NEWS

The cybercrime trial of activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, continued on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. During the proceedings, the court admitted a video exhibit showing former presidential aide Reno Omokri referring to President Bola Tinubu as a “drug lord.” Naija News reports that Sowore is facing trial over a social media post in which he labeled President Tinubu a “criminal,” an allegation the Federal Government says amounts to cyberstalking. Justice Mohammed Umar allowed the video evidence during cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Cyril Nosike, an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), despite objections from the prosecution. The video, submitted on a flash drive by Sowore’s cou...

The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has temporarily halted a Federal High Court judgment concerning a case challenging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility to run for a second term in 2028. Naija News reports that the appellate court also stayed proceedings in the suit filed by All Progressives Congress (APC) member Dr. Akin Egbuwalo at the Federal High Court. The lawsuit sought clarification on Section 137(3) of the Constitution to determine whether Aiyedatiwa, who has already served two terms in office, qualifies to contest again. Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke of the Federal High Court had set January 28 for the ruling, which would have addressed whether the governor—first sworn in on December 27, 2024, to complete the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s tenure, and again o...

Legal consultant to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, has criticized the deployment of security forces to suppress peaceful protests at Onitsha Main Market by the Anambra State government. Naija News reports that Governor Charles Soludo ordered the market closed for a week after traders refused to open shops on Monday, in line with the ongoing sit-at-home directive by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The directive came despite repeated appeals by the government urging traders, market leaders, and residents to disregard the sit-at-home order, which officials insist lacks legal backing and continues to disrupt economic activities in the state. Reacting to the security deployment, Ejimakor described the presence of soldiers at the protest as unconstitutional and demanded...

The Lagos State House of Assembly has dismissed reports alleging that it made provisions in the 2026 budget to buy houses in Abuja for its members. According to Naija News, the Assembly described the claims as false and misleading, stating that they were intended to misinform the public. In a statement signed by Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, and Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, the lawmakers clarified that no funds were allocated for the purchase of houses in Abuja or any location outside Lagos State. They described the report as baseless and politically driven. The Assembly stressed that its legislative duties, responsibilities and constituencies are strictly with...

The Presidency has reassured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is healthy and fully carrying out his official responsibilities during his ongoing state visit to Türkiye, dismissing speculation triggered by a brief stumble at a public event in Ankara on Tuesday. Responding to reports circulating online, the Presidency, according to Arise News, explained that the incident was not related to any medical issue but was caused by a poorly laid blue carpet at the venue. It clarified that the President momentarily lost his balance during a welcome ceremony in the Turkish capital but quickly regained his footing and continued with the programme without disruption. The Presidency further dismissed health concerns raised on social media, stressing that the stumble resulted from the ...

President Bola Tinubu has formally asked the Senate to amend existing laws to expand the number of judges in both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. In two separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during plenary on Tuesday, January 27, Tinubu requested amendments to the Federal High Court Act and the Court of Appeal Act. The president proposed increasing the number of judges of the Federal High Court from 70 to 90, while also seeking to raise the statutory strength of the Court of Appeal from 70 to 110 justices. Explaining his request, Tinubu noted that Section 1(2) of the Federal High Court Act initially allowed for a maximum of 50 judges before it was amended in 2005 to 70, which remains the current figure. He said the proposed increa...

A Nigerian Army colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, has been identified as the alleged mastermind of a failed coup aimed at removing President Bola Tinubu from office. Recall that the foiled coup attempt, which reportedly took place in October 2025, caused widespread tension across the country. While authorities initially dismissed the reports, the Defence Headquarters on Monday, January 26, confirmed that no fewer than 16 military officers were involved in the plot to overthrow the current administration. Colonel M. A. Ma’aji topped the list of the 16 indicted officers released by the investigative panel, reinforcing earlier claims that he played a leading role in the failed coup. Below are key facts about the prime suspect: Colonel Ma’aji previously served as a security adviser to Tim...

One suspect has been arrested after men of the Ekiti state police command uncovered an illegal baby factory located in the Ikere local government area of Ekiti State. Disclosing this to newsmen, the state Commissioner of Police, Joe Eribo, said the command received a tip-off and arrested one Onyechi Oluwadare, 43, alongside four other suspects behind a popular hotel along Ise-Ekiti Road, Ikere-Ekiti. “On the 24/01/2026 at about 08:30 hrs, the Command received a credible tip-off that the prime suspect, Oluwadare Onyechi, a 43-year-old woman, runs an illegal baby factory alongside four other suspects somewhere behind Inisa Hotel and Suit, along Ise-Ekiti Road, Ikere-Ekiti.” Upon the receipt of the information, the Command Operatives swung into action, cordon off the premises used f...

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned that any worker of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) who fails to resume duty following a court order will face sanctions. Wike issued the warning on Tuesday, January 27, while speaking with journalists after a court directed the striking workers to suspend their industrial action. He said there must be consequences for disobeying a valid court order and that enforcement would begin from Wednesday, January 27. “Are there no consequences for disobeying the law? Must we allow people break the law flagrantly? I have given them a window but from tomorrow, if they don’t come to work, we will apply the big stick,” Wike said. “From tomorrow (Wednesday), if we see anybody who wants to block the gate, ...

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday briefly stumbled during a ceremonial march-past organised for his reception at the parade ground in Türkiye. The incident occurred as the President joined the guard of honour, drawing momentary attention before the programme continued without disruption. A video posted on X by Turkish digital news platform Nefes Gazetesi shows Tinubu walking alongside his Turkish counterpart, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, before he stumbled to the ground. He was quickly assisted by the Secret Service. Tuesday’s reception commenced at about 5:00 pm local time with the simultaneous playing of the national anthems of both nations and a ceremonial 21-gun salute. Following the completion of the ceremonial formalities, both leaders withdrew into a closed-door...