Category Nigeria News

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed the death of one of its officers and two other citizens in a fatal road accident at the Badagry Roundabout inward Seme on Monday.

In a statement issued by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, the authority described the incident as tragic and deeply saddening.

According to LASTMA, the crash involved a truck which reportedly suffered brake failure while travelling at high speed.

“The driver lost control of the vehicle, which then struck the LASTMA officer who was diligently performing his traffic regulation duties and a pedestrian at the roundabout.

“The truck continued on its path, tragically taking the life of another individual before coming to a stop approximately 200 meters from the initial point of impact. The driver fled the accident scene but, was later apprehended by other LASTMA personnel and handed over to the Police.

“Emergency response teams, including LASTMA officers, the Badagry Police Division, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Defence Corps and concerned citizens were immediately mobilised to the scene. The victims were rushed to the General Hospital Badagry, where they were sadly pronounced dead,” the statement read.

READ ALSO: Troops Kill 25 ISWAP Fighters, Recover 13 AK-47s

Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki expressed grief over the loss, saying, “This is a heartbreaking incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this incredibly difficult time.”

He described the fallen officer as “a dedicated public servant who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the people of Lagos,” adding that the agency honours his courage and professionalism.

Bakare-Oki also stressed the need for stricter vehicle maintenance across the transport sector, noting that the tragedy underscores the consequences of mechanical failure. He urged haulage and logistics companies to conduct regular and rigorous checks, particularly on braking systems.

The accident vehicle has been impounded and transferred to the Badagry Police Division for investigation.

The media adviser to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, Muyiwa Adekeye, has said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has not responded to his principal’s bail application eight days after his detention.

In a statement posted on X on Monday night, Adekeye wrote, “Today marks eight days since Malam Nasir El-Rufai was detained. He voluntarily reported at the EFCC in the morning of Monday, February 16, 2026, in response to an invitation.”

According to him, El-Rufai was initially held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until the night of February 18, when he was moved to ICPC custody.

“As at today, his lawyers have not received any response from the ICPC to their application for bail; and they have not been shown any remand order as the 48-hour window for holding a person without charge has expired,” Adekeye added.

READ ALSO: El-Rufai Sues ICPC For ₦1bn Over Alleged Abuja Home Invasion

Court Proceedings

The aide said at least two court matters involving the former governor are scheduled for hearing this week.

He stated, “The hearing in his fundamental rights case against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the DSS has been fixed for 25th February. This case, which is before the FCT High Court, is seeking an order to admit him to bail.”

He added that El-Rufai “is scheduled for arraignment on the same date on the widely publicised charges filed by the DSS.”

Adekeye also disclosed that El-Rufai has approached the Federal High Court to challenge the legality of a search conducted at his Abuja residence on February 19.

He said the suit seeks a declaration “that the search warrant is invalid, for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth and lack of probable cause.”

The former governor is also asking the court to rule that the search violated his fundamental rights and to restrain authorities from using items recovered during the operation in any proceedings against him.

Detention Timeline

Providing a chronology of events, Adekeye said ICPC officials searched El-Rufai’s residence on February 19, after which he underwent further interrogation on February 20.

He noted that a bail application was filed after the interrogation, but “has had no response, so far.”

On his earlier detention by the EFCC between 16 and 18 February, the aide said El-Rufai was granted administrative bail with conditions, including a serving federal permanent secretary as surety, while his lawyers sought a variation of the terms.

Adekeye also relayed complaints by El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Akpan, who described his continued custody at the time as “unlawful detention without justification.”

He further alleged that access to the former governor by lawyers and family members was difficult, adding that “his lawyers have reported that he suffered an overnight episode of bleeding from his nose.”

The statement further claimed that on February 12, El-Rufai’s passport “was snatched at the airport, during a failed attempt to arrest him,” an action his lawyers reportedly condemned as unlawful.

Adekeye said the ICPC later issued a letter inviting him for questioning, to which his lawyers responded that he would honour the invitation on February 18.

Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has struck out a suit filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) against Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The ICPC had filed a three-count charge of alleged forgery against Ozekhome on January 16, 2026. The Attorney-General of the Federation later took over the case on January 26.

At the last hearing, counsel to the Attorney-General, Rotimi Oyedepo, stated that the case would be prosecuted with the highest standard of efficiency, diligence and due process.

READ ALSO: [Alleged Forgery] AGF Takes Over Ozekhome’s Case From ICPC

However, during Tuesday’s proceedings scheduled for Ozekhome’s arraignment, Oyedepo moved an application to withdraw the case.

He explained that the office of the Attorney-General required time to review and consolidate issues arising from multiple investigating agencies in order to strengthen the prosecution.

The United States House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs on Monday formally submitted a report to the White House outlining their findings and recommendations on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

The submission follows President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

The president subsequently directed Congressman Riley Moore and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Tom Cole, to lead a comprehensive investigation into the reported persecution of Christian communities by terrorists, as well as the broader security challenges confronting Nigeria.

Moore confirmed the presentation of the report in a post on his X handle, @RepRileyMoore, on Monday evening.

