Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolas Maduro and his wife will go on trial in the United States in June 2027, a court ruled Wednesday, after the US military captured them in a stunning nighttime raid in January.The former leader, 63, and wife Cilia Flores have been held in a Brooklyn jail for more than seven months after pleading not guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms charges.American commandos snatched the pair from their compound in Caracas on January 3. The lightning operat

Boris Azarenko is a Moscow real estate developer whose approach to business was shaped by his financial background. He believes property development is investing’s highest form, where value is created by strategists as much as builders. It was on this assumption that Azarenko created Vesper, now a major player on Russia’s elite market.Boris Azarenko: profile summary
Type: Entrepreneur · Real estate developer · PhilanthropistFirst name: Boris · Бо

Jazmyne Wike, daughter of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.Jazmyne earned an LL.B. (Hons) with Upper Second-Class Honours after successfully completing her law programme at the British institution.Her achievement has drawn congratulatory messages from family, friends and well-wishers, many of whom commended her dedication and academic success.The graduation mark

By Henry UmoruThe Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, told the Senate that the country’s external reserves stood at $52.73 billion on July 9, 2026, compared with $48.88 billion recorded in January.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja while appearing before the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, chaired by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East), Cardoso said the 7.9 per cent increase in Nigeria’s external reserves refle

A Nigerian woman living in Canada, Ezinne Nwanorue has stirred reactions online after revealing the unusual condition she gave her husband before agreeing to sponsor his relocation to the North American country.Ezinne, who describes herself as “a prophetic intercessor, certified marriage counsellor, wife and mum of three boys,” said her husband must publicly swear never to be unfaithful to her if he joins her in Canada.According to Ezinne, she believes the instruction came from God

By Evelyn UsmanThe trial of 10 defendants in the alleged ₦480 billion clandestine methamphetamine factory case resumed yesterday, with the Federal High Court conducting a locus in quo at the suspected illicit drug laboratory in LOgun State.
The inspection, led by Justice Musa Kakaki, took the court, prosecution and defence teams round the sprawling industrial facility where the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, alleged methamphetamine was produced for distribution outside Niger

Nigeria international Tolu Arokodare reportedly brought a Wolverhampton Wanderers training session to an abrupt end after refusing to leave the pitch while demanding a transfer to Italian side Fiorentina.According to the BBC, the 25-year-old striker staged the protest during Monday’s training session by sitting on the pitch and insisting the Championship club allow him to complete a move to the Serie A outfit.His actions prompted newly appointed Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto to cancel the

A 45-year-old Nigerian, Okeoghene Patrick Udugba, residing in Frisco, Texas, has been indicted by a US federal grand jury over his alleged involvement in a romance scam and business email compromise scheme that prosecutors say defrauded a US government agency of more than $300,000.The indictment, announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, charges Udugba with money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud.According to US A

…As depots, filling stations adjust pricesBy Udeme Akpan, Energy EditorDangote Petroleum Refinery has resumed gantry loading of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, in naira after a week-long suspension, ending uncertainty in the downstream sector over its temporary shift to dollar-denominated sales.Checks by Vanguard showed that the refinery has fixed its new ex-depot (gantry) price at N1,215 per litre, representing an increase of N140 per litre, or 13.02 per cent, from the

By Adeola BadruStakeholders in Oyo State have called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, traditional institutions, farmers, herders and local communities to tackle kidnapping and other security challenges across Nigeria.They also warned against the ethnic profiling of Fulani people over criminal activities committed by individuals, stressing the need to distinguish between law-abiding citizens and criminals.The stakeholders made the call at a high-level security meeting held in

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso — three countries led by military governments — are bidding to jointly host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations.The Malian Football Federation said in a statement that officials met with Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe on Saturday in New York “with a view to a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations”.The three neighbours and allies within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) are led by post-coup juntas and

FIFA has unveiled its official 2026 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament, with newly crowned champions Spain providing the highest number of players in the star-studded XI.The team, arranged in a 4-3-3 formation, recognises the standout performers from the tournament staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States, featuring players from seven different countries.Spain, who lifted the World Cup trophy after defeating Argentina in the final, have three representatives in the squad. Full-back

