An 88-year-old Japanese man, Iwao Hakamada, has been found not guilty of multiple murders after spending almost five decades on death row.

The case that has sparked intense scrutiny of Japan’s death penalty practices sees Hakamada sentenced to death by hanging in 1968 for the murders of his boss, his boss’s wife, and their two teenage children, as well as for setting their home ablaze two years earlier.

His time on death row, lasting 46 years, is believed to be the longest for any prisoner worldwide, ending in 2014 when new evidence led to a retrial, The Guardian UK reports.

Hakamada has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming that investigators coerced him into confessing, while his lawyers argued that evidence was fabricated by the police.

Following the verdict, there was no immediate announcement regarding a potential appeal by prosecutors, according to Kyodo news agency and other media outlets. Hakamada’s defence team has urged prosecutors not to challenge the ruling, citing his age.

Koshi Kunii, the presiding judge at Shizuoka district court, confirmed that three pieces of evidence were fabricated, including Hakamada’s “confession” and clothing that prosecutors claimed he wore during the murders.

His sister, 91-year-old Hideko Hakamada, who has tirelessly advocated for her brother, expressed hope before the ruling: “For so long we have fought a battle that has felt endless. But this time, I believe it will be settled.”

While prosecutors sought the death penalty once more, legal experts suggested that Hakamada was likely to be acquitted, referencing four other postwar retrials in Japan that resulted in overturned convictions for death row inmates.

Hakamada, who experienced significant physical and mental decline during his incarceration, was absent from the courtroom during the ruling and was represented by his sister.

The case’s outcome depended heavily on the credibility of bloodstained clothes that prosecutors claimed Hakamada wore at a miso factory where he worked as a live-in employee.

In March 2023, after prolonged legal battles, the Tokyo high court ordered a retrial, indicating the strong likelihood that the clothing had been planted by investigators. Defence lawyers contended that DNA tests on the clothing confirmed the blood did not belong to Hakamada.

Initially, the high court chose not to reopen Hakamada’s case, a focal point for opponents of the death penalty, but reversed this decision following a Supreme Court order to reconsider it in 2020.

On the day of the ruling, hundreds lined up outside the district court in hopes of securing a seat, with supporters holding banners demanding Hakamada's acquittal.

Initially denying involvement in the crimes, Hakamada later confessed after what he described as a brutal police interrogation involving physical abuse. His case has been highlighted as an example of the flaws within Japan’s criminal justice system and the cruelty inherent in capital punishment.

In Japan, one of only two G7 countries that retains the death penalty alongside the US, inmates are notified of their execution just hours in advance and are denied the opportunity to consult with their lawyers or families. Their final discussions typically occur with a Buddhist priest.

Boram Jang, an East Asia researcher at Amnesty International, expressed joy at the ruling: “We are overjoyed by the court’s decision to exonerate Iwao Hakamada.”

The Nigerian Senate has approved a bill to establish the South-West Development Commission.

The bill seeks to address environmental, ecological, and other development challenges in the southwest region of Nigeria

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the House of Representatives had passed a bill for an Act to establish the South-West Development Commission.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Southwest Caucus of the House of Representatives, noting that the bill was aimed at addressing critical infrastructural, ecological, and developmental challenges in the southwest region.

According to the statement issued by the House of Representatives at the time, the bill would be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.

"The Southwest Caucus of the House of Representatives is pleased to announce the successful passage of the ‘Bill for an Act to Establish the South West Development Commission (HB.283)’ by the House of Representatives on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

"The bill, which aims to address critical infrastructural, ecological, and developmental challenges in the Southwest region, will now be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence,” the statement said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reviewed and approved the sale of foreign exchange (FX) to qualified bureau de change (BDC) operators at a rate of ₦1,590 per dollar.

Naija News understands that the latest action is aimed at addressing the demand for invisible transactions.

In a circular issued yesterday, titled ‘Sales of Foreign Exchange to BDCs to Meet Retail Market Demand for Eligible Invisible Transactions,’ the CBN announced that it will provide $20,000 at the rate of ₦1,590 per dollar to each BDC.

