Metro
Tinubu: Africa must set up regional standby forces against coup, terrorism, extremism
President Bola Tinubu yesterday advocated discussions on empowering regional blocs to establish well-funded standby military forces to help contain military adventurers, rampaging waves of terrorism, and religious extremism.
Tinubu made the call in Abuja in his keynote address at the Summit on the State of Democracy in Africa.
He canvassed for the strengthening of regional economic communities to drive integration and trade ties among African countries in order to deepen democracy and accelerate development across the continent.
The president contended that through bitter experiences, Nigeria had learned that the solution to poor democratic governance was having more democracies.
On his part, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said the answer to the myriad challenges confronting democracy in Africa lied in re-examining the model of democracy passed on to countries on the continent by their colonial masters.
Tinubu called for revitalisation of sub-regional blocs, like Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), East African Community (EAC), and Southern African Development Community (SADC), as vehicles to usher in an era of robust intra-African commerce, economic growth, and job creation.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the immense potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could only be maximally realised when there was concrete economic integration and collaboration at the different sub-regional levels.
Delivering the keynote address, the president urged the regional bodies to prioritise minimising trade barriers, promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth, human capital development, as well as value addition in agriculture and agro-allied sectors.
He said, “We must deliberate on ways through which African sub-regional organisations can help foster better intra-African trade, achieve better food and energy security, promote higher rates of youth employment, alleviate poverty and realise greater prosperity for our people.”
The president stated that a reinvigorated sub-regional cooperation was critical to the successful implementation of the path-breaking AfCFTA by harmonising rules and regulations to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, and people.
While acknowledging the “despair about democratic reversals” due to recent military coups, he expressed optimism over polls held successfully in nations, like Liberia, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria.
He added, “The tragedies of our nations and histories inspire our concern about the reversals of democratic governments, particularly in West Africa. That’s why we are alarmed by the military coups in Mali, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Gabon.”
Tinubu advocated discussions on empowering regional blocs to establish well-funded standby military forces “to help contain military adventurers and the rampaging waves of terrorism and religious extremism.”
He urged African leaders to respect constitutional tenets, like term limits, and ensure credible elections and autonomous institutions through the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to achieve democratic consolidation.
“This summit must discuss ways of making the APRM contribute to achieving good governance and democratic consolidation on the continent,” he stated.
Declaring that Africa could no longer be the “doormat of the world with street beggar economies”, he called for concrete measures through reinvented regional bodies to boost trade, enhance security, and entrench constitutional democracy for development and prosperity.
Earlier, Obasanjo, in his keynote remarks, said the solution to the numerous challenges confronting democracy in Africa was in revisiting the models of democracy passed on to countries on the continent by their colonial masters.
He said leaders across the continent must come together to devise a form of contextual democracy that took into account past experiences, addresses contemporary challenges, and emphasises good leadership, strong institutions, and a stable middle class, all reflecting Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
The former president expressed concern about the growing discontent for democracy on the continent and insisted that the model that would work for Africa was one that took into account the typical and predominant political system as well as one suitably and appropriately placed to serve the objectives of the African people.
In her goodwill message, the United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr Amina Mohammed, said the active participation of women and young people in politics and other decision-making processes would strengthen democracy on the continent.
She drew the attention of authorities on the continent to the effective implementation of laws, adherence to the tenets of accountability, and improved investment in democratic institutions, stating that they are critical to the sustenance of democracy in Africa and beyond.
Equally speaking, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and member of the Board of Directors, Shehu Musa Yar’adua Foundation, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), said the focus of the summit, which was “the state of democracy in Africa,” aligned with the cornerstone of the foundation’s mission and vision.
Mahmoud said participants at the summit were expected to thoroughly interrogate the model of democracy practised in Africa vis a vis current challenges experienced in the continent, to resolve the lingering issues and reshape democracy in the continent.
Meanwhile, the sixth parliament of the ECOWAS parliament considered and adopted crucial parliamentary instruments to guide the progress and implementation of its mandate.
That was part of decisions made yesterday at the 2024 Second Extraordinary Session of the parliament held in Kano, North-west Nigeria.
The instruments consisted of the rules of procedure, the strategic plan, and the 2024 work plan of the parliament.
Acting Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament and Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, in his speech at the session’s opening, stressed the importance of the protocols in facilitating the work of the parliament.
Jibrin said, “This extraordinary session is unique on several counts. During this session, we are expected to hold deliberations and adopt three very important instruments, which bear heavily on the progress and effective implementation of our mandate.
“They are the rules of procedure of the sixth legislature, which was deferred from our inaugural session, the strategic plan of the sixth legislature, and 2024 annual work plan.
“You would agree with me that our rules of procedure are very important, as they make us more efficient and serve as our guide, thereby reducing the chances of our actions and decisions being challenged for procedural deficiencies.
“The strategic plan, on the other hand, will serve as a crucial and indispensable tool in ensuring that our programmes and activities are directly linked with the overall strategic institutional objectives of ECOWAS, while our work plan will set the agenda for our engagements this year.”
With the adoption of the instruments, the stage for the full commencement of parliamentary activities by the community parliament was set, he stated.
Source: This Day
Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of a four-bedroom duplex with two sitting rooms and boys’ quarters in Lekki to the Federal Government after finding that it was used for illegal drug activities.
The judge, on Tuesday, ordered that the property located at Block 11, House 2, Mobolaji Johnson Estate, Lekki Phase 1, be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government following an application filed by counsel for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Buhari Abdulahi.
Abdulahi told the court that the property belonged to a suspected drug baron currently resides in Canada, and was used as an operational base for trafficking Canadian Loud — a high-grade strain of cannabis sativa — into Nigeria.
“The property served as the operational base for Adebanjo’s illicit drug activities,” the NDLEA counsel said. “He purchased the house and used it to coordinate the storage, distribution, and sale of hard drugs smuggled into Nigeria from Canada.”
He informed the court that an interim forfeiture order had earlier been granted on March 20, 2024, and that, in compliance with the court’s directive, details of the property were published in the Daily Sun of May 20, 2024, and in the Vanguard of August 1, 2025, inviting any interested parties to contest the forfeiture.
“Despite the publications and adequate notice, no person or entity came forward to lay claim to the property or provide any explanation,” Abdulahi said, urging the court to grant a final forfeiture order.
He added that the application was brought under the NDLEA Act, which empowers the court to confiscate assets used in committing drug-related offences.
After reviewing the submissions and supporting documents, Justice Owoeye granted the final forfeiture order, describing the property and items within it as “instruments used in committing drug offences.”
“Having carefully examined the affidavit evidence and the unchallenged application by the NDLEA, this court hereby orders the final forfeiture of the property to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the judge ruled.
According to an affidavit filed by Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Nasir Garba Bungudu, attached to the NDLEA’s Lagos Strategic Command, the agency had received intelligence in 2023 about a drug trafficking network smuggling Canadian Loud from Canada into Nigeria.
He said investigations traced the syndicate’s base to the Lekki property, which served as a warehouse and coordination centre for storage, financing, and distribution of the illicit drugs.
He said following weeks of surveillance, NDLEA operatives conducted a raid on February 5, 2023, during which they recovered 1.088 kilograms of Canadian Loud and arrested five suspects: Tijani Hakeem, Eric Makuo, Adaobi Fortune, Ahmed Jubril, and Ekwejunor Oritsematosan.
“Our investigation confirmed that the property was purchased and maintained with proceeds of drug trafficking,” Bungudu stated. “It was the central hub for the syndicate’s criminal operations.”
Four of the suspects were later convicted in Charge No. FHC/L/122C/2023 — FRN v. Tijani Oladapo Hakeem & 3 Ors after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges.
The fifth suspect, Ekwejunor Oritsematosan, is still facing trial alongside Femaffix Global Services Limited in Charge No. FHC/L/501C/2023 for offences linked to the same cartel.
NDLEA investigators also established that Adebanjo, identified as the ringleader, purchased the Lekki property to house his associates and manage the syndicate’s operations, allegedly using a firm to launder proceeds from the illicit trade.
“Since the property was sealed, neither Adebanjo — who remains at large — nor any representative has come forward to claim ownership or offer any explanation,” Bungudu added.
Justice Owoeye consequently ruled that the property and all items within it be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government as assets derived from, or used in, the commission of drug offences.
“The court is satisfied that due process has been followed,” Justice Owoeye declared. “Accordingly, the property and its contents are hereby forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
The Enugu State Government has confirmed the arrest of one Ozioma Okonkwo for allegedly defiling his two biological daughters, aged two and five.
Okonkwo, who is a native of Imo State residing in Enugu, was arrested on the night of Saturday, October 25, 2025, after a concerned citizen alerted authorities about the disturbing incident.
This was contained in a statement issued by the state Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development on Sunday.
According to the statement, the suspect is in police custody and will be charged in court once investigations are concluded.
The ministry also revealed that the two children have been admitted into a government-approved shelter, where they are receiving medical care and psychosocial support.
