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20,000 communities lack electricity in Nigeria – REA

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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20,000 communities lack electricity in Nigeria – REA

THE Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria (REA) has said over 20,000 rural communities were without electricity for many years while others remained underserved by energy distribution companies.

The Managing Director of REA, Abubakar Aliyu, represented by the organisation’s Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, Dorolis Uboh, disclosed this during the commissioning of a 550kWp interconnected mini-grid in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday, February 17. 

He noted that the government was working to energise 3,700 communities – 100 per state – with 370 megawatts of clean energy.

“The first phase, which is going to be 25 communities per state, will end up being 925 communities across the board in the entire federation, and we’ll be infusing over 92 megawatts of clean energy into our energy space to serve the communities, mostly the rural communities,” he said.

The REA boss said that it had identified 10,000 of these communities for electrification, using clean and alternative energy as part of its efforts to provide them with electricity.

He added that the project commissioned was part of the Interconnected Mini-Grid Accelerated Scheme (IMAS), which aimed to reach 125,000 beneficiaries in Nigeria – across the six geopolitical regions in collaboration with its development partners, including German Cooperation, European Union (EU), and GIZ.

“ 3,500 households would benefit from the project in Bakin Ciyawa and Kwande communities and the government has decided to scale up projects to be able to mitigate the problem of no energy” he said.

The Backdrop

Hundreds of Nigerian communities, including those in urban areas, are not spared from persistent power outages, worsened by recurring national grid collapse.

The ICIR  reported the alarming frequency of grid collapses, leaving Nigerians without power supply for days.

While the Federal Government has severally claimed it was tackling the challenges, including replacing ageing power infrastructure, the nation has yet to see positive results.

Recently, President Bola Tinubu secured $70 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as funding for the mini-grid projects which targeted underserved Nigerians without electricity.

The fund was part of a $1 billion facility set up by the IFC through grants from the Rockefeller Foundation and the African Development Bank.

Shareholders kick against PZ Cussons’ plan to covert $34.26m debt to equity

Ehime ALEX
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Shareholders kick against PZ Cussons’ plan to covert $34.26m debt to equity

SHAREHOLDERS of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc have described the company’s management plans to convert $34.26 million (N51,795,312,646.72) debt to equity as lacking integrity.

Investopedia describes a debt-equity swap as a financial restructuring tool where a company exchanges its outstanding debt for equity shares. This type of transaction allows a company to reduce its debt burden by converting creditors into shareholders.

Many shareholders who spoke with The ICIR about the development said the decision would not be in the best interest of minority shareholders.

The concern came barely a week after PZ Cussons Nigeria Facts Behind the Figures Presentation held at the Nigerian stock exchange in Lagos on Wednesday, February 12.

At that meeting, shareholders had called on the company’s management to be more accountable and return the company to profitability now that they had considered remaining listed on the Nigerian stock exchange, The ICIR  exclusively reported.

The company had approached the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a smooth exit from the exchange citing its indebtedness.

In a statement on Saturday, February 16, PZ Cussons Nigeria said it wants to convert part of its debts to equity, subject to regulatory approval.

According to the statement, the board of directors decided to convert $34.26 million of the company’s outstanding loan of $40.26 million into equity after careful deliberation.

It stated that the $34.26 million debts would be converted to equity at a price of N23.60 per share and would create 2,194,716,637 new ordinary shares at a value of 50 kobo each for the parent company, PZ Cussons Holdings, increasing its share capital by N1,097,358,318.50.

It would also raise the parent company stake from 73.27 per cent to 82.79 per cent.

“Conversion of debt to equity is a normal practice but I don’t have the details yet. I expect the company to organise an EGM (extraordinary meeting) where the details will emerge and then the shareholders will exhaustively engage with board and management and cross-pollinate ideas and eventually be on the same page,” the chairman, Abuja branch of Noble Shareholders Association, Innocent Peter Nwokocha, said.

He expected that PZ Cussons should have waited for its EGM to make its plans known to shareholders either for approval or for their views before announcing it at the news corridor.

“I think somebody has said that they want to stylishly delist. Delisting is not a bad thing, more so if it is for the overall interest of shareholders.

“I think they have something to hide,” Nwokocha said.

For him, conversion of debts to equity is a normal practice, but the way PZ Cussons reveals its plans shows the company has a lot of skeletons in its cupboard.

