Category: PM News

A Federal High Court in Abuja has given detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, a final chance to present his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial or lose the right to do so.

Justice James Omotosho said it was his duty to give the defendant enough time to defend himself, noting that Kanu had so far failed to open his defence despite several opportunities.

“We had adjourned till today for the defendant to put in his defence or be deemed closed. But I am bound to give him another opportunity. If he does not, I will deem him closed,” the judge said, adding that Kanu, who is not a lawyer, will be given one last chance.

The case was adjourned till November 7.

The judge was ruling on a request by the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who asked the court to foreclose Kanu’s defence after he failed to use five of the six days set aside for his case.

womolo told the court that Kanu had insisted he would not enter any defence, claiming there were no valid charges against him.

Earlier, Kanu, who represented himself in court, repeated his position that he would not defend himself because the charges were invalid.

Justice Omotosho also cautioned Kanu’s former lawyers to act ethically in all matters relating to the case.

By Naomi Sharang (NAN)

The Nigerian Senate has approved a landmark bill prescribing up to 14 years imprisonment for any educator convicted of sexually harassing a student in a tertiary institution.

The move was widely hailed as a decisive step toward cleansing the nation’s campuses of academic exploitation and abuse.

The legislation, titled Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597), was presented for concurrence on Wednesday by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Oyelola Ashiru, during plenary.

The bill seeks to establish a robust legal framework for protecting students from sexual misconduct by lecturers, supervisors, and other academic officials.

shiru said the law was crafted to “safeguard students from any form of sexual abuse and ensure accountability within the educational system,” while maintaining ethical standards in academic institutions.

He explained that the bill reinforces the sanctity of the student-teacher relationship, which must be founded on authority, trust, and respect for human dignity.

Under the new law, offenders found guilty of offences outlined in Clauses 4 (1), (2), and (3) face a jail term of not less than five years and up to fourteen years, without an option of a fine. Lesser offences specified under Clauses 4 (4), (5), and (6) attract imprisonment of between two and five years, also without the possibility of a fine.

The bill also empowers victims to pursue civil action for breach of fiduciary duty, using the same standard of proof as in civil proceedings. It lists several prohibited acts, including demanding sexual favours, making unwelcome advances, engaging in unwanted physical contact, or inducing others to commit harassment.

During deliberations, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) urged lawmakers to consider expanding the bill’s coverage to include the workplace and other professional settings, arguing that sexual harassment is not confined to educational institutions.

“There is no reason to restrict this legislation to students alone,” Oshiomhole said. “We should design a law with broader application that protects every Nigerian from harassment.”

However, Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, clarified that the bill, already passed by the House of Representatives, was limited to concurrence and that existing statutes already address sexual harassment in workplace contexts.

Following the debate, the Senate unanimously adopted and passed the bill for third reading, marking a major victory for advocates of students’ rights and gender protection in Nigeria’s education system.

Regina Daniels’ older brother, Sweezy, has taken to social media to demand public support following the arrest and alleged arraignment of their brother, Sammy West.

Sammy was reportedly picked up by security operatives in Lagos on Monday, November 3, and has since been transferred to Abuja. According to Sweezy, the family has been denied access to him, and he has already been charged in court.

In a fresh Instagram post shared on Wednesday afternoon, Sweezy urged Nigerians to protest against what he described as an unjust arrest, vowing not to stop until his brother regains freedom.

“Enough is enough. I’m calling on Nigerians to stand with us. My brother has been moved to Abuja and arraigned secretly. We won’t stop fighting. We need a protest,” he wrote.

By Ayox Ojo

A former Deputy Director at the Kwara State Directorate of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dare Adebowale Oladapo, has been convicted for falsifying his age and fraudulently receiving salaries and allowances for four months after his due retirement from service.

Oladapo who was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was convicted by Justice Ibrahim Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, on Tuesday, 7th October 2025.

ICPC had opened investigation of the former deputy director following a petition by Ilorin-based legal practitioner, F. F. Ikebundu, Esq., of Ayo Ajomole and Co.

Investigations by the Commission revealed that the defendant had falsified his date of birth to extend his years of service unlawfully and, in doing so, conferred an undue advantage upon himself.

Prosecuting Counsels to the ICPC, Messrs. Kalu Ugbo and Zainab Moshood, informed the court that the defendant’s fraudulent conduct resulted in the receipt of unearned salaries and allowances amounting to 1,233,258.95 between 2019 and 2020.

Specifically, Count 1 bothering on the Defendant’s corrupt act wherein he orchestrated the alteration of his date of birth at the National Population Commission to elongate his years of service in the public service is an offence contrary to Section 25(1) (a) and punishable under Section (25) (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

Count 2 against the Defendant relates to his contravention of Section 25 (1) (a), which is punishable under Section 25 (1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

The charge highlighted the Defendant’s misleading intent as it pinpoints that he made false statement of Oath in an Affidavit dated 15/02/2012 with which he maintained his falsified date of birth as 11th November,1964 as against 11th November,1959 and with which he ultimately altered his record of service at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development since inception of his employment in 1997.

