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BREAKING: EFCC detains Malami over alleged terrorism financing

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) for alleged terrorism financing.

The ex-Minister is also to explain issues relating to money laundering, especially operation of suspicious accounts.

Malami has been asked to account for his investment of about N10billion in Kebbi State, whereabouts of $322million Abacha loot recovered from Swiss account and about $22million from Island of Jersey in the UK.

The EFCC was holding on to Malami as at 10pm on Tuesday because he has not been able to meet his bail conditions.

But the ex-AGF said his public record in office stands in direct contradiction to any insinuation of complicity in terrorism financing.

A top EFCC source said the allegations against Malami were many which will require some days to go through.

The source said:”We have detained the ex-Minister for terrorism financing and the whereabouts of Abacha loot recovered from Switzerland and Island of Jersey in the UK.

“His sudden wealth of N10billion investments in Kebbi State are under investigation. We may attach some of these assets.

“We are likely to interrogate one of his wives on her role on N4billion Anchor Borrowers cash advanced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Read Also: Police conduct pre-deployment training on child protection in armed conflict

“He has a lot to clarify but he has not been able to meet bail conditions. He might be with us until he fulfils these.”

But Malami has rejected allegations of terrorism financing.

He cited his key roles in Nigeria’s AML/CFT Reforms and FATF Grey-List exit to dismiss the terrorism financing insinuations.

In a statement on X, Malami said: “My attention has been drawn to a recent publication in which my name was mentioned in connection with allegations of terrorism financing and so-called “links” to persons described as terror suspects or alleged financiers.

“I consider it necessary, in the interest of truth, justice and public record, to make the following clarifications.

“First, I state clearly and unequivocally that I have never at any time been accused, invited, interrogated, investigated or charged by any security, law-enforcement, regulatory or intelligence agency—within or outside Nigeria—in respect of terrorism financing or any related offence.

“Secondly, even the retired military officer cited as the principal source in the said publication categorically admitted that he was not accusing me, or other named individuals, of financing terrorism.

” His own account, as reported, was limited to a vague assertion that certain suspects allegedly had some form of “business” or “institutional” relationship with various persons.

” That important clarification was, unfortunately, overshadowed by a headline and framing capable of misleading well-meaning members of the public into drawing inaccurate and damaging conclusions which was unfortunately politically manipulated by my political opponents to create mischievous insinuations implying my involvement in terrorism financing.

“Terrorism financing is a grave crime with devastating consequences for national security and human life. Any attempt—whether by direct allegation or indirect innuendo—to associate an individual with such an offence must be grounded in verifiable facts, due process and lawful findings, not in conjecture, speculation, or guilt by association. To suggest that lawful professional or institutional engagements can, without more, be read as evidence of terrorism financing is both mischievous and unjust.

“For the avoidance of doubt, my public record in office stands in direct contradiction to any insinuation of complicity in terrorism financing. During my tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, I worked with other arms of government and relevant institutions to strengthen—not weaken—Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

“Among other efforts:

●The Federal Government, through collaborative work involving the Federal Ministry of Justice, the National Assembly and other stakeholders, established an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) by law, in order to meet global standards on operational autonomy and to restore Nigeria’s standing within the international financial-intelligence community.

●We supported and saw to the enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which repealed the older Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and provided a more comprehensive and stringent framework for combating money laundering and related offences, including those that may underpin terrorism financing.

●We similarly worked on the passage and implementation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which strengthened Nigeria’s legal regime against terrorism, updated offences and penalties, and reinforced provisions dealing specifically with the financing of terrorism in line with international standards and United Nations obligations.

●In furtherance of these laws, my office cooperated closely with key domestic institutions—such as the NFIU, the Central Bank of Nigeria, law-enforcement and regulatory agencies—and with international partners, to improve coordination, information-sharing and compliance across the anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing (AML/CFT) architecture.”

December 9, 2025
BREAKING: 1,660 delegates to pick Osun APC guber candidate on Dec 13

A total of 1,660 delegates have been elected across the 332 wards in Osun State ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary scheduled for December 13, 2025.

