Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Photo: NTAThe Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 7 to rule on the bail applications filed by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, and his wife, Bashir Asabe. The PUNCH reports that the EFCC, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, named the ex-minister, his wife, and son as the first, second, and third defendants respectively in a money laundering case. The anti-graft agency accused the defendants of carrying out various suspicious transactions and attempting to conceal the unlawful origin of billions of naira through bank accounts and property acquisitions across Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi. The alleged offences were committed between 2015 and 2025, a period that includes Malami’s tenure as AGF under the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

US Venus Williams attempts to return the ball to Switzerland's Celine Naef during their women's singles match on day two of the Libema Open tennis tournament in Rosmalen on June 13, 2023. (Photo by Sander Koning / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT / NETHERLANDS OUTSeven-time major singles champion Venus Williams was handed a wildcard to the Australian Open aged 45 on Friday, becoming the oldest woman ever to play at the season-opening Grand Slam. “I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer,” said Williams. She will become the oldest woman to play at the Australian Open since Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round in 2015. Williams, a four-time Australian Open doubles champion, is set to begin her preparations for the January 18-Feb 1 tournament at the Auckland Classic next week, having returned to the circuit at the US Open last year after a 16-month break.

The group stage XI was released by the Confederation of African Football on Friday. Nigeria’s coach, Chelle, who guided the team to the top of their group table with three wins, was also named the best coach of the group stage. “His clear vision and consistent choices allowed Nigeria to perform at their best during the group stage, showcasing a balanced style of play. Chelle’s ability to maximise the potential of his squad and build a collective identity was one of the highlights of the group stage,” CAF also wrote about the coach’s inclusion. Egypt’s 36-year-old goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy, was named as the best goalkeeper of the group stage campaign.

Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered intensified security patrols across communities and forest areas of the state. The directive was issued on Thursday during a meeting with security chiefs in Akure, the state capital. The governor noted that security operatives, including members of the Joint Operations Task Force and Amotekun Corps, were already on patrol across the state and in forested areas. “Somehow, they were able to breach security, but the swift response of the security agencies helped greatly to curtail the situation. He explained that the emergency meeting with security chiefs focused on reviewing the incident, assessing the security response and ensuring that similar acts do not recur.

On the matter of the Oyo Empire and its legacy, we make no apologies for our pride. The Oyo Empire was built by the sweat, sacrifice, sword, and blood of our forefathers. So long as the Alaafin of Oyo sits upon the sacred throne of his ancestors, the Oyo Empire lives on. On the legacies of the Oyo Empire, we need not overburden history with lengthy explanations. The Yoruba story answers for itself:Awa la lédeAwa la l’asaAwa la l’orinAwa la ní ìlúAwa la ní ìlúAwa la l’ọba.

Panic erupted as bandits attacked a police station in the Ipele-Owo community, located in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Reports indicate that the suspects set the police station on fire. The attackers, numbering about 20, came into the Ipele community in a commando style and began to shoot sporadically before attacking the Police Divisional Station in Ipele. The sounds from the attack were terrifying, and none of us could withstand it,” the eyewitness said. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed the attack but said details were still sketchy.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has commended troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), for their courage, resilience, and sacrifices in safeguarding the nation. Addressing troops, Abbas extended New Year greetings and commended their courage, resilience, and sacrifices in safeguarding the nation. The Nigerian Navy is committed to maintaining a strong presence on the Lake Chad waterways to support peace, security, and economic revival in the region,” he said. He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to maintaining a robust presence on the Lake Chad waterways to support peace, security, and economic revival in the region. He stressed that sustained naval presence and coordination with other services remain crucial for maintaining security and supporting local communities.

