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2026

Crime

Influencer Andrew Tate, Brother Held by US Marshals on 59 Charges

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Controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, were arrested on Saturday in Miami, Florida, as British authorities seek their extradition to face new charges, including rape, human trafficking and assault. The US Marshals Service confirmed the arrest of 39-year-old Andrew Tate and his younger brother but declined to disclose the specific charges, saying the arrest warrant remains sealed. US entertainment outlet TMZ published footage showing law enforcement officers placing the brothers in handcuffs before escorting them into waiting vehicles. In the video, Tristan Tate remained silent when asked by an onlooker if he had any comment. The UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that the brothers were arrested by US marshals and said it would pursue their extradition to the United Kingdom. British authorities said the Tate brothers are facing a total of 59 charges, 42 against Andrew Tate and 17 against Tristan Tate. In a statement, the Head of the CPS Special Crime Division, Malcolm McHaffie, said prosecutors had authorised additional charges against the brothers. “We have decided to prosecute Andrew and Tristan Tate for further offences, including rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, and offences relating to indecent images of a child,” McHaffie said. He added that the latest charges followed the receipt of new evidence from Bedfordshire Police, increasing the number of alleged victims in the case to seven. Earlier this year, police in Hertfordshire, north of London, reopened an investigation into rape and sexual assault allegations made against Andrew Tate by several women between 2014 and 2015. The brothers are also facing separate allegations of rape and human trafficking brought by different women in investigations being conducted by Bedfordshire Police, which covers their hometown of Luton. They are additionally accused of tax evasion and money laundering in the UK. Responding to the latest development, the brothers’ lawyer, Joseph McBride, maintained that they are innocent. “We are confident that once a competent judge sees the facts, and once the Department of Justice confronts this egregious abuse of its own authority, Andrew and Tristan Tate will walk free,” McBride said in a statement. Andrew and Tristan Tate, who hold dual British and American citizenship, have publicly expressed support for US President Donald Trump. In March 2025, authorities in the US state of Florida launched a separate criminal investigation into the brothers, although the status of that inquiry remains unclear. Andrew Tate is one of the most prominent figures associated with the online “manosphere” movement, a network of communities that promote traditional masculinity, anti-feminist views and self-improvement. He has built a massive online following, with more than 10.8 million followers on X, where he frequently shares controversial content centred on alpha-male ideology and misogynistic themes. The brothers are also facing separate criminal proceedings in Romania, where they have been based in recent years. Romanian prosecutors have accused them of offences including trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering.

Governance

Shettima Travels to Sierra Leone for ECOWAS Leaders’ Summit

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha. According to the statement, Shettima will join Heads of State, political leaders, business executives and other stakeholders from across West Africa and beyond at the summit, which will be held at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Freetown. The summit is expected to deliberate on key policy issues, adopt strategic resolutions and reaffirm the commitment of ECOWAS leaders to promoting peace, democracy, economic growth and regional integration across the sub-region. The statement noted that the gathering forms part of the ECOWAS mid-year statutory meetings and will bring together Heads of State and Government, ministers, senior government officials and regional institutions to advance the bloc’s shared priorities. These priorities include strengthening regional security, promoting democratic governance, deepening economic integration, expanding trade, improving infrastructure and advancing sustainable development. The ECOWAS summit is also expected to provide a platform for leaders to address emerging political and economic challenges facing West Africa while exploring measures to enhance regional cooperation and collective prosperity. According to the statement, Vice President Shettima will return to Abuja after concluding his official engagements in Sierra Leone.