Noting that PZ Cussons held its fact behind the figures presentation recently, he said, “If you tell me something in the morning and in the evening you are singing a different song, I have a reason to doubt you. It is a measure of mutual mistrust. And that is exactly what we are seeing. They are having integrity issues. I think they should  be opened and clear to us.”

He believes the parent company which has majority shares in the company, could easily counter the views of the minority shareholders but wondered why the company does not want to follow the down rules.

“If they do a voice vote at the EGM, which is allowed in the Law, by the pool, I think all their majority shareholders will be on their side.

“But it will be important to note that we did say no and it is good we exhaust the issue before the voting, knowing that they have the numbers to counter whatever the minority shareholders say,” Nwokocha said.

Converting $34.26 million debt to equity is not going to solve the problem facing PZ Cussons, the national chairman of the Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Boniface Okezie, said.

He pointed out that parts of the debts swap to equity, if added up to the parent company’s stake, might eat into the 20 per cent free float threshold required to be kept by the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX)  rule.

Breaching this rule may lead the company to demand to be delisted from NGX, Okezie explained.

“Where will the shareholders go from there? You can see from my little analysis it may help them to consolidate, and Nigerian minority shareholders will be at a disadvantage or forced to exit from the company. That is the true position of things,” he said.

According to Okezie, the only way out is for PZ Cussons Nigeria to do rights issues to raise money to restructure the company.

It could also ask the parent company to renegotiate the debts since it was part of the problem that caused the debts to be incurred in the first place through over-invoicing or non-remittance of dividends accrued to them.

Okezie further lamented that PZ Cussons Holdings still exports finished products to Nigeria as well as technical services, asserting that these issues helped to increase the company’s foreign debt obligation.

On his part, the national president of New Dimension Shareholders, Patrick Ajudua, said the PZ Cusson’s plan to convert debt to equity would not be fair to minority shareholders.

He believes that the trust between minority shareholders and majority shareholders of PZ Cussons had completely broken down with the new development, criticising the management for trying to box shareholders into a corner.

“It is a way of unboxing shareholders and diluting the value of our shares in the company despite various signals raised by shareholders on the financial performance and sales of assets.

“So, they expect the shareholders to now bear the burden of losses,” Ajudua said.

He expressed that shareholders are not against the debt-to-equity conversion but that their objection is the proposed rate of conversion by the major shareholder, PZ Cussons Holdings, United Kingdom, which is not intended to favour the principle of fairness, equity, and justice.

“It is unjust, reprehensible, and unfair to minority shareholders who have bear the pain of loss of value on their investment and non-payment of dividends.

“This major shareholder has over the past 5 years unceremoniously embarked on the sale of an asset without ploughing back the proceed to bridge financial haemorrhage rather it is deployed in administrative use,” Ajudua maintained.

He asserted the representatives of the major shareholders have been receiving salaries in foreign currency, paying a four per cent fee from gross profit, including technical fees and management fees.

“Therefore, going by the current market value of PZ Cussons via 52 weeks high, the company ought to pay N40 per share, which is just and fair.

“If the rate of N40 is agreed it will be able to address our concern and return the company to profitability,” Ajudua added.

How PZ Cussons Nigeria crawled into $40.26m debts

In June 2022, PZ Cussons Holdings Limited (PZCH) loaned $40.26 million to PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc (PZCN) to help cover raw material and operational costs, which were difficult to manage due to currency shortages.

The significant devaluation of the naira experienced between 2023 and 2024 negatively impacted PZCN’s financial results and led to a rise in its foreign currency-denominated loans.

In response to these challenges, the company’s board decided to strengthen its balance sheet by settling the outstanding shareholder loan obligation and reducing exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.

“After extensive discussions, we have agreed that converting a portion of the outstanding loan, amounting to USD 34.26 million, into equity is the most effective strategy to reduce debt and strengthen the Company’s balance sheet, while significantly minimising the risk of future foreign exchange losses,” the company explained.

If the conversion sails through a remaining shareholder loan balance of $6 million will still be payable to the parent company.

Seven killed in Osun as PDP, APC supporters clashed over planned reinstatement of sacked LG chairpersons

Bankole ABE
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0
Seven killed in Osun as PDP, APC supporters clashed over planned reinstatement of sacked LG chairpersons

SEVEN people have reportedly died as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed in Osun State on Monday, February 17.

