Nigeria Doesn't Need Mercenaries Or Foreign Boots To Fight Terrorists; We Just Need Modern Equipment — Defence Chief, Musa

He revealed that the Nigerian military had started assembling its own Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC).

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, has told the President Bola Tinubu-led government to provide the military with modern equipment and weapons to fight the growing insurgency in the country.

Musa said this on Friday during an interview on Arise News Channel, while ruling out the need for mercenaries to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in the fight against criminal groups in the country.

He revealed that the Nigerian military had started assembling its own Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC).

He also pointed out that Nigeria was stabilising the West Africa sub-region and the Sahel, as it had always done.

The CDS said, “We don’t need mercenary fighters, we don’t need any foreign boot on our soil and that was why it was not even being thought out. We don’t have a foreign military base in Nigeria. We have the capacity to wage the war, we are training together.

“All we need is to get the equipment that we are fighting with. The ongoing war has also helped us to build the capacity to also produce our own armaments.

“I just came in from Jaji this morning, we are now producing and assembling our own armoured personnel carrier (APC), before we start full production.

“We believe that if we are able to get these things right, we would be able to do the right thing. We don’t need external help. Remember that we stabilised Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other west African nations, so we can still do same thing here”.

Musa stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria had become a beacon of hope for Nigerians and that the military would continue to promote democracy in the country.

Musa stated that no military officers in Nigeria were interested in a coup, and that the country was working hard to restore democracy in Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

“We are better in a democratic setting, so we want to sustain it,” he said.

Musa noted that the military was rising to the occasion, stressing that though the nation’s armed forces are trained in conventional warfare, they have adjusted to the asymmetric nature of insurgency tactics.

“We are used to fighting countries, but now we have to deal with enemy within and that becomes very difficult because the enemy understands that we are subjected to human rights and other international legal instruments governing armed conflict,” he said.

2027: North angry, ‘ll look for alternatives if Tinubu doesn’t get it right – Yerima, AYCF

The President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Shettima Yerima in this interview with Saturday Vanguard shares his insights on the perceived northern opposition to the tax reforms bill, highlighting the shortcomings in the government’s approach to the bill, the importance of proper consultation, and the need for transparency to gain public support.

He also addresses the broader dissatisfaction in the north, reflecting on the high expectations from the Tinubu-led government, emphasising the need to address insecurity and economic hardship to win back the trust of the northern populace.

Yerima also criticises some state governors for their lack of creativity and initiative in generating revenue within their states, but rely heavily on federal allocations, preferring to share federal funds with their cronies rather than investing in their states’ development. He argues that decentralizing the federal structure would force states to become more productive and self-sufficient, ultimately benefiting the entire country. Excerpts:

Why the Northern Opposition to the Tax Reforms Bills? What are your fears?

The tax reform bills depend on how individuals or certain interests perceive them. But for us, the government could have done better. The idea was fine, drawing inferences from the situation in the country. Even if we are doing fine, no country ignores taxation.

This is one major area where they can generate funds for development. The presentation was one of the problems. The managers of the bills did not do well, which is why you see the reactions coming from the north as if the region is anti-tax reforms. No. They brought the issue and politicised it, making it seem anti-north. The government can still do well by consulting, which is the first thing they should have done. Go through the National Assembly, and the elected representatives will now go back to their various constituencies to meet with their people.

This way, the bill will enjoy the deserved legitimacy. I am happy that, at the end of the day, there is an understanding between the executive arm of government and the lawmakers. The lawmakers have also agreed to go back to their constituencies for further consultation. There are only a few grey areas I think they will amend and pass the bill. Certainly, the trouble it generated was unnecessary.

What are the grey areas in your view that you will consider for amendment?

For me, I am looking at the VAT area, and I also know there are bigger areas. But the opinion of the people supersedes my interest. So, it is important they let it get down to the people, and they will look at it thoroughly and let all stakeholders make inputs before it is passed at the National Assembly.

The North, having voted massively for President Tinubu and now opposing a major government decision like this, shows there is dissatisfaction among the people. Is there any regret supporting the Bola Tinubu Presidency?

In some quarters, there are certain regrets by the northern region. Don’t forget the eight years of Buhari’s administration brought nothing to the north. So, the expectation was so high that Tinubu knew where the problem lay, and someone like me who had worked with him and took him as a role model believed that he knew so much about the problems of this country and would approach the issues not as a military man but as a democrat and would be able to proffer solutions to them. But the people are disappointed because they are not getting what they expected of him.

In fairness to him, the situation was very bad. Everybody knew that whoever succeeded Buhari would go through a very rough path to succeed. We never expected that after eight years of rubbish, Tinubu would perform a miracle in two years. Yes, there are expected reforms, and without kids, we may not get the result immediately, but what is expected from the government is that whatever policy you are bringing, there must be a cushioning effect so that people would not unnecessarily suffer.

People have suffered enough. If he had done it that way, nobody would have accused Tinubu of ill-intention to balkanise the country or govern against any section of the country. He is very exposed and not a local champion. But sometimes, it is one thing to come up with a policy, but the implementation might not go well with the people.

The North is angry with the government, but the government still has another opportunity in less than two years to turn things around. So, some of us are not in a hurry to conclude that Tinubu might not be of any good to the north. We know the journey is rough. Let us give him some benefit of the doubt and encourage him.

If he doesn’t do anything that will positively impact the lives of the people, some of us can gang up against him and put our vote where we know we can get better treatment. We will sit down with all stakeholders, arrive at a conclusion, and look for alternatives. Right now, it is too early to conclude that Tinubu has failed.

What exactly are you looking at to pacify the frayed nerves of the region about some of his policies?

What I think he should do immediately is address the insecurity. I must first commend the efforts of the military. They are being stretched so much by this challenge of insecurity with inadequate manpower. I must commend the Service Chiefs and the Minister, Bello Metawalle, for boosting the morale of the men among other support.

The government should give them more support so that they can deliver on their mandate. On the economy, they need to look inward and find a way to put in place more palliatives that will get to the people and reduce the hardship on the common people. If Tinubu can win more on security and achieve peace in the troubled areas and go further to reduce the hardship on people, then he would have won the hearts of the northerners.

The north does not hate Tinubu or oppose him; it is just certain government policies making life more miserable for people, and it is expected that two years down the line, things will change for the better. But if this pain continues, you can be rest assured that it will not augur well. I believe in him, I still have faith in him, and I believe he can still turn things around. Again, one of the areas for the government to show sanity is by bringing all those who have stolen Nigeria dry to book. I am not comfortable with the government’s fight against corruption.

Some of those in the last administration who squandered our resources still gallivant around brazenly, and for the government to show sanity in the system, some of them need to be arrested and put in the cooler to pay for their sins. Some of them were nowhere a few years back, but today they own trillions of naira. This is one of the areas I am not comfortable with the government.

Amidst all of these, don’t you think the state governors need to be more creative in tackling some of these issues, particularly the economy and social security?

You have hit the nail on the head. Some of these highlighted issues are not the fault of the President. The question is, what are the governors doing with all the funds and allocations coming from the federal government to the states? Nobody is looking at that area. How have they alleviated poverty in their own way and in real economic terms? I can confidently tell you that some of these governors are sponsors of those bad elements in the National Assembly who oppose the Tax Reform bills. Some of them failed to harness some of the resources in their various states for the betterment of their people. They have nothing to bring to the table.

They only enjoy collecting the federal allocation to share with their cronies and make their girlfriends travel worldwide. They are so lazy and lack ideas. Some states that collect several billions of naira from the centre are not creative enough to even internally generate N1 billion from their states. That is why I am one of those advocating for the decentralization of the federal structure. The moment we decentralize the system, everybody will go back to their various states and harness their potential and resources and become productive. This current system will never see the light of day. If we continue under this arrangement, where people will sit and wait for federal allocation without being productive and in turn bring something to the centre, we will continue to have problems.

This is what the founding fathers envisioned. That was why the likes of Sardauna and Awolowo got it right. Why should we borrow a system from America if it is not beneficial? It is crazy. This central government must be decentralized. States must be made viable, and the governors must be productive. Some of them are lazy. Those governors are our problems.

Where is that money going? What did they use it for? We must begin to ask questions. This is why these Tax Reform bills must fly, but they must adjust the grey areas. Every state must begin to harness its resources and pay a percentage to the centre. The government, in their magnanimity, has made it clear that the money will be distributed to all tiers of government.

