Category: PM News

Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama has ordered the remand of former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Umar was remanded on Thursday following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of conferring undue advantage on himself while serving as chairman of the tribunal.

The former CCT boss was brought before the court on a four-count charge and pleaded not guilty to all allegations.

EFCC counsel, Christopher Mshelia, asked the court to remand Umar at the correctional facility and grant the prosecution time to prepare its response to the bail application filed by the defence.

However, counsel to Umar informed the court that a bail application had already been filed on behalf of his client and urged the court to consider the request.

The prosecution objected, stating that it had only recently received the bail application and required time to respond.

Justice Kekemeke subsequently adjourned the matter until July 15 for hearing of the bail application, while ordering that Umar remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the court’s decision.

The development marks another legal battle involving the former tribunal chairman, who headed the Code of Conduct Tribunal before his exit from office.

Nigerian passport holders can travel to about 46 countries in 2026 without obtaining a traditional visa before departure, according to the latest travel advisory for international travellers.

The destinations are spread across Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, the Middle East and Oceania, offering Nigerians a wider range of travel opportunities through visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival arrangements and electronic visa (eVisa) systems.

West Africa remains the most accessible region for Nigerian travellers due to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Free Movement Protocol. Under the agreement, Nigerians can enter several member countries without visas and stay for up to 90 days.

The countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. Cape Verde also provides visa-on-arrival access to ECOWAS citizens.

Beyond West Africa, countries such as Cameroon, Mauritius, Rwanda and Seychelles offer relatively easy entry requirements for Nigerian passport holders.

In the Caribbean, Nigerians can travel without pre-arranged visas to Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as Trinidad and Tobago. The region is increasingly becoming a popular destination for tourism, business and family visits.

Across Asia and the Middle East, the Maldives grants visa-free entry to Nigerians, while Nepal, Cambodia and Timor-Leste issue visas on arrival. Bahrain, on the other hand, allows entry through its electronic visa platform.

Several countries in Oceania have also opened their borders to Nigerian travellers without requiring prior visa applications. These include Fiji, Kiribati, Micronesia, Samoa and Vanuatu.

Other destinations such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Mozambique, Suriname and Bolivia provide either visa-on-arrival services or eVisa options, making travel arrangements easier for Nigerian citizens. Kenya, in particular, operates an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system that simplifies the entry process.

Despite the growing number of accessible destinations, Nigerians still require traditional visas to visit several major countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and most countries within the Schengen Area.

Travel experts note that the expansion of visa-on-arrival and eVisa programmes across different regions is helping to improve global mobility for Nigerian passport holders and reducing the bureaucratic hurdles often associated with international travel.

The development comes as more countries review their immigration policies to encourage tourism, business travel and international exchange. For Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad for leisure, education or investment, the wider access represents a significant boost to global travel options.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has named 124 Nigerians among foreign nationals it intends to deport as part of its ongoing immigration enforcement operations.

The agency disclosed this in a statement published on its website even as it describes those listed as belonging to its ‘worst of the worst’ category of criminal offenders arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Although the DHS released the names and photographs of those affected, it did not specify when deportation proceedings would begin or provide details of the offences for which they were convicted.

But the department said he exercise formed part of a broader effort by the administration of President Donald Trump to remove non-citizens with criminal records from the United States.

The statement said: ‘The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

‘Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst, including the illegal aliens you see here.’

Among the Nigerians named by the department are Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Mkpouto Etukudoh, Marcus Unigwe, Olaniyi Ojikutu, Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred, Chibundu Anuebunwa, Joshua Ineh, Usman Momoh, Oluwole Odunowo, Bolarinwa Salau and Oriyomi Aloba.

Others listed include Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay, Joseph Ogbara, Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu and Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi, among others.

The latest deportation move is part of the stricter immigration measures introduced after President Trump returned to office on 20 January 2025.

On his first day back in office, Trump signed several executive orders declaring illegal immigration a national emergency, strengthening border security and directing federal agencies to speed up the removal of undocumented migrants.

NASCO Town Limited has appealed the judgment of the Lagos State High Court voiding the Federal Government’s acquisition of about 292 hectares of land and has warned members of the public against engaging in any transaction involving the disputed property until the appeal is determined.

