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Falana Slams South-West Governors, Criticises Makinde’s N63bn Renovation

Published

4 hours ago

August 6, 2025

The popular human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, on Wednesday, decried failed governance and sheer infrastructural decay in the South-West saying that the governors has not done enough to tackle the challenge of poverty fail to prioritise selfless service.

Falana regretted that unlike in the days of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo when the politics was in the hand of the intellectuals, “politics is now in the hands of criminals and touts who bother less about investing in the economic prosperity of the country and the well-being of the citizens.”

The legal luminary also faulted Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde’s decision to spend N63bn on the rehabilitation of the government house, describing it as unnecessary and reckless spending of public funds that should have been put into better use to uplift infrastructural development in the state.

Falana disclosed this on Wednesday, while making his submission as member of panels during the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin Odua held in Abeokuta with the theme “Regional Justice, Security and Sustainable Development”.

Other members of the panel were Dr Wahab Shittu, SAN, Mrs Titilayo Akinlawon, SAN, Chief Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN and Mr Kayode Akinremi, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Abeokuta branch.

The human rights lawyer noted that the South-West region may continue in its journey of retrogression except the the political leaders both at the state and the local government stay honest to the people and make good governance and service to the people their focus.

Falana explained that, “We are always quick to shout about the misappropriation and reckless spending of public funds in Abuja but in Lagos after spending N45bn to procure Jeeps (utility vehicles) in the first four years, the state House of Assembly is planning to spend another N20bn on purchase of jeeps yet the people are wallowing in poverty.

“Ikorodu has been submerged in the last three days, if it were to be abroad, they will be using the helicopter to go and drop food for the victims but what is being done for the people? Nothing.

“Similarly, the governor of Oyo State who comes to work from his house now want to rehabilitate the government house with N63bn, the amount that is enough to provide good roads and electricity for the state.

“The education is in bad shape, there is no South-West states today that is up to date in accessing the UBEC fund. There are 18.3m out of school children including children from the South-West.

“Today, the roads in the Southwest are terrible, infrastructurally we are not there unfortunately when they now want to flag off road that they will not even complete, you will see them making so much noise, doing ceremony, there is need for a rethink.”

The lawyer also lamented that touts have now taken over South-West states due to growing poverty saying that the sad narrative is the Same from Lagos to Ogun, Oyo to Osun and Ondo to Ekiti, warning that there is need for the government to begin to make judicious use of the resources at their disposal to make life more comfortable and rewarding for the populace.

He explained that, “Area boys, touts have taken over the South-West states. The area boys in Ekiti seem to be wild than the ones in Lagos, they are there from Lagos to Abeokuta and everywhere, even in the rural areas.

“Our children are no longer going to school. You can’t buy a piece of land now and enjoy peaceful possession. As you are laying foundation, you will see them, when you want to roof the building, you will see them again Go and look at the results of WAEC now, two years ago, Ekiti came 28, one year Oyo and Oshun came 28 and 27, what is happening to us in the Southwest.

“Our children now run to miracles center, the children are not going to schools again, only children of the privileged few are going to school because of poverty yet the common wealth of our region is being privatized right before our very eyes”

Falana urged lawyers to stand up to making our political leaders accountable to the people even if they will have to drag them before the court of law

He disclosed that “For the 2025 budget, Senators and members of House of Representatives inserted 11000 constituency projects valued at N6.9trn, as lawyers you must do more than sitting and watching, ask these lawmakers where the projects are cited and if they are not giving any satisfactory answers, take them to court”.

Giving his keynote address, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, urged the lawyers to continue to uphold rule of law and advance the course of justice, fairness and equity in the region.

Olujinmi said that the association must constantly in all its engagements and activities draw attention of the governments to the obligation on them to observe the rule of law and the constitution because obeisance to the rule of law is key to regional justice, security and sustainable development.

As way out of the trouble of insecurity in the region, the former Minister hailed the late governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, who against all odds and opposition established the Amotekun Corps that has helped to curb the growing insecurity in the Southwest

Olujinmi has therefore identified the need for an effective collaboration among the six Southwestern

States to increase the empowerment and capacity of the Amotekun Corps across the region to further deal decisive blow to those hurting the region’s security architecture

The former Minister added that, “The governments of the region should regularly engage closely with the people to appreciate their specific needs and provide for them instead of embarking on programmes of development that are not of any immediate relevance to the needs of the communities.

“The region is blessed with fertile land and active

human capital which can be harnessed for the development of the region. The governments of the six States need to tackle youth

unemployment with a robust commitment. All these are necessary for sustainable development in the region.”

The President of the association, Mr Isiaka Olagunju SAN, urged the members of the association to help in protecting the heritage which purely belongs to the Yoruba people.

Olagunju said that it is unfortunate and regrettable that some section of the country will be describing Lagos as no man’s land saying that there is need for the members of the association who are only Yoruba to always stand up and be counted to defend wrong narratives and twisting of the cherished Yoruba rich history.

Also speaking at the programme, the leader of Oodua Peoples Congress, Chief Gani Adams explained that only restructuring and practice of true federalism can help to resolve lots of issues especially around insecurity and economic prosperity of not only the Southwest region but the entire country.

The Chairman, Planning Committee of the annual conference, Mr Olusegun Fabunmi, SAN, said that the association will critically examine all that have been discussed at the conference and then set up committee to ensure that the recommendations especially those that bother on insecurity and economic integration are pushed to the government for implementation.

News

Church Of Nigeria Formally Cuts Ties With Wales Over Lesbian Archbishop

Published

58 minutes ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has officially cut all ties with the Church in Wales following the appointment of Bishop Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the 15th Archbishop of Wales.

The decision was announced by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, who described the development as ‘an abomination’ and a serious departure from biblical truth.

The announcement came during the opening session of the 14th Church of Nigeria Conference of Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers, held on Tuesday at the Church’s national secretariat in Abuja.

With the theme ‘Called as a Watchman’, the event brought together legal minds from across the Church to discuss matters of doctrinal integrity, justice, and governance.

Primate Ndukuba delivered the keynote address titled ‘The Decade of the Reign of God: Progress, Challenges, and Prospects.’

Reacting to the Church in Wales’ elevation of a lesbian bishop, the Primate said, “We reject the election of the Right Reverend Cherry Vann as the Archbishop of Wales.”

He compared it to the 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson in the Episcopal Church (USA), which had also led to Nigeria severing ties with that province.

“Just as the Church of Nigeria took steps after the election of Gene Robinson in the United States, we are severing every tie and relationship with the Church of Wales,” he said.

Primate Ndukuba also criticised what he described as the growing influence of revisionist teachings within sections of the Western Church.

“These individuals have not relented from their evil agenda; rather, they have intensified it. What they call their wisdom and culture is an abomination to God,” he declared.

Despite cutting formal ties with the Church in Wales, the Church of Nigeria reaffirmed its support for orthodox Anglicans in the region through platforms such as the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

“We pray that the Church of God in Wales will rise up, and that the faithful among them will stand strong. We, the Church of Nigeria, alongside GAFCON, will stand with them,” Ndukuba assured.

Looking ahead, the Primate said the Church of Nigeria plans to expand its global mission, with new registrations underway in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland.

“We feel that the Lord is calling us back to Europe for mission,” he said.

The Primate also used the opportunity to highlight the Church’s ongoing contributions to the GAFCON movement.

He revealed that the Church of Nigeria had recently contributed $2.5 million to the GAFCON Endowment Fund and was planning a local Nigerian GAFCON Endowment worth $2.3 million to support orthodox Anglican work and mission.

On constitutional and legal matters, Ndukuba urged legal officers to strengthen the Church’s internal reforms and national engagement.

“You are to understand yourselves to be watchmen for the Church. You defend the Church against all forms of aggression. As modern-day watchmen, we must first listen to God, then speak His truth in love, knowing our duty lies in obedience,” he said, calling on legal professionals to support the Church’s constitutional review and advocate for a new Nigerian constitution.

