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JUST IN: Farotimi Hit With New Charges To Stall Bail Application

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has filed 12 additional charges against prominent human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, bringing the total to 28 counts.

The new charges, submitted to the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Friday, are brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.

The latest filing is seen as an attempt to obstruct Farotimi’s bail application and prolong his detention.

This follows earlier charges that stemmed from comments Farotimi made during an interview and press conferences, including accusations made in collaboration with Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Afe Babalola.

Related News: Afe Babalola Breaks Silence On Farotimi’s Arrest

Among the new charges, Farotimi is accused of knowingly transmitting false information during an online interview on August 28, 2024.

In the interview, he allegedly claimed that Afe Babalola “corrupted the judiciary.” Prosecutors argue that these statements were made with the intention of inciting public unrest and bullying or harassing the senior lawyer.

Farotimi also faces charges related to defamatory remarks allegedly made during a podcast interview with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, based on content from his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

The charges suggest that the statements were aimed at intimidating and tarnishing Babalola’s reputation.

Further accusations include the publicizing of legal actions taken against Farotimi during a press conference on December 2, 2024.

Farotimi, an outspoken advocate for justice reform, was initially arraigned earlier this week on 16 charges related to alleged cybercrimes.

His legal team argues that the charges violate his constitutional rights, including his right to free speech and a fair hearing.

 

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‘They Died Instantly’ — Survivor Speaks on Deadly Plateau Ambush That Claimed Two Lives

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Four Policemen Die, Target Kidnapped As Gunmen Attack Convoy In Port Harcourt

At least two people have been killed following a deadly ambush by suspected gunmen in Talma Village, Ngel District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The victims, identified as Sadiq Muhammad, 28, and Mas’ud Abdullahi, 29, were reportedly attacked around 8 p.m. on Monday while heading to their cattle pen.

Confirming the incident, the Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, condemned the attack and called on security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

SEE ALSO: Gunmen Kill Ex-Ogun State Broadcaster, Security Guard in Early Morning Attack

According to Babayo, the attackers opened fire on the victims multiple times, killing them on the spot.

“The perpetrators shot them several times, resulting in their deaths. This act of terrorism has become an everyday occurrence. People can no longer move freely without being attacked or killed,” he said.

One of the survivors, Ismaila Haruna, narrated his ordeal, revealing how he narrowly escaped death during the attack.

Haruna said he and the deceased were travelling on motorcycles to their cattle pen when armed men suddenly emerged and began shooting indiscriminately.

“Three of us were riding motorcycles when suddenly gunmen opened fire indiscriminately. We all fell down. My colleagues died instantly, but I managed to escape and reported the incident to personnel of Operation Enduring Peace,” he said.

The survivor added that security personnel later escorted him back to the scene, where the bodies of the deceased and their motorcycle were recovered.

He said the remains of the victims were subsequently released to their families for burial.

Babayo urged members of the community to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands while security agencies investigate the incident.

“I am calling on all members to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands. We should all be law-abiding citizens,” he added.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

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Ibadan Chief Knocks Fayose Over Attacks on Makinde, Issues Strong Warning

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The Mogaji of Akinsola Family Compound in Ibadan, Oyo State, Olawale Oladoja, has berated former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, over his recent attacks on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, describing his comments as a reflection of an “irredeemable delusional disposition.”

Oladoja, in a statement issued in Ibadan on Tuesday, expressed concern over Fayose’s continued criticism of Makinde despite what he described as the Oyo governor’s goodwill and support towards the former Ekiti governor in the past.

SEE ALSO: Oyo APC Rejects LG Election, Says Makinde Wants to Rule by Proxy After Exit

The Ibadan chief said it was unfortunate that Fayose, who often claims to have been born in Ibadan and professes love for the ancient city, had chosen to attack one of its most prominent sons.

His remarks followed Fayose’s recent declaration of a political battle against Makinde, with the former governor reportedly vowing to mobilise forces against the Oyo State governor in future elections.

Oladoja defended Makinde’s leadership, stating that the governor had continued to transform Ibadan through infrastructure development and policies aimed at modernising the city.

“Governor Makinde has continued to transform Ibadan through infrastructure development and policies aimed at modernising the city, making Fayose’s criticisms difficult to understand,” he said.

