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Justice Onwuegbuzie Set To Grant Prosecution ‘s “Strange” Motion Jan. 26 To Revoke My Bail, Remand Me In Kuje Prison -, Lawyer Cries Out

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Justice Onwuegbuzie Set To Grant Prosecution ‘s “Strange” Motion Jan. 26 To Revoke My Bail, Remand Me In Kuje Prison -, Lawyer Cries Out

An Abuja based lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa has cried out to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, saying those after him have succeeded in getting Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo Resettlement, to grant prosecution ‘s strange motion on notice to be moved on 26th january, 2026, seeking to revoke his bail and remand him in Kuje Corectional Centre until the end of his trial.

In a letter to the associations president, Mazi Mazi Afam Osigwe, dated January 23, 2026, the human rights lawyer is seeking the intervention of the association.

He said the situation in his trial has degenerated below injustice and has become dirty and somewhat indescribable.

He accused the judge of no longer conducting his trial but on a vengeoance mission.

He said in the letter, “”Mr, President, Recall I write you a letter dated 25th November, 2025 to officially inform you and bring to your attention the situation regarding the judicial proceedings in the FCT High Court, particularly, FCT High Court No. 30, Apo before His Lordship, Hon Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie and the patent compromised by external influences of judicial proceedings and the injustice perpetrated by Asabe Waziri a Management Staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) facilitated by some named persons.

“The situation has degenerated below Injustice and has become dirty and somewhat indescribable.

“The event in court shows that Hon Justice Jude is no longer conducting my trial, His Lordship is on a vengeance, to embarrass, humiliate and punish me as planned by Asabe Waziri of NNPCL and her named facilitators. The concluded plan is to send me to Kuje Correctional Centre, from where I should be attending my trial.

“Hon Justice Jude hurriedly struck out my six applications challenging the Court’s jurisdiction filed between May and December, 2025, on 21st January, 2026 in a terse Ruling and on oral application of the Prosecution. This is to clear the way for the grant of prosecutor’s Motion seeking “TO REVOKE MY BAIL AND REMAND ME IN KUJE CORRECTIONAL CENTRE ÜNTIL THE END OF THE TRIAL”
My President, since the beginning of this trial, Hon Justice Jude has granted all the prosecutor’s applications, and has refused all my applications including the application seeking the release of my internation passport to travel and get medication and see my family.

“His Lordship has refused my application for CTC of the rulings that His Lordship delivered on the 26th November, 2026 for a Motion I have not move. His Lordship has refused my request for record of proceedings of the Court till date.

“Each sitting in His Court during my trial has the presence of over eight Policemen inside the court paid my Asabe Waziri, the nominal complainant and sponsor of the trial.
I had publicly and severally notified the Honourable court that I have lost total confidence in the Honourable Court the Court still insisted to continue the case.
Each of the court’s sitting during my trail is characterized by threats and intimidation of “” wielding the big stick””.
Report has it that His Lordship has written in advance, a ruling on the prosecution’s weird application, to me moved on 26th January, 2026 to “revoke my bail and remand me in Kuje Correctional Center till the end of my trial”. Copy of Motion is annexure A.

“Asabe Waziri the nominal complainant and the sponsor of the charge and trial was seen dancing in the court at the striking out of my motions during the hearing on the 21st January, 2026.

“Asabe Waziri has vowed to ruin and damage my carrier and professional reputation with every resources she has using her contacts and connection as an NNPC staff.

“All these are irrespective of my four applications to the Chief Judge of FCT to direct recusal and reassignment of my case. And my Petition against the Honourable Justice Jude to the National Judicial Council (NJC) in December, 2025.

“Conclusion, a Judge that comes in court with an already prepared ruling on a Motion that has not being moved is not holding an even scale, He is holding a dagger.

I therefore, call on the president to urgently intervene to halt the event from taking place on 26th monday, 2026, or in any other day in hon justice jude’s court.”

 

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Nothing Attracts People Like Loving Them – Pastor Korede Komaiya.

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The presiding pastor of master’s place international church, Pastor Korede Komaiya has said; “Nothing Attracts People Like Love”.

The cleric made this known in a video clip message recently released titled, “This Is The Foundation: To Raise Leaders, Love People”.

