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Following the Delta State government’s directive that anyone caught demanding unlawful payment of development fee, popularly known as “deve”, from a property developer should be arrested and prosecuted, two young men have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Warri over the crime.

The arraignment came amid a renewed crackdown on illegal levies in Delta State.

The suspects, Mr. Irikefe Ajueyitsi and Mr. Abubakar Nasiru, were brought before Chief Magistrate E. M. Sowho at Magistrate Court 1, Warri, on a two-count charge bordering on illegal demand and breach of peace.

The developer, Pastor Fred Aghedo, said the demand for development fee prompted him to file a petition with the police.

Prosecuting counsel from the Uvwie Area Command of the Nigerian Police Force, ASP Dicko Wakama, told the court that the accused persons, alongside others still at large, committed the offence on March 12, 2026, at 3rd Marine Quarter Road, Warri.

He alleged that the defendants demanded “deve” from Pastor Fred Aghedo in relation to construction activities on his property.

According to the prosecution, the act contravenes Section 13(1) of the Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection Law, 2018, and is punishable under Section 13(2) of the same law.

ASP Wakama further informed the court that the accused persons also engaged in conduct likely to cause a breach of peace by creating nuisance on the said property.

The offence, he noted, is punishable under Section 249(d) of the Criminal Code, Cap C21, Volume 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Sowho granted bail to the accused persons and adjourned the case to May 20, 2026, for hearing.

Narrating his ordeal, Pastor Aghedo told the court that the suspects and others allegedly stopped him and a tractor he had hired for land development at the site, insisting that work could not proceed unless he paid the demanded “deve”.

Delta: Two arraigned over forceful demand of fee from property developer

Governor Dikko Radda has signed an executive order aimed at curbing rising criminal activities, particularly thuggery, in Katsina State.

The governor signed the order on Tuesday, describing it as part of renewed efforts to strengthen security and restore public safety across the state.

Radda said a mobile court had been established to ensure the immediate trial of offenders, adding that the measure would help speed up the justice process.

He noted that the state had earlier constituted a task force committee on the prevention of criminal activities, comprising representatives of security agencies, Hisbah, and relevant ministries.

According to him, the committee has been mandated to identify and dismantle criminal networks through intelligence-driven operations.

He added that the task force would also seize illegal weapons, monitor crime-prone areas, and ensure suspects are promptly prosecuted.

The governor said the initiative would involve collaboration with community stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, to curb criminal activities at the grassroots.

Radda expressed optimism that the measures would yield positive results, urging members of the task force to carry out their duties with professionalism.

Gov Radda signs Executive Order to curb thuggery in Katsina

Barau FC has terminated the contract of forward Yahaya Ibrahim Suleiman, DAILY POST reports.

The contract was terminated on the player’s request, according to the Kano club.

Suleiman scored five goals in 18 appearances for the Maliya Boys.

“Barau FC has officially granted Yahaya Ibrahim Suleiman’s request for contract termination,” the club said in a statement.

The termination takes effect immediately, making Suleiman a free agent.

Barau FC wished the player well in his career.

Suleiman joined Barau FC at the start of the 2025-26 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.

NPFL: Barau FC terminate Yahaya Suleiman’s contract

The study found that individuals who consume large amounts of alcohol in one day at least once per month are

National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rauf Aregbesola has lambasted the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC over the latter’s failure to attend and monitor the party’s ongoing convention.

DAILY POST reports that due to the leadership crisis rocking the ADC, the electoral umpire decided to boycott the convention.

During his speech at the convention, Aregbesola described the commission as an “illegal and criminal organization”, stressing that the electoral body was properly notified of its convention since 2025.

Aregbesola accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC of orchestrating the crisis bedeviling the party, calling on international bodies to come to the aide of Nigerian opposition parties.

DAILY POST reports that the commission recently suspended the recognition of the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC as authentic.

The move triggered outrage across the country with opposition leaders and party supporters protesting in Abuja.

INEC illegal, criminal – Aregbesola fumes as commission fails to attend ADC convention

 

The Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Gbenga Oyekola, has denied involvement in any alleged plot to impeach Governor Seyi Makinde.

Oyekola, who represents Atiba State Constituency, made the clarification on Tuesday via his verified Facebook page, insisting that he was neither invited nor part of any meeting aimed at destabilising the state government.

The lawmaker, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleged that certain individuals were attempting to sow discord within the State House of Assembly and undermine the cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature.

“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,” he stated.

Javier Mascherano has resigned from his role as manager of Inter Miami.

The Argentine has left the Major League Soccer, MLS, club with immediate effect.

Inter Miami CF announced this in a post on its X account on Tuesday.

