Fact-Check: No Evidence Nigerian Lawmakers Demanded $150 Million Bribe from Binance Executive

A recent claim by Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, accusing three Nigerian lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe, has been found to lack credible evidence. Gambaryan alleged that the lawmakers Ginger Onwusibe, Philip Agbese, and Peter Akpanke sought the bribe to be paid into their personal cryptocurrency wallets during his trip to Nigeria to resolve a dispute between Binance and Nigerian authorities.   The accusation, made on Friday, February 14, added a new layer to an ongoing saga involving Binance executives, Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, who…

NUJ FCT mourns passing of former Auditor, Charles Enyaoha Ahamefula

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, is in mourning following the death of its esteemed former Auditor and Treasurer, Chief Charles Enyaoha Ahamefula. He passed away on Sunday, 16th February 2025, at Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.   Chief Ahamefula was a seasoned journalist who served with distinction at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) until his retirement in 2014. His impressive career at FRCN saw him take on roles such as Controller of News, Head of the Igbo Translation Unit,…

Monday Lines: Pa Adebanjo: A celebration of death By Lasisi Olagunju

Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, died on Friday. He would have been 100 years old if death had not been too fast; if it had waited three more years plus two months. An age of almost a century is a huge haul, a boon anywhere. Yet, when the 96/97-year-old’s death was announced four days ago, the world gasped and agonized over his departure. In courage and in principle, he was vintage wine, the older the better. He lived well and strong; he ended very well and very strong. He never…

OKE-ITE THE EVIL POT AND BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF ANAMBRA By Law Mefor

A battle for Anambra’s soul has been sparked by the new Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, which declares certain categories of practitioners as persona non grata. The most prevalent of these are evil native doctors, fake native doctors, and other fakes, such as false prophets who deceive the gullible populace, especially the younger generation. Some claim that traditional religion and practices have been banned in the state by the new law, which establishes the legal and operational frameworks for the battle to reclaim the Anambra social order. This assertion,…

WAEC releases 2024 Private exam results …. 67.55% of Candidates score five credits and above

By Ibrahim Netwon   The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results for the 2024 second series of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates.   According to a statement by WAEC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, 43,923 candidates—representing 67.55% of those who sat for the exam—achieved credit and above in at least five subjects.   Among them, 34,878 candidates (53.64%) earned five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. This mark a 9.35% improvement from previous years, compared to the 42.16%…

Nigerian military debunks allegations on Visa request for Invictus Games

The Defence Headquarters has refuted recent allegations regarding the Nigerian military’s visa requests for the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.   In a statement signed by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, the military clarified that it received an official invitation to participate in the global sporting event, which celebrates wounded and recovering service personnel. Nigeria’s contingent consisted of three officers, 21 athletes, and a physiotherapist, with the Invictus Games Foundation covering accommodation and feeding costs.   However, despite all necessary arrangements, only 14 members of the team…

Renewed Hope Group dismisses Babachir Lawal’s claims, affirms Tinubu’s second-term bid

The Renewed Hope Consolidation Mandate 2027 has strongly dismissed claims attributed to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, suggesting that the North is considering forcing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step down before the 2027 presidential election.   In a press statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Femi Odere, the group described Lawal’s remarks as “outlandish, baseless, and reeking of bitterness.” The statement accused Lawal of misrepresenting the North and attempting to stir political tension with what it called an “imaginative and…

Wike’s Terminals in Abuja , BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF .

Since the movement from the nation’s city from Lagos to Abuja in the 80s, the issue of provision of substantive Bus and Taxi terminals had been a mirage, owing to government and political will to address the needed infrastructure in the FCT.   The existing and outdated ones has been converted either to beggars joint , abnormal people’s abode or an area reserved for shield during the rainy/hot season, negating the aims and objectives of putting up such archaic and outdated infrastructure.   This negative development fell short of the…

Bribery Allegations: HallowMace Foundation criticizes House of Reps’ hasty defense of Lawmakers

The HallowMace Foundation, a pro-democracy and good governance advocacy group, has expressed strong reservations over the House of Representatives’ swift dismissal of bribery allegations leveled against some lawmakers by Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance. In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Sunny Anderson Osiebe, the foundation criticized the House for rushing to defend its members without first conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the claims. “The allegations made by Gambaryan are grave and demand serious attention. He has accused specific lawmakers of seeking significant payouts…

Kano State expands diaspora advocacy to Three Senatorial Districts for Greater Impact

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has announced plans to extend diaspora sensitization and advocacy programs to all three senatorial districts in the state. The move aims to create awareness, enhance coordination, and maximize the impact of diaspora contributions to local development.   Speaking at the 4th Zonal Sensitization and Advocacy Program for Promoting Diaspora Investment Potentials in Northwest Nigeria, held in Kano, Governor Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, Major General Idris Inuwa (Rtd.), commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for its nationwide…