GALADIMA, FCT’S HEAD DEMOLITION UNIT TAKES A BOW
HOTJIST NEWS The director of the FCT Department of Development Control, which is in charge of demolishing illegitimate structures in the capital, Tpl Mukhtar Galadima, has resigned. After more than 30 years of service in the Federal Capital Territory, Galadima said he is departing with thanks and a distinct feeling of fulfillment. He claimed that his commitment to the Abuja Master Plan and his firm belief in public service had motivated him throughout his journey. He said he never considered becoming a director when he first joined the FCT Administration in December 1992 as a young Higher Technical Officer. He said, “When I assumed duty in December 1992, I never imagined that I would become a director, yet...
JUSTICE IS NOT FOR SALE , TINUBU TO JUDICIARY
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu warned that justice must never be bought and asked the judiciary to act decisively to address concerns about its integrity. He claims that many have voiced their anxiety over the lack of access to justice in addition to their displeasure with case resolution delays. As he opened the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference of the Superior Courts in Abuja, President Tinubu declared, "Our courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years; they must become beacons of efficiency, where disputes are resolved swiftly, and where litigants depart with renewed confidence in the rule of law." President Tinubu insisted that confidence is the foundation of justice and described the conference's topic, "Building a Confident Judiciary," as appropriate and appropriate. "This is not a burden for the National Judicial Council alone; it is a communal duty that rests on every judicial officer," he said, adding that his government "stands ready to assist every effort by the Judiciary to protect its dignity and eliminate misbehavior." "A verdict may be based on the law and delivered clearly, but its moral power is lessened unless the public perceives it to be fair, unbiased, and unspoiled," President Tinubu stated in an address to the judges. Therefore, public trust is not merely a theoretical goal; rather, it is a real indicator of the legitimacy of the judiciary and the real value of justice. We have to be honest and admit that the public's opinion of the legal system has not always been positive. People have complained about delays, integrity issues, and difficulty accessing the legal system. Whether or not these perceptions are entirely justified, they cannot be disregarded. They urge us to consider, change, and rebuild. Because in the end, justice exists for the people, not for the Bench or the Bar. Our country's stability is based on their trust in the legal system. In this context, I would like to restate with conviction and clarity my administration's unshakable commitment to helping the Judiciary carry out its constitutional role. The judiciary operates within a broader democratic framework, where all three branches of government must cooperate, respect one another, and share accountability to the Nigerian people. "Even when divided by function, the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary must continue to be linked by purpose. According to my administration, a strong, capable, and unwaveringly honest judiciary is not only desirable, but also essential to the survival of our democracy and the prosperity of our country. Without a courageous and effective judiciary, we cannot create a just society. In keeping with this, we have decided to give our courts the material and institutional assistance they need to carry out their responsibilities with efficiency, dignity, and confidence. "Support ought to be concrete, not symbolic. It must result in better working conditions, up-to-date facilities, and well-appointed courtrooms where justice is administered in a timely and open manner. "Our courts must become efficient hubs where cases are settled quickly and litigants leave with a restored sense of trust in the rule of law. They cannot be places where cases linger for years....
BANDITS KILL VICE PRINCIPAL, ABDUCTS STUDENTS IN KEBBI
Armed bandits killed a vice principal and kidnapped at least 25 pupils at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga early on Monday, sparking a massive security operation in Kebbi State. In a Monday afternoon update, CSP Nafiu Abubakar Karkokoshi, the spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, verified the occurrence He claimed that "a gang of armed bandits with sophisticated weaponry, shooting intermittently, assaulted the school in Danko district, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area" at approximately 4:00 in the morning. The bandits reportedly jumped the school fence and made their way into the dorms, where they abducted 25 female students before police tactical troops stationed at the school engaged the attackers in a gunfight. "Assan Makuku was shot and killed, and Ali Shehu was injured in the right hand," Karkokoshi continued. Following the attack, more tactical units were sent out by the Police Command, and military forces and vigilante organizations were called in to assist with the search and rescue effort. In an effort to find the attackers, security personnel are also searching the nearby forests and possible escape routes. The incident was denounced as "dastardly" by Kebbi State Commissioner of Police CP Bello M. Sani, who also reiterated the Command's dedication to safeguarding people and property throughout the state. As efforts to free the kidnapped students and bring peace back to the area increase, he asked everyone to maintain their composure, be alert, and keep helping security forces.
DAMES HUB CONDUCTS FREE MEDICAL, MENOPAUSE OUTREACH FOR WOMEN IN ABEOKUTA TO MARK ALAKE’S 20TH CORONATION ANNIVERSARY
Abeokuta — Sefiu Ajape The Dames Hub Wellness Initiative has provided free medical care and menopause sensitization for women in Abeokuta during a special outreach...
