The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Justice, has paid approximately N1.1bn as professional fees to prominent Nigerian lawyers, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and 23 other law firms over a period of three years.

This revelation emerged from an analysis of data provided by GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses the Federal Government’s expenditure.

The concept of professional services in legal practice encompasses various activities performed by lawyers within the scope of an attorney-client relationship. These include offering legal advice, drafting legal documents, and representing clients in legal matters.

Such services may also extend to transactional tasks like identifying potential legal risks in real estate or other business dealings, as well as negotiation, mediation, regulatory compliance, advocacy, lobbying, and risk management.

In July 2024, Babalola, Olanipekun and Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, collectively received N482.7m from the Federal Ministry of Justice.

A breakdown of the payments shows that Babalola was paid N372.9m on July 23 for representing the Federal Government in a court case registered FHC/ABJ/SC/8962/2023.

The other two senior lawyers, Olanipekun and Izinyon, were paid N103.6m and N6.2m, respectively, for providing similar services at different times. Olanipekun’s payment was made on July 26, while Izinyon received his fee three days later.

Further analysis of the Ministry of Justice’s records reveals that in 2022, no fewer than 17 lawyers received a cumulative sum of N359.7m as professional fees, while four lawyers were paid a total of N319.3m in 2021.

Among those who received payments in 2022 were Savannah Law Chambers, which was paid N17.4m; Lex Habitae, which received N21.8m; Rashida Mohammed & Co in Sokoto, which got N17.4m; and Abdullahi Haruna & Co, which also received N17.4m.

LDS Legal was paid N70.9m, while King’s Chambers and Iwuanyanwu & Co each received N15.7m. Sulaiman Salihu & Co was paid N31.4m in two tranches.

Other firms that benefited include Justice Solicitors & Attorneys, which was paid N15.7m; Pelican Legal, which received N15.7m; and Aderemi Olatubora & Co, which was paid N17.4m. Gboyega Oyewole of Lords and Temple Attorneys was paid N5.4m, while Savannah Law Chambers received an additional N29m.

Hanafi Mumini Ishola of Hanafi & Associates received N20.7m, Law Forte was paid N22.3m in two tranches, and Madyan Legal Consult received N24.8m in two tranches.

The 2021 payments included N174m to Mr. Chikwendu Madumere, N21.8m to LDS Legal, N21.8m to Olowolafe & Co, and N100.5m to Sulaiman Salihu & Co, disbursed in two tranches.

As part of their payments, Chief Afe Babalola paid a 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax amounting to N31m to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, while Wole Olanipekun paid N8.6m in VAT.

Both lawyers also paid a 10 per cent withholding tax of N41.4m and N11.5m, respectively, to the Ministry of Justice.

The Nigeria Police Force has announced that some policemen in Ogun State were arrested for demanding payment to facilitate the search for a missing seven-year-old girl, Mercy Akande.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed this information on Saturday.

Mercy Akande is the daughter of a female Point-of-Sale operator who went missing after allegedly being taken by one of her mother’s customers.

The incident occurred on December 23 and was shared on the X platform by Miyakee on December 25.

“My cousin is missing. She was kidnapped by a stranger on the 23rd of December, 2024. The mom, my aunty, does POS business at Sango, Ogun State. She has a male customer who usually comes to withdraw money and buy recharge cards,”Miyakee stated.

“He doesn’t stay in the area. He became friends with the little girl and was always buying her food and gifting her money whenever he came to the store. On the morning of the 23rd, he came to the store and bought food for himself and the little girl as usual. The mom was busy attending to other customers.

“He sent the little girl (a seven-year-old girl) to go get pure water for him. On her way back, he approached her halfway to get the pure water from her. The mom saw this and wasn’t comfortable with it but was distracted by the attention of other customers.

“By the time she turned towards the daughter’s direction to check what was happening, the guy and her daughter were nowhere to be found. They searched everywhere for them but to no avail.”

Miyakee reported that the family took the matter to a police station in Sango but was met with a demand for N40,000 from a police officer to cover the reporting and tracking fees.

In an update, Adejobi assured that the Ogun State Police Command is actively working on the case and is committed to finding the girl as soon as possible.

