Category Nigeria News

The Oba of Badagry, Oba Babatunde Akran, the Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, has died at the age of 89.

Oba Akran was also the permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

READ ALSO: Lagos Govt Probes Alleged Negligence In Death Of Chimamanda’s Son

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced the passing of the monarch in a statement on Monday.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the departure of Oba Akran as a great loss not only to the people of Badagry but also to Lagos and Nigeria at large.

He said that Akran made a remarkable impact as a respected monarch in Nigeria.

He said the revered king, who was on the throne for nearly 49 years, was a traditional ruler known for his wisdom, cultural preservation, and advocacy for Badagry’s development.

The governor added that the Oba rendered selfless service to the people and left behind a legacy of unity, tradition, uplifting and modern development.

Gov Mourns

Governor Sanwo-Olu commiserated with the people of Badagry and the family of the late Oba Akran of Badagry, over the passing of the paramount ruler, saying his departure was a great loss to the traditional institution in the State.

“On behalf of my wife, the government and people of Lagos, I commiserate with the people of Badagry, the deceased’s family, friends, associates, and traditional institutions on the transition of the paramount ruler of Badagry Kingdom and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Babatunde Akran, Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I,” the statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, read partly.

“The death of Oba Akran is a great loss to the people of the ancient town of Badagry, and he will be greatly missed. He was a respected journalist. As a traditional ruler, he made positive impacts during his lifetime and contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of his community, Lagos State and Nigeria.

“Oba Akran, as a first-class traditional ruler, left a lasting legacy that the people of Badagry Kingdom will continue to cherish. He served as the custodian of Badagry’s traditions, customs, and cultural heritage for nearly 49 years.

‘He was a stabilising force known for uniting diverse interests within his kingdom and promoted Badagry’s historical sites and cultural festivals nationally and internationally, fostering tourism and cultural exchange.

“He also used his position to attract growth and development to the ancient town. I urge his family, friends, subjects and associates, as well as the entire people of Badagry, whose interests the departed traditional ruler represented and worked tirelessly for during his lifetime, to work towards immortalising him.

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has called  for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s health system, insisting that it is a matter of “national emergency” that demands immediate legislative and executive action.

READ ALSO: Lagos Govt Probes Alleged Negligence In Death Of Chimamanda’s Son

In a press statement on Monday, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria expressed grave concern about the recurring incidents of absolutely preventable deaths resulting from medical negligence by health practitioners across Nigeria.

“The recent tragic loss of Nkanu Nnamdi, one of the twin sons of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, has once again brought this critical national crisis to the forefront of public consciousness,” Agbakoba said.

“As my professional focus over the last 20 years has been medical malpractice, having been involved in over 50 cases, this unfortunate incident is yet another example of the unacceptable state of incompetence in some Nigerian hospitals. I am, quite honestly, not shocked that such a simple procedure at an acclaimed, reputable hospital has ended so terribly. Propofol, which was reportedly administered to Nkanu, requires exceptional care due to its potential for cardio-respiratory failure. An overdose can be fatal, and there appears to be a strong possibility of overdose in this case.

“I commend the Lagos State Government for its prompt commitment to investigate this matter. I equally commend the hospital, Euracare, for agreeing to cooperate with investigators. However, I must emphasise that such investigations must be genuinely independent and transparent. I have witnessed instances where medical records are altered to avoid culpability.”

He also noted that the issue had become deeply personal to him as his firm is currently handling about 25 cases of medical malpractice.

Agbakoba said, “I was misdiagnosed for an ailment that could have had serious consequences. My brother almost died due to an operation performed by a physician who presented himself as a surgeon.

“The cases of Peju Ugboma and numerous other Nigerians—including a woman who lost both kidneys following negligent surgery; a mother who died from haemorrhagic shock after childbirth due to delayed response; a 12-year-old whose intestine reportedly went “missing” during treatment; a doctor who was imprisoned for improperly setting a fracture without X-ray; and an elderly woman who died after being mistakenly given a paralysing injection during a routine visit—demonstrate the scale of this crisis.

“These are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a systemic crisis demanding urgent intervention. My practice currently has over 20 complaints on this issue and is actively handling 25 cases.”

“The fundamental problem underlying these tragedies is the complete failure of the legal and regulatory framework governing Nigeria’s health sector. In the old days, the healthcare system functioned under a robust supervisory structure.

“Chief Medical Officers and Health Inspectors were responsible for oversight of critical care, ensuring compliance with standards, and holding practitioners accountable. The last Chief Medical Officer of Nigeria was Dr. Samuel Layinka Manuwa.

