Author: CKN

The Nigeria Police Force, through the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against financial crimes with the uncovering of a sophisticated fraud syndicate responsible for the diversion of over Seven Hundred and Thirteen Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (₦713,900,000) from customers’ accounts.

The development followed a complaint from a financial institution in Nigeria, which reported a series of unauthorized debits linked to security breaches associated with a third-party platform.

Acting on the complaint, operatives of the PSFU deployed advanced investigative and digital forensic techniques, which revealed that fifteen (15) customers’ accounts were compromised, with funds swiftly funneled through a network of accounts in a coordinated laundering operation.

The operation led to the arrest of two suspects, Oguntoyinbo Olawale and Kazeem Omokayode. 

Further investigations established that the suspects conspired with one Linda, a Chinese national currently at large, to use personal identification details, including Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), and other credentials, to open multiple bank accounts across various financial institutions. These accounts were subsequently used to receive, conceal, and launder illicit proceeds.

The suspects currently in custody will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, commended the officer of the Police Special Fraud Unit for their efforts and reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating financial and cyber-enabled crimes. 

The Department of State Services (DSS) says it did not institute the defamation suit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

The secret police said the defamation suit was filed by two of its operatives who “felt the need to seek redress in their personal capacity”.

On Tuesday, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court awarded N100 million in damages to DSS officials — Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele — against SERAP. 

Yusuf Halilu, the presiding judge, also ordered the organisation to issue public apologies, pay N1 million in litigation costs, and a 10 percent annual post-judgement interest on the damages until fully paid.

The suit was filed by two DSS officials following statements issued by SERAP in September 2024 alleging that operatives of the secret police unlawfully entered its Abuja office.

Reacting to the judgement, SERAP described the ruling as unacceptable and a setback for civic freedoms.

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‘OUR OPERATIVES OBTAINED PERMISSION BEFORE FILING SUIT’

However, in a statement on Wednesday, Favour Dozie, DSS deputy director of public relations and strategic communications, said the two operatives obtained the approval of the director-general of the agency before approaching the court.

Dozie said the DSS has an obligation to protect its officials who carry out their duties in a lawful manner.

“The Service hereby reiterates that, the suit was not between DSS as an organisation and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP),” the statement reads.

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“Rather, it was a case filed by two of our operatives, who in the course of their lawful duty, felt defamed by SERAP, claiming that they, on September 9, 2024, unlawfully invaded their Abuja office and harassed their staff.

“An investigation into the claims by SERAP against the operatives was immediately initiated.

“Following the outcome of the investigation, the said operatives felt the need to seek redress in their personal capacity and subsequently sought and obtained the approval of the Director-General, State Services, to approach the Court. The Court granted their reliefs and awarded the sum of N100m to the duo. In addition, the Court ordered

“As an Agency, DSS has an obligation to protect its staff who carry out their duties in a lawful manner. At the same time, sanction erring operatives found to have breached the Nigerian laws and our extant regulations.

“We have demonstrated this time and again by prosecuting some of our staff for various offenses in competent courts.”

Paris Saint-Germain winger, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, has said they are happy to qualify for the Champions League final.

Kvaratskhelia provided the assist as Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring against Bayern Munich in their semi-final second leg.

The Georgia international is now expecting a “difficult” game against Arsenal in the final on May 30.

He told reporters: “Very happy we’re in the final.

“We know it will be difficult aganst Arsenal.

“Bayern is one of the best teams right now. It was very difficult. The hardest one in the season.

“We showed we can play against these teams. I will give everything for this badge.”

UCL: Very happy – Kvaratskhelia speaks on PSG playing Arsenal in final

Former Liverpool defender, Stephen Warnock, has predicted this year’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners edged Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate, while PSG eliminated Bayern Munich from the competition.

Arsenal are looking to win the trophy for the first time in their history, while PSG are the current holders.

Warnock, speaking on BBC MOTD, said PSG are stronger in every department except with their goalkeepers.

He said: “It is very difficult to look past PSG as winners in Budapest.

“They are so strong in every area. The only weakness I really see in the team is their goalkeeper.

“One of the issues Arsenal will have is trying to contain the PSG full-backs.

“That means asking Saka and Trossard, who will probably be on the wings, to contain the full-backs and stick with them, and also go the other way and attack them as well.

“Saka and Trossard will have to do both sides of it, something we know that PSG’s full-backs can do, so that is going to be very difficult for Arsenal to contain.”

UCL: They’re strong in every area – Warnock predicts Arsenal vs PSG final

Dangote Refinery, on Wednesday, dismissed the report of the latest gantry fuel price hike.

The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery made this clarification in a statement released on its X account on Wednesday.

This comes amid reports that claimed the $20 billion refinery raised its price by N75 to 1350 per liter.

However, the refinery said its petrol price remained unchanged.

“Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has revealed that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains the same, stating that its ex-depot price remains unchanged,” Dangote Refinery stated.

DAILY POST reports that petrol price has continued to fluctuate owing to global crude price hikes, which stood at $95 and N101 per barrel on Wednesday.

In more than two months, retail petrol prices have nearly doubled to between N1,365 and N1,375 per liter from around N900 per liter in early February 2026.

We didn’t increase petrol price – Dangote Refinery

House of Representatives member Joshua Chinedu Obika has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, APC and defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

This is coming barely two months after the lawmaker joined the ruling party from the Labour Party, LP.

Obika, who represents AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the FCT, was denied a return ticket by the APC despite defecting to the ruling party on 11 March 2026.

He is now set to receive an automatic ticket from the NDC to contest for a second term in the House of Representatives.

DAILY POST reports that several lawmakers have been defecting to the NDC since Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso joined the party on Sunday.

FCT Rep Chinedu Obika dumps APC for NDC

The Federal Government, through the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, has called on civil society organisations (CSOs) to take the lead in combating the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the North-East region.

The North-East Zonal Director of the centre, Major General Adamu Abubakar (retd), made the call on Wednesday during the inauguration of the new executive committee of the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Abubakar, while congratulating the newly elected executives, stressed the urgent need for CSOs to intensify advocacy and public awareness campaigns on the dangers associated with the illicit spread of small arms and light weapons.

“The uncontrolled circulation of these weapons remains one of the major drivers of insecurity, violence, criminality, and communal conflicts in many parts of the country.

“Experience has shown that where illicit weapons are absent from the hands of non-state actors, communities enjoy greater peace, stability, and socio-economic development”, he said.

The zonal director said the centre remains committed to working closely with civil society organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to address the menace of illicit arms proliferation across Nigeria.

He called on all and sundry to return to their communities and empower residents to become good citizens.

FG urges CSOs to lead fight against small arms proliferation in North-East

Paris Saint-Germain will face Arsenal in the final of this year’s Champions League final.

The Ligue 1 champions were held to a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.

Despite most pundits and fans expecting a similar game to the 5-4 last week, it was a tight affair between the two teams.

Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring, firing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s low cross past Manuel Neuer within the opening five minutes.

In the dying minutes, Harry Kane fired in the equalizer, but it was too little and too late for the Bundesliga champions.

PSG, who are the current holders, will now play Arsenal in Budapest on May 30.

The Gunners eliminated Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate to book their spot for the first time in 20 years.

Champions League: PSG eliminate Bayern Munich, to play Arsenal in final

Inter Lagos defeated Ranchers Bees 2-0 in their second game at the Nigeria National League, NNL, Super Four playoff.

The modest side lost to Doma United 1-0 in their opening fixture.

It was Ranchers Bees second defeat in the competition.

Qoyum Akinpelu put Inter Lagos ahead with a powerful shot two minutes after the break.

Akinpelu was brought down inside the box in the 70th minute, with captain Bayo Oyedele slotting the ball home.

They will face Sporting Lagos in their last game of the competition on Friday..

NNL: Inter Lagos pip Ranchers Bees to boost title hopes

Lagos State Parking Authority has announced plans to introduce paid parking on designated streets across the state, with implementation expected before the end of 2026.

The general manager of the agency, Adebisi Adelabu, disclosed this during a stakeholder engagement with the Chairman of Ikeja Local Government Area, Akeem Dauda, and members of the council’s management team.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the Head of Public Affairs at LASPA, Dunkwu Divine.

Adelabu explained that the On-Street Parking Scheme would begin with a pilot phase in selected local government areas, including Ikeja. She noted that the initiative is aimed at improving parking orderliness, reducing traffic congestion and creating employment opportunities for residents.

“The On-Street Parking Scheme will improve parking management, enhance traffic flow and generate employment opportunities, particularly for residents within the selected areas,” she said.

The LASPA boss further clarified that the responsibility for managing parking operations was previously under local government authorities before being transferred to LASPA by the Conference of the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas, LCDA.

She added that councils would benefit from the initiative based on their level of cooperation, urging them to actively support its rollout. Adelabu also emphasised the agency’s willingness to engage stakeholders and incorporate feedback to ensure effective implementation.

In his response, Dauda welcomed the initiative and pledged the council’s backing, while calling for increased public awareness to adequately prepare residents ahead of its commencement.

Authorities say the scheme is part of broader efforts to address persistent traffic congestion and disorderly roadside parking in Lagos, Africa’s commercial hub.

Indiscriminate parking has long been identified as a major factor contributing to gridlock across key commercial areas, including Ikeja, Lagos Island, Surulere and Apapa, where vehicles parked along roads often reduce available lanes, disrupt traffic flow and impact economic productivity.

Lagos announces plan to charge motorists for roadside parking