Category: Business Day

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, was filed by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others, challenging the legality of the six-month suspension imposed on the senator for alleged misconduct. The plaintiffs argued that the suspension denied the people of Kogi Central adequate representation in the Senate and sought her immediate reinstatement.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, Justice James Omotosho held that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi, the legal right to challenge the Senate’s decision and consequently dismissed the case for lack of merit.

The Pan-African Business Forum (PABF) has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to suspend its ongoing investigation into Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan KC, warning that the process risks damaging the court’s credibility and fairness.

In a petition delivered in The Hague to Ambassador Päivi Kaukoranta, President of the ICC Assembly of States Parties, Ladislas Prosper Agbesi, PABF Chairman said the organisation had ‘profound concerns’ about the impartiality of the inquiry. Khan, who became ICC prosecutor in 2021, has been on leave since late last year following sexual misconduct allegations. His deputies are currently leading the Office of the Prosecutor while the external investigation continues.

The forum alleged that the process lacks transparency, citing whistle-blower claims that members of the ICC Bureau – which oversees parts of the court’s administration – may have been compromised. It accused a Ugandan diplomat of ‘intense lobbying for succession,’ including inappropriate contact with the complainant at the centre of the allegations. According to PABF, recordings in its possession suggest the diplomat had already taken a stance against Khan before the inquiry began. ‘These developments risk undermining not only the integrity of the Court but also wider confidence in multilateral institutions at a time of global instability,’ the group said.

PABF called for the suspension of the investigation to allow independent verification of its claims. It demanded that the inquiry determine whether the complainants or any individuals linked to the case had direct or indirect contact with ICC Bureau members, and whether the Court’s leadership had been influenced by lobbying. The petition also flagged issues of ‘improper disclosure, disparaging commentary, sanctions and intimidation,’ which it said required urgent attention.

While reaffirming its support for the ICC’s mission, the PABF warned that the Court’s credibility ‘is now under strain’ and urged decisive steps to ‘restore confidence and safeguard the Court’s integrity.’

At least two persons have been confirmed dead while others sustained various degrees of injuries following a fatal road crashed when a truck had head collision with another car in the Maiduguri Metropolis, the Borno State capital on Friday evening, eyewitness sources said.

The incident occurred at about 7:45pm at the Commissioner of Police junction traffic light in Maiduguri on Friday night.

According to eyewitnesses accounts, the accident involved a truck and Mazda car alongside with a tricycle (Keke Napep), claiming the lives of two persons instantly and unspecified numbers were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Shettima Dogo, an eyewitness said, ‘I have always wanted to write on the issue of these heavy truck drivers, especially the government owned truck drivers.

‘The recent killings by heavy trucks are getting out of hand, the public have been so patient about it. Especially at the Police Commissioner traffic light junction, they don’t wait for the red light whenever it comes on.

‘The traffic officials, BOTMA and other policemen at the junction are busy collecting money from Keke Napep riders and drivers of saloon cars who followed the heavy trucks in violating the traffic rules and leaving the heavy duty trucks to go free.

‘I believe this accident this evening will bring a lot of changes otherwise one day people will protest and things may get out of hand,’ Dogo warned.

Abba Saleh, another resident also added: ‘I witnessed a terrible accident in Damboa road junction yesterday and wondered how a fatal accident will happen in a busy junction that has a traffic light. The level of our impatience and traffic offence in this town is unbecoming.’

The residents has urged Governor Babagana Zulum to checkmate the notorious activities of police and BOTMA personnel in the area to forestall future occurrences.

Efforts to obtain official comments from Kenneth Daso, the State Police Public Relations Officer, proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.

Nigeria is hard already. And let’s be sincere, the ever-rising cost of data is making it even harder. We live in a time when the Internet has become even more popular than it ever was, and we must always stay informed about global happenings.

According to the Global Broadband Pricing League Table 2024 compiled by Cable.co.uk, Nigeria ranked 51st globally for Africa with an average monthly broadband cost of $21.89.

