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Nelson Ugwuagbo

Nnamdi Kanu
Headlines

JUST IN: Court Sentences Nnamdi Kanu To Life Imprisonment

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment on counts one, two, four, five and six, opting against the death penalty sought by the Federal Government.

On count three, the court handed Kanu a 20-year jail term, while he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on count seven.

Justice Omotosho ordered that all the sentences run concurrently, meaning Kanu will serve a life term in prison.

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Nnamdi Kanu
Headlines

FG Seeks Death Sentence For IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government has asked the court to impose the death penalty on the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, following his conviction on terrorism charges.

Counsel to the government, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), told the court that the provisions of the law under which Kanu was tried and found guilty prescribe a death sentence without the option of a lesser punishment.

Addressing the court after the conviction was pronounced, Awomolo argued that the judge had no discretion in the matter and must impose the maximum penalty as mandated by law.

He further submitted that Kanu showed no remorse throughout the trial for the offences committed against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but instead maintained what he described as a militant, arrogant and unruly disposition.

The senior lawyer also urged the court to order the forfeiture of all properties seized from Kanu to the Federal Government.

Awomolo additionally prayed the court to commit Kanu to prison custody, where his safety would be guaranteed, pending the execution of the sentence.

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Nnamdi Kanu
Headlines

Terrorism Case: Nnamdi Kanu Faces Final Verdict Today

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, is expected to know his fate today as the Federal High Court in Abuja delivers a crucial ruling in his long-running legal battle with the Federal Government.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is expected to rule on a raft of applications filed by both Kanu and the Federal Government. Among them is a motion by the IPOB leader challenging the competence of the terrorism charges against him and seeking his release on the grounds of alleged unlawful detention and violation of his fundamental rights.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021, following his controversial interception and return to Nigeria from Kenya, which his lawyers describe as an “extraordinary rendition”.

He is standing trial on seven terrorism-related counts, including alleged incitement, running an unlawful organisation and actions said to threaten national security—allegations he has consistently denied.

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George Akume
Headlines

FG Blames USA, Trump Over Recent Terror Attacks in Nigeria

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The SGF to the Federal Government (FG), George Akume on Wednesday blamed renewed terror attacks in parts of the country, including the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and an assault on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, on recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said Trump’s comments alleging “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and threatening to deploy US troops had “inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups” now targeting soft spots to gain attention.

“Recent pronouncements from the United States have inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups seeking to exploit international narratives and make bold statements by attacking soft targets,” Akume said on Wednesday.

Speaking on the evolution of violent extremism, banditry and the broader security situation, the SGF insisted that insurgent networks had been substantially weakened before the latest wave of attacks.

“Before these statements, insurgency structures had been significantly degraded and reduced to isolated banditry. This resurgence underscores the vital need for collaboration, not public labelling, between Nigeria and the United States,” he added.

Trump, in a series of posts on X between October 30 and November 1, 2025, had described Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over what he called a “Christian genocide.”

The US President further warned that he might deploy American forces to Nigeria if the alleged killings of Christians continued, saying he had directed what he termed the “Department of War” to prepare for “possible action” should the violence persist.

Akume maintained that some violent groups were now attempting to leverage those remarks to gain visibility.

“Some groups are trying to take advantage of these pronouncements to project themselves and attract global attention,” he noted.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s stance, the SGF stressed that Nigeria does not require foreign troops on its soil, insisting that the Nigerian Armed Forces have reclaimed territories and significantly degraded Boko Haram and ISWAP capabilities.

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Fejiro
Headlines

Journalist Fejiro Oliver Regains Freedom After 61 Days in Detention

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

After spending 61 days in police and prison custody, Nigerian investigative journalist and publisher of Secret Reporters, Fejiro Oliver, has been released.

His freedom was confirmed on Tuesday by his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who said Oliver was freed on Tuesday morning.

Oliver had been in detention since September 18, 2025, over publications allegedly critical of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas, Senator Ede Dafinone, and Stella Okotete.

Despite his release, Oliver still faces multiple criminal and civil cases.

According to Effiong, the Inspector General of Police has filed two cybercrime charges against Oliver at the Federal High Court in Asaba, while the Attorney General of Delta State has also instituted two separate defamation cases at the Magistrate’s Court in Asaba. All the cases are still pending

Recall that on October 28, 2025, newsmen reported that an Asaba Magistrates’ Court granted Oliver bail in the two defamation cases filed by the Delta State government.

The charges, marked CMA/529C/2025 and CMA/530C/2025, were filed by the state’s Attorney General. They accused Oliver of defaming Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas, who represents Delta South Senatorial District, and Stella Okotete, an Executive Director at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank.

In one of the charges, Oliver was alleged to have described Senator Onowakpo as a “blockhead senator” and “politically useless.”
In the other, he was accused of publishing defamatory material against Okotete, whose ministerial nomination by President Bola Tinubu had earlier been rejected by the Senate.

Two different Magistrates presiding over the matters granted Oliver bail under stringent conditions.

Each court ordered him to produce a surety with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and to deposit his international passport.

One of the Magistrates further directed that a second surety must be a close relative of Oliver.

At the Tuesday proceedings, Austin Nyekigbe, Esq., from a defence team led by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, appeared for Oliver, while the state was represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions, A. O. Orhorhoro, Esq., alongside T. R. Anuhwin, Esq.

Effiong explained the bail terms, saying both Magistrates insisted on a surety with landed property and the surrender of Oliver’s passport, with one adding the extra requirement of a close relative as second surety.

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Bandits Abudctions
Headlines

Nigerians Laments As Mass Abductions Spread Nationwide

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Nigeria is witnessing a worrying resurgence of mass abductions, with at least 145 people kidnapped in Kebbi, Niger and Zamfara states in the past four days alone.

The spike in kidnappings is reviving political and security concerns as the country edges towards the 2027 general elections. Similar patterns were recorded in the build-up to the 2023 polls, when abductions surged across several states. A report by The PUNCH showed that between January and March 2023, no fewer than 792 people were abducted nationwide, many in attacks linked to bandits and criminal gangs, particularly in the northern region.

The latest wave of attacks has again placed schools and rural communities under siege.

In the early hours of Monday, gunmen stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, abducting 25 female students. A staff member was killed in the operation, while a school guard sustained injuries.

The school raid followed deadly attacks in Niger and Zamfara states over the weekend.

On Saturday, bandits launched coordinated assaults on communities in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing at least 16 vigilante members and kidnapping 42 residents.

That same day, Fegin Baza village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State came under attack. Three people were killed and at least 64 residents abducted.

On Sunday, bandits carried out yet another raid on Tsohuwar Tasha village in the Ruwan Doruwa Ward of Maru Local Government Area, also in Zamfara State, abducting 14 people, including 11 women and three children.

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Headlines

Former Anambra Governor, Obiano is Dead

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has reportedly died in London, United Kingdom.

Although, his death has yet to be confirmed officially as of filing this report, Sahara Reporters claimed that the ex-governor passed away after suffering “severe heart failure and complications related to urinary cancer.”

A senior family source confirmed the development, describing his death as sudden despite months of deteriorating health.

“His health had been declining in the past months, but the final collapse came suddenly. We are devastated,” the family source told Sahara Reporters.

Medical personnel at the hospital where he was admitted also confirmed that Obiano was in intensive care before his condition worsened.

“He fought till the very last moment,” a hospital official disclosed.

LEADING REPORTERS learnt that Obiano, until his alleged death, was standing trial over an alleged N4 billion money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Born on August 8, 1955, Obiano served as governor of Anambra State from 2014 to 2022, succeeding Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

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Ezra Olubi
Headlines

Paystack Co-founder Ezra Oluobi Deactivates Twitter After Disturbing Tweets Surface

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Ezra Olubi, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Paystack, has deactivated his X (formerly Twitter) account following intense public backlash over a series of disturbing tweets from 2009 to 2017 that recently resurfaced online.

The controversy began on November 12 when Max Obae, a US-based entrepreneur, hosted an X Spaces session in which she detailed allegations of emotional abuse, manipulation, and misogyny by an unnamed former partner—widely identified by online users as Olubi.

Obae described a polyamorous relationship that started when she was 19 and claimed the individual used a burner account to harass her after their breakup.Within hours, archived screenshots of Olubi’s old posts under the handle @0x began circulating widely.

The tweets contained graphic jokes about bestiality, pedophilia, knowingly transmitting HIV, and explicit sexual comments about colleagues. One 2010 post read: “On a lighter note, I hear sex with a minor cures HIV.

So my +ve followers, help yourselves.” Another from 2012 referenced sexual acts with cats.T

he revelations triggered immediate outrage across Nigerian social media, with #EzraOlubi trending and over 180,000 posts recorded within 24 hours.

Critics, including fintech CEO Hanu Fejiro Agbodje, called for Olubi’s arrest and investigation, labeling him a “pedophile and misogynist.”

An online petition demanding the revocation of his 2022 Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honor has gained thousands of signatures.

Paystack responded swiftly, announcing Olubi’s suspension from all duties pending a formal internal investigation. “Effective immediately, Ezra has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities,” the company said in a statement to TechCabal. “We will not be commenting further until the investigation is complete.”

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Super Eagles
Sports

Super Eagles To Battle Gabon in Crucial World Cup Playoff

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on the Panthers of Gabon on Thursday, November 13, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco, in a decisive CAF playoff encounter for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup inter-confederation playoff.

Nigeria secured their playoff berth as one of the top runners-up in the African qualifiers, following a commanding 4–0 victory over the Benin Republic, highlighted by a spectacular hat-trick from Victor Osimhen.

Gabon also earned their spot after finishing second in Group F behind the Ivory Coast, capping off a strong qualifying campaign.

The winner of the Nigeria–Gabon clash will advance to face either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 16, with the victor of that tie progressing to the inter-continental playoff for a potential place at the 2026 World Cup.

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Fuel Nigeria
Headlines

FG Suspends 15% Import Duty on Petrol, Diesel

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government has suspended the planned implementation of a 15 per cent import duty on premium motor spirit (PMS) and automotive gas oil (diesel).

This was announced on Thursday by the spokesperson of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), George Ene-Ita, in a statement.

Ene-Ita assured Nigerians that there is sufficient supply of petroleum products across the country and urged citizens to avoid panic buying or hoarding.

“It should also be noted that the implementation of the 15 percent ad valorem import duty on imported petrol motor spirit and diesel is no longer in view,” the statement read in part.

The NMDPRA said there is a robust domestic supply of petroleum products—including petrol, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas—sourced from both local refineries and importation to ensure timely replenishment of stocks at depots and retail outlets.

The Authority also warned marketers against hoarding or arbitrary price hikes, adding that it would continue to monitor the market to maintain stability during the current peak demand period.

“While appreciating the continued efforts of all stakeholders in the midstream and downstream value chain in ensuring smooth and uninterrupted supply and distribution, the public is hereby assured of NMDPRA’s commitment to guarantee energy security,” the statement added.

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