Nigerian accused of rape gets strange sentence of life jail with 76-year imprisonment in US
I was sentenced to three life imprisonment and 76 years jail term. The meaning is that if I come back to life after dying in this jail, I will again be kept in jail till I must have died three times. I will then serve another 76 years before I would be set from here in Dooly State Prison, Georgia, United States.”
Those were the words of Adedoja Olaniyi Bah, a native of Ilesa, Osun State, who spoke with our correspondent through his sister, Toyin Fanu, from his base in Georgia, United States of America where he is currently serving three life sentences and an additional 76 years in prison for allegedly raping a teenage girl.
But he insists that he is as clean as a hound’s tooth as the rape allegation was merely a frame-up for reasons that remained yet a mystery.
Olaniyi said: “The evidence brought by the police was contradictory. The DNA test results of the perpetrator of the crime did not match mine according to the police expert.
“Yet I was jailed as the court looked away from those inconsistent facts put forward against me because of racism.
“I can still win this case, but the American justice system is worse than Nigeria’s.
“I can make Nigeria proud if I can hire an independent lawyer to represent me at the Appeal Court.”
According to The Nation findings, Olaniyi’s journey out of the shores of Nigeria began in 2007 when he left for Tokyo, Japan in search of greener pastures. Upon his arrival in the Asian country, he started running a dancing club and recorded landmark success.
This was when he met his Japanese wife and their union was blessed with two kids. In Tokyo, he had also met a Nigerian named Atunnise Olutoye and they became friends until the latter departed Japan for the United States of America in 2009 and their interaction became limited to occasional telephone conversation.
Vacation results in Olaniyi’s imprisonment
On April 20, 2017, Olaniyi embarked on a vacation to New York, United States of America. Upon his arrival in God’s Own Country, he contacted Olutoye who had relocated from Japan to the US some years earlier. Olutoye then invited him to Georgia for reunification after they had stayed apart for eight years.
Olaniyi gladly honoured the invitation and hopped on the plane to Georgia with Olutoye’s wife picking him up at the airport and driving him to their house where a room was given him to stay in. Olutoye, a car merchant, then asked Olaniyi to venture into the business of buying and selling second-hand cars. Subsequently, Olaniyi purchased five cars with guidance from his friend.
However, in June the same year, Olutoye told Olaniyi that his mother would be coming to America on a visit and would be staying in the room occupied by Olaniyi. The development forced Olaniyi to rent an apartment at Sweetwater Creek, Austell, because he had not finished his car transaction.
On June 3, 2017, Olaniyi had an accident with one of the cars and sustained minor injuries. He informed Olutoye about it and the latter mooted an idea that they could make money with the accident from what insurance would pay for medicals and other bills. He then urged Olaniyi to claim that he (Olutoye) was also involved in the accident, and both of them started receiving treatment at AICA Ortho and Spine, a facility situated on Thornton Road.
It was learnt that Olutoye only used the opportunity of the accident to access medical attention for some issues he had had in his neck and back but did not have enough money to address.
How jealousy grew against Olaniyi
During the period, Olaniyi bought another car through through a registered and accredited dealer; an auction route Olutoye did not know about. The development was said to have infuriated Olutoye who became jealous and allegedly complained that “because my friend has money he is now buying from where I don’t know.”
It was gathered that they were both receiving treatments for four week after which Olaniyi was tired as a result of failure of the Insurance company to pay them any money over the accident. He then informed his friends that he would be going back to Tokyo as his return ticket date was near.
But Olutoye was infuriated by his decision to return to Tokyo because it would abruptly end the medical attention they were receiving together. He implored his vacation friend to tarry for a while so as to end the medical check-ups. Olaniyi rescheduled his return flight to July 30, 2017.
Arrested for alleged rape
However, before his departure date of July 30, 2017, an ill-fatebefell Olaniyi. As he was returning home from shopping, the police on routine patrol stopped him in his car at the Kruger Parking lot and searched the car without finding anything suspicious.
