The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, has said the N30 billion recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, does not belong to her.

On January 8, President Bola Tinubu suspended Edu following allegation of N585.2 million fraud.

Tinubu also directed the EFCC “to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transaction” involving her ministry.

But the anti-graft agency disclosed that N30 billion has been recovered, while over 50 accounts were being investigated.

In its bulletin titled “EFCC Alert,” the anti-graft commission said: “Moreover, with respect to this particular case, we have recovered over N30 billion, which is already in the coffers of the Federal Government.”

However, a letter issued on Wednesday by Edu’s lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, denied knowledge of the money recovered.

The letter reads: “Neither N30bn nor any amount whatsoever has been traced to or recovered from our client’s bank accounts nor has any proceed of crime been traced or recovered from her.

“First and foremost, the language used in describing our client’s purported involvement in the alleged corruption case suggests guilt without allowing for the presumption of innocence, which is fundamental in any fair and unbiased reporting.”

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda has secured the release of 222 inmates from various correctional facilities in the state by settling their fines.

This is according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula-Mohammed on Tuesday in Katsina.

He said the decision was part of the compassionate move to bring happiness to the inmates in the Holy Month of Ramadan, to enable them celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr festivities with their families.

The inmates, according to him, were those detained due to their inability to pay fines imposed on them by different courts of law.

Kaula-Mohammed quoted the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Hajiya Fadila Muhammad-Dikko, saying that the initiative would go a long way in decongesting the custodial centers.

“The commissioner, who expressed sincere gratitude to the governor, also acknowledged the significance of this gesture by providing relief to those incarcerated for minor and non-capital offenses.

“The selection process for the beneficiaries involved thorough verification and recommendations to the state government for intervention in paying the fines holding them in the correctional facilities,” he quoted Muhammad-Dikko as saying.

The Ikeja Special Offences Court on Monday remanded the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after he took his plea over alleged abuse of office and allocation of $4.5bn, N2.8bn.

Emefiele, who was earlier arraigned alongside his co-defendant, one Henry Isioma Omole, on fresh 26 counts before Justice Rahman Oshodi pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

The charge was marked ID/23787c/2024 and dated April 3, 2024.

The defendant’s lawyer, A. Labo-Lawal, however, pleaded with the court to grant Emefiele bail in self-recognisance and allow him to continue with the bail earlier granted him by the Abuja court.

He also urged the court to grant the second defendant bail earlier granted him by Justice O – Sule-Hamzat.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications.

But Justice Oshodi, after listening to the submissions of both counsel, remanded Emefiele to EFCC custody and the second defendant to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned the case till April 11, for ruling on the bail and commencement of trial.

The attorney general and commissioner for justice in Ogun, Oluwasina Ogungbade, says the government will expedite action in fast-tracking inmate trials in courts to decongest prisons.

Mr Ogungbade said this on Thursday during a visit to Ibara and Oba prisons in Abeokuta.

He noted that the present administration was committed to a renewed focus on addressing the long-standing issues plaguing correctional centres.

The attorney general said that all efforts would be intensified to improve services at the correctional centres. He noted that the visit was necessitated by the need to assess the facilities, gain insights into issues affecting them, and serve as a beacon of hope for both the staff and the inmates.

“Various initiatives are in the pipeline to streamline legal processes and expedite the appearance of prisoners in courts for hearing. The ministry is working out strategies and efforts in facilitating the smooth transfer of prisoners to court when needed.

“This approach will allow us to understand the multifaceted issues affecting the correctional system and formulate targeted strategies for improvement,” he said.

The commissioner called for synergy between the ministry and correctional centre authorities to uphold the rights and dignity of inmates while ensuring public safety.

He added that the government remained committed to championing reforms that promoted fairness, efficiency and rehabilitation within the criminal justice system.

Saliu Adepoju, the controller of the prison in Ogun, appreciated the commissioner and his entourage for the visit, pledging to be more dedicated to upholding the ethics of the facility.

FCT minister Nyesom Wike has appointed Maureen Tamuno as the new managing director of Abuja Investment Company Limited.

Anthony Ogunleye, the minister’s spokesman, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the appointment was with immediate effect.

Mr Ogunleye said Ms Tamuno, an experienced public officer, entrepreneur, and diplomat, was the Nigerian high commissioner to Jamaica, Belize, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

The director also announced the termination of Integrated Facility Management Services Ltd’s contract to manage the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

He said the termination was with immediate effect, adding that Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has been contracted to renovate the centre immediately and comprehensively.