He added, “Fayose claims he was born in Ibadan and that he loves Ibadan, but, sadly, he appears to hate his place of birth so much that he is attacking the pride of Ibadan, which is transforming the city into a modern metropolis.”

Oladoja also warned Fayose against dragging the Olubadan of Ibadanland into political controversies, stressing that the revered monarch remains a father figure to all regardless of political affiliations.

“I want to caution Governor Fayose from dragging our highly revered Olubadan into his dirty politics. Kabiyesi is a father to all, and we will not allow anyone to disparage our royal father for political reasons,” he said.

The Mogaji further stated, “It is unacceptable for anyone who has shown little regard for traditional institutions in his own state to attempt to bring our respected monarch into needless political controversy.”

He urged political actors to conduct their engagements with decorum and respect for traditional institutions, emphasising that the people of Ibadan would continue to defend the dignity and integrity of the Olubadan stool.

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Minister Orders Security Operatives to Wade into Souring LPG Prices

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Prompted by the sharp hike in the price of cooking gas also called Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has directed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other paramilitary to decisively deal with those undermining the sector.

Ekpo, yesterday at a meeting with stakeholders on the rising prices of LPG, specifically directed the phalanx of the security team to apprehend hoarders and stop illegal storage diversion across Nigeria.

According to him, the government would not sit back and allow market forces to thwart its efforts in ensuring availability and affordability of LPG.

“I have directed the NMDPRA to intensify monitoring, engage operators, and work with security agencies to discourage hoarding, eliminate artificial scarcity, and strengthen distribution and pricing transparency.

“Improved supply must be matched by efficient distribution and responsible conduct. Bottlenecks, hoarding, speculative storage, allocation inefficiencies, logistics constraints, and pricing distortions must not undermine public confidence,” he said.

He reassured Nigerians that there is no cause for panic, as the government remains committed to adequate domestic gas supply and to the Decade of Gas Initiative as a pathway for cleaner cooking, industrial growth, and energy security,” stated.

Deputy President of Nigerian Association of LPG Marketers (NALPGAM), Ude Godwin, in his presentation, recalled how the body approached the Minister, the NMDPRA over the escalating price of gas in Nigeria and today’s meeting presented opportunities to enable the stakeholders to address the crisis.

Godwin explained that Since late 2025 into mid-2026: Nigerians have faced repeated LPG scarcity and consequential sharp price hikes despite rising domestic production.

According to him, prices jumped from N1,000/kg in January 2026 to N1,500-1,700/kg by May 2026.

“Prices went in some locations from N2,000-2,500/kg by June 2026. A 20MT truck now costs marketers N28m-N30m as against N14m/20MT when Dangote first supplied LPG in 2025.

“Erratic supply, terminal congestion in Lagos, logistics bottlenecks, and reduced volumes from Dangote Refinery and NLNG. Low buffer stock made any 2-week disruption to trigger panic buying.

“The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), led by National President Barr. Edu Inyang has been the main industry voice pushing for intervention to save the situation,” he added.

ALSO READ: Sahara Group Fires-up Energy Journalism with $5,000 Fellowship

Beyond threats and sanctions, the marketer suggested to the government that there should be all domestic LPG producers to demonstrate compliance with domestic supply commitments and ensure adequate volumes are made available to the Nigerian market before exports, saying it will increase product availability and reduce supply disruptions.

He said there should be a joint government-industry monitoring team to track production volumes, depot prices, inventory levels, and distribution patterns across the country, to identify early signals of supply shortages, speculative activities, and market distortions.

He tasked the government to Initiate an urgent review of multiple fees, levies, and charges imposed across the LPG value chain with a view to eliminating duplications and reducing cost burdens on operators. This will bring about lower operating costs and moderation of retail prices.

“Where domestic supply is insufficient, provide a fast-track framework for marketers and investors to import additional LPG volumes, including support for foreign exchange access and streamlined regulatory approvals. This will bridge supply gaps and improve market competition.

“Announce targeted incentives for investment in LPG storage facilities and distribution hubs in underserved regions, particularly Northern Nigeria and major inland consumption centres. This will reduce transportation costs and improve nationwide product availability.

“Set up a standing working group comprising representatives of the Ministry, NMDPRA, producers, terminal operators, NALPGAM and other critical stakeholders to meet periodically and monitor implementation of agreed interventions.

“This will bring about sustained stakeholder engagement, policy coordination, and measurable progress toward supply, availability and stability,” he added.

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