Customs arrest suspect with 2,433kg cannabis, codeine (Guardian)
The Western Marine Command (WMC) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 4,973 loaves of cannabis sativa weighing 2,433 kg and 195 bottles of 300 ml codeine to the appropriate authorities in Lagos.
The authorities are the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The command’s Customs Area Controller, Compt. Paul Bamisaiye, did the handover in Lagos on Wednesday. Read more
Alleged ₦1.3b Fraud: EFCC arraigns P-Square’s ex-manager Jude Okoye (Channels)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38 billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge
One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.” Read more
EFCC arrests 59 suspected internet fraudsters (Leadership) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 59 individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud in Abuja.
This was made known on Wednesday by the EFCC on its X (formerly Twitter) handle.
According to the EFCC, the arrests were carried out by operatives from the Abuja Zonal Directorate on Monday, February 24, 2025. Read more
Ganduje: I inherited N8.9b debt as APC chairman (DailyTrust)
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has disclosed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) under his leadership, inherited a debt burden of N8.9 billion.
Ganduje revealed this in Abuja while speaking at the ongoing National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC.
According to him, the expenses incurred during pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections. Read more
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents raze villages in Adamawa, loot property (Nation)
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have launched an attack on Kwapre and surrounding villages in Hong local government area of Adamawa state, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attack began at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, and lasted into the early hours of Wednesday, February 26, during which schools, houses, and businesses were set ablaze and valuable assets were looted.
The village head of Kwapre, Joel Kulaha, and his counterpart from King village, Abalis Jawaja, told our correspondent how the heavily armed terrorists stormed the communities, burning buildings and carting away valuables. Read more
2025 Hajj: Shettima to lead Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia (Tribune)
The Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, will lead Nigeria’s contingent of pilgrims and officials to perform this year’s Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This was revealed by the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, on Wednesday while participating in a Freedom Radio Kaduna Hausa programme, Barka Da Warhaka.
According to Usman, Shettima will lead the contingent to perform the spiritual exercise as a Muslim and personally supervise Nigeria’s participation in the religious rite to assess how it is being handled by those responsible for its execution. Read more
World Bank to approve $2.2bn loan for Nigeria in 2025 (Vanguard)
The World Bank is set to approve a $2.2 billion loan for Nigeria in 2025, spread across six development projects.
According to the Washington-based financial institution, the funding will support key initiatives in education, health, digital infrastructure, and economic resilience.
$500 million – Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme (Approval: March 17) Read more
GloRilla shooting her shot at streamer on ‘ILBB2’ gets a response (HipHopDx)
GloRilla did what shooters do on her recent feature verse on Jorjana’s “ILBB2 (Remix)” – and she has now gotten a response from her intended target.
On the track, Glo shot her shot at streamer Duke Dennis at the end with, “They say shooters shoot/Duke Dennis, what’s up with you?”
Earlier in the song, she also said she “Like my n—ggas tall and brown/And mixed with a little bit of ugly” – and Duke was looking for a bit of clarification in his response. Read more
Rwanda calls UK sanctions “Regrettable” over alleged M23 support (AfricaNews)
Rwanda has condemned the UK’s recent sanctions, calling them “regrettable,” after the UK accused the country of supporting M23 rebels in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced several measures, including suspending direct financial aid, excluding support for the poorest Rwandans, halting high-level attendance at government events, and suspending defence cooperation.
Rwanda’s Foreign Ministry responded, stating that the sanctions “do nothing to help the Democratic Republic of Congo, nor do they contribute to a sustainable political solution to the conflict.” The statement also emphasized that it is unreasonable for Rwanda to compromise its national security, especially in light of the ongoing violence in the region. Read more
Zelenskyy warns US minerals deal will ‘not be enough’ to end war as Ukraine ‘needs Europe’ (LBC)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the framework for a minerals deal with the US has been reached, but stressed Europe also needs a seat at the table to help stop Vladimir Putin.
The agreement, which could be signed as early as Friday, would give the US access to its deposits of rare earth minerals.