Speaking to the people, Korede said; “How many times have we been here for meetings and you see all over, people being acknowledged for unbroken years of service, how many years have properties been given to people here, people must feel belonged, he stressed and emphasized.

“In our ministry, I don’t believe in employee and employer, I only want stakeholders in our ministry”.

“The concept of employer, employee does not apply in our own ministry and to the glory of God, following this same example, all our staffs are on church scholarship, anyone who is a staff of the ministry, all their children are on church scholarship, education we pay for it, health 100%, any health crisis, our ministry pays for it”.

“There’s no deduction in salary, accommodation is free and we change your cars, every four (4), four years and as you rise in leadership, you go abroad once a year”.

Last year December, we paid the salary, paid 13 month salary and we still pay 50% as bonus”.

Using this as a backdrop, Korede declared, “It is important for you to know that, nothing attracts people like loving them”.

This is necessary and coming amidst several criticism that recently accompanied and trailed his message, ‘i will never followed a poor pastor’, that was misunderstood, misquoted and somehow blown out of proportion

Judicial Decision: Rivers Chief Judge Declines Panel for Fubara and Deputy

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Judge Chibuzor Simeon Amadi, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, has refused to form a seven-person panel to look into claims of egregious misconduct against Governor Sim Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Ordu.

Justice Amadi cited two court orders prohibiting him from accepting, sending, or considering any petitions to constitute such a panel in a letter dated January 20, 2026, to Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

On January 16, 2026, the orders were delivered to his office and are still in effect.

The Chief Judge underlined that regardless of their opinion of the validity of existing court orders, all authorities must abide by them due to constitutionalism and the rule of law.
He cited court rulings, pointing out that in a comparable situation in 2007, the Chief Judge of Kwara State was found guilty of disobeying a restraining court order when establishing an investigating panel; the Court of Appeal later overturned this ruling.

The Speaker has already filed an appeal against the court orders at the Court of Appeal, according to Justice Amadi, adding another level of complexity to the continuing legal proceedings surrounding the claims.


He cited court rulings, pointing out that in a comparable situation in 2007, the Chief Judge of Kwara State was found guilty of disobeying a restraining court order when establishing an investigating panel; the Court of Appeal later overturned this ruling.

The Speaker has already filed an appeal against the court orders at the Court of Appeal, according to Justice Amadi, adding another level of complexity to the continuing legal proceedings surrounding the claims.

El-Rufai Claims APC Members Don’t Face Corruption Allegations

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Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, expressed concerns on Thursday about what he called selective accountability in Nigeria, cautioning that the idea that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are rarely charged with corruption needs to be addressed immediately.

El-Rufai reportedly gave a speech at the 23rd Daily Trust Dialogue in Abuja, which had as its theme “Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: What is Working and What is Not?”

He claims that Nigeria suffers from unaccountable governance, pointing out that changes have prioritized procedures above results.

Without accountability, we have governance. Nigeria has developed accountability and change more quickly than in terms of content, he claimed.

“We hold elections, establish agencies, and declare asset recoveries, but accountability by simply governing remains selective,” he continued. Corruption is now invisible to those in positions of power, negotiable for those who are on the fence and wish to switch to the APC, and dangerous for others who are in opposition. Members of the APC are never charged with corruption.

The former governor cautioned that ordinary Nigerians would suffer greatly from unequal enforcement of the law.

Unpaid salaries, shelved projects, deteriorating infrastructure, and general cynicism are examples of this; it is not abstract. Deterrence breaks down when laws are applied inconsistently. Additionally, confidence disappears when deterrence fails, which is what is occurring in Nigeria, he stated.

El-Rufai emphasized that in order to ensure legitimate elections and an impartial electoral commission, institutions must be strengthened, especially through judicial reforms.

Ultimately, for our politics to have purpose, we need to reinstate moral and capable governance. He continued, “Reform is about what needs to end as well as what needs to change.

Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Advisor on Media and Policy Communication, and Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the 7th and 8th House of Representatives, were among the other panelists at the event.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki presided over the discussion, and Rashidi Ladoja served as the Special Guest of Honor.

Oshiomhole: Some Nigerians Are Saying Food Is Becoming Too Cheap

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Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s comments on Channels Television while defending the government’s economic policies have caused controversy.

