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Sanwo-Olu to commission Old Ojo Road, three others
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is set to hand over yet another set of projects to Lagosians, with the formal commissioning of Old Ojo (Phase 1) Road in Oriade LCDA of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, on Tuesday. Also to be commissioned are three other roads Irede, Navy Town, and Mumuni Adio (Buba Marwa)Roads, all in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area. The projects will be inaugurated on Tuesday 28th, January 2025. The formal handing over further attests to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to the realization of the Transportation Pillar of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration’s THEMES+ Agenda with the provision of roads as a critical infrastructure that will support economic activities. Irede, Navy Town, Mumuni Adio (Buba Marwa), and Old Ojo (Phase 1) Roads provide a link to both the Lagos Blue Line Rail on the Lagos Badagry Expressway and the Water component of the multi-modal transportation initiative with many jetties along the axis. The 10.1km newly reconstructed roads connect the rail component on the Lagos Badagry Expressway to the Inland Waterways terminal with major linkages to residential and commercial areas. Irede Road is a 2.20km road off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway and terminates at the Irede Jetty for water transportation to the riverine communities of Ibasa, Ibeshe, Ilashe, and Imoore in Amuwo OdofinLocal Government Area. Mumuni Adio Road serves as the major arterial that provides access from and into Tank Farms and Industries in Ijegun Egba, a major petroleum products depot within the corridor, was constructed as a semi-urban road about 40 years ago. Navy Town Road leads to Ijegun Imoren Jetty and also connects the Old Ojo Road to Central Bank Estate, Training School, and Navy Town. First constructed in the early Sixties (1960s), the Old Ojo Road was a Single-carriageway with dilapidated pavement with an average width of 10m and ineffective drains. Given the strategic economic importance of these roads, the administration of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, approved their rehabilitation and upgrade to a standard that will stand the test of time Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration will continue to upgrade old roads and build new ones for the benefit of residents in fulfilment of his promise to Lagosians.
Lagos reaffirms strong ties with India at Republic Day Celebration
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated the commitment of the State Government to strengthening the long-standing economic and cultural ties between Nigeria and India. Mr. Governor stated this in his goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin at the India Republic Day celebration held recently in Lagos. He commended the Indian business community for its significant contributions to Lagos’ economy, adding that Indian companies, with many headquartered in Lagos, remain some of the largest employers of labour in Nigeria after the Federal Government. Sanwo-Olu stated that their involvement in sectors such as manufacturing, retailing of consumer goods, construction, and air services has solidified India’s position as a major player in the Nigerian economy. “Our administration is committed to further enhancing this mutually beneficial economic partnership. We will continue to promote and provide an enabling environment for investment, trade, and economic development”, he assured. Beyond economic cooperation, Mr. Governor highlighted the robust cultural exchange between Nigeria and India. He applauded the influence of Indian culture in Nigeria, particularly through Bollywood cinema, music, and cuisine. While noting the growing appreciation of Nigerian arts, music, and literature in India, he described this cultural synergy as fostering greater understanding and stronger people-to-people connections between the two nations while praising the Consulate of India in Lagos for its efforts in promoting cultural exchanges and bilateral relations. “The potential for further collaboration between Nigeria and India is immense. We must continue to work together in areas such as agriculture, technology, renewable energy, education, and health care to address shared challenges and achieve common goals. By strengthening our partnership, we can create a brighter future for our citizens and contribute to a more prosperous and stable world,” Sanwo-Olu said. The Governor extended heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Chandramouli Kumar Khan and the entire Indian community in Lagos on India’s Republic Day. He expressed optimism for a brighter and more inclusive future for both Lagos State and India.
