Kehinde Ogunwumiju, managing partner of Afe Babalola & Co., is suing Dele Farotimi for alleged false and defamatory statements in his book ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

In the suit filed on December 6, the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) asked the court to stop the publication and sale of the book at all physical and online bookstores.

The claimant is also asking for N500 million in damages.

“An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendant/respondent, whether acting by himself, his staff, employees, servants, privies, representatives, agents, publishers, distributors, sellers, re-publishers, re-sellers, or any other person howsoever described including Amazon Online Bookstore, Rovingheights Bookstore, Booksellers Bookstore, Jazzhole Lagos Bookstore, Glendora Bookshop, Quintessence Lagos Bookstore and Patabah Books Limited from further publishing, selling, circulating, advertising, or distributing the physical/hard/digital/soft copies of the book authored by the Defendant/Respondent titled: ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, online, electronically, physically or by any other means including social media, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit,” the suit reads. 

Ogunwumiju also asked the court for an order for the seizure of the copies of the book wherever they may be found, adding that Farotimi should also apologise in two national newspapers.

“An order of interlocutory injunction directing the seizure of all physical copies of the book authored by the Defendant/Respondent titled: ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, wherever they may be found including at Rovingheights Bookstore, Booksellers Bookstore, Jazzhole Lagos Bookstore, Glendora Bookshop, Quintessence Lagos Bookstore and Patabah Books Limited worldwide by the Nigerian Police Force, State Security Service, and Nigeria Security,” he added. 

Last Tuesday, Farotimi was arrested by the Ekiti police command over alleged defamation and cyberbullying.

The activist was accused of spreading false information against Babalola. Subsequently, the inspector-general of police filed a 12-count charge bordering on cybercrime against Farotimi.

On Monday, Farotimi was granted bail on the cybercrime charges. On Tuesday, Farotimi returned to the magistrate court in Ekiti for arraignment over alleged defamation.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed a new Accountant-General of the Federation in the person of Mr Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.

The appointee, who assumes the position in acting capacity, is a certified fraud examiner.

Ogunjimi’s appointment was announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

According to Onanuga, Ogunjimi’s appointment is effective immediately following the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent AGF, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.

Madein’s retirement is effective March 7, 2025, after reaching the civil service’s statutory retirement age.

Quoting Onanuga, “In announcing Madein’s successor, President Tinubu ensures a seamless transition in the administration of Nigeria’s treasury and consolidates the implementation of the present administration’s treasury policy reforms.

“As a career civil servant and the most senior director in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Ogunjimi brings over 30 years of extensive experience in financial management across the public and private sectors.

“He has held significant positions, including Director of Funds at the OAGF and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“A chartered accountant, certified fraud examiner, chartered stockbroker, and chartered security and investment specialist, Mr Ogunjimi’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accountancy and a Master’s in Finance and Accounting.”

Onanuga further quoted Tinubu as saying, “The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is pivotal to our nation’s treasury management operations. Mr Ogunjimi’s wealth of experience and notable competence will ensure the continued effectiveness of this vital institution as we advance our economic reform agenda.”

He said President Tinubu commended the outgoing Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Madein, for her dedication and selfless service to the nation.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, commissioned the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Innovative Complex, Data and Command Centre (BATTIC) at the headquarters of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) located in Sauka, Abuja.

During the commissioning, President Tinubu stated that the commissioning is a dream come true and a further confirmation that the country is making progress under his leadership.

He also emphasized the need for Nigeria to embrace technology, innovation and a knowledge base economy as a pace-setter on the African continent.

It is understood that the project had been in the pipeline for about eighteen years before it was completed by the current administration.

“…This is the fulfillment of a dream. From the beginning of our administration we promised to deliver. Nigeria is making tremendous progress…” Tinubu said during the commisoning.

Naija News understands that the NIS Digital Hub signals Nigeria’s digital compliance with the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), providing a new, modern and technology compliant system.

