LONDON — June 18, 2026 — Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has been cleared of all bribery charges by a UK court.
The court dismissed all six charges against her on Tuesday, ending a case that had been ongoing for years.
Diezani had faced allegations linked to her time as Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015. With this ruling, she walks free of the charges in the UK.
ABUJA — June 18, 2026 — The African Democratic Congress will remain on the ballot for now.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday blocked INEC from removing ADC from its list of political parties. The order puts a hold on Monday’s Federal High Court judgment that told INEC to deregister ADC for failing to meet election rules.
With the Appeal Court’s decision, INEC cannot act on the lower court’s order. ADC stays registered while the legal case continues.
ADC had rejected the first ruling, calling it “a direct invitation to anarchy.” Paul Ibe, aide to Atiku Abubakar, also faulted Justice Lifu over the judgment.
An Abuja-based entrepreneur, Chief Mrs Obby Okwubanego, has congratulated her son, Jake O. Okwubanego, on his successful graduation from the University Of Chicago, USA.
In a heartfelt message conveying her joy, Mrs Okwubanego, with the traditional title of “Ife Nawfija” community in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State penned; “My dear son, today my heart is filled with immense joy and gratitude as I celebrate your graduation. Watching you walk across that stage is a proud reminder of the dedication, resilience and hard work that have brought you this far. This achievement is not only a testament to your academic success, but also to the strength of character you have displayed throughout your journey.
Continuing, the philanthropist reminded her son that as he marks the end of one chapter and step into another phase of life, he should remember that graduation is not just a destination, but the beginning of greater opportunities and responsibilities, praying that the knowledge, experiences and values he has acquired will serve as a strong foundation as he pursues his dreams and make his mark on the world.
“I want you to know how proud I am of the young man you have become. Through challenges and victories, you have remained focused and determined, and today you are reaping the rewards of your efforts. May this milestone inspire you to aim even higher, embrace new possibilities, and never stop believing in your potential.”
“Congratulations, my beloved son, on this remarkable achievement. As you move forward into this new phase of life, may God guide your steps, grant you wisdom in your decisions, and surround you with favour and success. I celebrate you today and always, and I look forward to witnessing the many great accomplishments that lie ahead”, she ended.
After his eviction, a middle-aged man, Mr. Emmanuel Chidi Osakwe, has dragged the Registered Trustees of the Catholic Diocese of Awka before an Anambra State High Court presided over by Justice Ike Ogu over the ownership of a property on Seaman Avenue, along Secretariat Road, Awka, which he claims was gifted to him by his late uncle, Monsignor Martin Ezeokoli, during his lifetime.
On Tuesday, when the case came up in court for the first time on record, there was no representation from the Church, and the court was not satisfied with the filing of the necessary documents showing how the originating summons was served on the defendant, which was part of the reason Justice Ogu adjourned the matter to October 27 and directed the court bailiff to file all necessary documents in the court file.
Speaking after the court proceedings, counsel to the claimant, Barrister Martin Obi, explained that the defendant had been served since October 2025 when the case was filed and was also served with the hearing notice for the day’s proceedings but neither appeared in court nor filed any defence.
He, however, expressed confidence that the necessary procedures would be carried out as directed by the court and that the defendant would be properly served with the hearing notice so that the matter could proceed.
Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti has announced plans to establish an Entertainment City in Aba, aimed at making the state a major hub for film production, entertainment, tourism, and cultural promotion.
Speaking on Saturday while receiving Nollywood practitioners led by Francis Ifeakandu, producer of The Chronicles of Enyimba City, Otti said the project will provide world-class infrastructure and facilities for filmmakers, creative professionals, and investors.
“Government will continue to provide an enabling environment and work with stakeholders to ensure that initiatives capable of promoting Abia and creating opportunities for our people succeed,” Otti stated.
Key Developments:
Land acquisition and payment of compensation to affected property owners have already commenced
The Entertainment City ties into Otti’s earlier pledge to build a “Mini-Hollywood” in Aba
Comes as Abia backs The Chronicles of Enyimba City, touted as one of Africa’s largest film productions with 2,000+ cast members
Otti stressed that while his administration won’t directly sponsor private films, it remains committed to supporting the creative industry. He called Aba the “cradle of entertainment” in Nigeria and the birthplace of Nollywood’s early distribution network.
Industry stakeholders say the project could reposition Aba as West Africa’s leading creative destination and create thousands of jobs.
ABUJA — June 15, 2026 — The International Monetary Fund has called on the Federal Government to introduce fresh taxes on fuel, phone calls, and mobile data as part of its 2026 Article IV Consultation report.
The IMF recommends extending Value-Added Tax to fuel products, introducing excise duties on telecommunications, and raising the overall VAT rate. It also wants a review of existing tax exemptions.
According to the Fund, the measures could boost Nigeria’s revenue by 3.9% of GDP over the next 3 years. But it warned the FG must “carefully consider worsening poverty” before implementation.
The proposal has triggered immediate backlash online. Nigerians are slamming the IMF as “slave masters” and branding President Tinubu a “tax collector”. Many argue new levies will deepen hardship amid rising transport costs and soaring rents.
No official response yet from the Federal Ministry of Finance or the Presidency.
ABUJA — June 15, 2026 — Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has issued a stark warning that Nigeria’s security crisis could escalate dramatically if urgent measures aren’t taken.
Speaking on the state of the nation, Buratai cautioned that bandits and insurgents may soon begin directly targeting political leaders, including ministers, senators, and state governors.
