General
Ambode To Construct More 288 Roads
By Dipo Olowookere
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has asked local council bosses in the state to submit to him more 288 roads in their localities for construction.
This is coming barely 48 hours after Mr Ambode commissioned 114 newly constructed roads across the state.
The Governor on Tuesday warned residents to resist the temptation to convert any of the newly constructed roads to venue for commercial purposes or parking lot for abandoned vehicles.
Speaking through his representatives at the various locations, Mr Ambode said that conversion of the roads to other uses other than for motorists would reduce its life span.
At the commissioning of Seriki Kemberi Road and Alhaji Rasak Street in Iba LCDA, the Governor was represented by Mr Oladele Adekanye, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos Chapter.
He lamented that some landlords in the state do not set aside space within their structures for parking, saying “rather, they ask their tenants to park on the road.
“Allowing heavy static load on the road will reduce the life span of the road. Good roads embellish the community. It would reduce flooding and residents would be able to live comfortably.”
Likewise, at the commissioning of Ojediran Shopitan and Taiwo Molajo streets both in Ikorodu West LCDA, Governor Ambode said illegal breaking of roads, usage as automobile workshop, as well as refuse dump, must stop henceforth on the new roads.
The Governor, who was represented by Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun at the commissioning of Ojediran Shopitan Street, noted that his government would not relent on its promise of an all inclusive government, boosting economic activities in the state, as well as guaranteeing safety of lives and properties of residents.
At Taiwo Molajo Street, member of the House of Assembly, Hon Abiodun Tobun who represented the Governor, urged residents to protect public utilities in their neighbourhood.
In Igando/Ikotun LCDA, the governor represented by Oba Onilado of Ilado, HRH Oba Mobadenle Oyekan, handed over newly constructed Osunba Street, near the Igando market in Alimosho area of the state.
Also commissioned in Igando/Ikotun LCDA by the Governor, represented by Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi of Igando, was Balogun Olanrewaju Road in Central Igando.
Sole Administrator of Igando/Ikotun LCDA, Mr Samuel Ajayi at the event, revealed that Governor Ambode had directed the 57 councils to submit 288 additional roads (four from each council) for construction consideration from 2017.
Mr Ajayi confirmed the receipt of a directive from Governor Ambode to submit four new roads for construction, a development he described as unprecedented in the history of Lagos.
At the commissioning of Apa Palace Road and Kweme Road both in Badagry West LCDA, Governor Ambode urged all stakeholders in the communities across the State to cultivate the habit of timely reportage of suspicious movement around them to security agencies to nip in the bud any potential security situation.
He said there was great need for community leaders to assist security agencies to address the menace of cultism, kidnapping, miscreants, vandalism and hoodlums by providing timely information.
Speaking through the Alapa of Apa Kingdom, HRM Oba Oyekan Adekanmi Ajose and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Badagry Constituency I, Mr Olanrewaju Layode, Governor Ambode said the 114 roads initiative was in fulfilment of the social pact which he signed with the people during the electioneering and his inaugural speech of running a system in which the “greatest good shall reach the greater majority of the people.”
In Eti-Osa Local Government Area, the Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Sports, Mr Deji Tinubu, commissioned Ologolo Road, while Hon. Tajudeen Olusi did likewise at the Oba Elegushi Road, Ilasan.
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Folami who represented Governor Ambode at the commissioning of Oribanwa to Lakowe Link Road in Ibeju Lekki Local Government said the 114 roads was a phenomenal achievement in the history of Lagos State.
At the handover of Iberekodo Road in Eleko, also in Ibeju Lekki, Governor Ambode who spoke through a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulkabir Aiyeola urged residents to ensure that the infrastructure stands the test of time.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun and Chairman, Health Service Commission, Dr. Bayo Adeniyi who both represented Governor Ambode at the commissioning of Thomas Street and Evans Street, both in Lagos Island East Local Government respectively said the roads more roads in the area would be given a facelift next year.
Governor Ambode also inaugurated Coker/Lafenwa Street and Ifoshi/Fadu Street in Ejigbo LCDA, and was represented by Professor Tunde Samuel, a former Special Adviser on Education and Kehinde Bamigbetan, his Special Adviser on Communities and Communication.
