Television Nigerian

Oseni Rufai, an anchor for Arise Television, and Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, got into a furious verbal altercation on Monday after it was said that the broadcaster had been suspended from his position.

After taking a vacation, Rufai returned to hosting duties on Monday and addressed the rumor on the live broadcast of the Arise Morning Show, directly connecting it to Bwala.

“Bwala wants one of my Meta glasses,” Rufai stated live. I have one for him.

“On Monday morning, a government official said that I had been suspended. I usually urge Bwala to present my suspension letter.

“It is an indictment of this government that its spokesperson is lying if he fails to disclose it. So, President Tinubu, instruct Bwala to deliver my letter of suspension.

Bwala reacted quickly, calling Rufai a “adult toddler” and making fun of his freshly displayed Meta glasses in a post on 𝕏 (previously Twitter).

“An adult toddler, @ruffydfire, joked that I visited their station when he wasn’t there, which caught my attention,” Bwala stated.

“I want to start by congratulating you on flaunting a Meta glass you purchased or DEM dashing you during your alleged suspension or break.”

Bwala insisted that his visit to Lagos was a part of a larger media engagement while making fun of Rufai by implying that he was unable to interview him because of what he called a “alleged suspension.”

“You have been in Lagos during this time (perhaps your alleged suspension included being prohibited from leaving Lagos), and your producer could have called you back from your alleged suspension to come to my interview,” he said.

Bwala escalated the argument by challenging Rufai to an in-person interview and accusing him of subtly disparaging co-anchor Dr. Reuben Abati.

“Rufai, you have a studio in Abuja. Take a plane there, and let’s use Charles’ Prime Time to conduct the man-to-man interview. I urge the chairman to put that into action. “I’m waiting, quick, quick, quick!” he exclaimed.

Alassane Ouattara, the president of the Ivory Coast, was sworn in for a fourth term on Monday after a low-turnout election that was boycotted by his two main rivals.

Eleven African leaders and foreign dignitaries reportedly attended the ceremony as the 83-year-old governor, who has led the West African country since 2010, took the oath of office.

Ouattara pledged to uphold the country’s laws in his brief speech. Shortly after taking the oath of office, he proclaimed, “I vow to loyally defend the constitution.”

The inauguration took place in Yamoussoukro, the capital, about six weeks after Ouattara won a landslide 90% of the vote in the October 25 presidential election, despite only 50.1% of voters casting ballots, prompting concerns about legality and public enthusiasm.

The exclusion of Ouattara’s two most notable opponents, former president Laurent Gbagbo and former head of Credit Suisse Tidjane Thiam, has been cited by critics as a significant weakness in the election process.

Thiam was allegedly excluded due to nationality concerns, while Gbagbo was disqualified because of a prior criminal record. At the inauguration, neither was there.

In a nation where disputed elections have frequently produced upheaval, their absence has increased political tensions.

The ceremony attracted significant international attention in spite of the controversy. Former Nigerian President Mahamadou Issoufou and delegates from eleven African countries were among those present.

Speaker of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet represented France, the nation’s strong friend and former colonial power. Jacob Helberg, the Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, was sent by the United States to meet with Ouattara later that day for bilateral negotiations.

According to reports, Ouattara initially took office following a contentious election in 2010 that resulted in civil unrest and hundreds of fatalities. Since then, he has kept a solid hold on the president, gaining reelection in 2015 and prolonging his tenure through judicial decisions and constitutional modifications.

Opposition leaders and civil society organizations have criticized his most recent term, the fourth, claiming it compromises regional democratic norms.

The inauguration takes place amid concerns about military takeovers, electoral manipulation, and democratic regression in a number of West African countries.

Observers claim that Ouattara’s reelection highlights the weakness of the region’s democratic institutions, particularly in light of the controversial circumstances.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting suspected terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits nationwide as soon as possible, stating that quick legal proceedings are essential to combating the growing instability.

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said this on Monday during a speech at the Court of Appeal’s 2025–2026 legal year opening in Abuja.

“It is impossible to ignore the grave challenge of insecurity that confronts our country at this solemn juncture in our national life,” Fagbemi stated.

These threats, which range from terrorism and insurrection to banditry, kidnapping, and violent crimes, jeopardize not just our citizens’ safety but also the foundation of our constitutional democracy.

“The courts can guarantee that those who threaten peace and stability are held accountable, that impunity is dismantled, and that the sanctity of human life and property is protected through firm, consistent, and courageous adjudication.”

According to Fagbemi, the government is prioritizing the prosecution of those connected to major assaults, kidnapping for ransom, terror financing, and extremist recruitment rather than concentrating only on incarceration or military operations.

He went on to say that the court is essential to bolstering national security initiatives, particularly when it comes to promptly and fairly deciding cases involving terrorism.

Fagbemi revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is dedicated to appointing more judges to the Federal High Court in order to expedite trials and increase the judiciary’s capacity.

According to him, the appointments will support the nation’s counterterrorism efforts and guarantee that cases are resolved quickly and effectively.

The AGF emphasized that efficient justice administration boosts public trust and supports military and intelligence tactics.

“The prompt administration of justice is an essential supplement to our military and intelligence operations,” he stated. As we cooperate to save our country, this is a time for unity rather than diversion.

Fagbemi also praised the Court of Appeal for its efforts to reduce backlogs, especially in cases involving terrorism, human trafficking, and kidnapping, through special sittings and Fast Track Practice Directions.

“The initiative is crucial to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s fight against terrorism because delays in prosecution can prolong periods of insecurity and erode public confidence in legal processes,” he said.

The Court of Appeal was commended by the AGF for preserving a positive yet autonomous relationship with the executive.

“This delicate balance, characterized by mutual respect, institutional independence, and constructive engagement, has ensured that the machinery of governance operates harmoniously while the separation of powers is preserved,” Fagbemi stated.