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‘Let Heaven Fall,’ Wike Vows To Continue Demolitions In FCT

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has defended the demolition of properties in the nation’s seat of power, saying he won’t be swayed by blackmail.

Wike said the structures being demolished by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) are properties illegally built on government lands.

“Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja, we are not afraid of blackmailing,” the minister said during the distribution of operational vehicles to security agencies at the FCTA Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.

“In fact, you cannot be in this kind of position and say you cannot be blackmailed particularly as regards this Abuja.

There are so many land grabbers. Some of us have come to put our feet down. Let heaven fall.

It is even better that heaven comes down now so that we would not be fasting again to go to heaven.”

In recent months, the FCTA has intensified the demolition of what it deemed as illegal structures in estates and shanties in Abuja.

According to Wike, while some of the structures pose security risks, the rest were built on lands belonging to the government.

The move has triggered a backlash and protests but Wike has insisted there is no going back and vowed to go after more illegally constructed buildings and shanties.

“We would stop anybody who thinks they will take government land for whatever reason with formal approval.

We would not look at your face. If you like be a civil rights activist or a television personality,” Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, said during the event.

“What is wrong is wrong; no amount of blackmail can stop us. People take government property without approval or documentation.

”Wike’s comment came on the same day that the Senate ordered a probe into the demolitions in the FCT, setting up a committee to look into the development.

The Senate’s move followed a motion sponsored by the Senator representing FCT Ireti Kingibe who raised concerns over the demolitions and called for an order to stop them.

It also set up an investigative committee – headed by the Deputy Senate Jibrin Barau – to probe the demolitions.

The group is expected to also invite Wike to the Senate so he can explain the reasons for the demolitions in the nation’s capital.

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Lagos to launch monthly rent payment scheme, but would landlords agree?

The initiative is part of broader efforts to make housing accessible and affordable for residents.

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The Lagos State Government said it is ready to introduce monthly and quarterly rent payment system for easing financial burdens on residents, especially low-income earners.

The Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, disclosed this at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing to mark Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office, yesterday .

He said the initiative is part of broader efforts to make housing accessible and affordable for residents.

He recalled that the state had earlier launched a rent-to-own housing scheme which allows tenants to make an initial five percent down payment and spread the balance over a 10 years period.

“That initiative was well-received, and its success encouraged us to explore new ways to reduce the pressure of yearly rent payment,” he said.

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Crime

JUST IN: Nigerian Govt witness tenders Ahmed Gulak’s death certificate in Nnamdi Kanu’s trial

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A Federal Government witness, identified as BBB, on Wednesday tendered a certified true copy (CTC) of the death certificate of Ahmed Gulak, in the ongoing terrorism trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Gulak, a former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was killed by suspected IPOB members in 2012.

The News Agency of Nigerial reports that BBB, who was the 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2), tendered the document before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja while being led in evidence by the Federal Government’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.

Upon resumed hearing, Awomolo informed the court that though the matter was scheduled for cross examination of PW-2, he had a question to ask the witness.

“We ask for a permission to ask a question my lord,” he said.

Kanu’s lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, did not oppose Awomolo’s application and the judge directed him to go ahead.

Awomolo then asked BBB that one of the last evidence he gave was that during the radio broadcast made by Kanu, he called for a sit-at-home, leading to the death of Gulak.

The witness confirmed the statement. He said he participated in some of the investigations leading to Gulak’s death.

Besides he said he had a certificate of his death in the courtroom from the police dated July 18, 2021.

According to the witness, the document is a certified true copy of the medical report on Gulak.

When the document was shown to Kanu’s lawyer, he said he has no objection and Justice Omotosho admitted it in evidence and marked it as Exhibit PWJ.

Awomolo then sought the court’s permission for the document to be given to the witness to read in the open court.

BBB, who read the content of the death certificate, said the document was from the Nigeria Police, Owerri in Imo State, concerning Gulak, who was allegedly shot dead by IPOB members in 2021.

After the question, Agabi proceeded to cross examine the witness.

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Drivers License New Prices Effectively from June – JTB

The new approved price for Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle number plates and driver’s licence, as approved, is as follows: Motor vehicle driver’s license for three years is N15,000, while for five years is N21,000

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Nigerians are expected to pay more for their driver’s licence, as the Joint Tax Board (JTB) has approved a price increase.

The new price adjustment will take effect on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

By this announcement, the JTB, being the apex body for revenue authorities in Nigeria, urges affected members of the public to take note of the new prices, imploring relevant government agencies and motor vehicle licencing authorities to comply with the price adjustment.

The new approved price for Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle number plates and driver’s licence, as approved, is as follows: Motor vehicle driver’s license for three years is N15,000, while for five years is N21,000.

For a tricycle/motorcycle driver’s license, three years is N7,000, while five years is N11,000.

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