Court orders Airline Operator to pay Falana $17,000 within 30 days
Hon. Justice (Prof.) Elizabeth Oji of the Lagos Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court has ordered Med-View Airline to pay its former staff Mr Falana $17,000.00 outstanding duty tour allowance; N2,364,962.60 (Two million, Three Hundred Sixty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Two Naira, sixty kobo) unremitted pension contributions; 1,399, 853.80 (One Million, three hundred and ninety-nine thousand eight hundred and fifty-three naira eighty kobo) outstanding and unpaid leave allowance; and N2, 909 558.52 (Two Million Nine hundred and nine Thousand, Five Hundred and fifty-eight Naira, Thirty-Eight Kobo) salary arrears within 30 days. From facts, the Claimant- Mr Falana had submitted that he was employed as an Aircraft Engineer on 15th January 2014, where he worked till his service was no longer required by Med-View Airline on 14th May 2018. Mr Falana argued that by virtue of the Internal Memo dated 19th April 2017, the total sum of allowances due to him for the inspection and engineering duty in Ethiopia is the sum of $17,000:00 (Seventeen Thousand Dollars). Mr Falana further averred that against the provisions of the company’s handbook, the Airline refused to pay him annual leave allowances for year 2016, year 2017 and year 2018, and unpaid salaries for February 2018 to May 2018, and leave allowances for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 amongst others. However, despite service of processes on the Med-View Airline, the Med-View Airline refused to file any defence in the matter. In its final submission, Mr Falana’s counsel, further argues that parties in the above relationship are bound by the terms of contract of employment without any further extrinsic matters outside the contract of employment. Mr. Falana submits that in proof of his claims for unpaid salaries, allowances and bonuses, he has tendered exhibits and urged the Court to grant the reliefs sought. In a well-considered judgment after careful evaluation of the submission of both parties, the Presiding Judge, Justice Elizabeth Oji reiterated that judgment would only be given to Mr Falana on the strength of his case, not on the absence or weakness of the Defence. The Court resolved that Mr Falana’s statement of account shows lack of consistency in the payment of his salary, by the Airline Operator, and the Med-View Airline’s decision not to challenge or contradict this evidence is hereby taken as admission of the facts especially in view of exhibit tendered. Justice Oji ruled that Mr Falana has proved the reliefs sought based on the evidence before the Court. The Court ordered Med-View Airline to pay Mr Falana the sum of N2, 909 558.52 (Two Million Nine hundred and nine Thousand, Five Hundred and fifty-eight Naira, Thirty-Eight Kobo) being his salary arrears from February 2018 to 14th May 2018; and the sum of 1,399, 853.80 (One Million, three hundred and ninety-nine thousand eight hundred and fifty-three naira eighty kobo being outstanding and unpaid leave allowance for years 2016, 2017 and 2018. In addition, Justice Oji ordered the Med-View Airline to pay Mr Falana, the sum of N2,364,962.60 (Two million, Three Hundred Sixty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Two Naira, sixty kobo) being the unremitted pension contributions to Mr Falana pension account for the period commencing from February 2015 to 14th May 2018 and the sum of $17,000.00 (Seventeen Thousand Dollars) being outstanding duty tour allowance from 11th March 2017 to 27th March 2017. “Cost of this action is set at N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) only. The terms of this judgment are to be complied with, not later than 30 days from today; failure at which interest will accrue at the rate of 20% per annum,” the Court ruled.
Nigeria Police detain Sowore
A presidential candidate of African Action Congress and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has been detained by the Police Authority in Abuja following a viral video of policemen he posted on social media few weeks ago. Sowore was taking into custody following his refusal to agree to bail conditions offfered him by the Police. Sowore disclosed this shortly before his incarceration. “It is a wrap! “The Nigeria Police Force is holding me in custody until further notice, following my refusal to accept their illegal bail condition,” he wrote on his X handle formerly Twitter. Earlier in the day, Sowore had informed that the Police assigned to his case demanded for a level 16 civil servant and that he should surrender his international passport to perfect his bail condition. “The PoliceNG team assigned to my case has informed me that the DIG of FID, Dasuki Galandachi, has reevaluated my bail conditions, necessitating the production of a level 16 civil servant and the surrender of my international passport, a condition I have declined outright. “I refuse to participate in any arrangement that undermines my personal integrity. “Below is also the response of my lawyer, Femi Falana SAN to the ridiculous request of the Nigeria Police.” ‘Dear Hon DIG, ‘Thanks for reducing the bail condition of Mr. Omoyele Sowore to a surety of level 16. ‘However, I wish to point out that such bail condition has been declared illegal by the Court of Appeal in the case of Dasuki V. Director-General, S.S.S. [2020]10 NWLR PT.1731 PG. 136-143 where Adah JCA (now JSC) held as follows: ‘Let me quickly say that of concern it is to us that as a court we must be ready and sensitive enough not to allow or do anything that will run foul of the law. ‘The issue of involving civil servants or Public Officers in the Public Service of the Federation and the State in bail of people accused of criminal offences has never been the practice in Nigeria or any part of the civilized world. It was an oversight on our part to allow it in. ‘Our Civil and Public Service Rules do not have any room for it. Expecting a Level 16 Servant to own property worth N100,000,000, will be running counter to the Public Service Rules and by extension the war against corruption. ‘It is in this respect that I will act ex debito justitiae to ensure that the aspect of involving serving Public Servant below the status of Level 16 Officer in either the state or Public Service of the Federation or any of its agencies be removed and I so order.’
