The Nation Newspaper

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  • FAAN, Zuid Energies partner on airports electric taxis

    FAAN, Zuid Energies partner on airports electric taxis

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Zuid Energies Limited, a new-energy mobility and infrastructure company are collaborating to operate electric taxi services across the airports in Nigeria.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Zuid Energies Limited, Ogochukwu Abiakam said the initiative is designed to modernise airport ground transportation, support Nigeria’s broader energy transition and economic development goals.

    He explained that the deployment will begin with a pilot phase in Abuja and Lagos airports, noting that the model will be expanded to other FAAN-owned airports nationwide.

    According to him, the fleet size will grow in response to passenger demand, performance data, and the availability of charging infrastructure.

    He added that the company aims to protect passengers from fuel price volatility by leveraging the lower operating and maintenance costs of electric vehicles.

    Abiakam also said the key aspect of the initiative is its collaborative approach with existing airport taxi operators.

    Read Also: FAAN begins implementation of new cargo tariff

    “Rather than displacing current players, Zuid Energies is developing a transition model that allows traditional operators to participate in the EV ecosystem. This includes; fleet conversion opportunities, driver integration and training programmes.

    “The goal is to ensure that the shift to electric mobility is inclusive, sustainable, and economically beneficial for all stakeholders.

    “Zuid Energies’ electric taxi service introduces several differentiators to airport transportation in Nigeria: brand new, fully electric vehicles, professionally trained and uniformed drivers, a fully cashless payment system, digital booking, tracking, and centralised dispatch.

    “Beyond vehicles, Zuid Energies is also investing in a full electric mobility ecosystem which includes a dedicated EV charging station in Abuja and Lagos.

    “This ecosystem approach ensures operational resilience and lays the foundation for long-term expansion.

    “Electric vehicles represent a strategic opportunity for Nigeria’s transportation sector. Their adoption will lead to reduced dependence on imported refined fuel, and lower operating costs for transport services,” he said.

    Speaking further on the importance of the initiative, he said: “EVs also allow Nigeria to better leverage its domestic energy resources.

    “By combining innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, the Zuid Energies, FAAN partnership positions Nigeria as an emerging leader in clean, modern aviation ground transportation and sets the tone for the future of mobility in the region.”

  • NASME seeks structural entrepreneurship

    NASME seeks structural entrepreneurship

    The National President, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima has called for structural entrepreneurship, stating that structural entrepreneurship and apprenticeships are crucial for driving Nigeria’s sustainable economic development.

    Yerima made this call during the induction of members of Institute of Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Management and Administration (IEAMA) in Abuja, with the theme, “Grooming a new generation of structured entrepreneurs and professional apprentices for sustainable national development.”

    He stated that entrepreneurship must evolve from improvisation to institutionized practices guided by discipline, ethics and structure.

    Read Also: NASME floats N2bn empowerment fund for MSMEs

    He explained that prosperity is structured systems that turn ideas into enterprises and skills into industries. He noted that millions are in business, but few manage apprenticeship with structure, ethics, long-term sustainability and from informal practice to professional identity.

    “Modern entrepreneurs create value, employ labour, contribute to GDP and drive innovation while apprentice is a training that promotes transparent processes and secure generational wealth transfer and reducing youth unemployment,” he said.

    The NASME President urged youths to engage in business activities that will generate wealth, employment and opportunities, noting that this opportunity exists for individuals to create wealth in various sectors. 18 members were inducted as Directorate fellows of IEAMA, 21 as fellow members and 14 as senior members.

  • Electricity subsidy payment: Federal Govt to share cost with states, councils

    Electricity subsidy payment: Federal Govt to share cost with states, councils

    States and councils will henceforth share the payment of electricity subsidies with the Federal Government, which had solely borne the subsidy cost on electricity.

    In 12 months between September 2024 and October 2025, the Federal Government paid N1.98 trillion.

    Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, announced the plan to share the subsidy cost during a meeting with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on the 2026 Budget.

    He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to ensure that the heavy bill for electricity subsidies is not left for the Federal Government alone to carry.

