FEATURES
Popular Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky has now been moved from the custody of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, to the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos State.
The socialite was arrested by Immigration officers at the Seme border on Sunday night October 20 while trying to ‘flee’ to Benin republic.
Punch reports that Bobrisky was transferred from the Immigration service office to the FCID where he spent the night with the police.
Confirming this development, the spokesperson for the FCID, Lagos, Mayegun Aminat, said;
“He is detained at FCID Alagbon. He is with us and we are to get a remand to keep him in custody today.”
FG’s House Gift To Judges Is Essential So They Can Focus On The Heavy Responsibility Entrusted To Them – CJN
AFOLABI
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has announced the construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters in the Katampe District of the FCT.
She asserted that the initiative will significantly boost the performance of judicial officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking on Monday at the flag-off ceremony of the project, Justice Kekere-Ekun described it as a significant milestone in the government’s continuous efforts to enhance the welfare of judicial officers in the FCT.
“Beyond the courtroom, a supportive and conducive living environment is essential to their ability to focus on the heavy responsibility entrusted to them,” she stated.
Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized the importance of a peaceful living environment for judges, noting, “Judicial officers require peace of mind, security and comfort in their residences to fully dedicate themselves to the rigorous task of interpreting and applying the law.”
She further elaborated on the necessity of the project, stating, “The construction of these residences is a practical step towards ensuring that judicial officers are well-supported; it reflects the recognition that the mental well-being of judicial officers is directly tied to their living conditions.”
The CJN added that the homes would provide a secure and tranquil environment, enabling judicial officers to perform their duties with greater focus, efficiency, and clarity of mind. “The ability of judicial officers to perform their functions is strengthened when their well-being is prioritised and their work condition is conducive,” she remarked.
The event was attended by notable figures, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, among other dignitaries.
Minister Wike underscored the necessity for judicial officers to have a robust welfare package, including adequate housing. He asserted that with the guarantee of their houses, judges would be firm in delivering judgments and courageous in executing their duties.
Wike confirmed that 70% of the funds for the project had been released following its approval by the Federal Executive Council last month. He specified that out of the 40 units to be constructed, 20 will be allocated to the FCT High Court, 10 to the Federal High Court, and 10 to the Court of Appeal.
There are fresh indications that several bigwigs and chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party may have resolved to snub former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and settle for the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, The PUNCH gathered.
The clandestine move comes barely a week after governors elected on the platform of the PDP brokered peace between factions of the party.
Despite the call to maintain the status quo, members of the PDP National Working Committee loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have begun pushing for the candidacy of Makinde, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The logic, according to multiple sources that spoke with our correspondent, is to truncate the ambition of Atiku and stop the party from conceding the ticket to the former VP, who they lamented has become a ‘serial contestant.’
Some party chieftains who spoke with The PUNCH on the ground of anonymity admitted that they were yet to forgive the former PDP presidential candidate for bungling their biggest chance to return to power in 2023, following his refusal to appease the aggrieved five governors demanding the resignation of the immediate-past national chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu.
Wike and Makinde, alongside Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, former governors of Benue, Enugu and Abia states respectively, had worked against Atiku’s election in 2023.
“Every election cycle, you will be given a presidential ticket; you will bungle it. Look at the mess that he caused for us at the 2023 election. What was difficult in going to kneel before the aggrieved five governors (G-5) and winning the election for us?
“Now, it is one of those same men you cried about that is giving you a problem. He could have waited till after the election and deceived Wike as (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo did during his time. Atiku was not serious and sincere about winning that presidency,” a source explained.
A few members of the NWC, who did not want to be identified, also felt Atiku was always seeking to experiment with the PDP and had not shown enough zeal to win it, following the manner he handled his differences with the camp of Wike and the other four governors during the intrigue of Ayu-must-go campaign.
They also feared that he may no longer be a sellable candidate in 2027 because of his age, hence the need for a younger and more vibrant candidate like Makinde.
“The same (Iyorchia) Ayu he was protecting told us during the campaign that both Atiku and Tinubu are his friends. But you were there playing politics like a greenhorn.
“Just because of Ayu, you sacrificed five governors. There was no way those five governors would not have changed the story for us. We lost the presidential election by less or a little over one million votes.
“That is why we are seeking a way out. Nobody can just be coming and using the PDP to experiment every four years. For now, we are supporting Seyi Makinde. Let this aspiration go to the South West this time. Makinde has shown capacity. He is a Christian and a Southerner.
