By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

Benin Republic and Togo have accumulated a debt of $8.84 million for electricity supplied by Nigeria in the last quarter of 2024, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The latest market report from the commission revealed that six international customers paid only $5.21 million out of a total invoice of $14.05 million, reflecting a remittance rate of just 37 percent.

The report identified Paras-SBEE and Paras-CEET in Benin, as well as Transcorp-SBEE and Odukpani-CEET in Togo, as defaulters, while Mainstream-NIGELEC of Niger Republic was the only international customer to fully settle its $2.6 million bill.

On the domestic front, bilateral customers paid N1.25 million out of N1.98 million invoiced, achieving a remittance rate of 63 percent.

However, Ajaokuta Steel and its host community failed to pay their outstanding N1.38 billion.

Meanwhile, electricity distribution companies collected N509.84 billion out of N658.40 billion billed in the same period, recording a collection efficiency of 77 percent, an improvement from the previous quarter.

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

Nine of the 12 inmates who escaped from the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, Kogi State, have been rearrested as security agencies intensify the hunt for the remaining fugitives.

The early Sunday morning jailbreak on March 23, 2025, has sparked suspicions of internal compromise, prompting a full-scale investigation.

Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, dismissed the escape as suspicious, insisting that the jailbreak theory must be scrutinized.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has tasked the State Security Adviser with collaborating with correctional officials and security agencies to prevent future breaches.

Meanwhile, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an audit of the facility and a thorough probe into the incident.

He directed the Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service to ensure the swift recapture of the fleeing inmates.

Authorities have reassured residents that security is being reinforced across the state to prevent further threats.

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

The House of Representatives has pledged to push for better funding and legal recognition for traditional rulers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Chairman of the House Committee on FCT Area Councils, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi, made this commitment during a meeting with the FCT Traditional Council in Abuja on Monday, March 24, 2025.

Agbedi praised the rulers for their role in maintaining peace, security, and cultural heritage, emphasizing that the committee would advocate for policy changes to ensure financial support.

He noted that lawmakers are considering a possible five percent allocation from Area Council funds to support the traditional institution.

He acknowledged that current laws do not provide direct funding for traditional rulers, but ongoing legislative efforts, including the Area Councils Administration Bill, could address this issue.

Speaking on behalf of the rulers, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa lamented poor funding and the absence of a legal framework to support their operations.

Lawmakers also discussed the marginalization of FCT natives and the lack of proper resettlement plans, vowing to engage further in protecting the interests of traditional institutions in Abuja.