Category: PM News

The fresh bid by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra to halt his trial for terrorism over alleged lack of jurisdiction failed at amidst drama at Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday after he sacked his lawyers.

Justice James Omotosho firmly held that issues raised by Kanu been decided by the court.

Rather, the Judge told Kanu to make use of the opportunity that the constitution gives him under Section 36 to defend himself.

He then ordered him to enter his defence.

The judge then adjourned the trial until Oct. 24 for the IPOB leader to open his defence.

Earlier when the matter was called, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, announced his appearance for the prosecution.

However, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, who had been representing the IPOB leader, stood up and told the court that he and his team were only in court out of the respect for the court.

Agabi said they were in court to formally announce their withdrawal from further participating in the trial.

He explained that the reason for their decision ‘is because the defendant has taken this case back from us and we respect that.’

He gave the names of the other senior advocates, who are also withdrawing from the case to include Onyechi Ikpeazu, Joseph Akubo, Paul Erokoro, Emeka Etiaba and one other.

Following Agabi’s announcement, Justice James Omotosho turned to Kanu, who was in the dock, for his response.

Kanu confirmed disengaging all his lawyers and told the court that he was willing and ready to conduct his case by himself.

Justice Omotosho then directed that other members of the defendant’s legal team, who were in court, except the SANs, should vacate the courtroom immediately, a directive they promptly complied with.

The judge then turned to Kanu who was in the dock, and asked him to open his case.

In response, Kanu commenced by indicating his intention to make an oral submission.

Justice Omotosho granted the defendant’s application despite opposition from Awomolo.

Kanu then said that he would not open his defence as ordered by the court because he was questioning the jurisdiction of the court to try him.

‘This is a jurisdictional issue that goes to the heart of this case,’ he said.

He hinged his objection to the court’s jurisdiction on four grounds.

The IPOB leader, in his first ground, argued that the Federal Government, through the prosecution, was in contempt of a Court of Appeal judgment, which he said ordered his acquittal.

Kanu argued that for the court to grant the prosecution audience, it (the prosecution) must first comply with the said Court of Appeal judgment.

He said the second ground was that the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and and Customs and Excise Act, under which the charge against him was brought, are repealed laws.

Giving the third ground, the IPOB leader claimed to have been denied fair hearing.

He said his continued detention in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) had denied him the opportunity for adequate consultation with his lawyers to enable him prepare for his defence.

He hinged the fourth ground on his claim that the medical report submitted to the court by a medical team empanelled by the president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which certified him fit to stand trial, was forged.

Kanu denied being examined by any medical team and that his blood and urine samples were never obtained for analysis.

He, therefore, urged the court to declare the proceedings void and order his immediate release in line with the Court of Appeal judgment.

Reacting, Awomolo said Kanu deserved no formal response from the prosecution because all the allegations he made ought to be put down in the form of a sworn affidavit and effectively demonstrated to enable the other party respond appropriately.

The senior lawyer faulted Kanu’s claim that a Court of Appeal’s decision acquitted him, arguing that the said judgment was set aside by the Supreme Court in a judgment delivered on Dec. 15, 2023.

‘The judgments of the Supreme Court that was given on December 15, 2023 has set aside the judgment they are claiming discharged him.

‘If he has a preliminary objection he should file it and demonstrate all his claims,’ Awomolo added.

The prosecuting lawyer also faulted Kanu’s claim that his right to fair hearing was breached.

Awomolo argued that Kanu’s claim that the medical report was forged was an indictment on the senior lawyers, who were in his legal team, who saw the report and found no fault in it.

He prayed the judge to determine all the issues that Kanu raised in his submission when delivering the final judgment.

Justice Omotosho held that when the medical report was bought up in court on Oct. 16, he sought the views of lawyers to both parties, who did not raise any objection to the report.

The judge said since the report had been admitted by the court, acted on same and made decisions based on it, the court could no longer go back on it.

He declared that all the decisions taken by the court, based on the medical report, stand.

The judge further observed that all the issues raised by Kanu were also substantially raised in the no-case submission which the court declined in a ruling delivered on Sept. 26.

‘On the 26th of September, 2025, I considered those issues and held that he has a case to answer.

‘This was to enable him exercise his right to fair hearing to make his case,’ the judge said.

Justice Omotosho recalled that in the spirit of fair hearing, he vacated the courtroom on Wednesday from 9am to 2pm to enable Kanu and his lawyers have a private consultation session.

