News
One Month After AbokiFX Shutdown, Naira Fails To Rise
Almost a month after the Central Bank of Nigeria forced foreign exchange update platform, Aboki FX, to suspend its operations, the naira has failed to rise on the parallel market although it has stabilised, JomogNews Nigeria learnt.
Worse still, the naira dropped by 2.6 per cent to N422 per dollar, hitting an all-time low on the official market on Thursday.
The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had on September 20, 2021 accused Aboki FX of exchange rate manipulation, describing the platform as illegal and criminal.
Emefiele had said, “I have given instructions to our experts to go after his website and let it be clear that we will go after him, because we can’t allow this to continue.”
The platform had denied the allegations but suspended its updates, saying, “We sincerely hope this suspension will lead to the naira appreciation from next week.”
Nearly a month later, however, the exchange rate has continued to fluctuate between N570/$1 and N575/$1.
Our correspondent was informed that in Abuja on Thursday, the exchange rate stood at N572/$1 and N780/£1
The greenback crossed the N500 mark in July 2021 and continued to rise, hitting N570 in September.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH on Thursday, a former Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Muda Yusuf, said the development was evidence that Aboki FX was not the problem but more fundamental issues.
Yusuf, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, said, “The CBN needs to give the market a chance. Its current approach would continue to deepen distortions in the economy, perpetuate round tripping, fuel speculation, suppress Forex supply and boost underground economy. The problem is not with Aboki FX. It is essentially a policy matter.”
Yusuf attributed current happenings in the foreign exchange market to consequence of the CBN policy choice of a fixed exchange rate regime and administrative allocation of Forex.
“It is a policy regime that has created a huge enterprise around foreign exchange – round tripping, speculation, over-invoicing, capital flight etc. The action of the apex bank amounts to tackling the symptoms rather than dealing with the causative factors, which is not a sustainable solution.
“It is regrettable that the CBN does not believe in the market mechanism. Yet market systems are time-tested as instruments of efficient resource allocation in leading economies around the world. Of course, market failures are recognised in economics, and these are exceptions that can be identified and dealt with,” the former LCCI boss said.
The economist argued that suppressing the market is like swimming against the tide which is a difficult battle to win.
Yusuf added that moving retail Forex transactions from bureau de change operators to the banks is like kicking the can down the road.
“The same issues would manifest even with the banks,” he said.
News
Court Sets Feb 25 For El-Rufai’s Arraignment In DSS Cybercrime Case
The Department of State Services (DSS) will arraign former Governnor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court has fixed the date for the arraignment of the former Governor on a three-count criminal charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) after the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho assigned the case to her.
NAN earlier reported that the DSS, on Monday, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge, instituted by the Nigerian secret police, is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026.
The service accused El-Rufai of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act (2024) and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.)
In court, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.
The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
News
Maureen Badejo To Appear Before Federal High Court Tomorrow On Defamation, Cybercrime Charges
Maureen Omorinola Badejo is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on February 20, 2026, following charges filed by the Inspector-General of Police over allegations bordering on defamation, cyberstalking, and related offences.
The charges arise from online publications made in November 2021, in which Ms. Badejo allegedly transmitted statements and videos on YouTube and Facebook concerning Apostle Johnson Suleman and his associate Dickson Omodiale Osajie.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that:
Ms. Badejo conspired with others to publish defamatory content against Apostle Suleman.
She allegedly portrayed him as a cultist, rapist, assassin, ritualist, and other criminal labels, knowing the claims to be false.
She is accused of sending false messages via computer networks intended to cause annoyance, hatred, intimidation, and injury to reputation.
Additional allegations state that defamatory statements were also made against Mr. Dickson Osajie, claiming involvement in crimes such as rape and ritual killing.
Authorities further allege that the publications caused fear for safety and threatened bodily harm to the complainants.
The offences cited fall under provisions of the Criminal Code Act (Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The case follows a formal petition submitted to the Nigeria Police Force by Mr. Osajie, who alleged persistent cyberstalking, harassment, invasion of privacy, threats to life, and dissemination of false information affecting himself, Apostle Suleman, and their families.
Statement from Maureen Badejo
Ms. Badejo maintains her readiness to face the court and present her defense, expressing confidence in the Nigerian judicial system to ensure fairness and justice.
“I will appear in court as required and trust that the truth will prevail through due legal process,” she stated.
However Ms. Badejo is expected to be formally arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, where the charges will be read and she will enter her plea.
News
Rivers Assembly Suspends Impeachment Move Against Fubara After Tinubu’s Intervention
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially suspended impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.
The House moved the motion to halt the impeachment process on Thursday at its resumed sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
JomogNews had reported that during its first sitting of 2026, the House had begun impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the State Assembly complex and alleged spending without legislative approval, among other claims.
More details later….
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