The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

Business mogul Adekunle Ojora dies at 93

• Tinubu, Obasanjo, others mourn

• A wise adviser to governments, institutions, says President

The Ojora family of Lagos has announced the death of its patriarch, renowned industrialist, business tycoon and community leader, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, the Olori Omo Oba of Lagos.

The family’s announcement said the business mogul passed away in the early hours of yesterday.

He was 93.

The family announced that the late elder statesman will be laid to rest in Lagos in accordance with Islamic rites.

The family also appealed to the public to remember him in their prayers.

In a statement by Mrs. Toyin Ojora-Saraki, the family said Otunba Ojora died “in full submission to the will of Almighty Allah (SWT)”.

“We say Alhamdulilahi (praise be to Allah) for a life well lived, and we submit to the words of Allah: ‘Surely, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall all return’ (Q2:156),” the statement read.

Ojora is survived by his wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, as well as his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family prayed Allah to grant the deceased mercy, peace in the grave, and a place in Al-Jannah Fir’daus.

Also, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed sadness over the passing of the business mogul.

In a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President commiserated with the government and people of Lagos State, the immediate family of the deceased, the Ojora and Adele royal families of Lagos, as well as his business associates.

He described Ojora’s death as a significant loss to the nation.

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President Tinubu said the late Ojora lived a life defined by humility, perseverance, hard work, tenacity and generosity, virtues that shaped his distinguished career across journalism, public service and business.

According to the President, Otunba Ojora remained a towering figure in Nigeria’s corporate and public space for decades, earning respect as an active boardroom player and a trusted voice of experience.

“His passing is a great loss to the country, the private and public sectors, and our traditional institutions,” the President said.

President Tinubu noted that beyond Ojora’s success in business, the late industrialist made notable contributions by advising governments at both national and subnational levels on best practices for safeguarding the future of institutions.

The President recalled that Ojora began his professional journey as a journalist, having trained at Regent Polytechnic, London, before working as an Assistant Editor with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in the early 1950s.

He later returned to Nigeria to join the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as a reporter, marking the start of a career that would span media, public service and enterprise.

The President further highlighted Ojora’s transition into the corporate world, where he joined the United African Company of Nigeria (UAC) as Public Relations Manager and rose to become an Executive Director in 1962, making him one of the youngest corporate executives of his generation.

President Tinubu prayed for the repose of Otunba Ojora’s soul and asked God Almighty to grant comfort and strength to his family and all who mourn his passing.

Also, former President Obasanjo described the passing of Otunba Ojora as painful.

Obasanjo said Ojora’s place would be difficult to fill in the family and the country.

In a lengthy tribute through his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President described the late Ojora as an amiable and notable Nigerian who, in his lifetime, built a living legacy of integrity, wisdom, and dedication.

He said: “By his death, the country has lost a notable captain of industry and commerce, but there is no doubt that his memory lingers on through his many landmark contributions to the development of the South-West zone in particular and the country in general.”

Obasanjo added: “He was, by all measures, a great man, an ardent patriot, a frontline indigenous industrialist, an accomplished administrator, a foremost businessman and a tireless philanthropist. He was a remarkable entrepreneur whose vision, determination and resilience added value to the community and hundreds of families who depended on his commercial activities.

“He was a role model and exemplar whose personal life and achievements inspired a generation of entrepreneurs, industrialists and merchants. Over the years, with his wise counsel, unquestioned strength, and gentle guidance, Otunba Ojora commanded the respect and reverence of all and took, in particular, pleasure in mentoring younger men and women to succeed in life. To his family, he was their amazing father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, a cornerstone of love, loyalty, and family values.

“Indeed, his manners and conduct while alive will continue to linger in the memories of all those whose path had crossed theirs and serve as a source of inspiration. National and international acclamation for his consistency, had, expectedly, come by way of his conferment with honours of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1982; Officer of the Order of Commadatore of Italy, 1972; Freedom of the City of London, 1989; Grand Uffiale Al Merito Delia Republica Italiana,1992; Grand Decoration of Honour in Siler of Austria, among others. He also enjoyed great respect and affection from local communities in Lagos, the region and beyond through the conferment of traditional titles of The Otunba of Lagos, 1979, and Lisa of Ife, 1981.

