National news

NIS Warns: Higher Passport Fees Alone Won’t Stop Racketeering

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Higher passport fees cannot stop unofficial payments. Applicants face system glitches and rely on middlemen. Reforms underway, but corruption persists. Despite increasing passport fees, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) acknowledges that applicants still encounter unofficial charges and exploitation, highlighting ongoing challenges within the system. According to Eko Hot Blog, insiders including serving and retired NIS … Read more

Police Summon Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai, ADC Leaders Over Public Peace Disturbance

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El-Rufai, ADC leaders summoned by police after violent rally disruption. Opposition event in Kaduna attacked by suspected thugs. ADC leaders say they only saw the police notice online. The Kaduna State Police Command has summoned former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and six leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over alleged disturbance of public peace. According … Read more

70% of Nigerian Youths Jobless, NOA Reports

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NOA says 70% of Nigeria’s 80 million youths unemployed Most productive years lost to joblessness Call for empowering talent through engagement Almost 70 percent of Nigeria’s estimated 80 million youths are currently unemployed, a staggering reality revealed by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) that spotlights a mounting social and economic crisis. Eko Hot Blog reports … Read more

Goodluck Jonathan Reflects on 2015 Defeat: ‘I Was Betrayed’

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Jonathan claims betrayal by PDP insiders Blames Adamu Mu’azu, Northern elites, IGP Anger with party drove his distance from PDP Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that his unexpected loss in the 2015 presidential election was the result of betrayal from within his own party. Eko Hot Blog reports that Jonathan, in his book Against … Read more

Tajudeen Abbas Named Most Loved Speaker in Recent Democratic History

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Abbas rated most loved Speaker by colleagues Praised for inclusive, accessible leadership Noted for improving legislative welfare and process A recent survey of 50 members of the House of Representatives has named Speaker Tajudeen Abbas the most loved presiding officer in Nigeria’s democratic history. Eko Hot Blog reports that the survey—covering an equal mix of … Read more

Floodwaters Ravage Taraba: Homes and Farmland Lost in Seven Communities

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Torrential rain floods seven communities in Lau LGA Farmlands, homes submerged; hundreds displaced Emergency evacuations for women and children underway Overnight flooding triggered by heavy rainfall has submerged seven communities in Lau Local Government Area, Taraba State, displacing hundreds of residents and destroying farms and homes. Eko Hot Blog reports that the worst-hit area is … Read more

Soldiers Kill Bandit, Recover AK-47 in Kwara Midnight Ambush

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Bandit killed in Edu LGA ambush AK-47 rifle and ammo recovered Army vows sustained operations Nigerian soldiers have killed a suspected bandit and recovered an AK-47 rifle during a midnight ambush in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State. Eko Hot Blog reports that troops from the 22 Armoured Brigade, operating under the Forward Operating … Read more

Security Tightened at Kano EFCC Office as CSOs Stage Peaceful Anti-Corruption Protest

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Kano Police bolster security at EFCC zone ahead of civil society rally. CSOs rally in solidarity with anti-graft agencies amid major corruption probes. Protesters call for transparency, judicial fairness, and legislative oversight. Security around the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) zonal office in Kano was significantly heightened on Thursday as civil society organizations mounted … Read more

Rice Crisis Deepens: Experts Warn of Impending National Fallout

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Local rice mills idle Prices hit ₦100k again Crisis may spark unrest Rice prices are now setting off serious alarm bells across the nation. A rising tide of concern has been stirring among both consumers and industry insiders alike. Eko Hot Blog has already spotlighted the intensifying challenge faced by ordinary Nigerians at market stalls, … Read more

FG Warns GenCos: Comply or Be Cut Off from Grid

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National Grid Collapses Again

November 30 set as compliance deadline Defaulters risk fines and disconnection IoT meters to monitor real-time output The Federal Government has warned electricity-generating companies that failure to meet new standards will lead to disconnection from the national grid Eko Hot Blog reports that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) issued the order on August 26, … Read more

AfDB Set to Drive Nigeria’s Agricultural Development with $2.2 Billion Funding

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AfDB Discuss Banks zplan for 2025 The Programme is expected to target 7 states The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced a $2.2 billion funding package to develop Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) across Nigeria, aimed at transforming the nation’s agriculture sector and addressing food insecurity. Eko Hot Blog reports that Abdul Kamara, the Director … Read more

World Bank Disburses $1.5 Billion Loan to Nigeria for Fuel Subsidy Removal, Tax Reforms

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World Bank Loan Application Nigeria Receives 1.5billion Loan The Loan is Meant to Support Fuel Subsidy Removal and Tax System  The World Bank has given Nigeria a $1.5 billion loan to support the government’s efforts in removing fuel subsidies and reforming the tax system. This loan is part of the “Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to … Read more

Police Intensifies Fight Against Crime: Kidnappers, Armed Robbers Arrested

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 Police Rescues 13 Kidnapped Victims Police Arrest 5 Suspected Armed Robbers Police Recover Firearms, Ammunition In a concerted effort to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, and other forms of crime across Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force has intensified its strategies, leading to the successful rescue of 13 kidnapped victims and the arrest of several armed robbery … Read more

Professional Fees: FG Disburses N1.1 Billion to Prominent Law Firms Including Afe Babalola, Olanipekun and Others

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  • 17 lawyers received a cumulative sum of N359.7 million as professional fees
  • Afe Babalola, Olanipekun, and Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, collectively received N482.7 million
  • LDS Legal was paid N70.9m, while King’s Chambers and Iwuanyanwu & Co each received N15.7m Professional Fees

According to an analysis of data from GovSpend, a platform that tracks and analyzes Nigeria’s Federal Government expenditure, the Ministry of Justice has paid approximately N1.1 billion in professional fees to prominent lawyers and law firms, including Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and 23 other firms over three years.

