A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on three of the seven terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government. Delivering judgment on Thursday, the Presiding Judge, James Omotosho, cited prosecution evidence, including video interviews in which Kanu made violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens, as the basis for the conviction. More to come…
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party to suspend its national convention scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16. Delivering judgment in the suit instituted by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, Justice Peter Lifu restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from supervising, monitoring or recognising any convention conducted by the PDP without including the plaintiff as a contestant. Lifu held that the evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP Constitution and its internal regulations. The court affirmed that the PDP was duty-bound to create opportunities for its members to serve by adopting deliberate measures that enable them to pursue their political aspirations. As a consequential order, Justice Lifu directed that the planned convention be put on hold to allow Lamido to obtain the nomination form, mobilise supporters and conduct his campaign. “An order is hereby made that before any convention is held, the PDP is to make nomination forms available to the plaintiff. “In the light of the above, it is hereby held that the convention be put on hold for the plaintiff to obtain a nomination form, campaign and mobilise supporters,” the judge declared. Details shortly…
President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs. This is “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture,” a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, read Friday. The statement is titled ‘Tinubu changes service chiefs.’ According to Dare, the President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff. “The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position. “The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” the statement further read. Tinubu charged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by further enhancing the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define Nigeria’s Armed Forces. All appointments take immediate effect. Details shortly…
Activist and publisher, Mr Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday arrested within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja by armed policemen, shortly after he appeared in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. Sowore, who has been at the forefront of calls for Kanu’s release from detention, was picked up by security operatives who insisted that he must come with them to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command. When asked what his offence was, one of the officers explained that they were acting on the instruction of the Commissioner of Police. “The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer said. Although Sowore queried the absence of a formal letter of invitation, he maintained that his lawyer must accompany him before he was eventually taken away in a police van. Confirming Sowore’s arrest in a post via his X handle, human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, described the move as “preposterous” He wrote, “The arrest of Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja moments ago is preposterous. “The police and the Tinubu regime are making a mockery of our judicial system.He should be freed immediately. Stop the shenanigans.” Sowore had on Monday, October 20, led a protest in Abuja — part of the #FreeNnamdiKanu demonstrations that spread to other parts of the country. During the protest, Kanu’s lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, his brother, Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others were arrested and subsequently remanded at Kuje Prison. In the First Information Report filed before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kuje, the police alleged that the defendants, during the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest — which it said was held in defiance of a court order — chanted war songs and disrupted the free flow of traffic. The police further alleged that they engaged in criminal conspiracy, incited disturbance, and caused a breach of public peace — offences said to be punishable under Sections 152, 114 and 113 of the Penal Code Law. “That on the 20th day of October 2025, you (1) Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, (2) Prince Emmanuel Kanu, (3) Joshua Emmanuel, (4) Bishop Wilson Anyalewechi, (5) Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, (6) Clinton Chimeneze, (7) Gabriel Joshua, (8) Isiaka Husseini, (9) Onyekachi Ferdinand, (10) Amadi Prince, (11) Edison Ojisom, and (12) Godwill Obiama, all male adults of the FCT, Abuja, were arrested by a team of security agents at various locations within the FCT for engaging in incitement, disturbance and breach of public peace in disobedience to a court order, thereby disrupting the free movement of citizens while chanting war songs and demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is undergoing lawful trial at the Federal High Court, in a manner that threatens national security. “You thereby committed the aforementioned offences.” The court has fixed Friday for the defendants to take their plea on the charge. More to come…
Kanu Agabi, former Attorney-General of the Federation and lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday, applied to withdraw his representation in the ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Kanu is facing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, filed against him by the Federal Government. When the matter was called on Thursday, Agabi informed the court that he would no longer be representing the IPOB leader, adding that the defendant had decided to take back the case from them. In the same manner, all the Senior Advocates of Nigeria involved in the case also announced their withdrawal from the case. Kanu, confirming the development, told the court that he would be representing himself for now, but noted that the position might change later. The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, asked whether he should assign a lawyer to represent him, but the defendant (Kanu) declined. Meanwhile, addressing the court orally to open his defence, Kanu argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him. Recall that Justice Omotosho, on October 16, granted the defendant six consecutive days, beginning from October 23, to open and close his defence in view of the accelerated hearing earlier granted in the case. Kanu had listed former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd); a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), and others as part of his witnesses. More details later…
The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is currently appearing before the Senate for his screening and confirmation. Amupitan, who arrived at the National Assembly complex earlier and exchanged pleasantries with Senators, was accompanied to the chamber by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries. At about 12:50 p.m., the nominee was ushered into the Senate chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado, and was already seated ahead of the commencement of the exercise. Amupitan was allowed into the hallowed chamber after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved that Order 12 be set aside to allow strangers into the chamber, and he was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South). Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed Amupitan, his family members, and well-wishers to the Red Chamber, commending them for their presence. Before introducing himself to the Senators for the question and answer session to take off, Akpabio disclosed to his colleagues that the nominee had been cleared by the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, after vetting and fingerprinting. According to Akpabio, the office of the Department of State Services had also cleared him. The Senate President also said that the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, having done a fingerprint search on him, he was cleared him and said that he had no criminal records with the Police. The screening exercise commenced at about 12:55 p.m. following Akpabio’s opening remarks, during which he outlined the procedures to be followed by the lawmakers in considering the nominee’s credentials. President Bola Tinubu had nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law from the University of Jos, to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who resigned from his position. The President’s letter conveying Amupitan’s nomination was read on the floor of the Senate by Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, Amupitan, is widely regarded for his expertise in constitutional and international law. His appointment has, however, generated mixed reactions from civil society groups and political stakeholders, with some calling for reforms that will strengthen the independence and transparency of the electoral body. The screening session is expected to focus on Amupitan’s vision for credible elections, his plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and measures to deepen the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process. If confirmed by the Senate, Amupitan will oversee preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lay the groundwork for the 2027 general elections.
