₦airaland Forum

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has destroyed fake, adulterated, expired and banned products valued at more than N8bn seized across North-Central Nigeria.

The agency said most of the confiscated items were banned alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small containers of less than 200ml.

Speaking at the destruction exercise in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said the products were seized from manufacturing facilities, shops, markets and motor parks across the zone.

Adeyeye, represented by a Deputy Director of NAFDAC in the zone, Joseph Edor, said the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and glass bottles below 200ml was aimed at curbing their abuse, particularly among young people and schoolchildren.

According to her, the products’ affordability, availability and portability made them easily accessible for misuse.

She said, “Research has shown that early exposure to alcohol affects the brain and other vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.

“It stymies the brain, resulting in mental retardation, brain damage, poor performance of pupils in school, low productivity and several types of illnesses.”

Adeyeye said the ban and subsequent enforcement operations were prompted by concerns over alcohol abuse, addiction and its adverse health effects.

She added that other seized items included expired, counterfeit and unwholesome food products, medicines and cosmetics.

“It is in the course of carrying out these activities that this heap of unwholesome, banned, fake and adulterated products worth about eight billion naira was confiscated from manufacturing outfits, sales outlets, markets and motor parks.

“The bulk of the products in that pile are predominantly banned alcoholic beverages in low volumes of less than 200ml (20cl),” she emphasised.

The NAFDAC boss commended other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders for supporting the agency’s operations through intelligence sharing and security assistance.

Also speaking, the Nasarawa State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Dr Gyani Stephen, said the destruction was intended to protect public health rather than hurt businesses or individuals.

He warned traders involved in the sale of counterfeit and banned products to desist, saying the agency would take action against those who violated the law.

In a goodwill message, the Nasarawa State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Daniel Saidu, represented by Yakubu Awoh, commended NAFDAC for its efforts to remove expired and fake medicines from circulation.

He warned that allowing such dangerous products into the market could endanger millions of people and harm their mental health.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 34-year-old South African woman, Qhina Beauty, with 36.65 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State.

Beauty was arrested at the departure hall of the MMIA on October 7, 2026, on her way to South Africa.

Operatives searched her two travelling bags and recovered 30 blocks of cocaine weighing 36.65kg, “laced with dried pepper, wrapped in cello tape and packed into seven separate parcels.”


Credit: NDLEA.
The agency disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

“Qhina was arrested at the departure hall of the Lagos airport on 7th October 2026 while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa via Doha. A search of her two travelling bags led to the recovery of 30 blocks of cocaine weighing 36.65kg, laced with dried pepper, wrapped in cello tape and packed into seven separate parcels.

During her interview, she told operatives she arrived in Nigeria on 30th September specifically to pick up the consignment. She said she was recruited by another South African lady, who promised her R20,000 on successful delivery. She claimed she was introduced to two other members of the syndicate: one based in the United States and the other a Lagos-based car dealer.

Investigations later led to the arrest, on 14th October, of the 46-year-old car dealer Uchenna Victor Umunnakwe, who was intercepted at Apple Junction, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, after days of surveillance at his Shasha residence. He admitted receiving Qhina at the airport, lodging her at Santiago Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin, and later moving her to Cynarisso Hotel near the airport, ahead of her departure,” the statement partly read.

Also arrested was a 62-year-old Nigerian-American grandmother, Anetor Ubong, with 9.45kg of loud which was imported from the United States.

Ubong was described as a Texas-based realtor, with Nigeriana nd US passports.

After her return from Houston, NDLEA operatives searched her two boxes and recovered 18 parcels of loud, a synthetic cannabis weighing 9.45kg, concealed with gift wrapping paper in a box.

The statement added, “In another interdiction operation at the Lagos airport, NDLEA officers on Wednesday, 21st October, arrested a 62-year-old grandma, Anetor Gloria Ubong, a realtor based in Richmond, Texas, who holds both Nigerian and US passports. She was arrested following her arrival on a United Airlines flight from Houston.

“A search of her two checked-in boxes uncovered 18 parcels of loud, a synthetic cannabis weighing 9.45kg, concealed with gift wrapping paper in a box. She claimed the box was delivered to her home in the US by her daughter and the daughter’s future brother-in-law, for onward delivery in Nigeria to her daughter’s fiancé, Jibola.”

In other nationwide operations, the anti-narcotics agency said its operatives, on October 23, 2026, arrested one Eletu Rasheedat, 41, in the Eti Osa part of Lagos, where “they recovered 5,820 pills of diazepam, 780 tablets of tramadol, 3.7kg skunk and 230.25 litres of skuchies.


Credit: NDLEA.
“In Delta, a suspect Peter Ugochukwu, 51, was arrested in Warri with a huge cache of pharmaceutical opioids including 29,350 capsules of tramadol; 6,620 tablets of tramadol 200mg; 4,116 bottles of codeine syrup; 11,340 tablets of Rohypnol; 3,500 tablets of diazepam; 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 200 ampoules of diazepam injection, and quantities of tramadol 225mg, Molly and Cocodamol.

“He was transferred along with a white Hummer bus from the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State. In a separate arrest at Enhere Junction, Warri, a 46-year-old physically challenged woman, Helen Bakporo Samson, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Monday, 19th October, with 6.0kg of skunk.


Credit: NDLEA.
“A 41-year-old suspect, Fajana Dada Oluwaseyi, was arrested on Monday, 19th October in Adamasingba, Ibadan, following his initial escape from arrest when NDLEA officers seized 197.8kg of cannabis sativa from his house on 16th September,” among other operations.


Credit: NDLEA.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.) urged the operatives to sustain the tempo of the war against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

Former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has alleged that some people around President Bola Tinubu do not want former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, in the Federal Government because he would not tolerate certain practices within the administration.

Akande said Fashola’s absence from the government could partly be due to fatigue, but argued that opposition from people around the President was a more significant factor.

He spoke during an interview on the Naija Unfiltered podcast published by Symfoni TV on Friday.

“I think the reason why Fashola is not in this government, two reasons. I think Fashola himself has a bit of fatigue, more importantly, I think there are people around the president who don’t want to see Fashola because Fashola is not going to tolerate many of those things that you are seeing around,” Akande said.

He added that Fashola was known for standing his ground and would not compromise his principles to accommodate questionable practices.

“Whatever you say about Fashola, he doesn’t take nonsense and the people who wanted to get some nonsense going, they didn’t want Fashola,” he said.

Akande did not identify the people he accused of opposing Fashola’s inclusion in the administration or provide specific examples of the practices he alleged they wanted to protect.

His claims could not be independently verified.

Fashola, who served as Lagos governor between 2007 and 2015, later joined the cabinet of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, serving first as Minister of Power, Works and Housing before becoming Minister of Works and Housing.

He has not held a position in Tinubu’s administration since the President assumed office in May 2023.

Akande, however, said Fashola remained close to Tinubu, claiming that there had been no major public fallout between the two politicians.

“Even somebody like Fashola, who is still very close to the president, no problems openly,” he said, while suggesting that there could be underlying issues despite the absence of an open disagreement.

Akande also criticised what he described as the limited influence of some capable people in Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the President had not fully benefited from having individuals who could challenge him when necessary.

He cited Fashola as an example of someone he believed would stand his ground, while alleging that some people around the President preferred not to have such figures in government.

Akande did not provide evidence to establish that Fashola’s absence from the administration resulted from opposition by people close to Tinubu.

Neither the Presidency nor Fashola has responded to the claims in the reported interview.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and local government chairmen in the state on Sunday met with Governor Siminalayi Fubara at his private residence in Port Harcourt.

The meeting comes about a fortnight after Wike led members of the Rainbow Coalition in the state, including the All Progressives Congress candidate for the 2027 general elections, Kingsley Chinda, to meet with the governor.

Sunday’s visit marked the first time the FCT minister had visited Fubara at his residence in Port Harcourt.

The meeting is seen as a continuation of talks between the two camps aimed at consolidating reconciliation efforts following the return of relative peace to the state.

Wike led a delegation comprising mainly members of the state legislature, including the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and the chairmen of the state’s 23 local government areas, to meet Fubara and his supporters.

The APC standard-bearer for the 2027 election in the state, Kingsley Chinda, was also part of the delegation.

Although details of the private meeting were not immediately available, sources said the engagement was aimed at building on previous discussions, strengthening reconciliation efforts and exploring ways to accommodate Fubara’s loyalists in the state’s evolving political arrangement.

Fubara and the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly had been at loggerheads for more than two years following a protracted disagreement between the governor and his predecessor, Wike.

At the height of the crisis, lawmakers made two attempts to impeach the governor before President Bola Tinubu intervened.

In October 2023, amid rising tensions between the two political camps, a section of the state House of Assembly complex along Moscow Road was bombed.

The disagreement further polarised the state, with suspected militant groups threatening to attack oil installations.

The crisis drew renewed attention from Tinubu, who declared a state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025 for an initial period of six months.

The move led to the suspension of the governor, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly.

Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as administrator of the state during the period. The elected officials later returned to office.

Sunday’s meeting is significant as it brings together key political figures involved in the crisis, including the governor, the state’s legislative leadership and local government chairmen aligned with Wike.

The participation of the Speaker, lawmakers and the 23 council chairmen also broadens the representation of political structures associated with the FCT minister in the reconciliation process.

The renewed engagement between the executive and legislative camps could help stabilise the state’s political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, whether the talks will produce a lasting resolution remains uncertain, particularly amid concerns about the influence of Wike’s camp over local government leadership and the selection of candidates for the forthcoming elections.

The extent to which Fubara’s loyalists will be accommodated in the emerging political arrangement also remains unclear.

The Federal Government has faulted the revenue figures contained in the World Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update, dismissing concerns that rising interest payments threaten the country’s debt sustainability.

The Federal Ministry of Finance described reports that interest payments consumed 124 per cent of the FG’s revenue in the first half of 2026 as misleading, arguing that the calculation relied on incomplete revenue figures and failed to account for debt obligations serviced on behalf of state governments.

The ministry made its position known in a statement on Sunday, which was shared by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, via his X handle.

According to the statement, Nigeria’s fiscal position had improved significantly, with government revenue growing faster than interest payments.

It stated, “The Federal Ministry of Finance has noted recent analysis and public commentary which, citing the World Bank’s October 2026 Nigeria Development Update, claims that Federal Government interest payments reached 124 per cent of revenue in the first half of 2026. This conclusion is misleading, for three reasons.”

The clarification followed reports based on the World Bank’s October 2026 Nigeria Development Update, which disclosed that the FG’s revenue stood at N6.2 trillion in the first half of 2026, while interest payments reached N7.7 trillion.

An independent analysis of the figures by The PUNCH showed that interest payments represented approximately 124.2 per cent of revenue, exceeding government earnings by N1.5tn. The percentage was calculated from the World Bank’s published figures and was not expressly stated in its report.

However, the ministry argued that the calculation compared obligations covering multiple tiers of government with revenue attributed solely to the Federal Government.

“The interest figure includes debt the Federal Government services on behalf of other tiers of government, including external loans to states. Measuring this against federal revenue alone overstates the ratio, which is only meaningful when debt and revenue cover the same level of government,” it claimed.

The ministry also maintained that the reported revenue excluded income already earned by government agencies and enterprises but not yet remitted to the Treasury.

It explained that statutory payment schedules meant certain taxes were collected predominantly in the second half of the year, making first-half revenue an incomplete basis for assessing annual debt obligations.

According to the ministry, the interest-to-revenue ratio stood at 156 per cent in the first half of 2025, whereas the full-year debt-service-to-revenue ratio was below 60 per cent, compared with 97 per cent before the current administration’s reforms.

It described the reduction as evidence of progress in fiscal management.

The ministry further highlighted that federal revenue increased by 72 per cent from N3.6tn in the first half of 2025 to N6.2tn in the corresponding period of 2026, while interest payments rose by 38 per cent from N5.6tn to N7.7tn.


Consequently, the interest-to-revenue ratio declined by approximately 32 percentage points, from 156 per cent to 124 per cent, while the gap between interest payments and revenue narrowed from N2tn to N1.5tn.

“This is the result of reforms working, not a sign of fiscal distress,” the ministry declared.

It also rejected the use of a six-month fiscal snapshot as a definitive measure of debt sustainability, insisting that full-year projections provided a more appropriate assessment.

“The same World Bank report projects Nigeria’s full-year 2026 debt service, covering both interest and principal, at 46 per cent of revenue. This is the appropriate benchmark, and a guide to avoid the invalid conclusions being drawn,” the statement read.

The ministry further defended the Federal Government’s borrowing programme, insisting that all loans were lawful and duly approved.

It maintained that every naira borrowed fell within the limits authorised by the National Assembly under the 2026 Appropriation Act and the approved borrowing plan.
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According to the statement, government borrowing complied with the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Debt [quote]Management Office (Establishment) Act 2003, while details of the country’s debt obligations were regularly published by the DMO.

However, despite faulting the World Bank’s revenue figures and questioning the basis of the debt-interest calculation, the ministry did not provide revised revenue and interest payment figures or an alternative ratio to substantiate the FG’s position.

DSS Arrests Taraba Warehouse Owner, Three Others For Alleged Diversion Of Relief Materials Donated By Saudi Arabian Centre

The Department of State Services (DSS) in Taraba State has reportedly arrested a warehouse owner and three other individuals over the diversion of humanitarian relief materials donated to the state by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) for distribution to poor and vulnerable residents.

The arrests reportedly took place at a private warehouse in Sintali Ward, Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba State, where a truckload of relief items, including rice, white beans and other essential supplies, had allegedly been offloaded.

Sources familiar with the incident told SaharaReporters that the materials were intended for distribution to vulnerable households and communities across the state as part of a humanitarian intervention by the Saudi-based organisation.

However, the items were taken to a private warehouse in circumstances that prompted the intervention of the DSS.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters shows utility vehicles believed to belong to the DSS, including Hilux vehicles, at the location as bags of relief materials were being loaded for removal.

Some of the bags visible in the video bear the inscription, “Not for Sale,” indicating that the materials were not intended for commercial sale.

Sources present at the warehouse told SaharaReporters that the Hilux vehicles belonged to the DSS and that the relief materials were being transported to the agency’s headquarters in Jalingo.

The sources said the DSS took action following the discovery of the materials at a private warehouse, after SaharaReporters reported allegations that the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) boss diverted relief materials and used funds meant for humanitarian purposes to pay his daughter’s medical bills in Abuja.


The report was followed by the reported arrest of the warehouse owner and three other individuals.

Meanwhile, the reported incident comes months after the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), officially flagged off the distribution of humanitarian relief materials donated by KSRelief to disaster victims and vulnerable communities across the state.

The flag-off ceremony was held in Jalingo on June 20, 2026, with the materials earmarked for victims of fire disasters, flooding and windstorms, as well as vulnerable households and communities across Taraba State.

The event brought together senior government officials, representatives of the Taraba State Government, security agencies, traditional institutions, representatives of local government chairmen, development partners and other stakeholders involved in humanitarian assistance and social protection.

The intervention was intended to provide support to residents affected by disasters and households facing hardship across the state.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary of TSEMA, Dr. Echuseh Audu, expressed appreciation to King Salman and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre for what she described as a generous humanitarian intervention.

Audu also commended Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for his commitment to the welfare of vulnerable citizens.

She assured stakeholders that the agency would maintain transparency, accountability and fairness throughout the distribution process to ensure that the relief materials reached their intended beneficiaries.

Audu said the agency would uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the handling and distribution of the donated supplies.

On September 26, SaharaReporters reported that Audu, has come under scrutiny over financial transactions linked to a business associated with her, including payments totalling ₦44million to a Hospital in Abuja and transactions involving the Taraba State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) Drawdown Account.

The development comes amid continuing public interest in allegations concerning the diversion of relief materials, including rice and groundnut oil, meant for vulnerable residents of Taraba State.

Dr. Audu had previously voluntarily presented herself to security agencies after allegations surfaced on social media claiming that rice and groundnut oil meant for vulnerable Taraba residents had been diverted.

She denied the allegations and called for an investigation to establish the truth.

However, financial records obtained by SaharaReporters and reviewed alongside information show a series of transactions involving accounts associated with Dr. Audu and Katuka’s Kitchen, a registered business name that appears in the records.

According to a source, "She has resigned from the Katuka Kitchen on CAC but her BVN is still linked to the Katuka Kitchen. Meaning she has resigned on paper but refused to remove herself from the bank account."

The records raise questions about the movement of millions of naira through accounts associated with the business and about payments made to Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja.

One of the transactions reflected in the documents reviewed shows that on October 28, 2025, the Taraba State LPRES Draw Down Account at Zenith Bank, with account number 1228758432, transferred ₦12,190,726.80 to Katuka’s Kitchen, with Zenith Bank account number 1224718656.

According to the same records, the exact amount of ₦12,190,726.80 was subsequently transferred back to the same LPRES Draw Down Account.

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has visited the site of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, demanding a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

During the visit, Sowore raised serious concerns about the procurement, maintenance, and operational safety of military aircraft and equipment in Nigeria, insisting that the country must get to the bottom of the circumstances that led to the crash.

He criticised what he described as the poor handling of the aftermath of the incident, particularly the apparent shortcomings in emergency response, crash-site management, and investigative procedures.

Sowore maintained that Nigerians deserve clear answers about the condition of the aircraft before the crash, its maintenance history, the procurement process, and whether established aviation safety procedures were followed.

At the crash site, the AAC presidential candidate interacted with military personnel guarding the wreckage and sought to understand the measures being taken to secure the location and facilitate investigations.

He emphasised that military aviation disasters must never be treated as routine occurrences, stressing the importance of accountability, transparency, and the protection of the lives of military personnel entrusted with defending the country.

Sowore was accompanied on the visit by prominent AAC chieftains, including former Ondo State governorship candidate Kunle Ajayi, and activists from the Take It Back Movement led by its National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu. They also visited Igbokoda and surrounding communities.

Following the inspection of the crash site, Sowore and members of his entourage departed by boat into the riverine creeks of Ondo State. Their final destination was not immediately disclosed.

The visit forms part of Sowore’s ongoing scrutiny of military safety, government accountability and the management of Nigeria’s security institutions as he pursues his presidential ambition.

On October 5, 2026, a NAF aircraft crashed into a heavily swampy area near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, located within the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The accident involving an ATR-42 transport and maritime patrol aircraft resulted in the tragic death of all 25 individuals on board.

The aircraft was conducting a routine military support and transit mission from Benin City in Edo State to Lagos State. Air traffic controllers officially lost all radio communication and radar tracking with the aircraft at 9:13 a.m. local time.

The plane plummeted into a dense, muddy mangrove swamp situated directly opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda. The impact was severe enough to submerge the main body of the aircraft entirely underwater and deep beneath the mud.

Early reports from the Ministry of Aviation initially estimated 32 passengers, but official releases from the Nigerian Air Force confirmed 25 fatalities, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members.

There were no survivors.

Meanwhile, the recovery operatIon has faced massive logistical hurdles. The crash site consists of thick mangroves, murky waters, and deep mud, which makes it nearly impossible to safely position heavy cranes or mechanical recovery equipment.

Specialised "boogie" swamp vehicles, floaters, and local divers have been deployed alongside dredging tools to hack away overgrown marsh grass and clear a safe waterway for transport boats.

Consequently, President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning, during which flags across federal institutions flown at half-mast.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat has called for the preservation of the Yoruba language and culture, urging Nigerians to pass their heritage on to future generations.

Hamzat made the call after appearing on Masoyinbo, a Yoruba-focused cultural programme, where he discussed the importance of preserving the language and celebrating Yoruba heritage.


Hamzat and Masoyinbo host
PUNCH Online reports that Masoyinbo is a Yoruba-language cultural game show dedicated to promoting and preserving the language and heritage through entertaining quizzes and challenges that test participants’ fluency and knowledge of Yoruba.

In a post on his X account on Friday, accompanied by photographs from the programme, Hamzat, who also “competed” for the ultimate prize of N1m, a car and a parcel of land, described Yoruba as more than a language, saying it was an important part of the people’s identity, history and values.

“I had a great time on Masoyinbo, exploring the importance of Yoruba in our society and why we must preserve the language, celebrate our culture and pass our rich heritage on to future generations.


Hamzat with the Masoyinbo host and co-host
“Yoruba is more than a language. It is part of our identity, history, values and what connects us as a community,” he wrote.

He said Nigeria’s diversity was one of its greatest strengths, adding that preserving indigenous languages was a shared responsibility.

“Building a greater Lagos means investing not only in infrastructure and public services but also in our people, culture and values. We must work together to keep our heritage alive for generations to come,” he added.

Hamzat also commended Masoyinbo for its role in preserving Yoruba heritage while informing and entertaining audiences in Lagos and elsewhere in the world.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State appeared on the 364th episode of Masoyinbo, an engaging game show dedicated to promoting and preserving the Yoruba language and culture, the host Lekan Fabilola also shared in a separate post/snippet on his X account also on Friday.

A further check by our correspondent revealed that the 40 minute long show was also posted on Friday afternoon on the show’s official YouTube channel.

Our correspondent reports that Hamzat answered all 10 questions – but penalties arising from code switching/mixing reduced his prize to N20,000.

Masoyinbo host and co-host applauds Hamzat
Masoyinbo has previously featured prominent Nigerians, including Fuji musician Saheed Osupa, political activist, Yele Sowore, actresses Funke Akindele and Femi Adebayo, rapper Falz, comedian Ali Baba, skit maker Cute Abiola and actor Lateef Adedimeji, as part of its efforts to promote Yoruba language and culture.

My Daughter Zainab Has Two First Degrees Five Masters An ACCA & A PhD And Cannot Get A Job— Galadima

A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Engineer Buba Galadima, has revealed that his daughter, Zainab, cannot get a job in Nigeria even though she holds two first degrees, five master's degrees, an ACCA qualification and a PhD.

Speaking on Naija Unfiltered on Symfoni TV, Galadima asked the host whether he had ever spoken with his daughter. He said anyone who did would see her intellect.

He claimed she could not get a job because she was his daughter.

He stressed that he had to speak for the people, even if it cost him his life. Later in the interview, he disclosed that he had 15 children, all graduates except one, and that none of them could find work.

Galadima said, "Have you seen my daughter Zainab? Have you ever engaged her? When you engage her, you will see some intellect in her. Not that she's my daughter. But yet she has no opportunity in this country with the two first degrees, with five master's degrees, with an ACCA, with a PhD degree. All these are her qualifications. But she can't get a job because she's the daughter of Buba Galadima, who the nation doesn't want to grow. Would I be happy? If you are in my position, would you be? I have to speak for the people. If in the process I lose my life, so be it."

