News
We’ll invade Niger if diplomacy fails — ECOWAS
ACCRA/NIAMEY — The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, said yesterday in Accra, Ghana, that it will not hesitate to invade Niger Republic, if all efforts to reverse the coup in the country fail.
This came as the German government said it is in support of sanctions imposed on the military junta in the country by the European Union, EU.
It will be recalled that ECOWAS Heads of State and Government had at its second extraordinary summit in Abuja last week, activated its standing force should the junta in Niger refuse to restore to power ousted president of the country, Mohamed Bazoum.
The threat came as defence chiefs of member states met in the Ghanaian capital to strategise on the next line of action on Niger and discuss details of the standby force. The meeting continues today.
“Let no one be in doubt that if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa…are ready to answer to the call of duty.
“By all means available, constitutional order will be restored in the country,” ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said.
He listed past ECOWAS deployments in Sierra Leone, Liberia and elsewhere as examples of readiness for military action.
Musah rejected the accusation that ECOWAS is being manipulated by France or any other outside power.
“What they forget is that ECOWAS is a rules-based organisation. We have our protocols, we have our norms and we are ready to protect them.
“That’s why the Heads of State are saying if push comes to shove, we are going into Niger with our own contingents, own equipment and our own resources to make sure we restore constitutional order. If other democracy-loving partners want to support us, they are welcome,” he said.
‘Cat and mouse game in Niger’
Musah accused the Niger coup leaders of “playing cat-and-mouse” with ECOWAS by refusing to meet with its envoys and seeking justifications for their takeover of power.
He said most of the bloc’s 15 member states are prepared to participate in the standby force that could intervene in Niger, noting, however, that the exceptions are those also under military rule, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and tiny Cape Verde.
He criticised the junta’s announcement that it had elements to put Bazoum, who is being detained, on trial for treason.
The United Nations, European Union and ECOWAS have all expressed concern over the conditions of his detention.
“The irony of it is that somebody who is in a hostage situation himself…is being charged with treason. When he committed that high treason is everybody’s guess,” Musah said.
Niger has strategic importance beyond West Africa because of its role as a hub for foreign troops involved in the fight against Islamist insurgents in the Sahel region and its uranium and oil reserves.
Western countries fear the junta could follow the lead of neighbouring Mali, where the military government threw out French troops and instead invited in mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group, which has welcomed the coup in Niger.
There had been very stout opposition from both individuals and groups, especially in Northern Nigeria, against military invasion of Niger Republic.
Aside from opposition from such groups as the National Supreme Council for Islaimc Affairs, NSCIA, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, Northern Elders Forum, NEF, to military operations in Niger, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, have also kicked against it.
In Niger’s capital, Niamey, where large crowds have taken part in protests against ECOWAS and in favour of the coup leaders, residents have also rejected the idea of an outside intervention to reinstate the elected president and civilian government.
“I’m not afraid because I know our armed forces are well prepared to deal with any eventuality. ECOWAS is manipulated by foreign powers. When we see the reactions of France since the coup and especially the harshness of ECOWAS I can only think that these are coordinated actions between France and ECOWAS,” said radio technician Omar Yaye.
However, France, Niger’s former colonial ruler, has denied the junta’s accusation that it is seeking to destabilise the country or that it had violated its airspace, insisting on supporting ECOWAS efforts to restore constitutional order.
French troops, along with U.S., German and Italian forces, are present in Niger as part of international efforts to combat Islamist insurgents who have caused thousands of deaths and forced millions to flee their homes over the past decade.
Germany backs EU sanctions against military junta
In a similar development, German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, held talks with African Union Chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat, U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and other stakeholders about the coup in Niger yesterday, saying Germany is now backing EU sanctions against the military junta.
In comments posted to X, the social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, the foreign ministry said Baerbock had held the talks with “the goal of re-establishing constitutional order” in Niger.
According to the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the German Development Minister, Svenja Schulze, during a visit to Abuja, also met with representatives of ECOWAS.
“After the suspension of development cooperation and security cooperation, we in the EU now want to introduce sanctions against the putschists,” it added.
WFP calls for free flow of aid amid ongoing crisis
Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme, WFP, has called for continued “humanitarian and resilience efforts” for Niger’s most vulnerable, in the face of the military power grab.
WFP’s Acting Regional Director for Western Africa, Ms Margot Van der Velden, said in a statement late Wenesday: “Our work is vital for the most vulnerable of Niger and needs to continue.
“Whatever the political situation, continuing our humanitarian and resilience efforts is crucial at these times of crisis.’’
In just the first week of August, WFP delivered life-saving food supplies to 140,000 across the country as well as malnutrition care to 74,000 children.
