An adult male was safely rescued after becoming trapped inside a malfunctioning elevator in a three-storey building located on Freeman Street, Zapass, Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, LCDA, on Tuesday.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service disclosed that it received an emergency call at approximately 11:50 a.m., prompting the immediate deployment of a rescue team from the Ebute Elefun Fire Station.

According to the agency, firefighters arrived at the scene within five minutes of receiving the distress alert and quickly commenced rescue operations.

The trapped occupant was successfully freed from the elevator without sustaining any injuries.

Preliminary findings by the agency indicated that the incident resulted from an accidental malfunction of the lift.

Confirming the successful rescue, the Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said no casualties or injuries were recorded during the operation.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to responding promptly to emergencies and ensuring the safety of residents across the state.

The Nigeria Customs Service has debunked a social media recruitment advert and warned criminals to desist from scamming individuals through dubious means.

It also advised members of the public to disregard the fake recruitment advert on social media platforms in the name of the Nigeria Customs Service.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Service urged members of the public to rely only on information released through its official communication channels for authentic updates on its activities, including recruitment.

“Recruitment scams have become a recurring challenge in Nigeria, with fraudsters often exploiting public interest in government jobs by circulating fake advertisements and soliciting money from unsuspecting applicants,” the statement said.

According to the statement, security agencies and government institutions have repeatedly warned citizens against engaging with unofficial recruitment notices, just as it advised Nigerians to verify information through its official platforms before sharing or acting on it.

It added, “Members of the public are advised to disregard the publication and rely only on information disseminated through the official communication channels of the Nigeria Customs Service.”

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC,  Abia State Sector Command, has commenced a special intervention patrol codenamed “Operation KWUSI IHE MBEREDE OKPOROUZO, as directed by its  zonal Command Headquarters in Enugu.

The operation, according to the FRSC, is part of  strategic efforts towards achieving its 2026 corporate goal of reducing road traffic fatalities and injuries by at least 10 percent through intensified enforcement, public enlightenment, and stakeholder collaboration.

Speaking on the commencement of the exercise, the Sector Commander, CC Ngozi I. Ezeoma, stated that the operation was designed to promote safer road use, reduce preventable crashes, and ensure strict compliance with traffic regulations across Abia State.

According to the Sector Commander, the Command has deployed Regular Marshals and Special Marshals, supported by patrol vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks, and other operational logistics to ensure the success of the exercise.

The three-day operation, which will be conducted every month from 0700hrs to 1300hrs, will focus on enforcing compliance with critical traffic regulations, particularly offences relating to overloading and mixed loading of vehicles;

She said that vehicles  without  valid driver’s licence, non-compliance with speed limiting device regulations and  use of mobile phone while driving, among others offenses, would be targeted in the exercise.

She also dismissed every suggestion that the operation was introduced to punish motorists.

“This operation is not intended to punish motorists but to save lives by discouraging risky driving behaviours that are responsible for the majority of road traffic crashes,” the Sector Commander said.

A politician standing trial for corruption can contest an election, be sworn in as governor, and have the criminal case against him suspended until he leaves office, a legal practitioner, Barrister Zurkallaini Sani Tsanyawa, has said.

The lawyer was reacting to the controversy surrounding the emergence of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kebbi State despite his ongoing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Malami is facing a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja alongside his wife and son. The trio have all pleaded not guilty.

The Kebbi State chapter of the ADC has described the prosecution as politically motivated, insisting that the case will not affect Malami’s chances in the 2027 governorship election.

In a statement signed by the party’s State Chairman, Engr. Sufiyanu Bala, and Chairman of the ADC Elders Forum, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Sambawa, the party alleged that the prosecution was aimed at weakening the opposition ahead of the elections.

Malami is not the only politician seeking elective office while defending corruption allegations in court.

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is also facing separate EFCC trials over alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud and ₦80.2 billion money laundering. Despite the ongoing cases, he has secured the APC ticket to contest the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 elections.

The two cases have renewed public debate over whether politicians facing criminal prosecution should be allowed to seek elective office.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, legal practitioner Tsanyawa said a criminal trial cannot continue against a serving governor because of the immunity granted under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.

