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FG orders investigation into Nigerian footballer’s death in Uganda

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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FG orders investigation into Nigerian footballer’s death in Uganda

THE Federal Government has expressed sadness over the death of Nigerian professional footballer Abubakar Lawal in Uganda.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government condoled with the deceased family and instructed the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala to collaborate with Ugandan authorities to investigate the circumstances of Lawal’s death.

Lawal, a former Nigerian Under-20 international footballer and a final-year Business Administration student at Cavendish University in Uganda, played for Vipers Football Club until his passing.

He was reportedly found dead after falling from the third floor of Voicemall Shopping Arcade in Kampala Monday morning.

The Nigerian government ordered a thorough investigation, including an autopsy, to determine the cause of his death.

“We are committed to ensuring that a thorough and transparent investigation is conducted, including an autopsy to verify the cause of death. The Ministry has also directed the High Commission in Kampala to provide all necessary consular assistance to support the family and ensure that justice is served,” part of the statement read.

The Nigerian government also expressed confidence in the capacity of the Ugandan authorities to handle the matter with sensitivity and professionalism, given the bilateral relations between the two nations.

While urging Nigerians to remain calm as the investigation unfolds, the Nigerian government pledged to monitor the situation closely.

An AFP report indicates that authorities are currently retrieving CCTV footage and conducting thorough interrogations to determine the cause of the incident.

Lawal’s friend, identified as Omary Naima, told police she had left him alone in the apartment preparing tea while she stepped out to a game centre within the mall. Shortly after, at approximately 8:00 a.m., he was found on the ground, after falling from the third floor.

“Preliminary reports indicate that Lawal arrived at the shopping mall in his vehicle, registration number UBQ 695G, to meet his friend, Omary Naima, a Tanzanian national residing in room 416 since February 20, 2025,” police stated.

The ICIR reports that the Nigerian government assured the public that it would offer necessary support to the deceased’s family.

 

 

Court jails 2 teachers 22 years each for raping minors in Ekiti

Mustapha USMAN
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Court jails 2 teachers 22 years each for raping minors in Ekiti

THE Ekiti State High Court has sentenced two teachers, Gbenga Ajibola and Ayodele Olaofe, to 22 years in prison each for raping minors and abusing their positions of authority.

The defendants were arraigned on March 2, 2022, on three counts bordering on rape and abuse of office. 

According to the charge, Ajibola raped a 17-year-old girl, while Olaofe raped a 15-year-old girl in November 2019.

The charge reads, “The first defendant, sometime in November 2019 at Ado Ekiti did rape a 17-year-old girl. Also the second defendant sometime in November 2019 did rape a 15-year-old girl, contrary to Section 31(2) of the Childs Right Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

“The defendants sometime in November 2019 at Ado Ekiti did abuse their offices as public servants, contrary to Section 104 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.”

While testifying in court, one of the victims stated that Ajibola, her computer teacher, had instructed her to meet him at a filling station, where he and Olaofe took her and another student to a hotel. 

“On that fateful day, he told me to be in mufti, he gave me N200 to go and wait for him in front of a filling station along Bank Road, Ado Ekiti.

“He later came there alongside Mr Olaofe. Before they came, one of my classmates also came there, she told me that Mr Olaofe asked her to wait there for him.

“When they came, we all left for a hotel, around the Oke-Ila area of Ado Ekiti. At the hotel, we were taken to different rooms where Mr Ajibola had sexual intercourse with me. After that day, he continued to disturb me and when I could no longer bear it, I narrated what happened to my mother who later took the matter up,” the pupil said.

The prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemi, was reported to have presented four witnesses in the court while also tendering statements from the victims and defendants, medical reports, and reports from the panel of inquiry. 

According to him, the offence contravened Section 31(2) of the Child Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

Although the defendants denied the allegations, the judge, Adeniyi Familoni, found the teachers guilty of the offence.

“The defendants seared their minds and mulled the voice of the conscience as they took advantage of the victims with reckless abandon,” the judge said.

According to him, the teachers deserve severe sanctions for their misdeeds to serve as a warning to others who may want to follow in their footsteps.

“Therefore, Ajibola Gbenga is sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in count one without the option of a fine, and Olaofe Ayodele is sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in count two without the option of a fine. The two defendants are sentenced to two years imprisonment each in count three. The terms are to run concurrently,” he added.

The ICIR reports that Ekiti is among Nigerian states that name-shame sex offenders.

 This organisation further reports that several cases of sexual abuse against schoolchildren by teachers and school managers have been recorded in Nigeria over the years.

