Tunji Alausa, minister of education, has queried Ikechukwu Dozie, vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) in Imo state, over the alleged irregular appointment of 24 aides in his office.

In a memo dated June 25, 2026, and signed by Kareem O.L, acting director of university education at the federal ministry of education on behalf of the minister, Alausa faulted the appointments and directed the
vice-chancellor to reverse them “forthwith” and provide evidence of compliance without delay.

According to the correspondence seen by TheCable on Thursday, the minister described the appointments as irregular and inconsistent with regulations governing federal universities in Nigeria.

“The attention of the Honourable Minister of Education has been drawn to your Memorandum Ref. No. FUT/REG/CR/CIR/4 dated 22 June 2026
(copy attached) concerning the appointment of twenty-four (24) aides in various capacities within the Office of the Vice-Chancellor,” the memo reads.

Alausa said the directive followed the ministry’s review of an internal university memorandum dated June 22, 2026, through which the appointments were reportedly made.

The minister observed that the appointments were “at variance with the extant regulations, established procedures, and the principles of due process governing appointments within the Federal University System.”

A copy of the communication was also forwarded to the National Universities Commission (NUC).

“Furthermore, I am directed to invite you to the Ministry on Monday, 29 June 2026, for further engagement on this matter and other related issues touching on institutional governance, administrative accountability, due process, and strict adherence to the regulatory framework governing the administration of Federal Universities in Nigeria,” the document added.

“The Ministry remains committed to promoting transparency, prudence, and best practices in the management of our tertiary institutions and trusts that this matter will receive your prompt attention and cooperation.”

Dozie, a professor of medical microbiology and parasitology,
assumed office on June 19 as the ninth VC of FUTO, taking over from Nnenna Oti, ⁰who concluded her five-year tenure.

He is the immediate past vice-chancellor of Kingsley Ozumba
Mbadiwe University (KOMU) Ideato north, Imo state.

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No fewer than eight people have d!ed, and 26 others have been rescued from the three-storey building that collapsed in the Alakija area of Lagos State today, June 25.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the latest casualty figures in a statement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.

According to him, the building, located on Old Ojo Road by Alakija Bus Stop, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town, collapsed at about 11:37 a.m., prompting a large-scale emergency response involving multiple agencies.

Providing an update on the rescue operation, Oke-Osanyintolu said

“As of 4:20 p.m., a total of 26 persons have been rescued alive, while eight fatalities have been recorded, including a baby girl. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”

The Kwara State Government has expressed concern about the rising number of unidentified commercial motorcycle operators entering the state, warning that the trend could heighten security risks in vulnerable communities.

Speaking at an emergency security stakeholders’ meeting in Ilorin on Thursday, Commissioner for Transportation, Aliyu Korasabi, urged transport union leaders to support the ongoing residents’ registration exercise.

“We are witnessing an increasing influx of unidentified motorcycle operators into Kwara at a time when some communities are grappling with security challenges. This development requires urgent attention from all stakeholders,” Korasabi said.

He explained that registering motorcycle and tricycle operators would provide credible data to help security agencies distinguish genuine transport workers from criminal elements posing as riders.

Korasabi stressed that security should not be left solely to law enforcement agencies, noting that it is a collective responsibility requiring decisive action.

He commended transport unions for their cooperation and urged them to continue supporting government efforts to strengthen safety across the state.

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Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arreste three suspects connected to the killing of retired OGTV broadcaster, Kitan Oyesiku, popularly known as Aunty Kitan.

Oyesiku was murdered in cold blood alongside her 38-year-old security guard, Pelumi Adetayo, at her residence in the Kobape area of Abeokuta last Saturday.

The Ogun police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed that the corpse of the security guard was discovered within the security post, while the lifeless body of Oyesiku was found face up inside her apartment.

He stated that her vehicle, which was also discovered missing, was eventually recovered in the state.

Barely five days after her death, the police have announced the arrest of the suspects – Sodeinde Olajuwon Phillip, 22, Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, 27, and Sobu Obafunsho, 36.

Sodeinde, the principal suspect, who was a former security guard to the deceased, was said to have recruited the others to join him in carrying out the heinous crime.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, on Thursday, stated that in the course of investigation it was discovered that Sodeinde have always contacted the deceased, demanding for money even when he was no longer worked for her.

The CP disclosed that the missing vehicle was recovered close to Sodeinde’s residence and he was arrested at a construction site in GRA Ibara where he worked as a labourer.