Count 3 reads “That you Dare Adebowale Oladapo “m” on or about the month of December 2019 to April 2020 at Ilorin Kwara State as Deputy Director in the Service of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development used your said office to confer unfair advantage upon yourself in the sum of N1,233,258.95k (One Million, Two Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Eight Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo) being salaries and allowances earned by you from December 2019 to April 2020 when you ought to have retired from the public service but manipulated your record to extend your service years and you thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000″.

fter a thorough trial, Justice Yusuf found Mr. Oladapo guilty on Counts One and Two for making a false statement and conferring a corrupt advantage upon himself, in violation of Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The court, however, discharged and acquitted him on Count Three.

Consequently, the court sentenced the defendant to two years’ imprisonment, with an option of a 100,000 fine on each of the two counts.

In addition, the court ordered him to refund the total sum of 1,233,258.95 to the Federal Government, representing the salaries and allowances he unlawfully collected during the four months he overstayed in service.

Following the judgment, the convict promptly paid the 200,000 fine for Counts One and Two and refunded the full sum of 1,233,258.95 into the ICPC Recovery Account as directed by the court.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to take urgent steps to end the ongoing strike by resident doctors and ensure their immediate return to work.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made this known while addressing journalists on Monday in Abuja. He said the President’s order followed growing concern over the disruption of medical services across the country.

Salako apologised to Nigerians affected by the strike and assured that the government was doing “everything possible and legitimate” to resolve the crisis.

“Mr. President has expressly directed that we must ensure the resident doctors resume work without delay,” he said.

The minister explained that the government had been in talks with leaders of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) over 19 demands raised by the union.

He said the dispute began after a circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) caused division among health workers. The circular was later withdrawn to allow for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) involving all unions, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

Salako added that although the CBA committee had met 12 times, disagreements over salaries and the appointment of non-doctor health workers as consultants led to a temporary suspension of talks.

To resolve the crisis, the ministry hired a professor of industrial relations to mediate between the unions, and an interim report has already been submitted.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government had recruited over 14,000 health workers in 2024 and plans to hire another 23,000 across 78 federal health institutions this year.

Salako revealed that President Tinubu had approved an increase in the retirement age of clinical health workers to 65 years and released 21.3 billion to clear outstanding arrears — with 60 percent already paid.

He urged health unions to cooperate with the government to achieve lasting peace in the sector, stressing that reforms must be handled carefully to ensure sustainability.

“The health sector works as a team. No cadre can function effectively in isolation,” he said.

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, said it has impounded 155 vehicles during clampdown by its operatives on illegal roadside activities across Lagos Island.

The operation targeted unlawful garages, makeshift shanties, and informal trading spots that had become hubs of gridlock, environmental nuisance, and insecurity, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, confirmed in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos

The operation by LASTMA covered Ebute-Ero, Oke-Arin Market, Odofin Street, Elegbata, and Marina under the Oando Bridge.

Aiwa said the impounded vehicles included tricycles and heavily loaded trucks operating illegal garages and parks, causing serious traffic disruptions in the area.

According to him, the enforcement aligned with LASTMA’s strengthened 24-hour traffic management mandate and the government’s mobility and compliance agenda.

He added that the exercise forms part of efforts to ensure traffic order before, during, and after the upcoming festive season.

He restated Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to maintaining law and order across all transport corridors through strict enforcement and zero tolerance for infractions.

Aiwa warned that illegal garages, roadside markets, and shanties had continued to undermine efforts to ensure smooth traffic flow in Lagos.

He said the impoundments signalled that the government would no longer tolerate activities disrupting public order or endangering lives and property.

He added that the goal was to promote a safe, organised, and clean urban environment for motorists and pedestrians while restoring civility to key routes.

Aiwa assured that the enforcement drive would continue and expand to other parts of the state where similar violations persist.

He urged drivers, traders, and transport operators to obey traffic and environmental laws, noting that voluntary compliance remained essential for an orderly transport system.

Authorities said these spots are long-standing congestion points caused by illegal parking, street trading, and makeshift garages.

They observed that the illicit activities obstruct traffic and pose safety risks to pedestrians and legitimate businesses in the vicinity.

Former Ekiti State governor and PDP stalwart, Ayodele Fayose, has declared that thePeoples Democratic Party is effectively dead in Ekiti State, describing its governorship hopefuls as being “in self-deception.”

Speaking in Ado Ekiti, Fayose lamented that the PDP no longer has any functional structure or active gatherings in the state, adding that the party’s decline mirrors its national woes.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday warned detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, that it may close his defence if he fails to open his case at the next sitting.

Kanu, who has been representing himself after sacking his legal team, again refused to open his defence in the seven-count terrorism case filed against him by the Federal Government.

He maintained that he has no case to answer, arguing that there is no valid charge against him before the court.

Kanu urged the judge to take note of his earlier motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction, saying he is being tried for an offence that does not exist under Nigerian law. He also demanded his immediate release from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody, where he has been held since 2021.

