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FG Reveals Alleged Blackmail Attempt By Foreign Companies Amid Tinubu’s UK Trip
The Federal Government has uncovered a plot by a foreign mining firm, Jupiter Ltd, to orchestrate a “campaign of calumny” and blackmail during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom, scheduled for March 18–19, 2026.
According to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Jupiter Ltd allegedly intends to sponsor protests and media campaigns to discredit Nigeria’s mining reforms, driven by a dispute over the revocation of mineral titles formerly held by Basin Mining Ltd due to ₦2.49 billion in unpaid fees.
The ministry alleged that the company was orchestrating the “campaign of calumny” to embarrass the President during the historic two day state visit in the company of his wife, First Lady Oluremi.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host the president and the First Lady at Windsor Castle On Wednesday and Thursday.
The visit is Nigeria’s first state visit in 37 years to Windsor Castle.
But in a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Segun Tomori, the ministry alleged that the company planed to sponsor a protest and media campaign targeted at discrediting the government over the enforcement of mining regulations.
Tomori described the firm’s claims as a “tissue of falsehoods” designed to distract from the government’s efforts to sanitize the mining sector.
According to the statement, the controversy stems from the revocation of mineral titles previously held by Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company reportedly fronted by Australian national Steve Davis.
The ministry said the licenses were revoked after the company failed to pay statutory annual service fees totaling N2,494,000,000 for mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML, and 40533ML for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
The statement noted that the government has no direct legal relationship with “Jupiter Lithium,” as Nigerian law prohibits granting mining licenses directly to foreign entities.
The statement said: “The Federal Government, through the Ministry and the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office (NMCO), has no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium. The Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA 2007) expressly prohibits the granting of mining licenses to foreign companies.”
The ministry further accused Mr. Davis of being a “mining speculator who manages a web of six different companies to acquire titles without conducting actual operations.
“This practice, the government argues, prevents genuine investors from entering the market and contributes to the rise of illegal mining.
On the rumor that the titles were seized to favor a Chinese firm, the ministry dismissed the claim as a “complete fabrication.”
Tomori further said: “Instead of adhering to Nigerian mining laws, Davis would rather operate surreptitiously as a mining speculator who sets up companies to acquire mineral titles and shortchange the nation.
“Unfortunately for him, the government’s strict application of the regulations caught up with him.”
Insisting that the ongoing reforms are intended to transform the mining sector into a major contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the ministry maintained that federal government would not be intimidated by international pressure or “shows of shame” organised abroad.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the antics of any individual or company.
“The nefarious activities of the past that stunted the growth of the mining sector will no longer be tolerated,” the statement warned.
Despite the crackdown, the ministry reiterated that Nigeria remains open for business, highlighting incentives such as tax waivers on imported equipment and the full repatriation of profits for those who follow the law.
The government urged the international community to disregard the planned protests in the UK, characterising the move as a desperate attempt by discredited individuals to circumvent transparency.
At the weekend, Special Adviser to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kehinde Bamigbetan, reacted to the falsehoods sponsored by Jupiter Ltd in a publication titled “Nigeria seizes British Lithium project under armed guard.”
In his response titled: “In Nigeria’s mining sector, the law is no respecter of persons”, Bamgbetan exposed the antics of one Steve Davis and Hamish MacDonald, whose deceitful enterprise in the mining sector eventually met the full weight of the law.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced that the results for the first day of the 2026 UTME, held on Thursday, April 16, will be released today, Friday, before midnight.
According to a statement from JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, candidates who sat for the examination on the opening day can expect to access their scores once processing is finalized later tonight
He stated that an official public announcement would follow once the release process is complete.
A total of 2,243,816 candidates registered for this year’s exercise, representing a 10.5 per cent increase from the 2.03 million recorded in 2025.
Benjamin said that candidates would be able to access their results as soon as the process is finalised.
“This is to inform all candidates who sat for the 2026 UTME on Thursday, 16th April 2026, that their results will be released today before midnight,” the statement read.
RELEASE OF RESULTS FOR THE FIRST DAY OF THE 2026 UTME
This is to inform all candidates who sat for the 2026 UTME on Thursday, 16th April 2026, that their results will be released today before midnight.
An official announcement will be made to the public and posted on this page as…
— Fabian Benjamin (@FabianB58246501) April 17, 2026
A breakdown of registration figures showed that Lagos State recorded the highest number of candidates with 381,814, followed by Ogun (137,156), Oyo (122,662), Kaduna (103,498), and the Federal Capital Territory (102,961).
Other states include Rivers (105,584) and Kano (83,167), while Borno (13,483) and Zamfara (14,861) recorded the lowest figures.
