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Osun State Government, Adeleke, Senator Basiru in War of words

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The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has accused former Senator Ajibola Basiru of planning to orchestrate mayhem in the state.

Senator Basiru represented Osun Central Senatorial District at the 9th Senate and was also the Senate spokesperson.

In a statement signed by Olawale Rasheed for the Osun government, Governor Adeleke declared Basiru a direct threat to the peace of the state.

The statement also accused the former Senator of importing unauthorised policemen into the state to create confusion and mayhem to disturb the state’s peace.

Rasheed in the statement said the ex-lawmaker had submitted names of top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and that of the state government to the police so as to cause instability and tension in Osun.

“We urgently bring to the attention of the Inspector General of Police, the State Commissioner of Police and the general public that former Senator Ajibola Bashiru has imported some unauthorized policemen into Osun State to create confusion, mayhem and destabilise the peace and stability of the state.

“The former Senator is reported to have submitted a list of top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party and Osun State government for arrest on trumped up charges. We reliably gathered that the Osogbo-born politician is personally coordinating the team in gross violation of extant laws and practice of law enforcement.

“We call on the Inspector General of Police to order the immediate withdrawal of such policemen as their invitation under the control of a politician constitutes a grave threat to the peace and stability of Osun state. We urge the Commissioner of Police to urgently look into the matter before a breach of peace across the state.

“We use this medium to inform Osun people that the said Senator is today a direct threat to the peace of the state. At a time when the state is witnessing a return to good governance, it is reprehensible for any stakeholder to decide to create mayhem and instability.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke hereby restates his resolve to tackle this matter headlong and ensure that no individual no matter how highly placed is allowed to plunge the state into conflict.”

Reacting swiftly, Senator Basiru in a personally signed statement expressed disbelief that the statement emanated from the state government.

Noting that illiteracy is a disease, Basiru maintained that the accusations by the state government were ridiculous.

Basiru also revealed that he has instructed his lawyers to consider possible legal action against the Governor’s spokesperson for defamation of character.

“That I sympathize with Osun people for allowing comedians to get close to the government house in Osogbo. They are obviously jittery already that our party, the APC, will kick out their incompetent government in 2026.

“Obviously, illiteracy is a disease! The accusations by the governor are ridiculous, baseless and could only come from such unserious quarters.

“If indeed, Jackson Adeleke is concerned with the peace of the state, he should immediately hand over the Police declared criminals that he is harbouring at the Country home in Ede.

“If the intention of Adeleke and his minions is to harass or intimidate me, they are embarking of a failed venture.”

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NGE Accuses NBC of “Dangerous” Threat to Press Freedom Ahead of Elections

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The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has strongly condemned the recent threat by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction broadcast presenters for allegedly airing personal opinions or bullying guests, describing the move as a dangerous assault on press freedom and democratic accountability.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, signed by President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, the body of editors raised “grave concern” over the NBC’s directive, which warned stations against breaches of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly in news and political programming.

While acknowledging the NBC’s stated goal of improving professional standards, the NGE argued that the commission’s language is “vague and broadly worded,” creating significant room for subjective interpretation and misuse.

“We consider such a move dangerous and injurious to journalism. It amounts to a direct assault on the principles of press freedom, editorial independence and democratic accountability,” the statement read.

“The Guild maintained that the role of journalists is to probe, challenge inconsistencies, and demand accountability, rather than providing a “comfort zone” for public officials. “Democracy does not thrive on timid journalism, but on bold, responsible, and fact-driven interrogation of issues and personalities,” the editors stated.

Warning Ahead of ElectionsWith Nigeria approaching a new election cycle, the NGE warned that the threat of sanctions could weaponize the broadcasting code, encouraging self-censorship and inhibiting the watchdog role of the media.

“This responsibility demands that journalists ask tough, even uncomfortable, questions in the public interest,” the NGE added, vowing that the Nigerian press will not be intimidated in its duty to report without fear or favour.

The Guild urged the regulator to operate with transparency, distinguishing between genuine misconduct and the legitimate exercise of journalistic duty.

The NGE’s stance follows a recent surge in criticism from media rights groups against the NBC’s latest regulatory crackdown.

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Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu: Witness Discloses How Police Rounded Up Assailants‎‎

This prompted an adjournment until Thursday, 23 April, for conclusion of the evidence-in-chief for the third prosecution witness and for cross-examination.‎

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The trial of the eleven defendants linked to the murder of Arise News journalist and anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu during a robbery at her apartment continued Tuesday with the third prosecution witness giving details of how arrests were made.

‎‎During proceedings at the High Court of the FCT sitting in Jabi, Maxwell Eje, an Assistant Superintendent of Police and member of the Scorpion Squad, CID-FCT Command, said that the arrest of the defendants began with Shamsu Hassan.‎‎

The police discovered, on 30 September 2025, that Hassan had fled to Zaria, Kaduna State after the robbery at Unique Apartments in Katampe a day earlier, during which Miss Maduagwu jumped to her death from her three-storey apartment.‎‎

ASP Eje informed the court that Shamsu Hassan admitted to the crime and agreed to cooperate with the authorities to disclose the hideout of others.‎‎

Hassan informed on Sani Surajo, who was receiving treatment at an unnamed hospital in Gosa, a suburb along the airport road in Abuja.‎‎

Surajo was shocked at the sight of the Scorpion Squad operatives at the hospital, the witness said.‎‎

He too agreed to cooperate and assist with useful information on the whereabouts of others who took part in the robbery.‎‎

The witness testimony of ASP Maxwell Eje did not reach cross-examination as Dennis Abu, counsel for the seventh to eleventh defendants—who also held brief for counsel to the first and third defendants—sought leave of the judge, Mohammed Idris, to attend a medical appointment.‎‎

This prompted an adjournment until Thursday, 23 April, for conclusion of the evidence-in-chief for the third prosecution witness and for cross-examination.‎

The prosecutor had earlier informed the court that he had two witnesses available at the start of Tuesday’s proceedings.‎‎

The FCT Police Commissioner instituted the lawsuit against the 11 defendants charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder in connection with the 29 September 2025 armed robbery at Unique Apartments in Katampe, Abuja, during which Arise News anchor/journalist Somtochukwu “Sommie” Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami were killed.‎

The trial began on 10 February 2026 after earlier delays due to the absence of defendants or other issues.‎

The first prosecution witness, Sani Yusuf, a civil engineer and former resident of Unique Apartments, and the second, Fatou Toborteh, another former resident, have so far testified about the events of 29 September.‎

Both described masked armed assailants raiding apartments but stated they could not identify any of the 11 defendants (who were masked during the attack).‎

The defendants are Shamsu Hassan, Sani Surajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, and Suleiman Badamosi.

Others are Zaradeen Mohammed, Musa Umar ‘Aka’ Small, Mashikur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman.‎

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Edun, Dangiwa quit Tinubu’s cabinet * Oyedele becomes Finance Minister

Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the memberships of the Federal Executive Council.

In a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.

Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.

Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.

The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”

Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).

The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.

The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”

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