By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of a 47-year-old man, Ugochukwu Eze, popularly known as “Amazon,” over allegations of hacking into Suntrust Bank Plc’s computer system and diverting more than N800 million.

Eze was arraigned before Justice Friday Ogazi on Thursday by operatives of the Department of State Services over alleged cybercrime and money laundering offences.

The DSS, through its counsel, M. Bajela, told the court that Eze and other suspects still at large allegedly conspired between 2023 and 2026 to interfere unlawfully with the bank’s computer system.

The prosecution alleged that the scheme resulted in the diversion of over N800 million belonging to Suntrust Bank into several accounts.

Bajela further accused the defendant of concealing and transferring funds allegedly connected to cyberattacks on financial institutions. He also alleged that Eze unlawfully accessed critical national financial information infrastructure.

The prosecution said the alleged offences violated Sections 5, 6(1), and 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024, as well as Sections 10, 20, and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Eze, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After the plea, the DSS asked the court to schedule the matter for trial and remand the defendant pending the determination of the case.

Defence counsel, E. Afrogha, told the court that a bail application had already been filed. He also informed the court that Eze had spent more than one month in DSS custody.

Bajela responded that the prosecution had not received the bail application. He added that the prosecution’s witnesses were prepared to testify.

Justice Ogazi subsequently adjourned the case until August 24 for the hearing of the bail application.

The judge also ordered that Eze be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

One of the charges against the defendant reads:

“That you, Ugochukwu Eze, alias Amazon, sometime between 2023 and 2026 in Lagos and other places within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, unlawfully hindered the function of Suntrust Bank Plc’s computer system and, in the process, fraudulently diverted over N800m belonging to the bank,”

The prosecution said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024.

The case was adjourned to August 24 for the court to consider the defendant’s request for bail.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate a court order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the action just days before the state’s gubernatorial election.

The President issued the directive on Thursday, August 6, 2026, following the EFCC’s successful application for a court order on August 5, freezing the state government’s accounts.

In a statement from the State House, President Tinubu expressed deep embarrassment over the development, though he clarified that his discomfort was not with the EFCC’s statutory mandate but with the timing of the agency’s action.

“Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference,” the President stated.

Tinubu emphasized his deliberate policy of non-interference in the operational activities of investigative and prosecutorial agencies, describing strong democratic institutions operating within the confines of the law as indispensable to good governance and the rule of law.

However, the President noted that while he had not been fully briefed on the facts that informed the EFCC’s decision to approach the court, the timing was “inauspicious,” warranting his intervention.

“Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election. Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the federal government is being used to interfere with the election,” Tinubu stated.

The President directed the EFCC to “immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government.”

The intervention comes as political tensions rise in Osun State ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election, with opposition parties and civil society groups closely monitoring federal agencies’ activities in the state.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

A highly anticipated publishing deal worth more than $2 million for Nigerian author Jerry Falade has collapsed after allegations that artificial intelligence (AI) may have been used in the creation of his debut crime novel, Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body.

The manuscript had attracted intense interest from publishers, with a 14-way bidding contest reportedly leading to a multimillion-dollar offer from a major U.S. publisher. However, Falade’s literary agents withdrew the novel after stating they could no longer verify that the manuscript had been written without AI assistance.

Falade has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that he wrote the novel himself. He has also argued that the accusations reflect racial bias within the publishing industry, claiming that Black authors face greater scrutiny over AI use than their white counterparts.

The controversy has sparked fresh debate about the growing role of AI in creative writing and the challenges publishers face in verifying the originality of manuscripts. It also highlights increasing concerns within the global publishing industry over authorship, copyright, and the ethical use of generative AI.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

Samira Isah Modibbo, a dedicated advocate for women, children, and survivors of gender-based violence, has passed away. She died on the night of Wednesday, August 5, 2026, after a prolonged battle with sickle-cell disease.

Known for her powerful voice and writing, Modibbo spent her life championing justice, compassion, and dignity for the most vulnerable members of society. Her advocacy touched many lives, and she is remembered for her unwavering commitment to social justice.