According to reports, Oshiomhole responded to inquiries regarding whether the reforms have had a detrimental impact on regular Nigerians.

Reports that the reforms had caused hardship were refuted by him, who argued that they were intended to effect change.

He claimed that many of the issues brought up were largely hypothetical rather than grounded in reality.

Contrary to popular belief, he said, some Nigerians believe that food prices are suddenly getting cheaper.

Oshiomhole questioned whether there was actual proof of numerous complaints and contested the notion that common people are suffering.

In actuality, we promised drastic changes, Oshiomhole stated. What do average people look like? These are stuff you take from people’s mouths. Have you visited individuals who are complaining? Nigerians are complaining that food is getting too cheap.

According to Oshiomhole, President Bola Tinubu’s tax policies align with the principles of a progressive government.

He claimed that the tax reforms shift the burden from the poor to the wealthiest while speaking on Channels Television.

He claimed to be one of the lawmakers that backed the tax legislation that was subsequently signed into law.

According to Oshiomhole, President Tinubu’s tax policy is in line with the principles of a progressive administration.

“And this is a progressive tax policy that offers tax exemptions to those who earn less while placing a greater burden on those who earn more.”

ADC Kicks Off Council Election Campaign with Peter Obi Storming FCT

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Prior to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council election, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi undertook a campaign tour with African Democratic Party (ADC) members and supporters.

The well-known Kugbo furniture market, which was impacted by a fire outbreak, was the first place the former Labour Party member, who just defected to the ADC, visited.

He revealed this on his X page, writing, “Such losses are especially painful at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with deepening hardship and poverty.”

“Despite the setbacks they faced, they will recover and thrive again with the right support,” he added, reassuring traders in the market square who related their stories of the tragic event.

“This incident underscores my consistent call for a comprehensive reform of our emergency response systems,” he continued.

“In order to save lives and livelihoods, a country that genuinely cares for its citizens must invest in effective, well-coordinated emergency services.”

Alongside Moses Paul, the contender for ADC chairmanship in the Abuja Municipal Area Council election, the former governor of Anambra State went to a local market.

According to Obi, the visit was intended to increase community involvement prior to the elections, highlighting the significance of active citizen participation.

“We must strive towards a Nigeria where avoidable tragedies are avoided and where institutions function effectively for the benefit of everyone,” he continued.

Property dispute: EFCC not debt recovery agency – Witness

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A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Emmanuel Adide, has told a Lagos State High Court that the Commission was not requested by a Nigerian-American engineer, Anthony Ugbebor, to recover the sum of N152m allegedly paid for two luxury flats developed by Oak Homes Limited.

While under cross-examination,
Adide stressed that the EFCC is not a debt recovery agency.

In his evidence before the court in a suit filed by property developer Olukayode Olusanya and his firm, Oak Homes Limited (Suit No: LD/4471LM/2023), against Ugbebor (first defendant) over alleged trespass on two second-floor apartments located at No. 14A Musa Yar’Adua Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Aside, an EFCC operative, told the court that, when the claimant agreed to refund the money, there was no discussion or understanding that the flats would be sold to facilitate the repayment.

Responding to questions on whether the EFCC directed the claimant to refund the money, Adide explained that the discussions formed part of the commission’s internal processes.

However, he said it was unclear, at the time, whether disposal of the flats would be required to effect the refund, adding that compelling the sale of property in such circumstances would amount to improper practice.

He further explained that once allegations of fraud arise, the EFCC’s standard procedure is to investigate the complaint and, where appropriate, recover funds connected to criminal conduct as part of its operational mandate.

Adide told the court that the petition submitted to the EFCC alleged criminal breach of trust and obtaining money by false pretence, which justified the commission’s investigation.

However, he said the investigation later revealed that the dispute was civil in nature.

“As a result, the claimant was contacted and asked to retrieve the bank draft earlier submitted to the EFCC,” he said.

The witness confirmed that Olusanya, the Managing Director of Oak Homes Limited, was detained when he first visited the EFCC office in Abuja.

He also confirmed that Olusanya never denied that a transaction occurred between him and Ugbebor.

“He did not deny it, my lord,” Adide said.

