₦airaland Forum

MICHEALADEX:
So check Niger state as a whole vs South east as give us the answer

seunmsg:
Now that the matter has been charged to court, I hope the case is quickly decided and justice is served.

Hopefully, Peter Obi will also grow some balls and sue Deji Adeyanju who has also severally called him a bigot and fraudster.

Nigerian sentenced to 97 months in US for $6m inheritance fraud

A United States court has sentenced a Nigerian, Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, to more than eight years in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud that stole over $6 million from more than 400 victims, many of them elderly.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, in a recent statement, said Akhimie, 41, was sentenced on September 11 to 97 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges.

According to court filings cited in the office’s statement, Akhimie and his accomplices sent personalised letters to people in the United States, posing as bank officials in Spain.

The letters told recipients they were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from relatives who had supposedly died overseas.

Victims were instructed to pay fees, described as delivery charges, taxes and other costs, before they could receive the money.

The letters warned that these payments were needed to avoid “government scrutiny.”

The funds were then moved through a network of intermediaries, including U.S.-based former victims who were persuaded to act as conduits for the syndicate.

The statement in parts, “Akhimie and his co-conspirators collected money victims sent in response to the fraudulent letters through a complex web of U.S.-based former victims, whom the defendants convinced to receive money and forward it to the defendants or persons associated with them.

“Victims who sent money never received any purported inheritance funds. In pleading guilty, Akhimie admitted to defrauding over $6 million from more than 400 victims, many of whom were elderly or otherwise vulnerable,” the statement read.

U.S. Attorney Jason Quiñones described the crime as a betrayal of trust.


He said, “Schemes like this steal not only money but dignity from our seniors. Our Office stands with victims, ensures their voices are heard, and will relentlessly pursue those who prey on them.”

Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division emphasised international cooperation in the probe.

He said, “The Justice Department will continue to pursue, prosecute, and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers, wherever they are located. This case serves as a testament to the critical role of international collaboration in combating transnational crime.

“I want to thank our U.S. law enforcement partners, as well as those who assisted across the globe, including the National Crime Agency and Crown Prosecution Service of the United Kingdom, for their outstanding contributions to this case,” Shumate said.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the probe in the United States.

Acting Inspector in Charge, Bladismir Rojo, said, “We are committed to protecting American consumers from being defrauded by transnational criminal organisations. We will continue to work with the Department of Justice to deliver justice.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede of HSI Arizona added, “Defrauding the elderly and other vulnerable populations is a betrayal of not just trust but of humanity. Justice will prevail, and those who exploit others for personal gain will be held accountable.”

Akhimie is the eighth defendant to be sentenced in the sprawling case.

In[b] April, another Nigerian, Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, who was extradited from Portugal, received the same 97-month sentence from District Court Judge Roy Altman.

At the time, Judge Altman described the offence as “an incredibly serious crime” that demanded strong punishment to protect “the most vulnerable, the least protected members of our society.

Other defendants in the matter previously received jail terms in related proceedings before U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams.[/b]

The Department of Justice stated that the investigation benefited from assistance from Europol, as well as authorities in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal, alongside its Office of International Affairs.

Dangote: I laughed when, what do you call them?
R: NUPENG.

Dangote: I don’t even remember them. NUPENG said there will be job losses, but we not only bought 4,000 CNG trucks; we bought 10,000 trucks, 4,000 tankers, and 6,000 dry cargo.

Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man, dismissed concerns from the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) about job losses due to his refinery's plan to deploy 4,000 CNG-powered trucks, revealing instead that his company has purchased a total of 10,000 trucks, including 4,000 tankers and 6,000 dry cargo vehicles, which he claims will create 24,000 jobs nationwide.

The conflict between Dangote and NUPENG stems from the union's strike action initiated on September 8, 2025, over allegations that Dangote's refinery policies, including not allowing new drivers to join the union, threaten the livelihoods of existing union members and could lead to fuel distribution disruptions.

