News
Buhari, SSG’s Signatures Forged to Defraud Nigeria of $6.2m in CBN – EFCC

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC,) insisted on Monday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory that the signatures of late President Muhammadu Buhari and former Boss Mustapha, secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), were forged by unscrupulous Nigerians to defraud the country of $6,230,000.

Mr Godwin Emefiele, former CBN governor
Mr Chinedu Eneanya, assistant commander II, EFCC, told the court that five officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) moved the money out of the apex bank under the guise that it was meant for the payment of foreign election observers in the 2023 general elections.
The anti-graft agency testified on Monday at the resumed trial of Mr Godwin Emefiele, former CBN governor, on a 20-count charge of criminal breach of trust brought against him by the federal government.
Emefiele is being prosecuted by the EFCC in the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/577/2023.
He is standing trial on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence while serving as CBN governor.
Emefiele was, among others, alleged to have knowingly obtained by false pretence the sum of $6,230,000 purportedly meant for international election observers for the 2023 general election.
The EFCC accused him of conferring corrupt advantages on two companies — April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment.
At Monday’s proceedings, Chinedu Eneanya, who served on the probe panel, was called to testify as the 13th prosecution witness (PW13).
In his evidence-in-chief, the witness told the court that his team was assigned to investigate the matter.
“The investigation revealed that the money, $6.2 million, was removed from the coffers of the CBN for a purported funding of foreign observers for the 2023 elections.”
He told the court that those connected with the movement of the fund were interviewed.
The witness said documents were recovered from the CBN regarding the release of the money.
Eneanya told the court that investigations also revealed that the signatures of the then President, Muhammadu Buhari, and then Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, were forged to collect the money.
He said forensic examination was carried out, which established that the two signatures were forged.
Drama, however, ensued during cross-examination by Mathew Burkaa, SAN, counsel to Emefiele, when the witness admitted that forensic examination was not carried out on Emefiele’s signature despite Emefiele’s claim that his signature was also forged by the culprits.
The witness said five CBN officers signed the internal memo that authorised the release of the money and that none of them is standing trial alongside Emefiele, but were only suspended by the CBN.
The witness told the court that he was not the one who took Emefiele’s extra-judicial statements.
When asked if any of the investigators established that Emefiele received any money, he said Emefiele’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Omeke, said he received money on behalf of Emefiele, but that he did not interview Emefiele on the claim.
Earlier, Emefiele’s counsel had frowned at bringing another Investigating Police Officer (IPO) on the ground that the witness would say the same thing said by two other IPOs.
He also drew the attention of the court to the last proceedings where the EFCC told the court that it was bringing its last witness.
“We understand their strategy. It seems they are ridiculing the court. All the same, we are ready to go on.”
Emefiele, through his counsel, applied for the foreclosure of the EFCC’s case after prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that he was not sure of bringing two witnesses on April 28.
Oyedepo informed the court that the EFCC was yet to obtain the subpoena from the court and that the witnesses were outside jurisdiction in Benin and Lagos.
When the court asked the prosecution how many more witnesses it intended to call, Oyedepo said two more and mentioned their names as Jim Obessa and CP Eloho Okpozikbo.
The court then asked the prosecution to bring all the witnesses between April 27 and 28.
At this point, Burkaa applied to the court that the EFCC’s case be foreclosed if it failed to bring the two remaining witnesses to court on April 28.
“If the witnesses do not come on April 28, we apply that they should be foreclosed. Justice is both for the prosecution and the defendant.
“This is an antic by the prosecution to put maximum hardship on the defendant. Please let it be on record that the prosecution has severally brought out this scenario,” he said.
Responding, Oyedepo told the court that he was not there to be a clog in the expeditious trial of the case and prayed the court to refuse the application to shut the doors against the prosecution.
Justice Hamza Muazu advised parties to reserve their arguments till their final addresses and directed Oyedepo to go to the court registrar for the signing of the subpoena.
Justice Muazu then adjourned till April 28 for continuation of trial.
News
Africa Prudential Unveils Digital Growth Strategy

Africa Prudential Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth and digital transformation after posting another strong half-year financial performance, driven by robust growth in its core registrar business, technology-driven solutions and increased activity in Nigeria’s capital market.

Speaking during the company’s H1 2026 Investor Call on Tuesday, the management outlined plans to deepen revenue diversification and accelerate innovation as part of efforts to reduce reliance on interest income and strengthen long-term profitability.
The company reported gross earnings of ₦4.28 billion for the first half of 2026, representing a 27 per cent increase from ₦3.34 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Profit before tax rose by 22 per cent to ₦2.41 billion, while profit after tax climbed 18 per cent to ₦1.59 billion.
Net operating income also increased by 27 per cent to ₦4.21 billion, while total assets grew by 13 per cent to ₦46.53 billion. Shareholders’ funds similarly rose by 13 per cent to ₦12.52 billion.
According to the company, the impressive performance was driven by sustained growth in its registrar business, increased corporate actions across the Nigerian capital market, stronger treasury earnings supported by the prevailing interest rate environment and rising adoption of its technology-enabled products and services.African Mineral Wealth
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Catherine Nwosu, said Africa Prudential is steadily evolving from a traditional share registrar into a diversified technology and business solutions provider serving the broader capital market ecosystem.
Addressing concerns from investors about the sustainability of earnings if interest rates decline, Nwosu said the company was deliberately expanding its non-interest income sources.
“Interest rates influence our treasury income positively, but that is why we are deliberately diversifying our revenue streams. Our strategy is to grow recurring fee-based business lines such as our digital solutions, Know Your Customer (KYC) services, AGM technology, probate services and the SabiVest mobile app. Over time, this will reduce our reliance on interest income and create a more balanced and resilient earnings mix,” she said.
She noted that increasing activity in the Nigerian capital market presents fresh opportunities for technology-driven solutions.
“With capital market activity nearly doubling over the past year, demand for seamless digital investor experiences, improved market efficiency and stronger compliance standards continues to grow. We are investing in technology-enabled solutions that position us to capitalise on these opportunities while delivering sustainable value to our shareholders,” she added.
Looking ahead, the company identified five strategic priorities for the second half of 2026, including driving sustainable growth through its core registrar business and new revenue streams, accelerating technology-led product innovation, strengthening brand leadership, investing in talent development and reinforcing corporate governance.
The investor call attracted institutional investors, shareholders, analysts, regulators and other capital market stakeholders, reflecting strong interest in Africa Prudential’s earnings outlook, revenue diversification strategy and long-term growth plans.
News
IHS Nigeria Donates Business-Support Equipment to Empower People with Disabilities in Abuja Community