Nigerian comedian and actor, Julius Agwu, has revealed that his penis stopped working after he underwent brain surgery in the United States in 2015.

Agwu stated this during a recent episode of the Beer Parlour Talk Show uploaded on Saturday, while discussing the effects of the surgery on his body, career and personal life.

During the conversation, the host asked whether the brain condition or surgery had affected other parts of his body, including his sexual function.

Responding, Agwu said, “After I do am, prick no dey work again now. He no dey work.”

Other guests on the programme, including Mr Patrick, explained to Agwu how a nerve involved in the procedure was connected to the brain, appearing to link the nerve damage to the effect he described.

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The discussion focused on the part of the brain involved and how the nerve was connected to it.

Agwu underwent the surgery in 2015 after doctors discovered three tumours in his brain, with one reportedly the size of a golf ball.


Comedian Julius Agwu during his surgery procedure in 2015…Photo Credit: Bella Naija
The comedian has previously spoken publicly about his health battle and how the experience affected his life and career.

The latest revelation came towards the end of the Beer Parlour Talk Show episode, where Agwu opened up about a lesser-discussed effect of the surgery.

He also reflected on his contribution to Nigerian comedy, particularly his role in developing music comedy.

“Music comedy na me form am o, that is to tell you how my brain dey work,” he said.

Agwu then broke into tears while recounting his career and expressing his feelings of betrayal and abandonment.

“God wey I dey serve, anybody wey get hand for wetin happen to me. I go dey look. My friends deserted me. They stopped talking to me, many of them. It is well,” he said.

The comedian has remained a prominent figure in Nigeria’s comedy scene, known for combining music and comedy in his performances and for his work in Nollywood.

A Nigerian national has been linked to an international drug trafficking network following the seizure of narcotics worth over $330m (Rs 3,000 crore) from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea.

The Nigerian was identified by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad as an alleged intermediary between a wanted Gujarat-based suspect and other members of the trafficking network.

The seizure, involving 526kg of narcotics comprising 400kg of methamphetamine and 126kg of heroin, was made during a joint operation by the Gujarat ATS and the Indian Coast Guard on September 25.

According to reports, intelligence about a meeting between the Nigerian and the wanted suspect in Ahmedabad prompted the ATS to alert the Coast Guard, which subsequently intercepted the Iranian vessel.

Investigators alleged that the Nigerian was connected to a network associated with Pakistan-based suspected drug trafficker, Haji Salim.

The network allegedly planned to transport the consignment to Punjab for distribution across northern India.

The drugs were reportedly to be transferred from the Iranian vessel to a fishing boat in Indian waters before being taken to the Tamil Nadu coast and transported to their intended destinations.

Five Pakistani nationals aboard the vessel were arrested during the operation, while investigations continued to identify other members of the alleged network and establish the Nigerian’s specific role in the trafficking operation.

The vessel, which was intercepted northwest of Lakshadweep, was reportedly carrying a Starlink device allegedly used to communicate with handlers in Pakistan.

The Gujarat ATS said its investigation into the suspected international trafficking network was ongoing.

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive that transportation fares should begin to fall from October 1 through the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses, commuters across several states have continued to pay the same, and in some cases higher, fares.

Findings by The PUNCH across the states on Thursday showed that the presidential directive had yet to translate into widespread reductions in transport fares.

While some state governments have introduced subsidised or free CNG-powered transportation schemes, the initiatives remain limited in coverage, leaving millions of commuters dependent on commercial buses whose operators continue to grapple with high fuel, spare parts and maintenance costs.

In several states, transport unions said they had not received CNG buses, while motorists complained about inadequate infrastructure, including a shortage of refuelling facilities and conversion centres.

The situation was particularly evident in Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Gombe, Edo, Plateau, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ogun states, where checks showed that fares remained largely unchanged as the October 1 deadline took effect.

President Bola Tinubu had urged state governments on September 19 to ensure that savings from cheaper CNG-powered transportation translate into lower fares for Nigerians by October 1.

Tinubu made the charge in a statement updating Nigerians on the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, established after his August 27 meeting with the 36 state governors.

He said the objective agreed with the governors was for more Nigerians to begin experiencing “measurable reductions in transportation costs” from October 1.

“I encourage every state to maintain the momentum towards October 1. Work with transport unions and commercial operators. Support conversion and fleet deployment.

“Facilitate the infrastructure required. Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares,” he said.

The President said several states were already recording reductions in transport fares through CNG-powered and electric buses.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Thursday, the Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, Ismaeel Ahmed, insisted that several states, including Borno, Kaduna, Zamfara and Ebonyi, have started reducing transport fares through the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas and electric vehicles.

He further disclosed that fare reductions had commenced on some routes ahead of the Federal Government’s October 1 target.

Responding to PUNCH’s findings, Ahmed explained that October 1 was not a deadline for all states to implement fare reductions simultaneously, but the date from which the Federal Government would begin monitoring the rollout across the country.


He said, “The President and the Governors sat on August 27 to make a commitment to see that they have deepened the use of alternative fuel vehicles, that is CNG and electric vehicles, in different parts of the country.

‘’The Federal Government has made a significant investment both in terms of infrastructure and equipment for the last three years and he, the President, indulged the governors to make a commitment to do their own part at the sub-national level, what the governors have done. So, the price fare reduction have already started happening in different routes, but of course the 1st of October is not a day that, it’s not a be-all date that everything would happen at the same time, no.”

Ahmed further stated that the Federal Government would monitor the commencement of fare reductions on routes where CNG and electric vehicles were being used.

“It is a date where we will begin to monitor the commencement of fare reduction in routes where CNG and EV are being used in different states and right now I can tell you for free that in Abuja, in the last two, three years, we’ve been using CNG buses in different high-traffic routes like from the Federal Secretariat to Gwagwalada to Kubwa and anywhere. If you like, you can go tomorrow and check on a CNG bus, you will see that the fare reduction is significantly lower.”

According to him, Lagos has also begun expanding the use of CNG buses, following the donation of 20 buses to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.

“In Lagos we just donated about 20 CNG buses to LAMATA to start using as operators to start cutting down the fare prices in between Lagos and Ibadan and so on within Lagos and other areas as well.”

Ahmed said Kaduna had also recorded significant reductions in fares after adopting CNG buses over the past two years.

He added that Zamfara had launched 100 electric taxis, while Ebonyi was providing free transportation for some categories of residents.

“Zamfara just launched their electric vehicles, 100 taxis, their fares are significantly reduced. Ebonyi is using their buses, it’s free for their civil servants and students. We are trying to see how we can bring that to the wider public,” Ahmed explained.

He also highlighted the fare reduction recorded in Borno State, where electric vehicles were being used to provide transportation at significantly lower rates.

“In Borno they are using EVs and then they are charging about 15 Naira as opposed to about 200 to 500 Naira for each trip,” he said.

Ahmed said the Federal Government was aware that the initiative had not yet reached all parts of the country, but would continue to expand the use of alternative fuel vehicles.

“So, there are a lot of stories all over the country, but it’s not everywhere yet but it is a beginning. What the President said is that there will be commencement of fare reduction by 1st of October and God willing, we are going to keep following that up to make sure that we deepen it and it pervades every community and every high traffic corridors.”

However, findings by this newspaper indicated that several states had yet to implement the low fare directive.

In Anambra State, transport fares remained unchanged on October 1, with commuters paying N700 from Upper Iweka to Oba and about N2,000 from Awka to Onitsha.

Some drivers said they were unaware of the Federal Government’s CNG buses, while gas stations in the state were reportedly not operational.

A commercial transport operator, Uche Daniel, blamed the high cost of spare parts and bad roads for the inability of transporters to reduce fares.

He said, “Even the CNG buses cannot reduce transport fare because the roads are bad, which make our vehicles faulty, and we have to take a long distance to our destination as we avoid bad roads and delays in areas where roads are being repaired.”

Daniel also cited the closure of the First Niger Bridge, saying motorists had been forced to use inner roads that were in poor condition.

In Delta State, transport operators similarly said there had been no reduction in fares.

The PUNCH observed only five CNG-branded buses parked at the Commissioner for Transport’s lodge in Asaba.

The Chairman of the NURTW Summit Motor Park, Asaba, Emeka Okoro, said the union had not received any CNG buses and therefore had not reduced its fares.

“They have not given us any buses, and we have not reduced transport fare. We cannot reduce transport fare when the cost of buying fuel is still high,” he said.

Okoro stated that the government needed to address fuel prices and ensure that transport unions and drivers had access to CNG-powered vehicles.

In Imo State, the situation was similar, with commercial transporters saying they were yet to receive Federal Government CNG buses.

Although the state’s All Progressives Congress spokesman, Jones Onwuasoanya, argued that the President’s promise was on course and that the state had started taking delivery of CNG vehicles, checks by The PUNCH at major motor parks showed that transport fares remained high.

A driver said a journey from Owerri to Akokwa cost N4,500, while Owerri to Awka cost as much as N9,000.

“The CNG bus is not in Imo, and we have not seen anyone. Imagine paying N4,500 from Owerri to Akokwa and paying N9,000 from Owerri to Awka. These places increased by 50 per cent. The President should reduce the fuel price and forget about all this unrealistic talk about CNG,” he said.

Another driver, Emeka, questioned the reach of the programme, saying the state’s transport system was largely driven by private bus owners.

“Have we also talked about the modalities of the operation? Imo State is run by private bus owners. These are factors of consideration. We expect the Federal Government to reduce pump price,” he said.

In Sokoto and Kebbi states, transport fares also remained unchanged.

At the Central Motor Park in Sokoto, passengers travelling to Kebbi continued to pay between N5,000 and N6,000, while journeys to Kano or Kaduna cost about N20,000 on commercial vehicles.

In Kebbi, a journey to Sokoto remained about N5,000 on commercial buses, although state-owned transport vehicles charged N3,500 on the same route.

The lower fares offered by state-owned services provided some relief, but their limited coverage meant that most passengers still relied on commercial operators.

In Jigawa State, residents of Dutse expressed disappointment that fares had not fallen.

At Dutse Central Motor Park and Shuwarin Motor Park, passengers said fares remained unchanged.

A passenger travelling to Kano, Isa Hamisu, said, “They told us fare will come down by October 1. I am paying N3,500 to Kano today just like last week. There is no change. I don’t know which one is a CNG bus.”

Another commuter, Abba Garba, said the fare to Hadejia remained N5,000.

However, the Jigawa State Chairman of NARTO, Bello Usman Dunaro, confirmed the union had received government support under the CNG initiative.

“About 100 of our vehicles were converted to CNG courtesy of the initiative from the government. The intention is to reduce transportation fares for the people. We are still working on it,” he said.

In Gombe State, passengers also reported no reduction in fares on routes operated by the state transport service and private companies.

A passenger, Naomi Sambo, said she expected the Federal Government’s intervention to result in cheaper fares.

“Transportation to Abuja is still as it has been. I came to pick a bus expecting to see changes. What they said is in the papers,” she said.

Another passenger, Murtala Sabo, observed that the fare to Kaduna remained unchanged.