Olaniyi said: “They asked me to follow them to the Douglas County Sheriff Department for further questioning about the vehicle. I humbly complied and drove myself to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, even though there was no warrant or any charges preferred against me, except the questions about my vehicle acquisitions. On my way to the department, I informed Olutoye about what was going on.
“Upon arrival at the Sheriff’s station, I was asked how I bought the cars and made payments. I provided the dealership contact address and provided evidence of payment received from my family bank account in Tokyo and also evidence of payment from my Bank of America account to the dealership bank account.
“After no fault was found with the car purchase process, the police shifted their line of questioning and told me that a crime had occurred at the complex where I lived, saying that the closest surveillance footage around the area showed me. The officer asked me to share any information or individuals I might have seen, as that could assist in their investigation.
“I explained that I had moved to the complex less than a month ago and was not familiar with the residents or their faces. Despite my attempts to clarify this, the officer continued to press me for information. Eventually, I requested to leave but the officer threatened to charge me with rape and other sexual offences if I did not help them in the investigation.”
He noted that on the night of his arrest, samples were taken from him for a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test. It was learnt that his hair, pubic hair, saliva and fingernails were scraped for the test to ensure it match the sample found on the girl they raped.
Ordeal with Douglas police
Olaniyi continued: “I was arrested and detained without any probable cause that I committed a crime. It took a week before my friend, Olutoye, appeared at the station, and that was the first and the last time he ever visited.
“After months in detention, I hired an attorney to represent me. In one of my attorney client visitations, as I was emphasising my good character, telling the attorney that this was my first time in Atlanta Georgia and I just moved into the complex, I requested that he reached out to my friend Olutoye.
“However, upon checking his records, the attorney shook his head in disappointment. Then he told me that ‘unfortunately, the Olutoye you considered your friend, has agreed to testify for the State against you, so there is no way I can contact him.’
“He then asked me, ‘Do you have anyone else who can vouch for your character?’ I replied with a no, as Olutoye was the only person I knew in Atlanta, Georgia.
“The truth is Olutoye had thousands of my money and my SUVs are in his possession, which he could have sold to secure legal services for me but he chose not to show up. I was unaware that Olutoye had become a witness for the state, and I couldn’t understand why he did so at the time.”
According to T Mobile report of Olaniyi obtained by The Nation, the Nigerian father of two was in front of AICA Ortho and Spine facility located on Thornton Road as he was on a call for five minutes 43 seconds between 6:55 pm and 7:01 pm on the day he was alleged to have raped the white teenage girl.
A 911 record obtained by Adam Kiker, a policeman who was around the area when the rape incident occurred at the park of Sweetwater creek, Austell, showed that the emergency call by Englett around 7:14 pm notified the police that “the suspect is a black male wearing a red shirt and khaki shorts.”
Exhibit F claimed that the vehicle driven by Olaniyi was allegedly used to hide the clothes which have not been found till now.
In a supporting document by Kiker, a report of surveillance cameras at the scene of the crime, he noted in the document that “the maintenance Manager, Joseph Bates, allowed me to go into the leasing office and watch surveillance video footage.
“The video showed a black male wearing a red shirt with gray sleeves and tan khaki shorts walk from the 100 building to the south side of the leasing office.”
Also, the 14-year-old victim of the rape (name withheld), in a transcripted document, corroborated the 911 report and surveillance cameras report of the cloth worn by the perpetrator of the offence.
She noted that the suspect was not armed while raping her as he only used his “strong arms” to fondle her private part before she was penetrated.
The sister of the victim, Angiethomas, corroborated the testimony of her sister that the suspect was a black male wearing a red shirt and khaki shorts.
Report of another witness named Joshua Miller noted that he saw the video surveillance and the suspect was a dark male who wore a red shirt and khaki shorts.
However, a video footage of Olaniyi presented in court showed that he wore a hoody of purple colour coated with white and red strips. The hoody was long-sleeved. He also wore a multi-coloured trousers like army camouflage.