The state will take 50%, the local government will take 35%, and the centre will take 15%. What is wrong with that? If you don’t sow, you won’t reap. Why will the monkey continue to work and the bamboo continues to chop? I heard somebody talk about Lagos. That state has come a long way. We have seen how Lagos generates its resources. Today, without federal allocation, states like Lagos and Rivers can sustain themselves. What is wrong with our state governors doing the same to sustain themselves? Some of them, even when the federal government gives them allocation, still find it difficult to pay salaries. How can such a state survive and sustain itself?

Do you see the state governors giving a nod to this arrangement, drawing from their opposition to local government autonomy?

Yes, I agree, it will be difficult to fly, but we will continue to advocate for it until God gives us a rugged President and God-fearing lawmakers who will call their bluff and do the right thing. It will come in such a way that the governors will not be conscious of it until it is passed. Thank God for local government autonomy. We are getting there now, and we will get there.

Phrank Shaibu, the spokesman for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has asked those criticising the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, to embark on a moment of introspection.

Specifically, Shaibu urged Vice President Kashim Shettima to find something useful to do rather than concentrating on Badenoch.

PUNCH Online reports that Badenoch had in 2010 sought the support of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom in her bid to win a seat in the British parliament.

A campaign document which has been making the rounds on social media showed that during her campaign for Dulwich and West Norwood, she reached out to Nigerians while highlighting her roots.

In a message to her Nigerian supporters, she particularly pledged to uplift the image of the country through her position in the British political system.

However, in the race to succeed the former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in 2022, Badenoch had accused Nigerian politicians of using public funds for their private matters.

Also, at the Conservative Party conference, Badenoch claimed that her upbringing in Nigeria was overshadowed by fear and insecurity in a country plagued by corruption.

In one of her interviews with the British media after becoming the Conservative party leader, Badenoch said she did not want the UK to experience what made her flee Nigeria.

Badenoch of disparaging her country of origin, Nigeria, after she emerged as the UK’s Conservative Party leader.

The vice president stated that she had the right to express her opinions but could not diminish the country’s value.

Shettima proposed that Badenoch might “remove the Kemi from her name” if she did not feel pride in her “nation of origin.”

In response, Badenoch reaffirmed that she stood by her words, stating that he is not a Public Relations representative for Nigeria.

However, in a post on his X page on Saturday, Shaibu said that despite bearing the name Kemi, it does not automatically make the UK lawmaker a Nigerian.

He asked the vice president to find something useful to do with his time instead of berating Badenoch.

He wrote: “Those criticizing @KemiBadenoch should pause for a moment of introspection. The mere fact that her name is Kemi or that she has Yoruba roots does not automatically render her Nigerian.

“After all, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus @gabrieljesus9 is not the son of God. @officialSKSM should find something useful to do with his time.”

Goodmarlian:
Them no invite helinues are yarimo despite all their hardwork choiiii this life never be a tool to your fellow human.

FG directs houses, land owners in Lagos to pay ground rents

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, on Friday, urged owners of Federal Government-owned lands and houses in Lagos State to remit their ground rent to the government’s coffer.

Dangiwa said this during a stakeholder-citizen engagement on land administration and a physical assessment of Banana Island, Osborne Phase One and Two, Park View/Foreshore Estates, and shorelines.

He said that the ministry planned to optimise its revenue collections by ensuring that all the occupiers of Federal Government assets pay their ground rent to enable it to improve on the facilities.

According to him, while the Federal Government is committed to renovating, safeguarding, and optimising the value of its assets nationwide, it will also enforce strict compliance with its land and estates administration laws.

Dangiwa said that the Ministry of Housing, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, had resolved to restore order in federal land and asset management.

“The Ministry is resolved to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the law regarding the control and administration of its assets to maintain order,” he said.

The minister directed the estate associations to stay within their limits, noting that they have the right to collect facility management fees based on agreement with the occupants of the estates.

He warned that whatever the occupants agreed to pay should be used to maintain the estates in terms of electricity, roads, and all other facilities they use in the estate.

“This is known to be the facility management fees, which all estates usually charge in order to maintain the estate, but they should not go beyond that to collecting ground rent from the occupants.

“The ground rent is meant for the federal government.

“If they are collecting it on our behalf, they should remit it fully; otherwise, we are going to engage our own staff to do it or engage consultants to do so on our behalf,” he said.

On the need for collaboration between the ministry and the Lagos state government in resolving land disputes, the minister said that both parties had agreed to form a joint committee.

He said that the committee was expected to resolve longstanding land issues and foster a coordinated approach to land administration across the state.

He said that the federal and Lagos state governments were in talks to harmonise payment of tax on its assets and land administration to address double taxation on owners of the Federal Government estates and lands.

"We are one government, and it is vital that we work as partners to ensure effective administration of Federal Government assets.

“Proper coordination will prevent exploitation by third parties and ensure compliance with the law,” he said.

Dangiwa said that the stakeholder engagement on land administration provided an opportunity to share insights and contribute to the Federal Government’s strategy for sustainable urban development.

He also said that the interactive session was a critical step toward improving land administration in Lagos and delivering on the ministry’s promise of affordable housing and urban development for all Nigerians.

He said the ministry was ready to address the myriad challenges affecting the estate and landowners, having understood their needs, concerns, and areas for improvement.

The minister expressed concern over the poor condition of federal assets and uncompleted housing projects, vowing to expedite their renovation, upgrade, and completion.

“We have resolved to optimise these facilities and put them to good use so that they can provide value to the government and Nigerians.

“Our aim is to fast-track the completion of housing projects to increase the stock of affordable housing for Nigerians in Lagos,” he said.

According to him, plans are underway to transform the Ministry of Housing field offices into modern, functional workspaces to boost staff productivity and enhance operational efficiency in Lagos.

Addressing irregular developments along the Lagos shoreline, Dangiwa reiterated the Federal Government’s authority over shoreline titles.

He warned developers who failed to comply with legal requirements of appropriate sanction.

“To curb these practices, the ministry issued a one-month ultimatum for all developers on shorelines to regularise their papers or risk having their properties revoked and demolished.

“We have observed numerous haphazard developments along the shoreline, where people have reclaimed and built on land without proper clearance or authorisation. This is unacceptable,” Dangiwa said.

The Nigerian Armed Forces on Thursday retired 656 senior non-commissioned officers, who have served for 35 years.

The retirees were celebrated in a colourful ceremony at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, following a six-month demilitarisation training programme designed to prepare them for civilian life.

The retirees included 535 personnel from the Nigerian Army, 86 from the Nigerian Navy, 35 from the Nigerian Air Force, and two from the Defence Intelligence Agency.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, paid tribute to the retirees, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the country’s peace and security.

“This training has equipped you with the knowledge and skills needed to transition seamlessly into civil life as resourceful managers, entrepreneurs, and contributors to national development,” Abubakar said.

Quoting the popular military saying, “Soja come, soja go, but barracks remain,” he reflected on the resilience of the armed forces and the enduring legacy of its members.

“The discipline, courage, and commitment that defined your careers will inspire future generations. As you move into civilian life, I urge you to uphold these values, becoming role models and ambassadors of the military profession in your communities,” he added.

The Air Chief encouraged the retirees to embrace the new chapter with confidence, reminding them that their training and experiences would ensure a successful transition.

NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Mamman, highlighted the centre’s role in preparing retiring officers for life after service.

“NAFRC has trained over 51,000 personnel, providing them with self-reliant and managerial skills to excel in civilian life,” Mamman said.

He urged the retirees to face the future with optimism.

“Do not fear the future. With the discipline and skills you have acquired, along with faith, you will enjoy a bright and prosperous future filled with long life, good health, and success,” Abubakar said.

Afe Babalola Should Not Allow Farotimi’s Case Define His Legacy – Effiong

Effiong was a guest on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has expressed concerns over the legal of legal icon Aare Afe Babalola in his alleged defamation case against lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi.

According to him, the nonagenarian Senior Advocate of Nigeria should not allow the case against Farotimi to define a legacy he has built for over six decades in the legal profession.

Effiong was a guest on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

He said, “The name Afe Babalola is an institution in this country. I don’t know if there’s a lawyer today older than him or a senior advocate. I mean he’s a father of senior advocates so I would have thought, and I say this with all sense of responsibility and humility, that at that age, he’s mindful of a sense of history and legacy.

