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A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday opened trial in the N550million defamation suit filed by Senator Chris Anyanwu against a former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim.

Anyanwu’s lawyers – Umeh Kalu (SAN) and Adekunle Kosoko – called the claimant’s first witness, who testified to the effect that she read the alleged defamatory publication contained in the January 12 edition of The Nation newspaper.

The witness, Dr. Joyce Ejukonemu, a Gender Protection Specialist and Senior Researcher said she deposed to a written statement on oath, which she identified and later adopted as her evidence in the case.

Justice M.I. Sani admitted Dr. Ejukonemu’s statement in evidence. The judge also admitted a copy of the publication and overruled the objection raised to its admissibility by Ohakim’s lawyer, Ken Njemanze (SAN).

Kalu proceeded to tender other documents including a January 24 press statement and a copy of a report printed from an online platform, Naija News.

Njemanze objected to the Naija News document on the grounds that it was electronically generated and not accompanied by a certificate of compliance as required under Section 84 of the Evidence Act. He also objected to the admissibility of the press statement on the grounds that it is a photocopy and that the claimant laid no foundation before tendering it.

In response, Kalu submitted that the certificate required under Section 84 of the Evidence Act could either be oral or physical.

He said the witness’ statement on oath contains the oral certification. He however opted to withdraw the press statement release without further submissions.

Earlier, Justice Sani rejected Njemanze’s objection to the commencement of trial on Monday, arguing that it was mandatory that a pre-trial conference be conducted before trial could begin.

The judge, in a ruling, agreed with Kalu that a pre-trial conference was not mandatory, noting that it would serve no other purpose than to occasion unnecessary delay.

Justice Sani equally granted the request by the claimant to discontinue the case against Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation newspapers, earlier listed as the second defendant.

Kalu, while applying to discontinue against the media house, said the second defendant has published a retraction and apologised to the claimant.

He applied that the court should strike out Vintage Press Limited’s name from the suit, a prayer the court granted.

Justice Sani has however adjourned till December 1, 3, and 5, 2025, for ruling and continuation of the trial.

Anyanwu sued Ohakim over comments he allegedly made in an interview published in the January 12 edition of The Nation newspapers, which the Senator claims were defamatory.

Anyanwu is demanding N550 million in damages, alongside a public apology to be published in two national newspapers, including The Nation newspapers.

Founder, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has cautioned against using the cry of monopoly to discourage indigenous investment and industrial growth in Nigeria, saying no one was prevented from investing in the country.

Dangote said this yesterday at the 2025 Inaugural Annual Downstream Petroleum Week organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).

Represented by the Group Chief Strategy Officer at Dangote Industries Limited, Aliyu Suleman, he rather encouraged focus on policies that encourage productivity, innovation, and competition.

Addressing the issue of monopoly with the refinery, he said, ‘Too many people with the means to build industries chose instead to invest abroad. We decided from afar while adding little value to our economy. We have chosen differently. We have chosen to get to Nigeria. We have chosen to build here, to employ here, to produce here. So let us not use the cry of monopoly to start from growth. No one is prevented from investing.

We welcome others to build their own refineries and we will offer support in whatever way we can.’

‘Nigeria holds the natural competitive advantage in refining. We enjoy proximity to oil and gas supply. We should therefore work together to develop this sector.

‘We should work to enact and implement laws that will help this sector to prosper. Let us protect our industries and deliver the economic transformation this country deserves.’

He said today, the Dangote Refinery can meet all of Nigeria’s demand for diesel and jet fuel and still have surplus for exports.

Dangote said soon, the refinery would be listed on the stock exchange, giving Nigerians the opportunity to become shareholders of this national asset.

He said Africa’s refining sector remains underdeveloped, both relative to its consumption and relative to the volume of crude that is produced in Africa.

‘While Europe and Asia refine over 95 % of their petroleum product refinement, Africa refines only 40%. In sub-Saharan Africa, there are very few large functional refineries today. This is understandable because refining is capital intensive, it is technologically complex and often is a low margin business. So as a result, many entrepreneurs and governments have chosen to stay away. But at Dangote, we are known for taking bold steps. We are known for making large scale investments to substitute imports and create value in the country.

