President Bola Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, who died on Tuesday at the age of 100.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of  Ondo state had announced Fasoranti’s death in a statement, describing him as a respected elder statesman committed to the development of Ondo, Yorubaland and Nigeria.

President Tinubu, in a statement personally signed by him on Tuesday, said he received the news of Fasoranti’s death with “profound sadness”.

“On behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, I commiserate with the Fasoranti family, the good people of Akure Kingdom, the government and people of Ondo State and South-West Nigeria, and the entire Afenifere family,” the statement reads.

The president described the late Afenifere leader as “an icon, a beacon of principle, and one of the last great titans of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive family”.

He said Fasoranti’s century-long life exemplified integrity, discipline, selflessness and unwavering commitment to the Yoruba people and the unity and progress of Nigeria.

“From his days as an educationist and principal, to his stewardship as Commissioner for Finance in the old Western Region, and later as the leader of Afenifere, Baba never wavered in his belief in true federalism, social justice, and a Nigeria that works for all,” Tinubu said.

“Baba made immense contributions to this country and, at the risk of his life, fought for the democracy we enjoy today.”

Tinubu said Fasoranti distinguished himself through his Spartan lifestyle, adherence to principles and commitment to noble causes.

“Our nation will sorely miss his voice of wisdom, moral authority, and fatherly counsel, especially now, when we need his guidance most,” he said.

The president recalled Fasoranti’s centenary celebration on May 11, noting that it marked not just his longevity but also a legacy of honour.

“He lived a fulfilled life and left indelible footprints in the sands of time,” Tinubu said.

He also recalled visiting Fasoranti at his residence in Akure in 2022 to inform him of his decision to contest the presidency.

“Pa Fasoranti told me I would be President in his lifetime, and God answered his prayer,” he said.

Tinubu said he had hoped Afenifere would live to witness his second term in office and the anticipated economic growth and prosperity.

“But we must thank God for Pa Fasoranti’s long life of service, grace and fulfilment,” he said.

The president prayed for the repose of Fasoranti’s soul and asked God to comfort his family and others mourning his death.

An Abuja high court  has reserved ruling on a no-case submission filed by former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, in his trial over the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of $6.23 million from the apex bank.

Justice Hamza Muazu, the presiding judge, reserved the ruling on Tuesday after Matthew Burkaa, Emefiele’s counsel, and Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel for the prosecution, adopted their written addresses on whether the former CBN governor should be called upon to enter his defence.

Burkaa asked the court to uphold the application, arguing that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had failed to establish the essential elements of the offences against Emefiele.

He said the prosecution’s evidence on the first 14 counts centred on allegations that Emefiele used his position to confer unfair advantage on companies linked to his associates, including his wife and brother-in-law, but failed to establish that he personally manipulated the contract award process.

“None of the witnesses presented by the anti-graft agency said my client benefited or manipulated the tenders board committee so that those two companies get the contract,” he said.

“No such evidence was identified.”

Burkaa argued that the prosecution had not shown that Emefiele directed the CBN tenders board committee to favour the companies.

He added that the evidence showed the firms had executed the work for which they were contracted.

“The only thing the prosecution was able to show was that the man at the head of the establishment issued approvals,” he said.

“There is nothing to show that he manipulated the committee. There is nothing to show that he told the committee (tenders board committee of the CBN) what to do.”

On the allegation involving the withdrawal of $6.23 million, the defence counsel said Boss Mustapha, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), had testified that his signature and that of the late President Muhammadu Buhari were forged.

He added that Emefiele had also told investigators that his signature was forged, arguing that the late former president and Mustapha should also have been investigated.

Oyedepo, however, prayed the court to dismiss the no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require Emefiele to enter his defence.

The prosecutor alleged that Emefiele used his office to confer unfair advantage on Architekon Nigeria Ltd, a company whose directors included his wife and brother-in-law.

“The committee was circumvented into reviewing the contract. This is the testimony of PW3,” Oyedepo said.

He also alleged that April 1616 Nigeria Ltd was guided to quote an in-house price, denying other Nigerian contractors a fair opportunity to compete for the contracts.

“That is not an honest mistake, that is an unfair advantage in the process,” he said.

On the alleged $6.23 million withdrawal, Oyedepo said the public should be concerned about the movement of the funds from the CBN under Emefiele’s leadership, describing the transaction as a breach of trust.

He said the prosecution had laid a prima facie case against the defendants that warrants him to enter his defence.

Emefiele is facing an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence.

The EFCC alleged that he fraudulently obtained $6.23 million purportedly meant for international election observers during the 2023 general election.

He is also accused of conferring corrupt advantage on April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd, two companies owned by family relatives.

The former CBN governor has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The judge said the date for the ruling would be communicated to the parties.

The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and identified 44 close contacts for tracing to prevent further transmission.

Ali Pate, the minister of health and social welfare, in a statement issued on Tuesday, confirmed the development after a laboratory confirmation of the case.

The minister said the patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received care for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.

“She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care,” the statement reads.

“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and NCDC are working closely with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further spread.

“Contact tracing has commenced with 44 close contacts identified presently, with public health teams identifying and monitoring people who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.

“Surveillance has been intensified, and the hospital is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.”

The minister asked public and private healthcare facilities across the country to be on high alert.

He added that healthcare workers must maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities.

The minister urged Nigerians to remain calm, recalling that the country successfully contained Ebola in 2014.

He said Nigeria had the experience and public health systems to respond to the current case, adding that containing Ebola required the cooperation of all citizens.

“The Federal Government, FCT authorities and other partners are working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public. Investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to provide accurate and timely information,” he said.

“We urge Nigerians to remain calm, stay vigilant and cooperate with public health authorities. Early detection, prompt reporting and everyone’s cooperation are critical to preventing further spread.

“The Government of Nigeria through the presidential taskforce on EVD and NCDC will continue to provide updates.

“NCDC free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information or to report a suspected case, please call NCDC toll-free number 6232.”

In May, the federal government assured Nigerians that there was no confirmed case of Ebola in the country and affirmed that all necessary precautionary measures had been activated to strengthen national preparedness and response systems.

The assurance followed reports of Ebola outbreaks in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

In June, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said the country had not recorded any confirmed cases of Ebola.

Jide Idris, director-general of the NCDC, had said the country is 59 percent prepared for a potential Ebola outbreak.

Earlier in October, Kenyan authorities confirmed the country’s first case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).