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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a four-day extension of the ongoing ward-level Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Originally scheduled to end on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the exercise will now continue until Sunday, October 12, 2025.

The decision was taken following a review of ongoing electoral activities at INEC’s third quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

According to the Commission, the extension aims to accommodate more eligible voters and sustain the encouraging level of participation recorded so far.

‘As of October 7, 2025, a total of 55,346 new voter registrations had been recorded in the FCT, comprising 38,528 online pre-registrations and 16,818 completed physical registrations,’ said Victoria Eta-Messi, INEC’s director of voter education and publicity, in a statement issued on Wednesday. She noted that the impressive turnout reflects increasing civic awareness among residents and the success of bringing the registration exercise closer to the grassroots.

Eta-Messi reaffirmed that the online pre-registration option remains suspended to allow pre-registered voters to complete their registration in person at designated centres, in line with the Electoral Act 2022.

‘The Commission once again appeals to all eligible citizens who have not yet registered to take advantage of this extension,’ she added.

‘Registered voters who wish to transfer their registration to the FCT, or within the FCT, are also encouraged to do so. However, citizens are reminded that multiple registration is a punishable offence under the law.’

INEC further advised residents to visit its website or official social media handles for the list and addresses of registration centres, while appreciating the cooperation of FCT residents and the commitment of its field officials to ensuring a smooth and inclusive registration process.

Destiny Ogedegbe is a corporate and MandA attorney at the New York office of Paul, Weiss. He advises on high-stakes corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions involving both public companies and private equity clients. He holds law degrees from Harvard Law School, the Nigerian Law School, and the University of Benin. He is licensed to practice in both New York and Nigeria. Outside legal practice, Destiny is the co-founder of IdaliaAfrica, a platform that empowers emerging professionals across Africa and beyond. He is also an investor and strategic advisor to several African-led businesses.

What inspired you to pursue a legal career?

I guess it depends on which phase of my life you’re looking at. When I got into the University of Benin to study law in 2013, there was no grand inspiration. I wasn’t passionate about law or anything, really. It just felt like the default path for someone who’d excelled in the arts. I was valedictorian, top of my class, and simply followed the predictable script rather than any real calling.

The second phase of my legal journey was different. That began when I left Nigeria. By then, I’d practiced law for a while and finally had space to think. The flood of rejections I got applying for jobs in 2022-2023 almost made me say, ‘good riddance to law!’ But I’ve always been drawn to intellectual challenges, fast-paced, high-stakes environments where you’re constantly learning and solving complex problems. These days, those problems sit at the crossroads of law, business, and corporate power.

Practicing law in the United States, for all its flaws, places you right in that intersection. You advise multiple clients, work with top-tier colleagues, and think rigorously under immense pressure. I wanted that. Of course, the fear of being broke in a foreign country was a strong motivator too. But truthfully, I’ve always been drawn to sharp edges. If not law, I’d probably be in investment banking, somewhere equally intense.

What are the key challenges young lawyers face within the legal profession?

Many young lawyers I know simply dislike the job and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Law is important, even fascinating work, but it’s rarely cozy.

The long hours, constant pressure, and unending expectations wear you down. For many, the hardest part is simply accepting the nature of the work.

But once you do accept the nature of the work , offer yourself as a foot soldier to its flagellation (as well as its perks), you can deal with a ton of its challenges.

Still, one challenge that lingers is the recurrent fear of self-erosion. Early in your career, it’s hard to draw a line between who you are and what you do.

If you’re creative or neuro-divergent, the job can feel like a shrinking tunnel, it consumes your time, your mind, your sense of self. And if you’re chasing excellence (which is unironically the bar set for you by the firm), that pursuit can easily erode your identity. Excellence is a jealous god, you know? Then there’s the unrelenting pressure to be consistently great. Law is not just a service profession, it’s a trust business. Clients trust your judgment; partners trust your instincts. That trust takes years to build but seconds to lose. For young lawyers still finding their footing, the weight of constant perfection can be crushing. You’re expected to perform flawlessly even as you’re still learning and that’s often what drives so many out of the profession.

What do you think sets successful young lawyers apart in today’s legal industry?

It’s what sets people apart in any high-intensity field, the ability to do the hardest part, not just once, but every time. Most lawyers at the level I practice are already smart, skilled, and capable of managing chaos. Clients don’t bring us easy problems; they come with issues that are complex, risky, or requiring massive coordination.