    Yakubu said: “Subsidy costs must be explicit, tracked and funded, so they do not return as arrears, liquidity crises or hidden liabilities in the power market.

    “Let me be direct. If we want a stable power sector, we must pay for the choices we make. When tariffs are held below cost, a gap is created. That gap is a subsidy. And a subsidy is a bill.”

    He added that when the benefits of such decisions are shared across different levels of government, the costs must also be shared in a clear and agreed way.

    According to him, fair sharing of the burden will encourage better performance in the power sector and stronger support for protecting vulnerable consumers.

    “When everyone carries a fair share of the cost, everyone also has an incentive to support cost-reflective efficiency, targeted protection for the vulnerable, and a power market that can actually deliver,” he said.

    Yakubu explained that the goal of the directive is to ensure that the costs of electricity are tracked and funded so they do not turn into “hidden debts” that ruin the power sector.

    The Budget Office chief stressed that if any level of government decides to keep electricity prices low for citizens, the financial responsibility for such a decision must be clearly agreed and enforced.

    Yakubu also stressed that the costs of electricity subsidies can no longer be treated as the responsibility of the Federal Government alone.

    He told MDAs that they must now clearly show all subsidy-related costs in their budget plans and avoid pushing unpaid obligations into the power market as debts that later create problems for electricity companies and consumers.

    Beyond power subsidies, he said, the Federal Government is changing how projects are treated in the 2026 budget.

    Yakubu noted that projects must be ready to be delivered and, where needed, ready to attract financing before they are included in the budget.

    “If it cannot be implemented, it should not be proposed. If it cannot be measured, it should not be defended,” he said.

    Yakubu warned that listing many projects without proper funding and planning often leads to disappointment for citizens who expect real results on the ground.

    “A long list of projects is not a development strategy. It is often a map of disappointment. What citizens feel is delivery – completed roads, reliable power, functional schools, working hospitals,” the Budget Office chief said.

    He explained that the government is now focusing on proper project financing, which means that every project must be carefully planned, costed and matched with a clear source of funding, whether from the federal budget, partnerships with the private sector or other financial arrangements.

    Yakubu said MDAs must show that their projects are ready, with designs, approvals, procurement plans and clear timelines. They must also explain how each project will be funded and what results Nigerians should expect.

    On government spending rules, he explained that President Tinubu directed a review of the Fiscal Responsibility framework to make it stronger and better suited for current economic conditions.

    “Fiscal rules are not a slogan. They are the guardrails of government. Without guardrails, spending becomes impulsive, debt becomes casual, and the budget becomes a statement of intent rather than a tool of delivery,” Yakubu said.

    Read Also: FG restores electricity generation to 608MW after grid collapse

    He explained that the review will lead to clearer limits on spending, stronger reporting, better control of future financial risks and a closer link between long-term planning and yearly budgets.

    “For MDAs, this changes the conversation. You will not only be asked what you want to spend.

    “You will be asked how it fits the fiscal rules, how it affects sustainability, and what measurable results it will deliver,” he said.

    He urged MDAs to build their proposals around available funds, clearly explain their priorities and disclose any risks, especially future costs that could fall on the government.

    As part of the 2026 budget process, Yakubu said all MDA proposals will be tested to ensure they match national priorities, can be carried out, offer value for money and respect the country’s financial limits.

    He said the overall goal is to make the 2026 budget focus on completing projects and solving real problems for Nigerians, rather than creating long lists of plans that are never fully delivered.

    Fed Govt interventions

    The Federal Government introduced the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) to improve efficiency and restore public trust through. Under the PMI, the government has been deploying millions of smart meters to bridge the metering gap, protect vulnerable Nigerians, and make the power sector financially viable.

    The government plans to eliminate estimated billing where consumers are billed based on assumptions rather than actual consumption.

    It also aims to ensure that consumers pay only for the electricity they use, promoting transparency, revenue protection help DisCos recover revenue loss to non-payment and inefficiencies.

    According to Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, the initiative would also boost local production and foster local meter manufacturing and job creation.

    Adelabu said that the Federal Government had secured about N700 billion, for the rollout of two million meters annually over the next five years under the initiative.