The Nation reports that the delegate election, held on Tuesday in all wards, produced five delegates per ward in preparation for Saturday’s primary.

Chairman of the 2025 Osun State Gubernatorial Delegate Congress Committee, Engr. Shehu Umaru Dange, announced the outcome at the APC State Secretariat in Osogbo on Tuesday night.

Read Also: Budget Lockdown: FG halts new capital projects

According to him, the committee successfully conducted the ward congress without incident, resulting in the emergence of 1,660 delegates who will vote in the party’s primary.

He commended the APC National Working Committee and the party’s state leadership for their support, noting that the process was peaceful across all wards.

Dange also urged APC members in Osun State to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“They should ensure unity and harmony beyond the primaries. With that, we will be able to support Mr President in his Renewed Hope Agenda in creating a better Nigeria, with a stable democracy and a very strong party which is the greatest party in Africa which is the APC.”

December 9, 2025
BREAKING: Adeleke defects to Accord Party ahead of Osun 2026 guber primary

Barely 24 hours before the Accord Party’s Osun State 2026 governorship primary scheduled for Wednesday, Governor Ademola Adeleke has officially joined the party.

The Nation observed on Tuesday evening that Accord Party flags were hoisted in front of the Osun State Government House, where a meeting with leaders of his former party was ongoing.

Read Also: Coalition gives FG, Adeleke, APC ultimatum to resolve Osun LG funds crisis

Adeleke left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a leadership crisis within the party.

A top source in his government confirmed to The Nation that “Adeleke is picking his re-election ticket in Accord.

Olawale Rasheed, the Governor’s spokesperson, also confirmed the defection.

Details shortly…

December 9, 2025
BREAKING: Fubara dumps PDP for APC
- …says Tinubu kept him as governor
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced his decision to move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with his teeming supporters.

The governor declared his intention to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC during a stakeholders’ meeting in Government House, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.

The governor disclosed that he went to the Presidential Villa on Monday to consult with the President, adding that the visit was not personal but of state interest.

Fubara said as part of his meeting, he briefed the President about the development in Rivers and assured the stakeholders that Tinubu would act on it.

He said President Tinubu was the reason he remained in office as the governor, insisting that without the president, he would have been referred to as a former governor.

He said to demonstrate his appreciation for Mr. President’s support and identify with him fully, he decided to move his supporters to the APC.

Fubara said, “I know you have been waiting to hear from me. I have to arrange this meeting so urgently. I know it will end on a good note

“You are aware that I went to see Mr President yesterday, and the reason I went for that visit is not just personal, but a state interest consultation.

“I don’t want to make any mistakes this time around. I also don’t want to step on any landmine that anyone is laying for us. So I was with Mr. President yesterday to brief him on the situation of things in our state, which I believe he has taken note of, and he is going to act swiftly on it.

“The most interesting part of the meeting is what you all have been waiting for, and you have been asking me, the signal has finally arrived.

“We have the full support and the positive nod to leave where we are because we didn’t get any protection, to go to where the reason we are still standing is because of that place.

Read Also: JUST IN: Tinubu meets Fubara, Nwifuru behind closed doors in Abuja

“The truth is, without Mr. President, there won’t be any His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara; it would have been the former governor.

“So, we have every reason. Let no one be fooled in this State, we have the people and the supporters as well as the numbers. Our only thank you to Mr. President is to support him. We can’t support Mr. President in isolation, and we can’t show that support if we don’t fully identify with him, not backyard support.

“So, we have taken that decision today, since we have got the pass. Everyone here who has followed and suffered with me, our decision today, we are all moving to APC.

“Now that our position has been made clear, every other formal process will commence. Let me thank you all for your support. I have not let you down before, and I won’t let you down now.

“The message is simple. We are the ones that will give that support, and we will give that support with a loud voice, because we know that the people of Rivers State are with us”.
December 9, 2025
JUST IN: Senate approves Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to Benin for peace mission

The Senate on Tuesday approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin on a peace mission aimed at restoring democratic order and stability.

The resolution followed the Senate’s consideration of the President’s request in the Committee of the Whole during plenary.

