Tinubu to FCCPC: Investigate big tech over anti-competitive claims, news scraping by AI platforms - ITREALMS

Big tech conglomerates and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms operating within the country have come under the direct radar of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), reports ITREALMS.

This follows a formal directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ordering an immediate investigation into allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of local news content, and unfair market conduct.

Dangote refinery dismisses PMS round-tripping claims as economically unviable - ITREALMS

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The Management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has stepped forward to debunk viral allegations suggesting that its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other refined petroleum products are being exported to Lomé, Togo, only to be round-tripped and re-imported into Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

In an official statement released to ITREALMS, clarified the situation, stating that the company broke its standard policy of ignoring unsubstantiated rumors, citing the need for transparent corporate governance and public accountability. 

Dangote Refinery debunks PMS importation claims, slams economic saboteurs - ITREALMS

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery has issued a forceful clarification regarding its operations, categorically refuting reports that it imports finished Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

The refinery management described recent publications, including reports attributed to S&P Global and various newspaper advertisements, as a gross distortion of the Nigerian refining landscape.

Dangote Refinery slams 'False' import claims, reaffirms commitment to Euro-standard fuel - ITREALMS

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The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP) has categorically denied viral reports alleging that the facility imports finished petroleum products, reports ITREALMS.

Describing the claims as incorrect and rooted in a misunderstanding of global refinery operations, the company clarified that it remains committed to ending Nigeria’s reliance on substandard fuel imports.

IPMAN rejects fuel imports as dangote refinery denies supply disruption claims - ITREALMS

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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has voiced strong opposition to the continued importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into the country. 

The association also distanced itself from reports suggesting that the surge in petrol imports in November 2025 was linked to a breakdown in supply arrangements between Dangote Refinery and petroleum marketers, describing such claims as inaccurate and misleading.

Contradictory claims: Babangida's BOA appointment saga takes new turn - ITREALMS

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The Presidency has denied reports that Muhammed Babangida, son of former military Head of State Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, rejected his appointment as chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) by President Bola Tinubu, reports ITREALMS.

Presidential media aide, Olusegun Dada, was quoted as saying that Babangida has officially accepted the appointment and expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the trust placed in him.

Native doctor: Soludo refutes claims over consultation video - ITREALMS

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The Anambra State Government has developed a malicious and deliberately fabricated online publication and social media comments alleging that Governor Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo consulted a native doctor regarding his reelection prospects, reports ITREALMS.

The video clip being circulated was taken during a recent official government meeting with Anambra-based content creators. The session aimed to strengthen the partnership between the State Government and the creative industry. 

CBN warns against ‘Fraudulent Claims and Fictitious Contracts' – ITREALMS

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned against purported fraudulent claims and fictitious contracts, by some individuals and groups fronting for the apex bank, reports ITREALMS.

A public disclaimer by the acting Director, Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali, Hakama (Mrs.) and available to 
ITREALMS, informed that the attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn once again to the activities of individuals and groups falsely claiming to represent or act on behalf of the CBN.

Alleged N7.7bn: NCDMB upholds highest standards in due process, debunks Sahara Reporter claims - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has debunk allegation of using some N7 billion on consultancy, insisting that it follows due process in all dealings, and upholds highest standards, reports ITREALMS.

In a rebuttal available to ITREALMS, the board, maintained firmly and unequivocally that its false, malicious, and misleading the publication by Sahara Reporters on February 12, 2025, entitled - EXCLUSIVE: NIGERIAN CONTENT BOARD NCDMB BOSS OGBE SPENDS N7 BILLION ON CONSULTANCY, OVER 580 MILLION ON 5-DAY LONDON TRAINING, LOGISTICS, ALLOWANCES.

Beware! CBN warns public against fraudulent contract, project funding claims - ITREALMS

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has alerted members of the public to the activities of fraudsters purporting to be in receipt of award letters of contracts related to construction works and special financial interventions on behalf of the Bank, reports ITREALMS.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali (Mrs.) informed ITREALMS that the clarification has become necessary due to the falsehood nature of such fraud to unsuspecting Nigerians.

CBN insists deposit banks are safe, denies claims to revoke more licenses - ITREALMS

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Following claims in certain quarters about the stability of some Nigerian banks in the wake of Heritage Bank Plc's license revocation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again reassured members of the banking public of the safety of their deposits and the banking system's resilience.

Contrary to some claims, the Bank’s Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, on Monday, June 10, 2024, in Abuja, faulted claims that the CBN was considering revoking the operating licences of Fidelity, Polaris, Wema, and Unity Banks.

FX backlog: CBN settles all verified claims by airlines - ITREALMS

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... Doles out additional $64.44m

In fulfillment of its earlier pledge to clear the backlog of foreign exchange owed foreign airlines in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has settled payment of all verified claims by airlines with an additional $64.44 million to the concerned airlines, reports ITREALMS.

