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Sir: Nnamdi Kanu’s trial long ago stopped being about one man or one movement. The case now extends beyond personal guilt or innocence, touching deep questions of regional loyalty, federal legitimacy, and the emotional residue of post-war Nigeria. Every adjournment, ruling, or protest is read less as a point of law than as a signal of power.

A lenient ruling could unsettle parts of the security and political establishment, while a harsh one might ignite unrest in the Southeast. Caught between these fears, both the judiciary and the executive have settled into a cautious holding pattern, buying time under the guise of process, managing optics rather than enforcing justice. Each adjournment now feels less like due process and more like a rehearsal of fear.

The prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, has evolved beyond a legal matter; it now sits at the intersection of politics, power, and fear. What should have been a straightforward judicial process has turned into an emblem of how justice itself has been securitised in Nigeria.

Years after his arrest, rendition, and multiple adjournments, Kanu’s case remains suspended between legal procedure and political hesitation. An acquittal might be read as weakness, potentially emboldening separatist sentiments in the Southeast. A conviction, on the other hand, could reignite anger and alienation, undoing fragile peace in a region already wary of federal authority. The case, once confined to the courtroom, has migrated into the bloodstream of national politics, where perception often outweighs law.

The difficulty in resolving Kanu’s case lies in a convergence of overlapping fears-political, regional, institutional, and even personal. At the political level, the government worries that any leniency toward Kanu might be interpreted as surrender.

In a country still defined by ethnic arithmetic, every move carries electoral and symbolic weight. For the Tinubu administration, managing this legacy case involves balancing national unity with political survival.

President Bola Tinubu inherited this case, but he now owns its outcome. With his administration struggling to stabilise the economy, the prevailing instinct within his circle is caution – a reluctance to open new fronts while the state is already stretched thin by economic strain and insecurity.

Internationally, the memory of Kanu’s controversial rendition from Kenya still lingers. A transparent trial might reopen diplomatic wounds and challenge the legality of his extradition. Delay, therefore, becomes anesthesia numbing the wound without healing it. But nations do not heal by avoidance; they heal by courage.

Nigeria is not the first country to face a dilemma where justice and national unity collide. Spain’s handling of the Catalan separatist movement offers a cautionary but useful comparison. After years of imprisonment and confrontation, Madrid shifted toward limited amnesty and structured dialogue, not as capitulation, but as a strategy of containment through inclusion.

Ethiopia’s uneasy truce with Tigray rebels similarly reflected the painful recognition that no military or legal standoff can substitute for political accommodation. Even South Africa’s post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation process illustrates that sustainable peace requires moral imagination, the courage to see justice not merely as punishment, but as repair.

Nigeria’s leadership could borrow from these lessons: that dialogue and due process are not signs of weakness, but of confidence in the institutions that define a modern state. The real question is not whether Kanu is guilty, but whether Nigeria’s institutions are capable of administering justice without fear.

Allowing justice to run its course would send a powerful message that the Nigerian state still believes in the rule of law as the ultimate guarantor of security. Continuing to suspend it, however, implies that power, not principle, remains the true authority.

Experts have called for urgent institutional reforms, stronger data systems, and ethical governance to protect Nigeria’s economy from global disruptions and internal vulnerabilities.

This appeal was made at the conclusion of the 24th Annual International Conference of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI).

Held under the theme ‘Global Risks, Local Solutions,’ the conference brought together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and risk management practitioners to address pressing economic challenges in Nigeria.

CRMI President and Chairman Mr. Kevin Ugwuoke emphasized the need for a proactive, risk-based framework to anticipate and mitigate economic shocks. ‘Nigeria’s competitiveness and fiscal stability depend on how we anticipate, prepare for, and mitigate shocks,’ he stated.

Dr. Chinyere Almona, Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, identified climate shocks, inflationary pressures, and weak governance as key factors undermining investor confidence and economic stability.

