By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Enforcement on defaulters of the 2025 Land Use Charge (LUC) in Lagos State will soon commence after the release of the 2026 bills.

The Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Finance, Mr Tajudeen Mahmud Alao, has urged property owners to take advantage of the 15 per cent early payment discount by settling their bills within the stipulated period.

​“The Land Use Charge is not merely a statutory obligation; it is a civic responsibility that directly supports the growth and development of our state.

“Every payment made contributes to better roads, improved healthcare, quality education, enhanced security, and a cleaner environment.

“We urge all property owners to fulfil their obligations promptly and support the government’s vision for a Greater Lagos,” he said at the release of this year’s fees.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to the sustained delivery of critical infrastructure and essential public services across the state.

The Land Use Charge remains a vital revenue source that supports the development, maintenance, and upgrade of public infrastructure, including roads, healthcare facilities, schools, and security systems.

Taxpayer contributions have facilitated the successful delivery of transformative projects such as the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line and the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line, which are significantly improving urban mobility and reducing travel time across the metropolis.

These funds have also supported the construction and rehabilitation of strategic roads and bridges to ease traffic congestion and enhance connectivity, the expansion and modernisation of healthcare facilities to improve access to quality medical services, and strengthened security initiatives to ensure a safer environment for residents and businesses.

Payment for LUC can be made through internet banking, designated bank branches across the state, mobile payment via USSD codes, Point of Sale (POS) terminals available at LUC offices, the Lagos Online Assistant (LOLA) WhatsApp robotic payment platform +2348078441111, and Lagos Revenue Portal (LRP) on https://revenue.lagosstate.gov.ng/.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari of a 23-count charge of alleged non-declaration of assets filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Mr Kyari is being charged alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits to conceal the origin of some properties.

The court in its judgment held that the NDLEA failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove its case against the defendants, which is mostly the non-declaration of land properties.

Justice Omotosho noted that proving ownership of landed properties can be done through traditional history, title, acts of possession and possession by connection.

The prosecution did not provide any of these documents to show that the said properties located in Fountain Estate, Kasana, which belong to Ramatu Kyari, are truly owned by the police officer.

Also, the court held that the prosecution did not provide the same material evidence linking Mr Kyari to properties in Linda Choko Road, Asokoro and also Maiduguri in Borno State.

Mr Kyari, in his defense said the properties in Borno belonged to his father, which he left for him and his siblings.

It was judged that the prosecution did not prove otherwise, adding that the prosecution charged Mr Kyari’s brothers in bad faith for alleged conspiracy, which they failed to prove.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The chief executive of Netnaija Media Enterprises, Mr Emmanuel Analike, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

The suspect appeared before Justice Suleiman Liman on Wednesday over allegations bordering on copyright infringement.

He was accused by the NCC of using his online platform to make movies and others not belonging to him available for users to download on the internet.

According to the agency, Mr Analike has infringed copies of audio-visual materials distributed online via his website for online users. Netnaija is an online movie and music download site.

The prosecution counsel, Ms Gladys Isaac-Ojo, who works with the NCC, told the court that the defendant committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 44 (1) (a) of the Copyright Act, 2022.

However, Mr Analike pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him, prompting his counsel, Nnemeka Ejiofor, seek his bail.

The lawyer informed the court that the application was filed on Monday and supported by 23 paragraphs of affidavits and a written address.

But the judge refused to give a bench ruling and adjourned the ruling of the bail application to Monday, March 9, 2026, ordering the remand of the Netnaija chief in Kuje Correctional Centre.