Fellow Press

Category: Latest News

Real-time updates and the most recent stories as they happen, including breaking news and fast-moving developments.

  • Supreme Court Upholds Ex-Senator Bassey’s Seven-Year Fraud Sentence

    Supreme Court Upholds Ex-Senator Bassey’s Seven-Year Fraud Sentence

    The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the conviction and seven-year prison term handed to former senator Albert Bassey over a ₦240m fraud case, ending years of legal appeals.

    In a unanimous ruling delivered by Justice Stephen Jonah Adah, a five-member panel affirmed earlier decisions by lower courts that found Bassey guilty of corruption charges. The court also reinstated an order requiring him to refund ₦204m to Akwa Ibom State, ruling that the appellate court erred when it failed to uphold the restitution directive.

    Bassey served as senator for Akwa Ibom North-East from 2015 to 2023 and was previously finance commissioner in the state between 2007 and 2014.

    The case began after an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which arraigned him before Federal High Court judge Justice Agatha Okeke on seven counts linked to bribery and corruption. Prosecutors said he received bribes in the form of 12 vehicles valued at about ₦254m while in office.

    On 1 December 2022, the trial court convicted him on all counts and imposed seven years’ imprisonment on each, to run concurrently. Bassey challenged the verdict, but a Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo upheld the conviction while adding an option of fine.

    The Supreme Court rejected that adjustment, dismissed his appeal and restored the original restitution order. It ruled that the lower court’s decision to set aside repayment did not follow the law.

  • Lagos Denies ₦4.2bn Furniture Claim for Deputy Governor

    Lagos Denies ₦4.2bn Furniture Claim for Deputy Governor

    The Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget has rejected claims that ₦4.2bn was budgeted for furniture and microphones for the Office of the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hazmat, saying the figure was wrongly interpreted.

    In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry said the ₦4,247,816,006 cited in reports is the office’s total capital allocation for 2026, not a single expense line.

    Officials explained that ₦4,077,816,006 of the amount is set aside for rebuilding the Round House complex, a six-storey facility that houses more than 50 offices. The project includes structural upgrades, retrofitting, and alternative energy systems.

    Only ₦170m of the allocation covers office equipment, furniture, fittings, and other capital items, the ministry said.

    It added that screenshots of the budget master sheet were released to show how the figures were classified and to counter what it called inaccurate reporting.

    “The total capital allocation has been incorrectly represented as an amount meant solely for furniture and microphones,” the statement said.

    The ministry urged journalists and stakeholders to verify budget details through official channels before publication. It stressed that allocations follow due process, fiscal rules, and accounting standards.

    According to the Lagos State Government, the clarification aims to prevent public misunderstanding and reinforce confidence in its budgeting process.

    The dispute arose after online claims suggested the deputy governor’s office planned to spend billions on furnishings, a claim officials insist misread the capital vote breakdown.

  • Osun Governorship Election Shifted to August 15, INEC Announces

    Osun Governorship Election Shifted to August 15, INEC Announces

    The governorship election in Osun State will now take place on 15 August 2026 after the Independent National Electoral Commission revised its national election timetable.

    INEC said the change forms part of adjustments made to align election activities with the Electoral Act, 2026, which replaced the 2022 law and altered statutory timelines.

    In a statement on Wednesday, National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna said the commission reviewed the schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework. The Osun poll had earlier been fixed for 8 August 2026.

    He explained that the revised timetable also sets clear dates for party primaries, campaigns and other pre-election processes to give political parties and candidates enough time to prepare.

    INEC warned that all campaigns must end 24 hours before election day, stressing that it will enforce the rule without exception.

    The adjustment is part of a wider reshuffle of election dates nationwide. Under the updated national calendar, presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on 16 January 2027, while governorship and state assembly polls across the country are scheduled for 6 February 2027.

    Officials said the revised timetable has been published on INEC’s official platforms to guide stakeholders, including political parties, civil society groups and voters.

    The Osun governorship contest is expected to draw strong political interest, as parties begin early preparations under the new timeline.

  • Tinubu Halts Mass Police Retirements After IGP Change

    Tinubu Halts Mass Police Retirements After IGP Change

    President Bola Tinubu has stopped the planned retirement of about 30 senior police officers after the leadership change at the Nigeria Police Force, a move that has revived debate over compulsory exits for top officials.

