News
Tinubu Orders Reversal of Osun Account Freeze,
By Rukevwe Odeh
Opposition Raises Concerns Over EFCC Independence
Residents and government officials in Osun State have welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive instructing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to withdraw the court-backed restriction placed on the state’s bank accounts, a development that came just days before the governorship election.
According to the President, although the anti-graft agency acted within its legal authority in seeking the order, the timing of the action risked creating the impression that federal institutions were being used to influence the electoral process. He stressed that every action taken by federal agencies ultimately reflects on the Presidency and should not undermine public confidence ahead of a major election.
The President also disclosed that he personally informed Governor Ademola Adeleke of his decision to direct the EFCC to discontinue the account freeze, reaffirming his commitment to the operational independence of anti-corruption agencies while urging them to carry out their duties without actions capable of generating political controversy.
Despite the reversal, opposition figures questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar argued that the President’s intervention raised doubts about the EFCC’s claimed independence. He noted that while the President referred to a court order authorising the freeze, the commission had not publicly mentioned obtaining such an order in its earlier explanations.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also welcomed the lifting of the restriction but challenged the President’s reference to a court order. The party maintained that the EFCC had previously justified its action solely on its statutory powers and asked why the alleged court approval had not been disclosed earlier. It warned that the President’s admission of directing the agency to reverse its action could strengthen perceptions of executive influence over the commission.
Similarly, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said the controversy should not be blamed solely on the EFCC leadership, arguing that the President’s public directive to the commission raised constitutional and legal concerns. He maintained that any party dissatisfied with the account freeze should have sought redress through the courts rather than executive intervention.
The development has also drawn reactions from legal practitioners and political leaders, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and prominent Yoruba stakeholders, who cautioned against actions capable of eroding confidence in democratic institutions. They urged federal agencies to exercise their powers in ways that preserve public trust, especially during election periods.
News
A boat carrying nearly 270 people has capsized off northern Cyprus as a search and rescue operation is under way.
By: Miracle Orumor
A major search and rescue operation is under way off the coast of northern Cyprus after a boat carrying nearly 270 people capsized in the Mediterranean Sea.
The vessel was reportedly carrying 267 people, including 259 passengers and eight crew members, when it ran into trouble during its journey.
Emergency teams, including coastguard vessels, helicopters and Turkish rescue personnel, were deployed to the area as authorities launched a massive operation to save survivors and locate those still missing.
Several people have been rescued, while authorities continue searching the waters for other passengers. The exact number of casualties and missing persons remains unclear as the rescue operation continues.
The cause of the capsizing has not yet been officially confirmed, and authorities have launched an investigation into what led to the maritime disaster.
The incident has sparked growing concern among families of those on board as rescue teams race against time to find survivors.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the search and rescue operation continues.
This is a developing story. More details are expected to emerge.
News
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and South African Police Service (SAPS) are investigating a video circulating on social media that appears to show a soldier slapping a woman during a planned joint operation in Mitchells Plain on Friday.
By: Miracle Orumor
CAPE TOWN — The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) are investigating a viral video that appears to show a soldier slapping a woman during a joint security operation in Mitchells Plain.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday during a planned operation involving members of the SANDF and SAPS in the Cape Town community.
The footage, which has been widely circulated on social media, has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over the conduct of security personnel deployed in crime-hit communities.
Both the SANDF and SAPS have launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether any misconduct took place.
The latest incident comes amid continued scrutiny of Operation Prosper, a joint security operation involving the military and police in several Western Cape communities affected by high levels of violent crime.
Previous allegations linked to the operation have raised concerns about the treatment of civilians and the accountability of security personnel accused of misconduct.
The investigation into the latest incident is expected to determine what led to the confrontation and whether the soldier involved could face disciplinary or further legal action.
Authorities have previously maintained that security personnel deployed during joint operations are expected to act within the law and respect the rights and dignity of members of the public.
The SANDF and SAPS investigations are ongoing.
News
Two jets – one wrapped in green and one in black – coupled with an astonishing double flyover over the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, mere moments before the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry test match between South Africa and New Zealand, had the entire world buzzing.
By: Miracle Orumor
CAPE TOWN — A heart-stopping aviation spectacle over DHL Stadium went viral on Saturday, leaving 55,000 rugby fans breathless and sending social media into a frenzy just minutes before South Africa faced New Zealand in their Test match.
A commercial Embraer E190 passenger jet operated by Airlink—bearing a custom “Go Bokke” logo on its underside—executed a precise, ultra-low flyover directly above the open-roof stadium.
Approaching from a holding pattern near Robben Island, the airliner thundered over the venue, passing through pyrotechnic smoke erupting from the roofline before banking hard over Table Mountain. Spectator footage instantly flooded platforms like TikTok and X, with millions debating the aircraft’s proximity to the stadium superstructure.
Data from flight-tracking service Flightradar24 revealed that the jet descended to roughly 200 feet above sea level. With DHL Stadium standing about 164 feet tall, the plane passed just tens of feet above the roofline. Aviation experts noted that long broadcast lenses created an optical illusion, making the aircraft appear even closer to the stadium than it actually was.
Airlink confirmed the flight was thoroughly planned, rehearsed, and fully approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), with three senior captains inside the cockpit managing the display.
The maneuver pays homage to South Africa’s iconic 1995 Rugby World Cup final, where a South African Airways Boeing 747 famously buzzed Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
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