Falana Urges FG to Sanction South African Firms Over Xenophobic Attacks

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the Federal Government to impose economic sanctions on South African companies operating in Nigeria in response to recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and the destruction of their businesses in South Africa.

Speaking with journalists in Ekiti on Saturday, Falana argued that diplomatic protests alone have failed to produce meaningful action from the South African government. He urged Nigeria to apply the principle of reciprocity in its response.

The senior advocate also questioned the effectiveness of taking the matter before the African Union, saying such efforts may only result in resolutions without concrete enforcement.

According to Falana, if Nigerians continue to be attacked and their businesses destroyed in South Africa, Nigeria has a responsibility to respond by taking appropriate measures against South African businesses operating within its borders, particularly where viable alternatives exist.

Imported Petrol Now Costs More Than Dangote Fuel – Report

The landed cost of imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, has risen above the ex-depot price offered by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, according to the latest Energy Bulletin released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN).

The report showed that as of July 29, the landed cost of imported petrol stood at ₦1,223.32 per litre, exceeding the Dangote Refinery’s gantry price of ₦1,215 per litre. This means petroleum marketers now pay more to import fuel than to source it locally from the 650,000-barrels-per-day Lekki refinery.

The development has strengthened calls by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for the Federal Government to end petrol importation and rely on local refining. IPMAN said Nigeria’s existing refining capacity, particularly that of the Dangote Refinery, is sufficient to meet domestic demand.

The association argued that continued fuel imports put unnecessary pressure on foreign exchange, weaken the naira and discourage investment in local refining. The MEMAN report also revealed that Dangote’s coastal PMS price stood at ₦1,195 per litre, while Brent crude averaged $90 per barrel and the naira traded at an average of ₦1,367.03 to the dollar during the review period.

The report further indicated that rising global crude prices pushed up the cost of other petroleum products, with diesel landing at ₦1,739.96 per litre and aviation fuel at ₦1,616.43 per litre. The pricing trend suggests that locally refined petrol remains the more cost-effective option for marketers compared to imported supplies.

JAMB Gets New Registrar as Oloyede Hands Over to Aina Today

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will today witness a change in leadership as its outgoing Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, formally hands over to his successor, Prof. Segun Aina.

The official handover ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, and will be streamed live on JAMB’s official social media platforms.

The transition marks the end of Prof. Oloyede’s tenure as Registrar, which expires on July 31, and the beginning of Prof. Aina’s administration at the nation’s examination body.

The appointment of Prof. Aina was earlier announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Orimolusi Begins Palliative Repairs on Failed Roads in Ijebu Igbo

The Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, HRM Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo, has commenced palliative repairs on several failed sections of roads across the town as part of efforts to improve road conditions and ease movement for residents.

The intervention has already covered portions of the Oru Road, where damaged sections have been filled to restore easier access for motorists and other road users. The initiative is aimed at addressing the deteriorating state of some of the community’s major roads pending more extensive rehabilitation.

Work is also progressing steadily on sections of Omo Ilu Road, with the palliative repairs nearing completion. Residents have welcomed the development, expressing optimism that the intervention will improve transportation and reduce the challenges caused by the poor condition of the roads.

As part of the ongoing exercise, grading of the first failed portions of roads identified for repair has been successfully completed. The grading work, which was concluded on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, marks a significant milestone in the road maintenance project.

The road intervention underscores the commitment of the Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo to promoting the welfare of the community through infrastructure improvements. Residents have expressed appreciation for the royal initiative and hope that more damaged roads within the town will receive similar attention in the coming weeks.

BREAKING: Reps Order IG to Produce Alleged Fake PFIPC DG Adeyemi Within 48 Hours

The House of Representatives Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to produce the organisation’s self-acclaimed Director-General, Adeyemi Adeniyi, within 48 hours.

The order was issued on Monday during the committee’s resumed investigative hearing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Representing the Inspector-General, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi appeared before the lawmakers and was instructed to ensure Adeyemi appears before the committee by noon on Wednesday to assist with its ongoing investigation.

The committee is probing how the PFIPC, despite reportedly lacking legal establishment, allegedly secured office space in Phase III of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja, and received a budgetary allocation of ₦1.32 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

During the hearing, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed key aspects of its criminal investigation, including petitions from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President alleging that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, said Adeyemi’s appearance was necessary in view of the weight of the allegations and the public institutions linked to the matter.

The committee also directed its clerk to formally notify the Inspector-General of Police of its resolution, insisting that Adeyemi must appear before lawmakers on Wednesday.

Court Jails Three to Life Imprisonment Over Oyo School Abduction

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced three men linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to life imprisonment.

Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the life sentence would take effect from the date of the convicts’ arrest.

The convicts, Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar, were found guilty of offences related to terrorism and the school abduction.

The trio had been arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining. While they pleaded guilty to some of the charges, they denied others.