Similarly, the Governor also commissioned Balogun Street, Kuje and Dillion Street, both in Oriade LCDA and Omoalade Alafia and Oloruntoyin/Jebina Streets in Bariga Local Government, where he was represented by Alhaja Ali Ogundeji, Chairman, Ojo Community Development Council, Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi, member House of Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Abiru and Mr Sanya Ajayi respectively.
General
Afenifere Chieftain Ayo Adebanjo Dies at 96

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A chieftain of a Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has died at the age of 96.
The elder statesman died on Friday morning at his Lekki residence in Lagos, a statement from his family confirmed.
He was said to have peacefully breathed his last today. A condolence register has been opened at his residence in Lagos and his country home in Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
“With a heart full of gratitude for a selfless life spent in the service of God, the nation and humanity, we announce the passing on of our beloved patriarch, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo.
“He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025 at his Lekki, Lagos Nigeria home at the age of 96.
“The foremost nationalist, elder statesman, distinguished lawyer, very distinct politician, apostle of true federalism, former organising secretary of Action Group and the national leader of Afenifere is survived by his 94 year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity and justice. His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total and this he fought for until he breathed his last breath.
“The family is consulting with Papa’s friends, associates, and numerous interest groups across the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond, to fine tune plans for a befitting funeral details which will be communicated in due course,” the statement read.
General
Nigerian Lawmakers Asked $150m Bribe in Crypto—Binance Executive Gambaryan

By Dipo Olowookere
One of the Binance executives detained by the Nigerian government last year, Mr Tigran Gambaryan, has alleged that a few members of the House of Representatives demanded bribe to the tune of $150 million in cryptocurrency from the crypto exchange.
In a lengthen post on his page on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday, he confirmed reports of bribery against the Nigerian officials, who met with employees of Binance in 2024.
Recall that Mr Gambaryan regained freedom last year after several months in detention after he honoured an invitation from the federal government through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), headed by Mr Nuhu Ribadu.
Binance was accused of being used to manipulate the local currency, the Naira, and was forced to delist the currency from its platform, especially for peer-to-peer (P2P) trading.
Narrating what transpired when he engaged Nigerian officials, Mr Gambaryan alleged that Mr Ribadu, who once headed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), also wanted money from Binance to pursue his future political career, probably the highest political office.
Below is his unedited narration;
The DSS was involved in the House of Representatives matter. We met with them at their office on Friday, January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to our meeting with the House of Representatives. They alluded to the fact that we had to comply with whatever the House members instructed us to do.
At the House meeting, there were three members present. Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. There was a third House member, but I don’t recall his name. They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in. As you may already know, this ended with them asking for a $150 million bribe, paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets. A Mickey Mouse operation at its best.
@NuhuRibadu invited us to the official meeting and worked through Sa’ad Abubakar. Another key figure in this situation was Hamma Adama Belloji. Ogunjobi was just a pawn; they used him too. This was a sold as a friendly meeting with the NSA, the head of the SEC, and the CBN governor and include the discussion of the bribe that was solicited by the house of representatives.
The $26 billion figure they kept pushing publicly as some mystery money escaping Nigeria is complete BS. This information was provided in response to their request and was simply cumulative trade data for Nigerians on the platform. This money didn’t leave Nigeria—it was just people buying and selling crypto. For example, if you trade $100 a hundred times, that’s $10,000 in trade volume, but in reality, you only used $100. Again, just another example of them lying to cover up their BS investigation.
They lied about Nadeem escaping during mosque prayers. In reality, he returned and escaped afterward. I don’t know exactly how he managed to flee. He emailed me in November, but we haven’t discussed the details of his escape. It’s possible he paid someone off, but I have no proof. If Belloji had simply checked his passport for a visa, he would have realized that Nadeem did not use that passport to travel to Nigeria.
They sent a letter to the U.S. Embassy and the British High Commission, falsely claiming that we were voluntarily participating in strategic talks. This was a blatant lie.
Nadeem did not escape lawful detention—we were being held illegally. Belloji even admitted that he would fabricate evidence to obtain a court order to detain us for 14 days. Once the court order expired, they were unable to get an extension from the judge. At that point, they continued holding us illegally and had no justification for doing so.
There was a lot of noise about using Interpol to capture Nadeem. As someone who has been involved in multiple extradition cases, I can confidently say this was a joke. Extradition is a lengthy legal process, and no rational judge in Kenya or wherever would ever approve extradition for someone who escaped illegal detention at the hands of rogue law enforcement—especially when that detention involved holding employees hostage to pressure their employer. All noise.