    He dropped the hint at the 2025 Nigerian Energy Forum, with the theme: “Powering Nigeria through investment, innovation and partnership”.

    The fund, as he explained was obtained by the Federal Government from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

    According to him, the PMI aims to close Nigeria’s metering gap, improve transparency, and enhance the financial stability of the power sector.

    He said the initiative complemented the 3.2 million meters being procured through the World Bank’s Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), positioning the country to bridge the metering gap within five years.

    The minister said that the Federal Government was leveraging bilateral funding and development finance to attract private investment and expand electricity access in underserved communities, schools, hospitals and public institutions.

    He said: “In the past two years, more than two billion dollars has been mobilised through key programmes, including the World Bank’s DARES, NSIA’s RIPLE, and the JICA fund. “These interventions are accelerating renewable energy deployment and access to reliable power.”

    The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), approved the disbursement of N28 billion to DisCos for the procurement and installation of prepaid meters under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) Tranche B scheme.

    NERC said that the amount was for the procurement of meters for all outstanding unmetered Band A customers at no cost.

    This announcement was contained in the Order on the Operationalisation of “Tranche B” of MAF issued by  NERC and signed by its Vice Chairman, Musiliu  Oseni, and Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and  Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye.

    According to the order, the funds approved under Tranche B of MAF are intended to meter all outstanding unmetered Band A customers.

    They also focus on expediting the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B

    The Order said: “The N28 billion shall be allocated in proportion to the respective contributions of the DisCos, and the DisCos are expected to meter all outstanding unmetered Band A customers.

    ”They are also required to expedite the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B.

    “Schedule 1 provides the detailed breakdown of the funds available to each DisCo for the purchase of end-use customer meters.

    “All the meters to be procured and installed under the MAF framework shall be provided at no cost to the customers.”

    The commission said that the order seeks to establish a clear and transparent framework for the implementation of Tranche B of the MAF scheme.

    It also said that the order sought to define the eligibility requirements and obligations of DisCos and Meter Assert Provider (MAP) in accessing and utilising funds.

    Giving a breakdown of the releases of funds accrued under MAF, NERC explained that in April 2024, out of the accrued sum of N21.864 billion, it released  N21 billion to the DisCos for the procurement of meters under tranche A of the MAF scheme.

    It said that the latest is the N28 billion released under tranch B of the MAF scheme.

    Also recently, NERC said that between 600,000 and 700,000 electricity meters are currently available for distribution across the country.

    Oseni, said this at the 4th Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Stakeholders’ Meeting in Abuja.

    Urging DisCos to speed up the rollout of the meters, Oseni said that government had already made the necessary investments to make the meters available.

    According to him, DisCos should take the responsibility of ensuring that the meters reach customers without delay.

    He said: “There are currently 600,000 to 700,000 meters available in the country. Government has made the investment, so the DisCos need to step up.”

    Oseni, who also spoke on the ongoing transition to State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, called on the DisCos to fully cooperate with the new regulators, saying no operator is above regulatory oversight

  • Fed Govt moves to turn livestock into growth engine

    Fed Govt moves to turn livestock into growth engine

    The Federal Government has set up a new Technical Sub-Committee under the National Economic Council (NEC) to drive the development of Nigeria’s livestock sector.

    This aims to boost economic growth, improve food security, and strengthen unity across the country.

    The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, announced this yesterday during the first meeting of the sub-committee at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

    The minister said the team was created to harmonise existing policies and ideas and turn them into a clear and practical plan that the National Economic Council can approve and begin to carry out without delay.

    He said the NEC had formed a high-level committee on livestock development, led by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris.

    The committee, the minister said, comprises governors from the six geopolitical zones, key ministers, and the co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Development.

    But because of the busy schedules of governors and the urgent need to move quickly, the NEC, Bagudu said, has agreed to create a smaller technical team that would handle the detailed work and speed up the process.

    “Our task is not to reinvent the wheel. A considerable body of work already exists. What is required now is to distil these reports into a clear, practical implementation roadmap that the National Economic Council can adopt without delay,” Bagudu said.