Van der Velden also called on all stakeholders to “stand firm” in their pledges to support those most in need.
“In these tough times, our focus remains to provide unwavering support to vulnerable communities during the ongoing lean season between harvests,’’ she said.
The agency is poised to scale up its response in line with growing needs.
According to WFP, at least 3.3 million people are acutely food-insecure, while there are 698,000 people forcibly displaced, including 358,000 internally.
Agency staff are on the ground working with partners, and WFP expects to reach over one million people with emergency food assistance in August alone.
‘’In addition, around 180,000 people impacted by climate shocks will also receive protective cash transfers as part of WFP’s year-round assistance,’’ the agency said.
But it noted that sanctions and border closures, due to the political crisis, were greatly affecting vital food and medical supplies into Niger, insisting that all parties allow free movement of humanitarian staff and aid.
The WFP regional director said the crunch in Niger was occurring at a time of global ration cuts due to lack of funding.
According to the agency, the crunch is “depriving millions of people we serve of assistance that not only puts food on their plates but also safeguards their livelihoods.”
Around $71 million is needed to keep the support flowing through to January, with existing resources already “pushed to breaking point”.
“If we do not receive adequate funding, the consequences will be devastating and not just in Niger. In the Sahel, such crises do not recognise borders.
‘’Niger is also a critical supply chain route into neighbouring countries which are also facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis,’’ Van der Velden said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the Managing Director of Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited, Seun Ogunbambo, wanted for jumping bail in his trial over alleged oil subsidy fraud.
The EFCC made the declaration via a notice signed by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Friday, June 13, 2025.
The anti-graft agency said Ogunbambo allegedly defrauded the federal government in bogus oil subsidy claims to the tune of N976,653,110.28.
The commission stated: “He was facing trial before a Lagos State High Court but disappeared after being released on bail.
“His co-defendants, Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor, were convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
“Light complexioned Ogunbambo speaks English and Yoruba.
“His last known address is 2, Olamiyuyan Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Friday, June 13, 2025 arraigned the duo of Halima Buba and Innocent Mbagwu before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja for alleged fraud.
The defendants, who are Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd and Executive Director/Chief Compliance Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd, respectively are being prosecuted on a six-count charge, bordering on money laundering to the tune of $12 million (Twelve Million Dollars).
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, HALIMA BUBA, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer SunTrust Bank Ltd, and INNOCENT MBAGWU being the Executive Director /Chief Compliance Officer SunTrust Bank Ltd on the 10th day of March, 2025 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court aided Femi Gbamgboye to make a cash payment of the sum of Three Million United States Dollars ($3,000,000) to Suleiman Muhammed Chiroma and associates without going through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2l(a), 2(1), 19(l)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
Count three reads: “That you, HALIMA BUBA, the Managing Director/ChiefExecutive Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd and INNOCENT MBAGWU, the Executive Director/Chief Compliance Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd on the 13th day of March, 2025 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to make a cash payment of the sum of Three Million United States Dollars ($3,000,000) to Mukhtar Miko an associate of Suleiman Muhammed Chiroma without going through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2l(a), 2( 1 ), 19(1 )( d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
They pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges when they read to them, following which the lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN announced the readiness of the prosecution to proceed with the trial and prayed for accelerated hearing of the case. The defence counsel, J.J. Usman, SAN on his part, reminded the court of subsisting bail applications of the defendants, dated May 27, 2025 and prayed that the court should uphold the applications and admit the defendants to bail.
The prosecution counsel in his response, described the May 27, 2025 bail application of the defendants as incompetent, given that the defendants were neither under arrest, nor in detention, nor have appeared before the court, being the grounds provided by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA that should precipitate a bail application, but rather applied for bail from the comfort of their homes or offices when nor action has been taken against them. He therefore prayed the court to discountenance the said bail application and urged the defendants to make fresh bail applications in court.
While the position of the prosecution met opposition from the defence, Justice Nwite, however, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100million (One Hundred Million Naira), each as well as one surety each, in like sum. The sureties he held must have landed properties in Abuja of which the particulars of the properties would be deposited with the court. The sureties are also to deposit their passports and two recent passport photographs with the court. In addition, all the documents the sureties provided, including their residences must be verified by the court before approval.
He ordered that they should be remanded in correctional facility pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter till July 17 and 18 for continuation of trial.
Political anxiety is mounting in Bayelsa State amid strong indications that Governor Douye Diri is in advanced discussions to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), according to Politics Nigeria.
Governor Diri’s potential switch is expected to further weaken the PDP’s standing in the South-South geopolitical zone, following recent defections of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom to the APC.
