The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested five persons and sealed 18 warehouses in Bida, Niger State, following the discovery of expired food and beverage products valued at over ₦100 million. The enforcement action, carried out by the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, was prompted by credible intelligence that led operatives to the facilities located around Ndazabo White House along Minna Road and behind Bida Modern Market.

NAFDAC disclosed that large quantities of expired non-alcoholic beverages, dairy milk, candies, bottled water, and pasta were recovered during the operation. Officials revealed that some of the items had already been repackaged and were set for distribution into the market. Items confiscated include about 80,000 packets of expired non-alcoholic drinks, 5,000 packets of dairy milk, 16,000 packets of bottled water, and 28 cartons of pasta, alongside other assorted expired products.

Managers of the affected warehouses were immediately taken into custody for interrogation. Preliminary investigations, according to the agency, linked the warehouses to a company identified as BY Ventures. Acting on this development, NAFDAC extended its enforcement to supermarkets reportedly owned by the company in Minna, the Niger State capital, where additional expired products were allegedly uncovered. The agency also said counterfeit Goya oil was found on the premises. The two supermarkets were subsequently sealed.

The company’s Managing Director, Alhaji Yusuf Nadabo, was invited for questioning. NAFDAC said he admitted ownership of the expired products during interrogation. The agency stated that investigations are ongoing and assured that appropriate regulatory sanctions would be imposed upon conclusion to deter others from engaging in similar acts.

NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health by ridding the market of expired and counterfeit products, warning that offenders would face the full weight of the law.

A Federal High Court in Benin City presided over by Hon Justice B. Quadri has adjourned until April 13, 2026, the hearing of a cyberstalking charge filed against Ede Asenoguan, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch. The adjournment is to enable the parties explore an out-of-court settlement in the suit marked FHC/C/117/2025, instituted by the Federal Government against Asenoguan.

At the mention of the case, E. O. Afolabi, SAN, lead counsel to the nominal complainant, Mr Francis Omoruyi Oloton, Chief Executive Officer of Uyi Technical Company Ltd., with the support of D. Ogbankwa and N. O. Okeke, made an oral application for an adjournment. He informed the court that the request was to enable him obtain proper brief from one Mr Osarenkhoe, who has indicated interest in intervening in the matter.

The police prosecutor, P. O. Odion, told the court that he had been informed by counsel to the nominal complainant that steps were being taken towards an amicable resolution of the dispute. He added that the parties would report back to the court on the outcome of the settlement efforts or proceed with the arraignment if negotiations fail.

Counsel to the defendant, F. I. Esegine, who led I. E. Iguodala, D. E. Otikiti and Asesuwa Ediae, did not oppose the application for adjournment. Asenoguan, alongside one Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen, who is currently at large, is facing a four-count charge bordering on cyberstalking, cyberbullying and perversion of justice. He was also charged with allegedly perverting the course of justice by entering into a bond to produce Jessica Oghomwen for trial on a charge of aiding suicide, a condition he allegedly failed to fulfil.

The police in Cross River State have arrested a lawyer and former presidential aide, Okoi Obono-Obla, over allegations of forgery and the fraudulent acquisition of admission, professional qualifications, and entry into the legal profession. Mr Obono-Obla, who served as Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari and chaired the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, was arrested on Thursday.

In a statement issued Thursday, the police spokesperson in the state, Eitokpah Sunday, said the arrest followed a petition submitted to the commissioner of police, Punch Newspaper reported. “The Cross River State Police Command wishes to address misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that Mr Obono-Obla was kidnapped or taken by unknown persons in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area,” the statement read. “The command states unequivocally that Mr Obono-Obla was lawfully arrested by police operatives on 19 February 2026, at about midday along Abuja Park, Ugep, pursuant to a petition submitted to the Commissioner of Police alleging offences bordering on forgery and obtaining admission or professional qualification and entry into the legal profession by false pretence,” it added.

According to the police, the arrest was in line with extant laws and within the force’s constitutional and statutory powers to investigate allegations of criminal conduct. The police said his legal counsel has been notified and is participating in the process, while his relatives are aware of his whereabouts. “For the avoidance of doubt, the command categorically states that allegations of kidnapping or involvement of unidentified security outfits are false, unfounded, and entirely without factual basis,” the statement said. The police urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that could incite anxiety or undermine public peace.

Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Bar Association, Calabar Branch, said it was monitoring the situation. The branch Chairperson, Enome Amatey, said that the association was aware of the arrest but had yet to receive official information on the agency responsible. “We’ve heard about his arrest. Unfortunately, we don’t know which agency arrested him. The circumstances are hazy,” he said. Mr Amatey added, “We hope his rights will be respected, that he will be given a fair opportunity to defend himself and access to proper legal representation.” He stressed that the NBA would ensure due process is followed and that Mr Obono-Obla is not detained beyond the constitutionally permitted period without proper legal justification. “We will ascertain which agency arrested him, and if need be, our human rights committee will wade into the matter,” he said.

Mr Obono-Obla has previously faced legal and administrative scrutiny. In 2019, PREMIUM TIMES reported that his office as chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel was sealed amid investigations into allegations of abuse of office and certificate irregularities. The report detailed how his stewardship of the asset recovery panel generated controversy, including claims of high-handedness and conflict with other anti-corruption agencies. Questions were also raised at the time regarding his academic credentials and eligibility for public office.

In 2021, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned Mr Obono-Obla before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, over alleged certificate forgery and N19.9 million fraud. The anti-graft agency accused him of falsifying academic records and making false statements to secure admission and professional standing, as well as allegedly diverting public funds. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the matter proceeded in court. ICPC first arrested Mr Obono-Obla in March 2020 after declaring him wanted in October 2019. Mr Obono-Obla also challenged the powers of ICPC to investigate allegations of certificate forgery levelled against him, but this was dismissed by the courts in May 2020, paving the way for his arraignment in January 2021. But the status of the case remains unclear as of the time of filing this report.

The latest arrest revives longstanding allegations surrounding his academic qualifications and professional status, now under fresh investigation by the police in Cross River. The police said further updates would be provided as investigations progress.