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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate II in Ikoyi, have launched an investigation into John Anoruo, a suspected fake lawyer accused of possessing a forged Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal.

Anoruo, who runs a legal and educational consultancy in Ikorodu, was arrested on April 20, 2026.

The investigation was triggered by a petition he submitted to the EFCC on September 22, 2025, against Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited.

However, a deeper inquiry revealed that both the petition and a subsequent Letter of Withdrawal dated March 5, 2026, bore a forged NBA seal.

Anoruo admitted that he obtained the seal from an undisclosed business centre in Lagos.

During interrogation, the 55-year-old claimed he obtained a law degree in 2018 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, but admitted he never attended the Nigerian Law School.

Authorities have confirmed that Anoruo will be prosecuted once the investigation is concluded.

EFCC investigates suspected fake lawyer over alleged forged NBA seal

In a sustained offensive and concerted efforts to rid the South East and environs of criminal elements, troops of Sector 2, Operation UDO KA operating in the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY in Ebonyi State have successfully arrested a notorious Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) kingpin popularly known as ‘Calamity’ and four others during a raid on the terrorists’ hideout in Nwofe, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, in the early hours of today, 21 April 2026.

 The operation was conducted following credible intelligence that linked the suspect and his cohort to the killing of a police officer and the injury of another during an attack at Okuku-Igbo in Oshimili North LGA, Delta State on 26 February 2026. During that attack, the assailants carted away two AK-47 rifles.

In an attempt to evade arrest after intensified security operations in Delta State, “Calamity” and his men relocated to Ebonyi State to look for a safe haven and established a new criminal camp to continue their violent activities.

 Acting on actionable intelligence, troops stormed the hideout and apprehended five suspects, including the commander (Calamity) and 4 other suspects who are also key members of IPOB/ESN.

At the time of arrest, “Calamity” was found in possession of a black handbag containing five mobile phones and numerous keys. Additional exhibits recovered included a black Kcsanya motorcycle. The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation to dismantle the wider network of criminal collaborators and recover other weapons hidden by the group. 

This successful operation underscores the determination of the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with other security agencies to neutralize terrorist threats, restore peace, and protect law-abiding citizens across the region. 

The military reiterates its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and calls on members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely information that will aid ongoing operations.

 

President Bola Tinubu has approved a minor reshuffle of the Federal Executive Council, removing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, from their cabinet positions.

A statement on Tuesday by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, said the development was contained in a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

According to the memo, Taiwo Oyedele has been appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Also appointed is Dr. Muttaqha Darma as Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.

The memo directed the outgoing ministers to complete handover processes to their respective successors or supervising officials.

It stated that all handing over and taking over activities must be concluded on or before the close of business on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026.

Explaining the decision, Akume said the changes were aimed at improving coordination and strengthening delivery across key sectors of the economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Akume stated.

He added that President Tinubu acted in line with his constitutional powers as provided under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The SGF also conveyed the President’s appreciation to the outgoing ministers for their service to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours, noting that the process of cabinet reinvigoration would remain continuous.

The statement further noted that Taiwo Oyedele was appointed as Minister of State for Finance in March 2026, while Edun was among the ministers appointed on August 16, 2023.

Full Statement 

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION 

Tinubu approves minor cabinet reshuffle as Edun, Dangiwa leave FEC

…..Oyedele elevated to Finance Minister; Darma ministerial nominee

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council.

According to a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.

Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.

Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD .) has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.

The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”

Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).

The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.

The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”

Signed:

Yomi Odunuga,

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

21-04-2026

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has sought partnership with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on security, economy, green city development and other areas of mutual benefits.

The Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, sought the partnership when he visited the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Al-Balawi commended Wike and President Bola Tinubu administration for building what he described as “beautiful green city”.

The ambassador said he looks forward to strengthening relationships with the FCT Administration and exchange experience on developing a green city.

He also stressed the need to strengthen the relationship between the FCT and Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia and other big cities in the country.

Responding, Wike noted the robust relationship between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, adding that the FCT would leverage on the relationship for the benefit of the territory.

“We will be happy and willing to visit Riyadh and other cities in Saudi Arabia to find areas of common interest and collaborate for mutual benefits.

“Saudi Arabia is a very important state in the Gulf Region with a very rich history and robust relationship with Nigeria.

“We will want to capitalise on the good relationship with Nigeria to see how Riyadh and FCT will cooperate and learn from each other.

The Minister commended Al-Balawi for the accolade on the ongoing transformation in the FCT, attributing the development to Tinubu’s political will.

He explained the Tinubu administration has transformed the FCT to a modern city that could compete with any city in the world.

“We have not gotten to where we want to be yet, but the Tinubu administration is committed and has what it takes to take the capital city to the global stage,” Wike said.

