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Memories of legal icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, came alive on Thursday, when lawyerss and workers of the Nigerian Weekly Law Report he left behind 16 years ago gathered at the Headquarters of the publication at Alausa Ikeja, Lagos to celebrate 40th anniversary of the publication.

The lawyers and other workers who have been with the company and its subsidiary for over 38 years told journalists that celebrating the enduring legacy of the legal icon is a reflection on four decades of consistent law reporting while unveiling future innovations aimed at strengthening access to justice.

A commemorative event to mark the 40th anniversary, according to the Chairman of the planning committee, Barrister Oluwole Kehinde, will feature the former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) who will deliver a key note address.

Besides, Barrister Kehinde, who is the Editor of NWLR hinted that he event which will be chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun will also host jurists, legal scholars, publishers, and Judicial media professionals.

He said the theme of the anniversary, ‘Safeguarding the Legacy of Law Reporting and Embracing the Future in Technology,’ underscores the dual focus of preserving the rich heritage of law reporting while embracing digital innovations that shape modern legal practice.

He said, ‘the Nigerian Law Report, first published on October 1, 1985, holds the distinction of being the first dedicated law reports in Nigeria and across Africa, the publication succeeded where other publications that preceded it failed.’

‘Since its maiden edition released on Nigeria’s 25th Independence Day, the publication has provided weekly compilations of court decisions, thereby making the law accessible to judges, lawyers, researchers, and students.’

He also said the celebration was not only about looking back at the achievements of the past, but also about projecting into the future. ‘Forty years of uninterrupted publication is a rare feat in Africa’s publishing and judicial history. The Nigerian Law Report has become an indispensable tool for justice delivery, and today we celebrate both its legacy and its promise,’ he said.

The Chairman of the Editorial Board, Mr. Ayo Olanrewaju, described the NWLR as ‘the conscience of legal reporting in Nigeria,’ noting that it has consistently maintained editorial independence and a rigorous standard of accuracy.

Also present was Mr. Mojeed Ajao, immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Law Publications Limited, who highlighted the innovations the publication has embraced over the years.

The Acting Managing Director, Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, recalled that in 2019, the Nigerian Law Report launched its online platform, making thousands of judgments available digitally.

‘We realized that the future of law reporting must be driven by technology, and that step has allowed practitioners and researchers across the world to access Nigerian jurisprudence at the click of a button.’

Ogunleye, however, praised the Nigerian Law Report for ‘democratizing access to judicial precedents’ and called for further innovations, including artificial intelligence-driven search tools and wider open-access platforms.

From its humble beginnings in 1985 to becoming Africa’s longest-running specialized law report, the NLR has played a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s legal framework. Its consistent weekly publications have ensured that court decisions an essential component of the nation’s laws are readily accessible to the bench, the bar, and the wider public.

‘As the Nigerian Law Report steps into its fifth decade, stakeholders pledged to uphold its founding vision while harnessing technology to advance justice delivery. The celebration not only highlighted a remarkable journey of consistency but also pointed the way to a more innovative and accessible future in Nigerian law reporting.’

Other notable attendees included members of the editorial board such as Senior Editor, Simon Evivie, Yinka Olatunji, Snr. Deputy Editor and Editorial Secretary, NWLR; Chidinma Ojigwe, Assistant Editor, NWLR and Secretary, 40th Anniversary Planning Committee, as well as representatives of the board of Directors.

Mohammed Kudus was the hero as Tottenham Hotspur ended Leeds United’s remarkable unbeaten home run with a 2-1 victory at Elland Road on Saturday.

Leeds had not suffered a league defeat on home soil in over a year, their last coming in September 2024 against Burnley in the Championship but Kudus’ brilliance on a rainy afternoon brought that record crashing down.

The Ghanaian midfielder produced a stellar performance, assisting Mathys Tel for Tottenham’s opener and later firing home the decisive goal that sealed all three points for the visitors.

Tel opened the scoring in the 18th minute after latching onto Kudus’ through ball and unleashing a fierce 20-yard strike that deflected off Pascal Struijk and wrong-footed Leeds’ goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

The hosts, however, found a way back into the contest when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s intelligent hold-up play teed up Brenden Aaronson, whose shot was parried by Guglielmo Vicario into the path of Noah Okafor to tap in the rebound.

But Spurs, hungry to return to winning ways after back-to-back draws, restored their lead in style. Kudus weaved across the top of the box before driving a low effort into the bottom corner to make it 2-1 – a goal that silenced Elland Road.

Despite Leeds’ late surge, including a near-miss from Joel Piroe and a Struijk header over the bar in stoppage time, Tottenham held firm to secure a crucial away win.

The result lifts Spurs to second place on the Premier League table, just one point behind leaders Liverpool, while Leeds’ impressive home record finally comes to an end.

For manager Frank, the victory was a statement of resilience following a tough midweek Europa fixture in the Arctic Circle. With key creative players James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski sidelined, Kudus’ influence was evident – registering his fourth assist of the season, winning 10 duels, and completing six successful dribbles in a dominant display.

As the rain poured down and the final whistle blew, Spurs’ celebrations said it all – this was more than just three points; it was a morale-boosting victory that reaffirmed their title ambitions.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday urged Nigerians to shun hate and embrace unity across religious lines, declaring that ‘hate is not an option for us.’

Speaking at the funeral service of the mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, in Plateau State, the President used his own family as an example of peaceful coexistence, stressing that love and understanding can bridge any divide.

‘I inherited Islam from my parents and haven’t changed, but my wife is a pastor. She prays for me, and there’s no conflict. I have never tried to convince her to convert,’ Tinubu said.

The President continued by emphasizing the need for mutual respect among people of different faiths, insisting that Nigerians are all accountable to one divine authority.

‘I believe in the freedom of religion. We are praying to the same God. We are answerable to the same Almighty God. We will account to Him,’ he added.

Tinubu said faith should never be a reason for division or hostility, adding that Nigeria’s diversity will only become a strength when tolerance and respect prevail.

‘Our differences are not meant to divide us but to strengthen us. Hate is not an option,’ he stressed.

He concluded by praying for the soul of the departed to rest in peace and for God to comfort the bereaved family.

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ben Kalu has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what he called demolition of the houses and offices of South Easterners in Lagos State

Kalu made the request on Friday while speaking during the reception at the Enyimba International Stadium organised in honour of Tinubu after inaugurating some projects in Abia.

Kalu pleaded with the president to speak with the Lagos State governor to allow the Igbo people whose houses have not been destroyed already to regularize their documents.

He said that destruction at this time of hardship makes the hearts of victims bleed, stressing that the need for an amicable resolution rather than destruction of property.

‘I also want to say that the destruction and the demolition of the houses, the offices of our brothers in Lagos makes our hearts bleed,’ he said.

The Deputy Speaker also urged the President to grant a sea port to enhance trade in the Southeast zone.

‘Mr President, we want to thank you for what you are doing in our state through our governor and what you are doing around the south East.

‘But I must say it is about time that we had another sea port in the South East; South Easterners are mainly traders and We need a sea port to enhance our trading.

Kalu said governance is about partnership hence the state must partner the federal government and the federal government must partner the state.

He said although he is an All Progressives Congress (APC) party member, it is his character to support the governors of his state to ensure the state succeeded and promised to support Alex Otti to succeed.

‘I have gone with him from the morning, visiting all the projects till this evening and I have seen the state’s projects carried out by the governor and for that we commend him.

‘But as a member and citizen of this state, I request, like Oliver Twist, that the governor should do more,’ he said.

He thanked the president for his assistance in the projects in Abia and urged the Abia Information Commissioner and media houses in Abia to accord Tinubu his merited credits.

Kalu said this would induce the president to do more for the state and the South East which he had shown love to.

Operatives of Nigeria Police Force Border Patrol Unit have successfully intercepted and recovered over 100 Jerry cans of petrol being illegally transported to Niger Republic through Sokoto and Katsina States.

CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer revealed this in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, police operatives while on stop-and-search duty along Illela-Sokoto Highway intercepted a vehicle loaded with eighty jerrycans of PMS and arrested the driver Yasir Adamu.

‘After preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the suspect was attempting to smuggle the petroleum product across the border into the Niger Republic,’ the statement indicated.

The statement also indicated that operatives of the Border Patrol unit in Katsina intercepted and recovered thirty-five Jerry cans, each containing twenty-five litres of petrol which were about to be transported into Niger Republic.

‘The suspects, on sighting the team, abandoned the exhibits and fled. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspects and bring them to justice,’ said Hundeyin.

The statement also quoted the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun as commending the officers who intercepted the Jerry cans of petrol for their vigilance and professionalism.

The IGP also reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to sustain robust operations against all forms of economic crimes.

The world oil market is facing a shock as OPEC plans to increase oil production. Oil prices fell again on Thursday, marking the fourth straight day of decline.

Brent crude dropped to its lowest level since early June, as traders worried about too much oil in the market.

Sources say OPEC+ may agree to raise production by as much as 500,000 barrels per day in November three times more than the increase for October. Saudi Arabia is reportedly leading this move to regain its share of the market.

Jorge Montepeque, Managing Director of Onyx Capital Group, said some banks, including Macquarie, are warning of a possible ‘super glut’ meaning there could be far more oil than needed, which is lowering market confidence.

Meanwhile, the finance ministers of the G7 countries said on Wednesday they plan to increase pressure on Russia by targeting those who keep buying Russian oil.

The United States also plans to give Ukraine intelligence to help with long-range missile strikes on Russian energy sites. According to officials, this will help Ukraine attack refineries, pipelines, and other key facilities to cut Russia’s oil revenue.

UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said there are renewed concerns that Russian oil supplies could be disrupted. However, he added that unless actual disruptions occur, the effect on oil prices will likely be small.

The Federal Government has distributed free inputs, including motorised and solar powered water pumps, sprayers, pesticides, fungicides, power tillers, multipurpose trashers, dehydrators, motorized weeders and others to 49 agricultural cooperative groups in Sokoto State.

The free inputs, distributed through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Sokoto state were part of the Federal Government’s initiative to increase food production.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, told beneficiaries that the initiative was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s food security especially among small holder farmers adding that the farmers’ groups were selected to benefit with free items across the country.

Represented by a Director from the ministry, Mr Abdulmajid Sule, the minister said all the beneficiaries would received the farming inputs completely free of charge.

He emphasised that President Bola Tinubu considered food security as emergency and aligned the agriculture sector among the Renewed Hope Initiatives to ameliorate food crises in the country.

According to him, the present administration was implementing numerous economic reforms to stimulate productive capacity, create jobs, and reduce cost of living among the citizens.

He reiterated that the Fed Government was prioritising the agricultural programmes and overhauled it through promoting profitable synergies with non governmental organisations, federal institutions and state governments in order the achieve the objective.

He explained that the beneficiaries included commodity groups, cooperatives, persons with disabilities, women and youths associations, and other agricultural stakeholders across the state.

Kyari warned the beneficiaries not to sell the inputs but to use them responsibly highlighting that agro-inputs and basic machinery were meant for small-scale farmers who were constrained by the hight market cost of the products.

‘The present administration developed agricultural sector toward improved agriculture and rural productivity as well as attaining objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and zero hunger,’ Kyari said.

The Coordinator of Federal Ministry of Agriculture Office in Sokoto, Hajiya Hadiza Abdullahi, said all the cooperative groups were registered and drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state.

Abdullahi said the gesture would boost food production and improve the state’s role in national and regional agricultural output.

‘It is part of a national push to support smallholder farmers with critical tools and resources,’ dhe said.

Speaking also, the Programme Manager of Sokoto State Agricultural Development Project (SADP), Alhaji Abubakar Danmaliki, said the state government had opened more irrigation sites and procured 250 tractors to support agriculture production in the state.

Danmaliki said the inputs’ support had augmented the state government’s efforts adding that mor extension workers were recruited to support farmers in all parts of the state.

Speaking on behalf of benefiting groups, Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu and Kabiru Dange, Chairmen of Onion Producers and Cotton farmers unions respectively, commended the Federal Government and assured that members would use the items to improve their yields.

The Borno State Police Command has warned that criminals are increasingly using tinted vehicles to commit robberies, kidnappings, drug trafficking, and even terrorism across Nigeria.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, made this known in a statement released on Saturday, saying data from the Command’s Crime Frequency Report revealed that many serious crimes were carried out using vehicles with darkened glass.

‘Our findings show that tinted vehicles have frequently been used to conceal or facilitate serious crimes. Armed robbers, kidnappers, drug traffickers, and terrorists have all taken advantage of dark glass to hide their identities or illicit objects,’ Daso stated.

He cited a shocking example involving a University of Maiduguri lecturer murdered on April 2, 2024, where CCTV footage captured the vehicle but not the suspects’ faces due to heavy tinting – delaying justice.