In 2021, a 14-year-old boarding student of Premier Academy, Lugbe, Keren-Happuch Akpager, died after she was raped and a condom was left in her vagina.

An autopsy report showed that the victim was also sodomised, and her mother, Vivienne Akpager, alleged that the rape occurred within the school premises.

In Nigeria, six out of every 10 children suffer from one or more forms of physical, sexual or emotional violence before clocking 18. More than 70 per cent of children experience this violence repeatedly, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

ICIR announces fellows for Countering AI-Enhanced Malign Influence Project

Fatimah QUADRI
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ICIR announces fellows for Countering AI-Enhanced Malign Influence Project

THE International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has announced successful fellows for its Countering AI-Enhanced Malign Influence Project.

Supported by the US Embassy, the project is a one-year initiative aimed at reducing the dissemination and impact of AI-enhanced malign influence in Nigeria by promoting media literacy and responsible information sharing among citizens.  

Announcing the successful fellows on Tuesday, February 25, The ICIR Programme Officer, Chukwudi Iwuoha, noted that the project would train 120 journalists, influencers, and civic actors from six geopolitical zones in Nigeria through AI literacy workshops in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, and Kano.

“The project will feature a two-day AI literacy workshop in four locations – Abuja, Lagos, Enugu and Kano, to build necessary skills for participants to identify and counter AI-enhanced malign influences in Nigeria, which will result in quality and responsible information sharing.

The ICIR is an independent, non–profit media organisation that aims to promote good governance in Nigeria through robust investigative, data-driven reporting.

“Our goal is to build a culture of investigative reporting for the media in Nigeria by training journalists to undertake investigative, data-driven reporting, thus strengthening accountability and engendering effective service delivery for the welfare of the citizens.

Click here to see the full list of the selected fellows

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan slams Akpabio with N1.3 billion defamation suit

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan slams Akpabio with N1.3 billion defamation suit

THE senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has sued Senate President Godswill Akpabio for defamation.

In the suit, marked CV/737/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, alleged that defamatory statements were made against her by the Senate President and published by his aide on Facebook.

According to her, the post, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?” included a statement suggesting she believed being a lawmaker was only about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”

Giwa argued that the statement was defamatory, provocative, and disparaging, lowering his client’s dignity in the eyes of her colleagues and the public.

The ICIR reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns on February 20, after her seat in the Senate was reassigned due to a reshuffle caused by opposition members joining the majority wing.

She resisted the relocation, leading to a confrontation between her and the Senate President.

The ICIR reports that the disagreement sparked outrage as Nigerians lambasted Akpabio for the action and described his attitudes towards female senators as not only insulting but a denigration of the female gender and an attempt to stifle female voices.

Among others, Akpoti-Uduaghan is requesting the court to issue, “an order of perpetual injuction restraining the defendants, whether acting by themselves or through their agents, privies, assigns, or associates, from further publishing or causing to be published the said defamatory words or any similar publications about the claimant on social media or in any other manner capable of defaming her.”

Additionally, the lawmaker requested the court to compel the defendants to pay N100 billion in general damages and N300 million to cover litigation costs.

The ICIR reports that Akpabio and the female lawmaker had had confrontations in the Senate at least twice.

In July 2024, Akpoti-Uduaghan commented on a motion without Akpabio’s consent. In his attempt to correct her, he said the Senate was not a nightclub where anybody could talk anyhow.

Akpabio bowed to pressure as he apologised to the lawmaker two days later for comparing her conduct in the Senate to that of a nightclub.

Earlier today, this organisation reported that the Senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review following the rift between her and Akpabio.

The committee, led by Neda Imaseun, was given two weeks to present its findings.

The decision was made through a voice vote after Yemi Adaramodu raised a motion under Order 1(b) and 10, condemning what he described as Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “extreme intransigence” during the Senate session on February 20.

 

 

 

 

FCCPC summons MultiChoice over price increase, threatens sanction

Bankole ABE
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FCCPC summons MultiChoice over price increase, threatens sanction

THE Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned MultiChoice Nigeria, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, over plans to increase the prices of its packages effective March 1.

The FCCPC, in a statement on Tuesday, February 25, signed by its spokesperson, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the summon was for Multichoice to provide clarification regarding the planned increase in subscription prices.

The FCCPC said that in exercising its power under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, it had directed the chief executive officer of MultiChoice Nigeria to attend an investigative hearing at the Ccommission’s headquarters on Thursday, February 27.

