The South African ambassador who was expelled from the United States in a row with President Donald Trump’s government arrived home on Sunday to a raucous welcome and struck a defiant tone over the decision.

Ties between Washington and Pretoria have slumped since Trump cut financial aid to South Africa over what he alleges is its anti-white land policy, its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and other foreign policy clashes.

Former South African Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool (c) arrives at the Cape Town International Airport, in Cape Town, on March 23, 2025.

“It was not our choice to come home, but we come home with no regrets,” expelled ambassador Ebrahim Rasool said in Cape Town after he was ousted from Washington on accusations of being “a race-baiting politician” who hates Trump.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Rasool was expelled after he described Trump’s Make America Great Again movement as a supremacist reaction to diversity in the United States.

Rasool was greeted with cheers and applause from hundreds of placard-waving supporters mostly clad in the green and yellow of the ruling African National Congress party at Cape Town International Airport.

Former South African Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool (c), greets relatives and supporters upon his arrival at the Cape Town International airport, in Cape Town, on March 23, 2025.

“I want to say that we would have liked to come back with a welcome like this if we could report to you that we had turned away the lies of a white genocide in South Africa, but we did not succeed in America with that,” he said with a megaphone after a more than 30-hour trip via Qatari capital Doha.

The former anti-apartheid campaigner defended his remarks about Trump’s policies, saying he had intended to analyse a political phenomenon and warn South Africans that the “old way of doing business with the US was not going to work”.

“Our language must change not only to transactionality but also a language that can penetrate a group that has clearly identified a fringe white community in South Africa as their constituency,” he said.

“The fact that what I said caught the attention of the president and the secretary of state and moved them enough to declare me persona non grata says that the message went to the highest office,” he added.

South Africa, the current president of the Group of 20 leading economies, this week said it considered improving its relationship with the United States a priority.

The United States is South Africa’s second-biggest trading partner and will take over the rotating G20 presidency next year.

Rasool is due to provide a report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday.

Pretoria should nonetheless not try to mend its ties with Washington “without sacrificing our values” Rasool said.

“The declaration of persona non grata is meant to humiliate you, but when you return to a crowd like this… I will wear my persona non grata as a badge of dignity, our values and that we have done the right thing,” he said.

Trump froze US aid to South Africa in February, citing a law in the country that he alleges allows land to be seized from white farmers.

Relations have also been strained by South Africa’s case against US ally Israel at the ICJ. Pretoria alleges Israel has committed genocidal acts against the Palestinians in its offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Trump further heightened tensions this month, saying South Africa’s farmers were welcome to settle in the United States after repeating his accusations — without providing evidence – that the government was “confiscating” land from white people.

Trump’s ally Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa under apartheid, has also accused Ramaphosa’s government of having “openly racist ownership laws”.

Ramaphosa said South Africa would seek to engage with the United States by dispatching envoys from the business community and government.

Ninety-three-year-old Hajiya Sarafa’u Umaru, mother of Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has died.

The death was announced in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Kaula-Mohammed, on Sunday in Katsina.

The statement stated, “With profound sadness, the Government of Katsina State announces the passing of Hajiya Safara’u Umaru Baribari, the beloved mother of Governor Dikko Radda.

Hajiya Safara’u departed this world last night at the blessed age of 93.

She was a woman of remarkable strength and dignity with wisdom flowed from decades of lived experience.”

Mr Kaula-Mohammed added that, beyond being the mother of Mr Radda, she nurtured generations of leaders and community pillars.

He added, “Her children include the current Village Head of Radda, Alhaji Kabir Umar-Radda, and Hajiya Hauwa Umar-Radda, former wife of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua. A true Fulani matriarch, Hajiya Safara’u leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond her immediate family. Her values of integrity, perseverance, and community service continue to inspire all who knew her.’’

Mr Kaula-Mohammed said that the late matriarch would be laid to rest by 4:00 p.m., on Sunday in Radda village, Charanchi Local Government of the state.

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has granted automatic employment to 54 postgraduate students who benefitted from a foreign scholarship programme to study health-related courses in India.

This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, in Kano.

The statement stated that Mr Yusuf made the announcement during a reception and Iftar (Ramadan breaking of fast) organised for the students, who studied at Symbiosis International University in Pune, India, and returned to the state on Friday.

