Economy
High Court Fixes March 12 To Tule In Suit Seeking To Stop Wike From Arresting Commercial S£x Workers
High Court Fixes March 12 To Tule In Suit Seeking To Stop Wike From Arresting Commercial S£x Workers
High Court fixes March 12 to rule in suit seeking to stop Wike from arresting commercial s£x workers. Ms Joshua said AEPB had maintained that it only arrests s£x workers who are found standing on the streets of Abuja, waiting for their male clients.
The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has fixed March 12 for judgment in a suit seeking to stop FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) from arresting and prosecuting commercial s£x workers (CSWs).
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after counsel for the plaintiffs and the defence presented their arguments for and against the case.
The plaintiff, under the auspices of the Incorporated Trustee of Lawyers Alert Initiative for Protecting the Rights of Children, Women and the Indigent, had instituted the suit.
The group sued the AEPB, FCT minister, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as the first to fourth respondents, respectively.
The originating summons was brought pursuant to Order 3, Rule 6 and 9 of the FHC (Civil Procedure Rules, 2019; Sections 6(6)(b), 41(1), and 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
The group sought two questions in the suit dated and filed on May 14, 2024, by a team of lawyers led by Rommy Mom, Bamidele Jacobs and Victor Eboh.
The lawyers want the court to determine whether the duties of the AEPB, under section 6 of the AEPB Act, 1997, extend to the harassment, arrest, detention and prosecution of women suspected of engaging in sex work on the streets of Abuja.
“Whether by the provision of section 35 (1) (d) of the AEPB Act, 1997, women can be regarded as articles or their bodies regarded as goods for purchase,” the lawyers said.
The lawyers, therefore, sought a declaration that the charge made by the personnel of the AEPB before the FCT mobile court, which referred to arrested women suspected of engaging in sex work as “articles” and considered their bodies as “goods for purchase,” is discriminatory and violated the provisions of section 42 of the 1999 Constitution.
They sought a declaration that the duties of the board do not extend to the harassment, arrest and raid of women suspected of engaging in s£x work on the streets of Abuja.
They also sought a declaration that neither section 6 of the AEPB Act, 1997, nor any extant laws of the country authorise the board to arrest women suspected of engaging in s£x work on the streets of Abuja.
They further sought a declaration that section 35(1) (d) of the AEPB Act, 1997, does not refer to women as “articles” or their bodies regarded as “goods for purchase.”
The lawyers, therefore, prayed the court for an order restraining the AEPB, its agents or privies from harassing, arresting and raiding women suspected of engaging in s£x work on the streets of Abuja.
They sought an order restraining the first respondent, her agents or privies from prosecuting women suspected of engaging in s£x work on the streets of Abuja under section 35(1) (d) of the AEPB Act, 1997.
They equally sought an order directing all the respondents to ensure proper application of the provisions of the Abuja Environmental Protect Act, 1997, by the first respondent.
A project assistant with R.A. Mom and Associates, Ayomide Joshua, in the affidavit she deposed to, said women were suspected of engaging in sex work on the streets of Abuja, leading to their harassment, arrest and prosecution by AEPB under Section 35 (1) (d) of the AEPB Act, 1997.
She said the cases are of national and international concerns, involving international organisations such as the United Nations, Amnesty International, the Open Society Fund, and over 30 local organisations.
Ms Joshua said although the women were prosecuted relying on section 35(1)(d) of the AEPB Act, which states that “any person who sells, displays, offers or carries for sale any goods or articles of trade at a road junction or any other unauthorised place is guilty of an offence.”
She alleged that AEPB had normalised the use of the police and other security agencies to arrest, harass and prosecute several women suspected of engaging in s£x work on the streets of Abuja under the section.
Ms Joshua said that the women who are arrested often do not have any goods for sale or wares on them.
She said AEPB, at the time of prosecuting these women, frequently accused them of prostitution and selling their bodies.
Ms Joshua said AEPB had maintained that it only arrests sex workers who are found standing on the streets of Abuja, waiting for their male clients.
“These women are often arrested alone, while the male counterparts are pardoned, despite being found in the same place at the same time,” she said.