When asked whether the refund arrangement was reached while Olusanya was in detention, the witness answered in the negative, adding that Olusanya was already on bail when he made the refund.

He said the claimant paid the money in instalments but could not recall the number of tranches.

He confirmed that Olusanya submitted three bank drafts to the EFCC totalling N102m.

Earlier in the proceedings, counsel to Ugbebor, I.B. Mamood, informed the court that the defence had decided not to call any further witnesses.

“Upon careful review of our case, we have resolved not to call additional witnesses. We are therefore closing our case,” he said.

Following this, the EFCC, listed as the second defendant, opened its defence.

Its counsel, M.A. Shehu, called Adide as a witness and adopted his witness statement on oath.

The commission also tendered documents, including the petition, extra-judicial statements, and a letter.

Justice George admitted the documents in evidence and marked them as Exhibits 2DW1, 2DW2, and 2DW3, respectively.

The court also admitted Adide’s witness statement on oath dated January 17, 2024, as his evidence.

During cross-examination by lead counsel to the first defendant, Nasiru Salau, Adide confirmed that there was no written request from Ugbebor asking the EFCC to recover the money.

After hearing the testimony, Justice George adjourned the case until March 23, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.

At the last adjourned date, Ugbebor had opened his defence and told the court that he paid for two luxury flats with his “life savings” totalling $400,000.

He said he paid N152m (representing 80 per cent of the total purchase price of N190m) but that the developer later denied having any record of the transaction.

He testified that, on October 11, 2022, he sent a representative to inspect the flats, only for Oak Homes Limited to allegedly claim there was “no record” of his purchase despite the payments.

Under cross-examination by counsel Agboola, Ugbebor confirmed that he petitioned the EFCC in Abuja after suspecting fraud.

Kano APC Begins Membership Drive as Gov Yusuf’s Defection Faces Hold-Up

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Amidst mounting uncertainty surrounding Governor Abba Yusuf’s defection, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kano State branch has started its online membership registration process. Yusuf has repeatedly delayed the date of his anticipated move to the ruling party.

The state’s APC leaders had previously scheduled the e-membership registration to begin on January 15. However, the governor reportedly requested that the exercise be put on hold indefinitely.

According to a source with knowledge of the situation who spoke to Daily Nigerian, Yusuf informed Vice President Kashim Shettima about the situation when he realized the Kano APC was getting ready to move forward with the registration.

The source claims that the vice president then ordered Yilwatda Nentawe, the national chairman of the party, and Abdullahi Ganduje, the former governor of Kano, to wait until the governor formally defected before initiating the exercise.

At first, the APC anticipated that Yusuf would defect on January 5, which was also his birthday. However, because many state APC leaders were either on vacation or participating in the Umrah pilgrimage, the date was suddenly changed to January 12.

As January 12 drew near, the announcement was once more rescheduled until January 16, to be made soon after an Executive Council meeting in Abuja that was off-site and covered by the media.

However, following the council meeting, the expected proclamation did not materialize, disappointing party officials.

The governor allegedly scheduled January 20, one day after his meeting with President Bola Tinubu, in response to the postponement of January 16.

However, as the date drew near, a senior party official—who wished to remain anonymous—said the governor requested “more time in order to widen consultations” from the party leadership.

Following a covert meeting between Yusuf and his political godfather, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at the latter’s Miller Road home in Kano, there was ambiguity about the governor’s defection.

According to sources, the purpose of the meeting was to defuse the tension and criticism surrounding Yusuf’s alleged intention to leave Kwankwaso and join the APC.

Insiders claim that the governor promised Kwankwaso that no action would be taken until he saw President Tinubu in France and communicated Kwankwaso’s “terms and conditions” for joining the APC.

Yusuf finally met Tinubu on Tuesday in the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following failed attempts to meet the president in Paris and Abu Dhabi last week.

According to sources, Tinubu was supposed to welcome Kwankwaso the day following Yusuf’s visit, but the meeting was allegedly placed “on hold.”

The Kano APC had previously established an e-membership registration committee, co-chaired by Rabiu Suleiman-Bichi, Managing Director of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Authority, and Baffa Babba-Dan’agundi, Director-General of the National Productivity Center, despite the ongoing uncertainty.

