Author: Opalim Lifted

There was mild drama at the Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja, on Friday when police officers whisked away Omoyele Sowore, the human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, moments after he was granted bail. Sowore, along with 12 others including Aloy Ejimakor, a former counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, was granted bail by Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id. Each defendant was asked to produce two sureties and pay a sum of ₦500,000. They were also required to submit a verified National Identification Number, a three-year tax clearance certificate, and their passports. However, shortly after the court ruling, policemen reportedly manhandled Sowore…

A magistrate court in Abuja has granted bail to Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist. Also granted bail were Aloy Ejimakor, one of Nnamdi Kanu’s disengaged counsel, and 11 others. Sowore was arrested by police on Thursday shortly after leaving the premises of the federal high court in Abuja. The Sahara Reporters publisher was arrested for leading the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest to “restricted areas” in the city centre. On Tuesday, the court remanded Ejimakor and 11 others for “inciting public disturbance” during the protest. Police arrest Sowore in Abuja Others granted bail are Emmanuel Kanu, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi,…

President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs, replacing General Christopher Musa with General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff. Tinubu also appointed Major-General W. Shaibu as the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshall S.K. Aneke as the Chief of Air Staff and Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position. The change was announced in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President, Media & Public Communication, Sunday Dare, on Friday. He said that the…

President Bola Tinubu has approved sweeping changes in Nigeria’s military leadership, signalling a renewed drive to strengthen the country’s security apparatus. In a statement on Friday, Sunday Dare, the president’s special adviser on media and public communication, announced that General Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa. Major General W. Shaibu becomes the Chief of Army Staff, while Air Marshal S.K. Aneke takes over as Chief of Air Staff. Vice Admiral I. Abbas assumes duty as Chief of Naval Staff, with E.A.P. Undiendeye retaining his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.…

Political observers and stakeholders have criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for failing to control Nigeria’s political parties, accusing the body of weakness and poor enforcement of electoral laws. During a recent roundtable in Abuja, INEC admitted that loopholes in the Electoral Act limit its power to punish early campaigns, which are already dominating billboards and social media across the country. Outgone INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu said Section 94 of the 2022 Act only sanctions campaigns held less than 24 hours before an election, leaving no penalties for premature campaigns. The situation, he said, emboldens politicians, especially the ruling…

Nigeria’s currency, the naira, may face another devaluation shortly after the 2027 general elections, according to Chidi Ajaegbu, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). Ajaegbu expressed concern over the Federal Government’s rising appetite for loans, warning that reckless borrowing could plunge the nation into deeper economic distress. Speaking at a public lecture organised by the Department of Accounting and Finance, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, he said, “Excessive borrowing scares away investors. The government must be cautious. Buhari was reckless with loans, and this could devalue the naira after 2027.” Nigeria’s public debt reached ₦152.4 trillion in…

US President Donald Trump has pardoned Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, marking a dramatic shift in Washington’s stance towards the cryptocurrency industry. The White House announced on Thursday that Zhao’s conviction had been wiped, accusing former president Joe Biden of waging an unnecessary “war on crypto” that hurt America’s global tech reputation. Zhao, who turned Binance into the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, pleaded guilty in 2023 to breaching US anti-money-laundering laws. He served four months in prison in 2024. The pardon clears Zhao’s criminal record and could reopen Binance’s path to returning to the US market, two years after suspending…

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved a comprehensive roadmap to achieve a $1 trillion Nigerian economy by 2030. The 153rd NEC meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was attended by President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume and several state governors. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, presented the roadmap, outlining strategies to deepen collaboration among federal, state and local governments. He said ongoing macroeconomic reforms, improved security, and grassroots infrastructure programmes have laid the foundation for growth. Six key resolutions were…

Lasisi Elenu, the Nigerian skit maker, and Nonso Adika, his wife, have welcomed their second child together. The content creator took to his Instagram page on Thursday to announce the arrival of their son. Sharing a picture of the baby’s feet, he described him as a “gift from God”. Elenu also revealed that the name of the child is River while appreciating God for the blessing of a newborn. “Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from within them. — John 7:38 (NLT). Meet our son River Elroi Adédámínì Adewunmi Nosagie Anyalewechi Afolabi @river_elroi,” he wrote. “Our…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has fixed uniform prices for its Renewed Hope Estate housing units across all 36 states, in a move aimed at promoting fairness and affordability for aspiring homeowners. Under the new rates, the one-bedroom semi-detached bungalow will sell for ₦8.5 million, the two-bedroom for ₦11.5 million, and the three-bedroom for ₦12.5 million. Announcing the decision in Abuja, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ahmed Dangiwa said the equal pricing structure would ensure transparency and give all Nigerians, regardless of location, an equal chance to own a home. He noted that priority will be given to low-…