THE Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), John Tsoho, has finally reassigned the case of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to another judge.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday, March 8, by Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, on behalf of his team.
According to the statement, Kanu is ready to face trial because he’s convinced of his innocence.
Ejimakor stated that on Friday, March 7, before the legal team conducted their routine visitation to Kanu, they received two separate official letters regarding his case. He described the letters as “momentous and somewhat pyrrhic.”
According to him, the first letter was from the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere – Ekun who responded to the team’s request for her administrative intervention in reassigning Kanu’s case after the previous judge recused.
The second letter was from the Chief Judge of the FHC, informing the team that Kanu’s case had been reassigned to another judge.
He also disclosed Kanu’s instruction to his legal team to appreciate the CJN for her prompt response and to the public for their support in demanding a lawful reassignment of his case.
“It was given these untoward developments that we were propelled to resort to taking extraordinary measures to ensure that his case is properly reassigned and conducted by the law,” Ejimakor stated.
He added that since the first steps have been taken by the authorities to do the ‘lawful’ thing, Kanu and his legal team shall take stock and prepare his defense.
The ICIR reported that at the last hearing of the case, a judge of the FHC in Abuja, Binta Nyako, adjourned the trial of Kanu indefinitely.
Nyako adjourned the suit on Monday, February 10, following Kanu’s insistence that the judge could not preside over his case since she had recused herself.
Kanu challenged Nyako to take a definitive stance regarding his detention, specifically requesting that she either restores his bail conditions or directs his release from custody.
Kanu stressed that Nyako lacked the jurisdiction to review or revisit his case, owing to her prior recusal from the case.
Nyako had initially recused herself from Kanu’s trial on September 24, 2024, in response to a request from the defendant, who had expressed a lack of confidence in her ability to preside over the case impartially.
Following her recusal, the case file was returned to the Chief Judge of the FHC, Tsoho, for reassignment.
However, in a subsequent development, the case file was returned to Nyako, who has since been asked to continue the trial.
The ICIR reported that Nyako stepped down as the judge handling Kanu’s trial when Kanu declared he no longer trusted the judge and challenged her to step down.
Kanu is facing a seven-count charge concerning terrorism, brought against him by the Nigerian government.
The charges against him include treason, inciting public violence through radio broadcasts, and defamation of Nigerian authorities.
Kanu’s troubles began in 2015 when he was arrested by Nigeria’s secret police and the State Security Service (SSS), in Lagos State.
He was granted bail but later fled Nigeria after his home was raided by the Nigerian military in September 2017.
In June 2021, Kanu was rearrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria to face trial.
His trial, which began in October 2021, has been marked by protests and sit-at-home in the South-East by his supporters.
THE Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure foreigners pursuing visas into Nigeria get them within 24 to 48 hours.
The minister stated this on Friday, March 8, while flagging off an intensive training for 162 officers of the NISon electronic visa applications for foreigners coming to Nigeria.
Tunji-Ojo described the difficulties people face when trying to obtain a Nigerian visa as unacceptable, adding that it negated the federal government’s vision of ease of doing business.
The minister emphasised the importance of opening Nigeria’s borders to legitimate travellers, entrepreneurs, and tourists, focused on promoting a more inclusive and business-friendly environment.
He explained to the officers that the ultimate goal is to implement a seamless and efficient electronic visa application process, where applicants should be able to submit their applications online and receive approval within a maximum timeframe of 24 to 48 hours.
He further reiterated his commitment to innovative leadership and driving meaningful change within the ministry, with continuous capacity development of officials.
“An efficient and vibrant NIS is possible. I know the time for the actualisation is now. It is either we get it now or we forget about it.
“For the e-visa, I want you to do a good job because, honestly speaking, a population of 230 million people is the biggest economy in Africa. The frustration people go through to get a visa into Nigeria is unacceptable. Let us call a spade a spade. It is unacceptable,” he stated.
He charged the officers of the NIS to be dedicated, honest, and represent the country well and emphasised that visiting Nigeria should be a straightforward process, as long as visitors meet the necessary requirements.
Noting that the country’s hospitality potential is huge, the minister expressed the commitment of NIS to welcome people to Nigeria, with the focus of building an economy that encourages tourism and investment drive.
He, however, warned the officers not to compromise the nation’s national security and not approve terrorists and other criminals into Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the NIS Comptroller General, Kemi Nana-Nandap, highlighted the importance of the training, noting that the selected officers underwent rigorous vetting before commencing the intensive program.
She explained that the new system marks a significant improvement, featuring thorough vetting and secure documentation storage within the NIS.
This is not the first time Nigeria will be emphasising 48-hour e-visas for foreigners.
ICIR reported on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, that the Federal Government unveiled a new visa policy as part of its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to mainly give the economy an uplift and boost foreign direct investment in Nigeria.
It was expected that the visa policy would also boost tourism, promote foreign relations with other nations and make visas into the country easier through the 48-hour visa issuance policy.
In 2003, Apara, a town in Atakunmosa West Local Government of Osun State State, was plunged into darkness after the transformer serving the community was carted away. Two decades after, the affected the community has been badly impacted, forcing businesses to shut down, families to relocate, and those left behind to navigate a daily struggle for survival.
Seventeen-year-old Monday Isaya has lived his entire life in darkness. Born and raised in Apara, a town in Osun State, Monday says he has never had the opportunity to say “Up NEPA”, the popular phrase Nigerians use to express excitement when electricity is restored after a prolonged blackout.
