The Imo State Police Command has demoted a sergeant, Anayo Ekezie for assaulting a road traveller using a smoke gunner along the Owerri-Aba Expressway.

The Command also announced the reprimand of two Police Inspectors, Ofem Obongha and Obinna Okereke, for failing to exercise supervisory control during the incident which occurred along the Owerri-Aba highway.

Police spokesperson for Imo State Command, DSP Henry Okoye made the disclosure on Wednesday night.

According to him, the three men all attached to the Safer Highway unit were found guilty of breach of the Police Force code of conduct and human rights standards.

He said Anayo Ekezie was found guilty and was demoted from a Sergeant to a Corporal as punishment for his action, while the other two Inspectors were reprimanded for failing to exercise appropriate supervision.

Okoye said, “The Imo State Police Command, in response to a viral video showing police officers assaulting a man along the Owerri–Aba Road, has identified the officers involved and initiated disciplinary action. The officers are Inspector Ofem Obongha, Inspector Obinna Okereke, and Sergeant Anayo Ekezie, all from the Safer Highway Unit.

“Following a review of the video, the Command conducted an orderly room trial in line with Nigeria Police Force disciplinary procedures. Sergeant Anayo Ekezie was found guilty of using his issued smoke gunner in the assault and has been demoted to the rank of Corporal.

“Inspectors Obongha and Okereke were severely reprimanded for failing to exercise proper supervisory control, which allowed the unprofessional conduct to occur, ” Okoye said.

On his part, the Commissioner of Police for Imo State, Aboki Danjuma condemned the action of the men which he said ran foul of the Force’s code of conduct and human rights standards.

Danjuma maintained that there was zero tolerance for police misconduct and promised appropriate action on those found guilty.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has called on the public to report any incidents of Police misconduct through the Complaints Response Unit (CRU), X-Squad unit, or via 08033424051 or 0814 802 4755 saying they are committed to transparency, professionalism, and protecting citizens’ rights.

Media professionals have been advised to refrain from providing publicity opportunities to terrorists and bandits.This appeal was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, at the seventh edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series on Wednesday, May 7, which was held at the National Press Centre, Abuja.

The minister charged journalists and editors to embrace responsible and patriotic reportage, while shunning sensationalism.

The minister noted that criminal groups use the media to spread fear, disinformation and recruit followers.

Mr Idris in his address stated that the Federal Government continued to make active investment in the military sector through the purchase of contemporary equipment, improved intelligence and strategic partnerships.

The minister said, “The media, as gatekeepers and partners in nation-building, have a crucial role to play in supporting our military’s morale by highlighting their successes and sacrifices. Our armed forces are not only respected by global allies but also feared by those who threaten our collective peace. It is equally important to recognise that the fight against insecurity is not limited to kinetic approaches. It is also a battle for the hearts and minds of our people – one that terrorist groups are actively exploiting through propaganda, especially on social media platforms.’’

Mr Idris commended the media’s continuous efforts in keeping the populace informed about government programs and policies.

The police command in Ekiti State has arrested one Helen Kayode, a graduating student of Ekiti State University (EKSU), who allegedly raised a false alarm that she was kidnapped along Iworoko/Ado-Ekiti Road.This was made known by the command spokesman, SP Sunday Abutu, on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti.

Mr Abutu alleged that Ms Kayode stated that she was kept and held hostage in an uncompleted building surrounded by bushes.

He said the information activated serious panic in the state, especially within Iworoko-Ekiti and Ado-Ekiti metropolis.

According to Mr Abutu, the information went viral on social media, causing some reactions that undermined the security and peaceful atmosphere currently being enjoyed in the state.

He said investigations revealed that she was not kidnapped but raised false information to cover her stay with her boyfriend through the night of that same day before travelling to Lagos to meet her parents.

He alleged that the suspect confessed during investigation that she sent out the false information to enable her to stay back in Ado-Ekiti to celebrate her birthday with her boyfriend, who promised her a ‘surprise package.’

Mr Abutu said the student stated that her parents told her to return to Lagos against her wish due to the birthday party.

The Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, condemned the act.

He warned against giving false information, especially those that could cause unnecessary apprehension in society.

Mr Eribo said that those found culpable in the act would be made to face the wrath of the law.

He stated that the suspect would be charged to court after investigations.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to the security of lives and property of all residents and the sustenance of a peaceful atmosphere.

Recall that Ms Kayode, on May 1, sent a disturbing message to her sister that she boarded a wrong bus and was kidnapped.

The message went viral on social media

A former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, on Wednesday told an Abuja High Court that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission failed to tender all the statements he made in their office.

Mr Idris in his evidence in the trial-within-trial ordered by the court following the objection raised by his counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, to the admissibility of his statements as exhibits, mentioned the three statements he made on the consultancy in question.

The trial-within-trial was on grounds that the former AGF’s statements the prosecution sought to tender on November 23, 2022, were made on the ground of deception and inducement.

The EFCC charged the former AGF alongside Geoffrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited with 14 counts, bordering on theft, fraudulent diversion of public funds to the tune of N109.5 billion.

They are being prosecuted by EFCC, before Justice Yusuf Halilu, in the case marked, FCT/HC/CR/199/2022. The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Mr Idris testified for himself in the trial-within-trial.

“Apart from the 13 statements brought to court by EFCC, I made a total of 16 statements on different days in the course of investigation,” he told the court.

Led in evidence by Uche, Idris informed the court that he was taken to the procurement unit of the EFCC three times and that he made statements on those times about the consultancy in question and the entire processes involved in the matter.

Three files were brought, marked certified true copies, to the head of the procurement unit.

” I mentioned that the Minister (of Finance) approved the consultancy and that the Federation Account Allocation Committee and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation Commission and the oil producing state governors were all involved. I am surprised that all the three statements were not brought to court, including the rules with the certified true copies” he said.

Idris told the court that his lawyer was not present when he made the statements to EFCC on June 10, 2022, June 27, 2022, July 5, 2022, respectively.

He denied writing any of the cautionary words in the respective statements, adding that the statements were dictated to him by EFCC investigators

“It is not correct that I made the statement in the presence of my lawyer, Gbenga Adeyemi. The statement is a dictation.

“None of my written statements were video recorded by my interrogators,” he said.

After his evidence Halilu adjourned the matter until July 17 for cross examination of the former AGF by the prosecution in the trial-within-trial.

An Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday granted an order stopping the conduct of the Local Government and state congresses of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Justice E.B. Omotoso gave the order while ruling on a motion on exparte number HAD/424M/2025 filed by Afolabi Adedeji.

The suit was filed against the PDP, the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun; National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; Caretaker Chairman of the party in Ekiti state, Dare Adeleke and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The court ordered that all parties to the suit should maintain status quo, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The court also ordered that the PDP Acting National Chairman, National Organising Secretary and Ekiti State Caretaker Chairman should be served the court order through their WhatsApp numbers.

The court ruled, “Leave is hereby granted to the claimant/applicant to serve the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants the Originating Process with its accompanying processes by substituted means, by pasting the aforesaid originating process on the wall of the 1st defendant’s office situate at Ajilosun Street, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. In addition, the claimant/applicant is granted leave to serve the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants vide their WhatsApp phone numbers 08047677070, 08035961850 and 08033242822 respectively. All parties in this case are hereby ordered to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice which is hereby fixed for hearing on Wednesday, the 14th day of May 2025.’’.

The plaintiff, Afolabi Adedeji, had sought an order of interim injunction, retraining the defendants, privies, agents and successor-in-title/office, from accepting any list of persons who did not obtain election forms, participate in the elections and elected by the simple majority votes of the ward congress of the PDP in Ekiti State to act for the party, as delegates at any election of the party apart from those elected on March 15, 2025.

The plaintiff also sought an order of the court to mark the originating summons as concurrent.

He equally sought to issue and serve, the originating summons, and other accompanying originating processes, and all other processes in the case of the 1st , 2nd, 3rd and 5th defendants, whose address is outside the jurisdiction of the court and in the Federal Capital Territory.

Mr Oseni emphasised the need for public funding
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to provide free cancer screening services nationwide.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved by a lawmaker, Aderemi Oseni during Wednesday’s plenary in Abuja.

Presenting the motion under urgent national importance, Mr Oseni described cancer as a growing public health crisis in Nigeria, stressing that the rising cost of treatment was putting care out of reach for many patients.

He said, “The scourge of cancer is fast spreading among Nigerians.’’

Mr Oseni noted that treatment costs could range from tens of millions of naira to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, depending on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the treatment method.

He expressed concern over the limited availability of radiotherapy machines and the cost, complex supply chain for cancer medications, which had made treatment unaffordable for many Nigerians.