Saudi Arabia seeks partnership with FCT on green city, security, economy

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has said the appointment of Marco Rose to replace him in the summer will leave the club “in very good hands”.

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Rose, 49, will take over at the end of the season when Iraola’s contract expires.

Rose has been without a club since he was sacked by RB Leipzig in March 2025 and has not previously managed in England.

He led Red Bull Salzburg to two Austrian Bundesliga titles and the Austrian Cup, and won the German Cup and German Super Cup with Leipzig.

Rose was also one of the candidates considered by Tottenham Hotspur after the sacking of Thomas Frank in February.

Iraola said: “I think the club will be in very good hands. He’s a great manager.

“I praised him a few years ago, I always liked his teams and I hope he continues that.

“He’s a good manager with a lot of European experience. He looks very exciting. I don’t know him personally but I always like his teams.

“They should be happy because he’s someone who can definitely improve the team. I’m sure the players are happy they know what’s happening.”

Iraola has guided the Cherries to a 13-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and they are eighth before facing Leeds on Wednesday.

He could deliver European football for the first time in Bournemouth’s history before departing. His next job is not yet known.

“We are in a good place in the standings but it’s going to be so difficult for us,” Iraola said.

“We are competing against not one or two but a lot of teams.”

Bournemouth Will Be In Good Hands With Rose – Iraola is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Governor Usman Ododo has declared that his administration will not enter into negotiations with criminal elements, vowing instead to confront and defeat them.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Kogi State Security Summit and Fundraising in Abuja, Ododo said his government remains firmly committed to protecting lives and property, stressing that those who threaten the state’s peace will face decisive action.

“I was not elected to pamper the enemies of our peace. Those who disturb our peace will not enjoy peace. We will confront them, crush them, and defeat them,” he said.

The governor emphasised that security is fundamental to development, noting that economic growth and investment cannot thrive in an atmosphere of instability. He also highlighted Kogi’s strategic location as a gateway between northern and southern Nigeria, describing it as both an advantage and a security challenge due to increased movement of people and goods.

Ododo revealed that his administration has strengthened the state’s security framework through the provision of operational vehicles, deployment of surveillance and communication technologies, and acquisition of drones to boost intelligence gathering. He added that the efforts are already yielding positive results, including improved calm and disruption of criminal networks in parts of the state.

He explained that the restructuring of the Kogi State Security Trust Fund is aimed at ensuring transparency and encouraging support from individuals, corporate organisations, and institutions. He called on investors and the business community to contribute to sustaining security in the state.

Warning of broader implications, Ododo noted that insecurity in Kogi could have spillover effects on the Federal Capital Territory, urging collective efforts to maintain peace.

Also speaking, Vice President Kashim Shettima said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is prioritising security reforms as a key pillar of his administration. Represented by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu, Shettima said the Federal Government is adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to address security challenges, including strengthening operational capacity, enhancing intelligence, and improving inter-agency coordination.

He stressed the importance of proactive strategies, noting that effective security responses must be organised and adaptive to evolving threats.

Similarly, Governor Babagana Zulum highlighted the need for sustained investment in security, including the use of modern technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Drawing from Borno State’s experience, Zulum said significant progress has been made in reducing insecurity, though at considerable cost.

He added that addressing underlying socio-economic issues such as poverty, illiteracy, and infrastructure deficits is critical to achieving lasting peace, noting that military force alone cannot resolve the country’s security challenges.

I Wasn’t Elected To Pamper Criminals — Gov Ododo Warns is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyewa Eyesan, has charged the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) to uphold industry standards, strengthen human capital development, and promote good corporate governance.

Eyesan gave the charge during a courtesy visit by the IPPG delegation led by its Chairman, Mr. Adegbite Falade, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, April 20, 2026.

In her remarks Eyesan described the IPPG as a significant force in the industry, particularly following the divestment of international oil companies. She noted that the Commission values its relationship with the group.

The CCE emphasised adherence to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, stressing the importance of human capital development and strong corporate governance.

She said, “One area I think we need to spotlight is human capital development. As the industry grows, there is a tendency of default and if we allow that to fester, it will hurt all of us.

“Because we are in a global market, the financiers are rating Nigeria; they are not rating companies, and if we do not bring our human capacity to par, then we will be creating a big problem for ourselves.”

Eyesan urged the IPPG to hold its members to the highest standards just like their foreign counterpart.

“As a pressure group, you should hold yourselves to a standard, I think that is one of the things the IOCs have done very well,” she stated.

Eyesan assured the IPPG delegation that the Commission remains committed to its mandate as a business enabler and will continue to be responsive to industry needs in line with the aspirations of President Bola Tinubu.

The CCE further announced that the Commission has gone paperless as part of its commitment to digitise.

“When I took over, we realised we needed to transform, and we set up a transformation team. We are happy to announce that on Friday, April 18, 2026, we went paperless, and everybody collaborated to make it happen,” Eyesan said.

Responding, the IPPG Chairman, Adegbite Falade, commended the CCE for what he described as “the renewed hope of your leadership in NUPRC,” noting that the industry has experienced noticeable changes since she assumed office in December 2025.

Falade said, “You have not been here for long, but the signs are very clear as to your dynamic leadership. We will not stop emphasising that because we do not take it for granted.”

Falade, who is also the CEO of Aradel Holdings, urged the Commission to regularly consult with the IPPG, adding, “You can always count on and trust that the Nigerian agenda is at the heart of our mandate.”

NUPRC Seeks Higher Operational Standards From Indigenous Oil Firms is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has expressed shock over the deaths of two prominent figures in Nigerian sports journalism, Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Temisan Okomi, describing their passing as a loss to the media industry and the country’s sporting community.

In a statement released on Tuesday by SWAN Secretary-General Ikenna Okonkwo, the association’s president, Isaiah Benjamin, paid tribute to the late journalists, highlighting their enduring contributions to the development and professionalism of sports reporting in Nigeria.

“The deaths of Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Temisan Okomi represent a painful and irreplaceable loss to the Nigerian sports media family. These were men who dedicated their lives to telling the stories of our athletes, leagues, and sporting heroes with passion, integrity, and excellence,” Benjamin said.

Okomi, a seasoned broadcaster, died after a brief illness, according to his employer, Classic FM Nigeria. He spent more than 12 years at the station, rising to Head of Sports.

Over the course of his career, he also worked with HiTV Nigeria and Lagos Television, earning recognition as a knowledgeable and engaging sports presenter.

“Okomi was a consummate professional whose voice resonated across the airwaves and into the hearts of sports fans. His dedication, insight, and mentorship inspired a generation of young broadcasters,” Benjamin added.

Oyeleke, a former chairman of SWAN’s Lagos chapter, has been laid to rest in Offa. A veteran journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority and SuperSport, he was widely respected for his leadership within the association and his efforts to promote unity and welfare among sports journalists.

“Oyeleke was not just a journalist but a leader and builder. His tenure as Lagos SWAN chairman was marked by purposeful leadership, advocacy for professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the development of sports journalism,” the SWAN president said.

SWAN also urged members of the sports community to honour the memory of the late journalists by upholding the values of professionalism, dedication and integrity that defined their careers.

SWAN loses two veteran journalists

The Supreme Egbesu Assembly(SEA) has taken legal action against the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Assembly of Nigeria over the creation of additional local government areas in Bayelsa State and the control of natural resources in the Niger Delta.

The group confirmed in a press statement dated April 21, 2026, that it filed the suit at the Federal High Court Yenagoa following the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the federal authorities, which it said was ignored.

The Assembly said the demand for the creation of 24 new local government areas in Bayelsa predates the state’s formation, describing the continued existence of only eight LGAs as unjustifiable, particularly for an oil-producing state.

It argued that Bayelsa currently operates 24 Rural Development Authorities that could be upgraded to full local government status, thereby enhancing access to federal allocations and driving development at the grassroots.

The group also used the court action to revive its long-standing agitation for resource control, insisting that oil-producing communities should have greater authority over their natural resources.

According to the Assembly, Nigeria’s earlier regional system allowed producing areas to manage their resources and remit agreed percentages to the central government, a model it believes should be reconsidered.

The Assembly called on Ijaw communities, Niger Delta stakeholders and other interest groups to support the legal process by attending court proceedings and backing the push for what it described as equity and economic justice.

The case has already come up for its first hearing in Yenagoa and is expected to test key constitutional provisions on local government creation and resource ownership in Nigeria’s federal system.

Ijaw Group Drags FG, NASS To Court Over Resource Control is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The trial of Ali Bello, nephew to former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, was on Tuesday stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja following a request for adjournment by his new counsel.

The development was disclosed in a statement shared on the official page of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to the statement, the case is being heard before Justice James Omotosho, with Bello standing trial alongside Dauda Sulaiman on allegations bordering on misappropriation and money laundering amounting to over N10 billion.

It was gathered that the new defence counsel, Ahmed Raji SAN, informed the court that he had just been briefed on the matter and needed time to study the case file.

He said the request had been communicated to the prosecution, seeking adjournment to properly prepare for the case.

However, it was further noted that prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, opposed the application, arguing that due process was not followed in notifying the court about the change in legal representation.

“My lord, I urge the court not to concede to the request for adjournment on account of a speculative application that is yet to be filed,” he said.

Despite the objection, the court granted the request, citing the need to ensure fair hearing and adjourned the matter to May 5 and 6, 2026.

Alleged N10bn fraud: Court adjourns Ali Bello’s trial over new counsel request