Author: The Whistler Newspaper

A Paris court has convicted French cement maker Lafarge of financing terrorism after the company paid millions of euros to armed groups, including Islamic State and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, to keep its cement plant operating in northern Syria during the civil war.

The verdict was delivered on April 13, 2026, at the Paris Criminal Court.

Lafarge, now part of the Swiss conglomerate Holcim, made payments totalling €5.59m (approximately $6.5m) between 2013 and 2014 through its Syrian subsidiary, Lafarge Cement Syria.

The funds were used to secure safe passage for employees and trucks, purchase raw materials from quarries under militant control, and maintain overall operations in the conflict zone.

The presiding judge ruled that the payments created a commercial partnership with the terrorist groups, driven purely by economic motives to sustain the plant’s activities.

Lafarge was ordered to pay a fine of €1.125m, the maximum penalty available for the company. Former chief executive Bruno Lafont was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to begin serving the term immediately. His lawyers plan to appeal the verdict.

Former deputy managing director Christian Herrault received a five-year jail term. Eight former employees in total were convicted, with sentences ranging up to seven years in one case delivered in absentia.

Lafarge had acquired the cement factory in Jalabiya, near Kobani in northern Syria, in 2008 for about $680m and started production in 2010, just before the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011.

While many multinational companies withdrew from Syria as the conflict intensified, Lafarge evacuated its expatriate staff but left local Syrian employees in place and continued operations until Islamic State seized the plant in September 2014.

Investigations revealed that the company negotiated deals with various armed factions, including monthly security payments and revenue-sharing arrangements that allowed it to generate tens of millions of dollars in sales revenue during the period.

The case first came to light through media investigations and a criminal complaint filed in 2016 by 11 former Syrian employees, together with non-governmental organisations Sherpa and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights.

It led to years of legal proceedings, including rulings by France’s highest court that paved the way for the terrorism financing trial, which ran for six weeks from November to December 2025.

A separate investigation into possible complicity in crimes against humanity remains ongoing.

Lafarge has described the matter as a legacy issue from more than a decade ago that violated its own code of conduct.

The company noted the verdict as an important milestone in addressing past conduct responsibly.

The French ruling follows a 2022 guilty plea in the United States, where Lafarge admitted conspiring to provide material support to terrorist groups and paid a record $778 million in fines and forfeiture.

Lafarge Convicted Of Financing ISIS, Other Terror Groups is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

By Adeola Badru

A crisis appears to be unfolding in the Oyo State House of Assembly as the Chief Whip, Gbenga Oyekola, has firmly rejected claims linking him to a purported plot to impeach Governor Seyi Makinde.

Oyekola, who represents the Atiba State Constituency, made this known in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday morning.

The lawmaker, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suggested that there are deliberate attempts to sow discord within the assembly.

He further alleged that certain actors are actively working to undermine the cordial relationship between the legislature and the state government.

In his words: “I, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, hereby completely disassociate myself from any arrangement or activity that has the potential to disrupt the peace of Oyo State.“

“I was never invited, never consulted, and was not part of any such meetings or arrangements.“

“I cannot and will not be disloyal to my boss, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde.“

“I reaffirm my unwavering loyalty and support for Governor Seyi Makinde, his government, and his party. I remain firmly committed to the peace, unity, and continued progress of Oyo State,“ he said.

The post Crisis brews in Oyo Assembly as chief whip denies impeachment plot against Makinde appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Yobe State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appealed to the most prominent governorship aspirant from the

By Ayobami Okerinde

Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has said Nigeria’s insecurity can be decisively tackled within six months if the federal government shows sufficient commitment.

Ndume made the assertion on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he expressed concern over renewed violence in the North-East.

According to the lawmaker, ending insecurity requires decisive action, improved military capacity and strong political will.

He said, “It is not about complaining. It is not about asking somebody like me, as a senator, to say why these things. I always believe that if the President and the Federal Government of Nigeria are serious about this, we can end this thing (insecurity) in six months.

“All we need is to train our soldiers, equip them, arm them very well, and then motivate them.”

Ndume also decried the continued loss of military personnel, including senior officers, describing the trend as alarming and indicative of deeper operational challenges. He added that the army is not sufficiently equipped and the morale is down.

Vanguard had reported that Brigadier General Oseni Braimah was killed on April 9, 2026, in a midnight attack by terrorists on the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State. Also on Monday, a colonel and six soldiers were killed by Boko Haram insurgents the state.

The senator further blamed the worsening security situation on inconsistent implementation of strategies, urging authorities to match words with action.

“We have to be very serious about this matter; we have to walk the talk,” he said.

On foreign support, Ndume emphasised the need for intelligence, technology and specialised expertise rather than reliance on external forces. He noted that Nigeria lacks adequate drone capacity and called for increased deployment of technology-driven solutions, citing examples from Burkina Faso.

“We have some capable hands on the ground; all they need is equipment, ammunition and motivation. We don’t have enough drones.

“Look at what Burkina Faso is doing; it is technology. We can use it to finish or minimise this within the shortest possible time. If we deploy drones, we have our youths that are specialists and designing it.

“In Borno, if you deploy surveillance cameras, you can see everything that is happening. In these days, you can put up surveillance cameras that can go 100 metres. Once we can escalate our military assets in Borno and everywhere, that will go a long way to reduce our problem.”

Ndume also commended Babagana Zulum for his efforts in stabilising parts of Borno State, noting that the situation would have been worse without his interventions.

“If not for the efforts of Prof Babagana Zulum (the governor) in complementing the efforts of the military in the state, Borno State would have gone down,” he said.

The post Six months enough to tackle insecurity if FG is serious — Ndume appeared first on Vanguard News.