Registration has officially started throughout the state, despite reports that a “001 membership card” was set aside for Governor Yusuf in his Diso Ward in Gwale Local Government Area.

Soludo Calls on Igbo Community to Embrace Full Integration into Nigeria

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David-Chyddy Eleke examines the legitimacy of Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s recent request that Ndigbo appropriately reintegrate into the Nigerian project.

Despite receiving more than 90% of the total votes voted in the state’s governorship election on November 8, 2025, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo cannot claim to be particularly popular with the general public. That might need to be clarified later. However, the professor of econometrics and former governor of Nigeria’s top bank is one governor whose open opinions cannot be wished away.

It doesn’t matter if Soludo’s words make you love or despise him; what matters is that no matter how unpleasant or painful his opinions may be, you cannot ignore the truth they contain. Since taking office as governor in 2021, Soludo has frequently expressed unpopular opinions that, while neither untrue nor debatable, were seen negatively by his detractors.

His famous open letter, “History Beckons, I Shall not be Quiet,” continues to be one of the most well-known of these opinions. His opinions in the book were direct criticisms of Mr. Peter Obi, his predecessor, a former UNN classmate, and the godfather of his kid. Mr. Obi was a Labour Party presidential contender in the 2023 election.

The entire Igbo race in South East Nigeria was the focus of Soludo’s recent decision to reveal such reality on the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day. The governor urged the Igbo people of the South East to stop marginalizing themselves, especially its young people, and to accept their position as “co-owners” of the Nigerian project by enlisting in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Following a vibrant military procession and the symbolic placing of a wreath on the tomb of the “unknown soldier,” Soludo addressed the platform to deliver what he saw as home truth while considering the 56th anniversary of the end of the Nigerian civil war. He called the civil war “needless” and pointed out that the idea of “no victor, no vanquished” must continue to serve as the nation’s compass. However, Soludo felt that the South East’s residents needed to shed the toga of marginalization, which has been a recurring theme in the region’s discourse.

He bemoaned the fact that, despite the fact that the war ended 56 years ago, Igbo people still have feelings of marginalization, to the extent that they refuse to be recruited into important institutions that may further their development and strengthen their position in the Nigerian project.

For instance, the South East consistently reports low enrollment rates in vital sectors like the military. The South East states declined to occupy the slots, even after quotas were given out. This has persisted and has been exacerbated by hazardous propaganda disseminated by secessionist elements who want everyone to think that the system would always despise Igbo people. For instance, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), a separatist organization led by Ralph Uwazuruike, advocated for the Igbo people to avoid the 2006 national census, claiming it was useless.

Later, the group violently interfered with the exercise, even resorting to violence against census takers. Even the justifications that the census served as the foundation for allocating utilities and other benefits of democracy were insufficient to persuade them to change their minds.

Additionally, members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a later-day secessionist organization headed by Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently incarcerated, has launched a propaganda campaign opposing military enlistment. The false information that Igbo officers in the force are targeted and sent to bandits and Boko Haram, which devastated the North East and West, respectively, in the hopes that they will be used as sacrificial lambs, is where this all began.

After this failed, the group went on to declare war on their own brothers who were in the police, calling them “saboteurs.” There are numerous videos depicting members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the IPOB, attacking police formations and even targeting Igbo officers for daring to register in the Nigeria Police, which they call “zoo police.” Some of these officers are killed, while others are abducted and forced to die slowly.

During the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Soludo stated, “The Police is working hard, the army; you’re working hard, but Anambra people and the rest of the South East, this is the moment that we have to tell ourselves that the civil war has ended and the civil war ended 56 years ago,” in an attempt to dispel their misconceptions and provide home truths about how the Igbo can integrate into the Nigerian project and reap the many benefits of doing so. Our young people from the South East, especially those from Anambra, have the lowest recruitment rates in the nation for both the Army and the Police.

“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage our young people to join the Nigerian military. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we cannot be full members of a group and choose not to participate or stay out at the same time. We have been marginalizing ourselves in this particular sector. In a few decades, we would turn around and cry that there are no officials of Igbo or Anambra descent because we refused to join the police or military. Therefore, as equal owners of Project Nigeria, we must contribute equally.

