For NCE

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has rejected the Federal Government’s plan to remove the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme.  The union said the move could weaken the standard of teacher training in the country. NUT National President, Audu Amba, made the position known in Abuja during a teachers’ workshop organised by 21st Century in partnership with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). He said admission into colleges of education should not be treated as a lower option compared to universities. He raised concern that many high-performing students now prefer universities, while colleges of education are often left for candidates who could not secure university admission. According to him, this pattern could affect the quality of future teachers in Nigeria. Amba argued that teaching should attract some of the strongest students, addin...
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Tragedy: 16 people confirmed dead as commercial bus plunged off bridge along Lokoja–Okene highway

FRSC Blames Speeding and Driver Fatigue After 22 Passengers Were Involved in One of the Deadliest Crashes on the Busy Kogi Corridor This Year At least 16 people have been confirmed dead after a commercial bus plunged off a bridge along the Lokoja–Okene highway in Kogi State, in a tragic accident that has once again highlighted the dangers on one of Nigeria’s busiest roads. The fatal crash occurred at about 9:20 a.m. on Friday at Aku village near Osara, along the Lokoja–Okene route, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The vehicle involved was a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus with registration number BUS 17 ZD. The bus, which was travelling from Jos, reportedly lost control at high speed, veered off the road and crashed beneath a bridge. Kogi State FRSC Sector Commander, Lawal Fagge, said 22 passengers were on board the vehicle, comprising 21 male adults and one female adult. According to him, 16 passengers — 15 men and one woman — died at the scene of the c...
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