TARABA SPEAKER ,15 OTHER PDP MEMBERS RESIGN TO JOIN APC
Taraba State House of Assembly Speaker's resignation from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has been announced by Rt Hon. Kizito Bonzena. Citing the PDP's nationwide factionalization, he added that he has now decided to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). He added that 15 other members of the PDP in the House of Assembly have sent letters to the Assembly leadership requesting to leave the PDP. Tafarki Eneme (Kurmi Constituency), Akila Nuhu (Lau Constituency), Musa Chul (Gassol 1 Constituency), Josiah Yaro (Wukari 2 Constituency), Deputy Speaker Hamman Adama Abdullai (Bali 2 Constituency), and Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu (Wukari 1 Constituency) are among them. Others include Joseph Kassong (Yorro Constituency), John Lamba (Takum 2 Constituency), Happy Shonruba (Ardo-Kola Constituency), Nelson Len (Nguroje Constituency), Anas Shuaibu (Karim Lamido 2 Constituency), Tanko Yusuf (Takum 1 Constituency), Veronica Alhassan (Bali 1 Constituency), and Zakari Sanusi (Ibi Constituency). The speaker went on to say that the choice is made in the state's overall interest rather than for personal reasons. This decision of ours should not be misunderstood by our people," he said. 'The state has an interest in it. All 24 of the House's members are now APC members. The people of Taraba should continue to support the government because we want them to see this as the greatest choice for the state." READ ALSO: https://hotjist.com/2025/11/17/taraba-speaker-15-other-pdp-member-resign-to-apc/ ...
COURT SEEKS PROSECUTION OF FCTA LAND DIRECTOR
A application seeking an injunction forcing the police to investigate and prosecute Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze for alleged certificate fraud has been scheduled for hearing before the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 26. A falsified Ordinary National Diploma (OND) certificate from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, is allegedly presented by Nwankwoeze, a Director of Lands Administration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). READ ALSO: https://hotjist.com/2025/11/17/police-refute-naval-officer-in-face-off-with-wike-assasination-attempt/ After the applicant, the Incorporated Trustees of Dependable Patriots for Nation Building and Transformation Initiative, filed a motion ex parte, Justice Ekerete Akpan set the date. Under the name FHC/ABJ/CS/2050/2025, the lawsuit was dated and submitted on September 26 by its legal team, which was headed by Abdulkabir Badmos. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, and Mr. Nwankwoeze Williamson Chijioke were the first and third defendants, respectively, in the applicant's lawsuit. It requested two remedies, one of which was a mandamus order requiring the first and second defendants to look into and bring charges against the third defendant for allegedly forging the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, statement of results. It claimed that the third defendant obtained a job in the federation's civil service by using the aforementioned certificate. Additionally, it sought an order allowing the applicant to use substituted means to serve the third defendant with notice, hearing notices, and other following procedures in the matter. The effort requested permission from the court to serve court documents on officials in the Federal Capital Territory Administration's (FCTA) Office of the Director of Lands Administration, located at 4 Peace Drive in the Central Business District of Abuja. The lawyer made ten points, stating that the initiative is a non-profit organization that is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in accordance with the applicable regulations. According to Badmos, fighting for justice, combating corruption, and advancing accountability and transparency in public offices are some of the goals of the initiative's registration. According to him, the plaintiff had sent a letter to the I-G and NPF asking for inquiries into claims that Nwankwoeze had submitted a falsified or counterfeit statement of results in order to be hired by the federation's civil service. "The first and second defendants have not taken any action as of yet, despite the plaintiff having given them the necessary documentary proof that reveals crimes that are subject to trial under the applicable laws. According to the Police Act of 2020, "the first and second defendants have the statutory task of investigating and prosecuting of offences, including the claims of forgery charged against the third defendant herein," he stated. In his view, prosecutory agencies should not be perceived as protecting public officials from prosecution because forging or presenting false documents to obtain an unfair advantage is a serious crime in our nation. The attorney stated that the I-G and NPF would continue to ignore these serious accusations unless the court ordered them to dig into and prosecute Nwankwoeze. According to Badmos, there is a good reason to think that Nwankwoeze would become aware of the litigation is existence if the procedures were served on his office. The attorney stated that it is in the interest of justice and good governance to approve the application, arguing that the court has the authority to order the I-G and police to carry out their statutory duties. Comrade Emmanuel Nwosu, the initiative's executive secretary, claimed in the affidavit supporting the ex parte motion that Nwankwoeze had exploited the falsified result to get accepted into Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Anambra. According to Nwosu, the group receives anonymous tips and petitions from whistleblowers alerting it to any alleged corrupt activities occurring within a Nigerian government agency.
