CKN News

Ogun FRSC Sector Commander Oludare Ogunjobi Is Dead

2026-10-18T18:33:06.668+01:00

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the death of its Ogun State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, following a brief illness.

The FRSC RS2.2 Ogun State Sector Command announced his death in a statement issued on Sunday, expressing sadness over the loss of the senior officer.

The statement, signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Route Commander Afolabi Odunsi, described Ogunjobi’s death as a significant loss to the Corps and the wider road safety community.

“His passing is a great loss to the Corps, his colleagues, and the entire road safety community,” the statement said.

The Command said the late sector commander would be remembered for his leadership, commitment to road safety administration and dedication to the mandate of the Corps.

It added that he contributed to efforts to promote safer roads, enhance public enlightenment, strengthen stakeholder engagement and improve compliance with traffic regulations.

According to the statement, his commitment to these areas formed an important part of his service to the FRSC and its mission to improve road safety.

The Command also extended its condolences to Ogunjobi’s family, loved ones, colleagues and associates, acknowledging the grief caused by his death.

“His demise is deeply regretted, and the Command extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, colleagues, and associates during this difficult period,” the statement added.

The FRSC said details of the funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course.

The statement concluded with a prayer for the repose of the deceased’s soul and strength for his family, colleagues and others affected by his passing.

“May God grant his soul eternal rest and give his family, the Corps, and all those affected by his passing the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” it said.

From Opportunity To Expansion: How Fidelity Bank FundHer Supported Akara Café’s Next Chapter

2026-10-18T17:39:05.086+01:00

Building a business is often about recognising opportunities at the right time and having the capacity to act on them.

For us at Akara Café, there came a point when an exciting opportunity presented itself: the chance to create a premium sub-brand that would offer a new expression of what we had built with Akara Café.

It was an exciting prospect, but it was also a significant financial commitment.

Like many growing businesses, we understood that expansion requires more than a great idea. It requires the right people, resources, planning and, importantly, access to capital. While we had continued to build and grow our existing business, taking on a new expansion meant having to carefully balance the investment required for the new venture with the working capital needed to keep our day-to-day operations running smoothly.

That was where Fidelity Bank’s FundHer programme became particularly valuable to us.

Through FundHer, we were able to access financing at a critical point in our expansion journey. The funding provided us with the additional capacity to deploy capital towards some of the costs associated with developing our premium sub-brand, while allowing us to preserve part of our working capital for the continued operations of Akara Café.

For a growing business, that flexibility can make a meaningful difference.

Access to financing is not simply about receiving funds. It is about having the financial room to make strategic decisions, pursue opportunities and continue building without unnecessarily putting pressure on existing operations.

Beyond the financing itself, our experience was made even better by the support we received throughout the process. Our Account Manager, Ms. Racheal, was responsive, supportive and available when we needed guidance.

Her assistance made the process feel considerably easier and more seamless, which we appreciated, particularly at a time when there were many moving parts involved in the expansion.

Today, Pavillon the newest Akara cafe branch in Abuja, represents a new chapter for us.

It is a premium expression of the Akara Café brand and an opportunity to take what we have built into a new space. For us, opening Pavillon is more than simply adding another location; it is a reflection of our growth, our ambition and our willingness to explore new possibilities.

The journey from an idea to an actual physical space required careful planning, investment and commitment. Having access to the right financial support helped give us the capacity to take that important step.

More importantly, Pavillon represents what can happen when a growing business is able to recognise an opportunity and access the support needed to pursue it.

Looking back, I am reminded that growth does not always happen in one dramatic leap. Sometimes, it is a series of deliberate decisions, each one building on the last. Having access to the right financial support at the right time can help make those decisions possible.

We are grateful to Fidelity Bank for being part of this chapter of our journey through FundHer and for supporting our ambition to build, expand and create something even bigger.

As we look ahead, our focus remains the same: to continue growing the Akara Café story, creating memorable experiences and exploring new possibilities.

Pavillon is one of those possibilities. And for us, it is only the beginning.

Former Diplomat, Veteran Journalist Dele Cole Dies In London

2026-10-18T08:31:03.499+01:00

Former diplomat and elder statesman, Patrick Dele Cole, yesterday passed in London at age 86.

Born on August 4, 1940, Cole made significant contributions to diplomacy, journalism, historical scholarship and national development.

His leadership stint in journalism at Daily Times, when he introduced an editorial board modelled after the American system, separated the formulation of the newspaper’s institutional opinions from the conventional arrangement in which the editor and features writers worked together on editorials. This was equally reflected in his debates and stance at The Guardian Editorial Board.

His contributions to the board brought a more structured approach to opinion writing and editorial independence of the board away from the newsroom

When he celebrated his 86th birthday in August 2026, he called for a new generation of principled leadership anchored on integrity, service and hope.

According to Cole, Nigeria’s future depends on young people who reject corruption, ethnic division and transactional politics.

EFN Non Oil Export

The renowned politician, journalist, historian, and diplomat, while reflecting on the leadership crisis confronting the country, said Nigeria’s greatest hope lies in raising young people with strong moral values capable of transforming the nation.

Born on August 4, 1940, in Abonnema, in the Kalabari Kingdom of present-day Rivers State, Cole’s journey from a small Niger Delta community to some of the world’s leading academic institutions helped prepare him for a life spent navigating Nigeria’s political establishment and international affairs.

He began his education at St Bartholomew’s School, Enugu, where he studied from 1946 to 1953, before attending Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, from 1954 to 1958, and Ibadan Grammar School from 1959 to 1960.

In 1962, he left Nigeria to pursue higher education at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he studied until 1965.

He subsequently moved to the United Kingdom, attending the University of Cambridge from 1966 to 1970. His academic career continued at King’s College, Cambridge, where he was a fellow between 1970 and 1973 and earned a doctorate in history.

He also spent time as a visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, United States, before returning to Nigeria to join the federal civil service.

Cole entered public prominence in 1975, when he was appointed a non-executive director of the Daily Times. He had been serving in the Cabinet Office and was associated with the intellectual circle around General Olusegun Obasanjo, then a senior figure in Nigeria’s military government.

His appointment came at a difficult moment for the newspaper group. The government of General Murtala Mohammed had acquired a 60 per cent controlling stake in the Daily Times through the government-owned NICON Insurance, following years of tension between the newspaper and the military establishment.

