Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, reserved ruling on the bail application filed by social media influencer Okoro Blessing Nkiruka (also known as Blessing CEO) until June 9, 2026. She is currently on trial facing allegations of a N36 million fraud. The defendant is charged with two counts by the […]
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The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has claimed the Nigerian government admitted that Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court acted without jurisdiction in convicting its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and sentencing him to life imprisonment.
IPOB made the claim in a statement released by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, to announce the commencement of proceedings in the appeal filed by Kanu to challenge his conviction.
The brief of argument in the case was filed on Friday at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division. The Nigerian government has, reportedly, also filed its cross-appeal in response to Kanu’s brief of argument in the appeal.
Justice Omotosho convicted Kanu on terrorism charges, filed against him by the Nigerian government, in a judgment delivered on November 20, 2025. Kanu is currently serving his life sentence in Sokoto prison.
In the statement it released after Friday’s proceedings, IPOB said the Nigerian government, in the cross-appeal it filed in response to Kanu’s appeal, admitted that the Federal High Court presided by Justice Omotosho convicted and sentenced Kanu without jurisdiction.
“The judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho on 20 November 2025 has created a crisis far bigger than the fate of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It has created a crisis of institutional credibility.
“What makes the situation extraordinary is that the Federal Government itself has now supplied one of the most devastating pieces of evidence against the judgment.
“In its Cross-Appeal as argued in the Brief of Argument filed today (Friday), the Respondent (Federal Republic of Nigeria) expressly admitted that James Omotosho J, “acted without jurisdiction” when it imposed the sentence of life imprisonment instead of death penalty.
“The Federal Government has effectively fired a cannon through the heart of the judgment it is simultaneously attempting to defend.
“A court either possesses jurisdiction throughout the proceedings or it does not. That principle has governed Nigerian law for decades.
“If the trial court lacked jurisdiction to impose sentence, as the Federal Government now asserts, then the same trial court lacked jurisdiction to produce the conviction from which the sentence supposedly arose. The conviction and sentence are juridically inseparable. One cannot survive without the other,” IPOB said.
Alleging that the Federal Government has inadvertently converted itself into a witness against its own judgment, IPOB said the development has created danger for the Nigerian judiciary.
It added, “Any attempt by the Court of Appeal to affirm the conviction while simultaneously accepting the Federal Government’s admission regarding jurisdiction would require the creation of an entirely new species of criminal jurisprudence unknown to Nigeria, unknown to the Commonwealth, and unknown to the common-law world.
“The court would effectively be saying that a trial court can lack jurisdiction and yet validly convict.”
The separatist group stated that the Nigerian government has created a problem for itself in the alleged attempt to use the invocation of the death penalty to intimidate Kanu into renouncing Biafra restoration. “They instead shot themselves in the foot,” IPOB said.
Kanu and his lawyers had, in kicking against Justice Omotosho’s judgment, insisted that the conviction was based on a repealed law.
With the commencement of the appeal, the group declared that the Nigerian judiciary is on trial.
The statement said, “today our leader and prophet filed the long awaited appeal following Omotosho’s conviction judgment. The issue before the Court of Appeal in the case of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is no longer merely about one man.
“It is now about whether the Nigerian judicial system is prepared to remain a legal institution or whether it is prepared to openly repudiate its own foundational principles. Nigerian judiciary, from the Supreme Court to the lowest in the land is effectively on trial before the whole world starting from today.”
According to IPOB, the appeal has assumed significance far beyond the immediate parties involved in the case – Nnamdi Kanu and the Nigerian government.
The statement added, “The Court of Appeal is no longer deciding merely whether Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should be convicted. It is deciding whether long-established principles of Nigerian criminal law still mean what they say.
“It would have to explain how a conviction can stand when the trial judge himself acknowledged that without a written law there can be no conviction. TPAA was not a written law in force in Nigeria as at 20 November 2025.
“The Nigerian judiciary now stands at a crossroads. One path preserves the integrity of constitutional government. The other path requires the abandonment of principles repeatedly proclaimed by Nigerian courts over many decades.
“The Federal Government has, in effect, informed the Court of Appeal that the trial court lacked jurisdiction. The question now becomes unavoidable: If the trial court lacked jurisdiction, what exactly is left to affirm?”
IPOB called on all defenders of constitutionalism, both within Nigeria and internationally, to closely observe proceedings in the appeal.
Nnamdi Kanu’s appeal: ‘Nigerian Govt admitted Justice Omotosho acted without jurisdiction’ – IPOB
AC Milan winger, Rafael Leao, has opened the door for a Premier League or LaLiga transfer by admitting he wants a ‘new challenge’.
AC Milan are understood to be ready to consider offers for the Portugal international this summer.
Speaking to SportTV, Leao said, “I want a new challenge out of Serie A. I follow the Premier League with great attention.
“If I have the opportunity to play there or in LaLiga, I would be really happy because my talent would be exalted there”.
“Let’s see what will happen this summer.”
Leao scored 80 goals in 291 appearances for AC Milan since signing from Lille in 2019.
Transfer: Rafael Leao hints at two preferred leagues for his next move
Manchester City legend, Yaya Toure, has agreed terms to become the new head coach of Slovan Bratislava.
Sky Sports reports that Toure will bring former Celtic and Swansea coach Darren O’Dea to Slovakia as his assistant.
The former Barcelona midfielder was previously the assistant coach of Saudi Arabia.
The Ivorian won three Premier League titles during his playing days at Manchester City.
The 43-year-old also won the Champions League and two La Liga titles during his time at Barcelona.
He also had coaching experience with English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in the past.
The settlement administrators have begun issuing supplementary payments to eligible claimants. Find out who’s eligible…
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A former accountant-general of Bauchi State, Sa’idu Abubakar, has been arraigned before a High Court in the state over an alleged N11 billion loan fraud involving the procurement of thousands of motorcycles.
Abubakar was docked on Friday on a 16-count charge bordering on the alleged diversion of public funds, forgery, criminal breach of trust, abuse of office and other related offences.
According to court documents, the former accountant-general allegedly diverted N3 billion from a loan facility obtained from UBA Bank for the purchase of 5,000 motorcycles said to be non-existent.
The prosecution further accused him of misleading the Bauchi State House of Assembly and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government by allegedly presenting unauthorised loan facilities as having received official government approval.
Investigators claimed that the alleged misrepresentation led to the issuance and use of approval documents that were not lawfully authorised.
The charge sheet also alleged that Abubakar diverted N4.65 billion and N3.36 billion from separate loan facilities obtained from Polaris Bank and UBA Bank for motorcycle procurement projects.
The prosecution accused the defendant of creating Irrevocable Standing Payment Orders without due authorisation and possessing and using documents suspected to be forged.
To prove its case, the prosecution said it would tender several documents, including Executive Council and House of Assembly resolutions, official correspondence, bank records, investigative reports, witness statements and ISPO documents.
It also disclosed that government officials, investigators and finance personnel linked to the transactions would testify during the proceedings.
The case is expected to continue before the Bauchi State Financial Crimes Court, where Abubakar will respond to the allegations.
Former Bauchi Accountant-General faces 16 charges in N11bn fraud case
The Social Democratic Party (SDP), under the national leadership of Shehu Musa Gabam, has affirmed Chief Saheed Oladele as its consensus governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections in Oyo State. An event held in Ibadan on Tuesday saw Oladele unanimously adopted by party delegates and members. Speaking during the exercise, the state chairman […]
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The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has re-elected its President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, for another term, as the institute announced significant milestones in membership growth, digital transformation, and regulatory enforcement at its 57th Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Mallam Gobir secured a total of 2,784 votes to retain his position, while the Vice President, Mrs. Chidinma Justina Obiejesi, FCIPM, was also re-elected with 1,469 votes. The AGM also saw the emergence of Mr. Adeyemi Ajayi, FCIPM, Chartered FCIPD, as National Treasurer, polling 1,785 votes.
Several members of the Governing Council were returned to office, including Eng. Sean Olabode Badiru, MCIPM (2,334 votes), Mrs. Sa’adatu Asabe Faruk, MCIPM (2,279), Mr. Michael Ewomazino Ogu, MCIPM (1,992), and Comrade Osahon Omole, MCIPM (1,750). In addition, Dr. Sabastine Okeke, FCIPM, was elected as a new Council Member with 1,698 votes.
Presenting his scorecard to members, Mallam Gobir highlighted major achievements recorded by the Institute during the year under review, including unprecedented membership growth, digital transformation, stronger regulatory enforcement, and increased global recognition.
According to him, inducted membership rose from about 1,700 in 2023 to over 3,000 in 2025, while total membership grew to 27,000. The CIPM President attributed the growth to deliberate efforts aimed at strengthening professionalism and expanding the Institute’s reach across the country.
He said the Institute intensified efforts to enforce professional standards through regulatory advocacy, public sensitisation campaigns, delisting exercises, professional compliance initiatives, and strategic engagement with government institutions.
One of the major highlights of the administration, according to Mallam Gobir, was the accelerated digital transformation of the Institute. He disclosed that several technology-driven platforms were successfully deployed during the period, including a new examination portal, membership application portal, e-voting platform, upgraded members’ portal, learning and conference portal, Human Resource Practitioners License (HRPL) portal, CIPM mobile application, and the integration of the Body of Competence and Knowledge framework.
Beyond Nigeria, he said the Institute continued to strengthen its global footprint through strategic collaborations with leading international professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in the United Kingdom, Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Canada, the African Human Resources Confederation (AHRC), and the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA).
The partnerships, he noted, have created additional opportunities for members while enhancing the Institute’s international profile.
Reflecting on the Institute’s progress, Mallam Gobir said the achievements recorded over the past year demonstrate an organisation committed to innovation, growth, and professional excellence.
“When future generations look back at this period in our history, they will see an institute that chose progress over complacency, innovation over tradition, growth over stagnation, and courage over comfort,” he said.
