A man in Shanghai has fallen victim to a sophisticated scam, losing nearly $28,000 after being deceived into believing he was in a long-distance relationship with an AI-generated girlfriend.

The scam, reported by Chinese state media on Wednesday, February 26, involved the use of generative artificial intelligence software to
create realistic video and still images of a woman, who was presented as the fictional “Ms. Jiao.”

The victim, identified only as Mr. Liu, transferred nearly 200,000 yuan (around $28,000) to what he thought was his online lover’s bank account. The scammers convinced him that his “girlfriend” needed the funds to open a business and assist
a relative with medical expenses. To further support the scam, they provided fake identification and medical reports.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, the
operation was carried out by a “scammer team”
that used AI to produce convincing images and
videos of the woman, who Mr Liu never met in
person. The victim was shown images of the
woman in various settings, such as holding a
paint palette and standing on a city street, all
created using AI or by combining multiple
images.

This incident highlights the growing threat posed by AI-driven scams, as technology increasingly allows for the creation of highly convincing fake identities. Earlier this month, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, issued a warning to users about online romance scams involving generative AI, noting the rise in such deceptive practices.

The Secretary to the Osun State Government, High Chief Teslim Igbalaye, has joined friends, family, and associates in celebrating the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In his special message signed by his Special Assistant on media, Kehinde Adeoye, the Osun SSG eulogized the celebrant, acknowledging his vital contributions to the economic development of the state.

The statement reads:

“I congratulate you, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, as you celebrate your birthday today. Your contributions to the economic growth of Osun State, particularly in your role as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, cannot be overstated.”

“Since you assumed office, your ministry has experienced significant strides and innovations. I can personally attest to the positive impact of your leadership, which has helped shape the economic agenda of His Excellency in no small measure.”

“Your dedication, commitment, and technical expertise have been pivotal in transforming the ministry. Under your leadership, the ministry has undergone a major facelift and is poised for even greater progress.”

“As you mark this special day, I pray that you continue to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. May peace, good health, and long life be your portion.”

Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu has claimed that there is no way the nation would have sustained till now the payment of fuel subsidy that was abolished in May 2023.

Tinubu, who admitted that some of the policies of his government were difficult, confirmed that monthly allocations to State Governments tripled since the subsidy was removed.

The president spoke on Tuesday during the All Progressives Congress, APC, national caucus meeting at the States House, Abuja.

He said, “I have a commitment to our manifestos, progressive ideas and beliefs.

“The policies are difficult but there is no way Nigeria could have survived the continuation of fuel subsidy, there is no way.

“Today, I can beat my chest and each of the governors here can confirm that allocation to the states is tripled. We have enough fundings from the Local Government”.

DAILY POST reports that Nigerians have been plunged into serious economic hardship since the subsidy was removed in 2023.

The President’s comment confirms the insinuation that some state governors are not doing much to mitigate the ravaging hardship bedeviling the citizens.

….pledges support for reforms to stabilize downstream operations

A Niger Delta anti-pipeline vandalization group, the Anti-Pipeline Vandalization/Oil Theft & Illegal Bunkering Task Force, has commended the Executive Vice President, Downstream at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Isiyaku Abdullahi, over ongoing reforms, performance and successes recorded in the downstream of the oil and gas sector.

According to the task force, the reforms which is the initiative of the Downstream at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, under the watch of Isiyaku Abdullahi,has deeply impacted and galvanized that part of the oil and gas value chain.

The National Coordinator, Anti- pipeline/Vandalization and Oil Theft & Illegal Bunkering Task Force , Comrade Pathfinder Fiawei, a review of the Abdullahi’s track record and experience before his appointment as the Executive Vice President, Downstream at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, showed that he is a round peg in a round hole as his performance is traced to his days as Business Advisor to Group General Manager/CEO (NAPIMS), then later was appointed as the Managing Director of PPMC, which he professionally superintended the affairs of the PPMC, whose performance was outstanding, whereby, he was appointed the Group General Manager of Accounts/Financial Controller at NNPC HQ.

According to the group,” Interestingly, with careful assessment and his sagacity and well-grounded expertise in the oil and gas industry, he was appointed the General Manager, Finance at NNPC Pension Ltd. He is renowned administrative professional marketing expert par excellence.”

