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

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