“I don’t want this to define him. This case should not be his legacy. If I get to the age of 80, if God preserves my life and I get to the age of 80 and 85, I’ll be circumspect. It is not every offense that I’ll use a sledgehammer, that I will invoke institutions of state no matter how offensive what said was.”

Effiong said the offense of criminal defamation is not a serious offense. “I mean even if assuming you were to be convicted it’s not an offense that you will spend years in prison. One year, maybe two, so it’s not like a serious felony that you will spend 17 years so,” he said.

Last week, the police in Ekiti State arrested the lawyer and author at his Lagos office and bundled him to South-West state for prosecution.

The police arraigned the author for publishing a book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’ where he alleged that Afe Babalola corrupted the Judiciary and procured judgements in the Supreme Court. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all the sixteen counts levelled against him.

Effiong knocked the police for their harassment of Farotimi. “I’m not surprised that the police will do what they did. The police in Nigeria are incapable of reform. The police are not reformable and I said that without apology… The police in Nigeria has been privatised,” he said.

“I was reading a publication where the IG (Inspector General) is saying that the judiciary is sick and weak the same police that has made the judiciary sick and weak the same IG whose institution is not obeying court orders, is detaining Nigerians illegally? The police are the major culprit of the bastardisation of our judicial process, the bastardisation of our correctional service so we need to be careful.

“It looks like those who are going after Dele Farotimi are determined to vindicate him because if a man is coming out to speak in a very acerbic language about the institution that is a member, the judiciary, I would have thought that the same judiciary should be self-aware that it’s not only this person that is on trial and should be mindful to avoid anything that will give us a semblance of impropriety because if somebody is accusing the judiciary of wrongdoing,” he said.

You Can Remove 'Kemi' From Your Name – VP Shettima Accuses UK Party Leader Badenoch Of Denigrating Nigeria

He made the statement on Monday during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja.

Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has accused the newly elected leader of the United Kingdom Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, of disparaging her country of origin, Nigeria.

He made the statement on Monday during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja.

Shettima said, “Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party. We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.”

He further added, “She is entitled to her own opinions; she has even every right to remove the Kemi from her name but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is the nation called Nigeria.”

The Vice President highlighted Nigeria’s significance on the world stage, stating, “One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States, and will be the third most populous nation on earth.”

In his address, Shettima also emphasised the key role of migrants in shaping society and contributing to economic growth.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting migrant rights and celebrating their contributions to national development.

In 2022, Badenoch, a UK member of parliament of Nigerian descent, accused Nigerian politicians of misappropriating public funds.

Following her election as the UK Conservative Party leader in November 2024, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) reached out to her office but received no response, according to NIDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Developer jailed 10 years for defrauding 133 victims – LASRERA

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Housing, Bakarat Odunuga-Bakare, has disclosed that one developer had been jailed for defrauding 133 victims of N25m in the guise of rental payment.

She disclosed that at a press conference ahead of the 5th Lagos Real Estate Marketplace Conference and Exhibitions, themed “Reimagining the Lagos Landscape: Ensuring Sustainable Real Estate Development Practices”.

She said, “There have been sanctions. But for confidentiality purposes, I cannot disclose all details. However, to serve as a deterrent to others, I will provide examples. One such developer who lived in Ajao Estate, Ayobami Abdullahi Oseni, collected money from 133 people for one apartment. The total amount involved was about N25m.

“He eloped to America. His name was provided to Interpol, leading to his arrest upon his return to Nigeria. The Lagos State Regulatory Authority intervened, and this individual is now in prison. The government has taken possession of the said building, which is now being repurposed for Lagos homes for the populace to occupy.

“The individual has been blacklisted, struck off, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. So, after his sentence, he cannot practice real estate for whatever reason. Additionally, we have over 100 similar cases currently at the High Court, and we continue to work on resolving disputes and recovering funds where possible.”

She asserted that before the first quarter of 2025, the Tenancy Law of the state would have been revised to suit the request of the general populace of Lagosians at large.

She disclosed, “The attorney general is collaborating tirelessly with the assembly, and we anticipate that, by the first quarter of next year, the tenancy laws in Lagos State will be adjusted to reflect the needs of the general populace, because they were emphasising the percentage that agents charge.

“The law specifies that you cannot collect more than 10 per cent on rent, and 15 per cent on sales, but agents in Lagos have manoeuvered it and are doing what they like. However, agents in Lagos State have manoeuvered around this and have been doing as they please.

“I assure you that starting next year, any agent charging more than the stipulated rates by the law will be picked up and sanctioned. Once the laws are fully modified, approved, and passed by the House of Assembly, they will be published for public awareness. This will empower us to enforce these regulations more effectively.”

She further noted that one of the most pressing issues that must be tackled as a state was ensuring that the real estate industry remained transparent, accountable, and professional.

“This has made it clear that stronger regulatory frameworks are needed to safeguard the interests of both the public and private sector stakeholders. It is with this in mind that we continue to strengthen the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, which is charged with the responsibility of registering and regulating real estate practitioners in Lagos.

“By enforcing standards, monitoring compliance, and encouraging transparency, LASRERA ensures that only qualified professionals are involved in real estate transactions. This is essential in restoring confidence in the sector and ensuring that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past,” she explained.

According to Odunuga-Bakare, the 5th Lagos Real Estate Marketplace Conference will focus on key areas, such as innovation in housing solutions, sustainable building practices, regulatory reforms, and investment opportunities.

“The event will bring together an exciting lineup of speakers and panellists, including thought leaders, real estate developers, investors, policymakers, and regulators who will engage in deep, insightful discussions on these pressing issues.

“We believe that through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and a collective commitment to change, we can overcome the challenges facing the real estate sector. The conference will also serve as an opportunity for industry professionals to explore new business opportunities, learn from each other’s experiences, and contribute to shaping the future of real estate in Lagos,” she declared.

Adoption of AI must not replace Nigerian judges, Appeal Court president advises stakeholders

The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, has advised that the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) must never replace the work of a judge.

She also called for the careful utilization of AI in the Nigerian judiciary.

She gave this advice on Monday during the opening event of the Court of Appeal Justices 2024 Conference, attended by Nairametrics.

Dongban-Mensem highlighted that the emergence of social media has profoundly transformed the dynamics of interpersonal interaction, communication, and information dissemination, yielding significant improvements in the efficacy and scope of human connection.

However, she noted that the technological shift in the media has also generated a range of challenges for the judiciary, including “the management of online reputation, cyberbullying, and harassment.”

AI and Technology Usage in Nigerian Judiciary
Speaking further during her address, Dongban-Mensem said the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within the judiciary has the potential to revolutionize the administration of justice.

She added that AI has the capacity to enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and expand access to justice, but it also raises concerns that need to be carefully examined by relevant stakeholders.

She warned that judiciary stakeholders must never see or adopt AI as a tool for replacing judges.

“The preservation of the integrity of digital evidence in the context of legal proceedings is now a thing of concern. However, the deployment of AI in judicial contexts also raises profound questions regarding bias, transparency, and accountability. To address these issues, the judiciary must carefully examine its own utilization of AI and ensure that adoption is as an adjudicatory tool and not a replacement for the judge,” she said.

To effectively navigate the complexities of AI and social media, she emphasized that it is only appropriate for the judiciary to engage in regular intellectual upliftment.

“A regular examination of existing practices, procedures, and policies to ensure their efficacy, efficiency, and fairness in the digital age is imperative,” she added.

The judge stated that as the judiciary aspires to enhance the administration of justice, stakeholders should recognize the importance of collaboration and synergy among themselves.

More Insights
Speaking to the audience, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, acknowledged that challenges to judicial independence persist, citing political interference, public opinion (especially as perpetuated on social media), and even well-intentioned efforts to improve the justice system.

He urged the appeal court justices to remain vigilant and steadfast in their defense of judicial independence.

He pledged to uphold the principle of judicial independence and work tirelessly to ensure that the judiciary has the adequate resources and support it needs to carry out its vital functions.

“This does not in any way compromise judicial independence, as the Executive Branch remains a developmental and statutory partner in the administration of justice,” he added.

On her part, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, agreed that by leveraging technology to streamline case management or enhancing the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, the judiciary can improve efficiency and accessibility.

She admonished the judges to reaffirm their commitment to ethics and accountability, ensuring that their actions remain above reproach.

Seizing the moment to address the issue of conflicting decisions in the judiciary, she blamed it on certain panels of judges who do not hold conferences to discuss all reserved judgments.

