Author: The Whistler Newspaper

The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on a 12 count charge of fraud and money laundering involving approximately N33.8bn.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, May 7, 2026, ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved the former minister’s culpability beyond reasonable doubt.

Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021, was accused of conspiring with ministry officials and others to divert funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects.

The court found that he made cash payments, including $655,700, estimated at about N200m, for a landed property in Abuja in violation of money laundering laws, with the funds allegedly routed through Bureau de Change operators.

Justice Omotosho criticised the former minister during the ruling, saying that instead of focusing on improving Nigeria’s power supply, Mamman allegedly enriched himself at the expense of citizens.

“Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” the judge said.

The defendant was absent from court during the judgment. His lawyer told the court that Mamman’s whereabouts were unknown, claiming he was ill. The judge subsequently deferred sentencing, while the EFCC applied for a warrant of arrest.

Mamman was arrested in 2021 and formally arraigned in July 2024. During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and 43 exhibits in support of its case.

He had earlier purchased nomination forms to contest the 2027 governorship election in Taraba State under the All Progressives Congress.

The conviction adds to ongoing anti corruption efforts targeting former public officials accused of diverting funds meant for critical infrastructure projects.

Further updates on sentencing and possible appeals are expected once the defendant appears in court.

Court Convicts Ex Power Minister Saleh Mamman Over N33.8bn Fraud is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The National Park Service, NPS, has deployed 42 additional volunteer community rangers to strengthen security and conservation efforts at the Gashaka Gumti National Park located across Taraba and Adamawa states.

Speaking during the passing-out parade of the rangers in Serti, headquarters of Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba state on Tuesday, the Conservator-General of the NPS, Ibrahim Goni, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to partnerships aimed at promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods across the country.

Represented by George Kagon, Goni said the recruitment initiative was designed to address manpower shortages caused by retirements and other operational losses within the park service.

“By recruiting dedicated youths from host communities, we are not only strengthening park protection but also fostering a sense of shared ownership,” he said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, for their support to the service, while also appreciating Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas and his Adamawa counterpart, Ahmadu Fintiri, for creating an enabling environment for the management of the park.

According to him, the newly recruited rangers underwent intensive training in patrol tactics, wildlife tracking, GPS usage, operational planning, and legal procedures to prepare them for field operations.

Also speaking, the Country Manager of the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation, Nacha Geoffrey, described Gashaka Gumti as a critical ecological asset and an important watershed for the River Benue that supports millions of Nigerians.

Geoffrey said the deployment marked another major step towards tackling environmental degradation and insecurity threatening the park.

“They are frontline guardians of this vast wilderness and a bridge between conservation authorities and host communities,” he said of the new rangers.

He explained that the recruitment exercise, the fourth since the programme began in 2021, forms part of the strategic partnership between the NPS and ANI Foundation aimed at restoring the park’s ecological integrity and strengthening community participation in conservation efforts.

Geoffrey identified illegal mining, logging, livestock encroachment, and poaching as some of the major threats facing the park, noting that the rangers would play key roles in patrol operations, community engagement, and protection of endangered wildlife species including chimpanzees and leopards.

Despite the rugged terrain of the park, including areas such as Chappal Waddi, he assured the rangers of continued institutional support through the provision of modern equipment, aerial surveillance, and training in first aid and human rights.

Also speaking, the Conservator of the park, D.A. Hamman, said the recruits had received training in conservation law, wildlife monitoring, first aid, and community relations.

“They have walked the ridgelines, tracked the streams, and learned to read the land. They understand that this park is not just forest and mountains, but a vital resource for communities and future generations,” Hamman said.

Traditional rulers from Gashaka, the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State, and Ganye in Adamawa State commended the initiative, saying improved security had already enabled displaced farmers to return to their communities.

Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, the Lamdo of Gashaka, Alhaji Zuberu Hammagbdo, praised ANI Foundation for its interventions in education, women empowerment, livestock vaccination, and youth development.

“Thousands of cattle have been vaccinated by them,” he said, adding that many of the newly trained rangers were drawn from host communities.
Similarly, the Emir of Ganye, Alhaji Umaru Adamu Sanda, said ANI’s interventions had helped reduce youth unemployment and criminal activities in communities within his emirate.

