LOCAL NEWS

Anti-Tinubu forces reel from defection blow 

           The ongoing gale of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress is rapidly changing the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Despite widespread complaints of hardship resulting from President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, the APC continues to attract key opposition figures and shift the political landscape in its favour. Previously, it was believed that the APC and President Tinubu would struggle to win future elections due to the hardship. Opposition politicians had also leveraged the discontent to stir sentiments and launch campaigns for a change of government in 2027.

Lagos, Anambra leads in UTME malpractice.

Data obtained from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has revealed that Anambra and Lagos states have the majority among the 80 suspects being interrogated by the police for their involvement in 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination malpractices.

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, during a press briefing at JAMB headquarters in Abuja on Friday said new methods of exam fraud were observed during the registration and examination processes.

He said the new methods include identity and biometric frauds involving combined thumbprints of candidates and impersonators at registration points in connivance with some CBT centres, double registration, and attempted substitution of self by candidates.

According to the data, Anambra had the highest number, with 14 suspects arrested for 13 cases of impersonation and one picture mismatch.

Lagos follows with nine suspects arrested for cases of impersonation, spying, and possession of mobile phones.

Other states with notable arrests include Delta with eight suspects for impersonation, Kano with seven suspects for impersonation and mobile phones possession, and Kaduna with six suspects for impersonation and mobile phone possession

Nigerian Pastor rearrested in South Africa after been acquitted of rape.

       Timothy Omotoso who was released last month, nine years after he was jailed to be tried on charges of raping and sexually assaulting several young women from his church.

His acquittal drew anger across South Africa after the judge found that, while the pastor’s explanations appeared improbable, state prosecutors had mishandled the case against him.

Immigration authorities and police arrested Omotoso in the town of East London on Saturday morning, “just after church”, police commissioner General Fannie Masemola told journalists.

“He will be facing charges related to violations of the Immigration Act, and he will appear in court on Monday,” he said.

The 66-year-old pastor at the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church based in South Africa was arrested in 2017 on 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Several young women, some of whom were still in school at the time, testified that they were handpicked by Omotoso, who would pray for forgiveness after each encounter with them.

Lagos begin demoliton of illegal structures in Ikeja 

         The Lagos State government decided to start demoliton illegal structures and unapproved buildings  popularly known as 'shanties' so as to restore order.

The exercise, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki, targeted areas violating building regulations.

The team moved through streets like Michael Otedola, Sowemimo, Remi Fani-Kayode, and Ajisafe, pulling down unauthorised stalls and altered buildings.

Speaking with reporters, Oki said that some property owners had valid approvals but violated terms by converting structures, such as turning four flats into eight, thereby straining infrastructure and distorting the urban plan.

“There have been complaints from the residents of Ikeja GRA about abnormalities in the construction process.

“We began enforcement from 9.00 a.m. today and visited many construction sites. Most of them actually have valid approvals, and even the buildings assumed not to conform to, in fact, meet the required standards.

“Some people get approval for four flats but turn them into eight, or they have approval to build a duplex but they convert it. This puts a heavy burden on public infrastructure. We can’t let Ikeja GRA become like Ajegunle,” he said.

The LASBCA Permanent Secretary noted that the agency had earlier issued letters to all property owners in Ikeja GRA, requesting the submission of building approvals for verification.

He noted that buildings found to be in violation of planning regulations were marked for corrective action, and if owners failed to comply, such structures would be demolished.

According to the LASBCA Permanent Secretary, the spread of illegal structures had worsened security concerns and hampered effective surveillance by both private security teams and the police.

                                                                    Mide