The community once had a transformer, but it was stolen 22 years ago. Since then, criminals have taken advantage of the situation, stripping the area of critical infrastructure.
Electric pole erected by the community in anticipation of a transformer
“After the transformer was stolen, people started removing cables, pipes, pumping machines, and even building materials. They came before the property owners notice and took everything,” Monday explained.
Monday told The ICIR that the lack of electricity has driven people away, leaving the area sparsely populated.
“Skilled workers like welders and aluminium fabricators, who once thrived here, have abandoned their businesses. They couldn’t continue without electricity, so they left,” he said.
Monday’s plight mirrors the situation of other residents in the Apara community who have been living in darkness for two decades. They are one of the 86 million Nigerians who were estimated to be without access to electricity in Nigeria, according to a joint report by multiple international agencies.
In October 2023, during a retreat, President Bola Tinubu said about 90 million people in Nigeria do not have access to electricity.
He said, “The national grid only serves about 15 per cent of the country’s demand. This has left households and factories to rely on expensive self-generation, which supplies a staggering 40 per cent of the country’s demand.
In addition, the Nigerian Electricity Report of Q2 OF 2024 indicated that only 12.99 million customers in Nigeria have access to electricity. A customer here can refer to a household which has an average of 5 individuals.
The quality of life of a large number of Nigerians is greatly affected by the lack of access to electricity. Imagine waking up to a stifling heatwave with no fan to cool you, struggling to preserve food without a refrigerator, or stepping out in wrinkled clothes because you couldn’t iron them. The people of the Apara community don’t have to imagine because life in perpetual darkness is their daily reality.
The Genesis
Twenty two years ago, a transformer which once powered the Apara consisting of Ifowosowopo and Temitope communities, was stolen, plunging the community into an electricity crisis. Since then, residents have struggled with basic needs that depend on electricity, forcing many to relocate to places where power is more stable.
Efforts to restore electricity have been met with frustration. Several letters have been sent to government officials, commissioners, and elected representatives, pleading for intervention. Despite promises, no concrete action has been taken.
Ifowosopo Community in Apara. Photo: Nurudeen Akewushola/TheICIR
The community has tried to live with the situation, purchasing wooden poles and electric cables to show its commitment. However, the major obstacle remains—the transformer.
The lack of electricity has crippled businesses and daily life. Skilled workers have abandoned the community in search of better opportunities, leaving behind a struggling local economy. Welders, frozen food vendors, and other traders who rely on electricity have either shut down or relocated.
Simple conveniences, like buying a cold drink, require a long journey to nearby towns. Women hoping to start small businesses are left with limited options, as many trades require electricity to function effectively.
Remains of the looted transformer. Photo: Nurudeen Akewushola/The ICIR.
In response to these challenges, some residents have turned to alternative energy sources like solar panels and mini lamps. However, these solutions are not enough to meet the needs of the entire community. Rising fuel prices have also made generators unsustainable, leaving many households to ration their power usage. With limited access to electricity, even basic tasks like charging mobile phones or preserving food have become difficult.
Security implication
Beyond economic struggles, security has become a growing concern. Darkness has made the community vulnerable to theft and criminal activities. In the absence of streetlights, thieves have taken advantage of the situation, forcing residents to organise vigilante groups for protection. The community has seen cases of stolen property, and while some culprits have been identified, the lack of funds to hire professional security has left them exposed to further threats.
Living in darkness
Life in Apara village, has been anything but easy for 37-year-old woman known as Mutiatu, a mother of four. Moving to the area five years ago, she never imagined how much the absence of electricity would affect every aspect of her family’s life.
Mutiatu, moving to Apara five years ago never imagined how much the absence of electricity would affect every aspect of her family’s life. Photo: Nurudeen Akewushola/ The ICIR.
“When I had my last baby, the situation was terrible,” she began adding, “There were so many mosquitoes that even using a net didn’t help. And the heat was too much for the baby.”
The conditions soon took a toll on her child’s health, leading to frequent trips to the hospital.
“I spend extra money almost every month for anti-malaria drugs,” she said, frustration evident in her voice. “It’s a lot for us because my husband can’t afford solar power. We have to rely on charged accessories from the city to get by.”
Agboola Balqees, had been in Apara for just a year. After moving to the community, she began to sell soft drinks beside her makeshift kiosk. Photo: Nurudeen Akewushola/ The ICIR.
Their original plan of starting a business from home had also been derailed by the lack of electricity. “We had hoped I could sell things at home to support the family, but without light, it’s impossible. I feel completely stranded,” she said.
“There was a time we had light here,” recalled Grace John, one of the residents of the community. “But one morning, we woke up, and the transformer was gone. Even the connection cables were carted.” The theft marked the beginning of years of darkness that the community has struggled to overcome.
Grace said they reported to politicians who visited the area. “We told them we needed electricity and boreholes. They brought some machines, but they’re just sitting there. We don’t even know who brought them or what will happen next,” she explains.
Another resident, Balqees Agboola , said she had been in Apara for just a year. After moving to the community, she began to sell soft drinks beside her makeshift kiosk.
“In Osogbo where I was initially, it was easier to buy and store ice blocks for my drinks. But here, it’s like starting all over again. There’s no electricity, so I have to depend on buying ice blocks from the next town, which adds to my costs and reduces my profit.”
