The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

Court bars police from enforcing tinted glass permit policy

The High Court of Justice of Delta State, Orerokpe Judicial Division, has granted an interim injunction restraining the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Nigeria Police Force from implementing and enforcing the tinted glass permit policy scheduled to commence on January 2, 2026.

The order was issued yesterday by Justice Joe Egwu following a motion ex parte filed by Mr. Israel Joe and argued by a legal team led by Kunle Edun (SAN).

In the suit marked HOR/FHR/M/31/2025, the court granted three key interim injunctions pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.

The court restrained the first and second respondents, their officers, agents, privies and/or contractors from implementing, enforcing or further enforcing the tinted glass permit policy slated to take effect on January 2, 2026.

The court barred the respondents, their officers and agents from stopping, harassing, arresting, detaining, extorting or otherwise interfering with the applicant’s constitutional rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of movement and ownership of property, as well as those of other citizens and motorists, under the guise of enforcing the tinted glass permit policy.

Justice Egwu ordered substituted service of court processes on the IG and the police through the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, at the command headquarters in Asaba. The court ruled that such service shall be deemed good and proper service.

Read Also: JUST IN: Burkina Faso releases 11 detained Nigerian Air Force personnel

After hearing from counsel, the court granted the motion ex parte dated and filed December 17, 2025, as prayed.

The court has fixed December 24, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice.

Reacting to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)’s strong rejection of the enforcement announcement, the police, in what appeared to be a contradiction to an earlier announcement to begin enforcement on January 2, stated: “The administrative communication issued on December 15, 2025, was intended solely to guide internal planning and enhance public understanding.

“It did not direct immediate enforcement actions, nor did it authorise conduct inconsistent with any subsisting court process.”

December 18, 2025
Group demands suspension of tax law

The National Opposition Movement has accused the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration of prioritising political interests over the security, welfare and survival of ordinary citizens.

It warned that the nation is drifting toward a dangerous precipice of ‘multidimensional failure’.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja yesterday, its spokesperson, Chille Igbawua, said the group demanded an immediate suspension of the planned tax regime.

The group, made up of several opposition party and association members, including African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Obidient Movement has also demanded a nationwide consultation involving labour unions, civil society groups, small and medium scale businesses, professionals and state governments.

Read Also: JUST IN: Burkina Faso releases 11 detained Nigerian Air Force personnel

It also demanded explicit social protection guarantees tied to any future tax reform, a decisive shift toward taxing luxury, excess profits, monopolies and corruption rather than poverty, and strong legal safeguards to protect taxpayer rights.

According to Igbawua, who was with other members of the movement, the demands were anchored on the conviction that Nigeria’s crisis does not stem from low taxation but from waste, corruption, mismanagement and policy arrogance, stressing that government failure cannot be remedied by billing its victims.

He warned that the movement would resist any policy that punishes the poor to excuse leadership failure and held the government responsible for the consequences should the tax plan proceed.

December 18, 2025
AFCON 2026: Easywin flags off campaign with trips to Morocco

Easywin, one of Nigeria’s sports betting, casino and entertainment platforms, has rolled out its biggest football promotion, giving customers the chance to experience the thrill of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) live in Morocco.

Every week, throughout the campaign, players stand the chance to win free all-expense-paid trips to watch Africa’s biggest football tournament in person. The Easywin AFCON Promotion rewards both new and existing customers, offering multiple avenues to win weekly.

A statement by the sports betting platform said each week, lucky winners will be selected for an exclusive football getaway that includes round-trip flights to Morocco, hotel accommodation and matchday access to live AFCON games.

This initiative reinforces Easywin’s mission to bring entertainment, excitement, and life-changing opportunities to Nigerians.

The platform, however, added that in addition to the weekly grand prize trips, thousands of customers will win consolation prizes, including AFCON matchday tickets or its cash equivalent.

Speaking about the promotion, Marketing Lead at Easywin, Anthony, said: “Football is the heartbeat of the continent, and AFCON is where the pulse is strongest.

“This promotion is a testament to our commitment to rewarding our customers at Easywin where everyone has a genuine chance to win.

Read Also: JUST IN: Ahmed Musa retires from international football

“We’re excited to give our customers a chance to witness Africa’s biggest football moments live, all expenses on us. With weekly opportunities to win and exciting consolation prizes, every Easywin player now has a real shot at becoming part of African football history.”

Players can participate by going to www.Easywin.ng to start any game on Easywin and climbing the leaderboard displayed transparently on the website.

Easywin affirmed that it remained committed to delivering transparent, rewarding, and socially responsible gaming experiences, noting that with a fast-growing customer base and nationwide reach, it continues to transform lives through exciting draws, jackpots, and lifestyle rewards.