Olaniyi also said the exact video on which his prosecution was based was never produced in court till he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Similarly, the result of the DNA test conducted by the police to prosecution expert, MS Hinkle on both Olaniyi and the victim do not match each other. She said there was no meaningful match between the virginal swap of the victim and that of Olaniyi. Hinkle noted that it is 50 per cent probable and she also said “the DNA result is inconclusive.”
The DNA expert of Olaniyi named Dr Acton disagreed with the police expert noting that there should not be anything called ‘inconclusive’ with the explanation she gave about the result.
Countering the police expert before the court, he said: “I have the defendant’s profile here and I have an evidence profile here. You can go ahead and conduct statistics on that profile.
“But if they’re not the same, that means you don’t have the evidence to do anything with it.
“In essence, if you have these alleles missing that the defendant possesses, that’s the basis for exclusion. Meaningful match statistics were not obtained.
“Well, your first step in the process is not statistics. Your first step is to have profiles from two different samples that are consistent. Then you can apply statistics.”
Police witness, Jay Hayes noted that Olaniyi committed the offence between 6:51 pm and 7:03 pm, a claim countered by Olaniyi’s call history and GPS that he was at the hospital at that particular time.
During the judgment, the judge disqualified the DNA expert employed by Olaniyi on the basis that he did not have a recommended certificate as stated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
This forced the expert and Olaniyi to go for Daubert Hearing which revealed that the DNA samples on the victim and Olaniyi do not match each other.
However, Olutayo testified against Olaniyi that he was not sure of his character because they had parted ways in Tokyo for more than seven years. Subsequently, the court sentenced Olaniyi to three life imprisonments and another 76 years jail term.
Olaniyi told the reporter that the case is presently at the Appeal Court but the government lawyer that is currently representing him is not tendering documents or puncturing the loopholes in the prosecution by the police.
He lamented that he had spent more than $150,000 to hire lawyers and experts in the case; a development that has left him bankrupt, hence the government that wrongfully jailed him is now the one providing a lawyer to defend him.
Olaniyi pleaded with the Nigerian government and Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State in his case for fair hearing in the case.
His words: “I want to appeal to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to my aid for a fair hearing.
“This is a pure case of racism aided by my jealous friend. The American government system of prosecution and court judgment was faulty.
“My situation is a result of jealousy and racism. But it won’t last for long. I will make Nigeria proud. Shame on America’s justice system. It is worse than what we have in Nigeria.”
He added that all the cars he bought were still in his friend’s possession with the thousands of dollars in his hand.
Distraught mother pleads with Nigerian government
Olaniyi’s mother, Madam Victoria Adedoja, said her son’s case was marred by lack of proper legal representation.
The distraught mother pleaded with Nigerians to help get her son out of prison by ensuring that he is given fair hearing in the case.
While seeking help for her son’s appeal, she stated that she was not aware of her son’s predicament until she received a phone call from Olutoye, her son’s friend that invited him to the US, as well as his mother and one of Toye’s prophets, informing her about the arrest of her son and a demand for the sum of $20,000 to get her son out of the police station, which she couldn’t raise.
She said: “I was at the MFM Camp in Lagos when I got a phone call from a man who introduced himself as Olutoye Atunnise, breaking the news of my son being in detention in Atlanta.
“He spoke in a rude manner, asking me to look for money to bail him out from the police station because he committed a grievous offence. He said I should send the money to his account.
“I told him I did not have that kind of money because I am a retired teacher and a widow. But he said E lo ta nkan toba ni (go and sell his property).
“In panic, I demanded his account number in case we could raise any amount. He dropped a GTB account number 0174564903, and said if you get the money, send it to my account.”
“Racism and my son’s friend’s envy and greed contributed to his plight,” she added.
Olutoye responds to allegations
When Olutoye who is now an American citizen was contacted, he debunked the allegation that he sold Olaniyi’s car, saying: “Olaniyi was in prison when he sold all the cars he had with me, I dare him to provide the proof that I sold his car.
“It is unfortunate that he is crying that he is innocent. He should embrace his fate and start seeking forgiveness from God.
