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Naira Falls Massively At Black Market, See New Exchange Rate Today

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The dollar index remained near its weekly high, while the Nigerian naira fell below a key support line. The local currency dropped below the N1,600/$ support level in the black market, JomogNews Nigeria reports.

Market fundamentals indicate renewed demand pressure and an expanding supply gap, leading to another round of naira depreciation.

The naira’s value fell from N1,625 per dollar last weekend to N1,635/$ yesterday.

The local currency is under severe pressure this month, struggling to maintain the critical N1,500 support level, according to market indicators, despite slight improvements in some macroeconomic conditions in the Nigerian foreign exchange market.

Fundamentals suggest that if the local currency cannot maintain its current levels, it may decline towards N1,800/$. Even ardent supporters of free market economics may now doubt that the naira will strengthen to its March highs this quarter.

The Central Bank of Nigeria plans to issue treasury bills valued at N2.2 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2024. This substantial issuance, a direct response to the nation’s current economic difficulties, aims to stabilize the naira while managing liquidity in the financial market.

In response to soaring inflation, the Nigerian apex bank has adopted a tight monetary policy, raising interest rates on treasury notes to provide more incentives in the Nigerian capital market. The interest rates on 364-day bills increased from approximately 15–18% at the end of 2023 to 21.49% in the first half of 2024.

U.S. Dollar Index Hits Two-Week High

The dollar strengthened to its highest level since August 20, driven by rising long-term Treasury rates and inflation data indicating a smaller rate cut. The dollar index consolidated around 101.67 index points after reaching a peak of 101.79, a level not seen since August 20.

For the first time since July 2023, it fell as low as 100.51 index points last week following Fed Chair Powell’s statement that the easing campaign would begin at the next policy meeting. Data on U.S. gross domestic product also suggested that the economy is strong enough to allow the Federal Reserve to be less aggressive in loosening policy.

Currently, traders fully price in a quarter-point reduction in the Fed rate, with a 33% chance of a 50-basis point cut this month. Expectations for a larger decline were 36% a week ago.

U.S. payroll data, due on Friday, will be significant as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has shifted from combating inflation to preparing to protect against job losses. Analysts believe the employment data will influence the extent of the expected rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Markets have already been pricing in a 25-basis point cut for weeks.

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How 2018 Federal Legal Advice Exonerated Saraki In Offa Robbery Case

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In light of the Kwara State Government’s fresh prosecution of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his successor over the Offa robbery, fresh facts have emerged on why the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr. E. U. (Etsu Umar) Mohammed gave the duo a clean bill of health.

The Federal Director of Public Prosecutions cleared former Senate President Bukola Saraki of involvement in the Offa bank robbery in 2018, citing no evidence of a connection.

It was gathered that the DPP reviewed a 16-page police report prepared and signed by Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and then head of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT) at Force Headquarters, Abuja. The report detailed investigations into the April 5, 2018, multiple bank robbery attack in Offa, Kwara State.

The DPP in his first report dated June 22, 2018 and signed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, prepared a five page legal advice in which he noted in paragraph 5 (f) that “for the Senate President (Saraki) and the Kwara State Governor (Ahmed), his office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects. Hence, it is our advice that further and thorough investigation in this regard be carried out”.

Following the submission of a second report by the police investigating team to his office on July 27, 2018, the DPP prepared a second legal advice, which was dated August 23, 2018. The three-page legal advice also has only three paragraphs.

In paragraph 3 (vi), he noted that “with regards to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, since there is no departure from the earlier findings in the interim report, this office is still unable to establish any prima facie case against him for any offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide punishable with death”.

Both legal advices had recommended six people for prosecution. They are: Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Ibrahim, Salawudeen Azeez, Niyi Ogundiran, and Michael Adiukwu.

One of the suspects, Michael Adiukwu, later died in police custody, while the other five had since been tried at the High Court in Ilorin.

During the trial, the suspects revealed how they were coerced into incriminating Senator Bukola Saraki.

They mentioned several inducements dangled before them, including money and the promise of a visa to travel out of the country.

The suspects have since been convicted and their convictions confirmed by the Court of Appeal. The matter is now pending before the apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

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₦400m Ransom Demanded As Gunmen Abduct Another Kwara Ruler

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Terrorists have abducted a traditional ruler in Olayinka community, located in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda and are demanding a ₦400 million ransom for his release.

The abduction occurred on April 18, 2026, when armed men, suspected to be militia herdsmen, invaded the community and took the monarch, his wife, and another resident into the forest.

According to JomogNews, residents who witnessed the incident said the terrorists, numbering over 10, invaded the monarch’s residence around Saturday midnight, forced the door open, and abducted him alongside another person in the house.

The assailants reportedly led both victims into the bush.

Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mr Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, visited the community on Saturday on a sympathy visit and assured residents that efforts were underway to secure the monarch’s release.

“We are deeply concerned about this incident, and we are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” he said.

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Living Faith Church Founder Declares Week Of Vengeance Against Insecurity Sponsors

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Bishop David Oyedepo, General Overseer of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has declared that bandits and their sponsors will face divine judgment and retribution within seven days.

Speaking on Sunday, April 19, 2026, during a service themed “Covenant Day of Vengeance” at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, the cleric stated that those responsible for killings and kidnappings would face imminent consequences.

“I declare judgement on those who caused these tragedies and their supporters in the name of Jesus,” he said.

The cleric further asserted that divine retribution would occur within a short timeframe.

“Unless I am not sent, this will happen in the next seven days,” he added.

Oyedepo also expressed confidence that Nigerians would soon witness outcomes of what he described as divine intervention, noting that the coming days would bring “testimonies of vengeance.”

 

 

 

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