Hannatu Musa Musawa, minister of art, culture and creative economy, says she did nothing wrong accepting a ministerial position in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet while undergoing the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. Musawa spoke on ‘Sunday Politics’, a Channels Television programme. During the chat, Musawa was asked how she became a minister without an NYSC certificate. An NYSC certificate or exemption letter is a mandatory requirement for persons seeking public offices. The minister said the matter has been “adjudicated” and that one day she will give a “proper account” of what transpired. She said she did not break the law, adding that she had undergone two years of national youth service in her lifetime. “There have been so many different accounts of that particular situation. The fact that I’m sat here should tell you that I did not do anything wrong,” she said. “I have not come out to set the records straight as to what really happened. The social media has just run rife with different accounts. “The matter has been adjudicated and one day, I will come out with my own account.” Asked if she owes Nigerians an explanation on the saga, the minister added that the only thing she can say is that she did nothing wrong. “I did not break the law. I did NYSC and finished. I can assure you that nothing was done to break the law or regulation. Everything that I did was in accordance with the law,” she said. THE CONTROVERSY In August 2023, TheCable reported the NYSC management as confirming that Musawa was a serving corps member. This was sequel to a claim by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a civil society organisation, that Musawa was undertaking the one-year mandatory youth service scheme while being a member of the federal cabinet. Musawa was appointed minister in August 2023. When she appeared before the senate for screening, the lawmakers did not pose questions pertaining to her NYSC certificate. In September 2020, former President Muhammadu Buhari nominated Musawa as national commissioner to represent the north-west geopolitical zone on the national pension commission board. However, the senate in October of the same year, rejected her nomination over a report from the committee on establishment and public service matters — which stated that Musawa failed to provide her NYSC certificate or exemption letter. In April, a federal high court in Abuja dismissed the suit seeking to sack the culture minister over the NYSC controversy. The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Concerned Nigeria, Patrick Eholor and Thomas Marcus.

Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court in Abuja on Monday, discharged and acquitted former senator who represented Kogi West district in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, of the charges brought before him by the Federal Government. The legal battle began six years ago. In a post on X, Melaye said Justice Oriji cleared him of two charges of providing false information concerning an alleged assassination attempt on his life in 2017. The initial case regarding the alleged assassination attempt saw delays, including the unfortunate passing of Justice Aromeh Akogu, the judge overseeing the matter, during a cross-over service on December 31, 2017. The Attorney General’s Office formally charged Melaye on January 31, 2018, claiming his allegations were unfounded, stemming from an investigation into the supposed assassination attempt at his hometown in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State. He pleaded not guilty on March 1, 2018. Again, in July 2018, Melaye accused the Kogi State police command of attempting to kill him. He made the accusation in response to claims that his security details had shot at policemen conducting ‘stop and search’ operations in Mopa. Again in March 2019, Melaye alleged a conspiracy against his life by the Kogi State government, which the state authorities denied. However, taking to social media platform X on Monday in celebration, Melaye expressed gratitude towards his legal team and emphasised his unwavering faith in divine justice. “I take life as it comes, but in all the vicissitudes of life, I trust in God only. He is always with the just,” he stated. In his post, he also noted, “Justice served after six years. Justice delayed is never justice denied. God alone be praised. SEN. DINO MELAYE 12 – FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND IGP 0. 12 CASES ALL WON BY GOD.”

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, granted a bail variation for five #EndBadGovernance protesters, reducing the bail amount to N5 million each. PUNCH Online reports that five of the ten #EndBadGovernance protesters, who were previously remanded in prison by the Federal Government, have struggled to meet the original bail conditions. Marshall Abubakar, counsel for the 1st, 2nd, and 4th defendants, revealed that some of the protesters have been unable to secure a surety with landed property in Abuja, which is one of the bail requirements. On September 11, Justice Nwite initially granted bail to all ten protesters, totalling N100 million. He ruled, “The bail is hereby granted to the defendants in the sum of N10 million each with one surety in the same amount.” The Court required that the sureties be residents of Abuja, own property in the city, and deposit their property documents with the court registrar. Additionally, the sureties were required to swear to an affidavit of means, and both the defendants and sureties were to submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the registrar. Justice Nwite ruled that the protesters would remain in custody until they met the bail conditions. The defence lawyers later appealed the stringent bail terms, particularly for the five defendants unable to meet the requirements. Following their application, Justice Nwite reduced the bail sum to N25 million in total for the five protesters requesting the variation. The new conditions set by the Court are for N5 million bail each, with one surety in the same amount. The surety must be a close relative — specifically a father or mother, or another blood relative residing within the jurisdiction if neither parent is available. The ten defendants — Michael Adaramoye, also known as Lenin, Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis, and Abduldalam Zubair — are facing six counts, including treason, conspiracy to commit a felony, inciting mutiny, and attempting to destabilise Nigeria, all offences punishable under section 97 of the penal code. They are accused of attempting to force their way into the seat of power, burning down a police station, and injuring officers. The Federal Government also claims they incited the public against the government and destroyed public properties, including a police station, the High Court complex, and National Communications Commission facilities. The ten defendants, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the Inspector General of Police.

