News
Floods Take Over 3rd Mainland Bridge, Other Areas In Lagos
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Thousands of road users and commuters are currently stranded as floods took over major roads, including the famous Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos on Wednesday morning.
It was learnt that the floods were as a result of heavy rain which started around 3am on Wednesday.
In multiple videos and pictures seen by Gistcore media, Iyana-Oworo, Olopo meji area heading to 3rd Mainland Bridge is currently completely flooded, causing long traffic that extends to Alapere area of the state.
A resident, Cmion said, “This flooding happens every year in Lagos. Every damn year, what the hell is the government doing to curb it, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.”
Econ Intelligence also wrote: “ALERT: The area of Iyana-Oworo and Olopo meji on the route to 3rd Mainland Bridge, Lagos is currently experiencing severe flooding this morning, resulting in heavy traffic congestion that stretches all the way to Alapere. Temporary avoid the area and make use of alternative routes.”
However, another resident, Olu mentioned that the driveway of the bridge is not flooded as trended.
He wrote: “The driveway of the 3rd Mainland Bridge was not flooded underneath adjacent link roads blocked with floods and traffic jams.”
“I can’t imagine driving through Ilupeju axis right now. I know it will be flooded. Let me just take another route,” another resident, Alao Abiodun, mentioned.
Owing to this predicament, Nigerian internet users on X have taken to trending “Dear HR,” with numerous employees claiming they would email the head of the HR department to inform them that they would be unable to report to work.
Expressing her ordeals, a user, Fridaus wrote: After going through all these rain flood stress(especially in Gbagada), only to get to work and discovered our Dear HR has already said we should work from home today.. I’m in a state of emergency.”
“Dear Line Manager (not HR),Lagos is a mess right now. Traffic is unfriendly and weather is inclement.
Please show some kindness today. Work from home is a credible alternative for days like this. Wet Regards,” Faseun Yemi wrote.
…handover Ogbeche, Osadebamwen, others to EFCC for probe
Speaking during a media interaction in Abuja, the Council under the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike shared details of the inquiry conducted by a committee established by the NUJ Congress. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance organisational accountability and strengthen internal governance systems.
The five-man panel, chaired by veteran journalist, Comrade Tony Akowe, included Comrade Ndubueze Chidoka (Secretary), Comrade Akin Orimolade, Comrade Princess Ekwi Ajide, and Comrade Imam Umar.
The committee’s scope covered activities from December 2018 to October 2021, encompassing the periods of past administrations led by Emmanuel Ogbeche and Patrick Osadebamwen.
According to the committee’s documentation, critical gaps were observed in record-keeping and transitional documentation. In addition, there was limited engagement from some former officeholders during the review process. The only available financial review for the period in question reportedly presented inconsistencies requiring further attention.
The committee noted that its work was hampered by a lack of cooperation from key figures of the past administration. According to Mr Akowe, no formal handover was done, and only a limited set of documents including one audited financial report and some rental receipts was made available.
Efforts to retrieve further documentation from the former chairman, Mr Patrick Osadebamwen, proved unsuccessful. He reportedly claimed to have submitted relevant documents to the NUJ National Secretariat, which has since denied receiving any such records.
The probe uncovered several questionable financial entries and unverified expenditures:
• A total of ₦33 million was declared as rental income between 2018 and 2021, but there was no breakdown showing the names of tenants or corresponding rent periods.
• The administration claimed to have received ₦7.2 million in donations yet failed to provide details or evidence of the sources.
• ₦5.28 million was spent on salaries for four to five staff, even though no single staff member earned more than ₦25,000 monthly.
• Over ₦1.7 million was reportedly spent on electricity, ₦285,000 on DStv/GOtv subscriptions, ₦78,000 on “public relations and entertainment”, and ₦1 million on transport and accommodation—all lacking adequate justification.
• A controversial line item showed ₦14 million received as rent “in advance”, with no associated documentation to validate it.
The committee’s report concluded that there was no transparency in the management of the union’s finances during the period under review.
Following the probe report, the NUJ-FCT Congress, in its sitting on 12 April 2025, adopted a series of resolutions aimed at protecting the Union’s integrity and financial stability.
