Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has said he is yet to decide on contesting in the 2027 presidential election.

He, however, added that if he decides to via for the presidency in 2027 no one can stop his ambition.

He stated this in an interview with Daily Trust which was published on Saturday.

According to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum Chairman, he is more concerned about making the party strong and cohesive.

He said: “I haven’t told anyone I want to run for president now. In 2022/2023 I presented myself as a presidential aspirant but didn’t get the nomination. Perhaps that’s why some people still associate me with that ambition.

“But what have I done to cause problems aside from navigating within the Governors’ Forum? It’s a forum of equals, much like the Senate or House of Reps-you don’t make decisions alone, but you do take responsibility. My ambition in 2023 should not be confused with my current focus.

“Right now, my priority is to see the PDP strong and cohesive, capable of producing a presidential candidate who can win Nigerians’ confidence. It doesn’t have to be me-it could be anyone with the vision, energy and national outlook to win.”

He disclosed that many individuals and groups have continued to mount pressure on his to contest for president.

“Of course, if the time comes and I decide to run, no one will stop me. But for now, I’m focused on my work. Many young people and organisations are encouraging various individuals to run, not just me. So, why focus on me? I haven’t responded to any of them. Even when a group came to my council urging me to run, I told them I couldn’t unless one of my political mentors (former President Goodluck Jonathan) steps aside, just as I said in 2023. I’m not arrogant; I’m willing to work as part of a team.

“The presidency is about consensus. No one should think they’re bigger than others. If you can harmonise our vision and lead with collaboration, you can become president. But when people start thinking they’re superior to governors or others, they’ve missed the mark. I’m not bigger than anyone-every PDP governor, even some outside the party, may be more qualified to be president. If they don’t step up that’s their choice. But if I decide to run, with the support of my people in Bauchi and across the country, I won’t fear anyone,” he said.

Controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, may face fresh criminal charges over claims that he served his jail term in a private apartment and bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to drop money laundering charges against him.

Sunday PUNCH exclusively gathered that a panel set up to investigate the claims recommended that he should face defamation and criminal charges.

Bobrisky was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on April 12 for abusing the naira. He was released from prison on August 5.

A few weeks after his release, controversial social critic, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, shared a voice note of a conversation purportedly between Bobrisky and another person, where the crossdresser allegedly stated that he bribed EFCC officers with N15m to drop money laundering charges against him. He also claimed to have bribed officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment. 

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, subsequently constituted an investigation panel, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalena Ajani, on September 30, to probe the claims.

The panel, while presenting its report, said there was no evidence that Bobrisky slept outside the Kirikiri Custodial Centre during his six-month sentence.

Details of the report, exclusively obtained by Sunday PUNCH on Friday, stated that Bobrisky tarnished the image of the correctional service with false claims.

The panel also asked the Department of State Services to investigate whether, directly or through a proxy, he bribed the EFCC or the correctional service.

If the allegations of bribery by Bobrisky are substantiated, the panel said he should be charged with corrupt practices.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service should file defamation suits against Bobrisky under sections 373-375 of the Criminal Code Act for his false claims about bypassing the prison system, tarnishing the institution’s reputation.

“The DSS should be requested to investigate whether Bobrisky, directly or through a proxy, bribed EFCC or NCoS officials. If substantiated, Bobrisky should face charges under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act for bribing public officials,” the report partly read.

The panel also indicted four correctional officers who were recommended for disciplinary action as outlined in the NCoS’s condition of service, civil service, and applicable laws.

One of those recommended for sanctions is a former Controller of Corrections, Ben Rabbi-Freeman.

He was accused of “effecting the transfer of Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju without proper documentation of Form 5 and Form 5A from the Medium-Security Custody Centre to the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre on April 22, 2024, after over four months of the transfer date, and after the inmate had ended his imprisonment term; backdating the transfer documentation in relation to 1a and 1b above.

“Causing the in-charge Ikoyi Custodial Centre, in-charge Medium-Security Custodial Centre, and in-charge Maximum-Security Custodial Centre to sign backdated transfer documents in relation to Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju.”