“For me and my family, we would take this moment to express our deepest gratitude for his unwavering support and presence in our lives. It is rare to find someone as dedicated, kind, and reliable as he was. No matter when we beckon, whether for a major celebration, a small gathering, or a last-minute need, he and his wife would always oblige us. Their willingness to consistently show up and be present means more to us than words can say. We value their friendship and dedication more than one can ever imagine. We are truly honoured to always have them in our circle.

“The finality of Otunba Adekunle Ojora is painful, especially as he would still have a lot to contribute to his family, his community and the entire nation, but we can draw solace that he lived a very responsible and caring life. He was a devout Muslim and above all, a very good family man and worthy father to all his children. His place will be difficult to fill both in the family and the community.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, and the entire Ojora and Adele royal families of Lagos on this bereavement and pray that God Almighty will grant them all the fortitude to bear this great loss. May the soul of our dearly beloved Otunba Ojora rest in perfect peace.”

January 29, 2026
Nigerian doctors perform W/Africa’s first robotic gynaecological surgery

Nigeria has recorded a historic breakthrough in advanced medical care with the successful performance of West Africa’s first robotic gynaecological surgery, a feat that places the country firmly on the map of high-precision, minimally invasive medicine and signals a transformative moment for women’s healthcare in the sub-region.

The landmark procedure was carried out on Sunday at The Prostate Clinic (TPC), Lagos, by a multidisciplinary team of Nigerian-based and international specialists. Medical experts describe the achievement as both a clinical triumph and a strategic leap—one that extends cutting-edge surgical innovation beyond its earlier focus on male urological conditions to address the long-neglected complexities of women’s reproductive health.

At the centre of the breakthrough is Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, Consultant Robotic Surgeon and Medical Director of TPC, whose facility introduced West Africa’s first surgical robot last year. Speaking after the procedure, Ekwueme said the decision to expand robotic surgery to gynaecology was deliberate and overdue. “Following our tradition of leading innovation in Nigeria and West Africa, we introduced the first surgical robot in the sub-region last year,” he said. “After focusing on men’s health and male-specific conditions, we are now transitioning fully into women’s surgeries. Today, we are proud to say that we have performed the first robotic gynaecological surgery in West Africa.”

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The patient, a young woman diagnosed with a painful ovarian tumour, had endured months of discomfort that disrupted her daily life and productivity. Using robotic-assisted technology, the surgical team successfully removed two large tumours with exceptional precision. “This young woman has an ovarian tumour that caused pain, discomfort, and inability to live a normal life,” Ekwueme explained. “With robotic surgery, we removed the tumours. She will go home today and return to work tomorrow.”

Robotic gynaecological surgery represents a radical departure from traditional open procedures that have long defined surgical care in Nigeria. Open surgery typically involves large incisions, significant blood loss, prolonged hospitalisation, and extended recovery periods that may keep patients away from work and family responsibilities for weeks or even months. By contrast, robotic surgery allows surgeons to operate through tiny incisions using robotic arms controlled from a console that provides magnified, three-dimensional visualisation and unmatched dexterity. The result is greater surgical accuracy, minimal trauma to surrounding tissues, and significantly faster recovery.

“What people are used to is open surgery, where a patient may stay in hospital before surgery, spend five to seven days after surgery, and then require weeks of recovery at home,” Ekwueme said. “With robotic surgery, once vital signs are stable, within six hours the patient can eat and go home. Within 24 hours, she can return to normal daily activities.” He described the procedure as a “game-changer” for women suffering from gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, uterine cancer, and selected cases of ectopic pregnancy.

Ekwueme stressed that the true value of robotic surgery cannot be measured solely in financial terms. While the technology is capital-intensive, he argued that the broader economic and social benefits far outweigh the costs. “Our people tend to quantify cost only in naira and kobo,” he said. “But the unquantified cost of illness is much more complex. If a woman undergoes open surgery and is away from work for six months, that is six months of lost productivity. With robotic surgery, she can return to work almost immediately. In real terms, society gains months of productivity for a fraction of the cost.” He disclosed that the surgery was performed at no cost to the patient as part of TPC’s corporate social responsibility initiative, noting that prolonged illness and loss of productivity impose a far heavier burden on families, employers, and the economy than the price of advanced surgical care.