He added, “There’s a dangerous perception that cancer is a disease of the rich or a death sentence. That is no longer the case, it affects both the rich and the poor.’’

Mr Oseni emphasised the need for public funding, calling it the most sustainable and equitable way to finance cancer care and ease the financial burden on patients.

The lawmakers unanimously urged the Federal Government to establish additional cancer treatment centres equipped with radiotherapy machines across the country.

The House also mandated its Committee on Healthcare Services to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other relevant agencies to develop a framework for federal intervention.

Additionally, the House Committee on Legislative Compliance was tasked with ensuring the implementation of the resolution.

In 2020, about 125,000 Nigerians were diagnosed with various types of cancer, with breast, prostate, and cervical cancers being the most common.

An 18-year-old apprentice has allegedly impregnated 10 girls in just five months, including his master’s daughter and a salesgirl in Anambra State.

Reports say he was first sent to learn a trade under a master, but within three months, he got both his boss’s daughter and a salesgirl pregnant.

This, however, led to his dismissal from the apprenticeship.

The state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, disclosed this in a live video on social media on Wednesday.

Obinabo said the situation got worse after he returned to his village.

She said, “I want advice from the public because this one is beyond my capacity.

“This boy was sent to learn a trade at the age of 18 and three months of apprenticeship, and he impregnated his master’s daughter and his salesgirl. He was sent packing. Two months after that, he impregnated eight other girls in the village.”

Obinabo also said the boy’s mother came to her office to report the issue.

According to her, the mother said, “‘Anytime I see a girl coming towards our house nowadays, my heart would jump, please, I need help.’”

Obinabo said, “This matter is beyond me, the reason I want the public to help me come up with a solution. Is it spiritual?”

She said she asked the boy how he was able to convince the girls.

“I asked the boy the magic he uses in luring the girls to bed, but he told me he always tells them that he loves them and would like to marry them any time he acquires wealth.

“This problem is beyond me because of the boy’s age and the number of pregnant girls involved; that’s why I need help to solve it.”

Obinabo did not mention the name of the boy, his mother, or their community, but she called on the public to suggest solutions.

The absence of Justice Bayo Taiwo, of the Oyo State High Court, on Wednesday stalled the hearing in a case of murder filed against a former chairman of the Park Management System, Mukaila Lamidi, popularly called Auxiliary.

The matter was adjourned until June 11 for the adoption of addresses in the trial-within-trial case. S. O. Adeoye, the prosecuting counsel and director of public prosecution and defence counsel Olalekan Ojo were in court.

Auxiliary is facing trial on a 17-count charge bordering on armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, possession of firearms including AK-47 assault rifles, two SMG rifles with magazines.

The offence is punishable under Section 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Pakistan on Wednesday said that it has restored the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, services after months-long ban in the South Asian country.

“Confirmed: Metrics show access to X (formerly Twitter) has been restored in #Pakistan as conflict breaks out with neighbouring India,” Internet monitor NetBlocks said on X.

Islamabad blocked the social media platform in February 2025 after the general elections in the country.

Later in July, the government told a local court that X was a “threat to the national security” and could not restore it.

An Anadolu correspondent in Pakistan also confirmed that the platform is now working without the VPN.

Borno Governor Babagana Zulum has announced a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in the state while accusing members of the military and other security personnel of contributing to rising criminality and anti-social vices in Maiduguri and its environs.

Zulum spoke on Tuesday during the inauguration of a newly reconstituted committee on “revocation of illegal hotels, brothels, shanties, and criminal hideouts and curbing the menace of antisocial vices,” at the Council Chambers of the Government House in Maiduguri.

“I am happy to know that army officers are here, especially the military, police, and others are here because most of these activities were committed by whom? Some of them are dismissed army officers, dismissed security officers, current army officers, men and officers, including civilians,” the Governor said.

“So, there should be no sacred cow in this matter if we want the Maiduguri metropolis and indeed the state to get rid of insurgency, terrorism and other sorts of criminalities,” he added.

Zulum accused former and serving personnel of the security forces of influencing civilians into criminal behaviour, radicalism, prostitution and other anti-social vices, further escalating terrorism threats in the state.

During the event, the Governor empowered the committee with a renewed mandate to rid Maiduguri and surrounding areas of criminal elements and social decay.

The ban on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, he explained, is a response to increasing incidents of cultism, clashes between rival groups, prostitution, drug abuse, thuggery, and theft—many of which have resulted in loss of lives and property.

