Despite renewed efforts to combat counterfeit drugs, unregistered pharmaceuticals, and illicit drug activities in Nigeria, the trade has continued to boom, posing severe risks to public health.

Data obtained from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) by our correspondent revealed that in 2022 and 2023, the agency sealed hundreds of illegal drug outlets, arrested offenders, and destroyed substandard products worth over N21 billion.

The offenders included 1,125 drug stores selling unregistered products which were sealed, 62 factories involved in illicit production were also shut down while 108 warehouses storing unapproved goods were sealed.

The data further showed that 412 individuals were arrested in connection with these illegal activities and are facing prosecution.

According to NAFDAC, the total street value of the destroyed products amounted to N21.159 billion.

Beyond economic losses, the health consequences of counterfeiting are devastating. Patients unknowingly consuming fake or substandard medications may develop complications, suffer treatment failures, or even die, further straining Nigeria’s already burdened healthcare system.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in ten medical products in low- and middle-income countries is either substandard or falsified, and Nigeria is no exception.

NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate (IED) was established in 2001 to combat Substandard and Falsified (SF) Drugs, Unwholesome Foods, as well as other NAFDAC Regulated Products.

The agency has been at the forefront of the battle against counterfeit drugs, but the agency faces significant legal challenges. The punishment for selling fake drugs under current laws includes a fine of up to N500,000 and a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, a penalty experts say is too lenient given the scale of the crime.

NAFDAC’s Public Relation Officer, Lagos, Mrs Christy Obiazikwor, criticised the weak legal framework, stating that, “The current laws do not serve as a deterrent. Offenders can simply pay a small fine and walk free, undermining our efforts to curb drug counterfeiting.”

She revealed that some cases have dragged on for over a decade in courts. “There are cases we’ve been prosecuting since 2010 that are still unresolved,” Obiazikwor lamented

To address this, NAFDAC is pushing for legal reforms, with proposed amendments currently before the National Assembly to introduce stiffer penalties for drug counterfeiters.

The National Treasurer, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigerian (PSN), Kilani Jelili, condemned counterfeit drug dealers, likening them to hired killers. “These people are criminals who prioritise profit over human lives. No trained pharmacist would ever engage in drug counterfeiting.”

Kilani, who is also a deputy director at the National Hospital, Abuja, emphasised that counterfeiters are often untrained individuals who pick up rudimentary pharmaceutical knowledge from working in factories and later exploit it for illegal production.

Also, a legal expert and managing partner at Magna Legalese Limited, Suleiman Hassan Gimba, described Nigeria’s fight against counterfeit drugs as a mixed outcome.

He said while NAFDAC’s regulatory efforts have led to major seizures, fake medicines remain widespread, accounting for an estimated 15-17 percent of drugs in circulation (WHO, 2023).

He identified three major obstacles as porous borders allowing the easy smuggling of counterfeit drugs, corruption within regulatory and enforcement agencies and weak inter-agency coordination

Gimba argued that Nigeria’s penalties are inadequate compared to other countries like China and India, where large-scale drug counterfeiting attracts life imprisonment or even capital punishment.

He recommended higher fines, beyond N500,000, to match the billions involved in the illegal drug market, asset forfeiture for convicted counterfeiters and longer prison sentences to serve as a deterrent

Pioneer national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has narrated how he drafted Asiwaju Bola Tinubu into the 2023 presidential race against his initial reluctance.

Akande, a one-time governor Osun State, said Tinubu complained about his leg challenge as he was suffering from arthritis prior to joining the presidential race but that he persuaded him on the need to run as the best candidate the Yoruba can push forward for the election.

The elder statesman made the disclosures as a guest on ‘State of the Nation’, a podcast hosted by renowned broadcast journalist Edmund Obilo.

Akande recalled that someone called him to report that Tinubu was quarrelling with anyone who discussed the presidency idea with him (Tinubu) at the time.

The former governor declared that he instigated and persuaded the president to join the 2023 presidential race for a Yoruba to occupy the highest office in the land.

“I instigated him. I encouraged him. I worked for it. Somebody called me ‘come ooo, there’s trouble.’ And I was in Lagos, they said anybody that talks to him about presidency, he was quarreling with them. That anybody that mentioned presidency, he was quarreling with them.

“And then I met him, and he said ‘Baba, do you have money?’ If I had the kind of money that people need to be President, I would rank with Dangote. He said that to me. Shortly before COVID and EndSARS,” he stated.

Akande stressed that he was not personally concerned about Tinubu but about securing the presidency for the Yoruba race.

“I said ‘look, we don’t want you to be President because of you. You’re unimportant in this matter. But that in your Yoruba tradition, when you want to worship the deity, you take the fattest animal or the biggest yam to worship the deity.