“Also, the policemen who demanded money before they could attend to the case have been arrested and kept in detention for disciplinary action.

“We have condemned such an act, and we won’t tolerate it. It’s inhuman, apathetic, and unprofessional.

“We urge the family of the victim to work with the police on the case,” Adejobi said.

Nigerian actor, producer and director Afeez Olayiwola Abiodun who is professionally known as Afeez Owo has lost his father, Moshood Akanji Abiodun.

The movie star who is actress Mide Martin’s husband shared the heartbreaking news on Friday, December 27, revealing how saddened he is by the passing of his father.

Bidding him farewell in his post, Afeez Owo shared a bold photo of his father while eulogizing him. He wrote:

“Sad…. ????
Rest in peace Baba miii ??????.”

“ERIN WO ? ?
Rest On Moshood Akanji ABIODUN.
Eku Baba Afeez Sun Re ooooo.”

The actor’s colleagues have flooded the comments with condolences. See screenshot of Afeez Owo’s post and reactions to it below:

Seyi Edun wrote, “My condolences sir

Adeniyi Johnson wrote, “Eku oro eyan Sir

Fausat Balogun wrote, “Rest in peace Daddy Popsy Tiwa

Adekola Tijani wrote, “Innah lilahi wahinnah ilehi rojihun. Baba take heart, May Almighty Allah grant Baba Aljanna fridaos

Okiki Afolayan wrote, “Eni re looo

Yemi Solade wrote, “On behalf of myself and my family, I express sincere condolences on the passing of your Baba. May God forgive his sins and accept his soul to rest in eternal peace. May God grant you and other members of your family the strength to beat the irreparable loss. Amen”.

In the same vein, just hours ago, popular actress Lola Alao announced the passing of her mother, urging her to rest in peace.

While U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is getting ready to return to the White House, universities across the United States are cautioning international students, including Nigerians, to remain vigilant about potential executive orders on immigration that could impact their status in the country.

“During the first four years of the Trump administration, a travel ban was imposed that impacted multiple countries, and resulted in many/some international students encountering difficulties re-entering the US to resume classes,” the University of California-Berkeley recently posted on its International website.

“Whether such policies will be implemented again and/or blocked by the courts or via other means is unclear. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending a return to the United States prior to January 20.”

Cornell University's Office of Global Learning issued a similar warning to students of a travel ban that “is likely to go into effect soon after inauguration”.

“The ban is likely to include citizens of the countries targeted in the first Trump administration: Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen and Somalia,” a statement from the office said, adding that students, faculty and staff from these countries should be back in the US before the term begins on January 21.

Columbia University, the centre of the pro-Palestine protests that swept educational institutions across the USA in the spring also sent out a warning.

“As we do with administrative changes at all levels of government, Columbia is gathering relevant information on the incoming administration,” university spokeswoman Samantha Slater said in an email to the Columbia Spectator.

International students are advised to return to Columbia’s campus before this semester’s start date to avoid any potential travel delays”.

During his first term in office, Trump enacted a Muslim ban, which blocked citizens of some Muslim-majority countries from entering the US. Amid protests surrounding the Israel-Gaza war, he also vowed to revoke the visas of “radical anti-American and anti-Semitic foreigners” studying at US universities.

This, coupled with a growing level of anti-immigrant rhetoric from the Republican Party, has some international students concerned.

Mr Trump's platform on immigration, however, has focused primarily on stopping people from entering the country illegally. He said during a June interview with The All-In Podcast that international students “should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country”.

China’s central bank yesterday revealed that it has renewed a bilateral currency swap agreement with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as part of efforts to boost trade between both countries.

The total value of the agreement was N3.28 trillion (15 billion yuan or about $2.09 billion), China’s Xinhua News quoted the People’s Bank of China to have revealed this in a statement on its website.

The agreement is valid for three years and could be renewed upon mutual consent, according to the statement.
It said that the renewal of the currency swap arrangement would strengthen financial cooperation between China and Nigeria, expand the use of the two currencies, and promote and facilitate bilateral trade and investment.

The currency swap agreement was signed by both countries in 2018, when Mr. Godwin Emefiele was the CBN Governor.

The transaction was aimed at providing adequate local currency liquidity to Nigerian and Chinese industrialists and other businesses, thereby reducing the difficulties encountered in the search for third currencies.  Among other benefits, the agreement was expected to provide naira liquidity to Chinese businesses and provide RMB liquidity to Nigerian businesses respectively, thereby improving the speed, convenience and volume of transactions between the two countries.

It was also expected to assist both countries in their foreign exchange reserves management, enhance financial stability and promote broader economic cooperation between the two countries.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima recently expressed satisfaction with the continuous increase in the volume of trade between Nigeria and China, saying it was one of the highest in Africa.

He had therefore called for constant improvement of relations between the two nations, maintaining that the two countries are friends that have sustained mutual respect and honour for each other.

Shettima made this known when he played host to a delegation from China led by the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Mr. Zhang Qingwei, recently.

Expressing satisfaction with the volume of trade between Nigeria and China, the vice-president had said: “Last year in 2023, our trade relations with China got to $22.6 billion, one of the highest in Africa, if not the highest, and that trade relationship is growing by 33 percent every year.

“Mind you, the Nigerian economy is picking up but that did not stop our business relationship with China. So, I want to reassure you that we will support you in whatever way we can. We believe in you, we respect you and we cherish our relationship.”

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday said the coordinated onslaught against Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoto State by air and land components of operation Fansan Yamma were not responsible for the alleged civilian casualties.

The military said civilian casualties resulted from a secondary explosion, contrary to the erroneous media report that military airstrikes hit wrong location and killed no fewer than 10 armless and innocent citizens in a village in Sokoto state.

Also yesterday, the Nigerian military allayed fears of citizens over the acquisition of drones by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) terrorists to attack troops’ locations.
On December 25, a coordinated joint operation was conducted between the air and land components of Operation Fansan Yamma to destroy Lakurawa terrorist groups in their hideouts at Gidan Bissah and Gidan Rotuwa in Jilukon Forest, in Sokoto State killing no fewer than 10 villagers.

Refuting the alleged killing of civilians during airstrikes in North-west operational theatre, the Director Defence Media Operations Major General Edward Buba, revealed that locals confirmed that the Lakurawa terrorists stayed in the village and used the area for the conduct of their operations.
Buba stated that intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance as well as human intelligence reports prior to the operation consistently indicated the hideout was a high concentration terrorist location.

According to him, “The air strikes at the end of the day had minor impact on the surrounding villages.

“The air strikes indeed hit logistic base of the terrorist which led to secondary explosions and it was these secondary explosions that led to some casualties that was earlier reported.
“The neutralised lakurawa terrorist combatants were burnt indeed beyond recognition because they were hit directly by the strikes”.

Buba noted that the terrorists are known to blend within the local populace.

“We knew about this and it is for this reason that we painstakingly made sure that we minimise civilian casualty in this strike and because the terrorists blend among the civil populace, it is often difficult to differentiate friend from foe.

“In summarising, I would say that troops target terrorists and not innocent citizens. Having said that, we must also remember that war is ugly and horrible in every sense. War is never beautiful and it is the worst human endeavor ever,” he stressed.

This, he said was the reason the military often explain what troops were doing in the field knowing that by so doing they have a better chance to deny the enemy to manipulate things and use it for their purposes or to their advantage.

Buba said every innocent soul lost in the course of their operation was a tragedy and they do sympathise with their loved ones and their families whenever such occurs.
“But we must be reminded that our troops are very professional in their actions and are indeed turning the tide against the insurgents and terrorists.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do it without their cooperation and the intel that they provided us. Thank you very much. The Armed Forces have to protect our citizens and it is for these reasons that we carry out our operations to make sure that citizens are protected and our territory and our territorial integrity is also secured.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military yesterday allayed fear of citizens over the acquisition of drones by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) terrorists to attack troops locations.

The military said there was no cause for alarm as the drones used by the terrorists are not military-graded unmanned aerial vehicles.

Buba, said this while fielding questions from journalists during a press briefing in Abuja yesterday.

Buba said the drones used by terrorists were “toys” to harass civilians.

“The report about the usage of drones. I don’t think that there’s need for any unnecessary panic about the usage of drones.
“We are in war against terrorists and against insurgents across our country and all you need to know is not far from what you see happening in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Hamas and all that. The use of drones in the battlefield is not new.

“Now when we are talking of drones, we don’t want unnecessary panic because these are not professional drones, not military-grade drones.
“These are toys that they went to buy and found a way to put one or two things on board and use them. How effective were they? They were not effective. Are we doing something about it? Yes, we are.

“Since we now know that this is where their thinking and their thoughts are going, we have to take measures to control such attacks. I don’t call them really attacks, I call them harassments,” he said.

Buba further clarified that there was no foreign military base in Nigeria, adding that Nigeria has refused to be a ground for any proxy war.

According to him, “We don’t have any foreign military base. We said this more than one time, we do not have any foreign military base in Nigeria. “Anyone who is saying that is trying to be mischievous… trying to be misleading and definitely he has an agenda.
“There is no foreign military base in Nigeria to be a ground for proxy war. We don’t want our country to be a ground for proxy war. You accept one person, the enemy of that person will start to woo you. That is a proxy war. We don’t want that.

“So anywhere you hear anybody talking like that, I think they are doing that as a distraction.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has shed light on his role in the removal of Uche Secondus as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking at a PDP gathering in Rivers State, Wike explained that his decision was fueled by Secondus’ opposition to Siminalayi Fubara’s governorship ambition in 2023.

According to Wike, Secondus had pushed for his cousin, Tele Ikuru, to secure the PDP ticket for the governorship position, a move Wike said he could not support. This, he revealed, was the primary reason he championed Secondus’ ouster from the party’s leadership.

Reflecting on the ongoing tensions between himself and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Wike accused Secondus and former Rivers Governor Celestine Omehia of hypocrisy. He alleged that the duo only began backing Fubara after benefiting personally from the relationship.

Wike, who was once a close ally of Fubara, claimed that Secondus and Omehia were the true enemies of the governor, not him. He criticized their actions, arguing that their newfound loyalty to Fubara was insincere.

“I heard Secondus recently in Bori, saying I awarded the Bori Internal Road as governor. I paid 50% with the hope that we had a governor we all supported to continue the projects,” Wike said.

He continued, “Secondus claimed his enemies are the governor’s enemies. But who are the enemies of the governor? Secondus, who initially opposed him becoming governor and wanted his cousin, Tele Ikuru, to get the position?

“I orchestrated Secondus’ removal as PDP National Chairman when he tried to impose his cousin as governor. Now he calls himself the governor’s friend while labeling me the enemy. To God be the glory,” Wike decl

The Situation Analysis (SitAn) of Children in Nigeria Report has identified some of the reasons why 53.9 per cent of children in the country are multi-dimensionally poor.

The report, launched during the 2024 World Children’s Day celebration on Nov. 20, is a policy document prepared by the Federal Government with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to identify and understand specific child issues.

According to the report, corruption, unemployment, lack of political will, violence and insurgency and inadequate investment in social sectors play significant roles in making Nigerian children poor.
It added that displacement and resettlement place additional pressure on existing resources, further exacerbating child poverty in Nigeria.

The report defined child poverty as “a situation where children experience deprivation of the material, spiritual and emotional resources needed to stay alive, develop and thrive, thus leaving them unable to enjoy their rights, achieve their full potential and participate as full and equal members of society.”

It stated that the seven poverty indicators for children are: health, water, sanitation, nutrition, shelter, education and information.

Explaining the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) analysis, the report noted that across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), disparities exist in the multi-dimensional poverty of children.

It added that “in Osun State, the incidence of poverty was lowest at 17.5 per cent, incidence of deprivation was 35.5 per cent and the Human Development Index (HDI) ranking was 14th in Nigeria.

“In Sokoto State, the incidence of poverty was very high at 89.9 per cent, incidence of deprivation was 50.4 per cent and the HDI ranking was 37 per cent.

“In Lagos State, poverty incidence was 27.8 per cent, incidence of deprivation was 36.8 per cent, while the HDI ranking was one per cent.”

The report indicated that when disaggregated by rural and urban, 29.7 per cent of urban children were multi-dimensionally poor against 65.7 per cent of rural children.

It added that children living in Sokoto State 80.4 per cent, Kebbi 74.9 per cent and Zamfara 74 per cent were worse off, experiencing the highest multidimensional deprivation.

“On the other hand, less than 20 per cent of children living in Edo (19 per cent) and Lagos State (17.3 per cent) were multi-dimensionally poor.

“Multi-dimensionally poor children living in Sokoto State deprived in 74.1 per cent of the total number of deprivations compared to 57.7 per cent of children living in Lagos.”

It said that households with higher number of members and/or children show higher multidimensional deprivation rates than smaller households.

It also implied that children in homes with uneducated household heads and/or mothers are more likely to be multi-dimensionally poor compared with children whose household heads attained secondary or higher education levels.

It stated that a larger proportion of children with illiterate mothers are multi-dimensionally poor than children with literate mothers.

“A striking case of multiple deprivations among children can be observed in the case of Almajiri children.

“These children are always on the move and are deprived of decent living conditions, good food and nutrition, water and basic sanitation, access to healthcare facilities, access to education and parental care.

“They are also deprived protection from violence and abuse, participation in decisions affecting their lives, and are often subjected to child labour and abuse.

“They are also taken advantage of during times of conflict and often obliged to carry arms.”
To ameliorate the situation, the report recommended that stakeholders should play certain roles.
It said that family and close caregivers should play crucial roles in alleviating child poverty and securing protection for children.

The report notes that children in poverty depend greatly on the existence of public healthcare, education and social services to develop capabilities and learn to function.

It added that these institutions and their programmes therefore must be inclusive and structured in an affordable and accessible way and be used by children who need them.

“Effective governance at all levels will ensure sound policy, equitable spread and judicious use of resources for investments that enhance household livelihoods, reduce poverty and foster the rights of children.

“Government needs to support families and households by providing minimum income that is sustainable to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent children from reaching their potential.”

SitAn was first published in 2022 primarily based on household survey data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2016-2017) and the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS 2018).

An updated version was published and launched in 2024 to support government’s efforts to shape policies and shift investment patterns to benefit Nigerian children. (NAN)

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.

The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.

Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025. 

This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.

“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.

The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.

Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:

Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.

Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.

Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).

In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.

The application process opens on 27 December 2024 and will close on 2 January 2025. Interested candidates can apply via the official recruitment portal at https://recruitment.customs.gov.ng.

The NCS reiterated its commitment to a transparent recruitment process and encouraged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of this opportunity.

The Garun Mallam Local Government Area of Kano State has shut down the Kwanar Gafan Tomato Market allegedly turned into place of prostitution, adultery, homosexuality and other immoral activities.

It was reliably gathered that the alleged immorality being perpetrated by some youths and married women within the premises of the market prompted the local council authority to take the action to restore sanity at the market.

The Council’s Chairman, Aminu Kadawa, who confirmed the development, said all occupants in the market were given a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the premises or face the full wrath of the law.

He said: “Looking at how the market has become a centre for prostitution and other immoral activities contrary to the purpose of the market, it has to be closed indefinitely to restore sanity.”

The local government chairman added that a date would be announced on when the market will be reopened for normal activities.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Tourism and Management, Aisha Saji, who hailed the decision, said during her tenure as Commissioner for Women Affairs, she led a team of security personnel and Hisbah officials in a raid at the same market, where 43 individuals, including 34 females and nine males aged between 15 and 18, were arrested for prostitution and illegal sale of alcoholic substances.  

“Shockingly, 14 of the arrested individuals were confirmed to be HIV-positive, with 10 aware of their status, while four were unaware.

“The suspects hailed not only from Kano, but also from neighbouring states, including Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue and Taraba,” she said. 

The Commissioner further recalled that during her tenure she also wrote a report recommending demolition of the market for construction of a skill acquisition centre to address unemployment, among others, in the area.

“This closure should not just mark the end of immoral activities but also serve as a stepping stone for development.

“Establishing a skills development institution in this area will not only curb unemployment but also equip our youths with sustainable means of livelihood,” Saji emphasized.