The case against Abubakar Malami
Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s immediate past Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, spent the Christmas and New Year festivities behind bars. But Malami was bound to Buhari by their common religion and Fulani ancestry in an administration in which power was not conducted in English. But now, Buhari is dead, and Malami is facing money-laundering charges in a country in which he once defined money laundering, and virtually every other charge. Throughout his eight years as “The Law”, Malami was routinely and persistently the target of recurring allegations and controversies. Recall, in this regard, that in November 2020, Malami led a presidential panel to dispose of all forfeited assets within six months.
Source:Punch
January 04, 2026 05:03 UTC
Bruno Onyemaechi opens up on Peseiro's AFCON snub
Super Eagles defender Bruno Onyemaechi has revealed that he was overlooked for opportunities at the last Africa Cup of Nations under former Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro, despite repeatedly asking for a chance to play, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. “When a coach gives you an opportunity, you need to take it,” Onyemaechi said. “I remember the last AFCON, I was begging for the opportunity, but Peseiro did not give it to me.”He added that the experience had helped shape his mindset ahead of the current tournament. At the ongoing tournament, Onyemaechi has been a regular presence in the team, starting the last two group matches and playing a total of 167 minutes. Defensively, he has recorded an average of 3.5 tackles and 3.5 clearances per game, while also winning the majority of his ground duels.
Source:Punch
January 04, 2026 05:00 UTC
Nigeria squad value dips as AFCON expectations grow
Senegal boasts the highest squad market value at the tournament, estimated at €449m, representing a 64 per cent rise compared with their €274.4m valuation two years ago. Their squad value has remained largely static, increasing marginally by 1.3 per cent from €334.58m to €339.03m. Their squad value has risen by 85 per cent since the last tournament, one of the sharpest increases across all competing nations, placing them at €254m overall. Marmoush has spoken of Egypt’s ambition to challenge for an eighth title, insisting the quality within the squad justifies lofty expectations. As Nigeria continues its campaign, squad values may shape narratives, but history suggests AFCON often defies financial logic.
Source:Punch
January 04, 2026 04:37 UTC
Amanda Serrano vs. Reina Tellez Judges' Scorecards, Punch Stats and Prize Money
Amanda Serrano got back in the win column with a unanimous decision win over Reina Tellez to successfully defend her WBO and WBA featherweight title in her native Puerto Rico. Serrano looked confident early on, but Tellez did impress with a few power punches early in the bout. Primarily, this bout served as an opportunity for Serrano to fight in front of a hometown crowd. Serrano was originally set to fight former foe Erika Cruz in a rematch of 2023 fight that Serrano won by unanimous decision. Serrano chose to continue with the fight even when Tellez missed weight and became ineligible to win the belt in the event of a win.
Source:Punch
January 04, 2026 04:26 UTC
UN condemns US attack on Venezuela, calls it ‘dangerous precedent’
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by United States special forces represents “a dangerous precedent” and risks undermining international law. Mr Maduro was first indicted in New York in 2020 during Mr Trump’s initial term in office, on charges linked to drug trafficking. The Venezuelan government denounced the action as an “extremely serious military aggression” by the United States, saying it followed months of rising tensions between the two countries. The UN statement noted that the Secretary-General was “deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating with today’s United States military action in the country, which has potentially worrying implications for the region”. “Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent,” the statement said.
Source:Punch
January 04, 2026 01:54 UTC
US visa: Four African countries ban American citizens
Mali and Burkina Faso have restricted United States citizens from entering their countries following President Donald Trump’s visa restrictions. With these, the number of African countries reciprocating the US travel ban has climbed to four. On June 6, 2025, Chad suspended the issuance of visas to American citizens as a reciprocal move to earlier US visa restrictions affecting Chadians. Also, 20 countries, including Nigeria, were placed under a partial ban that restricted the entry of immigrants and non-immigrants from January 1, 2026. “Nigeria cannot ban US citizens from entering the country because the stakes are higher for Nigeria; it wants investors from all over the world.
Source:Punch
January 04, 2026 00:47 UTC
Celtic lose to Rangers as pressure mounts on manager Nancy
Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy is facing mounting pressure after his side suffered a 3–1 home defeat to arch-rivals Rangers on Saturday, a result that triggered protests by supporters outside Celtic Park. Nancy, appointed on December 3, has overseen a difficult start to his tenure, with Celtic losing six of their eight matches in all competitions under his leadership. My focus is to help my players to be better to turn things around. Celtic dominated the opening half and took the lead through Yang Hyun-jun, who capped a solo run with a powerful finish. The decision to appoint Nancy in the middle of a congested festive fixture schedule has also come under question.
Source:The Guardian
January 04, 2026 00:29 UTC
CAF names all-Cameroonian officials for Nigeria, Mozambique clash
Super Eagles of Nigeria take a team photo before their Africa Cup of Nations match against Uganda. Photo: NFF MediaSuper Eagles of Nigeria take a team photo before their Africa Cup of Nations match against Uganda. Photo: NFF MediaThe Confederation of African Football has appointed an all-Cameroonian team of match officials for Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 Round of 16 tie against Mozambique. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the knockout encounter between the Super Eagles and the Mambas will be played on Monday at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco. The second assistant referee is Carine Atezambong Fomo, a respected female official with vast experience in top-level CAF competitions.
