The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and his Defence counterpart, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd) on Friday met to strengthen national security strategies through intelligence sharing and deployment of cutting-edge technologies for a safer Nigeria.
At the meeting, they reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a stronger, more coordinated national security framework through enhanced collaboration amongst concerned authorities.
Both Ministers pledged to strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation to address evolving security threats across the country.
According to the Head of Press and Media Relations in the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Mary Ali, Dr Tunji-Ojo appreciated the Defence Minister for the visitation and the confidence President Bola Tinubu has in the minister.
“Our national security architecture stands on a tripod of intelligence, internal security and defence. If one leg is weak, the entire structure is threatened,” Tunji-Ojo said.
Tunji Ojo, however, warned against rivalry and territorialism among security institutions, stressing that Nigerians were more concerned about safety and performance than ministerial boundaries.
He identified border security as a critical area for collaboration, particularly through the Nigerian Immigration Service, adding that no country could guarantee the safety of its citizens without securing its borders.
Tunji-Ojo also clarified the role of the NSCDC, saying the corps was not meant to be a “police version 2.0” but a specialized agency focused on protecting critical national assets such as schools, oil and gas facilities, solid minerals, telecommunications and power infrastructure.
He described attacks on such assets as acts of “economic terrorism”, noting that effective protection required military-grade training and close cooperation with the armed forces.
Tunji-Ojo also commended key stakeholders and partners within the security ecosystem—including senior officials, Heads of Security Agencies, and Directors from both ministries—for their dedication and behind-the-scenes contributions to national security and stability.
Gen. Musa (Rtd.), commended the Minister of Interior for his impactful leadership and notable reforms across agencies under the Ministry, including the Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, and the Federal Fire Service.
Gen. Musa, called for deeper synergy between the Ministries of Defence and Interior, saying Nigeria’s internal security challenges can only be effectively tackled through seamless collaboration and shared responsibility.
He described the two ministries as “two sides of the same national security coin”, noting that the distinction between internal and external security had become increasingly blurred by asymmetric threats such as terrorism, insurgency, banditry and cross-border crimes.
According to Gen. Musa, no single agency or ministry can address these challenges in isolation, stressing the need for intelligence-driven, whole-of-government responses.
“The line between internal and external security is no longer clear. These threats require synergy, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations if we are to succeed,” he said.
The defence minister emphasised the importance of stronger intelligence collaboration, proposing the strengthening of a joint intelligence fusion framework between the Defence Intelligence Agency and interior agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service.
He also advocated the use of secure technology platforms for real-time information sharing, regular joint simulations and tabletop exercises, and clear protocols for joint operations to reduce friction and maximise resources.
Musa assured that the Ministry of Defence would continue to support capacity-building for internal security agencies through specialised training in counterterrorism, intelligence gathering and crisis response, as well as logistical and technical support where required.
In response, Tunji-Ojo agreed that weak internal security architecture inevitably overstretched the military, noting that effective internal security agencies would enable the armed forces to focus on their core defence mandate.
Both ministers underscored the importance of integrated data management, stressing that Interior Ministry databases should serve as critical inputs for defence planning and national security decision-making.
They further agreed on the activation of an inter-ministerial technical committee to meet regularly, review progress, address bottlenecks and institutionalize cooperation at both strategic and operational levels.
Musa and Tunji-Ojo expressed confidence that sustained collaboration between their ministries would enhance national security, improve public confidence and deliver a safer Nigeria.
He hails from Elibrada-Emohua, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria.
He was educated at the University of Lagos between 1978 and 1981, obtaining a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B Hons). He later attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar on 17th of July, 1982.
• Assembly asks CJ to raise panel to probe allegations against gov
• State High Court bars him from constituting panel
• Why peace deal, fence-mending failed, by legislators
• Lawmakers got N350m constituency allowance each under Ibas – Fubara’s aide
It is now up to Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chubuzor Amadi, to choose between the call from the State Assembly to him to set up a panel to probe its allegations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the interim injunction by a court restraining him (CJ) from receiving or acting on any notice to impeach the governor and his deputy.
Both choices were placed before Justice Amadi yesterday.
Having waited for seven days without receiving a response from Fubara on the allegations of misconduct it sent to him, the State Assembly reconvened yesterday in Port Harcourt and directed the CJ to establish a seven-member committee to begin the process of removing the governor and his deputy.
Simultaneously, a state high court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area issued an interim injunction restraining him from receiving, forwarding, considering or acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or any form of communication from Speaker Martin Amaewhule and other members of the State House of Assembly for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the alleged misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
But the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), which announced last week that it had set up a high powered committee to reconcile the feuding sides in the Rivers imbroglio, was optimistic yesterday that truce was around the corner.
Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Boladei Igali, said the committee met with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike in Abuja on Thursday and had scheduled separate meetings with Fubara and other stakeholders for last night in Port Harcourt.
The Rivers State legislators claimed yesterday that the governor and his deputy had no intention of stopping their alleged disobedience of the Constitution.
They accused Fubara and Odu of mastering the act of manipulating leaders and public opinion against the House rather than retracing their steps.
“The governor and his deputy are acting as if the Rivers State House of Assembly does not exist,” the lawmakers said.
Continuing, they said: “They (gov and dep.gov) are boasting that members cannot enforce the constitution. It seems like the governor and his deputy are above the law and will continue to do whatever they like against the arm of the government that is empowered to check the executive.
“While members were considering calls from the stakeholders, the governor and his deputy were busy using various platforms to attack us in the media, misinforming the public and trying to use some state institutions like the EFCC to intimidate us.
“They have refused to respond to any of the allegations and particulars of gross misconduct but would use innuendos of ‘barking dogs’ to spite us and insisting that they will not respect the legislature or work with members of the Assembly.”
The lawmakers said many of the stakeholders asking them to rescind their decision were not willing to advise the governor to do the right thing.
They said: “The governor is the aggressor, serial offender of our constitution and a serious threat to our democracy. The sure path to a sustainable peace and progress of our state is the rule of law, separation of power and respect for the Constitution.
“In a bid to gain and win sympathy for the governor and the deputy governor, many who don’t mean well for Rivers simply reduced everything to a disagreement between our political leader and the governor.
“But the real problem is that the governor and his deputy are at fault with the grundnorm to achieve their political goals. We urge the people of Rivers to read the notice of allegations against the governor.”
The legislators blamed the governor for the failure of previous efforts to resolve the crisis because, according to them, he refused to adhere to any agreement.
“It is obvious that the only solution now is to apply the solution prescribed by the 1999 Constitution as altered, which is the impeachment of the governor and his deputy,” they said and appealed to the people of the state to “carefully consider the problem at hand and understand that the impeachment process is the best way to go at this point.”
They thanked President Bola Tinubu who, according to them, “has demonstrated so much love for Rivers in resolving this crisis but the governor and his deputy are adamant.”
They vowed to continue to “defend you and the constitution of the country.”
The legislators were soon rejoined by their four colleagues who had earlier called for leniency for the governor, and adoption of political solution.
The lawmakers backed the impeachment process against Fubara and Odu, saying the duo had refused to retrace their steps.
One of them, Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma constituency), said the governor refused to seek political solution to the crisis.
He accused Fubara and Odu of sending their aides to attack members of the s State House of Assembly.
He said: “Recall that on January 12, myself and my colleague, Peter Abbey, addressed the press, wherein we made a plea to our colleagues to seek a political solution to this impasse that is going on between the Assembly and the governor.”
“During the pendency of this appeal, we found that the governor and the deputy had implored their media boys and aides to continuously attack the Rivers State House of Assembly instead of seeking a political solution that we offered.
“It is on this basis that I and my colleague are saying that the impeachment proceeding should continue. We have rescinded our plea.”
Bariele Nwako, who similarly dropped their appeal for a political solution, said: “Regrettably, the governor and the deputy governor have sent signals to us that they are not prepared to retrace their steps and govern in line with the constitution; they are adamant.
“Their strategy is to intimidate us into withdrawing the impeachment process for the third time while they continue their infractions of the Constitution and the law. On this note, we are continuing with the impeachment process.”
Emilia Lucky-Amadi said: “The governor and deputy are ignoring us; they are insisting that they will not govern in line with the constitution, and nothing will happen.
“There are strong indications that they are adamant with their decisions to continue with illegal actions and are boasting that we do not matter and cannot perform oversight functions.”
Moments after addressing the public, the assembly reconvened and directed Chief Judge Amadi to constitute a seven-member committee to begin the process of removing Fubara and Odu.
Citing relevant sections of the constitution at yesterday’s plenary session of the House, Speaker Amaewhule said the process of removing the governor and his deputy would continue with or without their responses to the allegations against them.
His words: “Distinguished colleagues, let me read what is provided in the constitution. It states within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, whether or not any statement was made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice, the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any delay, whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.”
He subsequently asked the members to vote on whether the allegations of misconduct against the governor and the deputy governor be investigated or not.
All members, including the four who had earlier publicly opted out of the impeachment move, voted in support of investigation.
He then said: “Distinguished colleagues, by this voting, the Rivers State House of Assembly has resolved that the investigations against allegations of gross misconduct leveled against His Excellency the governor of Rivers State shall proceed.
“By virtue of Section 188 subsection 5, I will ensure that the resolution of this House is immediately communicated to the Chief Judge.”
Amaewhule, in the letter to the Chief judge, said: “I write to request that you appoint a panel of seven (7) persons to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against His Excellency, Sir Siminalaye Fubara the Governor of Rivers State pursuant to section 188(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The House resolved in compliance with section 188(4) of the Constitution that these allegations be investigated.”
Attached to the letter were copies of the Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct; acknowledged copy of the Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct; copies of the Rivers State Impeachment Panel (Conduct of Investigations) Procedure, 2025; photocopies of newspaper publications of The Nation, The Guardian and The Sun, as well as other relevant documents.
Fubara, Odu secure court order to stop impeachment
Fubara and Odu yesterday approached and got an interim injunction from the State High Court in Oyigbo Local Government Area to stop their planned impeachment.
Justice F.A. Fiberesima restrained Chief Judge Amadi from receiving, forwarding, considering and or however acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or other document or communication from one to twenty-seventh defendants (the Speaker and other members of the State Assembly) for the purposes of constituting a panel to investigate the purported allegations of misconduct against the governor and his deputy for seven days.
The court also granted leave to the claimants/ applicants to serve the interim order, the originating processes in the suits and all other subsequent processes.
The court directed that the interim order, the originating processes in the suits to be served on the 32 defendants and the Chief Judge of the state through any staff of Judiciary at the Chief Judge’s Chambers within the court premises.
Hearing in the case was adjourned to the 23rd of January, 2026.
PANDEF intensifies peace efforts
Contacted yesterday on the peace initiative of PANDEF, the National Chairman of the foremost South South group, Ambassador Igali, said the committee chairman informed him that he had a successful meeting with Wike on Thursday while further meetings with other stakeholders, including Fubara, were on the cards.