According to reports, the crisis led to the death of a former chairman of the Irewole Local Government Area, Aderemi Abbas, and others.

The crisis was triggered by a contentious Court of Appeal ruling that allegedly reinstated local government chairpersons and councillors sacked by the Federal Court court in 2022.

The state governor, Ademola Adeleke, raised concerns on Sunday, February 16, about a plan by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and certain security agency heads to enforce the ruling and urged the public to hold them accountable for any violence that arose after the action.

However, violence erupted on Monday as supporters of both parties clashed at local government secretariats across the state, resulting in deaths and injuries.

Witnesses reported seeing hoodlums armed with charms and weapons intimidating bystanders and smashing the phones of those recording the chaos.

The police were deployed to restore order in some areas, including Olorunda Local Government Area, where APC members’ attempts to take over the council secretariat were met with resistance.

The violence spread to various parts of the state, including Osogbo, where gunshots were heard at the gate of Osogbo Central Local Government Area.

However, both parties have traded accusations over the violence.

In a chat with The ICIR on Monday, the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed that six people died in the violence.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered additional officers to the state.

This was disclosed in a statement by police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi.

The police condemned the violence, describing it as a threat to democracy and public safety.

According to the statement, the newly deployed tactical squads will work alongside existing security operatives to restore law and order.

The IGP vowed to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence and also issued a stern warning against further acts of lawlessness, hooliganism, and anarchy, assuring residents that security operatives would clamp down on anyone attempting to disrupt public peace.

The state governor and other prominent Nigerians have also expressed deep concerns over the violence and loss of lives in the state.

The ICIR reported on Monday that gunshots were fired in Osun State as supporters of the APC and the PDP clashed following the attempted reinstatement of sacked council chairpersons in the state.

Adeleke and Oyetola are at loggerheads over the interpretation of the Appeal Court’s ruling on the chairpersons who were elected on the APC platform but sacked by the Federal High Court in 2022. 

The ICIR reported on Sunday that Adeleke raised the alarm over a plot by Oyetola, a former governor of the state, to plunge the state into chaos by reinstating the sacked chairpersons.

He claimed that the “unlawful takeover” also had the backing of security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the State Security Service (SSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Commenting further on the alleged plot, Adeleke noted that the controversy stemmed from the 2022 local government elections in Osun, which were nullified by two separate Federal High Court judgments.

According to Adeleke, the Court of Appeal struck out the PDP’s case against the chairpersons but did not issue any consequential order reinstating them.

The governor also said the judgment obtained by the Action Peoples Party (APP), which also sacked the local government officials, remained unchallenged by the APC.

Reacting to the claim that security agencies in the state were part of the plot to reinstate the sacked officials, the APC in the state, which confirmed its party would reinstate the officials, denied the involvement of security agencies in the plan.

Police declare Portable wanted over alleged violent attack on government officials

Mustapha USMAN
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Police declare Portable wanted over alleged violent attack on government officials

THE Ogun State Police Command has declared Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, wanted for allegedly orchestrating a violent attack on government officials who were carrying out their lawful duties.

In a statement, on Monday, February 17,  by the command public relations officer, Omolola Odutola, the incident occurred on February 5, 2025, when officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development’s Ota Zonal Office were conducting an enforcement exercise in the Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota area.

The officials, identified as Onabanjo Abidemi, Raymond Lateef, and Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi, were said to be inspecting properties and requesting approved building plans when they encountered an elderly man at Portable’s bar (Odogwu Bar). 

According to the statement, the man, who later identified himself as Portable’s father, informed them that his son was not available to provide the required documents.

However, moments later, Portable allegedly arrived at the scene, leading a group of nine persons armed with firearms and other dangerous weapons. 

The assaulted officials subsequently reported the incident to the Ota Area Command, which escalated the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

“The enforcement officers sustained various bodily injuries but managed to escape and reported the incident to the Ota Area Command, which subsequently escalated the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further action.” the statement added.

Portable declared wanted after evading arrest

Following the attack, police operatives arrested nine of Portable’s alleged accomplices, who were later charged in court. However, the singer fled the scene and has since refused to honour multiple police invitations, the police said.

According to Odutola, the Ogun State Police Command extended several formal invitations to Portable, requesting his presence at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta. 

However, he allegedly ignored these requests, failing to appear voluntarily or send legal representation.

