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The Independent National Electoral Commission has not yet made a decision regarding the leadership of the Labour Party following a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Multiple sources in the commission confirmed to The PUNCH on Thursday that the commission was still reviewing the court’s judgment.
“No decision has been made yet on the Supreme Court judgment of the Labour Party,” an official said anonymously for lack of authorisation to speak to the press.
Another official said a decision would only be taken after INEC had studied the Certified True Copy of the jugdment.
“The commission needs to obtain a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgement, study it carefully to determine what the court intended, before arriving at an informed decision,” the official said.
The Supreme Court had on April 4, 2025 overturned an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal that had recognised Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the party.
The apex court held that the appeal court lacked jurisdiction over internal party matters.
But the apex court verdict was subjected to different interpretations, with Abure contending that the Supreme Court did not remove him from office, while the LP Caretaker Committee, led by Nenadi Usman, argued that Abure had been sacked.
At the same time a factional leader of the party, Lamidi Apapa, surfaced to lay claim to the party’s leadership.
In a move to clarify the leadership situation, an LP delegation led by Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, visited INEC headquarters in Abuja on April 9.
During the visit, Otti submitted a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s judgment to the electoral body.
The visit aimed to provide clarity on the party’s leadership and ensure effective communication with INEC.
The delegation was received by the INEC National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, and other senior officials of the commission.
Discussions during the meeting also covered ways to strengthen collaboration between INEC and the Labour Party, with an emphasis on upholding democratic values.
Olumekun reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to neutrality, transparency, and the rule of law in carrying out its responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Abure, on Thursday, insisted he remained the authentic LP National Chairman.
Abure warned Governor Otti and Obi to heed the Supreme Court judgment.
Speaking through LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, he said, “The position of the Labour Party after critically reviewing the Supreme Court judgment delivered on the 4th of April 2025 stated as follows: The Supreme Court, contrary to speculations, actually reaffirmed the National Convention of the Party held on the 27th of March 2024 at Nnewi.
“The reason for the non-justiciability of internal disputes of a political party is simple, and in the eyes of the law, a political party is a corporate entity with its constitution, rules, regulations, and guidelines which are binding on members who had joined freely have consented to be so bound (See Abegunde Vs. Ondo State House of Assembly & Ors. (2015) LPELR-24588 (SC).
“Consequently, we admonished Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, and Peter Obi, former presidential Candidate of our party in the 2023 General Election, who are the protagonists of the current division in the Party, to hear the Supreme Court loud and clear.”
Continuing, Abure insisted that before the contentious National Convention, the Labour Party fulfilled all legal requirements in line with the LP Constitution, Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution.
According to him, those insisting their tenure has expired probably misinterpreted the judgment.
“The Supreme Court admonished party members to respect the Constitution of their party when it stated thus; Political Parties have put in place diverse kinds of internal dispute resolution mechanisms to handle any matter arising from disputes among members.
“Political parties and their members should, therefore, have faith in the internal dispute resolution mechanisms prescribed in their party constitution,” he urged.
Abure’s press conference comes two weeks after Obi and Otti supporters presented the 48-page Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment at a parallel meeting of the LP National Executive Committee with several stakeholders in attendance in Abuja.
Otti had announced that the document had put an end to the debate of misinterpretation of the verdict.
In attendance were Obi; the lawmaker representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Victor Umeh; Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission, Prof Theophilus Ndubuaku; and the National Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Senator Darlington Nwokocha.
Others include former LP chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo, members of the National Assembly, Abia State Assembly and chieftains of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, among others.
When contacted for reaction, the spokesman of the Usman-led caretaker committee, Tony Akeni appealed for time, saying he was indisposed at the moment.
He, however, promised to call back.
As of the time of filing this story, his lime could not be reached.
Efforts to get the reaction of Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, were also unsuccessful.
Flight operations will now resume fully at the nation’s airports as workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have called off their strike action after the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Thursday.
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LEADERSHIP reports that NiMet staff had commenced an indefinite strike over poor salary packages and welfare.
Speaking to journalists, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood, said that the NiMET unions suspended the strike after intervention by the minister.
