Category: PM News

Former spokesperson to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, has described allegations made by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, against his former boss on a podcast platform as ‘falsehoods’ and ‘pure fiction.’

Akande served as Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President between 2015 and 2023.

In a lengthy post on his X platform on Saturday, Akande said he was compelled to respond to claims by Lawal because they touched directly on the staff of the Office of the Vice President and decisions he was privy to.

Akande stated that he had watched Lawal’s video containing the allegations against Prof. Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, and insisted that ‘facts only must be stated.’

While dismissing clas of Babachir Lawal in th interview, Akande said his claim that President Muhammadu Buhari considered Osinbajo’s 2022 presidential aspiration ‘immoral,’ is false.

Contrary to the claim, he said the late President supported the aspiration of his deputy to succeed him.

‘On at least four separate occasions, President Buhari personally offered to support the Vice President, telling him plainly: ‘If I don’t support you, who will I support?” Akande said.

He added that before the APC presidential primaries in 2022, Buhari openly commended Osinbajo at a Federal Executive Council meeting for the ‘dignified, issues-based manner’ in which he conducted his campaign. ‘That is not a President who found Osinbajo’s ambition distasteful. That is a President who broached it, encouraged and applauded it,’ he stated.

Akande also described Lawal’s claim that a memo containing over 20 staff names was allegedly delayed by the President’s Chief of Staff because of the ethnic origin of the nominees and later taken to Buhari who rejected it by saying ‘these are all yorubas,’ as false.

‘There was no such memo,’ he said.

‘Anyone who knew President Buhari knows he does not engage in the kind of snide ethnic profiling Mr. Lawal attributed to him – ‘BD, these are all Yorubas.’ That language and that conduct are alien to President Buhari.’

Akande also asserted that Osinbajo always had direct access to the President, took his memos to him for approval, and passed the approved documents to his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Ade Ipaye, for implementation.

He noted that Lawal’s timeline of the events also collapsed because many of the staff, including himself, resumed in June 2015, and there was no three-month delay.

‘By the time a good number of the appointments were made, Mr. Lawal had been sacked by President Buhari (not Osinbajo) for corrupt practices,’ Akande added.

Addressing the allegation that Osinbajo’s staff appointments were based on church membership, Akande described the Office of the Vice President as ‘one of the most inclusive, pan-Nigerian offices in that government – North, South, East, West, Christian and Muslim.’

He highlighted that the most senior official in the office, Deputy Chief of Staff Ade Ipaye, is a Muslim. Three of Osinbajo’s four Special Advisers were also Muslims, including two Northerners – Mrs. Maryam Uwais (Special Adviser on Social Investment) and Dr. Ahmad Zakari (Special Adviser on Infrastructure) and Senator Babafemi Ojudu.

Akande listed dozens of other aides from different parts of the country and religious backgrounds, including Prof. Balkisu Saidu, Amb. Abdullahi Gwary, Ismaeel Ahmed, Ajuri Ngelale, Damilola Ogunbiyi, and many others, stressing: ‘This was a truly national team. It was never a church list.’

On the appointment of Dr. Okey Enelamah as minister, Akande clarified that the former private equity executive was proposed by individuals in the financial services industry and that it was the late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, who informed Osinbajo of President Buhari’s decision.

‘I recall this vividly because when speculations were rife that Osinbajo had brought Enelamah, I asked the Vice President directly. It was then he told me how Kyari had informed him of the President’s decision,’ Akande said.

Regarding board appointments made while Osinbajo served as Acting President, Akande stated that any changes were strictly based on compliance with the law – federal character, age, qualification, or professional requirements – and that President Buhari was fully briefed upon his return and raised no objections.

Akande suggested that Lawal’s claims may stem from personal grievance following his removal as SGF.

He noted that the Senate and the Attorney-General’s report had already indicted Lawal before Osinbajo was asked to chair the investigation panel, and that Lawal himself inadvertently provided evidence that implicated him.

‘But personal grievance cannot justify the manufacture of falsehoods against a man who served with integrity,’ Akande said. ‘Prof. Osinbajo served President Buhari loyally for eight years, without blemish, with an inclusive team that reflected the best of Nigeria. The records are there for anyone who cares to check.’

Read the full response by AKande below

A RESPONSE TO MR. BABACHIR LAWAL’S FALSEHOODS AGAINST PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON

I have watched the video in which former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, made a string of allegations against former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. Ordinarily, such fabrications would not deserve a response.

