Fani-Kayode, Dele Momodu Trade Fresh Insults in Escalating Social Media Feud

A renewed war of words has broken out between former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and veteran journalist and former presidential candidate Dele Momodu, with both men exchanging strong personal remarks on social media over political differences and past grievances.

The latest exchange began after Fani-Kayode responded to comments attributed to Momodu on Facebook, where he accused the media entrepreneur of acting as a political “sidekick” to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He also described Momodu in harsh personal terms, intensifying a rivalry that has played out publicly over the years.

In his remarks, Fani-Kayode dismissed Momodu’s political relevance and career trajectory, while also claiming he remains actively engaged in national affairs, referencing ongoing diplomatic engagements involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as evidence of his continued influence.

Momodu fired back via his X (formerly Twitter) account, characterising Fani-Kayode as a “wasted investment” and criticising what he described as a pattern of aggressive public behaviour. He argued that despite Fani-Kayode’s elite academic background, including studies at Cambridge University, his conduct in public discourse has remained controversial and confrontational.

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Momodu further suggested that Fani-Kayode’s temperament changes when out of political power, describing his behaviour as inconsistent with expectations of public figures and urging a more reflective approach.

The exchange quickly gained traction across social media platforms, with users reacting to the tone and content of the remarks. Supporters of both figures amplified the debate, turning the disagreement into a trending topic and adding to the visibility of the feud.

This is not the first public clash between the two personalities, who have long occupied opposing positions in Nigeria’s political and media space. Their disagreements have often centred on political alignment, public commentary, and mutual criticism over the years.

Observers note that such exchanges reflect a broader trend of personalised political discourse in Nigeria, where disagreements between public figures frequently spill over into social media confrontations rather than formal political debates.

The latest confrontation has drawn mixed reactions, with some commentators expressing concern over the use of derogatory language by high-profile figures, while others view the exchange as part of the increasingly unfiltered nature of online political communication.

Analysts suggest that while such disputes may generate engagement online, they also risk overshadowing substantive policy discussions and contributing to heightened political polarisation.

As of the time of reporting, neither party has indicated a willingness to de-escalate, with both maintaining their positions in the ongoing public spat.

Fani-Kayode, Dele Momodu Trade Fresh Insults in Escalating Social Media Feud

Sokoto Cleric Defies Sultan, Holds Eid al-Fitr Prayer Over Moon Sighting Dispute

A Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Musa Lukuwa, has sparked fresh controversy after leading his followers in Eid al-Fitr prayers on Thursday, defying the official directive of the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, who declared Friday as the nationwide date for the celebration.

The cleric conducted the Eid prayer at his mosque in Mabera, a community in Sokoto, around 9:10 a.m., with a large turnout of worshippers who aligned with his position on the moon sighting marking the end of Ramadan.

The Sultan, who doubles as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), had earlier announced that the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted anywhere in Nigeria. Based on this, Muslims across the country were instructed to complete 30 days of fasting, with Eid al-Fitr scheduled for Friday.

However, Lukuwa rejected the declaration, insisting that credible reports confirmed the moon had been sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic. According to him, geographical proximity and the reliability of those reports justified celebrating Eid earlier.

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“Niger Republic is very close to us—about 100 kilometres away. If we accept reports from cities like Kano or even Lagos, which are farther away, there is no reason to reject confirmed sightings from a neighbouring country,” he stated.

The cleric emphasised that his decision was based on Islamic teachings rather than a challenge to the Sultan’s authority. He noted that while his group typically follows the Sultan’s guidance on the start and end of Ramadan, verified moon sightings must take precedence.

Lukuwa also cited historical precedents, referencing respected Islamic scholar Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi, who played a key role in moon sighting declarations before the process was centralised under the Sultan to promote unity among Muslims.

Reports indicate that Lukuwa informed his followers about the reported moon sighting around midnight and directed them to assemble for prayers the next morning. This marks another instance where the cleric and his congregation have diverged from the Sultan’s official position on Eid celebrations, reflecting ongoing debates over moon sighting practices in Nigeria.

The development highlights broader differences in Islamic jurisprudence regarding whether to rely solely on local moon sightings or accept verified reports from nearby countries. Religious authorities, including the NSCIA, have repeatedly stressed the importance of unity and adherence to centralised announcements to avoid division during major Islamic festivals.

Despite the disagreement, there have been no reports of unrest, and the majority of Nigerian Muslims are expected to observe Eid al-Fitr on Friday in line with the Sultan’s directive.

Sokoto Cleric Defies Sultan, Holds Eid al-Fitr Prayer Over Moon Sighting Dispute

Sham Marriage, Tax Fraud: Kazeem Faces Denaturalisation in US

The administration of Donald Trump has initiated moves to denaturalise Nigerian-born Oluwatosin Kazeem, convicted of orchestrating a $12 million tax fraud scheme, despite a sentence commutation previously granted by Joe Biden.

The United States Department of Justice is seeking to revoke Kazeem’s U.S. citizenship, arguing that it was obtained through fraud, deception, and sham marriages.

Kazeem was investigated, tried, and convicted between 2015 and 2017, before being sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in June 2018 by a U.S. District Court in Baltimore, Maryland. However, his sentence was commuted to six years in December 2024, a move that reduced his jail term but did not erase his conviction.

According to U.S. prosecutors, Kazeem ran a large-scale identity theft and tax fraud operation, using stolen personal data of thousands of Americans to file fraudulent tax returns.

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Investigations by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revealed that:

• He purchased over 90,000 stolen identities from a foreign hacker
• Attempted to fraudulently claim up to $91 million in tax refunds
• Successfully obtained between $11 million and $12 million between 2012 and 2015

The case first came to light in 2013 after an Oregon couple reported that fraudulent tax returns were filed using their personal information, triggering a federal probe that exposed the wider scheme.

Authorities said Kazeem also trained accomplices, including his younger brother, on how to exploit stolen personal identifiable information (PII) to bypass IRS security systems.

Further investigations uncovered that Kazeem laundered proceeds of the fraud into assets in both the United States and Nigeria, including:

• A planned $6 million luxury hotel project in Lagos
• A $200,000 deposit for a home in Maryland
• Another property worth $175,000 in Maryland

In an attempt to evade authorities, he allegedly transferred ownership of properties to his sister in Nigeria, but was arrested shortly after and later convicted on 19 counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy.

In addition to financial crimes, the Justice Department said Kazeem entered into sham marriages with two U.S. citizens solely to obtain permanent residency and eventual citizenship — a key factor now being used to justify his denaturalisation.

“U.S. citizenship is a privilege, and we will continue to ask courts to revoke a status that was obtained through fraud and deceit,” said Brett A. Shumate.

Legal analysts note that while Biden’s commutation reduced Kazeem’s prison sentence, it does not prevent civil proceedings such as denaturalisation or possible deportation.

If the court grants the request, Kazeem could lose his citizenship and face removal from the United States after completing his sentence.

The case highlights a broader push by the Trump administration to tighten enforcement against immigration fraud and financial crimes, particularly involving individuals who obtained citizenship under false pretences.

Sham Marriage, Tax Fraud: Kazeem Faces Denaturalisation in US