Business
FEDERAL SARS ARRESTS JOURNALIST, LAWYER FOR PLANNING TO BLACKMAIL AND EXTORT MILLIONS OF NAIRA FROM OUR DAILY MANNA BISHOP DR CHRIS KWAKPOVWE
+ How they demanded for N18million Ransom!
The Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad SARS has arrested a 38-year-old journalist, Ohio Ojeagbase, who allegedly specialised in blackmailing popular pastors and celebrities in the country.
The command also arrested another Lawyer, Barr. Uche Iloani who was accused of working together with the journalist to extort money from highly placed men of God and prominent people in the country.
According to investigations and counter investigations, we gathered that Mr Ohio had blackmailed many clergymen and business men in the country.
The suspect according to information made available to us used to plant people in form of staffers into the homes and working places of their targets to understand all about them and then plan how to penetrate.
On the case of Bishop Chris kwakpovwe, the publisher of the popular daily devotional booklet OUR DAILY MANNA, and the General Overseer of the Manna Prayer Mountain, they had planted a lady in his ministry to function as a staff whose job is to get the blackmailers updated with information about the Clergy man to ease their blackmail plans
It was reliably gathered that one Ms Rita, who had been working with the ministry for about 5 years, and has been functioning in the media department as HOD for about two years now, was accused of losing (stealing) media and video equipment worth the tune of N5.6million and when she was asked to pay which has been the norm in the ministry from inception, that any missing item under any HOD will be paid by that HOD and the supervisor! The said RITA absconded from the church office claiming she was not a thief.
This prompted her arrest by the church/ODM ministry management and a case was filled at the Area H police command in Ogudu, Lagos. It was the arrest that brought out Barrister Uche Iloano who claimed to be her counsel and asked for her to be released with immediate effect with a plea to the ministry to settle out of court.
But as soon as the release was made and bail granted, the journalist Mr OHIO Ojeagbase surfaced and sent a letter with his letter headed paper, Probiters Report, addressed to the bishop for trying to maltreat and threaten the life of one his staff and that they were going to publish a story in that regards.
This was when the issues of blackmail started occurring where they now started demanding for millions of naira to kill the story.
A meeting was held with this team of people who involved Barrister Uche Iloano, Mr Ohio the journalist and the suspect Ms Rita. And in the meeting after a lot of empty accusations and threat to publish negative story of sexual harrasement and threat to life, etc, about the Bishop, they “agreed” to make a settlement to avoid the story going viral claiming they don’t want to damage the name of the revered man of God. It now seemed at this stage that they had set up this RITA as mole to record her purported conversations over the years with the bishop. They claimed: “WHATEVER WE TELL THE PUBLIC WILL BE BELIEVED since we have 250 million online membership.” They added: ” It will take the bishop years to repair any damage done. Please pay up now.”
The lawyer therefore asked for N15million naira for inconveniencies tagged as professional fees and the inconveniences his client Ms Rita had gone through during her arrest, while the Journalist requested for 50% of whatever is paid to the lawyer.
In the pretence of agreeing to their terms, the money was negotiated and they later arrived at N18million for both the journalist and the lawyer.
GIVE US YOUR PROPERTY!
Furthermore, when the man of God through his publicist complained of not having up to such amount of money, they suggested to him to bring a property document (ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS) and they will help him facilitate a quick loan from a bank so he can make the payment without stress.
This was where the man of God knew it very clearly that this plan was meant to blackmail him and he promptly reported the case to the police who advised that further meetings BE ELCTRONICALLY RECORED! And that was done!
We gathered that another meeting was then arranged for the payment to be made on Wednesday 12 April, 2017 and for them to finally meet with the Bishop at an arranged venue around Ogudu Lagos state. When everyone had arrived for the meeting and they were almost starting, the men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad stormed the place and arrested everybody there sited.
The case according to the investigative Police Officer IPO, will be charged to court today Thursday 13 April 2017, while other investigations are still ongoing.
Speaking on the plot to be blackmailed by the notorious blackmailers, The Bishop told Journalists that he had planned this arrest from the beginning of this whole matter. “The Holy Spirit had told me that this was a plot to bring me down as a man of God but I was proactive in my approach to get to the bottom before they will carry out their nefarious acts and go scot free.”
He added that “Hence this ASTONISHING RECORDED EVIDENCE and their eventual arrest. Let the court decide on what their fate will be. Why would people just cook up evil plans and stories to blackmail and try to get wealthy without work? In God I trust.”
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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