“Let us try the other side of the country for a change. Seyi is young and vibrant. He can connect with both the young and old. We only need to get a powerful northern candidate for him, and he is good to go,” an NWC member disclosed.
When quizzed on how the narrative moved from talks about the chances of Atiku working together with Peter Obi, who many thought would defect from the Labour Party in the wake of the leadership crisis rocking his party, the PDP chieftain said the former LP candidate was not willing to take the bait.
He said, “On Obi, I can tell you he has not made up his mind to come to the PDP. If he decides today, the equation may change. For now, he is still with the Labour Party.”
Meanwhile, Makinde has openly declared that he is qualified to contest and would push for the 2027 presidential election agenda when the time is right.
Speaking with reporters during a visit to Fashola farm in Oyo town on Friday, Makinde stated that speculations about his political future were unnecessary and unsolicited.
The governor stated that “he is old enough to speak for himself on any issue without fear or intimidation,” adding that he would do so publicly if he had anything to say about his political future.
The governor also cautioned Nigerians against allowing the country to slide into a one-party state.
Efforts to get the reaction of the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba and the deputy spokesman, Abdullahi Ibrahim, were unsuccessful.
When contacted, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, declined to comment on the intrigue.
But the former VP’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, told The PUNCH that they were not under any form of pressure over the choice of Makinde as was being speculated.
According to him, people should focus on how Nigerians would overcome the current hardship in the land, rather than talk about who should be given the presidential ticket for 2027.
He said, “Who is threatened? We are talking about how Nigerians will survive the economic problems they are facing, some people about 2027. Is it not too early? We are concerned about the welfare of Nigerians. We are not bothered about their machinations.
“It is only a man who doesn’t have the interest of Nigerians at heart that will be talking about 2027, especially when people are dying every day. We are not ready for that drama.”
MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecom operator, has stressed the urgent need for the telecommunications sector to return to profitability to sustain its operations.
The Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Karl Toriola, made this known on Monday during a tour of MTN’s facilities by Fellows of the Media Innovation Programme in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
The MTN chief, who has about 78 million subscribers under his watch, pinpointed that the sector has been accumulating significant losses and that immediate action is necessary to reverse this trend.
The operator with a corporate social investment of N2.6bn, according to its 2023 Sustainability Report, is now surviving on the profits it accumulated in about two decades.
“We must return the industry to profitability,” he stated, emphasising the necessity for reform.
He further elaborated that the company is currently operating on its reserves, which he described as unsustainable in the long run.
Earlier this year, telecom operators renewed calls for a tariff hike—the first increase in 11 years—to address rising operational costs and improve service quality. Without such adjustments, they argued, financial viability and service standards will continue to decline.
Toriola reiterated that the sector faces critical pressures from rising operational costs, including escalating diesel prices required to power base transceiver stations.
He warned, “There should be no delusion; if the tariff doesn’t go up, we will shut down,” underscoring the urgent need for tariff adjustments to reflect economic realities.
Toriola noted that MTN, once one of Nigeria’s top corporate taxpayers, has seen its tax contributions decline as a result of these financial challenges.
Reflecting on their first-quarter results, MTN and Airtel have adopted a cautious approach to capital expenditure for 2024.
Meanwhile, the two other mobile operators in the country, 9mobile and Globacom, are not publicly listed.
In 2024, MTN Nigeria reported a staggering N519.1bn loss in the first half of the year, primarily due to foreign exchange losses stemming from the naira’s devaluation and high inflation rates.
Speaking further, Toriola also warned that it may suspend Unstructured Supplementary Service Data banking services due to the N250bn debt owed by Nigerian banks.
The mobile network operator is seeking regulatory approval to halt support for USSD services used for banking transactions unless the debt is resolved and tariffs are adjusted to reflect the economic realities.
However, Toriola expressed optimism that the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso, and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, would intervene to help resolve the ongoing financial crisis.
He concluded by stressing the critical role the telecom industry plays in supporting Nigeria’s economy, urging the government and regulators to act quickly to prevent the dire consequences of inaction.
The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), on Monday, said the toxicology report and other forensic analysis conducted in the United States on the late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, alias Mohbad, is out.
He said the autopsy report is now with the Lagos State Pathologist, as well as the coroner magistrate.
Pedro revealed this at a press conference while answering questions from journalists on the upcoming strategic stakeholders’ meeting and commemoration of his first year in office, held at the Ministry of Justice Conference Room, Alausa, Ikeja.
He said, “On the Mohbad case, yes, I agree there has been a delay, and the delay is caused by time taken for investigation.
