According to a report published on Wednesday in Berlin, the figure marks a significant rise from 40 million recorded in 2010, based on data from Eurostat and the UN Refugee Agency.
The post Immigrants in Europe reach record high of 64.2 million in 2025 appeared first on Tribune Online.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dismissed reports of a leadership split within its ranks and denied allegations regarding diversion of funds meant for persecuted Christians in Northern Nigeria.
In a statement signed on Wednesday in Abuja by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association described the claims as “false, malicious, and deeply defamatory.”
“There is no truth to the narrative that the body has been divided along Northern and Southern lines. CAN remains one united and indivisible body. There is no split, no secession, and no division within our structure. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and should be disregarded,” Okoh said.
Addressing the financial allegations, the association clarified that it had neither received nor managed the specific relief funds mentioned in the reports, adding that no money had been diverted under any circumstances.
The President expressed concern over the public propagation of these claims by Rev. Isaac Omolehin, the founder of Word Assembly Ministry, Ilorin. He noted that the allegations were made without evidence and could potentially undermine national cohesion and Church unity.
The can leadership further frowned at the inclusion of prominent Christian leaders, including Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, and Pastor William Kumuyi, in the “unwarranted” narrative.
“CAN will not tolerate the spread of falsehoods or any attempt to malign the Church. We issue a firm and final caution to Rev. Isaac Omolehin and any other individuals or groups who misuse their platforms to disseminate unverified or defamatory claims to desist immediately,” CAN added.
The association warned that it would be compelled to take legal action to protect its integrity if the dissemination of such misinformation continued. It urged the public and the international community to disregard the claims and rely only on official channels for verified information. The association reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and the welfare of believers affected by insecurity across the country.
CAN Denies Leadership Tussle, Diversion Of Relief Funds is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has pegged its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at N51 million and the governorship form at N21 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The faction’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, revealed the details in an election timetable released to journalists on Wednesday.
According to the schedule, the group plans to submit its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission on April 21, 2026, and formally notify the commission of its primaries a day later.
The document indicates that the expression of interest form for all offices is fixed at ₦1 million, while nomination fees differ depending on the position being contested.
Aspirants for State Houses of Assembly are expected to pay ₦2 million, House of Representatives ₦3 million, Senate ₦5 million, governorship ₦20 million, and presidential hopefuls ₦50 million.
Sales of the forms are slated to commence on April 27 and end on May 4, with May 9 set as the deadline for submission of completed applications.
Screening for State Assembly, National Assembly, and governorship aspirants will take place on May 11, while presidential aspirants will be screened on May 12.
The presidential primary election is scheduled for May 18, while governorship primaries will hold on May 27. Primaries for the House of Representatives are fixed for May 21, Senate primaries for May 23, and State Assembly primaries will run between May 21 and May 24.
All appeals are expected to be concluded by May 30, 2026.
Bature added that female aspirants would only be required to pay the expression of interest fee for their chosen positions.
The PDP continues to grapple with an internal rift that has split the party into two camps—one led by Kabiru Turaki and backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and another led by Abdulrahman Mohammed with the support of Wike.
Multiple lawsuits arising from the factional dispute remain before the courts. At the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday, justices indicated that a date for judgment would be communicated to the parties.
2027: Wike-backed PDP fixes presidential form at N51m, gov N21m
The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned six military officers, including retired senior personnel, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 13-count charge over an alleged failed coup plot aimed at overthrowing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Court documents show that the charges include treason, terrorism, and conspiracy to wage war against the state. The defendants are accused of planning to storm the Presidential Villa, seize power, and topple the government.
The arraignment is currently ongoing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, leading the prosecution team.
The court briefly stood down proceedings to provide an interpreter for the sixth defendant, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sanni, after his counsel informed the court that he only understands Hausa and Arabic. The matter later resumed, and the charges were read in open court.
Court proceedings show that all the defendants are present except former Minister of Petroleum Timipre Sylva, who is reported to be at large.
The arraignment follows investigations by the Defence Headquarters into the alleged plot, which led to the arrest of at least 16 military officers in October 2025. Reports indicate that additional arrests were later made as the investigation expanded.
Those charged include a retired army general, serving and retired officers, a retired naval captain, and a serving police inspector. The government said the action forms part of efforts to address indiscipline and security breaches within the armed forces.
Defence Headquarters spokesman Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba had earlier confirmed that investigations had been concluded and that those found culpable would be arraigned before appropriate judicial authorities under the Armed Forces Act.
