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Aminu Tambuwal Reveals What He Told EFCC During Interrogation

Former Governor of Sokoto State and serving Senator, Aminu Tambuwal has revealed what he told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officials during interrogation.
He stated this in Sokoto after returning from what he described as a “brief visit” to EFCC custody.
Tambuwal revealed that he honoured an invitation from the commission on August 6, where he was questioned and released, but asked to return on August 10 and 11.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said that after hours of questioning on his follow-up visit, EFCC operatives insisted on stringent bail conditions before he could be released.
He said, “I told them to go back and tell the chairman of the EFCC that I am a former Speaker of the House of Representatives with an unblemished record, a two-term Governor of Sokoto State, a serving Senator, and a Commander of the Order of the Niger. I should be allowed to go on self-recognition.”
Tambuwal stated that his legal team, comprising three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, had appealed to the EFCC to vary the bail terms, but the operatives refused, forcing him to spend the night in detention. He was released the next morning after meeting the conditions.
Tambuwal questioned the timing of the EFCC’s actions, suggesting they were politically motivated. He accused the Sokoto State government of setting up a “kangaroo commission of inquiry” to probe his tenure.
“Why now?” he asked, linking the episode to efforts aimed at discrediting him for being critical of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“In Nigeria today, there are two lines: those with Bola Tinubu and his government, and those with the people of Nigeria. We chose to stand with the people.”
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of selective justice, saying, “Once you join the APC, whatever your sins, they are forgiven.”
The senator ruled out any political realignment, vowing to remain with the coalition for national rescue.
“I cannot be intimidated. I cannot be blackmailed. No one can tarnish my record,”Tambuwal stated.
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Russia and Ukraine exchange 84 prisoners each, families rejoice

Amid ongoing diplomatic meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, Russia and Ukraine have carried out a prisoner swap, with each side releasing 84 individuals.

The exchange is the latest in a series of swaps that have seen hundreds of prisoners of war (POWs) returned so far this year.

The swap came just ahead of a high-level summit in Alaska between the two leaders on Friday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that the released prisoners included both military personnel and civilians, some held since 2014, 2016, and 2017.

Among them were defenders of Mariupol, the Ukrainian port city that fell to Russian forces in 2022 following a nearly three-month siege.

Families of returning soldiers expressed overwhelming relief. Tetiana Turkoman, mother of a soldier captured during Mariupol’s fall, said her son had been in captivity for more than three years.

“Thank God, we awaited him,” she said, adding that she had a “feeling” he would be released and decided to come witness the exchange.

Anastasia, whose husband Artur Ivanik was also among those freed, described the emotional reunion:

“I don’t know how many times I’ve been to the exchanges, hoping that my husband will be there. Artur! Artur Ivanik! My God!”

The Russian Defence Ministry stated that the United Arab Emirates had mediated the swap and confirmed that returning Russian personnel were receiving psychological and medical support.

Large-scale prisoner exchanges have been among the few tangible outcomes of three rounds of peace talks held in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations from May to July.

In the last round of negotiations, both countries agreed to exchange 1,200 POWs each, with Russia also offering the bodies of 3,000 soldiers killed during the conflict.

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Tinubu will win more than 32 states in 2027 – ADC member

A Nigerian politician and member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Leke Joseph Abejide, has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will win 32 out of 36 states in the 2027 presidential election.

He made this statement in an exclusive interview with Seun, a correspondent of Channels TV, which was later shared on popular social media platform TikTok.

During the conversation, Seun noted that many believe the current administration could have handled certain matters differently and also mentioned speculations that former President Goodluck Jonathan might contest in 2027.

“Asiwaju will win 32 states,” he declared. When asked which states Tinubu might lose, he cited Anambra and Abia but added that Tinubu could even surpass the 32-state mark.

His bold prediction has since sparked widespread reactions, with many trooping to the comment section of the post to share their views.

See some reactions below: 

ETE ADEBAYO: “These are the people DECIEVING TINUBU

barry: “I STILL THINK EL-RUFAI IS STILL WORKING FOR TINUBU UNDERGROUND. ASK ME Y.”

Deprof: “Tinubu is trying,let’s be truthful,people are just sentimental basing their anger on petroleum price,naira devalue and price of food hike…let’s support him,he will tackle this area soon.”

Mauriz: “Jonathan will disgrace himself if he dare contest. He’ll come fourth.”

Ennydeecom: “APC believe in inec, because inec do it for them in 2023.”

Pharm.Umar Gombe: “this what Tinubu is being told everyday that people are happy.”

Ogie Luv: “They believe on the numbers of State governors & INEC they are having in the pocket never putting the people into consideration.”

gpdannyokeh: “this baba dey dream ebi like say you no dey dat Nigeria n see the damage way apc don cause us.”

aisabokhale: “Gej is just like Donald trump at first den comot am den he come back again as e com back he con smart na so goodluck Jonathan go still be he needs to complete e tenure 👌.”

mr Chris: “you are not sure of the state he will win, this are the people deceiving the president.”