‘Therefore, this is a challenge that we were happy to take. When it came to tackling the refining challenge, we decided to do it even though it was not easy. Building a world-class refinery anywhere in the world is a huge task. It is capital-intensive and very demanding. To build ours, we collected over 2,700 hectares of land, pumped 65 million cubic meters of sand to stabilize the site, installed over 250,000 foundation bars, and laid millions of meters of piping, cabling, and wiring. At peak, we had over 60,000 people on site, of which 50,000 were Nigerians. We had these people working around the clock across hundreds of disciplines and nationalities.

‘Today, the Dangote refinery can meet all of Nigeria’s demand for diesel and jet fuel and still have surplus for exports, which can be used in valuable foreign exchange for Nigeria. The refinery can meet 90 % of Nigeria’s PMS requirements. This is based on the official consumption numbers of 50 million per day. Our views are the real consumption, perhaps more about 40 million, in which case we should be able to meet demand.

‘Across the world, major oil producers typically meet their petroleum product requirements through their own domestic refineries, not through imports. The United States, for example, imports only about 8 % of their petroleum products requirement. If you look at most of the major crude oil producers, you will see that they do not import more than 10 % of their petroleum products from the US. This is where Nigeria should be heading. And with the advent of the Dangote refinery and unbundling of the sector, we hope that we will get there.

‘At the Dangote Group, our strategy across all our businesses is to provide our customers with high quality products at attractive prices. Not just in the refinery, across all the businesses. Same in cement, sugar and the rest. Refined products from our refinery are of higher quality and yet our prices are below import parity and below the average prices across most African countries. Across Africa, PMS and diesel sell for around $1 per litre, net of tax system of sorts. But in Nigeria, the current price is below $0.60 per litre.

‘This is a huge cost benefit for Nigerians. Even though the cost benefit may not be immediately obvious because before the advent of the Dangote refinery, subsidies were used to mask the real market price. Still, despite all this, we find ourselves in a situation where Nigeria imports petroleum products, while at the same time Dangote refinery is exporting. This is a paradox that we must address in order for this sector to grow.

‘Beyond energy security, domestic refining brought economic benefits. Refineries deliver job creation, skill development, industrial linkages, and exchange rates stability. The shipping sector is handling much more volumes than they used to handle before now. Engineering capacity is strengthened.

‘Across Dangote, NNPC and the modular refineries, Nigeria has over one million barrels per day of installed domestic refining capacity. These benefits will multiply if we enable this capacity to operate fully. Across our businesses, the Dangote Group typically focuses on manufacturing, while accessing its distributors with the logistics required to deliver to their customers. Across Africa, we have over 10,000 trucks, who deliver products for our distributors. The same operating model applies to refining. We must all work together to renew distribution costs in order not to burden Nigeria’s energy efficiency.

‘Historically, marketers source products from abroad and supply the country via coastal storage terminals. Today there is a domestic alternative. We must therefore find an optimal split of off-take between trucks loading directly at the refinery, versus loading into vessels for transportation to various storage terminals. It does not make economic sense to move products by ship to a nearby coastal depot at additional cost when the same volume could have been evacuated by trucks directly from the refinery.

‘We are also working with NPA and the NIMASA to find ways to reduce coastal transport costs as this adds up to the total product costs that end up being passed on to Nigerians. That said, Nigeria’s fighting potential is massive. We are in a place where we can build a refining hub that will process crude from Nigeria surrounding African countries and supply Nigerian commonwealths.

‘When we entered the cement sector, Nigeria produced less than two million tons per year. I was totally dependent on imports. Today, through visionary investment, timing execution, and government support, we have 2 million tons of capacity across Africa, and we’ll reach 60 million by next year. Nigeria is now a lead exporter of cement, and by 2027, we plan to export 500 million dollars worth of cement and clean cap annually. The same transformation is happening in refining

‘Nigeria is now a net exporter of refined petroleum products, polypropylene and urea. This is a historic turnaround. And we’re not getting started. Soon, the Dangote Refinery would be listed, giving Nigerians the opportunity to become shareholders in this national asset.

‘Given its potential, this sector must be nurtured and protected. The current import licensing regime, where import licenses are issued without considering domestic supply, has exposed domestic refineries to unfair competition. This is because most of this import comes from Russia and products from Russia are produced with crude that is priced 25 dollars per barrel, cheaper than Nigerian crude because of the sanctions.

‘So this in a way, it is almost like dumping, which hurts domestic refineries. Aside from the crude for naira initiative, graciously introduced by Mr. President, local refineries grant the individual protection or incentives. ‘

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, called on stakeholders in the petroleum industry to work collaboratively to reposition Nigeria’s downstream sector for sustainable growth, transparency, and innovation.