“‘Yoruba wants to be President. And you’re the one we have now. It’s to sacrifice you, so that we can have President. Not for you to be anything.’

“He didn’t know what to say. He was just looking at me as if I was sick or something. He was just sober.”

Aside from the consideration about funding, Akande further explained that Tinubu also raised the issue of his health at that time.

“Baba, you now said I should run, what about my leg,’ then he was having a bad leg. You know, Arthritis. Then I said ‘go and do it, there’s still time. Go and do it, you’d heal in six months and you start walking again. And you can run.’ And he went to fix it.”

The leadership of the telecommunications sector union has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to reconsider its planned protest against the federal government-approved 50 percent increase in telecom service tariffs.

In a letter addressed to the NLC president and the National Administrative Council, the union’s general secretary, Comrade Okonu Abdullahi, argued that the tariff hike was necessary to prevent the sector’s collapse amid rising operational costs.

The union expressed concern over the NLC’s decision to mobilise workers for a nationwide demonstration on February 7, 2025, without consulting stakeholders in the telecom industry.

According to the letter, the sector has been struggling with skyrocketing expenses due to the removal of fuel subsidies, increased electricity tariffs, and the naira’s depreciation.

The letter highlighted that the cost of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) used to power telecom base stations surged from N842.25 to N1,441.28 since May 2023, while petrol prices for engineers maintaining these sites rose from N198 to over N1,030.

Additionally, the fluctuating foreign exchange rate, with the naira dropping from N460 to N1,700 per dollar, has made it increasingly difficult for telecom operators to import essential equipment.

Abdullahi warned that without the tariff adjustment, telecom companies might be forced to implement service cuts, leading to job losses and disruptions in critical sectors such as finance and security. He also noted that workers in the telecom industry have not benefited from wage increases like their counterparts in other sectors due to the financial strain on employers.

The union urged the NLC leadership to rescind the protest directive, emphasising that the tariff increase is the only viable solution to sustaining the sector. “If the sector collapses, other industries will suffer,” the letter warned, adding that continued resistance to the price adjustment could lead to mass layoffs and unreliable network services.

In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has once again reiterated the enforcement of the mandatory Vehicle Third Party Insurance which will commence on Saturday, February 1, 2025.

The initiative aimed to reinforce road safety measures and ensure that all vehicle owners comply with the stipulated insurance requirements to protect themselves and others on the road.

According to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, said the NPF cautioned vehicle owners and operators against non-compliance with the essential regulation, adding that, “Failure to possess valid Third Party Insurance will result in strict enforcement actions, including fines or penalties or both, as mandated by relevant extant laws.”

“Effective February 1st, all vehicle owners nationwide are required to possess valid Third Party Insurance as they move about, and those without the Insurance, are advised to be insured quickly to avoid any sort of embarrassment.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has directed all State Commissioners of Police to ensure due enforcement, as Police officers will be empowered to conduct checks and enforce penalties for non-compliance in line with relevant extant laws.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to enhancing road safety and protecting the lives of all citizens through the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations. Cooperation from members of the public in this crucial endeavour is much appreciated,” the Police spokesman further stated.

The Forbes ’30 Under 30′ list honours the brightest young innovators and entrepreneurs globally, marking a pivotal milestone in their careers and spotlighting a new wave of industry leaders shaping the future each year.

Over the years, the Forbes ’30 Under 30′ list has transformed from a prestigious badge of success to an unexpected recruitment drive for the world’s most ambitious prison cellmates, proving that sometimes unchecked ambition comes with a side of handcuffs.

Hereunder are 15 of the most shocking fraud cases involving celebrsted Forbes ’30 Under 30′ members:

1. Sam Bankman-Fried (FTX)

Sam Bankman-Fried’s rise to fame as the founder of FTX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, was rapid, earning him a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2021.

In 2022, FTX collapsed in one of the most catastrophic financial scandals in crypto history.

Bankman-Fried is accused of embezzling billions from customers to fund his lavish lifestyle and political donations.

His arrest in December 2022 and subsequent trial in 2023 for wire fraud and money laundering have shocked the industry, with the potential for over 100 years in prison hanging over his head.

Bankman-Fried’s sentencing came four months after a highly publicized trial in which he took the stand to claim that FTX’s collapse was the result of mistakes and not ill intent.

Ultimately, he was found guilty on all seven of the criminal counts he was charged with by the Department of Justice; the jury took less than five hours to come to their decision.

2. Obinwanne Okeke (Invictus Group)

A Nigerian, Obinwanne Okeke, was named to the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his success on the Nigerian business scene.

In 2021, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in a computer-based fraud scheme that defrauded victims out of $11 million.