By Chioma Obinna
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Wednesday launched a nationwide enforcement operation to remove all alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate, PET, bottles below 200 millilitres from circulation, marking the full implementation of the Federal Government’s ban on the products.
The sweeping crackdown, which is taking place simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones, follows the closure of manufa

Inter Miami on Wednesday announced the signing of Brazil star Casemiro but Major League Soccer immediately said it was investigating allegations of tampering by the club over the deal.Casemiro, who has 91 caps for Brazil and won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid, was a free agent after Manchester United opted not to renew his contract following a mixed four-year stint at the Premier League giants.The veteran 34-year-old midfielder opted to join Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul at In

By Peter Duru, MakurdiThe Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM) branch, has suspended its 52-day industrial action following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Benue State Government and the university management.The lecturers commenced the strike on June 1, 2026, over the non-payment of outstanding entitlements, promotion arrears and other welfare-related concerns.In a statement on Wednesday, Chairman of ASUU-MOAUM,

By Soni DanielLokoja — Political and community leaders in Kogi East Senatorial District have expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, for what they described as significant socio-economic and infrastructural development across the zone.The commendation came as the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the Presidential Communications Team continued their inspection of legacy projects executed by the Federal and Kogi State governments.Leading the commenda

By Innocent AnabaJustice Musa Kakaki of a Federal High Court in Lagos will on Friday, rule on an application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, seeking leave to destroy a clandestine Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine production laboratory uncovered in a remote forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The judge fixed the date after a special court sitting held inside the illicit laboratory at Mowe village, where operatives discovered facilities allegedly used to

By Innocent AnabaThe Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos Division, Wednesday, affirmed the judgment of a Federal High Court in Lagos ordering the final forfeiture of multiple assets linked to retired Major General Emmanuel Atewe (retd) to the Federal Government, holding that his appeal lacked merit.
In a unanimous judgment delivered virtually via Zoom, the appellate court, presided over by Justice Boloukuromo Ugo, resolved all three issues raised in the appeal in favour of the Economic and Financi

By Edwin Philip, LafiaThe Nasarawa State Government has announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving six commissioners as part of efforts to reposition the administration for the successful completion of its remaining mandates.The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, SAN, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the end of the State Executive Council meeting.Magaji said the adjustment was aimed at strengthening the government’s structure, intr

The Canada government has outlined six key requirements that foreign nationals must meet to be eligible for a visitor visa, stressing that applicants must convince immigration officers they intend to leave the country at the end of their stay.According to Canada’s immigration guidelines, prospective visitors must first possess a valid travel document, such as a passport, before applying for a temporary resident visa.Applicants are also required to be in good health and have no criminal or

By Henry UmoruABUJA — The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary to remain vigilant against what it described as attempts by some individuals to manipulate the electoral process through “backdoor” means.The party made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while presenting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a Federal High Court judgment which it said affirmed Salawu-Adeniyi Mu

By Joseph Erunke, AbujaThe Federal Government on Wednesday launched the third phase of its YouthCred initiative, targeting 500,000 young entrepreneurs with access to loans ranging from N200,000 to N2 million without collateral.The programme, launched by the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Finance, is designed to expand access to affordable credit by moving away from traditional collateral-based lending to a system built around respons

By Juliet UmehThe Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has said the party will not repeat what he described as the mistake of handing an automatic presidential ticket to its 2023 candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.Aniebonam, in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday, said the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election would emerge through a rigorous screening process designed to assess competence

By Yinka KolawoleNigeria has emerged as one of Africa’s most regulated online gambling markets, even as illegal operators continue to dominate the continent’s fast-growing betting industry, according to a new report by Gaming Compliance International (GCI).The report, described as the first comprehensive assessment of online gambling across all 54 African countries, revealed that the continent’s online gambling Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reached $23 billion in 2025.However, on

By Adeola BadruIBADAN — A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from proceeding with its proposed investigation into the finances of the Oyo State Government, describing the exercise as speculative and a fishing expedition.In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in suit FHC/IB/CS/61/2025, Justice Nkeonye Maha held that although the EFCC has statutory powers to investigate financial crimes and related offences, such powers must

By Cynthia AloFormer President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the Ibru family to remain united and preserve the values that shaped one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous business dynasties, stressing that unity, discipline and communal spirit were the enduring lessons from the life of the late Michael Ibru.Obasanjo spoke on Wednesday as Chairman of the occasion at the unveiling and launch of “The Ibru Story”, authored by veteran journalist Mike Awoyinfa, in Lagos.The former preside

A French modelling scout with close ties to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been found dead at his home outside Paris, prosecutors and his lawyer said on Wednesday.Under investigation in France, Daniel Siad, 69, was one of several French men accused of aiding the US financier to traffic and abuse women.Siad had not yet been questioned by investigators, but had denied the allegations.“An investigation to determine the cause of death was opened on Monday evening following the d

By Henry UmoruABUJA — The Senate on Wednesday stepped down the consideration of a report on a bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Coast Guard, citing concerns over possible duplication of roles and conflict with the Nigerian Navy and other existing security agencies.The report on the Nigeria Coast Guard (Establishment) Bill, 2026 (SB. 575) was presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Sanni Wasiu Eshilokun (APC, Lagos Central), but President of the S

—Applauds ongoing reforms by NIMC managementBy Johnbosco AgbakwuruABUJA—THE Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima,on Wednesday, applauded the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing the process as unrivaled.He attributed the development to the administration’s reforms being undertaken by the current management of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), particularly with the

By Rotimi Ojomoyela The Ekiti State Police Command has arraigned a 45-year-old man, Tope Oladipo, before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court over an alleged N9 million fraud involving the purported sale of a vehicle.Oladipo was brought before the court on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and fraudulent conversion; all allegations he pleaded not guilty to.The Prosecutor, Inspector Elijah Adejare, told the court that the defendant allegedly co

Veteran Nollywood actress Bukky Wright has opened up on her decision to step away from the Nigerian movie industry and relocate overseas, saying she chose motherhood over her flourishing acting career.
The 59-year-old actress made the disclosure during an appearance on The Morayo Show, explaining that she left Nigeria to be with her children, who were living abroad at the time.
Wright, who made her return to the screen in January 2025 with her role in Something About the Briggs after years away

Agencies accused of ignoring oversight, compliance requestsBy Henry UmoruABUJA — The Senate has expressed concern over the failure of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to implement its resolutions, warning that defaulting agencies could face budgetary and other sanctions.The upper chamber said many MDAs routinely ignore its resolutions and fail to respond to requests for compliance updates, describing the trend as a disregard for the Senate’s oversight authority.The positi

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has said the governors of the five South-East states have resolved to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing what he described as the administration’s developmental interventions in the region.Uzodimma made the remark in Owerri during a meeting with traditional rulers and members of the Imo State Elders Council.According to him, although the governors belong to diffe

…Seeks mandatory registration, national database for all foreign aidBy Henry UmoruABUJA — The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to strengthen transparency, accountability and coordination in the management of foreign aid, grants, donations, humanitarian support and concessional financing in Nigeria.The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Coordination, Transparency, Accountability, Registration, Disclosure and Effective

By Olasunkanmi AkoniA commercial dispatch rider was on Wednesday crushed to death by a fuel tanker along Kodesho Road in Ikeja, Lagos, while the driver was later arrested by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) after attempting to flee the scene.The accident occurred at about noon opposite MRS Filling Station, inward Awolowo Way/Oba Akran, along the Maryland-Ikeja axis.According to LASTMA, the fully loaded tanker, with registration number T-19089 LA, was conveying

Human Rights Watch on Wednesday raised alarms over Nigeria’s mass trials of alleged jihadists, saying many convictions were secured with minimal evidence and possibly under duress.Africa’s largest country has been battling a jihadist insurgency since 2009, with both militants and security forces accused of serious rights abuses.But mass trials involving hundreds of alleged jihadists or their supporters speeding through the courts — sometimes after defendants spend years in pre

…Calls for joint task force, says corridor has become a governance emergencyBy Egufe Yafugborhi & Ochuko AkuophaASABA — The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the governors of Edo and Delta states to declare the Benin–Sapele–Warri highway an Infrastructure Emergency Zone and take immediate steps to reconstruct the failed road.The call was contained in the inaugural edition of The Common Good Letter, a

By Shina Abubakar, OsogboThe governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the August 15 Osun governorship election, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has urged residents of Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin local government areas to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing them as the key to determining the state’s future.Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, made the call while addressing APC supporters and residents at the market square in Odo-Otin Local Government Area.H

