Category: PM News

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, struck out two separate suits filed by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to seek court protection against the plan by EFCC to probe him.

Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the two cases following a notice of discontinuance of the suits sighted in the court record and after no lawyer appeared for parties at the resumed hearing.

The former Senate president had filed the suits following the EFCC’s decision in 2019 to probe his earnings between 2003 and 2011 when he was governor of Kwara.

The anti-graft commission was reported to have seized some of his houses in the Ikoyi area of Lagos then.

However, Saraki, on May 10, 2019, filed the two separate suits, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/507/2019 and FHC/ABJ/CS/508/2019, before retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo to challenge the action of the EFCC.

The ex-Senate president named the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and State Security Service (SSS) are 1st to 3rd defendants.

Others are EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as 4th to 6th respondents respectively.

Justice Taiwo, who was the presiding judge then, had ruled on an ex-parte application filed along with the substantive suits.

The judge ordered the EFCC and the other five respondents to the suits to stay action on their investigations.

He directed the parties to maintain the status quo by suspending the probe, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the applicant.

The order was granted after Saraki’s lawyer moved the application on May 14, 2019.

But the EFCC later applied that the judge should recuse himself and the matter be transferred to another court.

Justice Taiwo sent back the case file to the chief judge and the matter was reassigned to Justice Anwuli Chikere (rtd.) for adjudication.

When the matter came up on July 14, 2021 before Justice Chikere, EFCC Counsel, Chile Okoronkwo, complained that Taiwo’s order had hindered the agency ‘from performing its duty for about two years.’

The lawyer, who stated that Saraki continued to hinge on the order of the court any time he was invited, urged the court to vacate the order.

But the suits were reassigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo following the retirement of Chikere.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Ekwo had, on Jan. 25, 2023, struck out the two suits for lack of diligent prosecution.

After the suits were struck out, the ex-Senate president, through his lawyer, approached the court for a relisting of the cases to the cause list of the court.

And on Oct. 28, 2024, Justice Ekwo granted Saraki’s prayer to amend the suits against the respondents.

The judge granted the application after it was moved by Saraki’s counsel, Tunde Afe-Babalola, SAN, and was not opposed by the defence lawyers.

The cases were recently reassigned to Justice Umar.

Six suspected members of a land fraud syndicate have been arrested in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for allegedly defrauding one Aniekan Etukudo Koffi of the sum of ?6 million. The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The suspects identified as Enobong Clement Etim (aka Edet Nsem Udo), Iniakop Okot, Emmanuel Edet, Essien Edet Aniedi, Christopher Anthony and Edwin Etim were arrested at different locations in Akwa Ibom State.

Their arrest followed a petition from their victims alleged that the prime suspect, Enobong Clement Etim, used a pseudo name, and along with his accomplices, defrauded him of the said sum in a bogus transaction involving a parcel of land located at Ifa Ikot Ubo, Ifa Ikot Okpon-Etoi in Uyo Local Government Area of the State.

The petitioner alleged that he was introduced to the prime suspect and his gang in July 2025 through a member of the syndicate who claimed access to a prime parcel of land which, according to them, was up for sale.

The petitioner said he was taken to the said piece of land for inspection, and was eventually shown some forged documents by the arrested suspects.

Relying on their offer which he eventually found to be fraudulent, the petitioner allegedly paid ?6,000,000.00 to the alleged fraudsters, with an initial transfer of ?4,000,000.00 into a UBA Account Number: 1027675758 belonging to the prime suspect.

Preliminary investigations have shown that the said piece of land does not belong to Enobong Clements Etim or any member of the syndicate, and that the petitioner was defrauded of the sum of ?6,000,000.00.

Efforts are still ongoing to apprehend other accomplices and recover the petitioner’s funds.

Nollywood actor and producer, Afeez Owo, has spoken glowingly about his wife and colleague, Mide Martins, as the couple continues to celebrate their enduring 22-year marriage.

In a recent interview on Oyinmomo TV, Afeez debunked misconceptions about his wife’s personality, describing her as a wonderful partner who is neither strict nor ‘wicked,’ both at home and in public.

He revealed that their marriage thrives on balance and mutual understanding rather than stereotypes of dominance or calmness.

‘Our marriage isn’t the kind where the husband has to be overly strict or the wife has to remain overly calm. We’ve built it on balance, and God has been faithful to us,’ he said.

Speaking further, Afeez shared details about their unique bond, disclosing the unconventional pet names they call each other.

‘I call her Iya Alekuleja, and she calls me Baba Elere. Those aren’t the usual pet names like dear or honey, but it works for us because of the closeness we share,’ he added with a smile.

Reflecting on their journey together since tying the knot in 2003, Afeez expressed gratitude to Mide, publicly thanking her for her patience and love.

’22 years of marriage is no small thing. Ajoke, thank you for putting up with me. I swear to God, my wife is not a wicked woman, whether at home or in public,’ he said.

Barcelona’s director of football, Deco, has dismissed claims that the club would be forced to buy Marcus Rashford permanently after his loan spell from Manchester United.

Speaking to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Deco explained that the deal is a simple loan with an option to buy, and there are no penalties if Barça decide not to trigger the clause.

‘We signed Marcus on a simple loan with an option to buy. It’s not a high fee. There are no penalties if we do not sign him permanently. He’s doing great, we are very happy. the final decisions come later,’ Deco said.

Rashford, 27, joined Barcelona in July on a season-long loan after falling out of favour at Old Trafford. Reports in Spain suggest the buy option is set at around pound 30-35 million, though Barça have so far declined to confirm the figure.

The England forward has quickly adapted to life at Camp Nou, registering two goals and four assists in eight games, including a Champions League brace against Newcastle United.

Despite his bright start, Deco insisted it was too early to discuss whether the club would sign him permanently, stressing that the decision will be taken at the end of the season.

YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by US President Donald Trump after the video-streaming platform suspended his account in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

The settlement, reached with YouTube’s parent company Alphabet, follows similar deals Trump secured with Meta and X (formerly Twitter).

Trump had accused the platforms of political bias, alleging they unfairly censored conservative voices.

At the time of his suspension, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter argued that Trump’s posts risked inciting further violence as Washington reeled from the storming of the Capitol.

Under the settlement terms, $22 million will be directed to the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit raising funds to build a new White House ballroom. Another $2.5 million will go to co-plaintiffs in Trump’s case, including the American Conservative Union.

Earlier this year, Meta agreed to pay $25 million, with $22 million allocated for Trump’s planned presidential library. In February, X settled for $10 million, weeks after its purchase by Trump ally Elon Musk.

All of Trump’s accounts have since been reinstated across major platforms, marking a notable shift from the mass de-platforming that followed the Capitol attack. The settlements highlight Silicon Valley’s broader softening stance toward Trump and the Republican Party.

The tech sector has also begun easing content moderation rules, responding to long-standing Republican criticism of alleged free speech violations.

Just last week, YouTube announced plans to restore several previously banned accounts, including creators who had repeatedly shared false claims about Covid-19 and the 2020 presidential election.

In a letter to a Republican-led congressional committee, YouTube wrote, ‘YouTube values conservative voices on its platform and recognises that these creators have extensive reach and play an important role in civic discourse.’

American YouTuber James Stephen ‘Jimmy’ Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast has defended his latest stunt video while reacting to the criticisms.

The video which showed a man escaping a building on fire with bags of cash was widely criticised by his viewers who felt such challenge was unsafe.

MrBeast, however, stated in his response that there were safety precautions were taken before the video shoot. He also praised the stunt coordinator while addressing the concerns of his fans.

‘I take safety more serious than you could ever imagine. This blew up. If you’re curious obviously we had ventilation for the smoke and a kill switch to cut off the fires. We had professionals test this extensively and the guy in the video as stated is a professional stunt man. I take safety more serious than you could ever imagine. But our stunt coordinator did an amazing job as always, and none of these systems were ever needed. Just wanted to be transparent with you all since I saw some concern!,’ he stated.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged false claims against President Bola Tinubu until October 27.

Justice Mohammed Umar granted the adjournment on Tuesday to give Sowore sufficient time to prepare his defence.

Sowore, who ran for president under the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2019 and 2023, faces a five-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government. X Incorp. (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Inc. are listed as co-defendants.

The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 and dated September 16, 2025, alleges that Sowore referred to President Tinubu as ‘a criminal’ on his X and Facebook accounts.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, Sowore was present, as was counsel for Meta. There was no legal representation for X. DSS counsel, Mohammed Abubakar, requested the charge be read to all defendants for them to take their plea. Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, opposed, noting that the court bailiff had yet to serve the charge on his client and stressing the importance of proper representation for all defendants in a criminal trial.

The court confirmed that X and Meta had been served electronically. DSS then sought to serve Sowore in open court, which was granted by Justice Umar.

Sowore’s lawyer requested an adjournment to ensure the defendant had adequate opportunity to defend himself under Section 282(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. The court subsequently fixed October 27 for arraignment.