In response to his repeated evasion, the police noted that it had secured a court order declaring him wanted.

The command further urged members of the public to provide any useful information that could lead to his immediate arrest. 

It also warned that anyone found aiding or harbouring him would face legal consequences.

Nine accomplices arraigned in court

Two weeks ago, nine of Portable’s associates were arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, on multiple charges, including felony, assault, unlawful restriction, possession of weapons, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

The defendants, Nurudeen Warris (21), Adetola Alashe (25), Samuel Adeleke (28), Oluwaseun Ayenuwa (19), Oluwapelumi Adeosun (20), Gospel Kanu (20), Precious Ohiegebo (19), Ifeoluwa Babatunde (27), and Fatimo Muhammed (26), however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecuting the case, police prosecutor, Sunday Ekong, told the court that the accused persons, along with Portable, obstructed and assaulted the town planning officers while they were performing their official duties at Odogwu Bar. 

He further alleged that the group was armed and acted in a manner that could incite public unrest.

Ekong cited relevant provisions of the Ogun State Criminal Code Laws of 2006, stating that the defendants’ actions contravened Sections 516 (Conspiracy to Commit Felony), 356(3) (Assault on a Public Officer), 80 (Illegal Possession of Weapons), 249(d) (Conduct Likely to Cause a Breach of Peace), and 320 (Inflicting Bodily Harm).

After hearing the charges, O.M. Somefun, a magistrate, granted each defendant N5 million bail, with sureties of equal value.

The court ruled that the sureties must be licensed bondsmen registered with the Ogun State Government.

The case was adjourned to March 17, 2025, for further hearing. 

This is not the first time Portable has found himself embroiled in legal troubles. The singer, known for his controversial lifestyle and frequent confrontations with law enforcement and other Nigerians, has previously been involved in altercations with both security personnel and government officials.

In 2023, Portable was arrested for assaulting police officers and resisting arrest and was subsequently charged to court for assaulting men of the Nigeria Police Force. 

Similarly, in May 2024, Portable was arrested for refusing to pay the debt he allegedly owed a car dealer in Lagos State from whom he bought a G-Wagon vehicle.

The singer had allegedly purchased a G-wagon worth 27 million naira, paid 13 million naira and refused to pay the 14 million naira balance, claiming the car was bad.

Portable was arrested after the expiration of the 72-hour ultimatum given to him to turn himself in.

{Breaking} Edwin Clark dies at 97

Ehime ALEX
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{Breaking} Edwin Clark dies at 97

A FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Edwin Clark, is dead.

He died aged 97 in the night of Monday, February  17, according to a statement reportedly to have been signed by C. C. Clark, for the family.

“The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday 17th February  2025.

“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family,” the statement read.

Clark, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leader, was born on May 25, 1927.

He was a Nigerian statesman, Ijaw leader and politician from Delta State who worked with the administrations of military governor Samuel Ogbemudia and former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon,between 1966 and 1975.

In 1966, he was a member of an advisory committee to the military governor of the Mid-Western Region province, David Ejoor and was appointed Federal Commissioner of Information in 1975.

He died four days after Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, passed on.

Trump’s funding freeze: Embrace innovations, Okonjo-Iweala challenges African leaders

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Trump’s funding freeze: Embrace innovations, Okonjo-Iweala challenges African leaders

AMID the controversial aid withdrawal by the United States (US) President Donald Trump, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has challenged African leaders to look inward for funding opportunities for the continent.

Okonjo-Iweala, a doctorate holder and developmental economist, said this at the Heads of State and Government breakfast dialogue of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the weekend.

She noted that Africa needed to change its mindset and see opportunities in the seeming challenge posed by a pause of billions of dollars in global funding from US for health and education projects across the world.

“African leaders must attract investment and mobilise resources to survive contemporary social and economic realities that come with the policies of the Donald Trump presidency,” she said.

She added, “Africa really needs to change its mindset about access to aid. We should begin to see it as a thing of the past. Our focus should be on two key areas – attracting investment and mobilising domestic resources.”

She cautioned Africa against exporting its mineral resources but rather exploring ways to ensure such resources are turned into finished products to further boost the continent’s job opportunities, self-sufficiency, and economy.

“The only way Africa can finance itself is by growing our economies, trading more, and adding value to our products. At the WTO, we are working to identify and remove trade barriers that prevent African nations from exporting value-added goods competitively,”

Okonjo-Iweala also called for the recapitalisation of Africa’s multilateral development banks to enable them to fund key developmental projects on the continent.