He said, “We have made all necessary arrangements to offer you automatic employment within the Kano State Civil Service. Your appointment letters will be issued shortly through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Head of Service.

“You will also benefit from the newly implemented minimum wage of ₦71,000 in the state. We have improved allowances for healthcare workers to ensure a conducive working environment.’’

The governor expressed concern over individuals who received government-sponsored education but later left the state for employment elsewhere.

“I am surprised to see beneficiaries of government scholarships working outside Kano instead of contributing to the state’s development. We appeal to you to use your knowledge and expertise to improve the lives of our people, especially women, and address critical health issues such as maternal mortality and sickle cell anaemia,” he said.

According to him, the state’s investment in education and healthcare aims to strengthen service delivery within Kano, and retaining skilled professionals is key to achieving that goal.

Mr Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuing the foreign scholarship programme initiated by former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

“When we assumed office, we promised to sustain this initiative. Out of the 1,000 beneficiaries, 418 were sent to India and Uganda last year. All have graduated, while the remaining 68 students in India are expected to return by April,” he said.

Among the 54 returning scholar are 36 medical doctors, 11 pharmacists, two anatomists and a radiographer.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Scholarship Board, Kabiru Getso, some of the specialised courses studied by the students were the first of their kind in Kano and Northern Nigeria.

“Achieving this milestone puts the state in a strong position to improve healthcare services. All the students excelled academically, completing their programmes with impressive grades and no carryovers,” Mr Getso noted.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, the group’s captain, Yusuf Abubakar, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Kano State Government.

“Words are not enough to convey our gratitude. We are deeply thankful for this life-changing opportunity,” he said.

A joint operation among the Nigerian military, State Security Services, members of the Hunters’ Group, and led by the FCT Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, has led to the rescue of a naval officer and two civilians, including the arrest of four suspected kidnappers.

The FCT Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, in a statement on X, on Sunday, said the trio were kidnapped at about 07:35 p.m., on Friday, by heavily armed assailants who attacked Mamman Vatsa Estate Gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire at moving vehicles.

Mrs Adeh said, “Shortly after the attack, the kidnappers contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of ₦500 million for the naval officer and ₦200 million each for the two civilians.”

The spokesperson said the command’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Isyaku Sharu, upon receiving the distress report, collaborated with the other security outfits to conduct an intense search-and-rescue operation across Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, covering areas in the FCT and Nasarawa State.

She said, “Acting on credible intelligence, between 2:00 am and 5:30 am on March 23, 2025, operatives traced the suspects to a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, Nasarawa State, where four (4) suspects were arrested, and the victims were rescued unharmed. Additionally, the sum of ₦3.2 million, suspected to be ransom money from previous kidnapping operations, was recovered from the suspects.”

Stating that the victims were in stable condition and receiving medical attention at the Nigerian Army Clinic, Mrs Adeh noted that efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the remaining suspects currently at large. She assured that security deployments had also been reinforced in Mpape and surrounding areas to prevent future occurrences.

She therefore advised members of the public to go about their daily activities without any apprehension, urging them to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police via the following emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883, 07057337653; Complaint Response Unit: 08107314192.

Pope Francis left Rome’s Gemelli hospital Sunday, over five weeks after the 88-year-old was admitted on February 14 with breathing difficulties which turned into pneumonia.

The head of the Catholic Church left by car, waving from the closed window of the front seat as he drove past journalists, and could be seen wearing a cannula – a plastic tube tucked into his nostrils which delivers oxygen.

Pope Francis waves as he leaves by car the Gemelli hospital after a five weeks hospitalization.

Earlier, the Pope greeted and thanked the faithful from a balcony of the hospital on Sunday, the first time he has been seen in public since his admission.

People reflect on the window of the car as Pope Francis leaves by the Gemelli hospital after a five-week hospitalization for pneumonia, in Rome on March 23, 2025.

“Thank you, everyone,” a weak-sounding Francis said into a microphone, as he sat in a wheelchair waving gently to hundreds of people gathered below, doing a thumbs-up sign.

Credit: AFP

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has announced the release of withheld local government allocations.

The former Chief of Naval Staff made this known during a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administrators on Friday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Ibas stated that necessary steps would be taken to promptly pay workers’ salaries and also expressed concern over the delay in salary payments across local government areas, acknowledging the struggles of affected workers.