But I served as the Vice President’s spokesperson. I was in the room where many of these decisions were taken. And the allegations touch directly on the staff of the Office of the Vice President – of which I was a part. For the sake of the record, facts only must be stated.

**1. On the claim that President Buhari considered Osinbajo’s 2022 aspiration ‘immoral’

This is false.

On at least four separate occasions, President Buhari personally offered to support the Vice President, telling him plainly: ‘If I don’t support you, who will I support?’

He was consistent. During the APC presidential primaries in 2022, while campaigns were underway, President Buhari openly commended Vice President Osinbajo at a Federal Executive Council meeting for the dignified, issues-based manner in which he was conducting his campaign across the country. He spoke in a laudatory tone. The entire Council witnessed it.

That is not a President who found Osinbajo’s ambition distasteful. That is a President who broached it, encouraged and applauded it.

**2. On the so-called memo of 20+ staff names:

Mr. Lawal’s claim that Osinbajo wrote a memo containing over 20 staff names, which was sat on by the President’s Chief of Staff, and which he, Mr. Lawal, then took to President Buhari, is a complete fabrication. There was no such memo.

Anyone who knew President Buhari knows he does not engage in the kind of snide ethnic profiling Mr. Lawal attributed to him – ‘BD, these are all Yorubas.’ That language and that conduct are alien to President Buhari.

The procedure was simple and verifiable: Prof. Osinbajo always had direct access to the President. He took his memos directly to the President, obtained approval, and passed the approved memo to (his own Chief of Staff), Mr. Ade Ipaye, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President who then communicated it to the relevant agencies for action. At no stage did this require the SGF, except for the subsequent issuance of appointment letters for staff.

Mr. Lawal’s timeline also collapses. He claimed the memo was delayed for three months. I resumed in the Office of the Vice President in June 2015, alongside several other colleagues. So did many of those whose names he now invents. There was no three-month delay. To those of us who were there, this story is pure fiction.

What actually happened in 2015 is that Osinbajo took different batches of memos to the President at different times for different categories of staff as the office was being set up and as government policies evolved. That is standard practice. There was never a single, bloated, religiously and ethnically-charged list. It is quite simply incredible that Mr Lawal would create such falsehood. It is also noteworthy that by the time a good number of the appointments were made Mr Lawal had been sacked by President Buhari (not Osinbajo) for corrupt practices.

**3. On the composition of Osinbajo’s staff – the church claim:

The claim that Osinbajo appointed people because they were church members is false and is easily disproved by the staff list itself. The Office was one of the most inclusive, pan-Nigerian offices in that government – North, South, East, West, Christian and Muslim.

To suggest a narrow church agenda is not only to ignore the facts, but to pursue a curious and worrying vendetta.

Let the facts speak:

The most senior official in the Office – the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President – was Mr. Ade Ipaye, a Muslim and a distinguished lawyer.

Three of his four Special Advisers were Muslims, including two Northerners: Mrs. Maryam Uwais, Special Adviser on Social Investment, and Dr. Ahmad Zakari, Special Adviser on Infrastructure. The others were Senator Babafemi Ojudu, a Muslim, and Amb. (Dr.) Adeyemi Dipeolu.

The wider team included: Laolu Akande – SSA Media and Publicity; Prof. Balkisu Saidu – SSA Legal, Research and Compliance; Amb. Abdullahi Gwary – SSA Foreign Affairs; Emmanuel Bright – SSA Economic Management; Edobor Iyamu – SSA Economic Affairs; Ismaeel Ahmed – SSA Social Investment; Olayinka Oyeneyin – SSA Project Management; Fadi Rose Audu – SA Domestic; Imeh Patience Okon – SSA Infrastructure; Lillian Idiaghe – SA Legal; Arukaino Umukoro – SA Communication Projects; Daniel Ikuenobe – SA ERGP; Folarin Alayande – SA ERGP; Dr. Effiong Essien – SA ERGP; Olaolu Beckley – SA Documentation; Abdulrahman Baffa – S.A Political; Rotimi Akinnadeju – SA Media; Novo Isioro – SA Visual Communication; Feyishayo Aina – SA Strategic Communications; Gambo Manzo – PA Political; Hafiz Ibrahim – SSA; Nonye Ojekwe – SSA Community Engagement; Dr. Nicholas Audifferen – SSA/Personal Physician to the VP; Ayoleke Adu – SSA Economic; Ajuri Ngelale – SSA Public Affairs; Louis Odion – STA Print Media; Foluso Idumu – SSA Administration; Edewede Akhidenor; Lanre Osibona – SSA ICT; Tolani Alli – SA Media; Tola Asekun – SSA Budget; Damilola Ogunbiyi – SSA Power; Mariam Masha – SSA IDPs; Chiedu Ugbo – SSA Power Privatization; Jumoke Oduwole – SSA Trade and Investment; Muktar Tijani – SA Power; Tochi Nwachukwu – SA Power Privatization; Mohammed Brimah – SA IDPs; Yahaya Maibe – SA Social Investments; Jibola Ajayi – SA BPE; Ife Adebayo – SA Innovation; Myani Bukar – SSA Legal; Nkoli Anyaoku – SA; Phil Obin – TA New Media; Lillian Chukwueke – SA Legal, and many more.