“It is strongly recommended that conferences be held. I cannot overemphasize this point. We are an appellate court for a reason, and the reason is that several heads are better than one. So holding conferences, exchanging opinions and ideas on matters that come before us is extremely essential. We have presiding justices here, and if it has not been your practice, I want to appeal to you to start making it a practice. It is a very, very essential tool in the work that we do.”

“It is also important that these conferences are held in good time so that where there are conflicting opinions, they can be discussed before judgments are given,” she said.

She stressed that it is also important for appeal court justices to thoroughly examine the judgments of the trial courts and the reasons for those judgments before making final pronouncements on them.

The Enugu State Police Command said it would prosecute officers attached to the Awkunanaw Police Station, Garriki, who were accused of extorting a traveller in the state.

The victim’s brother had on Saturday raised the alarm on social media with the handle @Mr_Robmichael1 stating that the officers stopped an inter-state commercial bus his brother was in.

He alleged that his brother was thereafter kidnapped and taken to an unknown village where the sum of N1m was extorted from him.

“Nigerian police officers in Enugu kidnapped my younger brother, took him to an unknown village and took N1m from him, just now. POS collected 50k as pos charge,” he wrote.

Providing further update on the development, @Mr_Robmichael1 revealed that the police officers were identified as having informed the state Police Public Relations Officer, Dan Ndukwe, and also reported to the Divisional Police Officer.

He added that the money was recovered from the officers after visiting their station.

“Police officers identified. We are (at) the police station, MTD Police Station, Garriki, Enugu, waiting for the refund. Thanks to @DanNdukwe and DPO of MTD police station.

Thanks to DPO Awkunanaw Police Station, Mr. Chukwuegu Longinus, immediately I reported the case to him, he drove straight to the checkpoint and after identifying the officers involved, he mandated them to refund. Omoh, it’s a mess here in Nigeria. 1 million naira recovered from Nigerian Police officers attached to Awkunanaw Police station, MTD, Garriki, Enugu.”

Reacting, Ndukwe described the extortion as unacceptable, stressing that the officers would be made to face the music.

“This is totally unacceptable and as I had informed @Mr_Robmichael1 via phone after the recovery, refunding the money isn’t enough. The police officers involved will have to dance to the music they tuned on. We don’t have a place for this in the NPF,” Ndukwe wrote on the X platform.

PUNCH Metro reported in September that the Lagos State Police Command said it has begun the trial of four police officers accused of extorting N1m from three members of the National Youth Service Corps in the Surulere area of the state.

An X user, Oluyemi Fasipe, shared that the officers, from Area C Police Command in Surulere, allegedly extorted the sum of N1m from three members of the National Youth Corps members.

It was gathered that the corps members were stopped along the Surulere expressway before a group of officers surrounded their vehicle and started conducting a search. An argument ensued between the corps members and the officers before the vehicle was driven to Area C police station where the extortion was said to have taken place.

UK court reverses ruling, orders deportation of Nigerian man

A United Kingdom upper tribunal has reversed a previous ruling that stopped the deportation of 43-year-old Nigerian Olutobi Ogunbawo.

The decision comes after his wife, Maria Adesanya, claimed that in vitro fertilisation treatment was unavailable in Nigeria, a key argument in their defence.

Ogunbawo, convicted in 2019 for immigration offences related to conspiring with a British citizen to claim paternity falsely, had served a three-year prison sentence.

Following his release, he faced deportation proceedings. In January 2023, a first-tier tribunal judge ruled in his favour, citing the impact of deportation on his wife’s ability to conceive a child through IVF.

Maria testified that IVF, essential to their efforts to start a family, was not an option in Nigeria.

However, the secretary of state for the Home Department challenged this claim, arguing that the tribunal’s reliance on her testimony lacked supporting evidence.

The upper tribunal reviewed the case and, on November 4, 2024, ruled that the initial decision was flawed.

It was found that the first-tier tribunal judge failed to seek objective evidence to verify Maria’s assertion.

The upper tribunal noted that a simple internet search could confirm the availability of IVF services in Nigeria, undermining the couple’s argument.

The judgment criticized the earlier ruling, stating: “We conclude that the judge erred in exclusively relying upon Ms A’s (referring to Maria) personal evidence when finding as a fact that IVF treatment is unavailable in Nigeria,” the upper tribunal ruled, according to Daily Mail on Sunday.

The tribunal set aside the earlier decision and ordered the case to be reheard by a different judge.

“We observe the Secretary of State’s unchallenged assertion before us that even the most basic Google search reveals the existence of IVF treatment in Nigeria.

“The Secretary of State’s appeal is allowed to the extent that the decision of the First-tier Tribunal is set aside in its entirety.

“The appeal is to be remitted to the First-tier Tribunal to be heard by any judge other than First-tier Tribunal Judge Malone,” it added.

Lakurawa: Nigeria, neighbours begin offensive against new terror group

•DHQ vows to block security gaps as Nigeria, Chad, Niger hold joint military operations

The Nigerian Army and their counterparts in Chad, Niger, and other neighbouring countries have commenced joint patrols to contain cross-border threats posed by the Lakurawa terrorist group, fresh findings by The PUNCH have revealed.

The collaborative effort aims to restrict the movement of the group, which has been linked to heinous criminal activities in the northern part of Nigeria and its neighbours.

This was as the Sokoto State Government expressed frustration over the difficulty of containing the group due to its weak borders.

The Lakurawa group, affiliated with terrorists in the Sahel, particularly from Mali and Niger Republic, became a national security challenge after launching its first audacious attack on November 4.

Last month, The PUNCH reported that the new terror group set up camps in 10 Local Government Areas of Sokoto and Bauchi states before its operations became known to the public three weeks ago, Sunday PUNCH reports.

According to sources, members of the terror group initially established camps in villages bordering Nigeria and Niger Republic, including Gwanaguano, Mulawa, Wassinya, and Turigaic communities.

They eventually infiltrated Nigeria and set up camps in different communities, especially in Gudu and Tangaza LGAs of Sokoto in 2018.

The PUNCH learnt that they use Hausa, Fulfulde and Arabic languages in their preaching while they named their camp Dar-ul-Islam.

“Their ages are between 18 and 50 years. They have been attacking villages in Gudu, Tangaza, Illela, and other local governments to collect taxes, though they did not kill anyone until the recent Mera attack.

“They will count the number of cattle in their custody and calculate the tax based on the percentage which they will take from the cattle,” a community leader in Tangaza LG said.

A researcher with the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Dr Murtala Rufa’i, said the group had been planning to establish its caliphate for over 25 years.

He disclosed that the group had between 1,500 and 1,800 followers, including clerics and youths in the Tangaza and Gudu axis, the ancestral home of the Lakurawa leaders.

Rufa’i said the group was dislodged by combined security agents around 2020, but later regrouped in December 2023.

Lakurawa, according to the don, is a Mali-based group known in the Sahel as Jama’atu Muslimina, with members cutting across different tribes and sects.

He identified the leader of the group as Ahmadu Kofa, whose ancestors were originally Nigerians from a community called Kofa under the old Kebbi Empire.

Rufa’i said, “He is from Kofa. He has siblings like Ibrahim Kofa, Umar Kofa. They are presently in Mali, but their ancestors were Nigerians, from the Kebbi Empire.

“Their parents and grandparents like Umar Kofa and Sa’idu Kofa had all acquired their religious knowledge in a place called Balle, the present headquarters of Gudu LGA of Sokoto.”

He noted that the group lured locals with money, farm inputs, and pumping machines, adding that some of the people joined Lakurawa because of hunger.

In November, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters confirmed the emergence of the Lakurawa sect, operating primarily in Sokoto and Kebbi states.

This is after the group reportedly infiltrated northern Nigeria from Niger Republic and Mali, with their activities intensifying after the coup in Niger.

The group carried out its first major attack in Kebbi State, killing 17 residents and stealing dozens of cattle in the Mera community. Since then, they have continued to wreak havoc in the region.

On December 5, the Zamfara State Police Command Commissioner, Muhammed Dalijan, disclosed that members of the group were responsible for the recent explosion in the state.

Dalijan explained that the terrorists, while fleeing a military onslaught, planted a bomb under a bridge in the Birnin-Gwari forest. Tragically, the device detonated when a driver unknowingly drove over it.

