Category: PM News

Two adult men have been rescued from a fire that engulfed a residential building on Onitire Road, Itire, Lagos, with one of them sustaining burn injuries.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said the incident occurred at 43 Onitire Road, near Smith Bus Stop, adding that the injured victim was taken to Gbagada General Hospital for treatment.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the agency’s Senior Public Affairs Officer, Fadairo Maria, said the emergency call was received at about 9.10 p.m., while firefighters arrived at the scene at 9.35 p.m. and immediately began firefighting and rescue operations.

According to the statement, the fire affected an eight-room bungalow and spread to a three-bedroom flat on the upper floor of an adjoining two-storey residential building.

The bungalow and its contents were severely damaged, while the affected section of the adjoining building and its contents sustained minor damage.

The agency said firefighters rescued a 75-year-old man from the bungalow. The elderly man, who uses a wheelchair, was rescued alongside a 42-year-old man who sustained burns while attempting to save him.

The injured man was subsequently evacuated to Gbagada General Hospital by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for medical attention.

Firefighters from the Isolo, Sari and Bolade stations of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service participated in the operation, with support from the Federal Fire Service, Ojuelegba.

Other agencies at the scene included the Lagos Response Unit, LASAMBUS, the Nigeria Police Force from Itire Division and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

The fire service said the blaze was eventually brought under control.

It added that preliminary assessment suggested that negligence resulting in an electrical surge might have triggered the incident, although the exact cause was yet to be determined.

The Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, urged residents to maintain their electrical installations properly, avoid overloading sockets and engage qualified electricians to inspect and repair faulty electrical systems.

She also advised residents to switch off electrical appliances when not in use and promptly report fire emergencies.

The agency said residents could contact emergency services through the toll-free numbers 112 and 767 or the Lagos Fire hotline, 08033235891.

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has addressed allegations linking his administration to recent political violence in the state, demanding an impartial investigation into a shooting that left one person injured.

Mbah, in a statement addressed to the people of Enugu State, expressed concern over the violence surrounding a recent political gathering, insisting that anyone found responsible would face the law regardless of political connections.

The governor said his administration had already made its position clear concerning allegations of government involvement in the incident.

‘I am deeply concerned by the reports of violence surrounding the recent political gathering in Enugu, particularly the shooting that left a citizen injured,’ he stated.

‘In furtherance of our preliminary findings regarding the incident, I expect the police to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.

‘Anyone found responsible for these acts will be held accountable through the proper legal process, regardless of their political connections.’

Mbah sympathised with the injured victim, affected families and residents who experienced fear following the incident.

He maintained that every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, must be allowed to exercise their political rights without intimidation or violence.

The governor also acknowledged concerns about the security situation, assuring residents that protecting lives, upholding the law and ensuring justice without favour remained his administration’s responsibilities.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday reserved ruling on the admissibility of the statement of the former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, following a trial-within-trial.

Idris is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Geoffrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited on a 14-count charge, bordering on stealing and fraudulent diversion of public funds to the tune of N109.5 billion.

The trial-within-trial was ordered by the court on November 22, 2022, as a result of an application by counsel to the first defendant, Chris Uche, SAN, who alleged that the statements made by his client to the EFCC were obtained through deception and inducement.

In adopting the defence’s final written address, the first defendant’s counsel, held that the prosecution has not proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and urged the court to reject the prosecution’s documents and video evidence, presented before the court.

In his response, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution filed a written address, dated October 9, 2026, and adopted it and prayed the court to admit the statements.

He stated that the prosecution has fully discharged the burden of proving that the first defendant made his statement voluntarily which was supported by three witnesses whose evidence was not contradicted during cross-examination.

‘My lord, we filed a written address, dated and filed on October 9, 2026. We adopted the said written address and urge your lordship to admit the statements sought to be tendered. They are 14 different statements made on 13 different days.

‘My lord, we have fully discharged the burden to show that the statement was made voluntarily. We called three witnesses who witnessed the taking and the writing of the statement and their evidence were not contradicted under cross-examination. And we have shown prima facie that the statements were obtained voluntarily,’ he said.

While regretting the slow wheel of justice on the matter, the prosecution counsel said, ‘We are taking a lot of time over this matter and it is giving me serious concern because this is 2022 case and we are still in PW1 and then your lordship gives us direction to file written address in 21 days. Since June 2026, the first defendant did not file, more than three months before he filed, he did not even say anything about it.’