According to presidential media aide, Sunday Dare, the system protects Nigeria’s borders and enhances national security.

The newly-commissioned system has an 8.3 gigabyte system and six components. The modern facility functions to detect suspicious travel patterns, pick out persons of interest, biometrics, and real-time 24-hour surveillance, amongst others.

The development makes Nigeria’s passport a security document with full compliance with international standards.

Search engine, Google has unveiled the ‘2024 Year in Search’ for Nigeria.

Crossdresser, Bobrisky, Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, Singer, Shallipopi and Ogechi lyrics topped the trends search.

Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Google West Africa, said in a statement that the 2024 Year in Search showed what Nigerians were really interested in.
 
The Google’s Year in Search is an annual analysis that reveals the top trending lists and also what the world searches to see, learn, and do.

“The trending personality search in 2024 was led by Bobrisky, followed by Beta Edu; global search was Donald Trump, while search on death included Junior Pope, Herbert Wigwe, among other searches.” he said

‘’This year, Nigerians continued to demonstrate a strong interest in entertainment with movies like “A Tribe Called Judah,” “Treasure In The Sky,” and “Damsel,” topping the movie charts.

‘’The top television series that captured the interest of Nigerian netizens included “Supacell,” “My Demon,” and “Queen of Tears.”.

“In the culinary world, Nigerians explored diverse recipes, with the ‘Pornstar Martini recipe” leading the searches.

‘’In Nigeria, this year’s results show a continued interest in the political and economic landscape, with searches related to the U.S. elections, the new national anthem, and the national grid topping the news category in this order,’’ he added

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama on Tuesday ordered the remand of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in Kuje Prison pending his trial on allegations of ₦110 billion fraud.

Justice Maryann Anenih issued the remand order after adjourning the trial till February 25, 2025.

Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is facing a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He is accused alongside two former state officials, Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, who are listed as co-defendants in the case.

The court also dismissed an application filed by Bello’s legal team, led by former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Joseph Daudu, SAN, seeking bail for the ex-governor.

Justice Anenih ruled that the bail application was prematurely filed on November 22, three days before Bello voluntarily surrendered to the EFCC on November 25.

“A bail application is filed to challenge the detention of a defendant. Filing it before being in custody undermines the application’s validity,” the judge remarked.

She further noted, “Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused.”

However, the court admitted the second and third defendants to bail in the sum of ₦300 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The court also seized their travel documents as part of the bail conditions.

The EFCC, represented by lead counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued against granting Bello bail, stating that the former governor had repeatedly evaded trial.

“Several efforts to secure the presence of the 1st defendant in court for another charge pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja, proved abortive,” the EFCC said.

The agency described Bello’s bail application as an attempt to manipulate the legal process, noting that it was filed days before his formal arraignment.

The EFCC accused Bello and his co-defendants of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.

Bello, through his legal team, maintained his innocence, arguing that he is entitled to the presumption of innocence under the law.

“Our client is innocent of all allegations and requires bail to effectively prepare his defence,” Daudu said. He dismissed claims by the EFCC that Bello had evaded trial, asserting that his client voluntarily surrendered to the anti-graft agency.

The high-profile case has drawn widespread attention, with many Nigerians expressing mixed reactions. While some lauded the EFCC’s commitment to holding public officials accountable, others questioned the protracted nature of high-profile corruption trials.

The case, marked CR/7781, underscores Nigeria’s ongoing battle against corruption and the judicial system’s role in ensuring accountability among public officials.

EFCC alleged that the former governor misused state funds to acquire properties, including No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja (N950 million), No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million), and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million).

Other properties the defendants allegedly acquired with funds stolen from the Kogi state treasury included Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million); Hotel Apartment Community: Burj Khalifa, Dubai (Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Dirhams); Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N60 million); and No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N310.4 million).

Likewise, the defendants were accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and possessing unlawfully obtained property, including N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.

The Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has remanded human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, in prison custody.