    The minister stated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s personal interest in livestock development, describing it as a part of a broader shift in how the country sees agriculture and economic growth.

    He said the President viewed livestock not as a small or side activity but as a major part of Nigeria’s plan to improve food production, create jobs, and grow the economy.

    “Mr. President has consistently said that livestock is not a marginal activity but a central economic driver for food security, agricultural productivity, and inclusive growth. His decision to personally chair the Presidential Committee on Livestock Development reflects this clarity of purpose,” Bagudu said.

    Read Also: NEC sets up committee to fast-track livestock development

    The minister alluded to the creation of a separate Ministry of Livestock Development as a sign that the government now treats the sector as a key part of the economy rather than just a section under agriculture.

    He explained that the President’s work with the National Economic Council fitted into Nigeria’s federal system, where the federal, state, and local governments share the responsibility for agriculture and food security, including livestock.

    “Livestock development requires collaboration across all tiers of government. As the institution mandated to coordinate national development planning, this ministry serves as the secretariat of our federal system, ensuring that national plans, budgets, and programmes are aligned, mutually reinforcing, and implemented collaboratively rather than in isolation,” he said.

    Bagudu listed several funding and support programmes that states and communities can benefit from.

    These, the minister said, include the World Bank-backed Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project, NG-CARES, the Nigeria for Women Programme, and the Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Plan.

    He explained that the ward-based plan is designed to identify and support business and economic opportunities in all 8,809 wards across the country.

    Bagudu advised state commissioners to take full responsibility for the process.

    The minister noted that when the NEC accepts the committee’s recommendations, it will make it easier for states and local governments to commit more resources.

    He added that clear and stable policies would also attract development partners, impact investors, and private businesses by reducing risks and building confidence in the sector.

    Bagudu also spoke about the tensions that sometimes surround livestock production in different parts of the country.

    According to him, the work of the sub-committee should help in changing how people see the sector, turning it into a source of shared prosperity instead of conflict.

    The director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, described the meeting as an important step in moving forward the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.

    He said food security is closely connected to economic growth and national development.

    The director added that the ministry remained committed to coordinating efforts across the country to achieve lasting results.

    The meeting brought together key officials and experts involved in agriculture, planning, and livestock development.

    Those present included Senator Bagudu, as chairman of the sub-committee; Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, representing the Permanent Secretary; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness, Mr. Kingsley Uzoma; the Cross River State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. Michael Odere; the Kebbi State Commissioner for Budget and Planning Dr. Abba Kalgo; and the Niger State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Mustapha Ndajiwo.

    Others were the Director of Special Duties in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Gloria Ahmed; the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar; the Executive Director of Niger Foods, Mr. Ola Oloyede; a livestock systems specialist and policy adviser, Dr Winnie Lai-Solarin; and the Minister of Livestock, Alhaji Idi Maiha.

    With the new technical team now in place, the government says the next step is to turn years of research, policies, and reports into a clear action plan that can help modernise livestock production, improve the lives of farmers and herders, and support Nigeria’s wider goals of economic growth and national stability.

  • How Alison-Madueke spent £140,000 on luxury items in one day at London antiques store, by prosecutors

    How Alison-Madueke spent £140,000 on luxury items in one day at London antiques store, by prosecutors

    Proceedings resumed yesterday in London in the corruption and bribery trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    The jurors heard detailed evidence of the former minister’s extravagant spending trail at a luxury antiques store in the British capital city.

    Prosecutors told the court that as much as £140,000 was spent in a single day on high-end furniture, bespoke lighting and decorative art, allegedly paid for through intermediaries during her time in office.

    The public gallery of the court was filled with supporters from the Ijaw community who had flown in specifically for the trial.

    But Alison-Madueke denies multiple charges relating to alleged misconduct while overseeing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

    Prosecutors, however, claimed she received cash and luxury benefits in exchange for influence over energy contracts.

    The case has major implications for accountability in the global energy industry.

    Lawyers for Diezani Alison-Madueke, the first woman president of OPEC, denied in a London court Thursday that the former Nigerian minister took bribes in their first formal response at her corruption trial. The 65-year-old, who sat in the dock at Southwark Crown Court taking notes on the third day of the trial, is accused of multiple bribery counts stemming from a year-long investigation.