The charges follow an earlier DSS request for Sowore’s alleged defamatory posts to be removed from social media. Under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, Sowore is accused of posting a message on August 25 via his X handle, @YeleSowore, claiming:

‘THIS CRIMINAL @ OFFICIAL PBAT ACTUALLY WENT TO BRAZIL TO STATE THAT THERE IS NO MORE CORRUPTION UNDER HIS REGIME IN NIGERIA. WHAT AUDACITY TO LIE SHAMELESSLY!’

The DSS alleges the post was knowingly false and intended ‘to cause a breakdown of law and order,’ particularly among individuals holding differing views on President Tinubu. The alleged acts are contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has disclosed how her church members once rejected her over her husband’s controversial Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, leaving her isolated in her own parish and forced to rely on her faith to survive the storm.

In her new 52-page memoir The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things, released to mark her 65th birthday, Mrs Tinubu described the period as ‘a bitter pill’ that tested her loyalty to her church and her walk with God.

She recalled how the Redeemed Christian Church of God parish where she had worshipped faithfully for 15 years split over the All Progressives Congress’ decision in 2022 to field her husband, Bola Tinubu, alongside Kashim Shettima, both Muslims.

‘One of such decisions was the unpopular ‘Muslim/Muslim ticket’. My being a Christian did not matter. My local Assembly, Redeemed Christian Church of God, was split,’ she wrote.

Despite the resentment, the First Lady said she refused to abandon the church where she rose from worker to Deaconess, and eventually to Assistant Pastor in 2018. Instead, she continued to attend services, drawing strength from supportive elders who prayed with her through the turbulent season.

‘But my husband’s bid for the Presidential Office was different, a bitter pill for them to chew,’ she admitted.

‘So the little resentment I witnessed from a few was met with the peace of God.’

The All Progressives Congress’ same-faith ticket was one of the most divisive political moves of 2022, sparking outrage from prominent Christian groups who warned it could deepen Nigeria’s religious fault lines. But supporters countered that competence, zoning and electoral arithmetic mattered more than religion.

Looking back, Mrs Tinubu said she learned to forgive both political allies who betrayed her husband and church members who distanced themselves during the heated campaigns.

‘I do not have anything against anyone.the question is how did I not feel the betrayal anymore? I knew the grace factor was evident, and the Holy Spirit continually comforted me. Never to avenge myself, assuring me that it is God’s prerogative. Mine is to thank Him for fighting for us,’ she wrote.

The First Lady revealed that the episode drew her closer to God, citing scripture as her anchor during the trials. She said a revelation from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ‘In everything give thanks’ helped her let go of bitterness and see her political battles through the eyes of faith.

Now looking back as the wife of Nigeria’s President, Mrs Tinubu said she has chosen peace over resentment:

‘Letting go is what I did; doing good is what matters most. Like my Saviour Jesus Christ in Acts 10:38. I am at peace, doing all I can to make Nigeria better and greater.’

Officers of the Niger State Police Command have neutralised three suspected kidnappers and recovered two AK-47 rifles along with 49 rounds of live ammunition during a clearance operation in the Kokolo Forest area of Magama Local Government Area.

The operation, which occurred in the early hours of September 12, 2025, was carried out by the Command’s Special Task Team (STT), FID-STS, in collaboration with local vigilante groups, following credible intelligence on the location of criminal hideouts.

Spokesman of the command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the development in a statement released Monday, noting that the operatives engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel.

‘During the operation within Kokolo Forest, via Kawo-Auna village in Nasko, Magama LGA, the team stormed a kidnappers’ camp and engaged them in a gun battle. Three suspects were neutralized, while others fled with gunshot wounds. One kidnapped victim was successfully rescued,’ Abiodun stated.

A thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and 49 rounds of live ammunition. Abiodun added that efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing gang members.

He called on residents of nearby communities to report anyone seen with unexplained injuries.

‘Members of the public, especially in neighbouring villages, are urged to report anyone found with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or security agency,’ he said.

The Rivers chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has concluded arrangements to embark on a seven-day warning strike.

A letter signed by the union’s Secretary, Mr Sunday Adeniran, and directed to branch offices across the state, said the move protests the alleged dismissal of Emohua council workers.

Adeniran explained that the union, at its state executive congress on Sept. 29, resolved to strike in solidarity with the disengaged employees.

He noted the action became necessary following what he described as unlawful treatment, which also resulted in salary denial for the affected council staff.

‘Effective from midnight of Sept. 30, 2025, all local government employees across the state are directed to withdraw their services until further notice.

‘We count on your solidarity in ensuring full compliance with this directive,’ Adeniran said.