Author: Vincent Osuwo

General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) has denied involvement in the assassination of Dele Giwa, a journalist and editor-in-chief of Newswatch. Giwa, a critic of Babangida’s military government, was assassinated by a parcel bomb in his home in Ikeja, Lagos State, on October 19, 1986. Two days prior, a senior official of the Directorate of Military Intelligence accused Giwa of illegally importing and stockpiling arms and ammunition to stage a socialist revolution in Nigeria. Perturbed by the charge, Giwa quickly briefed his lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi. However, the following day, a security chief, Colonel Halilu Akilu, called to reassure Giwa that the accusation…

Former military Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) has admitted that late Chief MKO Abiola won the presidential election on June 12, 1993, but called the annulment the most painful choice of his life. Babangida made the disclosure in his book, ‘A Journey in Service,’ which was launched in Abuja on Thursday. Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was reviewing the book at the event, quoted Babangida as saying that Abiola, who ran on the Social Democratic Party’s platform, met all constitutional requirements for president, including obtaining a majority of votes and the necessary geographical spread. “There was no…

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged 14 Filipinos and a firm, Genting International Co. Ltd., before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi for cyberterrorism and internet fraud in Lagos. According to a statement obtained from EFCC’s X handle on Thursday, “The defendants are: Marj Maranga, Zara Fabian, Jonalyn Mendoza, Dominique Medina, Rachelle Cabalona, Krystel Aquilesca, Caselyn Pionela, Raizza Camara, Danica Silad, Reyna Mae Eriba, Chynna Samonte, Mary Grace Dela Cruz, Sevien Cire Renovilla, and Rose-Ann Gonzales. In a surprise operation known as the “Eagle Flush Operation,” EFCC…

Gunmen in Abuja have abducted Eniola Ojajuni, the National President of the Afenifere Youth Council. On Monday, February 17, Ojajuni was captured after allegedly being shot twice in the buttocks. Abiodun Aderohunmu, the council’s national secretary, confirmed the abduction in a statement on Wednesday. The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N100 million to free him, according to a statement released by the council’s National Secretary, Abiodun Aderohunmu, on Wednesday. “The Afenifere National Youths Council is deeply saddened to announce the kidnapping of its National President, Prince Eniola Joseph Ojajuni, in Abuja. During the attack, he sustained a gunshot wound,…

The first-ever Commonwealth Peace Prize has been awarded to Muhammad Ashafa and James Wuye, both Nigerians. The Interfaith Mediation Center’s co-founders received recognition for their outstanding services to Nigeria’s “peacebuilding and reconciliation.” Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, wrote a letter of congratulations to Sani Suleiman, the Deputy High Commissioner of Nigeria, on Wednesday to proclaim their victory. The panel, she said, was pleased by the Nigerians’ exceptional work, pointing out that their efforts have established a global standard for peacebuilding and reconciliation. Scotland added that their “dedication to bridging religious divides, fostering mutual understanding, and preventing violent conflict has made…

The Iranian government executed at least 975 people in 2024 in a “horrifying escalation in the use of the death penalty,” human rights activists said on Thursday. According to an annual report by the human rights organizations Iran Human Rights, based in Oslo, and Together Against the Death Penalty, based in France, the number represents a 17% increase from the 834 reported in 2023. Additionally, it is a far greater number of executions than the average throughout that time period and the greatest number since the IHRNGO’s first annual report in 2008. “The death penalty is weaponized and instrumentalized against…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has withdrawn from the local government election scheduled for Saturday, February 22. This was announced in a letter dated February 17, signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, and addressed to the Secretary of the State Independent Electoral Commission. According to a copy of the letter obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Osogbo stated that the APC would not participate due to the February 10 Court of Appeal judgment, which reinstated its chairmen and councillors. The letter read: “Recall that the judgment of the Federal High…

Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been arraigned at the Isabo High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday. His arraignment comes after his surrender to the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba on Wednesday, after being proclaimed wanted by the Ogun State Police Command. The charges are as a result of an incident on February 5, 2025, when he allegedly led an attack on officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development during an enforcement exercise at his bar in the Sango Ota neighbourhood. The officers were injured, and while nine…

A trial heard that a young woman who was allegedly duped into traveling to the UK to serve as a slave for a United Nations judge felt “lonely” and “stuck.” Lydia Mugambe is accused of preventing the lady from finding a stable job and forcing her to work as her maid and provide childcare. On Wednesday, jurors at Oxford Crown Court were given a taped police interview in which the woman stated that she had “lost all hope.” Ms Mugambe, who was pursuing a PhD at the University of Oxford at the time, denies all four counts. Jurors heard that…

Pope Francis’ health improved “slightly” on his sixth day in the hospital, according to the Vatican. Pope Francis, 88, was taken to Rome’s Gemelli hospital last week for a lung ailment. He’s been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. On Wednesday, he was visited by Italy’s Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, who expressed her delight at finding him alert and responding. We joked as usual. He has not lost his sense of humor.” She sent him best wishes for a speedy recovery on behalf of the Italian government and the entire country. “The blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff, show…