The Managing Director of the Gombe State Transport Service, Dr Sani Sabo, revealed that the agency was exploring alternatives to prevent fares from rising further and was working towards converting some buses to CNG.

In Edo State, transport fares also remained unchanged.

Short-distance journeys in Benin ranged between N200 and N300, while longer journeys cost N500 to N600. Even vehicles already converted to CNG had not reduced their fares.

An official of the transport union blamed the high cost of spare parts and inadequate gas infrastructure.

He said some buses had to queue for hours, and sometimes days, to refill with gas.

The Edo State Government, however, said it would launch 50 52-seater CNG buses later in the month.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, disclosed that the buses would be distributed to the three senatorial districts according to commuters’ strength.

He added that once the passengers have the option of cheaper rates from the CNG buses, other transporters would be forced to reduce their fares.

“We are also launching our own CNG next month with over fifty 52-seater CNG buses. They will be distributed according to commuter strength across the three senatorial districts. Once the passengers have the option of cheaper rates from the CNG, other transporters will be forced to reduce their fares,” he stated.

In Enugu State, commuters continued to grapple with high fares despite the operation of government-owned CNG buses.

The buses charge a flat N300 fare, but their limited routes and operating hours have restricted their impact. For instance, a journey from Emene to Old Park in Enugu metropolis costs N600 in regular commercial buses, compared with N300 on the government CNG buses.

However, the CNG buses operate mainly on major routes during the morning and evening periods, leaving commuters with little choice but to patronise more expensive commercial vehicles outside those periods.

The state government had rolled out 100 CNG mass transit buses a year ago from an acquisition plan of 200 units, but there was no available information on whether the remaining buses had been procured.

An official of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria in the state said the union had not been informed about the lower fares promised by the President.

Efforts to obtain comments from the state Commissioners for Information and Transport were unsuccessful.

In Kaduna State, where the government has operated a free CNG-powered mass transit scheme, commuters have had some relief on selected routes. However, commercial transport fares outside the CNG network remain high.

A journey from Kawo to Kasuwa, which previously cost less than N300, was reported to cost about N500 on commercial vehicles, while Kasuwa to Sabon Tasha also cost about N500.

The state government had rolled out 100 CNG buses and said the buses had carried about 3.2 million passengers in their first year, saving commuters more than N3.5bn in transport costs.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, said Kaduna remained the only state providing completely free CNG-powered mass transit services.

He emphasised that the scheme operated across eight routes, using 100 buses and about 200 bus stops.

However, residents noted that the benefit remained limited to commuters who could access the designated routes.

In Plateau State, transport fares in Jos also remained unchanged despite the October 1 directive.

CNG buses were not yet operating in the state, while government-owned metro buses continued to charge N200.

A resident, Moses Gyang, said he paid N1,000 from Bukuru to Terminus, the same amount he paid before October 1.

The Commissioner for Transport, Davou Jatau, however, said Plateau had already gone ahead of the Federal Government’s directive through its subsidised transport scheme.

He said government-supported buses transported about 13,000 commuters daily at N200, compared with more than N500 charged by commercial operators.

According to him, the state was also working with the National Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria, to establish a CNG and hybrid vehicle conversion centre in Jos.

He identified the absence of a refuelling station as one of the major challenges confronting the CNG initiative.

Commercial transport fares similarly remained unchanged in Ondo, while no CNG buses were seen operating across the state.

A taxi driver said he was unaware of any CNG buses being deployed and questioned how fares could be reduced while petrol remained expensive.

However, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport, Muyiwa Ogunyemi, mentioned that the state was working on CNG conversion centres and additional gas outlets.

In Osun State, intra-city and interstate transport fares also remained unchanged.

The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the state was still waiting for CNG buses promised by the Federal Government.

He said the state’s difficult financial situation had also constrained its ability to provide immediate subsidised transportation.

“The Federal Government promised us CNG buses, but we have yet to get any. We know that with the intervention of the President to reduce transportation costs, Osun will get its own share of CNG.”

In Oyo State, fares across major routes in Ibadan remained at levels introduced following the increase in petrol prices.

For example, Ojoo to Mokola remained N600, compared with N500 before the latest petrol price increase, while Ojoo to Iwo Road cost between N400 and N500.

Passengers said they had yet to see any difference in fares.

A trader, Bisi Ogunade, said, “President Bola Tinubu said October 1, and today is that day. Let’s wait and see from this weekend whether the president was lying or not. But today, I boarded it at the same price.”

In Ogun State, there was also no immediate fare reduction.

A journey from Kuto to Ijebu Ode remained N3,500, regardless of whether the vehicle was powered by CNG or petrol. Kuto to Ita Oshin costs between N600 and N700, while Kuto to Sagamu was N2,000 and above.

A driver said rising fuel prices, maintenance expenses and general living costs made it difficult to reduce fares.

The Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, assured the state government would soon make a formal pronouncement on its response to the presidential directive.

“Today (Thursday) is still October 1st and a public holiday, but in the days coming, the state government, in addition to actions taken in the past, will reveal its interventions that are to help cushion the situation.”

Manchester City are expected to dispute claims over the source of funding for several of the club’s sponsorship agreements as they prepare to appeal findings that they breached the Premier League’s financial regulations.

An independent commission found City guilty of all charges relating to alleged financial breaches between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

The commission concluded that the club had artificially inflated revenue through sponsorship arrangements and used mechanisms to disguise the true extent of certain liabilities.

As reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, City have consistently denied wrongdoing and are expected to argue in their appeal that key sponsorship payments were funded by the Abu Dhabi government rather than by their owners, Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG).

The disputed arrangements were said to have involved funding worth about £830.69 million.

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The Premier League argued that the arrangements formed part of a disguised funding scheme that enabled City to appear compliant with financial regulations.

However, the commission rejected City’s explanation concerning the source of the funds, describing it as an account developed after the events in question to conceal the underlying arrangements.

City have criticised the commission’s findings, saying they contain what the club considers to be clear errors of law, principle and fact. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has also said the club possesses what he described as “irrefutable evidence” supporting its position.

The case has also attracted the attention of HM Revenue & Customs. Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury Committee, has asked HMRC whether it has requested access to redacted documents contained within the commission’s report.

Hillier said she would welcome reassurance that HMRC recognised the importance of the issues and the wider public interest surrounding the case.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways, one of Manchester City’s principal sponsors, has rejected suggestions that it was involved in improper commercial arrangements.

The UAE’s state-owned national airline has said it is considering legal action against the Premier League over what it described as damaging implications arising from the publication of the commission’s findings.

The Premier League has declined to comment on the matter.

City’s appeal is expected to determine whether the commission’s findings stand, while any separate examination by HMRC would concern whether the evidence raises issues within the tax authority’s own legal and regulatory remit.

To reduce the risk of cross-contamination and foodborne infections, registered dietician-nutritionists have urged Nigerians to desist from boiling unpeeled and unwashed eggs and rice together in the same pot.

The food experts explained that bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, may be present on eggshells and could contaminate the rice as the egg and rice cook together.

They noted that although boiling can destroy bacteria, because the water goes from a warm stage before reaching boiling point, it provides an opportunity for bacteria to survive and be transferred to the rice.

In exclusive interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the nutritionists noted that eggshells can crack during cooking, allowing parts of the egg to spill into the rice and alter its appearance, taste and odour.

While the nutritionists acknowledged that some people combine the foods to save cooking time and reduce gas consumption, they maintained that food safety should take priority because a foodborne infection could result in medical expenses, lost work time and reduced productivity.

The experts’ warning comes on the heels of a recent viral tweet on X, where netizens shared their experiences of food contamination after consuming a meal in which rice and egg were boiled together in the same pot.

Further online findings reveal that many Nigerians engage in these practices to save time, water, cooking utensils, and fuel.

Providing expert insight into the matter, an experienced nutrition and public health practitioner, Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist, James Oloyede, said boiling eggs together with rice could expose the rice to Salmonella bacteria that may be present on the eggshell, even after washing.

He explained that although Salmonella could be destroyed at boiling temperature, it could survive for some time while the water was still warm before reaching boiling point.

Oloyede, who is the former Director of Nutrition Services and Health Education at the Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, said, “Cooking egg and rice together in the same pot has been found to be a risk factor in cross-contamination of certain bacteria, especially Salmonella, that can be found on the shell of the egg even after washing with the rice that is being cooked.”

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Oloyede said the risk was heightened because rice begins absorbing water as soon as it is placed in the pot, meaning bacteria present in contaminated water could be absorbed along with it.

“The challenge with rice is that absorption begins to take place the moment you put your rice in the water. When the water begins to warm up, we see the rice grain begin to swell. What makes it swell is the absorption of the water. And if the egg contains Salmonella bacteria, the tendency is that when the rice is absorbing water, then the bacteria can also be absorbed together with the water and can remain throughout the process of the boiling,” he said.

The nutritionist further advised Nigerians to cook eggs and rice separately as the safest way of avoiding cross-contamination.

“So it is important that, in a way to ensure food safety, we do not boil eggs together with rice in the same pot,” he said.

The registered dietician-nutritionist also noted that eggs could crack during cooking, allowing parts of the egg to spill into the rice.

“Apart from that, in most cases, even when you boil an egg in water, you see that at times the shell can crack. You see some of the white parts of the egg coming out from the shell. And if that happens with rice that has been boiled together, definitely some of those white particles will spread on the rice that has been boiled,” he said.

Oloyede said the spilt egg could also alter the taste, appearance and odour of the rice.

He said some people combined the two foods to reduce cooking time or save gas, particularly because of the high cost of cooking gas.

“You know, by boiling the two together, now that the price of gas is very high, we start tying the egg in nylon. If you tie the egg in nylon and put it in the rice that wants to boil, that will ensure that leakage is prevented, either from the eggshell or even when the egg cracks; those things will not spill on the rice,” Oloyede said.

He, however, maintained that cooking the two foods separately remained the safest option.

“But of course, the safest way of cooking egg and rice is to boil them separately. That’s the safest way,” Oloyede said.

He stressed that food safety should take priority over the time or gas saved by cooking the foods together.

He added that Salmonella infection could result in medical expenses, lost work time and reduced productivity, potentially affecting the income of daily paid workers and increasing household expenses.

“And whatever we do, we must think of food safety first, because if there’s a cross-contamination, the cost of treating a food infection from Salmonella, then the time you waste in going to the hospital, then the time you will take off work and productivity, outweigh the cost of gas or the time you are trying to save by cooking both together,” Oloyede said.

Also, a registered dietician-nutritionist, Charles Oguikpe, warned against cooking eggs in the same pot with rice, saying contaminants on eggshells could be transferred to the rice.

“So the reason why we consider boiling eggs in the same pot while cooking rice on a sieve is that some contaminants in eggshells can cause harm to the human body because these contaminants will be dropped off on the rice. Contaminants like Salmonella or E.coli can drop off on the rice. That’s what we call cross-contamination,” Oguikpe said.

He said such cross-contamination could cause stomach cramps, diarrhoea and fever, while severe cases could result in kidney complications.

“So it is something that we really need to avoid. Boiling your eggs at the same time with rice,” Oguikpe warned.

The nutritionist explained that the contaminants could originate from poultry droppings from the chickens that lay the eggs, adding that washing the eggshells might not eliminate the risk.

“These contaminants are from poultry droppings from the chickens that lay these eggs. No matter how you wash it, you might not be very sure 100 per cent that it has gone off,” he said.

