Author: Opalim Lifted

A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted Mahmud Usman, a commander of the proscribed Ansaru sect, and sentenced him to 15 years in prison. Usman, better known by his aliases Abu Bara’a, Abbas, or Mukhtar, entered a guilty plea on Thursday to the charge that he engaged in illegal mining activities, proceeds of which he used to procure arms for terrorism and kidnapping operations. Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, ordered that the defendant be held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending trial on 31 other counts filed against him. Usman, who styled himself as…

Fatoumatta Njai, a Gambian lawmaker, has asked the Nigerian senate to reinstate Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central. Akpoti-Uduaghan had, in a letter dated August 28, 2025, notified the clerk to the national assembly of her intention to resume on September 4, the date she said marked the end of her six-month suspension. On Tuesday, the national assembly prevented Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming legislative duties, insisting that her suspension is still a subject of litigation. Njai, who chairs the gender and children’s welfare committee of the Gambian parliament, made the demand in a letter dated September 9, 2025, and addressed to…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned two senior commanders of Ansaru, a terrorist organisation. The two commanders of the Al-Qaeda-linked sect — Mahmud Usman, aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar, the self-styled Emir of Ansaru; and Mahmud al-Nigeri, aka Malam Mamuda, Bara’s deputy and chief of staff were arraigned on Thursday before Emeka Nwite, a judge, on a 32-count charge bordering on terrorism. The suspects who were recently arrested during operations by security forces are facing charges bordering on leading a terrorist organisation, financing its activities, recruiting fighters, and coordinating violent attacks across Nigeria. In July 2022, Ansaru militants were linked…

The Federal Government has introduced 26 technical education trade areas in a move it says would align Nigeria’s skills acquisition with industry demands. The reform will take effect from the 2025/2026 academic year. Folasade Boriowo, the education ministry’s spokesperson, said the trade areas will see all federal science and technical colleges (FSTCs) transition to full-fledged federal technical colleges. Under the new structure, students will be required to take one trade course alongside general subjects. She said Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, stated that the move is part of an effort to “reduce overload” and produce a more skilled workforce.…

Adekunle Gold, the Nigerian singer, has announced that his highly anticipated sixth studio album ‘Fuji’ will be released on October 3. In a post via his Instastory, the ‘Coco Money’ hitmaker revealed that the album tells his personal story, capturing lessons, friendships, victories, grief, and the joy of fatherhood. “I’ve been working quietly on something that marks a new chapter for me. Music that carries where I come from, who I have become, and where I’m heading,” he wrote. “This album is my story, the lessons I have learned, the friendships I have lost, the wins I have celebrated, the…

The court of appeal has set aside a high court ruling in the case between First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) and General Hydrocarbons Ltd (GHL). First Bank had alleged fraudulent diversion of proceeds of sale from an oil cargo which it said GHL had pledged as security for a loan. The high court had ruled that the matter in contention was not a maritime claim but a case of debt recovery. First Bank proceeded to file an appeal against the ruling. In its ruling on Thursday, the appeal court set the high court judgement aside. The court authorised the sale…

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo led tributes on Thursday at a memorial service in Lagos for Dr. Doyin Abiola, hailed as a pioneering journalist, courageous patriot, and tireless defender of democracy. In his remarks, Osinbajo described Abiola as “a beloved aunty, courageous patriot, and tireless fighter for democracy and the rule of law.” He offered prayers for her daughter, Doyinsola Abiola Tobun, her husband, Bamise Tobun, their children, and the wider Abiola family. The service drew an array of dignitaries, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Dr.…

Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association with 74 alleged rule breaches related to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022. The charges are primarily focused on events which occurred between the 2010-11 to 2015-16 seasons. The alleged rule breaches are around agents, intermediaries and third-party investments in players. Chelsea have until 19 September to respond. Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich was in control of the club from 2003 to 2022. He sold Chelsea to a consortium led by American investor Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital last year. “During a thorough due diligence process prior to completion…

As the world marks the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day, Nigeria is confronted with a self-murder crisis that remains largely hidden behind stigma and silence, with an estimated 15,000 deaths annually and criminalisation of attempted self-murder in the country, discouraging people in distress from seeking help. Nigeria is among the few nations where survivors of self-murder attempts may face imprisonment under Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code. The Federal Government has however reaffirmed its commitment to decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria, setting December 2025 as the target date for the reform. The Coordinating…

US President Donald Trump has said he is “filled with grief and anger” after the “heinous assassination” of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. Kirk, a staunch ally of the US president, was shot dead at a university event in Utah on Wednesday afternoon. Trump announced the death of the 31-year-old conservative on social media, hailing him as a “great, and even legendary” figure who was “loved and admired by all, especially me”. In a video message, the US president said, “To my fellow Americans, I’m filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.…