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JUST IN : Governor approves 21-year jail term for cultists, sponsors
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has signed a new law imposing a 21-year jail term for cult members and their sponsors.
The development was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhllor. According to the statement, the previous law addressing cult-related offences has been repealed and replaced with stricter penalties to deter cult activities.
Ikhllor emphasised the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state, warning the public against engaging in actions that could jeopardise Edo’s growth and development.
The statement read: “It is hereby announced for the information of the public that the Edo State Secret Cult (Prohibition Law) 2018 has been repealed by the Edo State House of Assembly.
“By virtue of the repeal, the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025, has been passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed into law by the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, effective from 24 January 2025.
“Please be informed that in the new law, there are provisions for stricter penalties for anyone found guilty of secret cult-related offences in the state.
“Section 5 of the law prescribes 21 years of imprisonment for financial and material sponsors of secret cults.
“Additionally, Section 6 of the law provides for 10 years of imprisonment for those who knowingly harbour members of a secret cult or permit secret cult meetings or activities to take place in any house, building, or location under their control.”
The statement further noted that, in addition to the 10-year jail term for those who harbour cult members, such individuals would have their properties confiscated and demolished by the state government.
It added: “Section 12 of the law clearly states: ‘Any person found to be a cultist under Section 4, who assaults, injures, maims, or kills any person(s) or destroys any property in furtherance of the activities of any secret cult, is guilty of an offence and is liable to 21 years of imprisonment without an option of fine.
In the case of a fatality, the perpetrator(s) shall be liable to the death penalty upon conviction, and any properties in their name, as well as their place of residence, shall be confiscated and demolished by the State Government.’
“The general public is, by this notice, advised to take heed and refrain from acts detrimental to the peace, growth, and development of Edo State.”
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NMDPRA approves F-500 Encapsulator Agent for oil depots, pipelines with strict three-year terms
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has approved the F-500 Encapsulator Agent fire suppressant for use across midstream and downstream petroleum operations, subject to strict three-year conditions and regulatory monitoring.
The fluorine-free agent is now cleared for deployment in depots, pipelines and processing facilities, the NMDPRA said in a circular dated March 12, 2026 and signed by Mustapha Lamorde, PhD, on behalf of the Authority Chief Executive.
The sector-wide approval followed a two-step process.
Okama Infinity Nigeria Limited received company-specific clearance in February 2025 after the product passed Safety Data Sheet validation and eco-toxicity tests under Nigerian conditions.
The March directive extends eligibility to all licensees, operators, and service providers.
Under the Petroleum Industry Act and 2023 environmental regulations, the NMDPRA said the approval is conditional and revocable. It runs for three years from March 12, 2026.
Operators must comply fully with existing petroleum and environmental laws. Any change to the product’s formulation without prior approval voids the clearance and triggers mandatory re-certification.
Distributors must file quarterly inventory returns showing volumes imported, distributed, and deployed. The regulator reserves the right to review, revise, or withdraw approval based on field performance or new evidence.
The F-500 Encapsulator Agent offers a non-toxic, fluorine-free alternative to older foam systems that have raised environmental concerns. Fire risk remains a major hazard in petroleum storage and transport.
The NMDPRA said the rollout will be closely monitored to ensure field performance matches technical claims. For operators, the approval adds fire response capability but also increases reporting and compliance duties.
Managing Director of Okama Infinity Nigeria Limited, Sir Oghenekaro Jockey expressed joy over the approval granted by the regulatory agency.
Jockey assured stakeholders of the company’s commitment to excellent service delivery.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal has shared details of a private conversation he had with late President Muhammadu Buhari about his political ties and disagreements involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that Lawal spoke in an interview on Channels Television, where he said the conversation happened shortly before Buhari’s death.
He explained that Buhari warned him about possible political disagreements that could come up between him and Tinubu in the future.
According to him, the late president said such situations were likely but should be handled carefully.
He said Buhari advised that any clash in political views should remain focused on governance and public issues.
The former president, he added, made it clear that personal attacks should be avoided, and discussions should remain centered on national matters rather than personal matters.
Lawal said he accepted the advice and made a promise to follow it. He explained that since then, he has tried to keep his public comments about Tinubu within political issues only, without bringing in personal matters.
He added that Buhari told him he might end up in political disagreement with someone he considered a friend, but he should avoid turning it into something personal. Lawal said he agreed to that guidance at the time and has tried to respect it in his political activities.
Quoting his exchange with Buhari, Lawal said the late president told him, “You are going to fight your friend politically; please promise me you will not go personal with your fight.”
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the party can only adopt a consensus candidate where all aspirants voluntarily agree to the arrangement.
Speaking on the party’s nomination process, the chairman emphasized that consensus candidacy is not imposed but must be the product of mutual consent among all contenders seeking the ticket.
In a statement, the chairman clarified that any consensus candidate must have backing of all the contenders.
— Prof. Nentawe
NMDPRA approves F-500 Encapsulator Agent for oil depots, pipelines with strict three-year terms
Ex SGF Babachir reveals what Buhari told him about Tinubu before his demise
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