Social media influencer and relationship therapist Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦36 million fraud case in Lagos. The influencer was docked before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Friday on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and alleged theft. The EFCC alleged that Blessing CEO obtained ₦36 million from one Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretext of securing a six-bedroom duplex in Lekki, Lagos. Prosecutors claimed the representation was false and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The anti-graft agency also accused her of converting the funds for personal use. Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read before the court. Following her plea, EFCC counsel requested that she be remanded pending trial, while her defence team informed the court that they had just received the charge documents and intended to file a bail application. Justice D.I. Dipeolu subsequently ordered that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of her bail application. The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for trial.

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 15.69 per cent in April 2026, according to new data released by the National Bureau of Statistics. The country’s statistical agency disclosed on Friday that the headline inflation rate on a month-on-month basis stood at 2.13 per cent in April. The NBS also reported that food inflation reached 16.06 per cent year-on-year during the month, driven by increases in the average prices of key food commodities across the country. According to the bureau, products that contributed to the rise in food inflation included millet, yam flour, fresh ginger, beef, garri, yam tuber, fresh pepper, crayfish, cassava tuber, beans, Irish potatoes, fresh tomatoes, wheat grain sold loose, soya beans, guinea corn, plantain and fresh carrots. The agency said, “This can be attributed to the rate of change in the average prices of the following products: Millet whole grain, yam flour, ginger (Fresh), beef, garri, yam tuber, pepper (Fresh), cray fish, cassava tuber, Beans, Irish Potatoes, tomatoes (fresh), wheat grain (Sold loose), soya beans, guinea corn, plantain, carrots (Fresh) etc.” Despite the increase recorded in April, the NBS noted that the average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending April 2026 was lower compared to the same period in 2025. “The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending April 2026, relative to the previous twelve-month average, was 17.55%, which was 17.05 percentage points lower than the average annual rate of change recorded in April 2025 (34.60%),” the bureau stated. The latest figures come as households and businesses continue to grapple with rising living costs and fluctuating food prices across Nigeria.

A suspected chemical odour caused panic across schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, after more than 90 students reportedly developed breathing difficulties, fainted, or vomited following exposure to an unidentified substance. According to a report by The Guardian Nigeria, the incident affected students around the Epe Garage area of Ijebu-Ode, with emergency responders rushing victims to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities said the strange odour spread through parts of the affected school environment during school hours, triggering confusion among students and teachers as several pupils suddenly became weak and collapsed. Earlier reports identified Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School as one of the worst-hit schools, where dozens of students and teachers were hospitalised after inhaling the substance. Officials of the Ogun State Ministry of Environment and emergency agencies were deployed to investigate the source of the chemical odour, while air quality assessments and environmental tests commenced in the affected areas. Dapo Abiodun ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and directed security agencies and environmental officials to identify the source of the suspected gas leak. The governor also approved free medical treatment for affected residents and students at the General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode. The state government said no deaths had been recorded, while most of the affected students were reported to be in stable condition. Authorities also temporarily shut affected schools as a precautionary measure pending the outcome of investigations.

Cross River flood warning has intensified after Bassey Otu appealed to the Federal Government for urgent intervention over recurring floods affecting communities across Cross River State.   According to Channels Television, the governor said annual flooding has become a major ecological threat, warning that the damage now extends beyond homes and farms to broader environmental risks.   Otu spoke during a visit by National Emergency Management Agency Director-General Zubaida Umar and a delegation involved in the 2026 National Flood Preparedness and Awareness Campaign.   He said several projects originally designed to reduce flooding in the state, including drainage systems and water diversion channels, were left incomplete, worsening the situation for vulnerable communities.   “Flooding has continued to confront our state year after year, and it is already common knowledge that Cross River remains one of the high-risk states in the country,” Otu said.   The governor added that planned dam and drainage infrastructure had not been fully delivered, despite earlier engagements with relevant authorities dating back to 2019.   NEMA confirmed that Cross River is among states expected to face severe flooding in 2026, with high-risk local government areas listed as Abi, Akamkpa, Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, Etung, Ikom, Odukpani, Obubra and Obanliku.   Umar said the agency had deployed technical teams to vulnerable communities and was working with traditional rulers, religious leaders and emergency responders to improve awareness and preparedness ahead of the peak flood season.   She noted that while flooding may not be entirely prevented, early warning systems and stronger coordination can reduce losses to lives and livelihoods.