Source:The Guardian
January 04, 2026 00:29 UTC
Petrol Price Hike: Private Depots Raise Price to N800
In Lagos, Dangote depot, which consistently offers the lowest petrol price sold PMS at N703 per litre on Friday, up from N702.50 on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. While the increase at Dangote was marginal, other private depots recorded steeper adjustments. Similarly, Aiteo and Lister depots sold petrol at N780 per litre, up from N750–N760 band recorded on Wednesday. The new price took effect on December 11, 2025, marking the 20th petrol price adjustment announced by the refinery this year. The Dangote Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, had raised expectations of price stability through local refining.
Source:Punch
January 04, 2026 00:20 UTC
Attack on Venezuela: US crossed ‘unacceptable line’, says Brazil
Earlier on Saturday, the U.S. attacked Venezuela and deposed Maduro, President Donald Trump said, in Washington’s most direct intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Lula had previously said that an armed intervention in Venezuela would be a “humanitarian catastrophe”, and has repeatedly offered for Brazil to mediate disputes between the countries. After a brief closure, the border was reopened, Roraima state Governor Antonio Denarium told Reuters. Roraima is one of two Brazilian states—along with Amazonas—to share borders with Venezuela and receives around 70% of all Venezuelan refugees that arrive in Brazil, the governor said. There were no official reports of a higher influx of refugees at the border ahead of its closing due to the military escalation in Venezuela.
Source:Punch
January 03, 2026 23:37 UTC
Army Raids Kaduna Kidnappers’ Hideout, Neutralizes One
One of the criminals killed in the operation Photo: Nigerian ArmyTroops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace have raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Jagindi Kagom village, Jemaa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing one suspected kidnapper during the operation. Troops from Sector 7 launched an offensive clearance operation on the identified hideout, where they engaged the criminals in a gun battle. “Sector 7 troops are currently tracking the remaining criminal elements to ensure they face the full wrath of the law,” the post added. Commending the troops for the successful operation,General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, Major General EF Oyinlola, praised their professionalism and dedication to duty. The Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace assured the public that sustained pressure will be maintained on criminal elements to ensure the safety and security of law-abiding citizens across Kaduna State and the wider Joint Operations Area.
Source:Punch
January 03, 2026 22:44 UTC
2026 Tata Punch Facelift: Smallest SUV with ADAS, Launch Date Out
Tata Motors has officially announced that the long-awaited Tata Punch facelift will go on sale in our market on January 13, 2025. Big Design Changes - ADAS ConfirmsThe 2026 Tata Punch comes with notable design changes, including new front and rear design. This confirms that the Tata Punch will be the smallest SUV to offer ADAS system in our market. No Mechanical ChangesThe 2026 Tata Punch facelift won’t receive any mechanical changes. Launch Date and Estimated PriceScheduled to be launched on January 13, 2026, the 2026 Tata Punch facelift will take on the likes of the Hyundai Exter, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger and others in the category.
Source:Punch
January 03, 2026 22:20 UTC
‘Russia records biggest territorial gains in Ukraine in 2025’
- NATO's new chief visited Kyiv on October 3, 2024, a major show of support for Ukraine in his maiden trip in the role. - NATO's new chief visited Kyiv on October 3, 2024, a major show of support for Ukraine in his maiden trip in the role. The renewed Russian advances have come as Ukraine steps up diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the nearly four-year conflict. On Thursday, Russia accused Ukraine of striking a hotel and a café in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine, killing 28 people, and warned of “consequences”. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, calling it a “special military operation” aimed at preventing NATO expansion — a justification Kyiv and its allies have dismissed.
Source:The Guardian
January 03, 2026 21:29 UTC
Individuals from Southeast exploiting market fires for ethnic agenda – Sanwo-Olu’s aide
“This misbegotten Obidient rat also doesn’t know that the fire from GNI building had greater negative impacts on Yoruba traders in the market. The mosque sat adjacent to the GNI building,” he said. Unsafe practices by traders in Lagos marketsAjetunmobi then listed the unsafe practices common with shop owners in Lagos markets and other reasons for frequent fire outbreaks in the state. “Anyone who now claims these market fire tragedies were deliberately planned against only Igbo traders or anyone else is simply crying wolf. The Guardian reported that Governor Sanwo-Olu once again visited the scene of the GNI building fire on Lagos Island, confirming eight dead.
Source:The Guardian
January 03, 2026 21:29 UTC
Benue police on high alert after two die in Benue cult clash
The Benue State Police Command has intensified efforts to curb cult-related violence across the state after two people were killed in a violent confrontation between rival cult groups in Gboko. The Command said it received a distress call at about 4:15 am on Saturday, 3 January 2026, reporting a deadly clash between rival cult factions in Gboko town. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, the clash resulted in the deaths of two adult males. “The Benue State Police Command will not tolerate cult activity or criminality in any form,” the CP warned. The Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring peace, security, and order across Benue State.
Source:The Guardian
January 03, 2026 20:41 UTC