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Presidential pardon still under review — FG

The Federal Government has clarified that no inmate has been released under the recent Presidential Prerogative of Mercy exercise, noting that the process is still undergoing final administrative review.

PUNCH Online reported that President Bola Tinubu recently granted a pardon to Sir Herbert Macaulay, as well as 174 others, following approval by the Council of State.

Among the beneficiaries are notable figures such as Ken Saro-Wiwa, the environmental activist, and Major General Mamman Vatsa, who was executed in 1986 for alleged coup plotting.

The pardon list also includes Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, and other inmates whose sentences were commuted or reduced, and ex-convicts deemed eligible by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

However, in a statement on Thursday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the exercise remains at the stage of verifying and reviewing the list of beneficiaries before the issuance of formal instruments of release.

Fagbemi explained that although the Council of State had approved recommendations for clemency, the final stage requires a detailed review to ensure all names comply with legal and procedural standards.

“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to clarify that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of the President’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released from custody.

“The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued,” the statement read.

He noted that the issuance of the instrument of implementation marks the last phase of the process, after which the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service will be authorised to act.

According to the AGF, the review phase is part of standard protocol and demonstrates the government’s commitment to transparency, due diligence, and the rule of law.

Fagbemi commended the public for its interest and scrutiny of the exercise, describing such engagement as evidence of Nigerians’ commitment to justice and good governance.

“There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy,” he said.

The minister assured that the public would be duly informed once all legal and procedural checks are completed.

“As soon as all legal and procedural checks are concluded, the public will be duly informed. The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness,” he added.

Delta LGA bans okada, keke riders from wearing face masks

The Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State has issued new operational guidelines for commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, banning the use of face masks while on duty.

According to a statement signed and released by the Secretary of the Local Government Council, Hon. Raymond Overah, the directives are part of efforts to maintain peace, order, and effective transportation management within the area.

The statement, made available to journalists in Warri on Tuesday, stated that the new rules would take effect 30 days from now and would be strictly enforced.

“The operation time for okada riders is now restricted to 6:00 am – 8:00 pm daily. Every rider must wear a reflective vest with a clearly written Area Code Number,” the statement read in part.

“Any okada rider found wearing face masks while on duty shall be arrested immediately,” it added.

For tricycle operators, the council fixed operational hours between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily. It also directed that “no passenger shall enter any keke without a visible and valid VIO Number boldly displayed on the body,” and that “keke covers must be properly tied, especially during rainfall.”

The council warned that any okada or keke operator arrested for violating the directives “shall be detained for seven days.”

It further cautioned that “any person caught stealing within the ATP premises shall be shot on sight,” urging all operators, unions, and residents to comply fully with the new measures.

In a related crime case, Operatives of the Delta State Police Command had arrested four suspected armed robbers and suspected drug peddlers in Asaba, the Delta State capital, PUNCH Metro learnt on Sunday.

The spokesperson for the command, SP Bright Edafe, stated this in a statement in Asaba, the state capital.

He said, “On October 1, 2025, the DPO B Division Asaba, CSP Edewor Akponegware, led his surveillance team in a swift response to a distress report about a robbery incident around the BONSAAC area of Asaba, where a female victim was robbed at gunpoint by two male suspects.

Lagos dismisses demanding N700m bribe to stop demolition

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has dismissed reports that the Ministry demanded payments from property owners to stop the demolition of houses at Oral Estate, Ikota.

The commissioner was reacting to a viral video wherein a woman was heard saying Wahab and other officials from the ministry had agreed to stop the demolition after requesting ₦1 billion and later settled for N700 million.

She said, “Thank God for today. We have peace of mind. We’re not hearing an excavator tearing people’s houses down, people crying. The Commissioner, Ministry of Environment came and we had an agreement that my estate is going to pay N1 billion for shit piling, It ended in N700 million for shit piling. My estate is trying to gather the money and give them this month.”

However, in a statement posted to his official social media accounts on Sunday, the commissioner said neither he nor any official from the ministry requested or received money, “whether ₦1 billion, ₦700 million, or a single kobo.”

He described the video as a deliberate attempt to blackmail the government and a dangerous distraction from efforts to prevent flooding and protect Lagos residents.

He said, “My attention has been drawn to a circulating video containing false and malicious allegations that the Ministry demanded money from property owners to pause the ongoing removal of structures on drainage setbacks at Oral Estate, Ikota.

“I must state categorically that these claims are entirely false and a deliberate attempt to blackmail the government.

“Neither I nor any official from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has ever requested nor received any payment, whether ₦1 billion, ₦700 million, or a single kobo, from any property owner.”

Wahab explained that “the operation to clear the Right of Way and Setbacks to different channels, and canals of illegal obstructions is a public safety imperative, and it has not been paused for any form of negotiation or payment. Our work continues.

