Category: PM News

Pastor Abimbola Olawuyi, the widow of late investigative broadcaster and journalist Kola Olawuyi and a pastor at RCCG Grace City, has died, bringing another wave of grief to a family that has lived with the loss of one of Nigeria’s most celebrated media figures for nearly two decades.

PM News learnt that Pastor Abimbola died on Monday morning after a brief illness.

A member of the Olawuyi family, who confirmed the development to PM News on condition of anonymity, said she passed away peacefully after falling ill.

Her death comes 19 years after the passing of her husband, Kola Olawuyi, the pioneering investigative journalist whose fearless reporting transformed crime and investigative broadcasting in Southwest Nigeria.

Widely regarded as one of the region’s most influential broadcasters, Kola Olawuyi became a household name through his popular radio and television programmes, Iriri Aye (translated as Experiences of Life) and Nnkan Nbe, which exposed criminal activities, ritual killings, fraud, and other social vices. His bold style of journalism earned him widespread respect and established him as a trusted voice for justice and accountability.

Following his death, Abimbola largely stayed away from the public spotlight, dedicating herself to raising their four children and preserving the family through years of personal sacrifice.

According to the family source, she remained the backbone of the household, carrying the responsibilities left behind after the death of her husband.

‘Abimbola has been a pillar of strength for the family. Her death is really painful. She has been taking care of the family and the four children left by her husband, Kola Olawuyi, and now the children are orphans. Only God knows what lies ahead for them. I am deeply pained,’ the family member told PM News.

The source described her as a devoted mother whose resilience, quiet strength, and unwavering commitment kept the family together despite the enormous challenges that followed the death of the veteran journalist.

Family members said her passing has left relatives, friends and well-wishers devastated, as many regarded her as the steady force that sustained the Olawuyi family over the past 19 years.

The family said burial arrangements will be announced in due course.

Kola Olawuyi remains one of the pioneers of investigative broadcasting in Southwest Nigeria. Through Iriri Aye and Nnkan Nbe, he used storytelling and investigative journalism to highlight crime, social injustice, and other issues affecting society, earning a lasting place in the history of Nigerian broadcasting.

With Abimbola’s death, the Olawuyi family has suffered yet another profound loss, closing another chapter in the legacy of one of Nigeria’s most respected broadcasting families.

The police in Abia have arrested one Mrs Gift Nwoko residing at IBB Housing Estate in Umuahia over alleged attempted murder of her ward, Miss Chimamanda Ebo.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Monday in Umuahia.

Chinaka said preliminary investigation revealed that Nwoko, female, 35, from Ehime- Mbano in Imo was an aunt to 12 year-old Ebo.

According to the PPRO, Nwoko, who had been living with Ebo, attempted to kill her on Sunday for failing to spread clothes she directed her earlier before going to the market.

Chinaka said investigations further showed that the suspect (Nwoko) had repeatedly beaten and threatened to kill young Ebo.

‘Operatives from the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters, Umuahia, raced to the scene leveraging on actionable intelligence.

‘They rescued the victim, apprehended the suspect, and recovered the exhibit knife,’ she said.

The spokesperson said that investigation was ongoing while the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

The PPRO said the suspect would be charged for attempted murder upon conclusion of investigation.

‘The Command condemns such actions for whatever reasons and advises members of the public to desist from such acts, and to report any such incidents to the nearest police station.

‘Together we can keep Abia safe;

See something, say something.’ Chinaka said.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, have dismissed claims that the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is responsible for flooding in parts of Lagos, describing the narrative as misinformation spread on social media.

The governor and the minister spoke during a courtesy visit from the minister alongside members of the National Assembly.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who welcomed the Minister of Works and lawmakers from both chambers of the National Assembly, commended the Federal Government for embarking on what he described as a transformative infrastructure project that would improve the economy and the quality of life of Nigerians.

He said the Coastal Highway, which many initially dismissed as a political promise, has become a reality.

He said: ‘Two years ago, it felt like it was just a political conversation, but today people are already using the road. We thank Mr. President for this landmark project. Lagos has been the first major beneficiary, and we are indeed grateful because it will enhance the quality of life of our people and improve the economy of the country.’

Addressing concerns over flooding, Governor Sanwo-Olu explained that Lagos’ geographical location makes seasonal flooding inevitable.

According to him, Lagos occupies less than 0.4 per cent of Nigeria’s landmass, with about one-third of the state covered by water, while its rapidly growing population continues to exert pressure on available land and infrastructure.

‘Lagos is a coastal city. When people say Lagos has flooded, without mincing words, we will always experience some level of flooding. We only pray that it will not be severe. These are natural occurrences associated with coastal environments across the world,’ he stated.

The governor noted that intense rainfall could temporarily overwhelm drainage systems regardless of their size but insisted that floodwaters usually recede after some time.

