Nigerian Televangelist Timothy Omotoso Deported from South Africa After Rape Acquittal Sparks Outrage and Prosecutor Appeal
Channels TV

Nigerian Televangelist Timothy Omotoso Deported from South Africa After Rape Acquittal Sparks Outrage and Prosecutor Appeal

Omotoso, 66, who spent eight years in jail, was cleared last month of 32 charges, but his acquittal has drawn backlash across South Africa. Critics blame prosecutorial mishandling, a claim echoed by the presiding judge. Timothy Omotoso, the Nigerian televangelist acquitted of rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking, has left South Africa amid public outrage and renewed legal scrutiny.

ICAN Honours Yaba College of Technology with Corporate Merit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Accounting in Nigeria
 Independent NG

ICAN Honours Yaba College of Technology with Corporate Merit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Accounting in Nigeria

Receiving the award, the Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, expressed gratitude, reaffirming the college’s commitment to producing high-quality professionals and upholding the values of the accounting profession. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has conferred its prestigious Corporate Merit Award on Yaba College of Technology, recognizing the institution’s exceptional role in advancing the accounting profession in Nigeria.

Wike Declares Loayalty to Tinubu, Rules Out 2027 Presidential Bid — Dismisses Comparison with El-Rufai’s FCT Legacy
 Naija News

Wike Declares Loayalty to Tinubu, Rules Out 2027 Presidential Bid — Dismisses Comparison with El-Rufai’s FCT Legacy

“I’m not here to compete with El-Rufai. He did his part, and I’m focused on doing mine,” Wike stated, emphasizing that his efforts are based on President Tinubu’s vision and a commitment to changing Abuja, not legacy comparisons. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has shut down speculation that he may contest the 2027 presidential election, stating clearly that he will not run against President Bola Tinubu.

Princess Opeyemi Bright Becomes Youngest Mayor in UK History, Aged 29 — A Win for Nigerian Diaspora and Youth in Politics
 Vanguard NGR

Princess Opeyemi Bright Becomes Youngest Mayor in UK History, Aged 29 — A Win for Nigerian Diaspora and Youth in Politics

She continues a family legacy of leadership: her mother, Dr. Councillor Afolasade Bright, served as Civic Mayor of Hackney (2006–2007), while her father, Pastor Gbolahan Bright MBE, is a senior minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Princess Opeyemi Bright has made history as the youngest mayor in the United Kingdom, officially inaugurated as First Citizen of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham at just 29 years old.

FG to Toll Key Highways Under Renewed Hope Agenda to Ensure 50-Year Road Durability
 Tribune Online

FG to Toll Key Highways Under Renewed Hope Agenda to Ensure 50-Year Road Durability

Umahi emphasized that tolling is essential for sustainability, as budgetary provisions alone are insufficient to maintain Nigeria’s expanding 38,000 km road network. The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled plans to toll major road corridors across the country as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at ensuring road sustainability, improving infrastructure, and enhancing ease of doing business.

Boko Haram and Jihadist Groups Use TikTok to Spread Propaganda as Borno Faces Deadly April Attacks
 France 24

Boko Haram and Jihadist Groups Use TikTok to Spread Propaganda as Borno Faces Deadly April Attacks

Security analyst Bulama Bukarti of the Bridgeway Foundation revealed he was directly threatened in one such video, later deleted by the platform. At least 100 people were killed in April as a new wave of jihadist violence swept through Borno State, Nigeria’s long-standing epicenter of insurgency. Governor Babagana Zulum has warned that the state is once again losing ground to armed groups.

USAID Cuts Spark Surge in Global Child Mortality: Nearly One Million Children Left Without Lifesaving Nutrition
 UNN

USAID Cuts Spark Surge in Global Child Mortality: Nearly One Million Children Left Without Lifesaving Nutrition

In Nigeria’s Borno State, families like Yagana Bulama’s are bearing the brunt. Once a farmer, Bulama lost one of her newborn twins to malnutrition, a growing reality for many displaced by conflict and reliant on dwindling international aid. Massive funding cuts from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are fueling a tragic spike in child mortality across the world's poorest nations. Nearly one million children are no longer receiving treatment for severe malnutrition — a gap that could prove fatal.