    The intervention followed the removal of former Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun and the appointment of acting IGP Tunji Disu. Sources said the presidency halted the shake-up to allow the new chief retain experienced officers.

    An internal list had named several Deputy Inspectors General and Assistant Inspectors General marked for retirement to maintain command structure. Among those reportedly affected were Yahaya Abubakar, Adebola Hamzat, Adebowale Williams and Frank Mba.

    A presidency source said the decision aimed to ensure stability within the force during the transition. The source added that the acting IGP needs senior officers with institutional knowledge to manage operations.

    Disu’s appointment has drawn attention because it came less than two months before his mandatory retirement at age 60. Born 13 April 1966, he is due to retire in April 2026. He was promoted to Assistant Inspector-General in March 2025.

    Under the amended Police Act, an Inspector-General may serve a four-year term regardless of age. That rule allowed Egbetokun to remain in office despite reaching retirement age. However, officials say current discussions suggest Disu may still leave when he turns 60.

    The Police Service Commission had prepared a retirement list before it received instructions to suspend the process. The halt has raised expectations among senior officers who feared they would be forced out.

    Changes in police leadership often trigger waves of retirements as new chiefs reshape command teams. The latest decision has now intensified national debate over whether the practice strengthens discipline or weakens continuity within the force.

  • Tinubu Urges Lawmakers to Back State Police Plan

    Tinubu Urges Lawmakers to Back State Police Plan

    President Bola Tinubu has asked the National Assembly to begin amending the Constitution to allow state police, saying the move is vital to tackle insecurity across Nigeria.

    He made the appeal on Wednesday night during an interfaith fast-breaking with members of the Senate in Abuja, where he described the country as facing severe threats from terrorism, banditry and insurgency.

    Tinubu said constitutional change is now necessary to secure forests, curb armed groups and protect children from fear. He urged lawmakers to start work on the amendment process and praised them for backing his administration’s security and economic policies.

    His request came days after he told state governors that the creation of state police “will not be postponed,” signalling a renewed push for decentralised policing.

    Nigeria’s current system places policing solely under federal control. Supporters of reform say state police would allow quicker responses to local threats and strengthen community-level intelligence. Critics warn it could lead to political misuse and impose heavy costs on states.

    Amending the Constitution requires approval by two-thirds of both chambers of parliament and ratification by at least 24 state assemblies.

    The president also addressed claims that his government is weakening opposition through defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress. He dismissed the accusation, saying critics are free to speak and that politicians change parties by choice.

    Tinubu credited lawmakers for supporting reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange changes, which he said helped stabilise the economy. He described the old subsidy system as corrupt and insisted his administration ended it to stop waste.

    He called on political leaders to unite against insecurity, stressing that national cooperation remains key to restoring peace and public confidence.

  • Hoodlums Attack ADC Party Office, Odigie-Oyegun’s Home in Benin

    Hoodlums Attack ADC Party Office, Odigie-Oyegun’s Home in Benin

    Gunmen opened fire at a political gathering in Benin City on Monday, attacking leaders of the African Democratic Congress and later shooting at the residence of former governor John Odigie-Oyegun, witnesses and police said.

    The incident occurred minutes after Peter Obi and other party figures received lawyer and politician Olumide Akpata into the party at its state secretariat. Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in an unmarked vehicle and on a motorcycle, fired shots, and damaged chairs, canopies, and banners. Some attendees were reportedly injured.

    Police has confirmed the attack, as the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command said officers responded after hoodlums disrupted the event and chased people away. The command said only property was damaged and no deaths were recorded, adding that investigations had begun and security had been reinforced.

    After the first assault, the gunmen allegedly moved to Odigie-Oyegun’s home, where gunfire struck vehicles parked outside and left bullet marks on the gate. Video from the scene showed damaged cars and scattered debris.

    Obi, who spoke in the footage, said the violence showed how fragile democratic space had become. He urged authorities to act and warned that political violence could harm the country if unchecked.

    Armed police were later stationed at both the secretariat and the residence. Authorities have not announced any arrests.

  • FG Denies Paying Ransom for Niger Schoolchildren

    FG Denies Paying Ransom for Niger Schoolchildren

    Nigeria’s government has rejected claims that it paid ransom or freed militants to secure the release of abducted pupils from a Niger State school, calling the report false.