Opposition Will Pick One Candidate To Face Tinubu In 2027...Ex APC National Vice Chairman

2026-10-18T08:23:27.576+01:00

The convener of the G100 political pressure group, Salihu Lukman, has said opposition parties working in alliance with the group will announce a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, possibly only days before the poll.

Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke on Channels Television’s programme, Hard Copy.

“I can tell you categorically, and my confidence about that comes from what I see in the leadership of the parties: they are committed and they are working, taking all the steps necessary.

“So it could be two months, some weeks to the election, or a few days to the election; they will come out and tell Nigerians this is the direction, and everybody will queue”, he said.

According to him, the effort has gone beyond the six parties currently involved. “They are also working to expand; they are reaching out to other parties,” he said.

The G100 was formed to push the opposition towards a united front after an all-opposition summit in Ibadan in April 2026 resolved to field a consensus candidate against the ruling APC.

Lukman said the parties and their candidates have since taken over the process from the group.

“When the parties owned the process we had started and took it beyond, took it out of our hands and began to engage each other based on the need to develop the kind of confidence they need to trust one another,” he said.

He identified the biggest obstacle as “the trust deficit among even the parties and the candidates.”

He explained that a summit on August 31 “agreed to have five working groups, and one of the working groups is the one that will work on that single consensus candidate.”

Each party, he said, will nominate members into the group, either through its candidate or through the party itself, under agreed terms of reference.

“The collegiate is basically about ensuring that both the parties and their candidates are the ones taking the decisions, and at the same time the people doing the work are people who have the mandate of both the parties and the candidates, not anybody from outside,” he said.

Asked how the group would handle supporters of Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and the Kwankwasiyya movement, who have shown no sign of yielding, Lukman said rigid positions help the ruling party.

“Taking a hardline position, a rigid position, is almost like working for the APC and the Tinubu government at this point,” he said.

He said many signatories to the G100’s open letter support Obi or Atiku, but that the group has told them “the country is superior to any individual.”

Lukman said John Cardinal Onaiyekan recently made the same point on Channels Television, that opposition candidates cannot split votes five ways and expect one of them to defeat a ruling party.

“The arithmetic is simple: you can’t split votes five ways and expect victory in one of you,” Lukman said.

On the differing manifestos of the parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate’s pledge of a 300 naira starting pump price for petrol, Lukman said the group would not merge documents.

“It’s not harmonising manifestos; it’s basically to come up with a minimum programme of action which the government to be produced post-2027 will prioritise implementing,” he said.

He said all candidates would subscribe to the programme in advance, so that “in the event that any of them emerge as the candidate there is no debate.”

Lukman said much of the groundwork already exists, since the candidates’ campaigns have developed their own positions.

“I’m sure the Peter Obi campaign has also done some work; I am also sure Prince Adewole Adebayo and all the other candidates have also done their own work,” he said.

He said the outcome could be “ADC, it could be any other party, or it could be an alliance that will produce a new party,” and added: “I don’t have ambition to contest election and I don’t have ambition to hold any appointive or elective office.”

Warning candidates against clinging to their tickets, Lukman said: “Politicians can lie to themselves, and at the end of the day let the candidates continue to hang on to their candidature; at the end of the day only one person will be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Lukman also addressed his withdrawal of membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he attributed to internal issues in Kaduna and said he has now resumed membership of the party.

He said he feared the party was “shifting to a direction where we will end up reproducing the old parties we have left.”

I Regret Death Of 37 Miners In Niger..Suspended NSCDC Commandant

2026-10-18T08:17:25.721+01:00

The suspended Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Aniviye, has described the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody as a costly mistake, saying the tragedy could have been avoided.

According to AIT, Aniviye apologised to the victims’ families while testifying before a panel of inquiry investigating the incident in Minna, the state capital.

The panel is chaired by a judge, Mohammed Mohammed.

Describing the incident as a costly mistake during his tenure, the suspended commandant expressed regret over the deaths.

The suspended head of the NSCDC legal unit, Stephen Tsado, told the commission that he had advised Aniviye to release the underage suspects to their parents on bail, but his advice was not heeded.

Aniviye said the operation that led to the arrests followed complaints by residents around the M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate about mining activities in their communities.

According to him, he visited the site on September 15 before deploying mining marshals, who arrested the suspected illegal miners the following evening.

He said he learnt of the deaths through a telephone call on September 17 and returned to the command’s office, where he found bodies lying on the floor of the detention cell.

Aniviye said he informed Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, who directed that the bodies be taken to the mortuary.

He added that he also contacted the state Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The suspended commandant told the panel that the suspects had been scheduled to appear in court on September 17 before their deaths.

Meanwhile, Maryam Etang, a nurse attached to the command’s medical unit, told the commission that she was shocked to find the body of one Emeka Emmanuel among those brought out of the cell.

She said Emmanuel was not among the miners arrested during the operation.

In September, 37 suspected illegal miners arrested in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto villages in Niger State reportedly died while in NSCDC custody.

Aniviye had said the suspects were arrested during operations conducted on September 15 and 16.

Following the incident, the Federal Government suspended the commandant and ordered an investigation into the deaths.

It also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

On October 5, Vice-President Kashim Shettima visited Minna and announced a Federal Government donation of ₦250 million to the victims’ families.

How Six People Died , Properties Worth Millions Of Naira Was Lost In Edo Petrol Tanker Explosion

2026-10-18T08:14:00.226+01:00

At least six people have died and about 20 others injured after a petrol tanker explosion devastated two markets and several shops at Oluku, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, leaving about 2,000 traders counting their losses.

The incident occurred on Thursday morning when a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, fell while attempting to turn into the Oluku bypass along the Benin-Lagos Highway. The accident reportedly occurred after the tanker hit a bad portion of the road.

The tanker’s contents spilled onto the road and surrounding areas, attracting residents who began scooping the leaking fuel into plastic containers despite warnings from security personnel, including soldiers, police officers, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials and members of the Edo State Security Corps.

It was gathered that the tanker’s owners later brought another tanker to transfer the remaining fuel. A fire broke out during the operation, engulfing the two markets and about 30 other shops.

The inferno destroyed goods and property worth billions of naira, according to one of the market owners. Six cars, two tankers and a truck conveying biscuits were also burnt.