“This Lakurawa, when they were dislodged by the Army in Sokoto and Kebbi, the rest of them who survived the military onslaught were trying to find new enclaves.

“As they were passing that village to Birnin-Gwari forest, they planted a bomb under a bridge. Then a motorist was passing and stepped on it. It exploded and killed the driver, and three other people were injured,” he said.

In response to the escalating threat, the Federal Government has planned to deploy additional military personnel to affected areas.

However, the terrorists, it was gathered, had exploited Nigeria’s porous borders to evade capture.

Speaking in an interview with one of our correspondents on the measures by the military to beef up the nation’s border, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, on Sunday, said the joint patrols would help block the loopholes that led to the penetration of the new sect.

He said, “Yes, we have commenced joint patrols with neighbouring countries to block the gaps that enable their penetration.”

Meanwhile, a senior military personnel in the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto also confirmed the security strategy, stating that troops from the division had established a temporary camp in some of the areas affected by Lakurawa.

The military officer told The PUNCH, “I am sure you know there is peace in those areas previously controlled by Lakurawa in the state, so that tells you that we are in control.”

He added that the Nigerian Army would ensure the state, especially those in Lakurawa-controlled areas, was secured.

Meanwhile, indications have emerged that the unending security challenges facing Sokoto State and its environment have been linked to several porous borders between the state and neighbouring Niger Republic.

A security expert in the state, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, confirmed that most of the insecure community in Sokoto shared border with either another state or country.

He said the porous border was one of the major reasons behind the rising and unending insecurity affecting the state.

“You see, the issue of Lakurawa and other security issues in our state have worsened due to the borders that are not secured.

“If you go to places like Illela, Gudu, Tangaza, and Gada, among others, they share borders with either the Niger Republic or other states. The strength of security personnel in the state cannot secure these border communities, which is why the problem keeps increasing.

“Our appeal is not just to the Nigerian Army or police to secure the borders but also to the newly established Sokoto Community Guard Corps to ensure there’s adequate security in these border communities. The local security guards must rise to expectations and contribute their quota to the affected areas.”

When contacted, the Special Adviser on Security matters to the Sokoto State Governor, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), said the state was doing everything possible to ensure peace returned to the troubled communities.

He said, “I can assure you that these Lakurawa guys have been dealt with; kudos to the troops of the Nigerian Army who have been doing a wonderful job.

“On the issue of fear, that is a constant thing especially for those people in those affected communities but with the report we are seeing now, we can see improvement.”

Speaking on the issue of porous borders, the retired military personnel confirmed it was part of the contributing factor, but assured that the security personnel were working on the issue.

Also, the district head of Gagi community, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabi, said the border had contributed in no small way to the issue of insecurity for long.

He advised the government, especially the Federal Government, to find a way to ensure the safety of all the land borders in the state.

He also commended security agents for their efforts in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere in the state.

I’m comfortable preaching on streets despite being a billionaire – Cosmas Maduka

Cosmas Maduka, an astute entrepreneur and Chairman of a renowned conglomerate—the Coscharis Group— in this interview with Tessy Igomu and Oghenovo Egodo-Michael, reflects on his career milestones guiding principles, and humble beginning as an apprentice in a small auto-parts shop to building a multi-billion-naira empire spanning automobile sales, agriculture, and manufacturing

You grew up in Jos, a city known for its pristine environment back then. How would you describe your childhood experiences there?

One of the highlights of my childhood was when my father would drive me to a white man’s bakery to buy bread. They were the bakers at the time. Jos was a beautiful place, and I vividly remember the cold weather.

I was only four years old when my father passed away, and life became rough as we had to return to the village. His death was another unforgettable moment for me.

I recall that after my father’s death, there was a festival at our house with masquerades and a large crowd. I remember the double-barrelled gunshots fired in his honour and how I ran around, picking up the empty shells. I grew up at a time when rice was considered a festive delicacy, but on that day, I ate so much rice that I wished the day would never end.

But amidst the celebration, I saw my mother, devastated and in tears. I couldn’t understand why she was so sad while everyone else seemed happy. Much later in life, I realised that it was my father’s funeral, but as a child, I didn’t comprehend the concept of death. Not long after, the civil war broke out.

Life became extremely tough after his death, especially with the war. Survival was a daily battle. I saw many children suffering from kwashiorkor.

At one point, we heard that Ojukwu had made arrangements to bring food supplies, but people had to queue to collect them. We called it “kwashiorkor food” because it was intended to provide a balanced diet for those suffering from malnutrition. Even basic necessities like salt were unavailable at the time.

My mother often said we needed to eat vegetables and protein to survive, but there was hardly any protein.

Everything with four legs became a source of protein, including rats and lizards, while any plant with leaves became a vegetable.

We had a bunker in front of our house, and sometimes, when the Nigerian fighter jets flew by, the alarm would sound and we would rush out to jump into the bunker.

A bunker, as it was then, was essentially a large hole dug in the ground and covered with the roots and leaves of palm trees.

Our houses were camouflaged to look like bushes because wherever houses were visible, bombs were dropped.

Many people around me lost their lives to those bombings. These were the memories that shaped the childhood of young people like me.

One day, we heard the war was over, and it brought an enormous sense of relief to everyone.

Can you share your journey into entrepreneurship?

It was after the war that an uncle came to the village and brought me to Lagos. He had a small shop that he managed. I was so small that my uncle thought I wouldn’t be able to lock the shop, so he would always lock me inside and go home.

I worked for my uncle for six years, after which he settled me with N200.

Under apprenticeship, nothing is negotiable. When he offered me the N200 as a settlement, my brother advised me not to accept it. I asked him if he had anything else to offer me back home, and when he said no, I questioned why he wanted me to refuse it.

That experience shaped my perspective, and it’s why I teach young people about mindset. It’s not what happens to you that defines you, but how you react to it.

A negative mindset does more harm than the event itself, but a positive mindset can turn difficulties into opportunities and challenges into success stories.

Because I knew Lagos very well, I would often travel here to buy merchandise and take it to Nnewi in Anambra State to sell. The company that truly inspired me was Leventis. Growing up, I would visit their store to purchase items and was always impressed by how organised they were, especially with their use of computers.

One of the days, before leaving my uncle, I was travelling with him on a night bus to buy merchandise, and as we passed the Leventis building, I pointed at it and said, “One day, I’m going to own a building like this.”

My uncle knocked my head, unable to understand how I could dream of such a thing at that age. But you see, this is the power of vision in anything one does. Vision is not about physical sight; it’s about what the spirit conceives—what you can imagine and see beyond the physical realm.

By the age of 15, I was very clear about what I wanted to achieve in life. I wrote down five goals I wanted to accomplish by the age of 25 on a piece of paper and placed it by my bedside.

Every night, I would look at those goals before going to sleep, and I would dream about things that aligned with them. It became like a ritual for me.

The first goal was to live in a three-bedroom apartment of my own by the age of 18.

The second was to get married by 20. The third was to have a male child by 21. The fourth was to own a car by 23. Finally, by 25, I wanted to become a millionaire. Whenever I interacted with people, I would assess how their words or actions aligned with these goals. If I didn’t see how they could support me in achieving any of those dreams, I would consider them a distraction and cut them out of my life. This caused people to say I was proud or arrogant, but that wasn’t the case—I was simply driven by my dreams.

I tell young people that living intentionally is key. To live intentionally, you must have honest conversations with yourself about where you want to be. The only way to fail is not to plan. You can’t just accept whatever life throws at you; you have to chart your own course and define what you want life to be.

I got married before the age of 20, and many people asked me why it was so important to me. It was important because, by 17, I already felt like a man. I knew that an unwanted child would be a distraction from my goals. However, God didn’t bless us with a child until I was 26.

By 22, I owned a car. I worked hard, planning for every goal I set for myself. Not everything you plan will happen exactly as you imagine, but writing down your goals allows you to monitor your progress, stay motivated, and focus on what to do next.

My mother was a dedicated Christian who made sure we prayed every morning, and this instilled a deep hunger for God in me. She once told me that I was a likeable person, which made it hard for anyone to say no to me. As a child, I believed her. Back then, I used to hawk akara (bean cakes), and I would always sell out and return for more. When I approached customers and they said “no,” I would hold onto their clothes and tell them my mum said nobody can say no to me. They would usually marvel at my confidence and eventually buy my akara.

This helped build my confidence, and as a child, I had the optimism that no doors would ever close before me.

