WAFFI TV | Feature

Court Orders Senate To Recall Suspended Senator Natasha

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Senate to reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, following her suspension. Delivering judgment, Justice Binta Nyako described the Senate’s six-month suspension of the lawmaker as “excessive.” The court invalidated Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules and section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act, ruling that both provisions overreached by failing to set a clear maximum suspension period for a serving lawmaker. Justice Nyako noted that since legislators are only required to sit for 181 days in each legislative session, suspending Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months effectively denied her constituents representation for nearly that entire period. While affirming the Senate’s power to discipline its members, the court emphasized that such punishment must not undermine the right of constituents to be represented. However, the court also held that Senate President Godswill Akpabio acted within his rights when he refused to allow Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan—who was not seated in her designated spot—to speak during plenary. Additionally, the judge rejected Akpabio’s argument that the court lacked jurisdiction because the matter concerned the Senate’s internal affairs. Earlier in the ruling, the court imposed a monetary fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating its earlier order prohibiting public commentary on the ongoing case.

7/4/2025, 12:22:57 PM

I Won’t Disclose Details Of Peace Deal With Fubara~ Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he will not reveal the specifics of the recent peace agreement reached between him and the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara. According to Wike, what matters most is that peace has been restored to the state. Speaking on Thursday during a media chat at his Abuja residence, Wike added that instead of sharing the details, he would prefer to let the public speculate. “I will allow you to speculate, it’s not my business. All I know is that peace has come,” Wike said. “If you are not satisfied with that, there is nothing we can do. What is important is that peace has returned, whatever thing anybody says is not my business.” He remarked that certain individuals had turned the Rivers State crisis into a profitable venture, exploiting the situation to illegally enrich themselves for selfish gains. Wike further noted that these individuals are now unhappy with his reconciliation with the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Last month, President Tinubu hosted a peace meeting involving Wike, Fubara, and the suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, paving the way for renewed calm in the state. In March 2025, the President suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers Assembly following a prolonged and heated political standoff in the oil-rich state. The crisis stemmed from a rift between Wike and Fubara, his political protégé, over the control of political structures in the state. Matters worsened when lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, led by Martin Amaewhule, moved to impeach Fubara. In response, Tinubu suspended the lawmakers, along with Fubara and his deputy, and subsequently appointed retired naval chief, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd), as the sole administrator of the state.

7/3/2025, 3:49:06 PM

Ex—Equatorial Guinea Anti~Graft Chief With Over 400 Sextapes Faces 18~Year Jail Term

The former Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, is facing up to 18 years in prison as his corruption trial proceeds at the Malabo court. Engonga, who has been detained at the notorious Black Beach Prison since September 2024, stands accused of embezzling public funds, unlawful enrichment, and abuse of power during his tenure as head of the Directorate General of Insurance and Reinsurance from 2015 to 2020. According to a report by *Le Bled Parle*, prosecutors claim Engonga masterminded an elaborate financial scheme that diverted state resources for personal use. During Monday’s hearing, the national prosecutor requested eight years for embezzlement, four years and five months for unlawful enrichment, and six years and one day for abuse of office, along with a fine exceeding 910 million CFA francs (approximately \$1.5 million). The prosecution also called for a ban preventing him from holding public office during his sentence. In a twist that has shaken the country’s political elite, investigators reportedly discovered over 400 sex tapes during searches of Engonga’s office and residence. The videos, said to have been recorded with consent, feature high-profile women—including the wives of ministers, security chiefs, and relatives of senior government figures. Stored on CDs and hard drives hidden in his private office, many of these tapes have since leaked online, fueling public outrage. Engonga is on trial alongside six other former senior officials, including Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong and Florentina Iganga Iñandji, all accused of belonging to a vast network accused of looting public funds. The trial is set to continue this week, with defence lawyers scheduled to present their arguments.