President Bola Tinubu has asked Nigerians not to lose faith in his administration over the skyrocketing inflation assailing the nation’s economy, assuring citizens that he and his team are working to “bring it down” like he did when the naira dipped drastically against the dollar.

Mr Tinubu gave the assurance at the State House in Abuja while hosting members of his party, All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly those in the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and Independent Campaign Council (ICC) to Iftar Wednesday evening.

The Nigerian leader said it was evident that the economy was already “looking much better” than it was “a year ago” when “borrowing was higher,” implicitly taking a jab at his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, whose eight-year rule was characterised by taking heavy loans from other nations.

“The economy is looking much better,” Mr Tinubu said Wednesday evening.

“Yes, we have challenges of inflation, but we will bring it down. When the exchange rate was going haywire, it looked like we were asleep, but we worked on it diligently, and it is going down; it is getting better.”

The president stressed that he was committed to restoring the lost dignity of Nigeria among its international counterparts.

“Borrowing was higher a year ago, but today, we are reengineering the financial landscape, and our revenue is expanding.

And we are taking up our sovereignty and earning our respect back in the comity of nations,” Mr Tinubu added in the statement released by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale.

The naira, which in February traded as high as N1825 to one dollar, has appreciated in value, trading at N1250 against the dollar as of Thursday afternoon, according to Aboki Forex, a website that publishes the official and parallel rates of the naira against dollar and other currencies.

But despite the naira’s gain in the international market, prices of goods and services have yet to come down, adversely affecting the purchasing power of citizens.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the inflation rate reached a record high of 31 per cent in March, up from 29.9 per cent in February.

At his inauguration in May 2023, Mr Tinubu scrapped the fuel subsidy, a move that caused inflation and distress to the economy, as the price of fuel rose sharply from N145 to N617.

US President Joe Biden has reportedly warned his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, not to interfere in the upcoming US presidential election scheduled to take place on November 5.

According to a report by Voice of America on Wednesday, Mr Biden had a phone conversation with Mr Jinping on Tuesday, which is part of the United States’ efforts to maintain open communication channels and prevent unintended conflicts regarding the statement by the White House.

During his November meeting with Mr Jinping in Woodside, California last year, Mr Biden last brought up the subject of Chinese meddling in American domestic affairs. But the Chinese government has consistently denied having any desire to meddle in US’ domestic matters.

China is “committed to the principle of non-interference,” according to Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, who also described allegations that Beijing is meddling in the U.S. presidential election as “completely fabricated.

”President Joe Biden, a member of the Democratic Party, is seeking re-election. His predecessor Donald Trump, a member of the Republican Party, is hoping for a second, non-consecutive term.

A serving Deputy Commissioner of Police under the Lagos State Police Command, DCP Gbolahan Oyedemi, has been found dead in his private home in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

DCP Oyedemi served as the Aide de Camp (ADC) to a former governor of Oyo State, Late Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala, in 2006.

The deceased, a native of Ogbomoso, had visited the town for the Easter celebration last weekend from Lagos before he was found dead.

It was gathered that his body was found hanging in the house on Monday, suggesting he committed suicide.

As of press time, efforts to speak to the spokespersons of both the Lagos and Oyo Police Commands were futile.

But it was reported that the Police Public Relations Officer of Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Alagbon, DSP Eguaoje Funmilayo, confirmed Oyedemi’s death.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has returned to Nigeria ahead of the much-anticipated National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Mr Atiku, who had been out of the country for weeks, returned in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Ambassador Illiya Damagum-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP was pressured into fixing the NEC meeting for April 18, having refused to hold the meeting for over one year.

The NEC, the second most influential decision-making organ of the party after the national convention, is expected to meet every quarter as stipulated by the party’s constitution.

The anticipated NEC meeting, according to sources, is shaping up to be a make or mar one for the party.

Atiku, who is regarded as the de facto leader of the party, being the presidential candidate in the last elections, is expected to spearhead other meetings ahead of the NEC meeting.

This comes as agitations have mounted over the poor management of the party against the backdrop of allegations that it is being controlled by external forces, as alleged by former Benue State governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam.

Also, the North Central zone has called for Damagum to relinquish the acting national chairmanship seat and allow the emergence of a substantive national chairman from the region to which the party originally zoned the position in 2021.

Former Senate President, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, from Benue State (North Central) emerged national chairman at the party’s last convention.

But Damagum, deputy national chairman (North), who hails from Yobe State (North East), was made acting national chairman in 2023 after a court order removed Ayu from office.

