Category: PM News

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has debunked a media report alleging he was offered ?500 billion to contest against the presidential candidate of National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, to split South-South votes.

Special Adviser on Media to Jonathan, Dr Ikechukwu Eze, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, described the publication as entirely false and baseless.

Eze called on Nigerians to disregard what he described as a fabricated report published by a ‘little-known website’ which ‘falsely’ attributed a statement to Jonathan claiming that he was offered such amount.

He noted that the fabrication lacked the most basic standards of journalism.

‘The report failed to state where or when Jonathan allegedly made such a claim, who was present or who purportedly made the alleged offer,’ he said.

Eze noted that the publication bore all the hallmarks of fake news deliberately crafted to mislead the public and drag the former president into unnecessary political controversy.

While acknowledging that the approach of a political season often brings a surge in misinformation and false attributions, he, however, urged Nigerians to disregard the report in its entirety and verify sensational claims before sharing them.

For thousands of vulnerable families across Lagos, access to government support can mean the difference between surviving hardship and building a better future. From widows struggling to feed their children to small business owners trying to recover from economic setbacks, every well-coordinated social intervention has the potential to change lives.

Recognising this, the Lagos State Government has begun another effort to ensure that assistance reaches the people who need it most by strengthening how Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) plan and deliver social protection programmes.

Speaking at the Social Protection Policy Measures Onboarding and Adoption Workshop organised by the Social Protection Coordinating Department, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, said the initiative would help government agencies integrate social protection principles and global best practices into their programmes.

According to her, the workshop is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the State’s approved Social Protection Policy Measures while equipping them with practical skills to design and implement interventions that reduce poverty, protect vulnerable residents and promote social inclusion.

She stressed that the success of social protection depends on collaboration among government agencies, improved targeting and accountability to ensure that support gets to those who need it most.

‘Our interventions will only be effective when we work together, improve our targeting and ensure that government support reaches the most vulnerable members of society,’ she said.

Mrs. Ojo urged participants to see the workshop as more than a routine training exercise, describing it as another important step towards building a more coordinated, inclusive and resilient social protection system in Lagos State.

In his goodwill message, Director of the Social Protection Coordinating Department, Mr. Yusuf Semiu, acknowledged the progress made so far but noted that more work lies ahead in aligning Lagos’ social protection programmes with global standards.

He challenged representatives of participating MDAs to assess the impact of their programmes by asking critical questions: Are interventions improving access to education? Are communities becoming more resilient to economic shocks and climate-related emergencies such as flooding? Are government programmes inclusive and gender-responsive?

According to him, answering these questions will help shape the next phase of the State’s social protection policy, which is due for review after completing its current five-year cycle.

Also speaking, Director of the Lagos Bureau of Statistics, Mr. Tayo Ope Oseni, described social protection as one of the pillars of sustainable development, alongside education, healthcare and economic growth.

He encouraged implementing agencies to take ownership of the initiative and maximise the State’s Single Social Register to identify and support residents who require government assistance.

For many Lagos residents facing economic hardship, these policy conversations represent more than government meetings. They are the foundation for programmes that can provide food, education, healthcare, livelihoods and protection during difficult times.

The government restated that the ultimate goal is ensuring that no vulnerable resident is left behind and that social protection becomes a practical tool for improving lives across Lagos.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Sunday visited the freed Eda Oniyo kidnap victims at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, where they are receiving treatment after spending about 66 days in captivity.

The governor visited the victims in the emergency and children’s wards and said he was relieved that they were stable and responding to treatment.

The victims, including women and children, were abducted on April 28 during a programme at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo.

A pastor was killed during the attack, while 16 worshippers were taken into the bush by the kidnappers.

One of the victims died in captivity, while the remaining 15 are now receiving medical care at EKSUTH.

Oyebanji said the state government would bear the full cost of their treatment and also provide psychological support to help them recover from the trauma.

‘I am happy that they are back. I am happy that the little child who was unconscious yesterday is now conscious. All of them are stable, and they are responding to medical treatment. I commend the staff of EKSUTH for a job well done,’ he said.

The governor added, ‘I have instructed that the state will bear the cost of their treatment and everything that happens between now and when they are discharged. I will also engage psychologists to counsel them with a view to reintegrating them with their family members.’

Oyebanji thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support and commended security agencies, including members of the Hunters’ Association, for their role in the operation.

He also praised the Eda Oniyo Progressives Association, the Christian Association of Nigeria and other Ekiti indigenes who supported efforts to secure the victims’ release.

The governor warned residents against politicising security matters, saying the safety of Ekiti people should be placed above politics.

