The National Assembly has expressed concern over the inadequate funding of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), despite the agency’s heavy workload in addressing human rights violations across Nigeria. Speaking at the 2024 National Legislative Forum on Human Rights organized by the NHRC in Abuja, lawmakers emphasized the need for increased budgetary allocations to the Commission. Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire, SAN, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, and Mudashiru Lukeman, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, highlighted the Commission’s financial challenges. Lukeman, who represented Dr. Abiola Makinde, Chairman of the House Committee…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Senators from Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone have declared their support for the Tax Reform Bills submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing their importance in boosting national revenue and promoting economic stability. The lawmakers, under the South-South Senators’ Forum, issued a statement on Thursday through the Forum’s Chairman, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West). They pledged to undertake a thorough review of the bills to ensure they align with national interests while safeguarding the well-being of the South-South region. The Forum also called on South-South governors to collaborate with lawmakers to refine the bills for the benefit…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has initiated a reconciliation process in Adamawa State by constituting an eight-member committee to resolve internal grievances and strengthen party unity. The committee, chaired by Senator Muhammed Mana, is tasked with addressing complaints among party members and fostering cohesion. It includes prominent members such as Senators Bello Tukur, Abubakar Girei, Binta Masi Garba, Martins Babale, Yusuf Buba Yakubu, and Dr. Bridget Zidon, with Isa Baba serving as Secretary. Addressing a meeting of the APC Adamawa State chapter in Yola, the APC National Vice Chairman for the North East, Mustapha Salihu, revealed that the committee had…
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has condemned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for establishing a shadow government, describing the move as a treasonous act. Speaking during a meeting with leaders of workers’ unions in the state, Otti vowed to pursue legal action against the opposition party within the boundaries of the law. He criticized the PDP’s decision as baseless and a display of ignorance regarding Nigeria’s political structure. The PDP in Abia State recently announced the formation of a shadow government, appointing a speaker and shadow commissioners, claiming it was aimed at holding the ruling administration…
The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, has linked the increasing cases of missing girls and ritual killings in the state to the growing prevalence of “hookups.” “Hookup” is a slang term describing brief, casual, and often transactional sexual encounters. Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Wednesday, Odutola identified the hookup culture as a major factor contributing to the alarming trend, particularly among young girls. “Today, we have lots of reports of missing persons. By the time we start an investigation, not less than 10 young girls and ladies go missing daily,” she said.…
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday, presented a proposed appropriation bill of N1.055 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for approval. Tagged the ‘Budget of Hope and Prosperity,’ the proposed budget comprises N600.98 billion for capital expenditure and N453.56 billion for recurrent expenditure. Governor Abiodun disclosed that the budget earmarked N120.14 billion for personnel costs, N75.07 billion for public debt charges, and N219.86 billion for overhead costs. “The total State funding is estimated at N1,054,542,020,147.47 for the year 2025,” he said. Providing a breakdown of the revenue composition, the governor stated that the…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has clarified its stance amid public backlash over the recently announced mass retirements, assuring that no staff member will be compelled to retire. The assurance follows a directive by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, instructing the apex bank to suspend the planned retirement of 1,000 staff and the accompanying payoff scheme until investigations are concluded. In a statement by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Ali, the bank explained that the newly introduced Early Exit Package (EEP) is entirely voluntary and does not carry any adverse implications for eligible employees. “The Early…
President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills have encountered a major setback as the Senate has suspended action on the proposed legislations. The decision was announced by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary session on Wednesday. Barau stated that the red chamber directed the Committee on Finance to halt public hearings on the bills until public concerns are addressed. To resolve the issues surrounding the reforms, the Senate constituted a special committee tasked with engaging the executive branch and collaborating with the federal government. “In this regard, we have decided to set aside politics, ethnicity, and…
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has criticized the Nigeria Police Force over the arrest and detention of activist Dele Farotimi, describing the action as illegal. In a statement made available to journalists, Falana argued that the arrest violated the law, noting that Lagos State had decriminalized defamation. “I have confirmed that Mr. Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday for alleged criminal libel,” the statement read. Falana demanded Farotimi’s immediate and unconditional release, emphasizing, “Without any fear of contradiction, Lagos State is among the two states in Nigeria that have decriminalized defamation in its entirety.” He urged the…
An Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State has sentenced a 20-year-old man, Jelili Isiaka, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing a motorcycle valued at N700,000. Isiaka was arraigned before Magistrate L.K.J. Layeni on Wednesday on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, and breach of peace. He pleaded guilty to all charges. After reviewing the facts of the case, presented by the prosecutor, ASP Simon Uche, the court found Isiaka guilty as charged and sentenced him to six months imprisonment on each count, to run consecutively. According to Uche, Isiaka and an accomplice, who is still at large, committed the crime…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that it arrested 14,480 suspected drug traffickers, including 15 drug barons, between January and October 2024. During the same period, the agency seized 2.4 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs. NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, revealed this on Wednesday while briefing the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs during an oversight visit to the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja. Marwa highlighted that the arrests and drug seizures were carried out at seaports, airports, land borders, and various communities across Nigeria. He expressed confidence that the agency was on track to surpass…
A Jigawa State High Court has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging after finding them guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide in the murder of a 30-year-old woman, Salamatu Musa, accused of witchcraft. The convicts include Hassan Isah (55), Adama Yahaya (42), Abdullahi Yahaya (35), and Maryam Daso Yahaya (28). They are all residents of Kwan-Dole Village in Mallam-Madori Local Government Area. The court heard that the group conspired to kill Salamatu Musa in 2019, alleging that she caused the death of their son through witchcraft. Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin-Kudu, delivering the judgment, stated that the convicts had…
Tension has escalated within the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the unresolved refund of the N3 million nomination fees collected from local government chairmanship aspirants for the controversial September 21, 2024, local government elections. The Imo APC, under the leadership of State Chairman Dr. Macdonald Ebere, had mandated the payment of N3 million as a compulsory nomination fee from chairmanship aspirants. Following public outcry and internal disputes, the state governor reportedly directed that the funds be refunded to aspirants in the interest of party unity. One of the aspirants, Evans Anozie from Owerri Municipal, has…
The Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed heartfelt sympathy over the recent motor accident involving members of the Zamfara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. The journalists were returning to Zamfara State after attending the Triennial Delegates Conference in Imo State when the accident occurred. In a statement issued by the State PDP Publicity Secretary, Comrade Haliru Andi, and made available to journalists in Gusau, the State capital, the party’s chairman, Dr. Jamil Jibo Magayaki, conveyed the shock and concern of the PDP State Working Committee (SWC) over…
A heated shouting match erupted in the House of Representatives on Tuesday during discussions on President Bola Tinubu’s controversial Tax Reform Bills. The incident occurred when the House spokesperson and Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Akin Rotimi, made a contentious remark while presenting a report on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring. Standing in for the absent Committee Chair, Boma Goodhead, Rotimi introduced himself and added: “I am from Ekiti State, the first state whose National Assembly Caucus has unanimously endorsed the tax bills.” The comment triggered an uproar among lawmakers, who vocally opposed the statement, chanting “No, No,…
The Social and Economic Rights Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to release activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi, who was reportedly arrested for alleged defamation. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), SERAP urged the Nigerian government to desist from using criminal defamation laws to suppress critics and stifle freedom of expression. “BREAKING: The Tinubu administration must immediately release activist Dele Farotimi, who is reportedly arrested for alleged defamation. Nigerian authorities should not be using criminal defamation laws to turn critics into criminals and undermine freedom of expression,” SERAP stated. Farotimi’s arrest follows a petition by…
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, has announced the deployment of 1,200 operatives across the 18 local government areas of the state to ensure security during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The Corps Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, made this known on Tuesday while parading some suspects at the agency’s headquarters in Akure, the state capital. Adeleye explained that the deployment was necessary to maintain the existing peace in the state, especially during the festive season, when activities and the influx of visitors are expected to increase. “Black spots in the three senatorial districts…
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has suspended the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Uchenna Igwe, over alleged gross misconduct. The suspension was announced during a press conference held at the New Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki. Governor Nwifuru stated that the commissioner was suspended for failing to address demands by civil servants at the local government level for the timely payment of gratuities. “My administration has implemented the autonomy of the local government system, with allocations from the Federal Allocation Account going directly to the councils’ accounts. Despite this, the commissioner failed to act on the directive to…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate rehabilitation and upgrade of Government Secondary School, Kabusa. The directive was issued on Tuesday during the inauguration of a 9.8-kilometre road construction project from Kabusa to Takushara, held at the school’s permanent site. Wike described the current state of the school building as unsuitable for delivering quality education to students. He assured residents of the area that the facility would be upgraded to meet acceptable standards, enabling it to provide quality education for children in the FCT. “Is this a school? I will not lie…
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested two personnel from its Seme Command over their alleged involvement in the assault of two civilians, as seen in a recent viral video. Comptroller Kayode Kolade, the Comptroller of the Seme Area Command, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Seme. He stated that the officers were apprehended following a preliminary investigation into the incident. The viral video, which surfaced on Sunday, showed two residents being brutalized by Customs officers at a checkpoint along the Badagry-Seme expressway. The victims were reportedly attacked after being caught recording a video at the checkpoint.…