By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Senate has, on Thursday, approved the nomination of 64 career and non-career ambassadorial nominees after reviewing a report from its Committee on Foreign Affairs. The committee’s findings, presented by Chairman Senator Sani Bello, were adopted by lawmakers. The confirmed nominees are expected to represent Nigeria in various countries, strengthening diplomatic relations and promoting national interests.

Career ambassadors confirmed include Arewa Esther (Oyo), Adeola-Ibrahim Mopelola (Ogun), Ramat Omonbolale (Lagos), Monica Okechukwu Enebechi (Anambra), Adams Jane Basset (Cross River), Mohammed Lele (Bauchi), and Muhammad Dahiru (Kaduna), among others.

Non-career ambassadors include Ajimobi Florence (Oyo), Sulola Akande (Oyo), Uguwanyi Ifeanyi (Enugu), Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom), Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun), Jerry Manwe (Taraba), Reno Omokri (Delta), Ibas Ibok-Ette (Cross River), Abdulrahman Dambazzau (Kano), and Abas Braimah (Edo), among others.

Senator Sahabi Yau raised concern over the absence of nominees from Zamfara State, urging the Senate to alert the President. The Senate President acknowledged the issue, noting the list was not exhaustive, and assured that more appointments are expected, with Zamfara State included in the next round.

The confirmation of these 64 ambassadors is a key step in filling Nigeria’s diplomatic positions, reflecting efforts to balance merit and equitable state representation. The newly approved ambassadors are expected to assume their posts soon, enhancing Nigeria’s diplomatic presence worldwide.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), following the Senate’s confirmation of its members on December 16.

This was disclosed on Thursday in a press statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Members of the reconstituted Board are:

Mulisiu Olalekan Oseni, PhD. — Chairman

Yusuf Ali, PhD. — Vice Chairman

Mr Nathan Rogers Shatti — Commissioner

Mr Dafe Akpeneye — Commissioner

Aisha Mahmud Kanti Bello — Commissioner

Dr Chidi Ike — Commissioner

Dr Fouad Animashaun — Commissioner

The newly appointed Chairman of the Board, Dr Oseni, started his service as a Commissioner in January 2017. He was subsequently appointed Vice Chairman of the Commission.

His appointment as Chairman took effect from 1 December 2025 and shall subsist until the completion of his ten-year tenure at the Commission, in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2023.

The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has charged the newly appointed board members of NERC to deepen and consolidate the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s power sector, in strict alignment with the letter and spirit of the Electricity Act, 2023.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has upheld the continued detention of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Justice Babangida Hassan dismissed Malami’s application seeking bail from the custody of the anti-graft agency, ruling that his detention was lawful.

The decision was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.

According to the statement, Malami, through his counsel, Mr Sulaiman Hassan (SAN), had approached the court to challenge his detention by the EFCC, arguing that it was illegal as it arose from an ongoing investigation.

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However, counsel for the EFCC, Mr J.S. Okutepa (SAN), told the court that the former minister was being held pursuant to a valid remand order issued by the FCT High Court and granted by Justice S. C. Oriji.

“In his ruling, Justice Hassan held, quoting Section 35 of the Constitution, that since there was a provision in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, for detention, Malami was lawfully detained by the Remand Order of the court.

“Asking this court to grant this application is tantamount to inviting the court to sit as an appellate court over an application made by a court of coordinate jurisdiction, which the court has no power to do,” Oyewale quoted the judge as saying.

Malami has been in EFCC custody since December 8, after he reportedly failed to meet the bail conditions set by the commission.

The former Attorney-General is being investigated over 18 alleged offences, including abuse of office and terrorism financing.