“Today, under the National Health Act and State Health Laws, this essential regulatory infrastructure no longer exists. Our health sector has become overcentralised under the Federal Minister of Health, causing states to become lax in oversight responsibilities.

“As a result, health facilities and medical practitioners operate with alarming impunity. There is no requirement for routine submission of reports, no systematic inspections, and no effective enforcement of professional standards,” he added.

The senior lawyer further stated that ministers of health and commissioners of health had assumed “roles that conflate policy-making with regulatory enforcement—a fundamental governance failure”.

“There must be a clear separation of functions: Ministers and Commissioners should focus on policy development and strategic direction, whilst independent Health Inspectors and regulatory bodies must be empowered to enforce standards, conduct inspections, and ensure accountability.

“I commiserate with all Nigerians who have been victims of medical negligence and with families who continue to suffer the devastating consequences of a broken healthcare regulatory system.

“The Chimamanda case has brought this national emergency further into public focus, but it represents only the visible tip of a much larger crisis affecting countless Nigerian families. I continue to speak out as loudly as I can that the state of medical care in Nigeria has reached a critical point, requiring emergency action,” Agbakoba said.

The learned silk called for the immediate establishment of an independent Health Regulatory Authority with powers to inspect facilities, enforce standards, and sanction non-compliance; reinstitution of the Office of Chief Medical Officer at federal and state levels with clear enforcement mandates, mandatory registration, and periodic inspection of all health facilities with transparent reporting requirements;

He also demanded independent investigation mechanisms with powers to access and preserve medical records, preventing tampering or alteration; clear separation between policy formulation and regulatory enforcement within the health sector governance structure; and comprehensive legislative reform to update Nigeria’s health laws to reflect modern standards of care, accountability, and patient protection.

He argued that the time for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s health system was long overdue.

At least 95 people, comprising 94 princes and a princess from the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu Ode, have indicated their interest as contestants for the vacant stool of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebu land.

The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025, after the demise of the 91-year old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.

READ ALSO: New Awujale: Abiodun Urges Kingmakers To Ensure Level Playing Ground For Contestants

The contestants emerged at the nomination meeting held by the ruling house at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

In attendance at the meeting, which was presided over by the Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, his deputy and vice, Prince Adedokun Ajidagba, and Prof Fassy Yusuf, respectively.

The Secretary to the Ijebu Ode Local Government, Abiodun Oke, and some other officials of the local government were around to serve as observers.

Nomination Process

Some of the contestants to the throne include Giwa Abiodun Onanuga, the husband of a former deputy governor of the state, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga; a renowned Ophthalmologist and founder of Eyes Foundation Hospital, Dr Kunle Hassan; Otunba Fatai Arowolo of Aron Construction, among others, while the only female contestant is Oluwakemi Onanuga, a lawyer.

The process of nomination of contestants at the meeting was through the representation of contestants by two of their relatives.

One of the relatives moved the motion for their nomination, while the other member seconded the motion, after which the family will register the nomination as being accepted.

Speaking with journalists at the end of the nomination meeting, the family head of Fusengbuwa, Otunba Owoyemi, lauded the members for conducting themselves peacefully and for ensuring that nothing untoward happened that could jeopardise the nomination process happened.

Owoyemi said that just as the Ifa oracle had foretold, the family was working across board to ensure that the person who would assume the vacant stool of Awujale would be someone who would further take Ijebu land to greater height.

“We thank God that what we have feared so much has finally come and gone peacefully.

“We have successfully, peacefully, and harmoniously nominated our candidates, 95 of them. It is now left in the hands of the kingmakers to do a very good job conscientiously and pick one of them as the next Awujale.

“The Fusengbuwa family has done a lot of traditional research through the Ifa oracle to guide us on what should be done and we have no doubt that the kingmakers are going to select the person that the Almighty God himself has appointed. We believe God in the next month, we should have the next Awujale,” the family head and former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria said.

Owoyemi also said that the contestants had earlier signed an agreement to accept the outcome of the selection process and not pursue any litigation, and that the family expected that each of the contestants would abide by this agreement.

The family head also said that the ruling house believed that the government would do the right thing and “pick for the family the Awujale that had been foretold would make Ijebu land the biggest and greatest”.

KWAM 1’s Claim

Recall that the selection of the new Awujale, which has been generated concerns, with Wasiu Ayinde, popularly called KWAM1, declaring his interest in the throne.

The Fusengbuwa family, which is the ruling house to produce the next Awujale, however, declared that the legendary Fuji musician was not a member of their family and therefore could not be allowed to be part of the selection process.

