The police on Thursday arraigned a 51-year-old man, Stanley Offor, before an Ikeja High Court for alleged forgery and forceful takeover of a landed property.

Offor is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, and illegal occupation of property and forceful takeover of landed property.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Emmanuel Jackson, prayed for a trial date and requested that the court remand the defendant pending the commencement of trial.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Peter Madukwe, however, informed the court that he had filed an application for bail, which had been served on the prosecution.

Madukwe prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail on liberal terms.

Justice Ismail Ijelu adjourned the case until Feb. 17 for ruling on the bail application and the commencement of trial.

Earlier, the prosecution told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences with others still at large sometime in 2016 in Lagos.

Jackson alleged that the defendant forged the signature and receipts of one late Mrs Comfort Eruchalu, purporting that they had been made by her to facilitate the sublease of her property to a third party.

The prosecution further submitted that the defendant allegedly occupied a property belonging to Cool Comfort Africa Ltd, located behind Atiku Abubakar Hall 3, Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, as an encroacher.

The defendant, according to the prosecution, failed to vacate the said property after being required to do so on behalf of the property’s owner.

He said the alleged offences violated Sections 2 (2), 4(1) of the Lagos State Property Protection Law, 2016, and Section 516 (1) of the Criminal Code C38, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2024.

It also violates Section 365(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has called for collective efforts of Nigerians to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and protection of other rights of the girl child.

In a statement issued to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, on Thursday in Abuja, Sen. Tinubu urged stakeholders, especially parents, to be proactive in upholding the dignity of children especially the girl child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2025 celebration of the international day is “Stepping up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM.”

“As we commemorate the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), we are reminded of our shared responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of girls and women,” she said.

The first lady said that genital mutilation was a violation of the rights of girls, which had consequences.

According to her, female genital mutilation has no health benefits.

Sen. Tinubu urged stakeholders to do more to curb or end FGM.

“Although Nigeria has made significant strides toward eliminating FGM, due to the collaborative efforts of the government, UNFPA/UNICEF Joint Programme, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and community leaders, there is still much work to be done.

“We must remember that violence against women is not just a women’s issue but an issue against humanity. It affects us all, erodes our shared values of respect and dignity.

“We must recognise that every person, regardless of gender, deserves to live free from fear, discrimination, and violation.

“According to UNFPA, Nigeria has the highest absolute number of FGM globally, with over 20 million women and girls that have undergone FGM and if care is not taken, about 14 million girls are still at risk of also experiencing this practice by 2030,” she said.

The first lady, however, promised that she would take a lead in combating the menace in Nigeria.

“Together, we will strengthen the movement against FGM by building alliances across sectors, empowering survivors, and ensuring that youth and women lead the charge.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu, remains committed to ending FGM and I will continue to advocate for the necessary support.

“Our collective voice is our greatest strength, and with united efforts, we can achieve a Nigeria free from FGM.

“Let us continue to work together, for our girls, for our women, and for a future where Female Genital Mutilation no longer exists,” she said.

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has condoled with the families of people who died in a fire outbreak that affected an Islamic school in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, on Tuesday night.

The Police in Zamfara confirmed the death of 17 Almajiris (street urchins) while 17 others were injured in the fire incident in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Sen. Tinubu in a statement on Thursday also commiserated with Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara over the tragic incident.

“I pray Allah comfort and give the families and loved ones of the departed the fortitude to bear this painful loss.

“This, once again, brings to mind the need for precautionary safety measures in all our public facilities.

“I pray that such will not reccur, not only in Zamfara, but any other part of Nigeria.

“May Allah grant the souls of the departed Aljanah Fridaus,” she said.