A Federal High Court in Abuja has set March 19, 2024, as the date for its decision regarding the fresh bail plea submitted by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The court has further allocated March 20 for the recommencement of Kanu’s trial. This decision came following a session presided over by Justice Binta Nyanko, during which arguments from both parties’ legal representatives were considered. The trial, which had been previously halted after the Court of Appeal’s acquittal of Kanu in October 2022, resumed on Monday. The Court of Appeal had nullified Kanu’s extradition from…
Author: Editor Francis
Human rights activists, identified as the “Take It Back Movement,” took to the streets of Lagos State on Monday to voice their discontent over the escalating cost of food and living expenses in the nation. Despite warnings issued by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, the protesters gathered beneath the Ojuelegba bridge, brandishing placards bearing various grievances related to the prevailing economic hardships. Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of TIB, emphasised that the protest symbolised the populace’s resistance against oppressive economic conditions. He underscored the citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and criticised police attempts to stifle their voices. “We…
Security at the Federal High Court in Abuja has been significantly heightened by operatives of the Department of State Services ahead of the anticipated trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), scheduled to begin today. The trial, which had been put on hold following the Court of Appeal’s acquittal of Kanu in October 2022 and its declaration of his abduction from Kenya to Nigeria as illegal, is set to resume following a Supreme Court ruling on December 15, 2023. The Supreme Court ordered the continuation of Kanu’s trial on terrorism charges, overturning the appellate…
The private residence of the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmoud, was completely razed by fire on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred at No. 9, Justice Roseline Ukeji Close in the Asokoro district of Abuja. According to eyewitness reports, firefighters were slow to respond to the blaze, and nothing could be salvaged from the minister’s home. Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. Austine Elemue, the media aide to the minister, confirmed the incident when contacted but did not provide any additional details on how the fire started. Security personnel and firefighters remain…
Qatar has reversed its earlier decision and agreed to host the business and investment forum proposed by President Bola Tinubu during his upcoming visit to the Arab country. This decision comes after a leaked memo revealed Qatar’s initial decline, citing the unavailability of its Minister of Commerce and Industry. The embassy of Qatar in Abuja had previously stated that there was no agreement between the two countries regarding the investment forum. However, in a recent letter received by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar apologized for the rejection and confirmed the hosting of…
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has released its latest findings on internet usage in Nigeria, revealing a notable surge in digital connectivity across the country. According to the NBS database accessed on Sunday, the total number of internet subscribers reached a significant milestone, standing at 163.8 million as of December 2023. Despite economic challenges such as the removal of subsidy and the floating of the naira, among other factors, more citizens have gained access to the internet, contributing to this remarkable growth. Comparing data from the previous year, the NBS reported a 9.07% increase in internet subscribers, with figures…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced the lifting of sanctions on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. This decision came following an extraordinary summit held at the State House Conference Hall in Abuja, where leaders convened to address the political, peace, and security situation in the sub-region. The sanctions, which had been in place for some time, were lifted after careful consideration of the implications they posed for the citizens of the affected countries and the broader West African community. General Yakubu Gowon (retd), a former head of state of Nigeria and a founding leader of…
1. It is with great pleasure and honour that I welcome you, once again to Abuja, on behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to this Extraordinary Summit of our organization. Your presence here today in large numbers has once again demonstrated your unflinching commitment to the sustenance of regional integration with all its ingredients for the promotion of good governance. Peace, security, stability and socio-economic development. 2. Once again, we are gathered here to address pressing developments in our sub-region surrounding the peace and security as well as the political situations in the Republics…
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has issued a stern warning to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), cautioning them against their proposed mass protest, citing contempt of court. In a statement dated February 23, directed to the counsel for the labour unions, Femi Falana (SAN), the AGF highlighted that the planned two-day protest scheduled for February 27 and 28 stemmed from alleged non-compliance with the 16-point agreement reached with the federal government on October 2, 2023. The AGF emphasised that the issues at the heart of the…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to embark on a diplomatic visit to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from March 2nd to 3rd, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This confirmation comes amidst earlier reports suggesting that Qatari authorities had declined Tinubu’s proposed visit to the country. A memo circulating online purportedly revealed Qatar’s reluctance to host a proposed business parley with Nigeria due to various reasons, including the absence of a formal agreement on investment promotion and protection between Qatar and Nigeria, as well as scheduling conflicts with the Qatari Minister of Commerce and…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced the lifting of economic sanctions on Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, effective immediately. This decision came after extensive deliberations during an extraordinary summit on regional political, peace, and security issues held at the State House in Abuja. President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, revealed the Authority’s resolutions, which included the suspension of border closures and the no-fly zone imposed on Niger. Additionally, all financial transactions between ECOWAS states and Niger, including those involving the bloc’s central bank, will resume, along with the unfreezing of Niger’s assets at EBID. Moreover,…
At the Extraordinary Summit on the Political, Peace, and Security Situation in the Region, held at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, chairing the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, is currently engaged in discussions with counterparts aimed at easing sanctions on the military-ruled member states of Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger. The summit, taking place in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, brings together leaders from the 15-member bloc, established nearly 50 years ago. Recent tensions arose when the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in protest against what they…