In addition, the Deputy Controller of Corrections who was in charge of the Kirikiri Medium Security, Micheal Anugwa, who claimed during a parliamentary inquiry that he had not been suspended despite an official order from the Minister of Interior, was recommended for disciplinary action.

He was indicted for receiving Bobrisky into the Medium Security Custodial Centre without the relevant documentation on April 12, 2024, and without the necessary transfer documentation.

“DCC Balogun Sikiru (retd) — formerly in-charge of Maximum Security Custodial Centre for receiving Bobrisky into the Maximum Security Custodial Centre without the relevant documentation on April 22, 2024, and without the necessary transfer documentation, and DCC Sikiru Kamoru Adekunle who was in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre for backdating the transfer documentation in relation to receiving of Okuneye Idris into the Maximum Security Custodial Centre on April 22, 2024, which was a period he was yet to resume as the in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre.”

The panel further recommended an audit of all inmates and detainees in all custodial centres of the NCoS, their warrants, and other records. It asked that a mechanism be set up to do this and sustain it as an effective oversight weekly.

It demanded “decommercialisation of all welfare and support services to inmates with immediate effect and ensuring that adequate funding and oversight are put in place to ensure the continuation of these. This will also include building sustainable partnerships with civil society organisations (example, with relevant NGOs and professional associations) on some or all of these.”

“Facilitate the effective implementation of non-custodial measures across the entire country to help reduce the number of people in custodial centres by utilising imprisonment only as a last resort,” the report added.

Special facilities in custodial centres

A senior management officer of the NCoS told Sunday PUNCH that what people called VIP treatment for certain prisoners was a special facility that had existed for years.

According to the high-ranking officer, custodial centres have different facilities and prisoners’ conditions (health, age, sex) determine which facility they stay in to serve their jail term.

The officer said, “There are different facilities in the custodial centres across the country, and it is not out of place to treat some of the prisoners according to their health conditions, sex, age, and category of the sentence. Importantly, the prison authority also considers human rights and the treatment of the prisoners.

“The case of Bobrisky is an eye-opener for us. The NCoS authority confirmed that he is a woman from the middle upward, while he is a man from the middle downward. We had never had such a person in our custody, and there is no facility for such a situation. He had to be placed in a separate cell so that he wouldn’t be abused. That facility is what he ignorantly called a private apartment.

“Whether VIP or not, the condition of a prisoner will determine the facility he/she is going to stay in. We can’t put a prisoner who has high blood pressure in a cell without enough ventilation.”

Activists make case for crossdressers

Okuneye’s case has sparked debate on human rights and recognition of crossdressers, transgenders, and transsexual individuals in the country’s laws, institutions, and facilities.

Some activists, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH, argued that the government and its institutions should be aware of the presence of these individuals and make provisions for them.

The activists believe that sexual orientation is part of the human rights to be respected by the Nigerian government.

An activist, Femi Adeyeye, said the Kirikiri Custodial Centre where Bobrisky served his jail term was not befitting of his sexual orientation.

Adeyeye urged the Federal Government to respect the rights of individuals regardless of their sexual orientation. He also called on the government to provide special facilities for transgender inmates.

“A special cell for transgender persons is a welcome development; it’s something the government should look into,” he stated.

Another activist, Michael Adaramoye, noted that the Nigerian society had not come to terms with the reality of a growing transgender population.

However, Adaramoye said, “While we must recognise the right of individuals to sexual freedom, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others, we must also be sensitive to the concerns of other members of society.

He advocated the provision of facilities to accommodate transgender individuals in prisons and cells.

“It is important to note that our correctional centres are organised in a way that dehumanises inmates. Under such vicious conditions, it is difficult for any positive character reform to occur. The prison system in Nigeria is in dire need of deep reform and overhaul,” the activist added.

Also, human rights lawyer, Toyin Taiwo-Ojo, said the Federal Government’s position on homosexuality was ambiguous.

“The Nigerian government must re-evaluate Bobrisky’s detention and consider the long-term implications of their decisions,” she concluded.

Former Real Madrid, Manchester City and Arsenal star Emmanuel Adebayor has described former Nigerian international Nwankwo Kanu as his big brother and best friend.

Adebayor, who wore the No. 25 jersey at Arsenal, during his time said that the Atalanta Olympic gold medalist played a big role in his decision to join the Gunners.

“My idol was Nwankwo Kanu, so signing for Arsenal, wearing his number 25 jersey, and using the same locker as him was, for me, a huge accomplishment,” Adebayor said to BBC.

“Today, he is my big brother and best friend; he advises me if I’m doing right or wrong.”

 

“In 2008, I was unplayable. To be recognised as Africa’s best player was huge – it’s something I’ll never forget.” he added.

A man accused of impersonating an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), has been detained by LASTMA.

This was stated in a statement signed  by Adebayo Taofiq, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA.

“In a resolute operation conducted by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), a man impersonating a LASTMA officer, Mr. Adewunmi Taiwo, age 45, was detained on the Oshodi Bridge.”

“This individual had been posing as an official to intimidate and extort funds from both commercial and private motorists in the vicinity.” the statement read in part.

“Operating a white Hiace Coaster Bus with the license plate KJA 724 YJ, Mr. Taiwo utilised this guise to harass drivers in the area. Upon a meticulous search of his vehicle, LASTMA Officers uncovered an official LASTMA uniform, including a branded raincoat, among his possessions, confirming his intentions to deceive.”

It was noted that the accused who is a married man with three children confessed to misusing the uniform to “extort unwitting motorists, targeting high-traffic routes along Ikorodu Road and the Oshodi to Mile 2 expressway. He further admitted to generating between N15,000 and N25,000 daily from these unauthorised activities.”

Addressing the incident, LASTMA General Manager Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki warned individuals who use the LASTMA uniform for fraudulent activities.

“I take this opportunity to issue a stern warning to individuals who exploit LASTMA’s identity for unlawful gains: any attempt to tarnish the agency’s reputation will be met with the full force of the law as the man will be charged accordingly." the statement read.

It is no longer news that President Bola Tinubu has sacked six ministers in a major cabinet reshuffle. The reasons he rejigged his team for the third time, technically, since he was sworn in on May 29, 2023, are raising dust in the polity.

Fresh insights on why the ministers were relieved of their duties emerged last night. Although, the Presidency said the ministers were axed based on the expectations of Nigerians, sources told Saturday Vanguard some of the ministers, apart from performing below expectations, had also become an embarrassment to the Tinubu Administration.

“The conducts of some of the ministers were antithetical to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. They were pitting the President against the masses and subjecting Nigeria to ridicule before the international community. How can a minister work against the President’s anti-corruption crusade and hope to remain in the cabinet? The sack was long overdue,” a close ally of the President told Saturday Vanguard.

Sacked ministers

The ministers shown the exit door on Wednesday were Mrs Uju Kenedy Ohanenye, Women Affairs; Lola Ade-John, Tourism; Prof Tahir Mamman, Education; Abdullahi Mohammed Gwarzo, State, Housing and Urban Devt; and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Youth Devt. Betta Edu, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, who had earlier been suspended was left in the cooler.

Tinubu’s two earlier cabinet reshuffles

Tinubu raised dust with the way he went about forming his cabinet. To beat the 60-day time frame provided by the law, he first sent the names of 28 ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation. While the senators were screening the first nominees he sent another 19 making 47. He, thereafter, made the first reshuffle by withdrawing the name of one of the nominees, Maryam Shetty, who went to the Senate for the screening not knowing that she had been dropped. He sent two more nominees including Festus Keyamo. Thus Tinubu sent 48 names for confirmation of which 45 were cleared.

Reshuffling cabinet before swearing-in

Tinubu also did the unimaginable by reshuffling his cabinet before swearing in the ministers he had earlier assigned portfolios.