He hinted that the workers suspended the strike until May 13, 2025, pending the outcome of the minister’s intervention on the issues raised.
At the meeting with the minister were the leaderships of the unions – the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).
Speaking after the meeting, the general secretary of NUATE, Comrade Aba Ocheme,
said that the unions resolved to suspend the ongoing strike till May 13, 2025, in recognition of the Minister’s sincere intervention.
He explained that the unions awaited the progress of the actions the minister had committed to take.
Also, National President of ANAP, Comrade Alale Adedayo, said that as a mark of respect for the minister, the unions had decided to “temporarily call off the strike” while the process of resolution was ongoing.
The unions had downed tools over several unresolved grievances relating to poor working conditions, including salary relativity with other aviation agencies, non-implementation of the 2019 consequential adjustment to the national minimum wage (affecting at least 30 omitted staff), demands for a 25 – 35 per cent salary increase, 40 per cent hardship/peculiar allowances, annual staff training, among others.
In his response, Keyamo expressed empathy with the affected workers and pledged his commitment to finding lasting solutions to their concerns.
As part of immediate steps, Keyamo said that he would personally intervene through formal communications to both Pesident Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Finance, aimed at fast-tracking the resolution of pressing financial concerns.
He also promised to establish a ministerial committee, which would be headed by Dr Ibrahim Kana, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, to interface with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to clarify issues surrounding subsistence allowances and related matters.
The minister further reiterated the importance of industrial harmony in the aviation sector and commended the union leaders for their maturity, patriotism, and willingness to dialogue in the national interest.
In his comment, Kana assured all stakeholders that tangible progress would be made before the May 13 deadline and called for continued cooperation as the ministry works to ensure improved welfare and working conditions for NIiET staff and all aviation personnel.
MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile operator, said on Thursday it suffered a cybersecurity breach that exposed personal data of some customers in certain markets, but its core networks, billing systems, and financial platforms remain secure.
An unidentified third party claimed to have accessed parts of MTN’s systems, the company said in a statement posted on its website.
While the scope of the breach is still under investigation, MTN reassured stakeholders that there is no indication that customer accounts or digital wallets were directly compromised.
“No evidence of compromise to any of our critical infrastructure, core MTN platforms, or services,” MTN stated, adding that its “core network, billing systems, and financial services infrastructure remain secure and fully operational.”
The Johannesburg-based telecom giant, which serves 280 million customers across 19 countries, has notified the South African Police Service and the Hawks, a specialised crime unit, and is coordinating with authorities in affected markets.
MTN is also reaching out to impacted customers to meet local regulatory requirements.
“We have informed the relevant country authorities and will continue to update them on an ongoing basis while working closely with them and law enforcement agencies to support their investigations,” the operator noted.
As part of its ongoing efforts to mitigate potential risks, MTN is in the process of notifying affected customers in accordance with local legal and regulatory requirements.
The company advised its customers to take preventive steps to safeguard their information.
Among the recommended measures are placing fraud alerts on credit reports, regularly updating apps, using strong and unique passwords, and exercising caution with unsolicited messages containing suspicious links.
MTN further urged customers to avoid sharing sensitive information, such as passwords, PINs, and one-time passwords, over the phone, text, or email.
Where available, the company also recommends enabling multi-factor authentication for added security.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has opened up about the episode which resulted in the inability of the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to visit the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in the state.
Speaking on Thursday during an interview with TVC, Governor Alia said he didn’t know the intention Obi had for the planned visit, as there was no prior information on the visit.
While debunking any political colouration of the denial, the Benue State Governor added that there are protocols for such high-profile visits that need to be vetted before approval can be given.
Naija News recalls that following the denial, Peter Obi had lamented the treatment meted out to him by the Benue State Government over his planned visit to camps housing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state and called for a need to change his approach in responding to issues in politics.
Sharing his own side of the story, Alia said the denial wasn’t a political move but more of a security approach and protection for the people in the IDP camp.
He said, “I can never politicize that. I am the one bearing the brunt and the pains and the sorrows of the IDPs in my state.
