Category: News

In a startling revelation at the Federal High Court in Abuja, a witness in the trial of six accused coup plotters has disclosed that Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji allegedly intended to forcibly enter the Presidential Villa. Zekeri Umoru, the fourth defendant, testified before a Special Investigative Panel that Ma’aji expressed a determination to gain access, even if it meant using violence, regardless of the cooperation of insiders.

Umoru, who was employed by Julius Berger on the Presidential Villa clinic project, stated that Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, the third defendant, acted as an intermediary. Ibrahim allegedly offered Umoru money and instructed him to recruit 18 to 19 individuals working within the Villa, including soldiers, DSS operatives, and Julius Berger staff, for the operation.

The witness further claimed that discussions included a plan to shut down the Villa’s electricity supply to facilitate the coup attempt. However, Umoru cautioned that such a move would trigger immediate investigations and detain personnel on duty. He also noted that Inspector Ibrahim later demanded N100 million from Ma’aji to secure entry via an ambulance route, a request Ma’aji dismissed as excessive, insisting he could breach the Villa by force, albeit with bloodshed.

Becoming uneasy with the scheme, Umoru attempted to return the money he received, emphasizing that the Presidential Villa was not a trivial matter. He denied having access to the solar power plant or sabotaging electricity, as alleged. The witness also admitted failing to promptly report the plot to authorities, explaining that Inspector Ibrahim discouraged him, asking him to delete messages and avoid contacting Ma’aji due to an ongoing audit.

After the video evidence was screened, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 21 for continuation of the trial-within-trial.

Desmond Elliot, representing Surulere I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has made public a video showing his supporters being barred from the accreditation process during the All Progressives Congress (APC) state assembly primary election held on Wednesday. The former actor turned lawmaker had earlier declared his withdrawal from the contest, citing acts of intimidation against his followers.

In a post on his Facebook page, Elliot stated that throughout various polling units, there were obvious instances of harassment, with his supporters prevented from even getting accredited, let alone casting their votes. He described the conduct during the APC primary as antithetical to true democracy.

The video captures the crowd of Elliot’s supporters chanting, “All we want is Desmond, give us Desmond,” as they express their frustration over being denied participation in the electoral process.

A powerful windstorm has wreaked havoc on electricity infrastructure in northwestern Nigeria, causing widespread blackouts. The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) confirmed that the storm toppled 13 transmission poles, cutting power to numerous communities in Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna states.

In an official statement released on Wednesday, KEDCO detailed that the damaged poles were part of feeder lines serving several localities. The affected areas include Dandume in Katsina, as well as Rogo, Sundu, Falgore, Tudun Wada, Saya Saya, Kadawa, and Hago in Kano. Additionally, the outage extended to Ikara in Kaduna State.

“The windstorm caused significant damage, bringing down 13 electricity poles along key feeder lines. This has led to power supply interruptions in the mentioned regions,” the statement explained.

The utility company expressed regret over the inconvenience and assured affected residents that teams are already working to repair the damaged infrastructure. KEDCO emphasized that efforts are underway to restore electricity as swiftly as possible.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has moved to allay public fears, stating unequivocally that no case of Ebola virus disease has been recorded in the country. This assurance comes amid growing unease following fresh outbreaks reported in several Central African nations.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the aviation agency outlined heightened preventive protocols now in place at all international airports across Nigeria. These measures are designed to prevent the virus from entering the country through air travel.

FAAN revealed that comprehensive health monitoring systems have been activated at every international gateway. These systems are geared towards early identification and swift response to any potential case that may arise.

The authority emphasized its collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services, and other key bodies to bolster passenger screening, particularly for individuals arriving from regions where the virus is prevalent.

Under the enhanced procedures, travelers are being checked for Ebola-related symptoms. Any person showing signs will be immediately isolated and undergo secondary medical assessments, adhering to both national and international health regulations.

FAAN also confirmed that staff awareness programs have been strengthened, emergency response protocols updated, and coordination with airport stakeholders improved to ensure readiness for any eventuality.

While reiterating that Nigeria remains Ebola-free, FAAN called on passengers to remain calm and cooperate fully with health officials during screening. It also advised travelers to report any symptoms or health concerns promptly to authorities, as part of collective efforts to safeguard public health and maintain safe airport operations nationwide.

The Federal High Court in Sokoto has postponed proceedings in the case concerning the leadership tussle within the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud announced the adjournment, moving the hearing to June 4, 2026.