READ ALSO: A Destabilized Nigeria Will Embolden Terrorists, Make Christians Less Safe – Riley Moore

As part of the inquiry, Moore led a bipartisan congressional delegation on a fact-finding visit to Nigeria. The delegation visited Internally Displaced Persons camps in Benue State, met with victims of terrorism, and held discussions with Nigerian government officials led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

According to Moore, the report’s conclusions were drawn from months of investigation, including interviews with expert witnesses, a hearing and roundtable session, two on-the-ground assessments conducted by bipartisan congressional delegations to Nigeria, consultations with religious leaders, meetings with Internally Displaced Persons, and close collaboration with the Trump administration.

“Today, Congressman Riley M. Moore joined members of the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs at the White House to formally present the comprehensive report outlining concrete actions to end the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and counter growing extremist violence in the region,” Moore said.

“This report is the result of months of investigation, including a bipartisan congressional fact-finding trip to Nigeria, hearings with expert witnesses, consultations with religious leaders, meetings with Internally Displaced Persons, and engagement with senior Nigerian government officials,” he added.

Moore stated that the US team now has what he described as a clear understanding of the security threats in Nigeria and the alleged persecution faced by Christians. He urged the Nigerian government to seize the opportunity to deepen and strengthen its relationship with the United States.

The report outlines several recommendations, including the establishment of a bilateral US–Nigeria security agreement aimed at protecting vulnerable Christian communities and dismantling jihadist networks. It also proposes withholding certain US funds until the Nigerian government demonstrates concrete action to halt violence against Christians.

Other recommendations include sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals and groups responsible for or complicit in religious persecution, as well as providing technical support to the Nigerian government to eliminate violence from armed Fulani militias.

The report further calls for the repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws and advocates working with international partners, including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.

“Our brothers and sisters in Christ have suffered in silence for too long. The world is now watching, and I urge the Nigerian government to take the opportunity to deepen and strengthen its relationship with the United States.

“Doing so is in the interest of both our great nations. Together, we must address these pressing security challenges and bring an end to violence against Christians,” Moore added.

See full report below:

The Federal High Court in Uyo has sentenced a 30-year-old man, Nkereuwem Felix Effiong, to life imprisonment for his role in the abduction of an Akwa Ibom High Court judge, Justice Joy Unwana.

Justice Joy Unwana and her driver, Idorenyin Ekanem, were kidnapped on December 18, 2023, along the Okobo Esuk Inwang–Ndon Ebom Road. During the attack, the judge’s police orderly, ThankGod Ekanem, was shot dead.

Investigations by the State Security Service led to Effiong’s arrest on July 4, 2024, along Ikot Ekpene Road in Uyo. He later admitted involvement in multiple kidnappings carried out by a criminal group known as the “Bling Bling Marine Striker Force,” headed by one Ubong Effiong, alias “Condiment,” who remains at large.

READ ALSO: Police Rescue Five Missing Children In Ebonyi

In his statement to investigators, Effiong disclosed that he participated in three major abductions, including that of Justice Unwana. He revealed that the gang collected a ransom of N25 million for the judge’s release, from which he received N300,000.

Effiong also confessed to the kidnapping of a pastor of The Apostolic Church in Oron and another victim whose family paid N5 million, from which he received N50,000.

He told investigators that the gang frequently used mini-buses for their operations and occasionally targeted locals and fishermen to raise funds.

Effiong pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, membership of a terrorist group, kidnapping, and concealing information about the gang’s activities.

On Monday, February 23, 2026, Justice Chigozie Sergius Onah found Effiong guilty on three counts and sentenced him to 25 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit terrorism, 20 years for membership of a terrorist group, and life imprisonment for the kidnapping of Justice Unwana.

He was, however, discharged and acquitted on the charge of concealing information.

The National Assembly has postponed the resumption of plenary, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, to March 5.

In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the assembly said this is to allow its committees to conclude ongoing budget defence sessions.

The statement read, “This is to inform Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the National Assembly that the resumption of plenary session earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 24th February 2026 has been postponed.

“This postponement is to enable Committees of the Assembly to conclude ongoing budget defence sessions. Plenary will now reconvene in both chambers on Thursday, 5th March 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

“Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members are kindly requested to take note of the new resumption date and time. The Leadership regrets any inconvenience the postponement may have caused.”

READ ALSO: Budget Implementation: Senate Queries Economic Team, Mulls Cut To ₦58.7tn 2026 Estimate

The last plenary session was held on Tuesday, February 17. That sitting was convened as a special session for what the leadership described as “crucial deliberations.”

The House of Representatives also held its seventh sitting of the 24th session on February 12, 2026, as part of its legislative calendar.

The latest postponement means lawmakers will continue committee-level engagements, particularly budget defence sessions, until plenary resumes on March 5.

The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Federal Government’s fiscal projections.

On Thursday, the Senate questioned members of the government’s economic team over what it described as poor implementation of the 2025 budget and raised concerns about the feasibility of the proposed ₦58.7 trillion 2026 budget, indicating it may review the estimate.

During a budget defence session, lawmakers cited complaints of unpaid contractors, inadequate capital releases, concerns over a centralised payment system and rising public debt.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, faced questions from senators, while the Chairman of the National Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, acknowledged that previous budgets were based on unrealistic assumptions and called for more credible revenue projections.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan, also queried whether the executive had sufficient confidence in delivering the 2026 proposal.

In response, the Finance Ministry said Ministries, Departments and Agencies had been directed to submit cash plans for outstanding obligations and assured lawmakers that payments under the 2025 budget would commence immediately or within days.