“The very respected Peter Obi was a Governor and if you are coming into someone’s state, there are protocols. A very high personality you are coming into someone’s state and you party does not even know you are coming and I the sitting Governor do not know you are coming and then you are going to where I’m protecting even most, the IDP camp. It’s my duty to protect them, they have been disbalanced and I need to protect them even some more.
“So I don’t know the intent you have. Is it not courteous enough just for me to know as a sitting Governor and even to provide more security to you and to prepare the mind of the IDPs.”
Governor Alia also denied claims by Obi that he couldn’t be reached, adding that if he couldn’t be reached directly, other senior members of his government could have been reached.
The Imo State Police command has arrested two women while attempting to sell a kidnapped four-year-old boy in Owerri for N2.7m.
The boy had been kidnapped in Abuja, while hawking vegetables, and transported to Owerri to be sold.
Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye gave the name of the suspects as Joy Ugwu from Idah, Kogi State, and Rosella Michael of Zamba in Abuja, while the third suspect, a nurse, is currently on the run.
According to him, the suspects were arrested in Owerri, the state capital, following a discreet operation by operatives while they were trying to sell the boy for N2.7m.
He said the arrests were made following joint efforts between the Imo State Police Command and Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja.
He pointed out that the suspects have been transferred to the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, for further investigation and prosecution.
Okoye said, “The Imo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected case of child trafficking, leading to the arrest of two female suspects and the rescue of a four-year-old boy. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Scorpion Unit intercepted the suspects—Joy Ugwu from Idah, Kogi State, and Rosella Michael of Zamba, FCT Abuja—in Owerri on 14th April 2025 at about 6 pm, following a discreet operation.
“Investigations revealed that the boy, Jaffa Umar, who speaks Hausa fluently, was abducted in Abuja while hawking vegetables. The suspects brought him to Owerri and were negotiating to sell him for N2.7m before their arrest. A third accomplice, believed to be a nurse, is currently at large.
“The child has been safely reunited with his family through coordinated efforts between the Imo State Police Command and Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja while the suspects have been transferred to the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja for further investigation and prosecution.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, reassures the public of the Command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and dismantling trafficking networks. He encourages residents to report suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via the emergency line 0803 477 3600,” Okoye said.
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a man identified as Kelvin Okoro, for allegedly hacking a Revered Sister to death in the Aluu community in the Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the deceased (Maureen Wecheonwu) persistently asked Okoro to pay the money owed.
A source who pleaded anonymity said Okoro tricked the Reverend Sister, under the guise of being ready to pay, to a place where he did the killing.
The source said the Reverend Sister’s lifeless body was discovered in a pool of blood by some natives who alerted a local security outfit in the area.
He stated, “What we heard was that he didn’t know how to repay the money. So he called the woman out in the guise of discussing the debt.
“The Reverend Sister has been complaining to people in the community that he refused to pay his debt.
“Not knowing his evil intentions, he took her to a lonely path and hit her severally with an object.”
He said following the discovery of the remains of the Reverend Sister, people began to wonder why they hadn’t seen Okoro, prompting an intensified search by the vigilante codenamed OSPAC.
Speaking further, the source said the Vigilante Commander in the Aluu community, Kingsley Wali led a search team to Okoro’s hideout where he was arrested and handed over to the police.
He said Okoro also took possession of some personal effects belonging to the deceased.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, saying the investigation was ongoing.
She stated, “Yes I can confirm. The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.”
The National Association of Nigerian Students on Thursday called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to extend its proposed mandatory drug testing initiative to political office holders and aspirants.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), had repeatedly proposed drug integrity tests for corps members, prospective couples, and other groups, as part of efforts to curb substance abuse.
Marwa restated the call on Wednesay during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.
He clarified that the tests were not punitive but preventive, aimed at early detection and treatment for individuals who test positive, to prevent their conditions from deteriorating into addiction or serious health complications.
However, in a statement on Thursday, NANS, through its Vice President for Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Akinbodunse Felicia, commended the NDLEA’s initiative but warned against any form of selectivity.
According to Akinbodunse, the same drug integrity test should be applied to individuals seeking elective positions and those currently serving in public office at both federal and state levels.
