Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Olumide Iyanda, announced this in a statement issued on Monday by the Guild’s Publicity Secretary, Kemi Yesufu.

According to Iyanda, this year’s conference, themed “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities,” comes at a defining moment for Nigeria as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the next general elections.

He said the theme reflected the importance of credible institutions, responsible political leadership, an informed electorate and a vigilant media in strengthening public confidence in the democratic process.

“The conference will provide a platform for thoughtful engagement on how government, political actors, the media and civil society can work together to promote transparency and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process,” he said.

Iyanda described Agbakoba as an outstanding choice to preside over the conference, noting that few Nigerians have contributed as consistently to the country’s democratic development and the advancement of the rule of law.

He said the Senior Advocate of Nigeria had, over several decades, earned national and international respect through his work as a lawyer, public intellectual and advocate of institutional reforms, making him well suited to lead discussions on the responsibilities that accompany democratic governance.

Iyanda added that the 2026 conference is particularly significant as it marks the 10th edition of GOCOP’s annual gathering, which has become one of the country’s leading platforms for serious conversations on governance, public policy, the media and national development.

Established to promote ethical standards, professionalism and credibility in online journalism, GOCOP is an association of 127 leading online publishing organisations.

Its membership comprises editors and senior journalists who distinguished themselves in print and broadcast journalism before establishing independent online news platforms.

Over the years, the Guild has championed responsible journalism, media self-regulation and professional excellence while contributing meaningfully to public discourse and democratic development in Nigeria.

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The post Olisa Agbakoba to chair GOCOP 2026 conference in Lagos appeared first on Frontpageng.

I commend the President for transmitting to the National Assembly an executive Bill proposing the amendment of Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to introduce the long-awaited state police. This is a welcome development that will, if properly implemented, enhance public security and bring law enforcement closer to the communities it serves.

Beyond the question of state police, the moment also invites a broader conversation. Having devolved policing, is it not time to consider further technical devolutions such as drivers’ licences, prisons, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation, registration of business names, and all other matters best suited for states and local governments, so as to relieve the federal government of responsibilities that can be more efficiently managed at the subnational level? These are reforms worth serious consideration.

However, I note the well-founded concern that state police may go the way of State Independent Electoral Commissions and local governments, institutions established with good intentions but ultimately captured by state executives and rendered ineffective. Devolution without institutional protection is reform in name only, and history has shown that where institutions lack genuine constitutional protection, they inevitably become instruments of executive power rather than servants of the people and the Constitution.

Nigeria need not look far for a tested solution. The Constitution of South Africa offers an instructive model. Chapter 9, titled “Institutions Supporting Constitutional Democracy,” establishes and protects a range of independent state institutions including the Public Protector, the Human Rights Commission, the Electoral Commission, and the Auditor General, and crucially insulates them from executive interference. These institutions are not merely created by statute. They derive their independence directly from the Constitution itself, with security of tenure for their heads, guaranteed funding, and accountability to Parliament rather than to the executive. The result is that in South Africa, neither the President nor any provincial governor can dictate to or manipulate these critical institutions.

Nigeria should adopt this model. Critical institutions such as the Nigeria Police Force, INEC, the EFCC, the ICPC, the CBN, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission, the Code of Conduct Bureau, and the Office of the Public Defender, which are currently listed under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution as executive institutions, should be insulated from executive control and established as constitutionally protected institutions that consolidate democracy. These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor.

This process has been described by Professor Ben Nwabueze as the concept of limited government, which is the principle that executive power is not at large but is constrained by independent institutions guaranteed by the Constitution. If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, if state police are simply handed to governors without these protections, they will inevitably become tools of oppression, and Nigeria will have traded one problem for a far worse one.

What we recommend is an interlocking appointment, funding, and removal process like that which governs the judiciary, in which all three arms of government play a defined and balancing role. Taking the state police as an example: the Police Service Commission would identify and recommend suitably qualified candidates to the Governor; the Governor would exercise the power of appointment; and the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointment. The same tripartite structure should govern removal, so that no single arm of government can unilaterally install or dislodge the head of the police. This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement.

I trust that this submission will receive the attention it deserves and that the Federal Government will give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms proposed herein.

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The post FOR THE RECORD: Why Nigeria must constitutionally insulate its institutions appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, gave the confirmation to newsmen in Enugu on Saturday after the tragic accident that involved two vehicles..

Agbakoba said, “The accident happened at about 6:46 p.m. today, Saturday, at a location adjacent to the FRSC Ozalla Unit Command in the expressway.”