In a newly released voice note, controversial cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye popularly known as Bobrisky claimed to have paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to secure a Federal Government pardon for money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Bobrisky claimed the SAN demanded N10 million but noted that he was unable to raise the full amount as his account had been frozen by the EFCC. This was revealed in a video posted by popular social media influencer, Martins Otse, a.k.a. VeryDarkMan, on Monday, October 7, 20204. The call recording was made on May 16, 2024, according to VDM. According to Bobrisky, his godfather came to his aid, paying the initial N5 million. However, he could not request further financial assistance, as his godfather had already arranged for him to stay in a well-furnished apartment near the prison. Bobrisky also confirmed that he was not in prison, as widely believed. He admitted, “Truth be told, I won’t lie to you, you’re my person. I’m not in prison, but I’m around there. They got me an apartment because of my godfather. My godfather was able to say, ‘Never, you will not smell that prison.’ “Let the world think that, but you will never.” “So, he was able to talk to the Deputy Controller in Nigeria and he said that as long as Bob is not posting or saying anything, they can put me close to the place so I can always come inside and see people, and welcome my family. Nobody needs to know.” Bobrisky explained that they were trying to secure a pardon to expedite his release. “I’m supposed to finish my sentence by July, but if we get the amnesty, I could leave by the first week of next month. The SAN asked for N10 million, which I could have transferred, but my account is frozen. My godfather gave me N5 million and we sent it to the SAN two weeks ago. He has already submitted the pardon request.” Bobrisky further disclosed that his godfather arranged the living situation with the help of the Deputy Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service. He stated, “They were worried about putting me in a male facility due to the risk of harassment, so they arranged for me to stay nearby, as long as I don’t post or say anything.” This revelation followed an earlier claim by Bobrisky that EFCC operatives demanded and received N15 million to drop the money laundering charges against him. The crossdresser alleged that her godfather, along with the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional arranged for him to serve her six-month sentence in a private apartment rather than in prison. He also alleged that human rights lawyer Femi Falana sought a presidential pardon for Bobrisky in exchange for ₦10 million.

The Senior Staff Association Of Statutory Corporations And Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have begun an indefinite strike over failure of the management to address certain issues regarding the welfare of its members. In the communique SSASCGOC/NAFDAC/COMMUNIQUE/VOL.1 issued on October 4, 2024, the aggrieved workers said the move was necessary after several meetings with the management over critical issues that have to do with promotions, salaries, and the general welfare of the staff, failed to yield positive results. The statement instructing the workers to begin the indefinite strike starting from Monday was signed by the Secretary of the TUC, Comrade (Dr.) Ejor Michael. The press release stated, “This is to notify all staff that, following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued to Management in the Communique of September 20, 2024, and the dithering of Management regarding the issues raised therein, another Congress of NAFDAC Staff was convened on Friday, 4th October 2024. “After careful deliberation, Congress unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike across all NAFDAC formations, commencing Monday, 7th October 2024. In view of the foregoing, you are hereby directed to down tools by withdrawing all your services in compliance with the strike action. “This decision is a result of NAFDAC Management’s failure to address the critical issues outlined in the Communique within the given time frame. The Congress considers this ongoing inaction insufferable and accentuates that the industrial action will continue unabated until all demands specified in the Communique are fully met. “In light of this, all staff are advised to remove their personal belongings from their offices, as no one, no matter the rank or cadre, will be allowed entry into any NAFDAC Office (premises) during the strike period. “SSASCGOC State and Zonal Coordinators are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with this directive. Dear Comrades, your cooperation is greatly treasured to ensure the effectiveness of this indefinite nationwide strike action. We will not relent until all issues are satisfactorily addressed.

A section of the Eleme Local Government Council secretariat has been set ablaze. According to a phone conversation with former Ambassador Oji Ngofa who hails from Eleme, the newly elected chairman Brain Gokpa came to the council secretariat accompanied by his councilors and supporters but discovered that a few of the buildings in the council had been set ablaze. So far no arrests have been made and the police are yet to release any statement on the situation. There is a palpable fear of a potential outbreak of violence in some councils of the state. Although details are still sketchy, the incident comes just days after the Rivers Local Government Elections which were swept by the Action Peoples Party (APP).