NDLEA Busts Hijab-Clad Woman with Cocaine in Private Parts, Arrests British Drug Mule, Seizes 3,047kg of Cannabis in Major Sting Operations
 Daily Trust

NDLEA Busts Hijab-Clad Woman with Cocaine in Private Parts, Arrests British Drug Mule, Seizes 3,047kg of Cannabis in Major Sting Operations

Obehi was arrested on Sunday, May 3, 2025, at Port Harcourt International Airport while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Iran via Doha. Intelligence reports led to her interception, and a search revealed: Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a daring attempt by Ihensekhien Miracle Obehi, a woman who disguised in a hijab to smuggle cocaine concealed in her private parts, stomach, and a false-bottom handbag to Iran.

South Africa Rearrests Nigerian Televangelist Timothy Omotoso on Immigration Charges Weeks After Rape Acquittal
 The Nation Online

South Africa Rearrests Nigerian Televangelist Timothy Omotoso on Immigration Charges Weeks After Rape Acquittal

The 66-year-old pastor of Jesus Dominion International was originally arrested in 2017 and had faced 32 serious charges, many involving young female congregants. His dramatic acquittal after nearly nine years of pre-trial detention shocked observers. Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been re-arrested by South African authorities in East London just weeks after his acquittal on multiple counts of rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.

Federal High Court Dismisses MultiChoice’s Suit Against FCCPC Over Subscription Price Probe
 Daily Nigerian

Federal High Court Dismisses MultiChoice’s Suit Against FCCPC Over Subscription Price Probe

MultiChoice had filed the suit after receiving multiple letters from the FCCPC demanding justification for its decision to increase prices despite ongoing legal proceedings. Initially, the court had granted an interim order restraining the FCCPC from taking further steps. The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited—operator of DStv and GOtv—seeking to block the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from taking administrative action over recent subscription price hikes. Justice James Omotosho ruled on Thursday that the suit constituted an abuse of court process.

Borno State Bans Alcohol Sales as Governor Zulum Launches Crackdown on Criminal Hideouts and Social Vices
 Punch NG

Borno State Bans Alcohol Sales as Governor Zulum Launches Crackdown on Criminal Hideouts and Social Vices

The newly empowered committee, tasked with revoking illegal hotels, dismantling brothels, removing criminal shanties, and rooting out cult groups and drug networks, will now operate with the backing of the military, police, civil defence, and the civilian JTF, In a sweeping move aimed at tackling crime and anti-social behavior, Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum has officially banned the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages across the state, citing its link to rising insecurity, cultism, prostitution, and drug abuse.

Nigeria and Brazil to Launch Direct Flights as Both Nations Move to Review Bilateral Air Services Agreement
 News Diary

Nigeria and Brazil to Launch Direct Flights as Both Nations Move to Review Bilateral Air Services Agreement

Mr. Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this development. In a major stride toward boosting regional connectivity and international trade, Nigeria and Brazil have agreed to review their existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), paving the way for direct flight operations between the two countries.

Nigeria’s Power Sector Faces Shake-Up as FG Plans N4 Trillion Debt Settlement and Tariff Hike
 People's Gazette

Nigeria’s Power Sector Faces Shake-Up as FG Plans N4 Trillion Debt Settlement and Tariff Hike

In a statement released Sunday by his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu warned that Nigerians should brace for higher electricity tariffs once subsidies are withdrawn, citing the urgent need to implement cost-reflective pricing for power. Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to meet with the leadership of the nation’s power generation companies (GenCos) to resolve a staggering ₦4 trillion debt crisis threatening the stability of the power sector.