The case has attracted significant attention since the initial arrests were announced. Some families of detained officers have raised concerns over delays in judicial proceedings.
Proceedings are ongoing at the Federal High Court, with the matter expected to continue as the court moves into plea taking and further hearings.
FG Arraigns Coup Plotters As Sylva Absent In Court is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Tijani Fatai, has directed officers to stop the practice of searching citizens’ mobile phones, stating that such actions are not allowed under existing policing rules.
He gave the directive in a video shared by News Central TV on Tuesday, where he stressed the need for professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights during police duties.
Fatai added that officers should not be concerned about being filmed while carrying out their lawful responsibilities, noting that accountability applies to both law enforcement personnel and members of the public.
“When we know that what we are doing is the right thing, we shouldn’t entertain any fears of anybody recording us. You can record us. We can record you as well. It’s on both sides. So we are not entertaining anybody.
“Anybody can record any police officer at his duty post. In as much as the police officer is doing the right thing, he has nothing to fear about recording. So yeah, anybody can record us while we are carrying out our lawful duty,” he said.
The police chief reiterated that operatives have been expressly warned against inspecting mobile phones during stop-and-search operations, insisting that their focus should remain on vehicles and related security checks.
He stated: “Our men have been warned not to search any phone from any individual. We are there to search the vehicles.”
Fatai explained that such checks are mainly aimed at verifying occupants of vehicles to ensure they are legitimate passengers and not victims or accomplices of criminal activity.
“We are there to know who and who is inside the vehicle and to be assured that the people have boarded the right vehicle and not the vehicles of these hoodlums who will take them to destinations where they are not supposed to be,” he added.
Police prohibit officers from searching mobile phones – Lagos CP
Lagos State recorded more than N1.7 trillion in internally generated revenue, IGR, in 2025, further consolidating its position as Nigeria’s highest revenue-generating state and setting a pace for others to emulate.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting of the Joint Revenue Board in Lagos, where he urged state governments to strengthen their Internal Revenue Services to improve revenue mobilisation and support development.
The 2025 figure represents a 39 per cent increase from the N1.2 trillion generated in 2024, reflecting steady growth driven by reforms, digital transformation, and improved tax compliance.
Sanwo-Olu attributed the performance to deliberate policies that grant revenue agencies operational independence, adequate funding, and institutional support.
“It is only when you give revenue agencies what they need and allow them to work independently that you can fully harness their expertise,” he said.
He explained that Lagos’ revenue expansion has been underpinned by investments in digital tax infrastructure, widening of the tax base, and initiatives aimed at strengthening public confidence in the system, noting that IGR now constitutes a substantial share of the state’s budget.
According to the governor, the improved revenue profile has enabled the state to fund key infrastructure and social programmes under its THEMES+ agenda, targeted at over 24 million residents.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Joint Revenue Board, Zacch Adedeji, commended Lagos for its sustained performance, describing it as the outcome of long-term reforms initiated over a decade ago.
He noted that the state’s annual revenue had grown from less than N94 billion prior to the 2007 reforms to over N1.7 trillion in 2025, adding that the gains have translated into visible development outcomes.
Adedeji cited major projects such as the Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge, the Abijo Agro Food Hub, and the Tolu Schools Complex, as well as ongoing rail mass transit development, as examples of how improved revenue mobilisation supports infrastructure and economic growth.
Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Ayodele Subair, attributed the achievements to consistent government backing, including investments in systems, personnel, and operational capacity.
He described Lagos as a benchmark for efficient tax administration and expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among states would enhance revenue performance nationwide.
The development comes amid calls by stakeholders at the meeting for greater harmonisation of tax systems across the country to boost efficiency, transparency, and overall economic growth.
Tension flared in Sokoto on Wednesday as a coalition of political parties and youth groups staged a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, demanding the immediate resignation of the commission’s national chairman Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan over alleged bias and injustice.
The protesters, operating under the Coalition of Political Parties and comprising members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party, and other registered parties, accused the INEC leadership of working in the interest of certain political actors to the detriment of others.
Addressing journalists during the demonstration, one of the protest leaders said the group was in Sokoto in solidarity with Nigerian youths to press home two key demands which include the immediate resignation of the INEC chairman and intervention by the Federal Government.
“We are here to demand the resignation of the national chairman. We are also calling on the Federal Government, both the executive and legislative arms, to ensure he exits that position honourably”
He alleged that the commission’s leadership was acting the “bidding of its employers,” claiming that certain interests were being favoured to dominate the electoral process.
