Author: Daily Post Nigeria

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has said that about six out of every 10 students are involved in internet fraud, otherwise known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’.

Olukoyede made the disclosure during the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria held in Kano State, where stakeholders gathered to discuss the theme, “Unlocking the Potentials of Artificial Intelligence: University Governance, Internationalisation and Rankings.”

Describing the trend as alarming, the EFCC boss said findings from the commission’s investigations and field operations indicate widespread student involvement in cybercrime and related offences.

According to him, “My research in the last one year has shown that about six out of 10 students in our universities are into cybercrime. It is a very disturbing situation.”

He explained that many suspects arrested in recent operations were undergraduates, adding that some had allegedly compromised academic standards by placing lecturers on their payroll.

He lamented that the development underscores deeper systemic issues, including weak institutional oversight and administrative vulnerabilities within universities.

Olukoyede also cited a major operation in Lagos, where 792 suspects linked to a transnational cybercrime syndicate were arrested.

He said a significant number of those apprehended were students, explaining that the operation was powered by artificial intelligence tools, which exposed the scale and sophistication of cybercrime networks operating both within and outside Nigeria.

The EFCC chairman further warned about the growing trend of “Yahoo Plus,” where internet fraud is combined with fetish practices, describing it as a dangerous evolution of cybercrime.

He called on university authorities and governing councils to take urgent steps to curb the menace by strengthening internal controls and collaborating more closely with law enforcement agencies.

Olukoyede urged pro-chancellors to deploy artificial intelligence-driven governance systems to improve transparency, detect fraud, and enhance financial accountability across tertiary institutions.

He observed that many universities still rely on manual processes, making them susceptible to fraud, including ghost workers, inflated contracts, and diversion of funds.

He stressed that a university that lacks financial accountability cannot credibly train future professionals, as the integrity of universities is a matter of national security.

The EFCC boss advocated the use of AI in key areas such as fraud detection, payroll management, procurement monitoring, and safeguarding academic integrity, saying that such tools can help flag suspicious transactions, identify irregular salary payments, and strengthen real-time auditing processes.

He added that the EFCC has already integrated AI into its investigative processes, including digital forensics and financial tracking, improving efficiency in tackling financial crimes, and cautioned that artificial intelligence should complement—not replace—human oversight and must be deployed in line with existing legal frameworks, including data protection and procurement laws.

He also stressed the need for capacity building in cybersecurity, machine learning, and digital governance across university systems, urging institutions to invest in digital infrastructure such as broadband connectivity and cloud-based platforms.

He further called for stronger collaboration between universities, regulatory bodies, and anti-corruption agencies to effectively address emerging threats in the digital space.

Six in 10 university students engaged in cybercrime – EFCC Chairman Olukoyede

A prosecution witness, CP Eloho Okpozikbo, on Tuesday told an Abuja High Court that $6.23m was fraudulently taken from the coffers of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) while Godwin Emefiele was governor of the apex bank.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Emefiele with criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence.

The EFCC accused Emefiele of obtained by false pretence the sum of 6,23 million dollars purportedly meant for international election observers for the 2023 general election.

He however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

At the resumed hearing in the case, the witness was taken in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Rotimi Oyedepo SAN.

Okpozikbo said; “ the money was fraudulently taken because some of the suspects we interrogated confessed to that.

” The office of the Secretary General of the Federation (SGF) denied ever requesting the payment.”

“There was a letter from the SGF, purportedly approving a presidential directive for $6.23million for the elections observers ” the witness said.

The witness who testified as the 14th prosecution witness (PW 14), said he lead a team of officers in the investigations that led to Emefiele’s interrogation.

Oyedepo, directed the witness to the document and asked him to disclose his findings; the defence opposed the style of the prosecution proceeding.

Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa SAN, accused the prosecution of asking the witness to read from the documents already in court.

Responding, Oyedepo said he asked the witness to explain.

Justice Hamza Muazu, cautioned parties to make the best use of judicial time.

Thereafter, the witness explained that the document was a directive “purported to have come from the then president (Muhammadu Buhari) to the SGF to release the sum.”

He said it was addressed to Emefiele as the governor of the CBN, and “the request was honoured, it was treated and the money was paid.”

Also, the witness told the court how some documents were recovered from the branch of CBN (Abuja) where the money was cashed.

According to Okpoziakpo, the documents include details of the amount of money that was paid out on Feb. 8 2023 and a memo from the Director of Banking Services Department to the Bank Controller, Abuja branch.

The purpose of the memo was to gain approval and instruct the bank to pay the 6.23 million dollars, he said.