It would be recalled that some governors and party chieftains openly worked against Atiku as PDP presidential candidate in 2023 and also recently reiterated their resolve to support President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has advised Nigerian youths to expand their horizons and financial status by exploring the different programmes of the government.

She advised on Monday while welcoming members and executives of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) to the State House, Abuja, amidst the Easter celebrations.

Mrs Tinubu received the association with the exchange of the season’s greetings and prayer that God would continually lift the nation and its youths to greater heights.

“I congratulate you all for the giant strides you have been able to achieve since you started. All your programmes are quite laudable; however, you all have to align yourselves with the government programmes.

“I want you to key into what the government is doing. You have to be innovative, as there are different innovative ways of farming now,” she said.

She also encouraged the executives to involve female youth in their executive arm.

“There won’t be a better world without women. They should be part of decision-making since they are the ones advocating.

“We have to start talking about who we are as a nation without throwing away our culture,” Mrs Tinubu said.

Earlier, YOWICAN national chairman Enwere Belusochukwu solicited the support of Mrs Tinubu over the planned building of a national resource centre for skill acquisition training for youths.

Mr Belusochukwu said Mrs Tinubu was their grand patroness, recalling that her investiture was held in 2023.

“We will continue to pray for her and Mr President for God to always guide, guard, protect them, and to always direct them right.

“I want to tell you authoritatively that all Christian youths in Nigeria are ever ready to align themselves with the vision of President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the installation of CCTV cameras on Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.

This was disclosed in an interview Sunday evening.

Works minister David Umahi said the surveillance cameras would be part of efforts to counter crimes and illicit enterprise under the bridge.

Mr Umahi said after discussing the matter with the president, he determined that installing solar-powered lights and surveillance cameras was imperative.

The minister said Mr Tinubu’s fears were validated after he assesed the bridge and confirmed that criminal miners went as far as “destroying the concrete to anchor their small boats.”

According to Mr Umahi, the surveillance cameras would be mounted on top of the bridge and also below the bridge.

“We are putting up CCTV both on top of the bridge and under the bridge because the president told me that part of the problem we are having is people who are doing illegal mining of the sand,” Mr Umahi explained. “And I agree with him. I have seen it. They even go as far as even destroying the concrete to anchor their small boats.”

He disclosed that the president released the fund needed “and I can say that 99 per cent of the project is done.”

Mr Umahi added, “But what is to be done is additional work, we are putting up solar lights. We are replacing the generator lights with solar lights.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians to make sacrifices like Jesus.

Jesus, the biblical messiah of the world was long-suffering and selfless. He endured ridicule and an eventual brutal death in the hands of his countrymen.

“Just as Jesus Christ in His humility and love offered Himself for the redemption of mankind, I admonish us all to emulate Him and make sacrifices for one another,” Mr Akpabio said on Sunday in an Easter message.

He added, “Let us, therefore, show love to one another, our neighbours, our leaders and our dear country. If we do not show love to our leaders and country, no one will do that for us.

“As we celebrate, let us not forget to pray too. Let’s continue praying for the betterment of our nation and our leaders and God listening to us, Nigeria will be great again.’

Nigerians have already endured a gruelling stagflation and widespread hunger occasioned by offensive hike in food prices. Despite the economic hardship, Mr Akpabio and all other senators received 2023 model of the Toyota Landcruiser worth N160 millon each.

President Bola Tinubu, his party men and other individuals and groups sympathetic the ruling APC government have appealed to Nigerians to endure the historic hardships.

In desperate search for food, several people have been killed in stampedes as they rushed for palliative distributed by government and private agencies.

Mr Tinubu described the pains his compatriots are going through as needed sacrifices for a bright future.

Recently, the president appealed to Muslim and Christian clerics not to curse Nigeria and its leaders but to pray for them and preach patience to their followers.

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has approved the payment of N2.1 billion as subsidy for the state’s 2024 intending Hajj pilgrims.

Each of the state’s 2,290 intending pilgrims will get a subsidy of N959,000 amounting to 50 per cent of increment announced on 2024 Hajj fares by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The increment per person is N1,918,000.

NAHCON blamed the increment on foreign exchange elements.

It also set March 28, 2024 as the deadline for intending pilgrims to make their payments.

“It is on this note that the governor came in to assist,’’ commissioner for religious affairs and community orientation, Yakubu Hamza told journalists in Bauchi on Friday.

He explained that benefiting intending pilgrims were those who had paid the fare increment announced by NAHCON and those who were yet to pay.