The affected markets belong to Chief Osamede Adun, popularly known as Bob Izua, and Comrade Osaze Uwaifo, the Okaighele of Oluku Community.

Some traders also alleged that thieves looted shops as the fire spread.

A trader, Mrs Faith Julius, said she had recently bought goods worth more than N2 million and borrowed another N2 million to purchase solar systems just two days before the incident.

The owner of one of the markets, Chief Adun, appealed to the state government for assistance.

“It has already happened. We are begging the state government to come and help us. You can see billions of naira gone up in flames,” he said.

Uwaifo described the incident as tragic, adding that the community would seek government assistance for affected traders.

A gas station owner, Mrs Efe Adodo, said the fire spread towards her facility but was contained with the help of fire extinguishers. She said nearby houses could have been destroyed had the station caught fire.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, who visited the affected traders on Friday, promised to rebuild Oluku Market and support those who lost their shops and goods.

He expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as avoidable, and urged residents to stay away from scenes involving spilled petroleum products.

The governor criticised the tanker’s owners for attempting to transfer the fuel without adequate safety precautions.

“Before the explosion, people were scooping fuel. The state and federal governments have spent a lot of money on advertisements to educate the public to stay away from such disasters, but people won’t listen,” he said.

He added that the decision to bring another tanker to evacuate the fuel without taking the necessary precautions contributed to the disaster.

During a visit to the burns and plastic ward of the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), the governor reiterated his commitment to helping affected traders rebuild their livelihoods.

The market secretary, Blessing Itoje, told the governor that traders could not salvage their goods before the fire consumed their shops.

“We couldn’t even pick anything. Everything burnt to ashes. Some of us are widows, and we use our meagre earnings to care for our families. Some of the traders were admitted to hospital due to shock, while some are on oxygen. Please, our father, some of us are servicing loans as I speak,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Edo State Fire Service, Anthony Ojo, denied allegations of a poor emergency response.

Ojo said firefighters were deployed after his office received information about the incident but were chased away and pelted with stones by people attempting to access the spilled fuel.

“There was no explosion when the tanker fell. But they were after my men and stoned them. The people were after the product,” he said.

Canada To Deport Nigerian Over Illegal Re-entry, 14 Years After He First Arrived In The Country

2026-10-17T08:39:50.923+01:00

Nigerian migrant rights activist Olukunle Adetunji is facing deportation from Canada over his immigration status after years of trying to legalise his stay in the country.

According to Canadian media outlet CityNews, Adetunji first arrived in Canada in 2012 but was deported to Nigeria in 2014. He reportedly remained in Nigeria for two years before returning to Canada illegally in 2016.

Adetunji married his wife, Kimora, in 2014, and the couple have three sons. They later explored applying for permission for him to remain in Canada on compassionate grounds.

However, he was arrested and detained at Maplehurst Correctional Complex before being transferred through immigration detention facilities, including the Toronto Immigration Holding Centre. He was later released while attempting to regularise his status, but now faces deportation.

Speaking about the possibility of being separated from his children, Adetunji said, “I’ve been taken away from my three boys. I made them promise that I’d never leave them. And, for me to break that promise is…I don’t know, I can’t break that promise.”

He also expressed concern about returning to Nigeria, saying he had no family ties or place to stay there.

“I have no ties with Nigeria. I don’t have a place to stay. It’s like a death sentence,” he said.

DSS, Arrest Five Suspects Over Kidnapping Of 20 Corps Members In Imo

2026-10-17T07:17:16.438+01:00

Operatives of the Department of State Services the military and police on Friday arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Imo State on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day.

Three other suspected members of the gang, however, escaped with gunshot injuries, prompting a massive manhunt for them.

The suspects were apprehended during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted at different locations in Rivers and Abia states. However, in the course of the operation, three other suspects escaped with varying degrees of injury.

Security sources disclosed that the operations were carried out between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.

20 NYSC members were abducted by armed men along Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State on October 1, 2026, as they travelled to their assigned orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The victims were subsequently rescued on October 7, 2026, during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village.

The string of operations marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to track down the perpetrators, dismantle the criminal network allegedly responsible for the abduction and bring those involved to justice.

A security source described the development as a major relief, noting that security agencies had sustained a wide-ranging manhunt for the abductors.

“This is a huge sigh of relief. Security agencies have been on a manhunt for the abductors, and we are elated that they have been captured. We strongly believe they will be charged in court by DSS and the corps members will get justice,” the source said.

Sean “Diddy” Moved To Another Prison After Head Injury

2026-10-17T07:08:27.711+01:00

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been moved to a federal prison in Pennsylvania after reports that the hip-hop mogul was living the high life and was injured in a fight at his New Jersey lockup, a person familiar with the matter

The federal Bureau of Prisons is transferring Combs, 56, from FCI Fort Dix to FCI Allenwood Low, a low-security facility south of Williamsport and about 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of New York City, the person said.

The person was not authorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity.

The Bureau of Prisons confirmed the move but provided no further details.

The agency said it does not discuss conditions of confinement for anyone in its custody, including reasons for transfer, for privacy, safety, and security reasons.

“Decisions about inmate placement are made by the BOP, and we are not in a position to speak to the circumstances surrounding this transfer,” said Combs’ spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer.

“Sean remains focused on moving forward, and we hope that his time at the new facility will be productive and without unnecessary disruption.”

200 Rescued From Unregistered Rehabilitation Center In South Africa

2026-10-17T06:58:48.960+01:00

South African police say around 200 people have been rescued from an unregistered rehabilitation center in the north of the country. Two suspects have been arrested as authorities investigate allegations of kidnapping and violations of health and safety regulations.

Media reports say some residents at the facility in Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga Province were allegedly chained and denied food, although police have not confirmed those claims.

Police reportedly acted on a tip-off about the property that is allegedly owned by a preacher and his wife. Fourteen of those rescued were taken for medical treatment, while investigations continue into the conditions at the facility and how the residents ended up there.

South Africa has hundreds of registered substance-abuse rehabilitation centers.

Some are state-run but the majority are private. Some are residential facilities for children.

Kano Bizman Arraigned Over N34m Fraud

2026-10-17T06:53:40.838+01:00

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Abdulmajid Halifa Nazifi before the Kano State High Court over the alleged misappropriation of ₦34.875 million belonging to Fahad Balarabe Adaji.

