News
Benue State High Court Upholds Ayu’s PDP Suspension
A Benue State High Court in Makurdi, Friday, ruled that Iyorchia Ayu can no longer hold office as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of the state.
A member of the PDP in Benue State, Conrad Terhide Utaan, dragged Ayu to court following his suspension by his Igyorov ward executive committee after passing a vote of no confidence on him.
In suit No: MHC/85/2023, Utaan sought among other reliefs a declaration that, Ayu is no longer fit and qualified to hold office as the national chairman of the PDP, having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov council ward of Gboko, where he first registered as a member of the party.
He also sought a declaration of court that Ayu cannot hold himself out, function and preside over the affairs of the PDP as its national chairman having seized to enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership by virtue of his suspension by the ward executive committee of the party in his Igyorov council ward.
The plaintiff further sought an order restraining Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman of the PDP having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward, among other reliefs.
Ayu through his counsel J.J Usman, SAN, filed preliminary objections to the suit bothering on the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit, saying it was an internal affair of a political party.
He also challenged the locus standi of the plaintiff, Utaan to institute the action, adding that the plaintiff had not exhausted the internal dispute resolution mechanism of the party, among other objections.
Utaan through his counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, argued against the preliminary objections and urged the court to discountenance the preliminary objections and grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.
Delivering his judgement that lasted for 2-hours, the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, resolved all the issues raised in the preliminary objections in favour of the plaintiff and accordingly dismissed same.
Justice Ikpambese held that By virtue of Article 8(9)of the constitution of the PDP, Ayu seized to be a member of the PDP with his failure to pay his subscription and membership fee.
He ruled that Ayu’s membership of the PDP elapsed with his failure to pay his membership subscription fee.
On the claim that the ward executive committee of the party cannot discipline a member of the National Executive Committee, Justice Ikpambese held that going by the provisions of Article 46(1)of the PDP Constitution, the ward executive of the PDP have the powers to discipline a member of the NEC of the party.
The Judge pointed out that Ayu did not show proof that he has paid his membership subscription fee, neither did he challenge his suspension before any organ of the party or before any court, thereby leaving the court with the impression that he has consented to his suspension by his ward executive committee.
He said Ayu had lost his membership of the party even before he was suspended by his ward executive committee.
Justice Ikpambese accordingly resolved all the issues in favour of the plaintiff.
“The plaintiff has proven his case, all the questions for determination have been resolved in favour of the plaintiff, he is entitled to all the reliefs sought. I so order”
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Utaan, Mike Assoh described the judgement as sound, adding that the court has validated the action of the Igyorov ward executive committee of the party against Ayu, for his (Ayu) failure to pay his membership subscription fee.
The ward exco had also accused Ayu of anti-party activities after which they passed a vote of no confidence on him.
While reading their resolution at the time, the secretary of the party in Igyorov ward, Vanger Dooyum, said Ayu’s anti-party activities – alongside his allies – contributed to PDP’s loss in his ward and local government in the governorship election.
They also alleged that the PDP chieftain did not vote during the governorship and state assembly elections held on the 18th of March, 2023.
According to them, most of Ayu’s closest allies worked for the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) which resulted in the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward.
Twelve out of the seventeen exco members signed the documents endorsing his suspension.
News
Lagos urges residents to prepare for 64 days traffic from Lekki Phase 1–Ajah Bridge as reconstruction begins
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, said that the rehabilitation works on Sections 2 and 3 of the expressway will commence on Sunday, 25 January 2026, and last for an estimated 64 days.
• Sangotedo – Bogije section of Lekki -Epe expressway / Ohibaba.com
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday announced a 64-day traffic diversion for the reconstruction of the Ajah Bridge to Admiralty section (inbound Lagos) of the Lekki–Epe Expressway.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, said that the rehabilitation works on Sections 2 and 3 of the expressway will commence on Sunday, 25 January 2026, and last for an estimated 64 days.
Daramola said that the project will follow a traffic management plan, with work carried out intersection by intersection rather than along the entire corridor at once.
Construction will be carried out both day and night to accelerate completion.
He explained that though a stakeholder meeting had been held late last year with plans to begin work, the project was postponed due to the yuletide festivities.
The festivities are over, and the state government has instructed the contractor to move to site to commence work on Sunday,” he said.
Intersections will be worked on at night to maintain better traffic flow.
News
LASEMA releases update regarding fire outbreak at Computer Village Ikeja
Following distress alerts received on it’s 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines at 0155hours, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from Command and Control Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
INCIDENT DESCRIPTION:
Upon arrival of LRT at the incident scene by 0215hours, it was observed that a fire outbreak occurred in a one-storey commercial building that accommodates dealers in computers and accessories in Computer Village, Ikeja.
Responders observed active flames and dense smoke, indicating intense combustion within the structure.
The one-storey commercial building is primarily used for the storage and sale of computers and accessories.
The high volume of combustible materials contributed to the rapid spread of fire.
CAUSE OF FIRE:
Cause of the fire is yet-to-be ascertained and is currently under investigation.
CASUALTIES/INJURIES
- No fatalities were recorded.
- One Lagos State Firefighter sustained minor injuries during the operation and was administered first aid treatment on site by LASAMBUS.
DAMAGE REPORT:
- The entire top floor of the one-storey commercial building was completely razed by the fire.
- All goods and properties worth millions of naira stored therein were totally destroyed by the conflagration.
- Physical examination of the one-storey commercial building reveals partial compromise and requires immediate structural assessment.
ACTION TAKEN:
- Upon arrival, LASEMA Response Team conducted Risk Assessment of the incident scene and cordoned off the activity area.
- LRT activated Safety and Precautionary Measures to forestall damages to adjoining buildings and immediate environs of the incident scene.
- Prompt interventions were implemented by LRT, and other responders, to forestall escalation of fire to adjoining buildings and eventually extinguish it.
- LRT co-ordinated the multi-agency response to ensure a quick and safe operation.
CURRENT STATUS:
- Firefighting operations have successfully suppressed and contained the fire within the affected building.
- The fire was prevented from escalating to neighbouring structures.
- Continuous damping-down operations are ongoing to eliminate residual heat and prevent re-ignition.
- Rescue and Recovery Operation has been concluded.
RECOMMENDATIONS/NEXT STEPS
- Conduct a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the fire
- Carry out a structural assessment of the building to evaluate safety
- Review fire safety measures and storage protocols for commercial accessory buildings in the entire area.
- Ensure continued monitoring of the incident scene to prevent re-ignition of the fire.
RESPONDERS:
- LASEMA Response Team – Command and Control Centre.
- LASG Fire & Rescue Service.
- LASAMBUS
- Nigeria Police Force – NPF.
News
Major Fire Engulfs Section of Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos
A devastating fire broke out at the bustling Computer Village market in Ikeja on Monday, January 19, 2026, raging through parts of the popular electronics and IT hub and continuing into the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The blaze, which reportedly started in the afternoon or evening of January 19, affected multiple shops and commercial buildings in the densely packed market known as West Africa’s largest hub for computers, smartphones, accessories, and related gadgets.
Thick smoke billowed over the area as flames consumed valuable stock, including electronics and other merchandise worth potentially millions of naira.
Firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service responded to the scene, working through the night to bring the inferno under control. By Tuesday morning, January 20, the fire had been largely contained or extinguished, though pockets of smoldering remained in some structures.
No immediate reports of casualties have emerged from the incident, but traders and shop owners are said to have suffered heavy losses, with destroyed goods, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted business operations.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with preliminary indications pointing to possible electrical faults—a common risk in the area’s overcrowded and often makeshift wiring setups—though officials have not yet confirmed this.
Computer Village, located in the heart of Ikeja, is a vital economic center employing thousands and serving customers from across Nigeria and beyond. Incidents like this highlight ongoing concerns about fire safety, building regulations, and emergency response in such high-density commercial zones.
Authorities, including the Lagos State Police Command and fire service, are expected to provide further updates as assessments of the damage continue and support measures for affected traders are discussed.
Traders have begun tallying losses, and calls for better prevention measures are already circulating among market associations.
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