Crime

Three Siblings Abducted En Route with Mother’s Corpse in Benue

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Three siblings escorting mother’s corpse to Benue abducted by gunmen Three siblings travelling from Abuja to Benue State with the remains of their mother for burial were reportedly abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Saturday. Sunday PUNCH gathered that the incident occurred around 4 a.m. between Omutele and Ankpechi in Oglewu District, along the Ogobia–Otukpo Road in Ohimini Local Government Area. According to sources, the attackers intercepted the victims’ vehicle while they were transporting their mother’s body to Iklenyi community in neighbouring Okpokwu Local Government Area for burial. The incident marks the second reported attack within a week involving mourners conveying a corpse for burial, raising fresh concerns over the deteriorating security situation on roads connecting Benue and neighbouring states. A resident of Omutele, who identified himself simply as Elijah, said locals were awakened by gunfire between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. “We heard sporadic gunshots between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. today (Saturday), and we initially thought Fulani herdsmen were attacking our community. “At daybreak, we learnt that gunmen had kidnapped some people escorting their mother’s corpse from Abuja to Iklenyi community in neighbouring Okpokwu Local Government Area for burial,” he said. A video circulating on social media claimed the family’s vehicle developed a mechanical fault, leaving them stranded on the highway before the gunmen attacked. It was not immediately clear whether the deceased’s body was also taken by the abductors. Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, said he was heading to the scene to verify the circumstances surrounding the attack. “Yes, I am going to the scene of the incident now to ascertain what really happened,” Adole said. The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive an official report on the incident. She added that she would contact the Divisional Police Officer in the area for details but had not provided further information as of the time this report was filed. The latest abduction comes barely a week after gunmen ambushed a funeral convoy transporting the remains of a late Deputy Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Augustine Ikwue, along the Ochadamu–Ejule Road in Kogi State. During the attack, nine mourners were abducted, while the deceased’s corpse was briefly seized before being abandoned and later recovered by family members for burial. Meanwhile, former Labour Party presidential aspirant Peter Agada has called on President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to end the wave of killings across the country following the recent killing of about 16 people in Akpachi and Otukpo-Nobi communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. Speaking in Abuja on Saturday, Agada urged the Federal Government to move beyond condolence visits and take concrete steps to dismantle criminal groups responsible for violent attacks nationwide. “President Bola Tinubu’s administration must stop being a government of empty ceremonial promises of security and rise to restore Nigeria from being a republic of bloodshed to one of law, order, peace, opportunity and prosperity,” he said. He also called on the government to deploy modern technology and intelligence driven security strategies to tackle terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other violent criminal groups.