The police chief stated that on interrogation, Sodeinde confessed to killing the deceased just to “teach her a lesson”, adding that the attack following grievances he has been holding against with the deceased during the period he worked as a security guard in her employment.

The CP said, “The Command launched intensive investigation, intelligence gathering, and technical tracking operations aimed at identifying
those responsible and recovering the missing vehicle.

“Acting on credible intelligence and technical tracking. analysis, operatives of the Command successfully traced and recovered the missing Lexus RX 330 vehicle belonging to the deceased on 22nd June, 2026.
Although the ignition key had been removed and the registration number plates detached from the vehicle, detectives recovered the vehicle’s registration plate concealed underneath one of the seats, which enabled investigators to positively identify and confirm the vehicle as the property of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku.

“One critical piece of evidence recovered from the scene was a handwritten note apparently left behind by the perpetrators. The note was subjected to forensic examination and analysis, which generated valuable investigative leads that significantly aided detectives in identifying and tracing those responsible for the crime.

“Further intelligence gathering and painstaking investigation led to the identification and arrest of the principal suspect, Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip ‘m’ aged 22 years, on 24th June, 2026, at a
construction site in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, where he was working as a labourer.

“Further follow-up operations by detectives of the Command led to the successful arrest of Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola ‘m’ aged 27
years, a security guard, and Sobu Obafunsho ‘m’ aged 36 years, a bricklayer, thereby bringing into custody all identified suspects directly linked to the criminal conspiracy.

“The suspect stated that the murder of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku was intended to teach her a lesson.”

According to the commissioner, the suspects first overpowered the security guard, used him to gain access to the residence and upon gaining entry, they attacked Oyesiku and subsequently murdered the security guard.

Items recovered after searches at locations linked to the suspects include a broken hammer, a cutlass, a plank, a black pen and other relevant exhibits connected to the investigation.

The CP emphasized that while the suspects have made useful statements and substantial evidence has been recovered in the course of the investigation, all suspects remain entitled to due process under the law.

He noted that investigation is ongoing to consolidate all available evidence and ensure diligent prosecution of all suspects connected with the crime.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council, Wale Olarewaju, thanked the CP for unraveling circumstances surrounding the broadcaster’s death.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it has suspended an electoral officer allegedly involved in the voter data leak concerning Nollywood actor and politician, Emeka Ike.

The Commission disclosed on Thursday that investigations by security agencies and data protection regulators are still ongoing.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, made the disclosure during a fireside chat organised by the Peering
Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, PAACA, in Abuja.

The suspension came against the backdrop of a controversy that arose after the voter registration details of actor and politician Emeka Ike surfaced online during a dispute linked to a political party’s primary election in the Federal Capital Territory.

The electoral body said preliminary findings showed there was no external breach of its ICT infrastructure or compromise of its voter register.

Rather, according to the Commission, the data was allegedly accessed using valid credentials assigned to officials involved in the ongoing CVR exercise and subsequently disclosed without authorization.

INEC said its audit trail enabled investigators to identify the specific user account used to access the voter record, leading to the questioning of personnel with access to the system.

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Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni, has reacted to the viral video of a policeman waving at ‘vigilante men’.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’, Rufai insisted that Nigerians are not daft.

Recall that there was a viral video on Wednesday where a policeman was seen waving at large numbers of armed men previously tagged as
bandits.

However, the police, in a statement on Thursday, clarified that the said group of armed men riding on motorcycles were members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN.

Airing his own opinion, Rufai said, “Do they think Nigerians are daft or we don’t have brains?

“I don’t know when the police started giving salutes to vigilantes, and they carry some sophisticated weapons. So, the vigilante will be passing on motorcycle. Police will see them, police will be waving. Oh, vigilante, go ahead, go ahead.

“You see, we live in a mess. And this mess has been largely caused by our political class because of their own selfishness,” he said.

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Dangote Refinery has again reduced its gantry petrol price nationwide to N1,125 per litre from N1,175 per litre.

The spokesperson of Dangote Group, Anthony Chijiena, confirmed the latest reduction on Thursday.

This means that the refinery dropped its petrol gantry price by N50 per litre.

“It is true our petrol gantry price was reduced by N50 per liter,” Chijiena disclosed.

Similarly, the coastal petrol supply price of Dangote
Refinery decreased from N1,495,215 per metric tonne to N1,428,165 per metric tonne.

The development comes as crude oil prices dropped
significantly to $69 and $73 per barrel, the same rates as pre-Middle East crisis times.