“I feel the pain of the workers,” he said, assuring them that the withheld allocations had been released and that his administration would ensure that salaries were paid without delay.

Ibas, who warned that financial accountability would be strictly enforced, directed all local government areas to submit their wage bills, supported by relevant documentation, through the office of the Head of Service.

He said his administration would not tolerate financial recklessness, vowing to scrutinise the handling of public funds and take action against any mismanagement.

Ibas said good governance is not just a slogan but a commitment to changing the negative narrative within the next six months.

“You must take the lead in ensuring security within your domains,” he urged local government administrators.

Responding, the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees and Administrator of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Clifford Paul, acknowledged the developmental strides made in the state despite political conflicts.

He commended the Federal Government for appointing the sole administrator, attributing the decision to his competence and leadership ability.

He pledged to support peace and stability while urging the administrator to prioritise workers’ welfare.

He explained that local government workers are currently owed two months’ salaries but are hopeful now that the withheld allocations have been released.

A chief magistrates’ court in Ikorodu, Lagos, on Friday remanded a 20-year-old man, Daniel Olojede, in a correctional centre for allegedly defiling a six-year-old girl.

Mr Olojede, whose address was not provided, is standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on defilement, indecent assault, child abuse and assault.

The chief magistrate, B.A. Sonuga did not take the defendant’s plea.

He remanded the defendant in a correctional facility and ordered that the file be sent to the office of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

Mr Sonuga adjourned the case until May 22, pending legal advice.

Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, ASP Aminu Isaac, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on March 14 at No. 31, Ajilo St., Oke-Oko, Agric area, Ikorodu.

He said the defendant also assaulted a four-year-old minor, the sibling of the girl, by touching him and chasing him out of his father’s room.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene sections 137, 135, 135 and 170 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) command handed over $578,000 seized from a male passenger to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The comptroller in charge of the MMIA command, Effiong Harrison, handed over the foreign currency to the EFCC in Lagos on Friday and said the money was falsely declared by the passenger at the airport.

Mr Harrison, who handed over the intercepted currency following the directive of the comptroller-general of customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said the suspect’s action was in contravention of the provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

The command head said the passenger’s passport and other relevant documents were also handed over to the EFCC for necessary action.

He said, “The suspect (name withheld), a male passenger with passport number A13384205, arrived on board a South African Airways Flight SA60 from Johannesburg on Wednesday.

“He approached the currency declaration desk and declared a total of $279,000. Upon examination, an additional sum of $299,000 was discovered neatly concealed in different packages. Thereby bringing the total sum to $578,000. Also concealed was €100 and a counterfeit $250. This is in contravention of the provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

“This act stipulates that any currency or other forms of negotiable instruments where the value exceeds the $10,000 threshold or its equivalent must be properly declared for inbound and outbound passengers,” he said.

Mr Harrison said the command was committed to arresting and stopping unlawful activities that brought the country into disrepute.

He said customs was ready and continuously working as an organisation of the government to ensure that those who are engaged in money laundering do not use the international airport in Lagos for their criminal activities.

“We are working for the safety of all our financial institutions in this country. People are not comfortable with what is going on. The economic policies are not being adhered to, and we are losing revenue because of the activities of people like this. So, they are undermining the integrity of the financial institutions.

“The suspect should have told the truth and declared accordingly. But he did not, and so he has contravened the law. We have him to hand over to the relevant government agency, which is represented here today; hand over the money, his travelling documents and all other information that he has given us voluntarily to the EFCC for further investigation,” Mr Harrison said.

While receiving the suspect and the foreign currencies, the acting director of the Lagos Office 2 of the EFCC, Ahmed Ghali, commended the efforts of the comptroller and officers.

Mr Ghali urged members of the public to be wary of such acts, adding that the provision of the law was very clear on money declaration.

He explained that passengers were allowed to carry along $10,000, and any additional money would be declared.

Mr Ghali said that what the law required from the traveller was an honest declaration.

“Nobody will stop you from travelling with your cash in as much as you declare, no matter the amount,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu wished public health icon and administrator Ifejola Arowolo a happy 80th birthday on Friday.