A day before the swearing-in, President Tinubu adjusted the portfolios of four ministers-designate.

Those affected were former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, who was to be sworn in as minister of Marine and Blue Economy. House of Representatives member Olubuni Tunji-Ojo, initially assigned to the ministry, took charge of the Ministry of Interior.

Alhaji Saidu Alkali, formerly assigned to the Interior Ministry, was sent to the Ministry of Transportation from where Oyetola was moved.

Mr Abubakar Momoh, who was earlier assigned Minister of Youth, took the oath of office as Minister of Niger Delta Development.

Two other ministers-designate, Heineken Lokpobiri and Ekperikpe Ekpo, had their portfolios adjusted as ministers of state in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Betta Edu

President Tinubu suspended Betta Edu on January 8, 2024, after several groups and individuals demanded an unfettered probe of the leaked memo by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, instructing the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, to pay N585m into the private bank account of a project accountant in her ministry, Bridget Oniyelu.

The minister claimed that the N585m payment was meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states, and described the allegations against her as baseless.

The Media Assistant to the Minister, Rasheed Olarenwaju, said in a statement that it was legal within the civil service for such payments to be made into private accounts of staff members, especially project accountants.

Her claims did not move the President. She remained out of the cabinet.

Tahir Mamman

As Education minister, Mamman’s controversial 18-year limit for writing senior school certificate examinations and admission into tertiary institutions, which described as an “unforgivable sin.’

The National Co-ordinator of the Education for Accelerated Development, EDAD, Dr. Livinus ia Mbaonu, described Mamman’s sack as ”long overdue” because ”Mamman was on a mission to reverse the gains made in the education sector in recent times,” underscoring the urgency of his removal.

The EDAD listed 10 critical reasons for the minister’s dismissal, depicting a pattern of mismanagement and misinformation.

The sins included Mamman’s role in ”providing misinformation leading to diplomatic conflict,” which strained relations between Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo.

His claims about the accreditation of universities in Benin were inaccurate. He stated that only three institutions were accredited when over 50 hold this status, a move that hurt many Nigerian students in the affected countries.

Mamman was also accused of mishandling foreign students’ participation in the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC scheme, causing thousands to be denied entry into the programme.

Age limit policy for universities

The EDAD cited conflicts among major educational bodies, including the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board , JAMB, as a consequence of Mamman’s leadership.

Other ‘sins’ included inefficiencies in the accreditation processes, a controversial 18-year minimum age policy for university admissions that resulted in lawsuits, and alleged lack of cooperation with fellow officials, which contributed to operational inefficiencies within the Ministry.

Uju Kennedy Ohanenye

Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, since her assumption of office on August 20, 2020, was arguably one of the most controversial ministers.

Her ‘sins’ included disrupting two ongoing events, which had guests and participants in attendance, because the events were not approved by her ministry.

The former minister, also engaged in an exchange of words with the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, over the alleged diversion of N1.5 billion meant for payment of contractors.

During an investigative hearing by the House of Representatives committee, to probe the N1.5 billion, which was said to be expended by the Ministry of Women Affairs, the minister, at a stage, flared up, saying that only 30 per cent of the N1.5 billion was paid to the ministry, but she could not give an account of how the money was spent because according to her, the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, had told her to mind her business.

The former Women’s Affairs minister slammed a lawsuit against the speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, following his announcement to marry off 100 orphaned girls in his state. She petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, on the issue.

After criticisms from stakeholders, the minister withdrew the charge against the speaker.

Threats to sue the United Nation

On October 16, Uju Kennedy vowed to sue the Anthonio Guterres-led United Nations for allegedly not releasing funds meant for Nigeria. She added that the UN had failed to provide her ministry with the necessary records, which would in turn attract legal action on or before November 15, if the situation remained the same.

Her allegations generated disbelief and criticism from various quarters, including the UN, which denied any wrongdoing and challenged her to provide evidence.

Some civil society groups questioned her motive and accused her of being ignorant of the UN’s operations and protocols.