He said this was despite the absence of evidence to support Kanu’s claim that his conversation was being secretly recorded by the DSS whose custody he is being detained.

The judge said although all the issues raised by Kanu’s submission had previously been determined by the court, the defendant would not be foreclosed.

According to the judge, the defendant can still raise them at the final written address.

Justice Omotosho then proceeded to call on Kanu to open his defence and overruled him when he attempted to insist on his objection to the court’s jurisdiction.

‘I call upon and appeal to the defendant to open his defence.

‘I beg the defendant, in the name of the Almighty God, to comport himself and conduct his defence.

‘This is the opportunity that the constitution gives him under Section 36.

‘It is a right that he can exercise or waive either expressly or by conduct.

‘I beg and I appeal to the defendant to make use of the opportunity, given him by the constitution, to put in his defence, except he choses to waive it either expressly or by conduct,’ the judge said.

At that point, Ikpeazu, who had earlier withdrew his appearance alongside Agabi, stood up to intervene.

The lawyer drew the attention of the court to the fact that their (Kanu’s lawyers’) withdrawal took effect on the morning of Thursday.

Ikpeazu prayed the court to grant Kanu few time to gather his thoughts and compose himself for the task ahead.

Taking a hint from what Ikpeazu said, Kanu said: ‘In the exercise of my right, I wish to state on record that I have not had the opportunity to prepare for my defence.

‘I only had three hours yesterday in this courtroom.

‘Section 36 of the Constitution allows me to be given adequate facilities to defend myself. My lord, I need time,’ he said.

Awomolo did not object, following which Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Oct. 24 for Kanu to open his defence.

The judge said the opportunity given the defendant to conduct his defence began to run from Thursday.

The judge equally disclosed that he had signed the witness summons sought by Kanu and that they are available for him to collect and serve on the said witnesses as required.

Kanu, in a motion filed on Oct. 21, listed the names of prominent Nigerians he intended to call as witnesses.(NAN)

Tobacco control advocacy organisations in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government, health authorities, and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action against the clandestine marketing of nicotine-based products disguised as ‘harm reduction education’ by local tobacco industry fronts and a group from Sweden.

In a joint statement, the Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Gatefield warned that the tobacco industry, through its cronies, is covertly introducing these products to Nigerian youth, including students, thus threatening to reverse years of progress in tobacco control and public health.

They noted that this move comes at a time when at least 43 countries have banned nicotine vaping products, and 26 others have prohibited heated tobacco products due to health concerns, unethical marketing, and the urgent need to prevent youth addiction.

‘Nigeria cannot be a dumping ground for these rejected products,’ the organisations declared. ‘The government has a duty to protect citizens from this dangerous tactic,’ they said.

They cited a recent event in Abuja organised by an industry front group posing as a ‘harm reduction organisation from Sweden,’ describing it as a deliberate attempt by the tobacco industry to derail the full implementation of Nigeria’s tobacco control laws and worsen the country’s growing non-communicable diseases (NCD) crisis.

According to media reports, the group urged Nigeria to adopt a ‘localised harm reduction strategy’ and ‘learn from the Quit Like Sweden model.’ While claiming to promote alternatives for smokers, the group simultaneously launched mass media campaigns marketing the products to the general public as ‘safer options’.

NTCA, CAPPA, and Gatefield described this as a deceptive rebranding of tobacco marketing, warning that the tobacco industry is exploiting harm-reduction rhetoric to recruit a new generation of nicotine users.

They also condemned the Swedish group’s claim that ‘there can never be a nicotine-free world’, calling it the clearest evidence yet that the industry is deliberately perpetuating addiction while most countries are adopting endgame tobacco strategies aimed at a nicotine-free future.

Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, said, ‘There is no safe level of nicotine. These groups are marketing nicotine pouches, vapes and heated tobacco devices as harm-reducing or safer alternatives, and that is a dangerous lie that fuels a youth addiction crisis right here at home.’

Oluwafemi cited recent World Health Organisation (WHO) data showing that at least 15 million children aged 13 to 15 are already addicted to e-cigarettes, with children being nine times more likely than adults to vape.

‘This is the so-called ‘smoke-free future’ the industry envisions – one that sustains a steady pipeline of young addicts to replace those killed or harmed by tobacco and nicotine products so shareholders can keep smiling to the bank,’ he said.