Eko Hot Blog gathered that the term “professional services” within legal practice refers to various activities performed by lawyers for their clients, such as offering legal advice, drafting legal documents, and representing clients in legal matters.

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These services may also include transactional tasks like identifying legal risks in real estate and business dealings, negotiation, mediation, regulatory compliance, advocacy, lobbying, and risk management.

In July 2024, Babalola, Olanipekun, and Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, collectively received N482.7 million from the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Babalola was paid N372.9 million on July 23 for representing the Federal Government in a court case registered FHC/ABJ/SC/8962/2023. Olanipekun and Izinyon received N103.6 million and N6.2 million, respectively, for providing similar services at different times. Olanipekun’s payment was made on July 26, while Izinyon received his fee three days later.

Professional Fees: FG Disburses N1.1 Billion to Prominent Law Firms Including Afe Babalola, Olanipekun and Others

Further analysis of the Ministry of Justice’s records shows that in 2022, at least 17 lawyers received a cumulative sum of N359.7 million as professional fees, while four lawyers were paid a total of N319.3 million.

Further analysis of the Ministry of Justice’s records reveals that in 2022, no fewer than 17 lawyers received a cumulative sum of N359.7m as professional fees, while four lawyers were paid a total of N319.3m in 2021.

Among those who received payments in 2022 were Savannah Law Chambers, which was paid N17.4m; Lex Habitae, which received N21.8m; Rashida Mohammed & Co in Sokoto, which got N17.4m; and Abdullahi Haruna & Co, which also received N17.4m.

LDS Legal was paid N70.9m, while King’s Chambers and Iwuanyanwu & Co each received N15.7m. Sulaiman Salihu & Co was paid N31.4m in two tranches.

Other firms that benefited include Justice Solicitors & Attorneys, which was paid N15.7m; Pelican Legal, which received N15.7m; and Aderemi Olatubora & Co, which was paid N17.4m. Gboyega Oyewole of Lords and Temple Attorneys was paid N5.4m, while Savannah Law Chambers received an additional N29m.

Hanafi Mumini Ishola of Hanafi & Associates received N20.7m, Law Forte was paid N22.3m in two tranches, and Madyan Legal Consult received N24.8m in two tranches.

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FRSC Appeals to Travelers to Remain Vigilant and Report Reckless Drivers

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FRSC Emphasizes Roles of Passenger in Preventing Accident There were recent crashes in Ondo,Kwara and Owo-Ikare Avoid Rickety Cars-FRSC In response to recent road accidents in Kwara and Ondo States, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a warning to travelers, advising them to avoid boarding vehicles with substandard safety measures. Eko Hot Blog … Read more

Lagos Cleric Lauds Tinubu During Jumaat Prayer at Lagos Mosque

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Tinubu to Spend Festive Season in Lagos Chief Imam of Lagos Central Mosque, Ridhwan Jamiu, urged people to be grateful to Allah Says the President hasn’t disappointed President Bola Tinubu attended the Jumat prayer at the Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos on Friday, marking his first public appearance since last week’s prayers at the Alausa … Read more

I Have Never Lied: Farotimi Defends Controversial Claims Against Afe Babalola

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Dele Farotimi Finally Freed Human Right Lawyer Granted Interview to Newsmen Farotimi Defends Allegations Against Afe Babalola Activist lawyer, Dele Farotimi, on Tuesday, after being  released from detention stood firmly by the allegations he made against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola, in his contentious book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. Farotimi, … Read more

Troops Dismantle 37 Illegal Refining Sites, Seize 130,000 Litres of Stolen Petroleum Products

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In a coordinated effort, troops of the 6 Division, along with other security agencies, have successfully dismantled 37 illegal refining sites and confiscated a staggering 130,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta region.  Eko Hot Blog reports that the operation also resulted in the seizure of six boats and the arrest of … Read more

‘STONE’ Study Reveals 179 Million Nigerians Living in Unclean Environment

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The State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE) study’s seventh edition has revealed that 179 million Nigerians currently live in unclean environments, marking a slight improvement from the 183 million recorded in 2023.  Eko Hot Blog reports that the report, signed by Ene Owoh, National Coordinator of Clean-Up Nigeria (CUN), an NGO, highlights the urgent need … Read more

Nigeria Army Promotes 108 Generals

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The Nigerian Army Council has recently approved the promotion of 108 senior officers to the ranks of Major-General and Brigadier-General. Eko Hot Blog reports that among these promotions, 35 Brigadier Generals have been elevated to Major-Generals, and 73 Colonels have been promoted to Brigadier-Generals. These newly promoted officers hold crucial command and staff positions within … Read more

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