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Don’t approach me for favors – Judge warns lawyers in Malami trial

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Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday cautioned lawyers appearing in the trial of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and two others, emphasizing that his leniency should not be mistaken for weakness.

The judge made it clear that no lawyer or litigant should attempt to approach him for favours.

“All judges are not the same. Regardless of my familiarity with you, when I am handling a case, do not approach me.

“The best thing you can do for your clients is to hire the best lawyers in the country. The law cannot be bent in this court,” he warned.

He added a firm caution regarding his reputation: “Any attempt to tarnish my name will be resisted and dealt with. I warned, I warned, and I warned!”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Malami, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged money laundering totaling N8.71 billion.

The trio faces a 16-count charge, including conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count 1: Malami and his son allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal N1.01 billion in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025.

Count 5: The family is accused of conspiring to disguise N1.05 billion transferred through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Limited between November 2022 and September 2024.

Count 6: Between November 2022 and October 2025, Malami and his son allegedly took indirect control of N1.36 billion in the same account, funds they knew were from unlawful activities.

Earlier, the court granted bail of N500 million each to the defendants, with two sureties in like sum, who must provide affidavits of means.

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FG to demolish Carter Bridge in Lagos and reconstruct with over N5billion

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Tinubu has approved the demolition of Carter Bridge in Lagos and its reconstruction with over N5billion.

Minister of Works, David Umahi disclosed this on Wednesday, March 4.

Umahi confirmed that the President also approved several major road projects across the country.

Umahi noted that six major projects received approval.

Among those approved by the council includes the completion of the Suleja-Minna Road, which had earlier been awarded to Salini Construction Company but later terminated due to poor performance.

According to him, only about 10 kilometres of the project had been executed before the contract was cancelled.

Umahi explained that after reviewing the project, the government resolved to complete the remaining 71 kilometres dual carriageway, adding that one carriageway has now been awarded to China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) at a cost of N91 billion, while the second carriageway has also received Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) clearance.

He said President Tinubu directed that the road be constructed using reinforced concrete to ensure durability.

The minister further announced that FEC approved N5.6 billion for the design and costing of a new Carter Bridge project in Lagos, explaining that the existing bridge can no longer be rehabilitated.

He confirmed that government would demolish the current structure and construct a new one based on recommendations from technical assessments.

“The stakeholders’ engagement and technical reviews showed that the Carter Bridge can no longer be rehabilitated. It has to be demolished and a completely new bridge constructed,” Umahi said.

He added that Advanced Engineering Consultants was engaged to carry out the full design and cost evaluation ahead of the procurement process for construction.

On another project, Umahi said FEC approved the review and rescoping of the Kano-Kongolam Road, a tax credit project originally awarded in 2022.

The project, which covers 132 kilometres across Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states, was initially planned as an asphalt road but has now been redesigned.

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President Bola Tinubu has suspended the cashless payment system at airport toll gates nationwide due to widespread gridlock causing passengers to miss flights.

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The President directed the ministry to revert to the previous payment arrangement while working on a more efficient electronic solution.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced that private companies will be consulted to handle electronic toll collection for a commission. This move aims to eliminate congestion and hardship faced by travelers.

The cashless system, introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on March 1, 2026, was meant to block revenue leakages and modernize airport operations. However, it led to severe traffic congestion, especially in Lagos and Abuja.

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I would rather die, than betray my predecessor – Gov Buni declares

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Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has made a powerful declaration, saying he would rather die than to betray his political godfather and current Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam.

Buni made the declaration on Tuesday while addressing delegates shortly after the conclusion of All Progressives Congress, (APC), congress held in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

“I would rather die than betray our mentor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam. I remain deeply grateful to him for the role he played in my political journey.

“I will never forget where I am coming from, and I will never turn my back on the man who trusted and supported me,” he said.

He told the gathering that noted political career are built on trust, noting that he is a product of trust.

“I always want to be remembered as someone who never betrays anybody,” he declared.

The governor charged the newly elected party officials in the state to remain steadfast, urging them to uphold trust and integrity in the discharge of their responsibilities.

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