I recall a time when my mother was in the car with me and my wife. I told my mother that time was running out for me, and she asked what I meant. I told her that in two years, I was going to be a millionaire. She said my boasting made her stomach turn and told me to stop the car. She warned me not to repeat what I said again, and if I did, she would get out of the car.

I stopped the car, rolled down the window, looked her in the face, and repeated it. My mother got out of the car, and my wife asked me if I was mad. I told her that if she wanted to be with my mother, I was ready to send her out of the car.

When you have a vision, you’re almost like a mad person. You become possessed by something in your soul that you truly believe. I acted in a way that seemed incredible because I felt like I was pregnant with my vision, and my mother wanted me to abort it. I was ready to protect that vision with everything in me.

True to my belief, by 24, I made my first $2 million, and the rest is history. I still live in the house I built when I was 25. I am a great believer in the power of vision.

There is nothing anyone sets out to accomplish and puts their mind to that is unattainable. Experience has shown me that with constant belief, hard work, and a solid plan, our visions are achievable.

Can you tell us about your educational background?

I didn’t have a formal education, but I educated myself. I believe the world is the biggest university one can attend. I started speaking English bit by bit, even though I didn’t go beyond the third grade in school. As people often say, practice makes perfect.

Before establishing Coscharis, you co-founded a brand called CosDave with a friend, which didn’t succeed. What were the key challenges you faced during that venture, and how did those experiences shape your approach to business later on?

In teaching young people, I often advocate partnerships, as two heads are better than one. However, before parting ways with David, I had been involved in three previous partnerships, and each time, ideological differences arose.

The Coscharis you see today is a partnership I formed with my wife, using parts of our names, Cosmas and Charity. It was after breaking up with David that I came up with this idea. David also did something similar with his wife and registered a company called DaveRose.

What are some of the biggest risks you’ve taken on your journey as a businessman?

I have taken quite a number of risks, but when you ask about the biggest, it’s relative. Some risks I took gave me good returns, like when I partnered the Nigerian government in 2003. No one in my company believed it was a good idea to provide the government with 1,000 units of BMW without payment.

It was a risk, but what makes you a visionary is your ability to see through risk and mitigate it.

However, if we’re talking about a risk that threatened my franchise, it was when I stepped in for a younger brother and got involved in a risky business that cost me millions of dollars and almost brought Coscharis to its knees.

What would you consider the breakthrough moment in your journey with Coscharis?

The breakthrough moment for me came in 1981 after I had incorporated Coscharis and applied for an import license under Coscharis Limited. This was one of the reasons my brother parted ways with me. I suggested we incorporate our company, but he felt we didn’t have enough funds for it. He believed that incorporation only made sense once we had made money.

Nevertheless, I applied for the license, and it was granted. We were number seven on the list, and it was a seller’s market. I was making over 300 per cent.

The first real break I had, however, came when I left Nnewi for Lagos to buy merchandise. I went to Bullocks, who represented Suzuki and bought some products from them, making over 100 per cent profit. When I bought the items, I would remove the address and sticker of Bullocks so no one would know where I was getting the merchandise from. I did this for a week and made so much money that I was able to buy myself a Honda 175. By the time people discovered it was coming from Bullocks, I had already made a fortune.

Based on your experience in entrepreneurship, would you still recommend apprenticeship to young people?

I am a strong advocate of apprenticeship. It is similar to mentorship, but the major difference is that in apprenticeship, you are fully working for that person, and they have authority over you. As a result, you can be punished if you don’t do what you’re supposed to. Apprenticeship teaches unprecedented discipline. You cannot afford to fool around because your success depends on completing the required number of years successfully.

It takes more than financial capital to succeed in business. Other factors, like social capital, are often more useful before cash.

Many believe they can achieve wonders once they have money, but they also need to learn how to position themselves properly so the funds are utilised effectively. Apprenticeship is an education in its own right, albeit informal.

Despite your business success, why didn’t you go into politics?

There is no reason for me to go into politics because I don’t have what it takes. I don’t even have a school certificate unless I want to fake one. However, I have highly educated people working with me, and I have sat on the boards of two publicly quoted banks.

I was also the chairman of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation for 16 years, during which I led Segun Toriola to beat the UK team in their home country, Manchester.

Additionally, I led the team to the Commonwealth Games in Australia, where we triumphed.

You once took your preaching to the streets of Lagos. How did the people around you respond to that?

Part of the rules of success is that you must be willing to be misunderstood. Once you try to fit into everyone’s will, you will never amount to anything in life. You must be purpose-driven. Some people have actually seen me as a controversial person because I live a purposeful life. I started evangelism before I turned 15 and bought a horn speaker with the first money I made.

If I reflect on it in the context of what it used to be, then I have backslidden, because before, I would go out in the morning to evangelise before doing anything else. Since this was part of my upbringing, I do it effortlessly.

The particular video that made the rounds on the internet was from an outreach in Makoko. A friend of mine was supposed to speak but wasn’t around, so I stepped into his shoes. Someone saw me, took the clip, and forwarded it to the friend I stood in for. He posted it on Facebook, and it went viral. It was never planned.

I wasn’t a rich man who became a Christian; rather, I was a Christian who became rich. My Christian values and principles come first in my life and drive me. I am comfortable going to the street to preach the gospel.

What is your view on pastors who share controversial messages from the pulpit, outside of the gospel of salvation?

Frankly speaking, we cannot say all Nigerian money is counterfeit, because there are some fake naira notes. It takes the original to identify a counterfeit. I don’t understand why people think there won’t be fake ministers in the gospel, and when there are, they claim the whole gospel is fake.

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. I remind myself every day that whatever God trusts me with in Coscharis is not my money. I am a steward, and I will be held accountable. When I decide to spend money, I must ask myself, “What impact is this money making on the kingdom?”

What was the nature of your relationship with Ifeanyi Ubah, and were you able to resolve your differences before his death?

Absolutely. One of my in-laws, Dozie, brokered a meeting, and Ifeanyi knelt down before me and my wife and apologised. I told Ifeanyi that I would no longer discuss the matter, and from that day, it was all over.

When he passed away, I attended his funeral against the wishes of my family. I went and even spoke at his tribute. I said it was not that we were trivialising what happened, but I had moved on with my life. One cannot drink poison and expect another person to die.

Bitterness and anger are poisons, and 90 per cent of cancer comes from the pressure of bitterness that one harbours in the heart. You don’t forgive people for their own interests; you forgive them for your own good. If God extends grace to us, we must remember to extend it to others.

Since his passing, how has your relationship with his family evolved?

I was speaking at an event when my son called to tell me about his death. I didn’t believe it, so I called his wife, and she answered the phone. Even though she was still in London, she explained what happened to me. I encouraged her afterwards.

If there had been any issues, she wouldn’t have picked up my call.

How do you identify and nurture talents within your organisation?

We continue to hunt for talents, but nothing comes easy. We have a culture of training people and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in them.

We deliberately encourage people not to work here until they’re 60 and retire with a golden handshake. When you work for someone, don’t just stay idle after hours or engage in unproductive activities. Use that time to think about how you can add value to yourself. Your job won’t make you wealthy, but your work can. Your work is where you deploy your gift, and there’s no one without talent. However, when you’re at your job, give it your all. Remember, money is an exchange of value.

Salary is a remedy for poverty, but it doesn’t cure it. You need a cure, and that comes when you deploy yourself and get creative.

What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?

I would tell them not to be overly excited just because they are young. You build yourself when you’re young. Starting early allows you to make mistakes, learn from them, and rise again.

If you wait until you’re older, the consequences of mistakes will be much greater. The man who built Kentucky Fried Chicken was on the verge of suicide under a tree when he asked himself if there was anything else he could do. He realised he could fry chicken, so he went home and gave it a try. He started frying and delivering chicken to homes, becoming a US billionaire at 88— but what is left for him at that age?

At a young age, you must captivate your mind. Energy is powerful, and so is a focused mind. When you channel that energy into creativity, you will be amazed. A positive mindset is also essential.

If you could accomplish one more thing in your lifetime, what would it be?

If I could accomplish one more thing in my life, it would be exactly what I am doing now—to die empty. I do not want to take any gift that God has placed in me to the grave.

Many people have gone to their graves with their gifts, all because of procrastination. That’s why I always encourage young people to take positive action. The worst thing you can do to yourself is nothing.

Outside of work, how do you unwind?

