Ex‑NNPC GM Jailed for 87 Months in $2.1m Bribery Case

A United States federal court has sentenced Paulinus Okoronkwo, a Nigerian-American and former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to 87 months in prison for accepting a $2.1 million bribe from Addax Petroleum, a Switzerland-based subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned oil giant Sinopec.

The sentencing follows Okoronkwo’s conviction in August 2025 on charges of transactional money laundering, tax evasion, and obstruction of justice. The court found that he abused his position at NNPC’s upstream division to receive the illicit payment, which was disguised as consultancy fees but intended to secure favourable drilling rights in Nigeria.

According to prosecutors, the $2.1 million bribe was wired to Okoronkwo’s law firm’s trust account in Los Angeles in October 2015. Evidence presented at trial showed that Addax executives falsified records, misled auditors, and dismissed staff who questioned the transaction, all to conceal the bribery scheme.

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In addition to the prison sentence, Judge John F. Walter ordered Okoronkwo to pay $923,824 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and forfeit $1,039,997, representing proceeds from the sale of a Valencia, California property purchased using the bribe money. Court filings indicate that nearly $1 million of the illicit funds was used as a down payment on the home, which was not declared on Okoronkwo’s 2015 federal tax return.

Okoronkwo, 58, later practised immigration, family, and personal injury law in Los Angeles’ Koreatown before the State Bar of California suspended his law license in January 2026 pending disciplinary proceedings. He also obstructed justice in 2022 by lying to federal investigators about the source and use of the bribe money.

The case underscores the United States’ commitment to enforcing anti-corruption laws and targeting foreign officials who exploit the US financial system for illicit gains. It also highlights the potential legal risks for oil industry executives engaging in corrupt practices tied to international contracts.

Ex‑NNPC GM Jailed for 87 Months in $2.1m Bribery Case

BREAKING: Senate Issues Arrest Warrant for CAC Registrar General

The Senate Committee on Finance has issued a warrant of arrest for Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), following repeated instances of refusal to appear before the panel during the ongoing budget defence session with the Federal Ministry of Finance and its agencies.

The development escalates tensions between the legislature and the CAC, the agency responsible for registering and regulating companies, business names, and incorporated trustees in Nigeria—a key institution for corporate governance and investment facilitation.

According to Senator Sani Musa, Magaji has serially ignored invitations and official summons to clarify discrepancies in the CAC’s revenue accounts, often sending junior officers in his place instead. “The Registrar General has refused on multiple occasions to honour invitations by this committee,” Musa said, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability in agency operations.

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Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was reportedly the first to raise the issue, urging the panel to recommend Magaji’s removal from office to President Bola Tinubu if noncompliance persists. Meanwhile, Senator Adams Oshiomhole proposed withholding the CAC’s 2026 budget allocation until the Registrar General personally appears before the committee. He also recommended that the CAC be barred from spending its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) without prior approval from the National Assembly.

Lawmakers said the warrant is part of the Senate’s constitutional oversight powers, aimed at compelling officials to respond to lawful legislative requests and maintain financial accountability in government agencies. Observers note that failure to comply could trigger legal challenges or further escalation between the executive and legislative branches.

As of now, Magaji has not publicly responded to the Senate’s directive. The warrant is expected to be executed by the Nigeria Police Force or relevant authorities to ensure his presence before the committee for questioning.

The case underscores the Senate’s commitment to enforcing accountability within Nigeria’s public institutions while highlighting the critical role of the CAC in corporate regulation and national economic governance.

BREAKING: Senate Issues Arrest Warrant for CAC Registrar General

Suspected Lakurawa Terrorists Attack Mosque in Kebbi, Kill Five Worshippers

Suspected Lakurawa terrorists have attacked a mosque in Kebbi State, killing five worshippers and injuring three others in what security authorities described as a reprisal attack following a failed ambush on a Nigerian Army convoy.

The assailants reportedly stormed the mosque in Dadinkowa community, Maiyama Local Government Area, on Wednesday evening and opened fire on worshippers during prayers, triggering panic and chaos within the congregation.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi State Police Command, Bashir Usman, said the attack was directly linked to an earlier military operation against the terrorist group.

According to Usman, the violence was a retaliation for a failed ambush on troops of the Nigerian Army attached to the 8 Division, under Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

He explained that the chain of events began on February 24, when the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Bemgha Koughna, came under attack while travelling to visit frontline troops deployed in Kebbi State.

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Usman said the GOC’s convoy was ambushed near Mayama Hill, a forested and rugged area known for terrorist activity. However, the troops reportedly responded with superior firepower, successfully repelling the attackers, killing five suspected terrorists, and preventing any casualties among the soldiers.

Security sources believe the failed ambush prompted the Lakurawa fighters to launch a retaliatory assault on soft civilian targets, leading to the deadly mosque attack later in the week.

The police spokesman confirmed that five worshippers died from gunshot wounds, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured victims were immediately evacuated to nearby medical facilities, where they are currently receiving treatment.

Following the attack, security agencies were said to have reinforced patrols in Maiyama and surrounding communities, while joint military and police units launched search-and-clear operations in nearby forests to prevent further attacks.

The attack has heightened fears among residents, particularly as it targeted worshippers during prayers, further underscoring the growing insecurity in parts of north-western Nigeria. Community leaders and residents expressed concern over the increasing boldness of armed groups and called for sustained military presence and intelligence-driven operations.

Security officials reiterated that efforts under Operation FANSAN YAMMA remain ongoing, with troops maintaining pressure on terrorist enclaves across Kebbi and neighbouring states. Authorities assured the public that those responsible for the attack would be tracked down and brought to justice.

The Kebbi State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious movements promptly, and cooperate with security agencies as investigations and counter-terrorism operations continue.

Suspected Lakurawa Terrorists Attack Mosque in Kebbi, Kill Five Worshippers