Category Nigeria News

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses (ICPC) has appointed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

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However, the development prevented Ozekhome’s planned arraignment in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the three-count charge against him, which includes forgery, that the ICPC had filed against him.

Rotimi Oyedepo, the director of public prosecution of the Federation, stated at the time that he was representing the AGF and informed the court that the AGF had chosen to transfer the case to the ICPC.

Oyedepo claimed that Section 174 of the Constitution gave him the authority to act under his own rules.

Osuebeni Akpomisingha, the ICPC’s attorney, did not oppose the AGF’s acquisition of the case.

Kanu Agabi, a former attorney general of the Federation and the head of a team of lawyers that included 15 SANs for the defense, did not oppose Fagbemi’s decision to take charge of the case.

Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned until February 24 for arraignment following an Oyedepo request for an adjournment that was denied by Agabi.

Property Debate

The late Jeremiah Useni, a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was set for January 26th, and the Federal High Court Abuja had scheduled a decision on that matter.

The court’s decision came after a person or representative from Useni’s estate failed to show cause to the Federal Government that the property should not be forfeited within the 14-day deadline.

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) filed an ex parte request for an interim forfeiture and preservation order over the disputed property in late 2025, alleging that it was acquired with proceeds from unlawful activity.

The CCB was ordered to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within 14 days, and Justice Binta Nyako granted it on November 28. This request was for “any person or body” with an interest in the property to come forward and demonstrate legitimate acquisition.

Ozekhome (SAN) and Useni, a retired lieutenant-general, are the owners of the property, which is located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.

The dispute was filed with the UK’s First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registry under case number ref/2023/0155, with Ozekhome serving as the respondent and Tali Shani serving as the applicant.

One “Ms. Tali Shani” on one hand and Ozekhome on the other claimed the property.

The SAN claimed that “Mr. Tali Shani” gave the house to him in 2021, but “Ms. Shani’s” attorneys asserted that she was the property’s owner.

According to a witness identified as “Mr. Tali Shani,” Ozekhome claimed that he had “powers of attorney” over the property and that he had given it to the respondent (Ozekhome) for the property.

Useni was described as “elder friend and business partner,” and Mr. Tali Shani claimed to be the property’s owner from 1993.

However, Ms. Tali Shani’s witnesses filed a number of documents, including an NIN card, an NIN card, an ECOWAS passport, phone number, etc. to claim property ownership.

However, the tribunal determined that all of Ms. Tali Shani’s documents were fake.

Following an ambush on a patrol team at the state’s Budo Masalasi border post, suspect bandits have killed an inspector of the Nigeria Police Force in Oyo State.

READ MORE: Police In Oyo intercepts Truckload Of Suspect Explosives

As security personnel and residents expressed concern about the growing threat of violent attacks in the area, the incident, which took place over the weekend, sparked a community outcry.

When armed assailants opened fire on the officers, it was discovered that the patrol team was performing routine security work.

The inspector suffered fatal injuries and later passed away during the gunfire exchange.

Other patrol team members suffered injuries in the attack, and they were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Their current circumstances were not immediately disclosed.

The police have not yet revealed the identity of the murdered officer until his family is informed.

Olayinka Ayanlade, the police public relations officer for the Oyo State Police Command, confirmed the incident and said the command had begun a manhunt for the perpetrators.

According to him, the police commissioner had mandated an immediate and thorough investigation into the attack in order to apprehend the perpetrators.

An inspector bravely abdicated the attack in the name of duty during an attack on police officers, according to Ayanlade.

The Commissioner of Police ordered an immediate manhunt and a thorough investigation as soon as information was received. According to his comments, preliminary investigations indicate that some of the attackers suffered bullet injuries and that they are currently on their way to safety.

The police spokesman confirmed to the state’s residents that adequate security measures are being put in place to stop further attacks and protect lives and property.

Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has demanded the release of more than $ 130 billion in statutory funds, which he claims were withheld from the state’s local governments.

He claims that the ongoing blockade has harmed local government and caused hardship to residents and workers.

In a statewide broadcast on Monday about the unlawful occupation of local government secretariats and the defense of democratic order, Adeleke claimed that the court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors had unlawfully occupied state offices for nearly a year despite court-sacked Osogbo judgments from the state’s top courts in November of that year and court-affirmed affirmations from the Court of Appeal in February and June of that year, which invalidated their elections

The governor remarked, “The court removed them, not my administration,” and emphasized that new local government elections were held in accordance with existing court orders, leading to the swearing-in of duly elected chairmen and councillors on February 23, 2025.