The defendant was arraigned on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, before Justice Musa Karaye in Kano on a one-count charge of criminal misappropriation.

According to the charge, the alleged offence occurred between September and October 2024. The EFCC accused Nazifi of directing that the money be transferred into the First Bank account of Muazu Abdullahi for the purchase of IRS Spaghetti from BUA, but allegedly converting the funds to his personal use instead.

The commission said the alleged conduct contravened Section 308 of the Penal Code Law of Kano State and is punishable under Section 309 of the same law. When the charge was read to him in court, Nazifi pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Following the plea, prosecution counsel Mustapha Maiwada asked the court to fix a date for trial and order the defendant’s remand in a correctional facility.

Justice Karaye granted the remand request and adjourned the case until November 2, 2026, for hearing. The allegations have yet to be proven in court.

Anglican Bishop Of Awka Heads To Court Over Six Months Suspension

2026-10-17T06:39:55.278+01:00

The leadership crisis within the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has taken a dramatic turn following reports that the Most Revd Dr. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, has approached the court to challenge the directive requiring him to proceed on six months’ leave of absence.

The reported legal action is directed against the Most Revd Dr. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, alongside the Most Revd Dr. Blessing Enyindah, Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

The development marks a significant escalation in the dispute over the administration of the Diocese of Awka, raising questions about ecclesiastical authority, internal disciplinary procedures and the constitutional rights of senior church officials.

The controversy intensified on October 13, 2026, when Primate Ndukuba reportedly directed Archbishop Ibezim to proceed on six months’ leave with immediate effect, pending the consideration of issues arising from an investigative visitation to the Diocese of Awka.

Reports indicate that the directive followed a visitation exercise led by the Dean of the Church of Nigeria and a meeting at which the findings of the visitation team were discussed.

Under the reported arrangement, Archbishop Ibezim was instructed to refrain from officiating at church activities within the Church of Nigeria, the Province of the Niger and the Diocese of Awka during the period of his leave.

The Bishop of Aguata, the Rt. Revd Dr. Samuel Ezeofor, was reportedly appointed to supervise the Diocese of Awka and coordinate the Province of the Niger during Ibezim’s absence.

The decision has generated considerable attention within Anglican circles, particularly because of the senior ecclesiastical positions occupied by the principal figures.

According to reports, Archbishop Ibezim has challenged the decision in the Anambra State High Court, Awka Judicial Division, in a suit reportedly numbered A/371/2026.

Reports further indicate that Ibezim is seeking judicial protection against actions that could affect his tenure or ecclesiastical responsibilities without compliance with the applicable procedures.

However, the complete originating court documents and the precise terms of any orders issued by the court have not been independently established for this report. It is therefore unclear whether the court has granted any interim relief.

The leadership dispute has also attracted attention amid allegations concerning the management and disposal of church properties in the Diocese of Awka. Some reports have linked the controversy to questions surrounding the alleged sale of church lands without the necessary authorisation.

The outcome of the reported legal proceedings, together with the findings of the church’s investigation, may help clarify the issues at the centre of the dispute.

Two Fraudsters Caught Trying To Buy ₦45m Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe With Fake Bitcoins

2026-10-17T06:29:03.584+01:00

Two men have been caught in Lagos while attempting to purchase a foreign-used 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe worth over ₦45 million using a fake Bitcoin payment alert, popularly known as “flash coin.”

The incident it was learnt happened in Lagos

The two individuals who came in as genuine customers inspected the vehicle and after bargaining, informed the car dealer of their intentions to pay the agreed sum

They made the transfer, at the point of driving out with the vehicle, the dealer got suspicious and insisted on double checking only to find out that it was a fake alert.

They were subsequently arrested

Loveworld Europe Unveils State-of-the-art Broadcast Studios In London

2026-10-17T06:22:13.542+01:00

Loveworld Europe, a leading regional expression of the global Loveworld Nation, will officially unveil its newly completed, state-of-the-art broadcast facility — Loveworld Studios, London — on Saturday, 17th October 2026.

The grand opening marks a significant milestone in the Ministry’s commitment to advancing the Gospel through television, digital media, innovative content production and strategic global broadcasting.

Loveworld Europe is part of the global Loveworld Nation, founded and led by Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome- President of Loveworld Incorporated.

Through its television networks, digital platforms, ministry programmes and extensive partnership community, Loveworld Europe is committed to communicating the message of Jesus Christ, transforming lives and taking the Gospel to audiences across Europe and beyond.

At the heart of this mission is a clear vision: to leverage the power of media and technology to make the Gospel accessible to people everywhere, transcending geographical, cultural and linguistic boundaries.

More than a broadcasting facility, Loveworld Studios, London represents a major investment in the future of Christian media.

Purposefully developed to support modern television production and digital content creation, the facility brings together professional broadcast infrastructure, contemporary studio environments, advanced production technology and creative spaces designed to deliver exceptional viewing experiences.

From versatile production sets and sophisticated lighting systems to broadcast cameras, production galleries and supporting technical infrastructure, the studios have been developed with a commitment to excellence, functionality and future growth.

The completion of this project reflects years of vision, dedicated effort and the extraordinary generosity of partners whose commitment to the Gospel has helped turn an ambitious vision into reality.

With the unveiling of Loveworld Studios, London, audiences can look forward to an exciting new chapter of inspiring, impactful and visually engaging programming, including:

Dynamic Gospel Programming: Inspiring teachings and faith-building broadcasts.

Engaging Television Productions: Talk shows, interviews, lifestyle programmes, youth-focused content and compelling conversations addressing contemporary issues from a faith-based perspective.

Music, Worship and Creative Expression: High-quality productions showcasing Christian music, worship, talent and inspirational entertainment.

Live Broadcasts and Special Events: Professionally produced live programmes, ministry events, conferences and special presentations.

Multilingual and International Content: Expanded opportunities to produce and distribute Gospel content for diverse nations, cultures and languages.

Digital-First Content: Innovative short and long-form productions for television, streaming services, social media and emerging digital platforms.

The studios also create opportunities for creative collaboration, talent development and professional production services, extending their relevance beyond traditional television broadcasting.

The opening comes at a significant time as the Loveworld Nation celebrates 30 Years of Pastor Chris on Television, recognizing three decades of impact through the ministry of Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome.

Inspired by Matthew 24:14 — “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations” — Loveworld Europe remains committed to extending the reach and impact of Christian broadcasting.