To ensure a comprehensive approach, Zulum included the military, police, civil defence corps, and the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in the committee’s operations.

Houthi fighters
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have agreed to a ceasefire with the United States, and vowed to adhere to the agreement if Washington does the same, the group’s spokesperson has said.

“The U.S. interfered to support the Israeli entity by attacking Yemen. So, if they stop their aggression, we will stop responding,’’ Houthi spokesman Mohamed Abdel-Salam told al-Masirah TV late Tuesday.

“If the U.S. does not abide by the agreement in any way, the response will be fatal,’’ he added.

He said talks with the mediator, Oman, had been going on for weeks before the announcement.

Oman said that both parties had agreed to end hostilities, including strikes on U.S. vessels in the Red Sea.

Abdel-Salam said that Houthi support for Gaza will continue and that any deal with the U.S. will not change the rebel group’s stance towards Israel.

Since October 2023, Houthi militants have repeatedly attacked military and civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, saying their campaign was retaliation for Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.

The escalation has severely disrupted global shipping, forcing many carriers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has okayed a ban on the importation of foreign goods by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies on goods or services available in the country, without a waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement.

Mr Tinubu said this on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja through its Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Mr Idris said, “The Nigeria First Policy places our country at the centre of public procurement and business activity, with a strong focus on empowering local industries. It is designed to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and uniquely Nigerian,”.

The new policy dubbed the ‘Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy’ aims at strengthening the domestic economy, promoting local content, and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports.

The minister said that the new policy mirrored the U.S. “America First Policy.’’

However, he warned that “all MDAs must review and resubmit their procurement plans in line with the new policy,” and breaches would attract disciplinary action and possible cancellation of future procurement processes.

He cited Nigeria’s continued importation of sugar despite having a functioning Sugar Council and several domestic producers as a prime example of inefficiency the policy seeks to eliminate.

He stated, “Government money must now work for the Nigerian people. And contractors will no longer be allowed to act as mere intermediaries importing foreign goods while Nigerian factories remain underutilised”

The Nigeria First Policy is the latest of the many economic reforms under Mr Tinubu’s administration, which include the removal of fuel subsidy and naira floating.

Delta assembly speaker, 21 PDP lawmakers defect to APC
Mr Guwor said that the defection was driven by instability within the PDP national leadership
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Dennis Guwor, and 21 other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection of the 22 lawmakers was sequel to the significant shift in the state’s political landscape.

With the defection, the assembly has been turned into a one-party legislature, as the remaining seven members are from APC.

Mr Guwor, while announcing the defection on Tuesday during the resumption of plenary after the Easter break, noted that the decision was the result of extensive consultations with their constituents and political leaders across the state.

He said that the move aligned with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

According to him, the political shift toward APC was in response to the realignment of stakeholders and the desire to align with the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

He said, “The mass defection of members of Peoples Democratic Party, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to the APC was made in the overall interest of the people of the state.’’

Mr Guwor noted that the decision followed extensive consultations held on April 23 and which culminated in the April 28 official reception at the Government House and the Cenotaph, respectively.

He stated, “We are fully committed to partnering with the federal government to deliver greater development to the people of Delta. On behalf of the house, I commend the courage and visionary leadership of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori in making this strategic and timely decision. As a legislative body, we stand with His Excellency in this endeavour. This renewed partnership between the state and the federal government must be supported and allowed to flourish so that we can begin to enjoy its benefits in the shortest possible time.’’

Mr Guwor also announced that he had received 22 letters, including his own, notifying him of the change of party affiliation from PDP to APC.

He said that the defection was driven by instability within the PDP national leadership and divisions within the South-South zonal executive committee, leading to internal conflicts and disunity.

The speaker affirmed the constitutional basis for the defection, citing Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“With this action, the Delta House of Assembly is now composed entirely of members from the All Progressives Congress. We thank our constituents for endorsing this progressive course of action,” he said.

The speaker, who expressed appreciation to members for their contributions so far, urged them to ensure the completion of pending bills as the second legislative session nears its end.

Consequent upon the development, the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi, moved a motion for the adoption of the letters of change in political party.

The motion, which was unanimously adopted by the assembly when put to a voice vote by the speaker, was seconded by Ferguson Onwo (APC-Isoko South II).

Addressing journalists shortly after the plenary, the majority leader said that the defection was prompted by the crisis within PDP.