“The president joins family, friends, and well-wishers in celebrating the life of a respected pharmacist whose career has spanned the public and private health sectors in Nigeria and the United States,” Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, said in a statement.

The president commended Mr Arowolo’s service as the pioneer chairman of the National Drug Abuse Committee in Ondo State and former director of pharmaceutical services in the state.

Mr Tinubu lauded Mr Arowolo for his relentless fight against counterfeit drugs, his legacy of hard work, integrity and accountability in public service and for instilling these values in his children, including Olu Verheijen, the president’s special adviser on energy.

Mr Arowolo was recognised for pioneering efforts to integrate indigenous Nigerian medicine with Western practices, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for the average Nigerian.

Mr Tinubu described Mr Arowolo as an advocate for “education as a fundamental tool for poverty alleviation.”

He said the pharmacist’s unwavering commitment to civic duty and adherence to principled governance, rooted in his faith-based academic background, had earned him widespread admiration as a forthright and disciplined leader.

The president wished the octogenarian continued health, happiness, and fulfilment as he marked the significant milestone.

No fewer than 30 residents have been shot in a fresh communal clash between Ifon in Orolu local government and Ilobu in Irepodun council area of Osun State.

It was gathered many more, especially children and women, have been displaced in the ongoing land dispute.

Several houses and shops were also razed in the attack in the early hours of Friday.

It was learnt indigenes of the town communities have been attacking themselves in villages and disputed land in the area before the fresh clash on Friday.

In videos on social media, the residents of Ifon under the aegis of Concerned Youth of Ifon Osun, Orolu Kingdom stated: “We can’t keep looking and be watching Olobu & Ilobu people’s burning our shops and houses in the midnight any longer.

“We, the Youth of Ifon Osun Orolu Kingdom, call on the state Government of Osun to hasten their steps and actions to short things out , we have been patiently enduring the brutal attacks and destructive behavior of Ilobu hoodlums for far too long.

“Our peace-loving and law-abiding king, Oba Peter Oluwole Ipadeola Ilufemiloye Akinyooiye III, Olufon of Ifon Osun Orolu Kingdom, has been calming our youths and advising restraint, despite the ongoing aggression from Ilobu.

*However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to remain passive while our ancestral properties and farmlands are being destroyed and our people are being harmed.”

But the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola denied attacking residents of Ifon.

He alleged: “Since Tuesday, they have been attacking our people on their farmland like Agbere Onireke and Opapa. They attacked a chief with an attempt to kidnap him but he was rescued by farmers around.

“On Wednesday, they went to a farm at Gbere to attack on Nureni and Oseni Saluwudeen, burnt down two motorcycles which will reported at the police station in Ilobu.

“Yesterday, in the evening they went to a place called Oke-Ekutu, they destroyed all the houses and set one on fire. They went to Akipanroro, Ganga and Oke-Ayepe, they started burning and shooting our people. Mostly children and women were caught in this attack, they caught us unawares.

“Our children and women are displaced now, we are extracting bullets in the palace through local means, they have brought about 30 to palace for us to remove the bullets in their body, they are still bringing more. Children and women are mostly affected.”

Osun Police spokesperson , Akeem Adeoye, when contacted said: “We will get back to you soon.”

Dr. Aisha Achimugu’s Media Aide,. David Abakpa, has maintained that his Principal and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FELAK Concept Group is not under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Abakpa insisted that Dr. Achimugu OFR has no score to settle with the EFCC amid social media reactions in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.

The media aide said the EFCC is a reputable financial crime agency in Nigeria that would not toy with any serious matter on social media before investigating individuals or groups concerned.

He challenged the sponsored media campaigners to provide evidence of the purported investigation or warrant of arrest against his principal by the Commission while dismissing the media claim that Dr. Achimugu escaped EFCC arrest.

The statement reads in part: “It is petty that some mushroom media platforms known for clickbait are being used to propagate falsehood against patriotic Nigerian and global icon, Dr. Aisha Achimugu, who is earning and attracting a highly esteemed reputation for Nigeria and Nigerians internationally.

“The EFCC is known for its professionalism in handling financial crimes. EFCC doesn’t disclose information of arrest to newsmen until investigation is completed. So it is strange that masked EFCC officials under anonymity allegedly disclose to an online media platform of its plan to arrest a law abiding Nigerian.

