Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

INEC Sets Dates For 2026 Governorship Elections In Ekiti And Osun States. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the governorship elections for Ekiti and Osun States will take place on 20 June and 8 August 2026, respectively. The announcement, made by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Friday in Abuja, aligns with the Electoral Act’s requirement to publish election notices at least 360 days prior to the polls. Prof. Yakubu explained that the current governors, elected in June and July 2022, will conclude their four-year terms in 2026, necessitating the early release of the election timetable.…

Finnish Court Begins Terrorism Trial Of Biafra Activist Simon Ekpa. Lahti, Finland – Simon Ekpa, a Finnish politician and prominent Biafra political activist, faced the Päijät-Häme District Court on Friday as Finnish authorities initiated his trial on terrorism-related charges. Ekpa, arrested in November 2024, is accused of inciting violence and financing terrorism through his online activities, which prosecutors claim have fuelled unrest in Nigeria’s South-East region. Finnish prosecutors, led by state prosecutor Sampsa Hakala, are seeking a six-year prison sentence, alleging that Ekpa’s social media campaigns to promote Biafran secession constitute terrorism under Finnish law. “We have substantial evidence…

Intersociety Demands NAFDAC Refund Over N3bn To Onitsha Drug Market Traders. The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has called on the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to refund over N3 billion allegedly collected from traders at the Onitsha Drug Market in Anambra State. The demand follows months of market closure due to a NAFDAC operation, which sparked significant outcry among affected traders. According to a statement issued by Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi, Head of Intersociety, alongside Chinwe Umeche, Human Rights Lawyer and Head of Democracy and Good Governance, and Chidinma Evangeline…

Nasarawa Monarch Abducted By Gunmen In Daring Late-Night Raid. In a shocking incident, Emmanuel Omanji, the traditional ruler of Kokona Local Government Area in Nasarawa State, known as the Sangarin Dari, was abducted from his residence in Dari, the local government headquarters, on Wednesday night. The kidnapping occurred between 11:00 pm and 11:30 pm, with gunmen suspected to be kidnappers storming the palace in large numbers. According to an eyewitness, the assailants fired shots into the air to intimidate residents and deter any security intervention before whisking the monarch away. “The kidnappers stormed the palace and fired sporadically to…

Real Madrid Sign Trent Alexander-Arnold From Liverpool On Free Transfer. Real Madrid have secured the signing of England international Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool on a contract running until 2031, the La Liga giants announced on Friday. The 26-year-old right-back, fresh off winning the Premier League with Liverpool, joins the Spanish club for an undisclosed fee, enabling him to feature in the upcoming Club World Cup. Alexander-Arnold, a product of Liverpool’s academy, has been a cornerstone of the Reds’ success, amassing 352 appearances and lifting the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020. His departure from…

North Korea’s Newest Destroyer Capsizes In Embarrassing Launch Failure. North Korea faced a significant setback last week when its newest 5,000-ton destroyer, the largest warship class the country has ever built, capsized during its launch in Chongjin, a port city on the northeastern coast. The incident, witnessed by leader Kim Jong-un, has been labelled a “criminal act” by the regime, with three shipyard officials, including the chief engineer, and a senior munitions official arrested, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency. Analysts attribute the mishap to North Korea’s inexperience with the sideways launch technique used to maneuver the…

Ukraine Accuses Russia Of Delaying Peace Talks As Negotiations Stall. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of obstructing peace negotiations on Friday, claiming Moscow has failed to provide a promised memorandum outlining its peace terms ahead of proposed talks in Istanbul on Monday. Speaking at a news conference in Kyiv, Mr. Sybiha stressed that for any meeting to be “substantive and meaningful,” Ukraine must receive the document in advance to allow its delegation to prepare and discuss relevant positions. The remarks come amid heightened diplomatic tensions, as both Ukraine and Russia vie to control the terms and pace…

Umuahia Observes Solemn Sit-At-Home In Honour Of Biafra Heroes. Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, was steeped in an unusual quiet on Friday as residents stayed indoors to commemorate fallen Biafra heroes, adhering to a sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The typically vibrant city, known for its bustling markets and lively streets, was transformed into a near-deserted landscape, with businesses shuttered and daily activities grinding to a halt. Markets, motor parks, and street shops across the city remained closed, while banks and both public and private schools saw no activity. Residents, unable to access…

Nigerians Urged To Scrutinise State Governors And Lawmakers, Sparking Debate. Former Senator Shehu Sani has called on Nigerians to hold their state governors, senators, and representatives accountable, rather than focusing solely on President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The statement, posted on his verified X account to mark the second anniversary of Tinubu’s presidency, has ignited a lively debate across the country. Sani, who served as senator for Kaduna Central from 2015 to 2019, encouraged citizens to evaluate the performance of their local and state leaders, including members of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly. In his post, he…

EFCC Re-Arraigns Covenant Fadama Executives For Alleged ₦178m Fraud In Jos. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, 29 May 2025, re-arraigned two executives of the Covenant Fadama Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, Secretary Okewole Dayo and Chairman Bishop Katung Jonas, before Justice Sharon T. Ishaya at the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State. The duo face a 23-count charge involving conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences, and money laundering amounting to ₦178,885,000, according to a statement from the EFCC. Investigations by the EFCC revealed that the defendants allegedly established the cooperative society as a front to deceive…

Lionel Messi Dazzles With Brace And Assist In Inter Miami’s Triumph Over CF Montreal. Lionel Messi once again proved why he’s regarded as one of football’s all-time greats, delivering a masterful performance in Inter Miami’s 4-2 victory over CF Montreal on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, at Chase Stadium. The Argentine maestro scored two sublime goals and provided an assist, leaving fans and pundits alike in awe of his enduring brilliance. Messi’s magic touch was evident early in the match. In the 27th minute, he latched onto a precise pass from Sergio Busquets, using his trademark left foot to fire…

Elon Musk Exits Trump Administration After Clash Over ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’. Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and former head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), announced his departure from the Trump administration on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, just hours after publicly criticising the president’s flagship domestic policy legislation. The move marks a dramatic end to Musk’s brief but contentious tenure in Washington, where he spearheaded efforts to slash federal spending and streamline government operations. In a post on his social media platform X, Musk expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for the opportunity to lead DOGE, a White House…