CRIME
Jonathan Faults Femi Kuti’s Comment Over EFCC Case as Deputy Governor.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Office of former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has described as false, the claim by Afrobeat singer, Femi Kuti, that the former President was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud when he was Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
In debunking the claim, Wealth Dickson Ominabo, a media officer in the former President’s office, stated that Kuti might have been misled by some fake information being spread in the past, by some unscrupulous politicians, stressing that the anti-graft agency gave the former President a clean bill at the time in question.
Ominabo said in a statement: “We have just watched a video broadcast by Femi Kuti, where he sought to clarify his position on the recent removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
In the same message, we noticed that in trying to push his case, Femi needlessly brought former President Goodluck Jonathan into the fray, by alleging that Dr. Jonathan was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during his time as a deputy governor of Bayelsa State.
“We would have ignored the false claim, as we had done in the past if it had not come from Mr. Kuti, an internationally acclaimed musician and patriot, who we also hold in high regard. While struggling in the video to dissociate himself from politicians whom he accused of corruption, Kuti had said: “Let me remind you that Jonathan was wanted by the EFCC as a Vice Governor (we guess he meant Deputy Governor) of Bayelsa State.
This spurious claim is simply a lie, fabricated and repeatedly planted in the media by merchants of mischief for political purposes.
“We have said this before and we will repeat it: For the avoidance of any doubt, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s name was never on any EFCC list of corrupt governors or deputy governors as the case may be.” We challenge anybody, including Femi, to prove otherwise.
Let us remind Femi and others that the former Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who was in office at the time President Jonathan was a deputy governor, did state categorically dismissed those allegations as lies manufactured by political jobbers.
“It is disappointing that a celebrity of Femi’s stature, whom many respect as a voice of reason and truth, has suddenly become a purveyor of fake news and misinformation. We will admonish Femi and his likes to freely express their rights to give their opinion on any national issue without resorting to falsehood and sullying the hard-earned reputation of individuals.”
CRIME
Troops Nab Foreign National, Terrorists Logistics Suppliers, Others

By David Torough, Abuja
The Defense Headquarters has disclosed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a Chinese national and several suspected logistics suppliers as well as their collaborators of terrorist groups during coordinated operations in Borno and Yobe States.
This was revealed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye on Friday in Abuja during the military’s weekly press briefing.
He said the arrests were made between June 5 and 7 in Kukawa and Ngala Local Government Areas of Borno State and Geidam LGA of Yobe State.
“ Between 6 – 10 June 2025, troops, in conjunction with security agencies and hybrid forces, conducted offensive operations in Gwoza, Ngala and Marte LGAs of Borno State as well as Bade and GujbaLGAs of Yobe State.
During the operations, some terrorists were eliminated while one drug peddler was arrested. Also, 3 kidnapped victims were rescued.“The troops also recovered arms and ammunition as well as IEDs/IED making materials, motorcycles, and vehicles amongst others. Terrorists’ camp and equipment were burnt insitu.
“Troops arrested 5 terrorists logistics suppliers, collaborators and a Chinese nationale claiming to be a miner during well-coordinated operations conducted in Kukawa and Ngala LGAs of Borno State as well as Geidam LGA of Yobe State between 5 – 7June 2025. Amongst the items recovered were vehicle, motorcycle, mobile phones, Chinese International passport, while the sum of N10,000.00 was also recovered from them.
“Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Gwoza and Abadam LGAs of Borno State as well as Nangere LGA of Yobe State from 6 – 9 June 2025. During the encounters, troops killed some terrorists and rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Some weapons and ammunition were recovered from them.
The military spokesman reassured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all through ongoing strategic operations across the country.
Kangye emphasized that the military’s primary objective is to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians, while promoting a just and secure society.
He added that proactive measures, such as enhanced surveillance and intelligence gathering, are being implemented to respond swiftly to evolving security challenges, neutralize threats and maintain national peace.
Providing updates on recent military operations, Kangye reported that in the South-South region, troops under Operation Delta Safe have intensified efforts against crude oil theft and illegal refining, leading to the dismantling of illicit sites and the seizure of materials used in these activities.
In the Northwest, he highlighted the achievements of Operation Fasan Yama, where operations in Zamfara and Sokoto States led to the neutralization of threats, rescue of hostages, and recovery of equipment.
He appealed for continued public support and cooperation, stressing that national security could only be engendered through collective effort.
CRIME
3 Docked for Allegedly Breaking into Bank, Stealing Laptops

Three men, Olufemi Faleti, 59, Ayoade Adewale 41 and Idowu Yusuf, 41, on Friday, were brought before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court Ibadan charged with breaking into a bank and stealing laptops.
The defendants,whose addresses were not provided, were charged with conspiracy, house breaking and stealing, to which they pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp Elisha Tellang told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences on March 24, at 7:30 p.
m, at First Bank, Asogo, Oyo.He alleged that the defendants broke into the bank and stole two laptops worth N800, 000.
Tellang said the offences contravened Sections 516, 413 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs Moyosore Atanda granted each defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 and with two sureties each in like sum.
She adjourned the case until Sept. 8, for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Ex-convict Bags 2 years Imprisonment for Stealing Speaker, Mobile Phone

An Ota Magistrate’s Court in Ogun, on Friday, sentenced a 21-year-old ex-convict, Habeeb Jimoh, to two years imprisonment for stealing a Zealot speaker, Infinix mobile phone and other goods worth N595,000.
In her judgment, the Magistrate, Mrs O.
O.
Fadairo, sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment without an option of fine.Fadairo said that the prosecution counsel had proven beyond reasonable doubt that he was guilty of the charge preferred against him.
The convict, of no fixed address, had pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. E. O. Adaraloye, told the court that the convict committed the offence on May 28, at about 3.
00 a.m. at Singer area, Ewupe in Sango-Ota.Adaraloye said that the security guard identified him after stealing a Zealot speaker, an Infinix phone and other items, worth N595,000, after which he fled.
According to him, the offence contravenes Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. (NAN)