News

EFCC Arraigns Six Katsina Revenue, Bank Workers Over N1.2bn Fraud

Published

2 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Tuesday arraigned five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue and a staff of First Bank over an alleged N1.2 billion fraud.

The accused were brought before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court by the Commission’s Kano Zonal Directorate on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and diversion of public funds.

According to the anti-graft agency in a statement on Wednesday, the total sum allegedly diverted is N1,235,330,000, said to be tax remittances from the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action, which were due to the Katsina State Government.

The defendants, Nura Lawal, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Mamman, Abubakar Saidu, Rabiu Adamu Abdullahi, and Adam Alhassan Albashir, a Public Sector Relationship Manager with First Bank, were all docked and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

One of the charges reads:
“That you Nura Lawal, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Mamman, Abubakar Saidu, Rabiu Adamu Abdullahi and Adam Alhassan Albashir between January, 2022 to August, 2024 at Katsina within the jurisdiction of the Katsina State High Court, being staff of Board of Internal Revenue Services (BOIRS), Katsina and Public Sector Relationship Manager of First Bank, in such capacity conspired among yourselves to commit an unlawful act to wit: unlawfully converted to your personal uses the tax payments meant for the Katsina State Government and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 58 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State and punishable under Section 298 of the Same Law.”

After their plea, prosecution counsel Musa Isah urged the court to fix a trial date to enable the Commission prove its case.

However, the defence counsels filed separate bail applications for the six defendants, requesting their release pending trial. Isah opposed the applications.

Justice Danladi, after listening to both sides, granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N5m with one reliable surety resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

The Judge said surety must possess verifiable landed property, with the title documents to be verified by the court registrar.

The case was adjourned to October 27, 2025, for the commencement of trial.

According to EFCC investigations, Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections and current Permanent Secretary of the Board, allegedly authorised the opening of an account named “BOIRS” with Sterling Bank. Sanusi Mohammed Yaro and Ibrahim Mamman were appointed as the sole signatories.

The commission said the account became the main channel for funnelling the diverted funds to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company allegedly owned and controlled by Nura Lawal, an Assistant Director in the Career Skills/Staff Welfare unit of the Board.

EFCC findings also showed that NADIKKO and Lawal served as key conduits in laundering the proceeds, which were traced to multiple bank accounts linked to the suspects.

News

FG Urges Nigerians Abroad To Register With Embassies For Emergency Support

Published

2 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians travelling abroad to register with Nigerian embassies and consulates in their host countries to enable timely intervention during emergencies.

The appeal was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, during a meeting with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria, led by its Chairman, Idehai Frederick, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to DICAN, Amb. Ahmed stressed the importance of informing Nigerian missions upon arrival in foreign countries, rather than waiting until problems arise.

“I advise Nigerians to make it a point of duty to make their presence known to the Nigerian mission in the country they’re visiting.

“This simple step can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that Nigerians receive the support they need in times of crisis.

“There was a recent case of Nigerians trapped in the Central African Republic, where some Nigerians tried to give the Ministry a bad name,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted the role of timely and accurate information in managing crises and emphasised the need for closer collaboration with media organisations like DICAN to combat misinformation.

“Most of the time, giving the necessary information before they even ask for information is crucial in managing crises effectively.

“We are saddled with the role of laundering the image of the country. Hence, the inevitability of a strengthened partnership between DICAN and the Ministry,” Perm. Sec. noted.

He underscored the significance of disseminating accurate narratives about Nigeria’s foreign policy, particularly in the face of growing disinformation.

Ambassador Ahmed also commended DICAN for hosting the maiden Diplomatic and Security International Conference, which brought together about 70 diplomats, security experts, academics, and representatives of civil society to discuss strategies for global safety and peace.

In appreciation of the Ministry’s cooperation, DICAN Chairman said, “The Permanent Secretary has shown commitment to working with DICAN, and we appreciate his efforts in promoting a positive image of Nigeria.”