He accused social media users of creating misleading impressions by circulating photographs taken during peak flooding without showing conditions after the water had subsided.

‘We cannot allow social media to define who we are. That does not mean we ignore our challenges. Whenever there are problems, we must confront them and solve them, but we must also understand the realities of our environment,’ he added.

Sanwo-Olu also blamed indiscriminate refuse disposal for worsening flooding across the state, saying blocked drainage channels remain one of the major causes of urban flooding.

He recalled that the Lagos State Government banned the use of styrofoam because of its harmful environmental impact and disclosed that additional environmental regulations would soon be introduced.

The governor further revealed that the state had commenced a major clean-up of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway to protect public infrastructure, stressing that the government would enforce zero tolerance against activities capable of damaging roads and drainage systems.

On maintaining the Coastal Highway, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the state had signed an agreement with a mechanised street-cleaning company that would deploy specialised six-lane sweeping machines to clean the highway daily.

He assured residents that the government would continue protecting public investments and ensuring proper maintenance of critical infrastructure.

Speaking on the need for service roads along the Coastal Highway, the governor said such facilities would improve access for residents and businesses while protecting the integrity of the main carriageway.

He acknowledged that some structures might have to be removed to accommodate the infrastructure but stressed that such sacrifices were necessary for long-term development.

Earlier, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the inspection was directed by President Bola Tinubu following widespread reports on social media alleging that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was responsible for flooding in Lagos.

Umahi described the reports as false and misleading, noting that flooding had been recorded across several states of the federation and had been predicted in at least 22 states.

‘We were concerned about the negative narrative on social media claiming that the Coastal Highway caused flooding in Lagos. The President directed us to come with members of the National Assembly to assess the situation ourselves,’ he said.

The minister explained that the highway was deliberately elevated to withstand ocean surges and protect the corridor from flooding for the next 20 to 30 years.

He noted that the affected areas were naturally swampy long before construction commenced and warned that buildings constructed below approved flood levels would continue to experience flooding irrespective of the highway.

Umahi commended the Lagos State Government’s drainage master plan, particularly its policy of directing stormwater into lagoons rather than directly into the ocean.

According to him, more than 80 per cent of the drainage evacuation channels leading to the lagoons have already been completed.

He disclosed that both the Federal and Lagos State governments would collaborate to provide additional drainage channels and service lanes along both sides of the Coastal Highway.

The minister, however, noted that some structures would have to be removed to accommodate the drainage infrastructure and service roads, adding that stakeholder engagements had been scheduled to ensure cooperation from affected residents.

Umahi also revealed plans to provide modern infrastructure along the corridor, including surveillance cameras, wind stations, parking facilities, tourism infrastructure and other amenities.

He stressed that strict development control would be enforced along the Coastal Highway corridor to ensure it meets international standards and becomes a source of national pride.

The minister thanked residents and stakeholders for their cooperation, saying their support had been instrumental to the progress recorded on the landmark project.

The Lagos State Government says it has detained 396 people engaged in street begging during a coordinated enforcement exercise designed to improve environmental cleanliness, public safety and order across the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, announced the development in a statement shared on his official X account on Tuesday.

According to the commissioner, operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps carried out the operation as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen sanitation standards and tackle unlawful activities in different parts of the state.

Wahab said those apprehended would first undergo profiling before any necessary support is provided.

He added that after the process, they would be transferred to the relevant authorities for a safe return to their respective states.

The commissioner said the exercise reflected the government’s determination to uphold public order, safeguard the environment and make communities safer.

He also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to continuing similar enforcement operations to keep Lagos clean and improve the quality of life for residents.

The Speaker of Ogun House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide has assured that the bill on safe termination of pregnancy currently before lawmakers in the state would undergo rigorous process to ensure that its provisions do not conflict with existing laws of Nigeria and other extant legislations.

Speaker Elemide gave the assurance as Ogun State House of Assembly commenced the second reading of the bill titled: ‘H.B. No. 036/OG/ 2026-Ogun State Safe Termination of pregnancy law, 2026’, on Tuesday.

Speaking shortly after the members conducted a debate during the second reading of the bill on the floor of the Assembly, the Speaker Elemide noted that the bill which was introduced to ‘Reduce Maternal Morbidity and Mortality, Promote Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights and to Establish the Conditions for the Safe Termination of Pregnancy in accordance with Legal Indications, and for Connected Purposes’, was necessary to reduce avoid maternal mortality.

The Ogun Speaker reiterated that the House Committee on Health and other relevant stakeholders would subject the proposed legislation to a thorough scrutiny to ensure that it aligns with the Constitution and other applicable laws of Nigeria, while addressing the policy objectives of the bill without creating redundancy or legal conflicts.

Earlier, while opening the debate on the bill, the sponsor and Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Wahab Haruna, described the proposed legislation as a critical intervention aimed at addressing the persistent challenge of maternal mortality and morbidity in the State.

