The Nigerian Police Force has taken an officer into custody after a viral video showed them seemingly mishandling the naira alongside the sons of billionaire Razaq Okoya.

The officer was seen holding large amounts of naira notes while Subomi ‘Sirheem’ Okoya and his brother Wahab danced to a tune.

The video was allegedly a promotional clip for Sirheem’s new song.

This incident has sparked concerns about the recurring abuse of Nigeria’s currency and the use of police officers for private business. In 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) increased its enforcement of naira abuse by celebrities, citing Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.

For instance, Bobrisky, a social media celebrity, was arrested in Lagos on April 4 for defacing naira notes.

The crossdresser was arraigned on a six-count charge by the EFCC. Similarly, the EFCC filed a three-count charge against Cubana Chief Priest, a socialite and social media influencer, over alleged naira abuse.

Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, stated that the officer in the video has been detained and will face disciplinary action.

“The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of the Lagos businessman, Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action,” Adejobi wrote on X.

Adejobi added, “The involvement of the policeman has been condemned, as it’s unethical. We will always strive hard to uphold the sanctity, credibility, and core values of the police.”

Subomi ‘Sirheem’ Okoya apologized to the police, stating that his actions were naive and unintentional. “To the Nigerian people, my actions were not to cause any trouble or harm. My intentions were pure and naive,” he wrote on X.

According to Section 21 of the CBN Act, tampering with a coin or note issued by the Bank is punishable by imprisonment for at least six months or a fine of at least N50,000, or both.

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested four Chinese nationals and 101 Nigerians in a business apartment in the Gudu area of Abuja over suspected internet fraud.

The commission announced the arrests on Thursday, 9 January 2025, via a tweet on its X handle on Friday.

“The suspects, comprising 67 males (including four Chinese nationals) and 38 females, were allegedly involved in a hotel review job scam targeting victims and hotels in Europe and other parts of the world.

“The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigations,” the tweet partly read.

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Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has formally appointed Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo, following “thorough consultations.”

The announcement was made on Friday by Commissioner for Information and Orientation Dotun Oyelade, confirming Governor Makinde’s approval of Owoade’s appointment.

“The Oyomesi, after thorough consultations and divinations, have recommended Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo, and Governor Seyi Makinde has given his approval,” the statement read.

This development brings an end to the prolonged controversies surrounding the passing of former Alaafin Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III in April 2022.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ademola Ojo expressed confidence that Owoade’s appointment would resolve disputes related to the late Oba’s passing.

“This decision has resolved the socio-legal controversies that emerged after the transition of Oba Adeyemi. We urge the people of Oyo State to support the new Alaafin and celebrate this historic moment,” Ojo stated.

Oyelade hopes the new Alaafin’s reign will usher in peace, unity, and prosperity for Oyo State residents.

“We pray that his reign brings progress and harmony to the people of Oyo and strengthens the historic legacy of the Alaafin institution,” Oyelade concluded.

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has prohibited the Federal High Court in Kano from intervening in the Kano Emirate’s ongoing legal dispute.

In a divided ruling, with two justices opposing one, the appellate court decreed that the federal high court lacks the authority to intervene in Kano State’s chieftaincy affairs.

Justice Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole, who delivered the lead judgment, stated that the federal high court should not have interfered in the chieftaincy matters, but instead ordered the case to be transferred to the Kano state high court.

However, Presiding Justice Mustapha Mohammed and another justice concurred with Kolawole that the federal high court had no jurisdiction over the Kano emirate’s legal battle.

They disagreed with Kolawole’s decision to return the case to the Kano Chief Judge for reassignment, instead ruling that the case should be struck out due to lack of jurisdiction.

Consequently, the two justices dismissed the federal high court’s proceedings, citing lack of jurisdiction as the primary reason.

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The Ogun police command has announced the arrest of Abiodun John, leader of the Alora cult group, along Akute-Olambe road in the state.

Omolola Odutola, police spokesperson, disclosed that John was apprehended during a routine stop-and-search operation on Thursday.

A firearm was allegedly seized from John’s possession during a vehicle search at the time of his arrest, according to Odutola.

“On January 9, 2025, at about 3:30 PM, Ajuwon police officers were conducting a lawful patrol and performing stop-and-search duties along the Akute/Olambe road when they received information from the public regarding two men suspected to be inside a Venza car with dealer number URSMOT AUTOS 4657DLA,” the statement reads.

“Immediately the information was intercepted, the officers pursued the vehicle, which was eventually stopped in front of the Osaro Mobile Filling Station.

“One suspect, identified as Abiodun John, a 25-year-old male from the Olori area of Akute, was arrested, while another suspect remains at large.

“During the search of the vehicle, two locally-made pistols and three live cartridges were discovered in John’s possession.”

Odutola stated that initial investigations are underway, and the suspect and confiscated items have been taken to the police station for further action.

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In Lagos State, a deadly road accident on Thursday claimed the life of a yet-to-be-identified driver.

The driver was burnt to death during the incident which happened along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The driver was said to have lost control of the vehicle collided with a moving truck, causing an eruption of inferno that engulfed the vehicle.

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident on Friday.

Taofiq stated that the impact of the collision led the vehicle to catch fire while the driver was trapped in the inferno.

He disclosed that efforts by emergency responders could not rescue the driver from death as he was recovered dead.

He said: “The incident involved a Toyota Highlander Jeep (GGE 432 JC) and an empty Sino tipper truck.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the Toyota Highlander Jeep, travelling inward Ajah, lost control while in motion, veered across the expressway, and collided with the moving Sino tipper truck heading toward Epe.

“The collision resulted in the Toyota Highlander catching fire, with the driver tragically trapped inside.”

