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Tinubu approves over 260 emergency road repairs nationwide – Umahi

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• President Bola Tinubu
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• Reconstruction of two collapsed bridges in Enugu inclusive

President Bola Tinubu has approved more than 260 road repairs interventions across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, disclosed this on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while speaking with journalists after an audience with President Tinubu in his office.

The Minister, who further disclosed that the emergency repairs on the 260 roads nationwide will gulp about N217 billion, added that President Tinubu had approved more road construction works, including project upgrades.

According to the Minister, the President has also approved the resurfacing of the 3rd Mainland Bridge, construction of Lekki deep seaport road, re-construction of two collapsed bridges in Enugu and reconstruction of two locations on the Onitsha-Owerri Road.

Other roads approved for construction include the upgrading of the ongoing Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia road, dualization of the Lafia by-pass.

“I’ve always commended Mr President for his deep interest in reinstating most of our roads in the country. Everyday we get a lot of concerns from the public on the very deplorable situation of our roads, but there is no paper I brought in respect of that that Mr President has not approved.

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“Just yesterday he approved over 260 road interventions across the 36 states and the FCT. You’ll recall that last week he approved a lot of emergency roads and bridges repairs; we have three bridges that collapsed on the Southwest roads, he approved for reconstruction immediately. We have the Shendam- Lafia that collapsed, we also have the approval for its repairs.

“We have about 17 points along the East-West Road that have been destroyed by flood, Mr President has approved and released money for the immediate repairs. Of course the Third Mainland Bridge’s resurfacing and repairs of some noticeable deflections, which have to be done under the deck on top of the water with equipments, he has also approved that.

“Two bridges that collapsed in Enugu, approved by Mr President; the two locations on the Onitsha-Owerri Road, Mr President approved the reconstruction; Lokoja-Abuja Road, Mr President approved the reconstruction.

“I can name them, apart from the 260 emergency repairs all over the country that worth about N217 billion, so I’m quite glad.

“This afternoon again, Mr President approved upgrading of the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia Road, of course it’s ongoing, but it’s a PPP the Chinese and we’re paying 15%. Also the construction of the Lafia Bypass Dualisation from Makurdi, through Oturkpo, through Oboloafor, down to 9th Mile, it’s a major one, but Mr President has approved it. This is also being financed by the China EXIMBank, Lafia-Keffi Road is also financed by Chinese EXIMBank.

“Then, the 7th AXA Road; Lekki Deep Seaport (access), in Lagos. You know the Lagos State government is building the deep seaport, meaning that all the cargoes that cannot berth at the existing ports in Lagos can now come to that location and that’s where the Dangote Refinery is located.

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PFIPC: Adeyemi’s father arrested as police intensify forgery probe

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The father of Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, who is facing criminal charges over alleged forgery and impersonation, was reportedly arrested by police operatives on Monday in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Residents told journalists that the arrest took place at the family’s residence, where officers reportedly arrived in several vehicles before taking Adeniyi’s father and another man said to have been visiting the home into custody.

Witnesses said the operation drew the attention of residents and caused anxiety within the household, particularly for the suspect’s elderly mother.

A resident, who requested anonymity, alleged that the officers quickly secured the premises and left with the two men, while a security presence remained in the area for some time after the operation.

Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi is currently standing trial over allegations of forgery, impersonation and related offences arising from claims linked to the purported Presidential Fiscal and Infrastructure Projects Council.

The case is pending before the court.

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As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Police Command had not issued an official statement confirming or explaining the reported arrests.

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Tiktoker, Peller, arraigned in court for threatening and videoing police officers on duty; granted 500k bail

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The Lagos state police command today July 6 arraigned popular TikToker, Habeeb Hamzat aka Peller, and one other, Bello Oladipo, before a magistrate court on a three-count charge bordering on resisting police officers, obstructing them from carrying out their duties, and threatening and videoing police officers while performing their lawful duties.