The grand opening is not merely the celebration of a completed building. It is the unveiling of new possibilities.

With Loveworld Studios, London, a new platform has been established for greater creativity, stronger global engagement, more compelling storytelling and an expanded capacity to reach millions with the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ.

A new home for extraordinary stories. A new stage for global impact. A new era of Gospel broadcasting.

DSS Arrests Runway Son of Convicted Ex-Pension Reforms Boss Maina

2026-10-17T06:14:39.298+01:00

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, son of former Pension Reform Task Team chairman Abdulrasheed Maina, and transferred him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Security sources disclosed that Faisal, who had been on the run since 2020, was apprehended by DSS operatives in the Karsana area of Abuja following intelligence reports that he had secretly returned to Nigeria.

Faisal was previously prosecuted by the EFCC on a three-count charge involving money laundering and conspiracy. However, he violated his bail conditions and fled the country.

His trial proceeded in his absence, leading to his conviction in 2021 by Justice Okon Abang, who sentenced him to 14 years in prison.

The court had ordered his arrest anywhere in Nigeria and directed that he be remanded in a correctional facility to serve his sentence. It also instructed the Federal Government to take lawful steps to secure his extradition if he was found outside the country.

According to a security source, Faisal’s transfer to the EFCC is expected to facilitate the enforcement of the court’s judgment and ensure he serves his prison term in accordance with the law.

White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia May Resign Over Law Degree Claim

2026-10-16T19:01:12.306+01:00

New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia was pressed by co-host Lawrence Jones on whether she regrets not telling President Trump about failing to pass the bar exam.

President Donald Trump told Katie Zacharia to "reconsider" remaining in her White House press secretary role just one week after appointing her to the high-profile job.

Speaking with members of the press on the South Lawn on Friday, the president revealed he told Zacharia just moments before emerging: "You don't have to do this if you don't want to… I think you should reconsider."

"Maybe it’s not for her," Trump acknowledged.

It comes as her four-day tenure is already marked by mounting scrutiny over her legal credentials and a rocky debut before the White House press corps on Tuesday. Critics have taken aim at Zacharia over her recent interviews attempting to recover from the bumpy start.

When pressed on if Trump's update meant that Zacharia was fired, the president walked back with: "No no. I want her to have a good life."

"She’s been brutalized by the media," he added.

A senior White House official said that Katie is "transitioning out" of the role.

During an appearance on "Hannity" Thursday night, Zacharia was pressed over whether or not she could refer to herself as an attorney in which Zacharia admitted she did not pass the exam and never obtained a law license in the United States.

Zacharia was named to the role Oct. 9 and stepped behind the White House podium for her first press briefing just days later on Oct. 13.

"I had already pre-registered for the bar exam, and basically during the summer, I knew I would be living in China and the result of the bar would be inconsequential. I sat for it because I didn't want to have a withdraw status," she said.

Zacharia was also pressed on her 14-minute briefing where she took only three questions.

"What I feel is I really stepped up to the plate with very little prep time," Zacharia said. "Given the fact that I'd been on the job less than maybe eight hours and had a briefing book in the morning, I feel like I did my very best, Sean, to deliver for the American people that day."

Zacharia's debut drew scrutiny over several verbal stumbles, including a moment when she mistakenly referred to her husband as "my president" before correcting herself, as well as the briefing's brevity, during which she took questions from just three journalists in 14 minutes.

Karoline Leavitt’s first White House press briefing lasted nearly 47 minutes, while Sean Spicer’s debut ran roughly 79 minutes. While Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ first briefing as press secretary lasted about 23 minutes in 2017.

A White House official, who told MS NOW that she could end up with a shorter tenure than Anthony Scaramucci, whose notoriously brief stint as President Donald Trump's White House communications director lasted just 10 days before he was ousted in July 2017

"Getting behind the podium is tough, but she got off on the wrong foot," the unnamed White House official said, MS NOW reported. "She needs to get much better, fast, otherwise she'll break Scaramucci's record."

The White House doubled down on supporting Zacharia Wednesday when asked by Fox News Digital for comment on the Scaramucci comparison reportedly coming from the White House.

"Katie is a fabulous and wonderful addition to the team. She is uniquely qualified and whip smart to help inform the American people about all the great things President Trump and his Administration have been doing, and she will do an incredible job as Press Secretary," Cheung told Fox News Digital.

The White House X account @PressSec, formerly run by Leavitt before switching to White House Press Office, never switched over to Zacharia. The account has not posted since Oct. 7.

Zacharia, whom Trump described as an attorney when announcing her appointment, previously served as senior communications adviser to Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates the president's social media platform, Truth Social.

Zacharia previously served as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs and a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security.

Additional Information: Fox News

US Consul General Hosts Burna Boy

2026-10-16T18:46:41.623+01:00

Statement of US Consul General on Burna Boy's Visit

"Consul General Brandon Hudspeth welcomed Grammy-winning superstar/artist Burna Boy to U.S. Consulate General Lagos to discuss expanding collaboration between American and Nigerian creative economies.

They explored ways to turn the cultural ties between the United States and Nigeria into real economic opportunity through commercial relationships among U.S. and Nigerian studios, labels, and streaming platforms; stronger intellectual property protection; artist and industry exchanges; and investment in creative infrastructure."

NSIB Confirms 9 Passengers Aboard Plane With Blown Out Door .. Owner Revealed

2026-10-16T17:04:56.063+01:00

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the mid-air separation of a door from a private jet operated by Triton Aviation shortly after take-off from Abuja.

The bureau also confirmed that all nine people on board the Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft — three crew members and six passengers — were accounted for after the aircraft returned safely to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The incident occurred on Thursday, October 15, 2026, as the aircraft, registered T7-SEI, was operating flight DWC052 from Abuja to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to the NSIB, the aircraft was about three nautical miles from the airport and climbing through 3,500 feet when the crew declared a Mayday emergency after the door detached.

The crew subsequently returned to Abuja, landing safely on Runway 22 at 16:34 UTC.

In a statement on Friday, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr, confirmed that the missing door had been recovered.

“The door has been recovered and secured at the NSIB wreckage hangar. The Bureau has commenced its investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the occurrence,” he said.

The bureau added that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) also confirmed the occurrence but referred further enquiries to the NSIB, which is responsible for investigating serious aviation incidents.