This was a truly national team. It was never a church list.

4. On Dr. Okey Enelamah:

Mr. Lawal claimed the pastor who took over Prof. Osinbajo’s RCCG parish was made minister because of Osinbajo. The pastor in question is Dr. Okey Enelamah.

The truth: Dr. Enelamah at the time of his appointment headed one of Africa’s largest private equity firms. He was proposed by two individuals in the financial services industry and it was President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, the late Mallam Abba Kyari who informed Prof. Osinbajo that the President wanted to appoint Enelamah. Dr. Enelamah is alive and well. He can confirm these facts.

I recall this vividly because when speculations were rife that Osinbajo had brought Enelamah, I asked the Vice President directly. It was then he told me how Kyari had informed him of the President’s decision. I had assumed, like many others, that because Enelamah was close to Osinbajo, he must have nominated him. He did not.

5. On board appointments as Acting President:

When Prof. Osinbajo acted as President, he was constitutionally required to review lists of board nominees before transmission for confirmation. Where changes were made, they were strictly on grounds of compliance with the law – federal character, age, qualification, or professional requirements. President Buhari was fully briefed upon his return and had no issue with those corrections. Due process, not personal preference, guided those decisions.

Conclusion

I understand that Mr. Lawal may still be reeling from the pains of his removal as SGF. It is noteworthy that before the President asked Prof. Osinbajo to chair the investigation into the allegations against Mr. Lawal, the Senate and the Attorney-General’s report had indicted him on the same allegations. It is also noteworthy that it was he himself who inadvertently provided the evidence to the investigation panel that implicated him.

But personal grievance cannot justify the manufacture of falsehoods against a man who served with integrity.

Prof. Osinbajo served President Buhari loyally for eight years, without blemish, with an inclusive team that reflected the best of Nigeria. The records are there for anyone who cares to check.

Expired and substandard products worth N2.6 million impounded from unscrupulous traders were destroyed in Rivers on Friday as part of efforts of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to protect public health.

The products which included expired tomato paste, medicines, chemicals and other regulated items were set ablaze at Iriebe community of Rivers State.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General, disclosed during the exercise that the products were either seized by the agency or voluntarily surrendered by their owners for destruction.

Adeyeye, represented by Dr Martins Iluyomade, an investigative and destruction officer, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for facilitating the handover of the seized products, describing inter-agency collaboration as crucial to preventing harmful goods from reaching consumers.

She said the partnership was strengthened by an existing Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies.

Iluyomade, who is also Chairman of the Federal Taskforce on Fake and Unwholesome Regulated Products, said the displayed items represented only part of the consignment.

He said other containers were still being processed for release from the port, urging the Customs Service to expedite the process.

According to him, the process leading to the destruction exercise took almost two weeks and increased operational costs.

Iluyomade called for stronger cooperation among security agencies, stressing that intelligence sharing and public support were essential to combating counterfeit medicines and unsafe food products.

He urged Nigerians to report suspected fake products through NAFDAC’s established channels rather than publicising them prematurely, which could alert suspects and frustrate investigations.

He said the agency had offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that it was intensifying nationwide operations against illegal factories and counterfeit products.

Mr Chukwuma Oligbu, NAFDAC Zonal Director, South-South said the exercise was part of the agency’s responsibility to ensure that food, drugs, cosmetics, water and other regulated products met safety standards.

Oligbu, represented by Mrs Rita Chukwuma, Deputy Director in the zone, said destroying the products would prevent expired and substandard goods from entering markets.

He commended security agencies for supporting efforts to remove unsafe products from circulation.

Also, Comptroller Aliyu Alkali, the Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne, reaffirmed the service’s support for NAFDAC’s campaign.

Alkali, represented by Mrs Abosede Elizabeth, Superintendent of Customs in the command’s enforcement unit, said harmful products exposed Nigerians to serious health risks.