“Those awarded Hajj slots by the state government would also benefit,” he said.

“There are people who already made their payments, but suddenly there was an increment in the Hajj fares,’’ Mr Hamza noted.

The Kogi House of Assembly has constituted a seven-member committee to probe the revenue accruing to the North-Central state.

Speaker Aliyu Yusuf, inaugurating the team in Lokoja on Thursday, explained that it had become imperative to get the correct data on monies accruing to the state.

“We don’t know what exactly comes from the federation account. We also do not know what we generate internally. Following the discrepancies in figures, it has become imperative for us to get the correct data on what comes into the Kogi purse

“We believe this will greatly help our drive and desire for rapid infrastructural and human development,” he said.

The speaker said the committee’s terms of reference would be unveiled “soon.”

He gave the committee eight weeks to submit its report.

The committee is chaired by Olawumi Jacob, with Akus Lawal as co-chairman and Muhammed Bello-Abdul as its clerk.

Other members include Idrees Maikudi, Jibrin Abu, Abdulrasaq Suleiman and Emmanuel Obaro.

The Defence Headquarters says the Maiduguri Division of the Federal High Court ordered the release of 313 terrorism suspects to the Borno government.

DHQ spokesman Edward Buba, who made the clarification on Thursday in Abuja, said the suspects were detained on suspicion, and no evidence was found against them after an investigation.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Justice prosecuted the cases, wherein the court ordered their release.

“Accordingly, they were handed over to the Borno state government for further action,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the DHQ said troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded successes against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, killing scores and arresting their collaborators during the week.

Mr Buba said that terrorists’ commanders and combatants also surrendered to troops in Jere, Chibok, Monguno, Gwoza and Bama LGAs of Borno and Madagali LGA of Adamawa.

According to him, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted multiple air interdiction on terrorists in Arina Woje and Tumbum Shitu near Lake Chad on March 22 and March 24, respectively.

He said, “The locations were observed to be active with terrorists’ activities and logistics. Consequently, the location was acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs, and the Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their logistics destroyed.

“Overall, troops neutralised 52 terrorists, arrested 137 and rescued 78 kidnapped hostages in the Northeast during the week under review. Troops recovered three M56 rifles, 40 AK47 rifles, three PKT guns, 13 fabricated rifles, two hand grenades, one locally made explosive, 889 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 310 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.”

The DHQ spokesman added, “Others are 60 rounds of 7.62 x 25mm ammo, 99 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, six AK47 rifles magazines, two M56 rifle magazines, two magazine carriers, one motorcycle, six mobile phones, one HH radio, three bicycles and the sum of N340,500.00 amongst others.”

Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, through his lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has requested reinstatement to the senate.

Ningi, representing the Bauchi Central Senatorial District, was suspended on March 12, 2024, by the senate for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded with N3 trillion.

Ningi, in a letter through Falana, accused the Senate President Godswill Akpabio of violating his client’s fundamental right to fair hearing.

He advised Akpabio to lift Ningi’s suspension or be reported to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC.

The human rights lawyer disclosed that Akpabio caused him to be put on trial before the Senate on March 14.

In a letter dated March 25, 2024, addressed to Akapbio, the lawmaker said that the Senate President pronounced him guilty and suspended him.

“At the end of the trial, you pronounced our client guilty and declared,” the letter reads in part.

“That the Senate do suspend Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi North) for three months and he should forfeit all his entitlements and be disallowed from the precincts of the National Assembly Complex during the period of the suspension.

“He should also apologise to the Senate in writing, thereafter the senate can consider his remorse and recall him”, part of his letter read.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has disowned Wednesday’s Labour Party National Convention in Anambra State.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said this when he spoke in Abuja on Thursday.

Mr Oyekanmi said that the conduct of the convention was not monitored by INEC, declining to state further why it was so.

The LP on Tuesday shifted the convention from Umuahia in Abia to Nnewi, Anambra State.

Speaking on the change in venue, Mr Kehinde Edun, the LP National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, told journalists that the party had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date.

“No, it is holding in Anambra. Nnewi to be precise, not Umuahia in Abia State again. In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose. Benin City was the first choice before we changed to Umuahia and now Nnewi.

“So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time,” Mr Edun said.

Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting.

This includes the convention or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates.

The Federal Government has pledged to support the training of workers in teaching hospitals and other tertiary health institutions to tackle emerging challenges in healthcare delivery.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima gave the assurance when he received the management of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, led by its Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, on Wednesday at the presidential villa, Abuja.