“Let the media house publish the purported arrest warrant or the letter of invitation issued against Dr. Achimugu as claimed. Anybody on the EFCC watchlist cannot just fly out of the country without being arrested by security agents at the airport, in the first place.

“The media campaign is empty and the aim is defeated on arrival. Darkness cannot comprehend light just as falsehood cannot prevail over truth. Therefore, the sponsors of the fake news lack the coordination to dent the image of the award winning entrepreneur.

“OFR is not a child play national honour which Dr Aisha Achimugu has earned from the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She has given back to the economy in several ways through her legit businesses, hence, the recognition”.

“Dr. Aisha Achimugu is a hardworking businesswoman who is always tirelessly flying across the globe on business trips. It’s therefore laughable to say that she traveled out of the country to escape arrest”.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the tanker explosion that caused multiple accidents and fatalities in Karu, Abuja, on Wednesday night.

In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the president extended his condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in the incident.

Mr Tinubu also instructed that the injured be given priority treatment at various medical facilities in the capital city.

He directed security agencies, particularly those responsible for road safety, to pay closer attention to traffic around the entry and exit points of the city.

The president prayed for the souls of the departed and for God’s comfort and strength for the families affected by the tragedy.

The Oyo State Government has dropped all charges against Naomi Silekunola, a former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.

The trio had initially faced legal action following the tragic stampede at a children’s event in December 2024, which claimed the lives of at least 35 children.

Following Thursday’s court session, the defendants were seen visibly relieved, smiling, and exchanging pleasantries—a clear indication that the charges had been dismissed.

Oyo State Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, confirmed the development, explaining the rationale behind the court’s decision.

He said, “It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of many. And you see, in law, whenever death occurs and the circumstances are not natural, the law will take its course. So the state responded by filing charges against the persons implicated in the investigation.

“In the course of doing that, we actually wanted to prosecute but the affected persons showed empathy. They showed compassion. And as far as human beings can do, they try to persuade the feelings of the affected parties. And the circumstance, we felt, the essence of prosecution is not to kill people or persecute them.

“It is in the interest of justice to discontinue these charges, and that is what happened today. So we withdrew the charge and it was struck out by the court. There is no charge against them again, so they are free.”

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has assured corps members that the new monthly allowance of N77,000 will be implemented starting in March 2025.

The DG gave the assurance during an interactive session with corps members at the Wuse and Garki NYSC Zonal Offices in Abuja while reaffirming the commitment of both the NYSC and the Federal Government to the welfare of corps members.

The development comes months after the NYSC announced the proposed increament of the allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, in line with the new Minimum Wage of N70,000 approved by President Bola Tinubu in July of 2024, after a previous increase in 2019 to N33,000, also following a review of the Minimum Wage to N30,000.

In the statement signed by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the NYSC said the approval of N77,000 was contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated 25th September 2024 and signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, in line with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.

Brigadier-General Nafiu emphasized that the well-being of the corpers remained a top priority and urged them to remain calm, dedicated, focused, and disciplined in their service to the nation.

“With effect from March, you are going to receive the sum of Seventy-Seven Thousand Naira as your monthly allowance. NYSC is good at record-keeping, and I can assure you that your money will be paid. The nation and the Scheme appreciate you,” he stated.

He also commended the vision of the NYSC’s founding fathers, describing the scheme as an essential institution that fosters national unity by exposing graduates to diverse cultures across Nigeria. He assured corps members that NYSC management would continue to instil values such as patriotism, discipline, leadership, and teamwork in each new batch.

Corps Member Zaka Deborah Alheri, FC/24A/5831, speaking on behalf of her colleagues at the Garki Zone, expressed gratitude to the Director General for his commitment to ensuring the timely payment of their increased allowance.

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, refused to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to include additional proof of evidence against the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Hamza Muazu refused allowing the prosecution while delivering ruling in a motion filed by Emefiele through his legal team, led by Mathew Burkaa (SAN).

Emefiele, in the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/577/2023, is facing trial for alleged procurement fraud brought against him by the EFCC.

When the case was called, Justice Muazu stated he would proceed directly to deliver his ruling on the defendant’s application.

Emefiele had in an application, opposed the EFCC’s attempt to introduce fresh evidence more than 365 days after the charges against him were filed.