“The proposed drug test is a commendable step, but it must not target only young Nigerians,” she said. “If we are to build a drug-free society, then the spotlight must also shine on those in power — those who make and enforce the laws.”
She called for legislation that would institutionalise mandatory drug testing for all political aspirants and public office holders.
“We applaud the NDLEA’s proactive approach to tackling drug abuse through early detection. However, promoting a drug-free society requires consistency and fairness,” Akinbodunse added.
“It is no longer news that some political office holders have been linked to drug-related misconduct over the years. If young people are being subjected to mandatory tests before entering service or marriage, then leaders should be held to even higher standards.”
She urged the NDLEA to collaborate with the National Assembly to ensure swift passage of a law mandating drug testing for all political actors.
“A clean and drug-free leadership will inspire public confidence and demonstrate that no one is above accountability,” she said.
NANS reiterated its support for all genuine efforts to combat substance abuse but stressed that such policies must be inclusive, covering all sectors and social classes equally.
A coalition of legal professionals under the banner of Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law has announced its intention to file a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday, demanding an investigation into alleged corruption and mismanagement during the tenure of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the group confirmed the forthcoming submission of the EFCC petition, which follows a similar petition already filed with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The group is calling for Kyari’s investigation, arrest, and prosecution over a range of alleged financial infractions.
“We will submit a petition to the EFCC on Monday,” the group stated.
Kyari was removed from office on April 2 and replaced him with Bayo Ojulari. Kyari was NNPCL helmsman for nearly six years, occupying office from July 2019 to April 2, 2025.
On Wednesday, the lawyers seeking Kyari’s probe marched to the Federal Ministry of Justice headquarters in Abuja to submit a formal petition dated April 23, 2025.
The document was co-signed by the group’s convener, Emmanuel Agada, and National Secretary, Jonathan Uchendu. It accuses Kyari of overseeing a corrupt and opaque administration at NNPCL.
Wednesday’s protest marked the second consecutive day of public demonstrations outside the AGF’s office.
On Tuesday, another group, Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, also demanded a full investigation into NNPCL’s financial activities over the past five years.
In their petition, the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law alleged that Kyari ran the NNPCL “as a racket in favour of his friends and associates.”
They expressed concern that while President Bola Tinubu eventually removed Kyari from office—largely in response to public outcry—there has been no formal probe into the former CEO’s conduct.
Among the allegations listed in the petition are inconsistencies in the reported rehabilitation of state-owned refineries.
The group highlighted the claim that Matrix Energy Limited invested $400m in the Port Harcourt Refinery, despite a prior $1.5bn approval from the Federal Executive Council for the same project.
Further, the group claimed that NNPCL accrued a debt of over $2bn to Matrix Energy, allegedly serviced through a crude-for-loan arrangement involving the daily allocation of 80,000 barrels of crude oil.
The petition questions the legitimacy and transparency of such transactions.
The lawyers raised key questions including how the Federal Government, through the NNPCL, accumulated a $2bn debt to Matrix Energy, why the debt is being repaid through crude oil allocations, who negotiated the agreement, and why the public has been left uninformed about the entire deal.
They urged the AGF to review all agreements signed under Kyari’s administration, investigate the transactions with a view to recovering any misappropriated funds, quantify any financial losses and recommend recovery strategies, and establish a commission of inquiry into NNPCL’s refinery rehabilitation projects.
They stressed that a full investigation would promote accountability, prevent a recurrence of similar mismanagement, and deter future abuse of public trust.
The group also pledged its support for any transparent and credible probe process.
Upon submitting the petition, the delegation was received by Deputy Director Winifred Adekunle, who assured them of the AGF’s commitment to justice.
“Your petition will receive immediate attention. There will be a response, and whatever questions you have asked will be addressed appropriately. Be assured that the Attorney General and the Solicitor General are people you can rely on,” Adekunle said.
The President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, says he has accepted his appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, joining a select group of global business leaders tasked with driving investment and job creation in emerging economies.
In 2023, the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, co-chaired the Private Sector Investment Lab, which focused on attracting £1tn in sustainable investment to support the energy transition in emerging markets.
