Category Nigeria News

The Management of the Green Legacy hotel, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, has threatened legal action against the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), following the “invasion” of the hotel by EFCC operatives on Sunday.

In a statement, the hotel’s Managing Director, Vitalis Ortese, said about 50 armed men from the anti-graft agency stormed the premises at around 2 am on Sunday, in a Gestapo style, “shooting guns, threatening to kill people” at an event held in the hotel.

“It should be noted that the event was a private event that had been widely
advertised to members of the public for days before the due date,” he said.

The hotel management insisted that nobody was informed before the operatives carried out the raid.

READ ALSO: EFCC Storms Hotel In Obasanjo Library, Arrests Suspected Internet Fraudsters

“It should also be noted that both the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and additional police sent from the Kemta Police Station, as requested by the organisers of the event and management, stated that they were not informed of any planned operation by the EFCC and neither did they present any warrant.

“Management wishes to state that this action by the EFCC is a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL rights, a corporate citizen, and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who so gathered for the event.

The Federal Government is set to arraign Idris Omeiza; Al-Qasim Idris; Jamiu Abdulmalik; Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Abubakar who are alleged to be responsible for the June 5, 2022 bombing of Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The suspects are to be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Federal Government filed nine counts bordering on terrorism against the five defendants.

The arraignment of the suspects comes three years after the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, said those behind the attack were arrested.

The National security Council had linked the attack to heinous activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The Lagos State Government has directed all e-hailing operators to present their vehicles for mandatory inspection, warning that any unfit vehicle will be barred from operating on the state’s roads.

“We have observed the deplorable condition of some vehicles operated under licensed e-hailing platforms in Lagos, which has made a comprehensive audit of all vehicles necessary. Any vehicle found unsuitable will not be allowed to operate on Lagos roads,” the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said during a meeting with operators at the Ministry of Transportation, Alausa, Ikeja.

His remarks were disclosed on Sunday in a statement by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Bolanle Ogunlola.

Osiyemi stressed that the move was aimed at improving safety standards, service quality, and regulatory compliance in the sector.

He decried growing safety concerns for motorists and poor service delivery by some operators, adding, “The state government is committed to safeguarding lives and property and will not tolerate practices that endanger Lagosians.”

READ ALSO: Obasanjo Library Threatens Legal Action Against EFCC Over ‘Hotel Invasion’

The commissioner also raised concerns over the absence of robust databases among some e-hailing platforms, which, he said, made it difficult to track discrepancies and criminal activities.

“The Ministry will not hesitate to enforce sanctions where necessary,” he warned.

In the statement, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olawale Musa, underscored the need for all vehicles to be duly registered with the state government, warning that unregistered vehicles posed security risks and hindered effective tracking.

“The Ministry will strictly enforce penalties for any infractions,” he said, noting that all drivers must be registered and certified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) to operate legally.

Musa advised Lagosians against booking rides offline to avoid bypassing the safety features and accountability systems built into e-hailing apps.

He explained that the Ministry’s digital regulatory system relied on up-to-date data to ensure effective oversight of the transport sector.

In response, representatives of licensed e-hailing platforms shared updates on safety upgrades, including enhanced driver verification systems, mandatory licence checks, panic buttons, and improved onboarding and offboarding procedures.

The Commissioner urged operators to “conduct business with empathy, prioritising public safety and customer satisfaction over profit-making,” and called on them to settle outstanding licensing documentation without delay.

Organised labour in Taraba State says it will not succumb to alleged threats by the state government representatives to shelve its planned indefinite strike action.

The organized labour under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress is insisting that the strike will commence at midnight.

In a press briefing by the leaders of the union, Peter Jediel of the NLC and Sule Abasu of the TUC, the strike is in response to alleged irregularities in the state’s biometric data capture committee exercise, which excluded some workers and termed them as ghost workers.

They accused the committee of engaging in illegal practices and faulted the state government for failing to respond to an earlier ultimatum..

”Based on our resolutions held today, 10th August 2025, at the NLC Secretariat by 3:00 pm, came up with the following resolutions that strike is hereby declared to commence by midnight tomorrow, 11th August 2025.

”This is because of the government’s inability to meet the demands of the organised labour based on the irregularities of the biometrics exercise, which excluded some workers as civil servants and termed them as ghost workers.

”It’s a normal thing in the labour movement. We don’t bother if they threaten us or not, all we know is that we have declared a strike for the welfare of our workers.”

READ ALSO: NLC Condemns Sowore’s Detention, Demands Immediate Release

A few days ago, the unions said their decision followed a resolution reached at a meeting of the Joint State Administrative Council on August 6.

This was contained in a press statement jointly signed by NLC Chairman Peter Jediel and TUC Chairman, Sule Abasu.

According to the statement, the strike is in response to alleged irregularities by the state’s Biometric Data Capture Committee, which labour leaders claim have adversely affected workers.

A private radio station in Ebonyi State, Legacy FM, has suspended its acting General Manager, Odoh Chikwere, for allegedly criticising the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru.

According to reports, Chikwere’s suspension followed a series of alleged criticisms he made against the governor’s administration both on air and on his social media platforms on Friday, August 8, 2025.

The management on Saturday announced his suspension on air, stating that the suspension was due to his “unruly behaviour” and disobedience to the code of conduct guiding the radio station.

READ ALSO: NGE, SERAP Sue Gov Bago, NBC Over Threat On Niger Radio Station

“The management of Legacy FM 95.1, The Sound of Now, hereby suspends the acting General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere, with immediate effect, till further notice.

“This is due to unruly behaviour and disobedience to the code of conduct guiding the Legacy FM.

“With such effect, he is hereby directed to hand over all the company property in his position to the next senior officer,” it announced.

In a Friday post on his Facebook page, which preceded his suspension, Chikwere made a series of allegations.

He claimed that the administration was suffering from poor communication, underperformance by his appointees, and lack of clear policy direction.

He also advised the Nwifuru to “step on toes to achieve results,” adding that the current state of affairs weakened the governor’s support base.

In response to the allegations, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, issued a statement describing the criticisms as unfounded and baseless.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has called for concerted efforts to address the reports of insecurity in Kebbi State.

Abubakar, who spoke during a courtesy visit to Governor Nasir Idris at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, said the reports were concerning and could threaten the peace in the state.

He acknowledged that Kebbi, with its vast landscape and borders with two neighboring countries, presented unique security challenges.

READ ALSO: Kebbi ADC Condemns Zogirma Killings, Accuses Kebbi Govt Of Neglect

“The reports of insecurity we are receiving from Kebbi are concerning. If not addressed, these issues could threaten the peace the state has enjoyed for years,” he stated.

He added that his visit was aimed at assessing the performance of Air Force personnel in the state, expressing satisfaction with their conduct and operations.

Abubakar assured the governor of intensified aerial surveillance and operations to root out terrorist elements and restore peace in affected areas of the state.

In his remarks, Governor Idris urged the Federal Government to establish an Air Force base in Kebbi to help tackle the security challenges facing the state.

He highlighted that the state had one of the best airports in the country, noting the state government’s ongoing collaboration with the Nigerian Army.

He also noted that the Nigerian Navy had recently pledged to establish a naval base in Yauri.

“I would like to commend the Chief of Air Staff for the efforts made in supporting the state. Whenever there are bandit attacks, the Air Force often comes to our rescue.