Category: PM News

Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has announced the death of his mother, Nkechi Stella Rhodes-Vivour.

Rhodes-Vivour disclosed the development in a statement posted on his official X account on Monday.

The family described the deceased, whose maiden name was Waboso, as a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother.

‘With sadness in our hearts and gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the call to glory of Nkechi Stella Rhodes-Vivour,’ the statement read.

The family also described her as ‘the epitome of love,’ adding that she would be greatly missed.

Rhodes-Vivour prayed for his mother’s soul to rest in peace.

The statement, issued on behalf of the family by Olawale Rhodes-Vivour, said funeral arrangements would be announced later.

Rhodes-Vivour, who contested the 2023 Lagos governorship election under the Labour Party, is now the ADC candidate for the 2027 election after securing the party’s ticket in May 2026.

Gunmen have kidnapped a 60-year-old headmaster, Kolawale Mathew Owoade, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State and demanded N30 million for his release.

Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye, is the headmaster of Nomadic Basic School in Igbojaye, Budo Aare.

He was abducted between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday while returning from his farm in the Budo Aare area.

His son, Abiola Owoade, said the kidnappers contacted the family shortly after the attack using his father’s mobile phone.

According to him, the abductors demanded N30 million before they would release the victim.

A search team later discovered Owoade’s abandoned motorcycle inside a bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday.

Abiola appealed to the Nigerian Army, police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun, hunters and local vigilantes to help rescue his father.

He expressed concern for the headmaster’s safety and urged security agencies to act quickly before the situation worsened.

Owoade’s colleagues and members of the education community in Itesiwaju also expressed shock over the abduction.

Oyo State Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade confirmed the incident on Monday.

Ayanlade described the victim as a farmer and said security operatives had begun efforts to rescue him unharmed and arrest those responsible.

The abduction comes amid renewed concerns over kidnapping and attacks on residents in parts of Oyo State.

It also occurred one day after security agencies rescued more than 40 pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in the state in May.

The victims were freed unharmed on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity.

Gov. Bassey Otu on Monday visited flood and landslide-ravaged communities in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital, including the family of a toddler killed by floodwaters.

The governor inspected the affected areas alongside the Director-General, Cross River Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Mr Efa Nyong.

On the entourage of the governor were government officials, engineers, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other emergency response stakeholders.

The areas visited include Elijah Henshaw Street, Webber Street, Atu Street, Ibesikpo Street, Mayne Avenue by Atakpa among others in the Calabar Municipality and Calabar South area councils.

Otu who met residents and businesses owners in the devastated areas leveraged on the opportunity to console the family that lost their child through the flood.

Expressing sympathy, he assured the residents that his administration would not abandon residents during difficult periods.

The governor commended CR-SEMA on prompt response, saying the agency’s timely assessments had guided government’s emergency decisions.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that residents’ welfare remained central to his’ People’s First’ agenda.

He assured that the evacuation of displaced residents from affected communities would commence immediately as part of government’s immediate response measures.

‘There will also be comprehensive assessments of all affected locations to ensure relief materials reach genuinely impacted victims without delay,’ Otu announced.

Earlier, the director general CR-SEMA, Nyong, said that the agency had maintained continuous presence in affected communities conducting assessments, following the flood and landslide incidents across the state.

He said that the agency was collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, security agencies and relevant ministries to document losses and identify victims’ immediate needs.

Nyong assured residents that CR-SEMA would sustain emergency response while intensifying public sensitisation on flood preparedness and disaster risk reduction.

It will be recalled that Calabar metropolis in the last four days had witnessed torrential rainfall that had led to the flooding of parts of the city and destruction of properties.

As part of efforts to deepen the acceptance and institutionalisation of the diversion programme across Lagos State, the Bureau of the Public Defender (BPD) has intensified its advocacy campaign by engaging Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council to encourage greater local ownership of the initiative.

The advocacy is aimed at ensuring that local councils take the lead in implementing diversion programmes for children in conflict with the law, thereby strengthening child-friendly justice and reducing reliance on formal prosecution.

A BPD delegation, led by one of its Deputy Directors, Mrs. S. O. Ladipo, alongside Ms. Gloria C. Odimba, the Bureau’s Programme Officer for UNICEF collaborations, and other officials, paid a courtesy and advocacy visit to the council as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the administration of child justice in Lagos State.

The visit forms part of the Bureau’s partnership with UNICEF to promote the establishment of diversion programme centres across local government areas in the state.

The initiative is designed to encourage stronger support from local councils for child-centred justice by providing alternatives to prosecution for children who come into conflict with the law, while promoting their rehabilitation, reintegration into society and the protection of their rights.

