A federal high court in Ekiti has granted Dele Farotimi, a human rights activist, N50 million bail with one surety.

On Monday, Babs Olaniyi Kuewumi, the presiding judge, asked the surety to provide evidence of two years’ tax clearance and a letter of consent from the bank.

Farotimi, who wore a pink shirt, was shepherded by police officers to the courtroom in handcuffs.

Kuewumi subsequently adjourned trial to January 29, 2025.

On Friday, the inspector-general of police filed a 12-count charge bordering on cybercrime, against Farotimi.

The activist was accused of spreading false information against Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), through an online interview.

Count one of the counts reads: “That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ on 28th August 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on your YouTube Channel (http://youtube.com/watch?v=4USuxB…) in respect of a book authored and published by you titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’ wherein you stated in the interview that: ‘Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary’ which you know to be false information for the purpose of causing the breakdown of law and order thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.”

Mojisola Adeyeye, director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has urged manufacturers and distributors to comply with the ban on alcohol in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.

Speaking during a session at the NAN Forum in Abuja on Sunday, Adeyeye reiterated the ban and the agreement signed by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria.

In 2018, the sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles smaller than 200ml was banned in Nigeria.

Manufacturers were subsequently given a phased timeline to halt the production and distribution of the products.

Adeyeye said the agreement has reached its final phase, adding that the goal is to completely eliminate the products from the market.

She said NAFDAC has conducted extensive enlightenment campaigns and stakeholder engagements to ensure adherence to the ban.

Adeyeye expressed concern over the easy accessibility of alcohol to teenagers and youths, saying the affordability and small packaging of sachets contribute to widespread misuse, with potentially devastating consequences.

She reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health by enforcing strict regulatory measures.

On Friday, the agency carried out a mop-up of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles at Abuja’s Wuse Market.

NAFDAC said products worth over ₦52 million were seized during the operation.

The federal ministry of health says there is no evidence of new COVID variant XEC in Nigeria.

The variant, first reported in Australia, has spread to 29 countries, raising alarms over its heightened virulence.

In a statement on Saturday, Alabi Balogun, deputy director of information and public relations at the health ministry, said Nigerians should not panic but continue taking precautions by observing personal hygiene.

He said the government has also taken precautionary measures by establishing molecular laboratories, isolation centres, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators at the federal tertiary hospitals.

“You may recall that a newly detected COVID variant, XEC, was reported in Australia and has spread to about 29 countries globally and has shown a more virulence over other circulating strains with concern over its possible impact on service delivery in our federal tertiary hospitals,” the statement reads.

“However, the good news is that there is no evidence of COVID variant XEC in Nigeria.

“In light of the above, the general public is advised not to panic but to continue with the universal precautions of observing personal hygiene, including regular washing of hands.

“The federal ministry of health and social welfare, through her agencies, has stepped up surveillance, including at all entry points to Nigeria.

“The federal government has proactively upgraded our federal tertiary hospitals by establishing molecular laboratories, isolation centres, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators.

“Since the COVID variant XEC has not been detected in Nigeria, it has therefore become imperative to correct the misinformation and fear of the general public concerning the resurgence of COVID-19 in Nigeria.”