General
CPJ Condemns Detention of CrossRiverWatch Publisher

By Dipo Olowookere
The arrest and continued detention of the publisher of online news outlet, CrossRiverWatch, Mr Agba Jalingo, by the police has been criticized by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
A statement issued by the interest group demanded the immediate release of the journalist, since he has been incarcerated without being charged to court for any offence.
CPJ frowned at the “harassment of journalists reporting on alleged corruption and other issues of public interest” by Nigerian authorities.
“Nigerian authorities should immediately release Agba Jalingo and permit CrossRiverWatch journalists to cover issues in their state without harassment,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator, in New York. “The arrest and intimidation of journalists in Nigeria for their critical reporting is unacceptable, as is holding Jalingo for days without charge.”
On August 22, in Lagos, men of the dreadful Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested Mr Jalingo. And according to Attah Ochinke, Mr Jalingo’s lawyer, and Mr Jeremiah Achibong, an editor at CrossRiverWatch, the journalist was transferred Jalingo to a detention facility in Calabar, Cross River State the next day.
Before his arrest, Mr Jalingo told CPJ over the phone that, on August 16, he was invited for questioning by police officers in Calabar over a complaint brought by the state-owned Cross River Microfinance Bank. On July 17, CrossRiverWatch had reported on alleged corruption involving the bank and the Cross River State Governor, Mr Benedict Ayade.
According to a copy of the police invitation, which CPJ reviewed, Mr Jalingo was summoned because his name was mentioned in a police investigation of “Conspiracy to cause Unrest and Conduct likely to Cause Breach of Peace, reported by the Cross River Microfinance Bank.”
The invitation requested Mr Jalingo attend an interview with Calabar police on August 19. Mr Jalingo told CPJ he informed the police that he would honor the invitation when he returned to Cross River State on August 26, but on August 22, police arrested him in Lagos.
Achibong and CrossRiverWatch reporter Ugbal Jonathan told CPJ that they believe Mr Ayade is retaliating against CrossRiverWatch for the outlet’s critical reporting. Achibong and Jonathan were both arrested in Cross River state earlier this month, according to CPJ reporting.
In a phone conversation with CPJ, Christian Ita, Mr Ayade’s spokesperson, declined to comment on CrossRiverWatch’s corruption allegations and said he read in the press that Mr Jalingo’s arrest was related to his alleged involvement in the #RevolutionNow protests, held on August 5, and denied Mr Ayade’s involvement in the arrest.
CPJ’s calls to the Cross River state police commissioner, Austin Agbonlahor, and his spokesperson, Irene Ugbo, went unanswered. A member of the board of the Microfinance Bank, Godwin Akwaji, told CPJ via phone that he was not in position to speak about the corruption allegations or the bank’s allegations against Mr Jalingo.
General
Customs Seizes Over $1.1m From Female Passenger At Kano Airport

By Adedapo Adesanya
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted $1,154,900 and SR135,900 undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
NCS spokesman, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, revealing that the seizure was made recently during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Mrs Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.
According to Mr Maiwada, during the physical examination of the passenger’s luggage conducted by NCS Officers, the undeclared currency was discovered concealed within palm-date fruit packs locally referred to as Dabino.
He stated that the interception aligns with the NCS’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.
“In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action,” the statement read.
“Subsequently, the court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government in line with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
“The Service reiterates that all travellers must comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when travelling in or out of the country. The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, provide clear guidelines on currency declaration. Non-compliance with these regulations constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties. The Service, therefore, urges the public to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid legal consequences.
“Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS remains resolute in its enforcement efforts to combat smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and other trans-border crimes.
“This latest seizure highlights the Service’s unwavering dedication to protecting the nation’s economic interests and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
“The NCS will continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to strengthen border security, enhance compliance with financial laws, and safeguard Nigeria’s economy.
“Travellers and stakeholders in the financial sector are advised to remain vigilant and always adhere to lawful financial practices,” he added.
General
EFCC Names 58 Ponzi Schemes Nigerians Should Avoid [Full List]

