Oluomo: Reinstate Baruwa as NURTW president, Falana tells FG - Newstrends
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Oluomo: Reinstate Baruwa as NURTW president, Falana tells FG

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Prof. Tajudeen Baruwa

Oluomo: Reinstate Baruwa as NURTW president, Falana tells FG

Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has asked the Nigerian federal government to restore Comrade Tajudeen Baruwa as the president of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW.

On the 9th of November, 2024, Southwest Zone of the NURTW elected Alhaji Musliu Akinsaya, popularly known as MC Oluomo as the union’s National President.

MC Oluomo’s election has created confusion in the union with many condemning and speaking ill of his inauguration.

Two days ago, NURTW leadership, led by Alhaji Ibikunle Tajudeen Baruwa, declared the inauguration of MC Oluomo as illegal, null, and void, citing rulings from the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal that affirmed Baruwa as the legitimate president.

However, joining his voice, Falana in a statement to Vanguard, advised the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN and the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun to ensure that Comrade Baruwa is restored as national president of NURTW without further delay.

His words: “On August 28, 2023, a gang of armed thugs invaded the National Secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers at Abuja. One of the security men guarding the said Secretariat was killed by the armed invaders.

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“At the end of the violent invasion, the Secretariat was seized while the elected President, Comrade Tajudeen Baruwa and members of his Executive were arrested and charged with murder before a Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory. However, the charge of murder was withdrawn and struck out after the successful but illegal seizure of the Secretariat!

“As a law abiding citizen, Comrade Baruwa approached the National Industrial Court for legal redress. In a judgment delivered on March 11, 2024, the Court confirmed Comrade Baruwa and members of his Executive as the elected leaders of the NURTW.

“Dissatisfied with the judgment, the opponents of Comrade Baruwa appealed to the Court of Appeal. On November 8, 2024, the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment. The Justices of the Court dismissed the appeal and confirmed the judgment of the National Industrial Court which had recognised Comrade Baruwa as the President of the NURTW.

“In view of the foregoing, we call on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN and the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun to ensure that Comrade Baruwa is restored to his office in strict compliance with the judgments of the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal”.

Oluomo: Reinstate Baruwa as NURTW president, Falana tells FG

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Omokri Exposes Truth Behind Peru Drug Allegations Against Peter Obi

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Omokri Exposes Truth Behind Peru Drug Allegations Against Peter Obi
Reno Omokri, Peter Obi

Omokri Exposes Truth Behind Peru Drug Allegations Against Peter Obi

Published: May 20, 2026 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has revealed new details from his 2022 fact-finding mission to Peru, confirming that drug trafficking allegations against Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi are completely false. Omokri’s investigation included visiting a women’s prison in Lima and meeting with Peruvian authorities.

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, political tensions are already rising. One of the most controversial allegations from the 2023 election cycle has resurfaced: claims that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, was involved in drug trafficking and sponsored a female courier arrested in Peru. But now, Reno Omokri—a prominent political figure and Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico—has stepped forward with new details about his personal investigation into the matter. His findings are that the allegations are categorically false. Omokri stated, “I went to the women’s prison in Lima, Peru, with a witness who is still alive and a video camera. I also visited authorities in that country, and confirmed that the story is false.”

Reno Omokri is a bestselling author, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and currently Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico. Despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and supporting Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 election, Omokri has built a reputation for cross-party fact-finding. In September 2022, Omokri traveled to the United States to verify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic records at Chicago State University—a move that resulted in him confirming Tinubu’s attendance and graduation, even though it went against his political interests. From Chicago, Omokri proceeded directly to Peru to investigate separate allegations made by former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo against Peter Obi.

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Asari Dokubo, a vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu, repeatedly accused Peter Obi of being a “drug baron” during the 2023 election campaign. Dokubo specifically claimed that a Nigerian woman named Chinenye Ezewuzie was arrested in Peru for drug trafficking, and that the woman allegedly confessed that Peter Obi sponsored, threatened, and forced her to carry drugs. Dokubo further alleged that Obi was implicated during her trial proceedings in a Peruvian court. Dokubo went as far as comparing Obi to Pablo Escobar, the infamous Colombian drug lord, and publicly challenged Obi to take him to court, saying: “If him be president sef, I go pursue am.”

Omokri’s investigation in Peru was thorough and on-the-ground. He revealed that he visited a women’s prison in Lima, the capital of Peru, accompanied by a witness who remains alive today, and recorded the visit with a video camera for documentation. He also met with Peruvian authorities to verify the allegations. According to Omokri, Peruvian officials confirmed that there is no record of any court case or trial in Peru that implicates Peter Obi, there is no evidence linking Obi to any drug trafficking operation in Peru, and the story of a female drug mule sponsored by Obi is completely false. Omokri granted an interview to Arise TV from Cusco, Peru, on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, where he publicly shared his findings and released video documentation from the prison visit.

Perhaps the most striking revelation is Omokri’s claim that he personally contacted Asari Dokubo after completing his investigation. Omokri stated, “I thereafter called you on the phone and told you not to make the allegation anymore, because it was not true, and it is morally wrong to accuse a man of a crime he is innocent of. You may recall that you agreed with me.” Omokri added that Dokubo initially agreed to stop repeating the allegations, which is why Omokri did not pursue the matter further at the time.

Notably, Peter Obi has never visited Peru. According to Valentine Obienyem, Obi’s longtime Special Adviser on Media, “Even before he became Governor, Obi had visited most parts of the world, but not Peru. Till today, he has still not visited the country.” Obienyem also pointed out that no one named Chinenye Ezewuzie exists among the Ezenwuzie family of Agulu, Obi’s hometown—casting further doubt on the accuser’s identity.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, Omokri is urging political actors to avoid recycling debunked allegations. He wrote, “As we approach the 2027 election, please can we all refrain from recycling these allegations, which I have already debunked. I spent my money and time to establish the facts. Nobody gave me a dime. I did this because of patriotism and commitment to justice, even when it is against my political interests.” Omokri emphasized that he personally funded both investigations—the Chicago university records verification and the Peru trip—out of patriotism and commitment to justice, not political gain.