A key member of the surgical team, Prof. Yusuf Oshodi, Consultant Gynaecologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), said the patient was carefully assessed and found suitable for robotic-assisted surgery. “She is a 30-year-old woman who still intends to have children,” Oshodi said. “The tumour is benign, and the precision of robotic surgery allows us to remove only the affected tissue without compromising her fertility or damaging adjacent structures.”

According to Oshodi, this level of precision is critical in gynaecological surgery, where damage to surrounding organs can have lifelong consequences. “Many Nigerian women suffer silently from fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, and abnormal menstrual bleeding,” he said. “Fibroids are particularly common—affecting up to 70 per cent of women in some communities—although only about 10 to 20 per cent develop significant symptoms.”

He noted that delayed presentation often leads to complications such as severe anaemia, which can impair heart function and overall health. “Robotic and minimally invasive surgery offers us the opportunity to intervene early, treat precisely, preserve reproductive capacity, and allow women to return quickly to their normal lives,” he added.

Another member of the team, Olaolu Aladade, a UK-based Consultant Gynaecologist with expertise in oncology and minimally invasive surgery, said the benefits of robotic surgery over open procedures are overwhelming. “With open surgery, you have more complications, longer recovery times, and potential reproductive issues,” he said. “With robotic surgery, patients recover faster, spend fewer days in hospital, return to work sooner, and experience better psychological outcomes. In advanced health systems, this is already standard practice. Seeing it firmly established in Nigeria is deeply encouraging.”

Beyond the immediate clinical success, the breakthrough carries wider implications for Nigeria’s healthcare system. Ekwueme disclosed that TPC has partnered with the Imo State Government to establish Nigeria’s first dedicated robotic surgery centre, currently under construction. The initiative, he said, is designed to drive innovation, research, and training, while reducing the country’s heavy reliance on overseas medical care. “This revolution has just started,” Ekwueme said. “When governments have the vision and will to form these kinds of partnerships, citizens benefit. It will drive innovation, create research opportunities, and help stem brain drain.” He urged Nigerian women to take symptoms seriously and seek early medical attention. “If you have persistent pain or abnormal bleeding, don’t ignore it. A simple examination or ultrasound can save your life. Early detection allows us to treat problems before they become dangerous.”

Health analysts say the successful robotic gynaecological surgery is both a clinical milestone and a powerful statement of possibility. It affirms the competence of Nigerian doctors, validates years of training and investment, and challenges the assumption that world-class care must be sought abroad. For women across Nigeria and the wider sub-region, West Africa’s first robotic gynaecological surgery represents a glimpse of a future in which advanced care is accessible at home, delivered by Nigerian hands, and defined by dignity, precision and hope.

January 29, 2026
JAMB refutes reports barring undergraduates from UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed claims that candidates already in universities were barred from registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE).

The board dismissed the claims in a statement by its spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in Abuja yesterday.

Benjamin said the claims were a distortion of its guidelines by self-styled education advocates seeking attention and traffic on social media platforms.

He said the 2026 UTME/DE advertisement clearly directed candidates to disclose their matriculation status during registration, in line with its mandate to prevent multiple admissions.

He explained that it was not an offence for a candidate already enrolled in an institution to register for the UTME or Direct Entry examinations.

The JAMB spokesperson said that failure to disclose an existing matriculation status constituted an offence under the law governing admissions.

Benjamin added that disclosure meant that once a candidate secured a fresh admission, any previous admission automatically ceases to exist.

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He said that no candidate was legally permitted to hold two admissions concurrently under Nigeria’s admission regulations.

He said that mandatory disclosure has helped to curb the activities of matriculated students engaging as professional examination takers.

The spokesperson warned that candidates who failed to disclose prior to matriculation, risk forfeiting both admissions, if detected by its system.

He, however, urged the public to rely on official guidelines and avoid misleading interpretations circulated for selfish interests.

