A staff member of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Gideon Bakpa Aghogho, alongside an alleged accomplice, Oscar Ebere Chukwuebuka, was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The suspects were brought before Justice F.S.N. Ogazi by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unauthorized access to computer systems, illegal disclosure of credentials, and retention of proceeds from unlawful activities. An additional suspect, identified as “Scott,” remains at large.

Key Highlights of the Arraignment

• Access Credentials Breach: According to the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, the charges stem from the illegal provision and utilization of sensitive server IP and domain credentials that could grant unauthorized entry to the FCMB Virtual Center Platform.

• Plea and Legal Representation: When the charges were read, Aghogho entered a plea of not guilty, while Chukwuebuka pleaded guilty. Prosecution counsel Bilikisu Buhari requested trial dates and a review of facts respectively.

• Court Remand and Next Date: Justice Ogazi ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility and adjourned the matter to August 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial proceedings and the review of facts.

• Financial Indictments: Court documents allege that the disclosure of the bank’s system access details was conducted in exchange for thousands of dollars, with individual counts also citing the retention of illegal proceeds.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Tinubu, has approved approximately ₦438 billion for major road construction, rehabilitation, and nationwide trailer park concessions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The approvals were announced on Wednesday by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, following the FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Approved Road Construction and Rehabilitation Projects

• Ekiti State: Reconstruction of the Ado-Ekiti–Iyin–Aramoko–Itawure–Osun border road awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Ltd. for ₦159.83 billion. Additionally, Phase II rehabilitation of the Ado-Ekiti–Afe Babalola University Road was approved for ₦54.52 billion.

• Ogun State: A variation order of ₦54.12 billion was approved for the rehabilitation of the Abeokuta–Iboro–Ilaro Road, alongside the construction of the Ilara–Iselu Road (Phases II–V) awarded to JRB Construction Company Ltd. for ₦94.24 billion, with a 24-month completion period.

• Rivers State: Reconstruction of the 15 km Port Harcourt–Eleme Junction–Onne Port Junction section of the East-West Road was awarded to RCC Nigeria Ltd. for ₦74.51 billion, targeted for completion within nine months.

Highway and Trailer Park Public-Private Partnerships

• Niger State: Development of the 7.9 km Dikko–Maje section of the Suleja–Minna Road approved under a 40-year concession to Graciatech Engineering Nigeria Ltd. for ₦56.75 billion.

• Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Operation and maintenance approved under a 25-year concession to LIB Concession Group for ₦96.43 billion.

• Abia State: Development of a greenfield trailer park at Aro-Ngwa awarded under a 50-year concession to Greg Jane International Ltd. for ₦19.70 billion.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered an immediate halt to the commercial use of green areas, public parks, and recreational gardens as car dealership lots across the nation’s capital.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Announced in a statement released on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the directive comes in response to rising concerns from stakeholders and lawmakers regarding recurring flooding in parts of Abuja.

Key Highlights of the Directive

• Crackdown on Unauthorized Usage: The FCT Administration has established a special task force to closely monitor public spaces—such as Millennium Park—and ensure compliance by removing all illegal car lots.

• Probe into Civil Servants: Minister Wike has ordered a full-scale investigation into public officials suspected of granting illegal approvals for commercial activities in protected green zones.

• Summoning of Officials: The FCT Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, has summoned key directors across relevant departments, including Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management, and Urban Affairs, to address the infractions.