Nigerians Have The Legal Right To Film And Record Police Officers On Duty - Lagos CP Tijani Fatai

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, has affirmed that the public have the legal right to film and record police officers on duty. The CP also used the opportunity to warn officers not to search citizens’ phones.

He further encouraged officers to adopt similar transparency by documenting their own operations while on duty.

“You can record the officers when you are stopped, and they can also record you,” Fatai said in a video post that has now gone viral.

The move aims to improve transparency and accountability in the police force.

It would be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, had earlier this year, affirmed the constitutional rights of Nigerians to record police officers conducting stop-and-search operations in public spaces.

Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa gave the pronouncement while delivering judgement on Tuesday in an enforcement of a fundamental rights suit marked FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, filed by a lawyer, Maxwell Nosakhare Uwaifo.

The judge also maintained that “police officers must wear visible name tags, display their force numbers, and refrain from harassing, intimidating, arresting, or confiscating devices from citizens who record their actions”.

Uwaifo had filed the suit following an encounter with police officers along the Sapele Roundabout while travelling from Benin to Warri on May 10, 2025.

He had sought a judicial pronouncement on the constitutionality of police officers conducting stop-and-search operations without visible name tags and force numbers, as well as the right of citizens to record such officers.

Defendants in the suit were the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

In the suit, Uwaifo asked the court to declare that Nigerians are entitled, under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, to freely express themselves, including recording the conduct of law enforcement agents performing public duties.

He also sought a declaration that it is unlawful for police officers to seize devices, arrest, or threaten citizens recording their activities.

The plaintiff had sought, among other reliefs, the following: “A declaration that the acts of police officers engaging in patrols, stop-and-search operations, and other public interactions without wearing uniforms that visibly display their names and force numbers is unconstitutional, illegal, and a breach of Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the Constitution and the Police Act.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents, their agents, officers, or privies from further engaging in stop-and-search or checkpoint operations without ensuring all operatives wear uniforms bearing their full names and force numbers. An order directing the 1st to 3rd respondents to issue clear directives and training guidelines to all officers of the Nigeria Police Force, affirming the public’s right to record and report police activities conducted in public spaces, including at checkpoints and during stop-and-search.

“An order mandating the 2nd and 3rd respondents to discipline any officer found to have acted in breach of this right. An order mandating the 3rd respondent (Police Service Commission) to issue a circular requiring all officers on public engagement duties to wear full uniforms with identification, and to initiate disciplinary action against any defaulters.

“The sum of N80,000,000 as general and exemplary damages against the respondents for repeated infringements of the rights of the applicant and members of the public.”

The AGF was represented by Babatunde Ajajogun and D.O. Tarfa.

Justice Nganjiwa, while delivering judgment in the matter, held that “Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers performing their duties in public”.

The judge also ruled that “officers must wear visible name tags and display force numbers or proper identification during public operations”.

The judge said, “It’s s unlawful for police to harass, intimidate, arrest, or seize devices from citizens recording them”.

The judge then awarded N5,000,000 in damages for violation of fundamental rights and N2,000,000 for the cost of litigation.

Lagosians have commended CP Tijani Fatai for giving a voice to the court’s ruling. Harassment of Lagosians by police officers at checkpoints is rampant and persistent, with Lagos State Police Command consistently topping the list of complaints across Nigeria. Despite frequent bans on unprofessional stop-and-search tactics, extortion, and illegal searches of mobile phones, reports of abuse—including harassment, physical assault, and bribery—have continued to surface regularly in the state.

  

Read More

Funke Akindele Denies Ignoring Pasuma During Fathia Balogun's Birthday Party

Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has dismissed claims that she ignored Fuji musician Wasiu Pasuma at a public event, describing a viral video circulating online as misleading.

The controversy arose after a social media user shared an edited clip alleging that Akindele failed to acknowledge Pasuma during actress Fathia Balogun’s birthday celebration.

The footage showed Akindele greeting Balogun while Pasuma was seated nearby.

Responding on X on Sunday, Akindele said she interacted with Pasuma at the event, noting that she greeted and danced with him.

“Snub? Hell no. Stop the negativity pls. I saw him, greeted him, and danced with him. Pasuma is my egbon. Pls you all should stop this,” she wrote.

A longer video from the occasion appears to counter the claim, showing Akindele standing close to Pasuma, engaging with him before moving on to other guests.

The clarification comes weeks after discussions following an incident at the premiere of The Return of Arinzo, where Akindele was alleged to have ignored fellow actress Toyin Abraham.