Despite government intervention and a temporary suspension of the strike following a memorandum of understanding signed on September 9, 2025, tensions remain high, with
Dangote's strategy of offering competitive wages and benefits to attract drivers potentially undermining NUPENG's influence, while the union continues to push for worker unionization rights.

Dangote: I laughed when, what do you call them?

R: NUPENG.

Dangote: I don’t even remember them. NUPENG said there will be job losses, but we not only bought 4,000 CNG trucks; we bought 10,000 trucks, 4,000 tankers, and 6,000 dry cargo. pic.twitter.com/Yh0eQaIFBa

— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) September 16, 2025

Love Or Madness?

The image depicts a man washing Feminine underwear by hand while a woman stands nearby, sparking a cultural debate on X about traditional gender roles, notably influenced by a 2020 New York Times study showing women still spend about an hour more daily on housework than men despite evolving attitudes toward equality.

This scene aligns with a 2025 Medium article by David Priede, PhD, suggesting love can resemble madness by defying logic, potentially explaining the man’s actions as an abominable and unconventional expression of affection, challenging the notion that such tasks are solely feminine.

The post’s humor and varied reactions, including calls of "househelp with feelings," reflect a broader societal tension in West Africa, where a 2023 University of Lagos study found 68% of men still expect women to handle domestic chores, highlighting resistance to shifting gender norms.

‘Tinder Swindler’ Simon Leviev Arrested in Georgia

Israeli conman Simon Leviev, whose ixploits were exposed in Netflix’s hit documentary The Tinder Sw+ndler, has been arrested in Georgia, authorities confirmed on Monday.

Leviev, 34, born Shimon Yehuda Hayut, gained worldwide notoriety after media investigations revealed his role in romance sc@ms and financial fra¥d. According to Interior Ministry spokesman Tato Kuchava, he was detained at Batumi Airport on the Black Sea coast “at Interpol’s request,” though no further details were provided.

Between 2017 and 2019, Leviev allegedly posed as a billionaire heir on Tinder, d¥ping women into lending him large sums of money that were never repaid. His elaborate deception complete with private jets, f@ke security guards, and a lavish lifestyle made his sc@ms both convincing and highly lucrative.

The Netflix documentary, released in 2022, detailed the ordeals of several victims, with the streaming giant estimating that Leviev defr@uded women across Norway, Finland, and Sweden of around $10 million.

digitaccountant:
Football age. He should be in his 50's.

AI for more characters.

A tax-paying Nigerian man based in South Africa stood his ground at a South African hospital after members of Dudula tried to stop him from receiving medical services because he is a foreigner according to them

The video captures a confrontation at a South African hospital where a Nigerian man, who pays taxes in South Africa, is denied medical services by members of Operation Dudula, a group known for its anti-migrant stance, despite legal protections under the South African Constitution and National Health Act that guarantee emergency medical treatment to all, regardless of nationality or immigration status.

Operation Dudula, meaning "to force out" in Zulu, has been associated with xenophobic violence and aims to contest the upcoming general election, reflecting broader societal tensions and misinformation about immigrant numbers, with nearly half of South Africans believing there are between 17 to 40 million immigrants, far exceeding actual figures.

This incident highlights ongoing challenges in South Africa regarding access to healthcare for foreigners, despite policies that mandate non-discriminatory emergency care, and underscores the complex interplay of xenophobia, public policy, and community perceptions influenced by groups like Operation Dudula.

US to close embassy in Nigeria Monday


The US Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025, in observance of the US Labour Day holiday.

The US Mission announced this in a statement on its X account on Sunday morning.

“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025, in observance of the U.S. Labour Day,” the Mission said.

It noted that the closure was a tribute to the contributions of American workers, a tradition dating back to 1882 when Matthew Maguire first proposed the holiday.

While essential services will remain accessible through emergency contact channels, routine consular services will resume after the holiday.

Nigerians seeking US visas or consular assistance are advised to plan their visits accordingly.

US Labour Day is a federal holiday observed on the first Monday of September every year.

