The Senate on Wednesday summoned Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to address the deteriorating condition of the Old Oyo-Ogbomosho Road.

The decision came after a motion of urgent public importance was raised by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (APC, Oyo North), highlighting the suffering of travelers due to the road’s dilapidated state. Abdulfatai noted that the road, a crucial link between the South and the North, has remained in poor condition for over a decade since major repairs began, leading to frequent accidents and daily traffic congestion.

Umahi is expected to appear before the Senate Committee on Works to explain the reasons behind the abandonment of significant portions of the road years after the contract was awarded. The senators supported the motion unanimously, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio directing the Committee on Works to report back to plenary in three weeks.

Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun took the oath of office as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Monday, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirming his administration’s commitment to upholding the judiciary’s independence and sanctity.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history, was sworn in following her confirmation by the Senate.

The ceremony occurred at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja. Four former chief justices of the Federation, including the first female Justice, Aloma Mukhtar, the President of the Court of Appeal, and other heads of the judiciary divisions, witnessed it.

President Tinubu underscored the pivotal role of the judiciary in safeguarding Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

”The judiciary is an important pillar constituting the tripod that holds our constitutional democracy. Indeed, the Nigerian judiciary, at various times in history, has proven to be the moderating force ensuring everyone remains in check.

”Your role as the last hope of the common man serves to sustain our people’s confidence in democracy, knowing well that there is an important arbiter that can always give them redress if they are wronged.

”For this function, it is important that our judiciary remains truly independent. It is my administration’s total commitment to preserve the sanctity of the judiciary.

”While we may have reasons to interface as complementing components of the same government, under my watch, the government will also be mindful of the clear line demarcating the two of us.

”We will never interfere or abuse the relationship between us as separate organs of government in our democracy. This is important for sustaining our constitutional democracy, ” the President said.

President Tinubu reiterated his government’s dedication to improving judicial officers’ welfare and working conditions, noting recent decisions to enhance their effectiveness in administering justice.

He urged Justice Kekere-Ekun to continue upholding the principles of ethical leadership, fearlessness, and honesty that have defined her career.

”The Nigerian judiciary needs a leader with these qualities at this time, and I have no doubt that you will set the pace for others to follow,” he said.

The President lauded Justice Kekere-Ekun’s rise as a testament to hard work and an inspiration to women, particularly young girls, in a male-dominated profession.

”This day has also cemented the judiciary as a self-evolving and progressive institution. I specifically congratulate the Nigerian women. Any girl child can dream big and have her dreams come true. It is worth celebrating, ” he said.

President Tinubu also acknowledged the presence of Justice Kekere-Ekun’s 89-year-old mother, Mama Wilfred Layiwola Ogundimu (Nee Savage), and other family members led by Akin Kekere-Ekun, Justice Kekere-Ekun’s husband.

The President commended the Senate for expediting the confirmation of the new CJN and thanked members of the judiciary for their continued support.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, former Chief Justices of Nigeria, justices of the Supreme Court, senior judicial officers, and members of the Federal Executive Council attended the event.

A social media user, Princess Banke Oniru, has alleged that some coordinators of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria distributed millions of naira among themselves. The protests, which drew global attention in late 2020, demanded the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) due to widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings, extortion, and torture.

During the protests, unarmed demonstrators waving Nigerian flags were allegedly killed at Lekki Tollgate, Lagos, following an invasion by soldiers and police officers in October 2020. The funding raised for the movement had previously faced scrutiny, with the Feminist Coalition (FEMCO) being questioned over the proper accounting of the funds.

On Sunday, new details emerged about how funds from the government were allegedly shared among the protest coordinators. Oniru claimed that initial funds offered by the Lagos State Government were rejected, but coordinators later distributed millions of naira. Oniru admitted she initially refused the money but later instructed her assistant to collect it from popular social commentator Sarah Ibrahim.

“The first funds Sarah called me to pick up was N1.5 million. The second was N1 million. I have proofs. Messages to back it up. The #EndSARS coordinators shared millions of money severally, going back and forth to pick a Ghana must-go filled with cash at Alausa Ikeja,” Oniru stated in a post on X. She added that she shared the funds she received as giveaways.

Sarah Ibrahim, in response, denied the allegations, stating that Oniru displayed “severe ingeniousness.” Ibrahim confirmed that the Lagos State Government offered her N100 million but insisted she never accepted it. She explained that after consulting her lawyers, she asked the government to use the funds to support the families of victims and those injured during the protests.

“So yes, I was reached by the Lagos State Government to offer N100 million,” Ibrahim wrote on X. “A meeting they were trying to have for months but I kept refusing because I was rightfully pissed at them.”

Ibrahim further explained that she eventually attended a meeting with Lagos State officials, who expressed regret over the Lekki Tollgate incident and offered the money as compensation. She initially refused but later changed her stance due to pleas from victims’ families.

“So speaking to Falana SAN, he then said if the govt is remorseful and wants to finally help those they shot and killed at the toll gate, let me not block it but allow it to happen,” she stated. However, she refused to personally collect the money, requesting instead that the government follow due process to compensate the victims.

Meanwhile, as of Monday morning, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s spokesman, Gboyega Akosile, had yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the alleged payments.