Justice Yusuf Halilu deferred ruling on the admissibility of the defendant’s statement to a date which he said will be communicated to both parties.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged registered voters in Lagos State to verify their details in the Register of Voters before the ongoing display exercise ends on October 15.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, made the appeal on Tuesday during a press briefing on the commission’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Salami said the display of the register, which began on October 9, was taking place across the state’s 245 Registration Areas and wards in line with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.

He explained that the exercise would enable registered voters to confirm the accuracy of their personal information and identify discrepancies requiring correction.

To make the process easier, the commission has introduced a QR code initiative to help residents locate their designated centres for the display of the register.

The REC urged voters who had yet to check their details to take advantage of the remaining days of the exercise.

He disclosed that Lagos had 7,488,633 registered voters, making it the state with the highest number of registered voters in Nigeria.

According to him, the state has 20 local government areas, 245 Registration Areas and 13,325 polling units, requiring careful planning and coordination ahead of the 2027 elections.

Salami also announced that the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had commenced at designated collection centres across the state’s 20 local government areas.

He clarified that PVCs were currently available for people who registered between August 25 and December 10, 2025, as well as those who registered between 2011 and 2022 but had yet to collect their cards, subject to the commission’s records.

However, he said PVCs for people who registered between January 5 and July 26, 2026, were not yet available. He added that the commission would announce the collection arrangements for those cards through its official channels.

The REC encouraged eligible voters to collect their PVCs when available and keep them safe, noting that the cards were essential for accreditation on election day.

He also called on political parties, civil society organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to promote peaceful participation and responsible civic conduct.

Salami reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting transparent, inclusive, peaceful and credible elections in 2027, urging residents to rely on official commission channels for accurate electoral information.

Nigerians can now check their home addresses and obtain digital postcodes through the Federal Government’s new National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System, introduced by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

The system was launched nationwide on October 1, 2026. It assigns an 11-character code to each building, making it easier for people to identify, locate and share addresses.

Users can search for locations using house addresses, place names, postcodes and other known names. Some records also show property owners’ names where buildings are commonly identified by those names.

Here are the steps to check your digital postcode and the address details linked to your building.

1. Visit the official NIPOST website

Visit the official postcode website at postcode.gov.ng and select the ‘Find my postcode’ option.

You can also download the NIPOST Postcode application through the website. The Android version is available on Google Play, while the iOS version is listed as coming soon.

2. Search for your home address

Enter your house number, street name, neighbourhood or another detail that can help identify your location.

You can also search using a place name, postcode or alternative name, where available.

Choose the result that matches your address and check the map to confirm that it points to your building.

Look at nearby roads, neighbouring buildings and familiar landmarks to ensure that you have selected the correct location.

3. Check if your name appears

Some property owners’ names appear in the system because residents commonly use those names to identify their buildings.

NIPOST Postmaster-General, Tola Odeyemi, said officials collected both formal and informal addresses during the data collection exercise.

In some communities, buildings do not have clear street names or house numbers. Residents may therefore identify a building by the owner’s name.

To check if your name appears, examine the address information linked to your building. You can also search for your name if people commonly use it to identify the property.

However, if your name does not appear, it does not necessarily mean your building is missing from the system.

The postcode belongs to the building, not to its owner or occupants.

4. Use your phone’s location to find your building

If you are at or near your home, you can use your phone’s location service to find your building on the map.

Switch on your phone’s location service and allow the application to access your location when prompted.

Select ‘Find My Postcode’ to display your position and nearby buildings.

Locate your exact building on the map and select it to obtain its digital postcode.

Make sure you select the correct building because neighbouring properties may have different postcodes.

5. Correct mistakes or request a missing postcode

If the information about your building is incorrect, use the platform’s correction option to report the error.

If your building does not have a postcode, you can request one through the website or application.

You will need to provide the relevant address details and location information. You can also submit a Google Maps link to help officials identify the building.

NIPOST reviews requests for missing postcodes and proposed corrections before updating its records.

6. Understand what the postcode means

The digital postcode identifies a building or location, not an individual resident.

This means people living in the same building can use the same postcode alongside their regular address.

If you move to another building, you will use the postcode assigned to your new location.

The system is designed to make it easier to locate addresses and improve services such as deliveries, logistics, emergency response and public service delivery.

According to information on the official platform, finding, saving and sharing a digital postcode is free.

Nigerians are advised to confirm that the building shown on the map matches their actual address before using or sharing its postcode.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released a revised list of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo among the notable additions.

The development comes ahead of the formal inauguration of the campaign council on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

A statement by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the inauguration would mark a major step in the party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election

According to the revised list, Wike will coordinate Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Rivers State and the FCT, while Adeleke will serve as Osun State Campaign Coordinator.

