President Bola Tinubu has reportedly barred several ministers from leaving the country amid rumors of an impending cabinet shake-up.

Nigerian US-based investigative journalist Jackson Ude revealed that several ministers, aware of their likely exclusion from the next cabinet, sought permission to travel abroad.

Their reasons ranged from medical attention to attending their children’s graduations or taking brief vacations. One such case involved Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who requested to visit Egypt to see his wife and some of his 30 children. However, his request was denied by President Tinubu, who ordered him to return to Sokoto and address the growing security concerns in the state.

This move suggests that the President is focusing on addressing pressing domestic challenges, especially insecurity.

While many ministers are now reportedly laying low, awaiting an official announcement of their fate, insiders suggest that Tinubu only has confidence in three of the current ministers.

Nonetheless, it is not expected that all 45 will be sacked, with some possibly being retained based on their performance.

The horrific incident left her for dead in a pool of her own blood while she was bathing her newborn baby.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday made a landmark ruling, awarding N70million in damages to Margaret Achalla, a nursing mother who was shot by police officers in her home back in 2000.

The horrific incident left her for dead in a pool of her own blood while she was bathing her newborn baby.

Justice G. Olotu, the presiding judge, delivered the judgment in the fundamental human rights suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/105/2001, between Margaret Achalla and the Inspector General of Police & four other respondents.

The court also imposed a 5% annual interest on the N70 million until the judgment is fully paid.

The ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and justice, especially in cases involving human rights violations.

It is a victory for Margaret Achalla and her family, who have had to endure unimaginable trauma and pain for over two decades.

This judgment also highlights the need for law enforcement agencies to respect human rights and uphold the law.

Speaking with SaharaReporters on the judgement, Counsel to the Applicant, Abubakar Marshal of the Falana and Falana Chambers commended the Court for finally rendering its judgement in the case, 23 years after the suit was commenced and 24 years after she was shot.

In a statement made to SaharaReporters, on Friday, the Falana Chambers explained that the applicant had claimed that she was a businesswoman resident at Utako, Abuja.

“That she was shot by identified police officers who had shot her while she was bathing her new born son and left her in a pool of her own blood.

“In proof of the claim, the plaintiff had tendered the extracted bullet, photographs of her shot foot, police extract, DPP (Department of Public Prosecution) advice, various medical reports and receipts from various hospitals, X- Ray report among others.

“The judge while delivering judgement in a fundamental human right suit filed on her behalf by human right Attorney and public interest lawyer, Abubakar Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers ruled that the Applicant had led cogent & credible evidence in proof of her claim that she had shown via cogent and credible evidence in proof of her claim.

“The court therefore declared her fatal shooting as unlawful and unconstitutional, and consequently awarded the sum of N10 million as general damages.

“The court also awarded as punitive damages the sum of N50 million and another N10 million as cost of litigation. And interest at 5% until judgement is fully liquidated,” the statement noted.

Doyin Okupe, a former presidential aide, says President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima are entitled to travel out of the country simultaneously.

Tinubu is on a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom (UK) and has recently visited France, while Shettima is in Sweden for a two-day official visit.

Nigerians have raised concerns over their absence, claiming that no one is in charge of the country’s affairs.

Speaking with NAN on Friday, Okupe said the impression that no one is in charge of governance due to Tinubu and Shettima’s absence is “false and preposterous”.

“Presidents and chief executives, globally, do take time off to rest for a little while,” he said.

“Even in war situations, field commanders go off duty to cool off from war theatres.

“Whether the president is in Abuja, Kaura Namoda, Pankshin, Oguta, Ilesha, Yenagoa, London, or Paris, all instruments of command and control are accessible and available to him 24/7.”

Okupe said critics of the president’s absence are exposing their “crass ignorance” and do not appreciate the “overriding influence of modern information management on contemporary governance”.

On Wednesday, the presidency said the absence of both Tinubu and Shettima would not create a leadership vacuum in the country.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu and Shettima “are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away”.

“All state organs are functioning as usual — the senate president, the secretary to the government of the federation, ministers, and service chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government,” Onanuga had said.