The EFCC filed the additional proof of evidence on October 15, 2024, seeking to bring two witnesses, Tommy John and Ifeanyi Omeke, whose extrajudicial statements were made in August 2024, concerning charges filed against the defendant in August 2023.

In his ruling, Justice Muazu noted that the EFCC had earlier, on February 12, 2024, filed additional proof of evidence to accommodate the testimonies of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and Bamayi Haruna Mairiga.

He highlighted that the charges against Emefiele were initially filed on August 14, 2023, and his plea was taken on November 16, 2023.

Justice Muazu held that the EFCC’s actions resembled a denial of fair trial because the defendant had not been confronted with the new evidence during the investigation, as required by law. He described the EFCC’s actions as “trial by ambush” and akin to “fishing for evidence” in a trial that commenced on November 28, 2023.

The judge ruled that allowing the additional proof of evidence after several amendments to the charges would prejudice the defendant, thereby breaching his right to a fair hearing.

He emphasized that, under the law, charges should be filed upon the completion of investigations and the establishment of a prima facie case. In this instance, he observed, the contrary was evident.

Justice Muazu, however, declined to strike out the charges entirely, as both parties had already joined issues, and the trial was nearing completion.

The judge maintained that justice would best be served if the trial were concluded on its merits and a final judgment delivered.

Additionally, Justice Muazu refused to expunge the evidence of Boss Mustapha and Bamayi Haruna Mairiga from court records, as requested by Emefiele.

The defendant had argued that the evidence violated Section 36(2) of the 1999 Constitution on fair hearing, citing that the witnesses’ statements were introduced long after the trial commenced without prior confrontation.

Justice Muazu fixed June 3 for the continuation of the trial.

A fallen container on the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway caused an intense traffic that left many commuters stranded on Thursday.

The incident resulted in a significant build-up of traffic on the outward Lagos stretch of the expressway.

Motorists and commuters were forced to endure long hours of traffic congestion, with some taking to social media to express their frustration.

Efforts are being made to evacuate the container and restore normal traffic flow.

Outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in Kebbi State has killed 56 persons in three Local Government Areas of the state, according to an official.

The Commissioner for Health, Yunusa Musa-Ismaila, represented by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shehu Nuhu-Koko, confirmed this during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.

The briefing was attended by representatives of development partners such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

The commissioner said, “The Public Health Department started receiving reports of people reporting with symptoms of fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and associated vomiting and dizziness which in some of the cases resulted in deaths. Following the receipt of these reports active surveillance commenced with samples taken and sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja to confirm the suspected outbreak of the disease. At the same time case management of those cases commenced at the General Hospitals in the Aliero, Jega and Gwandu affected LGAs.”

According to him, a total of 653 suspected cases are recorded to date; 17 samples so far have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for confirmation.

He explained that five sample results returned negative from NRL Abuja, while five samples were positive, adding that of the sample results, Aliero LGA accounted for three, Gwandu LGA one, while Jega LGA also accounted for one.

He said, “All the five positive cases of the patients were treated and discharged alive and seven samples result are pending from NRL Abuja, while 56 deaths (Gwandu 25, Jega 16, Aliero 14), have been recorded.’’

Mr Musa-Ismail noted that 3,000 doses of CSM vaccines were received from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and distributed across the three LGAs in communities with high burden of the reported cases.

He stated, “Aliero LGA 1,550 people have been vaccinated including the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology community in Aliero; Gwandu LGA 798 people have been vaccinated, and Jega LGA 450 people have been vaccinated.As soon as additional vaccines arrive, the vaccination will continue state wide.’’

Mr Musa-Ismail said that an advocacy visit to stakeholders was carried out across the state, in partnership with WHO, MSF, and UNICEF.

He added that the state government had released N30 million to purchase drugs and other consumables for the response activities to cushion the effect.

The commissioner also said that drugs had been distributed and other commodities to affected local government areas.

Mr Musa-Ismail added that isolation centres were set up in Gwandu, Jega and Aliero, while drugs and other consumables were also provided.

He called on the public to comply with health instructions and report any suspected case to the nearest health facility for necessary action.

A US Federal Judge on Tuesday suspended the Trump administration’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, citing the principle of equality and dealing a blow — if only temporary — to the US president’s agenda.

