News
BREAKING: There Will Never Be a Live Broadcast of Election Petition Proceedings – Tinubu, Shettima Boast
The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, have urged the Presidential Election Petition Court to dismiss the application by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party for a live broadcast of proceedings, while arguing that the relief sought by the applicants are not such that the court could grant it.
Both Tinubu and Shettima said “With much respect to the petitioners, the motion is an abuse of the processes of this honourable court,” .
Besides describing the application as frivolous, they said the court is not a soapbox, stadium or theatre where the public should be entertained.
Through their team of lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, they both wondered why a petitioner would file an application to distract the court and waste its precious time, while stating, in the counter affidavit, that the application relates to policy formulation of the court, which is outside the PEPC’s jurisdiction as constituted.
Olanipekun stated that: “The application also touches on the powers and jurisdiction invested in the President of the Court of Appeal by the Constitution, over which this honourable court as presently constituted cannot entertain.
“The application touches on the administrative functions, which are exclusively reserved for the President of the Court of Appeal.
“The application is aimed at dissipating the precious judicial time of this honourable court.
“The said application does not have any bearing with the petition filed by the petitioners before this honourable court.
“It is in the interest of justice for this honourable court to dismiss the said application filed by the petitioners,” they said.
In an attached written address, the respondents faulted the applicants’ reference to the fact that virtual proceedings were allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They argued that Atiku and his party failed to draw the court’s attention to the fact that practice directions were made by the respective courts for the exercise.
“Another angle to this very curious application is the invitation it extends to the court to make an order that it cannot supervise.
“The position of the law remains, and we do submit that the court, like nature, does not make an order in vain, or an order which is incapable of enforcement,” the respondents stated.
More so, they stated that “At the very best, this application is academic, very otiose, very unnecessary, very time-wasting, most unusual and most unexpected, particularly, from a set of petitioners, who should be praying for the expeditious trial of their petition.
“Petitioners have brought their application under Section 36(3) of the Constitution which provides that the proceedings of a court/tribunal shall be held in public.
“The word ‘public’ as applied under Section 36(3) of the Constitution has been defined in a plethora of judicial authorities to mean a place where members of the public have unhindered access, and the court itself, sitting behind open doors, not in the camera.
“Even in situations where a class action is presented, the particular people constituting the class being represented by the plaintiffs or petitioners are always defined in the originating process.
“Here, in this application, the public at whose behest this application has been presented is not defined, not known, not discernable.
“Beyond all these, it is our submission that the court of law must and should always remain what it is, what it should be and what it is expected to be: a serene, disciplined, hallowed, tranquil, honourable and decorous institution and place.
“It is not a rostrum or a soapbox. It is not also a stadium or theatre. It is not an arena for ‘public’ entertainment.
“With much respect to the petitioners, the motion is an abuse of the processes of this honourable court.”
……Appoints AIG Tunji Disu as New Inspector-General of Police.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Tunji Disu as his successor, multiple reliable sources confirmed on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The development followed a directive from President Tinubu asking Egbetokun to resign, reportedly during a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.
Egbetokun, who served as the 22nd IGP, had been in the position since his appointment by Tinubu on June 19, 2023, with confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023.
Sources within the presidency and the Nigeria Police Force indicated that preparations were underway for a formal handover ceremony from Egbetokun to Disu. An official announcement from the presidency was expected shortly.
Tunji Disu, who until recently served as the AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos, is set to become the 23rd Inspector-General of Police. Described by some reports as one of Nigeria’s finest contemporary officers, Disu is anticipated to receive swift confirmation from the Senate.
Egbetokun had been appointed at age 58 and was originally due for retirement on September 4, 2024, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60, though his tenure extended beyond that point.
The leadership change marks a significant shake-up in Nigeria’s security apparatus amid ongoing efforts to address policing challenges across the country.
Further details on the reasons for the removal and Disu’s priorities as the new IGP are yet to be officially disclosed.
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, confirmed Pastor Peter Akpe as the new Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
The confirmation occurred during a plenary session after Governor Douye Diri nominated Akpe to replace the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who died in December 2025.
Pastor Akpe, a clergyman with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and holder of a Ph.D., had served as Chief of Staff to Governor Diri at Government House, Yenagoa.
He is from Ebedebiri community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa West Senatorial District—the same senatorial district as his predecessor.
Prior to his appointment as Chief of Staff in March 2024, Akpe held several key positions, including Deputy Chief of Staff (2020–2023), Acting Chief of Staff, Head of Administration, and member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, where he also served as Majority Leader during the Seriake Dickson administration.
With the lawmakers’ approval, Pastor Peter Akpe is now cleared for swearing-in, completing the process to fill the vacant deputy governorship position and ensuring continuity in the state’s executive arm under Governor Douye Diri’s leadership.
…..All Control Tower Personnel Safely Rescued.
A fire outbreak at Terminal 1 (also referred to as the old international terminal) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos has been successfully contained, according to officials from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
The blaze, which originated from the IT server room on the third floor of a five-storey building near the E-wing of the departure lounge, prompted a swift multi-agency response involving the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other emergency teams.
Controller General Margaret Adeseye of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed in an official update that the fire is now under control. Critically, all 12 personnel in the control tower were rescued alive and uninjured, with no one left trapped in the incident.
“Further updates will be made available in due course,” Adeseye stated.
Related reports from FAAN indicate that a crane was deployed to aid in the rescue efforts at the control tower, where up to 14 individuals were initially reported as trapped in some accounts. All have since been safely evacuated. While some sources mention minor injuries (such as six individuals in stable condition), the primary update from the fire service emphasizes no serious harm to the control tower staff and no fatalities.
The incident led to temporary disruptions, including the closure of the Lagos airspace and suspension of flights at the airfield, as a precautionary measure. Authorities are working to restore operations, potentially through a temporary control tower setup.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with preliminary indications pointing to the server room as the origin. The affected terminal, which has been undergoing renovations, saw emergency evacuations and containment efforts to prevent spread to other sections.
No lives were lost in the incident, and emergency operations continue to monitor the site for full safety. Airport authorities and emergency services have commended the coordinated response that minimized risks to personnel and infrastructure.
Travelers are advised to check with airlines for updates on flight statuses amid the ongoing recovery efforts.
Obi, Oyegun Escape Attack at ADC Leader’s Residence in Benin Amid Political Tensions
BREAKING: Hoodlums Invade ADC Secretariat Minutes After Olumide Akpata’s Reported Defection Event (Video)
Olumide Akpata, Running Mate, and Supporters Defect to ADC in Edo State
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Crime2 days agoSecret Service Kills Armed Intruder at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Residence
-
News1 day agoFire Engulfs MMIA Terminal One, but no casualties
-
Crime2 days agoDelta APC Congress: Ibori’s Daughter Escapes Assassination Bid as Thugs Invade Ethiope West Venue
-
News2 days agoNigeria Secures Major Victory in $6.2 Million Arbitration Against European Tech Firm
-
Crime1 day agoAt Least 10 Killed in Coordinated Night Attacks on Two Communities in Plateau State’s Riyom LGA (Photos)
-
Crime2 days agoNDLEA Busts Woman with Fake Pregnancy Concealing Tramadol (Photos)
-
Politics2 days agoINEC to Unveil Revised Timetable for 2027 General Elections Amid Electoral Act Updates
-
News1 day agoLagos increases BRT fares by 13%