Governance, Politics

Tinubu’s BCDA Appointee at Centre of Presidency Power Clash

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Three weeks after President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment of Dr Abdulrazak Namdas as Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has been accused of withholding his appointment letter. The development has sparked a leadership crisis within the agency, as the immediate past chief executive, Dr Dakorinama George, continues to perform official duties despite the President’s directive appointing a new head. The Presidency had, on June 26, announced Namdas’ appointment through a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The statement said Namdas, a former spokesperson for the House of Representatives, was appointed to replace George, who had resigned to contest an elective position in his home state. The statement read in part: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas as the new Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency. Dr Namdas replaces Dr Dakorinama Alabo George, who resigned to contest for an elective post in his home state. “President Tinubu also announced the appointment of Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon as Executive Director, Strategy and Commercial, of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company. He also reappointed Mr Chukwuma Umeoji as Executive Director, Corporate Services, of the NDPHC. The appointments take immediate effect.” However, more than three weeks after the announcement, Sunday PUNCH gathered that Namdas has yet to assume office because the formal appointment letter conveying the President’s directive has not been issued. Meanwhile, George has continued to occupy the office, preside over official engagements and represent the agency at high level government meetings. One such engagement took place on July 9, when George met with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, in Abuja to seek intervention for the release of funds for BCDA projects. A statement published by Rivers-based news platform, Port Harcourt Force, alongside photographs from the meeting, repeatedly described George as the Executive Secretary of the agency. According to the statement, George congratulated the minister on his appointment and appealed for the timely release of budgetary allocations for ongoing infrastructure projects in border communities across the country. He was also quoted as saying the BCDA had facilitated a proposed $2 billion Chinese investment in a livestock processing hub in Maigatari, Jigawa State, and was working with security agencies on plans to establish a Border Communities Intelligence Corps. The continued discharge of official duties by George has raised questions over who currently exercises lawful authority over the agency. Speaking during an interview on Trust TV monitored by Sunday PUNCH on Thursday, APC chieftain Hamman Yero alleged that the delay was caused by the SGF’s failure to transmit the President’s appointment. He questioned why Namdas had yet to receive his appointment letter despite the Presidency’s public announcement. “This is a mandate given to the President by Nigerians. On whose mandate is the SGF acting?” Yero asked. “If the President directs that Namdas should be appointed and the SGF keeps the appointment letter without releasing it, then serious constitutional and administrative questions arise.” According to him, once a presidential appointment is approved, the process should seamlessly move from presidential approval to the issuance of an appointment letter through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. “It is the Chief of Staff who normally transmits presidential approvals to the SGF for implementation. Is the Chief of Staff aware that Namdas has still not received his appointment letter? If he wasn’t aware before, he certainly should be aware now,” he added. Yero also dismissed reports suggesting that George’s appointment had been restored, arguing that the lingering uncertainty raised broader concerns about compliance with presidential directives. The controversy mirrors a similar leadership dispute that occurred at the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) in October 2023. At the time, President Tinubu appointed Tola Odeyemi as Postmaster-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST after removing Sunday Adepoju. Days later, NIPOST announced that Adepoju had been reinstated, creating confusion over the agency’s leadership. The crisis escalated when workers locked the agency’s headquarters in Abuja and resisted Odeyemi’s resumption before the Presidency reaffirmed her appointment. She eventually assumed office on October 16, 2023, bringing the dispute to an end. Sunday PUNCH also learnt from multiple sources within the BCDA that George never fully relinquished control of the agency after resigning to pursue the APC governorship ticket in Rivers State. One senior official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, alleged that George quietly returned to the agency after losing the APC governorship primary. “He resigned to contest the governorship. After losing, he simply returned and resumed activities without any formal handover,” the source claimed. The official further alleged that George continued to enjoy strong political backing within the administration. According to the source, George’s continued presence at the agency is linked to his relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, under whom he served as Rivers State Commissioner for Works. “It was Wike who nominated him for the BCDA appointment in 2024. That relationship explains why he has remained influential despite his resignation,” the source alleged. Sunday PUNCH could not independently verify the claim. However, one of George’s allies dismissed the allegation as mere speculation. “Wike is also an appointee of the President and cannot wield such powers,” the ally said. When contacted, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga maintained that the President’s decision remained unchanged. “As far as I know, the President has not changed his mind. Namdas remains the Executive Secretary of the agency. “All these things they are talking about, they don’t know what they are talking about. The President has not changed his mind about the appointment of Namdas as the head of that border agency,” he said. Asked why Namdas had yet to assume office, Onanuga explained that the issuance of the appointment letter falls under the responsibility of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. “His appointment has been communicated to the

Banking

Access Bank Secures 16 Euromoney Honours for Innovation, Strategy

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Lagos, Nigeria – July 17, 2026: Access Bank Plc has earned 16 honours at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, marking one of the strongest performances by any African financial institution this year and reinforcing its position as a leading global banking brand. The awards recognize the bank’s achievements across customer experience, sustainable finance, SME banking, digital banking, corporate responsibility and market leadership in several African markets. The recognition highlights Access Bank’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, customer focused solutions and responsible growth. For more than 30 years, the Euromoney Awards for Excellence have been regarded as one of the banking industry’s highest honours, recognising institutions for leadership, innovation, governance, customer service, financial performance and long-term value creation. Access Bank received awards for corporate responsibility in Angola, Botswana and Nigeria; digital banking in Cameroon; customer experience in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya (National Bank of Kenya); SME banking in Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia; sustainable finance and ESG leadership in Rwanda and Zambia; and Best Bank awards in The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Zambia. The recognition reflects the bank’s continued investment in digital transformation, customer experience, financial inclusion, sustainability, SME development and operational resilience. It also underscores the strength of its governance framework and strategic execution as it expands across Africa while strengthening international trade and investment corridors. Access Bank said the awards validate its long-term strategy of connecting Africa to the world by supporting SMEs, promoting financial inclusion, empowering women-led businesses, encouraging youth entrepreneurship and expanding access to digital financial services. Commenting on the achievement, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, said the awards reflect the confidence customers have in the bank and the commitment of its employees. “These awards are a tribute to the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our employees and the strength of the communities and markets we serve. They affirm that our commitment to innovation, customer excellence, sustainability and responsible growth continues to deliver meaningful impact at scale,” he said. Ogbonna added that the recognition demonstrates that African financial institutions can compete successfully on the global stage while creating lasting value for customers, investors and communities. According to the bank, the recognition will translate into improved digital services, enhanced security, greater international connectivity and stronger customer confidence, while reinforcing its credibility among investors, correspondent banks, regulators and development finance institutions.