While Oyedepo asked the witness to make some confirmations from the documents, Burkaa again objected.

He said the prosecution was providing the witness evidence despite being an Investigative Police Officer (IPO) who led the investigation.

Oyedepo responded, “We take exception to the aspersion that the defence is casting on the prosecution.”

He urged the judge to refuse Burkaa’s objection and see it as a ploy to prevent the prosecution from discharging its duty.

“The witness without documentary support is merely telling tales,” he said.

Intervening in the exchange, the judge said, the witness was providing evidence but requested that the prosecution not ask details of the contents of documents already before the court.

Justice Muazu then adjourned the matter until July 2 for continuation.

$6.23m Fraudulently Taken From CBN Under Emefiele, Says EFCC Witness is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

There is growing concern in Rivers State following the alleged abduction of a local politician, Mr Richard Ogidi, whose whereabouts remain unknown more than four days after he was reportedly taken from his residence in the Rumuekini area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

Mr. Ogidi, identified as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was said to have been abducted in the early hours of April 23 by yet-to-be-identified assailants, sparking anxiety among his family, political associates, and residents of the area.

The incident has drawn criticism from Prof. Henry Ugboma, the immediate past Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and a governorship aspirant under the ADC in Rivers State.

Ugboma expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the silence of authorities in the face of the incident.

He questioned the absence of official statements or visible action from both state and local government officials, particularly in Obio/Akpor and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas, noting that such inaction could erode public confidence in governance and security structures.

According to him, the lack of prompt condemnation or updates from relevant authorities has further heightened fear and uncertainty among residents.

“The responsibility of government is first and foremost the protection of lives and property,” Ugboma stressed, urging authorities to demonstrate urgency in addressing the situation.

As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Government has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the abduction, a development that continues to fuel criticism and speculation.

Ugboma also called on security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and rescue the abducted politician, warning that failure to act decisively could embolden criminal elements and worsen the already fragile security situation in parts of the state.

Outrage Trails Abduction Of ADC Chieftain In Rivers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

President Bola Tinubu has taken a formal step toward seeking a second term, with the purchase of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination forms ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The forms were obtained on his behalf by the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, during a ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja. The APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, presented the documents after declaring the process open.

Faleke, who also leads the Tinubu Support Groups, completed the purchase of the forms valued at N100 million, signalling the early stages of the President’s re-election bid within the ruling party.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are to follow on February 6, 2027.

The electoral body said party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will hold from April 23 to May 30, 2026. It added that campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while those for governorship and state assembly contests will commence on September 9, 2026.

Officers of the Hisbah Board in Kebbi State have arrested four adults in two hotels for alleged involvement in immoral activities.

The director of the agency, Surajo Usman, disclosed this in Birnin Kebbi, stating that the operation was carried out on April 25, 2026, in line with its mandate to promote moral conduct and social order.

According to him, the suspects, two men and two women, were arrested during raids on two hotels, adding that one of the women is a married mother of four children.

“The Kebbi Hisbah Board raided two hotels and arrested four individuals involved in immoral activities,” he said.

He urged members of the public to uphold moral values, respect the sanctity of marriage, and avoid acts capable of attracting social and spiritual consequences.

Usman also revealed that similar operations were carried out in Birnin Kebbi and Makera, where additional individuals were reportedly found engaging in immoral acts.

He further stated that during other interventions, the agency rescued and reunited missing persons, including children found wandering, a mentally unstable woman from Zuru who had been missing for three years, and a girl brought back to her family following a dispute.

According to him, the board also resolved several domestic and community disputes, including marital disagreements and debt-related issues, as part of its conflict resolution efforts.

Usman warned that the agency would not tolerate repeated violations, stressing that anyone found engaging in or facilitating immoral behaviour would face strict legal action without leniency.

Hisbah raids hotels in Kebbi, arrests four for immoral acts

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has strongly denied a report by The Sun Nigeria alleging that she was “dragged” to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over a purported N100m kickback linked to a fake contract.

In a statement on Tuesday, Kingibe described the publication as “entirely false,” questioning both its accuracy and timing, and insisting she has had no dealings whatsoever with the anti-corruption agency regarding any such allegation.

“The publication… is entirely false and raises serious questions about motive, particularly given its suspicious timing,” she said.

The report had claimed that the senator was linked to an alleged kickback tied to a so-called “fake contract,” an assertion Kingibe firmly rejected.

“Let it be stated categorically and without ambiguity, I have never been invited, queried, or contacted by the ICPC on this or any related matter,” she said. “At no time has the Commission written to me or sought any explanation regarding any allegation whatsoever.”

