News
Two Bag 21 Years Imprisonment For Lagos Park Robbery
The Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square has sentenced two men, Emmanuel Victor and Wisdom Ikechukwu, to 21 years imprisonment each for their involvement in an armed robbery incident targeting passengers at the Maza Maza motor park.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya handed down the judgment on Tuesday, convicting the duo on three of the four charges; conspiracy, robbery, and stealing, filed against them by the Lagos State Government.
According to the prosecution, the robbery occurred in the early hours of January 8, 2022, at approximately 4:30 a.m.
The convicts, wielding cutlasses, ambushed three passengers waiting to board a vehicle, carting away personal items including an iPhone 7, an Infinix Hot 10, a Samsung S8, and N5,000 in cash from one of the victims, identified simply as Benjamin.
The defendants were arraigned on April 21, 2022, with the trial commencing on November 18, 2023. Final written submissions were concluded by both parties by early 2025, after which the court proceeded to deliver judgment.
Citing Sections 135, 297, and 299 of the Lagos State Criminal Laws, Justice Adesanya ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“It is trite that the guilt of an accused can be established through witness testimony, circumstantial evidence, and confessional statements,” the judge stated.
One of the prosecution’s key witnesses, a police officer from the Festac Division, testified that both defendants had been part of a syndicate known for terrorising commuters in the Maza Maza area.
During interrogation, both Victor and Ikechukwu confessed to using cutlasses during the robbery, admissions the judge described as “clear and voluntary.”
The court also heard from a commercial driver who reported the attack to police shortly after it happened. His account matched those of other victims and led to a swift police response, culminating in the arrest of the suspects.
Recovered items, including the stolen phones and cash, were traced back to the victims and subsequently returned to them on bond after proper identification.
“Consequently, I find the two defendants guilty as charged for the offences of conspiracy and robbery,” Justice Adesanya declared.
“The offence carries a mandatory sentence of not less than 21 years imprisonment.”
Prior to sentencing, defence counsels Mrs Ogbosa Apata and Mr B.C. Akunna made passionate appeals for leniency, citing the youthfulness of the convicts and their potential for reform.
Akunna, who represented Ikechukwu, told the court that his client was a first-time offender who had only recently completed his secondary education when the offence was committed.
“They have paid dearly for their actions and have learned their lessons,” he said, urging the court to show compassion and temper justice with mercy.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya, after weighing the submissions, proceeded to sentence both men to 21 years imprisonment each, without the option of a fine.
“The first and second convicts are sentenced to 21 years each for counts one, two, and four. They are discharged on count three,” she ruled, adding that the sentence would commence from the date they were first remanded in custody.”
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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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