Babajide Sanwo-Olu has endorsed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 Lagos State governorship election.

The endorsement reportedly took place during a closed-door meeting at Lagos House on Monday, attended by key leaders and advisers of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to sources familiar with the meeting, Sanwo-Olu praised Hamzat’s leadership qualities, describing him as a dependable partner who has demonstrated integrity, loyalty, and competence throughout their time in office. The governor noted that after working closely with Hamzat for nearly seven years, he is confident in his readiness to lead the state.

“He is worth a governor from day one,” Sanwo-Olu was quoted as saying, emphasizing his deputy’s experience and grasp of governance.

Hamzat, who has served as deputy governor since 2019, reportedly accepted the endorsement and expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to sustain and build on the administration’s achievements if given the opportunity to lead.

Political observers say the endorsement could significantly strengthen Hamzat’s position within the APC as the race for the party’s 2027 governorship ticket gradually takes shape. However, they note that the party’s primary election process remains open, with other aspirants expected to emerge in the coming months.

The development signals early maneuvering within Lagos politics, as stakeholders begin aligning ahead of what is expected to be a competitive contest.

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The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has discharged and acquitted popular socialite and nightclub owner, Pretty Mike (real name Mike Nwalie), after upholding a no-case submission filed by his legal team.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, who presided over the matter, ruled that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendant and his co-accused, Joachim Hillary, a supervisor at the nightclub.

In his judgment, the court held that the evidence presented by the prosecution did not meet the minimum legal threshold required to sustain the charges, describing the case as one built on “mere suspicion” without cogent and compelling proof linking the defendants to the alleged offences.

Both defendants were consequently discharged without being called upon to enter their defence.

The case was instituted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, which had earlier arraigned the defendants on a three-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, unlawful possession of hard drugs, and permitting the use of premises for illicit drug activities.

The charges stemmed from a raid carried out by the agency on October 26, 2025, at Proxy Lagos nightclub located in Victoria Island. During the operation, the NDLEA claimed to have recovered 169 cylinders of nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas, weighing over 384 kilograms, as well as 200 grams of cannabis.

Prosecutors alleged that the substances were intended for use at an illegal drug party and sought to link the defendants to their storage and possession. The agency also described the nightclub as an instrumentality of crime and pursued its forfeiture.

However, after the prosecution closed its case, defence counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), filed a no-case submission, arguing that the evidence presented was weak, inconsistent, and insufficient to establish any direct link between the defendants and the alleged drugs.

He further contended that the prosecution failed to prove ownership, control, or knowledge of the substances, emphasizing that suspicion alone cannot ground a criminal conviction.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa agreed with the defence, ruling that the prosecution failed to disclose a prima facie case and that the defendants were entitled to be discharged.

The ruling brings an end to the high-profile case, which had drawn public attention due to the celebrity status of Pretty Mike and the nature of the allegations.

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A fuel tanker has overturned at the Tincan (Liverpool) Bridge in Apapa, Lagos State, causing a major spill and drawing large numbers of residents to the scene to scoop its contents.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, disrupting traffic along the busy Apapa corridor. Witnesses said the tanker, reportedly laden with diesel, lost control while navigating the bridge and fell on its side, spilling fuel onto the roadway and beneath the bridge.

Moments after the accident, dozens of residents, commuters and passersby were seen rushing to the scene with jerrycans, buckets and other containers to scoop the spilled fuel, despite the obvious danger of fire or explosion. Videos circulating on social media showed a chaotic scene as people gathered around the overturned tanker.

Emergency responders, including officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the police, were later deployed to the area to secure the scene and manage traffic. The responders cordoned off the affected section of the bridge and worked to prevent a fire outbreak.

The Lagos State Government has repeatedly warned residents against scooping fuel from accident scenes, stressing that such actions pose serious risks to lives and property.

As of the time of filing this report, no casualties had been officially confirmed, while efforts were ongoing to clear the tanker and restore normal traffic flow in the area.

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The Lagos state government has demolished the car showroom owned by popular auto dealer and influencer, Olaoluwa Osunkoya, widely known as Ola of Lagos.

The demolition took place in Lekki after authorities found that the structure was built directly beneath 33kV high-tension power lines, a violation of safety regulations.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the recent demolition of plazas at the ASPAMDA Market within the Lagos International Trade Fair complex, describing the action as unjust and economically destructive.

Obi, who visited the site on Tuesday alongside Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, Tony Nwoye, members of the House of Representatives, Segun Sowonmi, George Adegeye, Labour Party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and the coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Tanko Yunusa, said the demolitions were carried out despite traders having obtained the necessary approvals.

He commended the affected traders for maintaining calm in the face of their losses and applauded lawmakers who pledged to investigate the incident.

“Beyond this immediate case, I urge government at all levels to act with compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice, especially at this difficult time. Many of the affected traders invested heavily often through loans in the hope of securing their livelihoods and contributing to the wider economy. To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive,” Obi said.

He stressed that a progressive society must protect enterprise, encourage productivity, and defend the dignity of its citizens.

“Incidents like this should have no place in a nation that aspires to fairness, stability, and shared prosperity. A new Nigeria is POssible,” Obi added.

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