Author: Damilola

Late American financier, Jeffrey Epstein, once considered venturing into Nigeria’s crude oil trade but ultimately pulled back due to concerns about possible fraud, OilPrice.com has reported. The energy news platform referenced a 2010 email correspondence between Epstein and a contact identified as David Stern, in which the pair reportedly examined how Nigerian crude oil cargoes are lifted and marketed. According to OilPrice, their exchange delved into the operational and transactional hurdles tied to Nigeria’s state oil firm, now operating as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. The report said Epstein grew uneasy about the structure of the proposed transactions…

Turkish authorities have arrested 16 adult content creators allegedly connected to OnlyFans, which is banned in the country, on suspicion of money laundering. According to a statement from the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office on Friday, the arrests followed coordinated raids carried out on Thursday. During the operation, investigators reportedly confiscated assets valued at 300 million Turkish lira (approximately $6.9 million). The seized assets include two companies, 10 real estate properties and 14 vehicles. In its statement, the prosecutor’s office said, “Obscene images and videos were shared in violation of regulations on the platform OnlyFans, which is banned in Turkey, and…

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has announced that, from February 25, 2026, visitors who require a visa to enter the United Kingdom will no longer be issued physical visa documents. The agency disclosed the development in a post on X on Friday, stating that eligible travellers will instead receive an electronic visa, known as an eVisa, which must be accessed online before departure. “From 25 February 2026 visitors to the UK, who need a visa, will get an eVisa only. Create your UKVI account and view your eVisa, before you travel to the UK,” the statement read. According to…

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has claimed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) enlisted operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest him upon his return to Nigeria. There was mild tension on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport when security operatives attempted to detain the former governor after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt. Earlier, his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, had alleged that security personnel approached el-Rufai shortly after he disembarked but he refused to follow them because they did not present a formal invitation. In an interview with the BBC…

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised a proposed move by lawmakers in the United States Congress to impose sanctions on certain Nigerian Muslim leaders and organisations, describing the initiative as unfair and one-sided. Last week, five US legislators introduced a bill seeking visa restrictions and asset freezes against former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, among others. Reacting in a statement published Thursday and titled, “US sanctions on Muslim figures in Nigeria…

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027, with governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls scheduled for March 6, 2027. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the election timetable in Abuja on Friday. The announcement followed amid growing concerns over the delayed passage of the amended Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly. INEC had on February 4 indicated that it had completed work on the election timetable and schedule of activities despite the delay. The commission noted that it had submitted its timetable to…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to weaken the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by allegedly deploying the judiciary against the opposition party. He made the allegation on Thursday night during a solidarity visit to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, following claims that security operatives attempted to detain him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Earlier on Thursday, Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to el-Rufai, alleged in a post on X that security agents approached the former governor shortly after he arrived in Abuja from Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday. According to Adekeye, el-Rufai…

Lawmakers on the Joint Conference Committee of the National Assembly are set to meet on Monday to resolve differences between the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the Electoral Amendment Bill before forwarding a unified draft to President Bola Tinubu for assent. The committee, drawn from both chambers, has been given one week to iron out disputed provisions—chief among them the issue of electronic transmission of election results. The move follows the passage of differing versions of the bill by the Senate and the House, particul.arly regarding the use of technology in collating and transmitting results. The amendment effort…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told the National Assembly that it will require N873.78 billion to conduct the 2027 general elections, alongside N171 billion to run its activities in the 2026 fiscal year. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday while presenting the commission’s 2026 budget estimates and projected 2027 election costs before the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja. The proposed N873.78 billion marks a sharp rise from the N313.4 billion released by the Federal Government for the 2023 general elections. Nigeria is scheduled to hold nationwide polls in 2027, while Ekiti and Osun…

Atletico Madrid produced a commanding 4-0 victory over Barcelona in their Copa del Rey semi-final clash at the Metropolitano Stadium on Thursday night. Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman played a decisive role, scoring once and registering an assist as the side coached by Diego Simeone dominated proceedings. The hosts wasted no time taking control after Eric Garcia inadvertently put the ball into his own net inside the opening minute. Antoine Griezmann extended the advantage in the 14th minute, calmly finishing from close range following a well-weighted pass. Before the interval, Lookman further stamped his authority on the contest by setting up…