January 29, 2026
Oyebanji chairs OAU Arts Faculty’s alumni lecture today

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji will today chair the second Faculty of Arts distinguished alumni lecture for 2025/2026 academic sessions of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The lecture, with the theme: How To Make A Democrat, will be delivered by the Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Sam Oritsetimenyin Omatseye, at the Oduduwa Hall of the university at 11 a.m.

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The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Gbenga Fasiku, is the host.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adebayo Bamiro, is the chief host.

January 29, 2026
APC kicks off congresses, convention plans Monday

• Governors okay schedule after meeting with NWC

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will begin the process of electing its officials from the ward, local government, state congresses and national convention on Monday.

This signals the beginning of preparations for next year’s general election.

The party’s ongoing e-registration of members, which started at the beginning of the month, will end tomorrow.

Last night in Abuja, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) reaffirmed the dates for the crucial party elections after being briefed by the National Working Committee (NWC) led by National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

Both the party leadership and the governors agreed to keep the party in cohesion and maintain a transparent process leading to the elections of party officials from the ward, local government, states, and to the national level.

The schedule of activities stamped yesterday had been ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held in December.

The process will climax with the convention at the end of March.

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At yesterday’s meeting were: Governors Uzodimma (Imo), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Mohammed Idris (Kebbi); Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Umar Bago (Niger), among others.

The communiqué issued after last night’s meeting reads:

•“The Forum reaffirmed its collective commitment to deepening internal democracy, strengthening party structures, and advancing reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness within the APC across all levels of the federation.

•“The PGF welcomed the comprehensive briefing by the APC National Chairman on the party’s ongoing national e-registration and digital membership update, which has recorded significant growth, including increased youth participation and the integration of National Identity Number (NIN) verification.

•“The Forum noted that this initiative will enhance data-driven planning, improve demographic insights, and strengthen grassroots engagement across states and communities.

•“The Forum reviewed and endorsed the proposed timetable and institutional framework as approved by NEC for the forthcoming ward, local government, state, zonal congresses, and the national convention.

•“The Forum emphasised the importance of transparent and coordinated financial management in the conduct of congresses and conventions, ensuring fairness, consistency, and accountability across all states, including those without APC-governed administrations.

•            “The PGF reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to party unity and internal harmony. The Forum underscored the need for responsible leadership communication and collective discipline in strengthening public confidence in the party’s democratic processes.

•            “The Forum announced a schedule of strategic engagements and state visits aimed at reinforcing grassroots structures, strengthening party cohesion, and supporting progressive governance across the federation, beginning with a visit to Taraba State and subsequent engagements in other states.

•            “The PGF formally welcomed the Governors of Taraba and Plateau states into the Forum, reaffirming the collective resolve of Progressive Governors to work in partnership with the APC leadership to advance national development, democratic consolidation, and people-centred governance.

•“The Progressive Governors Forum expressed its appreciation to the APC National Chairman, National Secretary, and members of the National Working Committee for their constructive engagement and reaffirmed its readiness to continue working closely with the party leadership to deliver a credible, transparent, and unifying congress and convention process in the interest of Nigeria’s democratic growth.”

NEC-ratified timetable for congresses

In a schedule of its activities for 2025/2026 time-table released late last year by National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, the APC said it would end the e-Registration of its members tomorrow.

The membership e-Registration kicked off nationwide last December.

The schedule released via Basiru’s verified X (formerly Twitter) handle contained a comprehensive nationwide ward, local government, state and zonal congresses, culminating in the party’s national convention.

According to the timetable, the activities are being conducted pursuant to the provisions of Articles 11 and 17 of the APC Constitution to elect party officials across all levels.

The schedule stated that the December 1, 2025 – January 30, 2026 membership e-Registration will be followed by the issuance of notices of congresses to state and Federal Capital Territory chapters on Monday (February 2, 2026).

According to the schedule, purchase and submission of forms for ward and local government area congresses are scheduled for between February 4 and February 9.

It added that screening committees for ward and local government area positions will be inaugurated on February 10, with screening of aspirants from February 11 to February 13.

