NEWS
Tinubu Appoints New Service Chiefs, Ribadu As NSA [See Full List]
In a recent development, President Bola Tinubu made significant changes to the country’s top military leadership as he announced the appointment of new service chiefs to key positions.
Additionally, he appointed Nuhu Ribadu, the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as the new National Security Adviser (NSA) taking over from Babagana Monguno.
He also has approved the appointment of Adeniyi Adewale as the Acting Comptroller General of Customs.
“It is to be noted that the appointed Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Comptroller General of Customs are to act in their positions, pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” said a statement by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The President’s decision to make these appointments comes in response to persistent demands from civil society organizations for a restructuring of the security architecture and the inclusion of new individuals to handle the nation’s security apparatus.
It is worth noting that during his inauguration speech, President Tinubu made a solemn promise to safeguard the nation from terrorism and all types of criminal activities that pose a threat to peace and stability.
Recognizing the need for comprehensive action, he pledged to undertake reforms in both the security doctrine and its architecture to effectively combat these challenges.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had granted the approval for the immediate retirement of all leaders of the nation’s armed forces.
This decision was communicated through a statement signed by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government as reported by BIZTELLERS.
The newly appointed officers and their respective offices are as follows:
1. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu National Security Adviser
2. Maj. Gen. C.G Musa Chief of Defence Staff
3. Maj. T. A Lagbaja Chief of Army Staff
4. Rear Admirral E. A Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff
5. AVM H.B Abubakar Chief of Air Staff
6. DIG Kayode Egbetokun Acting Inspector-General of Police
7. Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye Chief of Defense Intelligence
8. Col. Adebisi Onasanya Brigade of Guards Commander
9. Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja
10. Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State
11. Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger
12. Lt. Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja
Additionally, President Tinubu has given his approval for the appointment of several military officers in the Presidential Villa.
The appointed officers and their respective positions are as follows:
1.Maj. Isa Farouk Audu (N/14695) – Commanding Officer, State House Artillery
2. Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183) – Second-in-Command, State House Artillery
3. Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656) – Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence
4. Maj. TS Adeola (N/12860) – Commanding Officer, State House Armament
5.Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578) – Second-in-Command, State House Armament.
In addition to the previous appointments, President Tinubu has given his approval for the appointment of two (2) additional Special Advisers and two (2) Senior Assistants.
The newly appointed officials are as follows:
1. Hadiza Bala Usman – Special Adviser, Policy Coordination
2. Hannatu Musa Musawa – Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy
3. Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel – Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (Senate)
4.Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim – Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).
A suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s controversial appointment of a Sole Administrator for Rivers State suffered a setback on Thursday as the President and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, failed to appear or send legal representation before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The matter, brought before Justice James Omotosho, was instituted by Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, who is urging the court to declare the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) as unconstitutional and to nullify the suspension of the state’s elected Governor and Deputy Governor.
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Although the Attorneys-General of Lagos, Bayelsa, Taraba, and Edo states were present and announced their appearances, the absence of legal representation for both the President (1st Defendant) and the AGF (2nd Defendant) drew attention during the proceedings.
Plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Chimezie Enuka, confirmed to the court that all parties—except the Attorneys-General of Zamfara and Bauchi states—had been properly served with the originating processes and hearing notice.
Following a consensus among the present legal teams, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to June 11, 2025, and ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued to all defendants.
The suit, filed under number FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, has Tinubu, the AGF, and the 36 state Attorneys-General listed as defendants. Jideobi is asking the court to set aside all decisions and actions taken by Ibas in the name of a Sole Administrator, arguing they lack any constitutional basis.
In his affidavit in support of the suit, the plaintiff asserted that President Tinubu does not possess the constitutional powers to suspend elected state officials or to appoint unelected figures to govern in their place.
“As a Nigerian lawyer and all through my years of practice, I have never seen the word ‘Sole Administrator’ in the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Jideobi stated.
“I know that neither the 1st Defendant nor the 2nd Defendant appointed the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria and that no Governor or Deputy Governor in Nigeria is an appointee of the 1st and 2nd Defendants,” he added.
The plaintiff contends that the only constitutionally recognized grounds for removing or interrupting the tenure of elected Governors and their deputies are outlined in Sections 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He is therefore seeking a declaration from the court that the President has “NO constitutional authority to either remove, suspend or otherwise tamper with the tenure of a duly elected Governor and Deputy Governor of a State and appoint a sole Administrator [or any other substitute howsoever called or described].”
Jideobi warned that unless the court intervenes, “removal of duly elected Governors and Deputy-Governors may become the pastime of the President, thereby opening the floodgate of anarchy capable of consuming this nation.”
He added: “I have instituted this suit in the public interest, in the defence of the Rule of Law and accentuation of the supremacy of the Constitution… It will be in the interest of justice for this Honourable Court to grant the prayers contained on the face of this Originating Summons.”
Among the specific reliefs sought are an order setting aside the suspension of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State, a nullification of Ibas’ appointment, and a directive ordering him to vacate the Government House immediately.
In a dramatic show of solidarity, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) staged a picket outside the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development’s headquarters in Abuja.
The protest was sparked by the ministry’s refusal to comply with a court order for the reinstatement of Comrade Victor Ekpaha, who was dismissed from his position more than 20 years ago.
READ ALSO: Tariff Hike Protest: Telecoms Union Backs NLC’s Suspension Of Protest
The workers’ action resulted in the shutdown of the ministry’s operations, as they called for Ekpaha’s immediate reinstatement and the payment of his full salary, allowances, and other benefits for the over two decades that the case has been unresolved.
The NLC has expressed its determination to continue pressuring the ministry until the court ruling is respected and Ekpaha is fully compensated for the years of unpaid entitlements.
The union has also emphasized the broader issue of labor rights and justice, urging the government to address such longstanding grievances.
More to follow………………
The Dangote Refinery has announced a N15 reduction in its ex-gantry loading cost, bringing it down to N865 per litre from the previous price of N880.
The new price, confirmed by a pro forma invoice and verified by petroleumprice.ng, was communicated to customers in a notice on Thursday morning.
This price adjustment follows earlier reports that the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery was expected to lower its petrol loading costs by the end of this week.
The reduction is expected to further drive down fuel prices in the country, providing some relief to consumers.
READ MORE: ECCIMA Applauds Dangote’s Impact On Nigeria’s Economy
Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), assured the public that the price drop aligns with the Federal Executive Council’s recent directive on the Naira-for-Crude agreement.
“We are confident that this price reduction will be beneficial for the Nigerian people,” Ukadike said.
In a related development, the Federal Executive Council has authorized the full implementation of the long-suspended Naira-for-Crude agreement with local refiners.
This policy aims to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign exchange for petroleum imports and boost local refining capacity.
The Ministry of Finance released a statement following a meeting between Finance Minister Wale Edun and Dangote Refinery officials.
The statement emphasized that the Naira-for-Crude initiative is a long-term policy, not a temporary measure.
“The initiative is designed to support sustainable local refining, enhance energy security, and reduce the country’s dependency on foreign currency for petroleum products,” the Ministry’s statement read.
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