Why I Have Not Resumed as Ambassador to Mexico — Reno Omokri

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has dismissed reports suggesting that the Mexican government rejected his diplomatic appointment, insisting that the delay in his resumption is purely administrative and linked to Mexico’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former presidential aide described claims of his rejection as politically motivated narratives designed to misrepresent the realities of diplomatic engagements between nations.

According to Omokri, Mexico is currently focused on its responsibilities as one of the co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside the United States and Canada, a development he said has slowed several routine government processes, including diplomatic protocols involving newly appointed foreign ambassadors.

“Mexico has not rejected me. Not at all. You should understand that Mexico is currently hosting the World Cup alongside the United States of America, and all their focus is on that,” Omokri said during the interview.

The ambassador-designate explained that his situation is not unique, noting that several Nigerian envoys appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are yet to resume their assignments abroad because they are still awaiting the completion of diplomatic formalities required by their host countries.

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“Most of us ambassadors have not resumed. So, I’m not the only one. A lot of my colleagues are in my situation, but it’s okay. These things happen,” he stated.

Omokri maintained that reports alleging his rejection by Mexico were being amplified by political opponents and lacked any official basis.

“The opposition will always say things like I have been rejected. We do not work on the basis of the opposition. We work on the basis of reality,” he added.

The controversy surrounding his appointment gained traction after reports emerged that some diaspora groups had allegedly petitioned Mexican authorities to reject his nomination, citing concerns over his past political positions and public comments. However, there has been no official communication from the Mexican government indicating that Omokri’s appointment has been rejected.

Under international diplomatic practice, an ambassador-designate cannot formally assume office until the receiving country grants agrément, a diplomatic approval that signifies acceptance of the envoy. The process is standard across the world and can take weeks or months depending on the host country’s internal procedures and priorities.

Omokri was among the 65 ambassadors-designate whose postings were approved by President Tinubu as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic representation across the globe. His nomination attracted significant public attention due to his political evolution from being a vocal critic of Tinubu to becoming one of the administration’s prominent supporters.

The former presidential aide has repeatedly defended his decision to serve in the administration, stating that national service should transcend political differences.

During the interview, Omokri also took a swipe at opposition politicians, arguing that political instability within opposition ranks weakens their chances against the ruling government.

“How can you say a man who has been in three political parties in six months is going to defeat a president who has been stable politically since 1989?” he asked.

Until the necessary diplomatic procedures are concluded and his credentials are formally accepted, Omokri remains Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico and is expected to assume office once the host country completes the required approval process.

Why I Have Not Resumed as Ambassador to Mexico — Reno Omokri

FBI-Wanted Ezeego Extradited to US Over $7 Million International Fraud Scheme

A Nigerian businessman and suspected international fraudster, Osondu Victor Igwilo, popularly known as “Ezeego King of the Boys,” has reportedly been extradited from Nigeria to the United States to face prosecution over his alleged role in a multi-million-dollar international fraud and money laundering operation.

According to sources familiar with the development, Igwilo was extradited on Monday from the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja and transferred to U.S. authorities after years of being sought by American law enforcement agencies.

The extradition marks a significant development in a case that dates back nearly a decade and highlights increasing cooperation between Nigerian authorities and the United States in combating cybercrime, money laundering, and international fraud.

Sources told SaharaReporters that before his extradition, Igwilo allegedly wielded considerable influence within the Kuje correctional facility. One source claimed he maintained close relationships with some prison officials and exercised substantial control over activities within the prison yard.

The source also alleged that another inmate identified as Shettima collected more than N200 million from Igwilo after promising to stop the extradition process. These claims, however, have not been independently verified by authorities.

Igwilo first came to public attention in March 2022 when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested him during a raid in the Sangotedo area of Lagos State.