He therefore advised people to cook eggs and rice separately.

“So it is advisable that you boil your eggs separately and cook your rice separately. And when the egg has been boiled, the shells are removed. It becomes edible for us to eat,” Oguikpe said.

The Federal High Court in Abuja’s order directing the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to continue granting and renewing petroleum products import licences has opened a fresh battle over fuel imports as domestic refining capacity expands.

The ruling has put the court’s decision in Abuja alongside a pending suit by Dangote Petroleum Refinery at the Federal High Court in Lagos, where the refinery is challenging the continued issuance and renewal of petroleum product import licences.

While petroleum marketers have welcomed the Abuja judgment and called for continued access to import licences, the development has also renewed debate over whether domestic refineries should be protected from import competition and whether the Petroleum Industry Act provides an adequate framework for the changing market.

The marketers, under the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, said competition between local refiners and importers could improve petrol availability and affordability for Nigerians.

This follows the issuance of import licences that have allowed the importation of an average of 95.7 million litres of petrol per day, translating to a total of 23.2 billion litres between January and August 2026.

Abuja ruling

The PUNCH reports that a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, ordered the NMDPRA to continue granting, issuing, extending, renewing or reissuing petroleum products import licences to Matrix Energy, A.A. Rano Nigeria Limited and AYM Shafa Limited.

Justice Ekwo, in his judgment, held that the regulator’s refusal to issue or renew the import licences of the three oil marketers was in “direct non-compliance” with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

The judge held that the NMDPRA had acted beyond the provisions of the law in its handling of the companies’ applications for import licences. He said the consequence of non-compliance with the PIA and other relevant laws was that any exercise by the regulator in respect of the import licences would be “null and void.”

The three oil marketers had approached the court seeking declarations that the PIA did not prohibit the importation of petroleum products into Nigeria or prevent the NMDPRA from granting or renewing licences for eligible importers.

They also argued that the regulator was required to promote competition in the midstream and downstream petroleum sectors.

Justice Ekwo agreed with the plaintiffs, holding that relevant provisions of the PIA, read together with Section 72 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, imposed an obligation on the NMDPRA to promote a competitive market and prevent abuse of dominant positions and restrictive business practices.

The judge declared that the three companies were entitled to the issuance, extension or renewal of petroleum products import licences upon fulfilling the conditions stipulated by the NMDPRA.

Specifically, the court ordered the regulator to “continue to grant, issue, extend, renew, or reissue” licences, permits and authorisations for midstream and downstream petroleum operations, particularly those relating to the importation of petroleum products.

The order, however, was subject to the companies fulfilling all applicable statutory and regulatory preconditions. The plaintiffs’ case was based on the alleged refusal of the NMDPRA to regularly issue or renew their petroleum products import licences.

In an affidavit, the Executive Director of A.A. Rano Nigeria Limited, Sabiu Saidu Mahuta, alleged that since July 2025, the regulator had granted or renewed the companies’ import licences only sporadically.

He argued that the situation was contributing to market dominance and monopolisation of the downstream petroleum sector by local refineries. The companies also told the court that they had collectively invested more than $20bn in infrastructure, logistics and retail networks for their petroleum products businesses.

Their counsel, Raji Ahmed, SAN, argued that allowing both imports and local production would promote competition, check monopoly and price-fixing, and improve the midstream and downstream petroleum sector.

The Abuja ruling is coming even as the Dangote refinery has a pending suit praying the court to stop the NMDPRA from issuing import licences to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and other marketers.

Dangote’s pending suit

The Federal High Court in Lagos had in June fixed October 7 to hear a suit filed by the Dangote refinery challenging the Federal Government’s issuance of fuel import licences to NNPC and several petroleum marketers.

The Dangote refinery, in suit No. FHC/L/CS/857/2026, is requesting the court to nullify import licences allegedly issued or renewed around May 6, 2026, in favour of the NNPC and marketers, including NIPCO, AA Rano, Matrix, Shafa, Pinnacle, and Bono.

The plaintiff further argued that the licences were granted in violation of an earlier court order made on 29 April 2026, which directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the suit’s resolution.

With both cases before courts of coordinate jurisdiction, the Abuja ruling could complicate the refinery’s legal challenge, particularly as it was not a respondent in the Abuja suit and may therefore be unable to appeal the judgment directly.

The regulator recently approved 830,000 metric tonnes of petrol imports for the fourth quarter of 2026, with Matrix Energy, A.A. Rano and AYM Shafa among six companies issued permits.

Oil marketers speak

Reacting to the Abuja judgment, the National President of PETROAN, Billy Gillis-Harry, described it as a victory for Nigerians, arguing that diversifying supply sources would help address concerns over the availability and cost of petrol.

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“The court ruling means a lot. It means victory for the Nigerian people. Once every stakeholder in the industry is focused on ensuring that there is availability of petroleum products, then affordability issues will become something that will be addressed,” he said.

He added, “So it is a victory for the Nigerian people, not just retail outlet owners or marketers. So we congratulate all those who have stood firm to face the tyranny of monopoly and get answers.”

Gillis-Harry also commended the petroleum regulator, saying the judgment reinforced its responsibility to serve consumers and maintain a competitive market. “We salute NMDPRA. It tells us that they are not ready to take sides with anybody. They are there to serve Nigerians, and we look forward to greater days ahead,” he said.

However, the PETROAN president called for the continued issuance of import licences to be extended beyond the three companies involved in the case.

He said, “However, the licensees should not be limited to only the three companies. It should be available to every company that has the capacity to import products and supply Nigerians at an affordable price and available to everyone.”

“In our opinion, supply diversification will guarantee affordability of petroleum products,” he added.

Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said the judgment should be respected, adding that marketers would continue to purchase products from suppliers offering competitive prices.

“Well, the court is a court of justice, and I know that they have looked at the pros and cons. They also looked at the document submitted before it, and they reviewed the Petroleum Industry Act,” Ukadike said.

He added, “While the refinery can meet up with domestic demand, as I said before, it is a court ruling that must be obeyed.” Ukadike described the judgment as a win-win for marketers, saying their purchasing decisions would depend on the prices offered by domestic refineries and importers.

“If Dangote is producing and it’s cheap, we will look at it and buy from them as marketers. On the other hand, if products from importers are cheaper, we would also buy from them,” he said. “Our business is to ensure that we continue to service and buy products at the cheapest rate and sell to our numerous consumers.”

Different rulings

Speaking with our correspondent, a major marketer, who pleaded for anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, expressed concerns over the manner in which operators in the midstream and downstream sectors resorted to courts of coordinate jurisdiction to settle their disputes.

According to the operator, it is sad that the courts are being used as weapons to fight battles in an industry that is supposed to be peaceful. He stated that the marketers appeared to have proved a point that Nigeria belongs to everybody.

“It is sad that we found ourselves in this situation. We now have different courts giving rulings in favour of different groups. It is sad that a court in Lagos ruled that a company in a free zone is not under the regulator. How is that possible?

“It is also sad that a court in Abuja ruled in favour of these marketers without listening to other parties. I think the marketers just wanted to prove that nobody has a monopoly on the courts. But the issue is that Dangote still has a case challenging importation in court. Let’s see how it goes,” the operator said.

However, the Vice President of IPMAN, Hammed Fashola, maintained that the cases were necessary to test the position of the PIA in court.

Fashola advised all operating partners and regulatory bodies within the oil and gas downstream sector to resolve ongoing legal disputes without jeopardising the steady availability and distribution of petroleum products across the country.

Speaking over parallel court cases involving major sector operators regarding petroleum importation regulations under the PIA, IPMAN Vice President, Fashola, emphasised that testing legal frameworks in court remains a legitimate avenue for clarifying ambiguous statutory provisions.

“First of all, if there is any dispute, I think the right place to go is the court. Don’t forget that we have the PIA, and if there is any issue that is controversial, the best place is to approach the court for interpretation,” Fashola said, adding that stakeholders should await judicial outcomes or pursue an amicable round-table dialogue to align market operations.

Fashola maintained that litigation should not spark alarm or trigger product scarcity, expressing confidence that higher courts remain accessible to resolve any conflicting judicial interpretations that may arise during initial proceedings.

“They are in the high courts now. I think the Appeal Court is still there and the Supreme Court is also there. So, they will explore all the legal avenues that are available. So, I think the case will be resolved,” he stated.

He urged all parties to prioritise consumer supply and maintain current distribution stability while legal and regulatory clarifications are finalised.

“Dangote, the importers, and every stakeholder—we should just appeal to them that we should not do anything that will interrupt the peace that we are enjoying now, especially the availability of products in the country,” he urged.

“It’s good they subject the PIA to a test. I think that’s what they are doing. At the end of the day, they will still come back to the round table and resolve it. And if they cannot do that, I think the court will resolve everything, and everybody will know how the game should be played as far as oil and gas is concerned and in relationship with the PIA,” Fashola submitted.

Experts react

Reacting, an energy sector expert, Mr Dan Kunle, called for an immediate amendment of the PIA, warning that its current provisions regarding petroleum product importation are outdated and economically unviable for the country.

Kunle noted that while recent judicial interpretations upholding import permissions may align strictly with the written letter of the PIA, the law itself no longer reflects Nigeria’s prevailing economic reality.

According to him, the PIA was enacted at a time when the country relied solely on inefficient, state-owned refineries, long before mega private refining infrastructure such as the Dangote refinery became operational.

“If you go by the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, the court is just trying to align with the law. But at the time the PIA was passed, lawmakers did not foresee that a refinery of this magnitude would come on stream to meet all our domestic needs. The law is no longer current; it is completely out of tune,” Kunle stated.

He argued that legal provisions must align with economic rationality, stressing that continuing to allow unchecked importation of refined products when domestic refining capacity exists undermines national interest and state protection.

Kunle advised the Federal Government and regulatory bodies, including the NMDPRA, to transmit an executive bill to the National Assembly to review the Act.

He proposed that under an amended PIA, the power to permit fuel imports should be discretionary and strictly tied to national strategic needs, such as mitigating supply shortages, rather than serving as a default market mechanism.

“At times, certain actions are legal by law, but they are not economically rational. You cannot justify importing inferior products when you have superior local production capacity, simply under the guise of preventing a monopoly. The state must protect its economy against foreign importation while retaining a strictly regulated window for contingency imports,” he added.

Gradual end to imports

The Crude Oil Refinery-Owners Association of Nigeria has called for a gradual end to petrol imports, lamenting that some domestic refineries are struggling to obtain crude oil on commercially viable terms despite the country’s abundant resources.

The Chairman of CORAN, Momoh Oyarekhua, made the call on Monday at the third Nigeria Oil Refining Summit organised by the association in Lagos.

Oyarekhua said the difficulties faced by some local refineries in securing crude had contributed to the continued importation of petroleum products, despite the availability of domestic refining capacity.

He said, “We acknowledge the remarkable progress made in domestic refining. Local refining is increasingly transforming Nigeria’s fuel supply landscape, demonstrating what is possible when investment, policy, and industry align.

“However, significant challenges remain. Despite our abundant crude resources, some domestic refineries continue to face difficulties accessing crude oil on commercially viable terms. At the same time, fuel imports persist while local refining capacity remains underutilised.”

To address the challenges, the CORAN chairman called for the full institutionalisation of the naira-for-crude policy, with transparent access for qualifying domestic refineries, including modular plants.

