News
N5bn Vehicle Purchase Deepens Obasa, Meranda Feud
“Let it be known that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda never made any withdrawal from the Assembly’s account. Rather, she reviewed an existing approval by Obasa, saving the Assembly N2 billion,”
A fresh controversy has engulfed the Lagos State House of Assembly following the disputed purchase of N5 billion worth of vehicles for lawmakers, escalating tensions between Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his short-lived successor, Mojisola Meranda.
The issue stems from a procurement process initiated during Obasa’s temporary removal from office earlier this year. Meranda, who presided as Speaker for 49 turbulent days before stepping down in March, reportedly oversaw the acquisition of 39 vehicles—despite an earlier approval of N7 billion by Obasa for the same purpose.
Sources familiar with the matter claim that Obasa had planned to source the vehicles from Dubai before his ousting on January 13 by a majority of the Assembly over allegations of financial mismanagement and highhandedness. However, upon assuming the Speaker’s chair, Meranda opted for an open bidding process and sourced the vehicles locally, reportedly saving N2 billion in the process.
An aide to Obasa, speaking anonymously, said the Speaker was furious that Meranda executed the procurement without his authorisation. “In December, he approved the purchase, but for vehicles from Dubai. When Meranda took over, she made it an open bidding process and sourced them locally. That’s the real issue,” the aide said.
Meanwhile, Meranda’s camp has defended her actions, arguing that the procurement adhered to existing approvals and that the decision to source the vehicles locally was more cost-effective. “Let it be known that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda never made any withdrawal from the Assembly’s account. Rather, she reviewed an existing approval by Obasa, saving the Assembly N2 billion,” a source close to Meranda stated.
Despite being reinstated as Speaker following the intervention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership, Obasa remains locked in a legal battle with Meranda and the Assembly. His lawsuit, still pending before the Lagos State High Court, challenges the legitimacy of his removal, with his lawyer, Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), arguing that the allegations of financial misconduct must be resolved in court.
The ongoing legal tussle, coupled with the controversy over the vehicle procurement, suggests that the Lagos Assembly’s leadership crisis is far from over. Justice Yetunde Pinheiro has adjourned the case to March 17, 2025, as the political drama in Nigeria’s most influential state legislature continues to unfold.
News
Rivers Assembly Suspends Impeachment Move Against Fubara After Tinubu’s Intervention
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially suspended impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.
The House moved the motion to halt the impeachment process on Thursday at its resumed sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
JomogNews had reported that during its first sitting of 2026, the House had begun impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the State Assembly complex and alleged spending without legislative approval, among other claims.
More details later….
News
Reserves Surge To $48.5bn As Nigeria Reclaims 2013 Peak Levels
Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves have reached $48.5 billion, their highest level in nearly 13 years.
This milestone, confirmed by data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), surpasses previous multi-year peaks and represents the strongest balance since May 14, 2013, when reserves stood at approximately $48.51 billion.
However, the data showed that the foreign reserves increased steadily by 6.45 percent or $2.94 billion year-to-date, from $45.56 billion reported on January 1 to $48.5 billion.
Further checks showed that the FX reserves figure was $48.36 billion on Monday.
According to the CBN, FX reserves are assets held on reserve by a monetary authority in foreign currencies, which are used to back liabilities and influence monetary policy.
On December 22, 2025, the apex bank projected that the country’s external reserves would rise to $51.04 billion in 2026, saying the increase will be supported by FX reforms.
“Reforms in the foreign exchange market are expected to sustain exchange rate stability, while external reserves are projected to increase to US$51.04 billion,” CBN said.
On February 10, Olayemi Cardoso, governor of CBN, said the bank will do “whatever it takes” to safeguard the value of the naira, while strengthening the country’s external reserves.
Looking ahead to 2030, he said the CBN’s targets include achieving single-digit inflation and growing foreign exchange (FX) reserves driven by non-oil exports, foreign direct investment, and diaspora remittances.
News
Ogun Police Launch Investigation Into TikToker Mirabel’s Sexual Assault Claims
The Ogun State Police Command has launched an investigation into sexual assault allegations made by a TikToker known as Mirabel (@mirab351), who is currently receiving treatment in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The case gained widespread attention after she posted emotional videos on Monday, February 16, detailing an attack she claimed occurred at her home the previous Sunday.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the development on Thursday while speaking on The Morning Brief.
Babaseyi confirmed that Mirabel voluntarily visited the Ibafo Police Division on Tuesday, February 17, to lodge a formal complaint and was subsequently admitted to the hospital for medical care due to her unstable condition.
“When the DPO in Ibafo met with her, she was taken to the hospital for medical analysis. She wasn’t as stable as necessary, but we ensured the investigation continued.
“As we speak, she is in the intensive care unit getting appropriate care. Her medical well-being is more important to us at this point. When she is stable, we can now continue investigations and get the necessary facts,” Babaseyi said.
According to Babaseyi, the incident reportedly occurred in Ogijo, a border community between Ogun and Lagos states.
The police have established that Mirabel was not arrested, but rather, she is being treated as a victim.
The command urges individuals with useful information to come forward and assist with the investigation.
“She was not arrested by the police. She reported a case, and we are investigating. Nothing like her arrest happened,” he said.
“If the allegation is established to be true, the perpetrator will be arrested and charged to court appropriately. Otherwise, the law also addresses giving false information,” the police stated.
The police said they will rely on evidence to reach a logical conclusion and take appropriate action.
“We advise people not to jump to conclusions based on emotions. We are investigating and will rely on evidence to reach a logical conclusion,” Babaseyi said.
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