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Court discharges journalist accused of insulting ex-Minister, Lai Mohammed
Court discharges journalist accused of insulting ex-Minister, Lai Mohammed
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, discharged a journalist, Rotimi Jolayemi, also known as Oba Akewi, of allegations bordering on insulting former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, discharged Jolayemi after the case was struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.
The matter, which was listed for plea on today’s cause list, could not proceed due to the absence of the prosecution counsel, Joseph Offor, prompting the defendant’s lawyer, Soji Toki, to apply that the matter be struck out.
Toki reminded the court that since Offor was in court on March 30 after the matter was reassigned to the judge, the prosecution had not been coming to court.
The judge granted Toki’s application for being non-contested and struck out the charge.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the matter was initially assigned to Justice Anwuli Chikere in 2020 before her retirement.
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Justice Chikere had ordered Jolayemi’s remand after he was arraigned for alleged spreading of an audio file said to have caused annoyance, ill-will, hatred, and insults towards the minister.
The judge ordered the defendant to be remanded in the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department headquarters, in Abuja, pending the hearing of his bail application.
He was later granted bail before the matter was reassigned to Justice Nwite.
While the Inspector-General of Police was the complainant, Jolayemi was the sole defendant in a one-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/105/2020.
The prosecution was in court on March 30 when the matter came up before Nwite.
However, he was not in court on June 15 and the case was adjourned until today (Oct. 18).
Jolayemi, who anchors a Yoruba radio programme, “Bi aye se ri” on Osun State Broadcasting Service and Radio Kwara, was on May 5, 2020, arrested by the police for reciting a poem which was critical of the minister.
Jolayemi, the Vice-Chairman, Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, was subsequently brought to Abuja where he had been standing his trial.
Court discharges journalist accused of insulting ex-Minister, Lai Mohammed
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Plateau Killings: Ezekwesili Blasts Tinubu, APC Over ‘Failure to Act’
Plateau Killings: Ezekwesili Blasts Tinubu, APC Over ‘Failure to Act’
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the ongoing killings in Plateau State, accusing the government of inaction and failure to protect citizens.
In a sharply worded statement posted on her X account, Ezekwesili questioned the priorities of political leaders who continue with engagements while communities are under attack. She condemned what she described as a pattern where authorities respond to violence with statements, silence, and committee formations instead of decisive security action.
Reacting to disturbing images from recent attacks in Jos, she said the blood of innocent Nigerians rests on leaders who “knew, looked away, and chose a convention hall over a command centre,” warning that such conduct reflects a deeper governance failure.
The former minister also raised concerns about the normalisation of violence in Nigeria, stressing that citizens must reject any situation where human lives are treated as expendable. She urged Nigerians to transform grief into collective action, demanding accountability, justice, and urgent reforms to address insecurity.
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Her comments come amid renewed violence in Plateau State, particularly in Jos North and nearby communities, where recent attacks have reportedly left dozens dead and many injured. The persistent crisis has once again drawn attention to the fragile security situation in Nigeria’s north-central region.
Despite increased military presence and government assurances, Plateau has continued to experience recurring attacks linked to communal tensions, armed groups, and farmer-herder conflicts. Analysts say the repeated outbreaks highlight the limitations of current security strategies.
President Tinubu had earlier condemned the attacks and directed security agencies to bring perpetrators to justice, while promising that such incidents would not recur. Additional security deployments and restrictions have also been introduced in affected areas.
However, critics argue that these responses remain largely reactive, with little progress in addressing the underlying causes of the violence. Ezekwesili’s remarks add to growing public pressure on the federal government to adopt a more proactive and coordinated approach to national security.
As outrage continues to build, many Nigerians are calling for stronger leadership, improved intelligence gathering, and decisive action to end the cycle of killings and restore confidence in government.
Plateau Killings: Ezekwesili Blasts Tinubu, APC Over ‘Failure to Act’
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ABC Logistics accelerates deliveries across major Nigerian routes, backed by fleet expansion
ABC Logistics accelerates deliveries across major Nigerian routes, backed by fleet expansion
ABC Logistics has announced significantly faster delivery timelines across key commercial corridors in Nigeria, reinforcing its position as a dependable partner for time-sensitive cargo movement.
Customers on select major routes can now benefit from improved delivery windows of 24 to 48 hours, reflecting enhanced operational speed, stronger coordination, and increased distribution capacity, according to the company.
It stated that the improved turnaround time was driven by the firm’s recent fleet expansion, which had strengthened haulage capacity and reduced transit bottlenecks along high-volume routes.
The addition of new vehicles has enhanced route optimisation, improved schedule discipline, and increased overall network efficiency—enabling the company to sustain faster deliveries with greater consistency.
A statement by the company listed some of the routes covered by the accelerated delivery service as:
From Lagos: Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin, Warri, Lokoja, Abeokuta, Akure, Ilorin, Asaba, Owerri and Onitsha.
From Abuja: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Lokoja, Benin, Owerri and Onitsha.
From the Eastern region (Owerri axis): Enugu and Abuja.
In addition to expanding its fleet, the company says it has upgraded its hub operations through semi-automated cargo processing systems, structured loading protocols, and trolley-assisted loading and offloading.
These enhancements have reduced handling time, strengthened cargo security, and improved operational coordination nationwide.
Management stated that the strategic investment in fleet expansion and process efficiency underscores its commitment to meeting the growing demand for faster, secure and reliable logistics services across Nigeria’s commercial centres.
ABC Logistics is the trade name of ABC Cargo Express Limited, a subsidiary of ABC Transport Plc.
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Tinubu Approves 1,000 Forest Guards, Orders 5,000 CCTV Cameras to Boost Security in Plateau
Tinubu Approves 1,000 Forest Guards, Orders 5,000 CCTV Cameras to Boost Security in Plateau
President Bola Tinubu has approved major security measures for Plateau State, including the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and the deployment of over 5,000 CCTV cameras, following the recent deadly attacks in Jos.
The announcement was made by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, who shared the development via his verified X handle. The approval aims to strengthen security across the state, particularly in vulnerable areas prone to communal clashes and criminal activities.
The President revealed the directives during a town hall meeting in Jos, where he met with political, traditional, and community leaders. The meeting followed the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, which left at least 27 people dead and triggered widespread concern over safety in Plateau State.
“The Honourable Minister for Communication is here to give you assurance that we are going to install immediately a network of cameras that will help law enforcement agencies identify troublemakers instantly, over 5,000 of them,” Tinubu said, inviting the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, to explain the operational plan.
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Tinubu also stressed the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, directing the Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, and the Minister of Defence to intensify efforts to apprehend the attackers. “You must unearth and find the killers,” he said, acknowledging the sacrifices of security personnel and the need for swift justice.
In addition to surveillance and security reinforcement, the President announced plans to set up a committee to assess victims’ losses and recommend compensation, including representatives from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Plateau State Government. He noted, “We cannot replace human beings, but we can give them minimum comfort.”
Governor Caleb Mutfwang thanked President Tinubu for the support, highlighting that the recruitment of forest guards would enhance grassroots security and complement existing military and police operations. The deployment of CCTV cameras, many equipped with AI-based monitoring technology, is intended to improve real-time surveillance and intelligence gathering across Jos and other high-risk areas.
The President’s visit also included engagement with victims of the Angwan Rukuba attack, including families who lost loved ones. The federal measures reflect an ongoing effort to curb violence, protect communities, and reassure residents that security agencies are actively addressing threats in Plateau State.
Tinubu Approves 1,000 Forest Guards, Orders 5,000 CCTV Cameras to Boost Security in Plateau
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