Prince Semiu Adeniran, Statistician-General of the National Bureau of Statistics, highlighted Nigeria’s structural imbalances and urged policymakers to leverage rebased GDP data as a basis for effective reforms.

The conference also included panel discussions on food security and agricultural resilience, with representatives from the Bank of Industry and Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund sharing insights on climate adaptation financing and social protection.

The final communiqué called for stronger regional integration, policy stability, and enhanced collaboration between risk managers and financial institutions to support underserved sectors.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been recognised as the best State Traffic Management Agency of the Year at the 2025 Nigeria Transport and Logistics Leadership Summit and Awards.

According to the organisers, the recognition followed a rigorous nationwide nomination and online voting process that identified LASTMA as Nigeria’s leading state traffic management institution.

The award, they noted, celebrates the Authority’s consistent commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and the promotion of road safety and traffic efficiency in Lagos State.

Receiving the award on behalf of the General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, LASTMA’s Director of Logistics and Transport, Mr. Jubril Oshodi, expressed gratitude to the organisers and the voting public for acknowledging the Authority’s efforts in ensuring traffic fluidity and promoting a disciplined motoring culture across the state.

He dedicated the honour to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, describing him as a visionary leader whose commitment to modernising the state’s transport architecture has positioned LASTMA as a national model for traffic management.

Oshodi also commended the leadership of the Ministry of Transportation for their support and strategic guidance in enhancing the Authority’s operational impact.

In his post-award remarks, the General Manager, Mr. Bakare-Oki, described the award as an honour and a renewed call to higher service, reaffirming LASTMA’s resolve to uphold professionalism, discipline, and innovation in line with global best practices.

He said the Authority remains committed to leveraging technology, training, and stakeholder partnerships to tackle Lagos’s evolving challenges of urban traffic management.

The summit featured keynote addresses from top figures, including the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’id Ahmed Alkali, and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed.

Troops of Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEP) have arrested a suspected gunrunner and his wife in Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

Maj. Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of the operation disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JTF-OPEP is a special task force saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Kaduna and Bauchi states.

Zhakom said that the 40 and 18 years-old suspects were apprehended on Oct. 8, by its troops in collaboration with Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY).

‘In a coordinated operation to enhance security across the Joint Operations Area, troops JTF OPEP in collaboration with that of OPFY tracked and apprehended two notorious gunrunners.

‘The suspects were intercepted at a snap checkpoint established by the joint troops of JTF OPEP and OPFY at the outskirts of Saminaka in Lere LGA.

‘The operation, prompted by auctionable intelligence from an intelligence agency in Plateau, led to the recovery of 1,207 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition.

‘The ammunition was believed to be bound for armed groups operating in the North West region of the country,’he said.

The media officer said that suspects and other items recovered are currently in its custody undergoing further investigation.

The most common definition of democracy often associated with former President of the United States of America (USA), Abraham Lincoln, is ‘government of the people by the people and for the people.’ This presupposes that democracy does not exist in a vacuum, but revolves around the people in any society.

Similarly, the aim of development entails enhancing the wellbeing of the people. Thus, judging by the experiences from advanced democracies across the world, including the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada and France, a correlation exists between democracy and development.

While democracy aims at engendering development, the latter sustains and enhances the former. However, the story appears to be different in Anambra State today under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) government led by Governor Charles Soludo. In the past three and half years of the Soludo administration, it appears that the people have been removed from the equation. Rather than pursue human centred development, the Soludo government has spent billions of Naira on cosmetic projects and programmes that have very little or no meaningful impact on the lives of the people.

For instance, education is globally acknowledged as the bedrock of development. Many people expected Professor Soludo, coming from an academic background, to prioritise education. The latest ranking of Anambra State as 33rd in education infrastructure and capital expenditure by Philips Consulting, a leading business and management consultancy firm in Nigeria is an indication that he has performed abysmally in the education sector.

Besides education sector, current government in Anambra is either giving half-hearted or no attention to other critical sectors, such as security, urban development, science and technology, rural development, health, agriculture, industry and commerce, infrastructure and human capital development.