‘We should be our brothers’ keepers. The safety of every Ekiti indigene should be our concern, and there should be a limit to politics,’ he said.

‘I will advise our people that when things like this happen, they should not weaponise them or play politics with them. It was so shocking that some people decided to play politics with this unfortunate incident.’

The state government had earlier directed EKSUTH to provide comprehensive medical screening and treatment for the victims.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services has also been ordered to supervise their welfare until they are certified fit to reunite with their families.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger collaboration among African armies to tackle terrorism, insurgency and other transnational security threats.

Shaibu made the call at the Third African Land Forces Forum held alongside the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026 in Port Harcourt.

This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, on Sunday in Abuja.

The COAS welcomed army chiefs and defence leaders from 17 African countries participating in the forum.

He said their presence reflected a shared commitment to strengthening unity, enhancing collective security and promoting lasting peace across the continent.

Shaibu said integrating the forum into NADCEL 2026 provided an opportunity to celebrate the Nigerian Army’s heritage while deepening military cooperation across Africa.

He recalled that the Nigerian Army, established in 1863 as the Glover Hausas, had evolved into one of Africa’s most capable land forces.

The army chief said the forum was conceived to promote dialogue, collaboration and experience-sharing among African armies.

According to him, the platform is designed to strengthen interoperability, build enduring partnerships and develop coordinated responses to shared security challenges.

Shaibu said Africa’s security threats had become increasingly complex and transnational, requiring collective action beyond national boundaries.

He said Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations had demonstrated the importance of adaptive strategies, effective air power, intensive training and regional cooperation.

He added that the Multinational Joint Task Force had contributed significantly to degrading insurgent capabilities and reclaiming territories in the Lake Chad Basin.

Shaibu said the forum would also feature exhibitions of modern defence technologies, indigenous innovations and military equipment.

He said the exhibitions would promote capability development, knowledge exchange and stronger strategic partnerships among participating countries.

The COAS urged delegates to maximise the opportunity for robust discussions and collaboration towards advancing Africa’s collective security interests.

He expressed confidence that the forum would produce practical outcomes for a more secure, peaceful and stable continent.

The Gombe State Police Command has arrested eight persons suspected of belonging to a criminal gang linked to armed robbery and cyber fraud in different parts of the state.

The arrests followed an investigation into a robbery reported on June 7, 2026, in Wuro Birji, Akko Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Buhari Abdullahi, said two residents, Hassan Muhammad and Jibril Hassan, informed the police that armed men carrying cutlasses broke into their homes and carted away their mobile phones.

According to the police, the stolen phones were later used to obtain sensitive banking information, enabling the suspects to gain unlawful access to the victims’ accounts.

The command said one victim lost N296,790 from a GTBank account, while the suspects also secured and withdrew a Quick Loan worth N205,205, bringing the total amount taken to more than N500,000.

‘Acting on credible intelligence and following painstaking technical analysis of the fraudulent transactions, operatives successfully traced one transaction to a Moniepoint account, which led to the arrest of the first suspect, Mustapha Kabiru, alias ‘Musty Bobo,’ a 19-year-old ND II Computer Science student of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo,’ the statement partly read.

Police said Kabiru admitted during questioning that he used information extracted from stolen mobile phones to access victims’ bank accounts and conduct fraudulent transactions.

‘His confession subsequently led to the arrest of seven additional suspects,’ the statement added.

Further investigations, according to the command, indicated that the group was allegedly connected to more than 13 similar cases reported in Wuro Birji, Riyal, Bomala and Jauro Jatau communities.

The police said efforts were continuing to track down other members of the alleged syndicate who are still on the run, adding that investigations into the case were ongoing.

The Commissioner of Police, Umar Ahmed Chuso, praised the officers involved in the operation and reiterated the command’s resolve to tackle both violent crime and cybercrime across the state.

‘The command remains unwavering in its commitment to tackling all forms of criminality, including cybercrime and violent offences.

‘Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant, adequately secure their personal information and digital devices, and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station’, the commissioner said.

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has adjourned until July 29 the hearing of a petition alleging professional misconduct against Mr Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN, and two other lawyers.

The adjournment followed the committee’s rejection of an application by Mr D. O. Okolo, counsel to Ezechukwu seeking the dismissal of the petition on the grounds that Mr Kingsley Aneubuna, who filed the petition had indicated an intention to withdraw it.

Okolo argued that the petitioner, had decided to withdraw the matter and was aware of the proceedings but failed to appear before the panel.

Documents made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) showed that Aneubuna had filed the petition against Ezechukwu, Smart Ukpanah and Hope Onyekwere over alleged professional misconduct.