Chairman of Gashaka Local Government Area, Umar Yusuf, described ANI’s presence as a blessing to both Gashaka and neighbouring Toungo Local Government Area in Adamawa State, assuring the organisation of continued support.

Some of the newly deployed rangers, including Victor and Sadiq, pledged to protect the park and preserve its resources for future generations.

42 community rangers deployed to boost security at Gashaka Gumti National Park

The Lagos State Government has introduced dedicated security tip lines to enable residents report security threats and share credible information through text messages, photographs and videos.

The initiative was announced on Thursday by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund as part of efforts to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve public participation in security monitoring across the state.

Details of the development were shared in a statement posted on X by Ridwan Ajetunmobi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to the statement, the move is aimed at responding to emerging security challenges by expanding channels through which residents can relay information to authorities.

“To adapt to evolving security challenges, the Lagos State Government has strengthened its intelligence gathering efforts, broadening public access to reporting security concerns in their neighbourhoods,” the statement read.

It added that the LSSTF had introduced dedicated Security Tip Lines through which residents can forward relevant information for government action.

The statement explained that the platform is strictly messaging-based and does not support voice calls. Residents are expected to submit security-related reports using text, pictures and video recordings.

The designated tip lines are 0911 019 5555 and 0916 201 1179.

According to the LSSTF, the initiative is designed to improve collaboration between residents and government agencies by encouraging the flow of actionable intelligence while ensuring confidentiality and professionalism.

“Through these platforms, individuals can submit information, photographs, and video recordings relating to security concerns within their communities,” the statement added.

The government further noted that the initiative leverages technology and community participation to improve situational awareness and support timely decision-making by security agencies.

Lagos launches platform for residents to report security threats

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, caucus in the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, has described as ‘busy body’ the comment of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over party Secretariat.

Agbedi said this on Wednesday while fielding questions in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television.

He was reacting to the Wike’s statement during his media parley with some selected journalists on Wednesday.

DAILY POST recalls that Wike had challenged the Tanimu Turaki faction of the PDP, daring it to open an official party secretariat in Abuja and bank account if they genuinely believed they controlled the opposition party.

Reacting, Agbedi who represents Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State said, “What makes Wike as a minister of the Federal Republic to now threaten banks and threaten people that he would demolish property?

“This means we have two presidents and two laws in this nation. It amounts to a busy body. It has nothing to do with him. If they are vexed about the Supreme Court, they should go back to the court and not to threaten Nigerians because he’s holding a public office.”

PDP crisis: ‘Busy body’ – Agbedi responds to Wike’s comment over party Secretariat

The Nigerian Army has warned its personnel against using social media, saying soldiers who violate the country’s social media regulations face punishment.

The warning was issued by the Nigerian Army Provost Marshal, Maj. Gen. Mathias Erebulu, during a training seminar for Military Police personnel, which was reported by the African Independent Television on Thursday.

Erebulu directed commanders and officers commanding to return to their formations and reinforce awareness of the consequences of social media abuse among troops.

He stated that “Our soldiers have no business being on social media, when they go against the First Social Media Act, they are punished.”

“So, it behoves the commanders and officers commanding to go back to their various formations and reiterate the consequences of the abuse of social media,” he said.

The general also reminded personnel of the constitutional limits on detaining civilians in military facilities, directing that any civilian arrested by soldiers must be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agency within 24 hours after preliminary investigation.

He emphasized that “By virtue of the constitution, we are not supposed to have civilians detained in our facility.”

“So, they are reminded that once a civilian is arrested, after doing the due diligence of investigating, within 24 hours, you must hand over that civilian to the agency that’s in charge,” Erebulu said.

The seminar, which focused on operational discipline among Military Police personnel, was broadcast on AIT’s flagship morning programme, Kakaaki.

Soldiers Have No Business On Social Media, Army General Declares is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A legal practitioner, Justice Osai Ahiakwo has advised the Nigerian state and Nigerians against retaliatory violence, unlawful reprisals, or military confrontation with South Africa as a result of repeated killings and xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in their country.