He urged relevant agencies to sustain collaboration to prevent dangerous goods from reaching communities.

Similarly, Mr Ahmed Zaccah, representing the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), also commended NAFDAC for destroying counterfeit and substandard products seized at the ports.

Zaccah said the exercise would help prevent Nigerian ports from becoming dumping grounds for harmful goods while restoring confidence in legitimate businesses.

He pledged the association’s continued collaboration with NAFDAC and urged importers and clearing agents to comply with regulations and uphold professional standards.

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The Nigerian Army troops have rescued 28 kidnapped victims in Katsina and Zamfara.

The troops also arrested three suspected pipeline vandals in Rivers and neutralised two suspected criminals in Bauchi.

This is contained in an operational report detailing military activities across several theatres between Thursday and Friday, made available on Saturday.

The report said that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 27 victims kidnapped by suspected terrorists in Gamji community, Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, at about 12;25 a:m., on Friday.

It said the rescued victims were handed over to the community leader, Alhaji Falalu Suleiman, for further action.

The report also revealed that troops responding to an attack on farmers in Dutsen Maru community, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara, forced the attackers to flee and abandon one kidnapped victim.

According to the report, troops rescued the victim and recovered three motorcycles and a donkey.

It further said that in Rivers, troops of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, arrested three suspects over an alleged vandalisation and removal of pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC) along the Bonny export line serving the Port Harcourt refinery.

‘The operation took place at Okochiri community, Okrika Local Government Area, on Thursday.

‘The troops recovered 210 pieces of vandalised pipes, 12 boats, five motorcycles, six batteries, a generator, a fire extinguisher and two heavy-duty metal-cutting machines,’ it said.

The report added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the suspected buyer.

It also said that troops of Operation MESA, acting on intelligence about ransom payment to kidnappers, engaged and neutralised two suspected criminals in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

According to the report, troops also arrested a herder and his son over an alleged killing in Jimpi village, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area in separate operation.

The report further said that troops of Operation Enduring Peace recovered the body of a civilian who had been kidnapped on Oct. 14 in Gwol-Hoss community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau.

‘The decomposing body was discovered along the Gwol-Hoss-Makera Road on Friday and evacuated by family members for burial,’ it said.

The report said that troops responding to an attack on illegal miners at Makale mining site in Bokkos Local Government Area also found two bodies, while the assailants fled on sighting the troops.

According to the report, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators of both incidents.

It added that troops of the 17 Brigade engaged armed terrorists on motorcycles in Kurba village, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina state, forcing them to abandon one motorcycle.

‘The operations form part of ongoing efforts to rescue abducted persons, combat violent crime, protect critical infrastructure and strengthen security across the country,’ it said.

A Federal High Court on Friday dismissed a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State.

The plaintiff, Alhaji Faruq Umar, instituted the suit against the ADC Sokoto State chapter leadership, claiming that he was the lawful state chairman recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But Justice Mahmud Gama dismissed the suit for lack of merit, upholding the defendants’ argument that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate his claims.

The court held that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate four claims against the party’s leadership.

The judge upheld the substantive arguments of the defendants, although he overruled their preliminary objection earlier raised.

He said the plaintiff failed to establish his four principal claims with sufficient evidence to substantiate the alleged irregularities.

Consequently, the court dismissed the suit.

Reacting to the judgment, the lead counsel to the defendants, Mr Sulaiman Usman, SAN, described it as significant in advancing constitutional jurisprudence, particularly in two areas.

Usman said the first concerned the doctrine of exhaustion of internal remedies.

According to him, where a statute or constitution provides an internal mechanism for resolving grievances or disputes, an aggrieved party is generally required to exhaust the prescribed procedure before approaching the court.

He said the court found that the plaintiff had failed to exhaust the internal remedies provided under Articles 21 and 22 of the ADC Constitution.

Usman said the second area concerned the nullification of statutory provisions.

He explained that the plaintiff, in part of his first claim, sought the nullification of Subsection 5 of Section 83 and Subsection 6 of the Electoral Act.

The defendant’s counsel added that the court held that although it had the power to nullify statutory provisions, such a decision required sufficient legal grounds.

He said the plaintiff failed to demonstrate how the challenged provisions affected his rights or violated rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

On his part, the lead counsel to the plaintiff, Dr Idris Bala-Ahmed commended the court, saying the parties must continue to appreciate the industry of the court.