7/3/2025, 10:35:37 AM

Customs Budget N14.39bn Luxury Vehicles For Senior Officers

The Nigeria Customs Service plans to spend a whopping N14.39bn on brand-new luxury vehicles for its senior officers in 2025. This expenditure is part of a broader N35.27bn budget for acquiring 579 official vehicles, according to the service’s proposed appropriation bill obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday. A significant share of these vehicles is reserved for top-ranking officers. The priciest models are earmarked for those holding the positions of Comptroller, Assistant Comptroller-General, and Deputy Comptroller-General, with unit costs ranging between N44m and N75m. Among the brands to be purchased are BYD hybrids, CHANGAN, MAXUS D90, NISSAN MG5, MIKANO, and NORD. The detailed breakdown shows allocations such as 20 CHANGAN CS95 SUVs for ACGs at N68m each, amounting to N1.36bn; 15 MAXUS D90 SUVs for DCGs at N70m each, totaling N1.05bn; and 20 QIN BYD Hybrid sedans for ACGs at N65m each, totaling N1.3bn. Also included are 15 HAN BYD Hybrid sedans for DCGs at N75m each, totaling N1.125bn; and 180 sedans for Comptrollers—including NORD C3, MIKANO CHAGGAN EADO, and NISSAN MG5—priced at N44.625m each, amounting to N9.55bn. Additionally, the budget covers 50 NORD TUSK trucks, 50 NISSAN NAVARA trucks, 100 JIM 4WD trucks, and 10 30-seater buses for administrative and operational use. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups, who labelled it wasteful and insensitive, especially amid the country’s prevailing economic hardship. Earlier this year, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, reported that the service had seized 397 vehicles valued at N5.64bn in 2024, alongside thousands of bags of rice and other contraband, in efforts to protect local industries and enforce import laws. In 2023, the service confiscated 3,491 vehicles, with a duty-paid value of N2bn.

7/3/2025, 7:36:34 AM

I Inherited A Country Near Bankruptcy~ Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration has steered Nigeria’s economy away from the brink of collapse, assuring Nigerians residing in Saint Lucia that bold reforms are restoring stability and rebuilding investor confidence. According to Tinubu, the nation was nearly bankrupt when he took office. This was revealed in a statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. During an interactive session with Nigerians on Wednesday at the Windjammer Resort in Castries, the President outlined the challenging economic situation his government inherited and the measures adopted to address it. “We inherited a country that was near bankruptcy. “But we have been able to rescue the economy. Nigeria has recovered. We have made the smuggling of our oil unattractive. “We have stopped chasing forex papers at the Central Bank of Nigeria,” Tinubu said. He acknowledged that although Nigeria’s per capita income remains low, the government is implementing policies to drive inclusive growth and long-term economic stability. “For the professionals living here, our government will not abandon you. But you must work hard. It is our job to help you succeed,” Tinubu said. The meeting, which brought together Nigerian professionals, students and religious leaders in Saint Lucia, was the second in two days. The first was held on Tuesday night at the official residence of Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre. Organised by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the forum provided an opportunity for the President to directly engage with citizens abroad. Dabiri-Erewa hailed the positive contributions Nigerians are making in Saint Lucia and encouraged them to maintain strong ties to their homeland. “Nigeria is proud of what you contribute to Saint Lucia,” she said, thanking Tinubu for meeting with the community.

7/3/2025, 7:30:32 AM

Nigeria To Deploy Teachers, Doctors, Others To Caribbean Countries

Nigeria is preparing to send skilled professionals, including teachers, doctors, and agriculturists—to Saint Lucia and other Caribbean countries under a newly signed Technical Manpower Assistance (TMA) Agreement. In a statement released Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the move was described as part of wider efforts to strengthen South-South cooperation and reconnect with the African diaspora in the Caribbean. The agreement was formalised in Castries, Saint Lucia, where Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC), signed on Nigeria’s behalf. Janelle Modeste-Stephen, Acting Permanent Secretary in Saint Lucia’s Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, signed for the host nation. Calling the agreement “a great achievement,” Yakub said it follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to provide technical aid to members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). “This is an outstanding achievement, just days after Mr President’s directive to deploy technical aid to Saint Lucia and the wider OECS,” Yakub remarked. According to the statement, Nigerian professionals will serve as volunteers for two years, with the Nigerian government covering their allowances and travel logistics, while Saint Lucia and other host countries will handle accommodation and local support. Yakub highlighted the diplomatic and cultural value of the programme, noting that beneficiaries will have an opportunity to reconnect with their heritage. The deployment is part of President Tinubu’s newly launched 4D foreign policy—Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography—which aims to boost Nigeria’s global presence through targeted partnerships. Since the start of Tinubu’s administration in May 2023, Yakub noted that more than 300 professionals have already been deployed across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. “Since my appointment in August, we’ve sent volunteers to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, and other African nations. This programme was nearly dormant until Mr President revived it through his robust foreign policy,” Yakub explained. He added that further deployments are planned, with four nurses heading to Jamaica and six doctors scheduled to depart for Grenada on July 9.