NBA defends Melaye’s inclusion in 2025 confab panel

The Nigerian Bar Association has defended the inclusion of former Kogi State senator, Dino Melaye, popular activist, Deji Adeyanju, and other young lawyers in the panel sessions of its last Annual General Conference.

In a statement on Saturday, the Chairman of the NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu, SAN, said the move was in line with the association’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity.

Since the conference was held in Enugu few days ago, heated debate had erupted on social media after a video clip surfaced showing a lawyer, Timothy Tugbiyele, expressing displeasure over the “special recognition” accorded to those he described as “very junior lawyers” at the event.

But reacting, the AGCPC chairman stressed that the decision to feature the young lawyers as panelists reflected the NBA president’s directive that the gathering must embody an all-inclusive Bar.

“When the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, constituted and inaugurated the AGCPC, he charged us with a singular mandate – to give Nigerian lawyers and guests a memorable experience.

“Within the overall charge was also a specific mandate to ensure that his promise of an all-inclusive Bar is reflected in all facets of the 2025 conference programme,” he said.

Obegolu admitted that concerns had been raised over the choice of panelists such as former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, veteran actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Adeyanju and Melaye, but emphasised that “none of the mentioned lawyers spoke on any issue that could be said to be beyond their remit.”

He explained that Chidoka featured in a session on “setting forth at dawn” because of his early rise to public office and ministerial appointment, while Kanayo moderated the same panel as a pioneer in Nollywood who had made his mark at a young age.

On Adeyanju, he noted that the activist was included in a human rights panel alongside senior lawyers.

“May that day never come when we refuse to feature young lawyers even though we talk about inclusiveness,” he declared.

As for Melaye, Obegolu clarified that his participation was unplanned.

He said, “Three panelists did not show up and we appealed to Senator Dino Melaye to step in.

“I wonder who would object to having a former legislator, a Senator at that, speaking on such an issue (maritime security from the perspective of legislative oversight). But then, what do I know!”

The AGCPC chairman maintained that the NBA would continue to provide platforms for young lawyers and unconventional voices in its activities.

US Embassy Begins Cancelling Nigerians’ Valid Visas, Leaving Professionals, Families Stranded

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has quietly begun revoking valid visas previously issued to Nigerian citizens, leaving professionals, entrepreneurs, frequent travellers, and families stranded with disrupted plans and mounting costs.

Several affected individuals have confirmed receiving official letters from the embassy in recent weeks, instructing them to submit their passports at the consulate in Lagos or Abuja. Upon submission, their visas were summarily cancelled without explanation.

The cancellation notices, citing Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 41.122, vaguely stated that “new information became available after the visa was issued,” but provided no details, evidence, or avenues for appeal.

Among those impacted are a prominent journalist, the head of a federal government agency scheduled to deliver an international address, and an Abuja-based entrepreneur with a spotless travel record.

Others include professionals and frequent travellers who rely on visas for education, family reunions, medical treatment, and critical business engagements.

Several were forced to cancel overseas trips at short notice, refund tickets, and explain to partners why they could no longer attend important meetings.

In some cases, travellers only discovered the cancellations at airports and boarding gates, with a few briefly detained by immigration officials before being turned back.

Those affected insist they have never overstayed visas, violated immigration rules, or raised security concerns. The sudden revocations have therefore sparked growing fears of a quiet but targetted tightening of U.S. visa policy against Nigerians.

Analysts point to longstanding scrutiny of applicants from high-migration countries, with Nigeria often singled out.

Policy documents from previous U.S. administrations encouraged consular officers to apply heightened review standards to certain nationalities, raising concerns that the current wave of cancellations may be a continuation of that practice.

The development has drawn calls for urgent intervention by the Nigerian government.

Commentators argue that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately lodge a formal protest and demand clarity from the American government, insisting that Nigerians who abide by immigration rules deserve transparency and fairness in their treatment.

The cancellations have already inflicted significant personal and financial losses. Careers and academic programmes have been disrupted, medical appointments missed, families separated, and international business opportunities lost.

