President Bola Tinubu on Thursday sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
This is coming a week after Senate confirmed his appointment as chairman of the electoral umpire.
During the sewering in, Tinubu charged the INEC boss to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and electoral process as well as strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.
He is expected to resume office any moment from now.
Details shortly
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has achieved a major milestone in its asset disposal operations, realizing a total of N1,868,969,400.00 from the auction of 23 forfeited assets in 2024 — the highest amount recorded since the Commission’s establishment.
This achievement was announced during the 2025 meeting of the Asset Disposal Committee, following a report presented by the Proceeds of Crime Department (POCD).
The exercise was carried out in line with the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act (POCA) 2022, which empowers the Commission to recover, manage, and dispose of assets derived from illicit activities.
According to the report, out of the 23 assets disposed of in 2024, 10 were successfully auctioned in December 2024, while seven could not be sold due to low bids that fell below the approved threshold or forced-sale value.
The remaining six assets were affected by legal, security, or encroachment challenges. Four (4) unsold assets have been rolled over into the 2025 disposal programme.
For the 2025 exercise, the Committee has presented 30 movable and immovable assets for disposal. These include four (4) rolled-over assets from 2024, twelve (12) immovable assets, three (3) movable assets, and eleven (11) batches of perishable assets newly enrolled for auction.
A breakdown of the amount of money realized from the disposal revealed that perishable/ scrapped assets stood at N3,969,400.00, Off-cycle disposal sales (3 No. assets) valued at N975,000,000.00, while On-Cycle Disposal Sales (20 No. Assets) is valued at N890,000,000.00.
Presiding over the meeting, the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, commended the Proceeds of Crime Department for its effective implementation of the Commission’s mandate and emphasized that depriving the corrupt of their illicit gains remains one of the most potent strategies in combating corruption.
“The significance of asset recovery in the fight against corruption cannot be overstated. It serves as a vital mechanism for restoring public resources to their rightful use.” Dr. Aliyu noted.
Dr. Aliyu further explained that civil forfeiture provides a faster, cheaper, and more transparent means of recovering stolen assets, while the conversion of confiscated assets into public value enhances national economic growth and rebuilds public confidence in the anti-corruption process.
He reiterated that asset disposal is a critical aspect of ICPC’s responsibilities under POCA 2022 and other enabling laws, aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and value optimization in the conversion of forfeited assets into proceeds that benefit both victims of corruption and the Nigerian public.
In line with ICPC’s commitment to transparency and due process, the 2025 Asset Disposal Committee meeting was observed by independent representatives from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Accountability Lab, and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI).
Dr. Aliyu commended the presence of these observers, noting that their participation reinforces public trust and ensures that the asset disposal process is conducted with fairness, integrity, and full transparency.
Unidentified gunmen on Tuesday abducted staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) along Aloma Road in Kogi State.
The victims, all female staff, were reportedly travelling from Abuja to Anambra State on an official assignment ahead of the forthcoming governorship election when the incident occurred.
The assailants were said to have blocked the highway, fired shots at the vehicle, and shattered its windscreen. None of the occupants of the vehicle were hit by the bullets.
The INEC officials were reportedly deployed to Anambra for the printing of the voters’ register and other election materials in preparation for the governorship poll scheduled for the first week of November.
The gunmen were said to have abducted all the occupants of the bus, including the driver and his wife.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer were unsuccessful.
President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a letter to the Senate seeking the confirmation of Dr Bernard Mohammed Doro from Plateau State as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President, Information & Strategy, indicates that Dr Doro’s nomination follows Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda’s election as the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in July. Yilwatda previously served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
Born on January 23, 1969, in Kwall, Bassa LGA of Plateau State, Dr Doro has over 20 years of multidisciplinary experience in clinical practice, pharmaceutical management, strategic leadership, and community engagement in the UK and Nigeria.
He has degrees in Pharmacy and law, an MBA focusing on IT-driven business strategy, and a Master’s in Advanced Clinical Practice.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC has suspended its National Vice Chairman, South-South, Dr. Usani Usani.
The suspension, according to a statement issued on Monday by Cross Rivers Publicity Secretary, James Otudor, was due to what the party described as actions capable of undermining the unity and progress of the party.
