The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has issued a stern warning to local government officials, cautioning them against violating the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.

Speaking at a conference for judiciary correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, Fagbemi stressed that any attempt to interfere with local government funds would not be tolerated.

Fagbemi emphasized that governance at the grassroots level has long been neglected, but with the enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling, local governments are expected to thrive.

He stated, “The suffering at the grassroots has been enough. The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to correcting the past injustices and positioning Nigeria among the top nations globally.”

He further pointed out that while state governors are protected by immunity, local government officials do not have such protections.

“Local government chairmen and councilors need to understand that if they misuse local government funds, they face imprisonment,” the AGF warned.

“They have a choice: either to misappropriate funds and risk jail, or contribute positively by improving their communities, such as building or upgrading roads, schools, and hospitals. The future of local governments is in their hands.”

In July, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of local government financial autonomy, prohibiting governors from controlling local government funds and ordering that allocations be paid directly to local government accounts.

This landmark decision aims to enhance local government autonomy across the country.

The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja in the sum of N500 million.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, ordered that Bello provide two sureties, each also liable for N500 million.

The sureties must be property owners in Abuja and must submit an affidavit of means.

Additionally, the title documents of their properties will be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.

Bello is also required to deposit his international passport with the court, and both he and his sureties must provide two recent passport photographs.

Pending the fulfillment of these bail conditions, the former governor has been remanded in the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja.

The ex-governor has pleaded not guilty to the charges of alleged money laundering involving an N80 billion fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 19-count charge against him.

During the proceedings, EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that an earlier application for the abridgment of the arraignment date had been overtaken by events and was therefore withdrawn.

The defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object, and Justice Nwite subsequently struck out the application.

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK Conservative Party, has responded to Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s criticism, stating that she is not interested in “doing Nigeria’s PR.”

This follows Shettima’s accusation that Badenoch had denigrated Nigeria after her previous comments about the country.

Badenoch, who was born in the UK to Nigerian Yoruba parents, has spoken about her experiences in Nigeria before moving to the UK at the age of 16.

In earlier statements, she described Nigeria as a socialist nation plagued by corrupt politicians and insecurity.

She explained that her personal experiences in Nigeria, including growing up amid widespread fear and violence, made her determined to seek a better life in the UK.

Shettima, in response to Badenoch’s remarks, compared her to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, noting that Sunak had never criticized his ancestral homeland.

He also suggested that Badenoch might consider changing her first name if she no longer identified with Nigeria.

However, Badenoch’s spokesperson stood by her comments, asserting that she was not trying to serve as Nigeria’s image manager.

“Kemi is the leader of the opposition in the UK and speaks her truth. She doesn’t mince words, and she remains firm in her position,” the spokesperson stated.

Badenoch, who was born Olukemi Adegoke before marrying Hamish Badenoch and adopting his surname, made it clear that her priority is her role in UK politics, rather than managing perceptions of her country of origin.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled plans to move away from the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the primary means of voter accreditation for future elections.

This proposal is part of a broader electoral reform plan to be presented to the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.

During a meeting in Abuja with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, explained that the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has prompted a reevaluation of PVCs as the sole mode of voter identification.

Yakubu proposed that, moving forward, computer-generated slips, either issued to voters or downloaded from the INEC website, could be used for accreditation, eliminating the need for PVCs in future elections.

“While those with PVCs will still be able to use them to vote, the new method will help reduce costs, eliminate PVC collection issues, and address the problem of PVCs being bought to disenfranchise voters,” Yakubu said.

Yakubu highlighted the successful completion of five off-cycle governorship elections and nine out of 21 bye-elections since the 2023 general elections, deeming it the ideal time to act on the Commission’s post-election review.

He revealed that INEC has compiled 142 recommendations focusing on voter management, electoral operations, election technology, and voter education.

Of these, 86 can be handled administratively by INEC, 48 require collaboration with other stakeholders, and eight necessitate legislative changes.

Among the key reforms proposed are early voting for essential workers such as INEC staff, security forces, and journalists, who are deployed outside their registration areas.

The Commission is also pushing for diaspora voting and the establishment of an electoral offences tribunal, as well as a regulatory body for political parties.

Other planned reforms include improving collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and National Population Commission (NPC) for cleaning the voter register, enhancing logistics partnerships with transport unions, and stepping up voter education to counter misinformation.

Yakubu reassured Nigerians of INEC’s ongoing commitment to enhancing access to polling units and ensuring the inclusion of underrepresented groups in the electoral process.

These proposed reforms will soon be submitted to the National Assembly for legislative action, marking a significant step in the ongoing electoral reform efforts.

The Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership has called on Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revoke properties previously gifted to High Court judges by the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike.

The group specifically requested that Governor Fubara revoke the properties given to Justice James Omotosho and other judges, arguing that it is inappropriate for a governor to gift public land to individuals in this manner.

During a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the group presented documents it claimed to have obtained from the State Ministry of Land and Survey, which listed the properties allocated to various individuals.

Among them were Justice James Omotosho, who was given Plot 104 in GRA Phase 8, Justice Osho Oshomah, with Plot 287, GRA Phase 8, and Justice Muhammed Sam, along with other security personnel and influential figures in the country.

Barrister Chizy Enyi, the group’s leader, explained that while Wike had revoked the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for these properties in 2016, he had reallocated them in 2019 to several High Court judges and other individuals.

Enyi pointed out that the Land Use Act mandates that properties revoked from individuals must be used for public purposes, not allocated as personal gifts.

