The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday tendered newspaper publications on the Naira redesign allegations against the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, in his trial over alleged disobedience to the direction of law and causing injury to the nation.

The newspaper publications are meant to serve as exhibits at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, where the anti-graft agency put him on trial over the Naira redesign allegations.

The EFCC tendered the documents through a subpoenaed witness, Jegede Oluwasegun, an official of the National Library of Nigeria.

Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge bordering on disobedience to the direction of law and illegal acts causing injury to the public.

In the charge, marked CR/264/2024, Emefiele was, among others, alleged to have, between October 19, 2022 and March 5, 2023, disobeyed the provisions of Section 19 of the CBN Act by approving the printing of 375,520,000 pieces of colour-swapped N1,000 notes at a total cost of N11,052,068,062 without the recommendation of the CBN Board and the strict approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, thereby causing injury to the public.

The offences allegedly committed by him, according to the EFCC, were contrary to Section 123 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, and punishable under the same law.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the resumed hearing in the case, the witness was led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, counsel for the prosecution.

The witness, who is the prosecution witness 8 (PW8), explained his official duties to the court.

Oyedepo later tendered copies of Punch, ThisDay, Vanguard, Daily Sun, and The Nation newspapers, alongside certification receipts from the National Library, as evidence.

Counsel to the defendant, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, did not object, and the court admitted them and marked them as exhibits.

While being cross-examined by Emefiele’s counsel, Ojo, the witness admitted that he did not author the contents of the newspapers.

“What I do is to certify the newspapers. I cannot 100 per cent say the content of the papers is right. I am not the author,” the witness told the court.

Ojo then referred to the ThisDay publication of January 31, 2023, and its certification, which the witness confirmed. Ojo subsequently tendered it in evidence.

The prosecution did not object to the document, prompting the court to admit it in evidence and mark it as an exhibit.

Justice Maryanne Anenih thereafter adjourned further trial till May 12.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Monday, released the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, cut-off marks approved by universities across Nigeria for the 2026 admission exercise.

The cut-off marks were announced following the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.

According to the approved list, Pan-Atlantic University fixed the highest minimum cut-off mark at 220.

Several institutions, including the University of Benin, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Covenant University, Air Force Institute of Technology, and Obafemi Awolowo University, adopted 200 as their minimum benchmark.

JAMB stated that the approved figures represent the minimum thresholds for admission consideration.

The Board noted that institutions may still set higher requirements for competitive courses such as medicine, engineering, pharmacy, and law.

Below is the full list of universities and their approved minimum UTME scores for the 2026 admission exercise:

Pan-Atlantic University – 220

Air Force Institute of Technology – 200

Covenant University – 220

Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta – 200

Obafemi Awolowo University – 200

University of Benin – 200

University of Ibadan – 200

University of Lagos – 200

University of Nigeria, Nsukka – 200

Lagos State University of Science and Technology – 195

Lagos State University – 195

Lagos State University of Education – 185

Afe Babalola University – 180

Ahmadu Bello University – 180

Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun – 180

Nigeria Police Academy – 180

Nigerian University of Technology and Management – 180

Shanahan University – 180

University of Abuja (Yakubu Gowon University) – 180

University of Ilorin – 180

University of Jos – 170

Augustine University – 170

Babcock University – 170

Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia – 170

Federal University, Lafia – 170

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology – 170

Nasarawa State University – 170

BITS University, Bwari – 170

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University – 160

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University – 160

Admiralty University of Nigeria – 160

African Aviation and Aerospace University – 160

Ajayi Crowther University – 160

Al-Hikmah University – 160

Bamidele Olumilua University – 160

Bayero University, Kano – 160

Bells University of Technology – 160

Caleb University – 160

Chrisland University – 160

Dominion University – 160

Emmanuel Alayande University of Education – 160

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta – 160

Federal University of Education, Pankshin – 160

Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo – 160

Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti – 160

Federal University of Technology, Ikot-Abasi – 160

First Technical University – 160

Imo State University – 160

Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management – 160

Karl Kumm University – 160

Kwara State University – 160

Landmark University – 160

Lead City University – 160

Modibbo Adama University – 160

Nnamdi Azikiwe University – 160

Olabisi Onabanjo University – 160

Osun State University – 160

Plateau State University – 160

Redeemer’s University – 160

Summit University – 160

Tai Solarin University of Education – 160

Taraba State College of Nursing and Midwifery – 160

University of Ilesa – 160

AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University – 150

Adamawa State University – 150

Adeleke University – 150

African School of Economics, Abuja – 150

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the resumption of the third phase of the Nationwide Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise in Ondo State.

According to a statement issued by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, the exercise commenced on Monday, May 11, 2026, and is being conducted nationwide through both online pre-registration and physical, in-person registration.

According to the statement, “the third phase would adopt the IVED rotation framework for the first 40 days of the exercise. The final five days would take place across all the 18 Local Government Area offices of the commission in the state.”

The Commission disclosed that the exercise, which is the final phase of the registration process, is scheduled to conclude on July 10, 2026, in line with its approved timetable.

The statement urged “eligible citizens who are yet to register to take advantage of the opportunity within the stipulated period.”

It also encouraged electorates seeking to update their voter information or transfer their registration details to participate in the exercise.

The commission noted that individuals with missing or defaced Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, could also use the exercise to request replacements.

Agboke also assured residents of adequate arrangements to ensure a smooth and inclusive process.

“INEC in Ondo State is poised to ensure robust public engagement with all the activities of the commission to enhance better participation and awareness,” the statement said.

Former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has stated why he is confident of winning the governorship primary under the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Gombe State.

Speaking during an interview on TVC on Sunday, Pantami said he relied on strong evidence, not opinion.

According to him, the evidence includes polls conducted both physically and online, among which he emerged as number one in all 13 polls.

“I’m not just a member of APC, but I’m also a party leader. Tinubu appointed me as a special adviser in his campaign council for the 2023 election, addressed to me as a party leader.

“So why he addressed me as a party leader is that he knew very well the role I played during the merger of Congress for Progressives Change, CPC, on one hand and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, on the other, since from 2010.

“Furthermore, the reason why I’m optimistic is because of the fact that I rely on strong evidence. It’s not opinion. And you cannot counter an evidence with an opinion.

“This evidence is the pools that have been conducted physically and also online. In each and everyone in which we have a result of around 13 of them, I emerged as number one, with all sense of humility. And you may wish to go there and verify what I have said.

“Thirdly, the reason I feel people love me so much and they appreciate my modest contribution is because of the fact that when I got the opportunity to serve as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, I did my best for Nigeria in general and for Gombe in particular,” he said.

Human rights group, Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to launch an independent investigation into the death of six civilians reportedly killed during a military airstrike in Niger State.

In a statement issued on Monday, the organization condemned the incident, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of Sunday at Guradnayi settlement near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area.

According to the organization, the airstrike allegedly hit a residential area around 5:00 a.m. during military operations targeting armed groups operating in the area.

The group said at least six civilians were killed, while several others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment.

“Nigerian authorities must promptly carry out an independent, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident, make the findings public, and ensure accountability for any violations of international law,” the statement said.

Amnesty International expressed concern over what it described as the recurring loss of civilian lives during military air operations, warning that such incidents raise questions about Nigeria’s compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law.

The organization stressed the need for authorities to adhere to the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution during security operations.

It also urged the government to provide medical care, humanitarian assistance, psychosocial support and reparations to victims and affected families.

“The Nigerian government must urgently review operational procedures governing aerial bombardments and put in place effective safeguards to prevent further civilian casualties during military operations,” the group added.

Amnesty International further maintained that civilians should never be exposed to danger during security operations.