“Our decision was based on the instability at the national level and the factionalisation at the South-South level. Consequently, we chose to move to the ruling All Progressives Congress, in accordance with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,” he said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it traced over $300,000 laundered to a suspected internet fraudster.

A statement by the spokesperson for the EFCC on Tuesday in Abuja, Dele Oyewale, said the suspect was among the 35 suspects arrested Sunday in Auchi area of Edo State.

Mr Oyewale said the arrest was sequel to credible intelligence that linked the suspects to fraudulent internet activities.

He said investigations revealed that the suspect collected and laundered over $300,000 for his syndicate members who were at large.

He said, “Apart from internet fraud, EFCC’s investigations revealed that the suspect is equally involved in investment and banking fraud. He will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.’’

A 17-year-old boy, Shahid Ahmad, was found in a pool of water at Hotoro Walawai area, behind MGR Filling Station in the Tarauni Local Government of Kano State.This was made known in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the State Fire Service, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi on Tuesday in Kano.

He said the teenager was found in the pool of water on Tuesday afternoon, but it could not be ascertained whether he drowned or not as the boy’s father took his body away, probably for burial.

The statement noted, “We received a distress call from Anas Haruna at about 03:31 p.m that a body was floating in an open water (pond). On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team at about 03:45 p.m to the scene.’’

Mr Abdullahi said the victim was brought out of the water dead and his corpse was handed over to his father, Malam Ahmad.

Nnamdi Kanu admitted to inciting public to attack police officers, witness tells court
Mr Awomolo said that the statement-taking session was also recorded on video.

News Agency of Nigeria • May 6, 2025
Nnamdi Kanu handcuffed
Nnamdi Kanu handcuffed [Credit: Lindaikejisblog]
Awitness in the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, said on Tuesday that the IPOB leader admitted inciting members of the public to attack police officers during interrogation.

The witness, a States Security Services operative, identified as BBB for security reasons, told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, while being led in evidence by the Federal Government’s lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.

BBB, who was the 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2), gave his testimony behind a screen provided by the court.

The witness said beside being the leader of the IPOB, Kanu is also the founder of the Eastern Security Network (ESN); the armed wing of IPOB. He said that Mr Kanu also operated an illegal radio station, which broadcast on frequencies 102.1 FM and 88.0 FM.

BBB told the court that the radio was illegal because it was not licensed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

When the lawyer asked if the PW-2 had had encounter with Mr Kanu, the witness said he got to know Mr Kanu when he was assigned the duty of taking his statement on July 17, 2021, following a letter from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) requesting that the IPOB leader be investigated in respect of his alleged terrorist’s activities.

The SSS operative said the AGF’s letter was addressed to the director general of the service.

He said he carried out the assignment in company with four others of his colleagues, including a director

.

He said he handed Mr Kanu the letter from the AGF, which the defendant read and also gave his lawyers to read, following which he requested that Mr Kanu respond to issues raised in the letter.

He said after reading the letter, Mr Kanu volunteered to make a statement in the presence of two of his lawyers, including Alloy Ejimakor.

The witness said he played some of the broadcast made by the defendant on his radio station, known as Radio Biafra, including where he called for the attack on police officers and other inciting comments.

BBB said Mr Kanu admitted that the broadcast, which he played to his hearing, were his (Kanu’s) own.

When Mr Awomolo asked what Mr Kanu was agitating for, the witness said Mr Kanu wanted the secession of the five South-East states, parts of Kogi and Benue states from Nigeria.

He said the statement-taking session was also recorded on video.

When Mr Awomolo sought to tender the AGF’s letter and a copy of the video disc, the defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, objected.

Mr Agabi argued that the letter and the disc were not included in the proof of evidence served on them.

Mr Agabi said it was part of the right of the defendant to be given copies of documents and materials that the prosecution planned to rely on in prosecuting the case.

He sought an adjournment to enable the prosecution to do the needful.

But when Mr Awomolo argued that non-service of those documents should not hinder the proceedings, Mr Agabi submitted that if served with the documents, they would need time to study them and consult with Kanu.

Mr Awomolo, who reminded that he took up the case recently, said non-service of the documents could be a mistake

He, however, said he was ready to furnish the defendant with the necessary documents and materials that the prosecution wished to rely on.

He also conceded to the case being adjourned.

Ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the defence was entitled to all the documents and materials the prosecution planned to rely on.