The regulatory body said this followed MultiChoice’s formal notification of the price adjustment, which raised concerns about recurrent unilateral price hikes, potential market dominance abuse, and perceived anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry.

“The FCCPC is deeply concerned that Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases, amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different pricing strategies in other markets, heightening questions about fairness and market abuse,” the FCCPC stated.

It added that should MultiChoice fail to provide satisfactory explanations or be found in violation of fair market principles, the FCCPC would be left with no other option than to impose penalties or other corrective measures to protect Nigerian consumers.

The FCCPC said it was engaging other relevant agencies to ensure fair competition and consumer protection within Nigeria’s broadcasting and digital subscription landscape.

The ICIR reported that almost a year after its major price preview, Multichoice Nigeria announced plan to increase the prices of its packages effective March 1.

In a message to its customers on Monday, February 24, titled “Price Adjustment on DStv and GOtv Packages,” MultiChoice chief executive officer, John Ugbe, explained the reasons for the hike.

According to the company, its latest price review would hike the DStv compact bouquet from N15,700 to N19,000, the compact plus to N30,000, and the premium subscription to N44,500.

Similarly, GOtv customers who currently pay N3,600 will now pay N3,900, while the tariff on GOtv Plus will rise from N4,850 to N5,800. The GoTV Max package will cost N8,500, while the Supa will jump to 11,400, while Supa Plus rises to 16,800.

The company claimed the price increase was due to the increasing cost of running business in Nigeria. It further pointed to currency depreciation, with the naira’s value dropping significantly and high inflation ballooning its operation expenses.

Meanwhile, there have been growing concerns about the price preview, despite the dwindling economic fortunes of most Nigerian workers.

Nigeria has been grappling with one of its worst inflationary periods in decades, with inflation reaching 24.48 per cent as of January 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

In September 2024, MultiChoice Nigeria defended its opposition to a “pay-as-you-watch” model in court, stating that such a system was not commercially or technically feasible in satellite broadcasting due to current technological limitations. This stance was in response to consumer advocacy groups pushing for more flexible payment options.

Additionally, between April and September 2024, the company reported a loss of 243,000 subscribers, attributed to rising subscription costs and a shift towards more affordable streaming alternatives.

Natasha faces Senate disciplinary committee over rift with Akpabio

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Natasha faces Senate disciplinary committee over rift with Akpabio

THE Senate has referred Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review following her recent rift with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over sitiing arrangements last week, Thursday, February 20.

The committee, led by Neda Imaseun, has been given two weeks to present its findings.

The decision was made through a voice vote after Yemi Adaramodu raised a motion under Order 1(b) and 10, condemning what he described as Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “extreme intransigence” during the Senate session on February 20.

Adaramodu recalled the rift, which attracted nationwide outrage, as he urged the Senate leadership to enforce discipline and warned that “Where there is sin, there must be a penalty.”

“From that Thursday, the media was awash with this issue and I had to work on mending the perception of the 10th Senate. The Senate is not a platform for content creation but a place for lawmaking and oversight functions.”

Backing Adaramodu, another  senator, Opeyemi Bamidele, reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to upholding its rules and maintaining internal order.

According to him, “There is no one who does not have an opinion on this issue, but we are unified by our rules. Under our watch, we will not allow this institution to be discredited beyond what we inherited. Integrity is non-negotiable.”

He dismissed claims that the dispute stemmed from gender bias or discrimination, pointing to senior senators who had accepted seat changes without objection.

Responding, Akpabio directed the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to review the incident and report back to the chamber.

He recalled that the Senate rules allow members to sit anywhere, but contributions must be made from their designated seats. He suggested that unfamiliarity with Senate procedures might have contributed to the altercation.

His words, “The first day she was sworn in, she stood up to contribute, and I was worried if she had even read the rule book. There is nothing wrong with being vibrant, but everything wrong with disobeying procedure.”

Citing Order 66(2) and Section 55 of Senate rules, he noted that all senators must conduct themselves with decorum, including prohibitions on chewing gum, drinking water or being disruptive during sittings.

“The rules empower the Senate President to suspend a senator for infractions for at least 14 days. It’s not me who made the rules, it’s in the rule book.”

The ICIR reported on February 20 that Akpabio ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to be ejected from the Senate chamber during a plenary because she disagreed with a change in her seat.

The tension began during plenary when her seat was relocated upon resumption of the session, leading to heated arguments between her and the Senate leadership.

The ICIR also reported that the Senate President’s action caused social media outrage as Nigerians criticised him for the action and described his attitudes towards female senators as not only insulting but a denigration of the female gender and an attempt to stifle female voices.

 

NNPCL seals joint venture partnership on maritime transportation

Ehime ALEX
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NNPCL seals joint venture partnership on maritime transportation

THE Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) says it has sealed a new joint venture to transform Nigerian maritime transportation.

The partnership was signed between NNPC Shipping, Stena Bulk, and Caverton Marine Limited.

According to the state-owned oil company in a statement on Tuesday, February 24 by its chief corporate communications officer, Olufemi Soneye, the agreement was signed in London last week.

He said the partnership aims to create a new tanker operation serving Nigeria and West Africa crude oil and refined petroleum products’ regional and global shipping requirements.

The joint venture partners will create a new company whose objective is to provide top quality, reliable, and efficient maritime transport, Soneye stated.

The partners will also explore options to create a modern and efficient fleet of tankers, comprising both new and existing tonnage depending on market factors and commercial opportunities in the region.

The partners will evaluate opportunities for both vessel acquisitions and long-term charter arrangements, with a focus on maintaining competitive operating costs while meeting the highest standards of safety and sustainability.

“This fleet will primarily serve the logistics needs of NNPC (crude, clean, and LNG/LPG).

Additionally, the new company will cater to other oil producers and traders, offering the strategic advantage of a modern fleet, strong financial backing, and maritime pedigree and heritage,” Soneye stated.

He quoted the managing director of NNPC Shipping, Panos Gliatis, to have said that the strategic partnership is to modernise Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.

“By combining our expertise with Stena Bulk and Caverton Marine, we are creating a robust platform that will enhance our domestic refining, import, and export capabilities and strengthen Nigeria’s position in global energy logistics,” Gliatis said.

The president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Stena Bulk, Erik Hånell, remarked, “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our pragmatic strategy of expanding our presence in key growth markets while maintaining our high standards of operational excellence and sustainability. Nigeria’s energy sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and we’re proud to be part of this journey.”

On his part, the CEO of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Bode Makanjuola, added, “This joint venture, the result of many years of planning, marks a significant stride in enhancing Nigeria’s maritime capabilities. By combining local knowledge with international best practices, we are establishing a world-class operation that will benefit not only Nigeria but the entire Sub-Saharan Africa region.”

The ICIR can report that stakeholders in the industry have been concerned that maritime transportation in Nigeria has been grossly underdeveloped.

A former secretary general of the Gulf of Guinea, Adenike Ukonga, during the 2023 Lagos International Maritime Week, pointed out that the majority of the ships providing maritime transportation services in the West and Central Africa region are from Europe, Asia, and the Far East.

It is a cause of great concern to maritime industry watchers that maritime transportation with so much potential for economic emancipation and the development of the coastal countries is virtually in the hands of non-Africans and solidly in their control, she said.

Meanwhile, the NNPC joint venture comes at a time when Nigeria is asserting its position as Africa’s largest economy.

It said Nigeria’s strategic location, growing population, and ambitious infrastructure developments are creating new opportunities for shipping companies.

By establishing the tanker operation, the NNPCL believes that the partners are not only meeting immediate logistical needs but also contributing to Nigeria’s long-term economic diversification and growth.

The NNPC Shipping, which is the shipping arm of NNPCL  spearheads the integral shipping logistics operations crucial for the country’s oil and gas distribution.

The  ICIR reported that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) introduced the electronic call-up system, powered by the Eto App, to tackle the issue of truck congestion in Apapa ports and restore order to that economic gateway.

However, indiscriminate extortion and touting by hoodlums and corrupt security agencies along ports’ corridors have continued to impede the efficiency of the system.

 

Workers, NECA tackle Akpabio over claim on 30% tax payment by Nigerians

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Workers, NECA tackle Akpabio over claim on 30% tax payment by Nigerians

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has refuted Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s claim that less than 30 per cent of Nigerians pay tax.

The group said its members represented the largest tax-paying community in the country.

Reacting to the claim while speaking with The ICIR on Tuesday, February 25, the NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said while Akpabio’s claims could not be immediately verified, significant Nigerians in the informal sector, including livestock marketers, farm produce sellers and artisans paid taxes.

“Even if the so-called 30 per cent was correct, it is no justification to pummel Nigerians with this kind of multiplicity and degree of taxes, corporate and income. What I can categorically say is that Nigeria Labour Congress is the largest tax-paying community in the country, yet it was not consulted before these reforms were contemplated” he said in reaction to the new tax bills sponsored by the Federal Government.