Nigeria’s construction sector may be expanding on paper, but underlying challenges could undermine its sustainability if

Prince Harry and wife Meghan arrived in Australia on Tuesday for their first visit down under since their headline-dominating rift with Britain’s royal family.

The couple touched down in the southern city of Melbourne, kicking off four days of business and charity events with a visit to a children’s hospital.

The son of King Charles III — Australia’s head of state — is due to speak at a summit focusing on mental health, with tickets for in-person attendance on sale at an eye-watering Aus$997 ($706).

Meghan, meanwhile, will take part in a “girls’ weekend like no other” at Sydney’s InterContinental Coogee Beach hotel, according to organisers.

The event features yoga, sound healing and dinners as well as disco dancing at a ticket price of Aus$2,699 per person.

Those willing to pay even more get access to the “VIP experience” — which includes a group table photo with Meghan and a goodie bag.

The pair will also visit the capital Canberra, national broadcaster ABC said.

Their visit has already drawn criticism, with Victoria state opposition leader Jess Wilson condemning the use of taxpayers’ money to provide protection for the pair.

It is their first trip to Australia since 2018, when they spent two weeks touring the country as well as New Zealand and Pacific islands in a visit that drew adoring throngs of crowds.

Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and later relocated to California with Meghan amid a bitter royal family rift.

The couple, who have two children, have long complained about media intrusion and Meghan’s treatment by Britain’s newspapers after years of negative stories.

AFP

The post Prince Harry, Meghan visit Australia in first trip since royal rift appeared first on Vanguard News.

Abbas Nda Mohammed has assumed duty as the 16th commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Kwara State command.

He took over on Monday from Bala Bodinga Bawa, who has been redeployed to the national headquarters of the NSCDC.

Bodinga had served barely over one month in the state as the commandant before his redeployment to Abuja.

Commandant Mohammed is a seasoned security professional with over two decades of experience in the Corps.

He had served in several strategic capacities, including Zone 4 Headquarters, Minna; Head of Operations, NSCDC Kwara State Command; Head of Anti-Vandal Unit, Niger State Command; Area Commander, Kainji LGA; Divisional Officer, Edati LGA; Head of Counter-Terrorism Unit, Zamfara State Command; and various leadership roles within the FCT Command.

Prior to his deployment, Abbas served as Commandant, Zone 4 Headquarters, Minna.

Speaking after assuming office, the new commandant reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting lives and property, safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure, and strengthening intelligence-driven operations across Kwara state.

Abbas warned criminal elements, vandals, and economic saboteurs to steer clear of the state, emphasizing that the command will adopt proactive and decisive measures to combat all forms of criminality.

“Kwara State will not be a safe haven for criminals. We are fully prepared to deploy all necessary operational strategies to ensure the safety and security of lives and property,” he declared.

Commandant Abbas further pledged to strengthen collaboration with sister security agencies, traditional institutions, and relevant stakeholders to sustain peace and security in the state.

New commandant takes over at Kwara NSCDC

The Nigeria Customs Service has stepped up efforts to improve excise compliance as part of plans to meet a N400 billion revenue target for 2026.

The development was disclosed in a statement shared on April 9, 2026, on the official page of the service.

According to the statement, the move formed part of stakeholder engagements held across the Imo/Abia and Oyo/Osun Area Commands, aimed at strengthening compliance and addressing operational challenges in excise administration.

Speaking during an engagement in Owerri, the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Excise, Free Trade Zone and Industrial Incentives Joy Edelduok, said the service is targeting N400 billion in excise revenue for 2026.

“The Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi believes we have the capacity to meet and surpass the 2026 excise revenue target,” she said.

The statement noted that the Customs Area Controller of the command Blessing Iheanacho, disclosed that nine excise factories under the command are currently not operational due to economic challenges.

She, however, expressed optimism that ongoing engagements would help revive operations and strengthen collaboration between the service and excise operators.

According to the statement, some companies including the Nigerian Bottling Company, have continued to comply with regulations through voluntary remittances.

It was further noted that In a similar engagement at the Oyo/Osun Area Command, the service stressed the need for sustained compliance to improve revenue generation.

The Acting Customs Area Controller, Moses Adewole, described the engagement as a platform to strengthen collaboration with industry players.

The statement added that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the service to enhance transparency and improve overall excise administration.

Customs intensifies excise drive, targets N400bn revenue for 2026

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within

A member of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, convention planning committee, Dino Melaye, has insisted that no force can prevent the party from holding its convention, citing a valid contract and full payment for the venue.

DAILY POST reported that the ADC convention scheduled on Tuesday was reportedly under threat as the party was being denied venue to hold the event.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Melaye said attempts were made to stop the event, including efforts to shut the venue gates and ask organizers to vacate the premises.

He, however, stated that the committee resisted the move, maintaining that they had a duly signed agreement with the facility’s owners and had fulfilled all financial obligations.

Melaye further declared that the party was committed to challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, expressing confidence in ADC’s growing influence.

He said: “I have that information as a member of the planning committee and the chairman of the protocol committee, and not only we were even asked to leave yesterday, they wanted to shut the gates, but we insisted, and said we are not going to leave because we have a contract duly signed with this place, and we paid fully.

“We have receipt of payments. We have duly signed contracts. The most important thing is that at the end of the day we are here, and we hold our convention here.

“Nobody will stop us. After a contract, a proper contract, with the owners of this place, and after payment and receipt issued, no battalion would have moved us away from here today. So convention is going to hold. The exercise will hold. ADC is entrenched, and we are kicking out APC.”

‘No battalion can stop ADC convention’ – Dino Melaye