“This propaganda is a dangerous distraction from our critical mission to prevent flooding and protect the majority of Lagosians.”

He added that the ministry takes the defamatory allegations “with the utmost seriousness” and will pursue the matter through the courts.

“We shall be pursuing this matter legally, and the individual behind these claims will be required to provide proof to the appropriate authorities,” the commissioner said.

The denial comes amid visible enforcement action in parts of Ikota and neighbouring estates, where government teams have removed structures found within river setbacks and drainage corridors, actions Wahab said are necessary to prevent recurrent seasonal flooding.

The state ministry of environment has warned residents against entertaining intermediaries or paying money to forestall statutory enforcement.

NAFDAC shuts two Chinese supermarkets, shops in Abuja

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut two Chinese supermarkets located in the Jabi District and eight cosmetics shops at Wuse Market, Abuja, for flagrant violations of extant laws governing the sale, distribution, and labelling of regulated products in Nigeria.

NAFDAC disclosed this in a press statement on Friday, signed by the Deputy Director of Public Relations/Protocol, Adegboyega Osiyemi.

The agency said, “Acting on the directive of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the enforcement team confiscated and evacuated offending products worth over N170m.”

NAFDAC officials are sealing one of the shops in Abuja. Credit: NAFDAC.

It noted that the enforcement exercise was carried out by the NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement Directorate and members of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Substandard Medicines and Unwholesome Processed Foods in Abuja, led by the Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, Musa Embugushiki.

“The supermarkets, situated on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street in Jabi District, Abuja, were sealed following credible consumer complaints and subsequent surveillance by the NAFDAC Enforcement Team, which revealed that the operators were engaged in the sale of unregistered food items and products labelled exclusively in the Chinese language, contrary to NAFDAC’s mandatory labelling policy requiring English translations for the Nigerian market and regulatory understanding.

“Despite initial resistance and denials by the foreign national at Ebitu Street that the supermarket had yet to commence operation, the enforcement team confirmed that the outlet was in full operation and selling unregistered regulated products.

“In a related operation, eight cosmetics shops within Wuse Market were also sealed for the sale of banned, expired, and unregistered cosmetics, aphrodisiacs, and aesthetic medicines.

“Investigations revealed that certain individuals had been illegally presenting themselves as dermatologists and pharmacists, prescribing and selling harmful products to unsuspecting consumers under the guise of body enhancement, skin whitening, aesthetic improvement for women, and manpower for men,” it stated.

NAFDAC highlighted that some of the cosmetics products seized include Wenicks Capsules, Maxman Capsules, Boobs Enlargement, Curvy Weight Gain, Skin Whitening Vitamin Gummies, Collagen, Royal Jelly, Glutathione Whitening Gummies, White Doll, Dr. Gallery Plus, Maiz Zaki Syrup, Original Herbal Yellow Fever, Sickle Cell Medicine, Dr. Nafisa Herbal Medicine, Dynewell Syrup, White Blinks, among others.

It said Prof. Adeyeye reiterated the agency’s mandate to protect the health of Nigerians against exposure to dangerous chemicals and toxic substances, which are linked to serious health risks, including skin cancer, kidney damage, irritability, and memory loss.

“The agency hereby reaffirms its commitment to enforcing compliance with NAFDAC regulations and advises Nigerian consumers to patronise only products duly registered by NAFDAC.

“Foreign nationals and investors intending to import or market products in Nigeria are advised to visit NAFDAC offices nationwide for product registration and regulatory guidance,” it added.

SDP NEC dissolves Gabam-led NWC, secretary faults process

The internal crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party took a dramatic turn on Friday as the party’s National Executive Committee dissolved the National Working Committee led by the suspended National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, over the lingering crisis rocking the party.

The decision was announced at an emergency NEC meeting held in Abuja and presided over by the party’s National Financial Secretary, Ibrahim Biu.

“The NWC, by this resolution, stands dissolved. We hereby nominate the following persons to take charge of the affairs of our great party, and to move the party forward,” he declared.

The new interim leaders announced include “Adamu Modibo (National Chairman), Abubakar Dogara (Deputy Chairman), Ekpeyong Ambo (National Secretary), Joseph Abu (National Organising Secretary), and Chief Solsuema Osaro (National Legal Adviser).

“Others are Judith Shuaibu (National Publicity Secretary), Ibrahim Biu (Financial Secretary), and Eluwa Ifeanyi (National Youth Speaker).”

Biu told journalists that it was unfortunate the NEC took such a drastic measure following failed attempts to resolve the internal crisis.

“In the last couple of months, our party, unfortunately, was engulfed in a leadership crisis. You are fully aware, somehow, that the party has been factionalised.