The Council issued a public disclaimer against the following individuals, who have been warned to cease parading themselves as representatives of the NUJ-FCT Council:
• Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, currently Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State.
• Mr Patrick Osadebamwen, immediate past Chairman and journalist with the Nigerian Tribune.
• Mr Ochiaka Ugwu, former Secretary of the Council and staff of People’s Daily.
In addition, Mrs Gloria Essien has been cautioned against representing the Council at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), as she no longer holds any official position within the NUJ-FCT.
The union also called on UBA Bank to freeze the NUJ-FCT Council’s accounts still under the control of former signatories (Account Nos: 1022765326, 1014057659, and Dollar Account: 3002941904), pending a full transition to the current leadership.
Furthermore, the NUJ-FCT will:
• Publish a formal disclaimer in national dailies.
• Notify the employers of the former officials about the resolutions.
• Alert government institutions, corporate bodies, and the general public not to engage with the aforementioned individuals on behalf of the NUJ-FCT Council.
The Council’s Secretary, Mr Jide Oyekunle, who anchored the press briefing, reiterated that the probe’s findings and the resolutions reflect the collective will of the NUJ-FCT Congress and the determination to protect members’ interests.
News
Finally , Lagos Court frees Quadri, young Nigerian who stood before Obi’s convoy in viral photo
The Apapa Magistrate Court, Court 9 sitting at Orege, Ajegunle – Sikiru Adagun Courthouse, has discharged and acquitted Alabi Quadri, the young Nigerian who became a national symbol of courage during the 2023 general elections, for standing boldly in front of the convoy of then-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
He was discharged and acquitted of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery.
The court held that he has no case to answer.
Quadri was brought to court on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after spending months in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.
The Nigerian Correctional Service produced Quadri at the Apapa Magistrate Court, located at Orege, Ajegunle—Sikiru Adagun Courthouse (Court No. 9).
Quadri’s case was initially slated for a hearing on April 28, 2025.
However, human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong had revealed that both he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested that the date be moved forward, and the court granted the application.
Quadri gained widespread attention after a viral video showed him, a teenage boy at the time, fearlessly standing before Peter Obi’s campaign convoy—a moment many Nigerians interpreted as a symbol of youthful defiance and hope during a tense election period.
The media reported that Effiong revealed that Alabi’s recent painful descent into the Nigerian prison system was not due to any major crime but rather a result of prolonged malice and resentment harboured by some self-acclaimed ‘area boys’ (thugs) in his neighbourhood.
According to the lawyer, these individuals felt entitled to a portion of the unexpected attention and goodwill, including financial support, that Alabi received following his moment in the spotlight during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magisterial Court in Lagos alongside Alabi’s mother and legal colleagues, stated that Alabi’s journey to Kirikiri prison was not only heartbreaking but appeared to be the outcome of a vendetta fuelled by local ‘area boys’ who felt entitled to the financial support Alabi received after his viral moment.
Effiong revealed that Alabi was abducted in January near his home while returning from work by the ‘area boys’ who had been threatening him.
They allegedly took him to Amukoko Police Station (popularly known as Pako Police Station) and accused him of being involved in street fights.
However, Alabi was then arraigned before a Magistrate Court along with four other individuals, said to be complete strangers to him, on allegations of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with cutlasses.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged victims were robbed of N579,000, comprising cash and four mobile phones.
Effiong also emphasised that despite being a minor, Alabi had been detained with adults at Kirikiri since January, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
-
News5 hours agoBREAKING: Unknown gunmen reportedly storm Senator Natasha’s family residence
-
News13 hours ago“How my father escaped assassination” – Bishop Oyedepo’s daughter
-
News8 hours agoSnub story on removal of Rivers Sole Administrator, it’s FAKE-Chief Registrar
-
News13 hours agoFG expresses sympathy for CBEX victims, urges a united effort to combat Ponzi schemes
-
News7 hours agoSAD! Again, Alleged Herdsmen Attack Three Benue Communities
-
News20 hours agoEl-Rufai labels Tinubu’s government ‘worst in Nigeria’s history’
-
News14 hours agoWoman tragically lost her life after attempting to flee through glass door during alleged incident of domestic violence
-
Politics7 hours agoPDP govs are jokers, can’t stop coalition train, Atiku boasts