NORMALCY RETURNS AS US LIFT RESTRICTIONS ON FLIGHT
The Federal Aviation Administration announced that US airlines will resume their regular schedules on Monday following the lifting of cuts made during a government shutdown. On Sunday night, the FAA announced that limitations will be removed and that "normal operations can resume" nationwide starting Monday at 6:00 am Washington time (1100 GMT). Understaffing caused thousands of flights to be canceled during the shutdown, which lasted a record 43 days. 40 of the major US airports had a 10% reduction in domestic flights due to a lack of control tower employees, who were required to work unpaid as the budget impasse continued. President Donald Trump's threat to withhold pay from air traffic controllers who called in sick during the shutdown, claiming they were being disloyal, further stretched the aviation sector.
US ACTOR TOM CRUISE RECEIVES HONORARY OSCAR
Hollywood's elite gave US actor Tom Cruise a standing ovation when he accepted his honorary Oscar on Sunday night, the first golden statue of his decades-long career. At the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Cruise took the stage to the cheers of his peers, including Colin Farrell and Emilio Estevez, with whom he has shared the screen, and the famous Steven Spielberg, who directed him in "Minority Report" and "War of the Worlds," to the tune of the "Mission Impossible" theme song, a staple of the 63-year-old actor's career. In a moving speech, Cruise, a four-time Oscar nominee who has never taken home the prize, talked about his passion for movies. "A thirst for adventure, a hunger for knowledge, a hunger to comprehend mankind, to develop characters, to tell a tale, to explore the globe" are all sparked by the big screen, he said. Film luminaries are honored for their achievements and accomplishments to the film business with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' annual honorary Oscars. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, a Mexican director who helmed Cruise in the upcoming movie "Judy," honored Cruise with his Oscar. Inarritu jokingly remarked, "In this town, writing a four-minute speech to celebrate Tom Cruise's 45-year career is what is known as a mission impossible." "We are celebrating tonight. We honor a lifetime of effort, not just a filmography," Inarritu stated, adding that while collaborating with Cruise, he witnessed the actor pull off his riskiest feat to date: "No Mexican consumed as much chili as this man did." That evening, the Academy also gave honorary Oscars to country singer Dolly Parton, who was recognized for her humanitarian efforts, production designer Wynn Thomas, and performer Debbie Allen, who featured in the film "Fame." AFP
EX-AGF MALAMI EXPRESS INTEREST IN 2027 GOVERNORSHIP BID IN KEBBI
HOTJIST NEWS Abubakar Malami, the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, has formally declared his plan to compete for governor of Kebbi State in the 2027 election. Malami pledged to address insecurity and boost the faltering agricultural sector of the state. In an interview with DCL Hausa on Monday that our correspondent watched, he made the statement and expressed confidence in the magnitude of his statewide political support. "You will see that the people of Kebbi are on our side when the time comes, even though INEC guidelines do not yet allow mobilization. “I have agreed to contest, and there is no retreat. God willing, we are going to win. We won’t...
TRUMP SEEKS REPUBLICAN VOTES FOR RELEASE OF EPSTEIN FILES
BY BARAKAT ADELEKE Despite earlier opposition to the legislation, US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he supported lawmakers’ efforts to make additional papers pertaining to sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein public. Trump said on his Truth Social platform, "House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, since we have nothing to hide." Following the release of emails in which the disgraced financier implied Trump "knew about the girls," the 79-year-old Republican has charged Democrats of spreading a "Epstein hoax." Trump has been accused by some critics of attempting to obstruct the vote in order to hide information about his own alleged misconduct, which the president denies. In addition to causing a gap between Trump and some of his closest supporters inside his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, the issue has split his normally devoted Republican party. Trump retracted his support for Congresswoman and MAGA mainstay Marjorie Taylor Greene's 2026 reelection campaign over the weekend. A vote on a proposal to compel the Justice Department to make the remaining documents from the Epstein investigation public is scheduled for this week, according to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. Trump wrote in his post, "We can not let that happen," referring to politicians who supported Democrats' demand that the data be made public. "Some'members' of the Republican Party are being 'used,'" he continued. The Justice Department's investigation Following the conclusion of the longest government shutdown in US history last week, members of the US House of Representatives made public a wealth of emails that were taken from Epstein's estate. In one, Epstein claimed that Trump "spent hours" at his home with one of the victims, while in another, the president was called "filthy." Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said the messages “raise...