I am a biker and love riding my power bikes. You may have seen me on the road without realising it. Whenever I’m less busy, I take my bike out for a ride. I have different types, including BMW, Suzuki, Bugatti, and Sport 1.

I rode my bike just a few days ago. I usually wear my crash helmet and complete riding gear. So, you might pass by and not recognise me.

Occasionally, I take my daughter on a ride on the Third Mainland Bridge to help ease her fear.

People often ask if I fear anything, but fear is necessary for courage to exist. You must confront your fears.

Botragelad:
It's finally going down! These rebels are on the verge of taking over Damascus. The city's completely encircled, and Assad's soldiers are trying to blend in and escape in their thousands. They're surrendering left and right, while Russia and Iran are scrambling to evacuate their bases in Syria 'cause they're scared of getting killed. Lol

Meanwhile, people are trying to leg it outta the country, especially Assad's loyalists, but flights are getting cancelled, and Assad himself is on a flight to who-knows-where, LOL! He's trying to avoid gettin' the Gaddafi treatment.

Now, let this be a lesson to everyone :Russia ain't no reliable ally, they're just a bunch of noisemakers who can't even put up a proper fight

And, by the way, if you're supporting Assad, who's been killing thousands of his own people, but then you're condemning Netanyahu for defending his people against terrorists, then you're a bloody hypocrite.

You can't be supporting Assad and then hating those rebels who claim to be fighting for their land, at the same time cheering on Hamas terrorists for fighting for something that was never theirs!

Yuletide: Cash scarcity bites harder as banks shun CBN threat

Days after the Central Bank of Nigeria ordered Deposit Money Banks to guard against artificial cash scarcity in the country, findings by Sunday PUNCH revealed that the trend still persists in some parts of the country.

In a circular dated November 29, jointly signed by Acting Directors Solaja Olayemi (Currency Operations) and Isa-Olatinwo Aisha (Branch Operations), the CBN outlined measures aimed at improving cash availability.

According to the circular, the CBN directed banks to ensure efficient cash disbursement through both Automated Teller Machines and over-the-counter channels, warning of penalties for non-compliance.

The apex bank also urged customers experiencing challenges to report incidents with details such as account name, bank name, transaction amount, and date. Dedicated phone numbers and email addresses were released for Nigerians to report difficulties accessing cash.

However, as of Friday, Nigerians in some major cities told Sunday PUNCH that they still experienced significant difficulty obtaining sufficient cash over the counters and at ATMs in some commercial banks.

An Abuja resident, who declined to be named, said his bank only dispensed N5,000 over the counter on Friday.

When asked whether this was a bank-wide directive, she stated that it might be due to the limited cash available, adding that customers were often advised to use ATMs.

He said, “As of Friday, it was just N5,000. But if the ATM is loaded, you can withdraw as much as it dispenses. That’s probably all the bank could afford on Friday. Most times, customers are advised to use the ATM, which dispenses fresh mints.”

Similarly, a United Bank for Africa customer in Abuja said his bank dispensed N20,000 over the counter, while ATMs dispensed N20,000 to customers and N10,000 to customers of other banks as of Friday.

A Zenith Bank official in Delta State revealed that their branch paid a maximum of N20,000 to customers, both over the counter and through ATMs.

“It’s N20,000 maximum. The ATM also dispenses N20,000,” she stated.

A Lagos resident, Tunde Ajiboye, shared on Facebook that he withdrew N20,000 from a GTBank ATM in Ikorodu and later withdrew another N30,000 over the counter at Lotus Bank, also in Ikorodu, on Friday afternoon.

In Akure, Ondo State, the cash crunch was also pronounced. A resident, Oluwaseyi Oluwalade, said he visited an ATM terminal in Akure but couldn’t withdraw any cash.

“I rushed to a PoS operator, but I still didn’t get cash. I was asked to make a transfer, which I did on Friday, but I could only collect the cash on Saturday afternoon,” he lamented.

Another Akure resident, Adeniyi Samuel, who works for OPay, confirmed complaints from PoS operators about insufficient cash in banks.

“Many of our operators rely on filling station attendants or BDC operators to get cash because banks give very little over the counter or at ATMs,” he explained.

In Imo State, residents also decried withdrawal limits.

A resident, who asked to be identified only as Onyekachi, said, “We cannot withdraw more than N20,000 in the banking hall. You spend so much time, only to be given a maximum of N20,000. It’s frustrating.”

A similar scenario unfolded in Abia State, where banks limited withdrawals to between N5,000 and N20,000. ATMs dispensed as little as N5,000 to non-customers and N10,000 to customers.

In Kwara, residents also struggled to access cash.

Ibrahim Taiwo, a resident of Ilorin, said banks paid a maximum of N10,000 over the counter and N40,000 at ATMs. He noted that PoS operators increased their charges by N50 across withdrawal amounts.

In Osun and Oyo states, withdrawal limits varied between N10,000 and N50,000, depending on the bank and location.

Reacting to the situation, a source at the CBN accused some banks of favouring high-end customers by giving them bulk cash at the expense of ordinary Nigerians. The source assured that the CBN was committed to penalising erring banks.

However, a banker in Ogun State accused the CBN of being insincere, claiming, “The amount given to us is not enough to load ATMs for two days.”

A Polaris Bank staff member in Lagos linked the scarcity to the naira redesign policy under former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele. He noted that the policy destroyed old naira notes but failed to replace them with adequate new notes, leading to persistent scarcity.

“People are skeptical about depositing money in banks, fearing a repeat of last year’s issues. This is affecting the availability of cash,” he concluded.

The National President of Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, Fasasi Atanda, accused petrol stations, supermarket operators, traders, and other businesses that handle large volumes of cash daily of contributing to the current cash scarcity.

Atanda alleged that instead of depositing their cash earnings into banks as expected, those entities hoarded the money and sold it at inflated rates to cash dealers.

“There is no reason for cash scarcity if there are no saboteurs. There is cash commoditisation. Today, we have saboteurs who are dealing in the sale of cash. They sell cash in bulk; they have their sources, and they buy in bulk and sell. What you can’t get in the banks, you will get from cash dealers.

“We are aware of petrol stations, restaurants, supermarket operators, and others selling their cash instead of depositing it in banks.

“People often wrongly accuse agents of selling cash. Agents are not selling cash, we are servicing the people and the charges are for the cost of data and transportation. In reality, if the government can take care of these costs, agents can render their services free of charge,” Atanda said.

He urged the CBN to engage PoS operators as official agents of cash distribution, adding that this would address the challenge of cash scarcity in the country.

The acting Director of Corporate Communications for the CBN, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, did not respond to calls and a text message sent to her phone as of press time.

Buckingham Varsity VC Suspended Over Nigerian Wife’s Allegations Of Affair, Misconduct

A Nigerian entrepreneur, Cynthia Tooley, has emerged as a central figure in the suspension of the University of Buckingham Vice Chancellor, Professor James Tooley, over allegations of a controversial overseas relationship.

Tooley, who denies the allegations, was suspended from his £229,000-a-year role in October following accusations linked to a romantic involvement with a 25-year-old Indian woman, reports UK’s Daily Mail on Thursday.

Cynthia reportedly raised the alarm by submitting the young woman’s diaries, which detailed the alleged relationship, to university authorities.

The mother of two was said to have married the British academic in February 2022 after a whirlwind romance.

However, the couple reportedly separated during the summer, leading to a breakdown in their relationship and communication via lawyers.

The controversy began on October 11, when Cynthia alerted the university about the alleged relationship.

This prompted an emergency meeting, resulting in the professor’s suspension and the launch of an independent inquiry into the claims.

In addition to the allegations about the relationship, Cynthia reportedly accused her estranged husband of possessing a “suspicious object” at his official residence.

Police were called to the property and removed a junior air rifle, but no further investigation followed.

University authorities confirmed the suspension in a letter to students, stating that “serious allegations” had been made against the vice-chancellor.

The letter emphasised that an independent inquiry was underway to verify the claims.

Through his lawyers, Tooley described the allegations as “baseless and malicious,” expressing confidence in being vindicated.

He refrained from further comments, citing the ongoing investigation.

The Indian woman at the centre of the allegations defended Tooley, saying, “He was kind and thoughtful and always treated me with respect. Anyone who reads my diaries can see I was in love with him.”

She clarified that the relationship began when she was 25 and insisted that there was no illegal conduct.