Okeke, also known as Invictus Obi, used Nigerian-based companies to defraud people in the US, his companies used phishing emails to steal funds from victims.

Okeke’s Invictus Group companies were also accused of working with conspirators to create profiles of hundreds of victims including people in the US’s Eastern District of Virginia.

3. Caroline Ellison (Alameda Research)

Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research and close associate of Bankman-Fried, was also featured on the 30 Under 30 list in 2022.

She played a central role in the mismanagement of FTX’s funds and was charged with several crimes, including fraud and conspiracy.

After agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors, Ellison received a reduced sentence of two years in prison, the crimes Ellison pleaded guilty to carried a maximum sentence of 110 years.

Ellison has described herself as a remorseful participant in the fraud. Prosecutors said her cooperation helped convict FTX mastermind and her former boyfriend Sam Bankman-Fried in 2023.

In her testimony against Bankman-Fried, she described a chaotic environment where lying and stealing could be rationalized in the name of the greater good — and she expressed a sense of relief when it all came crashing down.

4. Elizabeth Holmes (Theranos)

A former Silicon Valley darling, Elizabeth Holmes was lauded for founding Theranos, a blood-testing startup that promised to revolutionize the healthcare industry.

It was revealed that the company’s technology was a fraud.

Though she wasn’t on the list, Forbes named Holmes the world’s youngest self-made woman billionaire, worth $4.5 billion in 2014, when she was 30 years old.

Holmes was convicted of defrauding investors out of millions, and in 2021, she was sentenced to 11 years in prison for her role in the scandal.

A jury convicted Holmes of three counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud by lying to investors to raise money for her blood-testing company, Theranos.

Holmes claimed the company had developed technology that could run an array of medical tests from a single drop of blood.

Taking the stand for two weeks, Holmes tried to convince 12 men and women she shouldn’t be sent to prison for defrauding investors and patients.

5. Martin Shkreli (Turing Pharmaceuticals)

Known as “Pharma Bro,” Martin Shkreli earned a spot on the 2012 Forbes 30 Under 30 list due to his success in the pharmaceutical industry.

He became infamous for raising the price of the life-saving drug Daraprim by 5,455%, drawing widespread outrage.

After a trial in 2017, Shkreli was found guilty of two counts of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy and sentenced to seven years in prison.

He was also forced to pay a $75,000 fine, on top of $7.4 million in funds seized by the government.

6. Charlie Javice (Frank Financial Aid)

Charlie Javice was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2017 for founding Frank, a startup aimed at simplifying financial aid for students.

She was indicted in 2023 for allegedly fabricating data to inflate her company’s value before selling it to JPMorgan Chase. She faced multiple fraud charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which could result in up to 30 years in prison.

According to the indictment, Javice and codefendant Olivier together conned the nation’s largest bank into paying a small fortune for Frank, a for-profit tech company she launched at age 24 that featured software to help students apply for college financial aid.

Javice began wooing JPMorgan Chase in the summer of 2021. Then 28, Javice was something of a media darling, giving interviews to major news publications and making not only the Forbes list but Crain’s New York’s 40 under 40 list as well.

7. Trevor Milton (Nikola Corporation)

Trevor Milton, founder of Nikola, a company promising zero-emission trucks, appeared on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2016.

He was accused of misleading investors about the company’s technological capabilities, including staging a video of a truck driving by itself.

He was indicted for securities fraud in 2021, and while he maintained his innocence, the case tarnished the reputation of Nikola and exposed the risks of “greenwashing” in the tech industry.

8. Cody Wilson (3D Printed Guns)

Cody Wilson, featured on the 2014 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for creating the world’s first fully 3D-printed gun, became embroiled in legal trouble in 2019 when he pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault involving a minor.

Wilson, through a tentative plea agreement his lawyers reached with Travis County prosecutors, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of injury to a child in exchange for a recommended sentence that kept him out of prison but required him to register as a sex offender for seven years while he serves deferred adjudication probation.

Prosecutors say Wilson arranged to meet up with the teen girl in September 2018 after connecting with her on the dating website SugarDaddyMeet.com. Wilson and the girl met in the parking lot of an Austin coffee shop before going to a hotel and having sex, according to an arrest affidavit. The girl told investigators that Wilson paid her $500 when the two parted, the document stated.

9. Nate Paul (Real Estate)

Nate Paul, a real estate investor once heralded as a “prodigy,” appeared on the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Paul found himself facing federal charges for bank fraud in 2023, accused of falsifying loan applications to secure over $170 million in loans and building a real estate investment firm that had amassed a $1 billion portfolio in 17 states of office buildings, retail centres, apartments and student housing.

Some of his big initiatives include founding Great Value Storage, a large player in self-storage facilities, and buying the KPMG Tower in downtown Dallas.