    The alleged offences occurred between 2011 and 2015, when she was Nigeria’s oil minister but maintained a UK address.

    The UK National Crime Agency (NCA), which targets international and serious and organised crime, had accused her of receiving the bribes in Britain.

    Prosecutors earlier claimed Alison-Madueke enjoyed a “life of luxury” funded by those who were interested in lucrative oil and gas contracts with Nigeria’s state-owned petroleum corporation.

    However, defence lawyer Jonathan Laidlaw told the jury that “a great deal of material which would have established her innocence had been denied to her” during the “gross delay in the bringing of these charges”.

    “She has been denied the opportunity to travel back to her home in Nigeria to prepare her defence,” he told the 12 jurors, noting British police had retained her passport since she was first arrested 11 years ago.

    Laidlaw said that “Nigerian ministers are forbidden from having bank accounts abroad”.

    Read Also: Court renews orders for ex-Petroleum Minister Alison-Madueke’s arrest

    He added that papers at her home in Nigeria or kept by officials “would have demonstrated that where individuals provided her with accommodation in this country or paid for purchases… reimbursement was made from Nigeria”.

    But the defence lawyer noted more than a decade later, “those records have disappeared” and “the fact is that material critical to her defence is now no longer available to her”.

    Alison-Madueke is accused of accepting “financial or other advantages” from individuals linked to the Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups.

    Both companies secured contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or its subsidiaries, according to the prosecution.

    The former minister is also said to have received £100,000 ($137,000) in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, a private jet flight to Nigeria, and refurbishment work and staff costs at several London properties.

    Other counts allege she received school fees for her son, products from high-end shops such as London’s Harrods department store and Louis Vuitton, and further private jet flights.

    President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) between 2014 and 2015, Alison-Madueke has been involved in numerous legal cases around the world, including in the United States.

    She has been on bail in Britain since she was first arrested in October 2015.

    In 2023, she was formally charged with accepting bribes, which she has denied.

    Two others, Doye Agama — her brother — and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also being prosecuted on bribery charges linked to the case.

    All three defendants had a British address at the time of the alleged offences, according to the prosecution.

  • JAMB to give free UTME forms to PWDs

    JAMB to give free UTME forms to PWDs

    • Board rakes N2.2b from sales of UTME forms

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has promised to give free application documents to persons with disabilities registering for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    The board announced this in a bulletin shared by its Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin yesterday in Abuja.

    Registration for the examination started on January 26 and will end on February 28.

    So far, the board said it has raked in N2,206,319,000.00 from the sales of UTME e-Pins.

    JAMB recalled that as it did in previous years, the free application documents are to be processed by its equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) for candidates with disabilities, who wish to sit the 2026/2027 UTME.

    The board explained that the free UTME documents were part of efforts aimed at giving equal opportunities to all categories of candidates with disabilities, who are desirous of pursuing their dreams of higher education.

    Its Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, announced this at a meeting with critical stakeholders of the board at its national headquarters in Abuja.

    The registrar restated the board’s commitment to the welfare of people living with disabilities (PLWDs) through its free application documents regime.

    Read Also: JAMB denies barring undergraduates from UTME

    He listed those who will enjoy the free application documents, including but not limited to people with Down Syndrome, Autism, Dyslexia, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

    “To support the PLWDs, JAMB will issue free application documents to all categories of persons living with disabilities. For candidates to enjoy this, such candidates must possess five Credits passed in Ordinary Level (O/L) at not more than two sittings,” Oloyede said.

    The registrar added that audiobooks would be provided for all visually impaired candidates.

    He explained that the audio book is a digital adaptation of the traditional printed reading book.

    Oloyede said it will come in popular audio formats, such as MP3, WMV, and WMA, which will be compatible with all devices that can stream audio records.

  • ‘Kwankwaso still not our leader in Kano NNPP, national’

    ‘Kwankwaso still not our leader in Kano NNPP, national’

    The National Vice Chairman (Northwest) of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Alhaji Sani Danmasani, has said the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is not its leader in Kano State and nationwide.