He said such would simply violate the principles of sovereign equality, and non-intervention.

In an interview with DAILY POST in Calabar, Ahiakwo said any response to the South African attacks must remain consistent with international law.

He said it should not necessarily adopt the tit-for-tat, severance of diplomatic ties or nationalisation of South Africans assets in Nigeria.

“Nigeria’s most credible legal and diplomatic responses must take such steps as invoking bilateral agreements,
pursuing African Union and regional mechanisms, engaging international human rights institutions.

“Applying lawful diplomatic and economic pressure, strengthening citizen protection and consular support,” he said.

According to him, the South African crisis extends beyond domestic criminality.

He said the attacks have violated international human rights law, including the anti-discrimination obligations, and regional protection commitments.

Ahiakwo submitted that “Where diplomatic engagement fails to produce meaningful deterrence, lawful reciprocity through strategic diplomatic, economic, and regulatory measures remains the appropriate state response.”

He admitted that the recurring killings, xenophobic violence, and systematic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa have raised serious concerns under international law.

He was alarmed that the South African government has failed to exercise due diligence in preventing, prosecuting, and remedying such abuses.

He quoted several statues which the country has offended by not intervening to quell the violence against other Africans residing in their country, saying the repeated attacks represent serious challenges to these legal protections.

“Under the United Nations Charter and established international human rights frameworks, every sovereign state bears the responsibility to protect all persons within its territory, regardless of nationality, from violence, discrimination, and arbitrary harm.

“This obligation is reinforced by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights requires state authorities like South Africa to safeguard all residents from unlawful killings, hate-based violence, and discriminatory law enforcement failures,” he added.

He stressed that the systemic xenophobic violence against fellow Africans undermines not only these legal duties but also the political ideals of African unity, regional cooperation and Pan-African solidarity.

Xenophobic attacks: Lawyer cautions against retaliatory violence

A United States congressman has called on President Donald Trump to intervene militarily in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, describing the killing of Christians in Plateau State as an ongoing genocide and accusing the Nigerian government of standing by while its own citizens are massacred.

Representative Riley Moore made the call in a statement on Thursday, reacting to reports and videos from Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, where gunmen attacked mourners during a mass burial on Wednesday.

The mourners had gathered to bury seven persons killed in an earlier attack on their community in Fan District when the assailants struck. Sources said the gunmen, who had been monitoring the burial from surrounding hills, suddenly descended on the area and opened fire as graves were being dug. More than five communities were reportedly under simultaneous attack at the time.

Conflict Journalists who was present at the scene, said the mourners had barely dug a few metres before the attackers struck, forcing them to hurriedly dump the bodies into shallow graves and flee for safety. He witnessed a man shot dead in front of him as local defenders armed with hunting rifles were overwhelmed.

In his statement, Moore drew a sharp contrast between Nigeria’s willingness to intervene militarily in neighbouring Benin Republic during a coup attempt and what he described as its failure to protect its own Christian citizens.

“Nigeria’s willingness to step in to stop a violent attack in another country, while they stand by as their own Christian citizens are brutalized, makes these absolutely horrific scenes unfolding in Plateau State all the more unconscionable,” he said.

Moore accused the Nigerian government of inaction despite receiving early warnings of the impending attack. “The Nigerian Government could root out the terrorism and stop the martyrdom of its own citizens. But, despite receiving early warnings of impending attacks, they are nowhere to be found as Christians are murdered for their faith, like lambs led to slaughter,” he said.

Moore said he was encouraged that the Trump administration had specifically identified the protection of Christians in Nigeria in its counterterrorism strategy, adding: “Now, I am asking the Trump Administration to take forceful action to defend our innocent brothers and sisters in Christ in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, the epicentre of an ongoing Christian genocide.”

His position drew support from Sean Nelson, Senior Counsel for Global Religious Freedom with Alliance Defending Freedom International, who described Moore’s comments as “very forceful” and called for maximum US pressure in line with the new counterterrorism strategy.

The Federal Government has consistently rejected allegations of a Christian genocide, maintaining that insecurity in the country affects both Muslims and Christians and is driven by broader criminality, insurgency and communal conflict.

