News
State Governments Can Offset, Waive Minor Fines Owed By Inmates – Aregbesola
The Federal Government has revealed that state governors can offset or grant waivers to inmates with fines less than N1 million.
This is according to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, during the commissioning of a 20-bed space medical facility at Port Harcourt maximum security custodial centre.
Aregbesola said while the Federal Government is finding long time solutions to the challenge of prison decongestion, the State Government can in the meantime provide basic supports, like offsetting the meager fines and debts, building court houses at the correctional services premises or try the defendants virtually from the Correctional Centres for speedy determination of cases.
He held that some of the inmates are held behind bars for minor offences that can be easily waved by the states.
The Minister further stated that he recently asked the comptroller of Correctional centres to compile the list of inmates whose reason for incarceration is a fine or a debt not more than one million naira that are meant to be paid to the state governments.
According to him, about 5,000 inmates where shortlisted under this category and most of them have stayed long enough in the care of the Federal Government to consume foods worth more than they are supposed to pay as fines and debt to the states.
According to him, in Rivers State, there are about 22 of such inmates and the 22 of them are collectively owing a little above 3million naira, an amount he thinks the State Government can offset or wave for the inmates to be freed.
The minister noted that apart from reducing the financial burden on the Federal Government, such decisions by the state will also help in decongesting the correctional centres.
He said for instance, the Maximum facility in Port Harcourt was built 1,800 inmates, but as of May 12, 2023 the centre was holding 3,100 inmates.
While emphasizing that the situation in Port Harcourt is a reflection of the cases in most of the facilities across the country, the minister said Additionally, the Federal Government is building 6 mega facilities with at least 3,000 capacity in the six geopolitical zones to further decongest the existing facilities.
The one for the South-South is located in Bori in Khana Local Government Area of the Ogoni ethnic group in Rivers State.
News
Nigerian Press Urges FG, NASS to Act Swiftly Against ‘Big Tech Threat’
Major Nigerian media and journalism organizations have issued a strong call to the Federal Government (FG) and the National Assembly (NASS) to take immediate legislative and regulatory action against what they describe as an existential threat posed by Big Tech companies to the country’s information sovereignty and media industry.
In a joint statement released recently, leading press bodies—including key associations representing publishers, editors, and journalists—warned that unchecked dominance by global technology giants such as Google, Meta, and others is eroding Nigeria’s control over its digital information ecosystem.
They highlighted how these platforms dominate digital advertising revenue, divert traffic from traditional news sources, and increasingly use Nigerian-generated content to train artificial intelligence models without fair compensation or permission.
The groups emphasized that the situation risks surrendering Nigeria’s information sovereignty to foreign entities, potentially undermining national security, cultural values, and the economic viability of local media houses.
They pointed to declining revenues for publishers, with some facing up to 90% drops in traffic due to AI-generated summaries and algorithmic changes on search and social platforms.
The press bodies urged lawmakers to enact robust regulations, including frameworks for content remuneration, data usage restrictions, algorithmic transparency, and mechanisms to ensure fair competition in the digital space.
They called for urgent collaboration between the executive and legislature to address these challenges before irreversible damage occurs to Nigeria’s media landscape and democratic discourse.
This appeal comes amid broader global debates on Big Tech accountability and follows Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its digital economy governance, including recent pushes toward comprehensive AI and data regulations.
Stakeholders view the statement as a pivotal moment for protecting indigenous media in an era of rapid technological disruption.
The Federal Government and National Assembly have yet to issue an official response, but the call aligns with growing concerns over digital monopolies and their impact on developing economies.
Media experts anticipate intensified discussions in the coming weeks as Nigeria navigates its position in the global tech landscape.
News
US sends troops to Nigeria
The top commander made the confirmation during a press briefing, yesterday, but did not provide further details about the size and scope of their mission.
The general in charge of the U.S. command for Africa (AFRICOM), General Dagvin Anderson, confirmed that United States has sent troops to Nigeria.
The top commander made the confirmation during a press briefing, yesterday, but did not provide further details about the size and scope of their mission.
He emphasised that the decision to send troops to Nigeria was after both countries agreed that more needed to be done to combat the terrorist threat in West Africa.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” General Anderson said.
According to Reuters, Nigeria’s Defense Minister, Christopher Musa, confirmed that a team was working in Nigeria but did not provide further details.
The development is the first acknowledgment of U.S. forces on the ground since US airstrikes targeting terrorists in Nigeria’s North-West on Christmas Day, 2025.
President Donald Trump, who announced that he ordered the airstrikes on what he described as Islamic State targets, had said there could be more U.S. military action in Nigeria.
News
How To Treat Snake Bites
Snake bite is not a home -treatable condition; only hospital treatment can saves life.
Snake bite is not a home -treatable condition; only hospital treatment can saves life.
-
News1 day agoADAMS OSHIOMOLE: The Labour Leader Died
-
News1 day agoSenate Holds Closed-Door Session on Electoral Act Amendment Bill Committee Report
-
News1 day agoSenate Confirms Hon. Justice Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole as Supreme Court Justice
-
Politics2 days agoNNPP: Kwankwaso Never Negotiated APC Defection – ‘High Demands’ Claims Are Lies and Elite Plot
-
News1 day agoNanya’s Death: Senate Urges FG to Mandate Anti-Venom Stocking in Hospitals
-
Crime2 days agoFederal Government Arraigns Nine Suspects for Terrorism in Deadly Yelwata Attack
-
News1 day agoBenue @50: Gov Alia Immortalises Gen. Murtala Muhammed
-
Politics2 days agoAPC Slams ADC Over ‘Baseless’ Claims of Civil Servant Coercion in Membership Drive