In a statement confirming his acceptance, Dangote reaffirmed his commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth through private sector-led investment, noting the transformative potential of such initiatives in developing markets.
“I am both honoured and excited to accept my appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, dedicated to advancing investment and employment in emerging economies,” he said.
Dangote added, “This opportunity aligns with my long-standing commitment to sustainable development and unlocking the potential of developing economies. Drawing inspiration from the remarkable successes of the Asian Tigers, which have demonstrated the power of strategic investment and focused economic policy, I am eager to collaborate with fellow leaders to replicate such outcomes across other regions.”
The World Bank announced Dangote’s appointment on Wednesday as part of a broader expansion of its Private Sector Investment Lab, which now enters a new phase aimed at scaling up solutions to attract private capital and create jobs in the developing world.
Joining Dangote in the elite group are the CEO of Bayer AG, Bill Anderson; the Chair of Bharti Enterprises, Sunil Bharti Mittal; and the President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Mark Hoplamazian.
The World Bank said the expanded membership brings together business leaders with proven track records in generating employment in developing economies, supporting the Bank’s sharpened focus on job creation as a central pillar of global development.
“With the expanded membership, we are mainstreaming this work across our operations and tying it directly to the jobs agenda that is driving our strategy.
“This isn’t about altruism—it’s about helping the private sector see a path to investments that will deliver returns, and lift people and economies alike. It’s central to our mandate,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga.
The global bank said over the last 18 months, the Lab brought together leaders from global financial institutions to identify the most pressing barriers to private sector investment in developing countries and to test actionable solutions.
The statement said that the work had now been consolidated into five priority focus areas that were being integrated across the bank operations, including regulatory and policy certainty.
The statement made available to our correspondent stated that the Dangote Group, founded by Aliko, is the largest conglomerate in West Africa and one of the largest on the African continent.
“With interests spanning cement, fertiliser, salt, sugar, and oil, the Group employs over 30,000 people and is the largest taxpayer in Nigeria, contributing more in taxes than all of Nigeria’s banks combined. It is also the country’s largest employer after the government.
“The $20bn Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, the Group’s flagship project, stands as the largest single private investment in Africa.
“In addition to his business interests, Dangote leads the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the largest private foundation in sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest endowment by a single African donor. The Foundation primarily focuses on child nutrition, while also supporting interventions in health, education, empowerment, and disaster relief,” it was stated.
The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has confirmed that more high-profile defections are still being expected in the build-up to the 2027 elections.
Governor Sule disclosed that a lot of politicians have expressed interest in joining the APC.
He made this known on Thursday during an interview with Channels Television in which he spoke against the background of the decision of the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to team up with the APC and dump the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
The Nasarawa State Governor said more defectors are still expected.
“I don’t know the number, but we are expecting [more governors to join the APC].
“You have a lot of people who have shown interest – even among the governors, you know – who are coming into the APC,” the Governor said.
The Tinubu Factor
Governor Sule stated that the wave of high-profile politicians defecting to the APC can be linked to the disposition of President Bola Tinubu.
He said many of the opposition politicians, including Governors, like the President, and feel comfortable around him.
“When we are meeting with the president, you see the excitement among them,” he said.
Sule said the governors feel “accepted by this president, and they like him.”
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he Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission an interim forfeiture order for 73 properties and several gadgets, including 1,596 linked to cybercrime and money laundering, involving Chinese suspects.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu issued the order on April 23, 2025, in a suit marked FHC/L/MISC/382/2025, following an ex parte motion filed by EFCC counsel B.M. Isah against Genting International Co.
The forfeited items include 1,596 computers/laptops, 4,091 mobile phones, 350 foreign SIM cards, and 3,399 Nigerian SIM cards from various providers, including 1,122 MTN, 316 9mobile, 1,277 Airtel, and 684 Glo.
Also included are 194 routers, 205 sofas, 501 double-step bunks, 754 mattresses, 40 refrigerators, 10 microwaves, and two whiteboards.
