Category: PM News

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday affirmed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s authority to regulate airtime and data credit services, but held that the Commission’s powers operate alongside those of the Nigerian Communications Commission, not in place of them.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, delivering judgment in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026, held that the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 are within the FCCPC’s statutory and constitutional powers. In the same ruling, the judge established that the relationship between the FCCPC and sector-specific regulators is complementary, holding that ‘concurrency means coexistence, not displacement.’

The court affirmed the FCCPC’s precedence in competition and consumer protection matters under Sections 104 and 105 of the FCCPA 2018, while explicitly preserving the NCC’s technical, licensing, and prudential responsibilities under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

The court also held that the FCCPC lacks the power to issue licences and that nothing in the DEON Regulations creates a telecommunications licensing regime. The NCC remains the sole authority responsible for licensing companies in the telecommunications sector.

The finding carries immediate practical significance: in April 2026, the FCCPC approved five companies to operate as airtime and data credit providers under the DEON framework. The court’s ruling raises a direct question about the regulatory basis on which those approvals were granted.

The finding is the first judicial pronouncement on how oversight of airtime and data credit services sits between the two regulators, in a market estimated at between N300 billion and N400 billion annually and used by approximately 40 million Nigerians daily.

Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, welcomed the clarity the judgment provides.

‘The court has done something important,’ Adebayo said. ‘It has confirmed the FCCPC’s authority and, in the same breath, affirmed that the NCC’s role is preserved. Concurrency means coexistence. The industry now expects both regulators to establish the coordination framework that the court’s reasoning requires.’

Adebayo called on the FCCPC and the NCC to engage the industry in formal consultation before enforcement action is taken, noting that airtime credit services were suspended for three months earlier this year following an enforcement directive and were restored only recently.

‘Forty million Nigerians depend on these services,’ he said. ‘The court has made clear that both regulators have a role. The industry is asking them to define how that works before any action that could disrupt access again.’

Adebayo also noted that the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council directive of 6 April 2026, which requires all federal agencies to conduct a Regulatory Impact Assessment before significant regulatory changes, remains in effect.

The judgment is expected to set a precedent for how sector-specific regulators and the FCCPC share oversight as digital products increasingly cross traditional regulatory boundaries.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), RS1 Zonal Command, has launched a special enforcement operation, codenamed ‘Operation Fushin Zuma,’ to strengthen compliance with road traffic regulations across the zone made up of four states.

The Zonal Commanding Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Sanusi Gambarawa, disclosed this on Monday in Kaduna during the inauguration of the operation.

Gambarawa said the initiative followed a directive from the FRSC National Headquarters after a meeting involving the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Operations, zonal commanders and sector commanders nationwide.

He explained that the operation was part of efforts to decentralise key operational activities from the national headquarters to the 12 zonal commands, allowing each zone to address traffic challenges peculiar to its area.

According to him, the RS1 Zonal Command designed the operation to focus on major traffic offences prevalent in the zone.

He listed the targeted offences to include tyre violations, road hazard violations, overloading, and mixed loading involving the carriage of passengers and goods in the same vehicle.

The zonal commander said all sector and unit commands under the zone had been mobilised to implement the operation alongside sustained public enlightenment campaigns.

He said the exercise would reinforce compliance with traffic regulations while complementing the corps’ mandate of reducing road traffic crashes and saving lives.

Gambarawa urged motorists and other road users to cooperate with FRSC personnel, stressing that road safety remained a collective responsibility.

He added that the corps would continue to work with transport unions, relevant institutions and other stakeholders to improve safety on Nigerian roads.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the RS1 Zonal Command comprises Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states. ( NAN)

Mr. Joel Adoga, a defendant standing trial for fraud alongside former governor Nasir El-Rufai before the Federal High Court, Kaduna has lost a fundamental rights enforcement suit he instituted against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)

Adoga had approached the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, alleging that the Commission infringed on his fundamental rights by denying him access to his family and legal representatives, and by allegedly compelling him to make statements during investigation.

The applicant sought various reliefs, including declarations of breach of his rights, an order of habeas corpus, damages, and injunctive orders restraining the ICPC from further investigation, detention, or prosecution in relation to the subject matter.

However, in its joint counter-affidavit, the ICPC categorically denied all allegations of unlawful arrest, detention, denial of access, coercion, intimidation, or inhuman treatment, maintaining that Mr. Adoga was lawfully invited and investigated based on a petition and reasonable suspicion of his involvement in corrupt practices and suspicious financial transactions involving the alleged diversion of Kaduna State Government funds.

The Commission further stated that Mr. Adoga was granted administrative bail during the investigation and that his subsequent detention was pursuant to a valid remand order issued by a competent court.

The ICPC also explained that following the conclusion of investigations, Mr. Adoga was formally charged before the Federal High Court, Kaduna, where he was arraigned and granted bail.

