Eight Months, Zero Arraignments
Eight-month trial delay, ₦1.4bn road scandal, journalist released, Big Tech probe, Sultan-Vatican warning.
Good morning,
Adeniyi Adeyemi was arrested on October 27, 2025. He spent 23 days in detention, developed an enlarged liver, and was granted bail on medical grounds. Eight months later, he has not been arraigned. His trial has been adjourned six times: defence requests, judicial workshops, illness, and more defence requests. The man accused of running a fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, forging presidential letters, and operating 34 bank accounts has not spoken a single word in court.
While Mr Adeyemi waits, Atiku Abubakar has accused the Presidency of attempting to shield Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila. Atiku argues the move has backfired, exposing the administration to ridicule. He also pointed to the 2026 Appropriation Act, in which ₦1.4 billion intended for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education was allocated to road construction projects in Ogun State. “Since when did a children’s education commission become a road construction agency?” Atiku asked. The winners: Atiku, who has found fresh ammunition. The losers: the Presidency, which must now defend both Gbajabiamila and the budget.
Meanwhile, Stanley Ugagbe, a reporter with Secret Reporters, was arrested in Abuja last Wednesday on espionage allegations. IPI Nigeria intervened, and he was released on Monday evening. The investigation continues. This is the third such case in recent months. The winners: Ugagbe, who is free. The losers: press freedom in Nigeria, which remains under threat.
While Ugagbe was in detention, President Tinubu directed the FCCPC to investigate Meta, Google, X and other AI platforms over the unauthorised use of Nigerian journalistic content. The Nigerian Press Organisation hailed the probe, arguing that Big Tech has weakened the commercial viability of Nigerian media for years. The Google deal with South African publishers, where the company committed to paying local media, has set a precedent. The winners: Nigerian media. The losers: Meta, Google, and X.
The Sultan of Sokoto and the Vatican have also weighed in, warning that hate speech and fake news threaten peaceful coexistence in Nigeria. The Sultan, represented by the NSCIA deputy secretary general, said fake news is “another evil that is being used in the country to precipitate a lot of troubles.” Archbishop Gallagher added that cooperation between Muslims and Christians remains essential. The joint warning is unusual and significant.
Eight months, zero arraignments. ₦1.4 billion for roads instead of children. A journalist was arrested and released. Big Tech using Nigerian journalism for free. The Sultan and the Vatican are warning about hate speech. These are not separate stories. They are the same story: a country where justice is delayed, priorities are distorted, press freedom is fragile, and the powerful take what they want. The question is whether we will fix the systems or simply wait for the next scandal.
Think about that as you start your day.
Warmly,
Lolade