Ward congresses are fixed for February 18, while appeals arising from the ward congresses will be heard on February 19; local government area congresses, including the election of three delegates, one of whom must be female, to the national convention, will be held on February 20, with appeals scheduled for February 21.

At the state level, the purchase of forms for state executive positions will commence earlier, from February 23 to February 27, 2025.

Screening and appeals for state executives are slated for late February and early March, while state congresses will be held on March 7.

The time-table stated that appeals from state congresses will be entertained between March 9 and March 11, while the party will then move to the zonal level, with the purchase and submission of forms for zonal congresses and the national convention scheduled for March 12 to March 17.

According to the schedule, zonal congresses will be inaugurated on March 18, followed by the screening of aspirants on March 19 and 20.

It said the zonal congresses across the six geopolitical zones will take place on March 21.

The designated zonal offices are Ibadan for the Southwest, Enugu for the Southeast, Rivers/Cross River for the Southsouth, Kaduna for the Northwest, Gombe/Bauchi for the Northeast and Nasarawa for the Northcentral.

Appeals arising from the zonal congresses would be heard on March 23.

The timetable shows that the APC National Convention is scheduled to be held from March 25 to March 28.

January 29, 2026
Receiver/Manager of Nestoil and Neconde’s interest in OML 42 JV Secures Major Win as Appeal Court Disqualifies Olanipekun, Banire as Counsel to Nestoil, Neconde in Debt Case

• Supreme Court adjourns Appeals by Nestoil and Neconde to May 2026

The Receiver/Manager has scored a significant victory in the ongoing $2 billion debt recovery case against Nestoil Limited and Neconde Energy. The Court of Appeal in a ruling delivered on Friday, 23 January 2026, upheld the authority of the Receiver/Manager to, among others, appoint Counsel over the companies thus disqualifying lawyers Wole Olanipekun SAN and Muiz Banire SAN from representing the oil and gas firms. The court ruled that only the Receiver has the legal right to engage counsel on behalf of the indebted companies.

The decision effectively nullified all legal processes filed by Olanipekun, Banire, and other members of the defense team assembled by Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed all parties to return to the Court of Appeal to resolve the contentious issue of legal representation before reporting back on 26th January 2026. The appeal to the apex court was initiated by Nestoil, Neconde, and their promoters, Ernest and Nnenna Obiejesi.

Olanipekun had sought to represent Neconde, while Banire was briefed for Nestoil. Their authority was challenged by counsel briefed by the Receiver/Manager, including Ayo Olorunfemi SAN leading Ame Ogie for Neconde, and Ayoola Ajayi SAN leading MB Ganiyu for Nestoil.

Additional appearances included Chinonye Obiagwu SAN for Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, and Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN, Tunde Afe-Babalola SAN, Ademola Abimbola SAN, and Chikasolu Ojukwu SAN for Nnenna Obiejesi.

First Trustees and FBNQuest Merchant Bank is represented by Babajide Koku SAN, Victor Ogude SAN, and Omosanya Poopola SAN, alongside Toheeb Ipaye, Kamaal Fagbemi, Kehinde Wilkey, and Buchi Ofulue.

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The dispute stems from the indebtedness of Nestoil and Neconde amounting to $2 Billion owed to Nestoil Lenders as of September 30, 2025.

Beyond these sums, there are other debts personally guaranteed by Azudialu-Obiejesi, including N366.8 billion, $61.2 million, $152 million, and N10.4 billion owed to Lenders.

In the meantime the Supreme Court on Monday 26th January 2026 has adjourned all the appeals filed by Nestoil, Neconde and the Obiejesis to May 2026 pending the Appeal filed by Nestoil and Neconde against disqualification of their lawyers.

James O Ashu

MSC MEDIA AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

MARKETING & CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

January 29, 2026
Oyegun, Utomi, Lukman, others to draft ADC manifesto

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has assigned former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Prof. Pat Utomi and former APC National Vice Chairman (North West), Salihu Lukman, to lead the development of its policy document and manifesto ahead of next year’s elections.

The trio will head a 50-member Policy and Manifesto Committee approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led Senator David Mark.

