A 49-year old man, identified as Benjamin Segun Bright, was on Thursday arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court on three-count charge of selling adulterated herbal products.

In the suit number MOS/5531/2026 between the Commissioner of Police and the suspect and others at large were said to have committed the offence on July, 20, 2026, at about 9:30am around Odo-Ola Street, Igbona area. Osogbo, Osun State, within Osogbo Magisterial District.

The Commissioner of Police was represented by Inspector Temitope Fatoba, while Bright was represented by his counsel, K.E Ngwoke.

According to the charge sheet, “Count 1: That you Benjamin Segun Bright ‘M’ and others now at large, on or
before the 20 day of July 2026, at about 9:30am at Odo-Ola Street, Igbona area. Osogbo, Osun State, in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did conspire among
yourselves to commit a felony to wit: Exposing For Sale Things Unfit for Food or Drink Being in Possession of Adulterated/Counterfeit Products and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.11 Laws of Osun State, 2002.

“Count 2: That you Benjamin Segun Bright ‘M’ and others now at large, on the
same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did have in your possession various adulterated tea and drinks such as Bright Life Herbal Tonic (2) Kaye Bitters (3) Bright Life Herbal Teas (4) Atura Herbal Balm and (5) Dr. Fresh Super Bleach with intent to sell the same as food or drink, which said products were in a state unfit for human consumption, noxious and/or unfit for food or drink, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 243(1) of the Griminal Code Cap 34 Vol.11 Laws of Osun State, 2002.

“Count 3: That you, Benjamin Segun Bright ‘M’ and others now at large, on the
same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully adulterate various tea and drinks such as Bright Life Herbal teas, Bright Life Herbal Tonic intended for sale as food or drink which is unfit for human consumption, knowing that the same were likely to be sold as food or drink, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 243(2) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.Il Laws of Osun State, 2002.”

Bright, however, pleaded not guilty and his counsel, Ngwoke moved application for bail on behalf of his counsel.

Presiding Chief Magistrate, Dr Olusegun Ayilara granted the accused bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties, one of whom must be a house owner with valid identification and ready to deposit title document.

The other surety must be responsible person three years tax clearance while the address must be verifiable by prosecutor or court clerk.

Ayilra subsequently adjourned the matter to November 30, 2026.

Former Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Houses of Assembly on Thursday unanimously endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and resolved to launch a nationwide grassroots mobilisation for his re-election in 2027.

Under the plan, members of the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria (FOPSHAN) will mobilise across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), explain the administration’s policies and programmes, and canvass support for the President.

The former legislative leaders also endorsed the administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, arguing that the immediate difficulties associated with the measures should be weighed against their anticipated long-term benefits.

The resolutions were adopted at FOPSHAN’s National Summit in Abuja, themed: “Bold Leadership, Bold Reforms: From Subsidy to Renewed Hope – Affecting the Economic Trajectory and Digital Leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration”.

Former Senate President Pius Anyim chaired the summit, while First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu attended as Special Guest of Honour.

The forum’s National Chairman, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun Sani, hosted the gathering.

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, a former Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, chairs the forum’s Board of Trustees.

In its resolutions, the forum declared its support for what it described as the administration’s “bold economic reforms”, particularly petrol subsidy removal, saying the policy should be viewed within the broader objective of securing long-term economic prosperity.

It subsequently announced a unanimous endorsement of Tinubu’s second-term bid.

“In recognition of the President’s colourful, visionary leadership and commitment to national development, FOPSHAN unanimously endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a second term in office in the 2027 general elections”, the resolution stated.

The forum resolved to move beyond the endorsement by deploying its membership across the country to build grassroots support for the administration.

Former legislators at the national, state, and local government levels are expected to engage citizens, explain government policies and programmes, and take the summit’s message to communities across the 36 states and the FCT.

FOPSHAN also appealed to the First Lady to enlist its members as ambassadors for the administration’s social intervention programmes, particularly initiatives targeting women, children and vulnerable Nigerians.