Nigeria’s $2.9B Refinery Scandal Triggers National Outrage, Arrests of Top Oil Executives
 Business Day

Nigeria’s $2.9B Refinery Scandal Triggers National Outrage, Arrests of Top Oil Executives

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested several high-ranking former officials tied to the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, including Ibrahim Onoja, ex-MD of Port Harcourt Refining Company, and Efifia Chu, former MD of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company. Nigeria’s oil sector is once again in the spotlight following a deepening corruption scandal surrounding the alleged mismanagement of over $2.9 billion allocated for refinery rehabilitation projects.

Nigerian Man Arrested in Canada for $600K Online Romance Scam Involving Oil Rig Lies
 ICIR

Nigerian Man Arrested in Canada for $600K Online Romance Scam Involving Oil Rig Lies

Authorities say the accused posed as the owner of an oil rig in the Middle East, claiming he urgently needed financial help and promising to repay the money and meet the victims in person. The victims never met him physically and were strung along electronically, with total losses amounting to $610,382. Toronto police have arrested 28-year-old Nigerian national Chimezie Nwabueze in connection with an elaborate romance scam that defrauded two victims of over $600,000. According to a statement released by Peel Regional Police, the victims believed they were in a genuine romantic relationship with Nwabueze between June 2021 and July 2023 after meeting him on an online dating platform.

FCCPC Rejects Meta’s Exit Threat, Accuses Tech Giant of Dodging Responsibility Over Data Privacy Violations
 Premium Times

FCCPC Rejects Meta’s Exit Threat, Accuses Tech Giant of Dodging Responsibility Over Data Privacy Violations

Meta had claimed in court filings that it might exit Nigeria to avoid the enforcement of fines totaling over $290 million, issued by Nigerian authorities for violations ranging from anti-competitive practices to unauthorized data transfers. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reacted to Meta’s recent threat to shut down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria, calling it a "calculated attempt" to pressure regulators into softening their stance on data privacy and consumer protection.

Meta Warns of Potential Facebook and Instagram Shutdown in Nigeria Over $290M Fines and Regulatory Pressures
 BBC

Meta Warns of Potential Facebook and Instagram Shutdown in Nigeria Over $290M Fines and Regulatory Pressures

With tens of millions of Nigerians relying on Facebook daily for communication, business, and news, the possible shutdown could have widespread economic and social implications, especially for digital entrepreneurs and SMEs. Access to Facebook and Instagram may soon be restricted in Nigeria, as tech giant Meta has warned it could be forced to shut down both platforms due to mounting regulatory challenges and steep financial penalties imposed by Nigerian authorities. The warning follows a failed legal bid by Meta to overturn fines totaling more than $290 million issued by three regulatory bodies:

FG to Revert FSTCs to Federal Technical Colleges by September 2025 in Major Vocational Education Reform
 The Will NG

FG to Revert FSTCs to Federal Technical Colleges by September 2025 in Major Vocational Education Reform

The decision, revealed by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during a meeting with principals of Federal Unity Colleges in Abuja, is part of a broader policy reform aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s technical and vocational education sector. The Federal Government has announced plans to revert the names of all Federal Science and Technical Colleges (FSTCs) to their original designation—Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs)—starting from September 2025.

China to Launch Cultural Centre at UNIPORT to Boost Nigeria-China Educational Ties
 Punch News

China to Launch Cultural Centre at UNIPORT to Boost Nigeria-China Educational Ties

The announcement was made during a delegation visit led by Yan Yuqing, China’s Consul-General in Lagos. Represented by Prof. Liu Hongwu, Director of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University The Chinese government has announced the establishment of a Chinese Centre at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Rivers State. This initiative aims to enhance cultural exchange and educational cooperation between China and Nigeria.

Tinubu Calls for Love and Trust Between Christians and Muslims to Foster National Unity
 Daily Nigerian

Tinubu Calls for Love and Trust Between Christians and Muslims to Foster National Unity

The president also commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for hosting the event and praised the welcoming spirit of Imo State. He described the meeting’s theme, "Building Mutual Trust and National Unity," as highly relevant in today’s socio-political climate. President Bola Tinubu has called on Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria to deepen their commitment to love, trust, and mutual understanding, stressing that these values are fundamental to building a united and peaceful nation. The president made this appeal at the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) meeting held in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday.