Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, has been charged alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, with 16 criminal counts involving money laundering, conspiracy, and unlawful acquisition of assets.

The charges, filed at a Federal High Court in Abuja, allege that the trio illicitly acquired over ₦8.7 billion and at least 30 high-value properties across Nigeria between 2015 and 2025.

Court documents indicate that the defendants allegedly used corporate fronts, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, and Meethaq Hotels Limited, to conceal, disguise, and convert funds derived from unlawful activities.

Among the specific allegations, the defendants are accused of;

– Concealing ₦1,014,848,500 in Sterling Bank between July 2022 and June 2025 through Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited.

– Using Metropolitan Auto Tech to retain ₦600 million in March 2021 as collateral for a ₦500 million loan to Rayhaan Hotels Limited.

– Disguising ₦500 million paid to Efab Properties Limited for a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, in November 2022.

– Controlling over ₦2.7 billion through Meethaq Hotels’ Union Bank account between 2022 and 2025.

The charge sheet further details multiple property acquisitions allegedly funded with illicit proceeds, including high-value properties in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi State.

Notable transactions include a ₦700 million property purchase in Garki, Abuja, in 2018 and several plots in Asokoro and Gwarimpa.

Prosecutors allege that all acts violate the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

The total value of funds implicated is ₦8,713,923,759.49, while the properties involved are collectively valued at approximately ₦212.8 billion.

As Christians across the world celebrate Christmas and the New Year, the Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, Hon. John Ogbodo, has called on residents of the council area and the state at large to embrace unity, peace, and collective responsibility for development.

In a Christmas message released to newsmen on Wednesday, Ogbodo urged Christians to reflect on the true meaning of the season, describing Christmas as a period that calls for love, sacrifice, tolerance, and service to humanity.

The council chairman said the festive season offers an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to peaceful coexistence, irrespective of religious, political, or ethnic differences.

He commended Governor Peter Mbah for what he described as purposeful leadership and transformative policies across critical sectors of the state, noting that Enugu is witnessing renewed momentum in infrastructure development, security, education, healthcare and economic growth.

According to Ogbodo, the governor’s vision for a modern and prosperous Enugu State requires the continued support and cooperation of all stakeholders, including local government authorities, traditional institutions, youths, and community leaders.

He called on residents of Nkanu West to rally behind the Mbah administration, stressing that sustained peace and unity remain essential for attracting investment and accelerating development at the grassroots.

The council chairman also reassured the people of his commitment to people-oriented governance, promising to deepen development initiatives in the area in line with the policy direction of the state government.

Ogbodo further urged residents to celebrate responsibly during the festivities and to continue to pray for the peace, security and progress of Enugu State and Nigeria.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said he is qualified to lead Nigeria, pointing to his experience in governance and the private sector amid growing speculation about his presidential ambition.

Makinde made the remarks during a media interaction with selected journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State, where he addressed questions on his suitability for the nation’s highest office.

The governor said his leadership of Oyo State over two terms and his professional background as an engineer adequately prepare him for national leadership.

He noted that serving as a state governor has often been a stepping stone to the presidency, citing President Bola Tinubu’s two-term tenure as Lagos State governor.

Makinde added that by May 2027, he would have completed his second and final term in office, stressing that his performance as governor is open to public scrutiny.

He also referenced his private sector experience, saying he managed an engineering firm at a young age and worked with multinational oil companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil and Chevron, without relying on government patronage.

While acknowledging reports linking him to the 2027 presidential race, Makinde said it is still too early to formally discuss the contest.

He maintained that Nigeria needs a viable democracy with strong opposition parties and criticised the defection of governors and other senior politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress, describing the trend as unhealthy for the country’s democratic growth.

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has urged the people of Rivers State to support the ruling party in the 2027 general elections, backing President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Basiru also commended Fubara for his governance achievements and the delivery of key projects across the state.

The governor’s potential bid for a second term has been a subject of debate, following political tensions triggered by a rift between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Reports indicate that a resolution mediated by President Tinubu was signed by both parties, reportedly including an agreement that Fubara would not seek re-election in 2027.

Speaking at the inauguration of the newly completed Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters at Elimgbu community in Obio-Akpor LGA, Basiru described Rivers State as a model of APC governance.

