In a dramatic turn at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), opted to represent himself after his lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kanu Agabi, formally withdrew from the case. Following Agabi’s exit, all other Senior Advocates on Kanu’s legal team also stepped down, leaving the IPOB leader to navigate the high-stakes trial alone. Addressing the court, Kanu confirmed his decision to take personal control of his defense, stating he would represent himself “for now,” while leaving open the possibility of future legal assistance. When…
Author: National Update
Human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday arrested by armed police at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The detention came shortly after he attended a court session to show solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who remains in custody. Eyewitnesses said Sowore was surrounded by security operatives as he exited the courtroom. Officers insisted he accompany them to the FCT Police Command for questioning, citing orders from the Commissioner of Police. Sowore requested to see a formal invitation and insisted on having his lawyer present but was eventually…
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), officially ushering in a new era for Nigeria’s electoral body. The ceremony took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ahead of an expanded meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC). Addressing the new INEC boss, President Tinubu emphasized the need to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and strengthen the Commission’s institutional capacity to deliver free, fair, and credible elections. Amupitan’s appointment came after a unanimous endorsement by the National Council of State and…
By Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko Pope Leo XIV at his inauguration greeted the faithful and the world invoking peace and pledging to work for a united Church faithful to Jesus and to the Gospel. Pope Leo XIV greeted the city of Rome and the world with these words at his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the Central Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica: Dear brothers and sisters, these are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for God’s flock. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your…
By Abel Daniel Lafia, Lafia, Nasarawa State The Ziva Community Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, has urged policymakers to implement reforms, gender-sensitive investments, and innovations to unlock women’s full potential in Nigeria’s lithium and energy transition value chain. Mr. Samuel Pam, Team Lead of Ziva Community Initiative, made the call during a one-day Private-Public Sector Roundtable Dialogue on the Global Lithium Battery Value Chain held in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The dialogue, themed “Advancing Gender-Sensitive Renewable Energy: Expanding Women’s Participation, Adoption, and Leadership Across the Energy Value Chain in Nasarawa State”, highlighted opportunities for women in the evolving energy sector. Pam noted…
The Labour Party (LP) leadership crisis took a fresh twist on Thursday as rival factions exchanged accusations over the recognition of Mr. Julius Abure as National Chairman by the Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu. In a statement issued in Abuja, the faction loyal to Senator Nenadi Usman accused Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu of “criminal collusion” with Abure, alleging that she relied on a forged court order to validate his leadership. The group’s spokesperson, Ken Eluma Asogwa, said the INEC Acting Chair ignored the Supreme Court’s April 4, 2025 ruling, which, according to them, affirmed Senator…
LTrailer Crushes Kogi Varsity Lecturer in Felele, Lokoj What began as an ordinary midweek commute for Mrs. Kemi Emmanuel, a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), ended in tragedy on Wednesday — another reminder of the peril that stalks the ever-busy Lokoja highways. Eyewitnesses say the scholar was riding on a commercial motorcycle when she reportedly lost balance and fell onto the road at the Crusher junction in Felele, only to be crushed by a speeding trailer. The Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Tenimu Etuku, confirmed…
***Attack heightens security fears ahead of 2027 election Tension has gripped parts of Kogi State following the abduction of three female officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by gunmen along the Aloma axis of Ofu Local Government Area. The victims — Chinenye Orji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee — were reportedly attacked on Tuesday while travelling to Awka, Anambra State, for official assignment ahead of the November 8 governorship election. Eyewitnesses said the assailants opened fire on their vehicle in an attempt to force it to stop. Though the windscreen was shattered by bullets, no one was hit.…
****Move seen as critical step to replace dwindling donor aid and rescue overstretched frontline services Nigeria’s Senate has taken a bold step toward reshaping the future of public health financing by advancing a bill that would double the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from 1 to 2 percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) — a move many see as long overdue in the face of dwindling donor aid and rising domestic health costs. The amendment to the National Health Act (2014), sponsored by Senator Ipalibo Harry, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, received strong bipartisan support when…
***Call for Urgent Action on Road Safety The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion that claimed at least 38 lives in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, describing it as a painful reminder of Nigeria’s recurring failures in transport safety and emergency response. The fatal incident occurred earlier in the week when a fuel-laden tanker reportedly lost control near a crowded market and exploded, engulfing homes, shops, and vehicles in flames. The fire left behind a trail of destruction, with survivors recounting scenes of chaos as families searched frantically for loved ones…