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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
BREAKING: Kano House of Assembly Commences Impeachment Process Against Deputy Governor
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo (also referred to as Abdulsalam Aminu Gwarzo).
The move, announced during plenary on Thursday, March 5, 2026, follows allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, breach of public trust, and financial impropriety.
These reportedly include claims of receiving kickbacks from the state’s 44 local government councils during his earlier tenure as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs between 2023 and 2024, with some reports citing sums exceeding ₦1.6 billion.
Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini Dala presented and read the impeachment notice on the floor of the House, in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which governs the removal of a governor or deputy governor for gross misconduct.
The Speaker, Ismail Falgore, confirmed that the notice has been formally served on the deputy governor, granting him a two-week period to respond to the allegations before further steps are taken.
This development comes amid political tensions in the state, where the deputy governor has remained in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and has not aligned with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recent move to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reports indicate he has been absent from government house activities and interactions with the governor.
The Assembly has emphasized that the process will follow constitutional procedures, and the deputy governor has the opportunity to defend himself against the charges.
BELOW ARE THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE KANO STATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR:
The petition lists the following allegations:Breach of Public Trust: Abdulsalam is accused of diverting funds meant for local government administrations for personal gain. Between June 2023 and January 2024, he allegedly received kickbacks totaling ₦462 million over seven months.
Diversion of Funds and Misuse of Official Capacity: From February 2024 to July 2024, he reportedly received ₦726 million from local government councils under the guise of executing special assignments.
Abuse of Office: Abdulsalam allegedly facilitated the improper release of ₦440 million to North Med Pharmaceutical Limited, in violation of public procurement laws and state fiscal regulations.
Gross Misconduct: These actions are said to constitute gross misconduct under Section 188(2) of the Constitution, representing serious breaches of constitutional norms and ethical standards for public office holders.
News
BREAKING: President Tinubu Suspends FAAN cashless Payment Policy
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s cashless payment policy, four days after it was introduced.
The policy, launched on the first of March by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, required electronic payments for airport access gates, parking and lounges.
However, its rollout triggered severe traffic congestion at key hubs, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, with long queues reported and some passengers missing flights.
Speaking after the Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the President had directed that the policy be halted and reviewed.
He said the ministry and FAAN would temporarily return to a hybrid arrangement allowing cash payments and the use of prepaid FAAN cards already issued.
Mr Keyamo said the President remains committed to a fully electronic revenue collection system but directed that the review should be completed quickly to restore efficiency at airport entry points.
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Tinubu Swears In Olatunji Disu as IGP, Chairs First 2026 FEC Meeting (Photos)
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP), marking a key leadership transition in the Nigeria Police Force. The ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja, shortly before the President presided over the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of 2026.

Disu, who had been serving in an acting capacity following his appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council, took the oath of office at approximately 2:53 p.m. The swearing-in followed his unanimous endorsement as the 23rd IGP.

In his first remarks after the oath, the new IGP disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force is actively monitoring potential security implications from the escalating crisis in the Middle East. He emphasized that intelligence-led policing efforts are underway, with heightened surveillance, patrols, and deployments across the country to prevent any spillover effects or breakdown of law and order.

Disu highlighted awareness of certain groups in Nigeria that maintain allegiances or ideological ties to actors in the Middle East (often referred to in contexts as the “eastern part of the world”). He warned that developments in the region could have local repercussions and stated that the Force is engaging such groups to ensure no one takes the law into their own hands.
On the contentious issue of state policing, Disu reaffirmed that it “has come to stay” and should not be viewed as a threat to the jobs or roles of federal police officers. Instead, he described it as a collaborative partnership to bolster overall national security. To address this, he announced the inauguration of a high-ranking committee (comprising senior officers) to examine the matter from the Nigeria Police Force’s perspective, review global and local policing models, assess community needs, and guide the implementation process.
The events underscore the administration’s focus on security reforms amid regional and domestic challenges, as Tinubu’s government kicks off its 2026 agenda with renewed leadership at the helm of the police force.
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