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Alleged assassination plot: Akpabio petitions IGP, demands Natasha’s prosecution

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over what he described as a “criminally defamatory and inciting” allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused him of plotting her assassination.

In the petition dated April 3 and copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Akpabio described the claims as “heinous lies” intended to damage his reputation, incite public unrest, and endanger his life.

The controversy stems from a public speech by Akpoti-Uduaghan on April 1 in Kogi State, where she alleged that Akpabio had directed former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her within Kogi State in order to make it appear that her constituents were behind the attack.

Responding to the accusation, Akpabio stated in his petition: “This statement is not only a heinous lie but a reckless and deliberate attempt to damage my reputation, endanger my life and security, and incite political unrest.”

He added that the allegation, made without evidence, was politically motivated and designed to manipulate public sentiment.

“It is a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination, designed to portray me as a political villain,” he said.

Akpabio called for an immediate police investigation and urged the prosecution of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan under laws covering criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

The Senate President also stressed the impact of the allegation due to its widespread coverage on TV, radio, print, and social media.

“The severity of this false allegation, and the fact that it has gained public traction, makes it necessary that law enforcement agencies treat it with the urgency it deserves,” he said.

He concluded the petition by stating the need to hold public officials accountable for statements capable of undermining national peace and democratic institutions.

This latest clash between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan follows an earlier controversy in which she accused the Senate President of sexual harassment — a claim that contributed to her suspension from the upper legislative chamber for alleged misconduct.

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FG vows to sanction airlines bringing passengers into Nigeria without valid visas

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The Federal Government has threatened that any airline caught airlifting passengers into Nigeria without a valid entry visa, Landing, and Exit cards would be sanctioned.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated this during a stakeholders’ engagement programme on the implementation of the E-Visa, Landing and Exit Cards on Friday in Lagos.

The Minister, who was emphatic on the Federal Government’s resolutions, vehemently said that Nigeria is not a dumping ground and that no foreigner should be allowed entry without a visa.

He added that although Nigeria was making entry more accessible with the introduction of the E-Visa, but the country would not compromise on national security.

He urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority on the enlightenment and enforcement of its oversight function as a regulator to ensure that airlines adhere to the 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy.

Tunji-Ojo further tasked airlines on national security, stating that the E-Visa was of national interest to improve border security, tourism, and sustainable economic growth.

He said, “I plead with the NCAA to regulate, that is why this meeting is a strategic collaborative effort of the ministry, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the NCAA. I can see the DG of the NCAA on seat and that is what is called collaboration.

“For the airlines, I know you are here to do business but you also have a responsibility in terms of national interest and security. Before anybody comes to Nigeria, please see their Visas, not a proof of payment or their tickets.

“It is not acceptable in the UK, US, Canada, and other climes, and it will not be acceptable in Nigeria anymore,” he added.

Speaking on the ease of applying for the E-Visa and Landing and Exit cards, Tunji-Ojo said that it was necessary for the purpose of opening Nigeria’s frontiers to investors.

He disclosed that as of May 22nd, the NIS had received a total of 5,814 applications, approved 5,671, rejected 66, and queried 62 applications since the introduction of E-Visa on May 1.

According to him, the E-Visa process will improve the database of the NIS with information on travelers.

He explained the features of the E-Visa, the Landing and Exit cards with a barcode.

“That you applied for a Nigerian visa does not mean you will have the visa, you will need to meet certain criteria for the visa to be issued” he added.

The Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo in his welcome address said that the introduction of the e-Visa and the associated Landing and Exit card systems was a milestone.

Najomo said that was a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards enhancing air travel facilitation while ensuring the highest standards of aviation security and operational efficiency are maintained.

“The e-Visa showcases one of the practical ways we continually align with global best practices by complying with the ICAO provisions of Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation – on Facilitation.

“It is, inherently designed to improve the experience of travelers, while strengthening our border control mechanisms.

“The importance of seamless inter-agency collaboration cannot be over-emphasized in a bid to ensure the effective implementation of these systems without compromising safety, security, or service delivery.

“The benefits derived from e-Visa applicants being able to complete visa applications entirely online, with processing time reduced to less than 48 hours, would have a multiplier effect.

It will showcase Nigeria as an investor- and tourist-friendly nation, invariably translating to economic growth.

”The Controller General of the NIS, Kemi Nandap in her closing remarks expressed her appreciation to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the NCAA D-G, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority, and the NIS team.

She called for more inter-agency collaborations to further strengthen the seamless implementation of the e-visa, Landing, and Exit cards innovation.

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FCTA to begin sealing of 4,794 properties from Monday

FCTA will decide what to do with the affected properties in due course.

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•FCTA minister, Nyesom Wike

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will, from Monday, next week, begin to take possession of the 4,794 properties revoked over non-payment of Ground Rent, for between 10 and 43 years.

These 4,794 properties were among the total of 8,375 land titles on which Ground Rent was not paid from one year to 43 years.

This was made known during a press briefing on Friday by the FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze and Director Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima.

They said; “Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape districts, had already reverted to the FCTA, and as from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties.

“As usual, this will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.”

The Director of Development Control, explained that affected properties will be sealed up and access to them restricted as from Monday.

He said the FCTA will decide what to do with the affected properties in due course.

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 Ribadu Presents National Security Scorecards at APC Summit

Ribadu said the picture has changed since May 2023 Under the Renewed Hope Agenda with  hostages rescued, criminal networks dismantled, and oil production restored

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National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu says that despite growing concerns over insecurity , Nigeria has made significant progress since May 2023.

Ribadu presented the scorecard
during the APC national summit in Abuja on Thursday.

Ribadu described what he called a turnaround from a period when Nigeria faced five major threats: Boko Haram, banditry, separatist violence, oil theft, and communal clashes.He said Kaduna alone recorded over 1,100 deaths and 3,000 kidnappings in 2021. In the South East, separatist attacks destroyed more than 160 police stations.

Ribadu said the picture has changed since May 2023 Under the Renewed Hope Agenda with  hostages rescued, criminal networks dismantled, and oil production restored.

He waned that cybercrime and regional instability still pose risks, and called for sustained collaboration to build on the gains

Ribadu explained that before 2023 over 35,000 and 12,000 persons were claimed by Boko Haram and banditry crises, respectively, while millions of people were rendered homeless in the affected areas.

The NSA said with the security agencies working as a team, challenges such as the sit-at-home in the South-East and sabotage of oil installations in the Niger Delta have been substantially addressed.

Ribadu said over 13,543 Boko Haram elements were neutralised in the past two years, while over 11,000 arms were recovered and destroyed from the terrorists.

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