Headlines

A military airstrike targeting bandits mistakenly killed six people in Yauni Community, Zakka Ward, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Security sources confirmed to Channels Television on Monday that the victims, all from the same family, included three children, a man, and two women.

The incident occurred following Saturday’s local government elections, after security operatives attempted to prevent a planned bandit attack on voters in Zakka village.

Eyewitnesses reported that security forces, including the police and members of the State Community Watch Corps (CWC), engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle. Two police officers and a CWC operative were killed on the spot, while another officer later succumbed to injuries.

Following the clash, a military fighter jet was deployed for reinforcement but mistakenly dropped a bomb on Yauni Community, located in the southern part of Zakka village.

“As a result of this, we lost our men in the gun battle. Another woman was also left injured,” an eyewitness said.

Military and government authorities have yet to comment on the incident.

Similar incidents have occurred in the past. In July 2022, a military airstrike mistakenly killed at least two people in Kunkunni village, also in Safana LGA. Earlier in the year, an airstrike in Zamfara State mistakenly killed 16 people, including members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), local vigilantes, and residents.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has released the results of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates, second series.

The examination, conducted between October 25 and December 20, 2024, introduced a new computer-based hybrid mode alongside the traditional paper-and-pen option.

In a statement on Sunday, WAEC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola F. Adesina, disclosed that 65,023 candidates sat for the examination across 5,067 centres nationwide, representing a 20% decline from the previous year.

According to WAEC, 95.9% of the results have been fully processed and released, enabling most candidates to access their scores without delay.

A performance analysis showed that 53.64% of candidates obtained five credits, including English and Mathematics, reflecting a 9.35% increase from the 2023 results.

However, WAEC withheld the results of 2,577 candidates (3.96%) over alleged examination malpractice. Affected candidates have been advised to visit the council’s official portal to address their cases.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted an application by former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to amend her suit challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) final forfeiture order on her seized assets.

Justice Inyang Ekwo approved the request after Diezani’s lawyer, Godwin Inyinbor, moved the motion, which EFCC counsel Divine Oguru did not oppose.

During the proceedings, Inyinbor informed the court that the motion to amend the originating process had been filed and duly served on the defendant.

Granting the application, Justice Ekwo directed the former minister to file and serve the amended processes within five days, while the EFCC was given 14 days to respond. The case was adjourned to March 17 for further mention.

Alison-Madueke, through her lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is challenging the public sale of her forfeited properties. She contends that the forfeiture orders were issued without jurisdiction and violated her right to a fair hearing, as guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

The court had initially scheduled November 21, 2024, to hear the motion before granting the amendment request on Monday.

The former minister argues that she was never served with a charge sheet, proof of evidence, or any summons regarding the criminal charges against her. She further claims that the courts were misled into granting the forfeiture orders due to the suppression or non-disclosure of key information.

“The applications that led to the final forfeiture orders were based on serious misstatements, misrepresentations, and concealment of material facts,” she stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the EFCC had secured multiple forfeiture orders against Alison-Madueke’s assets, which were subsequently auctioned by the federal government.

Tensions ran high at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday following the alleged illegal removal of Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) took control of the assembly complex, preventing newly appointed Speaker Mojisola Meranda from accessing her office for over an hour.

In a show of solidarity, lawmakers and assembly staff gathered in protest before forcefully entering the chamber.

Watch the ensuing video below.

A legal battle has erupted over the Alaafin of Oyo throne as Prince Lukman Gbadegesin has filed a lawsuit challenging the appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin.

Gbadegesin, a contender for the revered stool, submitted his suit at the Oyo State High Court on February 12, 2025, seeking to annul Owoade’s appointment, which he claims violates the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

Through his counsel, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN), Gbadegesin is also requesting an injunction to prevent Owoade from assuming the throne or performing any royal duties.

The lawsuit names Governor Seyi Makinde, the Attorney General of Oyo State, and 11 others as defendants, with a 30-day window to respond.

In his legal filing, Gbadegesin argues that Governor Makinde’s approval of Owoade’s selection within five days was “unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null, and void.” He asserts that the Oyomesi, the traditional kingmakers, had already chosen him as the rightful heir before the governor’s decision.

“The selection of the fourth defendant as the Alaafin of Oyo was carried out to the exclusion of rightful kingmakers who were neither suspended nor removed,” Gbadegesin stated.

He is asking the court to recognize his nomination as valid and affirm that the kingmakers’ selection process should be upheld. Additionally, he seeks an order compelling the governor to approve his appointment as Alaafin, as recommended by the Oyomesi and the Agunloye Ruling House.

Gbadegesin is also requesting an injunction to bar the recognition of Owoade as Alaafin and halt any financial benefits or stipends attached to the office.

The legal action follows a pre-action notice from his legal team to the governor, highlighting alleged violations of the state’s chieftaincy laws.

Despite the ongoing dispute, the Oyo State Government has moved forward with preparations for Owoade’s coronation, with a committee already convening.

Governor Makinde formally announced Owoade’s appointment on January 13, 2024, and presented him with the staff of office. The move ended a two-year vacancy following the passing of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III in 2022.

During the ceremony, Governor Makinde warned that any individuals found guilty of accepting bribes during the selection process would face legal consequences.

The Oyomesi, led by High Chief Yusuf Akínade, Bashorun of Oyo, and other traditional chiefs, have expressed dissatisfaction with the selection process. In a letter dated January 14, 2025, addressed to the governor and signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), they raised concerns about statements undermining their integrity.

The court is expected to hear the case in the coming weeks as the tussle over the Alaafin stool intensifies.