He said the event’s theme, ‘Celebrating Our Successes, Confronting Our Challenges and Finding Solutions for the Petroleum Downstream Sector,’ reflected the country’s need to celebrate progress while tackling long-standing challenges through collaboration and self-assessment.

The Speaker, who was represented by his deputy, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, said the conference should serve as a defining moment in reshaping the downstream petroleum landscape.

He noted that Nigeria is at a critical juncture in its industrialisation drive and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing reforms under his Renewed Hope Agenda, which, he said, are revitalising key sectors of the economy, including oil and gas.

Abbas particularly lauded the operational take-off of the Dangote Refinery, describing it as a turning point in Nigeria’s quest for energy self-sufficiency.

He said the anticipated emergence of other private refineries underscores the need for a functional and enabling environment that will encourage investment, promote efficiency, and reduce dependence on fuel imports.

The Speaker recalled that much of the progress recorded in the petroleum sector was made possible by the landmark Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which restructured the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) into a commercial entity and established regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the NMDPRA.

He said the PIA has renewed investor confidence, promoted transparency, enhanced competition, and curbed oil theft and inefficiencies. Abbas reiterated that the National Assembly remains committed to crafting laws and policies that strengthen the downstream sector and ensure it contributes meaningfully to national development.

Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to sustain ongoing reforms and build a transparent, self-reliant, and globally competitive downstream petroleum industry.

He described the summit as more than a formal gathering, but a national dialogue aimed at repositioning the downstream petroleum sector as a driver of economic growth, innovation, and industrial development.

According to him, the event, themed ‘Celebrating Our Successes, Confronting Our Challenges and Finding Solutions for the Petroleum Downstream Sector,’ represents a commitment to transparency, accountability, and progress.

He noted that the legislature, through the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), had provided the legal foundation for reform, while the executive’s decision to remove fuel subsidies and liberalise the market restored efficiency and investor confidence.

Ugochinyere commended the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for their professionalism in implementing reforms and ensuring that Nigeria’s energy transition remained credible and investor-friendly.

He also paid tribute to the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) for their courage and foresight in investing in local refining despite uncertainties that had kept some foreign investors on the sidelines.

He described their efforts as proof that Nigerian enterprise and innovation could drive industrial transformation and job creation.

Highlighting recent achievements in the downstream sector, Ugochinyere cited the expansion of Indorama Petrochemicals’ urea and fertilizer capacity to 2.8 million metric tonnes per annum, the scaling up of Waltersmith Modular Refinery in Imo State from 5,000 to 50,000 barrels per day, and the progress of the OPAC Refinery in Delta State.

He said the Dangote Refinery, now Africa’s largest at 650,000 barrels per day, symbolises a new era of energy self-sufficiency and regional stability. According to him, these milestones, combined with over $13 billion in upstream investments in 2024, reflect renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The lawmaker also lauded the NUPRC for enforcing the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation (DCSO), which mandates producers to prioritise crude supply to local refineries before exports.

He said the policy marks a shift from rhetoric to action, ensuring local value addition, job creation, and energy independence.

To deepen reforms, Ugochinyere announced plans by his committee to push new legislative measures granting local refineries the first right of refusal on crude allocations, streamlining regulatory processes, and introducing a Refinery Protection and Promotion Bill to classify refineries as strategic national assets.

These, he said, would guarantee stability, protect investments, and promote growth across the value chain.

On labour relations, Ugochinyere emphasised that no reform can succeed without industrial harmony, urging dialogue over disruptions in resolving disputes between industry players and unions.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, called for sustained collaboration between the Executive and Legislature to address lingering challenges in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum and gas sectors.

Ekpo said the continued reform and stability of the sector required policy consistency, private sector participation, and adherence to global best practices.

He commended the Committee for convening the conference, describing it as evidence of the National Assembly’s leadership in promoting dialogue, transparency, and reform in the petroleum industry.

‘The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Celebrating Our Successes, Confronting Our Challenges, and Finding Solutions,’ is both timely and profound,’ Ekpo said. ‘It invites us to reflect on how far we have come, acknowledge the challenges before us, and collectively provide sustainable solutions that secure the future of Nigeria’s downstream industry and ensure lasting progress.’

