Human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore was re-arrested by the Nigeria Police Force on Friday, shortly after securing bail from a Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja—a move that has reignited the debate over civil liberties in Nigeria. Sowore, alongside 13 others including Prince Emmanuel Kanu, brother of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, had been granted bail for charges tied to the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest. Despite meeting all court conditions, eyewitnesses said police officers forcibly removed him from the court premises and transferred him to Kuje Correctional Centre without presenting a fresh remand order. Authorities claim Sowore faces a…
Author: National Update
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned the arrest and detention of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, describing the action as an attack on democracy and a sign of Nigeria’s regression into dictatorship. In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, Frank said Sowore’s arrest by the police was “unlawful, unjustifiable, and a dangerous affront to the constitutional rights of citizens.” “We strongly condemn this reckless act as an assault on democracy, freedom of speech, and the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.…
Nigeria’s new electoral umpire, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), has indicated that his appointment as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not by accident but a divine call to service — one he intends to fulfil by safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s elections. Speaking on Thursday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, shortly after being sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the law professor struck a tone of humility and conviction. “I am here for a purpose. If I had a choice, perhaps I wouldn’t have come. But God is moving this country, and my coming…
HURIWA Urges Judiciary to Resist Political Manipulation, Endorses Turaki as PDP ChairmanThe Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the consensus candidate for the National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing him as a patriotic statesman whose integrity, experience, and loyalty position him to lead the party toward unity and national relevance. Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko National Coordinator, HURIWA on Thursday, hailed Turaki’s emergence as a beacon of hope for the PDP, which is striving to rebuild itself as a credible democratic alternative. The rights group noted…
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…
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…