The company, in a public notice issued on Tuesday, said the judgment delivered in Suit No. ID/5709LM/2025 was not final, having exercised its constitutional right of appeal. It added that the matter is now before the Court of Appeal.

The clarification followed media reports of the High Court’s decision, which declared the Federal Government’s acquisition of the land invalid and awarded damages in favour of the claimants.

NASCO urged residents, tenants, businesses, Free Trade Zone operators, investors, financial institutions and other stakeholders within NASCO Town to remain calm, assuring them that it would take all lawful steps to protect existing developments and preserve the subject matter of the appeal pending its determination.

The company also cautioned prospective purchasers, developers, estate agents, surveyors, banks and investors against purchasing, leasing, negotiating, developing or otherwise dealing with any portion of the disputed 292.428-hectare property.

According to the statement, anyone transacting with parties other than NASCO over the land would do so at their own risk and subject to the outcome of the appellate proceedings.

Defending its claim to the property, NASCO said its title is rooted in Federal Government acquisition and lease documents, including Federal Government Notice No. 1138 published in Official Gazette No. 44, Volume 64 of September 8, 1977, and Government Notice No. 1130 published in Official Gazette No. 44, Volume 63 of September 2, 1976.

It advised members of the public to verify the official records and obtain independent legal advice before acting on any competing claims to the land.

The company maintained that it respectfully disagrees with the High Court’s decision and that its appeal raises substantial legal issues relating to government acquisition, limitation of actions, public purpose, possession, compensation, excision and the legal effect of its long-standing title and development activities.

NASCO further stated that the disputed land is fully developed and not vacant, noting that it accommodates residential estates, road infrastructure, Free Trade Zone operations, Free Zone enterprises, transit harbour facilities, workers and significant third-party investments.

It warned that speculative transactions before the conclusion of the appeal could undermine investor confidence, disrupt industrial operations and adversely affect residents, businesses, lenders and other stakeholders.

Describing the appeal as one of broader public importance, the company said the issues before the Court of Appeal extend beyond the parties to include questions of legal certainty, industrial development and investor confidence in transactions founded on Federal Government acquisition, lease and allocation records.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the matter through the judicial process while respecting the authority of the courts. It also reiterated its commitment to protecting lawful investments within NASCO Town, which it said was established as a vehicle for residential, industrial, logistics and Free Trade Zone development.

According to NASCO, the prolonged litigation has delayed planned investments in infrastructure, employment generation, education, healthcare, emergency services and other community development projects.

The company pledged to continue operating within the bounds of the law while safeguarding the interests of residents, tenants, investors, workers and all stakeholders pending the final determination of the appeal.

China on Wednesday shared its experiences in technology-driven agriculture, rural revitalisation and poverty reduction experience with African journalists during visits to Minning Town and Changcheng Huayuan Community in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tour is part of an international seminar organised by the International Department of the Communist Party of China.

The seminar is themed: ‘Promoting the Building of a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for All Seasons in the New Era: The Responsibility of the Media.’

The programme brought together media professionals from across Africa to exchange experiences on development, governance and China-Africa cooperation.

At the Park, officials demonstrated how modern agriculture, industrial investment and technological innovation support rural development and employment generation.

The company, a national high-tech enterprise listed on China’s ChiNext Market, integrates poultry breeding, hatchery operations, feed production and technical services within a comprehensive agricultural value chain.

Liu Meiling, representative of Ningxia Xiaoming Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd. said the company accounted for nearly 15 per cent of China’s commercial layer chick market.

Liu added that the company had invested more than 500 million yuan in Minning Town to establish modern breeding facilities, a smart agriculture industrial park and related infrastructure.

She said the investments created more than 400 jobs for local residents, most of whom were relocated families, while stimulating growth in logistics, crop production, feed processing and other supporting industries.

The delegation also toured the Minning Hemei E-commerce Workshop, where digital platforms enable local residents to market agricultural products and expand access to domestic and international markets.

Xu Meijia, Head, Minning Hemei E-commerce Workshop, explained that e-commerce had become an important driver of rural entrepreneurship by connecting farmers and small businesses directly with consumers while creating additional income opportunities.

‘The workshop features livestream sessions where different products are displayed to attract customers and facilitate orders.

‘Through collaboration with various online shopping and delivery platforms, our products are made accessible to a wider market,’she said.