A coalition of the people of Kontagora, Mariga, Mashegu and Wushishi Federal Constituency of Niger State has resolved to zone the 2027 member of the House of Representatives to Mashegu Local Council. Its coalition, Aliyu Jibrin Matene, disclosed this at a news conference in Minna yesterday. He said the decision was due to alleged marginalisation of the council area for over 25 years. Matene noted that the coalition, comprising youths, women, elders, and prominent stakeholders, insists that the Mashegu council area, which has been reportedly marginalised since 1999, should be given a chance in 2027. Consequently, Matene said the coalition had advised the current member representing the federal constituency in the National Assembly, Abdullahi Idris, from Kontogora, to step aside for proper zoning after serving five consecutive terms.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CoNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has said the Lake Chad and its adjoining waterways will be secured by the military to enable fishing, transportation and other socio-economic activities in the North-East. According to him, effective collaboration between the military and other security agencies is critical to securing the lake and insurgency-affected communities and ending the war. Abbas made the commitment yesterday in Maiduguri during a working visit to naval formations in the Lake Chad Basin, including those in Baga and along the lake’s shores. Earlier, Abbas inspected the ongoing construction of the Maiduguri Naval Base (MNAB), located about 10 kilometres east of the city along the Monguno Road, before proceeding to the naval base in Baga, Borno State. After returning from Baga, the Chief of Naval Staff, accompanied by senior officers from the Theatre Command, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Babagana Zulum at the Government House in Maiduguri.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown remarkable courage and clarity in steering our country through difficult but necessary reforms. In that same spirit of boldness, the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Yemi Cardoso, has been nothing short of exceptional. FirstBank, the commercial banking arm of First HoldCo Plc, has met the ₦500 billion minimum capital base required by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for an international banking licence. The shareholders of FirstHoldco are committed to injecting additional capital into its existing subsidiaries and new business adjacencies. I say this without hesitation: Yemi Cardoso is the best Central Bank Governor Nigeria has ever produced.

Chelsea have begun the process of appointing a new head coach following the departure of Enzo Maresca, with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior emerging as the leading contender for the role. Maresca, 45, left his position on Thursday after just one season in charge amid reported internal tensions with Chelsea’s hierarchy and ownership. As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Rosenior, 41, is understood to be the frontrunner to succeed Maresca, although sources stress that other candidates remain under consideration. With speculation growing over his potential move to west London, Strasbourg are already understood to be considering possible replacements should Rosenior depart. Porto head coach Francesco Farioli has also been mentioned as a possible option as Chelsea assesses the market.

Several dozen people are presumed dead and around 100 injured after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, Swiss police said on January 1, 2026. (Photo by MAXIME SCHMID / AFP)Investigators raced on Friday to identify the victims of a fire that ripped through a bar in the Swiss Alps town of Crans-Montana, turning a New Year’s celebration into one of the country’s worst tragedies. Swiss police warned it could take days or even weeks to identify everyone who perished, an agonising wait for family and friends. Le Constellation had a capacity of 300 people, plus another 40 people on its terrace, according to the Crans-Montana website. – ‘The apocalypse’ –The fire broke out around 1:30 am (0030 GMT) Thursday at Le Constellation, a bar popular with young tourists.

On Thursday (Jan. 1), the 33-year-old singer released his emotionally charged new solo single “Gut Punch,” along with an accompanying lyric video on YouTube. “Gut Punch is out now everywhere,” Jonas wrote on Instagram. Love you.”The Jonas Brothers member shared a short clip of himself performing the song live as the crowd sang along. He was joined onstage by his younger brother Franklin Jonas (who is not part of the Jonas Brothers), as well as album collaborator JP Saxe. Check out the lyric video for Nick Jonas’ “Gut Punch” below.

There appears to be palpable tension among freight forwarding practitioners in the nation’s maritime sector over the tax implementation that kicked off on Thursday, January 1, 2026. “They are meeting with plans to increase their freight charges because they wouldn’t like to be caught unawares. They haven’t implemented the law, and they have already started manipulating it, so nobody would want to be caught unawares. You know most of the money we spend on clearing goods comes with receipts, like shipping, terminal, and other charges. Duyile also kicked against the planned freight increase by some shipping companies.

The Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders in Borno State has urged the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to sheath their swords, embrace party unity, and realign their loyalty to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Speaking at a press briefing in Maiduguri on Monday, the Chairman, PDP Borno State stakeholders who is also a member of the National Working Caretaker Committee Grema Kyari commended the FCT Minister for his commitment to discipline and institutional intergrity. “For the avoidance of doubt, the only legitimate and legally recognised leadership structure of the People’s Democratic Party in Nigeria today is led by Honourable Abdulrahman Muhammed as National Chairman and Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyawu as National Secretary” he stressed. The group further commended the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Caretaker Committeefor its bold, timely, and lawful decision to dissolve the Borno State PDP Executive Committee and approve the constitution of a Borno State PDP Working Caretaker Committee, pointing out that the action has brought renewed hope to party members across the state just as it reflected theaspirations of PDP faithful in Borno State who have long awaited justice and internal democracy. The group’s chairman warned that any attempt to resist the directive would be legally challenged.