Besides, she suggested that Africa’s pensions domiciled in foreign accounts were enough to drive growth on the continent if invested locally.

She explained that $250 billion in pension funds owned by nations on the continent could be deployed to engender development.

“The biggest pension funds are in South Africa, followed by Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Botswana, and Namibia. These resources are hugely significant, and we need to find ways to tap into them,” she stated.

US aid withdrawal

Recall that Trump administration has endorsed the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which funds several educational and health projects worldwide.

One of Trump’s appointees, Elon Musk, world’s richest man who heads Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had recommended dismantling USAID which Trump promptly approved. 

USAID was set up in the early 1960s to administer humanitarian aid programmes on behalf of the US government.

For six decades, USAID has built its reputation as the world’s premier international development organisation by partnering with more than 100 countries to strengthen communities and improve lives.

Last week, Scott Perry, US Congressman representing Pennsylvania, accused the agency of funding terrorist organisations such as Boko Haram and ISIS.

Over 300 officers resign from Nigerian Police

Bankole ABE
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Over 300 officers resign from Nigerian Police

THE Police Service Commission (PSC) has confirmed that many officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) are set to resign following the conclusion of a disciplinary panel.

According to media reports, 340 were affected. These officers remained in service beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60 or after completing 35 years of service. Their continued stay prompted the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to set up a disciplinary panel to address the matter.

The affected officers have proceeded on retirement ahead of the submission of the disciplinary committee’s report that probed the officers’ continued stay in office.

Many of those affected are senior officers who were supposed to have retired between 2022 and 2024.

In a chat with The ICIR on Monday, February 17, the police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said inquiries regarding the issue should be directed to the Police Service Commission (PSC).

When contacted, the PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, confirmed the report but said he didn’t know the actual number of those affected.

“Yes, I know some of them are going on retirement but I don’t know the actual number,” he stated.

Backstory

The ICIR reported that the PSC, at a meeting in Abuja, approved the immediate retirement of officers above 60 or those who had served for 35 years.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ani, on Friday, January 31, the commission at its 24th plenary meeting of 27th and 28th September 2017 had approved that recruits and other officers of the NPF should have their date of appointment in the Force against the date of their enlistment documented.

“The commission has passionately revisited its decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of (the) merger of service in the Public service and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No 020908 ( i & ii) which provides for retirement on (the) attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.”

“Accordingly, the commission, at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th management board held today, Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” the PSC had said.

The decision surfaced amid controversy surrounding Egbetokun’s tenure as the police chief.

The ICIR reported Egbetokun had initially blocked the retirement of all police officers who had either exceeded 35 years in service or were above 60 years.

How National Assembly hurriedly amended Police Act to keep Egbetokun in office

The ICIR reports that Egbetokun would have been among the retired officers but for the sudden and swift amendment to the Police Act by the National Assembly.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as acting IGP in October 2023, pending his confirmation by the National Assembly. The appointment took effect on the 31st of the same month.

Egbetokun should have left office on September 4, 2024, the day he clocked 60.

Rather than allow him to go, the Tinubu-led Federal Government pushed a bill to amend the Police Act, which consequently paved the way for the IGP’ to remain in office for four uninterrupted years, meaning he will quit office in October 2027.

Many citizens who opposed this speedy amendment of the Police Act by the National Assembly claimed the move was to aid Tinubu, who is likely to seek a second term and use Egbetokun and the entire police to his advantage in the 2027 presidential poll before Egbetokun’s tenure will elapse.

The ICIR reports that Egbetokun was Tinubu’s chief security officer when he was Lagos State Governor in 1999.

He was promoted to deputy inspector-general of police shortly after Tinubu won the February 25, 2023, presidential election, with many Nigerians suspecting he could be the next IGP’ because of his closeness to Tinubu.

 

Peace returns to Lagos Assembly after hours of tension

Mustapha USMAN
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Peace returns to Lagos Assembly after hours of tension

AFTER hours of tension that saw the sealing of key offices by security operatives, and a tense standoff involving the State Security Services (SSS) and other security operatives, calmness appeared to have returned to the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The crisis, which erupted on Monday, February 17, following Mudashiru Obasa’s removal on January 13 over allegations of abuse of office and corruption, plunged the Assembly into chaos. 