    Danmasani said this in a statement yesterday.

    He explained that the exit of Governor Abba Yusuf from the party did not mean that Kwankwaso, who had long been expelled from the NNPP alongside members of his Kwankwasiya Movement, were back into the fold.

    “Yusuf was one of our national leaders. Our Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, is our leader, alongside the Dr. Agbo Major-led National Working Committee (NWC).

    “It is surprising that most of the media houses in Nigeria are still referring to Kwankwaso as the leader of the NNPP, a party he betrayed and is still trying to hijack as an expelled member.

    Read Also: Kwankwaso: Karma not betrayal at work

    “We have several advanced material evidences to educate and enlighten media practitioners that Kwankwaso and others, including Dr. Ahmed Ajuji, Elder Buba Galadima, have been expelled from the NNPP.

    “Aside from the decision of the party through internal disciplinary measures to have expelled them, the Abia State High Court and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja confirmed their expulsion legally,” Danmasani said.

    According to him, the Abuja Court issued an enrolment order, restraining the INEC from dealing and transacting any business with Kwankwaso and the Ajuji-led NWC, pending outcome of an ongoing Judicial Review.

    “The issue of INEC server holding their names is a mere administrative lapse.

    “The upload of Major and Mr. Oginni Olaposi (National Secretary) will be done as soon as INEC finishes with its administrative procedures and the judiciary review,” the NNPP chieftain stated.

    He noted that INEC as a regulatory body do not determine who became a member of a political party or its leadership .

    “An order of the court must be obeyed except set aside by a superior court.

    “We hope that the media will help and stop referring to Kwankwaso as the leader of the NNPP.

    “This clarification has become necessary to ensure that our sister political parties are not confused or deceived in this period of political negotiations and realignments.

    “We, therefore, wish to encourage politicians with honour and integrity to feel free to join us and stop being scared of assumed differences as they would be resolved soon,” Danmasani added.

  • Yari urges youths to imbibe leadership skills

    Yari urges youths to imbibe leadership skills

    Former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari has advised African youths to be intentional about learning leadership skills.

    He said Africa needs visionary leaders to take it out of the doldrums.

    Yari spoke during the inauguration of the President of the All African Students Union (ASSU), Osisiogu Osikenyi, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs auditorium, Accra, Ghana.

    The former governor noted that leadership qualities are better imbibed at the early stages.

    Read Also: Group commends Lawal’s security push in Zamfara, rejects calls to revive Yari-Era policies

    Represented by Garba Mohammed Gololo, the former governor, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources, urged African leaders to work together for the interest of the continent.

    He said Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing his best to move the country forward by introducing economic reforms.

    Yari also urged other African leaders to take a cue from their Nigerian counterpart.

    The former governor,who was presented with a distinguished award of Leadership and Services, expressed appreciation to ASSU for honouring him.

    He said Nigeria shares in the recognition.

  • Katsina CJ: why communities struck deals with bandits

    Katsina CJ: why communities struck deals with bandits

    Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Abubakar Danladi, in this interview with state correspondent AUGUSTINE OKEZIE, addresses growing public concern over prolonged detentions, alleged negotiations for the release of detained bandits, banditry-related cases, victims’ interests and the limits of judicial authority.

    • ‘Agreements must include disarmament, compliance with law’
    • ‘No bandit has been released’

    What is your reaction to allegations that the state government has been negotiating with bandits?

    That is not true. The state government has made it clear repeatedly that it will not negotiate with bandits, and it has remained resolute on that position ever since. It is desperate communities that separately entered into negotiations with bandits without authorisation from the state government. The bandits, in return, demanded the release of their detained colleagues, thereby forcing the communities to seek the support of the state government to secure the release of the detained bandits. The government refused to oblige them and instead sought judicial advice.

    What is the situation now?

    We recommended the setting up of a victim-offender mediation committee, which has now been established. Discussions are ongoing, but such processes must remain lawful and must take victims’ interests into account. As I said earlier, some communities entered into agreements with bandits out of desperation.

    What is your position on negotiations?