The announcement was signed by the acting director of the trade and exchange department, W.J. Kanya.

The apex bank stated: “This is to inform the Bureau De Change (BDC) Operators and the general public that the CBN will be providing additional liquidity to this segment of the foreign exchange market.

“To this end, CBN has approved the sale of US$20,000.00 to each eligible BDC at the rate of N1,590/5. This is to meet the demand for invisible transactions.

“All BDCs are allowed to sell to eligible end-users at a margin of NOT MORE THAN one percent (1%) above the purchase rate from CBN

“Eligible BDCs interested in this transaction are directed to make the Naira payment to the CBN Deposit Account Numbers with them.”

Embattled Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, has stated that he is nursing suicidal thoughts.

Naija News reports that the media personality is enmeshed in a bribery scandal involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Recall that social media activist and influencer, Martins Vincent Otse a.k.a VeryDarkMan, had accused Bobrisky of bribing some EFCC officials with the sum of ₦15,000,000 to drop the money laundering case against him and also keep him in a private apartment instead of a normal prison during his jail term for money laundering.

VeryDarkMan had made the allegations in a now-viral video trending on various social media platforms.

He released an audio to back his claim.

In the audio, Bobrisky told an unidentified person in a phone conversation that he paid some unnamed officials of the commission the sum of ₦15,000,000( Fifteen Million Naira only) for them to drop money laundering charges against him.

In reaction, the EFCC chairman, in a statement released on Tuesday through the spokesperson of the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, said a team of investigators have been put together to investigate the allegations.

Oyewale added that both Bobrisky and VeryDarkMan have been invited to appear before the commission for questioning at its Lagos office.

Taking to his Instagram page today, September 26, Bobrisky said the whole saga is making him think about suicide.

He lamented that people are trying to pull him down because of hatred.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has filed 16-count charges against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oicha, and Abdulsalam Hudu at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

The charges, filed on September 24, 2024, in Case No: CR/7781, include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property. The case is pending before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

Key allegations include conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust involving N110.4 billion in 2016 and misuse of state funds to acquire properties, including No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja (N950 million), No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million), and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million).

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

Additionally, the defendants are accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and possessing unlawfully obtained property, including N677.8 million from BESPOQUE BUSINESS SOLUTION LIMITED.

Prosecutors include Dr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa (SAN), Hannatu Umar Kofarnaisa, Zeenat Atiku Bala, Abubakar Salihu Wara, Chinenye C. Okezie, Abbas O. Muhammed, Bilkisu Buhari Bala, and Suleiman I. Suleiman.

The charge sheet reads, “That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2023, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N950,000,000 for the acquisition of a property known as No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N100,000,000 for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N920,000,000 for the acquisition of a property known as No: 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N170,000,000 for the acquisition of a property known as Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2018, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N100,000,000 for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1773 Guzape District, Abuja.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N100,000,000 for the acquisition of a property known as No: A02/176 Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime between 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N66,000,000 for the acquisition of a property known as No: 739 Aminu Kano Crescent, wuse 2 at No. 13 Citiscape-Sharriff Plaza, Abuja.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N550,000,000 for the acquisition of a property known as No: 2934A Cadastral Zone A06 also known as No.1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District, Abuja.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N650,000,000 for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1058, Measuring about 1450.77sqm in Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2 also Known as NO.2 Durban Street Abuja.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Eight Dirhams for the acquisition of a property located at Hotel Apartment Community: Burj Khalifa, lying, being and situate at Plot 160, Municipality NO 345-7562, Sky View Building No.401, Floor4, Dubai U.A.E.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2016, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N60,000,000 for the acquisition of a property known as Block 18 (337) flat B Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2017, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N310,443,450 to tastefully renovate a property known as No: 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $570,330.00 to account No. 4266644272 Domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO, UMAR SHUAIBU ORICHA and ABDULSALAMI HUDU sometime in 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $556,265.00 to account No. 4266644272 Domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America.