The state of insecurity in Anambra state under the current administration in particular, has been unprecedented in the history of the state. Pundits believe that insecurity is thriving in the state because governance is not human centred.

It is this yawning gap in governance in the state that the Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), John Chuma Nwosu is eager to fill if elected into office as the Governor on November 8, 2025. Since the commencement of the campaigns in June, Nwosu has been traversing the 177 communities in Anambra, preaching the seven-point SHEEEMS agenda of ADC to the people.

‘My agenda is anchored on a social contract that guarantees focused attention on Security, Healthcare, Education Economy, Environment, Markets and Social Welfare for the people,’ Nwosu told journalists in an interview recently.

At this juncture, readers are invited to critically analyse the import of the ADC agenda. First and foremost, security is an enabler of investment. Being a businessman and entrepreneur, Nwosu appreciates the fact that no investor would take his fixed and floating capital to an ‘unsafe’ environment. This explains why he intends to adopt a hi-tech approach to combat insecurity in Anambra State, including the establishment of a digital Central Command Control Centre and mounting of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across the state.

Secondly, there is a saying that a healthy nation in a wealthy nation. This underscores the importance of healthcare in the ADC agenda. If elected into office, Nwosu proposes to priotise the rehabilitation and equipment of numerous comatose government owned health centres and hospitals in Anambra State, to transform them from their current state as ‘mere consulting clinics’ to top notch health institutions.

He also intends to ensure that these health institutions do not run short of drugs and other consumables all year round.

Thirdly, Nwosu’s agenda prioritises education. He plans to take Anambra from a bottom position in the ranking of states in education infrastructure and capital to the top position. He intends to allocate 40 percent to education in the state’s budget, surpassing 33 percent allocation to education by Governor Peter Mba in Enugu State. The ADC candidate proposes to assemble educational experts to formulate an educational policy for Anambra State, aligned with the national policy on education, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), with a view to making Anambra a hub for innovation in the country.

After Education, Economy is the fourth point of the ADC agenda. In this area, Nwosu intends to work collaboratively with development partners such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to boost agriculture and agri-business, in order to improve the economy of Anambra, both on macro and micro bases. This would be done through an integrative approach to harness both the human and material potential of the state.

Environment, which is the fifth focal point of SHEEEMS agenda, sees the environment as comprising land, water and air, including all the layers of atmosphere, all organic and inorganic matter, and living organisms and their interactive natural systems.

The Soludo administration has been unable to address, not to talk of tackle aggressively the existential threat posed by environmental degradation. Hence, Nwosu prioritized the environment because it is from our environment that we make our living. The ADC government intends to tackle environmental degradation and climate change challenge vigorously, unlike the APGA government pursuing cosmetic development, the APGA government having failed to fulfill its promise of clean, green, planned and sustainable cities, communities and markets in Anambra.

The sixth point in the SHEEEMS agenda is markets. This point is important because Anambra State has the largest concentration of markets in Southern Nigeria, including Onitsha Main Market, which is the biggest market in West Africa.

Currently, under the Soludo administration, the markets exist for the purposes of revenue collection.

Nwosu plans rehabilitate the markets and equip them with modern facilities, including fore fighting equipment to put an end to frequent losses, often running into billions of Naira, incurred by traders during market fire disasters.

The last point in the SHEEEMS agenda is social welfare for the people. This is another area where the APGA government has failed abysmally. The ADC government intends to provide the people, not only with basic amenities, but also support women, children through welfare programmes to be executed simultaneously in the 177 communities in the state.

In sum, the SHEEEMS agenda seems to be anchored on the belief that good governance is about visible service delivery and the responsibility to protect the citizens. Both, according to Nwosu, are anchored on the people being satisfied enough to trust the government and benefitting from measurable and sustainable development. He also sees both as confidence building measures.