Despite this, we can run out of data as a result of too many data-draining apps running at once.

You load 5GB today, and before you know it, everything is gone. But the good news is that there are simple hacks to stretch your data and make it last longer.

You don’t need to stop enjoying your phone; you just need to use it smarter. Here are five hacks that can help you save data.

Turn Off Auto-Play for Videos

Social media apps like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and even Twitter automatically play videos as you scroll through them. This eats up data quickly without you realising it. Go to the settings of each app and switch off auto-play or set it to ‘Wi-Fi only.’

That way, videos won’t load unless you choose to watch them. This small change can save hundreds of megabytes every day, especially if you spend a lot of time online. You control what you watch, not the app.

Use Data Saver Mode

Both Android and iPhone have built-in data saver options. When enabled, this setting automatically reduces data usage by blocking heavy background processes and lowering the image or video quality.

For example, Google Chrome has a ‘Lite Mode’ that compresses web pages before loading. It may sound small, but every MB saved counts. Activate data saver mode whenever you are browsing or streaming on mobile data.

Download Instead of Streaming

Streaming music, movies, or even lectures eats data quickly. A smart hack is to download when you have Wi-Fi, then watch or listen offline later. Most platforms, such as YouTube, Spotify, and Netflix, allow offline downloads.

The same applies to documents, e-books, or podcasts. Additionally, it prevents the repeated streaming of the same content, as you now have it downloaded and saved on your phone.

Monitor Your Data Usage Regularly

One reason people run out of data quickly is that they don’t track where it goes. Both Android and iPhone have features that show which apps consume the most data. Check weekly and identify the culprits.

You may be surprised that a single app, such as Instagram or YouTube, is consuming half your data bundle. Once you know, you can set limits, reduce usage, or switch to Wi-Fi for heavy browsing.

Disable Background App Data

Many apps run in the background even when you’re not using them. They check for updates, send notifications, or sync data. This drains your data silently. On Android or iPhone, go to ‘Data Usage’ or ‘Background App Refresh’ in settings and switch it off for non-essential apps. Leave it on only for apps you truly need, like email or WhatsApp.

Major roads in Jos and Bukuru were closed to traffic Saturday morning as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Plateau State for the burial of Nana Lydia Yilwada, mother of Nentawe Yilwada, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Joyce Lohya Ramnap, commissioner of Information and Communication in Plateau State, had earlier announced traffic diversions starting from 7 am on October 4, to ensure smooth movement of the presidential entourage and maintain public safety during the high-profile visit.

Affected routes included the Mararaban Jama’a-Bukuru expressway, Dadin-Kowa through Old Airport to Plateau Hospital roundabout, and Hillstation roundabout to COCIN Headquarters/Central Bank road. Commuters were advised to use alternative routes to avoid delays.

A heavy security presence was observed across the Jos metropolis, with personnel from various security agencies stationed at strategic points to control movement and prevent any disruptions during the presidential visit.

The burial event, attended by top political and traditional leaders, drew significant attention as residents lined nearby streets to catch a glimpse of the president and other dignitaries.

Ramnap appealed for public understanding, stating the measures were temporary and aimed at preserving public peace and security during the solemn occasion.

The presidency had earlier said President Bola Tinubu will, in continuation of his tour of states, on Saturday, visit Jos, Plateau State, where he will meet a cross-section of religious leaders.

Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the President, while in the Plateau State capital, will also attend the funeral prayers in honour of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the APC National Chairman, Nantewe Yilwatda.

The President’s meeting with Church Leaders across the North is expected to take place at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, COCIN, in Jos.

Onanuga said that President Tinubu will return to Lagos on the same day after the visit.

The Obidient Movement has raised concerns over a viral video showing Adekunle Mustapha, popularly known as Sego, the Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), allegedly threatening voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In the video, Sego was heard speaking in Yoruba, warning that anyone who votes against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming election would ‘be dealt with.’ His comments have sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians, particularly members of the Obidient Movement, who view the remarks as a dangerous sign of potential election violence.