He urged the government to adopt bold, decisive actions to eliminate youth access to nicotine products, protect children, and end the nicotine epidemic in Nigeria.

‘Harm is harm; there is no safe level of poison. Any message suggesting nicotine can be safely used is a public health misstep with devastating consequences for our youth and families. Nigeria must prioritise the elimination of access and strict enforcement of comprehensive protections over any form of so-called harm reduction marketing,’ he said.

Olawale Makanjuola, NTCA Alliance Coordinator, corroborated this view, stressing that the country already has a robust legal framework that, if properly implemented, can curb the spread of nicotine addiction.

Makanjuola added, ‘We have the tools: strong taxation, comprehensive advertising bans, plain packaging, strict age verification, and well-funded cessation support. What’s needed is political will.

‘Industry-backed programmes falsely claim not to target youths, yet they simultaneously launch ‘educational’ campaigns in schools that normalise nicotine use. These are Trojan horses disguised as public health initiatives.’

Similarly, Omei Bongos-Ikwue, Health Communications, Policy and Advocacy Specialist at Gatefield, backed the call for more robust policies to protect the youth.

‘The industry does not seek to eradicate tobacco and nicotine, but to dress itself in packaging that attracts its most important market, the youth. As a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Nigeria must protect public health policies from the tobacco industry’s commercial interests. We must maintain our focus on preventing initiation and ending the epidemic, not advancing nicotine addiction.’

The statement noted that global evidence consistently shows that comprehensive tobacco control policies, not alternative product marketing, drive quitting rates and reduce tobacco use prevalence.

‘Nigeria must align with global best practices and stand firm against the industry’s deceptive harm-reduction tactics. Beyond that, we must also develop home-grown public health solutions that reflect our social and local realities, not copy and paste narratives from countries where nicotine addiction is already entrenched. Nigerian youth do not need new forms of addiction disguised as lifestyle accessories.’ the organisations warned.

They further urged parents, guardians, school authorities, and the general public to stay vigilant against the growing infiltration of these nicotine products into everyday spaces.

‘If our public institutions and communities fail to act now, Nigeria risks importing a major public health crisis,’ the statement concluded.

Nollywood actress, Regina Chukwu, has sent a strong message to men, warning that emotional and verbal abuse can cause lasting damage to a woman’s mental and emotional health, just as much as physical violence.

The actress made this known in a post shared on her Instagram page, where she expressed concern over how some men downplay the harm of verbal attacks in relationships.

According to Chukwu, while physical abuse may leave visible bruises, verbal assault inflicts silent wounds on a woman’s heart, confidence, and peace of mind, wounds that apologies cannot easily heal.

‘Verbally abusing your woman is just as bad as hitting her, because those words echo in places no apology can reach. You might not leave marks on her skin, but you’ll leave damage on her heart, her confidence, and her peace. And once a woman’s peace is gone, you’ll never get the same version of her again,’ she wrote.

A 34-year-old man, Decarlos Brown Jr., accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been indicted by a federal grand jury, a move that could make him eligible for the death penalty.

According to ABC News, the indictment filed on Wednesday, October 22, charges Brown with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, a capital offense under U.S. federal law.

The charges stem from the August 22 incident in which Zarutska, 23, was stabbed multiple times in what authorities described as an unprovoked attack on the Lynx Blue Line light rail.

Surveillance footage cited in court documents reportedly shows Zarutska entering the train and taking a seat in front of Brown. About four minutes later, Brown allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed her three times from behind. Investigators said there was no prior interaction between the two.

After the attack, witnesses said Brown calmly walked away while passengers rushed to help the victim. Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene, and officers arrested Brown minutes later at a nearby station. A pocketknife believed to be the murder weapon was recovered close to the scene.

Records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction show that Brown has a criminal history, including convictions for larceny, breaking and entering, and armed robbery. He previously served five years in prison, beginning in 2015.

Zarutska had emigrated from Ukraine with her family, escaping the ongoing war to start a new life in the United States before her tragic death.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa has announced plan by the Federal Government to empower 8,000 teachers nationwide with zero-rated data access and subsidized devices to enhance professional development and classroom delivery.

Alausa who announced this during a Ministerial Roundtable in Abuja on Thursday said the initiative will be Implemented with technical support from the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme.