Naija News reports that Farotimi was taken back to prison on Tuesday after the presiding magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, postponed the decision on the bail application to December 2o, 2024.

This comes after the police counsel, Samson Osobu, argued that the bail application submitted by the defendant was incomplete and not properly filed.

This ruling, however, contradicts the decision of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, which granted Farotimi bail on Monday.

Farotimi’s arraignment stems from allegations of defamation against Nigerian Senior Advocate, Afe Babalola, SAN, in his book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” where he accused Babalola of corrupting Supreme Court judges.

Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and transferred to Ekiti State, where he was arraigned on a 16-count charge.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The police prosecutor requested his remand in prison custody pending further investigation, while his counsel argued for bail on liberal terms, citing the presumption of innocence.

However, Farotimi’s arrest has sparked public outrage among Nigerians and political elites, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.

An acclaimed pastor from Ajapa community in Ese Odo LGA of Ondo State, Terry Tinate Augustus, popularly called “Black" has been apprehended by security operatives in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Augustus, who was alleged to be a kidnapper, was arrested by the Amotekun Corps in collaboration with the Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Pipeline Surveillance and Waterways Security, Engr. Alore Omosuyi.

The suspect was arrested on December 8, 2024 following a tip-off from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Special Squad.

The media team of the Office of the SA to the Governor on Pipeline Surveillance and Waterways Security, in a statement on Monday, December 9 said that Augustus, a key figure in a violent kidnapping syndicate, had been linked to multiple abductions, including a recent high-profile case in Lagos.

"On December 8, 2024, a joint operation between the office of the Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Pipeline Surveillance and Waterways Security, Engineer Alore Omosuyi and the Amotekun Divisional Headquarters in Ilaje Local Government Area led to the arrest of the notorious kidnapper, Terry Tinate Augustus, also known as “Black

"The arrest took place in Alape, Ilaje Local Government Area, following crucial intelligence provided by the Commissioner of Police Special Squad 1 in Lagos State.

"Terry, a key figure in a violent kidnapping syndicate, had been linked to multiple abductions, including a recent high-profile case in Lagos.

"The operation was prompted by the arrests of two members of the gang, Promise Mafimisebi and Monday Ikuesan, in Lagos.

"During questioning, Mafimisebi revealed that the gang had collected a ransom of $52,000 from the recent kidnapping of Isa Ososa in Lagos. He also disclosed that Terry Tinate Augustus, also known as Black, was a member of their group and hailed from Ajapa in Ondo State.

"The gang primarily operated in urban areas, targeting wealthy individuals for ransom. They used swift abduction tactics, often employing stolen vehicles to carry out their operations.

“Engineer Alore Omosuyi, with his strategic leadership collaborated closely with the Amotekun Corps Ilaje to orchestrate the successful operation. Their combined expertise in security surveillance ensured the swift apprehension of the suspect. ”

The Labour Party (LP) member in the House of Representatives from Plateau State, Dalyop Chollom, has decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmaker who represents the Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal constituency announced his defection via a letter that was read during the House session on Tuesday by the Speaker, Abbas Tajuddeen.

In his statement regarding the defection, the Speaker relayed that the lawmaker indicated he made the decision to leave the LP for the APC after considerable contemplation, citing the ongoing turmoil within the party as a significant factor.

He expressed that the political well-being of his constituents is paramount and asserted his belief that he would be able to serve them more effectively within the ruling party.

In response, the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), raised a Point of Order, referencing Section 68 (1) (d) of the Constitution, and declared the defection to be invalid.

He subsequently requested that the House dismiss the letter of defection submitted by the lawmaker.

Chinda said, “We cannot continue to put the cart before the horse. That letter you read was not right.”

The Minority Leader emphasized that the legislator must furnish proof of his resignation from the party; however, the Speaker indicated that he had reviewed all relevant information and was content with the documentation provided by the legislator.