Additional items include 16 inverter batteries, 14 inverters, 43 CPUs/monitors, a ring light, two fuel tanks, a transformer, seven vehicles, 411 deep freezers, 13 electric kettles, 21 UPS units, a toaster, an air fryer, 558 office tables, two TVs, a network server, six gas cylinders, a blender, three weight scales, a spiral dough mixer, two double-burner stoves, and a dining set.
The EFCC filed the application under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, seeking an interim forfeiture of the properties.
Justice Dipeolu ruled: “I have read the motion and attachments and find sufficient merit in the application. Consequently, the motion succeeds and is hereby granted.”
The court also instructed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in a national newspaper and invited interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
EFCC investigator Kaina Garba stated in an 18-paragraph affidavit that the assets were seized during a sting operation on December 10, 2024, at No. 7 Oyinjolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos—allegedly the syndicate’s headquarters.
The EFCC had acted on intelligence that a syndicate, allegedly led by Chinese nationals operating under the name Genting International, was running a cybercrime training centre for Nigerian youths.
The recruits were assigned computers and specially configured mobile phone lines to carry out romance, dating, and investment scams.
Additional properties linked to the group were uncovered at No. 14 Modupe Alakija Crescent, Ikoyi; Plot 1220 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island; and Plot No. 54A A.J. Marinho Drive, Victoria Island.
The EFCC arrested 761 suspects, both foreign and Nigerian, during the raid.
The syndicate’s alleged leaders and financiers remain at large but are being actively pursued.
Garba urged the court to grant the interim forfeiture in the public interest, citing the rising threat of cybercrime and money laundering in Nigeria.
NGF raises panel to tackle killings, proposes massive security personnel recruitment
The National Economic Council on Thursday deferred talks on state police until its next meeting, amidst the violent attacks and bloodshed in parts of the country.
Bayelsa Governor, Duoye Diri, told State House Correspondents after the council’s 149th meeting at the Aso Rock Villa that the issue was on the agenda, but it could not be discussed in detail as it was still far down on the list.
“State police was part of our agenda today, but unfortunately, because of time demands, and after a very long meeting, we have been there for a very long time now, the presentations could not get to that point. So, I assure you that in our next meeting, that issue will be exhaustively discussed,” the governor explained after the nearly four-hour meeting.
Although the governor did not specify when the next council meeting will be, NEC meetings are held on the last Thursday of the month.
However, the gathering has been infrequent in the last couple of months. Since its meeting in December, the council has not discussed the much-anticipated reform.
Although all 36 states had submitted reports supporting a decentralised police force, the NEC deferred discussions until January 2025. The council only sat in February where it said the matter was not discussed.
During the meeting, the governors observed a minute of silence to honour those killed in the recent wave of attacks in Plateau, Benue, Borno and Enugu States.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum has emphasised the need for increased recruitment into security agencies and the adoption of technology-driven solutions to tackle killings at the state level.
The forum, led by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, made this known in a communiqué read by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma following their meeting early Thursday morning in Abuja.
He stated that, as an immediate step to address the surge in killings in parts of the country, the Governors have set up a committee to collaborate with security agency heads on a joint strategy.
Since the reported killing of at least 15 people on March 9 in a series of renewed attacks by suspected herdsmen in the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, more lives have been lost in a wave of attacks on various communities.
On April 14, an attack on Zike hamlet, Kimakpa community, within the Kwall District of Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, resulted in the deaths of at least 52 individuals, including a family of eight, with many properties torched.
In response, the 36 state governors called for swift action and urged security agencies to confront the security challenges directly.
The Imo governor said, “The forum received a presentation from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on an innovative security initiative aimed at strengthening national and subnational capacity for early threat detection and coordinated response.
“The project envisions the phased deployment of advanced technology and infrastructure to improve surveillance, crisis management, and public safety. Governors expressed support for the initiative’s objectives and underscored the importance of technology-driven solutions in addressing evolving security challenges at the state level.
“The forum set up a sub-committee of the Nigeria Governors Forum to work with heads of security agencies on a collaborative approach for immediate solutions.’’
He further stated, “The forum received a presentation from the Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, on unlocking the economic potential of land through a federal-state partnership for land reform.