Funeral prayers (Jana’iza) were held at 9:00 AM at No. 16 Kangiwa Road (Layin Asibitin MSK), Makarfi Road, Rigasa, Kaduna. Her burial was conducted according to Islamic rites.

The community and several other loved ones, including those on social media, continue to pray for her soul, asking Allah (SWT) to forgive her shortcomings, bestow His mercy upon her, make her grave a garden among the gardens of Paradise, and grant her Al-Jannatul Firdaus.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Anthony Adeosun, husband of former Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun, has passed away at the age of 62.

According to an official statement issued by the family, Mr Adeosun died on Wednesday. Further details regarding the cause of death have not yet been disclosed by the family.

In their statement, the family requested privacy as they grieve the loss of their patriarch and noted that details regarding funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Kemi Adeosun served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance from November 2015 until her resignation in September 2018. 

Messages of condolence from public officials, political associates, and well-wishers have begun pouring in to comfort the former minister and her family during this difficult period.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has concluded the first batch of textbook assessments for the 2026 National Book Assessment and Ranking Exercise, a key initiative aimed at improving the quality of instructional materials used in schools across Nigeria.

The Daily Reality reports that the development was announced in a statement by NERDC following the completion of the exercise, which forms part of the Federal Government’s quality assurance measures for educational resources.

The assessment, conducted from July 23 to 27, brought together panels of subject specialists, curriculum experts, language professionals and other education stakeholders to evaluate textbooks submitted for Primary One, Primary Four, Junior Secondary School One (JSS I) and Senior Secondary School One (SSS I).

The exercise aligns with the phased implementation of the new national curriculum.

According to NERDC, the assessment is a key component of the Federal Ministry of Education’s quality assurance framework, which requires all textbooks to undergo a rigorous evaluation before being ranked for possible recommendation and use in schools.

The Council said the initiative is designed to ensure that teachers and learners have access to instructional materials that are curriculum-compliant, academically sound, inclusive and pedagogically appropriate.

Speaking on the successful completion of the first phase, the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Salisu Shehu, commended the assessors for their professionalism, dedication and commitment throughout the exercise.

He described the assessment as a critical step toward strengthening quality assurance in educational publishing and improving learning outcomes nationwide.

According to Shehu, the introduction of the national book ranking system represents a major reform in the assessment and approval of textbooks, as it is intended to promote excellence, transparency and healthy competition among publishers while ensuring that only quality instructional materials are recommended for use in Nigerian schools.

“The integrity of the assessment process remains paramount. Every textbook was assessed using approved assessment guidelines and established quality benchmarks to ensure fairness, objectivity and consistency.

“Our goal is to provide Nigerian learners and teachers with textbooks that effectively support the implementation of the national curriculum and contribute to improved educational outcomes,” he said.

The NERDC boss also expressed appreciation to members of the assessment panels for dedicating their expertise and time to the exercise, describing their contributions as invaluable to improving the quality of educational resources in the country.

He disclosed that assessment reports from the first batch would proceed to the next stage of the ranking process in line with the approved Book Quality Guidelines and Ranking Framework.

Shehu reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, credible and evidence-based evaluation process that reflects international best practices in textbook assessment.

Also speaking, the Director of the Book Development Centre (BDC), Dr. Judith Kanu, praised the commitment of the assessment panels and reiterated the Council’s resolve to uphold the integrity of the ranking process.

She said every submitted textbook underwent a comprehensive evaluation using established criteria to ensure that only books meeting the required quality standards would be recommended for use in schools.

Kanu added that the completion of the first batch marks another important milestone in NERDC’s efforts to institutionalise a transparent and credible textbook assessment system capable of strengthening curriculum delivery and enhancing learning outcomes across the country.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen the bank account of the Osun State government, citing ongoing investigations into alleged fraudulent handling of public funds totalling N11 billion.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the anti-graft agency said it has been investigating the state government since March 2026 over suspected mismanagement of Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds, and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.

According to the EFCC, several state officials, including the Accountant General, have already been interviewed by investigators as part of the probe.

The Commission explained that the freezing order became necessary after it observed “precipitate and unwarranted movement of funds” from the state’s accounts to various suspicious corporate entities beginning August 2, 2026.