It was revealed that the decision followed a meeting of the State Working Committee of the party in the Cross River State chapter.
Otudor noted that the committee, during the meeting held on October 15, 2025, found Usani’s recent conduct to be in violation of the ADC Constitution and inconsistent with the party’s core values.
“In accordance with the party’s constitution and disciplinary procedures, Dr. Usani’s suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of a formal investigation by the relevant party organs,” the statement added.
At the meeting, the committee faulted the appointment of Ms. Jackie Wayas as Deputy National Publicity Secretary.
The committee cited lack of consultation with the Cross River leadership before her emergence, urging the national leadership of the party to review her appointment.
Environment experts, Engr Charles Deigh and Dr Caleb Joel Nwaogwugwu have suggested how gas flaring in the Niger Delta could be resolved.
In separate statements on Sunday, the oil experts pointed out that gas flaring which has been a major challenge in the region has been fueling climate change and worsening health risk.
Deigh explained that despite repeated government pledges and the launch of the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, NGFCP, the problem persists because marginal oil fields often produce small, scattered volumes of gas that large pipelines and LNG plants cannot profitably absorb.
He further argued that other countries have shown that small-scale gas-to-power plants and micro-LNG facilities can capture waste gas and turn it into electricity, fuel, and jobs. Nigeria must adapt these models to its own reality.
“Large LNG projects require steady, high-volume flows and marginal fields can not deliver that, what they can support are modular technologies, micro-LNG plants that liquefy 5–50 million standard cubic feet per day for transport to power plants, factories, or export hubs.
“Equally, small gas-to-power plants can sit close to host communities, feeding mini-grids and industrial clusters.
“These models bring three big advantages: Lower costs; modular plants slash upfront capital and shorten payback times.
“Flexibility; Units can scale with production, avoiding stranded assets. Community dividends; Local power generation creates jobs, reduces blackouts, and improves relations with host communities—cutting sabotage risks”, Deigh said.
He also advised that “technology alone cannot end flaring. Investors need certainty, and Nigeria must deliver it. Three steps are urgent: Regulatory efficiency: Streamline licensing, tariffs, and permits. Red tape kills deals.
“Demand security; Guarantee off-takers—distribution companies, industries, mini-grids—through predictable pricing and risk-sharing frameworks.
“Aggregation models; Pool gas from nearby fields into centralized mini-LNG or power plants, lowering costs and attracting serious investors.
“If these enablers align, NGFCP can finally shift from paper promises to projects on the ground”, he added.
On his part, Dr Caleb Joel Nwaogwugwu, another expert in the oil sector said “gas flaring is not inevitable. It is the product of neglect.
“Nigeria has the technology, the people, and the policies to end it. What is missing is urgency”.
According to him, Nigeria must choose whether to “keep burning its wealth into the atmosphere or convert that wasted energy into lasting prosperity”.
“With political will, regulatory reform, and bold investment in small-scale solutions, the Niger Delta can shift from flare to fortune”, Caleb added.
The police command in Benue has confirmed the death of one Saater Aii of Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area (LGA).
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Makurdi.
Edet said the suspect before his death was wanted for the alleged assassination of the Tarka LG Hunters’ Commander, Mr Aondoakaa Yayol, who was killed on 20th June, and his wife, Mrs Kashimana Yayol, who was killed on 11th February, 2023.
The police spokesperson said that both incidents occurred in Wannune, the headquarters of Tarka LGA, and he went into hiding afterwards.
“However, on 18th October, 2025, credible intelligence revealed that the suspect had clandestinely returned to Makurdi with plans to carry out further attacks.
“Acting swiftly on this information, a team of detectives was deployed to apprehend him around George Akume Way, Makurdi.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the suspect opened fire on them. The police responded appropriately and succeeded in subduing and arresting him.
“During the encounter, the suspect sustained gunshot injuries and was immediately taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) for treatment, where he was later confirmed dead.
“His corpse has since been deposited at the hospital mortuary,” she said.
Edet revealed that the police recovered from him one AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated short gun, several 7.62 mm live ammunition cartridges, and seven SIM cards suspected to have been stolen.
The spokesperson stated that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has advised all residents to desist from criminal activities and to promptly report any suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station or any other security agency within their vicinity.