‘Anybody who makes mistakes in 2027 will be dealt with. Let them know that the APC is the party you’ll vote for. Anybody who refuses to do so will meet us,’ Sego said in the video.

Reacting to the clip, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, condemned Sego’s remarks and urged authorities to take immediate action. Tanko recalled that similar threats and acts of violence occurred during the 2023 elections in Lagos, especially against supporters of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.

According to him, members of the NURTW and political thugs allegedly attacked voters during the 2023 elections, particularly in areas where Peter Obi enjoyed massive support. ‘We remember with sadness the violence unleashed by these same NURTW members and other thugs in 2023. Many of our supporters were beaten, injured, and even killed just for exercising their right to vote,’ Tanko said.

In a statement released on Friday, the Obidient Movement accused the ruling APC of using intimidation tactics to suppress voters and retain power. The group said the party had resorted to threats and violence because it had failed to deliver good governance that could win the people’s trust.

‘The APC realises it cannot win free and fair elections due to its failure to deliver good governance,’ the statement read. ‘What we are seeing now is a continuation of the same old pattern using fear to control the electorate.’

The group also demanded that President Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and security agencies immediately arrest and prosecute Mustapha for his remarks, which they described as incitement to violence.

‘The NURTW is registered as a trade union, but it has for years been used as a tool of intimidation, violence, and political manipulation,’ Tanko said. ‘We are calling on President Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu, the Police, DSS, and the Military to act now. This cannot continue. Lagosians and Nigerians must be free to vote for whoever they choose without fear.’

Tanko further appealed to the international community to pay attention to the situation in Nigeria, warning that continued silence could lead to unrest. ‘If the government fails to protect its citizens, people may be forced to defend themselves, and that could lead to anarchy,’ he cautioned. Following public outrage, the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly invited Mustapha for questioning. He was later released on bail after making a statement to security officials.

In response to the controversy, Mustapha denied threatening anyone, insisting that his words were taken out of context. He said his comments were directed only to union members and not the general public. ‘This afternoon, I was invited by the DSS over false allegations that I insulted some groups while addressing our members,’ he said in a statement after his release.

‘These rumours are baseless. I have always been a man of peace, and my messages are directed only to our members. Everyone has the right to associate freely and choose their affiliations, and I fully respect that.’

He also claimed that some people were trying to use the situation to discredit him and the NURTW in Lagos. ‘This is clearly an attempt to destabilise me and the NURTW. I remain committed to peace, unity, and the progress of our organisation,’ he added.

Mustapha urged media outlets and bloggers to be fair in their reporting and to verify information before publishing. ‘I appreciate online bloggers for informing the public, but I strongly warn you not to be biased. Verify information before posting about me or the NURTW,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Obidient Movement has maintained its call for accountability, insisting that such statements cannot be ignored, especially given Nigeria’s fragile democracy and history of electoral violence. The group said the safety of voters must be a priority as the 2027 elections draw closer.

Analysts fear that statements like Sego’s could further heighten tensions in Lagos, where political rivalry often spills into violence. Civil society groups have also urged security agencies to act swiftly, saying allowing threats to go unchecked would embolden others.

For many Nigerians, the controversy is a reminder of the need to strengthen electoral security and ensure that every citizen can vote freely. As one Lagos resident put it, ‘We just want to vote without fear. Elections should not be a war.’

While Mustapha insists his words were misunderstood, the Obidient Movement is not convinced. The group has vowed to continue pushing for justice and accountability, saying the fight for free and fair elections must continue.

As the dust settles, the incident has reignited debate about the role of transport unions in Nigerian politics and the urgent need for reform. With 2027 still two years away, observers warn that how the government handles this case could set the tone for the next election season.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday paid glowing tribute to the late Mama Lydia Yilwatda at her final interment service in COCIN church Jos, describing her as a ‘mother of the community, a mother of the state, and a humanitarian.’

The president, while addressing mourners and dignitaries, emphasised the need for national unity, religious harmony, and selfless leadership.

