News
FG Invites Over 65 World Leaders For Tinubu’s inauguration
Programmes and plans are in top gear Thursday, as Federal Government invites about 65 world leaders, including Heads of State to grace the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, who will be sworn in as the 16th President of Nigeria on May 29.
Also expected at the nation’s seventh transition ceremony are past presidents, diplomats, heads of international organisations and prominent Nigerians and representatives of foreign governments and agencies.
According to the Federal Government, the inauguration programmes will begin on Thursday with the investiture of Tinubu with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic and the Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima, as the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger.
A director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to The PUNCH on Thursday that several African leaders had indicated interest in attending the inauguration ceremony which would take place at Eagle Square, Abuja.
“We have 54 countries in Africa and most of them have been invited to the inauguration; so, we don’t expect less than 65 world leaders from Africa, Europe and America at the event,’’ said the director, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue.
Representatives of Nigeria’s traditional allies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, China, Germany, Finland, Jamaica, Japan, Israel, Turkey and several others are expected at the high-profile event.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday as activities for the transition of power to the incoming administration began, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, disclosed that scores of world leaders would attend the event.
The preparation for the swearing-in of the former Lagos State governor is gathering steam as the battle to nullify his election victory by the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi continues at the Presidential Election Petitions Court.
News
NISO restores national grid after nationwide blackouts
The previous day,there was a nationwide blackout as the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) recorded 0Mw total energy generation at 16:00 hour.
• A power generation site
The Nigeria Independent System Operator (NISO) has restored the national grid to 2,126 megawatts (Mw) total energy generation at 20:00 hour.
The previous day,there was a nationwide blackout as the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) recorded 0Mw total energy generation at 16:00 hour.
NISO also raised the total energy sent to the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to 1,895Mw at 21:02 hours.
The grid developed issues that the NISO was yet to report its cause and restoration measures at press time, leading to the cut in the supply to the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) from the average of 4,000MW on a normal day.
According to the NISO website dashboard, the system dipped from 148.30MW at 15:00 hour.
On its distribution profile, the NISO revealed that total energy sent to the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) at 16:46hour was 305MW.
News
Operation Awatse nabs six suspected drug dealers in Lagos
The suspects include Okoduwa Odianose (38, Edo State), Obagede Abraham (25, Osun State), Abdulahi Umate (18, Borno State), Bala Abdullahi (18, Kano State), Mallah Umate (18, Borno State), and Habeeb Badmus (34, Kwara State).
Image of the six suspects / NAF
In furtherance of ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal and terrorist activities within its Area of Responsibility (AOR), the Headquarters Joint Task Force South West, Operation AWATSE, has conducted a joint multi-component kinetic and non-kinetic operation code-named Operation EMBER Guard.
The operation, aimed at strengthening public confidence and enhancing inter-agency cooperation, led to a successful raid on a suspected drug den located along Idinmu Road, Egbeda, Lagos State, on 28 December 2025 at about 2300 hours.
During the operation, six suspects were arrested in connection with illegal drug-related activities.
The suspects include Okoduwa Odianose (38, Edo State), Obagede Abraham (25, Osun State), Abdulahi Umate (18, Borno State), Bala Abdullahi (18, Kano State), Mallah Umate (18, Borno State), and Habeeb Badmus (34, Kwara State).
The Items recovered from the suspects include three pieces of crack cocaine, 29 packs of ice, six bottles of codeine, 70 pieces of loud, six wraps of backwood, three small wraps of backwood, two wraps of Russian cream, 49 pieces of colos, two pieces of rohypnol, as well as other personal belongings.
The suspects and recovered exhibits were subsequently handed over to the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, on 29 December 2025 at the Nigerian Air Force 651 Base Services Group(BSG) 3 Provost, Sam Ethnan AirForce Base, Ikeja, Lagos for further investigation and prosecution.
The Theater Commander, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation AWATSE, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha was ably represented by the Commander 651 BSG, Air Commodore IM Imam who handed over the suspects to NDLEA officials.
The Commander 651 BSG reiterated the operation’s commitment to sustaining joint operations with relevant security agencies to curb criminality and ensure the safety and security of lives and property within the South West region.
News
Ex- AGF Malami ‘s court trial begins at FHC Abuja
Malami is being tried for alleged money laundering, concealment of illicit funds, and unlawful acquisition of assets valued at more than ₦1.014 billion.
The former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has been arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on corruption charges.
Malami is being tried for alleged money laundering, concealment of illicit funds, and unlawful acquisition of assets valued at more than ₦1.014 billion.
Malami is facing 16‑count charges alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a 16‑count charge against Malami, accusing him of multi‑billion‑naira money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets.
Malami and his co‑defendants are accused to have knowingly handled, transferred, and concealed funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Investigators traced ₦1.014 to a Sterling Bank account linked to the transactions.
EFCC filings claim Malami laundered billions to acquire choice houses in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and other locations, with assets valued at about ₦212.8 billion allegedly traced to him and his associates.
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NISO restores national grid after nationwide blackouts
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