Plateau Attack: U.S. Lawmaker Demands Trump Defend Nigeria’s Christians is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

An All Progressives Congress chieftain, Tein T.S. Jack-Rich, has insisted that APC legacy members must be given the first choice of refusal at contesting for positions, condemning the practice of new entrants displacing long-standing members of the party.

He emphasised the need for the party to balance inclusiveness with loyalty, noting that founding members and early supporters should not be sidelined.

The APC chieftain noted that while the influx of new members was beneficial to democratic growth, it should not come at the expense of those who built the party.

Jack-Rich raised the observations in Abuja, on Wednesday, while submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms for the Rivers West Senatorial District seat for Rivers State.

“What is important to the party is to continue to recognise and honour legacy members who have been there from inception, while also accommodating new entrants for growth.

“It is important to hold your biological child dearly while adopting new children. That balance must be maintained.

“We were there when they called us names. I was there when they didn’t believe in us and when they tried to stop us. Today, some people are coming in hard and trying to push us out. We will not accept it,” he stated.

He noted that while the influx of new members was beneficial to democratic growth, it should not come at the expense of those who built the party.

“These new entrants are welcome, as it is good for the expansion of democracy, but they cannot take everything away.

“I am happy to say I have submitted my form, and I am going to work hard for the primaries. I believe strongly that I will win the Senate seat. Rivers West will be great again,” he said.

He described Rivers West as the largest senatorial district in Rivers State and a critical hub for Nigeria’s oil production.

“The Rivers West Senatorial District is the largest in the state in terms of landmass, and it is the oil bank of Nigeria.

“My field is in Rivers West, so I understand the terrain and the issues,” he said.

APC legacy members must be recognised – Jack-Rich on Rivers West senatorial seat

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has dismissed reports linking him to the 2027 presidential race, describing a campaign poster currently circulating online as fake and misleading.

In a statement released on Thursday by his Media Adviser and Consultant, Terver Akase, Ortom denied having any interest in contesting the presidency or seeking any elective position in the next general elections.

The former governor said the viral poster was the handiwork of individuals attempting to create unnecessary political tension and misinform members of the public.

According to the statement, Ortom has repeatedly made it clear that he has no plans to participate in the 2027 presidential contest.

“The attention of His Excellency Samuel Ortom has been drawn to a fake poster being circulated on social media alleging that he is preparing to run for president in 2027.

“It is entirely false, unfounded and designed by mischief makers to spread confusion and fuel baseless political speculation,” he said.

Akase urged the public to ignore the poster and avoid giving attention to what he described as deliberate misinformation aimed at deceiving unsuspecting Nigerians.

2027: I’m not contesting for president – Ortom disowns posters

The United States government has presented a new nuclear framework to Iran, amid uncertainty over when direct negotiations will resume.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. expects Tehran to declare it does not seek nuclear weapons and accept on-demand inspections with penalties for violations.

The Trump Administration seeks a handover of all enriched uranium stockpiles, and a 20-year moratorium (initially “permanent”) on uranium enrichment.

The demand also includes the dismantlement of Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, and a complete ban on all underground nuclear work.

The U.S. wants the reopening of the Hormuz Strait, to be followed by the easing of the naval blockade. However, sanctions relief will not be immediate; instead, it will be based on performance.

In an audio message on Wednesday, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf urged Iranians to remain resilient and called on citizens overseas to support the fight for triumph.

The lawmaker noted that external forces are trying to suppress the Islamic Republic economically through sanctions and a maritime blockade to instigate chaos and force capitulation.

“The enemy has pinned great hope on economic pressure,” Ghalibaf said. “I am surprised they still have not understood that the Iranian nation will give their lives but will not surrender.”

He told the people that victory in the war would turn Iran into a major player in the international system, which would pave the way for the country’s “material and spiritual progress.”

Ghalibaf advised everyone to help one another endure hardship and encouraged experts and the elite to provide officials with strategies to resolve the challenges caused by the conflict.

The Speaker added that Iranians abroad, with outstanding expertise, economic and effective communication capacities, can become “one of the greatest pillars of defeating Iran’s enemy.”

Iran: Details of new US nuclear framework revealed