Mr. Adoga’s continued detention, where applicable, was not due to any act of the ICPC, but as a result of his failure to fulfil the bail conditions imposed by the trial court.

The ICPC informed the court that Mr. Adoga was at no time denied access to his family members or legal representatives. The Commission also stated that all statements made by him during the investigation were voluntary, taken under caution, and in the presence of his chosen legal counsel.

Mr. Adoga is facing a 10-count criminal charge alongside Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai before the Federal High Court, Kaduna.

The charges include allegations that between 2016 and 2023, the former governor allegedly took control of various sums in United States Dollars through his domiciliary account with Guaranty Trust Bank, including $320,800 allegedly paid in tranches by Mr. Adoga, as well as other deposits amounting to $155,800, $305,300, and several smaller sums from different individuals, all reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Mr. Adoga is also accused of conspiring with Mallam El-Rufai in July 2019 to disguise the origin of $10,000 deposited into the said account.

Delivering judgment in the fundamental rights suit, Justice M.S. Idris found no merit in the allegations made by Mr. Adoga against the ICPC and held that there was no infringement of the applicant’s fundamental rights.

The Court accordingly dismissed the suit in its entirety and affirmed that the actions of the Commission were carried out within the bounds of the law.

The ICPC reiterates its commitment to the rule of law, due process, and the protection of the constitutional rights of all persons, while diligently carrying out its statutory mandate of investigating and prosecuting corruption and related offences in Nigeria.

Three young men died on the spot on Sunday after a Toyota Camry with number plate ABC 833 CE lost control and crashed into the culvert of a bridge on Deidei- Idu- Karmo New Road in Abuja.

The accident occurred around 3:45 pm and involved four young male occupants, according to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and eyewitnesses at the scene.

A FRSC Route Commander, Jubrin Lawal, who led the rescue operation said three of the four men in the vehicle died on the spot.

He said that one of the bodies was recovered, while two others remained trapped in the wreckage.

‘The fourth occupant survived and was rescued from the car by FRSC emergency responders who arrived shortly after the incident,’ he said.

According to him, the crash was caused by speed.

He said the driver lost control of the vehicle, which rammed into the culvert of the bridge with such force that the engine was thrown into the river.

‘The FRSC personnel had to cut through the wreckage of the car, to recover the trapped bodies in the wreckage.

‘The bodies recovered have been deposited at a nearby morgue, while the rescued victim is battling for survival at a hospital in the area,’ he said.

Traffic along the axis was disrupted for hours as rescue operations continued, with motorists advised to use alternative routes.

Speaking through telephone, the FRSC Head of Operations, FCT Command, Sabitu Abdu, confirmed the development.

He commended the Deidei Unit Command officials for their prompt response to the accident.

Abdu said the swift deployment of personnel to the scene helped in rescuing the survivor and in recovering the trapped bodies from the wrecked vehicle.

He said that such timely intervention was critical in reducing casualties and restoring order along the busy route.

‘It reflected the corps’ commitment to saving lives and ensuring safety on Nigerian roads,’ he said.

The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Ogun governorship election, Oladipupo Adebutu, as a trustworthy and reliable leader.

The monarch made the declaration on Sunday while receiving Adebutu, his running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, PDP leaders and supporters during a courtesy visit to the Ake Palace in Abeokuta.

Presenting Adebutu to members of the Egba Traditional Council, Oba Gbadebo praised the PDP standard bearer for his character, pedigree and commitment to public service.

‘I am pleased to present Oladipupo Adebutu to all of you as a man who is trustworthy and reliable. May God continue to stand by you,’ the monarch said.

The Alake also paid glowing tribute to Adebutu’s father, renowned businessman and philanthropist Sir Kesington Adebutu, recalling his generosity and contributions to the development of Egbaland and Nigeria.

Sharing a personal experience, the monarch narrated how Sir Kesington single-handedly purchased a permanent secretariat for a club to which they both belonged after members had struggled to raise the required funds.

‘The son of a lion must resemble the lion. In fact, he is an even better version of his father,’ Oba Gbadebo declared, expressing confidence in Adebutu’s leadership qualities and offering prayers for the success of his governorship ambition.

Speaking during the visit, the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Hon. Abayomi Tella, said the palace visit formed part of Adebutu’s statewide consultations with key stakeholders ahead of the 2027 election.

Tella criticised the state of local government administration under the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that despite increased allocations to councils, grassroots development had remained stagnant.

According to him, an Adebutu administration would prioritise local government autonomy, restore effective governance at the grassroots, and ensure that councils deliver meaningful infrastructure and basic services to residents.

Adebutu’s running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, appealed to the people of Egbaland to support the PDP ticket, assuring them that the party would not betray their confidence if elected.

