The European Union has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy with an €820 million investment aimed at fostering innovation, developing digital infrastructure, and creating employment opportunities for young people.

At the Omniverse Summit in Lagos on Friday, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, stressed the importance of digitalisation in driving economic growth.

He noted that the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy is focused on empowering Nigeria’s digital ecosystem through regulatory support, skills development, and strategic partnerships.

“The EU is keeping its commitment with the over €800 million digital package announced for Nigeria. We believe that the challenges facing humanity require collective action, and Nigeria, Africa, and Europe’s destinies are closely interlinked,” Mignot stated.

With this investment, the EU aims to strengthen Nigeria’s digital sector by enhancing governance infrastructure, supporting startups, and enabling young entrepreneurs to access new opportunities in the global digital economy.

The summit is organised in collaboration with various partners, including the European Union, GIZ’s Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SEED) and Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Federal Ministry for Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, among others.

Nollywood actress and businesswoman, Elizabeth Anjorin, better known as Lizzy Anjorin, has been discharged of all allegations in a case involving her and Saheed Mosadoluwa, aka Ibile, Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The case filed as a direct criminal complaint was heard at the Upper Area Court I, Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

During the proceedings, the Attorney General stepped in, took over the case, and applied for its termination.

Presiding over the matter, Hon. Yunus Kayode ruled in favour of the Attorney General’s request, leading to the dismissal of the case.

The court’s ruling, issued on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, read, “Upon a direct criminal complaint made by Muazu Baba Yusuf, Esq., dated February 26, 2025, and after listening to A. M. Abdulraheem, Esq., for the complainant and Prof. O. Y. Abdulhamid, Esq., with I. M. Adedo, Esq., Taofeeq Olateju, Esq., and Abdullahi, Esq., for the defendant.

“Having listened to the submission from the complainant counsel and that of the defendant and particularly the application of the Attorney General to take up this case and pray for termination of the case, on this premise, the direct complaint dated February 24, 2025, and the cross-complaint dated March 11, 2025, are hereby terminated and the defendants are hereby discharged.”

The judgment was given at Ilorin under the seal of the court and the hand of the judge on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Reacting to the ruling in an interview on Friday, Lizzy Anjorin, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Califonia Paradise City, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, described the case as a cross-sue, adding that she and the complainant became defendants in the case before the ruling cleared her of all the criminal allegations.

She said, “The case bordered on a land dispute and it all happened in Lagos. But the complainant went ahead to file a criminal suit against me in Ilorin, Kwara State, to lock my enemy away in prison, and when I got there, I presented my evidence, cross-sued and both of us became defendants.

“I was summoned on Friday based on his case and I showed up, but we counter-sued him and on Tuesday, they sent his summon but he didn’t show up and when they wanted to continue with the case we filed against him, I withdrew it and left him for God.

“I am thankful to my fans, and most especially my lawyers for doing a good job. I also appreciate the judicial system in Ilorin. I appreciate the fact that they did a thorough investigation and also accepted my complaints and the evidence presented.

“The Kwara State Government, through its judiciary system, did not use their office and state to punish innocent people like me and for that, I am grateful. With all that people have been saying, my case proves that Ilorin is not how people paint it when it comes to their judiciary system.”

A human rights activist and public interest lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the continued operations of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, known as VIO, despite a court order barring them from impounding vehicles and imposing fines.

Marshal, in a letter dated March 12 to the minister, warned that failure to comply within seven days would result in legal action.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had, on October 20, 2024, restrained the Directorate of Road Traffic Services from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists.

Justice Evelyn Maha issued the order in a judgment on a fundamental rights enforcement suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/202 declaring that the actions of the VIO either through their agents, servants, and assigns, from impounding, confiscating the vehicle of motorists, or imposing a fine on any motorist as doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful by themselves.

Despite the ruling, VIO officials have allegedly resumed operations, leading to confrontations with motorists.

Although the VIO has appealed against the judgment, the Appeal Court has yet to give its verdict on the matter.

However, Marshal, in his letter, accused the agency of openly defying the court’s order and also harassing motorists.

He added that there is video evidence to back his allegations.

Marshal said, “Sadly, the officials of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services in utter violation of binding and subsisting orders, have resumed the stoppage, impounding, confiscation of cars and the imposition of fines within the FCT.

“We have been inundated with calls over the renewed illegal activities of the VIO within the FCT and have moved around the capital city to confirm their illegal operations, which have led to violent confrontations between some of these officials and vexed motorists. Video evidence abound.”

He further emphasized that as a senior member of the legal profession, Wike must ensure that agencies under his authority do not act in “egregious and contemptuous disdain of an express order of the court.”

Marshal said, “As a senior member of the legal profession, we are perturbed that officials under your command and authority could embark on such egregious and contemptuous disdain of an express order of court.

“On account of the foregoing dear minister, you are hereby required to employ the instrumentality of your good offices to restore compliance with the foregoing positive and binding orders pending the final determination of the appeal and cross-appeal processes.

“Please note that upon failing to comply with the foregoing request, seven days commencing from the date of receipt of this letter, we shall take all legal steps to commit you to prison for contempt of the orders of the court.

‘Whilst anticipating your cooperation and understanding, please accept my esteem and professional regards.”