Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

LAGOS — In a dramatic turn of events in Nigeria’s entertainment and legal circles, veteran actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka (popularly known as Baba Ijesha), is reported to have regained his freedom on Friday, 14 November 2025 after spending more than three years in custody on charges of sexual assault. According to a post on the Instagram page of fellow actor, Yomi Fabiyi on Friday evening, Baba Ijesha was released after being “cleared by the Appeal Court”. Fabiyi wrote: “You are now officially FREE AND OUT. Baba Ijesha is not just back but BETTER. I am also happy you were cleared by…

Lagos — The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has issued a firm directive prohibiting police officers from stopping citizens on the road to arbitrarily search their mobile phones. The warning, which underscores a renewed commitment to professional policing, was delivered at a strategic meeting with senior command officers. Key Points Absolute Ban on Roadside Phone SearchesCP Jimoh stated unequivocally that stopping people — especially youths — on the street to demand access to their phones is unlawful. He emphasized that such checks must only occur within police stations and under proper investigative contexts. Phone Checks Limited to…

Abuja, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has officially postponed the rollout of a 15 percent import duty on petrol and diesel until the first quarter of 2026, the Federal Government announced this week. The duty had been approved in October 2025 as part of a broader reform to boost local refining capacity, support domestic producers, and strengthen the non‑oil revenue base. Why the Deferment? The deferment was formally requested by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), led by its Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji. According to a memo dated November 7, 2025, the government and stakeholders agreed more time was…

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has publicly acknowledged responsibility for a dramatic confrontation involving its officials, the Nyesom Wike–Minister of the FCT–and soldiers guarding a disputed piece of land in Abuja’s Gaduwa District. At the same time, the FCTA revealed that the claim to the land rested only on a letter of intent issued in 2007—an 18-year-old document, not a formal title. The Incident On 11 November 2025, Minister Wike visited a site at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, in Abuja, responding to reports of illegal development and the seizure of the site by armed naval personnel. While attempting to…

In a major move to boost accessibility for football supporters across Africa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), together with the Local Organising Committee (LOC), has announced that e-visas for fans attending the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025 will now be available free of charge. Key Details of the Announcement Free e-Visa via YALLA AppSupporters traveling to Morocco for AFCON 2025 can apply for an electronic visa through the YALLA app, CAF and LOC confirmed. The visa comes at no cost for fans. Fan ID RequirementA mandatory Fan ID is required for entry to all stadiums…

Google has agreed to pay USD 40.2 million (about R688 million), media support package for South African news organisations, following a landmark settlement with the country’s Competition Commission, (CompCom) probe. Key Findings from the Inquiry The Competition Commission’s Media & Digital Platforms Market Inquiry found that Google’s search and content-display practices prevented fair monetisation for local media. A major issue identified was what regulators call “zero-click behaviour” — users consume news via Google itself (for example through summaries), rather than clicking through to publishers’ sites, leading to dwindling referral traffic. Google’s algorithms reportedly favour large, foreign news outlets over South…

In a tense and charged World Cup qualifying playoff match, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed he was targeted by laser pointers from the stands — but said he refused to let it break his concentration. Speaking after Nigeria’s dramatic extra-time win over Gabon — a 4–1 victory sealed by Osimhen’s brace — the star forward opened up about the disturbing incident. “I actually saw the person pointing the laser at me … the person was in the stand, I couldn’t go there,” Osimhen said. He added that the tactic appeared to be a deliberate attempt to distract the…

In a swift policy reversal, Nigerian filling stations across the country have begun reducing pump prices for petrol and diesel after the government suspended a planned 15 percent import duty on fuels. The decision is being met with relief by consumers and concern from some industry groups — marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector. Duty Suspension and Market Reaction On Thursday, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), announced the 15 percent ad-valorem import duty on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS,) and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), was “no longer in view.” The duty had been slated to take effect…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reappointment of Brigadier-General (Rtd) Mohammed Buba Marwa as the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for a further five-year term, extending his leadership of the agency until 2031. Background and Credentials Marwa, who hails from Adamawa State in Nigeria, first took charge of the NDLEA in January 2021 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Prior to that, he chaired the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to December 2020. A former military governor of Lagos and Borno States, Marwa is an alumnus of the…

The Senate was sharply divided on Thursday over a bill seeking to establish the Chartered Institute of Revenue and Fiscal Management of Nigeria, a proposed professional body aimed at promoting excellence, transparency, and accountability in fiscal governance. The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Institute of Revenue and Fiscal Management of Nigeria and for Related Matters, 2025 (SB. 614),” was sponsored by Senator Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central. Leading the debate, Aliero stated that the proposed institute would regulate fiscal management practices, monitor compliance with professional standards, and strengthen Nigeria’s economic management framework. “The institute…

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to halt its scheduled National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, set for November 15–16, 2025. Saraki emphasized that proceeding amid ongoing legal disputes could deepen internal divisions within the party. In a statement personally signed following a meeting with the PDP Board of Trustees’ Reconciliation Team, led by Hassan Adamu, Saraki cautioned that the planned convention has become mired in both political and legal controversies. He recommended the establishment of a Caretaker Committee to temporarily manage party affairs and restore internal calm. Saraki described the current situation as…

Nigeria contributes about 14 per cent of global maternal deaths and nine per cent of under-five deaths worldwide, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has revealed. Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the second day of the 2025 Joint Annual Review (JAR), Meeting of the Health Sector, the minister described the statistics as “deeply concerning,” stressing that the country’s progress, though visible, remains far below what is expected for a nation of its size and potential. The meeting, themed “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing Nigeria’s Health Sector to Light,” brought together policymakers, development…