Headlines

The Accountant General of Kogi State, Habibat Oyiza Tijjani, an appointee of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, has come under fire over allegations of human rights violations following the arrest and prolonged detention of Abdul Hameed, a young man from Ihima, Eika axis in Okehi Local Government Area.

Hameed was reportedly picked up nearly three months ago, with his exact whereabouts still unknown — a development that has triggered a growing wave of public outrage and concern over abuse of power and political repression in the state.

The incident came to light after UK-based activist Ogawahab Aliu released a podcast in the Ebira language titled “Dear Hajia Habibat – Kogi State Accountant-General, please release the young man you arrested.” In the podcast, Aliu demanded either Hameed’s immediate release or his arraignment in a court of law.

Social media users have since amplified the calls for justice. Salami Rufus Ohiani wrote on Facebook that the young man, known online as “Ododo D’Flower Boiz Vanguard,” was allegedly arrested over a Facebook post and detained without charge or trial. “This is a scary society where there’s no justice between the higher and lower classes,” Ohiani stated.

The controversial Facebook post, dated February 13, was critical of Governor Ododo’s ties with activist Austin Okai and accused Accountant-General Tijjani of overstepping her role by exerting undue influence over local government affairs.

While many allege that Hameed is being unlawfully held on the orders of the Accountant-General, some have presented a differing account. Hassan Kisqo, who claims to know Tijjani personally, stated that Hameed was taken to court to prove his claims but failed to do so. “He’s there on a court order, not Hajia’s directive,” Kisqo said, though no verifiable court documents have been produced to support this claim.

The case has reignited long-standing allegations of political intimidation in Kogi State. Facebook user Usman Usman recalled a similar experience:

“Thank God they know who made this arrest. My own brother was abducted during the last political dispensation and has been missing ever since.” Another, Zubair Adeiza Kabir, added, “I know of three boys who were arrested during FGYB’s reign and to this day, we’ve neither seen nor heard from them. This has become a norm in Ebira land.”

Medical professional DS Ømêizá condemned the detention, stating: “For 2-3 months, you’ve locked up someone’s son without trial using government influence. This is beyond forgiveness.”

A separate claim by one Lawal Wahab suggests Hameed was remanded on the orders of a court, with his family reportedly unable to meet bail conditions.

However, legal experts have challenged the process, noting that prolonged detention without timely trial contravenes Nigeria’s Constitution. They cite Sections 35 (right to personal liberty), 36 (right to fair hearing), and 39 (freedom of expression) as being grossly violated.

As of now, the Kogi State government has not issued any official statement regarding Hameed’s detention. Efforts to reach the Office of the Accountant-General for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) has raised concerns over the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s plan to distribute refined products directly to end-users, warning that the move could destabilise existing supply structures across the country.

Speaking during the association’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday in Abuja, NOGASA National President, Bennett Korie, urged the refinery to suspend the proposed distribution strategy and engage in broader consultations with industry stakeholders. He cautioned that bypassing established supply channels could lead to long-term product scarcity and the collapse of the current distribution network.

Korie called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, stating that the Dangote Refinery alone lacks the infrastructure to sustainably handle nationwide distribution. He further referenced the failures of previous state-managed refineries as cautionary examples.

In response, an official of the Dangote Group dismissed the suppliers’ position as “anti-Nigeria,” asserting that the refinery’s distribution plan aims to reduce logistics costs and enhance efficiency in petroleum product delivery nationwide.

Echoing NOGASA’s concerns, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, advised Nigerians not to celebrate the refinery’s announcement prematurely. He backed NOGASA’s stance and called for caution as the distribution model could have unintended consequences for the downstream sector.

President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension for the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

Adeniyi, whose tenure was previously scheduled to end on August 31, 2025, will now remain in office until August 2026.

The extension was announced in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, the decision is intended to allow Adeniyi to consolidate key reforms and complete critical projects under the Tinubu administration.

Among these initiatives are the ongoing modernisation of the Nigeria Customs Service, implementation of the National Single Window Project, and Nigeria’s commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

“President Tinubu recognises Mr. Adeniyi’s steadfast leadership and commitment to service,” the statement noted. “The President is confident that this extension will further strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service in achieving its strategic mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security.”

