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Ni ger has adopted one of the toughest anti-corruption laws on the continent, introducing the death penalty for embezzlement of public funds exceeding one billion CFA francs, roughly 1.7 million dollars. The revised penal code builds a tiered penalty system where the punishment scales directly with the amount stolen, starting with prison terms of one to three years for smaller offences and climbing to life imprisonment for theft above 200 million CFA francs before reaching capital punishment at the top end. The reforms go further than just the penalties. Niger has removed the statute of limitations on public fund embezzlement entirely, meaning there is no timeline after which a corrupt official can consider themselves safe. The most serious cases will be handled exclusively by Niger’s Criminal Chamber, prosecutors are now required to pursue corruption cases rather than having the discretion to drop them, and authorities retain broad powers to freeze assets during investigations. Gene...

OKONKWO/ATIKO: “I am pleased to offer you an appointment as my Spokesperson for the 2027 General Elections in Nigeria, following my victory as the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” the letter reads. The letter said the appointment reflected Atiku’s confidence in Okonkwo’s “competence, public communication skills, integrity, political judgment, and ability to represent” the public positions of the ex-vice-president in a professional and responsible manner. “While congratulating you on this appointment, I look forward to your valuable contribution to the campaign and to the advancement of democratic engagement in Nigeria,” the letter added. Reacting, Okonkwo thanked Atiku for the appointment, describing it as a reflection of his democratic credentials. “I give God all the glory to be appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his Spokesperson. I thank HE AA for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he said.