There was heavy deployment of security personnel around the Ado-Ekiti Pavillion, venue for the second-term inauguration of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, on Friday.

Security operatives comprising the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) were seen manning strategic locations around the venue.

Some of the law enforcement officers were also stationed at designated locations in Ado-Ekiti metropolis as early as 8:00a.m, while vehicles were subjected to thorough security checks before being allowed into the pavilion.

The venue of the inauguration was filled to capacity by the citizens, including members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

Among the dignitaries for the inauguration were Vice-President Kashim Shettima; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; former Gov. Kayode Fayemi, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; former Gov. Segun Oni, and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State.

Others include Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara; Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo; Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; and former Gov. Ayo Fayose.

The Police Command in the state had on Friday assured residents of adequate security during the inauguration and urged the citizens to remain calm and be law abiding.

The command’s spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, in a statement said the deployment of adequate number of personnel was aimed at maintaining law and order, as well as ensuring the smooth conduct.

Oyebanji was reelected during the June 20 governorship election.

Joint security operatives have arrested five suspected members of the criminal gang allegedly responsible for abducting 20 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State.

The suspects were apprehended during intelligence-led operations conducted by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the military and the police in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.

Three other suspects reportedly escaped during the operations with varying degrees of injuries.

The corps members were abducted on October 1, 2026, along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway. They were subsequently rescued on October 7 during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi in Imo State.

The victims were subsequently taken for medical assessment and necessary care.

During the search operation, the Imo State Police Command reportedly said operatives had traced the kidnappers’ hideout using drone surveillance but faced difficulties accessing the location because it was allegedly planted with improvised explosive devices. Additional operational equipment was deployed as efforts to reach the victims intensified.

The rescue ended the ordeal of the abducted corps members, but security agencies continued efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

The latest arrests represent a significant development in that investigation, with the joint security team seeking to dismantle the criminal network and bring its members to justice.

However, details of the suspects’ alleged individual roles in the abduction, as well as whether further arrests have been made, were not immediately available.

A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. John Otache has been abducted along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State

Otache who is the Parish Priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, jegbe-Awume, in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state was returning home from Otukpo when he encountered the kidnappers.

The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, in a statement signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo confirmed the abduction of the priest.

According to the statement, the priest was abducted on Oct. 13.

Itodo also confirmed that Otache was returning home from Otukpo when he encountered the abductors along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road.

He expressed sadness over the incident, saying the Bishop of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Apochi, was deeply pained by the development.

He called on priests, religious members, the laity and other well-meaning individuals to pray for the priest’s safe and speedy release.

He also urged prayers for other persons held by kidnappers across the country, expressing hope for their safe return.

The Benue Police Command also confirmed the abduction of the priest on Friday

The spokesperson for police in Benue DSP Aondogu Orchia said the command had commenced full investigation into the incident.

He also assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the priest.

The Osun State Police Command has arrested three men over the alleged killing of a resident of Ikire, Seun Ajayi, with an axe, two double-edged knives and three mobile phones recovered during the operation.

The suspects are Nurudeen Ademakinwa, 30; Agboluaje Usman, 23; and Awoniran Toheeb, 20.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Thursday.

According to the police, Ajayi was killed on October 3, 2026, when armed men allegedly attacked him and another person at a barbing salon in the Oja-Ale area of Ikire.

Ojelabi said the complainant, who was with Ajayi at the salon, escaped during the attack, which reportedly occurred around 6pm.

The statement read, ‘On 03/10/2026 at about 1930hrs, the complainant reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ikire, that on the same date at about 1800hrs, while he and his friend were barbing their hair at a salon located at Oja-Ale, some hoodlums led by one Nurudeen Ademakinwa, a.k.a. Igboya Aye-nuru, and others armed with dangerous weapons attacked them and macheted one Seun Ajayi to death while he escaped.

‘On 05/10/2026, through intelligence-led operation, Ademakinwa was apprehended together with two other suspects over the killing. One axe, two double-edged knives and some phones were recovered.’

The police spokesperson further alleged that Ademakinwa had sent voice notes threatening residents of Wasinmi community and warning them to leave the town or face the consequences.

He also linked the suspect to the killing of two passersby during an attack on police operatives attached to the Ikire Division on August 24.

Ojelabi said the three suspects would be charged in court after investigations had been concluded.

In a separate case, the command arrested a 45-year-old man, Mukaila Adeyemo, over the alleged defilement of a minor in Ikire.

The police alleged that Adeyemo assaulted the girl on two occasions, despite her being the granddaughter of a woman identified as his friend.