The party stated that the committee, scheduled for inauguration on Monday, is mandated to articulate a clear policy direction and produce a manifesto addressing key national issues, including governance, economic management, social development, security, and democratic reform.

In a statement yesterday, the ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Odigie-Oyegun will serve as Chairman, with Utomi as Deputy Chairman and Lukman as Secretary.

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Other members of the committee include former Bauchi State APC governorship candidate, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (rtd), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Dr Usman Bugaje, Prof. Anthony Kila, Pastor Funke Awowolo, Madam Jumoke Olawuyi and Prof. Sam Amadi, among others.

According to the party, committee members were drawn from diverse professional and political backgrounds, including former public office holders, academics, technocrats, policy experts and civil society leaders.

Abdullahi said earlier that the delay in the composition of the committee was due to internal political considerations.

“You think it’s just about putting some names together, but people begin to look at how many Christians, how many Muslims, how many people from different regions,” he said, adding that the process reflected the political realities involved.

January 29, 2026
Oyetola, ALGON, APC faults Adeleke’s claims on councils

Claims by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on funding and the administration of local councils in the state are“misleading and incorrect,” Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said yesterday.

Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) also aligned with the position of the former governor.

Oyetola said in a statement by his media adviser Dr. Bolaji Akinola, that “no serious government sabotages its own legal standing and then seeks scapegoats for the consequences.”

The minister added: “The local government secretariats are open and functioning. Services continue to run, workers are back to their posts, and council administrations are carrying out their statutory responsibilities. The narrative of paralysis exists only in the imagination of a governor, using falsehood to seek public sympathy.

“The continued agitation by Governor Adeleke represents a deliberate refusal to accept judicial authority.

“Adeleke should perish the thought of interfering with local government administration in Osun State. The councils are autonomous, lawful, and operational.

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“The police operate under established institutional command structures and cannot be privately controlled by any individual minister. Adeleke should stop misleading the public, stop manufacturing conspiracies, and stop whipping up sentiment to cover manifest ineptitude. Governance is not theatre, and Osun people deserve facts, not fiction”.

Oyetola said Osun’s local government administrations are “lawful, autonomous, functional, and protected by binding court judgments,” adding that “the only crisis presently facing the system is a governor unwilling to accept legal reality”.

In Osogbo, the state capital, the APC said: “The claims of Adeleke was regrettably built on misrepresentation, selective narration of facts, and a deliberate attempt to deflect responsibility for a crisis largely of his administration’s own making.”

“It is patently false to assert that the reinstated APC chairmen and councillors are illegally occupying local government secretariats. Their return to office followed clear and subsisting judicial pronouncements, most notably the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on 10 February, 2025, which nullified the foundation upon which their earlier removal was predicated. That judgment remains valid, binding, and unappealed.

“It is contradictory for a governor who routinely subjects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to public criticism to now seek presidential intervention to undermine the clear words and spirit of a Supreme Court judgment affirming local government autonomy nationwide.”

ALGON Chairman, Abiodun Idowu, berated Adeleke for maligning Oyetola over the local government crisis.

However, Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, cautioned Oyetola against using federal cover to impede council administration in Osun State.

January 29, 2026
EFCC arraigns former national coordinator of NEDC for alleged N2.2bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday arraigned the former National Coordinator of Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project, MCRP, North East Development Commission, NEDC, Alhaji Danjuma Mohammed and two others; Prince Achem and Aminu Alhaji (at large) before Justice K. N Ogbonnaya of the Federal Capital Territory Court, Zuba, Abuja for an alleged N2,280,000.00 (Two Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty Million Naira) fraud.

They were arraigned on a 54 count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, false pretence and forgery to the tune of N2.2bn.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Adeola Olarenwaju informed the court of the charge filed on December 3, 2025 and sought for its substitution with the 54 amended -count charge of January 22, while relying on the proof of evidence attached. The court granted his request.

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Count one of the charge reads:

That you Alhaji Danjuma Mohammed being the National Coordinator of Multi- Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project, (MCRP) North East Development Commission, Prince Chibuike Echem and Aminu Alhaji (still at large) between May, 2022 and February, 2024 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory conspired amongst yourselves to do an illegal act, to wit; obtaining by false pretenses the cumulative sum of (N2,280,000.00, (Two Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty Million) from one Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, the managing director of Diamond Leeds Limited and Diamond Leeds Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

January 29, 2026
Tax laws not altered, says Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed speculations that the new tax laws which came into effect this month were adulterated.