They tried to use us to violate international privacy laws by demanding user data on all Nigerians to target opposition members allegedly “manipulating the price of the naira.” However, they all knew that the naira’s devaluation was a direct result of Tinubu’s monetary policy, which depegged the naira from the dollar. I’m not saying this policy decision was wrong, but everyone understood that removing government intervention would lead to extreme devaluation. Instead of acknowledging this, they used Binance as a scapegoat.
They also detained innocent EFCC detectives who weren’t even present when Nadeem “escaped.” If anyone should have been detained, it was Belloji, for multiple basic law enforcement failures, incompetence, and negligence- including:
.Failing to search our belongings
.Not checking passports for visas
.Neglecting to coordinate with immigration to issue travel restrictions or alerts
.Mismanaging the situation internationally, creating an unnecessary diplomatic crisis
We had a strong working relationship with Nigerian law enforcement, but their greed destroyed all cooperation between Nigeria and the entire industry.
They even threatened administrators at Nizamiya Hospital, instructing them not to admit me when I was extremely ill. Additionally, they pressured the hospital to withhold my medical records from my attorneys. This was later confirmed by the Turkish Ministry of Health when my friend met with their officials in Turkey.
Ribadu emphasized that he wanted billions in payouts to fund his future political ambition. However, when the corruption scandal came to light, he was trapped—because any settlement would now be perceived as a bribe. I guess he really wanted his boss’ job 🙂
Ribadu even hired a U.S. law firm to negotiate my release, but this failed due to their incompetence and greed. Looking at you Idayat Hassan.
Ribadu overstepped his authority and embarrassed Nigeria in front of U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Ribadu acting like an asshole angered the White House and led to diplomatic repercussions—the U.S. limited visas to the Nigerian delegation for UNGA, and Biden refused to meet with Tinubu until my situation was resolved.
In the end, Ribadu overestimated his influence. They thought they could secure a quick win, but instead, they created an international incident, exposing his incompetence on a global scale.
That’s it’s for me for now. I don’t want to dwell on this, but it’s important for Nigerians to get the facts. I met amazing people in Nigeria. It’s a shame that these muppets are in charge.
General
Oil Spills: Niger Delta Communities Urge Shell to Take Responsibility

By Adedapo Adesanya
Niger Deltans have once again called on Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) to take responsibility for environmental damage in the communities caused by oil spills as their lawsuit hearing brought against the British oil major began at the High Court in London, the United Kingdom.
Thousands of members of the Ogale and Bille communities are suing Shell and its Nigerian subsidiary SPDC over oil spills in the Niger Delta.
King Godwin Bebe Okpabi, the leader of the Ogale community in the Niger Delta, on Thursday called on the oil major to remediate the damage, which he said had “destroyed our way of life”.
Years of oil spills have caused widespread environmental damage, which has destroyed the livelihood of millions in the local farming and fishing communities and also impacted their health.
The king said Shell had made billions of dollars in Nigeria – which he called “blood money” – and had a moral responsibility to prevent and remediate oil spills.
“As we speak, people are dying in Ogale, my community,” he said. “It is sad that Shell will now want to take us through this very expensive, very troublesome trial, claiming one technicality or the other,” he told Reuters.
He was speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London ahead of a four-week hearing to determine issues of Nigerian law and whether Shell can be held liable for oil spills caused by third-party interference, ahead of a further trial in 2026.
On its part, Shell said the vast majority of spills were caused by illegal third-party interference, such as pipeline sabotage and theft, which is rife in the Niger Delta.
A Shell spokesperson told the publication that the litigation “does little to address the real problem in the Niger Delta: oil spills due to theft, illegal refining and sabotage, which cause the most environmental damage”.
Shell’s lawyers said in court filings that SPDC recognises it is obliged to compensate those harmed by oil spills even if SPDC is not at fault, but not where it has already done so or where spills were caused by “the malicious acts of third parties”.
The case, parts of which began nearly a decade ago, has already been to the UK’s Supreme Court, which ruled in 2021 that the case should be heard in the English courts.
The lawsuit is the latest example of multinationals being sued in London for the acts of overseas subsidiaries, following a landmark 2019 ruling in a separate case.
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