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Police silent over removal of IGP Egbetokun

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Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general election, on Tuesday alleged that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has been removed from office.

Sowore claimed that Egbetokun was replaced by a senior officer currently serving at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Lagos. However, he did not provide any official confirmation to substantiate the claim.

 

As of the time of filing this report, neither the presidency nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued a statement confirming or denying the alleged development.

 

Efforts to get a reaction from the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls placed to his phone. He later requested that a text message be sent to him, promising a response, but had yet to reply as of press time.

 

Sowore has consistently challenged Egbetokun’s continued stay in office, maintaining that the police chief should have stepped down upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60.

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as acting Inspector-General of Police in October 2023, pending confirmation by the National Assembly, with the appointment taking effect from October 31, 2023.

 

Amid debates over the IGP’s tenure, the Federal Government backed an amendment to the Police Act granting a single four-year term to an Inspector-General of Police, regardless of age or years of service. The amendment enables Egbetokun to remain in office until October 2027.

BREAKING: Pastor Peter Akpe emerged as Bayelsa deputy governor after Ewhrudjakpo’s death

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The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has approved the appointment of Peter Akpe as the new Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.

The confirmation was granted during plenary on Tuesday, paving the way for Akpe to assume office.

His appointment follows the death of the former Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who reportedly slumped and died in December 2025. He was laid to rest on January 30, 2026, in his hometown of Ofoni, Sagbama Local Government Area.

 

Before his nomination, Akpe, a pastor, served as Chief of Staff to Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.

Tinubu, Governors in closed-door meeting with NLC leaders at Presidential Villa

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the Progressive Governors Forum are currently locked in a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The meeting is taking place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The invitation extended to the NLC leadership is understood to be part of efforts to strengthen dialogue between the federal government, state governors, and organized labor amid mounting economic pressures and ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

The engagement is also aimed at promoting governance dialogue, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and encouraging inclusive participation in national development initiatives across the country.

 

As of the time of filing this report, details of the deliberations remain unclear.

 

The meeting comes just days after the NLC was involved in a dispute with electricity generation companies over unresolved legacy debts in the power sector.

BREAKING: Court dismisses forgery charge against Ozekhome after AGF withdraws case

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The Federal Government has withdrawn the forgery charge filed against constitutional lawyer and social crusader Mike Ozekhome.

 

The charge was initially instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) following a judgment delivered by a London court over a property linked to former FCT Minister, the late Jeremiah Useni.

 

Last month, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation took over the matter for what it described as effective prosecution.

 

At proceedings before Justice Peter Kekemeke of the FCT High Court, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the decision to withdraw the charge followed a review of the case file for further instruction.

 

Oyedepo explained that the application for withdrawal was brought pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

 

Counsel to the defendant, Chief Paul Erokoro, SAN, told the court that the defense had no objection to the application.

 

In a brief ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that as the application was not opposed, it was granted. The court consequently struck out and dismissed the forgery charge against Ozekhome.

UCL: Journalist Dindar reveals what he knows on alleged Osimhen warning letter to Galatasaray

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Turkish journalist Nevzat Dindar has refuted reports alleging that Victor Osimhen issued a warning letter to Galatasaray over delayed salary payments.

Speculation about a possible salary crisis at Galatasaray surfaced online after the club’s 5-2 victory against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 playoffs first-leg clash last week.

Addressing the rumors ahead of Wednesday’s return leg in Italy, Dindar dismissed claims that Osimhen had taken action against the club due to unpaid wages.

 

“The claim that Osimhen sent a warning letter to the club due to delayed payments is absolutely untrue,” Dindar was quoted as saying by Habersarikirmizi.

 

He explained that foreign players are accustomed to minor delays, provided they fall within the legal three-month limit.

 

“Foreign players are used to and understand delays within the legal limits (three months). Osimhen will also be going to Italy,” he said.

 

Dindar added that players’ salaries are contractually guaranteed, making short-term delays of one or two months less concerning to them compared to performance-related bonuses.

 

“Since footballers’ salaries are guaranteed, they don’t mind delays of one or two months. They are more interested in bonuses. A substantial bonus payment was made before the Juventus match as well.

 

“Victor Osimhen has no outstanding or unpaid payments from Galatasaray. In short, there is no extraordinary problem. Osimhen is receiving his salary while also generating revenue for Galatasaray.”

FCT election: I had already won AMAC by 3pm—ADC candidate Dr. Mo alleges

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The African Democratic Congress candidate in the 2026 Abuja Municipal Area Council election, Dr. Moses Paul Ogigi, has rejected the outcome of the poll, insisting that he had already secured victory before events allegedly took a different turn.

Ogigi, popularly known as Dr. Mo, was declared defeated by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Speaking on Arise News, the ADC candidate claimed that as of 3pm on Saturday, he was leading across polling units before what he described as “magic” began.

