Nelson Ugwuagbo

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has given the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, until November 5 to open his defence in the terrorism case filed against him by the Federal Government or risk forfeiting his right to do so.

The judge advised Kanu to consult legal practitioners experienced in criminal law to assist with his defence or formally appoint a lawyer to represent him.

Justice Omotosho’s directive followed Kanu’s repeated refusal to enter a defence, insisting that there was no valid charge before the court.

Appearing in court on Tuesday to represent himself, Kanu maintained that he would not return to detention unless the charges against him were properly presented. He described his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) as “illegal and unlawful,” arguing that he had violated no known law.

Kanu further accused the court of disobeying the Supreme Court’s ruling, which he claimed condemned his extraordinary rendition from Kenya, and demanded his immediate release.

President Bola Tinubu has described the defection of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a testament to progress, peace, and unity.

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the official event, President Tinubu commended Governor Diri for his leadership style and commitment to the development of Bayelsa State.

“The All Progressives Congress is a party for those who believe that progress can only be guaranteed when we stand together,” Tinubu said.

He praised Diri for prioritising the welfare of his people above partisan interests, adding that true politics is rooted in service and development.

“Governor Douye Diri, your story mirrors that of your people. Politics is about development, not noise or opposition. We are mightily proud of you. You have made the right decision,” the President stated.

Tinubu further lauded Diri’s efforts in fostering peace and unity through infrastructural growth, describing his defection as a “homecoming to the progressive family.”

The entire Enugu State caucus in the House of Representatives has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection was announced on Thursday during plenary by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who read the lawmakers’ letters of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP).

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, was present in the chamber to witness the development.

The lawmakers attributed their decision to what they described as persistent internal crises within their former parties, which they said had threatened the stability and effectiveness of the opposition.

Following the 2023 general elections, the Labour Party had secured seven out of the eight House of Representatives seats in Enugu State, while the PDP won one. The latest defection means the APC now controls the entire Enugu caucus in the Green Chamber.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, who represents Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, said their move was driven by the desire to align with the “project-oriented administration” of Governor Mbah and to ensure greater collaboration for the state’s development.

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the dismissal of all charges against him and his immediate release.

In the motion dated October 30, 2025, and titled “Motion on Notice and Written Address in Support,” Kanu argued that there is no valid or subsisting charge against him under any existing Nigerian law.

He described the charges currently pending before the court as “a nullity ab initio for want of any extant legal foundation.”

Acting as his own counsel, the IPOB leader filed the motion pursuant to Sections 1(3), 6(6)(b), and 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Evidence Act 2011, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

Kanu contended that the Federal Government’s case relied on repealed and non-existent laws, including the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), which was replaced by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, which was repealed by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

According to him, prosecuting him under repealed laws contravenes Section 36(12) of the Constitution, which forbids trying any person for an offence not defined under an existing law.

Kanu therefore urged the court to strike out the charges in their entirety, insisting that they disclose no known offence in law.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the deployment of 42,000 police personnel for the Anambra governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025.

Egbetokun made this known on Tuesday during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters in Abuja.

Represented by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Intervention Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, the IGP said the deployment was aimed at ensuring adequate security before, during, and after the polls.

He explained that pre-election deployments would commence on November 1, with tactical units conducting clearance operations to identify and neutralize threats, as well as apprehend potential troublemakers.

Egbetokun also clarified that only security agencies officially represented in the ICCES—such as the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the military—would participate in election duties.

The United States government under President Donald Trump has reportedly revoked the visa of Nobel Laureate and renowned playwright, Professor Wole Soyinka.

Soyinka made the revelation on Tuesday during a press briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, where he addressed journalists on the matter.

Expressing surprise over the development, the literary icon said he was unaware of any wrongdoing that could have prompted the U.S. authorities to take such action.

“It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time,” Soyinka stated.

He further disclosed that he had received a formal notification of the visa withdrawal from the U.S. Consulate, effectively preventing him from travelling to the country.

“I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” he said.

According to Soyinka, the letter from the consulate did not specify any reason for the revocation. He, however, hinted that the move could be politically motivated.

“I’m still looking into my past history. I don’t have any past criminal record or even a felony or misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation,” he added.