1. Falana Says EFCC Acted Within the Law on Osun Account Freeze
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) acted within the law when it restricted an Osun State Government account. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Falana said the commission has the power to freeze accounts belonging to federal, state or local governments, provided it obtains a court order within 72 hours.
Falana cited previous Court of Appeal and Supreme Court decisions which, according to him, support the EFCC’s authority to take such action. He also cautioned against the perception that anti-corruption agencies should stop investigations simply because an election is approaching.
The EFCC had linked the Osun account restriction to an ongoing investigation into suspicious transfers involving about N11 billion in public funds. President Bola Tinubu later directed the commission to vacate the restriction ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with the controversy now centred largely on the timing of the action.
2. Tinubu Plans Full Listing of NNPC Limited on Nigerian Exchange
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed plans to reform the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and list the entire company on the Nigerian Exchange as part of efforts to deepen Nigeria’s capital market and attract long-term investment.
Speaking while receiving the board and management of the Nigerian Exchange Group at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu said the proposed listing would give more Nigerians an opportunity to own shares in the national oil company. He also linked the plan to his administration’s ambition of growing the Nigerian economy to one trillion dollars.
The NGX Group told the President that the Nigerian capital market had grown from about N30 trillion in 2023 to approximately N160 trillion. Discussions also covered the possible listing of viable government assets and the need for clearer policies on capital gains tax affecting listed securities, although no specific date was announced for the NNPC listing.
3. Kwara Governor Receives Rescued Woro Abductees as 46 Remain Hospitalised
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has received 163 residents rescued after they were abducted from Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area. The victims were handed over to the state government by military authorities in Ilorin after months in captivity.
The governor said 46 of the rescued persons, mostly women and children, are still receiving treatment in hospitals. The wider security operation also led to the rescue of about 145 other abductees from neighbouring Niger State, in what authorities described as a major coordinated rescue effort.
Some survivors reportedly told harrowing accounts of their time in captivity, including the deaths of relatives and children. Reports indicate that 13 children died during the ordeal, while some women gave birth while being held captive.
AbdulRazaq directed continued medical care and reintegration support for the survivors and said efforts would continue to rebuild the affected communities. The situation has also renewed concerns over those still unaccounted for and the need for sustained security around the affected areas.
4. Nigeria Rejoins World Energy Council as Bala Wunti Becomes Inaugural CEO
Nigeria has formally rejoined the World Energy Council with the inauguration of a new National Member Committee and Governing Board. Former NNPC Limited Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, has been appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian chapter.
The Governing Board is chaired by Abdulrazaq Isa of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, with other members drawn from government, the energy industry, regulation and academia. The development is expected to give Nigeria a stronger voice in international discussions on energy security, affordability and sustainability.
Wunti said the Nigerian chapter would focus on building an energy system capable of supporting economic growth and shared prosperity. The World Energy Council, established in 1923, provides a platform for countries and industry stakeholders to collaborate on major global energy challenges.
5. ICPC Declares Foreign Investment Council Fake, Recommends Prosecution
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has submitted an interim report to President Bola Tinubu declaring the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council a fictitious organisation that was never established by law or executive order.
ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu said Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as an official of the council, was never appointed by the Federal Government. He added that the appointment letter and other documents used to establish the organisation were forged.
The commission also uncovered two additional fictitious agencies linked to the case and recommended Adeyemi’s prosecution, alongside administrative sanctions against officials who may have enabled the scheme. President Tinubu had ordered a 30-day investigation following the controversy surrounding the purported council.
The investigation found that no federal funds were disbursed to the fake organisation and that there was no security breach at the State House or the Central Bank of Nigeria. The findings have instead raised questions about gaps in the verification of individuals and organisations claiming government authority.
6. Customs Intercepts 140 Rifles and Cannabis Products Worth N373.8 Million
The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted components of at least 140 double-barrel pump-action rifles and cannabis-infused products worth N373.8 million at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi said the 20-foot container carrying the rifle components arrived on July 8 and was selected for examination through intelligence-led risk management. Officers discovered knocked-down JoJeff rifle parts which could be assembled into complete firearms.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the consignment, while the alleged principal importer remains at large. Customs also seized two containers containing cannabis-infused gummies and cookies.
The agency said the seizures formed part of efforts to prevent arms smuggling and the importation of prohibited substances through Nigeria’s seaports. Investigations are continuing to establish the wider network behind the consignments.
7. Sahel States Protest Tinubu’s Remarks on Regional Insecurity
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have protested comments by President Bola Tinubu linking Nigeria’s rising insecurity and kidnapping crisis to security challenges in the Sahel region. The foreign ministers of the three countries summoned Nigeria’s chargé d’affaires in Ouagadougou over the remarks.
Tinubu had told traditional rulers that some of the attackers responsible for insecurity in Nigeria were not Nigerians and that instability in neighbouring countries was worsening the country’s security challenges.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), made up of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, said the three countries were facing the same terrorist threats and argued that their military operations were helping to restrict the movement of armed groups across the region.
The disagreement comes amid strained relations between Nigeria and the three countries, which withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States. The diplomatic exchange also reflects wider concerns over the spread of jihadist groups across borders in West Africa.
8. Super Falcons Thrash Egypt 6-2 to Reach WAFCON Quarter-Finals
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt 6-2 in their final Group C match in Morocco.
Asisat Oshoala scored from the penalty spot, while Gift Monday, Uchenna Kanu, Christy Ucheibe, captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Joy Omewa also found the net for Nigeria. Egypt scored twice through Nadine Ghazi, but the Falcons maintained control to secure a convincing victory.
The result follows Nigeria’s opening defeat to Malawi and subsequent win over Zambia, allowing the defending champions to finish second in the group. The team, coached by Justin Madugu, will now face Cameroon in the quarter-finals.
The Super Falcons are seeking a record 11th continental title and are also competing for qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The convincing win over Egypt has strengthened confidence around the team as the knockout stage begins.
9. Presidency Rejects Calls for EFCC Chairman’s Resignation
The Presidency has rejected calls for the removal or resignation of EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede over the controversy surrounding the restriction of an Osun State Government account.
Government officials maintained that the anti-graft agency acted within its statutory powers and had obtained a court order before restricting the account. According to the Presidency, President Tinubu’s intervention was focused on the timing of the action ahead of the Osun governorship election and not on stopping the investigation itself.
The controversy has continued to attract reactions from political parties, lawyers and civil society organisations. While some groups have questioned the EFCC’s action so close to the election, others have defended the commission’s responsibility to investigate suspected financial crimes regardless of the political calendar.
10. Taraba Governor Picks Muslim Running Mate for 2027
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has announced Zainab Ibrahim as his preferred running mate ahead of the 2027 governorship election under the All Progressives Congress. Kefas, who is a Christian, also praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration while announcing the choice.
The decision has attracted attention because of the religious balance between the governor and his proposed running mate. It also comes as political parties across the country begin early preparations and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The choice is expected to form part of wider political calculations in Taraba, where religious and regional considerations often influence electoral strategy. Further discussions within the party are expected as preparations for the election gather pace.
