Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Lawyer Threatens Legal Action Against NYSC Over Corps Members’ Posting to Insecure States
Festus Ogun cites rising kidnappings, demands NYSC review deployment policy as agency keeps silent on controversy
Festus Ogun cites rising kidnappings, demands NYSC review deployment policy as agency keeps silent on controversy
Human rights lawyer, Barrister Festus Ogun, has threatened to drag the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to court over the continued posting of corps members to states considered unsafe across Nigeria. The move, coming amid a surge in kidnapping and insecurity incidents, has renewed national debate about the safety of young graduates deployed under the federal scheme.
Ogun, who is based in Lagos, raised his concerns on Wednesday, highlighting that many corps members are sent to high-risk areas in the North-West and North-Central zones despite persistent reports of kidnappings and attacks on highways. He argued that this practice exposes graduates to unnecessary danger and may violate their constitutional right to life and safety.
The NYSC scheme was established in 1973 to foster national unity by sending graduates from universities and polytechnics to serve in different parts of the country. However, recent years have seen repeated cases where corps members became victims of violence or abduction while travelling to or serving at their places of primary assignment. Civil society organisations have also called attention to these risks, urging authorities to prioritise the welfare of participants.
Ogun stated that he is considering legal action compelling NYSC to review its posting policy, especially for states where security conditions have worsened. “It is unacceptable that corps members are made to risk their lives travelling through dangerous routes just because of a national assignment,” he said. As at press time, NYSC has not issued any official statement in response to Ogun’s threat or addressed public concerns over the deployment process.
Stakeholders say the potential court case could force NYSC to adopt stricter safety protocols—such as more rigorous security assessments before postings or restricting deployment to volatile areas. However, supporters of the programme maintain that NYSC remains crucial for promoting unity and exposing graduates to diverse cultures across Nigeria. While no formal suit has been filed yet, Ogun’s position has intensified calls for urgent reforms to safeguard corps members nationwide.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ekiti Police Dismiss Link Between Isan Unrest and 2026 Governorship Election
Command says reported fracas in Isan-Ekiti was unrelated to political activities, cites personal dispute as cause
Command says reported fracas in Isan-Ekiti was unrelated to political activities, cites personal dispute as cause
The Ekiti State Police Command has clarified that the recent unrest reported in Isan-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area, was not connected to the forthcoming 2026 governorship election. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, June 20, sparked concerns among residents about possible political violence ahead of the polls.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the disturbance stemmed from a personal disagreement between individuals in the community rather than any election-related activity. Officers were deployed to the area following reports of a fracas, and normalcy was restored shortly after their intervention.
With heightened attention on Ekiti State as political parties intensify mobilisation for the 2026 governorship race, any outbreak of violence is closely scrutinised by both stakeholders and security agencies. The clarification by police aims to allay fears of an escalation of political tensions in Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s home zone (APC, South-West), where Isan-Ekiti is located.
In a statement issued on Saturday evening, the Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer urged residents to disregard rumours linking the unrest to partisan activities. “Our findings indicate that this incident was purely a local matter. We have taken steps to ensure peace and will continue to monitor the situation,” the statement said.
The police further appealed for calm and assured that security patrols would be intensified across Oye LGA and other parts of Ekiti State as preparations for the governorship election continue. No arrests or injuries were reported from Saturday’s incident.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NUJ Demands Sanctions as Magistrate Ejects Journalists from Akwa Ibom Court
Union condemns removal of reporters during court session, urges judiciary to uphold press freedom in Akwa Ibom State
Union condemns removal of reporters during court session, urges judiciary to uphold press freedom in Akwa Ibom State
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for disciplinary action against a magistrate in Akwa Ibom State following the ejection of journalists from a courtroom on Saturday. The incident occurred at a magistrate court sitting in Uyo, the state capital, where reporters were reportedly ordered out during ongoing proceedings.
According to the NUJ, its members were carrying out their legitimate duties when they were asked to leave by the presiding magistrate. The union described the action as a direct affront to press freedom and demanded immediate sanctions against the judicial officer involved. “Journalists have a constitutional role to inform the public and must not be hindered while covering court activities,” the NUJ stated.
This development has sparked concern among media professionals in Akwa Ibom, with many warning that such actions undermine transparency and public confidence in the judicial process. The NUJ noted that this is not the first time journalists have faced obstacles in accessing courtrooms in the state, raising questions about commitment to openness by some judicial officers.
In its reaction, the NUJ leadership urged the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State to investigate the incident and ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent recurrence. The union also called on all magistrates and judges to respect journalists’ rights under Nigerian law. “We expect an unreserved apology from those involved and clear assurances that such incidents will not happen again,” the union added.
The judiciary is yet to issue an official statement on the matter as at press time. Media rights advocates say they will continue to monitor developments and push for reforms that guarantee unhindered access for journalists covering court proceedings across Nigeria.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ekiti INEC Begins Collation of 2026 Governorship Election Results Across State LGAs
Electoral commission commences official announcement of results as parties and observers monitor voting outcomes in Ado-Ekiti
Electoral commission commences official announcement of results as parties and observers monitor voting outcomes in Ado-Ekiti
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the collation of results for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, with officials gathering figures from polling units across the state’s sixteen local government areas on Saturday. The exercise is taking place at the state collation centre in Ado-Ekiti under tight security.
According to INEC officials, results from most polling units began arriving at the various local government collation centres shortly after voting ended earlier in the day. Party agents, election observers, and journalists are present at the collation venues to monitor proceedings as electoral officers announce unit-by-unit vote tallies. As at press time, results from several local governments have been forwarded to the state headquarters for final collation.
The Ekiti governorship poll is seen as a critical test of electoral credibility in the South-West region ahead of national elections. The major political parties—All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and others—fielded candidates amid heightened anticipation among residents. The outcome will determine who succeeds the incumbent and shape political alignments ahead of 2027 general elections.
INEC officials said they are committed to transparency in the collation process, urging all stakeholders to maintain peace. Security agencies were deployed across key locations to forestall any disruption. The APC and PDP expressed optimism about their prospects, while some civil society groups called for calm as counting continued.
The commission is expected to announce official results for each LGA before declaring a winner at the state level. As at Saturday evening, collation was ongoing with final figures yet to be released. Stakeholders have been advised to await INEC’s declaration for credible outcomes.
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