NEWS
I’ll Remain In Custody Until The Joke Is Over – Sowore Rejects Bail
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has rejected the bail conditions set by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) following his invitation for questioning over a viral video he posted, which highlighted alleged extortion by police officers on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Road in Lagos.
In a post on his X account on Monday, Sowore stated, “I have rejected a bail condition asking me to present a level 17 Permanent Secretary. Instead, I have offered to remain in police custody pending when the joke is over with.”
This came after Sowore was informed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police at the Federal Intelligence Department (FID) that bail would be granted pending the completion of the investigation into the matter.
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The police have charged Sowore with multiple offenses, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, acts intended to cause harm, cyberstalking, and refusal to assist public servants.
This follows his recording of a video in which he confronted officers allegedly setting up roadblocks for the purpose of soliciting bribes.
Sowore’s decision to reject the bail conditions stemmed from his refusal to accept terms that he deemed unreasonable and compromising.
“I have also advised the DIG that in accepting ‘bail,’ I will not agree to conditions that compromise my innocence, dignity, and integrity. If such unreasonable conditions are imposed, I will choose to remain in detention until I am charged to court,” he added.
Sowore further criticized the investigation, calling it an exercise in impunity and asserting that no crime had been defined in relation to his case.
Earlier, Sowore revealed that he had completed his “interview” with the police at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, where he was questioned about the viral video. “
The police relied on a rehashed set of information sourced mostly from the internet,” Sowore explained.
When he asked them to identify the location of the alleged crime, they provided a vague response, mentioning only the airport road. He chose not to provide a written statement, noting that in the absence of a defined crime, there was no need for such a process.
Sowore also reported that the police took a break during the session, later informing him that they were awaiting further instructions from higher authorities.
He expressed concern that the police were planning to take him to Lagos for a “kangaroo trial.” “It seems their plan is to detain me and take me to Lagos for a kangaroo trial. However, I am prepared to face any consequences,” he said.
In a direct challenge to the leadership of the Nigerian police, Sowore reiterated his stance against the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, whom he accused of extending his tenure illegally.
“I made it clear to the team that the matter revolves around my publicly stated view that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who is due for retirement and clearly tired, had his tenure extended illegally,” Sowore stated.
Despite the mounting pressure, Sowore remained resolute, asserting that his fight for justice would continue.
“We are entering a promising year, and our fight for justice will persist,” he concluded, with the hashtag #RevolutionNow, further solidifying his commitment to advocating for human rights and challenging the impunity within Nigeria’s police force.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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