The minister highlighted significant progress made in recent years, including the implementation of deregulation policies, market liberalisation, and renewed private investment in domestic refining and storage capacity.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda had brought new urgency to reforms within the gas value chain, driven by the Decade of Gas initiative, which seeks to deepen domestic gas utilisation, expand infrastructure, and accelerate the transition to cleaner fuels such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

‘These efforts are designed to enhance energy accessibility, reduce dependence on imported fuels, and create new economic opportunities for Nigerians, from households and small businesses to large-scale industries,’ Ekpo noted.

While celebrating these achievements, the minister acknowledged that persistent issues, such as infrastructure deficits, market vulnerabilities, supply chain inefficiencies, and regulatory uncertainty, continue to hinder progress.

‘Addressing these challenges requires sustained collaboration between the Executive and Legislature, underpinned by sound policy direction and consistent implementation,’ he said. ‘It is also a call for enhanced private sector participation, investment in technology, and adherence to global practices.’

Ekpo reaffirmed that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) is focusing on three key priorities to drive reform and stability in the sector: accelerating gas infrastructure development, promoting gas utilisation, and implementing regulatory and investment reforms.

According to him, ongoing projects such as the OB3 pipeline, the West African Gas Pipeline, and the Nigeria-Equatorial Guinea Gas Partnership are crucial to improving connectivity and supply reliability. He added that the Federal Government is also promoting the use of CNG and clean energy solutions for households, transport, and small businesses to ensure a just energy transition.

The minister stressed that transforming Nigeria’s downstream and gas sectors cannot be achieved by government alone. ‘It requires the combined effort of the Legislature, the Executive, the private sector, and the Nigerian people,’ he said.

He urged stakeholders to remain committed to partnership, innovation, and accountability in driving reforms that will make energy more affordable, accessible, and sustainable for all Nigerians.

‘Together, we can build a downstream sector that truly supports industrialisation, creates jobs, and delivers prosperity across our nation,’ he said.

Ekpo once again commended the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) for its vision and leadership in hosting the annual conference, which he described as critical to building consensus for the sustainable growth of the energy industry.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has called for legal backing for the roles of traditional rulers.

He said: ‘The absence of a constitutional role is a gap that ought to be filled. It is a failure on our part that we have not updated our laws in line with our realities.

‘That is why I believe the time has come to make this right, not necessarily by creating a new role, but by giving legal status to what already exists. It is no different from formalising a long-standing union. The marriage is real. The only thing missing is the certificate.

‘The for constitutional recognition is not a demand for privilege. It is a demand for clarity and for the protection of a role that has survived war, colonisation, military rule, and political instability.’

The governor spoke at the meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria held at the Hotel Continental on Victoria Island, Lagos.

The theme of the conference presided by the co-chairmen – Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar of Sokoto and Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi – was: ‘The traditional institution: Imperative of its inclusion in effective and efficient governance in Nigeria.’

The host, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said political leaders needed the wisdom, experience and guidance of the natural rulers to foster good governance.

The monarch held the interface with the governors to get their backing for constitutional role as the National Assembly os set to review the 1999 Constitution.

At the opening session were the host Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State), and colleagues – AbdulRaheem AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Monday Okpebholo (Edo) and Bassey Otu (Cross River); Alaafin Akeen Owoade of Oyo, Sheu Elkanemi of Borno, Ayangburen Adewale Shotobi of Ikorodu, Oore Adekunle Adeagbo of Otun’Ekiti, Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar, Olowo Ajibade Ogunoye of Owo, Akarigbo Ajayi of Remoland, Ewi Rufus Adejugbe of Ado-Ekiti, and Eze Okeke from Imo, who represented Obi Alfred Achebe.

Uzodimma, described the traditional institution as one of the Nigerian enduring system, adding that ‘its custodianship of culture, its ability to mediate disputes, its place in the lives of the people; all make it indispensable to national stability.’

The governor said whenever the subject matter of cobstitutional roles comes before the National Assembly or requires the support at any level of government, he would stand with the monarchs without hesitation.’

Sanwo-Olu described traditional institutions as ‘the vital link’ between the government and the people, noting that traditional rulers were the bridge connecting institutions of the state with community realities.

He said there is need to address the role of traditional institutions in governance, pointing out that traditional structures were respected segments of the country’s leadership system but not officially empowered despite their strong influence.

Sanwo-Olu said the relevance of traditional institutions diminished during the military incursion in politics, dealing a blow to the traditional institutions.

He said the military rule significantly eroded the laudable roles traditional rulers had played in shaping the nation and its cherished traditions.