Elections, Politics

Conflicting Appeal Court Judgments Raise Questions Over INEC’s Powers

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An evidently disturbing development played up yesterday in the judiciary after two Appeal Courts handed down conflicting judgments on the powers and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The first Court of Appeal, Abuja, upturned the judgment of a Federal High Court, which nullified part of the election guidelines of INEC for the conduct of the 2027 general election. A three-member panel of the appellate court in a unanimous judgement held that the trial court was wrong in nullifying the guidelines, which did not in any way violate the 1991 Constitution nor the Electoral Act. Yet, another three-member panel of another appellate court also sitting in Abuja struck down Sections 77(5), (6) and (7), as well as 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, for being inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution. The affected sections regulate membership registers of political parties and the procedure for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 general election. Justice Mohammed Umar had in a judgement delivered on May 20, voided the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities of INEC, for the 2027 general election by a Federal High Court in Abuja, on the grounds among others that the timeframe “imposed” by INEC on political parties to submit their membership register, conduct primaries, and same names of candidates for the 2027 general elections, “is inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026”. Umar voided the time-table while delivering judgement in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2016, and filed by the Youth Party. The plaintiff in the suit dated and filed on March 11, by its counsel, J. O. Olotu sought for several reliefs, including a declaration that upon a proper consideration and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 29, 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the powers of the INEC to receive notice of party primaries and the personal particulars of candidates, and its duty to attend, observe and monitor such primaries, does not extend to fixing or prescribing the timetable within which political parties may conduct their primary elections for the purpose of nominating candidates for the 2027 general elections. Dissatisfied, the electoral umpire approached the appellate court to set aside the verdict of the trial court. However, delivering judgement on Monday, Justice Adebukola Banjoko, who delivered the lead judgement read by Justice Okon Abang, faulted the trial court for invalidating the administrative discretion of INEC. “The law gives INEC powers to conduct elections in the country. There was no deposition or threat that the respondent was prevented from conducting its primaries,” he said, adding that the respondent could only invoke the powers of the court where there are heavy threats to its participation in the election. Justice Abang explained that where INEC acted within its power, the courts could not get involved. “The declarative reliefs granted by the trial court were wrongly granted and they are hereby set aside”, Abang declared. INEC in its appeal dated May 25, 2026, and filed by its counsel, Alex Izinyon, prayed the court to set aside the judgement, claiming that the trial court erred in law when it failed to pronounce on the jurisdictional issue of the suit being hypothetic and academic, and a denial of fair hearing to the appellant. The lawyer specifically stated that the lower court erred in law when it held: “It is clear from the wording of Sections 29(1), 82, and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the following can be understood. Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 mandated political parties to submit the names of candidates first in the prescribed forms of the candidates who emerged from its valid primaries, which such political party intended to sponsor at the elections, not later than 120 days before the date of the General election.