He also urged the Federal Government to strengthen enforcement of the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation under Section 109 of the Petroleum Industry Act, while preserving commercial arrangements between crude producers and refiners.

Oyarekhua proposed a domestic crude pricing framework that would reflect crude quality, delivery points, international logistics costs avoided, and actual domestic transportation expenses.

He also advocated crude swaps and proximity-based supply arrangements to enable oil-producing assets close to refineries to supply them without transporting crude through distant export terminals.

On petroleum product imports, he called for a progressive reduction, with imports restricted to objectively determined domestic supply shortfalls and strategic stock requirements.

“Refining for value means more than producing fuel. It means retaining foreign exchange, creating jobs, developing local expertise, supporting petrochemicals and manufacturing, and capturing greater economic value within Nigeria,” he said.

The chairman said the continued importation of petroleum products despite available local refining capacity represented a major challenge to Nigeria’s efforts to derive greater economic value from its crude resources.

Oyarekhua said, “Nigeria should not continue exporting crude, exporting jobs and importing the same petroleum products at considerable economic cost.”

The CORAN chairman also called for a dedicated financing framework to support the construction of new refineries and the expansion of existing facilities.

He said the proposed framework should provide long-term financing, guarantees and refinancing mechanisms to address the funding challenges facing refinery operators.

Meanwhile, economist Mustafa Chike-Obi has argued that domestic refineries should not receive indefinite protection from import competition.

Speaking on the Policy without Politics podcast with development economist Dr Ken Ikpe, the former Chairman of Fidelity Bank Nigeria said, “I am an opponent of refineries having an unlimited period of time while their products are banned from competition.

“For protection, I think there should be a time. But once you are insisting on protection, it just tells me that you don’t think you can compete with imports. Now what it will tell you is that the quality is not the same.

“Look, when we’re importing fuel, no Nigerians are going to complain about the quality. We’re not interested in higher quality for sure. We just want petrol that can work.”

On the continued rehabilitation of the government-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, the former banker questioned the rationale for committing more public funds to facilities he described as old and inefficient.

“Talking about this turnaround stuff, I find this very curious. Should the Federal Government, which owns refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, deserve another round of turnaround? They should not be involved in that business at all.

“So they shouldn’t go there. If we go there, it’s a runaround; it’s not a turnaround. It may be more than a runaround. It may be a runaround with devious intentions.”

Asked what he meant by “devious intentions,” Obi replied, “Diversion of funds. Because it’s a good way to divert funds.

“You say you’re turning it around, and then the money disappears and nothing happens. We’ve seen this many, many times. And this is not an attack on this government, but we’ve seen it through successive governments.”

He said the government should instead acknowledge that the refineries had become technologically outdated and redirect investment towards more efficient facilities and industries.

“It’s going to work next week. There’s fire in Port Harcourt. So I think the whole idea of the emotional investment is that those refineries are old.

“They are old technology. They will never be as efficient as the Dangote refinery. They will certainly not be as efficient as the foreign equivalent.

“And it’s just a waste of time, and it’s an emotional thing. And so we should stay away from those kinds of things and focus on industries and refineries that are efficient. And these ones will never be efficient.

“So yes, I subscribe to the theory that it’s a runaround, and that’s the best you can say about it. It could be worse than that.”

Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s team, the Flamingos, were crowned champions of the 2026 WAFU-U17 Girls’ Cup after thrashing Togo 4-0 on Sunday in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.

The Hakeem Busari-led team emerged Champions after winning all their five matches in the competition, including victories against Ghana and hosts Côte d’Ivoire.

A brace by Captain Chidi Harmony put the Nigerian girls two goals up going into the break.

The striker converted twice from the spot in the 15th and 35th minutes of the tie.

Nigeria scored two more goals in the second half through strikes from Olubebube Umejiaku and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi in the 67th and 90th minutes, wrapping up an impressive unbeaten tournament for the girls.

Speaking after the victory on Sunday, Captain Chidi Harmony said it was not an easy task winning all five matches of the competition.

“We are so proud of what we have achieved. It is not easy to win all five matches. Our main achievement is beating Ghana and the hosts Côte d’Ivoire,” she said.

The Flamingos will now turn their focus to preparations for the U-17 World finals coming on in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, where Nigeria is grouped with North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland in Group B.

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has announced that members can now decide whether to accept or donate the four main components of blood based on their personal conscience.

The organisation made this known in a statement issued by its World Headquarters in Warwick, New York and made available on its website on Friday.

According to the statement, “the decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person’s blood is a matter of personal conscience.”

It added that “each Witness must decide whether or not to donate blood for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions for use by another person.”

However, the organisation said its position on whole-blood transfusion had not changed.

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“The long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions on religious grounds, a core teaching based on the command to ‘abstain from blood’ (Acts 15:20), is unchanged,” the statement said.

International spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at the organisation’s World Headquarters, Paul Gillies, said, “Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God.

“We recognise that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”

The organisation said the adjustment “follows earlier updates regarding blood fractions and the use of one’s own blood during medical procedures.”

It added, “Since the Bible does not comment on such decisions, they are a matter of individual conscience. That same reasoning has now been extended to the four main components of blood.”

On medical care, the statement said, “Jehovah’s Witnesses love life and want the best available medical care. They do not practise faith healing, and they seek out doctors who can provide effective treatment in accord with their wishes, values and beliefs.”

Gillies said local congregations would not interfere in members’ personal decisions.

“Congregations do not involve themselves in personal decisions that rest with the individual conscience. We will continue to respect and support the personal decisions of our fellow believers.

“We are grateful, too, for the many skilled and compassionate physicians who provide quality medical care that respects our personal wishes regarding blood,” he said.

The organisation said Jehovah’s Witnesses number “over nine million worldwide, in congregations across more than 200 lands.”

In March, PUNCH reported that the religious group had clarified its position on the use of a member’s own blood during surgery and other medical procedures.

The clarification allowed individual Witnesses to decide whether their blood could be removed, stored and returned to them during medical treatment, while the organisation maintained its position against receiving blood from another person.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has opened its online portal for the recruitment of ad hoc staff for the 2027 general elections.

Ad hoc staff are temporary personnel recruited, trained and deployed for specific elections and released after the exercise.

In this recruitment, the electoral umpire said it will deploy about 1.4 million across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.

Those recruited will work in various capacities for INEC during the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for February 6, 2027.

According to a public notice issued by the commission on Thursday, “the INEC Portal for Recruitment of Election Staff, known as INECPRES, will open at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026, and close at midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.”

The commission said interested applicants could access the application through its official website, INEC official website, while the web version of the INECPRES portal is available at INECPRES portal.

The recruitment covers several categories of election personnel, including Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Registration Area Centre Managers and Registration Area Technical Support personnel.

Who can apply?
INEC said eligibility varies according to the position, an applicant’s institution, employment status and educational background.

Potential applicants include eligible:

a. Serving NYSC members;
b. Former NYSC members who meet the specified conditions;
c. Students of Federal and State tertiary institutions;
d. Eligible Federal and State government employees;
e. Permanent staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies;
f. Qualified INEC personnel;
g. Eligible ICT personnel; and
h. Personnel connected with institutions designated to host Registration Area Centres.
Applicants are required to check the specific eligibility conditions for their preferred position before applying.

Requirements for SPOs
The Supervisory Presiding Officer category covers eligible personnel from the Federal Public/Civil Service and Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The notice lists public-sector employees within Grade Level 10 to 14 among those who may qualify, subject to the applicable conditions.

Serving NYSC members are also included in the eligibility criteria, while former corps members may qualify where their service falls within the period specified by INEC.

The notice gives 2024, 2025 and 2026 as examples for former corps members whose service was completed within the specified three-year period before the election.


Requirements for POs and APOs
The Presiding Officer and Assistant Presiding Officer categories include eligible students of tertiary institutions and certain government employees.

Students of Federal and State tertiary institutions are listed among the eligible applicants, with the requirements varying according to their year of study.

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Permanent staff of Federal and State MDAs with OND or NCE qualifications are also included under specified conditions.

The notice provides different salary-grade requirements, including GL 07-10 and GL 07-14, depending on the applicable category.

Applicants should therefore confirm their eligibility before selecting a position.

Requirements for RAC Managers
The Registration Area Centre Manager category is linked to schools and other institutions designated to host RACs or Super RACs.

According to the notice, the head of a school or a staff member of the institution hosting the RAC may qualify, subject to the specified requirements, including the applicable Grade Level 07 and above condition.

Requirements for RATECHs
RATECH means Registration Area Technical Support.

The category is targeted at applicants with relevant ICT and technical backgrounds.

The notice lists eligible INEC ICT staff at the state and headquarters levels who are not engaged in other duties, as well as IT students of Federal and State tertiary institutions.

Former corps members within the commission may also be considered where applicable.

How to apply
Interested applicants can apply by following these steps:

1. Visit the INECPRES web portal or access INECPRES through the official INEC website.
2. Read the instructions and eligibility requirements for the available positions.
3. Select the position for which you are eligible.
4. Complete the required registration details.
5. Enter your personal, educational and employment information accurately.
6. Provide the required supporting information.
7. Review the information supplied before submitting the application.
8. Submit the application.
9. Keep the registration or application details for future reference.
Application deadline
The INECPRES recruitment portal opens at 8am on Friday, September 18, 2026.

Applications close at 12 midnight on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.


Applicants are advised to complete their applications before the deadline rather than wait until the final day.

INECPRES helpdesk
The notice states that INEC’s IT Service Management operates a 24-hour helpdesk for enquiries relating to the platform.

Applicants can use the 0700-CALL-INEC vanity number or email inecpress@inec.gov.ng for enquiries.

President Bola Tinubu is set to lead a fresh continental push to stop Africa’s mineral wealth from leaving the continent largely as raw materials, as he chairs a high-level summit on critical minerals in New York next month.

The meeting, convened by the Africa Minerals Strategy Group on September 21, 2026, will be held in Manhattan on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the AMSG General Assembly, will chair the Third High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development in Africa, with the gathering expected to bring together African leaders and government representatives, ministers, global investors, development finance institutions, multilateral organisations, and executives from mining, technology and logistics companies.

A statement issued by AMSG on Sunday said the summit, themed “From Resources to Wealth: Continental Cooperation for Mineral Value Addition,” comes as major economies intensify the search for secure supplies of minerals required for electric vehicles, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and defence technologies.

It read, “Africa is set to make a major push for greater control over its critical minerals future as the Africa Minerals Strategy Group convenes its Third High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development in Africa in Manhattan, New York, on September 21, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

“The Roundtable will be chaired by His Excellency Bola Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairperson of the AMSG General Assembly, underscoring Africa’s determination to place critical minerals at the centre of the continent’s industrial, economic and geopolitical agenda.”

Africa holds substantial deposits of several minerals at the centre of the global scramble, including lithium, copper, cobalt, graphite, manganese and rare earth elements.

However, the continent has historically exported much of its mineral resources in raw or minimally processed form, leaving other regions to capture a larger share of the value from refining, manufacturing and finished products built from the minerals.

The AMSG said the New York meeting would seek to change that pattern by moving African countries towards greater processing, manufacturing and integration of mineral value chains.