Despite the gravity of the situation, neither the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria nor Nigerian authorities have issued a public statement addressing the wave of cancellations, leaving affected citizens in limbo.

geoworldedu:
Sometimes odd can be positive. Back to the matter, "bodyguards collects" is grammatically wrong. It should be "bodyguards collects" and my criticism isn't supposed to be destructive but constructive criticism.

geoworldedu:
What kind of grammatical blunder is this? ...bodyguards collects ...

Factcheck0001:
na God save that man yesterday say e no bring me up for him space for Twitter

I was there from 6pm till 1:30am

I for finish am, he purposely didn't bring me up cos we had unfinished business.

I for finish am, the man is too shallow n arrogant

He's a typical example of the saying "fools grow old too"

helinues:
The renaming of some streets and bus stops in Lagos state shouldn't have caused noise.

As Lagos is no man's land, my expectations was for the Co owner of Lagos state to reverse all those renaming

This was how some of us grew up... with love and respect.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" // Albert Einstein


1948-1949: Arab-Israeli War (War of Independence/Nakba)
Who Started It?: Arab states (rejected UN Partition Plan).

Who Was Attacked?: Israel (upon declaration of independence).

Outcome: Israel emerged victorious. Despite being outnumbered, Israel secured its independence and expanded its territory beyond the UN partition borders, controlling about 78% of Mandatory Palestine. Arab states and Palestinian forces failed to prevent Israel's establishment, and the war led to the displacement of approximately 700,000 Palestinians (the Nakba).

1949-1967: Fedayeen
Who Started It?: Palestinian Fedayeen (guerrilla fighters).

Who Was Attacked?: Israel.

Outcome: Israel is generally considered to have prevailed. The Fedayeen raids from Egypt and Jordan were met with Israeli reprisals, which disrupted the attacks. Israel maintained control over its territory, and the conflict subsided without significant territorial loss.

1967: Six-Day War
Who Started It?: Israel (preemptive strike).

Who Was Attacked?: Egypt, Jordan, Syria (Arab coalition).

Outcome: Decisive Israeli victory. In six days, Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. This significantly expanded Israeli territory and demonstrated military superiority.

1967-1970: War of Attrition
Who Started It?: Egypt.

Who Was Attacked?: Israel.

Outcome: Stalemate with a slight Israeli advantage. Egypt aimed to reclaim the Sinai through artillery and commando raids, but Israel held its positions along the Suez Canal. The conflict ended with a ceasefire in 1970, and Israel retained control of the captured territories until the 1973 war.

1973: Yom Kippur War
Who Started It?: Egypt and Syria.

Who Was Attacked?: Israel.

Outcome: Israel emerged victorious. Despite initial Arab successes, Israel repelled the attacks and regained lost ground. The war ended with a ceasefire, and Israel maintained control of the territories captured in 1967, though it later returned the Sinai to Egypt under the 1979 peace treaty.

1971-1982: Insurgence in South Lebanon
Who Started It?: Palestinian factions (PLO).

Who Was Attacked?: Israel and Lebanese Christians.

Outcome: Israel and its allies prevailed. Israel conducted operations against PLO bases in Lebanon, culminating in the 1982 invasion. The PLO was forced out of Lebanon, though Israel faced ongoing resistance from Hezbollah, which emerged later.

1982-2000: South Lebanon Conflict
Who Started It?: Hezbollah and other groups.

Who Was Attacked?: Israel.

Outcome: Israel withdrew in 2000, suggesting a strategic retreat rather than a clear victory. Hezbollah gained influence, but Israel maintained a security buffer zone until its exit, indicating a mixed outcome with no decisive winner.

1987-1993: First Intifada
Who Started It?: Palestinians.

Who Was Attacked?: Israel.

Outcome: Israel maintained control. The uprising was suppressed through military and political measures, leading to the Oslo Accords in 1993, which granted limited self-governance to Palestinians but did not end Israeli occupation.

2000-2005: Second Intifada
Who Started It?: Palestinians.

Who Was Attacked?: Israel.

Outcome: Israel retained control. The violence was quelled by 2005 with significant Israeli military action, including the construction of the West Bank barrier. Palestinian factions did not achieve statehood or end occupation.

