News
No extension of deadline for SIM/NIN linkage – NCC

By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday, February 29, said that it would not extend the February 28 deadline for the linkage of the Subscribers’ Identity Modules (SIM) with the National Identity Numbers (NIN).
The Commission insisted that it had given adequate notice to subscribers through various platforms of its intention to bar lines that had not been linked with NIN.
NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka told our correspondent that the commission would not change its stance on the matter.
It was gathered that the development has put pressure on the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, as Nigerians thronged their offices nationwide to beat the deadline.
It was gathered that no fewer than 12 million telephone lines would be barred from midnight of February 28th as a result of NCC’s deadline.
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have also said that they would comply with the directive of the regulatory body as citizens have been told for more than three years now about the imperative of linking their SIM with NIN.
According to the chairman, of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, telecom operators had no choice but to comply with the NCC’s directive.
Adebayo confirmed that no fewer than 12 million lines out of the 224 million active lines risked deactivation all around the country.
Adebayo said: “About 12 million SIM cards may not have been linked to NIN. Some of these SIM cards work on modems and mifi devices. According to the regulatory directives, those numbers that are not properly linked to NIN will have services withdrawn to them by midnight of 28th February. We stand by that regulatory directive and we are going to comply.”
Speaking on the possibility of an extension of the deadline, Adebayo said no contrary directive has been communicated to operators on the issue from the NCC.
The regulator has made it clear that there won’t be any further extension. Let us remember that this ought to have happened last year, but it was extended by the regulator till the 28th of February, 2024, Adebayo stated.
Meanwhile, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has disclosed that it would continue to respond to requests for the NIN as fresh applicants thronged its offices nationwide.
News
Nigeria Targets Electricity Access for 300 Million Africans by 2030 – Speaker Abbas

By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has said that Nigeria is taking a frontline role in the push to expand electricity access across Africa, to help power about 300 million people on the continent by 2030.
The Speaker disclosed this while delivering the keynote address at the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy, organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held in Lagos on Monday.
The conference brought together lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and development partners to explore renewable energy solutions and legislative frameworks for boosting access and affordability.
Abbas praised President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a $1 billion funding package for Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency in December 2024, and described it as a major boost for energy inclusion.
According to him, Nigeria’s participation in the Mission 300 initiative, a joint effort with the World Bank and African Development Bank demonstrates the country’s growing commitment to clean, sustainable energy for underserved communities.
He said: “This initiative speaks to Nigeria’s readiness to lead by example on the continent. It is about more than power, it is about development, opportunity, and progress.
News
Court delivers another judgement in favor of Amaewhule, others on Rivers Assembly crisis

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a case brought by lawmakers loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging the positions of 27 State House of Assembly members that defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ruling was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Obile, who explained that the lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, remain valid members of the House.
This follows an earlier Supreme Court decision in February that had also refused Governor Fubara’s push to remove the defected lawmakers.
Governor Fubara’s legal team, headed by Yusuf Ali, had already withdrawn the appeal at the Supreme Court, stating that new developments had overtaken the matter.
The Rivers Assembly, represented by Wole Olanipekun, did not oppose this withdrawal.
The case at the Federal High Court was filed by three pro-Fubara lawmakers — Victor Oko-Jumbo, Adolphus Orubienimigha, and Sokari Goodboy Sokari — who asked the court to declare the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant since they left the PDP, the party under which they were elected.
But the court ruled that their defection did not break any constitutional rule that would force them out of office.
“This court cannot close its eyes to the binding precedent of the Supreme Court, which in February recognised the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Speaker Martins Amaewhule. That decision, being from the apex court, is final and conclusive,” Justice Obile ruled.
Speaker Martins Amaewhule reacted positively to the judgment, saying it confirmed their right to stay in the Assembly.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara’s supporters were disappointed by the decision.
This ruling marks another chapter in the political struggle between Governor Fubara and the pro-Wike faction of the Assembly, a conflict that has been ongoing since the December 2023 defections.
For now, the pro-Wike lawmakers have secured some breathing room, even as tensions continue between both camps.
News
Reps Minority Caucus condemns unlawful detention of VDM, demands his immediate release

…says we can’t standby watch state agencies abuse their powers
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has condemned in the strongest terms the arrest and continued detention of social campaigner and activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement jointly signed by the HoR caucus leaders, Rep Kingsley Chinda, Leader, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali. Isa J.C Minority Whip, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki., Deputy Minority Leader,,Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi
Deputy Minority Whip, the opposition leaders declared that:
“The disturbing trend of security and law enforcement agencies deploying their powers arbitrarily against citizens exercising their rights to free expression poses grave threats to our democracy.
“We must state clearly that such acts, cloaked in the guise of enforcement, erode public confidence in the rule of law and undermine the principles of accountability and transparency.
The caucus insisted that: “The arrest of Mr. Otse which reportedly took place without the issuance of a warrant is a direct violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) that guarantees the liberty of the citizen except in accordance with the due process of law. Sections 35(1) and 35(3) of the Constitution stipulate the conditions under which a person may be deprived of their liberty and require that any person arrested must be informed promptly of the reasons for their arrest and any charges against them.
“The EFCC, like every other agency of government, is bound by these constitutional provisions and must not act outside their bounds.
“Moreover, the continued detention of Mr. Otse beyond the constitutionally permissible period of 24 to 48 hours without being charged to court is not only an abuse of power, it is also a blatant affront to the principles of natural justice and fair hearing.
“The Constitution, under Section 35(4), provides that a person who is arrested or detained must be brought before a court of law within a reasonable time, which, in the case of an arrest without a warrant, shall not exceed two days.
“Any deviation from this is a breach of the citizen’s fundamental rights and a descent into lawlessness.
“As the voice of the opposition in the National Assembly, the Minority Caucus calls on the EFCC to immediately release Mr. Otse or charge him to court in accordance with the law.
“Arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions of citizens for expressing dissenting or unpopular views must have no place in a democratic society.
“The preservation of liberty, due process, and respect for constitutional rights remain the bedrock of our republic. We will not stand idly by while state agencies abuse their powers to suppress voices that challenge the status quo in line with the laws.
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