He said, “The achievements recorded under Governor Fubara reflect the APC’s commitment to people-centered leadership.”

Basiru emphasized the significance of Fubara’s membership in the APC, noting that it strengthened the party’s presence in the South-South region.

“With Governor Fubara in the APC, the South-South geopolitical zone now has all APC governors,” he stated, attributing the development to Tinubu’s leadership.

On the housing project, Basiru highlighted the broader impact of providing official accommodation for senior civil servants.

“By ensuring that public servants are comfortable in their jobs, the state reduces the temptation for corruption and boosts loyalty and transparency,” he said, urging residents to reciprocate the governor’s efforts by supporting the APC in upcoming elections.

Governor Fubara explained that the estate was designed to enhance productivity, improve civil servants’ well-being, and strengthen institutional stability.

He assured that other categories of public servants would also benefit from similar welfare initiatives.

The estate consists of 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings, equipped with modern amenities such as a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV, gymnasium, recreational areas, and landscaped green spaces.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who commissioned the project, praised Fubara for prioritizing the welfare and dignity of public servants, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in institutional continuity.

Members of the APC National Working Committee, senior government officials, and stakeholders attended the event.

Six members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The lawmakers are Robinson Dekor, Solomon Bob, Cyril Hart, Victor Obuzor, Blessing Amadi, and Felix Nwaeke, all of whom were elected on the PDP platform.

Announcing their defection on the floor of the House on Tuesday, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said the legislators cited internal divisions and an unresolved political crisis within the PDP as reasons for their decision.

In their separate letters, the lawmakers noted that the lingering crisis in the opposition party had made it difficult for them to effectively pursue their political goals.

They also pledged their support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Following the latest defections, the PDP’s representation in the Rivers State caucus of the House has dropped from 12 to just two members.

The development comes barely a week after three other Rivers lawmakers; Boniface Emerengwa, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, and Boma Goodhead also defected to the APC.

The remaining PDP lawmakers from Rivers State are the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, and Kelechi Nwogu.

Similarly, two senators from Rivers State, Allwell Onyesoh and Barinada Mpigi, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The senators announced their defections separately during plenary sessions of the Senate, citing deep-seated divisions within the PDP and the necessity of aligning with the Federal Government to better serve their constituents.

Their defection took place in the presence of senior APC leaders from both the national and state levels, underscoring the political significance of the move.

Speaking during plenary, Onyesoh, who represents the Rivers East Senatorial District, said his decision followed extensive consultations with political leaders and stakeholders across his constituency. He explained that his loyalty was first and foremost to the people who elected him rather than to any political party.

He noted that while political parties serve as vehicles for political participation, recent developments had highlighted the importance of working with the centre to attract development and strengthen governance structures in Rivers East.

Onyesoh assured his constituents that his development agenda, particularly in the area of human capital development, would remain unchanged despite his switch in party affiliation.

Similarly, Mpigi, the senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, anchored his defection on constitutional grounds, arguing that the PDP had become mired in unresolved leadership and factional disputes.

Citing Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, Mpigi said the persistent divisions within the PDP at the national, state, local government and ward levels had eroded party cohesion in Rivers State, making his continued membership untenable.

While expressing gratitude to the PDP for providing him the platform to enter the Senate, Mpigi said the party had failed to create a stable and functional environment for its elected officials.

Senior APC officials, including members of the party’s national leadership and the Rivers State chapter, formally received the defectors, describing the development as a major boost for the party in the South-South region ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled February 21, 2026, for the conduct of bye-elections in the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.

The decision was reached at an extraordinary meeting of the commission held on Monday in Abuja.

INEC also reviewed arrangements for the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, which are expected to hold on the same date.

In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the commission said it had approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the Rivers bye-elections in accordance with its constitutional responsibilities.

INEC cited Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the commission to fix election dates and conduct bye-elections to fill vacancies arising in legislative houses.

According to the commission, the Ahoada East II seat became vacant following the resignation of its lawmaker, while the Khana II vacancy resulted from the death of the constituency’s representative.

INEC noted that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly had formally notified the commission of both vacancies.

Under the approved timetable, notice of the elections will be published on January 22, 2026.

Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries, including the resolution of any disputes, between January 23 and January 27.

Campaign activities will commence on February 8 and end on February 19, ahead of the bye-elections scheduled for February 21.