By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A fire outbreak has gutted the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, aviation authorities confirmed on Monday, raising concerns over infrastructure safety at Nigeria’s busiest air hub.

The blaze, which reportedly broke out in a section of the ageing terminal facility, was swiftly contained by emergency responders. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said no casualties were recorded and normal flight operations were not significantly disrupted.

In a brief statement, FAAN assured the public that firefighters and airport emergency teams responded promptly to prevent the fire from spreading to other operational areas of the airport.

“The incident was quickly brought under control, and there were no injuries or fatalities,” the authority said, adding that an investigation had commenced to determine the cause of the fire.

Passengers and airport workers were temporarily evacuated from affected sections as a precautionary measure, according to officials. Aviation analysts say the incident may renew scrutiny of ageing infrastructure within parts of the Lagos airport complex, particularly older terminals that have been earmarked for upgrades.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority is expected to review safety protocols following the incident, in line with regulatory standards.

While damage assessment is ongoing, FAAN reassured travellers that safety remains its top priority and that airport operations continue under strict monitoring.

The old terminal at Lagos airport has long served as a key domestic travel hub, handling millions of passengers annually in Africa’s most populous nation.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Chief Judge, CJ, Federal High Court, FHC, Justice John Tsoho, has reassigned the two cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, to another judge.

The case files, which were remitted back to the CJ by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, following his recusal, have now been fixed for Feb. 27 by the new trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

Justice Egwuatu had, on Feb. 12, withdrew from the civil and the criminal suits filed by the EFCC against Malami, his wife, Hajia Asabe Bashir, and his son, Abdulaziz.

Mr Egwuatu, who was reassigned the cases after a sister court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite earlier heard the matters, said he decided to withdraw from them for personal reasons and for better interest of justice.

The two cases include the multi billion naira asset forfeiture suit concerning 57 property and the N8.7 billion money laundering charge filed by the EFCC against Malami, Asabe and Abdulaziz.

Recall that the cases were formerly before Justice Nwite, who sat as vacation judge during the Christmas/New Year break.

After the vacation period, the CJ reassigned the cases to Justice Egwuatu who had now recused himself.

Meanwhile, Justice Abdulmalik has fixed the civil and the criminal cases for Feb. 27.

Mr Malami, his wife and son are, therefore, expected to be re-arraigned on 16 counts money laundering offences on Feb. 27 while the ex-AGF and other interested parties are also expected to show cause why the interim forfeiture order on the 57 assets should be set aside.

Justice Nwite, during the vacation period, had, on Jan. 6, ordered the interim forfeiture of the 57 property suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Malami, to the Federal Government.

The judge made the order following an ex-parte motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, and moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.

The judge directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested person(s) to show cause, within 14 days, why all the property should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The multi-billion naira landed property are located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna States.

But Mr Malami had since challenged the anti-graft agency’s civil suit, praying the court to dismiss same.

In a motion on notice filed on Jan. 27 on Malami’s behalf by a team of lawyers led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, the ex-AGF alleged that the anti-corruption agency got the interim order by suppression of material facts and misrepresentation.

Mr Malami, who urged the court to dismiss the suit to prevent “conflicting outcomes and duplicative litigation,” argued that the proceeding was an assault on his fundamental right to own property, his presumption of innocence and his right to live in peace with his family.

More applicants had also joined Malami in urging the court to vacate the interim order of forfeiture.

In a related development, the ex-AGF, Asabe and Abdulaziz were, on Dec. 30, 2025, arraigned by the anti-graft agency also before Justice Nwite in the 16-count criminal charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025.

They were arraigned on allegations bordering on money laundering offences to the tune of N8, 713,923, 759.49(Eight billion, seven hundred and thirteen million, nine hundred and twenty three thousand, seven hundred and fifty nine naira, forty nine kobo).

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts.

While Mr Malami and son were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, Asabe was remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre before they were admitted to N500 million bail each, on Jan. 7, with two sureties each in the like sum.

Mr Malami and his son were, however, re-arrested by the State Security Service, SSS, over allegations bordering on terrorism.

The duo, who are currently being detained by the DSS, were arraigned, on Feb. 3, also before Justice Abdulmalik on a five-count terrorism charge.

The commencement of trial has equally been scheduled for Feb. 27.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has achieved a significant milestone in the consolidation of its policy and ideological framework with the formal inauguration of the Governing Council of The Progressive Institute (TPI). The ceremony, which took place at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, was personally conducted by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and witnessed by members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

This inauguration represents the culmination of the institute’s governance process, building upon its initial unveiling in September 2024 under the previous leadership of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Established at the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, The Progressive Institute is conceived as the party’s intellectual backbone, functioning as a think tank and policy resource center dedicated to deepening ideological foundations and advancing research-driven governance.

The institute has achieved full registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and has secured necessary approvals from the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), demonstrating strict adherence to legal standards and underscoring the APC’s commitment to transparency, institutional integrity, and the rule of law.

Its core mandate encompasses driving policy research and publications, organizing national and international conferences and training programs, building leadership and institutional capacity within the party, strengthening ideological foundations and democratic culture, and serving as the institutional memory of the APC.

Speaking as Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Yilwatda assured Nigerians of the party leadership’s unwavering commitment to developing the institute into a world-class political and policy entity. He extended his congratulations to the council members on their appointments and commended their dedication to advancing the progressive agenda.

The Chairman also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his visionary guidance and to his predecessor, Dr. Ganduje, for establishing the solid foundation upon which the institution now builds.

“Together, we are building ideas, institutions, and leadership for today and for the future,” Professor Yilwatda affirmed.