Ex-Tinubu’s Spokesman welcomes baby number five
Former Spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Ajuri Ngelale has announced the arrival of his fifth child. Ngelale via his X handle formerly Twitter on Saturday revealed the new addition to his family. An elated wrote; “I am humbled to announce that The Lord has blessed the Ngelale family once more with the arrival of our fifth child who was born on my mother’s birthday following a most mercurial journey to health. “The birth of my fourth son, Micah Esoi-Obari Ngelale, evokes profound gratitude and joyful praise to our Creator Whose mercy and lovingkindness is reaffirmed as endless and indescribable. “Both mother and child emerged from the process in good health. “On behalf of Crystal, Ajuri II, Elijah, Malachi, Zoelle, and Micah, I thank you for your prayers and incessant support.” It can be recalled that the 38-year old, father of 5, resigned from his role as the presidential spokesman for President Tinubu to address medical issues affecting his immediate family. However, news outlets in the country have reported that the resignation was out of fear of being fired.
SERAP drags FG, Telecos to court over tariff hike
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the government of President Bola Tinubu over “the arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable 50 percent telecom tariff hike by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).” Joined in the suit as Defendant is the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The NCC had recently approved a 50 percent hike in telecom tariffs. By the increase, the average price of calls will rise to N16.5 per minute from N11; the cost of 1GB of data will rise to N431.25 from N287.5/GB; and SMS prices to N6 from N4. In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to determine “whether the unilateral decision by the NCC to authorise telcos to hike telecom tariffs by 50 percent is not arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, unreasonable and inconsistent with citizens’ freedom of expression and access to information.” SERAP is asking the court for “a declaration that the unilateral decision by the NCC to authorise telcos to hike telecom tariff by 50 percent is arbitrary, unfair, unreasonable and inconsistent and incompatible with citizens’ freedom of expression and access to information, and therefore unconstitutional and unlawful.” SERAP is seeking “an order of interim injunction restraining the NCC, its officers, agents, privies, assigns, or any other person or persons acting on its instructions from further implementing, enforcing and doing any act to give effect to the decision of the NCC authorizing telecom tariff hike by 50 percent.” In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “The legal and constitutional provisions as well as international standards on freedom of expression and access to information constitute the repository of legality. The requirements of legality constrain the exercise of statutory powers by the NCC to authorise any increase in telecom tariffs.” The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, read in part: “The demands of legality impose clear duties of fairness and reasonableness on the NCC in the exercise of its powers to authorize the telecom tariff hike by 50 percent, which is the subject-matter of this suit. “The NCC is required under the legal provisions on consumers’ rights and constitutional and international standards on freedom of expression and access to information to base its decision on reasonable interpretations of its enabling statutes and guidelines and other relevant legal frameworks, and to follow due process. “The exercise of the statutory powers of the NCC in approving the telecom tariff hike is a grave violation of the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. “These legal and constitutional provisions and international human rights standards recognize that every individual has the right to an equal opportunity to receive, seek and impart information through any communication medium without discrimination. “The constitutional and democratic anomalies complained of by SERAP is more apparent when the said unilateral decision of the NCC approving a 50 percent increase in telecommunication tariffs is juxtaposed with the apparent procedural breaches of the condition-precedent for any approval of increase. “The NCC is the statutory agency charged with the responsibility of promoting and implementing the national communications or telecommunications policy in Nigeria. “The latest patently unconstitutional and unlawful increase in telecommunication tariffs is coming on the heels of a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which shows that some 133 million Nigerians are poor. “The NBS report also shows that over half of the population of Nigeria are multi-dimensionally poor and cook with dung, wood or charcoal, rather than cleaner energy. “The increase in telecommunication tariffs is a fundamental breach of due process of law, as the purported approval by the NCC failed to meet the high threshold of consultation with key stakeholders, especially the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, which is the primary consumer protection agency in Nigeria. “The increase in telecommunication tariffs is coming at a time when Nigerians are deeply burdened by the cost of living crisis. The cost of living crisis has resulted in low quality of life, unemployment and deaths, as many socially and economically vulnerable people scramble for free food in public and