Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced two Chinese nationals to a combined 46 years in prison for their roles in a sophisticated international cyberterrorism and internet fraud network that defrauded victims of over N3.4 billion and $2.5 million. The landmark judgment, delivered on Thursday, February 12, 2026, followed a rigorous prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which tracked the duo’s activities across multiple digital jurisdictions. The convicts, identified as Wang Zilong and Li Zejun, were found guilty on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, identity theft, and money laundering. ​Presiding Judge,…

Manny Ita  – Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly finalizing the purchase of a newly constructed waterfront mansion on Florida’s exclusive Indian Creek Island, fueling widespread speculation that the tech mogul is preparing to exit California. The acquisition, estimated at between $150 million and $200 million, places Zuckerberg in a high-security enclave famously dubbed the “billionaire bunker,” where neighbors include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and former NFL star Tom Brady. While the deal has not officially closed, local residents and real estate sources indicate that Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, intend to establish the nearly two-acre estate as…

Manny Ita  – Almost three weeks of relentless and unusually heavy snowfall across Japan has resulted in at least 46 fatalities and left 549 others injured, according to updated figures from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) released on February 12, 2026. The powerful winter weather system has dumped record amounts of snow—piling up more than 2 meters in regions such as Niigata, Yamagata, and Aomori—paralyzing northern coastal areas and trapping residents in their homes. Authorities confirmed that the majority of victims were elderly individuals who suffered fatal accidents while attempting the arduous task of clearing snow from rooftops…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s correctional system is facing renewed scrutiny following the release of new data from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), which shows that 51,955 out of the country’s total 80,812 inmates are currently awaiting trial. The figures highlight a deepening crisis within the nation’s justice system, where prolonged pre-trial detention continues to strain already congested facilities. According to the data, inmates awaiting trial account for more than 64 percent of the total prison population, underscoring systemic delays in investigation, prosecution, and judicial processes. The remaining inmates are serving various sentences across custodial centres nationwide. Correctional authorities described the…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian academic community is in mourning following the death of eminent literary scholar and cultural critic, Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, who passed away at the age of 80. News of his passing was confirmed by close associates and family sources, triggering tributes from universities, colleagues, former students, and cultural institutions across Nigeria and abroad. Prof. Jeyifo was widely regarded as one of Africa’s foremost scholars of literature and cultural studies, with decades of distinguished service in teaching, research, and intellectual discourse. A respected authority on African literature, particularly the works of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, Jeyifo’s…

Manny Ita  – The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has launched an expansive “Zero Stigma Campaign” aimed at criminalizing discrimination against people living with HIV and accelerating efforts toward ending the public health threat by 2030. The initiative was formally unveiled at a high-level stakeholders’ forum in Ikeja, where government officials, health experts, civil society groups, and development partners gathered to reaffirm their commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of affected persons. Speaking at the launch, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health described stigma and discrimination as “one of…

Manny Ita  – Five Republican members of the United States House of Representatives have introduced legislation that would impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, on former Kano State Governor and New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and leadership of prominent pastoralist groups, citing alleged religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria. The measure, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (H.R. 7457), was filed by Representatives Riley Moore and Chris Smith, with co-sponsorship from Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart and Bill Huizenga. Under the proposed bill, the U.S. Secretary of State would…

Manny Ita  – Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has clarified that his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election was purely political and not rooted in any personal relationship, dismissing widespread speculation of a close personal alliance between the two leaders. Speaking amid renewed discussions about internal dynamics within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai stated that his backing of Tinubu was guided strictly by political calculations and party considerations. “My support for President Tinubu in 2023 was strictly political,” he said. “It was not based on personal friendship or any close personal relationship…

Manny Ita  – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that the ban on the production, importation, and distribution of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles remains in effect, dismissing widespread rumors of a government suspension. The agency said the regulatory measure continues to stand, citing ongoing public health concerns and the need to curb harmful consumption patterns. In a statement issued in Abuja, NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the restriction, noting that the policy was introduced to address rising cases of alcohol abuse, particularly among young people. “There has…

Manny Ita  – The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has warned that the current N10.5 billion budgetary allocation to the ministry is insufficient to modernize the nation’s ports and may hinder the achievement of key maritime targets set for 2026. The minister raised the concern during a budget performance review session in Abuja, where he emphasized the urgent need for expanded funding to address aging infrastructure and operational bottlenecks across major seaports. Describing the allocation as “grossly inadequate for the scale of transformation required,” the minister stated that comprehensive port modernization involves heavy capital investment in equipment upgrades, channel…