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The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has directed the suspension of all actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml pet bottles products, pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final directive.

In a statement issued on Monday, by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the OSGF disclosed that it received an official correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025. The letter, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, addressed concerns surrounding the proposed enforcement of the ban by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

According to the OSGF, the correspondence highlights existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the matter and is currently under review in line with the office’s statutory coordinating role as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat.

“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the proposed sachet alcohol ban are to be suspended pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement said.

The OSGF further clarified that any enforcement action taken by NAFDAC or any other agency without due clearance and resolution by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation would be considered invalid and should be disregarded by the public until an official decision is communicated.

The office assured Nigerians that it is carefully examining all relevant factors, including legislative resolutions, economic implications, public health concerns, and the broader national interest, to ensure a balanced, lawful, and well-coordinated outcome.

The OSGF added that the public would be duly informed once a final position on the matter has been reached.

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa and Prosper Olayiwola

A former member of the House of Representatives and former deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Hon. (Comrade) Joseph Iranola Akinlaja has lent his voice in condemning land grabbing, describing it as an ille­gal acquisition of land through force, intimida­tion, or manipulation, a heinous crime he noted should be condemned in its entirety.

The foremost labour leader and astute politician who in May 2025 was appointed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as one of the members of Ondo State Task Force on Property Protection and Anti-Land Grabbing commended Ondo State government for taking decisive steps in nipping the menace in the bud no matter whose ox is gored.

Akinlaja while reiterating one of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s position on land grabbing said, “Land is more than just property. It is our heritage, a birthright, and the foundation of community identity. We will not stand by and allow criminal elements rob our people of what rightfully belongs to them.”

Highlighting the grave consequences of land grabbing, including the destruction of property and loss of lives, Akinlaja in chat with some newsmen at his Ondo residence on Monday emphasised the need for a collaborative approach in tackling this issue and further reiterated the commitment of the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration to eradicating land grabbing scourge and it’s devastating consequences.

According to him, to effectively tackle the men­ace of land grabbing, concerted efforts from the gov­ernment, law enforcement agen­cies, and the judiciary are required. Stronger institutional reforms, improved land registra­tion systems, public awareness, and stringent enforcement of land ownership laws are essential to safeguarding property rights and promoting economic growth in our country.

“Only through a comprehensive and collaborative approach can the devastating effects of land grabbing be mitigated, restoring peace, stability, and confidence in the land ownership system across board.

Continuing, Akinlaja said, “Land grabbing is driven by rapid urbanisa­tion, increasing land values, and weak enforcement of land owner­ship laws. This menace has far-reaching social and economic consequences, affecting property development, security, and public confidence in the legal system.

Unlike other states the leadership of Ondo State is leaving no stone unturned in stemming the tide and they must be commended for standing firm for justice, decency, peace and decorum.

“From my independent and patriotic research, I have discovered that land grabbing syndicates often involve powerful individ­uals and gangs known as “Omo Onile,” target legally owned land. These gangs employ tactics of harassment, violent eviction, and even fraudulent land sales to dis­possess rightful landowners.

“As we all know that in city centres and other fast-growing communities, the high demand for land has in­tensified disputes and conflicts, often leading to violent confronta­tions and displacement of rightful landowners.

Similarly, areas that are densely populated and in some instances where there are industrial estates, such juicy areas have become a prime target for these illegal activities. Land grabbers over there take the opportunity and liberty of exploiting legal and administrative loopholes to seize properties, un­dermining the economic growth of these areas. This is totally unacceptable.

“Recognising the severity of this issue, some states took legislative steps to curb land grabbing and impressively Ondo State is taking a lead in this. States that have taken bold steps by introducing Property Protection Law to crim­inalise the illegal occupation of land and to protect landowners from forcible eviction deserve to be commended and celebrated.

“It must also go beyond mere legislation, another setback that should be contended headlong is corrup­tion within the system, coupled with the power and influence of land-grabbing cartels, which has somewhat made it difficult to fully enforce the laws.

Judicial processes are often slow, and victims are left frustrated as they struggle to reclaim their land. This disappointing and frustrating situation also needs to be obliterated.

“In Ondo State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo is hands-on and doing brilliantly well. He is consistently blocking every loophole, making it grossly uncomfortable for land grabbers to survive in our state through the legitimate and unbiased use of instruments of the law. In addition, I am confident that the creation of the Task Force will help to re­solve numerous disputes, and the scale of the problems would be reduced drastically in Ondo State.”

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Justice Maryam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarimpa, Abuja, will on December 18, rule on the bail application of a former minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige.

Ngige will be on remand at the Kuje Correctional Center till the date when his bail application is decided
Justice Hassan issued the order on Monday shortly after taking arguments for and against the bail request of the former governor of Anambra State.

Counsel for the former minister, Patrick Ikwueto SAN, pleaded with the judge to admit the former minister to bail on various reasons, but mainly on health grounds.

He added that Ngige was not a flight risk and did not have the capacity to leave the country at this time.

He submitted that the former Minister would not jump bail or interfere with witnesses if admitted to bail.

However, the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sylvanus Tahir, opposed the bail request, insisting that Ngige was a flight risk.

He told the judge that the defendant was granted administrative bail by the EFCC and allowed to travel abroad for medical care, but never reported back to the agency.

Besides, he said that the passport released to him to facilitate the trip abroad had not been returned.

The senior lawyer argued that it was when Ngige was re-arrested that he came up with a purported claims that he lost his passport.
Insisting that the claims of passport loss were an afterthought and should not be believed by the Court, Tahir urged the court to dismiss the bail request as frivolous.
After the submissions, Justice Hassan fixed December 18 to deliver a ruling in the bail request.

The former minister was arraigned last Friday on an eight-count charge of alleged corrupt practices.