..Residents flee for safetyBy Peter Duru, MakurdiSuspected armed men have attacked Olahimu village in Ogoli Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, killing a 15-year-old boy and rustling several cattle in a fresh attack on the community.The attack, which reportedly occurred at about 7 a.m. on Tuesday, also left one person missing, while three others who were initially unaccounted for were later found after escaping from the assailants.The victims were said to be members of the fami

By Hadiza YusufKano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has declared a state of emergency on drug abuse and signed an Executive Order aimed at tackling illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse across the state.The governor signed the Public Safety Emergency on Substance Abuse Executive Order at the Government House, Kano, on Wednesday, describing the measure as a decisive step towards curbing drug-related crimes and restoring public safety.Under the order, the sale of illicit drugs and unregi

By Yinka KolawoleNigeria has emerged as one of Africa’s most regulated online gambling markets, even as illegal operators continue to dominate the continent, according to a new report by Gaming Compliance International (GCI).The report, the first comprehensive assessment of online gambling across all 54 African countries, showed that Africa’s online gambling Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reached $23 billion in 2025.However, only $5.2 billion (23 per cent) was generated by licensed oper

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) supporters in Adamawa staged a peaceful protest against alleged plans to replace Mr Omar Suleiman as the party’s governorship candidate in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.The protesters marched to the party’s state Secretariat, on Wednesday in Yola, carrying placards and demanding that the candidate remain the party’s authentic flagbearer.Some placards read: “Don’t Forcefully Remove Our Candidate, Sulieman Omar”&ld

— Applauds president’s resolve to tackle nation’s challengesBy Johnbosco AgbakwuruABUJA — The American president, Donald Trump, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to tackle issues plaguing Nigeria, especially the violence affecting Christian communities, saying it is an honour to stand with his administration in the fight against terrorists.In a letter to President Tinubu dated July 6, 2026, Trump said the US–Nigeria relationship has flourished in

Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolas Maduro and his wife will go on trial in the United States in June 2027, a court ruled Wednesday, after the US military captured them in a stunning nighttime raid in January.The former leader, 63, and wife Cilia Flores have been held in a Brooklyn jail for more than seven months after pleading not guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms charges.American commandos snatched the pair from their compound in Caracas on January 3. The lightning operat

By Gift Chapi Odekina, AbujaThe House of Representatives on Wednesday stepped down a bill seeking to prohibit the production, importation, distribution, sale and consumption of unbranded and unfortified edible oils after lawmakers expressed divergent views over its implications.The proposed legislation, sponsored by Rep. Chike Okafor, representing Ehime/Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, was listed for second reading but was deferred following concerns raised by members

By Edwin Philip, LafiaThe Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued four kidnapped victims and launched a manhunt for suspected kidnappers following a tactical operation by operatives of the Andaha Division in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.The command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Rahman Nansel, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lafia on Wednesday, saying the operation followed a distress call received on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at about 9:40 p.m.

President of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, Patrice Motsepe on Wednesday ruled out a future in politics, dismissing speculation that he could one day run for the country’s presidency.The 64-year-old billionaire mining magnate has been repeatedly mentioned in the South African media as a potential successor to his brother-in-law, President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose second and final term ends in 2029.“South Africa does not need me to go into politics,” Motsepe told rep

The Delta State Government has called on communities across the state to take ownership of public electricity infrastructure by ensuring its protection against vandalism, as efforts to restore power supply to affected Isoko communities commence.Engr. Michael Anoka, the Commissioner for Energy, made the call on Wednesday during a strategic meeting with representatives of Ozoro, Otor-Owhe, Iyede, Emevor, Ellu Kingdom, and Akiewhe-Owhe communities in Asaba.The meeting focused on developing a colla

Veteran Nollywood actress Bukky Wright has revealed that she stepped away from acting and relocated abroad to prioritise raising her children, saying she has no regrets about the decision.The 59-year-old actress, who was a familiar face in Nigerian films before taking a lengthy break in the mid-2010s, made the revelation during an appearance on The Morayo Show.Wright returned to the screen in January 2025 with her role in Something About the Briggs, marking her comeback after years away from th