FocalPoint Reports

The Kwara State Government has filed a criminal defamation case against former Senate President Bukola Saraki over remarks linked to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The case is being heard at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin. The government said the former Senate President made and shared statements on social media and in newspapers, claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq did not attend or complete secondary school education. In the charge filed by the State Ministry of Justice, the government said the claims were false and insulting. It also said the comments could disturb public peace and fall under Section 399 of the Kwara State Penal Code. When the matter came up in court on Wednesday, the prosecution lawyer, Rafiu Balogun, said the case was fixed for arraignment. He asked the court to issue a bench warrant since Saraki was not in court even after being served court papers. The prosecution also urged the court to turn down a request for adjournment from the defence side...

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed those criticising him over lands within the capital city. Wike spoke during the commissioning of Judges Quarters, Court of Appeal, and the flag-off of construction of Quarters for Industrial Court and Code of Conduct Tribunal Judges in Abuja to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third-year anniversary. He explained that he took over lands within the capital city for the sake of development. Wike revealed that some of the plots used for the construction were allocated 15 years ago and left undeveloped but were revoked by the FCT Administration under his leadership and developed for the Judges Quarters. According to him, “This land was allocated to Julius Berger 15 years ago and I revoked it. If you don’t want to be accused don’t be a politician, in fact, the day you become a politician is the day the will write your history, even those who don’t know you. I thank God that today they can see that I trul...

The Senate has cut short its ongoing recess and scheduled an emergency sitting for June 23 to address pressing national issues, with security expected to take centre stage during deliberations. The lawmakers were directed to return to the Senate chamber by 11 a.m. The notice calling for the special session was issued on June 15 by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo. According to the notice, the emergency meeting was convened on the instruction of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to allow senators consider urgent matters affecting the country. The Senate explained that the special sitting became necessary because of issues requiring immediate legislative attention, especially concerns surrounding national security and other important national matters. The development means senators will return to work earlier than planned. The upper chamber had adjourned plenary on June 11 and was expected to resume regular legislative activities on July 7. The emergency session comes ...

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has denied reports suggesting that a court ordered his arrest, insisting that he is neither in hiding nor evading law enforcement authorities. Nnaji’s denial followed a recent publication by Premium Times on an alleged court order linked to an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Dr Robert Ngwu, Nnaji’s camp described the report as inaccurate. The statement said the former minister remained accessible to public authorities and had never avoided any law enforcement agency. “Chief Nnaji is not in hiding and has never evaded any law enforcement agency,” the statement said. According to the statement, Nnaji has lived at his Asokoro residence in Abuja for nearly two decades, while his Independence Layout residence in Enugu has been publicly known since 1990. “As a former Minister of the Federal Republi...

The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church Worldwide, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has criticised the decision to release and reintegrate repentant terrorists into society, describing the move as dangerous amid the country's persistent security challenges. Speaking during a recent prophetic message shared on Facebook, Ayodele expressed concern over the policy of granting freedom to former insurgents while many Nigerians continue to suffer from kidnappings, killings and other forms of insecurity. The cleric specifically questioned the role of political leaders in decisions that allow former terrorists to return to their communities, arguing that such actions could undermine efforts to restore peace and public confidence. “These governors have to be queried,” Ayodele said. According to him, the continued release of former terrorists raises serious concerns at a time when several parts of the country are still battling insecurity and violent attacks. The prophet also r...

A former Commissioner for Works in Ondo State, Chief Erastus Akeju, has died at the age of 88 after a brief illness. Akeju’s death was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the facilitator of the Ondo State APC Elders Forum, Chief Demola Ijabiyi. Akeju previously served as Chairman of Akoko North-West Local Government Area before he was appointed Commissioner for Works during the administration of the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati. He was later involved in party leadership as Chairman of the APC Elders Forum in Ondo State. Senator Olajide Ipinsagba, who represents Ondo North Senatorial District, described the late Akeju as a dedicated leader who spent much of his life serving the people. He said Akeju made strong contributions to the growth of Ondo State, especially during his time in public office. The senator also said Akeju’s work at the local government level stood out for bringing governance closer to the people. According to him, his time in office set a st...