The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the door separation. No cause has been officially determined.

The aircraft’s safe return followed an emergency response by air traffic controllers, who directed the crew back to Abuja and alerted airport fire and medical teams to stand by.

The missing door was reportedly found on farmland in the Abuja area before it was recovered and secured by the NSIB.

The bureau said it would release additional information as the investigation progresses.

Meanwhile, investigation has revealed that the private jet reportedly belonging to Nigerian billionaire businessman Kola Karim, chairman of the board of directors of Shoreline Natural Resources Limited (SNRL), reportedly lost a door mid-flight at an altitude of about 3,000 feet, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Abuja.

The aircraft T7-SEI is a Bombardier Challenger 604 private jet associated with Shoreline Energy International, a Nigerian energy company, and operated by Triton Aviation, according to information obtained by SaharaReporters.

Karim chairs the board of SNRL and its parent company, Shoreline, an industrial group focused on infrastructure, energy and related investments in sub-Saharan Africa.

CKN NEWS had earlier reported that the private jet, identified as a CL60 with registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was travelling from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos when the incident occurred on Thursday.

According to an incident report, the crew informed air traffic control that a door had opened during the flight at about 4:20 p.m.

The approach radar controller subsequently directed the aircraft to return to Abuja, where it made an emergency landing.

Court Hands UBA Major Victory In A Landmark N156bn Debt Recovery Judgement Against The Vaswani Brothers And Stallion Group

2026-10-16T14:07:14.670+01:00

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has secured a significant legal victory in its debt recovery proceedings against Stallion Group, following a court judgment which upheld the Bank’s position on all issues submitted for determination.

In a sweeping decision, delivered by by Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on Friday, granted all the reliefs sought by UBA, affirming the validity of the appointment of a Receiver/Manager, the enforceability of the mortgage security and the liability of the guarantors.

The Court observed that the Defendants did not dispute the existence of their indebtedness to the Bank but challenged the amount claimed. It further held that the reconciliation of accounts between the parties did not extinguish or negate the underlying indebtedness.

In a major affirmation of UBA’s enforcement rights, the Court upheld the appointment of the Receiver/Manager and confirmed his entitlement to take possession of the mortgaged property and seek appropriate protective orders.

The Court also dismissed objections raised by the 12th Defendant, holding that it had failed to establish any proprietary rights over the mortgaged property. Consequently, its consent was not required for the creation of the mortgage, and its objections were rejected.

Significantly, the Court restrained the Defendants from diverting receivables due to them from government agencies, thereby reinforcing the Bank’s ability to protect its recovery interests.

The judgment also affirmed the liability of the guarantors, strengthening UBA’s legal position in pursuing recovery of the outstanding obligations.

The decision represents a comprehensive victory for UBA, with the Court resolving all issues in the Bank’s favour and granting all the reliefs sought.

The ruling is particularly significant for the enforcement of creditors’ rights in Nigeria, underscoring the legal validity of properly constituted security arrangements and the authority of duly appointed receivers to enforce creditors’ interests.

It also reinforces the principle that disputes over the precise amount of an outstanding debt do not, by themselves, invalidate the underlying indebtedness or prevent creditors from exercising their lawful recovery rights.

The judgment marks a major milestone in UBA’s efforts to recover its exposure to Stallion Group and safeguard the interests of the Bank and its stakeholders

The key highlights of the judgment are as follows:

The Federal High Court Ikoyi affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the case

The Judgement was delivered by Justice Daniel Osiagor of Court 6 of Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos

The Defendants did not dispute their indebtedness, only the amount owed.

The guarantors were held liable.

The appointment of the Receiver/Manager was upheld as valid.

The Receiver/Manager’s right to take possession of the mortgaged property was affirmed.

The Receiver/Manager was held to be entitled to seek protective orders.

The Court held that the reconciliation exercise did not negate the indebtedness.

The objection of the 12th Defendant was dismissed, as it failed to establish any proprietary rights over the mortgaged property. Its consent was therefore not required for the mortgage.

The Defendants were restrained from diverting receivables due to them from government agencies.

Two Bangladesh Nationals Executed In Saudi Arabia For Engaging In Sex In A Mosque

2026-10-16T13:06:14.067+01:00

Saudi Arabia says it has executed two Bangladeshi nationals for committing a sexual act inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca.

Announcing the executions in a statement on Wednesday, the Saudi ministry of interior identified the offenders as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, a woman.

The ministry said security authorities arrested the duo following the incident and charged them after an investigation.

Plane Loses Door Mid-air, Makes Emergency Landing In Abuja

2026-10-16T12:47:20.033+01:00

The Abuja airport was thrown into panic after a CL60 aircraft operated by Triton Aviation lost a door mid-air, forcing the crew to declare an emergency shortly after take-off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

It was learnt that the aircraft, with registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was en route to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, when the incident occurred

An incident report obtained by our correspondent showed that the crew informed the air traffic control tower that a door had opened in flight, prompting the approach radar controller to direct the aircraft back to Abuja for an emergency landing.

The report further showed that the aircraft took off from Runway 22 at 4:17 pm UTC. It was “about three nautical miles from the airport, climbing through 3,000 feet, when the crew transmitted a distress call: ‘Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.’”

Following the distress call, airport fire and emergency personnel, as well as the medical team, were immediately alerted and placed on standby. Fire and rescue teams were also directed to designated positions to prepare for the aircraft’s return.

The incident report stated that at about 4:29 pm UTC, while in contact with the Abuja control tower, the crew asked whether the controllers could confirm if the door was open.

“The duty air traffic controller attempted to observe the aircraft using binoculars, but could not establish the door’s condition because of the aircraft’s position. The crew was subsequently informed that the controller could not confirm the situation visually,” the report said.

The aircraft eventually landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 4:34 pm UTC, about 14 minutes after the Mayday call.

Following the landing, the duty controller observed that the aircraft’s door was missing from the fuselage, confirming the seriousness of the incident.

The jet was subsequently taxied to the international apron extension and parked with the assistance of a marshaller.

Meanwhile, a video showed the missing door, reportedly recovered by farmers from a farm in the Abuja area.

In the video, a man whose identity could not be established said the farmers found the door while returning from their farm.

He said, “This is what we found as we were returning from our farm. It fell from a plane, but we don’t know much about its identity. As I am sending it to you, sir, just check it.”

