Category: News

A legal practitioner, Victor Nwaugo, has made a passionate plea to the Abia State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), urging them to immediately suspend their ongoing industrial action. Speaking out against the strike’s severe impact on the justice system, Nwaugo highlighted the distressing situation where prisoners who should have been freed, as well as detainees who have secured bail, remain locked up in correctional centers due to court closures.

Nwaugo pointed out that the work stoppage is dangerously undermining the public’s ability to access justice. He also noted that many lawyers in Abia State are grappling with significant financial hardships as a direct consequence of the stalled court proceedings. The attorney further expressed that numerous litigants across the state are now thrown into a state of bewilderment, as countless adjourned cases across various courts cannot be processed because of the unresolved dispute between JUSUN and the Abia State government.

“People who should have regained their freedom remain in custody. Some have been granted bail and met their conditions, yet cannot be released because courts are not sitting,” Nwaugo stated. He appealed to JUSUN to reopen the courts, arguing that the state government has already addressed the majority of the union’s demands. According to Nwaugo, judiciary workers in Abia are already benefiting from financial autonomy, and he noted that the Chief Judge, as the head of the judiciary, has not made any public complaints about financial inadequacies.

In response, the Abia State Chairman of JUSUN, Chinedu Ezeh, dismissed Nwaugo’s comments, accusing him of speaking as an agent of the state government rather than as an impartial lawyer or a person committed to the truth.

The Nigerian Army has provided new details on the arrest of social media personality Justice Mark Chidiebere, widely known as “Justice Crack,” linking his detention to allegations of violating military social media protocols and encouraging soldiers toward insubordination.

In an official statement, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, explained that the military had observed online posts where Chidiebere allegedly circulated soldiers’ grievances about food quality and other welfare issues.

“Our attention was drawn to complaints from troops about their meals and living conditions, which were shared on social media by Justice Crack,” the statement read. “While we investigate breaches of the Armed Forces’ Social Media Policy and attempts to mislead the public, initial findings show that the soldier and Chidiebere discussed various topics, with the influencer appearing to foster dissatisfaction within the ranks.”

The Army highlighted a specific conversation that touched on subversion, where Chidiebere engaged troops in a manner that could undermine discipline and national security. “When civilians cultivate vulnerable personnel toward acts of subversion, it poses serious risks to military order and state safety,” the statement added.

Chidiebere was taken into custody alongside the soldiers involved. While the troops remain in military detention, Chidiebere has been transferred to civilian authorities for further inquiry and possible legal action. The Army reaffirmed its dedication to the rule of law and pledged to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure justice while protecting military discipline and national security.

Reports indicate that Justice Crack had been unaccounted for four days before the Army’s clarification.

With the arrival of the rainy season, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) branch in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State has issued a plea for harmony between farmers and herders. The organization emphasized that mutual respect is vital to avoid conflict during the upcoming farming period.

Speaking through its coordinator, Pastor Zephaniah John, CAN urged both groups to steer clear of actions that could spark disputes as they utilize farmlands and grazing corridors. John stressed that peaceful coexistence is a prerequisite for survival in these agrarian communities, noting that farmers rely on peace to cultivate crops while herders need it to raise livestock. He condemned violence as detrimental to both occupations.

The group praised Governor Agbu Kefas for creating the Taraba State Bureau for Peace and Conflict Management, calling it a forward-looking initiative to tackle insecurity and communal strife. CAN also lauded the appointment of local representatives to advisory and peacebuilding positions within the state framework.

CAN appealed directly to farmers to avoid blocking established grazing routes and water sources, advising them to channel complaints through traditional leaders, the Ardo, or security agencies rather than taking matters into their own hands. Herders were similarly urged to safeguard farmlands, abstain from night grazing, and provide compensation for any crop damage.

The association called on religious and community bodies such as CAN, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Miyetti Allah, and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria to amplify peace messages and reject inflammatory language. Security forces, especially Operation Whirl Stroke, were commended for their stability efforts, and CAN requested heightened patrols in high-risk areas like Jauro Bakari, Kunini, Doubeli Lavoro, and the Mayo-Lope corridor to thwart violence.

Finally, CAN urged the Taraba State Government and Lau Local Government to organize a peace dialogue between farmers and herders before peak farming activities, aiming to establish clearer guidelines for the season.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has taken decisive action against several Private Sector Participation operators who failed to meet required service benchmarks. Licenses were withdrawn from entities that could not keep up with the growing waste management needs of the state, according to officials.

Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the managing director of LAWMA, made this known in a statement released on Saturday in Lagos. He explained that the move was part of a broad operational assessment aimed at aligning service providers’ capabilities with the increasing waste volumes fueled by rapid urbanization.

The affected operators include Kenny JPS (covering Igando-Ikotun and Egan II), Clean Craft Nig. Ltd. (Igando-Ikotun and Isheri-Oshun I), Doveroost Ltd. (Eti-Osa West), Dewayls (Orade and Ijegun Emure), and Pesjoy Ventures (Ejigbo and Bucknor II). Their licenses were revoked because they failed to deliver adequate service, a step deemed necessary to protect public health and maintain environmental standards.