State District Judge Jan Soifer instructed Paul to begin serving his 10-day sentence on November 15, 2024, related to the contempt finding she first handed him, saying he “continuously refused” to comply with a court order in a civil case in which he is accused of defrauding a nonprofit.

The sentence had been delayed as Paul sought an appeal of Soifer’s order. U.S. District Judge David Allan Ezra on Thursday cleared the way for Soifer to order Paul to jail.

10. Joanna Smith-Griffin (AllHere Education)

Joanna Smith-Griffin made the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her work in AI and education. She was arrested in 2023 for securities fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft.

Officials said for nearly four years, she used her company to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of which she kept for herself.

They added that she inflated her startup’s financials to deceive investors and secure millions under pretences.

“Joanna Smith-Griffin allegedly misrepresented the composition of her startup company to defraud investors of millions and masqueraded as a financial consultant to perpetuate the scheme once discrepancies were discovered,” said FBI assistant director in charge James E. Dennehy in a statement. “Her alleged actions impacted the potential for improved learning environments across major school districts by selfishly prioritizing personal expenses.”

11. Kwon Do-Hyeong (Terraform Labs):

Forbes wrote that Kwon’s “price-stable cryptocurrency, or stablecoin, attracted 40 million users to work with the company at launch in January 2018”.

In 2019, he was featured in Forbes’ 30 under 30 Asia list.

The co-founder of Terraform Labs was arrested in 2024 after orchestrating a massive cryptocurrency fraud that wiped out $40 billion from investors, including many who trusted his promises of stablecoin innovation.

Once hailed as a genius, South Korean entrepreneur Do Kwon — now facing multiple criminal charges over his failed cryptocurrency — was a brash industry figure whose fame disintegrated into global notoriety

12. James O’Keefe (Project Veritas)

James O’Keefe, founder of the conservative media company Project Veritas, was once celebrated for his undercover investigative work.

After 13 years in charge, O’Keefe was ousted from his position as chairman and CEO in February 2023.

He faced accusations from staff and board members regarding his leadership style and misuse of donor funds, including extravagant expenses like private jet flights. O’Keefe responded by launching a new media venture, O’Keefe Media Group, but his troubles didn’t stop there.

In August 2023, O’Keefe found himself under investigation by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, though the specifics of the inquiry have not been made public.

13. Phadria Prendergast (Women Of The City Magazine)

Phadria Prendergast, former editor-in-chief of Women Of The City magazine, was included in the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her work in media and marketing.

However, her reputation quickly unravelled following a Forbes investigation into the magazine’s operations.

It was alleged that Prendergast was running a “pay-to-play” scheme, offering media coverage in exchange for cash.

Eleven former clients accused her of stealing approximately $195,000, leading to further scrutiny of her financial dealings, including connections to the controversial church of Nigerian-British pastor Tobi Adegboyega, SPAC Nation church, which has been labelled a cult by former members.

Prendergast and WOTC denied the claims, but the allegations cast a dark shadow over her once-promising career.

14. Steph Korey (Away)

Steph Korey, co-founder of the popular luggage brand Away, was featured on the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Her company, known for its sleek, modern designs, had made waves in the retail and e-commerce space.

In 2019, a The Verge article exposed a toxic workplace culture at Away, fueled by Korey’s alleged bullying and harsh management style.

In response, Korey resigned, only to return a month later as co-CEO alongside former Lululemon executive Stuart Haselden.

Her time at the company continued to be marked by controversy, with social media posts critical of the media industry stirring up further tension. By 2021, Korey resigned as CEO once again, and the company’s journey became a lesson in balancing ambition with employee well-being.

15. Lucas Duplan (Clinkle)

Lucas Duplan, the founder of the fintech startup Clinkle, once appeared to be on the fast track to success after raising an impressive $30 million in seed funding.

Investors such as Peter Thiel and Andreessen Horowitz backed the company, which aimed to revolutionize mobile payments.

However, despite the large funding and initial hype, Clinkle never delivered a viable product.

The company’s ambitious plans failed to materialize, leading to massive layoffs and a loss of top talent.

As competitors like Venmo and Apple Pay took the lead in the mobile payments space, Duplan’s company fizzled out by 2015, leaving behind a cautionary tale of unmet expectations.

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has warned that security agencies will monitor and deal with politicians inciting violence against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He stated this while reacting to a viral video in which a former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, was heard saying that Nigerian politicians must “steal, maim, and kill” to remain in power.

Matawalle condemned in strong terms what he calle the reckless and inciting utterances regarding the leadership of President Tinubu.

He said, “Amaechi and others who think they can manipulate our youth into chaos should rethink their actions. This government will not fold its arms and allow any individual to disrupt the peace and stability of Nigeria,” he stated.