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At the time, the anti-graft agency disclosed that Igwilo had been on the watchlist of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) since 2018. He was arrested alongside three other suspects — Okafor Nnamdi Chris, Nwodu Uchenna Emmanuel, and John Anazo Achukwu — over allegations of fraud, identity theft, and money laundering involving transactions estimated at about $100 million.

The EFCC alleged that Igwilo led a network of operatives known as “catchers,” individuals allegedly responsible for receiving, transferring, withdrawing, and laundering proceeds of fraudulent activities on behalf of a larger criminal syndicate.

According to records released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Igwilo was first charged in a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Texas in December 2016. The complaint was later unsealed in December 2018, when U.S. authorities publicly identified him as the alleged mastermind of an international advance-fee fraud scheme that targeted victims in more than 20 countries.

American prosecutors alleged that the operation generated over $7 million in losses and involved false promises of investment funding to businesses and individuals across different parts of the world. Investigators claimed that victims were told they had secured access to large investment funds but were required to make advance payments before the financing could be released. According to prosecutors, many victims paid substantial sums only to discover that the promised funding did not exist.

Court documents further alleged that Igwilo and members of his network impersonated officials and executives of major U.S. financial institutions, including BB&T Corporation and JPMorgan Chase, to make the fraudulent offers appear legitimate. Authorities said phishing emails were used to contact prospective victims, while some members of the syndicate allegedly posed as bank representatives and met victims in person to sign fraudulent agreements.

The U.S. Department of Justice also alleged that operatives involved in the scheme used forged documents and fake U.S. government seals to enhance the credibility of the scam. Some members of the network reportedly visited American embassies and consulates abroad as part of efforts to convince victims that the transactions were genuine.

According to investigators, money obtained from victims was routed through multiple bank accounts in the United States before being laundered and transferred to Nigeria through a network of associates. Prosecutors further alleged that part of the proceeds was used to purchase luxury vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover models, which were later shipped to Nigeria.

Igwilo faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and aggravated identity theft in the United States.

At the time the charges were announced in 2018, U.S. authorities described him as a fugitive. Several other individuals were also charged in connection with the alleged fraud network, which prosecutors say operated across multiple countries and relied on a sophisticated structure of recruiters, intermediaries, and money handlers.

If confirmed by both Nigerian and U.S. authorities, the extradition of Igwilo would represent a major breakthrough in one of the most prominent cross-border fraud investigations involving a Nigerian suspect in recent years.

FBI-Wanted Ezeego Extradited to US Over $7 Million International Fraud Scheme

Abducted Kwara Monarch Dies in Captivity Despite N18m Ransom Payment

KWARA STATE, Nigeria – The traditional ruler of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Oba Salman Olatunji Aweda, has been confirmed dead after spending two months in the hands of kidnappers, plunging his community into mourning. The monarch was abducted from his palace on April 17, 2026, by heavily armed men who stormed the residence, and despite the payment of a substantial ransom and other demands, he was not released alive. The tragic confirmation came via a voice message from a member of a community committee that had been involved in ongoing efforts to secure his freedom. In the audio, the committee member informed residents that multiple interventions by family members, community leaders, clerics and concerned stakeholders had failed to bring the monarch home alive, leaving the community in a state of profound grief and shock.

The ordeal began on the evening of April 17, 2026, when about ten heavily armed men forced their way into the monarch’s palace in the Olayinka community. According to reports, the gunmen broke down the entrance door and demanded money that a group of miners who had visited the king earlier that day had given him. While the monarch reportedly handed over the cash, he was still abducted alongside his brother. The abductors, believed to be part of criminal gangs known locally as bandits, took the traditional ruler into the forest but abandoned his brother, who became exhausted during the forced trek. The brother was reportedly tied to a tree while the kidnappers continued into the forest with the monarch, leaving the community in a state of panic and desperation.

Following the abduction, the Kwara State Police Command swung into action, deploying operational resources to track the suspects. The operation led to the arrest of 42 suspected illegal miners in the community. However, authorities noted that it was yet to be established whether any of the arrested miners were directly involved in the abduction, as investigations continued to unfold. The police commissioner later explained that the attackers had specifically demanded the money that miners had given the monarch earlier that day, suggesting a possible connection between the illegal mining activities and the abduction.

