Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The Senate’s Committee on Public Accounts has rejected the written explanations submitted by NNPCL regarding an alleged ₦210 trillion gap in its audited accounts for the period 2017-2023. The panel has now ordered the group chief executive officer, Bayo Ojulari, to appear in person. What Happened The audit report from the Office of the Auditor‑General of the Federation (OAGF), flagged NNPCL’s financial statements between 2017-2023 as showing ₦103 trillion in liabilities and ₦107 trillion as receivables, totalling the ₦210 trillion under scrutiny. The Senate committee gave NNPCL 19 specific audit queries to address and received written responses. However, on the…

Since yesterday, a widely circulated video from Abuja has triggered a resurgence of concerns about civil-military relations, ministerial conduct and national security in Nigeria. The footage captures Nyesom Wike—Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—in a rather heated exchange with uniformed military personnel at a land dispute site in Gaduwa District, Abuja. Reacting swiftly, the country’s former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Ret.), issued a strong statement. He described Wike’s conduct as more than mere misconduct: rather, he said, it constitutes a “clear and present danger to national security”. He therefore demanded an immediate public apology from the…

On Tuesday, 11  November 2025, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria confirmed Opeyemi Agbaje as Chairman of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). His confirmation came through a plenary session presided over by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, following the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service chaired by Cyril Oluwole Fasuyi. The confirmation also included the appointment of four commissioners who will join the PenCom board: Hafiz Mohammad Kawu – (Technical – North West) Samuel Chigizie Nwandu – (Inspectorate – South East) Charles Efe Sylvester Emukowate – (Finance – South South) Bello Abubakar Malabu -…

In a landmark announcement, the National Pension Commission (PenCom), has given renewed hope to retirees across Nigeria by declaring that all outstanding arrears—covering both pension payments and gratuities—will be fully settled by December 2025. What Has Been Announced At a two‑day sensitisation workshop held in Owerri, jointly organised by PenCom and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), PenCom’s Director‑General, Omolola Oloworaran, represented by Mr. Samuel Uwandu, indicated that: The Federal Government has approved a ₦758 billion bond for PenCom, which will be cashed in and used to clear unpaid gratuities and pension arrears. Once the bond is converted to cash, all…

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been released from prison after serving fewer than three weeks of a five‑year sentence, marking a dramatic development in one of France’s most high‑profile political‑legal cases. Background: The Conviction and Incarceration Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, was convicted on 25 September 2025 of criminal conspiracy in connection with alleged funding of his 2007 presidential campaign by the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi. On 21 October 2025 he entered La Santé prison in Paris to begin serving the sentence, under conditions of isolation and tight security. His immediate appeal was filed,…

On 8 November 2025, Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), in collaboration with West African Power Pool Information & Coordination Centre (WAPP-ICC), successfully synchronised Nigeria’s national electricity grid, including its interconnections into Niger Republic and parts of Benin and Togo – with the broader West African regional network operating under the auspices of West African Power Pool. This event marks a major milestone for regional energy integration in West Africa, as the task of creating a unified network operating at a single frequency enters a more advanced phase. Below, I explore what this means for Nigeria, the region, and the challenges…

In recent weeks Kanu and his defence team have mounted a number of legal challenges to the continuation of his trial: He filed a preliminary objection arguing that the statute under which he is being prosecuted, (the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013) was repealed by the later Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, and therefore cannot validly support his prosecution. He argues that the proscription of IPOB was carried out by an ex parte order obtained without prior hearing, and that his rendition from Kenya lacking formal extradition procedure invalidates jurisdiction. He has asked the court to arrest judgment (i.e.,…

Canada has introduced a significant regulatory update to its temporary resident document framework. Starting with amendments that came into force on January 31 2025—and more clarifications issued later in 2025, IRCC has given clearer legal authority to cancel a range of immigration-documents: visitor visas (temporary resident visas or TRVs), electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), study permits and work permits. The aim is to strengthen the integrity of the system, improve transparency and give officers defined grounds on which to act. What Exactly Has Changed Here are the main changes and how they apply to different document types. Visitor Visas (TRVs) &…

On Monday, 10 November 2025, President Bola Tinubu held a significant meeting with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), six other regional development commissions and the Ministry of Regional Development under the leadership of Minister Abubakar Momoh at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The primary focus boiled around tackling security challenges across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, and accelerating key infrastructure projects—especially roads—through stronger federal–state cooperation. Context & Objectives The meeting comes amid mounting concerns over insecurity, ranging from banditry, illegal mining, farmer‑herder clashes, land‐grabbing, and community violence—alongside longstanding infrastructure deficits, according to briefings received by the presidency. Minister Momoh clarified that the…

Abuja, Nigeria – The federal government has announced that President Bola Tinubu is poised to give assent to the National Digital Economy and E‑Governance Bill, 2025 this week, a move seen as central to delivering his ambition of making Nigeria a US$1 trillion economy. What You Should Know About The Bill Presented by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and backed by the joint committees of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the House of Representatives of Nigeria on ICT and Cybersecurity, the Bill aims to create a comprehensive legal framework governing Nigeria’s digital economy and e‑governance.…

A group of Nigerians involved in a series of phone-robbery incidents across London has been handed lengthy prison terms, with four of the ringleaders receiving a combined sentence of 55 years, following a trial at Kingston Crown Court. The convicted men include David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole. Additional members of the syndicate are James Adodo, Robert Hills, Nelson Joel, Michael Babo, Mushtakim Miah, and Laville Bloise. Authorities reported that between September and November 2024, the group executed 13 coordinated robberies at various UK stores, primarily targeting EE outlets. Using threats of violence, they forced store staff…

In a move that has stirred political tensions and raised questions about due process, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, wanted over alleged financial crimes. In response, Sylva’s media aide has categorically rejected the declaration, referring to it as part of a “politically motivated” campaign against his principal. The Allegation On 10 November 2025, the EFCC announced that it had secured an arrest warrant from the Federal High Court in Lagos, dated 6 November, for Sylva in an alleged case of conspiracy and…