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Court to Rule on Continuation of Emefiele’s Case Wednesday

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emefiele released kuje prison

By Adedapo Adesanya

The embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, who is standing trial on a 19-count bordering on receiving gratification and corrupt demand, will know whether or not his case will continue on Wednesday, February 26.

A Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos under Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned for ruling after Mr Emefiele’s counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), asked the judge to recuse himself from the trial, citing bias.

Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Kazeem Gbadamosi representing Mr Emefiele’s co-defendant, Mr Henry Omoile, also made a similar request.

Mr Emefiele is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the charges alongside his co-defendant, Mr Omoile, who is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.

At the proceedings on Monday, the EFCC lead counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), concluded the evidence-in-chief of a former personal assistant to the CBN governor, Mr Adetola John.

Mr Oyedepo reminded the witness of his earlier testimony in November 2024, where he stated that he received the sum of $400,000 cash from the former director of the ICT Department, Mr John Ayoh, and handed it over to Mr Emefiele in his office.

The witness, Mr Adetola, at the time, had also said that he managed office correspondence and visitors of the former CBN governor in Lagos while one Mr Eric Odoh, the personal assistant to the CBN governor in Abuja did the same in the FCT office of the CBN.

Mr Oyedepo also asked the witness to confirm a WhatsApp message from Mr Odoh which was printed from his phone by the EFCC investigators.

The defence team objected to this line of questioning on the grounds that the document was solely meant for identification and was not an exhibit before the court. They also argued that the witness could not read or speak into the document.

Justice Oshodi overruled the defence team and allowed the witness to read from the document marked for identification.

The judge cited Section 224 of the Evidence Act, which permits leading questions concerning introductory facts or undisputed matters

After this procedure, the lead defence counsel, Mr Ojo, expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s decision. Rather than commence their cross-examination of the witness, through oral applications, they unanimously asked the court to recuse itself on the allegation of bias.

Mr Ojo argued that by the judge’s ruling, the court‘s decision was that the witness had already proven that the $400,000 collected by Mr Adetola was delivered.

He also contended that this premature conclusion made it impossible for the defence to cross-examine the witness fairly.

He, then, requested that Justice Oshodi recuse himself from further hearings.

In his response, the EFCC counsel, Mr Oyedepo opposed their applications, saying it is a form of delay tactics.

Justice Oshodi adjourned till February 26 to rule on the submissions.

Earlier in the proceedings, Emefiele’s counsel had informed the judge of another application seeking permission to allow the former CBN governor to appeal the court’s ruling delivered on January 8, 2025, assuming jurisdiction to hear the case.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Lagos Seals Radio Station, Others for Noise Pollution

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Wise FM Lagos

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A radio station, Wise FM, has been sealed by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

The premises of the broadcast media platform, located on Ogabi Street, Meiran, Ile-Iwe Bus Stop, were shut by the state government on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, alongside other establishments across different parts of Lagos State for alleged persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and opportunities provided for compliance.

In a statement by LASEPA, it was disclosed that the enforcement exercise was carried out in response to various environmental infractions, including noise pollution, air pollution, obstruction of official duties, and failure to comply with its directives.

As regards Wise FM, it was said that it was sealed for noise and air pollution as well as non-compliance with the Agency’s directives.

Another organisation affected, Star-View Terrace, located in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, was shut down for noise pollution and non-compliance with the agency’s directives, while Premiership Suites, located at Akin Osiyemi Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, was sealed for non-compliance with the agency’s directives.

Speaking on the enforcement operation, the General Manager of LASEPA, Mr Babatunde Ajayi, reiterated the organisation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment across Lagos State.

He stressed that both individuals and corporate organisations have a responsibility to comply with environmental laws and regulations, stressing that environmental protection remains a collective duty that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.

The LASEPA boss warned that the agency would continue to intensify enforcement actions against violators in order to curb environmental nuisances and protect residents from the harmful effects of pollution.

Mr Ajayi urged residents, business owners, and operators of commercial establishments to adopt environmentally responsible practices and cooperate with regulatory authorities in promoting a healthier, cleaner, and more livable Lagos.

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LPPC Temporarily Strips Mike Ozekhome of SAN Title

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mike ozekhome SAN title

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Renowned legal practitioner, Mr Mike Ozekhome, has been directed to desist from using the prestigious title of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for now pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings against him.

He is being investigated by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), a body which looks into complaints against lawyers in Nigeria.

Announcing the suspension of the prominent lawyer’s SAN rank on Thursday, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr Kabir Akanbi, said the disciplinary action was taken at the committee’s 173rd general meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Mr Akanbi, who doubles as the Secretary of the LPPC, stated in the statement that the temporary ban is intended to safeguard the integrity, dignity, and prestige of the SAN rank while the matters under review are being considered.

It was explained that the suspension was pursuant to Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all Matters Pertaining to the Rank, adding that it is tied to disciplinary proceedings currently before the Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee of the LPPC and other related proceedings.

“The LPPC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and discipline within the legal profession and to ensuring that the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria continues to command public confidence and respect,” a part of the notice disclosed.

It stressed that, “Mike Ozekhome shall refrain from parading himself, presenting himself, or otherwise holding himself out as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings.”

The title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is the highest honour bestowed upon legal practitioners in the country, recognising excellence and long-standing contributions to the legal profession. The LPPC is the statutory body empowered to award and withdraw the rank.

Mr Ozekhome is one of Nigeria’s famous constitutional lawyers, human rights activists, and public commentators, but lately, his name was mentioned in an alleged forgery in the United Kingdom.

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Senate Passes State Police Bill

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Senate Petroleum Industry Bill

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The bill seeking to establish state police in Nigeria was on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, passed by the Senate during a plenary presided over by the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio.

The piece of legislation was passed today after more than two-thirds of the lawmakers in the red chamber of the National Assembly voted in support via a manual voting process involving the raising of hands.

Before the passage at the plenary, the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, Mr Barau Jibrin, presented the panel’s report to his colleagues.

According to him, the bill will transform policing in the country and boost security, as it allows the sub-nationals to create their own policing system.

The bill provides for the Federal Police Service to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police, while the State Police Service will be led by a Commissioner of Police, who will be appointed by the governor of the state, subject to confirmation by the state’s House of Assembly.

To prevent the misuse of state police against political opponents or critics, ensuring that any action taken against such individuals or groups complies with due process and existing laws, the bill prohibits the Commissioner of Police of a state from arresting, detaining, investigating, or deploying force against any critic of the state governor, except in accordance with the law.

After the clauses of the bill were considered at the Committee of the Whole, the bill was passed and will be transmitted to the President for assent into law.

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