The protesters further decried what they described as the unjust removal of a political party from INEC’s portal, insisting that such actions undermine democratic principles and political inclusiveness.
In a charged remark, the activist urged security agencies to exercise restraint, noting that both citizens and security personnel face similar economic realities.
“We are all Nigerians. We go to the same markets and buy at the same prices. If they are deployed to disperse us, we are ready. This is a struggle for democracy,” he added.
The demonstration, however, remained largely peaceful as security operatives monitored the situation around the INEC premises.
Responding, the INEC Head of General administration and procurement Hussaini Tanko Yahaya who received a protest letter from the group assured them that their grievances would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
“We have received your letter and will acknowledge it accordingly. All the issues raised will be taken up with the commission,” an official said.
He said that the commission remains committed to addressing concerns through appropriate channels.
The protest comes amid growing political tension and heightened scrutiny of electoral processes ahead of future elections in the country.
Coalition Protests At INEC Office In Sokoto, Demands Amupitan’s Resignation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in Maitama on Wednesday admitted a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Turaki, to bail in the sum of N100 million.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs between 2013 and 2015, is facing trial over allegations that he supplied false information to the police in a petition submitted in 2022.
He was brought before Justice Peter Kekemeke on a single-count charge marked CR/647/2026, filed by the Nigeria Police Force under the authority of the Inspector-General of Police.
The charge, dated November 15, 2025, states: “That you, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, m, of No. 37 T.Y. Danjuma Street, Asokoro, Abuja, on or about October 5, 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, gave false information to the Inspector-General of Police via a petition dated October 5, 2022.”
Police prosecutors said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code.
Earlier, on March 26, the court had issued a warrant for Turaki’s arrest after he repeatedly failed to appear for arraignment. However, the order was lifted on April 1 when he presented himself in court and indicated readiness to face trial.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Turaki entered a not guilty plea.
His counsel, Abulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, urged the court to grant bail, citing Sections 36(5) and 36(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, alongside Section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. He argued that the charge is bailable and stressed that his client remains innocent until proven otherwise.
Highlighting Turaki’s profile, the defence noted his decades-long legal career and public service. “My Lord, this defendant is also the authentic leader of the PDP. He is an elder statesman, a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a respected community leader with various chieftaincy titles,” Ibrahim said, while asking that bail be granted on self-recognition.
The prosecution, led by Usman Rabiu, opposed the request, alleging that the defendant had evaded service of court processes and only appeared after being declared wanted. While acknowledging that bail rests at the court’s discretion, he argued that such discretion should be exercised cautiously and urged the court to remand the defendant.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that bail is a fundamental right and that the court is empowered to grant it where appropriate. He also noted that Turaki eventually submitted himself to the court voluntarily before the arrest warrant could be enforced.
The judge further ruled that the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence to show that the defendant was likely to abscond.
Consequently, the court granted bail in the sum of N100 million, with one surety in like amount. It directed that the surety must be either a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with at least 20 years’ standing or a lawyer with over 40 years of practice.
The matter was adjourned until June 11 for commencement of hearing.
Yusuf Buhari, son of late President Muhammadu Buhari, has formally declared his intention to contest for the Sandamu/Daura/Mai’Adua Federal Constituency in Katsina in the forthcoming general elections.
According to a media post by former presidential media aide, Bashir Ahmad, Yusuf made his decision known on Wednesday when he visited the Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda.
He wrote, “Today, Yusuf Buhari, son of our late boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, visited the Governor of Katsina, Dr Dikko Radda, as he formally declared his intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Daura, Sandamu and Mai’Adua Federal Constituency.”
DAILY POST reports that Yusuf will be contesting under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was gathered that Yusuf made his decision known after wide consultations with key stakeholders and political allies, especially in Katsina State.
2027: Muhammadu Buhari’s son formerly declares for House of Reps
The federal government, on Wednesday, arraigned five of the alleged masterminds of a plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu through a coup d’état.
The defendants were docked before trial by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Following their plea of innocence to the charge, the court ordered that they should be remanded in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The remand order followed an application by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who was in court to personally handle the case.
Meanwhile, the court slated Monday to commence a full-blown hearing of the case.
Before the matter was adjourned, the defence lawyers, led by Mohammed Ndayako, SAN, prayed the court to order the DSS to grant them access to their clients.