Investigations reveal that Diri has opened talks with senior officials in the Presidency and has been holding consultations with key political stakeholders in Bayelsa regarding the proposed defection.
A reliable source disclosed that Diri had informed several National Assembly members representing the state of his plans and sought their views on the matter. However, not all lawmakers are reportedly on board.
“Governor Diri has spoken to members of the National Assembly about his intention to leave the PDP.
“While some are supportive, others, like Mitema Obordor (Ogbia), Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor), and Maria Ebikake (Brass/Nembe), have expressed reservations.
“They believe there is no urgent need for such a political shift,” the source told Daily Sun.
The source also noted that Oboku Oforji (Yenagoa Federal Constituency) is expected to follow the lead of former governor and current Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson.
Senator Dickson is reportedly not in support of the defection but has chosen not to interfere in Diri’s decision.
Meanwhile, Senators Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) and Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central) are said to be indifferent but likely to move with the governor if the defection occurs.
Governor Diri has also reportedly instructed the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ngobere, to gauge the opinions of lawmakers on the defection.
A senior member of the Assembly confirmed that the Speaker had begun informal consultations and was expected to formally brief the House upon his return from an overseas trip.
“The chances of the governor defecting are very high. Many of us in the Assembly are ready to follow him.
“Bayelsa cannot be the only South-South state still in the PDP, especially given the internal uncertainties.
“The constant risk of our candidacies being voided by court rulings makes the APC a more stable option,” the lawmaker said.
Former Minister of Petroleum and ex-governor of Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva, speaking in a telephone interview, said he was unaware of the reported plans but welcomed the idea.
“If Governor Diri is coming to the APC, I will be happy to receive him.
“When I first introduced the APC in Bayelsa, many dismissed it as not being an Ijaw party. But today, it’s gaining acceptance, and his defection would be a significant boost,” Sylva said.
However, Governor Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, denied knowledge of any such move.
His words: “I’m not aware of any discussions the governor has had with anyone about defecting.
“Governor Diri is a transparent leader. If he makes such a decision, he will communicate it clearly. For now, I cannot confirm anything because I simply don’t have that information.”
A 43-year-old man simply identified as Kazeem of Edun area, Ilorin, Kwara State, has died after jumping into a domestic well under the influence of a hard substance known as ‘Colo’ (Colorado)
According to LEADERSHIP, the incident happened shortly after Kazeem returned from Eid prayer on Friday.
It was gathered that men of the Kwara State Fire Service have recovered the lifeless body of Kazeem from the domestic well.
The spokesman of the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident on Saturday.
He said that the firemen promptly responded to a distress call they received at about 10:29am on Friday that a man has jumped into a well at Alapo compound, Edun, Ilorin.
“The distress call was received by the Fire Service control room at about 10:29 hours, reporting that a man had fallen into a well. Firefighters were immediately deployed to the scene, where they successfully recovered the body from the well.
“The victim, identified as Kazeem, reportedly jumped into the well under the influence of a hard substance known as Colo (Colorado) shortly after returning from Eid prayers.
“The body was handed over to Inspector Babatunde Amos of the ‘C ‘ Division Police Station, Ilorin. The Ministry awaits formal identification and claim of the body by the victim’s family.
“The director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade Olumuyiwa, admonish residents of the state to stay away from drug abuse, warning that such acts often lead to tragic outcomes,” Adekunle stated.
When Sharadindu Ghosh* was young, he was taught not to speak about his father’s leprosy. He, like many others, grew up in the lanes of Jamuria Leprosy Colony, in West Bengal, facing stigma and discrimination.
Today, years after his father’s passing and an endless struggle through poverty, Ghosh is an electrical supervisor and a mentor to local children.
“Among the uneducated population in India, people believe that this disease is given by God,” said Mervyn Basil, communications specialist at NGO Until No Leprosy Remains-India (NLR-India).
Leprosy was eliminated as a public health problem in India as per the World Health Organization’s criteria of less than 1 case per 10,000 population, at the national level, in 2005.
However now, experts say, it is quietly resurfacing, particularly in climate stressed States including West Bengal and Bihar.
Floods, displacement and overcrowding have become frequent, leading to these States seeing the disease re-emerge in pockets.
India is hailed for eliminating leprosy two decades ago, but modern effects of climate stress and poverty may lead to its reappearance.
Climate change impacts leprosy through various mechanisms, primarily by exacerbating poverty, disrupting livelihoods, and altering environmental conditions. This can lead to increased vulnerability for people with leprosy-related disabilities, particularly in areas already struggling with malnutrition and food shortages. Additionally, climate change can indirectly influence leprosy transmission by impacting mosquito and tick populations, potentially increasing the spread of other diseases in affected areas.