Sanwo-Olu added: ‘With the restoration of democracy in the country since 1999, our traditional rulers are gradually asserting themselves back into national consciousness. But we are not yet there. I advise that our traditional rulers continue to push for more constitutionally-backed relevance.

‘This is the right thing to do, and we promise to support this push because we believe we need to tap from the experience and wisdom of our traditional rulers to make more progress.

‘This meeting presents a unique chance to push for clarity; not for the sake of prestige, but for practical reasons. When traditional leaders are clearly woven into our governance framework, their authority can become a valuable asset for fostering peace, resolving conflicts and driving community development. ‘As our nation grapples with complex social, economic, and security issues, it is crucial that we tap into the wisdom and influence of our royal fathers in a coordinated and structured way.’

Sanwo-Olu urged the monarchs to be steadfast pillars of integrity, fairness, and unity. He said the communities looked to the traditional institutions not just as cultural symbols, but as moral guides.

Edo House of Service Commission has invited Clerk of the Assembly, Audu Omogbai, for questioning over alleged age falsification.

The invitation of the Clerk followed a petition by some Concerned Staff of the Assembly.

The petitioners alleged that Omogbai falsified his age to remain in service.

They alleged that the Clerk’s initial appointment dated back to 1993 and that he has exceeded the mandatory 30 years of service.

The petitioners also alleged that the Clerk has surpassed the mandatory retirement age of 60 as well as obstructing investigation.

According to the petition: ‘The Clerk has allegedly withheld official file records, hindering investigations into these matters.

‘We humbly request your intervention to investigate these allegations and take appropriate actions to maintain integrity and adherence to regulations within the Edo State House of Assembly.’

It was gathered that Omogbai has been invited for questioning.

He was invited in a letter by Chairman of the Assembly Commission, Sir Ezehi Igbas.

Omogbai was asked to appear before a three-Man Ad-hoc Committee for an interview session.

The Assembly Clerk could not be reached for comments.

The Embassy of Israel in Nigeria has hailed the return of the 20 hostages after 738 days in Hamas’s captivity.

The embassy said it was never a war that Israel wanted to go into.

Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria Michael Freeman, in a statement yesterday, said the return of the hostages marks an end to the war.

Freeman also commended President Donald Trump for brokering the agreement leading to the return of the hostages.

He said: ‘Today, we welcome home the 20 living hostages who have endured the unendurable. We give thanks for their survival, and we pray for their healing. We remember with broken hearts those who did not make it home, and we renew our commitment to bring back the bodies of the 28 remaining hostages who were murdered by Hamas.

‘Israel did not seek this war. It was forced upon us by terror, hatred, and darkness. But after 738 days, we also see light – the light of freedom, the light of truth, and the light of hope.

‘As Israel has always said, the release of the hostages will bring the end of the war.

‘The end of this war must bring an end to Hamas’s reign of terror, and open the door to a future of security, dignity, and coexistence – for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

‘We extend our deepest gratitude to President Donald J. Trump, whose steadfast leadership, moral clarity, and tireless diplomacy played an instrumental role in bringing our hostages home and in advancing peace in the Middle East. His friendship with Israel and his courage in standing with the Israeli people will never be forgotten.’

Legal experts have warned that Nigerians are increasingly losing trust in the judiciary over inconsistent election verdicts and a poor understanding of how the system works.

Speaking on The Volume Pod, Mahmud Yusuf, a lawyer and justice reform advocate, and Uwais Abdulrahman, a senior project officer at the Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI), examined the role, jurisdiction, and controversies surrounding Nigeria’s election tribunals as defined in sections 239 and 285 of the 1999 Constitution.

They noted that with 3,959 petitions filed since 2003, election disputes have become a defining feature of Nigeria’s democracy.

Abdulrahman explained that electoral disputes operate under a special legal framework that determines who can challenge election outcomes.

‘Even though individuals go out to vote during elections, the procedure is that to challenge the outcome, you must have participated as a candidate or political party,’ he said.

He said Nigeria’s constitution does not recognise independent candidature, meaning only candidates sponsored by political parties, or the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the referee, can file petitions.

His words, ‘An individual who did not contest cannot bring a petition before the court. Such a person becomes what we call a meddlesome interloper – someone without locus standi.’

Yusuf, on his part, said public confidence in the judiciary has been declining because of ‘grey areas’ in electoral laws and widespread ignorance about how courts interpret cases.

‘Yes, there’s a loss of trust in the judicial process progressively. It boils down to the fact that many people don’t understand how the judicial system works,’ he said.

