News
Absence of judge stalls Governor-elect Mbah’s NYSC certificate forgery case
The absence of Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Monday, stalled the hearing of a suit filed by Enugu State Governor-elect, Mr Peter Mbah, against the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC).
Justice Ekwo was said to be on official assignment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mbah had sued the NYSC and its Director, Corps Certification, Mr Ibrahim Muhammad, for publishing a disclaimer, denying the issuance of a discharge certificate issued to him on Jan.6, 2003.
Justice Ekwo had, on May 15, restrained the NYSC, Muhammad and any of their agents from, henceforth, engaging in such publication pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.
The order followed an ex parte motion moved by Mbah’s counsel, Mr Emeka Ozoani, SAN.
The judge, however, did not grant prayer two of the motion on the ground that it was said to be far reaching.
He said that the second prayer was an issue to be adjudicated upon in the substantive suit.
Instead, Ekwo ordered that the defendants be put on notice.
The judge, who directed the plaintiff to serve the defendants with court processes within two days of the order, fixed today for hearing.
But the court did not sit on Monday and the matter, which was on number 14 on the cause list, was adjourned until May 31 for hearing of the motion on notice.
NAN report that Ozoani had brought the motion under Section 13(1) & (2) of the FHC Act Cap F12, Vol. 6, Law of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Order 26 Rule 6(1) of the Federa High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.
The motion ex parte was predicated on 10 grounds.
Mbah averred that after graduating in Law from the University of East London in 2000, retuned to Nigeria and as a pre-requisite to practice as barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, applied and was admitted into the Bar part 1 programme of the Nigerian Law School.
Mbah said upon completing the bar part I exam, he had to wait for the bar part 2 programme, and was advised that instead of spending time idling around, he should proceed to the mandatory one year NYSC programme.
He said he was called up for NYSC and was deployed initially to Nigerian Ports Authority Apapa for his primary assignment but was rejected by NPA, before securing the law firm of Ude & Associates.
“The plaintiff in the course of his service year and after six months of NYSC, applied and was granted approval to defer the NYSC in order to enable him complete the bar final exam.
“Thereafter, the plaintiff was remobilised to finish the NYSC programme, which he did complete.”
Mbah further averred that upon completion of the NYSC, he was issued the certificate of National Service No. A.808297 dated Jan.6 2003.
The NYSC had, on Feb. 1, written a letter signed by Mr Ibrahim Muhammed saying that the NYSC certificate belonging to Mbah was not issued by the corps.
Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of the Enugu State governorship election held in March 18 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Credit: NAN
News
Lagos State Govt Seals Popular Ladipo Spare Parts Market
The Lagos State Government has sealed the bustling Ladipo Spare Parts Market, a major automobile parts hub located along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road (Apapa–Oshodi Expressway) in Mushin, due to repeated breaches of environmental regulations.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the enforcement action on Sunday via his official X account. He stated that the market was shut down this morning over persistent violations, primarily indiscriminate refuse disposal on road medians and highways, compounded by illegal street trading activities.
“Lagos State Government, this morning, sealed Ladipo Spare Parts Market along Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road (Apapa–Oshodi Expressway) over repeated environmental infractions; indiscriminate refuse disposal on the median/highway and illegal street trading.
#ZeroToleranceLagos,” Wahab posted.
The closure forms part of the state’s intensified crackdown on environmental offences under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, which prioritizes cleanliness, public health, and adherence to waste management standards as outlined in the THEMES Plus agenda.
Authorities emphasized that such practices pose serious risks to public health, traffic flow, and overall urban sanitation.
This is not the first time the market has faced such measures. In September 2023, Ladipo was previously sealed for similar issues, including reckless waste disposal, unhygienic conditions, and non-payment of waste bills. It was later reopened after operators met compliance requirements.
Traders and stakeholders at the market, one of the largest spare parts markets in the region, are now awaiting further directives from the government on conditions for reopening.
The state has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward indiscriminate dumping and urged all markets and businesses to adopt proper waste disposal practices to avoid similar sanctions.
Officials have not specified a reopening timeline, but enforcement actions are expected to continue across other non-compliant markets in the state.
News
Senate to Hold Emergency Plenary Sitting on Tuesday Amid Electoral Reform Backlash
The Nigerian Senate will convene an emergency plenary sitting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 12:00 noon, following intense public criticism of its recent decision on electoral amendments.
In a statement issued on Sunday, February 8, 2026, Clerk of the Senate Emmanuel Odo announced that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had directed the immediate reconvening of the chamber. The notice called on all senators to attend the special session in the Senate Chamber.
The emergency meeting follows widespread outrage over the Senate’s February 4 passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026.
During the third reading, lawmakers rejected a proposed amendment to Clause 60(3) that would have required presiding officers to transmit polling unit results electronically in real time directly to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
Instead, the Senate retained the existing provision from the 2022 Electoral Act, which gives INEC discretionary power to electronically transfer results only after votes are counted and publicly announced at polling units.
The decision has drawn strong condemnation from civil society organizations, opposition leaders including Peter Obi, election monitoring groups, and bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association.
Critics argue the move weakens electoral transparency, increases the risk of manipulation, and sets back progress ahead of the 2027 general elections. Protests have been announced outside the National Assembly starting Monday to pressure the Senate to reconsider, with some stakeholders indicating possible legal action.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has defended the chamber’s position, stating over the weekend that the Senate did not reject electronic transmission of results.
He explained that lawmakers only removed the mandatory real-time requirement due to practical challenges, including network issues in insecure areas affecting several states, while preserving the overall electronic transmission framework used in past elections.
Akpabio added that the Senate would not be swayed by intimidation and emphasized that the legislative process on the bill remains active.
The official agenda for Tuesday’s session has not been made public, but it is widely expected to address the controversy, respond to public pressure, and possibly revisit elements of the disputed clause in light of calls for stronger electoral safeguards.
News
LASTMA Averts Midnight Petrol Tanker Fire Disaster at Awoyaya, Lekki–Epe Expressway
Quick action by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) prevented a major fire disaster early Sunday morning after a fully loaded petrol (PMS) tanker overturned at Awoyaya on the Lekki–Epe Expressway.

The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. when the articulated tanker lost control and flipped on the inward carriageway, spilling its highly flammable cargo and creating an immediate risk of explosion and widespread fire along the busy corridor.
LASTMA’s Rescue and Recovery Unit responded swiftly upon receiving the alert, securing the scene with a safety perimeter, diverting traffic, and preventing fuel scoopers and secondary crashes. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service was also mobilised without delay, enforcing strict fire prevention measures and continuous monitoring to eliminate ignition risks.

With no injuries or casualties reported, responders halted traffic in the affected area before safely resuming flow once the threat was neutralised. The petrol was carefully trans-loaded into a replacement 33,000-litre tanker under close supervision by emergency teams.
LASTMA urged tanker drivers to maintain vehicles rigorously, exercise extreme caution—especially at night—and strictly follow safety rules to protect lives and infrastructure.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, commended the seamless collaboration between LASTMA and the Fire Service, praising their professionalism and speed in averting what could have been a catastrophic blaze.
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