“As at today, members of the committee are holding meetings with other stakeholders including the governor. As we are talking they are with the governor right now holding a meeting. Let us allow them to do their job,” he said.
He added: “They are senior and mature people and elder statesmen and women. When your children have a misunderstanding you go with an open heart to make peace. PANDEF is a non-partisan body and we are all elders.
“We picked people who cannot be influenced and people of high moral standing, who can give clear and objective advice in the interest of the parties, the state and the country.
“Rivers state is an important state. Things that are happening to Rivers state are critical to the national economy and even the global energy situation. PANDEF, under my leadership, cannot fold its hands and watch.
“Rivers State elders have shown courage. But some of the parties may take them for granted because they are in the local scene. We are only joining their efforts to make peace and we will get there.
“In this world, men must have conflict. But at the end of the conflict, it is the negotiation table that solves everything. It is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war. We are looking at a win-win situation where there is no winner and no loser.
“I am optimistic that the team PANDEF has picked are people that have the panache and the experience and knowledge to broker peace.
“The whole country is waiting on them. Yesterday (Thursday) the chairman of the committee said he had a successful meeting with the minister of the FCT in Abuja.
“Members of the committee proceeded to Port Harcourt and since morning they have been holding meetings with different groups. They will be there till early next week and by God’s grace we will get somewhere.
“Mr President has tried his best so we are trying to complement his efforts.”
Lawmakers got N350m each for constituency projects, says Fubara’s aide
A Special Adviser to Governor Fubara, Darlington Orji, alleged yesterday that members of the Rivers State House of Assembly received N350 million each for constituency projects.
He said the funds were disbursed during the tenure of former Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas.
Orji made the allegation yesterday while appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he addressed questions surrounding the budget process and recent tensions between the executive and the legislature.
Orji said the N100,000 offered the assemblymen for Christmas was the same amount given to civil servants.
Orji could not understand the rejection of the money by the legislators, claiming that the same people had previously accepted N350 million each for constituency projects without raising concerns about appropriation.
He said: “You know that in preparing budget, there are too many things that will be improved that will make up the appropriation bill. And when they say their interest was not captured, and the man (Fubara) said, don’t worry, by December.
“So the specific amount I do not know as it stands today, because that presentation was not made because His Excellency, the governor, refused to accept that. But don’t forget, in December, there was N100,000 that was given to civil servants as a way of appreciating them. It was also given to the members of Rivers. Some people rejected the money.
“They rejected it, that it was not appropriated. You cannot build something on nothing. Now, you rejected N100,000 because it was not appropriated. Can you ask them, please, sir, the N350 million that was given to each of them for their constituency projects, where did it come from? Why did they not reject it since it was not appropriated?
“It was Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator, after the signing of the Appropriation Act, that the budget had been passed to law, it was there they gave them the money. Why did they not say it was not captured?”
Last Sunday, the Chairman of the Rivers House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, alleged that the Assembly had received “credible information” on alleged moves by certain individuals to secure ex parte orders from outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to prevent the legislature from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
He said the impeachment process was “fully on course in line with relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
“The two notices of allegations of gross misconduct brought pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution against the Governor and Deputy Governor have been forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, while we await their responses.”
Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution stipulates as follows:(1) The Governor or Deputy Governor of a state may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions or Deputy Governor of this section.
(2) Whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the House of Assembly.
(b) stating that the holder of such office is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified. the speaker of the House of Assembly shall, within seven days of the receipt of the notice, cause a copy of the notice to be served on the holder of the office and on each member of the House of Assembly, and shall also cause any statement made in reply to the allegation by the holder of the office, to be served on each member of the House of Assembly.
(3) Within fourteen days of the presentation of the notice to the speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement was made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice-, the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.
(4) A motion of the House of Assembly that the allegation be investigated shall not be declared as having been passed unless it is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of the House of Assembly.
(5) Within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief judge of the State shall at the request of the speaker of the House of Assembly, appoint a Panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation as provided in this section.
(6) The holder of an office whose conduct is being investigated under this section shall have the right to defend himself in person or be represented before the panel by a legal practitioner of his own choice.
(7) A Panel appointed under this section shall-
(a) have such powers and exercise its functions in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly; and within three months ot its appointment, report its findings to the House of Assembly.
(8) Where the Panel reports to the House of Assembly that the allegation has not ben proved,no further proceedings shall be taken in respect of the matter.
(9)Where the report of the Panel is that the allegation against the holder of the office has been proved, then within fourteen days of the receipt of the report, the House of Assembly shall consider the report, and if by a resolution of the House of Assembly supported by not less than two-thirds majority of all its members, the report of the Panel is adopted, then the holder of the office shall stand removed from office as from the date of the adoption of the report.
(10)No proceedings of determination of the Panel or of the House of Assembly or any matter relating to such proceedings shall be entertained or questioned in court.
A senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye told The Nation yesterday that under the law, the Chief Judge “cannot refuse to act unless there is a legal impediment which forbids him from acting.”
“I submit that if there is a valid court order barring the CJ from empanelling, then as a law officer he must respect the order.
“I am not unaware of the provisions of Section 188(10) which preclude judicial Interference with the process but I am of the view that only the panel or the House of Assembly cannot be stopped. But the appointor- the CJ-could be stopped by a court order if there are legal reasons to do so.
“Important requirements:
The panel members must be persons of unquestionable integrity.
They must not be public officers.
They must not be members of any political party.