2008: Gaza War
Who Started It?: Hamas.

Who Was Attacked?: Israel.

Outcome: Israel declared a military success, having weakened Hamas infrastructure. However, Hamas remained in power, and the conflict ended in a ceasefire with no territorial change, suggesting a tactical Israeli win but no strategic resolution.

2012: Israel Gaza Operation
Who Started It?: Hamas.

Who Was Attacked?: Israel.

Outcome: Israel achieved its objective of reducing rocket fire, ending the operation with a ceasefire. Hamas survived, indicating a limited Israeli victory focused on deterrence rather than decisive defeat.

2014: Gaza War
Who Started It?: Hamas.

Who Was Attacked?: Israel.

Outcome: Israel claimed success in degrading Hamas’s military capabilities, but the conflict ended in a ceasefire with Hamas still in control. The outcome was a tactical Israeli win with significant humanitarian costs in Gaza.

2021: Israel Palestine Crisis
Who Started It?: Hamas.

Who Was Attacked?: Israel.

Outcome: Israel conducted airstrikes to stop rocket attacks, ending with a ceasefire. Hamas retained control of Gaza, suggesting a limited Israeli success in restoring calm but no resolution to the underlying conflict.

2023: Israel Hamas War
Who Started It?: Hamas.

Who Was Attacked?: Israel.

Outcome: As of the latest updates (June 2025), the conflict remains ongoing with significant casualties on both sides (over 2,000 Israelis and tens of thousands of Palestinians). Israel has maintained military operations, but no clear victory has been declared. The war has led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the situation is still evolving, with reports of alleged war crimes by both sides.

Summary of Victors:
Israel: 1948-1949, 1967, 1973, 1987-1993, 2000-2005, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2021 (clear or tactical victories).

Stalemate/Mixed: 1967-1970, 1982-2000 (Israel withdrew strategically).

Ongoing/No Clear Victor: 2023 (as of June 2025).

This analysis reflects military and territorial outcomes based on available data, though political and humanitarian perspectives may interpret "victory" differently. Let me know if you'd like deeper insight into any specific conflict!

Benue crisis: I’m happy Nigerians rebuked you – VDM slams Kiddwaya for donation appeal
VeryDarkMan

Social commentator and activist, VeryDarkMan has called out billionaire heir and reality star Kiddwaya for seeking public donations to support victims of the recent attack in Yelwata, Benue State.

Kiddwaya had shared a post on X (formerly Twitter), urging Nigerians to contribute funds for the affected community.

However, the post drew widespread criticism, leading him to delete it.

Reacting in a video also posted on X, VeryDarkMan condemned the move, questioning the sincerity of someone who is known for flaunting his wealth, now asking ordinary citizens for money.

“The first thing you could do, you just quickly do one write up next thing you go drop account number. How would you know what the Benue people need when you never go there. You just dey wherever you dey, write one nonsense letter come drop account,” he said.

The activist added, “I’m happy Nigerians rebuked you to the point wey you go delete am, e sweet my body. Because you na guy man wey like dey brag about your wealth. Every time you rub your wealth on people’s face, show say na you better pass every Nigerian.”


VeryDarkMan also cautioned NGOs against exploiting the crisis in Benue by raising funds for food items, arguing that the real issue is insecurity, not hunger.

“To every NGO in the country that might want to take advantage of the happenings in Benue State, the people of Benue are not hungry. You will collect money from government say una wan bring relief material una go bring rice beans garri, the people of Benue are not starving, food is not their problem, insecurity is,” he said.

He proposed that financial support should only be solicited if community leaders set up vigilante groups and receive approval from the Inspector General of Police to bear arms.

“If the community leaders of its local government can come out, set up a vigilante, write to the inspector general of police that they need arms, if the inspector general of police approves of arms, we go put account number online tell every Nigerian even if na 5 Naira contribute.

“This isn’t the time to talk and keep quiet, it is beyond that, everybody needs to play their part.”

AI gender switch of some popular Igbo celebrities

Whose version is the best?