December 18, 2025
I gave everything , says Governor’ Musa after Int’l retirement

Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most capped international footballer with 111 appearances, has  announced his retirement from the Super Eagles , ending a 15-year success-laden  career with the national team.

Musa was part of the Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and became Nigeria’s highest World Cup goal scorer with four goals, including memorable braces against Argentina in 2014 and Iceland in 2018.

Musa who played  across clubs in Nigeria, Holland, Russia, England and Turkey; and fondly called the ‘Governor’ for his charismatic leadership, said he  did his best wearing the national team’s colour.

“I wore this badge with pride for 15 years,” stated the 33- year-old  on his social media account.“ From a 17-year-old boy answering every call  to becoming the most capped Super Eagle with 111 appearances.

“ AFCON champion. Nigeria’s highest World Cup goal scorer. Captain. Servant. Believer.

“I gave everything.

Thank you Nigeria… my heart will always beat green, ” he added.

Read Also: JUST IN: Ahmed Musa retires from international football

Musa made his  international debut  at 17 for the Super Eagles in a qualification match for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations against Madagascar on 5th  September 2010  and  played his last match in the famous West Africa’s ‘ Jollof derby’ when  Nigeria beat Ghana 2-1 at the London Unity Cup on May 28th 2025.

Musa bows out as Nigeria’s most capped player, having overtaken Joseph Yobo’s long-standing  101  record in 2021.

Apart from  being a gold medal winner with the Flying Eagles at the 2011 African Youth Championship (U-20 AFCON),  he was  also  a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner in 2013 as well as being a bronze medallist  at the 2019 edition in Egypt as well as being  silver medallist at the 2023 tournament in Cote d’Ivoire

Expectedly, tributes  have started  pouring in  for the affable ‘Governor’ from  his former Super Eagles teammates with  his erstwhile deputy, William Troost-Ekong , who also  bade the  national  team bye,  offering a crisp  single-word tribute: “Legend.”

  A sentiment equally echoed by  Wilfred Ndidi,  Besiktas midfielder,  who  wrote  matter-of –factly:  “Skippo. Governor. Legend.”

While  the  2019 AFCON top scorer Odion Ighalo also paid his respects, simply posting: “Skippo.”

The leadership of the National Sports Commission(NSC), was also effusive with praises by “ acknowledging  Ahmed Musa’s immense contribution to Nigerian football and wishes him continued success in the next chapter of his journey. Nigeria stands with you, always.”

December 18, 2025
AFCON 2025: Onuachu, Awaziem rates Super Eagles high against Egypt
- Super Eagles land in Morocco today
- By Inioluwa David
Trabzonspor of Turkey striker Paul Onuachu  and FC Nantes defender, Chidozie Awaziem,  believe  the Super Eagles  acquainted  themselves well despite losing 2-1  to the Pharaohs of Egypt in Tuesday’s  international friendly  match at the Cairo  international Stadium  ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations  in Morocco.

Onuachu  who incidentally  made a scoring debut  against  the Pharaohs  in a pre-AFCON friendly in 2019, said the Super  Eagles’  spirited performance  and tactical progression  was  more important than the score line, adding  it was opportunity for the  coach Eric Sekou Chelle-led side to get  set for the continental showpiece.

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“I felt good playing against them, especially knowing I had scored against Egypt in the past,” Onuachu told the NFFTv. “I played with a lot of confidence and focused on my game. Unfortunately, the goal didn’t come this time, but I think both the team and I had a good game.”

Similarly, defender Chidozie Awaziem who captained  and scored the Super Eagles’ solitary goal  in Tuesday’s encounter , equally spoke in the same vein.

“It was a good test though the result wasn’t good, it wasn’t what we wanted,” said Awaziem, who scored the Super Eagles equaliser in a 2-1 loss to Egypt in Cairo. “We dominated the game, we had them sit back and we had so many chances to score.

“This game was to test our readiness for the AFCON and for the coach to try new players and other tactics so that we prepare good.

“We will take the positives out of this game and move on to the AFCON.”

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are scheduled to fly to their AFCON 2025  base in Fès today in a chartered  flight. Nigeria is drawn in Group C, where they will face Tanzania on December 23^rd  with other matches against  Tunisia and Uganda on December 28  and 30 respectively.
December 18, 2025
Osimhen FINALLY joins Super Eagles in Cairo
- Ighalo backs Galatasaray striker as captain
Galatasaray ace striker Victor Osimhen  last night  finally breezed  into the Super Eagles’  camp  in Cairo  to complete  the  team’s 28-man roster ahead of their departure to Fes for the 35^th  Africa cup of Nations , Morocco 2025.