    Information Minister Mohammed Idris said allegations that authorities paid a multimillion-dollar sum to kidnappers were “baseless” and relied on unnamed sources. He insisted no ransom was paid and no militant commanders were released.

    The report, published by AFP, cited four intelligence sources who alleged that money was delivered to insurgents after nearly 300 pupils and staff were taken from St. Mary’s Secondary and Primary School in Papiri on 21 November. At least 50 later escaped, according to the Niger State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria.

    AFP also claimed two commanders from Boko Haram were freed as part of the deal and that funds were flown by helicopter to Gwoza, near the Cameroon border. Nigerian law bans ransom payments to kidnappers and terrorist groups.

    The minister said security agencies, including the Department of State Services and the Office of the National Security Adviser, had already dismissed the claims. He added that the report contained contradictions that weakened its credibility.

    According to him, the pupils’ rescue resulted from intelligence work and coordinated operations, not negotiation or payment. He urged media outlets to verify claims before publication, warning that unproven reports could embolden criminals and harm troop morale.

  • Tinubu Asks IGP Egbetokun to Resign, Disu Tipped as Successor

    Tinubu Asks IGP Egbetokun to Resign, Disu Tipped as Successor

    The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has resigned after being asked to step down by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to sources within the presidency and police headquarters.

    Officials said the request was made during a meeting on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Preparations are now under way for a formal handover, with Assistant Inspector-General Tunji Disu expected to replace him, though no official statement had been issued at the time of reporting.

    Egbetokun was appointed as Nigeria’s 22nd police chief on 19 June 2023, and his position was confirmed later that year by the Nigeria Police Council. He had been expected to remain in office until October 2027 after lawmakers amended the police law to allow an appointed IGP serve a fixed four-year term regardless of age or years of service.

    He originally reached retirement age in September 2024 but continued in office under the revised legal framework. The presidency had previously defended his stay, citing the amended legislation.

    His tenure drew public criticism over several issues, including allegations of rights abuses, though authorities did not publicly link his departure to any specific case.

  • Tinubu Hosts Governors At Fast-Breaking, Pushes State Police Plan

    Tinubu Hosts Governors At Fast-Breaking, Pushes State Police Plan

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged governors to back the creation of state police, saying stronger local security is vital to protect lives and revive growth in Nigeria.

    Speaking during an interfaith fast-breaking event with state governors on Monday, the president said security must come first because farms, businesses, and families cannot function without safety. He described the proposal as a practical reform to give states tools to defend their communities while supporting national security efforts.

     

    Tinubu praised governors for outreach programmes carried out during the religious season but challenged them to expand support for vulnerable groups, including young people, women, and rural residents. He said development and compassion must not depend on religion, tribe, or social status.

    He told the gathering that his administration remains committed to fulfilling its promises and restoring stability. According to him, cooperation between federal and state authorities is key to tackling insecurity and rebuilding public confidence.

    The president said reform is necessary where systems fail and called for unity among leaders. He added that the country can become safer and stronger if officials work together to deliver results for citizens.

    The proposal for state police has been widely debated, with supporters saying it will improve rapid response, while critics warn about oversight and funding challenges.

  • El-Rufai Sues ICPC Over Abuja Home Search

    El-Rufai Sues ICPC Over Abuja Home Search

    Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has filed a ₦1 billion rights suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, challenging what he calls an unlawful search of his home in Abuja.

    The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026 and lodged at the Federal High Court, seeks to void a search warrant issued on 4 February by a magistrate court in the Federal Capital Territory. The warrant authorised anti-graft operatives to search his residence and seize items.

    Through his legal team led by Oluwole Iyamu, El-Rufai is asking the court to declare the warrant invalid and set aside any action taken under it. He is also challenging the legality of the agency’s conduct during the operation.

    The former governor has been in ICPC custody since 18 February over an ongoing investigation. The commission has not released details of the probe.

    His media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, said on Thursday that operatives raided the residence on Aso Drive. Another lawyer, Ubong Akpan, described the search as unlawful and a breach of legal procedure and fundamental rights.

    The suit centres on whether due process was followed in obtaining and executing the warrant. Legal analysts say the case could test limits on investigative powers granted to anti-corruption agencies.

    No hearing date has been announced. The commission has yet to file a public response.

  • Tinubu Seeks German Used Helicopters for Sahel Surveillance

    Tinubu Seeks German Used Helicopters for Sahel Surveillance

    Bola Tinubu has asked Friedrich Merz to support Nigeria’s security efforts with used helicopters for reconnaissance missions in the Sahel.