According to the Bureau, the advocacy campaign is intended to build the capacity and commitment of local councils to implement diversion programmes as an effective tool for addressing juvenile offences without exposing children unnecessarily to the criminal justice system.

Before the visit to Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council, the BPD and UNICEF advocacy team had undertaken similar engagements with other councils, including Alimosho Local Government and Lagos Mainland Local Government, as part of the ongoing statewide campaign to expand the diversion programme and strengthen child justice administration across Lagos.

Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi has challenged the Federal Government to move beyond repeated condemnations and take decisive action against the wave of killings in Benue and Plateau states.

Obi spoke on Monday while reacting to separate weekend attacks that reportedly claimed at least 27 lives across the two North-Central states.

In Benue, suspected gunmen killed two farmers in Akpachi before launching another attack on the Otukpo-Nobi community, where at least 16 people were killed and several others injured.

Nine members of one family were also killed when gunmen invaded Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The victims reportedly included an infant, while a community leader sustained serious injuries during the assault.

Reacting in a statement posted on his official X account, Obi described the renewed bloodshed as painful and disturbing.

The former Anambra State governor said Nigerians must not be forced to accept repeated killings, displacement and destruction of livelihoods as a normal part of life.

According to him, the victims were not merely figures in casualty reports but parents, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose lives had been cut short.

Obi said protecting lives and property remained the most important responsibility of any government.

He demanded a security system built around intelligence gathering, swift intervention and accountability rather than reactions after communities had already been attacked.

‘The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack,’ he said.

Obi also called for the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible, insisting that the culture of allowing attackers to escape justice must end.

He urged the Federal Government and security agencies to adopt a proactive strategy capable of preventing attacks before more lives are lost.

The NDC presidential candidate extended his condolences to the bereaved families and the governments and people of Benue and Plateau states.

Obi, who secured the NDC presidential ticket in May, is expected to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The Benue attacks sparked protests in Otukpo, where angry residents reportedly carried victims’ bodies to the palace of the Och’Idoma and blocked major roads while demanding stronger government action.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attacks and said security had been reinforced as authorities worked to evacuate survivors and provide medical assistance.

Residents of the affected Plateau communities have also appealed for increased security deployment amid fears of further attacks.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has directed a high-level Nigerian Air Force (NAF) delegation to Portugal to assess the ongoing Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) of C-130H aircraft, NAF 913.

This is contained in a statement on Monday in Abuja, by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters.

Aneke said that the development reaffirmed the service’s unwavering commitment to aircraft safety, airworthiness and operational readiness.

According to him, the delegation is led by the Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Olufemi Ogunsina, and accompanied by the Commander, 631 Aircraft Maintenance Depot, Air Commodore Eric Kpokpogri.

‘The delegation visited Messrs OGMA – Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal to evaluate progress on the maintenance programme and engage on measures to facilitate its timely completion.

‘The delegation also conducted an extensive inspection of ongoing maintenance activities and held strategic discussions with OGMA management on practical steps to optimise timelines and sustain momentum towards the aircraft’s return to service.’

The CAS also said that the engagement reflected the proactive approach of the current NAF leadership.

This he said was in ensuring close oversight of critical maintenance programmes and guaranteeing that all aircraft operate in accordance with the highest international standards of safety, reliability and airworthiness.

He added that the visit also provided an opportunity to reassure the public regarding the status of the aircraft, which had earlier proceeded abroad for its scheduled depot-level maintenance programme.

‘In spite of unforeseen transit challenges, the Nigerian air force remained steadfast in ensuring that the aircraft reached its designated maintenance facility to undergo comprehensive inspections and maintenance in accordance with global best practices.

‘This underscores the service’s uncompromising commitment to safety, technical integrity and long-term operational effectiveness, placing premium importance on the safe and efficient employment of its air assets,’ he said.

He further said that in recognising the strategic importance of the platform to national and regional airlift operations, both parties reviewed measures aimed at sustaining progress on the maintenance programme and facilitating the aircraft’s timely return to service.

According to him, the collaborative engagement further highlights the strong partnership between the Nigerian Air Force and global aerospace stakeholders in sustaining critical air capabilities and enhancing its capacity to effectively support national and regional operations.

‘Beyond the ongoing maintenance programme, the delegation also explored broader areas of cooperation with OGMA and other industry partners, focusing on long-term support for the NAF C-130H fleet, technical training, logistics support and future sustainment requirements.’

Aneke emphasised that the Nigerian air force remained steadfast in its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational readiness.

‘The safety of our personnel and the airworthiness of our platforms remain paramount.

‘We will continue to strengthen our maintenance culture and strategic partnerships to ensure that the Nigerian air force remains a highly professional, mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower in support of national security objectives,’ said.