The petition accused the trio of professional misconduct, criminal misrepresentation, forgery and perjury.

At the sitting of the committee, chaired by Mr Kalu Umeh, Okolo, urged the panel to dismiss the petition.

‘The petitioner forwarded a letter notifying the committee of his intention to withdraw the petition, the petitioner is very much aware of the proceedings but is not before the panel,’ he said.

In his ruling, the chairman rejected the application, stating that the committee’s rules did not permit the withdrawal of petitions once issues had been joined.

‘Since issues have been joined, we are obligated by the rules of this committee to adopt the processes filed by the petitioner,’ Umeh said.

The panel subsequently adjourned the matter until July 29, for definite hearing.

NAN reports that the petition arose from a disputed property transaction involving Ngozika Nwaneri, Uche Okoli and Multi Shelters Limited.

The dispute is connected to Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1182/2018 concerning Plot No. 713, Cadastral Zone B14, Dutse District, Abuja.

According to the petition, the petitioner was offered a terrace duplex on the disputed land in 2018 by Okoli and Multi Shelters Ltd for N51 million.

Before making payment, the petitioner and her lawyer allegedly sought clarification from Ezechukwu on the status of the property and were assured that it had a clean and unencumbered title.

The petition stated that relying on those assurances, the petitioner accepted the offer, made the required payments and executed an agreement for the transaction.

The petition stated that the house was expected to be completed within about two years, during which the petitioner was to complete all payments.

The petitioner said she later observed a slow pace of work and sought an explanation but was allegedly assured that the property would still be delivered within the agreed timeline.

In 2021, the petitioner allegedly discovered that the property was already the subject of litigation in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1182/2018, filed in March 2018.

The petition further alleged that Justice Hussein Yusuf granted an injunction in the matter in 2018.

The petitioner also alleged that she was joined as a co-claimant in the suit without her knowledge or consent by Ukpanah, who allegedly filed court processes and represented her and other subscribers without authorisation.

It was further alleged that Onyekwere testified in court on behalf of the petitioner and others without their knowledge or authorisation.

The petition also accused Ezechukwu of presenting a forged version of the agreement between his clients and the petitioner, alleging that the document bore a forged signature and was backdated to 2012 instead of 2018, when the genuine agreement was executed.

The petitioner maintained that both the forged and genuine agreements were prepared by Ezechukwu, who allegedly knew that litigation over the property was already pending in 2018 when the property was sold.

The petition further alleged that the petitioner paid for the property based on fraudulent misrepresentations by Ezechukwu and his clients.

The petitioner later engaged another lawyer to have her name struck out of the suit and subsequently filed Petition No. BB/LPDC/760/2022 against the respondents.

The petitioner urged the LPDC to investigate the respondents, all of whom are legal practitioners called to the Nigerian Bar, for alleged misconduct.

A Nigerian woman, Habibat Salawudeen Ihiovi-Jack, has completed a 144-hour Bible reading marathon as part of an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record.

The challenge began on June 22, 2026, and lasted for six consecutive days. During the marathon, Habibat spent hours continuously reading passages from the Bible, demonstrating remarkable endurance, discipline, and commitment to her faith.

Many supporters followed her progress throughout the event and encouraged her as she worked to complete the ambitious challenge. Her effort attracted attention from people who admired her determination and dedication to sharing the message of the Bible.

Habitat said the attempt was not only about breaking a world record but also about promoting the importance of Scripture and encouraging others to strengthen their faith through regular Bible study.

With the 144-hour marathon now completed, she is awaiting official verification from Guinness World Records. The organisation will review the evidence submitted before deciding whether the achievement qualifies as a new world record.

Regardless of the final outcome, many Nigerians have praised Habibat for her resilience, perseverance, and commitment to completing a challenge that demanded both physical and spiritual strength.

Congratulations and goodwill messages have continued to pour in as people celebrate what many describe as an inspiring achievement.

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the Federal Government’s proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, said the proposed changes should undergo wider consultations before being introduced. He made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

According to the lawmaker, the NYSC remains an important national institution that has played a major role in promoting unity and national development since it was established in 1973. While he acknowledged the need for reforms, he stressed that any changes should not weaken the scheme’s core purpose of fostering national integration among young Nigerians.

The Federal Government recently unveiled what the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described as the first major review of the NYSC since its creation more than five decades ago.

Some of the proposed reforms include restructuring the orientation camp into three phases, creating 11 specialised career streams for corps members, strengthening skills acquisition programmes, replacing the traditional khaki uniform with locally produced attire, and appointing a civilian as Director-General of the scheme instead of a military officer.