Han said it also aimed to create a supportive environment where people could access healthcare, social activities and livelihood opportunities within their neighbourhood.

‘Our community provides different services for residents, including healthcare support, cultural activities, elderly care and assistance for vulnerable groups.

‘We have a clinic where residents can receive basic medical services, activity centres where neighbours interact, and platforms that support employment and community participation,’ she said.

She added that the community also operated affordable service points, including a volunteer-supported hairdressing service and a supermarket that provides agricultural products from poverty alleviation programmes.

‘These services are not only about meeting daily needs but also about improving the quality of life of residents and strengthening relationships among neighbours,’ she said.

NAN reports that the tour offers practical insights into China’s approach to rural revitalisation through agriculture, technology and community-based development.

The programme is also designed to strengthen exchanges between China and African media professionals on governance, development cooperation, poverty reduction and media collaboration.

A 40-year-old commercial bus driver, Kabiru Olajide, has been remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre after he was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stabbing a couple who demanded payment for N75,000 worth of beer and drinks consumed at their bar.

Olajide was docked on a five-count charge bordering on assault occasioning harm, malicious damage, stealing and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

According to the police, the incident occurred on May 10, 2026, at a bar located at 2, Olamide Igiaba Street, Oribanwa Phase 2, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, owned by Chimezie Okpoechi and his wife, Kate Okpoechi.

The prosecution alleged that Olajide and his accomplices, who are still at large, organised a mini birthday celebration at the bar where they consumed beers and other drinks valued at N75,000. Trouble reportedly started when the couple requested payment for the drinks.

Rather than settle the bill, the suspects allegedly attacked the bar operators, with Olajide accused of stabbing the couple with a broken bottle and inflicting injuries on them.

The suspects were also alleged to have vandalised several properties, including the windshield of a Toyota RAV4, with the total damage estimated at N5 million, before fleeing the scene.

Following the incident, the victims petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, who directed a special investigative team to track down those responsible.

Police said intelligence gathering and surveillance led to Olajide’s arrest at a hideout in Ibeju-Lekki, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Prosecuting counsel, Superintendent of Police Reuben Solomon, told the court that the defendant committed the offences alongside accomplices who remain at large. He added that the offences contravene Sections 411, 314(1)(a), 350 and 168(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Olajide pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Magistrate T.O. Abayomi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate, however, ordered that Olajide be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions and adjourned the matter until July 17, 2026, for mention.

A chieftain of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has taken legal action against his party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its failure to recognise him as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 14, 2026, to hear the case.

In the suit, Olawepo-Hashim is asking the court to order the Accord Party to officially recognise him as its presidential candidate and submit his name to INEC.

He argued that he emerged as the sole candidate and winner of the party’s presidential primary held on May 30, 2026, but the party failed to upload his name to INEC’s nomination portal.

According to him, the party’s action violates the Electoral Act 2026, the Nigerian Constitution and INEC’s guidelines for political parties.

Olawepo-Hashim is seeking a court declaration that the party breached the law by refusing to forward his name to INEC. He also wants an order compelling the party to submit his name as its presidential candidate.

As an alternative, he asked the court to direct the Accord Party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would be allowed to participate if the court declines to order the submission of his name.

In an affidavit filed before the court, Olawepo-Hashim said he is a registered and financially active member of the Accord Party. He stated that he contributed ?7 million to support the party’s electronic membership registration programme.

He also said he paid the required ?50 million nomination fee to contest the presidential primary and emerged as the only aspirant and winner of the exercise.

According to him, the primary election was monitored by INEC officials in line with electoral laws.

He further alleged that the party did not provide aspirants with the guidelines required for the primary election, as stipulated by INEC regulations, but he participated based on assurances from the party leadership.

His lawyer, Henry Akunebu (SAN), argued that political parties must obey the Electoral Act, their constitutions and INEC guidelines when selecting candidates. He told the court that once a valid primary election has been conducted, the party is legally required to submit the winner’s name to INEC.

During the proceedings, INEC’s lawyer, H.S. Danjuma, requested more time to file the commission’s response to the suit. The request was granted by Justice Mohammed Umar.

The judge accepted INEC’s documents as properly filed and served after the commission explained that its legal team was only instructed on July 6.