“That YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO sometime between 2017 and 2018, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, had under your control the total sum of N677,848,000 unlawfully obtained from BESPOQUE BUSINESS SOLUTION LIMITED.”

Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court has declared the five accused individuals responsible for the Offa robbery cases guilty of unlawful firearm possession, robbery with a weapon, and negligent manslaughter.

Justice Salman gave the verdict on Thursday while presiding over the case.

She sentenced the accused persons to death.

Naija News recalls that the Offa robbery incident happened in 2018.

Barely two years ago, a witness in the case, Shamsudeen Bada, accused men of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) led by embattled DCP Abba Kyari of torturing him.

According to Baba, the police operatives tortured him to implicate former Senate President Bukola Saraki in the bank robbery.

The former Vice Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State stated this at the Kwara State High Court.

He recounted his experience during the resumed trial of the suspects in the robbery case in Ilorin, the state capital.

Police had charged five suspects, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham and two others to court.

Naija News learnt that the suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy to rob the banks, murder of nine policemen and other citizens, and illegal possession of firearms.

Baba, during cross-examination in court, said while in detention, the Abba Kyari-led IRT operatives promised them they would be freed if they named Saraki as their sponsor.

Despite suffering a knockout loss in the fifth round of the IBF heavyweight showdown at Wembley on Saturday, former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to earn significantly more than Daniel Dubois for the fight.

Reports from Sporty Salaries via GB News indicate that Anthony Joshua was guaranteed £6 million just for showing up, with potential earnings rising to an impressive £25 million depending on pay-per-view sales.

On the other hand, Dubois, who caused an upset by knocking out Joshua, is reported to have a guaranteed purse of £3.5 million, which could rise to £10 million.

The 34-year-old Joshua’s higher earnings are attributed to the attention and fan base he commands in the boxing world, despite the loss to his fellow Brit.

The fight reportedly drew a record crowd for a British boxing match, with Turki Alalshikh claiming an attendance of “more than 98,128” fans.

Following his fourth career defeat, Anthony Joshua took to his Instagram account to address his fans. In a video posted on Monday, he expressed gratitude to his supporters and emphasized his determination to continue fighting despite calls for his retirement.

He said, “We came up short, but we have got to look at all the positives, and that’s the mindset that we have to have—a positive one, always. Look at what we’ve achieved in the space of 11 years, and I want to thank everyone who’s been riding with me. What a rollercoaster journey! But you know what the problem is, is that it’s far from over yet.”

Meanwhile, Dubois’ victory has propelled him to the top of the heavyweight division, potentially setting up future fights with renowned boxers such as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Additionally, a rematch with Joshua is also a possibility.

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of attempting to tarnish his image.

Bello, in a statement on Wednesday by his media team, said the EFCC is desperately trying to nail him in order to please some persons with interest in the case.

The statement, signed by the Director of the media team, Ohiare Michael, said the procedural errors and blunders already committed by the EFCC are enough evidence to prove the desperation of the anti-graft agency.

He said the EFCC, by its actions so far, has shown it is not fighting corruption, but rather executing a political vendetta against Bello.

Michael specifically questioned the disposition of the EFCC last Wednesday when the former governor voluntarily submitted himself to the agency but was not interrogated or detained after four hours, only for EFCC operatives to launch an attack on the Kogi Government Lodge at night.

He said, “If the EFCC was truly interested in prosecution and not a deal by some unknown persons to humiliate the former governor and probably harm him for political reasons, would the agency not have taken him in on that day with a view to arraigning him in court on the next adjourned date?

“Why turn a money laundering allegation into an embarrassment for the whole country ostensibly to massage the ego of some collaborators?

“We want Nigerians to help us ask: What exactly does the EFCC want from former Governor Yahaya Bello?”

“His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, will have his day in court. No one is contesting this. But it will be in line with the rule of law, not as prescribed by the EFCC.”

Michael charged the EFCC to stop dragging the name of President Bola Tinubu in the mud and face its core mandate of fighting corruption.

