Author: Friday Omosola

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on legal professionals and civil society groups across West Africa to intensify efforts toward building a more inclusive justice system that guarantees equal access for all, regardless of background or status. Delivering the keynote address at the opening of a two-day sensitisation mission organised by the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu challenged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lead by example in the administration of justice and the protection of human rights across the sub-region. The event, which opened at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, brought together…

President Bola Tinubu on Monday, announced a sweeping ban on the procurement of foreign goods and services by government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). Tinubu placed the ban as he unveiled a bold new ‘Nigeria First Policy’ during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja. The policy, according to the President, signals the start of a new era centred on local content, economic nationalism, and industrial revitalisation. He declared that the federal government would now prioritise Nigerian-made goods and homegrown solutions in all public procurement processes. READ ALSO: Tinubu to meet GenCos over N4trn power sector debt “This policy beckons…

Since the arrest and detention of activist and social media commentator Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), several prominent Nigerians, civil society, and others have demanded his release. Joining voices with notable figures such as former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and others, Amnesty International condemned VDM’s continued detention. READ ALSO: Amnesty International demands probe into Natasha’s allegations against Akpabio   Calling for his immediate release, the organisation described the EFCC’s actions as a flagrant abuse of power. In a statement, the global human rights organisation labelled VDM’s…

The Nigeria Police has confirmed the arrest of three additional suspects in connection with the recent spate of killings in Plateau State. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, in a statement on Monday, said this follows a string of targeted operations by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT). READ ALSO: Plateau Killings: Tinubu’s security policy failed woefully – Atiku Adejobi said the operations focused on curbing criminal conspiracy, gunrunning, and the unlawful possession of firearms—offences believed to be linked to the violent attacks that have plagued parts of the state. He said on 3 May, at approximately 4:30 p.m., IRT operatives…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest and detention of popular activist Martins Otse,  known as Verydarkman (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as an abuse of power. VDM was arrested on Friday, and on Monday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest, stating that it was based on multiple petitions from members of the public. READ ALSO: May Day: Atiku, Obi urge govt to prioritise workers’ welfare, job creation Oyewale added that VDM would be charged to court as soon as possible. Reacting in a statement posted on his Facebook page, Atiku described…

President Bola Tinubu will meet with leaders of Nigeria’s electricity-generating companies (GenCos) as the federal government moves to address the growing N4 trillion debt burden threatening the stability of the country’s power sector. This follows high-level deliberations in Abuja last Tuesday between the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the chairpersons of major GenCos. The talks were aimed at preventing a potential collapse of electricity infrastructure nationwide. READ ALSO: ‘Focus on results, not critics’ – Tinubu to govs In a statement issued yesterday by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Power Minister, assured GenCos that…

The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has denied reports suggesting that ₦71 billion has gone missing from its student loan scheme. Recent media claims alleged that certain educational institutions were siphoning off funds meant for the government-backed programme. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has since initiated a probe into the matter. READ ALSO: NELFUND highlights gender gap in loan applications However, NELFUND’s Managing Director and CEO, Akintunde Sawyerr during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, dismissed the claims as baseless. He maintained that the fund remains intact and emphasised that the public was misinformed. “We…

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi will deliver a keynote address on the intersections of cross-border trade and national security during the 2025 national reunion of the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA). This year’s event will be held at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on 10 May, as part of a three-day programme spanning 9 to 11 May. READ ALSO: Customs revenue hits N180.75bn in 2024 at Lagos airport In a joint statement issued by the Planning Committee Chairman, Sirajudeen Obayopo, and the association’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Fagbenro. The statement confirmed that…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced it intercepted a staggering haul of opioids valued at over N3.4 billion in major operations conducted in Lagos and Port Harcourt. Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy in a statement said the drugs were concealed in chocolate tins, commercial vehicles and even household cargo. Babafemi said in a coordinated operation at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, on 29th April, the operatives, working alongside Nigeria Customs and other security agencies, uncovered two million pills of tafrodol 225mg and 163,000 bottles of codeine syrup hidden in a watch-listed container. That…

Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described the arrest of social media influencer Martin Otse, known as Verydarkman (VDM) as a disturbing erosion of democratic values in Nigeria. The former Anambra State governor in a statement on his X page on Sunday expressed concern about the growing tension in the country, worsened by economic hardship and actions that undermine the rule of law and human rights. READ ALSO: VeryDarkMan detained by EFCC He stated that while security agencies may have acted within their legal rights, the forceful and opaque manner in which VDM was arrested resembled an abduction,…