He referred to the secretariats’ current owners as being deposed and acting without a valid mandate.

Adeleke claimed that supporting the ongoing occupation with police support undermines democracy and the rule of law by former governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola.

He further claimed that political thugs and armed police officers harassed and intimidated local government employees who attempted to resume their duties.

The withholding of local government funds was central to the governor’s address. Adeleke made it clear that the councils’ legal accounts have not been made public about the statutory allocations due to Osun local governments, which total approximately $ 130 billion, as of February 2025.

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He claimed that the funds are necessary to cover the salaries of council workers, traditional council members, and retirees in 332 primary health care centers.

He argued that the state government had to look for money and make agonizing sacrifices to keep salaries paid for almost a year, which he claimed was unsustainable.

He said that while “government is about humanity, responsibility, and compassion,” this burden cannot continue indefinitely.

The governor also pointed out that senior bank officials are already facing criminal charges against the United Bank for Africa (UBA) for allegedly allowing unauthorised persons to operate local government accounts.

He questioned whether the bank’s operations in New York or London would tolerate such behavior.

Adeleke pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow for the release of the withheld funds and safeguard democratic institutions.

He urged the President to rescue Osun local governments from what he described as an unlawful siege and insisted that the president was not involved in the alleged illegality.

Adeleke framed the crisis as a choice between constitutional order and complete impunity, noting that “there is no provision in our Constitution for tenure elongation.”

He demanded the release of council funds and the immediate end to the occupation of local government secretariats in Nigeria and democracy advocates.

Abba Yusuf, the governor of Kano State, had promised to keep his job, according to Dipo Olayoku, the party’s national secretary.

However, Olayoku, who made this statement on Monday during an interview with The Morning Brief on Channels Television, made it clear that the governor’s decision was not unexpected.

He claims that Yusuf’s defection was planned about a year ago.

He continued to say that despite the fact that some of the party members had confronted him about some of these moves, he would continue to support the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) despite these discussions.

He continued, “We had our national convention on December 20, 2025,” adding that the governor had lied about his departure. He even gave a speech about what he called “unity” among party members, the party chieftain continued.

Olayoku questioned whether the governor was entitled to defection, but he also raised a moral issue.

The big question is, “But what about the Kano people who gave their lives to support him and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)?” he inquired.

Defection

In a letter to the NNPP Chairman of the Diso-Chiranchi Ward in the Gwale Local Government Area, Yusuf resigned last week. The resignation date is January 23, 2026.

He left the party because of persistent internal crises and the need to defend the state’s general interests.

He claimed that the party’s divisions had grown worse and that there had become less cohesive as a result of the disagreements.

Ijebu-Ode residents have peacefully protested in opposition to the Ogun State government’s decision to halt the selection process for alleged irregularities in the area’s selection process for a new traditional ruler.

The protest came after the selection process for a new Ijebuland was suspended.

The demonstrators marched through major streets in the ancient town while carrying placards with inscriptions urging a free, fair, and transparent selection process under the auspices of Ijebu Sons and Daughters and Ijebu-Ode Progressive Youths.

The Chairman, Dare Alebiosu, addressed the crowd at the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Secretariat.

The chairman explained to the protesters that the Ogun State Government had no preference for a candidate and that the suspension was only intended to ensure strict compliance with the law.

Awujale: Ogun LG Stops the Selection Process

He claimed that the government isn’t concerned with the identity of the Awujale in the end. The selection process was made to ensure fairness and transparency.

He praised the protesters’ peaceful behavior and assured them that the selection process that would eventually lead to the creation of a new Awujale would soon resume. It would also reflect the people’s wishes and aspirations. &nbsp,

A resident of the town Babatunde Salami said the demonstration was meant to send a clear message to the rulers to act responsibly.

The Awujale stool is regarded highly in Yoruba, Nigeria, and even beyond. We want the right rulers to make their choice for our nation. he stated

He continued, “We are here to demand that all laws be followed.” We don’t want moneybags to sabotage the process and make it pointless.

The protesters also urged contestants to receive equal treatment, noting that the traditional title should not be used as a justification for disqualification.

“We’ve heard bribery allegations against both the selection process and the contestants. Anyone found guilty must be punished by the government. We don’t want the procedure to be compromised, as it could lead to pointless litigation.

In addition, the Alagemos in Ijebuland have backed the Ogun State Government’s actions to ensure a smooth selection process.

The kingmakers should now sit down and go over the process in full transparency, according to the Funsengbuwa Ruling House.