News
INEC seeks media support in establishment of Electoral Offences Tribunal
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has called on the Nigerian media to back the call for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal.
The Commission highlighted the need for a dedicated legal framework to ensure the swift prosecution of electoral offenders.
Chairman of the Nigeria”s electoral umpire, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, laid this emphasis during the commission’s first regular quarterly consultative meeting with media stakeholders in Abuja on Friday.
Yakunu said the Commission under his watch is committed to improving the country’s electoral process, adding that prosecuting offenders has remained a major challenge for the Commission.
Yakubu pointed out that judiciary processes are slow, adding that offenders are currently prosecuted in Magistrate and State High Courts, where they compete for attention with numerous other cases.
“A major obstacle to the speedy dispensation of justice in this regard is that electoral offences are not time-bound as is the case with post-election offences through the tribunals,” the INEC boss said.
“Consequently, electoral offences are carried over from one general election to another, which may sometimes affect the diligent prosecution of the cases.
He said the Commission is currently prosecuting 774 electoral offenders from the 2023 general elections in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.
According to Yakubu, some convictions have been achieved in states such as Kebbi and Kogi but lamented that many cases remain pending.
Yakubu called on the media to amplify advocacy for the tribunal.
Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in its response, through the union’s Secretary, Achike Chude, who represented the newly elected of NUJ President, Hassan Yahaya, assured the Commission of the association’s continued collaboration, emphasizing that the success of the electoral body is crucial to Nigeria’s democracy.
By Emmanuel Iheaka, OWERRI
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has assured Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State that his group will be one of the biggest investors in the state.
Dangote gave the assurance at the opening session of the Imo Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri on Thursday.
The renowned Africa’s industrialist urged Uzodimma to indicate his preferred area of investment and forget the rest.
Dangote described the Imo governor as a personal friend of decades and commended him for providing enabling environment for investment.
“We will be one of your biggest investors in Imo. So, please tell me the area to invest and we will invest”, Dangote declared.
He called on entrepreneurs to always invest at home, adding that foreigners cannot drive the economy of any nation more than the nationals.
“What attracts foreign investors is a domestic investor. Africa has about 30 percent of the world’s minerals. We are blessed,” he submitted.
Dangote reiterated that his refinery was set to launch 1.4 million barrels per day capacity, the highest for any single refinery in the world.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to accept Prince Emmanuel Kanu’s appearance on behalf of his brother, Nnamdi Kanu, ruling that he is not a legal practitioner.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, swore in General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) as Minister of Defence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
General Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday, December 1, 2025. His nomination was announced the following day and transmitted to the Senate, where it received expedited screening and confirmation.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army in 1991 and had a distinguished military career. He was appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023 and retired in October 2025.
As Chief of Defence Staff, he championed inter-service security collaboration.
With his swearing-in, the new Defence Minister is expected to immediately assume duties as the Tinubu administration seeks to consolidate recent security gains and fast-track reforms aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability nationwide.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Also in attendance were the spouse of the new Minister, Mrs Lilian Oghogho Musa; Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs (rtd).
Dangote to Uzodimma: Just show me where to invest
Judge rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s brother court appearance
IMO ON GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT AS GOVERNOR UZODIMMA KICKS OFF 2025 IMO ECONOMIC SUMMIT.
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