By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has hinted at possible measures against South African companies operating in Nigeria, including telecommunications giant MTN, as outrage grows over the continued harassment and attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this on Thursday, while addressing concerns over the worsening anti-migrant attacks in South Africa and the evacuation of Nigerians from the country.

The minister said Nigeria had exercised restraint and continued to pursue diplomatic engagements but warned that the government might be compelled to explore other options if the attacks persist.

“As I indicated before, there are these huge conglomerates. By the way, there are over 120 South African companies operating in Nigeria.

“Nobody is asking them to provide proof of identity. Nobody is asking South African staff working there whether they are South Africans or Nigerians, and nobody is taking over their shops or businesses.

“But this is happening to Nigerians in South Africa. So, I think that at some point, we really have to review the options available to us.

“We have MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic, Protea and many other South African brands spanning multiple sectors,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.

The minister, however, stressed that any retaliatory measures would have to follow constitutional provisions and due legislative process.

She explained that the Federal Government was currently engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels, while the National Assembly would play a constitutional role in determining Nigeria’s response should those efforts fail.

The minister also disclosed that the South African authorities discarded their memorandum of understanding with Nigeria on early warning mechanism which they had signed in October 2025.

She added that the pact was essentially to protect the lives and property of both Nigerians and South Africans in times of conflict like this.

“When it comes to situations like this, of course, it is necessary to be temperate and exercise caution. But when your citizens are being harassed, when your citizens are people who have spent years there, and mind you, some of them are married to South Africans and have children who have known no other home but South Africa, then it becomes a serious concern.

“Now, under these circumstances, they are asking not just Nigerians, but also their South African spouses and their children, to leave South Africa,” the minister said.

Recall that in May, th esenator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, called for the revocation of licences of South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and MultiChoice, owners of DSTV, following renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

The National Assembly also condemned the attacks, urging the federal government to take immediate diplomatic and protective measures to safeguard Nigerian citizens abroad.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, has written to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, requesting the revocation of the contract for the Kano–Gwarzo–Dayi Road project due to the contractor’s poor performance.

The project involves upgrading the approximately 100-kilometre single-lane Kano–Gwarzo–Dayi road into a dual carriageway to improve transportation and facilitate the movement of agricultural produce from rural communities to markets across neighbouring states.

In a leaked letter, sighted by our correspondent which was personally signed by Senator Barau, the lawmaker expressed serious concern over the performance of CGC Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the project, which was received at the Ministry of Works headquarters on June 8, 2026, noted that despite the allocations of billions to the company.

Senator Barau stressed that the continued delay in completing the project has negatively affected residents, commuters, and economic activities along the corridor, and called for urgent and immediate action by the Ministry of Works.

According to the letter:
“Given the strategic importance of the Kano–Dayi Road to the socio-economic development of Kano, Katsina and Kebbi States, it is deeply concerning that the contractor has failed to make satisfactory progress despite the allocation of N19 billion and N37 billion to the project under the 2025 and 2026 Appropriation Acts, respectively.

“This persistent lack of progress has resulted in undue hardship for residents, commuters, and other road users.

“In view of the persistent delays and the contractor’s apparent inability to meet expected project milestones, I urge the Ministry to undertake an immediate assessment of its performance and revoke the contract in the interest of the public.”

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Kwara State Government has instituted a criminal defamation suit at the Kwara State High Court against former senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki.

The former senate president is charged with making defamatory statements against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The charge was filed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ayoola Idowu Akande, and Assistant Chief State Counsel, B.L. Abdulsalam, on behalf of the people of Kwara State.

According to the charge sheet, Mr Saraki was accused of publishing and sharing a statement on social media platforms including facebook, X and in newspapers on or about April 17, 2026, alleging that Mr AbdulRazaq did not possess secondary school education qualifications.

The government alleged that the statement was false and was intentionally published using insulting, derogatory and abusive language aimed at provoking the governor and the state government.

The prosecution further stated that the publication was capable of causing a breakdown of public peace, contrary to Section 399 of the Penal Code, Cap. P4, Laws of Kwara 2006.

At the court sitting on Wednesday, Prosecution counsel, R.O. Balogun, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment and urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Mr Saraki for failing to appear in court.

Mr Balogun said that the defendant had been duly served and that his counsel’s presence in court indicated his awareness of the proceedings.

“The defendant’s counsel is in court appearing for him and he should be here. We are the prosecution and should be allowed to proceed. There is no valid reason given for his absence.

“We therefore pray the court to issue a bench warrant against him in line with Section 138,” he submitted.

However, Counsel to the defendant, Jimoh Mumini (SAN), challenged the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that the matter fell within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court rather than the State High Court.

He also questioned the service of the charge on his client, insisting that Mr Saraki had not been properly served.

Following a two-hour recess to consider the submissions of both parties on the preliminary objection and request for adjournment, the trial judge, Justice M.O. Folorunso, ruled that the defendant was entitled to seek an adjournment.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 3, for hearing of the preliminary objection and possible arraignment of the defendant.