Dankwambo has been appointed a campaign council adviser alongside Obafemi George, who will also advise on media matters.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has been named Deputy Director-General, South II, while Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, will serve as South-South Deputy Coordinator for State Assemblies Mobilisation.

Minister of Works David Umahi takes the position of Deputy Director-General for Infrastructure and Sensitisation.

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has been appointed Director of Finance, while Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman Zacch Adedeji will oversee fundraising.

Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Lere Olayinka and Segun Sowunmi have also been included in the campaign’s media communications team.

Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo will serve as Deputy Director for Sports Sector Mobilisation, while Ayiri Emami has been appointed Director for Special Duties.

Former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje takes charge of Stakeholder Mobilisation, with former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola serving as South-West Zonal Coordinator for Stakeholders’ Mobilisation.

Meanwhile, former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari retains his position as Director-General of the campaign council.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole remains Deputy Director-General for Mobilisation, while President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, continues as Deputy Director-General for Administration.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma retains his position as council secretary, assisted by APC National Secretary Ajibola Bashiru and Hadiza Bala-Usman as Deputy and Assistant Secretaries, respectively.

Dele Alake also retains his position as campaign spokesman, while James Faleke remains Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.

A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo has dismissed a suit filed by the Akwa Ibom state government challenging the statutory powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate the financial activities of the state government.

The suit was filed by Akwa Ibom State’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko, in 2017.

Dele Oyewale, Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC recalled in a statement on Tuesday that case originated in 2016 when some indigenes of the state petitioned the Office of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC over alleged diversion of state resources for purposes other than the welfare and development of the state.

The Commission then commenced investigation into the matter and subsequently invited some government officials for questioning.

But rather than honouring the invitation, the officials approached the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Ikot Ekpene, through the state Attorney-General, challenging the Commission’s actions.

The suit also joined other federal government agencies.

In the suit, the Attorney-General challenged the Commission’s authority to investigate the financial activities of the state government. While the matter was pending before the State High Court, the Attorney-General instituted another suit at the Federal High Court.

The Attorney-General further obtained an interim restraining order on July 6, 2016, from the late Honourable Justice F.O. Riman, restraining the Commission and other federal government agencies pending the determination of the case.

The order was subsequently relied upon to challenge the Commission’s attempts to invite state officials for questioning. An appeal against the restraining order was unsuccessful, as the Court of Appeal directed the parties to return to the trial court and await the determination of the substantive suit.

In response, the EFCC’s counsel, Joshua Abolarin filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the suit.

The objection was predicated on the grounds that a similar suit instituted before the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Ikot Ekpene, remained pending and had not been determined before the commencement of the federal suit.

Delivering the landmark judgment on Thursday, October 8, 2026, Justice Justice M.A. Onyetenu hinged the ruling on the preliminary objection filed by the Commission’s legal team.

The ruling marks a significant legal development in the protracted dispute over the Commission’s investigative powers in relation to the financial activities of the Akwa Ibom State Government.

The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has honoured the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, ACC John Attah Onoja, with its Outstanding Operational Commander’s Award.

The award was presented at DECAN’s 2026 Conference and Awards held on October 12 at the Nigerian Army Command Officers’ Mess 1, WU Bassey Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja.

The conference, themed ‘Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,’ focused on the growing importance of intelligence, technology and inter-agency cooperation in tackling security threats.

Onoja attributed the recognition to the operational and leadership philosophy of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Abubakar Ahmed Audi, mni, OFR.

Discussions at the conference highlighted the need for security agencies to complement conventional enforcement with intelligence-led operations, advanced surveillance and effective information-sharing.

In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by Air Commodore Stephen Ogunmodele, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), said military firepower alone could not guarantee national security, stressing the importance of intelligence in identifying threats and enabling precise operations.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi O. Oluyede, also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, geospatial intelligence, space-based surveillance and intelligence fusion in strengthening operational effectiveness.

For the Mining Marshals, these priorities are relevant to efforts to combat illegal mining, protect mineral resources and disrupt illicit activities. Effective enforcement, however, requires more than raids and arrests; it depends on credible intelligence, inter-agency coordination and sustained action against illegal operations.

The conference also addressed the risks of AI-generated misinformation and the need for responsible defence reporting to protect operational security while maintaining public accountability.

The keynote address was delivered by former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.).

As Nigeria seeks to strengthen security and maximise the economic benefits of its mineral resources, the challenge remains to translate intelligence-driven strategies into measurable results, including reduced illegal extraction and improved protection of mining communities and national assets.