“The Commission noticed huge transfers of funds into different corporate entities and had to swiftly halt the trend by freezing the accounts from which such heavy funds are being moved,” the statement read.

Acknowledging the timing of the action, which comes ahead of the state’s governorship election, the EFCC maintained that its preventive mandate supersedes political considerations.

“The Commission cannot watch idly while a state government’s account is being pillaged,” the statement said, adding that it would be “uncharitable” to use the upcoming election as an excuse to abandon its legally-assigned functions.

The EFCC further disclosed that it is monitoring the finances of other states similarly, noting that several state governments are currently on its investigative radar.

“The Commission has always pointed out that it is non-partisan and non-sectarian but always working in the overall interests of Nigerians,” the statement emphasized.

The anti-graft agency urged the public to disregard “false narratives and deliberate demonization” of its work, insisting that the account freeze was implemented to protect public funds from being looted.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North, has said he will leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ever shows disrespect to opposition parties or the Catholic Church.

The former governor of Abia State made the remark during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he also defended the President’s approach to political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kalu argued that no politician would be expected to make the political environment easier for opponents, although he maintained that President Tinubu has treated members of the opposition fairly.

He said: “Will you just lay red carpet for the opposition to come and be dancing around if you are a politician?

“Tinubu is fair to them, he has not touched any of them unknowingly.

“The law of the land is very straightforward and if you respect the law of the land you will be well in the country.

“What he said is that he can’t give the opposition red carpet. If I’m your enemy will you give me a red carpet? If I’m fighting with you, will you give me red carpet?

“I’m a very fair minded man who speaks the truth, if I heard what he said that we are going to have a fair contest and he won’t touch anybody.

“Any day Tinubu disrespect the opposition or Catholic church I will resign from the APC.”

Kalu also advised Nigerians not to expect President Tinubu to offer political advantages to opposition parties as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum. He insisted that electoral competition should take place within the provisions of the law and expressed confidence that the President would ensure a level playing field.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The White House and the Pentagon have denied a report that claimed United States President Donald Trump confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the country’s weapons stockpiles during a recent meeting.

The Washington Post reported that the alleged exchange took place at Camp David during the sidelines of a Cabinet meeting. The newspaper cited two unnamed sources who claimed to be familiar with the discussion.

According to the report, President Trump became dissatisfied after he was informed that shortages of long-range and interceptor missiles had not been resolved. It also alleged that Trump told Hegseth he believed the problem had already been fixed. The report further claimed that Hegseth responded by indicating that Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg was responsible for the issue.

The White House has, however, dismissed the report.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the claims as “100% fake news” and said the alleged confrontation never happened.

She also stated that President Trump continues to have “the utmost confidence” in Hegseth.

The Pentagon also rejected the allegations.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth neither misled the administration about the level of US munitions nor attempted to shift responsibility to Feinberg.

Parnell also dismissed claims that the United States had depleted weapons stockpiles. He rejected reports of internal disagreements within the Defense Department and disputes over policy toward Iran. He described all the allegations as entirely false.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian Army has declared 38 senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) wanted as part of efforts to intensify operations against the terrorist group in the North-East.

The declaration followed intelligence gathered during recent military operations in the Lake Chad region of Borno State. According to the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI, troops recovered a camcorder and other intelligence materials during the offensive.

The military said forensic examination of the recovered devices helped security operatives identify several key ISWAP leaders and trace their locations within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.

Among those on the wanted list is Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, who the army identified as the Wali (governor) of ISWAP and one of the group’s most wanted leaders in the Lake Chad Basin.

The list also includes Muhammad Jidda, also known as “The One-Handed Man,” who was identified as the group’s deputy leader and Amirul Jaish. Another suspect is Hamad Abu Hanifa, whom the military identified as ISWAP’s Amirul-Fiya.

Operation HADIN KAI announced that a financial reward would be offered to anyone who provides credible information that leads to the arrest of Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa.

The military assured members of the public that all information received would be handled with strict confidentiality. It also said the identities of informants would be protected.

The army appealed to residents to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations by supplying timely and credible intelligence through established security channels or by calling 07084988859.