The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, June 23, 2025, sentenced 17 Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each for offences bordering on cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the convictions before Justices D.E. Osiagor and D.I. Dipeolu, following a plea bargain agreement reached with the defendants. The convicted individuals are: Yu Hui (also known as A. Bin), Huang Jin Hui, Fei Fan, Lu Qiang, Hu Xi Zheng, Sun Zhi Peng, Wu Hao, Cong Bing, Li Qiang (also known as Yang Huan Huan), Zheng Wei (also known as A. Hong), Cheng…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Kano State Police Command has rescued a 19-year-old man, Ibrahim Abubakar from Adamawa State, who attempted to commit suicide by climbing an advertisement billboard at Ado Bayero Bridge on Monday, June 23, 2025. The young man reportedly threatened to jump unless he was allowed to meet a popular TikTok personality, identified as Abdul BK. In a statement signed by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Hussaini Abdullahi, the command confirmed that officers swiftly responded to the distress call and arrived at the scene in collaboration with personnel from the state Fire Service. “Through dialogue and negotiations, the TikToker…
Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, has dismissed concerns that the emerging National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG) poses any real threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Governor Sani insisted that the coalition—seeking registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—stands no chance of defeating President Tinubu or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election. According to him, the newly formed alliance is not a cause for concern and does not suggest any impending trouble for the president or the APC. “I can tell…
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled an early morning attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Azir, a community in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing an unspecified number of terrorists in the process. This was disclosed by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, via a post on his X handle on Friday. According to Makama, credible sources revealed that the insurgents launched the assault around 4:30 a.m. in an attempt to overrun a military formation stationed in the area. However, the troops responded…
Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested two suspects, including a 17-year-old, for alleged drug trafficking along Ikare Junction in Owo Local Government Area of the state. The suspects, identified as Usman Muhammad, 17, and Usman Bashir, 27, both natives of Kaduna State, were reportedly apprehended while transporting 51 bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. Each bag is said to weigh approximately 9kg. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Akure on Sunday. He noted that the operation was carried out in…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s ongoing political activities in the northern senatorial district as a waste of time, declaring that the region remains a PDP stronghold. The reaction came as the entire APC-led government in the state relocated temporarily to the northern district to formally receive Peter Akpanke, a member of the House of Representatives representing Obudu/Bekwara/Obanliku (OBO) Federal Constituency, who recently defected to the party. Despite APC’s control of two of the state’s three senatorial districts, the PDP insists the northern zone is out of reach for…
A major political realignment is underway in Benue State as a new coalition comprising political actors and stakeholders from across the state has vowed to end the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 general elections. The coalition, which draws its strength from all nine local government areas of Benue South Senatorial District—Apa, Agatu, Ado, Ogbadibo, Ohimini, Otukpo, Okpokwu, Oju, and Obi—met over the weekend at Haggi Suite, Otukpo, to strategize on building a formidable third-force movement aimed at reshaping the political landscape of the state. Former Benue State PDP Chairman,…
The National Opposition Coalition Group has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the registration of a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA). The coalition, reportedly led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, submitted its application dated June 19, which was acknowledged by INEC on Friday. This development signals the coalition’s intention to float a new political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections. The formation of ADA is backed by other prominent political figures, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League…
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Mallam Suleiman Salisu, has expressed deep concern over the recent criticisms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Speaking with Pressmen in Kaduna, Salisu described El-Rufai’s comments as hypocritical, accusing the former governor of contributing to the state’s divisions and insecurity during his eight-year tenure, only to now turn around and condemn the resulting consequences. According to him, El-Rufai’s administration neglected critical infrastructure development in the southern part of Kaduna metropolis, an area predominantly populated by Christians. “Does it mean Nigerians have forgotten so soon what…
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed the newly unveiled All Democratic Alliance (ADA), describing it as neither a coalition of political forces nor a proper merger. Keyamo made this assertion in a post via his official X handle on Friday while reacting to reports on the emergence of ADA, which is backed by the Nigerian National Coalition Group (NNCG). InfoStride News reports that opposition leaders under the coalition movement formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the registration of ADA ahead of the 2027 general elections. The application, dated June 19, 2025,…