Some members of the National Association of Oduduwa Students, the Coalition of Yoruba Students, and the Yoruba Movement are currently staging a peaceful protest in solidarity with the Dangote Refinery, amid its ongoing faceoff with oil unions, PENGASSAN, NUPENG, and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria. The protesters, who converged on Tuesday at Iwo Road Roundabout, end of Ibadan/Lagos expressway, Ibadan in Oyo State, were chanting different songs to show their solidarity. They are marching through major routes, waving placards with inscriptions such as, “Don’t Kill Dangote Refinery,” “#StopsabotagingfuelinNigwria“#EndPENGASSAN,” #EndDAPPMAN,” “#DangoteRefineryIsANationalAsset,” “#StopSabotage, among others.” Wearing matching shirts emblazoned with, “Don’t Kill Dangote Refinery,” the students said the protest is aimed at drawing government attention to what they describe as a “coordinated attempt by vested interests” to frustrate the operations of the refinery, Nigeria’s biggest industrial investment and Africa’s largest single-train refinery. The NAOS President, Olalere Adetunji, called on President Bola Tinubu and relevant government agencies to intervene urgently. “We want to use this period to appeal to the Federal Government to protect the refinery and ensure that labour and marketers’ actions do not derail Nigeria’s move toward fuel self-sufficiency.” Security operatives, including the police and Federal Road Safety Corps, are on ground to maintain order as the protest continues.
The nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria on Monday paralysed operations at key oil and gas regulatory institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. The industrial action, which followed the weekend directive by the union’s National Executive Council, saw members across the country withdrawing their services, effectively shutting down critical agencies that drive Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Our correspondent observed that at the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was firmly locked, leaving several employees stranded outside the premises. Security operatives on duty confirmed that no staff were allowed entry, in line with the strike directive issued by the union. Similarly, activities at the NMDPRA headquarters in the busy Central Business District were completely grounded as workers fully complied with the industrial action. Confirming the situation, the PENGASSAN Chairman in NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, told The PUNCH that the union had achieved “100 per cent compliance,” effectively restricting access to staff and visitors. He added that his colleagues had also enforced 100 per cent compliance at the NNPCL and other relevant agencies. PENGASSAN said the strike became inevitable after the alleged wrongful dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The union’s directive to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sent shockwaves through the energy sector, with oil marketers warning of severe disruptions in fuel distribution. This move is expected to choke the domestic market, driving up demand and prices. On Sunday, PENGASSAN announced a nationwide strike, instructing all its members in various offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to cease all services starting at 12:01 am on Monday, September 29, 2025. The union also directed members stationed in various field locations to down tools from 6:00 am on Sunday, September 28, and commence a round-the-clock prayer vigil. In a strongly worded resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions by sacking workers for joining the union. It alleged the dismissed workers had been replaced by foreigners. “All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution declared. “All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.” The development has heightened fears of fuel scarcity and blackouts, as NNPC remains the sole importer of petrol while the midstream and downstream authority regulates supply and distribution. Similarly, NUPRC is responsible for monitoring crude production and enforcing gas supply obligations to power plants. All eyes are now on Monday’s emergency meeting convened by the Minister of Labour. Whether dialogue can restore calm or whether Nigeria plunges deeper into crisis may depend on the willingness of both sides to compromise.
The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has stepped down from his position. A source within the APC national headquarters, who does not want his name mentioned in print because he is not authorised to speak on the matter, said the National Working Committee will announce an acting chairman soon. As of Friday, details surrounding his resignation remain unclear at press time. However, a reliable source exclusively informed our correspondent that “Yes, Ganduje has resigned, and most of his personal belongings have been moved from the APC national secretariat. “The National Working Committee will soon confirm this and announce an acting replacement.” When our correspondent visited the APC national headquarters in Abuja, several party supporters were seen gathered in clusters, discussing the development and awaiting official confirmation from the NWC. Attempts to reach the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, for confirmation or denial were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls from our correspondent. Meanwhile, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad posted on his X handle on Friday, said, “The National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress(APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has resigned from his position, effective immediately, as confirmed by multiple sources. “The former National Chairman of our party would be succeeded in acting capacity by one of the party’s national vice chairmen until a substantive chairman is elected at the national convention scheduled for December 2025.”
President Bola Tinubu has signed into law four tax reform bills on key areas of Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework. Tinubu signed the bills at a ceremony held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, at about 03:20pm local time. The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill. They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders. “When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Onanuga said. The presidential assent to the bills was witnessed by the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senate Majority Leader, House Majority Leader, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and his House counterpart. The Chairman of the Governors Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State; the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; the Minister of Finance and Coordination Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, were also at the ceremony. One of the four bills is the Nigeria Tax Bill (Ease of Doing Business), which aims to consolidate Nigeria’s fragmented tax laws into a harmonised statute. “By reducing the multiplicity of taxes and eliminating duplication, the bill will enhance the ease of doing business, reduce taxpayer compliance burdens, and create a more predictable fiscal environment,” said the Presidency in a statement Wednesday night. The second bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, will establish a uniform legal and operational framework for tax administration across federal, state, and local governments. The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the third bill, repeals the current Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and creates a more autonomous and performance-driven national revenue agency— the Nigeria Revenue Service. It defines the NRS’s expanded mandate, including non-tax revenue collection, and lays out transparency, accountability, and efficiency mechanisms. The fourth bill is the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill. It provides for a formal governance structure to facilitate cooperation between revenue authorities at all levels of government. It introduces essential oversight mechanisms, including establishing a Tax Appeal Tribunal and an Office of the Tax Ombudsman. Punch
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