Managing Director of Excella U Energy Limited, Engr. Solomon Oseagah has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s push for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a strategic move toward addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges and advancing the country’s clean energy agenda.

Speaking in Abuja at a summit on Energy Efficiency and Conservation for Global Warming Mitigation, organized by the Royal Embassy of Thailand and the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), for the Alumni Oseagah said CNG holds the potential to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape.

Oseagah noted that although CNG is not yet widely adopted in Nigeria, it represents a cleaner, more affordable, and efficient alternative to gasoline and diesel.

“CNG may not be fully embraced by Nigerians yet, but it has the potential to resolve many of the energy issues we’re grappling with,” he said.

He emphasized the need for a shift in public mindset towards renewable energy and innovation, stating that real progress would only come when a culture of sustainability is fully embraced in society. “The President’s initiative on CNG is a step in the right direction,” he added.

The Excella U boss also expressed gratitude to the event’s organizers for providing a platform for TICA alumni to share knowledge and collaborate on practical solutions drawn from past training. He lauded the role of international partnerships in promoting professionalism and tackling climate change.

Oseagah extended special appreciation to the Ambassador of Thailand to Nigeria, Mr. Somchai Powcharoen for his support.

“TICA has given us the tools and confidence to lead the change in our own countries,” he said. “I’m grateful to be part of a global community of professionals passionate about sustainable energy.”

Reflecting on his participation in the 2023 TICA program, Oseagah described it as a transformative experience that connected him to a global network of energy leaders. He urged fellow alumni to continue fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

“Our success stories here in Nigeria will reflect the impact of TICA’s investment in us,” he stated.

The summit also underscored the importance of involving young professionals and students in discussions about renewable energy and energy conservation, with speakers highlighting their crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s future.

Oseagah concluded by reaffirming his commitment to sustainability, Energy Efficiency and applauded TICA for its vision and continued support. “The energy challenges we face are global, but so are the solutions. Together, we’re building a better, greener future,” he said.

The Ambassador of Thailand to Nigeria, Mr. Somchai Powcharoen on his part highlighted that the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) has been actively involved in training individuals from both government and private sectors through various exchange programs.

Powcharoen revealed that Thailand continues to offer postgraduate scholarships, as well as both on-site and online training opportunities in key areas such as sustainable economy, agriculture and food security, health and wellness, the digital economy, and the fight against human trafficking.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, has affirmed the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In its ruling, the appellate court upheld the earlier judgment delivered by the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi.

Ajayi had challenged the outcome of the governorship election, alleging irregularities and seeking to overturn Aiyedatiwa’s victory. However, the court ruled that the petition lacked merit and affirmed the legitimacy of the election.

This ruling solidifies Aiyedatiwa’s mandate and brings an end to the legal tussle over the 2024 Ondo governorship election.

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the party’s inability to address Nigeria’s worsening political climate.

Melaye’s resignation was conveyed in a letter dated July 30, addressed to the PDP Ward 1 Chairman in Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. In the letter, he expressed deep disappointment with the party’s performance.

“This decision has become imperative due to the lack of potency and capacity by the party to deliver the Nigerian people from the prevailing political cankerworms that have eaten deeply into the fabric of our dear nation,” the letter read.

A vocal politician and close ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Melaye has been an active figure in the newly formed opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he is now considered a prominent member.

His exit marks yet another high-profile defection from the PDP, following similar moves by former Senate President David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, and media personality Dele Momodu. The wave of resignations underscores growing discontent within the party ranks amid the shifting dynamics of Nigeria’s opposition politics.

An internal leadership tussle has began within the opposition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC) as Nafiu Bala, a Gombe-born politician and former gubernatorial candidate, on Thursday declared himself the Interim National Chairman of the party.

The position which is currently held by former Senate President David Mark, who was named interim chairman following the adoption of the ADC as the platform for an opposition coalition.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Bala cited his position as the duly elected National Deputy Chairman of the ADC as the basis for his claim to the interim leadership. He accused certain unnamed individuals of deliberately orchestrating a leadership crisis within the party, referring to them as “political hooligans.”

Bala criticized past party leaders for allegedly abandoning their constitutional duties and surrendering control of the party to “powerful outsiders” who, he claimed, have no legitimate affiliation with the ADC.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently recognize the change in leadership and respect the provisions of the party’s constitution.