According to the Federal Government, the defendants are members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru). Prosecutors alleged that between January and May 2026, they conspired with other suspects to facilitate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

The defendants also admitted concealing information about those responsible for the attack despite being aware of the plot. All three pleaded guilty to charges relating to withholding information and membership of the group, while Umar additionally admitted to providing ideological training to members through a WhatsApp platform titled The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace.

During sentencing, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to convict the defendants based on their guilty pleas. Defence counsel, however, appealed for leniency, describing them as first-time offenders who had shown remorse and asking the court to consider their family responsibilities.

The prosecution maintained that the convicts knowingly withheld vital information about the planned attack instead of alerting security agencies, thereby aiding terrorist activities.

After considering the arguments of both parties, Justice Ibrahim convicted the three men and sentenced them to life imprisonment, ordering that the sentence begin from the date they were arrested.

NSCDC Uncovers Fake Lagos University, Rescues 107 Students

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dismantled an illegal university operating in the Imeke area of Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, rescuing 107 students and arresting six suspects allegedly running the institution.

According to the Lagos State Command of the NSCDC, the operators admitted unsuspecting students into unapproved academic programmes while allegedly compelling them to participate in a Ponzi scheme. The illegal institution was uncovered during a coordinated operation carried out by NSCDC operatives on Monday.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluwaseun Abolurin, said the Lagos State Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, ordered that the suspects, alongside exhibits recovered during the operation, be transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigation and possible prosecution. Keshinro urged prospective students and parents to verify the accreditation status of institutions before accepting admission offers, warning that fraudsters often exploit the desperation of admission seekers.

In related operations, the NSCDC arrested 12 additional suspects over offences including illegal migration, human trafficking, cross-border crimes, Ponzi schemes and vandalism. Those arrested include Nigerian, Cameroonian and Nigerien nationals, while 10 Cameroonian victims believed to have been trafficked into Nigeria were rescued. The command said the victims had endured months of exploitation at the hands of their traffickers.

The corps added that suspects linked to illegal migration and related offences would be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action. It also disclosed that seven individuals have been arrested and prosecuted for vandalising public school facilities in Ibereko, Badagry. Five of the suspects are minors, aged between 12 and 16, and are accused of destroying school property, including desks, electrical cables and office equipment.

Police Arrest 1,198 Suspects, Rescue 166 Kidnap Victims — IG

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has announced that nationwide anti-crime operations carried out between June 9 and June 21, 2026, led to the arrest of 1,198 suspects across Nigeria.

Speaking during the monthly conference with senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, Disu said the operations targeted various criminal activities, resulting in the recovery of illegal firearms, stolen vehicles, and the rescue of 166 kidnap victims.

The IGP praised officers involved in the operations, stating that the successes were achieved through dedication, professionalism, and the willingness of personnel to put themselves at risk in the line of duty.

He highlighted the recent rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State as a model of effective collaboration among security agencies, attributing the achievement to strategic planning, intelligence gathering, and seamless inter-agency cooperation.

Despite the recent gains, Disu cautioned senior police officers against becoming complacent, stressing the need to sustain the momentum in the fight against crime.

He also directed Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to adopt intelligence-driven and location-specific policing strategies to address emerging security threats, while urging Nigerians to continue supporting law enforcement by providing timely and credible information.

Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister After Meeting King Charles III

Andy Burnham has officially become the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, where he was invited to form a new government following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.

Starmer left Downing Street on Monday after delivering a farewell address, saying his two years in office had helped make Britain a better place. He then travelled to Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation to the King.

Following Starmer’s departure, Burnham met with King Charles III and accepted the monarch’s invitation to form the next government. At 56, Burnham becomes the sixth person to serve as UK Prime Minister in the past decade.

In his final remarks as Prime Minister, Starmer said his work was done as he formally handed over power to Burnham, bringing his two-year tenure to an end.

Mbappé Wins Golden Boot as Spain Dominate World Cup Honours

Spain completed a memorable 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign by lifting the trophy and dominating the tournament’s individual honours following their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final.

The newly crowned world champions not only secured football’s biggest prize but also claimed three major individual awards. Midfielder Rodri was named the tournament’s Best Player, winning the Golden Ball after inspiring Spain’s run to the title. Goalkeeper Unai Simón received the Golden Glove for his outstanding performances between the posts, while young defender Pau Cubarsí was recognised as the tournament’s Best Young Player.

France’s Kylian Mbappé finished as the competition’s leading scorer to win the Golden Boot despite Les Bleus ending their campaign in fourth place. England secured third place after edging France in the third-place playoff, while Argentina settled for the runners-up medal after falling short in the final.

The Netherlands were honoured with the FIFA Fair Play Award for their exemplary discipline and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Spain’s dominance on both the team and individual fronts capped an impressive World Cup campaign, underlining La Roja’s return to the summit of world football.