Speaking at the historic church where the funeral service was held, President Tinubu thanked the clergy for their role in promoting peace and moral values. ‘Hate is not an option for us. Love is what we must continue to preach-love for one another,’ he said, calling on Nigerians to embrace contentment, faith, and unity in honour of the values Mama Yilwatda represented.

Tinubu reflected on his own mother’s passing, recalling a personal experience that resonated with many in attendance. ‘When I buried my own mother, I found peace in her prayers’, he said.

‘The prayer of every mother is that her child succeeds-and you will’, Tinubu told Nentawe Yilwatda, APC national chairman. He encouraged the bereaved family to celebrate Mama’s life with gratitude and peace.

The president also lauded Yilwatda, calling him ‘a great thinker, a progressive mind, and a performer.’ He said the overwhelming turnout of governors, public officials, and dignitaries at the funeral was a testament to the chairman’s character and the legacy of his late mother.

Recalling his political roots in Plateau State, Tinubu mentioned past meetings during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) days at the home of Ambassador Goshwe, noting that those discussions helped shape the nation’s democratic journey.

‘I am grateful to God that I am alive today and privileged to serve as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ he said.

The president further reaffirmed his belief in religious freedom, citing his interfaith marriage as an example of tolerance and harmony.

‘I was raised in a Muslim family, and my wife is a pastor who prays for me always. We may differ in faith, but we pray to the same Almighty God’, he said.

Tinubu prayed for the repose of Mama Yilwatda’s soul and comfort for her family and the Plateau community.

‘May the Almighty God accept the soul of Mama Lydia Yilwatda and grant blessings and comfort to all she left behind,’ he added.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has insisted he will not resign despite mounting pressure over the club’s poor start to the season.

The Portuguese coach faces a crucial test on Saturday when Man United host Sunderland at Old Trafford, following a humiliating 3-1 defeat to Brentford in their last Premier League outing.

Amorim’s side have collected just seven points from six matches this season and sit 14th in the table.

Since replacing Erik ten Hag last November, he has overseen only 34 points in 33 league games, persisting with a 3-4-3 system that has so far failed to deliver results.

Although reports have suggested Amorim has considered quitting in the past, the 39-year-old made it clear this time that stepping down is not on the table.

‘That is a decision of the board. I cannot do that,’ Amorim told reporters. ‘Sometimes I have that feeling – losing is hard. It’s so frustrating when you create momentum, go to the next game, and something happens. That feeling hurts me, the players, and especially the staff.

‘But that is not my decision. And I think it would be really hard to leave if I don’t do everything to follow my career here.’

United’s clash with Sunderland is being billed as a potential turning point for Amorim, with pressure intensifying on the manager to deliver results and halt the club’s slide.

The global beauty industry is worth nearly $600 billion. From Seoul’s glass-skin trend to Paris haute couture, entire markets rise and fall on how beauty is packaged and sold. But there is one glaring gap in this glossy ecosystem: Black hair.

For decades, Afro-textured hair has been treated as an afterthought, either shoehorned into products never designed for it or exoticised in fleeting fashion moments. Despite Black women being among the industry’s most loyal and highest-spending consumers, the innovation pipeline has rarely flowed their way.

Enter Olivia Emeodi, founder of Captive Hair. From Lagos, she is building what many in beauty have long overlooked: a scalable, innovation-driven brand that takes Black hair seriously as a site of identity, creativity, and global influence.

While most protective styles remain heavy, painful, or damaging, Emeodi has pioneered more than ten faux loc styles and fifteen techniques designed specifically for Afro hair. Her approach? Make beauty painless, wearable, and culturally resonant.

‘Black women have been told to shrink themselves into hairstyles that don’t belong to us,’ Emeodi says. ‘We deserve solutions built with us in mind, not adaptations of someone else’s blueprint.’

Captive Hair isn’t just a salon concept. It’s a platform. Through Captive Hair Magazine, Emeodi is curating narratives of Afro beauty with the same seriousness Western glossies reserve for Paris or Milan. Through her techniques, she’s proving that what starts in Lagos can shape global beauty norms.

