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Naira Abuse: “I will visit EFCC once insecurity dies down— Portable
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Controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, has reacted to an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of naira abuse.
Although the anti-graft agency has not publicly released the invitation letter, the singer confirmed receiving it in a series of videos shared on his Instagram page on Tuesday.
Portable disclosed that the EFCC invited him in connection with alleged naira abuse during his son’s naming ceremony held in May.
The singer, however, said he would not personally honour the invitation immediately, explaining that his lawyer had advised him to delay his appearance due to the prevailing security situation in the country.
According to him, his lawyer raised concerns about the level of insecurity in Nigeria, including incidents of kidnapping that have affected normal activities such as schooling, and advised that the matter be revisited in September.
Portable insisted that he was not evading the commission, maintaining that he remained at home with his family and would eventually respond to the invitation through the appropriate legal process.
The musician also described the EFCC’s invitation as oppressive, alleging that the agency was focusing on him instead of addressing more serious criminal activities across the country.
He questioned why law enforcement agencies were not concentrating on banditry and other violent crimes, arguing that ordinary Nigerians were facing severe hardship and insecurity.
Portable further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, claiming that he had consistently supported the President and should not be subjected to what he described as intimidation by the anti-graft agency.
The singer maintained that he had never been involved in fraud, theft, money laundering or other financial crimes, insisting that his success was earned through his music career.
He also accused the EFCC of selectively enforcing laws relating to naira abuse, alleging that other public figures had been involved in similar acts without facing the same level of scrutiny.
Portable questioned why some individuals who allegedly sprayed or stepped on naira notes were not subjected to similar investigations, while he was being invited over activities at a private celebration.
The singer further claimed that the money involved in the incident originated from a bureau de change operator and disclosed that he was repaying the amount in instalments.
He insisted that he had committed no offence and urged the EFCC to stop treating him like a criminal, stressing that he had built his career legitimately through music and international performances.
Portable said “Before anyone invites me anywhere, the person usually sends me money. But now that the invitation is from the EFCC, I will send my lawyer in my place. I have already spoken with my lawyer, and he said Nigeria is currently in a difficult state.
He said his children are at home and unable to attend school because of kidnapping and insecurity.
“He also said people are not at peace mentally, so I should give him until September. In September, we will honour the EFCC invitation. They sent me a letter because of my child’s naming ceremony. What exactly did I do wrong? Normally, people pay me before I honour invitations. EFCC, I am not running from you. I am at home protecting my family because Nigeria is not peaceful.
“Instead, they chose to send letters to Zazzu. President Tinubu, this is when I need your help. I have been supporting you and working for you. Please do not allow the EFCC to tarnish my image. The EFCC wants to intimidate me. I am not Nigeria’s problem. I am not involved in fraud, theft, or money laundering. They accused me of abusing the naira.
“If the EFCC unlawfully arrests me, I have people who will stand by me. In fact, they cannot silence me. I will report the matter to traditional leaders, pastors, and imams. Nigeria is bleeding, yet the EFCC is inviting me. Is it because I am popular? There is hardship everywhere, and many people survive through borrowing.
“Others have publicly sprayed or stepped on money without facing the same treatment. Tompolo stepped on money, yet because I held money in both hands in a video, they are sending me a letter. Igbo and Hausa people spray money and step on it, yet the EFCC does not arrest them.
“But once the Yoruba people organise a party, the authorities begin to pursue them. E-Money, Cubana Chief Priest and others also sprayed and stepped on money. Because I support and promote Tinubu, they sent me a letter. If anything happens to me, people will protest.
“What exactly is my offence? I did not steal, commit fraud, join bandits, or engage in money laundering. I earned my money through music. I travelled to London, America, and Canada legally and succeeded there, so why should people in Nigeria try to destroy my career?”
News
Kogi varsity expels two students over gay practice, rusticates four for fighting
The Management of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, has expelled two students for alleged involvement in gay practice and rusticated four others for one academic session over a campus fight.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the university’s Information and Protocol Unit, the sanctions were ratified during the 31st Regular Meeting of the University Senate following recommendations from the Students’ Disciplinary Committee.
The statement read, “The Management of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, has approved the expulsion of two students for involvement in gay practice and the rustication of four others for one academic session over acts of fighting on campus.”
The affected students were notified in letters signed by the Deputy Registrar, Academics, Eli Gbadafu, copies of which were made available to the Information, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of the university.
The statement further read, “The institution stated that the disciplinary actions were taken in accordance with the provisions of the Students’ Handbook, Second Edition, as amended in 2025.”
Onumoko Hamza of the Biology Education department and Abdulazeez Eneji of the Mining Engineering department were expelled over gay practice.
Four other students were rusticated for one academic session over fighting. They are Favor Akowe of the Microbiology department, Simbiat Babamuharuna of the Biology department, Zainab Omayoza of the Biochemistry department, and Sukura Bukola, also of the Biochemistry department.