Here’s a more detailed look at the connections:
- Exacerbated Poverty and Vulnerability:
Disrupted Livelihoods:
Climate change events like floods, droughts, and cyclones can destroy homes, livelihoods (e.g., farming, fishing), and support systems, leaving people more vulnerable to malnutrition, disease, and disability.
Increased Displacement:
Climate-induced migration can lead to overcrowding and increased risk of disease transmission, especially for communities already facing challenges with leprosy.
Reduced Access to Healthcare:
Climate change can disrupt healthcare systems, making it harder for people with leprosy to access timely treatment and care.
- Indirect Impacts on Leprosy Transmission:
Environmental Changes:
Climate change can alter natural cycles and processes that impact the spread of leprosy and other infectious diseases. For example, weakening monsoon winds can affect fishing communities and their livelihoods, potentially leading to increased poverty and disease outbreaks.
Vector-Borne Diseases:
While leprosy isn’t directly transmitted by insects like malaria or dengue, climate change can impact mosquito and tick populations, increasing the risk of other infectious diseases that can further burden already vulnerable communities.
- Specific Examples and Case Studies:
India:
While India has been successful in eliminating leprosy, climate stress and poverty may lead to its resurgence in pockets.
Sri Lanka:
A coastal community in Sri Lanka experienced a rise in leprosy cases after a fishing industry crash due to climate change, leading to migration and exposure to the disease.
Mozambique:
The coastal province of Cabo Delgado, which is both poor and has a high prevalence of leprosy, is increasingly drought-prone and was hit by Cyclone Idai, highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.
Bangladesh:
River flooding in Northwest Bangladesh affected 4,000 leprosy-affected farmers, destroying crops and livestock.
- The Need for Integrated Action:
Climate Change Adaptation:
Addressing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, including those affected by leprosy, requires a holistic approach that considers their specific needs and vulnerabilities.
Social and Economic Support:
Providing social protection, livelihood support, and healthcare services to these communities can help them cope with the effects of climate change and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
Community Empowerment:
Empowering communities to adapt to climate change and manage their health resources is crucial for long-term sustainability.
Sapphire Egemasi, a 28-year-old Nigerian software developer once known for showcasing a life of affluence and global travel, is currently in federal custody in the United States, facing charges connected to a wide-reaching internet fraud and money laundering scheme, as reported by The Guardian Nigeria.
U.S. prosecutors allege that she was part of a syndicate that defrauded several American government institutions of millions of dollars.
Egemasi was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in April 2025 in the Bronx, New York. Her arrest followed a federal grand jury indictment issued in 2024, which accused her and multiple co-conspirators, led by Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei, of conducting a coordinated cyber operation that targeted U.S. city governments through phishing attacks and spoofed websites.
According to Peoples Gazette, Court filings reveal that between September 2021 and February 2023, the syndicate designed and deployed fake websites mimicking official domains of American government agencies. The goal was to deceive municipal employees into entering secure login credentials, which were then used to divert funds into fraudulent accounts controlled by the group.
Egemasi’s alleged role in the scheme was central to its technical execution. Investigators claim she developed the spoofed websites used in the phishing operations and also helped route stolen funds through a series of wire transfers across various banks.
In one instance, prosecutors say the group successfully diverted $965,000 from the government of Kentucky into an account with PNC Bank. In another case, $330,000 was moved into a Bank of America account. Authorities described the transfers as highly sophisticated, masked with false documentation to resemble legitimate government disbursements.
According to investigators, Egemasi had lived in Cambridge, United Kingdom, before her arrest and had spent time in Ghana, where she is believed to have first connected with the other members of the fraud ring. She was allegedly recruited for her software programming skills and soon became the syndicate’s primary tech specialist.
To conceal the source of her income, Egemasi publicly claimed on social media that she had interned at firms such as British Petroleum, H\&M, and Zara—assertions that U.S. prosecutors say are not supported by any employment records. On platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram, she maintained the image of a young African woman thriving in tech. Her posts frequently featured designer fashion, luxury gadgets, and travel across countries, including France, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates.
Federal authorities contend that the lifestyle she advertised online was financed by proceeds of fraud. They argue that her public persona was carefully curated to deflect suspicion while she remained actively involved in the illegal operation.
Egemasi and her co-defendants are now awaiting trial in Lexington, Kentucky. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison, financial restitution, and potential deportation after serving her sentence.
The case is part of a broader crackdown by U.S. federal agencies on transnational cybercrime, especially fraud schemes that exploit public institutions. While the investigation remains ongoing, prosecutors have indicated that more individuals connected to the case may face charges.
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