“The interesting thing is that the more the Commission issues press statements under tension, the more glaring this assertion becomes.

“It is, however, sad that an agency as important as the EFCC has now degenerated to the level of crafting press statements in rogue styles to satisfy the hirers of the gun.

“Even if he is striving hard to keep his shirt by satisfying some supposed benefactors, like some have insinuated, the EFCC Chairman must be reminded that we are a member of the global village.

“What the Commission should be doing now is self re-appraisal with a view to repairing whatever is left of its battered image and not still dragging the name of our President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the mud with practices that are completely alien to the fight against corruption the world over,” he added.

The media office stated that Yahaya Bello is not afraid to appear in court but the law must be fully obeyed by the EFCC.

“We want to reiterate that former Governor Yahaya Bello has acted like a democrat by subscribing to the rule of law and by approaching competent courts of jurisdiction to protect him. He is never afraid of facing justice, hence his submission to the trials at various courts.

“The laws allow for representation and he has constantly been represented by his lawyers. As a Nigerian, he has the right to explore all avenues within the rule of law to protect his fundamental human rights. The EFCC cannot dictate to him, or anyone for that matter, how to go about this.

“Right now, it seems the only task before the EFCC is to execute a desperate hatchet job of destroying the former governor’s reputation and defaming him for no justifiable reason.

“But the EFCC must enlighten itself on the fact that former Governor Yahaya Bello remains innocent of the trumped up charges against him until proven guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction.

“As we write, many informed Nigerians, at home and abroad, cannot still understand why an anti-graft agency, which had declared the former governor wanted, would beg him to go after four hours, after voluntarily presenting himself at the EFCC office.

“The most disturbing aspect of the whole saga is that officials of the same EFCC that said the former governor could not be interrogated or detained because he came with a sitting Governor, went to the official lodge of the same sitting governor, while he was there, shooting sporadically, to forcefully arrest a man that had previously been in their office for over four hours!

“No matter how much the EFCC tries to call an albino a white man for Nigerians in this case, the truth is gradually being uncovered.

“Former Governor Yahaya Bello will fight to the end on the lane of constitutionality and will not succumb to the baits and traps of an Agency that has shown bias, contempt and a clear attempt on his life.

“We want to put it on record here again that former Governor Yahaya Bello is a respecter of the rule of law. He had, only all along, sought the enforcement of his fundamental human rights like any other citizen is entitled to.

“On the other hand, the EFCC, despite being a creation of the law, has demonstrated gross disrespect for the rule of law.

“This is evident in the agency’s bullying, oppressive and reprehensible tactics of disregarding valid orders in cases relating to perceived enemies of their “sponsors or paymasters” and choosing to obey orders when they concern those in the good books of their godfathers.

The statement further accused the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, of using the office to fight a personal battle and, therefore, called on President Tinubu to investigate his actions.

“In this particular case, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has shown clearly that he is either fighting a personal battle for reasons he must explain sooner than later or striving so hard to keep the trust of certain enemies of former Governor Yahaya Bello, who might have given him an assignment that he must execute at all costs.

“We sympathise with the Commission in this very trying time of a badly battered image, as Nigerians have become more aware that the so-called fight against corruption is not only selective, but also one that could damage the noble intentions of our dynamic President with respect to the all-important fight against corruption, and more importantly, the overall wellbeing of Nigerians.

“We call on Mr. President to please order a thorough investigation into the EFCC-former Governor Yahaya Bello face-off, since inception, with a view to unravelling the real motives of the persecutors.

“The chronology of events since April this year will reveal clear bias, intimidation, oppression, and total disregard for the rule of law by the Commission.

“We stress again that as of the time of the initial siege on the former Governor’s residence in April, the EFCC had no business there because he had a valid court order restraining such action, which had not been vacated. The Commission cannot also provide proof of a formal invitation to him.

“To set the records straight, the Court of Appeal only vacated that order a few weeks ago, which prompted our principal to present himself at the EFCC headquarters on September 18, even while still pursuing the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

“If the EFCC was truly interested in prosecution and not a deal by some unknown persons to humiliate the former governor and probably harm him for political reasons, would the agency not have taken him in on that day with a view to arraigning him in court on the next adjourned date?

