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Olaopa Pays Courtesy Visit to Customs CG Bashir, Commends His Leadership and Reforms
Joel Ajayi
The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof Tunji Olaopa, has euogised the Controller General (CG) of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for his efforts and giant strides in repositioning Customs within his two years in the saddle.
The Chairman further stated that his various innovations and achievements as the head have brought accolades and recognition to the organization in Africa and beyond.
Olaopa stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.
According to the Chairman, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has created more incentives not just for the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian Customs Service, but also for other income-generating agencies to thrive.
Olaopa who was received by the Comptroller-General in the company of his Hon. Commissioners, said he was very encouraged by the work done by the Comptroller, acknowledging there was a whole lot of detailed innovation behind it. He informed the gathering that the Commission was making efforts to take the organisation to a new level, adding that the Commission just recently launched its Strategic Plan. The Chairman emphasized that it was noteworthy that a sister organisation like the Customs is making significant contributions to the nation.
The Commission’s head also used the occasion of the visit to solicit the support of the Nigerian Customs in tackling some issues affecting the Commission. Olaopa requested that the building the Customs recently vacated in Zone3 be made available to the Commission. He also sought the support of the organisation in securing vehicles for the Hon. Commissioners, the Commission’s programs and projects and the Commission’s operational activities.
Responding, Bahir commended the Chairman for launching and revalidating the Commission’s strategic plan and thanked the Chairman for seeing it through.
While welcoming the Commission’s team to the organization, the CG appreciated Olaopa’s kind words about the organisation, saying that he was very happy to have the team in organisation. According to him, the issues raised by the Chairman were not really big issues; adding that the Commission and Customs have had a long-standing relationship over time.
He disclosed that the visit represented an expression of continued good neighbourliness that has been maintained over the years. He informed that the movement of the Custom Headquarters from Wuse did not change anything as the organisation still considers itself part of the Wuse community.He stated that the request made by the Chairman concerning operational vehicles for the Commission and Commissioners was well noted, explaining that the Service would see what can be done once the request is initiated from the Commission.
On the office building request, the CG advised the Commission to contact the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), as all matters concerning physical buildings in Abuja are the responsibility of the organisation.
The high point of the visit was the exchange of souvenirs between Prof. Olaopa and the Controller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi followed by event photographs.
Signed
Taiwo HassanHead (Press & Public Relations Unit)
2nd October, 2025.
News
Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.
The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.
Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.
These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.
In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.
“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”
The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).
– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.
– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.
– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.
– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.
“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”
The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.
About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.
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