Agboola noted that apart from the lack of electricity, insecurity has been a persistent challenge. “When I first came here, I heard stories about thieves breaking into shops and homes. At first, I didn’t believe it, but one night, someone tried to break into my kiosk. Thankfully, they didn’t succeed because we had just started a night patrol in the area. Still, I’ve lost some things to theft—money, drinks, and even the little lamp I use at night to light up the shop.”
“It’s not just me. A lot of us are struggling to make ends meet here. There are welders and tailors in this area who can’t work because there’s no power. Some have left the community entirely to look for better opportunities. It’s as if the government doesn’t even know we exist. We feel abandoned.”
Blackout fuels safety concerns
Mistura Okunola, 57, has seen more than her share of hardship in the Ifowosowopo community, Apara village, where she has lived for the past eight years. A mother of six and a trader, she has lived for over two decades without electricity.
Mistura Okunola, 57, has seen more than her share of hardship in the Ifowosowopo community, Apara village, where she has lived for the past eight years. Photo: Nurudeen Akewushola/ The ICIR
“What I heard is that the blackout started after the transformer was stolen,” she explained. “It happened during a festive season, about 22 years ago, when people in the village had travelled for the holidays. By the time they returned, the transformer was gone.”
Since then, darkness has defined life in Apara, creating discomfort and security risks. Mistura recounted a frightening experience of being unable to return home one night. “My burglaries were broken into, and thieves used the opportunity to steal my cooking gas and other kitchen materials,” she said, her voice heavy with frustration.
The community has since relied on local security personnel, but the lack of electricity has made their work more difficult. “The darkness has worsened insecurity here,” Mistura added. “Even transportation is a problem. Bike and cab drivers refuse to come to Apara at night because of the risks.”
For Lateefat Soliu, a 38-year-old mother of six, the five years she has spent living in Apara have been marked by struggles tied to the village’s persistent blackout.
“One evening, I was coming back from town on a bike,” she recounted. “The bike man dropped me inside the village, but on his way out, armed robbers stopped him, took his bike, and even injured him. Since that day, we don’t stay outside later than 6 p.m. If you don’t have a car, you might not make it home.”
Common lamp used by residents of the communities in Apara. Nurudeen Akewushola/The ICIR.
Like many others in the community, Lateefat relies on neighbours who use mini solar power to charge their phones and lamps. “I don’t have solar because I can’t afford it,” she said, noting how much the lack of electricity has disrupted her trade.
“I used to sell from home,” she explained. “But now, because there’s no light, I have to go to town to sell. Sometimes I can’t go, and that leaves me hungry.”
Thirty five -year-old Kafilat Akintayo, who has been living in Apara for 12 years recalled how her husband’s block moulding machine was stolen in the middle of the night.
“What made it easy for the criminals was the darkness,” she believes. “Since then, our finances haven’t been stable.”
The absence of electricity has also caused serious difficulties in times of emergency. “When I was about to give birth, it was in the middle of the night. The hospital I used is in Owode Osogbo, and we had to walk there,” she said.
“My husband tried to call a bike man, but he refused to come because of the darkness in our community. It was one of our neighbours that later helped us out.”
Community leaders seek intervention
The chairman of Temitope community in Apara village, Adetunji Adebayo Ojo, shared the community’s struggles with a prolonged electricity outage that has lasted for over 20 years.
“We can’t continue living without electricity,” Ojo lamented. “Since we arrived here, there has been no electricity. Many of those who were here before, especially the elderly, have relocated to places where there is light.”
Chairman of Temitope community in Apara village, Adetunji Adebayo Ojo
Ojo explained that the lack of a transformer was the main reason for the outage, and despite multiple efforts, the community had been unable to secure a replacement.
“The transformer is the major cause,” he said. “We have struggled to buy one, but we aren’t capable. We have written letters to the government, but there has been no response.”
“Many skilled workers have left this community and this village. If we want to buy cold drinks, if we don’t reach Ilesha garage, we won’t be able to get it. We even want to empower our wives but they need electricity for their businesses. Social amenities aren’t functioning, and those selling frozen foods, have no electricity to help them thrive in their businesses.”
He added that several government officials, including Ganiy Ayobami Ola-Oluwa, the Commissioner for Rural Development; Sanmi Àrè Oyè, the local representative in the House of Assembly; and Governor Ademola Adeleke, had been contacted, but no action had been taken.
On his part, Iwa Lesin, the Vice Chairman of Temitope community, narrated the struggles and challenges faced by his subjects due to the lack of electricity.
When he arrived in the area roughly five years ago, the community had already been battling the absence of electricity for many years. Though a transformer once existed in a part of the village known as Oju Aba, the village has since expanded, and the transformer has long been defuncted.
Vice chairman of Temitope community
To address the problem, the community took steps, including contacting government officials and media outlets such as Rays FM. However, despite their efforts, they received only promises.
Residents began contributing money—₦20 or ₦40 at a time—to erect wooden poles, hoping to demonstrate their commitment to solving the issue.
“The government kept promising us that the transformer was coming, but till now, we’ve received nothing. We just keep praying for God’s guidance,” Iwa Lesin lamented.
He narrated how people struggled to operate businesses like welding or selling cold drinks, and even basic needs like charging devices have become burdensome.
In response to the rise in crime, the Iwa Lesin said the community had organised night patrols to guard their homes and businesses, noting that financial constraints and mistrust have prevented them from hiring professional hunters for additional security.
“Our efforts have brought some peace, but we’re managing. To pay for hunters is another burden we can’t afford. May God continue to protect us,” Iwa Lesin said.