But what truly sets young lawyers – the outliers- apart is raw drive a relentless commitment to excellence. You can’t quite define it, but you know it when you see it: flawless execution, speed, sharpness, and energy that doesn’t fade. These are the people who don’t wait to be told what to do; they anticipate, initiate, and push ahead. There’s a kind of professional arrogance to it, not ego in the conventional sense, but conviction. It’s a kind of evident belief that you should know what everyone else knows, and once you do, you’ll understand it better. You see this early in certain associates.

And it’s no surprise that they grow fast.

The legal profession is fast-paced and known for its high-pressure environment. How do you manage stress?

I don’t manage stress in the usual way. I rarely even feel it like most people do. I have unusual cognitive stamina. Rest for me often looks like another form of mental work. I might play chess at 3 a.m., write, or watch long-form content on complex ideas. I don’t eliminate stress; I negotiate with it. I recover on my own terms; sometimes resting in the afternoon, eating big meals, working out at night, and keeping routines that keep me sharp. . I also immerse myself in things that have nothing to do with legal work. That separation gives me the distance I need to return to my work with fresh eyes.

Who is one legal leader you look up to and why?

Truthfully, I don’t idolize many legal leaders. A lot of them are brilliant, yes, but the profession often smooths out their personalities in ways I find uninspiring. That’s not how I am and sheer legal brilliance alone doesn’t move me.

I admire people who live fully in the arena of life. I recently had dinner with Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, who co-founded Aluko and Oyebode in Lagos, at a time when sophisticated corporate practice in Nigeria was almost nonexistent He’s got that edge I respect. I look up to people who took risks, built from scratch, and refused to be molded by the profession. People who didn’t just work but created stories worth remembering. Because in the end, life is a story and I want mine to be one worth remembering.

Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public to be cautious about investing with AfriQuantumX.

AfriQuantumX claims to have attracted $51 million (about N76billion) investments and paid $452 million dividends. It also said the platform has 12,300 active users and 34,900 verified users.

SEC said any person who places investment or engages with the entity, does so at his/her own risk, adding that its operations exhibit characteristics commonly associated with fraudulent Ponzi schemes.

‘The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission has been drawn to the activities of AfriQuantumX, which holds out itself as an investment platform trading on and selling cryptocurrency and stocks to investors in Nigeria.

‘The Commission hereby informs the public that AfriQuantumX is not registered by the Commission either to solicit investments from the public or operate in any capacity within the Nigerian capital market,’ SEC said in a recent notice. A misleading message.

AfriQuantumX has been parading as an investment platform that integrates artificial intelligence to optimise financial strategies.

It claims to the project was born with the mission of promoting economic development in Africa and has been recognised for its innovation in the financial sector. ‘The platform offers new safe investment opportunities adapted to the needs of those who want to grow their wealth in a reliable and sustainable way,’ according to the platform.

‘The AfriQuantumX investment platform is an innovative initiative that integrates advanced technologies and the experience of the companies that comprise it, in an accessible and unified solution for the inhabitants of Africa.

‘The project was created with the objective of promoting financial growth and improving the economic well-being of the region. Investment can start from as little as $250, making the platform accessible to a wide range of users.

‘AfriQuantumX offers a transparent and efficient mechanism to receive regular income directly into investors’ bank accounts, providing a modern approach to capital management and growth,’ the platform claims.

It exposes you to financial risk including fraud, potential loss of investment.SEC warns investors

Meanwhile, SEC said investigations have revealed that AfriQuantumX has been actively promoted on social media platforms and online forums.

‘The Commission uses this medium to reiterate that transacting in the Nigerian Capital Market with unregistered and unregulated entities exposes investors to financial risk including fraud and potential loss of investment.

‘The investing public is therefore reminded of the need to verify the registration status of companies and entities offering investment opportunities on the Commission’s dedicated portal – www.sec.gov.ng/cmos, before transacting with them,’ SEC added.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria has emphasised the urgent need for integrity-driven reforms across the financial ecosystem to strengthen public trust, market stability, and national development.

Speaking at the 55th Annual Accountants’ Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Rabiu Olowo, executive secretary/chief executive officer of the FRC, represented by Titus Osawe, coordinating director, Directorates of Corporate Governance and Inspections and Monitoring, said ethical leadership remains the bedrock of accountability and economic transformation.

He described ethical leadership as the consistent demonstration of integrity, transparency, accountability, and moral courage in decision-making, noting that it goes beyond compliance to doing what is right even when no one is watching.

Olowo warned that when ethical judgment fails, the consequences extend beyond individuals to institutions and entire economies. He recalled both global and domestic financial scandals that stemmed from weak governance and unethical behaviour.

‘At its core, ethical leadership is the consistent demonstration of integrity, transparency, accountability, and moral courage in decision-making. It goes beyond compliance. It is about doing what is right, even when no one is watching.

‘In the accounting profession, ethical leadership is not only desirable but indispensable. We are custodians of truth in financial reporting, stewards of public trust, and sentinels of corporate accountability. The choices we make in boardrooms, audit committees, ministries, and firms influence investor confidence, policy direction, capital flows, and ultimately, the credibility of our markets.

‘In the accounting profession, ethical leadership is not only desirable but indispensable. We are custodians of truth in financial reporting, stewards of public trust, and sentinels of corporate accountability,’ he said. Highlighting the Council’s mandate, the FRC boss said the agency continues to promote ethical conduct through standard-setting, registration and oversight of professionals, investigation of misconduct, and enforcement of corporate governance codes such as the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) 2018 and the Audit Regulations (2020). He also noted that the adoption of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) framework marks a significant step in institutionalising transparency and accountability in corporate disclosures, particularly in the area of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting.

On emerging issues, the FRC raised concern over the ethical risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation in accounting and auditing.

‘Algorithms can’t replace ethics. As digital tools and AI reshape financial reporting, the ethical use of data and technology is becoming a growing concern. Professionals must ensure that innovation does not erode integrity,’ Olowo stated

He also warned against regulatory arbitrage, greenwashing, and the misuse of digital assets, urging accountants to remain vigilant and uphold ethical standards even in fast-changing financial environments.

Reaffirming the Council’s commitment to deepening ethical culture, Olowo said the FRC is advancing initiatives to embed ethics into corporate reporting frameworks, strengthen collaboration with regional and global regulators, and introduce new governance codes for the public and not-for-profit sectors.

A third witness for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) (PW3), in the trial of former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi that no banking regulation was breached by the defendants.

He told made the statement while testifying before an FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja on Wednesday.

Bello and his co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu were arraigned on November 27, 2024 on 16 charges bordering on alleged property fraud to the tune of N110 billion.

The PW3, Williams Abimbola, confirmed, said during cross-examination, that no banking regulation was breached in the transactions allowed by her bank, the United Bank for Africa, Plc. When the matter was called for continuation of hearing, Abimbola, a Compliance Officer with UBA, admitted that she had given similar evidence before the Federal High Court in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Yahaya Bello.

She, however, admitted not being the relationship or account manager of the Kogi Government House account and that the account was domiciled in Lokoja but noted that transactions were in line with stipulated guidelines.

The witness, who had testified that she worked at the Area 3, Abuja branch of UBA at a previous FHC hearing on March 6, 2025, told the court that she could work at any branch.

‘I reported to 18, Adetokunbo Ademola Wuse 2, Abuja, this morning,’ she said.

On cross-examination, by the Defence Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, when asked as a compliance officer, does her duty involve protecting the integrity of the bank from legal penalty, reputational damage and financial losses, she responded yes.

She had confirmed multiple transactions by Abdulsalam Hudu (third defendant) in the sum of N10 million each between July 31 and August 6, 2019.

Abimbola told the court that she was not in a position to know why the withdrawals were made when asked.

She explained that when making transfer, the bank asks for the purpose of transaction and relationship on high volume transactions.

But she added that the bank does not make such enquiries in the case of cash withdrawal, noting that the banker was not an internal auditor of the customer.

Abimbola also mentioned transfers, in tranches, by one Bello Abdullateef, on July 5, 2019, saying that the bank did not breach any regulations in allowing the withdrawals or transfers. She said that there was no withdrawal that went beyond N10 million in all the transactions presented before the court.

She claimed to have been with the bank for 19 years, adding that she understood the duties of a cashier, which included paying cash and receiving cash.

Abimbola had earlier listed the authorised signatories on the Kogi Government House account, as at 2004, to include Christopher Enefola, Permanent Secretary; Onekutu Daniel, Chief Accountant and Hudu Abdulsalami, Accountant as contained in Exhibits F2, Page 37.

She mentioned a letter dated, September 2008, with three signatures – Elder P.S Ocheni, Abbas Ibrahim Abubakar, Chief Accountant and Abdulsalami Hudu, Senior Accountant.

During cross-examination by the Counsel to the second defendant, Mr A.M. Aliyu SAN, presented the witness with a bank statement marked page 3 of F1, May 27, 2019, where the withdrawals were made.

She admitted that the narration on the credit entry was the governor’s security fund and noted a credit entry of N100 million, in two tranches of N50 million each.

‘My Lord, I am not privy to the details of the transaction and cannot categorically answer that question,’ the witness responded.

Earlier, during cross-examination by Daudu, SAN, the witness had admitted that she had not met or had any business to do with the second defendant, Umar Oricha.

She also said she had not met the first defendant, former Gov. Yahaya Bello before.

Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, however, argued that the application was not ripe for hearing and that the motion should wait until Nov. 12, another date for hearing. The EFCC also called its 4th subpoenaed witness, Jesutoni Akoni, a compliance officer with Ecobank, who confirmed that he had a13-page documents.

Counsel to the second defendant, AM Aliyu, however, objected to the admissibility of the document tendered, saying it did not comply with the provisions of the Evidence Act.

The Court observed that the document tendered by the prosecution was actually addressed to Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court.

The Nigeria Police Force has suspended the enforcement of vehicle tinted glass permits across the country following a court order halting the exercise.

Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, confirmed the development during an interview on Africa Independent Television (AIT) on Wednesday.

According to Adeh, the decision to suspend enforcement came after the police officially received the court order.

She said, ‘Information reaching me from the office of the PRO is that the order has been received and the enforcement of the tinted permit is now on hold pending the court’s verdict.’

She further clarified that the suspension would remain in force until the legal process is concluded.

‘We are waiting for the verdict. We are not against the courts, and we will continue to wait until we get a verdict,’ she added.

Responding to public concerns about the rationale behind the tinted glass regulation, Adeh explained that the measure was introduced for security purposes. She said the policy was aimed at addressing criminal activities carried out using vehicles with heavily tinted windows, which often make it difficult for security personnel to identify occupants.

‘The law was not made by us. We are enforcers. The policy was purely security-driven. Some criminals were using tinted vehicles to commit offences, making it difficult for law enforcement to identify suspects,’ she stated.

Adeh also dismissed speculations that the tinted glass permit policy was a revenue-generation scheme for the police.

She emphasised that all payments related to the permit are made directly into the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) and not to the Nigeria Police Force.

The enforcement of tinted glass regulations has sparked widespread uproar among motorists, with many arguing that it often leads to harassment and extortion.

.seeks military base in Kwara South

The Senate on Wednesday summoned Mohammed Abubakar, the minister of defence; Olufemi Oluyede, the chief of army staff; and Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police, over the worsening security situation in parts of the country, particularly Kwara South.

The Red chamber also called for the establishment of a permanent military base in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara South, where bandits recently killed 12 vigilantes and the Baale of Ogba-Ayo community, a suburb of Oke-Ode Town.

It further mandated its Committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas and report back within two weeks.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), the Deputy Senate Leader, titled ‘Urgent Need to Address Insecurity in Kwara South Senatorial District.’

Ashiru expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in Kwara South, especially in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings have forced thousands of residents to flee their homes.

He noted that within the past month, at least 12 forest guards and local vigilantes, including the Baale of Ogba-Ayo community, were killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Oke-Ode. Several traditional and community leaders were also slain in separate incidents across Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, Ganmu-Alheri, and other parts of Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti, and Oke Ero Local Government Areas. According to the lawmaker, no fewer than 142 persons have been kidnapped and over 70 killed in the past twelve months across Kwara South, with 25 communities deserted due to persistent attacks.

He said the insecurity has crippled local economies, forced the closure of schools, and worsened poverty and youth vulnerability to crime.

Ashiru added that the attacks are largely carried out by foreign armed elements working with local informants, operating from forest hideouts along the Kwara-Kogi-Ekiti boundary.

While acknowledging some government interventions, he described them as ‘sporadic, inadequate, and reactive,’ leaving vast areas under the control of criminal gangs.

He lamented that local security volunteers and vigilantes, who serve as first responders, lack adequate weapons, mobility, and protection despite their sacrifices to defend their communities.

The senator warned that if the situation remains unchecked, insecurity in Kwara South could spread to other parts of the North Central and South West, posing a greater threat to national stability.

During the debate, several senators, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (Kano North), Mustapha Saliu (Kwara Central), Sadiq Umar (Kwara North), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), and Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), supported the motion and called for immediate and coordinated security action to restore peace in the affected areas.

