By Sarah Sam Adda

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has described the death of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as a painful loss to Bayelsa State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, Makinde condoled with Ewhrudjakpo’s family, the Bayelsa State Government, and the people of the state.

The deputy governor reportedly collapsed and died at the Government House in Yenagoa on Thursday.

Makinde praised Ewhrudjakpo as a loyal party man and courageous democrat who served his state until his final moments.

“His death is a sad loss to the state he served till his last breath and to us in the PDP,” he said, while praying for the repose of his soul and strength for his family.

The South-South Governors’ Forum and the PDP also expressed grief over the loss.

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, commiserated with Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, describing the late deputy governor as a dependable ally.

By Patrick Idowu

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has again reduced the ex-depot price of petrol, slashing the gantry rate from ₦828 to ₦699 per litre.

Market data published on petroleumprice.ng on Friday showed the refinery cut the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) benchmark by ₦129 per litre, representing a 15.6 per cent reduction. The new price took effect on December 11, 2025.

A refinery official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the adjustment, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to stabilise domestic fuel prices.

The latest cut marks the 20th petrol price adjustment by the refinery this year and comes days after its Chairman, Aliko Dangote, pledged to keep fuel prices “reasonable and competitive” despite global market volatility and cross-border smuggling.

Dangote, who spoke after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on December 6, said prices would continue to fall as local output increases and competition with imports intensifies.

“Prices are going down because we must compete with imports. Smuggling has reduced, though not completely, because fuel prices in Nigeria are about 55 per cent lower than in neighbouring countries,” he said.

Following the review, petroleumprice.ng also reported slight price cuts by several private depots, including Sigmund Depot, TechnoOil, Bulk Strategic, A.A. Rano, NIPCO and Aiteo, as the market adjusted to the new pricing template.

By Patrick Idowu

The Supreme Court on Friday reaffirmed the death sentence of Maryam Sanda, daughter-in-law of a former PDP Chairman, for culpable homicide.

Sanda was sentenced to death by an Abuja high court on January 27, 2020, after being found guilty of stabbing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, to death at their Abuja residence in 2017.

Though she had spent about six years and eight months in Suleja Prison, President Bola Tinubu had reduced her sentence to 12 years on compassionate grounds, citing her good conduct, remorsefulness, and the best interest of her children.

In a split verdict of 4-1, the Supreme Court dismissed her appeal, ruling that the prosecution had proved her guilt beyond reasonable doubt and that the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of her sentence was unassailable.

Justice Moore Adumein, delivering the lead judgment, stated that it was improper for the President to grant pardon in a culpable homicide case while an appeal was pending.