At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, informed the court that the case was scheduled to commence trial. However, as the prosecution was preparing for this, the AGF received an application from the former minister requesting discussions. He, therefore, requested an adjournment to allow the parties to hold discussions and report back to the court or set a definite trial date. Responding, counsels for Oduah and Odita, Tobechukwu Michael SAN and Wale Balogun SAN, confirmed Oyedepo’s submission to the court. In the charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/606/25, the prosecution alleged that Oduah and Odita conspired in January 2014 to obtain a total of N2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd under allegedly fraudulent claims.

The Oyo State Government on Thursday conferred the title of Justice of the Peace (JP) on 345 distinguished citizens, urging them to regard the honour not as a ceremonial designation but as a serious responsibility to serve humanity and uphold justice. Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. In his remarks, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Oyo State, Hon. Representing the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. The conferment ceremony marked another milestone in strengthening grassroots justice administration and reinforcing peace, integrity and lawful conduct across Oyo State.

The Governing Council of The Polytechnic, Ibadan (TPI) has established a six-member committee to investigate issues raised in an anonymous petition circulating within the institution. The committee, chaired by Prince Adeleke Akinboye Ajala, will examine the petition’s claims, gather facts, and provide an opportunity for the polytechnic community to air their views. According to a statement on Thursday, the council has assured that no one will be victimized for expressing their views or submitting memoranda. The council urged members to provide their contact information and full details for easy response. The committee members include Mrs. Eniola Lucy Bola, Prof. Akinloye Lawal, Prof. Mudashiru Lateef Owolabi, Rep. P/S (Ministry of Education), and Mrs. O. S. Oyin-Adejobi, with Mrs. Folashade O. Yoloye as Secretary.

From Job Search to Income AccessWhat sets platforms like i’llTip apart is a shift in focus:not just job listings, but access to opportunity. Why Demand Is GrowingEconomic pressure has accelerated the adoption of digital job platforms. By supporting recruiters, employers, freelancers, and service providers in one ecosystem, these platforms are helping to stabilize income access and improve hiring efficiency at scale. As digital job platforms continue to evolve, the opportunity ahead is not only about employment — it’s about participation. Platforms like i’llTip are proving that when people are given the tools to connect, contribute, and earn, entire economies benefit.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday said the assassination of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed exposed grave security lapses that compelled Nigeria’s military leadership at the time to fundamentally rethink and reorganise the country’s security architecture. Recalling events surrounding the February 1976 coup, Obasanjo said the shock of Murtala Mohammed’s assassination forced the leadership to confront painful truths about negligence within the security system. “We had to look back and ask ourselves where we had gone wrong, and we realised there had been serious negligence in security. He recalled returning from the war front to argue that Nigeria needed to first stabilise its political order. Reflecting on the leadership that emerged in 1975, Obasanjo described Murtala Mohammed and his colleagues as patriotic, disciplined and driven by a clear sense of mission.

..as Provost assures Nigerians quality graduatesThe Federal College of Education, Special, Oyo (FCES), has admitted 1,154 regular new students and about 400 part-time students into its teacher education programmes. In his remarks, the Provost of the institution, Dr. Rauf Salami, congratulated the new matriculants, describing their admission as a privilege. He added that FCES Oyo is the first specialised institution in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa dedicated to training educators for both regular students and persons with special needs. He said, “Education process in the Federal College of Education, Special, Oyo is strictly based on character and learning. He assured the students of a conducive learning environment and adequate welfare support.

A socio-cultural organization, Edo First, has accused Obaro Ologbo, the South South Zonal Director of the National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) of influencing the relocation of the NHIA office from Benin to Port Harcourt, River State. However, Ologbo described the allegation as a “big, fat lie”, stating that the decision to relocate the office is the decision of the Abuja office. They are North Central Zonal Office (Ilorin); North East Zonal Office (Maiduguri); North West Zonal Office (Kano}; South East Zonal Office (Enugu); South-South Zonal Office (Port Harcourt); South West Zonal Office (Ibadan) and Lagos Zonal Office (Lagos). “All staff are requested to take note.”The group said the decision to relocate its zonal office from Benin City to Port Harcourt, is a deliberate affront on Edo State. The statement read in part, “The relocation of the NHIA from Benin to Port Harcourt can be traced to the zonal director.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu has withdrawn from two cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. Justice Egwuatu, who was recently reassigned the matters by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, said he stepped aside for personal reasons and in the interest of justice. Justice Egwuatu later announced his withdrawal from the proceedings. The cases were previously handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who served as vacation judge during the Yuletide break. After the Christmas vacation sitting ended, the Chief Judge reassigned the matters to Justice Egwuatu, fixing February 12 for the civil forfeiture case and February 16 for the money laundering trial.

