Author: David Great

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan , on Tuesday, ordered that a 22- year-old man, Bidemi Olayode in Agodi Correctional facility, over gang-rape and murder of his sister. Olayode, who lives in Alapa Community, near Ayegun area of Ibadan, is charged with conspiracy and murder. The Chief Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, did not take Olayode’s plea. He directed the police to return the case file to Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. Mudashiru adjourned the matter until Dec. 21, for mention. Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Femi Oluwadare  told the court that Olayode allegedly conspired with others…

Niger’s post-coup military rulers have demanded in a statement seen by AFP on Wednesday that the United Nations coordinator in the West African country leave Niger within 72 hours. The foreign ministry said in the statement dated Tuesday that the government had ordered Louise Aubin, the UN’s resident and humanitarian coordinator, “to take all necessary measures to leave Niamey within 72 hours”. It pointed to “obstacles” which it said were presented by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “with a view to thwarting the full and complete participation of Niger” at last month’s UN General Assembly. The military regime has already criticised…

An Akure High Court in Ondo state has dismissed a complaint filed by the state’s embattled deputy governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, challenging his impeachment by the state House of Assembly. In his judgement, Justice O. Akintan-Osadebay refused jurisdiction to prevent a contradictory verdict between the Ondo High Court and the Abuja Federal High Court. Akintan-Osadebay found that engaging in “forum shopping” by filing the identical lawsuit in Akure and Abuja Federal  High Courts constituted a blatant misuse of the legal system. It will be remembered that Aiyedatiwa sought the court on September 25, 2023, in an action denoted AK/348/2023, to…

Two people are believed to have been killed in a conflict between local vigilantes and herders in Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State. Although the Delta State Police Command reported two deaths, neighbours who came out to protest the killings say eight persons were killed in the Monday attacks. The State Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, stated that the event is being investigated but warned locals against taking the law into their own hands. Gunmen kidnap four Nasarawa varsity students Meanwhile, the police command has provided an update on the case of the two-year-old kid who was…

Mr Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming November 11 Bayelsa governorship election, filed an appeal on Tuesday against a lower court’s decision rejecting his candidature. Sylva asked the court to vacate the judgement in a notice of appeal filed by his lawyer, Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN. In addition, the immediate-past Minister of Petroleum filed a stay of execution against the judgement. Recall that Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, disqualified the APC candidate from running in the election in a decision issued Monday night. Sylva, who had been sworn in twice…

France has begun withdrawing its troops from Niger after being ordered out of the West African nation by the leaders of the July coup that ousted the pro-Paris president, the military said Tuesday. “The first troops have left,” the spokesman of the French chief of staff said, confirming an announcement Monday by Niger’s army, which said that the 1,400-strong French contingent would begin leaving Tuesday, under escort from Niger forces. The withdrawal came a day after Niger’s military rulers on Monday said a first convoy of French troops would leave the West African nation after the leaders of a coup ordered…

The police on Tuesday arraigned a 43-year-old teacher, David Yusuf, in a Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for allegedly flogging a student of the Government Girls College, Kuje, FCT. The teacher, who is said to be a casual staff of the college is charged with two counts of causing grievous harm without provocation and assault. He pleaded not guilty. The police prosecutor, Mr Edwin Inegbenoise, told the court that the case was transferred from the Kuje Divisional Police Headquarters to the Criminal Investigation Department, FCT, for further investigation. Inegbenoise alleged that the nominal complainant, Henry Iortim, of Union…

Four students from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, have been kidnapped. The students were reportedly taken away on Tuesday after their lodge in Angwan Kare, a village in the Keffi Local Government Area, was stormed by armed men. DSP Ramhan Nansel, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the kidnapping to journalists on Tuesday. He said the State Police Command received a distress call in the early hours of Tuesday reporting that gunmen had stormed a residence in Angwan Kare. “The command is aware of kidnapping at about 12:55 am as a distress was received that a house…

……Italy, Turkey to host Euro 2032 Europe’s football governing body, UEFA have announced on Tuesday that the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland will co-host Euro 2028, while Italy and Turkey will co-host Euro 2032. Both proposals were unopposed but required official sanction from European football’s governing body, which was granted at a conference in Switzerland. Turkey withdrew from the Euro 2028 bidding process last week, opening the way for Britain and Ireland, who abandoned ambitions to bid for the 2030 World Cup in order to focus on organising the European Championship. FIFA confirmed this week that the 2030 World…

Ex-Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from football after leaving Real Madrid at the end of last season. Hazard, 32, joined Real from Chelsea in 2019 for £89m, but played just 54 league games for the Spanish giants. He won two Premier League titles during his time at Stamford Bridge. “You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time,” said Hazard, who has been a free agent since his contract was terminated in June. “After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer.” The…