The evidence is clear: After an on-the-ground investigation in Peru, including visits to a women’s prison and meetings with local authorities, Reno Omokri has confirmed that drug trafficking allegations against Peter Obi are false. As Nigeria heads toward 2027, voters deserve fact-based political discourse—not recycled misinformation.

Omokri Exposes Truth Behind Peru Drug Allegations Against Peter Obi

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Corp Member Kills Dad Over Pocket Money Dispute in Abuja

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Corp Member Kills Dad Over Pocket Money Dispute in Abuja

A tragic case of domestic violence unfolded in the Federal Capital Territory last Friday night, as a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) allegedly stabbed his 53-year-old father to death following a heated argument over money and business mismanagement.

The incident occurred at the family residence located in the upscale Guzape area of Abuja. The deceased has been identified as Mr. Adimike Godwin, a prominent businessman known for his ventures in electrical equipment importation and real estate. The prime suspect is his son, whose name has been withheld by authorities, currently participating in the mandatory one-year NYSC scheme.

According to police sources and family members who spoke with our correspondent, the tragic chain of events began late Friday evening when the corps member returned home from a social outing at a local club. An argument ensued after the young man reportedly accused his father of being “unfair with money.”

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Witnesses disclosed that the suspect compared his father unfavorably to the parents of his friends, whom he claimed were more financially generous. The dispute quickly escalated from verbal accusations to a physical confrontation when the suspect allegedly brought up the issue of mismanaged business funds.

In a fit of rage, the corps member is said to have retrieved a knife and stabbed his father three times. Neighbors, alerted by the commotion, rushed to the scene and found Mr. Godwin lying in a pool of blood. He was immediately transported to Karu General Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced him dead upon arrival.

The FCT Police Command confirmed the incident on Saturday. In a statement, the Command’s Public Relations Officer noted that the Commissioner of Police had ordered an immediate and discreet investigation into the matter. As part of the inquiry, five suspects have been taken into custody, including a relative who was present in the house at the time of the attack. The corps member is reportedly among those detained.

Further investigations revealed that the deceased had traveled from Lagos to Abuja specifically to visit his son, who had been managing some of his father’s real estate properties in the capital. Friends and business associates described Mr. Godwin as a hardworking and peace-loving individual.

The body of the deceased has been deposited in the morgue pending an autopsy. As of press time, the NYSC headquarters had not issued an official statement regarding the corps member’s status, though legal sources indicate the suspect will face charges of culpable homicide.

The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the Guzape community, highlighting the dangers of unresolved domestic disputes and financial pressures within families.

Corp Member Kills Dad Over Pocket Money Dispute in Abuja

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LAMATA Bans Transportation Of Goods On Public Buses Across Lagos

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LAMATA Bans Transportation Of Goods On Public Buses Across Lagos

LAMATA Bans Transportation Of Goods On Public Buses Across Lagos

The Lagos State Government has announced a ban on the transportation of goods, cargo, and heavy luggage on all regulated public transportation buses across the state, with enforcement set to begin on June 1, 2026.

The directive was issued by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) as part of efforts to improve passenger comfort, commuter safety, and operational efficiency within the state’s public transport network.

In a statement released on Tuesday by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, the authority said the decision followed mounting complaints from commuters over the increasing use of regulated buses for transporting goods and oversized luggage rather than passengers.

According to the agency, the development has caused discomfort for commuters, obstructed movement inside buses, delayed boarding processes, and negatively affected service delivery across several transport corridors in Lagos.

LAMATA explained that the policy was adopted after a strategic meeting with heads of operations and maintenance of various bus operating companies in the state.

The authority noted that stakeholders unanimously agreed that the transportation of goods on public buses had become unsustainable and required urgent reorganisation to protect commuters and improve efficiency within the transport system.

The statement warned that enforcement of the directive would be strict and uncompromising.

LAMATA stated that any driver found conveying goods or heavy loads after the June 1 deadline would face immediate dismissal and blacklisting from the regulated transportation system.

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The authority also warned that any terminal official, ground staff, or LAMATA personnel caught aiding or permitting the loading of goods onto regulated buses would be summarily dismissed without exception.

According to the agency, the new policy forms part of broader reforms aimed at restoring order, discipline, safety, and efficiency in the Lagos public transportation system.

The restriction is expected to affect buses operating under the regulated transport scheme, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses and franchise buses supervised by LAMATA.

Transport stakeholders say the move aligns with ongoing efforts by the Lagos government to sanitise the transport sector and improve the commuting experience for residents.

In recent months, LAMATA has intensified enforcement measures across the state’s transportation network. Earlier this year, the agency warned motorists and unauthorised users against illegal use of dedicated BRT lanes, threatening violators with arrest, prosecution, fines, and vehicle impoundment.

Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the latest directive.

Many commuters welcomed the policy, arguing that bulky goods often occupy passenger seats, block walkways, and make journeys uncomfortable, especially during peak hours.

However, some traders and small business operators expressed concerns that the restriction could increase logistics costs and make the movement of goods across Lagos more difficult.

Despite the concerns, LAMATA urged commuters, transport operators, traders, and terminal officials to comply fully with the directive and make alternative arrangements for cargo transportation before enforcement begins on June 1.

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to providing a safe, reliable, efficient, and commuter-focused transportation system for residents of Lagos State.

LAMATA Bans Transportation Of Goods On Public Buses Across Lagos

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