News & Politics

An Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court yesterday sentenced four men to 14 years imprisonment for armed robbery. The convicts included a set of twins, Taiwo and Kehinde Ojomo, both 34 years old, and a security guard.Other defendants included a 34-year-old rewire Emmanuel Bamidele a.k.a. DPO) and a 27-year-old cobbler, Peter Samuel a.k.a. Mogaji. Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe convicted and sentenced the defendants after they pleaded guilty to a two- count charge plea bargain agreement bordering on conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery contrary to Section 298(1) of the Criminal Law, Ch .c17, vol 3, laws of Lagos State 2015.The prosecution, J.A. Ogunode told the court that the defendants on June 5, 2020, entered into a blue-coloured 2005 Siena vehicle with registration number LSR 771 GG, owned and driven by one Sadiq Abiodun Ezekiel under the pretence that […]

The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has summoned the Awujale kingmakers of Ijebu-Ode to the Command Headquarters in Eleweran for questioning, beginning from Monday.There are nine Awujale kingmakers in Ijebu-Ode, including the Regent of Ijebuland; the Ogbeni Oja, Chief Sunny Kuku; Chief Adebisi Adaran; Chief Abimbola Okenla and Balogun Agboola Alausa. Kuku, a physician and co-founder of the renowned Eko Hospital, Ikeja, is both the head of the Awujale kingmakers and Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Committee.Three of the kingmakers are currently out of the country, it was learnt, while the remaining six are in Nigeria. Of these, four have been served letters of invitation by the police command in the state, Ayemafuge gathered on Friday evening.One of the letters sighted by our correspondent, addressed to one of the kingmakers, was dated April 17, 2026, but […]

The struggle for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket is tearing supporters of major aspirants apart ahead of the primary.This is notwithstanding the multiple leadership challenges facing the opposition party. At the moment, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not recognise any of the three camps laying claim to the party’s leadership.This followed a Court of Appeal order in a suit challenging the recognition of David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and others as officials of the National Working Committee (NWC).Many state chapters remain polarised and unable to hold congresses. Yet, the party on Tuesday held its convention in Abuja without INEC monitoring, a move widely considered risky. Our correspondent understands that there is a widening gulf among the camps of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Kwankwasiyya Movement leader, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, all […]

At least nine people lost their lives and several others sustained injuries following an attack by armed bandits on Sunday in Edikwu-Ankpali, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State. The Chairman of Apa Local Government Area, Adams Ogwola, confirmed the incident to our correspondent yesterday.According to Ogwola, one person was killed at Ikobi, while another died at Adija.However, a source added that the attacks occurred on Friday and Sunday, resulting in 13 fatalities. The source further indicated that three people were killed on Friday, and 10 more on Sunday. It was gathered that youths were in the bush retrieving more bodies, and that a police officer was among those killed in Upu Otukpo Local Government Area on Saturday. Meanwhile, Pastor Ojotu Ojema, the member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has condemned the attack, of the describing […]

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has come down hard on former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose over his recent comments alleging a plot to remove the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.Fayose had in a post on his X handle claimed that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was planning to depose the Olubadan, a statement that has triggered reactions from stakeholders in Oyo State.Reacting to the allegation, the CCII described the former governor’s remarks as unfounded, provocative and capable of inciting unrest in Ibadanland. In a statement issued yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Kola Olomide, the council said Fayose’s comments were not only misleading, but also a dangerous attempt to politicise traditional institutions.The statement quoted the CCII President-General, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, as expressing concern about what he termed reckless interference in Ibadan affairs.Ajewole warned that Fayose’s remarks could […]

Nigeria got a pat on the back yesterday from the United States for accelerating the prosecution of terrorism-related cases. The commendation followed the conviction of 386 suspects in recent mass trials.In a statement published via X on Sunday, Massad Boulos, the US senior advisor for Arab and African Affairs, said Washington welcomed the development, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening accountability and justice. The post reads: “The United States commends the Nigerian government for its strong commitment to expediting trials addressing terrorism and related crimes. We welcome the convictions of 386 Islamist militants in cases that had previously faced significant delays in the courts,” the statement reads.“We believe that timely and transparent legal processes are critical in confronting extremism and reinforcing public trust in judicial institutions. Upholding the rule of law remains essential to ensuring the safety, stability, […]

The man who sparked a diplomatic storm over an alleged coronation as Igbo king in the Eastern Cape, South Africa has publicly apologised, insisting he was never crowned. Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, who sparked outrage after the March 14 event in KuGompo, said the entire situation was misunderstood.“I was never coronated as a king. I am not a king and would not purport to be one,” Eziko said in an official statement released yesterday. His apology comes after a violent protest erupted in kuGompo last Monday, with angry traditional leaders and residents accusing foreign nationals of undermining South Africa’s sovereignty and traditional systems.The protest came after videos and images shared online, in which members of the Nigerian community said they had crowned Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as the Igwe Ndigbo in East Cape. Demonstrations over the alleged coronation turned violent, with […]

In the dusty compounds of Mashegu Local Government Area, where extended families live under one roof and children are often left in the care of grandparents, 14-year-old Hadiza’s childhood ended long before she understood what it meant to be a child.She has lived in her maternal grandfather’s household since she was two. The man she calls “grandpa”, 75-year-old Malam Musa Gado, is not just the patriarch of a sprawling family of four wives and roughly 40 grandchildren, he is also the man who arranged the marriage of her mother. For more than a decade, Hadiza’s world was bounded by his compound walls. But that world collapsed during the holy month of Ramadan last year. In a low, trembling voice captured in an interview that has now circulated on Crusaders Radio in Minna, Hadiza recalled how Malam Musa began to isolate […]

A total of 386 suspects who were tried for terrorism related offences were convicted during a four-day special court sitting of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Our correspondent in Abuja understands that they were among the 598 defendants brought before the court by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.Speaking at the conclusion of the sitting yesterday, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) expressed delight about the outcome of the exercise.He said: “In total, we brought about 508 cases. Out of these 508 we were able to secure 386 convictions. Eight discharges, two acquittals and 112 adjourned to the next session or phase. “Don’t forget that this is the ninth phase. The 10th phase will come up between the 15th and the 18th of June by God’s special grace.“The […]

The President mourned soldiers of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Operation HADIN KAI, killed during a terrorist attack on their base in Benisheikh, Borno State. He described them as “unforgettable heroes” whose sacrifices will not be in vain.A statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, which was available to Ayemafuge said the President urged Nigerians and the media to support the Armed Forces in ongoing operations against insurgency and banditry. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that the terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the brigade headquarters around 12:30am yesterday but were repelled by troops after a fierce exchange.President Tinubu commiserated with the military leadership, families of the fallen troops, as well as the government and people of Borno State, praising the soldiers for their courage in preventing the attackers from overrunning nearby communities.He said sustained land […]