Edet said the Command remained resolute in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Benue
Hearing in the police suit against Omoyele Sowore and other conveners of #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, on Monday, suffered set back as court activities at the Federal High Court in Abuja came to a halt.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as at 9:30am when the reporter got access into the premises of the high-rise building that houses no fewer than 13 courts, all the courtrooms were under lock and key.
Although very few court workers, lawyers, litigants and private guards of the court were seeing in the premises, no judge was sighted.
There were heavy security deployments with water cannons in and around the intersection between Gana Street and Shehu Shagari Way by Nicon Hilton Hotel, the popular NITEL Junction at Wuse 2, Federal Secretariat environs, National Assembly Junction, to Asokoro District leading into Presidential Villa.
Movement of vehicles was disallowed and many pedestrians were denied walking through the restricted areas, while police fired tear gas in some places.
NAN earlier reported that Justice Mohammed Umar had, on Friday, fixed today for the respondents in the ex-parte motion filed by the police, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), to show cause why the interim order made by the court should be vacated.
Justice Umar had restrained Mr Sowore, the 1st respondent, and others from protesting in some sensitive areas in Abuja, including the Aso Rock Villa, today for the release of detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The judge also barred the protesters from any where close to the villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
Others named in the interim order include Sahara Reporters Ltd, Sahara Reporters’ Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement (TIB), for the Transformation of Nigeria Or Any Form of Organisation or Any Other Person(s) Acting Either Express or Implied Instruction or Any Other Organisation or Group With the Like Intention; and Unknown Persons as 2nd to 5th respondents respectively.
The judge had granted the ex-parte motion moved by the police lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, on behalf of FRN on Friday.
The judge also made an order of abridgement of time “within which the respondents will respond to the application on notice to cause the ex-parte order be set aside on Monday, the 20th of October, 2025 at 9.00am.”
Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 20 for hearing of the motion on notice.
The ex-parte motion was marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025.
In the affidavit in support of the ex-parte motion deposed to by Bassey Ibithan, a police officer attached to Directorate of Legal Services, Force Headquarters, Abuja, the officer averred that if not granted, the protest might threaten the national security.
NAN reports that Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, had planned to organised the protest for the release of Kanu.
Sowore, the 2019 and 2023 presidential candidate of African Action Congress (ACC), had begun mobilisation for what he called a planned peaceful protest against Kanu’s detention.
However, there have also been ongoing calls for political solution to Kanu’s trial who is facing alleged terrorism offence at the Federal High Court before Justice James Omotosho
A combined team of security and defence officers has reportedly broken up a demonstration organised by Omoyele Sowore and his group of #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters in Abuja’s Maitama district.
Participants in the protest, including Sowore, Barr. Aloy Ejimakor, and several others, had assembled near the headquarters of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Maitama, chanting “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now”.
“I’m in front of Transcorp Hilton with a mammoth crowd that gathered for #MNKOct20, and the police just exploded tear gas. My eyes and throat hurt. They’re scattering everywhere,” Ejimakor wrote.
Nigerian Newssphere reports that the protesters had converged to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, since June 2021.
The rally was part of renewed calls by his supporters for the Federal Government to comply with previous court rulings ordering Kanu’s release.
Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and organiser of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, has escaped gunshots at the protest grounds.
Newssphere reports security operatives comprising police and military officers took over the protest grounds at about 7am on Monday morning.
Sowore and others run for their lives as police fire shoots
In a viral video, Sowore could be seen running for his alongside other protesters.
The protesters intended to march to Aso Rock Villa to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.
The Nigeria Police Force had warned the organisers against staging any protest near the Villa.
Drama unfolded in Tse Dugwer Village when a man identified as Myom, whose mother hails from Mbatinyam was caught stealing yams from people’s farms.
According to reports, Myom was first spotted late Saturday night uprooting yams from a farm—estimated to be about 40 heaps.
The farm owner quickly alerted the village vigilante group, but the suspect managed to flee before his arrest.
However, luck ran out for him early Sunday morning when he was caught red-handed committing the same act on another person’s farm.
Some of the stolen yams were reportedly recovered from a buyer, and the suspect is now in custody as investigations continue.
Locals praised the vigilance of community members, warning others that “the days of farm thieves are numbered.”
