The Lagos State Government has sealed Dowen College in Lekki Phase 1 for allegedly violating waste management regulations.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the action on Wednesday in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
According to Wahab, “Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps #LAGESCOfficial in collaboration with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority #Lawma_gov sealed up Dowen College in Lekki over indiscriminate waste disposal.”
The enforcement came a day after Wahab shared a video showing officials of the Environmental Sanitation Corps arresting an unidentified man for alleged improper waste disposal. In the clip, the man admitted he was employed by Dowen College, prompting authorities to trace the violation back to the school.
“This waste was traced to Dowen College in Lekki Phase 1. Such disregard for environmental laws is unacceptable.
“Corps Marshal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps has been directed to proceed with sealing the premises.
“We will not hesitate to take firm action against any institution or organisation that violates our waste management regulations.
“Lagos must remain clean, safe and healthy for all residents, and enforcement will continue without compromise,” Wahab stated.
Kenya, one of the co-hosts of the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN), has been slapped with a $50,000 fine by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) due to serious security and safety shortcomings during Sunday’s group stage clash against Morocco at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium.
The disciplinary action follows a series of incidents that have raised alarm bells at CAF, prompting warnings that Kenya risks losing its privilege to host CHAN 2024 quarterfinals if crowd disturbances continue. There are also growing concerns that persistent issues could jeopardize Kenya’s bid to stage future continental tournaments, including the prestigious 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
As the biggest edition of the African Nations Championship unfolds across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, fans across East Africa have embraced the football spectacle with vibrant energy. Yet in Nairobi, that passion has tipped into chaos, according to CAF officials.
Crowd Trouble And Safety Failures Spark Concerns
In a statement issued from Nairobi, the African football body criticized the host nation for failing to comply with safety protocols. “Kenya was warned that continued non-compliance with CAF security requirements may result in the relocation of its national team matches to different venues. We have advised authorities to bolster security personnel within the stadium perimeter and enforce traffic restrictions on match days,” read the CAF statement.
The controversy began during the opening fixture on August 3rd against DR Congo, when unauthorized individuals forced entry into Kasarani Stadium, attacked staff, and even ignited a fire inside the premises.
The situation escalated during Kenya’s stunning upset victory over tournament favorites Morocco, where scenes of unrest intensified. CAF’s disciplinary findings pointed to multiple violations by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), including uncontrolled gate-crashing by fans without tickets, the use of tear gas and flash grenades, and even disturbing reports of live ammunition being discharged. Security personnel were also reportedly assaulted during the chaos.
Quarterfinal Hosting Rights in Jeopardy
The cumulative fines imposed on FKF for three consecutive matches now exceed $17,000, with the total penalty reaching $50,000. In response, Nicholas Musonye, Chairman of the CHAN Local Organising Committee (LOC), voiced his concern during a press briefing on Tuesday.
“We are frustrated by the actions of a minority who have breached regulations to illegally access the stadium,” Musonye stated. “CAF’s decision to penalize us for repeated infractions is a serious warning. If further disturbances occur during the upcoming match against Zambia, we might be stripped of the right to host the quarterfinal.”
As an immediate corrective step, CAF has ordered a reduction in allowed attendance for Sunday’s fixture at Kasarani Stadium. Spectator numbers will be capped at 27,000—just 60% of the venue’s full capacity of 48,000—in an effort to maintain order.
Musonye emphasized that further disruptions could have long-term implications, warning, “If we don’t get this under control, it could cost us our future hosting ambitions, including AFCON 2027.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is selectively targeting opposition leaders in politically driven investigations, claiming that its latest focus is on the party’s Interim National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark.
In a statement released by Acting National Publicity Secretary Bola Abdullahi on Tuesday, the ADC accused the anti-graft agency of launching a “coordinated media trial” against figures in the opposition coalition. This, the party said, follows the detention of former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Monday and the recent invitation extended to former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.
Abdullahi alleged that the EFCC has begun revisiting files from Mark’s tenure as Senate President ten years after he left office questioning the timing and motive. He claimed that the agency’s focus on long-past allegations against opposition figures, while allegedly overlooking recent and well-documented cases involving members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), signaled a pattern of selective justice and an attack on political freedom.
The ADC suggested the actions were part of the APC’s broader plan to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging citizens to speak out against what it called a “politically motivated witch-hunt disguised as an anti-corruption campaign.”
Abdullahi further stated, “The detention of Senator Aminu Tambuwal marks the beginning of a deliberate effort to intimidate key leaders of the opposition and damage their public image through orchestrated media trials. We find it questionable that after more than five years since Emeka Ihedioha’s short seven-month tenure as Imo State governor, his investigation has suddenly become urgent.”
He accused the ruling party of using the EFCC as a tool to discredit opponents, alleging that “whether or not the accusations have merit is irrelevant to them, the goal is the spectacle.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also weighed in, accusing President Bola Tinubu of using the fight against corruption as a weapon to pressure opposition leaders into joining the APC. In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page, Atiku said, “It appears that anyone aligned with the opposition becomes a target for baseless corruption charges, but once they join the ruling party, their alleged offences are forgiven. This undermines the genuine fight against corruption and instead fuels its growth.”
Similarly, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) criticized the EFCC’s actions, describing the agency as “a submissive tool for carrying out the ruling party’s political agenda.” HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the aim was to “cripple the opposition before the 2027 elections,” adding that “the EFCC is no longer the fearless institution it was intended to be.”
EFCC, Presidency Respond
The EFCC rejected the allegations, calling them “self-serving and unfounded.” EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said, “Corruption has no political party. Fraud is fraud. We have investigated and prosecuted figures from across the political spectrum, including members of the ruling party.” He emphasized that the commission has ongoing cases involving senior APC members over corruption allegations.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga also distanced President Tinubu from the EFCC’s actions, stating, “We represent the President, not the EFCC. You would have to ask the EFCC directly if they are politicizing arrests. It is not our role to defend or justify their investigations.”
In a deepening crackdown on dissent, Mali’s military-led government has arrested former Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga, marking the latest high-profile detention of a political figure under the junta. Maiga, who served as premier from 2021 until his dismissal in November 2024, was charged with corruption on Tuesday, following an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of public funds. His arrest comes months after he publicly criticized the regime for postponing elections, a stance that likely triggered his fall from grace.
Earlier this month, Maiga was summoned for questioning over alleged abuse of state resources. His detention follows that of another former prime minister, Moussa Mara, who was arrested on August 1 for allegedly “damaging the credibility of the state” after tweeting in support of jailed regime critics. These arrests have sparked fresh concerns over the junta’s aggressive suppression of opposition voices and its growing authoritarian leanings.
Mali has been under military rule since 2020, following a coup that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. A second coup in 2021 further empowered Colonel Assimi Goïta, who now serves as transitional president. While the junta initially pledged to restore democratic governance by March 2024, it has since dissolved political parties and extended Goïta’s rule by five more years. Civil society groups and international observers warn that Mali’s slide into authoritarianism threatens to undermine long-term stability in the Sahel.
The arrests of Maiga and Mara mark a dangerous precedent for political expression in Mali, where the line between legal accountability and political persecution is increasingly blurred. With no clear roadmap back to civilian governance and worsening relations with international allies, the country’s democratic future remains uncertain. Civil society groups warn that the ongoing repression could spark further unrest in a nation already battling insurgency, economic hardship, and institutional collapse.
Nine workers have been confirmed dead following an explosion at an explosives manufacturing plant in Quatro Barras, near Curitiba, the capital of Paraná state in southern Brazil.
The blast occurred early Tuesday morning, just before 6:00 a.m. local time, while employees were on shift. Six men and three women lost their lives, and seven others were injured.
Emergency crews, assisted by sniffer dogs, initially searched for nine missing workers. However, the state’s security minister later confirmed that the search had ended with no hope of finding survivors, given the extent of the damage.
The factory is owned by Enaex, a company that produces explosives for civilian use in sectors such as mining and construction. The firm has begun investigating the cause of the incident and pledged full cooperation with authorities.
The explosion’s impact was felt in neighbouring communities, where residents reported being woken by the blast. Authorities say the shockwave damaged homes within a 1.5-kilometre radius, shattering windows and causing structural harm. A large crater was left at the site.
Enaex, which has operated at the location for around 50 years, holds all required operating licences. The company expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said it would support the investigation to determine what caused the tragedy.
On August 4, 2025, the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, issued a directive requiring 3,598 federal civil servants recruited between 2013 and 2020 and who failed to partake in the 2021 verification exercise to undergo a fresh re-verification.
The round of re-verification will take place from August 18 to August 28, 2025, across multiple ministries and agencies, including Agriculture, Defence, Education, Justice, Works, Information, Science & Technology, Aviation, Finance, Interior, and the State House.
Justification For The Re-verification
According to the circular signed by FCSC’s Permanent Secretary Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, failure to appear will be taken as evidence of possessing a fake appointment letter prompting immediate dismissal.
The directive is linked to broader efforts to root out systemic job-for-sale schemes and racketeering in civil service recruitment.
The re-verification follows a whistleblower petition to the National Assembly, which exposed how officials in the Ministry of Works allegedly sold jobs for up to N2.5 million providing forged appointment letters and fast-tracking fake hires onto the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The whistleblower insisted the verification is a direct response to his petition: “Due to my petition, the Federal Civil Service Commission is verifying all appointment letters made from 2013 to 2020, to ascertain the level of fake letters in the system.”
What This Means For Affected Civil Servants
Officers named in the directive must check their eligibility via the FCSC website, the Office of the Head of Civil Service’s official portal, or ministry notice boards.
They must appear in person during the August 18–28 window and bring original and photocopied copies of their appointment letter, gazetted confirmation, promotion records, staff change letters, and their July 2025 IPPIS payslip.
The FCSC stressed that there will be no further extension, and non-compliance will be treated as admission of fraudulent appointment.
Government And Social Reactions
While there is no known public response yet from the Ministry of Works, which is implicated in the racketeering claims, the move has generated heightened scrutiny over civil service recruitment integrity and internal reforms.
Public discourse has already begun, especially among civil servants and advocacy groups, who see the exercise as overdue in dismantling entrenched corruption.
X user Ali tweeted: “What will happen to those found guilty? Will the process be just?”
Another X user Temitope tweeted: “If they are going to do the right thing and not witch hunt and try to replace peoplewith their own people, i support this 100 %. But knowing the antecedent of people in power, there is always an ulterior motive behind stuff like this and this may not be for the betterment of the country. Fingers crossed.
If they are going to do the right thing and not witch hunt and try to replace peoplewith their own people, i support this 100 %.
But knowing the antecedent of people in power, there is always an ulterior motive behind stuff like this and this may not be for the betterment of…
An Ikeja Magistrate Court in Ogba, Lagos State, on Wednesday discharged Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly conduct and assault aboard an Ibom Air flight.
Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami struck out the case after the police formally withdrew the five-count charge against her.
The decision followed an announcement by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), who said the resolutions were reached after consultations with aviation stakeholders, consideration of appeals from concerned individuals, and acknowledgment of the remorse shown by those involved.
Keyamo disclosed that Ibom Air had agreed to drop its complaint against Emmanson, who was arrested over the August 10 incident.
Emmanson was arraigned on Monday and granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, but was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after failing to meet the bail conditions.
At Wednesday’s hearing, the prosecution counsel, Oluwabunmi Adeitan, informed the court of new developments that warranted discontinuing the case and submitted a formal application for its withdrawal, which the court granted.
The Federal Government has issued Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) a foreign carrier operation permit (FCOP), paving the way for the airline to launch direct flights between Dar es Salaam and Lagos.
The permit was formally presented in Abuja by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary Ibrahim Kana represented by Ahmed Mohammed said the FCOP will standardize procedures, ensure seamless operations, and align with international best practices.
Kana noted that the initiative supports President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to strengthen regional integration and cooperation, adding that Nigeria is ready to provide full operational support to the airline.
Director of Air Traffic Regulation at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Yinka Iriobe, said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would soon be signed between both countries, requiring ATCL to upload passenger data into NCAA’s AVITECH portal.
Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Selestine Gervas Kakele, hailed the development as a step towards improving Africa’s regional connectivity. He said the new service would help address long-standing barriers to the movement of people, goods, and services across the continent.
ATCL has completed NCAA’s regulatory requirements, including base inspections in Tanzania, and has secured approvals for its security procedures. The airline has also requested office space at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and residence permits for its staff ahead of operations.
In just over a week, Nigeria’s aviation sector has been at the centre of two separate but unexpectedly linked incidents. One involves renowned Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, while the other concerns Comfort Emmanson, a passenger aboard an Ibom Air flight.
First came the case of Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, whose confrontation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja went viral. The footage showed him standing in front of a ValueJet aircraft, reportedly blocking its taxiing, with allegations of assault against an airport official.
Then, barely days later, came the now-infamous Ibom Air saga involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson, accused of unruly conduct during a flight. Unlike KWAM 1’s quick pathway to public apology and negotiations, Emmanson’s case swiftly moved to a criminal remand at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
Both stories drew intense attention and, inevitably, public comparison. The latest developments from the Ministry of Aviation suggest a change in the fate of both individuals, and have triggered a larger conversation about whether their treatment reflects differences in status, gender, or both.
KWAM 1’s Ban Reduced, Possible Role As Airport Security Protocol Ambassador
Following widespread criticism, appeals from prominent figures, and the singer’s own public apology, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has confirmed a significant softening of sanctions against KWAM 1.
“In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period,” the minister announced. “FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.”
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority will also withdraw its criminal complaints against the Fuji star. According to Keyamo, this decision was made after the singer “publicly demonstrated penitence,” taking full responsibility for his actions and seeking forgiveness from the President, the minister himself, and all affected parties.
The ValueJet flight crew members who were initially suspended for their involvement in the altercation, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, will also have their licences reinstated after a one-month suspension.
Comfort Emmanson’s Release Ordered, Case Withdrawn By Ibom Air
On the Ibom Air front, there has also been a sudden turn of events. Comfort Emmanson, who was remanded to Kirikiri Prison on allegations of disorderly conduct aboard an August 10 Ibom Air flight, will soon be released.
“In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the complaint against her today,” Keyamo revealed. “When the Police took her statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.”
The minister added that both recent incidents, KWAM 1’s and Emmanson’s, have highlighted the need for improved handling of disruptive passengers and better staff conduct within the aviation sector. He has directed all relevant agencies to undergo retraining, while airlines are to organise sessions on conflict de-escalation.
Status Issue Or Gender Issue?
The sharp contrast in how these cases unfolded has fuelled public speculation. Some point to KWAM 1’s celebrity status and influential network as factors that may have accelerated his favourable resolution, especially with the unprecedented move to potentially make him an airport protocol ambassador.
Others question whether gender bias played a role, noting that Emmanson’s case escalated swiftly to criminal detention, while KWAM 1’s was channelled into reconciliation and public relations opportunities.
The Aviation Ministry insists that both decisions were “taken purely on compassionate grounds” and that “government will never pander to base sentiments, politically motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws is involved.”
Still, in a country where public perception often shapes trust in institutions, the debate is far from over. Whether rooted in social status, gender dynamics, or pure coincidence, these two incidents have left Nigerians reflecting on the principles of fairness, accountability, and equal treatment under the law.
Real Madrid wrapped up their preseason preparations in emphatic style, cruising to a 4–0 victory over Austrian side WSG Tirol.
Éder Militão opened the scoring with a commanding header before Kylian Mbappé stole the show with two goals, one on either side of halftime.
Rodrygo added the fourth after combining neatly with Mbappé, while Arda Güler impressed with his creativity in midfield.
Defensively, Aurélien Tchouaméni and youngster Rafa Marín Huijsen were solid, ensuring a clean sheet. Manager Xabi Alonso’s side looked sharp, fluid, and ready for the competitive season ahead.
Bayern Munich Edge Grasshopper Club Zurich In Tight Contest
Bayern Munich closed out their preseason with a 2–1 win against Swiss side Grasshopper Club Zurich. Teenage forward Lennart Karl struck first with a composed finish before Jonah Kusi-Asare doubled the lead before the break. Grasshopper responded in the second half through Loris Giandomenico, but Bayern held firm to maintain their perfect preseason record.
Youngsters Karl and Tom Bischof caught the eye, while some senior players such as Serge Gnabry, Raphaël Guerreiro, and Kim Min-jae failed to hit top gear.
Contrasting Pre-season Statements
While Real Madrid’s dominant win underlined their attacking depth and readiness, Bayern Munich’s performance highlighted both the promise of their rising stars and the questions surrounding the form of their experienced core.
Both clubs head into the new campaign with confidence, but with differing narratives, Madrid look complete and in rhythm, while Bayern may still be fine-tuning key areas.
What It Means Going Into The Season
For Real Madrid, this pre-season has confirmed that their squad depth, attacking firepower, and new signings are already blending seamlessly, setting them up as early favourites in both domestic and European competitions.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, can take encouragement from their youthful energy and unbeaten run, but they will need their senior players to rediscover top form quickly if they are to match Europe’s elite over a long, demanding season.
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