Ayetech: “Tinubu wasnt popular in 2027 and his popularity has dropped. Tinubu didn’t hv 36% of votes in 2023. The real votes he got might hv been around 20% of total votes and trust me this will drop in 2027. The muslim muslim ticket they sold to the north will not work in 2027.”

ikon Allah: If you give INEC water eh fit turner to wine there is nothing INEC cannot do it what INEC cannot do does not exit.”

WATCH VIDEO:

Here

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Alaska summit: Trump, Putin meet today over Ukraine war

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting today, Friday at Alaska’s Elmendorf Air Force Base in a summit seen as pivotal to the future of the Ukraine war.

The expected peace talks mark Putin’s first trip to Western soil since launching the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Russia has made fresh battlefield gains in recent weeks, increasing the urgency and stakes of the meeting.

Trump extended the invitation after Putin suggested the venue, but the U.S. president has warned that the meeting could be brief if the Russian leader refuses to compromise.

“If it’s a bad meeting, it’ll end very quickly, and if it’s a good meeting, we’re going to end up getting peace in the pretty near future,” Trump told reporters Thursday, giving the summit “a one in four chance” of failure.

The summit is being closely monitored by European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was excluded from the meeting and has publicly rejected Trump’s calls to surrender occupied territory.

Trump has pledged that any final peace deal would be discussed in a separate three-way meeting with Zelensky and Putin to decide on territorial arrangements.

Both leaders will meet privately with only interpreters present before moving to a working lunch with aides.

Neither is expected to leave the base for Anchorage, where demonstrators have gathered in support of Ukraine.

The encounter comes amid controversy over Trump’s past praise of Putin and criticism of his handling of their 2018 summit.

While Trump has threatened “severe consequences” if Putin resists a ceasefire, he has also temporarily eased U.S. sanctions on senior Russian officials to facilitate their Alaska visit.

The meeting’s location is symbolically charged, as the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867.

It also comes despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Putin, which does not apply in the United States.

Zelensky has called the summit a “personal victory”for Putin, saying it helps him break isolation and delay sanctions.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pushed for security guarantees for Ukraine, an idea Trump has played down.

Diplomatic analysts caution that Putin may use the summit to appear cooperative while offering little substance.

“He’s a master of the new shiny object which turns out to be meaningless,” said Daniel Fried, a former U.S. diplomat.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. local time (1900 GMT).

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FG Approves Establishment Of 9 New Private Universities (See Names)

The federal government has approved the establishment of 9 new private universities in the country.
According to the government, the approval was given from a total of 79 active requests made by their promoters.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa announced the approval on Wednesday while briefing State House Journalists, after the Federal Executive Council FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
The new universities include, Tazkiyah University, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Leadership University, Abuja, FCT, Jimoh Babalola University, Ilorin, Kwara State Bridget University Mbaise, Okirika-Nweke, Imo State and Greenland University, Jalingo, Taraba State.
Others are, JEFAP University, Suleja, Niger State, Azione Verde University, Amaigbo, Imo State, Unique Open University, Ojo, Lagos State and American Open University, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Additionally, the FG also approved a seven year moratorium for the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions.
Alausa attributed the moratorium to none patronage of some of the previously approved institutions.
”We are doing this to further halt decays in tertiary institutions which may in future affect the quality of education and consequently cause unemployment of graduates from some of these institutions,” he said.
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BREAKING: NNPCL Reduces Fuel Price

On Thursday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited reduced the pump price of premium motor spirit.

Daily Post reports that NNPCL retail outlets in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have reduced their pump price to N890 per litre from N945.

This new fuel price has been reflected in NNPCL retail outlets such as mega station Danziyal Plaza, Central Area, Wuse Zone 4, Wuse Zone 6, and other of its filling stations in the nation’s capital.

The latest downward review of fuel price in NNPCL outlets represents an N55 reduction in fuel pump price.

“It was reduced to N890 per litre this afternoon, down from N945,” an NNPCL fuel attendant told DAILY POST anonymously on Thursday.

This comes after it was reported that a Nigerian filling station, MRS Empire Energy, on Thursday adjusted their fuel pump price to N885 and N946 per litre, down from N910 and N955 per litre.

The latest fuel price reduction trend is unconnected to Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot petrol price adjustment by N30 to N820 per litre from N850 and the price of crude oil in the international market.