However, there are concerns the deal may not include any security guarantees for Ukraine. Read more
South Africa’s Ramaphosa defends multilateralism at G20 (DW)
At his opening remarks for the G20 finance summit on Wednesday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa lamented what he called “the erosion of multilaterism.”
“The erosion of multilateralism presents a threat to global growth and stability,” President Ramaphosa said.
“At this time of heightened geopolitical contestation, a rules-based order is particularly important as a mechanism for managing disputes and resolving conflict,” he added. Read more
Couple’s trauma after body placed next to them on flight (BBC)
An Australian couple have spoken of the “traumatic” moment the body of a dead passenger was placed next to them on a Qatar Airways flight.
Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin, who were travelling to Venice for a dream holiday, told Australia’s Channel 9 a woman had died in the aisle beside them during the flight from Melbourne to Doha.
The couple say cabin crew placed her corpse, covered in blankets, next to Mr Ring for the remaining four hours of the flight without offering to move him, despite there being empty seats. Read more
2025 Oscars: Conan O’Brien says he’ll be a ‘triple threat’ as host (ABC)
Conan O’Brien is giving Oscars viewers a sneak peek into some of the antics he may try as host of the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday.
“I’m just going to keep popping in and just yell, ‘Host,'” O’Brien told Lara Spencer in an interview that aired Wednesday on “Good Morning America.” “Like during someone’s emotional speech when they’ve just won and they’re saying a beautiful thing about their grandmother who believed in them, and I lean in, ‘Host!’ Jarring. Upsetting. Probably a bad idea.”
The first-time Oscars host joked that he’s willing to go so far as to even shave the chest of one of the stars of an Oscar-nominated film. Read more
Victor Osimhen drops transfer hint amid Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd links (Metro)
Victor Osimhen is unsure what the future holds for him but has hinted he would be open to staying at Galatasaray amid interest from several Premier League clubs.
Osimhen has enjoyed a productive loan spell at the Turkish club this season, scoring 20 goals in 26 appearances.
The Nigerian striker has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe over the past four seasons, netting an impressive 76 goals in 133 matches for Napoli and helping the Italian club win the Serie A title. Read more
Endrick not leaving Real Madrid –Ancelotti (CompleteSports)
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has debunked reports circulating in the media that Endrick will be leaving the club this summer.
Recall that the Brazilian youngster has battled for consistent minutes this season and has been linked with a loan move away.
But Ancelotti in a chat with the club’s website said that there’s no plans for Endrick to continue his development away from the club. Read more
‘How can my dad be a racist?’ Drogba defends Mourinho (Channels)
Didier Drogba has jumped to the defence of his former coach, Jose Mourinho, following racism allegation labelled against him by Galatasaray.
Galatasaray accused the Fenerbahce manager of making “racist statements” following a 0-0 draw between the bitter Istanbul rivals on Monday.
It was not immediately clear what comments Galatasaray were referring to and former Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs coach Mourinho has not responded publicly to the allegation. Read more
Baxter wants England talks after Feyi-Waboso injury (BBC)
Exeter boss Rob Baxter says clubs must have talks with England to discuss how injured centrally-contracted players are dealt with.
Baxter has lost winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso for the rest of the season after the 22-year-old re-injured his shoulder while training with England.
Feyi-Waboso had been ready for surgery in early January after he dislocated his shoulder just before Christmas. Read more
Rory McIlroy explains reason for sharp US Open exit as Netflix delves into major heartbreak (Mirror)
Rory McIlroy has delved into his decision to make an immediate exit from last year’s US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 after going over his latest major heartbreak in season three of Netflix’s Full Swing.
McIlroy looked set to finally end his 10-year wait for a fifth major in North Carolina last June, but made errors down the final stretch of the tournament to allow Bryson DeChambeau to swoop in and clinch the crown. The Northern Irishman was playing in the group in front of DeChambeau on championship Sunday.Having bogeyed the final hole, McIlroy fell a shot behind his LIV Golf rival, meaning he needed DeChambeau to also make a five to keep his US Open hopes alive and force a playoff. Read more