The Fuji maestro had approached the state high court sitting in Ijebu Ode seeking an interim injunction stopping Governor Dapo Abiodun and six others from going ahead with the selection process of the new Awujale.

The court refused to grant the injunction, saying that the application brought by the Fuji musician lacked merit.

Ayinde, through his lawyer, however, withdrew the suit, though no tangible reason was offered.

However, in the recent letter dated January 8 and written to Abiodun by counsel for the musician, Whab Shittu, SAN, the entertainer said that the Ijebu Ode Local Government council through a letter written by its Secretary, Abiodun Oke dated January 6, 2026 gave the government’s nod for the ruling house to kick off the selection process of the new paramount ruler of Ijebu land.

He stated that it was, however, surprising that whilst members of the family were preparing for the meeting, a notice was issued directing candidates to pick up nomination cards and appear before a screening committee under the chairmanship of Prince Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga.

Ayinde stated further that the directive fixed the nomination exercise for Monday, January 12, 2026, but also directed that the nomination exercise would be done by delegates to be selected at a meeting scheduled for January 10, 2026

“It is clear that there are plans by the leadership of the ruling house to disenfranchise members of the ruling house desirous of participating in the exercise of nomination of candidates to fill the vacancy occurring in the stool of Awujale of Ijebu-Land,” Ayinde said through his lawyer.

“We wish to emphasize that all members of the ruling house are entitled to attend this important meeting to nominate candidates of their choice.

“A group of people in the ruling house cannot usurp the rights of members of the ruling house to freely nominate candidates of their choice.

“It is needless to state that the attempt by certain individuals in the ruling house to hijack the process of nomination of candidates will certainly create a crisis in a process that should be seamless,” he further stated.

“We state in specific terms that the directive providing for screening of candidates and nomination by delegates is not only inconsistent with the spirit and letter of the chieftaincy declaration but also the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021.

“We counsel that in the larger interest of justice and compliance with due process, you will take timeous steps to address these fundamental concerns capable of affecting the integrity of the entire process.

“In particular, our client’s concern of attempts by certain elements to preclude him from the process in flagrant violation of the letters of the law will be resisted, and we hope that your intervention will ensure that justice is done to all parties involved in the process, including our client,” he added.

The police authorities in Edo State have dismissed reports suggesting that a police station was gutted by fire in Ekpoma, describing the reports as false and misleading.

In a statement on Monday, the Edo State Police Command said no police facility or station was affected by fire in Ekpoma.

According to the Command’s spokesman, Eno Ikoedem, the viral videos in social media were calculated to misinform the public and cause panic.

“The Command wishes to categorically state that no Police facility or station was affected by fire in Ekpoma.

“The viral claims are entirely untrue and calculated to misinform the public, generate panic, and undermine public confidence,” the statement read.

READ ALSO: Edo Doctors Commence Strike Over Abduction Of Colleague

The Command clarified that the actual incident occurred on Sunday morning at the POWA Shops area within the Ekpoma Division.

“The actual incident occurred on Sunday, 11th January, 2026, at about 1130hrs, when electricity supply was restored by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company and a spark reportedly emanated from one of the shops within the Powa Shops area of Ekpoma Division, igniting a fire that spread across several adjoining shops,” the Command’s spokesman said.

Ikoedem said police personnel, working with members of the public, swiftly intervened to contain and extinguish the fire, preventing further escalation.

While noting that no life was lost, the Command said the value of property damaged is yet to be ascertained.

The Command’s spokesman condemned the deliberate spread of what it described as unverified and sensational information by some individuals and content creators, warning that such misinformation could generate public panic, disrupt economic activities and pose security risks.

He called on members of the public to always verify information from credible and official sources before sharing.

On his part, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, reassured residents of Ekpoma and the general public that the security situation remained calm and under control.

Agbonika called on residents to remain law-abiding and disregard unverified reports capable of inciting fear or confusion.

The clarification comes just 24 hours after a separate incident heightened tensions in the university town.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said it has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged failure to account for a “missing or diverted” ₦55.9 billion earmarked for election materials for the 2019 general elections.

The allegations are contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on 9 September 2025, and posted by SERAP on its official X handle on Sunday.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, filed last Friday before the Federal High Court, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling INEC to account for the funds allegedly meant for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, described the findings in the Auditor-General’s report as a “grave violation of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), and international anti-corruption standards.”

According to SERAP, INEC must demonstrate transparency and accountability to guarantee credible elections.