In Nigeria, Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) are officially responsible for supplying, installing, and maintaining transformers as part of their infrastructure to distribute electricity to consumers. Nigeria has 11 DisCos, each covering different regions. Apara community being a community in Osun is under the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
Speaking with The ICIR, the Spokesperson of IBEDC in Osun State, Kiki Owoeye promised that the company will look into the matter.
“At IBEDC, a key part of our business goal is to ensure excellent service delivery and as such we focus on the unserved and underserved communities within our franchise. Therefore, for communities like Apara, we are looking at ways to ensure they are serviced,” she said.
When contacted, the Osun State Commissioner of Energy, Festus Adeyemo, told The ICIR that the ministry was not aware of the community’s situation and promised to investigate the matter.
Lawmaker donates new transformer
By the press time, the community received cheering news as its chairman, Adetunji Adebayo Ojo informed The ICIR that a new transformer had been delivered to the community.
He said the transformer was facilitated by Sanmi Areoye, the member representing Atakumosa West at the Osun State House of Assembly.
Ojo told The ICIR that he is one of the politicians that the community had written to for intervention. However, the new transformer was yet to be installed while the community remains in darkness as of the time of filing this report.
The Council for the Advancement of Science Writing (CASW) has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award.
The award honours mid-career science journalists and celebrates the legacy of Sharon Begley, a pioneering science writer known for her insightful and rigorous reporting. It includes a grant of at least $20,000 to support an in-depth reporting project.
Journalists with eight to ten years of experience in science reporting are eligible to apply.
To apply for the 2025 Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award, visit the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing’s (CASW) application portal here
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has appointed Attahiru Jega, a professor and former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as adviser and coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform.
Tinubu announced the appointment on Friday, March 7, through his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
The president expressed optimism that the former INEC chairman will help to drive meaningful progress in the livestock sector and further strengthen national development efforts.
Jega, former vice chancellor of Bayero University, co-chaired the Presidential Livestock Committee with President Tinubu.
According to the statement, the committee delivered comprehensive recommendations that underscored sustainable livestock reforms.
“One recommendation was the creation of the Livestock Ministry, which now has a minister.
“Jega, 68, is a member of the International Elections Advisory Council and the pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education in Kano State,” the presidency stated.
Jega served as the chairman of INEC between 2010 and 2015.
As a former chairman of INEC, he presided over the general elections that ushered in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration into power. He had previously conducted the 2011 election that brought in former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Tinubu expressed high hopes that his appointment, as a special adviser, would reinforce the gains of the presidential committee and ensure the continued momentum of the reforms already in motion.
The ICIR reported that four months after approving thefull implementationof Orosanye’s Report, President Tinubu created a new ministry.
The President, despite his pledge to cut down cost of governance, had on Tuesday, July 9, announced the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, bringing the number of Federal Government ministries to 36.
According to the President, the move is expected to end the constant clashes between herders and farmers.
Recall, Nigeria has been locked in years of conflicts between farmers and herders, leading to thousands of deaths, displacements, food scarcity, and unending disputes.
Efforts by successive governments to end the impasse have failed, as the crisis ballooned under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government despite being a retired Army general, and a livestock farmer himself.
As a result of the incessant farmers-herders clashes, there were killings in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, and several other states with attendant deaths and disruption to crop and animal farming.
Plateau and Benue have been the epicenter of the crisis recording recurrent incidences of clashes.
Accordingly, there have been several interventions by local and international organisations to resolve the incessant conflicts between the parties without success.
The ICIR reported how Zambia, Gambia, and South Africa offered the country refresher courses on cattle management.
Tinubu, however, believes the creation of the ministry will fix the crisis.
MOST Nigerian cities have been in darkness from Friday, March 7, as the National electricity grid abruptly lost over 200 megawatts, resulting in the second electricity grid supply disruption for 2025.
Already, most cities are without power supply currently with various feeders unable to transmit electricity supply maximally despite the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN) claim that electricity generation in Nigeria peaked at 5,801 megawatts of electricity.
The grid collapse occurred the same day the federal government condemned Thursday’s attack by the men of Armed Forces on the headquarters and facilities of the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) a development that left several persons injured and equipment vandalised.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, condemned the attack, occasioned by alleged failure of electricity supply and indebtedness to the company.
Adelabu condemned the attack in a statement on Friday, March 7, by his special adviser on strategic communications and media relations, Bolaji Tunji.
He said an attack on power infrastructure was an attack on the progress and well-being of the people.
The ICIRreported that, on Thursday, March 6, armed men in military uniform raided the headquarters of Ikeja Electric, destroyed properties, and assaulted the company’s workers.
The attack was in connection with the debt the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, allegedly owed to Ikeja Electric for the supply of electricity.
According to Ikeja Electric’s head of corporate communications, Kingsley Okotie, the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base currently owes the company over N4 billion and has been reluctant to pay the debt.
He said every dialogue and arrangement made to have them pay the debt has proven abortive as the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base would rather choose to use threats to compel the company, not the disconnection of their electricity supply.
The armed men also destroyed the Ikeja Electric Oshodi business unit and other locations around Oshodi, he noted.
Condemning the attack by personnel of the Nigeria Airforce (NAF) which left several injured and facilities and equipment vandalised, the minister said the attack calls for concern.
He pointed out that the current democratic practice has appropriate channels for conflict resolutions rather than resorting to self-help.
“The attack on the facilities of Ikeja Electric, one of our nation’s critical power distribution companies, by the Nigerian Airforce is unfortunate and a matter of grave concern to our nation while standing condemned.
“This unfortunate incident has also raised serious questions about the need for restraint, dialogue, and the use of appropriate democratic channels in resolving conflicts,” Adelabu expressed.
He notes that the power sector is the lifeblood of the nation’s economy and a cornerstone of national development.
He explained that the facilities of Ikeja Electric, which serve millions of Nigerians, were designed to ensure the efficient distribution of electricity to homes, hospitals, schools, and industries including military installations.
“This incident has set back our efforts to achieve stable and uninterrupted power supply, and it is a blow to the collective aspirations of our nation,” Adelabu stated.
The minister maintained that no grievance, no matter how legitimate, justifies the destruction of public infrastructure.
He said such actions are counterproductive and only serve to exacerbate the challenges we face as a nation.
“We must always remember that violence and destruction are not the answer to our problems. Instead, we must embrace dialogue, understanding, and the rule of law as the only viable means of resolving conflicts.
“I call on all parties involved to exercise restraint and to seek peaceful and democratic means of addressing all issues that may have led to this unfortunate incident. Our democracy provides us with the tools and institutions necessary to resolve disputes without resorting to violence. We have the judiciary, the legislature, and various regulatory bodies that are empowered to mediate and adjudicate conflicts. We must utilise these channels to ensure that justice is served and that such incidents do not recur.”
He urged the Nigerian Airforce to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and to ensure that its operations are conducted with utmost regard for the welfare of civilians and public infrastructure.
“The military is a vital institution in our nation, and its role in maintaining peace and security cannot be overstated. However, it is equally important that all actions taken by our armed forces are proportionate, targeted, and in line with the principles of democracy and the rule of law,” Adelabu said.
He commended the staff and management of Ikeja Electric for their resilience in the face of provocation.
“Your comportment in the face of this adversity are a testament to your dedication to serving the Nigerian people. The Federal Ministry of Power stands ready to support you in any way possible to ensure that normalcy is restored as quickly as possible,” the minister said.
He also enjoined stakeholders in the power sector to work together in harmony and called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in their commitment to peace, unity, and progress.
“We must prioritise collaboration over conflict, dialogue over discord, and unity over division. The challenges we face in the power sector are significant, but they are not insurmountable. With a shared commitment to the common good, we can overcome these challenges and build a brighter future for all Nigerians.
“Let us reject violence and destruction in all its forms and embrace the values of democracy, dialogue, and mutual respect. Together, we can build a nation where conflicts are resolved through appropriate channels, and where the aspirations of all citizens are realized,” Adelabu added.
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of former presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe, who passed on Friday morning.
The president acknowledged Okupe’s “profound impact on Nigeria’s political landscape.”
Tinubu, through his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said Okupe was “a bold and articulate advocate for national development.”
He said Okupe died at a time when his wealth of experience and insight were still needed by Nigeria.
The president extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, and associates.
He also sympathised with the government and people of Ogun State, particularly Okupe’s Iperu-Remo community, recognising the vacuum his death leaves behind.
Tinubu prayed for the repose of his soul and comfort for people he left behind.
Similarly, the Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, expressed deep sorrow over Okupe’s passing.
Obi, in a statement via X on Friday, described Okupe’s death as a deep loss, not only to his family and loved ones but to the nation.
He urged members of the Obedient Movement and the public to pray for the repose of Okupe’s soul and support his family as it mourned.
“May God Almighty, who called him home, grant him eternal rest and grant his family, and all of us the fortitude to bear this sad and irreplaceable loss,” Obi added.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun also mourned the late medical doctor-turmed-politician. He described his death as a personal loss.
Abiodun, in a statement issued in Abeokuta by his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinmade, stated that Okupe’s passing came shortly after the demise of the Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo.
The governor extolled Okupe’s “tireless service to Nigeria” and described him as a patriotic statesman and a committed member of the progressive political family.
A former Director-General of the LP Presidential Campaign Council, Akin Osuntokun, also sent in his condolences.
Osuntokun, a former News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Managing Director, said Okupe made distinctive contributions to Nigerian politics.
“He was a key political figure with great vigour, he brought creativity to the politics of Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace,” Osuntokun said.
The ICIR reported that Okupe’s death was announced on Friday, March 7. He was aged 72.
Born on March 22, 1952, in Iperu, Ogun State, Okupe’s career spanned several decades, during which he held significant political positions.
He began his political journey during the Second Nigerian Republic as a House of Representatives candidate for the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the 1983 parliamentary elections.
In the aborted Third Republic, he served as the National Publicity Secretary for the National Republican Convention (NRC).
Throughout his career, Okupe was associated with various political parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party.
In 2002, he was a governorship aspirant in Ogun State under the PDP and later served as a senior special assistant on media and public affairs to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In July 2017, he announced his defection from the PDP to join the Accord Party.
However, after accepting the role of chairman of the Campaign Media Council for Bukola Saraki during the PDP’s 2019 presidential primaries, he was expelled from the Accord Party in September 2018.
During the 2023 general elections, Okupe served as the director-general of the Peter Obi Campaign Organisation.
In this capacity, he was initially nominated as the vice presidential candidate (placeholder) for the LP before stepping down to allow for the selection of Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as the substantive running mate.