He cited the 2023 elections as a turning point, saying that despite the amended Electoral Act allowing INEC to transmit results electronically, it did not mandate live transmission, a loophole that sparked controversy after glitches affected the BVAS system.

‘These technical issues make it important for citizens to understand what the laws say and how the courts interpret them,’ Mahmud explained.

He added that although enthusiasm for the 2023 polls was high, voter participation declined compared to 2019, reflecting growing disillusionment.

‘Over the years, electoral judgments have shown inconsistencies. That has deepened the loss of faith in the judiciary,’ he stated.

As his name currently makes its way to the Senate for the required confirmation as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all eyes are now on Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) to make the desired difference in the nation’s electoral process.

The Constitution, under Section 154 and Paragraph 14, Part F of the Third Schedule, donates the power to appoint the Chairman of INEC to the President after consultation with the Council of State, but subject to the confirmation of the Senate.

Key criteria for appointment as INEC Chairman, as provided in the Constitution, include that such an individual to be so appointed must be non-partisan or not belong to any political party. By extension, such a person must be of unquestionable integrity.

Shortly after his nomination by President Bola Tinubu became public, rumours suddenly sneaked in, suggesting partisanship on Amupitan’s part.

Those behind the groundless claim had alleged that Amupitan was part of the legal team of President Tinubu both at the presidential election tribunal and the Supreme Court, while the dispute over the 2023 presidential election lasted.

The rumour, however, faded away in the face of evidential facts, reflecting the contrary. Lists of counsel’s appearances, contained in the certified true copies (CTC) of the three judgments rendered by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPC) and the two final judgments of the Supreme Court in the 2023 presidential election dispute, did not reflect Prof Amupitan’s name.

It, however, became obvious that those peddling the rumour might have been unable to distinguish the name of Professor Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), who appeared with Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) along with others for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from that of Prof. Joash Amupitan.

Gale of endorsements

His nomination has continued to elicit excitement within the nation’s legal circle, with many lawyers describing his choice as a welcome development.

According to the President of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), Amupitan ‘is a solid academic, a professional to the core, and a thoroughbred scholar. He is humble and sociable.’

Reverend John Baiyshea (SAN) described Amupitan’s appointment as a very positive development for the advancement of INEC’s work in the nation’s election processes.

Baiyshea added: ‘He is a brilliant, hardworking, knowledgeable, and resourceful person. He has done so well for academics as a teacher and mentor to many.

‘Hundreds of lawyers went under his learning and mentorship. Many of such lawyers are Senior Advocates of Nigeria today.

Thankfully, he is also a SAN, which is a fitting and befitting reward for his contribution to learning and legal development in Nigeria.

‘He is gentle, humble, and a strong Christian believer. So, his appointment will add value to the electoral processes in Nigeria,’ Baiyshea said.

According to Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), Amupitan ‘is a round peg in a round hole.’

The Attorney-General of Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), who also fêted the choice of Amupitan as the new head of the nation’s electoral umpire, described him as a man of ‘high integrity’ and ‘ethical standards.’

Ajulo, who recalled his days as Amupitan’s student at the University of Jos, said: ‘This prestigious call to national service is a testament to your impeccable character, profound intellect, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law and participatory democracy.’

The Ondo AG was optimistic INEC, under Amupitan, ‘will experience a new dawn of credibility, transparency, and efficiency.’

Otunba Tunde Falola said the appointment of Amupitan, who is from Kogi State, ‘helps in the optics of inclusion, balancing regional interests and potentially restoring trust among Nigerians that appointments are not overly skewed.’

Falola noted that ‘while his appointment signals potential for recalibration in electoral integrity, the challenges are enormous and must be addressed if he is to restore voter confidence and deliver free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.’

How amupitan can make a difference

The lawyers are of the view that for Amupitan to make a difference, he should be willing to engage in necessary reforms that will ensure efficiency and transparency in the electoral process.

Akinseye-George noted that working with politicians was not easy, adding: ‘If he goes to the right, the people on the left will complain, and if he goes to the left, the people on the right will complain.

‘His allegiance should therefore be to the rule of law, justice, and fairness. He should prioritize proper organisation, regulation, and monitoring of internal democracy within the political parties. If he succeeds in doing this, his problems as INEC Chairman would be minimal.

‘He should also set up joint task forces with security and intelligence agencies to prevent abusive practices and bring to book violators of electoral laws. He should try to restore dignity, integrity, and sanity to the electoral process,’ Akinseye-George said.