“The minister outlined ongoing housing initiatives under the Renewed Hope Programme and proposed a comprehensive land registration reform to formalise land ownership, enhance tenure security, and boost internally generated revenue across states.
“Governors welcomed the ownership, enhanced tenure security, which would boost internally generated revenue across states. Governors welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to catalyse investment, improve urban planning, and enhance land-based revenue generation.”
Uzodimma also said the forum received a presentation on a proposed strategic partnership with Powercom Smart Grid Nigeria Limited.
The initiative, he said, is intended to revamp the electricity distribution sector by leveraging private sector investment.
“Under the proposed agreement, PSGN will assume operational control of select distribution companies, introduce advanced smart grid technologies, and establish a meter production facility to enhance service delivery and energy access across states.
“The forum noted that the partnership seeks to improve electricity distribution efficiency, support job creation through local manufacturing, and relieve states of legacy sector liabilities. Governors received the proposal and would examine the opportunities and benefits therein,” he explained.
The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, emphasised the importance of state policing in Nigeria.
In an interview with journalists, Sani stated that the killings should not be seen as an indictment of the governors, noting that they have a limited role to play in addressing the issue.
He stated, “In my opinion, it’s not an indictment. I do agree that we have a limited role to play concerning the Constitution of Nigeria. Don’t forget that even tomorrow, by the grace of God, it’s one of the areas we are going to look at – the possibility of the creation of state policing in Nigeria, which for me would go a long way in addressing insecurity, particularly at the sub-national level.
“But of course, as governors, we must take responsibility. Take, for example, what is happening in Kaduna. When I came in, I inherited a system where we had a series of communal and religious clashes. But I can tell you, in almost 20 months since I took over, we have not had a single religious or communal clash.
“So, for me, I believe as a leader, you have to lead by example by making sure that you carry everyone along. You make sure that you handle the problem of insecurity and ethnic merchants. They’re everywhere. Some people can only benefit if there’s political, religious, or ethnic conflict.’’
He challenged the security agencies to step up the fight against criminality, arguing that more boots are needed on the ground to rout the attackers.
“But of course, in my last interview, I already declared that we do not have enough boots on the ground. So, no matter how we try to address the issue, we have to look at other aspects, particularly looking at a non-kinetic approach. Because when you look at the security agencies in Nigeria, look at the military—like I said, we have less than 300,000 soldiers, the entire police personnel in Nigeria is less than 400,000 in a country of about 230 million.
“So, there are a lot of ungoverned spaces in Nigeria—whether in the North, in the South, everywhere. So we have to look at other areas of addressing the issue of insecurity. That is the reason why I believe we all have to work together. We don’t need to blame each other,” he submitted.
SGR, a major downstream oil and gas player and licensed marketer for Dangote Petroleum Refinery, has opened two additional fuel stations along the Shagamu-Ore expressway, just days after launching an earlier set of two.
This brings the total to four new fuelling stations established in the past two weeks—a clear statement of the company’s commitment to scaling access to reliable and priced fuel along key Nigerian transit routes.
The newly unveiled stations were officially opened this week in a small ceremony attended by the General Manager, Samuel Oyakanmi, and the company’s two Branch Managers, Oladele Giwa and Musa Owolabi.
Speaking on the opening of the new stations, Oyekanmi said: “These new stations are an extension of our promise to be where Nigerians need us most. Shagamu-Ore is a vital route, and we’re making sure people have access to quality fuel, seamless service, and transparent pricing.”
The new SGR stations are retailing fuel at ₦878 per litre, in line with recent adjustments in the industry. The company has continued to emphasise that this pump price reflects the true realities of the deregulated market, a position it reiterated in recent news.
As a trusted marketer for Dangote Petroleum, SGR leverages direct refinery access and logistics strength to ensure continuous product availability and customer satisfaction.
With four new outlets now operational within a fortnight, SGR’s expansion strategy is clearly in motion, targeting high-traffic routes and underserved locations with top-tier infrastructure, trained personnel, and market-aligned fuel pricing.
