Category: Top News

Fake Canadian Visas, Real Millions Lost: Trio Docked in Ibadan Travel Scam

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Fake Canadian Visas, Real Millions Lost: Trio Docked in Ibadan Travel Scam

The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Emmanuel Serah Motunrayo, Awotunde Olugbenga and Idowu Olugbemi Sunday before the Oyo State High Court over an alleged Canadian visa scam that swindled victims of tens of millions of naira. Motunrayo and Olugbenga face a forty-seven-count charge covering forgery, uttering false documents and obtaining money by false pretense, tied to N23,404,600 taken from their victims. Prosecutors allege the pair posed as Abuja based travel and immigration agents, promising to secure Canadian visas and flight arrangements, then collected N12,368,100 from one victim, Oluwatobi Adeoluwa Iyanda, and N11,036,500 from another, Oyewale Tunji Bello, before reneging on the deal. Investigators say the duo went as far as forging a Canadian visa in Iyanda’s name and uttering a second forged visa in Bello’s name to keep the scheme convincing. Both defendants pleaded not guilty, prompting prosecuting counsel Mohammed Abideen to ask for a trial date and their remand, while defense counsel Jimoh Wasiu told the court bail applications had already been filed. Justice Adetujoye adjourned the matter to August 26, 2026, for the bail hearing and ordered both men held at Agodi Correctional Centre in the meantime. In a related case, the same EFCC directorate had earlier arraigned Idowu Olugbemi Sunday before the same court on August 17 for defrauding victim Okanlawon Tunji Ajao of N6,650,000 under a similar promise of securing Canadian visas for him and his family. The cases add to a growing list of visa scam prosecutions out of Ibadan, as fraudsters continue to exploit Nigerians’ desperation to travel abroad. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading

Thirty Years On, Sanwo Olu Honours 506 Local Government Foot Soldiers

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Thirty Years On, Sanwo Olu Honours 506 Local Government Foot Soldiers

Lagos State Government has honoured 506 officers of the Unified Local Government Service for their years of dedication at the 2026 Long Service Merit Award Ceremony, pledging continued investment in workforce development across the grassroots civil service. Speaking at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, praised the awardees for their perseverance and professionalism, describing their service as part of Lagos State’s institutional history. He said the Unified Local Government Service remains the point where most residents interact directly with government, spanning the state’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas. The Governor called for a stronger, more professionally equipped public service to match Lagos’ fast growing population and rising demand for services, urging younger officers to draw lessons from the careers of those honoured. He said the government would deepen investment in training and a planned e library to keep public servants equipped for citizens increasingly demanding faster, digitally capable government. Head of Service Bode Agoro commended the state for sustaining the award and urged officers to keep upskilling in response to changing policies and technology, while also reminding them to prioritise their health and make use of the Ilera Eko health policy that government co funds monthly. Permanent Secretary Toyin Ogunlana, in her welcome address, described the ceremony as a chance to celebrate officers who had served the state for over three decades with diligence and resilience. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading

N990m Forex Deal Gone Wrong Lands Brookfield Boss in Court

CSNewsLeave a Comment on N990m Forex Deal Gone Wrong Lands Brookfield Boss in Court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 has arraigned Olatunji Oluwaseun Adebola, Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield Group Holdings and known by the alias Whitelion, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama over an alleged N990 million fraud. Adebola, alongside his company Brookfield Mining Limited, faces a four-count charge covering conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and dishonest misappropriation of funds. The case followed a petition filed through BB Dan Habu and Co Solicitors, alleging that the defendants collected the funds from a client under the guise of facilitating a foreign exchange transaction worth $750,000. Adebola pleaded not guilty when the charges were read. Prosecuting counsel Oluwakemi Yemi Makinde asked the court for a trial date and his remand, while defence counsel informed the court of a pending bail application. Ruling on the application, Justice Ngozi ordered Adebola to produce two sureties, one a civil servant on Grade Level 15 and the other a civil servant who owns landed property in Abuja. The matter was adjourned to September 15, 2026 for further proceedings. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading

Uniform Off, Gratitude Never Fades: CDS Takes Welfare Message to Northeast Veterans

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Uniform Off, Gratitude Never Fades: CDS Takes Welfare Message to Northeast Veterans