“The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, will continue to monitor activities aimed at disrupting public peace and will ensure that anyone found culpable faces severe consequences.”

The Minister, in a statement by the Director of Information in the Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, said Amaechi’s assertion did not only insult the intelligence of Nigerians but dangerously sought to radicalise the youth and destabilise the peace and security of the nation.

“It is both reckless and dangerous for a former public office holder to make such inflammatory remarks. At a time when the government is working tirelessly to consolidate national unity and security, no responsible leader should be fanning the flames of violence and political unrest.” he said

Matawalle cautioned against any attempt to mislead young Nigerians with a warped narrative of violence and anarchy, emphasizing that Nigeria is a sovereign nation governed by laws, not a jungle where power is seized through brute force.

“Let me make it clear: the security agencies are on high alert. Any individual or group found inciting violence or attempting to destabilize this nation will face the full force of the law. We will not tolerate any form of subversive rhetoric that seeks to undermine national unity or incite lawlessness,” he warned.

The Minister said contrary to Amaechi’s claims, power is earned through democracy, not through intimidation, violence, or lawlessness.

He reiterated that President Tinubu’s administration remained committed to upholding peace, democratic values, and the security of all Nigerians.

“His commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation is unwavering” he added.

The Minister said President Tinubu having experienced both military rule and democratic governance, would never undermine the very democracy he has fought to uphold.

Matawalle expressed confidence that President Tinubu will secure a decisive victory in the 2027 Presidential election.

He, therefore, called on Nigerians to disregard the vituperations of Amaechi and his associates, whom he described as politically irrelevant and out of touch with current realities of national development.

Authorities of the six of the eight universities banned by the Council of Legal Education (CLE) from admitting students through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have confirmed the sanction.

In separate interviews with LEADERSHIP Weekend, top officials of the affected schools, said their institutions were penalised by CLE for starting the programmes before the regulator’s approval.

They explained that the penalty was for only the 2025/2026 academic session, adding that the measure did not affect students already undertaking law courses in their schools.

JAMB had recently listed the universities affected by the CLE’s sanction as Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State; Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State; Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State; Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State; and Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State.

Others are Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State; Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State; and Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State.

In the case of the Nigeria Police Academy, the ban is for two years.

At the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, the authorities said JAMB’s decision was as a result of the decision of the Council for Legal Education (CLE) to sanction KWASU for commencing the law programme in 2018 with only the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The school’s acting director, University Relations, Dr Saeedat Aliyu, said KWASU has full accreditation from both the NUC and CLE to run two undergraduate law programmes: Common Law; and Common and Islamic Law.

Aliyu said, “The one-year ban does not in any way affect students currently running their programmes in the University’s Faculty of Law. Kwara State University holds all regulatory institutions in very high regard and will comply with the sanctions imposed by CLE by not offering admission into the two law programmes in the coming 2025/2026 admission session.

“Prospective candidates into these programmes may apply to other equally excellent programmes offered by KWASU as all programmes in the institution have all the required accreditations,” she said.

Also, the management of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, have confirmed the suspension of its law programme for one academic session by the CLE.

The university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Elom Iyke Ubochu, told LEADERSHIP Weekend that the institution has NUC’s full accreditation status.

He said all professional bodies regulating such programmes were expected to approve and accredit such courses before take-off.

Ubochu said, “In the case of LL.B programme of the university, the Council of Legal Education is the professional body that regulates law programmes in Nigerian universities.

“The Council visited AE-FUNAI on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, for Resource Verification of the law programme, after which they were impressed with both the physical facilities and material resources of the faculty, and thus approved the programme.

“So, we can categorically state that the law programme of our university is approved by the Council of Legal Education.

“However, the council was not happy that the university had commenced the running of the programme before their visit. They noted that though the programme has both the approval and accreditation of the NUC, yet the professional body in charge of the programme should have also given their approval before the programme will commence. It was based on this that the council suspended admission into the programme for one academic year only (2025/2026 session)

“AE-FUNAI under the leadership of Prof. Sunday Elom is a serious-minded university with all its programmes, either approved or accredited by the relevant government and professional bodies.

“We want to assure the general public, especially our students and their parents, that the university is in good standing as far as approval and accreditation of academic programmes are concerned.

In Nasarawa State, the authorities of the Bingham University, Karu through the Registrar, Mr. Daburi Mishal, declined to comment on the development, stating that it was needless.

However, a senior management staff in the institution told LEADERSHIP Weekend that the issue raised by JAMB had been on for about four years.

He said the ban on the affected schools not to admit students into law programmes for the 2025/2026 session was a punishment for the violation of the CLE’s rules to serve as a deterrent to other institutions.

He said the development did not amount to stoppage of law programmes in the affected schools as being bandied.