However, the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), faulted the documents filed by Kanu, describing them as incompetent and improperly submitted.

Awomolo accused the IPOB leader of wasting the court’s time and urged Justice James Omotosho to treat Kanu’s documents as his final written address, so that judgment can be delivered.

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho disagreed with the prosecution, saying the court would consider the documents in its judgment.

The judge noted that since Kanu is not a lawyer, he would be given another chance to seek legal advice. But he warned that the court would close his right to defence if he fails to proceed with his case at the next hearing.

The matter was adjourned till Wednesday for continuation of trial.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have expressed interest in forging a partnership to combat illicit trade by strengthening border control and intelligence sharing between the two countries.

The organisations expressed this interest during a visit by NCS Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi to GRA Commissioner-General Anthony Sarpong at the GRA headquarters on Monday in Accra.

Speaking during the visit, Sarpong urged Nigeria and Ghana to strengthen intelligence sharing and harmonise customs procedures to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.

Represented by Brig.-Gen. Glover Annan, Commissioner of the Customs Division at GRA, Sarpong said the partnership was crucial for promoting best practices in trade operations while upholding integrity and excellence.

He added that the NCS had continued to inspire Ghana’s vision and innovation in customs operations.

Sarpong described Adeniyi’s visit as necessary to galvanise support for the Customs-Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) conference scheduled to hold in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the C-PACT initiative, conceived by the NCS in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), will hold its conference in Abuja from Nov. 17 to Nov. 19.

Supported by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), C-PACT aims to set new standards for cross-border cooperation and trade facilitation by establishing a transparent and agile customs framework that promotes lawful trade and sustainable economic growth.

“Your visit today also reflects the strong and enduring bond between Ghana and Nigeria.

“Our nations are united by history, culture, and a shared vision to strengthen customs operations,” Sarpong said.

In his remarks, Adeniyi noted that criminal elements were exploiting gaps in Africa’s customs administrations to perpetrate illicit trade, requiring concerted efforts to address.

He said Ghana and Nigeria could review their previous agreement on joint customs operations to align with current realities in the sector and enhance trade facilitation.

“Back then in 2001, we actually signed the document bringing our two customs administrations together.

“It would be my wish that we take a second look at the document and see how we can breathe more life into it and seek further areas where we can collaborate.

“I was in the Netherlands last week, and our colleagues in customs told me about how criminals are now exploiting the gaps between customs administrations in our region.

“They use these gaps as avenues of evil to transport dangerous drugs into the Netherlands, which is seen as a gateway into Europe.”

“So, the more we work together and more closely in exchanging intelligence, building capacity, the more we will be able to forge a stronger bond against these criminals, he said.

He said his visit to the GRA’s boss was to seek his support for the success of the C-PACT conference.

He added that it was also to explore strategies on how best customs administrations could play their role in increasing trade volumes in Africa under the framework of the AfCFTA.

“The mission is for us to see how better customs can play its role as the major promoter of AfCFTA.

” We want to increase the volume of trade that we do in Africa. We want trade to be a source of economic growth and prosperity for the people of Africa.

“We have very big markets. We have potentials to do it, and we have been identified as the largest continental bloc, he said.

(NAN)

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, has urged peace-loving Christians and Muslims to use former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statement on alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria as a call for unity and collective action.

The Chairman of the association, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that rather than viewing Trump’s comments as divisive, Nigerians should see them as an opportunity to work together to end killings and religious intolerance across the country.

Trump had, in a recent statement, alleged that Christians in Nigeria were facing persecution and urged global attention to the situation.

His remarks have since stirred public debate within and outside the country.

The CAN chairman, therefore, said the statement should serve as a wake-up call for both faith communities to demand concrete steps from the government to ensure the safety and freedom of all citizens, irrespective of religion or identity.

“Trump’s statement about Christian genocide in Nigeria should be an opportunity for peace-loving Christians and Muslims to unite and demand concrete action by our government to stop the killing of anybody because of religion or any form of identity,” Hayab said.

ccording to him, a fair reading of Trump’s words reveals concern rather than condemnation, and portrays the voice of an outsider urging Nigerians to uphold peace and unity.

“If you choose to read President Trump’s statement with an open mind, you will simply hear the voice of a visitor who cares about you and wants you to do something serious to enjoy peace and unity in your country,” he added.

Hayab cautioned against individuals or groups who might twist the former U.S. leader’s remarks to fuel division among Nigerians.

“We should disregard those who are manipulating and twisting what was said to instigate us against one another to divide us further.

He said if nothing is done, his military will come after the terrorists, not after Nigerians — or are some of us admitting that they are part of the terrorists?” he asked.

The cleric reiterated that what Nigerians desire is freedom for everyone to practice their faith without fear or discrimination.

“What we want is freedom for all to practice our faith, whether we are Christians, Muslims, or free thinkers,” he said.

Hayab appealed to religious leaders, government authorities, and citizens to prioritise peacebuilding and genuine national reconciliation.

(NAN)