Upah said accountability and transparency in the government’s use of tax revenues had been almost nonexistent.

Recall that the Senate President on Monday, February 24, at a two-day public hearing organised by the Senate in Abuja on the contentious tax reform bills said while many citizens failed to pay taxes, they expected the government to deliver top-notch infrastructure, education, security, and other essential services.

He said less than 30 per cent of the nation’s citizens paid taxes.

Reacting, the TUC faulted the claim, and NECA blamed the government for the low payments. 

Speaking with Vanguard newspaper, the Deputy President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Tommy Okon, questioned the accuracy of Akpabio’s claim, pointing out that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) consistently exceeded its revenue targets.

“We do not know where he got his facts from, in a country where there is a dearth of data. If what he is saying is true, how come the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, always surpassed its set target? ‘’This government has taxed the masses enough, and it is even the wealthy few that evade payment of tax, not the workers whose taxes are deducted from source” he said.

Okon challenged Akpabio to identify Nigerians evading tax payments rather than making a sweeping claim.

“We are very sure that when they were campaigning for election, the issue of taxation was not a condition precedent for good governance. Honestly, such a statement should not have emanated from the legislative arms of the government, whose major role is to make laws for good governance,” he added.

Similarly, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) said the government should be blamed for creating conditions that discourage citizens from paying taxes. It said the government shared responsibility by failing to provide visible benefits from collected taxes, “which discourages compliance.”

Speaking through its Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, NECA said: “ It is not far from the truth that the majority of Nigerians don’t pay tax. While this is quite unfortunate, the government too has been culpable in giving the citizens many reasons not to pay, especially as the benefits of the taxes collected are not seen by many” 

While supporting the new tax reforms and efforts to enhance tax collection efficiency, NECA stressed the need for a system that ensures government accountability for tax revenues.

The new tax reformation bill

The ICIR reported that President Bola Tinubu proposed tax reforms in 2024, which have sparked concerns among stakeholders, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

Despite opposition, the Senate went ahead and passed the four tax reform bills for a second reading in November 2024 after a heated debate.

The bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, expected to provide a fiscal framework for taxation in the country; the Tax Administration Bill, which provides a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduces disputes.

Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service; and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.

After deliberations on the bills were suspended at the National Assembly in 2024, following outrage against it, especially in the North, the Senate kicked off a two-day public hearing on the bills on February 24.

Entries open for 2025 Covering Climate Now journalism awards

Blessing OTOIBHI
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Entries open for 2025 Covering Climate Now journalism awards

COVERING Climate Now invites journalists globally to send entries for its 2025  Awards.

The organisers say, “This is the fifth year of our annual awards programme, and every year we’re amazed by the quality and variety of work entrants send our way.

“Last year, we received more than 1,250 entries from journalists in dozens of countries. Winners came from outlets big and small, and together, their work has represented the leading edge of climate reporting,” said the organisers.

Entry submissions will cover 14 categories of climate stories including solutions, justice, and health.

The organisers plan to honour multiple winners in each category, reflecting a range of styles, story lengths, outlet sizes, and geographic regions, to showcase the many ways journalists across the world explored similar subjects.

Work published or broadcast anytime in 2024 is eligible. The application is free.

Entries will be accepted through Monday, March 31.

Interested applicants can apply here.

US strips UK, Taiwan of visa waiver, Nigeria, others remain ineligible

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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US strips UK, Taiwan of visa waiver, Nigeria, others remain ineligible

THE United States (US) has once again excluded Nigeria and other African countries from its 2025 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) as part of policy updates on permit eligibility and other travel regulations.

The US Department of State recently announced a revised list of eligible countries and new travel policies, excluding African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. Under the updated list, no African country is granted visa-free entry.

Citizens from 40 countries can now travel to the US without a visa for business, tourism, and transit travel for up to 90 days in the latest policy.

While the United Kingdom (UK) and Taiwan previously eligible were left out of the programme, they could benefit if they meet certain conditions. 

However, Romania made the list as a new entrant this year, highlighting the U.S. government’s emphasis on strengthening diplomatic ties and prioritising nations with robust border security.

About the VWP 

According to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs website, the VWP allows most citizens of countries cleared for the programme to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.

The agency said eligible individuals could apply for an electronic system for travel authorisation (ESTA) before departure instead of going through a lengthy visa process. 

Nigeria has never been part of the US VWP, because the programme primarily includes countries with strong security protocols, low visa overstay rates, and reciprocal travel arrangements with the US. 

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