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

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

Recovered Funds: EFCC Hands Over ₦3.9bn Linked to Oil Sector Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally handed over ₦3,936,145,822 in recovered funds to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), reinforcing ongoing efforts to combat corruption and improve transparency within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The official presentation took place on March 18, 2026, at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where the funds were handed over on behalf of EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede by the Commission’s Secretary, Mohammed Hammajoda.

According to the EFCC, the recovered sum was linked to fraudulent activities involving individuals connected to NNPCL, uncovered through extensive investigations. The agency noted that the recovery forms part of its broader mandate to trace, seize, and return proceeds of financial crimes to affected institutions and the Nigerian state.

Hammajoda reiterated the commission’s commitment to fighting financial and economic crimes, emphasizing that the EFCC remains dedicated to protecting public resources despite operational challenges. He stressed that sustained enforcement actions and recoveries are critical to strengthening governance and deterring corrupt practices.

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The handover highlights the importance of asset recovery, anti-corruption enforcement, and institutional accountability in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic resources, particularly in strategic sectors such as oil and gas.

Receiving the funds on behalf of NNPCL, Mumuni Dagazau, Executive Vice President (Downstream), described the development as a significant milestone in the company’s reform process. He said the collaboration between NNPCL and the EFCC reflects growing institutional synergy aimed at addressing internal vulnerabilities and improving oversight mechanisms within the national oil company.

Dagazau further reaffirmed NNPCL’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance with governance standards. He added that continued cooperation with anti-graft agencies will help strengthen internal controls, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce financial leakages across the organization.

The recovery and return of the funds also align with broader government efforts to ensure that proceeds of corruption are recovered and reinvested into the economy. Authorities maintain that such actions are essential for improving public trust, strengthening institutions, and promoting responsible management of national resources.

Analysts say that sustained collaboration between agencies like the EFCC and major public enterprises such as NNPCL is vital for tackling systemic corruption, improving financial discipline, and ensuring that Nigeria’s revenue-generating sectors operate with greater accountability and transparency.

Recovered Funds: EFCC Hands Over ₦3.9bn Linked to Oil Sector Fraud