The announcement comes just months after the former Barcelona star won the MLS Cup with Inter Miami.

“Javier Mascherano has decided to bring his tenure as Head Coach to an end. A champion who, together with his staff, will always be part of the
@InterMiamiCF family and forever linked to our first star,” Inter Miami wrote.

Mascherano joined Inter Miami in 2024 after leaving the Argentina U-23 national football team.

Mascherano resigns, leaves role at Inter Miami

The Taraba State Mobile Court on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and the Prohibition of Deforestation on Tuesday sentenced seven individuals to prison for engaging in illegal mining activities.

The convictions, secured under Executive Order No. 5 of 2023, underscore the state government’s renewed resolve to tackle the growing threat of unauthorised mining and its far-reaching consequences.

The offenders were arrested at an illegal mining site in Sabon Gida, near Karekare Village in Ardo Kola Local Government Area. Their arrest was carried out by operatives of the State Taskforce on Environmental Protection and the Prohibition of Illegal Mining, a unit established to enforce environmental laws and curb illegal activities.

Illegal mining has become a major concern in the state, with authorities linking it to environmental degradation, revenue losses, and security challenges.

Unregulated mining activities have contributed to deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution, posing serious risks to the livelihoods of local communities.

Executive Order No. 5 of 2023 was introduced to address these challenges by targeting individuals and groups exploiting the state’s mineral resources without authorisation or regard for host communities.

Officials said the convictions form part of a broader enforcement strategy aimed at dismantling illegal mining operations and restoring environmental order. The mobile court, set up to ensure swift justice, has been instrumental in prosecuting offenders and reinforcing compliance with environmental regulations.

Authorities expressed confidence that the sentencing would serve as a deterrent to others involved in illegal mining across the state.

They also called on residents to support ongoing efforts by reporting suspicious mining activities and adhering to environmental protection laws, stressing that community cooperation remains vital to safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

Taraba mobile court jails seven for illegal mining

Nigeria’s ambition to position its innovation ecosystem on the global stage is gathering pace….

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, presented its second prosecution witness, PW2, in the ongoing trial of a vessel, MT Ostria, and three others over an alleged theft of 25,354,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Retail Limited, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

The defendants, MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin and Vincent Wayas, were arraigned by the EFCC on October 29, 2025, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing, an offence contrary to Sections 411 and 280, and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the witness, who is a representative of NNPC, testified on the transactions involving MT Ostria and the events that led to the EFCC’s investigation.

Led in evidence by the prosecution witness, Bilikisu Buhari, the PW2 told the court that operational concerns arose when D. Torros Shipping Limited, the receiving terminal, called for a suspension of discharge activities.

“From our operational perspective, we were worried about any delay that could cause additional cost on the operation. We were informed by Torros that the suspension was due to variations in quantities between the ship’s discharge figure and Torros’ received figure,” he said.

He also stated that upon raising the alarm, Torros notified the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, of the discrepancy.

According to him, the NMDPRA escalated the matter to relevant government agencies, including the Department of State Services, DSS.

The witness, who said Torros also reported the case to the EFCC, further stated that “ I was invited by the EFCC. I was interviewed and I wrote a statement regarding the transaction at the time. We also submitted some documents to the EFCC with respect to the operation,”.

He confirmed that the documents were generated using his company’s laptop and printer, which were in good condition at the time.

The prosecution counsel, Buhari , tendered the documents, and they were admitted in evidence by the court.

Explaining the relationship between the NNPC subsidiaries, the witness said there was an internal framework governing transactions among NNPC Retail, NNPC Trading, and NNPC Shipping.

Referring to Exhibit P4, the Credit Sales Invoice issued to NNPC Retail Limited, he identified NNPC Retail as “the ultimate owner of the petroleum products allegedly stolen.”

The document, he noted, confirmed receipt and was signed by NNPC Trading for the sale of about 20.3 million litres of PMS through MT Ostria, which was the vessel nominated by NNPC Retail from the mother vessel, MT Northern Light.

“This document was issued as part of the NNPC Retail and Trading agreement framework, which requires that requests for product or cargo be made through a company portal where sales quotations are generated.

“This Credit Sales Invoice carries two sales quotation numbers also called PFI (Pro Forma Invoice) numbers: 20001584 and 20001601. These numbers are to be indicated on the commercial documents relating to this operation.”

He added that the documents established the commercial chain of the transaction and showed NNPC Retail Limited as the buyer of the cargo, in line with the companies’ internal framework.

Justice Dada adjourned the matter till Wednesday, April 15, 2026 for continuation of cross examination.

EFCC Presents Second Witness In 25.3m Litres PMS Theft Trial is first published on The Whistler Newspaper