He said that the 11 persons that lost their lives included 10 males and one female.

“A total of 36 persons, which included 27 males and nine female, got involved in the collision between a commercial Toyota Coaster Bus and an articulated Mercedes Benz trailer this evening in Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

“Apart from those that unfortunately lost their lives due to the accident; seven persons, which included three males and four female, were injured in the accident.

“The injured victims have been taken to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla for medical attention.

“The dead victims were taken to the UNTH Morgue,” he said.

The sector commander said that FRSC personnel had cleared off all obstruction on the expressway caused by the accident, adding: “we have restored free flow of vehicular traffic on the accident axis of the expressway.”

Agbakoba added that preliminary investigations suggested Route Traffic Violation (RTV) and Loss of Control (LOC) as possible causes of the carnage.

He appreciated officers and Marshals of FRSC Ozalla Unit Command for their swift response to the accident scene; rescue and taking the injured victims to UNTH for medical attention and clearing of obstruction.

“Further information on the accident will be made known to the public soon,” he said.

Source: NAN

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The Sector Commander of FRSC, Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Enugu shortly after rescue operations by operatives of the corps.

Agbakoba said that no fewer than nine males got injured as a result of the multiple accident, which involved 30 people comprising 26 males and four females.

He said that the multiple accident happened at about 11:45 a.m. within the Port Harcourt bound axis of the expressway and precisely within the New Garki axis of the road in Enugu State.

The sector commander said that the multiple accident involved four trucks, two trailers, one Sienna, one tipper, one Hiace bus, one mini-bus and one Jeep.

According to him, within 10 minutes of the unfortunate incident, officers and men of the FRSC Ozalla Unit Command stationed along the road and started the rescue operations.

“The injured victims were taken to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu and the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ozalla by the FRSC Zebra 32 Ambulance team stationed along the expressway.

“Also, the obstructions were cleared by the FRSC and the Enugu State Traffic Management Authority, ESTMA, towed the trucks.

“The FRSC Unit Commander, Ozalla; the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Ozalla and military men coordinated the rescue operation,” he said.

The sector commander said that causative factors that led to the multiple accident included speed and route violations and loss of control.

Source: NAN

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He said the latest letter became necessary, owing to the fact that the embattled Senator had failed to clarify the significant contradictions in her allegations against Akpabio, as demanded in his first letter, dated April 14, 2025.

Agbakoba, who is also the Senate President’s lawyer, made this known at an elaborate press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said, instead of clarifying the contradictions in her allegation that Akpabio sexually harassed her on December 8, 2023, and her exaltation of her alleged harasser on her social media accounts on December 9, 2023; Natasha deleted her social media post.

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In a letter he signed for Olisa Agbakoba Legal (AOL), dated April 22, 2025, and made available to journalists, the former NBA President said, “Recall that in our first letter to you, dated April 14, 2025, we requested that you clarify contradictions in your sexual harassment allegation against our client, Senator Godswill Akpabio. Of note is the contradiction as to timeline and dates.

“You have failed to clarify your sexual harassment allegation on December 8, 2023 and your exaltation of Senator Akpabio on your social media accounts (Instagram and X/Twitter) on December 9, 2023 – the day after you alleged he sexually harassed you.

“Rather than clarify this contradiction, you deleted the social media post, which to us is extremely concerning.”

The renowned lawyer told journalists that no matter what was said about Akbapio, the duty to prove the allegation rests with the embattled Kogi senator.

In addition to the clarification Akpabio’s solicitors requested, they also asked Akpoti-Uduaghan to clarify the lengthy timeline it took for her to make the sexual harassment allegation.

Agbakoba said, “You claim that the sexual harassment occurred on December 8, 2023 but your allegation was not made until 28th February 2025. One year and 2 months after?

“Additionally, rather than take up this serious allegation that occurred on 8 December 2023, you were seen throughout 2024 at several legislative and non-legislative events (locally and internationally) with Senator Akpabio, your alleged harasser.

“For example, you were seen together at the Inter-Parliamentary Union session in Geneva on the 24th and 25th of March 2024. In fact, you took several selfies and group photos with him during these events.

“All these events were posted in warm tones by you on your social media platforms. Please see screenshot copies of your Facebook post(s) and other photos you took with Senator Akpabio. We find this contradictory and unbelievable.”

“In light of this and having also failed to clarify inconsistencies pointed in our first letter to you, we demand that you retract sexual harassment allegations against our client as they are clearly false and unsubstantiated,” Agbakoba declared.

