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JUST IN: INEC explains kicking against tendering own documents against Tinubu’s election

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shed light on why it kicked against the tendering of its documents as exhibits by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Gregory Obi, to establish his petition against the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The electoral body had on Thursday vehemently objected to the admission of several documents brought to the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) by Obi and the Labour Party for the purpose of tendering them as exhibits to justify their petition.

However, at Friday’s proceedings, INEC lawyer Kemi Pinheiro SAN, told the court that the electoral body kicked against the tendering of certified true copies of the documents, mainly election result sheets, because Obi and the Labour Party did not challenge the conduct of the election in the areas relating to the documents.

Pinheiro explained that issues were not joined in the local government areas where the result sheets were sought to be tendered, adding that it was wrong of the petitioners to go beyond the areas where the election is disputed.

He accused Obi of trying to confuse issues by bringing result sheets where he did not dispute the election and the returns adding that the presidential candidate ought to have guided himself with the pleadings in his petition.

According to INEC, the local government areas unlawfully smuggled into proceedings of the court are totally strange to the petition and cannot stand in the face of the law.

INEC’s explanation offered while lawyers were ordered to make an appearance, however, drew the anger of the Presiding Justice of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani.

Justice Tsammani held that it was wrong of INEC’s lawyer to have smuggled the explanation into the proceedings because all parties in the petition had agreed to offer such explanations at the address stage of proceedings.

Pinheiro, in return, apologized to the court but said that he was forced to speak up on the objections because of the deluge of criticisms suffered in the media by his client.

The senior lawyer hinted that social media users had turned his client to an object of ridicule without finding out reasons for objections against the admissibility of the documents.

Meanwhile, the court has admitted as exhibits form EC8A from 21 local government areas of Adamawa and eight local government areas of Bayelsa States and parts of Rivers and Niger State as tendered by Obi and the Labour Party.

Peter Afoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, is conducting proceedings for Obi and LP.

Earlier, hearing in the petition of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) was further shifted to June 9 by the court to enable lawyers to obtain the May 26 judgment of the Supreme Court that would determine whether the petition still has life to sustain it or not.

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Ododo Reassures Takete-Ide Community of Road Reconstruction (Photos)

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… Promises more Development Projects

The Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development and rural transformation across the state, assuring the people of Takete-Ide community in Mopamuro Local Government Area of immediate intervention on the Takete-Ide–Amuro–Ayede Amuro road.

Governor Ododo gave the assurance during the 2025 Takete-Ide Day Celebration, where he was represented by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo.

The Governor described Takete-Ide as a land rich in culture, human resources, and heritage, commending the community for its unity and commitment to self-help development initiatives.

“It is a great honor to stand before you, my good people of Takete-Ide.

This land is rich in culture, rich in human resources, and rich in heritage. You have produced great men and women who have distinguished themselves in different walks of life,” Governor Ododo stated.

The Governor expressed appreciation to the community for producing the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who he described as a “committed, visionary, and loyal son” of Kogi State.

“Under our leader, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, I worked closely with your son, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, for eight years.

Today, we are still working together in my administration. Kogi State is grateful to Takete-Ide for giving us such a dedicated and dependable son,” the Governor said.

On the state of the Takete-Ide–Amuro–Ayede Amuro road, Governor Ododo announced that the Ministry of Works had completed all necessary assessments and that major construction work would soon commence.

He further directed the Kogi State Road Maintenance Agency (KOGROMA) to immediately make the road motorable through grading and filling of critical portions with laterite as a temporary measure.

Governor Ododo also pledged government support for the completion of the Traditional Ruler’s Palace Project, stating that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development would be engaged to ensure progress on the project.

While commending the community for its communal development efforts, the Governor highlighted several ongoing projects in Takete-Ide, including the remodelling of the Government Day Secondary School and the GYB Health Centre.

He announced that furniture had been approved for the school and assured that work would continue on the health facility as part of the over 200 primary healthcare centres being remodelled across the state.

Governor Ododo thanked the people of Takete-Ide for their consistent support for the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that the party had maintained its dominance in the ward since 2019.

He also acknowledged the impact of the AGILE programme in the community, through which many schoolgirls had benefitted from cash grants, and youths trained in modern agricultural techniques and agribusiness.

“We will continue to empower our youths, helping them move from the streets of idleness to the fields of productivity,” he assured.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s resolve to strengthen security at the grassroots through the recruitment of local hunters and the pensionable appointment of members of the Vigilante Service, many of whom are indigenes of Takete-Ide.

Governor Ododo commended the people for promoting their cultural heritage, describing culture as “our identity, our pride, and a unifying force,” and urged them to continue to pass down traditional values to the younger generation.

He further called for continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, noting that the President’s reforms have opened more financial opportunities for subnational governments to deliver meaningful projects to their people.

“We were able to remodel your school and health centre because we have access to more resources, thanks to the President’s reforms,” he said.

Governor Ododo concluded by extending warm greetings to the people of Takete-Ide and promising that his administration would not forget the community, adding that his personal donation to the Palace and the Youth Entrepreneurial Centre would be communicated through Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo.

The 2025 Takete-Ide Day Celebration, organized by a Central Planning Committee chaired by Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, had in attendance top government officials, traditional rulers, and sons and daughters of the community both at home and in the diaspora.

Other dignitaries who accompanied the Deputy Governor to the event included the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe; Special Advisers to the Governor, Hon. Aboh Ibrahim and Hon. Alilu Yakubu Erosion; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hilary Ojoma Egwudah; Executive Chairman of Lokoja LGA, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu; State Coordinator, AGILE Project, Hon. Tijani Oricha, among others.

The Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government Area, Hon. Ademola Bello; House of Assembly Member representing Mopamuro Constituency, Hon. Olawumi Jacob; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Cultural Integration, Hon. Sunday Moses David Alumo, also graced the occasion.

In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, and the National President of the Takete-Ide Progressive Union, Prince Richard Dare Fiki, thanked the State Government for the ongoing infrastructural development in the community and appealed for the rehabilitation of the Orokere Amuro–Takete-Ide Amuro road to ease transportation.

The event featured colourful cultural performances, traditional displays, and warm receptions for dignitaries.

The invited guests also donated money towards the construction of the Palace.

The highest donors were the Senator Representing Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi and the Chief Launcher and Philanthropist, Prince Olatunji Olusoji who donated 5 million naira each.

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FATF Delist Nigeria From List of Global Financial Crime Countries

Bakari, who led the implementation of the reform plan, described the delisting as “a true test of Nigeria’s resilience, coordination, and unwavering commitment to reform.

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The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), has officially removed Nigeria from its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, also known as the grey list.

Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and South Africa were also removed from the grey list at the FATF October 2025 Plenary in Paris, France, following the countries’ successful implementation of a 19-point action plan aimed at strengthening their Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) frameworks.

The Director/CEO of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit , NFIU, Hafsat Bakar , announced the development on Friday.

She disclosed that Nigeria was placed on the grey list in February 2023 after the FATF identified strategic deficiencies in its AML/CFT systems.

Over the past two years, the Federal Government worked with the FATF and the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa to address the identified gaps through legislative reforms, institutional strengthening, and enhanced inter-agency coordination.

Key reforms cited by the FATF include the enactment and enforcement of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; the operationalisation of the Beneficial Ownership Register; and improved supervision of designated non-financial businesses and professions.

She emphasised that Nigeria had enhanced the capacity of its intelligence and law enforcement agencies to detect, investigate, and prosecute financial crimes, while deepening international cooperation and intelligence sharing.

“The NFIU is pleased to announce that the FATF, at its October 2025 Plenary in Paris, France, has officially removed Nigeria from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, commonly known as the grey list.

This milestone marks a historic moment in Nigeria’s fight against serious financial crimes.

The delisting of Nigeria underscores the country’s commitment to global standards in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.

“Nigeria has demonstrated a sustained commitment to financial transparency and integrity.

Key milestones include the enactment and enforcement of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; the operationalisation of the Beneficial Ownership Register, improving corporate transparency and accountability; implementation of stronger supervisory and preventive measures by public and private sector authorities to prevent abuse of Nigeria’s financial system; increased international cooperation and cross-border intelligence exchange with regional and global partners; and improved supervision of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions.”

She noted that a high-level Nigerian delegation — including the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Ministers of Finance and Interior, and the Director of the NFIU — represented the country at the plenary.

Bakari, who led the implementation of the reform plan, described the delisting as “a true test of Nigeria’s resilience, coordination, and unwavering commitment to reform.”

She commended President Bola Tinubu for his leadership and thanked key government institutions, the National Assembly, the judiciary, and the private sector for their roles in achieving the milestone.

Bakari urged all stakeholders to sustain the reform momentum to ensure Nigeria maintains compliance with global financial integrity standards.

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BREAKING: Tinubu Appoints New Service Chiefs in Major Security Shake-up

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In a significant move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national security framework, President Bola Tinubu has announced a major reshuffle in the leadership of the nation’s armed forces.

According to a statement from the Presidency, General Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa. Major-General W. Shaibu will now serve as Chief of Army Staff, while Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke assumes office as Chief of Air Staff. Rear Admiral I. Abbas has been named the new Chief of Naval Staff.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position.

President Tinubu, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expressed his profound appreciation to the outgoing Service Chiefs for their dedication and service to the nation.

He urged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by enhancing professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces.

The President’s directive states that all appointments take immediate effect.

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