According to Baiyshea, INEC can only function or conduct elections according to provisions of the Electoral Act, the Constitution, and other electoral laws, rules, and regulations that the National Assembly has enacted.

‘So, as the Chairman of INEC, he (Amupitan) cannot operate or lead the electoral body to do anything outside the framework of the laws. The extent of reforms will be determined by provisions of the laws,’ he said.

Baiyshea noted that whatever innovations or reforms are needed, based on the yearnings of Nigerians, the National Assembly should amend the electoral laws accordingly so that the Chairman and INEC would administer the same.

‘The duty he (INEC Chairman) has is to ensure that credible elections are held under his watch,’ Baiyshea said.

On his part, Adetunbi said Amupitan needed to focus on the following – ‘true independence for INEC, ensuring the maximisation of the use of technology in conducting elections, and guaranteed honesty in the conduct of our elections.’

Falola also identified a number of areas that he felt the new INEC Chairman should address to enhance public confidence in the electoral process and to ensure improved citizens’ access to the ballot.

He argued that whether Amupitan will succeed depended largely on the extent to which key structural reforms are allowed, and how he uses his legal background to enforce accountability.

Falola added that if the new INEC boss ‘begins with clear, credible moves (especially around transparency, technology, and independence), there is potential for a positive legacy.’

The Abuja-based lawyer and public affairs analyst added: ‘The nomination of Prof. Joash Amupitan brings a chance, perhaps one of the more critical in Nigeria’s recent democratic journey, to reset the fundamentals of electoral governance.

‘His success or otherwise will depend largely on his audacity to carry out reforms, ensure transparency, and genuine independence of the Commission.

‘For the sake of Nigeria’s democratic credibility and sustainability, citizens, political parties, and all stakeholders must hold him accountable.

‘This is because, in the end, free elections are not simply about technical correctness; they are about legitimacy: that is, the people’s belief that their votes count and that leaders at every level of governance arise from free and fair elections.’

Falola spoke about the need for the reform of existing legal and regulatory frameworks, noting that the foundation of credible elections is the law, which stipulates what INEC is permitted to do, what legal checks exist, and how violations are sanctioned.

He noted that although the Electoral Act 2022 improved many things, loopholes still existed, thereby requiring continuous reviews.

Falola urged Amupitan, upon assuming office, to propose amendments to the Electoral Act to close existing gaps, especially in result collation, electoral offences, primaries, and voter suppression clauses.

‘He should also propose stricter penalties for malpractices and clearer timelines for adjudication of election disputes.

‘A proposal should also be made for INEC’s independence-both institutional (legal protection from political interference) and financial (secure, predictable funding, perhaps drawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund),’ Falola said.

He equally spoke on the need for transparency and prompt result transmission, noting that a major source of distrust had been result manipulation, delayed or opaque collation, and the failure of the deployed technologies.

‘Therefore, the new INEC Chairman should review the performance/failures of BVAS and IReV in 2023 and subsequent elections; identify technical and human bottlenecks and prevent future occurrence.

He should ensure real-time, or near-real-time, results transmission from polling units where feasible.

Public access to election data and results from polling unit-level results to coalition level should also top Amupitan’s agenda as this will reignite public confidence in our electoral system.

‘Amupitan will have his name written on the sands of time if he improves cybersecurity, data integrity, and audit trails for device failures in the conduct of future elections in Nigeria,’ he said.

Falola urged Amupitan to also consider implementing past reform reports issued by Justice Mohammed Uwais Committee, and the Ken Nnamani Committee, among others.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, is ‘getting better,’ Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Dare, said yesterday.

In a post on his verified X handle, @SundayDareSD, the former Minister of Youth and Sports wrote: ‘Moments ago, I got off the phone with Nigeria’s Finance Minister/COE Mr. Wale Edun in Abuja.

‘Over a bowl of Amala, we spoke for a few minutes with assurances that he was getting better.

‘I wished him the best of health. Sunday Dare Alamala Reporting’.

Presidency sources had earlier told reporters that while the minister was ‘indisposed,’ he had not suffered a stroke nor travelled abroad for treatment as widely speculated.

The South South derby between Bayelsa United and Rivers United lived up to its billing, producing intensity, passion and drama as Bayelsa United edged their more illustrious neighbours to claim a crucial 2-1 victory in Port Harcourt.

The Prosperity Boys have now won in their last two visits to Port Harcourt after the 1-0 victory of last season.