The decision was made during Tuesday’s session to allow all involved parties sufficient time to address outstanding court documents and ensure legal papers are properly served. Justice Mahmud noted that the upcoming Sallah festivities also influenced the timeline, emphasizing that the delay aligns with the principles of fairness and justice.

Professor Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, representing the second and third defendants, requested the adjournment, highlighting that some parties had not received the required documents. He also revealed that a motion challenging an earlier ex-parte order from May 8, 2026, had been submitted.

Lead counsel for the plaintiffs, Barr. Matthew Burkaa, SAN, initially resisted the request but eventually consented, recognizing the need for all applications to be addressed. Other defense lawyers supported the call for more time.

Following arguments from both sides, the court scheduled the next hearing for June 4, 2026. This case is part of a broader legal battle over the leadership structure of the ADC in Sokoto State. The matter had previously been adjourned from May 8 to May 19, 2026, before the latest postponement.

On Wednesday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar participated in the screening process organized by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for its presidential aspirants. The event took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, drawing significant attention from political observers.

Atiku arrived at the venue accompanied by a group of prominent political figures, including former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, ex-Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, and former Minister of Police Affairs Maina Waziri, along with several other allies.

Observers widely expect Atiku to emerge as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, further intensifying the political landscape.

Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation, has officially shown up at the screening exercise organized by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for presidential aspirants. The event took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, where the politician was seen wearing traditional Niger Delta attire, accompanied by his trusted associates.

Amaechi, who previously governed Rivers State, made his presidential ambitions clear last week when he formally announced his intention to contest in the 2027 elections. He had earlier picked up the party’s nomination forms from the ADC national secretariat in Abuja, signaling his readiness to vie for the nation’s top job.

Upon submitting the required documents, the former minister emphasized that his goal is to become president, not vice president. He stated unequivocally that he did not purchase the nomination forms with any intention of being a running mate to another candidate. This declaration came amid speculation that he might settle for a lesser role in the political race.

Amaechi’s arrival at the screening venue marks a significant step in his quest for the presidency, as the ADC begins the process of selecting its flagbearer for the upcoming general election.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has made it clear that defeating former President Goodluck Jonathan is not their primary objective. Instead, the party has set its sights on removing President Bola Tinubu from office in the 2027 elections.

This statement was made by the SDP’s presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, during an interview on Trust TV on Wednesday. He was responding to reports that Jonathan has entered the presidential race for the upcoming election.

“Our aim is not to defeat Goodluck Jonathan; our goal is to defeat Tinubu,” Adebayo stated. He expressed that if Jonathan is genuinely running and not just being used by others, he would welcome his participation. Adebayo noted that Jonathan, having previously held the office, should be able to provide valuable insights into his past tenure, including why he was voted out, the challenges he faced with insecurity, and the financial losses during his administration.

Adebayo further remarked that Jonathan has gained international experience and a deeper understanding of democracy, which could make him a wiser candidate this time around. He emphasized that Jonathan’s entry could bring a fresh perspective to the race.

The Kano State Government has disclosed that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf previously held discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding a possible switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This revelation came from Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, who serves as the Director-General of Media and Publicity at the Government House in Kano, during his appearance on the Arise TV Morning Show.

According to Bature, the conversation was not a solo endeavor but was undertaken with the full knowledge and approval of key political figures, including former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo. He emphasized that these talks are part of broader political realignments and strategic consultations that are shaping the landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The media aide noted that while many rumors are circulating about political alliances, the governor’s approach to President Tinubu was a genuine step in exploring new political directions. He further stated that such movements are common in the build-up to major elections, as politicians seek to position themselves effectively.

Bature also hinted that similar conversations are ongoing across the country, involving various political actors, though he cautioned that not all speculations reflect finalized agreements. The assertion by the Kano State Government aims to clarify the governor’s political intentions and the collective decision-making process behind them.

In a significant political development, Shehu Umar, a prominent aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket in Bauchi State, has announced his withdrawal from the contest. Umar made his decision public through a personally signed statement released on Wednesday.

The move comes after a coalition of support groups that had been backing his campaign urged him to step down and avoid participating in the party’s primaries. These groups alleged that the current political climate is not favorable for his continued participation.

According to the coalition, the primary election process is riddled with irregularities, lacks clarity, and is highly ambiguous. They argued that what is unfolding is not a democratic election but rather a process of imposition and selection.

With Umar’s exit, the race for the APC governorship nomination in Bauchi has narrowed to two main contenders: former Governor Mohammed Abubakar and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar. Both are now seen as the leading candidates vying for the party’s ticket ahead of the general election.