Category:

Headlines

Sowore Omoyele
Headlines

Police Re-Arrests, Assaults Sowore Despite Court Bail

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Omoyele Sowore has reportedly been re-arrested on Thursday outside the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja, moments after being granted bail along with 13 others.

According to eyewitness accounts cited by Politics Nigeria, police officers dragged Sowore into a waiting vehicle shortly after Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id approved bail for the group, who had been detained during the recent #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in the capital.

As members of the defence team worked to perfect the bail conditions, officers led by the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), CSP Ilyasu Barau—Officer in Charge of Anti-Vice under the FCT Command’s DC-CID—allegedly confronted Sowore, punched him, and forced him into a police van.

Witnesses said Sowore resisted when officers attempted to take him away without offering any explanation.

“The IPO punched him, dragged him on the ground, and forced him into the van. They really manhandled him,” one eyewitness claimed.

Another source alleged that police refused to show any remand order despite insisting they possessed one.

“When we asked to see the remand order they claimed to have obtained, the officer refused to show any document,” the source said. “The police took Sowore away to Kuje Prison despite his bail, citing a secret remand order.”

Those granted bail alongside Sowore include Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu; Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu; and 11 other protesters.

As of press time, police had not issued an official statement regarding the incident.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: Court grants Sowore, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, 11 others #6.5m bail

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Kuje, Abuja, has granted bail to publisher and activist Omoyele Sowore, alongside Aloy Ejimakor, one of the lawyers representing the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as well as Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others.

The court, on Friday, ordered that all thirteen defendants be released on bail in the sum of ₦500,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.

They were arrested and arraigned for allegedly inciting public disturbance and breaching public peace during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in Abuja on Monday, October 20, 2025.

According to reports, while Ejimakor, Emmanuel Kanu, and the other ten defendants were apprehended during the protest and subsequently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Sowore was arrested later on October 23, at the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he had attended Kanu’s terrorism trial to show solidarity.

The activist’s arrest sparked widespread reactions, with several political figures and civil rights groups condemning what they described as an attempt to stifle peaceful dissent.

Among those who criticised the arrest were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and some northern advocacy groups, who called for restraint and respect for citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful protest.

The court’s decision to grant bail has been welcomed by supporters of the defendants, who view it as a reaffirmation of judicial independence and a step towards ensuring fairness in politically sensitive cases.

Further proceedings in the matter are expected to continue as the police carry out additional investigations into the circumstances surrounding the protest and the alleged offences.

 

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: After meeting Nnamdi Kanu in Court, Police arrests Sowore

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Security operatives on Thursday arrested Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and convener of the #FreeNnamdiKanu movement, shortly after he met with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Eyewitnesses said Sowore was apprehended by Police officers moments after leaving the courtroom, where he had gone to express solidarity with Kanu, who appeared for the continuation of his trial.

His arrest was also confirmed by rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.

Footage obtained by LEADING REPORTERS shows the activist being surrounded by heavily armed officers before being escorted into a black waiting vehicle within the court premises.

 

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu’s Lead Counsel Resigns from Trial

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), has withdrawn from representing him in court.

Agabi told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the defendant had decided to take back control of his case, leading to the withdrawal of all the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) who were part of the defence team.

Confirming the development, Kanu told the court that he would represent himself for now. When the presiding judge asked if he wanted a lawyer to be assigned to him, Kanu politely declined, saying he would continue on his own.

During the proceedings, Kanu argued orally that the court had no jurisdiction to try him. He maintained that his continued detention and trial were politically motivated and unconstitutional.

The development comes amid renewed tension over Kanu’s case. LEADING REPORTERS gathered that earlier this month, security operatives dispersed protesters in Abuja who were demanding his release. According to reports, the police fired tear gas and arrested several demonstrators near the court premises.

In recent rulings, the court had also rejected some evidence presented by the Federal Government, saying the statements were obtained without legal representation for Kanu.

Kanu’s decision to dismiss his lawyers marks another dramatic turn in his long-running legal battle with the Nigerian government.

 

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Ex-NNPC boss loses US property to court over $2.1m bribery case

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A United States District Court has ordered the interim forfeiture of a California property belonging to Paulinus Okoronkwo, a Nigerian-American and former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now NNPC Limited, after finding he acquired it with proceeds of bribery.

The ruling, issued by Judge John Walter on October 3, followed Okoronkwo’s September conviction on charges of transactional money laundering, tax evasion, and obstruction of justice.

Prosecutors alleged that Okoronkwo received a $2.1 million bribe from Addax Petroleum, a Switzerland-based subsidiary of China’s state-owned Sinopec, in exchange for granting favourable drilling rights in Nigeria during his time at NNPC.

According to U.S. court documents, the payment made in October 2015 was wired to Okoronkwo’s law firm trust account in Los Angeles and disguised as consultancy fees.

Investigations, however, revealed the funds were bribes facilitated by Addax executives who allegedly falsified records, misled auditors, and dismissed staff who questioned the transaction.

Prosecutors further told the court that Okoronkwo, who practiced immigration, family, and personal injury law in Koreatown, Los Angeles, used nearly $1 million of the illicit funds as a down payment on a luxury home in Valencia, California. He also failed to declare the income in his 2015 tax returns, violating U.S. tax laws.

The forfeiture order covers the property located at 25340 Twin Oaks Place, Valencia, California 91381, described as Tract Number 45433, Lot 12, with Assessor’s Parcel Number 2826-143-004. The court found a “clear nexus” between the property and the crimes listed in Counts 1 through 3 of the indictment, which involved money laundering in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1957.

In its judgment, the court ruled that “any right, title, and interest of the defendant” in the Valencia property “is hereby forfeited to the United States.” It also authorized the U.S. Attorney General or a designee to seize the property pursuant to federal forfeiture laws.