He explained that the bill sought to establish a clear legal and medical position under which termination of pregnancy might be carried out by qualified medical practitioners in approved health facilities, including where the life of any pregnant woman is at risk.

Aligning with the sponsor’s position, Hon. Babatunde Tella noted that the bill was aimed at promoting safe medical intervention in high-risk pregnancies where termination is medically recommended.

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, stressed the need to adopt globally accepted best practices in reproductive healthcare; saying that the proposed legislation would provide legal and institutional frameworks for a safe pregnancy termination in legally recognised circumstances.

He added that it would protect victims of rape from trauma and contribute to reducing maternal mortality.

On his part, Hon. Oluseun Adesanya and Hon. Yusuf Sheriff alongside other lawmakers supported the fact that the bill would boost access to the required information and medical intervention necessary to protect the women

The bill was subsequently committed to the House Committee on Health for further legislative action.

Former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, has launched a fresh attack on Peter Obi, claiming the former Anambra governor cannot remain in any political party that refuses to hand him its presidential ticket.

Sheriff made the allegation on Monday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he accused Obi of pursuing a personal political agenda ahead of the 2027 election.

According to the former governor, Obi is not the kind of politician who can stay loyal to one party if his ambition is not protected.

‘The point is that he, Peter Obi, is a candidate and the last time you invited me here I told you that people like Peter Obi can never be in one political party because he is pursuing an agenda,’ Sheriff said.

He claimed that Obi would leave any platform that failed to make him its presidential candidate.

‘If he can’t be a presidential candidate, he would move out. Today, he has gone to like 20 political parties to become a candidate,’ he added.

Sheriff also used the interview to speak on national unity, warning that politicians must not reduce their ambition to narrow ethnic or regional interests.

He said Nigeria’s leaders had fought to keep the country together, insisting that anyone who places loyalty to a state above loyalty to the country is not fit to speak for Nigeria.

‘If I, Ali Modu Sheriff, will come out here and say that I only believe in Borno State and not Nigeria, then I’m not fit to be Nigerian because our leaders have fought to keep us together,’ Sheriff said.

His remarks come as political alignments continue to shift ahead of the 2027 general election, with Obi still regarded as one of the major opposition figures whose next move could shape the race.

Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, has continued to attract strong support and heavy criticism in equal measure, especially as parties and coalitions begin fresh calculations for 2027.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed four senior police officers and sanctioned 31 others for various acts of misconduct.

The decision was made during the Commission’s plenary meeting held at its headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement by the PSC’s Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Torty Njoku Kalu, the four officers were found guilty of serious offences, including gross misconduct, unprofessional behaviour, and actions considered inappropriate for public officers.

The Commission also approved different disciplinary measures against other senior officers.

Ten officers were demoted. Among them, three Superintendents of Police were reduced to the rank of Deputy Superintendent, two Deputy Superintendents were demoted to Assistant Superintendent, while five Assistant Superintendents were reduced to the rank of Inspector.

In addition, two officers were compulsorily retired in the public interest. Ten officers received severe reprimands, five were reprimanded, three were issued warning letters, and one officer received a letter of advice.

The PSC also cleared seven officers after investigations found no evidence of wrongdoing against them.

Speaking on the development, PSC Chairman, Hashimu Salihu Argungu, said the Commission remains committed to maintaining discipline and professionalism within the Nigeria Police Force.

He stressed that the current PSC leadership would not tolerate misconduct by police officers and would continue to reward officers who perform their duties diligently and professionally.

The Commission said the disciplinary actions reflect its determination to promote accountability, professionalism, and public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.

Two operatives of Delta Police Command who were captured in a viral video receiving money suspected to be bribery from a motorist through a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal in their station have been demoted.

The operatives who were identified as Inspector Augustine Jeremiah and Corporal Miracle Ehirim from Asaba C Division of the Command were captured receiving money from a motorist through a POS terminal within the station on 13 January 2026.

Their demotion followed the acceptance of the outcome of the orderly room trial they were put through after the video of the incident went viral by the Delta Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, the Command’s Bright Edafe said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to him, the officers were found guilty of Disobedience to Lawful Order, Extortion and Discreditable Conduct, contrary to the provisions of the Police Act, 2020 (LFN).

Edafe said the Commissioner of Police consequently upheld their punishment of reduction in rank, with Inspector Augustine Jeremiah reduced to Sergeant and Corporal Miracle Ehirim reduced to Constable.

The Delta Police spokesperson further quoted the Commissioner of Police as reiterating the Inspector-General of Police’s zero-tolerance policy on extortion and professional misconduct.

Oyeniyi also stressed that IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu unequivocally prohibits the use of Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals and other electronic payment platforms within Police stations and formations.

