Author: Vardiafrica

The Federal Government has filed 16 alleged money laundering charges, to the tune of ₦1.014bn, against a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Also listed as a co-defendant in the case is Hajia Bashir Asabe. According to the charge, the government is accusing Malami, his son, and others of being involved in the laundering and concealment of ₦1,014,848,500.00 (One Billion, Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) allegedly traced to a commercial bank. In the 16 charges, the Nigerian…

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed federal road contractors to halt the closure of project sites, ordering them back to work. Umahi issued the directive at an emergency meeting with directors and contractors of the Federal Ministry of Works on Tuesday in Abuja, where he accused some contractors of abandoning sites under the guise of holidays despite worsening road conditions across the country. Umahi insisted that strategic highways and bridges must remain operational during the holiday season and afterwards. He also directed directors in the Federal Ministry of Works and Federal Controllers of Works across the country to…

Manchester City’s players face a Christmas Day weigh-in to check they have not over-indulged over the festive period — with Pep Guardiola warning they will be dropped if they have piled on the pounds. City enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Premier League strugglers West Ham on Saturday to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal. But Guardiola, who has won six league titles during his spell at the Etihad, is famously demanding, revealing his men had been weighed before their short break. “Every player makes a weight,” said the City boss. “They come back on the 25th and I will…

The political dynamics in Rivers State experienced a significant shift on Tuesday as two senators and six members of the House of Representatives formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the Senate, the lawmakers who switched allegiances are Senator Allwell Onyesoh, representing Rivers East, and Senator Barinada Mpigi, of Rivers South-East. Both are considered close allies of the Federal Capital Territory Minister and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. The defections were announced during plenary, with the Senate temporarily suspending its rules to allow APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and other party…

As reports of his interest in the country’s presidency continues to gather steam, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says he is fit to lead Nigeria. Makinde made the comment when he fielded questions from a select group of journalists during a media parley in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday. The governor hinged this on his experience leading the South-West state and his work as an engineer over the past years. “Let me make this very clear: to serve this country at the highest level, I am qualified — I’m even overqualified,” Governor Makinde told the gathering. “I ran Oyo…

The Federal Inland Revenue Service has announced that the National Identification Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission has automatically become the Tax Identification Number for individual Nigerians. The clarification was made in a public awareness campaign on the new tax laws shared by the Service on X on Monday. According to the FIRS, registered businesses will also no longer require a separate Tax ID, as their Corporate Affairs Commission registration number will now serve as their official tax identifier under the new tax system. The announcement comes amid public concerns over provisions in the new tax laws that…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for the Niger Delta, declaring that the long-standing Ogoni crisis is finally giving way to visible progress in infrastructure, employment and environmental remediation. The Governor made this known on Monday, December 22, 2025 while hosting a high-powered federal delegation led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt. The delegation included the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi; the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal; and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the…

The federal government has introduced mandatory drug testing as a new requirement for employment into the public service. The directive was issued to permanent secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial departments/parastatals in a statement on Monday. Segun Imohiosen, director of information and public relations at the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (OSGF), said in the statement that new conditions are part of ongoing efforts to curb the rising menace of illicit drug use and its consequences on national development and security. He added that the directive was premised on the concern raised by the federal government…

The Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has received the remaining abducted students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of the state. The students were formally handed over on Monday by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who was represented by Major General Adamu Laka. Speaking at the handover, Laka said security agencies had worked tirelessly since the abduction to ensure the safe rescue and return of the children. He emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to policies that protect the rights and safety of every Nigerian child, while reiterating the determination of security…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has urged Nigerians to report MRS stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol at a price above the approved ₦739 per litre. This is as the company said it has commenced nationwide sales of petrol at a pump price of ₦739 per litre across all MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations. A statement by the company on Sunday said the cut in petrol prices represents a significant milestone in the refinery’s mission to deliver affordable fuel to Nigerians and stabilise the downstream petroleum market. With over 2,000 MRS stations nationwide, the Refinery noted that the new…