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The Federal Government has approved a 50 per cent fare reduction on all passenger train services operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, to cushion transportation costs for Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi.

According to the statement, the fare discount takes effect from Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and will remain valid until Monday, June 1, 2026.

The ministry explained that all NRC passenger train services nationwide would operate at half of the existing approved fares within the period.

It further stated that passengers who had already purchased tickets at the old rates before the announcement would receive a 50 per cent rebate, which could be reused for train journeys on or before June 1, 2026.

The ministry added that train schedules and timetables would remain unchanged as previously announced by the NRC.

“The Federal Ministry of Transportation appreciates the continued support of Nigerians and wishes all passengers and the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration,” the statement read.

The government said the measure was part of efforts to ease travel burden on citizens during the festive period.

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Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the transfer of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Kuje Correctional Centre to begin serving his 75-year prison sentence for corruption.

The directive followed his presentation in court on Tuesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which also filed an application seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties linked to the convict.

During proceedings, the court was informed that Mamman fled Abuja to Kaduna shortly after his sentencing earlier in May, allegedly due to ill health. A relative, who assisted him, told the court he was unaware of the ownership of the apartment where the former minister was hiding.

Justice Omotosho ruled that Mamman’s sentence takes immediate effect, noting that he had been present in Abuja when judgment was delivered but absconded afterward.

The EFCC, through its Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, requested a consequential order for the forfeiture of properties in Abuja and Kaduna allegedly acquired with illicit funds.

However, the court adjourned the forfeiture application to June 8, 2026, to allow Mamman secure legal representation and respond to the claims, after his counsel failed to appear in court.

Mamman was convicted on May 7, 2026, on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering amounting to over ₦33.8bn. He was subsequently sentenced to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment.

The court had earlier issued a warrant for his arrest over repeated absence from proceedings. EFCC operatives later apprehended him on May 19 in Rigasa, Kaduna State, following intelligence-led operations.

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Justice Christopher, a Nigerian activist popularly known as JusticeCrack, says Peter Obi worked behind the scenes to secure his release while he was in detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a post shared on social media on Monday, the activist said he attended the aspirants’ dinner organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after appearing in court on May 25.

He noted that Obi, a former governor of Anambra state, who described as his political principal, joined the NDC while he was still in DSS custody.

“While I was in detention, many people believed that Peter Obi had abandoned me, but what many did not know was that he was working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that I regained my freedom and that my wife and children were okay.

“At the same time, many Nigerians also stood up for me, spoke out, prayed, and demanded my release. For that, I will forever remain grateful.

“Today, more than ever, I am proud to call myself a Nigerian, and I still strongly believe that a new Nigeria is indeed possible and Nigeria will definitely be okay,” he stated.