He added that the ongoing efforts further demonstrate the service’s commitment to preserving critical airlift capabilities and inspiring public confidence in the professionalism, resilience and technical competence of the Nigerian air force.

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on forgery of a degree certificate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The Minister had submitted the UNN and NYSC certificates to the National Assembly during his ministerial screening in 2023.

ICPC also accused Nnaji who was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja of receiving about ?29.5 million in salary and emoluments under false pretences and money laundering.

Following his plea, the former Minister’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN) told the court that he had filed a motion for his bail.

However, ICPC counsel said he is ready to proceed with the trial with tree witnesses ready to testify.

But he did not object to the defendant’s bail application, stating that it was at the discretion of the court.

Subsequently, Justice Abdulmalik granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ?20 million with one surety in like sum.

The Court said the must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must have maintained a fixed place of residence for at least four years.

Also, the court said the surety must submit evidence of employment, including a letter of employment, and provide salary slips for the last three months.

The Court also ordered the ex-Minister to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.

The matter was adjourned until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

In the one of the charges, ICPC accused Nnaji allegedly of taking possession of N29.58 million paid into his Fidelity Bank account as salaries and allowances while serving as minister.

The ICPC alleged that he reasonably ought to have known the funds were proceeds of unlawful acts, namely corruption and fraud.

The commission said the alleged offence contravened Section 18(2)(d) and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In count two, the ICPC accused Nnaji of using his office as minister to confer a corrupt advantage on himself, contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

According to ICPC, Nnaji, with intent to mislead the Federal Government, knowingly presented a false National Youth Service Corps Certificate No. A231309, during his ministerial appointment process.

It said the alleged offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The ICPC also alleged that, in August 2023, Nnaji knowingly presented a false Microbiology/Biochemistry degree certificate, No. 004501, purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

According to the charge, the act also contravenes Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

In count five, the commission alleged that, around May 1986, Nnaji knowingly produced a false Certificate of National Service, No. A231309, and used it as genuine.

The ICPC said the alleged offence was contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.

In count six, the anti-graft agency claimed Nnaji knowingly produced a false degree certificate in microbiology/biochemistry, purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, around July 1985.

According to the Commission, the former Minister used the document as genuine, contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.

Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by operatives of Department of State Services (DSS).

He was subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation.

ICPC had confirmed the handover of Nnaji to it by DSS in a statement by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey also on July 1.

The anti-graft agency said the former Minister was arrested ‘following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court of Nigeria’.

According to the Commission, the order issued on 11 June 2026 mandated it to arrest Nnaji to enable investigation into allegations bordering on forgery of a degree certificate of UNN and NYSC Discharge Certificate which he submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023.

ICPC said it had earlier invited the former minister through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, dated 15 May 2026, but he failed to honour the invitations.

‘Despite service through multiple channels, Mr Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action,’ it said. ‘The legal action followed a court order granted by the Federal High Court in the Abuja Judicial Division (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026).’

Recall that Nnaji resigned as Minister in October 2025 following controversies over alleged forgery his NYSC discharge certificate and that of his first degree.

However, the Minister had denied allegations that he forged NYSC and UNN certificates.

He also dragged the university to court over the alleged forgery.

A total of 82,213 lawyers have been confirmed to vote in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) national election scheduled for July 18, 2026.

The Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) announced that the eligible voters come from 139 NBA branches across the country. The final voters register was published on July 10, 2026, following the revised election timetable released on July 3.

In a statement signed by ECNBA Chairman, Aham Ejelam (SAN), and Secretary, Ibrahim Aliyu Nassarawa, the committee said the voters register is now final and no further changes will be made.

The committee also revealed that 671 lawyers who paid their practising fees before the deadline were listed separately because they are not attached to any NBA branch.

According to the ECNBA, being on this list does not automatically qualify them to vote. Under the NBA Constitution, lawyers must belong to an NBA branch before they can participate in the election.

Affected lawyers have been advised to regularise their branch membership and submit proof to the committee before the election. They were also asked to contact the ECNBA Secretariat as soon as possible.

As part of preparations for the election, the committee held a nationwide mock voting exercise and tested the electronic voting platform on July 11 to help voters become familiar with the system.

On July 13, the committee will review the mock exercise, carry out a final audit of the voting system and brief candidates and their agents.

Campaign activities will end at 5:00 p.m. on July 17, after which the e-voting platform will be secured ahead of the election.

Voting will begin at 12:00 a.m. on July 18 and end at 11:59 p.m. the same day. The results are expected to be announced on July 19.

The ECNBA reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a free, fair and transparent election and encouraged all eligible lawyers to take part in the process.

Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production soared to an average of 1,735,398 barrels per day in the month of June 2026, representing positive growth for a 4th consecutive month.