Tinubu had, in a letter read on the floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, urged the Senate to approve the troop deployment to help restore governance following a recent coup attempt in Benin.

The President had initially deployed members of the Nigerian Armed Forces on Sunday to assist in restoring democracy after a group of soldiers attempted a coup.

In the letter titled, “Deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a peace mission”, Tinubu cited Section 5(5), Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and stated that, following consultation with the National Defence Council, he sought the Senate’s consent for the deployment.

“This request is made further to a request received from the Government of Benin Republic for the exceptional and immediate provision of air support by the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Distinguished Senate may wish to note that the Government of the Republic of Benin is currently faced with an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and disruption and destabilization of democratic institutions.

“The situation as reported by the Government of Benin requires urgent external intervention.

“The Distinguished Senate considers the close ties of brotherhood and friendship which exist between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, as well as the principles of collective security upheld within ECOWAS.

“It is our duty to provide the support as requested by the Government of the Republic of Benin.”

After reading the letter, Akpabio committed the President’s request for consent to the Committee of the Whole for immediate action.

December 9, 2025
JUST IN: Tinubu seeks Senate’s consent to deploy troops to Benin Republic

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday requested the Senate’s approval to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin following a recent coup attempt in the country.

On Sunday, the President had deployed members of the Nigerian Armed Forces to Benin to help restore democracy after a faction of soldiers attempted to overthrow the government.

Tinubu’s request, contained in a letter titled “Deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a peace mission”, was read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In the letter, the President cited Section 5(5), Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and indicated that, in consultation with the National Defence Council, he seeks the Senate’s consent for the troop deployment.

“This request is made further to a request received from the government of Benin Republic for the exceptional and immediate provision of air support by the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Distinguished Senate may wish to note that the Government of the Republic of Benin is currently faced with an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and disruption and destabilization of democratic institutions.

“The situation as reported by the Government of Benin requires urgent external intervention.

“The Distinguished Senate considers the close ties of brotherhood and friendship which exist between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, as well as the principles of collective security upheld within ECOWAS.

“It is our duty to provide the support as requested by the Government of the Republic of Benin.”

After reading the letter, Akpabio committed the President’s request for consent to the Committee of the Whole for immediate action.

December 9, 2025
President Tinubu: bring back all abductees

Bring back all the people in the custody of abductors without further delay, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed security agencies yesterday.

The President, who expressed joy over the return of 100 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government of Niger State, praised security agencies for their “steadfast efforts” since the November 21 incident.

But President Tinubu said the joy can only be full if all the abductees are rescued from the kidnappers’ den.

No fewer than 115 students and some of their teachers are still in captivity after the school attack.

As the rescued pupils were reunited with their parents in Minna, the state capital, Governor Umar Bago raised hope about the rescue of the remaining ones soon.

The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, charged security operatives to intensify operations to secure the release of the remaining students and their teachers who are still being held by bandits.

He said: “I rejoice with Governor Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work in ensuring the safe return of the students to their families.”

The President assured affected families that both the Federal Government and the Niger State Government are working closely to bring home every abducted child.

He added: “My directive to our security forces remains that all the students and other abducted Nigerians across the country must be rescued and brought back home safely. We must account for all the victims.”

The President also said his administration was taking further actions to secure schools across the country, stressing that learning institutions must never again become soft targets for terrorists.

He added: “From now on, our security agencies, working with the governors, must prevent future kidnappings.

“Our children should no longer be sitting ducks for heartless terrorists intent on disrupting their education and subjecting them and their parents to unspeakable trauma.”

President Tinubu reaffirmed that the safety of students and the protection of schools remain a top priority of his administration as part of broader national security reforms.

Freed pupils reunited with parents

It was an emotional scene at the Government House in Minna when the pupils, who were rescued on Sunday, were reunited with their parents and guardians.

There was disappointment and weeping by some parents whose children were not among those rescued.

The children were rescued from Wawa forest in Borgu, also in Niger State, by security agencies on Sunday night at about 7pm, sources said.