The source said when the anomaly was discovered, the council summoned the institutions that were in violation collectively and informed them that they would be prevented from admitting students into the programme for one year.

“For us, if we are advertising for admission into our progammes for the session, we will not include law in compliance with the directive. Our law programme is running, the development did not affect students who are already in the school,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor VC Arthur Jarvis University, Dr. Joseph Edet, has admitted that his school is among the eight universities JAMB would not admit freshers to pursue law programmes for the year 2025/ 2026.

In a telephone conversation with our correspondent in Calabar, Cross River State, Edet said the management of the institution was aware of the suspension of the eight universities, including Arthur university, from admitting fresh candidates to pursue Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) programme for year 2025/2026.

“While the information is accurate, we would like to clarify that Arthur Jarvis University holds full accreditation for its Law programme. The suspension is as result of a penalty imposed on us for initiating the programme prior to obtaining the necessary approval from the Council of Legal Education, rather than an issue of quality or compliance.

“We have since rectified this matter and the university is fully compliant with all relevant regulations.

A statement signed by the Acting Register of the institution, Lady Mary Effiom Dian-Abasi, dated January 30, 2025, explained that the suspension only affected admissions for the 2025/2026 academic session.

Similarly, the management of Redeemer’s University Ede, Osun State said it was aware of the decision of JAMB and CLE not to process admission into Bachelor of Law (LL.B) programme for the institution for 2024/2025 academic season.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Tunji Adeleke, told LEADERSHIP Weekend that the development was due to communication gap between the school and CLE.

At Western Delta University (WDU), Oghara, owned by a former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, a source said the ban may not be a surprise to the management which has been battling with accreditation of the course for the past two years.

A student leader in the university, Simeon Okpokorbor, said the institution needs to upscale its teaching staff as required by the visiting accreditation panel.

Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized the arrest of Usman Yusuf, a prominent social critic, accusing the Tinubu administration of using state machinery to silence opposition rather than combat corruption.

In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Atiku questioned the timing of Yusuf’s arrest, noting that the charges against him date back to the previous administration. He accused the Tinubu government of hypocrisy, alleging that it shields individuals under investigation while weaponizing state institutions to suppress dissent.

“It’s clear that Tinubu’s administration is more focused on manipulating the system for political gain than addressing corruption,” Atiku stated.

This criticism comes amid growing concerns over the government’s handling of opposition figures. Atiku’s remarks echo recent controversies surrounding the arrest and arraignment of Omoyele Sowore, a prominent activist and former presidential candidate. Sowore, a vocal critic of the government, was recently detained and charged, sparking accusations of political persecution.

Many have drawn parallels between Sowore’s case and Yusuf’s arrest, viewing both as part of a broader pattern of targeting dissenters under the guise of anti-corruption efforts. Atiku’s statement underscores the perception that the Tinubu administration is prioritizing the suppression of opposition voices over genuine governance and accountability.

As the government faces increasing scrutiny over its approach to dissent and corruption, these developments raise questions about the balance between upholding the rule of law and safeguarding democratic freedoms.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, has announced plans to introduce new meters to eliminate estimated billing and ensure residents receive accurate electricity charges.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos, spoke at the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange Meeting held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on Friday.

The meeting, themed ‘Building a Competitive Electricity Marketplace: Strategies to Attract Investments and Boost Confidence in the Lagos Electricity Market Using the Capital Market,’ focused on strategies to enhance the state’s electricity sector.

“We will introduce new meters to eliminate estimated billing and provide accurate electricity charges,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Lagos into a model for electricity market reforms across Africa by implementing innovative policies.

He emphasised that creating a competitive and reliable electricity market will guarantee a steady power supply, reduce dependence on generators, and significantly lower costs for businesses and households.

“By so doing, the environment is clean. It is a win-win situation for all,” he said.

‘LAGOS ENCOURAGES PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION’

Sanwo-Olu said the state government is implementing policies to encourage private sector participation, improve regulatory oversight, build investor confidence, and create an enabling environment for investments in power infrastructure and renewable energy.

According to him, the Lagos State Electricity Law has paved the way for the government to decentralise power generation, transforming the sector.

The governor said the law will boost private sector participation, leading to a more dynamic and efficient energy marketplace.

“We will leverage the capital market to finance large-scale energy projects through instruments such as energy bonds, power purchase agreements, and electricity derivatives,” he said.

“By implementing these strategies, our aim is to build a competitive, reliable and sustainable electricity marketplace that serves the needs of the people and businesses.”

Biodun Ogunleye, commissioner for energy and mineral resources, noted plans to revolutionise the state’s energy sector by implementing innovative strategies.

Ogunleye said the Clean Lagos Electricity Market initiative aims to eradicate blackouts across the state through a multi-step approach, including establishing robust market institutions.