    The request came during a 10-minute phone call on Wednesday, according to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. He said both leaders discussed regional insecurity and agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, power and rail development. It is unclear if the request was approved.

    Tinubu said intelligence surveillance was vital to stabilise the Sahel corridor, which borders several West African states facing armed violence and insurgency. He stressed that stronger monitoring capacity would help Nigeria and its neighbours respond faster to threats.

    The talks also focused on electricity reform. Tinubu said Nigeria needs support to improve transmission and grid reliability. Merz pledged backing from Siemens and financing interest from Deutsche Bank for power projects linked to an existing $2.3bn agreement between Nigeria and Germany.

    That deal, signed in 2019, aims to modernise and expand the national grid but has faced delays. In 2021, the Federal Executive Council approved funds for its first phase. Tinubu said last year progress had fallen short of expectations.

    Both leaders also discussed cultural cooperation. Merz proposed creating a “Great Museum of African Arts” and said Germany looks forward to receiving Nigeria’s next ambassador.

    Officials described the call as part of efforts to strengthen ties between Nigeria and Germany while addressing shared economic and security concerns.

  • Foreign Maintenance Driving Up Presidential Fleet Costs — ONSA

    Foreign Maintenance Driving Up Presidential Fleet Costs — ONSA

    Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser says the cost of maintaining the Presidential Air Fleet has risen sharply because most servicing is done abroad.

    Permanent Secretary Mohammed Sanusi told lawmakers on Wednesday that foreign maintenance, exchange-rate pressures and funding gaps are driving expenses. He spoke while defending the agency’s 2026 budget before the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

    Sanusi did not disclose how much the government spent on the fleet in 2025 or since the current administration began. He said the budget also covers affiliated bodies, including the National Counterterrorism Centre and the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre.

    He listed key challenges facing intelligence agencies: delayed release of operational funds, failure to implement parts of the 2025 capital budget, lack of vehicles for covert work and foreign-exchange volatility affecting service contracts.

    The Presidential Air Fleet transports the president, vice president and senior officials on official duties. Authorities say it exists for security and rapid response, since commercial travel may not meet safety or scheduling demands.

    The fleet has faced public criticism in recent years over costs and usage. In 2023, Seyi Tinubu drew backlash after using a presidential jet to attend the Kano International Polo Tournament.

    Sanusi urged lawmakers to approve extra funding through a supplementary budget, citing the president’s declaration of a national security emergency. He said stronger financing would allow faster responses to threats and improve operational readiness.

    Committee chairman Yahaya Abdullahi said parliament would review the requests and may seek a meeting with Bola Tinubu to present security agencies’ concerns directly. He warned that 2026 would be critical for Nigeria’s democracy and said weak funding could create risks as the country approaches another election cycle.

    The committee has completed its budget review and is preparing its report for the National Assembly leadership and appropriations panel.

  • Nigerian Woman Dies in UK After Son’s Graduation Trip

    Nigerian Woman Dies in UK After Son’s Graduation Trip

    A Nigerian woman, Oluranti Akinyemi, has died in the United Kingdom less than a day after arriving for her son’s graduation, according to family sources and a fundraising appeal.

    Relatives said she suffered cardiac arrest during the night shortly after landing and was rushed to Luton and Dunstable Hospital. After three days on life support, she was declared clinically dead.

    A campaign on JustGiving launched by Adekunle Ogundana seeks £20,000 to repatriate her remains to Nigeria and cover medical and funeral costs. By Wednesday, £2,087 had been raised from 97 donors.

    The appeal described her death as sudden and devastating. Akinyemi, believed to be a mother of four, travelled on 11 February for a ceremony scheduled for 18 February. Family sources said she fell into a coma after the cardiac arrest and died on 14 February.

    The incident has sparked discussion online, with users urging travellers, especially older people, to take health precautions before long trips. Some advised staying hydrated, limiting caffeine and alcohol, moving during flights and using compression socks to aid circulation.

    One social media user on X recalled a similar case involving a woman who collapsed after landing for childcare support, reportedly dying soon after arrival. The incident was said to have involved someone known at Sangotedo Market.

    Others called for closer cooperation between health authorities and airlines to address travel-related medical emergencies.

