A Deputy Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Sani Yakubu, has pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of funds totaling N1.7 m.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission arraigned Yakubu before Justice Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court 12 on November 4, 2025 according to a statement by the ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare.

Yakubu was accused of diverting funds belonging to one Mrs. Vennica Idoko, which he allegedly received on her behalf while acting in his official capacity as an NSCDC officer.

The statement read partly, “According to the charge sheet, the ICPC accused the defendant of dishonestly misappropriating the sum of N1,720,000 entrusted to him in the course of his duty. The offences contravene Sections 294, 300, and 86 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State.”

The commission added that the defendant, “while serving as an officer of the NSCDC, dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N1,720,000 belonging to Mrs. Vennica Idoko, being money officially received by him on her behalf.”

During the proceedings, Yakubu reportedly broke down in tears as he admitted to the offence and pleaded guilty to all three counts.

Following his plea, Justice Isiaka adjourned the matter to November 12, 2025, for judgment and sentencing.

Reacting to the development, Bakare, who is also the Director of Public Enlightenment and Education at the ICPC, said the Commission remained committed to holding public officials accountable for corruption and abuse of trust.

He warned that any public servant who exploits their position for personal gain would face the full weight of the law.

“This case serves as a reminder that corruption, in whatever form or amount, undermines public confidence in government institutions and will not be tolerated,” Bakare added.

The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg has restrained the anti-migrant group, Operation Dudula, and its leaders, Zandile Dabula and Dan Radebe, from intimidating, harassing, or assaulting foreign nationals.

Justice Leicester Adams, who delivered the judgment, declared that the group’s actions against migrants were unlawful and unconstitutional.

The court further interdicted Operation Dudula and its members from demanding that any private person produce a passport or identity document to prove their right to reside in South Africa.

The judgment was handed down electronically by circulation to the parties’ representatives by email on Tuesday.

The judgment also bars the group from interfering with the access of foreign nationals to healthcare services, disrupting the operations of schools, or harassing learners, teachers, and parents.

Justice Adams directed relevant government agencies to enforce the ruling, affirming the constitutionally guaranteed rights of migrants.

The verdict followed an application by Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia and others seeking interdictory and declaratory relief against Operation Dudula and the South African government.

The applicants argued that only immigration and police officers are legally empowered to request identification documents.

Applicants in the case include KAAX, the South African Informal Traders Forum, Inner City Federation, and Abahlali Basemjondolo Movement SA, while respondents are Operation Dudula, the Government of the Republic of South Africa, and 11 others.

The applicants also sought an order restraining Operation Dudula from engaging in unlawful conduct, hate speech, or any acts that amount to taking the law into its own hands.

The court consequently prohibited the group from making public statements that constitute hate speech on the grounds of nationality, social origin, or ethnicity, whether at gatherings, on social media, or elsewhere.

Operation Dudula was further barred from unlawfully evicting foreign nationals, removing them from their trading stalls, or interfering with their employment in shops and businesses.

The order also forbids the group from inciting or encouraging others to carry out such prohibited acts.

The list of respondents includes the Government of South Africa, the Minister of Police, the National Commissioner of Police, and the Ministers of Home Affairs.

Others are Justice and Correctional Services, Health, and Basic Education, the MECs for Health and Education in Gauteng, Zandile Dabula, Dan Radebe, and the South African Human Rights Commission.

The judgment, delivered electronically via email in November, also directed the South African government to implement the National Action Plan to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.

It urged authorities to establish an early warning and rapid response mechanism to address threats of xenophobic hate speech and hate crimes.

The government was also ordered to collate and publish disaggregated data on xenophobic hate speech and hate crimes, including prosecutions and convictions.

Justice Adams reaffirmed that only immigration and police officers are authorised to request identification documents from individuals, and that no private person has such powers unless expressly permitted by law.

He added that, in enforcing Section 41 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, searches should be limited to public places and not extended to private homes, workplaces, or schools.

Officers, he said, must hold a reasonable suspicion before requesting anyone’s identity status.

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria has assured Niger State residents of quality products that would meet international standards.

The organisation made this known during the commissioning of its state headquarters office in Minna, where it noted that manufacturers, traders farmers and consumers would no longer worry about the quality of products that are sold in their markets.

Niger State governor, Mohammed Bago, who commissioned the edifice expressed delight at the project, stating, “This is not just a building, but a symbol of national progress and a testament to our commitment to quality and standards.

“What we are witnessing today is the birth of new possibilities — for better service delivery, stronger consumer protection, and renewed confidence in the quality of products made in Niger State and across Nigeria.

“This project speaks volumes about SON’s dedication to promoting standards and ensuring that Nigerian goods and services meet global expectations.

“It is also a clear demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to strengthening institutions that play a vital role in our nation’s socioeconomic transformation,” Bago said.

The governor noted that the project aligns with his New Niger Angenda, a vision driven by innovation, productivity, and accountability.

“As we continue to industrialise our state, particularly through our focus on agro-processing, renewable energy, and small-scale manufacturing, the role of SON becomes imperative to achieve our set objectives,” he said.

In her opening remarks, Niger State coordinator of SON  Hauwa Yusuf said the commissioning represented efficiency and quality, which she said would be closer to Niger State residents.

“This is not just the opening of a new office building. It is the beginning of a new, stronger commitment to quality service and national development. This new facility represents growth, accessibility and efficiency. With it, we are bringing SON’S   services closer to our people, our manufacturers, traders, farmers, and consumers,” Yusuf said.

In his remarks, the director General of SON  Ifeanyi Okeke said the project would ensure quality and safety for the  consumers, just as it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Today’s event marks another milestone in our

. collective efforts to strengthen Nigerian quality infrastructure and also promote a culture of excellence in production,  trade, and service delivery.

“This project represents the federal government’s commitment to supporting SON’S mission of safeguarding lives and ensuring that only quality and safe products are available in the Nigerian market,” Okeke said.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities says it has not received the N50bn revitalisation fund the Federal Government recently claimed to have released, insisting that none of the union’s demands has been met ahead of its National Executive Council meeting slated for November 8 and 9, 2025.

ASUU stated this in a Wednesday statement signed by Prof. Jurbe Molwus, who recalled that the union suspended its two-week warning strike in good faith after assurances from senior government officials that concrete proposals would be brought to the table.

“As ASUU mobilises for its National Executive Council meeting scheduled to hold on the 8th and 9th November, 2025, we expect that some of the outstanding entitlements such as 3.5 months withheld salaries, 25/35% wage award arrears, promotion arrears, unpaid salaries of some members etc. would have been paid to university workers by now. But all we get is press releases by the Honourable Minister of Education. What we need is credit alerts and not misleading releases.”

He noted that the Federal Government’s recent announcement of a N50bn disbursement had not translated into payment to universities.

“It is sad to further note that even the N50bn revitalisation fund the FGN claimed to have released some weeks ago is yet to reach the universities. We do not know why the Minister of Education is still keeping it.”

Molwus also faulted comments by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, claiming that N2.3bn had been released to settle salary and promotion arrears.

“Again, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Maruf Alausa, was quoted to have said in a recent release that ‘The FG has released N2.3bn to clear salary and promotion arrears in all federal universities’.

“But, as we speak right now, the university workers have yet to receive any such alerts. So, the minister’s claim of clearing backlog may be in the fiction of his imagination. He also claimed to have strengthened academic staff welfare, and we ask how?”

Molwus argued that the funds cited by the minister were insufficient.

“However, the big question for the minister to answer is: can a meagre N2.3bn settle the backlog of promotion and salary arrears of all federal university workers? Absolutely, no. The truth is that the amount of N2.3bn is like a drop in the ocean because it can hardly take care of three big universities in Nigeria. The amount is grossly inadequate and almost embarrassing if not insulting.

“The honourable minister needs to come out clearly and state what fraction of the outstanding entitlements of the university workers the N2.3bn is meant to settle and for whom it is meant. We sincerely do not understand the magic of the minister.”

The union further urged Nigerians to hold the Federal Government accountable, warning that it may resume its strike if its demands are not met by November 21, 2025, the end of its four-week ultimatum.

“We hereby call on the press, students, parents and the general public to call on the FGN to do the needful so that ASUU is not blamed if and when it resumes its suspended strike in the next two weeks. For clarity, the four weeks given to the FGN will lapse on the 21st of November, 2025.

“We hereby state for the benefit of the doubts that the strike was only suspended as a mark of respect and demonstration of goodwill in collective bargaining. So, we expect the FGN to reciprocate by satisfactorily addressing our demands without further delays. Our members are losing patience as they wait to receive alerts of their legitimate entitlements.”

ASUU had declared a two-week “total and comprehensive” strike on October 12 following a 14-day ultimatum issued to government on September 28.

The union cited the Federal Government’s failure to address staff welfare, infrastructure funding, implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and salary arrears.

The Federal Government, however, criticised ASUU for declaring the industrial action and directed universities to enforce a “No Work, No Pay” policy.

It also ordered vice-chancellors to conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff and submit reports showing those on duty.

Weeks later, the Senate intervened, expressing concern over Abuja’s failure to meet ASUU’s demands.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Aliyu Dandutse, said the Senate would initiate a new negotiation process involving ASUU, the Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission to find a lasting solution.

On the contentious University of Abuja land matter, he added that the Senate would engage the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to seek an amicable resolution.