Members who spoke during the AGM commended the leadership team and Governing Council for what they described as a successful year of institutional growth and visibility.
Several members particularly praised the increased media visibility achieved by the Institute, noting that it has helped reinforce CIPM’s position as the statutory regulatory body for human resource management practice in Nigeria and encouraged more HR practitioners to seek certification.
The members also lauded the Institute’s mutual recognition arrangements with CPHR Canada and CIPD UK, describing the partnerships as beneficial to Nigerian HR professionals seeking global career opportunities.
They urged the Institute to sustain its advocacy efforts towards ensuring that human resource practitioners in Nigeria obtain professional certification and comply with established regulatory standards.
The AGM ended with renewed confidence in the Institute’s future direction, as members expressed support for the leadership’s commitment to strengthening professionalism, deepening regulatory compliance, advancing digital innovation, and positioning Nigerian HR practice on the global stage.
CIPM unveils milestones in membership growth, digital innovation at 57th AGM
The Nigerian stock market ended the week bullish as investors gained N234 billion on Friday after a four-day bearish run, which amounted to N5.1 trillion in losses.
Friday’s data from the Nigerian Exchange Limited showed that market capitalisation rose by N234 billion, or 0.15 per cent, from N155.359 trillion on Thursday to N155.593 trillion.
The All-Share Index (ASI) also gained 366 points, or 0.15 per cent, closing at 242,593.31 from 242,227.31 in the previous session.
Consequently, the market’s year-to-date return improved to 55.90 per cent.
Market breadth closed positive, with 39 stocks recording gains against 11 losers, reflecting stronger investor confidence.
On the gainers’ chart, Abbey Mortgage Bank, International Energy Insurance and DAAR Communications topped the list, each advancing 10 per cent to close at N9.35, N7.26 and N1.98, respectively.
Meanwhile, on the flip side, Academy Press declined by 9.84 per cent to N8.25, while University Press fell by 9.73 per cent to N5.10.
VFD Group shed 7.59 per cent to close at N10.35 per share.
Further analysis showed that trading activity improved, with total volume rising by 3.40 per cent to 608.49 million shares valued at N32.03 billion in 53,826 deals.
Abbey Mortgage Bank emerged as the most traded stock by volume, accounting for 164.08 million shares, or 26.97 per cent of the total volume traded.
Seplat led in value terms, recording transactions worth N9.74 billion, representing 30.39 per cent of the market’s total turnover.
Recall that on Thursday, investors lost N1.8 trillion, while the period from Monday to Wednesday also witnessed significant losses.
Nigerian stock market records N234bn gain after four days of N5.1tn loss
Former presidential aspirant of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Mrs. Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju, has confirmed receiving a refund of ₦10.8 million from the party following her withdrawal from the 2027 presidential race.
Busari-Akinnadeju disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that while the party had returned the bulk of the nomination fee she paid in April 2026, an outstanding balance of ₦1.2 million was yet to be refunded.
According to her, the refund followed her resignation from the DLA on May 28 after disagreements over the party’s candidate selection process.
“I acknowledge receipt of ₦10.8 million out of the presidential nomination fee I paid. While I appreciate this action, a balance of ₦1.2 million remains outstanding,” she stated.
The former aspirant, however, stressed that the refund did not address what she described as fundamental concerns surrounding the integrity of the party’s presidential primary process.
She alleged that efforts were made to prevent her participation in the screening exercise and claimed that a disciplinary procedure was later deployed to remove her from the contest after she declined to endorse a consensus arrangement.
According to Busari-Akinnadeju, the issues at stake go beyond the reimbursement of funds and raise broader questions about internal democracy and compliance with electoral regulations.
“The return of the money does not resolve the concerns surrounding the process. It only addresses one aspect of a much larger issue involving transparency, fairness, and adherence to democratic principles,” she said.
She further alleged that state chairmen of the party were instructed not to attend the presidential primary but instead submit figures to the national secretariat as part of a process intended to produce a consensus candidate.
The former aspirant argued that the Electoral Act requires the consent of all cleared aspirants before a consensus candidate can emerge, insisting that such conditions were not met in her case.
She maintained that her experience points to the need for stronger safeguards to protect aspirants seeking elective offices, regardless of their financial capacity or political influence.
“My concern is no longer limited to the money. It is about ensuring that future aspirants are protected from similar experiences and that political participation remains fair and accessible to all Nigerians,” she said.
She thanked supporters, civil society groups, and members of the public who followed developments surrounding the matter, noting that public scrutiny played a key role in securing the refund.
Having resigned from partisan politics, Busari-Akinnadeju said she would now focus on the Dare Agenda Movement, a platform she described as dedicated to promoting purposeful leadership and citizen-driven governance.
According to her, the movement aims to mobilise Nigerians toward active engagement in nation-building beyond electoral cycles.
“The work of building a better Nigeria cannot wait until 2027. The Dare Agenda is already in motion, and we remain committed to pursuing leadership accountability and national development,” she added.