Author: Friday Omosola

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) chapters at the Supreme Court and the National Judicial Council (NJC) have opted out of the nationwide strike proposed by the union’s national body. On Friday, JUSUN’s national leadership issued a directive for its members to commence an industrial action starting from midnight on Sunday. The strike was called following unsuccessful discussions facilitated by the Minister of Labour and Employment concerning the union’s outstanding demands. READ ALSO: Rivers: PDP governors drag Tinubu to Supreme Court over state emergency declaration The striking circular, dated May 31, 2025, and signed by JUSUN’s General Secretary, M.J. Akwashiki,…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a criminal syndicate involved in trafficking cocaine to Saudi Arabia under the guise of sponsoring pilgrims for Hajj. This development was announced on Sunday, following a series of coordinated arrests and seizures in Kano State. According to the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the agency arrested three major suspects, Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Muhammed Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba on May 27 and 28. READ ALSO: NDLEA, US DEA enhance partnership to tackle drug trafficking, abuse Their arrest followed the earlier apprehension of two intending pilgrims at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA),…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), accusing it of failing to account for N500 billion in oil revenue reportedly withheld from the Federation Account between October and December 2024. This lawsuit was prompted by a recent World Bank disclosure, which revealed that of the N1.1 trillion generated from oil sales and other sources in 2024, NNPCL only transferred N600 billion to the Federation Account, leaving a shortfall of N500 billion. When SERAP submitted a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, NNPCL—through its legal representatives, Afe Babalola & Co.—noted…

President Bola Tinubu has issued a stern warning to developers, advising them to steer clear of constructing on the designated buffer zones along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor. He gave the warning during the inauguration of the first 30-kilometre stretch of the highway in Lagos’ Lekki axis on Saturday. READ ALSO: Presidency rebuts Atiku’s claims, highlights economic progress under Tinubu Tinubu emphasised that the Federal Government would strictly uphold regulations concerning setbacks —the mandatory space between roads and buildings, typically ranging from three to nine metres. “These boundaries have been officially recorded and made public,” the president noted. “Any unauthorised development…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over four properties forfeited by Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, a company owned by former Enugu State governor, Chimaroke Nnamani to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in the state. The properties handed over include a bungalow, a wire house, and three duplexes located at Nos. 3 and 4 Pocket Estate, Independence Layout, Enugu; twelve rooms within a one-storey semi-detached building at No. 35B Abakaliki Road, Enugu; a six-room duplex at No. 3A Mount Street, Park Avenue, Enugu; and another six-room duplex at No. 3C Mount Street, Park Avenue, Enugu. EFCC Chairman,…

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has called on African governments to adopt strategic policies that could position the continent as a vital player in global supply chains, particularly in the critical minerals sector which is gaining prominence in the global economy. She delivered this message yesterday in Abidjan during her goodwill address at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group. Emphasising the need for bold and visionary action, Okonjo-Iweala urged African leaders to capitalise on emerging trade opportunities like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and push…

Nigeria has teamed up with the ECOWAS Parliament to accelerate progress on the ambitious Abidjan–Lagos highway project, a critical infrastructure initiative aimed at boosting trade, creating employment, and enhancing connectivity across West Africa. The Abidjan–Lagos Corridor represents the initial phase of the Dakar–Lagos Trans–West African Coastal Corridor (Trans-African Highway No. 7). This route is intended to connect West Africa with Central and Eastern Africa, stretching from Dakar through Lagos, Yaoundé, Bangui, and Kampala to Mombasa. READ ALSO: Tinubu: Fuel subsidies, corrupt FX crippled Nigeria for decades The Dakar–Abidjan–Lagos Corridor is a flagship project within the ECOWAS region’s segment of the Trans-African…

President Bola Tinubu has signed a new Executive Order aimed at reducing operational expenses in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and attracting fresh investment, in a strategic push to restore competitiveness and fiscal discipline in the industry. The newly signed directive, titled “The Upstream Petroleum Operations Cost Efficiency Incentives Order (2025),” introduces performance-based tax incentives for upstream operators that achieve verifiable cost reductions aligned with standards set by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Under the new framework, companies that meet cost efficiency benchmarks can claim tax credits of up to 20% of their annual tax liability. READ ALSO: Tinubu…

Sodiq Oyewummi has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for stealing electrical cables from the Oke-Afa Wastewater Treatment Plant, a critical infrastructure operated by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO). LSWMO, in a statement on Saturday, said Oyewummi was caught in the act by vigilant personnel stationed at the facility and was immediately handed over to the Lagos State Taskforce Environmental and Special Offences Court. He was arraigned on a three-count charge, including conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, wilful damage to government property, and theft of government property. READ ALSO: Lagos advances EMR rollout in primary healthcare…

The Federal Government (FG) has pledged strong support for the Nguru Emirate Council’s environmental sustainability efforts, particularly its ambitious tree planting programme, aimed at combating climate change and land degradation in Yobe State. The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Emir of Nguru, His Royal Highness Mustafa Ibn Kyari, to the Ministry in Abuja. READ ALSO: Ekiti govt to add milk to FG’s school feeding programme Lawal confirmed the FG’s readiness to partner with traditional institutions in tackling environmental challenges. He announced that the Ministry, through its agencies—including the National Agency for the…