“In normal circumstances, the EFCC should not be the investigator and prosecutor at the same time. But the law allows it. It is, however, strange that the Commission has now assumed the position of the judge. We must remind them that this is Nigeria, and Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians.

“We implore the authorities to advise the EFCC Chairman to face his job as an investigator and refrain from allowing personal interests to continue to push him into avoidable blunders.

“The more the Commission issues controversial press statements on former Governor Yahaya Bello, the more the world is made to see the desperation to achieve an aim that is not clear yet. But the law is definitely stronger than their might.

“We salute the Kogi State House of Assembly for speaking up and we thank all Nigerians who have come to realize that there is more to this desperation by the EFCC to humiliate former Governor Yahaya Bello than they are telling the world,” the statement added.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has claimed that China could be taking over assets belonging to Nigeria.

The group gave the warning over an alleged Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU) signed between the Governor Peter Mbah-led government and Chinese companies.

They insisted that the MOU could lead to the seizure of Nigerian assets in the future if legal disputes over contentious land in Enugu are not properly resolved.

The rights group said it was deeply concerned that Mbah recently entered into agreements with some Chinese companies, allegedly giving away the ownership of ancestral lands in Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, despite ongoing litigation over the land.

Speaking via a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA warned that the governor was undermining the rule of law by signing away the land to foreign companies while legal cases were still pending.

The statement read in part, “Chinese companies could seize Nigerian assets internationally, such as embassy buildings in Beijing, if the court rulings favor the original landowners.

“The Enugu State Government should refrain from taking action on these lands until the legal disputes are resolved.

“If the governor proceeds with this transaction, Nigeria could face another embarrassing situation similar to that in Ogun State, where foreign companies confiscated Nigerian assets.

“Enugu State does not have any assets abroad, so it will be Nigeria’s international assets that will be at risk.”

HURIWA called on the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify whether the Nigerian President was aware of the MOU signed by the Enugu State Government with Chinese companies

The Presidency has confirmed that a cabinet reshuffle is on the horizon, indicating that up to 11 ministers could soon be relieved of their positions.

This development was shared during a media briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Joining Onanuga at the briefing, O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, did not provide a specific timeline for the reshuffle but hinted that an announcement could be made later this week.

Insiders who spoke with Guardian noted that the long-anticipated changes were postponed following the conclusion of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday.

“It’s true President Bola Tinubu has plans to reshuffle his cabinet, but I can’t say specifically whether that will be done before the Independence celebration on October 1,” Onanuga stated, emphasizing that the President initially appointed his ministers in August of last year.

Reports suggest that Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is among those potentially facing dismissal. While the exact details remain unclear, it has been made known that a comprehensive review of ministerial performance is underway as pressure mounts from various stakeholders for a more effective cabinet.

The platform disclosed that former minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola is noted to have been identified as a likely replacement for Gbajabiamila. If he declines the offer, the current principal secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola has been identified to fill the void.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun is expected to get a junior minister in the person of the Chairman, Presidential Fiscal
Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.

While decisive action is likely to be taken on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, insiders note that the ministry might be scrapped due to the level of malfeasance and corruption perpetrated under the guise of intervention programmes.

Also, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management, Ishak Salaco, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anite, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and a few others may not be lucky in the imminent cabinet reshuffle.

According to those familiar with the imminent changes, some ministers may be moved to other ministries, while those found to have performed below par will be removed.

The insiders also noted that a minister who served under the Buhari administration will likely be returned to serve under the present administration.

The official confirmation of a cabinet shake-up comes after months of speculation since Tinubu’s first anniversary in office, as Nigerians grumble about the need for better governance performance amid economic challenges.

This is also happening against the backdrop of some ministers falling below expectations regarding his Renewed Hope agenda.

A year after President Bola Tinubu inaugurated his 45-minister cabinet, many Nigerians expressed displeasure with the team’s performance.