In a press statement available to ITREALMS, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, confirmed that the latest amount paid to the airlines brought the total verified amount paid to that sector to $136.73 million.

Odogbolui Junction claims 7 female passengers - ITREALMS

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Over seven female passengers have been confirmed dead during a fire breakout in their public transport vehicle, few metres before Odogbolui Junction along Shagamu/ Benin express inbound Ijebu Ode, reports ITREALMS.

The vehicle, a bus Mazada with registration number ( AGL 886 YD) had 14 female passengers and a male, supposedly the driver.

Lady kills boss over inflated job @FCCPC, claims sexual harassments, investigative panel emerges - ITREALMS

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The Katsina State Police Command has arrested one Ms Muhibat Taiwo Abdulsalam, a staff of the Federal Competitive Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Katsina branch, over alleged murder of her boss, Mr. Julius Haruna, 57, in his office, over suspected inflated job, reports ITREALMS.

The Police also confirmed that Ms Muhibat is notorious for fighting previous four directors before the deceased, who is the Northwest Zonal Coordinator of the commission in his office and accused him of sexual harassment, last Wednesday.

'Topnotch conspirators fingered in Allen Onyema’s ordeals' - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Renowned aviation expert, Captain John T Okakpu, has identified ‘Topnotch Conspirators’ as those behind the recent ordeals of the Chairman, Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking on the trending issue, Captain Okakpu in a press statement available to ITREALMS, identified international and local collaborators which he called ‘Topnotch Conspirators’ as those behind the recent ordeals the Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema is facing, especially in the hands of American Government.

According to him, contrary to allegations that Chief Onyema laundered money in the United States of America, Captain Okakpu wondered why the said indictment failed to state ‘Who the gentleman stole his/hers or their money.

ITREALMS recalls that the United States’ Attorney’s office in Georgia, recently accused Onyema of bank fraud and money laundering, alleging that he moved “more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes.”

Capt. Okakpu faulted the report as lacking in merits to prove that the said funds were not channeled into aircraft purchases rather to fraudulent activity in America.

“I strongly believe that mischief makers, enemies of Nigeria and Africa at large are behind this smear campaign against the rising star of Africa. I call them topnotch conspirators because these are greedy and selfish individuals that want to keep Africa in perpetual poverty. Unfortunately, some of our people are conniving with them.

“How can you say someone stole money and fail to tell us the ones such funds belong to. To me, this is a mere witch-hunt as Chief Allen cancelled an order to acquire 10 aircrafts from a certain manufacturer as reports now indicate. Why single him out for punishment. No, not even in the manner they are going about it”, Capt. Okakpu said.

“If you read in-between the lines, the report shows that the issue was an allegation yet to be proved; the US report said Air Peace chairman is innocent until proved guilty. But, some people even in Nigeria are dancing naked in public, casting aspersion to the man who was seen as a messier few weeks back for going to rescue our people being killed during the Xenophobia attacks in South Africa. Who has done this to us!”

“It is very unfair to continue to rubbish Africans who are trying to do things differently by assisting our people. After all, we know those who stole our money but when you are friend of Americans your back is covered. Nigerians should rise to defend this our illustrious son who have continue to make giant strides in the aviation sector.

“if tomorrow, he is found guilty, we will not prevent the law from taking it course. However, media trial and smear campaign against his person is anti-African development. That is how I see it.

“if you have read the reports this morning, you will see that Boeing, from which the aircraft were bought, it was gathered, did due diligence by verifying the documents supplied by Air Peace before signing the deal.

“It was gathered that to prove the authenticity of the transaction, the deal for purchase of the aircraft with the money was sealed at the United States embassy, where the documents were signed.

“So, why the peddling lies against Chief Onyema. This has to stop!

Capt. Okakpu reminded members of the public that the indictment only contains charges hence the defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Leah Sharibu Release: Police recants, claims IGP Idris was ‘misquoted’

ITREALMS:

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Sunday, recanted the statement made by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, that the last Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, was on her way back, reports ITRealms.

The Inspector General of Police Idris Ibrahim had earlier on Saturday hinted that the remaining Dapchi student, Leah Sharibu, who was not released along with her schoolmates last Wednesday, was on her way back home.

Read Also: Dapchi girl, Leah Sharibu on way home - BBC

In an interview with journalists at the Military Command and Control Center in Maiduguri, Saturday, where he visited the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, IGP Idris was quoted as saying that he had been scheduled to travel to Dapchi but shelved the trip so as avoid jeopardizing her release.

“I am supposed to go to Dapchi today, let me be sincere with you but because of the girl (Leah Sharibu) that I learnt here will be released today,” he said.

“It is a sort of understanding that we don’t create much security (anxiety) there. By the time I fly (in a helicopter) there, they will think I broke (in) and that is why I had to postpone the visit to Dapchi.”