“Political leaders could become targets of bandits and insurgents,” Buratai stated, adding that the worsening situation demands decisive action now to prevent further deterioration.
His comments come amid a fresh wave of kidnappings, bandit attacks, and attempted mass abductions across several states, renewing concerns that criminal gangs are expanding operations despite repeated assurances from security agencies.
The warning adds to growing public frustration over insecurity, with Nigerians online venting that “everyday bad news” shows government inaction.
OWO, ONDO STATE — June 14, 2026 — Suspected gunmen have abducted a 60-year-old traditional ruler, Chief Adeniyi Adelana, and shot his wife during a violent night raid on his palace in Ode Oriya, Owo Local Government Area.
The attack happened late Saturday night. About six heavily armed assailants stormed the monarch’s residence, whisked him away, and opened fire on his wife before fleeing into nearby forests.
The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the incident. The monarch’s wife is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. Security operatives have launched a search-and-rescue operation to track the kidnappers and secure the chief’s release.
Residents say the palace raid lasted several minutes, leaving the community in panic. This is the latest in a fresh wave of abductions targeting traditional rulers across the Southwest.
The Action Alliance (AA) candidate for the Idemili North and South Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikechukwu Okonkwo, has pledged to pioneer a grassroots-driven model of representation aimed at tackling unemployment, ecological erosion, erratic power supply, and insecurity if elected to the National Assembly.
Okonkwo made the declaration while addressing journalists at the June Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, held in Awka, the state capital.
According to the AA candidate, his decision to join the legislative race was born out of a profound desire to address years of systemic neglect of the constituency’s basic needs.
He lamented that conventional politics in Nigeria has traditionally been conducted from the top down, leaving ordinary citizens at the local level completely disconnected from governance and democratic dividends.
”I want to change the narrative by taking politics to the grassroots and addressing the real needs of the people,” Okonkwo stated.
Explaining his choice of political vehicle, he maintained that the core values of the Action Alliance perfectly align with his personal vision for effective, people-oriented representation, recalling that he is one of the pioneers who amplified the ‘Village Boys Movement.’
Speaking on his economic blueprint, Okonkwo identified youth unemployment and a lack of industrialization as the twin crises plaguing the constituency.
To combat this, he disclosed that concrete arrangements are already underway to attract two major industries to the Idemili enclave within his first four years in office.
He further revealed a strict local content plan, asserting that a minimum of 30 percent of the workforce for the incoming factories will be reserved exclusively for constituents.
This initiative, he noted, will run alongside targeted skills development programs to systematically crash the local unemployment rate.
As part of his educational intervention, the candidate announced the introduction of the ‘KIO program’ across local schools. The scheme is designed to equip young students with functional, practical, and technical skills from an early age, creating a structured pipeline that links trained youth directly to manufacturing industries and corporate sponsors. He also promised robust scholarship schemes for indigent students, noting that universal access to quality education is the most potent weapon against community restiveness.
Addressing the critical issue of infrastructure, Okonkwo described the perennial failure of grid electricity as the biggest death knell for small businesses in the area.
He pledged to vigorously champion solar and alternative renewable energy projects, which he noted would simultaneously power local enterprises and create clean energy jobs.
On the security front, the AA candidate promised to reinforce local security architectures by funding the continuous training, retraining, and equipping of community vigilante groups and neighborhood watch personnel to safeguard lives and property.
Reassuring constituents of his commitment to transparency, Okonkwo vowed to institutionalize accountability by hosting at least four mandatory town hall meetings annually.
He emphasized that these quarterly consultations would provide a direct feedback loop, ensuring that the actual challenges faced by the people directly dictate his legislative interventions and policy advocacy in Abuja.
“I am not going to the House of Representatives to relax; I am going there to work, “My priority is to ensure that the problems of my constituency are addressed and to pursue the welfare of all our people” Okonkwo Concluded.
Abuja— Former Anambra governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has issued a legal ultimatum to actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, demanding ₦5 billion in damages and a public apology over alleged defamatory statements.
In a letter dated June 9, 2026, Obi’s lawyer, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), accused Okonkwo of making “false, malicious and defamatory” claims during a June 8 appearance on Channels Television’s _Sunrise Daily_. Okonkwo allegedly stated that Obi and NDC leaders in the South-East demanded ₦10 million bribes from House of Representatives aspirants after official fees were paid. He also claimed Obi compiled candidate lists from a hotel room and traveled abroad to collect money.
Obi’s legal team gave Okonkwo 7 days to:
1. *Withdraw* the statements entirely
2. *Publish a clear, unequivocal public apology* to Obi with equal or greater prominence across TV and all social platforms where the remarks circulated
3. *Pay ₦5 billion* as general, aggravated and exemplary damages
4. *Provide a written undertaking* to cease further false statements 6d4b
The letter warned that failure to comply will leave Obi with “no option than to seek legal redress.”
Kenneth Okonkwo dismissed the demand on X, saying: “If Peter Obi is looking for money to campaign, he should privately ask me for assistance, not come from extortion”. He called suing a former spokesperson “very unwise” and warned he may divulge confidential info if the matter goes to court.
The ₦5bn figure has gone viral, sparking memes and heated debate online. Supporters of Obi argue his reputation deserves protection, while critics call the move political theater.
Obi’s lawyers argue the remarks portray him as involved in bribery, extortion, and fraud, damaging his public standing. Okonkwo has not retracted his statements as of this report.