Politics, Public Affairs

US House Approves Bill to Halt All Aid to Nigeria Over Terrorism

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The United States House of Representatives has approved an amendment seeking to withhold 100 per cent of the country’s assistance to Nigeria until the federal government takes effective steps to prevent and respond to terrorism and violence, significantly tightening an earlier proposal that sought to suspend only half of the aid. The amendment, sponsored by Representative Gregory Steube of Florida’s 17th Congressional District, was adopted by voice vote during consideration of the appropriations bill. It raises the aid withholding threshold from 50 per cent to 100 per cent while retaining the requirement that the US Secretary of State certify that Nigeria has taken “effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable.” Speaking on the House floor, Steube said the earlier proposal did not go far enough, alleging that the Nigerian federal government has failed to protect its citizens, especially Christians. “I rise in strong support for my amendment to increase the withholding threshold for assistance to Nigeria, from 50 per cent to 100 per cent, while keeping in place benchmarks that demand Nigeria take effective steps to address the violence and persecution that continue to devastate the country,” he said. Arguing that the Nigerian government had failed in its responsibility to protect its citizens, the lawmaker said: “Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address.” He added: “For years, and especially in recent months, Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria have been subjected to violence and terrorism at the hands of extremists operating with impunity.” According to him, Christian women and girls continue to be abducted, assaulted, tortured, and killed, while their churches are burned, and entire communities are erased. Steube maintained that if lawmakers considered the conditions serious enough to justify withholding half of the assistance, they should also support suspending all funding. “If the aid conditions included in the bill are important enough to withhold half of all the funding to the Nigerian government, then they are important enough to withhold all of the funding,” he said. He also questioned the continued flow of American assistance to Nigeria, maintaining that the West African country has not justified such assistance. “The generosity of our taxpayers is a reflection of the American values we hold so firmly. Never should we allow their hard-earned tax dollars to be funneled to corrupt regimes that fail to uphold religious freedom, fail to adequately confront terrorism, and fail to protect the innocent from persecution.” He further argued that continued aid to Nigeria was difficult to justify in light of worsening insecurity and America’s fiscal challenges. “It is absurd to expend foreign aid to Nigeria in the face of rising insecurity, especially as America’s national debt approaches $40 trillion,” he maintained. The Florida lawmaker added that the amendment would ensure US assistance “is appropriately leveraged to defend, reflect, and uphold American values.” The measure strengthens an earlier House proposal introduced in April and comes amid increased scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation in Washington. Although US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) in 2025 over allegations of religious persecution, both countries have continued to deepen military cooperation against terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria. The amendment will still have to pass the remaining stages of the US legislative process before it can become law. If enacted, all US assistance to Nigeria would remain suspended until the Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government has met the prescribed security and accountability benchmarks.

Politics, Public Affairs

Nigeria Pushes Regional Alliance to Grow Africa’s Digital Economy

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Nigeria has called on African countries to deepen collaboration to accelerate the growth of the continent’s digital economy. The call was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nadungu Gagare, during the 7th Special Session of the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) held on Wednesday in Abuja. Gagare was represented by a director in the ministry, Ahmed Alsukun. He said stronger regional cooperation is crucial to building a digital economy that is inclusive, innovative and capable of creating opportunities for Africa’s growing youth population. According to him, greater collaboration among African nations would improve connectivity, strengthen digital infrastructure, promote digital skills, enhance cybersecurity, safeguard data and unlock new economic opportunities across the continent. Gagare added that a more united Africa would have a stronger voice in global decision making and be better positioned to protect the continent’s interests. Also speaking, Chairperson of the ATU Administrative Council, Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, said African countries must adopt ICT driven strategies to build economic resilience. She noted that Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including digital identity and electronic payment systems, is essential for enabling secure transactions and seamless interactions across the region. Jordan-Dyani commended Nigeria’s efforts in digitising public institutions and encouraged other African nations to replicate the country’s progress. Earlier, ATU Secretary-General John Omo described the special session as a key part of preparations for the organisation’s conference. He stressed that the union’s proposals would only achieve their intended impact when they are adopted as legal instruments and fully implemented. Omo added that the progress made so far was the result of collective efforts and urged member states to work together to successfully conclude the process.

Public Affairs

Teacher Speaks on Why Rescued Oyo Pupils Wore Native Attire

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A teacher who survived the mass abduction of pupils and school staff in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has addressed claims circulating online that the incident was staged. Zachery Olatunde, who spent 56 days in captivity alongside 43 other victims, explained that the primary school pupils were wearing matching traditional outfits because they were kidnapped on a Friday the day schools in the area observe as traditional wear day. His response followed social media speculation suggesting that the children’s coordinated ankara clothing was evidence that the kidnapping had been orchestrated. Speaking in a video shared by Oyo Matters on Thursday, Olatunde dismissed the allegations as false and misleading. Speaking in Yoruba, he clarified that the pupils were simply wearing the same clothes they had on when armed men stormed their schools on Friday, May 15, and abducted them.