The commissioner emphasised the need to deploy cutting-edge tools, enhance delivery capacity, and attract new investments, with a key strategy being the construction of five energy hubs to significantly boost power capacity.

“The state government is committed to ensuring that power capacity goes up drastically in the state as the government is building a total of five energy hubs,” Ogunleye said.

“We, therefore, call on the private sector, individuals and other stakeholders to support the government in its bid to create and ensure that power supply is well-distributed irrespective of geographical areas.”

‘CAPITAL MARKET OPERATORS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES COLLABORATION IS CRUCIAL’

On his part, Emomotimi Agama, director-general (DG) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said the collaboration among capital market operators, government agencies, and development finance institutions is crucial for unlocking the full potential of market-based financing for the power sector.

Agama, represented by Bola Ajomale, SEC’s executive commissioner of operations, urged regulators, policymakers, investors, market operators, and other stakeholders to deepen collaboration and leverage the capital market to transform Nigeria’s electricity sector.

The DG assured that the SEC will continue to implement policies that promote a stable and efficient market, providing a secure environment for investors and issuers.

3,690 Nigerians face deportation

201 Nigerians in custody for deportation

We no longer go out – Nigerian immigrants

Japa: Nigerians shun travel to US

Nigerian illegal immigrants in the United States have disclosed that they have restricted their movements to public places to avoid being arrested and deported.

This came as they expressed optimism that they would be protected against deportation by the many lawsuits filed against President Donald Trump over his immigration policies.

Some of the illegal immigrants, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, said they had refrained from going to work, church, and public places since Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States as a sacrifice to continue staying in the country.

About 3,690 Nigerians in the United States are facing deportation, according to a document compiled by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Removal Operations.

The document, titled, ‘Non-citizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,’ shows that Mexico and El Salvador top the list of nations facing the highest number of deportations, with 252,044 and 203,822, respectively.

As revealed in the document, 1,445,549 non-citizens were on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders as of November 24, 2024.

On his inauguration day, Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at toughening immigration policies, including the termination of birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.

The US Justice Department also threatened to prosecute local and state authorities that failed to comply with Trump’s immigration directives, which included a pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

Following the directive, 538 illegal immigrants were deported from the United States on January 23.

We no longer go out – Nigerian immigrants

Meanwhile, Trump’s Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, disclosed on her official X handle that the largest deportation operation in history was underway.

Saturday PUNCH had earlier reported that Nigerians and other African illegal immigrants in the United States might be the next targets for deportation by the American government.

However, our correspondents gathered that the affected Nigerians had devised means to avoid being deported, expressing fear that their forced return to Nigeria might spell doom for them.

In separate interviews, the illegal immigrants, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being identified, stated that their difficult living conditions in the US were better than returning to Nigeria, citing reports of hardship and insecurity as their major concerns.

One of the affected Nigerians, who resides in Tampa, Florida, said he had stopped going to work to avoid being arrested by ICE operatives.

He said, “Ever since Trump came to power and acted on his threat of deportation, some of us have stopped going to work because ICE officers can raid workplaces to arrest illegal immigrants at any time.”

Aside from that, the distressed Nigerian said he had also stopped going to church and other public places, disclosing that the only safe place for him was his house.

“I work in a factory with many other Nigerians and Africans. Some other Africans who are also illegal immigrants have stopped going to work. The fear of Trump is the beginning of wisdom now.

“I don’t go to church anymore because it is possible to be arrested there. For now, the only safe place is your house—stay indoors.”

However, he expressed optimism that the deportation exercise would be relaxed after some months.

“We survived Obama’s deportation actions; we will survive this one as well. We hope that the various lawsuits against the immigration policies will slow things down and eventually restrain Trump from carrying them out.”

Asked why he had yet to regularise his documents, he said all efforts to validate his stay in the US had been futile.

According to him, all the systems he tried to obtain valid residency papers didn’t work for him, lamenting that he had lost close to $30,000 in the process.

He said, “I left Nigeria for the US in 2013, and I have been trying to get my papers since then. I was scammed through marriage and other means. In this regularisation process, I have lost close to $30,000. At a point, I wanted to file for asylum, but I was advised against it because I had spent over three years without valid papers. I decided to take under-the-table jobs instead.”

Another Nigerian illegal immigrant in Columbus, Ohio said he stopped going to work for the first week after Trump’s inauguration due to fear of being deported.

According to him, though Nigerians are not the primary targets of the mass deportation exercise, any foreign national staying in the US illegally can be arrested and deported by ICE operatives at any time.

He explained that the first set of illegal immigrants being deported were those with criminal records, noting that the process of deporting others without criminal offences had also begun.

