News
Falana Asks Court To Dismiss Charges Against Arraigned Minors
Published
10 months agoon
By
Editor
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has urged a federal high court in Abuja to dismiss charges against 76 protesters, including minors, involved in the #EndBadGovernance movement. These protesters face charges of treason and other related offenses.
During Friday’s proceedings, several minors among the defendants collapsed while waiting to be arraigned, leading to a chaotic scene in the courtroom. These individuals were arrested across various states, including Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano.
The court set bail at N10 million for each defendant, while the prosecution requested that the charges be dismissed for those who collapsed. Falana, representing the defendants, filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction over the case. He emphasized that, according to Section 18 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, Section 15 of the Child’s Rights Act, Section 2 of the Universal Basic Education Act, and Article 17 of the African Charter, minors should not be subjected to criminal trials.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: AGF Asks Police To Hand Over Case-file Of EndBadGovernance Protesters
Falana stated that both national and international laws protect the rights of these minors, calling on the government to fulfill its duty to provide for their education instead. He argued, “No child should be subjected to criminal proceedings. If a minor is alleged to have committed an offense, they should be handled within the child justice system.”
He further contended that certain charges against the protesters did not meet the requirements for an offense under Nigerian law. Falana noted that actions such as carrying placards that read “end bad government” or chanting revolutionary songs do not amount to a crime under Sections 416 and 114 of the Penal Code. He asserted that these charges are baseless under Sections 1, 3, 6, 36, and 44 of the 1999 Constitution.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Malnourished 76 #EndBadGovernance Protesters Arraigned
Falana’s application also included a request for the federal government to pay the school fees of the minors through senior secondary or university education, in line with legal provisions such as the 1999 Constitution, the Child’s Rights Act, and the Universal Basic Education Act.
The arraignment of these minors has drawn widespread criticism from various groups, both within and outside Nigeria. Amnesty International condemned their detention, calling it a violation of legal rights and an indication of governmental disregard for the law. Additionally, prominent figures like former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra governor Peter Obi, and ex-senator Shehu Sani have voiced their disapproval of the minors’ prosecution.
You may like
My Husband Fought, Abandoned Me Cos’ I’m Barren, Woman Tells Court
Our First Child Beat Me Blue And Black After My Wife Turned Them Against Me —Man
My Wife Harasses, Slaps Me All The Time —Husband
My Husband Travelled For 2 Yrs To Work, Returned With Only Plantain, Yam, Woman Tells Court
Stop My Father From Forcing Me To Marry Someone I Don’t Love, Woman Begs Court
Prove You Are Not Terrorist Organisations, Falana Challenges APC, PDP
News
Peter Obi’s Son, Oseloka, Speaks On Gay Allegations
Published
2 hours agoon
August 23, 2025By
Editor
Oseloka Obi, son of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, has responded to viral allegations linking him to homosexuality after photographs of him with London-based British-Nigerian Kent Okwesa, circulated online this week.
The pictures, which emerged on Wednesday, showed Oseloka and Okwesa sitting closely at a restaurant in the United Kingdom, sparking a wave of online speculation and gossip.
In a detailed statement, Oseloka dismissed the rumours as malicious falsehoods driven by his father’s involvement in Nigerian politics.
He noted that while he rarely responds to such narratives, the persistence of gossip and unfounded claims made it necessary to address the matter.
READ ALSO:Jonathan, Obi Can’t Match APC’s Strength For 2027 – Mustapha Salihu
“Because of my father’s involvement in Nigerian politics, there has been a persistent curiosity and, at times, malicious obsession with me.
“I have no social media presence and no interest in maintaining one, so I rarely correct these falsehoods. But perhaps it is time I address them,” he wrote.
Oseloka stressed that the photos of him in circulation were being misrepresented, insisting they were ordinary snapshots with friends and colleagues.
“The truth is simple: Peter Obi’s son appears in photos with his friends and colleagues, nothing more. If people wish to invent otherwise, I hope they sleep soundly knowing they are spreading lies,” he added.
READ ALSO:Ex-Chadian PM Masra Jailed For Hate Speech, Xenophobia
He further emphasised that neither he nor his father is perfect, but attested to his father’s integrity and commitment to Nigeria’s future.
“My father has my vote, not because he is my father, but because he is the right man for the job. If others wish to go low, invent scandals, or attack me to wound him, they are free to do so. But we will go high, and we will continue to focus on the future of Nigeria.”
Concluding, Oseloka urged Nigerians to redirect their attention from idle gossip to the pressing socio-economic challenges facing the country.
Read the full statement below:
News
FULL LIST: PenCom Bars Seven Mortgage Banks From Processing Housing Loans
Published
2 hours agoon
August 23, 2025By
Editor
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has barred seven Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) from processing applications under the pension-backed equity contribution scheme for residential mortgages, citing their non-compliance with housing loan guidelines.
In a letter published on PenCom’s website, addressed to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs), the organisation instructed them to immediately stop accepting or processing equity contribution applications submitted through the affected institutions.
The blacklisted mortgage banks are:
READ ALSO:Varsity Bars Edo IDPs From Exams Over Non-payment Of Fees
• Jigawa Savings & Loans Limited
• FHA Mortgage Bank Limited
• Delta Trust Mortgage Bank Limited
• AG Mortgage Bank Limited
• Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Pic
• First Trust Mortgage Bank Limited
• Mutual Alliance Mortgage Bank Limited
“Following the cited letter, the commission instructs that PFAs, including Closed Pension Fund Administrators and Pension Fund Custodians, immediately stop accepting or processing equity contribution applications submitted by the following Primary Mortgage Banks… Please be guided,” the circular read in part.