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed concerns over the rising rate of Ponzi schemes in Nigeria amid genuine desire by citizens to seeks streams of income to survive the current harsh economic environment.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr Dele Oyewale, said it has identified about 58 Ponzi scheme operators defrauding Nigerians under the guise of investment opportunities, warning members of the public to be wary of them.
He said these firms have not been registered or authorised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Central Bank of Nigeria9CBN) to operate in the country’s financial markets, making their operations illegal.
According to him, the commission has taken legal action against many of the entities, leading to the conviction of five, while another five have pleaded guilty and are awaiting further judicial processes, with other cases still pending arraignment.
Mr Oyewale urged victims of fraudulent schemes to come forward with complaints and assured them that efforts were ongoing to recover funds where possible.
“We urge the public to verify any investment opportunity with the CBN and SEC before engaging. The EFCC remains committed to safeguarding the public from predatory operators and ensuring a corruption-free economic environment,” he stated.
“In line with its commitment to sanitising the financial space of the nation and providing the investing public with adequate and reliable information, the EFCC hereby alerts Nigerians to the operations of 58 companies posturing as investing entities but defrauding innocent citizens of their hard-earned money,” he stated.
He said some of the flagged companies include Wales Kingdom Capital, Bethseida Group of Companies, AQM Capital Limited, Titan Multibusiness Investment Limited, Brickwall Global Investment Limited, Farmforte Limited & Agro Partnership Tech and Green Eagles Agricbusiness Solution Limited among others.
The firms are Richfield Multiconcepts Limited, Forte Asset Management Limited, (Biss Networks Nigeria Limited, S Mobile Netzone Limited, Pristine Mobile Network), Letsfarm Integrated Services, Bara Finance & Investment Limited, Vicampro Farms Limited, Brooks Network Limited, Gas Station Supply Services Limited, Brass & Books Limited, (Annexation Biz Concept & Maitanbuwal Global Venturescrowdyvest Limited,) and Crowdyvest Limited,
Others are Jadek Agro Connect Limited, Adeeva Capital Limited, Oxford International Group and Oxford Gold Integrated, Skapomah Global Limited, MBA Trading & Capital Investment Limited, TRJ Company Limited, Farm4Me Agriculture Limited, Quintessential Investment Company, Adeprinz Global Enterprises, Rockstar Establishment Limited, SU.Global Investment, Citi Trust Funding PLC, Farm Buddy, Eatrich 369 Farms & Food, Globertrot Farmsponsors Nigeria Limited, Farm Sponsors Limited, Cititrust Credit Limited, Farmfunded Agroservices Limited, Adamakin Investment & Works Limited.
The rest include Cititrust Holding PLC, Green Eagles Agribusiness Solutions Limited, Chinmark Homes & Shelters Limited, Emerald Farms & Consultant Limited, Ovaioza Farm Produce Storage Limited, Farm 360 & Agriculture Company, Requid Technologies Limited, West Agro Agriculture & Food Processing Limited, NISL Ventures Limited & Estate of Laolu Martins, XY Connect Investment Limited, River Branch Unique Investment Limited, Hallmark Capital Limited, CJC Markets Limited, Crowd One Investment, Farmkart Foods Limited, KD Likemind Stakeholders Limited, Holibiz Finance Limited, Ifeanyi Okpe Oil & Gas Services, Servapps Nigeria Limited, Barrick Gold Mining Company and 360 Agric Partners Limited.”
General
Our Law Against Noise Pollution, Not Evangelism—Soludo

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Governor of Anambra State, Mr Charles Soludo, has explained that the recent law, which banned noise pollution in the state, was not put in place to frustrate evangelism.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Law Mefor, the Governor emphasised that preachers have nothing to fear if they do not cause noise pollution, especially at markets and other public places in the state.
It was speculated that Mr Soludo came up with the controversial law after his encounter with an itinerant preacher at the popular Onitsha Market recently.
The statement drew the attention of members of the public to the Public Health Law 2006, which prohibits noise pollution and preaching in inappropriate places like markets using loudspeakers.
The Governor advised preachers to conduct their activities in churches or designated areas where people can gather and listen to the word without disrupting others’ activities.
He stressed that noise pollution is punishable under Sections 8(1,4b) and 9(1,2) of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State, 2006.
It was noted that as a matter of precedence, a magistrate court in Nnewi made this law actionable against a church in 2019.
The public was advised to disregard any claims suggesting Governor Soludo has banned evangelism or public preaching in Anambra State, urging them to adhere to the Public Health Law and respect other people’s rights to a conducive environment.
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