“This is very important. The Chief Judge must be well guided by this provision as he is not at liberty to appoint people of questionable character or fill the committee with known enemies of the Governor or the Deputy.
“Politicians are excluded. The law allows the CJ to choose even non indigenes of the state who fit the criteria.
“Also the panel must allow legal representation for the Governor or Deputy. The panelists need not be lawyers or Judges. Members of the larger society with ability to understand the purport of the allegations and take a reasonable decision thereon.”
Another senior advocate, Chief Wale Taiwo, said: “Although the Chief Judge is under no constitutional duty to share the power of appointment of the seven persons with his brother Judges, it will not be a bad exercise of power to consult his learned brothers, particularly the most senior ones.
“It will not be wrong if he asks them for names. The CJ is not bound by the names they send to him but at the end of the day, there will be mutuality of confidence in the matter and that is good both for the Chief Judge and his learned brother Judges.
“The Chief Judge is a man of law and good judgment and should be trusted to take decisions with egalitarian outlook. The search for membership of the Panel need not be confined to the geographical territory of the State.
“The Constitution does not so restrict the appointment. A member can be picked and appointed from another state. He could be an indigene of the state. He need not be.
“As a matter of law, the search could go to the Diaspora, if necessary, with a view to ensuring that the essence of checks and balances inherent in Section 188(5) is observed.
“Beyond the foregoing, however, is the obvious socio-political fall out that may attend such panel’s membership and the execution of its mandate. Thus, care must be taken to avoid a panel which may be at risk of not bringing about a genuine outcome.”
• Okays ex-gov, sons’ trial over alleged N1.35b fraud
The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by Aminu Sule Lamido, the 34-year-old son of the former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, against his conviction on the charge of failure to declare $40,000 cash at the airport and false declaration of foreign currency brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The apex court, in a unanimous judgment of a five-member panel on yesterday, resolved all the three issues identified for determination in the appeal against the appellant.
In the lead judgment written by Justice Adamu Jauro but read by Justice Abubakar Umar, the apex court held that the appeal marked: SC/CV/201/2016 lacked merit, dismissed it and affirmed the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna, which upheld the decision of the Federal High Court, Kano.
The Federal High Court, Kano had in its judgment on July 12, 2015 convicted Aminu and ordered him to forfeit 25 per cent of the undeclared foreign currency to the Federal Government.
Operatives of the EFCC had on December 11, 2012, arrested Aminu at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on his way to Egypt for failing to declare the sum of $40,000 cash in the Customs Currency Declaration Form after initially declaring the statutory $10,000 cash to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
Aminu, a 2010 graduate of Mass a Communication from the Bayero University Kano, was subsequently arraigned by the EFCC on February 4, 2013, on one count charge of false declaration of foreign currency under the Money Laundering Act.
The charge reads: “That you, Aminu Sule Lamido, on or about 11th day of December, 2012 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court while transporting in cash, the sum of $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars only) from Nigeria to Cairo, Egypt, falsely declare to the Nigeria Customs Service the sum of $10,000 (Ten Thousand dollars only) instead of the said sum of $50,000(fifty thousand dollars only) as required under Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap F34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 2(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.”
Aminu was subsequently arraigned by the EFCC before a Federal High Court in Kano, and in a judgment on July 12, 2015 the court convicted him and ordered him to forfeit 25 per cent of the undeclared foreign currency to the Federal Government.
He faulted the judgment and appealed at the Court of Appeal in Kaduna but lost when the appellate court in a judgment on December 7, 2015 dismissed the appeal and affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court in Kano.
Aminu subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court, which appeal was dismissed yesterday.
Also yesterday, the Supreme Court ordered that the stalled trial of former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, his two sons and others over alleged N1.35billion fraud should resume before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
A five-member panel of the apex court issued the order in two unanimous judgments delivered in the two appeals filed in the name of the Federal Government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Both appeals were against the July 25, 2023 judgments by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which upheld the no-case submission made by Lamido and others and struck out the 37-count charge on which they were being prosecuted on the grounds that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case.
In the lead judgment of the Supreme Court, Justice Abubakar Umar set aside the July 25, 2023 judgments of the Court of Appeal and affirmed the earlier decision by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja which overruled the no-case submissions by Lamido and others and ordered to enter their defence.
The EFCC, in the 37-count charge, among others, accused Lamido of abusing his position as governor between 2007 and 2015, allegedly laundering sums of money received as kickbacks from companies that were awarded contracts by the Jigawa State Government under his leadership.
The other defendants charged alongside Lamido are: his two sons – Aminu and Mustapha; Aminu Wada Abubakar and their companies – Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.
Trial commenced in the case in 2015 during which the EFCC called about 16 witnesses before closing its case, and in a ruling in 2022, Justice Ojukwu overruled the defendants’ no-case submission and ordered them to enter their defence.
Lamido and others appealed to the Court of Appeal, which, in its decision on July 25, 2023, was in favour of the appellants.
Justice Adamu Waziri, in the lead concurrent judgment of a three-member, overturned Justice Ojukwu’s decision and held, among others, that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked jurisdiction to entertain the charge.
Justice Waziri was of the view that the alleged offences took place in Jigawa State, and on that ground, the charge ought to be filed in a Federal High Court in Jigawa State and not Abuja.
The court then struck out the charges and discharged the defendants; a decision the EFCC appealed to the Supreme Court.
Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde a.k.a. KWAM 1 has asked the Ogun State Government to declare the nomination exercise conducted by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House on January 12, 2026 null and void owing to claims of fundamental breaches of statutory provisions, constitutional rights and principles of natural justice.