Nwosu believes that both APGA and the federal ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) are united in their record of disappointment for the Anambra people, especially in the area of security and citizens’ welfare. He calls the analogous amalgam as APCGA. Indeed, for JCN, as the governorship hopeful is fondly called, the balloting on November 8 has become very easy for our people. By this he means that the people have taken the ADC as the credible and inclusive alternative.

Responding to a question on the inclusiveness of the ADC ticket, Nwosu had noted: ‘What is more? The ADC parades a balanced religious ticket comprising a catholic and an Anglican, because my running mate, Dr Ndubuisi Nwobu, an Anglican comes from Anambra Central Senatorial Zone. Together, we satisfy the zoning arrangement that guides the distribution of political offices among the three Senatorial Districts of the state.’

Reality TV star Chizzy Francis has urged people to stop attacking former Big Brother Naija winner Phyna online, following a viral video of alleged involvement in a violent altercation at an Abuja hotel.

In a tweet, Chizzy emphasised that Phyna is human and deserves kindness and respect, especially given her recent loss of her sister.

Chizzy acknowledged that Phyna is not above criticism but believes that online bullying will not solve anything.

He called on the public to show empathy and understanding, reminding everyone that they don’t know what someone is going through behind closed doors.

He wrote: ‘Defending PHYNA isn’t optional. She’s human, she’s grieving, and she deserves respect. Bullying her online won’t make you stronger, it’ll just show how weak you are. Choose kindness, or choose to be ignored.

‘To everyone jumping to conclusions and criticizing PHYNA let’s take a step back. We’ve all been through tough times, and we don’t know what someone’s dealing with behind closed doors. She just lost her sister, and the last thing she needs is hate. Let’s focus on spreading love and support instead. We don’t know what we’d do in her shoes. Let’s be kind.’

Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 17 for judgment in the sexual harassment case against the suspended Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), Professor Cyril Ndifon.

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date at Tuesday’s proceedings after lawyers to parties made their final submissions and adopted their final written addresses.

Ndifon is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) along with his former lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu on a four-count amended charge.

The two are accused of alleged sexual harassment, cybercrime and attempt to pervert the course of justice.

The prosecution alleged that Ndifon, while serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Law at UNICAL, asked the female Diploma student (whose identity was shield) to send him ‘pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs of herself’ through WhatsApp chats.

It later amended the charge and added Anyanwu as the second defendant upon an allegation that he called the prosecution’s star witness on her mobile phone during the pendency of the charge against Ndifon to threaten her.

The prosecution, represented by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, closed its case on February 14, 2024 after calling four witnesses, following which the defence Fanta made a no-case submission, which the court overruled in a ruling delivered on March 6, 2024.

Justice Omotosho, in the ruling, held that the prosecution was able to establish a prima facie case against the two defendants to require them to enter a defence.

The judge then, ordered Ndifon and Anyanwu to enter their defence, which they later

The maiden edition of the FREEE Recycle art exhibition held recently in Lagos has spotlighted young Nigerian creatives reimagining environmental solutions through art and recycling.

It also inspired young artists into the climate conversation in practical and creative ways.

Held on the 14th floor of Access Bank Headquarters, Oniru, Lagos, the exhibition was organised by FREEE Recycle as a window to amplify climate change conversations through education, circular economy and youth engagement.

It is part of the company’s broader mission to inspire the next generation to see waste as a resource rather than trash.

Managing Director of FREEE Recycle, Ifedolapo Runsewe, said the initiative was designed to bring young people into the climate conversation in practical and creative ways.

‘Our SDGs, education, and partnership for the goals are key. The youth and upcoming generations have a crucial role to play in climate change conversations. So, we thought, how can we achieve this? We decided to bring students in and have conversations around circularity and its impact on our environment,’ she said.

According to her, over 200 students applied for the FREEE Residency Programme, with five undergraduate artists eventually selected after a rigorous process. During the residency, participants were mentored by leading faculty members.

The young artists also went on a cultural field trip to the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, which helped shape their creative process as they reimagined lost and stolen artefacts through recycled materials.