The post Akpabio: Agbakoba demands retraction of Natasha’s ‘clearly false sexual harassment allegation’ appeared first on Frontpageng.

Agbakoba, who spoke at an elaborate press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, added that the allegation, “as it currently stands, falls short of the threshold for proving sexual harassment anywhere in the world.”

He said, while individuals should feel safe to speak up in an ideal society, the principles of justice, which required evidence and fairness must be upheld.

The renowned lawyer, who is also Akpabio’s lawyer, wrote a letter to the Kogi Senator, on the instruction of the Senate President, asking her to clarify the contradictions in her allegations, which were published widely in local and international newspapers.

“This widespread coverage has damaged our client’s reputation locally and internationally. We are happy to allow you a reasonable time to clarify the contradictions that we have referred, while our client reserves the right to all legal options,” he said in the letter.

Agbakoba, while speaking at the press briefing, noted that the embattled Senator had claimed that she was sexually harassed by Akpabio on December 8, 2023, but she went on social media to eulogise the same Senate President a day after that.

He specifically pointed out that the warm, celebratory tone and personal affection expressed in the public message the suspended Senator posted a day after the alleged harassment presented a significant timeline contradiction that could not be overlooked.

“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that she was sexually harassed by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on December 8, 2023.

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“However, merely one day later, on December 9, 2023, she publicly posted favourable messages about the Senate President on both her Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts.

“In these posts, she eulogised the Senate President and spoke highly of the birthday event she attended in Uyo, Akwa Ibom,” Agbakoba stated.

According to him, “the juxtaposition of these two events, an alleged traumatic harassment, followed by voluntary public expressions of admiration requires careful consideration.”

The former NBA President also mentioned previous allegations against Reno Omokri and an unnamed minister, noting that, though each allegation must be evaluated independently, the suspended Senator’s pattern required careful consideration.

“Sexual harassment is a serious matter that deserves careful and fair consideration. We acknowledge the difficulty faced by anyone making such allegations and the importance of treating all parties with dignity.

“Our review of the available public records reveals significant contradictions that must be considered for a fair evaluation of the situation.

“We believe that proper institutional processes, rather than media forums provide the appropriate venue for addressing such serious matters,” Agbakoba said.

The post Akpabio: Natasha’s allegation falls short of threshold for proving sexual harassment -Olisa Agbakoba appeared first on Frontpageng.

In two separate letters to the Senate and House of Representatives, dated October 14, 2024, he said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was an unlawful organisation, which he believed was “unconstitutionally established”.

“I very strongly believe the EFCC is unconstitutionally established. The powers under which it was established go beyond the powers of the National Assembly. The EFCC is an unlawful organization,” Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, said.

The letters were addressed separately to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

The Deputy Speaker doubles as the Chairman, House Committee on Constitution Review, while Senator Jibrin is Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitution Review.

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Agbakoba noted that he was delighted to note that many states had finally taken it upon themselves to challenge the constitutionality of the EFCC, saying, “This will put to rest the question relating to the validity of the EFCC.”

The letter to the Deputy Senate President, titled, “Urgent Legislative Attention on Constitutional Reforms Relating to Law Enforcement Agencies and Anti-Corruption Efforts”, reads:

“I commend you for the remarkable leadership you have demonstrated as Chairman, Senate Constitution Review Committee, particularly in advancing the government’s reform agenda through a robust constitutional framework. Your efforts to strengthen the legal infrastructure underpinning the nation’s development programmes are indeed commendable.

“I write to draw attention to certain constitutional issues on matters related to law enforcement agencies. As you are obviously aware, the fundamental objective of the government is to abolish corruption. But from my observation, there is no harmony amongst law enforcement agencies on corruption. They all appear to be working at cross purposes.

“This has been confirmed by the Supreme Court in so many cases. The Supreme Court has consistently sanctioned the EFCC for its conduct and questioned if the EFCC can in fact validly do what it does. I will go further to say that I very strongly believe the EFCC is unconstitutionally established. The powers under which it was established go beyond the powers of the National Assembly. The EFCC is an unlawful organization.

“I am very delighted to note that many states have finally taken it upon themselves to challenge the constitutionality of the EFCC. This will put to rest the question relating to the validity of the EFCC. Whilst we await the decision of the Supreme Court as the final court on the matter, I respectfully request that the Senate convene a public hearing to consider these constitutional issues.