Wasiu Ayimde said he would seek redress in the court again should urgent and appropriate steps not be taken by the Executive Council of Ogun State Government to address his grievances within a reasonable time, stressing that he “reserves the unequivocal right to seek redress before competent courts of law and other appropriate authorities without further recourse or notice.”
The Fuji musician made this demand in another petition dated January 15, 2026, signed by his legal counsel, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN) and copied to the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Attorney General of Ogun State, the Kingmakers, Secretary of Ijebu-ode Local Government and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu Ode
He asked the government to declare null and void the purported nomination exercise conducted by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House on January 12, 2026, alleging fundamental breaches of statutory provisions, constitutional rights, and principles of natural justice.
He asked the Ogun State Government to order conduct of fresh nomination that would include him and all other eligible members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, in strict compliance with the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021, the Awujale of Ijebuland Chieftaincy Declaration, and the principles of natural justice in all further stages of the selection process.
He said the nomination exercise conducted on January 12, 2026 without his participation and that of the full and free participation of all eligible members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House is procedurally defective, unlawful and consequently null and void, adding that any outcome from such a flawed process cannot stand and will inevitably lead to protracted litigation.
He described as unlawful the imposition of a “delegate” system and the physical exclusion of members by a faction within the ruling house constitute an arbitrary and ultra vires exercise of authority, undermining the statutory duties of the ruling house to conduct an open and transparent nomination.
“The deliberate exclusion of our client and other members from the nomination meeting is a blatant violation of their fundamental constitutional right to fair hearing, as guaranteed by Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). This right applies to the determination of civil rights and obligations, including chieftaincy matters.
“The principle of audi alteram partem (hear the other side) is a cornerstone of natural justice, dictating that no person shall be condemned unheard. The Supreme Court has consistently held that decisions made without affording a party the opportunity to be heard are null and void, irrespective of whether such a provision is explicitly stated in a statute. In Kotoye v. Central Bank of Nigeria.”
Shittu, in the petition claimed that his client and other eligible members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House were deliberately excluded and prevented from entering.
According to him, “heavily armed security personnel, including the Nigerian Police and other security operatives, were reportedly stationed at the venue and were used to disenfranchise legitimate members.
“Entry to the meeting was restricted by the issuance of special entry cards, purportedly to “delegates” selected by a faction within the ruling house.
“This system of “delegates” was unilaterally introduced and was never agreed upon by our client or other disenfranchised members, who maintain their right to attend and participate directly in the statutory meeting of the Ruling House.
“This deliberate obstruction prevented our client and others from exercising their fundamental right to participate in the nomination process for the Awujale stool.
“Please find attached herewith a flash-drive detailing some of the atrocities/violations that occurred in the course of the referred meeting where our client and some of the accredited members of the family were denied entry into the venue of the statutory meeting.”
The petition stated that the actions of the leadership of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, in collaboration with security forces, constitute a clear contravention of established legal principles and statutory provisions governing chieftaincy affairs in Ogun State, as well as fundamental human rights.
Not fewer than 80 militants operating at the Calabar-Oron Waterways have surrendered scores of their guns and other weapons to the Nigeria Police in Calabar.
In a major breakthrough via sustained efforts to rid Cross River State of illegal arms and ammunition, the Cross River State Police Command, in collaboration with the Cross River State Government, has sustained an ongoing arms mop-up initiative through the adoption of a non-kinetic policing approach.
In an operation coordinated by Operation Okwok and other Police components, about 80 repentant militants, who had been terrorising the Bakassi–Oron waterways of the State, voluntarily surrendered themselves with assorted arms and ammunition in their possession.
The individuals embraced the Cross River State Government’s amnesty programme, opting for peace and reintegration over criminality.
The surrender, which police sources say was achieved without the use of force, underscores the effectiveness of the Command’s strategy of dialogue, strategic engagement, confidence-building, and intelligence-led operations.
The Nation gathered that the repentant individuals have openly renounced violence and expressed their readiness to be rehabilitated and fully reintegrated into society as law-abiding citizens, further validating the Command’s commitment to people-oriented and intelligence-driven policing.
This development reinforces the Nigeria Police Force’s broader shift towards non-kinetic policing strategies, which prioritise prevention, persuasion, negotiation, and community collaboration as critical tools for addressing security challenges and achieving sustainable peace.
David Ajoda, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello and two others, told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday that the board of Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) paid the sum of N1,164,929,569 as commission to a tax consultant within eight months.
Ajoda added that the money was paid from January to August 2019 when Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) engaged the tax consultant
The witness also said that another N952.4m was withdrawn by the tax consultant from his account with Sterling Bank within the same eight months, leaving a balance of N212,525,569 in the account.
Ajoda, led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), said the multiple withdrawals were allegedly undertaken by one Phillip Unar.
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), along with Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on an alleged money laundering charge.
Ajoda said he did not know the details of the tax consultancy contract between Kogi State Internal Revenue Service and the consultant.
The prosecution tendered through the witness the account statement of the said tax consultant, which was admitted in evidence by the court.
The witness told the court that before the tax consultant was engaged by the Kogi tax board, it had a credit balance of over N2 million in its account, adding that credit inflows into the account rose shortly after it was engaged.
While being cross-examined by lawyer to Bello and Oricha, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Ajoda admitted that the name “Kogi State Government” did not feature in the bank transactions.
Ajoda equally admitted that bank account belongs to customer and that such customers can make withdrawals unhindered as long as such withdrawals are within the stipulated laws.
He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations permitted N5m maximum withdrawal for individuals while corporate entity is N10m maximum per withdrawal.
The witness added that the tax consultant did not breach CBN regulations in the multiple withdrawals. Hence no report of suspicion was made against the tax consultant.
He said Bello’s name and his co-defendants did not feature in the bank statement as beneficiaries of any of the withdrawals.
The witness added that there is a difference between the Kogi State Government and Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, arguing that both are separate entities.
Justice Maryanne Anenih adjourned further hearing till February 10.
Boxing sensation Anthony Joshua has returned to the gym three weeks after surviving a motor accident at Sagamu, Ogun State.
Joshua, whose two aides died in the accident, is currently undergoing a recovery programme.
He called it “Mental Strength Therapy” in a post on Snapchat.
A video accompanying the post shows him working out, hitting pads, exercising and riding a stationary bike.
Killed in the December 29 crash were Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
Ghami was his strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was a trainer.
Both were laid to rest at Hendon Cemetery, London on Sunday, January 4, 2026, following funeral prayers (Janaza) at the London Central Mosque.
Joshua and the deceased were on holidays in Nigeria when the accident occurred.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said on Wednesday that he believed Joshua would return to boxing when he has had time to heal.
“He will need his time physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually before he makes a decision on his future. I do think he will want to return to boxing, but that will be his decision when the time is right,” the Daily Mail of London quoted Hearn as telling Sky Sports.
He added: “It is certainly not a conversation I’ll be having with him any time soon. The only conversation is ‘are you OK?’ and sometimes we find people will give that facade of being OK, but what happened to him is not normal and heartbreaking for all involved.
“When the time is right, I believe he will make his decision and you will hear it from him. That is the only voice you should listen to in that respect, and we’ll give him his time to make that decision and heal.”
Soon after the accident, Joshua was treated at a hospital in Lagos before jetting to London.
Abubakar Abdullahi, the Imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who famously shielded 262 Christians during a violent communal attack in 2018, has died at the age of 92.
Saleh Abubakar, the son of the deceased, confirmed his death, saying the cleric passed away on Thursday night at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.
Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, also confirmed the death in a post on X on yesterday, describing the late imam as a man who exemplified Islamic teachings on the sanctity of human life and selfless service to humanity.
Ahmad wrote: “He acted in accordance with the teachings of Islam, which uphold the sanctity of human life, where saving a single life is regarded as saving all of humanity.
“May Allah grant him Jannah al-Firdaus. Ameen!”
Imam Abdullahi is survived by 19 children, made up of 12 boys and seven girls.
In June 2018, during deadly faith-based clashes that swept through 10 villages in Barkin Ladi, the late imam hid 262 Christians in a mosque and his private residence until the violence subsided, preventing them from being killed.
His actions earned him local and international recognition, including the International Religious Freedom Award presented by the United States Department of State in 2019.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday expressed deep sorrow over the death of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, describing him as a courageous servant of God whose life embodied faith, humanity and uncommon bravery.
In a condolence message issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said the late cleric’s actions stood as a powerful testament to the sanctity of human life and the true meaning of religious devotion.
“At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed to overwhelm reason, Imam Abubakar stood firmly on the side of peace, benevolence and conscience,” the President said.
According to him, the cleric’s decision to protect those under threat despite the danger to his own life demonstrated rare moral courage and selflessness.
“Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the noble cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace rather than rejection,” Tinubu stated, adding that the Imam’s actions spoke louder than sermons and offered a timeless message to the world.
The President noted that Imam Abubakar’s heroic conduct earned him local and international recognition, celebrating his commitment to peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths and backgrounds.
Describing the late cleric as an enduring symbol of interfaith harmony, Tinubu urged religious and community leaders across the country to draw lessons from his life by promoting tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
“I urge religious and community leaders to imbibe and preach the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful togetherness as espoused in the life of Imam Abubakar,” he said.
President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the late cleric, asking God to grant him eternal rest and reward him for his courage and good deeds.
He symbolised compassion, says Atiku
Also mourning Imam Abdullahi’s death, former vice president Atiku Abubakar described the late imam as a distinguished patriot and symbol of compassion.
He said: “Today, Nigeria mourns the loss of a remarkable patriot and exemplar of compassion. Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, whose selfless courage during the June 2018 Plateau crisis saw him open his mosque and home to shelter and protect over 260 Christians, even at great personal risk.
“He lived a life that transcended religious divides and affirmed our shared humanity. His act of bravery not only saved hundreds of lives but also stood as a powerful testament to the truth that peace, empathy and brotherhood are the firmest foundations of national unity.
“As we grieve his passing, let us recommit to the ideals he embodied in inter-faith harmony, mutual respect, and an unwavering defence of the sanctity of every human life.
“May his soul find peace; and may his legacy continue to inspire hope across our diverse nation.”
A statement by his Director of Press Gyang Bere yesterday quoted Governor Caleb Mutfwang as expressing sorrow over the passing of Imam Abdullahi, describing him as “a man of purpose whose life was distinguished by an unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and the protection of the vulnerable, particularly women and children.”
He highlighted the late Imam’s remarkable leadership in promoting harmony and safeguarding lives as a legacy that earned him both national and international recognition.
“Governor Mutfwang described the death of Imam Abubakar Abdullahi as a monumental loss to his immediate family, his community, and Plateau State at large.
“He commended the late cleric for his tireless advocacy for interfaith harmony, building bridges of forgiveness, compassion, and empathy among diverse communities across the state and beyond,” the statement added.