He added that the initiative is part of the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing digital learning through an Education Public-Private Partnership (ePPP).

The roundtable brought together key government officials, private sector partners, and development stakeholders to unveil the initiative’s pilot phase, which will run from December 2025 to July 2026.

He said the teachers drawn from the six geopolitical zones, had been selected to benefit from the pilot phase.

Alausa also inaugurated a Coordination and Implementation Committee (CIC) to oversee the programme and ensure effective cross-sector collaboration.

The committee includes representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.

It also has members from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

Other agencies represented are the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and PLANE.

According to Alausa, participating teachers will have free access to the Federal Government’s eLearn platform and other approved digital resources, powered by zero-rated data provided through partner telecom and Internet Exchange providers.

‘We know this; it’s unfortunate that teachers are not being paid enough, and we’re not fooling ourselves,’ he said.

‘Giving these teachers devices and expecting them to pay for data is foolhardy.

‘It’s dead on arrival, and that’s why we’re here today to create a path for them to access whatever they need without paying anything’.

Registrar of TRCN, Dr Ronke Soyombo, commended the initiative, saying it was ‘a significant stride toward making digital learning more accessible to all’.

She said the intervention would enhance teachers’ capacity to integrate technology into classroom instruction, bridge the digital divide, foster continuous professional development, and ultimately improve the quality of education nationwide.

‘The provision of zero-rated subsidised data bundles is not merely a technical solution; it is a strategic intervention that can accelerate digital inclusion, enhance teacher capacity, and ultimately improve learning outcomes nationwide,’ Soyombo said.

‘TRCN is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that every teacher in Nigeria is digitally empowered and professionally equipped to thrive in a technology-driven education landscape,’ she added. (NAN)

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party have asserted that Joash Amupitan, the new chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will become Nigeria’s democracy super hero if can adequately address lapses in the country’s electoral processes and make votes count in elections.

The PDP and Accord gave the advice in separate interviews on Thursday in Lagos ,following the swearing-in of Amupitan as the new boss of INEC

The two political parties advised Amupitan to do things differently.

According to them, though the former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, tried his best, but his best was just not enough.

Speaking, Mr Dele Oladeji, Accord State Chairman, said the new INEC boss needed to to do better in the area of electoral reform to make votes count during elections.

‘We need improvements in the electoral law, to create free and fair elections.

‘There are still rooms for improvements, and INEC, under Amupitan, must consistently work on these ahead of 2027. People have lost hope in the electoral system because of many lapses in process.

‘For Amupitan to have impressive records and be a super hero in history, our election results must be credible.

‘We don’t want any glitch, we must fully automate collation electronically to avoid the usual manipulations at collation centres.

‘If there will be a change, Amupitan must be non-partisan ,but can a man being appointed by the President be free and truly independent?This is the big question ?’ Oladeji said.

Speaking, the State PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos Central), Mr Hakeem Olalemi, who expressed doubt in Amupitan’s ability to be truly independent, said that the new INEC chairman should prove skeptics wrong and write his name in gold.

Olalemi claimed that certain powerful individuals prevented the immediate past INEC boss, Yakubu, from actualising his dream of bringing integrity to the nation’s electoral system.

‘Professor Yakubu as a person is an astute administrator, a good professor, but could not swim the the rivers of Nigeria’s politics. We just hope the new INEC chairman will be above board

‘Our electoral processes require more reforms and systemic changes to restore hope of many disenchanted people over perennial electoral flaws.

‘Amupitan will make himself a super hero of democracy if he allows the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) to work 100 per cent.

‘He will be a super hero if he ensures electronic transmission and collation of election results to limit human interferences and manipulations,’ Olalemi said.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday sworn in Amupitan, SAN, as the new INEC chairman after taking the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu charged Amupitan to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and electoral process as well as strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.

Amupitan’s swearing in by the President comes a week after the Senate confirmed his appointment as INEC Chairman, following a rigorous screening session on Oct. 16.

The new Chairman, who resumed immediately at INEC headquarters, addressed the staff of the Commission, promising to deliver credible, free and fair elections.

He succeeds Yakubu, a Professor of Political History and International Studies, who led the commission for two-terms of five years each. (NAN)

ýThe unions of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have suspended a planned strike that was set to begin at midnight on Wednesday.

This was stated in a release signed in Abuja on Wednesday by Mr Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

According to the statement, the unions called off the strike following a crucial meeting with Mr Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, to discuss general staff welfare issues.