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In the weeks that followed, the abductors opened negotiations with community representatives, demanding a hefty ransom for the monarch’s release. The conditions for his freedom included N21 million in cash, two brand-new motorcycles, and a jerrycan of petrol. Desperate to bring their king home, the community mobilized to meet these demands, paying a huge sum of money, reportedly about N18 million of the N21 million demanded, along with the motorcycles and fuel. Despite the community’s efforts and the payment of the ransom, the kidnappers failed to release the monarch. According to reports, when community members sought to speak with their king, the abductors demanded additional money, raising suspicions that he had already died in their den. A victim who was recently released by the same group of kidnappers initially informed the community about the monarch’s death and urged them to stop further extortion attempts by the bandits.

The news has thrown the Olayinka community into a state of profound grief and shock. The committee member who announced the death described it as the will of God and urged residents to accept the outcome with faith. He said, “Allah in His mercy said in the Holy Qur’an that we all human beings on earth belong to Him, and to Him we shall return, whether when we expect it or when we do not expect it.” He continued, “This is to inform the Olayinka community, both male and female, young and old, that our beloved father, His Royal Highness Alhaji Salman Olatunji, the monarch of Olayinka, has answered the call of his Creator. The will of God has come to pass on him.” The speaker explained that earlier reports and speculations about the monarch’s condition had now been confirmed, noting that extensive rescue efforts did not yield the desired result. “All the rumours everyone has been hearing from different angles, and all the efforts that have been made by family members, residents, committees and Islamic clerics, have now led to this moment,” he said. He called on residents of the community to accept the loss with faith, stressing that both Muslims and Christians should see it as a divine decree. “Oh Allah, we accept our fate. All the indigenes of Olayinka, both Muslims and Christians, should please accept the will of God,” he added.

The committee member disclosed that plans had been concluded for Islamic funeral prayers, despite the fact that the monarch’s remains had not yet been recovered. “As required by Islamic rites, all members of the Olayinka Muslim community in Lagos are requested to gather by 8 a.m. to perform prayers and Janazah for him,” he said. “Although we have not been able to locate his body, Islam teaches that funeral rites can still be performed even when the deceased is not physically present,” the source added, providing some measure of spiritual closure for the grieving community.

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Initial reactions from authorities were marked by caution and uncertainty. The Kwara State Police Command initially expressed doubt over the reports, with the Commissioner of Police describing the information as unverified. Similarly, the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hadji Femi Yusuf, said he had not received any official briefing on the matter. However, the confirmation from the traditional council leadership has since put the tragic news beyond doubt. The Secretary of the Ifelodun Traditional Council, Elder Chief Omisola Amos Olayinka, confirmed the monarch’s death, stating that the community had initially dismissed reports as a rumour but later received internal confirmation. “We paid a huge sum of money including motorcycles and fuel as demanded by them yet the man still died in their custody. We are in a mourning mood now,” he lamented. The monarch had reportedly just been given a first-class status, and the ceremony to mark it had not yet been held before his untimely death, adding another layer of tragedy to the loss.

The death of Oba Aweda has not only thrown the Olayinka community into mourning but has also renewed urgent concerns over rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity across parts of the country. For years, members of criminal gangs known locally as bandits have carried out killings and kidnappings for ransom, mainly targeting those in the northwest, but they have been moving to other parts of the country more recently. Parts of Kwara have seen a rise in attacks on rural communities, with armed groups increasingly targeting highways, farms and traditional leaders. The monarch’s death serves as a stark reminder of the growing wave of insecurity in Kwara State and the urgent need for authorities to address the scourge of kidnapping and banditry that continues to claim innocent lives.

Abducted Kwara Monarch Dies in Captivity Despite N18m Ransom Payment