Author: Opalim Lifted

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), alongside the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), on Tuesday urged President Bola Tinubu, state governors and security agencies to end what they described as the growing harassment and intimidation of journalists, activists, bloggers and civil society organisations across the country. The appeal followed a joint press conference held in Lagos to mark the 2025 International Human Rights Day, where both organisations warned that the increasing use of restrictive laws and legal actions against critics was eroding democracy, press freedom and the rule of law in Africa’s most populous nation. SERAP and the editors’…

Noni Madueke scored twice as Arsenal beat Club Brugge to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League and all but secure their place in the knockout phase. Mikel Arteta made five changes to the side that lost to Aston Villa on Saturday and it was one of those players, Noni Madueke, who opened the scoring with an excellent strike. The England winger shrugged off one defender before smashing a shot from 20 yards which went in off the crossbar. Club Brugge did threaten Arsenal’s much-changed backline just before the break but David Raya made smart saves from Christos Tzolis…

Manchester City recovered from a goal down to deliver a magnificent Champions League victory at perennial winners Real Madrid and leave the La Liga side’s manager Xabi Alonso precariously holding on to his job. Alonso is under severe pressure following a poor run in the league and a reported clash of culture with his players, and the heat will now crank up after Real failed to hold on to their early advantage. The hosts suffered a blow as leading goalscorer Kylian Mbappe was deemed only fit enough to be on the bench, but the France captain did not make an…

Forward Mohamed Salah must “reverse away” from his accusation that he has been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool, says former captain Steven Gerrard. Salah said after Saturday’s Premier League draw at Leeds that he has been blamed for Liverpool’s poor form and that his relationship with manager Arne Slot had broken down. The Egypt forward was left out of the squad that travelled to Inter Milan for Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win, although Slot has said Salah could return to the side. Former England midfielder Gerrard, who left Liverpool in 2015, said Salah was a “bit emotional and a…

Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau state, is in the final stages of his impending defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The entire process would be completed before the end of January 2026. Sources within the governor’s camp said that Mutfwang has made up his mind to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — the platform on which he was elected in 2023. The PDP is factionalised and currently facing its worst crisis ever. President Bola Tinubu met with Mutfwang and endorsed his proposed move to the ruling party. Expelling Wike, others won’t solve PDP crisis – Mutfwang However, some…

Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, spent Monday night at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as interrogations intensified over an ongoing investigation. According to an associate of the former minister, Malami was invited for questioning on Monday but arrived late in the evening, which led to him staying overnight to continue responding to investigators’ queries. The associate also disclosed that 46 bank accounts allegedly linked to Malami are under investigation, forming a major part of the EFCC’s probe. Malami is expected to report to the EFCC daily as the…

Tottenham Hotspur returned to winning ways in the Champions League with a convincing victory against Slavia Prague. Thomas Frank’s side were beaten 5-3 away to holders Paris St-Germain in their last game, making it even more important they secured three points and built on their morale-boosting Premier League win against Brentford. Spurs were given significant assistance when Slavia defender David Zima got it all wrong and headed Cristian Romero’s flick from Pedro Porro’s corner past his own keeper Jindrich Stanek after 26 minutes. Slavia had opportunities of their own, with keeper Guglielmo Vicario saving well from Youssoupha Sanyang, who then…

Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, has formally joined the Accord party days after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Adeleke announced his defection to the Accord in a statement posted on his social media handle on X on Tuesday evening. “Today, we unveiled the Accord Party, our new platform for the good people of Osun State. From Osun West to Osun East to Osun Central, this is our party, our new platform for victory come August next year,” he wrote. “Today, we unveiled the Accord Party, our new platform for the good people of Osun State. From Osun West…

Officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Tuesday fired teargas canisters at members of the Coalition of Indigenous FCT Contractors who were protesting an alleged unpaid debt of N5.2 billion owed them by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The contractors arrived early at the FCTA secretariat in Abuja, blocking the main entrance with a truck while chanting the name of Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, and demanding immediate payment for projects they said were fully executed and verified. Security operatives cordoned off the entrance to prevent the protesters from accessing the premises. After a standoff that lasted several…

President Bola Tinubu has written to the senate seeking consent for the deployment of Nigerian troops in the Republic of Benin. The letter was read on the floor of the upper legislative chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday. “Pursuant to Section 5, Subsection 5, Part 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended,” the letter reads. “I seek, in further consultation with the National Defence Council, the consent of the senate, for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin.” Tinubu said the request followed an appeal from the…