“Forensic, analysis, toxicology, all these are part of the investigation. Full proof investigation that can lead at least to conviction in a case that is presented before the courts.”
The Attorney General explained that the forensic examination would not have been done in the United States if the Lagos DNA and Forensic Centre had not been burnt during the #EndSARS protest of October 2020.
Speaking on the case of a female lawyer, Otike-Odibi, who killed her lawyer husband, Symphorosa Otike-Odibi, and cut off his manhood, the AG said the matter suffered delay because the case file was among documents that got burnt when the Igbosere High Court was burnt by EndSARS protesters, also in 2020.
He further added that the matter had been reassigned to a new judge, Justice Sherifat Sonaike, following the retirement of the trial judge, Justice Adedayo Akintoye.
He, however, said henceforth, no case would be allowed to last more than 24 months in court.
According to him, a bill for the enactment of the Administration of Civil Justice Law had been forwarded to the state House of Assembly for legislative process.
Pedro said that when the bill was passed into law, litigation in trial courts should not last more than 18 to 24 months and tenancy matters between three to six months.
“The idea is to ensure that no tenant owes his landlord or the landlord is ejecting his tenant when a matter is before the court.
“Notices would be given but we would not allow it to be used as an instrument of oppression by either the tenant or landlord,” he said.
He said no tenant would be allowed to go away with his landlord’s money because the matter was in court.
Pedro said that in the Criminal Justice System, delays in DPP legal advice and prosecution had been addressed.
He added that the Lagos State Criminal Information System had been established to capture photographs and biometrics and identify the cases of all inmates in the correctional centres in the state.
Pedro listed other innovations introduced to include the bill for the establishment of the Lis Pendens Registry on land matters.
“The registry aims to serve as a repository of information on land disputes in our courts to prevent instances of purchase of land that is subject to litigation by unsuspecting purchasers without notice.
“This initiative will not only reduce incidents of third-party interests arising from ongoing court cases but also enhance confidence in real-estate investment within the state,” he said.
Pedro disclosed that another Bill being proposed is the Customary Marriage and Dissolution Registry for the registration of customary marriages and dissolution of customary marriages.
He stated that this would give the people of Lagos State the opportunity to have customary marriage certificates and certificates of dissolution of customary marriages.
The AG noted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved funds for the completion and furnishing of the JIC Taylor Magistrate Court House at Igbosere and the payment of 34 flats official quarters for the magistrates.
He announced the upcoming strategic stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
He said the meeting would strengthen inter-agency collaboration and improve the enforcement of laws throughout Lagos State.
“This gathering is a direct response to the insights gained from the Lagos Justice Summit held in May, where key stakeholders identified the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination within the justice system.
“One of the summit’s primary recommendations was to convene this strategic meeting to elevate the standards of justice and ensure that justice is not merely an ideal but a tangible reality for all residents of Lagos State.
“The meeting will provide a critical platform for engaging with various stakeholders towards harmonising MDA operations to improve service delivery and reduce government liability exposure in land administration, physical planning and environmental management,” he said.
The Pan African Business Forum (AABF) has appointed former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as chairman of the the Judicial Review and Transformation of African Committees for the initial renewable term of two years.
Malami served as AGF for eight years in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Malami’s appointment was contained in a press statement signed by the Chairman of Pan African Business Forum Dr Ladislas Prosper Agbesi and issued to Journalists by the National Publicity Secretary of Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiatives, Ibrahim Abubakar Jombali in Birnin Kebbi.
According to the statement, the appointment was sequel to the Executive Committee Annual General Board meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa between August 27 to 29th 2024.
The statement added that other appointments approved along with that of Dr Abubakar Malami SAN, during the Annual Board meeting includes that of Pierre Marcel Bonnard as the Executive for New Technology and that of His Excellency Gabriel Mbaga Lima as the Chairman of the Energy and Oil & Gas Infrastructure Committee of PABF.
The statement further indicates that the appointment of the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, reflects his extensive experience in legal advocacy, governance, and his firm commitment to the principles of justice and development across Africa.
As Chairman, Malami will be responsible for overseeing key judicial reviews, ensuring legal standards are maintained, and advising on significant judicial matters within the organization’s member countries.
The Nigerian Armed Forces has issued a stern warning to terrorists operating in Zamfara and surrounding states, urging them to surrender or face the full force of military firepower.
This warning comes as part of the military’s renewed efforts to combat banditry and bring an end to the persistent violence plaguing the region.
The Theatre Commander of the newly launched Operation Fansar Yamma, Major General Oluyinka Soyele, delivered this message during a visit to Governor Dauda Lawal at the Government House in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State.