The U.S. government has since published a public notice calling on any individual with a legitimate claim or interest in the property to file a petition within 60 days of the announcement.

Okoronkwo’s sentencing hearing has been scheduled for December 1, where he faces potential prison time and further financial penalties. The case has drawn attention in both Nigeria and the U.S., spotlighting renewed international efforts to combat corruption in the oil and gas sector and trace illicit financial flows across borders.

If upheld, the forfeiture will mark another major U.S. enforcement action targeting foreign bribery linked to Nigeria’s oil industry an ongoing challenge for authorities seeking to recover assets looted through corporate and political corruption.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
APC National Secretary
Headlines

APC Targets Full Control of Senate, Reps – National Secretary

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Bashiru, has declared that no opposition can gaslight the ruling party with claims that it plans to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Bashiru made the remark while revealing that the APC intends to bring all senators and members of the House of Representatives into the party.

He disclosed this during the APC Stakeholders Forum held in Lagos on Tuesday, where the state chapter of the party endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

According to Bashiru, “Some people are trying to gaslight our party, saying that we are moving towards a one-party state in Nigeria, and at the same time, they said they want to chase our leader out of Aso Rock Villa. This is mutually contradictory.

“We should not allow anybody to gaslight us. Let it be that all the seats in the Senate are members of the APC; 360 should be APC; all the State Houses of Assembly should be APC. It’s part of democracy.

“We must continue to mobilize, conscientize, sensitize, and ensure that the APC is the bulwark for electoral victory in all elections.”

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
ASUU
Headlines

JUST IN: ASUU Suspends 2 Weeks Strike

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its two-week warning strike, granting the Federal Government a one-month window to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and resolve other lingering issues affecting the nation’s universities.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the decision on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, noting that the suspension followed “fruitful engagements” with government officials and key interventions by the National Assembly.

Piwuna recalled that the union declared the warning strike on October 13, 2025, in protest against what it described as the government’s continued neglect of previous commitments, including the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and the welfare demands of university lecturers.

He expressed optimism that the government would utilize the one-month grace period to address the outstanding issues and prevent further industrial action in the university system.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Court
Headlines

Federal Court Nullifies Ebonyi Local Government Elections

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has nullified the July 2024 local government and councillorship elections that produced the state’s 13 council chairmen and their councillors.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice H.I.O. Oshomah ruled that the polls conducted by the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, rendering the exercise invalid.

The court consequently voided the elections and restrained EBSIEC and the state government from conducting further local government polls unless they strictly adhere to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.

The ruling followed a suit filed by Mr. Samuel Udeogu and Mr. Isu Amaechi, represented by counsels Hamilton Ogbodo and Chief Mudi Erhenede, respectively.

Reacting to the judgment, Ogbodo said the decision effectively removed all serving local government chairmen and councillors in the state.

“So, in effect, the local government election conducted in July 2024 in Ebonyi State is no more; it has been cancelled by this Federal High Court today,” he said.

He urged the state government to comply with the court’s directive or risk contempt proceedings once the window for appeal closes.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

BREAKING: UK Charity Commission Freezes Assets of MFM Ministries

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The United Kingdom’s Charity Commission has frozen assets of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International (MFM), a church founded by Dr. Daniel Olukoya, following findings of financial mismanagement and governance lapses within its UK operations.

In a detailed report released on Monday, LEADING REPORTERS learned that the commission said the decision followed an official inquiry that uncovered “serious concerns” about how the church’s funds were being managed.

The investigation revealed that MFM trustees failed to maintain proper oversight of over 100 bank accounts run independently by local branches across the country.

According to the Commission, the charity’s rapid expansion from a few branches to over 90 nationwide was not matched by the necessary governance systems to ensure financial accountability.

“Branches operated autonomously, opening and managing bank accounts without central authorisation or adequate monitoring,” the report said. “This created substantial risks to charitable funds and led to inaccurate and delayed financial reporting.”

The inquiry also found that some branches had engaged in major financial transactions, including the purchase and leasing of properties, without the knowledge or approval of the main trustees.

These irregularities, the Commission said, resulted in “financial losses that could not be fully accounted for.”

As part of its enforcement action, the Commission ordered the immediate freezing of all MFM’s UK assets to prevent further mismanagement.

“The Commission has acted decisively to protect the charity’s remaining assets while remedial steps are being implemented,” the statement added.

This is not the first time the Charity Commission has intervened in MFM’s affairs. In 2019, the regulator appointed an interim manager to oversee the church’s financial administration after repeated failures to file annual reports and maintain proper accounting records.

 

 

 

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Nigerian Senate
Headlines

Senate Approves Bill to Establish Nigeria Mines Rangers Service

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Nigerian Senate has approved a bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service, a specialized agency designed to combat illegal mining and enhance security in mining communities across the country.

The approval followed the adoption of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, chaired by Senator Ekong Samson, during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Presenting the committee’s findings, Senator Samson said the proposed agency would provide “a structured framework to monitor mining activities, enforce environmental and safety laws, and ensure sustainable mining practices.”

Sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, the bill aims to safeguard mining sites, regulate operations, and protect host communities affected by illegal mining.

Lawmakers who spoke in support of the bill described the creation of the Mines Rangers Service as a timely intervention to address the rising cases of illegal mining and insecurity in mineral-rich areas.

Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the initiative, noting that the new agency would strengthen existing mining laws and bring order to the sector.

“This bill, when signed into law, will help protect our natural resources, create jobs, and improve government revenue,” Akpabio said.

The proposed legislation now awaits further legislative processes before transmission to the President for assent.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts