Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has renewed calls for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal, stressing the need for a dedicated judicial body to handle cases of electoral malpractice. Speaking at the first regular quarterly consultative meeting with the media in Abuja on Friday, Yakubu highlighted the challenges facing the prosecution of electoral offenders, noting that delays in the judicial system often result in cases lingering for years. He cited the recent conviction of a Returning Officer in Akwa Ibom State, which took nearly six years to conclude, as an example of the…

King Charles III, head of the Church of England, and Queen Camilla will travel to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis in April, Buckingham Palace said Thursday. “Their majesties the King and Queen will undertake state visits to the Holy See and the Republic of Italy in early April 2025,” the palace said. The state visit will be Charles’s first to the Vatican for talks with the head of the Catholic church since becoming king in 2022. Charles has gradually made a return to public life after beginning treatment for cancer early last year, and has been on several state…

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa has proposed a shift to a 12-year basic education model in Nigeria. Alausa made the proposal on Thursday, in Abuja, at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting, which is the highest education policy-making body in Nigeria. Nigeria currently operates the 9-3-4 system, which consists of nine years of basic education, three years of senior secondary education, and four years of tertiary education. However, Alausa pointed out that some of the issues influencing the convening of the extraordinary National Council of Education meeting include the introduction of a 12-year basic education system…

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has called for an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission into the financial recklessness that led to the suspension of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, and the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani. In a statement issued by the party’s state chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, the PDP expressed concern that the suspension of the two officials highlighted what it described as the reckless financial mismanagement under Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration. “We also urge relevant security agencies, including the Department of State…

Kebbi State Police have uncovered more than 200 suspected illegal immigrants living in a three-bedroom flat in Birnin Kebbi’s Kuwait area. Police spokesman Nafiu Abubakar confirmed that 165 of the individuals were arrested, while others escaped. “The operation took place on January 31, 2025, around 5 p.m. Based on intelligence, security teams raided the flat and arrested 165 people,” Abubakar said. Investigations revealed the immigrants came from several Francophone West African countries: 35 from Burkina Faso, 11 from Benin, five from Niger, four from Mali, and 110 from Ivory Coast. Abubakar also stated, “None of the suspects had valid travel…

President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the governing council of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly UniAbuja) and removed Professor Aisha Maikudi as Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the changes in a statement on Thursday, titled ‘President Tinubu announces leadership overhaul at Federal Universities.’ To replace Maikudi, Tinubu appointed Professor Patricia Manko as Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term. “She (Prof. Manko) will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice-Chancellor position when it becomes available,” Onanuga said. Senator Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, will take over as…

Bandits attacked Tsiga town in Katsina State’s Bakori Local Government Area, abducting several people, including former NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (retired). The attack occurred at around 12 a.m. on Thursday, with the assailants armed with dangerous weapons. They stormed Tsiga’s residence, shooting as they forced their way in. A reliable source confirmed one bandit was killed during the attack, but no residents were reported dead. When asked by Newsmen, Police spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, said: “I am yet to be briefed on the facts of the reports. I’ll get back to you as soon as I get the details.…

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned its proceedings to Monday, 10 February, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to present its witnesses as scheduled. The adjournment came on Thursday, following the announcement by INEC’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, who informed the three-member tribunal panel, headed by Justice Wilfred Okpochi, that the commission would not be calling any witnesses. Agabi explained that after considering the matter at the conclusion of Wednesday’s proceedings, INEC had decided not to proceed with presenting witnesses. This unexpected development has delayed the proceedings, with Governor Monday Okphebholo now set to…

Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia has joined PSV Eindhoven on loan for the rest of the season, the Premier League club have announced. The Netherlands international, 25, has been rebuilding his fitness after returning to action in November following a 17-month lay-off with injury troubles. Malacia, a left-back, joined United in a £13 million ($16 million) switch from Feyenoord in 2022 and is contracted at Old Trafford until the end of next season. “Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia will spend the rest of the 2024/25 season on loan with Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven,” United said in a statement. “After working…

The Senate has officially terminated the appointment of three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) following a request from President Bola Tinubu, invoking Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The affected officials as read by the Senate Majority leader are Dr. Nura Ali (Sokoto State REC), Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa State REC), and Professor Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu (Abia State REC). They had been suspended in 2023 over allegations of electoral misconduct, including violations of the Electoral Act, election compromise and fraud and abandonment of duty. Security reports from the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Department of State…