  

Read More

Lagos APC Women Leader Rallies Mothers, Professionals On The Need For A Cleaner City

As the return of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise was, on Saturday, observed across Lagos State, the APC State Women Leader, Alhaja Rofiat Iyabosola Eletu, has called on women to position themselves as the primary architects of a healthier society.

Speaking during the inaugural exercise at the Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, alongside the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Eletu emphasized that the journey toward a Greater Lagos begins at home.

She argued that women, as the primary influencers within the family unit, hold the key to long-term behavioral change in the state.

In her own words, “If we can govern the hygiene of our households, we can surely govern the hygiene of our streets. When we maintain a spotless home, we raise children who value order. A clean home is a sanctuary that wards off disease and fosters peace of mind.”

The Women Leader closed her address with a rallying cry, urging every woman in Lagos to pick up the mantle and refuse to tolerate filth in their communities.

Eletu noted that taking charge of the environment today is an investment in the health of future generations.

She reminded citizens that the environmental sanitation exercise and care must be a daily commitment.

“Cleanliness is a lifestyle, not an event,” she concluded.

  

Read More

Lagos To Deploy Electric Ferries, Integrate Water, Rail And Road Transportation For Better Mobility In The State

Lagos State government has announced an ambitious plan to transform water transportation in the state through the deployment of electric ferries, expansion of inland waterways, and seamless integration with road and rail systems under a five-year mobility programme.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed this while hosting members of the Shipping Correspondent Association of Nigeria (SCAN), led by its President, Moses Ebosele, in Lagos.

Emmanuel, who also supervises the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), said the initiative will include dredging about 140 kilometres of inland waterways, upgrading terminals, and strengthening operational capacity across the sector.

He explained that the project is designed to provide commuters with viable alternatives to road transport and reduce traffic congestion in the state, describing it as the first time Lagos is attracting large-scale investment dedicated solely to water transport.

“The goal is to build an efficient, interconnected system linking the eastern, western, and central parts of Lagos,” he said, adding that the government will prioritise training across the value chain, including boat operators, captains, deckhands, and regulatory agencies, while ensuring the informal sector is not excluded.

A key highlight of the initiative, according to him, is the transition to cleaner energy.
He revealed that pilot schemes for electric ferries have recorded success, while efforts are ongoing to convert conventional engines to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative energy source.

Addressing concerns over fares, Emmanuel noted that water transport remains more expensive than road travel due to higher operational costs, but offers commuters shorter travel times and relief from traffic congestion.

To enhance connectivity, he said the state is developing major transport interchanges in locations such as Mile 2 and Marina, where water, rail, and bus services will converge for seamless mobility.

He added that safety on the waterways has improved significantly, with a decline in accidents attributed to proactive measures, infrastructure investment, and sustained engagement with operators.

Monthly passenger traffic, he said, is currently estimated at between 1.5 million and 2 million users.

On environmental sustainability, Emmanuel highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle marine pollution, particularly plastic waste, through collaboration with environmental agencies and non-governmental organisations. He also noted initiatives to manage water hyacinth by converting it into useful products such as craft materials and agricultural inputs.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to stakeholder engagement to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector, noting that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to unlock Lagos’ blue economy potential.

In his remarks, Ebosele urged LASWA to deepen collaboration with the media, stressing that such partnerships would enhance public awareness and promote greater engagement, especially among rural communities.

  

Read More

2027 Lagos Governorship Race: Femi Gbajabiamila, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Wale Edun Throw Their Weight Behind Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru; and former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, have endorsed the governorship aspiration of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 election.

Hamzat, who is intensifying consultations across key political blocs, visited the trio at their residences, where they unanimously backed his ambition, describing him as well-positioned to sustain the state’s development trajectory beyond the tenure of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Abiru said the consultations reflected the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s values of unity and discipline, expressing confidence in Hamzat’s capacity to govern the state. “You have our full support,” he stated.

Edun described the engagements as a demonstration of grassroots democracy, noting that such consultations remain vital in a democratic system. He endorsed Hamzat’s bid, citing his experience and competence, and urged him to prioritise poverty reduction and economic growth. Edun also commended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.

Gbajabiamila, in his remarks, affirmed his support for Hamzat, attesting to his competence and leadership qualities. He said: “There is no doubt that Lagos is in safe hands. Dr Hamzat, you are a man of honour. You can take my support for granted. My constituency, Surulere, is for you, and Lagos is for you.”

Meanwhile, in Badagry Division, Hamzat received widespread endorsement from political and community leaders during a consultative visit, where he also unveiled the “City Boy Movement,” a group aimed at strengthening APC’s political base in Lagos and beyond.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Chairman of the group, Joseph Bamgbose, called for greater inclusion of Badagry indigenes in the state’s civil service, particularly at senior levels, as well as increased representation in appointive positions.