Their mother, described as deeply traumatised, will also undergo therapy under the supervision of the ministry’s social welfare and counselling team.
“The Enugu State Government commends the Nigeria Police Force for their swift and professional response, which led to the prompt arrest of the suspect,” the statement read.
Reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy on sexual and gender-based violence, the ministry warned that all offenders would face the full weight of the law.
The ministry also condemned the act, calling it “a heart-wrenching and unacceptable crime against innocence.”
The statement reads, “The Enugu State Government under the leadership of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, remains unwavering in its commitment to protect every child and ensure that perpetrators of such evil acts are brought to justice.
“No child should ever have to endure such trauma, especially from those meant to provide care and protection.”
The government also thanked citizens for their vigilance and cooperation, urging continued support in efforts to safeguard the rights and dignity of women and children across the state.
In 2022, a father, Michake Ogbar, was sentenced to triple life imprisonment for defiling and raping his three daughters of age 10, 20, and 24 years.
Ogbar faced three counts bordering on defilement and rape, offences which violate Sections 137 and 258(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has predicted varying weather conditions, including dust haze and rainfall, across different parts of the country between Monday and Wednesday, urging residents to stay alert.
In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet projected slight dust haze with good visibility over Borno, Zamfara, northern Kaduna, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina States on Monday.
The agency added that isolated thunderstorms with light rain were likely in parts of Taraba and Adamawa States during the afternoon or evening hours on Monday.
NiMet forecast sunny skies with patches of clouds over the central region, with prospects of isolated thunderstorms and light rain in the FCT, Nasarawa, and Kogi States later in the day.
The statement read, “Cloudy conditions are expected in the southern region on Monday morning, with isolated thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.
“Later in the afternoon and evening, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are anticipated in Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Ondo, Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.
“On Tuesday, NiMet forecast continued slight dust haze in good visibility over northern states, while Taraba and Adamawa may experience isolated thunderstorms and light rain throughout the day.
“Sunny skies with intermittent clouds are predicted in the central region, alongside chances of early morning thunderstorms in Benue and later moderate rain across FCT, Nasarawa, and Kogi States.”
NiMet also projected cloudy skies across the southern states, with moderate rainfall over Rivers, Cross River, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom in the morning, intensifying later in the day.
The agency warned of possible flooding in parts of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River States, urging local authorities to activate emergency response measures where necessary.
For Wednesday, NiMet anticipated sunny skies across the northern region, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain expected later in the day, particularly over parts of Taraba State.
“The central region will experience sunny skies with patches of clouds, while isolated thunderstorms with light rain are likely over Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory.
“In the south, cloudy conditions are expected in the morning, followed by thunderstorms with moderate rains later in the afternoon and evening across Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom,” it stated.
NiMet reiterated a high risk of flash floods, urging motorists to exercise caution when driving in rain and for authorities in vulnerable areas to implement flood response measures immediately.
The agency also advised individuals with asthma and respiratory conditions to limit outdoor exposure due to dust particles suspended in the atmosphere over the northern parts of the country.
Airline operators were urged to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for flight planning, while the public was encouraged to follow updates via the agency’s website and communication channels.
NAN
Justice Rahmon Oshodi of a Lagos State High Court has ordered the remand of an accountant, Oguibe Nwachukwu, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged theft of N200m, to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
The EFCC, in a statement shared on Facebook on Monday, disclosed that the defendant, alongside his company, is facing 13 counts bordering on stealing.
According to the EFCC, Nwachukwu, in 2020, allegedly converted the sum of $36,000, which was entrusted to him by his former employer, Travelstar Web Logistics Limited.
The EFCC added in another count that the suspect had also allegedly converted the sum of $156,000 belonging to the same company for personal use between January and July 2018.
The statement read in part, “That you, Oguibe Promise Nwachukwu, being the alter ego of Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited and Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited, being a company incorporated in Nigeria sometime in March, 2020 in Nigeria, within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $36,000 property of Travelstar Web Logistics Limited entrusted to you, being the custodian as an accountant to the Travelstar Web Logistics Limited, thereby committed an offence stealing, contrary to Section 280(1) (b) and (2) (f) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
“That you, Oguibe Promise Nwachukwu, being the alter ego of Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited and Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited, being a company incorporated in Nigeria sometime between January 29, 2018 and July, 2018 in Nigeria, within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $156,000 property of Travelstar Web Logistics Limited entrusted to you, being the custodian as an accountant to the Travelstar Web Logistics Limited, thereby committed an offence Stealing, contrary to Section 280(1) (b) and (2) (f) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
The defendant was said to have pleaded not guilty when the charges were read against him.