According to General Soyele, the terrorists’ only option is to surrender or face elimination.
Zamfara State, located in Northwest Nigeria, has been at the heart of banditry for over a decade, with residents enduring frequent attacks, kidnappings, and killings.
In recent weeks, the Gusau-Funtua Highway has become a hotspot for daily assaults by fleeing terrorists.
General Soyele assured the public that the Nigerian Armed Forces is fully prepared to launch a major offensive against these terrorists, aiming to eradicate them not only from Zamfara but also from the entire Northwest region.
He stressed the importance of local support in achieving success, calling on citizens to provide timely and accurate information about the terrorists’ hideouts.
“We are more committed than ever to make sure that Zamfara State and all other Northwest states and part of the North Central are free from all terrorist activities, we are much more than ready to take the battle to them, it is either they surrender or they die,” Soyele declared.
He further explained that the military is engaging with local communities and village leaders to emphasize the importance of their cooperation.
“We are making efforts to reach out to the local communities and heads of some villages, we are trying to let them know that it is only by their support that will make us overcome the menace of terrorism in the state, it is not by aiding the bandits, alongside kinetic Operation we are also going to conduct non-kinetic operation,” Soyele added.
Governor Dauda Lawal acknowledged the escalating attacks along the Gusau-Funtua Highway and assured the public that his administration is working closely with the military to restore peace and stability to the region.
The establishment of Operation Fansar Yamma was announced by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, during a recent visit to Zamfara.
This new operation will integrate Operation Hadarin Daji and other ongoing military efforts in the Northwest to form a unified theatre command, strengthening the fight against terrorism and banditry in the region.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has warned religious leaders against insulting and castigating the government at all levels.
Mrs. Tinubu gave the warning at the opening ceremony of a four-day International Conference of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative scheduled to be held in Abuja.
The ABLI initiative, themed ‘Value-based leadership model for Africa,’ attracted several African and European leaders as well as global Christian leaders.
The National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Princess Gloria Akobundu, who represented Remi Tinubu, urged religious leaders to preach peace and follow in the footsteps of Christ by fervently praying for leaders in power instead of abusing them.
She also lamented numerous challenges plaguing today’s leadership, especially in Africa.
She said, “To our spiritual fathers, I urge you to build and foster peace and Development as well as to pray for the government. Let us not curse, insult and castigate the government. Rather, speak the truth to the leaders and conscience of our citizens.
“Let us not equate ourselves to God, nor take His place, knowing fully well that God can use anybody to achieve his purpose and fulfil His agenda here on earth. Africa is at a crossroads, facing numerous challenges that require effective leadership.
“As Christian leaders, we must embrace a value-based leadership model that reflects the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. This model must be built on justice, integrity, wisdom and social harmony.”
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The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Oyelola Ashiru, has challenged the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to charge anyone found with hard drugs in his house to court.
The Kwara Senator challenged the NDLEA to prosecute anyone arrested by its operatives in connection with illicit drugs.
The lawmaker made the challenge in response to an allegation on Monday by the NDLEA that discovered hard drugs in one of his houses in Ilorin.
Ashiru had last Wednesday in the Senate during a debate on a Bill seeking to establish a National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, said the “NDLEA is corrupt and already compromised.”
However, the NDLEA, on Monday, said it recovered illicit drugs from the personal residence of the Kwara South Senator, suggesting that the lawmaker’s recent criticisms of the agency stem from personal vendetta rather than genuine concern for the national interest.
The NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd), countered the senator’s claims. He stated that Ashiru’s remarks were not motivated by altruism but rather by a desire to deflect attention from the agency’s findings.
Represented by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Marwa emphasized that the agency would continue its efforts to dismantle illicit drug networks, including those operating from the senator’s property.
In a quick response, Senator Ashiru, in a statement through his special assistant, Olaitan Adeyanju, challenged the NDLEA to charge the culprits allegedly found in his house to court.
He said the exposure of the corruption in the NDLEA is responsible for the agency’s attacks on the lawmaker.
The statement reads in part: “The NDLEA claims to have discovered drugs in Senator Ashiru’s Ilorin house but there’s no information on which court of law the culprits were charged to.
“In fact, Senator Ashiru has been vocal about the NDLEA’s corruption and compromise, which might be the reason behind these allegations.”
The statement added that Ashiru didn’t send any aide to influence the dropping of drug allegations against Tosin Odepidian, and the names mentioned by the agency are unfamiliar.
