News
JUST IN: Senator Ningi Resumes Plenary After Three Months Suspension
The lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Senator Abdul Ningi, has resumed his legislative duties in the upper chamber after a three-month suspension.
He was suspended in March over budget padding claims.
But on Tuesday, Ningi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, was sighted at the National Assembly premises in Abuja being driven in his black Toyota Landcruiser Jeep.
Approaching the NASS gate, he stopped briefly to exchange pleasantries with journalists who were on the ground to welcome him back.
“Members of the press, thank you very much,” the excited lawmaker told them. “I got all your messages.”
When asked if he enjoyed his leave, the senator replied saying: “Very much.”
Recall Process
The senator was recalled on May 28, after a process was initiated by Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, who expressed regret on behalf of the suspended lawmaker. He pledged to assume full responsibility for Ningi’s actions, acknowledging the gravity of the suspension.
The senator’s conduct during the period of suspension has been a matter of scrutiny and debate within the legislative body.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the unconditional recall of Ningi after a brief plea by some lawmakers.
Akpabio emphasised the senator’s resourcefulness, and described him as a valued member of the Senate, adding that the decision to recall Ningi transcends religious and ethnic divides.
Ningi was recalled some two weeks to the end of his three-month suspension which is supposed to terminate on June 12, 2024.
History
On March 12, 2024, the Senate suspended Ningi over an allegation of N3.7trn padding of the 2024 Budget.
Ningi, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Bauchi Central Senatorial District, was suspended for three months after a long stormy session in the red chamber.
Akpabio, who had described Ningi’s offences as “grievous”, conducted a voice vote during which most of the lawmakers voted in support of Ningi’s suspension for three months.
Ningi’s Allegations
In an interview, Ningi claimed that the Federal Government was operating two versions of the 2024 budget, and that the N28.7trn Budget passed and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu was skewed against the North.
As a result, many Senators and the presidency pounced on Ningi, describing his claims as “far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status”.
Ningi would later deny saying that the country was operating two budgets, however, insisted that only N25trn of the budget was tied to projects while N3.7trn had no project tied to it.
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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