“By 3pm I had already won the elections across the board, the results, and then magic began to happen. And this is a crazy thing,” he said.

He maintained that he not only rejects the declared results but is also disturbed by alleged irregularities during the exercise.

“So not only do I reject the outcome of the results, but it is so disheartening to see the imposition of curfew, to see the mutilations of results, and to see how members of the ADC were harassed from different polling booths,” Ogigi stated.

He further described the election as a critical moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

“This is why these particular elections that we just concluded will be a defining moment in the democratic journey for Nigeria. Not because it reflects the will of the people, but because it exposes that obstacle that hangs in the way of the will of the people,” he added.

Ogigi said he entered the race with optimism, expressing hope that changes in INEC’s leadership would inspire greater transparency.

“I came into this particular race believing in democracy, believing in the resilience of the will of the people in Abuja. Especially with the change in the INEC leadership, I was hoping for something new,” he said.

 

He also alleged that the poll witnessed an unprecedented level of vote buying.

 

“I’ve never seen a heightened level of vote buying like we’ve seen in this particular election,” Ogigi claimed.

FCT election: They’re inactive, disgraceful opposition—Odinkalu slams Peter Obi, Atiku, Amaechi

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Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, has criticized opposition parties for what he described as a poor and disorganized outing during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Monday, Odinkalu said the opposition failed to demonstrate leadership at a crucial moment, insisting that Nigeria currently has no credible opposition.

 

He pointed to the public holiday declared on the eve of the election by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, arguing that opposition parties squandered an opportunity to galvanize supporters and assert themselves politically.

 

According to Odinkalu, a proactive opposition would have organized a rally the following day to challenge the decision and energize its base. Instead, he said, opposition leaders remained inactive.

 

Describing the situation as disappointing, Odinkalu said the so-called opposition forces, including the African Democratic Congress and factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, have failed to present a united or effective front.

 

He criticized what he termed their lack of seriousness and preparedness, stating that their inability to act decisively reflects poorly on the state of Nigeria’s democracy.

 

Odinkalu further questioned why the ruling party would allegedly resort to tactics such as violence or result manipulation, despite what he described as the absence of a formidable opposition capable of mounting a serious challenge.

Lagos govt increases BRT bus fares by 13%

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The Lagos State Government has sanctioned a 13 percent rise in fares for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services and other standard bus routes across the state.

The approval was granted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu following appeals from regulated public transport operators who cited escalating operational costs as a major concern.

 

In a statement issued by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the agency disclosed that the adjustment will apply to all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes, covering both BRT and conventional bus services. The revised fares are scheduled to take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.

 

The government explained that the fare review is aimed at easing the financial strain on transport operators amid prevailing economic challenges. It noted that the increase aligns with the state’s previously approved annual fare review framework.

 

LAMATA stated that the decision became necessary due to sustained inflationary pressures. Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the agency said Nigeria’s inflation rate stood at 15.2 percent at the close of 2025.

 

According to the statement, Bus Operating Companies (BOCs) have grappled with rising expenses, including vehicle maintenance, spare parts, and staff wages—costs that surged further following the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

 

The authority added that operators are also investing in newer, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient buses to enhance passenger comfort and support environmental sustainability efforts.

 

While announcing the increase, the state government assured commuters of its commitment to balancing affordability with the provision of safe, dependable, and efficient public transportation services.

 

It emphasized that the adjustment forms part of broader efforts to sustain the public transport system, ensure operational viability for service providers, and improve overall service delivery for residents.

Ex-UK Envoy to US, Mandelson arrested in London 

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The former British ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, has been arrested in England over allegations of misconduct in public office.

According to Fox News, authorities confirmed that the 72-year-old former envoy was taken into custody on Monday.

London’s Metropolitan Police said officers arrested a 72-year-old man in north London on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The suspect has been transported to a police station, where he is currently being questioned.

Although police did not officially disclose the identity of the individual, in line with standard British policing practice, the suspect has previously been identified as Peter Mandelson.

Nigerian Govt gives update on fire outbreak at Lagos Airport

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The Nigerian government, through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has confirmed a fire outbreak at Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

In a statement posted on its official X handle on Monday, FAAN disclosed that its firefighting team swiftly mobilized to the scene and is actively working to contain the blaze.

According to the authority, no loss of life has been recorded, while emergency response operations remain ongoing.

Eyewitnesses reported heavy smoke and panic at the terminal earlier in the day as passengers and airport personnel were being orderly evacuated from the affected area.

FAAN said it has activated mutual aid arrangements to strengthen response efforts, calling for reinforcements from the Lagos State Government, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, and other relevant emergency agencies.

“We wish to reassure the public that no loss of life has been recorded at this time, and all necessary measures are being taken to safeguard lives and property,” the statement read.

FAAN added that further verified updates would be communicated as the situation develops.