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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has released the results of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates, second series.

The examination, conducted between October 25 and December 20, 2024, introduced a new computer-based hybrid mode alongside the traditional paper-and-pen option.

In a statement on Sunday, WAEC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola F. Adesina, disclosed that 65,023 candidates sat for the examination across 5,067 centres nationwide, representing a 20% decline from the previous year.

According to WAEC, 95.9% of the results have been fully processed and released, enabling most candidates to access their scores without delay.

A performance analysis showed that 53.64% of candidates obtained five credits, including English and Mathematics, reflecting a 9.35% increase from the 2023 results.

However, WAEC withheld the results of 2,577 candidates (3.96%) over alleged examination malpractice. Affected candidates have been advised to visit the council’s official portal to address their cases.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted an application by former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to amend her suit challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) final forfeiture order on her seized assets.

Justice Inyang Ekwo approved the request after Diezani’s lawyer, Godwin Inyinbor, moved the motion, which EFCC counsel Divine Oguru did not oppose.

During the proceedings, Inyinbor informed the court that the motion to amend the originating process had been filed and duly served on the defendant.

Granting the application, Justice Ekwo directed the former minister to file and serve the amended processes within five days, while the EFCC was given 14 days to respond. The case was adjourned to March 17 for further mention.

Alison-Madueke, through her lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is challenging the public sale of her forfeited properties. She contends that the forfeiture orders were issued without jurisdiction and violated her right to a fair hearing, as guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

The court had initially scheduled November 21, 2024, to hear the motion before granting the amendment request on Monday.

The former minister argues that she was never served with a charge sheet, proof of evidence, or any summons regarding the criminal charges against her. She further claims that the courts were misled into granting the forfeiture orders due to the suppression or non-disclosure of key information.

“The applications that led to the final forfeiture orders were based on serious misstatements, misrepresentations, and concealment of material facts,” she stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the EFCC had secured multiple forfeiture orders against Alison-Madueke’s assets, which were subsequently auctioned by the federal government.

Tensions ran high at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday following the alleged illegal removal of Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) took control of the assembly complex, preventing newly appointed Speaker Mojisola Meranda from accessing her office for over an hour.

In a show of solidarity, lawmakers and assembly staff gathered in protest before forcefully entering the chamber.

Watch the ensuing video below.

A legal battle has erupted over the Alaafin of Oyo throne as Prince Lukman Gbadegesin has filed a lawsuit challenging the appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin.

Gbadegesin, a contender for the revered stool, submitted his suit at the Oyo State High Court on February 12, 2025, seeking to annul Owoade’s appointment, which he claims violates the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

Through his counsel, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN), Gbadegesin is also requesting an injunction to prevent Owoade from assuming the throne or performing any royal duties.

The lawsuit names Governor Seyi Makinde, the Attorney General of Oyo State, and 11 others as defendants, with a 30-day window to respond.

In his legal filing, Gbadegesin argues that Governor Makinde’s approval of Owoade’s selection within five days was “unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null, and void.” He asserts that the Oyomesi, the traditional kingmakers, had already chosen him as the rightful heir before the governor’s decision.

“The selection of the fourth defendant as the Alaafin of Oyo was carried out to the exclusion of rightful kingmakers who were neither suspended nor removed,” Gbadegesin stated.

He is asking the court to recognize his nomination as valid and affirm that the kingmakers’ selection process should be upheld. Additionally, he seeks an order compelling the governor to approve his appointment as Alaafin, as recommended by the Oyomesi and the Agunloye Ruling House.

Gbadegesin is also requesting an injunction to bar the recognition of Owoade as Alaafin and halt any financial benefits or stipends attached to the office.

The legal action follows a pre-action notice from his legal team to the governor, highlighting alleged violations of the state’s chieftaincy laws.

Despite the ongoing dispute, the Oyo State Government has moved forward with preparations for Owoade’s coronation, with a committee already convening.

Governor Makinde formally announced Owoade’s appointment on January 13, 2024, and presented him with the staff of office. The move ended a two-year vacancy following the passing of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III in 2022.

During the ceremony, Governor Makinde warned that any individuals found guilty of accepting bribes during the selection process would face legal consequences.

The Oyomesi, led by High Chief Yusuf Akínade, Bashorun of Oyo, and other traditional chiefs, have expressed dissatisfaction with the selection process. In a letter dated January 14, 2025, addressed to the governor and signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), they raised concerns about statements undermining their integrity.

The court is expected to hear the case in the coming weeks as the tussle over the Alaafin stool intensifies.

Tensions escalated in Osun State on Monday as clashes between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led to gunfire, leaving two people reportedly shot in Boripe Local Government Area.

The crisis followed the resumption of reinstated local government executives, a move that has sparked a dispute between Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. The reinstatement was ordered by the Court of Appeal, allowing the sacked APC executives to return to office.

According to reports, APC executives resumed office early in the day, celebrating their return and asserting their control over the council. However, as they exited the premises, they were ambushed by PDP members, resulting in a violent confrontation that saw two people injured.

Security operatives from the Amotekun Corps arrived at the scene but faced resistance from APC members.

In Osogbo, APC supporters took control of the council secretariat in the Oke-Baale area, but the intervention of Governor Adeleke’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Muniru Raji, led to resistance. Later, Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, mobilized more PDP members, forcing the APC supporters out amid gunfire, leaving one person injured.

The unrest spread to other local government areas. In Ife Central, protests by PDP members against APC’s resumption caused a heavy gridlock along the Ibadan-Ikire Expressway. In Obokun, an uneasy calm prevailed as both party supporters gathered outside the locked council building.

In Irewole, PDP members prevented APC executives from resuming office by barricading the council premises. Meanwhile, in Ilesa East and Atakunmosa West, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, and former lawmaker Babatunde Komolafe, respectively, led APC supporters into council offices.

In Olorunda, heightened security was observed at the council secretariat, where PDP supporters, led by Commissioner for Rural Development, Gani Olaoluwa, gathered in large numbers.

The situation remains tense across the affected councils as security forces monitor developments.