The judge then proceeded to order the prosecution to, in line with the provision of Section 36 of the Constitution, serve on the defendant all facilities, including documents that it intends to rely on to prosecute the case.

Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter until May 7 to enable the prosecution to serve the defence all the necessary documents and for the PW-2 to continue his testimony.

Earlier, the PW1, also an operative of the State security services identified as AAA, concluded his testimony after being cross examined by Agabi and re-examined by Awomolo.

Under cross-examination by Agabi, the witness said he was consulted, in relation to the role he played in the case as an investigator, before the charge in the case was filed.

The witness said he was not aware that the defendant was charged with 15 counts, but that he was aware that Kanu was charged with inciting others to attack members of the police force.

“I was not part of the drafting of the charge, but I am aware that he (the defendant) incited people to kill members of the police force,” he said.

The witness also said that he was not aware that a count relating to the allegation was struck out from the charge in an earlier ruling.

He also said he was not aware that eight out of the 15 counts contained in the original charge were struck out by the court in an earlier ruling.

Before the day’s proceeding commenced, Justice Omotosho expressed concern over issues of representation by lawyers in the matter.

The judge said due to the small size of the court, a long list of lawyers in company with the lead counsel for the prosecution or defendant would not be accommodated.

“I want to make this clarification, I approved 16 counsels for the defence out of the 29 counsels,” he said.

He said a lawyer, Charles Udeh, wrote a letter to the court, stating that he was the counsel for the defendant and copied Aloy Ejimakor in the letter.

“He said his name is on the list but based on my order, his name was removed,” the judge said.

Justice Omotosho then asked Kanu to tell the court who his lawyer is, and the IPOB leader pointed to Mr Agabi as his legal representative in the matter.

The judge also called Favour Kanu, who is the wife of Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Fineboy, to step forward and explained her reason behind recording the court proceedings live.

The judge expressed surprise that despite Mrs Favour’s phone being confiscated on the last adjourned date when she was caught recording him, she still went ahead to post the video online.

“I want to hear from her. Were you not the one that I took your phone from? I did not give the order to forfeit that phone. I don’t know if she might be a wife to my brother (Nnamdi Kanu,” the judge said, but Prince told the judge that Favour is his wife.

Justice Omotosho, who said that anyone is free to record or take video of the court before sitting, said as soon as the judge begins proceedings, such an act would be contemptuous.

Responding, Favour said: “Thank you my lord for giving me the opportunity to say something. I will never disrespect the court. I did not know that you were still seated my lord, because it was a live video. Immediately you cautioned me, the video had already gone and there was nothing I could do at that time. It was a live stream on Facebook.”

Although Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, also apologised on her behalf and appealed for forgiveness, Justice Omotosho insisted that Mrs Favour would be barred from three proceedings.

The judge said he did not want to be forced to create another room where some of the lawyers and litigants would be made to sit to observe the court proceedings through zoom.

Justice Omotosho, who cautioned against any act that could cause delay in the trial, assured all parties in the case that justice would be served.

NSA seeks effective mechanism to counter IEDs use by terrorists
The ambassador of Algeria to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, said African countries must be able to take adequate measures to make the fight against terrorism effective.

News Agency of Nigeria • May 6, 2025
Image used to illustrate the story
Image used to illustrate the story
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has called for the development of effective mechanisms to enhance the ability to prevent and counter the use of improvised explosive devices by terrorist groups in West Africa.
Mr Ribadu made the call at the opening of the Stakeholders meeting on Consolidating Collaborative Efforts to Prevent and Counter the Acquisition and Use of IED by Terrorist Groups in West Africa, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Ribadu said the threat of terrorism knows no bounds, adding that it was through collaborative efforts by critical stakeholders that they could effectively confront and defeat the menace.

He encouraged participants to actively engage in discussion, get ideas and work towards solutions that would help them on how counter terrorism could affect communities in West Africa. He commended the partners for their dedication to strengthening their collective efforts in combating terrorism.

The ambassador of Algeria to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, said African countries must be able to take adequate measures to make the fight against terrorism effective.

These measures, he said, concern not only the prevention and dismantling of IEDs, but also proactive and preventive actions that aim to deconstruct them and seek a provision to promote coordination and cooperation.

He said the measures would also help adapt to new threats driven by technological progress.

According to him, the use of these explosive devices remains one of the most potent tools used to carry out terrorist attacks in the interior, against the states of West Africa and the countries of the Sahel region.