    Communities are exhausted by insecurity, but any agreement must include disarmament and must comply with the law. Presently, the state government is working to correct illegal arrangements, including unlawful agreements and negotiations with bandits.

    What is your take on exercise of clemency?

    There are constitutional provisions relating to mercy, but such powers must not be exercised casually or merely out of sympathy. Justice must be guided by principle and legality. We also insist that due process, evidence and victims’ rights remain the pillars of justice. While insecurity has created complex challenges, abandoning the rule of law would create even greater injustice.

    How is the trial of the arrested bandits going?

    Judges are guided strictly by law. Sympathy cannot replace proof. The moment courts begin to act outside of evidence, innocent people could suffer. Justice must be lawful, not emotional. Our concern is legality. During the height of banditry, many suspects were arrested. Some have been convicted and sentenced. Some are still on trial. Others are awaiting trial because investigations are incomplete. The public must understand that convicted persons cannot simply be released without due process. Each category has its own legal position. As I am speaking with you now, no bandit has been released. Rather, they are all undergoing legal processes. So the noise about their release is unwarranted.

    Read Also: Police arrest seven suspected bandits, recover firearms in Kaduna

    There is growing public concern about the number of people awaiting trial in Katsina. Why the situation?

    What we are facing is a genuine legal dilemma. Many individuals have been arrested and brought before the courts, but their cases cannot proceed to full trial because investigations have not been completed. The court does not investigate crimes; that responsibility lies with law enforcement and prosecuting authorities. For a court to try any person, there must be evidence, witnesses and proper legal advice. In several of these cases, key witnesses have been displaced due to insecurity or are unwilling to come forward out of fear. Without witnesses and evidence, the court cannot move forward. So suspects remain in custody not because the court wants delay, but because the legal process is incomplete.

    Some accuse the government of bringing cases to court but failing to pursue them diligently. Does that contribute to delays?

    Yes, that is part of the challenge. A suspect may be brought before a magistrate or high court, and sometimes bail is granted under strict conditions, including not interfering with investigations. However, if the prosecution delays in filing charges or presenting evidence, the trial cannot begin. Justice requires preparedness. The court cannot manufacture evidence or compel a prosecution that is not ready. So delays on the investigative or prosecutorial side inevitably slow down the administration of justice.

    Does this situation also apply to criminal cases involving victims and accused persons?

    No, that is a misunderstanding. In criminal law, it is always the State versus the suspect. Once a complaint is made, the state takes over the matter in the public interest. The victim then becomes a witness. The victim’s role is to give testimony about what happened. It is not the victim’s duty to secure a conviction. The responsibility to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt lies entirely with the state, and the duty to determine guilt lies with the court.

    Do victims’ legal rights to compensation?

    Yes, they do have rights to compensation. The law empowers courts, in certain circumstances, to order compensation. But victims must come forward, testify and make their claims known. In some cases, they may also pursue separate civil actions against agencies if their rights were violated. Victims cannot benefit if they do not participate.

    What role can the media play?

    Many people simply do not know their rights. Someone who has been in detention for an unreasonable period can apply for bail or demand that their matter be heard. But ignorance prevents them from taking these steps. The media has a powerful role in enlightening the public so that citizens can seek lawful remedies instead of losing hope.

    There have been claims that relatives of suspects were arrested. Is that acceptable?

    Criminal liability is personal. Arresting wives, children or relatives without evidence of involvement raises serious legal and human rights concerns. The law does not punish association without proof of participation.

    How are victims’ interests being protected?

    Victims must be identified and consulted before any case is discontinued. The government cannot forgive offenders on behalf of victims. Their consent matters.

    Some detainees have been in custody since 2022. How is this being handled?

    That is why the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee is active. It includes the Police, Ministry of Justice, DSS, Correctional Services, the Bar and civil society. Its mandate is to review cases, ensure speedy trials and prevent unlawful detention. There are three categories of legal situations presently pending in Katsina courts: convicted persons, persons standing trial, and awaiting-trial inmates. Only the last group has not yet had full trials. None of them has been convicted.

    What is your position on extrajudicial killings?