Former presidential adviser and PDP senatorial candidate for Ogun Central, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, also endorsed Adebutu’s candidacy, describing him as a visionary leader with the political will to transform Ogun State.

She said her decision to join the PDP was based on her conviction that Adebutu possesses the capacity to implement policies that would improve the lives of Ogun residents.

Obasanjo further urged traditional rulers and the people of Egbaland to rally behind the PDP, insisting that the party has assembled the strongest political team in the zone ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has confirmed that he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, signed a written agreement committing Obi to serve only one four-year term if elected president in 2027.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Kwankwaso said he was confident Obi would honour the agreement, which provides for power to return to the North after the expiration of a four-year southern presidency.

Asked whether Obi’s one-term pledge was binding, Kwankwaso said he had no reason to doubt the former Anambra State governor.

‘I personally believe him. Based on what I know about him, I don’t think he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen, and we have accepted to put it on paper,’ he said.

Kwankwaso disclosed that two separate agreements were signed-one by the party and another personally between him and Obi.

‘We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,’ he said.

According to him, the agreement commits both leaders to work together to ensure a successful administration from 2027 to 2031 before the presidency returns to the North.

‘The agreement is that after four years, we will continue to work together as a party, as friends and brothers, so that after our four-year term, from 2027 to 2031, power returns to the North,’ he explained.

Explaining why he accepted the vice-presidential nomination despite previously seeking the presidency, Kwankwaso said the arrangement reflects the need for fairness and national balance.

He said both leaders agreed that the South should produce the president for one term before power shifts back to the North, describing the arrangement as a consensus capable of promoting national unity.

On whether he intends to contest the presidency in 2031, Kwankwaso said the party remains focused on winning the 2027 election while keeping its long-term political plans in view.

STAC Marine Offshore Ltd. has partnered with Lagos-based brand communications agency Flip Visuals to develop a new corporate identity following its $20 million acquisition of the Abo Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility.

The branding initiative comes after STAC Marine acquired the deep-water oil and gas asset in September 2023, marking a significant expansion of its operations in Nigeria’s offshore energy sector.

According to the company, Flip Visuals was engaged as its full-service brand communications agency to create a comprehensive brand identity that reflects STAC Marine’s growing presence in the deep-water energy industry and positions it for engagement with global energy companies, regulators and business partners.

The agency said the assignment went beyond designing a logo, focusing instead on building a brand that aligns with the company’s long-term strategic ambitions.

Co-Founder and Creative Director of Flip Visuals, Austine Nwaojei, said STAC Marine understood from the outset the importance of establishing a strong corporate identity as it expanded its operations.

‘They didn’t need to be convinced that brand visibility matters. They already knew. Our role was to translate their operational ambition into a visual and communications system that reflects the scale of their business,’ he said.

Flip Visuals said it developed a brand identity centred on STAC Marine’s strengths as a responsive, locally rooted and operationally disciplined Nigerian energy company.

The project included a new logo inspired by FPSO pipeline architecture, a redesigned corporate website, a communications strategy aimed at positioning the company as a thought leader in FPSO asset management, as well as social media management and visual content production.

STAC Marine’s management described the project as the creation of a brand from the ground up rather than a redesign of an existing identity.

The company said the exercise has strengthened its corporate image as it seeks to deepen its footprint in Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas industry and engage more effectively with international stakeholders.

Flip Visuals, a Lagos-based brand management and visual communications agency, provides brand strategy, visual identity development, web design, corporate communications, social media management and video production services to clients across the energy, maritime, fintech and other emerging sectors.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two senior members of the Ansaru terrorist group to life imprisonment after they admitted to multiple terrorism-related offences.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgement on Monday, convicting Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas and Mukhtar, described as the group’s self-proclaimed emir, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri or Malam Mamuda.

The pair changed their plea from not guilty to guilty on all 32 charges filed against them by the Department of State Services (DSS), prompting the court to enter convictions on every count.

While delivering the sentence, Justice Nwite said he had taken into account the plea for mercy made by defence counsel Bala Dakum and the personal appeal presented by Usman.

The court imposed life imprisonment on both men for counts 30 and 31, which relate to financing terrorism through proceeds from illegal mining and ransom payments. They were also sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine on the remaining terrorism counts. The jail terms are to run concurrently from the date of their arrest.

Abba received an additional 15-year sentence, while Usman was also handed a 15-year term on a separate count relating to illegal mining used to finance terrorism.

The two men were first arraigned in September 2025 after their arrest in separate DSS operations carried out between May and July that year. They initially denied all allegations, although Usman admitted one count linked to illegal mining. On Monday, however, both defendants withdrew their earlier pleas and accepted responsibility for every charge.

Addressing the court, defence lawyer Dakum said the decision to plead guilty followed consultations with his clients.