He said during plenary yesterday that the Acts currently in the custody of the National Assembly are exactly the versions passed by both chambers and signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Akpabio told Senators during the session that Certified True Copies(CTC) of the laws before the Senate and the House accurately reflect what the members approved.

To reinforce transparency, he directed the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, to distribute certified copies of the Acts to all senators for scrutiny.

The Senate President said: “I understand that there is another version that was circulating, which was not in compliance with what was contained in our votes and proceedings.

“There is no adulteration. So, at this stage, you can feel bold enough to discard anything that is to the contrary.

“There are about four Acts. The four are ready, gazetted and signed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and certified by the Clerk to the National Assembly to avoid confusion.

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“Copies of the Acts will be made available to all senators by the Clerk of the Senate.

“So, you take it directly from us. And then those who are not here, we will distribute them directly to them. This Act should not be given to any other person. It must be given by the Clerk to the Senate and certified by the Clerk of the National Assembly to avoid any confusion.

‘This has taken cognisance of what happened in the House of Representatives, in the votes and proceedings. And also what happened in the Senate and what happened in the committee on harmonisation, and was signed by the President.

“The copies of the Acts are totally in compliance with what happened in the two chambers. No adulteration, nothing.”

President Tinubu signed the four Tax Reform Bills– Nigeria Tax Act (NTA), Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), Nigeria Revenue Service Act (NRSA) and the Joint Revenue Board Act (JRBA).on   June 26, 2025.

The controversy over the tax laws revolves around allegations that the officially gazetted versions contain “illegal alterations” and significant discrepancies from those actually passed by the National Assembly.

Some members of the House of Representatives had alleged that certain provisions in the Acts, particularly relating to tax administration and revenue sharing, are different from what the House debated and passed.

Some lawmakers called for a probe, claiming discrepancies between the versions passed by the National Assembly and the copies in circulation.

The House Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee claimed last week that its investigation showed that there were indeed alterations in some of the new laws.

On Sunday, the House Spokesman, Akintunde Rotimi, disowned the findings of the caucus.

Rotimi said the setting up of an ad-hoc committee by the caucus was not recognised under the House standing rules.

He stated that neither the Majority nor the Minority caucus nor any political caucus in the House has the authority to constitute such a committee, as the reports emanating therefrom cannot be tabled before the House for any legislative action.

He said that the ad hoc committee of the Minority Caucus has the potential to create confusion in the minds of the public, leading to serious misunderstanding, adding that already, the House has set up a multi-party ad-hoc committee to investigate the allegations of alterations to the tax laws.

Tinubu directs ease of tax burden on small businesses

President Tinubu has directed that the tax burden on small businesses be eased and that the implementation of policies that worsen poverty be halted.

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, explained this at a Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) town hall meeting with artisans and traders in Abuja.

He also said that the President directed that all stakeholders should work together to ensure the success of nano, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, rather than stifling them with multiple taxes.

“You cannot build a society where businesses are not allowed to breathe,” Oyedele quoted Tinubu as saying.

“The secret to the success of any society is enabling its 35 million nano, micro, small, and medium businesses to grow. Supporting MSMEs positively is essential because that is the real Nigeria,” he stated.

Oyedele, an economist, accountant and public policy expert, said that the President ordered an end to taxing poverty, capital and seed, urging instead that government policies should support investment and business growth so that small enterprises can thrive.

He said: “You cannot build a society where businesses are not allowed to breathe. The secret to the success of any society is enabling its 35 million nano, micro, small, and medium businesses to grow. Supporting MSMEs positively is essential because that is the real Nigeria.

“The President directed that we should stop taxing poverty, capital, and seed. We should invest in the people so that the seed can turn into fruit

SMEDAN’s Director- General Charles Odii, who put the number of Small Medium Enterprise in the country at 39 million, advised the operators to access the N200 billion approved for them by President Tinubu.

January 29, 2026