Author: Friday Omosola

A Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday ordered the remand of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, in prison custody over an alleged defamation case against the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola.  Farotimi was arrested by officers from the Ekiti State Police Command on Tuesday at his Lagos chamber—was arraigned for allegedly publishing a book titled “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.” In the book, Farotimi alleged Babalola of corrupting the judiciary and procuring judgments in the Supreme Court. The allegations was said to have exposed Babalola to public hatred, ridicule, and damaged his professional reputation.…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, calling it a dangerous throwback to the oppressive days of military dictatorship. In a statement on his X page Wednesday, Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using state power to silence dissent and suppress free speech. Atiku, who described the charges against Farotimi as baseless, particularly criticised the police’s involvement in what he called a “sledgehammer” response to a defamation case, an issue that, under normal circumstances, should be addressed through civil litigation. He underscored that the police’s actions are…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticised the arrest of lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi on allegations of libel and the reported invasion of his law firm by law enforcement agents. The association described the actions as a “grave breach of the rule of law” and an assault on the sanctity of the legal profession. In a statement issued by the NBA President, Mazi Osigwe, the association emphasised that libel is no longer a criminal offense in Lagos State. The Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 repealed the criminalization of defamation, aligning with global standards that treat defamation as a…

South Africa has expressed keen interest in collaborating with Nigeria to tap into its lithium reserves as part of efforts to drive the global electric vehicle (EV) revolution and green energy transition. Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu spokesperson in a statement said the announcement came during the Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable held on Tuesday in Cape Town.   President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted Nigeria’s vast lithium resources as a cornerstone for industrialisation in the EV sector. He urged private sector players and development finance institutions to work together in building infrastructure and scaling up manufacturing capabilities for EV batteries. “There is much…

In a significant move to strengthen economic ties, Nigeria and South Africa have operationalised the Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade, and Investment. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy said the announcement was made by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable held on Tuesday in Cape Town. The council, first launched in 2021 during President Ramaphosa’s State Visit to Nigeria, aims to resolve trade and investment challenges, foster policy alignment, and create a conducive environment for business growth in both nations. The full activation of this council is…

The Kwara State Government has taken disciplinary action against a school teacher, Hamzat Fatimoh, accused of assaulting a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Kulende, Ilorin. Earlier, The New Daily Prime reported the assault of the female corps member (name withheld) when she visited the school to collect her clearance letter. She was accused of failing to greet the teachers properly—was scolded, physically assaulted, and had her NYSC white T-shirt torn by a teacher. Another teacher allegedly joined in the attack by slapping her. The incident ignited widespread outrage, with Nigerians demanding justice and…

The Kwara State Government has announced plans to vaccinate over 330,000 cattle, sheep, and goats in a state-wide Mass Anthrax Vaccination Campaign. The initiative aims to safeguard livestock and public health against the deadly anthrax disease and other zoonotic infections. This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, during a training workshop for veterinary personnel organised by the Kwara State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in collaboration with the State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Ilorin. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Funke Sokoya, the Commissioner highlighted the…

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and empowerment for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).  Speaking at the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities event held at the Jibowu Hall, Government House Grounds, Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, the governor described PWDs as valuable assets capable of reshaping their communities. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Habibat Adubiaro, Governor Oyebanji emphasised the potential of PWDs to actively contribute to societal development. He also distributed over 200 assistive devices, including wheelchairs and white canes, to support their daily activities. The governor urged PWDs to…

In a significant development aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, South Africa has relaxed its visa requirements for Nigerian tourists and businesspeople. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy in a statement on Tuesday said President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement during the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Cape Town.  The session was attended by President Tinubu. President Ramaphosa revealed that Nigerian business travelers who meet the criteria will now be eligible for five-year multiple-entry visas. Additionally, Nigerian tourists can apply for visas without the need to submit their…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that a fire outbreak has destroyed its Ika North East Local Government Area office in Owa-Oyibu, Delta State.  INEC in a statement on its Facebook page signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee on Tuesday said the incident occurred on Monday afternoon. The Commission said the fire outbreak was caused by a sudden power surge following the restoration of public electricity, according to a preliminary report presented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Delta State, Etekamba Udo Umoren. INEC added that the inferno…