According to her, the women are usually arrested with the assistance of the police and are not permitted to contact any relatives.
She said the determination of the case in favour of the applicant would put an end to the continuous harassment, intimidation and arrest of vulnerable women in Abuja by the board.
Ms Joshua said that a pre-action notice dated February 16, 2021, was served on AEPB before instituting the matter. She said it would be in the interest of justice to grant their reliefs.
But in a counter affidavit jointly filed by the minister, AEPB and FCTA by their lawyer, Betty Umegbulem, the respondents denied all the averments in the applicant’s affidavit.
Ahmed Gidado, a legal assistant who deposed to the counter affidavit, said the applicant did not file any case against the first to third respondents in 2019.
Mr Gidado argued that the exhibit attached therein was for a case filed by one Mirabel Ojimba and not the applicant.
He said the attached judgment copy was incomplete as the last pages were missing.
The lawyer said the applicant did not present any evidence to prove that any woman was harassed or arrested by the AEPB.
He said that contrary to the applicant’s argument, police officers are authorised, by law, to arrest any person they suspect to have committed an offence for the purpose of bringing him or her before a court of law for prosecution.
Mr Gidado said such a suspect can defend himself or raise any objection to their arrest at trial before a court.
He said all the information contained therein was hypothetical and speculative since the applicant was not the person arrested, and the deponent did not disclose the source of the information.
He argued that the applicant did not state how its fundamental human rights were violated and which of the rights was violated by the first to third respondents to warrant the filing of the action.
“The person (s) alleged to have been harassed, arrested or raided by the first to third respondents are not before the court to narrate their side of the story,” he added.
High Court
Mr Gidado, who argued that the applicant’s prayers were not in line with the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, said fundamental human rights cannot be enforced by another person who is not the victim of violation.
Also, the AGF, in his counter-affidavit deposed by Barnabas Onoja, a litigation officer, argued that all the facts presented by the applicant were untrue and misleading.
Mr Onoja said that contrary to the applicant’s submission, the AGF never received any pre-action notice from the applicant and that his office was only aware of the present suit upon receipt of the processes.
He said the AGF does not act as a supervisory officer over the activities of every security or federal government agency.
EFCC Arraigns Former SKye Bank Chairman, Tunde Ayeni For N15.6b Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, May 4, 2026, arraigned a former Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni before Justice Jude Onwuzuruike of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja.
Ayeni was arraigned on a 17-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and conversion of investors’ funds to the tune N15,665,085,429 (Fifteen Billion, Six hundred and Sixty five Million, Eighty five thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-nine Naira (N15,665,085,429).
Prosecution counsel E.E. Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment and prosecution ready for trial.
“We have before the court 17-count charge dated April 28, 2026, we humbly apply that the charge be read to the defendant”, he said.
Eereporter.com
Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc between 21st of October, 2014 and 19th November, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the aggregate sum of Three billion, Two hundred and One million, Five Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Forty two kobo(N3,201,535,429.42) by transferring same to Misa Limited’s account No: 1011295717 and 1011295718 domiciled with Zenith Bank in Violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other regulations and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.
Count five of the charge reads: “That you Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Defunct Skye Bank Plc on or about 27th November, 2014, at Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors’ funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Five Billion, Seventy Eight million, Five hundred and Fifty thousand Naira(N5, 078,550,000) by transferring same to Union Registrar Limited’s Account No: 0003490559 domiciled with Union Bank in violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other Regulations and thereby Committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and Punishable under Section 312 of same Act.”
Fraud
Ayeni pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
In view of his “not guilty” plea, Iheanacho prayed the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre.
Defence counsel, Ahmed Raji Bashir, SAN, informed the court that the charge was given to the defendant on a public holiday adding that he considered it imperative to inform the court. He also prayed the court to release the defendant to him or return him to the custody of the EFCC.
Justice Onwuzuruike adjourned the matter to May 13, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, while the defendant was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending determination of bail application.