“A group loyal to the National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, suspended the National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, on allegations of misappropriation and fraud.

“On the other hand, the national chairman debunked those allegations and equally considered the so-called appointments made by the group of the secretary as illegal. “That resulted in a kind of scuffle to the extent that the two groups clashed at the National Secretary of SDP. That created a crisis that security operatives had to intervene”, Biu stated.

Continuing, he noted that despite efforts by the NEC to reconcile the factions, the crisis has severely damaged the party’s image and progress.

“This has seriously affected our supporters, and we felt all the efforts we put in the last three years, since our last convention in 2022, somehow, because of this crisis, seem to be lost. And we cannot afford it. We have put in so much effort to build this party to this level. It’s for this reason that we decided to say, let’s come together.

“If the leadership of the party are not ready to provide a remedy to this situation, then you, NEC members, especially at the state should come together and see what we can do so that we can restore the confidence and trust of our teaming supporters,” he said.

In a related development, the NEC also announced SDP’s withdrawal from any form of alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s coalition, which includes the African Democratic Congress.

Addressing journalists, the Deputy Chairman, Abubakar Dogara, clarified the party’s position.

He said, “Recently, there was this issue of coming together of major political stakeholders in the country and some political parties to form a coalition, which SDP was part of in the initial stage.

“But later, the person who represented SDP in that coalition meeting explained to the coalition that SDP are still contesting the by-elections across our 12 states and that the party was not ready to lose its identity. So the party decided to remain as SDP for the time being.

“Stakeholders were engaged later, and everybody agreed that the party should remain as an individual political party. Therefore, the SDP is not part of the coalition. So we will be contesting in the 2027 general elections with our presidential candidates and vice presidential candidates.”

Meanwhile, the embattled National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, has rejected the dissolution of the NWC, insisting the action holds no legal weight.

Agunloye disclosed this in a statement released in the wake of the NWC dissolution on Friday.

According to him, the NEC members were loyalists of the other faction carrying out a hatchet job.

He said, ‘This is to let members of the National Executive Committee of our great Party know that the National Working Committee at its meeting passed a resolution, dissociating itself and the national leadership of the Party from the so-called NEC meeting in Abuja.

“The NWC urges all our elected federal and state legislators, Zonal Officers and State Chairmen, to disregard this illegal and irregular NEC meeting. About 13 State Chairmen had already sent sworn affidavits, as of 23/7/25, through various lawyers to the INEC Chairman to dissociate themselves from the Bissallah-Modibbo NEC Call, claiming their signatures were misappropriated and improperly used.

“The NWC enjoins all our esteemed State Chairmen to be properly guided and not be lured into a trap to avoid sanctions for breach of the SDP Constitution.”

Shettima arrives London to accompany Buhari’s remains to Nigeria

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived London on President Bola Tinubu’s directive following the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Shettima arrived London on Monday morning in the company of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

He was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.

Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this in a post on Monday morning.

Tinubu announced the passing of his predecessor who died on Sunday in London at approximately 4:30 pm.

He directed Shettima and Gbajabiamila to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.

Buhari, who was 82, served as Nigeria’s democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023.

He also served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.

Tinubu has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for the departed leader.

Buhari’s remains will be laid to rest in Daura on Monday, according to Islamic rites.

See the photo below.

Katsina declares Monday work-free day to mourn Buhari

The Katsina State Government has declared Monday, July 14, 2025, as a work-free day to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died in London on Sunday.

The declaration was made in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba Faskari, on Sunday evening.

Faskari said the work-free day would enable workers and residents to mourn the passing of the former president, who hailed from the state.

The statement read, “The Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON, has declared Monday, 14th July 2025, as a work-free day in the State. This follows the demise of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who died earlier this evening of today (13h July 2025) in London.

“He noted that the holiday is intended to enable workers and residents of the State to join the rest of the country in mourning the loss and offering prayers for the late leader.

“Governor Radda expressed profound condolences to the family of the late President, the people of the State, and the entire nation, describing President Muhammadu Buhari as a great leader, a hero, a true democrat and a patriotic elder statesman whose life was dedicated to the service of Nigeria.”

He prayed for Allah’s mercy on Buhari’s soul and for his admittance into Aljannatul Firdaus.

The statement added that details regarding the burial arrangements would be communicated in due course.

Buhari, who hails from Katsina State, died on Sunday at the age of 83.

INEC begins online voter registration in Akwa Ibom August

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that it will open its portal for online Continuous Voter Registration in Akwa Ibom State on August 18, 2025, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Obo Effanga, made this known on Wednesday during his maiden media briefing at the INEC state headquarters in Uyo.

Effanga said, “In the next couple of weeks, INEC will start again the process of the Continuous Voter Registration. Starting on the 18th of August, we will have the opportunity for people to do the online pre registration of processes.