However, after the 2023 general election, he exited the Labour Party and became a vocal proponent of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
THE invasion of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (Ikeja DisCo) and assault on its workers by armed men in military uniform on Thursday, March 6, at the company’s headquarters, Lagos State, spin worries on the humongous debts the federal government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) owe the DisCos.
At the Ikeja Electric head office beside the Lagos State Secretariat and opposite the MITV station, armed personnel from the Air Force Base in Ikeja were reported to have stormed the DisCo office at about 7:40am.
According to Ikeja Electric’s head of corporate communications, Kingsley Okotie, the men of the Air Force invaded them over the issue of electricity supply and indebtedness by the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja.
The ICIR can report that ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government have accumulated huge electricity debts over the years.
In a recent conversation, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the federal government owes over N4 trillion in electricity debt. He lamented that the debts could be stifling the electricity companies, majorly owned by private individuals, to perform optimally.
Narrating the Thursday invasion on Ikeja Electric, Okotie, who described the attack as a traumatic experience and the height of impunity, said it has been on record that in the last 10 years, the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base electricity bills have accumulated to over N4 billion, and payment arrangements have been abortive.
“They invaded our premises, beat us up, stole, destroyed, molested, and assaulted us. They held us hostage for hours. I broke my leg in the stampede. This is shameful.
“In my young adult life, I witnessed something I have never seen in my life. Today, the men of the Airforce Ikeja, who are our customers and because of electricity supply and issues of indebtedness, invaded us, beat us up, and carted away our laptops,” he spoke to journalists in a video.
They also destroyed the entire corporate headquarters of our business as well as our Oshodi business unit and other locations around Oshodi, he said.
“We have written severally, and they were disconnected. Rather than resolving it through proper dialogue, they resorted to threats, and this morning, they carried out those threats,” Okotie added.
In a viral video seen by The ICIR, voices were lamenting the beating meted out to their co-workers.
It was reported that one of its correspondents, Dare Olawin, was assaulted during the invasion.
The men in military uniform, led by a woman, seized Ikeja Electric’s headquarters for over an hour, harassed the staff, beat them up, and made them sit on the floor.
NAF Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, Adeniran Kolade Ademuwagun, during the official apology to Ikeja Electric over the invasion of their headquarters. Source: The Nation
The video clip showed the roads leading to the Ikeja Electric head office were blocked as the military men carried out their assault within the premises.
The ICIR reports that the military personnel were at the DisCo’s headquarters to vent their anger over the disconnection of their military base.
They refused to bulge but took the intervention of the Lagos State Police Command.
In some of the viral videos, officials of Ikeja Electric were made to kneel under the sun while its chief executive officer, Folake Soetan, was reportedly locked in the trunk of the car during the raid.
However, stakeholders believe this type of harassment could create investment apathy in the power sector.
FG owes over N4trn electricity debt
In a recent report by The ICIR, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the federal government owes both the electricity generation companies (GenCos) and DisCos over N4 trillion.
Adelabu revealed this at the public presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP) and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP) in Abuja on Thursday, February 27.
He noted the government’s indebtedness to the DisCos has surged to N450 billion for electricity subsidy accrued in 2024.
He stressed that the debt would not allow the electricity companies to perform optimally.
He asked, how do you expect them to pay for gas, service, and maintain their turbines and other infrastructure as well as pay their staff amid the N4 trillion federal government debt?
According to him, the government cannot afford to continue to fund the level of subsidy that its consumption pattern is throwing up as it has seen increasing consumption of electricity.
In August 2021, the Nigerian Senate expressed concern over N91.96 billion in outstanding debt owed to Ikeja Electric and EKEDC by MDAs.
In January 2025, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) revealed that MDAs owed over N100 billion in unpaid electricity bills.
Similarly, in September 2024, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) clarified that MDAs owed Eko Electricity Distribution Company N42 billion.
Stakeholders believe that these debts strain the power sector financially, making it difficult for DisCos to meet remittance targets and causing widespread dissatisfaction.
It also makes it difficult for generation companies to get paid for electricity invoices.
In September 2021, the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) verified and estimated N93 billion owed by the Armed Forces and other security agencies, The ICIRreported.
This indebtedness continues to be of concern despite the increasing budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Defence, which rose from N1.55 trillion in 2023 to N2.9 trillion this year.
NAF apologies
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reportedly rendered a formal apology to the management and staff of Ikeja Electric over the invasion of the company’s headquarters by troops attached to its Logistics Command in Lagos.
The apology was delivered at a joint press briefing held at Ikeja Electric’s office later on Thursday after the incident.
Rendering the apology, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, Adeniran Kolade Ademuwagun, condemned the attack, describing it as “unfortunate.”
“We will investigate what happened and impose appropriate sanctions. The Nigerian Air Force takes the safety of citizens very seriously, and Ikeja Electric should continue providing services without fear of disturbance,” the Air Vice Marshal (AVM) said.
“We must ensure the safety and security of Nigerians, and we do not take that responsibility lightly,” Ademuwagun added.
Commenting, the chairman of Ikeja Electric, Kola Adesina, detailed the impact of the invasion, revealing that at least 10 staff members were brutalised while company assets were vandalised or taken away.
“About 200 staff were on-site when the incident occurred. Reports confirmed that 10 individuals were brutalised, and several office assets were destroyed or removed,” Adesina lamented.
Describing the attack as unwarranted and distressing, he said “It was a terrible experience for our staff, and it disrupted our operations significantly.
