An Abuja High Court, on Monday, ordered the release of Alhaji Bello Bodejo, President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, from the Department of State Service, DSS, detention.

Justice Mohammed Zubairu, in a ruling, described Bodejo’s detention since December 9 after his arrest, and without being charged to court, as unlawful.

Justice Zubairu made the order following an application for the order of habeas corpus subjiciendum moved against the respondents by Bodejo’s lawyer, Reuben Atabo, SAN.

The judge held that the application was meritorious having not been challenged by the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and the DSS DG, who are 1st and 2nd respondents.

“The applicant is hereby released from the 2nd respondent’s detention,” he declared.

Justice Zubairu, however, said that Bodejo’s release from detention is not tantamount to an acquittal.

He, therefore, ordered Atabo, who appeared for him, to ensure that Bodejo is produced before the respondents should there be any reason to file charges against him.

He equally warned the respondents not to detain him beyond the constitutional provisions.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has addressed concerns about the potential removal of properties along the road corridor in the nation’s capital.

Wike clarified that the government would adhere to proper procedures.

The minister made his feelings known in Abuja on Monday while addressing journalists shortly after an inspection visit to the Judges Quarters in Katampe District and the access roads, including the interchange at the RR1 and Shehu Shagari Expressway by N16.

He said: “Relocation and compensation will be handled according to due process. We will ensure that all affected residents are fairly compensated for any property acquired for the road project.”

The minister appealed to the community to cooperate and support the project, highlighting its significant benefits to the area.

“Imagine how it was and see how it is now. When it is finished with streetlights everywhere, it will benefit them,” Wike said.

When asked to evaluate his performance as minister so far, Wike said he is not in a position to do so.

“We have a presidential monitoring team, and they will evaluate our performance. But I am delighted with what the government has achieved in the FCT,” he said.

First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) has laid off about 100 senior staff members in a major organisational shakeup.

According to Nairametrics, a reliable source with direct knowledge of the matter said some of the bank’s top executives were asked to leave as part of its repositioning plan for 2025 – following the confirmation of Olusegun Alebiosu as FBN’s managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) in June.

The sources told the publication that the exits appear to be part of a concerted effort by the board led by Femi Otedola, its chairman, to introduce fresh blood into several leadership positions in the bank.

Another source within the bank suggests some of the exits were voluntary, especially for senior executives who intend to explore other career prospects.

It is also understands that the exits include a prominent executive director whose tenure was not renewed over mutually agreed circumstances.

Information from the bank’s website shows it has about 13 members in its executive team, six general managers, 33 deputy general managers, and 37 assistant general managers.

FirstBank has been undergoing significant management and board shakeups since Femi Otedola assumed the role of chairman of the parent company.

The latest management exits at FirstBank follow a series of significant board changes made earlier in the year, as billionaire businessman Femi Otedola took the reins as Chairman of FBN Holdings.

These changes have marked a transformative era for FirstBank and its parent company, FBN Holdings, signaling a clear focus on repositioning the institution for long-term growth and stability.

In March 2024, FBN Holdings announced the appointment of five elite directors, formally ushering in the Otedola era.

This strategic move aimed to inject fresh perspectives and expertise into the group’s boardroom, paving the way for the transformational agenda under Otedola’s leadership.

By May, Tunde Odukale, the Chairman of FirstBank Limited, exited his role, making way for Ebenezer Olufowose. Olufowose’s appointment as Chairman was seen as a critical step toward strengthening governance structures at the bank.

In June, the bank further reshuffled its executive leadership, confirming the appointment of Olusegun Alebiosu as Managing Director and Ini Ebong as Deputy Managing Director.

These appointments were part of a deliberate strategy to bolster the bank’s operational capabilities ahead of its ambitious repositioning plans.

In October, the momentum continued with the appointment of Wale Oyedeji as the new Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc.