Author: Festus Adeloye

Iran and Israel traded a volley of missiles on Sunday after the United States announced its bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. In a move which escalates the tensions between both nations, Iran and Israel exchanged no less than 27 missiles, with Israel’s main Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv targeted alongside research facilities, and command centres. According to an Iranian state news agency report, air raids were heard across most parts of Israel as millions sought refuge in safe rooms and bomb shelters. It was also reported that explosions and missile interceptions were sighted above the commercial hub of Tel…

Opposition leaders under the banner of Coalition Movement have adopted the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), and applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register as a party ahead of the 2027 election. The coalition’s application letter addressed to INEC chairman and dated June 19 as obtained by LEADERSHIP, was co-signed by the National Chairman of ADA, Chief Akin Ricketts and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Musa Elayo. The letter which was stamped received by the office of the INEC chairman on June 20, 2025, was titled: “Application for registration as a political party” with ADA name and flag. “We…

The Federal Government is set to roll out smart police stations across the country as part of efforts to modernise the Nigeria Police Force and improve national security through technology. This development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Galaxy Backbone (GBB) and the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) on Friday in Abuja. Speaking during the ceremony, the Managing Director of GBB, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, described the partnership as a major leap in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and a significant contribution to addressing security challenges through innovation. “Now, our partnership with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund will…

Despite a renewed immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump, a federal court in the United States has temporarily blocked the deportation of Matthew Ariwoola, a Nigerian PhD chemistry student at the University of South Carolina. The ruling comes in response to a controversial move by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which revoked Ariwoola’s student visa over a case of mistaken identity tied to a 2023 criminal warrant issued in Georgia—a state the student maintains he has never visited. The visa revocation on April 8, 2025, abruptly disrupted Ariwoola’s academic journey. He was banned from attending classes, suspended from his…

The presidency has stated that the Muslim-Muslim ticket through which President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima came into power in 2023 is no longer an issue. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said this on Thursday, added that fears about Islamisation had been dispelled. According to Onanuga, most of the individuals being brought forward as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027 are Muslims. “Christians are living their lives. The president even attended the Pope’s inauguration in Rome. There’s nothing to worry about. “Many of the names being speculated as potential running mates…

The Federal Government, on Thursday, arraigned suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on charges of alleged criminal defamation. The lawmaker appeared before Justice Chizoba Orji on a three-count charge bordering on alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The charges stemmed from public statements allegedly made by the Senator, including claims that the two high-profile politicians conspired to have her assassinated. One of the counts accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of stating during a televised interview that, “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that…

The prosecution in the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, detained self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) closed its case on Thursday after calling five witnesses. Prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) announced the closure of the prosecution’s case after its fifth witness (PW5) concluded his testimony. Awomolo said after calling five witnesses in the trial, the prosecution was satisfied that from the evidence led and exhibits tendered, the prosecution is satisfied. Defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) said the defendant plans to make a no-case submission, which would be filed in due course.

Former Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo has refuted claims made by a former Minister of Budget and National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman that the 2013 power sector privatisation process was driven by political interests rather than technical and financial capabilities of buyers. Sambo, in a statement by his Personal Secretary, Mr. Yinka Ibrahim, described the allegations as “false, mischievous, and hypocritical.” He asserted that the claims were intended to tarnish the image of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and the National Council on Privatisation, which he chaired at the time. “My attention was drawn to a shocking statement attributed to…

A court in the United States has sentenced five Nigerians, Damilola Kumapayi, Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, Edgal Iribhogbe, Chidindu Okeke and Chiagoziem Okeke, to over 159 years of combined jail term for $17 million fraud. Acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Jay R. Combs announced this in a statement published on the website of the Department of Justice. Combs said the Texas residents being transnational organised criminals were sentenced by US District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III on Monday, June 16, for defrauding over 100 Americans, companies and government entities to the tune of $17 million. Kumapayi, 39,…

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday officially presented party flags to its 57 chairmanship and 376 councillorship candidates for the 12 July Local Government Elections. The party also launched its campaign for the council at the event held at the APC State Secretariat, Ogba. Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs Abimbola Salu Hundeyin, the Secretary to the State Government, assured the candidates of the government’s support to help them emerge victorious in the election. “The love I have for this party is unquantifiable. I am with all the candidates; this…