The statement read, “The University Management reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline, order and a conducive environment for teaching and learning.”
It added, “Management warned that it would not hesitate to take decisive disciplinary action against any student found guilty of violating the rules and regulations of the University.”
The statement read further, “Students are therefore advised to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Students’ Handbook and conduct themselves in accordance with the established rules and regulations of the University.”
News
CAN faults FRSC amendment bill, seeks Tinubu’s intervention
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the South-West region has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent to the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The Senate had passed an amendment to the FRSC Act, proposing tougher penalties for a range of traffic offences as part of efforts to improve road safety and strengthen compliance with traffic regulations.
One of the major provisions of the amendment bill introduces a N100,000 fine for motorists who fail to obey traffic lights, road signs, road markings, or other traffic control devices.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Bishop Dr. Barnabas Tunde Akinsanya, CAN said it supports the Federal government’s efforts to improve road safety and reduce accidents.
It explained that it is concerned about the provisions prescribing sanctions for preaching in commercial buses and prohibiting hawking in such vehicles.
The association further argued that the measures could also infringe on the constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression.
According to the association, although the government has a responsibility to protect lives and ensure public safety, it must also uphold the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
“We therefore respectfully appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to withhold assent to the Bill in its present form and encourage further consultation with relevant stakeholders, including religious bodies, civil society organisations, legal experts, transport unions, and road safety professionals.
“Such dialogue will help produce legislation that effectively promotes road safety while preserving the constitutional rights and dignity of every Nigerian,” the statement said.
The association also warned that an outright ban on hawking in commercial buses could worsen the economic hardship facing many Nigerians who rely on informal trading for their daily livelihood.
Rather than introducing measures that could further reduce people’s means of survival, CAN urged the government to focus on creating employment opportunities, reducing poverty, improving public transportation, strengthening security and enhancing citizens’ welfare.
The Christian body appealed to President Tinubu to decline assent to the bill in its current form and instead facilitate broader consultations involving religious organisations, civil society groups, legal experts, transport unions and road safety professionals.
It maintained that such engagement would help produce legislation that enhances road safety without undermining the constitutional rights and dignity of Nigerians.
CAN stressed that Nigeria needs laws that promote national unity, safeguard lives without unnecessarily restricting fundamental freedoms, and strengthen public confidence in democratic governance.
The association, however, reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with government to advance justice, peace, constitutional democracy and national development.
News
Court Of Appeal Upholds Refusal To Restrain NCC, Dismisses COSON’s Appeal
The Court of Appeal, Lagos Judicial Division, has dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by the Copyright Society of Nigeria Ltd/Gte (COSON) against the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), affirming an earlier decision of the Federal High Court refusing to grant an injunction restraining the Commission.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on July 9, 2026, the appellate court also awarded ₦200,000 in costs against COSON.
According to a statement on Saturday, the three-member panel, led by Justice Polycarp Terna Kwahar, with Justice Folasade Ayodeji Ojo and Justice Muslim Sule Hassan concurring, held that there was no existing operating approval that could be preserved through an interlocutory injunction.
The appeal stemmed from COSON’s substantive suit challenging aspects of the Copyright (Collective Management Organisations) Regulations, 2007.
Pending the determination of the case, COSON had sought an interlocutory injunction restraining the NCC from revoking its operating approval or interfering with its management, finances, bank accounts, audits and royalty collection activities.
However, the Federal High Court, in a ruling delivered on December 1, 2021, declined the application, holding that an interlocutory injunction cannot be granted to restrain an action that had already been completed.
The court noted that COSON’s operating approval had been suspended by the NCC in April 2018 and subsequently expired in May 2019, before the substantive suit and the application for injunction were filed.
In affirming the lower court’s decision, the Court of Appeal ruled that the legal status existing before the commencement of the suit was that COSON’s operating approval had already become inoperative.
Justice Kwahar, in the lead judgment, stated: “Both the Appellant and the Respondent have demonstrated vide their affidavit evidence that the Appellant’s operation had prior to the commencement of the suit become inoperative by virtue of the suspension of the Appellant’s licence and expiration by effluxion of time. That is the status quo ante bellum before the commencement of the suit at the lower Court.”
The appellate court emphasized that the purpose of an interlocutory injunction is to preserve the status quo pending the determination of a substantive case, not to reverse actions that had already taken effect before litigation commenced.
It therefore held that granting the relief sought by COSON would have altered, rather than preserved, the existing legal position, and consequently dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.
Reacting to the judgment, the Nigerian Copyright Commission described the ruling as a reaffirmation of its position that there was no subsisting operating approval for the court to preserve through an injunction.
The Commission further reiterated that COSON is currently not approved to operate as a Collective Management Organisation (CMO) in Nigeria.
The judgment is regarded as a significant legal victory for the NCC, reinforcing the Commission’s regulatory authority over collective management organisations and clarifying the legal limits of interlocutory injunctions in disputes involving expired or suspended regulatory approvals.
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