The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concern over what it described as the neglect of state-owned tertiary institutions by the administration of Governor Uba Sani. The party expressed worry following the warning strike embarked upon by staff unions across several state-owned institutions, including Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Kaduna State College of Education, Kaduna State College of Nursing, and Shehu Idris College of Health Technology. The industrial action is reportedly in protest against poor working conditions and dilapidated infrastructure. In a statement issued on Thursday by the PDP State Chairman, Edward Percy Masha, the party lamented…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State has reaffirmed its readiness to assume leadership in the council and its five Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) ahead of the July 12 local government elections. Chairman of the Alimosho PDP, Isiaka Shodiya, made the declaration on Saturday, expressing confidence in the party’s chances at the polls. Shodiya said party leaders and supporters were fully mobilised to secure victory for PDP candidates in Alimosho LGA, as well as in Igando-Ikotun, Egbe-Idimu, Mosan-Okunola, Ayobo-Ipaja, and Agbado-Oke Odo LCDAs. “We are proud of the PDP today. We are united…
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has suggested that Rivers and Bayelsa States may soon defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the party intensifies efforts to consolidate its grip on the South-South region ahead of the 2027 general elections. Akpabio made the remarks on Saturday during a grand reception held in honour of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, who was officially welcomed into the APC. Addressing party faithful at the event in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Akpabio expressed optimism that more states in the region would soon align with the ruling party. According to him, “Governor…
It is with a deep sense of responsibility that l respond to the vitriolic publication titled “Public Commentary Urges Billionaire Kessington Adebutu to Rethink 2027 Political Support for Son”, authored by one Waliu Oladipupo and published, the 20th June, 2025 on Newsline. This piece, littered with bile, falsehoods, and petty invective, is nothing but the rambling of a man driven by either deep-seated envy or a well-funded agenda to discredit a man who has committed his life to public service and the development of Ogun State, Hon. (Dr.) Ladi Adebutu. It is disheartening and frankly embarrassing that, in the year…
Supporters of Hon. Dr. Oladipupo Adebutu have condemned what they describe as a baseless and malicious campaign of calumny targeted at the former lawmaker and his father, renowned philanthropist and businessman, Sir Dr. Kensington Adebutu. In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the Adebutu camp responded to recent media attacks questioning the mental capacity of Hon. Adebutu and alleging political manipulation by his father ahead of the 2027 governorship race in Ogun State. Describing the accusations as “intellectually lazy” and “deliberately misleading,” the statement set out to counter what it termed “desperate mudslinging” by political opponents. “A Slap to…
The traditional ruler of Ogere community in Ogun State has lauded the state governor for the renovation of a primary school in the town, describing the development as a source of joy for both pupils and teachers. Speaking on the transformation, the monarch expressed personal satisfaction, noting that the school holds sentimental value as it was where he received his early education. “If you go to that school now, the pupils are very happy, the teachers are very happy, and I am also very happy as the king of the town because that was the primary school I went to.…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday described himself as the luckiest politician in Nigeria, citing the constant support he enjoys from political allies across various states. Wike made the remark during the commissioning of the newly constructed Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), which stretches from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III (RR3), in Abuja. The event, which formed part of activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office, was graced by dignitaries from several states. President Tinubu was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George…
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, has declared that the annual vacation for judges of the state’s High Court will commence on Monday, July 21, 2025. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Rivers State High Court, David Ihua Maduenyi. According to the statement, normal court activities are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. The Chief Registrar explained that the vacation is in accordance with Order 49, Rule 4 of the High Court of Rivers State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2023, as amended. The notice further clarified that all…
The member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Oluwole Oke, has appealed to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to halt what he described as unwarranted blackmail against President Bola Tinubu, former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oke accused the Adeleke-led administration of compounding hardship for beneficiaries of local government administration by allegedly refusing to comply with a valid Court of Appeal judgment that reinstated elected All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen, vice-chairmen, and councillors. Oke, a former…
Armed bandits have abducted the Chief Imam of Fangaltama village, Liman Hamisu Ali, along with five other residents during a deadly overnight raid in Zamfara State. The attack reportedly took place around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18, along the Gusau–Sokoto highway in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, near a military base. According to sources who spoke to counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the gunmen invaded the village under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically and throwing residents into panic. During the assault, a female resident, identified as Basira Abdullahi, was shot and injured. She is currently receiving treatment, but details…