A seven-day ultimatum has been set by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and its outsourcing agency to revisit the decision to dismiss 3,000 workers.

This directive was announced by Mr. Festus Igbinosun, the Oyo State Comptroller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, after a meeting that involved the management of IBEDC, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the outsourcing firm, and representatives of the dismissed employees.

Igbinosun said resolving the issues within the time frame would strengthen the industrial harmony in the state.
According to the Oyo State NLC Chairman, NLC, Kayode Martins, the sacking of the workers did not follow due process.

Martins urged IBEDC and the outsourcing firm to reinstate the sacked workers during the renegotiation.

Responding, the representatives of IBEDC and the outsourcing firm agreed to renegotiate the sacking of the workers within the stipulated time.

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos granted bail on Wednesday to three employees of the Lagos State House of Assembly who are facing charges of assaulting operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) during the leadership crisis at the assembly complex on February 17.

The accused individuals, Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle, and Fatimoh Adetola, received bail after their attorney, Mr. Frank Eke, submitted and argued a motion following their arraignment and subsequent plea of not guilty.

The judge set the bail amount at N3 million for each defendant, stipulating that one surety is required for each.

The sureties must be employees of either the Lagos State or Federal Government, holding a minimum grade level of 12, and all documents submitted must be verified by the court registrar.

The DSS had arraigned the three Assembly staff in case FHC/L/273C/2025 before the court.

The three defendants and others still at large, were alleged to have conspired among themselves to assault officers of the State Security Service while they were performing their official duties, without any reasonable excuse.

They were also alleged to have on February 17, 2025, aided and abetted by obstructing the officers of State Security Service while performing their official duty without any reasonable cause.

The three defendants were further accused of cyberstalking amongst themselves by recording and sending false information to social medial circulating same to the whole country for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order amongst the people without any justification.

In particular, the DSS accused them of committing felony, by willful misdirecting electronic massages to social media for the purpose of embarrassing the State Security Service and its officials.

The duo of Ibrahim Olanrewaju, and Adetu Adekunle were accused of using Iphone 12 promax and Techno POP 8 to record false information and sent same to social media for circulation with the intention to cause an embarrassment to State Security Services, in order to cause breakdown of law and order to the public.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, Barrister M. O. Bajela, contravened sections 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, as well as sections 27(1)(b), 24(1)(b), 24(c)(i), and 11 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended), 2024. charges bordering on conspiracy

However the three defendants denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Following their not guilty plea, the prosecutor, Barrister Bajela asked the court for a trial date.

However, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Frank Eke, informed the court that he had filed their bail applications and same have been served on the prosecutor.

The lawyer described the prosecution of his clients as “collateral damages”.

He pleaded with the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.

Responding, the prosecutor informed the court he was served with the bail application while in court today. He however, told the court that he leave the bail issues to court’s discretion.

Ruling on the bail application, Justice Osiagor admitted each of the defendants to N3 million with one surety each. The judge also ordered that the surety must be a Grade Level 12 and above.

The judge thereafter adjourned the defendants’ trial to June 24.

Disappointed that troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) were still receiving N1,500 as their daily Ration Cash Allowance (RCA), the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has announced an upward review to N3,000 from March ending.

The COAS revealed this while addressing officers and soldiers of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagos, at the 9th Brigade Parade Ground in Ikeja.

Oluyede is on a duty tour of project sites within the 81 Division’s area of responsibility.

Assuring the troops of his commitment to bettering their welfare, the COAS acknowledged that many serving Warrant Officers do not own a house they would retire to.

He said the service has introduced a housing scheme to address the accommodation needs of retiring officers, so that they would have a roof over their heads upon retirement.

“I am going to build on what my predecessors have done in improving the welfare of our personnel. I am sure you are all aware of our initiatives.

“In December, under the Nigerian Army Housing Scheme, we unveiled the first set of houses in Abuja. As I speak, we are beginning a new set in Ibadan.

“We have also secured land for another set in Jos. Additionally, we are developing housing units in Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Akwa Ibom states.

“This will ensure a widespread distribution of houses that soldiers can subscribe to. You will all agree with me that there is nowhere in Nigeria where you can buy a two- or three-bedroom house for as low as N8 million.

“This is a significant investment by the Army to ensure you have a comfortable post service life. In fact, we are accelerating the process so that more personnel can benefit. I want you to believe in this system because it is worthwhile,” he said.

Oluyede also said the service has introduced a-three per cent interest loan for soldiers in need, to enable them undertake projects of their choice.

“As for the loan scheme, it comes with just a 3% interest rate. If you go to banks, the lowest interest rate you will find is around 25%. We have deliberately kept our rate low to make it accessible. More funds will be injected into the scheme, so if you have pressing financial needs, you are encouraged to apply.

“However, I want to advise that if you don’t truly need it, or if you are not in urgent need, it’s best not to take it. It is easy to obtain but difficult to repay. That said, it is available to you, it is your right, and you can apply for it at any time. Once approved, you will receive it as quickly as possible,” he said.

On soldiers paying for their uniforms out of pocket, the COAS said it was concerning, revealing that distribution of about 100,000 kits monthly had commenced.

“We have allocated uniforms to smaller divisions. The next phase will cover the 82nd Division. Once we complete distribution there, we will proceed here and issue more uniforms. I can assure you that before the end of the year, you will likely receive another set.

“As soon as we acquire more, you will get them. However, I want to emphasize that obtaining uniforms is not an easy process,” Oluyede said.

With the various welfare packages to boost their morale, Oluyede urged personnel to remain committed to their duties, stressing that more was expected of them.