According to reports, his ousting has sparked division within the state’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with members of the influential Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) split over the move. 

Although there is an ongoing legal battle on the incident, the situation escalated on Monday when security operatives stormed the Assembly complex, sealing the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the clerk. 

This led to clashes between security personnel and legislative workers. In a video shared by Punch and captured by Gbenga Oloniniran, The ICIR observed how the lawmakers and the workers were initially denied access to the Assembly.

In another video, Meranda could be seen surrounded by lawmakers and supporters, as she shed tears while being hailed at the Assembly entrance.

However, reports indicate that normalcy is slowly returning to the House as the lawmakers were later allowed to hold a session.

During the session, the lawmakers passed a vote of confidence on Meranda.

‘It’s a national embarrassment’ – Lawmakers

Meanwhile, the Lagos lawmakers, while condemning the invasion of the Assembly complex by operatives of the SSS and the police, described the action as a “rape of democracy, an aberration, and a national embarrassment.”

The legislators, during a plenary session, demanded an explanation from the Lagos State Director of SSS regarding the reasons behind the security operatives’ presence at the legislative complex, according to Punch.

They also urged the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate the incident and publicly disclose the findings.

This was as the Assembly urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the incident to prevent further escalation of the situation.

The lawmakers further denounced the invasion, describing it as a violation of legislative norms and a direct assault on democratic governance in the state.

“This is not a government ruled by the barrel of a gun. This is an aberration of democracy and a step toward anarchy.

“What happened today is a total embarrassment and an act of harassment,” said Abiodun Tobun, one of the lawmakers.

He further declared the lawmakers’ loyalty to Meranda, stating, “Nobody can dictate to us. God chooses and removes leaders. We are solidly behind your leadership, Mr. Speaker – nobody can remove you.”

Backstory

On January 13, Obasa who had served for nearly 10 years as the state Speaker from June 2015 to January 2025, was suspended by more than two-thirds of the 40-member lawmakers over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.

However, during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja held on Saturday, January 25, Obasa declared that he remained the Speaker despite his replacement by his deputy, Mojisola Meranda.

Consequently, the embattled lawmaker challenged his suspension in court.

He filed a suit against the Assembly and the new Speaker at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, arguing that his suspension was improper since the Assembly was in recess at the time he was removed.

In a motion dated February 12, his legal team, led by Afolabi Fashanu, a senior advocate, requested an accelerated hearing of the case.

Obasa, who was out of the country when 36 lawmakers voted him out on January 13, insisted he should be returned as the legitimate Speaker.

Among other reliefs, Obasa is asking the court to fix an expedited hearing date and to shorten the time for the defendants to file their response to seven days. He also requested that his reply on points of law be filed within three days.

His application is based on nine legal grounds, including the interpretation of key constitutional provisions such as Sections 36, 90, 92(2)(c), 101, and 311 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), alongside relevant rules and standing orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Gunshots fired as APC, PDP clash in Osun over reinstatement of LG chairpersons

Bankole ABE
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Gunshots fired as APC, PDP clash in Osun over reinstatement of LG chairpersons

GUNSHOTS were reportedly fired in Osun State as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed following the attempted reinstatement of sacked council chairpersons in the state on Monday, February 17.

Unconfirmed reports say two persons were reportedly shot during the fracas in the Boripe Local Government Area of the state.

The crisis followed a disagreement between the state Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, over the interpretation of the Appeal Court’s ruling on the chairpersons who were elected on the APC platform but sacked by the Federal High Court in 2022. 

Reports say the situation between APC and PDP members got intense on Monday when APC executives who resumed in their respective offices began to celebrate their reinstatement. Things took a different turn when they clashed with PDP members, leading to gunfire and injuries.

It was gathered that the Amotekun Corps officers tried to intervene, but the APC members resisted them.

The APC members reportedly took over the secretariat in Osogbo but were chased out by PDP members. One person was reportedly injured during the clash.

The APC members also took over the council in Ife Central but were confronted by PDP members, causing gridlock on the Ibadan/Ikire expressway.

In Obokun, there was uneasy calm, with both parties occupying the front of the council building, which was under lock. Similarly, in Irewole, PDP members prevented APC members from reinstating the APC chairman.

The APC is insisting that a recent Court of Appeal ruling justifies its actions, while the PDP is claiming that the ruling is invalid.