They said such access would enable them to effectively prepare the defence of their clients who have been in detention since they were arrested.
Among those listed as defendants in a 13-count treason charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026 is the erstwhile governor of Bayelsa State—who also served as minister of state for petroleum resources under the late former president Muhammadu Buhari—Timipre Sylva.
The former governor, who is said to be currently at large after escaping from the country before the alleged coup plot was leaked, was arraigned in absentia.
The other defendants in the charge are retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, and three others—Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
The allegations against the defendants border on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and funds laundered in furtherance of acts of terrorism.
According to the FG, the defendants, sometime in September 2025, conspired among themselves to levy war against the state to overawe President Tinubu, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
It was alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to alert the appropriate authorities.
The FG maintained that they rendered assistance to Colonel Ma’aji, as evidenced by their refusal to disclose the coup plot to either the president or a peace officer.
Moreover, the defendants were accused of failing to take preventive steps, as they “did not use any reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence”.
Other allegations against them centred on terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
They were said to have conspired with one another to commit an act of terrorism in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Specifically, the serving police inspector, Ibrahim, and another defendant, Umoru, were accused of participating in meetings linked to terrorist activities.
The FG alleged that they acted “in a bid to further a political ideology which may seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The defendants were further accused of providing support for terrorism.
The prosecution told the court that they knowingly and indirectly rendered support to facilitate acts of terror.
Tracing some of the transactions it said were linked to terrorism financing, the FG alleged that one of the defendants, Goni, “indirectly retained the aggregate sum of N50,000,000, which forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: terrorism financing”, while another defendant, Sani, allegedly retained N2 million from a similar source.
The charge also disclosed that Umoru had accepted a cash payment of N10,000,000 without going through a financial institution.
It was alleged that he also retained an additional N8.8 million suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing.
Likewise, Inspector Ibrahim was accused of taking possession of N1 million linked to the same alleged scheme.
All financial-related counts in the charge were brought under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Some of the counts in the charge read: ‘That you, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (Rtd); Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (Rtd); Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (AP776373); Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; Abdulkadir Sani; Timipre Sylva (still at large); and others, sometime in the year 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowing that Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji (N/10668) and others intended to commit treason, did not give the information thereof with all reasonable despatch to either the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or a peace officer and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code Cap C38 LFN 2004.’
“That you, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (Rtd); Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (Rtd); Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (AP776373); Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; Abdulkadir Sani; Timipre Sylva (still at large); and others, sometime in the year 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowing that Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji (N/10668) and others intended to commit treason, did not use any reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code Cap C38 LFN 2004.
“That you, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (Rtd); Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (Rtd); Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (AP776373); Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; Abdulkadir Sani; Timipre Sylva (still at large); and others, sometime in the year 2025 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired with one another to commit an act of terrorism in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (AP776373) and Zekeri Umoru, sometime in the year 2025 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in a bid to further a political ideology which may seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, knowingly participated in meetings connected with an act of terrorism and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 2(3)(d) and 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you, Bukar Kashim Goni, in September 2025, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly retained the aggregate sum of N50,000,000.00 (fifty million naira) only in your First Bank Account Number 3021511166 from A & A Express Link Concept, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: terrorism financing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
“That you, Zekeri Umoru, in September 2025, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without going through a financial institution accepted a cash payment of the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) only from Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 2(1)(a) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.
“That you, Zekeri Umoru, in September 2025, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly retained the aggregate sum of N8,800,000.00 (eight million, eight hundred thousand Naira) only in your Zenith Bank Plc account number 2006041878, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: terrorism financing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
“That you, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, in September 2025, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, directly took possession of the sum of N1,000,000.00 (one million naira) only from Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji (N/10668), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: terrorism financing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism.
At the sitting, which commenced at about 1:46pm, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the charge was ready and sought leave to have it read to the defendants.
Proceedings were briefly stalled after the third defendant informed the court that his counsel was indisposed, while counsel to the sixth defendant said his client understood only Arabic and Hausa, prompting the court to stand down the matter to secure an interpreter.
When the court reconvened at about 2:18 pm, all six defendants took their pleas and denied the allegations, pleading not guilty to the 13 counts.
Following the arraignment, the prosecution applied for their remand in DSS custody and urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the case, a request that was not opposed by most defence counsel, although the first defendant’s lawyer indicated an intention to file a bail application.
Ruling, the trial judge ordered an accelerated hearing, directed that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody with access to their lawyers, and adjourned the matter till April 27, 2026, for commencement of trial
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