“He cannot lie that he did not rape the girl. In Fact, he chased the girl from the liaison office to a garden where he had carnal knowledge of the girl from the back.”
He continued: “There was a time Olaniyi was threatening me. What kind of audacity is that; to threaten me that he met in America? I have both Japan and America passports.
“I was shown the CCTV footage of the rape in court. He raped the girl. Olaniyi also did similar things in Tokyo. Even during his prosecution, the American government contacted Tokyo to aid the prosecution.
“Olaniyi is bisexual. He even sold his kidney for the love of money. I dare him to take a picture of his body naked. I don’t care anymore about him.
“Before this incident, I admonished him that my pastor saw a vision about him getting into trouble and that he should fast, but he never listened.
“I tried my best for him. I never testified against him in court. I was only whether I knew him and I told the court that I do know him.”
“The court was angry with him because he did not accept his fault. That is why he was sentenced to three life imprisonments and another 76 years.”
Nigerian accused of rape gets strange sentence of life jail with 76-year imprisonment in US
Presidency announces arrest of suspect linked to fake Tinubu audio fraud
The Presidency has announced the arrest of a suspect allegedly linked to the circulation of a fake AI-generated audio message purportedly featuring President Bola Tinubu’s voice.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the development in a post on his official Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts on Thursday, June 4, 2026, stating that the suspect was apprehended by a crack team of the Inspector-General of Police in Benin City, Edo State. According to Onanuga, the suspect has been identified as Ifechukwu Dennis. He also noted that the Nigeria Police Force would issue an official statement providing further details of the investigation and arrest. “The IGP crack team has arrested Ifechukwu Dennis who originated the fake voice that he passed on to his gullible targets as President Tinubu’s voice. Dennis was arrested in Benin. The police will issue an official statement,” Onanuga wrote on X.
The AI-generated voice notes falsely attributed to President Tinubu went viral on social media starting May 27, 2026. The manipulated clip, which was overlaid onto a video of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) , contained several inflammatory statements that sparked widespread outrage and concern. The fake audio falsely claimed that President Tinubu deliberately allowed insecurity to persist in parts of the country for political reasons. It also alleged that the president had asked former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to step down in his favour ahead of the 2023 presidential election and threatened to worsen insecurity in the South-East. “I’ve begged Peter Obi to step down for me. He refused. Now I will make sure the insecurity affects only South East,” the voice note claimed. The audio sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many users initially believing it to be an authentic leaked recording of the President. However, government officials quickly rejected the authenticity of the recording, insisting that it was deliberately created using artificial intelligence technology to mislead the public and damage the image of the President.
Presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga had initially shared the AI video and threatened legal action against VDM, describing the incident as “a clear case of egregious abuse of the social media platform.” In a post at the time, Onanuga wrote: “This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu.” However, subsequent investigations and fact-checks by multiple media organisations established that VDM had not posted the doctored audio. Premium Times reported that the newspaper fact-checked the voice notes and found that an unknown person had manipulated them, further establishing that the voice notes didn’t originate from VDM’s original video. Reports indicated that an unidentified individual had extracted footage from VDM’s original Instagram video and superimposed the AI-generated voice notes before recirculating the manipulated version online, creating the false impression that the activist had shared or endorsed the content. Despite reports that the manipulated audio did not originate from VDM, the Presidency had initially called for his prosecution, a position that attracted criticism after fact-checkers confirmed that VDM’s original video contained none of the fabricated audio. The arrest of Ifechukwu Dennis has now shifted attention to the individual police believe originated the fake voice recording before it was circulated online.
