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Economy

Femi Falana Urges Nigerians To Demand Accountability From Leaders

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Femi Falana Urges Nigerians

Femi Falana Urges Nigerians To Demand Accountability From Leaders

Femi Falana urges Nigerians to demand accountability from leaders. He called on Nigerians to support one another, stressing that “injustice to one is injustice to all.”

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged Nigerians to demand accountability from their leaders. He decried the prevailing “rule of rulers” instead of the rule of law.

Mr Falana stated this at the 4th Anniversary of the late Yinka Odumakin Lecture, organised by the Oluyinka Odumakin Foundation on Wednesday in Lagos.

The lecture’s theme was ‘Selflessness in Leadership: The Yinka Odumakin Example.’ Mr Falana stressed that leaders must be held accountable for their actions.

Nigerians, he said , should start asking questions and demanding transparency.
He also encouraged Nigerians to request a copy of their local government’s budget.

Mr Falana said the people should ensure senators and House of Representatives members are held accountable for their constituency budgets. He reiterated the importance of questioning leaders and demanding accountability.

“They must ensure the implementation of their budgets. We must begin with the appropriation of state budgets. Let us demand a copy of the budget and seek accountability. “Find out how your local government spends its money. They must implement the budget.

“We must hold them accountable to serve the people. Nigerians need to ask questions,” he said. Mr Falana also criticised what he called the  “rule of rulers” rather than the “rule of law.” According to him, the rule of law means everyone is bound by the law and treated equally.

Mr Falana also condemned the Lagos State government for allegedly demolishing homes of the poor without approval, while allowing the rich to bypass similar laws.

“The government is demolishing houses occupied by the poor. But when the rich, including those in Banana Island, do the same, the government ratifies the law,” he claimed.
He called on Nigerians to support one another, stressing that “injustice to one is injustice to all.”

Mr Falana urged Nigerians to hold the government accountable, which he believes is the true way to honour Yinka Odumakin. He described Mr Odumakin as a consistent and courageous advocate for democracy.

“The philosophy of Afenifere, which Yinka upheld, includes education for all, access to healthcare, and full employment.

“For the foundation to remain relevant, this philosophy must be sustained,” he said. Earlier, in his goodwill message, Gani Adams, factional leader of the outlawed Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) , urged the human rights community to continue fighting for democracy.

Mr Adams advised them not to compromise in the interest of the people.
“We must continue what Yinka Odumakin fought for and believed in. “There is a need for pro-democracy activists to focus on reshaping and sustaining democracy in the country,” he added.

Omowole Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) 2023 presidential candidate, described Mr Odumakin as a fearless and courageous activist.
“Yinka always spoke the truth, regardless of whose ox was gored,” he said.

Femi Falana Urges Nigerians

Femi Falana Urges Nigerians

Dr Joe Odumakin, president of Women Arise for Change Initiative, highlighted the importance of equality and justice for all. “The rule of law must be respected by everyone,” she said.

“Nigeria is our country. We must insist on doing things right and ensuring that injustice to one is injustice to all,” she added.

The widow, who is also President of the Foundation, pledged to rededicate herself to the ideals her late husband stood for.
Mr Odumakin passed away on April 2, 2021, during a brief illness.

Dignitaries at the event included Jimi Agbaje, former governorship candidate in Lagos State, and activist, Olamide Fusika (SAN).
Other attendees included veteran journalist,  Richard Akinnola, and Edmond Obilo.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

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

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.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

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 Probes Man

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

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

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.

National Bank Of Kenya

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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