Leah was reportedly held back for refusing to denounce her Christian faith while in captivity but the government promised to do everything possible to secure her release just like the rest.

But on Sunday, the Police recanted IGP Idris, saying he was misquoted or misunderstood, according to the Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jimoh Moshood.

For him, the misunderstanding could arise partly because residents of the area anxiously awaited the safe return of the already released students, noting that they could not get to Yobe State owing to what the police termed as “weather condition.”


However, Moshood explained, “The misunderstanding may be a result of the already released Dapchi School girls expected back home in Yobe State today but could not arrive due to weather condition. The IGP could not also proceed to Dapchi because of same weather condition.”

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

Related stories:

Breaking News: Dapchi girl, Leah Sharibu on way home - BBC

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Chukwuma: Innoson faults EFCC claims, insists Commission misleading public

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The management of Innoson Group Motors has faulted the claims by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on the reasons for arresting the company chairman, Dr Innocent Chukwuma in Enugu, Tuesday morning, reports ITRealms.

Reacting to the reasons given by gestapo kind of arrest of Dr. Chukwuma by EFCC, the Head Corporate Communications at Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe, told ITRealms that at no time was Chukwuma invited by the Commission.

Innoson said that this claim by the commission is not factual and tends to mislead the public and bring the personality and character of Dr Innocent Chukwuma to disrepute, insisting that they want to state the true position so as to inform the general public the truth about this matter.

The company in a press statement noted that “EFCC never at any time invited Dr Innocent Chukwuma either in writing or through any other means. We are aware that EFCC investigated GTB complaint against Innoson in 2012.

“During the investigation he was invited and he honoured the invitation. After the investigation EFCC filed a charge against him at Lagos State High Court.

“The charge was subsequently struck out. However Dr Innocent Chukwuma and Innoson Nigeria Ltd appealed against the order striking out the case on the basis that it ought to be dismissed and not struck out.

“The appeal - appeal no. Ca/l/1330cm/2017 is till date still pending at the Court of Appeal Lagos division. Till date, EFCC never invited Dr Innocent Chukwuma again,” he said.

Osigwe, maintained that at the time of going to the press, they do not know formally, on what offence Dr. Chukwuma was arrested or being detained for.

“On this recent arrest, Dr Innocent Chukwuma has not been told officially the purpose of his arrest and he demands to know why,” he asked.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Double registration mess: Nwannenna wants Gov. Bello to contest INEC claims

ITREALMS:

The former president of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) Dr. Chris Nwannenna, has urged the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to contest the claims of double registrations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reports ITRealms.

Reacting to the weekend reports of INEC confirmation of Gov. Bello’s double registration, which INEC said he would be prosecuted in a law court, Dr. Nwannenna, who is also the chief executive of Condata Systems, a software engineering firm, advised Gov. Bello to contest this allegation especially if he is sure that he did not commit this electoral infringement.

According to Nwannenna, a fellow of NCS, a number of biometrics systems deployed in the country have made it easy to fake double registration of innocent people.

“That is why, even with biometrics, we still have ghost workers, ghost voters, ghost pensioners, etc,” he said.

Pointing out that for the records, this has absolutely nothing to do with ‘Harmonisation’ but with the technologies with which the biometrics system is built.

“With more people getting more knowledge of biometrics it is easier now to detect when a biometrics system has been abused,” he said.

Therefore, Dr. Nwannenna earnestly advised Governor Bello to challenge this allegation which could be a sophisticated blackmail.

“I am sure that a number of people are available to assist him to do this, even for free. It might turn out to be the beginning of the end of this frequent fraudulent activity in Nigeria,” Nwannenna said.

He insisted that onus is on INEC to substantiate the fact, stressing that Bello is seen twice in the voters' register does not mean that he actually registered twice.

“One or both of them could be ‘spoof’. It is in the effort to stop this kind of fraud in Nigeria that led Condata into biometrics development. In my era of consultancy in this area I came face to face with this evil,” he said.

ITRealms recalled that INEC last weekend, confirmed that Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, engaged in double registration during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in his state, thus effectively violating the Electoral Act.

Also, the commission’s National Commissioner & Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, said following reports of alleged double registration by the governor of Kogi State in the on-going CVR exercise, and set up a panel of investigation into the involvement of staff in the matter.

INEC explained that the initial report submitted by the panel was referred to the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee, which made recommendations to the commission.

However, the commission said that it was constrained from acting on Bello’s culpability because he currently enjoys “immunity from prosecution”, but had ordered the dismissal of two of its personnel involved in the matter for gross misconduct.

It also ordered the compulsory retirement of an electoral officer involved in the illegal act for gross misconduct.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Pix: Dr Nwannenna and Gov. Bello of Kogi.