NEWS
JUST IN: Oba Ogunwusi Prevails On Babalola To Withdraw Suit Against Farotimi
Following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, legal icon and elder statesman, Afe Babalola has expressed readiness to withdraw his criminal defamation suit against rights activist, Dele Farotimi.
Recall that Babalola had sued Farotimi in an Ado Ekiti Magistrates’ Court following Farotimi’s publication of a book which allegedly defamed him.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Babalola’s decision to withdraw his suit followed the visit to him by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Sunday night.
ALSO READ: SERAP Takes Legal Action Against FG Over 50% Telecom Tariff Hike
It was gathered that the visit by the royal father to the elder statesman’s residence at Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) was to persuade him to withdraw the suit.
The Ooni, who arrived at ABUAD at about 10.30 pm, was accompanied by other top Yoruba traditional rulers.
Traditional rulers, who came in company with the Ooni, included the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti and Olojudo of Ido- Ekiti among others.
Consequently, Babalola said he had received several letters as well as calls on the issue from eminent Nigerians asking him to withdraw the suit.
Other national leaders who had visited Babalola in this regard included Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Hassan Kukah.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said he had no choice than to succumb to the latest pleas by the visiting traditional rulers.
He stressed that he had nothing to gain in Farotimi being jailed.
Babalola assured the traditional rulers that he would direct his lawyers to withdraw the case.
Earlier, the Ooni had said Yoruba leaders and the traditional institution had been following the development keenly.
The traditional ruler said that he and others resolved to intervene so that Babalola,” can pardon his son, Farotimi.”
He commended the legal icon for building his integrity over the years and urged him not to relent following the development.
According to the NAN the meeting ended at about midnight.
Recall that Babalola recently dragged Farotimi before an Ekiti Magistrates’ court, claiming criminal defamation in the latter’s controversial book,” Nigeria and its Criminal Justice system.”
The court granted Farotimi N30 million bail.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will not approve admissions for the Law programme at several Nigerian universities for the 2025/2026 academic session.
This follows a suspension order from the Council of Legal Education (CLE) regarding the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme at the affected institutions.
In a statement released on Wednesday, JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that no admissions would be granted to candidates seeking to enroll in Law programmes at the universities listed below.
READ MORE: NLC Declares Nationwide Protest Over Telecom Tariff Hike
The suspension is part of ongoing measures to regulate and standardize legal education in the country.
Benjamin stated, “JAMB will not approve any admissions for candidates seeking to enroll in the Law programme at the affected universities for the 2025/2026 academic session.”
The institutions impacted by the suspension include:
Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State
- Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State
- Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State
- Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State
- Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State
- Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
- Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State
Furthermore, the Nigerian Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State, will see its Law programme suspended for an extended period.
Benjamin further elaborated, “Please note that the suspension of the Law programme at the Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, will last for two academic sessions: specifically, the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sessions.”
JAMB has urged prospective students to take note of these changes when making their application decisions for the upcoming academic year.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans for a nationwide protest on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in response to a recent telecommunications tariff hike.
The protest comes after the Federal Government approved a 50% increase, following telecom operators’ initial request for a 100% hike.
The announcement was made following an emergency National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting on Wednesday, where NLC President Joe Ajaero strongly criticized the hike.
READ MORE: Court Adjourns Ruling On Sowore’s Bail Application
He called it “insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already burdened by worsening economic hardship.”
In a statement, Ajaero condemned the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) decision to approve the increase, calling it a harsh blow to citizens already grappling with the effects of rising costs across multiple sectors.
He emphasized that the 50% tariff hike was too much for the Nigerian people, particularly those earning the minimum wage of N70,000 per month.
Ajaero explained that the protest rally on February 4 would serve as a warning to the government, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians who have already faced high petrol prices, soaring food costs, electricity tariff hikes, and rising inflation.
“All NLC affiliates and state councils are directed to begin full mobilisation in preparation for the nationwide protest rally,” Ajaero said. He urged civil society groups to join the movement, calling on workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand in solidarity against the tariff hike.
The NLC also issued a demand for the immediate suspension of the tariff hike and called for meaningful dialogue with the Federal Government, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the National Assembly.
Ajaero warned that if the hike is not reversed, the NLC would consider escalating its actions, including a possible nationwide boycott of telecommunication services.
“The NLC remains committed to safeguarding the interests of Nigerian workers and citizens,” Ajaero asserted. “We will not relent in our struggle against policies that undermine the welfare and dignity of our people.”
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Max Air’s domestic flight operations for three months following a landing incident at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The decision, announced in a statement by NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu on Wednesday, comes after a Max Air Boeing 737-400 aircraft (registration 5N-MBD) suffered a wheel collapse and tire burst while landing at the airport on Tuesday night at approximately 10:51 p.m, causing panic among passengers.
However, all 53 passengers and six crew members onboard escaped without major injuries.
READ MORE: BREAKING: LP Joins APC To Bomb Atiku
Following the incident, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the runway has been cleared and flight operations at the airport have resumed. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the occurrence, with the NCAA pledging full support.
“The NCAA will provide the required support to the NSIB in this regard. It must be stated that the specific cause(s) of this incident can only be established after the NSIB has conducted its investigation,” the regulatory body stated.
The NCAA further revealed that it had already been conducting an organisational risk profile assessment for all scheduled airlines, including Max Air. However, as a result of this incident, the airline will suspend its domestic operations for three months, effective from midnight on January 31, 2025, to allow its management to conduct an internal appraisal.
During this suspension period, the NCAA will carry out a comprehensive safety and economic audit of Max Air.
“The safety audit will entail a re-inspection of Max Air’s organization, procedures, personnel, and aircraft as specified by Part 1.3.3.3(b) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, while the economic audit will critically examine the financial health of the airline to guarantee its capability to sustain safe flight operations,” the NCAA stated.
The regulatory authority emphasized that the airline will only be allowed to resume domestic operations once it satisfactorily completes the audit.
“The NCAA is aware of the inconvenience this action may cause intending passengers of Max Air. However, the safety and well-being of passengers is paramount,” the statement concluded.
NGX Records N364bn Gain In Bullish Market Performance
BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Former NHIS Boss, Prof. Usman Yusuf
JAMB Suspends Law Programme Admissions At Eight Universities
NLC Declares Nationwide Protest Over Telecom Tariff Hike
Court Adjourns Ruling On Sowore’s Bail Application
We’re Out For Revenge, Our Goal Is To Win – Super Eagles Coach On AFCON 2025
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