Gunmen have kidnapped a 12-year-old female student of a privately owned secondary school (name withheld) in the Orita Challenge area in Ibadan. The victim, as reliably gathered, was abducted very close to the school gate at 7:20am on Wednesday. The gunmen, as of the time of filing the report, have yet to make contact or demand any ransom from the parents of the victims. The incident has been confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka in a statement made available to the newsmen. Confirming the incident, the PPRO said an incident of suspected kidnapping has been reported in the Challenge area of Ibadan in the early hours of today, Wednesday, 12th February 2026.

The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), has cautioned Nigerians against using the police for debt recovery, stating that the Police Act 2020 does not empower officers to act as debt recovery agents. They are not debt recovery agents. She described the media as a critical driver of police reform and a bridge between citizens and the security system. She stressed that the media, as gatekeepers, play a major role in determining which cases of injustice gain public attention. He said empathy and deeper understanding would help produce more balanced and responsible coverage of policing issues in Nigeria.

Sweden has announced plans to tighten its citizenship requirements, including raising the income threshold for applicants as part of a broader overhaul of its naturalisation rules. As reported by Economic Times and sighted by PUNCH Online on Thursday, under the proposed changes, people seeking Swedish citizenship would be required to have lived in the country for at least eight years, up from the current five-year requirement. In addition, applicants would need to demonstrate a stable monthly income of more than 20,000 Swedish crowns (about $2,225). “Anyone with a criminal record, either in Sweden or abroad, ‍will have to wait longer before they can apply. Critics, however, warn that the tougher requirements could make it harder for immigrants to fully integrate and may disproportionately affect lower-income workers and families.

Nigerian music star, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has addressed long-standing public perceptions about his personal life, saying he is not a womaniser but someone who loves deeply. “The biggest misconception about me is that I’m a womaniser. Speaking about fatherhood, he said one of his biggest struggles has been balancing his music career with raising his children. Reality is reality, she’s a brilliant woman, a strong woman,” he said. “My profession doesn’t permit me to be shy, but I’m actually a very shy person.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has advised couples to think carefully before going ahead with marriage if they are faced with persistent rejection from their partner’s family. ALSO READ: VIDEO: Why I won’t dance to promote movies — Omotola Jalade“There is nothing you’re going to do. “Marriage in itself is already an institution where you’re going to face a lot. “Marriage in itself is already an institution where you’re going to face a lot. “So if this people are not going to support you from the beginning, you’re going to have a very rough journey.

…promotes made-in-Nigeria vehiclesThe Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting cultural festivals that preserve heritage and promote tourism-driven economic growth, as it received participants of the motor rally for the 61st Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival. “The most interesting aspect of this motor rally is that all the vehicles being used are assembled in Nigeria. He assured the participants of the Kano State Government’s full support and pledged that security escorts would accompany the convoy up to the Kano border to ensure a smooth and safe passage to Kebbi State. Earlier, the Kebbi State official in charge of transport for the festival, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulaiman, said the motor rally is one of the major pre-event activities for the 61st edition of the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival. According to him, increased patronage of locally assembled automobiles would help conserve foreign exchange otherwise spent on vehicle imports.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit. The theme of the summit is: ‘Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063’. It will focus on advancing continental commitments towards sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework. ALSO READ: Iran nuclear talks must continue — Trump tells NetanyahuWhile in Addis Ababa for the AU summit, Shettima will join other African leaders at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government. Shettima, who is being accompanied by cabinet Ministers and other senior government officials, is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his official engagements in Addis Ababa.