“We are grateful that the leadership of the Air Force has responded swiftly, and we believe that justice will be served.”
Adesina noted that the invasion was linked to a long-standing debt dispute between the Nigerian Air Force and Ikeja Electric.
He stated that an agreement had been reached regarding the N4 billion owed to the electricity distribution company.
“As an organisation, we have been owed a significant sum—over N4 billion—which we have struggled to recover. We have been in discussions about this for some time, and while some payments have been made, the process has been slow,” he explained.
AMIDST increasing efforts by fact-checking organisations globally to empower the public with information resilience skills, hoaxes, particularly those of celebrity death, continue to spread on Meta’s Facebook.
The FactCheckHub investigates some accounts identified for spreading such hoaxes on the social media platform and examines how replacing the third-party fact-checking programme with community notes could further exacerbate this disinformation practice.
While these developments are positioned as efforts to improve freedom of expression, they raise concerns about the potential proliferation of disinformation campaigns, particularly celebrity death hoaxes on social media.
Meta’s transition to Community-based moderation
Meta’s Community Notes model draws inspiration from a similar feature on X (formerly Twitter). This approach empowers users to add contextual notes to posts they deem misleading, thereby decentralising content moderation.
Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, emphasised that this move aims to “allow more speech by lifting restrictions on some topics that are part of mainstream discourse.” This policy change is expected to be implemented across its platforms globally by 2026.
However, the fears of many people remain how effective the community notes is in curbing the spread of misinformation and tackling disinformation online, drawing perspectives from the X-style model which is already in use.
Celebrity death hoaxes on Facebook
Meta platforms, particularly Facebook, have increasingly become the hotspots for spreading disinformation, especially fake deaths of celebrities and notable individuals. The FactCheckHub uncovered some accounts perpetrating this scheme. Such act has been carried out for a long time in some Facebook groups monitored.
In some of these groups, some of the posts contain false death narratives of celebrities and other notable personalities. Activities of these accounts appeared to be coordinated influence campaigns. For instance, a Facebook account, News US1, posted a fake death of Mike Tyson after the retired heavyweight champion attended the inauguration of Donald Trump with Jake Paul in January 2025. This was earlier debunked by The FactCheckHub.
Despite the verification, many Facebook accounts continued to share the fake Tyson’s death in February 2025. For instance, news NNC, posted the same claim on February 1, 2025. It was shared by 21 other users though it has few reactions and comments. Also, another Facebook user, Ben, posted the same claim on February 12, 2025. It garnered over 390 shares, plus 67 shares and 20 likes as of February 15, 2025.
Notably, the same claim was also shared in groups like video fee, US1, UN SOS2025 and Bringnow, among others. All these claims were shared in similar manner, with the same images and captions.
Screenshot of the claim retrieved from Facebook. INSERT: FALSE verdict.
Our fact-checker observed that Mike Tyson made a post on Facebook on February 11, 2025, the same platform where disinformation about his death was being spread. He posted a picture of himself with some kids putting on boxing gloves with a quote that reads: “It’s all about the next generation of fighters, I’m heavily invested in their future’”.
Justin Bieber is one of the celebrities affected by such hoaxes. Another social media user Rrong Rong posted the claim about Bieber’s death on February 7, 2025 in a Facebook group with no fewer than 59,000 members.
Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE as Justin Bieber is alive. He posted some photos showing him and his girlfriend on Instagram on February 14, 2025 to mark Valentine’s Day – days after his death was announced on Facebook.
Rumours about his death have circulated multiple times on social media previously, most times stemming from hoaxes. For instance, false media reports that he had died in March 2023, was debunked by Snopes.
A post about the fake death of Justin Bieber retrieved from Facebook. INSERT: FALSE verdict.
Similarly, rumours about his death in a car crash in September 2024 were found to be FALSE, according to Fact Crescendo.
Another celebrity affected by these hoaxes is Simon Cowell, a British television producer, talent show judge, and music executive known for creating and judging hit shows such as American Idol, The X Factor, and Britain’s Got Talent e.t.c. The same Facebook account posted the false death of the TV host which gained traction online.
Findings by The FactCheckHub revealed that the claim is FALSE. As of February 19, 2025, Simon Cowell is alive and actively involved in his professional commitments. He posted a video on Instagram to announce the resumption of the ‘Britain Got Talent’ show, an audition show where he acted as one of the judges.
Recently, during the one of the audition, Cowell experienced a near-miss incident where a blindfolded performer, attempting to smash watermelons with a mallet around him, lost grip, leading to intervention by the crew to ensure his safety. This event left Cowell visibly shaken but unharmed as reported by Standard UK.
Celine Dion is another celebrity whose alleged death went viral on Facebook. A Facebook user named ajanimanlking posted a video reel on February 8, 2025 announcing the death of the popular R & B musician. But findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.
Recall that Dion has been the subject of multiple death hoaxes over the years. Notably, in November 2013, false reports claimed she had died in a car or plane crash, which she promptly refuted as reported here.
Recently in 2023, misleading information circulated widely, often rehashing old health news to falsely alleged her demise, but it was debunked by Snopes.
On February 14, 2025, the musician however announced her upcoming album billed to be released in April 2025 via her official Facebook page. This corroborates her living status.
Similarly, Snopes had earlier debunked false claims that American rapper and actor, Jaden Smith, and British actor Rowan Atkinson had died. Also recall that in August 2023, Lil Tay’s Instagram account was hacked, leading to a post that falsely reported the teen rapper’s death, Meta confirmed. These are but few among other celebrity death hoaxes that went viral on the Meta platform while some have made it to the mainstream media, a Poynterreport observed.