“Such a hearing would provide an invaluable platform for stakeholders to discuss the reforms needed to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and institutional frameworks for law enforcement and anti-corruption, which will meet the stated and laudable objective of the government to abolish corruption as stated in Section 13 of the Constitution.

“I trust that, under your capable leadership, the Senate Constitution Review Committee will give these matters urgent attention in the interest of our nation’s development.

“Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. I look forward to your response.”

The post Agbakoba writes National Assembly, says EFCC is an unlawful organisation appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, PCFRR, which Dangote heads, also donated another sum of N1 billion to the cause, to help the Maiduguri victims of the flooding.

During an on-the-spot inspection of the disaster-stricken areas on Friday, Dangote, who is also the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, empathised with the victims and rallied for support from other Nigerians and willing stakeholders.

Speaking on the flooding incident, Dangote described the sight as “mindboggling”, and exclaimed that he had “never seen a disaster of this scale before.”

He said, “I am moved with pity; I have never seen a disaster of this magnitude before. The state needs urgent help and intervention from well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders.

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“A lot of infrastructural development needs to be done; the houses and roads need urgent attention for people to get their lives back. Again, we are asking that corporate organisations need to intervene and provide succour in every way possible as the government cannot do it alone.”

In his remarks, Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, appreciated Dangote’s support, stating that he had contributed immensely into the development of the state.

He added that he was not surprised to see the business mogul visit the disaster area as a solidarity gesture.

He called on well-meaning Nigerians to emulate Mr. Dangote in his charitable contributions.

Recall that the flood has displaced over a million residents and about 30 persons have been confirmed dead.

The Director-General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mr. Barkindo Mohammed, stated that “As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, SEMA evacuated 3,683 persons from their homes in a rescue operation.

The search and rescue operation is still ongoing.

“The mode of rescue involves boats, canoes, divers, military, and fire service trucks, among others. As the water continues to recede, we are concentrating on those who make distress calls and will start search and rescue today and tomorrow,” Mohammed said.

According to him, about two million people were affected, and so far, SEMA has opened 14 official camps and many informal camps where displaced persons can go. He said that the federal government has supported the state with N3 billion and food consignments.

“President Bola Tinubu has supported Borno and other states with N3 billion each. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has forwarded the money to SEMA, and he has added more on what the federal government gave. We are not only responding to the flood victims in Maiduguri but also in Local Government Areas across the state,” Mohammed said.

In early December 2022, the Dangote-led Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, PCFRR, known as Dangote Flood Committee had commenced the distribution of relief materials, worth N1.5 billion to victims of flooding nationwide. The PCFRR, which was established by the federal government following the 2012 flooding, is co-chaired by Aliko Dangote and renowned legal giant, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba.

The post Borno: Aliko Dangote Foundation donates N1bn to flood victims appeared first on Frontpageng.

The call was made by a pro-democracy group, Journalists for Democratic Rights, JODER, in a letter it sent to the president on Wednesday.

The pro-democracy group established in 1996 asked the president to immediately set up a judicial panel of enquiry that would be made up of people like Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Prof Jibrin Ibrahim; Olisa Agbakoba (SAN)  and other credible Nigerians.

In a statement signed by its official, Akinwale Kasali, the group said corruption was at the heart of Nigeria’s underdevelopment and the root cause of violence and extremism that had taken foothold in many parts of the country.

JODER urged the president to appreciate the weight of the illicit practices linked to the NNPC and the World Bank operations in Nigeria which “further dips Nigeria’s image into the soak-away of global disrepute under the president’s watch.”

JODER, the foremost media and democratic rights group called on the president to give hope to local and international observers of the ugly trend by setting up a judicial enquiry that would investigate the series of criminal practices associated with the World Bank officials and the NNPC.

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The Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye had alleged that Nigerian World Bank officials take 40% from all loans obtained by Nigeria.

She also claimed that some members of the National Assembly did demand and receive bribe from loans collected on behalf of 200 million Nigerians while minister(s) were entitled to 5% of the loan.

JODER said the World Bank officials were both Nigerians and their alleged European rogue cartels whose main motive was to keep Nigeria as a satellite state that would never develop, hiding under the pretence of false assistance and development partnership.

On the scandal in the oil and gas sector, the Chairman, Dangote Refinery said some NNPC officials had set up refineries in Malta with a plot that would automatically stifle the prospect of oil and gas production and destroy indigenous growth of the industry at the home front.

The media group described the two revelations on the World Bank and the NNPC as the “biggest scam in African recent history.”