“The Roundtable will focus on how African countries can move beyond the traditional extract-and-export model to build integrated mineral value chains, attract transformative capital, strengthen continental cooperation and secure a greater share of the economic value generated from Africa’s mineral resources,” the group said.

The meeting will also mark the next phase of the Mutual Assured Development framework launched at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit held in Abuja earlier in 2026.

At the New York gathering, African leaders and policymakers are expected to unveil the proposed Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration, which will provide a framework for cooperation on critical minerals.

The proposed declaration will cover policy coordination, investment mobilisation, local value addition, supply-chain security and efforts to strengthen Africa’s negotiating position in the global minerals economy.

A major component of the initiative is the proposed CIEAD Finance Window, designed to mobilise capital for mineral processing, infrastructure, technology and other segments required to build competitive value chains within Africa.

The AMSG said the initiative was intended to move beyond policy discussions towards concrete investment and implementation structures.

“Building on the Mutual Assured Development Framework, the New York gathering will mark a transition from strategic dialogue to structural execution,” the group said.

The meeting will be convened by the leadership of the AMSG, including the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, who chairs the AMSG Ministerial Steering Committee, and the Secretary-General of the group, Moses Michael Engadu.

The Africa Finance Corporation, other development finance institutions, multilateral organisations and private-sector players in mining, technology, mineral traceability and logistics are also expected to participate.

Established in January 2024 by African governments, the AMSG is a continental intergovernmental organisation focused on coordinating critical minerals policy, investment alignment, minerals security and Africa’s engagement with global partners.

Its mission is to strengthen Africa’s control over its mineral resources and ensure that the continent captures more of the value created from the minerals increasingly shaping the future global economy.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed a former Chief Executive Officer of KPMG Nigeria, Mr Kunle Elebute, as Chairperson of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

The appointment was disclosed in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President,
(Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

According to the statement, the appointment reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening corporate governance, enhancing investor confidence, and deepening transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s financial reporting ecosystem.

The profile of the new FRC chair indicates that Mr Elebute is a distinguished Chartered Accountant and financial management consultant with over four decades of professional experience spanning Nigeria, West Africa, and global markets. He previously served as Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer of KPMG Nigeria, Chairman of KPMG West Africa, and Chairman of KPMG Africa. During his illustrious career, he also served on KPMG’s regional and global boards, including its Global Board Audit Committee.

Elebute is widely respected for his expertise in audit, financial advisory, risk consulting, corporate governance, and strategic transformation.

“Mr Elebute’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as the FRCN advances key institutional priorities, including ongoing engagements under the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and broader efforts to align Nigeria’s corporate reporting framework with international best practices.

“The Federal Government is confident that his wealth of experience, leadership, and governance expertise will further strengthen the Council’s mandate and support the Renewed Hope Agenda’s objective of building a more transparent, competitive, and investment-friendly economy,” the statement added.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday made a direct appeal to Nigerian youths to remain in the country and contribute to its development, telling them that Nigeria’s future belonged to those who stayed to solve its problems rather than those who chose to leave.

In his Democracy Day address, his fourth since assuming office in May 2023, the President said, “To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.”

The appeal comes against the backdrop of sustained “japa” emigration trends that have seen large numbers of young, skilled Nigerians, particularly in technology, healthcare and academia, relocate abroad in search of better economic prospects.

Tinubu said Nigeria’s democratic dividend must now translate into tangible economic outcomes for its citizens, particularly the youth.

“Democracy must be felt in the pocket,” he said, pointing to initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the National Agricultural Development Fund’s deployment of 10,000 tractors over five years, and the certification of over 1,000 SMEs for export as part of efforts to expand domestic opportunity.

He said the generation now coming of age carried a distinct historical responsibility.

He stated, “Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence. The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.”

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared unlawful the National Assembly’s controversial N110 billion vehicle and allowance schemes, ruling that the spending of N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members breached procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and the public trust.

The court also ordered the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, “to ensure that all future procurements or expenditure of public funds by the National Assembly comply strictly with due process requirements and are also guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and value for money.”

The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project against the National Assembly.

The certified true copy of the judgment was sighted on Sunday.

SERAP, in a statement issued by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said it filed the lawsuit in August 2023 against Mr. Akpabio and Mr. Abbas, following plans to spend N40 billion on 465 vehicles and N70 billion in allowances for new lawmakers amid worsening economic hardship across the country.

In her judgment, Justice Bogoro held that “looking at the magnitude of the expenditure, coupled with the absence of demonstrable due process, leads me to conclude that the procurement is arbitrary, disproportionate and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards.”

She also held that “the beneficiaries of the expenditure are the very officials approving it, and the expenditure confers direct pecuniary and material benefits. This to my mind constitutes a case of self-dealing and conflict of interest.”

Justice Bogoro further stated, “I have taken judicial notice of the economic realities in Nigeria and the widespread financial hardship affecting Nigerian citizens. In this context, the allocation of N110 billion for the benefit of lawmakers demonstrates a failure to prioritise national interest.

“The Defendants have urged the Court to decline jurisdiction on grounds of legislative autonomy. It should be noted that the doctrine of separation of powers does not operate as a shield for illegality. It is noteworthy to state that the Court is concerned on the legality and constitutionality of legislative spending.

“The allocation of N110 billion for the benefit of lawmakers also undermines the fiduciary duty owed to the Nigerian people. Public office must not be used for personal enrichment. Public officers must act within constitutional boundaries and in good faith. I hold that the conduct complained of is inconsistent with the oath of office.

“The Defendants [Mr. Akpabio, Mr. Abbas, and members of the Senate and House of Representatives] formulated two principal issues for determination in response to SERAP’s Originating Summons; firstly: ‘Whether in the circumstances of this case, this Honourable Court possesses the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the suit.’

“Secondly, ‘Whether SERAP has adduced sufficient evidence to warrant the grant of the declarations, orders, and injunctions sought.’

“I have earlier in this judgment reproduced the question for determination as proposed by SERAP. But I will quickly state that SERAP has sought for the judicial interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions in relation to the proposed expenditure of public funds by the Defendants.

“The gravamen of SERAP’s case is that the planned use of the N40 billion for procurement of vehicles and N70 billion as support allowances under the Supplementary Appropriation Act 2022 (signed in 2023) is unlawful and in breach of Section 57(4) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007; paragraph 1 Part 1, Fifth Schedule (Code of Conduct for Public Officers) and Oath of Office under the Seventh Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].

“Brief facts of the case as could be gleaned from the affidavit in support show that the Defendants allegedly approved the purchase of 465 bulletproof vehicles at about N305 million per vehicle, bringing the total project cost to N110 billion; that the expenditure is excessive and violates the Nigerian Constitution, the Public Procurement Act 2007, and the remuneration framework of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

“It is the submission of SERAP that it wrote a letter to each of the Defendants requesting a reversal of the decision which was ignored. The Defendants denied the allegations and assert that the claims are based on media speculation, that the expenditure was lawful and duly appropriated, the funds have already been expended, the suit is academic, and that there is no valid pre-action notice served.

“SERAP further submits that the suit raises live constitutional issues; declaratory reliefs are still grantable despite completion of the act; and that pre-action notice is not required due to the urgency and nature of the action.”

“Now back to the main issue for determination. I have from the singular question formulated these issues for determination: (1) whether SERAP has the requisite locus standi to institute this action; (2) whether failure to serve pre-action notice is fatal to this suit; (3) whether this suit has been overtaken by events; and (4) whether SERAP has established entitlement to the relief sought.

“I will first determine the jurisdictional issues raised by the Defendants which are issues of non-issuance of pre-action notice on the 1st Defendant; want of cause of action; abuse of court process; and whether this suit is academic.

“On whether SERAP has locus standi to have brought this suit, I will state that the law has now evolved to recognise public interest litigation. NGOs (as SERAP in this suit) can institute actions to protect public interest.

“From the facts deposed and given the nature of the suit, SERAP being a public interest organisation committed to transparency and accountability has demonstrated sufficient interest. I therefore hold that SERAP has locus standi to sue, as the matters are of undeniable public concern.

“On the issue of non-issuance of pre-action notice to the 1st Defendant, Section 21 of the Legislative House (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017 provides thus: ‘A person who has cause of action against a Legislative House shall serve a three months written notice to the office of the Clerk of the Legislative House disclosing the cause of action and relief sought.’

“The Defendants contended that failure to serve a pre-action notice is fatal; ordinarily that is the correct position. However, there are exceptions to this general rule. Pre-action notice is not mandatory where the matter is urgent or where the matter involves public interest or fundamental rights.

“To this end, I have sighted Exhibits A5 and A6 attached to the affidavit supporting the Originating Summons titled ‘Re: Request to Rescind the Scandalous National Assembly Budget of ₦110 Billion to Buy 465 Bulletproof SUVs and Support New Lawmakers.’”

On jurisdictional objections, she ruled that legislative autonomy does not shield illegality, stressing that courts can intervene where constitutional breaches occur.

SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the ruling as “a major victory for transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources in Nigeria.”

He added that the judgment shows that “public office is a public trust.”

The statement also quoted human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), saying SERAP “deserves commendation,” adding that lawmakers’ lifestyle choices amid hardship “cannot be justified.”

He urged the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to act within its constitutional mandate on lawmakers’ remuneration.

The court declared that the vehicle procurement and allowances breached the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct rules, and constitutional oath provisions, and ordered strict compliance with due process in future spending.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State have thwarted multiple kidnap attempts, including the abduction of a pastor and his wife, and rescued 10 victims in separate operations across Plateau and Kaduna states.

Spokesman for the Joint Military Task Force, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, who disclosed this in a statement released in Jos on Sunday, said the operations that led to the rescue of the victims were carried out within the last 48 hours.

He said the “decisive operations” launched aggressive manhunts for fleeing suspects while reaffirming the military’s commitment to securing highways and communities within its Joint Operations Area.

The statement read: “In a series of decisive operations conducted over the last 48 hours, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have successfully foiled multiple kidnapping attempts, rescued several victims, and launched aggressive manhunts for fleeing criminal elements across Plateau and Kaduna states. These swift interventions underscore the unwavering commitment of the military to maintaining security and guaranteeing the safety of commuters and residents within Operation ENDURING PEACE Joint Operations Area.

“At Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, troops of Sector 6 deployed in Sopp District responded to reports of suspected kidnappers who blocked the highway along the Hawan Kibo–Rafin Sayin axis at approximately 12:30 a.m. on June 5, 2026. Upon arrival at the scene, the tactical team discovered an ash-coloured Honda vehicle with registration number APP-93CF abandoned in the middle of the road.

“Troops immediately launched a thorough search and rescue operation in the surrounding bushes. This rapid response led to the successful rescue of six kidnapped passengers. The rescued individuals revealed that they had boarded the commercial vehicle from Lafia, Nasarawa State, and were bound for Jos. While these victims are safe, the driver of the vehicle remains missing, and troops are maintaining an active search to locate and rescue him.

“Simultaneously, troops of Sector 5 operating in Bokkos also recorded another victory against criminality in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. Responding to an urgent distress call from Faggem Village on June 5, 2026, troops swiftly mobilised and foiled an ongoing abduction attempt, as the operational pressure forced the criminals to abandon their targets and flee into a nearby forest. The chase led troops to successfully rescue a pastor and his wife from the clutches of the kidnappers.”