According to the statement, the suspect allegedly lured the girl to his house in September under the pretext of asking her to help him purchase some items before raping her.

The police further alleged that Adeyemo struck again on October 2, the victim’s birthday, when he reportedly invited her to his workshop in the Ilupeju area of Ikire before taking her to a nearby bush, where he allegedly defiled her.

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has said he will die a happy man of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) can solve the problems of lack of compliance to court judgments, especially by government agencies.

‘If you can solve that for me, believe me, I will die happy,’ Soyinka said while lamenting the gap between justice delivery and implementation. He spoke while delivering a goodwill message at the inaugural Nigerian Ombudsman Annual Conference organised by the PCC in Abuja on Thursday.

The conference has the theme: ‘System Building and Compliance: A Key Factor to Good Governance’.

Soyinka decried delays in implementing court judgments, warning that victims sometimes died without benefiting from decisions secured through years of legal battles.

‘Why is it that we cannot guarantee the implementation of the declaration of a judgment between the plaintiff, between the judgment itself, between the judges, the structure of justice and the victim?’ he asked.

He questioned why court decisions were ignored by government agencies in spite of being delivered publicly by competent courts.

‘Why is it that people we know have actually died without seeing the fruits of their endeavours for justice?’ he asked.

Soyinka cited cases where citizens waited years for government agencies to comply with court orders, including directives to return confiscated passports.

He described such delays as ‘medicine after death’ and challenged the PCC to make closing the enforcement gap a primary responsibility. The Nobel Laureate said addressing the problem would help restore public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.

Responding, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, Sidi Bage Muhammad I, attributed the problem to indiscipline and poor leadership.

The retired Supreme Court Justice said enforcement rules already existed, but public officials should not require repeated reminders to obey court orders.

He described those in authority as the ‘real culprits who would not respect court orders and decisions of court’.

Bage said leaders must set an example by complying with judicial decisions if they expected ordinary citizens to do the same.

‘You do not need, after a pronouncement is made by court, to be reminded again that you are to comply with the decision of our courts,’ he said.

In his keynote address, PCC Chief Commissioner, Mr Bashir Abubakar, described the conference as historic, marking the first such gathering in the Commission’s 51-year history.

He said the event followed the Commission’s Golden Jubilee celebrations a year earlier and focused on building institutions that deliver justice beyond the personalities occupying public offices.

Abubakar disclosed that the Commission received 1,281,984 complaints in the last two years and resolved 716,688.

He said the figures reflected growing public confidence in the Ombudsman institution but also highlighted the substantial volume of unresolved complaints.

Describing the PCC as more than a complaints office, he called it ‘the conscience of democracy’, restoring public trust when institutions failed to follow their own rules.

Abubakar said the Commission had introduced reforms, including improved budgetary allocation, full implementation of the CONLESS salary structure, biometric staff verification and the creation of new directorates.

He called on the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, private sector and civil society to work together to promote compliance and make administrative justice accessible and predictable.

Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, congratulated Abubakar on his leadership and for convening the inaugural conference.

Anyaoku called for greater public awareness of the PCC’s services, describing the Ombudsman as a less expensive and less cumbersome alternative to litigation.

He said many Nigerians experienced non-payment of gratuities and pensions, alongside unsatisfactory medical care in public and private institutions, without knowing where to seek redress.

He expressed confidence that the conference would strengthen the Ombudsman institution and improve access to its services.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, described the conference as timely and commended the PCC leadership for the initiative.

Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, Mrs Augusta Beke, said the Commission was established in 1975 to address maladministration and provide accessible avenues for redress.

He said complaints should be treated not merely as criticism of government but as valuable information for identifying institutional weaknesses and preventing systemic failures.

Akume said good governance required strong systems, clear procedures, competent personnel and a culture of compliance rather than reliance on individual goodwill.

He added that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda prioritised institutional reform, accountability and improved service delivery, areas complemented by the PCC’s work.

Also speaking, Sen. Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, called for a shift from personality-driven to system-driven institutions.

Imasuen, who represented the Senate President and the House of Representatives, said establishing systems was only part of the solution.

He warned that laws and policies could not deliver results if public officials routinely disregarded them without consequences.

Imasuen said the PCC provided citizens with a channel to challenge unlawful and unfair administrative actions, while complaint patterns could expose institutional weaknesses requiring reform.

He urged participants to develop practical recommendations for strengthening institutional capacity, improving compliance monitoring and translating lessons from complaints into measurable reforms.