‘After having consultation with the defendants my lord, they have agreed and are ready to change their plea and we apply that the charge be ready to them accordingly,’ he said.

The prosecution, led by David Kaswe, did not oppose the application and urged the court to convict the defendants under Section 274 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Kaswe argued that the guilty plea left no doubt about their culpability.

‘I urge this honourable court to draw strenght from the ACJA, 2015, I just cited and the apex court’s decision also cited and convict the defendants on all the 32 counts on the charge sheet filed by the prosecution.

‘This is our humble application my lord,’

In a plea for leniency, Dakum said the convicts had accepted responsibility for their crimes and expressed genuine remorse.

‘However, they have come to the court in honest show of remorse and accepatnce of full responsibility for their actions,’ he said.

He urged the court to exercise mercy, noting that Usman was 50 years old, had 19 children and suffered from arthritis.

‘The first convict (Usman) is a 50-year-old man and have 19 children.’

Dakum added that Usman wished to return to school and rebuild his life.

He also appealed on behalf of Abba.

‘The second convict (Abba) is a 34-years-old man with three children and a wife.

‘He is also suffering from arthritis and he is the bread winner of their family.’

The lawyer further told the court that both men claimed they had been forced into terrorism and were now willing to support security agencies with intelligence.

‘The convicts informed me of their willingness to provide the security agencies with intelligence and information about anything relating with terrorism in Nigeria; their network, financing, intelligence, etc.

‘Why they are not justifying their actions this morning, they are willing to support the security agencies.’

Usman also addressed the court personally, asking for compassion.

He said their decision to plead guilty was intended to save the court’s time and reflected their remorse.

‘I am a man who has 19 children and I have been suffering this health condition (arthritis),’ he said.

‘I am pleading my lord, under your mercy, to please assist me in our situation. I am pleading seriously,’ he begged.

According to the charges, the two men financed terrorism through illegal mining and kidnapping for ransom, fabricated improvised explosive devices, coordinated sleeper cells and maintained links with Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups operating across the Sahel and Maghreb.

The prosecution also linked them to several high-profile attacks and kidnappings, including the 2022 attack on the Nigerian Army’s Wawa Cantonment in Kainji, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp, the kidnapping of traditional rulers and the 2022 Kuje prison attack, during which more than 600 inmates escaped.

The DSS alleged that proceeds from mining activities and ransom payments were used to procure arms and explosives, forming the basis of the counts that attracted life imprisonment.

The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had previously described the two men as key figures behind the Kuje prison break and said they operated networks stretching into Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

The DSS also alleged that the pair coordinated terrorist operations across several parts of Nigeria and maintained close ties with extremist groups operating beyond the country’s borders.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has said Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi had earned widespread respect for his prudent leadership, integrity, philanthropy and commitment to the common good.

Ohanaeze said this while congratulating Obi on his 65th birthday in a statement on Sunday.

While lauding the former Anambra governor’s contributions to national development, the group described Obi as a disciplined leader whose personal example continues to inspire many Nigerians, especially the youth.

This is contained in birthday message issued by Ohanaeze’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, on behalf of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta Mbata, the Global Executive Committee (GEC), on Sunday in Enugu

Chukwu said that Obi had distinguished himself through diligence, discipline, enterprise and an enduring commitment to public service.

He said that the former Anambra Governor had earned widespread respect for his prudent leadership, integrity, philanthropy and commitment to the common good.

According to him, Obi’s personal example continues to inspire many, particularly the younger generation, to embrace excellence, hard work, accountability and selfless service to society.

‘As a proud son of Alaigbo, Obi’s accomplishments have contributed to projecting the values for which the Igbo nation is known, including industry, resilience, innovation, integrity and respect for the dignity of every human person’.

The organisation also praised his commitment to peace, unity and the advancement of humanity.

Chukwu prayed that God would grant Obi many more years in good health, renewed strength, divine wisdom and abiding grace, while wishing him greater fulfilment and continued service to humanity in the years ahead.

‘Happy 65th Birthday, Your Excellency. May God continue to bless and keep you,’ the Igbo apex body said. (NAN)

The Police have explained how six people working at a farm died following a thunderstorm in Ganye Local Government Area of the state of Adamawa State.

The command’s Spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed this in a statement on Monday in Yola.

Nguroje said the incident occurred on Sunday at about 4; 00 p.m., in Dadiri-Tirigali village within the locality during a heavy rainfall.

According to him, the command received an emergency report from the Ganye Divisional Headquarters on the natural disaster.

‘The report said that lightning had struck nine persons who were working on a farm in the village.

‘On receipt of the report, personnel from the division were promptly deployed to the scene, who on reaching there found the victims lying unconscious on the ground.

‘Three of the victims later regained consciousness, while the remaining six were confirmed dead by medical personnel.’ (NAN)