In addition to license revocations, LAWMA has restructured waste collection routes in rapidly developing areas to boost efficiency. Under the updated framework, existing operators will continue to serve portions of their original zones, while new operators have been brought in to enhance coverage and performance.

Gbadegesin noted that route adjustments affected operators such as Shekaz Global Ltd. (Isolo and Ishaga/Ire Akari axis) and Krestabol Waste Management (Ikorodu and Lowa). He explained that in areas where expansion had overwhelmed a single operator, responsibilities were redistributed to ensure timely waste removal.

Some operators voluntarily gave up parts of their routes, enabling LAWMA to reassign those territories to more competent providers. This category includes Ayolade Oluwabukola Enterprises (Lagos Island East, Ajele axis) and Imperium Waste Services (Ayobo/Ipaja, Slot B).

The restructuring is part of a wider strategy to strengthen the PSP system, enhance accountability, and ensure that waste management services keep pace with the state’s development. Residents have been urged to cooperate with newly assigned operators and to only use LAWMA-accredited service providers.

Gbadegesin reaffirmed LAWMA’s dedication to ongoing monitoring, enforcement, and collaboration with stakeholders to achieve a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.

In a sweeping move to address the escalating security challenges, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has rolled out a dedicated Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) across every state and the Federal Capital Territory. The initiative, effective from May 2, 2026, is designed to bolster swift reaction to grave offenses like abduction, armed robbery, homicide, and cult-related violence.

Police authorities describe the VCRU as an intelligence-driven tactical force that will rapidly intervene in violent incidents while enhancing collaboration among commands nationwide. A senior police official disclosed that this step is part of broader reforms aimed at improving efficiency and professionalism within the force.

As part of the overhaul, existing non-specialized tactical teams at the state level will be dissolved and integrated into the new unit. The official emphasized that the VCRU will function as a specialized, rapid-response mechanism to combat violent crime throughout the country.

To initiate the implementation, selected commanders have been summoned to Abuja for operational briefings. In Bayelsa State, CSP Chris Nwaogbo has been appointed to lead the unit. Additionally, the IGP has mandated upgrades to police forensic laboratories and digital intelligence systems, including enhancements to the national criminal database to aid investigations with modern tools.

Furthermore, the Police Mobile Force will be refocused exclusively on riot control and violent crime response, with personnel withdrawn from non-essential duties such as VIP escort. The IGP issued a stern warning to officers assigned to the new unit to operate strictly within legal boundaries, highlighting the importance of professionalism and respect for human rights.

This development comes amid rising public anxiety over insecurity in various regions, as the police leadership pushes forward with reforms intended to restore trust and improve safety.

A mass transit company operating in Ebonyi State, UDISAM Mass Transit Company, has lodged formal complaints with the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other law enforcement agencies over what it describes as an advance fee fraud scheme involving a former state commissioner and his accomplices.

According to petitions dated April 3 and April 22, 2026, submitted through the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria and legal counsel, the company’s director, Comrade James Igwe, accused Hon. Celestine Nwali, a former Commissioner for Transport, and several others of obtaining money through deceptive means.

The transport firm stated that it had previously obtained approval and paid necessary charges to the Ebonyi State Government for a loading bay at the Central Motor Park in Abakaliki under the prior administration. However, when the new government took over, the ex-commissioner reportedly approached the company, asserting control over motor park operations and instructing that payments be channeled through him and his agents.

Believing the instructions to be legitimate, the company paid N400,000 to individuals presented as representatives of the former commissioner. Problems emerged when the firm discovered irregularities concerning the payment. Subsequently, the accused parties allegedly mobilized suspected thugs to disrupt the company’s operations, block business activities, and issue violent threats.

The petition further claims that some individuals, reportedly clad in military attire, engaged in acts of intimidation, laid siege to the company’s premises, and posed a serious danger to the lives of the director, staff, and workers. The complainant is urging security agencies to probe the matter, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure the safety of lives and property, warning that failure to act could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

When contacted, the former commissioner, Hon. Celestine Nwali, stated he was in a meeting and could not respond to the allegations. Mr. Toochukwu Nwali, whose account was allegedly used to receive the money on behalf of the ex-commissioner, acknowledged a dispute with the company’s director, whom he referred to as Mr. Samanja, but he was reportedly in Ikwo Local Government Area and did not respond to further inquiries.

The Osun State Police Command has firmly denied reports of an attempted assassination targeting Adebayo Adeleke, popularly known as B-Red, who is the son of Governor Ademola Adeleke. The police labeled these claims as baseless and unverified, warning that they could incite unnecessary public alarm.

Earlier, the state government released a statement through Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, alleging that B-Red narrowly escaped an attack at Oke-Fia in Osogbo on Wednesday. However, when approached for clarification, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, contradicted this narrative and offered a detailed account of what actually transpired.

According to Ojelabi, on April 30, 2026, at approximately 4:30 PM, Adebayo David Adeleke reported to the police that while driving along the Olaiya–Alekuwodo area of Osogbo, he noticed a group of men on motorcycles tailing him. These individuals were allegedly pointing at his car and shouting remarks that identified him as the governor’s son. After passing a traffic light, a white Toyota Venza without license plates, accompanied by the same motorcycle riders, continued to follow him.