The former presiding officers further urged the President and state governors to make greater use of their legislative and governance experience in appointments and policy formulation.

“The conference calls on the President and governors to continue to tap into the wealth of legislative experience of former presiding officers in appointments and policy formulation for the good governance of the country”, the resolution stated.

On party affairs, the forum reaffirmed its commitment to the unity and progress of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members to close ranks and support the administration at the federal and sub-national levels.

Earlier, Nwifuru said former legislative leaders could not afford to become spectators in national affairs after leaving office, arguing that their experience should continue to strengthen governance and democratic institutions.

Drawing from his years as Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly before becoming governor, Nwifuru stressed the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislature.

“Those years taught me an enduring lesson. Governance is not the responsibility of the executive alone; it is a partnership between institutions”, he said.

Nwifuru said the ultimate objective of the ongoing economic reforms should be to expand Nigeria’s productive capacity and create opportunities for citizens, particularly young people.

“We must invest in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, energy and technology. We must create an environment where Nigerians can produce more, businesses can grow, and young people can find meaningful opportunities,” he said.

The governor also called for stronger legislative oversight, greater fiscal responsibility, stronger democratic institutions and further devolution of powers.

He said the experience former Speakers and Deputy Speakers accumulated placed them in a position to continue contributing to governance beyond their years in legislative office.

“We have occupied the chambers where laws are made, scrutinised and voices of our constituents were amplified. We therefore cannot afford to be spectators in the journey of national development”, Nwifuru said.

He urged the former lawmakers to deploy their legislative experience, networks, and understanding of governance to strengthen democratic development and promote accountability in public administration.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has declined Nigeria’s request for an upward review of its 2027 Hajj allocation, leaving the country’s quota unchanged despite growing demand from intending pilgrims nationwide.

The Commission disclosed that it had formally engaged the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, seeking additional pilgrimage slots to accommodate the increasing number of Nigerian Muslims desirous of undertaking the sacred journey and to address appeals from several state pilgrims’ welfare boards for enhanced allocations.

However, Saudi authorities communicated their inability to grant additional slots, citing capacity limitations, structural constraints within the holy sites, and the Kingdom’s policy of strict adherence to approved country quotas under the current operational framework.

Consequently, Nigeria’s allocation for the 2027 Hajj exercise remains fixed at 35,000 slots for government pilgrims and 15,000 slots for licensed tour operators, bringing the country’s total approved allocation to 50,000 pilgrims.

Commenting on the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, said the Commission fully understands the disappointment the decision may cause many aspiring pilgrims and state pilgrim boards that had hoped for additional allocations.

According to him, the Commission explored all available diplomatic and operational channels in pursuit of an increased quota but respects the final decision of the Saudi authorities.

“We appreciate the deep spiritual desire of many Nigerian Muslims to perform Hajj and understand the expectations of states and stakeholders seeking additional slots. While every effort was made to secure an upward review, the Saudi authorities have communicated their final position based on operational realities and capacity considerations,” Ambassador Yusuf stated.

The NAHCON Chairman urged state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and licensed tour operators to make judicious and transparent use of their approved allocations while ensuring strict compliance with all timelines established by the Commission and the Saudi Nusuk platform.

He emphasized that the deadline for uploading the data of all prospective pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj exercise remains September 26, 2026, warning that no extensions would be granted under any circumstance.

“Kindly note that the deadline for uploading prospective pilgrims’ data remains September 26, 2026. We urge all partners, state pilgrim boards, tour operators and representatives to ensure that all required information is submitted before this date, as no extensions will be granted,” he said.

Ambassador Yusuf further advised intending pilgrims who may be unable to secure a slot under the approved 2027 allocation not to lose hope, revealing that preparations for the subsequent pilgrimage season have already commenced.

“Individuals who were unable to secure a slot for the upcoming Hajj are encouraged to register for the 2028 Hajj. The Commission has officially opened the registration portal for this period, and applications are now being accepted,” he added.