Another tragic case, he said, occurred on September 26, 2025, when three children died after being trapped inside a dark-tinted vehicle. Passersby could not see them in time to intervene.

Daso said these incidents show why regulation is critical:

‘Criminals exploit the anonymity that dark glass provides. Failing to regulate it leaves law enforcement handicapped and the public vulnerable.’

He, however, clarified that the regulation is not a total ban on tinted vehicles. Exemptions apply to factory-fitted tint, VIPs, and individuals with medical conditions such as photophobia.

Vehicle owners must now register for digital tinted glass permits, which will capture biometric data, NIN, and vehicle details to aid investigations.

‘This process creates a verifiable database that strengthens security. When a tinted car is linked to a crime, we can trace its owner swiftly,’ he said, assuring that the process will be transparent and corruption-free.

The police also warned officers against using the regulation as a means to extort motorists, urging the public to report unprofessional conduct through the Complaint Response Unit (CRU).

Meanwhile, the Force Headquarters said it had not yet received the Federal High Court order reportedly stopping the enforcement of tinted-glass permits.

Force PRO, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, clarified that enforcement continues nationwide, adding that vehicles without valid tinted permits risk fines and possible impoundment as of October 2, 2025.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says a total of 16 officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are to face military justice over alleged acts of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Saturday in Abuja.

Gusau said the officers were apprehended during a routine military exercise following investigations into various acts considered inconsistent with military discipline and service ethics.

According to him, findings revealed that some of the officers’ grievances were linked to perceived career stagnation arising from repeated failure in promotion examinations and other service-related issues.

‘Some of the apprehended officers had earlier been under jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting or undergoing trial.

‘Their conduct was found incompatible with the standards of the military service,’ he said.

Gusau explained that upon conclusion of investigations, all indicted personnel would face appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and established military justice procedures.

He said that the ongoing action was purely disciplinary and part of routine efforts to preserve order, discipline and professionalism in the armed forces.

He assured the public that the military remained committed to upholding its core values of loyalty, integrity, and constitutional obedience under democratic authority.

‘The Armed Forces of Nigeria will not tolerate any behaviour that undermines its cohesion or threatens its constitutional role.

The military remains fully committed to professionalism and the defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty,’ he added.

Nigeria’s military has listed killing of many terrorists, arrest of 450 suspects, and rescue of 180 kidnapped victims among the achievements of its troops involved in ongoing counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations nationwide in September.

Also, 39 terrorists voluntarily surrendered, while troops recovered 63 assorted arms, and 4,475 rounds of ammunition within the month, Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, stated this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Kangye listed some of the items recovered to include grenades, IED-making materials, communication gadgets, vehicles, motorcycles, and logistics supplies used in perpetrating crimes.

Giving breakdown of the operations, Kangye said in the North East, troops of Joint Task Force (JTF) North East, Operation HADIN KAI, had sustained momentum against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States.

He said the troops operations led to the elimination of several terrorists and the arrest of 21 collaborators, informants, and sympathisers, with a large cache of arms and ammunition in Konduga, Gwoza, Mafa, Monguno, Damboa, Biu, and Kukawa.

Kangye said the troops also dismantled terrorist camps, intercepted logistics networks, and supported the safe return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.

In the North West, Kangye said the troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA carried out clearance and rescue operations in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, and Kaduna States.

He added that troops killed many bandits and apprehended 46 suspects, including a wanted terrorist kingpin, Ali Saidu.

According to him, a total of 13 kidnapped victims were rescued during these operations, which also disrupted key bandit supply routes in Maradun, Isa, and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas.

‘Under Operation ENDURING PEACE, troops responded to distress calls and conducted clearance operations in Plateau and Kaduna States, where several extremists were neutralised, 12 suspects arrested, and 4 kidnapped victims rescued.

‘Similarly, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised criminals and arrested six suspects in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa States, and parts of the FCT, rescuing two kidnapped victims,’ he said.

In the South East, Kangye said the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised terrorists and apprehended four others, with weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and improvised explosive devices recovered in Anambra and Imo States.

Kangye reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to restoring peace and stability across all parts of the country, working closely with other security agencies and Hybrid Forces.

‘Our gallant troops will continue to sustain offensive operations and intelligence-driven missions until lasting peace is achieved in all troubled parts of Nigeria,’ he said.