[Guardian]
At least 231 Nigerians trafficked in Ghana, among whom are 219 forced into cybercrime in the former Gold Coast, will arrive Lagos on Friday, April 25, 2025 and be handed over to the Nigerian government officials.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The statement noted that the Federal Government commended the Ghanaian authorities for rescuing the 219 young Nigerians who were trafficked to the West African country and forced into cybercrimes.
It also restated its commitment to providing the youth with technical education and skills to curb growing unemployment.
Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated this when she visited the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) in Accra, Ghana, where the victims of trafficking were being detained.
In a closed-door meeting with the agency‘s Executive Director, Mr. Bashiru Dapilah, and two of his directors, the minister further appreciated the operatives for doing their job professionally, especially treating the victims with dignity.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who described as callous and inhuman, the exploitation of innocent young people by the traffickers, was in Ghana for the official launch of the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers on the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
She advised Nigerian youths to stay away from people who may promise them irresistible job offers outside the shores of the country, stressing that it might just be bait to lure them into slavery.
She stated that the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana had last Thursday alerted her of the incident. How the victims were held under inhuman conditions by the perpetrators before the sting operation that burst the evil syndicate, the statement added.
She said: „Before their rescue, these boys had been locked up in about 25 rooms within the estate where they were used to perpetrate cybercrimes. At the time of their arrest, many of them, being locked inside confined spaces with computers for weeks on end without being let outside, were even unable to get their eyes to adjust to the sun when they were led outside those dark rooms. Some had been serially abused with visible lacerations inflicted on them by their criminal ‚don‘ while one had his legs broken for not tendering all the proceeds of his cybercrime.“
Addressing the victims at the premises of the Agency, she said that they were lucky to have been rescued, disclosing that many had lost their lives in similar circumstances, while others rot in jails in parts of the world.
Count yourselves lucky, as it may not be a benevolent country like Ghana next time. It may not be a circumstance within a location where we have excellent bilateral relations. Some countries take cybercrimes very seriously, and by the time they lock you up, they will throw away the key. We are still trying to this day to ensure that Ethiopia signs our exchange or transfer of sentenced persons MoU so that we can bring those nationals who are trapped in their prisons back to Nigeria. So we don‘t lose even more of them.
We are happy that this commission has excellent relations with NAPTIP, and they have been kind enough. I was humbled when the Executive Director said their interest is not for these young men to get back to Nigeria into the prison system, because that‘s what usually happens. Under that situation, they must hand you to Nigeria‘s law enforcement and correctional facilities, and then you know what will happen. It‘s another cycle of your relatives coming to prison to bring you food,“ Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain assured that the federal Government was committed to citizen-centred diplomacy as a cardinal thrust of the foreign policy of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
She said that the Tinubu administration‘s Renewed Hope Agenda has laudable programmes, particularly those that give the youth skills so that they do not indulge in crimes of this nature.
Therefore, she urged the victims to take advantage of this second chance that God has given them by implementing some of the federal government‘s intervention programmes.
Know that East, West, home is best. So, when you get home, allow the government to equip you with skills.
I am also using this opportunity to commend other industrious, hardworking and law-abiding Nigerians in Ghana.
I can assure you that Ghana will have the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Government in the fight against organised crime.
It‘s something that our own Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will want to be part of to ensure that we are not seen as headquarters of economic crimes,“ she said.
The agency‘s Executive Director, Mr. Dapilah, said, „We are not looking at this as a Nigerian crime because you have some backing from Ghanaians. We arrested the owner of the estate where they lived, and he will be prosecuted.
We require collaboration between our two countries. The crime is committed here in Ghana, but we know somebody in Nigeria was behind it. So, these persons have been rescued, but the next step is the collaboration to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended.
As you go home, take the message to our counterpart in Nigeria that we will need collaboration to round up the perpetrators.
We have a law-abiding Nigerian population here, especially where they sell spare parts. We have a lot of them running restaurants where we go to eat Nigerian delicacies,“ Dapilah said.
In his remarks, the Nigerian Chargé D‘Affaires, Ambassador Dayo Adeoye, restated that over 3 million Nigerians reside in Ghana, adding that many of them are doing well and helping the economic development of their host country.
He called for aggressive enlightenment to curb the spate of trafficking involving Nigerians.
[Leadership]