The proposals have sparked mixed reactions across the country. While some stakeholders believe the reforms will modernise the scheme and improve opportunities for young people, others fear they could affect the original objectives of the programme.

Agbese particularly expressed concern over the proposal to appoint a civilian as NYSC Director-General. He argued that military leadership has helped maintain discipline, patriotism, and a sense of national service among corps members over the years.

The lawmaker urged President Tinubu to set up a broader review committee made up of security experts, lawmakers, former NYSC officials, youth groups, and other stakeholders to carefully examine the proposed reforms before they are implemented.

The NYSC was established on May 22, 1973, by the administration of former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon to promote national unity and reconciliation after the Nigerian Civil War. Since then, the scheme has contributed to education, healthcare, elections, community development, and cultural integration across the country.

The proposed reforms are regarded as the most extensive review of the NYSC since its establishment and have renewed discussions about the future of the national service programme in Nigeria.

Justice Joel Agya, Chief Judge of Taraba, on Saturday night, commended President Bola Tinubu for taking bold steps towards establishment of the State Police in Nigeria.

Agya gave the support while speaking in Wukari at a dinner and launching for the Justice Joel Agya Bar Centre Project, Organised by the Wukari branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

He said that the issue of state police was crucial given the spate of criminality in the country.

‘The State Police would employ indigenes to police their localities rather than deploying people, who might not be conversant with local terrains.

‘I want to believe that this policy will go along way in maintaining law and order within local communities.

‘What we are concerned about is for the institution to operate within the ambit of the law, he added.

He commended the NBA leadership for the Law Week and encouraged the guests at the dinner to donate generously for the construction of the NBA secretariat complex.

In his remarks, Mr Hassan Saubana, Chairman of the branch, called on the judiciary to employ more judicial officers for the courts in the southern part of the state.

Saubana observed that inadequate manpower constituted a huge challenge in the discharge of Justice in the area.

He commended the chief Judge, high court judges and other guests for taking their time to attend the event.

He gave assurances that work on the Justice Joel Agya NBA Secretariat complex would commence as soon as funds were made available.

The event mark the end of a two- day law week Programme organised by the Wukari branch of the NBA.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to account for the inclusion of more than ?1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for a presidential council that the Presidency has publicly declared does not exist.

In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated July 4, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation demanded certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the ?1,302,978,784 allocation to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

The rights group also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately invoke its constitutional oversight powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution to investigate how the allocation was made, identify those responsible for any irregularities, and determine whether public funds were appropriated for an entity with no legal existence.

SERAP further requested records identifying the National Assembly committees that processed the allocation, the lawmakers involved, and the public officials or representatives who defended the budget proposal during legislative scrutiny.

The organisation also sought clarification on whether the controversial allocation originated from the Executive’s initial budget proposal or was introduced during the legislative appropriation process.

It asked whether any lawmaker questioned the legal status or operational mandate of the council and what actions were taken in response.

The request follows reports that the PFIPC received over ?1.3 billion in the 2026 national budget, despite a statement issued by the Presidency on July 1 declaring the council a fictitious body that was never established by the Federal Government.

According to SERAP, the contradiction between the budget allocation and the Presidency’s denial raises serious concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s appropriation process, legislative oversight and public financial management.

‘Nobody has a more sacred obligation to obey the law than those who make the law,’ the organisation stated, stressing that the National Assembly has a constitutional duty not only to approve budgets but also to rigorously scrutinise expenditure proposals before authorising the release of public funds.

SERAP argued that Nigerians deserve to know whether billions of naira were appropriated for an entity that lacks legal backing and how such an allocation passed through the legislative process without being flagged.

The group maintained that disclosure of the requested documents would enable citizens to determine whether the National Assembly fulfilled its constitutional responsibilities under Sections 80, 81, 88 and 89 of the Constitution during consideration of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

It added that making the records public would strengthen confidence in the National Assembly, promote transparency in public finance, and reinforce accountability in the management of government resources.

SERAP also cited the Freedom of Information Act, the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the internationally recognised Tshwane Principles, arguing that public institutions have a legal obligation to disclose information concerning the use of public funds and allegations of official misconduct.

The organisation gave the National Assembly seven days to comply with its requests, warning that it would initiate legal proceedings if the information was not provided within the stipulated timeframe.

‘The requested records concern matters of exceptional public importance,’ SERAP said, insisting that openness in the handling of the controversial allocation is essential to preserving the credibility of Nigeria’s budgetary process and ensuring accountability in public governance.