    The case follows other reports of Nigerians dying abroad, including Saburi Adeniji, who reportedly died after suffering a severe brain stem injury.

  • INEC sets dates for 2027 general election

    INEC sets dates for 2027 general election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed 20 February 2027 for Nigeria’s presidential and National Assembly polls, with governorship and state assembly elections set for 6 March.

    Chairman Joash Amupitan announced the timetable on Thursday, saying the move begins the formal process for the next general election and follows constitutional rules on election timing.

    He said the terms of the president, vice-president, governors and deputies will end on 28 May 2027, while members of the National Assembly and state assemblies will stand dissolved shortly after. He noted that the law requires elections to hold no earlier than 150 days and no later than 30 days before those terms expire.

    Amupitan stressed that only the electoral body has the authority to set election dates and that the timetable meets legal deadlines, including the rule that notices must be published at least 360 days before polling.

    The nationwide vote will cover the offices of president and vice-president, governors and deputies, senators, House of Representatives members and state lawmakers. Some states with off-cycle elections will not vote for governors at that time, including Anambra State.

    The commission said it has uploaded a full schedule of activities to its website and shared it with political parties and stakeholders. Resident electoral commissioners across all states and the Federal Capital Territory have been told to publish official notices in every constituency.

    Party primaries and submission of nomination forms will take place within legal time frames, while campaigns must end 24 hours before polling day.

    Amupitan also referred to a proposed amendment bill before lawmakers, saying reforms could help improve election credibility if approved. He added that the commission remains committed to transparent and lawful polls.

  • El-Rufai Lawyer Alleges Airport Arrest Attempt by Security Operatives

    El-Rufai Lawyer Alleges Airport Arrest Attempt by Security Operatives

    Counsel to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused security agents of trying to arrest him at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday, shortly after he returned from Cairo.

    In a statement dated 12 February 2026, lawyer Ubong Akpan said operatives moved toward his client after he landed on EgyptAir flight MS877. He described the move as unlawful and claimed officers failed to present a warrant or formal notice.

    “We condemn the attempted illegal arrest of our client,” Akpan said, calling it a breach of constitutional rights and due process.

    The lawyer said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier sent an invitation to El-Rufai while he was abroad. He argued it was unreasonable to demand immediate attendance and said the legal team had informed the agency in December 2025 that the former governor would comply on his return.

    According to him, the commission was notified that El-Rufai planned to appear voluntarily at its office by 10:00 on Monday, 16 February. He said trying to detain him before that date showed disregard for procedure.

    Akpan also alleged that Department of State Services officers seized El-Rufai’s passport without lawful authority. He claimed bystanders at the airport intervened and insisted that any arrest must follow due process.

    The lawyer said the incident violated rights including personal liberty, freedom of movement and dignity. He demanded the immediate return of the passport and an end to what he called attempts to detain his client.

    He added that El-Rufai would honour any legitimate summons from law enforcement and would pursue legal action against those involved in the alleged incident.

    As of the time of reporting, security agencies had not issued an official response.

  • Atiku: New Voting Clause Falls Short

    Atiku: New Voting Clause Falls Short

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the Senate’s latest electoral reform does not meet public expectations, warning that anything short of real-time electronic transmission may fuel confusion.

    He said past elections showed that mixed systems of manual and electronic processes created disputes. He urged opposition parties to keep pushing for a single-tier digital system that uploads results instantly.

    The Senate’s approved text allows electronic transmission but keeps a manual fallback if communication fails.

    Meanwhile, political reactions are divided after the Senate backed electronic transmission of results without mandating real-time uploads.

    The African Democratic Congress praised the move as proof that public pressure can shape legislation, calling it “a victory for democracy”.

    But the African Democratic Party warned that without compulsory real-time transmission, public distrust could persist.

    A faction of the PDP accused senators of inserting a loophole by allowing manual collation if technology fails, saying it could undermine safeguards against result tampering.

    However, human-rights lawyer Olisa Agbakoba says Nigeria must clearly legalise electronic transmission of election results or risk repeating disputes seen after the 2023 polls.

    He noted that although INEC used its viewing portal during that election, courts ruled the platform had no legal force because it was not explicitly recognised in law.

    Agbakoba said this gap created problems in election petitions, since digital uploads could not serve as binding evidence. He argued that clear statutory backing for real-time uploads would strengthen trust and close loopholes.