The number of passengers on board could not be immediately confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the incident but said the agency could not comment, adding that the matter fell under the purview of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.

Although the NSIB could not immediately provide an official comment to our correspondent, a reliable source in the agency confirmed the seriousness of the incident.

The source said the bureau’s management had deployed investigators and would issue an official statement in due course.

Triton Aviation, the aircraft’s operator, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.

Punch

Queen Salawa Abeni's 3rd Marriage Crashes

2026-10-16T12:38:29.198+01:00

Queen Salawa Abeni has publicly announced that her recent marriage to Alhaji Rasheed Adahunse (former Comptroller and Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Training College) has broken down

She made the announcement ahead of celebrating her 50th anniversary on stage on Sunday, October 18, 2026, asking fans and supporters to join her in thanksgiving.

She reflected on her marital history, noting that after her marriages to late Leader Records founder Lateef Adepoju (which ended in 1986) and Fuji legend Kollington Ayinla (which ended in 1994), she decided to give marriage a third chance with Adahunse in 2023, which has now also ended.

Her Post

I am sorry to announce that my recent marriage has ended. Things didn’t work out, and I don’t want to kpai over what wasn’t meant to be, so we have all decided to move on.

I have always loved marriage and wanted to be with a man. Looking at my mum, who never had two husbands, I hoped my own story would be different. After my first and second marriages ended, I decided to give love another chance, hoping the third time would be different. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. 😢

I am blessed with grown-up children, and you all know their father, Alhaji Kollington Ayinla.

Despite everything, I thank God for my life and my family. This Sunday, October 18, 2026, I will be celebrating 50 years on stage!

I want all my lovers and supporters to join me in praising the Lord for His faithfulness. Ẹ ṣé púpọ̀!

Congratulations to me! God has been faithful, and my story is not over yet…

From Alhaja Salawa Abeni

Viral Video: Police Frees Alleged Thief Behind Stolen N130m Car In Lagos As Dealer Laments

2026-10-16T10:26:01.945+01:00

A car dealer, Chima Edmund, has accused the Lagos State Police Command of releasing a man suspected of attempting to steal a 2025 Toyota Tundra pickup worth about N130m from his showroom in the Victoria Garden City area of Lekki, Lagos State.

Edmund, founder of Mayor and Sheiks Autos, said the suspect allegedly drove the vehicle away from his showroom on Monday after posing as a prospective buyer but crashed it into a canal in the Ajiran area while attempting to escape.

The incident went viral on Tuesday, with the dealer estimating the cost of repairing the damaged vehicle at about N40m.

Speaking on Thursday, Edmund said the suspect arrived at the dealership around 4pm carrying a bag and asked to inspect the pickup.

He said a junior staff member attended to the man, who requested the key to the unsold vehicle under the pretext of checking its engine.

“On Monday, the guy came to my outlet around 4pm. He met my junior staff and came in with a bag as a customer. He asked for the 2025 Toyota Tundra pickup, which costs around N130m, and demanded the key to check it. He dropped his bag inside it, and the staff watched him start the engine, thinking he only wanted to check it. But the man engaged the gear and drove off,” Edmund said.

According to him, the vehicle exited the dealership through a route that required a supporting slab because of the difference in elevation between the car stand and the main road.

He said the vehicle’s doors locked automatically when the suspect engaged the gear, after which he drove towards the VGC Bridge.

Edmund said his staff member pursued the vehicle but struggled to convince passers-by that the man behind the wheel was not the owner.

He alleged that the suspect drove through a residential estate in Ajah, damaged a barricade at the entrance and continued towards Chevron and Ebeano before heading to Ajiran.

“On getting to Ajiran, he could not find his way again. He realised he had driven to the end of the road, and when he could not proceed, he drove over the canal until the vehicle landed in it. That was when some boys dragged him out,” the dealer said.

Edmund said the escape attempt damaged the pickup and a barricade at the VGC entrance.

He added that he paid for repairs to the barricade and incurred expenses on the treatment of people injured during the incident, as well as the suspect’s feeding and other related costs.

The dealer said he also paid for the suspect’s medical treatment following the crash, adding that the man was not kept in a cell because of the injuries he sustained.

According to Edmund, the case was initially reported at the Ajah Police Division before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, where two women who identified themselves as the suspect’s mother and sister visited him.

He said the women claimed to be from Agbor, Delta State, adding that he became concerned about recovering his expenses after learning that the suspect had been released on bail.

Edmund alleged that he was pressured to withdraw the case after investigators established that the suspect had a psychiatric condition.

“I am already suspecting foul play in the police dealings because I was hurried to close the case when the man was confirmed to be a psychiatric patient. Just yesterday evening, he had been released on bail.

“For somebody who caused me such heavy damage, how am I going to bear these losses alone, knowing that the culprit has been released? Somebody attempted to steal a car from my outlet. It is sad,” he said.

The dealer appealed for assistance in recovering from the financial losses, saying preliminary estimates put the cost of repairing the damaged Toyota Tundra at about N40m.

Edmund, who said he had been in the automobile business since 1996, described the incident as unprecedented in his nearly three decades in the trade.

He said he had operated in different parts of Lagos, including Berger and FESTAC, before relocating to VGC, adding that he had never experienced a similar incident despite attending to numerous customers over the years.

He said it was difficult to identify suspicious customers by their appearance, noting that some casually dressed clients had purchased vehicles worth more than N200m from his dealership.

Edmund also dismissed suggestions that the vehicle had been left unattended with the suspect, insisting that a proper test drive should involve at least two people accompanying a prospective buyer.

On why the pickup did not have a tracking device, he said it was a new vehicle that had not yet been sold.

According to him, installing a tracker before a vehicle is purchased could require interference with its wiring system and raise concerns among prospective buyers about whether it was a Nigerian-used vehicle.

He added that the pickup had a fuel tank capacity of about 130 litres, but its fuel gauge was already on red, indicating that approximately 30 litres remained when the suspect allegedly drove it away.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, denied the allegation that the police had improperly released the suspect.

Adebisi said the suspect had been certified as a psychiatric patient by recognised government hospitals and competent courts, adding that the dealer withdrew the case after the information emerged during the investigation.

“The suspect is a psychiatric case, certified by recognised government hospitals and competent courts.