Bayelsa United Assistant Coach, Meremu Okara, attributed the hard-fought win to determination and tactical discipline, emphasizing how much the victory meant for his side.

‘We needed the three points at all costs and we made every effort to ensure that we won,’ Okara said. ‘We fought very hard and we are certain this positive result will rekindle our confidence back knowing that Rivers United are not a small team.

‘We have just stopped their unbeaten streak and it is a big booster for us. It is always like that and even when we are playing at home we must always be very prepared. It is a local derby.’

On the other hand, Rivers United head coach, Finidi George, admitted that his side’s anxious approach and tactical lapses cost them the game.

‘We were too much in a hurry and at a point we lost control after we strove to get the opener that didn’t come,’ Finidi explained. ‘They got the first goal and after then we knew they would sit on it.

‘In the second half we could have used more of our wingers just like we did towards the dying moments of the game which fetched us our only goal, but the urge to get the equalising goal exposed us. They hit us on the counter after we had strayed to get the equaliser and got their second goal.’

Sir: The sound of bulldozers has become familiar across parts of Lagos. Structures fall, dust rises, and residents watch helplessly as homes and offices are reduced to rubble. The Lagos State government says it is enforcing order through pulling down illegal and unsafe buildings to protect lives and the environment. But as the demolitions continue, accusations and counter-accusations have deepened, raising fundamental questions about fairness, planning, and accountability in Africa’s most populous city.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) explains that the exercise follows the expiration of an amnesty period on December 31, 2024. Property owners were given a window to regularize their documents, and those who failed to comply are now facing the consequences. The government insists that most of the affected buildings were erected without planning approval, on drainage channels, or on flood-prone land. In its view, the demolitions are necessary to safeguard lives and restore environmental order.

However, many residents and developers have rejected that narrative. They claim that their properties had valid approvals and that government agencies not only inspected but in some cases collected statutory payments before construction. Some accuse the state of selective enforcement and poor communication. Yet, despite these public claims, no property owner has so far made full documentation public or approached the courts to test their validity. On the other hand, the state government has not promised any independent investigation into whether some of its officials may have erred in granting or verifying approvals.

This mutual silence feeds a larger question: why are demolitions happening now? Lagos is not a new city. It has existed for centuries and has been Nigeria’s commercial capital for decades. One would imagine that such an old, well-mapped city should no longer be grappling with confusion about where buildings can or cannot stand. If houses are springing up on waterways or under power lines, who issued the permits? Who turned a blind eye during construction? If the government now calls these structures illegal, does that not also expose weaknesses within its own approval and monitoring systems?

The situation also blurs the line between legality and enforcement. Many Lagosians now ask whether the demolitions are truly about protecting the public or about covering institutional lapses. Ironically, some who once justified the demolitions have later found their own properties marked for removal. Having lost their buildings, they now admit that those who were first affected might also have held valid documents. Such reversals have eroded confidence in the fairness and transparency of the exercise.

Urban experts argue that while building control is essential, enforcement must be guided by due process and humane execution. When demolitions occur suddenly, without adequate notice, or without visible channels for redress, they create resentment and social distrust. The absence of compensation or alternative housing arrangements compounds the hardship. In a city already struggling with housing shortages, every demolished structure represents not just a personal loss but an addition to Lagos’s housing deficit.

The challenge now is how Lagos can balance order with justice. Clearer communication is a start. The government could publish a verified list of all affected properties, the specific infractions involved, and the agencies responsible for approvals. Independent technical assessments, by professional bodies outside government, could help verify claims from both sides. Where officials are found to have approved illegal constructions, accountability should be pursued openly.

Equally, developers and homeowners must embrace transparency. Those who claim to have valid papers should be willing to release them for scrutiny. Taking legitimate cases to court could clarify the limits of government authority and strengthen public trust in the process.

Beyond enforcement, Lagos must also improve urban planning at the preventive level. Building control should begin long before foundations are laid, with accessible digital systems that clearly mark restricted zones and drainage paths. Regular public education about building regulations would help citizens understand where not to build and why.

For now, the dust from the bulldozers is gradually settling on deeper issues: trust, planning, and the rule of law. Demolitions may clear the skyline, but they also expose cracks in governance that paperwork alone cannot cover. Lagos must not only enforce order-it must also demonstrate fairness, transparency, and foresight. Only then will its rebuilding be more than the destruction of walls; it will be the reconstruction of confidence in how the city is run.