The University of Buckingham has appointed an interim leadership team, including Chief Financial Officer David Cole, Chief Administrative Officer Chris Payne, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Harriet Dunbar-Morris, to oversee operations during the investigation.

Cynthia, who once resided with Tooley at Ondaatje Hall, the Vice Chancellor’s official residence, has since moved out.

The couple’s fallout has drawn significant media attention, given their high-profile roles and publicised relationship.

NSCIA asks FG to revoke Oyedepo’s airstrip licence

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has asked the Federal Government to revoke the airstrip licence given to the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, founded by Bishop David Oyedepo.

The council’s call is contained in a communique issued at the end of the 10th meeting of the Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC) held at the Abuja National Mosque.

Daily Trust reports that in October, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), announced the granting of the licence to the Living Faith Church for the construction of a private airstrip.

Keyamo said the airstrip would be managed by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), leading to controversies on the matter.

But members of the House of Representatives, to call for the revocation of airstrip licences issued to certain individuals and private organisations, citing security reasons.

Also in its communique, NSCIA described the licence as an aberration of the highest order that could threaten the peace and security of the country.

The council also recommended five new imams for the Abuja National Mosque in the communique signed by Prof. Salisu Shehu, Deputy Secretary-General, NSCIA said.

The meeting, which was presided over the President-General of NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, was attended by Muslim leaders across the country including the Deputy President General, NSCIA (South), Alh. Rasaki Oladejo; Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; Secretary General of NSCIA, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede; Deputy Secretary General of NSCIA, Prof. Salisu Shehu; Secretary-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Prof. Khalid Abubakar; and Executive Secretary of Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), Prof. Muslih Yahaya, among others.

It decried the non-recognition of Muslim marriage certificates by certain authorities within and outside Nigeria, thereby compelling Muslim couples to supplement valid Islamic Marriage certificates with official marriage certificates — “conditions of which are not in conformity with the Shariah.”

The council therefore decided to renew efforts in addressing the unwarranted discrimination

It reaffirmed its 1986 resolution that the only accredited agency for organising national musabaqah (national competition on Qur’anic recitation), on behalf of the Ummah of Nigeria, is the Centre for Islamic Studies, University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto).

“No other person or group of persons is allowed to hijack the process or undermine the authority of the Centre on the issue of the musabaqah,” the council said.

Northern leaders set up committee to review Tinubu’s tax reform bills

A former Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, and some elite members of the League of Northern Democrats, on Friday, announced that they have set up a technical committee to review the four tax reform bills before the National Assembly.

The move was revealed in a statement issued in Abuja by the league spokesman, Ladan Salihu.

In the past few weeks, the controversial bills have pitched the 36 state governors against the Federal Government, with the former calling for the withdrawal of the bills to create room for more consultation.

In the same vein, Borno Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum caused a stir two days ago when he called on his colleagues and Northern stakeholders to reject the bills, insisting that the bills will damage the region’s economy if implemented.

Similarly, a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has called for transparency and fairness in the ongoing review of the tax reform bills.

But Salihu explained that the position of the LND was taken following the outrage and allegations that have continued to trail the introduction of the bills.

The League spokesman who identified the committee members as Northern experts in law, accounting, legislation and academia, stated that they have been given one week to conclude a comprehensive review of the bills.

The statement partly read, “At the conclusion of its assignment, the committee will publicly present its findings in an electronic and tabular format, effectively communicating its recommendations to policymakers, legislators, the media and the Nigerian public.

“The LND assures the public of our confidence in the committee’s ability to produce thorough and well-reasoned recommendations. These will aim to maximize benefits for all Nigerians, ensuring that the tax reforms support sustainable development and equitable economic growth across the nation.

“We urge Nigerians to stay tuned for LND’s public presentation, which will provide clear insights into the bills and our proposed policy position. The League of Northern Democrats remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for policies that foster justice, prosperity and unity in Northern Nigeria and the country at large.

The League of Northern Democrats was convened in early 2024 by an elder statesman, Dr Umar Ardo.

After it was launched at an event attended by critical Northern elites in Abuja, the group appointed Shekarau as its protem chairman and former House of Reps member, Emmanuel Jime as secretary amongst other eminent Northern Nigerians.

The League also invited a one-time Military Governor of Kwara State, Lieutenant General Alwali Kazir; a former Chief of Army Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (retd) and former Vice President Namadi Sambo into its fold.

Tinubu’s wife donates N50m to JABU best female graduates

The wife of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated ₦50 million to Joseph Ayo Babalola University as an endowment fund.

The announcement was made during the university’s 15th convocation ceremony on Friday, where Tinubu was represented by Ekiti State First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji.

Tinubu also received an honorary doctorate at the event.

She said, “Today in my pursuit and support of education, I hereby donate a sum of N50 million as an endowment fund to the overall best female graduating students of Joseph Ayo Babalola University.

“The overall best student today is a female and would be a beneficiary of the money.”

However, in his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Dr Joash Amupitan, said the school had decided to spread the N50 million across 10 years in a way that each overall best female graduating student would be offered N5 million each year for 10 years, beginning from this year, courtesy of Tinubu’s N50 million endowment fund.

The Pro-Chancellor stated, “Each year, the recipient will receive N5 million, a generous initiative sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu. This award, aptly named the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Prize for Academic Excellence, underscores our dedication to recognising and rewarding outstanding achievement.

“I am pleased to announce that this year, the overall best-graduating student is a female—a testament to the remarkable strides women are making in education. Furthermore, I must commend the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has already credited the university’s account with an impressive N50 million to support this noble cause.”

Addressing the graduating students, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Olaosebikan Fakolujo, admonished them to be good ambassadors of the varsity and make a positive impact on the development of the institution.

The don said, “I like to congratulate all graduates of today and to rejoice with you for attaining the important milestone in your pursuit of university education.

“I am sure that you will be good ambassadors of JABU and make positive contributions to the growth and development aspirations of Nigeria. My charge to you is to continue to imbibe the motto and spirit of the university, ‘For Knowledge and Godly Service.'”

At the ceremony, the VC disclosed that a total of 626 students of the institution were conferred with first degrees while 114 students graduated at the postgraduate level.

Giving the breakdown of the category of degrees, Fakolujo said, “Out of these 626 graduands, 50 made first-class honours, 290 in the second-class upper division, 215 in the second-class lower division, 67 made third class and four graduated with pass.

According to top sources, he died following excessive torture and alleged inhumane treatment.

The detained President-General of Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Pa James Achovwuko Oghoroko is dead.

Oghoroko, one of the community leaders arrested by the Nigerian military since August 2024, reportedly died in the military detention on Wednesday, SaharaReporters reliably gathered.

According to top sources, he died following excessive torture and alleged inhumane treatment.

News of Pa Oghoroko's death was broken on Thursday by leaders of Okuama at an emergency meeting of the Community.

The community leaders also decried that another detained leader, "Pa Dennis Okugbaye, is presently battling with a life-threatening ailment in the undisclosed military facility".

SaharaReporters learnt that the news of Pa Oghoroko's death has thrown the entire Okuama community into mourning.

SaharaReporters had reported that Pa Oghoroko, the President General of Okuama community was arrested between August 18 and 20, 2024 alongside Prof Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Okugbaye, Pa Anthony Ahwemuria and Mrs Rita Akata, and all of them have remained in an unknown detention facility till now.

The Okuama community, had in August this year, through their lawyers filed suit No: FHC/WR/CS/84/2024 between James Oghorokor and other versus the Nigerian Army and two others "demanding N100million for their illegal detention".

The community had earlier, on the heels of the demolition and destruction of Okuama community after the killing of 17 soldiers, approached the Federal High Court, Warri, through their lawyers led by Chief Albert Akpomudje SAN and others, to seek redress.

The community through their learned Counsel filed Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/41/2024, FHC/WR/CS/42/2024, and FHC/WR/CS/42/2024, the suits are now being consolidated.

At its last sitting on 20th November, 2024, the Federal High Court had adjourned the bail application of the arrested leaders to the 9th December, 2024 to hear the motion.

However, before the return date, one of the Claimants, Pa Oghoroko, was said to have given up the ghost on Wednesday, 4th December, 2024 in the military detention without being charged to court since their arrest in August.

Meanwhile, Chief Albert Akpomudje SAN, who is leading the community's legal team has described the news of the PG's death as "disturbing", adding that he "will meet with the family members and his team to know what steps to take next".

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