Here’s your afternoon roundup of today’s top stories from Nigeria and beyond.
In major developments, CIG Motors has fired a director and referred the case to the EFCC over alleged financial misconduct, while Manchester United has sacked head coach Ruben Amorim following inconsistent results and internal tensions.
The Presidency clarified claims that the photo of President Bola Tinubu with Rwandan President Kagame in Paris was AI-generated, confirming it was authentic but enhanced for quality.
In other headlines, Sheikh Gumi denied US airstrike assassination claims, the Power Minister responded to SERAP over alleged N128bn missing funds, and Osun council workers resumed duties after 11 months, though turnout was low.
Stay with us for full details of each story as the day unfolds.
1. CIG Motors Fires Director, Refers Case to EFCC
CIG Motors Company Limited has terminated the appointment of its Executive Director, Jubril Arogundade, over alleged financial misappropriation and abuse of authority.
The company confirmed that an internal investigation revealed conduct “significantly below the company’s governance, compliance, and ethical standards,” leading to his immediate removal and referral of aspects of the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
CIG Motors emphasised its “zero‑tolerance stance” on financial misconduct and said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement.
The firm also reassured stakeholders that day‑to‑day business operations remain unaffected by the development.
Arogundade, however, has described reports of his sacking as misleading, insisting that he voluntarily resigned in December 2025 amid internal disagreements over governance and compliance — a claim that has added a contested layer to the narrative.
2. Manchester United Sack Head Coach Ruben Amorim
Premier League giants Manchester United have officially sacked head coach Ruben Amorim after 14 months in charge, the club announced on Monday.
A brief PUNCH report confirmed the decision, which follows a tumultuous tenure marked by inconsistent results and public tensions between Amorim and the club hierarchy.
International reports indicate that United’s leadership made the decision with the aim of maximising the team’s chances for a strong league finish, with the club currently in sixth place in the Premier League.
Amorim joined the club in November 2024 but struggled to bring sustained success; United finished 15th last season — the club’s lowest top‑flight finish in decades — and reached but lost the Europa League final.
The final straw reportedly included a controversial post‑match press conference where Amorim publicly defended his role and criticised internal structures at the club. Darren Fletcher is expected to take over as interim manager as United seek a new long‑term boss.
3. Presidency Clarifies Tinubu–Kagame Paris Photo
The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed widespread online claims that a photo showing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Paris was artificially generated by AI.
Presidential aide Temitope Ajayi said the image is authentic, taken during an official engagement where the leaders shared lunch, and later had dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The photo was initially captured on a mobile phone and later enhanced using an AI tool called Grok to improve quality — but, Ajayi stressed, it was not created by AI and does not make it inauthentic.
The presidency criticised misinformation and urged journalists and the public to verify facts before sharing unconfirmed claims.
4. Gumi Debunks US Airstrike Assassination Claims
Kaduna Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has refuted viral social media claims suggesting he was targeted for assassination in recent U.S. airstrikes in Sokoto State.
According to his clarification, the video being circulated is old and pertains to past security challenges from 2012, not any current threat against him.
Gumi described the circulation of the claim as misinformation and warned against spreading unverified content that could alarm the public.
5. N128bn Not Missing Under My Watch, Adelabu Tells SERAP
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, addressed calls from the Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability Project to investigate alleged missing funds totaling N128 billion in the power sector.
Adelabu emphasised that the period referred to predates his tenure, stating that the alleged missing funds fall outside his watch.
He said he has no objection to a proper probe and reaffirmed his commitment to transparency in handling legacy issues.
6. Low Turnout as Osun Council Workers Resume After 11 Months
Council workers in Osun State resumed duties after an 11‑month layoff triggered by infighting over the control of local government secretariats.
The resumption was marked by low attendance and a cautious atmosphere among workers returning to the office after nearly a year.
Unions and officials have appealed for peace and cooperation to ensure smooth operations as services restart.