“Now this is not going to be different from what we did prior to 2023. You know that INEC has created a portal where members of the public who want to register to vote can process, go online, start the process and then only come to us physically for the capture of the photographs and fingerprints for the registration process to be completed.”

He added that voters who wish to transfer their registration from one location to another, correct errors in their data, or request changes to their voter cards can also use the online platform.

“For those who didn’t collect their cards prior to now, and if there’s any correction they want done to the card, they can do that. But from the 18th, people who have access to the Internet can do the transfer.

“People also want to migrate from one polling unit to another, you can do that through the Internet or you come to us physically from the 25th,” he added.

He explained that physical registration would take place at INEC local government offices across the state from August 25, and urged those who complete the online process to visit the offices for biometric capture to finalise their registration.

He called on those who started the online registration process to come to the state office or local government office headquarters for fingerprints and photographs capturing to complete the registration process.

He explained that the exercise would give room for those who want to effect some corrections or changes on their cards, do card transfers or did not collect their PVCs to have their concerns addressed.

Effanga, however, cautioned against multiple registrations, noting that in case of card loss, the person should go for reprinting of the card in the office, as any attempt to register again would invalidate the whole process.

Natasha’s lawyers allege bias over unaddressed petitions 28th May 2025

The legal team representing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Wednesday raised the alarm over what it described as a disturbing pattern of selective justice, following the Federal Government’s decision to file criminal charges against her despite multiple unresolved petitions she lodged earlier this year.

In a statement released by her counsel, Uju Nwoduwu, the team outlined 12 petitions submitted by the senator between March and May 2025.

The petitions reportedly detail allegations including cyberstalking, defamation, threats to life, and an alleged assassination attempt.

According to the legal team, none of these complaints have been acted upon by the Nigeria Police Force or any relevant security agency.

“There is a legitimate public expectation that law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies uphold the principles of fairness, due process, and equal justice—regardless of who is involved,” the statement said.

The lawyers further expressed concern that while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petitions remain unattended, counter-allegations filed by those she accused—including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello—have been swiftly pursued, leading to criminal charges against her.

“This glaring disparity raises serious concerns about a biased and uneven application of justice,” the statement continued.

Some of the petitions, they added, involve high-ranking officials and incidents as grave as the abduction and attempted assassination of a protocol officer.

Though currently abroad on personal engagements, Akpoti-Uduaghan has acknowledged receipt of official communication regarding the charges and has pledged to make herself available for arraignment as soon as a date is set.

“She remains resolute in her commitment to due process,” the legal team affirmed, while also thanking members of the public who have voiced concern over what they called “an extraordinarily questionable criminal charge.”

The statement concluded with a renewed appeal for impartial investigations into all outstanding petitions and a call for justice to be applied equally, without fear or favour.

Uzodimma sacks Imo attorney general

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has dismissed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Cyprian Akaolisa, with immediate effect.

No official reason was provided for the announcement, which was made public on Monday afternoon by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba.

The directive instructed Akaolisa to hand over all government property in his possession to the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice without delay.

The statement, titled “Imo State Government Special Public Service Announcement,” read: “The Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, has approved the immediate removal from office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister C.O.C. Akaolisa.

“The former commissioner is hereby directed to hand over all government property under his care to the State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, immediately.”

Prior to Uzodimma’s tenure as governor, Akaolisa was a close ally and was considered a potential Deputy Governor candidate in 2019.

However, tensions arose between them, notably when Akaolisa was mistakenly omitted during a cabinet reshuffle. Emelumba later clarified that Akaolisa was not among the commissioners dismissed at that time.

In 2021, Akaolisa was barred from practising law by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for alleged professional misconduct.

The ban followed the findings of a six-member Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Dauda J.B. (SAN).

On July 9, 2021, the committee found Akaolisa guilty of the allegations and imposed a five-year suspension from legal practice due to misconduct.

It was reported that Akaolisa had allegedly used his position as Attorney General to facilitate the bail of a murder suspect who had been in custody since 2013, standing trial before Justice Onii Egbunighe of Orlu High Court (2).

The suspect, Mr Paulinus Nwanochie, was on trial for the murder of Mr Alphonsus Akuma, both from Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

Akaolisa was purportedly the suspect’s legal counsel prior to his appointment as Attorney General.

However, in April 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria overturned the five-year ban following appeals against the LPDC’s decision.

In a unanimous judgment, the Supreme Court found the committee’s ruling flawed and set it aside.

Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, leading the five-member panel, stated: “Having considered the arguments presented by counsel, the court finds the appeal meritorious and hereby allows it.

“The decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee delivered on July 9, 2021, which found the appellant liable for infamous conduct and suspended him from legal practice for five years, is hereby set aside.”