    They are unlawful. Security agencies are empowered to enforce the law, not to act as judge and executioner. The rule of law must prevail in a civil society.

  • Bamidele demands retraction, apology over alleged defamation

    Bamidele demands retraction, apology over alleged defamation

    Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has demanded an immediate retraction and unreserved apology over allegations of defamation levelled against him in a pre-action notice seeking N5 billion in damages.

    He warned that failure to comply would attract civil and criminal proceedings.

    Bamidele, through his lawyer, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), rejected in strong terms the claims contained in a letter written by another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Victor Opara, who acted on behalf of the Managing Director of Magodo Property Development Company Limited, Mr. Lai Omotola.

    In the response letter, Bamidele’s counsel described the allegations against the senator as false, reckless and defamatory per se.

    He insisted that the Senate Majority Leader neither instigated nor influenced the arrest of any person, nor deployed his office to interfere in any civil dispute or court process.

    “Our client totally, unequivocally and emphatically denies each and every allegation, insinuation, imputation, conclusion and narrative contained in your letter,” the letter stated.

    According to Pinheiro, Bamidele did not publish, utter, authorise, ratify or procure the publication of any defamatory words against Omotola, as alleged.

    He further denied any involvement in the property disputes referenced in the pre-action notice, stressing that the senator has no proprietary, beneficial or possessory interest in the property forming the subject of the litigation.

    The letter faulted attempts to link Bamidele to alleged police misconduct, disobedience of court orders or interference in civil disputes, describing such claims as baseless, speculative and legally unsustainable.

    Bamidele’s legal team also took issue with the N5 billion compensatory damages demanded in the pre-action notice, describing it as extortionate and an abuse of pre-action process under Nigerian law.

    Read Also: Bamidele: hands-on learning, problem-solving skills vital

    “Our client reasonably construes the monetary demand as an attempt to intimidate, harass and coerce him into an unjustified settlement. The demand smacks of bad faith and malice,” the letter added.

    The Senate Majority Leader demanded that Omotola and his legal representatives cease and desist from further harassment or publication of allegations capable of injuring his personal integrity, professional standing, political reputation and public office.

    He also demanded a written retraction of the alleged defamatory imputations within seven days of receipt of the letter, alongside an unreserved written apology.

    The letter warned that failure to comply would leave Bamidele with no option but to set the law in motion and pursue available remedies for criminal defamation, malicious falsehood and abuse of legal process, while reserving all constitutional, statutory and common law rights.

    Background

    The exchange of legal letters followed a pre-action notice sent by Victor Opara (SAN) to Bamidele, alleging that the senator made defamatory statements against Omotola during a telephone conversation with a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. James Faleke.

    Opara claimed that Bamidele described Omotola as a “land grabber” and a “fraudulent person” during a call on January 12, 2026, which was allegedly placed on speakerphone at Faleke’s residence in Lagos and heard by several persons.

    The lawyer argued that the alleged remarks imputed criminal conduct to Omotola, exposed him to public ridicule and hatred, and were actionable per se under Nigerian law, particularly the Lagos State Properties Protection Law.

    The pre-action notice also traced the dispute to a prime property located at No. 24 Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Opara maintained that the land belongs to the Federal Government and was lawfully leased to Magodo Property Development Company for 99 years after payment of N1.152 billion.

    He alleged that a rival claimant, Kaplan Properties Limited, laid claim to the land based on a title purportedly derived from the Lagos State Government, which he argued lacked the authority to allocate the property.

    Opara further alleged that Kaplan Properties, with the “active support” of Senator Bamidele, used the police to dispossess Magodo Property Development Company of the property, despite the matter being a civil dispute and notwithstanding subsisting court orders directing the police to vacate the property.

    He demanded a written apology within 14 days and payment of N5 billion in damages within 21 days, warning that failure to comply could result in litigation with even higher claims.

    However, Faleke has since distanced himself from the allegations.

    His counsel, Mr. Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), said the lawmaker denied that any such slanderous statements were made during the alleged phone conversation.

    “Our client has informed us that nothing of such as contained in the said letter occurred,” Oyewole said, describing the response as being for record purposes.