Although the Accord Party did not oppose the request for more time, Olawepo-Hashim’s lawyer urged the court to prevent INEC from participating in the case, arguing that the commission failed to respond within the time allowed under the rules governing pre-election cases.

However, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until July 14, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.

The case is expected to clarify how the Electoral Act 2026 applies to the nomination of candidates by political parties and could have implications for internal party democracy ahead of the 2027 general election.

Two minors were killed while several properties were destroyed by a devastating windstorm that hits Gashua Local Government Area of Yobe on Wednesday.

The windstorm was accompanied by heavy rain, the Council Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Babagana, disclosed this in an interview in Gashua on Thursday.

According to him, the children died when a tree fell on a building sheltering them during the storm.

He said the windstorm, which started at about 5p.m. on Wednesday, destroyed many buildings, electricity poles, and communication towers.

‘The windstorm lasted for about 15 minutes, but the destruction was devastating.

‘I cannot give accurate of figures yet, as we are still compiling them,’ Babagana added.

The chairman said many injured persons were treated at the hospital and discharged.

He added that officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) are in Gashua to ascertain the level of destruction and render immediate support.

‘They are preparing to distribute relief materials to victims,’ he said.

Babagana appealed to philanthropists and well-placed individuals to extend helping hands to the affected persons.

He urged them to assist victims with food and non-food items.

The Federal Government has revealed why security forces could not immediately move against the bandits holding dozens of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, with Defence Minister Christopher Musa disclosing that the kidnappers threatened to kill all the captives if troops advanced towards their hideout.

Musa, in a preview of an interview with News Central, said the bandits were using the abducted pupils and teachers as leverage in an attempt to force the release of their commanders currently in military custody.

According to the minister, the criminals issued a deadly warning when security forces prepared to take action against them.

‘They are threatening that if we come any closer, they are going to kill all the kids,’ Musa revealed.

The revelation comes nearly eight weeks after gunmen stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and other schools in Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers.

Musa explained that the bandits’ demand was linked to the arrest of some of their commanders by security agencies, saying the criminals wanted to use the children as bargaining chips.

‘For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commanders,’ he said.

The Defence Minister’s disclosure has raised fresh concerns over the growing tactics of criminal groups, who increasingly target vulnerable civilians to pressure security agencies and government authorities.

Speaking on measures to tackle kidnapping and banditry, Musa backed tougher punishment for offenders, including the death penalty, arguing that weak sanctions have encouraged criminals to continue their activities.

‘I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage,’ he said.

The government has continued efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, while security agencies face pressure to balance rescue operations with protecting the lives of hostages.

Some prominent leaders of the Labour Party (LP) in Ebonyi State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a move described as a major boost for the ruling party and second term ambition of Governor Francis Nwifuru.

The former LP’s leaders announced their defection during a meeting at the APC State Secretariat in Abakaliki on Wednesday.

They attributed their decision to dump Labour Party for APC to what they described as the governor’s good performance in office.

The defectors, led by the LP State Secretary and Coordinator of the Labour Movement in Ebonyi, Mr Igiri Innocent were received by the APC State Chairman, Okoro Emegha.

Emegha described the defection as a major boost for the ruling party, adding that the new members voluntarily joined the APC after assessing Nwifuru’s administration performance in infrastructure, peace-building and good governance.

He said no one compelled the former LP members to leave their party, adding that their decision reflected growing public confidence in the APC-led government.

Emegha expressed optimism that the new members would strengthen the party’s grassroots structure and urged them to remain committed to its ideals.

Igiri said the group placed the overall interest of Ebonyi above partisan politics, adding that Nwifuru’s leadership and policies motivated them to support the administration.

Igiri also unveiled a political mobilisation platform, ‘FON All the Way,’ describing it as a network of experienced grassroots politicians dedicated to mobilising support for the APC and Nwifuru across the state.

He further said that members of the platform played active roles during the 2023 general election.

Also speaking, the Deputy National Leader (South-East) of the movement, Ijeoma Chukwu, commended the governor for creating an atmosphere that encouraged residents and investors to carry out their activities without fear.

Chukwu urged other political stakeholders to put the interest of Ebonyi above party affiliation by supporting initiatives that promote peace, economic growth and sustainable development.