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#EndSARS: Court Stops Suit Against Sam Adeyemi, Falz, 2Baba, Davido, 46 Others

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A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has ordered a Magistrate, Omolola Akindele, to immediately halt proceedings and stay action in a criminal complaint filed by one Kenechukwu Okeke, against 50 persons who supported the #EndSARS protests.

Justice Bello Kawu also restrained the Nigeria Police Force from arresting or taking any action against the #EndSARS activists.

The magistrate had ordered the Commissioner of Police in the FCT to launch an investigation into the 50 notable persons who promoted the #EndSARS movement.

Some of the notable persons include the Senior Pastor, Daystar Christian Centre, Sam Adeyemi; Musician Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy, David Adeleke otherwise known as Davido, Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz; and activist Deji Adeyanju.

Adeyanju subsequently filed an application before the FCT High Court seeking a judicial review of the substantive matter before the magistrate.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Kawu said, “An order of this honourable court granting leave to the application to issue and serve on the defendant an application for judicial review against the proceedings/direct criminal complaint of Hon. Omolola Tolulope Akindele sitting at Chief Magistrate Court II, Wuse Zone 6 in the suit of Kenechukwu Okeke Vs Deji Adeyanju and 49 others in suit No. CR/49/2020.

“An order of this honourable court, that on the grant of the above orders herein, serve as a stay of all proceedings on the direct criminal complaint Omolola Tolulope Akindele sitting at Chief Magistrate Court II, Wuse Zone 6 in the suit of Kenechukwu Okeke Vs Deji Adeyanju and 49 others in suit no. CR/49/2020.

“An order of this honourable court, that on the grant of the above orders herein, same order as granted by the honourable court shall restrain the Nigeria Police Force, 2nd and 3rd defendants from taking any further steps, arresting and or taking any unconstitutional/illegal steps in the form of any guise as it concerns the subject matters whatsoever before this court herein as it concerns all parties in the proceedings.”

Okeke had alleged that during the #EndSARS protests, his properties were destroyed and the defendants who promoted the #EndSARS protests must be brought to justice.

In his supporting affidavit, Okeke said the defendants played active roles in the #EndSARS protest which later became violent.

It read in part, “That the 1st to 50th accused persons between the 3rd day of October 2020 and the 28th day of October 2020, using Twitter, and Internet web source with URL https://www.twitter.com within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire amongst themselves to commit a misdemeanour, to wit, promoting and acting in such a manner, with intent to assist in the promotion of #EndSARS and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97(2) of the Penal Code Act, C53 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“Properties belonging to the complainant were egregiously destroyed by some riotous and tumultuous persons instigated and incited by the 1st to 50th accused persons.”

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Lagos State Begins Strict Enforcement Of Styrofoam, Single-Use Plastics Ban Today

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In a bold effort to protect the environment and safeguard public health, the Lagos State Government has officially begun enforcing the ban on the sale and use of Styrofoam and single-use plastics throughout the state.

Commissioner for the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed that enforcement takes effect from today, July 1, 2025.

“Many believed that after the last period of grace, the state government would succumb to blackmail and the spread of half-truths to extend the deadline. But this is a total no,” Wahab said.

He stressed that the decision is rooted in the government’s responsibility to preserve lives, protect property, and promote the overall health of residents.

“There is no going back. Anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the state’s environmental laws,” he added.

The ban seeks to address the environmental damage caused by non-biodegradable waste, which has been a major contributor to flooding, marine pollution, and public health issues in Lagos.

Residents, businesses, and food vendors are encouraged to switch to environmentally friendly packaging alternatives as part of the state’s ongoing campaign for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.

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BIG STORY

Law Enforcement Agencies Benefitted From Petrol Subsidy Scam — Former EFCC Chairman Bawa

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Abdulrasheed Bawa, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says law enforcement agencies were among the beneficiaries of the petrol subsidy fraud.

In his latest publication, The Shadow of Loot & Losses: Uncovering Nigeria’s Petroleum Subsidy Fraud, Bawa revealed that Nigeria lost $450 million to the subsidy scam under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) between 2006 and 2012.

He noted that several oil marketers involved were prosecuted and jailed, with 80 percent of the embezzled funds recovered.

During an interview on Arise Television’s programme Prime Time, Bawa pointed out that many individuals tied to the fraud were compromised.

“Everybody was benefitting from the scale and the scam, including law enforcement,” Bawa said.

“People can be compromised in such a way that they will look the other way around. It’s a general thing.”

The former anti-corruption chief also urged Nigeria to push back against damaging external narratives, particularly the idea of “relooting” recovered public funds.

He argued that the country must reject the perception that it is involved in “relooting the loot”, a term used to describe alleged misuse of retrieved assets.

“Nigeria should be able to challenge the international community that is always thinking negative about our country,” he said.

“This idea of relooting the loot shouldn’t be discussed against us as a country. Nigerians and non-Nigerians should have the ability to trust in our leaders.”

Bawa further stated that Nigerians have increasingly accepted negative portrayals imposed by foreign voices.

“It has now become like a norm among us Nigerians to take in what the international community perceives us to be,” he added.

When asked about the repeated controversies surrounding EFCC chairs, Bawa dismissed suggestions of political witch-hunting but acknowledged the recurring pattern.

“It’s just a phase that has to come and go. People always talk. Whether you’re telling the truth or not, people will say something,” he said.

Bawa served as EFCC chairman from 2021 to 2023.

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Reps Kick As Ibas Allocates N24bn For CCTV, N30bn For Gunboats In Rivers’ 2025 Budget

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The ad hoc committee of the house of representatives overseeing Rivers state has criticised Ibok-Ete Ibas, the state’s sole administrator, over certain allocations in the N1.48 trillion 2025 budget.

The senate had approved the N1.48 trillion appropriation bill for Rivers state on June 25.

A breakdown of the budget shows that N120.8 billion is designated for debt servicing, N287.38 billion for recurrent non-debt spending, and N1.077 trillion for capital projects.

At a budget defence session in Abuja on Monday, Julius Ihonvbere, the house majority leader and chair of the ad hoc committee, highlighted several concerns after reviewing the proposal.

Ihonvbere raised questions about the N24 billion set aside for CCTV, the N30 billion allocated for gunboats, and the N23 billion marked as contingency funds. He called for a full explanation and justification of these figures.

He noted that the budget lacked a medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF), which is a statutory requirement.

Ihonvbere also questioned the state’s decision to finance federal projects without a formal reimbursement agreement from the federal government.

He requested detailed records of local government fund transfers, including how third-tier funds are currently managed.

“We need additional details for those allocations. We request details of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the last three months,” he said.

“That will enable us to know your financial flows so that we can weigh it against the deficit in the budget in terms of financing it and carrying out some of the projects.

“We also need details of transfers to local governments — essentially, how local government funds that came into the state are being managed at the moment.

“Those documents we have requested must reach us within 48 hours; rest assured that we are all on the same side in terms of getting Rivers working again.

“We want to ensure that we promote a lot of accountability and ensure that the interests of the people themselves, no matter how remote they are from the state capital, are protected.”

Responding for Ibas, Andrew Nweke, senior special assistant on strategy and policy, explained that many of the budget items were inherited by the current administration.

He said the allocations align with the priorities identified by the people of Rivers, following assessments conducted by implementing agencies.

Nweke said the CCTV allocation was intended for installing modern surveillance systems at the government house.

He also said the gunboats were designated for supporting security agencies in patrolling the state’s waterways.

He added that the contingency funds would be used to address emergencies such as flooding and insecurity.

He assured the committee that the requested documents would be submitted.

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