He called for an integrated approach by combining security measures and initiatives to prevent the use of IEDs, and consolidating the sustainable development approach.

The German ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunthe, said the global trend of weaponising commercial drones tended to jeopardise much of the impressive progress many countries had made in bringing back stability.

He said the agenda of the meeting was built on the Working Group’s regional meeting of 2023, which emphasised the need to strengthen national and regional counter-IED expertise, disrupt the supply chains of IED components, and turn intelligence into the core of the scientific evidence.

According to him, these insights resulted in the formulation of the Lome Recommendations.

He commended Nigeria for hosting the event, adding that Germany and the European Union had continued to support numerous activities that contribute to non-kinetic efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism, such as the integrated border stability mechanisms for West Africa.

He said Germany had also been supporting the regional stabilisation facility in the Lake Chad region and contributed to counter-IED activity

Friedrich Merz failed to secure the necessary absolute majority to be elected as the new chancellor of Germany in the first round of voting, Julia Klockner, head of the Bundestag, said on Tuesday.
According to Ms Klockner, in a broadcast on the parliament’s website, Merz did not obtain the required majority of at least 316 votes, so he was not elected chancellor of Germany.

If Merz fails to obtain the necessary absolute majority after two rounds of voting, a third round will be announced in which the ”chancellor majority’’ will be enough to be elected.

The United States may be preparing to introduce additional tariffs on European Union goods in spite of the current 90-day suspension, according to European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič.
At the European Parliament plenary session, Mr Šefčovič noted that the U.S. had recently reduced its additional tariffs from 20 per cent to 10 per cent.

In response, the EU paused its countermeasures on steel and aluminium for 90 days to allow room for negotiations.

“This pause was meant to create space for dialogue. However, U.S. tariffs still affect €380 billion, $431 billion worth of EU exports, around 70 per cent of our total exports, at rates ranging from 10 per cent to 25 per cent,” Mr Šefčovič said.

He also warned that new U.S. tariff measures could still be on the horizon, despite Washington acknowledging that the EU was not a threat and that both sides faced many common challenges.

On April 2, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order introducing reciprocal tariffs on imports from various countries.

The base tariff was set at 10 per cent, with higher rates applied to 57 countries based on the U.S. trade deficit with each.

A week later, Mr Trump announced that the 10 per cent baseline tariff would apply for 90 days to more than 75 countries that had not retaliated and had requested negotiations, excluding China.

As part of its continued commitment to sustainability, Access Holdings PLC will be amongst the leading participants in the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Regional Roundtable on Sustainable Finance for Africa and the Middle East.
Taking place from May 6-7, 2025, in Marrakech, Morocco, the event will bring together regulators, policymakers, and key stakeholders from the financial sector to discuss and shape critical sustainability issues, including climate mitigation and adaptation, nature-positive finance, just transition and financial inclusion, carbon finance, among others.

Amaechi Okobi, Chief Brand and Communications Officer of Access Holdings; Edmund Otaigbe, Group Head of Credit Administration, Governance & Project Monitoring; and Njideka Esomeju, Group Head of Products and Segments, will contribute insights from their extensive experience driving sustainability within the financial sector.

Sessions dedicated to accelerating the transition of real economy sectors towards sustainability, addressing climate risks, and ensuring financial inclusion will be among the discussions.

One of the focal points will be how financial institutions can support climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in vulnerable sectors across Africa and the Middle East. The event will further tackle the challenge of unlocking private finance for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), exploring innovative ways to align capital flows with regional sustainability needs.

Other high-level dialogues will explore regional collaboration to support sustainability goals, advance action on climate adaptation, and discuss regulatory developments promoting sustainable finance across the region.

Panels will focus on financing and insuring MSMEs for climate resilience and fostering an inclusive transition by ensuring that vulnerable communities and underserved populations are not left behind in the push for green growth.

Prominent speakers at the event include Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda; Louise Gardiner, Senior Operations Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC); Lily Burge, Policy Manager, Climate Bonds Initiative; and Samuel Tiriongo, Director of Research and Policy, Kenya Bankers Association.

Walid Ali, General Manager, Sustainability Department, Central Bank of Egypt; Yasser Mounsif, Director of Issuers, Moroccan Capital Market Authority, alongside other leaders in sustainable finance.

The UNEP FI Regional Roundtable promises to be a critical platform for deepening collaboration among stakeholders across Africa and the Middle East. The shared goal is to create a resilient, sustainable future for the region.