religious gatherings. “The present-day economic realities in Nigeria include chronic poverty amongst a high percentage of citizens and the growing inability of several state governments to pay salary and pensions of workers, especially as the country still suffers from the removal of fuel subsidy, electricity tariff hike and inflated cost of food in the market.” SERAP is therefore asking the court for the following reliefs: A DECLARATION that the unilateral decision of the NCC approving the increase of telecommunications tariff by 50 percent is arbitrary, unfair, unreasonable, and a deliberate attempt to stifle the constitutional and international human rights of citizens to freely express themselves and share information, and breach of sections 104 and 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 [as amended] and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. AN ORDER setting aside the unilateral decision of the NCC approving the increase of telecommunications tariff by 50 percent contained in a press statement published by the NCC on 20th January 2025 for being arbitrary, unfair, extortive, unreasonable, unconstitutional and a breach of the provisions of Sections 104 and 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 [as amended], Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. AN ORDER restraining the NCC, its agents, assigns, privies and…
NDLEA intercepts UK-bound illicit drug consignment in Lagos
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a consignment of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, concealed in duvet, packaged for export to the United Kingdom through the cargo shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos. Two suspects: Adakole Sunday and Austin Balogun linked to the bid to export the consignment to the UK were promptly arrested following the discovery by NDLEA officers on Tuesday 21st January 2025. Six parcels ofthe psychoactive substance with a gross weight of 3.50 kilograms were concealed inside the duvet. In his statement, Austin Balogun who is the main agent who hired Adakole, claimed he was paid N700,000 to cargo the consignment to UK but spent a fraction of the money on export handling charges and the bulk to pay for an apartment. At least, two suspects: Joseph Oluwasegun Adewale and Biodun Adelakun were arrested at Igbo Olumo, Ikorodu area of Lagos when NDLEA operatives raided their hideout in the community where seven litres of skuchies, a new psychoactive substance produced with black currant, cannabis and opioids, were recovered. Other exhibits seized from the duo include: three locally made double barrel riffles; one locally made double barrel pistol; one English made pistol; one locally made single barrel riffle; three cartridges and one empty 9mm cartridge as well as an iron – head axe. Another raid in Lagos on Sunday 19th January led to the seizure of 47kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, and 25.46kg Nitrous Oxide popularly known as laughing gas at the notorious Akala area of Mushin. In Ekiti, a 26-year-old suspect Adepoju Taiwo was arrested by NDLEA officers on Thursday 23rd January with 1.950kg Canadian Loud at Iworoko road, Ilokun, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while Auwal Sani was nabbed by operatives on Monday 20th January at Bode Saadu in Moro local government area of Kwara State. A total of 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 36.56kg were recovered from him. A Nigerien, Abubakar Lami, 45, with two others: Abba Sani, 35, and Auwal Aliyu, 32, were arrested by NDLEA operatives at Gadar Tamburawa, Kano, while 13.1kg skunk and 125 litres of ‘suck and die’, a new psychoactive substance were recovered from them. In Gefen Kasa, Dawakin Kudu council area of Kano state, a cannabis plantation was located and destroyed by a team of NDLEA officers who arrested a suspect, Sabo Ali Muhammad, 45, linked to the farm. Meanwhile, across the country, NDLEA Commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities all through the past week. Instances include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Army Children Secondary School, Oyo, Oyo state; Government Day Secondary School, Gwadangwaji, Kebbi state; Government Day Secondary School, Suleja, Niger state; St. Dominic Comprehensive College, Oron, Akwa Ibom state; District Junior College, Agege, Lagos; and residents of Pompomari community, Damaturu, Yobe stat, among others. While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Kwara, and Ekiti Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) also applauded their compatriots in all the commands across the country for intensifying the WADA social advocacy lectures and sensitization activities in every part of their areas of responsibility.
Tinubu mourns victims of Enugu tanker explosion
President Bola Tinubu condoles with the government and the people of Enugu state over the fuel tanker explosion, which resulted in the loss of lives on Saturday. The fuel tanker reportedly spiralled out of control and burst into flames while navigating the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. President Tinubu commiserated with the families of the deceased and the injured and prays for the repose of the souls of the departed and quick recovery for those receiving medical treatment. The President called for caution and adherence to safety measures among road users, particularly fuel tanker operators. Furthermore, he directed agencies in charge of enforcing traffic rules to implement measures to prevent recurring fuel tanker explosions nationwide.