A traditional ruler, Oba Sejiro Olamilekan James, pledged support for Hamzat’s candidacy and appealed for government intervention in completing a community chalet and improving infrastructure in the area.

In his vote of thanks, Senator Ganiyu Solomon assured stakeholders that a Hamzat-led administration would give due consideration to the requests raised.

  

Read More

Dangote Refinery's Expansion To Generate Employment For 95,000 Skilled Workers

The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced that the expansion of the Dangote Refinery to a production capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day will generate employment for no fewer than 95,000 skilled workers at the peak of construction.

Dangote disclosed this at the weekend in Lagos during his induction as an honorary fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, describing the project as a major milestone in Nigeria’s industrial transformation.

According to him, the expansion underscores the group’s continued commitment to engineering excellence, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

“This award is particularly meaningful because it recognises what we are doing in the industry, especially our commitment to employing engineers and skilled professionals. At the peak of construction for this expansion, we expect to have about 95,000 skilled workers on site, and we will continue to grow,” Dangote said.

Upon completion, Dangote said the expanded refinery will surpass the Jamnagar refinery in India to become the largest refinery in the world, significantly strengthening Nigeria’s refining capacity.

Dangote noted that the project would rely heavily on Nigerian expertise, creating substantial opportunities for engineers, technicians, artisans, and other skilled professionals.

He added that the expansion reflects the group’s long-term vision for industrialisation in Nigeria and across Africa.

Beyond employment generation, the refinery said the expansion is expected to stimulate local manufacturing, enhance technology transfer, and deepen Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.

It will also improve fuel security, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, and deliver significant foreign exchange savings for the Nigerian economy.

“The scale of this expansion reflects our confidence in Nigerian capacity and our belief that Africa has the ability to build world-class infrastructure that meets global standards,” Dangote stated.

In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Prof. Rahamon Bello, described the honour as well-deserved, noting that Dangote’s impact transcends physical infrastructure.

“What makes this recognition fitting is not only what has been built but also what has been inspired. Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s journey continues to motivate a new generation of engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to think boldly, act decisively, and believe in the immense possibilities within our continent,” Bello said.

From the current 650,000 bpd, Dangote plans to scale up the refinery over three years.

  

Read More

Drug Trafficking: Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of Okota Mansion

Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of a property located at 14, Okechukwu Madueke Street, Star-Times Estate, Okota, over its alleged link to proceeds of drug trafficking.

The order was made on Thursday in Suit No. FHC/L/MISC/1342/2025, following an application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Moving the application, NDLEA counsel Ibrahim Abu, a commander of narcotics, told the court that the motion was brought pursuant to relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.

He said the application was supported by an affidavit deposed to by Okonkwo Ebuka Anthony, a litigation officer in the NDLEA’s Prosecution and Legal Services Unit at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command.

“The property sought to be forfeited is reasonably believed to have been derived from unlawful activities, to wit: drug trafficking,” Abu submitted.

He further informed the court that an interim preservation order had earlier been granted on December 10, 2025, and published in a national newspaper in compliance with the law.

“The said order was advertised in PUNCH Newspapers of December 18, 2025,” he said. “Since that publication, no individual or entity has come forward to lay claim to or show interest in the property.”

According to him, the absence of any objection or claim reinforced the agency’s position that the property was liable to final forfeiture.

In a supporting affidavit, the deponent traced the investigation to the arrest of a freight agent on February 10, 2024, with 49.70 kilograms of heroin concealed in cutting machines.

“That in the course of investigation, one Chidibest Ibewuike was identified as a member of the drug trafficking syndicate,” the affidavit stated. “He has since remained at large, and all efforts to apprehend him have proved abortive.”

The affidavit further linked the property to the suspect, noting that “the property is reasonably suspected to belong to the said Chidibest Ibewuike and to have been acquired from proceeds of drug trafficking.”

It added that investigations at the Lagos State Lands Bureau failed to establish registered ownership of the property.

“Investigations at the office of the Registrar of Titles did not reveal the ownership of the property,” the deponent averred. “No objection or interest has been shown by any person since the publication of the interim forfeiture order.”

Granting the application, Justice Kakaki held that the NDLEA had complied with all statutory requirements and established its case on a balance of probabilities.

“The applicant has satisfied the requirements of the law. There being no contest to the interim order and sufficient evidence linking the property to unlawful activities, the application for final forfeiture succeeds,” the judge ruled.

The court consequently ordered that the property be finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria as proceeds of drug trafficking.

  

Read More

Lagos Partners Generating Companies To Boost Electricity Supply In The State

The Lagos State Government has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with three electricity generating companies as part of efforts to improve power supply across the state.