Referencing the US Declaration of Independence, which states that all humans are “created equal,” Judge Ana C. Reyes suspended President Donald Trump’s late January order that excluded transgender people from the armed forces.

That suspension, however, will be put on pause until March 21 to give the government time to file an emergency stay at a higher court, according to Reyes’ decision.

The order will nonetheless come as a blow to Trump’s administration, which has made it a priority to strip protections for minorities since he took office.

Trump’s January 27 executive order stated that “expressing a false ‘gender identity’ divergent from an individual’s sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service.”

Since taking office, he has also declared that the US government will only recognize two sexes — male and female — that “are not changeable.”

The number of transgender people in the US military is estimated at about 15,000 out of around two million.

Reyes’s order used unusually strong language in parts to criticize the order banning transgender Americans from serving in the military.

“The Military Ban is soaked in animus and dripping with pretext,” the judge wrote. “Its language is unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact.”

The judge said Trump “could have crafted a policy that balances the Nation’s need for a prepared military and Americans’ right to equal protection. They still can. The Military Ban, however, is not that policy.”

In February, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memo preventing transgender people from joining the military and halting gender transition treatment for others who are already in uniform.

The Pentagon has also said it would begin removing transgender troops from the military unless they obtain a waiver on a case-by-case basis, according to a February memo.

The US military lifted a ban on transgender troops in 2016, during Democrat Barack Obama’s second term as president — but policies have seesawed under his successors Trump, Joe Biden and now Trump again.

Transgender issues have roiled US politics in recent years, as states controlled by Democrats and Republicans have moved in opposite directions on policies ranging from medical treatment to what books on the topic are allowed in public or school libraries.

Tuesday’s order was in a case brought by a group of transgender people, either in the military or wishing to become so, to challenge Trump’s latest executive order.

Governor Abba Yusuf has awarded 18 Hajj seats, 18 certificates of occupancy, and N12 million to the 39th National Qur’anic Recitation Competition winners.

This is confirmed in a statement by his spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa, on Tuesday.

The governor reaffirmed his commitment to promoting Islamic learning and rewarding excellence among Qur’anic scholars.

The top winners, Buhari Sunusi Idris and Fatima Abubakar Lawan, were granted full scholarships to Al-Azhar University in Egypt.

Mr Idris, the overall winner, received N2 million, a Hajj seat, and a plot of land.

Ms Lawan and the second and third runners-up received N1 million, a Hajj seat, and a plot of land each.

Participants from the Al-Yatama Orphanage Foundation, representing Kano at the competition in Kebbi, received N500,000 and N200,000 based on rankings, plus Hajj seats.

Mr Yusuf rewarded their teachers and mentors with Hajj seats and plots of land for their dedication and support.

He pledged to support religious education further, encourage young talent, and uphold Kano’s leadership in Qur’anic scholarship.

Speaking on behalf of the Emir of Kano, Aliyu Harazumi Umar thanked the governor for supporting Kano’s successful participation.

Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has launched the distribution of 80,000 10kg bags of rice to the vulnerable in Lagos State.

President of Dangote Group and Chairman of the foundation, Aliko Dangote, represented by the Executive Director in the group, Hajiya, Marya Dangote, said the gesture was part of the over one million 10kg bags of rice that would be distributed to reach one million vulnerable people in the 774 local governments in the country.

Speaking at the launch in Alausa, Ikeja, Dangote said the distribution of the 80,000 bags of 10kg rice was another demonstration of the foundation’s commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity that were at the core of humanity

Noting that the distribution of the rice was in addition to the daily distribution of thousands of loaves of bread in Lagos, Dangote said with the initiative, the foundation aspired to ameliorate some of the burdens faced by vulnerable communities across Lagos State.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, lauded the initiatives of Dangote to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.

He praised him for showing compassion to the needy in the society.

Dr Hamzat, who received the ADF delegate led by its Trustee, Hajiya Marya Aliko Dangote and Managing Director of the Foundation, Mrs Zouera Youssoufou, expressed gratitude for the consistency of the foundation in spreading love and charity among Lagosians, which he described as one of the importance of Ramadan and Lent.

Sanwo-Olu said the gesture showed that the leadership of the foundation prioritised the welfare of the people beyond the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth.