News
Olumide Akpata Settles For Politics Without Bitterness, Unfolds New Focus
Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, the Candidate of the Labour Party, Edo 2024 Election, has resolved not to challenge the recent election
results before the election petitions tribunal, preempting negative outcomes.
Akpata also dismissed as falses, the swirling rumours and whispered insinuations that he has some sort of secret or backroom alliance with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I want to be crystal clear: these allegations are not just false; they are a malicious attempt to tarnish my reputation and the principles I stand for.
These rumours are not just an attack on me but on the collective aspirations of every Edo citizen yearning for genuine change,” he said.
The Nigerian Bar Association’s President says he is redirecting his energies and resources toward grassroots mobilisation and advocacy for electoral reform including rebirth of democracy in Edo State and Nigeria
In a message to his supporters and other key stakeholders, Akpata, says: ” After extensive deliberations with my legal team and key stakeholders, I have made the decision not to challenge the recent election results before the tribunal.
This choice, borne out of deep reflection and rigorous analysis, transcends mere political calculation.
It is a statement on the state of our democracy and a clarion call for all who cherish the principles of free and fair elections.
As a legal practitioner with over three decades of experience, alongside my deputy, a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria, we have scrutinised every facet of this election.
Our conclusion, reached after we had consulted with some of the nation’s finest legal minds, is not just about the outcome of a single election but about the very foundations of our democratic process.
The irregularities that marred this election – from brazen vote-buying to questionable collation procedures – are symptomatic of a deeper malaise afflicting our electoral system.
These are not mere technical infractions but fundamental breaches of the social contract between the government and
the governed.
My decision not to approach the tribunal is not a capitulation to injustice but
a resolute stand against a flawed system.
I choose to rise above the quagmire
of protracted legal battles that sometimes serve to legitimise a fundamentally
compromised process.
Instead, I commit myself to the arduous but necessary task of systemic reform.
Our fight transcends the confines of a courtroom; it is a battle for the very soul of our democracy.
The stark reality we face is this: Nigeria’s electoral adjudication framework has
become a labyrinth where justice is often lost to technicalities.
The burden of proof placed on petitioners is not just high; it is often insurmountable. Moreover, the custodianship of crucial electoral materials by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is itself a necessary party and defendant in election petitions, presents practical challenges in building a compelling case within stipulated time frames.
These factors, combined with my vision for a more robust democratic framework, have informed my strategic decision to focus on grassroots mobilisation and advocacy for electoral reform.”
An angry mob has set a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus on fire after it reportedly crushed a commercial motorcyclist to death at Ogolonto Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road in Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 16, 2026. Eyewitness accounts and social media reports indicate that the motorcyclist was riding alone along the restricted BRT lane when the collision happened. He died at the scene.
Enraged residents and youths then attacked the bus driver and set the vehicle ablaze. Police officers and officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), who were nearby, intervened promptly and rescued the driver unharmed.
The identity of the deceased motorcyclist and the exact circumstances of the crash had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report. It was also unclear whether any arrests had been made in connection with the burning of the bus.
News
ARISE News Wins Seven Honours At Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards
The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.
• ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female)
ARISE News has emerged as one of the major winners at the just ended Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA).
ARISE News won seven honours across television broadcasting, news reporting, presentation and production during the ceremony.
The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.
The network’s flagship breakfast programme, The Morning Show, also won the Best TV Talk Show award, further strengthening its recognition in television broadcasting.
ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female).
Rufai Oseni was named Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Male), while Vimbai Mutinhiri-Ekpeyong received the Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Female) award.
The recognition extended to the network’s newsroom, with Ovieteme George winning Best TV News Reporter (Male) for his contributions to television news reporting.
Behind the camera, Sam Adeyemi received the Best Camera Operator/Cinematographer award, recognising his work in television production and visual storytelling.
News
Meta removes 3.7 million accounts in West Africa scam crackdown
The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has removed more than 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups linked to suspected scam networks operating in West Africa.
The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.
The company announced the crackdown in a statement on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. It involved 14 technology companies and law enforcement agencies from 10 countries.
The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency coordinated the operation with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies. Nigerian authorities were involved.
Other countries included Ghana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India.Tech companies that took part included Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Coinbase, Starlink and Adobe.
Meta said the partnership let participants share intelligence across digital platforms, countries and financial systems to identify criminal networks.
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