The Governor further noted that the revered community leader dedicated his life to the advancement, development, and well-being of his people, adding that his sudden passing leaves a significant void in the leadership of Yelwa, Gindin Akwati, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
He prayed for God to raise leaders of integrity and wisdom to continue the legacy exemplified by the late Imam.
Eyo, a popular masquerade in Lagos, is one of those rare festivals that come with heightened eccentric displays. It is usually organised to honour the dead who is either an Oba, a community leader or a prominent individual who had done well to better the society. On December 27 last year, the festival was observed in honour of Mobolaji Johnson, Lateef Jakande and Habibat Mogagi, three deceased prominent Lagos indigenes of the state. EDOZIE UDEZE do writes on the symbolism of Eyo and its tourism potential.
When earlier in December last year the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced that the Eyo Masquerade Festival would take place on December 27, there was excitement everywhere. The excitement did not arise just because lovers of Eyo masquerade festival were in need of it; it came because the three deceased Lagosians that were to be honoured with the celebration were once among the most prominent personalities in the state, namely Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Major Gen. Mobolaji Johnson and Alhaja Habibat Mogaji.
The fact that the last Eyo masquerade festival observed in the state had happened about eight years earlier made many Lagosians eager to witness it. Little wonder most of the major streets on Lagos Island were caught in heightened frenzy with various levels of preparations and decorations to bid final farewell to these important citizens who died years ago.
There is no doubting the fact that Eyo masquerade celebration is one of those rare cultural festivals or what you may term culture tourism that make Lagos State unique.
Its uniqueness is not hinged only on its purity, colourful displays and arousing elegance, it is also because Eyo masquerade festival is a social and spiritual exercise purposely designed to cleanse the society and usher in renewed moments of peace, love and orderliness.
It is designed to honour ancestors and open doors of prosperity. That is why it is widely considered an iconic cultural event.
Eyo festival, otherwise called Adamu Orisa, therefore takes place only on special occasions. It is basically to honour a deceased oba or prominent Lagosians, custodians of tradition or political leaders who have done a lot to advance the fortunes of the society.
The one held on December 27, 2025, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos, consequently came in to fill that yawning gap.
The mammoth crowd on the day was unprecedented. From Martins Street and Idumota all the way to Onikan, the Oba’s palace at Iga and through to TBS, people gathered to see the masquerades in dazzling beauty.
It was not just for the sake of the razzmatazz the festival ushered into Lagos streets, it was because there were more Eyo masquerades on parade than in the previous years.
As they walked in columns and regiments, and in order of seniority and importance, it was clear that the dexterity of the usual street carnival was in vogue. They sang, gyrated and danced as the long and aesthetically decorated sticks, symbols of Eyo, dazzled loosely in the air. The uniformity of it all became more alluring than ever before.
The presence of foreigners, including some Brazilians who travelled all the way from South America to witness and savour the glamour, aura and esoteric nature of Eyo further accentuated the atmosphere.
Nigerians in Diaspora who visited were in jolly good mood to witness the spectacle. Yomi, a Lagosian who flew in from England, regretted that he missed the previous edition. Hence when the current one was announced, he quickly made arrangements to fly into Nigeria. “It is the social content that makes most of us to long to see it,” he said as he hastened up to join the procession of people on the road to Tafawa Balewa Square on that day.
Like Yomi, Derin Cole, from Bankole Street, Olowogbowo, Lagos Island also affirmed the spirituality and purity of Eyo. However, in his own case, Cole is one of those who don the Eyo costume. He belongs to the Adimu Orisa group, the first in the order of procession, spotted mainly by very tall people.
Cole, on his own part, has participated in the festival almost all his life.
He said: “The Eyo is also known as Agogoro (the tall Eyo). Adimu is not just the senior, and that is where I belong, it is also a representative of the spirit of the dead, leading the procession to usher the dead home.
“This is why we wear white hat with black emblem, symbolising seniority, colour and valour.
“As long as I am alive, I will continue to carry the Eyo. In fact, there are people much older than me, some in their 70s, who still carry Eyo.
“It is a delightful festival. It gives us joy. As long as we can walk and display our dexterity, we will continue to participate. “Even the one for Mobolaji Johnson is like a carry-over. It was good we used the occasion to remind people about who he was and what he did for Lagos State.”
Cole was excited to see many Brazilians who had visited for the fun of it.
He said: “The number of Brazilians on that day was too high to behold.
“Yes for us all, the regalia are ours. It is our property. We buy and sew it. In fact, we have specialised tailors who do the designs.
“It is also true that it is very expensive to buy and sew the flowing white robe. The long gown is the symbol of purity, the spiritual world.
“It also serves as a spiritual rite to cleanse the city,” he said.
Order of procession
Inasmuch as the Eyo festival is a spiritual rite in which white-clad masquerades predominate, it is equally patterned to parade the streets in order of seniority and importance.
The masquerades take off by 7am at the Iga shrine where they pay obeisance to the spirits of the ancestors. In order of organised procedure, they then move to the Oba’s palace, dancing, chanting and chorusing deep Yoruba proverbs and incantations.
This elaborate display brings out each family or clan called ‘Iga’ to the open. Each carries a symbolic palm stick called ‘Opambata’. The stick is not only an authority of its own, it is a means to greet people on the way.
The first in the group is Adimu Orisa. It is traditionally the most senior Eyo, usually carried by very tall people. It is signified by a white hat with an elaborate black emblem. This is to show that it is first among equals and that Adimu is the foremost.
The second one is ‘Laba’. This one brings as its peculiar nature a red hat with white emblem. It is usually for the sake of clarification it is called the red Eyo.