He said: “We the Anti-Pipeline Vandalization/Oil Theft & Illegal Bunkering Taskforce Group, is a critical stakeholder in the oil and gas sector, and we have painstakingly assessed and monitored the Executive Vice President, Downstream at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, EVP, Isiyaku Abdullahi, Downstream, and have seen the convincing impact and penetration of the timely reforms he has initiated, championed and executed that have drastically changed the narrative in the history of the oil and gas sector in this country.”

“The EVP Downstream is a man of transparency and integrity whose administrative prowess and wealth of experience along with a dogged team are making great impact that have passed our test of integrity.”

“We hail and laud your pragmatic reforms carried out in the downstream of the nation’s oil and gas sector, which these reforms have placed Nigeria’s oil and gas sector far ahead of other countries, and we hail the performance of the EVP, Downstream for this effort and patriotism displayed beyond reasonable doubt.”

“In fact, there is no gainsaying about the fact that the crystalizing impact of these changes have proven the capacity of the man at the helms of affairs, which we applaud him for doing what has been neglected over the years, really it’s no longer business as usual as far as the downstream is concerned.”

Meanwhile, Pathfinder, highlighted the results of the reforms initiated and led by the EVP Downstream to include; the Upscaling of the PPMC’s annual profits from N3 billion to N19 billion; Publishing NNPC’s first audited financial statements in 44 years.- Saving millions of dollars for the federation;”

” Developing and implementing strategic financial plans and projects; Analyzing data and solving problems related to financial performance; Building financial models and forecasts for energy operations.”

“We in Anti-Pipeline Vandalization/Oil Theft & Illegal Bunkering Task Force unreservedly assure you that we have thrown our heavy weight behind your office and your reforms, therefore, resolve to support and drive the sweeping changes in the downstream sector as major stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.”

“We also partner with your organization to join forces to sternly fight and rout out saboteurs from the oil and gas sector who are out to cripple the nation’s economy with their activities of crude oil pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering of our common wealth at our detriment as citizens of Nigeria.”

“We also join you to enforce transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector as you carry out the reforms and policies in order to transform the nation’s downstream sector, most especially now that the nation’s four major refineries are coming on stream”, he said.

The Qadi of the Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Kwara State, Justice Abdurraheem Sayi, has stated that approval of state authorities or traditional rulers is not needed for Muslims to establish and operate Shari’ah arbitration panels in the South-West.

He described the objections to Shari’ah arbitration panels in the South-West as “legally baseless, an embarrassment to legal minds, and a mere expression of Islamophobia syndrome” that had been deliberately ignored by the affected states.

Justice Sayi made the assertion while delivering a lecture on “Shari’ah in South-West Nigeria” at the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni 30th Pre-Ramadan Lecture, themed “The Transformative Power of Ramadan,” which was held at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, UNILAG, on Sunday,

The lecture, attended by Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, Ogun Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako, and other dignitaries, aimed to dispel misconceptions about Shari’ah law and arbitration in the region.

Justice Sayi emphasised that arbitration is a contractual matter that does not require government approval, stating, “There’s no confusion in the Nigerian Constitution. Arbitration is by contract.

“Nobody needs the approval of the Federal Government to operate it. As powerful as the President is, his authority does not extend to approving the Constitution of an arbitration panel. It is purely contractual.”

He further asserted that Muslims do not need permission from religious bodies or traditional rulers to operate Shari’ah panels, as the law grants private citizens the right to do so.

He said, “We don’t need the approval of any state authority, let alone a monarch. Associations, including political parties, can establish small committees to resolve disputes involving their members.

“All the Muslim panels that I know of always hold their sittings inside mosques. What business do pastors or monarchs have in this matter? Somebody should tell the monarchs to know their boundaries.”

Citing the Arbitration and Mediation Act of 2023, the judge explained that the law not only allows private citizens to form arbitral panels but also grants them the authority to determine the legal framework governing such panels.

Justice Sayi highlighted the effectiveness of Shari’ah arbitration in Lagos, revealing that “there have been multiple instances where High Court judges informed litigants that they were helpless and, as a result, referred cases to the Independent Shari’ah panel.”

He questioned why Muslims in Lagos, Osun, and Ogun—where they form a significant part of the population—are denied legal structures such as Shari’ah courts that address their personal and family matters.

Clarifying the role of Shari’ah panels, the judge stated that they are “not substitutes for courts but function by contract, where attendance is voluntary; however, once a person participates in the proceedings, the decision becomes binding.”