The statement added, “The couple, who sustained injuries during the initial assault by the criminals, were promptly evacuated by the troops to Bokkos Medical Clinic for treatment, while a manhunt was also initiated to track down the fleeing suspects.

“In a related development, troops of Sector 7, deployed at Ungwan Gora in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, in the early hours of Saturday, June 6, 2026, responded to reports of suspected terrorists blocking the highway between Rafi Tagwai and Angwan Dariya. Upon arrival, troops discovered that the terrorists had kidnapped some passengers travelling in a commercial vehicle.

“Troops recovered eight empty cases of 7.62mm special ammunition at the scene and immediately plunged into the adjoining forest on a rescue mission. The pursuit yielded immediate results as troops rescued two injured passengers, while efforts are currently ongoing to rescue other kidnapped occupants of the vehicle. The rescued passengers were swiftly evacuated to a nearby hospital in Fadan Karshi District for medical attention.”

The statement reaffirmed that Operation Enduring Peace “will not relent in its ongoing deliberate efforts and decisive operations to rid the highways and communities of criminal elements.”

Chelsea Football Club has appointed former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso as manager of its men’s team.

The Spaniard will take charge at Stamford Bridge on July 1, 2026, on a four-year contract.

Alonso, who guided Leverkusen to the first Bundesliga title in the German club’s history, arrives at Chelsea as one of the most decorated coaches in European football.

The club, in a statement released on Sunday said his appointment reflected its confidence in his coaching quality, game model, leadership attributes and integrity.

Speaking on his appointment, Alonso said Chelsea’s ambition aligned with his own.

“Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.

“From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies,” Alonso said.

He said he was eager to begin work at the club.

“There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies,” he said.

The club said it regarded Alonso not only as an outstanding football coach but also as a proven leader across areas essential to driving the team forward.

Chelsea said it looked forward to the next phase of the club’s journey with Alonso, describing success at Stamford Bridge as a hallmark of the club’s history and future.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has uncovered and disrupted a sophisticated examination malpractice syndicate in Delta State.

In a statement on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, said members of the malpractice syndicate were arrested during the conduct of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) at the College of Education, Warri.

According to Placid, the operation followed intelligence-led investigations into attempts by criminal elements to compromise the integrity of the examination through technology-assisted fraud and unauthorized remote access to examination systems.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that during the examination, unauthorized remote access was illegally gained into candidates’ computer systems while the exercise was ongoing.

“Acting on credible intelligence and digital forensic leads, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force carried out coordinated operations which led to the arrest of three suspects directly linked to the criminal activity,” Placid said.

He added that the three suspects are currently in police custody assisting ongoing investigations.

Investigations have also uncovered the involvement of additional examination centres suspected to have engaged in similar illegal activities.

Consequently, JAMB has taken administrative measures, including the withdrawal of results from affected centres pending the conclusion of investigations.

Placid said candidates affected by the development will be rescheduled for the mop-up examination in line with established procedures.

The police has warned all candidates, examination centre operators, and criminal collaborators to desist from engaging in any form of examination malpractice, cyber-assisted fraud, or unauthorized system intrusion.

Placid added that the police remains committed to identifying, dismantling, and prosecuting criminal networks seeking to undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s educational system.

Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) to correct the degree classification of a graduate, Shekoni Jemima Oluwagbemisola, after finding that the institution unlawfully downgraded her result.

The court, in its verdict, held that the university breached and violated the fundamental rights of the plaintiff by changing her grade from “Pass with Credit” to “Pass” without lawful justification.

The court consequently awarded N5 million in damages against the university, alongside N800,000 as the cost of the suit.
Oluwagbemisola, a graduate of Physiotherapy who earned a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (B.MR) in 2023, had approached the court in Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/107/2025, challenging what she described as the arbitrary alteration of her academic record.

Filed through her counsel, Princewill Okoroafor of P. O. Okoroafor & Co (The Daniels Chambers), the suit stated that the university initially confirmed her academic standing as “Pass with Credit” in a Statement of Result dated November 23, 2023.

The classification was also publicly affirmed during the institution’s 47th Convocation in December 2023, where she was listed in the official convocation brochure as graduating with the same grade.

However, trouble began when the plaintiff applied for her original certificate, only to discover that the university had revised her degree classification to “Pass”.

After unsuccessful attempts to resolve the discrepancy internally, she sought judicial intervention.

While delivering judgment, Justice Demi-Ajayi described the university’s conduct as “arbitrary and reckless”, noting that it failed to adhere to acceptable standards and best practices expected of a reputable institution.

The judge further faulted the university for failing to publish the plaintiff’s final year results and for neglecting to properly investigate the alleged error before altering her grade.

“Having found that the university breached, violated and infringed on the fundamental rights of the applicant by unlawfully and illegally changing her grade from ‘Pass with Credit’ to ‘Pass’, the court holds that there is no doubt that the illegal and unlawful action of the defendant must have caused the applicant great inconvenience and hardship,” the judge held.

The court added that such conduct, which shows disregard for the law, warranted the award of exemplary damages.

Justice Demi-Ajayi also referenced the appellate decision in Okafor & Anor v AIG Police Zone II Onikan & Ors (2019) to support the award of damages in cases involving abuse of rights.

The court declared that the university is legally bound to issue the plaintiff’s original degree certificate reflecting the correct classification of “Pass with Credit”, in line with its earlier publications and official communications.

It further held that the alteration of the result had caused significant disruption to the plaintiff’s academic and professional pursuits, noting her unchallenged evidence that she had already used the earlier result for postgraduate applications.

The court found that a reasonable person would conclude that the plaintiff suffered emotional and psychological stress as a result of the university’s actions.

Accordingly, the court granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, including orders directing the university to issue a corrected certificate consistent with the decision of its Senate, which had approved her result on November 20, 2023.

BREAKING NEWS: NDLEA Arrests Cocaine Kingpin an Ibo man King Eze Arinze in Lagos Cocaine Bust And his gang Ezenwo who was hiding under a Yoruba name “ Ajayi” as a disguise

LAGOS — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a cocaine trafficking syndicate, arresting 52-year-old King Arinze, the alleged kingpin, in Isolo, Lagos.

Following a three-week operation, NDLEA officers intercepted 3.1 kg of cocaine concealed in tins of palm kernel extract bound for the UK at Murtala Muhammed Airport. The arrest of sender Ibo man Ezemuwo Joel led investigators to Arinze’s hideout.

Other linked suspects mentioned in reports include:

- Ezemuwo Joel (who operated under a fake identity as Ajayi) — arrested as the sender of the consignment.
- Akputa Dickson Ejike (36) — arrested earlier at the airport in connection with the syndicate.

Officers then raided his warehouse at 11, Ola Ifa Street, Bucknor, Isolo, recovering 886 prepared tins, a sealing machine, tin openers, paint sprays, 52 grams of cannabis, and other tools. Arinze reportedly confessed to draining the oil from the tins to hide the cocaine.

The raid was captured in shaky video footage showing rooms stacked with packaging materials. Arinze and the linked suspects remain in custody.

The Federal High Court of Nigeria has convicted two individuals, Otuorimuno Nelson Aziakpono (58) and Ikegwuonu Davidson Ikechukwu (28), for offences related to the production, possession, sale, and distribution of adulterated and unregistered alcoholic beverages in Lagos, sentencing them to a combined 40-year term of imprisonment.

The conviction followed a 3rd December 2025 enforcement operation at Kojo Street, Ijanikin, and Vespa Market.

Products recovered during the operation included counterfeit and unregistered variants of Hennessy, Jameson Irish Whiskey, William Lawson's, and Gordon's Gin. The items were found to be unwholesome, misleadingly packaged, and unsafe for consumption.

The defendants were charged on eight counts bordering on possession of unwholesome products, manufacture and distribution of counterfeit beverages, and related offences under applicable laws.

NAFDAC reiterates its commitment to protecting public health and warns of the serious risks associated with adulterated alcoholic products. The Agency will continue to intensify enforcement actions nationwide and urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious products or activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.

United States President Donald Trump has reportedly recalled the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, and other career diplomats from their ambassadorial posts.

According to Politico, the move is part of an effort to align US diplomatic representation abroad with President Trump’s “America First” priorities.

A State Department official confirmed to the news platform that the ambassadors affected by the shake-up had initially been appointed during the Joe Biden administration but will now end their tenures in January.

While the diplomats will return to Washington for other assignments if they wish, their postings as chiefs of mission will conclude, according to the official.

Africa has been the region most affected by the recalls, with ambassadors from 13 countries, including Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda, among those removed. Other regions affected include the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Western Hemisphere.

The State Department, in a statement, described the changes as a “standard process in any administration,” noting that ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president and are meant to advance the administration’s policy priorities.

“An ambassador is a personal representative of the president, and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda,”the statement read.

Officials stressed that the recalled diplomats are not losing their jobs in the foreign service and can continue serving in other capacities within the State Department.

However, the sudden change is expected to require adjustments in embassy operations and diplomatic initiatives in the affected countries.

The recall of the US ambassador to Nigeria comes amid heightened attention on US-Africa relations and has drawn concern from some lawmakers and the American Foreign Service Association, which represents US diplomats.

For Nigeria, the departure of the US envoy marks a notable shift in diplomatic engagement at a time when the country is a key partner in regional security, economic collaboration, and development initiatives.

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday departed Abuja for Borno, Bauchi and Lagos aboard the 20-year-old Boeing 737 Business Jet earlier listed for sale in July but delisted months later due to poor buyer interest and lowball offers.

Earlier, Borno State Police Command said it had deployed tactical teams, surveillance squads, and operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit to ensure adequate security in the state ahead of the President’s visit.

Tinubu left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 11:45am, kicking off a multi-state working visit and holiday tour that will see him inaugurate projects in Maiduguri, pay a condolence visit to the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s family in Bauchi, and mark the Yuletide in Lagos.

The President’s use of the Obasanjo-era jet (tail number 5N-FGT) confirmed the unannounced return of the aircraft to active service following its failed sale attempt earlier this year.

The Federal Government had pulled it from the international sales platform operated by US marketing firm JetHQ in early December, following months of unsuccessful attempts to dispose of the aging aircraft.

Acquired in 2005 for $43m during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, the 20-year-old BBJ served multiple administrations until August 2024, when the Tinubu government took delivery of a refurbished Airbus A330-200.

It was first listed for sale in July 2025 as part of the Tinubu administration’s cost-cutting drive. That month, the plane was used to convey the remains of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari from London to Daura for burial.

Senior presidency officials had confirmed to PUNCH Online that the jet was delisted after prospective buyers quoted prices as low as $10m, far below government expectations for the aircraft, which underwent partial refurbishment and major C1-C2 inspections at AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland, in July 2024.

According to a statement released on Friday night by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s first stop will be Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where he will inaugurate several projects executed by Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration in collaboration with the Federal Government.

Tinubu will also attend the wedding ceremony of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and his bride, Hadiza Kam Salem.

From Maiduguri, the President will proceed to Bauchi to condole with the state government and the family of the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, the renowned Muslim cleric and leader of the Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood, who passed away on November 27 aged 101.

Following the condolence visit, Tinubu will travel to Lagos, where he will spend the Christmas and New Year holidays.

He is expected to serve as Guest of Honour at the Eyo Festival scheduled for December 27 at Tafawa Balewa Square.

The festival will honour prominent figures, including the President’s late mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, and former Lagos State Governors, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Michael Otedola.