Prospective international students have been urged to take advantage of the millions of vacancies available in European countries through their favourable post-study visa prospects.

According to experts, this provides more compelling alternatives to more traditional destinations like the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK).

Currently, EU countries have an estimated three million job vacancies available, and career prospects are significantly boosting the region’s appeal for those seeking long-term settlement. The figures, highlighted by Clint Khan, director of the UAE-based education and migration consultancy Y-Axis, indicate that there is a crucial shift in the global higher education landscape.

Khan pointed out that two of the EU’s largest economies, France and Germany, are leading the demand, each offering approximately 700,000 job opportunities.

He emphasised that for students planning their futures, the volume of jobs coupled with the EU’s clear residency pathways offers a major advantage over the increasingly difficult immigration processes found elsewhere.

‘Europe has nearly three million jobs available. with options like the EU Blue Card or work permits, students can eventually gain permanent residency and the freedom to work across the EU,’ he explained. ‘A student who moves to an EU nation to study at the age of 18 or 19 has the chance to work across all EU countries by 26 or 27, which is a great opportunity for anyone. Post-study pathways are very important as they determine what kind of future a student can build’, Khan added.

Traditional destinations face tighter immigration rules

While the US and the UK continue to draw large numbers of international students, the expert warned that tightening immigration policies are making it much harder for graduates to secure long-term residency.

Khan noted the growing difficulties facing graduates, ‘In the UK, for instance, students now face greater hurdles in securing long-term residency. In the US, pathways are also very challenging.’

In contrast, he suggested that Canada and Australia remain ‘reliable options’, continuing to offer predictable post-study work routes and residency opportunities.

His advice for students and their parents is to weigh study choices not just on academic merit, but heavily on long-term career prospects, visa rules, and clear routes to residency.

He noted that students must prioritise destinations that provide sustainable career and residency opportunities alongside academic quality.

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has secured jobs for thirty-nine trained artisans from Benue state, in the European country of Belarus, for a skills transfer program.

These artisans will be exposed to world-class construction skills and practices, which they can eventually bring back to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic capacity.

The initiative is the outcome of a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Benue State Government, the Benue State Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, and the private firm, Enhanced Entrepreneurs Belarus Nig. Co. Ltd.

The move is part of a federal government initiative to tackle irregular migration by creating safe, official pathways for citizens to find employment abroad. These workers secured jobs in the Belarusian construction sector under the National Directorate of Employment’s (NDE) International Job Placement Programme.

The scheme is one of the government’s strategies to provide decent job opportunities and curb the dangerous trend of illegal migration.

Speaking at a pre-departure ceremony in Abuja, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, lauded the programme as definitive proof of Nigerian talent being globally competitive and highly sought after. Modelling international partnership

The minister noted that the partnership demonstrates the power of coordinated action in achieving tangible progress. Advising the departing cohort, Onyejeocha urged them to honour their contractual obligations, show respect to their hosts, and allow their professionalism and excellence to stand as a positive testament to Nigeria’s resilience and skill.

‘Our mission under the Renewed Hope Agenda is to ensure every Nigerian can access decent, safe, and sustainable work,’ Onyejeocha stated.

‘The International Job Placement Programme embodies that vision. by engaging globally, we exchange innovation and standards that uplift our workforce and position Nigeria as a trusted player in the global labour economy.’

Silas Agara, the director-general of the NDE, praised the Benue state government for its trust in the directorate and its partners. He made a bold statement, declaring that young Nigerians no longer need to face dangerous journeys across the Sahara Desert or risk drowning in the Mediterranean Sea to find work in Europe.

‘All they need now are skills, competency, and the support of any sub-national government to benefit from the International Job Placement Programme,’ he asserted.

Agara explained that the NDE’s role extends beyond creating mass employment to also include a statutory mandate to facilitate job linkages. The agency’s collaboration with Enhanced Entrepreneurs Belarus Nig. Co. Ltd., which began in 2019, has been instrumental in securing jobs for Nigerian construction workers.

Skills transfer and global standards

Agara noted that all state governments were contacted to partner in exploring opportunities within Belarus’s booming construction sector.

He stressed that the programme offers the dual advantage of immediate benefit of decent employment and an open door to the smooth transfer of skills and technology.

Expressing confidence in the workers who are the scheme’s pioneer beneficiaries, Agara emphasised the importance of them serving as worthy ambassadors of both Benue State and the Nigerian nation through their diligent conduct and discharge of duties in Belarus.