National News
Prosecute any lawyer found complicit in money laundering – Falana tells EFCC

Prosecute any lawyer found complicit in money laundering – Falana tells EFCC
Foremost lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Femi Falana, has advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute any lawyer involved in acts of money laundering.
Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in reaction to a recent statement by Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Bawa had vowed to beam searchlight on perpetrators of financial crimes, including legal practitioners.
NAN recalls that the EFCC boss spoken in Lagos at a one-day workshop on financial crimes reporting organised for journalists by the commission.
Bawa had during the workshop stated that it would no longer be business as usual for politicians who laundered money through their lawyers, accounts’ managers, precious stone dealers and other designated non-financial businesses and professions.
He had consequently hinted of the anti-graft agency’s plans to “go for those” aiding such financial crimes by stepping up its probe through its Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) under the new Money Laundering Act, 2022.
However, Falana, who described the comment as only an allegation, noted that such weighty allegations must be backed by credible evidences.
“As a senior lawyer, I deal with evidence; if the EFCC alleges that lawyers are involved in money laundering, with profound respect, it should take such lawyer to court.
“This is because, in other parts of the world, lawyers and other professionals are called gatekeepers and the law deals with them severely; the law is the same in Nigeria.
“So, if the EFCC chairman has his evidence, (and I know he has his evidence), then his duty is to charge such lawyers before the court, so that the menace of money laundering can be seriously tackled .
“I am not talking of lawyers alone; the usual gatekeepers are lawyers, accountants, bankers and estate agents.
“I am not unaware that the EFCC has had cause to charge gatekeepers including lawyers to court for money laundering.
“Some are standing trial, some have been tried, and so, where there is evidence linking lawyers with money laundering, such lawyer should be charged before the court,” he said.
Falana, therefore, noted that legal practitioners as gatekeepers, must distant themselves from such financial crimes and live up to the tenet of the offices they occupy.
NAN reports that during the workshop, Bawa had announced that the commission had secured over 2,701 convictions for money laundering as at Oct. 7, being an increase from the 2,220 convictions recorded in 2021.
National News
NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorist Enclave in Marte Axis of Lake Chad

NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorist Enclave in Marte Axis of Lake Chad
By: Zagazola Makama
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on Monday conducted a precision air interdiction mission at a terrorist enclave in Kollaram, within the Marte axis of the Lake Chad region.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the l airstrike, which was executed at approximately 0610 hours, followed credible intelligence and surveillance reports indicating the presence of terrorist elements and their logistical infrastructure in the area.
The sources said that the post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), shows that the air interdiction resulted in the destruction of key terrorist structures and critical logistics, in the Lake Chad corridor.
A senior military source, who confirmed the operation disclosed that the strike was part of ongoing efforts to maintain aerial dominance and sustain pressure on terrorist enclaves in the North East theatre of operations.
“The operation was carried out with precision munitions tp ensure the neutralisation of only hostile targets. The destruction of these facilities significantly hampers the enemy’s ability to regroup or launch coordinated attacks in the region,” the source said.
He said that preliminary intelligence suggests panic and disarray within the terrorist ranks, with reports of survivors fleeing towards nearby islands for cover.
The source added that further reconnaissance is ongoing to track fleeing elements and prevent any regrouping attempts.
NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorist Enclave in Marte Axis of Lake Chad
National News
Friday 18th, Monday 21st Declared Public Holidays for Easter

Friday 18th, Monday 21st Declared Public Holidays for Easter
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Friday, 18th and Monday, 21st April 2025 as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter Celebration.
The Easter festival comes after the 40 days fasting (Lent), with a holy weekend starting with Good Friday, Sunday (the day of Resurrection of Christ) and Easter Monday, all showcasing the virtues of sacrifice and resurrection.
Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo while making the holidays declaration on Tuesday on behalf of the Federal Government, extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on the joyous occasion.
He emphasized the importance of the holidays to Christians, which embody the virtues of the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ, having to die for the redemption of man.
In a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister also called on Nigerians to use the holiday period to pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the nation.
He reassured citizens of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to foster national growth and development.
He encouraged Nigerians to extend love and goodwill to their neighbours through acts of kindness and generosity, wishing
all Christians a blissful Easter celebration, while extending warm holiday greetings to all Nigerians.
Friday 18th, Monday 21st Declared Public Holidays for Easter
National News
ActionAid Nigeria Describes Zike Massacre, Another Shameful Cycle of Violence

ActionAid Nigeria Describes Zike Massacre, Another Shameful Cycle of Violence
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has condemned the massacre in Plateau State that left over 40 persons dead, describing it as yet another chapter in the shameful cycle of violence.
AAN, in a statement on Tuesday by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu said it
is “outraged by the savage attack on Zike community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, which left over 40 innocent Nigerians dead in a single night. This cold-blooded massacre, carried out in the early hours of Monday, April 14, is yet another chapter in the shameful cycle of violence that has plagued Plateau State.”
It insisted that: “This was not a sudden or unpredictable tragedy. Community members, raised alarms ahead of the attack. They warned of threats. They called for help. But once again, they were ignored. The attackers stormed Zike around midnight and operated for nearly two hours- killing, burning and destroying- while security forces were nowhere to be found.”
The statement further read that: “ActionAid Nigeria condemns this heinous act in the strongest possible terms and holds the Nigerian government accountable for its continued failure to protect lives of Nigerians in Plateau state and across the country.
“We stand in total and unshakable solidarity with the people of Zike and every community across Bassa, Bokkos, and Mangu that has suffered these atrocities. These are not numbers; these are human beings, families, farmers, and children. Nigerians who deserve to live in peace and dignity.
“ActionAid Nigeria demands immediate and concrete action from both the Federal and Plateau State Governments. These include:
“A thorough, independent investigation into the Zike massacre- followed by prosecutions.
“The urgent deployment of well-equipped and accountable security personnel to protect high-risk communities.
“Direct humanitarian intervention for survivors: shelter, food, trauma care, and medical support.
“A clear and time-bound strategy to end impunity and prevent further violence, with full community participation.
“Structural peace building measures to address the root causes of the crisis- land disputes, ethnic tension, state neglect, and militarised impunity.
The statement further added that: “ActionAid Nigeria also calls on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and the Chief of Defence Staff to go take action. Condemnations after each attack mean nothing if they are not followed by action.
“ActionAid Nigeria will continue to stand with the affected Nigerians, and amplify their voices.”
ActionAid Nigeria Describes Zike Massacre, Another Shameful Cycle of Violence
-
News1 year ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics8 months ago
Kashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident