The management of 5 Points Hotel, located in the Igando-Ikotun axis of Lagos, has refuted reports linking the hospitality business to alleged criminal activities involving one Mr. Sheriffdeen Ojon Olorunfemi, popularly known as Adakeja.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the hotel described the publication as “malicious, misleading, and deliberately aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the establishment.”

The management emphasized that 5 Points Hotel, which has operated for over 15 years, has built a reputation as a safe relaxation hub for social and recreational activities.

“The hotel has no affiliation with Mr. Adakeja. He is neither the owner, a partner, an affiliate, nor an employee of 5 Points Hotel,” the statement read. “Any attempt to link his personal activities with our operations is mischievous and completely unfounded.”

Addressing a reported case of a woman and her daughter allegedly being assaulted and stripped naked, the hotel clarified that no such incident occurred on its premises. “If the unfortunate event happened at all, it is entirely unrelated to our establishment,” the management added.

The hotel further stressed its security standards, noting that it employs armed Mobile Policemen and trained private guards to ensure round-the-clock surveillance.

According to the statement, the controversial report appears to have been concocted “out of jealousy, hatred, or ulterior motives” to smear its image.

The management urged the public to disregard the allegations and reaffirmed its commitment to providing “a safe, secure, and enjoyable environment” for its guests.

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) are working closely to explore new ways of building innovations and technology, using the expertise and skills of Nigerians living in the diaspora, as well as those at home.

The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu and the Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, during a strategic meeting at NIDCOM headquarters described this collaboration as a “timely intervention”, noting that it will help connect Nigeria’s local innovators with scientists, engineers, technologists, and entrepreneurs in the Diaspora.

Mr. Halilu, highlighted NASENI’s key projects, including Revolut, a payment platform already serving thousands of Nigerians with low-cost, real-time transfers; the Innovation Hub and Incubation Programme, which funds Nigerian scientists and innovators, both in home and diaspora; and Delta-2, a partnership with the Czech Republic entering its third phase this September to bring new technology and international collaboration to Nigeria.

Halilu said his visit to NiDCOM was to present two key projects: a government-backed payment platform, similar to Revolut, designed to be seamless, flexible, multi-currency, and to provide real-time monitoring at affordable rates, while the second project aims to engage Nigerians in the Diaspora, particularly in science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, to develop practical projects that can grow the economy.

While commending Dabiri-Erewa, the NASENI CEO added that NiDCOM’s database of professionals would play an essential role towards this course.

She asserted that the partnership will foster opportunities for Nigerians everywhere to work together for Nigeria’s progress; through sharing ideas, skills, and experiences that can help build a stronger, more innovative Nigeria, especially under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Dabiri-Erewa lauded the works done by the Agency. She assured that the Commission will give them the relevant support needed, while suggesting the NASENI team to participate at the 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment it (NDIS), to be held from November 11-13, 2025 in Abuja.

Both NiDCOM and NASENI also agreed to set up a joint working committee to streamline areas of collaboration and design projects focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), alongside wider Diaspora engagement.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has called for greater collaboration between the media, civil society organizations, and parliament to strengthen oversight of public debt and enhance accountability in Nigeria.

In her presentation at the ongoing 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC), organised by the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, Ike stressed that the media remains the mirror of society and a vital watchdog in holding public officials accountable.

She noted that without the active involvement of journalists, the work of parliamentary committees such as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) would not achieve the desired impact.

“The media acts as an intermediary between parliament, government institutions and the public. Public awareness is necessary, and how can we achieve this if not through information sharing and capacity building?” she said.

The NUJ chairperson emphasized the need for training and retraining of journalists to deepen their understanding of audit processes, public debt issues, and the technical aspects of legislative oversight.

She proposed periodic workshops, roundtables, and joint briefings with Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) and civil society groups to improve the quality of reporting.

While commending the Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee, Hon. Bamidele Salam, for working closely with the media, she insisted there was room for improvement.

She suggested that before the end of the 10th Assembly, a comprehensive training session should be organized for journalists covering parliament to build their technical knowledge on debt and oversight issues.

Highlighting the growing importance of investigative and undercover journalism, Ike said journalists must be equipped with resources and specialized training to expose corruption and mismanagement of public resources.

“Investigative journalism is not easy. It requires funding, time and skills. We need to train journalists who can confidently carry out undercover reporting on public accounts and debt management. This will ensure we provide accurate information, not misinformation, at a time when fake news dominates social media,” she said.

She also urged SAIs and parliamentary committees to facilitate access to audit reports and data, stressing that timely, simplified, and publicly available information would improve transparency and accountability.

According to her, the media and CSOs also have a duty to embark on joint sensitization campaigns to educate citizens about public debt, its implications, and their right to demand accountability from government.

“Most people do not even know they have the right to demand accountability. It is the duty of the media to remind citizens of this right and to hold those in power to their promises,” she added.

Ike further called for advocacy for legislative and policy reforms that would strengthen the role of parliamentary committees in debt oversight.

She argued that by publicizing both successes and challenges, the media could stimulate wider civic engagement and pressure for reforms.

She concluded that effective oversight of public debt must be seen as a collective responsibility involving the parliament, civil society, and the media.

“One thing is to write reports and pass resolutions. Another is implementation. As gatekeepers of information, the media stands ready to work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure citizens are empowered, public resources are protected, and sustainable development is achieved,” Ike said.

The NUJ FCT Chairman expressed optimism that continued synergy between the Public Accounts Committee and the press would not only enhance transparency but also ensure that Nigerians are better informed about how public debt is managed.

The Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups of Warri Federal Constituency have declared their boycott of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, demanding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must first implement the final report of the Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards and units in the constituency.

The protesters who stormed the INEC headquarters in large numbers came from Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas making up the Federal constituency.

The groups made their position known on Tuesday during a peaceful protest to the INEC headquarters in Abuja where they expressed deep worry over the INEC’s CVR in the area.

They Carried placards with inscriptions such as “Warri Federal Constituency: No Ward, No Units for CVR”, “CVR Today is Political Fraud in Warri Federal Constituency”  and “INEC, Give Us the Final Report.”

Spokesman of the groups, Chief David Reje from the Egbema Clan of Warri North Local Government Areas accused INEC of undermining the constitutional rights of the people by conducting the CVR with the “defunct arrangement” that the Supreme Court had earlier nullified.

Chief Reje, expressed their displeasure noting that despite INEC’s field exercise and stakeholder engagements, which produced a new delineation report in compliance with the apex court judgment, the commission has failed to release and implement the final report.

“Our patience and cooperation are being taken for granted as machinery has been set in place to disenfranchise us from participating in future elections.

“We can no longer wait while our democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court judgment are being eroded” Chief Reje warned.

The groups said they had travelled from Warri to Abuja to draw INEC’s attention to their plight, warning that they might be compelled to occupy the commission’s premises until their demands were met.

“They described the move as the second phase of their “non-violent struggle to restore political dignity.”

They further noted that they had come under “consistent pressure” from their people and could not guarantee that the agitation would remain contained if INEC continued to ignore the court order.

They demanded that ; INEC must immediately release and implement the delineation report and the CVR should only proceed on the basis of the newly approved electoral arrangements.

“We shall not stand idly by and watch our democratic rights and franchise frittered away. A stitch in time saves nine.” he maintained.

INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Abdulzuru, in his response assured the Ijaw and Urhobo groups of Warri Federal Constituency that their concerns over the implementation of the Supreme Court-ordered delineation of electoral wards and units will be addressed.

He commended the groups for adopting a peaceful approach in presenting their grievances and acknowledged receipt of their formal petition.

“I have listened carefully to your demands and read through your submission. I will tender the documents to the commission,” Abdulzuru said.

He further stressed that INEC is a law-abiding institution with no intention of disenfranchising any group of Nigerians.

“As a commission, we are committed to upholding the law. There is no intention, as far as INEC is concerned, to disenfranchise anybody from any exercise. We will get back to you be rest assured,” he added.

Prominent figures who signed the document tendered by the protesters include Dr Joel Bisina, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, Chief John Eramvor, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye, Chief Wilson Ogbodu, Chief Emmanuel Serondi and Chief Mrs Ann Gagiyovwi (JP)

Others are Rev. Samuel Ako, Amb.Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP), Hon. Frank Pukon, Chief Mrs Vero Emmanuel Tangbewei and Comrade Mrs Margaret Ikinbor.