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AGF Lauds the Merits of The Supreme Court Ruling on LG Autonomy

Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), recently highlighted the Supreme Court’s historic decision to grant full financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments, describing it as a significant step toward enhancing local governance, security, and human rights.

Speaking at the 17th anniversary of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) in Abuja, Fagbemi noted that local governments, being closest to the grassroots, had been stifled by state governors’ control for over two decades, impairing their effectiveness. He praised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for taking decisive action to address this issue by bringing it before the Supreme Court. The landmark judgment, Fagbemi asserted, will improve local governance and significantly bolster security and access to human rights.

“The administration, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recognized the critical link between governance, security, and human rights, and made a bold move to seek the Supreme Court’s intervention. This pivotal judgment will enhance local governance and substantially improve security and human rights,” Fagbemi stated.

He stressed the vital connection between governance, security, and human rights for societal progress, urging the exploration of these links to serve citizens better and protect their rights. Fagbemi pointed out that effective governance necessitates collaboration among all branches of government, warning that poor governance can lead to rights erosion and injustice. He also highlighted the judiciary’s role and the recent passage of the Minimum Wage Bill as key measures that could address underlying issues like poverty and unemployment, which contribute to insecurity.

“Without security, rights such as freedom of movement, expression, and association cannot be enjoyed. However, security measures must be balanced with respect for human rights. Excessive force, arbitrary detentions, and abuses undermine our democratic foundations,” Fagbemi emphasized.

He cautioned law enforcement against detaining individuals beyond constitutional limits, warning of penalties for breaches. “Law enforcement agents must respect the law and not detain people beyond reasonable time as stipulated in Section 35 of the Constitution. Due diligence must be exercised before arrests, and detentions beyond constitutional or court-ordered time frames will no longer be tolerated,” he warned.

Fagbemi reaffirmed his commitment to protecting individual rights and ensuring justice, announcing the creation of a Department of Citizens Rights within the Federal Ministry of Justice to handle complaints. He also highlighted recent advancements like the 2024-2025 Strategic Action Plan by the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee and the signing of the Practice Direction and Guidelines on Remanding Proceedings by the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf.

“These milestones in refining the remand system demonstrate our dedication to protecting suspects’ rights and administering justice promptly. In the same spirit, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu exempted the National Human Rights Commission Board from the dissolution of federal agency boards,” Fagbemi concluded.

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Wole Soyinka Reveals He’s Been Banned from Entering the United States

Nobel Prize-winning writer Wole Soyinka says the U.S. has withdrawn his visa and requested its physical cancellation in Lagos. Wole Soyinka said on Tuesday that the United States had revoked his non-immigrant visa issued last year, and that he had been informed he must reapply should he wish to visit the U.S. again.

The 91-year-old writer had torn up his U.S. green card and renounced his American residency in 2016 in protest of the election of President Donald Trump. The Nobel laureate has held regular teaching appointments at American Ivy League universities since the mid-1990s, following his Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986.

“The moment they announce his victory, I will cut my green card myself and start packing up,” Soyinka had said.

On Tuesday, Soyinka presented reporters with a letter from the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos requesting that he bring in his passport for the physical cancellation of his visa.

The letter, dated 23 October, stated that “additional information became available” after the visa had been issued. The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“I have no visa; I am obviously banned from the United States, and if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” Soyinka said, addressing those who might have planned to invite him to events in the U.S.

In July, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria announced that Nigerians applying for non-immigrant visas would now receive single-entry, three-month permits, rolling back the previous policy that had allowed multiple-entry, up to 5-year visas.

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“I Feel Sorry for Men with One Wife” – Ned Nwoko Has No Regrets After Marrying 4 Wives

Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North, has finally opened up about his marriage to Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, addressing weeks of speculation, accusations, and viral clips that set social media on fire.

The businessman and politician not only defended his controversial polygamous lifestyle but also denied claims that he had been violent towards his wife.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Sunday, the politician addressed the marital crisis with his actress wife, Regina Daniels, directly.

He made astonishing claims about the merits of multiple marriages and firmly rejected the explosive allegations of domestic violence.

In his own words, Ned painted himself as a man who has been misunderstood, while standing firmly by his tradition and choices.

Senator Nwoko was asked about the status of his marriage with his youngest wife, Regina Daniels, following the disturbing video of a 25-year-old Nollywood actress that went viral.
A teary clip showed the actress crying and saying she couldn’t “stand the violence anymore.” In the footage, she was heard lamenting, “In Ned Nwoko’s house, I am nothing. But in my own house, I am a Queen.”

The video triggered outrage across social media, with many Nigerians accusing the lawmaker of domestic abuse. However, Senator Nwoko firmly rejected the claim, saying the story was false and that he had never raised a hand on any of his wives.

In his usual calm but confident tone, Senator Nwoko also spoke openly about being a proud polygamist, calling it both a blessing and a cultural duty.

The 64-year-old Senator expressed sympathy, or perhaps pity, for men in monogamous marriages: “I feel sorry for those who have one wife,” he said.

He argued that having multiple wives offers men greater stability and balance, using a striking, easy-to-understand analogy: “Just imagine standing on one leg — it’s difficult. But with two, three, or four, you’re more balanced. That’s the example I give.”

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NCC, CBN’s move to end failed airtime, data transactions

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have joined forces to introduce a unified framework aimed at curbing failed airtime recharges and data transactions on electronic platforms.

The initiative, announced last week, seeks to enforce accountability among telecom operators, payment processors, and financial institutions, ensuring that millions of subscribers get timely redress for failed or incomplete transactions.

The Centre for Digital Justice and Consumer Rights (CDJCR) has applauded the move, describing it as a landmark in consumer protection. In a statement on Monday, October 20, 2025, the group’s Executive Director, Dr Kenechukwu Opara, said the collaboration between the two regulators was long overdue.

“For far too long, consumers have borne the brunt of system failures that are neither their fault nor within their control,” Opara said.

Opara noted that failed recharges and data purchases are among the most frequent complaints by telecom users, with many left stranded due to delayed or unresolved reversals. The new framework, he said, would protect millions of Nigerians who rely on mobile platforms for daily microtransactions.

Consumers are not just users; they are the backbone of the telecom and financial systems. By ensuring that customers get full value for every recharge and data purchase, the NCC is not only protecting rights but also deepening trust in Nigeria’s cashless and digital inclusion policies,” he added.

The CDJCR praised the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, for prioritising consumer welfare and for pushing a proactive regulatory agenda.

While commending the regulators, Opara urged them to go a step further by enforcing clear timelines, transparent processes, and strict sanctions against operators who fall short of agreed standards.

“We encourage both regulators to publish the service level expectations for all stakeholders — telecom operators, payment processors, and financial institutions — so that consumers know who to hold accountable when transactions fail,” he said.

The group also applauded the CBN for embedding consumer rights in its financial protection framework, especially for low-income Nigerians who depend heavily on digital services for daily payments.

Beyond telecoms, Opara argued that the NCC–CBN partnership should become a model for other sectors where technology, finance, and service delivery intersect.

“This kind of inter-agency collaboration shows that government institutions can truly work in the interest of citizens. What matters now is strict compliance and constant review of the framework to adapt to new technologies and emerging consumer issues,” he said.

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