Recall that on July 2, Peller clashed with some officers along the Coastal road in Lagos after he was intercepted for allegedly driving a car without a plate number.

Peller had claimed he had just purchased the vehicle.

The officers, however, dismissed his claim and insisted he must be taken to the station. Things, however, took a different turn after Peller began recording his interaction with the police officers.

He claimed the officers became hostile to him. He alleged that one of the officers dragged his shirt and even pointed a gun at him.

Monday morning, both Peller and his friend, who was in the vehicle with him, were arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate court.

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Count one of the charges reads:

‘’That you Bello Oladipo “m” and Habeeb Hamzat “m” of No. 16,Platinum Road Lekki phase 2 , on the 2” day of July 2026 at about 2000hrs at Coastal Road Lekki, Lagos within the Magisterial district of this Honourable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Resisting public officers and thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos state 2015.

COUNT 2

‘’That you Bello Oladipo “m” and Habeeb Hamzat “m “ of Number 16, Platinum Road, Lekki Phase 2, on the 2’” day of July 2026 at about 2000hrs at Coastal Road Lekki, Lagos within the Magisterial district of this Honourable court did obstruct one ASP Agbede Victor and three other police officers while engaged in the discharge of their constituted duties and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable by Section 117 (1)(2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.”

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all three counts.

The court subsequently granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties, one of whom must be a bl++d relative. The court also directed them to present two years’ tax clearance certificates as part of their bail conditions.

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Tinubu orders probe of Meta, Google, X, AI Platforms over use of Nigerian Media Content

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President Bola Tinubu
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President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate global technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms over allegations that they are exploiting the content of Nigerian media organisations and engaging in anti-competitive practices.

The directive followed a petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), a coalition comprising the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).

According to the FCCPC, the investigation will focus on technology giants including Meta, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, X (formerly Twitter), and other Generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the Commission said the investigation was initiated following concerns that some digital platforms may have violated Nigeria’s competition laws while benefiting commercially from the work of local media organisations.
For years, Nigerian publishers have argued that global technology companies profit from news content produced at significant cost without providing fair financial returns to the organisations responsible for creating it.

The FCCPC said the inquiry would examine allegations of anti-competitive conduct, abuse of market dominance and the unauthorised extraction, scraping and commercial use of copyrighted news articles, broadcast materials and other original journalistic works for the development and training of Generative AI models.

The Commission will also investigate claims that Nigerian publishers have been denied meaningful opportunities to negotiate fair licensing agreements and appropriate compensation for the use of their content.
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the investigation would be transparent, impartial and guided solely by evidence.

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“We recognise the strategic importance of the media to Nigeria’s democracy and the equally significant role of technology in driving innovation and economic growth. Our responsibility is to objectively determine the facts and ensure that competition within the digital ecosystem remains fair, transparent and consistent with Nigerian law,” Bello said.

He emphasised that the investigation should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt against any company.
“This inquiry is not directed at any entity by presumption of wrongdoing. Rather, it is an opportunity to carefully examine the facts, hear from all affected parties and determine whether any conduct has resulted in anti-competitive outcomes or unfair business practices. Every party will have a fair opportunity to present relevant information before any conclusions are reached,” he added.

The FCCPC said it would determine whether the alleged practices breach the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 or any other applicable legislation.

The probe comes at a time when governments across the world are introducing measures to ensure technology companies compensate publishers for the use of news content. In South Africa, for example, Google agreed to pay local news organisations hundreds of millions of rand annually following regulatory intervention.

The Nigerian investigation also follows the FCCPC’s recent legal battle with Meta, which resulted in a $220 million penalty over alleged violations of Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws, including data privacy breaches. The company is challenging the decision on appeal.
If the investigation confirms the allegations, it could significantly reshape the relationship between global technology companies and Nigeria’s media industry, while setting new standards for digital competition, copyright protection and the commercial use of journalistic content.

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