Kingibe further dismissed the premise of the allegation, arguing that it reflects either a misunderstanding or deliberate misrepresentation of the role of lawmakers in contract execution.

“Even more fundamentally, as a Senator, I do not award contracts, not even for constituency projects,” she stated.

“All such projects are executed strictly by relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government in line with established procedures.”

She added that “any attempt to associate me with contract awards reflects either a fundamental misunderstanding of how the government functions or a deliberate act of misinformation.”

The senator also drew attention to what she described as the “coincidental” timing of the report, noting that it surfaced shortly after her appearance on ARISE Television, where she spoke critically about governance and national issues.

“What is most telling, however, is the timing. How coincidental that this publication surfaces the very morning after my interview on ARISE Television, where I spoke candidly on the state of the nation and held the government accountable,” she said.

According to Kingibe, the development points to a broader pattern in which outspoken public officials face backlash.
“This pattern is not lost on discerning observers. It is becoming increasingly evident that those who choose to speak truth to power must now contend not only with resistance but also with calculated attempts at intimidation and character assassination,” she said.

Despite the controversy, the lawmaker maintained that she remains undeterred in her duties and public stance.

“Let it be made clear, I will not be silenced,” she declared. “I remain resolute in my commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.”

Kingibe said she anticipates further attacks but insisted they would not distract her from serving her constituents and advocating for good governance.

“I fully expect more of such attacks. They will not deter me, because the Nigerian people deserve leaders who will speak boldly, not those who shrink from the truth,” she added.

ICPC Probe Claim Against Me False, Says FCT Senator is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A former member of the House of Representatives representing Yewa Imeko-Afon/Yewa North federal constituency and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Kayode Oladele, has said opposition efforts to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election are bound to fail.

Oladele said that the opposition parties lacked what he described as deep structural leadership and boasted of a weak ideology that could never be a threat to the re-election of the ever-forward-looking government of President Tinubu in 2027

In a statement on Tuesday, Oladele said beyond the internal strength of the ruling APC, the opposition groups, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have failed to convince Nigerians that they possess the capacity, unity and vision required to govern a complex country like Nigeria.

He argued that a major weakness of the opposition is the absence of a clear, coherent development agenda, noting that much of their focus has been on removing President Tinubu rather than offering practical solutions to national challenges.

“Nigeria has moved beyond politics driven by mere agitation for power. Nigerians want ideas, direction and credible alternatives. What we see instead is a fixation on power without a clear vision of governance,” Oladele stated.

He contrasted this with what he described as emerging gains from the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, stressing that while the policies have been tough, they are beginning to reposition the country for long-term growth and stability.

He also cited internal disunity within opposition parties as a major obstacle to their 2027 ambitions, pointing to leadership tussles, legal battles and persistent power struggles that have weakened party structures and public confidence.

“With party primaries approaching, it is worrying that some opposition parties are still bogged down by leadership disputes. Any party that cannot manage its internal affairs will struggle to convince Nigerians it can run the country,” the former lawmaker added.

The erstwhile acting chairman of the Federal Character Commission added that many of the criticisms against the current administration were driven by individuals and groups unhappy with the disruption of what he termed “business as usual.”

According to him, reforms aimed at transparency and accountability have unsettled entrenched interests that benefited from systemic inefficiencies, leading to louder opposition voices.

Oladele urged members of the APC to remain united and focused, stressing that sustained engagement with the electorate and effective governance delivery would be crucial ahead of 2027.

He expressed confidence that the impact of current policies would be more visible before the next general election, strengthening public trust in the administration.

“In the end, Nigerians will judge based on performance, stability and the credibility of alternatives,” Oladele said.

“On these grounds, the opposition still has a lot of work to do, and time is not on their side,” he added.

Ex-Rep Says Opposition Will Fail To Unseat Tinubu In 2027 is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Nigeria’s women entrepreneurs are being strategically positioned to benefit from expanding global trade opportunities as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) intensifies efforts to deepen their participation in non-oil exports and strengthen their competitiveness in international markets.

This was the central theme at the Women Exporters Conference held in Abuja on Monday, where policymakers, development partners, financial institutions, and private sector stakeholders gathered to explore pathways for inclusive export-led growth anchored on women-led enterprises.

The conference, themed “Strengthening Women-Led Businesses for Resilience, Recovery and Inclusive Economic Growth,” highlighted the growing recognition that women entrepreneurs are not only vital to small business development but also central to Nigeria’s broader economic diversification agenda.

