On February 26, 2026, Leslie Chinedu Mba, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to 19 years (228 months) in federal prison for orchestrating a $4 million fraud scheme. Mr Mba, a 40-year-old Nigerian citizen who illegally resided in Houston, pleaded guilty to his role in a business email compromise conspiracy and for running a romance scam that targeted victims nationwide. Mba was a primary coordinator for elaborate romance scams and business email compromise (BEC) schemes that targeted vulnerable individuals and family-run businesses between 2018 and 2023. While residing in Houston illegally, Mba attempted to gain lawful residency through multiple fraudulent marriages after a previous removal order was issued against him. Deportation: As he is not a U.S. citizen, Mba faces federal deportation proceedings to Nigeria immediately upon the completion of his prison sentence. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge David Hittner in the Southern District of Texas. F...

  Kenya has officially launched the rollout of Lenacapavir, a revolutionary long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention, becoming the first country in East Africa to offer this twice-yearly, game-changing treatment.  The national rollout, which began in late February 2026, aims to significantly reduce new HIV infections, especially among high-risk groups, by providing an alternative to daily oral medication. The Drug: Lenacapavir (often referred to as LEN) is a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) administered once every six months.  Studies show the drug can reduce HIV transmission risk by more than 99.9%, making it a highly effective tool for HIV-negative individuals. The initial rollout involves 21,000 doses, targeting 15 high-burden counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Siaya. The medication will be provided free of charge in public facilities, with the government having negotiated a price of KSh 7,800 per dose (down from an ...

Four years ago, on February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. As the war enters its fifth year, here is the current state of the conflict: The United Nations has confirmed over 15,000 civilian deaths, though the actual figure is likely much higher. Estimates for military casualties (killed, wounded, or missing) range drastically, with some reports suggesting they could reach 2 million soldiers by this spring. Ukraine has suffered over $195 billion in assessed damages. Ongoing Russian aerial strikes continue to target energy infrastructure, causing widespread power and water outages. The Territorial Status Occupied Land: Russia currently occupies nearly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory. Annexation Demands: Moscow continues to demand full control over the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, which it illegally annexed in 2022. Diplomatic and Political Landscape U.S.-Led Peace Ta...

  Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the case against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to April 23 for arraignment. The DSS filed a three-count charge against him over the alleged unlawful interception of communications, following comments he made during a television interview. The court had earlier fixed February 25 for the former governor’s arraignment. The former governor was absent during Wednesday’s proceedings. Counsel for the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoyin, informed the court that the former governor is still in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he is under investigation for alleged misappropriation of funds. This prompted the judge to adjourn the case to April 23 for arraignment.

Tunji Disu As of February 24, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly removed Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of Nigeria. Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Tunji Disu has been appointed as the new Acting Inspector-General of Police. Reports vary on whether it was a direct firing or a forced resignation. Some sources indicate the President directed Egbetokun to resign during a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Monday, February 23. Other reports state Egbetokun cited "family considerations" in his resignation letter. Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a release disclosed that the President  received Mr Egbetokun’s resignation earlier on Tuesday and expressed his profound appreciation for Egbetokun’s decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation. While official statements from the Presidency have focused on gratitude for his service, his tenure faced public criticism regarding human rights concerns and ...

Image for illustration purposes only A baby boy named Hugo Richard Norman Powell has become the first child in the UK born to a mother who received a womb transplant from a deceased donor. The birth, which took place in December 2025 at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in London, was announced as a major medical milestone on February 24, 2026. Key Details of the Breakthrough The Mother: Grace Bell, an IT programme manager from Kent, was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, a rare condition that meant she was born without a functioning womb.  The 10-hour transplant operation was performed in June 2024 at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford. It was led by consultant surgeons Miss Isabel Quiroga and Professor Richard Smith. Hugo was delivered via Caesarean section, weighing 6lb 13oz (3.1kg). He is the second baby born via womb transplant in the UK, following the birth of baby Amy in early 2025 from a living donor.   The womb came from a deceased donor...

House Speaker Mike Johnson has denied a request for the late civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. It was noted that recent requests for others, including former VP Dick Cheney and activist Charlie Kirk, were also reportedly turned down under similar guidelines. Speaker Johnson's office cited past precedent, stating the honor is typically reserved for former presidents, military leaders, and select government officials. The request was made by the Jackson family and House Democrats following Jackson’s death at age 84 on February 18, 2026. Criticism: The decision drew sharp rebuke from organizations like the NAACP, whose president called it a "gross disregard" for Jackson's legacy as a civil rights legend. Critics point to historical exceptions, noting that non-presidents such as civil rights icon Rosa Parks (2005) and Rev. Billy Graham (2018) were previously allowed to lie in honor in the Rotunda. While the Capitol request w...

A new 10% tariff on U.S. imports is set to take effect on February 24, 2026, for a 150-day duration following a Supreme Court ruling that limited previous trade measures.  The new duty, imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, impacts most imports but includes exemptions for certain,2026 critical minerals, agricultural products, and pharma. The Decision: In a 6-3 ruling for Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, the conservative-majority court struck down the administration's broad use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs. The Rationale: Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the IEEPA "does not authorize the President to impose tariffs," noting that if Congress intended to grant such extraordinary power, it would have done so explicitly. Impact: The ruling invalidated many of Trump's previous "Liberation Day" tariffs, though it did not affect sector-specific duties on steel and aluminum. Trump's Respons...