She was in the eye of the storm following the University of Calabar sexual harassment allegations, that indicted the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Cyril Ndifon and led to his suspension on August 17 2023. The former minister had in a leaked video/audio threatened to jail the female law students of the university. A host of groups accused her of taking sides with Professor Ndifon, despite her mandate to protect the rights of women in the country.

Former militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has voiced his anger and frustration at how he has been treated by the president Bola Tinubu administration despite supporting him to become Nigeria’s leader.

Dokubo said he will now stretch a hand of friendship to the North and form alliance with them ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a viral video, the former militant leader recounted how he spent his money campaigning for for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, only for the president to cast him adrift after he won.

Addressing his followers in a viral video, he recalled how he implored Nigerians to hold him accountable if Tinubu failed as president.

He also stated he now understood the reasoning of their fathers who chose to cast their lots and pitch their tents with the north instead of the Yorubas as they are treacherous.

He said: “I apologise to our fathers because they were not wrong in forming an alliance with the North, and as young men, we will now start that same alliance.

“From today, I will work and form an alliance with the North. President Tinubu betrayed me after I spent all my money and emptied my bank account campaigning for him. The Tinubu I know now isn’t the Tinubu I used to know. We will take this message across that only the Northerners can work with the Ijaw people.

“We can’t work with Yoruba people; they are a betrayal to us. We risked our lives by voting and doing everything, and this is what we get?”

This is coming amid reports of talks of alliance among the opposition political parties in the country.

In January, political scientist Pat Utomi announced that he consulted with PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party (LP) candidate Peter Obi, and NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso on the possibility of forming a new political party.

Recently, Utomi affirmed that Atiku, Kwankwaso, and Obi have agreed to form a political party that would oust President Bola Tinubu from power in 2027

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has failed to bring the development he achieved when he was governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust published on Saturday, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum said he has tried to advise the present administration on its policies but it seems Tinubu is resistant to advise.

While expressing respect for Tinubu, the Bauchi Governor admitted he had mistaken with expectations that Tinubu will bring the same magic he brought to Lagos.

According to him, Tinubu performed well in Lagos when he had a team comprising of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Minister Kayode Fayemi.

Bala Mohammed wondered why the duo are not involved in the Tinubu administration, stressing that the President should bring back knowledgeable people and not just those who are ready to give blind praises.

He said: “The NEC is an advisory body headed by the Vice President. As governors, we can express our views, but often we feel frustrated. What I said wasn’t meant to insult President Tinubu. I respect him greatly—he has mentored many people across Nigeria, regardless of state or religion. I had high hopes that when he becomes president he will bring the same magic he brought to Lagos. But I was mistaken. Perhaps he’s overwhelmed or resistant to advice.

“When I said his policies aren’t working, I was speaking as an opposition member. We can’t be expected to support him blindly as his party members do. In fact, I’ve shown considerable restraint, as a statesman, by not saying things that could ignite a national crisis. But there are serious issues in his administration-within the oil and gas sector, the lack of real action on insecurity, the surface-level economic policies, the handling of labour issues, and their overall approach to governance.

“The government’s economic policies, particularly around fuel and the welfare of the people, are not working. I’m saying this modestly-our monetary policies are failing. President Tinubu needs to bring in capable people to work with him, not me specifically, but experts from across the country. Nigerians are suffering from hunger and anger, and good governance means managing people’s aspirations and minimising discomfort.

“If the removal of fuel subsidy was supposed to help, we’re not seeing that. What we need are policies that actually put food on the table. Even if we pay the minimum wage, it’s not enough to bring relief. That’s why I called for a review. And maybe he’s trying to review things, but the continued rise in fuel prices suggests otherwise. How can workers afford to commute? How can people buy basic goods like a bag of maize?

“President Tinubu needs to show empathy and apply the same skills he used in Lagos on a national level. He had a strong team before-like former Vice President (Yemi) Osinbajo and former Minister (Kayode) Fayemi-where are they now? He should bring back knowledgeable people, not just those who say “ranka dede” (blind praise). That’s what I’m advocating.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajuddeen Abbas, were among the dignitaries who attended the wedding Fatiha of the daughter of Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje yesterday in Abuja.

