The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of four suspects accused of having ties with notorious terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, following their failure to appear for trial. Justice Emeka Nwite issued a bench warrant on Wednesday after the Federal Government, through its counsel, David Kaswe, made an oral application urging the court to compel the defendants’ attendance. The order was made when the matter was called and the defendants were absent from court. Those affected by the warrant are Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, also known as Doctor, Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma. Explaining their absence, defence counsel,…
Author: Adeboye
A 24-year-old woman, Jessica Anthony, has confessed to plotting with suspected armed robbers to steal gold jewellery belonging to her boyfriend in Delta State. Anthony, who is currently in police custody alongside an accomplice identified as Ada, allegedly masterminded the plan in Asaba, hoping to obtain money from the sale of the valuables. The suspect told investigators that she contacted the robbers to break into her boyfriend’s residence and cart away his gold, claiming she needed funds to settle her sister’s financial obligations. “I told them to go and collect his gold. They would sell it and give me the…
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday upheld the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to bar candidates of the Labour Party from participating in the forthcoming Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory. In a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court declined to order INEC to receive or publish the list of candidates presented by the LP for the council elections slated for February 21. Justice Lifu struck out a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2110/2025, instituted by the Labour Party and its candidates, in which they challenged their omission from INEC’s final list of contestants. The…
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday removed Julius Abure from office as the National Chairman of the Labour Party and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to acknowledge the Senator Esther Nenadi Usman-led caretaker leadership of the party. Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu anchored the decision on the April 4, 2025 ruling of the Supreme Court, which he said had settled the leadership dispute in favour of Usman, a former Minister of Finance, pending the party’s next national convention. The judge consequently ordered INEC to immediately recognise the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee as the legitimate authority authorised to…
An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Isa Makwarari, was on Tuesday brought before Magistrate Court No. 53 sitting at Normansland, Kano, over allegations bordering on the unlawful disposal of government and community lands. The Kano State Police Command accused the cleric of participating in the illegal sale of parcels of land said to belong to the government and host communities, an act the police described as a breach of extant land administration regulations. The case was presided over by Magistrate Mustapha Sa’ad Datti. At the proceedings, counsel to the defendant informed the court that the defence was not ready to proceed,…
Wives of detained operatives of the Osun Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, seeking royal intervention for the release of their husbands. The women, who described their visit as a last resort, carried placards bearing messages appealing to the monarch’s influence as the spiritual and cultural head of the Yoruba race. Some of the inscriptions highlighted the hardship faced by their families since the detention of the operatives. Addressing journalists, one of the protesters, Mrs Omolola Adedokun, urged the Ooni to use his…
Operatives of the Department of State Services have released an Ogun State–based pastor, Kayode Olawoye, and two of his associates following widespread public criticism over their detention. Olawoye, who recently gained attention on social media for repeatedly highlighting the deplorable condition of some roads in the state, was taken into custody on Monday after honouring an invitation from the DSS. A family source confirmed his release to PUNCH Metro on Tuesday night, saying the cleric and the two men who accompanied him regained their freedom after spending more than 24 hours in detention. The pastor’s detention had earlier triggered concerns…
The Edo State Government has confirmed the arrest of the founder of Rollo Life of Christ Brethren Ministry, Bishop Gideon Osazee, over allegations of sexual abuse involving two biological sisters said to be minors. The sisters, aged 13 and 17, were reportedly victims in the case, while authorities disclosed that four other young females have also lodged similar complaints against the cleric. Osazee was taken into custody by state officials after days of discreet surveillance Edo arrests cleric over alleged abuse of two sisters The Edo State Government has confirmed the arrest of the founder of Rollo Life of Christ…
At least six students are feared to have lost their lives following a boat accident in the Buruku River, Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State. The incident occurred on Monday night when a wooden boat conveying passengers back to school reportedly capsized while crossing the river. Findings by PUNCH Metro on Tuesday indicated that the boat was heavily overloaded, a factor eyewitnesses blamed for the mishap. A maritime worker at the scene, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the students had delayed their journey after politicians returning from a church thanksgiving in Logo were ferried first. According to…
No fewer than 31 civilians have been killed in a fresh armed attack on a community in western Niger, close to the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali, local sources confirmed on Tuesday. The assault occurred on Sunday in Bosiye village, located in the Tillaberi region, a volatile area within the tri-border zone where Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali meet and where armed groups have remained active for years. Residents said the attackers stormed the village and opened fire, leaving dozens dead and several others injured. A community member told AFP that 30 people were killed instantly, while one of…