Recall that on June 16, the Dangote Refinery had reduced its gantry petrol price by N75 per litre, triggering a nationwide retail fuel reduction days later. This brought the total price reduction by Dangote Refinery in two weeks since global prices eased to N125 per litre.

Currently retail fuel prices stand at between N1,241 and N1,305 per litre in Abuja and its environs.

However, Nigerians are clamouring for a further drop in retail fuel to around N800 and N900 per litre, the rate before the Iran-United States-Israel war, which escalated on February 28, 2026.

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Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has stated that the Federal Government is working towards reviewing workers’ salary.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives stated this on Thursday in Abuja at an event organized by Working People United.

He said that the N70,000 minimum wage which was approved by the President Bola Tinubu administration in 2024 is no longer in line with the
reality of things in the country.

“N70,000 wage, which was a milestone in 2024 must be honestly reassessed against today’s realities,” he said.

The former lawmaker added, “I can confirm to you that when the time comes to begin the process of reviewing the national minimum wage, this administration will approach that endeavor not as an adversary of Labour, but as a partner.

“President Tinubu has said time and again that the
custodians of the nation’s machinery deserve a fair and commensurate wage, and as you all well know by now, this is the president who means precisely what he says and does exactly what he means.

“It must be said that good governance is not a performance stage by government for the benefit of a passive audience, it’s a partnership between those who govern and those who are governed.

“No where is that partnership more vital than the
relationship between government and the working people of Nigeria.

“It is with this understanding in mind that I ask the
leaders of organized labour and the members of working people united to remain what you have so often been at your finest, partners in progress rather than antagonist in perpetuity, let us choose to dialog over disruption, because as we have proved again and again, we achieve far more when we visit together than when we retreat, retreat to our separate corners.”

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Chinedu Agbodike, a citizen, has initiated legal action against the federal government and the Nigerian Army over what he described as “indiscriminate proliferation” of military checkpoints in the south-east geopolitical zone.

The suit was filed at the High Court of Enugu State on June 17, 2026.

Agbodike is the applicant in the suit, filed on his behalf and on behalf of citizens of Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, and Abia states.

Counsel to the applicant are Aloy Ejimakor, P.N Agazie, B.C. Anys, B.K Agazie, Chinwe Agazie, Eguzoribe Ozioma, E.C Eze, and Iloanya
Florence.

The respondents are the chief of army staff (first
respondent), Nigerian army (second respondent), attorney-general of the federation (third respondent), and federal government (fourth respondent).

THE PRAYERS

The lawyer asked the court to declare that the
“indiscriminate deployment” of military checkpoints and roadblocks in the south-east zone, which according to them, have allegedly resulted in
harassment, extortion, and arbitrary arrests, constitute violations of the fundamental human rights of citizens.

The lawyer asked the court to declare illegal and
unconstitutional the “routine” deployment of military personnel for checkpoints duties and roadblock operations in the south-east.

“A DECLARATION that the assumption by the 1st and 2nd Respondents of internal policing functions constitutionally vested in the Nigeria Police Force under Section 214 of the Constitution amounts to an
unlawful usurpation of powers and is therefore unconstitutional and same constitutes abuse and violation of human rights of the people of South Eastern Nigeria,” part of the suit reads.

“A DECLARATION that the excessive militarization of Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia States amounts to an unjustifiable and disproportionate interference with the rights to freedom of movement, personal liberty, human dignity and freedom from discrimination guaranteed under Chapter IV of the Constitution, thereby violating the constitutional rights of the people of South Eastern Nigeria.

“A DECLARATION that the discriminatory profiling and targeting of citizens by the 1st and 2nd Respondents at various military checkpoints/roadblocks on the roads of Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra and Imo States on account of their ethnicity, age, mode of dressing, hairstyle,
tattoos, language, physical appearance or perceived affiliations is unconstitutional, illegal, oppressive and a violation of their Constitutional rights under Chapter IV of the Constitution, particularly Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.”

The lawyer sought an order directly the first to third
respondents to “immediately dismantle, remove and discontinue all military checkpoints and routine roadblocks operating on federal and state roads within Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia States except where such deployments are
specifically authorised by law and justified by exceptional security circumstances, in accordance with due process of law”.

The lawyer asked the court to order the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice to establish a panel to investigate human rights violations allegedly committed by military personnel at checkpoints in the south-east.

The lawyer sought N500 billion as “exemplary, aggravated and general damages against the Respondents jointly and severally for the
widespread and continuing violation of the fundamental rights of citizens of the South-East Region of Nigeria”.

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