President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after spending about four weeks in Europe, declaring that he is hale, healthy and ready to resume work.

Tinubu made the remarks on Tuesday evening after arriving in Lagos from Paris, where he had spent the latter part of his working vacation.

Responding to journalists who asked about concerns raised about his health condition, the President said he remained fit and prepared to continue his duties.

“Rumours will always emanate from politics. I am hale and strong. I am ready to work. The fact remains that I am here, healthy, sound and ready to go,” Tinubu said.

The President had departed Nigeria on August 30 for London before travelling to Paris, with the Presidency describing the trip as a working vacation.

He later extended his stay by a few days before returning to Nigeria on Tuesday.

His prolonged absence from the country had generated public and political debate, with opposition figures questioning the length of his stay abroad and his decision not to personally attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Presidency, however, maintained that Tinubu remained in touch with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs while abroad.

Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at several official engagements, including the UN General Assembly.

During his time in France, Tinubu met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

The Presidency also linked his stay to engagements with investors and discussions around major investment projects, including the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port in Ogun State.

The President is expected to remain in Lagos for the 66th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

He is scheduled to attend official engagements in the state, including activities marking Nigeria’s independence on October 1, before returning to Abuja.

The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Johannesburg has condemned the deaths of three Nigerian nationals killed in different parts of South Africa in less than one week, between September 18 and 21, 2026.

In a statement issued today, the Consulate said the killings raise fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa and point to what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians.

According to the Consulate, on September 18, 2026, one Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemadu allegedly jumped to his death while trying to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street, Central Business District (CBD), Bloemfontein.

On September 20, 2026, another Nigerian, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde, was shot dead at Spanata Bar and Grill Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, by an unidentified South African.

The deceased, who worked as a security guard at the club located in Summer Event Centre, was said to have attempted to stop a customer from leaving the club with a cup belonging to the club.

The encounter degenerated into an altercation, and the customer pulled out his firearm and shot Olatunde in the lower body, leading to serious injury and profuse loss of blood.

“The shooter immediately fled the scene. However, on realising that his identity was known by many at the Club, he later returned to the Club and threatened to also kill any witnesses who dare to report the case and identify him to the Police,” the statement said.

Olatunde was rushed to Mamelodi Hospital, where he was confirmed dead on the morning of September 21, 2026.

The third incident occurred on September 21, 2026, in Primrose, Ekurhuleni, where South African politician-cum-investigative content creator, Xolani Khumalo, and his content creation team, Sizok’thola, allegedly tortured and killed Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.

The Consulate said that, despite not finding anything incriminating on the deceased, the crew beat and tortured him before he attempted to escape by jumping over a fence, after which he collapsed from injuries and exhaustion and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

The Consulate recalled that on February 9, 2026, another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, was also shot dead by the same Khumalo’s reality TV crew in Windsor East, Randburg, yet no arrests have been made and Khumalo is currently running for election to become Mayor of Ekurhuleni.

“Reports of these continuous incidents are deeply troubling and continue to raise numerous questions over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa,” the Consulate said, calling on relevant South African authorities to investigate the deaths thoroughly and bring perpetrators to justice.

“Our position remains that Nigerian and all lives matter. In cases where allegations may exist, no matter what they are, there are processes and steps to justice. All should be presumed innocent,” it added.

By Tony Edike

The long-running property dispute involving Bianca Ojukwu and Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) has taken a fresh turn following the demolition of a property at 4 Macpherson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, and what the company describes as ongoing unauthorised construction on the site.

In a petition dated August 20, 2026 and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), OTL called for the immediate cessation of activities at the property and its return to the company pending the resolution of outstanding court proceedings.

The company said the property was taken over on May 1, 2025, when officers from Zone 2, Lagos, accompanied by lawyers representing Bianca Ojukwu, identified in the petition as Omeye and Duru, took over the premises.

Ongoing construction at the site

OTL alleged that the police action was based on what it described as “false claims” made by Bianca Ojukwu and her lawyers.

According to the company, the property had previously been the subject of litigation and enforcement proceedings. OTL said it had, pursuant to a 2018 judgment by Justice Adedayo Oyebanji, obtained and executed a warrant on the properties in 2022.

The company further stated that it subsequently commenced an appeal process against the 2022 judgment of Justice A.M. Lawal and served the relevant stay processes.

OTL said that despite the unresolved legal proceedings, the property at Macpherson Avenue was demolished and construction subsequently commenced on the site.

OTL’s fresh petition to IGP

In the August 2026 petition, Ojukwu Transport Limited, said it had previously petitioned the IGP on August 22, 2025, with a reminder in January 2026, seeking the return of the property.

The company said that its earlier complaints had not been responded to, while activities at the property had continued.

A new structure under construction at the site

“OTL, the owner of the property, discovered that the same property taken over by police with no response to our previous petitions/demands had been demolished and construction now ongoing,” the company stated in the petition.

It consequently asked the IGP to urgently intervene by stopping all activities on the property and removing persons allegedly occupying or working on the premises.

The company also requested that the property be returned to it while the outstanding court issues are allowed to run their course.

“Criminality and abuse of power should not be condoned,” the petition stated.

Earlier police petitions

OTL said its initial petition in August 2025 was prepared by Chief O. Ugolo, SAN, on the instructions of Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Jnr, whom the company identified as head of the Ikemba branch of the family as well as a shareholder and director of OTL.

The company maintained that Bianca Ojukwu and her sons, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu, are not shareholders or directors of OTL.

A separate petition was also reportedly submitted to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, in September 2026, specifically concerning the alleged demolition and ongoing construction at the Macpherson Avenue property.

OTL alleged that the ongoing development was taking place with the knowledge and protection of police personnel.

However, these allegations have not been independently established in the materials made available to The Advocate.

Contempt proceedings

OTL said Bianca Ojukwu and her sons had earlier, in 2024, applied for Form 49 contempt proceedings before Justice Lawal.

The company also alleged that proceedings had suffered delays because the case file earlier requested by Bianca’s lawyers was unavailable or had not been returned to court on two consecutive occasions.

Other properties involved

According to OTL, the matter before Justice Lawal includes, in addition to 4 Macpherson Avenue :

* 30 Gerrard Road, Ikoyi
* 29 Oyinkan Abayomi, Ikoyi
* 13 Ojora, Ikoyi
* 32 Commercial Avenue, Yaba

OTL maintains that it is the owner of the properties.

OTL demands return of property

OTL described the alleged demolition and construction as a “blatant and provocative disregard for the rule of law” and accused a serving federal government minister and her lawyers of abuse of office and power.

Those allegations are OTL’s position and have not been independently established.

The company is demanding that the alleged construction be stopped, all persons allegedly occupying the property be removed and the property returned to OTL pending the conclusion of the court proceedings.

The latest development is another chapter to the long-running legal dispute with Ojukwu Transport Limited.