Economy
World Press Freedom Day: FG Calls For Collaboration To Address Disinformation, Misinformation
World Press Freedom Day: FG Calls For Collaboration To Address Disinformation, Misinformation
The Federal Government has called for stronger collaboration among the media, government institutions, and other stakeholders to address the growing threat of disinformation and misinformation, stressing that collective action is essential to protect public trust and national stability. The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Monday in Abuja at the 2026 World Press Freedom Day commemoration held at Radio House.
“This administration has prioritised collaboration with media stakeholders and international partners to promote responsible journalism, counter disinformation and misinformation,” said the Minister.
He described press freedom as a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution, noting that the Federal Government remains fully committed to its protection. “The Federal Government fully recognises press freedom as a fundamental right and remains committed to fostering an environment where the media can operate freely, safely, and responsibly, in accordance with democratic principles and the rule of law,” he stated.
Idris noted that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken deliberate steps to strengthen transparency and access to information through sustained media engagement, implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, and investment in public communication platforms.
Eereporter.com
He further pointed to Nigeria’s partnership with UNESCO in establishing the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja as a key step towards building a more informed and discerning public. “This pioneering initiative reflects our commitment to strengthening media and information literacy, empowering citizens to engage with information critically, and promoting responsible communication in the digital age.”
The Minister urged journalists to uphold professionalism, fairness, and ethical standards in their work, stressing that press freedom must go hand in hand with responsibility. “The true test of press freedom lies not in our declarations, but in our actions, how safely journalists can do their work, how truthfully information is shared, and how responsibly it is consumed,” he said.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, described the event as a critical platform for strengthening collaboration across institutions.
“This gathering reflects our shared commitment to strengthening press freedom and fostering a more informed and inclusive society. It provides an opportunity for constructive engagement on how best to advance a media environment that is both free and responsible,” she said.
World Press Freedom Day
Ukaire emphasised the need for coordinated responses to the challenges posed by the evolving information ecosystem, particularly the spread of misinformation. “The expansion of digital platforms has introduced new complexities that require coordinated institutional responses, especially in addressing misinformation and strengthening public trust,” she noted.
She added that the Ministry remains committed to facilitating dialogue, strengthening partnerships, and promoting professionalism within the media space.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to working with the media, civil society, and international partners to build a resilient information system that supports democratic governance, national unity, and sustainable development.
The event was attended by the Inspector General of Police, represented by FPRO, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, mni, mnipr; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, represented by Director of Protocol M. O. Chukwuka, fsi; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Dr Dilli Ezughah; Head of UNESCO Abuja Office, represented by the Head of Communication and Information Sector, Ms Yachat Nuhu.
Rabiu Ibrahim
Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation
Monday, May 4, 2026
NNPC, Chinese Firms Sign MoU Towards Restart, Expansion Of Warri, Port Harcourt Refineries
The NNPC Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, for collaboration through a potential Technical Equity Partnership in support of the completion and operation of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries.
The MoU was signed by the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari; Chairman, Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong and Chairman of Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, Bill Bi, in Jiaxing City, China, on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Eereporter.com
The potential framework would cover completion of outstanding work at the two refineries, together with operating and maintaining both facilities to achieve best-in-class, sustainable performance. Planned expansion and upgrades would elevate both facilities to cleaner, more profitable product standards.
The potential collaboration also contemplates expanding the refineries’ petrochemical capacities and harnessing gas and downstream opportunities through the development of co-located, gas-based industrial hubs.
Speaking shortly after signing the dotted lines, the GCEO NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the MoU execution as a significant milestone, following more than six months of concerted engagement between the technical and management teams of NNPC and the two Chinese partners.
“All parties recognise mutually beneficial opportunities for the development and long-term sustainable profitability of NNPC’s refining assets in Nigeria, and the collective weight required for success,” Ojulari noted.
NNPC
The GCEO further stated that the MoU is a significant step on the journey towards identifying potential technical equity partner(s) to restart and expand NNPC’s refineries, and to explore opportunities in co-located petrochemicals and gas-based industries.
The MoU reflects the parties’ shared intent to progress discussions in good faith, with any definitive arrangements to follow in due course and subject to customary approvals.
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