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Defence Headquarters’ commitment to the welfare and dignity of Nigeria’s veterans during an interactive session with retired personnel from the Northeast Zone in Yola, Adamawa State, the second in a series of planned zonal consultations. Addressing concerns over salary increments, Oluyede assured veterans the exercise is fully inclusive, explaining that implementation is ongoing and that adjustments to serving personnel’s pay carry a consequential increase to veterans’ pensions under existing policy. He outlined ongoing welfare initiatives, including a partnership with the Bank of Industry to give serving and retired personnel and their families access to low interest business loans, alongside the construction of a Defence Hospital that will reserve a share of its capacity for veterans. He said both initiatives carry the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Commander in Chief. Veterans used the session to raise other welfare concerns, which the CDS addressed directly, promising continued attention going forward. The engagement drew veteran leaders including RANAO President Major General HA Salihu (rtd), Major General LP Ngubane (rtd) and Air Vice Marshal NE Nzokala (rtd), with the RANAO President thanking the CDS and urging fellow veterans to support the leadership’s welfare efforts. Closing the session, Oluyede paid tribute to the veterans’ sacrifices, saying the nation’s gratitude for those who served will never fade. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading

US Praises NDLEA Over Drug War Wins, Signals More Support Ahead

CSNewsLeave a Comment on US Praises NDLEA Over Drug War Wins, Signals More Support Ahead

The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for its recent operational successes, pledging continued support for the fight against drug trafficking in Nigeria. At a meeting held at NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, INL Nigeria Country Director Derek Tolliver congratulated the agency’s leadership, describing its recent achievements as phenomenal. He said the United States government remains committed to deepening the existing partnership and advancing joint programmes with the NDLEA. NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa, highlighted the impact of vehicles and modern forensic equipment donated by the US, particularly in aiding investigations into illicit drug production across the country. Marwa appealed for further American support, especially in logistics, operational equipment and training, as the agency intensifies its campaign against drug trafficking and illicit drug production nationwide. The exchange underscores the growing role of US backing in Nigeria’s anti-narcotics efforts, as the NDLEA leans on international partnerships to sustain the momentum of its recent operations. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading

Fixing the Skills Gap: Alausa Launches Overhaul of Nigeria’s Technical Education Board

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Fixing the Skills Gap: Alausa Launches Overhaul of Nigeria’s Technical Education Board

Nigeria’s technical and vocational education system is buckling under outdated curricula and thin funding, with more than 55 per cent of assessed programmes described as no longer fit for purpose even as 93 per cent of the workforce operates in informal employment and roughly 12 per cent of young people sit outside education, jobs or training altogether. Against that backdrop, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has begun repositioning the Monotechnic and Technical Education Board, known as MBTE, to strengthen its ability to supervise and coordinate polytechnics, monotechnics and other technical institutions across the country. A KPMG led assessment is currently underway to pinpoint institutional gaps and design a functional organisational structure and operational framework for the agency, part of a broader push to turn MBTE into what Alausa calls a fit for purpose body capable of driving practical skills, industry relevance, employability and productivity. Alausa said polytechnic education sits at the heart of the wider TVET ecosystem, pointing to an ongoing curriculum review backed by one billion naira from TETFund that has already produced 27 new National Occupational Standards and revised four existing ones, taking the total to 31. The standards are meant to map out a clearer skills pathway running from artisan level training through National Certificate, OND and HND programmes. KPMG Partner and Head of Tax, Regulatory and People Services, Adewale Ajayi, noted that despite the system’s structural troubles, Nigeria still performs strongly on graduate employability, ranking second only to Singapore among the markets assessed. The reform effort signals growing pressure on Abuja to align technical education with the realities of an economy where formal jobs remain scarce and youth unemployment continues to weigh on national development. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading

IGP Tells Vanguard at 40: Police and Press Must Be Partners, Not Just Source and Reporter

CSNewsLeave a Comment on IGP Tells Vanguard at 40: Police and Press Must Be Partners, Not Just Source and Reporter

Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, attended the public presentation of the Vanguard Chronology at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, an event marking the newspaper’s 40th anniversary under the theme Fighting Insecurity in Nigeria, The Need for Media Collaboration. The event drew dignitaries from politics, business, diplomacy, security and media. As guest speaker, the IGP praised Vanguard Media Limited’s enduring legacy, singling out founder and publisher Sam Amuka as a benchmark figure in Nigerian journalism. Disu argued that national security is not the exclusive business of law enforcement but a shared responsibility, insisting the relationship between police and press must grow beyond the traditional source and reporter dynamic into a genuine strategic partnership. He warned against the dangers of misinformation and disinformation in security reporting, calling for credible journalism, media literacy and swift official communication to counter false narratives. The IGP also pressed for accountability and transparency in handling cases of personnel misconduct, noting that a partnership cannot survive if one side demands cooperation while resisting scrutiny. Describing public trust as one of the Force’s most valuable assets, Disu urged media stakeholders to deepen collaboration with the police, framing a secure Nigeria as a victory shared by all. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading

No Label, No Sale: FCCPC Fires Warning Shot at Manufacturers Over Fake Product Info

CSNewsLeave a Comment on No Label, No Sale: FCCPC Fires Warning Shot at Manufacturers Over Fake Product Info

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has raised the alarm over a growing wave of consumer goods circulating in the market without proper labelling, warning manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers to clean up their inventories or face enforcement action. Acting under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, the Commission said market surveillance and routine inspections have uncovered products carrying misleading claims or missing basic details such as production and expiry dates, batch numbers, manufacturer information, ingredient lists, allergen warnings and country of origin. The Commission said it is empowered to enforce strict compliance with labelling standards set alongside regulators such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, stressing that deceptive labelling strips consumers of their right to make informed choices and can expose them to real health, safety and financial risks. It directed all businesses in the supply chain to immediately review their stock and pull any non-compliant goods from shelves, warning that continued distribution of such products would attract regulatory action. Consumers, for their part, were urged to inspect labels carefully before buying and steer clear of products with missing, altered or illegible information, and to report suspected violations through the Commission’s official complaint channels. The FCCPC said it would keep tightening market surveillance and enforcement nationwide in partnership with other regulatory bodies to protect consumers. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading

Japan Pledges N20bn to Rescue Lagos Power Grid, Apapa Substation Gets Lifeline

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Japan Pledges N20bn to Rescue Lagos Power Grid, Apapa Substation Gets Lifeline

The Japanese Government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has committed N20 billion to expand and rehabilitate Nigeria’s national electricity grid, with the Apapa Transmission Substation in Lagos among the biggest beneficiaries. JICA Chief Representative in Nigeria, Ishigame Keiji, disclosed the funding, valued at 2.35 billion Japanese yen, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos. He said the money would cover construction, equipment procurement, engineering services and operational training. Keiji said the intervention targets critical transmission infrastructure in Lagos, where rising electricity demand and ageing facilities have strained the system, adding that work already done on the Apapa substation has boosted transmission capacity, improved reliability and eased bottlenecks in electricity distribution across the state and its neighbours. Beyond Apapa, Japan is running a separate concessional loan project to upgrade the transmission network spanning Lagos and Ogun states, while JICA continues to provide technical advisers to the Ministry of Power to support broader sector reforms. Keiji said Japanese companies and other investors remain drawn to Nigeria’s large market but called for stronger government support and deeper private sector participation to sustain that interest. He also revealed that JICA is partnering with the World Bank on mini grid development for rural communities, alongside ongoing efforts to strengthen policy and institutional reforms across Nigeria’s power sector. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading

Bank Access Codes for Sale: Two Nabbed in FCMB Cyber Breach Trial

CSNewsLeave a Comment on Bank Access Codes for Sale: Two Nabbed in FCMB Cyber Breach Trial

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Gideon Bakpa Aghogho and Oscar Ebere Chukwuebuka before Justice F.N. Ogazi of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over the alleged unlawful supply of bank access credentials. The duo appeared alongside a third suspect, identified only as Scott, who remains at large, on an eight count charge bordering on the illegal supply of access codes to a bank database, contrary to the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 as amended in 2024. Prosecutors allege that between July 24 and July 26, 2026, the trio conspired to supply Aghogho’s administrative access code to the FCMB system, credentials capable of unlocking the bank’s Virtual Centre Platform, with intent to commit an offence. A separate count claims Aghogho had earlier, between April and May 2025, disclosed the bank’s server IP and domain credentials without authority in exchange for fifteen thousand dollars. Aghogho pleaded not guilty, while Chukwuebuka entered a guilty plea when the charges were read. Prosecuting counsel Bilkisu Buhari asked the court to fix a trial date for the first defendant and to remand him in custody, while seeking to review the facts of the case against the second defendant following his admission. Justice Ogazi adjourned the matter to August 27, 2026 for further proceedings and ordered that both men be held at a correctional centre in the interim. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

Continue Reading