“All these were well known by the complainant in the course of our investigation. This prompted him to submit a withdrawal letter, whereupon the suspect was handed over to his mother for rehabilitation,” she said in a WhatsApp message to our correspondent.

However, Punch metro could not independently verify the police spokesperson’s claims, as she did not provide the documents requested by the correspondent to substantiate the alleged medical certification and withdrawal of the complaint.

Source : Punch

Two Weeks After , Bodies Of Passengers In ATR-42 Aircraft Yet To Be Recovered

2026-10-16T06:45:05.948+01:00

Two weeks into the crashed ATR-42 Aircraft in Ondo State, bodies of all the passengers in the plane are yet to be recovered CKN NEWS can reveal

Specialist divers from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have recovered additional components of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42-500 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as underwater search and recovery operations continue.

The ongoing operation aims to locate and retrieve relevant aircraft components and other materials for documentation and preservation in support of investigations into the accident.

However, the traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Afolabi Odidiomo, has raised concerns over a potential health crisis in the community, alleging that decomposing bodies of crash victims are polluting a swamp connected to the area's potable water reserves.

Odidiomo, who spoke in an interview said the situation was raising concerns about the safety of water sources used by residents.

In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the multi-agency teams were sustaining efforts to recover relevant materials from the crash site.

According to the statement, the operation is being supported by hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search-and-rescue imagery, mud excavation and the pumping out of excess water to improve access to areas of interest.

The recovered components are expected to be documented and preserved as part of the ongoing investigation into the aircraft accident.

The monarch's concerns have also highlighted the need to assess potential environmental and public health risks associated with the crash site, particularly the alleged contamination of water sources.

The search and recovery operation remains ongoing as the relevant agencies work to retrieve materials that could assist investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Alleged ₦110.4bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Used ₦1.425bn To Buy Dollars Within 2 Months..Witness

2026-10-16T06:27:43.053+01:00

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has told the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, that transactions amounting to ₦1.425 billion were carried out for the purchase of foreign currencies between December 15 and February 21, 2022.

The witness, a bureau de change operator Jamilu Abdullahi, who testified as Prosecution Witness 19, PW19, said he delivered the foreign currencies purchased through the transactions to Abba Adaudu.

Abdullahi disclosed this on Thursday, October 15, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.

Explaining the transactions, the witness identified several cash lodgments and transfers into accounts associated with him and his company, stating that the transactions were carried out for foreign exchange purposes on behalf of Adaudu.

While examining Exhibit AR, which contained transactions between July 2021 and April 2022, the witness confirmed cash lodgments of ₦10 million each made by Adaudu through the Lokoja branch. “My lord, I confirm the cash lodgments of Ten, Ten million Naira by Abba Adaudu from the Lokoja branch. My lord, I confirm I received the cash lodgments. It wasn't for gift but for a forex transaction,” he said. He explained that the transactions were for the purchase of United States dollars.

The witness also identified a transfer dated January 18, 2022, from Keyless Limited, which he said belonged to Adaudu. He maintained that the transaction was not a gift but was equally meant for foreign exchange. On cash lodgments dated February 22, 2022, comprising ₦9 million, ₦8 million and another ₦8 million, which were recorded in his name through the Lokoja branch, Abdullahi denied personally making the deposits. “In fact, I have never been to that branch in my life, but my name has been used as a beneficiary as any other person's name can be used as the receiver, and it was a dollar transaction for Abba Adaudu,” he said.

He gave a similar explanation for multiple cash lodgments recorded against his name on March 10 and 11, 2022, insisting that he had never visited the Lokoja branch. According to him, the names used in the transaction narrations depended on Adaudu's instructions. “My lord, I get to know the cash was paid on Abba Adaudu's behalf because whenever he makes a lodgment of cash in my account, the indicating narration is Abba Adaudu or Jamilu Abdullahi or any other name of their choice,” the witness said.

He added that the transactions were carried out for foreign exchange purposes and that he consistently handed the converted currencies to Adaudu. “My lord, I always send the converted forex to Abba Adaudu. All the transactions at the Lokoja were from Abba Adaudu,” he said.

Abdullahi also identified Exhibit AK as his personal account with Access Bank, Aminu Kano branch, Abuja. He confirmed entries indicating cash lodgments of ₦10 million each on December 29 and 30, 2021, and January 1 and 31, 2022, but maintained that the deposits were made by Adaudu for foreign exchange transactions rather than by him personally.

The witness further testified that he sometimes handed the purchased dollars to Adaudu at his own office and, on other occasions, at Adaudu's office in Area 8, Garki, Abuja. On transactions involving Kunfayakun Global Limited, which he identified as his company, Abdullahi confirmed a credit entry of ₦100 million from Keyless Nature Limited through FCMB, Zone 4, in 2021. He told the court that the transfer was made by Adaudu.

He also identified a ₦400 million transfer through Keyless Nature Limited, which he attributed to Adaudu, as well as multiple transfers of ₦100 million each, totaling ₦600 million, from Ejadams Essence Limited on February 18, 2022. He said Ejadams Essence Limited belonged to Adaudu.

The witness further identified a transfer of ₦325 million through Ejadams Essence Limited on February 21, 2022, also attributed to Adaudu. He maintained that the transactions were for foreign exchange and that he delivered the currencies purchased to Adaudu.

Continuing his testimony, Abdullahi explained how he became familiar with accounts associated with Forza Oil, Alyeshua and Whales Oil and Gas, stating that they were the accounts used in making payments to the American International School, Abuja (AISA), for school fees on behalf of children whose payment instructions and account details were provided to him by Adaudu.

The witness identified the names: Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na'ima Bello as familiar names associated with the school fees transactions. He also indicated that another name mentioned to him was familiar, although he could not recall it precisely. According to him, he carried out the payments by transferring funds to the school's account using the details supplied by Adaudu.

He also identified Exhibits AX 10 (1–4), described as telexes, as receipts evidencing payments made to AISA. He said he sent the receipts to Adaudu as proof that the transactions had been completed. When asked whether he received any complaint from Adaudu or the children concerning the payments, the witness answered in the negative.

Under cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, the witness said he had no direct dealings with any of the defendants. When asked about the total amount he gave Adaudu, Abdullahi said he could not remember the exact sum because the transactions were numerous. “I gave Abba Adaudu the cash and I have evidence,” he said.

Following the testimony, Justice Anineh adjourned the case until October 27 and November 24, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.