7/3/2025, 7:26:28 AM

EFCC Raids Abuja Hotel, Recovers Rifle From Suspected Yahoo Boys

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday raided Joyous Hotel in the Nyanya area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in search of suspected internet fraudsters, commonly known as ‘Yahoo Boys’. The hotel was believed to be harbouring over 70 suspected fraudsters, who were subsequently arrested by the EFCC. According to Daily Trust, the anti-graft agency has recently stepped up its crackdown on internet scammers. The chairman of the commission, Ola Olukoyede, has repeatedly expressed concern that the activities of internet fraudsters are damaging Nigeria’s reputation internationally. Confirming the arrest of 74 suspects, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said in a statement that the operation was based on actionable intelligence regarding their alleged involvement in cybercrime. Oyewale also disclosed that the operatives recovered a rifle, 86 mobile phones, and three motorcycles from the suspects. He added that the accused would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. He said, “They were arrested on Monday, June 30, 2025 at Joyous Hotel, Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences. “Items recovered from them include 86 phones, one rifle pistol and three motorcycles. They will be charged to court soon.”

7/2/2025, 10:17:38 AM

Sell Warri, Port Harcourt Refineries, They Drain Economy— MAN Tells FG

The Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, has urged the Federal Government to sell or privatize the state-owned refineries in Warri, Port Harcourt, and elsewhere, describing them as a significant drain on the nation’s economy. Speaking on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ajayi-Kadiri argued that transferring ownership and management of these refineries to the private sector would enhance their efficiency and productivity. “If you ask me, the government should just sell these refineries. Give them to private sector people who will run them efficiently and be able to deliver. When something belongs to everybody, it belongs to nobody,” Ajayi-Kadiri It will be recalled that the federal government began efforts in 2024 to revive its four state-owned refineries, with the old Port Harcourt and Warri refineries partially restored, while rehabilitation continues on the second Port Harcourt unit and the Kaduna refinery. The MAN DG, however, decried that the continued government ownership of the facilities has not only proven ineffective but also unfair to the Nigerian people, particularly in a country brimming with capable entrepreneurs. “Those four refineries are a pure drain on the Nigerian economy, and it is not fair to the Nigerian people. “We should have a situation where we are able to speak truth to ourselves and encourage private sector investment,” he added.

7/2/2025, 9:16:51 AM

Chief M. Keme Sets August 2 Date To Bid Father Final Farewell in Ogbe~Ijoh

The families of PEREKE Biaredeh of Obetebe/Gbekebor in Burutu Local Government Area and MADUOH Orumokebiri of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom have formally announced the burial plans for their beloved patriarch, Late Pa Monday Samuel Biaredeh, fondly known as Ogbobine, who passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the remarkable age of 102. According to a statement personally signed by his son, Chief M. Keme, dated June 30, 2025, the remains of the centenarian will be laid to rest on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Oturubiri Quarters in Ogbe-Ijoh town. The funeral cortege is scheduled to depart Miller waterside by 9:00 am on the day of interment. Chief Keme warmly invites family, friends, and well-wishers to join them in celebrating the long, impactful life of Pa Monday Samuel Biaredeh, as they commit him to mother earth and conclude the final rites.

7/1/2025, 4:10:25 PM

Trump Says Will ‘Take A Look’ At Deporting Elon Musk

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump suggested he might consider deporting Elon Musk after the South African-born billionaire criticized his signature spending bill. Trump also hinted that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — formerly led by Musk until his resignation in late May — could begin scrutinizing the government subsidies received by the Tesla and SpaceX chief. “I don’t know. We’ll have to take a look,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he would consider deporting Musk. “We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon.” Trump doubled down on the threat when he said he believed Musk was attacking his so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” because he was annoyed that it had dropped measures to support electric vehicles (EV). “He’s losing his EV mandate. He’s very upset about things, but you know, he could lose a lot more than that, I can tell you right now. Elon can lose a lot more than that.” Trump made similar comments on his Truth Social network late Monday, saying that “without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.” Musk, the world’s richest person, was Trump’s biggest donor in the 2024 election and initially maintained a near constant presence at the newly elected president’s side. They had an acrimonious public falling out this month over the bill and the tycoon has reprised his criticisms in recent days, accusing Republicans of abandoning efforts to place the United States at the front of the EV and clean energy revolution. Musk has also renewed his calls for the formation of a new political party called the “America Party” if the bill passed.

7/1/2025, 3:23:15 PM

Subscribe to our newsletter

advertisement