The agreement was signed at the Lagos House, Marina, in the presence of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Abiodun Ogunleye, signing on behalf of the state.

The firms involved include Mainland Power Limited, Akute Independent Power Plant and Fenchurch Power Limited, with the latter joining as a new partner.

Speaking after the signing, Sanwo-Olu urged all parties to uphold the terms of the agreement, stressing the need for commitment and professionalism to ensure the success of the projects.

“This agreement is about the people and how easily we can solve problems. Let’s keep promises from both sides. When people benefit, it makes life easier. This is the beginning of reforms we are seeing in the energy sector,” the governor said.

Ogunleye described the deal as a strategic move to boost power generation and revitalise dormant assets, adding that it would provide reliable electricity to residents.

According to him, the three companies currently have a combined generation capacity of about 60 megawatts (MW), which is projected to scale up to between 200MW and 400MW within the next two to three years.

He noted that the expansion would be achieved through competitive market operations without placing additional financial burden on the state.

The commissioner explained that Mainland Power Limited, which operates the Ikeja GRA plant, has an installed capacity of 8.8MW and a contracted capacity of 5.8MW, supplying electricity to areas from Ikeja to Oshodi, including critical infrastructure such as the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA).

He added that the Akute Independent Power Plant, now to be managed by Fenchurch Power Limited, has a contracted capacity of 26MW and is being repositioned as a major energy hub.

The plant, which had been dormant for about five years, is undergoing rehabilitation and upgrade and is expected to supply power to surrounding communities, including the Adiyan Water Works.

For the Island axis, Ogunleye said the Island Power Limited/Peninsula Integrated Power Project, operated by Viathan Engineering, has a combined installed capacity of 21MW, comprising 6MW in Lekki and 15MW in Marina.

He said the facility would provide electricity to key public infrastructure, including the Lagos State Government House, the Deputy Governor’s residence, Lagos Island General Hospital and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital.

The partner companies commended the Sanwo-Olu administration for its infrastructure drive, noting that the initiative sends positive signals to investors about Lagos as a viable destination for energy sector investment.

  

Read More

Mixed Compliance Meets Return Of Monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise

Mixed reactions greeted the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos State on Saturday, as many residents complied with movement restrictions but recorded limited participation in cleanup activities.

The Lagos State Government recently reinstated the exercise, scheduled for the last Saturday of every month between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., as part of efforts to promote a cleaner and healthier environment.

Commercial activities were largely suspended across parts of the state as residents observed the restriction order. However, active participation in sanitation efforts remained low in several communities.

Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who monitored the exercise in Iyana-Ipaja and Alaguntan/Alimosho areas, observed that shops and businesses remained closed in compliance with government directives.

While some residents cleaned their surroundings, many stayed indoors throughout the exercise.

In spite of the restriction, a few food vendors operated within the Iyana-Ipaja market and nearby motor parks, selling to travellers and passengers waiting for movement restrictions to be lifted.

At several parks in Iyana-Ipaja, commuters were seen waiting patiently to continue their journeys, while some had already boarded buses ahead of the reopening of roads.

The usually busy Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway at Iyana-Ipaja appeared unusually quiet, with only minimal activity recorded. Some youths, however, took advantage of the reduced traffic to play football on the road.

Most residents remained indoors, with only a handful observed clearing gutters and cleaning their immediate surroundings.

Officials of the BRT monitoring and enforcement team were deployed to ensure compliance and maintain order.

  

Read More

POETRY: If A Pensioner Drops Dead By Dumbiri Frank Eboh

If A Pensioner Drops Dead

 

If a pensioner drops dead

Under the weight of waiting in Africa

His blood is somewhere in Europe

Buying Big and flashy mansions.

 

If a car somersaults

By a yawning pot-hole

Innocent blood flows free

To feed the minister’s great great grand children.

 

We have come to the thick of the jungle

Where heavenly rays rarely penetrate

Irokos and obeches rivalling for dominance

While poor shrubs struggle to reach sunrays

As the gods wave their evil wands

Teeth of inhumanity biting deeper and deeper

Into the fragile skin of feeble conscience.

 

From Ethiopia to Namibia

From Angola to Nigeria

Children of Cush have tasted alama

And now can no longer sleep.

 

So if your brother finally gives up the ghost

Because doctors are again on strike

Is his blood not somewhere

Fueling someone’s private jet?

 

If Millions and Millions starve to death

Across the length and breadth of Africa

Is their blood not stored in Western vaults

Erecting factories across Europe?

 

Copyright: Dumbiri Frank Eboh

 

  

Read More