Economy
Sanwo-Olu Sets To Amend Lagos Kingship, Chieftaincy Law
Sanwo-Olu Sets To Amend Lagos Kingship, Chieftaincy Law
Sanwo-Olu sets to amend Lagos kingship, chieftaincy law. The Lagos government stated that the review aimed to modernise the law in line with current realities and promote good governance.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government has commenced a comprehensive review of the Obas and Chiefs Law of 2015 to address gaps in the existing laws.
The attorney general and commissioner for justice, Lawal Pedro, announced this on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Alausa, Ikeja.
Mr Pedro described the review as a deliberate move by Mr Sanwo-Olu’s administration to modernise the law in line with the current realities and good governance.
Mr Pedro lamented the erosion of respect for traditional institutions, blaming it on a combination of misconduct, the proliferation of unverified chieftaincy titles, and prolonged litigation over succession rights.
“Our royal fathers remain symbols of cultural continuity and community leadership. But today, with due respect, the institution is under threat from land grabbing, unlawful upgrades, and chieftaincy titles not rooted in the community’s customs,” he said.
The commissioner added that the review aimed to address gaps in the existing law and redefine the roles of traditional rulers to include conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and partnership in community development.
According to him, the proposed amendments will formally recognise traditional rulers as partners in maintaining law and order, mediating disputes, and conveying government policies to grassroots communities.
“The law must evolve. Our Obas can help reduce crime by mediating disputes, gathering public feedback, and promoting community initiatives.
“Also, there is a need to restore integrity to the process of conferring chieftaincy titles. Only persons of proven honour and community ties should be eligible.
“This process is about partnership, not imposition as we want a law that preserves heritage while promoting justice, peace, and good governance,” he explained.
Many traditional rulers from across Lagos attended the meeting and provided input on the proposed amendment. They unanimously urged the state government to give them one month to study the proposed bill to give quality feedback.
The traditional ruler of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, called for greater legal clarity on the status of divisional and provincial chieftaincy councils. He urged the Lagos government to take action against individuals falsely claiming to be monarchs.
“We want a clear legal distinction between traditional and provincial councils. We have reported impostors multiple times, yet no action has been taken. This must stop,” he said.
The traditional ruler also objected to any attempt to alter the current leadership structure of the State Council of Obas, which recognises four vice-chairpersons from the state’s four traditional divisions.
He insisted that local Chief Transit Committees should be consulted before any appointments are made at the state level, urging the government to ensure chiefs are not excluded from the ongoing reform.
Mr Shotobi requested one month for traditional rulers to review the draft law and return with coordinated input. He also requested a legal framework to recognise traditional dispute resolutions handled within palaces.
“Our decisions are sometimes ignored in court due to lack of legal backing. We need enabling laws to make our rulings count,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the solicitor general and permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Hammed Oyenuga, said the forum presented an opportunity for collaboration among stakeholders in traditional governance.

Lagos Government
“This gathering presents a unique opportunity for robust dialogue, reflection, and collaboration as we seek to strengthen the law that directly impacts our revered traditional institutions and the communities they serve,” he said.
Mr Oyenuga further said that the law must be updated to align with contemporary realities while respecting cultural heritage.
The meeting concluded with a consensus to hold further deliberations within four weeks before submitting the final amendments.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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