Soludo is aware of the actions of a small group of criminals who pretend to be separatists and liberators in an effort to free the people from the “suffocating” hold of Nigerian authorities, who are thought to despise Igbo people. Soludo, who has consistently offered a carrot before a stick, seized another chance to urge criminals posing as freedom fighters to leave the bushes or face consequences for their actions.

“I also want to call on our brothers and a few sisters who are in the bushes and in the forest and so called camps; some say they are liberators but these people are criminals, kidnappers, and terrorists,” Soludo stated in reference to them. Humans do not reside in bushes or woodlands, therefore leave as you are not freeing anyone. People reside in homes. We have extended an olive branch to the remaining terrorists, and we will assist them in becoming contributing members of society. The terror age must end. However, the line is carved in the sand if you choose to remain there, and I always remind our young people that nobody has closed themselves off and survived off crime till old age. We use this occasion once again to extend the olive branch.

“As we celebrate the Armed Forces Day today, we call on you to lay down your arms because the civil war is over. There is no other way to end the civil war, and it affects not only the people in the South East but all of Nigeria. Nigeria needs to be developed in order to fulfill its manifest destiny and become the world’s most progressive country in addition to its greatest population, according to Soludo.

Even though many have criticized Soludo for what they called “loud mouthedness,” his message has resonated sufficiently in the minds of many. Soludo is adamant that he has said the correct thing after numerous conversations.

In defense of his principal, his press secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, wrote: “History demonstrates that groups that choose not to participate in national processes frequently wake up ten years later to find themselves statistically “diminished” or under-represented in federal institutions, leading to a fresh cycle of disadvantage that is difficult to reverse.” The aforementioned dynamics make it important that Ndigbo, particularly our brothers and sisters from Anambra State and the energetic, resilient youth of the Southeast, wake up! Sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option. Now is the time to put an end to the period of self-imposed exile from the core of Nigeria’s security architecture.

“Consider the heroes that the Southeast would lose if they chose not to enlist. Future generals, strategists, and reformers may be among our bright, creative, and resilient young people. Thus, the Light of the Nation has always set an example for young people in Anambra. We have done well in both business and education. Let us now rule in the service of our country. No other road may compare to the discipline, abilities, and sense of purpose that enlistment provides. It also serves as a doorway to power, prestige, and pensions. We have rebuilt from the devastation of war for the greater Southeast; now is the time to reestablish our presence in every institution that unites Nigeria. Saying “never again” to self-marginalization is appropriate at this point.

Central Bank of Nigeria Calls on Banks to Combat Fraud, Adhere to 30-Minute Rule

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Banks and payment service providers have been urged by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make quantifiable reductions in electronic fraud.

Additionally, under the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) framework, it advised institutions to react to suspicious transactions within 30 minutes.

Speaking at the “Shrinking Fraud Losses with ISO 20022 and Identity Management” Technical Kick-Off Session of the 2026 Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), According to Mr. Philip Ikeazor, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, CBN, the sector has to implement enterprise-wide, data-driven fraud management solutions that can produce noticeable outcomes in place of dispersed controls.

Premier Oiwoh, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), also spoke at the conference. He disclosed that the financial system saw a notable improvement in fraud outcomes in 2025, with the value of money lost to fraud decreasing by 51% year over year.

Ikeazor went on, “The industry must commit to bold, measurable fraud-reduction targets, supported by clear strategic priorities.”

Full utilization of ISO 20022 data, universal and real-time identity verification, improved round-the-clock fraud monitoring and response, organized liability-sharing and consumer reimbursement frameworks, increased interaction with telecoms and payment service providers, and stringent performance evaluation via transparent scorecards are some of these. Improving what is measured is necessary.

In the end, fraud is a problem that affects financial stability rather than just operations. Unchecked fraud raises systemic dangers, jeopardizes advances in inclusiveness, and erodes confidence in digital finance.

Nigeria promotes economic growth, maintains macro-financial stability, and protects trust in its payment system by bolstering fraud controls. The central bank is still totally dedicated to offering the coordination, policy assistance, and regulatory leadership needed to accomplish these goals.