The arrest has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the priorities of security agencies amid rising insecurity across the country. Many netizens expressed concern that security agencies appeared to have acted more swiftly in tracking the creator of a fake audio than in apprehending kidnappers and bandits responsible for recent attacks across the country. Reacting to the announcement, a Facebook user, Akeodi Ali wrote, “What about the kidnappers on TikTok?” Another commenter, Araba Yemi Banjo, criticised the celebration of the arrest in the face of the country’s worsening security challenges. “Sir, in all that is happening in this country, is this what you can gloat about? One would have expected you to be showcasing arrested kidnappers who for over two weeks held innocent schoolchildren hostage in an evil forest. But alas you are here, sir, massaging the ego of your benefactor who has failed to perform his duty,” Banjo wrote. Also reacting, Chidubem Ukamaka compared the speed of the arrest to the response against kidnappers who have openly posted videos online. “He was tracked down and arrested before the bandits posting videos on TikTok… We are taking notes,” the commenter wrote. In a similar vein, Abdulrahman Isah questioned why the suspect was located before those responsible for recent mass abductions of students in parts of the country. “So he has been tracked before the Oyo bandits. Una weldone Mr spokesperson,” he wrote. For Daramola Stephen, the announcement raised further questions: “This is ridiculous, why can’t the crack team crack the people behind the Oriire kidnap?”
Onanuga also revealed that another individual was arrested over a social media post that allegedly raised false security concerns about Abuja, saying the action underscored the consequences of spreading unverified information capable of causing public panic. “The police have also arrested this Nigerian who made an alarming post about Abuja’s security, spreading fear among citizens. By arresting him, the police have sent the clear message that reckless users of the social media won’t go free,” Onanuga stated. The presidential spokesman stressed that security agencies are committed to tackling the spread of false content capable of undermining public confidence and order. He noted that the arrests demonstrate the determination of law enforcement agencies to hold individuals accountable for the reckless use of social media platforms.
The incident has reignited concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence to create realistic deepfake content capable of misleading the public and influencing political discourse. Such technology can imitate the voices and appearances of public figures, making it difficult for ordinary citizens to distinguish between genuine and manipulated content. In Nigeria, concerns over misinformation and fake news have grown sharply in recent years as social media platforms become a major source of information for millions of people. Government agencies, civil society groups and technology experts have frequently urged citizens to verify information before sharing it online. The arrest has also raised questions about the earlier accusations directed at VeryDarkMan, with critics arguing that the emergence of a new suspect appears to contradict initial claims about the source of the audio. The case has reignited debate over misinformation, digital manipulation and the risks posed by AI-generated content, particularly when public figures are wrongly implicated before investigations are concluded.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force was yet to issue any formal statement providing further details about the arrest, possible charges, or the next steps in the investigation. According to the Presidency, the police will release an official statement detailing the allegations against Dennis and the findings of their investigation. Observers expect the case to draw attention to the need for stronger regulations and public awareness regarding the use of artificial intelligence technologies in Nigeria. Further details regarding the circumstances surrounding Dennis’s arrest and the charges he may face were not immediately available at the time of this report. With the suspect now in police custody, attention is expected to shift to the outcome of the investigation and whether additional persons linked to the production or circulation of the disputed audio clip will be identified.
Presidency announces arrest of suspect linked to fake Tinubu audio fraud
L-R: IGP Olatunji Disu, Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi
State Police Framework Ready Soon, Presidency Tells Nigerians
The presidency said Thursday that a constitutional amendment to establish state police will soon happen following months of consultations between the executive, the National Assembly, and security authorities.
President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, briefed correspondents after a consultative meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, June 4, 2026. According to Gbajabiamila, discussions on the proposed state police framework began several months ago following a directive by President Bola Tinubu, and substantial progress has been achieved in developing the legal and constitutional pathways required for implementation.
“We started deliberations in the last three or four months on how to go about the establishment of state police as directed by Mr President,” he said. “Establishing state police is not something that you do with the snap of the fingers. There is a lot involved in terms of constitution and legalities, and thank God we have now gained a lot of traction.” Gbajabiamila expressed optimism that the constitutional amendment required to create state police would be introduced soon. “Hopefully, the amendment will come shortly, and the details of the amendment will come after that,” he added.