Communications infrastructure company, IHS Nigeria, has donated business support equipment to empower people with disabilities within the Karonmajiji community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This is part of the company’s commitment to drive inclusive community development and sustainable livelihood support under its Project Empower initiative.

The equipment was distributed to beneficiaries during a ceremony held in the community on Monday, July 27. The initiative was conceived following a community needs assessment and is designed to empower active traders by providing them with business tools rather than cash grants, thereby strengthening their businesses and ensuring long-term economic impact and accountability.
Speaking at the event, Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, described the initiative as a reflection of the company’s commitment to advancing inclusive development by equipping persons with disabilities with the tools and opportunities needed to build resilient livelihoods.
She explained that rather than providing short-term financial assistance, IHS Nigeria adopted an asset-based approach by donating 50 pieces of business support equipment, including sewing machines, freezers, generators and hairdressing kits, to the selected beneficiaries.
According to her, the intervention is designed to create lasting value by supporting entrepreneurship, promoting self-reliance and strengthening household incomes, while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
In his opening remarks, the Chief of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammed Katsina, represented by the Secretary of the Community, Alhaji Mohammed Dantani commended IHS Nigeria for its commitment to empowering persons with disabilities through practical and sustainable interventions.
He described the initiative as a demonstration of genuine partnership with the community and expressed appreciation for the company’s continued engagement with the Association, noting that the donation of the equipment was a significant investment in improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities and would create meaningful economic opportunities for the beneficiaries and their families.
The event brought together traditional rulers, government representatives, leaders and members of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community Association, implementing partners, including Field of Skills and Dreams Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship (FSD VTE) Training Institute and other community stakeholders, reaffirming a shared commitment to promoting inclusion and sustainable community development.
Project Empower reinforces IHS Nigeria’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through strategic partnerships that promote economic inclusion, strengthen community resilience and create opportunities for underserved communities.
News
CIBN, ACAMB Push for Financial Inclusion, Women Empowerment

The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) and the Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) have enjoined banks to further deepen and prioritize financial inclusion, women’s empowerment and sustained growth through strategic mandates and frameworks, aimed at closing the financial gap and empowering more small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners.

Both organisations made this call during a courtesy visit to the newly invested 24th President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Dele Alabi, Ph.D, FCIB, as part of plans to congratulate him on his investiture as well as seek a stronger alliance between both bodies.
The visit followed Alabi’s investiture where he unveiled his “IMPACT” Vision, themed “Consolidating Our Local Impact, Enhancing Our Global Relevance.”
The vision rests on six pillars: Inclusion across geographic, gender, and generational lines; Membership growth and quality; Professionalism and ethics; Accountability; Competencies and skills development; Technology, automation, and innovation. Other areas of shared interest, include women empowerment, financial inclusion and literacy, as well as MSME clinics, all of which are top on his agenda.
Alabi explained that under him, the institute will be prioritising financial inclusion and women empowerment, because of its realisation that women are often the primary financial managers and caregivers in families. Access to savings, micro-credit, and insurance acts as a safety net during crisis and allows them to significantly improve living conditions.
He added that CIBN would be happy to drive joint knowledge sharing and exchange sessions with CBN and ACAMB across various platforms. “Educating the public through public awareness programmes, with ACAMB as the rallying point, is central to what we do,” he noted.
ACAMB President, Jide Sipe, who led the delegation, spoke in unison with the CIBN president, as he noted that, closing the inbalances in financial access help economies grow faster, reduces inequality, and encourages greater civic participation by all.
Telecom2 days agoFact-Check: Elon Musk’s “Tesla Pi Phone” is Internet Rumor
E-Financial2 days agoMalpass, Ex World Bank Chief Raises Alarm over Nigeria’s Secretive Debt Structures
Telecom2 days agoHow and Why Apps Deplete Data – ALTON
News2 days agoCIBN, ACAMB Push for Financial Inclusion, Women Empowerment
E-Financial2 days agoS&P Global Acquires Agusto & Co. to Strengthen Credit Ratings Across Africa
Telecom2 days agoGalaxy Backbone Soft Launches Government Service Portal to Simplify Access to Public Services
E-Business2 days agoNDPC Directs DCPMIs to Register with Agency or Face Legal Consequences
Broadcasting2 days agoAfrica Prudential Posts N1.59bn Profit in H1 2026, Reaffirms Digital Growth Strategy


