‘All the pieces on display were developed over six to seven weeks. They did a fantastic job. Proceeds from the art sales will go to the FREE Impact Foundation and will be used to provide footwear and school bags for children in underserved communities,’ she said.

Runsewe urged young Nigerians to rethink their approach to 1consumption and disposal of waste.

‘Before you consume anything, before you dispose of anything, think about the value you can derive from it. We all have a part to play in climate action,’ she added.

Among the exhibiting artists was Joseph Ajagbe, a fresh graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, who presented two pieces, one of which, titled The Connection, explored the shared cultural heritage between Ife and Benin.

‘History supports the fact that Ife and Benin share historical pasts together. That can never be overlooked, that can never be denied. Not of war, but of good shared cultural heritage,’ he said.

‘I used the rulers of Ife, iconic artifacts of Ife, and Benin bronzes to show that their stories are incomplete standing alone. Together, they show brotherhood and shared history.’

The young artist, who created his work using discarded materials like old tires, expressed deep joy at the opportunity to exhibit.

‘How do I explain the feeling? I can’t, actually. But I feel much more alive, seeing people love my work and coming together to see what we can make out of waste. My project contributes to global sustainability and encourages other artists to embrace it,’ he said.

The event was supported by the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos, Access Bank and Sagegrave Finance.

Runsewe also revealed plans to expand the initiative next year, calling for more sponsors to support the growing platform.

The exhibition underscored the power of art as a tool for environmental advocacy and demonstrated how Nigerian youth can lead the charge in building a more sustainable future.

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has sworn in 19 commissioners.

He urged them to key into his administration’s policy to prove to the world that a new Edo has risen.

The newly sworn in commissioners are Vincent Uwadia, Etin-osa Ogbeiwi, Saturday Idehen, Charity Amayaenvbo, Nosa Adams, Yakubu Oshiorenua, Felix Akhabue, Prof. Omorodion Ignatius and Ohimai Ehijimetor.

Others are Eugenia Abdallah, Godwin Eshieshi, Prince Kassim Afegbua, Dr. Jerry Uwangue, Mr. John Akhigbe, Festus Ebea, Dr Elizabeth Ebosele, Dr Jerry Uwangue, Dr Kenneth Ihensekhien and Usenbo Ehigie.

Governor Okpebholo also sworn in chairmen and members of Edo State Bursary and Scholarship Board, Senior Secondary Education Board, Edo State Law Reform Commission, Edo State Lottery Regulatory Commission and Edo State Ecological Funding and Management Commission.

He said his administration remained committed to repositioning the state for development.

Okpebholo has urged his commissioners and special advisers to always wear the Asiwaju mandate cap, as a practical way of showing their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said any commissioner that failed to wear the cap would not be allowed into the State Executive Council meeting.

The governor spoke in Benin City after the swearing-in of 19 commissioners and members of boards of agencies and commissions.

The coordinator of Concerned Professionals for Good Governance, Okechukwu Nwafor, has praised Governor Peter Mbah’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a bold step that will accelerate Enugu state’s development.

Nwafor commended the governor’s leadership and vision, noting that his defection reflected a commitment to progress and effective governance.

He said Mbah’s track record in infrastructure, education, and healthcare had already positioned Enugu as one of the fastest-growing states in the South-East.

Governor Mbah, who officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, said the move was the outcome of deep reflection and wide consultation with political stakeholders.

‘This is no whimsical decision. It’s a collective move by the political family in Enugu State, comprising members of the National Assembly, members of the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all the Local Government Chairmen and Councillors, all political appointees, and over 80% of Party Executives,’ Mbah stated.

He explained that the defection was aimed at aligning Enugu State with the APC’s development vision and further advancing the state’s transformation agenda.

The governor highlighted key achievements under his administration, including the completion of smart green schools, primary healthcare centers, and roads, as well as a 600% increase in internally generated revenue.

Mbah assured residents that his switch to the APC would not disrupt ongoing projects but would instead enhance his administration’s capacity to deliver more effectively on its promises.