According to the Chief of Staff, the current focus is on the constitutional amendment itself, while enabling legislation would follow afterwards to define operational procedures and administrative frameworks for state police across the country. “Right now, what we are looking at is the constitutional amendment itself, and then the enabling law would follow thereafter. That is what we have been deliberating on in the last couple of hours,” Gbajabiamila stated. He further noted that there is now broad national consensus on the need for state police, stressing that discussions had evolved beyond the question of whether state police should exist. He said the focus had shifted toward ensuring the establishment of an effective legal and institutional framework capable of guaranteeing accountability and efficient operations.
President Tinubu will receive a full report on the meeting’s outcome. He has consistently backed decentralised policing as a necessary response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, maintaining that such a structure would improve grassroots security, enhance intelligence gathering, and better protect lives and property across the country.
The consultative meeting was attended by a cross-section of senior government officials, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to the initiative. Those present included Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) , and Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu. The meeting formed part of ongoing consultations by the Federal Government aimed at developing a workable and nationally acceptable framework for state police to enhance internal security and improve the ability of sub-national governments to tackle emerging security challenges.
The Thursday meeting followed recent kidnappings across the country that have reignited calls for security sector reforms. In May 2026, armed gunmen on motorcycles attacked schools in the Ahoro Esinle community of Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State and abducted at least 39 pupils and 7 teachers. The assailants eventually killed one of the teachers in captivity. According to reports, the attackers stormed three schools on May 15, 2026 — Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele — in what has been described as a highly organized operation. The attack marked one of the first mass school abductions of its scale in the South-West, a region previously considered relatively insulated from the mass kidnapping crises that have plagued Northern Nigeria.
Governor Seyi Makinde reported 32 total abductions and took decisive action in response to the crisis. The Oyo State Government ordered the immediate suspension of all school excursions, field trips, inter-school sports competitions, and any extracurricular activities that require students to leave school premises. The Ministry of Education issued a circular directing all school administrators to comply with the suspension until further notice, citing growing security concerns across the state.
The abduction took a tragic turn when reports emerged that a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded by his captors. Another teacher, identified as Joel Adesiyan (also reported as Adesiyan Adegboye), was killed during the initial raid on the schools. The deaths have sparked national outrage and triggered protests by teachers across the country. In a message marking Eid-al-Adha and National Children’s Day, Governor Makinde expressed deep solidarity with the families of the abducted school children and teachers. “As we mark this year’s Eid and Children’s Day, our thoughts are with every family awaiting the return of their loved ones, and with security agencies working to keep our communities safe,” he wrote on his official X handle. He reassured the state of his administration’s efforts to resolve the crisis, stating, “We are working to ensure the safe return of those who were kidnapped in Oriire LGA.”
The Oyo school abduction has triggered nationwide protests by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) . Members of the NUT, Kwara State wing, joined the nationwide solidarity rally organised by the national body of the union to protest the abduction and continued captivity of teachers and pupils. The rally, held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, saw teachers marching with placards bearing inscriptions such as “From Chibok to Oriire: Our children are still crying,”“We say no to attacks on schools,” and “Stop the killing and maiming of teachers in Nigeria.” The Deputy Secretary-General of the NUT in Kwara State, Mike Modesty, lamented that the victims had remained in captivity since May 15, adding that the continued attacks on teachers and learners showed that the government had not done enough to protect schools. “They have been abducted since May 15. One teacher has been killed and the remaining ones are still in captivity. And we are hearing that the bandits want to negotiate. Negotiate what? The lives of our children and the teachers?” he said.
The push for state police has gained renewed momentum amid growing concerns over insecurity and increasing calls for a more decentralised policing structure capable of addressing local security challenges across the federation. Supporters of the initiative have argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing structure has become overstretched amid rising security concerns including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence. Some states have already established regional and local security outfits, such as Amotekun in the South-West, but these operate without full constitutional backing. However, opponents have continued to raise concerns about possible political interference and the potential misuse of state police by state administrations, urging the inclusion of robust legal safeguards to prevent abuse. The state police bill has been one of the most contentious constitutional matters since 1999, with northern governors and some civil society groups previously expressing reservations. Nonetheless, Gbajabiamila expressed confidence that there is now a national consensus on the necessity of the reform.