SERAP is also asking the court to order INEC to disclose the names of all contractors paid the ₦55.9 billion, as well as the identities of their directors and shareholders.

The group argued that “INEC must operate without corruption if the commission is to ensure free and fair elections in the country and uphold Nigerians’ right to participation.”

No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

SERAP further contended that unresolved allegations of financial misconduct could undermine future elections, insisting that perpetrators, including contractors allegedly involved, must be prosecuted and any proceeds of corruption fully recovered.

“INEC cannot properly carry out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to conduct free and fair elections if it continues to fail to uphold the basic principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law,” SERAP said.

The organisation also warned that allegations of corruption in the procurement of election materials directly threaten Nigerians’ right to participate in elections that are “free, fair, transparent and credible.”

SERAP cited the Auditor-General’s report, which stated that INEC “irregularly paid” over ₦5.3 billion to a contractor for the supply of smart card readers for the 2019 elections without approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) or the Federal Executive Council, and without evidence of supplies.

Although INEC reportedly claimed the procurement fell under national security exemptions, the Auditor-General rejected the explanation as “alien to the Procurement Act” and insisted that a Certificate of No Objection from the BPP was required, expressing concern that the funds “may have been diverted.”

The audit report also alleged that INEC paid over ₦4.5 billion to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets without documentary evidence of supply, approvals, or proof of contractors’ eligibility, including tax and pension clearance certificates.

READ ALSO: 2026 Budget: FG To Spend ₦1.096trn On Capital Electricity Projects

Further allegations include questionable payments of over ₦331 million under “doubtful circumstances,” failure to deduct and remit more than ₦2.1 billion in stamp duties, non-retirement of over ₦630 million in cash advances to staff, and the award of contracts exceeding ₦41 billion for election materials without due process or proof of contractors’ competence.

The Auditor-General also queried the irregular award of a ₦297 million contract for the supply of four Toyota Land Cruisers, noting that market surveys showed the vehicles did not exceed ₦50 million each at the time, despite INEC’s claim of paying ₦74 million per unit.

Celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband,  Ivara Esege, have asked a private hospital in Lagos, Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, to produce within seven days complete medical records and evidence preservation in relation to the tragic death of their 21-month-old son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege.

The demand was made through a letter, dated January 10, 2026, from a top-tier law firm, Pinheiro LP, and signed by the Founding Partner, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).

In the four-page letter, the hospital was accused of “prima facie breaches of the duty of care” in the treatment of the child on January 6-7, 2026.

The child, born on March 25, 2024, died on January 7, 2026, during medical procedures at the hospital.

The letter addressed to the Medical Director of the hospital, Tosin Majekodunmi, stated that the child was referred from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for various procedures, including an echocardiogram, brain MRI, PICC line insertion, and lumbar puncture, in preparation for transfer to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where a specialist team was awaiting.

READ ALSO: Lagos Govt Probes Alleged Negligence In Death Of Chimamanda’s Son

The letter also stated that sedation with propofol was administered to the child at the hospital, but during transfer after the MRI, he experienced sudden complications resulting in his death.

The lawyers raised significant concerns about the hospital’s handling of the treatment of the child.

They alleged, “A preliminary evaluation of the facts, viewed against established standards of paediatric anaesthetic and procedural care, raises serious and substantive concerns,” and identified 12 specific issues.

“These included the appropriateness of propofol use, dosing, airway protection during sedation, lack of oxygen during transfer, absence of monitoring, and failure to follow pediatric anaesthesia and patient safety protocols.

“The foregoing matters disclose prima facie breaches of the duty of care owed to the deceased child, and held the hospital, the anaesthesiologist, and all attending medical staff liable for medical negligence that led to his death.

The letter specifically demanded that the hospital release, within seven days, certified copies of all records related to the child’s care, including admission notes, consent forms, drug charts, monitoring and procedural records, ICU reports, incident reports, and details of all involved medical personnel.

Additionally, the hospital is formally instructed to preserve all evidence relevant to this matter, whether physical, electronic, or digital,” such as CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, and internal reviews.

The lawyers warned that destroying or altering evidence after receiving the notice will be considered obstruction of justice, with legal consequences.

They stated that failure to comply within 7 days would result in further legal, regulatory, and judicial actions against the hospital and its personnel, with the plaintiffs’ rights and claims fully reserved.

“Non-compliance within the 7-day window would trigger ‘all available legal, regulatory, and judicial remedies against your hospital and all medical personnel involved, including yourself,” the letter stated, issued “without prejudice to our clients’ rights, claims, and remedies, all of which are hereby expressly reserved,” the lawyers stated.