Speaking at the event, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, said women remain a critical pillar of Nigeria’s non-oil export drive, particularly as the country pushes to expand its global trade footprint.

She noted that women account for about 40 per cent of SMEs in Nigeria and are active across agriculture, manufacturing, services, and trade, making them deeply embedded in the export value chain.

According to her, Nigeria recorded its strongest-ever non-oil export performance in 2025, with exports valued at $6.1bn and total volumes reaching 8.02 million metric tonnes. She said the achievement reflects both policy direction and the resilience of exporters across the country.

“These gains are a reflection of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the deliberate efforts to diversify the economy, but also the hard work of Nigerian exporters, especially SMEs,” she said.

Ayeni stressed that no meaningful export growth can be achieved without the full participation of women, describing them as indispensable to inclusive economic expansion.

She also outlined NEPC’s ongoing interventions, including dedicated women export desks across all 36 states, capacity-building programmes, and certification support designed to improve access to global markets.

However, the conference gave significant attention to broader policy direction and institutional support, with strong contributions from other key stakeholders.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said strengthening women-led businesses is a national economic priority rather than a social welfare consideration.

She said global evidence consistently shows that economies grow faster and become more resilient when women are fully integrated into productive activities.

According to her, the Federal Government is focused on creating an enabling environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive through improved access to finance, expanded digital and financial literacy, and stronger policy frameworks.

“We are called not only to acknowledge the challenges facing women entrepreneurs but to dismantle them decisively,” she said. “Strengthening women-led businesses is not simply a gender issue, it is an economic imperative.”

She added that the Ministry is working closely with relevant agencies and development partners to ensure women gain better access to funding opportunities, capacity-building programmes, and market linkages.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim also emphasised the importance of partnerships, noting that government alone cannot drive inclusive economic transformation.

“We must strengthen collaboration with the private sector, financial institutions, civil society, and international partners. Together, we can build inclusive value chains that allow women entrepreneurs to scale,” she said.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Export Expansion, Aliyu Sheriff, described women-led businesses as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s export future, stressing that empowering them is a strategic economic decision.

He said women entrepreneurs play a vital role in employment generation, wealth creation, and community development, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.

“Empowering women-led businesses is not charity, it is smart economics,” he said. “When women succeed in business, families are strengthened, communities prosper, and the nation earns more.”

Sheriff noted that Nigeria’s participation in global trade must be deliberately inclusive if the country is to maximise its economic potential. He called for sustained investment in training, infrastructure, and market access to help women compete globally.

He also urged stakeholders to focus on removing structural barriers that limit women’s participation in export markets, including access to finance, logistics constraints, and compliance with international trade standards.

Across the conference, participants identified several key challenges still facing women exporters, including limited financing options, inadequate export readiness, and difficulties meeting global certification requirements.

Despite these challenges, speakers expressed optimism that ongoing reforms, capacity-building initiatives, and targeted interventions by institutions like NEPC will significantly improve outcomes.

Ayeni encouraged participants to take advantage of the opportunities provided at the conference, including technical sessions, business advisory services, and networking platforms.

She reaffirmed NEPC’s commitment to supporting women exporters at every stage of their journey from production to global market entry.

“The future of trade belongs to those who are prepared and innovative,” she said. “Nigerian women have the capacity, and with the right support, they will not just participate in global trade—they will compete and lead in it.”

NEPC Positions Women Entrepreneurs For Export Boom is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy sector have warned that the country risks missing its ambitious 90,000-kilometre fibre deployment target unless urgent reforms are implemented to address persistent coordination challenges in infrastructure rollout.

The warning was issued at the National Dig-Once Policy Forum held in Lagos, which also marked the 8th Policy Implementation Assisted Forum.

Industry leaders at the event stressed that poor coordination among government agencies, road contractors and telecom operators is undermining the execution of a $2bn national fibre expansion plan and threatening broader digital economy objectives.

They called for the immediate adoption of a nationwide Dig-Once policy, a framework that mandates the installation of fibre ducts during road construction or rehabilitation.

The approach allows multiple telecom operators to share infrastructure, reducing repeated excavation, lowering costs and minimising service disruptions.

Speaking at the forum, the convener, Omobayo Azeez, described the Dig-Once policy as a critical enabler for Project BRIDGE, the Federal Government’s flagship broadband initiative aimed at expanding Nigeria’s fibre network from about 35,000 kilometres to 125,000 kilometres by 2030.

“At a time when Project BRIDGE is taking off, Dig-Once stands out as the policy instrument that can de-risk implementation and maximise long-term national value,” Azeez said.