The body of the driver was said to have been handed over to his family.

He continued, “LASTMA Officers, in conjunction with the Lagos State Fire Services (Epe Division), acted swiftly to extinguish the fire and recover the remains of the driver.

“The deceased’s body was subsequently handed over to his family members, who arrived at the scene from Epe.”

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In Ekiti State, one Omodara Dada will spend the next seven years of his life behind bars for burglary, a court has ruled.

The 26-year-old was convicted and sentenced by an Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division. .

Dada was said to have robbed one Fakiyesi Tope of his N64,000 phone and N8,000 cash while armed with a knife in 2022.

According to the charge sheet, the convict committed the crime on February 13, 2022, at Ado Ekiti, within the jurisdiction of the court

He was arraigned before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye on July 19, 2022, on a count charge of armed robbery contrary to Section 312 (2) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2011.

The victim had in his statement to the police, stated, “I am a hotel manager. On the fateful day, I was sleeping in my hotel room, I woke up suddenly when I heard a sound. I saw the defendant trying to remove my Plasma television, I attempted to shout, but he brought out a knife. He threatened to stab me if I shouted.

“I later discovered that he had packed my phone and a cash sum of N8,000 that I placed on the table. I held him from behind when he wanted to escape, and I called for help. He was overpowered with the assistance of others, apprehended and handed over to the police,” he stated.

To prove his case, the prosecutor, Albert Adeyemi, called three witnesses and tendered statements of the victim and defendant, a knife and a cash sum of N8,000 among others as exhibits.

The defendant, who did not call any witness and spoke in his defence through his counsel, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

In his judgement, Justice Ogunmoye said, “The evidence produced at the hearing in support of the greater offence is short of sustaining the charge of armed robbery, but established beyond reasonable doubt, the lesser offence.

“The defendant is convicted for the offence of burglary under Section 323 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State.

“He is sentenced to seven years imprisonment to start running from the date of his detention at Federal Correctional Facility, Ado-Ekiti,” the judge pronounced

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In Sokoto State, a local security personnel (name withheld) has mistakenly taken his own life after a rescue operation.

The deceased, who was said to be an operative of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, shot and killed himself after participating in the joint operation in the state.

66 kidnap victims were rescued during the operation led by the army on Monday at Tidibali forest in the eastern part of the state on Monday.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.) confirmed the incident to newsmen on Wednesday.

According to him, the operative died as a result of accidental discharge shortly after the security operatives returned to their base after the operation.

“The incident happened shortly after they had returned to their base from the operation.

“He was with his gun when it mistakenly fired and shot him. He died shortly afterwards,” he said

The SA said a lot of successes were recorded in the ongoing operation which he said was being sponsored by the state government in a bid to crush bandits in the state.

“So far, 66 kidnap victims have been rescued and several bandits killed during the operation.

“The operation is a continuous one because we want to rid the state of criminal elements, particularly bandits,” he said.

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A Kaduna State High Court has granted bail to activist Mahdi Shehu, setting the bond at ₦3 million with two sureties of equal value, who must be renowned clerics.

Security operatives arrested Shehu over allegations of sharing a misleading video that went viral. On January 2, 2025, a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna had ordered his detention for allegedly making a social media post deemed threatening to national security.

Following his arraignment, charges included conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism, and inciting public disturbances. Shehu was held at the Kaduna Correctional Service Facility.

On Thursday, Justice Murtala J. Zubair granted the bail application, emphasizing the importance of objective evaluation in granting or denying bail.

“The mere and unverified statement by the Respondent that if bail is granted, it will jeopardize their case has no probative significance,” Zubair stated. He stressed that courts must rely on evidence rather than sentiment or speculation.

Justice Zubair affirmed the presumption of innocence at this stage of proceedings and highlighted that bail’s primary function is to ensure the defendant’s presence at trial.

Considering the submissions and available documents, the judge ruled to grant bail, asserting the defendant’s intent was to comply with the conditions.

The court imposed the following conditions for bail:

• The defendant must deposit his international passport and refrain from travelling without court permission.
• He must report monthly to the security office.

Failure to comply would result in his continued detention.

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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has accused the state’s 18 local government councils of mismanaging ₦83 billion in federal allocations over the past 12 months.

Governor Okpebholo made the revelation during a courtesy visit by Akoko-Edo Local Government’s acting Chairman, Alabi Bliss Oshionogue, and councillors to his office in Benin City.

According to the governor, the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu allocated over ₦8 billion to the local councils in December alone.

He explained that between January and September 2024, monthly allocations were around ₦6.5 billion, increasing to over ₦8 billion from October to December.

“Cumulatively, the 18 local government councils led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) earned over ₦83 billion in one year from monthly allocations,” the governor stated.

He highlighted that before President Tinubu’s administration, local governments received ₦3.5 billion monthly, but this figure was later increased to ₦6.5 billion and subsequently over ₦8 billion to promote grassroots development.

Okpebholo lamented the lack of development and accused the suspended council chairmen of withdrawing ₦800 million monthly from local government accounts despite failing to address critical issues such as inadequate classroom facilities and school teacher shortages.

“These chairmen dared to siphon ₦800 million monthly while our schools were left without good classrooms, teachers, or necessary infrastructure,” he said.

The governor emphasized his administration’s commitment to reform and ensuring Edo State progresses. We will invest heavily in agriculture and collaborate to improve things,” he added.

Hon. Alabi Bliss Oshionogue commended Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to grassroots development and promised support for his administration’s efforts.

“We have resolved to work with your administration because governance is moving to the grassroots. We will work together to ensure the state develops,” Oshionogue assured.

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