ý’After extensive deliberations, a thorough review of facts and figures, an amicable resolution was reached, leading to the suspension of the planned strike action, which was earlier scheduled to commence by midnight today.

The communiqué, signed by representatives from both parties, outlined the following resolutions:

ý’The meeting resolved that the Minister and the Permanent Secretary will engage relevant authorities for due consideration of the salary relativity subject matter,’ it said.

ýIt stated that all stakeholders agreed to be patient and committed while consistently following up on the payment of 2024 Minimum Wage and nine months of Consequential Salary Adjustment arrears.

ý’The NiMet Management shall, with immediate effect, pay the thirty (30) omitted staff from the Agency’s Internally Generated Revenue.

ý’On the issue of furniture grant, it was agreed that 35 per cent of the approved furniture grant shall be implemented immediately while the remaining 65 per cent shall be captured and paid in the 2026 Annual Budget,’ it said.

ýit noted that the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Kana, will form an inter-agency committee to reconcile funds owed to NiMet from sister agencies.

ýThe statement said that NiMet management would involve union representatives in pursuing approvals for allowances and establishment matters with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission .

ý’The Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation; and management should also be proactive in obtaining all necessary approvals within reasonable timeframes.

ý’Based on these mutual understandings and resolutions, the planned industrial action by NiMet staff has been officially suspended.

ý’The minister commended the union leaders for their maturity, constructive engagement, and sense of responsibility.

‘It emphasised the ministry’s continued commitment to promoting staff welfare, industrial harmony, and institutional reforms that will enhance productivity and service delivery in the aviation sector.’

The Nigerian naira kept getting stronger against the US dollar on Tuesday, showing more signs of improvement in the country’s foreign exchange market.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the naira traded at ?1,463.45 per dollar on Tuesday, compared to ?1,465.29 on Monday.

This means the currency gained about ?1.8 in just one day at the official market.

At the black market, the naira stayed the same at ?1,500 per dollar, the same rate as the previous day. Traders said demand for the dollar has been moderate, and confidence in the local currency seems to be returning.

Experts believe that the steady rise in the naira’s value is linked to the government’s ongoing efforts to stabilize the exchange rate and boost dollar supply through foreign investments and export earnings.

Meanwhile, the country’s external reserves continued to grow, reaching $42.79 billion as of October 20, 2025, up from $42.69 billion recorded three days earlier.

This improvement shows that Nigeria is gradually building a stronger financial cushion to support the naira and reduce pressure on the economy.

Analysts have welcomed the trend, saying if the CBN maintains its current policies, the naira may continue to strengthen in the coming weeks.

However, they also warn that consistent results will depend on Nigeria’s ability to increase production, attract foreign investors, and manage its oil revenues effectively.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), on his election as Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

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ýMshelbila was elected at the 27th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum held in Doha, Qatar.

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ýThe President also congratulated the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, on his emergence as President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting.

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ýAccording to a statement by Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said the development reaffirms Nigeria’s leadership in global gas diplomacy.

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ýThe President expressed confidence that both Mshelbila and Ekpo would represent Nigeria with distinction and foster stronger cooperation, stability, and inclusivity in the global gas market.

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ý’The Nigerian government is proud of Mshelbila’s election as Secretary-General and Ekpo’s emergence as President of the GECF Ministerial Meeting, as the two positions reflect the international community’s confidence in Nigeria’s leadership and technical expertise in the global gas sector.

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ý’Natural gas remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial growth, energy security, and economic transformation under our administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘Our country shall remain a dependable voice in advancing equitable energy access and a cleaner energy future,’ Tinubu is quoted as saying.(NAN)

Media personality and mother-of-two, Marcy Dolapo Oni, has stirred reactions online after revealing her personal battle with depression.

In an emotional post shared on Instagram, Dolapo said she often feels overwhelmed by the responsibilities of managing her home and caring for her family, noting that she is always ‘doing and sorting’ for everyone but rarely takes time for herself.

The former television host shared that she sometimes reflects on her life and wonders what became of the ‘bright and brave plans’ she had in her 20s before the weight of adulthood and motherhood took over.

Despite her emotional struggles, Dolapo said she is holding onto faith, adding that she believes ‘God doesn’t waste seasons,’ and she is determined to keep moving forward, one step at a time.