Outside Nigeria, participation remains minimal, with Côte d’Ivoire leading with 32 candidates, followed by Equatorial Guinea (16), Burkina Faso (14), and the United Kingdom (12).
Countries such as Gambia, Ghana, and South Africa recorded fewer than ten candidates each.
JAMB had increased the number of CBT centres to about 1,000 nationwide to improve accessibility and logistics.
The board also delisted 23 centres across several states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Edo, and Plateau, due to technical deficiencies observed during the mock UTME.
The Board added that further details regarding access to the results would be communicated through its official channels.
Candidates who participated in the first day of the nationwide examination are advised to stay updated and follow JAMB’s verified platforms for accurate information.
Tier one lender, Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to health and social welfare with the donation of food and essential items to inmates at the Enugu Maximum Security Custodial Centre.
The outreach was carried out by the newly inducted Legacy Class of 2026 and executed under the bank’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform known as the Fidelity Helping Hands Project (FHHP). Through the FHHP, staff identify areas of critical interventions in their immediate communities, raise funds and then receive matching financial support from the bank’s management to execute the projects.
Items donated by the Legacy class include a range of food supplies such as garri, spaghetti, noodles, biscuits, milk, and other essential consumables aimed at supporting the welfare and living conditions of inmates at the facility.
Speaking on the visit, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications Division, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, described the initiative as a key component of the Bank’s culture, designed to inspire compassion and a sense of responsibility in its workforce.
“As part of our induction programme, we encourage new staff to identify meaningful ways to impact their communities. In assessing the needs of this facility, it became clear that providing food and other essentials would make an immediate difference. With over 3,000 inmates here, the daily effort required to feed and care for them is enormous. We believe that this donation will significantly support the centre’s ongoing work and contribute to improving the welfare of the inmates,” he said.
Nwagboh further emphasized the broader vision behind the initiative, noting that the bank is committed to raising socially conscious professionals. “At Fidelity Bank, we are intentional about building not just skilled employees, but responsible citizens. Initiatives like this help our staff connect with real societal needs and inspire them to make meaningful contributions beyond the workplace,” he stated.
In his response, the Deputy Controller of Corrections at the facility, Dr. Sunday Igwe, commended Fidelity Bank for nurturing a strong culture of social responsibility among its workforce. He described the donation as timely and impactful, noting that it would help alleviate some of the operational challenges faced by the facility.
Igwe further used the opportunity to caution Nigerians, particularly young professionals, against engaging in criminal activities such as fraud and cybercrime, emphasizing that personal decisions can have far-reaching consequences.
“People must understand that their choices determine their outcomes. We encourage everyone to stay focused and avoid actions that may bring them into conflict with the law,” he advised.
The Fidelity Helping Hands Project remains one of Fidelity Bank’s key CSR initiatives, enabling employee-led contributions that drive meaningful impact through inclusive development across Nigeria.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
L-R: Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; Deputy Controller of Corrections, Enugu Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Dr. Sunday Igwe; Team Lead, Human Resources and Business Partner, East & South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osayi Uwumarongie; and President, Legacy Inductees Class of 2026, Fidelity Bank Plc, Darlington Okereke; during Fidelity Bank’s donation of food and essential items to Enugu Maximum Security Custodial Centre, in Enugu State recently.
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested six suspects following a foiled attempt to bomb government facilities in Akure, the state capital.
On April 16, 2026 , the state Police Commissioner, Adebowale Lawal, described the operation as a “major breakthrough” in neutralizing the planned attack.
The suspects had allegedly infiltrated the state after mapping out the specific location of attacks.
While disclosing the development on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, during a press briefing at the state headquarters of the command, revealed that operatives were deployed to the identified area after receiving the intel.
According to Lawal, the suspects were apprehended before the planned attack could be executed, adding that the operation led to the arrest of six suspects as well as the recovery of materials suspected to be components for the fabrication of IEDs.
The police boss identified the suspects as Adekunle Prosper, 56, Ojo Olumide, 39, Tope Kolawole, 40, Ahmed Salihu, 40, Bolaji Adebowale, 46, and Gbadebo Abidemi, 43.
He said, “A thorough search of the scene and a subsequent operation at the suspects’ apartment resulted in the recovery of a cache of items, including 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, criminal charms, 17 mobile phones, the sum of N187,000, two HP laptops, eight slings, one knife, an external hard drive, two identity cards, one National Identity Number (NIN) card, and two motorcycles, among other items.
“Preliminary assessments indicate that some of these materials were intended for the construction of explosive devices, while others may have been used to facilitate coordinated criminal activities.
“Early findings from the investigation reveal that the group actively engaged in assembling IEDs allegedly intended for deployment on government infrastructures, with indications that their operations may extend beyond the state capital to other parts of the country.”
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