The Police Commissioner warned that no officer is authorized to demand or receive money from members of the public under any guise, adding that any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary action.

‘The Commissioner urged officers and men of the Command to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and respect for the rights of citizens. He noted that the disciplinary action should serve as a deterrent and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to discipline, accountability and public trust. He also encouraged members of the public to continue reporting cases of police misconduct through the Complaint Response Unit on 09155570008 and 09011112311,’ Edafe said.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise the Delta State House of Assembly’s declaration of Hon. Collins Egbetanah’s seat vacant.

Egbetanah, who represents Udu Constituency in the Assembly, had his seat declared vacant after he defected from the All Progressives Congress to the NDC.

But the NDC, in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, described the Assembly’s action as unconstitutional and an attack on Egbetanah’s right to freedom of association.

The party said INEC must not act on the declaration because the matter would be challenged through the legal process.

According to the NDC, Egbetanah was elected into the Delta State House of Assembly on the platform of the APC and initially served as a minority lawmaker.

The party said the political situation later changed after Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and several members of the Peoples Democratic Party defected to the APC.

It alleged that following those defections, Egbetanah became politically isolated and was denied salaries and other entitlements for several months.

The NDC said Egbetanah eventually resigned from the APC and joined the party on April 30, 2026, before the Assembly moved to declare his seat vacant.

The party rejected the decision, insisting that Egbetanah should be allowed to continue representing the people of Udu Constituency until the court determines the matter.

It urged INEC to ignore the Assembly’s declaration and avoid taking any action that could validate what it called an unlawful move.

The NDC also reaffirmed its readiness to seek legal remedy, saying it would not allow the mandate of Udu Constituency to be taken away through what it described as an unconstitutional process.

The Delta State House of Assembly has not publicly responded to the NDC’s latest statement.

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s determination to ensure that no region is left behind in the quest for a more developed and secured Nigeria.

Tinubu gave the assurance in Abuja on Tuesday, while inaugurating the Transitway N2, from Central Business District to Wuse District, with two bridges, constructed by the FCT Administration.

The President therefore promised to replicate the infrastructural stride being recorded in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in every part of the country.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said that the move would ensure every part of the country is developed with roads, bridges, railways, and more.

The President noted that the Transitway project symbolised progress and a reflection of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, committed to building infrastructure that serves the people, unlocks economic potentials, and supports sustainable growth and development.

‘This infrastructure is a very important piece of the FCT’s Master Plan, designed to ease traffic flow, enhance connectivity, and improve urban mobility for millions of commuters, residents, and businesses alike in the territory.

‘For years, traveling between Wuse and the Central Area meant navigating bottlenecks, losing productive man-hours, and enduring frustrating traffic gridlocks. Today, all that has changed.

‘By cutting down travel times and bridging these two major districts, we are opening up new commercial corridors,’ he said.

The president commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for the ongoing transformation of FCT in line with the Abuja Master Plan.

‘You have contributed to something larger than a roadway; you have contributed to the future of our capital city and therefore given pride to Nigeria,’ Tinubu said.

In his remarks, Wike described the Transitway as a critical road corridor that seamlessly connects Wuse with the Central Business District.

The minister attributed the successes being recorded in the delivery of infrastructure in FCT to the overwhelming support of Tinubu, particularly the removal of the Administration from the Treasury Single Account.

The minister said that on July 17, the last day of the projects’ inauguration, he would present what Tinubu had done for the people of the FCT and for Nigerians in the last three years.

‘There are so many things Mr president has done that we have not made public so that Nigerians will know why we must continue to pray and support him,’ he said.

He assured FCT residents that all roads that were not on the Google map would be captured to enable residents to navigate through the city with ease.

On her part, FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud said that the newly completed corridor was a strategic investment in connectivity, economic growth and urban efficiency.

Mahmoud added that the road corridor also represents another fulfilled promise in the FCTA’s resolve to build a modern and inclusive capital city.

Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the project, the first major realisation of the construction of Transitways in Abuja city was awarded in October 2025.

Dauda described the Transitway as a mixed traffic corridor designed to carry both vehicular and rail traffic through the city and particularly connecting the sector centers.

‘The corridor is designed to support integrated mass transit infrastructure, including light rail in the median and dual carriage roads on each side of the rail to inter-modal terminals at intervals.

‘It is part of the larger mass transit system, which aims to connect the city center with other districts and satellite towns through the inner and outer transit loops,’ he said.

He added that the Transitway in the Abuja Master Plan was designed as a continuous transport corridor that radiates from the transportation centres located in the Central Area, runs through districts like Garki and Wuse in Phase I of the city.

He said that the corridor also runs through the four phases of the city, dissecting sector centres on both the northern and southern development corridors.

‘The road, if fully developed would cover about 52 kilometres (km) on the northern flank and 64km on the southern flank,’ he added.