From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Plateau Democratic Movement, (PDM), has petitioned the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to set up a committee to investigate the alleged “unconstitutional dislodgement” of the Chairman of Investments Securities Tribunal (IST), Mr Amos Azi from office.

The group’s Chairman, Ishaya Turba and Secretary, Iliya Mangai, in the petition signed and made available to newsmen on Fiday in Lokoja, Kogi, North Central Nigeria, described Azi’s removal as “Unjust and an abuse of office.”

The PDM said that Azi was appointed in August 2025 by President Bola Tinubu for a second term only for one Aminu Junaidu to surface and took over the office alleging that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) appointed him.

The group said that with the recent discovery of fake agencies and appointments, “there is need for the Senate to probe and questioned the sudden coming in of Mr Aminu Junaidu as IST Chairman shortly after Azi secured a second tenure duly approved by Mr President.”

“As a concerned group, we are moved to write this petition following ICPC’s recent uncovering of fictitious agencies operating under the office of the SGF.

“We have been following and monitoring recent events concerning fake agencies and fake chief executives of those agencies by ICPC.

“We believe the issue of fake appointment and fake agencies is related to what recently happened at the IST.”

PDM described as unfortunate a situation where Azi, who was duly appointed by the presidency, found himself dragging his position with junaidu.

“We are appealing for an urgent and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the emergence of Aminu Junaidu as Chairman of the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) and the circumstances surrounding his reported assumption of control of the tribunal,” the group added. 

“Our concern is borne out of the conviction that the IST, whose mandate is to resolve capital market disputes, must be headed and administered strictly in accordance with its enabling law.

“Therefore, any irregularity concerning its leadership has the potential to undermine public confidence, the rule of law, and confidence in Nigeria’s capital-market regulatory framework.

“We hereby urge Mr Senate President to urgently investigate how Junaidu assumed the office on Oct. 2, 2025 under alleged controversial circumstances.

“This development immediately raised serious concerns because the statutory framework governing the appointment of the chairman of the tribunal is specifically prescribed in the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025.”

It could be recalled that a prominent advocacy group, Make A Difference Initiative (MADI), had on April 8 petitioned the senate over what it described as “a breach of the Investment and Securities Act 2025,” by the SGF, Sen. George Akume.

MADI’s petition, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, highlighted concerns arising from what it described as the “illegal appointment of Junaidu by the SGF” weeks after President Bola Tinubu had approved the re-appointment of Azi as the tribunal’s chairman and CEO.

The group had urged the senate to investigate the alleged removal of Azi and correct the abnormal in the interest and security of investors in the country.

By Felix Umande

The Mbatan Traditional Council in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State has banned children below 16 years from attending wake-keeps and night gatherings and from loitering around kiosks selling sachet drinks. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

The council also banned cultivation, sale and smoking of Indian hemp and drug abuse in the community.

The resolutions were reached at an expanded council meeting held on Monday, October 5, 2026, according to a statement issued by the District Secretary, Iortyom Ezekiel. The laws will take effect from October 13, 2026.

The council ruled that any underage child caught violating the curfew will receive 12 strokes of the cane. It directed men of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, youth organisations and hunters to enforce compliance.

On Indian hemp, the council warned that anyone caught cultivating Cannabis Sativa will be banished to his maternal home, locally known as “Igba.” Sellers in small quantities will pay N50,000 fine, while operators of bunks will pay N200,000 and one big goat.

Smokers and drug abusers, when caught, will pay N50,000 with 12 strokes of the cane.

The council advised youths to venture into rice and soybean farming instead of Indian hemp.

In his remarks, Tyoor Mbatan, Chief Orpin Jinge, called on the Tanaka Development Association, kindred heads and community leaders to intensify awareness on the new laws.

Mbatan is a council ward within Mbayion, Gboko LGA.

The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Council, Barr. Torseer Yina, has suspended the leadership of the Benue Motorcycle Hirers Association, BEMOA, Gboko branch, with immediate effect.

The chairman also imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the local government from Thursday, October 8, 2026, to contain violent protests by members of the association.

The protest followed the killing of an Okada rider by unknown gunmen who reportedly shot him and made away with his motorcycle on Wednesday night.

The protest, which was hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent when an angry mob burnt down two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.

In a statement signed by the Secretary, Gboko Local Government Security Council, Vincent Akaakohol Nev, the chairman said the curfew takes effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

He warned that anyone caught flouting the order and breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with, adding that persons and vehicles on essential services are exempted.