“The first action we expect from President Tinubu is to suspend NNPC officials whose names have been associated with the scam. The NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, and the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, should be suspended immediately. The federal government should also demand immediate suspension of the World Bank representative in Nigeria pending the outcome of the investigation,” the group added.

The group said the allegations by the minister and Dangote had brutally shaken the faith of Nigerians beyond measure raising the fear that redemption was impossible.

“The president needs to give hope to a despairing population that seems to have resigned to hopelessness and frustration. These two issues of high level corruption must never be swept under the carpet. A probe is what is necessary for Nigeria to regain a bit of her totally lost reputation on the global map,” JODER said.

“With these revelations, it shows clearly that World Bank loan is a big scam, a conscious plot to stunt Nigeria’s search for economic freedom.

“It shows the loans largely go into private pockets. Little wonder Nigerian government officials are desperate to seek loans all the time, which the National Assembly is always anxious to approve, but not for development but to largely oil the pockets of private individuals.”

JODER described the developments as “a human tragedy of unprecedented proportion.”

The post ‘NNPC, World Bank scam’: Media group calls for judicial enquiry appeared first on Frontpageng.

The raid carried out by a special operations unit of the agency followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance on the syndicate notorious for packaging, distributing and trafficking of cocaine within and outside Nigeria.

The 54-year-old Agbakoba John Mmadu was arrested at Ago Palace Way, Okota while his wife, Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe, 39, and associate, Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane, 31, who doubles as their stash keeper, were nabbed at Plot 2205 Eugene Ndubisi Close, Lilly Estate, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, all on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

While seven parcels of cocaine with a total weight of 7.652 kilograms were recovered from Mmadu at Ago Palace Way, not less than 122 compressed  pellets of the same drug weighing 2.42kg were seized from the duo of Ijeoma and Ifeoma at Lilly Estate, bringing the total seizure to 10.1 kilograms valued at over N2.1 billion in street value.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Benue State on Thursday, July 4 intercepted a consignment of 350 grams of cocaine at a check point along Enugu Road, Otukpo.

The illicit drug was concealed in an MP3 speaker sent as a waybill parcel.

A swift follow up operation at Flight motor park in Otukpo led to the arrest of the owner, 25-year-old Odeh Anthony.

Meanwhile, NDLEA officers on a stop and search operation along Ngurore – Yola Road in Adamawa State on Wednesday, July 3, arrested a Chadian, Yves Ahmat Gali in a commercial bus coming from Kano to Yola.

The suspect was found with a loud speaker used to conceal 20 compressed blocks, and nine plastic containers of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 5.200kg.

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In Kano, operatives on Wednesday July 3, arrested a youth corps member, Yusuf Abdulrahman, 25, at Corpers Lodge, Sumaila area of the city, with 1.250kg of Loud, while in Osun State, the head of Akarabata community in Ile-Ife, Ba’ale Ige Babatunde, 50, was on Friday, July 5, was arrested with fresh cannabis plants that weighed 5kg.

Two suspects – Monday Ali, 49, and Jimoh Alewi, 37 – were arrested when NDLEA operatives raided Ikota forest in Ifedore local government area, Ondo State, where a total of 42,500kg cannabis was destroyed on 17 hectares of farmland while 73.5kg of same substance was recovered for the prosecution of the suspects during a five-day operation that ended on Monday, July 1.

In Abuja, the FCT, NDLEA operatives on Saturday, July 6 arrested the duo of Sanusi Mamman, 28, and Usaini Ibrahim, 20, in a vehicle along Abaji- Gwagwalada with 1,132 bottles of codeine syrup; 13, 540 pills of tramadol; 50,000 pills of diazepam and 59 pills of rophynol.

The suspects claimed they were bringing the opioids from Onitsha, Anambra State.

With the same drive, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These include WADA enlightenment lecture for students of Community Grammar School (Junior), Aroro, Ibadan, Oyo State; students of Candy Secondary School, Agu Awka, Anambra State; students of Community High School, Umuida, Enugu Ezike, Enugu State; students of School for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Kofar Nasarawa, Kano State and WADA sensitisation lecture organized by Zone M Zonal Command of NDLEA at Sabo motor park, Kaduna, among others.

While commending the officers and men of the Special Operations Unit, Osun, Benue, Ondo, Kano, and FCT Commands for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the tempo.

The post NDLEA smashes cocaine syndicate, arrests couple, recovers N2.1b drug appeared first on Frontpageng.