“Once he is sworn in as President, vice president, governor, or deputy governor, the trial is not terminated; it is merely put on hold until he leaves office,” Tsanyawa said.

According to him, the immunity only applies to the office holder, while the trial of any co-defendants can continue.

On the subject of the eligibility of the candidates themselves, Tsanyawa said the Constitution leaves little room for ambiguity.

“A candidate standing trial but not yet convicted is constitutionally qualified to contest and occupy the office of President, Vice President, Governor, or Deputy Governor,” he said.

He explained that Sections 131 and 177 of the Constitution, which set out the qualifications for the offices of President and Governor, do not list a pending criminal case as a ground for disqualification.

The only criminal-related disqualification, he said, is a conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or fraud within the period prescribed by the Constitution.

He also cited Section 36(5), which guarantees the presumption of innocence. “Because the candidate has not been convicted, he is presumed innocent. INEC and the courts cannot disqualify him solely on the basis of an ongoing trial,” he added.

While agreeing that the Constitution protects the rights of accused persons, Professor Murtala Muhammad, Vice President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, said the increasing number of politicians contesting elections while facing corruption charges exposes weaknesses in both the electoral and judicial systems.

According to him, Nigeria’s constitutional democracy must balance the presumption of innocence with the need to protect the integrity of public office.

He noted that many politically exposed persons take advantage of the slow pace of criminal trials to seek fresh mandates before their cases are concluded.

“Cases involving former governors, ministers, and legislators have remained in court for years, allowing some defendants to secure new political mandates before the law reaches its logical conclusion,” he said, adding that the trend weakens public confidence in both the judiciary and the electoral process.

Muhammad also warned that many Nigerians now see public office as a shield against prosecution.

According to him, election victories often give politically exposed persons greater influence, which can delay investigations, discourage witnesses, and prolong trials through endless interlocutory appeals.

“The result is a vicious cycle where public office is increasingly viewed not only as a platform for service but also as a strategic refuge from legal accountability,” he said.

He, however, argued that the answer is not to deny anyone their constitutional rights.

Instead, he called for reforms to ensure corruption cases involving politically exposed persons are concluded within a reasonable time before elections.

Among his recommendations are “constitutional and electoral reforms to fast-track such cases, the establishment of special anti-corruption courts with strict timelines, and measures to discourage unnecessary adjournments in high-profile corruption trials.”

Murtala further revealed that countries such as Brazil and Italy have shown that timely prosecution of politically exposed persons can strengthen public trust in democratic institutions without undermining the right to a fair hearing.

Former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje has said that Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso presidential ticket under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) stands no chance of winning Kano State in the 2027 general election.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the former Kano governor said the ticket lacks the political strength and leadership record needed to win support in the state.

“I don’t think Peter Obi and Kwankwaso’s ticket will succeed in Kano. It will not succeed. In fact, it is dead on arrival,” Ganduje said.

He questioned Obi’s performance as Anambra governor, asking, “What did he do as a governor? What legacy did he leave as a governor?”

Ganduje also said Obi had not shown enough experience in governance to lead Nigeria.

Turning to Kwankwaso, he noted that the former Kano governor did not win two consecutive terms in office, unlike Ibrahim Shekarau and himself.

Ganduje added that Kwankwaso had not left a legacy that would convince Kano people or Nigerians that he could serve successfully as vice-president, insisting once again that the proposed ticket is dead on arrival.

A legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has faulted the Cross River State House of Assembly over its proposed legislation to prohibit same-sex marriage.

He argued that the lawmakers lacked the constitutional powers to enact such a law.

The criticism comes barely 24 hours after the Cross River House of Assembly passed the bill through second reading, with lawmakers saying it seeks to prohibit same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state.

In a legal commentary made available to journalists, Ahiakwo said the issue was not whether same-sex marriage should be prohibited, stressing that Nigeria already has the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013.

According to him, the real constitutional question is whether a State House of Assembly can legislate on a matter already covered by an Act of the National Assembly.

He maintained that under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution, read together with Item 61 of the Exclusive Legislative List, the National Assembly has exclusive authority over statutory marriages and related matters, adding that it has already exercised that power through the Marriage Act, the Matrimonial Causes Act and the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013.