  As of February 2026, President Trump has confirmed he is considering "limited strikes" against Iran as a deadline for nuclear negotiations approaches. This escalation follows a year of intense military and diplomatic pressure aimed at forcing Tehran into a new, more restrictive nuclear agreement. On February 19, Trump set a firm ultimatum, stating that Iran has 10 to 15 days "maximum" to reach a "meaningful" deal or face "unfortunate" consequences. The U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups, along with additional fighter jets and destroyers. Despite the military threats, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that a draft proposal could be finalized within days following recent indirect talks in Geneva. The U.S. is demanding "zero enrichment" of uranium and the total dismantlement of facilities l...

  As of February 19, 2026, the Senegalese government has formally adopted a draft bill that significantly toughens penalties for same-sex relations. The bill was approved during a Council of Ministers meeting and now proceeds to the National Assembly for a final vote. Key features of the new legislation include: Increased Penalties: The draft law seeks to increase existing prison sentences for what are legally termed "acts against nature". While current law carries a maximum of five years, previous proposals have suggested extending this to 10 or 15 years. Clarification of Offenses: The bill provides a more explicit definition of "unnatural acts" to strengthen the legal framework against same-sex conduct. Targeting Advocacy: The reform expands the scope of the law to criminalize the "glorification" and "financing" of such acts, effectively targeting LGBTQ+ advocacy and support groups. Context of Crackdown: The adoption of this bill follows a rece...

A report presented to Kenya's parliament on February 18, 2026, revealed that more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight for the Russian army in Ukraine. Key Details from the Report Recruitment Tactics:  Many recruits were reportedly lured by "rogue recruitment agencies" with false promises of skilled civilian jobs (such as plumbers, electricians,  or mall security) or high-paying roles "painting drones". Financial Incentives: Recruits were promised monthly salaries of up to 350,000 shillings (~$2,715), sign-on bonuses of up to 1.2 million shillings, and the possibility of Russian citizenship. Current Status of Recruits: 89 Kenyans are confirmed to be on the front lines ,  39 are hospitalized with injuries ,  28 are missing in action.  At least one Kenyan death has been officially confirmed. Collusion Allegations: Parliamentary leader Kimani Ichung’wah accused Russian embassy officials and some Kenyan immigration and airport staff of colluding with traf...

Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda has received a seven-match suspension from the Spanish football federation (RFEF) following his expulsion against Deportivo Alavés on February 14, 2026.  The ban, which Sevilla deemed "excessive" and is appealing, includes penalties for contempt, protesting, failing to leave the pitch promptly, and conduct against public order. The seven-match ban is broken down by the RFEF disciplinary committee as follows:  Three matches: Contempt and disregard for the referee. Two matches: Complaints made to the officiating crew. One match: Not immediately leaving the area after being sent off. One match: Conduct disregarding public order. Almeyda was sent off during a 1-1 home draw after clashing with officials. The sanction constitutes a major blow for Sevilla, which is currently fighting to avoid relegation and sits just above the drop zone. 

In February 2026, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) launched an investigation into the global e-commerce platform Temu regarding alleged violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023. Key Details of the Probe Triggering Concerns: The investigation focuses on potential online surveillance, lack of accountability, and failure to meet data minimization and transparency requirements. Affected Scale: Preliminary findings indicate Temu processes the personal information of approximately 12.7 million Nigerian users.  Temu has publicly stated it will cooperate with the NDPC's inquiry and maintains that privacy is a core value.  The NDPC warned that third-party processors (e.g., payment gateways and logistics firms) could also be held liable if they engage with platforms that do not verify their compliance with the NDP Act. If found in violation, Temu could face substantial fines or a temporary suspension of its operations in Nigeria. In the same vein, Temu f...

  The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the arrival of 100 US military personnel and equipment in Nigeria, saying they arrived at Bauchi airfield. Defence spokesman, Samaila Uba, in a statement on Monday, said the deployment follows a recent security agreement between Nigeria and the US. Uba noted that the Federal Government had made a formal request to the US for assistance in terms of military training, technical support, and intelligence sharing with the members of the Nigerian Armed Forces. “The collaboration will provide access to specialised technical capabilities aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to deter terrorists’ threats and enhance the protection of vulnerable communities across the country,” the statement reads. Uba said the US personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory and training capacity. Noting that the US personnel are not combat forces, the defence spokesman noted that all training activities will be conducted under the aut...

  Civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the age of 84, his family announced. Known for his "Rainbow Coalition" vision and work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he died peacefully in Chicago while dealing with a neurological condition. Key Details Regarding Rev. Jackson's Passing: Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Age: 84 years old. Cause: The family did not immediately specify a cause, but noted he had been dealing with a neurological condition (progressive supranuclear palsy) in recent months. Jesse Jackson was one of the most influential figures in American politics and civil rights for over six decades: Civil Rights: He was a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was present at the Lorraine Motel when King was assassinated in 1968. Presidential Runs: He mounted historic campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, paving the way for future Black political le...