The Court of Appeal in Lagos has upheld the ruling of the Lagos State High Court, that convicted Nollywood  actor, Olanrewaju James alias  Baba Ijesha to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The appellate court, led by Justice Folashade Ojo, found Baba Ijesha guilty of indecently touching and sexually assaulting the minor. Justices Abdullahi Bayero and Paul Bassi also agreed with the lead judgment. The Lagos State Government had charged Baba Ijesha with six counts, including indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault. The trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, sentenced him to five years in prison for the sexual assault. Dissatisfied with the verdict, Baba Ijesha appealed the decision, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove his guilt. In the appeal judgment, Justice Folashade Ojo overturned the conviction on the grounds that the testimony of one of the witnesses was hearsay. Video link https://youtu.be/m_Us2oaTp1M

  The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to revoke the driver’s licences of uncontrollable drivers as part of measures to curb road crashes in the country. The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, made this known in Abuja while evaluating the outcome of the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir Special Patrol Operations held between Friday June 14 to Sunday June. He said that the Corps has realized more than ever before the increasing need for collective participation and collaboration of all stakeholders. “We took full advantage of the opportunity to deliver reduction of road crashes and fatalities in our country by enforcing laws and educating commuters on safety consciousness,” Mohammed said. “We did this because, we are aware that if we fail on our part, posterity will not pardon our failure to manage the challenges, and the scars of our irresponsibility will be deafening, hence the imperatives of doubling our efforts in our future engagements.” He also said the Corps leveraged on the

Former Kaduna lawmaker Shehu Sani cautioned Northern leaders against attempting to oust President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 Presidential elections, warning that such a move could dangerously divide Nigeria. Speaking on Arise Television, Sani encouraged Northern leaders to engage with policies and initiatives under Tinubu's administration that could benefit Northern Nigeria instead of solely pursuing political power. He emphasized regional challenges such as insecurity and poverty, emphasizing the need for effective governance and equitable development across the country to foster unity and stability. Video link https://youtu.be/EstsUmN_ZMk

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) proclaimed that 85 million Nigerians lack access to electricity. Melissa Jones, Mission Director for USAID, disclosed this at a conference titled "Powering Nigeria: Mobilizing Private Capital," hosted by Chapel Hill Denham in Lagos. She emphasized the critical role of the private sector in financing infrastructure development, noting that lack of reliable electricity hampers productivity and economic growth in Nigeria. Jones highlighted USAID's efforts through initiatives like Power Africa and Prosper Africa, in partnership with Chapel Hill Denham, to mobilize approximately $4.5 million for both on-grid and off-grid power projects. These initiatives have already facilitated significant institutional capital investments, totaling 245 billion Naira, including 33 billion Naira directed towards renewable energy projects aimed at providing clean energy to underserved communities. Bolaji Balogun, CEO of Chapel Hill Denham, und

The former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, currently facing a 19-count charge, has requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute him in Kogi rather than Abuja. In a letter addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, Bello argued that the alleged offences, including criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving Kogi State funds, occurred within Kogi's jurisdiction. His legal team, led by Mr. Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, emphasized that transferring the case to the Lokoja Division of the Federal High Court aligns with legal principles regarding territorial jurisdiction. Meanwhile, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested that the Federal High Court in Abuja put two lawyers defending former governor Yahaya Bello on trial for alleged professional misconduct and contempt of court. The lawyers, Abdulwahab Mohammed and Adeola Adedipe, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria, are accused of p

  Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has lodged an appeal against the Federal High Court's June 19 ruling in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, which dismissed his objection to the court's jurisdiction over his trial. Kanu, represented by his Special Counsel, Chief Aloy Ejimakor, filed the appeal on Tuesday at the Court of Appeal in Abuja. Ejimakor confirmed this development in a statement released Tuesday night, noting the grounds of appeal primarily cite constitutional provisions and the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. The appeal names the Federal Government of Nigeria as the sole respondent, represented by Counsel Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. Kanu has remained in custody at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021. The notice of appeal outlines seven grounds challenging the trial court's jurisdiction and seeks relief at the Court of Appeal in Abu

  The Federal Government on Tuesday banned single-use plastics in ministries, departments and agencies of government. The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, stated when he briefed reporters at the Presidential Villa after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, the Nigerian capital. “If you look at the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management which was adopted in 2020, it envisages that by January 2025, some categories of plastics will be banned in Nigeria and most of them are single-use, plastic spoons, straws, pet bottles, water sachets and so on. “What the Federal Government is doing is preparing the minds of Nigerians and leading by example,” the minister said. Salako said the ban aligned with the government’s commitment to tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution which have become menacing challenges in the country. The minister said plastic waste often clogs drains and contributes to flooding