The wedding fatiha between Fauziyya Danjuma Goje and Aliyu Ahmed Abubakar was held at the National Mosque, Abuja, after the two raka’at Juma’at prayers.

Other personalities who witnessed the wedding included the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, a former Vice President,  Atiku Abubakar; and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, among others.

Top politicians from across the country graced the occasion, cutting across major political parties, including governors, senators, ministers, business tycoons, and traditional and religious leaders.

Also in attendance were; Gombe State Governor , Inuwa Yahaya, Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni, ⁠Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, former Kaduna State Governor,  ⁠Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff and former national chairman of the APC , Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

Presidential aides, including the Chief of Staff, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, were in attendance.

Senator Goje, a former governor of Gombe State, minister and ranking senator who has been in the upper chamber of the National Assembly since 2011, was seen with President Tinubu during the ceremony. He is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, Ismael Mudashir, “It was excitement galore as President Tinubu and Atiku met at the occasion.

“Ganduje and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State were among the personalities excited by the meeting of Tinubu and Atiku at the occasion.”

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has emerged as the overwhelming favourite for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award following his historic and remarkable Europa League exploits with Atalanta and a Ballon d’Or nomination, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Atalanta star, who made history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a European club competition final during his club’s triumph over Bayer Leverkusen last season, has been getting massive backing from fans on social media since CAF announced the names of the ten nominees on Thursday night.

“Being the first player in history to score three goals in a European final makes Ademola Lookman a favourite among football fans worldwide for the African Player of the Year award,” Bala_The_Game_Changer wrote on X.

The 27-year-old’s nomination comes as no surprise following an exceptional year that also saw him score 11 goals and rendered seven assists in 31 Serie A games for Atalanta and became the only African player nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

“I thought it was crazy when I saw my name in the 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or. Being the only African player on the list makes it even more special,” Lookman told France Football recently.

Some fans believe the award should be handed to him without ceremony, with @jujupunte stating, “All these are not necessary. They’re supposed to take the award straight to Lookman in his sitting room.”

The Nigeria international faces competition from compatriot William Troost-Ekong and eight other nominees, including Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Algeria’s Amine Gouiri.

“This award is undisputed for Ademola Lookman… Even the other nine know this,” Maximus Dex wrote on X.

However, the exclusion of in-form striker Victor Boniface and current holder Victor Osimhen from the shortlist has sparked a debate among fans.

“Must be a joke. How did Boniface not make this list? Ademola Lookman will win, though, but Boniface has to be on the list. What is the criteria?” MSN questioned on X.

The winner will be announced at the upcoming CAF Awards 2024, where Lookman hopes to succeed Osimhen as Africa’s top player.

A student of the Obada Idi-Emi High School in the Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, identified simply as Ariyo, has died after a teacher allegedly beat him with 162 strokes of the cane for breaking a dustbin.

An activist identified as Adetoun shared the incident on Instagram on Friday.

According to Adetoun, the teacher had reportedly brought a dustbin to Ariyo’s class with instructions that the students should not break the dustbin.

She narrated that Ariyo had jokingly replied to the teacher that the dustbin was bought with the students’ money, a response which was said to have infuriated the teacher.

The teacher was said to have reported to the principal who instructed that the student be punished.

Acting on the principal’s instruction, the teacher allegedly flogged Ariyo with 162 strokes of the cane and in the process, the student fell and collapsed.

Adetoun said further that the teacher and some staffers of the school who were at the scene delayed in taking Ariyo to the hospital for medical attention and when they did, he was dead.

A senior police officer confirmed privy to the incident but was not authorised to speak with the media confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

He said that the incident created tension in the area but the intervention of the police brought it under control.

“We are on the matter, the incident wanted to create tension but we were able to douse the tension,” the police source said.

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command was yet to respond to enquiries on the incident sent to her line as of the time of filing this report.