Addressing the broader legal framework, Justice Sayi argued that while the law mandates inclusivity and national unity over sectional loyalties, Muslims in the South-West Nigeria remain excluded from the region’s family law system.

He urged the South-West governments to allow the establishment of Shari’ah courts to give Muslims a sense of belonging and provide a legal framework for resolving matters such as child custody, marriage dissolution, and others.

“There is no single court in the region competent to dissolve an Islamic marriage or handle child custody cases following Islamic law. Shari’ah is a fundamental right of Muslims.”

Also speaking at the event, Professor Mashood Baderin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, delivered a lecture on “Islam at the Intersection of Humanity and Religion,” urging Muslims to manifest their faith in ways that positively impact society, including the observance of their five daily prayers.

AGF Fagbemi: Osun LG elections conducted by Adeleke ‘invalid, egregious breach of the Constitution

My attention has been drawn to the PUBLIC OUTCRY OF Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke concerning the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Akure division delivered on 10th day of February, 2025 in Appeal No CA/AK/272/2022 which nullified and set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, delivered on 25th day of November, 2022.

2. It has become necessary to issue this public notice to remove doubts, fears, and uncertainties created by misrepresentations and disinformation concerning the legal effect of the judgement of the Court of Appeal.

3. Putting matters in proper context, the event that led to the two judgements was that during the currency of the term of the former Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, election was held into all the local governments of Osun State and winners were sworn in.

4. However, a few days before the swearing in of Governor Adeleke, the Federal High Court Osogbo delivered the judgement referred to above in which it nullified the election of the Local Government elected officials and removed them from office. As soon as Governor Adeleke assumed office a few days after the judgement, he issued executive order for the physical removal of the elected officials and replaced them with caretaker appointees.

5. Meanwhile, the APC that was a party in the Federal High Court case referred to above appealed against the judgement. The Court of Appeal, eventually, on 10th day of February, 2025 delivered its judgement in the appeal filed by APC against the judgement of the Federal High Court. The Court of Appeal not only allowed the appeal, it also held affirmatively that the suit that resulted in the judgement of the Federal High Court referred to above was incompetent and consequently made an order striking out the suit.

6. Accordingly, the judgement of the Court of Appeal had by implication effectively restored the elected Local Government officials removed by the Federal High Court, back to their offices.

7. According to the facts made available to my office, it was the attempt by the said elected officials to resume back in their positions that was resisted by some disgruntled elements which led to the crisis. His Excellency, the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke is no doubt aware of this scenario and ought, as a leader to have called the disgruntled elements to order in accordance with his Oath of Office to maintain law and order in Osun State.

8. Notwithstanding the judgement of the Court of Appeal referenced above, which in effect means that the term of office of the elected officials has regained currency and will naturally run out in October, 2025, His Excellency has insisted that a new Local Government election shall be held on Saturday, 22nd February, 2025.

9. Any such election that may be held will not only be invalid since the term of office of the elected officials just restored by the judgement of the Court of Appeal will still be running until October 2025, it will also amount to an egregious breach of the Constitution which Governor Adeleke has sworn to uphold. Again, the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which has validated and entrenched Local Government autonomy also strengthens the obligation on Governor Adeleke to ensure smooth, non-violent transition from one elected officials to another in accordance with the statutorily prescribed 3 year tenure.

10. For avoidance of doubt, when proceedings and decisions of court are declared a nullity for lack of jurisdiction, it means they do not exist and have no effect whatsoever.

11. It is my opinion that the Court of Appeal Judgement of 10th February, 2025 which is superior to any High Court decision, defines the legal position in this case and represents the only legally enforceable judgement and has the legal effect of returning the initially sacked Local Government democratically elected officials of Osun State.

12. The constitutional order which existed before the dissolution must be restored immediately since the judgement upon which the Governor acted to dissolve the democratically elected government has been declared a nullity for lack of jurisdiction of the Court to have heard the case and made those orders.

13. I will appeal to His Excellency, Governor Adeleke to toe the path of law in this matter and not instigate unnecessary violence in Osun State. Nobody benefits from violence. It is, therefore, of utmost importance for Governor Adeleke to advise Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) to shelve the idea of proceeding with any Local Government Election now.

14. My office will be happy to be available for any dialogue His Excellency may require on this matter in the interest of the peace of Osun State in particular and Nigeria in general.