READ ALSO:Indian Refiners Abandon Russia For Nigerian Crude, As Dangote Refinery Relies On US
Explaining the decision, PenCom’s spokesman, Ibrahim Buwai, told The PUNCH that the sanction was imposed because the affected institutions failed to generate the mortgages for which funds had been approved.
“The whole purpose of giving access to RSA holders is to enable them to own houses through mortgages,” he said. “It was discovered that some of the primary mortgage institutions were not generating mortgages. If that is the case, it means they are not complying with the regulations. That is the reason for their blacklisting.”
PenCom introduced the equity contribution for residential mortgages in September 2022, allowing Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders to withdraw up to 25 per cent of their balances to fund equity contributions for home ownership.
According to the commission, 24,582 RSA holders had accessed the scheme as of the first quarter of 2025, with disbursements totalling ₦149.84bn.
RSA holders who submitted applications through the barred mortgage banks are now advised to reapply with other eligible PMBs. Those who have made upfront payments were urged to contact the affected institutions for the next line of action.
News
VIDEO: How ‘Close Friend’ Leaked Cat Secret To Security During My House Invasion — Sunday Igboho
Published
3 hours agoon
August 23, 2025By
Editor
Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has opened up again on the July 1, 2021 midnight invasion of his Ibadan residence by security operatives, including the Department of State Services (DSS).
Speaking during a visit to the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, at his palace in Ondo State, Igboho alleged that the attack was carried out with the intent to take his life.
“When my house was invaded, they wanted to kill me but failed. Some said my intestines were shattered, others said my leg was broken, but there was nothing of such. They fired guns at me very well, but the prayers of you my fathers on me were answered.”
According to him, the DSS operatives forcefully gained entrance into his residence and pointed a gun at his Personal Assistant so he could lead them to his room.
READ ALSO:
Death of cat after friend’s betrayal
While recalling the invasion, Igboho said one of his trusted friends betrayed him by leaking sensitive information about his cat to the operatives.
He disclosed that the so-called ‘trusted’ friend had told the agents not to let the cat escape, which led to the security operatives killing the animal.
“When I opened the door of my room for them, they saw my cat on the bed. One of my friends that I entrusted with secret had told them not to let the cat go. So they killed the cat and wrapped it with clothes like a corpse. They destroyed everywhere in the house and killed one of my brothers alongside one other person and they left,” he narrated.
Appeal to the Olowo
Speaking at the palace of the Olowo, Igboho said his absence from the country had lasted about five years and that he was eager to return to contribute to tackling insecurity in the South-West.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Sunday Igboho Returns To Nigeria
“But why I came to meet you Kabiesi is that till when will I be doing that. Nigeria is my motherland. This is about five years since I’ve been chased from here. Tinubu is your son, you can convince him to free me. If not for the wanted tag on me, I would have come to Nigeria to face the insecurity facing the South-West region. I would have entered the bush and faced them,” Igboho pleaded with the monarch.
Monarch’s response
In his response, Oba Ogunoye described Igboho as a beacon of hope for his generation and future ones, urging him not to be discouraged by the challenges he has faced.
The monarch enjoined Igboho and his supporters to remain law-abiding amid ongoing challenges.
He assured him of continued support and called for peace and cooperation across South-West communities, noting that no region can achieve sustainable development without security.
(TRIBUNE)
- Peter Obi’s Son, Oseloka, Speaks On Gay Allegations
- US Suspends Work Visas For Nigerian, Foreign Truck Drivers
- My Husband Fought, Abandoned Me Cos’ I’m Barren, Woman Tells Court
- FULL LIST: PenCom Bars Seven Mortgage Banks From Processing Housing Loans
- Our First Child Beat Me Blue And Black After My Wife Turned Them Against Me —Man
- My Wife Harasses, Slaps Me All The Time —Husband
- My Husband Travelled For 2 Yrs To Work, Returned With Only Plantain, Yam, Woman Tells Court
- US Desperate To Remove You, Cleric Warns Tinubu
- Stop My Father From Forcing Me To Marry Someone I Don’t Love, Woman Begs Court
- How Toke Makinwa’s Pregnancy Unveiling Sparked Social Media Frenzy
Trending
- News4 days ago
Edo Issues New Guideline On Education, Says Siblings’ Textbooks Transferable, Bans Graduation For KGs, Others, [A MUST READ]
- Metro4 days ago
Vigilantes Beat, Strip Female Corps Member In Anambra
- News5 days ago
Ex-US President Al Gore Loses Nigerian In-law
- News4 days ago
Circuits Launchpad Targets 1M Jobs for Youths in the Digital Creative Sector
- Headline3 days ago
UK Bans Sanex Advert For Calling Black Skin ‘Problematic’, White Skin ‘Superior’
- News4 days ago
Chieftaincy Title: Why Ooni Of Ife Won’t React To Alaafin’s 48-hour Threat — Palace Aide
- News5 days ago
Lagos Declares Holiday For Isese Festival
- News3 days ago
Yoruba Elders Wade In As Alaafin, Ooni Feud Escalates
- News3 days ago
Nigerians Call For Mandatory DNA Tests At Birth
- Sports4 days ago
Enabulele Congratulates Bendel Insurance For Pre-Season Tournament Performance