.By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

​The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, gave an immediate waiver of fees for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the Nigerian Law School’s Abuja campus.

Wike revealed this during a meeting with the school’s management in Abuja.

Wike also declared an “emergency” on the construction of staff quarters and other critical infrastructure to enhance the institution’s learning environment.

The FCT Minister while responding
to an appeal from the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote, he expressed surprise that the institution had operated without a C of O since moving to Bwari.

According to the FCT Minister, “Luckily, the Department of Land is t/here. We are going to waive the fee for C of O for you immediately. But it’s quite unfortunate that since the time they moved the law school to Bwari, they don’t have the C of O. So you’re occupying an illegal institution. I was thinking the first thing the government would have done as the school was coming in was to give you a C of O to show that you are a rightful owner”.

He described the lack of official documentation for government institutions as a trend that his administration is actively correcting.

He noted, “It’s not only you. I think even the Department of State Services, the SSS, they just got their C of O. That’s not encouraging at all”.

The Minister directed the Director of Lands to waive all processing fees for the school’s C of O, and issued a firm directive to ensure the document is processed and ready within one week.

​ He noted that regularizing the land is essential to move the school from what he colloquially termed an “illegal session” to rightful ownership.

​Beyond land matters, the Minister committed the FCT Administration (FCTA) to several high-priority projects aimed at resolving overcrowding and improving staff efficiency.

​Wike announced that 10 staff quarters have already been completed and will be commissioned as part of the President’s third anniversary. He further pledged to construct an additional 10 units using existing prototypes to save on design costs.

According to him, work is progressing on two new hostels—one for male students and one for female students—to alleviate overcrowding.

​The Minister confirmed he has approved the budget for a new auditorium and questioned why the contractor had not yet moved to the site.

​ To modernize administrative functions, Wike directed the school to liaise with the FCTA General Counsel, Mr. Salman Dako, to explore digitization solutions similar to ongoing efforts at the FCT High Court.

​Minister Wike emphasized that these interventions are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader agenda to support legal education and the judiciary.

He noted that the President is currently constructing “presidential apartments” for judges to ensure their security, welfare, and autonomy.

​”Anything we can do to help our children, we are willing to do that,” Wike stated.

He also added, that the staff quarters must be treated as an emergency project to ensure rapid delivery.

​Earlier, Dr. Odusote congratulated the Minister on his appointment and praised the visible infrastructure developments across the FCT, while highlighting the specific challenges of disrepair and infrastructure deficits facing the Law School.

By Son Tertses, Abuja

Acting on security reports of possible attacks by armed groups, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Niger State has placed all custodial centres across the state on red alert.

The new Controller of Corrections in the state, Ogunleye Seyi Oladipupo, who assumed office on April 15, 2026, as the 28th Controller of Corrections in the state, while embarking on inspection and familiarisation tour of facilities across Niger State.ordered the heightened security measures in response to warnings reportedly circulated among security agencies last week.

The reports indicated that bandits were planning coordinated assaults on selected correctional facilities nationwide, including Niger State.

The proactive measures, according to him, are to avert any security breach on the custodial facilities in Minna, Kontagora, New Bussa, Bida, Kagara, Lapai and Agaie. .

Sources further said that unidentified gunmen had threatened attacks on custodial centres in several vulnerable states, warning that jailbreaks were part of the broader goals of the criminals.

During visits to the two custodial centres in Minna, he charged officers to remain alert and professional in safeguarding the facilities.

Confirming the development, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Rabi’u Shu’aibu Mohammed, said the service was fully aware of the threats and had activated precautionary measures.

“We are aware of the threat to our custodial facilities in the state.

“We are not taking any chances. Necessary steps have been taken to ensure the safety of our facilities and maintain peace in the state,” he stated.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday, denied alleged division within the association along Northern and Southern lines, as well as the diversion of funds purportedly meant for the relief of persecuted Christians in Northern Nigeria..

In a statement issued in Abuja, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN, President, called it ‘false, malicious and deeply defarmatory’ and not acceptable.

Okoh stated that the allegations are entirely false, unfounded, and deliberately misleading.

According to Okoh, “For the avoidance of doubt, CAN has neither received nor managed any such relief funds as alleged, and no funds have been diverted under any circumstance. The narrative being promoted is a fabrication, calculated to misinform the public, erode trust, and bring the Church into disrepute.

“CAN remains one united and indivisible body. There is no split, no secession, and no division within our structure. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and should be disregarded.

“CAN continues to work in unity with Christian leaders across all regions of Nigeria, with a steadfast commitment to peace, accountability, and the welfare of all believers, especially those affected by insecurity.

“We are deeply troubled that these baseless claims were publicly propagated by Rev. Isaac Omolehin, founder of Word Assembly Ministry, Ilorin, without evidence and without regard for the potential consequences on national cohesion and the unity of the Church.

“We also note, with concern, the unwarranted references to respected Christian leaders; Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, and Pastor William Kumuyi, in a manner capable of misleading the faithful and inflaming unnecessary tensions”.

The CAN President therefore warned, “Let it be unequivocally stated: CAN will not tolerate the spread of falsehoods or any attempt to malign the Church.

“Accordingly, we issue a firm and final caution to Rev. Isaac Omolehin and any other individuals or groups who misuse their platforms to disseminate unverified or defamatory claims: desist immediately. Failure to do so will compel the Association to take all necessary steps, including legal action, to protect its integrity and that of the Christian community”.

Okoh therefore urged the public, the media, and the international community to disregard these false claims and rely only on verified information from official CAN channels.

He also reiterates the CAN’s steadfast in commitment to truth, unity, accountability, and service to all Nigerians.