Nigeria News (Standard)
Nigerian Social Worker in Washington Jailed for Diverting ₦25m Meant for Orphaned Autistic Child
US court orders Akeatha Akintola to repay stolen funds after fleeing to Togo with false passport
US court orders Akeatha Akintola to repay stolen funds after fleeing to Togo with false passport
A Nigerian woman, Akeatha Diane Akintola, who worked as a social worker in Washington State, United States, has been sentenced to five months in jail for stealing over $17,000 (about ₦25 million) in Social Security benefits meant for an orphaned autistic child under her care. The sentencing took place before Magistrate Judge Kate Vaughan at a US federal court on June 18, following Akintola’s guilty plea and immediate remand.
According to records from the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, Akintola began working with the Snoqualmie Tribe in January 2023. In September that year, she applied by phone to become the Social Security representative payee for a minor with intellectual disabilities who was under tribal care—a role that tribal policy specifically barred social workers from holding over children assigned to them. Prosecutors revealed that Akintola used the child’s Social Security number alongside her own details to fraudulently secure the appointment, then redirected benefits into a bank account she controlled. The funds were subsequently spent on personal expenses instead of the child’s welfare.
The theft came to light in July 2024 when Akintola and her supervisor approached the Social Security Administration to inquire about missing benefits. Officials disclosed that Akintola was listed as the representative payee; she denied this allegation but resigned from her position the next day. She later missed a scheduled court appearance on May 22, 2026. Investigations showed she had left the US two days earlier, travelling to Togo using a passport issued under another surname.
At sentencing, Judge Vaughan noted that Akintola’s actions targeted a highly vulnerable victim. A representative of the Snoqualmie Tribe told the court that Akintola had abused her position and exploited a grieving child for financial gain, saying: “In our profession, a social worker is meant to be a safekeeper… Ms Akintola did not just fail in that duty; she weaponised her position of power to systematically steal from a grieving, autistic child.”
Akintola was ordered by the court to pay $17,638 (about ₦25 million) in restitution to the Social Security Administration and has been permanently barred from serving as a representative payee again. The case has drawn attention among Nigerians abroad regarding professional ethics and trust issues within diaspora communities.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ibadan Parents Seek Review of UK Robbery Conviction as Nigerian Student Awaits Sentencing
Family of Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola claims evidence is circumstantial; sentencing set for July 27 in Nottingham prison
Family of Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola claims evidence is circumstantial; sentencing set for July 27 in Nottingham prison
The family of Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola, a Nigerian student convicted of robbery and blackmail in the United Kingdom, has called for an urgent review of his conviction, insisting their son is innocent. The appeal was made by his parents, Mr. Aderinkola Akinrinola and Mrs. Olayinka Akinrinola, in a statement released in Ibadan on Tuesday following the verdict delivered by a UK court on June 19, 2026.
Oluwatobiloba is currently being held in a Nottingham prison pending his sentencing, which has been fixed for July 27. His parents allege that the conviction was based largely on circumstantial evidence, including his association with the principal suspect and photographic as well as CCTV material presented during trial. According to them, prosecutors relied heavily on an image showing their son with the main suspect, Richile Vagnu, and CCTV footage said to have captured Oluwatobiloba entering the venue where the incident occurred on November 21, 2025.
The family maintains that Oluwatobiloba only met Vagnu shortly after he gained admission into Leicester University in September 2025 and described their relationship as casual. They argue that their son’s presence at the scene was coincidental and not indicative of any involvement in criminal activity. “Our son has no history of crime or misconduct,” Mr. and Mrs. Akinrinola stated.
The case has raised concerns among Nigerians at home and abroad regarding due process for citizens facing legal challenges overseas. Legal experts note that while UK courts generally uphold strict standards of evidence, appeals are possible if there are questions about the fairness of proceedings or reliability of proof presented at trial.
With sentencing scheduled for July 27, the Akinrinola family says they will pursue all available legal avenues to clear their son’s name. Advocacy groups have also urged relevant Nigerian authorities to provide consular support to ensure Oluwatobiloba’s rights are fully protected throughout the process.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Advocacy Group Urges Men to Back Girls’ Education with Tangible Action
Organisation says public support is not enough, calls for increased involvement of men in driving real change for female education
Organisation says public support is not enough, calls for increased involvement of men in driving real change for female education
An advocacy group in Lagos has called on Nigerian men to move beyond verbal support and take concrete steps towards advancing girls’ education. The appeal was made on Thursday, 25 June, during an event focused on promoting gender equality and access to quality education for girls across the state.
The group stated that while many men publicly endorse the importance of educating girls, there is a noticeable gap between this rhetoric and actual support in communities. Representatives at the event urged men—especially fathers, community leaders, and policymakers—to play active roles in ensuring more girls are enrolled in school and supported throughout their educational journeys.
According to the organisation, sustained progress in female education is crucial for Nigeria’s development, particularly as data from the United Nations shows that millions of girls remain out of school nationwide. Stakeholders at the event said entrenched cultural beliefs and financial barriers continue to hinder girls’ access to learning opportunities, especially in rural and low-income urban areas like parts of Lagos.
Speaking at the gathering, group leaders emphasised that visible participation by men can help dismantle stereotypes around gender roles. “It is not enough to say we support girls’ education; we must show it through our actions,” one representative said, urging fathers to prioritise their daughters’ schooling as much as their sons’. No government official had issued a statement as at press time.
The advocacy group plans further engagements with local communities and has called on relevant authorities to implement policies that will make schools safer and more accessible for girls. They also encouraged fellow civil society organisations to intensify awareness campaigns targeting both men and women.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Building Collapses in Lagos Island, Follows Port Harcourt Tragedy Within 24 Hours
Incident raises safety concerns as authorities begin investigation; no official casualty figure released yet by Lagos officials
Incident raises safety concerns as authorities begin investigation; no official casualty figure released yet by Lagos officials
A building collapsed on Lagos Island in Lagos State on Thursday, barely a day after a similar incident was reported in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The latest collapse has heightened anxiety among residents and raised fresh questions over building safety compliance in major urban centres.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday, though the exact address and number of casualties have not been confirmed by emergency agencies as at the time of filing this report. Witnesses said rescue operations began shortly after the collapse, with first responders and community members working to clear debris and search for any trapped victims.
This latest tragedy comes just 24 hours after another building came down in Port Harcourt, highlighting ongoing concerns about structural integrity and enforcement of construction regulations across the country. Building collapses remain a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s urban areas, with experts citing factors such as poor workmanship, substandard materials, and weak regulatory oversight as contributing causes.
Officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) have commenced investigations into the immediate and remote causes of the collapse. As at press time, there were no confirmed reports from either LASEMA or Lagos State Government regarding fatalities or injuries. Efforts to reach relevant authorities for comment were unsuccessful.
With two major collapses within two days in different parts of southern Nigeria, stakeholders are urging government agencies to step up monitoring of construction activities and enforce stricter penalties for violations. Many residents are calling for renewed attention to building codes and routine inspections to avert further loss of lives and property.
Ibadan Parents Seek Review of UK Robbery Conviction as Nigerian Student Awaits Sentencing
Lagos Advocacy Group Urges Men to Back Girls’ Education with Tangible Action
Building Collapses in Lagos Island, Follows Port Harcourt Tragedy Within 24 Hours
Chief Austin Albert Urges Nigerians at Lagos Conference to Rethink Wealth Creation Strategies
NDLEA Arrests 306 Suspected Drug Offenders, Shuts Down Meth Lab in Ogun State
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