He joined  yesterday  following the arrival of FC Paris winger, Moses Simon, much to the delight  of the rank and file of the team  who were in a celebratory mood  with  the birthday celebration  of defender  Wilfred Ndidi and  newly invited Blackburn defender, Ryan Alebiosu.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are scheduled to fly to their AFCON 2025  base in Fès today in a chartered  flight. Nigeria is drawn in Group C, where they will face Tanzania on December 23^rd  with other matches against  Tunisia and Uganda on December 27  and 30 respectively.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo  believes  Osimhen should be named captain of the team to the 2025 AFCON.

The retirement of William Ekong has meant that the Super Eagles will have a new captain leading them to the AFCON with Ndidi widely tipped to take up this role.

However, Ighalo maintained that Osimhen is best suited for this position.

“There are several players ahead of him (as senior players), but now Osimhen is doing well and he has the balls to demand what the team wants,” Ighalo said in an interview.

“Ndidi is not the talking type, he’s a very calm guy, but Osimhen is outspoken, he is going to speak on behalf of the team, he’s going to ginger the boys, he’s going to fight for the boys, he will speak to anybody he needs to speak to  make sure they are okay.

Read Also: JUST IN: Ahmed Musa retires from international football

“The captain job is not easy because your neck in on the line, because whatever the boys demand it’s you that will put it forward to the NFF.

“And if NFF want to come for anybody, they are coming for you because you are the captain.

“With Osimhen, he will speak and nothing can happen because he’s the biggest player in the team, so they won’t want to look down on him, they will listen to him because he’s doing well.

“When you’re doing well, you have every power to demand for stuff and he’s in that position.

“He has the character to step up and demand for the team because when you see him he is hustling, he’s showing it on the pitch and so you as a player will listen to him and also fight for the team.”
December 18, 2025
Nigeria  lose out as FIFA increase W’Cup 2026  prize money

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)  is set  to miss out of the huge  financial outlay by FIFA  for  teams participating at  next year’s  Wold Cup  following the  Super Eagles’ failure to qualify  for what is usually regarded as ‘ the greatest  show on earth’.

The Super Eagles’ World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after they lost in the final round of the playoffs to DR Congo, crashing out just short of qualification. The setback not only denied Nigeria a ticket to the Mundial  but also shut out the country  from significant financial rewards attached to participation.

The world soccer ruling body  said the prize money for next year’s World Cup will be 50% higher than the previous edition after  agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tournament on Wednesday.

Read Also: JUST IN: Ahmed Musa retires from international football

The biggest slice of FIFA’s funding package for the North American showpiece – $655 million – will be performance-based payments to 48 participating nations with the champions taking $50 million and the runners-up $33 million.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 will also be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

The 16 nations that fail to survive beyond the initial group phase will earn $9 million while in addition, each qualified nation is entitled to $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.

This means that the NFF  will miss at least $10.5million if the team had qualified  for the Mundial  but that  would not to be unless  the  federation  is able to push through  its protest  on  the alleged ineligibility  of some of the Congolese players  in the ill-fated play-off  encounter  in November.

FIFA’s Council also confirmed festival-style youth tournaments for under-15s open to all member associations to commence in 2026 with a boys events followed by a girls competition in 2027.

“In recent years, FIFA has stepped up its efforts to boost youth football,” Infantino said. “This is a natural next step.”

December 18, 2025
Super Eagles have lost fear factor in Africa, says Oliseh

Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has warned that Nigeria no longer commands the fear and respect it once enjoyed in African football, following the team’s disappointing World Cup qualification campaign.

Speaking ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Oliseh said Nigeria’s recent struggles have emboldened opponents, who now approach matches against the Super Eagles with confidence rather than caution.

“Teams are no longer afraid of Nigeria. That fear is gone,” Oliseh said.

He explained that Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup has significantly altered perceptions across the continent.

“Opponents are motivated now. They believe Nigeria can be beaten, and that makes games even harder,” he added.

Oliseh warned that the group stage at AFCON could be particularly tricky, as teams will raise their performance levels against Nigeria.

“Every team will raise their level against Nigeria. That’s the reality now,” he said.

Despite the warning, the former midfielder believes the Super Eagles still possess enough quality to finish top of their group, provided they approach the tournament with seriousness and intensity.

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“Nigeria still has the players to top the group, but the first game is very important,” he noted.

According to Oliseh, a strong opening result could help restore confidence and reassert Nigeria’s authority at the tournament.

“A good start can change the narrative and bring belief back,” he said.

He stressed that discipline, focus, and performance — not reputation — will determine success at AFCON.

“The players must earn respect again through performance, not history,” Oliseh stated.

Oliseh also urged the coaching crew to ensure tactical clarity and mental readiness, warning against complacency.

