President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, FAS, as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission.

Professor Ogundipe, a renowned academic and experienced university administrator, served as Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG between 2017 and 2022. He currently holds the position of Pro-Chancellor at Redeemer’s University.

His appointment places him in a key leadership role within Nigeria’s higher education regulatory system, where he is expected to contribute to improved governance, policy implementation, and quality assurance across the nation’s universities.

Professor Ogundipe takes over from Olufemi Raphael Aina, who stepped down from the position less than a year after his appointment.

Reacting to the development, the management of the University of Lagos congratulated its former Vice-Chancellor on the new national assignment.

On behalf of the university community, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Folasade T. Ogunsola, extended her best wishes to Professor Ogundipe.

The institution stated that it was pleased with the appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to provide effective leadership in his new role at the National Universities Commission.

Professor Ogundipe is widely recognised for his contributions to higher education administration and academic development in Nigeria, and his appointment is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts aimed at enhancing standards and oversight within the country’s university system.

Fresh details emerged at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, continued over allegations linked to the interception of communications belonging to National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

During proceedings, a prosecution witness told the court that El-Rufai allegedly acknowledged listening to conversations involving the NSA during a televised interview, a statement that has become central to the case being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS).

El-Rufai is facing charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 over allegations of unlawful interception of communications and actions said to have affected national security.

What The Witness Told The Court

The second prosecution witness, Deji Adeyanju, told the court that he was present at the television station on February 16 while waiting for his own interview when El-Rufai appeared on air.

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), Adeyanju said he heard El-Rufai make a statement during the interview which he recalled as:

“We listened to the conversations of the NSA.”

According to the witness, he later gave a statement after reports emerged that security agencies were planning to arrest the former governor.

Adeyanju told the court that he was subsequently invited by the DSS and asked to explain what transpired at the television station.

He said he informed investigators that he was present during the interview and heard El-Rufai make the remarks on air.

The court also watched the television interview during proceedings, after which Adeyanju confirmed it was the same programme in which the alleged statement was made.

According to the witness, when further questioned during the television interview, El-Rufai allegedly explained that another person carried out the interception and later provided him with the information.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), Adeyanju clarified that he did not hear El-Rufai specifically state that he hacked Ribadu’s phone lines.

However, he maintained that he heard the former governor say:

“We listened to the conversations of the NSA.”

When asked whether he knew the communication devices used by the National Security Adviser or whether investigators had examined those devices, the witness replied that such matters were outside his responsibility.

The Charges Against El-Rufai

The DSS has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai.

In the first count, prosecutors alleged that while appearing on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026, El-Rufai admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted the communications of the National Security Adviser.

The second count alleges that the former governor acknowledged knowing an individual who carried out the alleged interception but failed to report the person to relevant security agencies.

The third count accuses El-Rufai and others still at large of using technical equipment or systems in a manner that compromised public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the communications of the NSA.

According to the charge, the alleged actions created reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians and violated provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act.

The prosecution also tendered an official gazette as evidence during the hearing, which was admitted by the court without objection from the defence.

What Happens Next?

The case remains ongoing, with Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourning further proceedings for the continuation of hearing.

While the prosecution is relying heavily on statements allegedly made during the television interview, the defence is expected to continue challenging the interpretation of those remarks and the evidence linking El-Rufai to any unlawful interception of communications.

The outcome of the trial could have significant implications, as the allegations involve issues of cybercrime, national security, and the alleged interception of communications belonging to one of Nigeria’s top security officials.

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings in his ongoing trial.

The court issued the order on Monday after considering developments surrounding Sowore’s application challenging the revocation of his bail.

In a brief ruling, Justice Umar directed that Sowore remain in custody pending the hearing and determination of his motion seeking a stay of execution of the court’s earlier decision revoking his bail and issuing a bench warrant for his arrest.

The judge also dismissed an application previously filed by Sowore requesting that he withdraw from the case over allegations of bias.

Following the ruling, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 24 for the hearing of the application seeking a stay of the bail revocation order and the bench warrant.

The motion was filed by Sowore’s new counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN.

Background to the Bail Revocation

Justice Umar had on June 16 revoked the bail earlier granted to Sowore after the activist and former presidential candidate failed to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.

The decision followed an oral application by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN.

In addition to revoking the bail, the court issued a bench warrant authorising Sowore’s arrest.

Charges Against Sowore

The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Tinubu.

According to the prosecution, Sowore referred to the President as “a criminal” in posts published on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.

The case is expected to continue on June 24 when the court hears arguments on the application seeking to suspend the enforcement of the bail revocation order pending further proceedings.

Traffic was brought to a standstill at the busy Iwo Road axis of Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Monday as protesters barricaded the popular roundabout in a demonstration against rising insecurity and the continued captivity of abducted schoolchildren and teachers.

The protesters, led by the human rights advocacy group Take It Back Movement, converged on the area around 10 a.m., causing significant gridlock and disrupting movement along one of the city’s busiest routes.

The demonstrators are calling for urgent action to tackle insecurity across Nigeria and demanding the immediate release of the 39 schoolchildren and teachers who were abducted in Oyo State.

Speaking during the protest, the National Coordinator of the Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the demonstration was part of an ongoing campaign launched by the organisation following the abduction of the pupils and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.

According to him, “We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 46 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den.

“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, West and East of Nigeria.”

Sanyaolu criticised political leaders for focusing on preparations for the 2027 elections while insecurity continues to threaten the lives of citizens across the country.

He added, “We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive. So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place. The state and federal governments must act or they will continue to witness mass action.”

The protest drew attention from commuters and residents, with demonstrators carrying banners and placards bearing messages calling for an end to kidnappings and improved security measures nationwide.

The abduction of the schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State has continued to generate concern among residents and civil society groups, who have repeatedly urged authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release and address the growing security challenges facing the country.