An official, Abdullahi Idi Hong, who represented the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said the rescue was successful after a two-week intensive operation led by the NSA.

Hong, who presented the children to the state government, emphasised the critical role played by the Department of State Services (DSS), armed forces, and other agencies in the success.

He said: “In the past two weeks, an intense operation coordinated by the office of the NSA, DSS, armed forces and other security agencies led to the rescue of 100 children taken by the criminals.

“The effort of the DSS played a critical role in ensuring the success of this operation.”

He said education “must not be a casualty of violence,” adding that ongoing policies to safeguard children’s rights would be sustained.

Bago: no going back on rescue mission

Bago lauded President Tinubu and the NSA for mobilising the necessary teams and called for more prayers for the children who are yet to be rescued.

The governor said he was emotionally down because he never imagined that the abducted children were at a very tender age.

He said: “I am emotionally down because I saw their sizes and their ages.

“For those who have been praying, continue praying so that we recover the remaining children in captivity.”

Read Also: Tuggar blames structural weakness for unconstitutional changes of govt, others

Urging the parents not to despair, the governor assured them that the rest of the children would be safely rescued.

Bago, who said that medical and health workers have examined the children thoroughly before reuniting them with families, lauded the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for its support.

Due to the late information about the rescue, only a few parents could make it to the handover ceremony.

Mixed reactions by parents trailed the rescue.

A parent, Elizabeth Samuel, whose daughter was among those rescued, expressed overwhelming joy.

She said: “I had lost all hope, and I thank God that the government intervened and rescued them. I pray that the others are rescued as this one was.”

But Marcus Philip Abuka, who thought that his daughter was among those rescued, was sad that she was still in captivity.

He said: “I wasn’t happy since the incident happened because my daughter is among the abductees.

“I am still unhappy because she is not among those rescued. But I pray the government will do something to rescue the others.”

Abuka lauded the efforts made to rescue the children by the federal and state governments, expressing optimism that others will be rescued soon.

December 9, 2025
Fed Govt initiates N50m research, entrepreneurship grants for students

The Federal Government yesterday unveiled a N50 million Student Venture Capital Grant (SVCG) for students across tertiary institutions.

The grant is to promote innovation, research excellence, and entrepreneurship.

The government said it was targeting 250,000 students in the first cohort, with over 100,000 already enrolled and receiving training in 1,620 centres nationwide.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who unveiled the initiative in Abuja, described it as a bold step towards empowering young innovators and building a robust national innovation ecosystem.

The minister said the application portal opened on November 17 and will close on January 23, next year, with the evaluation process beginning immediately afterwards.

He said the programme represented a strategic national investment in young innovators and aligned directly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Education.

Alausa said the SVCG was conceived to promote creativity, enterprise, and economic independence among students, adding that President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to youth development formed the backbone of the programme.

The minister described the S-VCG as more than a grant scheme, noting that it is designed to identify high-potential ideas from campuses and nurture a culture of creativity and enterprise among students.

He said beneficiaries would receive up to N50 million in equity-free seed funding, alongside intensive incubation, expert mentorship, and access to networks and critical startup-building tools.

According to him, the initiative will be jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), in collaboration with the Bank of Industry, Afara Initiative, Afrilabs, the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre, and Google.

He said the programme was open to full-time students in federal, state, and private tertiary institutions from Year 3 and above, with younger students allowed as team members.

Alausa said: “The S-VCG is structured to identify exceptional talent, give them a fair and credible opportunity to succeed, and inspire thousands of others to believe in their capacity to innovate.

“We know that many successful founders did not thrive on their first attempt. But their journey began with a spark. This programme exists to light that spark, build a new culture of confidence, and showcase to the world the depth of Nigerian ingenuity.

“Beneficiaries of the S-VCG will receive a comprehensive support package tailored to increase their chances of building viable and scalable ventures.”

Alausa added that eligible ventures must have a CAC-registered business name and be rooted in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences fields.

Read Also: Tuggar blames structural weakness for unconstitutional changes of govt, others

He said every application would undergo thorough evaluation, with shortlisted teams pitching before a 12-member expert panel drawn from academia, industry, venture capital, and government.