Meta could not be reached for official comments as at the time of filing this report, but we will update this report if we receive any response from the social media platform.
Potential risks of increased disinformation — Experts
The reliance on community-driven moderation raises concerns about the spread of false information, including premature or false reports of individuals’ deaths. Without professional fact-checkers, the responsibility falls on the user base, which may lack the expertise to accurately assess and debunk such claims. This could lead to the rapid dissemination of unverified or false information, causing unnecessary distress and confusion among members of the public, experts said.
Speaking with The FactCheckHub, Cole Praise, a fact-checker with Dubawa, emphasised the effectiveness of Facebook’s third-party fact-checking system when compared to X’s (formerly Twitter) Community Notes.
Praise argued that Facebook’s approach, which relies on users to police content, is ineffective because most users prioritize engagement over accuracy. He noted that misinformation spreads easily on Facebook since users are not conscious of verifying content before sharing.
“Fact-checkers were doing a great job serving as watchdogs to make sure that whatever content is passed is actually authentic. But now that it’s been erased by 2026 globally, I really do not see the situation getting any better. I think it will just get worse,” said Praise.
From Praise’s experience as a fact-checker, removing professional fact-checkers from Meta platforms will only worsen the spread of disinformation. He noted that for every claim verified, a misleading Facebook version often exists, which is rarely flagged as false. Instead, users like, share, and comment without questioning its accuracy. He emphasised that Facebook has not yet reached a stage where user-driven content moderation can replace dedicated fact-checkers and urges the platform to reinstate them for better content verification.
“While community fact-checking decentralises the verification process and allows users to flag claims that may escape journalists, it also has serious limitations,” Adebajo explained.
“Many contributions lack professional rigor, are sometimes biased, or prioritise humour over accuracy. This is particularly concerning for misinformation in local languages, where professional newsrooms with linguistic expertise play a crucial role in verification,” he said.
He emphasised the need for a hybrid approach, combining professional fact-checking with community notes, while urging tech companies to collaborate closely with journalists to curb the spread of harmful misinformation.
Adebajo emphasised that many cases of misinformation are not driven by a deliberate intent to harm but by the pursuit of engagement through clickbait tactics.
“Social media algorithms often prioritise tragic or shocking news, such as the death of celebrities, because these stories attract more interactions,” he explained. This increased engagement helps pages gain followers, which can then be leveraged for website traffic or commercial gain.
Adebajo stressed that while journalists play a vital role in countering such misinformation, they cannot do it alone. He called for stronger collaboration between newsrooms and social media platforms through initiatives like third-party fact-checking programme, among others. These programmes, he noted, not only enable the hiring of full-time fact-checkers but also equip journalists with better verification skills.
“Tech companies should go beyond limiting the reach of false claims by imposing large-scale sanctions on those who repeatedly spread misleading information, especially when it involves coordinated networks of pages,” Adebajo opined.
Also speaking with The FactCheckHub, Ebunoluwa Olafusi, the Fact-check Editor at TheCable, describes Meta’s ending of its third-party fact-checking programme as a setback in the fight against misinformation on social media. With platforms like Facebook serving as primary news sources for many, she warns that distinguishing between true and false information will become more challenging. This change, she argued, could lead to an increase in misinformation, making it harder for users to verify facts.
She also highlighted the influence of social media influencers, whose followers often accept their content without questioning. In cases where influencers share false claims—such as fake death reports — users may spread disinformation before corrections appear.
Olafusi raised concerns about the reliability of Community Notes, especially when users fail to engage with fact-checking efforts or add biased interpretations that align with their views, echo chamber or confirmation bias.
The shift from structured fact-checking to community-based moderation, coupled with federal directives limiting government’s intervention in content moderation, creates an environment where misinformation and disinformation can thrive, she added.
False reports of individuals’ deaths are particularly disturbing, as they can spread rapidly and cause significant harm to the individuals or families involved. Social media platforms must find a balance between promoting free speech and implementing effective measures to prevent the spread of disinformation, analysts say.
FORMER presidential spokesperson and renowned physician, Doyin Okupe, is dead. He was 72.
Born on March 22, 1952, in Iperu, Ogun State, Okupe’s career spanned several decades, during which he held significant political positions.
ARISE News confirmed the news of his death on Friday, March 7. The television channel noted that he died from remission of cancer in Lagos overnight.
Okupe began his political journey during the Second Nigerian Republic as a House of Representatives candidate for the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the 1983 parliamentary elections.
In the aborted Third Republic, he served as the National Publicity Secretary for the National Republican Convention (NRC).
Throughout his career, Okupe was associated with various political parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party.
In 2002, he was a governorship aspirant in Ogun State under the PDP and later served as a senior special assistant on Media and Public Affairs to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In July 2017, he announced his defection from PDP to join the Accord Party. However, after accepting the role of chairman of the Campaign Media Council for Bukola Saraki during the PDP’s 2019 presidential primaries, he was expelled from the Accord Party in September 2018.
During the 2023 general elections, Okupe served as the director-general of the Peter Obi Campaign Organisation.
In this capacity, he was initially nominated as the vice-presidential candidate (placeholder) for the Labour Party before stepping down to allow for the selection of Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as the substantive running mate.
However, after the 2023 general election, he exited the Labour Party and became a vocal proponent of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
