News
Bamidele, Ozekhome, 13 others confirmed life benchers
The Body of Benchers, currently chaired by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, has confirmed leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and 13 other prominent legal practitioners life members of the prestigious body.
With the newly confirmed life benchers, the total number of life benchers in the country has now risen to 170.
This cap is set for the next five years before new life members would be admitted into the body of practitioners of the highest distinction in the legal profession.
The elevation of the new life benchers is in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the development of legal profession in the country and for upholding the integrity and excellence of the legal profession.
Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters in the ninth National Assembly, was first appointed into the Body of Benchers as a Bencher in November 2019.
His tenure as the Chairman of Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters witnessed remarkable reforms, working closely with the leadership of both the judicial and executive arms of government.
There was greater attention to the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers and staff through increased budgetary provisions to the Judiciary.
The bill for the increase in the retirement age of judicial officers from 65 to 70 was also passed by the legislature and assented to by the executive.
Called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1992, Bamidele actively maintains his membership of the Nigerian Bar Association, American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and International Bar Association.
He is also a Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria); Fellow, Chartered Institute of Management Consultants and Fellow, Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration, Nigeria.
At different times, Bamidele has distinguished himself in public service having served as the Commissioner for Youth, Sports & Social Development under the administration of Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commissioner of Information & Strategy under the administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Research and Budget in the seventh National Assembly.
He first graduated with honours in 1986, from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Nigeria with a Bachelor of Arts. Driven by passion for an egalitarian and just world, Bamidele turned to the University of Benin, Nigeria to pursue a Bachelor of Laws, which he completed also with honours in 1990.
He further pursued a Master of Laws at the Franklin Pierce School of Law, University of New Hampshire, Concord, United States, specialising in Intellectual Property Law, with bias in International Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law, including the Licensing of International Transfer of Technology.
News
Falconets Advance to quarter-finals of FIFA U-20 World Cup
Nigeria’s Falconets have advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after defeating England 3-0.
The Falconets produced a dominant performance, securing their second victory of the tournament and taking their goals tally to 13 in four matches.
Tosin Rafiu gave Nigeria the lead in the eighth minute before Janet Akekoromowei doubled the advantage two minutes into the second half.
Mary Mamudu completed the scoring in the 73rd minute as the Falconets sealed an emphatic victory over England.
Captain Christiana Uzoma was also instrumental in the win after saving Rachel Maltby’s penalty in the first half to preserve Nigeria’s lead.
Nigeria will return to action in the quarter-finals on September 20, 2026.
News
Canada Invites Senior Managers To Apply For Permanent Residence
Canada has invited 250 senior managers with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued the invitations in its latest targeted Express Entry draw on Wednesday, allowing eligible candidates to move forward with their permanent residence applications.
Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 389 to receive an invitation.
IRCC’s latest selection focused specifically on candidates with Canadian work experience in senior management occupations.
Foreign nationals already in Canada who have applied for permanent residence through Express Entry may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
A BOWP can allow eligible applicants to continue working in Canada while they wait for a decision on their permanent residence application.
According to the information provided by IRCC, applicants whose current work permits expire while their BOWP applications are being processed may benefit from maintained status.
Under maintained status, eligible applicants who remain in Canada can continue working under the conditions of their previous work permit while awaiting a decision.
Eligible family members may also be able to apply for work permits, depending on their individual circumstances and the applicable requirements.
The latest draw provides another pathway for eligible senior managers with Canadian work experience to pursue permanent residence through Canada’s Express Entry system.
News
Customs Intercepts N2.47bn Contraband, Seizes N417m Range Rover In Ogun
The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted contraband with a combined duty-paid value of N2.47bn, including a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography valued at N417.01m, at the nation’s border in Ogun State.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko, where he paraded the seized items.
Afeni said the seizures were recorded between August 14 and September 17, 2026, following intelligence-led operations conducted by officers and men of the command.
Among the items seized were 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 3,893 parcels of cannabis indica weighing 1.878 tonnes, 428 pneumatic tyres, 8,675 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 24 bales of second-hand clothing.
The command also intercepted four sacks of used shoes, 500 litres of diesel and the Range Rover Sport Autobiography, which Customs valued at N417.01m.
Afeni said the seizure of the luxury vehicle was part of the command’s enforcement operations aimed at preventing the movement of prohibited goods through the nation’s borders.
The Customs boss said the command would hand over the seized cannabis to the Idiroko Special Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and appropriate action.
He attributed the successes recorded by the command to intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security and government agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA and relevant environmental agencies.
Afeni said the command would sustain its enforcement activities along the border corridors, while strengthening inter-agency collaboration to check smuggling and other forms of cross-border crime.
He urged members of the public to support lawful trade and provide useful information to security agencies, stressing that the command would continue to enforce the nation’s laws while facilitating legitimate commerce across the border.
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