The ICIR reported on Sunday that Adeleke raised the alarm over a plot by Oyetola, a former governor of the state, to plunge the state into chaos by reinstating the sacked chairpersons.

He claimed that the “unlawful takeover” also had the backing of security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the State Security Service (SSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Addressing journalists on Sunday, February 16, Adeleke warned of an imminent security crisis in the state, alleging that Oyetola, in collusion with the Osun State commissioner of police, the SSS, and the state commandant of the NSCDC, had perfected plans to reinstate the sacked LGA chairpersons on Monday, February 17.

Commenting further on the alleged plot, Adeleke noted that the controversy stemmed from the 2022 local government elections in Osun, which were nullified by two separate Federal High Court judgments.

According to Adeleke, the Court of Appeal struck out the PDP’s case against the chairpersons but did not issue any consequential order reinstating them.

The governor also said the judgment obtained by the Action Peoples Party (APP), which also sacked the local government officials, remained valid and unchallenged by the APC.

He said he had yet to become the state governor when the chairpersons were sacked.

Consequently, the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) directed local government workers to stay at home from Monday, following fears of a possible breakdown of order over the planned reinstatement. 

Meanwhile, the APC chapter in the state confirmed the planned reinstatement but denied issuing orders to any of the security agencies in the state.

 

US set to deport 85 Nigerians to Lagos

Mustapha USMAN
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US set to deport 85 Nigerians to Lagos

THE United States (US) is set to return Nigerian deportees under President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, to Lagos State, according to a statement from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Sunday,  February 16.

The US envoy to Nigeria, Richard Miller, confirmed that 85 deportees would be taken to Lagos, though no specific date was provided.

The 85 deportees are part of the over 200 Nigerians, who are in the immigration camps and set to be deported home from the United States in line with Trump’s immigration policy.

Miller’s statement explained that the first batch of deportees, comprising Nigerians who have been convicted in the United States, would be repatriated to Lagos State.

“Those to be repatriated would be dropped in Lagos. There wouldn’t be room for whether it should be in Port Harcourt or Abuja.

“The first group will be convicted prisoners. Those who committed crimes and are in US prisons. Some of them are those who have violated US immigration laws. They appealed but were denied, yet they are still in the US. They have committed immigration crimes, people who have been ordered to leave,” he said.

FG demands dignified process

In response to this development, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged the US to adhere to established protocols during the deportation process. 

Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the need for deportations to be conducted with dignity.

In a statement issued by her special assistant on communication and new media, Magnus Eze, on Sunday, she expressed concerns over the potential suspension of the US Drop Box Visa System, noting the emotional and financial hardship it inflicts on Nigerians in the US.

“With the new U.S. administration, we want commitments. If deportation must happen, it should be dignified,” she stated.

She questioned whether deportees would have adequate time to manage their assets before being bundled onto planes, and warned that the traumatic impact of deportation extends not only to the deportees but also to their families in Nigeria who depend on remittances for survival and education.

The minister also called on the US government to reconsider suspending the Drop Box Visa Policy to ensure that genuine travellers and over 14,000 Nigerian students in the US are not adversely affected. 

Odumegwu-Ojukwu demanded an official US statement clarifying its position on the Drop Box system, amid growing concerns among Nigerians regarding potential changes to visa policies.

More Nigerians at risk

The ICIR reported that at least 3,690 Nigerians were scheduled for deportation from the United States, as Trump’s deportation of illegal immigrants in the country got underway.   

The Trump administration has been carrying out raids and arrests in several cities, including Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles, targeting illegal immigrants.

This latest development is part of a broader effort by the administration to tighten immigration laws, with thousands of people already detained and hundreds deported in recent days.

According to a report, the US has broken down the data by nationality and the number of people billed to be returned home. 

The report detailed efforts of the Enforcement and Removal Operations of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the US.

According to a recent document released by the ICE, Mexico and El Salvador top the list of countries with the most people facing deportation, with 252,044 and 203,822 citizens, respectively.

The US government’s crackdown on illegal immigration has created a sense of apprehension among undocumented immigrants, including Nigerians, who are now living in fear of being deported.

Recall that Trump, on his inauguration day as the 47th President of the US on Monday, January 20, 2025, signed a series of executive orders aimed at tightening immigration policies, including the stoppage of citizenship by birth for children of illegal immigrants.

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