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2027: APC, LP, PDP’ve Failed Nigerians — Aregbesola

The Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Labour Party, LP of failing Nigerians.
This is as he called on Nigerians to vote out APC in the 2027 election.
He promised that the ADC will give Nigerians a new deal.
He spoke yesterday while embarking on a mass membership drive into the new coalition movement in Lagos State.
The ADC Influencer in Kosofe Local Government Area, Funmi Onita-Coker, in a statement, said Aregbesola had stormed Kosofe on Monday to recruit members for the party.
The former minister urged those present to launch a mass membership drive for the party, promising to provide all necessary incentives to ensure their success.
Aregbesola, in his remarks, said: “I am urging you to go out and spread the gospel of the ADC to all Nigerians, particularly those living in your local government areas.
 
“Tell them that a new vista of hope and opportunity now awaits them in our party as we promise a new deal that would see to it that our dear country, Nigeria, is reset to the path of development and progress.
 
“I want you all to sensitise Nigerians on the need to join ADC and use the ADC platform to remove the failed APC government. Having said that, I am also urging you, as well as all other categories of Nigerians, to vote and protect their votes by follow-up vigilance.”
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You Can’t Dictate For PDP — Ologunagba Tells Wike

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Debo Ologunagba lashed out at the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
According to him, Wike cannot stipulate conditions for the party.
Ologunagba, who made this statement on Wednesday during a press conference, was reacting to a recent remark by Wike.
He said that the party does not take instructions from anyone, noting that the caretaker committee will remain until a fresh congress is held in the South-South.
“PDP has not, and will not, take conditions from anybody. We will follow our constitution anyway. We have a South-South zonal caretaker committee, and they have been functioning as such.
 
“When congresses to fill those vacancies come up, every eligible member from that zone will be entitled to contest,” he said.
According to him, members are free to leave the party but warned that doing so would be to their detriment, calling it a “voyage of no discovery.”
Ologunagba stated further that the PDP is unique and former members are welcome to return.
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Bitcoin Smashes Past $124K For The First Time

Bitcoin has climbed past $124,000 on Thursday, August 14.
This is the first time Bitcoin is crossing the $124k mark.
Analysts say the latest peak was fueled by growing demand from U.S. retirement accounts, institutional investors, and treasury firms. The move coincided with a rally in American stocks, reflecting heightened global risk appetite.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency by market value rose 0.9% from its July peak, while Ethereum hit $4,700 — its highest level since late 2021. Bitcoin is now trading near $121,500, having broken decisively above the $120K mark after a strong rally from $116K.
Analysts say the breakout signals strong momentum, supported by President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto policies, increased certainty of Federal Reserve rate cuts in September, and sustained exchange-traded fund inflows. Bitcoin’s market capitalization now stands at around $2.5 trillion, while Ethereum’s has climbed to nearly $575 billion. Together, the two account for roughly 70% of the global crypto market.
A recent executive order from Trump allows 401(k) retirement accounts to invest directly in cryptocurrencies — a potential multi-trillion-dollar pool of capital. Even a modest allocation could deliver a significant boost to Bitcoin prices.
Institutional and treasury buying has added further fuel to the rally, with steady payroll contributions in retirement accounts creating consistent purchasing pressure. Large custodians and asset managers are now expected to source more Bitcoin directly, bolstering its legitimacy as a mainstream investment.
Trump, who calls himself the “crypto president,” has overseen sweeping regulatory changes, including stablecoin legislation and securities reforms to accommodate digital assets. His administration’s stance, combined with a favorable macroeconomic outlook, has driven Bitcoin up nearly 32% in 2025.
Analysts suggest that if Bitcoin sustains its momentum above $125,000, it could be on track to hit $150,000, cementing its position as a cornerstone of institutional and retail investment portfolios.
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Five Internet Fraudsters Jailed in Benin (Photo)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has convicted five internet fraudsters.
The convicts were tried before Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City.
This was contained in a statement by the EFCC on their official X account.
According to the statement, the convicts, Ayo Korede, Ogbemudia Osaretin, Harry Ehimien, Osasumwen Osahenator and Efosa Richard, were prosecuted on separate one-count charges, bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge against Osaretin reads: “That you Ogbemudia Osaretin (m) on or about the 31st of July, 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession, in your iPhone 14 Pro Max, documents which you knew or ought to have known contained a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The convicts pleaded guilty to their charge, following which the prosecution counsel, I. M. Elodi, I.K. Agwai, K.Y. Bello, A. A. Ibrahim, Ibrahim Faisal and M.S. Dahiru prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Korede, Osaretin, Osahenator and Richard to two years imprisonment, respectively, or to pay N200,000 (Two hundred thousand Naira) fine each, while he convicted and sentenced Ehimien to two years imprisonment or to pay N100,000 (One hundred thousand Naira) fine or do community service.
All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptop computers and balances in their respective bank accounts, which were tagged as tools and proceeds of their crimes.
The convicts were arrested by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, following credible intelligence that exposed their involvements in fraudulent internet activities.

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