Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Ballon d’Or organisers have officially announced the nominees for the 2025 Kopa Trophy, an annual accolade given to the world’s best-performing player under the age of 21. Ayyoub Bouaddi, Pau Cubarsi, Désiré Doué, Estevão, Dean Huijsen, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Rodrigo Mora, Joao Neves, Lamine Yamal, and Kenan Yildiz are among the ten upcoming stars nominated for the prestigious award, according to a statement made on Thursday by X. “These are our 2025 Kopa Trophy nominees!” the Ballon d’Or team announced, celebrating the emerging talents shaping the future of global football. Barcelona sensation Yamal, who recently turned 18 and inherited Lionel Messi’s…

German police announced Thursday that they had detained three additional suspects in an alleged far-right coup plan involving a prince, which has resulted in the prosecution of 27 people. Prosecutors claim the scheme discovered in 2022 aimed to attack the German parliament, grab power, and install nobleman and industrialist Prince Heinrich XIII Reuss as head of state. The plot was supposedly an offshoot of the German Reichsbürger, or Citizens of the Reich, a radical and gun-loving movement that opposes the validity of the present German republic. Those engaged are believed to have drawn inspiration from conspiracy theories, such as the…

The Air Component of the Joint Task Force, Operation Fasan Yamma (OPFY), stated on Thursday that its fighter planes achieved another operational success on August 4, 2025, by neutralising over 30 terrorists in Zamfara State. OPFY, in a statement by Captain David Adewusi, Media Information Officer, claimed the precision strikes were “on terrorists who had converged at the foot of Asola Hills in Yankuzo Ward of Tsafe Local Government Area, Zamfara State, for a wedding ceremony.” “The strike, which was conducted based on credible intelligence, targeted a large assembly of terrorists from the Faskari and Kankara axis of Katsina State,…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have defended its actions over the re-arrest of two criminal suspects, which led to a clash with police operatives. Chronicle NG reports that personnel of the EFCC and the Nigeria Police Force clashed over the re-arrest of two suspects by the anti-graft agency over a case already under police investigation—a move a lawyer has described as “double jeopardy”. Khadijah Bayern, an Abuja-based lawyer, has petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), saying that the EFCC intimidated and unlawfully detained her clients, Illesanmi Olaniyi and Ishola Maruf. The “Double Jeopardy and Intimidation” suit…

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force clashed following the re-arrest of two suspects by the anti-graft agency over a case already under police investigation—a move a lawyer has described as “double jeopardy”. Khadijah Bayern, an Abuja-based lawyer, has petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), saying that the EFCC intimidated and unlawfully detained her clients, Illesanmi Olaniyi and Ishola Maruf. The “Double Jeopardy and Intimidation” suit questions the EFCC’s activities after the accused were previously detained and given administrative release by the Police Force Intelligence Department (FID) in March 2024. According…

US President Donald Trump said he could meet with President Vladimir Putin “very soon”, following what he described as highly productive talks in Moscow between his special envoy and the Russian leader. The potential meeting was discussed in a call between Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky that, according to a senior source in Kyiv, included NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the leaders of Britain, Germany and Finland. “There’s a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon,” Trump told reporters Wednesday at the White House when asked when he would meet the Ukrainian and Russian leaders.…

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has tackled corrupt public office holders for lacking proper upbringing that should equip them for public office. Sanusi spoke on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of former Head of State Gen. Muhammed Murtala, recalling ideals he learnt from the late Head of State. He said, “The truth is many people in public office today are simply not well brought up, “When I was in King’s College, we were taught certain values like the importance of honesty and integrity. You know it’s essential to leave a good name.…

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has attacked the appointment of individuals with questionable character to public service, stressing that Nigeria must stop rewarding those who steal state funds with cabinet positions. Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme broadcast on Wednesday, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor stated that the country’s value structure has failed, and consumerism now trumps honesty and integrity. “A society in which material wealth, no matter how you get it, is respected… where people who are known to have stolen money get rewarded with ministerial appointments… that society will continue to…

Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has condemned the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun in strong terms over the detention of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore. Sowore was reportedly detained after he was invited for questioning over a petition alleging forgery and criminal defamation. Sources said Sowore, who voluntarily honoured the invitation and arrived at the Force Headquarters in Abuja in the company of his legal team, A.K. Musa, Marshal Abubakar and several supporters, was asked to wait for a Deputy Inspector General of Police following his demand to see an original copy of the petition against him. He told…

The United States Mission in Nigeria has threatened to deny the visa application of pregnant women in Nigeria seeking to travel to the US for childbirth. The US Mission issued a warning to Nigerians, particularly pregnant women, against going to the United States solely for the purpose of giving birth and obtaining American citizenship for their offspring. In a message uploaded on Wednesday via its official X (previously Twitter) account, the mission highlighted that such practices, known as birth tourism, are prohibited by US immigration guidelines and may result in travel document refusal. “Using your visa to travel for the…