“We have an important collective duty ahead of us. 2026 may and should be remembered as the pivotal year when Nigeria significantly reduced fraud losses and safeguarded the future of its digital financial ecosystem thanks to clear goals, shared accountability, and ongoing cooperation under NeFF.

As a result, the sector came to an agreement under NeFF to cut the time it takes to respond to fraud to less than 30 minutes, which Ikeazor said is essential to enhancing recovery results and reducing systemic vulnerability.

He claims that “efforts to mitigate fraud have evolved in tandem with changing threat vectors.” While more recent threats like internet fraud, social engineering, SIM-swap misuse, insider compromise, and authorized push payment (APP) scams have surfaced, older frauds like ATM card cloning have been successfully eliminated.

“NeFF has been instrumental in organizing prompt actions, such as industry alerts, public awareness campaigns, mandated two-factor authentication, round-the-clock bank fraud desks, and, most recently, the creation of a Standardized APP Scam Framework.

“A significant step that significantly improves recovery outcomes and limits systemic exposure is the industry’s agreement to reduce fraud response times to under 30 minutes.”

Ikeazor also emphasized the relevance of identification infrastructure in preventing fraud, citing the reduction of impersonation and synthetic identity fraud as a result of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and its integration with the National Identification Number (NIN).

He stated that maintaining cooperation with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will be essential to enhancing the integrity of the payment system.

According to Oiwoh’s contribution, total fraud losses decreased from N52.26 billion in 2024 to N25.85 billion in 2025. Additionally, the number of reported fraud cases decreased by 4% to 67,518 from 70,111 in 2024.

He credited stricter regulations, increased cooperation between regulators, banks, and security agencies, and enhanced fraud detection capabilities throughout the payments ecosystem for the dramatic decline in fraud losses.

“The number of cases of industry fraud has significantly decreased over the past five years,” he stated. Losses increased to N52.26 billion in 2024, mostly due to a single N31.1 billion fraud occurrence involving one firm. Losses fell dramatically to N25.85 billion in 2025.

“I have to thank the police, DSS, and other security agencies for their work. Fraud must be reduced as much as possible if we are to attain financial inclusion. It is possible.

According to Oiwoh, insider misuse has emerged as the single greatest concern, and social engineering is still the most common fraud strategy. He noted that the ongoing evolution of SIM-swap fraud, phishing, and account penetration highlights the necessity of more robust internal controls, employee monitoring, and collaborative industry action.

However, he warned that non-reporting is still unacceptable and voiced alarm over the decline in fraud reporting, which dropped by almost 34% in the final quarter of 2025.

“Reporting makes tracking and research possible. Because crimes were not recorded, scammers often just moved from one institution to another, he claimed.

In response, Oiwoh said that the NIBSS created the Person of Interest Portal in collaboration with the CBN, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and security agencies. As of right now, 13,417 people have been implicated in fraudulent operations since 2019. He said that law enforcement authorities were actively using the portal.

Along with the introduction of the National Payment Stack (NPS), which was developed in accordance with ISO 20022 and integrated with advanced security and Nigerian data sovereignty, he also emphasized the expanding significance of AI-driven cybersecurity and digital intelligence capabilities. He said that all instant payments were now risk-scored and that suspicious transactions were immediately flagged.

In the future, Oiwoh stated that financial knowledge and access to reasonably priced cellphones are still essential for expanding digital inclusion, while the recovery of pilfered money is still ongoing.

He emphasized that good BVN and NIN validation using APIs may prevent up to 95% of identity-related fraud, but cautioned that weak account restrictions, poor client profile, and insufficient KYC measures continue to put institutions at risk.

Dr. Rakiya Yusuf, the CBN Director of Payment System Supervision and NeFF Chairman, stated in her presentation that the apex bank will soon start inspecting banks to guarantee adherence to ISO 20022 standards and improved use of electronic channels.

She emphasized that all institutions must make sure that appropriate know-your-business (KYB), know-your-customer (KYC), and customer due diligence (CDD) procedures are properly followed, reiterating that there was no “KYC zero” policy.

“We have KYC 1, 2, and 3 with different thresholds,” she stated. When there is absolutely no identity, there is no KYC known as KYC zero.

“There isn’t a KYC four policy that the central bank has developed. It will therefore be quite convenient to address them if you have that in your books.