The constitutional amendment, once finalised, will be presented to the National Assembly for consideration before the enabling legislation that will define the operational procedures and administrative frameworks for state police across the country. President Tinubu will receive a comprehensive briefing on the outcome of the meeting and the progress made toward actualising the long-awaited security reform. According to the administration, a decentralised policing structure would strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering, and enhance protection of lives and property across the country.
State Police Framework Ready Soon, Presidency Tells Nigerians
Tinubu Approves One-Year Salary Gratuity for Retiring Federal Workers
ABUJA — Retiring personnel of the State House will be among the first federal workers to benefit from the newly approved gratuity scheme for civil servants introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, has revealed.
Fashedemi made the disclosure on Thursday during a send-off ceremony organised in Abuja to honour two retiring directors and two deputy directors, describing the initiative as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the welfare of public servants before and after retirement.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, State House, Mr. Abiodun Oladunjoye, the Permanent Secretary praised President Tinubu for approving the return of gratuity payments for retiring federal workers in addition to pensions and other retirement entitlements.
The development follows the approval of a new federal civil service gratuity scheme by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in March 2026. Under the policy, officers who have completed a minimum of 10 years in service will be entitled to a gratuity equivalent to one year of their total annual emolument upon retirement, with effect from January 1, 2026.
The scheme was introduced following recommendations by an inter-ministerial technical committee established by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in collaboration with key government agencies. It is designed to complement the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) introduced in 2004, which largely eliminated gratuity payments for federal civil servants.
Speaking at the ceremony, Fashedemi noted that some of the retiring officers being honoured would be among the first beneficiaries of the new retirement package.
“Mr President approved the introduction of gratuity for retiring civil servants, and some of you are among the first set of civil servants that will benefit from it,” he said.
He explained that the policy reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that workers who dedicate decades of service to the nation are properly rewarded and supported after leaving active service.
The Permanent Secretary described retirement after 35 years of service or upon attaining the age of 60 as a significant milestone that deserves recognition and celebration.
“We take it that when people work hard for government and put in all these years of service, they need to be recognised and celebrated,” he added.
Fashedemi further linked the initiative to the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25), which prioritises employee welfare, productivity and institutional reforms across the public service.
According to him, the State House has institutionalised programmes aimed at recognising exceptional officers during active service and celebrating them upon retirement.
He also commended the retirees for their professionalism, discipline, integrity and commitment to national service throughout their careers.
“It is not easy to do all this work and retire peacefully. All of you have successfully achieved that, and it is no mean feat,” he stated.
The approval of the gratuity scheme has been widely welcomed by civil servants and labour groups, many of whom had long advocated the restoration of gratuity payments to improve the welfare of retirees under the contributory pension system.
Observers say the policy is expected to boost morale within the Federal Civil Service, provide greater financial security for retirees and strengthen confidence in government efforts to improve workers’ welfare.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, praised the retiring officers for their dedication and service to the country.
Former Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, also highlighted the importance of commitment, professionalism and hard work in public service.
Earlier, the Director of Administration, State House, Alhaji Abdulkadir Idris, described the ceremony as a celebration of distinguished officers who had rendered meritorious service to Nigeria and wished them a fulfilling retirement.
The officers honoured included Mr. Francis Wasa, Director of ICT; Mrs. Adenike Akintola, Director of Internal Audit; and Mr. Esiyede Godwin, Deputy Director, Library and Archives.
Another retiree, Bukar Usman Goni, a Deputy Director in the Finance and Accounts Department who was absent from the ceremony, was also recognised for his contributions.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Wasa thanked the State House management for the honour and prayed that serving officers would enjoy successful careers and retire in good health, peace and fulfilment.
With the implementation of the new gratuity scheme for federal civil servants, the Federal Government hopes to provide additional financial support for retirees and reinforce the value of long-term public service.
Tinubu Approves One-Year Salary Gratuity for Retiring Federal Workers