Project BRIDGE is backed by the World Bank with a $500m funding support, underscoring its importance to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

However, industry stakeholders argued that the current fibre deployment model is fragmented, inefficient and prone to damage.

They noted that uncoordinated road construction activities frequently lead to fibre cuts, resulting in widespread network outages and increased operational costs for service providers.

President of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, Tony Emoekpere, said Nigeria’s primary challenge lies not in policy formulation but in weak implementation.

“We have so many policies we don’t execute well. What Dig-Once offers is an opportunity to correct this,” he said.

Data presented at the forum revealed that approximately 60 per cent of network outages in Nigeria are caused by fibre cuts linked to road construction.

Figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission further showed that out of about 50,000 fibre cut incidents recorded annually, nearly 30,000 are associated with road works.

Chief Executive Officer of Dimensions Data Limited, Gbenga Olabiyi, highlighted a significant disconnect between infrastructure deployment and actual connectivity. Despite the country having roughly 35,000 kilometres of installed fibre, only about 16 per cent of Nigerians are connected, while broadband penetration remains around 45 per cent.

He noted that access is still heavily concentrated in urban centres, leaving rural communities largely underserved.

“The infrastructure we have is not translating to the level of service we should be seeing,” Olabiyi said, pointing to longstanding inefficiencies in fibre distribution.

To address these gaps, stakeholders advocated for the integration of fibre ducts into road design standards from the planning stage, effectively treating broadband infrastructure as a critical national utility.

Deputy Director at ipNX Nigeria, Segun Okuneye, said road contractors should be mandated to include duct installation in all construction projects to prevent repeated excavation and reduce service disruptions.

Beyond deployment challenges, concerns were also raised about ageing infrastructure. Industry experts warned that fibre cables installed 15 to 20 years ago are nearing the end of their operational lifespan, posing additional risks to network reliability.

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, urged greater collaboration among operators to upgrade ageing infrastructure through shared investments rather than duplicating networks.

“Early fibres laid years ago are ageing, and the industry needs a plan to replace them without everyone digging the same routes again,” he said.

Technology-driven solutions were also highlighted as part of efforts to mitigate network disruptions. Representatives of Huawei Technologies showcased an artificial intelligence-powered fibre sensing system capable of detecting and locating cable damage in real time I up to 99.9 per cent accuracy.

The system converts fibre cables into sensors that monitor vibrations, temperature changes and physical strain, enabling faster fault detection and response.
Despite these innovations, stakeholders emphasised that infrastructure protection remains a major concern.

They noted that enforcement of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) framework is still weak, even with ongoing collaboration between security agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Kenny Joda of FibreOne Broadband said vandalism and accidental damage continue to disrupt services, revealing that his company recorded four fibre cut incidents in April alone.

Participants at the forum agreed that stronger enforcement of existing regulations, improved coordination among government agencies, and increased public awareness are essential to safeguarding telecom infrastructure.

They cautioned that without decisive action, Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions could be significantly slowed, even as demand for data and connectivity continues to rise across sectors.

Nigeria’s Broadband Expansion At Risk Amid Weak Infrastructure — Stakeholders is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

US singer and reality TV star Ray J has stirred widespread reactions after claiming that the number of women he has been intimate with has risen to 12,500.

During a recent interview with former NFL quarterback Cam Newton, the 45-year-old artist, born William Ray Norwood Jr, revisited comments he made in November 2025 on Bag Fuel, where he had earlier claimed to have been intimate with 1,000 women.

However, in the latest conversation, Ray J significantly revised the figure upward, saying it had now reached 12,500.

“I had a party when I reached 10,000. We had a celebration to mark my 10,000th. I had about 500 girls who had been with me come through and supported me. It was a massive parade. It’s a little bit more now,” he said.

Ray J clarified that the number referred to unique individuals rather than total sexual encounters.

“No, it isn’t about how many times I’ve had sex, I’m talking about 10,000 different people. It’s at 12,500 now,” he said.

The singer further claimed that while touring, he could be involved with between five and ten women daily.

“When we are on tour, it’s about five to 10 women a day. These guys have way more than me. Some of my homegirls have sex with up to 45,000 guys a year, I’m not capping.”

His remarks have generated widespread reactions online, with many questioning the credibility of the claims and others criticising the nature of the disclosures.

Ray J’s revelations come months after he disclosed in January that doctors warned he may not have much time left following a hospitalisation linked to pneumonia and heart-related complications.

Ray J Stuns Fans, Claims He Slept With 12,500 Women is first published on The Whistler Newspaper