December 18, 2025
Mikel berates NFF on Super Eagles’ preps for AFCON 2025

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has delivered a scathing verdict on Nigeria’s build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, describing the situation surrounding the national team as “unacceptable” and “embarrassing.”

Speaking ahead of the tournament, the former Chelsea midfielder said he was deeply disappointed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appeared not to have learned from past mistakes, particularly those that led to Nigeria missing out on the FIFA World Cup.

Mikel expressed frustration over reports that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is still owed outstanding salaries, warning that such issues portray the country in a bad light.

“How do you owe a coach money at this stage? It’s shameless. This is not how serious football nations operate,” Mikel said.

He cautioned that administrative problems could negatively affect players’ morale and concentration, especially with a major tournament looming.

“When issues like this are in the public space, it affects everyone — the coach, the players, and even the fans,” he noted.

According to Mikel, AFCON should have served as an opportunity for the NFF to rebuild trust with Nigerians following recent disappointments.

Read Also: JUST IN: Ahmed Musa retires from international football

“This was supposed to be the time to save face and show that lessons were learned. Instead, it’s the same story again,” he added.

Despite his criticism, the former skipper maintained his support for the players, urging them to remain focused and committed.

“The players still have a responsibility to give their best for the country, regardless of what is happening off the pitch,” he said.

Mikel also called on the NFF to urgently resolve all outstanding issues before the tournament begins, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford distractions.

“You can’t go into AFCON with unresolved problems. Everything must be sorted now,” he insisted.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to demand higher standards from football administrators.

“Nigeria deserves better. Our football deserves better,” Mikel said.

December 18, 2025
Niger Delta Games: Abia, Imo gear up as Delta holds Summit for Coaches

Preparations for the  2^nd   Niger Delta Games,  Benin 2026, is already underway with Abia and Imo States setting up their Liaison Committees and ensuring athlete selection and compliance with regulations.

Harrison Ocholor, the Secretary of the Delta State Liaison Committee , met with the Coaches on Tuesday and urged  them to ensure that only the best athletes were selected to represent the state from a fair and competitive state’s  trials.

Ocholor told the coaches that the organizers of the Games, Dunamis Icon Limited and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has left no stone unturned in ensuring the process of selecting talents for the games followed the rules and regulations.

He enjoined them to study and make effective use of the technical booklet for the games issued to the coaches  during the meeting.

In Abia State, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, the Co-Chairman of the Main Organising Committee,  inaugurated the State’s  Liaison Committee and challenged  them to implement all schedules of the games from athletes registration to local government and state trials.

Represented by the Project Director, Fred Edoreh, Ikpokpo  emphasised the importance of abiding by the regulations set forth for the games and warned that “age cheat and failure to present the required number of athletes for each sport will lead to disqualification of any offending state”.

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Abia State Commissioner of Sports, Hon Ananaba Nwaobilor, assured that the state is in tandem with the objectives, rules and regulations of the Niger Delta Games and would go the extra mile to maintain, promote and defend them.

Nwaobilor who  spoke at the Aba Sports Club in Aba, described the games as having added impetus to the Governor Alex Otti-led government  to use sports as an instrument for the  emancipation of  the state’s  talented youths.

The Abia State Liaison Committee for the 2^nd  Niger Delta Games is chaired by the Commissioner of Sports, Hon Nwaobilor, with Hon Onyebuchi Chukwu as Secretary.

Comrade Obioma George, Director of Sports and Kingsley Kanu, Abia State’s  interim SWAN Chairman as members.

In Owerri, where the Imo State Liaison Committee was inaugurated at the office of the Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Ikpokpo, the Atanaru of Irri Kingdom, also harped on the age limit for athletes and charged members of the committee to ensure massive mobilisation and timely registration of athletes on the Games’ official portal, stressing that only duly registered athletes would be cleared to participate. Ikpokpo was again, represented by Edoreh, the Project Director.

In his remarks, the Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Dunamis Icon Limited for initiating and sustaining the Games for two consecutive years, describing the championship as a credible platform for talent discovery and development in the region.

Hon. Onyeocha noted that the Niger Delta Games align perfectly with the sports development vision of the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma, assuring that Imo State is fully prepared to participate and comply with all rules and regulations guiding the competition.

“It is the mandate of His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, for us to go to the grassroots to discover talents, and these Games have come to help us achieve exactly that,” Onyeocha said.  “On behalf of the committee, I assure you that we will insist on quality, thoroughness, discipline and total compliance.”

The Imo State Liaison Committee is chaired by Onyeocha, with Hon. Willie Okolieogwo serving as secretary. Other members include the Director of Sports, Lady Justina Akpulo, and Kennedy Onwunali.

December 18, 2025