The lawyer also relied on Section 4(5) of the Constitution and the Supreme Court’s decision in Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation (2014), contending that any state law inconsistent with a valid federal law would be unconstitutional and void to the extent of the inconsistency.

While acknowledging that state legislatures could make laws on matters within their constitutional competence, including certain aspects of customary law, Ahiakwo insisted that they could not legislate on a field already occupied by valid federal legislation.

He warned that proceeding with the bill without first resolving the constitutional issues surrounding it could amount to a waste of public resources and expose the state to avoidable legal challenges.

Ahiakwo urged the Cross River State House of Assembly to suspend further consideration of the bill pending a proper constitutional review of its legislative competence.

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has described ex-Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose as a grassroot politician and a man of the masses.

Sani said Fayose’s appointment as the Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, would help those in the rural areas have access to electricity.

On Monday, the Presidency had announced President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Fayose as the Chairman of REA.

Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this while announcing new appointments Tinubu made in various government agencies.

Reacting, Sani posted on X: “My Friend Fayose is a grassroots politician and a man of the masses. He is appointed to an Agency where the Rural masses can have access to electricity.

“Why do you want to judge him by what he said years ago? Let he who has never assured his EX that they will be together forever cast the first stone.”

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has officially transferred forfeited landed properties located in Kaba District, Abuja, to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, in accordance with a final forfeiture order issued by the Federal High Court.

The handover happened on Tuesday at the Goodluck Jonathan Estate site in Kaba District, Abuja, and was overseen by the Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, alongside the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FMBN, Mr. Shehu Usman Osidi, and senior officials from both organizations.

Dr. Aliyu characterized the event as a crucial achievement in Nigeria’s asset recovery and restitution initiatives, highlighting the importance of returning recovered public assets to productive public use.

He elaborated that the forfeited land was part of a housing project initiated by FMBN in 2012, which was financed through a $65 million loan facility obtained by Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited in collaboration with an American company. The project aimed to provide 962 housing units on approximately 27.92 hectares of land in Kaba District.

The ICPC Chairman noted that investigations indicated the complete diversion of the loan, with no housing units constructed, and that some of the funds were allegedly funneled through Bureaux de Change and taken overseas.

As a result, the ICPC initiated both civil and criminal proceedings regarding the case, with the civil proceedings having been concluded while the criminal case is still ongoing.

Aliyu revealed that on December 11, 2025, the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, under the authority of Hon. Justice M. G. Umar, issued a final forfeiture order in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1124/2025.

The Court mandated the final forfeiture of Plot No. 5 in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, which measures approximately 122,015.80 square meters, and Plot No. 4 in the same Cadastral Zone, measuring approximately 157,198.30 square meters, as properties believed to be proceeds of illegal activities.

The Court has further instructed the Federal Republic of Nigeria, via the ICPC, to facilitate the transfer of the forfeited properties to the FMBN, which is recognized as the victim of the alleged unlawful activities.

Moreover, the Court has mandated the ICPC, in partnership with the FMBN, to oversee and supervise the construction of the planned 962 housing units until their completion, ensuring that they are allocated to the designated end users.

Aliyu highlighted that the court also ordered the formation of a joint committee consisting of representatives from both the ICPC and the FMBN to manage the supervision process effectively.

He mentioned that the Commission would swiftly appoint its representatives, with the Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Division representing the ICPC on this committee.

The ICPC Chairman emphasized that asset recovery must be accompanied by proper management, asserting that the true measure of success for the Kaba District project will be the completion of the housing units and their equitable distribution to Nigerian families.

He assured the public of the ICPC’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and the efficient management of recovered assets in accordance with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

In his comments, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank, Shehu Usman Osidi, expressed gratitude to the ICPC for its diligence and professionalism in securing the recovery of the property and its transfer for the intended purpose.

“This land, designated for the development of this estate, has been neglected and left unused for an extended period. We sincerely appreciate the ICPC for ensuring that all necessary due diligence and legal considerations were carefully undertaken.

“This action is particularly commendable because it demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting public assets and ensuring that properties recovered or forfeited in the public interest are put to productive use for the benefit of Nigerians,“ he said.