The complainant stated that he and his companions managed to evade the situation and safely reached the Government House in Oke-Fia, Osogbo. Ojelabi emphasized that the complainant confirmed he was neither attacked nor physically harmed throughout the ordeal. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough probe.

In conclusion, the police command categorically stated that the circulating report of an assassination attempt is false, unverified, and has the potential to cause undue tension and panic among the public.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has formally acknowledged Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed as the new National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party. This move follows the party’s national convention held in Abuja on March 28, as confirmed by the commission’s updated official portal.

According to a statement issued in Abuja by the PRP National Publicity Secretary, Ishaq Muhammed, the commission’s revised leadership list also includes Kanu Uchenna as National Secretary, Dr Bayawo Abdullahi as National Treasurer, Chuka Patrick as National Financial Secretary, and Vincent Okudu as National Legal Adviser.

The PRP spokesman emphasized that this development signals the commission’s formal endorsement of the party’s freshly elected leadership after a properly conducted convention.

However, the recognition comes at a time of growing internal strife within the PRP. A dissident faction called the PRP Vanguard has repudiated the convention that produced Baba-Ahmed. The faction claims the exercise was illegitimate and accuses the new leadership of straying from the party’s foundational socialist ideals.

Abdulmajid Yakubu-Daudus, who chairs the faction, alleged that the leadership resulting from the Abuja convention intends to convert the PRP into a convenient platform for “discredited politicians” from rival opposition parties.

“The PRP remains a socialist-oriented party committed to the emancipation of the masses, not a vehicle for capitalist interests. It was founded by the working class, progressive intellectuals, and the toiling masses, and it will remain so. The party is not for sale to the highest bidder,” Yakubu-Daudus stated.

On Thursday, Nigeria’s Supreme Court delivered a significant judgment in the ongoing leadership dispute within the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the court nullified a prior Court of Appeal directive that had ordered parties to maintain the status quo. The apex court ruled that the appellate court overstepped its jurisdiction after dismissing the appeal before it.

However, the Supreme Court did not definitively name the legitimate leader of the ADC. Instead, it instructed all parties to return to the trial court for the case to continue. This has left room for differing interpretations among party stakeholders.

Mixed Reactions from Party Figures

Mansur Umar Kurugu, spokesperson II of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, expressed optimism about the ruling, stating it reaffirms faith in Nigeria’s judiciary. He remarked, “This ruling boosts our confidence in the judicial system. It shows that some institutions still uphold their integrity and values.” Kurugu also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging bias against opposition parties.

In contrast, Dumebi Kachikwu argued that no faction can claim victory from the verdict. He stated, “The Supreme Court displayed wisdom by refusing to be used as a tool for destabilization by the David Mark-led group. It directed both sides back to the trial court, leaving the leadership question unresolved.”

Implications for Coalition Talks and 2027 Elections

Adnan Mukhtar, a former Kano State House of Assembly aspirant and ADC member, viewed the ruling as a positive development for the party and the nation. He said, “The ADC is the only opposition party serious about challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This judgment is a wake-up call for the party to field competent candidates in the 2027 general elections.” Mukhtar added that the decision clears the way for party activities like primaries and nomination form sales.

Nevertheless, analysts caution that coalition partners may remain hesitant to fully engage with the ADC until the leadership issue is finally settled in court. The party still faces a trial at the Federal High Court.

Claims and Counterclaims

Nafi’u Bala, another figure in the fray, dismissed the notion that the ruling is a victory for any faction. He insisted, “How does dismissing a case mean victory? I am the authentic ADC leader in Nigeria. I will continue to fight until we reclaim our party from those who ruined theirs.” He labeled the David Mark faction as outsiders seeking to hijack the party.

Several prominent leaders, including Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Atiku Abubakar, have responded with cautious optimism, reminding members that while the ruling is encouraging, the legal battle is far from over.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 Ogun State governorship election, Oladipupo Adebutu, has officially announced his decision to seek the party’s ticket for the 2027 gubernatorial race. In a letter addressed to the PDP leadership at state and local government levels, dated April 30, 2026, and released to the press on Friday by his media aide Afolabi Orekoya, Adebutu expressed his intention to run again under the PDP banner.

The letter, directed to the Ogun State PDP Chairman through the party’s leadership in Odogbolu Local Government Area, thanked party members for their steadfast support and loyalty. Adebutu underscored the importance of unity and a shared vision as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.

Reaffirming his dedication to PDP ideals, Adebutu promised to deliver purposeful governance to Ogun State. He highlighted his long history with the party, noting his efforts to strengthen its structure and influence across the state. Describing himself as a loyal and law-abiding member, he said his decision to run again stems from a desire to build on past experiences and ensure impactful leadership.

His agenda emphasizes continuity, people-centered policies, and inclusive development. He called on party stakeholders to remain united and focused, stressing that internal cohesion is key to success in the 2027 polls. Adebutu also pledged to collaborate with all interests within the party to achieve a common goal.