Participants would receive feedback and may be paired with complementary teams to encourage collaboration and shared innovation.

He stressed that the S-VCG is expected to accelerate research commercialisation, support intellectual property development, and position students to produce high-impact solutions with global relevance.

“Not every idea will become a startup, but some will evolve into patents and licensable technologies capable of significant impact,” he said.

The National Programme Coordinator, Special Programme Unit of S-VCG, Mr. Adebayo Onigbanjo said the programme is designed to ignite student-driven innovation and close the investment gaps that have made venture capitalists hesitant to invest in early-stage university ideas.

Onigbanjo, who gave an overview of the initiative, said the portal had received 17,914 applications from 402 schools, comprising 346 public and 56 private institutions, noting that over 1,000 applications had actually been submitted.

Also, a former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, hailed the initiative, noting its alignment with efforts to deepen scientific research and innovation in the country.

Nnaji, whose board awards a $100,000 prize annually for groundbreaking scientific innovation, said: “This is how students and their mentors can develop impactful inventions that serve global needs but solve local problems.”

December 9, 2025
Nigeria, U.S. moving in right direction, says Riley Moore

Head of the United States Congressional delegation to Nigeria, Rep. Riley Moore, yesterday said the U.S. and Nigeria were moving in the right direction on the security situation.

He said a security framework between the two countries is within sight.

He said there was a commitment to the emergency declaration laid out by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He thanked the Nigerian government, especially President Tinubu, for rescuing 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children.

He also commended the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for a productive and positive conversation with the US Congressional delegation to Nigeria.

Moore gave the verdict in his X post on the summary of the delegation visit and engagements with government officials.

Apart from meeting with the NSA and other government officials, the lawmakers also visited Benue State, where they met with victims of attacks, religious leaders, traditional rulers and the sub-national government officials.

Moore said in his post: “I want to thank National Security Advisor @NuhuRibadu for a productive and positive conversation with the US Congressional delegation to Nigeria.

“There were concrete steps and actions discussed at length, that if fully executed, I believe will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organisations in the northeast and stop the killing of Christians (a specific concern for @POTUS and myself) – particularly in the Middle Belt of the country.

Read Also: Tuggar blames structural weakness for unconstitutional changes of govt, others

“I want to thank the Nigerian government and @officialABAT for rescuing the 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children.

“This is a positive demonstration of the government’s increasing response to the security situation and shows commitment to the emergency declaration laid out by President Tinubu.

“The U.S’ sense of urgency on our concerns was positively received. I feel that a cooperative security framework is within sight.

“The now-established joint task force between Nigeria and the US is a great example.

“It is clear that there is an openness and willingness on the part of the Nigerian government to work with the United States to tackle these critical issues. Now, that openness has to translate to concrete action.

“There is much work still to be done, but things are moving in the right direction. I look forward to the next steps with the Nigerian government and the continued open dialogue.

“Peace be with you all. God bless the great people of Nigeria.”

Moore is visiting Nigeria after months of tense debate between US and Nigerian officials over the alleged persecution of Christians.

The visit also comes as a follow-up to high-level security talks held between Ribadu and Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defence secretary, in Washington last month.

During the congressional hearing, Jonathan Pratt, senior official at the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, said the state department would work with the Nigerian government on measures, including a task force, to address the alleged Christian persecution in the country.

Moore, in his post, confirmed that the joint task force has now been established.

December 9, 2025
JUST IN: Gov Bago receives 100 freed Niger schoolchildren

The Niger State Government has received 100 schoolchildren who were abducted last month from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area.

Governor Mohammed Bago received the pupils on Monday at the Government House in Minna, the state capital, a day after authorities secured their release.

“Welcome,” Bago said as he shook hands with some of the children and led them into a hall where the emir and local officials were seated to receive them.

The children were among the victims abducted when gunmen invaded the remote Papiri community on November 21.

The attackers reportedly stormed the school around 2 am on motorbikes and operated for nearly three hours.

A total of 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers, were abducted during the invasion.

Details shortly…

December 8, 2025