News

Dele Momodu, Tinubu, Odumakin, Soyinka, Others Headline Sanwo-Olu’s Democracy Day Show

Published

6 years ago

June 12, 2020

Eric

June 12, the Democracy Day is here. Despite the COVID-19 limitations, the Lagos State Government is celebrating it in a big way, via Zoom.

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Cherie Blaire, wife of Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister, are among personalities expected at the virtual event.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said the state will celebrate the 27th anniversary of June 12 and Democracy Day with Nigerian youths.

The theme of the Zoom celebration is “June 12: Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future”.

The virtual event holding from noon, will also feature multi-award winning artiste, Timi Dakolo and TY Bello, among notable personalities.

The statement said that the artistes would be joined by publisher of Ovation Magazine, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, Mr Dele Alake.

Also featuring in the online event is the daughter of late Moshood Abiola, Dr Hafsat Abiola-Costello.

She will speak on democratic values that will aid Nigeria’s continued development.

“Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu and others, including Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Ms Yemi Adamolekun and Mr Seun Onigbinde, will further chronicle how June 12 was declared a public holiday by the Federal Government in honour of the memory of Moshood Abiola,” it said.

According to the statement, Sanwo-Olu would address the youths and explain how the present administration ensured that none of the citizens’ rights was trampled upon.

The governor would explain what the administration has done in the last one year to ensure residents of Lagos got the dividends of democracy they agitated for while marching on the streets to demand for the return of civilian government over 21 years ago.

It added that the participants would also have the opportunity to ask questions that would possibly help prepare them for the future.

The event would be held virtually via Zoom and streamlined across various internet platforms, to accommodate large number of attendees while remaining in compliance with government directives on social distancing.

June 12, since 1999, was celebrated annually in the Western part of Nigeria, to commemorate the annulment of the June 12 Presidential election in 1993.

The election, regarded as the nation’s best, is said to have been won by late Chief MKO Abiola, but annulled by former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida.

News

IGP Disu Removes Benjamin Hundeyin As FPRO

Published

7 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has reportedly removed Benjamin Hundeyin as the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) and replaced him with a new appointee, though the name hasn’t been officially announced.

Hundeyin was previously serving as the Lagos Command PRO before being promoted to the national role.

This move comes as part of Disu’s efforts to revamp the Nigeria Police Force and improve its public image.

As the 23rd IGP, Disu has emphasized professionalism, accountability, and transparency, warning officers that there will be no tolerance for misconduct or abuse of power.

News

Assets Declaration: Court Dismisses NDLEA’s Case Against Abba Kyari

Published

8 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), against suspended DCP Abba Kyari on allegations bordering on non-disclosure of assets.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the suit, filed against Kyari and his younger brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, for failure of the anti-narcotic agency to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge held that the burden of proving a case beyond reasonable doubt falls in the prosecution which it had failed to do so.

The ruling covers only asset declaration allegations. Other cases including drug related offences are still ongoing.

News

NDLEA Nabs UK-wanted Drug Lord after 15-Year Hunt

Published

14 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had been on the wanted list of Nigerian and British authorities for over 15 years.

His arrest was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by spokesman of the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

Ilomuanya, according to the agency, was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what officials described as a high-stakes, well-coordinated operation by officers of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit.

He was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and later convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment but released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

In July 2011, Ilomuanya was again arrested in the UK for drug-related offences.

Though granted administrative bail, he absconded and fled to Nigeria, evading further prosecution.

In November 2018, NDLEA operatives arrested him in Nigeria after uncovering two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories — one at his country home in Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, and another at his residence in Lagos.

During the operation, officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive drug production equipment.

He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos but later jumped court bail, remaining on the run until his latest arrest.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s sustained crackdown on drug trafficking networks.

“This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice. Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation,” Marwa said.

He added that the Agency remains committed to strengthening intelligence-led operations and deepening international collaboration to prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for global drug cartels.

Marwa commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism, resilience, and diligence in tracking down the fugitive, stressing that the NDLEA remains unwavering in its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within the country.

The agency is expected to proceed with legal action against Ilomuanya in the coming days.