He said enhanced healthcare delivery is a top priority in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Mr Shettima commended the current management of the institution “for the giant strides recorded over the years.”

He also assured of the government’s commitment to support human capacity development in hospitals across the country.

He said, “Training is essential; we will explore all available windows to support the Maiduguri teaching hospital and other teaching hospitals in the country in the training of their personnel. We will see how our partnership with the private sector can be helpful in this regard.

“I want to commend the CMD and his team for providing quality leadership to the hospital and all of their subordinates. There have been remarkable improvements at the hospital since his assumption of duty. In terms of staff morale, capacity building and the general outlook of the teaching hospital, the improvements have been massive.

“The expansion of the hospital from a 600-bed to a 1305-bed facility and equipped with modern facilities, the CMD has been proactive in all that he does, including sourcing for external funding.”

Earlier, Mr Ahidjo said the visit was to thank the vice-president for the support to the institution and to present the scorecard of the hospital, as well as future plans.

The CMD said with the support of government and other stakeholders, the hospital is now equipped with state-of-the-art machines.

He said that besides building new centres for Trauma, Dialysis, Cancer and Stroke treatment, among others, the hospital has 100 professors in different areas of specialties.

He, however, requested more support to enable the institution to actualise its objectives of being an international centre of excellence in healthcare delivery.

Other members of the delegation include the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Sanusi Ibrahim, Director of Administration, Malam Idris Omar and the Director of Clinical Services, Prof. Modu Kagu.

The remains of 17 military personnel killed in Okuama in Delta on March 14 have arrived at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, for burial.

The bodies, which arrived at about 2:26 p.m. on Wednesday, were conveyed by the Military Ambulance Emergency vehicles and FCT Ambulance Emergency services, among others.

As of the time of filing this report, top government functionaries and top military echelons from various formations across the country were on the ground to pay last respects to the fallen heroes, awaiting the arrival of President Bola Tinubu.

Distraught family members and relatives of the slain personnel, as well as wives of other military officers, were also present.

The troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi LGA, while on a peace mission to Okuoma, were allegedly killed by irate youths.

The incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba.

The personnel comprised one lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers.

The officers were commanding officer 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt. Col. A.H Ali; Maj S.D Shafa (N/13976); Maj D.E Obi (N/14395) and Capt U Zakari (N/16348).

The soldiers are SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974); Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274); Cpl Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853); LCpl Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844); LCpl Sola Opeyemi (17NA/760719); LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290); LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653); LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191); Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079); Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911); Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162); Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079) and Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795).

A New York judge placed Donald Trump under a gag order ahead of his criminal hush money case that begins 15 April.

He is barred from making public statements about court staff, jurors, witnesses and lawyers in the district attorney’s office – or their families.

The gag order does not apply to the district attorney.

The Trump campaign said the order, which is limited in some instances, violated his free speech rights.

In several instances, the order requires that the comments would have to be “made with the intent to materially interfere” with the case.

Justice Juan Merchan granted the limited gag order after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg requested it.

Earlier today, Mr Trump attacked Justice Merchan’s daughter on his Truth Social account, and called the judge a “certified Trump hater”.

Mr Trump faces 34 felony counts in connection with hush money payments allegedly made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, ahead of the 2016 election.

He has pleaded not guilty and called the case politically motivated.

In his order, Justice Merchan wrote that he had considered Mr Trump’s constitutional free speech rights, but concluded that the former president’s “extrajudicial statements went far beyond defending himself against ‘attacks’ by ‘public figures'”.

Instead, Justice Merchan said he had found Mr Trump’s “statements were threatening, inflammatory, denigrating” and led to fear and increased security requirements for those targeted.

Mr Bragg had asked the court to issue a gag order in February, citing the former president’s “longstanding and singular history” of attacking his opponents.

Mr Trump’s attorneys argued, however, that he is “the presumptive Republican nominee and leading candidate in the 2024 election”. They said that it would be “unconstitutional and unlawful” to impose restrictions on his speech.

Justice Merchan is not the first judge to impose such restrictions on Mr Trump.

The former president has frequently attacked prosecutors and court staffers involved in his myriad of legal cases. At times, it has served to galvanize his supporters.

A judge in an earlier civil case involving his real estate companies placed Mr Trump under a gag order after he attacked a court clerk via social media. He also twice fined the former president for violating the order.

Mr Trump must pay a $454m bond that came as a result of that civil fraud trial. An appeals court temporarily slashed that payment to $175m on Monday.