“However, the Senator has challenged the agency to prosecute anyone that is found with illicit drugs,” he said.
An Immigration source at the Nigerian-Benin Republic border has confirmed the arrest of Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky.
Bobrisky was arrested at the Seme border during passport checks on Monday, October 21.
An Immigration source told Premium Times that Bobrisky was arrested at midnight and detained until this morning and has been moved to the Lagos zone of the NIS in Ikeja.
The source said, “He was arrested at midnight and detained until this morning, and he’s currently being moved to the Lagos zone of the NIS in Ikeja. He gave his passport to someone to stamp it for him, so, the officer saw the name immediately among others and requested that he should come down from the vehicle.”
Bobrisky is embroiled in an ongoing investigation by a Committee of the House of Representatives, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Nigerian Correctional Service over allegations bordering on bribery.
Why We Arrested Bobrisky – FG Confirms Viral Report
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, at the Seme border while he was attempting to leave the country.
NIS confirmed his arrest in a statement issued on Monday by DCI KT Udo, the Service Public Relations Officer.
The Service said the social media sensation is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern.
The statement read: “In keeping with its commitment to securing the borders, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) intercepted Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju otherwise known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border over an attempt to Exit the Country.
“The Service wishes to inform the public that OKUNEYE IDRIS is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern. He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate Authorities for further action.
“The Service assures the public that it will continue to be civil and professional in its statutory responsibility of manning the
Country’s Borders.”
Naija News reported that Bobrisky was arrested at the Seme border during passport checks on Monday, October 21.
Grammy-nominated Afrobeat musician, Femi Kuti has claimed that some of his family’s greatest enemies are members of their own ethnic group, the Yorubas.
He noted that his family does not adhere to tribalism as they were inspired by pan-Africanists during their upbringing.
Speaking at the 2024 Felaberation Festival in Lagos, he specifically mentioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late business mogul, MKO Abiola, as significant adversaries of the Kuti family.
He warned his audience not to involve his family in any form of tribalism.
He said, “Brothers and sisters, something very important is going on in our lives; ethnic problems. You call it tribalism. Please, do not bring the Anikulapos in your stupidity.
“We grew up with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, Patrice Lumumba, Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
“Pan-Africanism was the order of the day. So, I didn’t grow up being sentimental. I saw good people, bad people. I’ve got great European friends, I’ve got terrible European friends. I’ve got great African friends, I’ve got terrible African friends.
“One of our [the Kuti family’s] greatest enemies as you know are Yoruba people; Obasanjo or Abiola. We are not tribalistic in our family.”
Renowned economist, Pat Utomi, has stated that the National Assembly is the worst thing that has happened to the country.
Utomi lamented that the country is a failure because the political class and the elites, particularly the legal elite lack alternative thinking to turn things around.
He argued that the National Assembly, which should be the platform for robust debates to turn around the nation’s fortunes, has been captured.
Utomi shared his grievances during an interview with Punch.
He said it was baffling that the Nigerian political class failed to recognise that the nation was presently at war, requiring a war cabinet where almost everybody pulls together to fix the nation’s problems.
He said, “Nigeria is a failure right now; democracy is not working. We all know that; anybody who does not know that is fooling himself. We have total judicial capture; we have legislative capture, so there is no alternative thinking in the country.
“For me, the worst thing that has happened to the country is the National Assembly because that is where you should have the kind of debates that will lead you to options, but you can’t because the whole place is captured.
“These guys are just hustlers trying to get what they can out of the system without asking what will make the country work.
“When you have that kind of problem, you come to the point that James Robinson was making when he says a classic example is Nigeria which knows what to do but cannot seem to do it. You need, in a time like this, a certain kind of mindset.
“A local example is Olusegun Obasanjo in 1976/1977 when the oil crisis began to slide. He decided that we would go to low-profile mode. As head of state, his car was a Peugeot 504; he cut his travels.
“Anybody who watches the way people in power spend public resources cannot take seriously any statement that this is a time of sacrifice. So, the problem begins with them. Intense political commitment is not there.”
The economist added, “You cannot save an economy when the political actors are on a binge and you will not have the kind of consequences that you have today for the economy.
“It is an intensely political process to turn around the economy. The Nigerian political class needs to recognise that we are in a moral equivalence of a war. And when a country is at war, it pulls together. Nigerian politicians still think they are on a binge.
“So, they are all running in different directions, and nobody is sitting down to forge a national consensus on how to solve this problem. When you have the moral equivalence of war, what you need is to set up a war room, and war cabinet and bring everybody together to say, how do we fix these problems.”