Enyi expressed concern over the violations of judicial conduct, particularly Rule 10 of the Professional Conduct for Judicial Officers, which prohibits judges from accepting gifts, favors, or loans that could influence their judicial duties.

He emphasized that the allocation of such properties to judges is a breach of this rule.

The group’s leader further raised questions about the legitimacy of the gift to Justice Omotosho. He noted that the land initially belonged to Hon. Odien Ajumogobia, SAN, whose C of O was revoked by Wike.

Enyi questioned whether Justice Omotosho had properly conducted a search to confirm the original ownership of the property and whether, as a judge, he should have accepted land that was meant for public use.

The activist group also expressed concerns that the property allocation could potentially influence Justice Omotosho’s recent rulings, which have been perceived as favorable to Wike.

Enyi called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene by instructing the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to ensure that judges who received such gifts do not hear cases involving Rivers politics.

“As a non-governmental organization, we are deeply concerned about the perception that some judicial decisions may be swayed by personal relationships or gifts,” Enyi stated.

“The judiciary, which should be the final recourse for the common man, should not be seen as favoring those who can offer such gifts.”

The group is now urging the Rivers State Government to take immediate action and revoke the properties, asserting that the allocations were made without following the proper legal procedures.

“We urge Governor Fubara to take swift action to revoke these properties and ensure that all land allocations are made according to the law,” Enyi concluded.

A dramatic incident unfolded in the Senate on Thursday when Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stormed out in anger after being stopped from presenting a motion regarding demolitions in the nation’s capital.

The plenary session was progressing without incident until Kingibe was prevented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio from raising her motion.

This decision sparked a heated exchange, culminating in Kingibe leaving the chamber in frustration.

The situation quickly escalated, but several senators, including Asuquo Ekpenyong and Oyelola Ashiru, intervened, urging Akpabio to reconsider and allow Kingibe to present her motion.

After some time, the tension was diffused, and Kingibe was persuaded to return to the chamber.

Once she re-entered, Akpabio instructed her to apologize for her earlier exit.

Initially, Kingibe resisted, but eventually, after further insistence from the Senate President, she agreed to apologize.

Kingibe explained that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the direction of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, had initiated large-scale demolitions in the capital.

These demolitions targeted structures deemed illegal or built on undeveloped plots of land.

She criticized the actions, claiming they lacked proper court orders and had caused significant hardship, with properties worth billions of naira being destroyed.

In response to Kingibe’s concerns, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator for Kogi Central, voiced her support for the motion. She echoed Kingibe’s call for an immediate halt to the demolitions.

The Senate, after deliberation, approved the motion and established an eight-member committee to engage with the FCTA on the issue.

The committee was tasked with addressing the concerns raised about the demolitions and ensuring that due process was followed.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has once again refuted widespread rumours that he has defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The rumours, which have been circulating for some time, resurfaced recently on various social media platforms, prompting the Governor to speak out against them.

Mutfwang dismissed the claims as false and part of a deliberate effort by mischief-makers to create confusion and question his loyalty to the PDP.

In a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, on Thursday evening, Governor Mutfwang said, “There is absolutely no truth to the rumours circulating online that I have joined the APC. These claims are the work of divisive elements looking to mislead the public about my political allegiance and my commitment to the PDP.”

The Governor also condemned the spread of doctored images that falsely showed him alongside APC governors, allegedly preparing to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Edo State.

Mutfwang clarified that this fabrication was designed to create doubt about his loyalty to the PDP.

He reiterated his unwavering dedication to serving Plateau State under the platform of the PDP, the party through which he was elected.

Governor Mutfwang further emphasized that he has never considered leaving the PDP.

The Governor assured PDP members in Plateau State and the North Central Zone that ongoing consultations are taking place to address any concerns within the party.

He also reiterated his commitment to working with the federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, for the development of Plateau State.

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has presented a budget proposal exceeding N1.5 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

The proposed budget, titled “Budget of Hope for Sustainability and Food Security,” marks a 48.3% increase from the 2024 appropriation and was submitted to the lawmakers late Wednesday evening.

The budget allocates more than N196 billion for recurrent expenditures, while capital expenditures account for over N1.3 trillion, representing 87% of the total budget.

The revenue sources include statutory allocation, value-added tax, other FAAC receipts, internally generated revenue (IGR), and capital receipts.

A breakdown by sector reveals that the Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Renewal sector received the largest share, with over N437 billion, while the Law and Justice sector was allocated the smallest amount of over N3.5 billion.

Governor Bago explained that the 2025 budget is designed to strengthen agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy, building on his administration’s foundation for rapid socio-economic growth.

He emphasized the participatory approach taken in preparing the budget, which was crafted with input from the people.

“The focus on sustainability reflects our collective commitment to the Niger State Green Initiative and our goal of promoting agriculture that supports long-term environmental health and resilient food systems to foster sustainable prosperity,” Governor Bago remarked.

The budget’s key focus areas include security, agriculture and food security, health, education, water and sanitation, infrastructure development, social security, and environmental sustainability.

Governor Bago also highlighted the success of the 2024 budget, which achieved a 68.88% implementation rate.

He expressed optimism that the 2025 budget would receive the necessary support to meet its goals.

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, AbdulMalik Sarkin Daji, praised Governor Bago for his effective management of state resources and assured him of continued collaboration between the executive and legislative branches to further the state’s development across all sectors.