“I cannot assume that Nigerians are not their target now and become exposed to them. No. The best self-defence is to stay out of trouble, and the best way to avoid being deported is to stay out of sight of ICE officers.

“The truth is, Trump’s war on illegal immigrants has restricted our movements. People are mindful of where they go now. The situation is like a rat monitoring the presence of a cat before stepping out. Personally, I stopped going to work the first week Trump was inaugurated, and I have not been going to work regularly since. May we not be unfortunate.

“Going back to Nigeria is not an option—not when millions of Nigerians are trying to japa because of hardship and insecurity. My difficult living conditions here are still better than what is considered ‘comfortable’ in Nigeria. However, we hope that this threat will subside in the next few months,” he said.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a Nigerian journalist in the US said many Africans in the country were anxious about Trump’s immigration policies.

“If they ask all of us to go back to our countries, we will have no choice but to leave. It is their country. If Nigeria were a better place, nobody would have left in the first place, and many of us would be ready to go back home. But unfortunately, our country has been plagued by bad leadership,” he stated.

According to him, the deportation exercise is more welcomed in Republican-controlled states than in Democrat states.

He confirmed that many Nigerians and other Africans had restricted their movements in various parts of the US to avoid being arrested and deported.

“It is true that Nigerians are avoiding public places, including their workplaces and churches, but it is not in every state,” he stated.

Also, a Nigerian Uber driver in New York, who identified himself only as Mathew, said some of his colleagues had been staying home and reducing their movements in the neighbourhoods.

“A lot of my Nigerian colleagues are not coming out for now. They can’t just risk it. They are all afraid of deportation,” he said.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a Nigerian lawyer in the US disclosed that many Nigerian churches had instructed their members who are illegal immigrants to join online services.

“Some people have gone underground. Nigerian churches are advising their congregations to worship online and not come to church if they are undocumented,” he said.

201 Nigerians in custody for deportation

The Federal Government has, however, said a total of 201 Nigerians are currently in the custody of the US authorities and are ready for deportation.

But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the date and time of their deportation had not been communicated to the Federal Government.

The acting spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated that for Nigerians to be deported, the established diplomatic practice was to officially communicate such intentions to the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC.

“The total number of 201 Nigerians are currently in their custody for deportation but the date and time for deportation have not been communicated. And there is no way they will be deported to Nigeria without communication with the embassy in Washington DC.

“Moreso, if Nigerians are to be deported, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission will all work together on how best to receive and reintegrate them into Nigerian society,” Ebienfa stated.

“For instance, special flights will require necessary permits from Nigeria and we have to equally verify that the deportees are all Nigerians.

“However, since no formal communication has been received regarding the deportation schedule, the Federal Government is monitoring the situation with keen interest, and the right thing will be done to give our citizens a sense of belonging.”

Japa: Nigerians shun travel to US

Meanwhile, Trump’s immigration policies have discouraged many Nigerians from traveling to the United States.

Many people who were considering the US as a destination for higher education have reconsidered, leading to a reduction in the number of people applying for US visas.

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH about the matter, the Chief Executive Officer of a travel consultancy firm, Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, Sulaimon Okewole, said Trump’s executive orders had negatively impacted travel activities to the US.

He noted that prospective international students from Nigeria were exploring alternative destinations due to uncertainty and fear about studying in the US.

Okewole stated, “Political stability is now a key consideration, alongside economic stability when choosing a study abroad destination.

“The US is going to experience a decline in international student enrollment, and addressing these concerns is crucial to regaining its position as a premier destination for international students.”

A representative of Renpha Consulting, another education consulting firm, Choice Ukpe, stated that obtaining a US visa was already difficult under normal circumstances.

Ukpe added that the executive orders would make it even harder for Nigerians seeking opportunities in the country.

She said, “It will be very difficult for Nigerians to study in the country now as they will tighten requirements and all. Schools in the US offer scholarships to encourage international students, but this still doesn’t guarantee a visa.

“What we’re doing here now is finding alternatives for our clients. Just like when the United Kingdom introduced a policy on dependents, we looked for other options.”

A student seeking admission to the US, Wale Dada, expressed sadness over the matter, stating that it was already affecting him.

He added that he had been planning to start a Master’s degree programme in the US this year.

Dada said, “With what I have heard about the orders, I do not think I will proceed with the preparations. I cannot afford to leave the country only to get there and be rejected or treated like a criminal. I believe this order will severely impact my plans and those of many people like me.”

Another prospective international student, Abdulateef Oriyomi, noted that Trump’s executive orders had deterred his plans to study in the US.

Oriyomi said, “I was already seeking admission and exploring various options, hoping to begin my academic journey at one of the prestigious institutions in the US. Unfortunately, with the recent policy, that aspiration now feels almost unattainable.”