The EFCC noted that following his plea, the prosecution counsel, A.A. Usman, prayed the court for a trial date and that the suspect should be remanded in the EFCC’s custody.
The statement noted that the defendant’s attorney argued there was a pending bail application and requested the court to remand his client in EFCC custody.
“The defence counsel, Kelvin C. Uzozie, informed the court of a pending bail application on behalf of his client and also pleaded that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC custody.
“After listening to both parties, Justice Oshodi adjourned till October 17, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application and also ordered the remand of the defendant at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos,” the statement concluded.
The EFCC has in recent times prosecuted high-profile financial fraud cases involving public officials.
PUNCH Metro reported on January 17 that the EFCC arraigned an ex-Accountant General of the Federation, Anamekwe Nnabuoku, for alleged fraud amounting to N1.9 billion.
Similarly, in April 2025, the EFCC arraigned the Accountant General of Bauchi State for alleged fraud totalling N8.3bn.
These cases highlight the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to tackle large-scale financial crimes involving custodians of public resources.
The Punch
A prolonged family dispute concerning the extensive estate of the late Chief Harrison Jefia has intensified, resulting in a criminal trial.
Joseph Jefia, the ninth child of the deceased and a cleric, is currently facing allegations of forgery and fraudulent claims to inheritance.
He is appearing before a Federal High Court in Abuja to address these charges.
The case with next hearing date fixed for October 23, is under charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/501/2024, where the Federal Government is the complainant and Joseph Jefia is the defendant.
Mrs. Onoriode Lyn James (née Jefia), the United Kingdom-based eldest child of the late Chief Jefia, had petitioned the Pastor-in-Charge of Region 23 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, where her half-brother, Joseph Jefia pastors a church, accusing him of illegally taking control of the family’s assets shortly after their father died in 2003.
These assets include more than 100 housing units, a mansion in Effurun, multiple country homes, large tracts of land, cash in various banks, and a road contract valued at N1.2 billion.
According to Mrs. James, Pastor Jefia and his siblings allegedly broke into their late father’s residence while the patriarch was on his deathbed, taking possession of all personal and business documents.
Investigations by law enforcement and forensic experts revealed that the document was fraudulent and unregistered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), in violation of the Companies and Allied Matters Act.
The police subsequently charged Pastor Jefia for presenting the forged document in defense of his actions during a dispute involving his half-sister, whom he allegedly harassed during a visit to the family property in Effurun.
Court records show that the family had already shared the landed properties of the late Chief Jefia based on traditional arrangements and legal proceedings.
Despite this, Pastor Joseph is accused of continuing to collect rent from properties not allocated to him and allegedly selling plots of land belonging to other heirs.
The matter, which has spanned more than 22 years, has now reached a turning point with criminal charges brought against the pastor. The trial continues this month, with court dates scheduled for October 23.
Mrs. James has called on the leadership of RCCG, where Pastor Jefia is said to have served in various regions including Kolokolo/Enerhen and PTI, to intervene and uphold the church’s moral standards.
“Our father left enough for every one of his children to prosper. But Joseph’s greed, enabled by forged documents and disregard for family and tradition, has robbed us of justice for over two decades,” she said.
A Magistrate Court in Kano has ordered the remand of popular TikTok user, Ashiru Idris, popularly known as Mai Wushirya, at a Correctional Centre for posting indecent videos involving a dwarf woman whose name was undisclosed on social media.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Halima Wali of Court No. 7, ordered that the TikToker be sent to a correctional centre for two weeks before the hearing continues.
It was reported that officials of the Kano State Censorship Board arrested Mai Wushirya last week after clips showing him in a shirtless state engaging in what authorities described as “immoral and demeaning acts” with a dwarf woman went viral online.
The Board maintained that the circulated videos were in direct violation of the state’s Censorship laws which prohibit the distribution of obscene or sexually suggestive materials.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Censorship Board, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, disclosed that the court has directed the appearance of the woman involved before the next hearing.
“The court has also ordered his partner to appear in court before the hearing continues. Even before we arraigned him, we tried to get him to cooperate with us in helping us locate her, but he refused. However, now that the court has ordered it. I’m sure we will be successful in bringing her,” Sulaiman revealed.
Sulaiman also revealed they have received reports that the woman featured in the videos has since escaped to Zamfara State but efforts continue to ensure her return to Kano to face trial alongside the TikToker.
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