Laba can also be regarded as the security arm of the group. They act as the police officers, maintaining the peace in due sequence.
The third is ‘Oniko’. It wears a sparkling yellow hat that is traditionally associated with raffia palm. Its symbolism is totally embedded in cultural anathema. Not to forget also that raffia is an economic tree that yields wealth to a people.
‘Ologede’, in green hat, is the fourth in the order of parade and procession. Graceful in green hat, it also depicts the banana tree and its leaves.
This, in other words, stands for continued growth of the society where peace and purity have already been ushered in.
‘Agere’ closes the rear as the fifth one with its unique purple hat.
The foregoing shows how those hats and colours relate to the people and what connects them with their ancestors. So while the procession goes on, chants rent the air. Ancestral songs and dances accompany the procession. This helps to make the parade or procession gregarious and attractive.
The greetings done through the potency of the sticks, says: “E sunrunkunrun, we ma jagbon die”. This means, do not fear anything. But have a taste of the palm tree.
It is said that the greeting in Yoruba is of deep Ijebu dialect. Eyo is said to have emanated from Iperu, in Ogun State. Yet Lagos State adapted it to the point of colourful celebration, making it one of the biggest culture tourism potential of the moment.
So, when an Eyo taps you with that symbolic palm stick, it shows love and peace. It shows it is time to bless you and to recognise you as a friend, brother and a source of blessing to others, to the city.
Prohibitions
It is usual to observe that Eyo is the symbol of Lagos’ heritage. It is equally a source of community pride built around some social and cultural abhorrence. In honour of those it is meant to celebrate and for the respect of the ancestral spirits and the purity thereof, no one is expected to wear shoes while coming close to Eyo. It is an abomination.
Since the festival connects the dead with the living, all laws, all ordinances to make it clean and pure have to be adhered to. So, within the arena, even as the parade goes on at the TBS, no one is expected to wear shoes, sandals or the like.
In addition, no one within the precincts of Eyo must wear any form of head tie, hats or caps. On that day, Eyo is the master, the only one authorised to wear a hat. Also people are prohibited from carrying umbrellas to the arena. Smoking is also not allowed, while no one is permitted to ride a motor bike (okada) or a bicycle near the esplanade. The height of abomination is trying to touch an Eyo. It is absolute sacrilege.
These set rules equally accentuate the aura built around Eyo over the years.
Cole explained: “It is the tradition, and people have come to obey it to give Eyo its revered place among the populace.
“In the first place, the masquerade itself does not wear shoes. And you cannot compare yourself with a masquerade; it is the spirit world.
“Where you obey all these, the period will usher in bumper sales and harvest for everyone”.
Historical fact
For the sake of historical clarification, Maj-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson was the first military governor of Lagos State. Alhaji Lateef Kayode, a journalist, was the first civilian governor of the state from 1979 to 1983, while Alhaja Habibat Mogaji, mother of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was the Iyaloja of Lagos State.
A woman of many parts, she spent her time and money to empower and enrich market women in and around Lagos. So, the honour for the three was well deserved: a real time to reflect on their contributions and achievements.
A new dimension to Eyo
According to Dr. Olatunbosun Taofeek, a theatre artiste, playwright, scholar and chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Lagos State chapter, Eyo needs to be reinvented. It needs to move into a new chapter in its mode of celebration, recognition and value.
He said: “The Eyo Festival should be refashioned into intellectual tourism.
“Sometimes, a culture possesses grand traditions that can be transformed not merely into ceremonial events but into intellectual properties of global significance.
“One such tradition is the Adamu Orisa Play, popularly known as the Eyo Festival.
“A unique but neglected aspect of the Eyo Festival is its dramatic and theatrical component—the performative element of the masquerade intended to honour prominent individuals in society.
“Traditionally, Eyo celebrates those who have contributed meaningfully to Lagos. However, this aspect has not been fully developed.
“To revive it, Lagos should engage playwrights and scholars to write dramatic works based on the lives and legacies of notable Lagosians.
“These plays could be staged during the festival, and outstanding contributions could be recognised with honours such as the Eyo Medal, alongside sculptures and other forms of creative artistry.”
According to him, the core objective should not be the celebration of contemporary politicians but the preservation of collective memory —remembering who we are as Lagosians and understanding our historical roots as a people. He said the festival should serve as a platform for cultural reflection rather than political praise.
“Ideally, the Eyo Festival should be a period during which the histories of past Obas of Lagos and other outstanding contributors to the city are presented and examined. Such a practice would encourage responsible leadership, reminding present and future kings that positive legacies endure, while negative ones fade with time.
“For context, the Eyo Festival bears resemblance to the ancient Athenian festivals that gave rise to great dramatists such as Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. These festivals produced enduring literary works that preserved Greek culture and history.
“In contrast, the Eyo Festival has yet to generate comparable intellectual or artistic outputs. Instead, it has largely been reduced to political pageantry and praise-singing for current office holders.”
He said “one of the fundamental purposes of the Eyo Festival is to revive the memory of royalty and honour valiant men and women of the past.
“From Greek festivals of this nature emerged enduring narratives such as Oedipus the King, which remains one of the most significant texts in Greek cultural history.
“Unfortunately, in our own context, the festival has been reduced to costumes, caps, and symbolic movement with staffs.
“While these elements are important, they are insufficient on their own.”
He concluded by saying that we can do better. By reimagining the Eyo Festival through a modern, sophisticated literary and intellectual lens, Lagos can attract global attention and demonstrate that its culture is not merely ceremonial but one rich in intellectual depth, historical consciousness, and creative power.