Her work is also business-savvy: by addressing pain points Black women face daily, she is positioning Captive Hair as a scalable African brand that speaks to a $1.2 trillion global Black beauty market.

Emeodi’s story is not just about hair. It’s about correcting a structural imbalance in who gets to define beauty worldwide. Korean beauty went global because it was framed as innovation, not niche. Emeodi argues African beauty deserves the same stage.

‘If the world can learn to layer ten-step routines from Seoul, it can learn to value the ingenuity of African hair culture,’ she says. ‘The future of beauty cannot be complete without us.’

By treating Afro hair as both an art form and a business opportunity, Emeodi is positioning herself as a thought leader and Captive Hair as a global disruptor. For too long, Black women’s hair has been a site of compromise; with Captive Hair, it is becoming a site of pride, innovation, and possibility.

The beauty industry may not have been ready for this conversation. But Olivia Emeodi is ensuring it can no longer look away.

President Bola Tinubu has commended Governor Otti for the quality of work executed so far, as well as his commitment to infrastructural renewal across Abia State.

President Tinubu, made the commendation Friday, while inaugurating the remodelled Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, by Governor Alex Otti-led Administration.

The iconic structure, originally built decades ago, has long served as the epicentre of official state functions and civic engagements in Abia State.

Governor Otti, upon assumption of office, ordered its complete facelift to restore its grandeur and reposition it as a befitting venue for governance, cultural events and socio-political gatherings.

President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, described the remodelling as a ‘miracle of transformation’ and noted that the edifice is a befitting honour to Michael Okpara, the late Premier of the Eastern Region.

‘I lived and worked here in Umuahia. The water project, I was part and parcel of it, as a young engineer. And I know how that route was, all the way from the tower going to Umuahia.

‘But today, I saw a miracle taking place. And I thought that was a miracle. But when I crossed the tower, I saw a more miraculous infrastructure.

‘I’m told that we are going to be seeing wonders. Some are federal projects constructed by the Governor, others are state projects. But projects, whether they are federal or state, the important thing is to touch the lives of the people of our state’, Umahi said.

The Minister, who conveyed President Tinubu’s goodwill to the people of Abia State, explained that the President was unavoidably absent, due to the passing of the mother of the APC National Chairman, whose burial is scheduled for tomorrow.

He, however, assured that the President would personally visit the State later in December and emphasised the President’s recognition of the South-East in national politics.

‘And let me bring greetings of our dear leader, our father, our President. President for all.

‘The President that has recognised the Southeast people. The President that has reintegrated us in the affairs of the nation. The President who has love for the people of Southeast and other regions.

‘Mr. President asked me to let you know that he will be with you later this year, sometime in December. He would have been here himself, but unfortunately, our National Chairman lost his mother, and she is being buried tomorrow.

And it’s right that the President is there, that’s why he has asked me to stand in for him and to commission the numerous projects’, the Minister disclosed.

He urged the people to emulate the late Michael Okpara’s style in politics, adding that the late Okpara reintegrated the people of the South East to the government at the Centre.

‘I was with the President, and he said something that touched me so much. He has respect for His Excellency the late Michael Okpara.

‘He said to me, Dave, ask your people to play the kind of politics that His Excellency the late Michael Okpara played. He played to the centre. He integrated the people of Southeast to the centre. That’s what he told me.

‘And I’m happy that he’s been honoured by the reason of this edifice being renovated in his name’, Umahi said.

Earlier, while handing over the facility for inauguration, Governor Alex Otti recalled the poor state of the auditorium before its reconstruction, noting that the facility was in a dilapidated state before his administration commenced its reconstruction in 2023.

‘This is the Michael Okpara Auditorium, which was left in a dilapidated state. Towards the end of 2023, we started working on it.

‘I am glad that today it is a standing edifice worthy of beholding, and by the time we take a step inside, Your Excellency, you will be happy with the quality of work that is done’, Otti stated.