In response, Chinda asserted that if the Speaker is indeed satisfied, he ought to adhere to the provisions outlined in the Constitution regarding the status of a legislator who has defected from their party to join another.

He added, “If you say the letter he wrote is in order, you declare his seat vacant.”

The Speaker stated that he had reviewed the presentation made by the lawmaker and subsequently deemed the Minority Leader to be out of order.

In a similar vein, Representative George Ozodinobi from Anambra, representing the Labour Party, expressed disappointment regarding the defection, noting that the Labour Party was not experiencing any internal conflicts.

Senator Samuel Bako Lalong was present in the chambers to observe the announcement concerning the defection of the lawmaker from Plateau State.

Naija News recalls that last Thursday, five lawmakers, comprising four members of the Labour Party and one from the Peoples Democratic Party, transitioned to the All Progressives Congress.

The four Labour Party members who defected to the APC are Representative Tochukwu Chinedu Okere from Imo, Representative Donatus Matthew from Kaduna, Representative Akiba Bassey from Cross River, and Representative Esosa Iyawe from Edo.

Additionally, Representative Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, the daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, switched her allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has advised those nursing presidential ambitions in 2027 to shelve their desires.

In a post on Facebook, Igbokwe insisted that there would be no vacancy for a new president in 2027.

The APC chieftain stressed that Tinubu would remain the occupant of Aso Rock after 2027.

He wrote, “Those of you scheming and dreaming for 2027 should go and rest . There is no vacancy in Aso Rock until PBAT clears the huge and monumental Augean Stable that has accumulated for years now. Nigeria is being reworked to work again.”

This is coming amid speculations that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, are planning to form an alliance to sack Tinubu in 2027.

APC Chieftain Raises Alarm Over Gang Up Against Tinubu

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has alleged there is a gang up against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Talks regarding the 2027 election have been gaining momentum recently, with mixed opinions from the northern parts of the country.

Igbokwe alerted Nigerians on the alleged gang up against Tinubu in a post via his Facebook page, stating that those responsible for it had been calling him on the phone.

The APC chieftain, however, expressed confidence that President Tinubu would overcome the obstacles ahead of his re-election bid.

He wrote, “There has been a funny/ crooked gang up against PBAT come 2027. They have been calling my phones.

“The callers even mentioned the names of the schemers and l laughed until tears started coming out of my eyes. They do not know about PBAT.”

The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf has visited the Near East University in Cyprus over the withheld certificates of Kano scholars who graduated between 2015 and 2019.

The results were withheld over the non-payment of school fees.

Speaking via a statement on Monday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, the governor disclosed that the affected graduates were sponsored to the Cyprus varsity by the administration of ex-governor Abdullahi Ganduje but the government failed to pay their fees, making the university to withhold their certificates.

The statement said Yusuf visited Cyprus and met with the management of Near East University to address the matter.

“The discussions centred on facilitating the release of certificates for students who graduated between 2015 and 2019, particularly those in critical fields such as Medicine and Nursing.

“Many of these graduates have been unable to advance in their careers due to unpaid tuition fees under the previous administration,” the statement said.

It quoted Yusuf as remarking that: “This situation has been a significant setback for our children, hindering their dreams and aspirations. It has also impacted the state, which urgently needs skilled professionals, especially in healthcare services.”

The governor described the failure to pay tuition fees as a major lapse in governance, adding that the current administration was committed to rectifying the issue.

“One cannot imagine that as governor, Ganduje could neglect such an important responsibility, particularly for medical students who are essential for our healthcare system,” Yusuf stated.

Following what he termed as “fruitful discussions” with the university management, Governor Yusuf expressed optimism about resolving the liabilities and ensuring the release of the certificates.

“This effort marks a new chapter of hope for these graduates and reaffirms our administration’s dedication to education and the welfare of our people as a foundation for sustainable development,” he said.

The resolution of this issue is expected to empower the affected graduates to pursue their careers and contribute meaningfully to the development of Kano State.