An Abuja High Court on Tuesday adjourned the trial of a Nigerian rapper, Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as ‘Odumodublvck’ in a suit of assault and battery until Oct. 14.

The lawsuit was instituted in November 2025 by Levi Ogbogiri, also known as Kraziecent, who alleged that the rapper assaulted him without provocation during a public event on Dec. 16, 2024.

At the resumed hearing, Ogbogiri’s counsel, Uchenna Ojembe announced his appearance and said the matter was for hearing.

Ojembe informed the court that the defendant and his counsel Taiwo Akinsulie were absent in court but his client was in court and ready to proceed.

He went further to remind the court that the matter has suffered too many adjournment and he is ready to proceed for hearing

However, Justice J.O.E Ajayi ordered for a stand down to enable Odumodublvck and his counsel to be in court before proceeding.

The court on June 23 the court, adjourned the matter until Oct. 13 and 14 for hearing.

After the stand down, the defendant and his counsel failed to appear.

The claimant, entered the witness box, adopted his witness statements on oath and affidavits deposed to on Feb. 25, 2026, and prayed the court to grant his prayers.

He told the court that he was relying on an array of digital and documentary exhibits already before the court to prove his case against the defendant.

He listed the exhibits to include multi-party contracts, medical records, photo evidence, and digital footprints pertinent to the dispute.

According to him, part of the testimony highlighted an unperformed booking contract involving Walex Biz Nigeria Ltd, Shelter groove Ltd, Capworld Nigeria Ltd and Chinotem nig Ltd.

He also referenced medical documentation detailing a wrist injury and subsequent treatments, supported by medical report and photo evidence.

He said other exhibits included WhatsApp communication logs and payment receipts, among other documentary evidence.

However, after listening to the claimant and the tendered evidence, the judge adjourned the matter for cross-examination of the claimant by the defendant.

The claimant is seeking an order directing the defendant to pay his medical expenses and to issue a public apology via his social media platforms and two national dailies, or pay N2 billion in damages.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that opposition parties no longer pose a serious political threat in Kaduna State, boasting that it now controls all elective positions across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party also expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would secure two million votes in Kaduna, attributing its growing political strength to Governor Uba Sani’s leadership.

The APC State Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Haruna, made the declaration at a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, October 12, while announcing preparations for Tinubu’s presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for October 24.

Haruna claimed that the ruling party now controlled all 23 local government areas, 255 wards, 16 federal constituencies and three senatorial districts in Kaduna.

‘Today, in Kaduna State, there is no elective position that is not manned by an APC person,’ he declared.

He insisted that the party’s dominance was unprecedented in the state’s political history.

‘I want to tell you, there has never been a time in the history of Kaduna State where all parts of Kaduna State, all the 255 wards, all the 23 local government areas, all the 16 federal constituencies and three senatorial districts are controlled by one party until this time,’ Haruna said.

‘If we say there is no opposition, it is not rhetoric; it is not a mere saying. It is a fact that is on the ground,’ he added.

The APC spokesman also blamed the party’s electoral setbacks in 2023 on former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, accusing his administration of alienating residents through controversial policies.

He cited the demolition of houses and markets, dismissal of workers and alleged mishandling of religious and ethnic differences.

‘The election in Kaduna State in 2023 was a referendum on the governing style of the former governor of Kaduna State,’ Haruna stated.

He argued that Governor Sani’s inclusive approach had since improved the party’s fortunes, particularly in Southern Kaduna, where opposition parties previously enjoyed significant support.

Haruna also urged northern voters to support Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that the president had consistently supported northern politicians seeking the country’s highest office.

He recalled Tinubu’s political support for the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua in 1992, Atiku Abubakar in 2007, Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and Muhammadu Buhari ahead of his 2015 presidential victory.

‘This is the only individual in the history of Nigeria that has supported the aspiration of northerners at different times to be the president of Nigeria,’ he claimed.

‘Going by the antecedents of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am bold to say that it is we, the northerners, that owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu our support,’ Haruna added.

He maintained that Kaduna would deliver on Governor Sani’s promise of two million votes for Tinubu.

‘The show that our able governor has promised Mr. President that Kaduna State is going to produce two million votes for the President is not just a mere saying; it is a fact,’ he said.

Haruna described Kaduna as the heartbeat of northern Nigeria, saying its selection to host the October 24 presidential campaign flag-off demonstrated Tinubu’s commitment to the region.

He announced that a dedicated media centre had been established to provide information about the event, assuring party supporters and visitors that the state was prepared to receive them.