Author: Vardiafrica

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 property linked to a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a judgment delivered in Abuja on Wednesday, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had established the reasonable suspicion required by law to justify the forfeiture of the assets. The judge ruled that Malami, his family members and companies linked to the properties failed to dislodge the commission’s allegation that the assets were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. Before delivering the…

The Senate has approved a ₦50 million donation to the families of two teachers and three security personnel who lost their lives during the abduction and rescue operation involving pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Announcing the intervention during Wednesday’s plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said each of the five bereaved families would receive ₦10 million as financial support from the upper legislative chamber. The donation follows the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers by security agencies after they spent about 56 days in captivity. Three security operatives—Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, Sergeant Silas Musa…

The house of representatives has rescinded its decision on the passage of the state police bill. The lower legislative chamber withdrew its earlier approval of the proposed legislation after Francis Waive, chairman of the committee on rules and business, moved a motion to reconsider the bill. Waive said new facts have emerged regarding the bill’s provisions, necessitating a critical review of its clauses to ensure alignment with the country’s national security architecture. He said the house needed to reverse its June 11 decision and dissolve the conference committee established to harmonise the proposed legislation with the senate’s version. The development followed the reading of…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has fixed the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, at $0.779 per litre as it officially transitioned to a dollar-denominated pricing system for refined petroleum products. The new pricing template, which took effect on Monday, July 13, 2026, also pegs Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) at $1.087 per litre and aviation fuel at $0.942 per litre, while coastal deliveries of petrol have been priced at $1,044.62 per metric tonne. The move effectively ends naira payments for petrol, diesel and aviation fuel purchased from the refinery, marking a significant shift from the naira-based transactions…

The US has launched its third consecutive night of strikes on Iran hours after Donald Trump said Washington would reinstate a maritime blockade on the country and, in an apparent policy reversal, charge ships for safe passage. “These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz,” the US military’s Central Command said. Trump had earlier told the conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt: “We’re going to hit them very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow – and there’s not a damn…

The Senate has cautioned Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde against making statements that could undermine ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and security agencies in tackling terrorism and kidnapping, following his call on the United Nations to investigate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state. The warning formed part of resolutions adopted on Tuesday after lawmakers considered a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele on the successful rescue of 39 abducted pupils and seven teachers in Oriire, as well as the sacrifices made by security personnel during the operation. While commending the…

Nigeria and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China have signed an agreement to eliminate double taxation and prevent tax evasion, in a move aimed at strengthening trade and boosting investor confidence. The agreement was signed virtually on Monday by Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, on behalf of Nigeria, and Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, on behalf of Hong Kong. According to a statement by the Ministry of Finance, the agreement will eliminate the double taxation of income earned across both jurisdictions, prevent tax evasion…

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu on Monday held talks with a senior United States delegation led by Frank Garcia, the recently appointed US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, in a move aimed at advancing security collaboration between both countries. The meeting, which took place in Abuja, marked Garcia’s first official visit to Nigeria since taking office on June 1, 2026. His trip is part of a broader diplomatic mission across West Africa that includes stops in Côte d’Ivoire and Mali from July 11 to July 18. Following the engagement, Ribadu said discussions focused on strengthening the long-standing partnership…

Argentina have made a special request to FIFA regarding their choice of kit ahead of the blockbuster 2026 World Cup semi-final clash against England in Atlanta. The tournament holders booked their place in the last four with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland, setting up a highly anticipated showdown against the Three Lions, who edged a 2-1 win over Norway in the quarter-finals. According to reports, Argentina have contacted football’s governing body requesting permission to wear their all-blue away kit instead of their iconic light blue and white striped home shirt. A final decision on the matter is expected to…

The Federal Government has suspended its proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination (NECO SSCE), following public concerns over the move. In a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government announced the withdrawal of a June 18, 2026 letter that had communicated the proposed adjustment in examination fees. According to the statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the decision was taken to allow for broader consultations and a fresh review of…