According to the crude statistics, released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Sunday, in the month under review, crude oil production hit 1. 56 million barrels per day (mbpd)

The report showed that 0.18mbpd of condensates was produced.

This means Nigeria met 104 per cent of the 1.5mbpd crude oil production quota set by the Organisation and Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The report showed that in strict crude oil terms (excluding condensates), the 1.56 million daily average production Nigeria witnessed in June is the highest that Africa’s biggest oil producer has recorded since April 2020.

This, it said, represented a 74-month high.

‘In June, the peak combined crude oil and condensate production was 1.89 mbpd, reflecting Nigeria’s potential to reach 2 mbpd in the near term.

‘However, the lowest production was 1.57 mbpd for the period in review.

‘The statistics shows that Nigeria has maintained an upward trajectory, increasing from 1.483 mbpd in February to 1.546 mbpd in March, 1.663 mbpd in April, 1.700 mbpd in May, and 1.735 mbpd in June.

‘This represents a 2.2 per cent growth month on month.

The report said the improved performance was primarily driven by stable production operations across most producing assets and the absence of any major pipeline outages during the period under review.

It said the enhanced operational stability supported improved production uptime and crude evacuation efficiency.

It said though a limited number of assets experienced short-duration operational shutdowns, but the overall impact on national production was minimal.

‘In addition, scheduled turnaround maintenance activities were effectively managed and completed without significant disruption to production operations.

‘The sustained growth recorded in June reflects the continued commitment of operators and industry stakeholders towards improving operational efficiency, maintaining asset integrity, and enhancing production reliability across the Nigerian upstream petroleum sector.

‘A breakdown of the daily average crude oil and condensate production by terminals/streams during the review month shows that Bonny Terminal accounted for 318.28 kbpd, up from 293.88 kbpd recorded in May 2026.

‘Forcados Terminal followed with 306.36 kbpd, an increase from 289.90 kbpd in May 2026,’ said.

It showed that Qua Iboe Terminal recorded an average production of 164.73 kbpd of crude oil and condensates, down from 173.36 kbpd in May 2026.

It further revealed that Escravos Oil Terminal posted a daily average of 138.03 kbpd, up from 135.47 kbpd recorded in May 2026.

According to the report, Bonga ranked as the fifth-highest producing terminal, recording an average of 103.66 kbpd of crude oil, compared to 102.54 kbpd delivered in May 2026.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 38-year-old South African woman, Ms. Will Jessica Ann, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria while using her three-year-old son as a cover to avoid security scrutiny.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the suspect was arrested on Monday, July 6, during the inward clearance of passengers aboard Qatar Airways flight QR1433 from Doha.

Babafemi said the suspect initially denied travelling with any checked luggage, but NDLEA operatives established that two suitcases containing 14 large blocks of heroin bore baggage tags corresponding with the claim tags attached to her passport.

‘After the discrepancy was pointed out, she admitted ownership of the bags, claiming she had forgotten she checked them in,’ Babafemi said.

According to the agency, the suspect told investigators she travelled from Cambodia through Doha to Abuja. Preliminary intelligence, however, indicates that she is part of a transnational drug trafficking syndicate allegedly operated alongside her husband or partner, Jan Coenraad De Jager, who is based in Cambodia. The network is believed to coordinate illicit drug trafficking along the Cambodia-South Africa route.

In a separate operation, NDLEA officers, working with personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, intercepted 8,287 nylon bags of the psychoactive cannabis strain known as Canadian Loud at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos.

Babafemi said the illicit consignment, weighing 4,143.5 kilograms with an estimated street value of over N10.3 billion, was concealed in a container imported from Canada.

He explained that the seizure followed weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance and monitoring by the Maritime Intelligence Unit of the NDLEA in collaboration with the agency’s Apapa Strategic Command, from the shipment’s point of departure in Montreal, Canada, until its arrival in Nigeria.

The anti-narcotics agency also foiled an attempt to export 2.5 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden inside a gas compressor destined for Cyprus through a Lagos-based courier company.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI).

Beyond enforcement activities, the NDLEA said it sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across the country through sensitisation programmes in schools, communities and public institutions.

The awareness activities covered Nnodo Secondary School in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State; Government Girls Secondary School, Sabon Gida, Sharada in Kano State; Royal Jesuit College, Agbado Ekiti; and Community Secondary School, Idofa in Ogun State.

Babafemi added that the leadership of the agency’s Zone 14 Command also paid a WADA advocacy visit to Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Commending officers involved in the various operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised personnel of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Command, Maritime Intelligence Unit and Apapa Command for their successes.

Marwa urged the officers to sustain the momentum in disrupting drug trafficking networks while intensifying public enlightenment efforts aimed at reducing drug abuse across the country, Babafemi said.