The management of the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, has stated that no casualty was recorded in the fire outbreak that occurred on Sunday at one of the companies operating within the zone.

This was contained in a statement signed by Steve Makanjuola, on behalf of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and China-Africa Investment FZC, the management of OGFTZ, and made available to journalists in Abeokuta on Monday.

Confirming the incident, the management explained that the fire outbreak occurred at Good Mattress FZE, but was swiftly brought under control, stressing that no life was lost and no injuries were recorded.

According to the statement, the incident was contained through a “professional and timely response” by the OGFTZ internal fire service team, in collaboration with the Ogun State Fire Service and partner private companies.

“The prompt intervention successfully prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining enterprises,” the statement stated.

The management noted that the fire was de-escalated before it could pose any wider risk to the Free Trade Zone or surrounding communities.

It also debunked rumours of a gas explosion, stating that the incident did not extend to any residential area and was not linked to any explosion. “There were no casualties recorded,” the statement emphasized.

OGFTZ disclosed that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire, assuring that verified findings would be communicated through official channels upon conclusion.

Reaffirming its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance, the Free Trade Zone management stated that all operations within the zone are conducted in line with applicable legal, safety and regulatory requirements.

“OGFTZ reiterates that operations within the Free Trade Zone are conducted in a lawful and compliant manner, with strict adherence to all applicable legal, safety, and regulatory provisions,” the statement read.

The management also expressed appreciation to government agencies, host communities and private partners who supported the emergency response, describing the effort as a demonstration of strong coordination and preparedness.

“This collective response underscores the importance of partnership, preparedness and coordinated emergency management,” OGFTZ said.

The management concluded by assuring the public that normalcy has been fully restored, adding that the zone remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational integrity across all enterprises.

Resident doctors at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, have declared their support for the resumption of the nationwide strike called by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), scheduled to begin from Monday, January 12th 2026.

The decision was taken by the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, following an Emergency General Meeting held virtually, where members resolved to aligned with the national body over unresolved issues with the Federal Government.

Addressing journalists in Abeokuta, the Chairman of the association, Dr. Chidi Ikwumezie, represented by the Vice Chairman, Dr. Grace Adeniyi, said the decision followed the Federal Government’s failure to fully implement the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU signed with resident doctors in November 2025.

Dr. Ikwumezie noted that the MoU had led to the suspension of a 29-day industrial action at the time, but lamented that more than one month after the commitments were made, no tangible progress had been recorded.

According to him,Some of the demands include the immediate reinstatement of five resident doctors of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja; payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears; and full implementation of the corrected professional allowance table, with arrears provided for in the 2026 Federal Budget.

The resident doctors appealed to relevant stakeholders, civil society organisations and the general public to prevail on the Federal Government to act urgently in the interest of the nation’s health sector and the welfare of medical professionals.

Nigeria, Abuja – The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has formally overturned the controversial investigation conducted by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Monitoring Unit led by CP Akin Fakorede on Ghanaian investors in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, namely, Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, Mr. Kojo Ansah Mensah, Mr. Victor Quainoo and Mr. Abu Arome Esq.

The AGF decision was conveyed in an official circular issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, with reference nos, DPPA/REQ/224/25 and dated December 30, 2025, following a comprehensive review of all investigation files submitted by the police.

In the said circular, the AGF unequivocally ruled that there was no basis for criminal prosecution against the Ghanaian investors.

DPP in the report said, “No prima facie case of forgery and other related offences as contained in Charge No: CR/402/25 has been established against the aforementioned individuals.”

As a result, according to the circular, the 26-count charge of fraud and forgery earlier announced by the police has been discontinued in its entirety.

The AGF further affirmed the findings of the 13-man Special Investigation Panel (SIP) led by DCP Imam, which had earlier investigated petitions concerning Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited, and the Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited.

The AGF circular, stated, “The investigation and findings by the Special Investigation Panel on Petitions relating to Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited…dated 28th March 2025 is valid, comprehensive, unbiased, and is thus affirmed.”

Also, the AGF described the Monitoring Unit investigation led by CP Fakorede as misleading and legally defective, noting that it wrongly criminalised what is essentially a commercial and contractual dispute.

“The investigation and findings by the IGP Monitoring Unit were highly misleading, disregarding the burden and standard of proof necessary to establish criminal liability, and inappropriately attempted to characterize a commercial disagreement… as a criminal matter, contrary to Section 8(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

“The action was unlawful and prejudicial, The utterances and actions of the IGP Monitoring Unit and the Force Public Relations Officer… where Paul Odili, Dr. Adeniran Ogunmuyiwa and others were declared as the ‘owners’ and ‘managers’ of River Park Estate without judicial determination are inappropriate and in excess of the lawful authority of the Police”, AGF ruled.

The circular further stated that: “The Nigerian police do not possess jurisdiction to independently determine land ownership or adjudicate contractual disputes.”

In a petition dated May 22, 2025, Sir Sam Jonah had informed the AGF that although the SIP report had been disclosed to parties on April 9 by the Office of the IGP but they were later informed that CP Fakorede had jettisoned the SIP report and commenced a fresh investigation.

Amid escalating tensions, encroachments, and violent incidents within River Park Estate, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had constituted an investigative committee led by Salman Dako, General Counsel of the FCTA.

In another controversial development, the investors alleged that on 8 December 2025, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) disregarded court processes and AGF notices by altering the shareholding structure of JonahCapital Nigeria Limited and Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited.

The shares were reportedly reassigned to some parties despite the matter being sub judice.

The issue had further escalated when Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, formally petitioned the ECOWAS Conference of Foreign Ministers, citing harassment and intimidation of Ghanaian investments in Nigeria, particularly Sam Jonah’s interests.

Following his review, the AGF has now directed the Registrar-General of the CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, to restore the ownership and shareholding of the affected companies to the status quo ante—that is, their position before the December 8 alterations.

The AGF also drew attention to unresolved allegations of violence within the estate:

“It has been observed that allegations of destruction of property, criminal intimidation, and assault… allegedly by thugs acting pursuant to the directives of Paul Odili remain uninvestigated.”